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OCI

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FY2018 Annual Report · OCI
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ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2018

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Oakley Capital Investments Limited (“OCI” 
or the “Company”) provides its shareholders 
Oakley Capital Investments 
with access to a portfolio of high quality 
Limited (“OCI” or the 
private equity assets through its investments 
“Company”) provides its 
in the Oakley Funds and co-investments
shareholders with access to  
a portfolio of high quality  
private equity assets through 
its investments in the Oakley 
Funds and co-investments.

 Oakley Funds’ realisations  
and distributions

63   Alternative Investment Fund  

Independent Auditor’s report

33  OCI investment activity

Contents

Financial Statements 

Managers’ Directive

 Portfolio reviews

04  Chair’s statement

02   At a glance

01   Highlights

Overview 

66 

38 

35 

39 

Strategic report by the  
Investor Advisor

08 

 Market overview and outlook

09 

10 

 Introduction to the 
 Investment Adviser

 Investment Adviser’s  
approach

12 

Investment sectors

30 

 Environmental, Social  
and Governance

32  OCI NAV overview

33 

 Outstanding commitments  
of OCI

 Portfolio review:  
Co-investment activity

70 

 Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income

40  OCI risk management framework

Governance 

44  Board of Directors

46  Corporate Governance report

54  Audit Committee report

56 

  Risk Committee report

58  Directors’ report

71  Consolidated balance sheet

72 

73 

74 

 Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

 Consolidated statement  
of cash flows

 Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

101  Directors and advisers 

61  Directors’ remuneration report

102  Glossary

62   Statement of Directors’  

responsibilities 

 
 
 
 
Overview

01

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

The Company’s net asset value increased  
in the year by £72.8 million to £574.8 million

£574.8m

£356.4m

£2.81

£1.74

4.5 pence

OCI overview

Net asset value

Market capitalisation

Net asset value per share

Share price

Full year dividend

2018 OCI highlights

•  16% NAV total return year-on-year  

•  £130.8m capital deployed 

•  £165.8m proceeds received

•  Commitment of €400.0m to Oakley Fund IV

•  Full year dividend of 4.5 pence  

•  Continued focus on Board governance  

2018 Oakley Funds’ highlights

•  Portfolio valuation growth of +33%*

•  Realisations at a 36% premium to book value

•  €244.1m total invested capital across the Funds

•  €477.6m distributed to Limited Partners in 2018

•  Combined gross money multiple of 4.0x on 2018 realisations 

•  39% average EBITDA growth across the portfolio 

*  Calculated on a like-for-like basis

NO. OF INVESTMENTS

Investment Sectors

Consumer

See portfolio companies on page 12

TMT

See portfolio companies on page 20

Education

See portfolio companies on page 26

4

3

4

02

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

At a glance

Providing investors with long-term capital appreciation

£574.8m NAV breakdown

1. Oakley Fund investments

51.9%
of total NAV

£298.6m

2. Co-investments

EQUITY
11.2%
of total NAV

DEBT
18.6%
of total NAV

£64.1m

£107.1m

Assets in the underlying Oakley Funds

Consists of the direct equity holdings in                      
Time Out Group plc and Inspired 

Debt investments relate to the unquoted debt securities 
issued by OCI to portfolio companies and to the Oakley 
Funds (Time Out, North Sails, Daisy) 

3. Cash, other assets and liabilities

18.3%
of total NAV

£105.0m

Cash and cash equivalents of £107.9m offset by 
liabilities of £2.9m

10 year track record of outperforming market indices

OCI long-term performance vs indices

200

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

View our performance in detail on page 32

OCI share price

AIM all-share

AIM 100

All-share

Overview

03

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Oakley’s sector expertise  
Oakley Capital Limited (Investment Adviser to OCI and the Oakley Funds) has developed expertise in the following 
three core sectors in which OCI and the Oakley Funds have invested:

Consumer

TMT

Education

Oakley’s focus within this 
sector is in Digital Consumer, 
marketing-led, online businesses 
with leading positions in their 
respective markets.

Originally investing in hosting 
and telecoms space, Oakley’s 
experience and insightful network 
has helped to target businesses 
that are key to supporting 
advancements in associated 
technologies.

A sector with attractive 
fundamentals, Education has 
become a significant sector for 
Oakley, with investment across 
the space, including premium 
private school, higher education 
and after-school tutoring.

VALUE OF ASSETS*

OF TOTAL NAV

£214.8m
37%

VALUE OF ASSETS*

OF TOTAL NAV

£115.0m
20%

VALUE OF ASSETS*

OF TOTAL NAV

£173.3m
30%

See consumer market overview on page 12

See TMT market overview on page 20

See education market overview on page 26

Portfolio
The Company invests in a number of portfolio companies, indirectly through the Oakley Funds, or directly through its 
co-investments. The composition of OCI’s look-through and direct investments in the underlying portfolio companies is 
represented below, (including both debt and equity investments).

Consumer

TMT

Education

 North Sails

 Time Out

£80.0m

 WebPros

£71.5m

 Inspired

£72.9m

£63.6m

 Daisy

£30.1m

 Career Partner Group

£45.6m

 Casa & atHome

£41.8m

 TechInsights

£13.4m

 Schülerhilfe

 Facile

£29.4m

 AMOS

£39.7m

£15.1m

TOTAL INVESTMENTS £469.8m **

* 

 Sector values are calculated on a look-through basis for each individual portfolio company as described on page 34. These values are gross of OCI’s 
proportionate stake of the Oakley Funds’ liabilities and debt assets. 

**   Total investments is net of OCI’s proportionate liabilities held by the Oakley Funds of £64.1m, and includes £30.6m of debt assets. 

04

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Chair’s statement 

Impressive portfolio company growth and successful 
realisations resulted in another excellent year for returns. Oakley 
continues to demonstrate its unique sourcing model, identifying 
and completing exciting new opportunities for investments.

In my first statement to you as Chair I am pleased to report 
another successful 12 months for the Company (“OCI”).  
A total NAV return of 16.3% was driven by very strong 
profit growth across the Oakley Funds’ portfolio 
companies and realisations at significant premiums  
to their holding value.

Realisations and portfolio company refinancings in the 
Oakley Funds returned total capital of £130.5 million.     
The Investment Adviser also continues to source exciting 
new opportunities in high-growth sectors in Western 
Europe. A total of £58.8 million was deployed into the 
Oakley Funds as a result of two new acquisitions and 
follow-on investments. Today, OCI provides access to 
a high-quality portfolio of 11 private companies across 
Oakley’s established areas of expertise - consumer, 
education and TMT.

We continue to focus on the best interests of shareholders 
and in doing so are taking actions which we hope will 
narrow the discount between the OCI share price and 
the NAV per share. Steps have been taken to improve 
governance with the beginning of a refresh of the Board and 
a strengthening of its committees, improve communications 
with a refresh of this report and our website and improve our 
investor relations (“IR”) programme with greater investor 
and analyst   engagement. The year ahead will provide 
further opportunities for new initiatives aimed at enhancing 
and protecting shareholder value.

Performance
The OCI NAV per share grew from £2.45 to £2.81 in the 
last 12 months. The key contributors to this were:

• 

• 

Fund Revaluations (+29 pence) - There have been 
continued positive revaluations in the underlying 
portfolio, most notably to Inspired, WebPros and 
Career Partner Group. These uplifts have been driven 
by strong trading performance with portfolio company 
EBITDA growth of 39% on average.

Realisations (+14 pence) - OCI benefited from the sale 
of Parship Elite Group, Verivox, Facile and Damovo, 
which generated a combined gross money multiple of 
4.0x and returned £114.8 million to the Company. The 

reason for the NAV increase was the combined 36% 
premium to book value achieved upon realisations, 
demonstrating the level of demand for these quality 
businesses and the consistently conservative 
approach to the OCI NAV.

•  Co-investment revaluations (-1 pence) - The Company 
holds two direct equity investments in underlying 
portfolio companies; Inspired and Time Out. Inspired 
(+8 pence) has undergone another transformative 
year and now comprises 42 schools, educating over 
31,000 students. Consistent growth coupled with 
strong revenue visibility makes this a highly attractive 
investment. Time Out Group’s (-9 pence) publicly-
listed shares fell 46% despite the operational progress 
made in the period. This reflects overall stock market 
weakness, low Time Out share liquidity and delays to 
delivery of some strategic objectives. 2019 is, however, 
a potential inflection point for the group with the global 
roll-out of the Time Out Market concept.

• 

In addition, dividends paid within the year amounted 
to 4.5 pence per share and fees paid equated            
to 2 pence per share.

Commitments and cash
OCI has £152 million of outstanding commitments 
to Oakley Funds I, II and III. As a result of 24 months 
of successful investment, Oakley Fund III is now 
approximately 70% deployed. In January 2019, OCI   
announced a €400 million commitment to Oakley Capital 
Fund IV. The Board is focused on maximising shareholder 
exposure to the out performance of the Oakley Funds   
and the size of this commitment reflects that.  

At year-end, OCI held net cash and cash equivalents        
of £105 million and short-term debt investments of  
£107 million. We foresee a consistent level of capital 
returning to the Company as a result of continued 
Fund activity. 2019 will provide further opportunity for 
realisations and refinancings. Following extensive analysis 
of the Funds’ cycles and expected cash returns, the 
Board is satisfied that the Company has the right balance 
between Fund commitments and cash.

Overview

05

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

share buybacks and also reiterates its commitment to not 
issuing shares at a discount to the NAV per share. 

Dividend
In October, an interim dividend of 2.25 pence per share 
was paid for the period ended 30 June 2018, and I am 
now pleased to announce a final dividend for 2018 of            
2.25 pence per share.

Prospects
Against a backdrop of uncertainty over the prospects 
for the world economy in the coming year, the Company 
has a balanced and resilient portfolio which will provide 
an element of protection against any softening in the 
underlying economic outlook. Investment opportunities 
have been targeted with the potential for structural growth 
and are not reliant on cyclical economic strength. By 
way of an example, OCI’s 30% exposure to education 
offers highly attractive and defensive fundamentals. 
The underlying portfolio continues to perform well, as 
demonstrated by the profit growth.  Leverage across the 
portfolio is also relatively conservative, with average net 
debt to EBITDA standing at 3.8x. As a result, the Board is 
confident of delivering further growth to shareholders over 
the coming year.

Additionally, despite a continuation of high valuations 
during 2018, Oakley has demonstrated, with two 
acquisitions and follow-ons, its continued ability to 
source high-quality and attractively-priced investment 
opportunities outside of competitive auction processes. 
Through its investments in the Oakley Funds, OCI is 
therefore able to offer shareholders access to private 
companies. which can often yield higher returns than the 
public markets.

Caroline Foulger

Chair

Governance and shareholder value
Having originally joined the Board as an Independent 
Director in June 2016, I replaced Christopher Wetherhill  
as Chair following his retirement in September after          
11 years of service. I would like to take the opportunity 
to thank Christopher, on behalf of the entire Board, for 
his contribution over those years.  As OCI continues its 
growth journey and its successful strategy of partnering 
with Oakley, I was pleased to welcome Stewart Porter as 
Director to the Board in September 2018. We anticipate 
further changes to the Board membership as we continue 
to evolve and keep pace with the demands and growth  
of OCI. 

I look forward to leading OCI in this period and ensuring 
that the Company’s governance and risk management 
structures provide a strong foundation for its growth. The 
Company’s Risk committee and Audit committee have 
continued their important roles this year in an environment 
of increasing regulation and accounting change. 
Additionally, at the start of the year, the Management 
Engagement committee was established to provide the 
Board with greater oversight over the Company’s suppliers 
and service providers. This represents a continuation of 
our drive to enhance internal governance structures.

As stated in last year’s report, the Board remains 
committed to shareholder value and is focused on 
initiatives aimed at closing the gap between the share 
price and the NAV per share. As a result, a variety of 
measures have been undertaken to increase and improve 
investor communication. We continue to upgrade the 
content of the Annual Report, providing increased 
disclosure and a clearer reflection of the investment 
opportunity we offer. In line with these efforts, our website 
and investor materials have been relaunched alongside the 
publication of this report. Our IR programme has increased 
and broadened our investor and analyst engagement. 
I am pleased to report that, as a result, share liquidity 
has further improved, with volumes increasing by an 
additional 36% year-on-year. There has been an increased 
alignment of interest, with Board members now holding 
over 5% of the Company’s shares, up from 1% last year. 
The Board considers this to be an appropriate alignment 
whilst maintaining the requisite degree of independence. 
The year ahead will provide further opportunities for new 
initiatives aimed at improving and protecting shareholder 
value. The Board continues to focus on the enhancement 
of its capital management by reviewing the options for 

0 6

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Strategic  
report by  
the Investment  
Adviser

Overview

07

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Market overview and outlook 

Introduction to the Investment Adviser 

Investment Adviser’s approach 

Investment sectors 

Environmental, Social and Governance 

OCI NAV overview 

Outstanding commitments of OCI 

OCI investment activity 

 Portfolio reviews: Oakley Fund I investment activity 

Portfolio reviews: Oakley Fund II investment activity 

 Portfolio reviews: Oakley Fund III investment activity 

 Oakley Funds’ realisations and distributions 

Portfolio Review: Co-investment activity 

OCI risk management framework 

08

09

10

12

30

32

33

33

35

36

37

38

39

40

08

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Market overview and outlook

Private equity fundraising and activity remains at highs, as the 
asset class continues to outperform

Record fundraising and buy-out activity
2018 was a record year for private equity fundraising, 
as investors sought to gain exposure to absolute and 
risk-adjusted returns that have outperformed other asset 
classes. Total commitments rose 7.8% versus 2017, with 
total undeployed commitments reaching $2 trillion (source: 
Preqin). High levels of dry powder supported a 15% 
year-on-year rise in the value of private equity buyouts 
in continental Europe, reaching €79.3 billion across 523 
deals in 2018, the highest annual figure since 2007 (source: 
CMBOR). Despite this investment activity, Oakley’s target 
geographies have relatively low private equity market 
penetration. According to figures from Invest Europe, 
European PE investment as a percentage of GDP was 
0.3% compared to the US total at 1.75% (source: EMPEA). 
Some of the core Oakley target markets were lower still, 
with Germany at 0.26%, and Italy at 0.19%.

Managing the risk of overpayment 
A combination of high levels of buy-out capital, record 
stock-market valuations and increased competition from 
strategic buyers, have seen transaction EBITDA multiples 
remain at elevated levels of over 11x (source: Preqin). There 
are growing concerns that high valuations are making it 
increasingly difficult to buy quality assets at reasonable 
valuations and this could, in turn, affect future returns. 
The Investment Adviser, however, remains disciplined 
in its approach to investing. Its strategy of pursuing 
entrepreneur-led, non-competitive, proprietary deals has 
been advantageous to OCI - over 70% of all Oakley’s 
investments have been uncontested deals. Oakley is 
not reliant on the intermediated market, but rather its 
strong founder/manager relationships, wide network and 
reputation for sector expertise, all of which help to drive 
off-market deal flow. As such, Oakley has been able to 
make acquisitions below prevailing rates, with an average 
entry EV/EBITDA multiple of 8.3x versus comparable peer 
group averages in double digits.

The rising tide of debt capital
Average debt multiples have entered territory not seen 
since the peak of the last cycle, standing at c6x EBITDA. 
This is the result of readily available and relatively 
covenant-lite debt aiding deal makers (source: Bain & 
Company). There is nervousness that the high leveraging 
of businesses is driving PE returns and may not be 
sustainable, especially if credit markets tighten. Oakley’s 
approach to debt is relatively conservative, with the 
underlying portfolio being levered an average 3.8x at the 
year end. Oakley’s propensity to target asset-light, highly 
cash-generative businesses provides confidence in the 
suitability of these debt levels. In turn, OCI itself remains 
prudent in its approach, with no external debt on its 
balance sheet.

Softening economic momentum and high 
uncertainty 
Whilst Europe and the global economy are expected 
to grow at 1.3% and 3.5% respectively in 2019 (source: 
IMF), these forecasts have been revised downwards 
(from 1.9% and 3.7%) in the light of weakening financial 
market sentiment, trade policy uncertainty, and concerns 
about China’s outlook. Risks to global growth are to the 
downside, with a range of triggers beyond escalating trade 
tensions that could spark economic decline, especially 
given the high levels of public and private debt. These 
potential triggers include a “no-deal” withdrawal of the 
United Kingdom from the European Union and a greater-
than-envisaged slowdown in China.

Against this backdrop, Oakley believes that the Funds’ 
portfolio companies enjoy robust, resilient business 
models. They are businesses that hold dominant market 
positions in attractive niches, which enjoy structural 
growth drivers and limited downside risk. Oakley has 
invested across Western Europe and beyond. As a result, 
its experience of a wide range of geographies and sectors 
provides it with the flexibility to take advantage of the 
opportunities that an uncertain future may present.

Overview

09

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Introduction to the Investment Adviser

OCI’s structure gives access to a unique  
network and exposure to high-performance 

The Company
Oakley Capital 
Investments Limited

The Administrative Agent
Oakley Capital 
Manager Limited

The Investment Adviser
Oakley Capital 
Limited

About OCI
OCI is a closed-ended 
investment company with the 
principal objective of achieving 
capital appreciation through 
investments via the Oakley 
Funds in a diversified portfolio of 
private mid-market businesses, 
primarily in Europe. OCI offers 
investors a liquid investment 
vehicle, through which they 
can obtain exposure to the 
underlying Oakley Funds with 
minimal administrative burden, 
no long-term lock-up and no 
minimum investment size. The 
OCI Board takes the ultimate 
decision to invest (or to take 
any other action) in an Oakley 
Fund or in a co-investment. In 
the ordinary course it makes 
decisions after reviewing the 
recommendations provided by 
the Investment Adviser.

What OCI does 

Sets business objectives

Governance, portfolio 
management and risk 
management

Appoints and oversees its  
service providers

About OCML
Oakley Capital Manager Limited 
(the “Administrative Agent”) 
provides operational assistance 
and services to the Board with 
respect to OCI’s investments  
and its general administration. 
The Administrative Agent is 
managed by experienced 
third-party administrative and 
operational executives. 

About OCL 

Oakley Capital Limited 
(“Oakley”) serves as investment 
adviser to the Administrative 
Agent with respect to OCI. 
Oakley is responsible for making 
investment recommendations and 
for structuring and negotiating 
deals for the Oakley Funds and 
OCI co-investments. 

Oakley is authorised and 
regulated by the Financial 
Conduct Authority. 

What OCML does 
Carries out the day-to-day and 
administrative operations of OCI

What OCL does 
Identifies due diligence of 
investment opportunities

Provides operational assistance 
with respect to OCI’s investments

Recommends potential 
investments and realisations  
for consideration

Structures and negotiates deals 
for the Oakley Funds

10

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Investment Adviser’s approach

Preferred partner for top entrepreneurs

Key resources

How we invest

Leveraging our unique  
business network

Sourcing proprietary deals through our 
industry relationships and experience

Team
Experienced leadership team of investment 
professionals, entrepreneurs and skilled operators

Network
Oakley has built a close partnership with 
entrepreneurial founders and managers to become 
their long-term partner and to source off-market 
deals with them

Strong management partnerships
Oakley’s entrepreneurial heritage allows it to partner 
with strong management teams and become their 
preferred partner completing repeat deals

Key geography and sectors
Focuses on core sectors and geographic locations 
to build on the network and operating experience 
gained from previous investments

Complexity
Seeks out complex deals outside  
intermediate auctions

Structural growth
Targets companies with sustainable structural  
growth dynamics and opportunity for M&A

€81m

of commitments 
backed by Oakley 
management teams 
across Fund II and 
Fund III

96%

of Oakley deals have 
been primary deals

Overview

11

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

“ Complexity, along with strong management partnerships can present 

opportunities and enable Oakley to create value”

Creating value

Generating returns

Driving growth across  
the portfolio

Generating consistently  
high returns

Sourcing
Working with founders or newly carved-out  
companies to develop infrastructure and systems  
to support organic growth

Buy and build
Creating scale and synergies through targeted  
M&A opportunities

Accelerate growth
Helping portfolio companies to achieve full potential 
with appropriate capital and operational resources

39%

average EBITDA 
growth across the 
full portfolio 

Oakley Funds:

OAKLEY FUND I 
(vintage 2007)

OAKLEY FUND II 
(vintage 2013)

OAKLEY FUND III 
(vintage 2016)

MM*

IRR*

2.1x

2.2x

1.7x

36%

39%

54%

OCI, as LP in the Oakley Funds:

CALLED CAPITAL  
TO DATE

CAPITAL RETURNED 
TO DATE

FAIR VALUE OF 
OAKLEY FUNDS

£492.1m

£513.5m

£298.6m

*  

 Gross money multiple and gross IRR are based on realised and 
unrealised portfolio returns as at 31 December 2018.

12

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S
OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Page Title

Consumer sector

Market review
Following the acquisition of Verivox in 2009, Oakley has continued to 
invest in digital, marketing-led, consumer-focused businesses. Oakley 
has developed strong knowledge of these business models, enabling the 
replication of successful strategies across assets from different industries

The sector is benefitting from 
continued growth as consumers 
increasingly switch from traditional 
channels to online, a trend which is 
expected to continue. 

Successful businesses have strong 
brand awareness, which attracts 
lower-cost, direct traffic to their 
websites, helping to drive improved 
profitability. Brand awareness can 
be built and reinforced by continued 
investment in marketing, which also 
acts as a barrier to entry. Businesses 
are typically highly cash generative, 

given their limited capex requirements, 
and can scale rapidly once adoption 
by consumers reaches an inflexion 
point. Online business models also 
enable detailed tracking of KPIs, 
as well as allowing for continued 
improvements to conversion rates and 
the user experience, all of which can 
help generate incremental value. 

Given the attractiveness of the sector, 
these businesses can often attract 
premium valuation multiples at exit 
once they have reached scale.

Overview

13

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Sector investments*

Investment

Oakley Fund

OCI’s open cost

OCI’s valuation

% of OCI NAV

North Sails

Time Out

Casa & atHome

Facile

OCI/Fund II

OCI/Fund I

Fund III

Fund III

£70.4m

£112.1m

£26.3m

£29.4m

£80.0m

£63.7m

£41.8m

£29.4m

14

11

7

5

2018 realistions

Parship Elite Group

Verivox

Facile

Fund proceeds

OCI proceeds % uplift on book value

€137.9m

€53.5m

€198.4m

£35.6m

£15.1m

£51.5m

21

38

56

The sector is benefitting from continued  
growth as consumers increasingly switch  
from traditional channels to online

CONSUMER SECTOR  
EBITDA GROWTH**

46%

37%

CONSUMER SECTOR 
AS % OF OCI NAV

*  

 The OCI cost and valuation numbers above have been calculated on an OCI look-through basis as described on page 34. 
These values include both direct and indirect equity and debt securities in the relevant portfolio companies. Where the 
location of the investment states “OCI” rather than or as well as an Oakley Fund, there is a direct equity or debt element 
included in the respective cost and valuation. 

**    Based on the results of the portfolio companies’ most recent respective financial year-ends, calculated using the simple 

average method.

14

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Consumer portfolio companies

North Technology Group (“NTG”), comprises three 
market-leading marine brands (North Sails, Southern 
Spars and EdgeWater Power Boats) focused on 
providing innovative and high-performance products 
and solutions for the world’s sailors and yachtsmen.

The group has expanded globally since Oakley’s initial 
acquisition in 2014, acquiring a number of licensee 
companies around the world, whilst also developing 
the North Sails brand in apparel and accessories.

NTG’s revenue and EBITDA were both significantly 
ahead of last year, driven by particularly strong 
performance by Southern Spars. NTG continues to 
invest in the launch of its new kiteboarding division, 
which included the acquisition of a kiteboarding 
accessories equipment business, North Action 
Sports, in January 2019. 

In addition, North Sails Apparel revenues were 25% 
ahead of the prior year on an underlying basis. This 
was driven by strong growth in all core channels of 
the business, in particular in online and crew apparel. 
Overhead costs were closely managed during the 
year, and whilst the business remains loss making, 
EBITDA has improved on last year.

Leading multi-platform media and e-commerce brand 
with a global content distribution network comprising 
websites, mobile apps, magazines and a physical 
presence via live events and Time Out Market. 

The Time Out Market in Lisbon continues to perform 
strongly and Time Out’s top strategic priority remains 
the rollout of the Time Out Market concept to new 
cities. In the year ahead, Time Out are set to open five 
new markets in North America, including Miami, New 
York, Boston, Chicago and Montreal, the Group’s first 
management agreement. Impressive line-ups of some 
of the cities’ top chefs have already been announced 
by the company. 

Despite the operational progress made during 2018 in 
Time Out, the share price performance has been poor, 
declining from £1.31 at 31 December 2017 to £0.71 at 
31 December 2018. This reflects overall stock market 
weakness, low Time Out share liquidity and delays to 
delivery of some strategic objectives. 

Time Out will release their full year 2018 results on 
28th March 2019. 

£32.8m
(debt)

£37.6m
(equity)

OCI’S OPEN COST 

£40.6m
(debt)

£39.4m
(equity)

OCI’S VALUATION

14% 
OF OCI NAV

£20.0m
(debt)

£92.1m
(equity)

OCI’S OPEN COST 

£20.9m
(debt)

£42.7m
(equity)

OCI’S VALUATION

11% 
OF OCI NAV

Overview

15

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Casa & atHome is an online property group 
comprising a portfolio of real estate websites and 
mobile applications, including the number one 
property portal in Luxembourg, atHome.lu, and the 
number 2 player in Italy, Casa.it.

The investment thesis for Casa & atHome was 
one of restructuring the cost base and realising 
synergies between the two businesses, and then 
accelerating growth through adding other verticals 
to the platforms. The cost reduction was completed 
in July 2017 delivering material cost savings. 
atHome has delivered solid growth to date and in 
2018 successfully added (through strategic bolt-
on acquisitions) mortgage broking and automotive 
classified verticals to its core property real estate 
classifieds proposition. Casa has begun to accelerate 
its top line growth through more focused and 
innovative sales and marketing initiatives.

On a consolidated basis, in the half-year ended 
31 December 2018 (30 June year-end) the group 
increased revenue by 13% and EBITDA by 5%  
versus the equivalent prior year period. EBITDA 
growth has been more subdued due to investments 
made in product, technology and marketing initiatives 
to support future innovation and growth.

Italy’s leading online destination for consumers to 
compare prices for motor insurance, energy, telecoms 
and personal finance. 

Oakley originally invested in Facile in 2014 via Oakley 
Fund II, building on the sector experience gained 
through an earlier investment in Verivox, the Germany-
based online price comparison website. 

In June 2018, Oakley Fund II sold its entire stake 
in Facile to EQT, valuing Facile at an enterprise 
value of €445 million. As part of the sale of Facile 
to EQT, Oakley Fund III invested €80 million for a 
21% stake in order to benefit from the next stage of 
Facile’s development in partnership with a leading 
international growth investor. 

The Italian price comparison market is still relatively 
undeveloped versus other markets, providing 
significant headroom for further growth. Facile is 
expected to leverage its market leadership across 
multiple product verticals to achieve continued 
organic growth in its online channel, supported by 
expansion into physical distribution channels to 
access an additional segment of the Italian market.

£26.3m 
OCI’S OPEN COST 

£41.8m 
OCI’S VALUATION

7% 
OF OCI NAV

£29.4m 
OCI’S OPEN COST 

£29.4m 
OCI’S VALUATION

5% 
OF OCI NAV

16

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Consumer portfolio companies
Realised investments

Parship Elite Group was formed through the combination of the two leading 
online dating brands in the DACH region, Parship and ElitePartner.

During Oakley’s ownership, Parship Elite Group established itself as 
the market leader in DACH “online matchmaking” through realisation of 
synergies, continued focus on product improvements and new marketing 
initiatives. Following the success of the merger and strong organic growth, 
Oakley sold a controlling stake in 2016 to the German media group 
ProSiebenSat.1 Media BV (“ProSiebenSat.1”), and fully realised its  
investment in 2018.

€137.9m 
FUND II PROCEEDS 

£35.6m 
OCI PROCEEDS

21% 
UPLIFT ON BOOK VALUE

Realisation
Oakley Fund II completed the sale of its remaining 38.5% stake in Parship Elite Group to NCG Commerce GmbH, 
a new joint venture with ProSiebenSat.1, based on an enterprise value of €440 million. 

Oakley Fund II received gross proceeds of €137.9 million, resulting in overall returns of 4.7x gross money multiple 
and a gross IRR of 118%.

OCI received £35.6 million from this realisation, representing 21% of its total commitments to Oakley Fund II.

Parship Elite Group - key events from acquisition to realisation:

APRIL 2015

JUNE 2015

NOVEMBER 2015

SEPTEMBER 2016

APRIL 2018

Completion of 
Parship acquisition

Signing of Elite 
Partner acquisition

Completion of Elite 
Partner acquisition

Partial realisation 
to ProSiebenSat.1

Completion of sale 
of remaining stake 
to NuCom Group

Realised returns for Oakley Fund II were 4.7x gross 
money multiple and 118% gross IRR 

£35.6 million proceeds received by OCI

Overview

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Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Germany’s leading consumer energy and household services price 
comparison website, receiving commission and advertising revenues when 
consumers elect to switch providers.

The sale of Verivox marked the conclusion of a nine-year partnership with 
Oakley dating back to 2009, which laid the foundation for further successful 
investments in the digital consumer sector. 

€53.5m 
FUND II PROCEEDS 

£15.1m 
OCI PROCEEDS

38% 
UPLIFT ON BOOK VALUE

Realisation
Oakley Fund II reached an agreement to sell its 9.9% stake in Verivox to NCG Commerce GmbH, based on an 
enterprise value of €530 million. 

Oakley Fund II received gross proceeds of €53.5 million, crystallising returns of 2.5x gross money multiple and 
44% gross IRR.

OCI received £15.1 million from this realisation, representing 9% of its total commitments to Oakley Fund II.

Verivox - key events from acquisition to realisation:

DECEMBER 2009

AUGUST 2015

AUGUST 2015

APRIL 2018

Initial partnership 
with Verivox via 
Oakley Fund I

Completion of 
realisation of 
Verivox by Oakley 
Fund I

Acquisition of 
Verivox by Oakley 
Fund II

Completion of  
sale to NuCom 
Group

Realised returns for Oakley Fund II were 2.5x gross 
money multiple and 44% gross IRR

£15.1 million proceeds received by OCI

18

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Consumer portfolio companies
Realised investments CONTINUED

Italy’s leading online destination for consumers to compare prices for motor 
insurance, energy, telecoms and personal finance. 

Oakley originally invested in Facile in 2014, building on the sector experience 
gained through an earlier investment in Verivox, the Germany-based online 
price comparison website. Under Oakley’s ownership, Facile has successfully 
expanded its market share in its core automotive price comparison market, 
whilst also establishing leading positions in the Broadband, Gas and Power 
verticals, and a growing challenger positions in mortgages. 

Since acquisition, Facile has more than trebled EBITDA and today helps  
three million monthly users to compare prices on key elements of their 
household expenditure.

€198.4m 
FUND II PROCEEDS 

£51.5m 
OCI PROCEEDS

56% 
UPLIFT ON BOOK VALUE

Realisation
On 20 June 2018, Oakley Fund II completed the sale of its stake in Facile to EQT VIII (“EQT”). Oakley Fund II 
received gross proceeds of €198.4 million generating overall returns of 3.7x gross money multiple and a gross IRR 
of 51%. 

Oakley Fund III invested €80 million alongside EQT as a minority partner to continue to benefit from Facile’s strong 
market-leading position in the Italian market, which still has significant structural growth potential. OCI continues 
to hold a stake in Facile through its 40.7% stake in Oakley Fund III. 

Facile - key events from acquisition to realisation:

SEPTEMBER 2014

MAY 2015

JULY 2016

JUNE 2018

JUNE 2018

Completion of 
Facile acquisition

Refinancing 
achieved, returning 
€13.5 million to 
Fund II

Further refinancing 
achieved, returning 
€11.8 million to 
Fund II

Completion of sale 
of Facile to EQT by 
Fund II

Acquisition of a 
minority stake in 
Facile by Fund III

Realised returns for Oakley Fund II were 3.7x gross 
money multiple and 51% gross IRR 

£51.5 million proceeds received by OCI

Overview

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Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

177m
Website visits per month 
across the portfolio

20
20

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S
OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Page Title

TMT sector

Market review
From initial investments in telecoms and webhosting, Oakley has built on 
its experience and industry expertise to evolve its approach to investing 
in technology assets as the sector continues to develop 

Over time, Oakley has built a 
network of insightful entrepreneurs 
and founders who have repeatedly 
partnered with us to identify  
and unlock opportunities in the  
TMT space.

There are two key themes that 
dominate the hosting industry and 
are causing businesses to change the 
way in which they operate. Firstly, the 
maturity of the outsourcing model in IT 
services has led to consolidation, with 
many large hosting players making 
major acquisitions in recent years. 

Secondly, the growth of public 
cloud hosting has forced changes to 
established business models. 

In future, industry players will need to 
emphasise the added value of their 
service wrapper to maintain market 
position and enhance their users’/
customers’ experience.

As disruptive innovation continues 
across the TMT sector, Oakley 
looks for opportunities to invest in 
companies which stand to benefit 
from such changes. 

Overview

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Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Sector investments*

Investment

Oakley Fund

OCI’s open cost

OCI’s valuation

% of OCI NAV

WebPros

Daisy

Fund III

OCI/Fund II

TechInsights

Fund III

£24.0m

£24.6m

£0.4m

£71.5m

£30.1m

£13.4m

13

5

2

2018 realisation

Damovo

Fund Proceeds

OCI proceeds % uplift on book value

€45.1m

£12.6m

18%

Oakley has built on its experience and industry 
expertise to evolve its approach to investing in 
technology assets 

TMT SECTOR  
EBITDA GROWTH**

21%

20%

TMT SECTOR AS  
% OF OCI NAV

*  

 The OCI cost and valuation numbers above have been calculated on an OCI look-through basis as described on page 34. 
These values include both direct and indirect equity and debt securities in the relevant portfolio companies. Where the 
location of the investment states “OCI” rather than or as well as an Oakley Fund, there is a direct equity or debt element 
included in the respective cost and valuation. 

**   Based on the results of the portfolio companies’ most recent respective financial year-ends, calculated using the simple 

average method.

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OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

TMT portfolio companies

The WebPros Group comprises two of the most 
widely-used web hosting automation software 
platforms, simplifying the lives of developers and 
web professionals the world over. WebPros Group, 
encompassing cPanel and Plesk, is the leading 
software as a service (“SaaS”) platform for server 
management globally.

Both cPanel and Plesk are software solutions that 
automate server-related tasks for hosting providers 
and web professionals. These hosting control panels 
provide intuitive web interfaces that allow customers 
to administer every facet of their websites simply and 
conveniently, allowing developers to focus on creating 
web applications and websites. 

2018 has been a transformative year for Webpros, 
having acquired cPanel and SolusVM during the 
period.

The UK’s #1 independent provider of converged B2B 
communications, IT and cloud services, serving three 
primary customer segments

•  Small and medium businesses (“SMB” 2 - 249 

employees), 

•  Corporate (250 + employees); and 

•  Enterprise (2000 + employees). 

Daisy’s year-to-date financial year 2019 (nine months 
to 31 December 2018) revenue was in line with last 
year. This was driven by a strong performance in the 
SMB division from a combination of organic growth 
and acquisitions, offset by some weaker trading in 
the Corporate division, driven primarily by regulatory 
changes, as well as disruption from integrating 
acquired businesses.

The group continues to proactively seek M&A 
opportunities, including accretive bolt-on acquisitions, 
as well as strategic disposals to create value.

£24.0m 
OCI’S OPEN COST 

£71.5m 
OCI’S VALUATION

13% 
OF OCI NAV

£14.2m
(debt)

£10.4m
(equity)

OCI’S OPEN COST 

£14.9m
(debt)

£15.2m
(equity)

OCI’S VALUATION

5% 
OF OCI NAV

Overview

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Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

A global leader in the intellectual property and 
technology services market. 

TechInsights is trusted by the world’s leading 
technology companies to support intellectual  
property licensing activities and inform technology 
strategies by leveraging its proprietary database 
of technical intelligence and unparalled reverse 
engineering capabilities. 

The investment thesis includes leveraging 
TechInsights’ extensive, proprietary technology 
database to accelerate growth in its subscription 
business, whilst maintaining its market leading 
position in project-based patent portfolio 
management and licensing work.

Strong performance achieved in 2018 with revenue up 
9% year-on-year and EBITDA up 16%. Business mix 
continues to improve, with subscriptions growing 33% 
year-on-year and now accounting for 25% of total 
revenue versus 20% in 2017.

£0.4m 
OCI’S OPEN COST 

£13.4m 
OCI’S VALUATION

2% 
OF OCI NAV

24

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

TMT portfolio companies
Realised investments

Damovo provides professional and managed information communication 
technology (“ICT”) solutions and services to over 2,000 customers  
across eight European countries and through a global network spanning  
over 120 countries.

Damovo Group has been transformed under Oakley’s ownership, growing 
organically and through three strategic acquisitions. Oakley supported 
management by investing in working capital and people, contributing 
towards a revenue CAGR of 10.5% between FY16A and FY18A.

€45.1m 
FUND II PROCEEDS * 

£12.6m 
OCI PROCEEDS

18% 
UPLIFT ON BOOK VALUE

Realisation
On 23 August 2018, Oakley Fund II sold its stake in Damovo to Eli Global based on an enterprise value of up to 
€140 million. Oakley Fund II received initial gross proceeds of €45.1 million and a further €11.4 million is expected 
to be received by Fund II in 2019. This realisation generated an overall return of 5.4x gross money multiple and a 
gross IRR of 56% for Fund II. 

OCI received proceeds of £12.6m from this realisation in August, representing 7% of its total commitment to 
Oakley Fund II. A further £3.7 million is expected on receipt of the deferred consideration in late 2019. 

Damovo - key events from acquisition to realisation:

JANUARY 2015

AUGUST 2015

NOVEMBER 2016

JUNE 2017

AUGUST 2018

Completion of 
acquisition by 
Fund II

Damovo acquires 
Luxembourg-
based Mitel 
partner CTTL

Acquisition of 
Cisco specialists 
Netfarmers in 
Germany

Avaya partner 
Vodanet added to 
the Damovo group 

Fund II completes 
sale of Damovo 
Group to Eli Global

Realised returns for Oakley Fund II were 5.4x gross 
money multiple and 56% gross IRR*

£12.6 million proceeds received by OCI

* 

 Returns include the expected receipt of €11.4 million of deferred consideration, which is based on Damovo’s results for the year ended 31 January 2019. 
Overall proceeds following this receipt will be €56.5 million.

Overview

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Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

440k
Customers globally 
across the portfolio

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26

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S
OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Education sector

Market review
Education has become a significant sector for Oakley, with 
investments across the space, including premium private 
schools, higher education and after-school tutoring

Having successfully backed an 
entrepreneur to build a premium 
private schools group, Oakley began 
to increase its focus on the wider 
education space. With our experience 
of investing in Inspired and having 
carried out extensive market mapping 
and research, Oakley now has a  
well-established knowledge base. 

Education assets have many attractive 
characteristics which Oakley believes 
makes the sector an exciting and 
interesting area in which to invest. 

Demand for education is growing 
strongly in both emerging and 
developed markets, and supply is 
limited by public spending constraints 
and high barriers to entry.

This is also a large and fragmented 
market so there is value to be 
created in consolidation and building 
scale. Our preferred sub-sectors of 
education are typically non-cyclical, 
as parents place great importance 
on the investment they make in their 
children’s education. There are also 
multiple growth opportunities from 
market consolidation, technological 
disruption, privatisation, pricing 
growth and internationalisation. 

Overview

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Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Sector investments*

Investment

Oakley Fund

OCI’s open cost

OCI’s valuation

% of OCI NAV

Inspired

OCI/Fund II

Career Partner

Schülerhilfe

AMOS

Fund III

Fund III

Fund III

£36.0m

£30.7m

£30.8m

£10.0m

£72.9m

£45.6m

£39.7m

£15.1m

13

8

7

2

Demand for education is growing in  
both emerging and developed markets

EDUCATION SECTOR  
EBITDA GROWTH**

47%

30%

EDUCATION SECTOR 
AS % OF OCI NAV

*  

 The OCI cost and valuation numbers above have been calculated on an OCI look-through basis as described on page 34. 
These values include both direct and indirect equity and debt securities in the relevant portfolio companies. Where the 
location of the investment states “OCI” rather than or as well as an Oakley Fund, there is a direct equity or debt element 
included in the respective cost and valuation. 

**   Based on the results of the portfolio companies’ most recent respective financial year-ends, calculated using the simple 

average method.

28

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Education Portfolio Companies

A leading global premium private schools group, with 
over 30 schools across five continents, Inspired has 
grown rapidly through both greenfield developments 
and acquisition. All schools are individually developed 
and designed to deliver an excellent education to their 
respective communities. 

Inspired finished the financial year to August 2018 with 
revenue up 42% and EBITDA up 60% year-on-year.

Over 20% of the growth in 2018 EBITDA was organic, 
with the remainder driven by a number of acquisitions, 
including the acquisition of the British School of 
Bahrain, one of the leading premium international 
schools in Bahrain educating over 2,500 students; 
Blue Valley school in Costa Rica; and Sotogrande 
School in Costa del Sol, Spain. These acquisitions 
were partly funded with debt as well as cash on the 
balance sheet. Inspired continues to have an active 
pipeline of future deals.

One of the fastest-growing and most highly- 
ranked private university businesses in Germany,  
with over 19,000 students enrolled in three  
types of programmes: traditional on-campus 
universities, online university degrees and dual 
studies (private on-site education in cooperation with 
corporate partners).

Oakley Fund III acquired 66.7% of Cartner Partner 
Group in January 2018 for €84.6 million, and seeks to 
support the continued development of the business, 
particularly in the online university and dual studies 
segments, two high-growth sectors in Germany.

For the year ended 31 December 2018, Cartner 
Partner Group continued its rapid growth across these 
segments and performed in line with plan on revenue 
and EBITDA and well ahead of plan on student intake. 

The business continues to invest significantly in 
scaling up its marketing and IT departments, launching 
new online programmes and opening new dual-study 
centre locations in Germany.

£36.0m 
OCI’S OPEN COST 

£72.9m 
OCI’S VALUATION

13% 
OF OCI NAV

 £30.7m 
OCI’S OPEN COST 

£45.6m 
OCI’S VALUATION

8% 
OF OCI NAV

Overview

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Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Germany’s leading provider of after-school tutoring, 
Schülerhilfe educates 125,000 students across 
Germany and Austria each year. Schülerhilfe’s core 
service offering comprises small group tutoring 
lessons, which provide better results at lower cost 
compared to one-to-one tutoring.

Schülerhilfe has a track record of highly consistent 
growth, which has continued into 2018. Under 
Oakley’s ownership the business has increased the 
rate of new centre openings and franchised centre 
buy- backs, which brings the group to 527 centres, 
from 487 at 31 December 2017.

For the year ended 31 December 2018, there was an 
uplift of 7% year-on-year in revenue terms and 12% in 
EBITDA terms. 

France’s leading business school focused entirely on 
sport management and sport business. 

AMOS educates over 1,800 students across eight 
campuses in France, and offers international study 
through its London campus. It was acquired by Oakley 
Fund III as part of a higher education strategy with the 
aim of replicating the success of Inspired in the K-12 
(Kindergarten to year 12) market.

AMOS’ student enrolments for the current academic 
year have increased by 34% over the prior year,  
with revenues and EBITDA in line with expectations 
since acquisition.

In November 2018, AMOS acquired the Centre 
Européen de Management Hotelier International 
(“CMH”). CMH is a leading business school in Paris, 
focused on the hotel management, luxury brand and 
tourism sectors, with over 400 students. Oakley and 
management are also evaluating further acquisition 
targets which could form part of the higher education 
roll-up strategy.

£30.8m 
OCI’S OPEN COST 

£39.7m 
OCI’S VALUATION

7% 
OF OCI NAV

£10.0m 
OCI’S OPEN COST 

£15.1m 
OCI’S VALUATION

2% 
OF OCI NAV

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OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Environmental, Social  
and Governance

Oakley approach 
Oakley has a Responsible Investment (“RI”) Committee 
comprising two investment professionals, the general 
counsel and senior partner David Till. Committee members 
are responsible for the implementation of the RI policy 
under the oversight of David Till. A quarterly group 
compliance meeting is held where RI and Environmental, 
Social and Governance (“ESG”) issues constitute a 
standing agenda item. 

All investment professionals are required to follow the 
RI policy and consider its effects both pre- and post-
investment. Oakley has created an ESG risk assessment 
toolkit to aid investment professionals in understanding a 
variety of inherent ESG-related risks by both sector and 
geography. Oakley’s investment team receives training on 
the RI policy and accompanying toolkit.

Pre-investment 
When considering potential new investments, Oakley 
conducts an inherent ESG risk assessment on the investee 
company’s sector and countries of operation. 

The sector risk assessment outlines the key environmental 
and social risks inherent to operations of companies in 
that sector. The categories of inherent environmental and 
social risk assessment are environment, health and safety, 
labour and community. 

The country risk assessment reviews the overall inherent 
ESG risk for each country of direct and indirect operations. 
The external indices which inform this assessment 
consider the level of corruption, political development, 
economic development, socio-economic development, 
and environmental protection within each country. 

The outputs of these risk assessments are 
included in the initial investment papers and 
are discussed at the Investment Committee 
meetings. 

When the outputs of these risk assessments suggest a 
high ESG risk, Oakley may itself, or may instruct external 
consultants to, conduct ESG due diligence and produce 
reports on significant ESG risks and opportunities. Since 
mid-2018, the team has used a global database to search 
for sanctions and adverse media on all transactions.

Post-investment
Once Oakley has invested in a company, the following 
activities are undertaken: 

• 

Investee companies are required to complete Oakley’s 
ESG questionnaire which assesses their current level 
of maturity in managing five overarching ESG topics: 
governance, workplace, marketplace, environment  
and community; 

•  Oakley works with investee companies to understand 
where ESG efforts should be focused, based on an 
assessment of the materiality of the company’s ESG 
impacts, and progress to date; 

•  Where ESG risks have been identified, they are 
considered at Board meetings and the investee 
company’s performance is monitored in relation  
to the management of ESG issues; and 

•  Where applicable, Oakley encourages investee 
companies to discuss ESG issues with their top-
tier suppliers, with a view to the identification and 
improved management of material ESG matters.

Prior to exit
Prior to exiting an investment, Oakley will ensure that 
information on material ESG issues is captured and made 
available to potential buyers.

This policy is reviewed on an annual basis by Oakley’s  
RI Committee and will be updated as appropriate.

Oakley is committed to supporting these initiatives 
and recognises that value can be created from 
embracing sustainable practices both for investors 
and the wider community 

Overview

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Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

ESG In Action: North Sails 

North Sails is the world leader in sail-making and is focused on providing innovative, high-
performance products including 3Di, the sail of choice on the majority of America’s Cup, 
Grand Prix, ocean race boats and Superyachts. North Sails also produces and distributes 
branded apparel throughout Europe and Asia through its partnership network of over 700 
chain and independent stores, as well as through proprietary and franchise retail stores  
across Europe.

Every year, the world throws away 
over 1 trillion plastic bags that 
destroy our oceans

By 2050, an estimated 99%  
of seabirds will have  
ingested plastic

The plastic in our oceans may 
outweigh the fish that call them 
home by 2050

 #CleanSeas

 #CleanSeas

 #CleanSeas

North Sails’ origins are centred on the sea. In recognition 
of this close affiliation with the ocean, and as a pioneer 
in the marine industry, North Sails has developed an 
environmental mission to raise awareness on the issue 
of plastic pollution in the ocean, fully supported by 
Oakley. North Sails is committed to its #GoBeyondPlastic 
philosophy and supporting the #CleanSeas pledge,  
a UN Environment Programme focused on reducing plastic 
usage. 

North Sails is at the beginning of a challenging 
and exciting journey to develop its environmental 
programmes; however, it has already implemented a 
number of major initiatives across the group, including: 

•  The appointment of the North Sails Group 

Sustainability Officer to lead its environmental 
initiative. This initiative involves ensuring all local sail 
lofts around the globe adopt best practices which 
have been developed in North Sails’ leading locations 
to reduce plastic use. North Sails Group will also 
work with local marine conservation groups and help 
participate in regular beach clean-ups. The North Sails 
R&D lab is also working on cutting edge, innovative 
ways to recycle sailcloth, which could significantly 
reduce wastage in North Sails’ manufacturing 
processes.

•  Starting from the Spring/Summer 2018 collection, 
North Sails Apparel is donating 1% of its revenues 
to the Ocean Family Foundation, a UK-based 

organisation that supports ocean-related projects, 
raising awareness with children and influencers,  
as well as fighting for the protection and preservation 
of our oceans.

•  Season after season, North Sails Apparel is increasing 

the portion of its collection that is sustainable.

•  Most recently, North Sails Group launched a t-shirt 
collection made entirely out of upcycled cotton and 
recycled PET bottles. North Sails has introduced 
environmental, social and governance policies across 
the group, including adoption of the SA (Social 
Accountability) 8000 standard, to ensure it conducts 
its business in a socially responsible and sustainable 
way. In addition to this, North Sails has issued 
guidelines to employees to increase awareness of 
sustainable practices and help reduce the company’s 
impact on the environment. North Sails recognises that 
there is much more that can be done to protect oceans 
but has taken the first steps to start mitigating its 
impact on the seas and reducing the use of plastics.

Oakley is committed to supporting these initiatives and 
recognises that value can be created from embracing 
sustainable practices both for investors and the wider 
community. As the trend for consumers to become 
increasingly “plastic conscious” continues, so does the 
relevance of ESG principles for manufacturing businesses. 
Oakley believes it is important for North Sails to adapt and 
respond to these challenges.

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OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

OCI NAV overview

OCI’s NAV and NAV per share increased to £574.8 million and £2.81 
respectively, an increase of 14% since 31 December 2017.

Opening net asset value at the start of the year

Gross revenue

Expenses

Net foreign currency gains/(losses)

Realised gains on investments

Net change in unrealised gains/(losses) on investments 

Treasury shares sold

Dividend expense

Closing net asset value at the end of the year

Number of shares in issue

NAV per share

Net earnings were £82.0 million for the year, comprising:

 31 Dec 2017
£m 

438.4

7.7

(6.2)

(0.8)

23.9

20.3

23.3

(4.6)

502.0

204.8

£2.45

 31 Dec 2018
£m 

502.0

6.8

(6.4)

3.2

102.3

(23.9)

–

(9.2)

574.8

204.8

£2.81

•  Gross revenue of £6.8 million arising from interest income earned predominantly on the debt facilities provided by 

the Company.

•  Expenses of £6.4 million partly offset by £3.2 million of foreign exchange gains. Expenses include fees paid to the 

Administrative Agent.

•  Realised gains of £102.3 million earned from the realisations that occurred in the Oakley Funds during the year.  

Net change in unrealised gains/(losses) on investments of £23.9 million, driven predominantly by the decline in the 
Time Out share price during the year.

A final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2017 of 2.25 pence per share was paid in April 2018, and an interim 
dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018 of the same amount was paid to shareholders in October 2018,  
totalling a £9.2 million expense.

Movement in Net Asset Value (£m)

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

502.0

6.8

(3.2)

Net earnings: £82.0m

574.8

102.3

(23.9)

(9.2)

Opening net asset 
value as at  
1 January 2018

Gross  
revenue

Expenses and net 
FX gains / (losses)

Realised gains  
on investments

Net change in 
unrealised gains/
(losses) on  
investments

Dividend expense

Closing net asset  
value as at  
31 December 2018

Overview

33

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Outstanding commitments of OCI

Outstanding commitments to the Oakley Funds as at 31 December 2018 were £151.8 million. 
OCI committed €400 million to Fund IV at its first close in early 2019. As this Fund has not 
started investing yet, the Investment Adviser anticipates the majority of Fund III outstanding 
commitments will be drawn first as it continues to deploy capital for investments.

The Board has concluded that as Oakley Fund II is in its realisation phase and, having already distributed proceeds 
of €131.3 million (£115.1 million) to OCI in 2018, and in the light of the expected distributions to be received from the 
remaining three investments, it is satisfied that OCI will be able to meet its unfunded commitments in the normal  
course of business. 

The table below illustrates OCI’s outstanding commitments to the Oakley Funds, and their respective percentage of 
OCI’s NAV at 31 December 2018. 

Fund

Oakley Fund I

Oakley Fund II

Oakley Fund III

Fund vintage

2007

2013

2016

Cash and cash equivalents

Net outstanding commitments unfunded by cash resources

Current 
commitment 
(€m)

Outstanding 
at 31 Dec 2018 
(€m)

Outstanding 
at 31 Dec 2018 
(£m)

% of NAV

188.4

190.0

325.8

2.6

13.3

153.1

169.0

2.4

11.9

137.5

151.8

 (107.9)

43.9

0

2

24

26

8

OCI investment activity

The Company’s investment portfolio for the year ended 31 December 2018 is 
summarised below: 

Investment

Investment in Oakley Funds

Co-investments

Equity securities – quoted

Equity securities – unquoted

Debt securities – unquoted

Total investments

31 Dec 2017 
Fair value 
£m 

 31 Dec 2018 
Fair value
 £m 

OCI investments

282.7

282.7

41.2

26.2

69.5

136.9

419.6

298.6

298.6

22.3

41.8

107.1

171.2

469.8

The following pages explain movements in the underlying portfolios and their 
respective investments.

Investments in Oakley Funds 64% 

Equity securities – quoted 5%  

Equity securities – unquoted 9% 

Debt securities - unquoted 22%

34

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

OCI investment activity

CONTINUED

Overview of OCI’s underlying investments

Fund

Fund I

Investments

Sector

Time Out

Consumer

Location

Global

OCI’s proportionate allocation of Fund I investments (on a look-through basis)

Other assets and liabilities

OCI’s investment in Oakley Fund I

Year of 

investment

2010

Residual 
cost
 £m

44.9 

Fund II

Fund II

Fund II

North Sails

Inspired

Daisy

Consumer

Education

TMT

Global

Global

UK

2014

2014

2015

OCI’s proportionate allocation of Fund II investments (on a look-through basis)

Other assets and liabilities

OCI’s investment in Oakley Fund II

Fund III

Fund III

Fund III

Fund III

Fund III

Fund III

Fund III

Casa & atHome

Consumer

Italy / Luxembourg

2017

Education

Germany

Schülerhilfe

WebPros

TechInsights

AMOS

TMT

TMT

Education

Career Partner Group

Education

Facile

TMT

Switzerland

Canada

France

Germany

Italy

2017

2017

2017

2017

2018

2018

OCI’s proportionate allocation of Fund III investments (on a look-through basis)

Other assets and liabilities

OCI’s investment in Oakley Fund III

Co-investment:

Equity

Equity 

Debt

Debt

Debt

Debt 

Time Out

Inspired

Time Out

Daisy

Consumer

Education

Consumer

TMT

North Sails

Consumer

Fund Facilities

n/a

OCI’s co-investments (both equity and debt)

Total OCI investments

Global

Global

Global

UK

Global

n/a

2014

2017

2018

2015

2014

37.6

17.2

10.4

26.3

30.8

24.0

0.4

10.0

30.7

29.4

47.2

18.8

20.0

14.2

32.8

n/a

Fair  
value  
£m

20.4

20.4

(2.3)

18.2

39.4 

31.1 

15.2

85.8

(14.0)

71.8

41.8

39.7

71.5 

13.4

15.1

45.6

29.4

256.5

(47.8)

208.6

22.3

41.8

20.9

14.9

40.6

30.6 

171.1

469.7

The OCI look-through values are calculated using the OCI attributable proportion (determined as the ratio which OCI’s 
commitments to the respective Fund bear to total commitments to that Fund) applied to each investment’s fair value as 
held in the relevant Oakley Fund, net of any accrued performance fees relating to that investment, and converted using 
the year end EUR:GBP exchange rate.

The “Other assets and liabilities” noted in the table above include OCI’s proportion of the Investec debt facilities that 
are used by Oakley Fund II and Fund III. 

Overview

35

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Portfolio review

Oakley Fund I investment activity

The investment portfolio of Oakley Fund I is summarised in the table below.  
Oakley Fund I is denominated in euros, and the year-end exchange rate was  
used, where applicable. OCI holds a 65.5% interest in Oakley Fund I.

OAKLEY FUND I 

Time Out 

Broadstone

Total current investments

31 Dec 2017  
Fair value 
€m

31 Dec 2018  
Fair value 
€m

64.3

0.6

64.9

34.7

0.6

35.3

Oakley Fund I’s one remaining investment is Time Out 
Group plc (“Time Out”). This is a public entity however, 
and is listed on AIM of the London Stock Exchange. As 
such, its fair value is determined by a mark-to-market 
valuation, based on the 31 December 2018 share price 
of £0.71. There is €0.6 million remaining in fair value for 
Broadstone at 31 December 2018. 

Despite the operational progress made during 2018 in 
Time Out, the share price performance has been poor, 
declining from £1.31 at 31 December 2017 to £0.71 at 
31 December 2018. This reflects overall stock market 
weakness, low Time Out share liquidity and delays to 
delivery of some strategic objectives. 

Time Out celebrated its 50th year in 2018 and continues 
to provide highly regarded professional content to global 
users across digital, print and physical platforms. Time 
Out continues to make progress in its two key areas of 
operational focus: 

Time Out Markets

The first Time Out Market in Lisbon continues to exceed 
expectations, as annual visitors grew a further 11% to c4 
million in 2018. Company-owned and operated markets 
are set to open in Miami, New York, Boston and Chicago in 
2019. In Q4 2019, the first franchise location, in partnership 
with Ivanhoé Cambridge, is expected to open in Montreal. 
Time Out is in the unique position of being able to attract 
the best chefs and food offerings in a city, and to drive 
customers to its locations through its global digital reach.

Time Out Media

Following the successful integration of franchises in 
Spain, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore and the 
expansion of its content, Time Out now owns and 
operates the Time Out Media business in 288 cities, 
and has licence agreements in 27 others. Through these 
recent acquisitions and further improvements in operating 
structure, Time Out will benefit from a much-rationalised 
cost base going forward. Furthermore, following a review 
of revenue lines, Time Out Media has removed low-margin 
activity, leading to significantly improved gross margins 
which are expected to continue in 2019. Digital advertising 
continues to perform well, enjoying industry-leading 
sales growth. These moves ensured the group delivered 
significantly lower losses in the second half and remains 
on track to deliver near-term EBITDA profitability.

As at 31 December 2018, Oakley Fund I had called  
€198.8 million (£178.5 million) from OCI, including recycled 
commitments of €13.0 million (£11.7 million). 

36

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Portfolio review

CONTINUED

Oakley Fund II investment activity

The investment portfolio of Oakley Fund II is summarised in the table below.  
Oakley Fund II is denominated in euros, and the year-end exchange rate was used, 
where applicable. The Company holds a 36.2% interest in Oakley Fund II.

(£12.6 million). The transaction represented a continuation 
of a successful partnership with telecoms entrepreneur 
Matthew Riley, alongside whom Oakley has also invested 
in Daisy, demonstrating how Oakley looks to support 
entrepreneurial partners across multiple transactions.

The remaining three investments showed strong growth 
in the year, with EBITDA and revenue increases in both 
Inspired and Daisy. There was further capital of  
€27.0 million invested in two of these companies by  
Fund II; €12.1 million in North Sails to fund the development 
of North Sails Apparel and for M&A activities; and 
 €14.9 million in Inspired for the acquisition of new  
schools during the year.

In July 2018, Daisy undertook a partial refinancing. This 
further debt was used to fully repay shareholder loan 
notes including interest. As part of this transaction Fund II 
and OCI redeemed their position in the Daisy loan notes, 
receiving £1.5 million and £13.7 million respectively. Fund 
II used these proceeds to re-invest back into Daisy with a 
further equity investment of €1.7 million. 

As at 31 December 2018, Fund II had called €176.7 million 
(£158.6 million) from OCI as at 31 December 2018, 
representing 93% of its total capital commitments.

OAKLEY FUND II

North Sails

Inspired

Daisy

Facile

Parship Elite Group

Damovo

Verivox

Total investments

31 Dec 2017 
Fair value
 €m

31 Dec 2018 
Fair value 
€m

106.1

67.3

55.5

123.7

111.9

49.6

36.8

550.9

121.2

106.4

49.8

–

–

–

–

277.4

Oakley Fund II (“Fund II”) had an active year of divestments 
with four portfolio realisations in 2018, generating 
proceeds of €435.6 million, with total proceeds received by 
OCI of €131.3 million (£115.1 million). 

In April, Fund II realised its remaining interests in Verivox 
and Parship Elite Group, both of which had benefited from 
a partnership with ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, the leading 
German broadcaster. Both transactions highlight Oakley’s 
proven ability to benefit from further upside in portfolio 
companies through the retention of an interest following an 
initial exit. These sales generated a combined gross money 
multiple of 4.1x and a combined IRR of 101%, and returned 
a total of €58.2 million (£50.7 million) to OCI. 

In June, Fund II completed the sale of Facile, Italy’s leading 
online price comparison site, having originally invested 
in the business in September 2014. This represented 
Oakley’s second investment in the price comparison sector 
following the successful investment in Verivox by both Fund 
I and Fund II. The sale generated a gross money multiple of 
3.7x and an IRR of 51%, and returned €58.8 million (£51.5 
million) to OCI. As part of the transaction, Fund III took 
a minority stake in Facile in order to benefit from Facile’s 
further growth potential.

In August, Fund II sold its stake in telecoms company 
Damovo, generating a gross money multiple of 5.4x and 
an IRR of 56%, and proceeds for OCI of €14.0 million 

 
Overview

37

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Oakley Fund III investment activity

The investment portfolio of Oakley Fund III is summarised in the table below.  
Oakley Fund III is denominated in euros, and the year-end exchange rate was used, 
where applicable. The Company holds a 40.7% interest in Oakley Fund III.

In November, AMOS completed the bolt-on acquisition 
of the Centre Européen de Management Hotelier 
International (“CMH”). CMH is a leading business 
school in Paris, focused on the hotel management, luxury 
brand and tourism sectors, with over 400 students. The 
acquisition of CMH represents the first addition to the 
AMOS group as part of a buy-and-build strategy in the 
French tertiary education sector. Fund III provided funding 
of €8.5 million in support of the acquisition.

Casa & atHome and TechInsights increased their debt 
financing during the year, with proceeds of €28.9 million 
(28% of total cost invested) and €12.7 million (93% of 
total cost invested) returned to Fund III respectively. 
OCI received €16.9 million (£15.0 million) from 
these transactions. 

The main driver of the uplift in fair values in the Fund III 
portfolio at 31 December 2018, was due to the strong and 
steady performances from the underlying operations of 
the portfolio, especially WebPros, which accounted for 
53%of the uplift. 

Oakley Fund III had called €172.7 million (£155.0 million) 
from OCI as at 31 December 2018, representing 53% of 
the Company’s total committed capital. 

OAKLEY FUND III

Casa & atHome

Schülerhilfe

WebPros

TechInsights

AMOS

Career Partner Group

Facile

Total investments

31 Dec 2017 
Fair value 
€m

31 Dec 2018 
Fair value 
€m

140.4

85.9

40.7

33.4

17.4

–

–

317.8

122.0

113.0

220.9

43.6

44.0

132.4

80.4

756.3

Oakley Fund III (“Fund III”) had an active investment 
year, completing two further acquisitions, two follow-on 
investments, and two refinancings.

In January, Fund III invested €84.6 million for a 67% stake 
in Career Partner Group, one of the fastest growing and 
most highly ranked private providers of higher education 
and personnel development in Germany.

In June, Fund III invested €80.4 million for a 21% stake 
in Facile as part of the transaction in which Oakley 
Fund II exited its investment in full. The Italian online 
price comparison market is less developed than in 
other European countries, and Facile’s market leading 
position means it is well-placed to benefit from this future 
growth potential.

WebPros (formerly known as “Plesk”) completed two 
follow-on investments during 2018, adding scale and 
geographic coverage. The acquisition of Solus was 
completed in June at an enterprise value of $12 million, 
funded from existing cash resources. In September, 
Plesk acquired cPanel – a provider of one of the internet 
infrastructure industry’s most reliable and intuitive control 
panel software platforms. Fund III provided further funding 
of $47.2 million (€40.4 million) in support of the acquisition 
and now holds a 39.4% stake in the combined group, 
which has since been renamed WebPros B.V.

38

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Oakley Funds’ realisations  
and distributions

Year of intense activity for the Oakley Funds with a total of
£130.5 million returned to OCI 

The key transactions that were realised during 2018 by the Oakley Funds’ are noted below:

Oakley Fund II 
Realisation

Oakley Fund II 
Realisation

•  Fund II completed the sale of Parship based on an 
enterprise value of €440 million to NuCom Group 
(“NuCom”), ProSiebenSat.1’s Commerce unit. 

•  Fund II completed the sale of Verivox based on an 

enterprise value of €530 million to NuCom.

•  Total proceeds received by Fund II were  

•  Total proceeds received by Fund II were  

€53.5 million. 

€137.9 million. 

•  This represented a gross money multiple of 2.5x 

•  This represented a gross money multiple of 4.7x 

and a gross IRR of 44%. 

and a gross IRR of 118%. 

OCI’S PROCEEDS: £35.6m

OCI’S PROCEEDS: £15.1m

Oakley Fund II 
Realisation

Oakley Fund II 
Realisation

•  Fund II completed the sale of Facile based on an 

enterprise value of €445 million to EQT. 

•  Fund II completed the sale of Damovo based on 
an enterprise value of €135 million to Eli Global.

•  Total proceeds received by Fund II were  

•  Total proceeds received by Fund II were  

€198.4 million. 

•  This represented a gross money multiple of 3.7x 

€45.1 million, with consideration of €11.4 million 
expected to be received in late 2019. 

and a gross IRR of 51%. 

•  This represented a gross money multiple of 5.4x 

and a gross IRR of 56%. 

OCI’S PROCEEDS: £51.5m

OCI’S PROCEEDS: £12.6m

Oakley Fund III 
Re-financing

Oakley Fund III 
Re-financing

•  Casa & atHome was refinanced in March 2018 

•  TechInsights was further refinanced in October 

resulting in a distribution of €28.9 million to Fund III

2018 resulting in a distribution of €12.7 million  
to Fund III.

OCI’S PROCEEDS: £10.5m

OCI’S PROCEEDS: £4.6m

Overview

39

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Portfolio review:  
Co-investment activity

The co-investment portfolio as at 31 December 2018 is summarised in the table below:

Co-investments:

Equity securities

Inspired

Time Out

Debt securities

North Sails

Fund Facilities

Time Out

Daisy

Total investments

31 Dec 2017
Fair value
£m

31 Dec 2018
Fair value
£m

26.2

41.2

27.8

13.5

 –

28.2 

136.9

41.8

22.3

40.6

30.6

20.9

14.9

171.2

Equity securities
Inspired, held by OCPEE Feeder L.P., continues to grow 
rapidly through acquisition and organically, with expansion 
into the Middle East, and further acquisitions of schools 
in Costa Rica, Spain, Italy and Portugal. A further deal 
was signed to acquire a group of eight premium schools 
across New Zealand, Vietnam and Indonesia, generating 
an estimated €24 million EBITDA. With this acquisition, 
Inspired is now one of the three largest global K-12 groups, 
with a sizeable platform to pursue further acquisitions in 
Asia. Enrolment levels and current trading are in line with 
expectations. This is reflected in the uplift in fair value 
since 31 December 2017. 

Despite the operational progress made during 2018 
in Time Out, as discussed on page 35, the share price 
performance has been poor, declining from £1.31 at 
31 December 2017 to £0.71 at 31 December 2018. This 
reflects overall stock market weakness, low Time Out 
share liquidity and delays to delivery of some strategic 
objectives. 

Debt securities
The Company provides debt facilities to certain underlying 
entities and portfolio companies. These debt facilities are 
provided on an arm’s-length basis at competitive market 
interest rates. The interest income generated from these 
facilities exceeds the interest earned on OCI’s bank 
deposits, allowing OCI to earn higher returns on part of its 
cash reserves. 

During the year, OCI has earned £6.5 million of interest 
from the debt facilities provided. During the year, a debt 
facility provided to North Sails was increased to £25.8 
million with £13.1 million drawn at the year end. This was 
used to provide additional working capital to North Sails 
Apparel. OCI continues to support the turnaround of 
North Sails through its growth and the earnings that are 
expected to be derived from it. 

The Company also provides revolving credit facilities 
to each of the Oakley Funds. Each drawing under these 
facilities is for no more than one year. The loans are used 
to fund short-term cash requirements of the Oakley 
Funds to pay fees and expenses as they fall due. As at 
31 December 2018, the Company had outstanding debt 
facilities of £30.6 million with the Oakley Funds, including 
accrued interest.

A short-term loan was issued to Time Out during the 
year bearing 15% interest per annum. Time Out drew a 
total of £20 million during 2018. Daisy undertook a partial 
refinancing in July. The financing received was used to 
fully repay shareholder loan notes including interest. As 
part of this transaction OCI redeemed its position in the 
Daisy loan notes and received proceeds of £13.7 million, 
repaying the full Daisy loan that was outstanding. The 
Ellisfield loan remains in place at year end with a balance 
of £14.9 million, earning interest for OCI at a rate of 6.5% 
per annum. 

40

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

OCI risk management framework

The Board has developed a set of risk management policies, procedures and controls, 
and has delegated the management and mitigation of these principal risks to the Risk 
Committee who provide feedback and oversight to the Board on a regular basis. 

The risk governance framework is designed to identify, 
evaluate and mitigate the risks identified by the Risk 
Committee as being of significant relevance to the 
Company in view of its risk profile and risk appetite. 

The underlying process aims to assist the Risk Committee 
to understand and mitigate, rather than eliminate these 
risks to the Company and, therefore can only provide 
reasonable and not absolute assurance against loss. 

Principal risks and uncertainties
The Board is ultimately accountable for effective risk 
management within the Company. During the year under 
review, the Risk Committee has undertaken an exercise 
to identify, assess and manage the risks within the 
Company, including those that would threaten its future 
performance, solvency or liquidity. This review includes 
the maintenance of a Risk Matrix which documents 
the key risks and uncertainties of the Company and 
assesses each risk on a scale, classifying the risks on 
a RAG (Red, Amber Green) basis depending on their 
impact on the Company. This Risk Matrix serves as a 
detailed assessment of the Company’s exposure to 
risks based within five core categories; operational, 
regulatory, liquidity, company performance and financial 
performance as summarised below. 

  Operation risk 

The Company has no employees and relies upon the 
services provided by third parties. The valuation of the 
underlying portfolio companies, security of the Company’s 
assets, accounting records and maintenance of regulatory 
and legal requirements, depend on the effective operation 
of the Investment Adviser. 

One of the main drivers of OCI’s performance is the 
valuation of the underlying portfolio companies held by the 
Funds. The Risk Committee monitors the movements in the 
valuations of the underlying portfolio on a quarterly basis 
and challenges with the Investment Adviser movements 
which differ from expectations. At each year end, the 
Audit Committee performs a rigorous review of the 
valuation methodologies used and underlying business 
performances of the portfolio companies, to ensure that 
valuations are arrived at from a reasonable and fair basis. 

Through the newly created Management Engagement 
Committee, regular reviews of the performance of the 
service providers (including the Investment Adviser) are 
conducted. The performance assessment considers cost, 
efficiency, performance and compliance with the terms 
of engagement. The results of these reviews are shared 
periodically with the Board, where engagement of service 
providers is discussed and approved. 

Overview

41

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

  Regulatory risk 

General changes in legislation, regulation or government 
policy could significantly impact upon the markets in 
which the Company and the underlying Funds invests 
or could influence the views or decisions of investors. 
No significant changes in regulation or legislation have 
occurred in 2018 that materially impacted the Company. 
Professional advisers are regularly engaged to perform 
regulatory and compliance reviews to ensure the Company 
is in line with such regulations and the general counsel of 
the Investment Adviser reports to the Board periodically 
on any potential regulatory or compliance changes. The 
Board receives assurances from its service providers that 
they have controls in place to monitor and review changes 
that may impact the Company.

  Liquidity risk

The Company invests predominantly in private equity 
closed-ended funds. It is these funds that invest in 
unquoted companies. Liquidity in realising these can 
be constrained, potentially making the timing of the 
realisations of these investments difficult to estimate.  
The Investment Adviser’s objective is to realise investments 
that will benefit the Funds’ Limited Partners through the 
close monitoring of the performance and operations of 
these underlying companies. 

The Company maintains a level of liquidity to ensure, so far 
as can be forecast, that it can meet its capital commitments 
to the Funds and can participate in any other investments 
made by Oakley throughout the investment-realisation 
cycle. Cash flow modelling is performed regularly 
throughout the investment cycle to enable the Company 
to manage its liquid resources and to ensure it has the 
ability to pay commitments as they fall due, whilst also 
endeavouring to manage any surplus cash. 

  Company performance

The Company’s aim is to provide an attractive return to 
its shareholders by providing access to a portfolio of high 
quality private equity assets through its investments in the 
Oakley Funds and co-investments. Given the consistent 
income generated from co-investments and increased cash 
returns from exits in the underlying Funds, the Board took 
the decision in 2016 to introduce an annual dividend which 
is currently set at 4.5 pence per share. 

The Company paid an interim dividend for the six months 
to 30 June 2018 in October 2018, to 2.25 pence per share, 
which is in line with the Board’s dividend policy. Total NAV 
return for 2018 was 16.3% - as referred to in the OCI NAV 
review section from page 32.

  Financial performance

The Company’s investment activities expose it to a variety 
of financial risks that include credit risk, market risk, interest 
rate risk, currency risk and price risk. Further details are 
disclosed in Note 5 to the Financial Statements, together 
with a summary of the policies for managing these risks. 

The Risk Matrix serves as a detailed assessment 
of the Company’s exposure to risk 

42

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Governance

Overview

43

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Board of Directors  

Corporate Governance report 

Audit Committee report  

Risk Committee report  

Directors’ report  

Directors’ Remuneration report  

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities  

Alternative Investment Fund Managers’ Directive 

44

46

54

56

58

61

62

63

44

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Board of Directors

Caroline Foulger 
Chair

Caroline has been an independent Non-executive Director in the 
financial services industry since early 2013. In addition to her seat 
on the OCI Board, Caroline currently sits on the Board of a FTSE 
250 insurance company, a NYSE listed bank and a number of private 
companies. Caroline was previously a partner with PwC for 12 years, 
primarily leading the insurance practice in Bermuda and servicing 
listed clients with both audit and advisory services and has 25 years’ 
experience in public accounting. Caroline is a Fellow of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, CPA Bermuda and 
a Member of the Institute of Directors. Caroline is a resident of 
Bermuda. Caroline is Chair of the Company’s Risk Committee.

Current Directorships of publicly listed entities

Non-executive Director of Hiscox Limited 
Non-executive Director of The Bank of Butterfield

James Keyes 
Non-executive Director

James was a Managing Director of Renaissance Capital, an 
emerging markets investment bank, from 2008 until 2013.  
He established the Renaissance Bermuda office and remained 
with the firm until the office closed in 2013. He was previously a 
partner of Appleby, the offshore law firm, for 11 years. James joined 
Appleby in 1993 and was team leader of the Funds and Investment 
Services Team. Prior to Appleby, he was employed in the corporate 
department of Freshfields law firm, and worked in the London,  
New York and Hong Kong offices. James attended Oxford University 
in England as a Rhodes Scholar and graduated with a degree in 
Politics, Philosophy and Economics (MA with Honours) in 1985.  
He was admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales in 1991 and 
called to the Bermuda Bar in 1993. He became a Notary Public in 
1998. James is a resident of Bermuda and was a member of the 
Company’s Audit Committee until November 2018.

Current Directorships of publicly listed entities

None

Overview

45

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Laurence Blackall 
Non-executive Director

Laurence has 30 years’ experience in the information, media and 
communication industries, pioneering electronic publishing (especially 
at McGraw Hill where he was a Vice-President) and the internet in 
the United Kingdom. He has proven expertise in establishing internet 
companies and developing them through to public offering and 
subsequent sale. He holds Directorships in a number of public and 
private companies. Laurence is a resident of the United Kingdom, and 
is Chair of the Company’s Audit Committee.

Current Directorships of publicly listed entities

Non-executive Director of Pembroke VCT plc

Peter Dubens 
Non-executive Director

Peter is the founder and Managing Partner of the Oakley Capital 
Group, a privately-owned asset management and advisory group 
comprising Private Equity and Venture Capital operations managing 
over €1.6 billion. Peter founded the Oakley Capital Group in 2002 
to be a best-of-breed, entrepreneurially-driven UK investment 
house, creating an ecosystem to support the companies in which 
Oakley Capital invests, whether they are early-stage companies or 
established businesses. David Till serves as an alternate Director to 
Peter Dubens.

Current Directorships of publicly listed entities

Non-executive Director of Time Out Group plc

Stewart Porter 
Non-executive Director

Stewart has over 40 years of operational experience, both within 
private equity and TMT businesses, the latter being one of Oakley’s 
three core sectors for investment. During his career, Stewart has 
held positions as COO and CFO at Wilkinson Sword and TI Group, 
as well as Director of Finance and Business Development for Global 
Markets at Cable & Wireless. He was a founder and CFO of Pipex 
Communications plc and was instrumental in the development and 
successful sale of the Pipex group, helping it to grow from early stage 
start-up in 2000 to a business with over £400 million of revenues in 
2009, mainly driven by a series of 14 acquisitions. Stewart worked 
as Chief Operating Officer of the Investment Adviser from 2010 until 
his retirement in 2018. He was appointed as a member of the Audit 
Committee in November 2018.

Current Directorships of publicly listed entities

None

46

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Corporate Governance report

The Board recognises the importance of sound corporate governance and has chosen to 
comply with the Association of the Investment Companies (“AIC”) Code of Corporate 
Governance (the “AIC Code”), as is appropriate to the Company’s size and listing 

The AIC represents closed-ended investment companies 
whose shares are traded on public markets. The purpose 
of the AIC Code is to provide a framework of best practice 
in respect of the governance of investment companies. 
A copy of the AIC Code is available on AIC’s website at 
www.theaic.co.uk. 

The Board considers that reporting consistent with the 
principles and recommendations of the AIC Code, and 
by reference to the AIC Guide (which incorporates the 
UK Corporate Governance Code), will provide better 
information to shareholders.

The Board has considered the principles and 
recommendations of the AIC Code by reference to 
the AIC Corporate Governance Guide for Investment 
Companies (the “AIC Guide”). The AIC Code, as 
explained by the AIC Guide, addresses all the principles 
set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code, as well as 
setting out additional principles and recommendations on 
issues that are of specific relevance to the Company. 

The Board recognises the importance of sound corporate 
governance and has chosen to comply with the AIC  
Code as is appropriate to the Company’s size and 
listing. This report describes the Company’s corporate 
governance practices that were in place or adopted in the 
year ended 31 December 2018.

Chair’s introduction to  
Corporate Governance 
Good corporate governance is a key component of 
the Company’s activities. Governance and oversight of 
these activities form an integral part of the Company’s 
operations and it is as important as ever to monitor these 
to create and deliver value to the Company’s shareholders. 
The primary function of the Board is to provide leadership 
and strategic direction and it is responsible for the overall 
management and control of the Company. It is through 
these functions that the Board creates and delivers value 
and growth for its shareholders. 

DIRECTORS’ 2018 
REMUNERATION

OCI SHARES HELD  
BY THE BOARD

£234k 9.7m

Overview

47

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Statement of independence
The AIC Code recommends that the chair should be 
independent in character and judgment and free from 
relationships or circumstances that may affect, or could 
appear to affect his or her judgment. 

In addition to this provision, a majority of the Board of 
Directors should be independent of the Investment Adviser. 

Independence is determined by ensuring that, apart 
from receiving their fees for acting as Directors or 
owning shares, Non-executive Directors do not have any 
other material relationships with, nor derive additional 
remuneration from or as a result of transactions with, the 
Company, its promoters, its management or its partners, 
which in the judgment of the Board may affect, or could 
appear to affect the independence of their judgment. 

Explanation of exceptions 
The Company has complied with all recommendations 
of the AIC Code and the relevant provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code, except as set out below.

The UK Corporate Governance Code includes provisions 
relating to the role of the Chief Executive, Executive 
Directors’ remuneration and the need for an internal audit 
function. The Board considers these provisions are not 
relevant to the Company with majority of the Company’s 
day-to-day management and administrative functions 
being outsourced to third parties (investment management 
and risk management decisions are taken by the Board 
and its Committees). As a result, the Company has no 
Executive Directors, employees or internal audit function. 
The Company has, therefore, not reported further in 
respect of these provisions. This position is re-assessed 
on an annual basis. 

In the context of the nature, scale and complexity of the 
Company, certain recommendations of the AIC Code 
have not been deemed appropriate to the governance 
framework of the Company, an explanation of which is set 
out as follows: 

considered matters relating to the Non-executive 
Directors’ remuneration. The Company’s policy is that 
the fees payable to the Directors should reflect the 
time spent by the Directors on the Company’s affairs 
and the responsibilities borne by the Directors and be 
sufficient to attract, retain and motivate Directors of 
a quality required to run the Company successfully. 
An external assessment of Directors’ remuneration 
has not been undertaken. However, the Board does 
perform informal benchmarking and has made 
some changes to remunerations for 2019 to provide 
improved consistency.

•  The Board has chosen not to adopt a fixed policy 

on tenure as recommended by Principle 4 of the 
AIC Code. While the Board recognises the value of 
refreshing its members regularly, it does not consider 
it necessary or appropriate to adopt a policy whereby 
Directors only serve for limited periods of time. The 
Directors prefer to retain the flexibility to assess the 
balance of skills and experience of the Board as a 
whole. Furthermore, given the long-term nature of the 
Company’s investments, the Directors consider that 
maintaining some degree of continuity and a long-term 
perspective at Board level can be particularly valuable. 

•  The Board has not adopted a formal policy on diversity, 
as recommended under Principle 9 of the AIC Code. 
In view of the nature, scale and complexity of the 
Company, the Board does not consider a specific 
policy with respect to diversity to be necessary at  
this time. Diversity of the Board is further considered 
on at least an annual basis through the Board 
evaluation process. 

•  The costs and charges of the Company are disclosed 
in Notes 15 to 19 in the financial statements. The 
Board has chosen not to disclose the ongoing charges 
calculation as the Company is currently working with 
trade bodies including LPeC to develop consistent 
disclosure of fees in the industry. The Board will review 
the policy throughout 2019. 

• 

The Company established a separate Nomination 
and Remuneration Committee at the Board Meeting 
held in November 2018. However, the Committee was 
not operational throughout the year and therefore 
is noted as an exception to the AIC Code. For the 
year ended 31 December 2018, the Board as a whole 

•  The Board has chosen to appoint a non-independent 
Director to the Audit Committee. Whilst Stewart is 
not independent due to his previous role in Oakley, 
the Board feels it is appropriate to appoint him to the 
Committee due to his experience and knowledge of 
accounting and auditing.

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OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Corporate Governance report

CONTINUED

The Board
The Board was comprised of the Chair, Caroline Foulger, 
and four other Non-executive Directors at 31 December 
2018. The following Directors are not considered 
independent, Peter Dubens, who is founder and Managing 
Partner of the Oakley Capital Group, and Stewart Porter, 
who is a former employee of the Investment Adviser. 

Directors’ terms of appointment
The terms and conditions of appointment for Non-
executive Directors are outlined in their letters of 
appointment and are available for inspection at the 
Company’s registered office during normal business 
 hours and at the AGM for 15 minutes prior to and during 
the AGM. 

Caroline Foulger, James Keyes and Laurence Blackall 
remain independent despite their individual length of 
service on the Board, as they are free from any business 
or other relationship that could materially interfere with 
their exercise of judgment. The Company does not have 
a formal policy of tenure in place but assesses each 
Director’s role on an individual basis based on their 
performance. Peter Dubens and Stewart Porter do not 
vote on matters in respect of which they are deemed to 
have a conflict of interest. 

On 11 September 2018, it was announced that after 
11 years as Chair of the Board, Christopher Wetherhill 
notified the Board of his intention to retire and step down 
as Director. Caroline Foulger, a Non-executive Director 
since joining the Board in 2016, was appointed as Chair in 
his place. Further to this, on 25 September 2018, the Board 
announced the appointment of Stewart Porter as a Non-
executive Director of OCI. 

It is the Board’s responsibility to ensure that the Company 
has a clear strategy and vision, and to oversee the overall 
management and oversight of the Company, and for its 
growing success. In particular, the Board is responsible 
for making investment decisions, monitoring financial 
performance, setting and monitoring the Company’s risk 
appetite and ensuring that obligations to shareholders are 
understood and met. 

The Directors believe that the Board has an appropriate 
balance of skills and experience, independence and 
knowledge of the Company to enable it to provide 
effective strategic leadership and proper governance of 
the Company. 

Biographies of the Board of Directors, including  
details of their relevant experience, are available  
on page 44 and the Company’s website at  
http://oakleycapitalinvestments.com/about-us/
board/

In accordance with the Company’s Bye-laws and best 
practice, Directors retire on a rotational basis, and are then 
subject to re-election. In accordance with the appointment 
and rotation policy included in the Bye-Laws of the 
Company, Caroline Foulger retired and was re-elected at 
the AGM on 4 July 2018. 

The Board’s process for the appointment of new Directors 
is conducted in a manner which is transparent, engaged 
and open. The Chair takes the lead in the nomination of  
a new Board member. In summary, the process includes, 
but is not limited to: 

•  Reviewing the succession plans and needs for the 

Chair and Directors 

•  Seeking the best available candidates considering 

specific criteria determined by the Board

•  Agreeing a short-list of candidates, considering the 
views of the Company’s advisers and the use of a 
recruitment consultant as necessary

•  Conducting interviews both individually and inclusive 

of the Board as a whole

Only the independent Directors (including the Chair) vote 
on the election of new candidates. The Board strives to 
get a unanimous vote on the appointment of the proposed 
candidate, failing that, a super majority vote will suffice. 

AVERAGE DIRECTOR 
ATTENDANCE AT BOARD 
MEETINGS 

 93%

Overview

49

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Board meetings 
The Board holds four scheduled Board meetings annually, 
and in 2018 additionally held three further formal meetings 
to address certain matters coming up between those 
scheduled meetings. Where necessary, the Directors may 
seek independent professional advice at the expense of 
the Company to aid their duties. 

The Board receives information that it considers to be 
sufficient and appropriate to enable it to discharge its 
duties. Directors receive Board papers in advance of 
Board meetings and are able to consider in detail the 
Company’s performance and any issues to be discussed 
at the relevant meeting.

Board training
New Directors are provided with an induction programme 
tailored to the particular circumstances of the appointee 
and which includes being briefed fully about the 
Company by the Chair and Senior Executives of the 
Investment Adviser. The Board determines the training and 
development needs of both the Board as a whole and of 
individual Directors. 

Information and support
The Board ensures it receives, in a timely manner, 
information of an appropriate quality to enable it to 
adequately discharge its responsibilities. Papers are 
provided to the Directors in advance of the relevant Board 
or committee meeting to enable them to make further 
enquiries about any matter prior to the meeting, should 
they so wish. This also allows the Directors who are unable 
to attend to submit views in advance of the meeting. 

Director

Total meetings held

Number attended: 

Christopher Wetherhill  

(retired 10 September 2018)*

James Keyes 

Laurence Blackall

Caroline Foulger

Peter Dubens

Stewart Porter  

(appointed 24 September 2018)**

Board attendance

7

5

7

6

6

6

1

* 

 Christopher Wetherhill attended all Board meetings in 2018 during the 
period which he served as a Director. 

**    Stewart Porter attended all Board meetings held in 2018 following his 

appointment to the Board. 

The principal matters reviewed and considered by the 
Board during 2018 included: 

•  Regular reports from the Investment Adviser on the 

Oakley Funds;

•  Regular reports and updates from the Investment 

Adviser on the co-investments and debt facilities held 
by the Company; 

•  Co-investment opportunities;

•  Reports and updates from the Administrative Agent;

•  Consideration of the Company’s share price and net 

asset value; 

•  Regular reports from the Board’s committees;

•  The Annual Report and Accounts and half-yearly 

Report; 

•  Reports from external consultants on market and 

regulatory updates; and

•  Corporate matters including dividend policy and  

share buy-backs.

50

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Corporate Governance report

CONTINUED

Board committees

The Board has delegated a number of areas of responsibility to its committees.  
The Company’s Risk committee and Audit committee have continued their important 
roles, along with the addition of a new Management Engagement committee which 
was set up during the year. The Board established a separate Nomination and 
Remuneration committee in November 2018 to take effect from 1 January 2019.  
For the year ended 31 December 2018, all remuneration decisions are taken by 
the Board as a whole. The Board assesses each committee’s performance on its 
compliance with its respective Terms of Reference and its members attendance at 
committee meetings. 

Audit committee

The Audit committee is appointed under terms 
of reference from the Board of Directors, 
available on the Company’s website at: http://
oakleycapitalinvestments.com/investor-relations/
publications/ 

The Chairman of the Audit committee is appointed by the 
Board of Directors. As at 31 December 2018, the Audit 
committee comprised Laurence Blackall (Chair) and 
Stewart Porter. The role and responsibility of the Chair of 
the Audit committee is to set the agenda for meetings of 
the Audit committee and, in doing so, take responsibility 
for ensuring the Audit committee fulfils its duties under its 
terms of reference. These include, but are not limited to: 

•  Monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of 
the Company, including its annual and interim reports 
and any other formal announcement relating to its 
financial performance. 

•  Reviewing and reporting to the Board on significant 
financial reporting issues and judgments which they 
contain, having regard to matters communicated to it 
by the auditor.

•  Overseeing the relationship with the external 
auditor including (but not limited to): approval 
of their remuneration, approval of their terms of 
engagement, assessing annually their independence 
and objectivity, monitoring the auditor’s compliance 
with relevant ethical and professional guidance on 
the rotation of audit partners and assessing annually 
their qualifications, expertise and resources and the 
effectiveness of the audit process. 

•  Reviewing the adequacy and security of the 

Company’s arrangements for its Directors and the 
employees of the Investment Adviser and contractors 
to raise concerns, in confidence about possible 
wrongdoing in financial reporting or other matters. 

•  Reporting formally to the Board on its proceedings 

after each meeting on all matters within its duties and 
responsibilities.

For more information, please find the full Audit 
committee report on page 54. 

Risk committee

The Risk committee is appointed under terms 
of reference from the Board of Directors, 
available on the Company’s website at: http://
oakleycapitalinvestments.com/investor-relations/
publications/ 

The Risk committee oversees the adequacy and 
effectiveness of the Company’s risk management 
framework and policies. It is responsible for the oversight 
of the Company’s current and emerging material risks 
and for the monitoring of the procedures and policies 
performed in mitigation of those risks. Until September 
2018, the Risk committee comprised of Caroline Foulger 
(Chair) and Christopher Wetherhill. Since Christopher’s 
retirement from the Board in September 2018, the 
committee falls short of the quorum and therefore, the 
risk and responsibilities of the Risk committee will be 
performed by the Board as a whole until a new member of 
the Risk committee is appointed by the Chair. 

Overview

51

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

The role and responsibility of the Chair of the Risk 
committee is to set the agenda for meetings of the Risk 
committee and, in doing so, take responsibility for ensuring 
that the Risk committee fulfils its duties under its terms 
of reference. The main role of the Risk committee is to 
provide oversight to the operation of the risk management 
framework in relation to all identified risk types, with the 
exception of Investment Risk which is the responsibility 
of the Investment Adviser. The responsibilities of the Risk 
committee include, but are not limited to:

•  Monitoring the Company’s risk profile in order to 
confirm the Company is operating within the  
Board-approved risk appetite

•  Recommending risk limits and risk appetite criteria to 

the Board

•  Considering the need for specific risk exposures and 
ensuring appropriate action is taken where necessary

Management Engagement committee

The Management Engagement committee is 
appointed under terms of reference from the 
Board of Directors, available on the Company’s 
website at: http://oakleycapitalinvestments.com/
investor-relations/publications/ 

The purpose of the committee is to review on a regular 
basis the appointment, remuneration and performance 
of the key service providers to the Company. Laurence 
Blackall is Chair of the committee, and the committee 
includes any other Independent Director. The role 
and responsibility of the Chair of the Management 
Engagement committee is to set the agenda for meetings 
of this committee and, in doing so, take responsibility for 
ensuring the committee fulfils its duties under its terms of 
reference. These include, but are not limited to: 

•  Ensuring there is a suitable structure in place to i 

•  Monitoring compliance by providers of services 

dentify the changing nature of risks and to react to 
forward-looking risk issues

to the Company with the terms of their respective 
agreements

•  Reviewing risk training programmes to ensure the 

•  Reviewing and considering the appointment and 

strengthening of a risk aware culture in the Company

remuneration of providers of services to the Company

•  Reviewing the Company’s alignment to relevant 
Bermudian, UK and EU regulatory standards for 
systems, controls and conduct of business

Through the Risk committee, the Board has an ongoing 
process in place for the identification, evaluation and 
management of these risks. 

For more information, please find the full Risk 
committee report on page 56, and strategic risk 
management framework on page 40.

•  Considering any potential conflict of interest which 
may arise between the providers of services of  
the Company

•  Monitoring the performance of all key service providers

•  Monitoring and reviewing the Investment Adviser’s 
performance, taking into account the following 
factors: contractual arrangements with the 
Administrative Agent and Investment Adviser; 
investment performance; cash flow analysis; marketing 
performance; communication and support

•  Providing feedback to the Investment Adviser on its 
performance, and if necessary, suggesting changes 
and improvements to the Board.

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Corporate Governance report

CONTINUED

The Administrative Agent
Pursuant to an operational services agreement dated  
1 April 2017 (the “Operational Services Agreement”), the 
Company appointed Oakley Capital Manager Limited 
(“OCML” or the “Administrative Agent”) to provide 
operational assistance and services to the Board with 
respect to the Company’s investments and with its  
general administration. The Administrative Agent is 
managed by experienced third-party administrative and 
operational executives. 

The Administrative Agent is responsible for carrying out 
the day-to-day administrative operations of the Company 
and provides operational assistance with respect to the 
Company’s investments. The Administrative Agent has 
entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with 
the Investment Adviser to advise on the investment of 
the assets of the Company. The Investment Adviser 
also provides administrative support services to the 
Administrative Agent. 

Under the Operational Services Agreement, the 
Administrative Agent may also recharge costs incurred, 
either directly or indirectly by its contracted advisors,  
on behalf of the Company. 

The Investment Adviser

Oakley Capital Limited (“Oakley”) serves as the 
Investment Adviser to the Administrative Agent with 
respect to the Company. It was incorporated in England 
and Wales in 2000 under the Companies Act 1985 and 
is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct 
Authority. The Investment Adviser is primarily responsible 
for making investment recommendations to the Company 
along with structuring and negotiating deals for the  
Oakley Funds.

The Investment Adviser does not receive any management 
or performance fees from the Company. Any fees which 
are earned by the Investment Adviser are paid by the 
Administrative Agent.

Under the Operational Services Agreement, the 
Administrative Agent receives an operational services 
fee equal to 2% per annum of the net asset value 
(before deduction of any accrued performance fees) 
of all investments held by the Company except for the 
investments in and any debt facilities with the Oakley 
Funds. The fee is pro rata for partial period and payable 
quarterly in arrears. 

The Administrative Agent may receive also an advisory 
fee based on the successful buy-side and sell-side 
transactions of the Company for any direct equity 
investments of up to 2% of the equity transaction value  
as agreed between the parties. 

The Administrative Agent also receives a performance 
fee of 20% of the excess of any proceeds from the full or 
partial realisation on disposal of each of the Company’s 
co-investments over and above an 8% hurdle rate after the 
deduction of the original cost of the co-investment and the 
attributable proportion of all other expenses incurred by 
the Company in respect of co-investments.

Administrator and Company Secretary
The Company has appointed Mayflower Management 
Services (Bermuda) Limited (the “Administrator”) 
to provide administration services pursuant to an 
Administration Agreement dated 30 July 2007. It receives 
an annual administration fee at prevailing commercial 
rates. The Administrator is responsible for the Company’s 
general administrative requirements such as the 
calculation of the net asset value and net asset value per 
share and maintenance of the Company’s accounting and 
statutory records.

The Company has also entered into an agreement with 
Mayflower Corporate Services Limited, a subsidiary of the 
Administrator to provide corporate secretarial services. 
Any fees due to Mayflower Corporate Services Limited are 
paid by the Administrator. 

Overview

53

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Shareholder communications

Capital Markets Day

An annual Capital Markets Day consists of a presentation 
to shareholders and analysts by senior Partners of the 
Investment Adviser and management teams from a 
selection of Oakley Funds’ portfolio companies. The 
OCI Board attends the Capital Market’s Day to be 
available to shareholders. The event is held in London. 
The presentations are focused on the performance of the 
underlying Oakley Funds’ investment portfolio.

Public reporting

The Company’s Annual Report and Accounts, along  
with the half-year Financial Statements and other RNS 
releases are prepared in accordance with applicable 
regulatory requirements.

Signed on behalf of the Board

Caroline Foulger

Chair

13 March 2019 

Board oversight 

The Company places great importance on communication 
with its shareholders and endeavours to provide clear 
information, as well as maintaining a regular dialogue  
with shareholders. 

The Investment Adviser briefs the Board on a regular basis 
with regard to any feedback received from analysts and 
investors. Any significant concern raised by shareholders 
in relation to the Company is also communicated to the 
Board. The Company’s Nominated Broker (Liberum Capital 
Limited) regularly reports directly to the Board at meetings. 
In addition, research reports published by financial 
institutions on the Company are circulated to the Board. 

AGM

An Annual General Meeting is held each year, where a 
separate resolution is proposed on each substantially 
separate issue along with the presentation of the Annual 
Report and Accounts. All proxy votes are counted and, 
except where a poll is called, the level of proxies lodged 
for each resolution is announced at the Meeting and is 
published on the Company’s website. The notice of the 
Annual General Meeting and related papers are sent to 
shareholders at least 21 working days before the Meeting.

The Chair and the Directors can be contacted through 
the Company Secretary, Mayflower Corporate Services 
Limited, 3rd Floor, Mintflower Place, 8 Par-la-Ville Road, 
Hamilton HM08, Bermuda.

54

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Audit Committee report

The Board is supported by the Audit Committee, which comprises two Non-executive 
Directors. Laurence Blackall is Chair of the Committee and James Keyes served on 
the Committee until November 2018, when he was replaced by Stewart Porter. The 
Board would like to thank James for his valuable service on the Committee over the 
past number of years.

We are pleased to report on the range of matters which 
the Audit Committee has considered during the year, the 
key risks and judgment areas and the decisions applied. 

The principal role of the Audit Committee is to consider the 
following matters and make appropriate recommendations 
to the Board to ensure that:

• 

• 

• 

the accounting and internal control systems of the 
Investment Adviser are adequate;

the integrity of the Consolidated Financial Statements, 
taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, 
business model and strategy;

the independence, objectivity and effectiveness of  
the appointed Auditor is monitored and reviewed.  
The Committee additionally reviews their performance 
in terms of quality, control and value and discusses 
whether shareholders would be better served by a 
change of Auditor; and 

• 

the Company’s policy on the provision of non-audit 
services by the Auditor is developed and implemented.

The Audit Committee met four times during the year under 
review and has continued to support the Board in fulfilling 
its oversight responsibilities. 

Committee meetings

Director

Total meetings held

Number attended: 

Laurence Blackall

James Keyes *

Stewart Porter **

Committee 

attendance

4

4

4

1

* 

James Keyes attended all Audit Committee meetings while he served on  
the Committee in 2018 

**   Stewart Porter attended all Audit Committee meetings held in 2018 

following his appointment to the Board

Laurence Blackall 

Chair of the Audit Committee

AUDIT COMMITTEE  
MEMBERS

NUMBER OF  
MEETINGS HELD

2

4

Objectives for 2019
•  Continuing to monitor and review the 

relationship with the Auditor

•  Ensuring the accounting and internal control 

systems of the service providers are adequate

•  Challenging the investment valuation process 
and methodology to ensure valuations are 
fairly valued 

Achievements in 2018
•  Maintaining and monitoring the relationship 
with the Auditor, and the services it provides 
the Company

•  Concluding that the year-end valuations 
have been effectively carried out and the 
investments fairly valued

 
Overview

55

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

KPMG’s effectiveness and therefore has not considered it 
necessary to date, to require the Auditor to re-tender for 
the audit work. The Auditor is required to rotate  
the audit partner every five years. For the year ended  
31 December 2018, it is the second year of the audit 
partner’s engagement on the audit of the Company.

The Audit Committee has reviewed the provision of 
non-audit services by KPMG and believes it to be cost-
effective and not an impediment to the Auditor’s objectivity 
and independence. This is assessed by ensuring that 
KPMG has appropriate measures in place to  
safeguard its independence. Such measures include 
ensuring that separate engagement teams provide audit 
and non-audit services. 

The Audit Committee must approve in advance all  
non-audit work to be carried out by the Auditor for  
the Company. 

On behalf of the Audit Committee

Laurence Blackall 

Chair of the Audit Committee

Review of accounting policies and areas  
of judgment or estimation
The most significant risk in the Company’s accounts is 
the valuation of the Oakley Funds and of the Company’s 
co-investments and whether those investments are fairly 
and consistently valued. This issue is considered carefully 
when the Audit Committee reviews the Company’s Annual 
and Interim Report and Accounts. The Investment Adviser 
provides detailed explanations of the rationale for the 
valuation of each investment. These are discussed in  
detail by the Committee and with the Auditor. 

The key area of focus of the Committee is the valuation 
methodology and underlying business performance of the 
Oakley Funds’ portfolio companies.

The valuations are produced by the Investment Adviser’s 
respective deal teams and are independently reviewed 
by a professional valuation firm who report on their 
procedures and the conclusions of their work. The Audit 
Committee concluded that the year-end valuation process 
had been effectively carried out and that the investments 
have been fairly valued.

The Audit Committee reports to the Board after each  
Audit Committee meeting on the main matters discussed 
at the meeting. 

Audit
The Company’s Auditor, KPMG Audit Limited (“KPMG” 
or “the Auditor”), located in Hamilton, Bermuda, has 
been Auditor since 2007 and the Audit Committee 
reviews their performance annually. The Audit Committee 
considers a range of factors including the quality of 
service, the Auditor’s specialist expertise and the level 
of audit fee. The Audit Committee remains satisfied with 

PERCENTAGE OF  
MEETINGS ATTENDED

100%

56

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Risk Committee report 

The Board is supported by the Risk Committee, which until September 2018 comprised two 
Non-executive Directors, Christopher Wetherhill and Caroline Foulger. Since Christopher’s 
retirement in September 2018, Risk Committee functions have been performed by the Board 
as a whole. We anticipate appointing a new Non-executive Director in 2019 who will join the 
Risk Committee and enable us to re-establish the Committee separately as before. 

The Board is pleased to report on the range of matters 
which the Risk Committee has considered during 2018, the 
key risks and judgment areas and the decisions applied. 

Risk is an integral part of business and the effective 
identification and management of risks is central to 
operating a successful business and to the Company 
achieving its strategic objectives. Having a clear and well 
understood risk management strategy, assists the Board 
to ensure the Company achieves an appropriate balance 
between generating returns for its investors, meeting its 
regulatory and governance responsibilities, considering 
the views of other stakeholders and taking proportionate 
and managed risks. In that respect, the Board has 
established the Risk Committee to have oversight of  
those identified risks. 

The Risk Committee met three times during the year under 
review and has continued to support the Board in fulfilling 
its oversight responsibilities. 

Committee meetings 

Director

Total meetings held

Number attended: 

Caroline Foulger

Christopher Wetherhill

Committee 

attendance

3

3

3

* 

 Christopher Wetherhill attended all Risk Committee meetings in 2018 
during the period which he served as a Director. After his retirement 
from the Board in September, a quorum was not met by the Risk 
Committee and therefore Risk Committee functions were performed by 
the Board. This will continue until a new Director is appointed to the Risk 
Committee in 2019. 

The principal risks and uncertainties faced by the 
Company are described below and Note 5 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements provides detailed 
explanations of the risks associated with the Company’s 
financial instruments. 

Caroline Foulger

Chair

RISK COMMITTEE  
MEMBERS *

NUMBER OF  
MEETINGS HELD

2

3

Objectives for 2019
•  Appointing a new Non-executive Director to 

join the Risk Committee

•  Continuing to monitor the key risks identified, 

reporting to the Board periodically 

•  Continuing to improve the methodologies 
and processes used by the Company for 
identifying, evaluating and monitoring risks 

Achievements in 2018
•  Monitoring the compliance of the Company 

with regard to the various regulatory 
submissions 

•  Challenging and maintaining the risk 

framework for the Company ensuring the 
correct reporting to the Board on key risks for 
the Company

Overview

57

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

•  Operational: relates to risks associated with, 

and supporting the operating environment of, the 
Company. The operating environment middle and 
back-office functions such as valuation, accounting, 
administration and reporting, are primarily performed 
by service providers. The Company is dependent on its 
Investment Adviser, the Administrative Agent and their 
professionals. The Investment Adviser’s employees, 
on behalf of the Administrative Agent, play key roles 
in the operation of the Company. The departure or 
reassignment of some or all of these professionals 
could limit the Company’s ability to achieve its 
investment objectives. 

companies. The credit risk of lending to these entities, 
together with any accumulative risk, is considered on a 
case-by-case basis by the Board and Risk Committee. 

•  Financial: relates to inadequate controls by the 
Investment Adviser or other third-party service 
providers which could lead to misappropriation of 
assets, inappropriate valuation or incorrect financial 
reporting. Inappropriate accounting policies or failure 
to comply with accounting standards could lead to 
misreporting or breaches of regulations. Valuation is 
particularly judgmental depending as it does upon 
estimates of future events and circumstances and 
upon the methodology used. 

•  Regulatory: the risk that a change in the laws and 
regulations will materially impact the business 
if the Company is not in compliance. The laws 
and regulations include the AIM Rules, AIFMD 
requirements, FCA requirements, Bermuda legal and 
corporate governance requirements. This risk also 
relates to the quality of the Company’s relationship 
with its regulators.

•  Liquidity: relates to the risk that the Company’s 

commitments to either meet the capital calls from its 
investments in the Oakley Funds or to pay its regular 
dividend will not be met from available cash resources. 
The Investment Adviser has regard to the liquidity and 
life-cycle phases of the Oakley Funds when making 
investment decisions, and the Company manages its 
liquid resources to ensure sufficient cash is available 
to meet its contractual commitments. At certain 
points in the investment cycle, the Company may hold 
substantial amounts of cash awaiting investment, 
which it may temporarily invest in government or 
corporate securities, or in bank deposits.

•  Market: relates to losses that could be incurred due 
to changes in external market factors (i.e. prices, 
volatilities, correlations, foreign exchange, political 
risk and event risk). The Company faces market risks 
from its exposures through investing into the Oakley 
Funds and through its loans or co-investments pursued 
alongside the Oakley Funds. 

•  Counterparty: relates to losses that could be incurred 
due to declines in the creditworthiness of entities in 
which the Company either directly, or through the 
Oakley Funds invests. From time-to-time the Company 
may provide bridging or debt finance to other entities, 
such as the Oakley Funds or underlying portfolio 

For further details on how the Company has addressed 
and mitigated these risks throughout 2018, see the risk 
management report on page 40. 

On behalf of the Risk Committee

Caroline Foulger

Chair 

PERCENTAGE OF  
MEETINGS ATTENDED

100%

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OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Directors’ report

The Directors present their report and financial statements for the year ended 
31 December 2018. The results for the year are set out in the attached financial 
statements and have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

The Company’s registered office and principal place of 
business is 3rd Floor, Mintflower Place, 8 Par-la-Ville Road, 
Hamilton HM08, Bermuda. 

Directors
The Board currently comprises the Chair and four other 
Non-executive Directors as disclosed in their respective 
biographies on page 44. During the year, the former 
Chair, Christopher Wetherhill, retired from the Board, after 
holding the position for 11 years. The Company would like 
to thanks Christopher for his valuable contribution to the 
Company during his tenure. In his place, Caroline Foulger 
was named Chair of the Board. The Board also welcomed 
Stewart Porter as a Non-executive Director in September 
2018. With over 40 years of operational experience within 
private equity and TMT businesses, the Board feels he is  
a valuable addition. 

All Directors, other than Peter Dubens and Stewart Porter, 
are considered to be independent. Peter Dubens and 
David Till (both Directors of the Investment Adviser), with a 
team of 19 investment professionals, are together primarily 
responsible for performing investment advisory obligations 
with respect to the Company and the Oakley Funds. Peter 
Dubens is a Director of both the Investment Adviser and 
the Company and cannot vote on any Board decision 
relating to the Investment Advisory Agreement whilst he 
has an interest.

Stewart Porter is a former employee of the Investment 
Adviser and retired from his role of Chief Operating 
Officer in June 2018. In line with the AIC Code of 
Compliance, Stewart is not independent due to his former 
employment with the Investment Adviser. He will be 
submitted for re-election on an annual basis in accordance 
with the Bye-Laws of the Company. 

The Company is not aware of any other potential conflicts 
of interest between any duty of any of the Directors owed 
to it and their respective private interests.

Share capital
As at the date of this report, the Company had an issued 
share capital of 204,804,036. The rights attaching to the 
shares are set out in the Bye-Laws of the Company. There 
are no restrictions on the transfer of ordinary shares in the 
capital of the Company other than those which may be 
imposed by law from time-to-time. There are no special 
control rights in relation to the Company’s shares and 
the Company is not aware of any agreements between 
holders of securities that may result in restrictions on 
the transfer of securities or on voting rights, except for 
the lock-ups agreed at the time of admission as set out 
in the prospectus. In accordance with the Disclosure 
and Transparency Rules, Board members and certain 
employees of the Company’s service providers are 
required to seek approval to deal in the Company’s shares. 

Voting rights
In a general meeting of the Company, every holder of 
shares who is present in person or by proxy shall, on a 
poll, have one vote for every share of which they are the 
holder. All the rights attached to a treasury share shall be 
suspended and shall not be exercised by the Company 
while it holds such treasury share and, where required 
by the Act, all treasury shares shall be excluded from the 
calculation of any percentage or fraction of the share 
capital or shares of the Company. As at 31 December 
2018, the Company does not hold any treasury shares. 

Directors’ interests in shares 
As at 13 March 2019, Directors who are beneficial owners 
of shares in the Company are:

Director

Caroline Foulger 

Laurence Blackall

Peter Dubens 

Stewart Porter

James Keyes

No. of shares

122,000

200,000

9,554,068

0

60,000

Overview

59

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Save as disclosed above, none of the Directors nor 
any member of their respective immediate families, nor 
any person connected with a Director, has any interest 
whether beneficial or non-beneficial in the share capital of 
the Company.

Substantial shareholdings 
As at 13 March 2019, the Company has received the 
following notifications of interest of 3% or more in the 
voting rights attached to the Company’s ordinary shares:

Relations with shareholders
The Board recognises that it is important to maintain 
appropriate contact with major shareholders in order 
to understand their issues and concerns. Members of 
the Board have had the opportunity to attend meetings 
with major shareholders, and the Board receives major 
shareholders’ views of the Company via direct face-to-
face contact, analyst and broker briefings. 

In addition, the Investment Adviser maintains dialogue 
with institutional shareholders, the feedback from which is 
reported to the Board. The Board monitors the Company’s 
trading activity on a regular basis.

The Company reports formally to shareholders twice 
a year. In addition, current information is provided to 
shareholders on an ongoing basis through the  
Company’s website.

Corporate responsibility
The Board considers the ongoing interests of shareholders 
on the basis of open and regular dialogue with the 
Investment Adviser. The Board receives regular updates 
outlining regulatory and statutory developments and 
responds as appropriate. 

Significant agreements

The following agreements are considered significant to  
the Company:

•  Oakley Capital Manager Limited (“Administrative 

Agent”) under the Operational Services Agreement

•  Oakley Capital Limited (“Oakley”) as Investment 

Adviser to the Administrative Agent, under the terms of 
the Investment Adviser Agreement

•  Mayflower Management Services (Bermuda) Limited 
and its subsidiary Mayflower Corporate Services 
Limited, under the Administrator Agreement

•  Computershare as Registrar under the Registration 

Agreement

•  KPMG as appointed external Auditor

•  Liberum Capital Limited as Nominated Adviser  

and Broker 

Shareholder

Invesco Perpetual

Woodford Investment Management

Asset Value Investors

FIL Investment International

OCI Directors, employees and related parties

Sarasin and Partners

Rothschild Private Management

Jon Wood and Family

% of voting 

rights

20.4

19.8

10.8

5.6

5.1

5.0

4.0

3.4

Compensation for loss of office
There are no agreements between the Company and its 
Directors providing for compensation for loss of office that 
occurs because of a change of control. 

Delegation of responsibilities
Under the Operational Services Agreement, the Board has 
delegated to the Administrative Agent substantial authority 
for carrying out the day-to-day administrative functions 
of the Company. The Board has the ultimate decision to 
invest (or take any other action) in the Oakley Funds or as 
a co-investment. In the ordinary course it makes decisions 
after reviewing the recommendations provided by the 
Investment Adviser on behalf of the Administrative Agent.

The Directors of the Company believe this creates the 
proper conditions to enhance long-term shareholder value 
and to achieve a high level of corporate performance. 

The exercise of voting rights attached to the Company’s 
underlying investments lies with Oakley. Oakley has 
a policy of active portfolio management and ensures 
that significant time and resource is dedicated to every 
investment, with Oakley executives and Operating 
Partners typically being appointed to portfolio company 
boards, in order to ensure the application of active, 
results-orientated corporate governance. 

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OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Directors’ report

CONTINUED

Board responsibilities
The Board meets at least quarterly and between these 
scheduled meetings there is regular contact between 
Directors and the Investment Adviser as otherwise 
required for the purpose of considering key investment 
decisions of the Company.

The Directors are kept fully informed of investments 
and other matters that are relevant to the business 
of the Company. Such information is brought to the 
attention of the Board by the Investment Adviser and by 
the Administrator in their periodic reports detailing the 
Company’s performance. The Board also receives other 
information as may, from time-to-time, be reasonably 
required by the Directors for the purpose of such meetings 
from the Administrative Agent and other service providers. 

For the avoidance of doubt, the Directors do not make 
investment decisions on behalf of the Oakley Funds, 
nor do they have any role or involvement in selecting or 
implementing transactions by the Oakley Funds or in the 
management of the Oakley Funds.

Employees
The Company does not have any direct employees. 

Political donations and expenditure
The Company has made no political donations in the 
period since incorporation or since admission. 

Dividends and distributions
The Board has adopted a dividend policy which takes 
into account the profitability and underlying performance 
of the Company in addition to capital requirements, 
cash flows and distributable reserves. The Company 
has experienced strong NAV growth in 2018 due to the 
successful realisations the Oakley Funds have completed 
in the year and the growth in the Oakley Funds’ underlying 
portfolio companies. 

The Company declared a final dividend of 2.25 pence per 
share in respect of the year ended 31 December 2017, 
which was paid in April 2018. An interim dividend of 2.25 
pence per share was paid by the Company in respect of 
the six months to 30 June 2018, in October 2018. 

Events after the reporting period
The Audit Committee noted the following significant  
post-balance sheet events:

•  On 3 January 2019, the Company committed  

€400 million to Oakley Capital IV, an exempted limited 
partnership established in Luxembourg.

•  On 13 March 2019, the Board of Directors approved a 
final dividend of 2.25 pence per share in respect of the 
financial year ended 31 December 2018. This is due to 
be paid on 25 April 2019, to shareholders registered  
on or before 5 April 2019. The ex-dividend date is  
4 April 2019.

Going concern
After making enquiries and given the nature of the 
Company and its investments, the Directors, after due 
consideration, conclude that the Company should be able 
to continue for the foreseeable future. 

In reaching this conclusion, the Directors have assessed 
the nature of the Company’s assets and considers 
that adverse investment performance should not have 
a material impact on the Company’s ability to meet its 
liabilities as they fall due. Accordingly, they are satisfied 
that it is appropriate to adopt a going concern basis in 
preparing these financial statements. 

Disclosure of information to the auditor
Having made enquiries of fellow Directors and key service 
providers, each of the Directors confirms that: 

•  To the best of their knowledge and belief, there is no 
relevant audit information of which the Company’s 
auditor is unaware; and

•  They have 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 auditor is aware of that information. 

AGM
Details of the AGM will be notified to shareholders 
seperately to this report. 

The Directors’ report has been approved by the Board and 
is signed on its behalf by: 

Caroline Foulger

Chair

Overview

61

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Directors’ remuneration report

As the Company is a self-managed investment company with a Board comprised 
wholly of Non-executive Directors, AIC provisions relating to executive Directors’ 
remuneration are not deemed relevant.

In particular, the Company’s day-to-day management and administrative functions 
are outsourced to third parties. As a result, the Company has no executive Directors, 
employees or internal operations. The Company therefore, not reported further in 
respect of these provisions. 

Remuneration report 
The Non-executive Directors who served in the period from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 received the  
fees detailed in the table below. Directors are remunerated in the form of fees, payable annually in advance, to the 
Director personally.

Director

Christopher Wetherhill

James Keyes

Caroline Foulger

Peter Dubens *

Laurence Blackall

Stewart Porter **

Fees  

£

75,000

45,000

55,000

–

45,000

14,000

*  Peter Dubens is also a Director of the Investment Adviser and accordingly serves without fee

**  Stewart Porter was appointed in September 2018

There are no long-term incentive schemes provided by the Company and no performance fees are paid to Directors. 

No Director has a service contract with the Company and each Director is appointed by a letter of appointment setting 
out the terms of their appointment. Directors are elected by shareholders at the AGM.

The table above details the Director’s fee paid to each Director of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2018.  

62

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Accounts in 
accordance with applicable laws and regulations. 

Responsibility statement of the Directors in 
respect of the annual financial report
Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are 
listed in the Board of Directors section of the Annual 
Report, confirms that, to the best of his/her knowledge: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

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

the consolidated financial statements, prepared in 
accordance with IFRS, give a true and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities, financial position and results of the 
Company, taken as a whole are in compliance with the 
requirements set out in the Bermuda Companies Act 
1981 (as amended); 

the Annual Report includes a fair review of the 
information which provides an indication of important 
events and a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties the Company faces; 

the Investment Adviser’s report, together with the 
Directors’ report and Chair’s statement, include a fair 
review of the information as required; and

the Annual Report and consolidated financial 
statements, taken as a whole, provide the information 
necessary to assess the Company’s position and 
performance, business model and strategy, and is fair, 
balanced and understandable. 

Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors 

Caroline Foulger

Chair

13 March 2019

Bermuda company law requires the Directors to prepare 
Financial Statements for each financial year. Under that law 
the Directors have prepared the Consolidated Financial 
Statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS). Under Bermuda 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 Company and of the profit or 
loss of the Company for that period. In preparing these 
Financial Statements, the Directors are required to: 

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply 

them consistently; 

•  make judgments and estimates that are reasonable  

and prudent; 

•  state whether applicable accounting standards have 
been followed subject to any material departures 
disclosed and explained in the Financial Statements; 

•  assess the Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing as applicable, matters related to 
going concern; and

•  use the going concern basis of accounting unless it 
is inappropriate to presume that the Company will 
continue in business. 

The Consolidated Financial Statements are published  
on www.oakleycapitalinvestments.com. The  
responsibility for the maintenance and integrity of the 
website, so far as it relates to the Company, has been 
delegated to the Investment Adviser. The work carried 
out by the Auditor does not involve consideration of 
the maintenance and integrity of this website and, 
accordingly, the Auditor accepts no responsibility for any 
changes that have occurred to the Financial Statements 
since they were initially presented on the website. 

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper 
accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain 
the Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company 
and enable them to ensure that the Financial Statements 
comply with the Bermuda Companies Act (1981 (as 
amended)). They are also responsible for safeguarding  
the assets of the Company and hence for taking 
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of  
fraud and other irregularities. 

Overview

63

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Alternative Investment Fund 
Managers’ Directive

Status and legal form
The Company is a self-managed non-EU Alternative Investment Fund. It is a closed-ended investment company 
incorporated in Bermuda and traded on AIM of the London Stock Exchange. The Company’s registered office is  
3rd Floor, Mintflower Place, 8 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM08, Bermuda. 

Remuneration disclosure
The total amount of remuneration paid by the Company, to its Directors was £234,000. This comprised solely of fixed 
remuneration, no variable remuneration was paid. Fixed remuneration was composed of agreed fixed fees. There were 
five beneficiaries of this remuneration. 

64

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Financial  
Statements

Overview

65

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Independent Auditor’s report  

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income  

Consolidated balance sheet  

Consolidated statement of changes in equity  

Consolidated statement of cash flows  

Notes to the consolidated financial statements  

Directors and advisers  

Glossary  

66

70

71

72

73

74 

101

102

66

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Independent Auditor’s report

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Oakley Capital Investments Limited 

 Report on the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements

Opinion
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Oakley Capital Investments Limited (the “Company”), which 
comprise the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2018 and the consolidated statements of comprehensive 
income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year then ended, and notes, comprising significant accounting policies 
and other explanatory information. 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the 
consolidated financial position of the Company as at 31 December 2018 and its consolidated financial performance 
and its consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS).

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (“ISAs”). Our responsibilities under 
those standards are further described in the “Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements” section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical requirements 
that are relevant to our audit of the consolidated financial statements in Bermuda and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient 
and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the 
consolidated financial statements for the current year. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 
consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate 
opinion on these matters. 

The key audit matter that arose is as follows:

Valuation of the unquoted investment portfolio 

As discussed in the Audit Committee report on page 54, the accounting policies on pages 75 to 78 and in                
Notes 6 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements on pages 84 to 85 and 86 to 90, respectively, the Company 
holds investments in private equity partnerships (the Funds) and unquoted debt securities at 31 December 2018 of           
£447.4 million, where quoted prices do not exist. Such unquoted equity investments and debt securities are carried at 
their estimated fair values based upon the principles of the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Association 
(“IPEV”) valuation guidelines.

The valuation of the unquoted private equity partnerships and debt securities held in the Company’s investment 
portfolio is the key driver of its net asset value and total return to shareholders.

The private equity partnerships hold equity investments in unquoted portfolio companies. The valuation of these 
portfolio companies is complex and requires the application of judgment by the Investment Adviser. 

The fair values are based upon the income approach, where estimated future cash flows are discounted at an 
appropriate interest rate, or the market approach which estimates the enterprise value of the investee using a 
comparable multiple of revenues or EBITDA, information from recent comparable transactions, or the underlying          
net asset value. 

Overview

67

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

The risk

The significance of the unquoted investments to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, combined with the 
judgment required in estimating their fair values means this was an area of focus during our audit.  

Our response to the risk

We performed the following procedures:

We selected a sample of the unquoted debt securities held by the Company and unquoted equity investments held 
indirectly through investments in private equity partnerships and performed the following audit procedures:

•  Obtained independent confirmations of the existence and accuracy of the unquoted equity investments and debt 

securities or agreed them to loan agreements;

•  Obtained the Investment Adviser’s models for valuing the unquoted equity investments and debt securities;

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Determined that the valuation specialists engaged by the Investment Adviser are qualified and independent             
of the Company;

 Challenged the Investment Adviser on the methodologies followed and key assumptions used in determining the 
valuations of the unquoted equity investments and debt securities in the context of the IPEV valuation guidelines;

 Obtained management information, including budgets and forecasts for revenues and EBITDA, which are the        
key inputs used in the valuation models by the Investment Adviser and compared this information to that used          
in the models;

 Independently sourced multiples for comparable companies used by the Investment Adviser, considered whether 
those companies are comparable to the investee and compared them to the multiples used in the valuations;

 Tested the mathematical accuracy of the valuation models;

 Tested the disclosures made about the unquoted equity investments and debt securities in the Notes to the 
consolidated financial statements for compliance with IFRS; and

 Monitored any events that emerged in the post balance sheet period (up to the date of signing the Company’s 
consolidated financial statements) that would have a potential impact on the value of the unquoted equity 
investments and debt securities held at the year-end.

Other information in the Annual Report
Management is responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report. The other information 
comprises the overview, strategic report by the Investment Adviser, and governance sections. 

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any 
form of assurance or conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information 
and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial 
statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we 
are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

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OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Independent Auditor’s report 
CONTINUED

Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the                
consolidated financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in 
accordance with IFRS, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation 
of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.  

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

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process.

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

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional 
scepticism throughout the audit. 

We also:

• 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or 
error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is 
higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, 
or the override of internal control.

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in 
the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control.

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related 

disclosures made by management.

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the 

audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant 
doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are 
required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if 
such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to 
the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a    
going concern.

•  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, 

and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that 
achieves fair presentation.

69

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing 
of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during 
our audit.

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical 
requirements regarding independence, and communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may 
reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most 
significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit 
matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about 
the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our 
report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest 
benefits of such communication.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is James Berry. 

KPMG Audit Limited

Chartered Professional Accountants

Hamilton, Bermuda

13 March 2019  

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OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Income

Interest income

Net realised gains on investments at fair value through profit and loss

Net change in unrealised gains/(losses) on investments at fair value through 

profit and loss

Net foreign currency gains/(losses)

Other income

Total income

Expenses

Operating profit

Interest expense

Profit attributable to equity shareholders/total comprehensive income

Earnings per share

Notes

13

6, 7

2018
£’000

6,629

102,314

2017
£’000

7,722

23,991

6, 7

(23,877)

20,316

14

3,149

217

88,432

(6,045)

82,387

(389)

81,998

(839)

306

51,496

(6,529)

44,967

 (42)

44,925

Basic and diluted earnings per share (pence)

22

£0.40

£0.22

The Notes on pages 74 to 100 are an integral part of these financial statements.

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Financial Statements

Consolidated balance sheet

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2018

Assets

Non-current assets

Investments

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Total liabilities

Net assets attributable to shareholders

Equity

Share capital

Share premium

Retained earnings

Total shareholders’ equity

Net asset per ordinary share

Basic and diluted net assets per share

Ordinary shares in issue at 31 December (‘000)

Notes

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

6, 8

11

10

12

24

24

23

24

469,749

469,749

11

107,888

107,899

577,648

419,627

419,627

668

117,836

118,504

538,131

2,826

2,826

36,091

36,091

574,822

502,040

2,048

244,533

328,241

574,822

2,048

244,533

255,459

502,040

£ 2.81

£ 2.45

204,804

204,804

The Notes on pages 74 to 100 are an integral part of these financial statements.

The financial statements of Oakley Capital Investments Limited (registration number: 40324) on pages 70 to 100 were 
approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 13 March 2019 and were signed on their behalf by:

Caroline Foulger 
Director  

Laurence Blackall
Director

 
 
 
 
 
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Consolidated statement of changes in equity

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Balance at 1 January 2017

Profit for the year/total comprehensive income

Sale of treasury shares

Cancellation of treasury shares

Dividends

Total transactions with equity shareholders

Share
capital
£’000

2,069

–

–

(21)

–

(21)

Share
premium
£’000

246,245

–

(259)

 (1,453)

–

Treasury
shares
£’000

(25,024)

–

23,550

1,474

–

 (1,712)

25,024

Retained
earnings
£’000

215,142

44,925

–

–

(4,608)

 (4,608)

Total
shareholders’
equity
£’000

438,432

44,925

23,291

–

(4,608)

18,683

Balance at 31 December 2017

2,048

244,533

Profit for the year/total comprehensive income

Dividends

Total transactions with equity shareholders

–

–

–

–

–

–

Balance at 31 December 2018

2,048

244,533

–

–

–

–

–

255,459

502,040

81,998

(9,216)

(9,216)

81,998

(9,216)

(9,216)

328,241

574,822

The Notes on pages 74 to 100 are an integral part of these financial statements.

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Financial Statements

Consolidated statement of cash flows

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Cash flows from operating activities

Purchases of investments

Sales of investments

Interest income received

Expenses paid

Interest expense paid

Other income received

Notes

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

(165,302)

(167,047)

158,712

167,773

7,077

(4,196)

(389)

217

7,001

(5,967)

(42)

306

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities

(3,881)

2,024

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from treasury shares sold

Dividends paid

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

24

25

–

(9,216)

(9,216)

(13,097)

23,291

(13,149)

10,142

12,166

117,836

106,509

3,149

 (839)

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

10

107,888

117,836

The Notes on pages 74 to 100 are an integral part of these financial statements.

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

1. Reporting entity
Oakley Capital Investments Limited (the “Company”) is a closed-ended investment company incorporated under the 
laws of Bermuda on 28 June 2007. The principal objective of the Company is to achieve capital appreciation through 
investments in a diversified portfolio of private mid-market businesses, primarily in the UK and Europe. The Company 
currently achieves its investment objective primarily through its investments in the following four private equity funds 
(the “Funds”): 

•  Oakley Capital Private Equity L.P. (“Fund I”); 

•  Oakley Capital Private Equity II-A L.P., which together with Oakley Capital Private Equity II-B L.P., Oakley Capital 
Private Equity II-C L.P. (collectively the “Fund II Feeder Funds”) and OCPE II Master L.P. (the “Fund II Master”) 
collectively comprise “Fund II”; 

•  Oakley Capital Private Equity III-A L.P., which together with Oakley Capital Private Equity III-B L.P., Oakley Capital 
Private Equity III-C L.P. (collectively the “Fund III Feeder Funds”) and OCPE III Master L.P. (the “Fund III Master”) 
collectively comprise “Fund III”; and

•  OCPE Education (Feeder) L.P., which together with OCPE Education L.P. collectively comprise “OCPE Education”. 

Fund I, Fund II, Fund III and OCPE Education are all constituent limited partnerships and are exempted limited 
partnerships established in Bermuda.

The defined term “Company” shall, where the context requires for the purposes of consolidation, include the 
Company’s sole and wholly owned subsidiary, OCIL Financing (Bermuda) Limited (“OCI Financing”).

The Company listed on AIM of the London Stock Exchange Limited on 3 August 2007, with “OCI” as its listed ticker.

2. Basis of preparation 
The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on a going concern basis and under the 
historical cost convention, except for financial instruments at fair value through profit and loss, which are measured at 
fair value.

The Board of Directors consider that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these 
consolidated financial statements. In reaching this assessment, the Board of Directors have considered a wide range of 
information relating to the present and future conditions, including the consolidated balance sheet, future projections, 
cash flows and the longer-term strategy of the Company.

2.1 Basis for compliance

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

2.2 Functional and presentation currency

The consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling (“pounds”), which is the Company’s 
functional currency.

3. Significant accounting policies
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out 
below. These policies have been consistently applied to all periods presented, unless otherwise stated.

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3.1 Changes in accounting policies and disclosures

(a) New and amended standards adopted by the Company

The following amendments to standards and interpretations are effective for annual periods beginning on or after           
1 January 2018, and have been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements. 

A. IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement for annual periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2018, bringing together all three aspects of the accounting for financial instruments: 
classification and measurement; impairment; and hedge accounting. It includes revised guidance on the classification 
and measurement of financial instruments, a new expected credit loss model for calculating impairment on financial 
assets and new general hedge accounting requirements. It also carries forward the guidance on recognition and 
derecognition of financial instruments from IAS 39.

i. Classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities

IFRS 9 contains a new classification and measurement approach for financial assets with three principal classification 
categories for financial assets: measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income and fair 
value through profit and loss. It eliminates the existing IAS 39 categories of held to maturity, loans and receivables and 
available for sale. The classification of financial assets under IFRS 9 is generally based on the business model in which a 
financial asset is managed and its contractual cash flow characteristics.

IFRS 9 largely retains the existing requirements in IAS 39 for the classification and measurement of financial liabilities as 
the new requirements affect only the accounting of financial liabilities specifically classified at fair value through profit or 
loss. The Company does not have such liabilities.

The adoption of IFRS 9 has not had a significant effect on the Company’s accounting policies relating to financial assets 
or financial liabilities. 

Under IAS 39, the Company classified its investments in private equity funds, direct investments and loans to the Funds, 
portfolio companies and other loans (herein referred to as “unquoted debt securities”) as financial assets held at fair 
value through profit and loss. These investments were managed on a fair value basis and their performances were 
monitored on this basis. The Company has elected to continue to classify these investments as financial assets held at 
fair value through profit and loss under IFRS 9 and no changes to retained earnings are required.

Trade and other receivables were classified at amortised cost under IAS 39. The Company continues to classify it as 
amortised cost under IFRS 9 and no adjustments to the consolidated financial statements are required.

ii. Impairment of financial assets

IFRS 9 replaces the “incurred loss” model in IAS 39 with a forward looking “expected credit loss” model. The new 
impairment model applies to financial assets measured at amortised cost and debt investments at fair value through 
other comprehensive income, but not to investments in equity instruments. Under IFRS 9, credit losses are recognised 
earlier than under IAS 39.

The financial assets held by the Company at amortised cost consist of trade receivables and cash and cash 
equivalents. Due to the nature of these financial assets, the Company does not believe that the risk of impairment is 
significant and has determined that the credit risk at the reporting date is low and does not significantly increase after 
initial recognition.

iii. Hedge accounting

The new hedge accounting model introduced by IFRS 9 requires hedge accounting relationships to be aligned with the 
Company’s risk management strategy and objectives, and to apply a more qualitative and forward-looking approach 
to assessing their effectiveness. Hedge accounting relationships are to be discontinued only when the relationships no 
longer qualify for hedge accounting.

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

3. Significant accounting policies continued
(a) New and amended standards adopted by the Company continued

iii. Hedge accounting continued

The Company does not currently apply hedge accounting and changes to hedge accounting due to IFRS 9 does not 
affect the Company.

The Company has elected to apply IFRS 9 retrospectively.

B. IFRIC 22 Foreign currency transactions and advance consideration

IFRIC 22 (the “Interpretation”) clarifies the accounting for transactions that include the receipt or payment of advance 
consideration in a foreign currency. The Interpretation clarifies that, in determining the spot exchange rate to use on 
initial recognition of the related asset, expense or income (or part of it) on the derecognition of a non-monetary asset 
or non-monetary liability relating to advance consideration, the date of the transaction is the date on which an entity 
initially recognises the non-monetary asset or non-monetary liability arising from the advance consideration. If there are 
multiple payments or receipts in advance, then the entity must determine a date of the transactions for each payment or 
receipt of advance consideration. 

This Interpretation does not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Several other amendments and interpretations apply for the first time effective 1 January 2018 but do not have a material 
effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and did not require retrospective adjustments. 

(b) New standards, amendments and interpretations that are not yet effective and might be relevant for 
the Company:

A number of standards have been issued but are not yet effective as at the year end. The Company is currently in the 
process of analysing the impact of these new standards, amendments to existing standards and annual improvements 
to IFRS in detail but these are not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements of 
the Company.

3.2 Basis for consolidation

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. The Company controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights 
to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over 
the entity. While the Company may have a greater than 50% ownership interest in a Fund, it is a limited partner and does 
not have the ability to affect the decisions of the Fund’s General Partner or the returns of the Funds. The consolidated 
financial statements have been prepared using uniform accounting policies for like transactions and other events in 
similar circumstances.

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, 
after the elimination of all significant intercompany balances and transactions. The financial statements of the 
Company’s sole wholly owned subsidiary, OCI Financing, are included in the consolidation. As at 31 December 2018, 
the Company holds $29,201,704 share capital in OCI Financing (2017: $29,201,704).

As per IFRS 10, investment entities are exempted from consolidating controlled investees. The Company meets the 
definition of an investment entity, as the following conditions are met:

•  The Company provides investment management services.

•  The business purpose of the Company is to invest into private equity funds and to purchase, hold and dispose of 

investments directly in portfolio companies with above-average growth potential with the goal of achieving returns 
from capital appreciation and investment income.

•  The performance of these investments is measured and evaluated on a fair value basis.

•  The Company holds multiple investments.

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Financial Statements

The Company therefore measures its investments at fair value through profit and loss in accordance with the investment 
entity exemption. The Company does not consolidate any of its investments in the Funds.

3.3 Investments

(a) Classification

The Company classifies its investments in private equity funds, direct investments and loans as financial assets held at 
fair value through profit and loss at inception. 

Financial assets held at fair value through profit and loss at inception are assets that are managed and their 
performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with the Company’s investment strategy.

(b) Recognition and measurement

Financial assets held at fair value through profit and loss are recognised initially on the trade date. Financial assets 
held at fair value through profit and loss are recognised initially at fair value, with transaction costs recognised in profit 
or loss.

Net gains and losses from financial assets held at fair value through profit and loss include all realised and unrealised 
fair value changes and foreign exchange differences and are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income in the period in which they arise. 

Quoted investments are subsequently carried at fair value. Fair value is measured using the closing bid price at the 
reporting date, where the investment is quoted on an active stock market. 

Unquoted investments, including both equities and loans, are subsequently carried in the consolidated balance sheet at 
fair value. Fair value is determined in line with the Company’s investment valuation policy, which is compliant with the fair 
value guidelines under IFRS 13 and the International Private Equity and Venture Capital (IPEV) Valuation Guidelines. 

(c) Derecognition

The Company derecognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or it 
transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all the risks and rewards 
of ownership of the financial asset are transferred or in which the Company neither transfers nor retains substantially all 
the risks and rewards of ownership and does not retain control of the financial asset. Any interest on such transferred 
financial assets that is created or retained by the Company is recognised as a separate asset or liability. 

On derecognition of a financial asset, the difference between the carrying amount of the asset (or the carrying amount 
allocated to the portion of the asset derecognised), and consideration received (including any new asset obtained less 
any new liability assumed) is recognised in profit or loss.

3.4 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include deposits held on call with banks and other short-term deposits. The Company 
considers all short-term deposits with a maturity of 90 days or less as equivalent to cash.

3.5 Trade receivables

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost, less any allowance 
for impairment, using the effective interest method.

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

3. Significant accounting policies continued
3.6 Trade payables

Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired or received in the ordinary course 
of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or 
less (or in the normal operating cycle of the business if longer). If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. 
Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method.

3.7 Interest income

Interest on unquoted debt securities held at fair value through profit and loss is accrued on a time-proportionate basis, 
by reference to the principal outstanding and the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that discounts 
estimated future cash receipts over the expected life of the debt security to its net carrying amount on initial recognition. 
Interest income is recognised gross of withholding tax, if any. Interest income on unquoted debt securities is recognised 
as a separate line item in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and classified within operating activities 
in the consolidated cash flows statement.

3.8 Expenses

Expenses are recognised on the accruals basis.

3.9 Foreign currency translation

The functional currency of the Company is pounds. Transactions in currencies other than pounds are recorded at the 
rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. 

At each reporting date, investments and other monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies 
are translated at the rates prevailing on the reporting date. Capital drawdowns and proceeds of distributions from the 
Funds and foreign currencies and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into 
pounds at the exchange rate on the respective dates of such transactions.

Foreign exchange gains and losses on other monetary assets and liabilities are recognised in net foreign currency gains 
and losses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

The Company does not isolate unrealised or realised foreign exchange gains and losses arising from changes in the fair 
value of investments. All such foreign exchange gains and losses are included with the net realised and unrealised gains 
or losses on investments in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

3.10 Share capital

Ordinary shares issued by the Company are recognised based on the proceeds or fair value received, with the excess 
of the amount received over their nominal value being credited to the share premium account. Direct issue costs are 
deducted from equity.

3.11 Earnings per share

The Company presents basic and diluted earnings per share data for its ordinary shares. Basic earnings per share are 
calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company by the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are determined by adjusting the 
profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for 
the effects of all potentially dilutive ordinary shares.

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Financial Statements

4. Critical accounting estimates, assumptions and judgment
The reported results of the Company are sensitive to the accounting policies, assumptions and estimates that 
underlie the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. IFRS require the Board of Directors, in preparing the 
Company’s consolidated financial statements, to select suitable accounting policies, apply them consistently and make 
judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. The Company’s estimates and assumptions are based on 
historical experience and the Board of Directors’ expectation of future events and are reviewed periodically. The actual 
outcome may be materially different from that anticipated. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the 
period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

The judgments, assumptions and estimates involved in the Company’s accounting policies that are considered by the 
Board of Directors to be the most important to Company’s results and financial condition are the fair valuation of the 
investments and the assessment regarding investment entities.

(a) Fair valuation of investments

The fair values assigned to investments held at fair value through profit and loss are based upon available information 
and do not necessarily represent amounts which might ultimately be realised. Because of the inherent uncertainty of 
valuation, these estimated fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready 
market for the investments existed, and those differences could be material.

Investments held at fair value through profit and loss are valued by the Company in accordance with relevant IFRS 
requirements. Judgment is required in order to determine the appropriate valuation methodology under these 
standards and subsequently in determining the inputs into the valuation models used. These judgments include making 
assessments of the future earnings potential of portfolio companies, appropriate earnings multiples to apply, estimating 
future cash flows and determining appropriate discount rates.

(b) Assessment as an investment entity

Entities that meet the definition of an investment entity within IFRS 10 are required to account for investments in 
controlled entities, as well as investments in associates and joint ventures, at fair value through profit and loss.

The Board of Directors has concluded that the Company meets the definition of an investment entity as its strategic 
objective is to invest in portfolio investments on behalf of its investors for the purpose of generating returns in the form 
of investment income and capital appreciation. 

5. Financial risk management
5.1 Introduction and overview

The Board of Directors, the Company’s Risk Committee (the “Risk Committee”) and Oakley Capital Limited                
(the “Investment Adviser”) attribute great importance to professional risk management, proper understanding and 
negotiation of appropriate terms and conditions and active monitoring, including a thorough analysis of reports and 
financial statements and ongoing review of investments made. It is also key to structure the investment vehicles for 
the portfolio taking into account issues such as liquidity and tax. The Company has investment guidelines that set out 
its overall business strategies, its tolerance for risk and its general risk management philosophy and has established 
processes to monitor and control the economic impact of these risks. The Investment Adviser provides the Board 
of Directors with recommendations as to the Company’s asset allocation and annual investment levels that are 
consistent with the Company’s objectives. The Risk Committee reviews and agrees policies for managing the risks as 
summarised below.

The Company has exposures to the following risks from financial instruments: credit risk, liquidity risk and market        
risk (including interest rate risk, currency risk and price risk). The Company’s overall risk management process focuses       
on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the Company’s      
financial performance.

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

5. Financial risk management continued
5.2 Credit risk

The Company is subject to credit risk on its unquoted investments and cash. The schedule below summarises the 
Company’s exposure to credit risk on its cash and unquoted investments.

Cash at HSBC

Cash at Barclays

Cash at Lloyds

Investments in Funds

Investments in debt securities

2018

2017

Total £’000

Rating (Moody’s)

Total £’000

Rating (Moody’s)

27,135

80,641

112

340,370

107,059

A2

A2

Aa3

n/a

n/a

29,868

87,855

113

308,943

69,502

A2

A1

Aa3

n/a

n/a

In accordance with the Company’s policy, the Investment Adviser monitors the Company’s exposure to credit risk on 
cash on a quarterly basis and the Risk Committee regularly reviews the Company’s exposure to credit risk. The credit 
quality of the investments in the funds and unquoted equity and debt securities, which are held at fair value and include 
debt and equity elements, is based on the financial performance of the individual investments and they are not rated. 

5.3 Liquidity risk 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations arising from its financial 
liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset, or that such obligations will have to be settled in a 
manner disadvantageous to the Company. The Company’s policy and the Investment Adviser’s approach to managing 
liquidity is to have sufficient cash available to meet its liabilities, including estimated capital calls, without incurring 
undue losses or risking damage to the Company’s reputation.

Unfunded commitments to the Funds are irrevocable and can exceed cash and cash equivalents available to the 
Company. Based on current short-term cash flow projections and barring unforeseen events, the Company expects to 
be able to honour all capital calls by the Funds.

As of 31 December 2018 cash and cash equivalents of the Company amount to £107,888,282 (2017: £117,836,056). 
The Company has total unfunded capital and loan commitments of £187,476,040 (2017: £251,900,575) relating to 
the Funds with the option of further investment to OCPE Education but no commitment. The unfunded commitments 
of the Company are listed in Note 26. As per the Company’s Bye-laws, the Company can borrow up to 25% of 
total shareholders’ equity which would equal approximately £143,705,500 for the year ending 31 December 2018             
(2017: £125,510,000). As at 31 December 2018, the Company has incurred no borrowings (2017: nil).

The majority of the investments held by the Company are unquoted and subject to specific restrictions on transferability 
and disposal. Consequently, the risk exists that the Company might not be able to readily dispose of its holdings in such 
markets at the time of its choosing and also that the price attained on a disposal may be below the amount at which 
such investments were included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

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Financial Statements

The table below analyses the Company’s consolidated financial liabilities based on the remaining period between the 
balance sheet date and the contractual maturity date. The amounts in the schedule are the contractual undiscounted 
cash flows. Balances due within 12 months equal their fair values, as the impact of discounting is not significant.            
In accordance with the Company’s policy, the Investment Adviser monitors the Company’s liquidity position and the 
Risk Committee reviews it on a regular basis.

Trade and other payables

•  Less than 1 month

•  1 – 3 months

Total trade and other payables

5.4 Market risk

2018 
£’000

–

2,826

2,826

2017 
£’000

34,457

1,634

36,091

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as equity prices, foreign exchange rates and interest rates will 
affect the Company’s income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The Company’s sensitivity to these 
items is set out below.

a) Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk arises principally from changes in interest receivable on cash and deposits. The Company holds 
unquoted debt securities at fixed rates of interest and is therefore exposed to interest rate risk. 

The impact of an increase or decrease on interest rates of 100 basis points on cash and deposits, based on the closing 
consolidated balance sheet position over a 12 month period, would have been:

Impact on interest income from cash and deposits

Impact on profit/(loss)

2018

2017

Increase in 
variable
£’000

Decrease in 
variable
£’000

Increase in 
variable
£’000

Decrease in 
variable
£’000

1,226

1,226

(1,226)

(1,226)

840

840

(840)

(840)

The Company’s unquoted debt investments consist of mezzanine loans, financing loan facilities, revolving loan facilities 
and senior secured loans, which carry fixed rates of interest ranging from 6.5 % to 15%. These loans are subject to 
interest rate risk as increases and decreases in interest rates will have an impact on their fair value. A 100 basis point 
increase in interest rates would result in a decrease in fair value of those loans of £2,426,686 and a corresponding 
decrease of 100 basis points in interest rates would result in an increase in their fair value by the same amount 
(2017: £1,523,034). 

In addition, the Company has indirect exposure to interest rates through changes to the financial performance and 
valuation in equity investments in the Funds and portfolio companies that have issued debt caused by interest rate 
fluctuations. Short term receivables and payables are excluded as the risks due to fluctuation in the prevailing levels of 
market interest rates associated with these instruments are not significant and is limited to the Company’s investment in 
these Funds.

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

5. Financial risk management continued
5.4 Market risk continued

b) Currency risk

The Company holds assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than its functional currency, which expose 
the Company to the risk that the exchange rates of those currencies against the pound will change in a manner which 
adversely impacts the Company’s net profit and net assets attributable to shareholders. The following sensitivity 
analysis is presented based on the sensitivity of the Company’s net assets to movements in foreign currency exchange 
rates assuming a 10% increase in exchange rates against the pound. A 10% decrease in exchange rates against the 
pound would have an equal and opposite effect.

Assets:

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Total assets

Liabilities:

Trade and other payables

Total liabilities

Impact on profit/(loss)

2018

2017

Euro 
£’000

US dollar 
£’000

Euro 
£’000

US dollar 
£’000

34,041

8,236

–

42,277

–

–

42,277

–

–

–

–

–

–

30,894

9,277

67

40,238

(3,475)

(3,475)

36,763

–

–

–

–

(9)

(9)

(9)

The Investment Adviser monitors the Company’s currency position on a regular basis and reports the impact of currency 
movements on the performance of the investment portfolio to the Risk Committee quarterly. As per the Company’s 
investment policy, all investments in quoted equity securities and unquoted equity and debt securities are denominated 
in pounds, placing currency risk on the counterparty. The investments in the Funds are denominated in euros.

c) Price risk – market fluctuations

The Company’s management of price risk, which arises primarily from quoted and unquoted equity instruments, is 
through the selection of financial assets within specified limits as advised by the Investment Adviser and approved by 
the Risk Committee.

For quoted equity securities, the market risk variable is deemed to be the market price itself. A 15% change in the price 
of those investments would have the following direct impact on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income:

Quoted equity investments: 

15% movement in price of listed investment 

Impact on profit/(loss)

Impact on net assets attributable to shareholders

2018

2017

Increase in 
variable
£’000

Decrease in 
variable
£’000

Increase in 
variable
£’000

Decrease in 
variable
£’000

3,348

3,348

(3,348)

(3,348)

6,177

6,177

(6,177)

(6,177)

For the investment in the Funds and unquoted equity securities, the market risk is deemed to be the change in fair 
value. A 15% change in the fair value of those investments would have the following direct impact on the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income:

 
Overview

83

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

2018

2017

Increase in 
variable
£’000

Decrease in 
variable
£’000

Increase in 
variable
£’000

Decrease in 
variable
£’000

Funds and unquoted equity securities: 

15% movement in price of Funds and unquoted equity securities 

Impact on profit/(loss)

Impact on net assets attributable to shareholders

51,056

51,056

(51,056)

(51,056)

46,341

46,341

(46,341)

(46,341)

The Company is exposed to a variety of market risk factors which may change significantly over time. As a result, 
measurement of such exposure at any given point in time may be difficult given the complexity and limited transparency 
of the investments held by the underlying portfolio companies.

Limitations of sensitivity analysis

The sensitivity information included in Notes 5 and 8 demonstrates the estimated impact of a change in a major input 
assumption while other assumptions remain unchanged. In reality, there are normally significant levels of correlation 
between the assumptions and other factors. It should also be noted that these sensitivities are non-linear and larger or 
smaller impacts should not be interpolated or extrapolated from these results. Furthermore, estimates of sensitivity may 
become less reliable in unusual market conditions such as instances when risk free interest rates fall towards zero.

5.5 Capital management

The Company’s capital is represented by ordinary shares with £0.01 par value and they carry one vote each. The shares 
are entitled to dividends when declared. The Company has no additional restrictions or specific capital requirements on 
the issuance and re-purchase of ordinary shares. The movements of capital are shown in the consolidated statement of 
changes in equity.

The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern and to achieve positive returns in all market environments. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, 
the Company may return capital to shareholders through the issue and repurchase of shares or by paying dividends. 
The effects of the issue, the repurchase and resale of shares as a result of market making activities are listed in Note 24. 
Liberum Capital Limited acts as the Company’s nominated adviser and broker. 

 
84

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

6. Investments
Investments as at 31 December 2018

2017 
Fair
value
£’000

Purchases/
capital calls
£’000

Total sales*/
distributions
£’000

Realised
gains/
(losses)
£’000

Interest
and other
£’000

Net 
change in
unrealised
gains/ 
(losses)
£’000

2018 
Fair
value
£’000

Oakley Funds

Fund I

Fund II

Fund III

Total Oakley Funds

Co-investment Fund

36,551

–

–

–

137,054

15,732

(115,337)

103,988

109,058

43,097

(15,189)

(1,674)

282,663

58,829

(130,526)

102,314

OCPE Education (Feeder) LP

Total co-investment Fund

26,280

26,280

5,825

5,825

–

–

–

–

Total Funds

308,943

64,654

(130,526)

102,314

Quoted equity securities

Time Out Group plc

Total quoted equity securities

Unquoted debt securities

Daisy Group Holdings Limited

Ellisfield (Bermuda) Limited

Fund I

Fund II

Fund III

NSG Apparel BV

Oakley Capital III Limited

Oakley NS (Bermuda) LP

Time Out Group plc

41,182

41,182

12,701

15,455

6,351

–

–

24,615

7,168

3,212

–

Total unquoted debt securities

69,502

–

–

–

–

7,711

24,386

4,011

–

–

10,113

19,970

66,191

–

–

(13,748)

(1,528)

(7,466)

(7,224)

–

–

(5,303)

–

–

(35,269)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total investments

419,627

130,845

(165,795)

102,314

*  Total sales include sales, loan repayments and transfers

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(18,392)

18,159

(69,643)

71,794

73,336

208,628

(14,699)

298,581

9,684

9,684

41,789

41,789

(5,015)

340,370

(18,862)

22,320

(18,862)

22,320

1,047

962

439

250

22

1,954

304

713

944

6,635

6,635

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

14,889

7,035

17,412

4,033

26,569

2,169

14,038

20,914

107,059

(23,877)

469,749

Overview

85

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

Investments as at 31 December 2017

2016 
Fair
value
£’000

Purchases/
capital 
calls
£’000

Total sales*/
distributions
£’000

Realised
gains/
(losses)
£’000

Interest
and other
£’000

Net 
change in
unrealised
gains/ 
(losses)
£’000

2017
 Fair
value
£’000

Oakley Funds

Fund I

Fund II

Fund III

Total Oakley Funds

Co-investment Fund

OCPE Education (Feeder) LP

Total co-investment Fund

64,906

12,309

(17,847)

–

144,015

12,319

(49,183)

18,274

2,333

99,962

(11,427)

(2,683)

211,254

124,590

(78,457)

15,591

–

–

39,932

39,932

(35,355)

(35,355)

8,400

8,400

Total Funds

211,254

164,522

(113,812)

23,991

Quoted equity securities

Time Out Group plc

Total quoted equity securities

Unquoted debt securities

43,854

43,854

–

–

Bellwood Holdings Ltd

–

1,878

–

–

(1,970)

(6,610)

–

17,202

14,530

12,256

–

–

7,288

(13,844)

4,337

18,661

(23,551)

–

1,319

(1,356)

21,978

768

5,210

–

–

9,480

–

–

3,470

2,940

1,426

–

–

(769)

(1,872)

–

(1,432)

(9,826)

Daisy Group Holdings Limited

Ellisfield (Bermuda) Limited

Fund I

Fund II

Fund III

NSG Apparel BV

Oakley Capital II Limited

Oakley Capital III Limited

Oakley NS (Bermuda) LP

OCPE Education LP

TO (Bermuda) Limited

Total unquoted debt securities

85,761

36,982

(61,230)

Total investments

340,869

201,504

(175,042)

23,991

*  Total sales include sales, loan repayments and transfers

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(22,817)

36,551

11,629

137,054

20,873

109,058

9,685

282,663

13,303

13,303

26,280

26,280

22,988

308,943

(2,672)

(2,672)

41,182

41,182

92

2,109

925

651

553

37

2,637

1

360

272

6

346

7,989

7,989

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

12,701

15,455

6,351

–

–

24,615

–

7,168

3,212

–

–

69,502

20,316

419,627

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

86

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

7. Net gains/(losses) from investments at fair value through profit and loss

Net change in unrealised gains/(losses) on investments at fair value through profit and loss:

  Funds

  Quoted equity securities

  Unquoted debt securities

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

(5,015)

(18,862)

–

22,988

(2,672)

–

Total net change in unrealised gains/(losses) on investments at fair value through profit and loss

(23,877)

20,316

Realised gains/(losses) on investments at fair value through profit and loss:

  Funds

  Quoted equity securities

  Unquoted debt securities

102,314

23,991

–

–

–

–

Total realised gains/(losses) on investments at fair value through profit and loss

102,314

23,991

8. Disclosure about fair value of financial instruments
The Company has adopted IFRS 13 in respect of disclosures about the degree of reliability of fair value measurements. 
These fair value measurements are categorised into different levels in the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs 
to valuation techniques used. The Company classifies financial instruments measured at fair value in the investment 
portfolio according to the following hierarchy:

•  Level I:  

•  Level II:  

•  Level III:  

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical instruments that the Company can access  
at the measurement date. Level I investments include quoted equity instruments.

Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level I that are observable for the instrument, either  
directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

Inputs that are not based on observable market data. Level III investments include private equity  
funds, unquoted equity and debt securities.

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is categorised is determined on the basis 
of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Assessing the significance of 
a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the 
instrument. The determination of what constitutes ‘observable’ requires significant judgment by the Company. The 
Company considers observable data to be market data that is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable 
and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market.

The following table analyses the Company’s investments measured at fair value as of 31 December 2018 by the level in 
the fair value hierarchy into which the fair value measurement is categorised:

Funds

Quoted equity securities

Unquoted debt securities

Total investments measured at fair value

Level I
£’000

Level III
£’000

Total
£’000

–

340,370

340,370

22,230

–

22,230

–

107,059

447,429

22,230

107,059

469,749

 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview

87

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

The following table analyses the Company’s investments measured at fair value as of 31 December 2017 by the level in 
the fair value hierarchy into which the fair value measurement is categorised:

Funds

Quoted equity securities

Unquoted debt securities

Total investments measured at fair value

Level I

Level I
£’000

Level III
£’000

Total
£’000

–

308,943

308,943

41,182

–

–

69,502

41,182

69,502

41,182

378,445

419,627

Quoted equity investment values are based on quoted market prices in active markets, and are therefore classified 
within Level I investments. The Company does not adjust the quoted price for these investments.

Level II

The Company did not hold any Level II investments as of 31 December 2018 or 31 December 2017.

Level III

The Company has determined that Funds and unquoted debt securities fall into the category Level III. Funds and 
unquoted debt securities are measured in accordance with the IPEV Valuation Guidelines with reference to the most 
appropriate information available at the time of measurement. The consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 
2018 include Level III investments in the amount of £447,429,457, representing approximately 77.84% of shareholders’ 
equity (2017: £378,445,332; 75.38%).

Funds

The Company primarily invests in portfolio companies via the Funds. The Funds are unquoted equity securities that 
primarily invest in unquoted securities. The Company’s investments in unquoted equity securities are recognised in the 
consolidated balance sheet at fair value, in accordance with IPEV Valuation Guidelines and IFRS 13 and are considered 
Level III investments.

The valuation of unquoted Fund investments is generally based on the latest available net asset value (“NAV”) of the 
Fund as reported by the corresponding general partner or administrator, provided that the NAV has been appropriately 
determined using fair value principles in accordance with IFRS 13.

The NAV of a Fund is calculated after determining the fair value of a Fund’s investment in any portfolio company.           
This value is generally obtained by calculating the Enterprise Value (“EV”) of the portfolio company and then adding 
excess cash and deducting financial instruments, such as external debt, ranking ahead of the Fund’s highest ranking 
instrument in the portfolio company. 

A common method of determining the EV is to apply a market-based multiple (e.g. an average multiple based on a 
selection of comparable quoted companies) to the “maintainable” earnings or revenues of the portfolio company.       
This market-based approach presumes that the comparative companies are correctly valued by the market.                     
A discount is sometimes applied to market based multiples to adjust for points of difference between the comparatives 
and the company being valued.

88

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

8. Disclosure about fair value of financial instruments continued
As at 31 December 2018, the value of the Funds’ investments, other assets and liabilities attributable to the Company 
based on its respective percentage interest in each Fund was as follows:

Investments

Loans

Provisional profit allocation

Other net assets

Total value of the Fund attributable to the Company 

Total value of the Fund attributable to the Company

Fund I
€’000

23,112

Fund II
€’000

Fund III
€’000

OCPE 
Education
€’000

100,530

307,986

46,225

(5,157)

(19,935)

–

(4,987)

2,273

20,228

£’000

18,159

4,367

79,975

£’000

71,794

(55,442)

(22,300)

2,158

232,402

£’000

208,628

–

–

326

46,551

£’000

41,789

As at 31 December 2017, the value of the Funds’ investments, other assets and liabilities attributable to the Company 
based on its respective percentage interest in each Fund was as follows:

Investments

Loans

Provisional profit allocation

Other net assets

Total value of the Fund attributable to the Company

Fund I
€’000

42,516

(4,565)

–

3,164

41,115

£’000

Fund II
€’000

199,645

(25,004)

(21,815)

1,341

Fund III
€’000

129,410

(46,015)

(2,847)

42,127

154,167

122,675

£’000

£’000

Total value of the Fund attributable to the Company 

36,551

137,054

109,058

OCPE 
Education
€’000

29,282

–

–

278

29,560

£’000

26,280

The Company does not utilise valuation models to calculate the fair value of its Fund investments. The NAV as reported 
by the Funds’ general partner or administrator is considered to be the key unobservable input. In addition, the Company 
has the following control procedures in place to evaluate whether the NAV of the underlying Fund investments is 
calculated in a manner consistent with IFRS 13:

•  Thorough initial due diligence process and the Board of Directors performing ongoing monitoring procedures, 

primarily discussions with the Investment Adviser;

•  Comparison of historical realisations to the last reported fair values; and

•  Review of the Auditor’s report of the respective Fund.

Unquoted debt securities

The fair values of the Company’s investments in unquoted debt securities are derived from a discounted cash flow 
calculation based on expected future cash flows to be received, discounted at an appropriate rate. Expected future 
cash flows include interest received and principal repayment at maturity.

Unobservable inputs for Level III investments

Funds

In arriving at the fair value of the unquoted fund investments, the key input used by the Company is the NAV as provided 
by the general partner or administrator. It is recognised by the Company that the NAVs of the Funds are sensitive to 
movements in the fair values of the underlying portfolio companies.

Overview

89

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

The underlying portfolio companies owned by the Funds may include both quoted and unquoted companies. Quoted 
portfolio companies are valued based on market prices and no unobservable inputs are used. Unquoted portfolio 
companies are valued based on a market approach for which significant judgment is applied.

For the purposes of sensitivity analysis, the Company considers a 10% adjustment to the fair value of the unquoted 
portfolio companies of the Funds as reasonable. For the year ending 31 December 2018, a 10% increase to the fair 
value of the unquoted portfolio companies held by the Funds would result in a 6.2% movement in net assets attributable 
to shareholders (2017: 5.9%). A 10% decrease to the fair value of the unquoted portfolio companies held by the Funds 
would have an equal and opposite effect.

Unquoted debt securities

In arriving at the fair value of the unquoted debt securities, the key inputs used by the Company are future cash flows 
expected to be received until maturity of the debt securities and the discount factor applied. The discount factor applied 
is considered to be an unobservable input and range between 6.5% and 15%.

For the purposes of sensitivity analysis, the Company considers a 1% adjustment to the discount factor applied 
as reasonable. For the year ending 31 December 2018, a 1% increase to the discount factor would result in a 0.4% 
movement in net assets attributable to shareholders (2017: 0.3%). A 1% decrease to the discount factor would have an 
equal and opposite effect.

Transfers between levels

There were no transfers between the Levels during the year ended 31 December 2018 (2017: none).

Level I and Level III reconciliation

The changes in investments measured at fair value, for which the Company has used Level I and Level III inputs to 
determine fair value as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, are as follows:

Level I Investments:

Quoted equity securities

Fair value at the beginning of the year

Shares transferred from unquoted debt and equity securities

Net change in unrealised gains/(losses) on investments

Fair value of Level I investments at the end of the year

Level III Investments:

2018

Fair value at the beginning of the year

Purchases 

Proceeds on disposals (including interest)

Realised gain on sale

Interest income and other fee income

Net change in unrealised gains/(losses) on investments

Fair value at the end of the year

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

41,182

43,854

–

(18,862)

22,320

Unquoted 
debt 
securities
£’000

–

(2,672)

41,182

Total
£’000

Funds
£’000

308,943

64,654

69,502

66,191

378,445

130,845

(130,526)

(35,269)

(165,795)

102,314

–

(5,015)

–

102,314

6,635

–

6,635

(5,015)

340,370

107,059

447,429

9 0

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

8. Disclosure about fair value of financial instruments continued

2017

Fair value at the beginning of the year

Purchases 

Proceeds on disposals (including interest)

Realised gain on sale

Interest income and other fee income

Net change in unrealised gains/(losses) on investments

Fair value at the end of the year

Financial instruments not carried at fair value

Unquoted 
debt 
securities
£’000

Funds
£’000

Total
£’000

211,254

164,522

85,761

36,982

297,015

201,504

(113,812)

(61,230)

(175,042)

23,991

–

22,988

308,943

–

7,989

–

23,991

7,989

22,988

69,502

378,445

Financial instruments, other than financial instruments at fair value through profit and loss, where carrying values are 
equal to fair values:

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other payables

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

107,888

117,836

11

2,826

668

36,091

9. Segment information
The Company has two reportable segments, as described below. For each of them, the Board of Directors receives 
detailed reports on at least a quarterly basis. The following summary describes the operations in each of the Company’s 
reportable segments:

•  Fund investments: includes commitments/investments in four private equity funds.

•  Direct investments and loans: includes direct investments, loans to the Funds’ portfolio companies, loans to the 

Funds and other loans.

Balance sheet and income and expense items which cannot be clearly allocated to one of the segments are shown in 
the column “Unallocated” in the following tables.

The reportable operating segments derive their revenue primarily by seeking investments to achieve an attractive return 
in relation to the risk being taken. The return consists of interest, dividends and/or unrealised and realised capital gains.

The financial information provided to the Board of Directors with respect to total assets and liabilities is presented in 
a manner consistent with the consolidated financial statements. The assessment of the performance of the operating 
segments is based on measurements consistent with IFRS. With the exception of capital calls payable, liabilities are not 
considered to be segment liabilities but rather managed at the corporate level.

There have been no transactions between the reportable segments during the financial year ended 31 December 2018 
(2017: none).

Overview

91

Strategic report by the Investment Adviser

Governance

Financial Statements

The segment information for the year ended 31 December 2018 is as follows:

Fund
investments
£'000

Direct
investments
and loans
£'000

Total
operating
segments
£'000

Unallocated
£'000

Total
£'000

Net realised gains on financial assets at fair  

value through profit and loss

102,314

–

102,314

Net change in unrealised gains/(losses) on financial assets  

at fair value through profit and loss

(5,015)

(18,862)

(23,877)

–

–

114

3,149

97

102,314

(23,877)

6,629

3,149

217

(6,045)

(6,045)

(389)

(389)

–

–

–

–

–

6,515

6,515

–

120

–

–

–

120

–

–

97,299

(12,227)

85,072

(3,074)

81,998

340,370

129,379

469,749

107,899

577,648

–

–

–

(2,826)

(2,826)

340,370

129,379

469,749

105,073

574,822

Interest income

Net foreign currency gains/(losses)

Other income

Expenses

Interest expense

Profit/(loss) for the year

Total assets

Total liabilities

Net assets

Total assets include:

Interest income

Net foreign currency gains/(losses)

Other income

Expenses

Interest expense

Profit/(loss) for the year

Total assets

Total liabilities

Net assets

Total assets include:

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

340,370

129,379

469,749

–

469,749

Cash and others

–

–

–

107,899

107,899

The segment information for the year ended 31 December 2017 is as follows:

Fund
investments
£'000

Direct
investments
and loans
£'000

Total
operating
segments
£'000

Unallocated
£'000

Total
£'000

Net realised gains on financial assets at fair  

value through profit and loss

Net change in unrealised gains/(losses) on financial assets 

23,991

–

23,991

at fair value through profit and loss

22,988

(2,672)

20,316

–

–

39

(839)

–

23,991

20,316

7,722

(839)

306

(6,529)

(6,529)

(42)

(42)

–

–

–

–

–

7,683

7,683

–

306

–

–

–

306

–

–

46,979

5,317

52,296

(7,371)

44,925

308,943

110,684

419,627

118,504

538,131

(34,457)

–

(34,457)

(1,634)

(36,091)

274,486

110,684

385,170

116,870

502,040

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

308,943

110,684

419,627

–

419,627

Cash and others

–

–

–

118,504

118,504

92

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

10. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and demand balances at banks

Short-term deposits

11. Trade and other receivables

Prepayments

Amounts due from related parties

12. Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Amounts due to related parties

Capital call payable

13. Interest Income

Interest income on investments carried at amortised cost:

  Cash and cash equivalents

Interest income on investments designated as at fair value through profit and loss:

  Debt securities

14. Expenses

Operational and advisory fees

Management fees

Professional fees

Performance fees

Other expenses

2018
£’000

82,782

25,107

2017
£’000

91,229

26,607

107,888

117,836

2018
£’000

11

–

11

2018
£’000

97

2,729

–

2,826

2017
£’000

1

667

668

2017
£’000

151

1,483

34,457

36,091

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

114

39

6,515

6,629

2018
£’000

2,505

–

876

1,613

1,051

6,045

7,683

7,722

2017
£’000

2,568

535

872

1,246

1,308

6,529

Notes

15

16

17

15,16

15

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Governance

Financial Statements

15. Operational, advisory and performance fees
Pursuant to an operational services agreement dated 1 April 2017 (the “Operational Services Agreement”),                  
the Company appointed Oakley Capital Manager Limited (the “Administrative Agent”) to provide operational 
assistance and services to the Board with respect to the Company’s investments and its general administration.

a) Operational fees

Under the Operational Services Agreement, the Administrative Agent receives an operational services fee equal to 
2% per annum of the net asset value (before deduction of any accrued performance fees) of all investments held by 
the Company except for the investments in and any revolvers with Fund I, Fund II and Fund III and any loans to entities 
affiliated with the Administrative Agent. The fee is pro rata for partial periods and payable quarterly in arrears.

The operational services fee for the year ended 31 December 2018 totalled £2,504,757 (2017: £1,892,118) and is 
presented in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The amount outstanding as at 31 December 2018 
was £913,692 (2017: £635,022) and is included in “Trade and other payables” in the consolidated balance sheet.

b) Advisory fees

Under the Operational Services Agreement, the Administrative Agent also receives an advisory fee based on the 
successful buy-side and sell-side transactions of the Company for any equity investment. The advisory fee is 2% of the 
equity transaction value unless otherwise agreed between the parties.

The Company did not incur advisory fees for the year ended 31 December 2018 (2017: £675,712 and are presented in 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income). There are no amounts outstanding as at 31 December 2018 
(2017: £nil). 

c) Performance fees

The Administrative Agent also receives a performance fee of 20% of the excess of any proceeds from the full or partial 
realisation on disposal of each of the Company’s co-investments over and above an 8% hurdle rate after the deduction 
of the original cost of the co-investment and the attributable proportion of all other expenses incurred by the Company 
in respect of co-investments.

Performance fees for the year ended 31 December 2018 totalled £1,613,530 (2017: £1,246,443) and are presented in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The amount outstanding as at 31 December 2018 was £1,801,381 
(2017: £624,297) and is included in “Trade and other payables” in the consolidated balance sheet.

d) Other fees

Under the Operational Services Agreement, the Administrative Agent may also recharge costs incurred, either directly 
or indirectly by its contracted advisors, on behalf of the Company. 

For the year ended 31 December 2018, the Administrative Agent recharged such other costs to the Company totalling 
£714,873 (2017: £595,659) and is included in other expenses (Note 14). There are no amounts outstanding as at             
31 December 2018 (2017: £189,464 and is included in “Trade and other payables” in the consolidated balance sheet).

The Administrative Agent has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Investment Adviser to advise 
on the investment of the assets of the Company. The Investment Adviser does not receive any management or 
performance fees from the Company. Any fees earned by the Investment Adviser are paid by the Administrative Agent.

94

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

16. Management and performance fees 
Pursuant to a management agreement dated 30 July 2007, the Company appointed Oakley Capital (Bermuda) Limited 
(the “Manager”) to provide management services. On 31 March 2017, the management agreement was terminated.      
The terms of the management agreement were as follows:

a) Management fees

The Manager was not entitled to receive a management fee from the Company in respect of amounts either committed 
or invested by the Company in the Funds. The Manager received a management fee at the rate of 1% per annum in 
respect of assets that were not committed to the Funds and which were invested in cash, cash deposits or near cash 
deposits and a management fee at the rate of 2% per annum in respect of those assets which were invested directly in 
co-investments. The management fee was payable monthly in arrears.

Management fees for the period 1 January 2017 through 31 March 2017 totalled £535,090 and are presented in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income. 

b) Performance fees

The Manager was also entitled to receive a performance fee of 20% of the excess of the amount earned by the 
Company over and above an 8% per annum hurdle rate on any monies invested as a co-investment with any Fund.      
Any co-investment was treated as a segregated pool of investments by the Company. If the calculation period was 
greater than one year, the hurdle rate was compounded on each anniversary of the start of the calculation period for 
each segregated co-investment. If the amount earned did not exceed the hurdle rate on any given co-investment, that 
co-investment was included in the next calculation so that the hurdle rate was measured across both co-investments.

The Company did not incur any performance fees for the period 1 January 2017 through 31 March 2017.

The Manager entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Investment Adviser to advise the Manager 
on the investment of the assets of the Company. The Investment Advisory Agreement was terminated 31 March 
2017. The Investment Adviser did not receive a management or performance fee from the Company. Any fees due to                    
the Investment Adviser were paid by the Manager out of the management and performance fees it received from         
the Company.

17. Professional fees

Administration fees

Consulting fees

Directors’ fees

Auditor’s remuneration

Legal fees

Other fees

Notes

18

19

20

2018
£’000

327

48

234

96

19

152

876

2017
£’000

359

34

205

85

104

85

872

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Governance

Financial Statements

18. Administration fees
The Company has appointed Mayflower Management Services (Bermuda) Limited ( the “Administrator”) to provide 
administration services pursuant to the administration agreement dated 30 July 2007 and it receives an annual 
administration fee at prevailing commercial rates. Administration fees for the year ended 31 December 2018 totalled 
£326,743 (2017: £359,432) and are included in Professional fees (Note 17). There was no administration fee payable to 
the Administrator as at 31 December 2018 (2017: £nil). 

The Company has also entered into an agreement with Mayflower Corporate Services Limited (“MCS”), a subsidiary of 
the Administrator to provide corporate secretarial services. Any fees due to MCS will be paid by the Administrator. 

19. Directors’ fees

Chair’s remuneration

Directors’ fees

2018
£’000

75

159

234

2017
£’000

65

140

205

The members of the Board of Directors are considered to be Key Management Personnel. No pension contributions 
were made in respect of any of the Directors and none of the Directors receives any pension from any portfolio 
company held by the Company. During the year, one of the Directors waived remuneration (2017: one). During 2018, 
no other fees were paid to the Directors (2017: £24,694 consulting fees to the former Chair of the Board). No fees were 
payable as at 31 December 2018 (2017: none). For the years ended 31 December 2018 and 2017 members of the Board 
of Directors held shares in the Company and were entitled to dividends as detailed below:

Shares at the beginning of the year

Shares acquired during the year

Shares held by a Director who resigned during the year

Shares at the end of the year

Dividends paid to Directors 

Dividends payable to Directors

2018
‘000

2,690

7,277

(231)

9,736

278

–

2017
‘000

2,231

459

–

2,690

161

–

9 6

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

20. Auditor’s remuneration

Audit of consolidated financial statements 

Other assurance services

Total auditor’s remuneration

2018
£’000

96

–

96

2017
£’000

85

–

85

21. Withholding tax
Under current Bermuda law the Company is not required to pay tax in Bermuda on either income or capital gains.        
The Company has received an undertaking from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda that in the event of such taxes being 
imposed, the Company is exempt from such taxation at least until 31 March 2035.

The Company may, however, be subject to foreign withholding taxes in respect of income derived from its investments 
in other jurisdictions. For the year ended 31 December 2018, the Company was not subjected to foreign withholding 
taxes (2017: nil).

22. Earnings per share
The earnings per share calculation uses the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.

Basic and diluted earnings per share

Profit for the year (‘000)

Weighted average number of shares in issue (‘000)

2018

£0.40

£81,998

204,804

2017

£0.22

£44,925

203,859

23. Net asset value per share
The net asset value per share calculation uses the number of shares in issue at the end of the year.

Basic and diluted net asset value per share

Net assets attributable to shareholders (‘000)

Number of shares in issue at the year end (‘000)

2018

£2.81

2017

£2.45

£574,822

£502,040

204,804

204,804

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Financial Statements

24. Share capital
a) Authorised and issued capital

The authorised share capital of the Company is 280,000,000 ordinary shares at a par value of £0.01 each.            
Ordinary shares are listed and traded on AIM of the London Stock Exchange. Each share confers the right to one vote 
and shareholders have the right to receive dividends.

As at 31 December 2018, the Company’s issued and fully paid share capital was 204,804,036 ordinary shares         
(2017: 204,804,036).

Ordinary shares outstanding at the beginning of the year

Treasury shares issued

Ordinary shares outstanding at the end of the year

b) Share premium

2018
‘000

2017
‘000

204,804

189,804

–

15,000

204,804

204,804

Share premium represents the amount received in excess of the nominal value of ordinary shares. 

25. Dividends
On 14 March 2018, the Board of Directors declared and approved payment of a final dividend for the year ended          
31 December 2017 of 2.25 pence per ordinary share resulting in a dividend payment of £4,608,091 paid on 26 April 2018.

On 3 September 2018, the Board of Directors declared and approved payment of an interim dividend of 2.25 pence per 
ordinary share which resulted in a dividend payment of £4,608,091 paid on 25 October 2018 (2017: On 11 September 
2017, declared and approved an interim dividend of 2.25 pence per ordinary share which resulted in a dividend payment 
of £4,608,091 paid on 26 October 2017).

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OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

26. Commitments
The Company had the following capital commitments in euros at the year-end:

Fund I

Total capital commitment £169,144; (2017: £167,486)

Called capital at the beginning of the year

Capital calls during the year  0%; (2017: 3.6%)

Called capital at the end of the year £166,775; (2017: £165,141)

Unfunded capital commitment £2,368; (2017: £2,345)

Aggregate recycled commitment

Fund II

Total capital commitment £170,582; (2017: £168,910)

Called capital at the beginning of the year

Capital calls during the year 9.5%; (2017: 7%)

Adjustment for partial sale during the year 

Called capital at the end of the year £158,641; (2017: £141,040)

Unfunded capital commitment £11,941; (2017: £27,870)

Fund III

Total capital commitment £292,485; (2017: £289,618)

Called capital at the beginning of the year

Capital calls during the year 15%; (2017: 35%)

Called capital at the end of the year £155,017; (2017: £110,055)

Unfunded capital commitment £137,468; (2017: £179,563)

Total unfunded capital commitments £151,777; (2017: £209,778)

2018
€’000

2017
€’000

188,398

185,760

–

188,398

178,978

6,782

185,760

185,760

2,638

13,000

2018
€’000

190,000

158,650

18,050

–

2,638

13,000

2017
€’000

190,000

153,000

14,000

(8,350)

176,700

158,650

13,300

31,350

2018
€’000

2017
€’000

325,780

123,797

48,867

172,664

153,116

169,054

325,780

9,750

114,047

123,797

201,983

235,971

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Governance

Financial Statements

The Company had the following loan commitments at the year-end:

Total loan facility commitments:

Fund I

Fund II

Fund III

Time Out Group plc

Oakley NS (Bermuda) L.P.

Total unfunded loan commitments:

Fund I 

Fund II 

Fund III

Oakley NS (Bermuda) L.P.

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

5,000

20,000

20,000

20,000

25,850

90,850

4,200

2,773

15,989

12,737

35,699

5,000

20,000

20,000

–

3,000

48,000

2,122

20,000

20,000

–

42,122

27. Contingent liabilities
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications 
or warranties. Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Company. Based on 
its history, experience and assessment of existing contracts, the Board of Directors believe that the current likelihood of 
such an event is remote.

As at 31 December 2018 and 2017, there are no contingent liabilities outstanding.

10 0

OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Notes to the consolidated financial statements CONTINUED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

28. Related parties
Balances and transactions between the Company and its subsidiary have been eliminated on consolidation and are     
not disclosed in this note. Related parties as disclosed below are not part of the consolidation and for this reason are 
not eliminated.

One Director of the Company, Peter Dubens, is also a Director of the Investment Adviser and Oakley Advisory Limited, 
entities which provide services to, and receive compensation from, the Company. These, along with the Administrative 
Agent are considered related parties to the Company given the indirect control this Director has over these entities. 
Until 31 March 2017, one Director of the Company was also a Director of the Manager, an entity that provided services 
to, and received compensation from, the Company. The agreements between the Company and these service providers 
were and are based on normal commercial terms.

Throughout 2018, no Director of the Company had a personal interest in any transaction of significance for the 
Company (2017: none).

Management fees and performance fees paid for the period 1 January 2017 through 31 March 2017 are detailed 
in Notes 14 and 16. Operational service fees, advisory fees, performance fees and recharged costs paid to the 
Administrative Agent for the year ending 31 December 2018 and the period 1 April 2017 through 31 December 2017 are 
detailed in Notes 14 and 15. The agreements between the Company and these service providers are based on normal 
commercial terms. 

During the year ended 31 December 2018, the Investment Adviser recharged staff costs of £714,873 (2017: staff cost of 
£409,722 and overheads of £2,343) to the Company which is included in other expenses (Note 14).

During the year ended 31 December 2018, Oakley Capital Manager Limited (the “Fund III Manager”) repaid the 
remaining 50% of the option fee of €750,000, along with accrued interest. This was due to the Company based on the 
terms of the Fund III Manager option agreement when the Company only exercised 50% of the option by committing    
an additional €75,000,000 to Fund III. As at 31 December 2018 no balance is receivable from the Fund III Manager   
(2017: €750,000 (£666,750) which is included in “Trade and other receivables” in the consolidated balance sheet).

Fund I is considered a related party due to the 65.5% investment the Company has in Fund I. During the year ended     
31 December 2017, the Company acquired an interest in OCPE Education L.P. from most limited partners of Fund I and 
paid €23,492,217 (£20,795,311) for such additional interests in OCPE Education L.P.

29. Events after the balance sheet date
The Board of Directors has evaluated subsequent events from the year end through 13 March 2019, which is the date 
the consolidated financial statements were available for issue. The following events have been identified for disclosure:

On 2 January 2019, the Company bought an additional 4.87% interest in Fund I for a total consideration of €2,000,000.           
The Company’s unfunded commitment in Fund I increased to €2,833,576.

On 3 January 2019, the Company committed €400,000,000 to Oakley Capital IV-A SCSp, which together with Oakley 
Capital IV-B SCSp, Oakley Capital IV-C SCSp (collectively the “Fund IV Feeder Funds”) and Oakley Capital IV Master 
SCSp (the “Fund IV Master”) collectively comprise “Fund IV”. Fund IV is an exempted limited partnership established    
in Luxembourg.

On 13 March 2019, the Board of Directors declared and approved payment of a final dividend for the year ended          
31 December 2018 of 2.25 pence per ordinary share resulting in a dividend of £4,608,091 payable on 25 April 2019.

Overview

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Governance

Financial Statements

Directors and advisers 

Directors
Caroline Foulger

Independent Director and Chair 

Laurence Blackall 

Independent Director 

Stewart Porter

Director 

Registered Office 

3rd Floor, Mintflower Place  
8 Par-la-Ville Road  
Hamilton HM08  
Bermuda

Advisers
Administrative Agent  

Oakley Capital Manager Limited  
3rd Floor, Mintflower Place  
8 Par-la-Ville Road  
Hamilton HM08  
Bermuda

Investment Adviser to the Administrative Agent 

Oakley Capital Limited  
3 Cadogan Gate  
London SW1X 0AS  
United Kingdom 

Legal Adviser 

Stephenson Harwood 
1 Finsbury Circus  
London EC2M 7SH  
United Kingdom 

CREST Depositary 

Computershare Investor Services PLC  
PO Box 82  
The Pavilions  
Bridgwater Road  
Bristol BS99 7NH  
United Kingdom 

Administrator 

Mayflower Management Services (Bermuda) Limited  
3rd Floor, Mintflower Place  
8 Par-la-Ville Road  
Hamilton HM08  
Bermuda

Peter Dubens 

Director 

James Keyes 

Independent Director

Legal Adviser as to Bermuda Law 

Conyers Dill & Pearman Limited  
Clarendon House  
2 Church Street  
Hamilton HM CX  
Bermuda 

Nominated Adviser and Broker  

Liberum Capital Limited  
Level 12, Ropemaker Place  
25 Ropemaker Street  
London EC2Y 9AR  
United Kingdom 

Auditor

KPMG Audit Limited 
Crown House  
4 Par-la-Ville Road  
Hamilton HM08  
Bermuda 

Branch Registrar 

Computershare Investor Services (Jersey) Limited  
Queensway House  
Hilgrove Street  
St Helier  
Jersey JE1 1ES

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OA K L E Y CA P I TA L I N V E S T M E N T S

Glossary

Admission Document 

 The admission of the Placing Shares to trading on AIM becoming effective in accordance 
with Rule 6 of the AIM Rules. The admission document dated 30 July 2007 was prepared by 
the Company in respect to its admission to trading on AIM.

Administrative Agent 

Oakley Capital Manager Limited, in respect of the Company.

AIM 

AIFMD 

AIF 

The Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange.

 Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive became effective from July 2013.                
As a result, at 31 December 2018, Oakley Capital Investments Limited is registered as an 
Alternative Investment Fund (“AIF”). 

 Alternative Investment Fund, as at 31 December 2018, Oakley Capital Investments Limited is 
a non-EU AIF.

AIM Rules 

 The AIM Rules for Companies, which sets out the rules and responsibilities for companies 
listed on AIM, as amended from time-to-time.

Auditor   

KPMG Audit Limited or such other auditor as appointed from time-to-time.

Board / Directors 

The Board of Directors of the Company.

Carried Interest    

 20 per cent of the income and realisation proceeds from the sale of investment by the Funds 
payable to the carried interest holders after satisfying any expenses and liabilities of the 
Funds and subject to the payment of the General Partner Share as described in Section 11 
of Part 1 of the Admission Document.

Co-investment Fund 

 OPCE Education (Feeder) L.P., which together with OCPE Education L.P. collectively 
comprise “OCPE Education”.

Commitments  

 The amount committed by an investor to the Funds whether or not such amount has been 
advances in whole or in part.

Company / OCI 

 Oakley Capital Investments Limited, a company incorporated with limited liability in 
Bermuda and registered number 40324.

Cost 

EBITDA   

 In relation to the cost of investments, this is the open cost of the investment at 31 December 
2018, i.e. the investment cost net of amounts realised from partial exits and refinancings, 
where applicable.

 Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation and is used as the typical 
measure of portfolio company performance.

Exchange Rate 

The GBP:EUR exchange rate at 31 December 2018 was £1: €1.1139.

Fund I / Oakley Fund I  Oakley Capital Private Equity L.P.

Fund II / Oakley Fund II 

 Those limited partnerships constituting the fund known as Oakley Capital Private Equity II, 
comprising Oakley Capital Private Equity II-A L.P., Oakley Capital Private Equity II-B L.P., 
Oakley Capital Private Equity II-C L.P. and OCPE II Master L.P.

Fund III / Oakley Fund III   Those limited partnerships constituting the fund known as Oakley Capital Private Equity III, 

comprising Oakley Capital Private Equity III-A L.P., Oakley Capital Private Equity III-B L.P., 
Oakley Capital Private Equity III-C L.P. and OCPE III Master L.P.

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Governance

Financial Statements

Oakley Capital Fund IV/   Those limited partnerships constituting the fund know as Oakley Capital IV, compromising  
Fund IV   

Oakley Capital IV-A SCSp, Oakley Capital IV-B SCSp, Oakley Capital IV-C SCSp and  
Oakley Capital IV Master SCSp. 

Fund Facilities 

 This includes debt facilities provided by the Company to the Oakley Funds and to the 
General Partners of the Oakley Funds. 

General Partners (GP) 

 Oakley Capital I Limited in respect of Fund I (previously Oakley Capital GP Limited)     
Oakley Capital II Limited in respect of Fund II (previously Oakley Capital GP II Limited) and 
Oakley Capital III Limited in respect of Fund III (previously Oakley Capital GP III Limited); all 
exempted companies incorporated in Bermuda.

IFRS 

 International Financial Reporting Standards. The consolidated financial statements and 
notes have been prepared in accordance with IFRS. 

Investment Adviser 

 Oakley Capital Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales with registered 
number 4091922, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority;      
or any successor as Investment Adviser of Fund I, Fund II or Fund III.

IPO 

NAV 

Initial Public Offering.

Net asset value is the value of the assets less liabilities.

Oakley   

The Investment Adviser being Oakley Capital Limited.

Oakley Funds 

Fund I, Fund II and Fund III and (as applicable) any successor funds.

Produced by