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NanoXplore

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Employees 51-200
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FY2022 Annual Report · NanoXplore
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2022

Contents

01 

IN SUMMARY

STRATEGIC REPORT

03  CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

09  CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S STATEMENT

19  FINANCIAL REVIEW

25  S.172 COMPANIES ACT 2006 STATEMENT

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

26  DIRECTORS

28  DIRECTORS’ REPORT

31  STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

32  CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

40  AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT 

41  DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT 

43 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

49  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

50  CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

51  CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

52  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

53  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

77  ADVISERS AND COMPANY INFORMATION

In summary

Grafenia are the people behind the Nettl network of neighbourhood studios and the 

printing.com brand. We licence our brands and systems in the UK and internationally. 

We sell those to businesses of all sizes via our brand partner networks and company-

owned Nettl stores.

We buy, build and licence. 

In May 2022, Grafenia agreed the sale of the manufacturing business, Works 

Manchester. This business unit has been classified as a discontinued operation within 

these financial statements and is excluded from the summarised financials below.

Continuing operations

Year ended 
31 March 2022

Year ended 
31 March 2021

Subscription and Licence Fees

Company Stores

Brand Partner Print

Online and Trade

Revenue

Gross Profit

EBITDA

Amortisation and Depreciation

Operating Loss

Net Finance Expense

Tax Income

Loss for the Year

£000

2,135

2,462

2,439

1,880

8,916

3,539

166

(944)

(778)

(340)

559

(559)

EPS – Continuing Operations

Development expenditure

Net debt – including discontinued operations

(0.49)p

£0.55m

£(5.25)m

£000

2,077

1,832

1,916

1,119

6,944

3,376

235

(1,184)

(949)

(274)

249

(974)

(0.85)p

£0.68m

£(4.34)m

1

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022Nettl of Exeter Business Store

2

Jan-Hendrik Mohr
Chairman

Chairman’s
Statement

Shortly before publishing this report, Grafenia announced an important 

transaction. We decided to sell our manufacturing business as we believe we are 

not the best owner to develop that part of the business. Going forward, we will 

double down on the software & systems part of our business. 

Sometimes you have to get smaller to grow bigger. 

Over the course of the last few years – and during Covid in particular – we have learnt 

what Grafenia is really good at and, importantly, what we are not. In this annual 

report, you will hear from the leadership of Grafenia why we made the decisions we 

have and what lies ahead. 

But first things first: here is our scorecard of the 2021/22 fiscal year:

Operational Performance

In the last fiscal year, our turnover increased by 27% to £12.36m (2021:£9.75m). 

Of this, £8.92m (2021: 6.94m) related to continuing operations and £3.44m (2021: 

£2.81m) related to discontinued operations. Gross profit increased by 20% to 

£6.70m (2021: £5.58m), with £3.54m (2021: £3.38m) coming from continuing 

operations and £3.16m (2021: £2.20m) from discontinued operations. However, the 

overall gross profit margin decreased to 54.2% (2021: 57.2%) as physical product 

volumes returned, which provide a lower margin than our licence and subscription 

revenue streams. 

The year showed an improvement from a loss to a profit in EBITDA, which is earnings 

before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, of £0.33m (2021: loss £0.16m). 

£0.17m of this (2021: profit £0.24m) related to continuing operations and £0.16m 

(2021: loss £0.40m) related to discontinued operations. Our total comprehensive 

loss for the year reduced to £1.84m versus £2.09m last year. Of this, £0.56m 

(2021: £0.98m) was from continuing operations and £1.28m (2021: £1.11m) from 

discontinued operations. 

3

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022Client meeting space at Nettl of Exeter

4

We finished the fiscal year with cash of £1.59m (2021: £2.74m) of which £0.13m 

relates to the discontinued operation and net debt of £5.25m (2021: net debt 

£4.34m), £2.56m of which relates to the discontinued operation. We invested 

£0.03m on capex (2021: £0.18m), and capitalised £0.55m in development 

expenditure (2021: £0.68m).

This year, we are reporting results from “continuing” and “discontinued” operations. 

In plain English, “continuing” are the figures for the fiscal year as if we had sold 

Works Manchester at the beginning of the comparative year. “Discontinued” is … 

well … everything else! We are happy to announce that the businesses that we are 

keeping – first and foremost Nettl Systems – are more profitable and simpler than 

the operations we sold. 

In fact, that is part of the reason we decided to put the emphasis on Nettl Systems 

and to explore acquisitions of complementary software businesses. In many 

ways, software is the nervous system of many businesses. During Covid, we saw 

an incredible stability and resilience in our software and licence revenues. Nettl 

Systems (and any good software, really) is the last thing people turn off during times 

of crisis. And rightly so! Software makes businesses more efficient and allows people 

to spend their time on more creative and interesting tasks. Grafenia sells a special 

kind of software which is tied into an entire ecosystem of how to run and operate a 

design business: Nettl. Importantly, during Covid Nettl not only served as a smart 

solution to help design studio owners work more efficiently – it was a source of 

inspiration and stability for many small entrepreneurs to make it through trying times.

Gladly, it looks like we turned the corner in operating performance during the 

last fiscal year as you can see in the results we are announcing in this report. We 

sincerely hope that our renewed focus on our core competency – systems and 

software – will help our partners to scale and thrive as exhibitions open up and the 

world goes back to normal. 

5

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022Nettl of Birmingham Business Store and Team

6

People at Grafenia

With our focus on systems and software, we inevitably had to part with a large number 

of team members. Happily, they are now part of a new organisation that is fully 

focussed on running many different production sites. This will bring opportunities for 

career growth to the people who have run our plants for many years.  We wish PFI 

(PFI Group is the trading name of Rymack Sign Solutions Limited) as the new owners 

and everyone who leaves the Grafenia organisation our very best.

We also said goodbye to Peter Gunning who stepped down as CEO. I’ve very 

much enjoyed working with Peter for six years – he led Grafenia through a large 

transformation and the pandemic. Peter worked diligently to get us to where we are 

now and will stay closely involved with helping us improve our tech at Nettl Systems. 

In the name of all shareholders and the Board: Thank you, Peter!

With Peter leaving, Gavin is stepping up and will lead the fission of the organisation 

into two parts as Acting CEO. Over the course of the summer and early autumn, the 

Board will run a strategy exercise to explore the best operating model for our new 

focus on systems and software. The Board is excited to have Gavin in charge and we 

are keen to get to the drawing board very soon. In fact, Gavin has been instrumental in 

making our Nettl System available to many partners. Systems and software need to be 

sold, taught and curated – and Gavin knows very well how to do just that!

Outlook and Current Priorities

In the same place in last year’s report, I explained our decision to divide our reporting 

structure into “everything production” and “everything software and licence”. A year 

later, that split in reporting has led to a split of the business and a renewed focus 

on systems and software. Sometimes these things take time! However, we are now 

ready to double-down. While the coming weeks require some work on transitioning 

production to PFI, we will then focus on growing our software nucleus. To that end, 

Gavin will share a few initiatives in his report. 

We will elaborate a bit more at the AGM and share a few more tangible aspects on 

what we are working on. In any case, the future of Grafenia will centre around what we 

are great at: making systems and software available for businesses to run better. 

The AGM will take place on Wednesday 14 September 2022 at our Nettl of 

Birmingham Business, I hope to see you there!

Jan-Hendrik Mohr 

Chairman 

26 July 2022

7

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
We launched Social Media as a new centralised service and added modules that improve the CRM capabilities of the Nettl System

8

Gavin Cockerill
Acting Chief Executive

STRATEGIC REPORT

Chief 
Executive’s
Statement

Dear Shareholders,

Kind of a big deal

Our team has invested a great deal of energy and effort transitioning the business. 

To be what we think it should be. We continue to make progress. We’ve still work 

to do. But we’ve completed another big step in that process. That’s the sale of our 

manufacturing business Works Manchester, detailed in our update of 19 May 2022. 

That’s kind of a big deal, so more on that later. It means we can double-down on our 

software licensing business. And move to the next part of the journey. With focus 

renewed. Objectives clear and in sight. To build, buy and licence.

As part of the sale, Peter Gunning has stepped down and I’m delighted the Board 

has appointed me Acting CEO. Peter will continue to be involved with the Nettl 

Systems software stack as a consultant. Moving forward, the Company and Peter 

intend to enter into an agreement whereby Peter will take on a master licence for 

WorksThing and Nettl in Spain. I expect he’ll swap his flowery jackets for short-

sleeved flowery shirts.

We’d like to sincerely thank our teams for their hard work and dedication throughout. 

For their efforts in bringing the business to this transitional point. We’ve made 

it through some tough times recently. It’s not been easy and we recognise and 

appreciate the efforts of each and every partner and team member. Thank you.

This year was better, for sure. Slowly moving from lockdowns and restrictions 

to busy events and exhibitions has helped. Each of our business units improved 

performance compared to last year.  

9

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022We said in our trading update on 6 April 2022 that we had faced cost rises across 

the board. Paper has increased by 30-50%, due to increased distribution costs, 

shortages and rising energy prices. We have increased our prices three times in 2022 

to reflect this. Fuel and energy prices remain at high levels and are not helped by 

global events. We don’t expect this to change anytime soon.

Build, buy and license 

Our strategy remains the same. Build, buy and license. We build performance in our 

company-owned Nettl locations. We buy businesses to extend our scale, capability 

and resilience. And we license our know-how and systems to others. I’ll go into more 

detail on each of the sections in turn.

The key difference? We no longer believe we need to own a production facility to 

provide an integrated supply chain via our platform. We can do so utilising our Works 

Maker partners. Works Manchester now being the largest. Seamlessly hooked into 

our platforms.  

Nettl company-owned stores

We have five company-owned Nettl locations. In these stores, we sell to local 

businesses. The kind of things a business would want to promote themselves online 

and offline. That’s websites, ecommerce shops, online booking systems, social 

media, SEO, printing, displays, exhibition and signage. We mostly sell to SME clients, 

who often don’t have their own in-house marketing department. 

Our stores are in Manchester, Birmingham, Exeter, Liverpool and Dublin. They’re 

important because it’s where we refine new initiatives. Develop and deploy best 

practice. Then we roll that out across our partner network. 

The pandemic and all the restrictions brought about uncertainty. Uncertainty dents 

business confidence. But as restrictions were lifted, events returned. Business 

opened up again. Slowly, but surely, sales in our company stores returned. Not to pre-

pandemic levels. But they’re getting there. Revenues from our stores were up 34% to 

£2.46m (2021: £1.83m). In the second half of 2020, we rolled three businesses into 

our Birmingham and Dublin company stores. If we exclude them this year, like-for-like 

sales would be up 20%.

In this revenue segment, we count all invoiced sales to end clients of our company 

stores, whether they be print, display, design, websites or search engine optimisation. 

Essentially, everything we ring through the till in our own stores. 

Software Circle

We buy businesses to extend our scale, capability and resilience. Our acquisition 

strategy is a little different today. We’re refocusing our search on software 

businesses. Take a look at www.grafenia.com/acquisition to see the full detail. Our 

Software Circle team actively search for businesses that either complement our core 

offering or are complementary to the skillsets we have as a business. Those skillsets 

being sales, marketing, design and software development and licensing. 

10

We have a number of ongoing discussions with owners of businesses that meet 

our criteria. Things are progressing. This will be a large part of our focus for the 

upcoming year.

You might think that this is a pivot. And you’d be right. Our previous aim was to roll-

in signage businesses. You’ll recall we acquired Image Group back in 2017.  Sales 

were £3.45m (2021: £2.80m).  Owning Image Group helped us integrate the supply 

of signage and large format solutions into our systems. We’re hoping to expand those 

offerings through Works Manchester and new owner PFI Group’s wider network.

We believe we can achieve our aim of an integrated supply chain and nationwide 

installation network for our partners without owning sign companies. 

Nettl Systems

If I think back to my first days with this business. A long, long time ago. In what feels 

like a galaxy far, far away. Birmingham, to be precise. It was all about print. A lot has 

changed since then. Print is a huge part of our legacy. It’s where everything started. 

Back then, we published prices in a buying guide, we faxed order forms, manually 

checked graphic files and sent them to production using a Jaz drive. Yes, Jaz and Fax 

were things.

Since then, the Nettl System has grown up. Developed over decades. Once our 

blue screened, MS-DOS child. Now the jewel in our crown. A complete cloud-based 

operating system for the graphics sector. 

Our software platform, once geared just for print, now manages everything a diverse 

graphics studio needs to thrive. From print orders and web projects to signage surveys 

and installations, SEO and Social Media. Automating the little things that have to 

happen along the way. 

Nettl studios can do more for their clients, in less time, with the same people. To rely 

less on just reselling print. We’ve added new modules too. Improving the CRM and 

pipeline capabilities. We think this could widen the target market for our subscriptions 

in the future.

Today we licence our software and brands to graphic professionals. Designers, printers, 

signmakers, marketing agencies and other graphic professionals use our marketing 

tools, workflow management system and integrated supply chain to deliver better 

service to their local clients. 

Partners pay us a monthly subscription which gives them access to our systems, brand, 

training and support. Using the Nettl System, they’re able to buy factory-direct print 

and display seamlessly integrated from multiple suppliers. We call them Works Makers. 

Partners resell to clients along with centralised digital marketing services like SEO, 

Social Media and Paid Search. 

11

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022Nettl of Bath – Our ‘brand partners’ use the Nettl brand in conjunction with their own 

12

Our ‘brand partners’ use the Nettl or printing.com brand in conjunction with their own. 

They’re our exclusive partner in their neighbourhood. We licence printing.com and Nettl 

directly in the UK and Ireland. We also licence Nettl in Belgium, France, the Netherlands 

and in the USA. In Australia and New Zealand, we master licence to our partner. 

In the UK we have waiting lists for the larger city areas. But the provincial towns are 

where we’ve seen some churn. Partners who found it difficult to diversify from selling 

just print, have had a tough time. Although Covid restrictions ended, for those still reliant 

on small format print, recovery was slower than hoped. It’s always sad to lose partners, 

but compared to the sector at large, our network has proved resilient. Our brand, 

marketing and clever systems kept some going when otherwise, they may not have. We 

have continued to add new Nettl partners in the UK and US.

Our Nettl partner network now stands at 210 locations around the world (2021: 232), 

159 active Nettl partners in the UK and Ireland, 18 in Benelux, 27 in the USA, 4 in 

New Zealand and 2 in Australia. In France we saw an influx of new partners during 

the pandemic and our partner count last year stood at 12. But France has been hit the 

hardest and those businesses never got going.

We also currently have 38 printing.com locations (2021: 46). We are still seeing 

printing.com partners upgrade to Nettl in the UK and Ireland. We anticipate that will 

continue as partners diversify their businesses from a reliance on print alone.

Despite a reduction in brand partner count, Subscription and Licence Fees overall 

improved slightly at £2.14m (2021: £2.08m). An increase in search engine optimisation 

subscriptions and website deployments helped drive this. In this segment, we 

count initial licence fees, monthly subscriptions, website deployment royalties, the 

wholesale price of hosting, domain names, digital stock photography and search engine 

optimisation sold via our brand partners. 

As well as paying for licence fees and subscription-based services, Nettl and 

printing.com partners buy printing, exhibition kit, displays and signs and other 

branded merchandise from our integrated supply chain. They pay a wholesale price 

and resell to end clients. Last year product sales were hit hard. As businesses opened, 

events returned. Business confidence bounced around, but certainly improved on 

last year. Similar to our company-owned stores, this meant sales of products to Brand 

Partners increased to £2.44m (2021: £1.92m), driven largely by large format graphics 

and signage.

WorksThing

Leveraging what we learned from owning our own signage business, we developed 

and implemented a digital transformation programme to improve the sign and install 

industry. The first iteration of our platform was for print. The second, web and digital 

services. This new layer enhances the whole process of quoting and managing sign and 

display projects.

13

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022We launched “WorksThing” in March 2022

14

We launched “WorksThing” at the Sign & Digital exhibition in March 2022. Optimised 

for the signage sector, WorksThing.com is a complete workflow tool for managing 

signage installations, from start to finish. It’s an extension to the Nettl system – another 

Software-as-a-Service. Sign businesses pay a monthly subscription, from £49 per user 

per month. Their installers can build online surveys and collaborate online. Connecting 

their calendars to provide online booking, like reserving a table at a restaurant. 

Each install is mapped on a live timeline, so everyone can keep track of progress. A 

modern chat messaging system connects clients with studios, production and install 

crews. It’s early days, but multiple businesses have signed up for a free trial and we’re 

pleased with the reaction we received at the event.

We expect to see some existing partners upgrade and that some WorksThing clients will 

become Nettl partners. To get more from every client relationship with the Nettl toolkit.

Marqetspace.com and online channels

We sell print and signs to professional buyers through Marqetspace.com and a few 

other online channels. This space remains super-competitive. 

It may then seem weird that we retain our Marqetspace channel despite the sale of 

Works Manchester. But it is important to us for a number of reasons. It’s often where 

our relationships start. We get to know printers, graphic designers and sign companies 

with a simple trading relationship. Then we build trust. Then we figure out if any of 

our software tools or systems can help them achieve their own objectives. And so 

Marqetspace is a fertile ground for cultivating Nettl partners. 

It also gives us insight into where the gaps in our product range are. We use that to find 

new Works Makers that can provide that supply.

The pandemic was tough for Marqetspace because it typically had the highest 

percentage of litho print to resellers. However, we saw a recovery last year. Sales were 

£1.88m (2021: £1.12m). 

Nettl of America

In truth, our American dream remains just that. We’ve been hindered by the pandemic 

and the US travel ban didn’t help. But we’ve used that time to evaluate and refine what 

we’ve been doing and how we’ve been doing it. Our new process has generated leads 

and brought new partners into the family. 

We’ve had to adapt how we acquire, launch and support our American friends. We’re 

not deterred. Now that it’s possible again, we’ll be at exhibitions and events. Face-to-

face. Meeting with potential partners. We expect that to help increase conversion.

We now have 27 Nettl locations in America. There are franchisees and partners in the 

states of Florida, Georgia, Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

15

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022Our partners buy print, signs and branded merchandise from our integrated supply chain of Works Makers

16

Works Manchester becomes a Works Maker

The Board took the decision to sell Works Manchester, so the two businesses can 

focus on their strengths. Nettl Systems will be focused on growing our software 

and licensing. 

Works Manchester has plenty of capacity. It will benefit from ingesting more 

external volume. New owner PFI Group is a natural fit and can use the spare 

capacity. It also gives Works Manchester other opportunities to grow and prosper. 

Based less than a mile from the Manchester hub, PFI have been Nettl partners for 

several years and operate a dozen factories around the country.

Providing products for partners to resell through our system remains an important 

part of the offering. Works Manchester becomes our largest Works Maker. 

Maintaining an integrated supply chain through our platform, for our partners. 

With increased capabilities. They will continue to use our software platform with 

a five year licence agreement. It controls the movement of orders through each 

production step and seamlessly connects our partners.

Which means partners continue to buy print, display and signage products from 

Nettl Systems. With all the tracking, visibility and service guarantees they’ve come 

to expect. We charge a small fee to process each order through our platform. 

The sale of Works Manchester is an important pivot for the Group. It will see 

Grafenia transition to a software licensing business. Focused on developing our 

platforms, growing our partner network and company owned channels. And adding 

further software businesses to the Group by way of M&A.

Outlook

Our new financial year started in April. Trading has continued to improve, 

compared to last year. We’re currently trading slightly ahead of our internal 

forecasts. Given the sale of Works Manchester Ltd, we will benefit from lower 

fixed overheads, depreciation charges and costs of borrowing. Modest increases 

in revenue will improve profitability. And that gives us confidence of reaching our 

mid-term objective of 10-15% EBITDA on a monthly run-rate.

For the first time in a while, I hope to see you in person for the presentation after 

the AGM.

Gavin Cockerill  

Acting Chief Executive 

26 July 2022

17

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
Nettl of Exeter Business Store and Team

18

STRATEGIC REPORT

Financial
Review

Iain Brown
Group Finance Director

Revenue

Group revenue for the year, excluding discontinued operations, was £8.91m, (2021: 

£6.94m), an increase of 26% year-on-year. Whilst a clear improvement, COVID-19 

uncertainty and lockdowns continued to impact revenue. Licence revenues, as with 

the prior year, remained consistent. Sales of products increased as volumes improved 

and price rises in response to rising costs were enacted in the second half of the year, 

but were still lower than usual. Exhibitions and events were cancelled for a second 

year and many customers were still unable to open or otherwise forced to operate at 

reduced capacity for significant periods during the year. 

In terms of product sales, our Company Stores saw an increase in revenue to £2.46m 

(2021: £1.83m), sales of print and other products through our Brand Partner Network 

increased to £2.44m (2021: £1.92m), Online and Trade sales increased to £1.88m 

(2021: £1.12m). Revenues from Works Signs Businesses, our now discontinued 

operation, increased to £3.45m (2021: £2.80m). The reason for the increases is 

consistent over each of these channels - more customers open for more days during 

the year. Licence and Subscription Fee revenue has increased year-on-year to £2.14m 

(2021: £2.08m) despite a slight reduction in our partner count. At 95% by revenue 

(2021: 94%), the majority of our business remains in the UK & Ireland. 

Gross profit

Gross Profit, defined as revenue less direct materials (including the cost of distribution 

when made direct to customers) increased to £6.70m (2021: £5.58m). Of this, 

£3.54m related to continuing operations (2021: 3.38m) and £3.16m related to 

discontinued operations (2021: £2.20m). As part of the sale of Works Manchester, we 

entered into a 5 year supply agreement to provide products to our Company stores 

and Partners. This change reduces the gross profit percentage of the Group, but at the 

same time reduces staff costs and overheads. To accurately reflect the performance 

of continuing operations, the financials have been presented to show the results had 

the disposal and new supply agreement been in effect for both the current and the 

comparative financial years.

19

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022The gross margin percentage of 54.2% (2021: 57.2%) reflects a shift in the proportion 

of our revenue away from the higher margin Licence and Subscription income as product 

volumes have returned. Margins continue to be under pressure in traditional print and 

signage, with the pandemic and other global supply chain issues causing scarcity of 

materials and increased costs. The entire industry has been affected, leaving us with 

no viable option but to increase prices across our range of physical products. During the 

year we enacted three price increases across our range of printed products, with prices 

rising on average by 4% each time. 

Other operating costs

With our team members returning to work as revenues have improved, the amount 

claimed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme fell to £0.14m (2021: £0.79m), 

causing our overall staff costs to increase by 15% to £4.24m (2021: £3.70m). The 

average number of persons employed fell to 146 (2021: 159), reflecting the full year 

impact of the restructuring programme undertaken in the prior year.  

Other operating charges have increased to £2.09m (2021: £1.88m) as reductions in the 

cost base achieved during the prior year have been mostly preserved. 

Our bad debt charge reduced to £0.04m in the year (2021: £0.20m) reflecting the high 

provisions required during the first year of the covid-19 pandemic and the continued 

improvements in credit control since then. We continue to work with our customers and 

Partners however our provision for debt is still significant and we have to accept that 

some of those debts may never be paid. 

Profitability

As a combination of the factors discussed above, our pre-tax loss reduced to £1.71m 

(2021: £2.33m) leading to a reduced loss per share of 1.60p (2021: 1.83p). Of this, a loss 

of £1.28m (2021: £1.11m) is attributed to the now sold production operation of Works 

Manchester. Our earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) 

improved to a profit of £0.33m (2021: loss of £0.16m). Excluding Works Manchester, 

EBITDA was £0.17m (2021: 0.24m). The parent company result for the year was a loss 

of £0.41m (2021: loss £0.33m). 

Operating Cash Flow

This has led to the Group generating £0.13m of cash through operating activities (2021: 

generated £0.22m), reflecting the EBITDA in the respective years. Excluding Works 

Manchester, the Group generated £0.27m (2021: 0.59m).

Investment activity 

The current year has seen reduced investment in plant and equipment of £0.03m (2021: 

£0.18m), following the decision to divest our production operations. We continued our 

investment in the Group’s software platforms, totalling £0.55m (2021: £0.68m), with 

continued enhancements and new features to the Groups SaaS platforms.

20

Financing activity

Compared to previous years, it has been a quiet year for financing activity, with no 

additional facilities taken out, and no further drawdowns on the £50m bond facility 

that was put in place in the 2020.

Repayments of lease liabilities totalled £0.82m (2021: £0.67m), of which, £0.63m 

related to Works Manchester (2021: £0.44m).

We finished the fiscal year with cash of £1.59m (2021: £2.74m) of which £0.13m 

relates to the discontinued operation and net debt of £5.25m (2021: net debt 

£4.34m), £2.56m of which relates to the discontinued operation.

KPIs

Management monitors a number of KPIs, which underpin the performance of the 

business. The financial KPIs are Revenue, EBITDA and overall profit of loss for the 

year. These metrics can be found in the Summary section at the front of this financial 

report, and also within the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Another 

key financial metric is the average product revenue per partner, which has increased 

as the severity of the pandemic has eased.

There are also a number of non-financial KPIs which management monitors, that 

ultimately drive the financial performance. The number of Nettl Network Partners, the 

main driver of our Licence and subscription fee revenue, has reduced, as discussed 

by Gavin earlier within the Chief Executives Statement. Website deployments and SEO 

subscriptions, the other drivers of Licence and subscription revenue, have levelled off, 

following a surge in the previous financial year as our customers looked for alternative 

ways to promote their businesses during the height of the pandemic. 

Outlook

The major development for the group is the sale of Works Manchester which 

completed on 31 May 2022, for cash consideration of £3,165,000. Of this 

consideration, £100,000 is payable over the first 3 months and then £766,250 on the 

first four anniversaries of the sale. In recent years this part of our operation has not 

been profitable. The total loss from the discontinued operation was £1.28m (2021: 

£1.11m) and the cash outflow attributable was £0.47m (£0.79m).

Looking forward, we expect to see revenues from the ongoing operations continue to 

recover and hope to experience no further coronavirus restrictions. Events returned in 

the Spring as expected, bringing an upturn in revenue, particularly within our range of 

ink-on-fabric display products. Group revenues in the first quarter of the current year 

were up 24% on the previous financial year.

21

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022With the changed business model, the gross margin of the Nettl operation will look 

very different. Our margin on product sales will drop significantly, but so will our 

underlying cost base. Finance repayments have been significantly reduced and we will 

receive payments over the next four years in relation to the sale of Works Manchester. 

Based on a forecast including a moderate increase in revenue, we expect profitability 

to improve. We believe the financial future of the business is secure and we have 

the resources to execute our expansion plans. Accordingly, the Directors continue to 

adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and financial statements.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The following are the principal risks relating to the Group’s operations:

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation

Global or regional 

The COVID-19 virus, and public 

Our product range has been 

pandemic

health mitigations may lead to 

diversified to rely less on physical 

the closure of end customer 

promotional items.

and company owned premises, 

impacting the ability to trade, 

reducing demand and disrupting 

the supply of goods.

Production of physical products 

has been outsourced, lowering the 

risk should product volumes fall.

Home working arrangements are 

in place enabling team members 

to work remotely if required. 

Economic and 

A downturn in the 

To mitigate supply chain disruption 

political factors 

macroeconomy may reduce 

across borders the majority of 

beyond the 

consumer demand generally.

product supply is now sourced 

Group’s direct 

control

Costs may be increased by 

changes to government policy, 

from the jurisdictions the 

customer belongs to.

including tax changes or other 

Our platform has the capability 

legislation.

to source product supply from 

Supply chains may be subject 

to disruption, or inflationary 

pressure.

multiple suppliers, across multiple 

regions should it be required.

22

Risk

Potential Impact

Mitigation

Competitive 

The markets in which the 

We work closely with suppliers 

environment

Group operates are extremely 

to monitor input costs and 

competitive posing a threat to 

competitor pricing, ensuring we 

profitability.

remain competitive. 

Technological 

Advances in software may 

We are constantly improving 

change

impact on operational 

our platform and adding new 

effectiveness and earnings 

features to ensure we remain at 

potential.

the forefront of the technological 

advancement.

Technological 

The Group and its clients 

All reasonable operational 

failure

depend on the W3P SaaS 

contingency is embedded for 

platform to operate their 

resilience in the event of a 

businesses.

catastrophe.

Key management The loss of key personnel could 

The Remuneration Committee 

impact the Group’s ability to 

seeks to ensure rewards are 

implement strategy and the 

commensurate with performance 

intended pace of growth.

and aid retention.

Treasury Policies

Surplus funds are intended to support the Group’s short-term working capital 

requirements and fund future acquisitions. These funds are invested through the use 

of short-term deposits and the policy is to maximise returns as well as provide the 

flexibility required to fund ongoing operations. The Board has developed a model to 

establish a fair value for the Company’s shares and will only purchase shares when the 

offer price is materially below that value and funds are available. It is not the Group’s 

policy to enter into financial derivatives for speculative or trading purposes, see Note 

21 for further details about the group’s objectives and policies on use of financial 

instruments and exposure to credit, interest rate, foreign currency and liquidity risks. 

Iain Brown 

Group Finance Director  

26 July 2022

23

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
Nettl of Chippenham

24

S.172 Companies Act 2006 Statement

In addressing each of the ten points of the QCA code within the Corporate governance 

statement on pages 32 to 39, we provide examples of how the Company: 

•  takes into account the likely consequences of decisions in the long term; 

•  has regard for the interests of the Company’s shareholders, employees and other 

stakeholders; 

•  promotes openness amongst employees and endeavours to maintain a culture 

built on integrity; 

•  takes into account the desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation for 

high standards of business conduct, and; 

•  has regard for the need to act fairly. 

The Directors assess and take into account what is most likely to promote the success 

of the Company for its members in the long term as part of their decision-making 

process, and make this assessment fairly and in good faith.

Key Board Decisions Considerations

Develop WorksThing

Improving our platform is vital to retaining existing customers 

and attracting new ones. By developing a version of our 

software targeted specifically at the signage sector we have 

opened the product to a wider addressable market.

Separate and sell 

Works Manchester has surplus capacity beyond  Grafenia’s 

Works Manchester

Company owned stores and Partner network’s needs. 

Separating Works Manchester from Nettl allows both 

operations to focus on their strengths. Nettl systems will 

be focused on growing our software and licensing. Works 

Manchester will be free to pursue additional volume 

through its new owners.

The Directors continue to promote the success of the Company in accordance with 

section 172 of the Companies Act 2006.

Approval of the strategic report on behalf of the board

Iain Brown 

Group Finance Director  

26 July 2022

25

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors

Jan Mohr
Chairman

Gavin Cockerill
Acting Chief Executive Officer

Jan is based in Hamburg, Germany and is MD of the 

After graduating from Birmingham City University in 2000 

advisory firm JMX Capital GmbH. He previously worked with 

and following a short stint in advertising, Gavin helped launch 

Investmentaktiengesellschaft fuer langfristige Investoren 

and grow the printing.com studio in Birmingham. Since joining 

TGV, Hauck & Aufhaeuser and McKinsey & Company. 

the Group he has been involved in progressing the Nettl and 

Jan graduated from Frankfurt School of Finance and 

printing.com business models across the UK and its numerous 

Management and earned a Master in Finance at Stockholm 

master licences globally. Moving to Manchester in 2012 he 

School of Economics as a German National Merit Scholar.

launched and developed the group’s TemplateCloud and 

Jan was appointed to the Board in March 2016. Age 33.

Flyerzone offerings. 

Gavin joined the Group in 2000 and was appointed Chief 

Operating Officer in October 2015. He has been a member of 

the Board since January 2018  and was appointed Acting CEO 

in May 2022. Age 43.

Iain Brown
Group Finance Director

After Graduating from Leeds University with a Bachelor of Arts 

degree in Accountancy and Finance in 2008, Iain joined audit 

practice with Baker Tilly UK LLP and subsequently qualified as a 

chartered accountant with the Institute of Chartered accountants 

in England and Wales. Prior to joining Grafenia, he has held a 

number of senior financial positions with Myriad Group AG, a 

publicly listed Swiss software business trading across the world 

from multiple locations, before ultimately being appointed as 

Group Financial Controller in 2016.

Iain joined the Group in October 2019 and was appointed Group 

Finance Director in January 2020. Age 35.

26

Richard Lightfoot
Company Secretary

Richard graduated from Manchester Metropolitan 

University in 1998 with a First Class honours degree 

in Business Studies. He subsequently worked for a 

Corporate Finance advisory firm assisting on mergers 

& acquisitions and venture capital fund raisings. Since 

joining the Group in 2004 he has performed a number 

of roles supporting the board in implementing 

strategic initiatives.

Richard was appointed Company Secretary in 

October 2015 and was appointed to the Board in 

January 2018.  Age 50.

Conrad Bona
Non-Executive Director

Conrad is a business consultant, investor and entrepreneur 

who started his career as a banking and finance lawyer and 

has worked in Toronto, London and Tokyo. He has a degree 

in economics from the University of Western Ontario, law 

degrees from the University of Edinburgh and the University 

of New Brunswick and qualified to practice as a lawyer in 

multiple jurisdictions. No longer practicing law, Conrad now 

advises companies on a wide range of commercial, financial 

and business matters. He has both Canadian and British 

citizenship and is based in London, England.

Conrad was appointed to the Board in October 2015. Age 53.

Simon Barrell
Non-Executive Director

Simon qualified as a chartered accountant in 1983 and is a 

Fellow of the Institute of Chartered accountants in England 

and Wales. He’s held various posts as Finance Director and has 

experience across multiple industries working in both the public 

and private sectors. He has also held numerous non-executive 

positions for a number of public companies and continues to act 

as an adviser to listed and non-listed companies. He is currently 

a non-executive director of SRT Marine Systems plc.

Simon joined the Group in June 2018 as Interim Finance Director 

and was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director in 

January 2020. Age 63.

27

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022Directors’ report

The Directors present their report and the financial statements of Grafenia plc and its subsidiary companies for the financial year ended 31 

March 2022. The Directors have proposed that no final dividend will be paid (2021: nil).

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

During the year we generated revenue from two main sources: licensing brands and software, and manufacturing product, since the year end 

we divested most of our manufacturing operations, Works Manchester, and now buy in the majority of products we sell. We license our brands, 

software and technology to partners in the UK and internationally. We also supply a range of printing, signage, promotional items and expo 

displays to the UK partner network.

DIRECTORS

The following Directors have held office since 1 April 2021:

J-H Mohr  

Non-executive Chairman 

C C Bona  

Non-executive Director 

S G Barrell  

Non-executive Director 

P R Gunning  

Chief Executive Officer (resigned 18th May 2022) 

G G Cockerill  

Acting Chief Executive Officer 

R A Lightfoot  

Director and Company Secretary 

I S Brown  

Group Finance Director 

All the Directors are subject to re-election at intervals of no more than 3 years.

CC Bona and J-H Mohr retire by rotation in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association and all being eligible, offer themselves up 

for re-election. 

Details of Directors’ interests in the share capital of the Company as shown in the register, together with details of share options granted and 

awards made to the Directors, are included in the Report on Directors’ Remuneration on pages 41-42. 

The Company maintains cover for its Directors under a directors’ liability insurance policy, as permitted by the Companies Act 2006. 

EMPLOYEES

The employment policies of the Group embody the principles of equal opportunity and the Group does not discriminate against anyone on any 

grounds. The Group ensures that every consideration is given to applications of employment from disabled persons. If an employee became 

disabled, every effort would be made to offer suitable alternative employment within the Group and assistance with retraining. 

The Group keeps employees informed via its on-line message board w3pin, by circulation of KPIs and provision of access to relevant 

operational results.   A regular schedule of staff meetings are held and relevant internal announcements made by email. The Company takes 

account of any comments and feedback provided by employees in the formulation of its policies and procedures. In particular this year, regular 

communications were made to employees as the extent of coronavirus restrictions on work and social life were tightened or relaxed, providing 

information on the changes and how we as a company could best support each other and our customers. Following the announcement of the 

sale of Works Manchester, group meetings have been held with all teams to further explain the future direction of the business.

Following employee suggestions, during the year the Group partnered with Octopus Energy to help provide employees with Electric vehicles 

through a salary sacrifice scheme.

We have previously run SAYE schemes with our employees and will be reviewing the future offering during the current year.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Developing our software platform is an ongoing process and each year we introduce new features and services. During 2022 we have 

developed and launched WorksThing, an extension to the Nettl System that provides a complete workflow tool for managing signage 

installations from start to finish.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Emphasis is placed upon providing a safe and healthy working environment for employees, customers and suppliers. The Group ensures that 

regular risk assessments are carried out and that equipment is properly maintained. Working practices are continually refined to embody 

safe systems of work and the Group ensures that employees receive ongoing instruction, training and supervision for working and health and 

safety issues.

28

SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES

The Board considers social, environmental and ethical matters in all aspects of the business of the Group. They and senior management review 

and assess the significant risks to the Group’s short and long term value as impacted upon by social, environmental and ethical issues. The 

Group complies with environmental laws and regulations and works with suppliers and customers to improve the effectiveness of environmental 

management. The Group has made no contribution to political parties during the year (2021: nil).

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS

In addition, to the Directors’ interests noted in the Directors’ Remuneration Report, the Directors are aware of the following who were interested 

in 3% or more of the Company’s equity as at 31 March 2022:

Registered holding 

Number of shares 

% of issued share capital

Langfristige Investoren TGV 

Value Focus Beteiligungs GmbH 

Stefan Winterling 

Scherzer & Co SA 

IPConcept (Luxembourg) S.A. 

Axxion SA 

33,434,909 

30,224,866 

7,279,074 

5,675,500 

5,634,919 

4,985,000 

29.20%

26.40%

6.36%

4.96%

4.92%

4.35%

POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT

On 19 May 2022 Grafenia plc announced that it had agreed to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary Works Manchester Limited, formerly Image 

Everything Limited, and certain business and assets of its wholly owned subsidiary Grafenia Operations Limited to Rymack Sign Solutions Limited, 

a privately owned company trading as PFI Group. The transaction was subsequently completed on 31 May 2022.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Following the sale of Works Manchester Limited, Grafenia will continue its transition to a software licensing business, focussing on developing 

our platforms and growing both our partner network and company owned sales channels. We will also be looking for complimentary software 

businesses to acquire.

GOING CONCERN

As part of the consideration of the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of accounting, the Directors have prepared a base case 

forecast and then applied reasonable sensitivities. 

The base case forecast assumes the continued growth in product revenues as we enter a year without coronavirus restrictions and takes account 

of a change in our operation model following the sale of Works Manchester, with a lower gross profit margin on product sales along with reduced 

staff costs and production related overheads. Allowances have been made for rising costs, particularly in employee costs and energy prices for 

our remaining stores. 

The primary cash flow impact identified in the sensitivity analysis is a significant reduction in cash collections driven by lower customer demand 

following price increases, or inability to supply products due to supply chain issues. 

The Directors also considered the potential levers at their discretion to improve the cash position, including a number of further reductions in 

operating expenditure across the group, primarily related to workforce cost reductions. Having considered these scenarios, the Group expects to 

have sufficient cash headroom. 

Based on the above the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in 

operational existence for the foreseeable future and is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the continued uncertain 

economic outlook. 

Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and financial statements.

29

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held on Wednesday 14 September 2022 at the Company’s Nettl Business Store in 

Birmingham. In addition to the ordinary business, the Company will also propose a number of resolutions, which will be dealt with as special 

business. Details are contained in the Notice of the Annual General Meeting.

In the opinion of the Directors, the passing of these resolutions is in the best interests of the shareholders.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO THE AUDITOR

The Directors who held office at the date of approval of this directors’ report confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is no relevant audit 

information of which the Group’s auditor are unaware; and each Director has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a director to make 

himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Group’s Auditor is aware of that information. 

AUDITOR

RSM UK Audit LLP has indicated its willingness to continue in office and a resolution to reappoint it as Auditor will be proposed at the next Annual 

General Meeting.

A fair review of the business and its performance and the use of financial instruments are not shown in the directors’ report because they are 

shown in the strategic report instead under s414C(11).

By order of the Board

Iain Brown 

Group Finance Director 

26 July 2022

30

Statement of directors’ responsibilities in respect of the annual report, 
strategic report, the directors’ report and the financial statements

The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Directors’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with 

applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare group and company financial statements for each financial year. The directors have elected 

under company law and are required by the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange to prepare the group financial statements in accordance 

with UK-adopted international accounting standards and have elected under company law to prepare the company financial statements in 

accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and applicable law.

The group and company financial statements are required by law and UK-adopted international accounting standards to present fairly the 

financial position of the group and the company and the financial performance of the group. The Companies Act 2006 provides in relation to 

such financial statements that references in the relevant part of that Act to financial statements giving a true and fair view are references to 

their achieving a fair presentation.

Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the 

state of affairs of the group and the company and of the profit or loss of the group for that period. 

In preparing each of the group and company financial statements, the directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

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

•  state whether they have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards;

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and the company will 

continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and the company’s 

transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and the company and enable them to ensure 

that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets 

of the group and the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Grafenia Plc website.

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in 

other jurisdictions.

31

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022Corporate governance statement

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

The Board has determined that the Quoted Companies Alliance’s (“QCA”) Corporate Governance Code for small and mid-size quoted companies 

(revised in April 2018 to meet the new requirements of AIM Rule 26) would be the most appropriate for the Group to adhere to. The information 

on Corporate Governance is set out below. 

The QCA Code is constructed around ten broad principles and a set of disclosures. The QCA has stated what it considers to be appropriate 

arrangements for growing companies and asks companies to provide an explanation about how they are meeting the principles through the 

prescribed disclosures. We have considered how we apply each principle to the extent that the Board judges these to be appropriate in the 

circumstances, and below we provide an explanation of the approach taken in relation to each. The Board considers that it does not depart from 

any of the principles of the QCA Code during the period under review. 

The following paragraphs set out the Group’s compliance with the ten principles of the QCA Code. Further details are available at 

www.grafenia.com.

1. ESTABLISH A STRATEGY AND BUSINESS MODEL WHICH PROMOTE LONG TERM VALUE FOR SHAREHOLDERS

Our vision was first shared with our shareholders at our 2017 AGM. It puts customers and brand partners at the centre of our focus in a relentless 

drive to exceed customer expectations, and is as follows:

“To be the world’s leading network of web, design, sign and print studios. Known as the local place for business, where business happens. Where 

customer experience is our priority. Where we deliver compelling value and reliable service every time. So we are rooted in every team member’s 

and partner’s success.” 

Our strategy to achieve this is to build our network of studios, buy businesses to accelerate our growth, and license our intellectual property both 

in the UK and overseas. 

Our strategy and business operations are set out more fully in the Strategic Report section of the Group’s Annual Report. Further information in 

respect of our acquisition strategy can be found on our website and in our Half Year Report released  on 22 November 2021. In the summer and 

early autumn of 2022, the Board will run a strategy exercise to explore the right operating model for the group going forward. That will likely result 

in an updated Vision and Mission framework to be communicated in due course. 

The Group’s principal risks and uncertainties and the systems and internal controls developed to mitigate them are set out in the disclosure to 

principle 4 of the code.

2. SEEK TO UNDERSTAND AND MEET SHAREHOLDER NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS

The Company believes strongly in transparency and an open door policy towards shareholder communications. It aims to provide fair and 

objective reporting and seeks to ensure its strategy, business model and performance are clearly communicated and understood through its half 

year and full year reports. Past and present versions are published on the Company’s website. 

Given the stage of the Company’s development its AGM provides the key opportunity for dialogue with shareholders. All members of the 

Board attend the AGM. A Notice of AGM is circulated to all shareholders on the register at least 21 days in advance of the AGM.  The post AGM 

presentation has necessarily taken on a virtual format in recent years because of the Pandemic. This year it will revert to an inclusive, informative 

and fun ‘in person’ format and we hope to welcome as many shareholders as possible.

The Chairman and Company Secretary go to additional lengths to identify and communicate with major shareholders whose holding is via 

nominee accounts and encourage voting and shareholder feedback and engagement. 

The number of proxy votes received for each vote are announced at the AGM and the results of the AGM are announced and published on 

our website. 

The Company does not presently have significant representation from traditional institutional investors. However, at an appropriate juncture it will 

seek to develop this area with the support of its broker Allenby Capital.

32

3. TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WIDER STAKEHOLDER AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS

The Company actively seeks to engage with its wider stakeholder base in order to maximise decision making, ensure alignment of interests and 

balance the needs of all stakeholders, whilst meeting its primary responsibility to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its 

members as a whole via the execution of its strategy and business model set out in the disclosures to principle 1 of the code.

Employees

The Company regularly engages with its employees via a number of practices and procedures. Team members are able to give valued feedback 

on the working environment and other stakeholder insights through, for example: 

•  w3pin the Company’s on-line message board and forum as well as third party applications and business communication platforms. Use of such 

platforms came into sharp focus during the pandemic and continued support of homeworking;

•  regular virtual meetings bringing together our customer facing operational senior management and team leaders. 

The Company is an advocate of apprenticeships and goes beyond its legal obligations such as the payment of the apprentice levy in its 

commitment to this stakeholder group. In the last Financial Year 9 placements were provided under the Government Kick Start scheme from 16 

to 24 year olds on Universal Credit.

Customers and Suppliers

The Company invests in customer service software and infrastructure to support feedback from these stakeholder groups and monitors and 

measures internal targets for response times and quality.

Our vision is to be rooted in every team member’s and partner’s success. To that end the Company regularly engages with its partner network 

through events such as the Company’s Grapalooza and other virtual events (held in in place of roadshows and conferences since the onset of 

the pandemic), w3pin and on-line polls and votes, the responses to some of which have shaped key strategic and operational decisions around 

important aspects of our business, ranging from pricing to environmental policies and considerations. 

Environment

The Company is conscious of the environmental impact of the industry that it operates in. We seek to mitigate and minimise the Company’s 

impact on the environment through practices and procedures including the supply and promotion of biodegradable products and adoption 

of technologies to reduce the Company’s energy consumption. All of our matt and gloss laminated print for example is produced using a 

biodegradable film and more recycled options were added during the year. The Company also previously invested in voltage optimisation 

equipment.

33

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  20224. EMBED EFFECTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT, CONSIDERING BOTH OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS, THROUGHOUT THE ORGANISATION

Principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group are set out in the Financial Review.

The Board is responsible for establishing and maintaining the Company’s system of internal control, which is designed to meet the particular 

needs of the Company and mitigate the risks to which it is exposed. Such a system is designed to manage these risks, to provide reasonable, but 

not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss, and to maintain proper accounting records to ensure the integrity of the financial 

information used within the business and for external publication. 

The Board reviews the effectiveness of the system of internal control and considers whether the Company’s internal controls processes would 

be significantly enhanced by an internal audit function and has taken the view that at the Company’s current stage of development, this is not 

required. The Board will continue to review this matter each year. 

The Board considers that the internal controls in place are appropriate for its size and resources, its activities and the risk profile. The key 

elements of the control system in operation are:

•  The Board meets regularly to consider matters reserved to it and has put in place an organisational structure with clear lines of defined 

responsibility and with appropriate delegation of authority to manage risk. 

•  Following the onset of Covid-19 the executive members of the Board met on a weekly and, at key times, daily basis to consider the 

opportunities and threats facing the Company. This weekly meeting schedule remains in place. 

•  The senior management team meets every Monday providing an opportunity to consider operational risks faced and provide stakeholder 

feedback from across the Group’s operations. 

•  An organisational structure exists with defined roles and accountability and a culture is fostered which encourages entrepreneurial decision 

making while minimising risks. A key component of this is our Leadership Values book which sets out nineteen things we look for and measure 

our people on and ask them to hold their peers, colleagues and leaders to account over. 

•  GrafOS (hosted on w3p, the Platform that manages our entire organisation) provides mechanisms for peer-to-peer evaluation and continuous 

360 degree feedback, it’s essentially an early warning system for undesirable behaviour. 

•  w3pedia (also hosted on w3p) sets out the written operating procedures for all aspects of our business together with our staff handbook which 

contains policies providing guidance on things that could get our employees into trouble (including anti bribery, data protection, use of mobile 

phones whilst driving and much more).

•  The Company has information systems for monitoring its financial performance against approved budgets and forecasts. 

•  Documented quality systems include comprehensive health and safety policies and procedures, reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis by 

the Company’s Health & Safety Officer, which encompass all aspects of the Group’s day-to-day operations. The Executive management team 

reports to the Board on any health and safety issues at every Board meeting. 

•  The Audit Committee receives reports from the external auditors on a regular basis and from executive directors of the Company. The Board 

receives periodic reports from all Committees. 

•  The Group retains an insurance broker and maintains appropriate insurance cover in respect of actions taken against Directors and in respect 

of materials loss or claims against the group and the risks it faces. The types of cover and insured values are reviewed annually.

34

5. MAINTAIN THE BOARD AS A WELL-FUNCTIONING, BALANCED TEAM LED BY THE CHAIR

The make-up of the Board is reviewed on an ongoing basis in light of the Company’s development, requirements and resources. 

The Board currently comprises three Non-Executive Directors (including the Chairman) and three Executive Directors. 

All of the Directors are subject to election by shareholders at the first Annual General Meeting after their appointment and the article 32 of the 

Company’s articles of association requires anyone who has been in office for three years without re appointment to seek re-election. 

The Non-Executive Directors are considered by the Board to be independent under the QCA Code’s guidance for determining such independence. 

All Non-Executives receive a fixed fee for their services and do not participate in any performance-related remuneration schemes, or have any 

interest in a company share option scheme. 

To enable the Board to discharge its duties, all Directors have full and timely access to all relevant information. A rolling programme of Board 

meetings is maintained throughout the year together with adhoc meetings as the Company’s requirements demand. The director’s attendance 

records in the year under review (excluding directors who have ceased to be directors in the period), is as follows:

Number held 

Jan-Hendrik Mohr (Chairman) 

Conrad Bona (Non-Executive Director) 

Simon Barrell (Non-Executive Director) 

Gavin Cockerill (Acting CEO) 

Richard Lightfoot (Director & Company Secretary) 

Iain Brown (Group Finance Director) 

Board 
meetings 

Audit  
committee 
meetings 

Remuneration 
Committee  
meetings

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

2 

2 

2 

2 

- 

- 

- 

1

1

1

1

-

-

-

In the past, Board meetings and the Company’s AGM have been held at various Group premises giving, in particular the Non-Executive Directors, 

access to different operations and the opportunity to develop a wide understanding of the Group’s activities. Since the onset of Covid-19, Board 

meetings have necessarily been held remotely, a return to some  ‘in person’ meetings is planned for the forthcoming year. 

The Company Secretary reports directly to the Chairman on governance matters. The Board believes that Richard Lightfoot’s appointment as 

Director and Company Secretary is appropriate at this stage of the Company’s development and given its requirements and resources. This 

arrangement is assessed on an ongoing basis and separation of duties will be implemented as appropriate.

35

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
 
6. ENSURE THAT BETWEEN THEM THE DIRECTORS HAVE THE NECESSARY UP-TO-DATE EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES 

The Board considers that all of its directors are of sufficient competence and calibre and between them provide an appropriate and effective 

balance of skills and experience, including in the areas of retailing, wholesaling, marketing, print production, software development, ecommerce, 

finance and mergers and acquisitions. Directors’ biographies are set out on the website and the names, qualifications and backgrounds of each of 

the directors are disclosed within the Directors section of this annual report.

The Directors all ensure that their skills are kept up to date by the attendance of courses, briefings from professional advisors and reading 

relevant industry and professional publications.

The Board is supported where necessary by its external professional advisers. The Board continually reviews the performance of third party 

advisers to ensure they are the most effective business partners for the Group. Our Auditors were last changed in July 2017. Directors have 

access to advice and services of the Company Secretary and there is a procedure for all Directors, in furtherance of their duties, to take 

independent professional advice, if necessary, at the expense of the Group. 

Whilst the Board presently consists of one German national and one member with both Canadian and British citizenship we are mindful of the 

absence of ethnic diversity and gender balance. The Board is committed to continual assessment of its composition as the Company evolves. 

The Company Secretary provides Directors with updates on key developments relating to the Company and legal and governance matters 

including advice from the Company’s nomad, lawyers and other advisors. 

7. EVALUATE BOARD PERFORMANCE BASED ON CLEAR AND RELEVANT OBJECTIVES, SEEKING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

The Chairman assesses the individual contributions of each of the members of the team to ensure that: 

•  they are performing their roles and carrying out their responsibilities to the highest standards; 

•  their contribution is relevant and effective; 

•  where relevant, they have maintained their independence. 

Appraisals are carried out each year for all Executive Directors and to assess overall Board composition. The appraisal process is an ongoing 

consideration of the Board as a whole.

The Chairman Jan Hendrik Mohr conducts an annual review of the Board’s effectiveness, in accordance with Principle 7 of our Corporate 

Governance Statement. The objective of this evaluation process is to bring to light possible changes which could make the Board’s activities and 

administration more effective and efficient.

Board Evaluation covers the following areas: 

•  the manner in which the Board is run, and operates as a team; 

•  the skills, experience and independence of the Board; 

•  the strategy of the business; 

•  the risks of the business; 

•  the Company’s ethical values and behaviours; and 

•  engagement with shareholders and other stakeholders. 

The exercise identified a number of positive areas particularly relating to the skills and experience and independence of the Board and the level of 

engagement with shareholders. The main area for improvement identified in the previous evaluation was formal succession planning and lack of 

diversity. A process to address this is ongoing and will be a central part of the forthcoming strategy exercise, where we perform a full leadership 

and operating model review, including external advisors, in the summer and early autumn. 

36

BOARD REVIEW

Manner in which the Board is run

The level of engagement between NEDs and executives is high. The Board 

drastically increased the cadence of meetings during the pandemic to a weekly 

schedule which proved to be informative and allow for quick decision making. More 

recently Board cadence has reverted to fewer, but more in-depth sessions to allow 

for complex discussions.

Skills, independence and experience

The current makeup of the Board reflects a broad perspective of different skills. 

A core area of improvement in the Board is diversity. The current Board doesn’t 

appropriately reflect the level of diversity we have in our organisation and future 

recruiting decisions should clearly take diversity into consideration.

There is no formal succession policy which is a deficiency. A process to address 

this is ongoing and is centred around the current CEO transition.

Strategy of the business

In August 2020, the Board started a dedicated “Post-Covid” evaluation of 

strategy to ensure viability of the business model even in significantly reduced 

sales environments. Ultimately we took the decision to market our manufacturing 

business, Works Manchester, and that culminated in its sale to PFI Group on 31 

May 2022. Our strategy remains to “build, buy and license” but with a renewed 

focus on acquiring and developing our software business.

Risk of the business

Risk of the business is evaluated in-lieu of strategy as the Board perceives risk 

to be a core influence on strategy. When setting strategy, we reflect on the 

interdependencies for our risk appetite.

Ethical values and behaviours

Critical developments are monitored in the risk awareness section of every Board 

meeting. The Company maintains a peer review mechanism for all employees 

(GrafOS) that allows for flagging of misconduct and feedback mechanism.

Engagement with shareholders

The Board keeps an open and constructive dialogue with its shareholders. In 

particular, the largest 5-6 shareholders engage in fairly frequent discussions 

after RNS announcements. We have used our AGM as a platform to communicate 

strategy and invite shareholders to ask questions in a friendly, constructive and 

inclusive environment.

Presently no formal Nomination Committee exists in view of the stage of growth of the Company. Appointments to the Board and succession 

planning are considered by the Board as a whole and are made on merit against objective criteria relating to the skills, knowledge and expertise 

required, and with due regard for the benefits of diversity on the Board and requirements of the Company.

8. PROMOTE A CORPORATE CULTURE THAT IS BASED ON ETHICAL VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS

The Board firmly believes that culture is driven from the top and through sound Corporate governance, it takes ultimate responsibility for the 

culture that is developed and evolves under its leadership and guidance. That’s why we developed our Leadership Values which sit at the centre 

of GrafOS. 

GrafOS is our operating system for people. Each role in our business is part of a career storyline with required “Intelligence” levels. Team 

members collect badges as they acquire competences. We encourage team members to ‘catch colleagues doing things right’ and leave positive 

feedback against specific Leadership Values they’ve observed. Likewise, if they spot someone behaving contrary to our Leadership Values, 

they can share a private ImproveNote with the individual and their leader. It’s all designed to encourage and deliver ethical and entrepreneurial 

behaviour. 

The Company’s staff manual sets out whistleblowing policy and procedures.

37

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  20229. MAINTAIN GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES THAT ARE FIT FOR PURPOSE AND SUPPORT GOOD DECISION- MAKING BY 

THE BOARD 

The Board

The Board is responsible to shareholders for the proper management of the Group. The Board is responsible for overall Group strategy, approval 

of major capital expenditure projects and consideration of significant financing matters and approval of Annual and Interim results and budgets. 

The Executive Directors have responsibility for the day-to-day operational management of the Group’s activities. The Non-Executive Directors are 

responsible for bringing independent objective judgement to Board decisions. 

All directors are supplied with the Company’s Continuing Obligations memorandum which is reviewed and updated as required. The 

memorandum sets out and explains the Director’s responsibilities and obligations under the AIM Rules, the Market Abuse Regulation and other 

wider applicable legislation. 

A formal schedule of all matters reserved for Board decision is maintained and reviewed regularly (last update February 2017) covering: 

•  Setting and Review of Strategy and Performance; 

•  Structure and Capital; 

•  Maintenance of Financial Reporting and Controls; 

•  Maintenance of Internal Control and Risk Management systems; 

•  Material Contracts; 

•  Investor Relations and Regulatory communications; 

•  Constitution of Board Membership and other appointments; 

•  Setting of Directors and Senior Management Remuneration; 

•  Delegation of Authority amongst the Board and its Committees; 

•  Implementation of Corporate Governance; 

•  Approval of Policies. 

The Board maintains a rolling scheduled programme of Board meetings each year aligned with relevant events in the Company’s financial and 

trading calendar. Additional meetings are held as and when required. 

A formal agenda is prepared for each meeting noting any unresolved matters from prior meetings, Board papers including a CEO’s report and 

KPIs, and FD’s report are circulated in advance and minutes are circulated following each meeting recording actions arising. 

Non Board members are also invited to attend on occasion to participate in relevant Board discussions.

CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The differing roles of Chairman and Chief Executive are acknowledged and there is a clear division of responsibility at the head of the Company. 

The key functions of the Chairman are, to oversee the adoption, delivery and communication of the Company’s Corporate Governance model, 

the effective conduct of Board Meetings and meetings of shareholders, to ensure that all Directors are properly briefed in order to take a full and 

constructive part in Board discussions, and to ensure the Group has appropriate strategic focus and direction.

The Chief Executive has responsibility for leading the implementation of agreed strategy and managing the day-to-day operations of the Group.

Committees

The Board has established an Audit Committee and a Remuneration Committee. In view of the stage of growth of the Company there are no 

formal Nomination Committee or Corporate Governance Committees, however these arrangements will remain under review.

The Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee presently comprise of Jan-Hendrik Mohr (Chairman), Conrad Bona (Non- Executive Director) 

and Simon Barrell (Non- Executive Director), the Company’s present policy is for any new Non-executive Directors to join both Committees.

The Audit Committee’s principal tasks are to review the scope of external audit, to receive regular reports from the auditors, and to review the 

half-yearly and annual accounts before they are presented to the Board, focusing in particular on legal requirements and accounting standards as 

well as areas of management judgement and estimation. 

The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the controls which are in force to ensure the integrity of the information reported to the 

shareholders. The Audit Committee acts as a forum for discussion of internal control issues and contributes to the Board’s review of the 

effectiveness of the Group’s internal control and risk management systems and processes.

38

The Audit Committee meets at least twice a year including immediately before the submission of the Annual and Interim Financial Statements to 

the Board.

The Audit Committee also undertakes a formal assessment of the auditors’ independence each year which includes: 

•  a review of the non-audit services provided to the Company and related fees; 

•  discussion with the auditors of a written report detailing all relationships with the Company and any other parties that could affect 

independence or the perception of independence; 

•  A review of the auditors’ own procedures for ensuring the independence of the audit firm and partners and staff involved in the audit, including 

the regular rotation of the audit partner; 

•  Obtaining written confirmation from the auditors that, in their professional judgement, they are independent. 

An analysis of the fees payable to the external audit firm in respect of both audit and non-audit services during the year is set out in the Group’s 

Annual Report. 

The Audit Committee advises the Board on the appointment of external auditors and on their remuneration for both audit and non- audit work. 

Ultimate responsibility for reviewing and approving the Annual and Interim financial statements remains with the Board and a statement of 

directors’ responsibilities in respect of the accounts is set out in the Group’s Annual Report. 

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board on the Company’s framework of Executive remuneration 

and its cost. The Committee determines the contract terms, remuneration and other benefits for each of the Executive Directors, including 

performance related bonus schemes, pension rights and compensation payments. It also considers and oversees the implementation of any 

share incentive schemes. 

The Board itself determines the remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors. 

The Remuneration Committee meets at least once a year. 

A Directors’ Remuneration report is set out in the Group’s Annual Report. 

10. COMMUNICATE HOW THE COMPANY IS GOVERNED AND IS PERFORMING BY MAINTAINING A DIALOGUE WITH SHAREHOLDERS AND 

OTHER RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS 

The Board places a high priority on clear, fair and objective reporting with its various stakeholder groups. 

The Company is presently of a size that doesn’t support having a dedicated investor relations department, however the CEO’s mobile phone 

number is provided on all announcements and the Company Secretary’s contact details are set out on the website for shareholder enquiries. The 

Chairman also talks on an adhoc basis with major shareholders and provides feedback to the Board. 

We are conscious that, given its present size, the Company attracts limited analyst attention. To that end the CEO maintains strong links with 

relevant industry media and seeks to articulate Company strategy consistently through them. Calls with journalists are also held to coincide with 

the release of the Group’s Annual Report. 

The Group’s website is regularly updated and in addition to the Corporate Governance Statement sets out past and present Annual and Interim 

Reports and Accounts and all Announcements.

The result of voting in the 2021 AGM is presented as follows:

Resolutions 

1. To receive the Company’s Annual Accounts 

2. To re-elect Gavin Graham Cockerill as a Director 

3. To re-elect Richard Alan Lightfoot as a Director 

4. To re-elect Simon Gregory Barrell as a Director 

5. To re-appoint RSM UK Audit LLP as auditors of the Company 

6. To authorise the Company to replace the existing authority to allot shares 

and to grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security into such shares 

7. To disapply statutory pre-emption rights 

8. To authorise the Company to make market purchases of its own shares 

* including any votes giving discretion to the Chair.

* For 

Against 

Withheld

35,989,992 

35,987,401 

35,987,401 

35,987,401 

35,979,992 

35,957,135 

35,191,093 

35,979,992 

- 

2,591 

- 

2,591 

10,000 

32,857 

798,899 

30,000 

-

-

2,591

-

-

-

-

-

39

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
Audit committee report

The Audit Committee comprises Jan-Hendrik Mohr as chairman, Conrad Bona and Simon Barrell. The Audit Committee meets at least twice 

a year and is responsible for reviewing the annual and half-yearly financial statements, the system of internal controls and risk management, 

and the terms of appointment and remuneration of the auditor. It is also the forum through which the auditor reports to the Board. The Audit 

Committee is also responsible for reviewing the objectivity of the external auditor and the terms under which the external auditor is appointed to 

perform non-audit services.

During the year the Audit Committee worked with the Group auditors, on the findings of the 2021 audit as well as reviewing the company’s full 

year results on behalf of the Board. It considered significant accounting policies, ensured compliance with accounting standards and considered 

reports from the external auditor on accounting topics of a judgemental nature requiring attention. The Committee over the year, had separate 

discussions with the auditor without management being present on the adequacy of controls and any judgemental areas, as well as feedback on 

the 2021 audit. Feedback from the 2021 audit did inform the setting out of audit priorities with RSM in the current year’s audit process.

40

Directors’ remuneration report

As a company listed on AIM the Company is exempt from the S420 obligation of the Companies Act 2006 to prepare a Directors’ Remuneration 

Report and the S439A obligation to put a written remuneration policy to a shareholder vote once every three years. 

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

The Company has an established Remuneration Committee which is constituted in accordance with the recommendations of the UK Corporate 

Governance Code. The members of the Committee are Jan-Hendrik Mohr, Conrad Bona and Simon Barrell who are Non-executive Directors. Jan-

Hendrik Mohr chairs the Committee.

In determining the Directors’ remuneration for the year, the Committee consulted the Chief Executive about its proposals. The Committee also 

sources reports from the Company’s various advisers.

REMUNERATION POLICY

The policy of the Committee is to reward Executive Directors in line with the current remuneration of directors in comparable businesses taking into 

consideration the advice of independent bodies, in order to recruit, motivate and retain high quality executives within a competitive market place. 

The main elements of the remuneration packages for Executive Directors and senior management is Basic annual salary (including Directors’ fees) 

and benefits.

BASIC ANNUAL SALARY

Basic pensionable salary is reviewed annually in March with increases, if awarded, taking effect from 1 April. In addition to basic salary, the 

Executive Directors also receive certain benefits in kind, principally private medical insurance. 

ANNUAL CASH BONUS

During the year, in line with other employees within the group, the Executive Directors were entitled to a nominal cash bonus based on attendance. 

No company performance related incentive payments have been made for the financial year ended 31 March 2022.  

PENSION ARRANGEMENTS

The company contributes the legally required pension contributions.

DIRECTORS’ CONTRACTS

It is the Company’s policy that Executive Directors should have contracts with an indefinite term providing for a maximum of six months’ notice, 

except for the Chief Executive who has a twelve month notice period. There are no specific provisions for compensation in the event of loss of office. 

The Remuneration Committee would consider the circumstances of any early termination and determine compensation payments accordingly.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

The fees of each Non-executive Director are determined by the Board as a whole, excluding the Non-executive being reviewed, having regard to the 

commitment of time required and the level of fees in similar companies. Non-executive Directors’ contracts are subject to three months written notice.

ELEMENTS OF REMUNERATION

Year ended 31 March 2022:

J-H Mohr 

C C Bona 

S G Barrell 

P R Gunning 

I S Brown 

G G Cockerill 

R A Lightfoot 

Basic 
salary	
£ 

- 

- 

- 

170,250 

85,109 

90,000 

75,373 

Fees	
£ 

15,000 

15,000 

15,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

420,732 

45,000 

- 

- 

- 

1,057 

618 

474 

1,484 

3,633 

Benefits	
£ 

Bonuses	
£ 

Pension	
£ 

2022
Total
£

15,000

15,450

15,000

- 

450 

- 

15,525 

186,882

2,555 

2,702 

2,268 

88,332

93,226

79,175

- 

- 

- 

50 

50 

50 

50 

200 

23,500 

493,065

41

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
Year ended 31 March 2021:

J-H Mohr 

C C Bona 

S G Barrell 

P R Gunning 

I S Brown 

G G Cockerill 

R A Lightfoot 

Basic 
salary 
£ 

- 

- 

- 

170,250 

85,000 

90,000 

77,000 

Fees 
£ 

15,000 

15,000 

15,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

422,250 

45,000 

Benefits 
£ 

Bonuses 
£ 

Pension 
£ 

- 

- 

- 

1,012 

305 

457 

1,430 

3,204 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2022
Total
£

15,000

15,464

15,000

- 

464 

- 

15,525 

186,787

2,577 

2,774 

2,326 

87,882

93,231

80,756

23,666 

494,120

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS

At 31 March 2022, the Directors had the following beneficial interests in the Company’s shares:

J-H Mohr 

C C Bona 

G G Cockerill 

R A Lightfoot 

I S Brown 

S G Barrell 

                         Ordinary shares of 1p each 

31 March 2022 

  31 March 2021

- 

1,170,007 

92,518 

152,156 

84,208 

85,356 

-

1,170,007

92,518

152,156

84,208

85,356

The market price of shares as at 31 March 2022 was 5.35 pence (2021: 5.63 pence). The range during the period under review was 3.75 pence to 

6.75 pence. 

42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Grafenia plc

OPINION

We have audited the financial statements of Grafenia plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 March 

2022 which comprise the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated and company statement of financial position, 

consolidated and company statement of changes in equity, consolidated statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including 

significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the group financial statements is 

applicable law and UK-adopted International Accounting Standards. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 

of the parent company financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 

101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework” (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion:

•  the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 March 2022 and of the 

group’s loss for the year then ended;

•  the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards;

•  the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 

Practice; and

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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 are 

independent of the group and the parent 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 listed entities and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in 

accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 

our opinion.

SUMMARY OF OUR AUDIT APPROACH

Key audit matters

Group

·  Revenue recognition

·  Bond accounting treatment

Parent Company

· Impairment of investments and intercompany receivables

Materiality

Group

·   Overall materiality: £283k (2021: £283k) 

·   Performance materiality: £212k (2021: 212k)

Parent Company

·   Overall materiality: £232k (2021: £247k) 

·   Performance materiality: £174k (2021: 185k)

Scope

Our audit procedures covered 98% of revenue, 97% of net assets and 99% of results before tax.

43

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022KEY AUDIT MATTERS

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the group and parent company 

financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) 

we identified, including 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 group and parent company financial statements 

as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Key audit matter description

Key audit matter description

(Refer to pages 54 regarding the accounting policy in respect of revenue recognition and note 2 in 

respect of revenue and operating segments).

There are numerous revenue streams within the business. There is a risk that revenue is not 

accurately captured within the financial statements or that the established revenue recognition 

policy is not appropriately applied given the various types of revenue earned. There is a fraud risk in 

respect to revenue cut-off.

How the matter was addressed 

The Group’s revenue recognition accounting policies were scrutinised against the requirements 

in the audit

of IFRS 15. The existence and accuracy of revenue recognised was assessed via detailed testing 

by reference to contracts with customers and invoices issued. The recognition of revenue around 

the period end was tested on a sample basis to determine that it had been reported in the correct 

period. The completeness of revenue was reviewed ensuring a sample of cash receipts matched to 

sales recorded.

IMPAIRMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Key audit matter description

(Refer to the accounting policy on page 58 in respect of impairment of investments)

The parent company holds significant investments balances with its subsidiary companies. There is 

a risk that the amounts held on the balance sheet are impaired, due to the business being historically 

loss making.

How the matter was addressed 

Management’s impairment review of investments was obtained and challenged. We challenged the 

in the audit

assumptions used by management,  sensitised the net present value calculations by considering 

variations in these assumptions, we compared cash flows included in the workings to management’s 

forecasts and budget information, in order to ensure the information used was consistent with our 

documentation of the business’s actual performance and future plans.

IMPAIRMENT OF INTERCOMPANY RECEIVABLES

Key audit matter description

(Refer to the accounting policy on page 58 in respect of impairment of intercompany receivables).

The parent company holds significant intercompany balances with its subsidiary companies. There is 

a risk that the amounts held on the balance sheet are impaired, due to the business being historically 

loss making.

How the matter was addressed 

Management’s impairment review of intercompany accounts was obtained and challenged. We 

in the audit

challenged the assumptions used by management and scrutinised their application of IFRS 9.

44

IMPAIRMENT OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Key audit matter description

(Refer to the accounting policy on page 58 in respect of impairment of intangible assets).

The group holds a significant value of intangible assets. There is a risk that the amounts held on the 

balance sheet are impaired, due to the business being historically loss making.

How the matter was addressed 

Management’s impairment review of intangible assets was obtained and challenged. We obtained 

in the audit

and challenged their sensitivity analysis,  sensitised the net present value calculations by considering 

variations in these assumptions, we compared cash flows included in the workings to management’s 

forecasts and budget information, in order to ensure the information used was consistent with our 

documentation of the business’s actual performance and  future plans.

OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY

When establishing our overall audit strategy, we set certain thresholds which help us to determine the nature, timing and extent of our audit 

procedures. When evaluating whether the effects of misstatements, both individually and on the financial statements as a whole, could 

reasonably influence the economic decisions of the users we take into account the qualitative nature and the size of the misstatements. Based on 

our professional judgement, we determined materiality as follows:

Group

Parent company

Overall materiality

£283k (2021: £283k)

£232k (2021: £247k)

Basis for determining overall materiality

2.3% of revenue

1% of net assets

Performance materiality

£212k (2021: 212k)

£174K (2021: 185K)

Basis for determining performance materiality

75% of overall materiality

75% of overall materiality

Reporting of misstatements 

Misstatements in excess of £14k and 

Misstatements in excess of £11.6k and 

to the Audit Committee

misstatements below that threshold 

misstatements below that threshold 

that, in our view, warranted reporting on 

that, in our view, warranted reporting on 

qualitative grounds.

qualitative grounds.

45

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT

The group consists of 5 components, 3 of which are UK based, one of which is based in France and one of which is based in the United States 

of America.

The coverage achieved by our audit procedures was:

2%

1%

Revenue

Net assets

1%

Profit
before
tax

  Full scope

  Analytical procedures

98%

99%

99%

Of the above, no audits or procedures were undertaken by component auditors.

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 group’s and parent company’s ability to continue to adopt 

the going concern basis of accounting included consideration of the cash flow forecasts and scenario analysis present and headroom provided by 

existing funding facilities.

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 group’s or the parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve 

months from  when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

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

•  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

•  the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

46

 
MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, 

we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the 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:

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

branches not visited by us; or

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

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

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

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS

As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement set out on page 31, 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 group’s and the parent 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 group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

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.

THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE AUDIT WAS CONSIDERED CAPABLE OF DETECTING IRREGULARITIES, INCLUDING FRAUD

Irregularities are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. The objectives of our audit are to obtain sufficient appropriate audit 

evidence regarding compliance with laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in 

the financial statements, to perform audit procedures to help identify instances of non-compliance with other laws and regulations that may have 

a material effect on the financial statements, and to respond appropriately to identified or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations 

identified during the audit. 

In relation to fraud, the objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements due to 

fraud, to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud through designing and 

implementing appropriate responses and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. 

However, it is the primary responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged with governance, to ensure that the entity’s 

operations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and detection of fraud.

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, the group audit engagement team:

•  obtained an understanding of the nature of the industry and sector, including the legal and regulatory frameworks that the group and parent 

company operate in and how the group and parent company are complying with the legal and regulatory frameworks;

• 

inquired of management, and those charged with governance, about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, 

including any known actual, suspected or alleged instances of fraud;

•  discussed matters about non-compliance with laws and regulations and how fraud might occur including assessment of how and where the 

financial statements may be susceptible to fraud.

47

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
The most significant laws and regulations were determined as follows:

Legislation / Regulation

Additional audit procedures performed by the audit engagement team included:

IFRS/UK-adopted IAS, FRS101 

Review of the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation; 

and Companies Act 2006

Completion of disclosure checklists to identify areas of non-compliance

The areas that we identified as being susceptible to material misstatement due to fraud were: 

Risk

Additional audit procedures performed by the audit engagement team:

Revenue recognition

The Group’s revenue recognition accounting policies were scrutinised against the requirements of 

IFRS 15.  

Substantive tests of detail over a sample of sales recognised in the year including agreement of the 

sales value to underlying sales documentation and the occurrence to evidence of delivery.

Consideration of the completeness of sales by reference to journal entries posted to revenue in 

the year.

Reviewing the cut-off treatment of a sample of sales recorded around the year end. We have tested 

licence income to ensure this has been correctly recognised in line with policy.

Management override of controls

Testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments;

Assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential 

bias; and

Evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the 

normal course of business.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: 

www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

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.

ALASTAIR JOHN RICHARD NUTTALL (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of RSM UK Audit LLP, Statutory Auditor

Chartered Accountants

3 Hardman Street

Manchester

M3 3HF

Date: 26 July 2022

48

 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
31 MARCH 2022 

Note 

2022 
£000 

2022 
£000 

2022 
£000 

2021 
£000 

2021 
£000 

2021
£000

Continuing  Discontinued 

Continuing 

Discontinued 

operation 

operation 

Total 

operation 

operation 

Total

Revenue 

Raw materials and consumables used 

Gross	profit 

Staff costs 

Doubtful debt expense 

Other operating charges 

Earnings before interest, tax, 
depreciation and amortisation 

2 

4 

3 

8,916 

(5,377) 

3,445 

(286) 

12,361 

(5,663) 

6,944 

(3,568) 

2,804 

(605) 

9,748

(4,173)

3,539 

3,159 

6,698 

3,376 

2,199 

5,575

(2,019) 

(2,221) 

(4,240) 

(32) 

(1,322) 

(11) 

(763) 

(43) 

(2,085) 

(1,808) 

(155) 

(1,178) 

(1,892) 

(5) 

(697) 

(3,700)

(160)

(1,875)

166 

164 

330 

235 

(395) 

(160)

Depreciation and amortisation 

9 & 10 

Operating loss 

Financial income 

Financial expenses 

Net financing expense 

3 

5 

(944) 

(778) 

6 

(346) 

(340) 

(569) 

(405) 

- 

(186) 

(186) 

(1,513) 

(1,183) 

(1,184) 

(949) 

6 

(532) 

(526) 

16 

(290) 

(274) 

(521) 

(916) 

- 

(187) 

(187) 

(1,705)

(1,865)

16

(477)

(461)

Loss before tax 

(1,118) 

(591) 

(1,709) 

(1,223) 

(1,103) 

(2,326)

Tax income 

6 

559 

- 

559 

249 

(8) 

241

Loss for the year 

(559) 

(591) 

(1,150) 

(974) 

(1,111) 

(2,085)

Re-measurement to fair value 
on discontinued operations 

Loss and total comprehensive 

income for the year 

Loss per share attributable to the 
ordinary equity shareholders of 
Grafenia plc Basic and diluted1, 

22 

- 

(686) 

(686) 

- 

- 

-

(559) 

(1,277) 

(1,836) 

(974) 

(1,111) 

(2,085)

pence per share 

7 

(0.49)p 

(1.12)p 

(1.60)p 

(0.85)p 

(0.98)p 

(1.83)p

(1) Earnings per share suffers no dilution

The notes on pages 53-76 form part of these financial statements.

49

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated and company  
statement of financial position

AT 31 MARCH 2022 

Note 

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment 

Intangible assets 

Investments in subsidiaries 

Total non-current assets 

Current assets

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

Prepayments 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Asset held for sale/disposal group 

Total current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities

Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings 

Trade and other payables 

Deferred income 

Liabilities relating to disposal group 

Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities

Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share capital 

Merger reserve 

Share premium 

Share based payment reserve 

Translation reserve 

Retained earnings 

Total equity 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

11 & 22 

16 

15 

15 

22 

16 

8 

19 

20 

 Group 
2022   
£000 

1,077 

1,391 

- 

2,468 

29 

1,281 

283 

1,462 

6,234 

9,289 

11,757 

308 

1,512 

77 

3,530 

5,427 

3,842 

- 

3,842 

9,269 

2,488 

1,145 

838 

7,866 

88 

66 

(7,515) 

2,488 

Group 
2021 
£000 

5,065 

3,510 

- 

8,575 

444 

1,545 

278 

2,740 

- 

5,007 

13,582 

931 

1,799 

60 

- 

2,790 

6,149 

389 

6,538 

9,328 

4,254 

1,145 

838 

7,866 

84 

- 

(5,679) 

4,254 

Company 
2022   
£000 

Company
2021
£000

- 

- 

986 

986 

- 

8,331 

36 

984 

2,592 

11,943 

12,929 

172 

83 

- 

- 

255 

2,953 

- 

2,953 

3,208 

9,721 

1,145 

627 

7,866 

88 

- 

(5) 

-

-

3,578

3,578

-

7,445

9

2,266

-

9,720

13,298

120

84

-

-

204

2,964

-

2,964

3,168

10,130

1,145

627

7,866

84

-

408

9,721 

10,130

The Parent Company result for the year was a loss of £413,000 (2021: loss £325,000). 

The notes on pages 53-76 form part of these financial statements.

The financial statements of Grafenia plc, registered number 03983312, were approved by the board of directors on 26 July 2022 and were 

signed on its behalf by:

I S BROWN

Director

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated and company statement of 
changes in shareholders' equity

GROUP – YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Balance at 31 March 2020 

Loss and total comprehensive 
income for the year from
continuing operation 

Loss and total comprehensive 
income for the year from 
discontinued operation 

Shares issued in the period 

Share option reserve 

Total movement in equity 

Share 
Capital 
£000 

1,135 

- 

- 

10 

- 

10 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

65 

- 

65 

Merger  
reserve  
£000 

Share 
Premium 
£000 

Share Based 
Payment 
Reserve 
£000 

Tranlsation 
Reserve 
£000 

838 

7,801 

74 

- 

- 

- 

10 

10 

84 

- 

- 

- 

4 

4 

74 

- 

- 

10 

10 

84 

- 

4 

4 

Balance at 31 March 2021 

1,145 

838 

7,866 

Loss and total comprehensive 
income for the year from 
continuing operation 

Loss and total comprehensive
income for the year from 
discontinued operation 

Retranslation of net assets 
of overseas subsidiaries 

Share option reserve 

Total movement in equity 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Balance at 31 March 2022 

1,145 

838 

7,866 

88 

COMPANY – YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Balance at 31 March 2020 

Loss and total comprehensive 
income for the year 

Shares issued in the period 

Share based payments 

Total movement in equity 

Share 
Capital 
£000 

1,135 

Merger  
reserve  
£000 

Share 
Premium 
£000 

627 

7,801 

- 

10 

- 

10 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

65 

- 

65 

Balance at 31 March 2021 

1,145 

627 

7,866 

Loss and total comprehensive 
income for the year 

Share based payments 

Total movement in equity 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Balance at 31 March 2022 

1,145 

627 

7,866 

88 

The notes on pages 53-76 form part of these financial statements.

Retained
Earnings  
£000 

(3,594) 

Total
£000

6,254

(974) 

(974)

(1,111) 

(1,111)

- 

- 

75

10

(2,085) 

(2,000)

(5,679) 

4,254

(559) 

(559)

(1,277) 

(1,277)

- 

- 

66

4

(1,836) 

(1,766)

(7,515) 

2,488

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

66 

- 

66 

66 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

733 

10,370

(325) 

(325)

- 

- 

75

10

(325) 

(240)

408 

10,130

(413) 

- 

(413) 

(413)

4

(409)

(5) 

9,721

51

Share Based 
Payment 
Reserve 
£000 

Tranlsation 
Reserve 
£000 

Retained
Earnings  
£000 

Total
£000

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 

Group 
2022   
£000 

Group
2021 
£000

(559) 

(974)

Consolidated statement of cash flows

FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss for the year 

Adjustments for:

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 

Loss / (profit) on sale of plant and equipment 

Release of deferred profit on sale of plant and equipment 

3 

Share based payments 

Net finance expense 

Bad debt expense 

Foreign exchange loss 

Tax income 

Operating cash flow before changes in working capital and provisions 

Change in trade and other receivables 

Change in inventories 

Change in trade and other payables 

Cash generated from / (utilised by) operations 

Interest received 

R&D tax income received 

Net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities from continuing operation 

Net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities from discontinued operation 

Net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities

Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment 

Acquisition of plant and equipment 

Capitalised development expenditure 

Acquisition of other intangible assets 

Acquisition of Subsidiary net of cash (group) 

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operation 

Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operation 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash	flows	from	financing	activities 

Proceeds from share issue 

Proceeds / (repayment) of funding from invoice finance 

Proceeds from loans 

Repayment of loans 

Capital payment of lease liabilities 

Interest payment of lease liabilities 

Payment of deferred consideration 

Net cash generated from financing activities from continuing operation 

Net cash generated from financing activities from discontinued operation 

Net	cash	generated	from	financing	activities 

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations 

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalent from discontinued operations 

Cash and cash equivalents at start of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2022 

Comprises of:

Cash and cash equivalent from continuing operation 

Cash and cash equivalent from discontinued operation 

10 

10 

16 

23 

14 

944 

- 

(9) 

4 

340 

(54) 

66 

(559) 

173 

(86) 

2 

184 

273 

- 

- 

273 

(139) 

134 

- 

(27) 

(525) 

(20) 

- 

(572) 

(3) 

(575) 

- 

- 

- 

(196) 

(115) 

(67) 

- 

(378) 

(330) 

(708) 

(677) 

(472) 

2,740 

1,591 

1,462 

129 

1,184

5

(14)

10

274

174

-

(249)

410

222

-

(229)

403

7

172

582

(370)

212

10

(90)

(370)

(259)

(84)

(793)

(49)

(842)

75

10

3,010

(81)

(164)

(72)

(148)

2,630

(364)

2,266

2,419

(783)

1,104

2,740

2,714

26

52

The notes on pages 53-76 form part of these financial statements.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the the financial statements

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

GENERAL INFORMATION

Grafenia plc (the “Company”) is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The company’s registered office is Third Avenue, 

The Village, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1FG.

The Group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”) and are presented in 

sterling. The parent company financial statements present information about the Company as a separate entity and not about its Group.

ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS 

There have been no significant new or revised International Financial Reporting Standards adopted by the Group in the year.

BASIS OF PREPARATION

The Group financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and all of its subsidiaries made up to the financial year end. 

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its 

involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. In assessing control, the Group takes into 

consideration potential voting rights. The acquisition date is the date on which control is transferred to the acquirer. The financial statements of 

subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared under the historic cost convention.

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial information are set out below. The policies have been consistently 

applied to all the periods presented. 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards and as regards the parent 

company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. On publishing the parent company 

financial statements here together with the Group financial statements, the Company is taking advantage of the exemption in s408 of the 

Companies Act 2006 not to present its individual Statement of Comprehensive Income and related notes that form a part of these approved 

financial statements.

Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Profits from intercompany sales, to the extent that they are not yet realised 

outside the Group, have also been eliminated.

GOING CONCERN

Information regarding the Group’s business activities together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position 

is set out in the Chairman’s and Chief Executive’s Statement on pages 3-17. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position 

and borrowing facilities are described on pages 9-25. In addition, note 21 to the financial statements includes details of the Group’s financial 

instruments and hedging activities; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

As part of the consideration of the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of accounting, the Directors have prepared a forecast and 

applied reasonable sensitivities. The primary cash flow impact identified in the sensitivity analysis is a significant reduction in cash collections 

driven by lower customer demand. The Directors also considered the potential levers at their discretion to improve the cash position, including a 

number of further reductions in operating expenditure across the group, primarily related to workforce cost reductions. Having considered these 

scenarios, the Group continues to have sufficient cash headroom. 

Based on the above the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in 

operational existence for the foreseeable future and is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the continued uncertain 

economic outlook caused by Covid-19. Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and 

financial statements.

53

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  20221. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

For acquisitions the Group measures goodwill at the acquisition date as the:

•  fair value of the consideration transferred; plus

•  recognised amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree; plus

•  fair value of the existing equity interest in the acquiree; less

•  net recognised amount (fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

•  Costs related to the acquisition, other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity securities, are expensed as incurred.

Any contingent consideration payable is recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. If the contingent consideration is classified as equity, it is 

not re-measured and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration 

are recognised in profit or loss.

On 19 May 2022, the group announced the sale of its manufacturing operation based in Manchester. The manufacturing operation, referred to as 

‘Works Manchester’ consists of the legal entity, Works Manchester Limited, along with the Manchester based production assets, related leases 

and staff contracts of Grafenia Operations Limited. Accordingly, these assets and liabilities have been designated as held for sale and separately 

disclosed in the statement of financial position and the financial impact of the discontinued operation is separately disclosed in the Statement of 

comprehensive income. 

Following the disposal, Grafenia entered into a 5 year supply agreement with Works Manchester Limited to provide products to our Company 

stores and Partners. This change reduces the gross profit percentage of the group, but at the same time reduces staff costs and overheads. To 

accurately reflect the performance of continuing operations, the Statement of comprehensive income has been presented to show the results had 

the disposal and new supply agreement been in effect for both the current and the comparative financial years.

INVESTMENTS

Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less provision for any permanent diminution in value. Where in the opinion of the Directors an 

impairment of the investment has arisen, the value of the investment will be written down to the recoverable amount in accordance with IAS 36 

‘Impairment of Assets’.

REVENUE

IFRS 15, in respect of the recognition of Revenue from Contracts with customers, requires the Group to separately recognise revenue with 

respect to the various components of the contractual arrangements. Where contracts have separately identifiable components with distinct 

patterns of delivery and customer acceptance, revenue is accounted for separately once the performance obligation is satisfied.

The Group contracts with its customers on two main bases:

•  Production of product. The group considers the performance obligation to have been met when the product is delivered and, where required, 

installed.

•  Licence fees, including franchise fees, for SaaS products are for a set period of time as specified with the customer. There is considered to be a 

single performance obligation for delivering a managed software service which is satisfied over the length of the contract. Revenue is therefore 

recognised over the life of the contract.

No adjustment is made to the revenue recognised in respect of any financing component of the contract.

SEGMENT REPORTING

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief 

operating decision maker has been identified as the board of directors.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is based on the first-in first-out principle and is valued at purchased cost. 

Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price less additional costs to completion and necessary costs to make the sale.

54

FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 

FINANCIAL ASSETS

The Group and Company classify all its financial assets into the amortised cost category. The accounting policies for each category is as follows:

•  Trade and loan receivables: Trade receivables are initially recognised and carried at original invoice amount less an allowance for any 

uncollectible or impaired amounts. An impairment provision is calculated by considering the trade receivables and expected credit losses. 

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses using a lifetime expected credit loss provision for trade 

receivables. The expected loss rates are based on the Group’s historical credit losses experienced over the three-year period prior to the 

period end. The historical loss rates are then adjusted for current and forward- looking information on factors affecting the Group’s customers.

•  An estimate for doubtful debts is also made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. Debts are written off when they are 

identified as being uncollectible. 

•  Loan receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market.

•  They arise principally through the intercompany loans; Impairment of loan receivables is calculated utilising the lifetime expected credit losses 

of these loans and the changes in the credit risk of the counterparty.

•  Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of financial position comprise cash at bank and cash in hand.

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

The Group and Company treat financial liabilities in accordance with the following accounting policies:

•  Trade payables and other short-term monetary liabilities are recognised at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost.

•  Invoice discounting and loans are initially recognised at fair value net of any transaction costs directly attributable to the issue of the 

instrument. Such interest-bearing liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. “Interest 

expense” in this context includes initial transaction costs and premiums payable on redemption, as well as any interest payable while the 

liability is outstanding.

•  Bearer Bonds are initially recognised at fair value net of any discount or transaction costs directly attributable to the issue of the instrument. 

They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. “Interest expense” in this context includes initial 

transaction costs and the initial discount to the nominal value on inception, as well as any interest payable while the liability is outstanding.

SHARE CAPITAL

Financial instruments issued by the Company are classified as equity only to the extent that they do not meet the definition of a financial liability. 

The Company’s ordinary shares are classified as equity instruments. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options 

are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from proceeds within share premium.

BORROWING COSTS

Borrowing costs are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income in the period in which they are incurred.

CURRENT TAXATION

The current tax is based upon the taxable profit for the period together with adjustments, where necessary, in respect of prior periods. 

The Group’s asset or liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the financial period 

end date.

Current tax is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other 

comprehensive income or directly in equity.

DEFERRED TAXATION

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the Statement of Financial Position differs 

from its tax base.

Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the 

difference can be utilised.

The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and are 

expected to apply when the deferred tax liabilities/(assets) are settled/(recovered).

55

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairments. Where parts of an item of property, plant and 

equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment.

Depreciation is charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of an item of property, plant and 

equipment. Land is not depreciated. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Fixtures and fittings 

- 20% to 33% straight line  

Plant and equipment 

- 7% to 30% straight line  

Motor Vehicles 

- 25% straight line  

Leasehold improvements 

- over remaining lease life, straight line 

Right of use assets 

- over the life of the lease, straight line

Where assets have been depreciated down to their estimated residual value they are no longer depreciated, a number of assets were subject to 

this in the year.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS

Research costs are expenses as incurred. Development costs are charged to the profit or loss account in the year of expenditure, except when 

individual projects satisfy the following criteria:

•  the project is clearly defined and related expenditure is separately identifiable;

•  the project is technically feasible and commercially viable;

•  current and future costs will be exceeded by future sales; and adequate resources exist for the project to be completed.

In such circumstances the costs are carried forward and amortised over three years. Impairment risk is reviewed by the Board.

Amortisation is charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the useful economic life of the asset as follows:

Domains & brand 

Software 

- 20 years  

- 3 years 

Capitalised development costs 

- 3 years  

Customer Lists 

Other 

- 3 to 10 years 

- 20 years

Subsequent to initial recognition, internally generated intangible assets are reported at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated 

impairment losses. Research costs are expensed as incurred.

SOFTWARE

External expenditure on computer systems and software is stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Amortisation is 

on a straight-line basis over the useful economic life of the asset set at three years.

CUSTOMER LISTS

Customer lists arise on the buy-back of Studios and on the acquisition of subsidiary companies. Customer lists are being amortised over three to 

ten years and are individually tested bi-annually for indications of impairment.

GOODWILL

Goodwill may arise on acquisitions, where this occurs the valuation will be supported by a fair value assessment of the revenues expected to flow 

from customer relationships allowing for an appropriate level of attrition.

56

IMPAIRMENT OF NON FINANCIAL ASSETS

The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-financial assets are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of 

impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated.

For assets that have an indefinite useful life and intangible assets that are not yet available for use, the recoverable amount is estimated at each 

balance sheet date.

An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount. 

Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss.

The recoverable amount of the Group’s receivables carried at amortised cost is calculated as the present value of estimated future cash 

flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate (i.e. the effective interest rate computed at initial recognition of these financial assets). 

Receivables with a short duration are not discounted.

The recoverable amount of other assets is the greater of their fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated 

future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value 

of money and the risks specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is 

determined for the cash generating unit to which the asset belongs.

LEASES

The Group assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease, at inception of the contract. The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a 

corresponding lease liability with respect to all lease arrangements in which it is the lessee, except for short-term leases (defined as leases 

with a lease term of 12 months or less) and leases of low value assets (such as tablets and personal computers, small items of office furniture 

and telephones). For these leases, the Group recognises the lease payments as an operating expense on a straight-line basis over the term of 

the lease unless another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased assets are 

consumed.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted by 

using the rate implicit in the lease. If this rate cannot be readily determined, the lessee uses its incremental borrowing rate.

The lease liability is subsequently measured by increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on the lease liability (using the effective interest 

method) and by reducing the carrying amount to reflect the lease payments made.

The right-of-use assets comprise the initial measurement of the corresponding lease liability, lease payments made at or before the 

commencement day, less any lease incentives received and any initial direct costs. They are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated 

depreciation and impairment losses.

Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter period of lease term and useful life of the underlying asset. If a lease transfers ownership of 

the underlying asset or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Group expects to exercise a purchase option, the related right-of-use 

asset is depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset. The depreciation starts at the commencement date of the lease.

The right-of-use assets are presented within Property, Plant and Equipment and disclosed separately in note 17.

The Group applies IAS 36 to determine whether a right-of-use asset is impaired and accounts for any identified impairment loss as described in 

the ‘Property, Plant and Equipment’ policy.

FINANCING COSTS

Interest income and interest payable is recognised in profit or loss as it accrues, using the effective interest method. Dividend income is 

recognised in profit or loss on the date the entities within the group’s right to receive payments is established.

SHARE BASED PAYMNTS

The Group operates an equity-settled share-based compensation plan through a SAYE scheme, under which the Company receives services from 

employees as consideration for equity instruments of the Group. The fair value of the employee services received in exchange for the grant of the 

equity instruments is recognised as an expense. The total amount to be expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the instruments 

granted, calculated using the Black Scholes model. At the end of each reporting period, the Group revises its estimates of the number of 

instruments that are expected to vest based on the non-market vesting conditions and service conditions. It recognises the impact of the revision 

to original estimates, if any, in the income statement, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

57

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  20221. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Foreign currency transactions are recorded at the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. At each Balance Sheet date, monetary 

assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the exchange rate prevailing at the Balance Sheet date. Translation 

differences on monetary items are taken to profit or loss.

Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the 

date of transaction.

The financial statements of overseas subsidiaries are translated into sterling at the exchange rate ruling at the Balance Sheet date; income and 

expenses are translated at exchange rates at the date of transaction. The resulting surpluses and deficits are taken directly to profit or loss.

On disposal of a foreign subsidiary any cumulative exchange differences held in shareholders’ equity are transferred to the Consolidated Statement 

of Comprehensive Income.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of 

the accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which 

the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

Significant areas of estimation uncertainty and critical judgements in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the 

amounts recognised in the financial statements are described below:

INTANGIBLES – CAPITALISATION AND VALUATION OF SOFTWARE AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLES

The Board considers that the Group’s key differentiators stem from its proprietary software, operationally w3p, developed to support Brand 

Partners Nettl and printing.com, Marqetspace and online initiatives. It is essential to continue investing in these assets. Projects are agreed 

with user forums to improve functionality for Partners. Separate projects are defined for international expansion and for new initiatives as they 

are identified. Development costs are capitalised where a project has been defined, tested and expected to realise future economic benefits. 

Programming is carried out by third parties working to a detailed specification and schedule. The Board exercises judgement in determining 

the costs to be capitalised and determine the useful economic life to be applied typically 3 years or whilst the asset in question remains in 

use. Acquired intangibles have been identified as the customer base and brand, the valuation is based upon future discounted cash flows and 

expectations for the business. Further, the Board will use estimates of future incremental cash flows to periodically assess the carrying value of 

intangible assets.

IMPAIRMENT OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES.

In assessing impairment, Management estimates the recoverable amount of cash generating units based on expected future cash flows and uses 

the weighted average cost of capital to discount them. At the end of each reporting period the Management reviews a five year forward looking 

financial projection including a terminal value for the Group. The Management has further evaluated the terminal growth expectations and the 

applied discount rate applicable to derive a Net Present Valuation (NPV) of the Group. If the NPV of the Group shows a lower valuation than the net 

assets or the company cost of investment in subsidiaries plus intercompany balances due, an impairment will be made. Based on this evaluation, 

including management estimates and assumptions, no impairment was made during the reporting period. Estimation uncertainty relates to 

assumptions about future operating results in particular sales volumes and the determination of a suitable discount rate.

ESTIMATION OF THE EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES ON TRADE AND INTERCOMPANY RECEIVABLES

In assessing the expected credit losses, in respect of the trade and intercompany receivables under IFRS 9, the Group considers the past 

performance of the receivable book along with future factors that may affect the credit worthiness of the receivables. Estimations have therefore 

been made within these assumptions which could affect the carrying value of the trade and intercompany receivables.

BEARER BONDS

The bearer bonds issued by the Company have no fixed maturity. In order to establish an effective interest rate, management is required to 

determine the expected life of the bonds and has estimated this to be 20 years from the date of issue. In assessing the fair value of the embedded 

derivative relating to the exclusive one way call option, judgement is required in order to assess the likelihood of the business exercising this option.

58

2.REVENUE AND SEGMENTAL INFORMATION

The Group’s operating and reporting segments are geographic being UK & Ireland, Europe and others. The segmental analysis by nature of 

service includes Licence Fees, Company owned Studio revenue, Brand Partner print, Online sales plus Trade print and Works signs businesses. 

This disclosure correlates with the information which is presented to the Board, which reviews revenue (which is considered to be the primary 

growth indicator) by segment. The Group’s costs, finance income, tax charges, non-current liabilities, net assets and capital expenditure are only 

reviewed by the Board at a consolidated level and therefore have not been allocated between segments in the analysis below.

ANALYSIS BY LOCATION OF SALES 

UK & Ireland 
£000 

Europe 
£000 

Year ended 31 March 2022 Segment revenues 

Year ended 31 March 2021 Segment revenues 

11,723 

9,117 

289 

242 

Other 
£000 

349 

389 

Total
£000

12,361

9,748

Revenue generated outside the UK is attributable to partners in Australia, Belgium, France, New Zealand, The Netherlands and the USA. 

No single customer provided the Group with over 9% of its revenue.

3.DISAGGREGATION OF REVENUE

The disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers is as follows:

Licence 
Fees 
£000 

Company 
Stores 
£000 

  Continuing Operations 

Brand 
Partner 
Print 
£000 

Online & 
Trade 
£’000 

Discontinued 
Operations 

Total

Works Sign 
Businesses 
£000 

£000

£000 

Year ended 31 March 2022 

2,135 

2,462 

2,439 

1,880 

8,916 

3,445 

12,361

Year ended 31 March 2021 

2,077 

1,832 

1,916 

1,119 

6,944 

2,804 

9,748

Of the Group’s non-current assets (excluding deferred tax) of £2,486,000 (2021: £8,575,000), £2,475,000 (2021: £8,545,000) are located in the 

UK. Non-current assets located outside the UK are in France £nil (2021: £5,000) and Ireland £11,000 (2021: £25,000).

59

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
              
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. LOSS BEFORE TAXATION

Included in operating loss are the following:

Amortisation of intangible assets 

Depreciation 

Loss / (profit) on sale of plant and equipment 

Profit on sale and leaseback recognised in the year 

Coronavirus job retention scheme income 

Research and development cost 

Restructuring costs 

Cost attributable to continuing operation 

Cost attributable to discontinued operation 

Auditors’ remuneration:

Audit of these financial statements 

Amounts receivable by auditors and their associates in respect of:

Audit of financial statements of subsidiaries of the company 

Fees payable to the auditor attributable to continuing operation 

Fees payable to the auditor attributable to discontinued operation 

2022 
£000 

936 

577 

- 

9 

(140) 

291 

- 

1,096 

577 

2022 
£000 

44 

40 

74 

10 

2021
£000

1,121

584

(5)

14

(729)

-

97

627

455

2021
£000

40

33

63

10

4. STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS

The average number of persons employed by the Group (including Directors) during the year analysed by category, were as follows:

Number of employees       

Administration 

Sales and distribution 

Production 

 Group 
2022 

Group     
2021 

Company 
2022 

  Company
2021

37 

50 

59 

146 

31 

59 

69 

159 

3 

- 

- 

3 

3

-

-

3

60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Defined	contribution	plan

The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the 

Group. The amounts charged to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income represent the contributions payable to the scheme in 

respect of the accounting period. In the year ended 31 March 2022 £121,000 of contributions were charged to the Consolidated Statement of 

Comprehensive Income (2021: £117,000). Charges relating to the discontinued operation were £54,000 (2021: £52,000). As at 31 March 2022 

£25,000 (2021: £34,000) of contributions were outstanding on the balance sheet.

The aggregate payroll costs of all employees, including Directors, were as follows:

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs 

Other pension costs 

Cost attributable to continued operation 

Cost attributable to discontinued operation 

Group 
2022 
£000 

3,696 

423 

121 

4,240 

2,019 

2,221 

Group    
2021 
£000 

Company 
2022 
£000 

  Company
2021 
£000

3,170 

413 

117 

3,700 

1,808 

1,892 

45 

2 

- 

47 

- 

- 

45

2

-

47

-

-

Wages and salaries in 2022 are net of £140,000 (2021: £729,000) income from the Coronavirus job retention scheme.

KEY MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION:

Executive directors

Emoluments 

Company contributions to money purchase pension plans 

Non-executive directors

Emoluments 

Company contributions to money purchase pension plans 

Total directors remuneration 

Employers national insurance contributions 

Total 

2022 
£000 

2021 
£000

424 

24 

448 

45 

- 

45 

493 

55 

548 

425

24

449

45

-

45

494

56

550

The Group considers the key management to be the Directors of the Group. Information covering Directors’ remuneration is set out in full in the 

‘Elements of remuneration’ section of the Directors Remuneration Report on pages 41-42 where details of fees and benefits can be found.

The aggregate of emoluments for the highest paid Director was £171,000 (2021: £171,000), and Company pension contributions of £16,000 

(2021: £16,000) were made to a money purchase scheme on their behalf. Directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under money 

purchase schemes 5 (2021: 5).

61

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. FINANCE EXPENSE

Finance expense 

Lease interest 

Invoice finance 

Bearer Bond interest 

Loan interest 

Foreign exchange losses 

Total	finance	expense 

Total finance expense attributable to continuing operation 

Total finance expense attributable to discontinued operation 

6. TAXATION

Recognised in the income statement 

Current tax expense

Current year 

Adjustments for prior years 

Deferred tax expense

Origination and reversal of temporary differences (see note 8) 

Previously unrecognised deferred tax asset currently recognised (see note 8) 

Total tax in income statement 

RECONCILIATION OF EFFECTIVE TAX RATE

Factors affecting the tax charge for the current period:

2022 
£000 

234 

21 

237 

35 

5 

532 

346 

186 

2022 
£000 

(166) 

(12) 

(178) 

(63) 

(318) 

(559) 

The current tax charge for the period is lower (2021: lower) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2021: 19%).

The differences are explained below: 

Loss before tax 

Tax using the UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2021:19%) 

Effects of:

Other tax adjustments, reliefs and transfers 

Adjustments in respect of prior periods – current tax 

Adjustments in respect of prior periods – deferred tax 

Deferred tax not recognised 

Research and Development losses surrendered 

Research and Development super deduction 

Previously unrecognised deferred tax asset currently recognised (see note 8) 

Total tax credit 

2022 
£000 

(1,991) 

(378) 

(530) 

(11) 

(1) 

584 

219 

(124) 

(318) 

(559) 

2021
£000

260

9

100

55

53

477

290

187

2021
£000

(166)

(1)

(167)

(74)

-

(241)

2021
£000

(2,326)

(442)

(99)

(1)

-

248

223

(170)

-

(241)

The Group tax debtor amounts to £167,000 (2021 Debtor: £163,000). The deferred tax liabilities as at 31 March 2022 have been calculated using 

the tax rate of 25% which was substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

In the budget on 3 March 2021, the UK Government announced an increase in the main UK corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% with effect 

from 1 April 2023. The change in rate was substantively enacted on 24 May 2021.

62

 
 
 
 
 
 
7. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculations of earnings per share are based on the following profits and numbers of shares:

Loss after taxation for the financial year from continuing operations 

Loss after taxation for the financial year from discontinued operations 

Total loss after taxation for the financial year 

2022 
£000 

(559) 

(1,277) 

(1,836) 

2021
£000

(974)

(1,111)

(2,085)

Weighted average 
number of Shares 

Weighted average
number of Shares

For basic earnings per ordinary share 

114,490,828 

113,831,139

For diluted earnings per ordinary share 

114,490,828 

113,831,139

Basic and diluted loss per share 

Basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operation 

Basic and diluted loss per share from discontinued operation 

(1.60)p 

(0.49)p 

(1.12)p 

(1.83)p

(0.85)p

(0.98)p

The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings 

of the Company.

The holders of deferred shares shall not be entitled to any participation in the profits or the assets of the Company and the deferred shares do not 

carry any voting rights.

8. DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES – GROUP

Recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities

Intangible assets 

Trading losses 

Tax asset/(liabilities) 

Assets 
2022 
£000 

- 

(318) 

318 

Assets 
2021 
£000 

Liabilities 
2022 
£000 

Liabilities 
2021 
£000 

(318) 

- 

(389) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Total 
2022 
£000 

(318) 

318 

Total
2021
£000

(389)

-

(318) 

(389) 

- 

(389)

Movement in deferred tax during the year. 

1 April  Recognised on 
2021  acquisition of  
subsidiary 
£000 

£000 

Recognised 

Removal of 
in income  discontinued 
operation 
£000 

£000 

Intangible assets 

Trading losses 

(389) 

- 

(389) 

- 

- 

- 

63 

- 

63 

8 

- 

8 

Deferred 
tax asset 
utilisation 
£000 

- 

318 

318 

Movement in deferred tax during the year. 

2020 

1 April  Recognised on 
acquisition of  
subsidiary 
£000 

£000 

Intangible assets 

(448) 

(448) 

(15) 

(15) 

Recognised 
in income 

£000 

74 

74 

Removal of 
discontinued 
operation 
£000 

Deferred 
tax asset 
utilisation 
£000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

31 March 
2022

£000

(318)

318

-

31 March 
2021

£000

(389)

(389)

The Group has unrecognised deferred tax assets in respect of carried forward losses of £1,526,000 (2021: £1,255,000).

Company

The Company had no recognised deferred tax assets as at 31 March 2022 (2021: nil).

63

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT – GROUP

Cost

Balance at 31 March 2020 

Right-of-use assets recognised on IFRS 16 adoption 

Additions 

Disposals 

Balance at 31 March 2021 

Additions 

Transferred to assets held within disposal group (note 22) 

Balance at 31 March 2022 

Depreciation and impairment

Balance at 31 March 2020 

Depreciation charge for the year 

Disposals 

Balance at 31 March 2021 

Depreciation charge for the year 

Transferred to assets held within disposal group (note 22) 

Balance at 31 March 2022 

Net book value

At 31 March 2020 

At 31 March 2021 

At 31 March 2022 

Land and 
buildings 
£000 

Plant and 
equipment 
£000 

Motor 
Vehicles 
£000 

Fixtures and 
Fittings 
£000 

139 

1,583 

2,575 

- 

- 

- 

2,575 

- 

(735) 

1,840 

836 

260 

- 

1,096 

213 

(382) 

927 

5,591 

168 

1 

(523) 

5,237 

31 

(4,913) 

355 

2,494 

140 

(508) 

2,126 

236 

(2,057) 

305 

1,739 

1,479 

913 

3,097 

3,111 

50 

8 

- 

(28) 

119 

- 

(28) 

91 

101 

27 

(28) 

100 

10 

(25) 

85 

38 

19 

6 

Total

£000

9,888

180

1

(551)

9,518

31

(6,439)

3,110

4,405

584

(536)

4,453

577

(2,997)

2,033

4 

- 

- 

1,587 

- 

(763) 

824 

974 

157 

- 

1,131 

118 

(533) 

716 

609 

456 

108 

5,483

5,065

1,077

Right-of-use assets are included within the same asset categories as they would have been if they were owned. As of 31 March 2022 the 

Group has right-of-use assets with a carrying value of £3,453,000 (2021: £3,806,000). Right-of-use of assets from discontinued operation is 

£2,540,000 (2021: £2,762,000). A table showing the net book value of right-of-use assets within property, plant and equipment at 31 March 

2022 and 31 March 2021, split by category, is disclosed in note 17.

64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Group 

Cost

Domains 
& brand 
£000 

Software  Development 
costs 
£000 

£000 

Customer 
Lists 
£000 

Goodwill 

Other 

£000 

£000 

Total

£000

Balance at 31 March 2020 

912 

4,265 

Additions – internally developed 

Additions – purchased 

Acquisition of subsidiary 

- 

- 

- 

- 

259 

- 

Balance at 31 March 2021 

912 

4,524 

Additions – internally developed 

Additions – purchased 

Transferred to assets held within
disposal group (note 22) 

Balance at 31 March 2022 

Amortisation and impairment

Balance at 31 March 2020 

Amortisation for the year 

Balance at 31 March 2021 

Amortisation for the year 

Transferred to assets held within 
disposal group (note 22) 

Balance at 31 March 2022 

Net book value

At 31 March 2020 

At 31 March 2021 

At 31 March 2022 

- 

- 

(549) 

363 

412 

30 

442 

20 

(115) 

347 

500 

470 

16 

4,059 

419 

- 

- 

4,478 

525 

- 

- 

- 

20 

- 

4,544 

5,003 

3,805 

297 

4,102 

232 

3,298 

389 

3,687 

387 

3,165 

- 

- 

80 

3,245 

- 

- 

(2,570) 

675 

1,205 

399 

1,604 

286 

- 

- 

(1,294) 

4,334 

4,074 

596 

460 

422 

210 

761 

791 

929 

1,960 

1,641 

79 

141 

- 

- 

15 

156 

- 

- 

(18) 

138 

12 

- 

12 

- 

- 

12 

129 

144 

126 

162 

12,704

- 

- 

- 

419

259

95

162 

13,477

- 

- 

- 

162 

114 

6 

120 

11 

- 

131 

48 

42 

31 

525

20

(3,137)

10,885

8,846

1,121

9,967

936

(1,409)

9,494

3,858

        3,510

1,391

IMPAIRMENT TESTING

The recoverable amount of goodwill and intangible assets is determined from value in use calculations.

The Group prepares cash flow forecasts derived from budgets and five-year business plans. The sales growth relates to all key revenue streams 

of the business and have been determined based on the experience to date of operating these sales channels, with 5% per annum for Licence 

fees, 2% for services and 1% for product sales. 

For the purposes of impairment testing inflationary growth of 0.5% is assumed beyond this period. A pre-tax discount factor of 6.8% (2021: 7.4%) 

was applied.

Following the impairment review, the intangible assets are not considered to be impaired.

Increasing the pre-tax discount factor to 10.0% would not result in an impairment charge against intangible assets.

Amortisation and impairment charge

The amortisation charge of £936,000 (2021: £1,121,000) is recognised in profit or loss within depreciation and amortisation expenses. £225,000 

(2021: £338,000) from discontinued operation, £711,000 (2021: £783,000) from continuing operation. An impairment charge of nil (2021: £nil) 

was recognised during the year.

65

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
11.  INVESTMENTS - COMPANY

Cost

Balance at 31 March 2020 

Acquisitions in the year 

Balance at 31 March 2021 

Transferred to assets held for sale 

Balance at 31 March 2022 

Shares in
Subsidiary undertakings 
£000 

3,457 

121 

3,578 

(2,592) 

986 

Total
£000

3,457

121

3,578

(2,592)

986

The Company owns the whole of the issued ordinary share capital of the following undertakings:

Subsidiary undertakings – wholly owned 

Country of incorporation 

Grafenia Operations Limited* 

Works Manchester Limited* 

Eggshell Solutions Limited* 

Printing.com (UK Franchise) Limited* 

Nettl UK Limited* 

Grafenia Systems Limited* 

Grafenia Technology Limited* 

Creative Enterprise Support Limited* 

TemplateCloud Limited* 

W3P Limited* 

Nettl of America LLC^ 

Grafenia France S.à.r.l.^ 

* - Owned directly by Grafenia PLC

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

US 

France 

Nature of business/status

Printing – trading

Sign Design, Manufacture and Installation – trading

Printing and Design - dormant

Partner contracts – dormant

Partner contracts – dormant

Licence agreements – dormant

Licence agreements – dormant

Enterprise Support – dormant

Template Provision – dormant

Software – dormant

Franchising - trading

Partner contracts – trading

^ - Owned by indirectly through ownership of the company’s 100% subsidiary Grafenia Operations Limited

The registered address for all UK businesses is Focal Point, Third Avenue, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1FG.

On 19th May 2022, Grafenia plc announced that it had agreed to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary Works Manchester Limited with an investment 

carrying value of £2.6m. The transaction was subsequently completed on 31 May 2022.

12. INVENTORY 

Group 
2022 
£000 

               Group 
2021 
£000 

Company 
2022 
£000 

Company
2021 
£000

Raw Materials 

Total inventory 

Total inventory relating to discontinued operation 

Total inventory relating to continuing operation 

493 

493 

464 

29 

444 

444 

413 

31 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

66

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Other receivables due from subsidiary companies do not have fixed repayment terms.

At 31 March 2022 trade receivables are shown net of an impairment allowance of £1,089,000 (2021: £1,090,000).

Trade and other receivables denominated in currencies other than sterling comprise £114,000 (2021: £136,000) of trade receivables.

Trade receivables 

Less provision for trade receivables 

Trade receivables net 

Other receivables due from subsidiary companies 

Less provision for subsidiary companies 

Total financial assets other than cash and 

Group 
2022 
£000 

3,290 

(1,089) 

2,201 

- 

- 

               Group 
2021 
£000 

Company 
2022 
£000 

Company
2021
£000

2,408 

(1,090) 

1,318 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

11,575 

(3,244) 

10,688

(3,243)

cash equivalents classified at amortised cost 

2,201 

1,318 

8,331 

7,445

Corporation tax 

Other receivables 

Total Other receivables 

Total trade and other receivables 

Total relating to discontinued operation 

Total relating to continuing operation 

167 

70 

237 

2,438 

1,157 

1,281 

163 

64 

227 

1,545 

545 

1,000 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

8,331 

7,445

- 

- 

-

-

The carrying value of trade and other receivables classified at amortised cost approximates fair value.

Gross carrying amount 

Loss provision 

Net carrying amount 

Under 6 months 
£000 

Over 6 months 
£000 

1,615 

(83) 

1,532 

1,675 

(1,006) 

669 

Total
£000

3,290

(1,089)

2,201

Trade and other receivables represent financial assets and are considered for impairment on an expected credit loss model. The Group continues 

to trade with the same customers and in the same marketplace and therefore the future expected credit losses have been considered in line with 

the past performance of the customers in the recovery of their receivables. 

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses using a lifetime expected credit loss provision for trade 

receivables. The expected loss rates are based on the Group’s historical credit losses experienced over the three-year period prior to the period 

end. The historical loss rates are then adjusted for current and forward-looking information on factors affecting the Group’s customers including 

the area of operations of those debtors and the market for the Group’s products. The assessment of the expected credit risk for the year has 

not increased, when looking at the factors affecting the risk noted above. There are no trade receivables outside of credit terms without an 

impairment provision.

67

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES (CONTINUED)

Movements in the impairment allowance for trade receivables are as follows:

Impairment

Group 

Balance at 1 April 

Receivable written off during the year as uncollectible 

Increase in impairment allowance 

Balance at 31 March 

As at 31 March 2022 
£000 

As at 31 March 2021 
£000

1,090 

(44) 

43 

1,089 

1,000

(70)

160

1,090

Of the total impairment provision £36,000 (2021: £79,000) relates to Partners that have ceased trading.

There is no material difference between the net book value and the fair values of trade and other receivables due to their short-term nature. 

Other classes of financial assets included within trade and other receivables do not contain impaired assets.

Of the net trade receivables £512,000 (2021: £209,000) was pledged as security for the invoice discounting facility. The Group is committed to 

underwrite any of the debts transferred and therefore continues to recognise the debts sold within trade receivables until the debtors repay or 

default. Since the trade receivables continue to be recognised, the business model of the Group is not affected. The proceeds from transferring 

the debts are included in other financial liabilities until the debts are collected or the Group makes good any losses incurred by the service 

provider.

Company

The Company did not have trade receivables at the year end. The intercompany receivables have been considered for impairment on an expected 

credit loss model and this has resulted in no additional provision in the year (2021: nil).

14. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total relating to discontinued operation 

Total relating to continuing operation 

Group 
2022 
£000 

1,591 

129 

1,462 

         Group 
2021 
£000 

Company 
2022 
£000 

2,740 

26 

2,714 

984 

- 

- 

Company
2021
£000

2,266

-

-

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, cash in transit and other short term highly liquid investments. 

All cash is held in Sterling other than Euro of £71,000 (2021: £117,000) and USD of £26,000 (2021: £30,000).

68

 
 
 
 
15. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Current Liabilities 

Trade payables 

Accruals 

Other liabilities 

Total financial liabilities, excluding borrowings classified 
as financial liabilities measured at amortised cost 

Total relating to discontinued operation 

Total relating to continuing operation 

Deferred income 

Total relating to discontinued operation 

Total relating to continuing operation 

Group 
2022 
£000 

1,445 

373 

529 

2,347 

835 

1,512 

77 

- 

77 

         Group 
2021 
£000 

Company 
2022 
£000 

Company
2021
£000

689 

358 

752 

1,799 

448 

1,351 

60 

- 

60 

5 

78 

- 

83 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1

83

-

84

-

-

-

-

-

Total trade and other payables 

2,424 

1,859 

83 

84                             

Trade payables denominated in currencies other than Sterling comprise £72,000 (2021: £43,000) denominated in Euro. 

There is no material difference between the net book value and the fair values of current trade and other payables due to their short-term nature.

16. BORROWINGS

For more information on the Group and Company’s exposure to interest rate, foreign currency risk and lease liabilities, see note 21.

Current Liabilities 

Invoice Financing 

Lease liabilities 

Loans 

Total relating to discontinued operation 

Total relating to continuing operation 

Non-Current Liabilities

Lease liabilities 

Loans 

Bearer Bonds 

Total relating to discontinued operation 

Total relating to continuing operation 

Group 
2022 
£000 

512 

683 

172 

1,367 

1,059 

308 

2,517 

683 

2,270 

5,470 

1,628 

3,842 

         Group 
2021 
£000 

Company 
2022 
£000 

Company
2021
£000

209 

602 

120 

931 

664 

267 

3,185 

854 

2,110 

6,149 

 (2,650) 

(3,499) 

- 

- 

172 

172 

- 

- 

- 

683 

2,270 

2,953 

- 

- 

-

-

120

120

-

-

-

854

2,110

2,964

-

-

The invoice discounting arrangement is secured upon the trade debtors to which the arrangement relates see note 13.

In July 2020 the Company issued bonds with a nominal value of £3,000,000, raising a net £2,010,000. The bonds are interest-free for three 

years and thereafter pay 6% of the nominal value, annually in arrears, until the company exercises its call option. The bond has initially been 

measured at fair value, which is considered to be the transaction price. Subsequently the liability is measured at amortised cost based on the 

expected cash flows over the expected life of the instrument.

In August 2020 an additional term loan for £1,000,000, repayable over six years, was secured through the Coronavirus Business Interruption 

Loan Scheme at an effective annual interest rate of 8.6%. At 31 March 2022 the liability was £855,000 (2021: £974,000).

69

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17. LEASES

All leases where the Group is a lessee are accounted for by recognising a right of use asset and a lease liability except for:

•  Leases of low value assets;

•  Leases with a term of 12 months or less.

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ was adopted on 1 April 2019 without restatement of comparative figures.

AMOUNTS RECOGNISED IN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

RIGHT OF USE ASSETS 

Balance at 1 April 2020 

Additions to right of use assets 

Depreciation 

Balance at 31 March 2021 

Depreciation 

Transferred to assets relating to disposal group 

Balance at 31 March 2022 

LEASE LIABILITIES 

Balance at 1 April 2020 

Additions to lease liabilities 

Interest expense 

Lease payments 

Balance at 31 March 2021 

Interest expense 

Lease payments 

Transferred to liabilities relating to disposal group (note 22) 

Balance at 31 March 2022 

Land and 
buildings 
£000 

Plant and 
equipment 
£000 

Motor
Vehicles 
£000 

1,739 

- 

(260) 

1,479 

(213) 

(353) 

913 

2,348 

95 

(122) 

2,321 

(134) 

(2,187) 

- 

29 

- 

(23) 

6 

(6) 

- 

- 

Land and 
buildings 
£000 

Plant and 
equipment 
£000 

Motor
Vehicles 
£000 

1,802 

- 

107 

(340) 

1,569 

92 

(340) 

(319) 

1,002 

2,274 

90 

152 

(304) 

2,212 

136 

(469) 

(1,856) 

23 

32 

- 

1 

(27) 

6 

- 

(6) 

- 

- 

Total
£000

4,116

95

(405)

3,806

(353)

(2,540)

913

Total
£000

4,108

90

260

(671)

3,787

228

(815)

(2,175)

1,025

AMOUNTS RECOGNISED IN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

2022 

2021

Land and 
Plant and 
buildings  equipment 
£000 

£000 

Motor 
Vehicles 
£000 

Total 
£000 

Land and 
Plant and 
buildings  equipment 
£000 

£000 

Motor
Vehicles 
£000 

Total
£000

Continuing Operation

Depreciation charge 
on right of use assets 

Interest on lease liabilities 

Expenses related to low value 
and short-term leases 

Discontinued Operation

Depreciation charge 
on right of use assets 

Interest on lease liabilities 

Expenses related to low value 
and short-term leases 

70

122 

67 

18 

207 

91 

25 

- 

116 

3 

- 

- 

3 

131 

136 

- 

267 

6 

- 

- 

6 

- 

- 

- 

- 

131 

67 

18 

216 

222 

161 

- 

383 

123 

73 

20 

216 

137 

34 

- 

171 

3 

- 

3 

6 

119 

152 

- 

271 

23 

1 

- 

24 

- 

- 

- 

- 

149

74

23

246

256

186

-

442

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LEASE LIABILITIES - MATURITY ANALYSIS OF CONTRACTUAL UNDISCOUNTED CASH FLOWS

Carrying 
amount 
£000 

Contractual 
cash flows 
£000 

6 months 
or less 
£000 

6-12 
months 
£000 

1-2 
years 
£000 

31 March 2022 

3,200 

3,740 

Total relating to 
discontinued operation 

Total relating to 
continuing operation 

2,175 

2,462 

1,025 

1,278 

31 March 2021 

3,787 

4,643 

Total relating to 
discontinued operation 

Total relating to 
continuing operation 

2,650 

3,098 

1,137 

1,545 

439 

352 

87 

390 

291 

99 

426 

340 

86 

441 

344 

97 

812 

639 

173 

865 

692 

173 

2-5 
years 
£000 

1,623 

1,131 

492 

2,216 

1,771 

445 

More than
5 years
£000

440

-

440

731

-

731

18. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Share-based Save as You Earn (SAYE) Scheme

The Company launched a SAYE Scheme commencing 1 March 2017. The Scheme offered all employees the opportunity to participate in the 

future growth of the Company through the granting of share options.

The scheme required employees to remain in employment of the business and commit to making a monthly payment of between £5 and £500 for 

36 months. These instalments were paid into a savings account, operated by Royal Bank of Scotland plc, held independently from the Company.

Employees were invited to subscribe for options over ordinary shares of 1 penny each in the Company (“Ordinary Shares”). 

All options issued under the scheme have now lapsed, with none exercised in the latest financial year. The total number of shares under option at 

the year end was nil (2021: 450,776). 

71

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
19. SHARE CAPITAL

SHARE CAPITAL – GROUP AND COMPANY

In thousands of shares 

In issue at 1 April 

Issued by the Company 

Shares on the market at 31 March – fully paid 

Allotted, called up and fully paid 

114,490,828 (2021: 114,490,828) ordinary shares of £0.01 each 

63 deferred shares of £0.10 each 

Ordinary shares  
2022 

Ordinary shares
2021

114,491 

- 

114,491 

£000 

1,145 

- 

1,145 

113,525

966

114,491

£000

1,145

-

1,145

On 3 September 2020 the company announced the exercise of 46,450 options over ordinary shares of £0.01 each at an issue price of £0.0775. 

The difference between the issue price and the nominal value being taken into the share premium account.

On 14 December 2020 the company announced that employees who had elected to forgo a proportion of their remuneration in favour of the 

equivalent value in shares, based on a purchase price of £0.0775 each, were issued 919,032 ordinary shares of £0.01.

Dividends

During the year and prior year no dividends were proposed or paid. After the balance sheet date, the Board proposed no final dividend would be 

made (2021: £nil).

20. SHARE PREMIUM AND OTHER RESERVES

The share premium represents the amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of the nominal value of shares.

At 1 April 

Premium on shares issued by the Company in the year 

At 31 March  

Group and company

2022 
£000 

7,866 

- 

7,866 

2021 
£000

7,801

65

7,866

The Merger reserve arose when the Company undertook a share for share exchange with the companies listed in Note 11.

The share based payment reserve represents the recognised cost of past SAYE schemes that have not been converted into share capital.

The translation reserve represents cumulative foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign 

subsidiaries and is not distributable by way of dividends.

72

 
 
 
 
 
21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

It is not the Group’s policy to enter into financial derivatives for speculative or trading purposes. The financial instruments employed by the Group 

other than short term debtors and creditors are used to fund its operations and comprise cash, short term deposits and lease liabilities.

The Group’s policy during the financial year ended 31 March 2022 and 31 March 2021 was to place the majority of its cash on short term deposit 

with its bankers and to finance the purchase of significant fixed assets through leases.

CREDIT RISK

Group

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to trade and other receivables both current and non-current. Trade receivables are included in 

the balance sheet net of doubtful receivables, estimated by the Group’s management. The maximum credit risk in respect of the Group’s and 

Company’s financial assets at the year-end is represented by the balance outstanding on trade receivables and other receivables due from 

Partners as shown below.

During the year the Group has continued to use the Pay As You Go (PAYG) model to manage debtors and mitigate the credit risk through 

structured payments. This model ensures that in most instances total debts do not increase while continuing to serve the customer base. 

Repayment plans have been entered into separately for certain PAYG debtors and make up £242,000 (2021: £304,000) of total gross debtors. 

The Group retains the right to charge interest on overdue balances and re-call debts ahead of the payment plans agreed.

Interest rate risk

The Group and the Company do not have a material exposure to interest rates as most borrowings are at fixed interest rates.

Liquidity risk

The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities including estimated interest payments and excluding the impact of netting agreements:

31 March 2022

Trade and other payables 

Lease liabilities 

Bearer Bonds* 

Loans 

Invoice	financing	

Balance relating to 
discontinued operation 

Balance relating to 
continuing operation 

31 March 2021

Carrying 
amount 
£000 

Contractual 
cash flows 
£000 

6 months 
or less 
£000 

6-12 
months 
£000 

2,347 

3,200 

2,270 

855 

512	

2,347 

3,740 

5,880 

1,020 

512	

2,347 

439 

- 

118 

512	

9,184 

13,499 

3,416 

3,522 

3,809 

1,699 

5,662 

 9,690 

1,717 

- 

426 

- 

118 

-	

544 

340 

204 

Carrying 
amount 
£000 

Contractual 
cash flows 
£000 

6 months 
or less 
£000 

6-12 
months 
£000 

Trade and other payables 

Lease liabilities 

Bearer Bonds* 

Loans 

Invoice financing 

Balance relating to 
discontinued operations 

Balance relating to  
ontinuing operations 

1,799 

3,787 

2,110 

974 

209 

1,799 

4,643 

5,880 

1,216 

209 

8,879 

13,747 

1,799 

390 

- 

79 

209 

2,477 

3,982 

4,229 

1,604 

4,897 

9,518 

873 

- 

441 

- 

118 

- 

559 

344 

215 

1-2 
years 
£000 

- 

812 

- 

235 

-	

2-5 
years 
£000 

- 

1,623 

540 

549 

-	

More than
5 years
£000

-

440

5,340

-

-

1,047 

2,712 

5,780

639 

408 

1-2 
years 
£000 

- 

865 

- 

235 

- 

1,131 

-

1,581 

5,780

2-5 
years 
£000 

- 

2,216 

360 

706 

- 

More than
5 years
£000

-

731

5,520

78

-

1,100 

3,282 

6,329

692 

408 

1,589 

-

1,693 

6,329

*Based on the expected cash flows used to calculate the effective interest rate for amortised cost

All trade receivables are contractually due within 6 months.

73

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED) 

Capital risk management

The Group’s capital management objective is to ensure the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern so that it can in future provide returns 

for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders.

To meet this objective, the Group reviews the budgets and forecasts on a regular basis to ensure there is sufficient capital to meet the needs of 

the Group. The capital structure of the Group consists of shareholders’ equity as set out in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity. All 

working capital requirements are financed from existing cash resources and borrowings.

Foreign currency risk

Group

The Group transacts with some business in foreign currency, principally Euro, and therefore incurs some transaction risk. The risk does not 

warrant hedging activity by the Group to defend against the impact of exchange rate movements.

The Group’s exposure to foreign currency risk denominated in GBP was as follows: 

31 March 2022 
Euro 

31 March 2022 
GBP 

31 March 2021 
Euro 

31 March 2021
GBP

£000 

£000 

£000 

£000

117 

70 

(72) 

116 

2,321 

1,521 

(2,275) 

1,567 

160 

117 

(186) 

91 

1,734

2,623

(1,471)

2,886

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other payables 

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Where the Group operates in Europe both revenues and costs are in the local currency therefore the level of exchange risk is low. In the Eurozone 

the Group has a presence in France, Ireland and The Netherlands. In managing currency risks the Company and Group aims to reduce the impact 

of short-term fluctuations on the Company and Group’s earnings. At 31 March 2022, it is estimated that a general increase of 25% in the value 

of the Euro would increase the Group’s profit before tax by approximately £6,000 (2021: £6,000) with an equal adjustment to equity. A general 

increase of 25% in the value of the US Dollar would increase the Group’s profit before tax by approximately £4,000 (2021: £1,000) with an equal 

adjustment to equity.

LEASE LIABILITIES / BANK LOANS

The fair value, which is determined for disclosure purposes, is calculated based on the present value of future principal and interest cash flows, 

discounted at the market rate of interest at the reporting date. The market rate of interest for lease liabilities is determined by reference to similar 

lease agreements.

74

 
 
 
 
22. DISCONTINUED OPERATION

On 19 May 2022, the group announced the sale of its manufacturing operation based in Manchester. The manufacturing operation, referred to as 

‘Works Manchester’ consists of the legal entity, Works Manchester Limited, along with the Manchester based production assets, related leases 

and staff contracts of Grafenia Operations Limited. Accordingly, these assets and liabilities have been designated as held for sale and separately 

disclosed in the statement of financial position and the financial impact of the discontinued operation is separately disclosed in the Statement of 

comprehensive income. 

Following the disposal, Grafenia entered into a 5 year supply agreement with Works Manchester Limited to provide products to our Company 

stores and Partners. This change reduces the gross profit percentage of the group, but at the same time reduces staff costs and overheads. To 

accurately reflect the performance of continuing operations, the Statement of comprehensive income has been presented to show the results had 

the disposal and new supply agreement been in effect for both the current and the comparative financial years.

EFFECT ON GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Property plant and equipment 

Intangible assets 

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalent 

Asset relating to disposal group 

Invoice finance 

Lease liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Liabilities relating to disposal group 

Net asset and liabilities of discontinued operations  

Initial 
recognition  
£000 

Re-measurement 
to fair value 
£000 

Held for
disposal
£000

3,442 

1,728 

464 

1,157 

129 

6,920 

(512) 

(2,175) 

(835) 

(8) 

(3,530) 

3,390 

(457) 

(229) 

- 

- 

- 

(686) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2,985

1,499

464

1,157

129

6,234

(512)

(2,175)

(835)

(8)

(3,530)

(686) 

2,704

Total discounted cash consideration will be received for this disposal is £2.7m (£3.165m gross consideration) which is greater than the carrying 

value of the discontinued operations recognised. The subsequent impairment of £686,000 has been separately disclosed under re-measurement 

to fair value on discontinued operations in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

75

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
23. CHANGES IN LIABILITY ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Invoice	finance	
£000 

Lease	liabilities	
£000 

Balance at 1 April 2020 

128 

4,108 

Cash flows 

Proceeds from new loans 

Repayment of borrowings 

Proceeds of invoice finance 

Lease payments 

Non cash changes

New lease 

Interest 

Balance at 31 March 2021 

Cash flows

Repayment of borrowings 

Proceeds	of	invoice	finance	

Lease payments 

Non cash changes

Interest 

Balance at 31 March 2022 

- 

- 

81 

- 

- 

- 

209 

- 

303	

- 

 - 

512 

- 

- 

- 

(671) 

90 

260 

3,787 

- 

-	

(815) 

228 

3,200 

Loans
£000

-

3,010

(81)

-

-

-

155

3,084

(196) 

-

-

237

3,125

24. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

The Group and Company have no commitments to incur capital expenditure at the year end (2021: £nil).

25. RELATED PARTIES

The Company provides cross company guarantees in respect of the invoice discounting for £0.51m (2021: £0.21m). In the year ended 31 March 

2022 no dividends were paid (2021: nil).

TRANSACTIONS WITH KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

At the year end the Directors of the Company controlled 3.10 per cent of the voting shares of the Group.

The compensation of the Directors, who are the key management personnel, is disclosed in note 4 and within the Directors Remuneration Report 

on pages 41-42.

26. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

On 19 May 2022, Grafenia plc announced that it had agreed to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary Works Manchester Limited, formerly Image 

Everything Limited, and certain business and assets of its wholly owned subsidiary Grafenia Operations Limited to Rymack Sign Solutions Limited, 

a privately owned company trading as PFI Group, for cash consideration of £3,165,000. Of this consideration, £100,000 is payable over the first 3 

months and then £766,250 on the first four anniversaries of the sale. The transaction was subsequently completed on 31 May 2022. The financial 

impact of this disposal is shown in the primary financial statements and is discussed further in note 22.

76

 
 
Auditors  
to the Company 

RSM UK Audit LLP
3 Hardman Street

MANCHESTER

M3 3HF

Registrars  
and Receiving Agents 
to the Company  

Link Asset Services
10th Floor, Central Square

29 Wellington Street

Advisers and company information

Registered	Office	 

Third Avenue

The Village 

Trafford Park 

MANCHESTER 

M17 1FG

Company Number 

03983312 (England and Wales)

Website Address 

www.grafenia.com

Company Secretary  

Richard A Lightfoot

Financial Adviser, 
Nominated Adviser 
and Broker 
to the Company 

Solicitors  
to the Company 

Allenby Capital Limited
5 St. Helen’s Place

Bankers  
to the Group 

LONDON

EC3A 6AB

Gateley plc
Ship Canal House

98 Kings Street

MANCHESTER

M2 4WU

LEEDS

LS1 4DL

Virgin Money
48-50 Market Street

MANCHESTER

M1 1PW

77

GRAFENIA PLC  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS  2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third Avenue / The Village / Trafford Park / Manchester / M17 1FG

t: +44 (0)161 848 5700 / e: investors@grafenia.com

WWW.GRAFENIA.COM

Registered office: Third Avenue, The Village, Trafford Park, Manchester  M17 1FG.  VAT Registration No. GB 764 5390 08

Grafenia plc is registered in England and Wales under number 03983312

08/22