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Numis

num · LSE Financial Services
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Employees 51-200
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FY2010 Annual Report · Numis
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Numis Corporation Plc
Numis Corporation Plc
Numis Corporation Plc
The London Stock Exchange Building
The London Stock Exchange Building
The London Stock Exchange Building
10 Paternoster Square  
10 Paternoster Square  
10 Paternoster Square  
London EC4M 7LT
London EC4M 7LT
London EC4M 7LT

+44 (0)20 7260 1000
+44 (0)20 7260 1000
+44 (0)20 7260 1000
mail@numiscorp.com
mail@numiscorp.com
mail@numiscorp.com

www.numiscorp.com
www.numiscorp.com
www.numiscorp.com

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2010
2010
2010
Annual Report & Accounts
Annual Report & Accounts
Annual Report & Accounts

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A leading independent, investment banking 
and stockbroking group. Offering a full range 
of research, execution, corporate broking and 
corporate finance services to companies 
quoted in the UK and their investors.

Overview
Financial Highlights  
Our Business 
Chairman’s Statement 
 Chief Executive’s Statement 
 Strategy 

Business Review
Research 
 Execution 
Corporate Broking and Investor Relations 
Corporate Finance 
 Case Studies 
 Financial Review 

01
02
05
07
09

10
12
14
16
18
20

Governance
 Board & Committees 
Board of Directors 
Risk Management 
Remuneration 
Directors’ Responsibilities 
Directors’ Report 
 Independent Auditors’ Report 

22
23
24
25
27
28
30

Financial Statements
Consolidated Income Statement 
32
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income  33
34
Consolidated Balance Sheet  
35
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
36
Holding Company Balance Sheet  
37
38
Holding Company Statement of Changes in Equity 
Notes to the Financial Statements 
39
Notice of AGM 
72
75
Explanatory Notes to the Notice of AGM 
Five Year Summary 
78
Information for Shareholders 
80

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

01

 £51.9m  
 £7.9m
 £0.2m
 6.6p
0.1p
 £106.7m
 £58.2m       
 8.00p

Financial Highlights
Revenue
2009 £47.5m

Adjusted profit before tax*
2009 £4.2m  

Statutory profit before tax 
2009 loss £10.5m 

Adjusted basic earnings per share
2009 3.2p

Statutory basic loss per share
2009 8.4p

Net assets
2009 £113.8m

Cash and collateral balances 
2009 £77.8m 

Total dividend per share
2009 8.00p 

* See reconciliation on page 20.

02

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Our Business
Our integrated approach and emphasis on 
harnessing the combined expertise of the firm to 
the benefit of our clients is key to our success. 

Structured to deliver exceptional service to our clients

Corporate Finance

Corporate  
Broking & Investor 
Relations

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Research

Execution

Research

Execution

Corporate Broking  
& Investor Relations

Corporate Finance

Through the recruitment 
of highly ranked specialist 
teams and the development 
and training of talented 
individuals, we are able to 
provide in-depth sector 
coverage. Our research  
is recognised by fund 
managers and corporates 
alike as among the best. 
Our research attracts 
institutional clients, builds 
relationships with them 
and thereby enables us to 
offer superior distribution 
to our corporate clients.  

Our Sales and Trading 
team offer strong 
distribution capabilities in 
London, Europe and the 
United States of America. 
Working together they 
combine their strengths 
to deliver a substantial 
resource to our 
institutional clients who 
require best execution to 
capture the value of our 
research and trading 
ideas. Our execution 
team delivers market 
leading execution in over 
400 stocks via a selection 
of trading venues and 
liquidity providers.

Our dedicated Corporate 
Broking team bridges the 
transactional and advisory 
services of our Corporate 
Finance department and 
the placing power of our 
Institutional Sales and 
Trading teams. Our 
brokers provide ongoing 
advice to our corporate 
clients on market 
conditions and perceptions, 
and deal with all aspects 
of investor relations 
including institutional road 
show presentations to 
existing and potential 
shareholders. 

The success of our 
Corporate Finance team 
springs from its ability to 
understand our clients’ 
businesses, to know what 
they are looking for and 
where to locate it. Our 
Corporate Finance team 
operates an industry-
focused approach in 
sectors covered by our 
highly rated research 
teams. We have a talented 
and growing group 
bolstered by recent senior 
appointments from major 
investment banks and 
provide a full range of 
services including advice 
in relation to M&A, public 
bids, IPOs, secondary 
fundraisings, convertible 
securities and private equity.

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

03

Operational Highlights
Corporate client base increased to
(September 2009: 122) 
with average market cap £278m  

Number of FTSE 250 brokerships
up from 16 a year ago

Number of FTSE 100 brokerships 
won first FTSE100 client

Funds raised during the year up 67% 
(2009: £787m) through 25 transactions

IPOs during the year raised
(2009: nil) through 6 transactions 

Institutional commission and trading revenue up 
Despite lower market volumes and 
fierce competition 

Non-compensation costs reduced by  
14% reduction versus 2008 levels

133
26
1
£1,315m
£713m
5%
7%

Thomson Reuters Extel 2010 survey results

Number 1 UK Mid Cap Corporate Broker

Number 1 UK Mid Cap Trading & Execution

Number 1 UK Mid Cap Corporate Access

Number 1 UK Small Cap Trading & Execution

Number 3 UK ALL Cap Leading Brokerage Firm

 
 
 
 
04

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

“  We have a strong  
balance sheet, excellent 
people and a high quality 
client base.“

  Sir David Arculus. Chairman

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

05

Chairman’s Statement
I am pleased to report that despite the renewed 
macro-economic uncertainties which returned 
during the second half, the strength of our 
franchise enabled the Group to deliver an 
improved performance. 

Top-ranked sector specialist analysts, powerful international 
distribution and sector aligned corporate broking and 
advisory expertise continue to be the bedrock of our 
franchise. Our robust financial position and commitment to 
the UK equity capital markets have enabled us to increase 
our corporate client base significantly whilst maintaining  
a broad spread across small and mid cap companies.  
These factors together with clarity of purpose continue to 
differentiate us from larger banks. 

On the macro-economic front, the UK Government made  
a significant step forward in their 2010 spending review  
by putting in place a program of public expenditure cuts 
together with the prioritisation of spending requirements 
going forward. Although this went some way to address  
the long term structural issues of the UK’s finances, there  
is clearly a need for other countries to implement similar 
measures before such economic uncertainties give way to 
renewed and sustained confidence in the equity markets.         

In my report last year I said that there was a need to create 
a more level fiscal playing field between debt and equity 
financing for corporates and in particular address the 
competitive advantages enjoyed by the big banks, many of 
whom have relied on Government support and linked their 
provision of corporate loans with equity mandates. 

Despite the broader economic challenges and need for 
proportionality in the UK’s changing regulatory framework,  
I firmly believe that Numis remains well positioned to deliver 
outstanding quality of service to both corporate and institutional 
clients and am pleased to note the addition of a further 13 
corporate clients during the first two months of the year.

In spite of little progress being achieved by policy makers in 
this regard, there would appear to be a growing recognition 
among companies of the benefits of having one large bank 
and one more nimble firm as their joint broker or adviser. 
Numis has been able to take advantage of this and, as a 
result of our depth of sector expertise and fund raising 
capabilities, we grew our presence in the FTSE 250 space 
and significantly increased our fund raising activity. 

This year we celebrated Numis’ 10 year anniversary and 
with it, a decade of achievements made under the able 
leadership of Oliver Hemsley. The next 10 years will be  
no less challenging and we look forward to meeting those 
challenges to ensure the future success of the Group.

I would like to close by thanking all at Numis for the immense 
amount of hard work that all my colleagues have put into 
enabling us to emerge from the events of the global 
financial crisis with a strong forward momentum.

Sir David Arculus 
Chairman 
17 December 2010       

06

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

£51.9m

“  Revenues up 9% in the face 
of lower market volumes 
and increasing economic 
uncertainties. A promising 
pipeline of corporate activity, 
however conditions remain 
challenging“

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

07

Chief Executive’s Statement
Our focus on the core elements of our business 
has enabled us to build our franchise even through 
the most difficult market conditions.

We are pleased to report that the business has 
delivered an improved performance for the year ended 
30 September 2010 generating operating revenue of 
£51.9m (2009: £47.5m) and adjusted profit before tax  
of £7.9m (2009: £4.2m). 

Having made sure that the firm was well positioned to 
weather the global financial crisis, we are pleased to 
report a stronger set of results, a 67% increase in equity 
funds raised to £1,315m, an increase in FTSE 250 
corporate clients to 26 (from 16 a year ago) and continued 
strengthening of our franchise with the introduction  
of debt issuance and secondary market capability,  
the appointment of a head of corporate finance and 
additional sector specialists in corporate finance.  
In addition, our combined institutional commission and 
trading result held up extremely well in the face of lower 
volumes and competition from electronic trading.    

Our investment portfolio (the results of which are reported 
through the other operating income/(loss) line of the 
income statement) has stabilised. During 2009, fair value 
losses of £8.0m were recorded, the majority of which 
occurred in October and November 2008. However, 
2010 has seen fair value losses of £0.6m combined with 
dividend receipts of £0.7m and net cash realisation of 
£0.7m. The portfolio is valued at £20.3m (September 
2009: £21.7m) the majority of which comprises holdings 
in quoted companies.

Having made significant progress on cost reduction 
initiatives we are now seeing the benefit in our cost base.  
Non compensation costs are 7% down on 2009 and 14% 
down on 2008 and we continue to examine further 
opportunities to improve our performance in this area  
and reduce the on-going cost of our operating platform.  
Staff costs have been maintained at 2009 levels.     

Our revenue performance was impacted by the difficult 
market conditions prevailing in the second half following 
the declining confidence created by the UK government 
elections, the coalition budget and Euro-zone sovereign 
debt concerns. These conditions led to volatile markets,  
declining volumes and a marked slow down in the total of 
all equity fund raising on the LSE with equity funds raised 
on AIM and the Main Market combined totalling £16.4bn 
during the second half compared to £25.6bn during the 
first half.

Our balance sheet remains robust with cash and cash 
collateral balances totalling £58.2m (September 2009: 
£77.8m) while net assets have reduced to £106.7m 
(September 2009: £113.8m). Cash outflows during the 
year primarily reflect the purchase of shares into the 
Group’s Employee Benefit Trust and the re-balancing  
of our interim dividend. The combined impact of these 
actions together with the payment of the 2009 final 
dividend resulted in cash outflows of £22.0m.  

Corporate Finance & Corporate Broking
We are particularly pleased to report that our clients 
raised a total of £1,315m (2009: £787m) through  
25 transactions (2009: 18). This has been achieved 
despite equity capital raising across all LSE markets 
being 53% lower than the same 12 month period last 
year. We continue to attract high quality corporate 
clients with a further 29 new clients added bringing  
the total number for whom we act to 133 companies 
having an average market capitalisation of £278m.  
We now represent 26 FTSE250 clients and one 
FTSE100 company. 

The offering to our corporate clients includes access to 
worldwide institutional investors, but also to a network of 
over 1,500 private client fund managers which provides 
alternative sources of liquidity and investor interaction.

External recognition of our dedicated corporate broking 
team was achieved in the 2010 Thomson Reuters Extel 
survey in which Numis was voted #1 in both UK Mid Cap 
Corporate Broking and UK Small Cap Corporate Access.

“ Our people are 
exceptional and dedicated 
to serving our clients”

 
08

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Chief Executive’s Statement
continued 

Research & Execution
Our research and execution services are recognised as 
being exceptional and have enabled us to maintain an 
increased market share throughout the year. Numis has 
been voted Leading Brokerage Firm or runner up in the 
Thomson Reuters Extel survey (for UK companies of up 
to £1bn market capitalisation) in each of the last 4 years. 
In particular, our research teams were ranked in the top 
three in five of the sectors that we cover. Our highly rated 
analysts produce research on over 400 companies and 
we have a recognised capability in fifteen sectors. 
External recognition was achieved for the third year 
running as Numis was ranked number one for FTSE250 
Best Recommendations by StarMine.  

Our execution services, across an increasing range of  
‘lit’ and ‘dark’ trading venues, continue to make a major 
contribution to the development of our reputation, the 
resilience of our institutional commissions and the 
sustained improvements in market share, particularly in 
FTSE 250 stocks. Indeed, our trading and execution 
services were voted #1 for both UK Small Cap and UK 
Mid Cap in the 2010 Thomson Reuters Extel survey.

Sales & Trading is an increasingly competitive area with 
pressure on commission levels for trades in liquid stocks 
from electronic trading. However, our clients have a 
strong demand for well-researched ideas combined with 
high quality execution and we believe our platform is well 
placed to improve performance for our 450+ active 
institutional clients across the UK, Europe and the USA.  
Our US office continues to provide an excellent service 
arranging road shows in the USA for FTSE250 
companies. This is an increasingly important and 
valuable service as US investors represent a growing 
proportion of the FTSE250 share registers.

Dividend and Scrip Alternative
In view of our robust cash position, the fact that our  
core business remains profitable and the strength of our 
franchise, the Board has proposed a final dividend of 
4.00p per share (2009: 5.50p) which maintains the total 
distribution for 2010 at 8.00p per share (2009: 8.00p).  
The dividend will be payable on 18 February 2011 to all 
shareholders on the register at 10 December 2010. 
Shareholders will be offered the option to receive shares 
instead of a cash dividend, the details of which will be 
explained in a circular to accompany our Annual Report, 
which will be circulated to all shareholders on 5 January 2011.

Litigation
As noted in our market announcement on 31 August 
2010, Numis was served notice of a legal claim in relation 
to a private placing in 2007 in respect of Rock Well 
Petroleum Inc. After taking legal advice, the directors 
remain of the opinion that the allegations are entirely 
spurious and unfounded and are defending the claim 
vigorously. Consequently there is no provision in the 
financial information for future costs associated with  
or emanating from this claim.  

Board Appointment
As announced on 1 December 2010, Simon Denyer 
joins the Board in the role of Group Finance Director. 
Simon has been the Finance Director of the trading 
entity Numis Securities Limited for over 3 years and has 
been Acting Group Finance Director since January 2009.      

Outlook
The renewed turmoil in the Eurozone continues to cast  
a shadow over equity markets and until this recedes 
activity levels are likely to remain subdued in both 
secondary trading and primary fundraising. 

Against this background, we are encouraged that in the 
first two months of the new financial year our commission 
and trading revenue is marginally ahead of last year’s run 
rate. In addition, we have won 13 new corporate clients in 
just two months and have a promising pipeline of primary 
and secondary corporate activity. However, until a line is 
drawn under the debt crisis in Europe, translating this 
potential into profit remains challenging. In the meantime, 
we will continue to invest in our franchise within an overall 
framework of strong cost control and maintaining a 
robust balance sheet. 

Ultimately, it is the strength of our franchise, and the 
ability to provide high quality unconflicted advice to our 
growing client base that provides the platform for future 
success.

Oliver Hemsley 
Chief Executive 
17 December 2010

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

09

Strategy
Our overarching objective is to retain our  
position as one of the leading independent 
investment banking and stockbroking  
businesses in the UK.

Focus

Focusing on the UK market, where Numis  
has a clear competitive advantage in its core 
integrated business 

Putting clients’ interests first 

Providing high quality research and the best 
execution for institutional and corporate clients 

Partnership

Offering a collegial culture with an emphasis on 
harnessing the combined expertise of the firm

Selective

 Discipline

Attracting highly capable and motivated 
professionals looking for an opportunity to  
serve clients without latent conflicts 

Offering the opportunity to make a tangible 
difference and participate in the direction and 
profit of the business

Adding research, distribution and client  
service capability to profitable sectors so that  
the business continues to strengthen its offer  
and is able to serve more clients 

Building non-UK distribution and alternative 
execution capability to improve service to clients 

Adding origination capacity to win more  
high quality corporate clients, bringing  
more exceptional investment opportunities to  
institutional clients and leveraging our  
secondary distribution platform

Making disciplined operational improvements  
and maintaining a prudent risk management culture 

Actively evaluating and managing financial and 
non-financial risks 

Continuing to manage our finances conservatively by 
retaining appropriate levels of liquidity while operating 
a sustainable dividend policy

 
 
10

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Research 
High quality research is at the heart of Numis’ 
business. It creates trust-based relationships  
with our institutional customers that are further 
strengthened by our execution service.

Through the recruitment of highly ranked specialist 
teams and the development and training of talented 
individuals, we are able to provide extensive coverage  
of mid cap and smaller companies, delivering valuable 
insights for our institutional clients and attracting high 
quality corporates. Numis analysts also cover over 40 
FTSE100 stocks where this provides industry insights 
and perspectives on valuation.

We provide stock analysis coverage on over 400 
companies by 35 recognised leading analysts organised 
into 15 key sectors. Our analysts are much in demand 
for commentary and provide value-added services to 
all sectors by orchestrating high profile conferences and 
international roadshows.

A noted feature of our output are the large and definitive 
sector books that are regularly published. These are 
in-depth analyses of the different sectors that examine 
long-term themes and the way that they interact with 
individual companies. These valuable reference works 
are long shelf-life products that stand out from the more 
ephemeral competition. 

Our research is recognised by fund managers and 
corporates alike as among the best. We are particularly 
pleased that, for the fifth year running, Numis achieved 
exceptional recognition this year in the Thomson Reuters 
Extel industry-wide survey, being ranked in the top three 
in five of the sectors covered. Of the 14 research sectors 
surveyed Numis was ranked 1st in three: Construction, 
Leisure and Gaming and Technology and was ranked 
2nd in the Financial sector and the Media sector.

Further external recognition was achieved for the third 
year running as Numis was ranked number one for 
FTSE250 Best Recommendations by StarMine

“  Authoritative research  

is fundamental to 
generating awareness 
and interest”

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

11

Unconflicted

Research is one of the 
most valuable tools in 
the decision making 
process. At Numis we 
understand the value of 
objectivity, the clarity of 
perspective it can bring 
and its role in the 
development of sound, 
long-term strategies.

Being unconflicted is  
the cornerstone of our 
research capability 
– clean and clear, 
unbiased facts 
generating telling 
insights in increasingly 
complex and complicated 
markets. Fundamental 
understanding you  
can trust.

12

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Execution
We provide high quality execution services to  
our institutional clients. Numis is committed  
to providing liquidity in its corporate stocks  
and our focus remains on client facilitation.

Numis provides active execution services in 548 stocks 
(2009: 435) of which 347 are listed on the main market 
(2009: 260). Importantly, Numis has the leading market 
share in 89 (2009: 73) stocks across these markets and 
is a top three service provider in a further 88 stocks 
(2009: 72).

The continued investment in our sales and trading 
platform has enabled Numis to respond to client and 
regulator demand for demonstrable best execution 
across multiple venues and liquidity pools with the use 
of smart order routing and has enabled the application 
of algorithmic trading to accelerate executions. 

Working alongside Numis’ traders are teams of 
experienced salesmen and sales-traders who provide  
a strong distribution capability in London, Europe and 
the USA by maintaining a close relationship with over 
500 institutional clients. External recognition of our 
capabilities in this area was achieved in the 2010 
Thomson Reuters Extel survey in which our team was 
ranked first for both UK Small Cap and UK Mid Cap 
Trading and Execution whereas our sales team was 
ranked second for UK Small Cap Sales. 

Numis has been successfully building its market share in 
FTSE250 and Small Cap stocks which has enabled it to 
deliver resilient levels of secondary revenue. This enabled 
us to grow combined institutional commissions and 
trading revenues by 5% even in the face of lower market 
volumes and leakage to electronic trading.  

The platform also delivers high quality electronic links  
to our institutional clients, streamlined straight-through 
processing from the front office through the middle 
office and settlements operations to the integrated  
back office financial systems. This has simultaneously 
reduced unit costs – which have been driven down still 
further by the application of comprehensive settlement 
netting and enhanced processing.

We continue to make use of Fidessa’s Managed Enterprise 
service which gives us dedicated development and 
service staff inside Fidessa, who can respond rapidly  
to our client service and other service development 
priorities. When combined with Numis’ small in-house  
IT team, who have a strong culture of innovation for and 
service delivery to Numis’ clients and revenue generators, 
this collaborative relationship continues to bring service 
innovation and customisation to our platform to the 
ultimate benefit of our clients.

“  Largest and best known 
UK small and mid-cap 
sales team in London”

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

13

Committed

Numis has always aimed 
to deliver high levels of 
technical ability married 
to superior client service. 
This is especially evident 
when you look at the 
development of our sales 
and trading platform.

Client and regulator 
demand have driven  
the development of our 
platform ensuring robust 
systems that are readily 
customisable to meet 
our clients’ requirements.

14

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Corporate Broking & Investor Relations
We have an ability to bring the right people 
together at the right time, to provide quality links 
between investors and companies on every level, 
with rewarding outcomes for all concerned.

Our dedicated Corporate Broking team bridges the 
transactional and advisory services of our Corporate 
Finance department and the placing power of our 
Institutional Sales and Sales Trading teams. Our brokers 
provide ongoing advice to our corporate clients on market 
conditions and perceptions, and deal with all aspects of 
investor relations including institutional road show 
presentations to existing and potential shareholders.

The team has a wealth of experience in serving a wide 
range of clients in broking, fund raising and corporate 
finance issues. Our aim is to ensure that every company 
we look after is given the best possible advice and access 
to the London equity markets.

This has helped us attract high quality corporate clients 
with a further 29 new clients added during the year 
bringing the total number for whom we act to 133 
companies having an average market capitalisation  
of £278m. We now represent 26 FTSE250 clients and 
one FTSE100 company. 

External recognition of our dedicated corporate broking 
team was achieved in the 2010 Thomson Reuters Extel 
survey in which Numis was voted first in both UK Mid Cap 
Corporate Broking and UK Small Cap Corporate Access.       

The offering to our corporate clients also includes access 
to worldwide institutional investors, but also to a network 
of over 1,500 private client fund managers which provides 
alternative sources of liquidity and investor interaction.

Finally, Numis’ Investor Relations team provides the link 
between companies, existing shareholders and potential 
investors. Our Investor Relations service allows the 
investment community to gain a greater understanding  
of a Company’s business, it’s governance, financial 
performance and prospects and in turn, the company  
to gain feedback from the investor audience.

Average market cap £m 

Number of Corporate Clients 

300

200

100

FY06

FY07

FY08

FY09

FY10

n   Average market cap of our corporate client base

Total

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

FTSE 250

30

25

20

15

10

5

FY06

FY07

FY08

FY09

FY10

n   Corporate client base (Number of companies)

n   FTSE 250 corporate clients

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010
Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

15
05

Credibility

Our credibility comes 
through a combination 
of talented people working 
in an environment that 
openly encourages  
an entrepreneurial but 
collegial culture. We seek 
the building of knowledge 
and experience to best 
inform the advice we 
give our clients.  

We continue to ensure 
that our integrity and 
credibility remain beyond 
question through the 
careful application of 
best practice at every 
level in the organisation.

16

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Corporate Finance
The success of our Corporate Finance team 
springs from its ability to understand our clients’ 
businesses, to know what they are looking for and 
where to locate it.

Our Corporate Finance team operates an industry-
focused approach in sectors covered by our highly rated 
research teams. We have a talented and growing group 
bolstered by recent senior appointments from major 
investment banks. We provide a full range of services 
including advice in relation to M&A, public bids, IPOs, 
secondary fundraisings, convertible securities and 
private equity.

Numis has a strong track record of IPOs on London’s 
main market and AIM and completed 6 IPOs during 
2010 raising equity funds totalling £713m. Total funds 
raised for corporate clients was up 67% to £1,315m 
(2009: £787m) through 25 transactions (2009: 18) which 
was an impressive performance against the backdrop of 
equity capital raising across all LSE markets being 53% 
lower than the same 12 month period last year.

We continue to assist our existing clients in achieving 
their objectives with a significant proportion of our 
corporate deals in the year coming from secondary 
issues and M&A activity for existing clients. We also 
number several overseas companies among our clients 
and expect to bring more to the London market in  
the future.

This list is backed by an innovative approach to the 
challenges facing our clients. We believe in building 
solid, long-term relationships with our clients, nurturing 
confidence. Our track record reflects the quality of these 
relationships and their ability to deliver original and telling 
solutions.

The key to our success in Equity Capital Markets lies  
in our placing power. Time and again the skills of our 
research people combine with our expertise in execution 
to deliver impressive results.

We are constantly researching interesting, high quality 
companies to bring to the attention of institutional 
investors. And, thanks to our growing list of successes, 
companies wanting to list in London look to us for 
advice and guidance.

“  Proven track record with 
reputation for considered 
and independent advice”

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010
Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

17

05

Expertise

The depth of our 
expertise is evident in 
our track record. Look 
closely and you will see 
that this record generates 
from a culture built on 
long-term relationships 
with our clients coupled 
with innovative thought 
and an ability to deliver.  

Intelligent judgement 
driven by a deep 
understanding of our 
clients’ businesses 
enables Numis to deliver 
original and telling 
solutions.       

18

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Case Studies
Our contribution to our clients’ successes and the  
track record of our corporate client service teams 
continues to attract high quality corporate clients.  
Numis’ involvement in our client success includes:

Better Capital Limited
Fund launch and flotation on AIM

Numis acted as nominated adviser 
and broker

Provident Financial plc
£25m 7 per cent. 10-year retail 
corporate bond due 2020

Numis acted as sole manager

Provident Financial plc 
Provident Financial plc (the “Company”) 
offers home credit, credit cards and 
direct repayment loans to sub-prime 
consumers and is currently a member  
of the FTSE 250 Index with a Fitch BBB 
credit rating. 

The retail bond was marketed solely to 
retail investors through Hargreaves 
Lansdown and can be held in Individual 
Savings Accounts. The instrument was 
launched in April 2010 is traded on the 
London Stock Exchange’s new Order 
book for Retail Bonds (ORB). 

Better Capital Limited 
Better Capital Limited (the “Company”)  
is a quoted closed-ended investment 
company with the investment objective of 
investing in distressed businesses in the 
UK and Ireland. Investments are sourced 
and executed by an experienced 
turnaround team led by Jon Moulton.

Numis acted as nominated adviser and 
broker when the Company was launched 
on AIM raising gross proceeds of £142m 
via a placing with institutional investors  
at £1.00 per share in December 2009.

The Company completed a further 
capital raising in July 2010 raising £67m 
through a firm placing and placing and 
open offer at £1.05 per share. The capital 
raising was combined with a move from 
AIM to the Main Market of the LSE in 
order to enhance liquidity in the Company’s 
shares and the Company’s profile within 
the investment community.  Numis acted 
as sponsor, nominated adviser, broker 
and joint placing agent on this transaction. 

RSM Tenon Group PLC
£40m placing and acquisition of RSM 
Bentley Jennison for up to £76m and 
move from AIM to the Official List

Numis acted as nominated adviser 
and joint broker to the Company on 
the placing and acquisition of RSM 
Bentley Jennison; and sole sponsor 
and broker on the migration to the 
Official List

RSM Tenon Group PLC 
RSM Tenon Group PLC (the “Company”) 
is the seventh largest accountancy and 
business advisory firm in the UK.  
The Company provides a broad range  
of services, including: audit, taxation  
and advisory, turnaround and corporate 
recovery, internal audit and risk 
management, financial management  
and specialist taxation, to businesses 
from entrepreneurs and owner managed 
businesses to large corporations and 
public sector organisations. 

In December 2009, the Company raised 
£40m via a cash placing, to part fund the 
acquisition of RSM Bentley Jennison. The 
equity issue was priced at 45p per share, 
representing a discount of 9.5% to the 
pre-announcement share price.

In May 2010, the Company moved from 
AIM to the Official List. The Company had 
grown significantly since its admission to 
AIM in March 2000 and its directors believe 
that a listing on the Official List is the 
most appropriate platform for continued 
growth. The Company moved into the 
FTSE Small Cap and FTSE All Share 
indices in September 2010.


 


Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

19

Jupiter Fund Management PLC
IPO on the Main Market of the LSE 
raising proceeds of £254m comprising 
£220m of new money and £34m by 
way of a secondary offering (with a 
greenshoe over-allotment option of  
an additional £22m)

Numis acted as co-lead manager  
for the IPO and was subsequently 
appointed joint broker to the Company

Jupiter Fund Management PLC 
Jupiter Fund Management PLC (the 
“Company”) is a leading investment 
management business with focus on 
generating investment out-performance 
across its range of investment capabilities, 
which include UK, European and emerging 
markets equities, specialist equities (such 
as financial sector equities) and fund of 
funds products; it is currently a member 
of the FTSE 250 index.

The Company launched its IPO in June 
2010 with a price range of 150p to 210p. 
Following a two week marketing period, 
the IPO priced at 165p representing a 
market cap of £755m and an EV of 
£860m. 

Jupiter was priced at a discount to its 
closest UK peers at the time of IPO. Post 
IPO the discount to its peers has been 
significantly eroded and Jupiter’s shares 
have performed strongly, making the 
Company’s IPO one of the most 
successful new listings of 2010.

Betfair Group PLC
Numis acted as co-lead manager for 
the Betfair IPO to the Main Market of 
the LSE in October 2010

The offer raised gross proceeds of 
£234m for a number of existing 
shareholders; no new shares were 
issued

International Public Partnerships
Numis was appointed as sole broker 
and financial adviser in July 2009

£89m raised through a Firm Placing, 
Open Offer and Offer for Subscription. 
Numis acted as sponsor, financial 
adviser and broker

International Public Partnerships 
International Public Partnerships (the 
“Company”) is a limited liability Guernsey 
incorporated authorised closed-ended 
investment company. The Company offers 
shareholders an exposure to investments 
in infrastructure assets, particularly those 
with a public or social character such as 
those developed by public bodies under 
private finance initiative or public private 
partnership procurement. 

The Company expects to deploy the 
proceeds from the capital raising into 
further investments and, to the extent not 
used for such investments, in repayment  
of the Company’s existing debt facilities.

Betfair Group PLC 
Betfair Group PLC (“Betfair” or the 
“Company”) is the world’s largest 
international online sports betting provider 
and the world’s biggest betting community, 
offering a broad range of sports betting, 
poker and games products to more than 
3 million registered customers.

Launched in 2000, Betfair pioneered 
online person-to-person sports betting 
by developing a market place which 
allows customers to bet at odds sought 
by themselves or offered by other 
customers and thereby eliminates the 
need for a traditional bookmaker.

The motivation for the IPO was to generate 
liquidity and provide see through pricing 
for Betfair’s 600+ shareholders. The 
majority of the shares offered came from 
a group of 14 major investors who 
accounted for 75 per cent. of the 
Company’s fully diluted share capital. 

The Company announced that the IPO 
would price in a range of £11 to £14 per 
share implying a market capitalisation of 
£1.16bn to £1.48bn. Demand for the deal 
was exceptionally strong and the deal 
eventually priced just above the middle of 
the range at £13 per share. At this price, 
the market capitalisation of the Company 
upon listing was £1.39bn, which is sufficiently 
large to be included in the FTSE 250 at 
the next index review in December 2010.

 






20

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Financial Review
Our strong capital base and prudent approach  
to risk management and cost control enables 
Numis to continue to invest in the long-term  
future of the business.

Adjusted Profit Performance
The adjusted profit before tax measure specifically 
excludes gains and losses arising from our investment 
portfolio, gains arising from an associate holding (in prior 
years) and the accounting charges associated with 
awards made under the Group’s employee share 
scheme arrangements. Management believe that this 
provides a truer reflection of the performance of the 
underlying operating business and has therefore 
highlighted these financial measures within their annual 
report. It also allows for a greater degree of comparability 
with our peer group which exclude similar items in the 
measurement of underlying performance as well as 
providing the analyst community with benchmarks  
of the Group’s underlying performance.

which totalled £1,315m, up 67% (2009: £787m).   
Furthermore, we have increased our income from retainer 
fees payable by our corporate clients by 5% to £4.8m 
(2008: £4.6m) as we have won new corporate brokerships. 
Following corporate client additions subsequent to the 
year end our annualised retainer fee income has increased 
further and now stands at £5.2m.  

Our recurring income, comprising that derived from 
institutional commission and trading, corporate retainers 
and net interest and similar income has remained broadly 
unchanged at £32.0m (2009: £32.6m) and covers 94% 
(2009: 99%) of our continuing expense base before 
discretionary performance-related pay and share 
scheme related charges.

The table below reconciles the statutory measures of 
profit/(loss) before tax, profit/(loss) after tax and earnings/
(loss) per share to the adjusted measures used by 
management in their assessment of the underlying 
performance of the business and demonstrates the 87% 
increase in adjusted profit before tax to £7.9m which was 
principally due to the improved revenue performance 
coupled with reductions in non-compensation costs 

Revenue 
Revenues of £51.9m (2009: £47.5m) were impacted by 
the volatility and economic uncertainties prevailing in the 
second half but overall were up 9% on 2009. Combined 
institutional commission and trading revenues grew  
by 5% to £26.5m (2009: £25.2m) despite lower market 
volumes and the continuing threat posed by electronic 
trading. Primary revenue, that is corporate finance 
advisory fees and commission from fund raising activities, 
was up 16% to £20.6m (2009: £17.8m) and reflects the 
significant increase in funds raised for corporate clients 

Costs
Our total administrative expense has been impacted by 
share scheme related charges of £7.7m (2009: £6.9m).  
These charges arise from the combined impact of all 
historic unvested awards and are not reflective of the 
cash charge. Furthermore, although such charges 
persist throughout the vesting period of the underlying 
awards, their impact is not evenly distributed across that 
vesting period. The underlying expense base excluding 
share scheme related charges has decreased by 3% 
from £46.0m to £44.7m which largely reflects the reduction 
in non-compensation related costs.

Compensation related costs excluding share scheme 
related charges account for 59% (2009: 57%) of the 
expense base and have remained broadly unchanged  
at £26.4m (2009: £26.3m). This reflects the fact that 
headcount also remained broadly unchanged with 
average staff numbers of 189 (2009: 186). 

Statutory group profit/(loss) before tax 
Items not included within adjusted profit before tax: 
Other operating (income)/loss 
Share scheme charge 
National insurance provisions related to share scheme awards 
Adjusted group profit before tax 

Statutory group taxation 
Tax impact of adjustments  
Adjusted group taxation 

Adjusted group profit after tax 

Basic weighted average number of shares, number 
Adjusted basic earnings per share, pence 

2010 
£’000 
175 

(59) 
7,313 
427 
7,856 

(276) 
(754) 
(1,030) 

2009 
£’000
(10,519)

7,846
6,208
660
4,195

1,870
(2,733)
(863)

6,826 

3,332

102,770,978  102,539,193
3.2p

6.6p 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

21

Costs: % compensation versus  
non compensation 

100

80

60

40

20

0

43

41

57

59

FY09

FY10

n  Non compensation

n  Compensation

(figures exclude share scheme charges)

Non-compensation related costs account for 41%  
(2009: 43%) of the expense base and have been reduced 
by £1.5m (7%). This decrease has been achieved through 
a variety of cost saving initiatives across all cost categories 
and we continue to seek out new initiatives to further 
reduce the efficiency of our operational platform.

Financial Position
Our prudent approach to risk management and retention 
of liquid resources has helped to ensure that we continue 
to maintain a strong capital position. As at 30 September 
2010 our Pillar I regulatory financial resource requirement 
was £18.1m (2009: £20.8m) including £9.2m (2009: £10.6m) 
of operational capital requirement. Total regulatory capital 
as at 30 September 2010 amounted to £75.9m (2009: 
£89.2m) giving a solvency ratio of 418% (2009: 429%).  

Our balance sheet has remained broadly unchanged, 
albeit with a slight reduction driven by the dividend.  
Net assets as at 30 September 2010 totalled £106.7m 
(2009: £113.8m) of which 52% is held as cash and cash 
equivalents (2009: 65%).

Delivery of Value
Our focus on high quality clients and high calibre staff 
has enabled us to deliver resilient revenues, operating 
cash flows and distributions to shareholders. This year 
has been challenging but our underlying performance 
remains profitable and enabled us to deliver further 
value to our shareholders by way of a maintained total 
dividend of 8.00p after 10 years of successive growth.

Revenue, £m 
Adjusted profit before tax, £m 
Adjusted basic earnings per share, pence 
Statutory (loss) / profit after tax, £m 
Operating cash inflow / (outflow), £m 
Dividend per share, pence 
Dividend distribution, £m 

2010 
51.9 
         7.9  
6.6 
(0.1) 
2.7 
       8.00  
10.1 

2009 
47.5 
4.2 
3.2 
(8.6) 
20.7 
      8.00  
7.9 

2008 
50.7 
8.4 
5.7 
14.8 
(12.3) 
      7.50  
7.7 

2007 
85.7 
39.1 
27.7 
27.6 
26.0 
     7.00  
5.9 

2006
72.0
34.8
24.7
25.5
36.2
     5.00 
3.8

 
22

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Board & Committees
A number of appropriately constituted committees 
ensure the principals of good governance and 
challenge are in place.

Corporate Governance Policy
AIM companies are not required to comply with the 
Combined Code 2006 (Principles of good governance 
and code of best practice) adopted by the London Stock 
Exchange but the directors have chosen to make these 
disclosures to provide useful corporate governance 
information.

The Board
The Board of Numis Corporation Plc, chaired by  
Sir David Arculus , meets 8 times a year and at other 
times as necessary, to discuss a formal schedule of 
matters specifically reserved for its decision including 
major strategic and operational issues of the Group.  
It reviews trading performance, business strategy, 
investment and divestment opportunities and any  
other matters of significance to the Group.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration chaired by Tom Bartlam, comprises 
the Non-executive Directors of the Company. It determines 
salary levels, discretionary bonuses and the terms and 
conditions of service of the executive directors together 
any associated equity awards. The Remuneration 
Committee also reviews the compensation decisions 
made in respect of all other senior executives and bonus 
distribution policy in respect of the rest of the firm.

Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee is chaired by Geoffrey 
Vero and comprises the Non-executive Directors of the 
Company. The Audit meets at least 4 times a year and is 
responsible for the overall risk framework and internal 
control environment, reviews external financial reporting 
and monitors the framework for compliance with relevant 
laws and regulations. Other directors, members of staff 
and the external and internal auditors are invited to attend 
these meetings as appropriate. The Committee reports 
to the Board on the Company’s full and half year results, 
having examined the accounting policies on which  
they are based and ensured compliance with relevant 
accounting standards. In addition, it reviews the scope 
and results of the external and internal audit, its cost 
effectiveness and the independence and objectivity of 
the auditors.

Nominations Committee
The Company’s Nominations Committee is chaired by 
Sir David Arculus and comprises the Non-executive 
Directors and Oliver Hemsley.

Management Committee
The Management Committee, chaired by Oliver Hemsley, 
deals with the implementation of business strategy and 
day-to-day operational matters. It meets weekly to discuss 

the core activities of the Group, current performance, 
progress on management initiatives and corporate 
compliance matters.

Financial Risk Committee
The Financial Risk Committee, chaired by the Group’s risk 
manager, meets weekly to discuss and to manage the 
market, credit, liquidity and related operational risks of the 
Group, including amongst other financial risks the market 
risk of the Group’s trading book and investment portfolio. 
The Financial Risk Committee makes recommendations 
on Risk Policy which sets various limits at individual stock 
and overall trading book level as well as being responsible 
for the review and approval of counterparty limits.

New Business Committee
The New Business Committee, chaired by Oliver Hemsley, 
is responsible for exercising senior management oversight 
of all issues in relation to Numis entering into new corporate 
client relationships, underlying transactions on behalf of 
corporate clients and reviewing or terminating relationships 
with corporate clients. It has responsibility for assessing 
the impact on Numis of all such matters and in doing so 
gives due consideration to the reputational, regulatory, 
execution and commercial risks attached.

Risk Committee
In addition to the New Business Committee, further 
approval is required by a Risk Committee prior to the 
launch of a fund raising, issue of a public document which 
contains Numis’ name or in the case of a transaction 
giving rise to significant unusual concerns of significant 
financial or reputational risk to the firm.

Internal Control
The Board is responsible for maintaining the Group’s risk 
framework and system of internal control and for reviewing 
its effectiveness. The system of internal control is designed 
to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to 
achieve business objectives, as such it can provide only 
reasonable but not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. The Group’s system of internal 
control has been actively managed throughout the year. 
The Group has a number of committees with formal 
terms of reference and a Compliance department 
responsible for the Group’s adherence to the rules of the 
Financial Services Authority and other relevant regulators. 
In addition, the Group has a fully independent Internal 
Audit function in order to provide further assurances over 
the adequacy and effectiveness of the systems of internal 
control throughout the business and ensure that the 
Group’s approach to continuous improvement is 
maintained at the high standards.

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

23

Board of Directors
Our overarching objective is to retain our position 
as one of the leading independent investment 
banking and stockbroking businesses in the UK.

Sir David Arculus
Sir David Arculus is the Non-executive Chairman of 
Numis. David brings a wealth of experience to Numis 
having spent 24 years at EMAP, the last eight as Group 
Managing Director leaving EMAP in 1997. Outside the 
media sector he was Non- executive Director of Severn 
Trent plc from 1996, serving as Chairman from 1998 to 
2004. David held a range of further Non-executive 
positions including, Barclays Bank plc from 1997 to 2006 
and in 2006 as Chairman of O2 was responsible with the 
management team for the sale of O2 to Telefonica of 
Spain. David was Chairman of the British Government’s 
Better Regulation Task Force from 2002 to 2006 where 
he reported to the Prime Minister and was instrumental  
in reducing burdens on business. David is a director of 
Pearson plc, Telefonica and Aldermore Bank plc and  
also serves as Chairman of a number of private equity 
sovereign wealth backed companies. 

Oliver Hemsley
Oliver Hemsley is Chief Executive Officer of Numis and is 
responsible for its strategic development as well as the 
day to day management of the main trading entity, Numis 
Securities Limited, for which Oliver is Chairman and CEO.  
Oliver started Numis in the early 1990’s and has been 
fundamental in building the franchise which now represents 
one of the largest and more successful independent 
British stockbroking firms. Prior to founding Numis,  
Oliver worked as a marine underwriter at Lloyd’s for the 
Brockbank Group.

Oliver is married with three children and lives in London 
and Dorset.

Lorna Tilbian   
Lorna Tilbian is an Executive Director and has worked as 
a Media Analyst in the City for over a quarter of a century 
with a distinguished track record. She joined Numis in 
2001 after stints at Sheppards (1984-88), SG Warburg 
(Director, 1988-95) and WestLB Panmure (Executive 
Director, 1995-2001). Lorna appears in the Global Power 
List 2010 and Campaign’s The A List 2011 as well as 
being a Finalist for CityAM Analyst of the Year (2010) and 
being listed by the Evening Standard as one of London’s 
1000 Most Influential People 2010. Lorna has been a 
Non-Executive Director of Jupiter Primadona Growth 
Trust since 2001. 

Tom Bartlam
Tom Bartlam is a Non-executive Director of Numis and 
 is a chartered accountant. Prior to his retirement in 2005 
Tom was Managing Director of Intermediate Capital Group 
Plc (ICG), which he co-founded in 1989. Tom Bartlam is 
Chairman of both Pantheon International Participations 
Plc and Polar Capital Holdings Plc.

Gerald Corbett
Gerald Corbett is a Non-executive Director of Numis. 
Gerald is Chairman of Britvic Plc, Moneysupermarket.
com Plc and the Royal National Institute of the Deaf. 
Gerald started his career at Boston Consulting Group, 
before holding a succession of financial roles at Dixons, 
Redland and Grand Metropolitan and was formerly 
Chairman of SSL International Plc, Woolworths Group 
Plc and CEO of Railtrack Group Plc.

Geoffrey Vero
Geoffrey Vero is a Non-executive Director of Numis, and 
is a chartered accountant with a distinguished career in 
the private equity industry. Geoffrey was an Investment 
Director of ABN Amro Private Equity, Lazard Development 
Capital and previously held senior positions at Diners 
Club and Savills. Geoffrey Vero is Chairman of both 
Albion Development VCT Plc and EPE Special Opportunities 
Plc, and was formerly a Non-executive Director of Crown 
Place VCT Plc.

Simon Denyer
Simon Denyer is an Executive Director and is Group 
Finance Director of Numis. Simon is a chartered 
accountant having spent five years with Pricewaterhouse 
before moving to the banking arm of Schroder’s Plc 
where he spent five years performing a number of 
finance and risk roles. Simon then moved to Citigroup 
where he spent a further six years in the investment 
banking arm before joining Numis in 2006. Simon 
formally joined the Board in the role of Group Finance 
Director on 1 December 2010 having been the Finance 
Director of the trading entity Numis Securities Limited  
for over 3 years and had been Acting Group Finance 
Director since January 2009.    

 
24

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Risk Management
The Board is responsible for determining Numis’ 
risk appetite and for ensuring that Numis’ risk 
framework and management processes are 
appropriate and operating effectively. 

The management of risk is embedded in our culture and it 
is the responsibility of each employee to ensure that this 
culture is built into our working practices. Specifically, 
day-to-day management of risk is delegated by the Board 
to senior executives across the firm, through appropriate 
committees, systems and controls. Whilst encouraging an 
entrepreneurial and commercial culture that is focused on 
generating value for our clients, the Board actively seeks  
to ensure all relevant risk exposures are managed and 
mitigated. Note 29 describes how the Board receives input 
from other key committees and the framework employed 
by the Group to manage the risks faced in the normal 
course of business. In financial terms, the Board’s policy  
is to hold regulatory capital that, at a minimum, meets  
our most conservative interpretation of the Capital 
Requirements Directive (CRD) with the addition of stress 
test measures to determine additional capital requirements 
available for use should adverse circumstances materialise 
that are outside the firm’s normal and direct control.

Major Risks and Controls:

People risk 
Retaining, attracting and developing key staff, including, 
in particular, significant current and future income 
generators, is essential to the long-term health and 
growth of the business. The Board has therefore 
sustained particular focus on its remuneration strategies, 
including considering the appropriate allocation and mix 
of cash and share based schemes, and has maintained 
structured performance-based staff evaluations. The 
nature of the share based schemes and their deferral 
characteristics are described in note 25. Additionally, the 
on-boarding, retention and growth of our people remain 
at the top of the Board’s agenda. 

Reputational risk
Whilst entrepreneurial staff are always encouraged to 
develop new clients and streams of income, all new 
business is subject to a rigorous appraisal process 
supervised by the New Business Committee. For all 
activities, this discriminates strongly in favour of high 
quality clients. Numis places great emphasis on 
employing and adding highly experienced senior staff 
who are very closely engaged with clients. To aid the 
application of best practice, regulatory compliance and 
consistency, Numis management continues to make  
use of standardised operating procedures. Finally, the 
Board sets the tone by demanding a strong ethical and 
professional culture as the only acceptable standard for 
the firm.

Strategic risk 
The Board recognises that continued improvement in  
the way in which our strategy is executed is key to our 
long-term success. In particular, the management team 
are subject to healthy challenge from the Board on  
the firm’s strategic direction, execution of strategy and 
the implementation of agreed initiatives. This includes 
significant focus on the risks that threaten the achievement 
of the firm’s strategy as well as those that present the 
greatest opportunity. The existing, strong corporate 
governance structure ensures that the Board has sufficient, 
well articulated, consistent and timely information to enable 
the necessary decisions and choices to be made and  
the right level of assurance obtained. 

Regulatory & legal risk 
The Board’s policy is to encourage an intense focus by  
top management on the long-term, sustainable success  
of the business. This specifically includes robust corporate 
governance, avoiding the likelihood of litigation and compliance 
with the relevant regulatory and legal requirements for the 
jurisdictions in which Numis operates. A strong culture of 
regulatory and legal compliance permeates the firm and 
there is a demonstrated track record of transparency and 
strong relations with the key regulatory bodies. The Board 
monitors and supports this through open channels of 
communication and demonstrable action.

Financial risk 
Financial risks are discussed in more detail in note 29 
and include the main market, credit, concentration and 
liquidity risks. The Basle II, CRD and VaR measures are 
utilised and compared with Board approved limits.  
These are calculated daily by the Finance team and  
are published to senior management and, ultimately,  
to the Board.

Other operational risk 
We aim to be able to sustain operations and client service, 
with minimum of disruption, with a combination of business 
continuity planning, duplicated infrastructure, strong supplier 
relations and remote facilities. Continuously evolving 
control standards and robust corporate governance are 
applied by suitably trained and supervised individuals, and 
senior management are actively involved in identifying 
and analysing all operational risks to find the most effective 
and efficient means to mitigate and manage them.

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

25

Remuneration
The Board delegates to the Remuneration 
Committee the determination of the executive 
directors’ remuneration.    

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for setting 
the remuneration policy for executive directors and other 
senior executives in the business. Additionally the 
Remuneration Committee reviews the recommendations 
made by the executive directors for all other employees.

Remuneration Policy
The Remuneration Committee believes strongly that total 
remuneration should take into account the competition  
for talent in an industry where successful people are 
rewarded and mobile. The Company compensates 
employees through both fixed and variable compensation.  
Fixed compensation comprises mostly base salaries and 
the Committee reviews these as part of the overall total 
remuneration review. The policy for variable compensation 
is to recognise corporate performance and individual 
achievement of objectives through a discretionary bonus.  
The discretionary bonus pool is established by the 
Committee each financial year with reference to the 
adjusted profit before tax. Discretionary bonus awards are 
delivered in two main forms: a cash bonus and a deferred 
bonus. The deferral is mandatory and is delivered via 
various share incentive schemes. The executive directors 
and other senior executives assess individual performance 
through clearly defined objectives and a structured process 
of review and feedback. In particular, the overall  (fixed and 
variable) remuneration by individual is determined with 
regard to the performance of the individual, performance 
of the area or function of the business in which the 
individual works or for which the individual is responsible, 
the profitability of the Group and levels of reward for 
comparable roles in the external market.

Executive directors may also receive 7% of base salary 
contribution to a defined contribution pension saving 
scheme. In addition, they are entitled to insured death in 
service benefits of four times their base salary. 

Remuneration for the Year*
The share incentive scheme awards shown in the 
remuneration table at the foot of the page reflect awards 
proposed, but not yet granted, as part of the 2010 annual 
remuneration process. The total amounts for directors’ 
remuneration and other benefits were as follows:

Emoluments 
Money purchase contributions 

2010  
£’000  
924 
14 
938 

2009 
£’000
1,481 
17
1,498 

One executive director (2009: 2) is a member of a money 
purchase scheme, a form of defined contribution scheme. 
Contributions paid by the Group in respect of that director 
are shown above.

Directors’ Share Options*
The Company no longer makes share option awards. 
There are no outstanding, unexercised options to acquire 
ordinary shares in the Company granted to or held by the 
directors as at 30 September 2010. 

The constituent parts of directors’ remuneration during the year are detailed below*:

Base 
Salary 

  Share Incentive 
Scheme 
Awards 

Bonus 

Total  
2010  
£’000  

Total 
2009 
£’000

Benefits 

225  
200  
-  

100 
50 
50  
50  
-  
-  
675  

-  
-  
-  

- 
- 
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  

-  
205  
-  

- 
- 
- 
-  
- 
- 
205 

43  
15  
-  

- 
- 
-  
-  
-  
-  
58 

268  
420  
-  

100 
50 
50  
50  
-  
-  
938  

583 
420 
305 

41
20
44 
44 
11 
30 
1,498 

Executive Directors
Oliver Hemsley 
Lorna Tilbian 
Bill Trent (note 1) 

Non-executive Directors
Sir David Arculus (note 2) 
Gerald Corbett (note 2) 
Tom Bartlam 
Geoffrey Vero 
Declan Kelly (note 3) 
Michael Spencer (note 4) 

Notes
1 resigned 31 December 2008
2 appointed 5 May 2009
3 resigned 16 February 2009
4 resigned 5 May 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Remuneration
continued 

Directors’ Interests under Share Incentive Schemes* 
The Company has share incentive schemes through 
which discretionary share based awards may be made. 
The schemes fall into two categories; Long Term 
Incentive Plans (LTIP) and Restricted Stock Units (RSU) 
the nature of which are described fully in note 25. 

The number of LTIP matching shares to which directors 
are prospectively entitled under LTIP awards granted, but 
not yet vested, are as follows: 

Lorna Tilbian  

2010  
No. 
70,800 

2009
No.
70,800

None of the directors serving at 30 September 2010 are 
prospectively entitled to RSU awards which have been 
granted but not yet vested.

*These parts of the remuneration report are audited.

 
  
Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

27

Directors’ Responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the 
Annual Report and the financial statements in 
accordance with applicable law and regulations.    

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate 
accounting records that are sufficient to show and 
explain the company’s transactions and disclose with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of 
the company and the group and enable them to ensure 
that the financial statements comply with the Companies 
Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding 
the assets of the company and the group 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 company’s website. Legislation in the 
United Kingdom governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from 
legislation in other jurisdictions.  

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year. Under that law the 
directors have prepared the group and parent company 
financial statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by 
the European Union. 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 
these financial statements, the directors are required to:

•	 select	suitable	accounting	policies	and	then	apply	

them consistently;

•	 make	judgements	and	accounting	estimates	that	

are reasonable and prudent;

•	 state	whether	applicable	IFRSs	as	adopted	by	the	

European Union have been followed, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and explained in the 
financial statements;

•	 prepare	the	financial	statements	on	the	going	

concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume 
that the company will continue in business.

Statutory group profit/(loss) before tax 

Items not included within adjusted profit/(loss) before tax: 

Other operating (income)/loss 

Share scheme charge 

National insurance provisions related to share scheme awards 

Adjusted group profit before tax 

Statutory Group taxation 

Tax impact of adjustments  

Adjusted group taxation 

Adjusted group profit after tax 

Basic weighted average number of shares, number 

Adjusted basic earnings per share, pence 

2010 

£’000 

175 

(59) 

7,313 

427 

7,856 

(276) 

(754) 

(1,030) 

2009 
£’000
(10,519)

7,846
6,208
660
4,195

1,870
(2,733)
(863)

6,826 

3,332

102,770,978  102,539,193
3.2p

6.6p 

28

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Directors’ Report

The directors present their report on the affairs of the 
Group, together with the financial statements and auditors’ 
report, for the year ended 30 September 2010.

Principal Activity  
The principal activity of the Group is to provide integrated 
investment banking services. This activity encompasses 
research, institutional sales, market making, corporate 
broking and corporate finance. The Group has one 
principal operating subsidiary, Numis Securities Limited, 
which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services 
Authority and is a member firm of the London Stock 
Exchange. During 2003 Numis Securities Limited established 
a subsidiary in the United States of America, Numis Securities 
Inc, which is registered with the SEC and a member of the 
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. 

Review of the Business, Future Developments and 
Key Performance Indicators  
A review of the Group’s business, an indication of likely 
future developments and the Group’s key performance 
indicators (KPIs) are contained in the Chief Executive’s 
statement and Business Review. The Group’s KPIs 
include, but are not limited to, adjusted profit before tax, 
corporate client base, aggregate funds raised for clients 
and non-compensation cost management.

Post Balance Sheet Events  
Details of post balance sheet events are set out in note 30 
to the financial statements.

Results and Dividends  
The results of the Group for the year are set out in the 
consolidated income statement on page 32. The Directors 
propose to pay a final dividend of 4.00p per share (2008: 
5.50p) which, together with the interim dividend of 4.00p 
per share already declared and paid, makes a total for the 
year ended 30 September 2010 of 8.00p per share (2009: 
8.00p). Subject to approval at the annual general meeting 
the final dividend will be paid on 18 February 2011 to 
shareholders on the register on 10 December 2010.

Directors and their Interests  
Since the last Annual Report the following changes in the 
composition of the Board have taken place:

•	

Simon	Denyer	was	appointed	Executive	Director	of	
Numis on 1 December 2010. He will serve as Group 
Finance Director in addition to Company Secretary.

The directors serving during the year ended 30 September 
2010 and their interests in the ordinary shares of 5p each 
(“ordinary shares”) of the Company, excluding share 
incentive scheme awards made but not yet vested 
(details shown on page 26), were as follows:

30 September  
2010 
 ordinary shares  
No. 
13,799,865 
 4,540,088 
  66,753 
nil 
25,000 
20,000 

OA Hemsley 
L Tilbian  
Sir David Arculus *  
Gerald Corbett *  
TH Bartlam * 
GO Vero * 
* Non-executive director

30 September
2009
 ordinary shares 
No.
13,799,865
4,281,392
65,000
nil
25,000
 20,000

There have been no changes in the interests of the 
serving directors in ordinary shares and options over 
ordinary shares during the period 30 September 2010  
to 17 December 2010.

Substantial Shareholders  
Except for the directors’ interests noted on page 26, the 
directors are aware of the following who are interested in 
3% or more of the Company as at 30 September 2010  
as follows:

Registered holding 
No. of ordinary shares 

% of issued
 share capital

15,814,890 

Halifax EES Nominees 
International Limited 
BlackRock Investment 
Management (UK) Limited  11,006,672 
7,500,000 
Mr DJ Poutney 
7,376,426 
Mr EPH Farquhar 
Majedie Asset 
Management Limited 
Citigroup Global Markets 
UK Equity Limited 
Halifax EES Trustees 
International Limited 

7,000,000 

1,865,073 

3,467,051 

14.14%

9.84%
6.70%
6.61%

6.28%

3.11%

1.67%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

29

Risk Management  
The major business risks to which Numis is exposed 
along with the controls in place to minimise these risks 
are described within the Risk Management review on 
page 24. The financial risks faced by the Group are 
further described in note 29 to the financial statements.

By order of the Board  

S Denyer
Company Secretary
17 December 2010  

Numis Corporation Plc
The London Stock Exchange Building
10 Paternoster Square
London EC4M 7LT 

Auditors  
A resolution to reappoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP  
will be placed before the Annual General Meeting of the 
Company on 1 February 2011.

Directors’ statement as to disclosure of information to 
auditors
The directors who were members of the Board at the time 
of approving the directors’ report are listed on page 19. 
Having made enquiries of fellow directors and of the 
Company’s auditors, each of these directors confirms that:

•	

•	

to	the	best	of	each	director’s	knowledge	and	belief,	
there is no information relevant to the preparation of 
their report of which the Company’s auditors are 
unaware; and
each	director	has	taken	all	the	steps	a	director	might	
reasonably be expected to have taken to be aware  
of relevant audit information and to establish that the 
Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

Indemnification of Directors  
Qualifying third party indemnity provisions (as defined by 
section 234 of the Companies Act 2006) were in force 
during the course of the year ended 30 September 2010 
for the benefit of the then Directors and, at the date of this 
report, are in force for the benefit of the Directors in relation 
to certain losses and liabilities which they may incur in 
connection with their duties, powers or office.

Trade Receivables  
The Group does not extend credit terms to its clients.  
On average the Group’s clients have taken 3 days to  
settle (2009: 3 days).

Trade Payables Payment Policy 
The Group agrees terms and conditions for its goods or 
services with suppliers. Payment is then made based on 
these terms and conditions, subject to the agreed terms 
and conditions being met by the supplier. On average the 
Group has taken 29 days (2009: 21 days) to pay suppliers 
during the past financial year.

Charitable Donations  
During the year, the Group made charitable donations of 
£950 to UK charities (2009: £nil).  

Employment Policy  
The Group’s employment policies are based on a 
commitment to equal opportunities from the selection 
and recruitment process through to training, development, 
appraisal and promotion. 

 
 
30

Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

Independent Auditors’ Report to the 
Members of Numis Corporation Plc 

We have audited the group and holding company 
financial statements (the ‘‘financial statements’’) of  
Numis Corporation Plc for the year ended 30 September 
2010 which comprise the consolidated balance sheet, 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income, 
consolidated income statement, consolidated statement 
of changes in equity, consolidated cash flow statement, 
holding company balance sheet, holding company 
statement of changes in equity, and the related notes. 
The financial reporting framework that has been applied 
in their preparation is applicable law and International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the 
European Union and, as regards the holding company 
financial statements, as applied in accordance with the 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts 
and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to 
give reasonable assurance that the financial statements 
are free from material misstatement, whether caused by 
fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether 
the accounting policies are appropriate to the group’s 
and holding company’s circumstances and have been 
consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the 
reasonableness of significant accounting estimates  
made by the directors; and the overall presentation of  
the financial statements.

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion: 

Respective responsibilities of directors and 
auditors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that 
they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit 
the financial statements in accordance with applicable 
law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and 
Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the 
Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared  
for and only for the company’s members as a body in 
accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies 
Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving 
these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any 
other purpose or to any other person to whom this report 
is shown or into whose hands it may come save where 
expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

•	

•	

•	

•	

the	financial	statements	give	a	true	and	fair	view	 
of the state of the group’s and of the holding 
company’s affairs as at 30 September 2010 and  
of the group’s loss and cash flows for the year  
then ended;

the	group	financial	statements	have	been	properly	
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by 
the European Union; 

the	holding	company	financial	statements	have	
been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs 
as adopted by the European Union and as applied 
in accordance with the provisions of the Companies 
Act 2006; and

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

Statutory group profit/(loss) before tax 

Items not included within adjusted profit/(loss) before tax: 

Other operating (income)/loss 

Share scheme charge 

National insurance provisions related to share scheme awards 

Adjusted group profit before tax 

Statutory Group taxation 

Tax impact of adjustments  

Adjusted group taxation 

Adjusted group profit after tax 

Basic weighted average number of shares, number 

Adjusted basic earnings per share, pence 

2010 

£’000 

175 

(59) 

7,313 

427 

7,856 

(276) 

(754) 

(1,030) 

2009 
£’000
(10,519)

7,846
6,208
660
4,195

1,870
(2,733)
(863)

6,826 

3,332

102,770,978  102,539,193
3.2p

6.6p 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numis Annual Report & Accounts 2010

31

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the 
Companies Act 2006
In our opinion the information given in the Directors’ 
Report for the financial year for which the financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial 
statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by 
exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following 
matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us  
to report to you if, in our opinion: 

•	

•	

•	

adequate	accounting	records	have	not	been	kept	 
by the holding company, or returns adequate for  
our audit have not been received from branches not 
visited by us; or 

the	holding	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.

Duncan McNab 
(Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors

London
17 December 2010

32	
32	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Consolidated	Income	Statement

Continuing operations 

Revenue 

Other operating income/(loss) 
Total revenue 
Administrative expenses 
Operating loss 

Loss on disposal of subsidiary 
Finance income 
Finance costs 
Profit/(loss) before tax 

Taxation  

Loss after tax 

Attributable to: 
Equity holders of the parent 

Loss per share 
Basic 
Diluted 

Dividends for the year 

The notes on pages 39 to 71 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Notes 

2010 
 £’000 

2009
£’000

5 

6 

7 
10 
11 

12 

26 
26 

13 

51,940 

47,533

59 
51,999 
(52,473) 
(474) 

– 
673 
(24) 
175 

(7,846)
39,687
(52,915)
(13,228)

(138)
2,901
(54)
(10,519)

(276) 

1,870

(101) 

(8,649)

(101) 

(8,649)

(0.1p) 
(0.1p) 

(8.4p)
(8.4p)

(10,104) 

(7,855)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

33
33
33
33

Consolidated	Statement	of	Comprehensive	Income

Loss for the period 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax 

Total comprehensive expense for the year, net of tax, attributable to  
equity holders of the parent 

The notes on pages 39 to 71 form an integral part of these financial statements.

2010 
 £’000 

2009
£’000

(101) 

(8,649)

12 
12 

62
62

(89) 

(8,587)

	
	
	
	
 
 
 
34	
34	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Consolidated	Balance	Sheet

Non current assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deferred tax 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Trading investments 
Stock borrowing collateral 
Derivative financial instruments 
Current income tax 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Financial liabilities 
Stock lending collateral 
Provisions 
Current income tax 

Net current assets 

Non current liabilities 
Provisions 

Net assets 

Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Capital reserve 
Retained profits 

Notes 

2010 
£’000 

2009
£’000

14 
15 
17 
18 

19 
20 

17 

21 

22 

23 

2,125  
68  
262  
2,799  
5,254  

235,337  
36,574  
5,106  
809  
– 
55,370  
333,196  

(219,193) 
(6,692) 
(5,069) 
(263) 
(174) 
(231,391) 

2,509 
146 
645 
2,782 
6,082

165,341 
32,994 
5,759 
2,002 
463
74,266 
280,825 

(159,872)
(5,192)
(6,900)
(580)
–
(172,544)

101,805  

108,281 

23 

(349) 

(546)

106,710  

113,817 

24 

5,593  
30,106  
9,977  
61,034  

5,557 
28,971
6,742 
72,547 

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 

106,710  

113,817 

The notes on pages 39 to 71 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Signed on behalf of the Board on 17 December 2010

OA Hemsley
Chief Executive
Numis Corporation Plc
Registration No.2375296

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

35
35

Consolidated	Statement	of	Changes	in	Equity

Share 
Capital 
£’000 

Share 
Premium 
£’000 

Capital 
Reserve 
£’000 

Retained 
Profits 
£’000 

Total
£’000

Attributable to equity holders of the parent at  
1 October 2009 

New shares issued 
Dividends paid 
Movement in respect of employee share plans 
Deferred tax related to share based payments 
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the period 
Other 
Attributable to equity holders of the parent  
at 30 September 2010 

Attributable to equity holders of the parent at  
1 October 2008 

New shares issued 
Dividends paid 
Movement in respect of employee share plans 
Deferred tax related to share based payments 
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the period 
Other 
Attributable to equity holders of the parent  
at 30 September 2009 

 5,557  

 28,971  

 6,742 

 72,547  

113,817

 36  

 1,135  

– 

3,223 

12 

– 
(10,104)  
(1,200) 
(180) 
(101) 
72 

1,171
(10,104)
2,023
(180)
(89)
72

5,593 

30,106 

9,977 

61,034 

106,710

 5,378  

 24,719  

 1,503  

 86,814  

118,414

 179  

 4,252  

– 

5,177 

62 

– 
(7,855)  
1,289 
936 
(8,649) 
12 

4,431
(7,855)
6,466
936
(8,587)
12

5,557 

28,971 

6,742 

72,547 

113,817

The notes on pages 39 to 71 form an integral part of these financial statements.

	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
36	
36	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Consolidated	Statement	of	Cash	Flows

Cash from operating activities 
Interest paid 
Taxation refunded 
Net cash from operating activities 

Investing activities 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of intangible assets 
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary 
Interest received 
Net cash from investing activities 

Financing activities 
Purchases of own shares 
Dividends paid 
Net cash used in financing activities 

Net movement in cash and cash equivalents 

Opening cash and cash equivalents 
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents 
Exchange movements 

Closing cash and cash equivalents 

The notes on pages 39 to 71 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Notes 

27 

2010 
£’000 

2,723 
(24) 
164 
2,863 

(122) 
(26) 
– 
614  
466  

2009
£’000

20,653
(54)
643
21,242

(191)
(33)
7
875 
658 

(13,058) 
(8,933) 
(21,991) 

(2,533)
(6,924)
(9,457)

(18,662) 

12,443

74,266  
(18,662) 
(234) 

59,899 
12,443
1,924

55,370  

74,266 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

37
37

Holding	Company	Balance	Sheet

Notes 

2010 
£’000 

2009
£’000

16 
17 

19 
20 
17 

22 

24 

15,202 
262 
15,464 

20,916 
18,639 
809 
40,364 

8,525 
645 
9,170 

13,312 
18,508 
2,002 
33,822 

(2,473) 
(2,473) 

(2,027)
(2,027)

37,891 

31,795 

53,355 

40,965 

5,593 
30,106 
9,746 
7,910 
53,355 

5,557 
28,971 
6,523 
(86)
40,965 

Non current assets 
Investment in subsidiary undertakings 
Derivative financial instruments 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Trading investments 
Derivative financial instruments 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 

Net current assets 

Net assets 

Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Capital reserve 
Retained profits 
Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company 

The notes on pages 39 to 71 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Signed on behalf of the Board on 17 December 2010

OA Hemsley
Chief Executive 

	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38	
38	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Holding	Company	Statement	
of	Changes	in	Equity

Attributable to equity holders of the Company  
at 1 October 2009 

New shares issued 
Dividends paid 
Movement in respect of employee share plans 
Total comprehensive income for the period 
Attributable to equity holders of the  
Company at 30 September 2010 

Attributable to equity holders of the Company  
at 1 October 2008 

New shares issued 
Dividends paid 
Movement in respect of employee share plans 
Total comprehensive expense for the period 
Attributable to equity holders of the  
Company at 30 September 2009 

Share 
Capital 
£’000 

Share 
Premium 
£’000 

Capital 
Reserve 
£’000 

Retained 
Profits 
£’000 

Total
£’000

 5,557  

 28,971  

 6,523  

(86) 

40,965

36 

1,135 

– 

 3,223 

– 
(10,104) 
3,456 
14,644 

1,171
(10,104)
6,679
14,644

5,593 

30,106 

9,746 

7,910 

53,355

5,378 

24,719 

 1,346 

15,077 

46,520

179 

4,252 

– 

5,177 

– 
(7,855) 
– 
(7,308) 

4,431
(7,855)
5,177
(7,308)

5,557 

28,971 

6,523 

(86) 

40,965

The notes on pages 39 to 71 form an integral part of these financial statements.

The Company had no cash or cash equivalent balances as at 30 September 2008, 30 September 2009 or 30 September 
2010. Similarly there were no movements in cash or cash equivalents during the year ended 30 September 2009 or the year 
ended 30 September 2010. Therefore no cash flow statement is presented for the Company. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

39
39
39

Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

1. Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies applied in the 
preparation of the annual report and financial statements 
of the Group and the Company are described below. 
These policies have been consistently applied to the 
years presented.

(a) Basis of preparation 

The Group and the Company financial statements have 
been prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European 
Union (EU) and in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) 
interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable 
to companies reporting under IFRS. These financial 
statements have been prepared under the historical cost 
convention as modified by revaluation of financial assets, 
liabilities and derivative contracts. 

In publishing the Company financial statements together 
with those of the Group, the Company has taken 
advantage of the exemption in s408 of the Companies 
Act 2006 not to present its individual income statement 
and related notes. 

New standards and amendments to existing standards 
that have been adopted by the Group in the year ended 
30 September 2010 

During the year ended 30 September 2010, the Group 
adopted the following new standards and amendments 
to standards:

IAS 1 (revised) ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’: the 
adoption of the revised standard has no effect on the 
results reported in the Group’s consolidated financial 
statements, however it does result in certain 
presentation changes. All items of income and 
expenditure are now presented in two primary 
statements, the ‘Income Statement’ and the ‘Statement 
of Comprehensive Income’. Some items that were 
recognised directly in equity are now recognised in the 
statement of comprehensive income.

IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’ requires operating 
segments to be identified on the same basis as that 
used for internal management reporting with regard to 
components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by 
the chief operating decision maker to allocate resources 
to segments and to assess their performance. The chief 
operating decision maker is the Group’s Chief Executive. 
The Group is managed as an integrated investment 
banking business and although there are different 
revenue types the nature of the Group’s activities is 
considered to be subject to the same and/or similar 
economic characteristics. Consequently the Group is 

managed as a single business unit, namely investment 
banking, and the adoption of this standard has not 
resulted in a change to the operating segment previously 
reported under IAS 14 “Segment Reporting”. IFRS 8 also 
requires entity-wide disclosures relating to revenues 
earned by geographical location and certain non-current 
assets attributable to the Group’s country of domicile 
and foreign countries.

IFRS 7 (revised) ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosure’ 
increases the disclosure requirements around fair value 
measurement and liquidity risk. In particular the 
amendment requires tables of fair value measurement 
disclosing the source of inputs using a three level fair 
value hierarchy, and reconciliation of the movement 
between opening and closing balances of level 3 
financial instruments (which are those measured at fair 
value using a valuation technique with significant 
unobservable inputs). 

IFRS 2 (amendment) ‘Share-based payment clarifies that 
vesting conditions are service conditions and 
performance conditions only. Other features of share 
based payments are not vesting conditions. This 
amendment has not had a significant impact on the 
Group and the Company’s financial statements. 

Standards, amendments and interpretations to existing 
standards that are not yet effective and have not been 
early adopted by the Group

IFRS 5 (amendment), ‘Non-current assets held for sale 
and discontinued operations’, clarifies that all of a 
subsidiary’s assets and liabilities as held for resale if a 
partial disposal will result in loss of control. This is not 
expected to have a significant impact on the Group and 
the Company’s financial statements.

IAS 38 (amendment), ‘Intangible assets’, defines a 
prepayment as being recognised only if payment has 
been made in advance of receiving the right to goods or 
receipt of services. This is not expected to have a 
significant impact on the Group and the Company’s 
financial statements.

IAS 1 (amendment), ‘Presentation of financial statements’ 
clarifies that the potential settlement of a liability by the 
issue of equity is not relevant to its classification as 
current or non-current. This is not expected to have a 
significant impact on the Group and the Company’s 
financial statements.

IFRS 2 (amendments), ‘Group cash-settled share based 
payment transaction’ incorporates IFRIC 8 and IFRIC 11 
and expands on the guidance given in IFRIC 11 to 

	
	
	
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Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

1. Accounting policies (continued)

address the classification of group arrangements that 
were not covered by that interpretation. This is not 
expected to have a significant impact on the Group and 
the Company’s financial statements. 

(b) Basis of consolidation 

The Group’s financial statements consolidate the 
financial statements of the Company and all its 
subsidiary undertakings. The results of subsidiaries 
acquired are consolidated from the date on which 
control passed. Acquisitions are accounted for under the 
purchase method. Goodwill represents any excess of 
the fair value of the consideration given over the fair value 
of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired. If the fair 
value of the consideration is less than the fair value of 
identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, the difference 
is recognised directly in the income statement. 

Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight 
line basis over the term of the lease or estimated useful 
economic life whichever is the shorter. 

(f) Intangible assets

Acquired computer software licences are capitalised 
where it is probable that future economic benefits that 
are attributable to the asset will flow to the Company or 
Group and the cost of the assets can be reliably 
measured. Software is stated at cost, including those 
costs incurred to bring to use the specific software, less 
amortisation and provisions for impairment, if any. Costs 
are amortised on a straight line basis over the estimated 
useful life of the software, being 3 years on average.

Costs associated with maintaining or developing the 
software are recognised as an expense when incurred.

(c) Revenue recognition

(g) Impairment of assets

Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable 
that the economic benefits associated with the 
transaction will flow into the Group. Revenue comprises 
institutional commissions, net trading gains or losses, 
corporate broking retainers, deal fees, placing 
commissions and investment income. Institutional 
commissions are recognised on trade dates. Net trading 
gains or losses are the realised and unrealised profits 
and losses from market making long and short positions 
on a trade date basis. Investment income is the realised 
and unrealised profits and losses from securities held 
outside of the market making portfolio on a trade date 
basis. Corporate retainers are recognised as the related 
services are rendered. Deal fees and placing commissions 
are only recognised once there is an absolute 
contractual entitlement for Numis to receive them.

(d) Segment reporting

The Group is managed as an integrated investment 
banking business and although there are different 
revenue types the nature of Group’s activities is 
considered to be subject to the same and/or similar 
economic characteristics. Consequently the Group is 
managed as a single business unit, namely investment 
banking. 

The carrying value of property, plant and equipment and 
intangibles is reviewed for impairment when events or 
changes in circumstance indicate the carrying value may 
be impaired. If such an indication exists, the recoverable 
amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine 
the extent of impairment loss. 

(h) Financial assets and liabilities

Trading investments and financial liabilities represent 
market making positions and other investments held for 
resale in the near term and are stated at fair value. Gains 
and losses arising from the changes in fair value are 
taken to the income statement.

For trading investments and financial liabilities which are 
quoted in active markets, fair values are determined by 
reference to the current quoted bid/offer price, with 
financial assets marked at the bid price and financial 
liabilities marked at the offer price. Where independent 
prices are not available, fair values are determined using 
valuation techniques with reference to observable 
market data. These may include comparison to similar 
instruments where observable prices exist, discounted 
cash flow analysis and other valuation techniques 
commonly used by market participants.

(e) Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less 
accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is provided for on a straight line basis at the 
following rates:

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial 
instruments which have a fixed or easily determinable 
value. They are recognised at cost less any impairment 
in their value and are included in trade and other 
receivables.

Office and computer equipment 
Motor vehicles 
Furniture and fittings 

3 years
4 years
5 years

The Group makes an assessment at each balance sheet 
date as to whether there is any objective evidence of 
impairment, being any circumstance where an adverse 

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

41

1. Accounting policies (continued)

impact on estimated future cash flows of the financial 
asset or group of assets can be reliably estimated.

taxable profit will be available against which the 
deductible temporary differences can be utilised.

(i) Derivatives

(k) Stock borrowing / lending collateral

The Group utilises forward exchange contracts to 
manage the exchange risk on actual transactions related 
to amounts receivable, denominated in a currency other 
than the functional currency of the business. The Group 
has not sought to apply the hedging requirements of IAS 
39.

The Group’s forward exchange contracts do not subject 
the Group to risk from exchange rate movements 
because the gains and losses on such contracts offset 
losses and gains, respectively, on the underlying foreign 
currency transactions to which they relate. The forward 
contracts and related amounts receivable are recorded 
at fair value at each period end. Fair value is calculated 
using the settlement rates prevailing at the period end.

All gains and losses resulting from the settlement of the 
contracts are recorded within Finance Income/Costs in 
the income statement.

The Group does not enter into forward exchange 
contracts for the purpose of hedging future anticipated 
transactions.

Equity options and warrants are initially accounted for 
and measured at fair value on the date the Company or 
Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of 
the derivative contract and subsequently measured at 
fair value. The gain or loss on re-measurement is taken 
to the income statement within net trading income. Fair 
values are obtained from quoted prices prevailing in 
active markets, including recent market transactions and 
valuation techniques including discounted cash flow 
models and option pricing models as appropriate. All 
derivatives are included in assets when their fair value is 
positive and liabilities when their fair value is negative. 

(j) Deferred tax

Deferred tax is provided in full, using the liability method, 
on all taxable and deductible temporary differences at 
the balance sheet date between the tax bases of assets 
and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial 
reporting purposes.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the 
tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when 
the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on 
tax rates that have been enacted or substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred tax assets 
are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future 

The Group enters stock borrowing and lending 
arrangements with certain institutions which are entered 
into on a collateralised basis with securities or cash 
advanced or received as collateral. Under such 
arrangements a security is purchased or sold with a 
commitment to return it at a future date at an agreed 
price. The securities purchased are not recognised on 
the balance sheet whereas the securities sold remain on 
the balance sheet with the transaction treated as a 
secured loan made for the purchase or sale price. Where 
cash has been used to effect the purchase or sale, an 
asset or liability is recorded on the balance sheet as 
stock borrowing or lending collateral at the amount of 
cash collateral advanced or received.

Where trading investments have been pledged as 
security these remain within trading investments and the 
value of security pledged disclosed separately except in 
the case of short-term highly liquid assets with an original 
maturity of 3 months or less, which are reported within 
cash and cash equivalents with the value of security 
pledged disclosed separately.

(l) Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are stated at their 
contractual value as reduced by appropriate allowances 
for estimated irrecoverable amounts. Client, broker and 
other counterparty balances represent unsettled sold 
securities transactions and are recognised on a trade 
date basis. All such balances are shown gross.

(m) Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are stated at their contractual 
value. The Group accrues for all goods and services 
consumed but as yet unbilled at amounts representing 
management’s best estimate of fair value. Client, broker 
and other counterparty balances represent unsettled 
purchased securities transactions and are recognised on 
a trade date basis. All balances are shown gross.

(n) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, 
deposits held at call with banks and other short-term 
highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 3 
months or less.

(o) Provisions

Provisions are recognised for present obligations arising 
as a consequence of past events where it is probable 
that a transfer of economic benefit will be necessary to 

	
42	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

1. Accounting policies (continued)

settle the obligation and it can be reliably estimated. 
Provisions believed to relate to periods greater than 12 
months are discounted to the net present value using an 
effective discount rate that reliably calculates the present 
value of the future obligation.

Contingent liabilities are possible obligations whose 
existence will be confirmed only by uncertain future 
events or present obligations where the transfer of 
economic benefit is uncertain or cannot be reliably 
measured. Contingent liabilities are not recognised in the 
financial statements; however they are disclosed unless 
their likely occurrence is remote.

(p) Clients’ deposits

All money held on behalf of clients has been excluded 
from the balances of cash and cash equivalents and 
amounts due to clients, brokers and other 
counterparties. Client money is not held directly, but is 
placed on deposit in segregated designated accounts 
with a bank. The amounts held on behalf of clients at the 
balance sheet date are included in Note 21.

(q) Pension costs

The Group has a Group Personal Pension Plan and 
death in service benefits that are available to full-time 
employees of the Group over the age of 18 who have 
served the Group for at least 3 months. The plan is a 
defined contribution scheme and costs of the scheme 
are charged to the income statement in the year in which 
they arise.

(r) Operating leases

Rentals under operating leases are charged to the 
income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease 
term even if the payments are not made on such a basis. 
Lease incentive received are recognised in the income 
statement as an integral part of the total lease expense. 

(s) Foreign currencies

In individual entities, transactions denominated in foreign 
currencies are translated into the functional currency at 
the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the 
transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary 
assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign 
currencies are retranslated at rates prevailing on the 
balance sheet date. Exchange differences are taken to 
the income statement, except for exchange differences 
arising on non-monetary assets and liabilities where the 
changes in fair value are taken directly to reserves. Non-
monetary assets and liabilities carried at fair value that 
are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at 
the rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was 
determined.

On consolidation, the results of overseas businesses are 
translated into the presentational currency of the Group 
at the average exchange rates for the period where 
these approximate to the rate at the date of transaction. 
Assets and liabilities of overseas businesses are 
translated into the presentational currency of the Group 
at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet 
date. Exchange differences arising are classified as a 
separate component within equity. Cumulative 
translation differences arising after the transition to IFRS 
are taken to the income statement on disposal of the net 
investment. 

(t) Taxation

Taxation on the profit for the year comprises both current 
and deferred tax as well as adjustments in respect of 
prior years. Taxation is charged or credited to the 
income statement, except when it relates to items 
charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the 
tax is also included within equity. Current tax is the 
expected tax payable on the taxable income for the 
period, using tax rates enacted, or substantially enacted 
by the balance sheet date.

(u) Employee share ownership plans

The Group has a number of Employee Share Ownership 
Plans (ESOP), as set out in note 25, which provide a 
mechanism for the Board to award employees of the 
Group share-based payments on a discretionary basis. 
Employee Benefit Trusts established by the Company 
acquire ordinary shares in the Company to be held on 
trust for the benefit of, and ultimately distributed to, 
employees either on the exercise of share options or 
other remuneration arrangements.

In the case of equity settled awards, the cost of share 
awards made under employee share ownership plans, 
as measured by the fair value of awards at the date of 
granting, are taken to the income statement over the 
vesting period (if any), and disclosed under staff costs 
with a corresponding increase in equity. 

In the case of cash settled awards, the cost of share 
awards made under employee share ownership plans, 
as measured by the fair value of awards at the date of 
granting, are taken to the income statement over the 
vesting period with a corresponding increase in 
provisions representing the cash obligation. At each 
subsequent accounting date the fair value of the 
obligation is re-assessed with reference to the underlying 
share price and the provision adjusted accordingly. 

On consolidation, the cost of shares acquired by the 
Employee Benefit Trusts is deducted as an adjustment 
to equity. Gains and losses arising on Employee Benefit 

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

43

1. Accounting policies (continued)

Trust related transactions are taken directly to equity.  
No expense is recognised in respect of option awards 
granted before 7 November 2002 or which have vested 
before 1 October 2005. 

(x) Investment in subsidiaries

Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less, where 
appropriate, provision for impairment.

(v) Dividends

Dividends payable are recognised when the dividend is 
paid or approved by shareholders.

Where the Company makes equity settled awards for the 
benefit of its subsidiaries, the value of such awards is 
treated as an additional cost of investment in these 
subsidiaries.

(w) Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity 
with generally accepted accounting principles requires 
the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the 
reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of 
the financial statements and the reported amounts of 
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. 
Although these estimates are based on management’s 
best knowledge of the amount, event or actions, actual 
results ultimately may differ from those of estimates. The 
estimates and assumptions that have a significant effect 
on the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities are set 
out below:

Valuation of financial assets where there is no quoted 
price
Such assets principally comprise minority holdings in 
unquoted securities and are valued with reference to 
financial information available at the time of original 
investment updated to reflect all relevant changes to that 
information as at the reporting date. This determination 
requires significant judgement in determining changes in 
fair value since the last valuation date. In making this 
judgement the Group evaluates among other factors 
recent offerings or transaction prices, changes in the 
business outlook affecting a particular investment since 
purchase, performance of the underlying business 
against original projections, valuations of similar quoted 
companies and relevant industry valuation techniques, 
for example, discounted cashflow or market approach.

Valuation of quoted financial assets where there is no 
active market
Quoted investments held by the Group may not always 
be actively traded in financial markets. In such cases the 
Group applies appropriate valuation techniques to 
determine fair value.

In practice this has resulted in certain holdings having 
been discounted from the most recent price, to reflect 
illiquidity in the market.

In addition to the above accounting policies the following 
relate specifically to the Company:

	
44	
44	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

2. Adjusted profit measures

The following table reconciles the statutory measures of profit/(loss) before tax, profit/(loss) after tax and earnings/(loss) per 
share to the adjusted measures used by management in their assessment of the underlying performance of the business:

Statutory group profit/(loss) before tax 
Items not included within adjusted profit before tax: 
Other operating (income)/loss 
Share scheme charge 
National Insurance provisions related to share scheme awards 
Adjusted group profit before tax 

Statutory group taxation 
Tax impact of adjustments  
Adjusted group taxation 

Adjusted group profit after tax 

Basic weighted average number of shares, number 
Adjusted earnings per share, pence 

3. Profit of the parent company

2010 
£’000 

2009
£’000

175 

(10,519)

(59) 
7,313 
427 
7,856 

(276) 
(754) 
(1,030) 

7,846
6,208
660
4,195

1,870
(2,733)
(863)

6,826 

3,332

2010 

2009

102,770,978  102,539,193
3.2p

6.6p 

As provided by Section 408 Companies Act 2006, the income statement of the parent company is not presented as part of 
these financial statements. The parent company’s profit after tax for the financial year amounted to £14,644,000 (2009: loss 
£7,308,000).

4. Segmental information

Geographical information
The Group is managed as an integrated investment banking business and although there are different revenue types 
(which are separately disclosed in note 5) the nature of Group’s activities is considered to be subject to the same and/or 
similar economic characteristics. Consequently the Group is managed as a single business unit, namely investment 
banking.

The Group earns its revenue in the following geographical locations:

United Kingdom 
United States 
Rest of World 

There are no customers which account for more than 10% of revenues.

2010 
£’000 

46,573 
5,367 
– 
51,940 

2009
£’000

42,347 
5,322 
(136) 
47,533 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

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45
45

4. Segmental information (continued)

The following is an analysis of the carrying amount of non-current assets (excluding financial instruments and deferred tax 
assets) by the geographical area in which the assets are located:

United Kingdom 
United States 
Rest of World 

2010 
£’000 

1,814 
379 
– 
2,193 

2009
£’000

2,185 
470 
– 
2,655 

Other information
In addition, the analysis below sets out the revenue performance and net asset split between our core investment banking 
& broking business and the small number of equity holdings which constitute our investment portfolio.

Net institutional income 
Total corporate transaction revenues  
Corporate retainers 
Revenue from investment banking & broking (see note 5) 

Investment activity net gains/(losses) 
Contribution from investing activities 

Total  

Net assets 
Investment banking & broking 
Investing activities 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total net assets 

5. Revenue

Net trading gains 
Institutional commissions  
Net institutional income 

Corporate retainers 
Deal fees 
Placing commissions 

2010 
£’000 

26,478 
20,640 
4,822 
51,940 

59 
59 

2009 
£’000

25,191
17,759
4,583
47,533

(7,846)
(7,846)

51,999 

39,687

31,019 
20,321 
55,370 
106,710 

17,818
21,733
74,266
113,817

2010 
£’000 

3,418 
23,060  
26,478 

4,822  
4,793  
15,847  
51,940  

2009
£’000

1,716
23,475 
25,191

4,583 
5,422 
12,337 
47,533 

	
	
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
46	
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Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

6. Other operating income/(loss)

Investment income/(losses) 
Other 

2010 
£’000 

68 
(9) 
59 

2009
£’000

(7,790) 
(56) 
(7,846) 

Investment income/(losses) represents gains and losses made on trading investments which are held outside of the market 
making portfolio. These are referred to as the Group’s investment portfolio.

7. Loss on disposal of subsidiary

Sale proceeds 
Share of net assets disposed of 
Disposal expenses (comprising charges) 

2010 
£’000 

– 
– 
– 
– 

2009
£’000

7
(138)
(7)
(138)

The loss on disposal of subsidiary in 2009 relates to the sale of the Group’s interest in Numis Caspian Limited LLP. This 
wholly owned subsidiary was created under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan and officially registered with the local 
authorities in September 2006. The company was formed to take advantage of perceived business opportunities arising in 
Kazakhstan at that time, however these did not materialise to the extent originally envisaged. As a result the Group 
disposed of its entire interest during 2009. The activities of the subsidiary have not been treated as discontinued operations 
under IFRS 5 as they did not represent a separate major line of business or geographical area of operation. 

8. Operating loss

Operating loss is stated after charging:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Operating lease costs 
Staff costs (see note 9) 
Auditors’ remuneration 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
– Audit fee for Company’s accounts and Annual Report 
– Year end audit services to the Subsidiaries of the Company 
– Tax services 
– Regulatory services 

2010 
£’000 

511 
104 
1,737 
34,157 

48 
265 
54 
35 

2009
£’000

838 
177 
1,782 
33,139 

51 
303 
31 
211 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

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47
47

9. Staff costs

Particulars of employees (including executive directors) are as shown below.

Employee costs during the year amounted to:

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Compensation for loss of office 
Other pension costs (see note 28d) 
Share based payments 

2010 
£’000 

22,431  
3,216  
257  
940  
7,313  
34,157  

2009
£’000

22,323 
3,435 
230 
943 
6,208
33,139 

The share based payment award costs shown above include an amount of £7,019,000 (2009: £5,177,000) in respect of 
share-based payment transactions which are accounted for as equity-settled awards. The share based payment charge 
arises from the combined impact of all historic unvested awards. 

Number of staff employed:

Monthly average for the year 
Professional 
Administration 

At the year end 

Details of directors’ emoluments are presented in the Remuneration Report on page 25.

10. Finance income

Interest receivable and similar income 
Net foreign exchange gains 

11. Finance costs

Interest payable 

2010 
Number 

2009
Number

136 
53 
189 
191  

137
 49
186 
182 

2010 
£’000 

614 
59 
673 

2010 
£’000 

24 
24 

2009
£’000

1,041 
1,860 
2,901

2009
£’000

54 
54

	
	
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
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Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

12. Taxation

The tax charge is based on the profit for the year and comprises:

Current tax 
Corporation tax at 28% (2009: 28%) 
Corporation tax under/(over) provided in previous year 
Total current tax 

Deferred tax 
Origination and reversal of timing differences (see note 18) 
Changes in tax rate 
Total tax charge/(credit) 

Factors affecting the tax charge for the year: 

Profit/(loss) before tax 
Profit before tax multiplied by the standard rate of UK corporation tax 
Effects of: 
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 
Non taxable income 
Losses available for utilisation but not recognised 
Permanent differences in respect of share based payments 
Corporation tax under/(over) provided in previous year 
Recognition of deferred tax balances 
Total tax charge/(credit) 

13. Dividends

Final dividend for year ended 30 September 2008 (5.00p) 
Interim dividend for year ended 30 September 2009 (2.50p) 
Final dividend for year ended 30 September 2009 (5.50p) 
Interim dividend for year ended 30 September 2010 (4.00p) 
Distribution to equity holders of the parent  

2010 
£’000 

2009
£’000

237 
235 
472 

(246) 
50 
276 

2010 
£’000 

175 
49 

183 
(639) 
258 
155 
235 
35 
276 

2010 
£’000 

5,828 
4,276 
10,104 

–
(24)
(24)

(1,846)
–
(1,870)

2009
£’000

(10,519) 
(2,945)

243
(351)
1,743
601
(24)
(1,137)
(1,870)

2009
£’000

5,212
2,643

7,855

Dividends declared on shares held by the EBT that have not been purchased by or vested in employees are waived under 
the terms of the employee share ownership plan arrangements. 

On 30 November 2010 the Board proposed a final dividend of 4.00p per share for the year ended 30 September 2010. 
This has not been recognised as a liability of the Group at the year end as it has not yet been approved by the 
shareholders. Based on the number of shares in issue at the year end the total amount payable would be £4,094,000.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

49
49

14. Property, plant and equipment

Group

The movement during the year and the prior year was as follows:

Cost 
At 1 October 2009 
Additions 
Impairment 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustment 
At 30 September 2010 

Depreciation 
At 1 October 2009 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustment 
At 30 September 2010 

Net book value 
At 1 October 2009 
At 30 September 2010 

Cost 
At 1 October 2008 
Additions 
Impairment 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustment 
At 30 September 2009 

Depreciation 
At 1 October 2008 
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Exchange adjustment 
At 30 September 2009 

Net book value 
At 1 October 2008 
At 30 September 2009 

Furniture and  

Leasehold 
fittings  improvements 
£’000 
£’000 

Office and 
computer 
equipment 
£’000 

Motor 
vehicles 
£’000 

952 
7 
– 
– 
1 
960 

681 
95 
– 
– 
776 

271 
184 

2,272 
– 
– 
– 
3 
2,275 

370 
165 
– 
– 
535 

1,902 
1,740 

2,654 
115 
– 
– 
2 
2,771 

2,338 
244 
– 
1 
2,583 

316 
188 

164 
– 
– 
– 
– 
164 

144 
7 
– 
– 
151 

20 
13 

Furniture and  

Leasehold 
fittings  improvements 
£’000 
£’000 

Office and 
computer 
equipment 
£’000 

Motor 
vehicles 
£’000 

921 
15 
– 
– 
16 
952 

554 
126 
– 
1 
681 

367 
271 

2,193 
51 
(5) 
– 
33 
2,272 

207 
162 
– 
1 
370 

1,986 
1,902 

2,505 
125 
– 
– 
24 
2,654 

1,846 
484 
– 
8 
2,338 

659 
316 

143 
– 
– 
– 
21 
164 

69 
66 
– 
9 
144 

74 
20 

Total
£’000

6,042
122
–
–
6
6,170

3,533
511
–
1
4,045

2,509
2,125

Total
£’000

5,762
191
(5)
–
94
6,042

2,676
838
–
19
3,533

3,086
2,509

	
	
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010
Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

15. Intangible assets

Group

The movement during the year and the prior year was as follows:

Cost 
At 1 October  
Additions 
At 30 September  

Amortisation 
At 1 October 
Charge for the year 
At 30 September 

Net book value 
At 1 October  
At 30 September  

16. Investment in subsidiary undertakings

a) Holding company investment in subsidiaries

As at 1 October 
Additions (see below) 
Disposals 
As at 30 September 

2010 
Purchased 
Software 
£’000 

2009
Purchased
Software
£’000

1,149 
26 
1,175 

1,003 
104 
1,107 

146 
68 

2010 
£’000 

8,525 
6,677 
– 
15,202 

1,116
33
1,149

826
177
1,003

290
146

2009
£’000

3,348 
5,178 
(1) 
8,525 

Additions reflect the accounting treatment required by IFRS 2 in relation to awards made under the Group’s share plans 
which are accounted for as equity-settled share transactions and relate to employees in subsidiaries. The disposal in 2009 
relates to the sale of the Group’s interest in Numis Caspian Limited LLP, details of which are set out in note 7.

b) Subsidiaries
The Group beneficially owns the issued share capital of the following companies:

Subsidiary  
Numis Securities Limited  
Numis Securities Inc*  
Numis Nominees (Client) Limited** 
Numis Nominees (NSI) Limited* 
Numis Nominees Limited*  

Country of incorporation  
United Kingdom  
United States of America  
United Kingdom  
United Kingdom  
United Kingdom  

Principal activity  
Financial services  
Financial services  
Dormant  
Dormant  
Dormant  

Group shareholding
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

* Held through a subsidiary 
** Formerly Numis Private Equity Limited 

  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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17. Derivative financial instruments

Group 
At 1 October 2009 
Additions 
Exercise 
Revaluation to fair value in the year recognised in the income statement 
At 30 September 2010 

Included in current assets – unlisted 
Included in non-current assets – unlisted 

Holding company 
At 1 October 2009 
Exercise 
Revaluation to fair value in the year recognised in the income statement 
At 30 September 2010 

Included in current assets – unlisted 
Included in non-current assets – unlisted 

£’000
2,647 
–
(1,489)
(87)
1,071

2009
£’000

2,002 
645 
2,647 

£’000
2,647 
(1,489)
(87)
1,071

2009
£’000

2,002 
645 
2,647 

2010 
£’000 

809 
262 
1,071 

2010 
£’000 

809 
262 
1,071 

The Group and the Company hold equity options and warrants over certain securities. Although the options and warrants 
themselves are not generally listed the underlying securities may be listed or otherwise. In the information presented above the 
unlisted distinction relates to the underlying security. As at 30 September 2010 the fair value of options over listed securities 
was £nil (2009: £nil). As at 30 September 2010 the fair value of outstanding foreign exchange contracts was £nil (2009: £nil).

18. Deferred tax

Group

The movement in the deferred tax balance is as follows:

At 1 October 
Amounts credited to the income statement 
Amounts recognised on share based payments – equity 
At 30 September 

2010 
£000 

2,782 
196 
(179) 
2,799 

2009
£000

 – 
1,846
936
 2,782 

	
	
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
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Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

18. Deferred tax (continued)

1 October 2009 
(Charged)/credited to income statement 
Recognised in equity 
30 September 2010 

Capital  Share scheme 
allowances  arrangements 
£’000 
2,382 
200 
(179) 
2,403 

£’000 
372 
(12) 
– 
360 

Other 
£’000 
28 
8 
– 
36 

Total
£’000
2,782
196
(179)
2,799

As at 30 September 2010 deferred tax assets totalling £2,799,000 (2009: £2,782,000) have been recognised by the Group 
reflecting managements’ confidence that there will be sufficient levels of future taxable gains against which the deferred tax 
asset can be utilised. 

Holding company
A deferred tax asset of £1,532,570 (2009: £1,391,000) relating to unrelieved trading losses incurred by the Company has 
not been recognised as there is insufficient supportable evidence that there will be taxable gains made by the Company in 
the future against which the deferred tax asset could be utilised. 

19. Trade and other receivables

The following amounts are included within trade and other receivables:

Group 
Due from clients, brokers and other counterparties (excluding corporate finance receivables) 
Loans to employees 
Other debtors, including corporate finance receivables 
Prepayments and accrued income 

2010 
£’000 

2009
£’000

208,217 
18,043 
6,575 
2,502 
235,337 

144,682
11,245
7,106
2,308
165,341

Trade and other receivables are stated net of impairment adjustments totalling £170,000 (2009: £448,000). The movement 
in impairment provision during the year comprised £288,000 for utilisation of provisions and £10,000 charge to the income 
statement through administrative expenses. Loans to employees principally arise from arrangements under the Group’s 
share schemes. 

Holding company 
Amounts due from subsidiaries 
Other debtors 

2010 
£’000 

2009
£’000

18,589 
2,327 
20,916 

11,233 
2,079 
13,312 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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20. Trading investments

Group 
Listed on the LSE main market 
Listed on AIM 
Listed overseas 
Unlisted UK investments 

2010 
£’000 

2009
£’000

6,984 
23,683 
1,473 
4,434 
36,574 

7,236
20,899
1,345
3,514
32,994

As at 30 September 2010 £5,069,000 (2009: £6,900,000) of trading investments were pledged to certain institutions under 
stock lending arrangements.

Holding company 
Listed on AIM 
Unlisted UK investments 

21. Cash and cash equivalents

Group
Cash and cash equivalents included in current assets 

2010 
£’000 

2009
£’000

14,443 
4,196 
18,639 

15,107
3,401
18,508

2010 
£000 

2009
£000

55,370 

74,266

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks and other institutions and short-
term highly liquid investments having an original maturity of less than three months. 

The balances exclude interest-bearing deposits of clients’ monies placed by the Group with banks on an agency basis. All 
such deposits are designated by the banks as clients’ funds and are not available to the banks to satisfy any liability the 
Group may have with them at that time. The balance at 30 September 2010 held on deposit for private clients was £89,883 
(2009: £82,859). Similarly cash held in segregated bank accounts in respect of other client monies amounted to £nil (2009: 
£2.3m).

22. Trade and other payables

Group
Amounts due to clients, brokers and other counterparties 
VAT 
Social security and PAYE 
Sundry creditors 
Accruals 

Holding company 
Amounts due to subsidiaries 

2010 
£’000 

2009
£’000

205,041 
89 
1,398 
1,407 
11,258 
219,193 

145,271
116 
1,403 
1,798 
11,284
159,872

2,473 

2,027 

	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

23. Provisions

The movements in provisions during the year and during the prior year were as follows:

Group 
At 1 October 2009 
Recognised in the income statement  
Recognised in equity in respect of vested share awards 
At 30 September 2010 

At 1 October 2008 
Recognised in the income statement  
Recognised in equity in respect of vested share awards 
At 30 September 2009 

Included in current liabilities 
Included in non-current liabilities 

LTIP
£’000

1,126 
108
(622)
612

LTIP
£’000
691 
969
(534)
1,126

2009
£’000

580 
546 
1,126 

2010 
£’000 

263 
349 
612 

The provision relates to the cash settled element of the Groups’ share scheme arrangements, and is determined with 
reference to all the unvested awards that are expected to vest (taking into account managements’ estimates regarding 
fulfilment of vesting conditions) and the year end share price. The weighted average life of the non current portion of the 
liability is 1.41 years (2009: 1.91 years). Amounts recognised in equity relate to awards which vested in the year.

24. Share capital

Authorised 
140,000,000 (2009: 140,000,000) 5p ordinary shares 
Allotted, issued and fully paid 
111,869,340 (2009: 111,132,079) 5p ordinary shares 

2010 
£’000 

2009
£’000

7,000 

7,000 

5,593 

5,557

During the year 737,261 ordinary shares were issued for a total consideration £1,171,867 of which £1,135,004 has been 
included as share premium. Shares issued during the year were in respect of scrip dividend elections. Share issuances 
made during the year in respect of the ESOP totalled nil (2009: 2,800,000). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
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55

24. Share capital (continued)

Movements in the number of outstanding share options during the year and their weighted average exercise prices are as 
follows:

At 1 October 
Exercised 
At 30 September 

2010 

2009

Average 
exercise  

Average 
exercise  

price (pence  Outstanding 
options 
 1,286,025  
(25,000) 
1,261,025 

per share) 
 31.97  
50.50 
31.61 

price (pence  Outstanding
options
 1,816,025 
(530,000)
1,286,025

per share) 
 38.72  
55.10 
31.97 

The date range over which the above options may be exercised is set out in the table below. The overall weighted average 
life of the remaining options is 4.35 years (2009: 1.72 years). 

At 30 September 2010 the following options granted to directors and employees to acquire ordinary shares in the 
Company were outstanding:

Grant date 
 15 May 2001  
 8 August 2002  

Number of options  
outstanding 
 1,136,025  
125,000  

Exercise price 
30.0p  
 46.2p  

Earliest  
exercise date 
 15 May 2005  
 8 August 2005  

Latest
exercise date
 15 May 2015
 8 August 2012

On 1 June 2010 the exercise date for the options granted on 15 May 2001 was extended from 15 May 2011 to 15 May 
2015. In accordance with IFRS 2 ‘Share Based Payments’ and the treatment required for modifications of this nature, any 
uplift in fair value between the original instrument and the modified instrument , as measured on the date of modification, 
would be expensed immediately. There was no uplift in fair value as at the modification date and consequently no additional 
expense has been recorded. 

In accordance with IFRS 1 ‘First-time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards’, the Company and Group 
has chosen not to apply IFRS 2 ‘Share Based Payments’ (“IFRS 2”) to share options granted before 7 November 2002 that 
had not vested by 1 October 2005. Consequently there is no requirement to provide fair values for the outstanding options.

25. Employee share schemes

The Company has established employee benefit trusts in respect of the Group share schemes which are funded by the 
Group and have the power to acquire shares from the Company or in the open market to meet the Group’s future 
obligations under these schemes. As at 30 September 2010 the trusts owned 9,517,681 ordinary 5p shares in the 
Company (2009: 7,592,503) with a market value of £12.6m as at 30 September 2010 (2009: £13.4m).

At 1 October 
Acquired during the year 
Shares vested in employees 
Shares used to satisfy issuances during the year 
Shares used to satisfy option exercises 
At 30 September  

2010 
Number 
of shares 

2009
Number
of shares

7,592,503 
9,285,088 
(3,687,698) 
(3,647,212) 
(25,000) 
9,517,681 

7,275,524
5,014,692
(834,205)
(3,333,508)
(530,000)
7,592,503

At 30 September 2010 the number of shares held by the trusts in respect of awards made to, but not yet vested in, 
employees totalled 9,342,863 (2009: 6,510,969). During the year further awards of 4,278,725 shares (2009: 13,093,447 
shares) were granted at a weighted average share price of 140.5p (2009: 113.1p). The weighted average market price on 
grant date for all awards made during the year was 143.2p (2009: 126.8p).

	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

25. Employee share schemes (continued)

A description of the Groups’ share schemes and their operation is set out below:

Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 2003 Scheme

The Board approved this plan on 28 April 2003 and it was approved by shareholders on 5 June 2003.

Eligibility
Any Director of the Company, or a Group company, and any employee of the Company, or a Group company, may be 
invited to participate in the plan.

Nature of plan
The scheme provides a framework by which employees are awarded a free share in exchange for their purchasing a stake 
in the Company.

The free, or “matching”, shares replicate the number of shares purchased by the participant. Both the purchased and 
matching shares are held in trust by the Trustee, HBOS EES Trustees International Limited, for five years, after which time 
the participant has full entitlement if they continue to be employed by the Group at that date.

On vesting, the matching shares are sold by the Trustee and the proceeds passed to the participant. The purchased 
shares are transferred into the personal ownership of the participant.

US Restrictive Stock Plan (USRSP) 2003 Scheme

The Board approved this plan on 28 April 2003 and it was approved by shareholders on 5 June 2003.

Eligibility
Any Director or employee of Numis Securities Incorporated (NSI), the wholly owned subsidiary of Numis Securities Limited 
(NSL), itself a wholly owned subsidiary of Numis Corporation Plc, may be invited to participate in the plan.

Nature of plan
The mechanics of the scheme are the same as the LTIP 2003 scheme. Differences arise in treatment of awards under 
differing tax jurisdictions.

Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 2008 Scheme

The Board approved this plan on 4 December 2007 and it was approved by shareholders on 29 January 2008.

Eligibility
Any Director of the Company, or a Group company, and any employee of the Company, or a Group company, may be 
invited to participate in the plan.

Nature of plan
The scheme is similar to the 2003 LTIP scheme. The concept of the Company awarding free shares to match the shares 
purchased by the participant at the award date remains the same. However, this scheme is administered by a different 
Trustee, HBOS EES Nominees International Limited, and maintained within a separate Trust company. The vesting 
conditions too are different; under this scheme, shares vest in three equal tranches at the end of the third, fourth and fifth 
anniversaries of the award date if the participant continues to be employed by the Group at these dates.

On vesting, the matching and purchased shares are transferred into the personal ownership of the participant.

US Restrictive Stock Plan (USRSP) 2008 Scheme

The Board approved this plan on 4 December 2007 and it was approved by shareholders on 29 January 2008.

Eligibility
Any Director or employee of Numis Securities Incorporated (NSI), the wholly owned subsidiary of Numis Securities Limited 
(NSL), itself a wholly owned subsidiary of Numis Corporation Plc, may be invited to participate in the plan.

Nature of plan
The scheme operates in the same way as the LTIP 2008 scheme. Differences arise in treatment of awards under differing 
tax jurisdictions.

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25. Employee share schemes (continued)

Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) 2008 Plan

The Board approved this plan on 4 December 2007 and it was approved by shareholders on 29 January 2008.

Eligibility
Any Director of the Company, or a Group company, and any employee of the Company, or a Group company, may be 
invited to participate in the plan.

Nature of plan
This scheme is open to both UK and US directors and employees and operates as a deferred bonus payment in the form 
of shares. Awards vest in the hands of the participant in three equal tranches at the end of the first, second and third 
anniversaries following the award date if they continue to be employed by the Group on those dates.

The movement in award shares for each share incentive award scheme is detailed in the tables below:

LTIP 2003  USRSP 2003 
Number 
of shares 

Number 
of shares 

LTIP 2008  USRSP 2008 
Number 
of shares 

Number 
of shares 

RSU 2008 
Number 
of shares 

Total
Number
of shares

1,030,701 
– 
(380,021) 
(54,877) 

181,465 
11,912 
– 
– 

3,778,039 
3,522,212 
– 
(210,842) 

1,112,918 
198,073 
– 
– 

9,916,324 
546,528 
(3,307,677) 
(463,043) 

16,019,447
4,278,725
(3,687,698)
(728,762)

595,803 

193,377 

7,089,409 

1,310,991 

6,692,132 

15,881,712

LTIP 2003  USRSP 2003 
Number 
of shares 

Number 
of shares 

LTIP 2008  USRSP 2008 
Number 
of shares 

Number 
of shares 

RSU 2008 
Number 
of shares 

Total
Number
of shares

1,916,600 
– 
(401,527) 
(484,372) 

188,200 
10,839 
(10,504) 
(7,070) 

727,150 
3,333,508 
(71,994) 
(210,625) 

1,052,291 
60,627 
– 
– 

1,001,857 
9,688,473 
(350,179) 
(423,827) 

4,886,098
13,093,447
(834,204)
(1,125,894)

1,030,701 

181,465 

3,778,039 

1,112,918 

9,916,324 

16,019,447

Award shares at  
1 October 2009 
New awards 
Vesting of awards 
Forfeiture of awards 
Award shares at  
30 September 2010 

Award shares at  
1 October 2008 
New awards 
Vesting of awards 
Forfeiture of awards 
Award shares at  
30 September 2009 

Option Schemes

A number of historic option schemes remain open which were formulated between 1993 and 2001. However, no awards 
have been made since August 2002. As at 30 September 2010 there were 1,261,025 unexercised options outstanding 
(2009: 1,286,025) details of which are shown in note 24. 

26. Loss per share

Group

Basic loss per share is calculated on a loss after tax of £101,000 (2009: loss £8,649,000) and 102,770,978 (2009: 
102,539,193) ordinary shares being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. Diluted  
loss per share takes account of contingently issuable shares arising from share scheme award arrangements where their 
impact would be dilutive. In accordance with IAS 33, potential ordinary shares are only considered dilutive when their 
conversion would decrease the profit per share or increase the loss per share from continuing operations attributable to the 
equity holders. Therefore shares that may be considered dilutive while positive earnings are being reported may not be 
dilutive while losses are incurred.

	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

26. Loss per share (continued)

The calculations exclude shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust on behalf of the Group.

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year – basic 
Dilutive effect of share awards 
Diluted number of ordinary shares 

2010 
Number 
Thousands 

2009
Number
Thousands

102,771 
7,992 
110,763 

102,539
3,518
106,057

There were no potential ordinary shares whose conversion would have resulted in an increase in the basic loss per share. 
The table above shows the diluted number of ordinary shares that would have been appropriate if the Group had reported 
a profit after tax in both 2010 and 2009.

27. Consolidated cash flow statement

Group

Reconciliation of operating loss to net cash from operating activities:

Operating loss 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Depreciation charges on property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation charges on intangible assets 
Share scheme charge 
(Increase)/decrease in current asset trading investments 
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables 
Net movement in stock borrowing/lending collateral 
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables 
Decrease in derivatives 
Other non-cash movements 
Net cash from operating activities 

Holding company 

2010 
£000 

(474) 
–  
511  
104  
7,313 
(3,580)  
(62,184) 
(1,178)  
60,567  
1,576 
68  
2,723 

2009
£000

(13,228) 
5 
838 
177 
6,208
3,142 
62,979
1,233 
(42,652) 
2,159
(208) 

20,653

The Company does not hold any cash balances, and cash based transactions are effected on its behalf by Numis 
Securities Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary. The operating profit of the Company includes losses on investments of 
£185,000 (2009: losses of £8,163,000) and investing activity related dividend income of £772,000 (2009: £866,000) that 
passed through intercompany accounts. The issuance of shares during the year did not involve any cash flows.

28. Guarantees and other financial commitments

a) Capital commitments 
Amounts contracted for but not provided in the accounts amounted to £nil for the Group (2009: £nil). 

b) Contingent liabilities 
In the ordinary course of business, the Group has given letters of indemnity in respect of lost certified stock transfers and 
share certificates. No claims have been received in relation to the year ended 30 September 2010 (2009: nil). The 
contingent liability arising thereon cannot be quantified, although the directors do not believe that any material liability will 
arise under these indemnities. 

The Company currently has in place an unlimited guarantee to the Company’s bankers, Barclays Bank plc for the debts of 
Numis Securities Limited. As at 30 September 2010 the company did not have any indebtedness to Barclays Bank plc 
(2009: nil). 

 
 
 
 
  
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28. Guarantees and other financial commitments (continued)

The Company has given a guarantee to Pershing LLC for any indebtedness of Numis Securities Inc., an indirect wholly 
owned subsidiary of the Company. Pershing LLC provides securities clearing and settlement services to Numis Securities 
Inc. for some of its broker activities. As at 30 September 2010 that company did not have any indebtedness to Pershing 
LLC (2009: Nil).

c) Operating leases
At 30 September 2010 the Group had annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases of £1,737,000 (2009: 
£1,734,000). The total future aggregate minimum lease payments are as follows:

Within one year 
In two to five years 
After five years 

Property 
2010 
£’000 

Property
2009
£’000

– 
– 
20,332 
20,332 

–
–
22,280
22,280

d) Pension arrangements
The pension cost charge for the year was £940,000 (2009: £943,000). 

A defined contribution Group Personal Pension Plan has been in operation since 6 April 1997 for all full-time employees of 
the Group over the age of 18 who have served the Group for at least 3 months. The Group Personal Pension Plan is 
funded through monthly contributions. The Group contributes 7% of members’ salaries with members contributing at least 
2.5% of their salary. Employees who join the Group Personal Pension Plan are eligible for death-in-service benefits.

29. Financial instruments and risk management

Group

Risk Management
The Group places great weight on the effective management of exposures to market, credit, liquidity and operational risk 
and our risk management policies and framework are specifically designed to identify, monitor and manage such 
exposures to ensure that the operating activities of the Group are managed within the risk parameters set out by the Plc 
Board (the Board).

The Group’s risk management framework is specifically designed to incorporate all material risks to which the Group is or 
may be exposed. The Board is responsible for supervision of the risk management framework, approval of risk 
management policies and setting the overall risk appetite of the Group. All risk management functions ultimately report to 
the Board. The Board receive regular risk management reporting which provides an assessment of the exposures across 
the Group together with more detailed reports on market, credit and liquidity risk amongst others.

Risk exposures are monitored, controlled and overseen by separate but complementary committees which consist of 
senior management from revenue generating areas, compliance and finance. Management oversight and segregation of 
duties are fundamental to the risk management framework.

The Audit & Risk Committee is responsible for the evaluation and maintenance of the Group’s control framework and 
ensuring that policies are in place and operating effectively to identify, assess, monitor and control risk throughout the 
Group. The Audit & Risk Committee similarly receive risk updates which detail the Group’s exposure to market, credit, 
liquidity, and operational risks. Controls and policies are reviewed and challenged to ensure their effectiveness and to 
reflect changes in requirements and best practice.

The Risk Oversight Committee is responsible for exercising senior level oversight of all risk-related issues (both financial and 
non-financial). It has specific responsibility for the in-depth assessment and reporting of all material risks faced by the 
Group including the selection and scoring of the risks, the implementation of appropriate key risk indicators and controls 
designed to provide risk mitigation. 

	
	
 
 
 
  
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Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

29. Financial instruments and risk management (continued)

The Financial Risk Committee is responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day operating activities are managed within the 
financial risk appetite and controls framework approved by the Board and the Audit & Risk Committee and has delegated 
responsibility for preparing the risk management policies for review and approval by the Board and the Audit & Risk 
Committee. The Financial Risk Committee reviews the detailed components of market, credit and liquidity risk exposures 
of the business to ensure that such risks are monitored and assessed appropriately. The Committee met 51 times during 
the year. As a minimum, the Financial Risk Committee reviews:

•	 market risk exposures associated with our equity and derivative positions 

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

trading book and individual stock Value-at-Risk (VaR) and positions versus limits and resulting breaches

performance of the trading book overall and at individual stock level 

credit risk exposures to trading counterparties and deposit-taking counterparties

liquidity and concentration risk of the cash and cash equivalent assets

currency risk exposures of foreign currency denominated deposits

capital resources of the Group compared to the Capital Requirements Directive Pillar I capital requirement and 
additional internal economic capital measures

•	

client asset requirements and resources.

The Finance department has day-to-day responsibility for monitoring and reporting risk exposures within the Group and 
escalation of issues to senior management. In addition to daily reporting of market, credit and liquidity risk key indicators to 
senior management, automated intraday reporting is in place for credit exposures and associated credit limit breaches 
(hourly) and individual stock VaR limit breaches (continuously). Finally, our trading system has real-time trading book, stock 
and VaR limit alerts to flag individual stock holdings and trading book positions which are approaching their predefined 
limit.

Independent assurance of the suitability and effectiveness of the Group’s risk management framework and controls is 
provided to the Audit & Risk Committee by the utilisation of an outsourced, independent Internal Audit function.

Financial Instruments
The Group’s financial instruments comprise trading investments, financial liabilities, cash and cash equivalent balances, 
derivative financial instruments and various items such as trade receivables and trade payables that arise from the normal 
course of business. 

Trading investments and financial liabilities are long and short positions respectively held as a result of market making 
activities in listed investments and holdings in unlisted investments. These investments are predominantly equity securities. 
Trading investments and financial liabilities are held at fair value, in accordance with the accounting policy provided in  
Note 1(h). 

Derivative financial instruments comprise equity options and warrants over listed and unlisted securities and may also 
include foreign exchange contracts used to hedge known transactional exposures arising from normal operational 
activities. Derivative financial instruments are held at fair value in accordance with the accounting policy provided in  
Note 1(i).

Sterling and foreign currency cash balances are invested in the Group’s approved banks and other short term highly liquid 
instruments which satisfy the Group’s credit risk policies.

As at 30 September 2010 the Group had no undrawn committed borrowing facilities (2009: nil).

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29. Financial instruments and risk management (continued)

Market Risk-Equity Risk
The Group is affected by conditions in the financial markets and the wider economy through its holdings of equity 
investments arising through the normal course of its market making, trading and investing activities. Equity risk arises from 
the exposures of these holdings to changes in prices and volatilities of equity prices. An adverse movement in the fair value 
of our holdings has consequences for the capital resources of the Group and therefore it is important for management to 
understand the potential impact of such movements.

The Group utilises a VaR model to measure market risk. The model uses a “Historical Simulation” approach which shocks 
market risk positions by the actual daily market moves observed during a rolling 256 business day window. The sum of the 
simulated returns for each of the 256 days is calculated and the VaR is defined as being the 3rd worst loss during this period. 
This approach is an accepted industry standard and gives the Group an understanding of the market risks being taken. 

VaR limits are set at both individual stock level and portfolio level and are approved by the Board. Such limits are 
incorporated into the Group’s front office trading system so that real time monitoring of VaR exposures is available to both 
front office staff and relevant risk management staff. On a daily basis the Finance department compute the Historical 
Simulation VaR risk measure based on the end of day portfolio of holdings. The results are reported to senior management 
at the end of each day against limits and any resulting breaches. Similarly the risk measures are also compared to the daily 
revenue performance and our capital resources. In addition there are absolute position limits.

Hence equity risk exposure is managed through the use of individual stock position and trading book limits, such limits 
being established for long, short and gross positions coupled with the measurement of equity market risk through the use 
of Historical Simulation VaR. 

The table below shows the highest, lowest, and average total long, short, gross, and net position in listed securities during 
the year, together with positions at year end. 

Highest position 
Lowest position 
Average position 
As at 30 September 2010 

Highest position 
Lowest position 
Average position 
As at 30 September 2009 

Long 
£’000 
40,235 
29,725 
34,614 
32,140 

Long 
£’000 

30,348  
21,894  
26,087  
29,479  

Short 
£’000 
(14,764) 
(4,625) 
(7,778) 
(6,692) 

Short 
£’000 

(10,512) 
(1,376) 
(5,369) 
(5,192) 

The table below shows the highest, lowest, average and year end equity VaR. 

Highest VaR 
Lowest VaR 
Average VaR 
As at 30 September 

Gross 
£’000 
51,063 
34,773 
42,392 
38,832 

Gross 
£’000 

40,860 
23,270  
31,456  
34,672  

2010 
£’000 

1,182 
267 
423 
427 

2010
Net
£’000
31,663
21,536
26,836
25,448

2009
Net
£’000

24,287
18,538
20,717
24,287

2009
£’000

781
373
608
373

In addition the Group holds positions totalling £5,505,000 (2009: £6,161,000) in unlisted securities. These are reported to 
senior management together with positions in listed securities on a daily basis. 

The Group’s equity holdings comprise trading investments, financial liabilities and derivative financial instruments. 

	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

29. Financial instruments and risk management (continued)

Trading investments

Equity risk on the trading investments held within the market making book is the day to day responsibility of the Head of 
Trading, whose decision making is independently monitored. Trading investments held outside the market making activities 
are monitored by the Risk Manager, CEO, Finance Director and senior management.

Equity risk is managed through a combination of cash investment limits on the entire trading book coupled with VaR limits 
set at individual stock level and portfolio level. These limits are approved by the Board, the Audit & Risk Committee, and the 
Financial Risk Committee, and monitored and reported by the Finance department daily. Breaches of the stock and 
portfolio limits are initially flagged in real time on the trading platform and monitored by the traders and the Finance 
department. Breaches are either addressed by the traders or, if they are unable to take corrective action, will be discussed 
with the Finance department and reported to senior management as part of the usual end of day reporting mechanism. 
Breaches are also summarised weekly and presented to the Financial Risk Committee along with reasons for the breaches 
and corrective action required to bring them within limits. 

Sensitivity analysis based on a 10% increase/decrease in underlying equity prices on the trading investments held at the 
year end indicates that the impact of such a movement would be to increase/decrease respectively profit in the income 
statement by £3,657,000 (2009: £3,299,000).

Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities comprise short positions in quoted stocks arising through the normal course of business in facilitating 
client order flow. Equity risk on financial liabilities is the day to day responsibility of the Head of Trading. Exposures of this 
nature are monitored in exactly the same way as trading investments above as these positions form part of the trading 
book. A sensitivity analysis based on a 10% increase/decrease in underlying equity prices on the financial liabilities held at 
the year end indicates that the impact of such a movement would be to decrease/increase respectively profit in the income 
statement by £669,000 (2009: £519,000).

Derivatives financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments comprise equity options and warrants over listed and unlisted securities and are 
predominantly received by the Group as non-cash consideration for advisory and other services. This category may also 
include foreign exchange contracts used to hedge known transactional exposures arising from normal operational 
activities. 

Equity risk arising on derivatives is the day-to-day responsibility of the Head of Trading. Exposures are measured using the 
Group’s VaR methodology and reported to senior management daily along with a detailed inventory of options and warrant 
holdings which are either in-the-money or close to being in-the-money. As at 30 September 2010, none of the quoted 
derivatives were in-the-money and the VaR was £nil.

A 10% increase/decrease in underlying equity prices of the derivative financial instruments held at the year end indicates 
that the impact of such a movement on the profit in the income statement would be an increase of £107,000 (2009: 
£339,000) and decrease of £107,000 (2009: £265,000) respectively.

Market Risk-Currency Risk
Currency risk arises from the exposure to changes in foreign exchange spot and forward prices and volatilities of foreign 
exchange rates. The Group is exposed to the risk that the Sterling value of the assets, liabilities or profit and loss could 
change as a result of foreign exchange rate movements. 

There are three sources of currency risk to which the Group may be exposed. Firstly, foreign currency denominated 
financial assets and liabilities arising as a result of trading in foreign securities, secondly, foreign currency financial assets 
and liabilities as a result of foreign currency denominated corporate finance fees, supplier payments or Treasury activities 
and finally foreign currency denominated investments in subsidiaries of the Group. The Finance department is responsible 
for monitoring the Group’s currency exposures which are reported to senior management daily.

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63

29. Financial instruments and risk management (continued)

Currency risk is measured using a similar VaR methodology as that used for the Group’s measurement of equity risk. The 
table below shows the highest, lowest and average foreign currency VaR for 2010 compared against 2009 figures.

Highest VaR 
Lowest VaR 
Average VaR 
As at 30 September 

2010 
£’000 

247 
51 
108 
83 

2009
£’000

701
147 
366 
194

The Group’s net assets by currency as at 30 September 2010 were as follows:

2010 
Sterling equivalent 
2009 
Sterling equivalent 

Sterling 
£’000 

94,263 

102,334 

Euro 
£’000 

Canadian $ 
£’000 

2,967 

2,572 

451 

279 

US $ 
£’000 

8,516 

8,268 

Other 
£’000 

Total
£’000

513 

106,710

364 

113,817

The Group hedges all significant transactional currency exposures arising from trading activities using spot or forward 
foreign exchange contracts. Derivative financial instruments held to manage such currency exposure as at 30 September 
2010 had a fair value of £nil (2009 £nil). The Group does not hedge future anticipated transactions. Currency exposure to 
foreign currency denominated corporate finance receivables and supplier payables is not considered material.

The table below shows the impact on the Group’s results of a 10 cent movement in the US$ and Euro in terms of 
transactional and translational exposures.

10 cent increase (strengthening £):

Profit before tax 
Equity 

10 cent decrease (weakening £):

Profit before tax 
Equity 

US $ 
£’000 
(238) 
(292)  

Euro 
£’000 
(235)  
(235) 

Total
£’000
(473)
(527)

US $ 
£’000 
270 
331 

Euro 
£’000 
279 
279  

Total
£’000
549
610

Market Risk-Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk arises as a result of changes to the yield curve and the volatilities of interest rates. 

The Group’s interest bearing assets are predominantly held in cash or cash equivalents. Excess cash funds may be 
invested in Gilts, held on short term floating rate terms or placed on overnight or short-term deposit. Investment of excess 
funds into cash equivalent instruments may occur from time-to-time depending on the management’s view of yields on 
offer, liquidity requirements, and credit risk considerations. The Group does not use any derivatives to hedge interest rate 
risk and has no external debt (2009: £nil).

	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

29. Financial instruments and risk management (continued)

The table below shows the interest rate profile of the Group’s cash and cash equivalent investments and, while not interest 
bearing, also shows the Group’s exposure to listed equity investments as these have an indirect sensitivity to significant 
changes and volatility of interest rates. 

Cash 
and cash 
equivalents 
£’000 
47,443  
5,907 
1,176  
424  
420  
55,370  

Listed 
equity  
investments 
£’000 
22,853 
2,224  
354  
17  
–   

25,448 

 –  
 55,370 

2010 

Total 
£’000 
70,296  
8,131  
1,530  
441  
420  
80,818  

Listed 
equity 
investments  
£’000 
22,649 
968  
671  
–   
–   
24,288  

Cash 
and cash 
equivalents 
£’000 
67,377  
4,573  
1,254  
586  
476  
74,266  

–  
74,266 

2009

Total
£’000
90,026 
5,541 
1,925 
586 
476 
98,554 

Currency 
Sterling 
US Dollars 
Euro 
Canadian Dollars 
Other 
At 30 September 

Fixed Rate 
Floating Rate 

In addition to the above, cash collateral balances of £2,811,000 (2009: £3,500,000) and net stock borrowing/(lending) 
balances of £37,000 (2009: (£1,141,000)) are subject to daily floating rate interest.

A sensitivity analysis based on a 100 basis point increase/decrease to prevailing market rates of interest as at  
30 September 2010 indicates that the impact of such a movement on the profit in the income statement and equity  
would be a decrease of £nil (2009: £nil) and increase of £nil (2009: £nil) respectively. This reflects the fact that the  
Group has no material exposures to fair value movements arising from changes in the market rate of interest as at  
30 September 2010 or 2009.

Fair value estimation
Effective 1 October 2009, the Group adopted the amendment to IFRS 7 for the financial instruments that are measured on 
the balance sheet at fair value. This requires disclosure of fair value measurements by level based on the following fair value 
measurement hierarchy:

•	

•	

 Level 1: Quoted prices unadjusted in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either 
directly as prices or indirectly derived from prices; and

•	

 Level 3: Inputs for the asset or liability which are not based on observable market data.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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65

29. Financial instruments and risk management (continued)

Group 

Non current assets 
Derivative financial instruments 

Current assets 
Trading investments 
Derivative financial instruments 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Financial liabilities 
Total liabilities 

Level 1 
£’000 

Level 2 
£’000 

Level 3 
£’000 

Total
£’000

–  

 – 

262 

262

32,140 
–  
32,140 
32,140 

(6,692) 
(6,692) 

–  
–  
–  
–  

 – 
–  

4,434 
809 
5,243 
5,505 

36,574
809
37,383
37,645

–  
–  

(6,692)
(6,692)

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year.

Movements in financial assets categorised as Level 3 during the year were:

At 1 October 2009 
Transfers in 
Additions 
Total losses included in other operating income in the income statement 
At 30 September 2010 

£’000
6,161 
425 
125
(1,206) 
5,505

Transfers in to Level 3 of £425,000 relate to two equity positions (previously included in Level 1 and listed on the London 
Stock Exchange) both of which were delisted during the year and therefore have no observable market data from which 
their fair value can be estimated. The two issuers subsequently experienced severe financial difficulties and therefore the 
fair value assigned at delisting was written off in full subsequent to the transfer.

Holding company 

Non current assets 
Derivative financial instruments 

Current assets 
Trading investments 
Derivative financial instruments 

Total assets 

Level 1 
£’000 

Level 2 
£’000 

Level 3 
£’000 

Total
£’000

–  

 – 

262 

262

14,443 
–  
14,443 
14,443 

–  
–  
–  
–  

4,196 
809 
5,005 
5,267 

18,639
809
19,448
19,710

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year.

Movements in financial assets categorised as Level 3 during the year were:

At 1 October 2009 
Total losses included in other operating income in the income statement 
At 30 September 2010 

£’000
6,048 
(781) 

5,267

	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

29. Financial instruments and risk management (continued)

Group

Credit Risk-Counterparty Risk
Credit risk is the potential loss that the Group would incur if a counterparty fails to settle its contractual obligations or there 
is a failure of a deposit taking institution. Credit risk exposure therefore arises as a result of trading, investing, and financing 
activities. The primary source of credit risk faced by the Group is that arising from the settlement of equity trades carried 
out in the normal course of business. 

The credit risk on a particular equity trade receivable is measured by reference to the original amount owed to the Group 
less any partial payments less any collateral to which the Group is entitled. For example, in accordance with the delivery 
versus payment principle, the potential exposure at default sustained by the Group would not be the amount of the 
outstanding receivable balance, but rather the amount representing commission due to the Group and any residual 
exposure from market risk on the underlying equity after a sell-out (or buy-in) has been carried out. 

An internal stress test is employed in order to measure the credit risk exposure faced by the Group. This is a historical  
20-day VaR methodology based on both the severe stock market movements during 2008-09 and a conservative 
judgment of the likelihood of counterparty default. This assessment is applied to the end of day equity trade receivable and 
payable balances and the results are reported to senior management on a daily basis. 

Credit risk exposures are also managed by the use of individual counterparty limits applied initially on the categorisation of 
the counterparty (for example, hedge fund, long only fund, broker, etc.) and assessed further according to the results of an 
external credit rating and/or relevant financial indicators and/or news flow. From time to time certain counterparties may be 
placed on an internal watch list in reaction to adverse news flow or market sentiment. The Finance department prepares a 
summary daily report for senior management which indentifies the top 40 individual counterparty exposures measured 
against their limits, the major stock positions which make up the exposure and a list of the largest failing trades. This  
reporting incorporates the Sterling equivalent gross inward, outward and net cash flow exposure. Finally, automated hourly 
intra-day reporting of all gross inward, outward and net cash flow exposures by individual counterparty against assigned 
limits is monitored by the Finance department to ensure appropriate escalation and mitigation action is taken. 

Trade receivables relating to fees due on the Group’s corporate finance and advisory activities are monitored on a weekly 
basis.

The current framework for the reporting and monitoring of credit risk has proved to be a robust control during recent 
periods of market volatility and credit related issues impacting the market in general. The Group has not sustained any 
credit risk default losses and has achieved a substantial reduction in its stress test measurement through active 
management and reduction of credit exposures when appropriate. Where possible, the Group seeks to enter into netting 
arrangements with counterparties that permit the offset of receivables and payables. 

Cash and cash equivalents are held in Gilts or with large UK based commercial clearing banks with credit ratings at or 
above AA-Fitch investment grade. Credit exposures may be further reduced by diversification of deposits across a number 
of institutions. 

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67

29. Financial instruments and risk management (continued)

The Group’s financial assets are analysed by their ageing in the table below and represent the maximum exposure to credit 
risk at 30 September 2010 of balance sheet financial instruments before taking account of any collateral held or other credit 
enhancements.

As at 30 
September 2010 
(£’000) 
Derivative financial  
instruments 
Trade and other  
receivables 
Trading investments 
Stock borrowing  
collateral 
Cash and cash  
equivalents 

As at 30 
September 2009 
(£’000) 
Derivative financial  
instruments 
Trade and other  
receivables 
Trading investments 
Stock borrowing  
collateral 
Cash and cash  
equivalents 

 Overdue not impaired

Not 
Overdue 

0 to 3 
months 

3 to 6 
months 

6 to 9 
months 

9 to 12 
months 

Over 1 
year 

Impaired 

Total

1,071 

–  

224,387 
36,574 

8,764 
–  

5,106 

–  

55,370 
322,508 

–  
8,764 

–  

17 
–  

–  

–  
17 

–  

12 
–  

–  

–  
12 

–  

 – 
–  

–  

–  

–  

30 
–  

–  

–  
30 

–  

1,071

170 
–  

233,380
36,574

–  

5,106

–  
170 

55,370
331,501

 Overdue not impaired  

Not 
Overdue 

0 to 3 
months 

3 to 6 
months 

6 to 9 
months 

9 to 12 
months 

Over 1 
year 

Impaired 

Total

2,647 

–  

155,843 
32,944 

7,502 
–  

5,759 

–  

74,266 
271,459 

–  
7,502 

–  

5 
–  

–  

–  
5 

–  

102 
–  

–  

–  
102 

–  

7 
–  

–  

–  
7 

–  

12 
–  

–  

–  
12 

–  

2,647

448 
–  

163,919
32,944

–  

5,759

–  
448 

74,266
279,535

	
	
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
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Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

29. Financial instruments and risk management (continued)

Credit Risk-Concentration Risk
Concentration risk is the risk arising from exposures to groups of connected parties, counterparties in the same sector, or 
counterparties undertaking the same activity. Concentration risk arises, in particular, with respect to the Group’s exposures 
to unsettled securities trades. These exposures are monitored intra day on an hourly basis using the credit risk exposure 
reports and process outlined above. In addition, as orders are taken, system-generated warnings are given of any 
counterparties likely to grow above £5m in size.

As at 30 September 2010 the exposure to the following categories of counterparty was as follows: brokers £119.6m  
(2009: £74.3m), long only funds £77.9m (2009: £49.8m), hedge funds £3.0m (2009: £9.8m) and other £7.7m (2009: £10.8m). 

Concentration of credit risk to a particular counterparty or issuer may also arise from deposits placed with commercial 
banks, investments in cash equivalents and as a result of normal trading activity through Central Counterparties, such as 
the London Clearing House. The credit quality of these counterparties is kept under review by management. Concentration 
of trading investments by market is disclosed in note 20. There are no significant concentration risks arising in any other 
class of financial asset as at 30 September 2010 (2009: £nil).

Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that funds are either not available to service day-to-day funding requirements or are only available at 
a high cost or need to be arranged at a time when market conditions are unfavourable and consequently the terms are 
onerous. Liquidity is of vital importance to the Group to enable it to continue operating in even the most adverse 
circumstances. 

The Group assesses its liquidity position on a daily basis and computes the impact of various stress tests to determine how 
liquidity could be impacted under a range of different scenarios. The Group currently maintains substantial excess liquidity 
so that it can be confident of being able to settle transactions and continue operations even in the most difficult foreseeable 
circumstances.

The Group’s financial liabilities are expected to mature in the following periods:

As at 30 September 2010 (£’000):

Trade and other payables 
Financial liabilities 
Stock lending collateral 
Provisions 

As at 30 September 2009 (£’000):

Trade and other payables 
Financial liabilities 
Stock lending collateral 
Provisions 

Less than 
3 months 
215,326 
6,692 
5,069 
263 
227,350 

3 months to 
1 year 
645 
 – 
 – 
–  
645 

1 to 5 years  Over 5 years 
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  

 514 
–  
–  
349 
863 

Total
216,485
6,692
5,069
612
228,858

Less than 
3 months 
155,940 
5,192 
6,900 
580 
168,612 

3 months to 
1 year 
433 
–  
–  
–  
433 

1 to 5 years  Over 5 years 
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  

425 
–  
–  
546 
971 

Total
156,798
5,192
6,900
1,126
170,016

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
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29. Financial instruments and risk management (continued)

Capital Risk
The Group manages its capital resources on the basis of regulatory capital requirements under Pillar 1 and its own 
assessment of capital required to support all material risks throughout the business (Pillar 2). The Group manages its 
regulatory capital through an Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (known as the ICAAP) in accordance with 
guidelines and rules implemented by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Under this process the Group is satisfied that 
there is either sufficient capital to absorb potential losses or that there are mitigating controls in place which make the 
likelihood of the risk occurring remote. 

Both the minimum regulatory capital requirement and the Pillar 2 assessment are compared with total available regulatory 
capital on a daily basis and monitored by the Finance department. The excess capital resources, under both 
measurements, are reported to the Financial Risk Committee daily and to the Audit & Risk Committee and the Board at 
each time they meet. 

On 30 September 2010, the UK regulated entity had £78m (2009: £89m) of regulatory capital resources, which is 
comfortably in excess of both its regulatory capital requirement (Pillar 1) and the internally measured capital requirement 
(Pillar 2).

For Pillar 1 capital, the Group has adopted the standardised approach to credit risk and market risk and the basic indicator 
approach for operational risk. Compliance with FSA capital related regulatory requirements was maintained throughout  
the year.

Operational Risk
Operational risk is the risk of loss arising from short-comings or failures in internal processes, people or systems, or from 
external events. Operational risk can also be impacted by factors such as the loss of key staff, the quality of execution of 
client business, the maintenance of performance management controls, and a major infrastructural failure and/or terrorist 
event.

The Group takes steps to identify and avoid or mitigate operational risk wherever possible. Continuously evolving control 
standards are applied by suitably trained and supervised individuals and senior management is actively involved in 
identifying and analysing operational risks to find the most effective and efficient means to mitigate and manage them. 
Enhancements to staff training programmes and Internal Audits occur throughout the year.

Valuation techniques
The fair value of certain financial assets has been determined using valuation techniques as described in accounting policy 
note 1(w). The combined fair value of such financial assets as at 30 September 2010 was £5,505,000 (2009: £6,161,000) 
and the movement in fair value recognised in the income statement during the year amounted to a £1,206,000 loss (2009: 
£5,266,000 loss). 

There is no material difference between the book values and the fair values of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities. 

Holding company

The risk management processes for the Company are aligned with those of the Group as a whole and fully integrated into 
the risk management framework, processes and reporting outlined in ‘Risk Management’ within the Governance section 
on page 24 and in the Group section of this note starting on page 59. The Company’s specific risk exposures are explained 
below:

Equity risk
The Company is exposed to equity risk on its trading investments, derivative financial instruments and investments in 
subsidiaries. Trading investments comprise holdings in quoted and unquoted securities whereas derivative financial 
instruments comprise solely of warrants over unquoted securities.

In addition to risk measures reported on the Group’s equity-based holdings as a whole, a sensitivity analysis based on a 
10% increase/decrease in the underlying equity prices on the aggregate trading investments and derivative financial 
instruments held at the year end has been performed and indicates that the impact of such a movement would be to 
increase/decrease respectively profit in the income statement by £1,197,000 (2009: £2,116,000).

	
	
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Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Notes	to	the	Financial	Statements

29. Financial instruments and risk management (continued)

Currency risk
The Company has no material exposure to transactional or translational foreign currency risk as it rarely undertakes 
transactions in currencies other than Sterling and consequently rarely has financial assets or liabilities denominated in 
currencies other than Sterling.

Interest rate risk 
The Company has no material exposure to interest rate risk as it has limited interest bearing assets and liabilities. 

Credit risk
The Company has exposure to credit risk from its normal activities where there is a risk that a counterparty will be unable to 
pay in full amounts when due. The Company’s counterparties are primarily its subsidiaries or employees of the Group and 
therefore there is no external credit risk exposure.

Liquidity risk
The Company has no cash and cash equivalent balances. The management of the Group’s ability to meet its obligations as 
they fall due is set out in the Group section of this note on page 68. The Company manages its liquidity risk by utilising 
surplus liquidity within the Group through transactions which pass through intercompany accounts when it is required to 
meet current liabilities.

Fair value of financial instruments
There is no material difference between the book values and fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities

30. Post balance sheet events

a) Final dividend 
A final dividend of 4.00p per share (2009: 5.50p) was proposed by the directors at their meeting on 30 November 2010. 
These financial statements do not reflect this dividend payable.

31. Related party transactions

Group 

a) Intra-group trading 
Transactions or balances between Group entities have been eliminated on consolidation and, in accordance with IAS 24, 
are not disclosed in this note.

b) Key management compensation 
The compensation paid to key management is set out below. Key management has been determined as the executive 
management teams of the Group operating subsidiaries, who are also directors of those subsidiaries:

Salaries and short term employment benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Share based payments 

The above amounts include those paid to directors of the holding company.

2010 
£’000 

2,309 
53 
1,801 
4,163 

2009
£’000

3,044
219
1,499
4,762

 
 
  
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71

31. Related party transactions (continued)

c) Share scheme loans 
Under the terms of the Group’s share scheme arrangements, participants may be offered a loan in order to fund their 
purchased shares. The loans outstanding to key management as at 30 September 2010 amounted to £1,806,000 (2009: 
£1,740,000). Such loans are made at market rates and the amounts outstanding are secured by shares held within the 
Employee Benefit Trusts and will be settled in cash. No guarantees have been given or received and no expense for bad or 
doubtful debts has been recognised in the year in respect of amounts owed.

d) Dealings with Directors
During the year, Urless Farm, a company controlled by Mr and Mrs O Hemsley charged the Group £nil (2009: £27,000) in 
respect of services provided.

Holding company 

a) Transactions between related parties 
Details of transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties of the Company, are set out below:

Amounts owed to the Company from subsidiaries are disclosed in note 19 and amounts owed by the Company to 
subsidiaries are disclosed in note 22. All such balances are non-interest bearing.

b) Key management compensation 
The compensation paid to key management is set out below. 

Salaries and short term employment benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Share based payments 

2010 
£’000 

720 
14 
23 
757 

2009
£’000

1,482
17
(86)
1,413

Details of the remuneration of each director, including the highest paid director, can be found within the Remuneration 
report on page 25. The compensation in the above table has been paid and recognised by a subsidiary of the holding 
company.

	
	
 
 
  
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Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Notice	of	Annual	General	Meeting	2011			

Please see the explanatory notes attached to this notice.

NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Numis Corporation Plc (the “Company”) will be held at The 
London Stock Exchange Building, 10 Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7LT on Tuesday 1 February 2011, at 11.00 a.m. to 
consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions, of which resolutions 1 to 7 and resolution 10 will be proposed as 
ordinary resolutions and resolutions 8 and 9 will be proposed as special resolutions:

1.   To receive and adopt the Company’s annual accounts for the financial year ended 30 September 2010, together with 

the directors’ report and auditors’ report for such year.

2.   To declare a final dividend for the year ended 30 September 2010 of 4p per ordinary share payable on 18 February 

2011 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 10 December 2010.

3.   To reappoint as a director Mr Oliver Hemsley, who is retiring by rotation in accordance with the Company’s Articles of 

Association and, being eligible, offers himself for election.

4.   To reappoint as a director Mr Tom Bartlam, who is retiring by rotation in accordance with the Company’s Articles of 

Association and, being eligible, offers himself for election.

5.   To reappoint as a director Mr Simon Denyer, who was appointed to the Board of the Company since the last Annual 

General Meeting and, being eligible, offers himself for election.

6.   To reappoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors, to hold office from the conclusion of this meeting until the 

conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company at which accounts are laid and to authorise the 
directors to fix their remuneration.

Ordinary resolution – authority to allot relevant securities

7. 

 That:

(i) 

a)  

b)  

The directors be generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 
(“the Act”) to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot shares in the Company and to grant rights to 
subscribe for, or to convert any security into, shares in the Company (“Relevant Securities”), up to a maximum 
aggregate nominal amount equal to £1,862,624.50 (equivalent to 37,252,490 shares), provided that:

this authority shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or (if earlier) 
unless previously revoked, varied or renewed by the Company in a general meeting;

the Company shall be entitled to make, prior to the expiry of such authority, any offer or agreement which would 
or might require Relevant Securities to be allotted after the expiry of this authority and the directors may allot 
Relevant Securities pursuant to such offer or agreement as if this authority had not expired; and

c)   all prior authorities to allot Relevant Securities be revoked but without prejudice to any allotment of Relevant 

Securities already made thereunder.

Special resolution – disapplication of statutory pre-emption rights

8.   That, subject to and conditional upon the passing of resolution 7 set out in the notice of this meeting, the directors be 
generally empowered pursuant to sections 570 and 573 of the Act to allot equity securities (as defined in section 560 
of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authority conferred by the said resolution 7, as if section 561(1) of the Act did not 
apply to any such allotment, provided that this power shall be limited to:

a)  

the allotment of equity securities in connection with an issue by way of rights (including, without limitation, under 
a rights issue, open offer or similar arrangement) in favour of ordinary shareholders on the register on a date 
fixed by the directors in proportion (as nearly as may be practicable) to the respective numbers of ordinary 
shares held by them on that date, but subject to such exclusions and/or other arrangements as the directors 
may deem necessary or expedient to deal with fractional entitlements or any legal, regulatory or practical 
difficulties under the laws of any territory, or the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange, or as 
regards shares in uncertificated form; and

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73

b)  

the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph a) above) of equity securities having an aggregate 
nominal amount not exceeding £279,673.35 (equivalent to 5,593,467 shares),

and this power shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or (if earlier), unless 
previously revoked, varied or renewed, save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement 
which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the directors may allot equity 
securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired.

Special resolution – authority to purchase Company’s own shares

9.   That the Company be generally authorised pursuant to section 701 of the Act to make market purchases (within the 
meaning of section 693(4) of the Act) of ordinary shares of 5p each in the capital of the Company on such terms and 
in such manner as the directors shall determine, provided that:

a)  

the maximum number of ordinary shares hereby authorised to be purchased is limited to an aggregate of 
11,186,934 shares (equivalent to £559,346.70);

b)  

the minimum price, exclusive of any expenses, which may be paid for each ordinary share is 5p;

c)  

the maximum price, exclusive of any expenses, which may be paid for each ordinary share is an amount equal 
to 105 per cent. of the average of the middle market quotations for an ordinary share of the Company as derived 
from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the five business days immediately preceding the date on 
which such share is contracted to be purchased;

d)  

this authority shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or (if earlier), 
unless previously revoked, varied or renewed; and

e)  

the Company may make a contract to purchase ordinary shares under this authority prior to the expiry of this 
authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of such authority, and may make a 
purchase of ordinary shares pursuant to any such contract as if such authority had not expired.

Ordinary resolution – authority to amend and implement revised rules of the employee share incentive plans of the 
Company - the Numis Corporation Plc Long Term Incentive Plan, the Numis Corporation Plc Restricted Stock Unit Plan  
and the Numis Corporation Plc (Revised) Long Term Incentive Plan (2008) (the “Relevant Schemes”)

10.   That the directors be generally and unconditionally authorised to amend those provisions in each of the Relevant 
Schemes which limit the aggregate number of shares which can be made subject to awards under the Relevant 
Schemes when aggregated with awards made under any other share incentive schemes which have been approved 
by the Company in general meeting to 20% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company in any ten year period 
(the “dilution limits”), so as to exclude from the dilution limits (to the extent not already excluded):

a)   any awards which are satisfied using shares bought in the market by the Company’s Employee Benefit Trust or 

by any other third party;

b)   any awards which have lapsed, been cancelled, surrendered or renounced or otherwise become incapable of 

being exercised or vesting; and

c)   any option or other right which has been or is to be satisfied by treasury shares unless then current guidelines 

issued by the Association of British Insurers require such shares to be taken into account.

By order of the Board

Simon Denyer
Group Finance Director & Company Secretary
17 December 2010

Registered Office
10 Paternoster Square 
London EC4M 7LT

	
	
	
 
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Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Notice	of	Annual	General	Meeting	2011			

Notes:

Right to appoint a proxy
Members of the Company are entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of their rights to attend and to speak and 
vote at a meeting of the Company. A proxy does not need to be a member of the Company. A member may appoint more 
than one proxy in relation to a meeting provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different 
share or shares held by that member.

A proxy form which may be used to make such appointment and give proxy directions accompanies this notice. If you do 
not receive a proxy form and believe that you should have one, or if you require additional proxy forms in order to appoint 
more than one proxy, please contact the Company’s registrar, Computershare Investor Services PLC, on 0870 707 1203.

Procedure for appointing a proxy
To be valid, the proxy form must be received by post or (during normal business hours only) by hand at the office of the 
Company’s registrar, Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY, no later 
than 30 January 2011 at 11.00 a.m. (or, in the case of any adjournment, not later than 48 hours before the time fixed for the 
adjourned meeting). It should be accompanied by the power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed or 
a notarially certified copy of such power or authority.

The return of a completed proxy form will not preclude a member from attending the Annual General Meeting and voting in 
person if he or she wishes to do so.

Record date
To be entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting (and for the purpose of the determination by the Company 
of the votes they may cast), members must be registered in the register of members of the Company as at 11.00 a.m. on  
30 January 2011 or, in the event of any adjournment, 48 hours before the time of the adjourned meeting). Changes to the 
register of members after the relevant deadline will be disregarded in determining the right of any person to attend and vote 
at the meeting.

Corporate representatives
Any corporation which is a member can appoint one or more corporate representatives who may exercise on its behalf all 
of its powers as a member provided that they do not do so in relation to the same shares.

Communications
Members who have general enquiries about the meeting should use the following means of communication. No other 
means of communication will be accepted. You may:

call our members’ helpline on 0870 707 1203 or

write to Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS99 6ZZ.

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010	

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75

Explanatory	Notes	to	the
Notice	of	Annual	General	Meeting	2011			

In the following notes, references to the “current” issued share capital of the Company are to the 111,869,340 issued 
ordinary shares of 5p each in the capital of the Company in issue as at the close of business on 3 January 2011 (being the 
latest practicable date before the publication of this document).

Resolution 1 – Report and accounts
The directors are required to present the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2010 to the meeting.

Resolution 2 – Declaration of final dividend
A final dividend can only be paid if it is recommended by the directors and approved by the shareholders at a general 
meeting. The directors propose that a final dividend of 4p per ordinary share be paid on 18 February 2011 to ordinary 
shareholders who are on the register at the close of business on 10 December 2010. Shareholders are being offered the 
option to receive new ordinary shares as an alternative to cash in respect of this dividend.

Resolutions 3, 4 and 5 – Reappointment of directors
The Articles of Association of the Company require the nearest number to one third of the directors to retire at each Annual 
General Meeting. In addition, any director who has been appointed since the last Annual General Meeting must retire and 
may offer him or herself for re-election and such directors are not counted in calculating the number of directors to retire by 
rotation.

Resolution 6 – Reappointment of auditors
The Company is required to appoint auditors at each Annual General Meeting to hold office until the next such meeting at 
which accounts are presented. The resolution proposes the reappointment of the Company’s existing auditors, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and authorises the directors to agree their remuneration.

Resolution 7 – Authority to allot relevant securities
The Company requires the flexibility to allot shares from time to time and with effect from 1 October 2009, the Companies 
Act 2006 (the “Act”) abolished the requirement for a company to have an authorised share capital. The directors will still be 
limited as to the number of shares they can at any time allot because allotment authority continues to be required under the 
Companies Act 2006, save in respect of employee share schemes.

The directors’ existing authority to allot “relevant securities” (including ordinary shares and/or rights to subscribe for or 
convert into ordinary shares), which was granted (pursuant to section 80 of the Companies Act 1985) at the Annual General 
Meeting held on 2 February 2010, will expire at the end of this year’s Annual General Meeting. Accordingly, paragraph (i)  
of resolution 7 would renew and increase this authority (until the next Annual General Meeting or unless such authority is 
revoked or renewed prior to such time) by authorising the directors (pursuant to section 551 of the Act) to allot relevant 
securities up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to approximately one third of the current issued share capital of the 
Company. Save in respect of the issue of new ordinary shares pursuant to the Company’s share incentive schemes or as a 
result of scrip dividends, the directors currently have no plans to allot relevant securities, but the directors believe it to be in 
the interests of the Company for the Board to be granted this authority, to enable the Board to take advantage of 
appropriate opportunities which may arise in the future.

Resolution 8 – Disapplication of statutory pre-emption rights
This resolution seeks to disapply the pre-emption rights provisions of section 561 of the Act in respect of the allotment of 
equity securities for cash pursuant to rights issues and other pre-emptive issues, and in respect of other issues of equity 
securities for cash up to an aggregate nominal value of £279,673.35 (5,593,467 shares), being an amount equal to 
approximately 5 per cent. of the current issued share capital of the Company. If given, this power will expire at the same 
time as the authority referred to in resolution 7. The directors consider this power desirable due to the flexibility afforded by 
it. Save in respect of the issue of new ordinary shares pursuant to the Company’s share incentive schemes, the directors 
have no present intention of issuing any equity securities for cash pursuant to this disapplication.

Resolution 9 – Authority to purchase Company’s own shares
The Articles of Association of the Company provide that the Company may from time to time purchase its own shares 
subject to statutory requirements. Such purchases must be authorised by the shareholders at a general meeting. This 
resolution seeks to grant the directors authority (until the next Annual General Meeting or (if earlier), unless such authority  
is revoked or renewed prior to such time) to make market purchases of the Company’s own ordinary shares, up to a 
maximum of 11,186,934 shares, being an amount equal to approximately 10 per cent. of the current issued share capital of 
the Company. The maximum price payable would be an amount equal to 105 per cent. of the average of the middle market 
quotations for an ordinary share of the Company for the five business days immediately preceding the date of purchase 
and the minimum price would be the nominal value of 5p per share. Although the directors have no current intention to

	
	
	
76	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Explanatory	Notes	to	the
Notice	of	Annual	General	Meeting	2011			

make such purchases, they consider that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to keep the ability 
to make market purchases of the Company’s own shares in appropriate circumstances, without the cost and delay of a 
general meeting. The authority would only be exercised if the directors believe the purchase would enhance earnings per 
share and be in the best interests of shareholders generally. The Company may hold in treasury any of its own shares that  
it purchases in accordance with the authority conferred by this resolution. This would give the Company the ability to re-issue 
treasury shares quickly and cost-effectively and would provide the Company with greater flexibility in the management of  
its capital base.

Resolution 10 - Authority to amend and implement revised rules of the employee share incentive plans of the Company - 
the Numis Corporation Plc Long Term Incentive Plan, the Numis Corporation Plc Restricted Stock Unit Plan and the Numis 
Corporation Plc (Revised) Long Term Incentive Plan 2008 (the “Relevant Schemes”)
The Rules of the Relevant Schemes currently provide that awards under each of the Relevant Schemes, together with 
awards made under any other share incentive schemes which have been approved by the Company in general meeting, 
may not be granted over an aggregate of more than 20 per cent of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital within any 
ten year period.

Unusually, this limit does not distinguish between awards which are to be satisfied by new issue shares and awards which 
are to be satisfied by shares which have been purchased in the market by the Company’s Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”).  
Only issues of new shares dilute existing shareholders’ shareholdings – market purchases by the EBT do not (as they do 
not affect the overall number of shares). The directors consider that it is in the Company’s best interests to amend the rules 
of the Relevant Schemes so that the 20 per cent limit only restricts the use of new issue shares in satisfaction of awards, 
and does not restrict the use of shares bought in the market by the EBT. If the limit remains as drafted, the directors believe 
that it will have a negative effect on the Company’s ability to operate the Relevant Schemes in a manner the directors 
consider effective to recruit and retain employees.

Documents available for inspection
There will be available for inspection at the registered office of the Company during normal business hours on any weekday 
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays), and for at least 15 minutes prior to and during the Annual General 
Meeting, copies of:

(1) 

the service contract of each executive director and the letter of appointment of each non-executive director; 

(2) 

the Articles of Association of the Company; and

(3) 

revised rules of the: 
Numis Corporation Plc Long Term Incentive Plan;
Numis Corporation Plc Restricted Stock Unit Plan; and the
Numis Corporation Plc (Revised) Long Term Incentive Plan 2008

 
 
 
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77
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Left	blank	for	your	notes

	
	
	
78	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Five	Year	Summary

Revenue and Adjusted PBT

Adjusted EPS Performance

Dividend Performance

Revenue £m

APBT £m

Pence per share

Pence per share

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

30

25

20

15

10

5

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

06

07

08

09

10

06

07

08

09

10

06

07

08

09

10

 Revenue

  Adjusted PBT

 Adjusted EPS

 Dividend per share

-31.2% -28.1% 12.5%

Annual compound fall in adjusted 
profit before tax over 5 years 
reflecting the decline in primary 
revenues as equity fund raising 
activity across the market have 
curtailed due to economic 
uncertainties. 

Annual compound fall in adjusted 
EPS over 5 years reflecting the 
challenging markets but also an 
improved performance in 2010. 

Annual compound growth in total 
dividend per share over 5 years 
reflecting our progressive dividend 
policy and strong balance sheet 
which has enabled us to maintain our 
dividend after 10 consecutive years 
of growth. 

 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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79
79
79

Cost Ratio and Revenue per Head

Non Deal Related Revenue

Revenue per head 
£’000

Cost/Revenue
 %

Non deal related 
revenue £m

Corporate Client Base and Average 
Market Cap

No. of corporate 
clients

Average market 
cap £m

600

500

400

300

200

100

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

140

120

100

80

40

20

300

250

200

150

100

50

06

07

08

09

10

06

07

08

09

10

06

07

08

09

10

 Revenue per head
  Cost / Revenue %

 Non deal related revenue

 Corporate client base

  Average market cap

-13.8% 10.5% 15.9%

Annual compound decline in revenue 
per head over 5 years reflecting 
challenging market conditions but 
our willingness to invest in high 
calibre staff. 

Annual compound growth in non 
deal revenue over 5 years reflecting 
the resilient performance of 
institutional commission, increased 
market share and growth in 
corporate clients. 

Annual compound growth in average 
market capitalisation of our corporate 
client base over 5 years reflecting the 
growing quality of our client base and 
our success in winning FTSE 250 
brokerships which now total 26. 

	
	
	
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
80	

Numis	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	2010

Information	for	Shareholders

Financial Calendar
December  

Year end results announced

January  

Annual report issued

February  

Final dividend paid

May  

July  

Half year results announced and half year report issued

Interim dividend paid

Company Registration Number and Country of Incorporation
2375296, England & Wales

Registered Office
10 Paternoster Square
London
EC4M 7LT

Nominated Broker
Numis Securities Ltd
10 Paternoster Square
London
EC4M 7LT

Nominated Adviser
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1 Embankment Place
London
WC2N 6RH

Registrar
Computershare Investor Services plc
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol
BS13 8AE

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Hay’s Galleria
1 Hays Lane
London
SE1 2RD

Bankers
Barclays Bank plc
Level 28, 1 Churchill Place
London
E14 5HP

Numis Corporation Plc 
10 Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7LT
mail@numiscorp.com www.numiscorp.com

A leading independent, investment banking 
A leading independent, investment banking 
and stockbroking group. Offering a full range 
and stockbroking group. Offering a full range 
of research, execution, corporate broking and 
of research, execution, corporate broking and 
corporate finance services to companies 
corporate finance services to companies 
quoted in the UK and their investors.
quoted in the UK and their investors.

Overview
Financial Highlights  
Our Business 

Overview
Financial Highlights  
Our Business 

Chairman’s Statement 

Chairman’s Statement 

 Chief Executive’s Statement 

 Chief Executive’s Statement 

 Strategy 

 Strategy 

Business Review

Business Review

Research 

Research 

 Execution 

 Execution 

Governance
Governance
 Board & Committees 
 Board & Committees 
Board of Directors 
Board of Directors 

01
02

01
02

05

05

Risk Management 

Risk Management 

07

07

Remuneration 

Remuneration 

09

09

Directors’ Responsibilities 

Directors’ Responsibilities 

Directors’ Report 

Directors’ Report 

 Independent Auditors’ Report 

 Independent Auditors’ Report 

10

10

12

12

Financial Statements

Financial Statements

Corporate Broking and Investor Relations 

Corporate Broking and Investor Relations 

14

14

Consolidated Income Statement 

Consolidated Income Statement 

22
23

22
23

24

24

25

25

27

27

28

28

30

30

32

32

Corporate Finance 

Corporate Finance 

 Case Studies 

 Case Studies 

 Financial Review 

 Financial Review 

16

16

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income  33

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income  33

18

18

Consolidated Balance Sheet  

Consolidated Balance Sheet  

20

20

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Holding Company Balance Sheet  

Holding Company Balance Sheet  

34

34

35

35

36

36

37

37

Holding Company Statement of Changes in Equity 

Holding Company Statement of Changes in Equity 

38

38

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Notice of AGM 

Notice of AGM 

39

39

72

72

Designed and produced by www.bestandco.com

Designed and produced by www.bestandco.com

Numis Corporation Plc
Numis Corporation Plc
Numis Corporation Plc
The London Stock Exchange Building
The London Stock Exchange Building
The London Stock Exchange Building
10 Paternoster Square  
10 Paternoster Square  
10 Paternoster Square  
London EC4M 7LT
London EC4M 7LT
London EC4M 7LT

+44 (0)20 7260 1000
+44 (0)20 7260 1000
+44 (0)20 7260 1000
mail@numiscorp.com
mail@numiscorp.com
mail@numiscorp.com

www.numiscorp.com
www.numiscorp.com
www.numiscorp.com

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2010
2010
2010
Annual Report & Accounts
Annual Report & Accounts
Annual Report & Accounts