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FY2018 Annual Report · Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
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Pebble Beach Systems Group plc 

A global software and technology business, specialising in world leading automation,  
channel in a box, integrated and virtualised playout technology for the broadcast markets.

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

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Pebble Beach Systems Group plc  
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018 
www.pebbleplc.com Stock code: PEB

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Pebble Beach Systems Group plc Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2018

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CONTENTS

STRATEGIC REPORT 

2
3-4
5
6
7
8-9

10-11

12

Business Overview 
Non-Executive Chairman’s Statement 
Group at a Glance 
Strategy 
Business Model 
Business Review  – Financial Review
– Continuing Operations
Business Review
– Financial Review
Principal Risks And Uncertainties 

GOVERNANCE

13
14-16
17-23
24-27
28

Our Board 
Directors’ Report 
Corporate Governance Statement
Remuneration Report
Statement Of Directors’ Responsibilities

FINANCIALS 

29-35

36
37
38
39

40
41-75
76
77
78

79
80-93

Independent Auditor’s Report 
To The Members Of Pebble Beach Systems Group plc
Consolidated Income Statement
Consolidated Statement Of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statement Of Financial Position
Consolidated Statement Of Changes In 
Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statement Of Cash Flows
Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements
Company Income Statement
Company Statement Of Financial Position
Company Statement Of Changes 
In Shareholders’ Equity
Company Statement Of Cash Flows
Notes To The Company Financial Statements

COMPANY INFORMATION

94
95

Analysis Of Shareholders 
Shareholder Information 

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BUSINESS OVERVIEW

PEBBLE BEACH SYSTEMS GROUP PLC 
Pebble Beach Systems Group plc is a global technology business 
comprising Pebble Beach Systems.

PEBBLE BEACH SYSTEMS
Pebble Beach Systems is a world leader in automation, channel in 
a box, integrated and virtualised playout technology, with scalable 
products designed for highly efficient multichannel transmission as 
well as complex news and sports television. Installed in more than 
70 countries and with proven systems ranging from single up to 
over 150 channels in operation, Pebble Beach Systems offers open, 
flexible systems, which encompass ingest and playout automation, 
and complex file-based workflows. It trades in the US as Pebble 
Broadcast Systems Inc and the rest of the world as Pebble Beach 
Systems Limited. Pebble Beach Systems Limited website is:  
http://www.pebble.tv

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
•  Stabilised the business during unsettled market conditions during 

a period of technology and commercial transition 

•  Delivered significant improvements in profitability as a direct 

result of the restructure undertaken throughout 2017 and the first 
half of 2018

•  Appointed a leadership team with capabilities to meet changing 

market needs 

•  Completed a review of our long-term vision and established a 

comprehensive strategy for growth

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STRATEGIC REPORT

NON–EXECUTIVE  
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION
We delivered a strong financial 
performance despite market conditions 
throughout 2018 being challenging as 
broadcast customers assessed how best 
to invest in the evolving technologies of 
IP and cloud orientated infrastructures 
whilst maintaining their significant 
historical investment into traditional 
proprietary infrastructure.

The restructuring of Pebble Beach 
Systems is now complete and we 
have a clear mission, focused on 
growth and a cost base structured to 
ensure ongoing profitability and cash 
generation.

Pebble Beach Systems’ mission is to 
support broadcasters as they adapt to 
compete with new entrants in the video 
media space by providing solutions to 
support their transition from traditional 
broadcast infrastructure to more flexible 
IP-based technologies. 

FINANCIAL RESULTS
Order intake for the full year of 
£10.8 million is above the previous 
year (2017: £10.5 million). This includes 
two significant orders as announced in 
November 2018.

The first order was from PRO TV, the 
largest commercial broadcaster in 
Romania, who chose Pebble Beach 
Systems’ solutions to upgrade its entire 
playout operations. The order value was 
£1.0 million, and project commission 
started in November 2018 ready for an 
on air date in early 2019.

The second order was from 
tpc Switzerland AG, the foremost 
broadcast service provider in 
Switzerland. This order, also with a 
value of £1.0 million, is for a new, state 
of the art, IP-based facility which is 
currently under construction in Zürich. 
The contract was finalised in November 
2018 and the new facility is scheduled 
to open in the autumn of 2019.

As expected, revenue for 2018 of 
£9.2 million (2017: £10.3 million) was 
down on 2017 as a result of focussing 
on high margin business. Despite the 
slightly reduced revenue, overall gross 
margin grew in 2018 to £6.7 million 
(73%) (2017: £6.5 million (63%)).

The improved margin, combined with 
reduced overheads resulting from 
the restructure, has resulted in an 
Adjusted operating profit of £2.5m 
in 2018 (2017: £0.5 million) before 
non-recurring items, depreciation 
and amortisation of £2.7 million are 
deducted. 

Net finance costs were slightly reduced 
in 2018 reflecting the Group’s pay-
down of some of its revolving credit 
facility (“RCF”) and overdraft being 
offset by a higher rate of 3.30% (2017: 
2.40%). The available RCF as at 31 
December 2018 was brought down to 
£10.7 million, all of which had been 
drawn fully down (2017: £15.0 million, 
of which £11.5 million had been fully 
drawn down). Interest paid on the RCF 
was £0.3 million (2017: £0.3 million). 

Liquidity risk continued to be reduced, 
with combined secured bank loans 
and trade and other payables being 
further reduced by £1.0 million from 
£16.3 million in 2017 to £15.3 million at 
the end of 2018.

The Company continues to view 
investment in the development of new 
products and services as key to future 
growth. In 2018 Pebble Beach Systems 
capitalised £0.7 million of development 
costs (amortised £0.8 million), (2017: 
£0.8 million) (amortised £0.7 million).

GOING CONCERN
The directors are required to make 
an assessment of the Company’s and 
Group’s ability to continue to trade as a 
going concern.

At 31 December 2018 net debt was 
£9.4 million (2017: £10.2 million) 
comprising net cash of £1.3 million 
(2017 £1.3 million) and the drawn down 
RCF of £10.7 million (2017: £11.5 
million).

We maintain a good relationship with 
our bank and on 27 March 2019 an 
extension of the current loan agreement 
was signed with our bank. The revision 
secures the facility until 30 November 
2020 with banking covenants and a 
repayment schedule in place.

In order to assess the appropriateness 
of preparing the financial statements 
on a going concern basis, management 
have prepared detailed projections of 
expected cash flows. These projections 
include the continued impact of cost 
reductions implemented in 2017 and 
2018, margin improvement strategies 
and sales growth in 2019.

As part of the review, the Board 
considered sensitivities with regards to 
the timing of revenue growth coming 
from the transition in the broadcast 
industry from SDI to IP platforms. 
It looked at sensitivities regarding the 
recovery of gross margin following 
the completion of the Harmonic OEM. 
Finally, it considered sensitivities 
regarding the cost reductions.

The Board have concluded that the 
Group will have sufficient resources to 
meet its liabilities for the foreseeable 
future and therefore the Group 
and hence the Company remains a 
going concern.

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NON–EXECUTIVE  
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

XG TECHNOLOGY INC. 
In December 2018 the Board were 
pleased to report that following 
negotiations a resolution was reached 
with xG Technology Inc. (“xG”) which 
concludes the ongoing dispute, last 
reported in our 2018 half year results. 
As a result the formal process to 
recover sums from xG was concluded 
and a mutual release signed to ensure 
no further liabilities are due by either 
party.

BOARD CHANGES
Two appointments were made to the 
Board during 2018.

As previously announced, Peter 
Mayhead was appointed as Group CEO 
on 1 January 2018 and Graham Pitman 
was appointed to the Board as Non-
Executive Director on 6 April 2018. 

TRADING OUTLOOK
With significant improvements in 
our profitability and operating cash 
generation over FY17, as we go into 
2019, we will improve our financial 
position further as broadcasters invest 
to take advantages of increasing 
audience numbers and advertising 
spend.

John Varney 
Non-Executive Chairman 
27 March 2019

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STRATEGIC REPORT

OUR LOCATIONS
The business is run through the main 
operational site at Weybridge in the UK. 

Our business addresses global markets, 
selling through direct sales and 
partnerships with resellers and systems 
integrators. Our partnerships are able 
to provide customer support local to 
our customers.

Our Group head office is located in 
Weybridge, UK.

GROUP AT A GLANCE

Pebble Beach Systems Group plc is a leading software technology  
Group serving customers in the broadcast markets.

PEBBLE BEACH SYSTEMS
Pebble Beach Systems is a leading 
developer and supplier of world 
class automation, Channel in a Box, 
integrated and virtualized playout 
technology for TV broadcasters, 
service providers, and cable and 
satellite operators. Pebble Beach 
Systems has developed a portfolio of 
successful products which have the 
flexibility to support a wide range of 
broadcast applications, with scalable 
products designed for highly efficient 
multichannel transmission as well as 
complex news and sports television. 

KEY PRODUCTS INCLUDE:
•  Marina – next generation enterprise- 
level playout automation platform for 
multi-channel applications

•  Orca – state-of-the-art IP-enabled 
cloud-based integrated channel 
delivery solution running in a 
virtualised environment

•  Dolphin – multi-format integrated 

channel delivery solutions based on 
standard IT hardware

•  Stingray – cost-effective self-
contained Channel in a Box

WHAT WE DO
Our innovative solutions manage 
acquisition, file-based workflows, 
archiving and multi-channel playout at 
large and small installations worldwide. 

As an example, in 2018 tpc Switzerland 
AG, the foremost broadcast service 
provider in Switzerland, selected Pebble 
Beach Systems’ Marina automation and 
Dolphin integrated channel technology 
for the new, state of the art, IP-
based facility which is currently under 
construction in Zürich.

An independent subsidiary of 
SRG SSR (Swiss Broadcasting Corp), 
tpc Switzerland is responsible for 
production and technology for SRF 
(Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen-Swiss 
Radio and Television).

Scheduled to open in autumn 2019, 
the pioneering new broadcast facility 
is based on a full-IP solution using 
SMPTE ST 2110, with all production 
for news and sport utilising the new 
IP infrastructure. With several studios, 
postproduction facilities, a new 
nationwide master control room and a 
centralised ingest and playout centre, 
it will be the largest uncompressed IP 
project in Europe.

Playout automation will be handled by 
Pebble Beach Systems’ flagship Marina 
solution, controlling multiple Dolphin 
integrated channel devices which 
utilise the Matrox X.mio5 Q25 network 
interface controller (NIC) card. 

Dolphin is a compact and cost-effective 
integrated channel device which, 
operating under the control of Pebble’s 
Marina automation, delivers highly 
automated integrated audio, video 
and graphics functionality for ingest, 
channel branding and frame-accurate 
multi-channel playout. The flexible 
pipeline design enables the virtual 
output chain to be customised for each 
channel, specifying the order in which 
functions including graphics, effects, 
and aspect ratio conversion are handled 
within the system.

For tpc, the Dolphin systems will 
integrate Vizrt graphics, the latest 
addition to the range of software 
graphics plug-ins offered by Pebble, 
which enable broadcasters to maintain 
their best-of-breed graphics workflows 
in a software or virtualised environment. 

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OUR STRATEGY

OUR STRATEGIC  
OBJECTIVES  

Strategy

PROGRESS ON OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

•  Completed a review of our long-term vision and established 
a comprehensive business strategy to focus Pebble Beach 
Systems as a market led solutions business

•  Restructured operations in Q1 2018, strengthening the 
business capabilities to deliver complex system projects 
to ensure we are able to meet the needs of broadcasters 
during the initial phase of the transition to IP

•  Driving a pipeline of appropriate prospects by positioning 
the business as a solutions provider through enhanced 
digital marketing and appropriate marcom

Continue to reduce  
overall debt leverage 

•  The bank continues to show support and on 27 March 2019 
an extension of the current loan agreement was signed. The 
revision secures the facility until 30 November 2020 with 
banking covenants and a repayment schedule in place.

Continue to provide 
stability

•  Successfully stabilised the business during unsettled market 
conditions during a period of technology and commercial 
transition 

OUR GOALS AND  
KEY CHALLENGES

•  To support broadcasters as 
they adapt to compete with 
new entrants in the video 
media space by providing 
solutions to support their 
transition from traditional 
broadcast infrastructure 
to more flexible IP based 
technologies

•  To further invest in our 

current product portfolio 
and focus on our technical 
capability to operate across 
both proprietary and IP 
platforms

•  To migrate our technology to 
a service based architecture, 
identify technology gaps and 
provide strategic support on 
make or buy options

•  Continue to build shareholder 

confidence 

•  Continue to provide stability 
to ensure continued profit 
and cash generation in 
FY2019

Market leading 
solutions to drive sales 
through innovation

•  The development of innovative products for our customers 

•  To capitalise on sales of  

existing products to increase 
profit and growth

Focus on core markets

•  Build on relationship with other vendors and sales partners

•  Continue to expand our 

•  New products enhance offering to customers 

•  An increased network of resellers and systems integrators 

across the world regions. These partnerships offer first-hand 
knowledge of customer needs and requirements, enhancing 
customer relationships with local support, and increasing 
sales

available markets

•  Leverage our direct and 

global channels

•  Further investment in organic 

growth

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STRATEGIC REPORT

WHAT IS OUR GOAL 
Pebble Beach Systems’ mission is to 
support broadcasters as they adapt to 
compete with new entrants in the video 
media space by providing solutions to 
support their transition from traditional 
broadcast infrastructure to more flexible 
IP based technologies. 

OUR BUSINESS MODEL

WHAT WE DO 
Pebble Beach Systems Limited, the 
operational division of the Group, 
develops and supplies highly reliable 
software solutions for mission-critical 
on-air broadcast applications, with its 
major strength in the area of play to 
air channel delivery systems, and the 
management of media assets. 

WHAT WE SELL 
Our products meet the need of 
centralcast hubs, service providers, 
Multiple Channel Operators, and 
broadcasters. Our Marina automation 
platform provides broadcasters 
enterprise level control of their 
channels, extending the scope of play 
to air automation systems way beyond 
simple sequence control, and delivering 
the tools to manage quality control, 
assets and archive management, trailer 
production, reproduction of content 
in many delivery formats, play to air of 
multiple channels, and multiplatform 
delivery. We have also developed 
affordable products including Marina 
Lite for those looking to migrate 
from legacy or end-of-life automation 
systems, easing the transition to a 
modern scalable and flexible platform. 
Further, Pebble Beach Systems’ 
Lighthouse web-based automation 
management and remote access system 
extends the Marina functionality to 
business users, operational staff and 
engineers both inside and outside  of 
the broadcast facility.

Pebble Beach Systems has evolved 
its IP-enabled software solutions with 
Orca which provides a cost effective, 
yet infinitely scalable playout solution 
perfect for pop-up and experimental 
channels, and disaster recovery. It is 
a channel-in-a-box, without the box, 
enabling the deployment of IP-based 
channels almost instantly without 
the burden of racks of complicated 
hardware, and weeks or months of 
setup and provisioning. Orca channels 
run in a virtual machine in a private or 
public cloud. 

The new 4K playout capabilities of the 
Dolphin integrated channel system go 
far beyond channel in a box offerings. 
Dolphin’s software-defined architecture 
allows it to easily scale to the needs 
of any playout workflow either as a 
standalone, all-in-one system, or a 
hybrid system installed alongside third 
party channel delivery products. 

WHO WE SELL TO 
Our customers are international, 
national, regional and specialised 
broadcasters who deliver the full 
range of TV programming from news 
and current affairs to live sports 
broadcasting; customers such as 
tpc Switzerland, SABC in South Africa, 
TV Globo in Brazil, MBC Dubai, Fox 
Sports in Holland, IMG London, ZDF 
Germany, AMC Networks (USA) and 
TV2 Denmark. 

Customers are reached through direct 
sales, and partnerships with value 
added resellers and systems integrators. 
Whilst both are often focused on 
market sectors, they share knowledge 
of customer requirements and market 
trends, and offer local support where 
needed.

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BUSINESS REVIEW –  
FINANCIAL REVIEW – CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Revenue 

Adjusted operating (loss)/profit1 

Net liabilities 

Cash and cash equivalents

Reported loss per share

Revenue

Gross profit

Gross margin %

Research and development expenses

Other expenses

Adjusted operating (loss)/profit1

Non–recurring items

Foreign exchange gains

Earnings before interest, tax, amortisation and depreciation (EBITDA)

Depreciation

Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangibles

Amortisation of capitalised development costs

Reported operating loss

Net finance costs

Loss before tax

Taxation

Loss attributable to equity shareholders

Basic loss per share 

Adjusted earnings/(loss) per share2 

2018
£m

9.2

2.5

(6.0)

1.3

2017
£m

10.3

0.5

(6.3)

1.2

(0.2)p

(2.1)p

2018
£m

9.2

6.7

2017
£m

10.3

6.5

Change
%

-11.1%

+1.6%

Change
%

-11.1%

+2.6%

72.6%

62.9%

+9.7pts

(0.4)

(3.8)

2.5

(0.3)

–

2.2

(0.1)

(1.4)

(0.8)

(0.2)

(0.3)

(0.5)

(0.3)

(0.2)

(1.1)

(4.9)

0.5

(0.5)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.2)

(1.4)

(0.7)

(2.4)

(0.3)

(2.7)

(0.1)

(2.6)

(0.2)p

1.6p

(2.1)p

(0.2)p

1. Adjusted operating profit/(loss) is a non-GAAP measure. It is operating profit/(loss) before depreciation, the amortisation and impairment of goodwill and 

acquired intangibles, the amortisation of capitalised development costs, non-recurring items and foreign exchange gains. The directors believe that adjusted 
operating profit provides additional useful information on underlying trends to shareholders. This measure is used by management for internal performance 
analysis.

2. Adjusted EPS is calculated on operating profit before the amortisation and impairment of acquired intangibles, and non-recurring items after taking account 
of related tax effects and foreign exchange. Amortisation of capitalised development costs is included in Research and Development expenses in the income 
statement.

NON-RECURRING ITEMS

The Group charged £0.3 million of non-recurring costs to the consolidated Group income statement.

•  £0.4 million charge in respect of rationalisation and redundancy costs net of a £0.1 million provision release 

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BUSINESS REVIEW –  
FINANCIAL REVIEW – CONTINUING OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC REPORT

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Financial indicators for the continuing business are shown below:

KPI MEASURE

CUSTOMERS

Order intake

2018
£m

2017
£m

%  

Change DEFINITION/CALCULATION

10.8

10.5

3.0% •  Order intake is a measure of new business 

secured during the year and represents firm 
orders

Revenue

9.2

10.3

(11.1%) •  Monitoring of revenues provides a measure of 

PROFITABLE GROWTH

Adjusted operating profit

2.5

0.5

business growth for the Group

•  The Group measures foreign currency revenue 
at the actual exchange rate prevailing at the 
date of the transaction

•  Adjusted operating profit is defined as 
operating profit before depreciation, 
amortisation and impairment of acquired 
intangibles, amortisation of capitalised 
development costs, non–recurring items and 
exchange gains or losses charged to the 
income statement

Adjusted earnings/(loss)  
per share (pence) 

1.6p

(0.2)p

•  Adjusted earnings per share is calculated in 

the same manner as basic earnings per share 
except for the adding back of the after–tax 
effect of the adjustments for adjusted profit

Total operating costs

5.4

7.4

(27.1%) •  Operating costs comprise sales and marketing 

Return on sales

26.9%

4.8%

22.1pts

expenses, administrative expenses, foreign 
exchange movements and the overhead costs 
associated with Logistics and Research and 
Development

•  Adjusted operating profit in the financial year, 

divided by revenue for the financial year

INNOVATION

R&D Expenditure as a 
proportion of revenue

12.2%

18.5%

(6.3pts) •  Calculated as capitalised development costs 

less amortisation in the period plus R&D 
expenses charged in the period divided by 
revenue

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BUSINESS REVIEW –  
FINANCIAL REVIEW

TAXATION
There was a net tax credit for the year for continuing operations of £0.3 million (2017: £0.1 million). The current tax charge in 
the year was £Nil (2017: £0.2 million). There was a deferred tax credit of £0.3 million (2017: £0.3 million).

At 31 December 2018 tax receivable was £Nil (2017: tax receivable of £Nil).

GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT
In accordance with the requirements of IAS 36 ‘Impairment of assets’, goodwill is required to be tested for impairment on an 
annual basis, or where there is an indication of impairment, with reference to the value of the cash-generating units (“CGU”) in 
question. 

The carrying value of goodwill at 31 December 2018 is £3.2 million (2017: £3.2 million) which relates solely to Pebble Beach 
Systems Limited.

The carrying value at 31 December 2018 of acquired customer relationships is £0.9 million (2017: £1.7 million); acquired 
intellectual property is £0.1 million (2017: £0.8 million); and capitalised development costs is £1.2 million (£1.3 million).

The carrying value of Pebble Beach Systems Limited (including goodwill) has been assessed with reference to value in use 
over a projected period with a terminal value. No impairment is considered necessary.

NET LIABILITIES
The Statement of Financial Position at 31 December 2018 is summarised as follows:

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other non-current liabilities

Net current liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents including overdrafts

Net liabilities

2018
£m

5.4

0.2

(9.9)

(3.1)

(7.4)

1.3

(6.1)

2017
£m

6.9

0.3

(11.5)

(3.0)

(7.3)

1.2

(6.1)

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STRATEGIC REPORT

BUSINESS REVIEW –  
FINANCIAL REVIEW

CASH FLOWS
The Group held cash and cash equivalents, including overdrafts, of £1.3 million at 31 December 2018 (2017: £1.2 million). 
The table below summarises the cash flows for the year.

Cash generated from/(used in) operating activities

Net cash (used in)/ generated from investing activities

Net cash used in financing activities

Effects of foreign exchange

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

2018
£m

2017
£m

1.7

(0.8)

(0.8)

–

0.1

1.2

1.3

(2.6)

7.1

(3.5)

(0.3)

0.7

0.5

1.2

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
There was a net cash inflow from operating activities in the year of £1.7 million (outflow in 2017: £2.6 million).

The cash outflow from investing activities amounted to £0.8 million (inflow in 2017: £7.1 million) which comprised £0.8 million 
in respect of capital expenditure and the capitalisation of development costs (2017: £0.9 million).

The cash outflow from financing activities amounted to £0.8 million (2017: £3.5 million) which comprised bank loans of 
£0.8 million (2017: £3.5 million).

RETURNS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018 (2017: Nil pence). 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE
The principal exchange rates used by the Group in translating overseas profits and net assets into sterling are set out in the 
table below:

Rate compared to £ sterling

US dollar

Average
rate
2018

Average
rate
2017

Year end
rate
2018

Year end
rate
2017

1.335

1.289

1.277

1.351

If the results for the year to 31 December 2017 had been translated at the 2018 average rate then the translation impact 
would be to reduce prior year revenue by £14,000 and reduce the loss before tax by £122,000.

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PRINCIPAL RISKS  
AND UNCERTAINTIES

Pebble Beach Systems Group plc is exposed to a number of risks in its everyday business, and in order 
to minimise those risks the Group has in place policies and procedures adopted by those who work 
within the business.

Risk is ultimately managed by the Board which is supported by operational and compliance reporting 
structures. The Board sets out below what it considers to be its main risks

RISK DESCRIPTION

MITIGATION

GOING CONCERN AND LIQUIDITY
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facilities

The bank continues to show support with an 
extension to the current loan agreement. The 
revision secures the facility until 30 November 2020 
with banking covenants and a repayment schedule 
in place.

We continue to maintain a good relationship with 
the bank and continue on track with the terms of 
our agreement.

RISK 
PROFILE

High 

DEMAND FOR PRODUCTS
May be adversely affected by a number of factors to 
include changing customer requirements, ability to 
deliver and/or support changes in technology, and 
competitor activity.

We value our customers and maintain solid 
relationships with those who are key to our business. 
We have made and continue to make investment in 
new products and technology to ensure we remain 
competitive in the markets.

High

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
Failure to keep abreast of technological 
developments leading to product obsolescence, 
loss of customers and damage to the Group’s 
reputation.

The Group invests significantly in new product 
and technology development which enables the 
business to deliver ahead of market developments 
and provide complete customer solutions. Best 
practice is shared throughout the Group.

REPUTATION OF THE GROUP
The Group’s reputation can be affected by poor 
performance of its products and unsatisfactory 
customer service.

We are aware of how important it is for our products 
to perform to high standards and for our customers 
to receive first class support. Our sales offices and 
partnerships with resellers and systems integrators 
provide a network of customer support.

Medium

Medium

LAW AND REGULATIONS
Operating on a worldwide basis exposes the 
business to a host of different laws and regulations, 
for example different contract rules, anti-bribery 
provisions and competition. A failure to adhere 
to these laws and regulations may lead to fines 
and penalties, as well as damage to the Group’s 
reputation.

PEOPLE
We employ staff worldwide and there is a risk that 
we are unable to recruit and retain experienced 
staff.

BREXIT 
The uncertain outcome of Brexit and the potential 
implications on employment law, tariffs, currency, 
technology and standards has been considered by 
the Board.

We have resources in place for external legal advice 
where necessary. We also have good governance 
policies and procedures in place which all 
employees are required to adhere to.

Medium

Our people are the Group’s biggest asset and 
consistent with this the Group invests in attracting, 
developing and retaining experienced staff through 
increased investment in training and organisational 
development.

Medium

As Brexit negotiations are ongoing by the 
Government, it is too early to have a clear view on 
the impact on our business, but its potential to do 
so is fully acknowledged by the Board.

Medium 

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OUR BOARD

GOVERNANCE

John Varney BA, FRSA
Non-Executive Chairman 

Robin Howe BSC, FCIM
Senior Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Peter Mayhead FCCA, MBA
Group Chief Executive Officer 

Graham Pitman DipM, MBA
Non-Executive Director

APPOINTED TO THE BOARD: 
October 2011

APPOINTED TO THE BOARD: 
June 2006

APPOINTED TO THE BOARD: 
January 2018

APPOINTED TO THE BOARD: 
April 2018

INDEPENDENT: Yes

INDEPENDENT: Yes 

INDEPENDENT: No 

INDEPENDENT: Yes 

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 
With over 35 years’ experience 
in the broadcast industry, John 
provides extensive and relevant 
knowledge of the sector.

John has substantial 
understanding of business 
transformation and change 
management, combined with 
experience across a broad range 
of organisations inside and 
outside the broadcast sector. 

Previous roles include Director 
of Technology and Chief 
Technology Officer for Granada 
Group and Global Chief 
Technology Officer at the BBC 
and over the past 13 years John 
has been an investor, adviser 
and Non–Executive Director 
for emerging technology 
companies.

An experienced Chair, John is 
passionate about transparency 
and his impartial and objective 
style encourages open and 
constructive Board level debate.

OTHER RELEVANT EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS:
 — Director of Maximum Clarity 

Limited

 — Chair of OFCOM Advisory 
Committee for England 

 — Director, Enterprising 
Macclesfield CIC

 — Governor, Manchester 
Metropolitan University

 — Chair of Silk Heritage Trust

BOARD COMMITTEE 
MEMBERSHIPS:
 — Audit Committee – Member

 — Remuneration Committee – 

Member

 — Nomination Committee – 

Chairman

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 
With considerable experience 
of multinational technology 
businesses, including over 25 
years’ experience in  Chief 
Executive or Managing Director 
positions, Robin provides 
gravitas to the role of Senior 
Independent Non-Executive 
Director.

Robin’s previous roles, including 
Divisional CEO of Vitec Group 
plc and CEO of UDEX Holdings 
Ltd, have extensive domain 
knowledge in the environment in 
which the business operates.

Robin is experienced in a 
broad range of Non-Executive 
Directorships. He brings 
independence of character 
and financial astuteness to 
his chairmanship of the Audit 
Committee and Remuneration 
Committee.

Robin’s CPD training for 2018 
includes attendance at Deloitte’s 
Remuneration Strategy 
Conference in October and 
Deloitte’s Corporate Governance 
seminar in November.

OTHER RELEVANT EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS:
 — Chairman and Director of 
MetaSphere Limited 

 — Director of Blackfyne Ltd 

 — Director of Locking & Security 

Solutions Limited

 — Director of Puma Distribution 

Limited

BOARD COMMITTEE 
MEMBERSHIPS:
 — Remuneration Committee – 

Chairman

 — Audit Committee – Chairman 

 — Nomination Committee – 

Member

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 
Peter joined the company 
in 2013, bringing more 
than 20 years of broadcast 
industry, financial leadership 
and executive management 
experience. Peter was appointed 
as CEO in January 2018. 

He graduated from Henley 
Management College in 2011, 
earning his Masters’ degree 
in Business Administration. As 
a fellow of the Association of 
Certified Chartered Accountants 
Peter attends training and 
development courses on 
an ongoing basis to ensure 
Continuous Professional 
Development. 

Previously, Peter served as CFO 
of Pro-Bel Ltd where his strong 
financial skills and management 
ability played a key role in 
the management turning the 
business around and ultimately 
merging with Snell & Wilcox. 

He has enhanced his passion for 
empowered leadership through 
formal education, consultancy 
work, and interim change 
management roles.

Peter has an approach of 
building on the strengths of each 
individual to enhance the overall 
competitiveness, flexibility, and 
capability of the organisation. 

OTHER RELEVANT EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS:
 — None 

BOARD COMMITTEE 
MEMBERSHIPS:
 — Executive Board – member

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 
Graham has extensive 
international experience from 
his roles as CEO and Chairman 
within the broadcast and 
media technology industry and 
has considerable knowledge 
of strategic planning and 
execution including business 
transformation and turn-round.

Graham brings exceptional 
experience to the Board, 
gained from executive and 
non-executive roles in traditional 
and new technology segments, 
including positions with Pro–Bel 
Group Limited, Telestream 
UK Limited, Snell Corporation 
Limited, ATG Danmon Limited, 
Marquis Broadcast Ltd and NTP 
Technology A/S.  

Graham is well-respected within 
the industry and his extensive 
range of connections means 
his presence on the Board 
contributes both in and outside 
of meetings. 

Graham keeps up to date with 
industry trends by attending 
relevant industry conferences 
and reading the industry reports 
issued by IABM.  He manages 
his commercial and governance 
development by attending 
seminars and webinars.  

OTHER RELEVANT EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS:
 — Vice Chair of IABM

 — Chairman of Yospace

 — Director of Pitman Executive 

Solutions Limited

 — Advises and invests in 

broadcast sector early stage 
companies 

BOARD COMMITTEE 
MEMBERSHIPS:
 — Audit Committee – Member

 — Remuneration Committee – 

Member

 — Nomination Committee – 

Member

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DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The directors present the annual report 
of Pebble Beach Systems Group plc 
together with the audited Group and 
Company financial statements for 
the year ended 31 December 2018, 
which were approved by the directors 
on 27 March 2019. The Group and 
Company financial statements have 
been prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting 
Standards as adopted by the European 
Union (IFRS).  

A review of the Group’s trading and 
an indication of future developments 
are contained in the Non-Executive 
Chairman’s Statement and Our Strategy 
on pages 3 to 4 and 6.

Pebble Beach Systems Group plc is 
incorporated in England (company 
registration number 04082188) and 
has its registered office at 12 Horizon 
Business Village, 1 Brooklands Road, 
Weybridge KT13 0TJ. 

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS
The results for the year ended 
31 December 2018 are set out in the 
consolidated income statement on 
page 36. The Group has reported an 
operating loss of £0.2 million (2017: 
£2.4 million). After accounting for 

net finance costs, the consolidated 
Group income statement shows a loss 
before taxation of £0.5 million (2017: 
£2.7 million). The net result for the 
year after profit from discontinued 
operations of £0.2 million (2017: £2.9 
million) was a loss of £Nil (2017: profit 
of £0.3 million). 

The directors do not recommend 
payment of a final dividend for the year 
ended 31 December 2018 (2017: Nil 
pence per ordinary share). 

DIRECTORS
The directors of the Company who 
served during the year and up to 
the date of approval of the financial 
statements are as follows:

•  John Varney (Non-Executive 

Chairman/Director)

•  Robin Howe (Senior Independent 

Non-Executive Director) 

•  Peter Mayhead (Chief Executive 

Officer) (appointed 1 January 2018)

•  Graham Pitman (Non-Executive 

Director) (appointed 6 April 2018)

Short biographies of each current 
director are provided on page 13.

Details of the directors’ service 
contracts and letters of appointment 
are given in the Remuneration Report 
on pages 24 to 27. Disclosure of the 
directors’ interests in shares, including 
share options, is also given in the 
Remuneration Report. During the 
year the Group maintained insurance 
providing liability cover to its directors 
and officers.

MATERIAL INTEREST 
IN CONTRACTS
No director, either during or at the 
end of the financial year, was materially 
interested in any significant contract 
with the Group or any subsidiary 
undertaking.

SHARE CAPITAL
Details of the Group’s share capital are 
shown in note 24 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

The Group’s share capital comprises 
one class of ordinary shares and as 
at 27 March 2019 there were in issue 
124,603,134 fully paid ordinary shares 
of 2.5 pence each. All shares, except 
for those held by the employees’ share 
trust, are freely transferable and rank 
pari passu for voting and dividend 
rights.

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GOVERNANCE

The Group has been notified of the following interests in more than 3 per cent of the Company’s issued share capital at 
27 March 2019.

The Bank of New York (Nominees) Limited 

HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Limited 

Lynchwood Nominees Limited 

JIM Nominees Limited

Barclays Direct Investing Nominees Limited 

Interactive Investor Services Nominees Limited 

Goldman Sachs Securities (Nominee) Limited

FINANCIAL RISK 
MANAGEMENT
The Group’s policies on financial risk 
management are set out in note 3 to 
the consolidated financial statements.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Board takes regular account of the 
significance of social, environmental 
and ethical matters. The following 
specific matters fall under the broad 
definition of Social Responsibility:

EMPLOYEES
The Group recognises the role that 
its employees play in its success. The 
business within the Group has lines of 
communication in place to ensure that 
employees are consulted with and kept 
informed of issues relevant to them. 
Staff notices, emails and staff meetings 
are used to communicate immediate 
issues to them. 

The Group provides employees with 
access to training carried out both 
within the organisation and on external 
accredited courses that are relevant to 
an employee’s role and development.

It is the policy of the Group not to 
discriminate between employees or 
potential employees with disabilities or 
on the grounds of age, race, religion, 
sex or political beliefs and to offer 
the same employment opportunities, 
training, career development and 
promotion prospects to all.

Applications for employment by 
disabled persons are always fully 
considered bearing in mind the 
aptitudes of the applicant concerned. In 
the event of members of staff becoming 
disabled, every effort is made to ensure 
that their employment with the Group 
continues and the appropriate training 
is arranged. It is the policy of the Group 
that the training, career development 
and promotion of a disabled person, 
so far as possible, be identical to that of 
other employees.

EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEME 
INCENTIVES
Pebble Beach Systems Group plc 
operates a number of share-based 
incentive schemes on a discretionary 
basis for the benefit of the Group’s 
employees and its senior management. 
The aim of the share-based incentive 
schemes is to align the interests of the 
employees with those of the Company’s 
shareholders. 

To encourage employee interest 
and participation in the financial 
performance of the Group, a 
Pebble Beach Systems Group plc 
Share Incentive Plan is available for 
employees.

At 31 December 2018 the Employee 
Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) held 
126,496 shares (2017: 126,496) in the 
Company, representing 0.1 per cent of 
the issued share capital (2017: 0.1 per 

Number 
of shares

24,265,942

10,620,000

9,829,130

8,318,479

6,761,173

4,388,134

4,000,000

per cent

19.47

8.52

7.89

6.68

5.43

3.52

3.21

cent). The ESOP has waived its rights to 
receive dividends.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
It is the policy of the Group to ensure 
the health and welfare of employees 
by maintaining a safe place and system 
of work. This policy is based on the 
requirements of national employment 
legislation in the countries where the 
Group operates, including the Safety, 
Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989.

ENVIRONMENTAL 
MANAGEMENT
The Group is committed to minimising 
our impact on the environment by 
reducing our waste and carbon 
footprint through energy management 
and recycling schemes. 

The Group actively encourages all 
shareholders to contribute towards 
a greener countryside by registering 
for our registrar’s e-Tree service 
under which a donation will be made 
to The Woodland Trust. All funds 
donated go to their many tree-planting 
programmes. This can be accessed 
through the investors’ page on the 
Group website at www.pebbleplc.com.

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DIRECTORS’ REPORT

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting will be 
held at 12 Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge 
KT13 0TJ on Thursday 23 May 2019 at 
11.00am. Share capital resolutions will 
be proposed at the Annual General 
Meeting to renew for a further year 
the directors’ authority to allot equity 
securities for cash other than to existing 
shareholders on a pro rata basis and to 
authorise purchases by the Company of 
its own shares.

STATEMENT AS TO 
DISCLOSURE OF 
INFORMATION TO AUDITOR
In the case of the individuals who are 
directors of the Company at the date 
when this report was approved:

•  so far as each of the directors is 
aware, there is no relevant audit 
information of which the Group’s 
auditor is unaware, and

•  each of the directors has taken all 

the steps they ought to have taken 
individually as a director in order 
to make themselves aware of any 
relevant audit information and to 
establish that the Group’s auditor is 
aware of that information.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Group’s statement on corporate 
governance can be found in the 

Corporate Governance Statement 
on pages 17 to 23 of these financial 
statements. The Corporate Governance 
Statement forms part of this Directors’ 
Report and is incorporated into it by its 
cross-reference.

GOING CONCERN BASIS
The directors are required to make 
an assessment of the Company and 
Group’s ability to continue to trade as a 
going concern.

At 31 December 2018 net debt was 
£9.4 million (2017: £10.2 million) 
comprising net cash of £1.3 million 
(2017 £1.3 million) and bank debt of 
£10.7 million (2017: £11.5 million).

We maintain a good relationship with 
our bank and on 27 March 2019 an 
extension of the current loan agreement 
was signed with our bank. The revision 
secures the facility until 30 November 
2020 with banking covenants and a 
repayment schedule in place.

In order to assess the appropriateness 
of preparing the financial statements 
on a going concern basis, management 
have prepared detailed projections of 
expected cash flows. These projections 
include the continued impact of cost 
reductions implemented in 2017 and 
2018, margin improvement strategies 
and sales growth in 2019. 

As part of the review, the Board 
considered sensitivities with regards to 
the timing of revenue growth coming 
from the transition in the broadcast 
industry from SDI to IP platforms. It 
looked at sensitivities regarding the 
recovery of gross margin following 
the completion of the Harmonic OEM. 
Finally, it considered sensitivities 
regarding the cost reductions.

The Board have concluded that the 
primary risk is one of ongoing trading 
and therefore the Group and hence the 
Company remains a going concern.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
The independent auditor, Grant 
Thornton UK LLP, which was appointed 
in 2018, has indicated its willingness to 
continue in office and a resolution that 
they be reappointed will be proposed 
at the Annual General Meeting.

The Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Report were approved and signed by 
order of the Board.

John Varney
Non-Executive Chairman 
27 March 2019

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GOVERNANCE

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

As Non-Executive Chairman, it is my 
responsibility, together with my Board, 
to ensure the Company’s medium to 
long-term success and that the Group 
remains committed to high standards 
of corporate governance, which it 
considers are critical to business 
integrity and to maintaining investors’ 
and other stakeholders’ trust in the 
Group. The Group seeks to embed 
honesty, integrity and fairness in its 
culture, and the behaviour of its people. 
With an international presence, the 
Group acts in accordance with the laws 
and customs of the countries in which 
it operates; adopts proper standards 
of business practice and procedure; 
operates with integrity; and observes 
and respects the culture of every 
country in which it does business.

The Group is committed to high 
standards of corporate governance 
across all our people, enabling us 
to conduct business sustainably and 
responsibly. 

The Group recognises the role 
that its employees play in its 
success. The business has lines of 
communication in place to ensure that 
employees are consulted with and kept 
informed of issues relevant to them. 
Staff notices, emails and staff meetings 
are used to communicate immediate 
issues to them. 

The Group provides employees with 
access to training carried out both 
within the organisation and on external 
accredited courses that are relevant to 
an employee’s role and development.

On 30 March 2018 revised AIM Rules 
for Companies came into effect; AIM 
Notice 50. The principal amendment 
to the AIM Rules affecting Pebble 
Beach Systems Group plc relates to the 
corporate governance requirement of 
AIM companies.

In accordance with the AIM Regulation, 
on 2 July 2018, the Board confirmed 

their decision to apply The QCA 
Corporate Governance Code (2018 
edition) (the QCA Code). The 
directors will comply with the relevant 
requirements of the QCA Code 
Guidelines to the extent that they 
consider it appropriate having regard to 
the Company’s size and the nature of its 
operations.

Further details of the requirements for 
AIM companies can be found on our 
website at www.pebbleplc.com. 

The Board reviews the Group’s 
corporate governance procedures 
from time to time, having regard to 
the size, nature and resources of the 
Group to ensure such procedures are 
appropriate.

THE ROLE OF THE BOARD
BOARD COMPOSITION AND 
OPERATION

The Board currently consists of the 
following Board members:

John Varney – Non-Executive Chairman;

Robin Howe, – Senior Non-Executive 
Director; 

Peter Mayhead – Group Chief Executive 
Officer; and 

Graham Pitman – Non-Executive 
Director  

Peter Mayhead was appointed as 
Group CEO on 1 January 2018. 

Graham Pitman was appointed to the 
Board as Non-Executive Director on 
6 April 2018.   

The size of the Board is considered 
to be appropriate to the Group’s size 
and scope of activities and provides 
for effective continuing operation. 
The Board considers that the current 
governance arrangements are suitable 
for the size of the Group. Each Board 
meeting has the Non-Executive 
Chairman, a Senior Independent Non-
Executive Director, a Non-Executive 
Director, and a CEO present together 
with the Group Financial Controller 

and Company Secretary. The Board has 
approved a formal schedule of matters 
reserved for its decision which it reviews 
annually. 

KEY MATTERS INCLUDE

•  Strategy and values;

•  Corporate governance;

•  Annual operating and expenditure 

budgets;

•  Treasury policies;

•  Significant capital and revenue 

projects;

•  Risk management strategies 

including approach to/appetite for 
risk;

•  Systems for internal control;

•  Board and key management 

appointments;

•  Remuneration policies;

•  Acquisitions and disposals; and

•  Any other matter which has a 

material consequence for the Group

The Board has delegated all authorities 
to senior management other than 
those contained in the schedule of 
matters reserved to the Board, on the 
understanding that they will at all times 
act in accordance with the best interests 
of the Group, its shareholders and 
staff. Their actions will be consistent 
with the Group’s financial and strategic 
plans and objectives and in conformity 
with relevant legislation and best 
practice, and they will report regularly 
to the Board on the execution of these 
responsibilities.

In addition, the Board has established 
three permanent committees: the Audit 
Committee, the Nomination Committee 
and the Remuneration Committee. 
These operate within defined terms of 
reference, which are reviewed by the 
Board annually. Full details of the terms 
of reference are provided on the Group 
website at www.pebbleplc.com.

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CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

The Board met twelve times during the year, excluding ad hoc meetings convened solely to deal with procedural matters. 
Attendance at Board and Committee meetings during 2018, expressed as the number of meetings attended compared to the 
number entitled to attend, was as follows:

John Varney

Robin Howe

Graham Pitman

Peter Mayhead

Board  
No. attended

Audit  
No. attended

Remuneration  
No. attended

Nomination
No. attended 

12/12

12/12

2/2

7/7 

2/2

2/2

7/7

2/2

*Did not attend due to own remuneration being discussed. 
**Number eligible to attend.

9/9 **

1/1 **

5/5 **

0/0 **

12/12

2/2

3/7 *

2/2

TIME COMMITMENT
The Executive Director is expected 
to devote substantially the whole of 
his time, attention and ability to his 
duties, whereas, as one would expect, 
the non-executives have a lesser time 
commitment. The Non-Executive 
Chairman has committed to spend as 
much time as is required to meet the 
needs of the business. It is agreed that 
each of the Non-Executive Directors will 
dedicate 2 days per month. The Non-
Executive Directors have all confirmed 
that they are able to allocate sufficient 
time to meet the expectations of their 
role, and they are required to obtain the 
Non-Executive Chairman’s agreement 
(or, in the case of the Non-Executive 
Chairman, the Chief Executive’s 
agreement) before accepting additional 
commitments that might affect the time 
they are able to devote.

INDEPENDENCE
When judged against the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, to qualify as 
independent, an individual would not 
normally serve more than nine years 
on the Board. However, it is at the 
discretion of a Board to decide who 
‘qualifies’ as independent. In the case of 
Robin Howe, the Board wholeheartedly 
concur that Robin’s independence of 
character and judgement, together 
with his integrity to remain unaffected 

by circumstances that in theory could 
compromise independence, means he 
is free of any connections that may lead 
to conflicts of interest.

BALANCE AND SIZE
The directors consider that the Board is 
well-balanced and has the right number 
of members for the size of the Group.

At the invitation of the relevant 
committees, the Non-Executive 
Chairman usually attends Audit 
Committee meetings and the 
Remuneration Committee meetings 
other than when his own remuneration 
is discussed. Where directors are unable 
to attend Board meetings they are 
advised of the matters to be discussed 
in advance of the meeting and given 
the opportunity to provide their views 
to the Non-Executive Chairman or 
Senior Independent Director.

In addition to the formal scheduled 
meetings the Board holds informal 
discussions with Executive Directors 
and senior operational managers on 
strategy, business development and 
other topics important to the Group’s 
progress throughout the year. 

APPOINTMENT AND 
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The rules governing the appointment 
and replacement of directors are 

set out in the Company’s Articles of 
Association. The Articles provide that 
all directors offer themselves for re-
election at the first AGM subsequent 
to their appointment and at least once 
every three years thereafter. 

Robin Howe retires from office by 
rotation and offers himself for re-
election by shareholders. All other 
directors have been re-elected within 
the last three years. The Board confirms 
that, having taken into consideration 
the results of the performance 
evaluation undertaken in the year, the 
director being proposed for re-election 
has demonstrated commitment to 
their responsibilities and continues 
to perform effectively, and subject 
to shareholder approval will be 
reappointed for a further three years.

The Company’s Articles of Association 
require any new directors appointed by 
the Board to retire from office and offer 
themselves for election by shareholders 
at the next Annual General Meeting 
following their appointment. Peter 
Mayhead and Graham Pitman, who 
were appointed during 2018, were 
elected by shareholders at the Annual 
General Meeting held on 28 June 2018. 

Biographical information for each of the 
directors are set out on page 13. 

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GOVERNANCE

NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
John Varney is the Non-Executive 
Chairman, supported by the other two 
current Non-Executive Directors for the 
remainder of the financial year.

SENIOR INDEPENDENT 
DIRECTOR
Robin Howe is the nominated Senior 
Independent Director. Shareholders can 
seek to raise any concerns they may 
have with him, where they have not 
been addressed through the normal 
channels of Non-Executive Chairman 
and Group Company Secretary, or 
where these channels are not deemed 
appropriate. The Senior Independent 
Director is responsible for leading 
the other Non-Executive Directors in 
the annual evaluation review of the 
performance of the Non-Executive 
Chairman.

THE NON–EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTORS
The Non-Executive Directors bring 
external view and insight to the Board, 
providing a range of experience and 
knowledge from other industry sectors. 
The terms of appointment for the 
Non-Executive Directors are available 
for inspection at the Group’s registered 
office during normal business hours and 
for 15 minutes prior to, and during, the 
Annual General Meeting (AGM).

THE COMPANY SECRETARY
The Company Secretary is responsible 
for ensuring all appropriate information 
is with the Board and its Committees 
in order for them to make appropriate 
decisions. They are also responsible for 
reporting on all corporate governance 
issues to the Board.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR RISK 
AND INTERNAL CONTROL
The Board has overall responsibility for 
the Group’s system of internal control 
although it should be recognised that 
it can provide only reasonable and not 

absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. The effectiveness 
of the Group’s system of internal 
control has been reviewed by the Board 
during the year, having special regard 
to the structural and cultural changes 
implemented during the year.

The directors confirm that the internal 
control framework is consistent 
with the revised Turnbull Guidance, 
that there is an ongoing process for 
identifying, evaluating and managing 
significant risks faced by the Group, 
which is regularly reviewed by the 
Board, and that this process was in 
place throughout the year ended 31 
December 2018 and up to the date of 
this report.

The Group has an internal control 
system in place which is designed to 
protect shareholders’ investments by 
safeguarding the assets of the Group 
and facilitating its efficient operation. 
The Board considers that strong 
internal controls are integral to the 
sound management of the Group, 
and it is committed to maintaining 
strict financial, operational and risk 
management control over all its 
activities.

The Board aims to take business risks 
in an informed and proactive manner, 
such that the level of risk is aligned 
with the potential business rewards. 
Management regularly reviews risk 
exposures against current business 
risk level tolerances. The aim of risk 
management is to provide reasonable 
assurance that the risks associated 
with achieving business objectives are 
understood and that these risks are 
being responded to appropriately at all 
levels within the organisation.

The key elements of internal control 
within the Group to monitor the key 
risks are described below:

CONTROL ENVIRONMENT

There is a clear organisation structure 
in place, levels of authority are 
well defined and responsibility for 
operational control of the business units 
is delegated to managing directors. 
Whilst management guidelines and a 
comprehensive management reporting 
package are in place for all subsidiaries, 
the Group also monitors these controls 
by a number of means including regular 
internal review.

IDENTIFICATION AND 
EVALUATION OF RISKS AND 
CONTROL OBJECTIVES

The Board has the primary responsibility 
for identifying and evaluating the major 
risks facing the Group and developing 
appropriate policies and procedures 
to manage them. It identifies the key 
risks faced by the Group, and delegates 
responsibility for managing those risks 
to executive and senior management. 
The effectiveness of the risk control 
procedures in place is reported to the 
Board on at least an annual basis.

FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Group operates a comprehensive 
budgeting, financial reporting and 
forecasting system. The operating 
segment is required to complete 
management accounts on a monthly 
basis which compare actual results 
with budget, forecast and prior year; 
these are reviewed at both executive 
and Board level meetings to ensure 
that variances and discrepancies are 
identified and acted upon on a timely 
basis.

Towards the end of each financial 
year the operating entities prepare 
budgets for the following year. The 
Board reviews budgets before they are 
formally adopted. The Group reports to 
its shareholders at the half year and full 
year ends.

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CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

MAIN CONTROL PROCEDURES 
AND MONITORING SYSTEMS 
USED BY THE BOARD
There are a number of key control 
procedures in place that are reviewed 
on an annual basis by the Board. 
These cover the key risks faced by the 
Group and are predominantly of an 
operational and financial nature.

The Group finance function 
consolidates the Group results 
monthly, and a full financial review 
is presented at each Board meeting, 
accompanied by appropriate Key 
Performance Indicators for the Group. 
Each Group entity compiles forecasts 
of profits and cash flows reflecting their 
current expectations, which are also 
monitored by the Board. Reviews of the 
performance and financial position of 
the Group are included in the Non-
Executive Chairman’s Statement and 
the Strategic Report on pages 3 to 4 
and 6. The Board uses these, together 
with the Directors’ Report on pages 
14 to 16, to present a balanced and 
understandable assessment of the 
Group’s position and prospects.

In addition, the Board considers the 
following matters:

COMMERCIAL RISK

All significant commercial contracts 
are reported to the Board and are 
controlled by the use of appropriate 
vetting processes and authorisation 
levels.

INVESTMENT APPRAISAL

The Group has a clearly defined 
framework for controlling and reporting 
acquisitions, disposals and capital 
expenditure including the use of 
appropriate authorisation levels.

LEGAL MATTERS

Significant litigation and legal matters 
are reported to the Board.

OPERATING BUSINESS 
FINANCIAL CONTROLS

The executive management has defined 
the financial controls and procedures 
that each operating entity is required 
to comply with. Key controls over 
major business risks include reviews 
against Key Performance Indicators 
and exception reporting. The operating 
entities make periodic assessments of 
its exposure to major business risks 
and the extent to which these risks are 
controlled. These are reviewed by the 
executive management and reported to 
the Board.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

The executive management are 
responsible for keeping the Board 
appraised of the Group strategy. The 
Board reviews strategic plans as part of 
the ongoing business planning process 
and has been closely involved in the 
review of the strategy undertaken 
during 2018.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Much of the Group’s financial 
management information is processed 
by and stored on computer systems. 
Accordingly, the Group has established 
controls and procedures over the 
security of data held on computer 
systems.

INSURANCE

The Group’s programme of insurance 
covers the major risks to the Group’s 
assets and business and is reviewed 
annually by the Board.

INTERNAL AUDIT

The Group does not have an internal 
audit function although the head 
office team fulfils some functions of 
an internal audit department. The 
directors believe the Group falls into 
the category of small for this purpose. 
The Audit Committee reviews the need 
for an internal audit department at least 
annually.

BOARD PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

During Q418 the Senior Independent 
Director, on behalf of the Board, 
conducted a formal Board Effectiveness 
Report which enabled all directors to 
rate their performance and attributes on 
a rating scale which was then collated, 
summarised and reported to the Board. 

The Board Effectiveness Report we 
adopted listed 23 assessment criteria 
along with a list of 11 attributes. Each 
director marked their own score for the 
23 criteria and marked the whole Board 
for the 11 attributes. The completed 
scorecard was then reported to the 
Board. 

Behaviour was assessed on statements 
relating to: Setting strategy; Strategy; 
Board performance; Managing Board 
meetings and discussions; Managing 
the Board’s relationships with others; 
Board members’ own skills; reaction 
to events; Non-Executive Chairman; 
attendance and contribution 
at meetings; open channels of 
communication; risk and control 
frameworks.  

Processes was assessed on statements 
relating to: composition; the Company 
Secretary; Executive directors; 
Non-executive directors; meetings 
and administration; timeliness of 
information; agenda items; Annual 
General Meeting; risk management; 
induction and training; succession 
planning; performance evaluation;  

For the Board attribute score, all Board 
members were asked to provide a 
rating (on a scale of 1 – 5 / low to high) 
across a variety of criteria, comprising: 
auditing, financial & accounting 
skills; corporate governance; banking 
and finance; international business 
development; product technologies; 
manufacturing & supply chain; 
acquisitions and mergers; HR & 
remuneration policies; information 
technology; domain knowledge. 

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GOVERNANCE

The evaluation process will performed 
annually. As a comparison against 
previous evaluations, although Board 
evaluations have taken place annually 
this was the first high level performance 
evaluation. 

The Board agreed that the Board 
Performance Evaluation had allowed 
the Board to objectively self-test the 
role, performance and composition of 
the Board without undue bureaucracy. 
As a result the Board agreed that a 
positive outcome for the future would 
be to consider a 6 monthly, simple 
scenario planning exercise coupled to a 
strategy delivery review. 

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES

Robin Howe was appointed as Audit 
Committee Chairman on 1 January 
2018 and chaired the Audit Committee 
throughout 2018. John Varney and 
Graham Pitman (from his appointment 
on 6 April 2018) served on the 
Committee throughout the year. 

The Committee also meets with the 
external auditor without the presence 
of Executive Directors, for independent 
discussions.

The Audit Committee’s responsibilities 
include: making recommendations to 
the Board regarding the appointment of 
the external auditor based on its review 
of the scope of work, cost-effectiveness 
and independence of the external 
auditor; keeping under review the 
effectiveness of the Group’s system of 
internal controls and risk management 
and reporting to the Board its findings; 
reviewing the internal control review 
programme; monitoring the financial 
reporting process; reviewing and 
challenging the actions and judgements 
of management in relation to the 
interim and annual financial statements 
before submission to the Board; 
reviewing the Company’s arrangements 
for its employees to raise concerns in 

confidence about possible wrongdoing; 
and reviewing the Company’s 
procedures for detecting fraud.

In order to ensure the independence 
and objectivity of our auditor, Grant 
Thornton UK LLP, the Committee 
regularly reviewed the remuneration 
received by them for audit services, 
audit-related services and non-audit 
work. These reviews ensured a balance 
of objectivity, value for money and 
compliance with our requirement for 
independence. The outcome of these 
reviews was that the performance of 
non-audit work by our auditor was the 
most cost-effective way of conducting 
our business and that no conflicts of 
interest existed between such audit and 
non-audit work.

There are certain areas in which 
the Committee considers that the 
external auditor can add value to 
the Group, without compromising 
their independence. In accordance 
with the Group’s policy on non-audit 
services, the Group received non-
audit services during the year relating 
to tax compliance, tax advice and 
restructuring.  Any significant non-
audit work undertaken by the external 
auditor was approved by the Audit 
Committee to ensure that the auditor’s 
independence was not compromised. 
These reviews enabled the Audit 
Committee to confirm that it continues 
to receive an efficient, effective and 
independent audit service.

The Audit Committee confirms that 
it conducted an assessment of the 
external auditor and determined that 
adequate policies and safeguards 
were in place to ensure that their 
independence and objectivity had not 
been impaired during 2018. 

ACTIVITIES OF THE 
AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee met two times 
during the year and once up to the date 
of this report in 2019 and reported its 
conclusions to the Board.

In these meetings the Audit Committee:

•  reviewed the accounting policies;

•  reviewed the announcement of the 
financial results of the Group for the 
years ended 31 December 2017, 
31 December 2018 and the 2018 
interim results prior to approval by 
the Board;

•  considered and reviewed the 2017 

and 2018 annual reports and financial 
statements and the 2018 interim 
report, paying particular attention 
to critical areas of management 
judgement, together with the 
external auditor reports;

•  considered and discussed the audit 

plan with the external auditor for the 
2018 audit;

•  considered and recommended to 
the Board the reappointment of 
the auditor which will be put to 
shareholders for approval at the 
AGM;

•  reviewed and considered reports 

from internal control visits and the 
external auditor on the effectiveness 
of the system of internal control, and 
reported to the Board on the results 
of the review;

•  reviewed the reports from 

management on the Group’s main 
risks and the assessment and 
mitigation of those risks;

•  approved the statutory audit fee 
for 2018, and reviewed non-audit 
fees paid to the external auditor to 
ensure they were in accordance with 
the Group’s policy;

•  monitored the independence and 
undertook an evaluation of the 
effectiveness of the external auditor;

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CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

•  reviewed the policies introduced 

to comply with the UK Bribery Act 
2010; and

•  reviewed the Code of Conduct which 
sets out how the Group’s employees 
are able to raise concerns over 
financial or other irregularities in 
confidence. This policy was in place 
throughout the year.

In addition, the Audit Committee 
reviewed the need for an internal 
audit department and concluded that 
there was not a requirement given the 
present size of the Group and internal 
control reviews undertaken by the head 
office function.

FINANCIAL REPORTING
During the year, the Audit Committee reviewed the appropriateness of the Group’s interim and full year financial statements, 
including the consideration of significant financial reporting judgements made by management taking into account reports 
from management and the external auditor. The main area of focus considered by the Committee during the year were as 
follows:

Area of focus

How addressed

Valuation of goodwill and intangible assets
The audit committee reviewed the valuation of goodwill 
and intangible assets to ensure assets are valued 
correctly and not overstated in the context of the trading 
performance of the relevant cash generating units.

Investments impairment assessment 
The audit committee reviewed the valuation of investments 
held in subsidiary companies, including judgement and 
any impairment below carrying value which could have 
a material impact on the parent company’s financial 
statements.

Going Concern 
The audit committee has reviewed the forecast which 
shows cost savings and an improvement in profitability. 
They have also considered sensitivities within the forecast. 

The audit committee concluded that the conclusion that no 
impairment was required for either goodwill or intangible 
assets was reasonable.

The audit committee concluded that the conclusion that no 
impairment was required for investments was reasonable.

The audit committee is satisfied that there is sufficient 
headroom within the forecast.

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GOVERNANCE

THE NOMINATION 
COMMITTEE
John Varney chairs the Nomination 
Committee. Robin Howe and Graham 
Pitman (since his appointment on 
6 April) served on the Committee 
throughout 2018. The Group Company 
Secretary also attends the meetings.

The Nomination Committee reviews 
the structure, size and composition of 
the Board. It also ensures that there is 
adequate succession planning in regard 
to Board and senior management 
appointments.

There were two formal meetings of the 
Committee during the year.

THE REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE
Details of the Remuneration Committee 
and the Group’s compliance with the 
requirements of the NVQ Code are 
provided in the Remuneration Report as 
set out on pages 24 to 27.

RELATIONS WITH 
SHAREHOLDERS
The Board welcomes enquiries from 
both institutional and private investors 
throughout the year and responds 
quickly either verbally or in writing 
to enquiries received from both. The 
Non-Executive Directors are available 
to attend meetings with shareholders if 
they are requested to do so.

The Group, via its website at www.
pebbleplc.com, provides up-to-date 
information on the Group and its 
operating subsidiaries, including all 
stock exchange announcements and 
downloadable copies of the most 
recent report and financial statements 
and interim statements. The website 
also provides a communication channel 
to the Group via email. Shareholders 
may elect to receive all shareholder 
documents electronically by registering 
with the Group’s registrars.

The Group uses its AGM as an 
opportunity to communicate with its 
shareholders and encourages their 
participation. As in previous years, 
shareholders will have the opportunity 
for a question and answer session with 
members of the Board at the next 
AGM on 23 May 2019. The notice of 
the AGM is sent to shareholders, and 
is available on the Company website, 
at least 21 working days in advance of 
the date of the meeting and contains 
details of the separate resolutions that 
are proposed for shareholder approval. 
Separate resolutions are proposed 
on each substantially different issue 
and the number of proxy votes cast 
for each resolution is disclosed by the 
Chairman at the meeting. Shareholders 
have the option of submitting their 
voting instructions electronically or by 
returning the personalised proxy form 
which separately accompanies the 
annual report.

The notice of meeting for the 
forthcoming AGM separately 
accompanies the annual report and may 
be viewed on the Company’s website: 
www.pebbleplc.com. 

Documents relating to the Company’s 
governance and the full terms of 
reference of its standing Committees 
are also available on the Company’s 
website: www.pebbleplc.com.

By order of the Board

John Varney
Non-Executive Chairman 
27 March 2019

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REMUNERATION REPORT

On behalf of the Remuneration 
Committee I am pleased to present our 
remuneration report for the financial 
year ended 31 December 2018, which 
has been approved by the Board.

as a shareholder), conflicts of interest 
arising from cross-directorships or 
day-to-day involvement in running 
the business. The Committee makes 
recommendations to the Board.

This report is on the activities of the 
Remuneration Committee and sets 
out the Remuneration Committee’s 
approach to directors’ remuneration. 
The Remuneration Committee’s main 
responsibility is to ensure that payments 
to executives are appropriate and 
aligned with shareholder interests, 
producing sustainable value creation 
through the delivery of our business 
strategy.

COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
The responsibilities of the Committee 
are to advise upon and make 
recommendations to the Board on the 
Group’s remuneration policies and, 
within the framework established by the 
Board, to recommend the remuneration 
of the Executive Directors. 

I chair the Committee and was assisted 
by John Varney throughout 2018, 
and by Graham Pitman since his 
appointment on 6 April 2018. 

No member of the Committee has any 
personal financial interest (other than 

The Remuneration Committee 
measures the performance of the 
Executive Directors and key members 
of senior management as a prelude 
to recommending their annual 
remuneration, bonus awards and 
share plan awards to the Board for 
final determination. The remuneration 
of the Non-Executive Directors is 
recommended by the Executive 
Directors and takes account of the 
time spent on Board and Committee 
matters. The Board as a whole will make 
the final determination but no director 
plays a part in any discussion about his 
own remuneration. 

The focus is on ensuring that a 
competitive and appropriate base 
salary is paid to directors and senior 
managers, together with incentive 
arrangements that are aligned with 
shareholders’ interests and with long- 
term business strategies, transparent, 
and measured against challenging 
benchmarks.

The Remuneration Committee has 
access to both internal and external 
advice and the CEO’s salary has been 
benchmarked against PayScale.com, 
BDO and Deloitte’s remuneration 
reports and now lies at the upper end 
of the middle quartile for a London-
based CEO. The top of the pay scale is 
£209,000. 

REMUNERATION POLICY 
The information provided in this part of 
the Annual Report on Remuneration is 
not subject to audit.

The date from which it is intended by 
the Company that the remuneration 
policy is to take effect is 1 January 
2019.

The following table sets out the main 
elements of the remuneration policy 
for the year ended 31 December 
2019. Each year, the Remuneration 
Committee reviews the remuneration 
policy, taking into account both 
the external market (including 
environmental, social and corporate 
governance issues) and the Company’s 
strategic objectives over the short and 
the medium term. The framework has 
been designed as an integral part of the 
Company’s overall business strategy.

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Maximum  
Potential Value 

Performance 
Measures 

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Up to 100% of 
base salary.

The 2018 bonus 
targets were 
based on 50% of 
base salary.

Adjusted 
operating profit 
(defined for this 
purpose as profit 
from continuing 
operations before 
net finance costs, 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles, non-
recurring items 
and taxation) 
(50%).

Orders received 
(25%)

Revenue (25%).

Purpose and  
Link To Strategy

How  
Operated 

Component

SALARY  
AND FEES

To attract and retain 
high-calibre individuals by 
providing an appropriate 
level of basic fixed 
income whilst avoiding 
excessive risk arising from 
over-reliance on variable 
income. 

The basic salary reflects 
the market rate for the 
individual, their role, skills 
and experience. 

ALL 
TAXABLE 
BENEFITS 

To aid retention and be 
competitive in the market 
place. 

ANNUAL 
BONUSES

Healthcare benefits 
in order to minimise 
business disruption. 

To incentivise the 
achievement of key 
financial and strategic 
targets for the 
forthcoming year without 
encouraging excessive 
risk taking. 

Generally reviewed annually (with 
any change effective 1 January) but 
exceptionally at other times of the year. 

Set with reference to individual 
performance, experience and 
responsibilities. 

Benchmarked against appropriate 
companies by the Remuneration 
Committee. 

The Remuneration Committee 
periodically benchmarks salaries 
based on market assessments, the 
intention being that basic salaries 
should not normally be increased by 
more than the rate of inflation each 
year whilst progressively increasing 
the performance-related element of 
pay. However, for senior managers the 
amount of performance-related pay, 
being a combination of cash bonus and 
long-term incentives, is expected to 
increase over time. 

Car allowance

Fuel

Medical insurance

Permanent health insurance 

Life assurance 

The Remuneration Committee 
considers and approves the measures 
and targets at the start of each year 
and ensures they are aligned with 
business strategy and are sufficiently 
stretching. 

In setting financial parameters, the 
Remuneration Committee takes 
into account the Company’s internal 
budgets and, where applicable, 
investors’ expectations. No bonus is to 
be earned unless broker’s forecasts for 
adjusted operating profit is achieved. 
In the absence of a broker’s forecast, 
bonus entitlement will be determined 
by the Board according to a pre-
agreed formula. The targets applying 
to financial measures are based on a 
sliding scale. 

Paid in cash.

Not pensionable. 

PENSIONS 

To aid retention and 
remain competitive in the 
marketplace. 

For Executive Director, an annual 
pension allowance of up to 10 per cent 
of base salary.

N/A

N/A

There is no pension entitlement for 
Non-Executive Directors. 

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REMUNERATION REPORT

SERVICE CONTRACTS
For the period under review the 
following changes took place:

•  On 1 January 2018 Peter Mayhead 
was appointed to the Board as 
Group Chief Executive Officer.

The CEO contract, dated 1 January 
2018, conforms to the latest QCA 
guidelines on corporate governance. 
Notably those on remuneration and 
termination, including malus and 
clawback provisions.

•  On 1 January 2018 Robin Howe 
was appointed Audit Committee 
Chairman. 

•  On 6 April 2018 Graham Pitman was 
appointed as Non-executive Director. 

•  The directors’ service contracts 

are available for inspection during 
business hours on any weekday 
between the date of the notice and 
the Annual General Meeting at the 
Company’s registered office and at 
the venue of the Annual General 
Meeting from 15 minutes prior to 

the commencement of the Annual 
General Meeting until its conclusion.

POLICY ON PAYMENT FOR 
LOSS OF OFFICE
All payments due will normally be made 
in accordance with the Contract of 
Employment and Service Agreement 
of the executive concerned and will 
be sufficiently detailed to ensure 
transparency.

REPORT ON EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS
The remuneration of the Executive Directors for the years 2017 and 2018 is made up as follows: 

AGGREGATE DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION (AUDITED)
Directors’ emoluments and pension contributions for the year ended 31 December 2018 were as follows:

Basic salary 
and fees 
£

Bonus
£

Benefits 
£

Emoluments
before
pension
contributions
£

Pension 
contributions 
£

2018
Total 
£

2017
Total 
£

Executive Directors

Peter Mayhead

152,000

19,240

14,359

185,599

7,600

193,199

–

Non–executive Directors

John Varney

Robin Howe

Graham Pitman 
(from 6 April 2018)

70,000

40,000

22,500

–

–

–

–

–

–

70,000

40,000

22,500

–

–

–

70,000

40,000

22,500

55,923

40,000

–

284,500

19,240

14,359

318,099

7,600

325,699

95,923

BENEFITS
Benefits for the Executive Director include the provision of a company car, life assurance, private medical insurance and 
permanent health insurance. For the company car, the company will pay road tax, insurance and maintenance expenses. 
This will be subject to the appropriate benefit-in-kind tax.   

PERFORMANCE-RELATED BONUS
The Remuneration Committee establishes the objectives that must be met each financial year for a cash bonus to be paid to 
Executive Directors. Bonus parameters address the financial performance of the Group. 

For the year ended 31 December 2018 the Remuneration Committee proposed an Executive Bonus Scheme based upon 
50% of the CEO’s annual base salary in which attainment of stretch targets for orders, revenue and EBIT would trigger the 
maximum bonus. 

No payment would be made if EBIT was less than £1.33 million.

Payment was prorated from the lower range and the bonus of £19,240 represented 12.7% of the CEO’s base salary. 

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GOVERNANCE

TOTAL PENSION 
ENTITLEMENTS
The Group operates a defined 
contribution pension scheme and it 
is the Group’s policy that only basic 
salaries are pensionable for Executive 
Directors.

There are no pension arrangements 
for the Non-Executive Directors. There 
are no unfunded pension promises or 
similar arrangements for current or 
previous directors.

DIRECTORS’ INTEREST IN 
SHARE AWARD SCHEMES
A)  LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN 

(LTIP)

The plc Company LTIP was introduced 
in 2008, and an extension approved on 
30 May 2012. It is designed to reward 

and retain executives over the long 
term whilst aligning their interests with 
those of shareholders.

Options have been granted as nil 
cost options under this scheme. The 
options granted under this scheme are 
generally exercisable at the end of the 
performance period and for seven years 
thereafter. Awards under this scheme 
are subject to performance criteria, the 
scales relating to which are determined 
by the Remuneration Committee. Peter 
Mayhead is the holder of options over 
100,000 shares under an award made 
on 3 June 2014. 

No LTIP awards were made to 
Executive Directors in the year ended 
31 December 2018. 

However, for 2019 the Company 
intends to adopt a HMRC-approved 
Enterprise Management Incentive Share 
Option Scheme for senior executives for 
a three-year term. This will be proposed 
as an Ordinary Resolution at the AGM 
being held on 23 May 2019.  

B) SHARE OPTIONS

No options were granted to Executive 
Directors during the year.

C) SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN (SIP)

The Executive Directors were not 
offered participation in this scheme.

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS IN SHARES
The table below shows the interests of the directors in office at the end of the year in the share capital of the Company.

Executive Directors

Peter Mayhead 

Non–Executive Directors

John Varney 

Robin Howe

Graham Pitman 

At
31 December
2018

At 
31 December
 2017

2,177

N/A

1,062,229

1,062,229

1,232,578

1,232,578

300,400

N/A

No changes took place in the interests of the directors between 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2018.

STATEMENT OF VOTING AT 
GENERAL MEETING
At the last AGM held on 28 June 2018, 
resolutions of the following kind were 
moved by the Company in respect of: 

•  A resolution to approve the 

Directors’ Remuneration Report for 
the year ended 31 December 2017.

The Group is committed to ongoing 
shareholder dialogue and takes an 
active interest in voting outcomes. 
Where there are substantial votes 
against resolutions in relation to 
directors’ remuneration, the reasons 
for any such vote will be sought, 
and any actions in response will be 
detailed here.

POLICY REPORT APPROVAL
This report was approved by the Board 
of directors on 27 March 2019 and 
signed on its behalf by:

Robin Howe 
Senior Non-Executive Director,  
Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee,  
Chairman of the Audit Committee

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STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ 
RESPONSIBILITIES

The directors are responsible for 
keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show 
and explain the Group and parent 
Company’s transactions and disclose 
with reasonable accuracy at any time 
the financial position of the Group and 
parent Company and enable them to 
ensure that the financial statements 
and the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report comply with the Companies 
Act 2006 and, as regards the Group 
financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation.

The directors are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the Group 
and parent Company and hence 
for taking reasonable steps for the 
prevention and detection of fraud and 
other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the 
maintenance and integrity of the 
parent Company’s website. Legislation 
in the United Kingdom governing 
the preparation and dissemination of 
financial statements may differ from 
legislation in other jurisdictions.

The directors consider that the annual 
report and accounts, taken as a whole, 
is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the Group 
and parent Company’s performance, 
business model and strategy.

Each of the directors, whose names 
and functions are listed in the Annual 
Report, confirm that, to the best of their 
knowledge:

•  the Group and parent Company 
financial statements, which have 
been prepared in accordance with 
IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union, give a true and fair view 
of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position and loss of the Group and 
loss of the parent Company; and

•  the Directors’ Report includes a 
fair review of the development 
and performance of the business 
and the position of the Group and 
parent Company, together with a 
description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that it faces. 

In the case of each director in office 
at the date the Directors’ Report is 
approved:

•  so far as the director is aware, there 
is no relevant audit information 
of which the Group and parent 
Company’s auditor are unaware; and

•  they have taken all the steps that 
they ought to have taken as a 
director in order to make themselves 
aware of any relevant audit 
information and to establish that the 
Group and parent Company’s auditor 
are aware of that information. 

By order of the Board

Statement of directors’ responsibilities 
in respect of the financial statements.

The directors are responsible for 
preparing the Annual Report and the 
financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulation.

Company law requires the directors 
to prepare financial statements for 
each financial year. Under that law the 
directors have prepared the Group and 
parent Company financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted 
by the European Union. Under company 
law the directors must not approve 
the financial statements unless they 
are satisfied that they give a true and 
fair view of the state of affairs of the 
Group and parent Company and of the 
profit or loss of the Group and parent 
Company for that period. In preparing 
the financial statements, the directors 
are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies 
and then apply them consistently;

•  state whether applicable IFRSs as 
adopted by the European Union 
have been followed, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and 
explained in the financial statements;

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

•  prepare the financial statements on 
the going concern basis unless it is 
inappropriate to presume that the 
Group and parent Company will 
continue in business.

John Varney
Non-Executive Chairman  
27 March 2019

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FINANCIALS

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF PEBBLE BEACH 
SYSTEMS GROUP PLC
REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OPINION

OUR OPINION ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IS UNMODIFIED

We have audited the financial statements of Pebble Beach Systems Group plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries 
(the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 December 2018 which comprise the consolidated income statement, the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of financial position, consolidated statement of changes 
in equity, consolidated statement of cash flows, company income statement, company statement of financial position, 
company statement of changes in equity, company statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including 
a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of 
the group financial statements is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the 
European Union and, as regards the parent company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006. 

In our opinion:

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

31 December 2018 and of the group’s loss and parent company’s profit for the year then ended;

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

•  the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 

European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

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

BASIS FOR OPINION

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the ‘Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements’ section of our report. We are independent of the group and the parent company in accordance with the ethical 
requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as 
applied to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. 
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO GOING CONCERN

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you 
where:

•  the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; 

or

•  the directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant 

doubt about the group’s or the parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a 
period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF PEBBLE BEACH 
SYSTEMS GROUP PLC
GRANT THORNTON
OVERVIEW OF OUR AUDIT APPROACH

•  We performed a full scope audit of the financial statements of Pebble Beach Systems Group plc (the parent company), 
Legacy Broadcast Group Holdings Ltd, Legacy Broadcast Holdings Ltd, Legacy Broadcast International Ltd and Pebble 
Beach Systems Ltd. We performed targeted procedures on Pebble Broadcast Systems Inc and Legacy Broadcast Inc. 
Analytical procedures were performed on the rest of the Group. 

•  Overall group materiality: £200,000, which is 2.18% of revenue for the year. 

•  The key audit matter for the group and parent was identified as a going concern. For the group only, revenue recognition 

and the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets were identified.

KEY AUDIT MATTERS

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

Key Audit Matter – Group 

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group 

Risk 1 Revenue Recognition  
Revenue is recognised in accordance with the Group’s 
accounting policy and International Financial Reporting 
Standard (IFRS) 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers’.

The revenue recorded by the Group is one of the key 
determinants of the Group’s underlying profitability and is 
one of the Group’s Key Performance Indicators.

The application of IFRS 15 is an area requiring significant 
judgement by management. In particular, the nature of the 
contracts with customers involve delivery of a service over a 
period of time. As a result, there is an element of judgement 
in determining the amount of revenue to be recognised in 
each reporting period. 

We identified revenue recognition as a significant risk which 
was one of the most significant assessed risks of material 
misstatement. 

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to: 

•  Understanding the processes and controls through which 
the business initiates, records and recognises revenue 
transactions.

•  Understanding the application of the revenue recognition 
accounting policies and checked that revenue recognition 
is in accordance with this policy.

•  Evaluating management’s assessment for the transition 
to IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ 
and determining whether revenue was recognised 
appropriately.

•  Developing and understanding, for a sample of 

transactions in the year, the key performance obligations 
by obtaining copies of purchase orders, determining the 
expected revenue recognition for each contract based on 
those terms and the revenue recognition policy. We then 
compared our expectations against management’s and 
investigated any differences.

•  Testing the operating effectiveness of controls including 

the examination of authorised purchase orders, inspection 
of reviewed timesheets and signed despatch notes. 

•  Identifying contracts that spanned the year end and re-
calculated the expected deferred and accrued income 
and compared this against management’s calculation.

The Group’s accounting policy on revenue is shown in note 
2 to the financial statements and related disclosures are 
included in note 5. 

Key observations
We noted no instances where the revenue recognised was 
not in accordance with the policies adopted by the Group.

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Key Audit Matter – Group and Parent

Risk 2 Going Concern  
The determination of whether the Group and parent will 
be able to comply with banking covenants and payment 
obligations involves complex and subjective judgements by 
the Directors about the future of the business, including a 
significant turnaround in profit. 

We therefore identified going concern as a significant risk, 
which was one of the most significant assessed risks of 
material misstatement.

FINANCIALS

How the matter was addressed in the audit –  
Group and Parent  

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to: 

•  Examining correspondence with the Group’s bankers and 
confirmed that the loan facility has been renewed until 
November 2020. 

•  Examining management’s cash flow forecasts for the 
period to November 2020 the which show how the 
Group’s profitability is expected to increase. 

•  Reperforming the calculation of the covenant position in 

the year which has demonstrated sufficient headroom and 
we reperformed whether there is likely to be headroom 
with the revised covenants.

•  Assessing whether the revenue is on track to   increase 
in 2019 as forecasted by management by reviewing the 
contracts won to date and the order book for 2019.  
Challenging management’s key assumptions that support 
projections of expected cash flows. In addition to revenue 
growth, these include continued cost reductions and 
margin improvement strategies. 

•  Assessing the cash flow sensitivity against a change in 

the revenue growth rate and cost reductions used, which 
has demonstrated sufficient headroom with the revised 
covenant position. 

The Group and parent’s accounting policy on going concern 
is shown in note 2 to the financial statements. 

The Audit Committee identified going concern as a 
significant issue in its report on page 22 where the Audit 
Committee also described the action that it has taken to 
address this issue.

Key observations
We have determined that management’s assessment that 
the Group and parent remain a going concern is reasonable. 

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF PEBBLE BEACH 
SYSTEMS GROUP PLC

Key Audit Matter – Group 

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group 

Risk 3 Valuation of Goodwill and Intangibles

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to: 

Where there are indicators of impairment an impairment 
assessment is required for intangible assets. Goodwill is 
assessed annually for impairment.  

•  Meeting with management and key operational personnel 
to update our understanding of discounted cash flow 
models with reference to current performance. 

The assessment of the carrying value of goodwill and 
intangible assets involves judgement and any impairment 
of the carrying value of such assets could have a material 
impact on the Group’s financial statements. 

We therefore identified valuation of goodwill and intangible 
assets as a significant risk, which was one of the most 
significant assessed risks of material misstatement

•  Assessing each of the key assumptions in turn and 

sensitised management’s model. We also compared 
they key assumptions of discount rate and long-term 
growth with market data for reasonableness. Examining 
management’s impairment assessment, inspecting in 
detail the key underlying assumptions in the discounted 
cash flow models. 

•  Assessing the cash flow sensitivity against a change in the 

discount rate.

•  Assessing the cash flow sensitivity against a change in the 

growth rate used and identified headroom.  

The Group’s accounting policies on goodwill and intangible 
assets are shown in note 2 to the financial statements and 
related disclosures are included in note 12.

The Audit Committee identified valuation of goodwill and 
intangible assets as a significant issue in its report on page 
22 where the Audit Committee also described the action 
that it has taken to address this issue.

Key observations
Based on our work, we concluded that the judgement 
made that no impairment was required for either goodwill 
or intangible assets held remain sensitive to changes in 
key assumptions. In particular, failure to achieve the cost 
savings from the redundancies made could give rise to an 
impairment in the future. 

We assessed the appropriateness of the accounting and 
related disclosures included in the financial statements. 
These are deemed reasonable. 

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FINANCIALS

OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY

We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic 
decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality in determining the 
nature, timing and extent of our audit work and in evaluating the results of that work. 

Materiality was determined as follows:

Materiality measure

Group

Financial statements as 
a whole

£200,000 which is 2.18% of Group revenue. 

Revenue is considered the most appropriate 
benchmark because it is a prominent key 
performance indicator to the users of the 
financial statements.

Materiality for the current year is higher than 
the level that was determined for the year 
ended 31 December 2017 due to a different 
benchmark used by the predecessor auditor. 

Parent

Financial statement materiality is £110,000, 
which is 2.0% of gross assets in the Parent 
company, restricted to 55% of group 
materiality as it is a component of the group. 

This benchmark is considered the most 
appropriate because it ensures that we would 
obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence to 
support our opinion. 

Materiality for the current year is higher than 
the level that was determined for the year 
ended 31 December 2017 due to a different 
benchmark used by the predecessor auditor. 

Performance materiality 
used to drive the extent 
of our testing

65% of financial statement materiality, being 
£130,000.

65% of financial statement materiality, being 
£71,500.

Communication of 
misstatements to the 
audit committee

£10,000 and misstatements below that 
threshold that, in our view, warrant reporting 
on qualitative grounds.

£5,500 and misstatements below that 
threshold that, in our view, warrant reporting 
on qualitative grounds.

The graph below illustrates how performance materiality interacts with our overall materiality and the tolerance for potential 
uncorrected misstatements.

Overall materiality – Group

Overall materiality – Parent

35%

35%

65%

65%

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT

Performance materiality

Tolerance for potential 
uncorrected misstatements

Our audit approach was a risk-based approach founded on a thorough understanding of the group’s business, its environment 
and risk profile and in particular included:

•  Evaluating the Group’s internal control environment. 

•  Performing process walkthroughs and documenting the controls covering the Key Audit Matters and certain other risks in 

financial reporting system identified as part of our risk assessment.

•  A full scope audit of the financial statements of, Pebble Beach Systems Group plc, Pebble Beach Systems Limited, Legacy 

Broadcast Holdings Limited, Legacy Broadcast Group Holdings Limited and Legacy Broadcast International Limited.

•  Targeted procedures on Pebble Beach Systems Inc were focused on revenue, cash and expenses and on Legacy Broadcast 

Inc they were focused on exceptional costs.

•  100% of the Group and Parent Company’s revenues were included in the scope of our full scope and targeted procedures 

based on the above strategy.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF PEBBLE BEACH 
SYSTEMS GROUP PLC

OTHER INFORMATION

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the 
annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements 
does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express 
any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in 
the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material 
misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a 
material misstatement of the other information. 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.

Our opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 is unmodified

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

•  the information given in the strategic report and the directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial 

statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

•  the strategic report and the directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and its environment obtained in the 
course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report. 

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION

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

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

received from branches not visited by us; or

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

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

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

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement set out on page 28 the directors are responsible for 
the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal 
control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

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

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FINANCIALS

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

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

USE OF OUR REPORT

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies 
Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are 
required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not 
accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, 
for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Mark Bishop FCA
Senior Statutory Auditor
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants
Oxford
27 March 2019

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CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Sales and marketing expenses

Research and development expenses

Administrative expenses

Foreign exchange gain/(loss)

Other expenses

Operating loss

  Operating loss is analysed as:

  Adjusted operating profit

  Non-recurring items

  Exchange gains/(losses) credited/(charged) to the income statement

  Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)

  Depreciation

  Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangibles

  Amortisation of capitalised development costs

  Finance costs

  Finance income

Loss before tax

Tax

Loss for the year being loss attributable to owners of the parent

Net profit from discontinued operations

Net (loss)/profit for the year

(Loss)/earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations 
attributable to the parent during the year

Basic (loss)/earnings per share

From continuing operations

From discontinued operations

From loss for the year

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share

From continuing operations

From discontinued operations

From loss for the year

Note

5

6

6

6

6

8

8

9

17

11

11

2018
£000

9,174

(2,515)

6,659

(2,163)

(1,222)

(1,759)

28

(1,723)

(180)

2,470

(304)

28

2,194

(127)

(1,419)

(828)

(296)

4

(472)

253

(219)

195

(24)

2017
£000

10,320

(3,831)

6,489

(2,351)

(1,762)

(2,718)

(95)

(1,931)

(2,368)

500

(512)

(95)

(107)

(187)

(1,419)

(655)

(339)

4

(2,703)

95

(2,608)

2,892

284

(0.2)p

0.2p

0.0p

(0.2)p

0.2p

0.0p

(2.1)p

2.3p

0.2p

(2.1)p

2.3p

0.2p

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

(Loss)/profit for the financial year

Other comprehensive (expenses)/income – items that will not be reclassified subsequently to 
profit or loss:

Exchange difference on translation of overseas operations

– continuing operations

– discontinued operations

Recycle translation reserve for discontinued operations

Total comprehensive expense for the financial year

FINANCIALS

2018
£000

(24)

2017
£000

284

(58)

2

–

(80)

(92)

(176)

(5,077)

(5,061)

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2018

Assets

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax assets

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Financial liabilities – borrowings 

Trade and other payables

Current tax liabilities

Provisions for other liabilities and charges

Total current liabilities

Net current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities – borrowings

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions for other liabilities and charges

Total non-current liabilities

Net liabilities

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

Ordinary shares

Share premium 

Capital redemption reserve

Merger reserve

Translation reserve

Accumulated losses

Total deficit 

Note

2018
£000

2017
£000

12

13

23

14

15

19

16

20

18

19

22

20

23

22

24

25

25

25

25

5,422

6,941

232

3

285

–

5,657

7,226

210

2,391

12

1,269

3,882

1,100

4,287

–

367

5,754

(1,872)

225

3,729

5

1,862

5,821

1,613

5,588

–

400

7,601

(1,780)

9,550

10,500

380

–

9,930

(6,145)

3,115

6,800

617

644

367

11,511

(6,065)

3,115

6,800

617

29,778

29,778

(195)

(139)

(46,260)

(46,236)

(6,145)

(6,065)

The financial statements on pages 36 to 75 were approved by the Board of Directors on 27 March 2019 and were signed on its behalf 
by:

John Varney 
Non-Executive Chairman

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Note

2018

£000

2017

£000

5,422

6,941

232

3

285

–

5,657

7,226

12

13

23

14

15

19

16

20

18

19

22

20

23

22

24

25

25

25

25

210

2,391

12

1,269

3,882

1,100

4,287

–

367

5,754

(1,872)

380

–

9,930

(6,145)

3,115

6,800

617

225

3,729

5

1,862

5,821

1,613

5,588

–

400

7,601

(1,780)

644

367

11,511

(6,065)

3,115

6,800

617

9,550

10,500

29,778

29,778

(195)

(139)

(46,260)

(46,236)

(6,145)

(6,065)

Assets

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax assets

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Financial liabilities – borrowings 

Trade and other payables

Current tax liabilities

Provisions for other liabilities and charges

Total current liabilities

Net current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities – borrowings

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions for other liabilities and charges

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

Total non-current liabilities

Net liabilities

Ordinary shares

Share premium 

Capital redemption reserve

Merger reserve

Translation reserve

Accumulated losses

Total deficit 

by:

John Varney 

Non-Executive Chairman

The financial statements on pages 36 to 75 were approved by the Board of Directors on 27 March 2019 and were signed on its behalf 

FINANCIALS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Ordinary
shares 
£000 

Share 
premium 
£000

 Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000 

 Merger 
reserve 
£000 

 Translation 
reserve 
£000 

Accumulated
 losses 
£000 

 Total
£000

At 1 January 2017

3,115 

6,800 

617 

32,448 

5,206 

(49,218) 

(1,032)

Share based payments:  
Value of employee services

Transaction with owners 

Retained profit for the year 

Transfer

Recycle translation 
reserve for discontinued 
operations 

Exchange differences on 
translation of overseas 
operations 

Total comprehensive 
income/expense for the 
period

At 31 December 2017 

At 1 January 2018 

Retained loss for the year

Exchange differences on 
translation of overseas 
operations

Total comprehensive 
expense for the period

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3,115 

3,115 

6,800 

6,800 

617 

617 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(2,670)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(5,077) 

(268) 

28

28

284 

2,670 

–

–

(2,670)

29,778 

29,778 

–

–

–

(5,345) 

2,982 

(139) 

(139) 

–

(46,236) 

(46,236) 

(24) 

(56) 

(56) 

–

(24)

1,247

28

284

–

(5,077)

(268)

(5,033)

(6,065)

(6,065)

(24)

(56)

(80)

At 31 December 2018 

3,115 

6,800 

617 

29,778 

(195) 

(46,260) 

(6,145)

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from/(used in) operations

Interest paid

Taxation (paid)/received

Net cash used in operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from sale of business

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Expenditure on capitalised development costs

Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities

Cash flow from financing activities

Net cash used in repayment of financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and overdrafts

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

Cash and cash equivalents and overdrafts at 1 January

Cash and cash equivalents and overdrafts at 31 December

Net debt comprises:

Cash and cash equivalents and overdrafts

Borrowings

Net debt at 31 December

Note

2018
£000

2017
£000

25

2,039

(2,761)

(295)

(25)

(348)

528

1,719

(2,581)

13

12

4

3

–

(88)

(728)

(809)

(850)

(850)

60

(40)

1,249

1,269

16

47

510

7,493

(107)

(798)

7,145

(3,500)

(3,500)

1,064

(272)

457

1,249

1,269

(10,650)

(9,381)

1,249

(11,500)

(10,251)

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FINANCIALS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

1.   GENERAL INFORMATION

Pebble Beach Systems Group plc (“the Company”) and its subsidiaries (together “the Group”) is a leading developer 
and supplier of automation, Channel in a Box and content management solutions for TV broadcasters, service providers, 
and cable and satellite operators. The Group employs over 60 people worldwide.

The Company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: PEB). For further information, visit www.
pebbleplc.com. 

The Company is incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The address of its registered office is 12 Horizon Business 
Village, 1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, KT13 0TJ.

The registered number of the Company is 04082188.

2.   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 the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The Group financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost basis of 
accounting, except where fair value measurement is required under IFRS as described below and in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee 
(IFRS IC) as adopted by the European Union and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under 
IFRS.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. 
It also requires management to exercise judgement in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies. The areas 
involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumption and estimates are significant to the 
Group financial statements, are disclosed in note 4.

During the current reporting year there were no new standards or amendments which had a material impact on the 
net assets of the Group. IFRS 9 Financial Instruments became effective for the Group from 1 January 2018; it has 
not impacted the Group. IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers became effective for the Group from 
1 January 2018. Its adoption had no material effect on the income or net assets of the Group. In addition, standards or 
amendments issued but not yet effective are not expected to have a material impact on the net assets of the Group.

IFRS 16 Leases will become effective for the Group from 1 January 2019. The Group will recognise right of use assets 
and lease liabilities for all contracts that are, or contain, a lease. For leases currently classified as operating leases 
the Group does not recognise related assets or liabilities, and instead charges the cost to the income statement 
on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease and discloses its total commitment in the notes to the financial 
statements. Instead of recognising an operating expense for its operating lease payments, the Group will recognise 
interest on its lease liabilities and amortisation on its right of use assets. This will increase adjusted operating profit by 
the amount of its current operating lease cost, which for the year ended 31 December 2018 is £167,000. It will not have 
a material effect on the Group’s income or net assets.

GOING CONCERN 
The directors are required to make an assessment of the Company’s and Group’s ability to continue to trade as a going 
concern.

At 31 December 2018 net debt was £9.4 million (2017: £10.2 million) comprising net cash of £1.3 million (2017 
£1.3 million) and the drawn down RCF of £10.7 million (2017: £11.5 million).

We maintain a good relationship with our bank and on 27 March 2019 an extension of the current loan agreement was 
signed with our bank. The revision secures the facility until 30 November 2020 with banking covenants and a repayment 
schedule in place.

In order to assess the appropriateness of preparing the financial statements on a going concern basis, management 
have prepared detailed projections of expected cash flows. These projections include the continued impact of cost 
reductions implemented in 2017 and 2018, margin improvement strategies and sales growth in 2019. 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

As part of the review, the Board considered sensitivities with regards to the timing of revenue growth coming from the 
transition in the broadcast industry from SDI to IP platforms. It looked at sensitivities regarding the recovery of gross 
margin following the completion of the Harmonic OEM. Finally, it considered sensitivities regarding the cost reductions.

The Board have concluded that the Group will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities for the foreseeable future 
and therefore the Group and hence the Company remains a going concern.

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by 
the Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 December 2018. Control is achieved when the Company:
•  has the power over the investee;

•  is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and

•  has the ability to use its power to affect its returns

The Company reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes 
to one or more of the three elements of control listed above.

Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are de-consolidated 
from the date that control ceases. 

Inter-company transactions, balances, income and expenses on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. 
Profits and losses resulting from the inter-company transactions that are recognised in assets are also eliminated. 
Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted 
by the Group.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
The Group applies the acquisition method of accounting to account for business combinations. The consideration 
transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair values of assets transferred, the liabilities assumed and the equity 
interests issued by the Group. The consideration transferred includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from 
a contingent consideration arrangement. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in 
a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date.

Any contingent consideration to be transferred by the Group is recognised at the fair value at the acquisition date. 
Subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration that is deemed to be an asset or liability is 
recognised in accordance with IAS 39 either in profit or loss or as a change to other comprehensive income. Contingent 
consideration that is classified as equity is not remeasured, and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity.

Costs directly attributable to an acquisition are charged directly to the income statement as incurred.

Goodwill is initially measured as the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred and the fair value of the 
non-controlling interest over the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If this consideration is lower 
than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognised in the income statement. 

SEGMENTAL REPORTING
The Group’s internal organisational and management structure and its system of internal financial reporting to the 
Board of directors comprise of Pebble Beach Systems and central costs. The chief operating decision-maker has been 
identified as the Board.

The Board reviews the Group’s internal financial reporting in order to assess performance and allocate resources. 
Management have therefore determined that the operating segments for the Group will be based on these reports.

The Pebble Beach Systems business is responsible for the sales and marketing of all Group software products and 
services.

GEOGRAPHIC REGION REPORTING 
Group management are focused on developing global revenue growth from the Broadcast market. Geographic 
reporting of revenue is therefore provided by reference to geographic region.

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FINANCIALS

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
A discontinued operation is a component of the Group’s business that represents a separate major line of business or 
geographical area of operations that has been disposed of, has been abandoned or meets the criteria to be classified as 
held for sale. 

Discontinued operations are presented on the income statement as a separate line and are shown net of tax. 

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
(A) FUNCTIONAL AND PRESENTATION CURRENCY

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary 
economic environment in which the entity operates (“the functional currency”). The Group financial statements are 
presented in pounds sterling (GBP), which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency.

(B) TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the 
dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and 
from the translation at year end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are 
recognised in the income statement.

(C) GROUP COMPANIES

Trading results and financial position of all Group entities (none of which has the currency of a hyper-inflationary 
economy) that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation 
currency as follows:

•  assets and liabilities for each statement of financial position presented are translated at the closing rate of exchange 

prevailing at the reporting date;

•  income and expenditure for each income statement are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during 

the year; and

•  all resulting exchange differences arising from restatement of the opening statements of financial position and trading 

results of overseas subsidiaries are recognised as a separate component of shareholders’ equity

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of 
the foreign entity and translated at the closing rate.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS
(A) GOODWILL

Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of the purchase consideration for the interest in subsidiary undertakings 
over the fair value to the Group of the net assets acquired, including acquired intangible assets and any contingent 
liabilities.

The assumptions have been determined and they are consistent with past experience and external information. 
Management is not currently aware of any reasonable possible changes to key assumptions that would cause a unit’s 
carrying amount to exceed its recoverable amount.

Goodwill is tested annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate potential impairment. Impairment 
losses are recognised for the amount by which an asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount; that 
recoverable amount is the higher of the asset’s fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. Impairments of goodwill 
are not reversed. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity will be net of the carrying amount of goodwill relating to 
the entity sold.

For impairment assessment purposes, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are largely independent 
cash inflows (cash-generating units). As a result, some assets are tested individually for impairment and some are tested 
at cash-generating unit level. Goodwill is allocated to those cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from 
synergies of a related business combination and represent the lowest level within the Group at which management 
monitors goodwill.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated (determined by the Group’s management as equivalent to 
its operating segments) are tested for impairment at least annually.

All other individual assets or cash-generating units are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s (or cash-generating unit’s) carrying amount 
exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value-in-use. To determine 
the value-in-use, management estimates expected future cash flows from each cash-generating unit and determines a 
suitable discount rate in order to

calculate the present value of those cash flows. The data used for impairment testing procedures are directly linked to 
the Group’s latest approved budget, adjusted as necessary to exclude the effects of future reorganisations and asset 
enhancements. Discount factors are determined individually for each cash-generating unit and reflect current market 
assessments of the time value of money and asset-specific risk factors.

Impairment losses for cash-generating units reduce first the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to that cash-
generating unit. Any remaining impairment loss is charged pro rata to the other assets in the cash-generating unit.

With the exception of goodwill, all assets are subsequently reassessed for indications that an impairment loss previously 
recognised may no longer exist. An impairment loss is reversed if the asset’s or cash-generating unit’s recoverable 
amount exceeds its carrying amount.

(B) ACQUIRED INTANGIBLES

Intangible assets acquired as part of business combinations are capitalised at fair value at the date of acquisition. 
Following the initial recognition, the carrying amount of an intangible asset is its cost less accumulated amortisation and 
any accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation is charged on the basis of the estimated useful life on a straight-line 
basis and the expense is taken to the income statement (note 12).

The Group has recognised customer relationships, intellectual property and brands as separately identifiable acquired 
intangible assets. The useful economic life attributed to each intangible asset is determined at the time of acquisition 
and ranges from five to ten years.

Impairment reviews are undertaken when the directors consider that there has been a potential indication of 
impairment.

(C) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS

Research expenditure is written off as incurred.

Where development expenditure meets the criteria for capitalisation as set out in IAS 38 “Intangible Assets” the costs 
are capitalised. 

The capitalised development costs met the following criteria:

•  the development costs can be measured reliably

•  the project is technically and commercially feasible

•  the Group intends to and has sufficient resources to complete the project

•  the Group has the ability to use or sell the software

•  the software will generate probable future economic benefits.

Any development costs not meeting these criteria for capitalisation were expensed as incurred.

•  the identification of development costs. In general the Group’s research and development activities are closely 

interrelated and it is not until the technical feasibility of a product can be determined with reasonable certainty that 
development costs are separately identifiable; and

•  the generation of future economic benefit. Intangible assets are not recognised unless the resultant product is 

expected to generate future economic benefit in excess of the amount capitalised

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Development costs are amortised over the estimated useful life of the products with which they are associated. 
Amortisation commences when a new product is in commercial production. The amortisation period ranges from one to 
five years. If a product becomes unviable the deferred development costs are written off.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any provision for impairment. Cost 
includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition 
for its intended use.

Depreciation is calculated in order to write off the cost of property, plant and equipment, other than land, over their 
estimated useful lives by equal annual instalments using the following rates:

Freehold land and buildings

Leasehold improvements

Fixtures and fittings

2 per cent for buildings  
No depreciation on land 

The remaining term of the lease 

10 per cent 

Plant, tools, test and computer equipment

10 per cent – 33 per cent 

LEASES
Operating leases are leases where the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor. Rentals payable under 
operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. IFRS 16 
Leases will become effective for the Group from 1 January 2019.

INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost represents direct costs incurred and, where 
applicable, production or conversion costs and other costs to bring the inventory to its existing condition and location. 
Inventory is accounted for on a standard cost basis. Net realisable value comprises the actual or estimated selling price 
less all further costs to completion, and less all costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution. Provisions for 
inventories are recognised when the book value exceeds its net realisable value. The Group makes provision for slow-
moving, obsolete and defective inventory as appropriate.

SHARE CAPITAL
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Proceeds in excess of the nominal value of shares issued are allocated to the 
share premium account and are also classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new 
ordinary shares or options are deducted from the share premium account.

Where shares are issued in part or full consideration for the acquisition of more than 90 per cent of the issued share 
capital of another company, the excess of value attributed to the shares over the nominal value of shares issued is 
allocated to the merger reserve. The merger reserve is also classified as equity.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
IFRS 9 has replaced IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’. It makes major changes to the 
previous guidance on the classification and measurement of financial assets and introduces an ‘expected credit loss’ 
model for the impairment of financial assets.

When adopting IFRS 9, the Group has applied transitional relief and opted not to restate prior periods. Differences 
arising from the adoption of IFRS 9 in relation to classification, measurement, and impairment are recognised in retained 
earnings.

The adoption of IFRS 9 has impacted the following areas:

The impairment of financial assets applying the expected credit loss model. This affects the Group’s trade receivables 
and investments in debt-type assets measured at amortised cost. For contract assets arising from IFRS 15 and trade 
receivables, the Group applies a simplified model of recognising lifetime expected credit losses as these items do not 
have a significant financing component. 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Overall, IFRS 9 does not have a significant impact since all of the Group’s financial assets continue to be held at 
amortised cost. The Group is also not exposed to a significant concentration of credit rise, and accordingly the impact of 
applying an expected credit loss model to its financial assets was not significant. 

RECOGNITION AND DERECOGNITION
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of 
the financial instrument.

Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when 
the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards are transferred. A financial liability is derecognised when it is 
extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires.

CLASSIFICATION AND INITIAL MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSETS
As the accounting for financial liabilities remains largely the same under IFRS 9 compared to IAS 39, the Group’s financial 
liabilities were not impacted by the adoption of IFRS 9. However, for completeness, the accounting policy is disclosed 
below.

The Group’s financial liabilities include borrowings, trade and other payables. Financial liabilities are initially measured 
at fair value, and, where applicable, adjusted for transaction costs unless the Group designated a financial liability at fair 
value through profit or loss. 

Subsequently, financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method except for 
derivatives and financial liabilities designated at FVTPL, which are carried subsequently at fair value with gains or losses 
recognised in profit or loss. 

All interest-related charges and, if applicable, changes in an instrument’s fair value that are reported in profit or loss are 
included within finance costs or finance income.

Except for those trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component and are measured at the 
transaction price in accordance with IFRS 15, all financial assets are initially measured at fair value adjusted for 
transaction costs (where applicable).

Financial assets, other than those designated and effective as hedging instruments, are classified into the following 
categories:

•  amortised cost

•  fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

•  fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI).

In the periods presented the corporation does not have any financial assets categorised as FVOCI.

All income and expenses relating to financial assets that are recognised in profit or loss are presented within finance 
costs, finance income or other financial items, except for impairment of trade receivables which is presented within other 
expenses.

SUBSEQUENT MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSETS
Financial assets at amortised cost Financial assets are measured at amortised cost if the assets meet the following 
conditions (and are not designated as FVTPL):

•  they are held within a business model whose objective is to hold the financial assets and collect its contractual cash 

flows

•  the contractual terms of the financial assets give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest 

on the principal amount outstanding.

After initial recognition, these are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Discounting is 
omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The Group’s cash and cash equivalents, trade and most other 
receivables fall into this category of financial instruments.

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IMPAIRMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSETS 
IFRS 9’s impairment requirements use more forward-looking information to recognise expected credit losses – the 
‘expected credit loss (ECL) model’. This replaces IAS 39’s ‘incurred loss model’.

Instruments within the scope of the new requirements included loans and other debt-type financial assets measured 
at amortised cost and FVOCI, trade receivables, contract assets recognised and measured under IFRS 15 and loan 
commitments and some financial guarantee contracts (for the issuer) that are not measured at fair value through profit or 
loss.

Recognition of credit losses is no longer dependent on the Group first identifying a credit loss event. Instead the Group 
considers a broader range of information when assessing credit risk and measuring expected credit losses, including 
past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the expected collectability of the future 
cash flows of the instrument.

Measurement of the expected credit losses is determined by a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses over the 
expected life of the financial instrument.

PREVIOUS FINANCIAL ASSET IMPAIRMENT UNDER IAS 39
In the prior year, the impairment of trade receivables was based on the incurred loss model.

Individually significant receivables were considered for impairment when they were past due or when other objective 
evidence was received that a specific counterparty will default. Receivables that were not considered to be individually 
impaired were reviewed for impairment in groups, which are determined by reference to the industry and region of 
the counterparty and other shared credit risk characteristics. The impairment loss estimate was then based on recent 
historical counterparty default rates for each identified group.

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES AND CONTRACT ASSETS
The Group makes use of a simplified approach in accounting for trade and other receivables as well as contract assets 
and records the loss allowance as lifetime expected credit losses. These are the expected shortfalls in contractual cash 
flows, considering the potential for default at any point during the life of the financial instrument. In calculating, the 
Group uses its historical experience, external indicators and forward-looking information to calculate the expected credit 
losses using a provision matrix.

The Group assess impairment of trade receivables on a collective basis as they possess shared credit risk characteristics 
they have been grouped based on the days past due. 

FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS (FVTPL)
Financial assets that are held within a different business model other than ‘hold to collect’ or ‘hold to collect and sell’ 
are categorised at fair value through profit and loss. Further, irrespective of business model financial assets whose 
contractual cash flows are not solely payments of principal and interest are accounted for at FVTPL. 

The category also contains an equity investment. The Group accounts for the investment at FVTPL and did not make 
the irrevocable election to account for the investment in the PLC company and listed equity securities at fair value 
through other comprehensive income (FVOCI). The equity investment in the PLC company was measured at cost less 
any impairment charges in the comparative period under IAS 39, as it was determined that its fair value could not be 
estimated reliably. In the current financial year, the fair value was determined in line with the requirements of IFRS 9, 
which does not allow for measurement at cost.

Assets in this category are measured at fair value with gains or losses recognised in profit or loss.

Trade receivables and amounts owed by equity accounted investments, previously classified in the loans and receivables 
category and measured at amortised cost under IAS 39, continue to be classified in the amortised cost category under 
IFRS 9 as they are held within a business model to collect contracted cash flows and these cash flows consist solely of 
payments of principal and interest.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

(A) TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value, being the original invoice amount, and subsequently measured at 
amortised cost less provision for impairment. A provision for impairment is established when there is objective evidence 
that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivable. Trade 
receivables that are less than three months past due are not considered impaired unless there are specific financial or 
commercial reasons that lead management to conclude that the customer will default. Older debts are considered to 
be impaired unless there is sufficient evidence to the contrary that they will be settled. The amount of the provision is 
the difference between the assets’ carrying value and the present value of the estimated future cash flows. The carrying 
amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account, and the amount of the loss is recognised in the 
income statement.

When a trade receivable is uncollectable it is written off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of 
amounts previously written off are credited to the income statement.

(B) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and short term deposits in the statement of financial position comprise cash at bank and in hand and short term 
deposits with an original maturity of less than three months.

For the purposes of the consolidated cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short term 
deposits as defined above, together with bank overdrafts where applicable.

(C) TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired 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.

(D) BORROWINGS

Bank borrowings are recognised at fair value.

CURRENT AND DEFERRED TAXATION
The current tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting 
date in the countries where the Company’s subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income. Management evaluate 
positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation and 
establish provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

Deferred tax is provided, using the liability method, on all temporary differences at the reporting date between the 
tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax liabilities 
are recognised in respect of all temporary differences except where the deferred tax liability arises from the initial 
recognition of goodwill in business combinations.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, carry-forward of unused tax assets and tax 
losses, to the extent that they are regarded as recoverable. They are regarded as recoverable where, on the basis of 
available evidence, there will be suitable taxable profits against which the future reversal of the underlying temporary 
differences can be deducted. The carrying value of the amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date 
and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all, or part, 
of the tax asset to be utilised.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the asset is 
realised or the liability is settled, based on the tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted at the reporting date.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against 
current tax liabilities and when the contract liabilities tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same 
taxation authority on either the taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the 
balances on a net basis.

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EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
(A) PENSION OBLIGATIONS

The Group employees are members of defined contribution money purchase schemes where the obligations of Group 
companies are charged to the income statement as they are incurred. The Group has no further obligations once the 
contributions have been paid.

(B) SHARE BASED COMPENSATION

The Group operates a number of cash-settled, share based compensation plans, under which the Group receives 
services from employees as consideration for equity instruments (options) in the Company. The fair value of the 
employee services received in exchange for the grant of the options is recognised as an expense. The total amount to 
be expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the options granted:

•  including any market performance conditions (for example, the Group’s share price);

•  excluding the impact of any service and non-market performance vesting conditions (for example, profitability, sales 

growth targets and remaining an employee of the entity over a specified time period); and

•  including the impact of any non-vesting conditions (for example, the requirement for employees to save)

Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are expected to vest. 
The total expense is recognised over the vesting period, which is the period over which all of the specified vesting 
conditions are to be satisfied. At the end of each reporting period, the entity revises its estimates of the number of 
options that are expected to vest based on the non-market vesting conditions. It recognises the impact of the revision to 
original estimates, if any, in the income statement, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

When the options are exercised, the Company issues new shares. The proceeds received net of any directly attributable 
transaction costs are credited to share capital (nominal value) and share premium when the options are exercised.

There were no transactions during the year. 

(C) EMPLOYEE SHARE OWNERSHIP PLAN

The Group’s Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a separately administered trust. There were no ESOP 
transactions during the year. The Company guarantees liabilities of the ESOP, and the assets of the ESOP mainly 
comprise shares in the Company. The assets, liabilities, income and costs of the ESOP have been included in the Group 
financial statements. When the options are exercised the company assesses whether it is in shareholders’ best interest to 
issue new shares, or to offer a cash alternative.

PROVISIONS
Provisions are made in respect of residual onerous long leasehold properties where expected future rental costs are in 
excess of expected income from subletting.

Provision is made for product warranty claims to the extent that the Group has a current obligation under warranties 
given. Warranty accruals are based on historic warranty claims experience. Provisions are discounted to their present 
value where the impact is significant.

REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Group has applied IFRS15 from 1 January 2018. It did not identify any material differences between its previous 
revenue recognition policy and the requirements of IFRS 15. It has utilised the simplified transitional approach. 
No adjustment has been made for contracts that completed prior to 31 December 2017. Had IFRS 15 been applied at 
31 December 2017 it would have reduced revenue and increased contract liabilities by £7,000.

The Group has adopted IFRS 15 with no retrospective adjustments. Comparatives for the year ended 31 December 2017 
have not been restated. The following expedients have been used: 

 — revenue in respect of completed contracts that begin and end in the same accounting period has not been restated; 

 — revenue in respect of completed contracts with variable consideration does not apply as the company does not have 

variable pricing; and 

 — the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied and partially unsatisfied performance obligations as at 31 December 

2017 is not disclosed. 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Contracts with multiple performance obligations
Many of the Group’s contracts comprise a variety of performance obligations including, but not limited to, hardware, 
software, elements of design and customisation, after-sales services, and installation. Under IFRS 15, the Group must 
evaluate the separability of the promised goods or services based on whether they are ‘distinct’. A promised good or 
service is ‘distinct’ if both:

•  the customer benefits from the item either on its own or together with other readily available resources, and

•  it is ‘separately identifiable’ (ie the Group does not provide a significant service integrating, modifying or 

customising it).

While this represents significant new guidance, the implementation of this new guidance did not have a significant 
impact on the timing or amount of revenue recognised by the Group in any year.

The revenue is divided into the following streams:

(A) SALES OF SERVICES (SOFTWARE)

The Group sells software for new installations. Revenue represents amounts receivable from external customers for 
goods sold by Group companies in the ordinary course of business and excluding value added tax. The sales price and 
payment terms are agreed at the time of order. 

The performance obligation for sales of software is met and revenue is recognised at the ‘point in time’ when the 
software is despatched as this is when the customer takes undisputed control. This appropriate as software is not 
significantly customised nor subject to significant integration services that could not be performed by a third party.

(B) SALE OF GOODS (HARDWARE)

The Group sells hardware for new installations. Revenue represents amounts receivable from external customers for 
goods sold by Group companies in the ordinary course of business and excluding value added tax. The sales price and 
payment terms are agreed at the time of order. The performance obligation is met and revenue recognised at the ‘point 
in time’ when the goods are transferred to the customer, and the receipt of payment can be assured. Ownership of the 
goods transfers to the customer when the goods are shipped from the Group’s premises.

For stand alone sales of hardware that are neither customised by the Group nor subject to significant integration 
services, control transfers at the point in time the customer takes undisputed delivery of the goods. 

(C) CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS (INSTALLATION)

From time to time the Group enters into contracts that involve complex development that will take a number of 
months to complete and may involve the delivery of multiple components. These are treated as construction contracts. 
Judgement will be required here to determine whether these should be bundled together or treated as distinct 
performance obligations. It is not expected that this will materially change the period over which revenue is recognised. 
Revenue represents the man-days required to complete the installation.   

Where the outcome of a contract can be estimated reliably, revenue and costs are recognised by reference to the stage 
of completion of the contract activity at the reporting date. This is measured by the proportion of contract costs incurred 
for work performed to date relative to the estimated total contract costs, except where this would not be representative 
of the stage of completion. Variations in contract work, claims and incentive payments are included to the extent that 
they have been agreed with the customer.

Where the outcome of a contract cannot be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognised to the extent of contract 
costs incurred where it is probable such costs will be recoverable.

All contract liabilities are calculated based on the value of the initial deposit paid by the customer, deducting any work 
completed to date. 

(D) SUPPORT CONTRACTS 

The main services the Group provides are ongoing support for its software in use. These are transaction processing to 
customers in exchange for a fixed monthly fee. Revenue is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of each 
contract. As the amount of work required to perform under these contracts does not vary significantly from month to 
month, the straight-line method provides a faithful depiction on the transfer of goods or services. 

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For other sales of services, unless the contract qualifies as a construction contract, revenue is recognised in the 
accounting period in which the performance obligations are satisfied and assessed on the basis of the actual service 
provided as a proportion of the total services to be provided. Only the costs that reflect work performed to date are 
included in the costs of sale.

Any amounts paid by customers to the Group are generally non-refundable according to standard terms and conditions. 
Standard payment terms are specified on our quotation sent to the customer. The company provides warranties for 
goods that are in line with those provided by its suppliers. Costs to obtain contracts prior to receipt of order are 
expensed immediately, unless material. Sales commissions and costs incurred after receipt of order are recognised in line 
with the transfer of goods or services to the customer, in accordance with IFRS 15. Consideration does not need to be 
adjusted because it is expected that the customer will settle within agreed terms.

When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised as an 
expense immediately.

The Group identified, under IFRS 15, that the only capitalised contract cost where required, is commission. Commission 
cost is capitalised and released in line with revenue recognition. At the point of sale, price is agreed within the contract. 
The transaction price is individually allocated across software, hardware, installation and support. Any variations in the 
contracts do not result in variable consideration. 

Most such arrangements include detailed customer payment schedules. When payments received from customers 
exceed revenue recognised to date on a particular contract, any excess (a contract liability) is reported in the statement 
of financial position under other liabilities.

The Group recognises contract liabilities for consideration received in respect of unsatisfied performance obligations 
and reports these amounts as other liabilities in the statement of financial position. Similarly, if the Group satisfies a 
performance obligation before it receives the consideration, the Group recognises either a contract asset or a receivable 
in its statement of financial position, depending on whether something other than the passage of time is required before 
the consideration is due.

INTEREST INCOME  
Interest income is recognised based on the effective rate as received. 

DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION
Dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the Group’s financial statements in the 
period in which the dividends are approved by the Company’s shareholders.

The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018.

NON-RECURRING ITEMS
These are material items excluded from management’s assessment of profit because by their nature they could distort 
the Group’s underlying quality of earnings. These are excluded to reflect performance in a consistent manner and are in 
line with how the business is managed and measured on a day-to-day basis.

IMPAIRMENT OF NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS
Assets that have an indefinite useful life, for example goodwill or intangible assets not ready for use, are not subject 
to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. Assets that are subject to amortisation or depreciation are 
reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not 
be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its 
recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For 
the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable 
cash flows (cash-generating units). Non-financial assets other than goodwill that suffered an impairment are reviewed for 
possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

3.   FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

FINANCIAL RISK FACTORS
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (foreign exchange risk and cash flow interest 
rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group’s overall risk management programme focuses on the unpredictability 
of the financial markets and seeks to minimise the potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial performance.

Risk management policy is carried out through a central treasury function within the executive management team at the 
Group’s head office. The treasury function identifies, evaluates and manages financial risks in close co-operation with the 
Group’s operating units. The Board provides written principles for overall risk management while the central treasury 
function provides specific policy guidance for the operating units in terms of managing market risk, credit risk and cash 
and liquidity management. 

(A) MARKET RISK
(I) FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK

The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, 
primarily between the US dollar and GBP. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognised 
assets and liabilities and net investments in foreign operations.

At a transactional level the UK business has a broadly neutral exposure to foreign currency transactions, in that their 
revenues in euros and US dollars match their purchases. Foreign currency bank accounts are maintained to minimise 
exchange risk by trading currencies into sterling only when forecast surpluses or deficits are expected to arise. The flow 
of cash from the USA to the UK businesses is managed by central treasury in order to minimise the risk to the Group.

The exchange risk to the Group in terms of its reported results lies in the translation of the results and net assets 
and liabilities of the US business from US dollars to GBP. The Group’s accounting policy is to translate the profits and 
losses of overseas operations using the average exchange rate for the financial year and the net assets and liabilities 
of overseas subsidiaries at the year end exchange rate. It continues to be the Group’s policy not to hedge the foreign 
currency exposures on the translation of overseas profits or losses and net assets or liabilities to sterling as they are 
considered to be accounting rather than cash exposures.

The principal exchange rates used by the Group in translating overseas profits and net assets into GBP are set out in the 
table below:

Rate compared to £ sterling

US dollar

Average
rate 
2018

Average
rate
2017

Year end
rate
2018

Year end
rate
2017

1.335

1.289

1.277

1.351

Where overseas acquisitions are made, it is the Group’s policy to arrange any borrowings required in local currency.

It is the Group’s policy not to trade in financial instruments. The Group does not use interest rate swaps. The Group 
does not speculate in foreign currencies and no operating company is permitted to take unmatched positions in any 
foreign currency. The Group will use borrowings in currencies other than GBP where appropriate to specific transactions, 
such as overseas acquisitions. This policy has been in force throughout the financial year and remains so.

If the results for the year to 31 December 2017 had been translated at the 2018 average rate then the translation impact 
would be to reduce prior year revenue by £14,000 and reduce the loss before tax by £122,000.

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3.   FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

(II) CASH FLOW INTEREST RATE RISK

Cash flow interest rate risk comprises the interest rate price risk that results from borrowing at both fixed and variable 
rates of interest. The interest on the Group’s RCF facility is charged at 1.9 per cent plus LIBOR.  

(B) CREDIT RISK
Credit risk is managed on a Group basis, except for credit risk relating to accounts receivable balances.

Credit risk arises with cash balances and accounts receivables. The Group’s cash deposits are held at banks that have 
been carefully selected, taking into consideration their individual external credit ratings (note 16).

Each local subsidiary is responsible for managing and analysing the credit risk for each of their new clients before 
standard payment and delivery terms and conditions are offered. It is the Group’s policy to obtain deposits from 
customers where possible, particularly overseas customers. In addition, the Group will seek confirmed letters of credit 
for the balances due. The nature of the customer base (for example, national TV stations, government procurement 
agencies) makes the use of credit insurance inappropriate. Credit risk is managed at the operating business unit level 
and monitored at the Group level to ensure adherence to Group policies. If there is no independent rating, the finance 
function assesses the credit quality of the customer, taking into account its financial position, past experience and other 
factors. Individual risk limits are set based on internal or external ratings in accordance with limits set by the Board. The 
utilisation of credit limits is regularly monitored.

(C) LIQUIDITY RISK
Any material loss through ineffective investment of cash would undermine our ability to generate growth in shareholder 
value. Similarly, an inability to access these funds would undermine the Group’s ability to meet its financial obligations. 
We have assessed the likelihood of loss to be low but with a high potential impact.

The main exposure to risk is from borrowings and other liabilities. The risk is monitored using rolling cash flow forecasts 
and is managed through the availability of committed credit lines and borrowing facilities. 

On 27 March 2019 the bank agreed an extension of the current loan agreement. The revision secures the facility until 
30 November 2020 with banking covenants and a repayment schedule in place.

As per the amended facilities agreement, the Group has an obligation to comply with the simplified banking covenants 
as well as complying with an agreed amortisation profile. In order to ensure full compliance the Group’s executive 
management prepare thirteen week forecasts on a monthly basis to ensure ongoing obligations will be met. 

The table below analyses the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the 
remaining period at the reporting date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the 
contractual undiscounted cash flows.

At 31 December 2018:

Bank loans (secured)

Trade and other payables*

At 31 December 2017:

Bank loans (secured)

Trade and other payables*

Less than
one year
£000

Between
one and
two years
£000

Between
two and
five years
£000

1,100

4,678

1,000

4,897

9,550

–

10,500

–

–

–

–

–

Total
£000

10,650

4,678

11,500

4,897

*  Included within trade and other payables is accrued interest on the RCF facility of £Nil (2017: £32,896). 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

3.   FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

In 2017 the Group made a provision of £310,000 in relation to two creditor obligations which arose prior to the disposal 
of the trade and assets of VCS to xG but for which xG had failed to discharge. Settlement was reached with the creditors 
and xG during 2018 resulting in £155,000 being released.

A share-based payment scheme, the Pebble Beach Systems Value Creation Plan, matured in 2018. A provision of £243k 
was held in respect of this scheme in 2017. As a consequence of the Board’s decision that no payments are due under 
the scheme this provision was released in the year. 

CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the ability to continue as a going concern in order to 
provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to 
reduce the cost of capital.

Consistent with other businesses, the Group monitors capital on the basis of the gearing ratio. This ratio is calculated 
as net debt divided by total capital. Net debt is calculated as total borrowings (including “current and non-current 
borrowings” as shown in the statement of financial position) less cash and cash equivalents.

Total capital is the sum of equity plus net debt (or less net cash) being £3.2 million at 31 December 2018 (2017: 
£3.9 million).

FAIR VALUE ESTIMATION
The carrying value of trade receivables (less impairment provision) and financial liabilities are assumed to approximate to 
their fair value. The carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets is reviewed on an annual basis utilising a discounted 
cash flow approach.

4.   CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, management have made accounting judgements in the 
determination of the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making 
assumptions and estimates, actual outcomes will differ from those assumptions and estimates.

JUDGEMENTS
The Group has the following significant judgements recognised in the financial statements:

Recognition of service and construction contract revenues

As revenue from support agreements and construction contracts is recognised over time, the amount of revenue 
recognised in a reporting period depends on the extent to which the performance obligation has been satisfied. For 
support agreements and construction contracts (installation) this requires an estimate of the quantity of the services to 
be provided, based on historical experience with similar contracts. In a similar way, recognising revenue for construction 
contracts also requires significant judgment in determining the estimated number of hours required to complete the 
promised work. 

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS
A number of accounting judgements are incorporated within the calculation of the charge to the income statement in 
respect of share-based payments. These are described in more detail in note 24.

The performance targets of the Pebble Beach Systems Ltd VCP were not met and the Board concluded in 2018 that no 
payments to participants would be made pursuant to it. The remaining provision of £243,000 has been credited to the 
income statement.

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4.   CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS CONTINUED

BAD DEBT PROVISION 
A number of judgements are incorporated within the calculation of the charge to the income statement in respect of a 
specific bad debt provision.     

ACQUIRED INTANGIBLES
Intangible assets (intellectual property, brands and customer relationships) have been acquired as part of the net assets 
of certain subsidiaries. These intangible assets were capitalised at their fair value at the date of acquisition. Determining 
the value of acquired intangibles required the calculation of estimated future cash flows expected to arise from the 
intangible assets at a suitable discount rate in order to calculate their present value. In addition, an estimate of the 
useful life of the intangible asset has to be made, over which period the cash flows were expected to be generated. 
The carrying amount of acquired intangibles at the reporting date was £1.0 million (note 12) (2017: £2.5 million).

ESTIMATES
The Group has the following significant judgements recognised in the financial statements:

IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL
In assessing impairment, management estimates the recoverable amount of each cash generating unit based on 
expected future cash flows and uses a suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value. Estimation 
uncertainty relates to assumptions about future operating results and the determination of a suitable discount rate. 
Details of the impairment review are provided in note 12.

5.   SEGMENTAL REPORTING

The directors believe that adjusted operating profit provides additional useful information on underlying trends to 
shareholders. This measure is used by management for internal performance analysis and incentive compensation 
arrangements. The term “adjusted” is not a defined term under IFRS and may not therefore be comparable with 
similarly titled profit measurements reported by other companies. The principal adjustments are made in respect of 
depreciation, the amortisation of acquired intangibles and capitalised development costs, non-recurring items and 
exchange gains or losses charged to the income statement.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

5.   SEGMENTAL REPORTING CONTINUED

The segment information provided to the Board for the reportable continuing segments for the year ended 
31 December 2018 is as follows:

Segmental reporting by division

Year ended 31 December 2018

Income statement:

Broadcast

Total revenue

Adjusted operating profit/(loss)

Depreciation

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

Amortisation of capitalised development costs

Non-recurring items

Exchange (losses)/gains

Finance costs

Finance income 

Intercompany finance income/(costs)

(Loss)/profit before taxation

Taxation

Segment assets

Non-current assets

Current assets

Total assets

Total liabilities

Total net assets/(liabilities)

Other segment items 

Capital expenditure

Capitalised development expenditure

Depreciation

Amortisation of intangibles

Central costs represent corporate expenses.

Pebble 
Beach 
Systems
£000

Central
£000

 Total 
£000

9,174

9,174

2,867

(127)

(1,419)

(828)

(3,858)

46

–

3

118

(3,198)

254

–

–

(397)

–

–

–

3,554

(18)

(296)

1

(118)

2,726

(1)

5,657

3,439

9,096

–

431

431

9,174

9,174

2,470

(127)

(1,419)

(828)

(304)

28

(296)

4

–

(472)

253

(219)

5,657

3,870

9,527

(3,788)

(11,884)

(15,672)

5,308

(11,453)

(6,145)

88

728

127

2,247

–

–

–

–

88

728

127

2,247

Profit/(loss) for the year being attributable to owners of the parent

(2,944)

2,725

Segment assets include property, plant and equipment, goodwill, other intangibles, inventories, trade receivables and 
operating cash. Segment assets exclude inter-segment investments. Segment liabilities comprise operating liabilities, 
taxation and segmental provisions for liabilities and charges. Segmental assets and liabilities exclude amounts owed to/
from other segments. 

Segmental capital expenditure comprises additions to property, plant and equipment.

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FINANCIALS

Pebble 
Beach 
Systems
£000

Central
£000

 Total 
£000

10,320

10,320

1,772

(157)

(1,419)

(655)

(113)

(95)

–

3

70

(594)

511

(83)

7,226

5,603

12,829

–

–

(1,272)

(30)

–

–

(399)

–

(339)

1

(70)

(2,109)

(416)

(2,525)

–

218

218

10,320

10,320

500

(187)

(1,419)

(655)

(512)

(95)

(339)

4

–

(2,703)

95

(2,608)

7,226

5,821

13,047

(4,725)

(14,387)

(19,112)

8,104

(14,169)

(6,065)

107

798

157

2,073

–

–

30

–

107

798

187

2,073

5.   SEGMENTAL REPORTING CONTINUED

The results and balance sheet of discontinued operations are presented in note 17.

Segmental reporting by division

Year ended 31 December 2017

Income statement:

Broadcast

Total revenue

Adjusted operating profit/(loss)

Depreciation

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

Amortisation of capitalised development costs

Non-recurring items

Exchange (losses)/gains

Finance costs

Finance income 

Intercompany finance income/(costs) 

Profit/(loss) before taxation

Taxation

Loss for the year being attributable to owners of the parent

Segment assets

Non-current assets

Current assets

Total assets

Total liabilities

Total net assets/(liabilities)

Other segment items 

Capital expenditure

Capitalised development expenditure

Depreciation

Amortisation of intangibles

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

5.   SEGMENTAL REPORTING CONTINUED

GEOGRAPHIC EXTERNAL REVENUE ANALYSIS AND REVENUE BY STREAM
The revenue analysis in the table below is based on the geographic location of the customer for each business.

By market:

UK and Europe

North America

Latin America

Middle East and Africa

Asia/Pacific

Total revenue by market 

By segment stream:

Hardware

Software

Installation 

Support 

Total revenue by stream   

2018
£000

4,820

585

513

2,931

325

9,174

1,836

3,045

1,198

3,095

9,174

2017
£000

4,655

1,772

357

2,811

725

10,320

2,345

4,071

1,216

2,688

10,320

One customer in UK and Europe accounted for £1.0 million revenue in 2018 (2017: £nil).

Non-current assets, other than financial instruments and deferred tax, located in the UK are £5.7 million 
(2017: £7.2 million) and rest of world £Nil (2017: £Nil).

6.   OPERATING LOSS

The following items have been included in arriving at the operating loss for the continuing business:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

Operating lease rentals

Exchange (gains)/losses charged to the income statement

2018
£000

127

1,419

167

(28)

2017
£000

187

1,419

167

95

Research and development expenditure expensed in the year

1,222

1,762

which includes:

– Amortisation of capitalised development costs

828

655

OTHER EXPENSES
Other expenses comprise:

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

Non-recurring items

2018
£000

1,419

304

1,723

2017
£000

1,419

512

1,931

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FINANCIALS

6.   OPERATING LOSS CONTINUED

NON-RECURRING ITEMS
The following items are excluded from management’s assessment of profit because by their nature they could distort the 
Group’s underlying quality of earnings. They are excluded to reflect performance in a consistent manner and are in line 
with how the business is managed and measured on a day-to-day basis:

Rationalisation and redundancy costs

Provision for former Executive debt

Profit on sale of head office building

2018
£000

358

(54)

–

304

2017
£000

362

260

(110)

512

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GROUP’S AUDITOR AND NETWORK FIRMS
During the year the Group (including its overseas subsidiaries) obtained the following services from the Group’s auditor 
at costs detailed below:

Analysis of fees payable to Grant Thornton UK LLP (2017: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)

Audit of the parent company and consolidated financial statements

Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries

Audit related assurance services

Other assurance services

Taxation compliance services

Taxation advisory services

Corporate finance services 

2018
£000

2017
£000

25

20

–

–

45

10

–

–

55

82

37

32

–

151

59

4

79

293

A description of the work of the Audit Committee is set out in the corporate governance statement on pages 17 to 23 
and includes an explanation of how the auditor’s objectivity and independence is safeguarded when non-audit services 
are provided by the auditor.

7.   DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES

Staff costs during the year for the continuing business were as follows:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs – defined contribution plans (note 28)

Share based payments (note 24)

2018
£000

3,973

299

79

(243)

4,108

2017
£000

5,585

469

108

(464)

5,698

Share based payments includes provision for the Pebble Beach Systems VCP. The performance targets of the Pebble 
Beach Systems Ltd VCP were not met and the Board concluded in 2018 that no payments to participants would be 
made pursuant to it. A credit of £243,000 (2017: £492,000) has been taken to the income statement.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

7.   DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES CONTINUED

The monthly average number of employees employed by the continuing Group during the year was as follows:

Average monthly number of employees

Broadcast sales and marketing

Technology

Logistics

General and Admin

2018
Number

2017
Number

12

19

22

10

63

9

36

28

11

84

The average number of employees has been calculated on a pro rata basis from the date of disposal or acquisition 
of subsidiaries and businesses. The average number of employees includes directors with service contracts. The total 
number of employees at 31 December 2018 was 65 (2017: 80).

Key management compensation for the continuing business:

Short term employee benefits – including salaries, social security costs and non-monetary 
benefits

Post-employment benefits – defined contribution pension plans

Share based payments (note 24)

2018
£000

582

17

(243)

356

2017
£000

699

26

(464)

261

Share based payments includes provision for the Pebble Beach Systems VCP. The performance targets of the Pebble 
Beach Systems Ltd VCP were not met and the Board concluded in 2018 that no payments to participants would be 
made pursuant to it. A credit of £243,000 (2017: £492,000) has been taken to the income statement. 

The analysis of key management compensation above includes Executive Directors. Key management is defined as the 
senior management teams in each of the business units of the Group. Details of directors’ emoluments are included in 
the remuneration report on pages 24 to 27.

8.   FINANCE COSTS – NET

Finance costs

Finance income

Finance costs – net

Finance costs represent interest payable on bank borrowings. 

Finance income is derived from cash held on deposit.

2018
£000

296

(4)

292

2017
£000

339

(4)

335

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9.   INCOME TAX EXPENSE

A) ANALYSIS OF THE TAX CHARGE IN YEAR

Current tax

UK corporation tax

Adjustments in respect of prior years

Total current tax

Deferred tax

UK deferred tax

Adjustments in respect of prior years

Total deferred tax

Total taxation

B) FACTORS AFFECTING TAX CHARGE FOR YEAR
The charge for the year can be reconciled to the loss in the income statement as follows:

Loss before tax on continuing operations

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 19.00% (2017: 19.25%)

Adjustments in respect of prior years

Permanent differences

Enhanced R&D tax relief

Derecognition of deferred tax asset

Overseas taxation

Losses utilised 

Depreciation of NQAs

Losses utilised

Current year losses not recognised

Effect of changes in UK tax rate

Total taxation

FINANCIALS

2018
£000

2017
£000

27

(11)

16

(269)

–

(269)

(253)

–

169

169

(267)

3

(264)

(95)

2018
£000

2017
£000

(472)

(2,703)

(90)

(11)

24

(180)

–

27

(225)

1

–

172

29

(253)

(520)

(10)

429

(197)

(463)

–

(55)

–

–

721

–

(95)

The tax rate for the current year is lower than the prior year due to changes in the UK corporation tax rate which 
decreased from 20 per cent to 19 per cent from 1 April 2017. 

Changes to the UK corporation tax rates were substantively enacted on 7 September 2016. These include reductions to 
the main rate to reduce the rate to 17 per cent from 1 April 2020. Deferred taxes at the balance sheet date have been 
measured using these enacted tax rates and reflected in these financial statements.

There is no income tax arising from any component of other comprehensive income.

10. DIVIDENDS AND RETURNS TO SHAREHOLDERS

Final dividend paid of nil pence per share (2017: nil pence per share)

2018
£000

Nil

2017
£000

Nil 

The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

11.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

For diluted earnings per share the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume 
conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The dilutive shares are those share options granted to employees 
where the exercise price is less than the average market price of the Company’s ordinary shares during the year.

Reconciliation of the earnings and weighted average number of shares used in the calculations are set out below.

Basic and diluted loss per share

Loss attributable to continuing 
operations

Profit attributable to discontinued 
operations 

Earnings
 £000 

(219)

195

Basic and diluted profit/(loss) per share

(24)

124,477

2018

Weighted 
average 
number 
 of shares 
 000s 

 Earnings 
 per share 
 pence 

Earnings
 £000 

2017

Weighted
 average
 number 
 of shares 
 000s 

 Earnings 
 per share 
 pence 

(0.2)p

(2,608)

0.2p

0.0p

2,892

284

124,292

(2.1)p

2.3p

0.2p

Potential ordinary shares are non-dilutive in the current and prior years as they would decrease the loss per share from 
continuing operations. Accordingly, there is no difference between basic and diluted EPS.

ADJUSTED EARNINGS
The directors believe that adjusted operating profit, adjusted profit before tax, adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings 
per share provide additional useful information on underlying trends to shareholders. These measures are used by 
management for internal performance analysis and incentive compensation arrangements. The term “adjusted” is not 
a defined term under IFRS and may not therefore be comparable with similarly titled profit measurements reported 
by other companies. The principal adjustments are made in respect of depreciation, the amortisation of acquired 
intangibles and capitalised development costs, non-recurring items and exchange gains or losses charged to the income 
statement and their related tax effects. 

The reconciliation between reported and underlying earnings and basic earnings per share is shown below:

Reported loss per share – continuing operations

Depreciation

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

Amortisation of capitalised development costs

Non-recurring items

Exchange (gains)/losses

£000

(219)

105

1,178

687

245

(23)

Adjusted profit/(loss) per share – continuing operations 

1,973

2018 
Pence

£000

(0.2)p

(2,608)

0.1p

0.9p

0.6p

0.2p

0.0p

1.6p

155

1,178

544

413

77

2017 
Pence

(2.1)p

0.1p

1.0p

0.4p

0.3p

0.1p

(241)

(0.2)p

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FINANCIALS

12.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Cost

At 1 January 2017

Additions 

At 1 January 2018

Additions 

At 31 December 2018

Accumulated amortisation

At 1 January 2017

Charge for the year 

At 1 January 2018

Charge for the year 

At 31 December 2018

Net book value

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

At 1 January 2017

 Acquired 
customer 
relationships 
 £000 

 Acquired 
intellectual 
property 
 £000 

 Acquired 
brands 
 £000 

 Capitalised 
development 
costs 
 £000 

Goodwill
 £000 

3,218

–

3,218

–

3,218

–

–

–

–

–

3,218

3,218

3,218

4,493

–

4,493

–

4,493

2,091

748

2,839

749

3,588

905

1,654

2,402

3,350

–

3,350

–

3,350

1,870

670

2,540

670

3,210

140

810

1,480

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,611

798

2,409

728

3,137

495

655

1,150

828

1,978

1,159

1,259

1,116

 Total 
 £000 

12,672

798

13,470

728

14,198

4,456

2,073

6,529

2,247

8,776

5,422

6,941

8,216

The estimated useful life for the intellectual property and customer relationships acquired with the business of Pebble 
Beach Systems has been determined to be five years and six years respectively based on the expected future cash flows 
that they would generate.

The amortisation of development costs is included in research and development expenses in the Consolidated Group Income 
Statement. Within development costs there are £0.5 million (2017: £Nil) of fully written down assets that are still in use.

The amortisation of customer relationships, brands and intellectual property are all charged to other expenses in the 
Consolidated Income Statement and are referred to as the amortisation of acquired intangibles.

IMPAIRMENT TEST FOR CASH-GENERATING UNITS CONTAINING GOODWILL
Historical goodwill acquired in business combinations was allocated, at acquisition, to the cash-generating units (CGUs) 
that were expected to benefit from those business combinations, being the markets that the Group served, namely 
Broadcast, Surveillance and Public Safety, Amplifier Technology Limited and Pebble Beach Systems Limited.

In accordance with the requirements of IAS 36 “Impairment of assets”, goodwill is required to be tested for impairment 
on an annual basis, with reference to the value of the cash-generating units in question. The carrying value of goodwill at 
31 December 2018 is £3.2 million (2017: £3.2 million) which relates solely to Pebble Beach Systems (see note 17).

The carrying value of Pebble Beach Systems (including goodwill) has been assessed with reference to value in use over a 
projected period of five years with a terminal value. This reflects projected cash flows based on actual operating results 
and approved budget, strategic plans and management projections.

The key assumptions on which the value in use calculations are based relate to business performance over the next four 
years, long term growth rates beyond 2018 and the discount rate applied. The forecast business performance assumes 
an average growth rate of 15 per cent each year over the next five years, with growth peaking in years three and four.

The cash flow projections have been discounted to present value using a pre-tax discount rate of 11.1 per cent 
(2017: 14.6 per cent), which has been used for the purpose of the impairment test. The value in use was found to be 
higher than the carrying value, hence no impairment is necessary, any reasonable movement in the assumptions used 
in the impairment tests would not result in any impairment. The cash flow projections have been prepared by local 
management on the basis of the expected growth of the business over the next five years.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

13.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Cost

At 1 January 2017

Additions

Disposals

Exchange adjustment

At 1 January 2018

Additions

Disposals

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2018

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2017

Charge for the year

Disposals

Exchange adjustment

At 1 January 2018

Charge for the year

Disposals

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2018

Net book value

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

At 1 January 2017

14.  INVENTORIES

Raw materials and consumables

Work in progress

Finished goods and goods for resale

 Freehold 
 land and 
 buildings 
 £000 

 Leasehold 
improvements, 
 fixtures and 
 fittings 
 £000 

 Plant, tools, 
 test and 
 computer  
equipment 
 £000 

 Total 
 £000

116

–

–

–

116

–

–

–

116

29

6

–

–

35

5

–

–

40

76

81

87

295

5

(85)

(4)

211

26

(78)

1

160

246

19

(85)

(2)

178

15

(68)

–

125

35

33

49

1,215

1,626

102

(166)

(6)

107

(251)

(10)

1,145

1,472

62

(635)

2

574

884

162

(68)

(4)

974

107

(631)

3

453

121

171

331

2018
£000

166

44

–

210

88

(713)

3

850

1,159

187

(153)

(6)

1,187

127

(699)

3

618

232

285

467

2017
£000

152

73

–

225

During the year the Group consumed £1.3 million (2017: £2.3 million) of inventories, of which £1.3 million 
(2017: £1.8 million) related to continuing operations.

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15.  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Current: 

Trade receivables

Less: provision for impairment

Trade receivables – net

Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

FINANCIALS

2018
£000

1,944

(480)

1,464

122

805

2,391

2017
£000

2,382

(87)

2,295

153

1,281

3,729

In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable the Group considers any change in the credit quality of the trade 
receivable from the date credit was initially granted up to the reporting date. The concentration of credit risk is limited 
due to the customer base being large and unrelated to each other.

Trade receivables that are less than three months past due are not considered impaired unless there are specific 
financial or commercial reasons that lead management to conclude that the customer will default. At 31 December 2018 
trade receivables of £0.7 million (2017: £1.0 million) were past due but not impaired. The credit quality of the Group’s 
customers is good, being a combination of large broadcast stations (public and private) and government agencies and 
departments. Controls within Group companies are in place to ensure that appropriate credit limits are in place. The 
overdue amounts relate to customers with no history of default. The ageing of these receivables is as follows:

Up to three months

Three to six months

Over six months

2018
£000

526

28

107

661

2017
£000

914

49

10

973

At 31 December 2018 trade receivables of £0.5 million (2017: £0.1 million) were impaired and provided for in whole 
or in part. The provision of £0.5 million (2017: £0.1 million) is set against specific customer debts. The ageing of these 
receivables is as follows:

Up to three months

Three to six months

Over six months

The gross amounts of the Group’s trade receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

Pounds sterling

US dollars

Euros

2018
£000

127

203

150

480

2018
£000

1,321

403

220

2017
£000

–

3

140

143

2017
£000

1,537

324

521

1,944

2,382

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

15.  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES CONTINUED

Movements on the Group provision for impairment of trade receivables are as follows:

At 1 January

Provision for receivable impairment

Receivables written off during the year as uncollectable

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December

2018
£000

87

444

(51)

–

480

2017
£000

138

(51)

–

–

87

Amounts charged to the allowance account are generally written off, when there is no expectation of recovering 
additional cash.

The other classes within trade and other receivables do not contain impaired assets.

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of receivable mentioned 
above. The Group does not hold any collateral as security.

16.  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND OVERDRAFTS

Cash and bank balances

Cash and cash equivalents and overdrafts at 31 December

Cash and cash equivalents and overdrafts include the following for the purpose of the cash flows:

Cash and cash equivalents and overdrafts 

Bank overdrafts (note 20)

Cash and cash equivalents

2018
£000

1,269

1,269

2018
£000

1,269

–

1,269

2017
£000

1,249

1,249

2017
£000

1,862

(613)

1,249

The credit quality of the cash and cash equivalents and overdrafts that are not impaired can be assessed by reference to 
the external credit ratings of the banks where the deposits are held.

A-1

Total

2018
£000

1,269

1,269

2017
£000

1,249

1,249

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FINANCIALS

16.  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND OVERDRAFTS CONTINUED

Reconciliation of decrease in cash and cash equivalents and overdrafts to movement in net cash:

2018

2017

 Net cash 
and cash 
equivalents 
and 
overdrafts 
 £000 

 Other 
borrowings 
 £000 

 Total 
net cash 
 £000 

 Net cash 
and cash 
equivalents  
and 
overdrafts 
 £000 

 Other 
borrowings 
 £000 

 Total 
net cash 
 £000 

At 1 January

1,249

(11,500)

(10,251)

457

(15,000)

(14,543)

Cash flow for the year before 
financing 

Movement in borrowings in the 
year

Exchange rate adjustments

Cash and cash equivalents and 
overdrafts at 31 December

910

(850)

(40)

–

910

4,564

–

4,564

850

–

–

(40)

(3,500)

3,500

–

(272)

–

(272)

1,269

(10,650)

(9,381)

1,249

(11,500)

(10,251)

17.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

(I) ANALYSIS OF THE RESULT OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS IS AS FOLLOWS:

Revenue

Expenses

Profit/(loss) before tax of discontinued operations

Tax

Profit/(loss) after tax of discontinued operations

Recycle translation reserve for discontinued operations

Profit from discontinued operations

(II) CASH FLOW

Operating cash flows 

Investing cash flows

Total cash flows

18.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Contract liabilities 

Trade payables

Accruals 

Other taxes and social security costs

2018
£000

–

184

184

11

195

–

195

2017
£000

1,034

(3,881)

(2,847)

662

(2,185)

5,077

2,892

2018
£000

2017
£000

(485)

(1,277)

–

(485)

2018
£000

2,323

683

1,182

99

4,287

8,046

6,769

2017
£000

2,625

861

1,619

483

5,588

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

19.  CURRENT TAX ASSETS

UK corporation tax

Foreign corporation tax

Current tax assets

20.  FINANCIAL LIABILITIES – BORROWINGS

Current:

Bank loans (secured)

Bank overdrafts

Total

Non-current:

Bank loans (secured)

2018
£000

12

–

12

2018
£000

1,100

–

1,100

2017
£000

5

–

5

2017
£000

1,000

613

1,613

9,550

10,500

BANK BORROWING FACILITIES
On 27 March 2019 the bank agreed an extension of the current loan agreement. The revision secures the facility until 30 
November 2020 with banking covenants and a repayment schedule in place. 

All bank facilities are secured by fixed and floating charges over the Group’s assets and by cross-guarantees between 
the Company and certain UK and US subsidiaries.

The Group does not have a net overdraft facility.

The Group does not use interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to interest rate movements on its bank borrowings.

The effective interest rates at the balance sheet dates were as follows:

Bank overdraft

Bank borrowings

The Group had net debt at 31 December 2018 of £9.4 million (2017: £10.3 million).

2018

N/A

3.30%

2017

3.25%

2.40%

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FINANCIALS

21.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Numerical financial instrument disclosures are set out below. Additional disclosures are set out in the accounting policies 
(note 2).

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BY CATEGORY – CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Assets as per statement of financial position at 31 December

Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments and contract assets  

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

2018
Receivables
 £000

2017
Receivables
 £000

1,539

1,269

2,808

2,448

1,862

4,310

There are no financial assets that are pledged as collateral for liabilities or contingent liabilities.

Liabilities as per statement of financial position at 31 December

Trade and other payables excluding contract liabilities and social security liabilities

Borrowings

Total

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BY CATEGORY – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 

Assets as per statement of financial position at 31 December

Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments and contract assets  

Total

2018
Other 
financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost
 £000 

2017
Other 
financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost
 £000 

1,659

10,650

12,309

1,803

12,113

13,916

2018
Receivables
 £000

2017
Receivables
 £000 

47

47

64

64

There are no financial assets that are pledged as collateral for liabilities or contingent liabilities.

Liabilities as per statement of financial position at 31 December

Trade and other payables excluding contract liabilities and social security liabilities

Total

2018
Other 
financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost
 £000 

2017
Other 
financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost
 £000 

206

206

677

677

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

22.  PROVISIONS FOR OTHER LIABILITIES AND CHARGES

At 1 January 2018

Additional provision in the year  

Utilised during the year  

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2018

Provisions have been analysed between current and non-current as follows:

Current

Non-current

At 31 December 2018

Property 
 provisions 
 £000 

767

–

(400)

–

367

2018
£000

367

–

367

 Total 
 £000 

767

–

(400)

–

367

2017
£000

400

367

767

The onerous property provision movement in the year relates to the vacant property provision at the Legacy Broadcast 
International Hemel Hempstead site, arising following the sale of Vislink Communication Systems.

23.  DEFERRED TAXATION

Deferred tax is calculated in full on temporary differences under the liability method using a tax rate appropriate to 
the country in which the deferred tax liability or asset has arisen. Deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect 
of all tax losses and other temporary differences to the extent that they are regarded as more likely than not to be 
recoverable against future profits.

No deferred tax is recognised on unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries. As the earnings are continually 
reinvested by the Group, no tax is expected to be payable on them in the foreseeable future.

From 1 April 2020 the corporation tax rate will be 17 per cent; the 17 per cent rate was substantively enacted on 
7 September 2016 and hence deferred tax assets are calculated at 17 per cent, in so far as they relate to the UK. 

Deferred tax liabilities

At 1 January 2018

Credit to profit or loss

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2018

Accelerated tax 
depreciation 
£000

 Intangible 
assets
£000 

 Losses 
£000

 Other 
£000

 Total
£000 

66

(12)

–

54

578

(257)

–

321

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

644

(269)

–

375

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FINANCIALS

23.  DEFERRED TAXATION CONTINUED

Deferred tax assets

At 1 January 2018

Charge to profit or loss

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2018

Deferred tax liabilities

At 1 January 2017

Credit to profit or loss

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2017

Deferred tax assets

At 1 January 2017

Charge to profit or loss

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2017

Accelerated tax 
depreciation 
£000

 Intangible 
assets
£000 

 Losses 
£000

 Other 
£000

 Total
£000 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Accelerated tax 
depreciation 
£000

 Intangible 
assets
£000 

 Losses 
£000

 Other 
£000

88

(22)

–

66

1,086

(508)

–

578

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 Total
£000 

1,174

(530)

–

644

Accelerated tax 
depreciation 
£000

 Intangible 
assets
£000 

 Losses 
£000

 Other 
£000

 Total
£000 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

The movement on net deferred tax liability in the year was:

Net deferred tax liability at 1 January

Charged in the year

Net deferred tax liability at 31 December

2018
£000

(644)

269

(375)

2017
£000

(1,174)

530

(644)

Certain deferred tax assets have not been recognised where it is not considered probable that they will be recovered. 

Deferred tax asset on losses

2018
£000

12,725

12,725

2017
£000

11,850

11,850

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

24.  ORDINARY SHARES

Ordinary shares of 2.5 pence each at 31 December

Authorised

Allotted and fully paid

At 1 January

Share issues

At 31 December

POTENTIAL ISSUE OF SHARES
The Group has the following share based payment schemes:

A) EXECUTIVE SHARE OPTION SCHEMES

 Number 
 ’000s 

2018
 £000 

 Number 
 ’000s 

2017
 £000 

200,000

5,000

200,000

5,000

124,603

3,115

124,603

–

–

–

124,603

3,115

124,603

3,115

–

3,115

Executive share options are granted at a fixed exercise price equal to the market price of the shares under option 
at the date of grant. The contractual life of an option is ten years. Awards are at the discretion of the Remuneration 
Committee. Options will become exercisable on the third anniversary of the date of grant. Exercise of an option is 
subject to continued employment. There are no performance criteria attached to the options granted in 2006, 2007 
and 2012.

No executive options were granted during 2018 (2017: nil). 

Certain senior executives hold options to subscribe for shares in the Company at 54.0 pence under the share option 
schemes approved by shareholders.

The number of shares subject to options and the exercise prices are:

Date of grant

14 May 2015

Exercise 
price

 Exercise period

54.0p 01/04/18 – 13/05/25

2018 
Number
’000s

2017 
Number
’000s

–

–

1,184

1,184

A reconciliation of executive option movements over the year is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year

Lapsed during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

2018
 Weighted
average
exercise
price 

54.0p

54.0p

–

–

 Number 
 ’000s 

1,184

1,184

–

–

2017
 Weighted
average
exercise
price 

54.8p

55.8p

54.0p

–

 Number 
 ’000s 

2,050

866

1,184

–

No options were exercised in 2018 (2017: nil). No options were outstanding at 31 December 2018.

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FINANCIALS

24.  ORDINARY SHARES CONTINUED

B) LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (LTIP)
Options have been granted as nil cost options under this scheme. The options granted under this scheme are generally 
exercisable at the end of the performance period and for seven years thereafter. Awards under this scheme are 
reserved for employees at senior management level and above. If an employee leaves the employment of the Group, 
a proportion of his award may be deemed to have vested, subject to satisfying any performance conditions and at the 
discretion of the Remuneration Committee.

Awards under the LTIP scheme are subject to performance criteria, the scales relating to which will be determined 
annually by the Remuneration Committee. Details of the performance criteria are disclosed in the Remuneration Report.

No new LTIP options were granted during the year.

The number of shares subject to LTIP options and the exercise prices are:

Date of grant

12 November 2013

03 June 2014

Share price
at award
date

 Vesting date

48.5p 12 November 2016

45.1p

03 June 2017

2018 
Number
’000s

2017 
Number
’000s

–

100

100

2,000

150

2,150

A reconciliation of LTIP option movements over the year is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

2018
 Weighted
average
share price 
at the date 
of grant 

48.2p

48.4p

–

45.1p

 Number 
 ’000s 

2,150

2,050

–

100

2017
 Weighted
average
share price 
at the date 
of grant 

46.8p

44.4p

45.1p

48.2p

 Number 
 ’000s 

3,381

(931)

(300)

2,150

There were 100,000 LTIP options that were exercisable at the end of the year (2017: 2,150,000).

The weighted average contractual life remaining on the LTIP options outstanding at 31 December 2018 is 5.4 years 
(2017: 5.8 years).

At 31 December 2018 the trustee of the Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) held 126,496 shares (2017: 126,496) 
with a market value of Nil (2017: £Nil). The net book value of these shares was Nil (2017: £Nil) and was deducted from 
equity. 

During the year 2,050,000 LTIP shares were forfeited as a result of employees leaving the Group. 

C) SHARE OPTIONS – VALUE OF EMPLOYEE SERVICES
The Group recognised a total credit of £242,621 (2017: £463,840) related to cash-settled share based payment 
transactions in the income statement in the year, following the Board’s decision that no payments are due under Pebble 
Beach Systems Value Creation Plan.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

25.  RESERVES

The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within equity:

Share Premium

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.

Capital Redemption Reserve Amounts transferred from share capital on redemption of issued shares.

Merger Reserve

Translation Reserve

Accumulated Losses

The excess of value attributed to shares over the nominal value of those shares which 
were issued in part or full consideration for the acquisition of more than 90 per cent of 
the issued share capital of another company.

Gains or losses arising on retranslating the net assets of overseas operations into 
Sterling.

All other net gains and losses and transactions with owners (eg dividends) not 
recognised elsewhere.

26.  CASH FLOW USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Reconciliation of loss before taxation to net cash flows from operating activities:

Loss before tax

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Loss/(profit) on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Loss on sale of VCS

Amortisation and impairment of development costs

Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangibles

Share based payment expense

Finance income

Finance costs

Increase/(decrease) in inventories

Decrease in trade and other receivables

Decrease in trade and other payables

Decrease in provisions

Net cash used in operating activities

2018
£000

(288)

127

10

–

828

1,419

–

(4)

295

15

848

(811)

(400)

2,039

2017
£000

(5,550)

187

(110)

1,335

856

1,418

28

(47)

348

(19)

2,489

(3,345)

(351)

(2,761)

27.  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS – CONTINUING OPERATIONS

The aggregate future minimum lease payments due under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Not later than one year

Later than one year and not later than five years

Later than five years

 2018
Land and
buildings 
 £000 

 2017
Land and
buildings 
 £000 

415

668

426

437

513

470

1,508

1,420

The Group leases a number of office and factory premises under operating leases of periods between five and ten years. 
None of these leases contain contingent rentals. During the year £0.4 million (2017: £0.4 million) of operating lease 
payments were recognised in the consolidated Group income statement.

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FINANCIALS

28.  PENSIONS

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS
The Group operates a stakeholder pension scheme in the UK with Scottish Widows Plc. The total Group pension charge 
for the year was £0.1 million (2017: £Nil). At 31 December 2018 there was £nil (2017: £nil) due to the scheme.

The Group has no unfunded pension liabilities.

29.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on 
consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.

Key management includes directors (executive and non-executive), members of the senior management and the 
Company Secretary. The compensation paid or payable to key management for employee services is disclosed in note 7.

Pebble Beach Systems Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Legacy Broadcast Group Holdings Limited, leases two 
properties owned by the Denton Trust. Ian Cockett (a director of Pebble Beach Systems Limited during the year) is 
one of the trustees in the Denton Trust. The first property (Unit 12 Horizon Business Village) is rented from the trust for 
£105,000 per annum. The second property (Unit 15 Horizon Business Village) is rented from the trust for £62,000 per 
annum. As at 31 December 2018 the Company owed £Nil to the Denton Trust (2017: £21,000). 

In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies House Act 2006 a full list of subsidiaries, partnerships, associates, and 
joint ventures of the Group, along with the principal activity, the country of incorporation and the effective percentage 
of equity owned by Pebble Beach Systems Group plc, as of 31 December 2018, are provided in the entity financial 
statements of Pebble Beach Systems Group plc. 

There are no material related parties other than Group companies. 

30.  EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

On 27 March 2019 the bank agreed an extension of the current loan agreement. The revision secures the facility until 
30 November 2020 with banking covenants and a repayment schedule in place.

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COMPANY INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Administrative expenses

Other expenses

Operating profit/(loss)

  Operating loss is analysed as:

  Adjusted operating loss

  Depreciation

  Non-recurring items

  Exchange losses charged to the income statement

Finance costs

Finance income

Profit/(loss) before tax

Tax

Profit/(loss) for the year being loss attributable to shareholders

Note

2018
£000

(414)

3,285

2,871

2017
£000

(1,270)

(12,229)

(13,499)

(396)

(1,234)

–

(30)

E

3,285

(12,229)

(18)

(414)

139

(6)

(434)

271

2,596

(13,662)

(21)

17

2,575

(13,645)

 G

Q

The Company has no recognised gains and losses other than the losses for the years stated above and therefore no separate 
statement of comprehensive income has been presented.

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COMPANY STATEMENT  
OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2018

Assets 

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Investments in subsidiaries

Deferred tax assets

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Current tax assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Liabilities 

Current liabilities 

Financial liabilities – borrowings

Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities 

Net current assets(liabilities)

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities – borrowings

Total non-current liabilities

Net assets

Equity attributable to shareholders

Ordinary shares

Share premium 

Capital redemption reserve

Merger reserve

Accumulated losses

Total equity

FINANCIALS

Note

2018
£000

2017
£000

H

I

N

J

M

K

O

L

O

P

Q

Q

Q

Q

–

–

12,880

12,880

–

21

12,880

12,901

5,025

4,870

–

271

–

10

5,296

4,880

1,100

3,992

5,092

204

9,550

9,550

3,534

3,115

6,800

617

1,882

1,626

4,696

6,322

(1,442)

10,500

10,500

959

3,115

6,800

617

1,882

(8,880)

(11,455)

3,534

959

The company’s registered number:  04082188

The Group will not be able to pay dividends without a court approved capital reduction.

The financial statements on pages 76 to 93 were approved by the Board of directors on 27 March 2019 and were signed on its 
behalf by:

John Varney 
Non-Executive Chairman

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COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

At 1 January 2017

Transfer

Loss for the financial year

Value of employee services

Dividends paid

At 31 December 2017

At 1 January 2018

Profit for the financial year

Dividends paid

Ordinary 
shares 
£’000

Share 
premium 
£’000 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
 £’000

3,115

6,800

617

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Merger 
reserve 
£’000

Accumulated 
losses 
£’000

4,552

(2,670)

(508)

2,670

Total 
equity
£’000

14,576

–

(13,645)

(13,645)

–

–

–

28

–

3,115

6,800

617

1,882

(11,455)

3,115

6,800

617

1,882

(11,455)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,575

–

28

–

959

959

2,575

–

At 31 December 2018

3,115

6,800

617

1,882

(8,880)

3,534

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COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

FINANCIALS

Cash flow from operating activities

Cash (used in)/generated from operations

Interest paid

Taxation paid 

Notes

R

2018
£000

(538)

(414)

–

2017
£000

3,441

(434)

(179)

Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities

(952)

2,828

Cash flow from investing activities

Interest received

New intercompany loans  

Net cash generated from investing activities

Cash flow from financing activities

Net cash used in repayment of financing activities  

Net cash generated used in financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

139

2,550

2,689

(850)

(850)

887

(616)

271

271

–

271

(3,500)

(3,500)

(401)

(215)

(616)

K

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NOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A   GENERAL INFORMATION

The Company is incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The address of its registered office is Unit 12, Horizon Business 
Village, 1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0TJ. The registered number of the Company is 04082188.

B   ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

The separate financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS) and interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) as adopted by the 
European Union and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The financial statements 
comply with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The financial statements have been 
prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost basis of accounting, except where fair value measurement is 
required under IFRS.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. 
It also requires management to exercise judgement in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies. The 
areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumption and estimates are significant to 
the Company financial statements, are disclosed in note 4 of the Group financial statements.

GOING CONCERN 
The directors are required to make an assessment of the Company’s and Group’s ability to continue to trade as a going 
concern.

At 31 December 2018 net debt was £9.4 million (2017: £10.2 million) comprising net cash of £1.3 million 
(2017 £1.3 million) and the drawn down RCF of £10.7 million (2017: £11.5 million).

We maintain a good relationship with our bank and on 27 March 2019 an extension of the current loan agreement was 
signed with our bank. The revision secures the facility until 30 November 2020 with banking covenants and a repayment 
schedule in place.

In order to assess the appropriateness of preparing the financial statements on a going concern basis, management 
have prepared detailed projections of expected cash flows. These projections include the continued impact of cost 
reductions implemented in 2017 and 2018, margin improvement strategies and sales growth in 2019. 

As part of the review, the Board considered sensitivities with regards to the timing of revenue growth coming from the 
transition in the broadcast industry from SDI to IP platforms. It looked at sensitivities regarding the recovery of gross 
margin following the completion of the Harmonic OEM. Finally, it considered sensitivities regarding the cost reductions.

The Board have concluded that the Group will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities for the foreseeable future 
and therefore the Group and hence the Company remains a going concern.

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FINANCIALS

B   ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

INVESTMENTS
All investments are initially recorded at cost, being the fair value of consideration given including the acquisition costs 
associated with the investment. Subsequently, they are reviewed for impairment on an individual basis if events or 
changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be fully recoverable.

The Company conducted an impairment review during the year. 

In addition, there is a judgement for the Company over whether the carrying value of the investments held are fully 
recoverable. 

For impairment assessment purposes, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are largely independent 
cash inflows (cash-generating units). As a result, some assets are tested individually for impairment and some are tested 
at cash-generating unit level. Goodwill is allocated to those cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from 
synergies of a related business combination and represent the lowest level within the Group at which management 
monitors goodwill.

Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated (determined by the Group’s management as equivalent to 
its operating segments) are tested for impairment at least annually.

All other individual assets or cash-generating units are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s (or cash-generating unit’s) carrying amount 
exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value-in-use. To determine 
the value-in-use, management estimates expected future cash flows from each cash-generating unit and determines a 
suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value of those cash flows. The data used for impairment testing 
procedures are directly linked to the Group’s latest approved budget, adjusted as necessary to exclude the effects of 
future reorganisations and asset enhancements. Discount factors are determined individually for each cash-generating 
unit and reflect current market assessments of the time value of money and asset-specific risk factors.

Impairment losses for cash-generating units reduce first the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to that cash-
generating unit. Any remaining impairment loss is charged pro rata to the other assets in the cash-generating unit.

With the exception of goodwill, all assets are subsequently reassessed for indications that an impairment loss previously 
recognised may no longer exist. An impairment loss is reversed if the asset’s or cash-generating unit’s recoverable 
amount exceeds its carrying amount.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any provision for impairment.

Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working 
condition for its intended use.

Depreciation is calculated in order to write off the cost of property, plant and equipment over their estimated useful 
lives by equal annual instalments using the following rates:

Plant and computer equipment: 10 per cent – 33 per cent.

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NOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

B   ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

DEFERRED TAXATION
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences at the balance sheet date between the tax bases of assets 
and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible timing differences, carry-forward of unused tax assets and tax 
losses, to the extent that they are regarded as recoverable. They are regarded as recoverable where, on the basis 
of available evidence, there will be suitable taxable profits against which the future reversal of the underlying timing 
differences can be deducted. The carrying value of the amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet 
date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all, or 
part, of the tax asset to be utilised.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the asset is 
realised or the liability is settled, based on the tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted at the balance sheet date. 
Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis.

FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rates ruling at the 
balance sheet date and non-monetary transactions at the exchange rates ruling at the dates of the transactions. 
All differences on exchange are taken to the income statement.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS
The fair value of employee share plans is calculated using an option-pricing model. In accordance with IFRS 2 “Share-
based Payment”, the resulting cost is charged to the income statement over the vesting period of the plans. The value 
of the charge is adjusted to reflect the expected and actual levels of options vesting.

DIVIDENDS
Under IAS 10, dividends are not to be recognised as a liability until the dividend is approved by the Company’s 
shareholders.

PENSIONS
Company employees are members of money purchase schemes where the obligations of the Company are charged to 
the income statement as they are incurred.

NON-RECURRING ITEMS
These are material items excluded from management’s assessment of profit because by their nature they could distort 
the Group’s underlying quality of earnings. These are excluded to reflect performance in a consistent manner and are in 
line with how the business is managed and measured on a day-to-day basis. 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS
Please refer to Note 4 of the Group financial statements. 

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FINANCIALS

C   SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY’S AUDITOR

During the year, the Company obtained the following services from the Company’s auditor at the costs detailed below:

Analysis of fees payable to Grant Thornton UK LLP (2017: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s financial statements

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for other services:

Audit-related assurance services

Other assurance services

Taxation compliance services

Taxation advisory services

Services relating to corporate finance transactions

2018
£000

2017
£000

25

–

–

25

–

–

–

25

30

–

–

30

–

–

–

30

A description of the work of the Audit Committee is set out in the Corporate Governance Statement on pages 17 to 23 
and includes an explanation of how auditor objectivity and independence is safeguarded when non-audit services are 
provided by the auditor.

D   DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES

Staff costs (gross of recharges to subsidiary undertakings) during the year were as follows:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs – defined contribution plans (note 28)

Share-based payments (note P)

2018
£000

156

–

–

–

2017
£000

866

141

23

–

156

1,030

The monthly average number of employees employed by the Company during the year was as follows:

Average monthly number of employees

General and administrative

2018
Number

2017
Number

3

3

4

4

The average number of employees has been calculated on a pro rata basis. The average number of employees includes 
directors with service contracts. The total number of employees at 31 December 2018 was 4 (2017: 2).

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NOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

D   DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES CONTINUED

Key management compensation for the continuing business:

Short-term employee benefits – including salaries, social security costs and non-monetary 
benefits

Post-employment benefits – defined contribution pension plans

2018
£000

–

–

–

2017
£000

203

8

211

The analysis of key management compensation above includes Executive Directors. Key management is defined as 
the senior management team. The emoluments of Peter Mayhead were paid and borne by Pebble Beach Systems Ltd. 
Details of directors’ emoluments are included in the remuneration report on pages 24 to 27.

E   OPERATING LOSS

The following items have been included in arriving at the operating loss for the continuing business:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note H)

Exchange losses charged to the income statement

OTHER EXPENSES

Other expenses comprise:

– Non-recurring items

2018
£000

–

18

2018
£000

2017
£000

30

6

2017
£000

(3,285)

12,229

NON-RECURRING ITEMS
The following items are excluded from management’s assessment of profit because by their nature they could distort the 
Company’s underlying quality of earnings. They are excluded to reflect performance in a consistent manner and are in 
line with how the business is managed and measured on a day-to-day basis:

Liquidity advice and other costs

Redundancy and restructuring costs

Impairment of investment

Waiver of intercompany loan

Write-off of intercompany loans not recoverable 

2018
£000

–

(54)

(3,500)

269

2017
£000

232

620

–

8,627

2,750

(3,285)

12,229

£54,000 provided for the non-recoverability of a loan to a former employee was released to income. It is included in 
Central costs in the Group accounts. 

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F   FINANCE INCOME – NET

Finance costs – third party

Finance costs – intercompany

Finance income – third party

Finance income – intercompany

Finance expense – net

FINANCIALS

2018
£000

296

118

(1)

(138)

275

2017
£000

339

95

(33)

(238)

163

Finance costs represent interest payable on bank borrowing and interest charged on intercompany loans.

Finance income is derived from cash held on deposit and interest received on intercompany loans. 

G  

INCOME TAX CHARGE/(CREDIT)
A) ANALYSIS OF THE TAX CHARGE/(CREDIT) IN THE YEAR

Current tax

UK corporation tax

Adjustments in respect of prior years 

Total current tax

Deferred tax

UK corporation tax

Impact of change in tax rate

Total deferred tax

Total taxation

B) FACTORS AFFECTING TAX (CREDIT)/CHARGE FOR THE YEAR
The (credit)/charge for the year can be reconciled to the loss in the income statement as follows:

Profit/(loss) before tax on continuing operations

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 19.00% (2017: 19.25%)

Permanent differences

Current year losses not recognised

Effect of changes in UK tax rate

Total taxation

2018
£000

2017
£000

–

–

–

21

–

21

21

–

–

–

(17)

–

(17)

(17)

2018
£000

2017
£000

2,596

(13,663)

493

(614)

144

(2)

21

(2,630)

2,213

400

–

(17)

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NOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

H   PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Cost

At 1 January 2017

Disposals

At 1 January 2018

Disposals 

At 31 December 2018

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2017

Charge for the year

Disposals

At 1 January 2018

Disposals

At 31 December 2018

Net book value

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

At 1 January 2017

Plant and 
computer 
equipment 
£000

554

(166)

388

(388)

–

426

30

(68)

388

(388)

–

–

–

128

The directors are of the opinion that there is no material difference between the fair value and carrying value of the 
property, plant and equipment.

I  

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES 

Cost

At 1 January 2018

Additions

Disposals

At 31 December 2018

Provision for impairment

At 1 January 2018

Additions 

Disposals

At 31 December 2018

Net book value

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

Investments in 
subsidiaries’ 
unlisted shares
£000

26,507

–

–

26,507

13,627

–

–

13,627

12,880

12,880

The net book value represents an estimate of the recoverable amount of the underlying net assets of the investment in 
the Group’s subsidiary undertakings. 

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J   TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Amounts owed by Group undertakings

Trade receivables

Other debtors

Prepayments and accrued income

FINANCIALS

2018
£000

4,974

–

30

21

2017
£000

4,836

10

–

24

5,025

4,870

Amounts owed by Group undertakings includes loans of £5.0 million (2017: £4.8 million) that bear interest at 2.75 per 
cent which are repayable on demand.

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified model of recognising lifetime expected credit losses for all trade receivables as 
these items do not have a significant financing component.

In measuring the expected credit losses, the trade receivables have been assessed on a collective basis as they possess 
shared credit risk characteristics. They have been grouped based on the days past due and also according to the 
geographical location of customers.

K   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and bank balances

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

Cash and cash equivalents

Bank overdrafts (note M)

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

2018
£000

271

271

2018
£000

271

–

271

2017
£000

(616)

(616)

2017
£000

10

(626)

(616)

Cash and cash equivalents include the following for the purpose of cash flows:

The credit quality of the cash and cash equivalents that are not impaired can be assessed by reference to the external 
credit ratings of the banks where the deposits are held.

Credit rating (S&P)

A-1

Total

2018
£000

271

271

2017
£000

(616)

(616)

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NOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

K   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS CONTINUED

Reconciliation of increase in cash and cash equivalents to movement in net cash:

2018

2017

Net cash
and cash
equivalents
£000

Other
borrowings
£000

Total
net cash
£000

Net cash
and cash
equivalents
£000

Other
borrowings
£000

Total
net cash
£000

At 1 January

(616)

(11,500)

(12,116)

(215)

(15,000)

(15,215)

Cash flow for the year 

Movement in borrowings  
in the year

Dividend paid

Cash and cash equivalents  
at 31 December

1,737

(850)

–

–

850

–

1,737

3,099

–

3,099

–

–

(3,500)

3,500

–

–

–

–

271

(10,650)

(10,379)

(616)

(11,500)

(12,116)

L   TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 

Trade creditors

Amounts owed to Group undertakings

Taxation and social security costs

Accruals and deferred income

M   CURRENT TAX LIABILITIES

UK corporation tax

N   DEFERRED TAXATION

2018
£000

248

3,331

–

413

2017
£000

45

3,874

137

640

3,992

4,696

2018
£000

–

–

2017
£000

–

–

Deferred tax is calculated in full on temporary differences under the liability method using a tax rate appropriate to 
the country in which the deferred tax liability or asset has arisen. Deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect 
of all tax losses and other temporary differences to the extent that they are regarded as more likely than not to be 
recoverable against future profits.

From 1 April 2020, the corporation tax rate will be 17 per cent. The 17 per cent rate was substantively enacted on  
7 September 2016 and hence deferred tax assets are calculated at 17 per cent. 

At 1 January 2018

Charge to profit or loss

At 31 December 2018

Accelerated tax 
depreciation 
£000

 Losses 
£000

 Other 
£000

21

(21)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 Total
£000 

21

(21)

–

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O   BANK LOANS 

Current:

Bank loans and overdrafts (secured)

Non-current:

Bank loans (secured)

FINANCIALS

2018
£000

2017
£000

1,100

1,626

9,550

10,500

Further information about these facilities is given in note 20 of the Group financial statements.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Numerical financial instrument disclosures are set out below. Additional disclosures are set out in the accounting policies 
(note 2).

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BY CATEGORY 

Assets as per statement of financial position at 31 December

Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments and contract assets  

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

2018
Receivables
£000

2017
Receivables
£000

4,974

271

5,245

4,846

10

4,856

There are no financial assets that are pledged as collateral for liabilities or contingent liabilities.

2018
Other 
financial 
liabilities 
at amortised 
cost
 £000 

2017
Other 
financial 
liabilities 
at amortised 
cost
 £000 

Liabilities as per statement of financial position at 31 December

Trade and other payables excluding contract liabilities and social security liabilities

Borrowings

Total

P   CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL

3,992

10,650

14,642

Authorised ordinary shares of 2.5 pence each at 31 December

200,000

5,000

200,000

Number
’000s

2018
£000

Number
’000s

4,559

12,126

16,685

2017
£000

5,000

Allotted and fully paid:

31 December

POTENTIAL ISSUE OF SHARES
The Company has the following share-based payment schemes:

124,603

3,115

124,603

3,115

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NOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

P   CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL CONTINUED
A) EXECUTIVE SHARE OPTION SCHEMES
Executive share options are granted at a fixed exercise price equal to the market price of the shares under option 
at the date of grant. The contractual life of an option is ten years. Awards are at the discretion of the Remuneration 
Committee. Options will become exercisable on the third anniversary of the date of grant. Exercise of an option is 
subject to continued employment. There are no performance criteria attached to the options granted in 2006, 2007 
and 2012.

No executive options were granted during 2018 (2017: nil). 

Certain senior executives hold options to subscribe for shares in the Company at 54.0 pence under the share option 
schemes approved by shareholders.

The number of shares subject to options and the exercise prices are:

Date of grant

14 May 2015

Exercise 
price

 Exercise period

54.0p 01/04/18 – 13/05/25

2018 
Number
’000s

2017 
Number
’000s

–

–

1,184

1,184

A reconciliation of executive option movements over the year is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year

Lapsed during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

2018
 Weighted
average
exercise
price 

54.0p

54.0p

–

–

 Number 
 ’000s 

1,184

1,184

–

–

2017
 Weighted
average
exercise
price 

54.8p

55.8p

54.0p

–

 Number 
 ’000s 

2,050

866

1,184

–

No options were exercised in 2018 (2017: nil). No options were outstanding at 31 December 2018.

B) LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (LTIP)
Options have been granted as nil cost options under this scheme. The options granted under this scheme are generally 
exercisable at the end of the performance period and for seven years thereafter. Awards under this scheme are 
reserved for employees at senior management level and above. If an employee leaves the employment of the Group, 
a proportion of his award may be deemed to have vested, subject to satisfying any performance conditions and at the 
discretion of the Remuneration Committee.

Awards under the LTIP scheme are subject to performance criteria, the scales relating to which will be determined 
annually by the Remuneration Committee. Details of the performance criteria are disclosed in the Remuneration Report.

No new LTIP options were granted during the year.

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FINANCIALS

P   CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL CONTINUED

The number of shares subject to LTIP options and the exercise prices are:

Date of grant

12 November 2013

03 June 2014

Share price
at award
date

 Vesting date

48.5p 12 November 2016

45.1p

03 June 2017

2018 
Number
’000s

2017 
Number
’000s

–

100

100

2,000

150

2,150

A reconciliation of LTIP option movements over the year is shown below:

Outstanding at beginning of year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

2018
 Weighted
average
share price 
at the date 
of grant 

48.2p

48.4p

–

45.1p

2017
 Weighted
average
share price 
at the date 
of grant 

46.8p

44.4p

45.1p

48.2p

 Number 
 ’000s 

3,381

(931)

(300)

2,150

 Number 
 ’000s 

2,150

2,050

–

100

There were 100,000 LTIP options that were exercisable at the end of the year (2017: 2,150,000).

The weighted average contractual life remaining on the LTIP options outstanding at 31 December 2018 is 5.4 years 
(2017: 5.8 years).

At 31 December 2018 the trustee of the Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) held 126,496 shares (2017: 126,496) 
with a market value of £Nil (2017: £Nil). The net book value of these shares was £Nil (2017: £Nil) and was deducted from 
equity. 

During the year 2,050,000 LTIP shares were forfeited as a result of employees leaving the Group. 

C) SHARE OPTIONS – VALUE OF EMPLOYEE SERVICES
The Company recognised a total credit of £242,621 (2017: £463,840) related to cash-settled share based payment 
transactions in the income statement in the year, following the Board’s decision that no payments are due under Pebble 
Beach Systems Value Creation Plan.

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NOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Q   RESERVES

At 1 January 2018

Loss for the financial year

At 31 December 2018

Ordinary
shares
£000

3,115

–

Share 
premium 
£000

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000

6,800

–

3,115

6,800

617

–

617

R   CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Reconciliation of loss before taxation to net cash flows from operating activities.

Loss before tax

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

Impairment of investment

Impairment of intercompany loans

Share-based payment expense

Finance income

Finance costs

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

Decrease in trade and other payables

Net cash used in operating activities

Merger 
reserve 
£000

Accumulated 
losses 
£000

1,882

(11,455)

–

(904)

1,882

(12,359)

2018
£000

2017
£000

(904)

(13,662)

–

–

–

269

–

(139)

414

(17)

(161)

(538)

30

111

8,627

2,750

28

(271)

434

6,730

(1,336)

3,441

S   CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS

The Company is party to a cross-guarantee to secure bank borrowings and facilities for credit cards, bonds and 
guarantees to certain members of the Group. At 31 December 2018, there was £10.7 million of bank borrowings 
outstanding (2017: £11.5 million).

The Company has no capital expenditure contracted for but not provided at 31 December 2018 (2017: £Nil).

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FINANCIALS

T   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

The subsidiaries of the Group which are unlisted unless otherwise indicated, are shown below. 

The following subsidiaries are included in the Group’s consolidated results. 

Proportion 
of ordinary 
shares held 
by the Group

100%

Principal activity

Country of 
incorporation 
and 
operation 

Management holding 
company

UK

100%

Non-trading company UK

100%

Dormant Company**

UK

Legacy Broadcast 
Group Holdings 
Limited*
Legacy Broadcast 
International Limited 
(incorporating the 
business of Advent 
Communications, 
Link Research and 
Gigawave)
Amplifier Technology 
Limited

Pebble Beach Systems 
Limited

100%

Pebble Broadcast 
Systems, Inc.

100%

Legacy Broadcast 
Holdings Limited

100%

Software service, 
video capture and 
playout provider for the 
broadcast industry
Software service, 
video capture and 
playout provider for the 
broadcast industry**
Holding company

UK

USA

UK

Continental  
Microwave Limited

Legacy Broadcast 
Technology Limited

100%

Dormant Company**

UK

100%

Dormant Company**

UK

Link Research Limited

100%

Dormant Company**

UK

Legacy Broadcast 
Communications 
Limited
Advent 
Communications 
Limited
Multipoint 
Communications 
Limited
Legacy Broadcast 
Limited
Gigawave Limited

100%

Dormant Company**

UK

100%

Dormant Company**

UK

100%

Dormant Company**

UK

100%

100%

Dormant Company**

UK

Dormant Company**

UK

*Owned directly by the Company
**Unaudited

Registered office 

Unit 12, Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, 
Surrey KT13 0TJ, England
Unit 12, Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, 
Surrey KT13 0TJ, England

Unit 12, Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, 
Surrey KT13 0TJ, England
Unit 12, Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, 
Surrey KT13 0TJ, England

200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, 
Newark, Delaware 19713, USA

Unit 12, Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, 
Surrey KT13 0TJ, England
Unit 12, Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, 
Surrey KT13 0TJ, England
Unit 12, Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, 
Surrey KT13 0TJ, England
Unit 12, Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, 
Surrey KT13 0TJ, England
Unit 12, Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, 
Surrey KT13 0TJ, England
Unit 12, Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, 
Surrey KT13 0TJ, England
Unit 12, Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, 
Surrey KT13 0TJ, England
Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, 
Dublin 2, Ireland
Unit 12, Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, 
Surrey KT13 0TJ, England

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ANALYSIS OF SHAREHOLDERS

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2018

Holding size range

0–1,000

1,001–5,000

5,001–10,000

10,001–100,000

Over 100,000

Number of 
shareholders

Percentage
of total 
shareholders

Number of
shares 
(000)

Percentage 
of issued 
share capital

3,521

1,852

284

213

71

59.0

31.2

5.0

3.6

1.2

5,941

100.0

1,559

4,186

2,131

6,532

110,195

124,603

1.25

3.36

1.71

5.24

88.44

100.0

WARNING TO SHAREHOLDERS: BOILER ROOM SCAMS
Many companies have become aware that their shareholders have received unsolicited phone calls or correspondence 
concerning investment matters. These are typically from overseas-based “brokers” who target UK shareholders, offering 
to sell them what often turn out to be worthless or high-risk shares in US or UK investments. These operations are 
commonly known as “boiler rooms”. These “brokers” can be very persistent and extremely persuasive. 

The directors have been made aware that approaches have been made to Pebble Beach Systems Group plc 
shareholders. Shareholders are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount or 
offers of free company reports.

More detailed information on this or similar activity can be found on the FCA website http://www.fca.org.uk/ or by 
calling the FCA Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768.

94

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SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

COMPANY INFORMATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JOHN VARNEY
Independent Non-Executive Chairman

ROBIN HOWE
Senior Independent Non-Executive 
Director  
Remuneration Committee Chairman 
Audit Committee Chairman

GRAHAM PITMAN
Non-Executive Director 

PETER MAYHEAD 
Group Chief Executive Officer 

REGISTERED OFFICE
12 Horizon Business Village 
1 Brooklands Road 
Weybridge 
Surrey 
KT13 0TJ

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER
04082188 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
GRANT THORNTON UK LLP
3140 Rowan Place 
John Smith Drive 
Oxford  
OX4 2WB

BANKERS 
SANTANDER CORPORATE BANKING 
2 Triton Square 
Regent’s Place 
London 
NW1 3AN

LEGAL ADVISERS 
PINSENT MASONS LLP
3 Colmore Circus 
Birmingham  
B4 6BH

REGISTRARS 
COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR  
SERVICES PLC
The Pavilions 
Bridgwater Road 
Bristol  
BS13 8AE

NOMINATED ADVISER AND BROKER 
N+1 SINGER ADVISORY LLP
One Bartholomew Lane 
London  
EC2N 2AX

SHAREHOLDER QUERIES
All queries regarding shareholdings, dividends, lost share certificates or changes of address should be communicated in 
writing to Pebble Beach Systems Group plc, c/o Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, 
Bristol BS13 8AE, stating the registered shareholder’s name and address. 

Telephone: 0370 703 6270.

Shareholders may also check their shareholding, dividend payments or update their personal details via the Investor Services 
section of the Registrars’ website at www.computershare.com. This is a secure section of the Computershare website. 
To access your details you will require the unique Shareholder Reference Number, found on the corresponding share 
certificate.

SHAREHOLDER ECOMS
WEBSITE
For further up-to-date shareholder information, please visit www.pebbleplc.com.

NEWS ALERTS
To receive the latest news announcements and press releases by email please visit www.pebbleplc.com and follow the link to 
the news and events/email alerts page to register your details. 

UNSOLICITED MAIL 
The Company is required by law to make its share register available on request to the public and organisations which may use 
it as a mailing list, resulting in shareholders receiving unsolicited mail. Shareholders wishing to limit the receipt of such mail 
should write to the Mailing Preference Service, DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London W1W 8SS or register online at  
www.mpsonline.org.uk.

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www.pebbleplc.com  Stock code: PEB

95

Pebble Beach Systems Group plc 

A global software and technology business, specialising in world leading automation,  

channel in a box, integrated and virtualised playout technology for the broadcast markets.

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

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