Quarterlytics / Technology / Pelatro Plc

Pelatro Plc

ptro · LSE Technology
Claim this profile
Ticker ptro
Exchange LSE
Sector Technology
Industry
Employees 51-200
← All annual reports
FY2019 Annual Report · Pelatro Plc
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
B e    R elevant

A N N U A L

R E P O R T

20
19

D E E P E N I N G   T H E   C O N N E C T I O N S

UK | USA | Singapore | Russia | India | Malaysia | Philippines | Brazil

OU R  PRE SENCE

Bahamas

USA

Morocco

Sudan

Cyprus

Brazil

Bulgaria

Kazakhstan

Nepal

UK

Russia

Bangladesh

Thailand

Phillippines

Myanmar

Phillippines

India

India

Malaysia

Singapore

Cambodia

Sri Lanka

Maldives

Vietnam

- Office Locations

2

NOMINATED

ADVISERS AND

STOCKBROKERS

Cenkos Securities Plc

6.7.8 Tokenhouse Yard

London, EC2R 7AS

SOLICITORS

Memery Crystal LLP

165 Fleet Street

London EC4A 2DY

COMPANY INFORMATION

DIRECTORS

Subash Menon

Sudeesh Yezhuvath 

Richard Day

Nic Hellyer

Pieter Verkade

AUDITOR

Crowe U.K. LLP

St Bride’s House

10 Salisbury Square

London EC4Y 8EH

REGISTRARS

Equiniti Limited

Aspect House , Spencer Road

Lancing

West Sussex

BN99 6DA

SHARE CAPITAL

BANKERS

ICICI Bank UK PLC

One Thomas More Street

London E1W 1YN

Bank of America, N.A.

P.O. Box 25118

Tampa, FL 33622-5118

DBS Bank Ltd

12 Marina Boulevard, Marina Bay 

Financial Centre, Tower 3,

Singapore 018982

Kotak Mahindra Bank

4m-411 – S.K.L.N.S Complex,

3rd Block, Kammanahalli 

Bangalore 560043, India

ICICI Bank Ltd

Kalyan Nagar, No.4 M-417, 80 Feet 

Road, HRBR 3rd Block, Kammanahalli,

Kalyan Nagar, Bangalore 560043, India

The ordinary share capital of Pelatro Plc is admitted to trading on AIM, a market operated by London Stock 

Exchange Group plc. The shares are quoted under the trading ticker PTRO.

The ISIN number is GB00BYXH8F66 and the SEDOL number is BYXH8F6.

SHAREHOLDER ENQUIRIES

Tel. 0371 384 2030* (from UK)

+44 121 415 7047 (from overseas)

lines are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday

http://www.pelatro.com/investors/

3

FIV E Y EA R TRACK
RE CO RD

Year to/as at 31 December

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Revenue

$'000

6,667

6,123

3,146

1,205

353

Revenue growth

%

9%

95%

161%

241%

n/a

Adjusted EBITDA

$'000

2,893

3,776

2,004

498

77

EBITDA margin

%

43%

61%

64%

41%

22%

Operating profit (before exceptional costs)

$'000

883

2,861

1,801

360

30

Operating margin

%

13%

47%

57%

30%

8%

Statutory profit before tax

$'000

1,009

2,513

1,096

360

30

Adjusted earnings per share (basic and diluted)

Statutory earnings per share (basic and diluted)1

¢

¢

4.2¢

10.2¢

8.9¢

2.0¢

0.2¢

2.5¢

8.0¢

4.8¢

2.0¢

0.2¢

Net cash flow from operating activities
(pre-exceptional items)

$'000

1,361

881

(33
)

447

56

Net cash used in investing activities

$'000

(2,393)

(9,092
)

(744
)

(401
)

(149
)

Net cash used in/(from) financing activities

$'000

)
(246

6,814

4,707

54

214

Net cash at year end

$'000

484

1,823

3,086

196

119

1: from continuing operations

4

T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S

S T R A T E G I C   R E P O R T

About Pelatro

Highlights of 2019

mViva: A Comprehensive Suite of Solutions

Chairman's Statement

Managing Director and CEO's Report

Pelatro and mViva: A Unique Combination

The Stateless State-Flows

Assessment and Development Centre Initiative at Pelatro

Key Performance Indicators 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties 

Strategic Report - Financial Review

C O R P O R A T E   G O V E R N A N C E

Board of Directors 

Corporate Governance Review 

S.172 Statement

Key Managerial Personnel

Report of the Directors

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Group Statement of Financial Position 

Group Statement of Cash Flow

Group Statement of Changes in Equity

Notes to the Group Financial Statements 

Company Statement of Financial Position

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

Notes to the Company Financial Statements

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

06

07

08

10

12

15

17

19

22

23

29

34

36

44

51

52

58

64

65

67

69

71

109

111

113

5

  
01 

ABOUT PELATRO

Pelatro  is  a  focused  and  specialised  player  in  the  telecom  marketing  space.  We  provide  enterprise-class  software 

solutions that help our customers, the telecom operators, to increase revenue and reduce churn. This is achieved by 

analysing  the  behaviour  of  each  subscriber  in  the  telecom  network,  creating  their  profile  and  suggesting  appropriate 

products and promotions to each subscriber in a segment of one manner to enable higher consumption and an increased

level of customer satisfaction.

Given  the  extremely  high  volume  of  data  that  is  generated  in  each  telecom  network,  our  solutions  employ  Big  Data 

technology to collect and process all the data in real time. Our technologically advanced products are telco-grade with 

significant scalability, security and high availability. As data is processed in real time, the output from our solutions is also 

in real time and is relevant and contextual. This output leads to relevant, contextual and personalised interventions in real 

time, in the form of marketing campaigns and promotions to subscribers, resulting in improved results as compared to 

legacy  solutions.  In  order  to  provide  high  quality  marketing  campaigns  and  promotions,  our  solutions  employ AI/ML 

techniques coupled with various algorithms, models etc. This has resulted in a high level of predictive and prescriptive

analytics in our solutions. 

We have offices in five countries and serve large telco groups (including Telenor, SingTel, Axiata etc.) in 17 countries. The 

largest single network that we serve has about 350 million subscribers, one of the largest globally. As all telcos will have 

some  solution  for  campaigning  purposes,  we  aim  to  replace  the  incumbents  to  win  customers.  Given  the  advanced 

nature and uniqueness of our products and the fact that we have successfully replaced legacy solutions from IBM, SAS, 

Oracle,  FlyTxt,  Evolving  Systems  etc.  in  multiple  telcos,  the  market  opportunity  is  huge  with  over  300  telcos  to  be

addressed around the world.

6

02 

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2019

Won our largest contract to date, from

one of the largest global telcos

Added 5 customers organically, the highest

number of customers in any year to date

Won the first customer for our

Data Monetisation Platform (Tele2, Kazakhstan)

More than doubled the number of subscribers

being processed by our solutions from 350m to 800m

Launched the next version of mViva Contextual

Marketing Solution: v.6

Established sales presence in Latin America

and Central America

Enhanced sales presence in Asia

Set up a dedicated team to focus on

Customer Engagement

7

03 

mViva: A COMPREHENSIVE SUITE OF SOLUTIONS

After  decades  of  unprecedented  growth,  telecommunications  is  starting  to  mature  as  a  business.  The  old  days  of

guaranteed  growth  are  gone  and  network  coverage  has  become  ubiquitous,  leading  to  commoditisation:  thus

differentiation is becoming more and more of a challenge with customers tending to look at telecommunications service 

as a utility with a corresponding decrease in margins for telcos. To add to this, the emergence of Over-The-Top (OTT) 

players has accelerated the pace of commoditisation and customer disintermediation. Further, the industry has almost

reached saturation with respect to customer base with penetration in excess of 100% in most markets.

Hence the need is to grow revenue from existing customers. In essence, the lever for managing revenue growth has 

changed  from  customer  acquisition  to  maximizing  value  from  existing  customers.  To  derive  increased  value  from

customers,  it  is  also  important  to  deliver  increased  value.  Interactions  with  customers  should  be  based  on  this  new

paradigm and this means individualized and personalized attention. 

This calls for a three - pronged strategy:

Increase Average Revenue Per User

Increase retention

Increase share of wallet

Pelatro’s  mViva  suite  of  solutions  is  designed  to  help  telcos  achieve  these  objectives.  The  suite  consists  of  the

following solutions:

mViva CONTEXTUAL MARKETING SOLUTION (CMS)

Customer centricity is the new watchword for telcos, and deep understanding of each individual customer is needed for 

telcos  to  be  able  to  provide  relevant  offers  that  customers  can  appreciate  and  take  advantage  of.  mViva  CMS  is

integrated  with  various  different  network  elements  and  consumes  data  regarding  all  transactions  that  each  customer 

generates. This information is then converted into a multi-dimensional profile for each individual customer. This profile 

information is then utilized to generate micro-segments and offers targeted at N=1 granularity. mViva CMS also provides 

cutting  edge  AI/ML  features  in  the  form  of  Descriptive,  Predictive  and  Prescriptive  Analytics.  The  solution  is  fully

integrated into the telco ecosystem and provides end-to-end capability of segmentation, campaign design, configuration,

execution, fulfilment, provisioning, reporting and analytics.

mViva LOYALTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS)

Retaining customers is an important requirement for telcos, as new customers are extremely difficult and expensive to 

sign on. mViva LMS rewards each customer with points based on various activities such as revenue generation, early bill 

payment,  referral  etc.  and  these  points  can  then  be  exchanged  for  various  rewards.  This  ensures  continuous

engagement with customers and quick cycles of gratification that leads to customer satisfaction. The LMS also provides 

for various tiers and badges and differentiated benefits based on the value that each customer represents to the telco. It 

is a comprehensive solution that provides for points earning, redemption, segmentation, tiering, campaigning, fulfilment,

provisioning and reporting.

8

  
mViva DATA MONETIZATION PLATFORM (DMP)

Telcos generate a great volume of contextual and relevant data about their customers. This is an industry that enjoys very 

frequent customer activity and thus very rich data. mViva DMP organizes this data into customer-centric profiles and this 

means that there is in-depth information available about the behaviour and demography of each individual customer. This 

provides an opportunity for telcos to monetise this rich asset through targeted advertisement, after taking into account 

anonymisation and such necessary data privacy requirements. For enterprises that partner with telcos, this is of great 

interest as they now have reach to the exact profile of customers that they want to advertise to and thus the value for 

money  is  far  better  than  the  traditional  “spray-and-pray”  approach. The  DMP  offers  a  complete  solution  with  partner

management, portal, offer design, execution and reporting.

mViva UNIFIED COMMUNICATION MANAGER (UCM)

Today, telco customers are inundated with various messages from a large number of organisations. This means that the 

telco itself has to be very careful about the quantity of messages they send to their customers to ensure that they do not 

antagonise  them.  Messages  could  be  of  various  types  like  emergency  messages  (say  in  case  of  a  natural  disaster),

informational messages, offers for telco products, reminders, offers for third party products etc. Given this complexity, it 

is essential that the telco has a policy governing the maximum number of such messages that may be sent to customers 

with  priority  for  each  type  of  message,  control  of  verbiage  etc.  In  many  telcos,  this  is  managed  by  various  individual 

solutions that generate such messages and hence there is often conflict or violation of the corporate policy. mViva UCM 

ensures that telcos have centralised control of their messaging policy and privacy settings of customers and thus custom-

ers are disturbed with messages they do not want. This is an important requirement in these days of zealously guarded 

privacy  concerns  of  customers.  The  UCM  provides  for  message  policy  monitoring,  store-and-forward,  whitelisting,

blacklisting, DND, pre-crafted message patterns and reporting. 

B e    R ele va nt

9

  
04 

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

DEAR SHAREHOLDER,

Significant progress has been made by Pelatro this year in developing our product suite, expanding our customer base 

and  broadening  our  business  offering.  Our  software  is  now  handling  and  processing  the  data  for  over  800  million

subscribers of our various telco customers, reflecting a step change in our capacity and a clear validation by the industry

of the quality of our mViva system. 

2017 subscriber base: 138m

2018 subscriber base: 325m

2019 subscriber base: 800m

In our early days, notwithstanding that between them our team had many 

years of experience in the telecoms industry, building a business to sales 

of over $100m, we were obliged to pursue a licence fee-based business 

offering to help establish our operations. This course has been lucrative 

and successful to date but has meant that historically we were focused 

on  converting  opportunities  for  an  initial,  up  front  reward. As  we  have 

grown and developed, we have consciously moved towards a recurring 

revenue model which can be aligned with a gain share participation in 

the upside we generate for our customers. I am pleased to say that with 

their  support,  we  have  made  significant  progress  in  realigning  our 

earnings more in line with this model, and we were delighted to be able 

to announce in December last year a significant contract win with one of 

the largest global telcos. This is on a managed service basis for an initial 

period of five years, with a significant proportion of the revenue on a fixed 

Richard Day
Chairman

basis as well as an element of gain share. The overall returns to Pelatro over the life of the contract are expected to be 

significantly more than we could have earned from an initial licence fee alone. It also ensures we are entrenched with our 

customer over the longer  term, as well  as providing  us  with better quality  and higher visibility  of  our future  revenues, 

which in turn allows us to invest confidently in our product offering, our business and our people. So far this year, we have

taken on over 70 new employees.

We operate in a competitive market, serving the telcos who need to retain their customers. Through our mViva system, 

we are able to gather data from each caller and construct marketing campaigns focussed on the usage and requirements 

of each person. The marketing they then receive is relevant and appropriate for that person; they like it and the telco is 

providing added value. For example, an individual who makes international calls at random times, can be offered cheaper 

international calls in a time window which coincides with a cheaper rate time for the telco, so increasing profitability for

the telco in an otherwise downtime trough period. 

We are winning new business with the telcos and expect to be able to announce further contract wins over the coming 

months. In February this year, we announced the launch of the new version of our flagship mViva Platform. This has 

various new advanced features compared to the previous version, which itself was only launched in 2018, reflecting the 

10

rapid  evolution  of  our  software  products.  We  currently  operate  in  18  countries  around  the  world  serving  19  telco

customers with over 800m subscribers, with plenty more opportunity to grow and expand. Although it is still early in our 

year,  revenue  visibility1  already  stands  at  $4.1m,  with  an  encouraging  pipeline  of  around  $18m;  despite  some

uncertainties introduced by the current coronavirus pandemic (which is discussed further below), we are maintaining our 

momentum in moving towards a revenue sharing business model alongside our licence offering, which gives us every

confidence in the coming year and our future. 

1: Revenue visibility comprises revenue contractually due or reasonably expected under contract in the following 12 months

RICHARD DAY 

Chairman 

11

05 

MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CEO’S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

DEAR SHAREHOLDER,

“Deepening connections” is a very powerful theme in our industry. We serve telcos who, in turn, serve tens of millions of 

people. The telecom market has reached saturation point and has also become highly commoditised. In such a scenario, 

growth depends entirely on engaging with the subscribers in a very deep manner to understand them thoroughly with the 

objective  of  providing  a  superior  customer  experience  leading  to  higher  revenue  and  lower  churn  for  the  telcos.

Your company empowers the marketers to achieve this.

DEEPENING THE CONNECTIONS

While empowering the telcos to deepen their relationships, Pelatro too has been forging deeper relationships with its 

customers,  the  telcos.  This  has  meant  a  strategic  shift  in  our  revenue  model  leading  to  a  more  stable,  sustainable

and predictable future.

In  its  infancy,  Pelatro  depended  mainly  on  a  license  model  for 

various  reasons,  not  least  an  initial  lack  of  credibility  to  win 

multi-year  contracts  and  a  pressing  need  to  win  customers  as

quickly as possible. Telcos run extremely complex networks with a 

variety of dependencies and as a result are highly risk averse. Given 

this,  Pelatro  could  not  win  large  contracts  from  leading  telcos 

without  first  building  credibility.  That  in  turn,  called  for  customers 

who  could  be  showcased,  thus  leading  to  a  “Catch  22”  situation. 

Pelatro opted to pursue one-time license contracts to break out of 

this situation and, as has been well demonstrated over the past few 

years,  this  strategy  bore  fruit  resulting  in  several  large  customers. 

The  advanced  nature  of  our  products,  coupled  with  superior

customer engagement, stood us in good stead in those initial stages. 

The growth in customer base, from inception to date, shown in the 

graph  given  below,  is  evidence  of  the  success  of  this  strategy.

Subash Menon
Managing Director, CEO & Co-Founder

12

Number of Customers
at the end of each Year

02

01

20

18

16

14

12

10

08

06

04

02

00

19

years.  Pelatro's  management  opted  for  the  long  term 

future  upside  against  the  short  term  and  the  Board  is 

14

confident  this  strategy  will  prove  to  be  correct  and  the

benefits are starting to show.

07

Managed  services  being  provided  by  Pelatro  can  be

categorized as:

Business Operations – configuring campaigns,

executing campaigns, provisioning and reporting 

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Business Consultancy – defining strategy and

Winning  these  customers  and  serving  them  well  helped 

designing campaigns

establish  Pelatro  as  a  credible  player  in  the  industry.

IT Operations – monitoring the application on

Furthermore, our products kept evolving in keeping with 

a 24 x 7 basis

our vision which was well aligned with that of the telcos. 

Progressively,  Pelatro  invested  in  other  capabilities  to 

slowly build a market-leading suite of services to make its 

offering complete. By the start of 2019, Pelatro was ready 

to embark on a new strategy – to deepen its connections.

STRATEGIC SHIFT

This revenue model, which results in a gross margin of 

about 50%, is either a fixed monthly fee or a combination 

of a fixed monthly fee and revenue gain share. Contracts 

typically  have  an  initial  term  of  3  to  5  years  and  are

renewable  at  the  end  of  the  term.  Given  the  nature  of 

such  contracts,  the  Group  benefits  from  a  cumulative 

Investing in an excellent product offering alone does not 

effect with every passing year. Thus, the exit "run rate" of 

help telcos to meet their objectives. Proper, consistent and 

recurring and repeat revenue in each year will be higher 

continued utilisation of the product is equally critical. This 

than the entry level in that particular year - in 2019, the 

has  been  a  major  challenge  for  telcos  for  a  number  of 

Group won recurring and repeat revenue contracts worth 

reasons, such as inability to attract and retain talent, and 

about $15-17m over their term, resulting in the exit level 

to  keep  up  with  the  evolution  of  the  industry  and  its

in 2019 being more than twice the entry level. The graph

practices etc. Consequently, telcos have always relied on 

given below charts this growth. 

specialists  to  help  leverage  acquired  technology  and 

products.  We  therefore  decided  to  pursue  a  strategy  of 

transitioning to such a specialist offering, and offering our 

products primarily on revenue models other than licensing. 

This  shift  in  focus  towards  recurring  and  repeat  revenue

was the highlight of last year. 

Contracts of a recurring and repeat revenue nature lead 

to  deeper  engagement  between  Pelatro  and  our

customers, as we are able to deliver higher value over 

5

4.5

4

3.5

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

Contracted Recurring and Repeat Revenue at
the start of each Year US$ Million.

1.5

2019

4

2020

several  years.  Owing  to  the  very  nature  of  the  model, 

As  can  be  seen  from  the  graph,  while  the  Group  at  the 

cash  flow  improves  along  with  visibility.  However,  this 

start of 2019 had $1.5m of recurring and repeat revenue 

shift impacts revenue in the near term as large license 

to be recognised in that year; we started 2020 with $4m. 

contracts  that  bring  in  spikes  in  revenue  will  be

With  the  increasing  success  of  our  new  strategy,  we 

absent  resulting  in  a  shortfall  in  revenue  in  the  initial  

expect  this  figure  to  climb  steadily  each  year  directly 

13

resulting 

in  visibility 

for  each  year 

improving.

the  phone,  the  offer  has  to  be  sent  at  that  moment. A 

Consequently,  the  proportion  of  recurring  and  repeat 

delay in such intervention will not help. Hence the need 

revenue in the total revenue of a particular year will keep

for real time. This requirement means that the solution 

rising as time progresses. 

has to have “high availability”. Glue is a proprietary and 

PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION

The mViva Platform comprises a number of products and 

modules  relating 

to  Contextual  Marketing,  Loyalty

Management  and  Data  Monetisation.  The  platform  has 

always been advanced, in comparison to similar products 

from  other  vendors  and  we  endeavour  constantly  to

maintain  the  differentiation  of  mViva  and  launched 

patent pending technology from Pelatro to achieve this. 

EXPANDING FOOTPRINT

The growth in the number of customers has resulted in 

expansion  of  the  geographic  footprint.  mViva  currently 

handles  the  data  of  over  800  million  subscribers.  The 

map given below has the locations of our 19 customers.

version  6 

recently.  This  updated  version 

further

Bulgaria

Kazakhstan

Nepal

differentiates  mViva  from  competing  products.  Some  of 

the  key  benefits  that  the  new  features  in  mViva  V6

will  deliver 

to  our  customers  are  detailed  below:

Bahamas

State Flows

Managing  and 

influencing 

the 

journey  of  every

subscriber  is  increasingly  critical.  mViva  V6  delivers  a 

brand  new  campaign  orchestration  framework  called 

State  Flows.  State  Flows  can  be  used  to  manage  a 

USA

Morocco

Sudan

Cyprus

Brazil

UK

Russia

Bangladesh

Thailand

Phillippines

Myanmar

Phillippines

India

India

Malaysia

Singapore

Cambodia

Sri Lanka

Maldives

Vietnam

complex journey for any customer over a long period of 

I  thank  every  one  of  our  stakeholders  for  the  support 

time  resulting  in  higher  revenue,  improved  customer

extended  during  the  last  year  while  the  Group  was

experience and lower churn. 

DPeU

deepening  our  connections.  We  will  continue  to  build 

Pelatro  into  a  global  leader  in  our  chosen  space. 

Telcos  are  experiencing  an  explosion  in  transaction 

volume  due  to  increasing  consumption  of  data  and  a 

significant  increase  in  online  transactions.  In  large 

telcos,  streaming  data 

for  such 

transactions  by

subscribers  results  in  billions  of  transactions  each  day. 

mViva  V6  employs  various  new  concepts  and

technologies  including  DPeU  (Distributed  Partitioned 

Execution  Unit),  which  facilitates  its  application  to

collect and process such transactions. 

Glue

Real  time  interventions  by  the  telcos,  with  respect 

to  their  subscribers,  is  a  key  element  in  Contextual

Marketing. For example, if a special offer is to be sent to 

a subscriber when near a particular retail outlet or when 

the subscriber has just performed a specific action on 

SUBASH MENON

Managing Director,

CEO & Co-Founder

14

06 

PELATRO AND mViva: A UNIQUE COMBINATION

Customer Experience is the most important lever that telcos have today for gaining competitive advantage. Consistent, 

positive experiences can ensure continuity with the customer and provides protection against price pressures. Telecoms 

is truly a VUCA ("volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity") world and the volume, velocity and veracity of the data 

involved  makes  it  even  more  complex.  Telco  products  are  largely  customised  and  differentiation  on  products  is  near

impossible.  In  this  scenario,  revenue  increase  is  possible  only  through  a  truly  customer-centric  approach  which  is

contextual, relevant and in real time. 

The product-vendor combination is thus very important to deliver a 

successful project. The product has to be comprehensive, dynamic 

and futuristic while the vendor has to be a thought leader with the 

ability  to  envision  the  future  and  the  challenges  that  will  come  up, 

while having diligent focus on customer support and an attitude to 

support that. Pelatro is one such unique combination, as is obvious 

from the sizeable number of deployments that we have added in a 

short time. Here are a few factors that cause telcos to prefer Pelatro

over its competition:

DEEP TELECOM EXPERTISE

The core team at Pelatro boasts of hundreds of years of cumulative 

experience delivering business critical solutions to telecom solution 

providers  across  the  world.  This  team  has  experience  in  different 

sizes  of  telcos  (Vodafone,  BT, AT&T,  Verizon,  Bharti  etc.)  and  all 

telecom  business  models  (post-paid,  prepaid,  quad  play  etc.). 

Hence  there  is  in-depth  understanding  and  appreciation  of  the 

complexities and issues that telecom operators face and the type of 

solutions  they  need. Telecoms  is  an  industry  that  is  very  different 

from  others  like  banking  or  retail  because  of  the  sheer  volume  of 

transactions (running to billions) that happen each day. This scale 

itself  poses  a  challenge  of  a  different  magnitude  and  not  many 

Sudeesh Yezhuvath
COO and Co-Founder

vendors  can  provide  solutions  that  can  scale  to  handle  hundreds  of  millions  of  customers  generating  60-70  billion

transactions a day, as Pelatro does. 

DOMAIN EXPERTISE

With the deep telecom experience as mentioned above, comes a very comprehensive understanding of the domain; this 

has  resulted  in  Pelatro  coming  up  with  a  suite  of  solutions  that  address  the  needs  of  the  telco  very  well.  We  have

experience  with  all  types  of  telecom  business  models  and  developed  and  developing  markets  and  thus  mViva  has

features and functionalities designed to meet these needs. 

15

COMPREHENSIVE SUITE

The mViva suite comprises four solutions that address the two most important priorities of telcos: ARPU increase and 

churn reduction. Telcos benefit significantly from the availability of all these solutions in an integrated suite as this leads 

to cost synergies on implementation and maintenance. Further, the interplay between these solutions can also result in

several business benefits. These products present in the mViva suite are: 

Contextual Marketing Solution

Loyalty Management Solution

Data Monetization Platform

Unified Communication Manager 

SOLUTION STRENGTH

mViva facilitates telcos to change orbits in business maturity. Increased business velocity, enhanced customer-centricity, 

empowered users, agile methodologies are all benefits telcos derive from the use of the mViva suite. In today’s world of 

instant  gratification  and  compressed  business  cycles,  these  are  very  important  differentiators.  mViva  bridges  the  gap 

between business and technology and provides a unique combination  of AI/ML based Analytics with strong customer 

segmentation and workflow capabilities. This is a very unusual combination in the industry, which is matched by very few

competitors. 

CUSTOMER FACILITATION

It is an old adage in the industry that even the best solution will fail if not supported by a capable vendor. This is where 

Pelatro  makes  a  big  difference. Armed  with  deep  knowledge  of  telecoms  and  the  experience  of  having  built  a  large

company from scratch, the core team at Pelatro fully understands the value of customer support and how that becomes 

a  core  differentiator.  Customer  support  is  an  attitude  and  success  in  being  able  to  win  contracts  from  large  telcos

(including some of the largest globally) itself is a testament of our attitude. This is a very significant advantage that Pelatro 

offers  to  customers  and,  in  many  cases,  is  the  prime  reason  for  telcos  to  select  Pelatro  over  its  competition. 

SUDEESH YEZHUVATH

COO and Co-Founder

16

07 

THE STATELESS STATE-FLOWS

The dynamics of customer targeting change by the hour 

complex flows with hundreds of symbols and connectors 

and the ability to quickly adapt to those nuances using 

depicting  a  typical  customer  journey  with  branches,

flexible  yet  robust  campaigning  mechanics  is  at  the 

conditional  logic,  splits  and  regrouping  including  timers 

heart of modern-day marketing. Customers go through 

and  waits 

for  customer  events 

in 

isolation  or 

in

various  micro-moments  of  experience  during  their 

combination.

engagement  with  the  telco  and  it  is  important  to  track 

such journeys closely so as to latch on those moments 

AUTOMATA THEORY

before 

they  are 

lost,  also  suggesting 

to 

them

appropriate  offers  that  can  shape  their  future  journeys. 

To  this  end  Pelatro  has  implemented  a  stateless 

Journey  Management  Framework  (JMF) 

that  can

simultaneously  accommodate  millions  of  state  flows, 

each  catering 

to 

tailored  customer  needs.  This

framework is inspired by proven, classical instruction set 

and instruction queue based computer architecture that 

Combinational Logic

Finite-State Machine

Pushdown Automation

is  extremely  robust,  inherently  stateless  yet  powerful

Turing Machine

enough to model all stateful computing needs.

JMF  comprises  of  an  instruction  set  with  around  a

In  computability  theory,  a  system  of  data-manipulation 

dozen  symbols 

that 

includes  states,  connectors,

rules such as a computer's instruction set, a programming 

branches, splits, asynchronous jumps and joins. These

language,  or  a  cellular  automaton  is  said  to  be  Turing 

instructions are modelled on CISC (Complex Instruction 

complete or computationally universal if it can be used to 

Set Computer) and take up fairly sophisticated, complex 

simulate any Turing Machine.  JMF is Turing Complete. As 

yet  well  detailed  units  of  work. A    JMF  processor  that 

such, any structured business flow can be realized using 

fully  implements  the  JMF  instruction  set  leveraging  on 

JMF  and  this  is  complemented  with  an  easy  to  use  GUI. 

the  services  of  a  Data  Bus  for  fetching  state  data  and 

Message  Waiting  Hall  for  capture  and  relay  of  events. 

There is also an Instruction Queue with the Instruction 

Pointer at its head which serves as the marker for the

next instruction to be executed.

Instruction Execution starts with the first instruction on the 

queue and as part of its execution further instructions may 

be added to the same queue. The queue itself is common 

whereas  flows  may  be  executed  on  behalf  of  different 

customers in line with their definitions. It is quite possible 

Business Logic and Flows, no matter how complex they 

that  adjacent  instructions  in  the  queue  may  belong  to 

are, are modelled using a simple GUI based state flow 

unrelated  customers  and  could  have  landed  there  from 

configuration  engine.  Depending  on  the  skillset,  end 

distinct  customer  flows.  JMF  can  be  deployed  using 

users  may  configure  seemingly  simple  business  flows 

various schemes such as single execution unit with single 

such  as  do-this-and-get-that  as  well  as 

innately 

instruction  queue 

resembling  an  older  generation

17

computer,  multiple  execution  units  with  single  instruction  queue  or  even  multiple  execution  units  with  multiple

instruction queues resembling a hyper threaded, hyper core computer.

JMF  is  built  using  open  scalable  microservices  model  and  deployed  using  mViva  Containers.  The  Instruction  Set  is

extensible  to  support  future  business  needs  and  is  not  constrained  to  any  particular  programming  language.  This 

effectively allows adding newer symbols encapsulating domain intelligence with higher levels of abstraction as and when 

needed. Pelatro JMF scales out seamlessly to handle deep journeys involving several tens of decision-making points 

yielding  hundreds  of  potential  paths  with  their  own  tailored  offer  and  communication  constructs.  It  scales  smoothly 

without  a  glitch  handling  around  a  three  hundred  and  fifty  million  concurrent  journeys  spanning  over  sixty  million

subscribers and nearly a billion symbols in one of our existing installations.

ARUN KUMAR KRISHNA 
Head of Engineering

PRAMOD KP
Chief Architect

AUTO

100

$

$

18

08 

ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

INITIATIVE AT PELATRO

Organisations grow when the individuals who are part 

generally the focus is on development and growth of skills.

of  the  organisation  grow  as  leaders  and  managers; 

accordingly the Group identified a need for its potential 

leaders to go through an Assessment and Development 

programme,  with 

the  objective  of 

"Leadership

Development". 

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Eighty  two  percent  of  managers,  peers  and  direct 

reports  of  trained  people  witness  positive  behaviors 

among  leaders  after  they  have  been  through  a

Feedback  from  assessment  centres  help  organizations 

identify if the person can handle the challenges they will 

face in their next higher position. They act as a catalyst for 

change,  as  leaders  learn  about  the  gap  between  their 

mindsets and skills and what is required of them to lead 

effectively. At an organizational level, this information can 

target  specific  growth  and  development  programmes. 

This  can  lead  to  important  information  for  succession 

planning by allowing the organization to see if it has the 

number of employees required to move into key roles in

leadership  development  programme.  Top  talent  and 

effective  leaders  are  required  to  address  a  myriad  of 

the future.

challenges 

to  position 

the  organization 

towards 

PARTNER FOR THE PROGRAMME

success. When a company improves their approach to 

training  and  developing  managers  and  leaders,  the 

results  are  astounding,  and  organizations  that  use 

assessment  centers  to  develop  their  managers  report 

The  Pegasus  Institute  of  Learning  was  identified  as 

partner  for  this  program,  with  the  programme  to  be

carried out in their Outbound Center.

higher  sales,  lower  staff  turnover,  higher  customer

Methodology

satisfaction and lower absenteeism.

Pelatro  identified  the  competencies  required  for  all

WHAT IS AN ASSESSMENT CENTRE?

individuals.

Assessment centers are a combination of various tasks 

18 individuals with potential across various functions 

and  exercises  (e.g.  outbound  challenging  situations, 

and roles up to middle management were identified

role plays, group discussions, presentations, interviews, 

as participants.

etc.) which are designed to examine the extent to which 

A  programme  design  was  agreed,  consisting  of 

your  skills,  personality  and 

interests  match  with

Individual  interviews,  16PF  psychometric  profiling, 

organization needs.

WHAT IS A DEVELOPMENT CENTRE?

identification  of  outbound  activities,  role  plays,

reflection  on  tasks,  interviews  and  feedback.  Two 

Pelatrans  were  observed  by  each  senior  faculty  of

A  development  centre  is  similar  to  an  assessment 

Pegasus.

centre in content but is instead a method to provide an 

The  assessment  was  carried  out  in  two  batches

insight  into  strengths  and  development  areas  with  the 

of  9  individuals  each.  One  senior  member  of

help  of  trained  assessors.  Any  development  areas 

management was present for observations for each 

identified are then usually targeted with suggestions for 

batch. Each assessment in the Out Bound location

development  activities.  The  approach  can  vary,  but 

was for two days.

19

Each  individual  was  interviewed  before  the  start  of  the  programme  and  was  given  feedback  on  each  area  of

competency at the end of the programme.

After  the  outbound  activity,  the  observations  from  their  16PF  assessment  were  also  shared  individually  by  a  senior

psychologist.

Based  on  the  observations  from  outbound  program  and  16  PF  assessments,  a  comprehensive  assessment  was

prepared and shared with each individual in person at the end of the program.

A development plan was identified and common development needs are being planned for further actions by Pegasus.

List of competencies Identified and assessed

NO.

WORK BEHAVIOURS

1.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Speaks clearly and concisely to get point across

Listens to people without interruption

Clarifies what people say to ensure understanding

2.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Treats people with respect

Can be approached easily

Expresses disagreements

Works towards win-win solutions whenever possible

3.

LEADERSHIP

PROVIDES DIRECTION

Provides clear direction and defines priorities for the team

Clarifies roles and responsibilities with team members

LEADS COURAGEOUSLY

Takes a stand and resolves important issues

Confronts problems early, before they get out of hand

INFLUENCES OTHERS

Readily commands attention and respect in groups

Gives compelling reasons for ideas

Influences and shapes the decisions of peers

FOSTERS TEAM WORK

Involves others in shaping plans and decisions that affect them

Uses team approach to solve problems when appropriate

Fosters collaboration among groups - discourages "we" vs "they"

20

MOTIVATES OTHERS

Inspires people to excel

COACHES AND DEVELOPS

Gives specific and constructive feedback

CHAMPIONS CHANGE

Champions new initiatives within and beyond the scope of own job

Prepares people to understand change

Sets up systems and structures to support changes

4.

SELF - MOTIVATION

Demonstrates a sense of urgency

Persists in the face of obstacles

Initiates activities without being asked to do so

5.

MANAGEMENT FACTOR

ESTABLISHES PLANS

Translates business strategies in to clear objectives and tactics

Prepares realistic estimates of budgets

Anticipates problems and develops contingency plans

MANAGES EXECUTIONS

Monitors progress and redirects efforts when goals are not met

6.

THINKING FACTOR

ANALYSES ISSUES

Understands complex concepts and relationships

Focuses on important information without getting bogged down in unnecessary details

Analyses problems from different points of view

USES SOUND JUDGEMENT

Makes timely decisions in the face of uncertainty

Makes sound decisions based on adequate information

7.

CUSTOMER ORIENTATION

Understands client needs

Works with clients to define problems and desired outcomes

Follows up with clients to make sure that results meet or exceed expectations

ANURADHA

Chief Mentor

21

09 

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

INTRODUCTION

The Directors consider that revenue, adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Depreciation and Amortisation) and 

profit  before  tax,  and  the  related  margins  as  a  percentage  of  revenue,  are  key  performance  indicators  ("KPIs")  in

measuring Group financial performance. We track revenue as it is an indicator of the Group’s overall size and complexity, 

and adjusted EBITDA as it is a key measure of the Group’s effectiveness in converting revenue to earnings, excluding

the effects of certain non-operational and/or exceptional transactions.

With  an  increasing  focus  on  repeating  and  contractually  recurring  revenue,  the  proportion  of  such  revenue  to  total 

revenue is also a KPI for the Group. This KPI provides a forward-looking view of the minimum expected revenues in the 

next twelve months, which gives confidence to business planning and investment decisions. In addition, the Directors 

believe  that  further  important  KPIs  are  the  Group’s  cash  flows,  including  operating  cash  flow  and  expenditure  on

investing  activities  (principally  on  capitalised  development  costs).  Performance  of  these  KPIs  is  discussed  within  the

Chairman’s Statement, CEO’s Statement and Financial Review.

NON- FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Group monitors certain non-financial performance indicators at an operational level, including the number of new 

customers in the year, Requests for Proposal received, movement of sales pipeline and Change Requests. However, 

none of these are currently considered to be individually appropriate as a measure of overall strategy execution success.

All KPIs are reviewed annually and this includes consideration of appropriate non-financial KPIs.

In a growing business with a high proportion of well qualified and experienced staff the rate of staff retention is seen as 

an important KPI: in 2019 we recruited 75 new members of staff and 20 left the business (2018: 30 joined and 11 left, with

33 new members of staff joining as a result of the Danateq Acquisition).

As  the  business  develops  the  Board  will  consider  adding,  as  appropriate,  further  KPIs  to  monitor  progress  against  a

broader range of objectives.

22

10

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

INTRODUCTION

Our  aim  is  to  recognise  and  address  the  key  risks  and  uncertainties  facing  the  Group  at  all  levels  of  our  business.

There  are  a  number  of  risk  factors  that  could  adversely  affect  the  Group’s  execution  of  its  strategic  plan  and,  more

generally, the Group’s operations, business model, financial results, future performance, solvency, or the value or liquidity 

of its equity. The Board is committed to addressing these risks by implementing systems for effective risk management

and internal control.

The Board continually assesses the principal risks and uncertainties that could threaten Pelatro's business, business 

model, strategies, financial results, future performance, solvency or liquidity. The items listed below represent the known 

principal  risks  and  uncertainties  but  does  not  list  all  known  or  potential  risks  and  uncertainties  exhaustively.  Where

possible, steps are taken to mitigate risks.

PRINCIPAL RISK

MITIGATION

TECHNOLOGY

The industry in which Pelatro operates is in the process 

The  Group  employs  highly  qualified  software 

of  continual  change  reflecting  technical  developments 

engineers  and  senior  management  who  monitor

as  industry  and  government  standards  and  practices

closely  developments  in  technology  that  might  affect

change and emerge.

its research capability and product evolution.

The markets in which Pelatro operates are competitive 

New products and features are assessed against their 

and  rapidly  evolving.  The  Group’s  existing  products 

target markets and in response to customer feedback 

may  become  less  competitive  or  even  obsolete  if 

prior  to  development. As  Pelatro  engages  with  more 

competitors  introduce  new  products  and/or  customer

customers  with  an  increased  product  portfolio,  a

behaviour or requirements change.

broader  spread  of  feedback  is  obtained  enabling  the 

business to engage with customers more quickly and

effectively.

23

PRINCIPAL RISK

MITIGATION

BUILDING SALES

Central  to  our  strategic  growth  plan  is  winning  new 

We  have  strengthened  our  sales  and  marketing

mViva  contracts,  increasingly  those  which  deliver

operations  in  order  to  build  greater  pipeline  visibility 

recurring revenue over a period of years. Failure to do 

and grow revenues faster. In addition to existing efforts 

so  would  directly  impact  our  achievement  of  overall 

(particularly  in  South  and  South-East  Asia)  we  are 

objectives or lengthen the period taken to achieve them.

concentrating  new  sales  investment  in  Latin America 

where we see significant opportunity for new business 

Sales cycles are often very lengthy and may sometimes

and rapid growth. We continue to develop and extend 

be delayed or restructured late in the process.

the mViva offering across a number of products as a 

Multichannel  Marketing  Hub  to  extend  market  reach,

including the release of v.6 early in 2020.

MISDIRECTED PRODUCT, OPERATIONAL OR STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS

We  are  continually  investing  in  product  development 

Strong  communication 

lines  between 

relevant

and  operational  requirements  to  support  mViva-led 

stakeholders  are  ensured  through  regular  formal

growth.  Failure  to  achieve  meaningful  returns  on

meetings  and  monthly  reporting.  The  Board  reviews

investments would hinder the Group’s strategic growth 

and challenges all strategic investments.

plan and potentially jeopardise the Group’s position in

the market and its prospects.

IP, DATA AND CYBER RISKS

A significant IP loss, third party IP challenge, data loss, 

We  implement  robust  processes  across  IP  and  IT 

security  breach  or  cyber-attack  could  significantly 

systems,  which  are  overseen  by 

the  Head  of

threaten Pelatro's ability to do business, particularly in 

Engineering. 

the short term, and could result in significant financial

loss.

REPUTATIONAL RISK 

Maintaining  a  strong  reputation  is  vital  to  the  Group's 

Strong  corporate  governance  and  dedicated  senior 

success  as  a  business.  A  loss  of  confidence  in  the 

management  remain  the  key  elements  of  effective 

Group's  ability  to  undertake  new  client  opportunities 

reputational  management.  Senior  management 

may  be  caused  by  an  adverse  impact  to  the  Group's 

provide  a  model  of  best  practice  and  guidance  to 

reputation  which  may,  in  turn  significantly  affect  our 

ensure  the  Group's  values  and  expected  behaviours 

financial 

performance 

and 

growth 

prospects.

are  clear  and  understood  by  everyone.  As  our 

business  continues  to  grow  and  develop,  we  will 

Significant  impact  to  the  Group's  reputation  could  be 

remain strongly focused on protecting the strength of 

caused  by  an  incident  involving  major  harm  to  one  of 

the  Group's  reputation  through  effective  governance, 

24

PRINCIPAL RISK

MITIGATION

of our people or customers, inadequate financial control 

leadership,  and 

through  cultivating  open  and

processes  or 

failure 

to  comply  with 

regulatory

transparent relationships with all stakeholders.

requirements.  Impact  of  this  type  would  potentially 

result  in  financial  penalties,  losses  of  key  contracts,  

inability  to  win  new  business  and  challenges  in

retaining key staff and recruiting new staff.

PRODUCT AND SERVICE DELIVERY FAILURES

Issues or failures with our software products or services 

Pelatro  mitigates  inherent  product  and  service  risks 

could  lead  to  failed  implementations,  project  delays, 

through 

robust  quality  assurance  and  project

cost  overruns,  data  loss,  security  issues,  customer 

governance  processes.  Product  releases  are  unit 

dissatisfaction,  early 

termination,  service 

level

tested  prior  to  delivery  and  subjected  to  further

breaches  and  contractual  claims,  all  of  which  could 

customer  testing  prior  to  first  use.  Customer  testing 

adversely  impact the Group’s revenues, earnings  and

and acceptance sign-offs are required prior to go-live.

reputation.

The  risks  of  servicing  large  telcos  are  significant  but 

generally  stable  and  well  understood,  and  the  Group 

has not suffered any material product or service failures 

since  inception.  Risks  are  generally  greater  with  new 

clients, but formal RFP processes are routinely carried 

out by telcos, which provides clarity as to requirements

and expectations.

ATTRACTING AND RETAINING SKILLED PEOPLE 

Attracting  and  retaining  the  best  skilled  people  at  all 

Our  business  model  has  created  a  pipeline  of

levels of the business is critical. This is particularly the 

opportunities  for  staff  at  every  level  of  the  business. 

case in ensuring we have access to a diverse range of 

This  will  continue  to  be  the  case  as  the  Group

views  and  experience  and 

in  attracting  specific

develops.  The  Group's  focus  on  competency  at  all 

expertise  at  both  managerial  and  operational  levels

levels  of  the  business  continues  to  ensure  that  we 

where the market may be highly competitive. Failure to 

develop  the  Group's  people  and  enable  them  to 

attract new talent, or to develop and retain the Group's 

successfully  manage  the  changing  profile  of  the 

existing employees, could impact the Group's ability to 

Group's  business.  Incentive  programmes  are  also  in 

achieve the Group's strategic growth objectives. As we 

place  to  ensure  that  key  individuals  are  retained. 

continue to grow and diversify into new areas, this risk

will continue to be a focus for the Board.

25

PRINCIPAL RISK

MITIGATION

ECONOMIC, INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND MARKET CONDITIONS

The  Group  is  generally  exposed  to  economic,  trade 

Mitigation against the short-term impact of such risks 

and  market  risk  factors,  such  as  global  or  localised

is  provided 

through  an 

increasing  spread  of

economic  downturn,  changing 

international 

trade

geographies and customers. Pelatro monitors political 

relationships, 

foreign 

exchange 

fluctuations,

developments and will seek to mitigate emerging risks 

consolidation  or  insolvency  of  existing  or  prospective 

where  possible.  Pelatro's  high  margin  revenues 

customers  or  competitor  products,  all  of  which  could 

provide a level of protection against volatile economic 

significantly 

threaten  Pelatro’s  performance  and 

or market conditions and our policy of ongoing product 

prospects.  Pelatro's  current 

focus  on  emerging 

development  helps  us  to  maintain  our  competitive

markets  customers  may 

increase  such 

risks.

advantage.

CREDIT RISKS

The  Group  is  exposed  to  the  credit  risk  of  an

The Group’s principal financial assets comprise cash 

increasing range of counterparties with whom it does 

and cash equivalents and trade and other receivables. 

business,  often  in  respect  of  considerable  amounts. 

As these instruments are conventional risks, they are 

Extended  delivery,  installation  and  sales  cycles  may 

managed  on  the  simple  basis  of  credit  terms,  credit 

cause  the  Group  to  be  so  exposed  for  considerable

worthiness  and  cash  collection  or  settlement.  The 

periods of time.

Group  only  contracts  with  major  (often  regional  or 

global) 

telcos  who  have  sound  credit 

ratings.

The  Group  did  not  enter  into  derivative  transactions 

during  the  year.  It  is  the  Group’s  policy  that  no

speculative  trading  in  financial  instruments  will  be

undertaken.

LIQUIDITY RISKS

Fluctuations  in  working  capital  may  leave  the  Group 

Group cash balances are monitored on a weekly basis 

with inadequate cash resources to fund its operations.

to ensure that the Group has sufficient funds to meet its 

needs.  Cash 

flow 

forecasts  are  generated  and

reviewed regularly by management.

The  Directors  have  prepared  projected  cash  flow 

information  for  the  coming  year.  The  projections  take 

into account the new business opportunities highlighted 

in  the  Chief  Executive’s  Statement,  the  timing  and

quantum  of  which  will  affect 

the  Group’s  cash

requirements,  which  are  continually  monitored  by  the 

26

PRINCIPAL RISK

MITIGATION

Board.  The  projections  also  include  sensitivities  for 

risks arising from COVID-19 as discussed below. On 

the basis of these projections, the Group has sufficient 

working  capital  facilities  for  the  foreseeable  future.

IMPACT OF BREXIT

The  United  Kingdom  ("UK")  formally  left  the  European 

The Directors currently deem that the effects of the UK’s 

Union  ("EU")  on  31  January  2020.  The  period  of  time 

current transitional period outside the EU and the impact 

from when the UK voted to exit the EU on 23 June 2016 

of  ongoing  discussions  with  the  EU  will  not  have  a

and the formal process initiated by the UK government 

significant impact on the Group's operations due to the 

to  withdraw  from  the  EU,  or  Brexit,  created  volatility  in 

global  geographical  footprint  of  the  business  and  the 

the  global  financial  markets.  The  UK  now  enters  a

nature  of  its  operations.  However,  the  Directors  are 

transition  period,  being  an  intermediary  arrangement 

constantly monitoring the situation to manage the risk of 

covering  matters  like  trade  and  border  arrangements, 

the return of any volatility in the global financial markets

citizens’  rights  and  jurisdiction  on  matters  including 

and impact on global economic performance.

dispute resolution, taking account of The EU (Withdraw-

al Agreement) Act  2020,  which  ratified  the  Withdrawal 

Agreement, as agreed between the UK and the EU. The 

transition period is currently due to end on 31 December 

2020 and ahead of this date, negotiations are ongoing to 

determine  and  conclude  a  formal  agreement  between 

the  UK  and  EU,  on  the  aforementioned  matters.

CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

COVID-19 is a novel illness caused by a specific virus 

As  a  software  business,  the  Group's  activities  can

which is part of the coronavirus family. The World Health 

continue  to  function  efficiently  even  if  most  of  the

Organization  has  announced  that  COVID-19  is  a 

employees  are working  from home. The Group  has no 

pandemic,  and  many  countries  have 

imposed

supply  chain  dependencies  and  its  software  products 

restrictions on travel and other day-to-day business and 

continue 

to  be  available  without 

interruption.

social  interactions  which  are  curtailing,  in  some  cases 

Furthermore, 

the  Directors 

believe 

that 

the

severely,  economic  activity  in  those  countries  with

telecommunications industry is likely to be less affected 

consequent impact on countries and companies trading 

by any economic downturn, whether local or global, than 

with them. Such consequences may adversely affect the 

most,  particularly  as  certain  telecoms  activities  tend  to 

Group's  operations  and/or  ability  to  sell  or  maintain  its

increase in "stay at home" periods such as end of year 

software.

holidays and festivals such as Christmas and Ramadan, 

generating  more  user  spending  and  more  targeted

marketing.

27

PRINCIPAL RISK

MITIGATION

With  regard  to  travel  restrictions,  whilst  traveling  is 

generally helpful to progress sales opportunities, video 

conferencing is effective as a tool to replace physical 

meetings and customers are of course understanding 

of  the  current  situation;  sales  efforts  are  therefore

progressing as expected.

With  respect  to  implementation  and  support,  the 

Group has always been keen to minimise the need for 

on-site 

activity 

to  minimise 

costs, 

hence

implementation 

and 

support 

processes 

lend

themselves  very  well  to  remote  handling.  The  only 

special  requirement  is  additional  VPNs  which  are 

easily  provided  by  customers. As  almost  all  of  them 

are  working 

from  home,  protocols  have  been

established  to  ensure  that  work  is  not  impacted.  In 

summary therefore, to date the situation for the Group

is broadly "business as usual".

Accordingly, 

current  COVID-19 

related 

travel

restrictions are having a relatively limited effect on our 

business.  However,  the  Directors  are  constantly 

monitoring  the  situation  and  local  developments  to

manage this risk. 

28

11

STRATEGIC REPORT - FINANCIAL REVIEW
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

INTRODUCTION

For the year, total revenue increased by 9 per cent. to $6.67m, including some $4.51m repeat revenue (which comprises 

gain share, change requests and managed services, as well as PCS) accounting for around 68% of the total. This result 

highlights the pivot of the Group’s revenues towards a repeating revenue base, and increasingly a longer-term managed 

services model which, with a maintenance and support base which builds with every new license, means that we benefit 

from truly contractually recurring revenue as well ($2.96m of this was contractually recurring, compared to $1.82m in 

2018).  This  shift  has  been  enhanced  by  the  contract  win  announced  in  December  2019  to  deliver  our  Contextual

Marketing Platform and Unified Communication Manager software to a major global telco on a managed service basis 

for  an  initial  period  of  5  years;  as  noted  in  that  announcement,  the  timing  of  conversion  of  certain  other  pipeline

opportunities was impacted by the increasing focus on building such recurring and repeating revenue contracts in line 

with 

the  Group's  stated  strategy,  and  hence 

the  result 

for 

the  year  was  below  original  expectations.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

2019

2018

Growth

Revenue

$6.67m

$6.12m

Repeat revenue

$4.51m

$3.10m

Repeat revenue as percentage of total

68%

51%

9%

45%

Adjusted EBITDA (see Note 7)

$2.89m

$3.78m

-23%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

43%

61%

Profit before tax (before exceptional items)

$0.77m

$2.82m

-73%

Cash generated from operating activities
(before exceptional items)

$1.37m

$0.88m

Contracted customers (at year end)

19

14

56%

36%

29

INCOME STATEMENT

Overheads

Revenue

Pre-exceptional  overheads  (excluding  depreciation  and 

Out of the total revenue of $6.67m, approximately $1.9m 

amortisation) increased to $2.8m (2018: $1.8m; the 2019 

arose 

from  sales  of 

licenses  and 

the  associated

figure  reflects  approximately  $0.2m  of  lease  costs

implementation  (2018:  $2.5m)  and  some  $4.5m  arose 

allocated  to  depreciation  and  interest  as  a  result  of  the 

from repeat revenue, notably from gain share contracts 

adoption of IFRS 16). This increase results largely from 

and  in  particular  change  requests  (2018:  $3.1m)  which 

increases in salary costs concomitant with the growth of 

are driven from the underlying license base – as we add 

the number of employees in the Group, as well as travel 

more  licenses  so  the  diversity  and  activity  of  the

and  marketing  costs  which  also  reflect  the  Group's 

customer  base  increases,  resulting  in  more  change 

growth. We continue to target investment in our staff and 

requests and continually improving the product suite. The 

the infrastructure of the business to support a high level 

geographic  spread  of  income  has  also  increased  with 

of  customer  service  and  to  provide  a  strong,  scalable

new  customer  acquisitions;  however,  for  the  reported 

platform for continued organic growth.

year  customer  concentration 

increased  somewhat, 

driven largely by a strong growth in repeat revenues from 

Exceptional gains

one particular customer. We expect this trend to reverse 

As previously notified to shareholders, certain contracts 

as  diverse  contracts  won  in  2019  begin  to  generate

within  the  pipeline  of  potential  revenue  which  was 

revenue in 2020.

Whilst all the Group's revenue is currently in US Dollars 

(and  hence  there  is  currently  no  impact  on  revenue 

arising from foreign exchange movements) with recent 

contract  wins  a  proportion  of  future  revenue  will  be  in 

Indian Rupees (“INR”) which will form a natural hedge 

against the Group’s cost base, of which just over 50%

(in cash terms) is in INR.

Cost of sales

Cost  of  sales  of  $1.0m  (2018:  $0.56m)  comprises

principally  (i)  the  direct  salary  costs  of  providing 

software  support  and  maintenance,  professional 

services  and  consultancy;  as  well  as  (ii)  sales

commissions  payable; 

(iii)  expensed 

customer

integration  and  software  maintenance  costs.  The 

increase reflects the diversification of revenue streams 

into  managed  services  and  PCS,  as  an  increasing 

proportion  of  costs  is  allocated  to  cost  of  sales  as  the 

direct  costs  of  service  and  support  for  the  relevant 

contracts. However, as the constituents of cost of sales 

acquired  from  Danateq  took  longer  to  complete  than 

originally  expected;  as  a  result  the  related  revenue  did 

not fall within the first year earn out period (the 12 months 

to  end  of  July  2019),  and  hence  the  contingent  cash 

payment of $2m pursuant to the terms of the acquisition 

was  not  payable  in  respect  of  that  period. As  the  year 

progressed,  the  forecast  of  revenue  deemed  likely  to 

arise from the pipeline on which the remaining earn-out 

payment was contingent became more certain and hence 

the Board was better able to assess the probable outturn 

revenue for the year. Given the structure of the earn-out 

terms  (i.e.  that  a  payout  is  fixed  based  on  revenue 

between  certain  thresholds  rather  than  being  directly 

proportional)  the  Board  is  now  able  to  predict  with 

confidence that the payout (which is due after the close of 

the earn-out period on 31 July 2020) will be $1m. Given 

this  re-evaluation,  the  Group,  recorded  (i)  a  credit  to

goodwill  of  $275,000  in  the  first  half  of  the  year  as  this 

element  of  the  liability  was  adjusted;  and  (ii)  an

exceptional  gain  through  profit  and  loss  of  $236,000 

relating to the balance adjusted at the end of the financial

vary markedly depending on the product or service sold,

year.

this is not a KPI for the Group.

30

Profitability

Adjusted  EBITDA 

(Earnings  Before 

Interest,  Tax,

amortisation  for  the  year,  the  net  book  value  of  the

standalone  intangible  assets  thus  acquired  (i.e.  the 

customer relationships) was approximately $5.9m at the

Depreciation,  Amortisation  and  Exceptional 

items) 

year end.

decreased by 23% in the year to $2.89m (2018: $3.78m). 

Profit  before  tax  before  exceptional  items  was  $0.77m 

(2018:  $2.82m).  Adjusted  earnings  per  share  ("EPS") 

were  4.2¢  (2018:  10.2¢),  and  reported  EPS  were  2.5¢ 

(2018:  8.0¢).  Reported  profit  before  tax  was  $1.01m

(2018: $2.51m).

Taxation

The taxation charge for the year comprises a charge of 

$0.25m  relating  to  current  tax  (2018:  $0.34m)  and  a 

credit of $0.05m relating to the recognition of deferred 

tax  assets  (2018:  $8,000).  Deferred  tax  assets  have 

arisen  in  certain  Group  subsidiaries  in  which  taxable 

losses arose in the year, which can be carried forward

and offset against future profits.

Development costs

The Group is committed to the continuous enhancement 

of  its  core  software  suite,  and  we  aim  to  offer  a 

market-leading  platform  which  addresses  the  needs  of 

our telco customers. During the year therefore the Group 

continued  to  invest  in  the  development  of  the  software 

suite, leading to the release of mViva v.6 in January 2020, 

and  has  capitalised  relevant  costs  of  around  $2.1m 

(2018:  $1.6m)  out  of  a  total  of  underlying  costs  of

approximately  $4.0m  ($2.6m  in  Bangalore,  where  the 

Group employs around 90 developers and the balance in 

the  Group's  other  development  centre 

in  Nizhny

Novgorod).

Amortisation  on  the  standalone  and  acquired  costs 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

increased to $1.0m (2018: $0.6m) accordingly, and net of 

Goodwill and other intangible assets

Goodwill

such  amortisation, 

this  capitalisation 

resulted 

in

intangible  assets  relating  to  development  costs  in  the 

statement  of  financial  position  of  approximately  $4.4m

The goodwill in the Group balance sheet arises from the 

(2018:$3.2m).

acquisitions  of  PSPL  in  December  2017  and  the 

Danateq Acquisition in August 2018. As noted above, an 

Property, plant and equipment

adjustment  of  an  element  of  the  contingent  liability 

Expenditure  of  $256,000  on  property,  plant  and

relating to the potential payment to the vendors of the 

equipment  relates  principally  to  $106,000  spend  on  IT 

Danateq  business  led  to  a  concomitant  adjustment  to

equipment  to  support  the  needs  of  the  business.  In 

goodwill during the year of $275,000.

addition,  some  $94,000  was  spent  on  fixtures,  fittings 

Customer relationships and acquired software
for resale

Assets  acquired  pursuant  to  the  Danateq  Acquisition 

comprised  principally  customer 

relationships  and

enterprise  software  for  resale  to  third  parties;  the 

customer  relationships  acquired  are  being  amortised 

over  10  years.  The  software  acquired  has  now  been 

fully integrated into the Group’s existing mViva suite and 

is no longer considered separately. Net of accumulated 

and  leasehold  improvements  due  to  the  continued 

expansion of the Group’s office space. Also during the 

year, in line with common remuneration practice in India, 

a  car  was  provided  for  the  use  of  the  Head  of

Development at a capital cost of $56,000 (representing 

an  annual  cost  to  the  Group  of  approximately  $8,000).

Depreciation 

in 

the  year  amounted 

to  $93,000

(excluding amounts relating to Right-to-Use assets now 

recognised  under  IFRS  16,  and  gross  of  amounts 

31

capitalised as intangible assets) (2018: $47,000), and the 

to  reverse  in  less  than  one  year)  increased  to  $0.29m 

aggregate  net  book  value  of  property,  plant  and

(2018: $0.07m) largely due to three significant contracts 

equipment 

rose 

from 

$362,000 

to 

$515,000.

signed  in  the  year  which  had  invoicing  terms  that 

differed  significantly  from  the  underlying  performance 

Trade receivables and contract assets

obligations.  Long-term  contract  assets  (i.e. 

those 

Trade receivables

At  31  December  2019 

total 

trade 

receivables

(i.e.  including  long-term  receivables)  stood  at  $5.5m 

which  are  expected  to  reverse  after  more  than  one 

year)  increased  similarly  to  $0.52m  (2018:  $0.31m).

Trade and other payables and contract liabilities

(2018:  $4.1m).  The  increase  reflects  a  significant  last 

Trade and other payables

quarter weighting of revenues, with over 61% of the total 

contractual revenue accounted for in the last quarter. Of 

these  receivables,  approximately  $1.4m  has  been

received since the year end to date.

The  trade  receivables  balance  at  the  year  end  is

analysed as follows:

At the year end, trade payables stood at $82,000 (2018: 

$118,000). Other payables of $441,000 (2018: $463,000) 

comprise  accrued 

tax 

liabilities  and  provisions  of

$149,000 and sundry creditors and accruals.

Contract liabilities

Contract 

liabilities 

represent  customer  payments 

2019

$’000

Total

Excluding UBR

2018

$’000

Total

Excluding UBR

Short term

receivables

Associated

revenue

"Debtor days"

received 

in  advance  of  satisfying  performance

5,283

967

6,566

2,619

294

135

obligations,  which  are  expected  to  be  recognised  as 

revenue  in  2020  and  beyond.  Short-term  contract

liabilities  increased  to  $0.66m  (2018:  $0.06m)  and 

Short term

receivables

Associated

revenue

"Debtor days"

long-term  contract  liabilities  to  $0.27m  (2018:  $0.11m) 

3,752

1,453

6,019

3,694

228

144

largely as the result of one particular contract entered into

in the year.

The  above  figures  have  been  adjusted  where  appropriate  for  balance  sheet
reallocations,  and  exclude  contract  assets  and  the  associated  incremental  revenue.

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Given the wide variety and bespoke nature of the Group's 

Cash flow and financing

contracts,  figures  shown  for  debtor  days  are  illustrative 

only. UBR receivables have increased as two significant 

contracts were completed in December 2019 and had not 

been  invoiced  at  the  year  end  (as  invoicing  milestones 

had  not  been  reached).  UBR  receivables  also  include 

approximately  $0.6m  relating  to  contracts  on  term 

payment structures which are invoiced over the relevant

periods.

Contract assets

Cash collection has continued to be a key strategic focus 

for  the  Group  -  cash  generated  by  operations,  as

adjusted for exceptional items, and before tax payments 

amounted to $1.70m (2018: $1.17m), largely as a result 

of continued improvement in timing of collection of trade 

receivables (operating cash inflow of $0.34m in the first 

half  compared  to  approximately  $1.36m  in  the  second); 

this  trend  is  expected  to  continue  with  an  increasing 

proportion of repeat or recurring contracts in the revenue 

mix  (e.g.  from  revenue  share  or  managed  services). 

Contract  assets  are  recognised  relating  to  support  and 

maintenance  revenue  and  license  fees  as  payments 

During the year the Group refinanced certain term loans 

are  received  in  arrears  of  the  services  being  provided. 

and took out a further term loan of c. $56,000 in order to 

Short-term contract assets (i.e. those which are expected-

finance the purchase of a motor vehicle for employee use. 

32

In addition an overdraft facility used during the year had 

The  increased  product  range  in  the  now  integrated  mViva 

an outstanding balance of $167,000 at the year end. As a 

product suite enables us to target both existing customers 

result of the above, the Group had closing gross cash of 

with  new  products  and  new  customers,  especially  within 

$1.1m  (2018:  $2.2m)  and  net  cash  of  $0.5m  (2018: 

multi-national  groups.  With  a  substantially  enlarged

$1.8m)  (excluding  amounts  relating  to  lease  liabilities). 

customer  base  of  now  19  telcos,  we  expect  an  increasing 

Since the year end, the Group has secured financing of 

volume of change requests which, combined with a greater 

approximately  $0.8m  (on  a  term  basis  over  6  years)  in 

proportion  of  managed  services  and  other  repeat  income, 

order to match fund the cost of hardware associated with 

gives  us  a  solid  foundation  for  the  year  ahead. As  noted 

the  major  managed  services  contract  announced  in 

below,  it  remains  unclear  as  to  how  long  the  current

December 2019. Gross cash at 6th April stood at $1.59m; 

coronavirus pandemic will last and what the short to medium 

however,  this  figure  includes  approximately  $0.65m 

term  effects  of  this  pandemic  will  be  on  consumer  and

remaining  from  this  financing  and  relating  to  capital 

corporate behaviour; however, the Directors believe that the 

expenditure  expected 

to  be  paid  out 

in  April.

telecommunications industry is likely to be less affected by 

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

As explained in further detail above and in Note 26, the 

Group acquired certain assets from the Danateq Group 

in  August  2018,  including  enterprise  software  and

customer relationships, both formal (i.e. via a framework 

agreement) 

and 

informal. 

Potential 

deferred

consideration of up to $5m was payable in respect of this 

acquisition, based on revenue realised against a defined 

pipeline  of  actual  or  target  contracts.  Due  to  the

adjustment  of  previously  provided  contingent  amounts, 

the  contingent 

liability  recognised  now  stands  at 

$975,000,  representing  the  expected  payout  of  $1m 

discounted  to  the  balance  sheet  date  (with  the  amount 

shown  on 

the  balance  sheet  net  of  a  $27,000

post-acquisition  adjustment  due 

from 

the  vendors).

SUMMARY

  The  significant  contract  win  announced  in  December 

2019  clearly  validated  the  quality  of  our  software,  espe-

cially in the context of its relevance to Tier 1 telcos, and 

marked a major shift for our business in terms of moving 

towards a recurring revenue model, thus enhancing the 

quality  and  visibility  of  our  earnings.  Furthermore,  the 

any economic downturn, whether local or global, than most, 

particularly as certain telecoms activities tend to increase in 

"stay  at  home"  periods  such  as  end  of  year  holidays  and 

festivals such as Christmas and Ramadan, generating more 

user  spending  and  more  targeted  marketing.  This  is

supported  by  our  experience  to  date,  with  customers 

maintaining a broadly "business as usual" approach despite 

the logistical disruption of working from home (to which any 

software  based  business  is  well  suited).  Accordingly,  our 

overall (12 month) pipeline remains strong and notably we 

have started 2020 with a material proportion of the expected 

revenues  for  the  year  underpinned  by  recurring  and

repeating revenue, including the contracts referenced above 

as  well  as  support  and  maintenance  income  built  up  from 

previous  years'    license  sales  and  regular  change  request 

income. Together this will deliver higher quality, sustainable 

and visible revenues that will significantly enhance the value

of the Group over the longer term.

NIC HELLYER
Finance Director

7 April 2020

The Strategic Report was approved by the Board of Directors on 7 April 2020
On behalf of the Board

winning  of  a  consultancy  contract,  also  in  December 

2019,  demonstrated  our  ability  to  monetise  our  domain 

Subash Menon
7 April 2020

Nic Hellyer
7 April 2020

expertise to analyse data, devise campaigning strategies 

and design appropriate campaigns to enable customers

further 

to 

increase 

revenue  and 

reduce  churn. 

33

12

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Subash Menon 

Managing Director, CEO and Co-Founder

Subash  co-founded  the  Group  in April  2013.  Prior  to 

Pelatro,  Subash  was  the  CEO  and  founder  of  Subex 

Limited  ("Subex"),  a  company  he  transformed  from  a 

systems  integrator  in  telecoms  hardware  to  a  global 

leader  in  Telco  software  for  business  optimisation. 

Subash also guided Subex through a successful IPO in 

India  (NSE  and  BSE)  in  1999  and  through  seven

acquisitions  in  the  UK,  US  and  Canada,  driving 

revenues  to  in  excess  of  US$100m,  prior  to  leaving

Subex in 2012.

Sudeesh Yezhuvath 

COO and Co-Founder

Sudeesh  co-founded  the  Group  with  Subash  in  2013. 

Sudeesh  joined  Subash  at  Subex  in  1993,  where  he 

worked as a Sales Engineer. There, he progressed to a 

board  Director  and  Chief  Operating  Officer.  Sudeesh 

left Subex in 2012, by which time it had grown to be a 

global  leader  with  over  200  telco  operators,  across

more than 70 countries.

Nic Hellyer

Finance Director

Nic  is  a  Chartered  Accountant  who  brings  extensive 

board level experience from his 25 years in investment 

banking. Nic spent the majority of his banking career at 

UBS  and  HSBC,  advising  on  a  wide  range  of

transactions  including  public  takeovers,  private  M&A, 

IPOs and other equity fund raisings. Nic joined Pelatro 

in 2017 prior to the IPO of the Group in December that 

year.  He  is  also  a  part-time  CFO  of  Byotrol  plc,  a

chemical supply company which is also quoted on AIM.

34

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 

Richard Day(i)(ii)(iii) 

Chairman

Richard has significant board and business experience 

from a number of companies, both publicly quoted and 

private.  He  is  a  qualified  solicitor  and  a  Chartered 

Member of the Securities Institute. Richard co-founded 

institutional  brokers Arden  Partners  in  2002  and  was 

instrumental in growing their corporate offering as well 

as their admission to AIM in 2006. Richard is currently a 

director of EGS Energy Limited and sits on the board of 

their special purpose vehicle Eden Geothermal Limited 

which has secured funding to develop and operate their 

deep geothermal site in Cornwall. He is also Chairman 

of  Alchemac  Limited,  a  UK  company  with  an

aggregates  quarrying  business 

in  Southern 

India.

Pieter Christiaan Verkade(i)(ii)(iii) 

Non-executive Director

Pieter  was  the  Chief  Commercial  Officer  for  Unitel  in 

Angola  from  August  2017  to  August  2019  and  is

Chairman  and  Co-Founder  of  Viva  Africa,  an  African 

content  aggregator  and  producer  for  video,  a  role  he 

has  held  since  February  2016.  He  also  serves  as  a 

non-executive director on the board of Discover Digital 

International.  Prior  to  this,  Pieter  spent  sixteen  years 

working  in  numerous  board  level  roles,  varying  from 

CFO, CMO, CCO to CEO for various companies within 

the 

telecommunications 

industry.  These 

included 

Telenor International, Orange and MTN, where he was 

Group  Chief  Commercial  Officer,  working  across  both

Europe and Africa.

(i) Member of Audit Committee

(ii) Member of Remuneration Committee

(iii) Member of Nomination Committee

35

13

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REVIEW
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE 2018 QCA CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE

Chairman’s introduction

High standards of corporate governance are a key priority for the Board of Pelatro and, in line with the London Stock 

Exchange’s  changes  to  the AIM  Rules  requiring  all AIM-quoted  companies  to  adopt  and  comply  with  a  recognised

corporate governance code, the Board has adopted the 2018 Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code 

(the “QCA Code”) as the basis of the Group’s governance framework. It is the responsibility of the Board to ensure that 

the  Group  is  managed  for  the  long-term  benefit  of  all  shareholders  and  stakeholders,  with  effective  and  efficient 

decision-making. Corporate governance is an important aspect of this, reducing risk and adding value to the Group's

business.

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

to be appropriate arrangements for growing companies and asks companies to provide an explanation about how they 

are meeting the principles through the prescribed disclosures. We have considered how we apply each principle to the 

extent that the Board judges these to be appropriate in the circumstances, and below we provide an explanation of the 

approach  taken  in  relation  to  each.  The  Board  considers  that  it  has  complied  with  the  principles  of  the  QCA  Code.

Richard Day
Non-Execu�ve Chairman

36

QCA PRINCIPLES

SECTION 1: DELIVER GROWTH

Principle 1: Establish a strategy and business  
model which promote long-term value for 
shareholders

investors  think  about  us,  and  in  turn,  helping  these 

audiences  understand  our  business,  is  a  key  part  of 

driving  our  business  forward  and  we  actively  seek 

dialogue  with  the  market.  We  do  so  via  investor 

roadshows,  attending 

investor  conferences,  hosting

capital markets days and our regular reporting. 

Our  strategy  is  discussed  further  in  the  Managing

Director's  statement.  As  evidenced  by  continuing 

Institutional shareholders

progress  in  winning  contracts  from  new  customers  as 

well as new business from existing customers, Pelatro 

has  an  increasing  reputation  in  the  MultiChannel

Marketing  software  space.  To  deliver  this  growth  and 

hence  promote  long-term  value  for  shareholders,  the 

Board  has  established  a  clear  three-pronged  strategy 

and business model and has identified the following key 

areas of operation to focus on improving on the Group’s

performance:

The  Directors  actively  seek  to  build  a  relationship  with 

institutional  shareholders.  Shareholder  relations  are 

managed  by  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Finance 

Director  who  make  presentations 

to 

institutional

shareholders  and  analysts  each  year 

immediately

following the release of the full-year and half-year results. 

The  Non-executive  Chairman  and  Non-executive

Director  are  also  available  to  meet  investors,  whenever

required. 

Sales strategy, which encompasses all critical areas 

Private shareholders

progressively to open up new vistas and enable the 

Group to address larger market opportunities while 

positioning  it  as  a  key  player  in  its  chosen  space

Diversification  strategy 

to  offer  complementary

services

Shareholders  are  encouraged  to  attend  the  annual

general meeting ("AGM") at which the Group’s activities 

and results are considered, and questions answered by 

the  Directors.  The AGM  is  the  main  forum  for  dialogue 

with  retail  shareholders  and  the  Board.  The  Notice  of 

Acquisition-led  growth  strategy  where  and  when

Meeting is sent to shareholders at least 21 days before 

appropriate to expand the business model

the meeting. The chairs of the Board and all committees, 

A  fuller  explanation  of  how  the  strategy  and  business 

model are executed is contained in both the Company's 

Admission  Document  dated  13th  December  2018  and 

Placing Circular dated 30th July 2019. Both documents 

are  available  to  download  in  full  of  the  Group  website.

Principle 2: Seek to understand and meet 
shareholder needs and expectations

together with all other Directors, routinely attend the AGM 

and  are  available 

to  answer  questions  raised  by

shareholders. For each vote, the number of proxy votes 

received  for,  against  and  withheld  is  announced  at  the 

meeting.  The  results  of  the  AGM  are  subsequently 

published  on 

the  Company’s  corporate  website.

Private shareholder events are also regularly attended by 

the CEO and Finance Director, as well as the Chairman.

Introduction

Analyst research

The  Company  remains  committed  to  listening  and 

The Board is aware that following the introduction of the 

communicating  openly  with  its  shareholders  to  ensure 

Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II) 

that  its  strategy,  business  model  and  performance  are 

regulations at the start of 2018, private investor access 

clearly  understood.  Understanding  what  analysts  and 

to  research  on  public  companies  has  been  restricted. 

37

We have not yet commissioned any “paid for” research 

from third party analysts and have no current intention 

Principle 3: Take into account wider stakeholder 
and social responsibilities and their implications 
for longer-term success

of  doing  so.  The  Company’s  broker  Cenkos  produces 

Engaging  with  our  stakeholders  strengthens  our

research on the Group which is generally available free 

relationships  and  helps  us  make  better  business 

of  charge  from  their  internet  portal,  linked  via  the

decisions  to  deliver  on  our  commitments.  The  Board  is 

"Investors" section of the Group website.

Report and accounts

The Board has ultimate responsibility for reviewing and 

approving  the Annual  Report  and Accounts  and  it  has 

regularly  updated  on  wider  stakeholder  engagement 

feedback to stay abreast of stakeholder insights into the 

issues that matter most to them and our business, and to 

enable  the  Board  to  understand  and  consider  these

issues in decision-making.

considered  and  endorsed  the  arrangements  for  their 

Employees

preparation, under the guidance of its audit committee. 

The  Directors  confirm  that  the  Annual  Report  and 

Accounts,  taken  as  a  whole,  is  fair,  balanced  and

understandable and provides the information necessary 

for  shareholders  to  assess  the  Group’s  position  and

performance, business model and strategy.

The Board

At every Board meeting, the Chief Executive Officer and 

the Finance Director provide a summary of the content 

of  any  engagement  they  have  had  with  investors  to 

ensure 

that  major 

shareholders’ 

views 

are

communicated  to  the  Board  as  a  whole. The  Board  is 

also provided with brokers’ and analysts’ reports when 

published. This process enables the Chairman and the 

Aside  from  our  shareholders,  suppliers  and  customers, 

our employees are one of our most important stakeholder 

groups  and  the  Board  therefore  closely  monitors  and 

reviews 

the  performance  and  satisfaction  of  our

employees  through  regular  dialogue  and  a  regular 

appraisal  programme  as  well  as  other  feedback  it

receives to ensure alignment of interests.

A new Employee Share Option scheme was established 

at the beginning of the financial year, with options being 

made available to some 70 employees, being over half of 

the  work  force.  The  Group  is  still  a  young,  dynamic 

business  and  is  small  enough  to  ensure  that  each

employee is able to meet with management at any time to

discuss business-related issues.

other  Non-executive  Director  to  be  kept  informed  of 

The  Group  believes  that  by  having  empowered  and

major  shareholders’  opinions  on  strategy  and

responsible employees who display sound judgment and 

governance, and for them to understand any issues or

awareness  of  the  consequences  of  their  decisions  or 

concerns.

actions, and who act in an ethical and responsible way, is

The  non-executive  Directors  are  available  to  discuss 

key to the success of the business.

any  matter  stakeholders  might  wish  to  raise,  and  the 

Chairman attends meetings with investors and analysts,

as well as professional advisers, as required.

Investors may also make contact requests through the

Company’s broker.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The  Group  recognises  the  increasing  importance  of 

corporate social responsibility and endeavours to take it 

into account when operating its business in the interests 

38

of  its  stakeholders,  including  its  investors,  employees, 

Health and Safety

customers,  suppliers,  business  partners  and 

the

communities where it conducts its activities.

The  Directors  are  committed  to  ensuring  the  highest 

standards of health and safety, both for employees and 

The operation of a profitable business is a priority and 

for  the  communities  within  which  the  Group  operates. 

that  means  investing  for  growth  as  well  as  providing 

The Group seeks to exceed legal requirements aimed at 

returns to its shareholders. To achieve this, the Group 

providing  a  healthy  and  secure  working  environment  to 

recognises  that  it  needs  to  operate  in  a  sustainable 

all  employees  and  understands  that  successful  health 

manner and therefore has adopted core principles to its 

and  safety  management  involves  integrating  sound

business operations which provide a framework for both 

principles  and  practice  into  its  day-to-day  management 

managing  risk  and  maintaining  its  position  as  a  good 

arrangements and requires the collaborative effort of all 

"corporate  citizen",  and  also  facilitate  the  setting  of

employees. All  employees  are  positively  encouraged  to 

goals to achieve continuous improvement.

be involved in consultation and communication on health

The  Group  aims  to  conduct  its  business  with  integrity, 

respecting  the  different  cultures  and  the  dignity  and 

Environment

and safety matters that affect their work.

rights of individuals in the countries where it operates. 

The Directors are committed to minimising the impact of 

The  Group  supports  the  UN  Universal  Declaration  of 

the  Group’s  operations  on  the  environment. The  Group 

Human Rights and recognises the obligation to promote 

recognises that its business activities have an influence 

universal  respect  for  and  observance  of  human  rights 

on  the  local,  regional  and  global  environment  and 

and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as

accepts  that  it  has  a  duty  to  carry  these  out  in  an

to race, religion, gender, language or disability.

environmentally  responsible  manner.  It  is  the  Group’s 

Customers

policy to endeavour to meet relevant legal requirements 

and codes of practice on environmental issues so as to 

Our success and competitive advantage are dependent 

ensure that any adverse effects on the environment are 

upon fulfilling customer requirements. The longevity of 

minimised.  It  strives  to  provide  and  maintain  safe  and 

customer relationships is a key part of our strategy, and 

healthy  working  conditions,  and  to  keep  its  entire  staff 

an understanding of current and emerging requirements 

informed  of  its  environmental  policy  whilst  encouraging 

of customers enables us to develop new and enhanced 

them  to  consider  environmental  issues  as  an  everyday

services, together with software to support the fulfilment 

part of their role.

of  those  services.  The  Group  encourages  feedback 

from its customers through engagement with individual 

customers throughout a project. Despite the number of 

Principle 4: Embed effective risk management, 
considering both opportunities and threats, 
throughout the organisation

customers  having  more  than  doubled  in  the  past  year, 

The  Board  has  overall  responsibility  for  the  Group’s 

the  overall  number  of  customers  means  that  there  is 

internal  control  systems  and 

for  monitoring 

their

regular  interface  with  customers  and  their  needs  are 

effectiveness. The Board, with the assistance of the Audit 

appreciated.  The  team  holds  periodic  meetings  with 

Committee,  maintains  a  system  of  internal  controls  to 

every  customer  to  understand  and  resolve  their  "pain 

safeguard  shareholders’  investment  and  the  Group’s 

points" while collecting valuable feedback on all aspects 

assets,  and  has  established  a  continuous  process  for 

of business such as product features, quality of delivery,

identifying, evaluating and managing the significant risks

support and so on.

the Group faces.

39

The Board currently takes the view that an internal audit 

The  Board  consists  of  five  directors  of  which  three  are 

function is not considered necessary or practical due to 

executive and two are independent non-executives. The 

the size of the Group and the close day to day control 

Board 

is  supported  by 

three  committees:  audit,

exercised  by  the  executive  directors.  However,  the 

remuneration and nominations. Non-executive Directors 

Board will continue to monitor the need for an internal

are  required  to  attend  all  Board  meetings  (usually  in 

audit function.

London) and to be available at other times as required for 

face-to-face and  telephone  meetings  with the  executive 

Further details of the principal risks faced by the Group, 

team  and  investors.  In  addition,  they  attend  Board 

together  with  their  potential  impact  and  the  mitigation 

committee  meetings  as  required.  Meetings  held  during 

measures  in  place,  are  set  out  in  the  section  titled

2019  and  the  attendance  of  Directors  is  summarised

"Principal  Risks  and  Uncertainties"  in  this  Annual 

below:

Report.  The  Board  believe  these  risks  to  be  currently 

the  most  significant  with  the  potential  to  impact  the 

Group's strategy, financial and operational performance

and ultimately, its reputation.

The Board considers risk to the business on an ongoing 

basis  and  the  Group  formally  reviews  and  documents 

the principal risks at least annually. Both the Board and 

senior  management  are  responsible  for  reviewing  and 

evaluating  risk  and  the  executive  Directors  meet  on  a 

regular  basis  to  review  ongoing  trading  performance, 

discuss  budgets  and  forecasts  and  any  new  risks

associated with ongoing trading, the outcome of which

is reported to the Board.

Director

Board

Audit

Remuneration

Subash Menon

Sudeesh Yezhuvath

Richard Day

Nic Hellyer

Pieter Verkade

5

3

6

6

6

n/a

n/a

2

2

2

n/a

n/a

2

n/a

2

To enable the Board to discharge its duties, all Directors 

receive  appropriate  and  timely  information.  Briefing 

papers are distributed to all Directors in advance of Board 

and  Committee  meetings. All  Directors  have  access  to 

the  advice  and  services  of  the  Finance  Director  and 

Company Secretary, who is responsible for ensuring that 

the  Board  procedures  are  followed,  and  that  applicable 

SECTION 2: MAINTAIN A DYNAMIC MANAGEMENT

rules  and  regulations  are  complied  with.  In  addition, 

FRAMEWORK

Principle 5: Maintain the Board as a 
well-functioning balanced team led by the Chair

The members of the Board have a collective responsibility 

procedures are in place to enable the Directors to obtain 

independent  professional  advice  in  the  furtherance  of 

their  duties,  if  necessary,  at  the  Company’s  expense.

and legal obligation to promote the interests of the Group 

The  Board  is  responsible  to  the  shareholders  and  sets 

and  are  collectively  responsible  for  defining  corporate 

the Group’s strategy for achieving long-term success. It is 

governance  arrangements.  Ultimate  responsibility  for  the 

ultimately responsible for the management, governance, 

quality of, and approach to, corporate governance lies with 

controls, risk management, direction and performance of

the  chairman  of  the  Board,  Richard  Day.  The  Chairman 

the Group.

also  ensures  effective  communication  with  shareholders 

and  facilitates  the  effective  contribution  of  the  other

non-executive Director.

40

Principle 6: Ensure that between them the 
Directors have the necessary up-to-date 
experience, skills and capabilities

The  Board  currently  comprises  three  executive  and  two 

non-executive  Directors  with  an  appropriate  balance  of 

sector,  financial  and  public  market  skills  and  experience. 

The skills and experience of the Board are set out in their 

biographical details above. The experience and knowledge 

of  each  of 

the  Directors  gives 

them 

the  ability

constructively  to  challenge  the  strategy  and  to  scrutinise 

performance.  The  Board  also  has  access  to  external

advisers where necessary.

Executive  and  non-executive  Directors  are  subject  to 

re-election  intervals  as  prescribed  in  the  Company’s 

Articles  of Association. At  each Annual  General  Meeting 

one-third of the Directors, who are subject to retirement by 

rotation  shall  retire  from  office.  They  can  then  offer

themselves  for  re-election.  The  executive  directors  are 

employed  under  service  contracts  requiring  12  months' 

notice (by either party) in the case of Subash Menon and 

Sudeesh Yezhuvath, and three months' notice in the case 

The  Board  meets  at  least  6  times  a  year.  It  has

established an Audit Committee, Nominations Committee 

and a Remuneration Committee. Throughout their period 

in  office  the  Directors  are  continually  updated  on  the 

Group’s  business, 

the 

industry  and  competitive

environment  in  which  it  operates,  corporate  social

responsibility  matters  and  other  changes  affecting  the 

Group  by  written  briefings  and  meetings  with  the

executive Directors. They are reminded by the Company 

Secretary  of  these  duties  and  are  also  updated  on

changes to the legal and governance requirements of the 

Group, and upon themselves as Directors, on an ongoing

and timely basis.

The  Company  has  adopted  a  code  for  directors’  and 

employees’ dealings in securities which is appropriate for 

a  company  whose  securities  are  traded  on  AIM  and 

which is in accordance with Rule 21 of the AIM Rules and

the Market Abuse Regulations.

Principle 7: Evaluate board performance based 
on clear and relevant objectives, seeking 
continuous improvement

of  Nic  Hellyer.  The  non-executive  director  and 

the

The  Board 

is  committed 

to 

formal  annual  Board

Chairman  receive  payments  under  appointment  letters

evaluations:  in  2019  this  was  conducted  by  way  of  a

which are terminable on three months' notice.

questionnaire 

and  Chairman 

interviews. 

The

The  Board  encourages  the  ownership  of  shares  in  the 

Company  by executive  and non-executive  Directors  alike 

and in normal circumstances does not expect Directors to 

undertake  dealings  of  a  short-term  nature.  The  Board 

considers ownership of Company shares by non-executive 

Directors  as  a  positive  alignment  of  their  interest  with

performance of the Board, its Committees and that of the 

individual Directors is monitored by the Chairman on an 

ongoing basis. The Chairman is assessed by the rest of 

the  directors  through  the  other  non-executive  Director. 

We will consider the use of external facilitators in future

board evaluations.

shareholders.  The  Board  will  periodically  review  the

The Nomination Committee is responsible for succession 

shareholdings of the non-executive Directors and will seek 

planning  of  the  executive  leadership  team  and  makes 

guidance from its advisers if, at any time, it is concerned 

recommendations to the Board for the re-appointment of 

that the shareholding of any non-executive Director may, or 

any  non-executive  Directors  if  and  when  necessary. 

could  appear 

to,  conflict  with 

their  duties  as  an

Succession  planning  is  reviewed  on  an  ongoing  basis 

independent  non-executive  Director  of  the  Company  or 

alongside  the  capability  of  the  senior  management  and 

their independence itself. Directors’ emoluments, including 

Directors.  Pieter  Verkade  is  the  Chairman  of  the

Directors’ 

interest 

in  shares  and  options  over 

the

Nominations Committee.

Company’s share capital, are set out in the Report of the

Directors.

41

Principle 8: Promote a corporate culture that is 
based on ethical values and behaviours

business  strategy  and  management,  financial  reporting 

(including  the  approval  of  the  annual  budget),  Group 

The  Group  adopts  a  policy  of  equal  opportunities  in  the 

policies,  corporate  governance  matters,  major  capital 

recruitment and engagement of staff as well as during the 

expenditure 

projects,  material 

acquisitions 

and

course of their employment. It endeavours to promote the 

divestments  and  the  establishment  and  monitoring  of

best use of its human resources on the basis of individual 

internal controls.

skills  and  experience  matched  against  those  required  for

the work to be performed.

The  Group  recognises  the  importance  of  investing  in  its 

employees and, as such, the Group provides opportunities 

for training and personal development and encourages the 

involvement of employees in the planning and direction of 

their  work.  These  values  are  applied  regardless  of  age, 

The  appropriateness  of  the  Board’s  composition  and 

corporate  governance  structures  are  reviewed  through 

the ongoing Board evaluation process and on an ad hoc 

basis by the Chairman together with the other Directors, 

and  these  will  evolve  in  parallel  with  the  Group’s

objectives,  strategy  and  business  model  as  the  Group

develops.

race,  religion,  gender,  sexual  orientation  or  disability.

Board committees

The Group recognises that commercial success depends 

on the full commitment of all its employees and commits to 

respecting  their  human  rights,  to  provide  them  with

favourable  working  conditions 

that  are 

free 

from

unnecessary  risk  and  to  maintain  fair  and  competitive

terms and conditions of service at all times.

Principle 9: Maintain governance structures and 
processes that are fit for purpose and support 
good decision-making by the Board

The  Board  has  established  Audit,  Nomination  and

Remuneration Committees.

The Audit Committee has Richard Day as Chairman and 

has  primary  responsibility  for  monitoring  the  quality  of 

internal controls, ensuring that the financial performance 

of the Group is properly measured and reported on, and 

for reviewing reports from the Group’s auditors relating to 

the Group’s accounting and internal controls, in all cases 

having due regard to the interests of shareholders. The 

The Chairman, Richard Day, is responsible for leadership 

Audit  Committee  meets  at  least  twice  a  year.  Pieter 

of the Board, ensuring its effectiveness on all aspects of its 

Verkade is the other member of the Audit Committee. A 

role,  setting  its  agenda  and  ensuring  that  the  Directors 

report  on  the  duties  of  the Audit  Committee  and  how  it

receive  accurate, 

timely  and  clear 

information.  The

discharges its responsibilities is set out below.

Chairman  also  ensures  effective  communication  with

shareholders and facilitates the effective contribution of the 

The  Remuneration  Committee  has  Richard  Day  as

other  non-executive  Director.  Subash  Menon,  as  Chief 

Chairman, and reviews the performance of the Executive 

Executive  Officer,  is  responsible  for  the  operational 

Directors,  and  determines  their  terms  and  conditions  of 

management  of  the  Group  and  the  implementation  of 

service,  including  their  remuneration  and  the  grant  of 

Board  strategy  and  policy.  By  dividing  responsibilities  in 

options,  having  due 

regard 

to 

the 

interests  of

this  way,  no  one  individual  has  unfettered  powers  of

shareholders.  The  Remuneration  Committee  meets  at 

decision-making.

least twice a year. Pieter Verkade is the other member of 

There is a formal schedule of matters reserved for decision 

the  Remuneration  Committee.  Details  of  the  activities 

by the Board in place which enables the Board to provide 

and responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee are

leadership and ensure effectiveness. Such matters include

set out below.

42

The Nomination Committee has Pieter Verkade as Chairman, and identifies and nominates, for the approval of the Board, 

candidates to fill board vacancies as and when they arise. The Nomination Committee meets as necessary and did not 

meet  in  the  financial  year  2019  as  there  have  been  no  board  vacancies.  Richard  Day  is  the  other  member  of  the

Nomination Committee.

The terms of reference of each Committee can be downloaded from www.pelatro.com

SECTION 3: BUILD TRUST

Principle 10: Communicate how the Group is governed and is performing

The Board maintains a healthy dialogue with all of its stakeholders. Throughout the course of the financial year the Board

communicates with shareholders frequently and directly. 

43

14

S.172 STATEMENT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

COMPANIES ACT 2006 S. 172 STATEMENT

(a) The likely consequences of any decision in 
the long term

The Board acknowledges its responsibilities under the 

Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") and below sets out the 

requirements of the Act and in particular section 172(1), 

and 

the  key  processes  and  considerations 

that

demonstrate  how  the  Directors  discharge  their  duties 

and promote the success of the Company. References 

to the Company include the wider Group where relevant.

As  noted  in  the  Corporate  Governance  Report,  the 

Board  meet  6  times  a  year  with  papers  circulated  in 

advance  to  allow  the  Directors  to  fully  understand  the 

Supporting  each  key  decision,  the  Board  are  given 

access  to  management  papers  which  set  out  the

potential  outcome  of  decisions.  The  papers  include 

diligence on the financial impact via forecasts, as well as 

non-financial  factors  and  how  the  decision  fits  with  the 

strategy  of  the  Company.  Strategy  is  reviewed  in  detail 

each  year  at  a  Board  "Away  Day"  and  this  strategic 

thinking  is  intrinsic  to  future  decision-making  processes. 

Where appropriate, the Board will delegate responsibility 

to a sub-committee of Directors for areas such as M&A,

performance  and  position  of  the  Company,  alongside 

investor relations and so on.

matters arising for decision. Each decision that is made 

by  the  Directors  is  supported  by  analyses  of  the

possible outcomes so that an educated decision can be 

made based upon the likely impact on the Company, so 

a  decision  can  be  made  which  best  promotes  the 

success of the Company and what impact there may be

on the wider stakeholder group.

(b) The interests of the Company’s employees

The Directors actively consider the interest of employees 

in  all  major  decisions.  The  Directors’  Report  and

Corporate  Governance  report  set  out  in  greater  detail 

Pelatro’s policy towards its employees. Value is created 

through  innovation  and  customer  service,  which  is  a 

Decisions  of  the  Board  take  into  account  not  just 

product  of  motivated  employees.  They  are  of  central 

short-term,  but  also  medium-  and 

long-term

important  to  Pelatro  success,  and  the  Directors  believe 

consequences,  which  are  carefully  considered  and 

that  the  Pelatro  culture  and  core  values  create  an

balanced,  having  regard  to  the  needs  and  priorities  of 

environment for engaged and successful employees. Our 

the  business,  its  customers,  partners,  employees  and 

Chief Mentor, Anuradha, supports managers to look after 

other  stakeholders.  For  example,  the  decision  to

employee needs, and was instrumental in setting up the 

prioritise  recurring/  repeating  revenue  contracts  this 

Assessment  and  Development  Centre  initiative  referred

year  as  opposed  to  license  contracts,  leading  to  a

to in the Strategic Report.

reduction in short-term revenue, was based on the view 

that this strengthens customer relationships, creates a 

more stable revenue stream and boosts the value of the

business in the long-term.

The Group also operates an option scheme for around 70 

of  the  Group’s  employees  to  encourage  employee 

engagement  in  promoting  the  success  of  the  Company

and maximising shareholder return. 

Factors (a) to (e) below, are all taken into account during

the decision-making process.

The  health  of  the  Group's  employees  is  of  course 

paramount, and the Directors have made every effort to 

44

facilitate a working from home policy and other practices 

backs  its  employees’  interests  in  community  activities, 

to  ensure  continuing  good  health 

in 

the  current

supporting  them  in  terms  of  time  to  attend  to  these 

coronavirus pandemic.  

commitments  and  financial  backing.  Further  details  on 

(c) The need to foster the Company’s business 
relationships with suppliers, customers and others

practical  steps  Pelatro  has  taken  can  be  found  in  the 

Directors’ Report and Corporate governance report. The 

Board’s adoption and application of the QCA Corporate 

Pelatro's success also depends on strategic relationships 

Governance Code further supports these principles, with 

with key partners, customers and suppliers, so the Board 

more detail of the steps Pelatro has taken set out in the 

maintains  ongoing  oversight  of  these.  Management 

disclosures against Principles 3 and 9 to the Code, which 

packs  report  to  the  Board  on  the  status  of  key

can  be  found  in  the  section  on  Corporate  Governance

relationships, which have Board-level engagement from 

below and on the Pelatro website at

https://www.pelatro.com/investors/corporate-governance.

(e) The need to act fairly between members of 
the Company

The Directors regularly meet with investors and strive to 

give equal access to all investors and potential investors. 

Through  its  advisers,  the  Directors  seek  and  obtain 

feedback from meeting with the investors and incorporate 

such feedback into its decision-making processes where 

appropriate.  Where  conflicting  needs  arise,  advice  is 

sought  from  the  wider  Board  and,  as  necessary,  from 

advisers.  Through  the  careful  balancing  of  stakeholder 

needs,  Pelatro  seeks  to  promote  success  for  the

long-term benefit of shareholders.

an  operational  perspective  through  the  CEO  and  the 

COO. Product performance is constantly monitored, and 

customer 

feedback  continuously  captured 

through 

regular 

account  meetings,  which 

are 

always

attended  by  management-level,  and  often  director-level

representatives.

(d) The impact of the Company’s operations on 
the community and environment

The  Company 

takes 

its 

responsibility  within 

the

community  and  wider  environment  seriously  and

acknowledge that more can be done. Pelatro is a global 

company  and  has  based  itself  in  strategic  locations  for 

the long term.  The Company has a relatively low carbon 

footprint  in  terms  of  its  operations,  but  acknowledges 

improvements can always be made, particularly as travel 

schedules  can  be  extensive.  Employees  may  travel  for 

three activities – sales, implementation and support. With 

regard  to  sales,  whilst  traveling  is  generally  helpful  to 

progress  various  cases,  video  conferencing  is  effective 

as  a  tool  to  replace  physical  meetings.  With  respect  to 

implementation  and  support,  the  Company  has  always 

been  keen  to  minimise  the  need  for  on-site  activity  to 

minimise  costs,  hence  implementation  and  support 

processes lend themselves very well to remote handling. 

Pelatro  seeks  to  make  a  positive  contribution  to  its 

community, at local and global levels, and to minimize as 

far  as  possible  its  impact  on  the  environment.  Pelatro 

45

AUDIT COMMITTEE
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Dear Shareholder,

As Chairman of Pelatro’s Audit Committee, I present the Audit Committee Report for the year ended 31 December 2019,

which has been prepared by the Committee and approved by the Board.

The Committee is responsible for reviewing and reporting to the Board on financial reporting, internal control and risk 

management, and for reviewing the performance, independence and effectiveness of the external auditors in carrying out 

the statutory audit. The Committee advises the Board on the statement by the Directors that the Annual Report when read 

as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the

Group’s performance, business model and strategy.

During the year, the Committee’s primary activity involved meeting with the external auditors Crowe U.K. LLP ("Crowe"), 

considering material issues and areas of judgement, and reviewing and approving the interim and year end results and

accounts.

In addition, the Committee reviewed the audit and tax services provided by Crowe. The Committee concluded that Crowe 

are delivering the necessary audit scrutiny and that the tax services provided did not pose a threat to their objectivity and 

independence.  Accordingly,  the  Committee  recommended  to  the  Board  that  Crowe  be  re-appointed  for  the  next 

financial year.

In the coming year, in addition to the Committee’s ongoing duties, the Committee will:

consider  significant  issues  and  areas  of  judgement  with  the  potential  to  have  a  material  impact  on  the  financial

statements, including impairments of the Company’s investments and technologies; and

keep the need for an internal audit function under review, having regard to the Company’s strategy and resources.

46

AUDIT COMMITTEE AND ATTENDANCE

The Audit Committee comprises Richard Day and Pieter 

Verkade.  The  Board  considers  that  Richard  Day  has 

sufficient relevant financial experience to chair the Audit 

to  review  and  monitor  the  external  auditors’ 

independence  and  objectivity, 

taking 

into

consideration 

relevant  UK  professional  and

regulatory requirements;

Committee  given  that  he  has  worked  for  more  than  25 

to develop and implement policy on the engagement 

years in corporate finance, first at Cazenove & Co (now 

of the external auditors to supply non-audit services, 

JP  Morgan  Cazenove)  and 

then  at 

institutional

taking 

into  account  relevant  ethical  guidance

stockbrokers Arden Partners plc, where he was Head of 

regarding the provision of non-audit services by the

Corporate  Finance  for  most  of  his  time  there.  He  is  a 

external auditors; and

qualified solicitor and was chief financial officer from 2015 

to 2019 at iEnergizer Limited which is admitted to trading 

on  the  AIM  Market  of  the  London  Stock  Exchange.

The  Committee  is  required  by  its  terms  of  reference  to 

meet  at  least  twice  a  year.  During  the  year,  the

Committee  met  twice.  In  addition,  Nic  Hellyer,  Finance 

Director, attended both Committee meetings by invitation.

to  report  to  the  Board,  identifying  any  matters  in 

respect  of  which 

it  considers 

that  action  or

improvement 

is 

needed, 

and 

to  make

recommendations as to steps to be taken.

The  terms  of  reference  are  reviewed  annually  and

are available on the Company’s website at:

https://www.pelatro.com/investors/

OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity 

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES CONSIDERED DURING
THE YEAR

of the Group’s financial statements, including its Annual 

During the year, the Committee:

and Interim Reports, preliminary results announcements 

and  any  other  formal  announcements  relating  to  its

financial performance prior to release.

The  Committee’s  main 

responsibilities  can  be

summarised as follows:

to  review  the  Company’s  internal  financial  controls

and risk management systems;

reviewed  and  approved  the  annual  audit  plan  and 

met  with  the  external  auditors  to  receive  their

findings and report on the annual audit;

considered  significant 

issues  and  areas  of

judgement  with  the  potential  to  have  a  material 

impact  on 

the 

financial  statements, 

including

impairments  of 

the  Group’s 

investments  and

to  monitor  the  integrity  of  the  financial  statements 

technologies;

and  any  formal  announcements  relating  to  the 

Group’s financial performance, reviewing significant

judgements contained in them;

considered  the  integrity  of  the  published  financial 

information  and  whether  the  Annual  Report  and 

Accounts  taken  as  a  whole  are  fair,  balanced  and 

to make recommendations to the Board in relation to 

understandable  and  provide 

the 

information

the  appointment  of  the  external  auditors  and  to 

necessary  to  assess  the  Group’s  position  and

recommend  to  the  Board  the  approval  of  the

performance,  business  model  and  strategy;  and

remuneration  and  terms  of  engagement  of  the

external auditors;

reviewed  and  approved  the  interim  and  year  end

results and accounts.

47

The  significant  accounting  areas  and 

judgements

measures which are not in accordance with the reporting 

considered by the Committee were:

requirements of IFRS. The audit committee has reviewed 

Recoverability of trade receivables

The  Committee  continued  to  review  the  track  record  of 

receipts  from  slow-paying  debtors  and  sought  regular 

updates  from  management  as  to  the  status  of  trade 

receivables. In light of this, the Committee reviewed and 

these  during  the  year  ended  31  December  2019  to 

ensure  they  are  appropriate  and  that  in  each  case  the 

reason  for  their  use  is  clearly  explained;  they  are

reconciled to the equivalent IFRS figure; and they are not 

given  prominence  over  the  equivalent  IFRS  figure.

accepted management  proposals  that no  impairment  of 

Risk review process

trade  receivables  were  required  (other  than  a  general 

The  Audit  Committee  is  responsible  for  reviewing  the 

provision as required by IFRS 9) and was satisfied that 

financial  risks  and  the  internal  controls  relating  there  to 

the 

trade 

receivables  balance  were 

fairly  stated.

the Board as a whole and has responsibility for reviewing 

Carrying value of goodwill and other intangible

assets

The Audit Committee reviewed the judgements taken in 

the impairment review performed for each of the Group’s 

two  cash  generating  units  to  determine  whether  there 

was  any  indication  that  those  assets  had  suffered  any 

impairment.  The  Audit  Committee  consider  the  key

the  overall  business 

risks  and 

risk  management

framework. The Group’s principal risks and uncertainties 

are set out in the Strategic Report together with mitigating 

actions  and  the  internal  controls  and  risk  management 

procedures  are 

summarised 

in 

the  Corporate

Governance Report.

External auditor

judgements to be the discount rate and growth rates used 

The  Committee  reviewed  the  effectiveness  of  the  audit 

in the value in use calculations. Following a review of the 

process in respect of the year ended 31 December 2018. 

impact of the sensitivities performed by management on 

In  doing  so,  the  Committee  considered  the  reports 

the  discount  rate  and  growth  rate  in  the  value  in  use

produced  by  Crowe,  met  the  audit  engagement  partner 

calculations,  the  Audit  Committee  considered  that  the 

and  discussed  the  audit  with  the  Finance  Director.  The 

rates used were reasonable and indicated no impairment.

Committee  continues  to  be  satisfied  that  the  external 

The Committee also reviewed the basis of capitalisation 

auditors are delivering the necessary scrutiny and robust 

and  considered  the  intangible  value  attributed  to  its 

challenge  in  their  work.  Accordingly,  the  Committee 

intangible  software  development  costs.  The  Committee 

recommended  to  the  Board  that  it  is  appropriate  to

was  satisfied  that  the  resultant  net  book  values  were

re-appoint Crowe as the Group’s external auditors for the

appropriately prepared on a reasonable basis.

next financial year.

Going Concern

External audit and non-audit services

The Committee reviewed the cash flow forecasts for the 

During  the  year,  Crowe  provided  tax  advisory  services. 

Group  and  discussed  the  key  assumptions  and  risks 

An analysis of the audit and non-audit fees is provided in 

relevant  to  their  achievement.  The  Committee  was 

note 8 to the financial statements. The Audit Committee 

satisfied  that  the  basis  for  adopting  the  going  concern 

considered the independence and objectivity of Crowe in

basis  in  preparing  the  Group  and  Company  financial

carrying out both tax and audit services.

statements, set out in note 3, was reasonable.

Alternative performance measures

The  Group  reports  a  number  of  additional  performance 

RICHARD DAY
Chairman of the Audit Commi�ee

7 April 2020

48

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

Dear Shareholder,

As Chairman of Pelatro’s Remuneration Committee, I present the Remuneration Committee Report for the year ended 

31 December 2019, which has been prepared by the Committee and approved by the Board. As an AIM company, the 

Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations do not apply to Pelatro and so the report that follows is disclosed voluntarily

and has not been subject to audit.

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for determining the remuneration policy for the Executive Directors, and for 

overseeing the Company’s long-term incentive plans. The Board as a whole is responsible for determining non-executive

Directors’ remuneration.

In setting the Group’s remuneration policy, the Remuneration Committee considers a number of factors including the

following:

salaries and benefits available to executive directors of comparable companies;

the need to both attract and retain executives of appropriate calibre; and

the continued commitment of executives to the Group’s development through appropriate incentive scheme.

Consistent  with  this  policy,  benefit  packages  awarded  to  executive  directors  comprise  a  mix  of  basic  salary  and

performance-related remuneration that is designed as an incentive. The remuneration packages comprise the following

elements:

base salary: the Remuneration Committee sets base salaries to reflect responsibilities and the skills, knowledge 

and experience of the individual;

bonus scheme: the executive directors are eligible to receive a bonus dependent on both individual and Group 

performance as determined by the Remuneration Committee;

equity: share options (for non-founder executive directors); and

provision of car (leased or purchased), and company contribution into a personal pension scheme (in the UK only).

Purchased cars remain the property of the Group and the annual benefit to the individual comprises 

(i)

the interest cost on the loan taken to fund the purchase;

(ii)

the depreciation on the vehicle; and

(iii)

sundry expenses defrayed by the Group.

The Committee will continue to monitor market trends and developments in order to assess those relevant for the Group’s

future remuneration policy.

49

 
REMUNERATION DECISIONS FOR 2019

Subash Menon and Sudeesh Yezhuvath were awarded bonuses of £35,000 ($49,000) each in respect of performance 

against certain targets. Nic Hellyer was provided with the use of a car in February 2019 (on a leased basis), with an

annual benefit to him of approximately $12,000.

A new long-term share option-based incentive plan was set up in January, with awards made to 70 employees, being over 

50% of our team. An award of options over 50,000 shares (subject to vesting conditions) in the Company was awarded

to Nic Hellyer under this plan.

RICHARD DAY
Chairman of the Remunera�on Commi�ee

7 April 2020

AWARDS AND REWARDS

50

15 

KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL

Subash Menon
Managing Director, CEO & Co-Founder

Sudeesh Yezhuvath
COO and Co-founder

Nic Hellyer
Finance Director

Arun Kumar Krishna
Head of Engineering

Anuradha
Chief Mentor

51

16

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

The Directors present their annual report on the affairs of 

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

the  Group,  together  with  the  consolidated  financial 

statements and independent auditor’s report, for the year

ended 31 December 2019.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The Pelatro Group provides specialised, enterprise class 

software  solutions,  principally 

through 

its 

flagship 

software  suite  mViva,  to  telecommunication  companies 

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  annual 

report and the financial statements for each financial year 

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  elected 

to  prepare 

the 

financial 

statements  in  accordance  with  International  Financial 

Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU and

("telcos"),  who  face  a  series  of  challenges  including 

market maturity, saturation and customer churn. Pelatro's 

applicable law.

software  enhances  the  telco's  understanding  of  its 

Under company law the Directors must not approve the 

customers  and  hence 

its  engagement  with 

them,

financial  statements  unless  they  are  satisfied  that  they 

increasing revenue enhancement, enabling smart pricing 

give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  state  of  affairs  of  the 

bundling,  predicting  churn  and  plugging 

revenue

Company and the Group and of the profit or loss of the

leakages.  The  software  can  be  extended  further  to

Group for that period.

enable data monetisation. 

Pelatro  is  well  positioned  in  the  Multichannel  Marketing 

required to:

Hub space (MMH) - this is technology that orchestrates a 

select  suitable  accounting  policies  and  then  apply

customer's  communications  and  offers  to  customer 

them consistently;

In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are

segments  across  multiple  channels  to  include  websites, 

social  media,  apps,  SMS,  USSD  and  others.  Pelatro 

launched v.6 of mViva in February 2020, the new version 

offering several new advanced features compared to the 

previous  version  launched  in  2018,  reflecting  the  rapid

evolution of the Group's software products.

Further 

information  on 

the  Group's  activities, 

its 

prospects and likely future developments is given in the 

sections 

titled 

"Strategic  Report"  and 

"Financial

Statements".

make judgements and accounting estimates that are

reasonable and prudent; 

state whether applicable accounting standards have 

been  followed,  subject  to  any  material  departures 

disclosed 

and 

explained 

in 

the 

financial

statements; and

prepare  the  financial  statements  on  the  going 

concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume

that the Company will continue in business.

52

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  keeping  adequate 

In  accordance  with  the  Company's  articles  Subash 

accounting  records  that  are  sufficient  to  show  and 

Menon  will  retire  by  rotation  at  the  Annual  General

explain  the  Company’s  transactions  and  disclose  with 

Meeting  and,  being  eligible,  will  offer  himself 

for

reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of 

re-election.

the  Company  and  enable  them  to  ensure  that  the 

The Directors at 31 December 2019 and their beneficial 

financial statements comply with the requirements of the 

interests in the share capital of the Company were as 

Companies  Act  2006.  They  are  also  responsible  for 

follows:

safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for 

taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection 

of  fraud  and  other  irregularities.  They  are  further

responsible for ensuring that the Report of the Directors 

and other information included in the Annual Report and 

Financial  Statements  is  prepared  in  accordance  with

applicable law in the United Kingdom.

WEBSITE PUBLICATION

The maintenance and integrity of the Pelatro Plc web site, 

which  includes  compliance  with  AIM  Rule  26,  is  the 

responsibility of the Directors; the work carried out by the 

Name of Director

Subash Menon 1

Sudeesh Yezhuvath 1

Nic Hellyer 2

Richard Day

Pieter Verkade

Number of Ordinary
Shares of 2.5p each

Options over
Ordinary shares

9,684,244

3,309,309

105,000

19,457

-

-

-

17,000

-

-

1 held in the name of Bannix Management LLP

2 52,600 Ordinary shares held by his wife, Dr Fawzia Ali; a further 84,000 options over 

ordinary shares are unvested

No changes took place in the beneficial interests of the 

Directors between 31 December 2019 and 7 April 2020.

auditor  does  not  involve  the  consideration  of  these 

The market price of the Ordinary Shares at 31 December 

matters  and,  accordingly, 

the  auditor  accepts  no

2019 was 70.5p and the range during the year was 40.0p

responsibility for any changes that may have occurred in 

to 97.0p.

the  accounts  since  they  were  initially  presented  on  the

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS

website.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND LIQUIDITY
RISKS

Information about the use of financial instruments by the 

As at 7 April 2020, the Company had received notification 

of the following significant interests in the ordinary share

capital of the Company*:

Company and its subsidiaries and the Group’s financial 

Name of Holder

Number of
Ordinary Shares

Percentage of Issued
Share Capital

risk  management  policies  are  given  in  note  28  of  the

financial statements.

Bannix Management
LLP** 

12,993,553

39.9%

DIRECTORS AND THEIR INTERESTS

The Directors who served during the year are as shown 

below:

Richard Day

Nic Hellyer

Subash Menon

Pieter Verkade

Chairman

Finance Director

Managing Director

Non-Executive Director 

Sudeesh Yezhuvath

Executive Director

Killik & Co. LLP

2,780,476

Chelverton Asset
Management

Rathbones Investment
Management

Herald Investment
Management

2,121,872

1,663,335

1,154,035

Maven Capital Partners

902,397

8.5%

6.5%

5.1%

3.5%

2.8%

* As adjusted for other known but undisclosed movements in the shareholder register 

** Bannix Management LLP (“Bannix”) is the investment vehicle of Kiran Menon, Varun Menon and Sudeesh Yezhuvath, who hold shares 

in Bannix proportional to the interests shown in “Directors’ interests” above 

53

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

main control procedures, which include the setting of 

The  Company  has  formalised  the  following  matters  by

Board resolution:

a formal schedule of Board responsibilities;

annual  and  longer-term  budgets  and  the  monthly 

reporting  of  performance  against  them,  agreed 

treasury  management  and  physical  security

procedures, 

formal  capital  expenditure  and

the  procedure  for  Directors  to  take  independent 

investment  appraisal  approval  procedures  and  the 

professional  advice  if  necessary,  at  the  Company’s

definition  of  authorisation  limits  (both  financial  and

expense;

otherwise).

the procedure for the nomination and appointment of 

non-executive  Directors,  for  specified  periods  and

without  automatic re-appointment; and

monitoring, particularly through the regular review of 

performance  against  budgets  and  the  progress  of 

development  and  sales  undertaken  by  the  Board.

establishment  of  and  written  terms  of  reference  for

The Board reviews the operation and effectiveness of this 

an  audit,  nominations  and  remuneration  committees.

framework on a regular basis. The Directors consider that 

INTERNAL CONTROL

there have been no weaknesses in internal controls that 

have 

resulted 

in  any 

losses,  contingencies  or

The Board has overall responsibility for ensuring that the 

uncertainties  requiring  disclosures 

in 

the 

financial

Group maintains a system of internal control to provide 

statements. 

its  members  with  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the 

reliability of financial information used within the business 

GOING CONCERN 

and  for  publication,  and  that  assets  are  safeguarded. 

The Group’s business activities, together with the factors 

There  are  inherent  limitations  in  any  system  of  internal 

likely  to  affect  its  future  development,  performance  and 

control  and  accordingly  even  the  most  effective  system 

position are set out in the Strategic Report; the financial 

can  provide  only 

reasonable,  and  not  absolute,

position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and 

assurance  with  respect  to  the  preparation  of  accurate 

borrowing  facilities  are  described  in  the  notes  to  the 

financial  information  and  the  safeguarding  of  assets. 

financial  statements,  in  particular  in  the  consolidated

The  key  features  of  the  internal  control  system  that 

operated  throughout  the  year  are  described  under  the

following headings:

control environment - particularly the definition of the 

organisation 

structure  and 

the  appropriate

delegation 

of 

responsibility 

to 

operational

management.

identification  and  evaluation  of  business  risks  and 

cash flow statement, in Note 23 "Loans and borrowings"

and Note 28 "Financial instruments".

The financial statements have been prepared on a going 

concern basis. Overall, the Directors are of the view that 

the Group has adequate financing to be able to meet its 

financial  obligations  for  a  period  of  at  least  12  months 

from  the  date  of  approval  of  this  annual  report  and

financial statements.

control  objectives  -  particularly  through  a  formal 

EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE

process of consideration and documentation of risks 

and controls which is periodically undertaken by the

Board.

There  have  been  no  significant  events  which  have

occurred subsequent to the reporting date.

54

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Details  of  the  Group’s  activities  on  research  and

development during the year are set out in the Financial

Review.

AUDITOR

Each of the persons who are Directors of the Company at 

the  date  when  this  report  was  approved  confirms  that:

so  far  as  the  Director  is  aware,  there  is  no  relevant 

audit  information  (as  defined  in  the  Companies Act 

2006)  of  which  the  Company’s  auditor  is  unaware;

and

the Director has taken all steps that he ought to have 

taken  as  a  Director  to  make  himself  aware  of  any 

relevant  audit 

information 

(as  defined 

in 

the

restrictions,  whilst 

traveling 

is  generally  helpful 

to 

progress  sales  opportunities,  video  conferencing  is 

effective  as  a  tool  to  replace  physical  meetings  and 

customers  are  of  course  understanding  of  the  current 

situation;  sales  efforts  are  therefore  progressing  as

expected.

With  respect  to  implementation  and  support,  the  Group 

has  always  been  keen  to  minimise  the  need  for  on-site 

activity  to  minimise  costs,  hence  implementation  and 

support  processes  lend  themselves  very  well  to  remote 

handling.  The  only  special  requirement  is  additional 

VPNs which are easily provided by customers. As almost 

all of them are working from home, protocols have been 

established  to  ensure  that  work  is  not  impacted.  In 

summary therefore, to date the situation for the Group is

Companies  Act  2006)  and  to  establish  that  the

broadly "business as usual".

Company’s  auditor  is  aware  of  that  information.

Cash resources

This  confirmation  is  given  and  should  be  interpreted  in 

accordance  with  the  provisions  of  section  418  of  the

Companies Act 2006.

The  Directors  intend  to  place  a  resolution  before  the 

Annual General Meeting to appoint Crowe U.K. LLP as

auditor for the following year.

LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR COMPANY
OFFICERS

As permitted by section 233 of the Companies Act 2006, 

the  Company  has  purchased  insurance  cover  for  the 

Directors against liabilities that might arise in relation to

the Group.

CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

Introduction

As at 6 April the Group had gross cash of approximately 

$0.94m  (as  adjusted  for  committed  short-term  capital 

expenditure),  and  a  drawn  overdraft  facility  of  $0.16m, 

out  of  a  total  facility  of  $0.43m.  Of  the  cash,  around 

two-thirds is held in USD and the balance mainly in INR 

with some GBP. The current portion of term loans due in 

the next 12 months is approximately $0.08m. There are 

no  restrictions  in  transfer  of  cash  intra-Group,  and  no

liabilities arise from any such transfer.

Management of short-term expenditure

The Group has no material short-term capital expenditure 

requirements other than the c. $0.8m on hardware for the 

managed  services  contract,  which  as  noted  above  has

been match-funded with a 6 year term loan.

As  a  software  business,  the  Group  can  continue  to 

In terms of expenditure, for reference cash expenditure in 

function  efficiently  even  if  most  of  its  employees  are 

2019  was  approximately  $6m.  Whilst  in  the  ordinary 

working  from  home.  The  Group  has  no  supply  chain 

course  of  events  we  would  expect  this  to  increase  in 

dependencies  and  its  software  products  continue  to  be 

2020, because of both general investment for growth as 

available  without  interruption.  With  regard  to  travel

well  as  specific  projects  such  as  the  large  managed 

55

services  contract  announced  in  December,  on  a  pro 

around 10% (as measured by the time spent on various 

forma  basis  this  is  well  covered  by  the  brought  forward 

tasks). As the world gets more used to WFH, we expect 

trade  debtor  balance  of  $5.5m  as  well  as  the  recurring 

this efficiency to improve, and while it may never reach 

revenue  contracted  to  date  of  c.  $4.1m.  Given  this,  the 

the  pre-COVID  level,  we  expect  any  drop  would  be

Group is not dependent on generation of new revenue for 

immaterial.  The  only  real  casualty  seems  to  be  the

its short-term cash flows and risks are principally due to 

camaraderie  of  people  working  together  in  one  location. 

either  non-payments  by  customers  or  a  delay  in  the 

The  Group  has  taken  adequate  steps  to  mitigate  this 

timing. Given the quality of the debtor base (all of whom 

issue  by  having  regular  video  conference  calls  among 

are major telco groups for whom Pelatro's software is an 

small groups, and as we have always had an adequate 

integral and vital part of their customer proposition), the 

number  of  subscriptions  to  video  links,  this  activity  is 

Board  views  the  possibility  of  any  material  default  as

progressing well. Russia is not under lock down, but our 

remote. In addition, we note the following:

staff  there  are  working  from  home  in  any  case.  In

just over 50% of the cash costs in 2019 were incurred 

in  INR,  another  20%  in  RUB,  and  a  further  15%  in 

summary  therefore  all  customer-related  activities  like 

implementation, support etc. are progressing as per plan.

GBP. INR has weakened by approximately 6% since 

Revenue and cost scenarios

the  beginning  of  2020  (and  approximately  3%  since 

11  March  (when  the  WHO  declared  COVID-19  as  a 

pandemic). Similarly, RUB has weakened by 22% and 

15%,  and  GBP  by  7%  and  3%.  If  these  currencies 

were to remain at these levels until the end of 2020, 

the  Group's  cash  expenditure  on  a  pro  forma  basis 

would  reduce  by  around  7%.  All  of  the  Group's 

income is currently in USD (with approximately $1m

of income expected this year in INR);

approximately  $0.6m  of  costs  in  2019  were  travel

related; clearly such costs in 2020 will be minimal so 

long  as  COVID-19  restrictions  remain  in  place;  and

to  the  extent  that  the  Board  foresees  any  delay  to 

incoming  payments,  it  is  able  to  defer  or  eliminate 

certain  expenditure,  notably  on  recruitment  and

related salary and other costs. 

Country restrictions

In the short to medium term, for the reasons stated above 

the  Group  is  largely  unaffected  in  cash  terms  by  any 

downturn in revenue generation as new contracts taken 

on now would be unlikely to produce cash for at least six 

months and even longer in the case of managed service 

contracts.  As  a  base  case, 

the  Board's 

financial

projections  for  the  Group  are  based  on  a  broadly 

"business as usual" scenario, other than a 75% reduction

in travel costs for Q2 and Q3.

However,  in  the  light  of  potential  COVID-19  challenges 

and  taking  into  account  the  factors  noted  above  in 

Management of short-term cash expenditure", the Board 

has sensitised its forecasts and projections for the next 

12 months to take account of possible changes in cash 

flow and performance in order to determine when and to 

what extent additional measures may be necessary. The 

Board's  downside  projections  are  based  on  a  scenario 

whereby  income  from  receivables  is  reduced  by  up  to 

India and Philippines have been in lock down for the past 

10% in 2020 and 20% in 2021 and only 50% of expected 

few  weeks  and  are  expected  to  be  so  for  the  next  few 

new contracts are won (albeit this latter factor only affects 

weeks.  This  period  has  enabled  us  to  experience  and 

cash  flows  towards  the  end  of  the  projected  period)

understand  the  real  life  scenario  with  respect  to  total 

 - under this scenario, the Group would still have sufficient 

Working  from  Home  ("WFH").  We  are  pleased  to  note 

funding to pay planned overheads (including investment 

that efficiency is only marginally down by a maximum of 

for growth) for the period of the projections. The Board's 

56

severe downside projections are based on a scenario where income from receivables is reduced by up to 20% in 2020 

and 20% in 2021 (and likewise 50% of new contracts) - cost reductions  can be made  to offset this reduction in cash 

receipts, principally with a c. 15% reduction in staff costs which would result in the Group having sufficient cash for the

period of the projections.

By order of the Board

NIC HELLYER
Company Secretary

49 Queen Victoria Street 

London

EC4N 4SA

7 April 2020

57

17

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

OPINION

We have audited the financial statements of Pelatro Plc 

(the  “Parent  Company”)  and  its  subsidiaries  (the 

“Group”) for the year ended 31 December 2019, which

comprise:

the  Group  statement  of  comprehensive  income  for

the year ended 31 December 2019;

the  Group  and  Parent  Company  statements  of

financial position as at 31 December 2019;

the Group statement of cash flows for the year then

ended;

the  Group  and  Parent  Company  statements  of 

changes  in  equity  for  the  year  then  ended;  and

the  notes  to  the  financial  statements,  including  a

summary of significant accounting policies.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied 

in  the  preparation  of  the  group  financial  statements  is 

the Parent Company financial statements have been 

properly prepared in accordance with UKGAAP; and

the  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in 

accordance with the requirements of the Companies

Act 2006.

BASIS FOR OPINION 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International 

Standards  on Auditing  (UK)  (ISAs  (UK))  and  applicable 

law.  Our  responsibilities  under  those  standards  are 

further  described  in  the Auditor’s  responsibilities  for  the 

audit of the financial statements section of our report. We 

are  independent  of  the  Group  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, 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

applicable  law  and  International  Financial  Reporting 

opinion.

Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied 

in  the  preparation  of  the  parent  company  financial 

statements  is  applicable  law  and  United  Kingdom 

Accounting  Standards,  including  Financial  Reporting 

Standard  101  Reduced  Disclosures  Framework

CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO GOING
CONCERN

We  have  nothing  to  report  in  respect  of  the  following 

matters in relation to which ISAs (UK) require us to report

to you when:

(UKGAAP).

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 2019 and of

the Group’s profit for the period then ended;

The  Directors’  use  of  the  going  concern  basis  of 

accounting  in  the  preparation  of  the  financial

statements is not appropriate; or

The  Directors  have  not  disclosed  in  the  financial 

statements any identified material uncertainties that 

may cast significant doubt about the Group’s or the 

Parent  Company’s  ability  to  continue  to  adopt  the 

the Group financial statements have been properly 

going concern basis of accounting for a period of at 

prepared  in  accordance  with  IFRSs  as  adopted  by

least twelve months from the date when the financial

the European Union;

statements are authorised for issue.

58

However, because not all future events or conditions can 

Overview of the scope of our audit

be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the 

Group  and  Company’s  ability  to  continue  as  a  going 

concern. In particular, the full extent of the impact of the 

COVID-19 infection is not yet known and it is difficult to 

evaluate  all  of 

the  potential 

implications  on 

the

Company’s  trade,  customers,  suppliers  and  the  wider

economy.

OVERVIEW OF OUR AUDIT APPROACH

Materiality

Whilst the Parent Company’s activity and accounting is in 

the  United  Kingdom,  the  main  activity  of  the  Group  is 

accounted  for  from  its  operating  location  in  India.

In  establishing  our  overall  approach  to  the  Group  audit, 

we  determined  the  type  of  work  that  needed  to  be

undertaken  at  each  of  the  components  by  us,  as  the 

primary  audit  engagement  team.  For  the  full  scope 

components in America, Singapore and India where the 

finance  functions  were  carried  out  in  India  work  was 

performed  by  a  local  audit  team  in  India  under  our 

In  planning  and  performing  our  audit  we  applied  the 

direction. The local audit team were from a Crowe Global 

concept of materiality. An item is considered material if it 

network  firm.  We  determined  the  appropriate  level  of 

could reasonably be expected to change the economic 

involvement to enable us to determine that sufficient audit 

decisions of a user of the financial statements. We used 

evidence had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on 

the concept of materiality to both focus our testing and 

the Group as a whole. We discussed the risks of material

to  evaluate  the  impact  of  misstatements  identified.

misstatement with the subcontracting auditor.

Based  on  our  professional  judgement,  we  determined 

overall materiality for the Group financial statements as a 

whole  to  be  $90,000,  based  on  approximately  5%  of 

group  adjusted  operating  profit,  a  key  reporting  metric 

(2018:  $140,000  based  on  5.5%  of  group  profit  before

tax).

We  use  a  different  level  of  materiality  ("performance 

materiality") to determine the extent of our testing for the 

audit of the financial statements. Performance materiality 

is set based on the audit materiality as adjusted for the 

judgements made as to the entity risk and our evaluation 

of the specific risk of each audit area having regard to the

internal control environment.

Where  considered  appropriate  performance  materiality 

may  be  reduced  to  a  lower  level,  such  as,  for  related

party transactions and directors’ remuneration.

The primary team led by the Senior Statutory Auditor was 

ultimately responsible for the scope and direction of the 

audit process. The primary team interacted regularly with 

the local team where appropriate during various stages of 

the  audit,  reviewed  relevant  working  papers  and  were 

responsible  for  the  scope  and  direction  of  the  audit 

process. As part of the audit the Senior Statutory Auditor 

visited India and met with both local management and the 

local  audit  team.  This,  together  with  the  additional

procedures  performed  at  Group 

level,  gave  us

appropriate  evidence  for  our  opinion  on  the  Group

financial statements.

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 

We  agreed  with  the Audit  Committee  to  report  to  it  all 

misstatement  (whether  or  not  due  to  fraud)  that  we

identified  errors  in  excess  of  $3,000.  Errors  below  that 

identified.  These  matters  included  those  which  had  the 

threshold would also be reported to it if, in our opinion as 

greatest  effect  on: 

the  overall  audit  strategy, 

the

auditor,  disclosure  was  required  on  qualitative  grounds. 

allocation  of  resources  in  the  audit;  and  directing  the 

59

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.

This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit.

Key audit matter

Revenue recognition 

How the scope of our audit
addressed the key audit matter

The Group’s operating revenue arises from mViva 

We selected a sample of contracts to ensure that 

products. Customer contracts can contain multiple 

the  performance  obligations  had  been  correctly 

different  performance  obligations  with  different 

identified, 

the 

transaction 

price 

allocated

revenue recognition points. We considered the risk 

appropriately  and  evidence  existed  of 

the

that  the  incorrect  application  of  the  policy  could

satisfaction  of 

those  performance  obligations 

result in material error.

before  revenue  was  recognised.  For  support  and 

maintenance  revenue  recognised  over  time  we

reperformed  the  calculation  on  the  recognition  of

revenue for a sample of contracts.

Capitalisation of development costs

As disclosed in note 18, the Group has capitalised 

We  obtained  an  understanding  of  the  processes 

approximately  $2.2  million  of  development  costs 

and controls over the recognition of research and

relating  to  the  development  of  the  mViva  product.

development expenses. 

We  have  focussed  on  this  because  research  and 

We  have  evaluated  the  appropriateness  of  the 

development  represents  a  significant  part  of  this 

capitalisation  of  the  development  expenditure  by:

business and judgement is required in determining

the appropriate accounting treatment.

discussing  with  management  and  obtaining  a 

technical overview of the developments made 

The Directors use judgement to determine whether 

to 

the  mViva  software 

in 

the  year,  we 

research  and  development  costs  should  be 

challenged  management  to  ensure  that  the 

expensed  or  whether  they  meet  the  criteria  for 

developments  were  capital  in  nature  and  did 

capitalisation.  This  criteria  includes  assessing 

not relate to routine software maintenance. As 

whether 

the  product  being  developed 

is

part  of  this  work  we  met  with  the  Head  of 

commercially  feasible,  whether  the  Group  has 

Technology  and  had  samples  of  the  new 

adequate  technical,  financial  and  other  required 

functionality demonstrated to us;

resources 

to  complete 

the  development  and

testing 

the 

allocation 

of 

overhead

whether  the  costs  will  be  fully  recovered  through 

costs  to  capitalised  development  costs  for

60

Key audit matter

How the scope of our audit
addressed the key audit matter

future  sale  or  licensing  of  the  product.  The

mathematical  accuracy  and  reasonableness

Directors  determined  that  the  development  costs

including  challenging  whether  the  overheads 

meet the criteria for capitalisation.

were  directly  attributable 

to 

the  software

The capitalisation of intangibles is included within 

note  4  as  an  area  of  critical  accounting  estimate 

development and agreeing underlying data to

head count information;

and 

judgement.  The  accounting  policy 

for

On  a  sample  basis,  we  tested  the  amounts 

intangibles is outlined in note 3.

allocated  to  development  costs  to  underlying

payroll records and invoices; and

Reviewing  the  pipeline  of  potential  work  to 

assess  whether 

the  software  still  has

commercial potential.

Going concern

We  considered  the  risk  that  the  current  situation 

We  obtained  updated  cash  flow  forecasts  from 

concerning COVID-19 could give rise to a material

Management  with  key  assumptions  updated  for 

uncertainty over going concern.

COVID-19 

risks.  The  updated  assumptions

included  reducing  the  expected  level  of  new 

business,  cutting  discretionary  spend  and  the 

impact  of  customers  extending  credit  terms.  We 

also discussed with Management the ability of the 

Group  to  continue  to  provide  client  service  in  the 

event of a closure of their offices. These forecasts 

continued  to  indicate  the  Group  operating  within

existing banking facilities.

Our audit procedures in relation to these matters were designed in the context of our audit opinion as a whole. They were 

not  designed  to  enable  us  to  express  an  opinion  on  these  matters  individually  and  we  express  no  such  opinion.

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 

61

in  the  audit  or  otherwise  appears  to  be  materially

certain  disclosures  of  Directors' 

remuneration

misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or 

specified by law are not made; 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

we  have  not  received  all  the  information  and

explanations we require for our audit.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTORS FOR
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

misstatement of this other information, we are required to

As explained  more  fully in  the Directors’ responsibilities 

report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

OPINION ON OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED

BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006 

statement  set  out  on  page  52,  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

In  our  opinion  based  on  the  work  undertaken  in  the

preparation  of  financial  statements  that  are  free  from 

course of our audit:

material  misstatement,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  error.

the information given in the strategic report and the 

In  preparing  the  financial  statements,  the  Directors  are 

Directors' Report for the financial year for which the 

responsible  for  assessing  the  Group’s  and  Parent

financial statements are prepared is consistent with

Company’s  ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern,

the financial statements; and

disclosing,  as  applicable,  matters  related  to  going 

the  Directors’  Report  and  Strategic  Report  have 

been  prepared  in  accordance  with  applicable  legal

requirements.

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO
REPORT BY EXCEPTION

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group 

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

and the Parent Company and their environment obtained 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 

in the course of the audit, we have not identified material 

whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 

misstatements  in  the  strategic  report  or  the  Directors’

material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and 

Report.

We  have  nothing  to  report  in  respect  of  the  following 

matters  where  the  Companies Act  2006  requires  us  to

report to you if, in our opinion:

adequate accounting records have not been kept by 

the  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 

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.

agreement with the accounting records and returns; 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of 

or

the  financial  statements  is  located  on  the  Financial 

62

Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s 

report.

USE OF OUR REPORT

This  report  is  made  solely  to  the  Company's  members,  as  a  body,  in  accordance  with  Chapter  3  of  Part  16  of  the 

Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those 

matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted 

by  law,  we  do  not  accept  or  assume  responsibility  to  anyone  other  than  the  Company  and  the  Company's

members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

MATTHEW STALLABRASS 
Senior Statutory Auditor

for and on behalf of 
Crowe U.K. LLP
Statutory Auditor

London

7 April 2020

63

18

GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

Note

2019
$’000
(audited)

2018
$’000
(audited)

5

6

7
18
11

12
13

14

Revenue
Cost of sales and provision of services

Gross profit

Adjusted administrative expenses

Adjusted operating profit

Exceptional items
Amortisation of acquisition-related intangibles
Share-based payments

Operating profit

Finance income
Finance expense

Profit before taxation

Income tax expense

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF THE PARENT

Other comprehensive income/(expense):
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

Earnings per share

6,667
(999)

5,668

)
(4,048

1,620

236
)
(686
)
(52

1,118

54
)
(164

1,008

)
(194

814

)
(25

)
(25

789

6,123
(555
)

5,568

)
(2,421

3,147

)
(310
)
(286
-

2,551

33
)
(71

2,513

)
(334

2,179

78

78

2,257

Attributable to the owners of the Pelatro Group (basic and diluted)

15

2.5¢

8.0¢

The accompanying notes 1 to 31 are an integral part of these financial statements.

64

19

GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

Assets
Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Tangible assets

Right-of-use assets

Deferred tax assets

Contract assets

Trade and other receivables

Current assets
Contract assets

Trade receivables

Other assets

Cash and cash equivalents

TOTAL ASSETS

Liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Contract liabilities

Long-term provisions

Other financial liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Short term borrowings

Lease liabilities

Contract liabilities

Other financial liabilities

TOTAL LIABILITIES

NET ASSETS

Note

2019
$’000
(audited)

2018
$’000
(audited, restated)

18

19

20

14

21

21

21

21

22

23

24

25

26

25

23

24

25

26

10,891

515

339

63

519

231

10,609

362

-

-

312

321

12,558

11,604

293

5,283

501

1,101

7,178

19,736

362

187

274

124

-

947

523

246

205

665

948

2,587

3,534

16,202

72

3,752

382

2,224

6,430

18,034

382

-

112

-

1,141

1,635

609

69

-

61

298

1,037

2,672

15,362

6565

Issued share capital and reserves
attributable to owners of the parent

Share capital

Share premium

Other reserves

Retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY

Note

27

27

27

2019
$’000
(audited)

2018
$’000
(audited, restated)

1,065

11,603

(643)

4,177

16,202

1,065

11,603

(721
)

3,415

15,362

The financial statements of Pelatro Plc, registered number 10630166, were approved by the board of Directors and

authorised for issue on 7 April 2020. They were signed on its behalf by:

Subash Menon
(Director)

Nic Hellyer
(Director)

The accompanying notes 1 to 31 are an integral part of the financial statements.

66

20 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the year

Adjustments for:

Income tax expense recognised in profit or loss

Finance income

Finance costs

Depreciation of tangible non-current assets

Amortisation of intangible non-current assets

(Recognition of) deferred tax assets

Fair value adjustment on contingent consideration

Share-based payments

Foreign exchange (gains)

Operating cash flows before movements in
working capital

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

(Increase)/decrease in contract assets

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

Increase/(decrease) in contract liabilities

Cash generated from operating activities

Income tax paid

Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Development of intangible assets

Purchase of intangible assets

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

Cash outflow on acquisition of businesses net
of cash acquired

Net cash used in investing activities

2019
$’000
(audited)

2018
$’000
(audited)

814

2,179

247

(54)

160

188

1,726

(53
)

(236
)

52

(8
)

2,836

)
(1,509

)
(428

103

701

1,703

)
(334

1,369

(2,102
)

(35
)

(256
)

-

)
(2,393

342

)
(33

71

46

843

)
(8

-

-

)
(69

3,371

)
(2,438

)
(273

57

146

863

)
(292

571

(1,604
)

)
(69

(384
)

(7,035
)

(9,092
)

67

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares, net of issue costs

Repayments to related parties

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Repayments of principal on lease liabilities

Finance income

Finance costs

Less interest accrued but not paid

Interest expense on lease liabilities

Net cash generated by/(used in) financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents

Foreign exchange differences

Cash and equivalent at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Comprising:

Cash at bank and in hand
Overdraft

2019
$’000
(audited)

2018
$’000
(audited)

-

-

317

(313

)

(171
)

54

(93

)

-

(40

)

(246

)

7,395

(436

)

394

(513

)

-

33

(62

)

3

-

6,814

(1,270

)

(1,707

)

(20

)

2,224

934

1,101
(167

)

934

(195

)

4,126

2,224

2,224
-

2,224

68

21

GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

Share
capital

Share
premium

Exchange
reserve

Merger
reserve

Share-based
payments
reserve

Retained
profits

Total

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Balance at 1 January 2018 as
previously reported

Effect of change of accounting
policy (IFRS 15)

Balance at 1 January 2018 as
restated

801

4,472

-

-

801

4,472

Profit after taxation for the period

Other comprehensive income:

Exchange differences

Transactions with owners:

-

-

Shares issued by Pelatro Plc for cash

264

Issue costs

-

-

-

7,450

(319)

(2)

-

(2

)

-

(191

)

-

-

(527)

-

(527

)

-

-

-

-

Balance at 31 December 2018

1,065

11,603

(193

)

(527

)

Effect of change of accounting policy
(IFRS 16)

Balance at 1 January 2019 as
restated

-

-

-

-

1,065

11,603

(193

)

(527

)

Profit after taxation for the period

Share-based payments

Other comprehensive income:

Exchange differences

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(23

)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

100

-

1,217

5,961

18

18

1,235

5,979

2,179

2,179

-

-

-

(191)

7,714

(319
)

3,414

15,362

(51)

(51
)

3,363

15,311

814

-

-

814

100

(23
)

Balance at 31 December 2019

1,065

11,603

(216

)

(527

)

100

4,177

16,202

69

Reserve

Description and purpose

Share capital

Nominal value of issued shares

Share premium

Exchange reserve

Merger reserve

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value
less associated costs

The difference arising on the translation of balances denominated
in currencies other than US Dollars into the presentational currency
of the Group

Amounts arising on the elimination of the members’ capital in
Pelatro LLC and its subsidiary on presentation of the Group results
under merger accounting principles

Share-based payments reserve

Cumulative amounts charged in respect of unsettled options issued

Retained earnings

All other net gains and losses not recognised elsewhere

The accompanying notes 1 to 31 are an integral part of these financial statements. 

70

22

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

changes to lessee accounting by removing the distinction 

Pelatro  Plc  (“Pelatro”  or  the  “Company”)  is  a  public 

limited company incorporated and domiciled in England. 

The  Company's  ordinary  shares  are  traded  on  the AIM 

market  of  the  London  Stock  Exchange. These  financial 

between operating and finance leases and requiring the 

recognition of a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at 

the  lease  commencement  for  all  leases,  except  for 

short-term  leases  and  leases  of  low  value  assets.

statements  are  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of 

The  Group  has  applied  the  definition  of  a  lease  and 

Pelatro  Plc  and  its  subsidiaries  (“the  Pelatro  Group”  or 

related guidance set out in IFRS 16 to all lease contracts 

the  “Group”)  and  the  company  financial  statements  for 

entered into or modified on or after 1 January 2014, with 

Pelatro Plc. The financial statements are presented in US 

the  date  of  initial  application  as  1  January  2019.  The 

dollars  as 

the  currency  of 

the  primary  economic

Group  has  applied 

IFRS  16  using 

the  modified

environment in which the Group operates.

retrospective  approach,  with  no 

restatement  of

Pelatro's registered office is at 49 Queen Victoria Street, 

comparative information.

London EC4N 4SA and its principal place of business is 

at 403, 7th A Main, 1st Block, HRBR Layout, Bangalore

560043, India.

2. ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED

STANDARDS

Certain  new  standards  and  amendments  to  existing 

standards that have been published and are mandatory 

for the first time for the financial year beginning 1 January 

2019 have been adopted and their impact on the Group 

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

IFRIC 23 is effective for periods beginning on or after 1 

January  2019  and  sets  out  how  to  determine  the

accounting  tax  position  when  there  is  uncertainty  over 

income  tax  treatments.  IFRIC  23  requires  an  entity  to:

determine  whether  uncertain  tax  treatments  should 

be  considered  separately,  or  together  as  a  group, 

based on which approach provides better predictions

and  Company  is  explained  below.  New  standards, 

of the resolution;

amendments  to  standards  and  interpretations  which 

assess  if  it  is  probable  that  the  tax  authorities  will

have been issued but are not yet effective (and in some 

accept the uncertain tax treatment; and

cases had not been adopted by the EU) for the financial 

year  beginning  1  January  2019  have  not  been  adopted 

early  in  preparing  these  financial  statements. The  main 

new  accounting  standards  which  are  relevant  to  the

Group are set out below:

IFRS 16 Leases

If it is not probable that the uncertain tax treatment will 

be  accepted,  measure  the  tax  uncertainty  based  on 

the most likely amount or expected value, depending 

on whichever method better predicts the resolution of

the uncertainty.

The  Board  acknowledges  the  Group’s  responsibility  to 

In 2019 the Group applied IFRS 16 Leases (as issued by 

pay  all  tax  which  is  due  under  law  and  recognises  the 

the  IASB  in  January  2016,  "IFRS  16")  for  the  first  time. 

importance  of  corporate 

tax  payments 

to  society.

IFRS 16 introduces new or amended requirements with 

However, 

the  Board  also  acknowledges 

its 

legal

respect  to  lease  accounting,  resulting  in  significant

responsibility to act in shareholders’ best interests, which 

71

includes  not  paying  more  tax  than  is  legally  due.  The 

The  concept  of  the  location  and  control  of  the  Group’s 

Board  applies  this  strategy  across  all  forms  of  taxes 

active businesses is related to the highest level of control 

including, but not limited to, corporation tax, payroll and

of the Group. The Group intends to continue to manage 

employment taxes and value added tax.

its  affairs  so  that  none  of  its  constituents  (other  than 

Pelatro’s corporate tax policy

The  principal  features  of  Pelatro’s  corporate  tax  policy

are to:

not seek to avoid or evade tax by using inappropriate 

accounting or other means;

pay all amounts of tax due in full and on time to the tax

authorities;

PSPL) are deemed to be an active business in India for 

tax  purposes.  Whilst  the  Group  is  not  aware  of  any 

challenge to its current status under POEM (and there is 

no  complete  definition  of  the  activities  that  constitute 

whether  the  Group  would  be  deemed  to  be  active  in 

India)  the  Indian  tax  authorities  may  contend  that  other 

Group  companies  (particularly  Pelatro  Plc)  are  so 

resident, in particular as two of the Company’s executive 

structure 

the  business 

to 

take  advantage  of

Directors  reside  in  India.  Given  the  Group’s  current

allowances and reliefs offered and intended by law or

understanding  of  the  applicability  of  POEM  (and  noting 

the tax authorities;

the threshold of revenue of INR 500m, or approximately 

act with integrity and honesty in all dealings with tax

$7m, below which companies will not fall under the scruti-

authorities; and

take  reasonable  measures  and  have  reasonable 

procedures  in  place  to  prevent  any  and  all  persons 

associated  with  the  Group  from  facilitating  the 

evasion  of  tax  whether  in  the  UK  or  overseas.

Thus  the  Group  seeks  to  manage  its  tax  affairs  in  full 

compliance  with  relevant  local  legislation  and,  whilst 

seeking  to  minimise  its  tax  exposure  where  practical,  it 

does not engage in aggressive tax avoidance measures.

Tax risks - Place of Effective Management

Notwithstanding  the  above,  certain  matters  are  outside 

the control of the Group: in particular, the Government of 

India introduced legislation relating to a company’s “place 

ny  of  POEM  legislation)  the  Group  believes  that  it  is 

currently  and  historically  unaffected  by  POEM.  Were 

such a challenge to be effective and POEM was deemed 

applicable  to  a  Group  company,  that  company  might 

become liable to pay additional tax, and thus this could

materially impact the tax payable by the Group.

Tax risks - Permanent Establishments

The concept of a "Permanent Establishment" is used in 

bilateral tax treaties to determine the right of a state to tax 

the  profits  of  an  enterprise  of  another  state:  specifically 

the profits of an enterprise of one state may be taxable in 

the  other  state  if  the  enterprise  maintains  a  Permanent 

Establishment in the latter state to the extent that profits

are attributable to that establishment.

of effective management” or “POEM” in its domestic law 

Based on a review of the Group's global operations in the 

in the Finance Bill of 2015 (subsequently deferred to April 

context  of  relevant  provisions  of  the  Double  Taxation 

1, 2017). POEM operates on the concept of the location 

Avoidance  Agreements  of  countries  in  which  it  does 

of  management  control  of  any  entity:  if  the  location  of 

business, the Board has concluded that some activities of 

management  control  of  any  entity,  including  those  that 

the Group (e.g. provision of services or implementation of 

are registered in other countries, is established to be in 

software)  are  sufficient  to  have  constituted  places  of 

India, then the active business of that entity is deemed to 

Permanent Establishment in a small number of countries 

be in India and the profit of that entity will be taxed per

where  appropriate  registration  and  filings  have  not  yet 

Indian tax regulations.

been made. Based on an analysis of the likely value of 

72

profits which may be taxable, the Board has concluded 

The results of subsidiaries or businesses acquired during 

that  the  impact  on  these  financial  statements  is  not

the  year  are  included  in  the  consolidated  income 

material;  however,  an  appropriate  provision  has  been

statement  from  the  effective  date  of  acquisition.  Where 

made in respect of these activities in 2019.

necessary,  adjustments  are  made 

to 

the 

financial 

Conclusion

In  the  absence  of  other  uncertain  tax  treatments,  the 

Group believes that it is not further impacted by IFRIC 23 

and 

therefore  opening 

retained  earnings 

remain

statements  of  subsidiaries  to  bring  the  accounting 

policies used into line with those used by the Group. All 

intra-group 

transactions,  balances, 

income  and

expenses are eliminated on consolidation.

unaffected.

Going concern

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting

The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  on  a

historical  cost  basis 

(except 

for  certain 

financial

instruments and share-based payments that have been 

measured at fair value), and in accordance with the AIM 

Rules, 

International  Financial  Reporting  Standards 

(“IFRS”)  as  adopted  by  the  European  Union  that  are 

applicable  to  the  Group’s  statutory  accounts,  and  the 

applicable  provisions  of 

the  Companies  Act  2006.

These  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  on  a 

going  concern  basis.  The  Directors  have  reviewed  the 

Company’s  and  the  Group’s  going  concern  position 

taking account of its current business activities, budgeted 

performance  and  the  factors  likely  to  affect  its  future 

development, set out in this Annual Report, and including 

the  Group’s  objectives,  policies  and  processes  for

managing  its  capital,  its  financial  risk  management

objectives and its exposure to credit and liquidity risks. In 

particular,  the  Directors  have  taken  into  account  the 

potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business 

Basis of consolidation

activity  and  hence  cash  inflows:  in  the  case  of  a 

The  consolidated  financial  statements  incorporate  the 

financial  statements  of 

the  Company  and  entities 

controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 

31  December  each  year.  Pelatro  Solutions  Private 

Limited  (“PSPL”,  the  Group’s  Indian  subsidiary)  has  a 

statutory  year  end  of  31  March,  however,  for  the

purposes  of  consolidation,  financial  statements  have 

been prepared for PSPL as at 31 December 2019 on the 

same accounting principles as for the rest of the Group.

prolonged downturn in revenue-generating activities, the 

Directors have plans in place to reduce cash outflows to 

mitigate  the  impact  on  the  Group,  and  have  already

negotiated further bank facilities to give greater financial 

headroom in case of need. Details of the management of 

short-term expenditure, and revenue, cost and cash flow 

scenarios  which  the  Board  has  taken  into  account  in 

coming to its conclusions on going concern, are detailed

above in the Directors' Report above.

The  Company  controls  an  investee  if,  and  only  if,  the

Following such review, the Directors are of the view that 

Company has the following:

the Group has adequate financing to be able to meet its 

Power over the investee (i.e. existing rights that give it 

the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the

investee);

Exposure  of  rights,  to  variable  returns  from  its

involvement with the investee; and

The ability to use its power over the investee to affect

its returns.

financial  obligations  for  a  period  of  at  least  12  months 

from  the  date  of  approval  of  the  Annual  Report  and 

financial  statements.  Accordingly 

the  Group  and

Company  continue  to  adopt  the  going  concern  basis  in

preparing these financial statements.

73

Business combinations, goodwill and contingent

more frequently when there is an indication that the unit 

consideration

Business combinations

may  be  impaired.  If  the  recoverable  amount  of  the 

cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of 

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account 

the  unit,  the  impairment  loss  is  allocated  first  to  reduce 

for  all  business  combinations,  regardless  of  whether 

the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit 

equity  instruments  or  other  assets  are  acquired.  The 

and  then  to  the  other  assets  of  the  unit  pro-rata  on  the 

consideration transferred for the acquisition of a business 

basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. Any 

(whether  as  a  subsidiary  or  an  asset  purchase)

impairment  is  recognised  immediately  in  the  income

comprises the:

statement and is not subsequently reversed.

fair values of the assets transferred;

Where  settlement  of  any  part  of  cash  consideration  is 

liabilities  to  the  former  owners  of  the  acquired

deferred (whether because it is contingent or otherwise), 

business incurred;

the amounts payable in the future are discounted to their 

equity interests issued by the Group;

present value as at the date of exchange. The discount 

fair  value  of  any  asset  or  liability  resulting  from  a

rate  used  is  the  Group’s  incremental  borrowing  rate, 

contingent consideration arrangement; and

fair  value  of  any  pre-existing  equity  interest  in  the

being  the  rate  at  which  a  similar  borrowing  could  be 

obtained 

from  an 

independent 

financier  under

subsidiary.

When  the  consideration  transferred  by  the  Group  in  a 

business  combination 

includes  assets  or 

liabilities

resulting  from  a  contingent  consideration  arrangement, 

the contingent consideration is measured at its fair value 

on  the  acquisition  date  and  included  as  part  of  the

consideration  transferred  in  a  business  combination.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill

The excess of the:

consideration transferred;

amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquired

entity; and

acquisition-date  fair  value  of  any  previous  equity

interest in the acquired entity

over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired 

is recorded as goodwill, which is initially recognised as an 

asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less 

comparable terms and conditions.

Contingent consideration

Contingent  consideration  is  initially  measured  at  fair 

value at the date of completion of the acquisition and may 

be  classified  either  as  equity  or  a  financial  liability. The 

accounting  for  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  contingent 

consideration  arising  on  business  combinations  that  do 

not qualify as measurement period adjustments depends 

on  how 

the  contingent  consideration 

is  classified:

amounts  classified  as  a 

financial 

liability  are

subsequently remeasured to fair value at subsequent

reporting dates and the corresponding gain or loss is 

recognised  in  the  Statement  of  Comprehensive

Income.

contingent consideration that is classified as equity is 

not remeasured at subsequent reporting dates and its 

subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity.

Revenue recognition

any  accumulated 

impairment.  For 

the  purpose  of

Revenue  is  measured  based  on  the  consideration  to 

impairment 

testing,  goodwill 

is  allocated 

to 

the

which the Group expects to be entitled in a contract with 

cash-generating  units  expected  to  benefit  from  the

a customer and excludes amounts collected on behalf of 

combination.  Cash-generating  units  to  which  goodwill 

third parties. Each element of revenue (described below)

has been allocated are tested for impairment annually, or 

is recognised only when:

74

provision of the goods or services has occurred;

Professional services

consideration receivable is fixed or determinable; and

Revenue  and  profits  from  the  provision  of  professional 

collection  of  the  amount  due  from  the  customer  is

reasonably assured.

Some  contracts  include  multiple  deliverables,  such  as 

the sale of hardware as well as software, and/or services 

such  as  post-contract  support,  and  usually  include

installation services - typically, software installation could 

be  performed  by  another  party  and 

is 

therefore

accounted  for  as  a  separate  performance  obligation. 

Where 

contracts 

include  multiple 

performance

obligations,  the  transaction  price  is  allocated  to  each 

performance  obligation  based  on  the  Group’s  best 

estimate  of  their  Standalone  Selling  Price  (“SSP”)  not

withstanding any absence or contrary allocation of total 

cost  within  a  contract.  Where  this  is  not  directly

observable,  it  is  estimated  based  on  the  best  available 

evidence,  for  example  expected  cost  plus  margin.

Software licenses

Revenue in respect of the sale of perpetual licenses for 

on-premise  software  is  recognised  on  the  later  of  the 

grant  of  the  license  or  delivery  of  the  software  as

appropriate. Certain contracts provide for revenue which 

is contractually linked to the incremental revenue derived 

services  such  as  managed  services, 

training  and

consultancy  are  delivered  under  a  “time  and  materials” 

type contract and are therefore recognised rateably over 

time and based upon number of days worked. Revenue 

from this revenue stream may create “Unbilled Revenue” 

receivables  through  yet  to  be  billed  time  input  and

expenses at the reporting date.

Annual support and maintenance (also known as

Post-Contract Support or “PCS”)

Revenue  from  support  and  maintenance  services  is 

recognised  rateably  over  the  period  of  the  contract.

Revenue is recognised when the provision of support and 

maintenance  and  completion  of 

the  performance

obligations are carried out which is deemed to be evenly 

throughout  the  term  of  the  contract.  Revenue  from  this 

revenue  stream  may  create  a  contract 

liability 

if

contractually  stated  PCS  income  is  lower  than  its  SSP 

and  an  element  thereof  has  thus  effectively  been

included  in  the  license  fee  as  stated  in  the  contract. A 

contract  asset  may  be  recognised  if  PCS  income  is 

recognised  even  though  it  is  not  contractually  due  and 

payable  (for  example  when  the  first  year  of  PCS  is

deemed as “free” to the customer).

by  that  customer  from  use  of  the  software,  the  amount 

Hardware

being  based  on  a  pre-agreed  share  of  that  incremental 

Revenue  in  respect  of  sales  of  third-party  hardware  is

revenue which is recognised at the end of each month (a 

recognised when goods are delivered.

"gain share" contract). Certain contracts may provide for 

Interest income on contracts with a Significant

both  a  guaranteed  (usually  monthly)  payment  over  a 

Financing Component

period  (typically  2-3  years)  as  well  as  a  gain  share

Interest  income  is  recognised  on  contracts  with  a

component,  in  which  case  the  present  value  of  the 

Significant  Financing  Component  as  interest  accrues 

guaranteed payments is recognised on the later of grant 

using the effective interest method. The effective interest 

of the license or delivery of the software, and a notional 

rate  is  the  rate  that  exactly  discounts  estimated  future 

finance  income  recognised  on  the  reducing  balance  of 

cash  receipts  through  the  expected  life  of  the  financial

the notional balance outstanding (which is recognised as

instrument to its net carrying amount.

a contract asset).

Implementation services

Cost of sales and provision of services

Revenue  in  respect  of  implementation  of  on-premise 

The cost of provision of services includes the direct costs 

software 

is 

recognised  on  completion  of 

the

of  consultants  and  employees  who  provide  services, 

implementation.

support  or  maintenance  to  customers,  direct  sales 

75

commissions paid to third parties, and certain third-party 

Where  lease-related  expenses  are  directly  attributable  to 

software licenses which are integral to the performance 

the  cost  of  development  of  the  Group’s  proprietary 

of contracts. Cost of sales also includes the acquisition

software  (as  further  detailed  in  Note  18),  such  expenses 

cost of hardware resold to end customers.

are capitalised in accordance with the Group’s accounting

Leases

policy relating to such development expenditure.

Applying IFRS 16, for all leases (except as noted below), 

Foreign currencies

the Group:

(i)

recognises right-of-use assets and lease liabilities in 

the  consolidated  statement  of 

financial  position,

initially measured at the present value of future lease

payments;

The 

individual 

financial  statements  of  each  Group

company  are  prepared  in  the  currency  of  the  primary 

economic  environment  in  which  it  operates  (its  functional 

currency).  For  the  purpose  of  the  consolidated  financial 

statements,  the  results  and  financial  position  of  each 

Group company are expressed in US Dollars, which is the 

(ii)

recognises  depreciation  of  right-of-use  assets,  and 

functional currency of the Company and the presentation

interest  on  lease  liabilities,  in  the  consolidated

currency for the consolidated financial statements.

statement of comprehensive income; and

In  preparing  the  financial  statements  of  the  individual 

(iii)

separates the total amount of cash paid in respect of 

lease obligations into a principal portion and interest 

(both  presented  within  financing  activities)  in  the

consolidated statement of cash flows.

Lease  payments  under  (i)  are  discounted  using  the 

interest  rate  implicit  in  the  lease,  if  that  rate  can  be

determined,  or 

the  Group's  estimated 

incremental

borrowing  rate.  The  finance  expense  is  charged  to  the 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income over 

the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate 

of  interest  on  the  remaining  balance  of  the  liability  for 

each  period. The  right-of-use  asset  is  depreciated  over 

the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term on 

a  straight-line  basis.  Additionally  under 

IFRS  16, 

right-of-use  assets  are 

tested 

for 

impairment 

in

accordance  with  IAS  36  Impairment  of  Assets.  This 

replaces  the  previous  requirement  to  recognise  a

provision for onerous lease contracts.

companies,  transactions  in  currencies  other  than  the 

entity’s 

functional  currency 

(foreign  currencies)  are

recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates 

of the transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary 

assets  and  liabilities  that  are  denominated  in  foreign

currencies  are  retranslated  at  the  rates  prevailing  on  the 

balance  sheet  date.  Non-monetary 

items 

that  are 

measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency

are not retranslated.

Exchange  differences  arising  on 

the  settlement  of

monetary items, are included in profit or loss for the period 

except  for  differences  arising  on  the  retranslation  of 

non-monetary items in respect of which gains and losses 

are  recognised  directly  in  equity.  For  such  non-monetary 

items, any exchange component of that gain or loss is also

recognised directly in equity.

For  the  purpose  of  presenting  consolidated  financial 

statements, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s foreign 

operations are translated at exchange rates prevailing on 

For short-term leases (lease term of 12 months or less) 

the  balance  sheet  date.  Income  and  expense  items  are 

and leases of low-value assets the Group has opted to 

translated  at  the  average  exchange  rates  for  the  period 

recognise  a  lease  expense  on  a  straight-line  basis  as 

where  it  approximates  the  rates  on  the  dates  of  the

permitted  by  the  Standard.  This  expense  is  presented 

underlying  transactions.  Exchange  differences  arising,  if 

within  other  expenses  in  the  consolidated  statement  of

any, are classified as equity and transferred to the Group’s

profit or loss.

translation reserve.

76

Share-based payments

The  Group  has  applied  the  requirements  of  IFRS  2 

Share-based payments in respect of options granted under 

a share option plan for senior employees dated 15 January 

2019 (the "Plan") and certain options issued at the time of 

proprietary software (as further detailed in Note 18), such 

expenses are capitalised in accordance with the Group’s 

accounting  policy 

relating 

to  such  development

expenditure.

Borrowing costs

the Company’s IPO. Under the terms of both the Plan and 

All borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the

the  options  issued  at  IPO,  the  Group  is  able  to  make 

period in which they are incurred.

equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees 

and  a  Director  by  way  of  issue  of  options  over  ordinary 

Taxation

shares.  Such  equity-settled  share-based  payments  are 

Any  tax  payable  is  based  on  taxable  profit  for  the  year. 

measured at fair value at the date of grant. This fair value is 

Taxable  profit  differs  from  net  profit  as  reported  in  the 

determined  as  at  the  grant  date  of  the  options  and  is 

income statement because it excludes items of income or 

expensed  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  vesting  period, 

expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and 

based  on  the  Group’s  estimate  of  the  number  of  options 

it  further  excludes  items  that  are  never  taxable  or

that  will  eventually  vest.  A  corresponding  amount  is

deductible.  The  Group’s 

liability 

for  current 

tax 

is

credited to equity reserves.

calculated  using  tax  rates  that  have  been  enacted  or

Fair  value  is  measured  by  use  of  a  Black-Scholes  model 

substantively enacted by the reporting date.

and  key  inputs  to  that  model  have  been  assessed  as

follows:

Deferred  tax  is  the  tax  expected  to  be  payable  or

recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts 

expected volatility was based upon historical volatility 

of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the 

and  applied  over  the  expected  life  of  the  schemes;

corresponding  tax  bases  used  in  the  computation  of 

expected life was based upon historical data and was 

adjusted based on management’s best estimates for 

the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions

and behavioural considerations; and

risk-free rate was taken as the two-, three- and 4-year 

UK  gilt  yields  as  appropriate  for  the  expected  life  of

the options concerned.

taxable  profit  and  is  accounted  for  using  the  balance 

sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are provided 

in  full,  with  no  discounting,  for  all  taxable  temporary 

differences;  deferred  tax  assets  are  recognised  to  the 

extent  that  it  is  probable  that  taxable  profits  will  be 

available against which deductible temporary differences 

can be utilised. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates 

that are expected to apply in the period when the liability 

Proceeds  received  on  exercise  of  share  options  and 

is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged 

warrants are credited to share capital (in respect of nominal 

or  credited  in  the  income  statement,  except  when  it 

value)  and  share  premium  account  (in  respect  of  the 

relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in 

excess  over  nominal  value).  Cancelled  options  are

which  case  the  deferred  tax  is  also  dealt  with  in  equity.

accounted 

for  as  an  acceleration  of  vesting.  The

unrecognised  grant  date  fair  value  is  recognised  in  the 

consolidated  statement  of  comprehensive  income  in  the

year that the options are cancelled.

Such  assets  and  liabilities  are  not  recognised  if  the

temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of 

goodwill  or  from  the  initial  recognition  (other  than  in  a 

business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a 

Where  share-based  payment  expenses  are  directly

transaction  that  affects  neither  the  tax  profit  nor  the

attributable  to  the  cost  of  development  of  the  Group’s

accounting profit.

77

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at 

asset,  less  its  estimated  residual  value,  over  the  useful

each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no 

economic life of that asset as follows:

longer  probable  that  sufficient  taxable  profits  will  be 

available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is 

a  legally  enforceable  right  to  set  off  current  tax  assets 

against  current  tax  liabilities  and  when  they  relate  to 

income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and 

the  Group  intends  to  settle  its  current  tax  assets  and

liabilities on a net basis.

Intangible assets

Intellectual property/patents
Licenses

over 10 years on a straight-line basis
over 5 years on a straight-line basis

Customer relationships

Customer  relationships  acquired  are  recognised  as 

intangible  assets  at  their  fair  values  (see  note  18). 

Customer  relationships  are  amortised  on  a  straight-line

basis over 10 years.

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets

excluding goodwill

At  each  reporting  date,  the  Group  reviews  the  carrying 

Development expenditure

amounts  of 

its 

tangible  and 

intangible  assets 

to

Expenditure  on 

the  development  of 

the  Group’s

determine  whether  there  is  any  indication  that  those 

proprietary  enterprise  software  where  it  meets  certain 

assets  have  suffered  an  impairment  loss.  If  any  such 

criteria  (given  below),  is  capitalised  and  subsequently 

indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is 

amortised  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  its  useful  life. 

estimated  in  order  to  determine  the  extent  of  the

Where  no  internally  generated  intangible  asset  can  be 

impairment  loss  (if  any).  Where  the  asset  does  not

recognised, development expenditure is written-off in the

generate  cash  flows  that  are  independent  from  other 

period in which it is incurred.

An  asset  is  recognised  only  if  all  of  the  following

conditions are met:

the product is technically feasible and marketable;

assets,  the  Group  estimates  the  recoverable  amount  of 

the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. An 

intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is tested for 

impairment annually and whenever there is an indication

that the asset may be impaired.

the  Group  has  adequate  resources  to  complete  the

development of the product;

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs 

to sell and value in use. If the recoverable amount of an 

it  is  probable  that  the  asset  created  will  generate

asset  (or  cash-generating  unit)  is  estimated  to  be  less 

future economic benefits; and

the development cost of the asset can be measured

reliably.

Development expenditure is amortised on a straight-line 

basis over 4 years, such amortisation being charged to 

profit  or  loss.  Expenditure  on  research  activities  is 

recognised  as  an  expense  in  the  period  in  which  it  is

incurred.

Patents and licenses

than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset 

(cash-generating  unit)  is  reduced  to  its  recoverable 

amount.  Any  impairment  loss  is  recognised  as  an

expense through profit and loss.

Property, plant and equipment

Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost 

less  accumulated  depreciation  and  accumulated

impairment losses, if any. The cost of an asset comprises 

its  purchase  price  and  any  directly  attributable  costs  of 

bringing  the  asset  to  the  location  and  condition  for  its

The  costs 

incurred 

in  purchasing 

licenses  and

intended  use.  Depreciation  is  charged  to  profit  or  loss 

establishing  patents  are  measured  at  cost,  net  of  any 

(unless  it  is  included  in  the  carrying  amount  of  another 

amortisation  and  any  provision 

for 

impairment.

asset) on a straight-line basis to write off the depreciable 

78

amount of the assets net of the estimated residual values

customers in the ordinary course of business. They are 

over their estimated useful lives as follows:

generally due for settlement between 30 and 90 days and 

Computer equipment 
Leasehold improvements

Office equipment
Vehicles

over 3 years on a straight-line basis
over 5 years on a straight-line basis

over 5 years on a straight-line basis
over 8 years on a straight-line basis

therefore  are  generally  classified  as  current  other  than 

where the terms of the contract provide for payment over 

an  extended  period  of  time  (in  which  case  the  relevant 

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, 

element of the receivable is classified as current and the 

and  adjusted  if  appropriate,  at  each  reporting  date. An 

balance is classified as non-current, net of an allowance 

asset’s  carrying  amount  is  written  down  immediately  to 

for  the  time  value  of  money).  The  timing  of  revenue

its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is

recognition, invoicing and cash collections results in both 

greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

invoiced accounts receivable and uninvoiced receivables, 

Financial assets

Financial  assets  are  recognised  on  the  consolidated 

statement  of  financial  position  when  the  Group  has 

become  a  party  to  the  contractual  provisions  of  the

instrument. The Group’s financial assets consist of cash, 

loans,  deposits,  and  receivables  and  contract  assets. 

The classification of financial assets at initial recognition 

depends  on  the  financial  asset’s  contractual  cash  flow 

characteristics  and  the  Group’s  business  model  for 

managing  them.  The  Group  has  reviewed  its  business 

model for its financial assets and has concluded that they 

as well as contract assets. Invoicing may be implemented 

(depending  on  the  contract  with  the  end  customer) 

according  to  usage  or  upon  achievement  of  contractual

milestones.

Trade receivables are recognised initially at the amount 

of consideration that is unconditional unless they contain 

significant 

financing  components,  when 

they  are 

recognised  at  fair  value.  The  Group  holds  the  trade

receivables  with  the  objective  to  collect  the  contractual 

cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at 

amortised  cost  using  the  effective  interest  method,  less

are held for collecting contractual associated cash flows. 

provision for impairment.

Under  IFRS  9  receivables  and  contract  assets  (other 

Contract  assets  represent  amounts  relating  to  revenue 

than 

those  which  contain  a  significant 

financing

recognised  at  the  date  of  the  statement  of  financial 

component) are initially recognised at fair value and will

position but not yet due or invoiceable under the terms of 

subsequently be measured at amortised cost.

the  contract.  These  arise  most  typically  for  the  Group 

The  Group  recognises  lifetime  expected  credit  losses 

("ECL")  for  trade  receivables  and  contract  assets.  The 

expected  credit  losses  on  these  financial  assets  are 

estimated using a provision matrix based on the Group’s 

historical credit loss experience, adjusted for factors that 

are specific to the debtors, general economic conditions 

and  an  assessment  of  both  the  current  as  well  as  the 

forecast  conditions  at  the  reporting  date,  including  time

value of money where appropriate.

Trade and other receivables and contract assets

either in (i) licenses of software where the consideration 

is structured as an upfront payment followed by a series 

of additional payments, which may comprise fixed sums 

or fixed sums plus sums relating to some measure of (for 

example) sales made by the purchaser of the license; or 

(ii) licenses of software where payment for the aggregate 

consideration  may  be  structured  such  that  the  initial 

consideration does not fully reflect the SSP of the license.

Such  payments  may  extend  over  several  years.  Under 

IFRS 15, if the contract is a “right to use” contract, then 

These assets arise principally from the provision of sales 

the  upfront  and  fixed  payments  are  recognised  on

of software and services and support and maintenance to

transfer  of  the  license  at  their  aggregate  present  value 

79

using an imputed cost of funds.

An equity instrument is any contract which evidences a 

Impairment provisions for current and non-current trade 

residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting 

receivables and contract assets are recognised based on 

all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Group, 

the simplified approach within IFRS 9 using a provision 

such as share capital and share premium, are recognised

matrix  for  the  determination  of  lifetime  expected  credit 

at the proceeds received net of direct issue costs.

losses,  which  assesses 

the  probability  of 

the

non-payment of the trade receivables, which probability 

is multiplied by the amount of the expected loss arising 

from default to determine the lifetime expected credit loss 

for the trade receivables. In the absence of any historic 

credit losses and the expectation of no specific losses in 

the 

foreseeable 

future, 

the  Directors  assessed  a 

hypothetical 

likely  default  amount  by  applying  a

percentage  "probability  of  default"  to  the  receivables 

balance, such probability being related to the underlying 

credit  rating  of  the  customer  or  country  of  origin. Trade 

receivables  and  contract  assets  are  reported  net,  with 

such provisions recorded in a separate provision account 

with the loss being recognised within cost of sales in the

consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  include  cash  in  hand,

deposits held at call with banks, other short term highly 

liquid investments with original maturities of three months 

Borrowings

Interest-bearing  loans  are  recorded  initially  at  fair  value, 

net  of  direct  issue  costs.  Finance  charges,  including 

premiums  payable  on  settlement  or  redemption  and 

direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accruals basis 

in  profit  or  loss  using  the  effective  interest  rate  method 

and are added to the carrying amount of the instrument to 

the extent that they are not settled in the period in which

they arise.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present 

obligation as a result of a past event, and it is probable 

that  the  Group  will  be  required  to  settle  that  obligation. 

Provisions are measured at the Directors’ best estimate 

of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the 

reporting date and are discounted to present value where

the effect is material.

or less, and – for the purpose of the statement of cash 

Segmental information

flows - bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within 

loans  and  borrowings 

in  current 

liabilities  on 

the

consolidated statement.

For  management  purposes,  the  Group’s  activities  are 

principally  related  to  the  provision  of  data  analytics 

services to customers, and all other activities performed 

Financial liabilities and equity instruments

by  the  Pelatro  Group  are  solely  to  support  its  primary 

Equity  and  debt  instruments  are  classified  as  either 

financial  liabilities  or  as  equity  in  accordance  with  the 

substance  of  the  contractual  arrangements  and  the

definitions of a financial liability and an equity instrument. 

The  Group’s  financial  liabilities  include  trade  and  other 

payables  and  borrowings  which  are  measured  at

amortised  cost  using  the  effective  interest  rate  method. 

Financial  liabilities  are  recognised  on  the  consolidated 

statement  of  financial  position  when  the  Group  has 

become  a  party  to  the  contractual  provisions  of  the

revenue  generation  activities.  All  the  processes  are 

primarily  subject  to  the  same  risks  and  returns  and  the 

Directors therefore consider that there are no identifiable 

business segments that are subject to risks and returns 

different to the core business. As such, internal reporting 

provided to the chief operating decision-maker ("CODM"), 

which has been determined to be the Board of Directors), 

for  making  decisions  about  resource  allocations  and 

performance  assessment  relates  to  the  consolidated

operating results of the Pelatro Group.

instrument.

Accordingly, the Directors have determined that there is 

80

only  one  reportable  segment  under  IFRS  8  and  the 

financial year, are discussed below:

financial 

information 

therefore  presents  entity-wide 

Revenue

information. The results and assets for this segment can 

be  determined  by  reference 

to 

the  statement  of

comprehensive 

income  and  statement  of 

financial

position.

Revenue  and  the  associated  profit  are  recognised  from 

sale  of  software  licences,  rendering  of  services,  and 

maintenance  and  support.  When  software  licences  are 

sold, the Board must exercise judgement as to when the 

The  Pelatro  Group  primarily  serves  customers  in  south 

appropriate  point  in  time  has  passed  at  which  all

and  south-east  Asia  and  Africa,  with  a  developing

performance  obligations  for  that  software  licence  have 

presence in Europe.

Exceptional items

Exceptional 

items  are  disclosed  separately 

in 

the 

financial  statements  where  it  is  necessary  to  do  so  to 

provide 

further  understanding  of 

the 

financial

performance  of  the  Company  or  the  Group.  They  are 

material  items  of  income  or  expense  that  have  been

shown separately due to their nature.

4. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND

KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

The preparation of financial information in conformity with 

IFRS 

requires  management 

to  make 

judgements, 

estimates and assumptions that affect the application of 

policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, 

and 

income  and  expenses.  The  estimates  and

associated  assumptions  are  based  on  historical

experience and various other factors that are believed to 

be  reasonable  under  the  circumstances.  However,  the 

nature  of  estimation  means  that  actual  outcomes  could 

differ  from  those  estimates.  Estimates  and  underlying 

assumptions  are 

reviewed  on  an  ongoing  basis.

Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the 

period  in  which  the  estimate  is  revised  if  the  revision 

affects only that period or in the period of the revision and 

future  periods  if  the  revision  affects  both  current  and

future periods.

been performed, at which point revenue in relation to the 

stand-alone  sales  price  of  the  software  licence  is 

recognised.  In  many  cases  performance  obligations  do 

not  simply 

follow 

the  commercial  and  contractual

arrangement  agreed  with  the  customer,  in  some  cases 

the  revenue  streams  are  combined  within  an  overall 

commercial arrangement. Such combined circumstances 

require  judgement  to  assess  performance  obligations 

associated  with  each  revenue  stream  and 

further

judgement  as  to  when  and  how  such  performance

obligations  have  been  discharged  in  order  to  recognise 

the  associated  revenue.  Furthermore,  agreements  with 

customers may include multiple performance obligations.

Determination  of  the  appropriate  revenue  recognition  is 

therefore  considered  a  critical  judgement.  The  critical 

judgement includes, but is not limited to, assessment as 

to  whether  a  performance  obligation  has  been  satisfied 

and  allocation  of  revenue  where  such  agreements 

involve  more 

than  one  performance  obligation.

Assessment  of  performance  obligations  also  involves 

determining  whether  a  set  of  contractual  obligations 

represent  distinct  performance  obligations  or  whether 

they are highly dependent on, or highly interrelated with 

one another, and hence fall to be treated as one single

performance obligation under IFRS 15.

A number of contracts entered into by the Group during 

the year are recognised for revenue in a manner which 

The key assumptions and critical accounting judgements 

differs  materially  from  the  contractual  terms;  in  certain 

concerning 

the 

future  and  other  key  sources  of

cases  this  resulted  in  revenue  being  recognised  earlier 

estimation  uncertainty  at  the  reporting  date  that  have  a 

than contractually due; in others it deferred revenue after 

significant  risk  of  causing  a  material  adjustment  to  the 

the date at which it was contractually due. The effect of

carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next 

this is shown in Note 5.

81

Business combinations and related intangible
assets

for capitalisation as intangible assets requires judgement, 

including  assessments  of 

the  nature  of 

the  work

Business  combinations  may 

result 

in  acquired

underlying  the  costs  carried  out  by  relevant  employees, 

technology  assets  and  customer  relationships  being 

estimates of the technical and commercial viability of the 

recognised  as  separable  intangible  assets  at  their  fair 

asset  created,  and  its  applicable  useful  economic  life. 

value at the date of acquisition. These are valued using 

These  estimates  are  continually  reviewed  and  updated 

discounted cash flow methodology, taking into account a 

based  on  past  experience  and  reviews  of  competitor

number  of  key  assumptions  such  as  retention  and  net 

products available in the market.

income.  In  applying  this  methodology,  certain  key

judgements  and  estimates  are  required  to  be  made  in 

Trade and other receivables

respect of future cash flows together with an appropriate 

Management  judgement  is  required  in  considering  the 

discount factor for the purpose of determining the present 

recoverability of debts and in the estimation of expected 

value of those cash flows. The key sources of estimation 

credit losses which may be incurred. Further information

uncertainty with respect to customer relationships are the 

is provided in note 21.

future  retention  rate  and  the  income  per  customer

Impairment reviews

generated  from  those  customers;  the  key  sources  of 

estimation uncertainty with respect to technology assets 

are  the  merits  of  the  software  in  comparison  to  other 

similar products which may be available (and hence the 

Group's ability to valorise it by onward sale to customers)

and its likely useful economic life.

Accounting  for  acquisition-related  contingent  consider-

ation is based on estimates of future performance of the 

acquired  business  over  the  contractual  earn-out  period, 

as  measured  against 

the  contractually  agreed

performance  targets.  If  the  future  results  of  these 

businesses  differ  from  the  forecasts  used  for  these

calculations, there may be a material change in the value 

of  these  deferred  liabilities  which  would  be  recorded  in

the consolidated statement of profit and loss.

Management judgement is also required in assessing the 

useful economic lives of these assets for the purposes of 

The  Group  uses  long-term  forecasts  of  cash  flow  and 

estimates  of  future  growth  both  to  value  acquired

intangible  assets  and  goodwill  and  to  assess  whether 

goodwill  or  intangible  assets  are  impaired,  and  to

determine  the  useful  economic  lives  of  its  intangible 

assets. If the results of operations in a future period are 

adverse  to  the  estimates  used,  an  impairment  may  be 

triggered at that point, or a reduction in useful economic 

life  may  be  required.  The  Group  assesses  the  carrying 

value  of  goodwill  annually,  and 

intangible  assets

whenever there is an indication of impairment: identifying 

indicators of impairment requires judgements to be made 

as  to  the  prospects  and  value  drivers  of  the  individual 

assets,  and  hence  an  estimation  of  the  level  of  future 

growth,  cash  flows  as  well  as  an  appropriate  discount

rate to support their carrying value.

amortisation.  Note  18  gives  further  details  of  the

Going concern

assumptions used. 

The Group uses medium-term forecasts of cash flow and 

Capitalised development costs

estimates  of  future  growth,  alongside  the  judgements 

Development costs are accounted for in accordance with 

referred  to  above  with  regard  to  trade  and  other

IAS  38  Intangible  Assets,  and  costs  that  meet  the

receivables,  to  assess  whether  the  preparation  of  the 

qualifying  criteria  are  capitalised  and  systematically

financial  statements  on  a  going  concern  basis  is

amortised over the useful economic life of the intangible 

appropriate.  Management 

judgement 

is 

therefore 

asset.  Determining  whether  development  costs  qualify 

required  in  assessing  the  appropriateness  of  these 

82

forecasts and estimates, particularly in the light of current 

An analysis of revenue by type is as follows:

uncertainty  caused  by  the  COVID-19  pandemic.  Further 

information on this is given in Note 3 and in the section on

At 31 December

"Principal risks and uncertainties".

Repeat software sales and services

5. REVENUE AND SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

The  Directors  consider  that  the  Group  has  a  single 

business  segment,  being 

the  sale  of 

information

management software and related services to providers of 

telecommunication  services  (“telcos”).  The  operations  of 

the  Group  are  managed  centrally  with  Group-wide 

functions  covering  sales  and  marketing,  development, 

professional  services,  customer  support  and  finance  and

administration.

An  analysis  of  revenue  by  product  or  service  and  by

geography is given below.

Revenue by type

The Group has five principal revenue models, being:

1.

contracts  based  on  the  sale  of  perpetual  licenses  for 

Maintenance and support

Total repeat revenues

Software – new licenses

Consulting

Resale of hardware

Revenue by geography 

At 31 December

Caribbean

Central Asia

Eastern Europe

North Africa

South Asia

The  Group  recognises  revenue  in  seven  geographical 

regions based on the location of customers, as set out in

the following table:

2019
$’000

3,114

1,399

4,513

1,887

258

9

2018
$’000

2,288

809

3,097

2,511

515

-

6,667

6,123

2019
$’000

133

256

91

135

1,791

2018
$’000

357

1,653

380

314

819

4,181

2,207

80 

393

6,667

6,123

use  of  the  Group's  proprietary  enterprise  software.

South East Asia

2.

contracts  for  the  use  of  the  Group's  software  on  a 

Sub-Saharan Africa

regular (usually monthly) basis, which may also provide 

for  Group  employees  to  provide  related  services  the 

customer (“managed services”) and/or for the Group to 

take a share of the revenue gain achieved through use

of the software.

3.

provision of specific customer-requested modifications

to Group software ("change requests”).

4.

5.

provision of maintenance and support of the software.

provision  of  consultancy  services  and/or 

training

relating to the use of the software.

In  addition,  the  Group  may,  if  required  by  the  customer, 

supply appropriate hardware on which to host the software, 

either for the account of the customer or (particularly in the 

case  of  managed  services)  retained  in  the  ownership  of

the Group.

Management  makes  no  allocation  of  costs,  assets  or 

liabilities  between  these  segments  since  all  trading

activities  are  operated  as  a  single  business  unit.

An analysis of revenue by status of invoicing is as follows:

Year to 31 December

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

(i)

Revenue invoiced to customers under contractual
terms

2,619

3,694

(ii)

Revenue recognised under terms of contract but
unbilled at period end (“UBR”)

3,947

2,325

(iii) Net revenue recognised other than 

(ii)

144

191

Less: revenue recognised or to be recognised as
interest under IFRS 15

(43)

(87

)

Total revenue recognised in the year

6,667

6,123

83

Customer concentration

The Group has 4 customers representing individually over 

10% of revenue each and in aggregate approximately 67% 

of total revenue at $4.48m (2018: two such customers, in 

aggregate approximately 48% of revenue at $2.91m). The 

4  customers  accounted  for  revenue  of  $2.02m,  $0.82m, 

$0.81m  and  $0.79m  respectively  (2018:  $1.65m  and

$1.26m).

Revenue recognition

License revenue

As  explained  in  Note  2,  the  Group  recognises  revenue 

financial statements reflect adjustments to income (i) to 

accelerate the recognition of revenue for initial years for 

which  no  contractual  payment  is  due;  and  (ii)  to

accelerate  or  defer  the  recognition  of  revenue  in  cases 

where  the  contractual  PCS  charge  is  lower  (or  higher) 

than  a  market  rate  (the  difference  being  netted  off  or 

added to the revenue recognised in respect of the license 

fee).  For  the  financial  year  2019  revenue  therefore 

includes (i) an amount of $104,000 representing revenue 

from  PCS  recognised  ahead  of  its  contractually  due 

dates (2018: $141,000), and (ii) an amount of $248,000 

(2018: $80,000) representing revenue netted off license

from  the  sale  of  licenses  and  the  implementation  of  the 

income and allocated to PCS.

software  so  licensed  separately,  as  the  two  activities

Remaining performance obligations

represent  distinct  performance  obligations.  However,  as 

implementation  to  date  has  always  been  carried  out  by 

Group personnel and is usually viewed by the customer as 

an integral part of the license purchase, the two activities

are reported as one.

Irrespective  of  the  split  between  license  and  implementa-

tion 

recognition,  some  contracts  provide 

for 

fixed 

payments to be made by customers (usually monthly) over 

a given term (e.g. three or five years). Under IFRS 15, in 

order  to  reflect  the  time  value  of  money,  such  contracts 

have  been  recognised  as  the  capitalised  value  of  the 

There are certain software support, professional service, 

maintenance  and  licences  contracts  that  have  been

entered into for which both:

the  original  contract  period  was  greater  than  12

months; and

the Group's right to consideration does not correspond 

directly with performance.

The amount of revenue that will be recognised in future 

periods  on  these  contracts  when  those  remaining

performance obligations will be satisfied is shown below.

income  stream  plus  interest  accruing  for  the  year  on  the 

Year to 31 December

2020
$’000

2021
$’000

2022-5
$’000

credit  deemed  to  be  extended  to  the  customer  (on  a

Revenue expected to be recognised on

reducing  balance  basis).  For  the  financial  year  2019  this 

software and service contracts

595

461

522

figure amounts to license revenue of $0.45m and related 

interest  income  of  $7,000  (2018:    $0.13m  and  $2,000).

Comparative  figures  for  the  year  ended  31  December

2018 were as follows:

PCS

Ancillary to a license sale, the Group typically provides five 

years  of  PCS  but  does  not  charge  for  the  first  year;

Year to 31 December

2019
$’000

2020
$’000

2021-4
$’000

Revenue expected to be recognised on

software and service contracts

419

420

476

similarly in certain contracts the Group may provide PCS 

Costs of obtaining and fulfilling contracts of $9,000 have 

at  other  than  a  standalone  selling  price  ("SSP").  For 

been recorded in 2019 (2018: nil).

revenue  recognition  purposes  this  is  treated  as  income 

accruing  over  the  full  term  of  the  service  provision

Non-current assets

(whether paid or otherwise) and, as far as is estimable, at 

Information  about  the  Group’s  non-current  assets  by

a  deemed  market  rate  (i.e.  the  SSP).  Accordingly,  the 

location of assets is as follows:

84

At 31 December

Singapore

UK

India

2019
$’000

3,825

7,835

834

2018
$’000

1,933

8,300

376

Certain  lease  expenses  are  deemed  to  be  directly

attributable  overheads  for  the  purposes  of  capitalising 

relevant  expenditure  on  developing  intangible  assets 

(see  Note  18);  accordingly,  under 

IFRS  16 

the

12,494

10,609

corresponding  depreciation  and  interest  expense  is 

Non-current  assets  comprise  intangible  assets,  goodwill, 

capitalised  instead.  Figures  above  are  shown  gross

deferred  tax  assets,  plant,  property  and  equipment,  and

before capitalisation.

long-term contract assets and trade receivables.

Impact on earnings per share for the period

6. OPERATING EXPENSES

The  impact  on  earnings  per  share  is  too  small  to  be

Profit for the year has been arrived at after charging:

reflected in disclosure to the nearest 0.1c.

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

Amortisation of intangible non-current assets

1,726

Depreciation of tangible non-current assets

Staff costs (see note 9)

Auditor’s remuneration (see note 8)

Short-term lease expenses

189

1,503

41

23

843

47

582

45

24

Realised foreign exchange (gains)/losses

(14)

(69)

Financial effect of initial application of IFRS 16

The tables below show the amount of adjustment for each 

financial statement line item affected by the application of 

IFRS  16  for  the  current  period. As  noted  above,  where 

lease-related expenses are directly attributable to the cost 

of  development  of  the  Group’s  proprietary  software  such 

expenses are capitalised in accordance with the Group’s 

accounting  policy 

relating 

to  such  development

expenditure. The amounts shown in this note are gross of

such capitalisation unless otherwise noted.

The  Group  has  adopted  the  modified  retrospective 

approach to the application of IFRS 16 and accordingly the 

prior  year  is  not  restated  and  hence  there  is  no  effect

shown.

Impact on profit/(loss) for the period

Year to 31 December 

(Increase) in depreciation

(Increase) in finance costs

Decrease in administrative expenses

Effects of foreign exchange

(Decrease) in profit for the period

2019
$’000

(173)

(40

)

210

1

(2

)

Impact on consolidated statement of cash flows

The  application  of  IFRS  16  has  an  impact  on  the

consolidated  statement  of  cash  flows  of  the  Group  as

under the Standard lessees must present:

Short-term  lease  payments,  payments  for  leases  of 

low-value  assets  and  variable  lease  payments  not 

included in the measurement of the lease liability as 

part  of  operating  activities  (such  payments  have  no

material effect on these financial statements);

Cash paid for the interest portion of lease liabilities as

part of financing activities; and

Cash  payments  for  the  repayment  of  the  principal 

portions  of  leases  liabilities  as  part  of  financing

activities.

Under  IAS  17,  all  lease  payments  on  operating  leases 

were  presented  as  part  of  cash  flows  from  operating 

activities. Consequently, for the year ended 31 December 

2019, the net cash generated by operating activities has 

increased  by  $210,000  and  net  cash  used  in  financing

activities increased by the same amount.

Extension and termination options

Extension  and  termination  options  are  included  in  a 

number  of  property  leases  across  the  Group.  These 

terms are used to maximise operational flexibility in terms 

of  managing  contracts.  All  of 

the  extension  and

termination  options  held  are  exercisable  only  by  the 

Group  and  not  by  the  respective  lessor.  In  determining 

the  lease  term,  management  considers  all  facts  and 

85

circumstances  that  create  an  economic  incentive  to 

Group’s  internal  management  reporting.  Exceptional 

exercise an extension option, or not exercise a termination 

items  in  2019  comprise  the  gain  on  the  adjustment  of 

option.  Extension  options  (or  periods  after  termination 

contingent  liabilities  relating  to  the  potential  earnout 

options) are only included in the lease term if the lease is 

payment in respect of the Danateq Acquisition (see Note 

reasonably  certain  to  be  extended  (or  not  terminated).

26). Exceptional items in 2018 comprise legal and other

For lease liabilities on balance sheet at 31 December 2019 

costs relating to the Danateq Acquisition.

the  Group  has  used  a  weighted  average  interest  rate  of 

Adjustment  for  share-based  payment  expense  is  made 

9.6% in relation to INR liabilities, 9.7% in relation to RUB 

because, once the cost has been calculated for a given 

liabilities  and  2.7% 

in 

respect  of  GBP 

liabilities.

grant  of  options,  the  Directors  cannot  influence  the 

7. NON-GAAP PROFIT MEASURES AND

EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

Reconciliation  of  operating  profit  to  adjusted  earnings 

before  interest,  taxation,  depreciation  and  amortisation

(“EBITDA”)

Year to 31 December

Operating profit

Adjusted for:

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

1,118

2,551

Amortisation and depreciation

1,915

Revenue recognised as interest under IFRS 15

43

Exceptional items:

- acquisition expenses

 - gain on adjustment of contingent liability

Expensed share-based payments

-

(236)

52

889

26

310

-

-

Adjusted EBITDA

2,892

3,776

share-based  payment  charge  incurred  in  subsequent 

years  relating  to  that  grant;  also  the  value  of  the  share 

option to the employee differs considerably in value and

timing from the actual cash cost to the Group.

Elements  of  depreciation  on 

right-to-use  assets 

recognised  under  IFRS  16  and  share-based  payment 

expense  are  deemed 

to  be  directly  attributable 

overheads  for  the  purposes  of  capitalising  relevant

expenditure  on  developing  intangible  assets  (see  Note 

18).  The  figures  above  are  shown  net  of  amounts  so

capitalised.

The calculation of adjusted earnings per share is shown 

in Note 15.

8. AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION

The criteria for adjusting operating income or expenses in 

the  calculation  of  adjusted  EBITDA  are  that  they  are

Year to 31 December

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

material  and  either  (i)  arise  from  an  irregular  and

Charged in the financial year:

significant  event  or  (ii)  are  such  that  the  income/cost  is 

Audit of the financial statements of Pelatro Plc

Amounts receivable by auditor in respect of:

recognised  in  a  pattern  that  is  unrelated  to  the  resulting 

Audit of financial statements of subsidiaries

operational  performance.  Materiality  is  defined  as  an 

amount which, to a user, would influence decision-making 

based  on,  and  understandability  of, 

the 

financial

pursuant to legislation

Tax compliance

9. STAFF COSTS

statements.

Exceptional items are treated as exceptional by reason of 

Year to 31 December

their  nature  and  are  excluded  from  the  calculation  of

adjusted EBITDA (and adjusted earnings per share below) 

Wages and salaries

Social security contributions

41

-

3

44

42

-

3

45

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

3,495

1,975

65

40

to  allow  a  better  understanding  of  comparable 

Less: amounts capitalised as intangible assets

(2,057)

(1,433

)

year-on-year  trading  and  thereby  an  assessment  of  the 

underlying  trends  in  the  Group’s  financial  performance. 

These  measures  also  provide  consistency  with  the  .

1,503

582

86

The average number of persons employed by the Company during the period was:

Year to 31 December

2019

2018

Sales

Software development

Support

Marketing

Administration

4

88

40

3

15

2

70

18

2

13

150

105

10. DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION AND TRANSACTIONS

The Directors’ emoluments in the year ended 31 December 2019 were:

Executive Directors

S. Menon

S. Yezhuvath

N. Hellyer

Non-Executive Directors

R. Day

P. Verkade

Basic
salary

2019

$’000

Bonus

Benefits
in kind

Share-based
payments

Pension

Total

Total

2019

$’000

2019

$’000

2019

$’000

2019

$’000

2019

$’000

2018

$’000

189

189

85

70

38

49

49

-

-

-

24

15

17

-

-

571

98

56

-

-

7

-

-

7

-

-

2

2

-

4

262

253

111

72

38

223

210

80

53

30

736

596

The remuneration of the executive Directors is decided by the Remuneration Committee. Save as disclosed above no

Director had a material interest in any contract of significance with the Group in either year.

11. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

In addition to the 50,000 options granted to a director at the time of the IPO, the Group introduced a share option plan for 

senior employees on 15 January 2019 (the "Plan"). Each share option converts into one ordinary share of the Company 

on exercise. No amounts are paid or payable by the recipient on receipt of the option and the Company has no legal 

obligation to repurchase or settle the options in cash. The options carry neither rights to dividends nor voting rights prior 

to the date on which the options are exercised. Options may be exercised at any time from the date of vesting to the date

of expiry.

A  charge  of  $52,000  (net  of  amounts  capitalised  of  $48,000)  (2018:  nil)  has  been  recognised  during  the  year  for 

share-based payments over the vesting period. This share-based payment expense comprises the charge in the current 

period relating to the expensing of the fair value of (a) the 1,640,000 options granted under the Plan and (b) the 50,000 

options issued at the time of the Company’s IPO. The options issued under the terms of the Plan were granted with an 

87

exercise price of 73p, vesting in tranches as follows: 25% after one year, 25% after two years and 50% after three years. 

There are no conditions attaching to the vesting of the options other than continued employment. Of this amount, $45,000

net (2018: nil) relates to costs of share options issued to subsidiary employees.

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

No. of options

Average exercise price

2019

2018

2019

2018

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

50,000

50,000

62.5p

62.5p

Granted during the year

Forfeited/cancelled during the year

Exchanged for shares

1,640,000

(

91,500)

-

-

-

-

-

73.0p

-

-

-

-

Outstanding at the end of the year

1,598,500

50,000

72.7p

62.5p

The  fair  values  of  the  share  options  issued  in  the  year  was  derived  using  a  Black  Scholes  model. The  following  key

assumptions were used in the calculations:

Grant date

Exercise price

Share price at grant date

Risk free rate

Volatility

Expected life

Fair Value

17 January 2019

73p

73p

0.86 - 0.92%

35%

4.5 - 5.5 years

19.0 - 20.8p

The  expected  life  used  in  the  model  has  been  adjusted,  based  on  management’s  best  estimate,  for  the  effects  of 

non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations. The share price per share at 31 December 2019 

was £0.705 (31 December 2018: £0.710) and hence no deferred tax is provided in respect of the potential exercise of

options currently extant.

12. FINANCE INCOME

Interest receivable on interest-bearing deposits

Notional interest accruing on contracts with a significant financing component

Total finance income 

13. FINANCE EXPENSE

Interest and finance charges paid or payable on borrowings

Interest on lease liabilities under IFRS 16

Less: amounts capitalised as intangible assets

Acquisition-related financing expense (unwinding of discount on financial liabilities)

Total finance expense

2019
$’000

11

43

54

2019

$’000

96

40

(19)

47

164

2018
$’000

10

23

33

2018

$’000

62

-

-

9

71

An element of interest on lease liabilities is deemed to be directly attributable overheads for the purposes of capitalising

relevant expenditure on developing intangible assets (see Note 18).

88

14. TAXATION

Tax on profit on ordinary activities

Year to 31 December

Current tax

UK corporation tax charge/(credit) on profit for the current year

Overseas income tax charge/(credit)

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

Deferred tax

(Recognition)/reversal of deferred tax asset 

Total deferred income tax

Total income tax expense recognised in the year

2019

$’000

2018

$’000

(32)

286

(7

)

247

(53

)

(53

)

194

136

206

-

342

(8)

(8

)

334

Reconciliation of the total tax charge

The effective tax rate in the income statement for the year is higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 

19% (2018: lower). A reconciliation of income tax expense applicable to the profit before taxation at the statutory tax rate

to income tax expense at the effective tax rate is as follows:

Year to 31 December

Profit before taxation 

Tax at the applicable rate of 19%

Tax effect of amounts which are not deductible (taxable) in calculating 

taxable income:

Fixed asset differences

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes and other permanent items

Income not taxable and other permanent items

Movement in fair value of contingent consideration not taxable

Tax exemptions, allowances and rebates

Foreign tax credits

Overseas taxation at different rates

Overseas withholding tax expenses

Derecognition of deferred tax asset

Adjustments recognised in current year tax in respect of prior years

Income tax expense recognised for the current year

2019

$’000

1,009

192

(113)

179

(118

)

(45

)

(22

)

109

51

21

(53

)

(7

)

194

2018

$’000

2,513

477

(146)

120

(90

)

2

(27

)

(30

)

36

-

(8

)

-

334

The tax effect of exchange differences recorded within the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income is a credit of

$5,000 (2018: $10,000 charge).

Temporary differences associated with Group investments

At 31 December 2019, there was no recognised deferred tax liability (2018: $nil) for taxes that would be payable on the 

unremitted earnings of certain of the Group's subsidiaries as the Group has determined that undistributed profits of its

subsidiaries will not be distributed in the foreseeable future.

89

Deferred tax

Recognised deferred tax asset

At 1 January

Recognised in profit and loss

At 31 December

Comprising:

Timing differences

Tax losses

2019

$’000

2018

$’000

10

53

63

8

55

63

2

8

10

10

-

10

The  deferred  income  tax  assets  at  31  December  2019  above  are  expected  to  be  utilised  in  less  than  one  year.

The deferred income tax assets have only been recognised to the extent that it is considered probable that they can be

recovered against future taxable profits based on profit forecasts for the foreseeable future.

Factors affecting future tax charges

The Finance Act 2018, which was approved on 15 September 2018, will reduce the UK corporation tax rate by 2% from 

the current 19% to 17% from 1 April 2020. The Group's recognised and unrecognised deferred tax assets in its Indian

subsidiary have been shown at 28%, being the effective rate in that country.

15. EARNINGS

Reported earnings per share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) amounts are calculated by dividing net profit or loss for the year attributable to owners

of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

The following reflects the earnings and share data used in the basic earnings per share computations:

Year to 31 December

Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent:

2019

$’000

2018

$’000

Profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent for basic earnings

814

2,179

Weighted number of ordinary shares in issue

32,532,431

27,375,741

Basic earnings per share attributable to shareholders

2.5¢

8.0¢

Adjusted earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share is calculated as follows:

Year to 31 December

Profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent for basic earnings

Adjusting items:

 - exceptional items (see note 7)

- share-based payments

- finance expense on liabilities relating to contingent consideration

- amortisation of acquisition-related intangibles

 - prior year adjustments to tax charge

Adjusted earnings attributable to owners of the Parent

Weighted number of ordinary shares in issue

Adjusted earnings per share attributable to shareholders

2019

$’000

814

(236 )

52

47

686

(7

)

2018

$’000

2,179

310

-

9

286

7

1,356

2,791

32,532,431

27,375,741

4.2¢

10.2¢

90

The  criteria  for  inclusion  of  adjusting  items  in  the  calculation  of  adjusted  EPS  are  the  same  as  those  relating  to  the

calculation  of  adjusted  EBITDA  as  set  out  in  Note  7. Additionally,  finance  expense  on  liabilities  relating  to  contingent 

consideration are non-cash costs reflecting the time value of money in arriving at the fair value of such liabilities and the 

effluxion of time over the period for which they are outstanding; and amortisation of acquisition-related intangibles relates 

to  the  amortisation  of  intangible  assets  in  respect  of  customer  relationships  and  brands  which  are  recognised  on  a

business combination and are non-cash in nature.

16. DIVIDENDS PAID AND PROPOSED

No dividends were declared or paid during the year and no dividends will be proposed for approval at the AGM (2018:

none).

17. GROUP INVESTMENTS

The Company has investments in the following subsidiary undertakings, which contribute to the net assets of the Group:

Subsidiary undertakings

Country of incorporation
and operation

Registered office

Principal activity

Description and proportion
of shares held by the Company

Pelatro LLC

USA

110 Summit Avenue

Sales

100% of members’ capital

Montvale, NJ 07645, USA

Pelatro Pte Limited

Singapore

One Raffles Place,

Ownership of IP; 

100% ordinary shares

#10-62, Tower 2, Singapore

operation of branch in

048616

Russia

Pelatro Solutions Private

India

403, 7th A Main, HRBR

Research,

100% ordinary shares

Limited

Layout, Bangalore 560043,

development and

India

support

Pelatro Sdn Bhd

Malaysia

Employment of

100% ordinary shares

Malaysian national

Suite 21.02, Level 21,

Centerpoint South, Mid

Valley City, Lingakaran

Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala

Lumpur W.P., Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia

18. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible  assets  comprise  capitalised  development  costs  (in  relation  to  internally  generated  software  and  software 

acquired through business combinations), software acquired from third parties for use in the business, patents, customer

relationships and goodwill.

An analysis of goodwill and other intangible assets is as follows:

Financial year 2019

Development
costs

Third party
software

Patents

Customer
relationships

Goodwill

Total

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Cost

At 1 January 2019

Additions

Fair value adjustment

Foreign exchange

4,144

2,247

-

-

98

12

-

(2)

At 31 December 2019

6,391

108

-

23

-

-

23

6,862

745

11,849

-

-

-

-

(275)

-

2,282

(275)

(2

)

6,862

470

13,854

91

Amortisation or impairment

At 1 January 2019

Charge for the year

Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2019

Net carrying amount
At 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2019

(935)

(1,022

)

-

(1,957

)

4,434

3,209

(19)

(18

)

3

(34

)

74

79

-

-

-

-

(286)

)
(686

-

(972
)

-

-

-

-

(1,240)

(1,726

)

3

(2,963

)

23

5,890

470

10,891

-

6,576

745

10,609

The Company and the Danateq Group entered into a sale and purchase agreement ("SPA") on 30 July 2018 to acquire 

certain  assets  of  Danateq  Pte  and  Danateq  Limited.  Further  consideration  for  the  Danateq  Acquisition  of  up  to 

$5,000,000 was contingent on the achievement of certain revenue targets ("pipeline revenue") in the two years following 

the  acquisition.  On  acquisition  these  liabilities  were  provisionally  assessed  at  an  aggregate  fair  value  of  $1.43m  (as 

discounted  to  the  present  value  at  the  time  of  acquisition)  based  on  a  probability-weighted  analysis  of  revenue

expectations  at  the  time  and  hence  the  likely  outturn  payments;  this  valuation  was  unchanged  at  end  of  the  first

measurement period (i.e. as at 31 December 2018) other than as due to the finance expense relating to the unwinding of

the time-value discount.

At the end of the 6 months to 30 June 2019 the Directors reassessed this fair value due to the deferral of certain potential 

pipeline revenue from the first year relevant to earnout calculation to the second; the reassessed value was $1.19m and 

the difference of $275,000 (gross of finance expense) reflecting the net of (i) the derecognition of the then short-term 

liability in respect of the first year earnout and (ii) a corresponding increase to the then long-term liability in respect of the 

second.  The  difference  thus  arising  during  the  measurement  period  was  credited  to  goodwill  arising  on  acquisition.

Financial year 2018

Development
costs

Third party
software

Patents

Customer
relationships

Goodwill

Total

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Cost

At 1 January 2018

Additions

Fair value adjustment

Created as part of a business
combination

Acquired as part of a business
combination

Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2018

1,290

1,604

-

-

1,250

-

4,144

32

69

-

-

-

(3)

98

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6,862

-

287

-

140

318

-

-

1,609

1,673

140

318

8,112

(3)

6,862

745

11,849

92

Amortisation or impairment

At 1 January 2018

(382)

(16)

Acquired as part of a business
combination

Charge for the year

Foreign exchange

-

(553

)

-

-

)
(4

1

At 31 December 2018

(935

)

(19
)

Net carrying amount
At 31 December 2018

At 1 January 2018

3,209

908

79

16

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(286)

-

(286

)

-

-

-

-

-

(398)

-

(843

)

1

(1,240

)

6,576

745

10,609

-

287

1,211

In 2018, further evidence was obtained in respect of the eligibility of certain tax losses giving rise to a deferred tax asset 

of $118,000 that was recognised as part of fair value determined at the time of the acquisition of PSPL, at which time it 

was considered that these tax losses were unavailable for use. As this reassessment related to the conditions existing at 

the  date  of  acquisition  and  was  obtained  within  one  year  of  the  acquisition  date,  IFRS  3  allows  for  the  acquisition

accounting to be revised. Consequently, the deferred tax asset was derecognised (and a similar adjustment made in 

respect of an amount of $22,000 relating to current tax liabilities acquired) and a corresponding increase was made to

goodwill.

Development costs

Development costs comprise capitalised staff costs (and allocable related direct costs, including depreciation and interest 

charges relating to property leases held by the Group and accounted for under IFRS 16) associated with the development

of new products and services which will be saleable to more than one customer.

Software

Software assets represent purchased licences and distribution rights for third party software which are capitalised at cost

and amortised on a straight-line basis over the relevant estimated useful life.

Patents

Patent costs represent the capitalised value of work undertaken (either internally or externally by appropriate legal or

other consultants) to develop and protect patents, know-how and other similar assets.

Customer relationships

Customer relationships as stated were acquired as part of a business combination.

93

Goodwill

Goodwill arose on the acquisition of (i) the Danateq Assets and (ii) PSPL. It is assessed as having an indefinite life but

the Group tests whether goodwill has suffered any impairment on an annual basis.

Danateq

The Danateq Acquisition in 2018 comprised various contracts and customer relationships, certain enterprise software 

and the related workforce. Given the opportunity to leverage this expertise across Pelatro's existing business and the 

ability to exploit the Group’s thus enlarged customer base, the fair value of the Danateq assets acquired was deemed to 

be greater than the assessed book value of the assets as recognised in the financial statements of Pelatro, thus leading 

to the recognition of an amount of goodwill. The amount recognised on acquisition was subsequently reduced because 

of a derecognition of part of the contingent liability recognised in relation to potential further payments to the vendors of 

the  business,  leaving  an  amount  of  $43,000  of  goodwill  recognised  at  the  year  end  in  respect  of  those  assets.

Given that the software acquired has been subsumed into the Group's mViva product suite, the contracts acquired have 

been transitioned onto and/or are being fulfilled (for example in the case of the Telenor framework agreement) by the 

mViva product, and the workforce are employed by a branch of Pelatro in Singapore and work across the product suite, 

the former Danateq cash-generating unit ("CGU") no longer has a separable identity. The goodwill relating to this former 

CGU  was  tested  for  impairment  at  31  December  2019  by  comparing  its  carrying  value  with  the  recoverable  amount, 

which  was  determined  using  a  value  in  use  methodology  based  on  discounted  cash  flow  projections,  comparing  the

estimated implicit values of the Group cum and ex the acquisition.

PSPL cash-generating unit

The  PSPL  CGU  comprises  the  Group’s  software  development  and  administrative  centre  in  Bangalore  which  was 

acquired in December 2017, and whose principal activity is to develop the Group’s software and provide administrative 

support for the rest of the Group. The goodwill relating to this CGU was tested for impairment at 31 December 2019 by 

comparing the carrying value of the CGU with the recoverable amount. The recoverable amount was determined using a 

value in use methodology based on discounted cash flow projections. The key assumptions used in the value in use

calculations were as follows:

The operating cash flows for this business for the years to 31 December 2020 and 2021 are taken from the budget 

approved  by  the  Board  which  is  closely  linked  with  recent  historical  performance  and  current  expected  levels  of

activity. The operating cash flow budget is most sensitive to the number of employees, particularly the more highly 

skilled developers, and the related costs of employment; revenue for the CGU is all intra-Group and is thus dependent

on other Group companies making third-party sales;

Growth  has  been  assumed  in  operating  cash  flows  for  the  remainder  of  the  value  in  use  such  that  a  consistent 

post-tax margin is maintained over the calculation period (which is how the business is managed within the Group).

Revenue growth after 5 years is forecast at nil% in local currency terms;

A pre-tax discount rate of approximately 18% has been used (being the Weighted Average Cost of Capital in local

currency); and

94

The  use  of  cash  flow  projections  over  longer  than  a  5-year  period  is  considered  appropriate  as  the  business  is

expected to continue to support the Group for the period of the projections, the Group has an increasing recurring

revenue base and the Group continues to invest in the development of the products via this CGU.

Sensitivity to changes in assumptions

The key assumptions for the value in use calculations are those regarding growth rates, discount rates and expected 

changes to selling prices and direct costs during the period. Changes in selling prices and direct costs, if any, are based 

on expectations of future changes in the market. Management estimates discount rates using pre-tax rates that reflect 

current market assessments of the time value of money. A change in a key assumption in respect to operating cash flows 

could cause the carrying value of the goodwill to exceed the recoverable amount, resulting in an impairment charge. The

Board is confident that the assumptions in respect of operating cash flows remain appropriate. 

The Group has conducted sensitivity analysis on the impairment test of the goodwill’s carrying value which reflects the 

risk profile of the Danateq and PSPL CGUs. The Group believes that there are no reasonably possible changes to the 

key  assumptions  in  the  next  year  which  would  result  in  the  carrying  amount  of  goodwill  exceeding  the  recoverable 

amount. This view is based upon inherently judgemental assumptions; however, it takes account of the headroom in the

Value-in-Use calculation versus the current carrying value.

Conclusion

The Directors have concluded that, based on the above, recoverable value exceeds the carrying value of the goodwill at

31 December 2019.

19. TANGIBLE ASSETS

Financial year 2019

Leasehold
improvements

Computer
equipment

Office
equipment

Vehicles

Total

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Cost

At 1 January 2019

Additions

Foreign exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

Depreciation

At 1 January 2019

Charge for the year

Foreign exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

49

63

(3)

109

-

(7

)

-

(7

)

93

106

(2)

197

(46

)

(44

)

3

(87

)

30

31

)
(2

59

)
(2

)
(8

1

)
(9

264

56

(8)

312

)
(26

)
(34

1

436

256

(15

)

677

(74

)

(93

)

5

(59)

(162

)

95

Net carrying amount

At 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2019

102

49

110

47

50

28

253

238

515

362

Financial year 2018

Leasehold
improvements

Computer
equipment

Office
equipment

Vehicles

Total

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Cost

At 1 January 2018

Additions

Foreign exchange differences

At 31 December 2018

Depreciation

At 1 January 2018

Charge for the year

Foreign exchange differences

At 31 December 2018

Net carrying amount

At 31 December 2018

At 1 January 2018

20. RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

-

49

-

49

-

-

-

-

49

-

56

44

(7)

93

(29

)

(20

)

3

(46

)

47

27

4

23

3

30

(1)

-

(1
)

)
(2

28

3

-

270

(6)

264

-

(27

)

1

(26

)

238

-

60

386

(10)

436

(30

)

(47

)

3

(74

)

362

30

As disclosed further in Note 2, the Group has adopted IFRS 16 in the year. The following sets out the Impact on assets,

liabilities and equity as at 1 January 2019 (the corresponding impact on profit and loss is set out in Note 6):

Right-of-use assets

Net impact on total assets

Lease liabilities

Net impact on total liabilities

As previously
 reported

IFRS 16
adjustments

As restated

$’000

$’000

$’000

-

-

-

-

346

346

(397)

(397)

346

346

(397)

(397)

96

Retained earnings

Net impact on total liabilities and equity

-

-

51

346

51

346

The associated right-of-use assets for property leases were measured on a retrospective basis as if the new rules had 

always been applied. There were no onerous lease contracts that would have required an adjustment to the right-of-use

assets at the date of initial application.

Right-of-use assets comprise leases over office buildings and vehicles as follows:

Cost

At 1 January 2019

Effect of change of accounting policy (IFRS 16)

Additions in the period

Effects of foreign exchange movements

At 31 December 2019

Depreciation

At 1 January 2019

Effect of change of accounting policy

Charge for the period

Effects of foreign exchange movements

At 31 December 2019

Net carrying amount

At 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2019

Office
buildings

$’000

Vehicles

Total

$’000

$’000

-

557

139

(6)

690

-

(212

)

(160

)

4

(368

)

322

-

-

-

30

1

31

-

-

(13)

(1

)

(14

)

17

-

-

557

169

(5

)

721

-

(212

)

(173

)

3

(382

)

339

-

21. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES AND CONTRACT ASSETS

The timing of revenue recognition, invoicing and cash collection results in the recognition of the following assets on the

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position:

(i)

invoiced accounts receivable;

(ii)

accounts invoiceable but uninvoiced at the period end (i.e. “unbilled revenue” or UBR) (collectively with (i) recognised

as “trade receivables”); and

(iii)

amounts relating to revenue recognised at the date of the statement of financial position but not invoiceable under the

terms of the contract (“contract assets”).

97

Aged analysis of trade receivables

At 31 December

2019

Carrying
amount
$’000

Neither impaired
or past due
$’000

Trade receivables

5,283

4,883

2018

Trade receivables

3,752

3,250

Contract assets

Due within one year

Contract assets at 1 January

Effect of change of accounting policy

Contract assets recognised in the period, net of releases to
receivables or cash

Transfer from non-current contract assets

Contract assets at 31 December

Due after one year

Contract assets at 1 January

Effect of change of accounting policy

Contract assets recognised in the period

Transfer to current contract assets 

Contract assets at 31 December

Trade terms, credit risk and impairments

Past due (in days) but not impaired
61-90

More than 121

91-120

$’000

$’000

$’000

-

-

2019
$’000

72

-

108

113

293

2019
$’000

312

-

320

(113)

519

-

-

400

502

2018
$’000

-

-

72

-

72

2018
$’000

-

119

193

-

312

The Group’s exposure to credit risk equates to the carrying value of cash held on deposit and trade and other receivables 

and  contract  assets.  The  Group’s  credit  risk  is  primarily  attributable  to  trade  receivables  and  contract  assets,  and

management  has  a  credit  policy  in  place  to  ensure  exposure  to  credit  risk  is  monitored  on  an  ongoing  basis.  Credit

evaluations are performed on customers as deemed necessary based on, inter alia, the nature of the prospect and size

of order.

98

Unless  specific  agreement  has  been  reached  with  individual  customers,  sales  invoices  are  typically  due  for  payment 

between 60 and 90 days after the date of the invoice; where customers delay making payment, an assessment of the 

potential  loss  of  customer  goodwill  arising  from  the  enforcement  of  contractual  payment  terms  may  take  place  when 

considering actions to be taken to secure payment. Trade receivables include amounts that are past due at the reporting 

date  for  which  no  specific  impairment  provision  has  been  recognised  as  these  amounts  are  still  considered  to  be

recoverable. The Group does not require collateral in respect of financial assets.

As outlined in Note 2, the Group recognises impairments under IFRS 9 for relevant classes of assets. The Group thus 

reviews the amount of expected credit loss associated with its trade receivables based on forward looking estimates that 

take  into  account  current  and  forecast  credit  conditions  as  opposed  to  relying  on  past  historical  default  rates.  In  the 

absence of any historic credit losses and the expectation of no specific losses in the foreseeable future, the Directors 

assess a hypothetical likely default amount by applying a percentage "probability of default" to the receivables balance, 

such probability being related to the underlying credit rating of the customer or country of origin. Furthermore, taking into 

account the time value of money when applied to contracts assets (which may unwind over a period of years following

their initial recognition), a loss allowance for expected credit losses has been recorded as follows:

Loss allowance at 1 January

Increase in loss allowance

Loss allowance at 31 December

2019
$’000

-

29

29

2018
$’000

-

-

-

The largest individual counterparty to a receivable included in trade and other receivables at 31 December 2019 was 

$1,067,000 (of which some $1,022,000 related to unbilled revenue) (2018: $884,000). Based on invoiced receivables, the 

largest individual counterparty owed the Group $210,000 (2018: $449,000). The Group’s customers are spread across a 

broad range of geographies and consequently it is not otherwise exposed to significant concentrations of credit risk on

its trade receivables.

Restatement of 2018 Group statement of financial position

Adjustments have been made to the reported 31 December 2018 Group statement of financial position as follows: certain 

contract assets and trade receivables have been reclassified to non-current assets from current assets better to reflect

the nature of the underlying assets. Net assets and profits are unaffected by this adjustment.

22. OTHER ASSETS

At 31 December

Prepayments

Deposits

Other assets (including withholding tax, GST and VAT refunds)

Total other assets

2019
$’000

109

131

261

501

2018
$’000

125

84

173

382

99

23. LOANS AND BORROWINGS

Loans and borrowings comprise:

At 31 December

Non-current liabilities

Secured term loans

Current liabilities

Current portion of term loans

Unsecured borrowings

Total loans and borrowings

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

362

362

79

167

246

608

382

382

69

-

69

451

The Group has four term loans, all in its operating subsidiary in India and denominated in INR. Each has an interest rate

of 10%; they are repayable over 5 years from their inception, between January and July 2024.

Reconciliation between opening and closing balances for liabilities resulting in financing cash flows

1 January
2019

Effect of
change of
accounting
policy
(IFRS 16)

Non-cash
changes –
foreign
exchange
movements

Interest
accruals
included
in
cash flow

Transfer
from
non-current
to current

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Cash flows -
 net
(repayments)
and
drawdowns 
$’000

Non-current liabilities

Secured term loan

Lease liabilities

Current liabilities

Current portion of
secured term loan

Unsecured
borrowings

Lease liabilities

Total

382

-

69

-

-

451

-

273

-

-

124

397

(10)

(4

)

(2

)

(2

)

1

(17

)

-

-

5

-

-

5

(58)

(191

)

58

-

191

-

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of borrowings approximates to their fair value.

48

109

(51)

169

(111
)

31
December
2019

$’000

362

187

79

167

205

164

1,000

100

24. LEASE LIABILITIES

Lease liabilities comprise liabilities arising from the committed and expected payments on leases over office buildings

and vehicles.

Amounts due in less than one year

At 1 January 2019

Effect of change of accounting policy

Leases taken on in the period

Repayments of principal

Transfer from long-term to short-term

Effects of foreign exchange movements

At 31 December 2019

Amounts due in more than one year

At 1 January 2019

Effect of change of accounting policy

Leases taken on in the period

Transfer from long-term to short-term

Effects of foreign exchange movements

At 31 December 2019

Office
buildings
$’000

Vehicles

$’000

-

124

43

(155)

180

1

193

-

-

17

(16)

11

-

12

Office
buildings
$’000

Vehicles

$’000

-

273

97

(180)

(4
)

186

-

-

12

(11

)

-

1

Total

$’000

-

124

60

(171)

191

1

205

Total

$’000

-

273

109

(191

)

(4

)

187

PSPL, the Group's main operating subsidiary, has entered into various leases over office space in Bangalore, including 

a five-year lease for its main office at 1st Block, HRBR Layout (renewed in February 2020), a lease dated 1 September 

2018 for additional office space at 7th Main Road, 2nd Block, HRBR Layout (for an initial term of two years with a rollover 

option) and a lease dated 1 June 2019 for additional office space at No.7M-406, 7th Main Road, 2nd Block, HRBR Layout,

also for an initial term of two years with a rollover option.

25. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES AND CONTRACT LIABILITIES

At 31 December

Due within a year

Trade payables

Other payables and provisions

Amounts due to related parties

Total trade and other payables

2019
$’000

82

441

-

523

2018
$’000

118

463

28

609

101

The average credit period taken for trade purchases is between 30 and 60 days. Most suppliers do not charge interest 

on trade payables for the first 30 days from the date of the invoice. The Group has risk management policies in place to 

ensure that all payables are paid within the appropriate credit time frame. The Directors consider that the carrying amount

of trade payables approximates to their fair value.

"Other payables" principally comprise provisions for taxation liabilities and other costs.

Contract liabilities

Contract liabilities represent consideration received in respect of unsatisfied performance obligations. Changes to the

Group’s contract liabilities are attributable solely to the satisfaction of performance obligations.

Due within one year

Contract liabilities at 1 January

Effect of change of accounting policy

Contract liabilities recognised/(released to revenue) in the period

Transfers from long-term liabilities

Contract liabilities at 31 December

Due after one year

Contract liabilities at 1 January

Effect of change of accounting policy

Contract liabilities recognised in the period

Transfers to short-term liabilities

Contract liabilities at 31 December

2019
$’000

61

-

564

40

665

2019
$’000

112

-

202

(40)

274

2018
$’000

-

20

1

40

61

2018
$’000

-

73

79

(40

)

112

Restatement of 2018 Group statement of financial position

Adjustments have been made to the reported 31 December 2018 Group statement of financial position as follows: certain 

contract liabilities have been reclassified to non-current liabilities from current liabilities, to better reflect the nature of the

underlying liabilities. Net assets and profits are unaffected by this adjustment.

26. OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

As at 31 December

Contingent consideration on the acquisition of the Danateq Assets

- potentially due within one year

- potentially due after one year

2019
$’000

948

-

948

2018
$’000

298

1,141

1,439

102

Part of the consideration for the Danateq Acquisition in August 2018 was contingent on the achievement of certain stretch 

targets for revenue pertaining to the assets acquired (“Danateq Revenue”), payable (if earned) in two tranches in respect 

of the first year following completion of the acquisition (the “First Year Earnout”) and similarly the second (the “Second 

Year Earnout”). The contingent amount payable under these arrangements was between $nil and $5m, with up to $3m 

payable  in  respect  of  the  First  Year  Earnout  and  a  further  $2m  in  respect  of  the  Second  Year  Earnout.

On acquisition these liabilities were provisionally assessed at an aggregate fair value of $1.43m (as discounted to the 

present value at the time of acquisition) based on a probability-weighted analysis of revenue expectations at the time and 

hence the likely outturn payments; this valuation was unchanged at end of the first measurement period (i.e. as at 31 

December  2018)  other  than  as  due  to  the  finance  expense  relating  to  the  unwinding  of  the  time-value  discount.

At the end of the 6 months to 30 June 2019 the Directors reassessed this fair value due to the deferral of certain potential 

Danateq Revenue from the First Year Earnout to the Second Year Earnout; the reassessed value was $1.19m and the 

difference of $275,000 (gross of finance expense) reflecting (i) the derecognition of the then short-term liability in respect 

of the First Year Earnout and (ii) a corresponding increase to the then long-term liability in respect of the Second Year 

Earnout.  The  difference  thus  arising  during  the  measurement  period  was  credited  to  goodwill  arising  on  acquisition.

At  the  end  of  the  6  months  to  31  December  2019  the  Directors  further  reassessed  this  fair  value  based  on  updated 

business projections and the likelihood of certain Danateq Revenue thus being either unlikely to be realised or to be 

deferred into subsequent years which would therefore not fall to be recognised under the terms of the acquisition. The 

resulting difference of $236,000 (gross of finance expense) arising on the reduction of this liability has been taken as an 

exceptional  gain  through  profit  and  loss.  The  carrying  value  of  this  liability  will  continue  to  be  reassessed  at  future

reporting dates; in any event the liability is expected to be settled in or around October 2020.

27. SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES

Share capital and share premium

Ordinary shares of 2.5p each (issued and fully paid)

At 1 January 2018

Issued for cash during the year

At 31 December 2018

Issued for cash during the year

At 31 December 2019

$’000

801

264

1,065

-

1,065

Number

32,532,431

32,532,431

On 17 August 2018 the Company issued a further 8,219,179 2.5 pence Ordinary shares at a price of 73.0 pence per 

share by way of a placing to institutional and other investors to fund the acquisition of the Danateq Assets (the "Placing"). 

The  Company  incurred  incremental  costs  totalling  $319,000  in  respect  of  the  Placing.  IAS  32  Financial  Instruments: 

Presentation requires the costs of issuing new shares to be charged against the share premium account. Management 

reviewed the incremental costs to identify those solely incurred in issuing new shares, those incurred in connection with 

the entire share capital, and those not associated with issuing new shares. All of the costs relating to the Placing were 

deemed  to  relate  directly  to  the  issue  of  new  shares  and  thus  resulted  in  a  debit  to  share  premium  of  $319,000. 

103

Translation reserve

The translation reserve comprises foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of amounts arising other than 

in the presentation currency of the Group (i.e. US dollars) which are recognised either through Other Comprehensive

Income or directly through the reserve.

Merger reserve

The acquisition by Pelatro Plc of Pelatro LLC on 7 September 2017 was accounted for as a reverse asset acquisition. 

Consequently,  the  previously  recognised  book  values  and  assets  and  liabilities  were  retained  and  the  consolidated 

financial  information  for  the  period  from  the  date  of  acquisition  has  been  presented  as  a  continuation  of  the  Pelatro 

business which was previously wholly owned by Pelatro LLC. The difference between the nominal value of the shares 

issued pursuant to the above share arrangement and the nominal value of the Pelatro LLC capital at the time of the

acquisition was transferred to the merger reserve, together with certain other items relating to investments in subsidiaries.

28. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial risk management

The  Group’s  principal  financial  instruments  are  cash,  trade  receivables,  borrowings,  trade  payables  and  contingent 

consideration payable in respect of certain acquisitions. The Group therefore has exposure to certain risks from its use 

of  financial  instruments  unrelated  to  the  performance  of  the  Group  itself.  The  Group's  overall  risk  management 

programme seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial performance and such risk management

is carried out by the Directors.

The Group’s activities expose it to certain financial risks: market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk, as explained below:

Market risk is the risk of loss that may arise from changes in market factors such as interest rates and foreign currency

movements.

Credit  risk  is  the  financial  loss  to  the  Group  if  a  customer  or  counterparty  to  financial  instruments  fails  to  meet  a 

contractual  obligation.  Credit  risk  arises  from  the  Group’s  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  receivables  balances. 

Cash is held predominantly with ICICI, an institution with a BAA3 bank deposit credit rating from Moody's, and Kotak 

Mahindra Bank, which has an A-3 (short term) and BBB- (long term) credit rating from Standard and Poors. The credit 

quality of customers is assessed by taking into account their financial position, past experience and other factors, and 

the Group minimises credit risk by dealing exclusively with those customers who it believes have a high credit rating.

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. This risk relates 

to the Group’s liquidity risk management and implies maintaining sufficient cash and/or committed borrowing facilities. 

The  Directors  monitor  rolling  forecasts  of  liquidity,  cash  and  cash  equivalents  based  on  expected  cash  flows.

The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes borrowings as disclosed in note 23, cash and cash 

equivalents  and  equity  attributable  to  equity  holders  of  the  parent,  comprising  issued  capital,  reserves  and  retained 

earnings as disclosed in the Group statement of changes in equity. The Group is not subject to any externally imposed 

capital requirements and the objective when managing capital is to maintain adequate financial flexibility to preserve the 

ability to meet financial obligations, both current and long term - the resulting capital structure is managed and adjusted 

to reflect changes in economic conditions and with a view to maximising the return to shareholders through optimisation 

104

of the balance of debt and equity. Financing decisions are made based on forecasts of the expected timing and level of 

capital and operating expenditure required to meet commitments and development plans. There was no change in the

Group’s approach to capital management during the financial period under review.

Classification of financial instruments

Financial assets

Cash

Trade receivables (short and long term)

Financial liabilities

Other payables and accruals

Trade payables

Short-term borrowings

Long-term borrowings

Other financial liabilities - contingent consideration

All trade receivables are due from customers outside the UK.

Foreign currency risk management and sensitivity analysis

Group 2019
$’000

Group 2018
$’000

1,101

5,514

441

82

246

362

948

2,224

4,073

491

118

69

382

1,439

The  Group  undertakes  certain  transactions  denominated  in  foreign  currencies.  Hence,  exposures  to  exchange  rate

fluctuations arise. The Group is mainly exposed to the currencies of the UK (Great British Pounds or GBP), the US (US 

dollars or USD) and India (Indian Rupees or INR), with some exposure to the currencies of Singapore (Singapore Dollars 

or SGD), Malaysia (Malaysian Ringgits or MYR) and certain states of the European Union (EUR). The Group has minor 

exposures to the Philippines (Philippine peso or PHP) and of Russia (rouble or RUB). Foreign currency risk is monitored

closely on an ongoing basis to ensure that the net exposure is at an acceptable level.

The  following  table  shows  the  denomination  of  the  year  end  cash,  cash  equivalents  and  borrowings,  and  trade

receivables and payables balances in the principal currencies disclosed above:

GBP

’000

INR

’000

SGD

’000

EUR

’000

MYR

’000

As at 31 December 2019

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade receivables

Borrowings

Trade payables

USD

’000

498 

5,541 

-

(26)

8

-

-

41,358 

-

(43,304)

(25
)

(2,508

)

Net currency exposure

6,013 

(17

)

(4,454

)

2 

-

-

(8)

(6

)

2 

-

-

-

2

1 

-

-

(68

)

(67

)

105

As at 31 December 2018

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade receivables

Borrowings

Trade payables

USD

’000

1,382

4,138

-

(83)

GBP 

’000

INR 

’000

SGD 

’000

EUR

’000

MYR

’000

277

24,797

26

23

-

-

-

(31,366)

(28

)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Net currency exposure

5,437

249

(6,569

)

26

23

-

-

-

-

-

Had the foreign exchange rate between the US dollar and the other Group currencies changed by 5%, this would have

affected the profit for the year and the net assets of the Group by $11,000 (2018: $14,000).

Limitations of sensitivity analysis

The  sensitivity  analysis  above  demonstrates  the  effect  of  a  change  in  one  of  the  key  assumptions  while  other

assumptions remain unchanged. In reality, such an occurrence is very unlikely due to correlation between the factors. 

Furthermore, these sensitivities are non-linear, and larger or smaller impacts cannot easily be derived from the results. 

The sensitivity analysis does not take into consideration that the Group’s assets and liabilities are actively managed and

may vary at the time that any actual market movement occurs.

Interest rate risk management and sensitivity analysis

Interest  rate  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  fair  value  or  future  cash  flows  of  a  financial  instrument  will  fluctuate  because  of

changes in market interest rates. At the year end the Group had no exposure to interest rate risks as all of its borrowings

were fixed rate (including the overdraft facility).

Liquidity risk management and interest risk tables

Ultimate  responsibility  for  liquidity  risk  management  rests  with  the  Board  of  Directors,  which  has  built  an  appropriate

liquidity  risk  management  framework  for  the  management  of  the  Group’s  short,  medium  and  long-term  funding  and

liquidity management requirements. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves and borrowing

facilities and by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows.

The following table details the Group's remaining contractual maturity for its non-derivative financial liabilities. The table 

has been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the 

Group can be required to pay. 

The table includes both interest and principal cash flows.

As at 31 December 2019

Weighted average
effective interest rate

Less than
1 year
$’000

2-5
years
$’000

More than
5 years
$’000

Fixed rate instruments - borrowings

10.0%

Total

246

246

283

283

79

79

Total

$’000

608

608

106

As at 31 December 2018

Weighted average
effective interest rate

Less than
1 year
$’000

2-5
years
$’000

More than
5 years
$’000

Fixed rate instruments - borrowings

Related party borrowings

12.5%

nil

Total

69

28

97

299

-

299

83

-

83

Total

$’000

451

28

479

The related party borrowings in 2018 had no formal terms and were hence treated as repayable on demand.

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities

As at 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 there were no material differences between the book value and fair

value of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities.

The fair value of contingent consideration arising on acquisitions is estimated by discounting the possible future cash 

flows using probability adjusted forecasts for the acquired company or assets and represents a level 3 measurement in 

the fair value hierarchy under IFRS 7. The fair value is sensitive to weightings assigned to the expected future cash flows; 

however,  given  the  terms  of  the  contingent  consideration  the  liability  for  2020  is  now  practically  certain  and  hence  a 

change  in  weighting  of  10  percentage  points  towards  the  higher  expectations  would  result  in  a  nil  increase  in  the

undiscounted estimate of future cash flows.

29. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Amounts outstanding at the end of the year in respect of transactions with related parties were as follows:

Amount outstanding – (debtor)/ creditor

Key management personnel - outstanding reimbursements in
respect of expenses incurred on behalf of Group companies

2019
$’000

14

Details of unsecured loan transactions with key management personnel are as follows:

Related party and nature of transaction

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Acquired as part of a business combination

Loan taken during the year

Loan repaid during the year

Foreign exchange movements

Loans outstanding at the end of the year

2019
$’000

-

-

-

-

-

-

2018
$’000

28

2018
$’000

428

-

-

(429)

1

-

The remuneration of the Directors, who are deemed to be the only key management personnel of the Group, is set out

below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures.

107

Related party and nature of transaction

Wages and salaries

Bonuses

Share-based payments

Pension cost and other benefits in kind

Payments in respect of other services

2019
$’000

571

98

7

60

-

736

2018
$’000

594

-

-

2

30

626

To comply with local legislation regarding resident directors, Hamish Christie is a director of Pelatro Pte Ltd. Mr Christie 

is also the proprietor of H.A. Christie & Co. and Christie Cosec Services Pvt. Ltd, which firms provide accountancy, tax 

and other advisory services to that company. During the year payments of approximately $17,000 were made to those 

two  companies; 

there  was  a  nil  balance  outstanding  at 

the  year  end 

in  relation 

to  2019  expenses.

Other than disclosed in this note or elsewhere in this financial information as appropriate, no related party transactions 

have  taken  place  during  the  year  that  have  materially  affected  the  financial  position  or  performance  of  the  Group.

30. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Other than as disclosed above, as at 31 December 2019 the Group had no material capital commitments (2018: nil) nor

any contingent liabilities (2018: nil).

31. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE

Excluding the impact of COVID-19 discussed above, there have been no events subsequent to the reporting date which

would have a material impact on the financial statements. 

108

23

COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2019

Assets

Non-current assets

Investments in subsidiaries

Intangible assets

Right-of-use assets

Trade and other receivables

Contract assets

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Contract assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Note

2019
$’000
(audited)

2018
$’000
(audited, restated)

8

9

746

6,740

16

211

467

8,180

5,326

224

400

5,950

654

8,014

-

321

198

9,187

3,710

54

1,684

5,448

TOTAL ASSETS

14,130

14,635

Liabilities 

Non-current liabilities

Lease liabilities

Contract liabilities

Other financial liabilities

Current liabilities

Lease liabilities

Contract liabilities

Trade and other payables

Other financial liabilities

TOTAL LIABILITIES

NET ASSETS

1

294

-

295

13

637

182

948

1,780

2,075

-

112

1,141

1,253

-

61

308

298

667

1,920

10

12,055

12,715

109

Issued share capital and reserves attributable to
owners of the parent

Share capital

Share premium

Other reserves

Retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY

11

11

11

1,065

11,603

(214)

(399

)

1,065

11,603

(211)

258

12,055

12,715

For the period ended 31 December 2019, the Company recorded a loss of $657,000 (2018: profit $633,000 restated).

The  financial  statements  of  Pelatro  Plc,  registered  number  10630166,  were  approved  by  the  board  of  Directors  and

authrised for issue on 7 April 2020. They were signed on its behalf by:

Subash Menon
(Director)

Nic Hellyer
(Director)

The accompanying notes 1 to 14 are an integral part of these financial statements.

110

24

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

Share
capital

Share
premium

Exchange
reserve

Share-based
payments
reserve

Retained
profits

Total
Equity

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Balance at 1 January 2018
(as previously reported)

Effect of change of accounting
policy (IFRS 15)

801

4,472

-

-

Balance at 1 January 2018 as
restated

801

4,472

Profit after taxation for the year
(as previously reported) 

Effect of prior year adjustment

Profit after taxation for the year
(as restated)

Other comprehensive income:

Exchange differences

Transactions with owners:

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Shares issued by Pelatro Plc for cash

264

Issue costs

-

7,450

(319)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(211)

-

-

Balance at 31 December 2018

1,065

11,603

(211
)

Profit after taxation for the year

Share-based payments

Other comprehensive income:

Exchange differences

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(103
)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

100

(393)

4,880

18

18

(375
)

4,898

933

)
(300

633

-

-

-

933

(300)

633

)
(211

7,714

)
(319

258

12,715

)
(657

-

-

)
(657

100

)
(103

Balance at 31 December 2019

1,065

11,603

(314
)

100

(399

)

12,055

111

Reserve

Description and purpose

Share capital

Nominal value of issued shares

Share premium

Exchange reserve

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value
less associated costs

The difference arising on the translation of balances denominated
in currencies other than US Dollars into the presentational currency
of the Group

Share-based payments reserve

Cumulative amounts charged in respect of unsettled options issued

Retained earnings

All other net gains and losses not recognised elsewhere

The accompanying notes 1 to 14 are an integral part of these financial statements. 

112

25

NOTES TO COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

include certain disclosures in respect of:

Basis of preparation

The Parent Company financial statements of Pelatro Plc 

(the  “Company”)  have  been  prepared  in  accordance 

with  Financial  Reporting  Standard  100  Application  of 

Financial  Reporting  Requirements  and  Financial

Reporting  Standard 

101  Reduced  Disclosure

Framework and as required by the Companies Act 2006.

The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  US 

Dollars, which is the currency of the primary economic 

business combinations;

financial instruments (other than certain disclosures 

required  as  a 

result  of 

recording 

financial

instruments at fair value);

fair  value  measurement 

(other 

than  certain

disclosures  required  as  a  result  of  recording 

financial 

instruments 

at 

fair 

value); 

and

impairment of assets.

Investments in subsidiaries

environment  in  which  the  Company  operates  (its 

Investments  consist  of 

the  Company’s  subsidiary

functional  currency).  The  financial  statements  are 

undertakings.  Investments  are  initially  recorded  at  cost, 

prepared under the historical cost convention and were

being  the  fair  value  of  the  consideration  given  and

approved for issue on 7 April 2020.

No profit and loss account is presented by the Company 

as permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006.

including directly attributable charges associated with the 

investment.  Subsequently 

they  are 

reviewed 

for

impairment  if  events  or  changes  in  circumstances 

indicate  the  carrying  value  may  not  be  recoverable.

Disclosure exemptions adopted 

Trade receivables

In  preparing  these  financial  statements  the  Company 

has  taken  advantage  of  all  disclosure  exemptions 

conferred  by  FRS  101.  Therefore,  these  financial

statements do not include:

Short term trade receivables are measured at transaction 

price,  less  any  impairment.  The  Company  assesses  at 

each  reporting  date  whether  any  trade  receivables  or 

other  assets  or  group  of  financial  assets  is  impaired.

certain disclosures regarding the Company’s capital;

a statement of cash flows;

the  effect  of  future  accounting  standards  not  yet

Taxation

Income taxes

adopted;

Current  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  measured  at  the 

the  disclosure  of 

the 

remuneration  of  key

amount expected to be recovered from or paid to taxation 

management personnel; and

authorities, based on tax rates and laws that are enacted 

disclosure  of  related  party  transactions  with  other

or  substantively  enacted  by  the  statement  of  financial

wholly-owned members of the Pelatro Group.

position date.

In  addition,  and  in  accordance  with  FRS  101,  further 

Deferred  income  tax  is  recognised  on  all  temporary 

disclosure  exemptions  have  been  adopted  because 

differences arising between the tax bases of assets and 

equivalent disclosures are included in the consolidated 

liabilities  and  their  carrying  amounts  in  the  financial

financial statements. These financial statements do not 

statements, with the following exceptions:

113

where the temporary difference arises from the initial 

liabilities  denominated 

in 

foreign  currencies  are

recognition of goodwill or of an asset or liability in a 

translated  at  the  exchange  rate  ruling  on  the  balance 

transaction that is not a business combination that at 

sheet  date.  Resulting  exchange  gains  and  losses  are

the time of the transaction affects neither accounting

taken to the profit and loss account.

nor taxable profit or loss;

Related party transactions

in 

respect  of 

taxable 

temporary  differences

associated  within 

investments 

in  subsidiaries,

associates  and  joint  ventures,  where  the  timing  of 

the  reversal  of  the  temporary  differences  can  be 

controlled  and  it  is  probable  that  the  temporary 

differences  will  not  reverse  in  the  foreseeable

future; and

The  Company  has  taken  advantage  of  the  exemption 

under FRS 101 from disclosing related party transactions 

with  entities 

that  are  wholly  owned  subsidiary

undertakings of the Pelatro Group.

2.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND KEY

SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

deferred  income  tax  assets  are  recognised  only  to 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be 

The key assumptions concerning the future and other key 

available  against  which  the  deductible  temporary 

sources  of  estimation  uncertainty  at  the  reporting  date 

differences, carried forward tax credits or tax losses

that  have  a  significant  risk  of  causing  a  material

can be utilised.

adjustment  to  the  carrying  amounts  of  assets  and

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured 

liabilities  within  the  next  financial  year,  are  as  follows:

at  the  tax  rates  that  are  expected  to  apply  when  the 

Investments in subsidiary companies

related asset is realised, or liability is settled, based on 

The  carrying  cost  of  the  Company’s  investments  in 

tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at

subsidiary companies is reviewed at each reporting date 

the statement of financial position date.

by  reference  to  the  income  that  is  projected  to  arise

The  carrying  amount  of  deferred  income  tax  assets  is 

therefrom.  From  a  review  of  these  projections,  the

reviewed  at  each  statement  of  financial  position  date. 

Directors have made no provisions against their carrying 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset only 

values  as  the  Directors  believe  that  the  investments 

if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current tax 

concerned  will  generate  sufficient  economic  benefits  to

assets  against  current  tax  liabilities,  the  deferred 

justify their carrying values.

income taxes relate to the same taxation authority and 

that  authority  permits  the  Group  to  make  a  single  net

payment.

Income 

tax 

is  charged  or  credited 

to  other

comprehensive income or directly to equity if it relates to 

items 

that  are  credited  or  charged 

to  other

comprehensive income or directly to equity. Otherwise, 

income  tax  is  recognised  in  the  income  statement.

3. RESTATEMENT DUE TO PRIOR YEAR

ADJUSTMENTS

In  preparing  these  financial  statements,  management 

identified a number of errors relating to the prior period. 

Accordingly,  prior  year  adjustments  have  been  made. 

Certain  of  the  prior  year  adjustments  reflect  historical 

errors  relating  to  the  recognition  of  contract  assets  and 

contract liabilities under IFRS 15, and the amortisation of 

Foreign currencies

intangible  assets  recognised  under  IFRS  3,  as  follows:

Transactions  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  are 

contract  assets  and  contract  liabilities,  both  short 

translated  at  an  approximation  of  the  exchange  rate 

and  long  term,  have  been  recognised  in  the

ruling  on  the  date  of  the  transaction.  Assets  and 

Company statement of financial position. The effect 

114

of  this  was  to  increase  2018  assets  by  $187,000, 

company’s investment in the subsidiaries and is credited

and  liabilities  by  $173,000,  and  reserves  brought 

to retained earnings.

forward as at 1 January 2018 by $18,000 (credit) to 

7. DIVIDENDS PAID AND PROPOSED

reflect the cumulative effects of IFRS 15 to that date 

No dividends were declared or paid during the year and 

(as permitted by that standard). The net difference in

no dividends will be proposed for approval at the Annual

profit and loss has been recorded accordingly;

General Meeting of the Company.

in addition, a reallocation has been made between 

8. INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES

short  and  long-term  debtors,  reducing  short-term 

debtors by $321,000 with a corresponding increase 

in  long-term  debtors.  This  adjustment  had  no  net

effect on profit and loss; and

an  amount  of  $286,000  has  been  applied  as

amortisation  against  the  net  carrying  value  of

At 1 January 2018

Investment in the period

At 31 December 2018
Investment in the period – share-based payments

in respect of subsidiaries

At 31 December 2019

$’000

654

-

654

92

746

intangible assets; with a corresponding reduction in

9. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

profit and loss.

These  adjustments  have  been  recognised  as  prior 

year  errors  in  accordance  with  IAS  8  "Accounting 

policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors" 

with  the  financial  statements  for  the  Company

restated accordingly.

4. AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION

The figures within the auditors’ remuneration note in 

the  Pelatro  consolidated 

financial  statements 

include fees charged by the Company’s auditors to 

Pelatro plc in respect of audit and non-audit services. 

As  such,  no  separate  disclosure  has  been  given

above.

Due within a year

Trade receivables

Other receivables and prepayments

Intra-Group receivables

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

5,055

3,290

125

146

50

370

Total trade and other receivables

5,326

3,710

Due after more than one year

Trade receivables

211

321

10. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Due within a year

Trade payables

Other payables

Amounts due to related parties

Total trade and other payables

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

58

124

-

182

87

193

28

308

5. DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

Information concerning Directors’ remuneration can 

be 

found 

in  note  10 

to 

the  Group 

financial

11. RESERVES

Share capital

statements.

6. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

The  balance  classified  as  share  capital  represents  the 

nominal  value  arising  from  the  issue  of  the  Company’s 

equity  share  capital,  comprising  2.5  pence  ordinary 

Share-based  payments  associated  with  share 

shares.  On  17  August  2018  the  Company  issued 

options granted to employees of subsidiaries of the 

8,219,179 new ordinary shares (ranking pari passu with 

parent  company  are  treated  as  an  expense  of  the 

existing  shares  in  issue)  via  a  placing  to  institutional 

subsidiary  company  to  be  settled  by  equity  of  the 

shareholders. The shares were issued at a placing price 

parent  company.  The  share-based  payment 

of 73 pence raising $7,395,000 after direct issue costs of

expense 

increases 

the  value  of 

the  parent

$319,000.

115

the Group. Other related party transactions are included 

within those disclosed in the Group consolidated financial

statements.

Share premium

The balance classified as share premium represents 

the  premium  arising 

from 

the 

issue  of 

the

Company’s  equity  share  capital,  comprising  2.5 

pence ordinary shares, net of share issue expenses. 

There  are  restrictions  on  the  use  of  the  Share

Premium  Account.  It  can  only  be  used  for  bonus 

issues,  to  provide  for  the  premium  payable  on 

redemption of debentures, or to write off preliminary 

expenses, or expenses of, or commissions paid on, 

or  discounts  allowed  on,  the  same  issues  of

shares or debentures of the Company.

Share-based payments reserve

The  balance  classified  as  share-based  payments 

reserve 

reflects 

the  aggregate  charges 

for 

share-based  payments  which  have  not  yet  vested 

and  arising  from  the  expense  recorded  in  profit  or 

loss (or in the case of subsidiaries, added to the cost 

of  investments)  to  reflect  services  received  and 

consumed in return for equity in the Company to be

issued. 

Retained earnings

All other net gains and losses and transactions with 

owners (e.g. dividends) not recognised elsewhere.

12.

CAPITAL COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT 
LIABILITIES

Other  than  as  disclosed  in  the  Group  financial 

statements, as at 31 December 2019 the Group had 

no material capital commitments nor any contingent

liabilities (2018: $nil).

13. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE

Excluding the impact of COVID-19 discussed above, 

there  have  been  no  significant  events  which  have 

occurred  subsequent 

to 

the 

reporting  date.

14. RELATED PARTIES

The  Company 

is  exempt 

from  disclosing

transactions within the wholly owned subsidiaries in 

116

B e    R ele vant

https://www.pelatro.com/