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FY2021 Annual Report · Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
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Pebble Beach Systems Group plc 

A leading global software business specialising in playout automation and content  
management solutions for the broadcast and streaming service markets.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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Pebble Beach Systems Group plc  
Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2021 
www.pebbleplc.com Stock code: PEB

30840 

  16 May 2022 4:27 pm 

  v5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS

STRATEGY

1

2–4

5–11

Business Overview

Non-Executive Chairman’s Statement

Strategic Report

GOVERNANCE

12–13

The Board 

14–17

Directors’ Report 

18–24

Corporate Governance Statement

25–28

Remuneration Report

FINANCIALS 

29–40

Independent Auditor’s Report  
To The Members of Pebble Beach Systems Group plc

41

42

43

44

45

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

46–80

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

81

82

83

84

Company Income Statement

Company Statement of Financial Position

Company Statement of Changes  
in Shareholders’ Equity

Company Statement of Cash Flows

85–97

Notes to the Company Financial Statements

COMPANY INFORMATION

98

99

Analysis of Shareholders

Shareholder Information 

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BUSINESS OVERVIEW

PEBBLE BEACH SYSTEMS GROUP PLC 
Pebble Beach Systems Group plc (Pebble) is incorporated in England (company 
registration number 04082188) and has its registered office at 12 Horizon 
Business Village, 1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge KT13 0TJ. The Group comprises 
Pebble Beach Systems Limited and its subsidiary companies. 

Pebble is a world leader in designing and delivering automation, integrated 
channel and virtualised playout software solutions, with scalable products 
designed for applications of all sizes. Founded in 2000, Pebble has commissioned 
systems in more than 70 countries, with proven installations ranging from single 
up to over 150 channels in operation, and around 2,000 channels currently on air 
under the control of its automation technology. An innovative, agile company, 
Pebble is focused on discovering its customers’ requirements and pain points, 
designing solutions which will address these elegantly and efficiently, and 
delivering and supporting these professionally and in accordance with its users’ 
needs. 

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
•  Strong performance as business successfully adapted to the Covid pandemic 
with revenue up 27% on 2020. Recurring revenue from support contracts up 
15% to £4.6 million, being 43% of total revenue

•  Order intake was up 75% on 2020 and when adjusting for Covid-related 

delays order intake was still up circa 17%. 

•  Increased investment in new digital platform to establish all-IP workflows

•  Strategic move to a fully remote working organisation in July 2021 delivering 

operational benefits in terms of resilience, organisational growth and 
performance. Won the UK Company Culture Award for “Remote Team of the 
Year” in April 2022

•  Reduced long-term bank debt by a further £1m with net debt at year end of 

£5.9 million (2020: £7.7 million)

•  Bank facilities re-negotiated in April 2022 with term loan facility to 30 

September 2024

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www.pebbleplc.com  Stock code: PEB

01

STRATEGYNON–EXECUTIVE  
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION
I am very pleased to be reporting on 
a year of significant achievement for 
the Group.

Throughout 2021 we saw our 
customers’ confidence return and 
investment decisions that were put on 
hold during 2020 were clearly being re-
initiated, resulting in order intake rising 
75% to £13.7 million. A proportion 
of this growth can be attributed to 
the understandable delays to orders 
in 2020 that came through in 2021, 
however, underlying order growth 
delivered in the year was c.17%.

Observations of the market’s priorities 
during 2021 have reaffirmed our 
strongly held view that our current 
mission to support broadcasters 
by providing technology solutions 
to facilitate their transition from 
traditional broadcast infrastructure to 
more flexible IP-based technologies is 
strategically correct. Consequently, we 
again increased the level of investment 
in our new digital platform, Oceans, 
which has all the benefits of a cloud 
native environment allowing our 
customers to establish all-IP workflows 
whilst retaining their ability to utilise 
investment made in our existing 
installed solutions. 

We have demonstrated that our 
ability to operate successfully in the 
context of the Covid pandemic is 
fully sustainable and, when coupled 
with the strategic decision to adopt a 
remote working model, positions us as 
a strong, resilient organisation that is 
responsive to our customers’ needs.

In April 2022, we were delighted to 
win the UK Company Culture Award 
for “Remote Team of the Year”. This 
achievement is a testimony to the 
huge efforts every employee has 
made since our move to fully remote 
working in 2021. It is recognition of 
the success of our operating model 

changes and keeps the momentum 
behind the continued improvements 
we are making as we realise our vision 
to ensure equality of opportunity for all 
employees. 

FINANCIAL RESULTS
Revenue was up 27% at £10.6 million 
(2020: £8.4 million) including recurring 
revenue from support contracts up 
15% to £4.6 million (2020: £4.0 million). 
Recurring revenue represents 43% of 
total revenue and provides greater 
visibility of future years’ forecasts.

Gross profit was £8.1 million at a 
margin of 77% (2020: £6.4 million at a 
margin of 77%).

Adjusted EBITDA was £3.3 million 
(2020: £2.7 million), representing 31% 
of revenue (2020: 32%). 

Conversion of profit to cash remained 
strong in 2021, with 116% of Adjusted 
EBITDA converted to cash generated 
from operations (2020: 93%) allowing 
investment in new products and 
services at the same time as continuing 
to reduce our levels of debt.

We continue to view investment in 
the development of new products 
and services as key to future 
growth and continue to innovate by 
investing in new technologies. In the 
year, we capitalised £1.5 million of 
development costs (amortised £0.9 
million), (2020: capitalised £1.3 million) 
(amortised £0.8 million). To evidence 
this, R&D expenditure as a proportion 
of revenue was 19% (2020: 20.8%).

Net finance costs remained level in 
2021 reflecting the Group’s pay-down 
of £1.0 million of its revolving credit 
facility (“RCF”) and a marginally 
reduced interest rate of 3.58% (2020: 
3.64%) offsetting the impact of interest 
costs in the United States.

The profit before tax for the year was 
£1.5 million (2020: £1.1 million). The 
adjusted earnings per share was 1.2p 
(2020: 1.1p)

Net debt (excluding IFRS 16 leases) 
at the year-end was reduced by 
£1.8 million to £5.9 million (2020: 
£7.7 million), comprising a much-
improved cash position at year end of 
£1.6 million (2020: £0.8 million) and 
debt of £7.5 million (2020: £8.5 million).

NEW TERM LOAN APRIL 2022
We enjoy a good relationship and 
regular communication with our bank, 
Santander, who remain very supportive 
of our strategy to invest in developing 
our new technology solutions. Post 
period end, on 13 April 2022, we 
were delighted to sign a new term 
loan facility, refinancing the existing 
£7.15 million RCF agreement. The 
new term loan secures a £7.15 million 
facility until 30 September 2024, with 
revised financial covenants and a 
repayment schedule consistent with 
previous years. 

MARKET POSITIONING
Pebble is a leading global software 
business specialising in playout 
automation and content management 
solutions for broadcast and streaming 
services markets.

The main sector within the media 
tech market that is served by Pebble’s 
software is the playout automation 
market. Within this sector, the 
customers that we principally interact 
with are broadcasters, either directly 
or through service providers who 
deliver playout services to those 
broadcasters, many of whom are 
global organisations. These customers 
include companies such as Fox News, 
CNBC, IMG, Phoenix Television and 
Globosat Canais. In addition to playout 
automation, Pebble’s other core 
software technology is the Integrated 
Channel solution.  

02

Pebble Beach Systems Group plc Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

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These solutions have been designed 
to support broadcasters and service 
providers to deliver their scheduled 
content in a reliable and secure way. 
As downtime is not acceptable in the 
broadcast industry, playout software 
is exceptional at flagging any issues, 
creating backup channels (redundancy) 
and providing disaster recovery.

One of Pebble’s key strengths is 
an ability to focus on collaboration 
with customers to determine their 
requirements and design solutions 
which address their needs elegantly 
and efficiently. During the lifecycle of 
the software solution, we deliver full 
support services in accordance with 
customer requirements.

Pebble’s existing solutions consist of: 

Automation: highly scalable enterprise 
level software solution for broadcasters 
or service providers with complex 
workflow requirements built around 
best-of-breed technology. The software 
allows flexible deployment either on 
premises, on virtual machines or in the 
cloud with exceptional levels of system 
resiliency.

Automation Lite: a simpler software 
offering optimised to allow control of 
up to six channels, offering best-of-
breed functionality at an entry-level 
price. 

Integrated Channel: under the control 
of our Automation software this 
solution provides a one-stop-shop for 
channel playout offering audio, video 
and graphics functionality. Hosted on 
powerful servers, the software provides 
all the functionality of a traditional 
broadcast chain. 

Virtualised Playout: a software-only 
implementation of the Integrated 
Channel solution, with the ability to 
host channels in a private data centre 
or public cloud. Virtualised Playout can 
launch and decommission channels 

for short term requirements and host 
operational infrastructure in a standard 
data centre environment. 

Playout in a box: a compact playout 
solution, combining a ‘best of breed’ 
approach with an affordable price 
point but without the need for high 
levels of flexibility. Controlling up to six 
channels the self-contained Playout in a 
box solution is suitable for new market 
entrants, for testing new channels, or 
as a backup or disaster recovery system 
for a smaller channel. 

In addition to these core technology 
solutions, Pebble also provides 
applications with discrete functionality. 
The current range includes: 

Pebble Remote: secure, real-time 
access to the playout environment 
from anywhere, anytime. It is easy to 
use with intuitive interfaces and aimed 
at anyone with a Pebble solution who 
is seeking to control, monitor and 
manage channels remotely. 

Pebble Control: a recent release 
providing connection management of 
IP devices suitable for TV stations, OB 
trucks, production houses or anywhere 
that uses IP workflows. Control is 
providing Pebble with the opportunity 
to enter new markets outside of the 
automation space.

Orchestration: a soon to be released 
tool for the design and management 
of complex workflows. The first fully 
Oceans-native capability initially 
focussed on replacing and significantly 
enhancing the file management 
capability provided by the Pebble’s 
current Automation software. 

MARKET OPPORTUNITY AND 
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT 
ROADMAP
We are very focused on recognising 
Pebble’s core strengths and technical 
capability to ensure we continue to 
enhance our portfolio of software 

solutions to meet the evolving 
requirements of our customers. An 
industry report from June 2020, 
commented that the top “Media Tech 
Priorities” for the industry were: multi-
platform content delivery, 4K/UHD 
production, IP infrastructure, remote 
production and cloud-based solutions. 
Our directors believe that Pebble’s 
current range of solutions, together 
with the progress being made against 
its product roadmap, will ensure that 
our technology offering will continue to 
be meet these priorities:

MULTI-PLATFORM CONTENT 
DELIVERY

For Pebble, multi-platform content 
delivery is its ability to deliver complex 
workflows, Video On Demand, OTT 
and On-demand. During the year, 
we supported TV2 Denmark, who 
acquired rights for major sporting 
events including the Tour de France, 
Wimbledon and the Euros, with their 
OTT service “TV 2 Play”. We continue 
to invest in the development of our 
Orchestration Engine, responding to 
this type of market demand.

4K/UHD PRODUCTION 

4K and UHD TV global sales have 
consistently increased since 2014 
according to recent industry statistics, 
and it is our belief that this area 
is becoming a priority within the 
broadcast sector. Pebble has UHD 
installations such as the installation 
at IMG Studios, a state-of-the-art 
broadcast production and worldwide 
distribution facility based near London. 
Currently, these growing signal 
complexities are addressed through 
expensive third-party hardware but in 
future, Pebble’s product development 
roadmap is focused on an in-house 
developed cloud-based media 
processing engine, to remove the 
dependency on third-party hardware. 

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www.pebbleplc.com  Stock code: PEB

03

STRATEGYNON–EXECUTIVE  
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

BOARD CHANGES
As previously announced on 4 May 
2021, we were pleased to appoint 
Chris Errington to the Board as 
Non-Executive Director.  

TRADING OUTLOOK
The current financial year has started 
in line with expectations. Pebble 
has demonstrated its resilience 
throughout the global pandemic and 
more recently in its response to the 
ongoing supply chain stresses and the 
Ukrainian conflict. We are confident in 
our strategy and encouraged by the 
increasing level of recurring revenue 
and the continued strengthening of the 
balance sheet.

Fundamentally, the business is in good 
shape and we remain focussed on 
ensuring we provide our customers 
with the technology and high level of 
service that they expect from Pebble. 
We will continue to invest in enhancing 
our solutions and we look forward to 
the future with optimism.

John Varney  
Non-Executive Chairman  
4 May 2022

Having regard to the key trends 
being seen in the industry, and the 
undoubted market opportunity 
before it, the Board remains focussed 
on delivering against its product 
development roadmap of:

(i) Oceans Automation; an automation 
only capability to replace the current 
playout automation offering with a 
secure cloud-native solution. 

(ii) Media Processing Engine; to 
reduce the requirement for hardware 
to provide video playout capability. By 
developing a software solution, this will 
enable Pebble to provide a fully cloud 
native integrated channel capability. 

(iii) Pebble Control; by accelerating the 
ongoing development of its IP control 
tool, the directors believe that this will 
provide the opportunity to target the 
product into any market requiring IP 
network-based device control.

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

The details of this review are covered in 
the Directors’ Report on page 17 and 
the Notes to the Financial Statements 
on page 46. The Board concluded, 
from its thorough assessment of the 
detailed forecasts, that the Group 
will have sufficient resources to meet 
its liabilities during the review period 
through to 31 December 2023 and that 
it is appropriate that the Group and the 
Company prepare accounts on a going 
concern basis.

IP INFRASTRUCTURE

IP infrastructure has been an area of 
focus for Pebble for some time, and 
we continue to cement our position 
as the experts in IP. Our customers 
are typically either transitioning to IP 
infrastructure from the legacy, SDI, 
or are implementing IP infrastructure 
in a new broadcasting facility, and 
Pebble supports both. Pebble 
Control, is a software solution for 
device configuration and monitoring, 
designed with security at its core. In the 
future, Pebble’s Ocean’s platform will 
be hosting an automation engine that 
is IP-native, allowing full, public-cloud 
deployment. 

REMOTE PRODUCTION

At the beginning of 2020, coronavirus 
lockdowns across the world pushed a 
surge in remote working across many 
industries globally, the broadcast 
industry included. Our web-based 
monitoring software, Pebble Remote, 
gives customers secure, real-time 
access from anywhere allowing 
Pebble to successfully deliver against 
customers’ needs as they shifted to 
geographically dispersed operations. 

CLOUD COMPUTE

Pebble is also seeking to better 
address the Cloud Compute priority. 
We believe the move to remote 
working has accelerated the move 
to the cloud. Over 50 percent of 
broadcasters have already deployed 
some form of cloud-based technology 
with 40 percent stating they are likely 
to continue adoption according to data 
from the IABM. At present, Pebble’s 
technology can be utilised through 
the cloud for storage and hosting 
capabilities. To further enhance our 
offering, the Oceans platform is being 
designed to provide customers with 
software that is fundamentally cloud-
centric. 

04

Pebble Beach Systems Group plc Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

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STRATEGIC REPORT

Our overall strategy is to grow the business through the reinvestment of funds generated by improved operational 
effectiveness in the development of new software solutions designed for cloud native environments.

MISSION

OBJECTIVES

2022 STRATEGY

Our Mission

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 Grow the 
Business 

•  Double the revenue of the business in five 

years

•  Be the go-to organisation for technology 
transition to IP-based media facilities

•  Develop our solutions to not be restricted to 
any single source of third party technology

•  Acquire additional technologies

•  Address emerging SaaS opportunities

•  Expand our target market beyond playout

Reduce Net Debt 

•  To maintain continued support from our bank

•  Continue to reduce net debt in 2022

•  Focus on end user needs

•  Target global customers looking to realise 

the benefits of IP based technologies whilst 
continuing to leverage their historic SDI 
investment 

•  Provide technology and services which can 

be tailored to our customer needs

We will continue to grow by finding new 
customers through the creation of a business 
development function to support sales and 
focus on expansion into APAC 

•  We will facilitate the industry adoption of IP 

and reinforce our leading technology position 
in the market by launching a ‘Freemium’ 
version of Pebble Control and adding control 
functionality to the application.

•  We will begin the next step towards the 

realisation of our vision to provide a SaaS 
platform by formulating a roadmap and 
commencing development 

•  We will successfully transform to a Remote 
Only operating model that supports our 
company culture ensuring all open roles are 
filled with the best possible talent 

•  On 13 April 2022 a new term loan facility was 
agreed through to 30 September 2024. The 
strategy is to continue to generate strong 
operating cash flows to service the debt

Shareholder 
confidence

•  Continue to increase shareholder value 

•  Continue to drive higher recurring revenues 

and keep a focus on cash flows

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www.pebbleplc.com  Stock code: PEB

05

STRATEGYSTRATEGIC REPORT

WHAT WE DO 
Pebble, is a leading provider of 
software and solutions to broadcasters 
and streaming service providers 
worldwide. 

OUR KEY STRENGTHS  
•  Remote operating model with a 
global, highly-skilled and flexible 
employee base

•  Proven technology

OUR INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
Our solutions enable our customers to:

•  Specialist technical expertise

•  Ability to overcome complex 

challenges

•  Open, pragmatic approach

•  Strong partnerships 

•  Deploy on premises, or in a private 

or public cloud

•  Evolve to integrated channel 

technology and virtualised playout

•  Benefit from specialist third party 

software technology 

•  Control best of breed devices 

•  Integrate with legacy systems and 

devices

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. Key customers include 
Fox News, USA; CNBC – UK, S Africa, 
Pakistan; SVT, Sweden; YLE, Finland; 
IMG, UK; Bloomberg, UK; MTG 
Sweden; Phoenix Television, Hong 
Kong; Orbit Showtime Network, UAE; 
Globosat Canais, Brazil; ZDF, Germany; 
TBN, USA; AMC Networks, USA; 
SES, Israel, UK and Germany; SRF, 
Switzerland; TV Globo, Brazil. Pebble’s 
website is: http://www.pebble.tv.

Customers are reached through 
direct sales and partnerships with 
value-added resellers and systems 
integrators. The Group remains the 
principal in all contracts. Whilst both 
are often focused on market sectors, 
they share knowledge of customer 
requirements and market trends, and 
offer local support where needed.

06

Pebble Beach Systems Group plc Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

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FINANCIAL REVIEW

Revenue 
Gross profit 
Gross margin %
Adjusted EBITDA
Net liabilities 
Net debt
Reported earnings per share

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

KPI MEASURE

CUSTOMERS

Order intake

Revenue

PROFITABLE GROWTH

2021
£m

13.7

10.6

2020
£m

7.8

8.4

2021
£m
10.6
8.1
76.6%
3.3
(1.9)
5.9
1.2p

2020
£m
8.4
6.4
76.6%
2.7
(3.5)
7.7
1.0p

Change
%
26.5%
26.5%
0.0pts
22.9%
43.8%
(25.1)%
13.2%

%  

Change  DEFINITION/CALCULATION

75.2% •  Order intake is a measure of new business secured 
during the year and represents firm orders

26.5% •  Revenue provides a measure of work delivered and 

is the key measure of growth 

Adjusted EBITDA

3.3

2.7

22.9% •  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating profit 

before depreciation, amortisation and impairment 
of acquired intangibles, amortisation of capitalised 
development costs, share based payment expense, 
non-recurring items and exchange gains or losses 
charged to the income statement

Adjusted earnings  
per share (pence) 

1.2p

1.1p

9.4% •  Adjusted earnings per share is calculated on the 

same basis as basic earnings per share except 
for the adding back of the after–tax effect of the 
adjustments for amortisation and impairment of 
acquired intangibles, share based payment expense 
and exchange gains and losses

Adjusted EBITDA margin

30.9%

31.8%

(0.9pts) •  Adjusted EBITDA in the financial year, divided by 

revenue for the financial year

Profit before tax

1.5

1.1

36.7% •  Profit for the year after all costs but before taxation 

on profit.

INNOVATION

R&D expenditure as a 
proportion of revenue

19.0%

20.8%

(1.8pts) •  Calculated as capitalised development costs less 

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

TAXATION
There was a net tax charge for the year for continuing operations of £Nil (2020: credit of £0.2 million). The current tax charge 
in the year was £Nil (2020: £Nil). This is principally as a result of R&D tax credits in the UK. There was a deferred tax credit of 
£Nil (2020: £0.2 million).

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www.pebbleplc.com  Stock code: PEB

07

STRATEGYSTRATEGIC REPORT
FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

INTANGIBLE ASSETS IMPAIRMENT
In accordance with the requirements of IAS 36 ‘Impairment of assets’, intangible assets are 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 2021 is £3.2 million (2020: £3.2 million) which relates solely to Pebble Beach 
Systems Limited.

The carrying value of capitalised development costs at 31 December 2021 is £2.4 million (2020: £1.8 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 2021 is summarised as follows:

Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Net current liabilities excluding cash
Other non-current liabilities
Net liabilities excluding cash
Cash and cash equivalents 
Net liabilities

2021
£m
5.6
0.4
(3.1)
(6.4)
(3.5)
1.6
(1.9)

CASH FLOWS
The Group held cash and cash equivalents of £1.6 million at 31 December 2021 (2020: £0.8 million). The table below 
summarises the cash flows for the year.

Net cash generated from operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash 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

2021
£m
3.4
(1.6)
(1.0)
0.8
0.8
1.6

2020
£m
5.0
1.2
(2.7)
(7.8)
(4.3)
0.8
(3.5)

2020
£m
2.1
(1.4)
(1.0)
(0.3)
1.1
0.8

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
The cash generated from operations of £3.8 million (see note 24), represented a 116 per cent conversion of the adjusted 
EBITDA. This compares with £2.5 million and a conversion rate of 93 per cent in 2020.

The cash outflow from investing activities amounted to £1.6 million (2020: £1.4 million) which comprised £1.5 million in 
respect of the capitalisation of development costs (2020: £1.3 million) and £0.1 million in respect of capital expenditure 
(2020: £0.1 million).

The cash outflow from financing activities amounted to £1.0 million (2020 £1.0 million) which is wholly comprised of the 
repayment of bank loans.

RETURNS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2021 (2020: Nil pence). 

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PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Group is exposed to a number of risks in its everyday business, and in order to minimise those risks policies and 
procedures are in place and are 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

The ability to continue to trade and meet liabilities 
when they fall due whilst meeting the covenants 
required by the term loan facility.

The bank continues to show support with a new term 
loan facility signed 13 April 2022. This is a refinancing 
of the existing RCF and secures the funding until 
30 September 2024, with financial covenants and a 
repayment schedule consistent with prior years. 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 strong 
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 market.

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.

PEOPLE

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

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

SUPPLY DISRUPTION 

A combination of the Coronavirus pandemic and the 
additional burden of Brexit have combined to create 
supply chain disruptions. 

We invest significantly in new product and technology 
development which enables the business to meet the 
changing needs of our customers.

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

Our people are the Group’s biggest asset and 
we invest in attracting, developing and retaining 
experienced staff through increased investment 
in training and organisational development. Our 
transition to a remote working model during 2021 
is capturing benefits for our employees whilst still 
providing opportunities for them to meet in person.

The business transitioned to remote working very 
successfully and has taken the strategic decision to 
become a remote working organisation. We initially 
experienced delays from our customers making 
investment decisions on new projects, but customers 
have adapted and orders have recovered. Our 
existing customers on support contracts provide us 
with a resilient stream of recurring revenue.

There has been a worldwide disruption in the 
semiconductor market that has caused significant 
additional lead times when ordering certain 
hardware items. Coupled with additional Brexit 
related documentation and customs duties, this has 
required project planning teams to build in more time 
contingency and costs when goods are moved across 
borders. 

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09

STRATEGYSTRATEGIC REPORT
SECTION 172 STATEMENT

The following matters fall under the 
broad definition of Section 172:

LONG TERM DECISION 
MAKING
It is the Board’s responsibility to ensure 
the Company’s medium to long-term 
success and the directors have always 
recognised the consequences of any 
decision in the long term. The Board 
is ultimately responsible for long term 
decisions and is responsible for the 
overall strategy and leadership of the 
Group. 

The Board provides leadership and 
a control framework which includes 
a continual risk assessment and 
management of the principal risks 
and uncertainties which are disclosed 
above. 

The Board is supplied with monthly 
financial and non-financial information 
in a timely manner to enable it to 
discharge its duties. The Board has a 
formal schedule of matters, which are 
published on the Company website, 
specifically reserved for decisions by 
the Board.

The Board meets for scheduled Board 
meetings 12 times per year, plus ad 
hoc meetings as required. The Board 
have a robust and inclusive strategy 
development process, during which the 
business purpose, strategy and culture 
are challenged and refined. This takes 
place on a formal basis during a 2-day 
strategy meeting and is supported 
by monthly reports at each Board 
meeting. The Board Performance 
Evaluation on page 21 provides 
further detail. 

The Board considers stakeholder 
engagement to be an important activity 
for the Group. It is used to inform 

the decisions that the Group takes, 
whether about the products or services 
it provides, or about its strategic 
direction, its long-term health, and its 
relationship with its workforce and the 
society in which it operates.

The Board believe that stakeholder 
engagement will strengthen the 
business and promote its long-term 
success to the benefit of stakeholders 
and shareholders alike. 

OUR EMPLOYEES
The Group consider our employees to 
be our greatest asset and crucial to the 
success of our business. We believe 
that happy employees, working in 
motivated teams, directly contribute 
to our strategy, performance and 
reputation. To read more about our 
employees please see our Directors’ 
Report on page 15. 

THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS 
RELATIONSHIPS
We believe that good relationships 
are driven by having good governance 
structure which is essential to maintain 
the integrity of the Group in all its 
actions, to enhance performance 
and to impact positively on our 
shareholders, staff, customers, 
suppliers and other stakeholders.

CUSTOMERS 
The Sales and Operations teams 
work with customers to understand 
their business needs and operational 
requirements regarding existing and 
new solutions, in order to shape a 
solution to meet their budget and 
ongoing support needs. The business 
has regular communications and 
interactions with customers comprising 
face to face and virtual meetings, 
trade shows and industry networking 
events. This was upheld throughout 

2021 during the lockdowns by holding 
remote, online meetings and trade 
shows. The customer support ticket 
system includes a satisfaction indicator 
and optional comments on closure 
of each ticket. These results are 
monitored throughout the year.

SUPPLIERS
The Group sources its products from 
manufacturers in Europe and North 
America. By establishing long-term 
relationships with suppliers, the Group 
seeks to provide the supply of high-
quality products and maintain good 
forecasting to ensure cost and lead 
time estimates remain accurate. 

PARTNERS
The Group has a long history of 
partnering with other vendors and 
system integrators to deliver solutions 
to the end user. Through our in-house 
development team, we have the ability 
to partner with most suppliers of the 
different elements of the value chain to 
provide bespoke solutions to the end 
users.

THE IMPACT OF THE 
COMPANY’S OPERATIONS ON 
THE COMMUNITY AND THE 
ENVIRONMENT
Due to the nature of our business, the 
Group has a minimum impact on the 
community and environment. 

Nonetheless, the Group is committed 
to minimizing our impact on the 
environment by reducing our waste 
and carbon footprint through energy 
management and recycling schemes. 
We are conscious of our responsibility 
and impact of the Company’s 
operations on the community and the 
environment and our aim is always to 
minimise environmental impact. 

10

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These meetings allowed the CEO 
and CFO to update shareholders 
on the Group’s performance and 
strategy. When appropriate, additional 
meetings with institutional investors 
and/or analysts are arranged. All 
Board members receive feedback 
from the CEO and CFO from the 
Market presentations and meetings, 
thus keeping them in touch with 
shareholder opinion. 

The Board members are all willing to 
engage with shareholders should they 
have a concern that is not resolved 
through the normal channels. 

To read more about the Group’s 
relations with its members please see 
the Corporate Governance statement 
on page 24. 

John Varney  
Non-Executive Chairman  
4 May 2022

The Group takes account of the 
need to protect the environment and 
promote public health and safety and 
to conduct our activities in order to 
promote sustainable development. 

This includes: 

•  Establish and maintain a system of 
environmental management, which 
collects and evaluates information 
on environmental, health and safety 
impacts of activities and then set 
and monitor targets for continuous 
improvement; 

•  Maintain contingency plans 

for preventing, mitigating and 
controlling serious environmental 
and health damage including 
accidents and emergencies; 

•  Recycle or re-use wherever possible 
waste from operations. If this is 
not possible then waste must be 
disposed of safely; 

•  Ensure that the consumption of 
energy and other resources are 
minimised; 

•  Develop products that have no 

undue environmental impact, are 
safe to use, are efficient in their 
consumption of energy and natural 
resources and can be reused, 
recycled or disposed of safely; 

•  Provide training to employees in 
environmental health and safety 
matters including the handling 
of hazardous materials and the 
prevention of environmental 
accidents.

MAINTAINING OUR 
REPUTATION
The Group is passionate about 
maintaining a reputation for high 
standards of business conduct. We 
are aware that the Group’s reputation 
can be affected by poor performance 
of its products and unsatisfactory 
customer service. We are conscious 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.

THE NEED TO ACT FAIRLY 
BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE 
COMPANY
The Board welcomes enquiries from 
both institutional and private investors 
throughout the year and responds 
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.

During 2021 Peter Mayhead and 
David Dewhurst were responsible for 
liaison with institutional shareholders 
and held individual meetings with 
institutional shareholders and analysts 
following the full year and half year 
results announcements to the Market. 
Meetings were held remotely during 
2021, because of continued restrictions 
around the Covid pandemic. 

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11

STRATEGYTHE BOARD

John Varney BA, FRSA
Non-Executive Chairman 

Peter Mayhead FCCA, MBA 
Group Chief Executive Officer  

David Dewhurst B.Com, ACA
Group Chief Finance Officer 

APPOINTED TO THE BOARD: 
October 2011

APPOINTED TO THE BOARD:  
January 2018 

APPOINTED TO THE BOARD: 
October 2020

INDEPENDENT: 
Yes

INDEPENDENT: 
No  

INDEPENDENT:
No 

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 
John has over 45 years’ experience 
in the broadcast industry, both as 
broadcaster and equipment & services 
supplier and has extensive, relevant 
knowledge of the sector.  

He has led large scale business 
transformation projects with extensive 
change management requirements 
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 16 years 
John has been an investor, adviser 
and Non–Executive Director or Chair 
for emerging technology companies 
– often leading funding and/or exit 
activities. 

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

John retains a passion for the 
Broadcast and Content industries and 
is perpetually excited by the evolution 
of the creative sector and its continued 
– and growing – contribution to the UK 
and global economies.

He remains well connected to major 
organisations through attendance at 
Conferences, Industry Trade Shows and 
Networking Events. John is a Fellow of 
the Royal Society for the Arts and the 
Royal Television Society.  

OTHER RELEVANT EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS:  
 — Director of Maximum Clarity Limited   
 — Chair of Macclesfield Silk 

Heritage Trust  

BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS:  
 — Audit Committee – Member  
 — Remuneration Committee – Member  
 — Nomination Committee – Chairman

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:  
Peter joined in 2013 as Finance 
Director and was appointed Group 
CEO in January 2018. Peter has led the 
transformation of the company into a 
leading technology brand with a strong 
pipeline, strong sales margins, robust 
operational systems, and importantly in 
a position to attract quality technology 
and leadership talent.

With more than 20 years of experience, 
Peter combines his broadcast industry 
knowledge, financial and business 
leadership and executive management 
experience, with a passion for driving 
a company performance culture based 
on the foundation of employee and 
organisational alignment. 

Having successfully steering Pebble 
through the Covid pandemic, during 
2021 Peter transformed the business 
into a remote operating model with 
a global, highly capable and flexible 
employee base that encompasses our 
employees’ well-being, and ability 
to function effectively in terms of 
resilience, organisational growth, and 
performance. 

Previously, Peter served as CFO of 
Pro-Bel Ltd where his strong financial 
skills and management ability played 
a key role in the successful business 
turnaround and subsequent merger 
with Snell & Wilcox.  

Peter holds an MBA from Henley 
Business School and is a fellow of the 
Association of Certified Chartered 
Accountants. Peter has a strong 
commitment to ensuring staff and 
executives have access to ongoing 
professional development, recognising 
it as a key contributor to business 
performance and success. 

OTHER RELEVANT EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS: 
 — None  

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:  
Since joining, David has built excellent 
working relationships both internally 
and externally. David is a trusted 
and valued asset to the Group from 
corporate decision making and forward 
planning at Board level to the finance 
function, with expertise in all facets of 
accounting, financial management and 
analysis, controllership and governance. 
As the business grows, David will be 
instrumental in dealing with corporate 
fundraising, mergers and acquisitions, 
and post-deal integration.    

David spent a large part of his 
career, from 1999 to 2013, as Group 
Finance Director with Next Fifteen 
Communications Group plc, an AIM 
listed international digital marketing 
group which, during his tenure, grew 
from £23 million to £100 million 
in revenues. David played a vital 
role in the growth of the business 
both organically and through M&A, 
supporting its international expansion in 
Europe, Asia and North America. 

From 2014 to 2018 David was Chief 
Financial Officer of PTS Consulting 
Group Ltd, a VC-backed IT consulting 
business with revenues of c.£42 million. 
There, he helped turn the business 
around with a £1.5 million improvement 
in EBITDA. 

Most recently, David has been Group 
Finance Director to Smyle Creative 
Group Ltd, a PE-backed creative events 
business with £27 million revenue, later 
transitioning to board consultant. Here 
David secured new funding to complete 
vital infrastructure investments critical 
to long term growth and generated 
cash by streamlining working capital 
processes. 

OTHER RELEVANT EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS: 
 — None  

BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS: 
 — Executive Board – member 

BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS: 
 — Executive Board – member 

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Graham Pitman DipM, MBA
Senior Independent Non-Executive 
Director

APPOINTED TO THE BOARD: 
April 2018

INDEPENDENT: 
Yes 

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 
Graham, our Senior Independent Non-
Executive Director, has had a highly 
successful career within the broadcast 
and media technology industry both 
as an entrepreneur and intrapreneur. 
His skills and experience, strategy 
development, business growth, 
restructuring and turnaround and M&A, 
gained within the broadcast and media 
sector are pertinent and valuable.  

Graham’s previous roles as CEO 
and Chairman have included both 
traditional and new technology 
segments and include positions with 
Yospace, Pro–Bel Group Limited, 
Telestream UK Limited, Snell 
Corporation Limited, ATG Danmon 
Limited, Marquis Broadcast Ltd and 
NTP Technology A/S these business 
together span a significant portion of 
the media value chain. 

Graham keeps up to date with sector 
trends through industry conferences; 
technical papers; and industry analytical 
reports. He manages his commercial 
and governance development by 
attending relevant seminars and 
webinars. 

In recognition of his contribution to the 
Broadcast Industry, Graham holds an 
IABM Honorary Membership. 

OTHER RELEVANT EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS:
 — Director of Marquis Broadcast Ltd
 — Director of NTP Technology A/S
 — Director IABM Investments Ltd
 — 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

Richard Logan BA, ICAS 
Non-Executive Director

Chris Errington, BA Hons 
Non-Executive Director

APPOINTED TO THE BOARD: 
May 2020

APPOINTED TO THE BOARD: 
May 2021

INDEPENDENT: 
Yes 

INDEPENDENT: 
No  

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 
Joined the Board in May 2021. Chris is 
a partner at Kestrel Partners LLP and is 
their Head of Research, with a primary 
focus on the Kestrel Opportunities 
Fund, which puts an emphasis on 
smaller quoted companies and pro-
actively working with management to 
improve their value.  Kestrel is Pebble’s 
largest shareholder.

Previously, Chris was CEO of Gresham 
Technologies plc, a leading software 
and services company, joining in 2004 
as CFO and becoming CEO in 2010. 
There, having transitioned the group to 
cash flow positive with a new product 
future, Chris initiated a succession 
plan to introduce a new CEO in 2015, 
himself moving to an NED role until 
exiting the company in 2017.

Chris qualified as a chartered 
accountant with Ernst & Young and 
holds a 1st Class Honours Degree in 
Biochemistry with Pharmacology from 
the University of Southampton.

OTHER RELEVANT EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS:
 — Partner of Kestrel Partners LLP
 — Partner of Kingfisher Partners LLP 

BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS:
 — Remuneration Committee – 

Chairman 

 — Audit Committee – Member  
 — Nomination Committee – Member

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 
Richard brings to the board significant 
corporate finance and accounting 
experience from a career within a 
variety of highly successful companies. 
Richard gained his extensive 
knowledge of acquisitions, finance 
functions and growing companies 
during a profession within a broad 
range of private and public companies.

With his background in finance and 
his experience within an AIM quoted 
environment, Richard brings a depth 
of knowledge of governance and 
technical experience of accounting to 
our Audit Committee, which Richard 
has chaired since June 2020.

Most recently Richard served as Chief 
Financial Officer at Iomart Group PLC, 
a cloud computing company quoted on 
AIM, from 2006 until his retirement in 
2018. During his tenure, Richard helped 
grow Iomart from a breakeven, £20 
million revenue company to a quoted 
business with over the £100 million in 
revenue and adjusted EBITDA of £40 
million. 

Richard holds a BA in Accountancy 
from the University of Stirling, is a 
member of ICAS and in 2013 was 
Smaller Quoted FD of the Year at the 
FD Excellence Awards.

Richard attends conferences, webinars 
and seminars to ensure he is up to date 
with current developments.

OTHER RELEVANT EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS:
 — Chairman of Inspired plc 
 — NED of Perpetual Topco Limited 

BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS:
 — Remuneration Committee – Member
 — Audit Committee – Chairman 
 — Nomination Committee – Member

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13

GOVERNANCE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 
2021, which were approved by the 
directors on 4 May 2022. The Group 
and Company financial statements 
have been prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS). 

A review of the Group’s trading and 
an indication of future developments 
are contained in the Non-Executive 
Chairman’s Statement on pages 2, 3 
and 4. 

Disclosures relating to information 
which is strategically important to the 
Group are made within the Strategic 
Report on pages 5 to 11.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS
The results for the year ended 
31 December 2021 are set out in the 
consolidated income statement on 
page 41. The Group has reported an 
operating profit of £1.9 million (2020: 
£1.5 million). After accounting for 
net finance costs, the consolidated 
income statement shows a profit 
before taxation of £1.5 million 
(2020: £1.1 million). The net result for 
the year was a profit of £1.5 million 
(2020: £1.3 million). 

The directors do not recommend 
payment of a final dividend for the year 
ended 31 December 2021 (2020: Nil 
pence per ordinary share). 

NEW TERM LOAN APRIL 2022
At 31 December 2021, the Group’s net 
debt (excluding debt related to leases) 
was £5.9 million (2020: £7.7 million), 
comprising net cash of £1.6 million 
(2020: £0.8 million) and the drawn 
down RCF from Santander of £7.5 
million (2020: £8.5 million). 

We maintain a good relationship 
and regular communication with our 
bank, who remain very supportive of 
our strategy to invest in developing 
our new technology solutions. On 
13 April 2022, a new term loan facility 
was signed, refinancing the existing 
£7.15 million revolving credit facility 
agreement. The new term loan 
secures a £7.15 million facility until 30 
September 2024, with revised financial 
covenants and a repayment schedule 
consistent with previous years, allowing 
for investment in new technology 
solutions. 

RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT
The Group continues to invest in 
the research and development of 
its products with a focus being on 
the next generation IP-enabled 
media playout software. During the 
year ended 31 December 2021 the 
Group’s expenditure on R&D was £1.5 
million (2020: £1.3 million). The R&D 
expenditure as a proportion of our 
revenue is 19.0 per cent (2020: 20.8 
per cent).

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)

•  Peter Mayhead (Group Chief 

Executive Officer) 

•  David Dewhurst (Chief Financial 

Officer) 

•  Graham Pitman (Senior Independent 

Non-Executive Director)

•  Richard Logan (Non-Executive 

Director) 

•  Chris Errington (Non-Executive 
Director) (from 4 May 2021) 

Short biographies of each director are 
provided on pages 12 to 13.

Details of the directors’ service 
contracts, letters of appointment, 
disclosure of interests in shares and 
options, are given in the Remuneration 
Report on pages 25 to 28. 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 22 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

The Group’s share capital comprises 
one class of ordinary shares and as 
at 1 April 2022 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.

The Group has been notified of the 
following beneficial interests in more 
than 3 per cent of the Company’s 
issued share capital as at 1 April 2022.

Shareholder
Kestrel Partners LLP 
Interactive Investor 
Hawk Investment 
Holdings Limited 
Hargreaves Lansdown 
Nominees Limited
Mr and Mrs M Bennett

Percentage 
shareholding
29.76%
8.58%

7.89%

7.00%
3.29%

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

ENVIRONMENTAL AND 
SOCIAL RESPONSBILITY
In addition to our commitment to 
robust governance the Board takes 
regular account of the significance of 
environmental and social matters. 

The following matters fall under 
the broad definition of Social and 
Environmental Responsibility:

OUR EMPLOYEES
The Group consider our employees 
to be our greatest asset and critical 
to the success of our business. We 
believe that happy employees, working 
in a motivated environment, directly 
contribute to our strategy, performance 
and reputation.

The Board has a keen interest in 
the development and morale of the 
employees. 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.

We have lines of communication in 
place to ensure that employees are 
consulted with and kept informed 
of issues relevant to them. Staff 
emails and staff meetings are used 
to communicate immediate issues 
to them. 

To help staff collaborate and share 
knowledge efficiently the company 
uses a software programme, tailored 
to our own needs, as a live storage and 
communication tool. This programme 
also gives access to the company’s 
guidance on staff benefits, including 
Childcare Vouchers; Computer 

Discount Scheme; Flexible Working and 
Working from Home. 

The Board reviews the Group’s 
arrangements for its employees to raise 
concerns in confidence about possible 
wrongdoing. 

Clear statements of behaviour and 
work ethics of employees are explained 
in detail within our staff handbook, 
which includes our Policies on Anti-
Bribery; Whistle-blowing; Gifts and 
Entertainment; Share Dealing; Systems, 
Internet and Email; Social Networking; 
Capability Procedures; Disciplinary 
Procedure; Capability/Disciplinary 
Appeal Procedure; Grievance 
Procedure; Personal Harassment 
Policy and Procedures; and our Equal 
Opportunities Policy.

REMOTE WORKING 
In the first quarter of 2020, the Covid 
pandemic lockdowns across the world 
triggered a surge in remote working 
across many industries globally, the 
broadcast industry included. During 
2021 our business successfully 
transitioned to a remote working 
model, capturing the benefits that 
our employees enjoyed during the 
lockdowns in 2020.

This strategic move to a fully remote 
operating model is delivering 
operational benefits in terms of 
resilience, organisational growth, and 
performance. It gives us more scope 
to ensure we have a global, highly 
capable, and flexible employee base. 

In October 2021, a dedicated 
management resource was hired to 
help execute this transition and ensure 
the business has the infrastructure 
and technology in place to be an 
effective and efficient remote working 
organisation. 

The business is now able to attract 
the best talent from anywhere in the 
world. For our employees, the move 
to remote working provides more 
flexibility which promotes increased 
work/life balance and wellness, time 
and cost savings with no commute 
to the office, the ability to work 
from anywhere and has increased 
productivity. 

In our remote working world, our 
employees enjoy regular face to face 
meetings with their colleagues, use of 
our communication platforms that allow 
workspace chat and videoconferencing, 
and in Q2 2022, a two-day All-Staff 
Conference being held in the UK will 
bring all employees together. This 
face to face event will have a theme of 
making connections and will focus on 
building and maintaining relationships 
between employees, partners, and 
customers in the remote environment. 

OUR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES 
POLICY 
The Group adopts a formal equal 
opportunities policy.

It is the policy of the Group not to 
discriminate against, either directly 
or indirectly, on the grounds of age, 
disability, gender reassignment, 
marriage and civil partnership, 
pregnancy or maternity, race, religion 
or belief, sex or sexual orientation, 
and to offer the same employment 
opportunities, training, career 
development and promotion prospects 
to all.

We ensure that the policy is circulated 
to any agencies responsible for our 
recruitment and a copy of the policy 
is made available for all employees 
and made known to all applicants for 
employment. 

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15

GOVERNANCEDIRECTORS’ REPORT

The policy is communicated to all 
private contractors reminding them 
of their responsibilities towards the 
equality of opportunity. 

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 2021 the Employee 
Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) held 
126,496 shares (2020: 126,496) in the 
Company, representing 0.1 per cent of 
the issued share capital (2020: 0.1 per 
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 of work and 
this now includes how our employees 

operate remotely. 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.

Our shareholders are encouraged 
to receive communications from the 
company in electric form thus helping 
to reduce environmental impact. The 
majority of our annual reports and 
AGM notices are received electronically 
by our shareholders, who receive 
notification of when and how to 
electronically access the documents by 
simply clicking on the links we provide. 
For those shareholders who wish to 
continue to receive printed copies, the 
documents are posted. 

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ 
RESPONSIBILITIES IN 
RESPECT OF THE FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS
The directors are responsible for 
preparing the Strategic Report and 
Directors’ Report and the financial 
statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors 
to prepare financial statements for 

each financial year. Under that law the 
directors have to prepare the financial 
statements in accordance with UK-
adopted international accounting 
standards. 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 and profit or loss of the 
company and group for that period. In 
preparing these financial statements, 
the directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies 
and then apply them consistently;

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

•  state whether applicable UK-

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

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

The directors are responsible for 
keeping adequate accounting records 
that are sufficient to show and explain 
the company’s transactions and 
disclose with reasonable accuracy at 
any time the financial position of the 
company and enable them to ensure 
that the financial statements comply 
with the Companies Act 2006. They 
are also responsible for safeguarding 
the assets of the company and hence 
for taking reasonable steps for the 
prevention and detection of fraud and 
other irregularities.

The directors confirm that: 

•  so far as each director is aware, 

there is no relevant audit information 
of which the company’s auditor is 
unaware; and

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•  the directors have taken all the 
steps that they ought to have 
taken as directors in order to make 
themselves aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish 
that the company’s auditor is aware 
of that information.

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

DISCLOSURE OF 
INFORMATION TO THE 
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.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting will be 
held at 12 Horizon Business Village, 
1 Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey, 
KT13 0TJ on Monday 27 June 2022 at 
12.00 noon. 

Please see the AGM Notice that 
accompanies this report for further 
details.

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.

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

At 31 December 2021, the Group’s 
net debt was £5.9 million (2020: 
£7.7 million), comprising cash of 
£1.6 million (2020: £0.8 million) and the 
drawn down RCF from Santander of 
£7.5 million (2020: £8.5 million). 

We enjoy a close relationship with our 
bank and have regular review meetings 
with them. On 10 March 2021, we 
signed a 12-month extension to the 
RCF and have made all the required 
repayments of capital and interest due 
and met the financial covenants. On 
13 April 2022, we signed a new term 
loan through to 30 September 2024, 
which re-financed the existing £7.15m 
RCF at the same level of commitment, 
with repayment levels consistent 
with previous years and appropriate 
financial covenants. 

To assess the appropriateness of 
preparing financial statements on a 
going concern basis, management 
prepared detailed projections of the 
consolidated income statements, 
balance sheets and cash flow 
statements through to 31 December 
2023. This review period extends to 
the end of the financial year for 2023, 
which is looking forward for four six-
month periods beyond that covered 
by the current annual report. The 
projections included testing against the 
minimum liquidity and cash flow cover 
covenants required by the new term 
loan facility.

These projections used the budget for 
2022 and updated for current trading 
and forecasts. This analysis was then 
extended to the end of 2023. The 

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  v5

projections were stress tested and 
pipeline project orders for 2022, at less 
than 50% probability were removed. 
The pipeline for 2023 was assessed 
based on historic conversion rates. 
The existing support service contracts, 
where revenue is recognised over 
time were assessed based on historic 
renewal rates, to establish the likely 
renewal of this recurring revenue. 
Management reviewed the resource 
levels and marketing spend required 
to support the reduced revenue 
and reflected cost reductions in the 
forecast. The Board has concluded 
from its thorough assessment of the 
detailed forecasts, that the Group 
will have sufficient resources to meet 
its liabilities during the review period 
through to 31 December 2023, that it 
will meet the bank covenants and that 
it is appropriate that the Group and the 
Company prepare accounts on a going 
concern basis.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
The independent auditor, Grant 
Thornton UK LLP, 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  
4 May 2022

www.pebbleplc.com  Stock code: PEB

17

GOVERNANCECORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

•  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.

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. 

In accordance with the AIM Regulation, 
the Board take due consideration of 
The QCA Corporate Governance Code 
(2018 edition) (the QCA Code). The 
directors 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
During 2021 and up to the date of 
publication of this report, the Board 
consists of the following Board 
members:

John Varney (Non-Executive Chairman)

Graham Pitman (Senior Independent 
Non-Executive Director)

Richard Logan (Non-Executive Director) 

Chris Errington (Non-Executive 
Director) (from 4 May 2021)

Peter Mayhead (Chief Executive 
Officer) 

David Dewhurst (Chief Financial 
Officer) 

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, two Non-
Executive Directors, the CEO and the 
CFO present, together with the CTO 
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;

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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 2021, expressed as the number of meetings attended compared to the 
number entitled to attend, was as follows:

Board 
Audit 
Remuneration 
Nomination

* In attendance 

John Varney
12/12
3/3
3/3
2/2

Graham Pitman
12/12
3/3
3/3
2/2

Richard Logan
12/12
3/3
3/3
2/2

Chris Errington 
8/8
2/2
2/2
0/0**

Peter Mayhead
12/12
3/3*
NA
2/2*

David Dewhurst
12/12
3/3*
NA
2/2*

** Meetings were held prior to appointment 

TIME COMMITMENT
The Executive Directors are expected 
to devote substantially the whole of 
their time, attention and ability to their 
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 the equivalent of 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.

BALANCE AND SIZE
The directors consider that the Board is 
well-balanced and appropriate for the 
scope and activities 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 role or 
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 Non-Executive 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 Company’s Articles of 
Association require any new director 
appointed by the Board to retire 
from office and offer themselves for 
election by shareholders at the next 
Annual General Meeting following their 
appointment and at least once every 
three years thereafter. 

For our 2022 AGM, Graham Pitman 
and Richard Logan retire from office 
by rotation and offer themselves for 
re-election by shareholders. 

All other directors have been elected 
or 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 directors being 
proposed for re-election and election 
have demonstrated commitment to 
their responsibilities and continue 
to perform effectively, and subject 
to shareholder approval will be 
reappointed for a further three years. 

Biographical information for each of 
the directors are set out on pages 12 
to 13. 

NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
John Varney is the Non-Executive 
Chairman, supported by the other 
three Non-Executive Directors.

SENIOR INDEPENDENT 
DIRECTOR
Shareholders can seek to raise any 
concerns they may have with the 
Senior Independent Director, 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.

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www.pebbleplc.com  Stock code: PEB

19

GOVERNANCECORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

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 departments 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.

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, by appointment, at the 
Group’s registered office during normal 
business hours and for 15 minutes 
prior to, and during, the Annual 
General Meeting. 

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 any structural and cultural 
changes implemented during the year.

The directors confirm that there is 
an internal control framework and 
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 2021 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 
is delegated to senior managers. 
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.

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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 2 to 
4, and 5 to 11. The Board uses these, 
together with the Directors’ Report on 
pages 14 to 17, 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 
department is required to comply 
with. Key controls over major business 
risks include reviews against Key 
Performance Indicators and exception 
reporting. The operating departments 
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 execution 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 2021.

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.

In Q4 2021 the Group were awarded 
a Cyber Essentials Certificate of 
Assurance. This is a UK government 
backed scheme to ensure a level 
of best practice in IT platform 
management. This has helped drive 
our IT based processes to ensure 
our systems and tools are secure 
and maintained.

The company engages with the 
DPP security initiative and are active 
members in industry groups supported 
by the UK National Cyber Security 
Centre (NCSC), for sharing best 
practice and keeping up to date with 
industry security considerations.

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 Q1 2022 the Senior 
Independent Non-Executive Director, 
on behalf of the Board, conducted a 
Board Effectiveness Review (BER) for 
2021 in accordance with the AIM QCA 
Code for Board evaluation. 

The Board effectiveness model 
developed by Grant Thornton UK 
LLP which was introduced for this 
process in 2019 now underlies our 
annual framework for board meetings. 
This was done in response to the 
2021 BER and ensures the Board 
considers: Value creation: how well 
are the purpose, strategy and culture 
being developed and communicated? 
Value transformation: how effective is 
the business model, the relationship 
with stakeholders the management 
and the mitigation of principal risks 
and uncertainties? Value protection: 
how effective is the monitoring and 

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www.pebbleplc.com  Stock code: PEB

21

GOVERNANCECORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

measurement of business performance 
and the quality of policies governance 
and compliance? 

The BER consists of a process where 
each Board member independently 
completes a Board Effectiveness 
Scorecard which provides a quantitative 
measurement of Board Performance 
on the themes of Board Behaviour, 
Board Process and Structure, Board 
Skills and Attributes. Alongside this 
quantitative review is a qualitive 
process of one-on-one discussions 
with each Board member considering 
how well we perform against the 
goals set both by this scorecard and 
the framework we set ourselves as a 
Board. This enables executive and non-
executive directors to express views on 
the degree to which the Board fulfilled 
its responsibilities and achieved best 
practice in the past year.

The Senior Independent Non-Executive 
Director draws together the findings 
of the review and reports them to the 
whole Board. This enables the Board 
to consider areas where either scores 
or dialogue indicates potential for 
improvement or identifies strengths 
that could be built on. 

Whilst the 2022 findings were broadly 
consistent with 2021 it was pleasing to 
note that there had been a measurable 
improvement on the main themes and 
also in the specific areas where we set 
out to improve. The overall score marks 
Board performance as above average. 
On a few topics there was a single 
outlier score creating scatter which was 
discussed in the one-on-one meetings. 
In each case it was a marginal choice 
to select the score that created 
scatter and discussions bore out that 
a strong correlation in both findings 
and opinions exists, indicating that the 

Board as a collective has a clear view of 
its strengths and weaknesses.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES

In the period, Richard Logan chaired 
the Audit Committee. John Varney 
and Graham Pitman served on the 
Committee throughout the year, 
and Chris Errington served on the 
Committee following his appointment 
on 4 May 2021.

The Committee also meets with the 
external auditor without the presence 
of the 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; 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 reviews the remuneration 
received by them for audit services, 
audit-related services and non-audit 
work. These reviews ensure a balance 

of objectivity, value for money and 
compliance with our requirement for 
independence. Following a recent 
review it was decided that the UK tax 
compliance work for the year ended 
31 December 2021 would be moved to 
a firm independent of the auditor. Any 
other non-audit work performed by 
the auditor was considered to be the 
most cost-effective way of conducting 
our business and that no conflicts of 
interest existed.

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 2021. 

ACTIVITIES OF THE AUDIT 
COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee met twice during 
2021 and once up to the date of 
publication of this report in 2022 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 2020, 
31 December 2021 and the 2021 
interim results prior to approval by 
the Board;

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•  considered and reviewed the 

2020 and 2021 annual reports and 
financial statements and the 2021 
interim report, paying particular 
attention to critical areas of 
management judgement, together 
with the external auditor’s findings 
reports on the annual reports;

•  considered, discussed and approved 

the audit plan with the external 
auditor for the 2021 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 the Audit 
Findings Report from the external 
auditor at the conclusion of their 
audit which identified weaknesses in 
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 2021, 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;

•  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 areas 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 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 
steady costs and an increasing revenue which is driving an 
increasing profit. They have also considered sensitivities 
within the forecast.

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

The audit committee agreed that the conclusion that no 
impairment was required was reasonable.

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

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www.pebbleplc.com  Stock code: PEB

23

GOVERNANCE 
 
 
CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

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  
4 May 2022

THE NOMINATION 
COMMITTEE
John Varney chairs the Nomination 
Committee. Graham Pitman and 
Richard Logan served on the 
Committee throughout 2021. Chris 
Errington served on the Committee 
following his appointment on 4 May 
2021. 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 meeting of the 
Committee during the year.

THE REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE
Details of the Remuneration 
Committee are provided in the 
Remuneration Report as set out on 
page 25 to 28.

RELATIONS WITH 
SHAREHOLDERS
The Board welcomes enquiries from 
both institutional and private investors 
throughout the year and responds 
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, 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 27 June 2022. 

Further details are included in the 
notice of the meeting which separately 
accompanies the annual report and can 
be viewed on the Company’s website: 
www.pebbleplc.com. 

The notice of the AGM is sent to 
shareholders, and is available on 
the Company website, at least 21 
clear 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.

24

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REMUNERATION REPORT

As Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee, I am pleased to present 
the Group’s remuneration report for 
the financial year ended 31 December 
2021, which has been approved by the 
Board. I was appointed as Chairman of 
the Remuneration Committee in May 
2021, replacing Graham Pitman. Other 
members of the Committee that served 
throughout the year were John Varney, 
Graham Pitman and Richard Logan. 

As the Group is not required to 
provide a directors’ remuneration 
report in accordance with schedule 8 
to SI 2008/410, this disclosure is made 
voluntarily and that it is not intended 
to comply with the requirements of 
schedule 8 of SI 2008/410.

COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
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.

The responsibilities of the Committee 
are to advise upon and make 
recommendations to the Board on 
the Company’s remuneration policies 

and, within the framework established 
by the Board, to recommend the 
remuneration of the Executive 
Directors. 

No member of the Committee has 
any personal financial interest in the 
Company or Group (other than as a 
shareholder or director) and there are 
no conflicts of interest arising from 
cross-directorships or day-to-day 
involvement in running the business.

The 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 of the Committee 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, being transparent, and 
measured against challenging 
benchmarks.

REMUNERATION REPORT 
PART A (NOT SUBJECT 
TO AUDIT)

REMUNERATION POLICY 
The date from which it is intended by 
the Company that the remuneration 
policy is to take effect is 1 January 
2022.

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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GOVERNANCEREMUNERATION REPORT

The following table summarises the key elements of remuneration policy:

Component

SALARY  
AND FEES

Purpose and  
Link to Strategy

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. 

How Operated 

Maximum  
Potential Value 

Performance 
Measures 

Generally reviewed annually. 

N/A

N/A

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. 

ALL 
TAXABLE 
BENEFITS 

To aid retention and 
be competitive in 
the marketplace. 

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. 

Car allowance (CEO only)

N/A

N/A

Medical insurance (CEO & CFO)

Permanent health insurance (CEO & CFO)

Life assurance (CEO & CFO)

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. The targets applying to financial 
measures are based on a sliding scale. 

For the CEO, 
up to 100% of 
base salary. 

Adjusted 
EBITDA 
(50%).

For the CFO, 
up to 75% of 
base salary. 

Orders 
received 
(25%)

Revenue 
(25%).

Paid in cash.

Not pensionable. 

PENSIONS 

To aid retention and 
remain competitive 
in the marketplace. 

For the Executive Directors’ annual pension, the 
CEO has an allowance up to 10 per cent of base 
salary; the CFO has an allowance up to 5 per cent 
of base salary.

N/A

N/A

There is no pension entitlement for Non-Executive 
Directors. 

26

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BOARD CHANGES AND SERVICE CONTRACTS
During the year, the following changes Board changes took place:

Chris Errington was appointed to the Board on 4 May 2021 as a non-executive director and was appointed Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee. 

The directors’ service contracts are available for inspection by appointment 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 until its conclusion. Should a stakeholder wish to inspect the 
service contracts we request that you register to do so by email at investors@pebble.tv or by telephone by calling +44 (0) 75 
55 59 36 02 so that an appointment may be arranged. Please see the AGM Notice that accompanies this report, and page 17 
for further details of our AGM. 

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.

REMUNERATION REPORT PART B (SUBJECT TO AUDIT)
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS
Directors’ emoluments and pension contributions for the year ended 31 December 2021 were as follows:

Executive Directors
Peter Mayhead
David Dewhurst 
Non–executive Directors
John Varney
Graham Pitman 
Richard Logan 
Chris Errington  
(from 4 May 2021)
Robin Howe  
(to end June 2020)

Basic salary 
and fees 
£000

Bonus
£000

Benefits 
£000

Emoluments
before
pension
contributions
£000

Pension 
contributions 
£000

185
150

70
35
30

20

–
490

70
52

–
–
–

–

–
122

14
1

–
–
–

–

–
15

269
203

70
35
30

20

–
627

18
8

–
–
–

–

–
26

2021
Total 
£000

287
211

70
35
30

20

–
653

2020
Total 
£000

197
39

70
32
20

–

20
378

The fee for the services of Chris Errington is paid to Kestrel Partners LLP and not to Chris directly.

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GOVERNANCEREMUNERATION REPORT

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 
David Dewhurst
Non–Executive Directors
John Varney 
Graham Pitman 
Richard Logan 
Chris Errington *

At
31 December
2021

At 
31 December
 2020

2,177
Nil

2,177
Nil

1,062,229
702,068
235,000
Nil

1,062,229
702,068
235,000
N/A

*  Chris Errington is a partner in Kestrel Partners LLP. Kestrel Partners LLP manages the Kestrel Opportunities Fund, who hold (and consequently Mr. Errington is 
deemed to have a beneficial interest in) 12,395,625 shares, and other clients of Kestrel, in which Chris Errington has no beneficial interest hold 24,689,904 
Shares. On a combined basis, Kestrel indirectly controls voting rights over 37,085,529 shares, representing 29.76% per cent of the Company’s issued share 
capital.

DIRECTORS’ INTEREST IN SHARE AWARD SCHEMES
The interests of the directors in share award schemes were as follows:

Held at 
1 January 
2021
3,000,000
100,000

Granted in 
year
0
0

Exercised 
in year

Lapsed in 
year
0 (1,000,000)
0
0

Held at 
31 December 
2021

Date of 
grant
2,000,000  21-Jun-19
100,000 03- Jun-14

Exercise 
price 
(pence)
6.18
0.00

Date first 

exercisable Expiry date
20-Jun-29
21-Jun-24
03-Jun-24
03-Jun-17

P Mayhead 1
P Mayhead 2

1 Granted under the 2019 Share Option Scheme and all remaining option, after lapses, vested on 31 Dec 2021 (2020: none vested)

2 Granted under the 2008 LTIP Scheme and all vested at 31 Dec 2021 (2020: all vested)

Further details concerning share option schemes can be found in note 22.

STATEMENT OF VOTING AT GENERAL MEETING
At the last AGM held on 23 June 2021, 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 2020.

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 4 May 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

Chris Errington   
Non-Executive Director  
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF PEBBLE BEACH 
SYSTEMS GROUP PLC
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 2021, which comprise the Consolidated income statement, the Consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income, the Consolidated statement of financial position, the Consolidated statement of 
changes in shareholders’ equity, the Consolidated statement of cash flows, the Company income statement, the Company 
statement of financial position, the Company statement of changes in shareholders’ equity, the 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 their preparation is applicable law and UK-adopted international accounting standards. 

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 2021 and of the group’s profit and the parent company’s loss for the year then ended;

•  the  financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting 

standards;

•  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 are responsible for concluding on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting 
and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may 
cast significant doubt on the group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude 
that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our report to the related disclosures in the financial 
statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify the auditor’s opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit 
evidence obtained up to the date of our report. However, future events or conditions may cause the group or the parent 
company to cease to continue as a going concern.

A description of our evaluation of management’s assessment of the ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting, and the key observations arising with respect to that evaluation is included in the Key Audit Matters section of our 
report.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, 
individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the 
preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. 

The responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the ‘Responsibilities of directors for the 
financial statements’ section of this report.

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FINANCIALSINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF PEBBLE BEACH 
SYSTEMS GROUP PLC
OUR APPROACH TO THE AUDIT

Overview of our audit approach

Overall materiality: 

Group: £159,000, which represents approximately 1.5% of the group’s revenue for 
the year.

Parent company: £119,000, which represents approximately 0.5% of the parent 
company’s total assets as at the year end.

Key audit matters were identified as: 

•  Going concern (group and parent company) – same as previous year; 

•  Revenue recognition (group) – same as previous year;

Materiality

Key audit
matters

•  Valuation of goodwill on consolidation and other intangible assets (group) – same as 

previous year; and

•  Valuation of investment in subsidiaries (parent company) - same as previous year.

Scoping

Our auditor’s report for the year ended 31 December 2020 included no key audit 
matters that have not been reported as key audit matters in our current year’s report.

We performed an audit of the financial information of the parent company and 
the other significant component, using component materiality (full-scope audit 
procedures), being Pebble Beach Systems Ltd and an audit of one or more account 
balances, classes of transactions or disclosures (specific-scope audit procedures) of a 
further component, being Pebble Broadcast Systems Inc, to gain sufficient appropriate 
audit evidence at the Group level. We performed analytical procedures on the financial 
information of the remaining components in the Group during the year. This approach 
is the same as the previous year.

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. 

Description

Audit response

KAM

Disclosures

Our results

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In the graph below, we have presented the key audit matters and significant risks relevant to the audit.

High

Potential
financial
statement
impact

Low

Low

Management override
of controls

Revenue
recognition

Completeness of
deferred income

Occurrence of
accrued income

Going
concern

Valuation of investment
in subsidiaries (parent
company only)

Valuation of goodwill on
consolidation and other
intangible assets

Valuation of intercompany
receivables (parent
company only)

Extent of management judgement

High

KEY AUDIT MATTER

SIGNIFICANT RISK

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FINANCIALS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF PEBBLE BEACH 
SYSTEMS GROUP PLC

Key Audit Matter – Group

How our scope addressed the matter – Group

Going concern

We identified going concern as one of the most 
significant assessed risks of material misstatement 
due to error.

Covid-19 continues to have a negative impact on 
parts of the business and given the impact of a 
global recession this could adversely impact the 
future trading performance of the group and the 
parent company. 

In addition, it is noted that a new loan agreement 
was entered into by the group in April 2022 which 
included forward looking covenants which are 
required to be complied with.  

These factors increase the extent of judgement 
and estimation uncertainty associated with 
management’s decision to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in the preparation of 
the financial statements. 

Note, this is considered a risk at both a group and 
a parent company level with the work performed 
being the same for both.

Relevant disclosures in the Annual Report and 
Accounts 2021

•  Financial statements: Note 2, Significant 

Accounting Policies 

•  Audit committee report: page 22

In responding to the key audit matter, we performed the following audit 
procedures:

•  Obtained an understanding of, and assessed the design effectiveness 
of, key controls over management’s going concern models, including 
those over the inputs and assumptions used in the models;

•  Considered the inherent risks associated with the group’s and the 
parent company’s business model including effects arising from 
macro-economic uncertainties such as Brexit and Covid-19;

•  Assessed and challenged the reasonableness of estimates made 
by the directors and the related disclosures and analysed how 
those risks might affect the group’s and the parent company’s 
financial resources or ability to continue operations over the going 
concern period;

•  Obtained management’s Base Case, Stress test and reverse stress 
test models with the relevant going concern period assessed as 
being to the end of December 2023;

•  Assessed the appropriateness of management’s assumptions 

in relation to revenue by comparing  the predicted order book 
conversation rates  to historical performance, the timing of revenue 
recognition in comparison to the current stage of completion of 
projects and the expected sales to supporting documentation such 
as signed contracts or purchase orders;

•  Assessed the appropriateness of management’s assumptions in 
relation to expenses by comparing the predicted total costs to 
historical performance, adjusted for known changes in the business 
operations;

•  Examined the sensitivity analysis carried out by management on the 
revenue and expense assumptions and challenged management 
on these assumptions in order to assess the levels of uncertainty 
inherent in the forecasts and the impact of sensitivities against the 
headroom;

•  Confirmed the terms and conditions of loan covenants and assessed 

whether these would likely be breached within the assessment period;

•  Assessed the likelihood and impact of mitigating factors including 

potential cost savings identified by reference to supporting 
documentation and discussions with management;

•  Assessed the ability of management to forecast accurately by 

comparing current year actual results against forecasts prepared in 
the prior year;

•  Compared post year-end performance against forecasts; and
•  Assessed the adequacy of related disclosures within the annual 

report. 

Our results

Based on our audit work, we are satisfied that the assumptions made in 
management’s assessment of the use of the going concern assumption 
in preparation of financial statements were appropriate. We consider  
the group’s disclosure to be in accordance with IAS 1. 

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Key Audit Matter – Group

How our scope addressed the matter – Group

Revenue recognition

We identified revenue recognition as one of 
the most significant assessed risks of material 
misstatement due to fraud.

Revenue is recognised throughout the group as 
the fair value of consideration receivable in respect 
of the performance of contracts and the provision 
of services.

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 total amount of revenue recognised during the 
year ended 31 December 2021 was £10.6 million 
(2020: £8.4 million).

The application of IFRS 15 is an area requiring 
significant judgement by management. In 
particular, there is an elevated risk of material 
misstatement due to fraud in open contracts at 
the year end where revenue is recognised on a 
percentage completion basis over time. As a result, 
there is an element of judgement in determining 
the amount of revenue to be recognised in each 
reporting period. 

Relevant disclosures in the Annual Report and 
Accounts 2021

•  Financial statements: Note 5, Segmental 

Reporting

In responding to the key audit matter, we performed the following audit 
procedures: 

•  Obtained an understanding of the design and implementation of 

processes and controls through which the business initiates, records 
and recognises revenue transactions;

•  Assessed whether the accounting policies adopted by the directors 
are in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 15, and whether 
management accounted for revenue in accordance with the 
accounting policies;

•  We developed an understanding of the key performance obligations 

by obtaining copies of a sample of contracts and evaluated 
management’s assessment of performance obligations, allocation of 
contract proceeds and subsequent revenue recognition to determine 
whether the revenue has been recognised in accordance with the 
terms of contract and revenue recognition policy;

•  We tested a sample of revenue transactions  to obtain audit evidence 
supporting the revenue recognised during the year, such as proof 
of delivery of goods, approved timesheets and contracts with 
customers; and

•  For contracts that spanned the year end, we re-calculated the 
expected deferred and accrued income and compared our 
expectations against management’s calculation of revenue 
recognised in the year, investigating any differences where necessary.

Our results

Overall, based on our audit work, we found that the judgements made 
by management were consistently applied and we did not identify 
any material misstatement in the revenue recognised in the year to 31 
December 2021.  

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FINANCIALSINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF PEBBLE BEACH 
SYSTEMS GROUP PLC

Key Audit Matter – Group

How our scope addressed the matter – Group

Valuation of goodwill on consolidation and 
other intangible assets

In responding to the key audit matter, we performed the following audit 
procedures:

We identified the valuation of goodwill on 
consolidation and other intangible assets as one 
of the most significant assessed risks of material 
misstatement due to error. 

•  Obtained an understanding of the design and implementation of 
the group’s process and key controls around the carrying value 
of goodwill. In particular, those assessing the selection of key 
assumptions within the impairment assessment;

The assessment of impairment of goodwill is carried 
out annually under IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’ on 
a cash generating unit (CGU) basis. Where there are 
indicators of impairment of other intangible assets 
an impairment assessment is required. 

Calculating the value in use, through forecasting 
cash flows related to CGUs and the determination 
of the appropriate discount rate and other 
assumptions to be applied, is highly judgemental 
and as a result of the subjectivity associated 
with selecting the assumptions, can be subject 
to management bias. The selection of certain 
inputs into the cash flow forecast can significantly 
impact the results of the impairment review. Any 
impairment of the carrying value of such assets 
could have a material impact on the group’s 
financial statements. 

We identified significant management judgements 
in the following areas:

•  the identification of CGUs;

•  the weighted average cost of capital (‘WACC’) 
used to discount the cash flows within the 
group’s impairment assessment, which is the 
most sensitive assumption in the cash flow 
forecast; and

•  the assumptions of expected future cash flows 
associated with the CGU  which are highly 
sensitive to variations in the short-term cash 
flow growth assumptions.

Management have identified a single CGU for 
which there is goodwill of £3.2m and other assets 
of £2.8m giving rise to a carrying value of £6.0m 
for the single CGU as a whole.

Relevant disclosures in the Annual Report and 
Accounts 2021

•  Financial statements: Note 12, Intangible Assets

•  Audit committee report: Page 22 

•  Considered and challenged the appropriateness of management’s 

assessment that there is only a single CGU;

•  Considered the completeness of management’s assessment of 

impairment indicators for other intangible assets; 

•  Tested the accuracy of management’s forecasting through a 

comparison of budget to actual data and historical variance trends;

•  Examined and sensitised management’s value in use model 

underpinning their impairment assessment, identifying the key 
assumptions;

•  Examined management’s model and assessed whether the 

accounting policies adopted by the directors are in accordance with 
the requirements of  IAS 36 ‘Impairment’;

•  Assessed each of the key assumptions in turn against available 
evidence and sensitised management’s model determining the 
impact of changes in the discount rate and growth rate. We also 
compared the key assumptions used by management in determining 
the discount rate and long-term growth with market data for 
reasonableness; and

•  Assessed relevant sensitivities in combination to determine their 

collective impact on the valuation of the goodwill on consolidation 
and other intangible assets.

Our results

Based on our audit work, we are satisfied that the valuation 
methodologies and assumptions made in management’s assessment 
of goodwill impairment did not result in impairment of goodwill or 
other intangible assets. We consider that the group’s disclosure is in 
accordance with IAS 36 and have identified no material misstatements 
in the underlying calculations. 

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Key Audit Matter – Parent company

How our scope addressed the matter – Parent company

Valuation of investment in subsidiaries 

We identified valuation of investment in 
subsidiaries as one of the most significant assessed 
risks of material misstatement due to error.

Calculating the value in use, through forecasting 
cash flows related to the investment and the 
determination of the appropriate discount rate 
and other assumptions to be applied, is highly 
judgemental and as a result of the subjectivity 
associated with selecting the assumptions, can 
be subject to management bias. The selection 
of certain inputs into the cash flow forecast can 
significantly impact the results of the impairment 
review. Any impairment of the carrying value of 
such assets could have a material impact on the 
parent company’s financial statements. 

We identified significant management judgements 
in the following areas:

•  the weighted average cost of capital (‘WACC’) 
used to discount the cash flows within the 
group’s impairment assessment, which is the 
most sensitive assumption in the cash flow 
forecast; and

•  the assumptions of expected future cash flows 
associated with the investments used which are 
highly sensitive to variations in the short-term 
cash flow growth assumptions.

Investments in subsidiaries amount to £24.5m of 
which £14.9m relates to the investment in Pebble 
Beach Systems Limited. The remaining balance of 
£9.6m relates to investments in holding companies 
which are non-trading

Relevant disclosures in the Annual Report and 
Accounts 2021

•  Financial statements: Note H, Investment in 

Subsidiaries

•  Audit committee report: Page 22 

In responding to the key audit matter, we performed the following audit 
procedures:

•  Obtained an understanding of the design and implementation of the 
group’s process and key controls around the valuation of investment 
in subsidiaries. In particular, those assessing the selection of key 
assumptions within the impairment assessment;

•  Considered the completeness of management’s assessment of 

impairment indicators for the investment balance; 

•  Tested the accuracy of management’s forecasting through a 

comparison of budget to actual data and historical variance trends;

•  Examined and sensitised management’s value in use model 

underpinning their impairment assessment, identifying the key 
assumptions;

•  Examined management’s model and assessed whether the 

accounting policies adopted by the directors are in accordance with 
the requirements of IAS 36 ‘Impairment’;

•  Assessed each of the key assumptions in turn against available 
evidence and sensitised management’s model determining the 
impact of changes in the discount rate and growth rate. We also 
compared the key assumptions used by management in determining 
the discount rate and long-term growth with market data for 
reasonableness; 

•  Assessed relevant sensitivities in combination to determine their 

collective impact on the valuation of the goodwill on consolidation 
and other intangible assets; and

•  Calculated fair value less costs of disposal by considering the Group’s 
market capitalisation and compared this to the carrying value of the 
investment in subsidiary.

Our results

Based on our work we concluded that management’s judgement that 
no impairment was required as at 31 December 2021 was reasonable.

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35

FINANCIALSINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF PEBBLE BEACH 
SYSTEMS GROUP PLC
OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY
We apply the concept of materiality both in planning and performing the audit, and in evaluating the effect of identified 
misstatements on the audit and of uncorrected misstatements, if any, on the financial statements and in forming the opinion in 
the auditor’s report.

Materiality was determined as follows:

Materiality measure

Group

Parent company

Materiality for 
financial statements 
as a whole

We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that, 
individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of the users of these financial statements. We use materiality in determining the nature, 
timing and extent of our audit work.

Materiality threshold

£159,000, which is approximately 1.5% of total 
revenue for the year. 

£119,000, which is approximately 0.5% of total 
assets as at 31 December 2021. 

Significant judgements 
made by auditor 
in determining the 
materiality

In determining materiality, we made the 
following significant judgements:

In determining materiality, we made the 
following significant judgements:

•  Revenue is considered to be the prominent 

driver of business performance.

•  We also considered qualitative factors such 
as what amount would turn a profit into a 
loss when making our determination.

Materiality for the current year is higher than 
the level that we determined for the year 
ended 31 December 2020 to reflect the 
increase in revenue in the current year.

•  The company’s total assets are considered 

the most appropriate benchmark because its 
principal activity is that of a holding company, 
with the largest financial statement line items 
being investments.

•  This has been restricted to be lower than 
group materiality as it is a component of 
the group.

Materiality for the current year is lower than the 
level that we determined for the year ended 
31 December 2020 as a result of a lower loss 
for the individual company compared to total 
group profit for the year in comparison to the 
prior year. 

Performance 
materiality used to 
drive the extent of 
our testing

We set performance materiality at an amount less than materiality for the financial statements as 
a whole to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected 
and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality for the financial statements as a whole.

Performance 
materiality threshold

£119,250, which is 75% of financial statement 
materiality.

£89,250, which is 75% of financial statement 
materiality.

Significant judgements 
made by auditor 
in determining 
the performance 
materiality

In determining performance materiality, we 
made the following significant judgements:

In determining performance materiality, we made 
the following significant judgements:

We reviewed the prior year audit findings 
document, where minimal audit findings 
were identified, including a minimal number 
of misstatements which were not considered 
significant. We also identified a strong control 
environment.

We reviewed the prior year audit findings 
document, where minimal audit findings 
were identified, including a minimal number 
of misstatements which were not considered 
significant. We also identified a strong control 
environment.

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Materiality measure

Group

Parent company

Specific materiality

We determine specific materiality for one or more particular classes of transactions, account 
balances or disclosures for which misstatements of lesser amounts than materiality for the financial 
statements as a whole could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users 
taken on the basis of the financial statements.

Specific materiality 

We determined a lower level of specific 
materiality for the following areas: 

We determined a lower level of specific 
materiality for the following areas: 

Communication of 
misstatements to the 
audit committee

Threshold for 
communication

•  directors’ remuneration; and

•  directors’ remuneration; and

•  related party transactions.

•  related party transactions.

We determine a threshold for reporting unadjusted differences to the audit committee.

£8,000 and misstatements below that threshold 
that, in our view, warrant reporting on 
qualitative grounds.

£6,000 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 company

Revenue
£10,620,000

FSM
£159,000
1.5%

PM
£119,250
75%

TFPUM
£39,750
25%

Total Assets
£25,293,000

FSM
£119,000
0.5%

PM
£89,250
75%

TFPUM
£29,750
25%

FSM: Financial statements materiality, PM: Performance materiality, TFPUM: Tolerance for potential uncorrected 
misstatements

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT
We performed a risk-based audit that requires an understanding of the group’s and the parent company’s business and in 
particular matters related to:

Understanding the group, its components, and their environments, including group-wide controls –

•  The engagement team obtained an understanding of the group and its environment, including group-wide controls, and 

assessed the risks of material misstatement at the group level; and

•  The engagement team obtained an understanding of the effect of the group organisational structure on the scope of the 
audit, identifying that the group financial reporting system is centralised and that there is a use of management experts 
where required.

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37

FINANCIALSINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF PEBBLE BEACH 
SYSTEMS GROUP PLC
IDENTIFYING SIGNIFICANT COMPONENTS
•  Significant components were identified through assessing their relative share of key financial metrics including total 

revenue, total expenses, absolute loss before taxation, total assets and total liabilities. 

•  Other components were selected where we determined there to be a specific risk profile in those components and were 
included in the scope of our group reporting work in order to provide sufficient coverage over the group’s results. For 
these components, an audit of one or more account balances or class of transactions (specific scope procedures) was 
performed. 

•  All other components of the group were selected as ‘neither significant nor material’ and analytical procedures performed.

Type of work to be performed on financial information of parent and other components (including how it addressed the key 
audit matters)

•  Performance of full-scope audits of the financial information of Pebble Beach Systems Group Plc and Pebble Beach 

Systems Ltd.

•  Specific-scope audit procedures were performed for Pebble Broadcast Systems Inc.

•  Analytical procedures were performed for all other components using group materiality.

Audit approach
Full-scope audit
Specific-scope audit
Analytical procedures

No. of 
components
2
1
5

% Coverage 
total assets
95.9
-
4.1

% Coverage 
revenue
90.5
9.5
-

PERFORMANCE OF OUR AUDIT
•  The year-end audit was conducted remotely due to Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing requirements. This was 
supported through the use of software collaboration platforms for the secure and timely delivery of requested audit 
evidence. 

•  Despite restrictions, we were still able to physically attend and observe the year end inventory count in the UK.

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.

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MATTER 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, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors 
determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether 
due to fraud or error.

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

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

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.

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud. Irregularities, 
including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our 
responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. Owing to the 
inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements in the financial statements may not be 
detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK). 

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below: 

•  We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the group and determined 

that the most significant which are directly relevant to the financial statements are those related to the reporting 
framework, being the Companies Act 2006 and UK-adopted international accounting standards, together with the QCA 
Corporate Governance Code, the AIM Rules for Companies and those laws and regulations relating to employee matters. 

•  We obtained an understanding of how the Pebble Beach Systems Group Plc group is complying with those legal and 

regulatory frameworks by making enquiries of management. We corroborated our enquiries through our review of board 
minutes and correspondence received from regulatory bodies.

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39

FINANCIALSINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF PEBBLE BEACH 
SYSTEMS GROUP PLC

•  We assessed the susceptibility of the group’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might 

occur, by making enquires of management and those charged with governance. We utilised internal and external 
information to corroborate these enquiries and to perform a fraud risk assessment. We considered the risk of fraud to be 
highest through the potential for management override of controls. Our audit procedures involved:

 — evaluation of the design and implementation of controls that management has in place to prevent and detect fraud;

 — journal entry testing, with a focus on material manual journals, including those posted directly to revenue and cash and 

those impacting areas of estimation uncertainty; and

 — challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates. 

•  In addition, we completed audit procedures to conclude on the compliance of disclosures in the annual report and 

accounts with applicable financial reporting requirements.

•  We assessed the appropriateness of the collective competence and capabilities of the engagement team, including 

consideration of the engagement team’s:

 — understanding of, and practical experience with, audit engagements of a similar nature and complexity, through 

appropriate training and participation;

 — knowledge of the industry in which the group operate; and

 — understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements specific to the group.

•  Team communications in respect of potential non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud included the potential 
for fraud in revenue recognition through manipulation of open contracts at the year end where revenue is recognised on 
a percentage completion basis over time. This is also reported as a key audit matter in the key audit matter section of our 
report where the matter is explained in more detail and the specific procedures, we performed in response to the key audit 
matter are described in more detail. 

•  These audit procedures were designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements were free from fraud 

or error. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting 
from error and detecting irregularities that result from fraud is inherently more difficult than detecting those that result from 
error, as fraud may involve collusion, deliberate concealment, forgery, or intentional misrepresentations. Also, the further 
removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, 
the less likely we would become aware of it; 

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.

Jonathan Oakey FCA
Senior Statutory Auditor 
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP 
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants
Crawley
4 May 2022

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CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Sales and marketing expenses
Research and development expenses
Administrative expenses
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain
Other expenses
Operating profit
  Operating profit is analysed as:
  Adjusted EBITDA
  Non-recurring items
  Share based payment expense
  Exchange (losses)/gains (charged)/credited 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
Profit before tax
Tax
Net profit for the year

Earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the parent during the year

Basic earnings per share
From continuing operations
From profit for the year
Diluted earnings per share
From continuing operations
From profit for the year

Note
5

6
6

6

6

8
8

9

11

11

2021
£000
10,620
(2,490)
8,130
(1,777)
(1,417)
(2,782)
(40)
(244)
1,870

3,282
(244)
(53)
(40)
2,945
(160)
–
(915)
(373)
–
1,497
(31)
1,466

1.2p
1.2p

1.2p
1.2p

2020
£000
8,393
(1,964)
6,429
(1,687)
(1,263)
(1,870)
15
(156)
1,468

2,670
–
(12)
15
2,673
(234)
(156)
(815)
(374)
1
1,095
199
1,294

1.0p
1.0p

1.0p
1.0p

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41

FINANCIALSCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Profit for the financial year
Other comprehensive income – items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange difference on translation of overseas operations
– continuing operations
Total comprehensive income for the financial year

2021
£000
1,466

(1)
1,465

2020
£000
1,294

26
1,320

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021

Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred tax assets
Total non-current assets
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Total current assets
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Financial liabilities – borrowings 
Trade and other payables
Lease liabilities – current
Total current liabilities
Net current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities – borrowings
Lease liabilities – non-current
Deferred tax liabilities
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

2021
£000

2020
£000

12
13
21

14
15
16

18
17
20

18
20
21

22
23
23
23
23

5,601
349
–
5,950

430
3,632
1,639
5,701

1,200
5,832
173
7,205
(1,504)

6,350
44
–
6,394
(1,948)

3,115
6,800
617
29,778
(151)
(42,107)
(1,948)

5,001
1,208
–
6,209

148
3,125
826
4,099

1,800
4,059
145
6,004
(1,905)

6,750
1,020
–
7,770
(3,466)

3,115
6,800
617
29,778
(150)
(43,626)
(3,466)

The financial statements on pages 41 to 80 were approved by the Board of directors on 4 May 2022 and were signed on its 
behalf by:

John Varney   
Non-Executive Chairman

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FINANCIALSCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

At 1 January 2020
Share based payments: 
value of employee services
Unclaimed dividends
Transactions with owners
Retained profit for the year
Exchange differences on 
translation of overseas 
operations
Total comprehensive 
income for the period
At 31 December 2020 
At 1 January 2021
Share based payments: 
value of employee services
Transactions with owners
Retained profit for the year
Exchange differences on 
translation of overseas 
operations
Total comprehensive 
income for the period
At 31 December 2021 

Ordinary
shares 
£000 
3,115 

Share 
premium 
£000
6,800 

 Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000 
617 

 Merger 
reserve 
£000 
29,778 

 Translation 
reserve 
£000 
(176) 

Accumulated
 losses 
£000 
(44,976) 

 Total
£000
(4,842)

12
44
56
1,294

1,320
(3,466)
(3,466)

53
53
1,466

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

12
44
56
1,294

26

–

26

–
3,115 
3,115 

–
6,800 
6,800 

–
617 
617 

–
29,778 
29,778 

26
(150) 
(150) 

1,294
(43,626) 
(43,626) 

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

53
53
1,466

(1)

–

(1)

–
3,115 

–
6,800 

–
617 

–
29,778 

(1)
(151) 

1,466
(42,107) 

1,465
(1,948)

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Taxation paid
Net cash generated from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Expenditure on capitalised development costs
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flow from financing activities
Cash used in repayment of financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

Note

24

13
12

16

2021
£000

3,815
(373)
(31)
3,411

–
(82)
(1,515)
(1,597)

(1,000)
(1,000)
814
(1)
826
1,639

2020
£000

2,484
(374)
(46)
2,064

1
(107)
(1,301)
(1,407)

(1,000)
(1,000)
(343)
25
1,144
826

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FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

1.   GENERAL INFORMATION

Pebble Beach Systems Group plc (“the Company”) and its subsidiaries (together “the Group”) is a leading global 
software business specialising in playout automation and content management solutions for the broadcast and 
streaming service markets. 

The Group employs over 90 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 UK-
adopted international accounting standards.

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 
results of the Group. Standards or amendments issued but not yet effective are not expected to have a material impact 
on the net assets of the Group.

GOING CONCERN BASIS

The directors are required to assess the Company’s and the Group’s ability to continue to trade as a going concern.

At 31 December 2021, the Group’s net debt was £5.9 million (2020: £7.7 million), comprising cash of £1.6 million (2020: 
£0.8 million) and the drawn down RCF from Santander of £7.5 million (2020: £8.5 million). 

We enjoy a close relationship with our bank and have regular review meetings with them. On 10 March 2021, we signed 
a 12-month extension to the RCF and have made all the required repayments of capital and interest due and met the 
financial covenants. On 13 April 2022, we signed a new term loan through to 30 September 2024, which re-financed 
the existing £7.15m RCF at the same level of commitment, with repayment levels consistent with previous years and 
appropriate financial covenants. 

To assess the appropriateness of preparing financial statements on a going concern basis, management prepared 
detailed projections of the consolidated income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements through to 31 
December 2023. This review period extends to the end of the financial year for 2023, which is looking forward for 
four six-month periods beyond that covered by the current annual report. The projections included testing against the 
minimum liquidity and cash flow cover covenants required by the new term loan facility.

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These projections used the budget for 2022 and updated for current trading and forecasts. This analysis was then 
extended to the end of 2023. The projections were stress tested and pipeline project orders for 2022, at less than 50% 
probability were removed. The pipeline for 2023 was assessed based on historic conversion rates. The existing support 
service contracts, where revenue is recognised over time were assessed based on historic renewal rates, to establish 
the likely renewal of this recurring revenue. Management reviewed the resource levels and marketing spend required to 
support the reduced revenue and reflected cost reductions in the forecast. The Board has concluded from its thorough 
assessment of the detailed forecasts, that the Group will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities during the review 
period through to 31 December 2023, that it will meet the bank covenants and that it is appropriate that the Group and 
the Company prepare accounts on a going concern basis.

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 2021. 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. 

Intercompany transactions, balances, income and expenses on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. 
Profits and losses resulting from the intercompany 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. 

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FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

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 PLC 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.

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.

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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.

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. 

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FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

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.

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
Plant, tools, test and computer equipment

LEASES

2 per cent for buildings. No depreciation on land 
5 per cent or the remaining term of the leases. The original length of 
the leases is between 15 and 30 years.
10 per cent 
10 per cent – 33 per cent 

At inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether it is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if it 
conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a time in exchange for consideration. A contract conveys 
the right to control the use of an asset, if the Group receives substantially all of the economic benefits from its use over 
time and controls how it is used.

At inception or on reassessment of a contract that contains a lease component, the Group allocates the consideration in 
the contract to each lease component based on their relative stand-alone prices.

For contracts entered into before 1 January 2019, the Group determined whether the arrangement was or contained a 
lease using the same assessment.

The Group recognises a right of use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right of use asset is 
initially measured at cost. Cost comprises the initial amount of the lease liability, adjusted for any lease payments made 
at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and 
remove the underlying asset or the site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received.

The right of use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to 
the earlier of the end of its useful life or the end of the lease term. Useful life is determined on the same basis as other 
property and equipment.

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The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement 
date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, or if that cannot be determined, the Group’s incremental 
borrowing rate. Generally, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate. The lease liability is 
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

The Group has elected not to recognise right of use assets and lease liabilities for leases that have a term of 12 months 
or less. The Group recognises the payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the 
lease term.

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
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 INSTRUMENTS

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).

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FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

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 Group does not have any financial assets categorised as FVTPL or 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 
expenses.

SUBSEQUENT MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSETS

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.

IMPAIRMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

IFRS 9’s impairment requirements use forward-looking information to recognise expected credit losses – the ‘expected 
credit loss (ECL) model’.

Instruments within the scope of the 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 not 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.

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. 

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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. 

Trade receivables and amounts owed by equity accounted investments, are 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.

(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. 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 effective interest rate method.

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.

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FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

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.

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 equity-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. At the year end there were no material assets or liabilities (2020: £Nil). 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.

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REVENUE RECOGNITION
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’ (i.e. the Group does not provide a significant service integrating, modifying or 

customising it).

Where the contracts include multiple performance obligations, the transaction price will be allocated to each 
performance obligation based on the stand-alone selling prices. Generally, the different performance obligations will 
conform to the different revenue streams. Where these are not directly observable, they are estimated on an expected 
cost-plus margin.

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. Where manufacturers’ warranties are 
provided by the suppliers they are passed on to the customers. Costs to obtain contracts prior to receipt of order are 
expensed immediately, except commission. 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. There were no loss making contracts in 2021.

The Group identified, under IFRS 15, that the only capitalised contract cost where required, is commission. Commission 
cost is capitalised as a prepayment 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 trade and other payables. 

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.

Payment terms are typically on receipt of invoice or 30 days from invoice for contracts involving multiple performance 
obligations and in advance for support contracts. The Group does not expect to have any contracts where the period 
between transfer of the promised goods or services to the customer and payment by the customer exceeds one year. 
As a consequence, the Group does not adjust any of the transaction prices for the time value of money.

The revenue is divided into the following streams:

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FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

(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 is 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 and 
assessed on a contract by contract basis. 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 to the contract for 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 fee covering a fixed period of time. 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. 

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.

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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 2021.

NON-RECURRING ITEMS

These are material items excluded from management’s assessment of profit because by their nature they could distort 
the annual trend in the Group’s 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.

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.

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57

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

3.   FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

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.

Foreign currency denominated financial assets and liabilities which expose the Group to currency risk are disclosed 
below. The amounts shown are those reported to key management translated into pounds sterling at the closing rate.;

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

Pounds Sterling
US dollars
Euros

2021
£000
915
808
331
2,054

The amounts of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents are denominated in the following currencies:

Pounds Sterling
US dollars
Euros

The amounts of the Group’s trade and other payables are denominated in the following currencies:

Pounds Sterling
US dollars
Euros

2021
£000
1,108
301
230
1,639

2021
£000
5,131
644
57
5,832

2020
£000
1,023
335
489
1,847

2020
£000
539
232
55
826

2020
£000
3,391
541
127
4,059

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 
2021
1.376

Average
rate
2020
1.284

Year end
rate
2021
1.348

Year end
rate
2020
1.365

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.

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The following table illustrates the sensitivity of profit and equity relating to the Group’s US business and the GBP/USD 
exchange rate ‘all other things being equal’. It assumes a +/- 10 per cent change of the GBP/USD exchange rate for the 
year ended 31 December 2021 (2020: 10 per cent). This percentage has been determined based on the average market 
volatility in exchange rates in the previous twelve months. The sensitivity analysis is based on the Group’s result and net 
assets and liabilities of the US business at each reporting date.

USD strengthens by 10 per cent
USD weakens by 10 per cent
EUR strengthens by 10 per cent
EUR weakens by 10 per cent

Profit for
the year
2021
52
(42)
57
(47)

Profit for
the year
2020
4
(3)
46
(38)

Equity
2021
54
(45)
57
(47)

Equity
2020
4
(3)
46
(38)

The higher foreign currency exchange rate sensitivity in profit in 2021 compared with 2020 is attributable to the 
improved US result. Equity is less sensitive in 2021 than in 2020 because of a reduction in net US liabilities. 

(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 charge on the Group’s RCF facility at 31 December 2021 was 3.5 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 13 April 2022, a new term loan facility was signed, refinancing the existing £7.15 million revolving credit facility 
agreement. The new term loan secures a £7.15 million facility until 30 September 2024, with revised financial 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. 

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59

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

3.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

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 2021:
Bank loans (secured)
Trade and other payables*
Lease liabilities
At 31 December 2020:
Bank loans (secured)
Trade and other payables*
Lease liabilities

Less than
three months
£000

Between
three months 
and one year
£000

More than
one year
£000

 400 
 2,691 
45

 450 
 1,838 
40

 800 
–
128

 1,350 
–
105

 6,350 
 –
44

 6,750 
 –
1,020

Total
£000

 7,550 
 2,691 
217

 8,550 
 1,838 
1,165

* Included within trade and other payables is accrued interest on the RCF facility of £Nil (2020: £Nil). 

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 £4.0 million at 31 December 2021 
(2020: £4.3 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 (see note 12).

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 judgement recognised in the financial statements:

RECOGNITION OF SERVICE AND INSTALLATION CONTRACT REVENUES

As revenue from support agreements and installation 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 installation contracts 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 installation contracts also 
requires significant judgement in determining the estimated number of hours required to complete the promised work. 

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ESTIMATES

The Group has the following significant estimate 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 EBITDA 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.

The directors believe there is only one operating segment, with one interlinked revenue stream derived from a single 
customer relationship held by Pebble Beach Systems, and the other segment is the corporate costs of running the public 
company. The analysis between these component parts for the year ended 31 December 2021 is as follows:

Segmental reporting by division
Year ended 31 December 2021
Income statement:
Broadcast
Total revenue
Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation
Amortisation of capitalised development costs
Non-recurring items
Share based payment expense
Exchange losses
Finance costs
Intercompany finance income/(costs)
Profit/(loss) before taxation
Taxation
Profit/(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

PLC costs represent corporate expenses.

Pebble Beach 
Systems
£000

PLC costs
£000

 Total 
£000

10,620
10,620
3,862
(160)
(915)
(244)
–
(40)
(81)
107
2,529
(298)
2,231

5,950
5,517
11,467
(5,607)
5,860

82
1,515
404
915

–
–
(580)
–
–
–
(53)
–
(292)
(107)
(1,032)
267
(765)

–
184
184
(7,992)
(7,808)

–
–
–
–

10,620
10,620
3,282
(160)
(915)
(244)
(53)
(40)
(373)
–
1,497
(31)
1,466

5,950
5,701
11,651
(13,599)
(1,948)

82
1,515
404
915

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61

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

5.   SEGMENTAL REPORTING CONTINUED

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.

Pebble Beach 
Systems
£000

PLC costs
£000

 Total 
£000

Segmental reporting by division
Year ended 31 December 2020
Income statement:
Broadcast
Total revenue
Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation
Amortisation of acquired intangibles
Amortisation of capitalised development costs
Share based payment expense
Exchange gains/(losses)
Finance costs
Finance income 
Intercompany finance income/(costs) 
Profit/(loss) before taxation
Taxation
Profit/(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

8,393
8,393
3,234
(234)
(156)
(815)
–
(3)
(40)
1
217
2,204
(152)
2,052

6,209
3,935
10,144
(5,126)
5,018

107
1,301
234
971

–
–
(564)
–
–
–
(12)
18
(334)
–
(217)
(1,109)
351
(758)

351
164
515
(8,999)
(8,484)

–
–
–
–

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 

 One customer in UK and Europe accounted for £1.2 million revenue in 2021 (2020: £nil).

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2021
£000

6,385
927
567
1,940
801
10,620

8,393
8,393
2,670
(234)
(156)
(815)
(12)
15
(374)
1
–
1,095
199
1,294

6,560
4,099
10,659
(14,125)
(3,466)

107
1,301
234
971

2020
£000

4,855
842
333
2,114
249
8,393

 
By segment stream:
Hardware transferred at a point in time
Software transferred at a point in time
Installation transferred over time
Support transferred over time
Total revenue by stream 

2021
£000

2,016
2,904
1,121
4,579
10,620

2020
£000

706
2,297
1,413
3,977
8,393

Non-current assets, other than financial instruments and deferred tax, located in the UK are £5.9 million (2020: £6.2 
million) and rest of world £Nil (2020: £Nil).

6.   OPERATING PROFIT

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

Inventory recognised as an expense
Director and employee costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of acquired intangibles
Non-recurring items
Exchange loss/(gain) charged/(credited) to the income statement
Research and development expenditure expensed in the year which includes:
– Amortisation of capitalised development costs

OTHER EXPENSES

Other expenses comprise:

Amortisation of acquired intangibles
Non-recurring items

NON-RECURRING ITEMS

2021
£000
1,288
5,888
160
–
244
40
1,417
915

2021
£000
–
244
244

2020
£000
644
4,782
234
156
–
(15)
1,263
815

2020
£000
156
–
156

The following items are excluded from management’s assessment of profit because by their nature they could distort the 
annual trend in the Group’s 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:

Provision for costs of transition to remote working

2021
£000
244

2020
£000
–

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63

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

6.   OPERATING PROFIT CONTINUED

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 
Audit of the parent company and consolidated financial statements
Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries

Taxation compliance services
Taxation advisory services
Other non-assurance services

2021
£000

40
37
77
21
2
3
103

2020
£000

16
36
52
18
24
–
94

A description of the work of the Audit Committee is set out in the Corporate Governance Statement on pages 22 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 25)
Share based payment expense (note 22)

2021
£000
5,200
457
178
53
5,888

2020
£000
4,185
439
146
12
4,782

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

2021
Number

2020
Number

18
29
22
16
85

16
24
23
14
77

The average number of employees includes directors with service contracts. The total number of employees at 31 
December 2021 was 92 (2020: 81).

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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
Terminations
Share based payment expense (note 22)

2021
£000

1,223
46
–
53
1,322

2020
£000

838
37
76
12
963

The analysis of key management compensation above includes 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 25 to 28.

8.   FINANCE COSTS 

Interest expense for bank borrowing
Interest expense for leasing and other arrangements
Other interest costs
Total finance costs
Finance income
Finance costs – net

Finance income is derived from cash held on deposit.

9.   INCOME TAX EXPENSE

A) ANALYSIS OF THE TAX CHARGE IN YEAR

Current tax
UK corporation tax
Foreign tax – current year
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Total current tax
Deferred tax
UK deferred tax
Effect of changes in UK tax rate
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Total deferred tax
Total taxation

2021
£000
292
40
41
373
–
373

2021
£000

–
31
–
31

–
–
–
–
31

2020
£000
334
40
–
374
(1)
373

2020
£000

–
35
11
46

(276)
26
5
(245)
(199)

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FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

9.   INCOME TAX EXPENSE CONTINUED

B) FACTORS AFFECTING TAX CHARGE FOR YEAR

The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit in the income statement as follows:

Profit before tax on continuing operations
Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 19.00% (2020: 19.00%)
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Permanent differences
Enhanced R&D tax relief
Foreign tax
Losses utilised 
Depreciation of NQAs
Current year losses not recognised
Effect of changes in UK tax rate
Total taxation

2021
£000
1,497
285
–
5
(311)
31
(83)
1
103
–
31

2020
£000
1,095
208
16
4
(235)
35
(9)
1
(248)
29
(199)

In the Spring Budget 2021, the Government announced that from 1 April 2023 the corporation tax rate would increase 
from 19 per cent to 25 per cent. 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 (2020: nil pence per share)

2021
£000
Nil

2020
£000
Nil 

The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2021.

11.  EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

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. The 
average market value of the Company’s shares for the purpose of calculating the dilutive effect of share options was 
based on quoted market prices for the year during which the options were outstanding.

Weighted-average number of ordinary shares (basic)
Effect of LTIPs outstanding
Effect of share options outstanding
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares (diluted) at 31 December

2021
Weighted average 
number  of shares 
 000s
124,477
100
1,198
125,775

2020
Weighted average 
number  of shares 
 000s
124,477
100
2,285
126,862

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

2021

Weighted 
average 
number 
 of shares 
 000s 

124,477

125,775

Earnings
 £000 

1,466
1,466

1,466
1,466

 Earnings 
 per share 
 pence 

Earnings
 £000 

1.2p
1.2p

1.2p
1.2p

1,294
1,294

1,294
1,294

2020
Weighted
 average
 number 
 of shares 
 000s 

124,477

126,862

 Earnings 
 per share 
 pence 

1.0p
1.0p

1.0p
1.0p

Basic earnings per share
Profit attributable to continuing 
operations
Basic earnings and EPS
Diluted earnings per share
Profit attributable to continuing 
operations
Diluted EPS

ADJUSTED EARNINGS

The directors believe that adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share all provide additional 
useful information on annual 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 to earnings are made in respect of the amortisation of acquired intangibles, share based payment expense 
and exchange gains or losses charged to the income statement and their related tax effects. 

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

Reported earnings and EPS
Amortisation of acquired intangibles
Share based payment expense
Exchange (gains)/losses
Adjusted earnings and EPS

£000
1,466
–
53
32
1,551

2021 
Pence
1.2p
0.0p
0.0p
0.0p
1.2p

£000
1,294
126
12
(12)
1,420

2020 
Pence
1.0p
0.1p
0.0p
0.0p
1.1p

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67

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

12.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Cost
At 1 January 2020
Additions 
At 1 January 2021
Additions 
At 31 December 2021
Accumulated amortisation
At 1 January 2020
Charge for the year 
At 1 January 2021
Charge for the year 
At 31 December 2021
Net book value
At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020
At 1 January 2020

 Acquired 
customer 
relationships 
 £000 

 Acquired 
intellectual 
property 
 £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

4,337
156
4,493
–
4,493

–
–
156

3,350
–
3,350
–
3,350

3,350
–
3,350
–
3,350

–
–
–

4,122
1,301
5,423
1,515
6,938

2,825
815
3,640
915
4,555

2,383
1,783
1,297

 Total 
 £000 

15,183
1,301
16,484
1,515
17,999

10,512
971
11,483
915
12,398

5,601
5,001
4,671

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 Income 
Statement. Within development costs there are £3.2 million (2020: £2.4 million) 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.

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 2021 is £3.2 million (2020: £3.2 million) which relates solely to Pebble Beach Systems.

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 five 
years, long term growth rates beyond 2021 and the discount rate applied. The forecast business performance assumes 
an average revenue growth rate of 8 per cent each year over the next five years (2020: 11 per cent) and a terminal 
growth rate of 2 per cent (2020: 5 per cent). Growth peaks in 2022, as the business continues to recover from the 
reduced sales levels of 2020. 

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The cash flow projections have been discounted to present value using a pre-tax discount rate of 8.9 per cent (2020: 7.2 
per cent), which has been used for the purpose of the impairment test. The discount rate used is the Group’s weighted 
average cost of capital, derived from the benchmark rate of return, being the risk free rate plus 10 per cent, and the 
Group’s cost of debt being 3.8 per cent. 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 discount rate would have to be 43.4 per cent for the goodwill to be impaired. 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 and approved by the Board.

Capitalised development costs are classified in the table below:

Product type
Existing installed products
New IP based solutions
Total capitalised development costs

Amortisation period
Products amortised over 3 years
Products amortised over 5 years

13.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

2021
Net book
value
1,265 
1,118 
2,383 

2020
Net book
value
1,233 
550 
1,783 

Cost
At 1 January 2020
Additions
Disposals
Exchange adjustment
At 1 January 2021
Additions
Lease adjustment
At 31 December 2021
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Disposals
Exchange adjustment
At 1 January 2021
Charge for the year
Lease adjustment
At 31 December 2021
Net book value
At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020
At 1 January 2020

Right of
 Use
 Assets 
 £000

1,127
153
–
–
1,280
–
(715)
565

133
149
–
–
282
88
66
436

129
998
994

 Freehold 
 land and 
 buildings 
 £000 

 Leasehold 
improvements, 
 fixtures and 
 fittings 
 £000 

 Plant, tools, 
 test and 
 computer 
equipment 
 £000 

116
–
–
–
116
–
–
116

46
15
–
–
61
8
–
69

47
55
70

153
13
–
–
166
–
–
166

133
10
–
–
143
11
–
154

12
23
20

593
94
(4)
(1)
682
82
–
764

495
60
(4)
(1)
550
53
–
603

161
132
98

 Total 
 £000

1,989
260
(4)
(1)
2,244
82
(715)
1,611

807
234
(4)
(1)
1,036
160
66
1,262

349
1,208
1,182

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69

FINANCIALS 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

13.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT CONTINUED
Included in the net carrying amount of right of use assets are:

Buildings
Motor Vehicles
Total right of use assets

2021
£000
129
–
129

2020
£000
985
13
998

Lease liabilities in relation to right of use assets are disclosed in Note 20. Following the strategic decision to become a 
remote working organisation during the year, it was decided to exercise in 2022 the break clause in the lease of one of 
the buildings. The right of use asset has been adjusted accordingly.

14.  INVENTORIES

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress

2021
£000
254
176
430

2020
£000
117
31
148

During the year the Group consumed £1.3 million (2020: £0.6 million) of inventories, of which £1.3 million (2020: £0.6 
million) related to continuing operations.

15.  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables
Less: allowance for credit losses
Trade receivables – net
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

2021
£000
2,054
(198)
1,856
64
1,712
3,632

2020
£000
1,847
(82)
1,765
51
1,309
3,125

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 are reviewed under the probability-weighted assessment under IFRS 
9. At 31 December 2021 trade receivables of £0.9 million (2020: £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

2021
£000
873
–
–
873

2020
£000
888
95
57
1,040

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At 31 December 2021 trade receivables of £0.2 million (2020: £0.1 million) were impaired and provided for in whole 
or in part. The provision of £0.2 million (2020: £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

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

At 1 January
Provision for receivable impairment
Receivables recovered/(written off) during the year as uncollectable
At 31 December

2021
£000
8
8
182
198

2021
£000
915
808
331
2,054

2021
£000
82
112
4
198

2020
£000
39
8
35
82

2020
£000
1,023
335
489
1,847

2020
£000
187
(23)
(82)
82

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

Cash and bank balances
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

2021
£000
1,639
1,639

The amounts of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents are denominated in the following currencies:

Pounds Sterling
US dollars
Euros

2021
£000
1,108
301
230
1,639

2020
£000
826
826

2020
£000
539
232
55
826

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.

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71

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

16.  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS CONTINUED

A-1
Total

2021
£000
1,639
1,639

2020
£000
826
826

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

 Net cash 
and cash 
equivalents 
 £000 
826

2021

 Other 
borrowings 
 £000 
(8,550)

1,814
(1,000)
(1)

–
1,000
–

 Net cash 
and cash 
equivalents 
 £000 
1,144

2020

 Other 
borrowings 
 £000 
(9,550)

657
(1,000)
25

–
1,000
–

 Total 
net cash 
 £000 
(7,724)

1,814
–
(1)

 Total 
net cash 
 £000 
(8,406)

657
–
25

1,639

(7,550)

(5,911)

826

(8,550)

(7,724)

At 1 January
Cash flow for the year before 
financing 
Movement in borrowings in the year
Exchange rate adjustments
Cash and cash equivalents 
at 31 December

17.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Contract liabilities 
Trade payables
Accruals 
Other taxes and social security costs

2021
£000
3,141
562
1,872
257
5,832

The following table shows how much of the revenue recognised in the current reporting period relates to carried-
forward contract liabilities

Hardware, software and installation
Support

The amounts of the Group’s trade and other payables are denominated in the following currencies:

Pounds Sterling
US dollars
Euros

2021
£000
163
1,672
1,835

2021
£000
5,131
644
57
5,832

2020
£000
2,221
522
1,108
208
4,059

2020
£000
217
1,886
2,103

2020
£000
3,391
541
127
4,059

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18.  FINANCIAL LIABILITIES – BORROWINGS

Current:
Bank loans (secured)
Non-current:
Bank loans (secured)

BANK BORROWING FACILITIES

2021
£000

2020
£000

1,200

1,800

6,350

6,750

Borrowing at 31 December 2021 comprised the fully drawn down Revolving Credit Facility of £7.5 million (2020: £8.5 
million). 

On 13 April 2022, a new term loan facility was signed, refinancing the existing £7.15 million revolving credit facility 
agreement. The new term loan secures a £7.15 million facility until 30 September 2024, with revised financial 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 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 2021 of £5.9 million (2020: £7.7 million).

Net debt comprises:
Cash and cash equivalents
Borrowings
Net debt at 31 December

19.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

2021
N/A
3.64%

2020
N/A
3.58%

1,639
(7,550)
(5,911)

826
(8,550)
(7,724)

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

2021
Other 
financial assets 
at amortised cost
 £000 

2020
Other 
financial assets
at amortised cost
 £000 

1,920
1,639
3,559

1,816
826
2,642

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

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73

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

19.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED

Liabilities as per statement of financial position at 31 December
Trade and other payables excluding contract liabilities and social 
security liabilities
Borrowings
Total

20.  LEASE LIABILITIES

Lease liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position as follows:

Current
Non-current
Total

2021
Other 
financial liabilities 
at amortised cost
 £000 

2020
Other 
financial liabilities 
at amortised cost
 £000 

2,434
7,550
9,984

2021
£000
173
44
217

1,775
8,550
10,325

2020
£000
145
1,020
1,165

The Group has leases for two office buildings and a motor vehicle. With the exception of short term leases and leases of 
low value underlying assets, each lease is reflected on the balance sheet as a right of use asset and a lease liability. The 
Group identifies its right of use assets as a separate category within its property, plant and equipment (see note 13).

Each lease generally imposes a restriction that the right of use asset may only be used by the Group. Leases are either 
non-cancellable or may only be cancelled by incurring a substantive cancellation fee. For the leases over office buildings 
the Group must keep those properties in a good state of repair. The Group must insure items of property, plant and 
equipment and incur maintenance fees on them in accordance with the lease contracts.

The leases for the office buildings end in 2029 (with a break clause in 2024) and 2030 (with a break clause in 2022). 
During the year it was decided to exercise the break clause in 2022, and the lease liability has been adjusted accordingly. 
The motor vehicle lease ends in 2022.

Future minimum lease payments at 31 December 2021 were as follows:

Minimum lease payments due  
at 31 December 2021
Lease payments
Finance charges
Net present values
Minimum lease payments due  
at 31 December 2020
Lease payments
Finance charges
Net present values

Within
1 year
£000

178
(5)
173

179
(34)
145

 1-2
years
£000 

45
(1)
44

188
(32)
156

 2-3
years
£000 

 3-4
years
£000 

 4-5
years
£000 

After
5 years
£000 

–
–
–

188
(27)
161

–
–
–

119
(22)
97

–
–
–

119
(19)
100

Total
£000

211
(6)
217

–
–
–

546
(40)
506

1,339
(174)
1,165

Total cash outflow for leases for the year ended 31 December 2021 was £199,000 (2020: £189,000).

There is no material difference between the future cash out flows and the amounts disclosed in the table above.

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21.  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.

In the Spring Budget 2021, the Government announced that from 1 April 2023 the corporation tax rate would increase 
from 19 per cent to 25 per cent. Deferred taxes at the balance sheet date have been measured using these enacted tax 
rates and reflected in these financial statements.

Deferred tax liabilities
At 1 January 2021
Charge/(credit) to profit or loss
At 31 December 2021

Deferred tax assets
At 1 January 2021
Charge to profit or loss
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2021

Deferred tax liabilities
At 1 January 2020
Charge/(credit) to profit or loss
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2020

Deferred tax assets
At 1 January 2020
Charge to profit or loss
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2020

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation 
£000

 Intangible 
assets
£000 

 Losses 
£000

 Other 
£000

 Total
£000 

90
(10)
80

261
277
538

(351)
(267)
(618)

–
–
–

–
–
–

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation 
£000

 Intangible 
assets
£000 

 Losses 
£000

 Other 
£000

 Total
£000 

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation 
£000

 Intangible 
assets
£000 

 Losses 
£000

 Other 
£000

79
12
(1)
90

170
91
–
261

–
(351)
–
(351)

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

 Total
£000 

249
(248)
(1)
–

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation 
£000

 Intangible 
assets
£000 

 Losses 
£000

 Other 
£000

 Total
£000 

3
(3)
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

3
(3)
–
–

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75

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

21.  DEFERRED TAXATION CONTINUED

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

Net deferred tax liability at 1 January
Credited in the year
Exchange Adjustment
Net deferred tax liability at 31 December

2021
£000
–
–
–
–

2020
£000
(246)
245
1
–

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

Deferred tax asset on losses

22.  ORDINARY SHARES

Ordinary shares of 2.5 pence each at 31 December
Authorised
Allotted and fully paid
At 1 January
At 31 December

POTENTIAL ISSUE OF SHARES

2021
£000
4,356

2020
£000
3,414

 Number 
 ’000s 

2021
 £000 

 Number 
 ’000s 

2020
 £000 

200,000

5,000

200,000

5,000

124,603
124,603

3,115
3,115

124,603
124,603

3,115
3,115

The Group has established the following share-based payment schemes:

A) EXECUTIVE SHARE OPTION SCHEMES

The Group established the 2019 Share Option Scheme, which was approved by shareholders on 23 May 2019.

Executive share options are granted from the scheme 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 and subject to stretching performance conditions. Options will ordinarily become exercisable 
on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant.

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

Date of grant
21 June 2019

Exercise price

 Exercise period
6.18p 21/06/24 – 20/06/29

2021
Number
’000s
2,877

2020
Number
’000s
6,000

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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

2021
 Weighted
average
exercise
price 
6.18p
6.18p
6.18p
–

 Number 
 ’000s 
6,000
(3,123)
2,877
–

2020
 Weighted
average
exercise
price 
6.18p
–
6.18p
–

 Number 
 ’000s 
6,000
–
6,000
–

The performance measurement date for the outstanding options has passed. 2,876,667 options vested at year end 
based on achievement of EBITDA and share price performance criteria. 3,123,333 lapsed either from failure to achieve 
performance conditions or from the impact of leavers.

The fair value of the options granted was determined using the Black-Scholes model. The inputs used in the 
measurement of the fair values at grant date were as follows:

Fair value at grant date
Share price at grant date
Exercise price
Expected volatility
Expected life
Expected dividends
Risk-free interest rate

2019
2.15p
6.18p
6.18p
72.57%
5.00 years
Nil
0.62%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous 
three years. The risk-free rate of return is the yield on zero coupon UK government bonds of a term consistent with the 
assumed option life. The Group recognised a total charge of £53,000 (2020: £12,000) related to equity-settled share-
based payment transactions in the income statement in the year.

B) LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (LTIP)

The Group established the LTIP scheme in 2008 and has one remaining holder of options. The LTIP was closed to further 
grants in 2019. 

The options granted under this scheme are nil costs and 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. 

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77

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

22.  ORDINARY SHARES CONTINUED

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

Date of grant
03 June 2014

Share price
at award
date

 Vesting date
45.1p 03 June 2017

2021
Number
’000s
100

2020
Number
’000s
100

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

Outstanding at the beginning and end of the year

2021
 Weighted  
average
share price  
at the date  
of grant 
45.1p

2020
 Weighted  
average
share price  
at the 
date of grant 
45.1p

 Number 
 ’000s 
100

 Number 
 ’000s 
100

The options outstanding at 31 December 2021 had a weighted average exercise price of nil pence (2020: nil pence) 
and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.4 years (2019: 3.4 years). All 100,000 options outstanding have 
vested and are exercisable.

SHARE OWNERSHIP PLAN

At 31 December 2021 the trustee of the Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) held 126,496 shares (2020: 126,496) 
with a market value of approximately £15,000 (2020: £13,000). The net book value of these shares was £40,000 (2020: 
£40,000) and was deducted from equity.

23.  RESERVES

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

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

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.

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 (e.g. dividends) not 
recognised elsewhere.

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24.  CASH FLOW GENERATED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations:

Profit before tax
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation and impairment of development costs
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangibles
Non-recurring item
Share based payment expense
Finance income
Finance costs
Increase in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
Cash generated from operations

25.  PENSIONS

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

2021
£000
1,497
160
915
–
244
53
–
373
(282)
(507)
1,362
3,815

2020
£000
1,095
234
815
156
–
12
(1)
374
(8)
343
(536)
2,484

The Group operates a stakeholder pension scheme in the UK with Scottish Widows Plc. The total Group pension charge 
for the year was £0.2 million (2020: £0.1 million). At 31 December 2021 there was no balance outstanding to the scheme 
(2020: £Nil).

The Group has no unfunded pension liabilities.

26.  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 team and the 
Company Secretary. The compensation paid or payable to key management for employee services is disclosed in note 7.

In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies 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 2021, are provided in the entity financial 
statements of Pebble Beach Systems Group plc. 

The services of Chris Errington, Non-Executive Director appointed 4 May 2021, are provided and invoiced by Kestrel 
Partners LLP, a company in which he has an ownership interest. During the year ended 31 December 2021, the 
Company was charged £21k by Kestrel Partners LLP, £3k of which remained unpaid at the year end. The total value of 
transactions with Kestrel Partners LLP in respect of the provision of Mr Errington’s services is shown in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report.

There are no material related parties other than Group companies. 

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79

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

27.  POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT 

NEW TERM LOAN

At 31 December 2021, the Group’s net debt (excluding debt related to leases) was £5.9 million (2020: £7.7 million), 
comprising net cash of £1.6 million (2020: £0.8 million) and the drawn down RCF from Santander of £7.5 million (2020: 
£8.5 million). 

We maintain a good relationship and regular communication with our bank, who remain very supportive of our strategy 
to invest in developing our new technology solutions. On 13 April 2022, a new term loan facility was signed, refinancing 
the existing £7.15 million revolving credit facility agreement. The new term loan secures a £7.15 million facility until 30 
September 2024, with revised financial covenants and a repayment schedule consistent with previous years, allowing for 
investment in new technology solutions. 

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COMPANY INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Administrative expenses
Other expenses
Operating loss
  Operating loss is analysed as:
  Adjusted operating loss
  Non-recurring items
  Share based payment expense
  Exchange gains credited to the income statement
Finance costs
Finance income
Loss before tax
Tax
Loss for the year attributable to shareholders

Note

E

F
F

 G
P

2021
£000
(633)
–
(633)

(580)
–
(53)
–
(399)
–
(1,032)
267
(765)

2020
£000
(556)
(5,246)
(5,802)

(562)
(5,246)
(12)
18
(551)
123
(6,230)
351
(5,879)

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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81

FINANCIALSCOMPANY STATEMENT  
OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021

Assets 
Non-current assets
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 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

The company’s registered number: 04082188

Note

2021
£000

2020
£000

H
M

I
L
J

N
K

N

O
P
P
P
P

24,491
618
25,109

24,491
351
24,842

28
–
156
184

1,200
12,517
13,717
13,533

6,350
6,350
5,226

3,115
6,800
617
1,882
(7,188)
5,226

25
–
139
164

1,800
12,318
14,118
13,954

6,750
6,750
4,138

3,115
6,800
617
1,882
(8,276)
4,138

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

The financial statements on pages 81 to 97 were approved by the Board of directors on 4 May 2022 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 2021

At 1 January 2020
Share based payments: value of 
employee services
Unclaimed dividends
Transactions with owners
Income from shares in Group 
undertakings
Loss for the financial year
At 31 December 2020

At 1 January 2021
Share based payments: value of 
employee services
Transactions with owners
Income from shares in Group 
undertakings
Loss for the financial year
At 31 December 2021

Ordinary 
shares 
£000
3,115

Share 
premium 
£000 
6,800

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
 £000
617

Merger 
reserve 
£000
1,882

Accumulated 
losses 
£000
(7,453)

–
–
–

–
–
3,115

–
–
–

–
–
6,800

3,115

6,800

–
–

–
–
3,115

–
–

–
–
6,800

–
–
–

–
–
617

617

–
–

–
–
617

Total 
equity
£000
4,961

12
44
56

5,000
(5,879)
4,138

–
–
–

–
–
1,882

12
44
56

5,000
(5,879)
(8,276)

1,882

(8,276)

4,138

–
–

–
–
1,882

53
53

1,800
(765)
(7,188)

53
53

1,800
(765)
5,226

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83

FINANCIALSCOMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Cash flow from operating activities
Cash used in operations
Interest paid
Taxation paid 
Net cash used in operating activities
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 used in financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

Notes

Q

J

2021
£000

(590)
(399)
–
(989)

–
2,006
2,006

(1,000)
(1,000)
17
139
156

2020
£000

(453)
(551)
–
(1,004)

123
1,921
2,044

(1,000)
(1,000)
40
99
139

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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 UK-adopted international 
accounting standards. 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 assess the Company’s and the Group’s ability to continue to trade as a going concern. The 
Board concluded, from its thorough assessment of the detailed forecasts, that the Group will have sufficient resources to 
meet its liabilities during the review period through to 31 December 2023 and that it is appropriate that the Group and 
the Company prepare accounts on a going concern basis. The Company is reliant on receiving dividends from Pebble 
Beach Systems Limited to fund its costs and loan repayment commitments.

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.

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85

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

B   ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

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.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
RECOGNITION AND DERECOGNITION

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Company 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 INSTRUMENTS

The Company’s financial liabilities include borrowings, trade and other payables, including amounts owed to Group 
undertakings. Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value, and, where applicable, adjusted for transaction costs 
unless the Company 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 Company does not have any financial assets categorised as FVTPL or 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 
expenses.

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SUBSEQUENT MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSETS

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 Company’s cash and cash equivalents, trade and most other 
receivables fall into this category of financial instruments.

IMPAIRMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

IFRS 9’s impairment requirements use forward-looking information to recognise expected credit losses – the ‘expected 
credit loss (ECL) model’.

Instruments within the scope of the 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 not dependent on the Company first identifying a credit loss event. Instead the Company 
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.

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES AND CONTRACT ASSETS

The Company makes use of a simplified approach in accounting for trade and other receivables, including amounts 
owed by Group undertakings, 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 Company uses its historical experience, external indicators 
and forward-looking information to calculate the expected credit losses using a provision matrix.

The Company 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. 

Trade receivables and amounts owed by equity accounted investments, are 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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87

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

B   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 Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivable. 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 Company 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 effective interest rate method.

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.

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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 annual trend in the Group’s 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 and Note H below. 

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

Taxation compliance services
Taxation advisory services
Other non-assurance services

2021
£000

2020
£000

40
40
8
2
3
53

16
16
12
9
–
37

A description of the work of the Audit Committee is set out in the Corporate Governance Statement on pages 18 to 24 
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 25)
Share-based payments (note O)

2021
£000
389
45
9
53
496

2020
£000
213
23
5
12
253

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89

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

D   DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES CONTINUED

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

Average monthly number of employees
General and administrative

2021
Number

2020
Number

5
5

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 2021 was 6 (2020: 5).

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

2021
£000

203
8
211

2020
£000

37
2
39

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 25 to 28.

E   OPERATING PROFIT

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

Director and employee costs
Exchange gains credited to the income statement

Other expenses
Other expenses comprise:
– Non-recurring items

NON-RECURRING ITEMS

2021
£000
496
–

2021
£000

2020
£000
253
(18)

2020
£000

–

5,246

These are material items excluded from management’s assessment of profit because by their nature they could distort 
the annual trend in the Group’s 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:

Impairment of investment

2021
£000
–
–

2020
£000
5,246
5,246

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F   FINANCE EXPENSE – NET

Finance costs – third party
Finance costs – intercompany
Finance income – intercompany
Finance expense – net

2021
£000
292
107
–
399

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

Finance income is derived from interest received on intercompany loans. 

G  

INCOME TAX CHARGE
A) ANALYSIS OF THE TAX CHARGE IN THE YEAR

2021
£000

–
–

(267)
(267)
(267)

2021
£000
(1,032)
(196)
2
76
–
(148)
(267)

Current tax
Foreign tax – current year
Total current tax
Deferred tax
UK corporation tax
Total deferred tax
Total taxation

B) FACTORS AFFECTING TAX CHARGE FOR THE 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% (2020: 19.00%)
Permanent differences
Current year losses not recognised
Foreign tax
Effect of changes in UK tax rate
Total taxation

H  

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

Cost
At 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021
Provision for impairment
At 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021
Net book value
At 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2021

2020
£000
334
217
(123)
428

2020
£000

–
–

(351)
(351)
(351)

2020
£000
(6,230)
(1,184)
999
(166)
–
–
(351)

Investments in 
subsidiaries’ 
unlisted shares
£000

41,375

16,884

24,491

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91

FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

H  

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES CONTINUED
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. The valuation of investment in subsidiaries has not changed during the year and is 
considered to be fair and does not require impairment. £14.9 million of the total is the carrying value of the trading part 
of the group, headed by Pebble Beach Systems Ltd. The value of this business was assessed on a fair value less cost of 
disposal basis. The Board has considered these valuations and concluded that no impairment is required. The remaining 
investment value relates to Legacy Broadcast Group Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries, which are non-trading. The 
valuation equates to the net asset value of the Legacy group of companies and the Board have therefore concluded that 
there is no impairment.

I  

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Prepayments and accrued income

J   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and bank balances
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

2021
£000
28
28

2021
£000
156
156

2020
£000
25
25

2020
£000
139
139

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

2021
£000

156
156

2020
£000

139
139

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

Net cash
and cash
equivalents
£000
139
1,017
(1,000)

2021

Other
borrowings
£000
(8,550)
–
1,000

Total
net cash
£000
(8,411)
1,017
–

Net cash
and cash
equivalents
£000
99
1,040
(1,000)

2020

Other
borrowings
£000
(9,550)
–
1,000

Total
net cash
£000
(9,451)
1,040
–

156

(7,550)

(7,394)

139

(8,550)

(8,411)

At 1 January
Cash flow for the year 
Movement in borrowings in the year
Cash and cash equivalents  
at 31 December

K   TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 

Trade creditors
Amounts owed to Group undertakings
Accruals and deferred income

2021
£000
43
12,075
399
12,517

2020
£000
68
11,869
381
12,318

Amounts owed to Group undertakings are unsecured, have no fixed date of repayment and are repayable on demand. 
£9,630,000 (2020: £9,630,000) attracts no interest and £2,445,000 (2020: £2,239,000) attracts interest at 3.50% plus 
LIBOR (2020: 2.50% plus LIBOR).

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L   CURRENT TAX LIABILITIES

UK corporation tax

M   DEFERRED TAXATION

2021
£000
–
–

2020
£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.

In the Spring Budget 2021, the Government announced that from 1 April 2023 the corporation tax rate would increase 
from 19 per cent to 25 per cent. Deferred taxes at the balance sheet date have been measured using these enacted tax 
rates and reflected in these financial statements.

Deferred tax assets
At 1 January 2021
Credit to profit or loss
At 31 December 2021

Accelerated tax 
depreciation 
£000

 Losses 
£000

 Other 
£000

 Total
£000 

–
–
–

351
267
618

–
–
–

351
267
618

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

Deferred tax asset on losses

N   BANK LOANS 

Current:
Bank loans (secured)
Non-current:
Bank loans (secured)

2021
£000
1,690
1,690

2021
£000

2020
£000
1,204
1,204

2020
£000

1,200

1,800

6,350

6,750

Further information about these facilities is given in note 18 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 of the Group financial statements).

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BY CATEGORY 

Assets as per statement of financial position at 31 December
Cash and cash equivalents
Total

2021
Other financial 
assets 
at amortised cost
 £000 

2020
Other 
financial assets
at amortised cost
 £000 

156
156

139
139

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

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FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

N   BANK LOANS CONTINUED

Liabilities as per statement of financial position at 31 December
Trade and other payables excluding contract liabilities and social security 
liabilities
Borrowings
Total

O   CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL

2021
Other 
financial liabilities 
at amortised cost
 £000 

2020
Other 
financial liabilities 
at amortised cost
 £000 

12,517
7,550
20,067

12,318
8,550
20,868

Ordinary shares of 2.5 pence each at 31 December
Authorised
Allotted and fully paid
At 1 January
At 31 December

POTENTIAL ISSUE OF SHARES

 Number 
 ’000s 

2021
 £000 

 Number 
 ’000s 

2020
 £000 

200,000

5,000

200,000

5,000

124,603
124,603

3,115
3,115

124,603
124,603

3,115
3,115

The Company has established the following share-based payment schemes:

A) EXECUTIVE SHARE OPTION SCHEMES

The Group established the 2019 Share Option Scheme, which was approved by shareholders on 23 May 2019.

Executive share options are granted from the scheme 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 and subject to stretching performance conditions. Options will ordinarily become exercisable 
on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant.

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

Date of grant
21 June 2019

Exercise price
6.18p

 Exercise period
21/06/24 – 20/06/29

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

2021
Number
’000s
2,877

2020
Number
’000s
6,000

Outstanding at beginning of year
Lapsed during the year
Outstanding at the end of the year
Exercisable at the end of the year

2021
 Weighted
average
exercise
price 
6.18p
6.18p
6.18p
–

 Number 
 ’000s 
6,000
(3,123)
2,877
–

2020
 Weighted
average
exercise
price 
6.18p
–
6.18p
–

 Number 
 ’000s 
6,000
–
6,000
–

The performance measurement date for the outstanding options has passed. 2,876,667 options vested at year end 
based on achievement of EBITDA and share price performance criteria. 3,123,333 lapsed either from failure to achieve 
performance conditions or from the impact of leavers. 

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The fair value of the options granted was determined using the Black-Scholes model. The inputs used in the 
measurement of the fair values at grant date were as follows:

Fair value at grant date
Share price at grant date
Exercise price
Expected volatility
Expected life
Expected dividends
Risk-free interest rate

2019
2.15p
6.18p
6.18p
72.57%
5.00 years
Nil
0.62%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous 
three years. The risk-free rate of return is the yield on zero coupon UK government bonds of a term consistent with the 
assumed option life. The Company recognised a total charge of £53,000 (2020: £12,000) related to equity-settled share-
based payment transactions in the income statement in the year.

B) LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (LTIP)

The Company established the LTIP scheme in 2008 and has one remaining holder of options. The LTIP was closed to 
further grants in 2019. 

The options granted under this scheme are nil costs and 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. 

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

Date of grant
03 June 2014

Share price
at award
date

 Vesting date
45.1p 03 June 2017

2021
Number
’000s
100

2020
Number
’000s
100

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

Outstanding at the beginning and end of the year

2021
 Weighted  
average
share price  
at the date  
of grant 
45.1p

2020
 Weighted  
average
share price  
at the 
date of grant 

45.1p

 Number 
 ’000s 
100

 Number 
 ’000s 
100

The options outstanding at 31 December 2021 had a weighted average exercise price of nil pence (2020: nil pence) 
and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.4 years (2019: 3.4 years). All 100,000 options outstanding have 
vested and are exercisable.

SHARE OWNERSHIP PLAN

At 31 December 2021 the trustee of the Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) held 126,496 shares (2020: 126,496) 
with a market value of approximately £15,000 (2020: £13,000). The net book value of these shares was £40,000 (2020: 
£40,000) and was deducted from equity.

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FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE COMPANY  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

P   RESERVES

At 1 January 2021
Share based payments: value of employee 
services
Income from shares in Group undertakings
Loss for the financial year
At 31 December 2021

Ordinary
shares
£000
3,115

–
–
–
3,115

Share 
premium 
£000
6,800

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000
617

–
–
–
6,800

–
–
–
617

Merger 
reserve 
£000
1,882

Accumulated 
losses 
£000
(8,276)

–
–
–
1,882

53
1,800
(765)
(7,188)

Q   CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Reconciliation of loss before tax to cash used in operations.

Loss before tax
Impairment of investment
Share-based payment expense
Finance income
Finance costs
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables
Cash used in operations

2021
£000
(1,032)
–
53
–
399
(3)
(7)
(590)

2020
£000
(6,230)
5,246
12
(123)
551
7
84
(453)

R   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 2021, there was £7.5 million of bank borrowings 
outstanding (2020: £8.5 million).

The Company has no capital expenditure contracted for but not provided at 31 December 2021 (2019: £Nil).

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S   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

Pebble Beach Systems 
Limited*

100%

Country of 
incorporation 
and 
operation 

UK

Principal activity

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

Pebble Beach Systems 
R&D Limited

100%

Research and development 
of new software

UK

Pebble Broadcast 
Systems, Inc.

100%

Legacy Broadcast Group 
Holdings Limited*

100%

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

USA

Dormant Company**

UK

Legacy Broadcast 
International Limited

100%

Dormant Company**

UK

Legacy Broadcast 
Communications Limited

100%

Dormant Company**

UK

Legacy Broadcast Limited 100%

Dormant Company**

Ireland

*   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

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

2 Shelbourne Buildings, Crampton 
Ave, Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, 
Dublin 4, D04 W3V6, Ireland

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FINANCIALSANALYSIS OF SHAREHOLDERS

As at 31 December 2021

Holding size range
0–1,000
1,001–5,000
5,001–10,000
10,001–100,000
Over 100,000

Number of 
shareholders
3,458
1,755
259
185
69
5,726

Percentage
of total 
shareholders
59.71
31.13
4.63
3.40
1.13
100.0

Number of
shares 
‘000s
1,516
3,931
1,939
5,587
111,630
124,603

Percentage 
of issued 
share capital
1.22
3.15
1.56
4.48
89.59
100.0

WARNING TO SHAREHOLDERS: BOILER ROOM SCAMS
Many companies are 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.

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SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JOHN VARNEY

Independent Non-Executive Chairman

GRAHAM PITMAN

Senior Independent Non-Executive 
Director

RICHARD LOGAN

Non-Executive Director  
Audit Committee Chairman

CHRIS ERRINGTON 

Non-Executive Director  
Remuneration Committee Chairman

PETER MAYHEAD 

Group Chief Executive Officer 

DAVID DEWHURST

Chief Financial Officer

LEGAL ADVISERS
PINSENT MASONS LLP

55 Colmore Row 
Birmingham  
B3 2FG

REGISTRARS 
COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR  
SERVICES PLC

The Pavilions 
Bridgwater Road 
Bristol  
BS13 8AE

NOMINATED ADVISER AND BROKER
FINNCAP LTD

1 Bartholomew Close 
London  
EC1A 7BL

REGISTERED OFFICE

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

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER

04082188 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
GRANT THORNTON UK LLP

First Floor 
One Valpy 
20 Valpy Street 
Reading 
RG1 1AR

BANKERS
SANTANDER CORPORATE BANKING 

2 Triton Square 
Regent’s Place 
London 
NW1 3AN

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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COMPANY INFORMATION30840 

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