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Pembroke VCT plc

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FY2019 Annual Report · Pembroke VCT plc
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3 Cadogan Gate, London SW1X 0AS

Incorporated in England and Wales

with registered number 08307631

ANNUAL REPORT
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 March 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
04 06 08 10

Financial Summary

Chairman’s Statement

The Board of Directors

Financial Highlights  
and Investment Objective

12

Investment Adviser’s Review

14

Investment Portfolio

33

Strategic Report

36

Directors’ Report

38

Directors’ Remuneration  
Report

42

Corporate Governance 
Statement

51

Income Statement

59

Notes to the Financial 
Statements

52

Balance Sheet

71

Notice of Annual  
General Meeting

45 46

Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities

Independent Auditor’s  
Report

54

Statement of Changes  
in Equity

56

Cash Flow Statement

74

Corporate Information

75

Form of Proxy

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Financial Highlights

Company net asset value  
as at 31 March 2019

£67.8m

Company profit for the year  
to 31 March 2019

£5.8m

Net asset value  
per Ordinary share

138.27p

Net asset value  
per B Ordinary share

111.90p

Weighted return 
per Ordinary share

17.24p

Weighted return 
per B Ordinary share

8.14p

Increase of portfolio value  
over cost

Total value of  
investments

41%

£64.7m

Cash invested in new and  
follow‑on investments

£11.3m

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 Pembroke 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 five sectors:

• Wellness  

• Hospitality  

• Education  

• Apparel and accessories  

• Media and technology

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Financial Summary

Results

Year ended
31.03.19
Ordinary 
shares

Year ended
31.03.19
B Ordinary 
shares

Year ended 
31.03.19
total

Year ended  
31.03.18
Ordinary
shares

Year ended
31.03.18
B Ordinary  
shares

Year ended 
31.03.18
total

Net assets
Number of shares in issue
Net asset value per share (pence)
Investment income

£25,023,232
18,097,588
138.27
£356,108

£42,744,669
38,198,001
111.90
£663,704

£67,767,901
56,295,589
n/a
£1,019,812

£22,442,372
18,095,005
124.03
£486,074

£28,777,540
26,615,404
108.12
£538,457

£51,219,912
44,710,409
n/a
£1,024,531

Profit before tax
Revenue
Capital

Total

Return per share (pence)
Revenue
Capital

Total

£114,800
£3,005,796

£243,428
£2,462,721

£358,228
£5,468,517

£283,386
£1,992,393

£228,919
£1,554,114

£512,305
£3,546,507

£3,120,596

£2,706,149

£5,826,745

£2,275,779

£1,783,033

£4,058,812

0.51
16.73

17.24

0.59
7.54

8.13

n/a
n/a

n/a

1.31
11.27

12.58

0.74
6.36

7.10

n/a
n/a

n/a

Company performance – Ordinary shares

200p

180p

160p

140p

120p

100p

80p

60p

40p

20p

0p

05.04.13

30.09.13

31.03.14

30.09.14

31.03.15

30.09.15

31.03.16

30.09.16

31.03.17

30.09.17

31.03.18

30.09.18

31.03.19

Portfolio performance – Ordinary shares

Pembroke VCT 
share price

Pembroke VCT 
NAV per share

Pembroke VCT 
total return per share

Pembroke VCT 
total return per share
including 30% tax rebate

5,500

5,000

4,500

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

+3,108

+1,704

+611

+493

+55

Boo m Cycle

KX Gy m

Plenish

Chilango

Five G uys U K

+2,287

-1,960

+1,058

+375

+970

+1,213

+366

+582

+659

-990

+135

-7

-500

+441

Chucs Bar & Grill
La Bottega

Second H o m e

Sourced M arket

Kat M aconie
Troubadour G oods

Bella Freud
Bella Freud Parfu m

Chucs

Boat International 

Rated People

Zenos Cars

Beryl

Stillking Film s

All figures in £’000

Cost of investment

Fair value as at 31 March 2019

Increase in fair value

Decrease in fair value

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total return
(net asset value (“NAV”) plus cumulative dividends paid)

Year ended
31.03.19
Ordinary
shares
(pence  
per share)

Year ended
31.03.19
B Ordinary
shares
(pence  
per share)

Year ended
31.03.18
Ordinary
shares
(pence  
per share)

Year ended
31.03.18
 B Ordinary
shares
(pence  
per share)

Dividends paid during the year ended
£’000
3,500
31 March 2015
3,250
31 March 2016
3,000
2,750
31 March 2017
2,500
31 March 2018
2,250

+1,704.3

+1,838.1

2,000
31 March 2019
1,750

1,500
Total dividends paid since launch
+499.1
1,250

+492.7

Closing NAV
1,000

725

500

-102.2
Total return 

250

0

-270.0

+2,726.3

-1,960

+1,057.8

3.00

0.60

2.00

3.00

3.00

–

–

2.00

3.00

–

3.00

+582.4

11.60

–

+391.2

138.27

+474.3

8.00

-990.0
111.90

149.87

119.90

-63.0

3.00

0.60

2.00

3.00

–

8.60

124.03

–

–

2.00

+952.9

3.00

–

5.00

108.12

-203.7

-500.0 +358.3

132.63

113.12

Plenish

KX Gy m

Boo m Cycle

Five G uys U K
Kat M aconie
Troubadour G oods
Company performance – B Ordinary shares

Chucs Bar & Grill
La Bottega

Sourced M arket

Second H o m e

Dilly & W olf

Chilango

Bella Freud Parfu m
Bella Freud

Chucs

Boat International 

Rated People

Zenos Cars

Blaze

Stillking Film s

All figures in £’000

Cost of investment

Fair value as at 31 March 2018

Increase in fair value

Decrease in fair value

Pembroke VCT 
share price

Pembroke VCT 
NAV per share

Pembroke VCT 
total return per share

Pembroke VCT 
total return per share
including 30% tax rebate

180p

160p

140p

120p

100p

80p

60p

40p

20p

0p

31.03.15

30.09.15

31.03.16

30.09.16

31.03.17

30.09.17

31.03.18

30.09.18

31.03.19

Portfolio performance – B Ordinary shares

4,000

3,750

3,500

3,250

3,000

2,750

2,500

2,250

2,000

1,750

1,500

1,250

1,000

750

500

250

0

+405

+402

+148

+1,172

+26

+445

–

+254

+643

-10

–

-585

+36

–

+9

-300

+2,538

-358

+346

–

–

+777

-225

–

+29 -130

–

–

–

Boo m Cycle

Plenish
KX Urban

LY M A Life

Chilango
Five G uys U K

La Bottega
Chucs Bar & Grill
Second H o m e
Sourced M arket
Secret Food Tour
Bel-Air Inc
N is for N ursery
Bella Freud
Kat M aconie
Bella Freud Parfu m
Troubadour G oods

Chucs

Alexa Chung
M E+E M

Heist Studios

Rated People
Boat International 
PlayerLayer

Zenos Cars

Unbolted

StylIndex

Beryl

W ishi Fashion

–

–

–

Popsa
H otelM ap

Floo m

All figures in £’000

Cost of investment

Fair value as at 31 March 2019

Increase in fair value

Decrease in fair value

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Chairman’s Statement

I am pleased to present my report for the year ended  
31 March 2019.

We continued to put investors’ funds to work throughout the 
year, deploying £11.3 million in new and follow‑on investments 
having raised a total of £6.6 million in the prior B Ordinary share 
offer which closed in July 2018. Our new B Ordinary share offer 
commenced in September 2018 raising £7.3 million as at 
31 March 2019. The offer closed on 30 June 2019 having raised  
a total of £20 million. This underlies 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 
132.63 pence per share at 31 March 2018 to 149.87 pence per 
share at 31 March 2019. Over the same period the Total Return 
of the B Ordinary shares rose from 113.12 pence per share to 
119.90 pence per share.

Investment overview 
During the year we made five new investments (N is for Nursery, 
Secret Food Tours, HotelMap, Floom and LYMA) and had the 
opportunity to re‑invest in a further 13 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 £46.5 million at 
31 March 2018 to £64.7 million at 31 March 2019, of which 
organic equity value increases totalled £6.3 million.

The fund made no significant disposals during the year.  
For further details please see the Investment Adviser’s Review 
and Investment Portfolio on pages 12 to 31.

Dividends 
In October 2018 the Company paid a dividend of 3 pence  
per Ordinary share and 3 pence per B Ordinary share in relation 
to the financial year ending 31 March 2018. The Board now 
recommends that shareholders approve, at the forthcoming 
Annual General Meeting, the payment of a final dividend of 
3 pence per Ordinary share and 3 pence per B Ordinary share.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
09

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Results
The Company made a profit of £5.8 million in the year to 
31 March 2019 (2018: £4.1 million), representing a weighted 
return per Ordinary share of 17.24 pence (2018: 12.58 pence) 
and a return per B Ordinary share of 8.14 pence (2018: 7.10 pence). 
Income arose from the realised losses and unrealised revaluation 
of investments of £6.3 million (2018: £4.1 million) alongside 
income principally from loan notes provided to portfolio 
companies of £1.0 million (2018: £0.9 million). This was offset by 
Investment Adviser fees of £1.2 million (2018: £0.7 million) and 
other expenses totalling £0.3 million (2018: £0.4 million).

NAV at 31 March 2019 was £67.8 million (2018: £51.2 million), 
equivalent to 138.27 pence (2018: 124.03 pence) per Ordinary 
share and 111.90 pence (2018: 108.12 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. 

Annual General Meeting 
The Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) will be held at the 
Company’s offices at 3 Cadogan Gate, London SW1X 0AS  
on 26 September 2019 at 8.30 am.

Jonathan Djanogly 
Chairman 
29 July 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Board of Directors

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 
and he is currently a member of the 
Exiting the EU Select Committee. 

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. 

David Till
Non‑ independent non‑ executive Director 
David Till co‑founded the Oakley Capital 
Group in 2002. He plays a key role within 
the group and has overall responsibility 
for operations, finance, due diligence, 
compliance and Fund formation. Oakley 
Capital Private Equity invests in, and 
supports, the continued growth and 
development of some of Europe’s leading 
companies and seeks to build long‑term 
relationships with talented entrepreneurial 
founders and managers. Over the past 16 
years, Oakley has built expertise in three 
core sectors: TMT, Digital Consumer and 
Education, and has strong credentials and 
networks in these areas. Oakley Capital 
comprises four mid‑market private equity 
funds. The Funds generate strong returns 
for their Limited Partners as well as 
Oakley Capital Investments Limited,  
a listed investment vehicle that invests  
in Oakley Private Equity Funds.

David holds a BA (Hons) in Economics 
from Essex University. He started his 
career in the British Army, then later 
qualified as a chartered accountant with 
Coopers & Lybrand and worked in industry 
as a finance director before returning to 
the profession holding senior M&A roles.

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Investments

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12

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Investment Adviser’s Review

34 investments with a cost of £45.8 million  
and a fair value of £64.7 million, 
representing a 41% increase over cost

Five new 
investments
totalling 
£5.6 million

Overview
The Company made five new investments and made follow‑on 
investments in 13 companies in the year to 31 March 2019, 
spanning the Company’s expertise in the wellness, hospitality, 
education, apparel and accessories together with media and 
technology sectors. At the year end, the portfolio comprised  
35 investments with a cost of £45.8 million and a fair value  
of £64.7 million, representing a 41% increase over cost.

Portfolio review 
The Company invested £5.6 million in the five new investments 
made during the year and has invested a further £5.7 million in 
the form of debt and equity investments in the 13 existing 
portfolio companies. 

The five new investments were N is for Nursery, Secret Food 
Tours, HotelMap, Floom and LYMA, all of which are unquoted, 
with investments made in the form of new ordinary equity with 
full voting rights. The new investments capitalise on our insights 
into the sectors in which we invest.

N is for Nursery is a 7‑day‑a‑week neighbourhood club, which 
offers a nursery (N Nursery) during the week and a family club 
space (N Family Club) at weekends. N Nursery & Family Club is 
open for 51 weeks, closing only between Christmas and New 
Year, to provide parents with a flexible offering, the nursery is 
open from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm.

Secret Food Tours is a rapidly growing food and beverage tour 
company that has developed a scalable and profitable approach 
to global expansion. Its flagship events centre on high‑end food 
tours, culinary events and nightlife tours. The company has 
60,000 customers annually and operates in 27 top‑tier cities 
across three continents.

HotelMap is a worldwide platform for managing hotel  
bookings exclusively for business events such as conferences, 
professional congresses, conventions and trade shows.  

The company seeks to exploit advantages associated with hotel 
booking for business events by creating a completely 
autonomous on‑demand platform. 

Floom is a curated global marketplace platform for independent 
florists; its mission is to become the primary destination for 
customers looking to send flowers worldwide. 

LYMA was founded in February 2017 with an aspiration to 
develop a luxury wellness brand. The company worked closely 
with industry experts and the world’s leading nutritional 
scientists, combining intensive R&D with the latest technological 
advances to produce a unique and high‑quality, evidence‑based 
nutritional supplement. 

The 13 follow‑on investments comprise seven further equity 
commitments to support further growth in Alexa Chung, Plenish, 
Chucs Bar & Grill, Boom Cycle, PlayerLayer, KX U and ME+EM 
alongside the extension of loans to provide working capital to 
eight investee companies (Sourced Market, Boom Cycle, 
La Bottega, Kat Maconie, Heist, Troubadour, Bella Freud and 
Chucs Bar & Grill). All investments were made by the B Ordinary 
share class.

Since the year end, the Company has made investments totalling 
£5.0 million in ten companies including two new investments  
of £1.8 million and eight follow‑on investments of £3.2 million 
in aggregate.

The Company has also agreed to sell its stake, along with all 
other shareholders, in La Bottega to Chucs Bar & Grill who will 
be re‑launching the three sites as Chucs Cafes in the summer of 
2019 in a share‑for‑share exchange. The Company’s valuation for 
La Bottega as at 31 March 2019 is that offered by Chucs B&G to 
acquire the site and was the highest offer received.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Follow‑on investments 
in 13 companies
totalling £5.7 million

Valuation 
Investments held by the Company have been valued in 
accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture 
Capital (IPEVC) valuation guidelines December 2018, developed 
by the British Venture Capital Association and other 
organisations. Through these guidelines, investments are valued 
as defined at ‘fair value’. The portfolio valuations are prepared  
by the Investment Adviser, reviewed and approved by the Board.

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.  
Price of recent value will only be used as fair value after careful 
consideration of all the facts and circumstances concerning the 
underlying investment.

Investment performance 
Companies that have performed well and justified upwards 
revaluations during the year of the equity held, include Five Guys 
that has seen annual revenue grow significantly as the company 
expands its number of sites in the UK and existing sites start to 
mature. ME+EM has also seen performance improve during the 
year as they continued to increase their online sales as their 
collections increase in popularity. 

Boat International is starting to see its shift from just print into a 
mixture of print and digital pay with the launch of Boat Pro, the 
largest database of information on the super yacht industry.

Kat Maconie has also had a good year as sales have increased 
since she opened her first retail store and a range of makeup was 
launched with a South Korean partner following the success of 
her shoes on a local TV shopping channel.

Owing to their trading performance, we have also assessed the 
fair value of Boom Cycle, KX Gym and Sourced Market to be 
higher than at March 2018. A number of our other 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.

There have been a number of instances in the portfolio where 
loans to portfolio companies have undergone conversion into 
equity in line with their contractual provisions. In such cases, the 
carrying value, including any accrued interest, is converted to new 
equity. This is the case for Chucs Bar & Grill and Alexa Chung.

Nine investments are held at cost (LYMA, N is for Nursery, 
PlayerLayer, Wishi, Unbolted, StylIndex, Popsa, HotelMap and 
Floom) 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 on pages 17 to 31.

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Investment Portfolio

Ordinary shares

Wellness
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 Parfum
Chucs

Media and technology
Boat International Media
Rated People
Zenos Cars
Beryl
Stillking Films

As at 31 March 2019
Fair value
£

% of net 
assets

Cost
£

As at 31 March 2018
Fair value
£

% of net 
assets

Cost
£

429,460
700,000
325,000
–

484,735
1,311,209
2,029,324
–

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

1,042,560
4,620,465
–
1,672,119
2,812,132
1,195,987

979,293
1,172,422
1,612,738
325,000
–

2,475,009
579,150
–
640,690
2,421,575

1.9
5.2
8.1
–

4.1
18.5
–
6.7
11.2
4.8

3.9
4.7
6.4
1.3
–

9.9
2.3
–
2.6
9.7

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

327,302
1,199,116
2,029,312
–

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

1,042,560
3,350,880
–
1,672,123
3,251,356
830,000

711,254
1,172,423
874,320
127,000
–

2,100,000
382,046
–
558,319
2,404,675

1.5
5.3
9.0
–

4.6
15.0
–
7.4
14.5
3.7

3.2
5.2
3.9
0.6
–

9.4
1.7
–
2.5
10.7

98.2

3.7

101.9
(1.9)

100.0

Investments before interest

14,774,009

25,374,408

101.3

15,044,009

22,032,686

Interest rolled up in fixed income investments*

1,170,773

1,170,773

Total investments
Net current assets

Net assets

15,944,782
(1,521,949)

26,545,181
(1,521,949)

14,422,833

25,023,232

4.7

106.0
(6.0)

100.0

822,684

822,684

15,866,693
(412,998)

22,855,370
(412,998)

15,415,695

22,442,372

*Added to investments in Financial Statements

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B Ordinary shares

As at 31 March 2019
Fair value
£

% of net 
assets

Cost
£

As at 31 March 2018
Fair value
£

% of net 
assets

Cost
£

Wellness
Boom Cycle
Plenish
Dilly & Wolf
KX Urban
LYMA Life

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

Education
N is for Nursery

Apparel and accessories
Kat Maconie
Troubadour Goods
Bella Freud
Bella Freud Parfum
Chucs
ME+EM
Alexa Chung
Heist Studios
PlayerLayer

Media and technology
Boat International Media
Rated People
Zenos Cars
Beryl
Wishi Fashion
Unbolted
Stylindex
Popsa
HotelMap
Floom

1,646,979
1,550,048
–
1,034,114
999,993

85,000
570,400
1,050,000
3,262,167
960,022
1,816,767
300,000
1,000,206

1,794,565
1,952,565
–
1,023,527
999,993

121,429
1,742,471
464,972
3,667,197
1,405,052
1,842,972
–
1,253,936

1,500,100

1,500,100

630,000
400,000
1,300,000
50,000
225,000
889,646
2,613,163
1,998,466
1,600,680

1,300,000
55,480
130,000
352,697
153,433
250,033
200,000
1,000,078
1,500,000
565,000

630,000
408,954
1,942,799
50,000
–
3,428,510
2,254,961
2,344,840
1,600,680

1,300,000
84,103
–
1,129,846
153,433
250,033
200,000
1,000,078
1,500,000
565,000

4.2
4.6
–
2.4
2.3

0.3
4.1
1.1
8.6
3.3
4.3
–
2.9

3.5

1.5
1.0
4.6
0.1
0.0
8.0
5.3
5.5
3.7

3.0
0.2
–
2.6
0.4
0.6
0.5
2.3
3.5
1.3

1,091,646
1,050,035
125,000
986,455
–

85,000
570,400
950,000
2,342,963
960,022
1,566,767
300,000
–

874,858
1,452,543
–
986,455
–

121,429
1,263,641
400,000
2,747,989
1,624,506
1,566,767
–
–

–

–

345,000
150,000
950,000
50,000
225,000
800,000
1,488,961
1,748,466
1,000,507

1,300,000
55,480
130,000
352,697
153,433
250,033
200,000
1,000,000
–
–

345,000
158,954
1,041,133
50,000
100,000
974,418
1,977,500
2,094,840
1,000,507

1,300,000
55,480
–
984,585
153,433
250,033
200,000
1,000,000
–
–

3.0
5.0
–
3.4
–

0.4
4.4
1.4
9.5
5.6
5.5
–
–

–

1.2
0.5
3.6
0.2
0.4
3.4
6.9
7.3
3.5

4.5
0.2
–
3.4
0.5
0.9
0.7
3.5
–
–

Investments before interest

30,989,472

36,612,016

Interest rolled up in fixed income investments*

1,556,170

1,556,170

Total investments
Net current assets

Net assets

*Added to investments in Financial Statements

32,545,642
4,576,483

38,168,186
4,576,483

85.7

3.6

89.3
10.7

20,227,865

22,724,071

970,228

970,228

21,198,093
5,083,241

23,694,299
5,083,241

78.9

3.4

82.3
17.7

37,122,125

42,744,669

100.0

26,281,334

28,777,540

100.0

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Investment Portfolio continued

Segment analysis 
The charts below show the segmental breakdown of the investment portfolio based on cost at 31 March 2019.

Ordinary share investment portfolio

9.8% Wellness

32.7% Media
and technology

16.9% Apparel
and accessories

40.6% Hospitality

B Ordinary share investment portfolio

17.8% Media
and technology

16.9% Wellness

31.3% Apparel
and accessories

29.2% Hospitality

4.8% Education

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Wellness

Representing 9.8% and 16.9% respectively of the Ordinary share and B Ordinary share  
investment portfolios by cost

Plenish,  founded  in  2012,  is  one  of  the  leading 
providers of nut milks that are now stocked in every 
major  supermarket  in  the  UK  and  is  a  fast  growing 
product  category.  A  new  range  of  flavoured  grab‑
and‑go nut milk bottles was launched in early 2019 
along with cold‑pressed juices in the UK of 100% raw 
organic (unpasteurised) juice.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in  
fixed income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£1,875,048

£3,981,889

£32,979

Last equity raise

32.7%

£500,013

£12,000

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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 

Interest rolled up in  
fixed income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£700,000

£1,311,209

£nil

Multiples

11.8%

£nil

£nil

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LYMA  was  founded  in  February  2017  with  an 
aspiration  to  develop  a  luxury  wellness  brand.  The 
company  worked  closely  with  industry  experts  and 
the  world’s  leading  nutritional  scientists,  combining 
intensive R&D with the latest technological advances 
to produce a unique and high‑quality, evidence‑based 
nutritional supplement.

Cost 

Valuation   

Interest rolled up in  
fixed income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£999,993

£993,993

£nil

Last equity raise

14.9%

£999,993

£nil

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Boom  Cycle  is  an  indoor  cycling  concept  which  
offers  a  fun,  high‑intensity  cardiovascular  workout 
combining indoor spin cycling with various exercise 
classes  for  both  upper  and  lower  body  work‑outs. 
One  of  the  foremost  dedicated  spinning  studios  in 
London, it currently has four studios (City, Holborn, 
Hammersmith  and  Battersea),  with  a  fifth  due  to 
open in Waterloo. Boom Cycle is on track to replicate 
the success of some of the larger players in the US.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in  
fixed income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£2,076,439

£2,279,300

£29,884

Last equity raise

32.1%

£555,333

£18,000

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KX  Urban  (KX  U)  is  a  pay‑as‑you‑go  development  
of  the  established  KX  luxury  gym  brand.  It  offers  
a  range  of  gym  classes  including  Hiit  &  Run,  
Body Barre, yoga, boxing and spinning within a high 
quality  gym  environment  with  a  healthy  food  and 
beverage offering.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in  
fixed income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£1,034,114

£1,023,527

£114,947

Last equity raise

10.3%

£47,659

£66,100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Hospitality

Representing 40.6% and 29.2% respectively of the Ordinary share and B Ordinary share 
investment portfolios by cost

Chilango is an award‑winning chain of quick‑service 
Mexican restaurants based on successful US business 
models.  There  are  currently  eleven  restaurants 
including  ten  across  high  footfall  areas  of  Central 
London, plus an outlet in Manchester that forms the 
basis for the brand’s regional roll‑out.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in  
fixed income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£634,850

£1,163,989

£nil

Last equity raise

2.9%

£nil

£nil

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secret  Food  Tours  is  a  rapidly‑growing  food  and 
beverage tour company that has developed a scalable 
and  profitable  approach  to  global  expansion.  
Its  flagship  events  centre  on  high‑end  food  tours, 
culinary events and nightlife tours. The company has 
60,000  customers  per  year  and  operates  in  27 
top‑tier cities across three continents.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

£1,000,206

£1,253,936

£nil

Multiples

9.1%

Investment in the year at cost 

£1,000,206

Total income recognised in the year 

£nil

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in  1986 

in  the  US.  
Five  Guys  was  founded 
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 92 outlets in the UK 
with the estate now close to reaching maturity.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in  
fixed income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

£2,083,200

£6,362,936

£887,090

Multiples

2.1%

£nil

Total income recognised in the year 

£331,209

Chucs  Bar  &  Grill  is  a  restaurant  concept  reflecting 
the  style  and  branding  of  the  Chucs  retail  brand.  
The  first  restaurant  opened  on  Dover  Street  in 
Mayfair, London in 2014, the second on Westbourne 
Grove,  and  a  third  site  opened  in  Harrods  in  early 
2018  with  the  Serpentine  joining  in  the  summer  of 
that year, taking the company to four sites.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in  
fixed income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£3,876,445

£5,339,316

£516,515

Last equity raise

28.3%

£919,193

£170,299

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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 an 
impressive  office  environment  in  which  to  locate 
their business for the short, medium and long term. 
The  company  now  has  sites  in  London,  Lisbon  and 
Los Angeles.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in  
fixed income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£1,485,096

£4,217,184

£nil

Last equity raise

3.2%

£nil

£nil

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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 in St Pancras International 
in  King’s  Cross  has  been  complemented  by  three 
further sites in Marylebone, Victoria and Barbican.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£2,646,767

£3,038,959

£71,876

Multiples

30.8%

£250,000

£70,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Education

Representing 4.8% of the B Ordinary share investment portfolio by cost

N is for Nursery is a seven‑day‑a‑week neighbourhood 
club  which  offers  a  nursery  (N  Nursery)  during  the 
week  and  a  family  club  space  (N  Family  Club)  at 
weekends. N Nursery & Family Club is open 51 weeks, 
closing  only  between  Christmas  and  New  Year,  to 
provide parents with a flexible offering, the nursery is 
open from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

£1,500,100

£1,500,100

£nil

Last equity raise

12.7%

£1,500,100

Total income recognised in the year 

£nil

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Apparel and Accessories

Representing 16.9% and 31.3% respectively of the Ordinary share and B Ordinary share 
investment portfolios by cost

Troubadour  Goods  is  a  London‑based  luxury  men’s 
accessories brand specialising in designing and creating 
superior  handcrafted  leather  and  textile  goods.  
They  launched  a  new  and  wider  range  in  Autumn 
2018 including a new range of products for women.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£990,000

£1,581,376

£1,918

Last equity raise

32.5%

£250,000

£1,918

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With  the  continuing  success  of  her  fashion  brand, 
Bella  Freud  has  launched  a  series  of  fragrances 
blending modernity and heritage, including Je t’Aime 
Jane, Ginsberg is God and the 1970. The scents are 
available in eau de parfum and candle format. Bella 
Freud Parfum is now stocked in a range of boutiques 
and department stores globally.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

£240,000

£375,000

£52,176

Multiples

22.5%

£nil

Total income recognised in the year 

£12,099

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

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£1,700,000

£3,555,537

£231,518

Multiples

37.9%

£350,000

£51,850

ME+EM,  founded 
is  a  contemporary 
in  2008, 
womenswear  brand  founded  by  Clare  Hornby, 
designing  and  producing  its  collections  primarily 
through  catalogues  and  online,  with  several  retail 
sites  across  London.  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  aesthetic 
embodying designer quality at an affordable price.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£889,646

£3,428,510

£nil

Multiples

12.8%

£89,646

£nil

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founded 

Kat  Maconie, 
in  2008,  designs  and 
manufactures  distinctive  ladies’  boots  and  shoes 
which  are  sold  online,  in  department  stores  and  in 
boutiques  globally.  In  Summer  2017  the  company 
collaborated with a Korean cosmetics major, resulting 
in significant expansion in sales in the Asian market. 
The  company  opened 
in 
Bermondsey in early 2019.

its  first  retail  store 

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£950,000

£1,609,293

£67,474

Multiples

22.3%

£655,000

£54,809

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The  iconic  model  and  designer  launched  her  own 
fashion label in May 2017. It offers accessible luxury 
in‑season 
womenswear  and  will  produce 
collections  per  year  internationally,  with  stockists  in 
over 15 countries.

four 

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

£2,613,163

£2,254,961

£nil

Multiples

21.1%

£1,124,202

Total income recognised in the year 

£12,821

Established  in  2015,  Heist  is  a  premium  hosiery 
manufacturer that seeks to redefine how tights can 
feel and wear. It launched its first shape wear item, 
the Outerbody, in Autumn 2018 to rave reviews and 
positive  customer  reviews  selling  out  its  first  batch 
ahead of schedule.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£1,998,466

£2,344,840

£479

Last equity raise

12.0%

£250,000

£479

PlayerLayer  designs  and  manufactures  customised 
sports kit for universities, sports clubs and schools. 
Since it was founded in 2008, it has become a leader 
in the premium education market providing clothing 
for some of the top schools and universities including 
the University of Cambridge. It also has the European 
license to provide team wear for Under Armour that 
was signed in 2018.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£1,600,680

£1,600,680

£nil

Last equity raise

10.3%

£600,172

£nil

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Media and Technology

Representing 32.7% and 17.8% respectively of the Ordinary share and B Ordinary share 
investment portfolios by cost

in  2014,  HotelMap 

Founded 
is  a  completely 
autonomous  on‑demand  platform  for  managing 
hotel bookings exclusively for business events such as 
conferences, conventions and trade shows. HotelMap 
aims  to  become  the  dominant  global  brand  in  the 
sector,  enabling  the  platform  to  aggregate  huge 
buying  power  with  hotel  suppliers  as  a  result  of  its 
ability to manoeuvre the world’s largest audience of 
business event delegates to HotelMap’s official hotels.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

£1,500,000

£1,500,000

£nil

Last equity raise 

5.3%

Investment in the year at cost 

£1,500,000

Total income recognised in the year 

£nil

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recognised  as  a  significant  worldwide  media  group 
serving  the  superyacht  industry,  Boat  International 
Media provides information and data services across 
traditional  print,  digital  media  and  high  quality 
events.  The  company  recently  launched  Boat  Pro 
providing  the  largest  database  of  information  on 
super yachts anywhere.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

£3,400,000

£3,775,009

£719,987

Multiples

21.6%

£nil

Total income recognised in the year 

£203,986

Rated  People,  founded  in  2005,  is  one  of  the  UK’s 
leading  online  market  places  for  homeowners  to  
find  tradesmen  for  home  improvement  work.  The 
company completed a funding round in 2018 at an 
improved  valuation,  having  implemented  a  number 
of cost‑saving initiatives and enhancing its customer 
service offering.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£641,218

£663,253

£nil

Last equity raise

1.4%

£nil

£nil

Beryl  designs  products  which  enhance  bike  safety. 
Their  flagship  product  is  the  Laserlight,  which 
projects  a  laser  image  onto  the  ground  as  featured 
throughout  London’s  current  and  forthcoming  new 
Santander  Cycle  fleet.  They  launched  a  new  data 
enabled  cycle  hire  bike  in  early  2019  that  removes 
the need for the traditional infrastructure and is first 
being  installed  in  Bournemouth  and  Poole,  with 
London and Hereford to follow.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£552,697

£1,770,536

£nil

Last equity raise

4.7%

£nil

£nil

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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 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£1,451,770

£2,421,575

£nil

Multiples

5.0%

£nil

£nil

Stylindex is a platform that helps content producers 
find the best models, creative talent, and production 
resources  for  photoshoots,  videos,  and  events. 
Stylindex’s cloud‑based platform allows brand teams 
to manage shoots and assets in one place and manage 
the whole process of media asset creation right down 
to billing and rights allocation and embargos.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£200,000

£200,000

£nil

Last equity raise

5.1%

£nil

£nil

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 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£250,033

£250,033

£nil

Last equity raise

4.2%

£nil

£nil

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Founded  in  July  2015,  Floom  is  a  curated  global 
marketplace  platform  for  independent  florists;  its 
mission  is  to  become  the  primary  destination  for 
customers looking to send flowers worldwide.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£565,000

£565,000

£nil

Last equity raise

8.2%

£565,000

£nil

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.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£153,433

£153,433

£nil

Last equity raise

1.4%

£nil

£nil

Popsa  is  a  photobook  app  that,  through  the  use  of 
proprietary  machine 
learning  algorithms,  has 
reduced the time it takes for customers to produce 
photobooks from two hours to an average of just six 
minutes.  Popsa  operates  in  a  £5  billion  global 
industry  that  has  been  built  on  a  clunky  and 
frustrating  process  –  by  automating  the  selection  
of  a  customer’s  most  relevant  photos,  Popsa’s 
disruptive software removes this frustration.

Cost 

Valuation 

Interest rolled up in fixed  
income investment 

Basis of valuation 

Equity holding 

Investment in the year at cost 

Total income recognised in the year 

£1,000,078

£1,000,078

£nil

Last equity raise

9.8%

£nil

£nil

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Statutory Reports

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Strategic Report

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 Investment Portfolio 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 overview 
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 
Investment objectives 
The Company will seek to invest in a diversified portfolio of 
smaller companies, principally unquoted companies but possibly 
also including stocks quoted on AIM or NEX, selecting 
companies which the Investment Adviser believes provide the 
opportunity for value appreciation. Pending investment in 
suitable Qualifying Investments, the Investment Adviser will 
invest in investments intended to generate a positive return, 
which may include certain money market securities, listed 
securities and cash deposits. The Company will continue to hold 
up to 30% of its net assets (20% from 1 April 2020) in such 
products after it is fully invested under the VCT rules.

Investment strategy 
For its “qualifying investments” (being investments which 
comprise Qualifying Investments for a venture capital trust  
as defined in Chapter 4 Part 6 of the Income Tax Act 2007) 
(“Qualifying Investments”), the Company is expected to invest 
primarily in unquoted companies, although it may also invest  
in companies whose shares are traded on AIM or NEX.  
The Company will invest in 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. It is likely that investment will be biased 
towards consumer‑facing businesses with an established brand 
or where brand development opportunities exist. The Company 
will invest in a small portfolio of carefully selected Qualifying 
Investments where the Investment Adviser should be able to 
exert influence over key elements of each investee company’s 
strategy and operations. The companies may be at any stage  
in their development from start‑up to established businesses.

It is anticipated that, at any time, up to 30% of investments 
(20% from 1 April 2020) will be held in non‑VCT 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 the net proceeds of any offer (20% from 1 April 2020) will be 
invested in other funds, with the balance being invested in other 
investments which may include certain money market securities, 
and cash deposits.

Asset allocation
Qualifying Investment portfolio 
For its Qualifying Investments, the Company will invest primarily 
in companies whose shares are not traded on any exchange, 
although it may also invest in companies whose shares are 
traded on AIM or NEX, and will invest up to a maximum of 15% 
(at the time of investment) in any single Qualifying Investment.  
The Investment Adviser will seek to construct a portfolio comprising 
a diverse range of 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.

Non‑Qualifying Investment portfolio 
Under current VCT legislation, the Company must have invested at 
least 70% of funds raised in Qualifying Investments within three 
years of the funds being raised (80% from 1 April 2020). However, 
this programme of investment in Qualifying Investments will take 
time to complete; thus in the first three years a considerable 
proportion of those funds will need to be invested elsewhere,  
in Non‑Qualifying Investments such as certain money market 
securities, listed securities and cash deposits. At any time after 
the end of the three years of initial investment in Qualifying 
Investments, the Company will hold no more than 30% of its 
funds in Non‑Qualifying Investments (20% from 1 April 2020).

The portfolio of Non‑Qualifying Investments will be managed  
with the intention of generating a positive return. Until suitable 
Qualifying Investments are identified, up to 30% of the net 
proceeds of any offer will be invested in other funds (20% from 
1 April 2020), with the balance being invested in other investments 
which may include money market securities and cash deposits.

Risk diversification 
The Directors will control the overall risk of the portfolio by 
ensuring that the Company has exposure to a diversified range of 
unquoted companies, in particular, targeting a variety of sectors.

In order to limit concentration in the portfolio that is derived 
from any particular investment, at all times no more than  
15% by value of the relevant share pool of the Company (at  
the time of investment) will be invested in any single company. 
In addition, no more than 10%, in aggregate, of the assets of the 
Company (at the time the investment is made) will be invested 
in other listed closed‑ended investment funds.

The Company may invest in a range of securities including, but 
not limited to, ordinary and preference shares, loan stocks and 
convertible securities, and other interest‑bearing securities. 
Unquoted Qualifying Investments will usually be structured as  
a combination of ordinary shares, preference shares and loans.

Gearing 
In common with many other VCTs, whilst the Board does not 
intend that the Company will borrow funds, the Company is 
entitled to do so subject to the aggregate principal amount at the 
time of borrowing not exceeding 25% of the value of the adjusted 
capital and reserves of the Company (being, in summary, the 
aggregate of the issued share capital, plus any amount standing to 
the credit of the Company’s reserves, deducting any distributions 
declared and intangible assets and adjusting for any variations to 
the above since the date of the relevant balance sheet).

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Strategic Report continued

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, pages 8 and 9 and the Investment 
Adviser’s Review, pages 12 and 13. Details of the investments 
made by the Company are given in the Investment Portfolio 
section, pages 14 to 31. A summary of the Company’s key 
financial measures is given on page 6.

Management agreement 
Under an investment management agreement entered into on 
15 February 2013, novated to the Investment Adviser in July 
2014 and varied on 3 October 2014 and 1 December 2017  
(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 related to extraordinary events or 
significant discretionary corporate events, any Performance Fee 
payable and, in any rolling period of 12 months, does not include 
audit fees, administration, accounting and company secretarial 
costs, share registrars’ fees, London Stock Exchange fees, printing 
and mailing costs in respect of the audited accounts, interim 
reports and circulars to shareholders, fees in respect of regulatory 
announcements made through a Regulatory Information Service, 
corporate broking fees, insurance premiums and remuneration of 
the Board (including employers’ national insurance contributions) 
where the aggregate of such fees in any rolling period of 12 
months, for such time as the Company’s NAV is £100,000,000 
or less, is less than £350,000 and, for such time as the 
Company’s NAV exceeds £100,000,000, is less than £500,000. 
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. 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 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 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 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 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 successfully and that the continuing 
appointment of the Investment Adviser on the terms agreed  
is in the interests 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.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement on long‑term viability
In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code in 2016 
(the “2016 Code”), the Directors have considered their obligation 
to assess the viability of the Company over a period longer than 
the 12 months from the date of approval of the Financial 
Statements required by the going concern basis of accounting. 
The Directors have carried out a robust assessment of the 
prospects of the Company for the period to 31 March 2024, 
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  
five 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. 

Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive 
(“AIFMD”)
In July 2013 the AIFMD was implemented, a European directive 
affecting the regulation of VCTs. 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.

By Order of the Board  
The City Partnership (UK) Limited 
Company Secretary 
29 July 2019

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. 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 underlying 
sectors and 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. 

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Directors’ Report

This Directors’ Report incorporates the Corporate Governance 
Statement on pages 42 to 44 and the Statement of Directors 
Responsibilities on page 45.

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, Peter Dubens and David Till. 
Peter Dubens retired from the Board and David Till was appointed 
to the Board on 28 August 2018. The current Directors of the 
Company are Jonathan Djanogly, Laurence Blackall and David Till. 
Brief biographical details of the Directors are given on page 10.  
In accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct 
Authority, David Till, as a member of the Company’s Investment 
Adviser, is not considered to be independent and will therefore be 
subject to annual re‑election by shareholders. Jonathan Djanogly and 
Laurence Blackall are subject to annual re‑election by shareholders 
in accordance with corporate governance best practice. 

11,593,276 B Ordinary shares were allotted under Offers for 
subscription at an average price of 108.60 pence per B Ordinary 
share raising £12.6 million net of issue costs. 87,591 B Ordinary 
shares were allotted under the DIS at an average price of 
104.13 pence per B Ordinary share raising £91,207.71. 

Since the year end, 13,942,887 B Ordinary shares have been 
issued, refer to Note 22 on page 70 for further details.

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 2019 98,270 B Ordinary shares were bought 
back by the Company.

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.

Dividends 
The Board is recommending final dividends for the year ended 
31 March 2019 of 3 pence per Ordinary share and 3 pence per 
B Ordinary share payable on 31 October 2019.

Substantial shareholdings
At 31 March 2019 and as at the date of this report there were no 
holdings (directly or indirectly) of 3% or more of the voting 
rights attached to the issued share capital of the Company. 

Share capital 
There were 18,097,588 Ordinary shares and 38,198,001 
B Ordinary shares in issue at the year end. 

During the year, 2,583 Ordinary shares were allotted at an 
average price of 120.56 pence per Ordinary share raising  
£3,115 under the Dividend Investment Scheme (“DIS”).

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Accountability and audit 
The Directors’ responsibility statement in respect of the 
Financial Statements is set out on page 45 of this report.  
The report of the Independent Auditor is set out on pages 46 to 
49 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 auditor.

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 long‑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 9. 
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 and are of the opinion that, at the 
time of approving the Financial Statements, the Company has 
adequate resources to continue in business for at least 12 
months from the date of approval of the Financial Statements.  
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 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 
pages 33 to 35. As a consequence, the Directors have a 
reasonable expectation that the Company has sufficient cash to 
continue to operate and 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.

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 
29 July 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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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”). An Ordinary resolution for the approval  
of the Directors’ Annual Report on Remuneration will be put  
to members at the forthcoming AGM. 

The Company’s auditors, Grant Thornton UK LLP, are required to 
give their 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 46 to 49.

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 2017 
and will next be put for approval to shareholders at the AGM  
to be held in 2020.

Annual statement from the Chairman of the Company 
Jonathan Djanogly and Laurence Blackall began their term on 
27 November 2012, David Till was appointed as a Director of  
the Company on 28 August 2018. 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 of 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 

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. 
David Till will be subject to election by the shareholders at the 
upcoming AGM and, as a non‑independent Director, he will be 
subject to annual re‑election at AGMs. In accordance with 
corporate governance best practice all Directors will be subject 
to annual re‑election at the forthcoming AGM and every  
AGM thereafter.
Brief biographical details of the Directors are given on page 10.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 2019 are shown in the table below:

Jonathan Djanogly

Laurence Blackall

David Till*

Peter Dubens*

Total annual 
fee 
£

Total fee paid for the  
year ended 31.03.19 
£

Total fee paid for the  
year ended 31.03.18 
£

20,000

15,000

15,000

n/a

20,000

15,000

8,836

–

20,000

15,000

n/a

–

*David Till was appointed to the Board on 28 August 2018. Peter Dubens waived his right to a fee when he was a Director of the Company 
and retired from the Board on 28 August 2018. 

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. 

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 2019  
and the prior year:

Total Directors’ fees

Dividend

Repurchase of own shares

Year ended  
31.03.19 
£

43,836

1,529,549

101,956

Year ended  
31.03.18 
£

35,000

1,296,637

89,676

Increase/ 
(decrease) 
% 

25

18

14

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

As at 31.03.19
% of  
Ordinary 
shares 
in issue

B Ordinary 
shares 
held

% of  
B Ordinary 
shares 
in issue

Ordinary 
shares 
held

Director

Jonathan Djanogly

25,000

Laurence Blackall

David Till

Peter Dubens

200,000

100,000

n/a

0.14

1.11

0.55

n/a

25,000

100,000

90,569

n/a

0.04

0.18

0.16

n/a

As at 31.03.18

% of  
Ordinary 
shares 
in issue

B Ordinary 
shares 
held

% of  
B Ordinary 
shares 
in issue

0.14

1.11

n/a

2.21

25,000

100,000

n/a

586,689

0.09

0.38

n/a

2.20

Ordinary 
shares 
held

25,000

200,000

n/a

400,000

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

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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.

At the last AGM held on 27 September 2018, 99.9% of 
shareholders voted for, 0.1% of shareholders voted against and 
22,378 shares were withheld in respect of the resolution approving 
the Directors’ remuneration report. An ordinary resolution for 
the approval of the Directors’ Annual Report on Remuneration 
will be put to shareholders at the forthcoming AGM. 

At the AGM held on 7 September 2017, 99.9% of shareholders 
voted for, 0.1% of shareholders voted against and 23,336 shares 
were withheld in respect of the resolution approving the 
Directors’ remuneration policy.

The graph below compares 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. 

On behalf of the Board 
Jonathan Djanogly 
Director 
29 July 2019

180p

Ordinary shares

170p

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

30 Sep
2017

31 Mar
2018

30 Sep
2018

31 Mar
2019

Ordinary shares (above)

150p

B Ordinary shares

Pembroke VCT Ord total return per share (inc. 30% tax rebate)

Pembroke VCT Ord total return per share

Pembroke VCT Ord NAV per share

Pembroke VCT Ord share price

B Ordinary shares (right)

Pembroke VCT B Ord total return per share (inc. 30% tax rebate)

Pembroke VCT B Ord total return per share

Pembroke VCT B Ord NAV per share

Pembroke VCT B Ord share price

140p

130p

120p

110p

100p

90p

31 Mar
2015

30 Sep
2015

31 Mar
2016

30 Sep
2016

31 Mar
2017

30 Sep
2017

31 Mar
2018

30 Sep
2018

31 Mar
2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance

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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 2016.

As a VCT, 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 2019.

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, David Till, 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. Jonathan 
Djanogly and Laurence Blackall’s are dated with effect from 
5 April 2013 and David Till’s with effect from 28 August 2018. 

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. 

The Board has considered the recommendations of the Code 
concerning diversity and welcomes initiatives aimed at increasing 
diversity generally. The Board believes, however, that all 
appointments should be made on merit rather than positive 
discrimination. The policy of the Board is that maintaining an 
appropriate balance around the Board table through a diverse 
mix of skills, experience, knowledge and background is of 
paramount importance and all forms of diversity are a significant 
element of this.

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 that they be re‑elected at the AGM. 

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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 2019 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;

•  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 valuation of unquoted investments is discussed regularly  
at Board meetings and Directors are also consulted about 
material changes to these valuations between Board meetings. 
The Audit Committee examined the Investment Adviser’s 
confirmation and considered it appropriate. 

The Investment Adviser and the 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 auditor’s technical 
knowledge and that it has 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 five years; in accordance 
with ethical standards the engagement partner is rotated after  
at most five years, and the current partner, Andrew Heffron,  
has served for two years. The Board notes that statutory audit 
retendering is required after an auditor has been in place for  
ten years. 

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Corporate Governance Statement continued

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.

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 AGM where the Directors and 
representatives of the Company’s advisers will be available to 
answer any questions members may have. The notice of AGM 
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 
29 July 2019

Attendance at Board and committee meetings
During the year ended 31 March 2019 there were:

•  5 full Board meetings; and

•  3 Audit Committee meetings.

The Directors’ attendance at these meetings is noted below:

Director

Board

Audit Committee

Jonathan Djanogly
Laurence Blackall
David Till*
Peter Dubens*

5
5
4
0

3
3
n/a
n/a

*David Till was appointed to the Board and Peter Dubens resigned 
from the Board on 28 August 2018. 

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.

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Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

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.

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 36.

On behalf of the Board 
Jonathan Djanogly 
Director 
29 July 2019

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 2019 
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. 

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Independent Auditor’s Report

Opinion
Our opinion on the Financial Statements is unmodified

We have audited the Financial Statements of Pembroke VCT plc 
(the ‘Company’) for the year ended 31 March 2019, which 
comprise the Income Statement, the Balance Sheet, the 
Statement of Changes in Equity, the Cash Flow Statement and 
Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of 
significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework 
that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial 
Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard 
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the Financial Statements:

•  give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s affairs 
as at 31 March 2019 and of its profit for the year then ended;

•  have been properly prepared in accordance with United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements  

of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

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

Conclusions relating to principal risks, going concern  
and viability statement

We have nothing to report in respect of the following 
information in the annual report, in relation to which the ISAs 
(UK) require us to report to you whether we have anything 
material to add or draw attention to:

•  the disclosures in the annual report set out on page 35 that 
describe the principal risks and explain how they are being 
managed or mitigated;

•  the Directors’ confirmation, set out on page 35 of 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 Directors’ Statement, set out on page 37 of the Financial 

Statements, about whether the directors considered it 
appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting  
in preparing the Financial Statements and the Directors’ 
identification of any material uncertainties to the Company’s 
ability to continue to do so over a period of at least 12 months 
from the date of approval of the Financial Statements;

•  whether the Directors’ statement relating to going concern 
required under the Listing Rules in accordance with Listing 
Rule 9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent with our knowledge 
obtained in the audit; or 

•  the Directors’ explanation, set out on page 35 of 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.

Overview of our audit approach

•  Overall materiality: £693,000, which represents approximately 

1% of the Company’s net assets;

•  Key audit matters were identified as completeness and 

occurrence of investment income and existence and valuation 
of investments; and

•  Our audit approach was a risk‑based substantive audit focused 

on investments at the year end and investment income 
recognised during the year. There was no significant change  
in our approach from the prior year. 

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

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Key audit matter

How the matter was addressed in the audit

Completeness and occurrence  
of investment income

The Company aims to generate tax‑free 
capital gains and income on investors’ funds. 
Investment income comprises interest income 
recognised on the Company’s loan 
investments and dividend income on its 
unquoted investments and is computed 
manually, therefore there is an increased risk 
of error and potential for management 
judgement. It is also the Company’s major 
source of revenue and is the largest revenue 
line item in the income statement.

Under International Standard on Auditing  
(UK) 240 ‘The auditor’s responsibilities  
relating to fraud in an audit of Financial 
Statements’, there is a presumed risk of  
fraud in revenue recognition.

We therefore identified completeness and 
occurrence of investment income as a significant 
risk, which was one of the most significant 
assessed risks of material misstatement.

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to: 

•  Assessing whether the Company’s accounting policy for revenue recognition is in 
accordance with the requirements of Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102) 
and the Association of Investment Companies Statement of Recommended 
Practice (AIC SORP) and testing its consistent application to investment income 
recognised during the year;

•  Agreeing investment holdings to third‑party sources such as management 
accounts or Financial Statements of investee companies and using this to 
develop an expectation for dividend entitlement for the year;

•  Comparing the expectation of dividend entitlement to the underlying accounting 

records to confirm completeness;

•  Obtaining underlying loan agreements, recalculating interest income and then 

comparing to the income recognised in the year; and

•  Obtaining the Company’s investment income schedule and comparing it to 

third‑party sources such as bank statements to confirm occurrence.

The Company’s accounting policy Investment Income is shown in Note 5(b) to the 
Financial Statements and related disclosures are included in Note 6.

Key observations

Based on the work performed, we identified no issues in relation to the 
completeness and occurrence of investment income.

Existence and valuation of investments

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to: 

•  Obtaining evidence of existence by agreeing to underlying agreements, bank 

statements and Companies House filings;

•  Assessing whether the valuation model used for estimating the valuation of the 
unquoted investments is appropriate and in line with the requirements of FRS 
102 and the IPEVC valuation guidelines; 

•  Assessing whether the assumptions used are reasonable and agreeing inputs to 
the models used to supporting documentation including to third‑party sources;

•  Challenging management on the valuation methods and inputs used in the 

valuation models; and

•  Evaluating the valuation of unquoted investments by agreeing to relevant 
information such as investees’ latest audited Financial Statements or 
management accounts, and by assessing the rigour of management’s ongoing 
due diligence and valuation process.

The Company’s accounting policy on unquoted investments is shown in Note 5(a) 
to the Financial Statements and related disclosures are included in Note 12. 

The Audit Committee identified valuation of unquoted investments as a significant 
issue in its report on page 43, where the Audit Committee also described the 
action that it has taken to address this issue. 

Key observations

Our audit work did not identify any issues concerning the existence or valuation  
of investments.

The investment strategy of the Company is to 
generate tax‑free capital gains and income on 
investors’ funds through equity investment and 
debt financing in companies within the health 
and fitness, hospitality, apparel and accessories, 
and media and technology sectors.

The associated investments, which represent 
approximately 95% of the Company’s net assets 
and are all unquoted; typically in start‑ups and 
owner managed businesses with less 
transparency around them as compared to well 
established business and are measured at fair 
value in accordance with International Private 
Equity and Venture Capital (IPEVC) valuation 
guidelines by using measurements of value 
such as the price of recent investments and 
model‑based valuations driven by multiples such 
as Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation 
and Amortisation (EBITDA) or revenue.

The multiples themselves are subjective and 
include significant assumptions and 
management judgment, such as the choice of 
benchmark. 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, less 
any impairments.

We have therefore identified existence and 
valuation of investments as a significant risk, 
which was one of the most significant 
assessed risks of material misstatement.

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48

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Independent Auditor’s Report continued

Our application of materiality
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the 
Financial Statements that makes it probable that the economic 
decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be 
changed or influenced. We use materiality in determining the 
nature, timing and extent of our work and in evaluating the 
results of that work.
We determined materiality for the audit of the Financial 
Statements as a whole to be £693,000, which is approximately 
1% of net assets. This benchmark is considered the most 
appropriate net assets, which is primarily composed of the 
Company’s investment portfolio, is considered to be the key 
driver of the Company’s performance.
Materiality for the current year is higher than the level that we 
determined for the year ended 31 March 2018 to reflect the 
increase in the Company’s net assets during the year.
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.
The graph below illustrates how performance materiality 
interacts with our overall materiality and the tolerance for 
potential uncorrected misstatements.

Overall materiality

75% Performance

materiality

25% Tolerance for 

potential uncorrected 
misstatements

We also determine a lower level of specific materiality for certain 
areas such as investment income, management fees and related 
party transactions. 
We determined the threshold at which we will communicate 
misstatements to the audit committee to be £34,650. In addition 
we will communicate misstatements below that threshold that, 
in our view, warrant reporting on qualitative grounds.

An overview of the scope of our audit
Our audit approach was a risk‑based approach founded on a 
thorough understanding of the Company’s business, its 
environment and risk profile. The day‑to‑day management of 
the Company’s investment portfolio, the custody of its 
investments and the maintenance of the its accounting records 
is outsourced to third‑party service providers. Therefore, our 
audit work was focused on: 
Obtaining an understanding of, and evaluating, relevant internal 
controls at the Company and the third‑party service providers, 
and inspecting records and documents held by them; and 
Performing substantive testing on existence and valuation of the 
unquoted investments; and agreeing the investment income to 
an independent source and bank statement for completeness 
and occurrence.

Explanation as to what extent the audit was 
considered capable of detecting irregularities, 
including fraud
The objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risks of 
material misstatement of the Financial Statements due to fraud 
or error; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding 
the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud or error; 
and to respond appropriately to those risks. Owing to the 
inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that 
material misstatements in the Financial Statements may not be 
detected, even though the audit is properly planned and 
performed in accordance with the ISAs (UK). 
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement  
in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non‑compliance 
with laws and regulations, our procedures included  
the following: 
•  We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory 

frameworks applicable to the Company. We determined that 
the following laws and regulations were most significant: FRS 
102, s258 and s332 of the Income Tax Act 2007, Companies 
Act 2006 and AIC SORP.

•  We understood how the Company is complying with those 
legal and regulatory frameworks by, making inquiries to the 
management and the Company Secretary. We corroborated 
our inquiries through our review of Board minutes and 
evaluation of the Company’s compliance with HMRC Venture 
Capital Trust rules.

•  We assessed the susceptibility of the Company’s Financial 
Statements to material misstatement, including how fraud 
might occur. Audit procedures performed by the engagement 
team included:
−  challenging assumptions and judgments made by 

management in its significant accounting estimates;
−  designing audit procedures to identify unusual journal 
transactions during the year and testing journal entries 
posted at the year end.

•  We did not identify any key audit matters relating  
to irregularities, including fraud, as a result of our  
audit procedures.

Other information
The Directors are responsible for the other information.  
The other information comprises the information included  
in the Annual Report, other than the Financial Statements other 
than and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the 
Financial Statements does not cover the other information and, 
except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we 
do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the Financial Statements, our 
responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent 
with the Financial Statements or our knowledge obtained in the 
audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we 
identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material 
misstatements, we are required to determine whether there  
is a material misstatement in the Financial Statements or a 
material misstatement of the other information. If, based on  
the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a 
material misstatement of this other information, we are  
required to report that fact. 
We have nothing to report in this regard.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In this context, we also have nothing to report in regard to our 
responsibility to specifically address the following items in the 
other information and to report as uncorrected material 
misstatements of the other information where we conclude that 
those items meet the following conditions:
•  Fair, balanced and understandable set out on page 45 – the 

statement given by the Directors that they consider the Annual 
Report and Financial Statements taken as a whole is fair, 
balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s 
performance, business model and strategy, is materially 
inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or
•  Audit committee reporting set out on page 43 – the section 

describing the work of the audit committee does not 
appropriately address matters communicated by us to the 
audit committee or

•  Directors’ statement of compliance with the UK Corporate 

Governance Code set out on page 42 the parts of the 
Directors’ statement required under the Listing Rules relating 
to the Company’s compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code containing provisions specified for review by 
the auditor in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.10R(2) do not 
properly disclose a departure from a relevant provision of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code.

Our opinions on other matters prescribed by the 
Companies Act 2006 is 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.

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
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in 
relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report 
to you if, in our opinion:
•  adequate accounting records have not been kept, 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.

Responsibilities of Directors for the  
Financial Statements
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities set out on page 45, the Directors are responsible 
for the preparation of the Financial Statements and for being 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal 
control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the 
preparation of Financial Statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the Financial Statements, the Directors are 
responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless 
the Directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the  
Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the Financial Statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to 
issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable 
assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that 
an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always 
detect a material misstatement when it exists.
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered 
material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could 
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of 
users taken on the basis of these Financial Statements.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the 
Financial Statements is located on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.  
This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Other matters which we are required to address
We were appointed at the annual general meeting held in 
August 2014. The period of total uninterrupted engagement 
including previous renewals and reappointments of the firm is 
five years.
The non‑audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard 
were not provided to the Company and we remain independent 
of the Company in conducting our audit.
Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the 
audit committee.

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

Andrew Heffron 
Senior Statutory Auditor 
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP 
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants 
London 
29 July 2019

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Financial Statements

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Income Statement
for the year ended 31 March 2019 

  Year ended 31.03.19

  Year ended 31.03.18

Note

Revenue
£

Capital
£

Total
£

Revenue
£

Capital
£

Total
£

Realised/unrealised gains and losses  

on investments

Income 

Investment Adviser’s fees

Other expenses

Profit before tax

Tax

Profit attributable to equity shareholders

Return per share (pence)

Ordinary shares

B Ordinary shares

12

5,6

7

8

9

11

11

– 6,355,060 6,355,060

– 4,093,607

4,093,607

1,019,812

– 1,019,812

1,024,531

–

1,024,531

(295,520)

(886,543) (1,182,063)

(172,500)

(517,500)

(690,000)

(366,064)

– (366,064)

(339,726)

(29,600)

(369,326)

358,228 5,468,517 5,826,745

512,305 3,546,507

4,058,812

(68,000)

68,000

–

(89,700)

89,700

–

290,228 5,536,517 5,826,745

422,605 3,636,207

4,058,812

0.51

0.59

16.73

7.54

17.24

8.14

1.31

0.74

11.27

6.36

12.58

7.10

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 February 2018. A separate Statement of Comprehensive Income has not been prepared as all comprehensive income is 
included in the Income Statement.

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

Unaudited non‑statutory analysis between the Ordinary and B Ordinary shares

Ordinary shares

B Ordinary shares

Note

Revenue
£

Capital
£

Total
£

Revenue
£

Capital
£

Total
£

Realised/unrealised gains and losses on 

investments

Income 

Investment Adviser’s fees 

Other expenses

Profit before tax

Tax

12

5,6

7

8

9

– 3,341,722 3,341,722

– 3,013,338

3,013,338

356,108

–

356,108

663,704

–

663,704

(111,976)

(335,926)

(447,902)

(183,544)

(550,617)

(734,161)

(129,332)

–

(129,332)

(236,732)

–

(236,732)

114,800 3,005,796 3,120,596

243,428 2,462,721

2,706,149

(22,000)

22,000

–

(46,000)

46,000

–

Profit attributable to equity shareholders

92,800 3,027,796 3,120,596

197,428 2,508,721

2,706,149

The accompanying notes on pages 59 to 70 are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

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Balance Sheet
as at 31 March 2019 

Fixed assets

Investments

Current assets

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

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 (pence)

Net asset value per B Ordinary share (pence)

Note

12

14

15

As at 
31.03.19
£

As at 
31.03.18
£

64,713,367

46,549,669

2,214,681

1,079,815

3,294,496

(239,962)

1,792,460

3,249,641

5,042,101

(371,858)

3,054,534

4,670,243

67,767,901

51,219,912

16,17

562,956

447,104

17

17

17

17

17

18

18

41,139,405

28,903,490

2,412

1,429

11,651,819

13,283,325

13,349,021

1,062,288

7,812,504

772,060

67,767,901

51,219,912

138.27

111.90

124.03

108.12

The Financial Statements were approved by the Directors authorised for issue on 29 July 2019 and signed on their behalf by:

Jonathan Djanogly 
Director

The accompanying notes on pages 59 to 70 are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet continued
as at 31 March 2019 

Unaudited Non‑statutory analysis between the Ordinary and B Ordinary share funds

  As at 31.03.19

  As at 31.03.18

Note

Ordinary  
shares
£

B Ordinary 
shares
£

Total
£

Ordinary  
shares
£

B Ordinary 
shares
£

Total
£

12

26,545,181 38,168,186 64,713,367

22,855,370 23,694,299 46,549,669

14

–

2,214,681

2,214,681

61,596

1,730,864

1,792,460

Fixed assets

Investments

Current assets

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

(1,473,466)

2,553,281

1,079,815

(327,817)

3,577,458

3,249,641

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

15

(48,483)

(191,479)

(239,962)

(146,777)

(225,081)

(371,858)

(1,473,466)

4,767,962

3,294,496

(266,221)

5,308,322

5,042,101

Net current assets

(1,521,949)

4,576,483

3,054,534

(412,998)

5,083,241

4,670,243

Net assets

25,023,232 42,744,669

67,767,901

22,442,372 28,777,540 51,219,912

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Special reserve

Capital reserves

Revenue reserves

16,17

180,976

381,980

562,956

180,950

266,154

447,104

17

17

17

17

17

1,607,024 39,532,381 41,139,405

1,603,935 27,299,555 28,903,490

500

1,912

2,412

500

929

1,429

13,833,643 (2,181,824) 11,651,819

14,376,494 (1,093,169) 13,283,325

9,010,555

4,338,466 13,349,021

5,982,759

1,829,745

7,812,504

390,534

671,754

1,062,288

297,734

474,326

772,060

Total shareholders’ funds

25,023,232 42,744,669

67,767,901

22,442,372 28,777,540 51,219,912

Net asset value per share (pence)

18

138.27

111.90

n/a

124.03

108.12

n/a

The accompanying notes on pages 59 to 70 are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

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Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 March 2019 

For the year ended 31 March 2019

Non‑distributable reserves

Distributable reserves

Called
up share
capital
£

Share
premium
£

Capital
redemption
reserve
£

Capital
reserve 
£

Special
reserve
£

Capital
reserve 
£

Revenue
reserve
£

Total

Total
reserves
£

Opening balance as at 1 April 2018

447,104 28,903,490

1,429 9,467,409

13,283,325 (1,654,905) 772,060

51,219,912

Shares issued

Shares bought back

Share issue expenses

Dividends paid

Profit for the year

116,835 12,568,304

(983)

–

–

–

–

(332,389)

–

–

–

983

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(101,957)

–

(1,529,549)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

12,685,139

(101,957)

(332,389)

(1,529,549)

– 6,738,060

– (1,201,543) 290,228

5,826,745

Closing balance as at 31 March 2019 562,956 41,139,405

2,412 16,205,469

11,651,819 (2,856,448)1,062,288

67,767,901

For the year ended 31 March 2018

Non‑distributable reserves

Distributable reserves

Called
up share
capital
£

Share
premium
£

Capital
redemption
reserve
£

Capital
reserve 
£

Special
reserve
£

Capital
reserve 
£

Revenue
reserve
£

Total

Total
reserves
£

Opening balance as at 1 April 2017

333,781 16,856,191

500 5,373,802

14,669,638 (1,197,505) 349,455

36,385,862

Shares issued

Shares bought back

Share issue expenses

Dividends paid

Profit for the year

114,252 12,310,167

(929)

–

– (262,868)

–

–

–

–

–

929

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(89,676)

–

(1,296,637)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

12,424,419

(89,676)

(262,868)

(1,296,637)

– 4,093,607

–

(457,400) 422,605

4,058,812

Closing balance as at 31 March 2018

447,104 28,903,490

1,429 9,467,409

13,283,325 (1,654,905) 772,060

51,219,912

The accompanying notes on pages 59 to 70 are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of Changes in Equity continued
for the year ended 31 March 2019 

Unaudited non‑statutory analysis between the Ordinary and B Ordinary share funds

Ordinary shares

Non‑distributable reserves

Distributable reserves

Called
up share
capital
£

Share
premium
£

Capital
redemption
reserve
£

Capital
reserve 
£

Special
reserve
£

Capital
reserve 
£

Revenue
reserve
£

Total

Total
reserves
£

Opening balance as at 1 April 2018

180,950 1,603,935

500 6,971,203

14,376,494 (988,444) 297,734

22,442,372

Shares issued

Dividends paid

Profit for the year

26

–

–

3,089

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(542,851)

–

–

–

–

3,115

(542,851)

– 3,611,722

–

(583,926)

92,800

3,120,596

Closing balance as at 31 March 2019

180,976

1,607,024

500 10,582,925

13,833,643 (1,572,370) 390,534

25,023,232

B Ordinary shares

Non‑distributable reserves

Distributable reserves

Called
up share
capital
£

Share
premium
£

Capital
redemption
reserve
£

Capital
reserve 
£

Special
reserve
£

Capital
reserve 
£

Revenue
reserve
£

Total

Total
reserves
£

Opening balance as at 1 April 2018

266,154 27,299,555

929 2,496,206

(1,093,169)

(666,461) 474,326

28,777,540

Shares issued

Shares bought back

Share issue expenses

Dividends paid

Profit for the year

116,809 12,565,215

(983)

–

–

–

–

(332,389)

–

–

–

983

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(101,957)

–

(986,698)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

12,682,024

(101,957)

(332,389)

(986,698)

– 3,126,338

–

(617,617) 197,428

2,706,149

Closing balance as at 31 March 2019

381,980 39,532,381

1,912 5,622,544

(2,181,824) (1,284,078) 671,754

42,744,669

The accompanying notes on pages 59 to 70 are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

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Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 31 March 2019 

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 

Tax

Other cash payments

Year ended
31.03.19
£

Year ended
31.03.18
£

Note

89,913

6,223

(1,401,585)

(62,496)

(52,667)

–

128,810

6,841

(651,478)

(149,678)

(43,576)

(35,570)

(206,700)

(288,562)

Net cash outflow from operating activities

19

(1,627,312)

(1,033,213)

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of investments 

Long‑term loans made

Long‑term loans repaid

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Net cash outflow before financing

Cash flows from financing activities

Net proceeds from share issues

Share buybacks paid

Equity dividends paid

Net cash inflow from financing

(Decrease)/increase 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

(9,073,979)

(5,602,584)

(2,155,000)

(3,395,000)

382,000

45,000

(10,846,979)

(8,952,584)

(12,474,291)

(9,985,797)

11,834,014

12,467,074

–

(89,676)

(1,529,549)

(1,296,637)

10,304,465

11,080,761

(2,169,826)

1,094,964

3,249,641

2,154,677

1,079,815

3,249,641

The accompanying notes on pages 59 to 70 are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Statement continued
for the year ended 31 March 2019 

Unaudited non‑statutory analysis between the Ordinary and B Ordinary share funds

  Year ended 31.03.19

  Year ended 31.03.18

Ordinary  
shares
£

B Ordinary 
shares
£

Total
£

Ordinary  
shares
£

B Ordinary 
shares
£

Total
£

Operating activities

Investment income received – qualifying

Deposit and similar interest received – non‑qualifying

Investment Adviser’s fees paid

Company secretarial fees paid 

46,246

–

43,667

6,223

89,913

6,223

100,810

28,000

128,810

–

6,841

6,841

(546,160)

(855,425)

(1,401,585)

(342,117)

(309,361)

(651,478)

(22,618)

(39,878)

(62,496)

(74,820)

(74,858)

(149,678)

Cash paid to and on behalf of Directors 

(18,389)

(34,278)

(52,667)

(20,037)

(23,539)

(43,576)

Tax

Other cash payments

–

–

–

(26,040)

(9,530)

(35,570)

(85,546)

(121,154)

(206,700)

(79,535)

(209,027)

(288,562)

Net cash outflow from operating activities

(626,467)

(1,000,845)

(1,627,312)

(441,739)

(591,474)

(1,033,213)

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of investments 

Long‑term loans made

Loans repaid

– (9,073,979)

(9,073,979)

– (5,602,584)

(5,602,584)

– (2,155,000)

(2,155,000)

– (3,395,000)

(3,395,000)

–

382,000

382,000

–

45,000

45,000

Net cash outflow from investing activities

– (10,846,979) (10,846,979)

– (8,952,584)

(8,952,584)

Net cash outflow before financing

(626,467)

(11,847,824)

(12,474,291)

(441,739)

(9,544,058)

(9,985,797)

Cash flows from financing activities

Net proceeds from share issues

23,669

11,810,345

11,834,014

3,050 12,464,024

12,467,074

Share buybacks paid

Equity dividends paid

–

–

–

–

(89,676)

(89,676)

(542,851)

(986,698)

(1,529,549)

(542,786)

(753,851)

(1,296,637)

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing

(519,182) 10,823,647 10,304,465

(539,736)

11,620,497

11,080,761

(Decrease)/increase in cash

(1,145,649)

(1,024,177)

(2,169,826)

(981,475)

2,076,439

1,094,964

The accompanying notes on pages 59 to 70 are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

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Notes to the  
Financial Statements

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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 unlisted growth companies.

  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 February 2018 with consequential amendments. 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 preparation of the Financial Statements may require the Board to make judgments and estimates that affect the application 
of policies and reported amounts of assets.

The carrying value of the unquoted fixed asset investments requires estimates to determine fair values. Estimates are based on 
historical experience and other assumptions that are considered reasonable under the circumstances. However, 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. 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. All unquoted investments are valued in accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital 
Valuation Guidelines December 2018 (“IPEVCV guidelines”), this relies on subjective estimates such as appropriate sector 
earnings multiples, forecast results of investee companies and liquidity or marketability of the investments held. Although the 
estimates and the assumptions applied are under continuous review to ensure that the fair values are appropriately stated there 
is a risk that the carrying value of an unquoted investment may require material adjustment either within the next year or in the 
longer term. More information related to the unquoted investment and their valuations is included in Note 12 and in the 
Investment Adviser’s Review.

No judgments have been applied in selection and application of accounting policy.

  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 reporting period. 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. 
The fair value of unquoted investments is assessed by the Directors with reference to the IPEVCV guidelines, which includes 
the following techniques:

(i)  Where a value is indicated by a material arms‑length transaction by an independent third party in the shares of a 
company within the last 12 months. This value will be used only if, after careful consideration of all the facts and 
circumstances it is considered the best measure of fair value.

(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.

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

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Notes to the Financial Statements continued

  5.  Accounting policies (continued)

  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 s14.4.

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)  Performance fees 

Performance fees predominantly relate to the capital performance of the portfolio and are therefore charged 100%  
to capital. Performance fees are accrued and a liability is recognised when they are likely to be payable and can be  
reliably measured.

e)  Debtors 

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

f)  Creditors 

Short‑term trade creditors are measured at the transaction price. 

g)  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 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 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.

h)  Financial instruments 

The Company has elected to apply the provisions of s11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and s12 ‘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.

i)  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.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  6.  Income 

Interest receivable – revenue
– from bank deposits 
– from loan stock
– Other interest
– arrangement fees received
Dividends receivable

  7.  Investment Adviser’s fees 

Pembroke Investment Managers LLP

2019
£

6,223
1,005,570
–
2,020
5,999

2018
£

6,841
902,504
(36,624)
14,000
137,810

1,019,812

1,024,531

2019
£

2018
£

1,182,063

690,000

Pembroke 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 12 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 page 34.

No performance fee is due in respect of the year ended 31 March 2019 (2018: £nil).

  8.  Other expenses 

Other expenses include: 

Company secretarial fees 
Auditor’s remuneration – audit of Statutory Financial Statements
Printing and stationery 
Marketing
Insurance
Investment acquisition costs
Employers NI on Directors’ remuneration
Other costs 
Irrecoverable VAT 

2019
£

83,832
39,975
33,506
12,820
37,608
–
4,080
64,355
46,050

2018
£

75,661
39,000
26,902
53,952
17,607
25,100
2,575
44,585
48,943

The Company has no employees other than the Directors.

Information relating to Directors’ remuneration can be found in the audited section of the Directors’ Remuneration Report  
on page 39.

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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 9b))

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% (2018: 19%)
Non‑taxable gains on investments
Non‑taxable dividends
Movement in excess management expenses
Other movements

Tax charge for year (Note 9a))

2019
£

2018
£

89,700
(89,700)

68,000
(68,000)

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

2019
£

2018
£

5,826,745

4,015,812

1,107,081
(1,207,464)
(1,140)
101,523
–

–

771,174
(777,785)
(26,184)
32,795
–

–

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 
£168,000 (2017: £78,000). This is calculated using a corporation tax rate of 17% which is the rate at which it is deemed that 
any losses would be utilised.

  10.  Dividends paid

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

Interim dividend on Ordinary and B Ordinary shares for the year ended 31 March 2017  

of 1 pence per share

Final dividend on Ordinary and B Ordinary shares for the year ended 31 March 2017  

of 2 pence per share

Final dividend on Ordinary and B Ordinary shares for the year ended 31 March 2018  

of 3 pence per share 

Dividends paid or payable in respect of the financial year: 

2019
£

–

–

2018
£

427,839

868,798

1,529,549

–

1,529,549

1,296,637

2019
£

2018
£

Final dividend on Ordinary and B Ordinary shares for the year ended 31 March 2019  

of 3 pence per share – payable on 31 October 2019* (2018: 3 pence)

2,107,154

1,529,549

*Based on shares in issue at 5 July 2019.

All dividends are paid from the special reserve.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  11.  Return per share

2019

2018

Revenue

Capital

Total

Revenue

Capital

Total

Earnings per Ordinary share (pence)
Earnings per B Ordinary share (pence)

0.51
0.59

16.73
7.54

17.24
8.14

1.31
0.74

11.27
6.36

12.58
7.10

Basic revenue return per Ordinary share is based on the net revenue gain after taxation of £92,800 (2018: £237,186) and on 
18,095,587 (2017: 18,093,800) 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 £3,027,796 (2018: £2,038,593) and  
on 18,095,587 (2018: 18,093,800) 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 £197,428 (2018: £185,419) and  
on 33,255,599 (2018: 25,114,084) 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 return after taxation of £2,508,721 (2018: £1,597,614) and 
on 33,255,599 (2018: 25,114,084) Ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.

  12.  Investments

Movements in investments during the year are summarised as follows:  

Shares 
£

Loan stock 
£

Total 
£

Opening valuation:
Cost at 31 March 2018
Unrealised gains at 31 March 2018
Unrealised losses on loan notes at 31 March 2018
Interest rolled up in fixed income investments

23,688,674
11,629,883
–
–

11,583,200
–
(2,145,000)
1,792,912

35,271,874
11,629,883
(2,145,000)
1,792,912

Valuation at 31 March 2018

35,318,557

11,231,112

46,549,669

Movements in the year:
Purchases at cost
Disposal proceeds
Loans converted to equity
Loan interest converted to equity
Unrealised gains/(losses)
Realised gains/(losses) on disposals
Interest rolled up in fixed income investments 

9,073,979
–
1,000,000
27,628
6,748,088
(270,000)
–

2,155,000
(382,000)
(1,000,000)
–
(10,028)
(113,000)
934,031

11,228,979
(382,000)
–
27,628
6,738,060
(383,000)
934,031

Total movements in year

16,579,695

1,584,003

18,163,698

Closing valuation:
Cost at 31 March 2019
Unrealised gains at 31 March 2019
Unrealised losses on loan notes at 31 March 2019
Interest rolled up in fixed income investments

33,520,281
18,377,971
–
–

12,243,200
–
(2,155,028)
2,726,943

45,763,481
18,377,971
(2,155,028)
2,726,943

Valuation at 31 March 2019

51,898,252

12,815,115

64,713,367

As at 31 March 2019, the Company had no arrangements in place to dispose of any of its holdings.

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Notes to the Financial Statements continued

  12.  Investments (continued)

During the year, the following changes in valuation of unquoted shares were considered material:

Alexa Chung
Five Guys UK
Second Home
Bella Freud 
ME+EM

Carrying  
value at  
1 April 2018
£

1,977,500
4,614,521
4,875,862
1,915,453
974,418

Additions
in the year
£

1,124,202
–
–
350,000
89,646

Increase/
(decrease) in
valuation
£

Carrying  
value at  
31 March 2019
£

(846,741)
1,748,415
(658,678)
1,290,084
2,364,446

2,254,961
6,362,936
4,217,184
3,555,537
3,428,510

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 and 13.

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  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 

equity holding
%

Investment 

equity holding
%

87.6
La Bottega (LBID Holdings Limited) 
37.9
Bella Freud (Bella Freud Limited) 
32.7
Plenish (Plenish Cleanse Limited) 
32.5
Troubadour Goods (Troubadour Goods Limited) 
32.1
Boom Cycle (Boom Spin Limited) 
30.8
Sourced Market (SP Market Limited) 
28.3
Chucs Bar & Grill (Chucs Bar & Grill Limited) 
22.5
Bella Freud Perfume (Bella Freud Parfum Limited) 
Kat Maconie (Kat Maconie Limited) 
22.3
Boat International Media (Boat International Limited)  21.6
21.1
Alexa Chung (Alpha Charlie Limited) 
14.9
LYMA (Lyma Life Limited) 
12.7
N is for Nursery (N is for Nursery Limited) 
12.3
ME+EM (ME and EM Limited) 
12.0
Heist (Carousel Ventures Limited) 

KX Gym (KX Group Holding Limited) 
Chucs (Chucs Limited) 
KX U (KX U Limited) 
PlayerLayer (PlayerLayer Limited) 
Popsa (Popsa Holdings Limited) 
Secret Food Tours (Essor Limited) 
Floom (Floom Limited) 
Bel‑Air Inc (Bel‑Air Inc Limited) 
HotelMap (HotelMap.com Limited) 
Stylindex (Stylindex Limited) 
Stillking Films UK (2020 Group Limited) 
Beryl (SMIDSY Ltd) 
Unbolted (Open Access Finance Ltd)  
Second Home (Second Homes Limited) 

11.8
11.6
10.3
10.3
9.8
9.1
8.2
8.0
5.3
5.1
5.0
4.7
4.2
3.2

Details of holdings may be found in the Investment Adviser’s Review and Investment Portfolio on pages 12 to 31. 

The Company held 88% of La Bottega as at 31 March 2019 as a result of a debt to equity transaction that was on‑going at the 
reporting date. Although considered a subsidiary, the investment is held as part of the investment portfolio and is therefore 
excluded from consolidation as a result. At the date of signing the report, the Company held 49.5% of the issued share capital  
in La Bottega.

  14.  Debtors 

Amounts falling due within one year:
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors
Short‑term loan

  15.  Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Sundry creditors and accruals
Deferred income

2019
£

2018
£

99,788
653,068
1,461,825

321,731
8,904
1,461,825

2,214,681

1,792,460

2019
£

239,962
–

239,962

2018
£

369,838
2,020

371,858

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Notes to the Financial Statements continued

16.    Called up share capital 

No of  
Ordinary  
* 
shares

No of  
B Ordinary 
shares

** 

No of shares
Total 

Total shares
£

Allotted, called‑up and fully paid at 1 April 2018:
Issued during the year
Repurchased during the year

18,095,005
2,583
–

26,615,404
11,680,867
(98,270)

44,710,409
11,683,450
(98,270)

At 31 March 2019

18,097,588

38,198,001

56,295,589

447,104
116,835
(983)

562,956

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

During the year, the Company issued 2,583 Ordinary shares  
as detailed below:

Allotted, called up and fully paid:

No of  
Ordinary  
shares

Nominal  
value
£

Consideration  
received
£

Ordinary shares issued on 31 October 2018

2,583

26

3,115

During the year, the Company issued 11,680,867 B Ordinary shares  
as detailed below:

Allotted, called up and fully paid:

Ordinary shares issued on 5 April 2018
Ordinary shares issued on 29 June 2018
Ordinary shares issued on 27 September 2018
Ordinary shares issued on 31 October 2018 (DIS)
Ordinary shares issued on 12 December 2018
Ordinary shares issued on 20 February 2019

No of  
B Ordinary  
shares

3,859,164
1,234,434
1,277,645
87,591
3,309,656
1,912,377

Nominal  
value
£

Consideration  
received
£

38,592
12,344
12,776
876
33,097
19,124

4,049,900
1,292,500
1,406,000
91,208
3,629,252
2,213,164

11,680,867

116,809

12,682,024

98,270 B Ordinary shares were bought back during the year ended 31 March 2019.

  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 includes amounts transferred from the share premium account on 26 March 2014. The special reserve  
is 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 2019 there were realised losses of £2,856,448  
(2018 losses: £1,654,905) 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 2019 is £9,857,659 (2018: £12,400,480).

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  18.  Net asset value per share

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

Ordinary shares
B Ordinary shares

2019 
Net asset values 
attributable

2018  
Net asset values  
attributable

Net assets

Net assets  
per share (p)

Net assets

Net assets  
per share (p) 

£25,023,232
£42,744,669

138.27
111.90

£22,442,372
£28,777,540

124.03
108.12

Net asset value per Ordinary share is based on net assets at the year end and on 18,097,588 (2018: 18,095,005) 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 38,198,001 (2018: 26,615,404) 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 gain on investments
Decrease/(increase) in debtors (excluding share issue proceeds and short‑term loans)
Increase in interest rolled up in fixed income investments
Decrease in creditors and accruals (excluding share issue expenses,  

short‑term loans and fixed asset investment balances)

Net cash outflow from operating activities

  20.  Financial instruments

The Company’s financial instruments comprise:

2019
£

5,826,745
(6,355,073)
59,110
(961,657)

2018
£

4,058,812
(4,093,607)
(11,250)
(879,504)

(196,437)

(107,664)

(1,627,312)

(1,033,213)

(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’s Review 
on pages 12 and 13.

The Company held the following categories of financial instruments at 31 March 2019:

Assets at fair value through profit or loss:
Equity investments
Loan stock

Assets measured at amortised cost:
Cash at bank
Other debtors
Short‑term loans

Liabilities measured at amortised cost:
Creditors

2019

Cost 
£

Fair value 
£

2018 

Cost 
£

Fair value 
£

33,520,281 51,898,252
12,815,115
14,970,143

23,688,674 35,318,557
11,231,112
13,376,112

1,079,815
717,445
1,461,825

1,079,815
717,445
1,461,825

3,249,641
278,616
1,461,825

3,249,641
278,616
1,461,825

(239,962)

(239,962)

(371,858)

(371,858)

51,509,547 67,732,490

41,683,010

51,167,893

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Notes to the Financial Statements continued

  20.  Financial instruments (continued)

Loans to investee companies are treated as fair value through profit or 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 96% (2018: 91.0%) 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 £15,903,601 (2018: £16,220,472).

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 not 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 £9,812,654 and 17.4 pence (2018: £6,982,450 and 15.6 pence) respectively.

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

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 2019, the Company’s financial assets by value, excluding short‑term debtors and creditors which are not 
exposed to interest rate risk, comprised:

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  20.  Financial instruments (continued)

Financial assets

£

%

Weighted 
average interest 
rate 
%

Interest  
rate

Fixed  
term 
years

Venture capital investments
Ordinary shares
Loan stock 
Loan stock
Loan stock
Loan stock
Loan stock 
Loan stock 
Loan stock
Loan stock interest
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
Advance subscription
Advance subscription
Bank deposits

53,362,544
132,979
229,984
560,932
344,015
2,970,290
264,972
200,000
237,992
499,219
540,219
409,085
253,616
568,260
128,932
124,493
134,844
309,205
251,918
136,332
66,359
237,008
253,743
272,592
265,484
202,176
250,479
603,968
730,781
537,556
547,682
300,000
250,000
1,079,815

79.2
0.2
0.3
0.8
0.5
4.4
0.4
0.3
0.4
0.7
0.8
0.7
0.4
0.8
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.5
0.4
0.2
0.1
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.4
0.9
1.1
0.8
0.8
0.4
0.4
1.6

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

n/a
12.0
9.0
8.0
9.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
n/a
12.0
8.0
12.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
12.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
12.0
8.0
12.0
7.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
n/a
n/a
0.15

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

67,257,474

100.0

It is estimated that, if the floating interest rate fell to 0%, pre‑tax profit for the year would fall by 0.04% (2018: 0.14%)  
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. 

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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 the Company’s year end the following transactions have taken place:

• The Company has made investments of £5,020,309, including £3,190,750 follow‑on investments in existing holdings and 

£1,829,559 in new in investments. The Company has no other investments at the balance sheet date.

• 3,485,020 B Ordinary shares were allotted under the B Ordinary share offer on 1 April 2019 raising net proceeds of £4,035,850.

• 6,223,959 B Ordinary shares were allotted under the B Ordinary share offer on 5 April 2019 raising net proceeds of £7,221,507.

• 1,132,694 B Ordinary shares were allotted under the B Ordinary share offer on 16 May 2019 raising net proceeds of £1,323,876.

• 3,101,214 B Ordinary shares were allotted under the B Ordinary share offer on 4 July 2019 raising net proceeds of £3,646,489.

  23.  Geographical analysis 

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

  24.  Related parties

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

David Till, a non‑executive Director of the Company, is a member of OIM. During the year ended 31 March 2019, £1,182,063 
was payable to OIM for Investment Adviser services of which £13,379 was owed to OIM at the year end (2018: £690,000, of 
which £232,888 was owed at the year end).

OIM, acted as promoter for the offer opened on 27 September 2018. The fees in the year amounted to £169,835 out of which 
OCL cover the costs of the offer. The costs paid by the Company in the year amounted to £124,375. OIM were paid £45,460 in 
fees, resulting in a balance of £nil owed at the year end. Following the year end, additional promoter fee income of £397,713 
was recognised and as at the date of signing the Financial Statements OIM owed the Company £nil.

David Till, a non‑executive Director of the Company, is a director of Oakley Capital Limited (“OCL”). OCL acted as promoter for 
all previous offers including the offer which closed during the year. The fees in the year amounted to £164,195 (2018: £389,700) 
out of which OCL cover the costs of the offer. During the year the costs paid by the Company amounted to £36,385 and 
refunds in respect of listing fees previously paid amounted £75,425. OCL paid the Company £25,200 resulting in a balance  
of £1,221 owed from the Company to OCL at the year end (2018: OCL owed the Company £227,214).

The remuneration and shareholdings of the Directors, who are key management personnel of the Company, is disclosed in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 39.

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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 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 fourth annual general meeting of Pembroke VCT plc will be held at 8.30 am on Thursday, 
26 September 2019 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 9 will be proposed as Ordinary Resolutions and Resolutions 10 and 11 will be proposed as 
Special Resolutions):

Ordinary Resolutions 
1.  To receive the Directors’ and the Independent Auditor’s Reports and the Company’s Financial Statements for the year ended 

31 March 2019.

2.  To approve final dividends of 3 pence per Ordinary share and 3 pence per B Ordinary share in respect of the year ended  

31 March 2019 with a payment date of 31 October 2019 and a record date of 27 September 2019.

3.  To receive and approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2019.

4.  To re‑appoint Grant Thornton UK LLP as auditor of the Company to hold office until the conclusion of the next general meeting  

at which accounts are laid before the Company.

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

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

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

8.  To elect David Till as a Director of the Company.

9.  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 s551 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 9 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 1,809,579 Ordinary shares at the  
date of this notice); 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 5,214,089 B Ordinary shares at the 
date of this notice).

Special Resolutions
10. That, in accordance with s570(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 s560 of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authorities conferred by resolution 9 above as if s561 
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 s560 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.

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Notice of Annual General Meeting continued

11. That the Company be and is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised within the meaning of s701 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 Share or B Ordinary Share is an amount equal to the higher of (i) 105% 
of the average of the middle market quotation per Ordinary Share or B Ordinary Share taken from the London Stock Exchange 
Daily Official List for the five business days immediately preceding the day on which such Ordinary Share or B Ordinary Share  
is to be purchased and (ii) the amount stipulated by Article 5(6) of the Market Abuse Regulation.

(iv)  the authority hereby conferred shall (unless previously renewed or revoked) expire on the earlier of the AGM of the Company  

to be held in 2020 and the date which is 15 months after the date on which this resolution is 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 
29 July 2019

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 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 close of business on 24 September 2019 (two days, excluding non‑working days, prior to 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 at close of business two days prior to 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 using the Form of Proxy on page 75. 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 on page 75. To be valid, the Form of Proxy must be deposited by 8.30 am on 
24 September 2019, 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, Surrey GU9 7DR; or

•  By sending a legible scan of the completed hard copy of the Form of Proxy to voting@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 on page 76 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 voting@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 18,095,005 Ordinary Shares and 31,709,002 B Ordinary 

Shares, therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company as at the date of this notice is 49,804,007.

  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.

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Corporate Information

Directors  
(all non‑executive) 

Independent 

Jonathan Simon Djanogly (Chairman) 

Laurence Charles Neil Blackall

Not independent 

David John Till

All of the registered office and 
principal place of business 

3 Cadogan Gate 
London  
SW1X 0AS

www.pembrokevct.com

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

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

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 

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

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

Reporting Calendar 

for year ending 31 March 2020

Results announced: 

Interim – October 2019

Annual – July 2020 

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Form of Proxy

Pembroke VCT plc – Form of Proxy for the Annual General Meeting on 26 September 2019

I/We (block capitals please) ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................

of ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

being (a) member(s) of Pembroke VCT plc, hereby appoint (see notes 1 and 2) ..............................................................................................................

or failing him/her the chairman of the meeting to be my/our proxy and exercise all or any of my/our rights to attend, speak and vote 
for me/us in respect of my/our voting entitlement on my/our behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held at 
3 Cadogan Gate, London SW1X 0AS on 26 September 2019 at 8.30 am, notice of which is dated 29 July 2019, and at any adjournment 
thereof. The proxy will vote as indicated below in respect of the resolution set out in the notice of meeting:

Please indicate by placing an ‘X’ in this box if this proxy appointment is one of multiple appointments being made  
(see note 2 overleaf).

Resolution

1  To receive the Directors’ Report and Financial Statements together with the  

Independent Auditor’s Report

2  To approve final dividends of 3 pence per Ordinary share and 3 pence per B Ordinary share

For

Against

Vote  
withheld

3  To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report

4  To re‑appoint Grant Thornton UK LLP as auditor

5  To authorise the Directors to fix the remuneration of the auditor

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

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

8  To elect David Till as a Director of the Company

9  To authorise the allotment and issue of Ordinary and B Ordinary shares pursuant to the DIS

10 To disapply pre‑emption rights in relation to the above allotment

11 To authorise the Directors to buy back shares

Please refer to the notes overleaf.

Attendance indication

Shareholders who intend to attend the Annual General Meeting are requested to place a tick in the box below in order to assist with 
administrative arrangements.

I/We intend to attend the Annual General Meeting at 3 Cadogan Gate, London SW1X 0AS  
on 26 September 2019 at 8.30 am.

Signed ....................................................................................................................................... 

Date ................................................................................................................................ 2019

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Notes Relating to the Form of Proxy

1.  Every member has the right to appoint some other person(s) of his/her choice, who need not be a member, as his/her proxy to 

exercise all or any of his/her rights to attend, speak or vote on his/her behalf at the meeting. A member wishing to appoint a person 
other than the chairman of the meeting as proxy should insert the name of such person in the space provided. If the proxy is being 
appointed in relation to less than your full voting entitlement, please enter alongside the proxy holder’s name the number of shares 
in relation to which they are authorised to act as your proxy. If left blank your proxy will be deemed to be authorised in respect of 
your full voting entitlement (or if this Form of Proxy has been issued in respect of a designated account for a shareholder, the full 
voting entitlement for that designated account). Any alteration or deletion must be signed or initialled.

2.  A member may appoint more than one proxy in relation to a meeting, provided that the proxy is appointed to exercise the rights 
attached to a different share or shares held by him/her. To appoint more than one proxy, please contact The City Partnership (UK) 
Limited on 01484 240 910 for (an) additional form(s), or you may photocopy this form. Please indicate alongside the proxy holder’s 
name the number of shares in relation to which the proxy holder is authorised to act as your proxy. Please also indicate by placing 
an X in the box provided if the proxy instruction is one of multiple instructions being given. All forms must be signed and returned 
together in the same envelope.

3.  Use of the Form of Proxy does not preclude a member from attending and voting in person.

4.  Where the Form of Proxy is executed by an individual it must be signed by that individual or his or her attorney.

5.  Where the Form of Proxy is executed by joint shareholders it may be signed by any of the members, but the vote of the member 
whose name stands first in the register of members of the Company will be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other  
joint holders.

6.  Where the Form of Proxy is executed by a corporation it must be either under its seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney 

duly authorised.

7.  If the Form of Proxy is signed and returned without any indication as to how the proxy shall vote, the proxy will exercise his/her 

discretion as to whether and how he/she votes, as he/she will on any other matters to arise at the meeting.

8.  To be valid, the Form of Proxy, together with, if applicable, the power of attorney or other authority under which it is signed,  
or a certified copy thereof, must be sent or delivered to Share Registrars Limited, The Courtyard, 17 West Street, Farnham,  
Surrey GU9 7DR or by fax to 01252 719232 or by scan and email to voting@shareregistrars.uk.com to be received no later than 
8.30 am on 24 September 2019.

9.  The “vote withheld” option is provided to enable a member to abstain from voting on the resolution; however, it should be noted 
that a “vote withheld” is not a vote in law and will not be counted in the calculation of the proportion of the votes “for” and 
“against” the resolution.

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Designed by & inc. and printed by Portman Lodge Limited

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3 Cadogan Gate, London SW1X 0AS

Incorporated in England and Wales
with registered number 08307631

ANNUAL REPORT

AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 March 2019