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Pembroke VCT plc

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FY2017 Annual Report · Pembroke VCT plc
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ANNUAL REPORT  

for the year ended 31 March 2017

AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTSContents

Financial Summary and Investment Objective

Chairman’s Statement

The Board

Investment Adviser’s Review

Investment Portfolio

Investment Review

Strategic Report

Directors’ Report

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Corporate Governance Statement

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Independent Auditor’s Report

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Statement of Changes in Equity

Cash Flow Statement

Notes to the Financial Statements

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Corporate Information

04

05

06

08

10

12

26

28

30

34

37

39

43

44

46

48

50

62

64

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 03

Financial Summary and Investment Objective

Financial Summary

Year ended
31.03.17
Ordinary 
shares

Year ended
31.03.17
B Ordinary 
shares

Year ended 
31.03.17

total

Year ended 
31.03.16
Ordinary
shares

Year ended
31.03.16
B Ordinary  
shares

Year ended 
31.03.16

total

Net assets

£20,706,329 £15,679,533 £36,385,862 £20,124,959

£8,558,027 £28,682,986

Number of shares in issue

18,092,297

15,285,811

33,378,108

18,091,202

8,116,777

26,207,979

Net asset value per share

114.45p

102.58p

n/a

111.24p

105.44p

n/a

Investment income

£601,998

£603,037

£1,205,035

£621,233

£183,441

£804,674

(Loss)/profit before tax

Revenue

Capital

Total

Return per share

Revenue

Capital

Total

£(412,942)

£254,506

£(158,436)

£368,902

£103,031

£471,933

£1,327,698

£(329,829)

£997,869

£1,088,170

£530,538

£1,618,708

£914,756

£(75,323)

£839,433

£1,457,072

£633,569

£2,090,641

(2.13)p

7.34p

5.21p

1.65p

(2.49)p

(0.84)p

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.72p

6.17p

7.89p

1.47p

9.32p

10.79p

n/a

n/a

n/a

Investment Objective

Pembroke VCT plc (the “Company”) is a 
generalist VCT focused on early stage 
investments in the leisure and luxury 
brands sectors. 

The Company invests in a diversified 
portfolio of small, principally unquoted 
companies, and selects those which 
Oakley Investment Managers LLP (the 
“Investment Adviser”) believes provide 
the opportunity for value appreciation.

The Board of Directors of the Company 
(the “Board”) believe that the Company 
can benefit from leveraging the  
previous sector experience of the 
Investment Adviser and also that there 
are likely to be synergistic advantages 
from grouping similar businesses. 
Consequently, most investments fall 
within one of four sectors:

• Health and Fitness
• Hospitality
• Apparel and Accessories
• Media and Technology

04 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

 
 
Chairman’s Statement

I am pleased to present my report for the 
year ended 31 March 2017.

We continued to put investors’ funds to 
work throughout the year, deploying 
£6.8 million in new and follow‑on 
investments having raised a total of 
£6.9 million in the prior B Ordinary 
share offer closing September 2016.  
Our new B Ordinary share offer 
commenced in November 2016 and 
achieved strong traction in the VCT 
market, raising £11.1 million at 31 March 
2017. The offer was closed on 30 June 
2017 having raised a total of 
£13.9 million, underlining the progress 
Pembroke has made in establishing itself 
as a distinctive growth investment choice 
among advisers and individual investors.

During the period the Total Return (net 
asset value (“NAV”) plus cumulative 
dividends paid) of the Ordinary shares 
rose from 114.84 pence per share at 
31 March 2016 to 120.25 pence per 
share at 31 March 2017. Over the same 
period the Total Return of the B Ordinary 
shares fell from 105.44 pence per share 
to 104.58 pence per share. 

Investment Overview 
During the year we made five new 
investments (Bel‑Air Inc, Alexa Chung, 
Wishi, Unbolted and KX U) and had the 
opportunity to re‑invest in a further 
sixteen constituents of the portfolio. 
There have been a number of valuation 
changes across the portfolio, with the 
overall impact, including new 
investments funded by the B Ordinary 
share offer being a rise in the total value 
of investments including accrued 
interest from £24.5 million at 31 March 
2016 to £32.9 million at 31 March 2017, 
of which organic equity value increases 
totalled £2.6 million.

The fund made one disposal during the 
year, with the sale of Penfield in 
September 2016. In addition our 
investment in Zenos Cars had to be 
written off following the company 
entering administration in January 2017. 

Proceeds to Pembroke from the sale of 
the Zenos assets will arrive later this 
year. For further details please see the 
Investment Adviser’s Review and 
Investment Portfolio on pages 8 to 24.

Dividends 
In October 2016 the Company paid a 
dividend of 2 pence per Ordinary share 
and 2 pence per B Ordinary share in 
relation to the financial year ending 
31 March 2016. For the financial year 
under review, the Company paid an 
interim dividend of 1 pence per 
Ordinary and 1 pence per B Ordinary 
share in June 2017. The Board now 
recommends that the shareholders 
approve, at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting, the payment of a final 
dividend of 2 pence per Ordinary share 
and 2 pence per B Ordinary share.

Results
The Company made a profit of 
£0.8 million in the year to 31 March 
2017 (year ending 31 March 2016: 
£2.1 million), representing a weighted 
return per Ordinary share of 5.21 pence 
(2016: 7.89 pence) and loss per 
B Ordinary share of 0.84 pence (2016: 
return: 10.79 pence). Income arose from 
the realised losses and unrealised 
revaluation of investments of 
£1.3 million (2016: £1.8 million), 
comprised of unrealised gains on equity 
and loan stock of £1.3 million, with 
transfers between unrealised and 
realised losses of £0.5 million, alongside 
income principally from loan notes 
provided to portfolio companies of 
£1.2 million (£0.8 million). This was 
offset by Investment Adviser fees of 
£0.4 million (2016: £0.3 million) and 
other expenses totalling £1.3 million 
(2016: £0.3 million) of which the 
principal component was interest 
foregone on loans of £1.0 million 
(2016: £nil) including where loan 
balances have converted to equity 
holdings. Total running costs of the 

Company are capped at 0.5% of  
NAV per quarter.

NAV at 31 March 2017 was 
£36.4 million (2016: £28.7 million), 
equivalent to 114.45 pence (2016: 
111.24 pence) per Ordinary share and 
102.58 pence (2016: 105.44 pence) per 
B Ordinary share. This includes the 
impact on NAV of the issue expenses of 
the offer and dividends paid to the 
balance sheet date. 

Outlook
Funds raised in the recently closed 
B Ordinary share offer will be deployed 
in a continuation of the current strategy 
of investing in high quality opportunities 
and selective follow‑on investments in 
the existing portfolio. The management 
team continue to evaluate a wide range 
of new opportunities, seeing the existing 
strategy is capable of producing strong 
investments in a sector in which we 
have significant domain expertise. 

We have seen a number of changes to 
the VCT sector in light of the 
modification of the VCT Rules in 
November 2015, which aimed to 
eliminate management buyout strategies 
and later‑stage replacement capital from 
State Aid funded companies. Pembroke’s 
strategy has remained unchanged 
throughout this transition, having been a 
supporter of early stage, high growth 
businesses since its inception.

Annual General Meeting 
The Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) 
will be held at the Company’s offices at 
3 Cadogan Gate, London SW1X 0AS on 
7 September 2017 at 9.30 am.

Jonathan Djanogly 
Chairman

28 July 2017

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 05

The Board

Jonathan Djanogly 
Independent non‑ executive Chairman 

Laurence Blackall 
Independent non‑ executive Director 

Jonathan is a non‑practising solicitor and 
was, for over ten years, a corporate 
partner at City law firm SJ Berwin LLP. 
He specialised in mergers and 
acquisitions, private equity and joint 
ventures as well as fund raising on public 
markets. Jonathan has been a Member of 
Parliament since 2001, in which capacity 
he served for approximately four years as 
a Member of the Trade and Industry 
Select Committee. He also served on the 
Opposition front bench as shadow 
Solicitor General and as a shadow 
Minister for Trade and Industry with 
responsibility for employment law and 
corporate governance. From 2010 
Jonathan served as a Justice Minister for 
over two years. He currently chairs the 
All Party Parliamentary Group on 
Corporate Governance. 

Laurence has had a 30‑year career in 
the information, media and 
communication industries. After an 
early career at Virgin and the SEMA 
Group he was a director of Frost & 
Sullivan before moving to McGraw Hill 
where he was a vice‑president in its 
computer and communications group. 
He then went on to found AIM listed 
Internet Technology Group plc in 1995 
and successfully negotiated its sale in 
2000 for a consideration of almost 
£150 million. Laurence was also 
instrumental in the creation of Pipex 
Communications plc. He has interests 
in a range of leisure and TMT businesses 
and currently holds a number of 
directorships in public and private UK 
companies. He is a Governor of the 
University of Kingston. 

Peter Dubens 
Non‑ independent 
non‑ executive Director 

Peter Dubens is a British entrepreneur, 
best known for founding the Oakley 
Capital Group, a privately owned asset 
management and advisory group 
comprising private equity, venture 
capital, corporate finance and capital 
introduction operations, managing 
£1.6 billion.

The vision of Oakley Capital has always 
been to encourage and back 
entrepreneurship. To that end, Oakley 
Capital Private Equity, invests in and 
supports the continued growth and 
development of some of Europe’s 
leading companies, including the iconic 
sailing brand, North Sails and Facile, 
Italy’s leading price comparison 
website. Oakley Capital currently 
advises Oakley Fund 1, 2 and 3 for its 
Limited Partners as well as Oakley 
Capital Investments Limited, a London, 
AIM‑listed investment vehicle that 
invests in Oakley’s private equity funds.

Pembroke VCT was established by 
Oakley Capital in 2013 to support the 
growth of smaller, early‑stage high 
growth businesses that the group 
encountered. It capitalises on the 
origination and institutional asset 
management strengths of Oakley 
Capital to provide retail investors access 
to entrepreneurial opportunities in 
consumer branded goods and services. 
Having invested in 28 businesses to 
date, Pembroke’s assets range across the 
fitness, fashion, hospitality and media 
sectors. It now offers a well‑recognised 
venture financing solution for high 
growth brand‑led companies with a 
foundation in the UK.

Oakley Capital is also the founding 
partner of PROfounders Capital a 
venture capital fund for entrepreneurs 
powered by entrepreneurs who invest 
in and support new businesses in the 
mobile, internet and technology space 
with capital, proactive advice and 
expertise in order to create long‑term 
value and promote entrepreneurism. 

06 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Investments

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 07

Investment Adviser’s Review 

on these opportunities presented in the 
Investment Review on pages 12 to 24. 
The Company exited two investments 
during the year. Penfield, the outdoor-
focused clothing brand in which the 
Company held equity plus a preferred 
debt position, was sold in September 
2016 to a trade buyer able to provide 
additional working capital and 
distribution capabilities to the business. 
The Company achieved a full return on 
its accrued loan position, however net 
returns to our equity holding were 
£0.3 million below cost after accounting 
for transaction expenses. The year also 
saw Zenos Cars enter administration 
following the failure of a sales 
arrangement with a Far Eastern buyer. 
The Company’s equity investment of 
£0.5 million was written off in the 
quarter ending 31 December 2016, 
while the final amount of our recovery 
from the Company’s secured loan 
position will be known later in 2017.

Since the year end the Company has 
made investments totalling £1.9 million 
in five companies including one new 
investment of £0.7 million and four 
follow‑on investments of £1.2 million  
in aggregate.

Our new investment was in Heist, an 
innovative producer of premium hosiery 
offering a disruptive product which has 
already achieved significant sales and 
has the potential to gain wider traction 
in a large but previously static global 
market. Follow‑on investments of 
£1.2 million post the year end were 
made in existing portfolio companies 
Boom Cycle (£0.3 million), Alexa Chung 
(£0.3 million), Plenish (£0.2 million) and 
Sourced Market (£0.4 million). All 
investments post year end were made 
by the B Ordinary share fund.

Investment Performance 
Companies that have performed well 
and justified upwards revaluations 
during the year of the equity held 
include Second Home, which 
consolidated its position in the shared 
working space with confirmations of a 
move from one to four sites, including 
a new location in Lisbon. This growth 
was funded via a well subscribed 
equity raise, in which the Company 
participated to maintain its stake in 
what is an attractive growth 
opportunity with clear routes to exit. 
Boat International continued to make 
progress against its objective of being a 
multi‑channel portal into aspirational 
luxury, accessed via the superyacht 
lifestyle. Blaze’s success in being 
specified as an integral part of 
London’s Santander Cycle scheme has 
led to further overseas city bike hire 
interest in their technology, 
complementing the consumer offering 
from their innovative laser lights. The 
manager has also been pleased to see 
continued growth at Plenish, where the 
well regarded cold press juices have 
been joined by a nut milk range that 
has achieved significant sales success 
across independents, multiple retailers 
and online.

Owing to their trading performance, 
we have also assessed the fair value of 
Troubadour Goods and Stillking Films 
to be higher than at March 2016.  
A number of our portfolio investments 
have had further funding rounds 
conducted at a premium to the 
previous price at which they were last 
valued, often the result of strong 
underlying performance being 
recognised by new investors wishing to 
participate in the next stage of growth.

Overview
The Company made five new 
investments and made follow‑on 
investments in sixteen companies in the 
year to 31 March 2017, spanning the 
Company’s expertise in the health and 
fitness, hospitality, apparel and 
accessories, and media and technology 
sectors. At the year end, the portfolio 
comprised 26 investments with a cost of 
£26.5 million and a fair value of 
£32.9 million, representing a 23.8% 
increase over cost.

Portfolio Review 
The Company invested £1.8 million in 
the five new investments made during 
the year and has invested a further 
£5.0 million in the form of debt and 
equity investments in the sixteen 
existing portfolio companies. The five 
new investments were KX U, Bel‑Air 
Inc, Alexa Chung, Wishi and Unbolted, 
all of which are unquoted, with 
investments made in the form of new 
ordinary equity with full voting rights. 
The sixteen follow‑on investments 
comprise nine further equity 
commitments to support further growth 
in Boom Cycle, Plenish, Second Home, 
Sourced Market, ME+EM, Rated People, 
Zenos Cars, Blaze and Penfield, 
alongside the extension of loans to 
provide working capital to ten investee 
companies (Boom Cycle, Dilly & Wolf, 
La Bottega, Chucs Bar & Grill, 
Kat Maconie, Bella Freud and Bella 
Freud Parfum, ME+EM, Boat 
International and Penfield).  
All investments were made by  
the B Ordinary share class.

The new investments capitalise on our 
insights into the sectors in which we 
invest. KX U is a premium pay‑as‑
you‑go gym operator, established with 
the brand ethos of the KX Gym and 
occupying a favourable site in an area 
of London enjoying high disposable 
incomes. Alexa Chung formed one of 
the most notable fashion launches of 
the last year and has seen a positive 
reception to its inaugural collection 
from press and wholesale buyers alike. 
Smaller investments of £0.2‑0.3 million 
were made in Bel‑Air Inc, Wishi and 
Unbolted to establish Pembroke’s 
participation at an earlier stage of each 
company’s evolution, with further detail 

08 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Investment Adviser’s Review continued

Since March 2016 the Company has 
recognised Chucs at nil equity value. 
While efforts were made during the 
year to deliver the wholesale revenues 
required to sustain the brand, including 
the appointment of a new CEO and 
creative team and the repositioning of 
the product in line with its luxury 
menswear offering, it was determined 
that the capital required to enlarge the 
company to profitability was excessive. 
As a result the retail operations were 
halted in February 2017, with a view to 
exploiting the inherent value of the 
Chucs brand in other ventures, 
including the restaurant operator Chucs 
Bar & Grill. Interest foregone on loans 
due from Chucs amounted to 
£0.1 million (see Note 8 to the Financial 
Statements on page 52). 

La Bottega, which operates in the 
casual dining sector, has responded to 
continued rental pressure on several of 
its London sites by closing less 
profitable stores while reinvesting in 
others to improve ambience and 
service levels. While this process is 
underway, we choose to write down 
the value of the debt to reflect the 
fundamental value of the business (see 
Note 8 to the Financial Statements on 
page 52). We have also judged it 
prudent to write down to nil the value 
of Dilly & Wolf, the healthy foods 
business, following disappointing sales 

performance in the wider snacking 
marketplace. Finally we have opted to 
reduce the equity valuation of Chucs 
Bar & Grill to recognise the debt 
incurred by the business during its 
expansion to a second successful site 
over the last year. We believe the 
future for the Chucs dining offer is 
bright and continue to support its 
expansion with two significant new 
openings scheduled for late 2017 and 
early 2018.

There have been a number of instances 
in the portfolio where loans to 
investments have undergone 
conversion into equity in line with their 
contractual provisions. In such cases, 
the carrying value, including accrued 
interest not foregone, is converted to 
new equity, with the value of interest 
foregone recognised as an expense in 
the accounts. This is the case for Boom 
Spin, Second Home and ME+EM. 
Further details of interest foregone are 
detailed in Note 8 to the Financial 
Statements.

Four investments are held at cost (KX 
U, Bel‑Air Inc, Wishi and Unbolted) 
which we consider to be fair value, 
given that evidence of significant 
movement from the original investment 
appraisal has not yet been observed. 
Further details may be found in the 
Investment Portfolio and Investment 
Review on pages 10 to 24.

Valuation 
Investments held by the Company have 
been valued in accordance with the 
International Private Equity and Venture 
Capital (IPEVC) valuation guidelines 
developed by the British Venture 
Capital Association and other 
organisations. Through these guidelines, 
investments are valued as defined at 
‘fair value’. Ordinarily, unquoted 
investments will be valued at cost for a 
limited period following the date of 
acquisition, being the most suitable 
approximation of fair value unless there 
is an impairment or significant accretion 
in value during the period. The portfolio 
valuations are prepared by the 
Investment Adviser, reviewed and 
approved by the Board and subject to 
audit annually.

In determining fair value, the Investment 
Adviser uses various valuation 
approaches, including a combination of 
the price of recent investment and a 
market‑based approach. The market 
approach ascribes a value to a business 
interest or shareholding by comparing it 
to similar businesses, using the principle 
of substitution: that is, that a prudent 
purchaser would pay no more for an 
asset than it would cost to acquire a 
substitute asset with the same utility and 
income earning potential.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 09

Investment Portfolio as at 31 March 2017

Ordinary shares

Health and Fitness
Boom Cycle
KX Gym
Plenish
Dilly & Wolf

Hospitality
Chilango
Five Guys UK
La Bottega
Chucs Bar & Grill
Second Home
Sourced Market

Apparel and Accessories
Kat Maconie
Troubadour Goods
Bella Freud
Bella Freud Perfume
Chucs
Penfield

Media and Technology
Boat International Media
Rated People
Zenos Cars
Blaze
Stillking Films

Investments before interest
Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investments*

Total investments
Net current assets

Net assets

  As at 31.03.17
Fair value 
£

Cost 
£

% of net 
assets

  As at 31.03.16
Fair value 
£

Cost 
£

% of net 
assets

429,460
700,000
325,000
270,000

549,850
1,512,800
1,960,000
614,278
525,074
830,000

320,000
590,000
400,000
190,000
990,039
–

2,100,000
585,738
500,000
200,000
1,451,770

349,860
827,835
1,416,375
–

729,792
3,179,495
885,808
591,729
3,249,446
903,612

711,233
1,171,722
983,333
122,500
73,118
–

1,741,491
458,648
–
284,920
2,112,862

15,044,009

19,793,779

483,420

483,420

15,527,429
429,130

20,277,199
429,130

1.7
4.0
6.8
–

3.5
15.3
4.3
2.9
15.7
4.4

3.4
5.7
4.7
0.6
0.4
–

8.4
2.2
–
1.4
10.2

95.6

2.3

97.9
2.1

429,460
700,000
325,000
270,000

549,850
1,512,800
1,960,000
614,278
525,074
830,000

320,000
590,000
400,000
190,000
990,039
614,400

2,100,000
585,738
500,000
200,000
1,451,770

412,487
733,344
1,392,664
270,000

729,792
3,211,687
1,090,000
822,170
1,433,633
760,353

711,233
1,106,265
983,333
190,000
340,000
404,817

1,315,824
486,053
500,000
200,000
1,542,641

15,658,409

18,636,296

1,099,753

1,099,753

16,758,162
388,910

19,736,049
388,910

2.1
3.7
6.9
1.3

3.6
16.0
5.4
4.1
7.1
3.8

3.5
5.5
4.9
0.9
1.7
2.0

6.5
2.4
2.5
1.0
7.7

92.6

5.5

98.1
1.9

15,956,559

20,706,329

100.0

17,147,072

20,124,959

100.0

*Added to investments in Financial Statements

Segment analysis

The charts below show the segment analyses of the investment portfolio based on cost at 31 March 2017.

Pembroke Ordinary

Pembroke B Ordinary

 11%  Health and 
  Fitness

 40%  Hospitality

 17%  Apparel and 

  Accessories

 32%  Media and 
  Technology

 19%  Health and 
  Fitness

 36%  Hospitality

 25%  Apparel and 

  Accessories

 20%  Media and 
  Technology

10 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment Portfolio as at 31 March 2017 continued

B Ordinary shares

Health and Fitness
Boom Cycle
Plenish
Dilly & Wolf
KX U

Hospitality
Chilango
Five Guys UK
La Bottega
Chucs Bar & Grill
Second Home
Sourced Market
Bel‑Air Inc

Apparel and Accessories
Kat Maconie
Troubadour Goods
Bella Freud
Bella Freud Perfume
Chucs
Penfield
ME+EM
Alexa Chung
Cheekfrills

Media and Technology
Boat International Media
Rated People
Zenos Cars
Blaze
Wishi
Unbolted

Investments before interest
Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investments*

Total investments
Net current assets

Net assets

  As at 31.03.17
Fair value 
£

Cost 
£

% of net 
assets

  As at 31.03.16
Fair value 
£

Cost 
£

% of net 
assets

724,979
850,004
125,000
480,000

85,000
570,400
550,000
1,045,011
960,022
650,000
300,000

200,000
150,000
800,000
50,000
225,000
–
800,000
650,000
–

1,300,000
55,480
175,000
352,697
153,433
250,033

724,979
854,590
–
480,000

85,000
1,198,986
–
935,192
1,623,551
561,825
300,000

200,000
158,859
800,000
50,000
26,882
–
974,403
1,000,000
–

1,300,000
52,698
–
413,134
153,433
250,033

4.6
5.5
–
3.1

0.5
7.6
–
6.0
10.4
3.6
1.9

1.3
1.0
5.1
0.3
0.2
–
6.2
6.4
–

8.3
0.3
–
2.6
1.0
1.6

–
250,000
100,000
–

85,000
570,400
250,000
375,011
510,034
250,000
–

–
150,000
–
–
–
324,733
200,000
–
205,000

500,000
–
–
290,000
–
–

–
250,000
100,000
–

85,000
1,211,124
250,000
375,011
662,072
250,000
–

–
150,000
–
–
–
232,790
289,028
–
–

500,000
–
–
290,000
–
–

11,502,059

12,143,565

77.5

4,060,178

4,645,025

453,210

453,210

11,955,269
3,082,758

12,596,775
3,082,758

2.9

80.4
19.6

124,197

124,197

4,184,375
3,788,805

4,769,222
3,788,805

–
2.9
1.2
–

1.0
14.2
2.9
4.4
7.7
2.9
–

–
1.8
–
–
–
2.7
3.4
–
–

5.8
–
–
3.4
–
–

54.3

1.4

55.7
44.3

15,038,027

15,679,533

100.0

7,973,180

8,558,027

100.0

*Added to investments in Financial Statements

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 11

 
 
 
 
Investment Review as at 31 March 2017

Health and Fitness

Boom Cycle

KX Gym

Boom Cycle is an indoor cycling concept which offers a fun, 
high intensity cardiovascular workout. The business currently 
has four studios based in London (Shoreditch, Holborn, 
Hammersmith and Battersea) where they combine indoor 
spin cycling with various exercise classes for both upper and 
lower body work‑outs. Boom Cycle is one of the foremost 
dedicated spinning studios in London, and is on track to 
replicate the success of some larger players in the US. 

KX Gym, founded in 2002, is a private members’ gym and spa, 
which includes a restaurant and clubroom, located in Chelsea, 
London. KX offers members an exclusive holistic approach to 
wellbeing, incorporating fitness, diet and relaxation. 

Cost

Valuation

£1,154,439

Cost

£1,074,839

Valuation

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£nil

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Multiples

Basis of valuation

31.6%

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

£699,979

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

Interest forgiven in the year

£36,254

£37,271

Total income recognised in the year

£700,000

£827,835

£nil

Multiples

11.8%

£nil

£nil

12 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Investment Review as at 31 March 2017 continued

Plenish

Dilly & Wolf

Plenish, founded in 2012, is one of the leading cold‑pressed 
juicing businesses in the UK, offering 100% raw organic 
(unpasteurised) juice. Cold‑press juicing is a convenient way 
to pack a large amount of vegetables and fruit into your diet. 
The company has supplemented its juice range with four 
varieties of nut milk, which has been well received by the 
wholesale and retail markets. 

Founded in 2013, Dilly & Wolf is a new premium snack 
brand. The company produces tasty and nourishing food 
using globally inspired recipes such as kabuki beans, quinoa 
and fava beans.  

Cost

Valuation

£1,175,004

Cost

£2,270,965

Valuation

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£11,979

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Last equity raise

Basis of valuation

37.4%

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

£600,004

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

£11,976

Total income recognised in the year

Interest forgiven in the year

£395,000

£nil

£nil

Fair value

27.0%

£25,000

£14,283

£33,477

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 13

Investment Review as at 31 March 2017 continued

Health and Fitness continued

Hospitality

KX Urban

Chilango

KX Urban (KX U) is a pay‑as‑you‑go development of the 
established KX luxury gym brand. It will offer a range of 
classes alongside a high quality traditional gym environment. 
It has secured a site in London’s Sloane Square with the 
opening of its first site scheduled for Q3 2017. 

Chilango is a fast‑casual Mexican restaurant chain based on 
successful US business models. There are currently eleven 
restaurants across high footfall areas of London, plus a 
Manchester outlet that forms the basis for the brand’s  
regional roll‑out. 

Cost

Valuation

£480,000

£480,000

Cost

Valuation

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

£2,466

Cost

11.3%

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

£480,000

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

£2,466

Total income recognised in the year

£634,850

£814,792

£nil

Last equity raise

3.0%

£nil

£nil

14 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Investment Review as at 31 March 2017 continued

Five Guys UK

La Bottega

Five Guys was founded in the US. The company serves a 
range of hand‑made burgers made with fresh locally sourced 
beef and cooked on a grill, along with fresh‑cut fries, served 
with unlimited toppings. It now has 74 outlets in the UK with 
plans for further growth.

La Bottega is an Italian chain of delicatessens in London, 
which serve high‑quality authentic Italian food and coffee. 
Currently there are four shops trading in London in Chelsea, 
Belgravia, South Kensington and Pont Street. 

Cost

Valuation

£2,083,200

Cost

£4,378,481

Valuation

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

£261,606

Multiples

2.1%

£nil

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

£261,606

Total income recognised in the year

Interest forgiven in the year

£2,510,000

£885,808

£nil

Multiples

40.0%

£150,000

£267,600

£735,827

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 15

Investment Review as at 31 March 2017 continued

Hospitality continued

Chucs Bar & Grill

Second Home

Chucs Bar & Grill is a restaurant concept reflecting the style 
and branding of the Chucs retail brand. The first restaurant is 
located on Dover Street in Mayfair, the second on 
Westbourne Grove, with further sites under development. 

Second Home offers flexible and modern office space for 
fast-growing technology firms and creative businesses. 
Combining architectural design with first class amenities, 
Second Home provides users with a unique and impressive 
office environment in which to locate their business for short, 
medium and long‑term.  

Cost

Valuation

£1,659,289

Cost

£1,526,921

Valuation

£1,485,096

£4,872,997

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£210,356

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£nil

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Last equity raise

Basis of valuation

Last equity raise

26.6%

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

£370,000

£131,513

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

Interest forgiven in the year

16 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

4.6%

£449,988

£5,369

£13,208

Investment Review as at 31 March 2017 continued

Sourced Market

Bel-Air Inc

Sourced Market, launched in 2007, is a retail, café and 
restaurant concept that offers a curated selection of locally 
sourced fresh produce replicating the products and ambience 
found at a farmers market. The company’s flagship site is in 
St Pancras International in King’s Cross has been 
complemented by three further sites in Marylebone, Victoria 
and Barbican. 

Established in 2015 Bel‑Air Inc is a Californian‑inspired café 
offering distinctive fresh meats, fish and salads to the 
premium London breakfast and lunchtime dining market.  
Its mission is to deliver delicious fresh food that is nutritious 
and packed with whole foods. Bel-Air’s first site in Shoreditch 
has been joined by two further outlets in office locations in 
Holborn and the City.

Cost

Valuation

£1,480,000

Cost

£1,465,437

Valuation

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£3,616

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Multiples

Basis of valuation

26.0%

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

£400,000

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

£21,972

Total income recognised in the year

£300,000

£300,000

£nil

Cost

7.7%

£300,000

£nil

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 17

Investment Review as at 31 March 2017 continued

Apparel and Accessories

Kat Maconie

Troubadour

Kat Maconie, founded in 2008, designs and manufactures 
ladies’ shoes which are sold online, in department stores and 
in boutiques globally. In 2017, the company collaborated with 
a Korean cosmetics major, resulting in significant expansion in 
sales to a new geography subsequent to the year end.

Troubadour Goods is a London‑based luxury men’s 
accessories brand specialising in designing and creating 
superior handcrafted leather and textile goods. 

Cost

Valuation

£520,000

Cost

£911,233

Valuation

£740,000

£1,330,581

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£5,425

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£nil

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Last equity raise

Basis of valuation

Last equity raise

22.3%

Equity holding

37.8%

£nil

£nil

Investment in the year at cost

£200,000

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

£5,425

Total income recognised in the year

18 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Investment Review as at 31 March 2017 continued

Bella Freud

Bella Freud Perfume

Bella Freud is a fashion designer and manufacturer producing 
a range of high‑end men’s and women’s clothing, focusing on 
knitwear. Currently her products are available at her flagship 
store on Chilton Street in London, via her e‑commerce site 
and through a range of luxury boutiques and department 
stores in UK, Asia and the US.  

With the continuing success of her fashion brand, Bella Freud, 
in cooperation with perfumer Azzi Glasser, has launched a 
series of fragrances with three scents blending modernity and 
heritage, including Je t’aime Jane, Ginsberg is God and the 
1970. Bella Freud Perfume is now stocked in a range of 
boutiques and department stores globally.

Cost

Valuation

£1,200,000

Cost

£1,783,333

Valuation

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£101,104

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£240,000

£172,500

£28,077

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Last equity raise

Basis of valuation

Last equity raise

27.8%

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

£50,000

£29,070

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

22.5%

£50,000

£15,344

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 19

Investment Review as at 31 March 2017 continued

Apparel and Accessories continued

Chucs

ME+EM

Chucs represents a luxury brand of men’s leisure wear.  
The company will seek routes to realise value in the Chucs 
brand through commercial partnerships where available. 

ME+EM, founded in 2008, is a contemporary womenswear 
brand founded by Claire Hornby, designing and producing its 
collections primarily through catalogues and online, with one 
retail site in Connaught Street. The range now consists of 
dresses, knitwear, denim, separates and accessories.  
The brand targets women aged 30‑55 who are busy and 
fashion conscious, offering a classic authentic look with 
designer quality at an affordable price. 

Cost

Valuation

£1,215,039

Cost

£100,000

Valuation

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£nil

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£800,000

£974,403

£nil

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

Interest forgiven in the year

Fair value

Basis of valuation

Last equity raise

11.7%

£nil

£49,427

£115,463

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

Interest forgiven in the year

12.4%

£600,000

£15,689

£15,689

20 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Investment Review as at 31 March 2017 continued

Alexa Chung

The iconic model and designer, launched her own fashion 
label in May 2017. It offers accessible luxury womenswear 
and has already achieved substantial first season wholesale 
orders. It will produce four in‑season collections per year 
internationally, with stockists in over fifteen countries.

Cost

Valuation

£650,000

£1,000,000

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£nil

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

Last equity raise

15.1%

£650,000

£nil

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 21

Investment Review as at 31 March 2017 continued

Media and Technology

Boat International Media

Rated People

Recognised as a significant worldwide media group serving 
the superyacht industry, Boat International Media provides 
information and services across traditional print, digital media 
and high quality events. In 2016 the team re‑branded Show 
Boats magazine under the Boat International USA title. 

Rated People, founded in 2005, is one of the UK’s leading 
online market places for homeowners to find tradesmen for 
home improvement jobs.

Cost

Valuation

£3,400,000

Cost

£3,041,491

Valuation

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

£312,001

Multiples

21.6%

Equity holding

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

Basis of valuation

Last equity raise

£641,218

£511,346

£nil

1.6%

£55,480

£nil

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

£600,000

£209,309

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

22 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Investment Review as at 31 March 2017 continued

Blaze

Stillking Films

Blaze designs products which enhance bike safety.  
Their flagship product is the Blaze Laserlight, which projects 
a laser image five to six metres on the ground ahead of the 
cyclist to ensure other road users know that you are present. 
The company has entered the global cycle hire market with a 
broadened product offer, being featured throughout London’s 
Santander Cycle fleet. 

Stillking Films is a prolific producer of commercials, TV series, 
feature films and music videos. The company has created 
commercials for almost all Dow Jones and FTSE advertisers. 
They have co-produced a number of successful feature films, 
including Casino Royale, Narnia, Mission Impossible 4 and The 
Bourne Identity and created music videos for artists including 
Beyoncé, Kanye West, Blur, Madonna and One Direction.

Cost

Valuation

£552,697

£698,054

Cost

Valuation

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

£nil

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Fair value

Basis of valuation

6.5%

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

£62,697

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

£nil

Total income recognised in the year

£1,451,770

£2,112,862

£nil

Multiples

5.0%

£nil

£nil

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 23

Investment Review as at 31 March 2017 continued

Media and Technology continued

Wishi Fashion

Unbolted

Wishi is an innovative fashion technology business that brings 
together personal styling and online wardrobe management 
functionality to help fully exploit an individual’s current 
wardrobe and provide new clothing suggestions personalised 
to their look.

Unbolted provides a platform for peer‑to‑peer secured 
lending, offering short term liquidity to individuals seeking 
bridging facilities or advance sale loans for personal or  
small business use. 

Cost

Valuation

£153,433

£153,433

Cost

Valuation

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

£nil

Cost

3.1%

Interest rolled up in fixed income investment

Basis of valuation

Equity holding

Investment in the year at cost

£153,433

Investment in the year at cost

Total income recognised in the year

£nil

Total income recognised in the year

£250,033

£250,033

£nil

Cost

4.4%

£250,033

£nil

24 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Statutory Reports

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 25

Strategic Report
Statutory Reports

This report has been prepared by the 
Directors in accordance with the 
requirements of Section 414 of the 
Companies Act 2006 and incorporates 
the Financial Summary, Chairman’s 
Statement and Investments section. 

The aim of the Strategic Report is to 
provide shareholders with the ability to 
assess how the Directors have 
performed their duty to promote the 
success of the Company for 
shareholders’ collective benefit. 

Investment strategy 
The Investment objective of the 
Company is to generate tax free capital 
gains and income on investors’ funds 
through investment primarily in 
companies within the leisure and luxury 
brands sectors, whilst mitigating risk 
appropriately within the framework of 
the structural requirements imposed on 
all VCTs. 

Investment policy 
The Company will continue to invest 
primarily in unquoted companies, 
across a diverse range of businesses; 
predominantly those which the 
Investment Adviser considers are 
capable of organic growth and, in the 
long term, sustainable cash flow 
generation. The investments will be 
focused towards consumer‑facing 
businesses with an established brand or 
where brand development opportunities 
exist. The Company will continue its 
strategy of investing in a small portfolio 
of qualifying investments where, in 
most cases, the Investment Adviser is 
able to exert influence over key 
elements of each investee company’s 
strategy and operations. Investee 
companies may be at any stage in their 
development from start‑up to 
established businesses, however the 
Company aims to invest broadly 60% in 
established and 40% in early‑stage 
businesses. It is expected that a 
substantial proportion of the qualifying 
investments will be in the form of 
ordinary shares, and in some cases 
preference shares or loans. 

It is anticipated that, at any time, up to 
30% of investments will be held in 
non‑qualifying investments, recognising 
that no single investment will represent 
more than 15% of net assets (at the time 

of investment). Until suitable qualifying 
investments are identified, up to 30% 
of net assets will be invested in a 
portfolio of investments which may 
include quoted companies, money 
market securities and cash deposits.  
The portfolio of non‑qualifying 
investments will be managed with the 
intention of generating a positive return.

Business review 
A detailed review of the Company’s 
development and performance during 
the year and consideration of its future 
prospects may be obtained by reference 
to this Report, the Chairman’s Statement 
(page 5) and the Investment Adviser’s 
Review (pages 8 and 9). Details of the 
investments made by the Company are 
given in the Investment Portfolio 
summary (pages 10 and 11) and the 
Investment Review report (pages 12 to 
24). A summary of the Company’s key 
financial measures is given on page 4.

Management agreement 
Under an investment management 
agreement entered into on 15 February 
2013, novated to the Investment Adviser 
in July 2014 and variation on 3 October 
2014 (the “IMA”), the Investment 
Adviser provides discretionary and 
advisory investment management 
services to the Company in respect of 
its portfolio of investments.

Under the IMA, the Investment Adviser 
and the Company have agreed to fix the 
annual running costs of the Company at 
2.0% of the Company’s net asset value 
(and to the extent that they exceeded 
that cap, the Investment Adviser would 
bear those costs). The Investment 
Adviser is entitled to an annual 
management fee of the amount by 
which the annual running costs (other 
than the annual management fee) are 
less than 2.0%.  
It is therefore expected that the annual 
running costs payable by the Company 
each year will be 2.0% of its net asset 
value. The annual management fee is 
payable quarterly in advance based on 
projected Annual Running Costs and 
subject to a final balancing adjustment 
payment either way. Annual running 
costs include the regular ordinary course 
of business running costs of the 
Company but do not include costs 

26 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

related to extraordinary events or 
significant discretionary corporate events 
and do not include any Performance Fee 
payable (as described below).

As is customary in the venture capital 
industry, the Investment Adviser will 
receive a performance fee when the 
Company has performed well.  
The performance fee payable by the 
Company is 20% (exclusive of VAT) of 
any amounts distributed to shareholders 
in excess of £1 per share. In order to 
ensure that the interests of the 
Investment Adviser and shareholders 
are aligned, and to provide a strong 
incentive to the Investment Adviser, the 
performance fee will not be payable 
until distributions (whether of capital or 
income) to shareholders have exceeded 
certain hurdles. The hurdle in respect of 
the Ordinary Shares is that Ordinary 
shareholders must have received in 
aggregate a return equivalent to at least 
8% per annum per share on the amount 
subscribed per share as from 20 January 
2014 in respect of Ordinary shares 
issued pursuant to the launch offer and 
from 31 March 2014 in respect of 
Ordinary shares issued under the 2014 
top up offer. The hurdle in respect of 
the B Ordinary shares is that B Ordinary 
shareholders must have received in 
aggregate a return equivalent to at least 
3% per annum per share on the amount 
subscribed per share as from (i) the date 
of the last allotment under the offer of 
B Ordinary shares on the basis of the 
October 2014 prospectus in respect of 
shares issued under that prospectus or 
(ii) the date of the issue of relevant 
B Ordinary shares under any 
subsequent offer of B Ordinary shares, 
and in either case up to the date of 
proposed payment of the relevant 
Performance Incentive Fee. Where, at 
the time of a distribution there have 
been previous distributions to the 
relevant class of shareholders, for the 
purposes of determining if the hurdle on 
the relevant shares has been met, the 
return will be calculated from the day 
after the previous distribution date for 
the relevant shares on the total amount 
subscribed per relevant share by 
shareholders but reduced by the 
aggregate amount of such previous 
distributions made on the relevant 
shares on a per share basis. 

Strategic Report continued

The performance fee will be calculated 
separately on the Ordinary shares and 
the B Ordinary Shares.

For example, in respect of Ordinary 
shares, once total paid or declared 
dividends have reached £1.00 per 
Ordinary share plus 8 pence per 
Ordinary share per annum, the 
Investment Adviser will be paid 20% 
(exclusive of VAT) of any amounts 
distributed to shareholders in excess of 
£1.00 per Ordinary share, with the 
remaining 80% being distributed as a 
dividend to Ordinary shareholders.

In respect of B Ordinary shares, once 
total paid or declared dividends have 
reached £1.00 per B Ordinary share 
plus 3 pence per B Ordinary share per 
annum, the Investment Adviser will be 
paid 20% (exclusive of VAT) of any 
amounts distributed to shareholders in 
excess of £1.00 per share, with the 
remaining 80% being distributed as a 
dividend to B Ordinary shareholders. 

The Investment Adviser’s appointment 
under the IMA will continue until 
terminated on 12 months’ notice  
given by either party at any time.  
The Directors are of the opinion that the 
Investment Adviser continues to raise, 
invest and manage funds for the 
Company effectively and that the 
continuing appointment of the 
Investment Adviser on the terms agreed 
is in the interest of all shareholders.

Venture Capital Trust status 
The Company was granted approval as 
a Venture Capital Trust by HM Revenue 
& Customs under section 274 of the 
Income Tax Act 2007. The Directors 
have managed the affairs of the 
Company in compliance with this 
section throughout the year under 
review and intend to continue to do so.

Risk management 
The Board has carried out a robust 
assessment of the principal risks facing 
the Company through a risk 
management programme whereby it 
continually identifies the principal risks 
and uncertainties faced by the 
Company, including those that would 
threaten its business model, future 
performance, solvency or liquidity and 

reviews both the nature and 
effectiveness of the internal controls 
adopted to protect the Company from 
such risks as far as is possible.  
The principal risks facing the Company 
are Venture Capital Trust status risk and 
investment valuation and liquidity risk.

Venture Capital Trust  
status risk 
The Company is required to fulfil 
certain criteria in order to maintain its 
VCT status. Where full approval as a 
VCT is not maintained, this could 
potentially result in the loss of tax relief 
(i.e. capital gains and income tax relief) 
which have been provided to both the 
Company and investors alike. The 
Investment Adviser continually monitors 
compliance with the relevant VCT 
regulations, and has engaged Philip 
Hare & Associates LLP to provide 
periodic reports to ensure compliance. 

Investment valuation  
and liquidity risk 
The Company invests in small to 
medium sized businesses, some of 
which are start‑up companies.  
As such, there is an inherent degree of 
risk and lower liquidity than is the case 
when investing in larger, established 
quoted companies. The Investment 
Adviser performs in‑house due 
diligence on all investments, and also 
engages independent third‑party 
providers when the investments are of a 
certain size or complexity. In addition, 
the Company aims to diversify its 
portfolio by investing in a range of 
industries and companies at varying 
stages of development. 

Internal control risk 
Failures in key controls – in particular 
those designed to mitigate Venture 
Capital Trust status risk and investment 
valuation and liquidity risk – within the 
Board or within the Investment 
Adviser’s business, could put assets of 
the Company at risk or result in reduced 
or inaccurate information being passed 
to the Board or to shareholders.

The Board seeks to mitigate the internal 
control risk by setting policy, regular 
reviews of performance, enforcement of 
contractual obligations and monitoring 

progress and compliance. Details of the 
Company’s internal controls are 
included within the Corporate 
Governance Statement.

Economic risk 
Events such as economic recession and 
movement in interest rates can affect 
investor sentiment towards liquidity risk, 
and hence have a negative impact on 
the valuation of smaller companies.  
The Investment Adviser seeks to mitigate 
this risk by seeking to adopt a suitable 
investment style for the current point in 
the business cycle, and to diversify the 
exposure to geographic end markets.

Operational risk 
Failure of the Investment Adviser’s,  
or other contracted third‑parties’ 
accounting systems or disruption to 
their businesses might lead to an 
inability to provide accurate reporting 
and monitoring or loss to shareholders. 
The Investment Adviser regularly 
reviews the performance of third‑party 
suppliers at management meetings  
and the Directors review the 
performance of the Investment Adviser 
at Board meetings.

Social, environmental, 
community and human  
rights issues 
The Company had no employees during 
the year and the Company has three 
Directors, all of whom are male.  
The Company, being an externally 
managed investment company with no 
employees, has no policies in relation to 
environmental matters, social, 
community and human rights issues.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 27

Strategic Report continued

Statement on Long Term 
Viability
In accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code in 2014 (the “2014 
Code”), the Directors have carried out a 
robust assessment of the prospects of 
the Company for the period to 
31 March 2020, taking into account the 
Company’s current position and 
principal risks, and are of the opinion 
that, at the time of approving the 
financial statements there is a 
reasonable expectation that the 
Company will be able to continue in 
operation and meet liabilities as they 
fall due.

The Directors consider that for the 
purpose of this exercise a three year 

period is an appropriate time frame, as 
it allows for reasonable forecasts to be 
made to allow the Board to provide 
shareholders with reasonable assurance 
over the viability of the Company.  
In making their assessment, the Directors 
have taken into account the nature of the 
Company’s business and investment 
policy, its risk management policies, the 
diversification of its portfolio and the 
Company’s cash position.

The Company has appointed its 
Investment Adviser as its AIFM.  
The Company’s Investment Adviser 
was entered on the register of small 
registered UK AIFMs in February 2014. 
As an AIFM, the Investment Adviser is 
required to submit an annual report to 
the FCA setting out various information 
relating mainly to the Company’s 
investments, principal exposures  
and liquidity.

Alternative Investment Fund 
Managers Directive 
(“AIFMD”)

In July 2013 the AIFMD was 
implemented, a European directive 
affecting the regulation of VCTs.  

By Order of the Board  
The City Partnership (UK) Limited 
Company Secretary 
28 July 2017

Directors’ Report

This Directors’ Report incorporates the 
Corporate Governance Statement on 
pages 35 to 36 and the Statement of 
Directors’ Responsibilities on page 37.

Principal activity and status 
The Company is registered as a public 
limited company in England and Wales 
under registration number 08307631. 
The Directors have managed and 
intend to continue to manage the 
Company’s affairs in such a manner as 
to comply with section 274 of the 
Income Tax Act 2007.

Directors 
The Directors of the Company during 
the period under review were Jonathan 
Djanogly, Laurence Blackall and Peter 
Dubens. Brief biographical details of the 
Directors are given on page 6.  

In accordance with the Listing Rules of 
the Financial Conduct Authority, Peter 
Dubens, as a member of the Company’s 
Investment Adviser, is not considered 
independent and will therefore be 
subject to annual re‑election by 
shareholders. In accordance with the 
Articles of Association, Jonathan 
Djanogly and Laurence Blackall retire 
and are subject to re‑election at the 
AGM to be held on 7 September 2017.

Dividends 
In October 2016 the Company paid an 
interim dividend of 2.0 pence per 
Ordinary share and 2.0 pence per 
B Ordinary share. On 21 March 2017, the 
Board declared a further dividend of 1.0 
pence per Ordinary share and 1.0 pence 
per B Ordinary share, which was paid on 
7 June 2017. The Board is recommending 

a final dividend for the year ended 
31 March 2017 of 2 pence per Ordinary 
share and 2 pence per B Ordinary share 
payable on 26 October 2017.

Share capital 
There were 18,092,297 Ordinary shares 
and 15,285,811 B Ordinary shares in 
issue at the year end. During the year 
1,095 Ordinary shares were allotted at 
an average price of 109.5 pence per 
Ordinary share raising £1,199 under the 
Dividend Investment Scheme (“DIS”) 
and 7,169,034 B Ordinary shares were 
allotted at an average price of  
105.1 pence per B Ordinary share 
raising £7.5 million net of issue costs. 
Since the year end 876 Ordinary shares 
and 10,060,927 B Ordinary shares have 
been issued, please refer to Note 22 on 
page 61 for further details.

28 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Financial instruments 
Information on the principal financial 
instruments held by the Company, 
including details about risk 
management, may be found in the 
Investment Review forming part of the 
Strategic Report and at Note 20 to the 
Financial Statements.

Global greenhouse  
gas emissions 
The Company has no direct greenhouse 
gas emissions to report from its 
operations, being an externally 
managed investment company.

Requirements of the  
Listing Rules 
Listing Rule 9.8.4 requires the Company 
to include certain information in a 
single identifiable section of the annual 
report or a cross reference table 
indicating where this information is set 
out. The Directors confirm that there 
are no disclosures required to be made 
in this regard.

By Order of the Board 
The City Partnership (UK) Limited 
Company Secretary 
28 July 2017

Directors’ Report continued

The rights and obligations attaching to 
the Company’s Ordinary shares and 
B Ordinary shares are set out in the 
Company’s Articles of Association, 
copies of which can be obtained from 
Companies House. The holders of 
Ordinary shares and B Ordinary shares 
are entitled to receive dividends when 
declared, to receive the Company’s 
report and accounts, to attend and speak 
at general meetings, to appoint proxies 
and to exercise voting rights. There are 
no restrictions on the voting rights 
attaching to the Company’s shares or the 
transfer of securities in the Company.

The Company will consider requests to 
buy back shares but is mindful that 
investment in the Company was 
promoted as comparatively long‑term 
with venture capital portfolios typically 
taking from five to seven years to 
mature. During the year to 31 March 
2017 no shares were bought back.

Substantial shareholdings
As at the date of this report the 
Company was aware of the following 
individual shareholdings exceeding 3% 
of the issued share capital:

• Roy Nominees Limited 9.6%

• UBS Private Banking  
Nominees Ltd 10.4%

Independent Auditor 
A resolution to re‑appoint Grant 
Thornton UK LLP as Independent 
Auditor will be proposed at the 
forthcoming AGM.

Accountability and audit 
The Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities in respect of the 
Financial Statements is set out on page 
37 of this report. The report of the 
Independent Auditor is set out on pages 
39 to 41 of this report. The Directors 
who were in office on the date of 
approval of these Financial Statements 
have confirmed that, as far as they were 
aware, there is no relevant audit 
information of which the auditors are 
unaware. Each of the Directors have 
taken all the steps they ought to have 
taken as Directors in order to make 
themselves aware of any relevant audit 
information that has been 
communicated to the auditors.

Future developments 
The primary focus will continue to be 
on the development of an investment 
portfolio which will deliver attractive 
returns over the medium to longer term. 
The Company will continue to provide 
support for the ongoing development of 
investee companies and the Company’s 
Investment Adviser will continue to 
work closely with all investee 
companies towards accelerating their 
growth and identifying possible exits in 
the short to mid‑term. Further details on 
the Company’s future prospects may be 
found in the Outlook paragraph in the 
Chairman’s Statement on page 5.  
Details of post‑balance‑sheet events 
may be found at Note 22 to the 
Financial Statements.

Going concern 
In accordance with FRC Guidance for 
Directors on going concern and 
liquidity risk the Directors have 
assessed the prospects of the Company 
for the foreseeable future and are of the 
opinion that, at the time of approving 
the financial statements, the Company 
has adequate resources to continue in 
business. In reaching this conclusion the 
Directors took into account the nature 
of the Company’s business and 
Investment Policy, its risk management 
policies, the diversification of its 
portfolio and the cash holdings.  
The Company’s business activities, 
together with the factors likely to affect 
its future development, performance 
and position including the financial risks 
the Company is exposed to are set out 
in the Strategic Report on page 27.  
As a consequence, the Directors have a 
reasonable expectation that the 
Company has sufficient cash to 
continue to operate and that together 
with funds raised after the end of the 
financial year from the recently closed 
offer the Company is well placed to 
manage its business risks successfully 
and meet its liabilities as they fall due. 
Thus the Directors believe it is 
appropriate to continue to apply the 
going concern basis in preparing the 
financial statements.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 29

Directors’ Remuneration Report

This report has been prepared by the 
Directors in accordance with The Large 
and Medium‑sized Companies and 
Groups (Accounts and Reports) 
Regulations 2008 (as amended) (the 
“Regulations”). Ordinary resolutions for 
the approval of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy and the Directors’ 
Annual Report on Remuneration  
will be put to members at the 
forthcoming AGM. 

The Company’s auditor, Grant Thornton 
UK LLP, is required to give its opinion 
on certain information included in this 
report. The disclosures which have 
been audited are indicated as such.  
The auditor’s opinion on these and 
other matters is set out in their report  
on pages 39 to 41.

Annual statement from the 
Chairman of the Company 
All of the Directors began their term on 
27 November 2012. There have been 
no changes to Directors’ remuneration 
during the year. Directors’ fees are 
reviewed annually and are set by the 
Board to attract individuals with the 
appropriate range of skills and 
experience. In determining the level of 
fees, their duties and responsibilities are 
considered, together with the level of 
time commitment required in preparing 
for and attending meetings.

As all the Directors are non‑executive, 
it is not considered appropriate to 
appoint a nomination or remuneration 
committee. Any decisions on the 
appointment of new directors and 
remuneration are taken by the Board as 
a whole. The use of formal 
advertisements and external consultants 
is not considered cost effective given 
the Company’s size. 

Directors’ remuneration 
policy 

The Board considers that Directors’ fees 
should reflect the time commitment 
required and the high level of 
responsibility borne by Directors, and 
should be broadly comparable to the 
fees paid by similar companies while 
ensuring that the fees payable are 
appropriate to retain individuals of 
sufficient calibre to lead the Company 
in achieving its short and long term 
strategy. The Company’s Articles of 
Association place an overall limit of 
£100,000 on Directors’ remuneration. 
None of the Directors is eligible for 
pension benefits, share options, 
bonuses or other benefits in respect of 
their services as non‑executive 
Directors of the Company. The Board 
has not received any views from the 
Company’s shareholders in respect of 
the levels of Directors’ remuneration.

This policy was last approved by 
members at the AGM in 2014 and a 
resolution is included for approval of 
the policy by members at the AGM to 
be held on 7 September 2017.

Terms of appointment 
None of the Directors has a service 
contract with the Company. On being 
appointed, all Directors received a 
letter from the Company setting out the 
terms of their appointment, details of 
the fees payable and their specific 
duties and responsibilities. A Director’s 
appointment may be terminated by the 
Director or by the Company on the 
expiry of three months’ notice in writing 
given by the Director or the Company 
as the case may be. No arrangements 
have been entered into between the 
Company and the Directors to entitle 
any of the Directors to compensation 
for loss of office. The letters of 
appointment are available for inspection 
on request from the company secretary.

The Company’s Articles of Association 
provide that the Directors will be 
subject to election at the first annual 
general meeting after their appointment 
and at least every three years thereafter. 
Peter Dubens, as a non‑independent 
Director, is subject to re‑election at the 
AGM in 2017.

Brief biographical details of these 
Directors are given on page 6.

30 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Directors’ Annual Report on Remuneration 
Directors’ fees for the year (audited) 
The fees payable to individual Directors in respect of the year ended 31 March 2017 are shown in the table below.

Jonathan Djanogly

Laurence Blackall

Peter Dubens*

Total annual 
fee 
£

Total fee paid for year 
ended 31.03.17 
£

Total fee paid for year 
ended 31.03.16 
£

20,000

15,000

15,000

20,000

15,000

–

20,000

15,000

–

*Peter Dubens has waived his right to a fee for the years ended 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2016.

No taxable benefits were paid to the Directors, no pension related benefits were paid to the Directors and no money or other 
assets were received or receivable by the Directors for the relevant financial year. There were no fees payable to past directors or 
payments made for loss of office.

Fees are not specifically related to the Directors’ performance, either individually or collectively. Peter Dubens, as a member of 
the Investment Adviser, will benefit from performance related fees paid to the Investment Adviser. Details of these incentive fees 
are disclosed within the Strategic Report and Note 7 to the Financial Statements.

Relative importance of spend on pay 
The table below shows the total remuneration paid to the Directors and shareholder distributions in the year to 31 March 2017 
and the prior year:

Year ended  
31.03.17
£

Year ended  
31.03.16
£

Increase/ 
(decrease) 
% 

Total Directors’ fees
Dividend
Repurchase of own shares

35,000
611,466
–

35,000
108,847
53,896

–
461.8
(100.0)

Directors’ shareholdings (audited) 
The beneficial interests of the Directors in the shares of the Company at the year end were as follows:

As at 31.03.17
% of  
Ordinary 
shares 
in issue

B Ordinary 
shares 
held

% of  
B Ordinary 
shares 
in issue

Ordinary 
shares 
held

Director

Jonathan Djanogly
Laurence Blackall
Peter Dubens

25,000
200,000
400,000

0.14
1.11
2.21

25,000
100,000
400,000

0.16
0.65
2.62

As at 31.03.16

% of  
Ordinary 
shares 
in issue

B Ordinary 
shares 
held

% of  
B Ordinary 
shares 
in issue

0.14
1.11
2.21

25,000
100,000
400,000

0.31
1.23
4.93

Ordinary 
shares 
held

25,000
200,000
400,000

Subsequent to the year end Peter Dubens bought 186,689 B Ordinary shares under the Offer.

The Company confirms that it has not set out any formal requirements or guidelines for a Director to own shares in the Company. 

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 31

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Company performance 
The Board is responsible for the Company’s investment 
strategy and performance, although the management of the 
Company’s investment portfolio is delegated to the Investment 
Adviser through a management agreement. The Directors 
consider that a comparison of investment performance against 
the FTSE UK Small Cap Index is the best available metric, 
although readers should note that the differences between the 
scale, capital structure and liquidity of investments in the two 
differ markedly.

The graphs below compare the Company’s Ordinary and 
B Ordinary share prices, net asset values and total return per 
share with the total return from a notional investment of  
100 pence in the FTSE UK Small Cap Index over the same period. 

At the last AGM held on 29 September 2016, 93% of 
shareholders voted for, 7% of shareholders voted against and 
5,000 shares were withheld in respect of the resolution 
approving the Directors’ remuneration report. At the AGM 
held in 2015 100% of shareholders voted for and nil shares 
were withheld in respect of the resolution approving the 
Directors’ remuneration policy. Ordinary resolutions for the 
approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy and the 
Directors’ Annual Report on Remuneration will be put to 
shareholders at the forthcoming AGM.

On behalf of the Board 
Jonathan Djanogly, Director 
28 July 2017

Ordinary Shares

160p

150p

140p

130p

120p

110p

100p

90p

5 Apr
2013

30 Sep
2013

31 Mar
2014

30 Sep
2014

31 Mar
2015

30 Sep
2015

31 Mar
2016

30 Sep
2016

31 Mar
2017

B Ordinary Shares

Ordinary Shares (above)

Pembroke VCT Ord Total return per Share (inc. 30% tax rebate)

FTSE UK Small Cap Total Return Index

Pembroke VCT Ord Total Return per Share

Pembroke VCT Ord NAV per Share

Pembroke VCT Ord Share Price

Š

B Ordinary Shares (right)

Pembroke VCT B Ord Total return per Share (inc. 30% tax rebate)

FTSE UK Small Cap Total Return Index

Pembroke VCT B Ord Total Return per Share

Pembroke VCT B Ord NAV per Share

Pembroke VCT B Ord Share Price

140p

135p

130p

125p

120p

115p

110p

105p

100p

95p

90p

31 Mar
2015

30 Sep
2015

30 Sep
2016

31 Mar
2016

31 Mar
2017

32 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Governance

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 33

Corporate Governance Statement

The Directors of Pembroke VCT plc 
confirm that the Company has taken 
appropriate action to enable it to 
comply with the Principles of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the 
“Code”) issued by the Financial 
Reporting Council in September 2014.

As a Venture Capital Trust, most of the 
Company’s day‑to‑day responsibilities 
are delegated to third parties and the 
Directors are all non‑executive.  
Thus, not all the provisions of the Code 
are directly applicable to the Company. 
Apart from the matters referred to in 
the following paragraphs, the 
requirements of the Code were 
complied with throughout the year 
ended 31 March 2017.

In view of its non‑executive nature and 
the requirements of the Company’s 
Articles of Association that all Directors 
are subject to election by shareholders 
at the first annual general meeting after 
their appointment and thereafter every 
third annual general meeting, the Board 
considers that it is not appropriate for 
the Directors to be appointed for a 
specific term as recommended by the 
Code. Full details of duties and 
obligations are provided at the time of 
appointment and are supplemented by 
further details as necessary. In light of 
the responsibilities retained by the 
Board and the Audit Committee and of 
the responsibilities delegated to the 
Investment Adviser, the VCT status 
adviser and the company secretary, the 
Company has not appointed a chief 
executive, deputy chairman or a senior 
independent non‑executive Director. 
There is no formal induction 
programme for Directors but any newly 
appointed Director will be given a 

comprehensive introduction to the 
Company’s business, including meeting 
the Company’s advisers.

Being an externally managed investment 
company, the Company does not have 
an independent internal audit function. 
Such a function is thought by the Board 
to be unnecessary given the size of the 
Company and the nature of its business.

Board of Directors 
The Company has a Board of three 
non‑executive Directors, two of whom 
are considered to be independent.  
The third Director, Peter Dubens, is also 
a member of the Investment Adviser. 
The Company has no employees. 

All non‑executive Directors have signed 
letters confirming the terms of their 
appointment as non‑executive Directors 
with effect from 5 April 2013. 

Directors are provided with key 
information on the Company’s activities 
including regulatory and statutory 
requirements and internal controls by 
the Company’s VCT status adviser, 
Philip Hare & Associates LLP, and by 
the company secretary, The City 
Partnership (UK) Limited. The Board has 
direct access to corporate governance 
advice and compliance services through 
the company secretary, which is 
responsible for ensuring that Board 
procedures are followed and 
compliance requirements are met.

All Directors may take independent 
professional advice in furtherance of 
their duties as necessary.

The Board is responsible to shareholders 
for the proper management of the 
Company and looks to meet on at least 
four occasions each year. It has formally 

adopted a schedule of matters which 
must be brought to it for decision, thus 
ensuring that it maintains full and 
effective control over appropriate 
strategic, financial, operational and 
compliance issues. Those matters 
include the appointment or removal of 
the Investment Adviser and monitoring 
the performance of the Investment 
Adviser and investee companies.  
The Chairman and the company 
secretary establish the agenda for each 
Board meeting and all necessary 
papers are distributed in advance of 
the meetings. 

Board performance 
The Board aims to carry out 
performance evaluations of the Board 
and the Audit Committee and, 
consequently, individual Directors each 
coming year. Due to the size of the 
Company, the fact that all Directors are 
non‑executive and the costs involved, 
external facilitators will not be used in 
the evaluation. A performance 
evaluation of the Board, the Audit 
Committee and individual directors was 
led by Jonathan Djanogly. The Directors 
concluded that the balance of skills is 
appropriate and all Directors contribute 
fully to discussion in an open, 
constructive and objective way.  
The size and composition of the  
Board is considered adequate for the 
effective governance of the Company. 
As all directors have acted in the 
interests of the Company throughout 
the period of their appointment and 
demonstrated commitment to their roles 
the Board recommends they be 
re‑elected at the AGM. 

34 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Corporate Governance Statement continued

Audit Committee 
The Audit Committee operates within 
clearly defined written terms of 
reference which are available on 
request from the company secretary.

The Audit Committee comprises two 
independent Directors. The members of 
the committee are Laurence Blackall 
(chairman) and Jonathan Djanogly.  
A quorum shall be two members.

During the year ended 31 March 2017 
and up to the date of signing the Annual 
Report and Financial Statements, the 
Audit Committee discharged its 
responsibilities by:

•  Reviewing the content and 

monitoring the integrity of the 
financial statements of the Company, 
including the fair value of investments 
as determined by the Investment 
Adviser, calculation of the 
management fee and allocation of 
expenses between revenue and 
capital, and making 
recommendations to the Board;

•  Reviewing the Company’s accounting 

policies;

•  Reviewing internal controls and 

assessing the effectiveness of those 
controls in minimising the impact of 
key risks;

•  Reviewing and approving the 

statements to be included in the 
annual report concerning the internal 
control and risk management;

•  Reviewing the need to appoint an 

internal audit function;

•  Reviewing and approving the 

Independent Auditor’s terms of 
engagement, including remuneration;

•  Reviewing and monitoring the 

independence and objectivity of the 
auditor and the effectiveness of the 
audit process;

•  Reviewing and approving the 

Independent Auditor’s audit plan;

Investment Adviser’s confirmation and 
considered it appropriate. 

•  Recommending to the Board and 

shareholders the ongoing 
appointment of and fee payable to 
Grant Thornton UK LLP; and

•  Reviewing the arrangements for staff 
of the Investment Adviser to raise 
concerns in confidence about 
possible improprieties in financial 
reporting or other matters and 
ensuring that those arrangements 
allow proportionate and independent 
investigation of such matters and 
appropriate follow up actions.

The key areas of risk identified by the 
Audit Committee in relation to the 
business activities and Financial 
Statements of the Company are:

•  Compliance with HM Revenue & 
Customs rules – in particular s274  
of the Income Tax Act 2007 – to 
maintain the Company’s VCT  
status; and

•  Valuation of unquoted investments.

These risks were discussed with the 
Investment Adviser at the Audit 
Committee meeting before sign‑off of 
the Financial Statements. The 
Committee concluded:

Venture Capital status – the  
Investment Adviser confirmed to the 
Audit Committee that the conditions  
for maintaining the Company’s status 
had been complied with throughout  
the year. 

Valuation of unquoted investments –  
the Investment Adviser confirmed to the 
Audit Committee that the basis of 
valuation for unquoted companies was 
in accordance with published industry 
guidelines, taking account of the latest 
available information about investee 
companies and current market data. 
The Audit Committee examined the 

The Investment Adviser and auditor 
confirmed to the Audit Committee that 
they were not aware of any material 
misstatements. Having reviewed the 
Company’s financial statements and 
reports received from the Investment 
Adviser and auditor, the Audit 
Committee is satisfied that the key areas 
of risk and judgment have been 
appropriately addressed in the Financial 
Statements and that the significant 
assumptions used in determining the 
value of assets and liabilities have  
been properly appraised and are 
sufficiently robust.

The Audit Committee has managed the 
relationship with the auditor and 
assessed the effectiveness of the audit 
process. When assessing the 
effectiveness of the process for the 
period under review the Committee 
considered the auditors’ technical 
knowledge and that they have a clear 
understanding of the business of the 
Company; that the audit team is 
appropriately resourced; that the auditor 
provided a clear explanation of the 
scope and strategy of the audit and 
maintained independence and 
objectivity. As part of the review of 
auditor effectiveness and 
independence, Grant Thornton UK LLP 
has confirmed that it is independent of 
the Company and has complied with 
applicable auditing standards. Grant 
Thornton UK LLP does not provide any 
non‑audit services to the Company and 
the Audit Committee must approve the 
appointment of the external auditor for 
any non‑audit services. Grant Thornton 
UK LLP has held office as auditor for 
four years; in accordance with ethical 
standards the engagement partner is 
rotated after at most five years, and the 
current partner has served for one year.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 35

Corporate Governance Statement continued

Attendance at Board and committee meetings

During the year ended 31 March 2017 
there were:

Director

•  4 full Board meetings; and

•  2 Audit Committee meetings.

The Directors’ attendance at these 
meetings is noted here.

Jonathan Djanogly

Laurence Blackall

Peter Dubens

Review of internal control 
The process adopted by the Board for 
identifying, evaluating and managing 
the risks faced by the Company 
includes an annual review of the 
control systems. The review covers a 
consideration of the significant risks in 
each of three areas: statutory and 
regulatory compliance; financial 
reporting; and investment strategy and 
performance. Each risk is considered 
with regard to: the likelihood of 
occurrence, the probable impact on 
the Company, and the controls 
exercised at source, through reporting 
and at Board level. The Board has 
identified no problems with the 
Company’s internal controls.

Internal control 
The Board has established a process for 
the identification, evaluation and 
management of the significant risks 
faced by the Company. The Board 
acknowledges that it is responsible for 
the Company’s internal control systems 
and for reviewing their effectiveness. 
Internal controls are designed to 
manage the particular needs of the 
Company and the risks to which it is 
exposed. The internal control systems 
aim to ensure the maintenance of 
proper accounting records, the 
reliability of the financial information on 
which business decisions are made and 
which is used for publication, and that 
the assets of the Company are 
safeguarded. They can by their nature 
provide only reasonable and not 
absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. The financial 
controls operated by the Board include 
the authorisation of investments and 
regular reviews of both the financial 
results and investment performance.

The Board has delegated to third parties 
the provision of: investment advisory 
services; VCT status advisory services; 
broking services; day‑to‑day 
accounting, company secretarial and 
administration services; and share 
registration services.

Each of these contracts was entered into 
after full and proper consideration by 
the Board of the quality and cost of 
services offered. The Board receives 
and considers regular reports from the 
Investment Adviser. Ad hoc reports and 
information are supplied to the Board as 
required. The Board keeps under review 
the terms of the agreement with the 
Investment Adviser.

36 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Board

Audit Committee

4

4

1

2

2

n/a

Relations with shareholders 
The Board welcomes the views of 
shareholders and puts a premium on 
effective communication with the 
Company’s members. All written 
communication with shareholders is 
reviewed by the Board to ensure that 
shareholder enquiries are promptly and 
adequately resolved. Shareholders are 
encouraged to attend the Company’s 
Annual General Meeting where the 
Directors and representatives of the 
Company’s advisers will be available to 
answer any questions members may 
have. The notice of the Annual General 
Meeting forms part of this report.

The Board also communicates with 
shareholders through the half‑yearly 
and annual reports and financial 
statements which will include a 
Chairman’s statement and an 
investment adviser’s report both of 
which are reviewed and approved by 
the Board to ensure that they present a 
fair assessment of the Company’s 
position and future prospects.

On behalf of the Board 
Jonathan Djanogly 
Director 
28 July 2017

Directors’ responsibilities 
pursuant to DTR4
We confirm that to the best of  
our knowledge:

•  the Financial Statements, prepared in 
accordance with UK GAAP, give a 
true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and 
return or loss of the Company;

•  the Annual Report includes a fair 
review of the development and 
performance of the business and the 
financial position of the Company 
together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties  
that it faces.

The names of the Directors 
undersigning this Statement of 
Responsibilities may be found in the 
Directors’ Report on page 28.

On behalf of the Board 
Jonathan Djanogly 
Director 
28 July 2017

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

The Directors are responsible for 
preparing the Strategic Report, 
Directors’ Report, Directors’ 
Remuneration Report and the Financial 
Statements in accordance with 
applicable laws and regulations.  
The Directors have chosen to prepare 
the Financial Statements for the 
Company in accordance with United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice (“UK GAAP”).

Company law requires the Directors to 
prepare Financial Statements for each 
financial year. Under that law the 
Directors must not approve the 
Financial Statements unless they are 
satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view in accordance with UK GAAP of 
the state of affairs of the Company as at 
the end of the financial year and of the 
profit or loss of the Company for that 
period and which comply with UK 
GAAP and the Companies Act 2006. 

In preparing these Financial Statements, 
the Directors are required to:

•  Select suitable accounting policies 
and then apply them consistently;

•  Make judgments and estimates that 

are reasonable and prudent;

•  State whether all applicable UK 

Accounting Standards have been 
followed, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in 
the Financial Statements respectively;

•  Prepare the Financial Statements  
on the going concern basis unless  
it is inappropriate to presume that  
the Company will continue in 
business; and

•  Prepare a Strategic Report, a 

Directors’ Report and Directors’ 
Remuneration Report which comply 
with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006.

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

The Directors consider that the Annual 
Report and Financial Statements of the 
Company for the year ended 31 March 
2017 as a whole is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the 
information necessary for the members 
of the Company to assess the 
Company’s position and performance, 
business model and strategy.

Website publication 
The Directors are responsible for 
ensuring the Annual Report and the 
Financial Statements are made available 
on a website. Financial Statements are 
published on the Company’s website in 
accordance with legislation in the 
United Kingdom governing the 
preparation and dissemination of 
Financial Statements, which may vary 
from legislation in other jurisdictions. 
The maintenance and integrity of the 
Company’s website is the responsibility 
of the Directors. The Directors’ 
responsibility also extends to the 
ongoing integrity of the Financial 
Statements contained therein.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 37

Independent Auditor’s Report

38 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Independent Auditor’s Report

Our opinion on the financial 
statements is unmodified

In our opinion the financial statements: 

• give a true and fair view of the state  
of the Company’s affairs as at 31 
March 2017 and of its profit for the 
year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in 

accordance with applicable law and 
United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards (United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice) 
including FRS 102 ‘The Financial 
Reporting Standard applicable in the 
UK and Republic of Ireland’; and

• have been prepared in accordance 

with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006.

Who we are reporting to

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.

What we have audited

Pembroke VCT plc’s financial 
statements for the year ended 31 March 
2017 comprise the Income Statement, 
the Balance Sheet, the Statement of 
Changes in Equity, the Cash Flow 
Statement and the related Notes.

The financial reporting framework  
that has been applied in their 
preparation is United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice including FRS 102 ‘The 
Financial Reporting Standard applicable 
in the UK and Republic of Ireland’. 

Overview of our audit approach

• Overall materiality: £364,000 which 
represents 1% of the Company’s net 
assets; and

• Key audit risk was identified as 

valuation of unquoted investments. 

Our assessment of risk

In arriving at our opinions set out in this 
report, we highlight the following risks 
that, in our judgment, had the greatest 
effect on our audit: 

Audit risk –  
Valuation of unquoted investments

The investment strategy of the Company 
is to generate tax free capital gains and 
income on investors’ funds through 
investment primarily in companies 
within the leisure and luxury brands 
sectors. These investments which 
amount, by value, to approximately 
90% of equity, comprise unquoted 
shares and loans and, therefore, no 
quoted market price is available. The 
investments in unquoted shares are 
measured at fair value, which is 
established in accordance with the 
International Private Equity and Venture 
Capital (IPEVC) valuation guidelines by 
using measurements of value such as 
price of recent investment and earnings 
multiples which are subjective and 
include significant assumptions. The 
investments held as loans are measured 
at fair value, which is established by 
discounting expected future contractual 
payments at a market rate of interest. 
We therefore identified valuation of 
unquoted investments as a significant 
risk that requires special audit 
consideration. 

the relevant investee company 
management accounts and evaluating 
whether the valuation methodology 
applied was consistent with published 
guidance, in particular the IPEVC 
valuation guidelines; 

• where the price of a recent 

transaction had been used to value a 
holding, we obtained an 
understanding of the circumstances 
relating to it and whether it was 
appropriate to be considered as an 
arms‑length transaction that could be 
used as a valuation input; 

• where an investment was continued 
to be carried at cost, we considered 
the specific circumstances of the 
investment and the time elapsed since 
the investment was made in 
determining whether cost remains an 
appropriate basis of valuation; 

• for loans made to investee companies 

we obtained a copy of the loan 
agreements and compared the 
forecast of future cash flows made by 
the investment adviser to the 
contractual terms; obtained an 
understanding of the factors 
considered in determining the market 
rate of interest to use and considered 
whether the rate used was 
appropriate; and considered events 
which occurred subsequent to the 
year end up until the date of this 
report; and

How we responded to the risk

• attending the year end audit 

Our audit work included, but was not 
restricted to: 

• assessing whether the Company’s 
accounting policy for unquoted 
investments is in accordance with 
United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice and the 
Association of Investment Companies 
Statement of Recommended Practice 
(the AIC SORP) and testing whether 
the Company has accounted for 
unquoted investments in accordance 
with the policy;

• challenging the reasonableness of 

both the valuation model used and 
the assumptions made by the 
investment adviser to value the 
unquoted shares that had been valued 
using a valuation model, including 
corroboration of financial inputs to 

committee meeting where we 
assessed the effectiveness and rigour 
of the audit committee’s challenge 
and appraisal of the valuation of the 
unquoted investments; and 
considering the appropriateness, in 
accordance with relevant accounting 
standards, of the disclosures relating 
to the unquoted investments. 

The Company’s accounting policy on 
investments, including the valuation of 
unquoted investments, is shown in  
Note 5(a) and related disclosures are 
included in Note 12. The audit 
committee also identified the valuation 
of unquoted investments as a key area 
of risk in its report on page 35, where 
the committee also described the action 
that it has taken to address this risk.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 39

Independent Auditor’s Report continued

Our application of materiality and an 
overview of the scope of our audit

Materiality

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

We determined materiality for the audit 
of the financial statements as a whole 
to be £364,000 which is 1% of the 
Company’s net assets. This benchmark 
is considered the most appropriate 
because net assets, which are primarily 
composed of the Company’s 
investment portfolio, is considered to 
be a key driver of the Company’s total 
return performance.

Materiality for the current year is higher 
than the level that we determined for 
the year ended 31 March 2016 to reflect 
the increase in the value of underlying 
net assets.

We use a different level of materiality, 
performance materiality, to drive the 
extent of our testing and this was set at 
75% of financial statement materiality 
for the audit of the financial 
statements. We also determine a lower 
level of specific materiality for certain 
areas such as management fees and 
directors’ remuneration.

We determined the threshold at which 
we will communicate misstatements to 
the audit committee to be £18,000.  
In addition we will communicate 
misstatements below that threshold 
that, in our view, warrant reporting on 
qualitative grounds.

Overview of the scope of our audit

A description of the generic scope of 
an audit of financial statements is 
provided on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/
auditscopeukprivate.

We conducted our audit in accordance 
with ISAs (UK and Ireland). Our 
responsibilities under those standards 
are further described in the 
‘Responsibilities for the financial 
statements and the audit’ section of 
our report. We believe that the audit 

evidence we have obtained is sufficient 
and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion.

We are independent of the Company in 
accordance with the Auditing Practices 
Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors, 
and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with 
those Ethical Standards.

Our audit approach was based on a 
thorough understanding of the 
Company’s business and is risk based. 
The day‑to‑day management of the 
Company’s investment portfolio, the 
custody of its investments and the 
maintenance of the Company’s 
accounting records is outsourced to 
third‑party service providers. 
Accordingly, our audit work included:

• obtaining an understanding of, and 
evaluating, internal controls at the 
Company and the third‑party service 
providers, and inspecting records and 
documents held by the third‑party 
service provider; and 

• undertaking substantive testing on 

significant transactions, balances and 
disclosures, the extent of which was 
based on various factors such as our 
overall assessment of the control 
environment and the management of 
specific risks.

Other reporting required by 
regulations

Our opinions on other matters 
prescribed by the Companies Act 
2006 are unmodified

In our opinion, the part of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report to be 
audited has been properly prepared 
in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006. 

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

• the information given in the 

Strategic Report and the Directors’ 
Report for the financial year for 
which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the 
financial statements; and

• the Strategic Report and the 
Directors’ Report have been 
prepared in accordance with 
applicable legal requirements.

40 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Matter on which we are required to 
report under the Companies Act 2006

In the light of the knowledge and 
understanding of the company and its 
environment obtained in the course of 
the audit, we have not identified 
material misstatements in the Strategic 
Report or the Directors’ Report.

Matters on which we are required to 
report by exception

Under the Companies Act 2006  
we are required to report to you if,  
in our opinion:

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

• the financial statements and the part 

of the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
to be audited are not in agreement 
with the accounting records and 
returns; or

• certain disclosures of Directors’ 

remuneration specified by law are  
not made; or

• we have not received all the 

information and explanations we 
require for our audit. 

Under the Listing Rules, we are required 
to review:

• the Directors’ statements in relation to 

going concern and longer‑term 
viability, set out on pages 29 and 28 
respectively; and 

• the part of the Corporate Governance 
Statement relating to the Company’s 
compliance with the provisions of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code 
specified for our review.

Under the ISAs (UK and Ireland), we 
are required to report to you if, in our 
opinion, information in the annual 
report is:

• materially inconsistent with the 

information in the audited financial 
statements; or

• apparently materially incorrect based 
on, or materially inconsistent with, 
our knowledge of the Company 
acquired in the course of performing 
our audit; or

• otherwise misleading.

Independent Auditor’s Report continued

In particular, we are required to report 
to you if:

Responsibilities for the financial 
statements and the audit

• we have identified any inconsistencies 

What the Directors are responsible for:

As explained more fully in the Statement 
of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on 
page 37 the Directors are responsible for 
the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that 
they give a true and fair view. 

What we are responsible for:

Our responsibility is to audit and 
express an opinion on the financial 
statements in accordance with 
applicable law and ISAs (UK and 
Ireland). Those standards require us to 
comply with the Auditing Practices 
Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Andrew Heffron 
Senior Statutory Auditor 
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP 
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants 
London 
31 July 2017

between our knowledge acquired 
during the audit and the directors’ 
statement that they consider the 
annual report is fair, balanced and 
understandable; or 

• the annual report does not 

appropriately disclose those matters 
that were communicated to the audit 
committee which we consider should 
have been disclosed.

We have nothing to report in respect of 
the above.

We also confirm that we do not have 
anything material to add or to draw 
attention to in relation to:

• the Directors’ confirmation in the 

annual report that they have carried 
out a robust assessment of the 
principal risks facing the Company 
including those that would threaten its 
business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity;

• the disclosures in the annual  

report that describe those risks and 
explain how they are being managed 
or mitigated;

• the Directors’ statement in the 

financial statements about whether 
they have considered it appropriate to 
adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing them, and 
their identification of any material 
uncertainties to the Company’s ability 
to continue to do so over a period of 
at least twelve months from the date 
of approval of the financial 
statements; and

• the Directors’ explanation in the 

annual report as to how they have 
assessed the prospects of the 
Company, over what period they 
have done so and why they consider 
that period to be appropriate, and 
their statement as to whether they 
have a reasonable expectation that 
the Company will be able to 
continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the 
period of their assessment, including 
any related disclosures drawing 
attention to any necessary 
qualifications or assumptions. 

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 41

Financial Statements

42 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Income Statement for the year ended 31 March 2017 

Realised/unrealised gains and losses  

on investments

Income 

Investment adviser’s fees 

Other expenses

(Loss)/profit before tax

Tax

  Year ended 31.03.17

  Year ended 31.03.16

Note

Revenue
£

Capital
£

Total
£

Revenue
£

Capital
£

Total
£

12

5,6

7

8

9

– 1,300,433 1,300,433

– 1,821,992

1,821,992

1,205,035

– 1,205,035

804,674

–

804,674

(97,522)

(292,564)

(390,086)

(65,458)

(196,371)

(261,829)

(1,265,949)

(10,000) (1,275,949)

(267,283)

(6,913)

(274,196)

(158,436)

997,869

839,433

471,933 1,618,708

2,090,641

(22,646)

22,077

(569)

(75,000)

40,000

(35,000)

(Loss)/profit attributable to equity shareholders

(181,082) 1,019,946

838,864

396,933 1,658,708

2,055,641

Return per share

Ordinary shares

B Ordinary shares

11

11

(2.13)p

7.34p

5.21p

1.65p

(2.49)p

(0.84)p

1.72p

1.47p

6.17p

9.32p

7.89p

10.79p

The total column of this Income Statement represents the profit and loss account of the Company, prepared in accordance with 
Financial Reporting Standard 102 (“FRS 102”). The supplementary revenue and capital return columns are prepared in 
accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice, “Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture 
Capital Trusts” (“SORP”) revised in November 2014 and updated in January 2017. A separate Statement of Comprehensive 
Income has not been prepared as all comprehensive income is included in the Income Statement.

All the items above derive from continuing operations of the Company.

Unaudited Non‑Statutory Analysis between the Ordinary and B Ordinary shares

Realised/unrealised gains and losses  

on investments

Income 

Investment adviser’s fees 

Other expenses

(Loss)/profit before tax

Tax

  Ordinary shares

  B Ordinary shares

Note

Revenue
£

Capital
£

Total
£

Revenue
£

Capital
£

Total
£

12

5,6

7

8

9

– 1,514,066 1,514,066

–

(213,633)

(213,633)

601,998

–

601,998

603,037

–

603,037

(62,123)

(186,368)

(248,491)

(35,399)

(106,196)

(141,595)

(952,817)

–

(952,817)

(313,132)

(10,000)

(323,132)

(412,942) 1,327,698

914,756

254,506 (329,989)

(75,323)

27,239

–

27,239

(49,885)

22,077

(27,808)

(Loss)/profit attributable to equity shareholders

(385,703) 1,327,698

941,995

204,621

(307,752)

(103,131)

The accompanying notes on pages 50 to 61 are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 43

 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2017

Fixed assets

Investments

Current assets

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

Note

12

14

As at 
31.03.17
£

As at 
31.03.16
£

32,873,974

24,505,271

2,087,936

2,105,465

2,154,677

2,306,940

4,242,613

4,412,405

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

15

(730,725)

(234,690)

Net current assets

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Special reserve

Capital reserves

Revenue reserves

Total shareholders’ funds

Net asset value per Ordinary share

Net asset value per B Ordinary share

3,511,888

4,177,715

36,385,862

28,682,986

16,17

333,781

262,080

17

17

17

17

17

18

18

16,856,191

9,452,414

500

500

14,669,638

15,281,104

4,176,297

3,156,351

349,485

530,537

36,385,862

28,682,986

114.45p

111.24p

102.58p

105.44p

The Financial Statements were approved by the Directors and authorised for issue on 28 July 2017 and signed on their behalf by:

Jonathan Djanogly 
Director

The accompanying notes on pages 50 to 61 are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

44 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2017

Unaudited Non‑Statutory Analysis between the Ordinary and B Ordinary Share Funds

As at 31.03.17

As at 31.03.16

Note

 Ordinary 
shares 
£

 B Ordinary 
shares 
£

Total
£

 Ordinary  
shares 
£

 B Ordinary 
shares 
£

Total
£

12

20,277,199

12,596,775

32,873,974

19, 736,049

4,769,222

24,505,271

14

46,786

2,041,150

2,087,936

58,604

2,046,861

2,105,465

Fixed assets

Investments

Current assets

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

653,658

1,501,019

2,154,677

488,973

1,817,967

2,306,940

700,444

3,542,169

4,242,613

547,577

3,864,828

4,412,405

Creditors: amounts falling  
due within one year

Net current assets

Net assets

Capital and reserves

15

(271,314)

(459,411)

(730,725)

(158,667)

(76,023)

(234,690)

429,130

3,082,758

3,511,888

388,910

3,788,805

4,177,715

20,706,329

15,679,533

36,385,862

20,124,959

8,558,027

28,682,986

Called up share capital

16,17

180,923

152,858

333,781

180,912

81,168

262,080

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Special reserve

Capital reserves

Revenue reserves

17

17

17

17

17

1,600,912

15,255,279

16,856,191

1,599,724

7,852,690

9,452,414

500

–

500

500

14,919,280

(249,642)

14,669,638

15,281,104

–

–

500

15,281,104

3,944,166

232,131

4,176,297

2,616,468

539,883

3,156,351

60,548

288,907

349,455

446,251

84,286

530,537

Total shareholders’ funds

20,706,329

15,379,533

36,385,862

20,124,959

8,558,027

28,682,986

Net asset value per share

18

114.65p

102.58p

n/a

111.24p

105.44p

n/a

The accompanying notes on pages 50 to 61 are an integral part of the Financial Statements.
The accompanying notes on pages XX to XX are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 45

Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 31 March 2017

for the year ended  
31 March 2017 

Opening balance as at  

1 April 2016

Called
up share
capital
£

Share
premium
£

Capital
redemption
reserve
£

Special
reserve
£

Capital
reserve 
£

Revenue
reserve
£

Total
reserves
£

262,080

9,452,414

500

15,281,104

3,156,351

530,537

28,682,986

Shares issued

71,701

7,468,378

–

–

–

(64,601)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(611,466)

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,540,079

(64,601)

(611,466)

–

1,019,946

(181,082)

838,864

Share issue expenses

Dividends paid

Profit/(Loss) for the year

Closing balance as at  

31 March 2017

333,781

16,856,191

500

14,669,638

4,176,297

349,455

36,385,862

for the year ended  
31 March 2016 

Called
up share
capital
£

Share
premium
£

Capital
redemption
reserve
£

Special
reserve
£

Capital
reserve 
£

Revenue
reserve
£

Total
reserves
£

Opening balance as at  

1 April 2015

201,206

3,519,742

Shares issued

61,374

6,083,346

–

–

Shares bought back

(500)

–

500

(53,896)

15,443,847

1,497,643

133,604

20,796,042

–

–

(108,847)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6,144,720

(53,896)

(150,674)

(108,847)

–

1,658,708

396,933

2,055,641

–

–

–

(150,674)

–

–

–

–

–

Share issue expenses

Dividends paid

Profit for the year

Closing balance as at  

31 March 2016

262,080

9,452,414

500

15,281,104

3,156,351

530,537

28,682,986

46 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

 
 
Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 31 March 2017

Unaudited Non‑Statutory Analysis between the Ordinary and B Ordinary Share Funds

Ordinary Shares 

Opening balance as at  

1 April 2016

Shares issued

Dividends paid

Profit/(Loss) for the year

Closing balance as at  

31 March 2017

Called
up share
capital
£

Share
premium
£

Capital
redemption
reserve
£

Special
reserve
£

Capital
reserve 
£

Revenue
reserve
£

Total
reserves
£

180,912

1,599,724

500

15,281,104

2,616,468

446,251

20,124,959

11

–

–

1,188

–

–

–

–

–

–

(361,824)

–

–

–

–

1,199

(361,824)

–

1,327,698

(385,703)

941,995

180,923

1,600,912

500

14,919,280

3,944,166

60,548

20,706,329

B Ordinary Shares 

Called
up share
capital
£

Share
premium
£

Capital
redemption
reserve
£

Special
reserve
£

Capital
reserve 
£

Revenue
reserve
£

Total
reserves
£

Opening balance as at  

1 April 2016

81,168

7,852,690

Shares issued

71,690

7,467,190

Share issue expenses

Dividends paid

(Loss)/Profit for the year

Closing balance as at  

31 March 2017

–

–

–

(64,601)

–

–

152,858

15,255,279

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(249,642)

539,883

84,286

8,558,027

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,538,880

(64,601)

(249,642)

–

(307,752)

204,621

(103,131)

(249,642)

232,131

288,907

15,679,533

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 47

 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31 March 2017 

Operating activities

Investment income received – qualifying

Deposit and similar interest received – non‑qualifying

Investment adviser’s fees paid

Company secretarial fees paid 

Cash paid to and on behalf of Directors 

Other cash payments

Year ended
31.03.17
£

Year ended
31.03.16
£

Note

530,496

1,756

13,123

3,594

(239,402)

(286,901)

–

(109,642)

(33,864)

(37,606)

(172,219)

(183,186)

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

19

86,767

(600,618)

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of investments 

Disposal of investments

Long term loans made

Short term loans made

Long term loans repaid

Net cash outflow from investing activities

(3,927,888)

(2,062,036)

552,898

–

(2,645,000)

(2,234,800)

(1,461,825)

(1,850,000)

764,400

100,000

(6,717,415)

(6,046,836)

Net cash outflow before financing

(6,630,648)

(6,647,454)

Cash flows from financing activities

Net proceeds from share issues

Share buybacks paid

Equity dividends paid

Net cash inflow from financing

(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

7,089,851

5,901,985

–

(53,626)

(611,466)

(108,847)

6,478,385

5,739,512

(152,263)

(907,942)

2,306,940

3,214,882

2,154,677

2,306,940

The accompanying notes on pages 50 to 61 are an integral part of the Financial Statements.
The accompanying notes on pages XX to XX are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

48 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31 March 2017 

Unaudited Non‑Statutory Analysis between the Ordinary and B Ordinary Share Funds

Year ended 31.03.17

Year ended 31.03.16

Ordinary
Shares
£

B Ordinary
Shares
£

Total
£

Ordinary
Shares
£

B Ordinary
Shares
£

Total
£

Operating activities

Investment income received – qualifying

430,151

100,345

530,496

13,123

–

13,123

Deposit and similar interest received  
– non‑qualifying

82

1,674

1,756

2,010

1,584

3,594

Investment adviser’s fees paid

(159,384)

(80,018)

(239,402)

(239,548)

(47,353)

(286,901)

Company secretarial fees paid 

–

–

–

(93,469)

(16,173)

(109,642)

Cash paid to and on behalf of Directors 

(19,643)

(14,221)

(33,864)

(30,185)

(7,421)

(37,606)

Other cash payments

(114,864)

(57,355)

(172,219)

(143,938)

(39,248)

(183,186)

Net cash inflow/(outflow)  
from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of investments 

Disposal of investments

Long term loans made

Short term loans made

Loans repaid

Net cash inflow/(outflow)  
from investing activities

136,342

(49,575)

86,767

(492,007)

(108,611)

(600,618)

– (3,927,888)

(3,927,888)

(136,658)

(1,925,378)

(2,062,036)

106,583

446,315

552,898

–

–

–

– (2,645,000)

(2,645,000)

(100,000)

(2,134,800)

(2,234,800)

– (1,461,825)

(1,461,825)

– (1,850,000)

(1,850,000)

250,000

514,400

764,400

100,000

–

100,000

356,583 (7,073,998)

(6,717,415)

(136,658)

(5,910,178)

(6,046,836)

Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing

492,925 (7,123,573)

(6,630,648)

(628,665)

(6,018,789)

(6,647,454)

Cash flows from financing activities

Net proceeds from share issues

7,105

7,082,746

7,089,851

(17,573)

5,919,558

5,901,985

Share buybacks paid

Equity dividends paid

–

–

–

(53,626)

(361,824)

(249,642)

(611,466)

(108,847)

–

–

(53,626)

(108,847)

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing

(354,719)

6,833,104

6,478,385

(180,046)

5,919,558

5,739,512

Increase/(decrease) in cash

138,206

(290,469)

(152,263)

(808,711)

(99,231)

(907,942)

The accompanying notes on pages XX to XX are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 49

Notes to the Financial Statements

  1. Company information

The Company is a Public Limited Company incorporated in England and Wales. The registered address is 3 Cadogan Gate, 
London SW1X 0AS. The principal activity is investing in private equity type transactions.

  2. Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, 
including Financial Reporting Standard 102 – ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and 
Republic of Ireland’ (‘FRS 102’), and with the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the SORP issued by the 
Association of Investment Companies (“AIC”) in November 2014 and updated in January 2017. The Company has early 
adopted the amendments made to FRS 102 paragraph 34.22 issued in March 2016, revising the fair value hierarchy 
disclosure requirements. The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for the 
modification to a fair value basis for certain financial instruments as specified in the accounting policies below.

The financial statements are prepared in pounds sterling, which is the functional currency of the Company.

  3. Going concern

The Board of Directors is satisfied that the Company has adequate availability of funding in order to continue as a going 
concern. Therefore, the Company continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.

  4. Significant judgments and estimates

The availability of valuation techniques and observable inputs can vary from investment to investment and are affected by a 
wide variety of factors, including the type of investment, whether the investment is new and not yet established in the 
marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is 
based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires 
more judgment. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may be materially higher or lower 
than the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed. Accordingly, the degree of 
judgment exercised by the management in determining fair value is greatest for unquoted investments. In some 
circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorised within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. 
In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorised in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest 
level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

  5. Accounting policies 

A summary of the principal accounting policies, all of which have been applied consistently throughout the year, is set out below.

a)  Investments 
  The Company did not hold any listed investments at any time during the period under review. Investments in unlisted 
companies are held at fair value through profit or loss by the Directors. Information about the portfolio is provided 
internally to the Directors on that basis and the Directors consider the basis to be consistent with the Company’s 
investment strategy, with reference to the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines  
(“IPEVCV guidelines”). The IPEVCV guidelines include the following: 

  All unquoted equity are held at the price of a recent investment for an appropriate period where there is considered  
to have been no change in fair value. Where such a basis is no longer considered appropriate, the following factors 
will be considered:

(i)  Where a value is indicated by a material arms‑length transaction by an independent third party in the shares of a 

company, this value will be used.

(ii) 

In the absence of (i), and depending upon both the subsequent trading performance and investment structure of an 
investee company, the valuation basis will usually move to either:

a)  an earnings multiple basis. The shares may be valued by applying a suitable price‑earnings ratio to that 

company’s historical, current or forecast post‑tax earnings before interest and amortisation (the ratio used being 
based on a comparable sector but the resulting value being adjusted to reflect points of difference identified by 
the Investment Adviser compared with the sector including, inter alia, a lack of marketability); or

b)  an assessment of other relevant, objective evidence.

(iii)  Where an earnings multiple or other objective evidence is not appropriate and overriding factors apply, discounted 

cash flow or net asset valuation bases may be applied.

50| Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
(iv)  Loan stock investments are recognised at their fair value which is measured at the present value of expected future 
cash flows discounted at a market rate of interest. Loan stock investments receivable within the next 12 months are 
classified as short term.

  Realised surpluses or deficits on the disposal of investments are taken to realised capital reserves, and unrealised 

surpluses and deficits on the revaluation of investments are taken to unrealised capital reserves.

  Those venture capital investments that may be categorised as associated undertakings are carried at fair value as 

determined by the Directors in accordance with the Company’s normal policy. Carrying investments at fair value is 
specifically permitted under FRS102 section 14.4.

b)  Income 
  Dividends receivable on listed equity shares are brought into account on the ex‑dividend date. Dividends receivable on 
unlisted equity shares are brought into account when the Company’s right to receive payment is established and it is 
probable that payment will be received. Special dividends receivable are treated as a revenue receipt or a capital receipt 
depending on the facts and circumstances of each particular case. Fixed returns on non‑equity shares and debt securities 
are recognised on an accruals basis using the effective interest method. Such amounts are recognised in the revenue 
column provided that it is probable that payment will be received in due course.

c)  Expenses 
  All expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. In respect of the analysis between revenue and capital items 
presented within the income statement, all expenses have been accounted for as revenue items except as follows:

Expenses are split and presented partly as capital items where a connection with the maintenance or enhancement of 
the value of the investments held can be demonstrated, and accordingly the investment management fee is currently 
allocated 25% to revenue and 75% to capital, which reflects the Directors’ expected long-term view of the nature of the 
investment returns of the Company.

d)  Debtors 

Short term debtors (including short term loans) are measured at transaction price, less any impairment.

e)  Creditors 

Short term trade creditors are measured at the transaction price.

f)  Taxation
  Current tax is recognised for the amount of income tax payable in respect of the taxable profit for the current or past 

reporting periods using the tax rates and laws that that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. 
The tax effect of different items of income/gain and expenditure/loss is allocated between capital and revenue return on 
the “marginal” basis as recommended in the SORP. 

  Any tax relief obtained in respect of management fees allocated to capital is reflected in the capital column of the 

Statement of Comprehensive Income and a corresponding amount is charged against the revenue column. The tax relief 
is the amount by which corporation tax payable is reduced as a result of these capital expenses.

  Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences at the reporting date, except as otherwise indicated. 

Deferred tax assets are only recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of 
deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. 

  Deferred tax is calculated using the tax rates and laws that that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the 

reporting date that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference. 

  The tax expense/(income) is presented either in the Income Statement or Statement of Changes in Equity depending on 
the transaction that resulted in the tax expense/(income). Deferred tax liabilities are presented within provisions for 
liabilities and deferred tax assets within debtors.

g)  Financial instruments 
  The Company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other 

Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

  The Company’s financial instruments comprise its investment portfolio, cash balances and most debtors and creditors. 

These financial assets and financial liabilities are carried either at fair value or, in the case of debtors, creditors and cash, 
using the cost which is considered to be a reasonable approximation of their fair value.

h)  Events after the balance sheet date 
  Dividends declared and approved by the Company after the balance sheet date have not been recognised as a liability of 

the Company at the balance sheet date.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 51

 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

  6. Income 

Interest receivable – revenue
‑ from bank deposits 
‑ from loan stock
‑ arrangement fees received

  7. Investment Adviser’s fees 

Oakley Investment Managers LLP

2017
£

1,756
1,189,539
13,740

1,205,035

2016
£

3,434
795,220
6,020

804,674

2017 
£

2016 
£

390,086

261,829

Oakley Investment Managers LLP has been appointed as the Company’s Investment Adviser. This appointment shall continue 
until terminated by the expiry of not less than twelve months’ notice in writing given by either party. The appointment may 
also be terminated in circumstances of material breach by either party.

Details of the appointment may be found in the Strategic Report on pages 26 and 27.

No performance fee is due in respect of the year ended 30 April 2017 (2016: £nil).

  8. Other expenses 

Other expenses include:

Company secretarial fees 
Auditor’s remuneration – audit of statutory financial statements
Additional prior year audit fees
Printing and stationery 
Marketing
Insurance
Investment acquisition costs
Employers’ NI on Directors’ remuneration
Other costs 
Interest forgone on loan investments
Irrecoverable VAT 

The Company has no employees other than the Directors.

2017  
£

65,591
38,986
–
31,311
24,213
19,197
10,000
2,591
35,565
975,149
37,495

2016  
£

61,659
35,000
10,000
29,452
26,540
8,753
6,013
1,888
24,480
–
35,411

Information relating to Directors’ remuneration can be found in the audited section of the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
on page 31.

Interest forgone on loan investments includes the amounts foregone on loans to the following investee companies:

Boom Cycle
Dilly & Wolf
La Bottega
Second Home
Chucs
ME+EM
Zenos Cars

2017

37,271
33,477
735,827
13,208
115,463
15,689
24,214

975,149

More details relating to these investments is included in the Investment Adviser’s Review on pages 8 to 24. 

52 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

  9. Tax

a)  Analysis of tax charge

Current year charge
Revenue charge
Credited to capital return

Current tax charge (Note (b))

Prior year charge
Revenue charge
Credited to capital return

Total current and prior year tax charge

  b)  Factors affecting tax charge for the year 

Total return before tax
Effect of:
Corporation tax at 19% (2016: 20%)
Non‑taxable gains on investments
Movement in excess management expenses
Other movements

Tax charge for year (Note (a))

2017 
£

–
–

–

569
–

569

2016
£

35,000
–

35,000

–
–

35,000

839,433

2,090,641

159,492
(247,082)
87,590
–

418,128
(364,398)
(21,900)
3,170

–

35,000

No asset or liability has been recognised for deferred tax in relation to capital gains or losses on revaluing investments as the 
Company is exempt from corporation tax in relation to capital gains or losses as a result of qualifying as a Venture Capital Trust.

There is no potential liability to deferred tax. No deferred tax asset has been recognised on surplus expenses carried 
forward as it is not envisaged that any such tax will be recovered in the foreseeable future. The value of the unrecognised 
deferred tax is £78,000 (2016: £nil).

 10. Dividends paid

Dividends recognised as distributions paid to equity holders during the year:

Final dividend on Ordinary and B Ordinary shares for the year ended 31 March 2016 
of 2.0 pence per share 

Final dividend on Ordinary and B Ordinary shares for the year ended 31 March 2015 
0.6 pence per share

Dividends paid or payable in respect of the financial year:

2017
£

611,466

–

611,466

2017
£

2016
£

–

108,847

108,847

2016
£

Final dividend on Ordinary and B Ordinary shares for the year ended 31 March 2016 
of 2.0 pence per share – paid 31 October 2016

–

611,466

Interim dividend on Ordinary and B Ordinary shares for the year ended 31 March 
2017 of 1.0 pence per share – paid 7 June 2017

Final dividend on Ordinary and B Ordinary shares for the year ended 31 March 2017 
of 2.0 pence per share – payable on 26 October 2017

427,839

856,057

–

–

1,283,896

611,466

All dividends are paid from the special reserve.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 53

Boom Cycle

Dilly & Wolf

La Bottega

Second Home

Chucs

ME+EM

Zenos Cars

2017

37,271

33,477

735,827

13,208

115,463

15,689

24,214

975,149

 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 11. Return per share

2017

2016

Revenue

Capital

Total

Revenue

Capital

Total

(Loss)/earnings per Ordinary share

(2.13)p

7.34p

5.21p

Earnings/(loss) per B Ordinary share

1.65p

(2.49)p

(0.84)p

1.72p

1.47p

6.17p

9.32p

7.89p

10.79p

Basic revenue return per Ordinary share is based on the net revenue loss after taxation of (£385,703) (2016: Return: 
£311,902) and on 18,091,658 (2016: 18,133,662) Ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of Ordinary shares in 
issue during the year. Basic capital return per Ordinary share is based on the net capital gain after taxation of £1,327,698 
(2016: £1,118,170) and on £18,091,658 (2016: 18,133,662) Ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of shares in 
issue during the year.

Basic revenue return per B Ordinary share is based on the net revenue gain after taxation of £204,621 (2016: £85,031) and on 
12,383,649 (2016: 5,798,035) B Ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. Basic 
capital return per B Ordinary share is based on the net capital loss after taxation of £(307,752) (2016: Gain: £540,538) and on 
12,383,649 (2016: 5,798,035) Ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue during for the year.

 12. Investments

Movements in investments during the year are summarised as follows:

Shares 
£

Loan stock 
£

Total 
£

Opening valuation:

Cost at 31 March 2016

Unrealised gains at 31 March 2016

Interest rolled up in fixed income investments

13,280,986

3,562,735

6,437,600

19,718,586

–

1,223,950

–

3,562,735

1,223,950

Valuation at 31 March 2016

16,843,721

7,661,550

24,505,271

Movements in the year:

Purchases at cost

Disposals – proceeds

Loan repaid

Loans converted to equity

Transferred from short term to long term loans

Unrealised gains on equity investments

Unrealised losses on loan stock

Net realised losses

Interest rolled up in fixed income investments 

4,177,888

(552,898)

–

875,000

–

2,626,208

2,645,000

–

(764,400)

(875,000)

1,850,000

–

6,822,888

(552,898)

(764,400)

–

1,850,000

2,626,208

–

(1,304,192)

(1,304,192)

(21,583)

–

–

(287,320)

(21,583)

(287,320)

Total movements in the year

7,104,615

1,264,088

8,368,703

Closing valuation:

Cost at 31 March 2017

Unrealised gains at 31 March 2017

Unrealised losses on loan notes at 31 March 2017

Interest rolled up in fixed income investments

17,252,868

6,695,468

9,293,200

26,546,068

–

6,695,468

–

–

(1,304,192)

(1,304,192)

936,630

936,630

Valuation at 31 March 2017

23,948,336

8,925,638

32,873,974

54 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

The realised/unrealised gains and losses on investments of £1,300,433 in the income statement is comprised unrealised 
gains on equity investments of £2,626,208, less unrealised losses on loan stock of £1,304,192 and net realised losses of 
£21,583. Net realised losses in the year are comprised realised losses of £528,108 less £506,525 which was included as 
unrealised at 31 March 2016.

During the year the Company disposed of an equity investment in Penfield Limited for £552,898. The original cost of the 
investment was £876,008. The holding value as at 31 March 2016 was £273,204 and further investment of £301,277 at cost 
was made after 31 March 2016 prior to the investment’s disposal. An equity investment in Cheek Frills Limited was concluded 
during the year following the company entering liquidation in December 2015, resulting in a realised loss of £205,000.  
The original cost of Cheekfrills at 31 March 2016 was £205,000 and the holding value at 31 March 2016 was £nil.

As at 31 March 2017, the Company had no arrangements in place to dispose of any of its holdings.

The Company is required to report the category of fair value measurements used in determining the value of its investments, 
to be disclosed by the source of inputs, using a three‑level hierarchy:

Quoted market prices in active markets – “Level 1”

Inputs to Level 1 fair values are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. An active market is one in which quoted 
prices are readily and regularly available and those prices represent actual and regular occurring market transactions on an 
arm’s length basis. The Company has no investments classified in this category.

Valued using models with significant observable market parameters – “Level 2”

Inputs to Level 2 fair values are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset, 
either directly or indirectly. The Company has no investments classified in this category.

Valued using models with significant unobservable market parameters – “Level 3”

Inputs to Level 3 fair values are unobservable inputs for the asset. Unobservable inputs may have been used to measure fair 
value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, 
market activity for the asset at the measurement date (or market information for the inputs to any valuation models).  
As such, unobservable inputs reflect the assumptions the Company considers that market participants would use in pricing 
the asset. The Company’s unquoted equities and loan stock are classified within this category. As explained in Note 5, 
unquoted investments are valued in accordance with the IPEVCV guidelines. The fair value of all investments is assessed by 
the Company and, where appropriate, a revaluation against cost is made. The basis of revaluation may be based on a sales 
or profit multiple, or on market information that supersedes that held at the time of acquiring the investment. Details of the 
basis of revaluation are included in the Investment Review on pages 12 to 24.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 13. Significant interests 

As at the balance sheet date and from the dates of making the investments the Company has held 3% or more of the 
ordinary shares of:

Investment

Percentage equity holding 

Boom Cycle (Boom Spin Limited)
KX Gym (KX Group Holding Limited)
Plenish (Plenish Cleanse Limited)
Dilly & Wolf (Dilly and Wolf Limited)
KX U (KX U Limited)
Chilango (Mucho Mas Limited)
La Bottega (LBID Holdings Limited)
Chucs Bar & Grill (Chucs Bar & Grill Limited)
Second Home (Second Homes Limited)
Sourced Market (SP Market Limited)
Bel‑Air Inc (Bel‑Air Inc Limited)
Kat Maconie (Kat Maconie Limited)
Troubadour Goods (Troubadour Goods Limited)
Bella Freud (Bella Freud Limited)
Chucs (Chucs Limited)
Bella Freud Parfum (Bella Freud Parfum Limited)
ME+EM (Me and Em Limited)
Alexa Chung (Alpha Charlie Limited)
Boat International Media (Boat International Limited)
Blaze (SMIDSY Limited)
Stillking Films UK (2020 Group Limited)
Wishi (Wishi Fashion Limited)
Unbolted (Open Access Finance Ltd) 

31.6
11.8
37.4
27.0
11.3
3.0
40.0
26.6
4.6
26.0
7.7
22.3
37.8
27.8
11.7
22.5
12.4
15.1
21.6
6.5
5.0
3.1
4.4

Details of holdings may be found in the Investment Portfolio summary and Investment Review on pages 10 to 24.

 14. Debtors 

Amounts falling due within one year:
Short terms loan and accrued interest
Sundry debtors and prepayments

 15. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 

Sundry creditors and accruals
Deferred income
Corporation tax
Fixed asset investment deferred payment

56 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

2017
£

2016
£

–
2,087,936

1,907,658
197,807

2,087,936

2,105,465

2017
£

437,136
8,020
35,569
250,000

730,725

2016
£

185,680
14,010
35,000
–

234,690

 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

16.  Called up share capital 

Allotted, called‑up and fully paid at 1 April 2016:
Issued during the year

At 31 March 2017

*Ordinary shares of 1 pence each  
**B Ordinary shares of 1 pence each

Number of 
Ordinary 
shares*

18,091,202
1,095

Number of 
B Ordinary 
shares**

Total

8,116,777
7,169,034

26,207,979
7,170,129

18,092,297

15,285,811

33,378,108

During the year, the Company issued 1,095 Ordinary shares as detailed below:

Allotted, called up and fully paid: 

Number of 
Ordinary 
shares

Nominal 
value 
£

Consideration
received
£

Ordinary shares issued on 31 October 2016

1,095

11

1,199

During the year, the Company issued 7,169,034 B Ordinary shares as detailed below:

Allotted, called up and fully paid: 

B Ordinary shares issued on 5 April 2016
B Ordinary shares issued on 4 August 2016
B Ordinary shares issued on 30 September 2016
B Ordinary shares issued on 14 October 2016
B Ordinary shares issued on 31 October 2016
B Ordinary shares issued on 3 February 2017 

During the year, the Company repurchased no shares. 

Number of 
B Ordinary 
shares

3,084,856
757,913
522,545
51,622
6,914
2,745,184

7,169,034

Nominal 
value 
£

Consideration
received
£

30,849
7,579
5,225
516
69
27,452

71,690

3,143,650
810,500
558,000
55,000
7,080
2,964,650

7,538,880

 17. Reserves

Called‑up share capital represents the nominal value of shares that have been issued. 

Share premium account includes any premiums received on issue of share capital less any transaction costs associated with 
the issuing of shares and any amounts transferred to the special reserve. 

Special reserve include amounts transferred from the share premium account on 26 March 2014. The special reserve 
distributable and is mainly used for payment of dividends.

Capital reserves includes all current and prior period realised and unrealised movements in the fair value of investments and 
all costs which are considered capital in nature. As at 31 March 2017 there were realised losses of £1,197,505 (2016 losses: 
388,909) which are distributable the balance is unrealised and non‑distributable.

Revenue reserve includes all current and prior period retained profits and losses. The balance on the account is distributable.

The total distributable reserves of the Company at 31 March 2017 is £13,821,588 (2016: £15,811,641)

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 18. Net asset value per share

The net asset values per share at the year‑end were as follows:

2017
Net asset values attributable
Net assets 
per share

Net  
assets

2016
Net asset values attributable
Net assets 
per share

Net  
assets

Ordinary shares

B Ordinary shares

20,706,329

15,379,533

114.45p

102.58p

£20,124,959

£8,558,027

111.24p

105.44p

Net asset value per Ordinary share is based on net assets at the year end and on 18,092,297 (2016: 18,091,202) Ordinary 
shares, being the number of Ordinary shares in issue at the year end. 

Net asset value per B Ordinary share is based on net assets at the year end and on 15,285,811 (2016: 8,116,777) B Ordinary 
shares, being the number of B Ordinary shares in issue at the year end.

 19. Reconciliation of profit before taxation to net cash outflow from operating activities 

Profit before taxation for the year
Net gains on investments
Decrease/(increase) in debtors (excluding share issue proceeds and short term loans)
Decrease/(increase) in interest rolled up in fixed income investments
Increase/(decrease) in creditors and accruals (excluding share issue expenses, short 

term loans and fixed asset investment balances)

Net cash outflow from operating activities

2017
£

839,433
(1,300,433)
30,571
287,320

2016
£

2,090,641
(1,821,992)
(60,812)
(740,070)

229,876

(68,385)

86,767

(600,618)

 20. Financial instruments 

The Company’s financial instruments comprise:

(i) 

Equity and fixed-interest investments that are held in accordance with the Company’s investment objectives as set out 
in the Directors’ Report; and

(ii)  Cash, liquid resources, short term debtors and creditors that arise directly from the Company’s operations.

Investments are made in a combination of equity and loans. Surplus funds are held on bank deposit. It is not the Company’s 
policy to trade in financial instruments or derivatives.

Fixed asset investments are valued at fair value through profit or loss. Unquoted investments are valued by the Directors 
using rules consistent with International Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (“IPEV”) guidelines. The fair value of 
all other financial assets and liabilities is represented by their carrying value in the balance sheet. Further details of the bases 
on which financial instruments, including investments, are held may be found at Notes 5 and 12 and in the investment 
adviser review on pages 8 to 24.

58 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

The Company held the following categories of financial instruments, all of which are included in the balance sheet at fair 
value, at 31 March 2017:

2017

2016

Assets at fair value through profit and loss:
Equity investments
Loan stock
Short term loans

Assets measured at amortised cost:
Short term loans accrued interest
Other debtors

Liabilities measured at amortised cost:
Creditors
Cash at bank

Cost 
£

Fair value 
£

Cost 
£

Fair value 
£

17,252,868
10,229,830
–

23,948,336
8,925,638
–

13,280,986
7,661,550
1,850,000

16,843,721
7,661,550
1,850,000

–
2,040,569

–
2,040,569

57,658
141,624

57,658
141,624

(730,725)
2,154,677

(730,725)
2,154,677

(234,690)
2,306,940

(234,690)
2,306,940

30,947,219

36,338,495

25,064,068

28,626,803

Loans to investee companies are treated as fair value through profit and loss and are included in the investment portfolio.

Unquoted investments account for 100% of the investment portfolio by value. The investment portfolio has a 100% 
concentration of risk towards small UK based, sterling denominated companies and represents 90.3% (2016: 85.4%) of net 
assets at the year end.

All financial liabilities are due within one year and are expected to be settled within six months of the period and in 
accordance with normal credit terms.

The main risks arising from the Company’s financial instruments are credit risk, investment valuation risk, interest rate risk 
and liquidity risk. All assets and liabilities are denominated in sterling, hence there is no currency risk.

Credit risk 

The Company has exposure to credit risk in respect of its loan stock investments. This risk is managed through the due 
diligence process adopted when making loan investments to unquoted companies and through regular monitoring of the 
investee companies by the Investment Adviser. The selection of credit institution at which to hold cash balances is made by 
the Investment Adviser and monitored by the Board. The credit risk is managed by ensuring cash is held with an institution 
or institutions with a Standard & Poors long term credit rating of BBB or better. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the 
balance sheet date was £13,120,884 (2016: £12,017,772).

Investment valuation risk 

The Board manages the investment valuation risk inherent in the Company’s portfolio by maintaining an appropriate spread 
of risk and by ensuring full and timely access to relevant information from the Investment Adviser. The Board reviews the 
investment performance and financial results, as well as compliance with the Company’s investment objectives. The Board 
seeks to ensure that an appropriate proportion of the Company’s portfolio is invested in cash and readily realisable 
securities which are sufficient to meet any funding commitments which may arise. The Company does not use derivative 
instruments to hedge against market risk.

The equity and fixed interest stocks of the Company’s unquoted investee companies are very seldom traded and, as such, 
their prices are more uncertain than those of more frequently traded stocks. It is estimated that a 15% fall in the carrying 
value of the Company’s unquoted investments would reduce profit before tax for the year and the Company’s net asset 
value per share by £4,931,096 and 14.8 pence (2016: £3,675,791 and 14.0p) respectively.

A 15% estimate is considered to be an appropriate illustration given historical volatility and market expectations of  
future performance.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 20. Financial instruments (continued)

Interest rate risk 

The Company’s financial assets include loan stock and bank deposits which are interest bearing, at a mix of fixed and 
variable rates. As a result, the Company is exposed to interest rate risk due to fluctuations in prevailing levels of market 
interest rates. The Board seeks to mitigate this risk through regular monitoring of the Company’s interest bearing 
investments. The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge against interest rate risk.

As at 31 March 2017, the Company’s financial assets by value, excluding short-term debtors and creditors which are not 
exposed to interest rate risk, comprised:

Financial assets

£

Venture capital investments
 Ordinary shares
 Loan stock 
 Loan stock
 Loan stock 
 Loan stock 
 Loan stock 
 Loan stock 
 Loan stock
 Loan stock
 Loan stock
 Loan stock
 Loan stock
 Loan stock
 Loan stock 
 Loan stock 
 Loan stock
 Loan stock
 Loan stock
 Loan stock
 Loan stock
 Loan stock
 Loan stock 
 Loan stock
 Loan stock 
 Loan stock
 Loan stock
 Loan stock
Bank deposits

23,948,336
111,979
402,466
2,344,806
885,808
405,534
63,151
164,109
410,477
337,085
253,616
104,932
100,493
60,371
58,892
60,948
121,238
221,743
227,912
300,000
178,077
73,118
26,882
507,968
610,795
441,556
451,682
2,154,677

35,028,651

Interest 
rate

n/a
Fixed
Fixed 
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Floating
Floating
Fixed
Floating
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Floating
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Floating

%

68.4
0.3
1.1
6.7
2.5
1.2
0.2
0.5
1.2
1.0
0.7
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.6
0.6
0.9
0.5
0.2
0.1
1.4
1.7
1.3
1.3
6.1

100.0

Weighted 
average 
interest rate 
%

n/a
12.0
9.0
12.0
15.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
8.0
12.0
12.0
8.0
8.0
12.0
11.5
8.0
12.0
12.0
11.5
12.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
0.15

Fixed 
term 
years

n/a
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
n/a
5.0
5.0
5.0
1.0
n/a

It is estimated that, if the floating interest rate fell to 0%, pre-tax profit for the year would fall by 0.61% (2016: 1.37%) on an 
annualised basis.

The risk from future fluctuations in interest rate movements should be mitigated by the Company’s intention to complete its 
investment strategy and to hold a majority of its investments in instruments which are not exposed to market interest rate changes.

Liquidity risk 

The investments in equity and fixed interest stocks of unquoted companies that the Company holds are not traded and thus 
are not readily realisable. At times, the Company may be unable to realise its investments at their carrying values because of 
an absence of willing buyers. The Company’s ability to sell investments may also be constrained by the requirements set 
down for VCTs. To counter such liquidity risk, sufficient cash and money market funds are held to meet running costs and 
other commitments.

60 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 21. Management of capital 

The Board of Directors considers the Company’s net assets to be its capital and the Company does not have any externally 
imposed capital requirements.

The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, 
satisfy the relevant HMRC requirements and provide at least adequate returns for shareholders.

As a VCT, the Company must have, and must continue to have, within three years of raising its capital at least 70% by value 
of its investments in VCT qualifying holdings which are a relatively high risk asset class of small UK companies. In satisfying 
this requirement, the Company’s capital management scope is restricted. Subject to this restriction, the Company directs 
investment policy and may adjust dividends, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to maintain the 
level of liquidity to remain a going concern.

 22. Post balance sheet events 

Since 31 March 2017 the Company has made investments of £1,937,234, of which £748,242 represented new investments 
and £1,188,992 follow‑on investments in existing holdings. The Company has no other investment commitments at the 
balance sheet date. 

Since the Company’s year end, the Company has allotted the following shares under the Offer for Subscription which is 
now closed: 

• 8,826,567 B Ordinary shares on 5 April 2017 for £9,661,355;

• 579,211 B Ordinary shares on 3 May 2017 for £628,750; and

• 636,569 B Ordinary shares on 6 July 2017 for £691,400.

On 7 June 2017 the Company allotted 876 Ordinary shares and 18,580 B Ordinary shares under the Dividend  
Investment Scheme.

 23. Geographical analysis 

The operations of the Company are wholly in the United Kingdom.

24.  Related parties

The Company retains Oakley Investment Managers LLP (“OIM”) as its Investment Adviser. 

Peter Dubens, a non‑executive Director of the Company, is a member of OIM. During the year ended 31 March 2017, 
£390,086 was payable to OIM for investment adviser services of which £194,368 was owed to OIM at the year end (2016: 
£261,829, of which £43,683 was owed at the year end). During the year OIM paid expenses on behalf of the Company 
amounting to £nil (2016: £nil), of which £nil (2016: £nil) was outstanding at the year end.

Oakley Capital Limited (“OCL”), a company over which Peter Dubens has significant control, acted as promoter for the offer 
during the year. The fees in the year amounted to £159,344 (31 March 2016: £150,674) out of which OCL cover the costs of 
the offer. The costs paid by the Company in the year amounted to £279,559. OCL were paid £50,000 in fees, resulting in a 
balance of £311,839 owed from OCL to the Company at the year end (2016: OCL owed the Company £141,624). Following 
the year end, additional promoter fee income of £185,433 was recognised and as at the date of signing the Financial 
Statements OCL owed the Company £126,406.

The number of Ordinary shares (all of which are held beneficially) by employees of OIM as at 31 March 2017 are:

2017

2016

Ordinary
shares held

B Ordinary
shares held

Ordinary
shares held

B Ordinary
shares held

Peter Dubens

Director

Stewart Porter

Investment Adviser

400,000

75,000

400,000

–

400,000

75,000

200,000

–

The remuneration of the Directors, who are key management personnel of the Company, is disclosed in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on page 31.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notice of Annual General Meeting

It is the Board’s opinion that all resolutions are in the best interests of shareholders as a whole and the Board recommends that 
shareholders should vote in favour of all resolutions. Any shareholder who is in doubt as to what action to take should consult an 
appropriate independent financial adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

If you have sold or transferred all your Shares in the Company, please forward this document, together with the forms of proxy to 
the purchaser, transferee, stockbroker or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected, for transmission to the 
purchaser or transferee. 

Notice is hereby given that the third annual general meeting of Pembroke VCT plc will be held at 9.30am on Thursday 
7 September 2017 at 3 Cadogan Gate, London, SW1X 0AS for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing the following 
Resolutions (of which, Resolutions 1 to 10 will be proposed as Ordinary Resolutions and and Resolutions 11 and 12 will be 
proposed as Special Resolutions):

Ordinary Business 
1.  To receive the Directors’ and the Independent Auditor’s Reports and the Company’s financial statements for the year ended 

31 March 2017.

2.  To approve final dividends of 2 pence per Ordinary share and 2 pence per B Ordinary share in respect of the year ended 31 

March 2017 with a payment date of 26 October 2017 and a record date of 22 September 2017.

3.  To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

4.  To receive and approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2017.

5.  To re-appoint Grant Thornton UK LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office until the conclusion of the next annual 

general meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company.

6.  To authorise the Directors to fix the remuneration of the auditor.

7.  To re‑elect Peter Dubens as a Director of the Company.

8.  To re‑elect Jonathan Djanogly as a Director of the Company.

9.  To re‑elect Laurence Blackall as a Director of the Company.

10. That, in accordance with article 147 of the Company’s Articles of Association and in addition to existing authorities, the 

Directors of the Company be and hereby generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with section 551 of the 
Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”) to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot and issue Ordinary and B Ordinary shares 
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the dividend investment scheme adopted by the Company on 3 December 2015 and 
in connection with any dividend declared or paid in the period commencing on the date of this Resolution 10 and ending on 
the date of the next AGM or the date falling 15 months after the date of the passing of this resolution:

a.  Ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the capital of the Company (“Ordinary Shares”) up to an aggregate nominal amount 
representing 10% of the issued Ordinary Share capital from time to time (approximately 1,809,317 Ordinary shares); and 

b.  B Ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the capital of the Company (“B Ordinary Shares”) up to an aggregate nominal amount 
representing 10% of the issued B Ordinary Share capital from time to time (approximately 2,534,673 B Ordinary shares).

Special Resolutions
11.  That, in accordance with section 570(1) of the Act, the Directors be and are hereby given power to allot or make offer or 

agreements to allot equity securities (as defined in section 560 of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authorities conferred by 
resolution 10 above as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, and so that:

a.  Reference to the allotment in this resolution shall be construed with section 560 of the Act; and

b.  The power conferred by this resolution shall enable the Company to make offers or agreements before the expiry of said 
power which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after the expiry of the said power and the Directors 
may allot equity securities of such offers or agreements notwithstanding the expiry of such power.

12. That the Company be and is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised within the meaning of Section 701 of the Act to 
make market purchases of Ordinary and B Ordinary Shares of 1 pence each in the capital of the Company (“Ordinary and 
B Ordinary Shares”) provided that:

(i) 

the maximum number of Ordinary and B Ordinary Shares hereby authorised to be purchased is an amount equal to 
14.99% of the issued Ordinary and 14.99% of the issued B Ordinary Share capital of the Company from time to time;

(ii)  the minimum price which may be paid for an Ordinary or B Ordinary Share is 1 pence per share, the nominal amount thereof;

(iii) the maximum price which may be paid for an Ordinary or B Ordinary Share is an amount equal to 105% of the average of 
the middle market prices shown in the quotations for an Ordinary or B Ordinary Share as applicable in The London Stock 
Exchange Daily Official List for the five business days immediately preceding the day on which that share is purchased;

(iv) the authority hereby conferred shall (unless previously renewed or revoked) expire on the earlier of the annual general 
meeting of the Company to be held in 2018 and the date which is 15 months after the date on which this resolution is 

62 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

Notice of Annual General Meeting continued

passed; and

(v)  the Company may make a contract or contracts to purchase its own Ordinary or B Ordinary Shares under this authority 

before the expiry of the authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of the authority, and may 
make a purchase of its own Ordinary or B Ordinary Shares in pursuance of any such contract or contracts as if the 
authority conferred hereby had not expired. 

By Order of the Board 
The City Partnership (UK) Limited 
Company Secretary 
28 July 2017

 Notes 
  1. Pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 and paragraph 18(c) of The Companies Act 2006 
(Consequential Amendments) (Uncertificated Securities) Order 2009, only shareholders registered in the register of members 
of the Company as at 9.30am on 5 September 2017 (48 hours, excluding non‑working days, before the time appointed for the 
meeting) shall be entitled to attend and vote at the AGM in respect of the number of shares registered in their name at such 
time. If the meeting is adjourned, the time by which a person must be entered in the register of members in order to have the 
right to attend and vote at the adjourned meeting is 48 hours before the time of any adjourned meeting. 

  2. As a member of the Company, you are entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of your rights to attend and vote at the 
meeting and you should have received a Form of Proxy with this notice of meeting. You can appoint a proxy only by using the 
procedures set out in these notes and the notes to the Form of Proxy. A proxy does not need to be a member of the Company 
but must attend the meeting to represent you.

  3. To appoint a proxy you may use the Form of Proxy enclosed with this Notice of AGM. To be valid, the Form of Proxy must be 
deposited by 9.30am on 5 September 2017, or if this meeting is adjourned, by no later than 48 hours, excluding non‑working 
days, prior to the time and date set for the adjourned meeting, using one of the following methods:

•  By sending a signed completed hard copy of the Form of Proxy to Share Registrars Limited, The Courtyard, 17 West Street, 

Farnham, GU9 7DR; or

•  By sending a legible scan of the completed hard copy of the form of proxy to proxies@shareregistrars.uk.com.

  4. You may appoint more than one proxy provided each proxy is appointed to exercise rights attached to different shares.  

You may not appoint more than one proxy to exercise rights attached to any one share. To appoint more than one proxy you 
should photocopy the Form of Proxy. Please indicate alongside the proxy holder’s name, the number of shares in relation to 
which they are authorised to act as your proxy. The notes to the Form of Proxy explain how to direct your proxy to vote on 
each resolution or withhold their vote. 

  5. In the case of joint holders, where more than one of the joint holders purports to appoint a proxy, only the appointment 

submitted by the most senior holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the order in which the names of the joint 
holders appear in the Company’s register of members in respect of the joint holding (the first-named being the most senior).

  6. In order to revoke a proxy instruction you will need to inform the Company using one of the following methods:

•  By sending hard copy notice clearly stating your intention to revoke your proxy appointment to Share Registrars Limited, 
The Courtyard, 17 West Street, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7DR. In the case of a member which is a company, the revocation 
notice must be executed under its common seal or signed on its behalf by an officer of the company or an attorney for the 
company. Any power of attorney or any other authority under which the revocation notice is signed (or a duly certified 
copy of such power or authority) must be included with the revocation notice; or

•  By sending an email, clearly stating your intention to revoke your proxy appointment, to proxies@shareregistrars.uk.com.

  7. Appointment of a proxy does not preclude you from attending the meeting and voting in person. If you have appointed a 

proxy and attend the Meeting in person, your proxy appointment will automatically be terminated.

  8. The issued share capital of the Company at the date of this notice is 18,093,173 Ordinary Shares and 25,346,738 B Ordinary 

Shares, therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company as at the date of this notice is 43,439,911.

  9. The following documents are available for inspection at the registered office of the Company:

•  The Directors’ letters of appointment

•  Register of the Directors’ interests in the share capital of the Company.

 10. You may not use any electronic address provided either in this notice of meeting or any related documents, to communicate 

with the Company for any purposes other than those expressly stated.

Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017 | 63

Corporate Information

Directors  
(all non-executive) 

Independent 

Not independent 

Jonathan Simon Djanogly (Chairman) 

Peter Adam Daiches Dubens

Laurence Charles Neil Blackall

All of the registered office and 
principal place of business 

3 Cadogan Gate 
London  
SW1X 0AS

www.pembrokevct.com

Investment Adviser 
Oakley Investment Managers LLP 
3 Cadogan Gate 
London 
SW1X 0AS 

Secretary 
The City Partnership (UK) Limited 
110 George Street 
Edinburgh 
EH2 4LH 

Independent Auditor 
Grant Thornton UK LLP 
30 Finsbury Square 
London 
EC2P 2YU

Registrar 
The City Partnership (UK) Limited 
c/o Share Registrars Limited 
The Courtyard 
17 West Street 
Farnham 
Surrey 
GU9 7DR

Bankers 
Barclays Bank plc 
1st Floor 
99 Hatton Garden 
London 
EC1N 8DN 

VCT Status Adviser 
Philip Hare & Associates 
Suite C 
First Floor 
4‑6 Staple Inn 
London 
WC1V 7QH

Reporting Calendar 

for year ending 31 March 2018

Results announced: 

Interim – October 2017

Annual – July 2018

64 | Pembroke VCT plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017

 
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