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Photo-Me International

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FY2021 Annual Report · Photo-Me International
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Photo-Me International plc  
Annual Report 2021

Making
Easy

Photo-Me International PLC 
has evolved over time. 

Our new corporate brand, ME Group, which was launched in 2021, better 
defines how the Group has innovated and diversified its operations, and 
unifies the Group’s strategy across all its markets. 

Our new identity reflects our mission to revolutionise local retail by bringing 
innovative automated self-service solutions to consumers, delivered 
through a more self-sufficient customer experience every day. 

So why ME?
ME captures the easy-to-use and convenient nature of the Group’s diverse 
vending equipment portfolio and consumer experience and engagement. 

MY EXPERIENCE

MORE ENGAGED

MINUTE EXPERIENCE

MAKING EASY

The new brand strategy is an exciting and important development for the 
Group, which will support its plans for growth and continued diversification 
to meet the needs of customers and consumers today and in the future.

ME Group is a trading name and trademark of PHOTO-ME INTERNATIONAL PLC 
which remains the registered name of the Company for now.

Contents

STRATEGIC REPORT
2021 in Summary 
Business at a Glance 
Chairman’s Statement 
Business Model and Strategy 
  Our Business: Identification 
  Our Business: Laundry 
  Our Business: Kiosks 
  Our Business: Food 
Celebrating 60 years in 2022 
Chief Executive’s Report 
Financial Review 
Section 172(1) Statement  
Principal Risks 
Corporate Responsibility Statement  
Viability Statement  

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board of Directors & Company Secretary 
Report of Directors  
Corporate Governance 
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 
Directors’ Remuneration Report 
Remuneration Policy Report 
Annual Report on Remuneration 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Independent auditor’s report to the  
members of Photo-Me International plc 
Group Statement of Comprehensive Income 
Group Statements of Financial Position 
Company Statements of Financial Position 
Group Statements of Cash Flows 
Company Statements of Cash Flows 
Group Statements of Changes in Equity 
Company Statements of Changes in Equity 
Notes to the Financial Statements 
Company Information & Advisers 
Shareholder Information 

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1

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportFacilitating the administrative 
procedures of several hundred 
thousand citizens every day throughout 
the world in government-approved 
connected photo ID booths. 

Strategic report

2021 in Summary 
Business at a Glance 
Chairman’s Statement 
Business Model and Strategy 
  Our Business: Identification 
  Our Business: Laundry 
  Our Business: Kiosks 
  Our Business: Food 
Celebrating 60 years in 2022 
Chief Executive’s Report 
Financial Review 
Section 172(1) Statement  
Principal Risks 
Corporate Responsibility Statement  
Viability Statement  

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Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 20213

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic Report

2021 in Summary

Results summary

For the 12 months ended 31 October 2021 

R E V E N U E

£214.4m

20203: £186.3m

G R O S S C A S H 4

£98.4m

20203: £106.2m

E B I T DA  (E XC LU D I N G  A S S O C I AT E S) 1

N E T C A S H

£65.1m

20203: £41.4m

P R O F I T B E FO R E TA X 2

£28.6m

20203: £(27.8)m

P R O F I T A F T E R  TA X

£21.9m

20203: £(24.9)m

C A S H  G E N E R AT E D   
F R O M  O P E R AT I O N S

£66.1m

20203: £51.8m

£34.9m

20203: £21.9m

E A R N I N G S P E R   S H A R E 
(D I LU T E D)

5.77p

20203: n/a

TOTA L D I V I D E N D  P E R   
O R D I N A RY S H A R E

2.89p

20203: nil

Financial summary

Operational highlights

 ▪ Revenue was up 15.1% to £214.4 million (2020: £186.3 
million), as the Group benefited from the easing of 
COVID-19 restrictions on the movement of people 
compared with comparative period last year

 ▪ Strong performance with a progressive recovery in 
demand for our vending services seen across most 
of our key markets

 ▪ Photobooth revenue up 15.2%, driven by a strong 

 ▪ EBITDA increased by 57.2% to £65.1 million (2020: 

performance in France and Japan

£41.4 million)

 ▪ Reported Profit before tax increased 

by £56.4 million to £28.6 million 
(2020: £(27.8) million)

 ▪ Cash generation from operations increased 27.6% 

to £66.1 million (2020: £51.8 million)

 ▪ Revenue from Revolution laundry units was up 

26.6%, and the total number of Revolution units in 
operation was up 19.1% 

 ▪ Continued focus on new product innovation and 

diversification of operations to meet customer and 
consumer needs

 ▪ Net cash position of £34.9 million, an increase of 

 ▪ Launch of ME Group, new corporate brand strategy 

56.5% from the same in the prior year

to reflect diversification of operations 

1  EBITDA is Reported profit before tax, total depreciation and amortization, other net gain, Finance cost and revenue.
2 

Includes impairments and provisions resulting directly and indirectly of the pandemic.

3  All 2020 figures stated are for the 12 months ended 31 October 2020
4  Total cash and cash equivalent were £99.4m with gross cash £98.4m + bank deposit account for £1.0m

4

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic Report 
Business at a Glance

OUR PURPOSE:
To make people’s lives easier every day around 
the world through our innovative vending 
products and services, and deliver value 
to all our stakeholders in all our markets. 

UK & Republic of Ireland

Continental Europe

Asia Pacific

Three core geographies

O P E R AT I O N S I N

20 countries

Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, 
Japan, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, 
Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Vietnam

R & D  C E N T R E S 

3

supported by a team of more than 
50 engineers, situated in France 
(primary facility), Vietnam and Japan

V E N D I N G  U N I T S   
I N O P E R AT I O N

43,817

Four principal business areas

Photobooths and 
integrated biometric 
identification solutions

Unattended laundry 
services, launderettes, 
B2B services

Print.

High-quality digital 
printing kiosks

Vending equipment for 
the food service market 

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Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportStrategic Report

Chairman’s Statement

Sir John Lewis
Non-executive Chairman

In 2022 the Group will celebrate its 
60th anniversary. 

The year will also mark its rebirth, 
both in terms of our operational 
performance, if the pandemic 
recedes, and in terms of innovation, 
diversification and expansion of our 
historical business activities, 
photobooths, and laundry activities, 
alongside our newer self-service food 
vending equipment activities. 

R E P O R T E D  R E V E N U E

£214.4m

at 31 October 2021

N E T  C A S H  P O S I T I O N

£34.9m

at 31 October 2021

6

Photo-Me is a unique business. Our business 
model has proven its strength through the 
resilience of our performance in the 2021 financial 
year. Millions of people see our machines each day 
and we benefit from a dominant market position in 
many of the countries in which we operate, with 
limited or no competition. We have established and 
long-standing partnerships with site owners and 
customers, underpinned by long-term contracts. 
This gives the Group good revenue visibility and 
year-on-year recurring revenue streams and 
provides a significant barrier to potential 
competitors. We use cash generated from our 
operations to fund product innovation, to 
consolidate our offer and to extend our geographic 
presence. Shareholder value is delivered through 
growth and dividends. 

Our strategy remains to provide consumers 
and our partners with an excellent customer 
experience. This approach is based on our three 
pillars: People, Service, and Customer Satisfaction. 

Innovating local automatic services to meet the 
needs of consumers is in our DNA, and all our 
people work together to deliver this objective. We 
have rejuvenated the Group’s corporate brand 
identity and are now trading under the ME Group 
brand. To further cement this adherence to our 
purpose and values, we have launched an 
ambitious policy of Corporate Social Responsibility 
(CSR). Our people, across our operations, play an 
important part in the Group’s responsibility for 
reducing carbon emissions, reducing material 
consumption, and the circular economy. 

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportThe Group delivered a strong performance 
in the 2021 financial year. A progressive 
recovery in demand for our vending 
services across most of our key markets 
was driven by increased photobooth 
activity and a strong performance from 
our laundry operations.

Sir John Lewis
Non-executive Chairman

Finally, our sustained efforts in research and 
development, boosted tenfold by a true digital 
revolution launched in 2020, will continue to bring 
our machines to the forefront of innovation and 
customer attraction. 

ME Group corporate brand 
The Group has a rich history spanning seven 
decades and its proposition has evolved significantly, 
particularly in recent years as our diversification 
strategy has been successfully implemented. 

2021 Overview 
The Group delivered a strong performance in 
the 2021 financial year. A progressive recovery in 
demand for our vending services across most of our 
key markets was driven by increased photobooth 
activity and a strong performance from our laundry 
operations. The Group also benefited from 
completion of its restructuring programmes to 
remove unprofitable machines from its estate 
(primarily photobooths and children’s rides) in 
April 2021. 

As a result, the Board is pleased to report that total 
revenue and profit before tax for the Period were at 
the upper end of its expectations. 

As well as benefiting from increased activity in most 
of our markets, considerable strategic progress was 
made, despite ongoing disruption and challenges 
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of 
Revolution laundry units grew by c. 19% year-on-
year. We extended our presence in the food 
vending equipment market with the acquisition of a 
pizza vending manufacturer and we launched a 
fresh apple juice and fresh pineapple juice machine 
for the B2B market. The Group also entered two 
new territories with plans to develop its operations 
in Finland and Australia. 

Today the Group has a presence in 20 countries, and 
operates, sells and services a wide range of instant-
service equipment, primarily aimed at the end 
consumer. Whilst our photobooth services remain 
an important part of our operations, the Group now 
offers an extensive and diverse range of products 
and services beyond its photobooth heritage. 

During the Period, the Group launched a new 
corporate brand “ME Group” to better reflect the 
change in the breadth and reach of our operations, 
and the wide range of easy to use and convenient 
vending products and solutions offered by the 
Group. ME GROUP is a trademark and trading name 
of Photo-Me International plc.

Whilst our principal business areas are unchanged, 
we have aligned these to our new branding. 
Identification and photobooths is called “Photo.ME”, 
laundry services called “Wash.ME”, digital printing 
kiosks, “Print.ME” and vending equipment for the 
food service market is now referred to as “Feed.ME”. 

Growth strategy 
Our growth strategy is centred on further 
diversifying our operations, through product 
innovation and new technologies. Our aim is to 
expand the number of units in operation and 
increase the yield per unit by leveraging our 
technological and industry expertise, and our 

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Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportStrategic Report

Chairman’s Statement continued

scale to rapidly rollout new products in existing 
and new markets, whilst minimising production 
and operational costs. 

Further details of the growth strategy for each of 
our principal business areas and strategic progress 
in the Period are set out in the Business Review. 

Product innovation remains at the core of the 
Group to support diversification of our operations. 
We have in-house R&D capabilities in France 
(primary facility), Vietnam and Japan, plus a team 
of more than 50 dedicated engineers. 

We use cash flow generated by our long-
established operations, such as photobooths, to 
invest in future growth. 

Our key investment priorities are focused on three 
of our principal business areas:

 ▪ Diversification and commercialisation of the 

next generation photobooths (Photo.ME), a key 
margin contributor to the Group.

 ▪ Continued expansion of our laundry operations 
(Wash.ME), a key growth driver for the Group.

 ▪ Growth of our food vending equipment 

business (Feed.ME), with the aim of becoming a 
leader in the European market. 

In addition to developing these business areas 
through organic growth, the Group will continue to 
identify selected bolt-on acquisitions which meet 
the Group’s return on investment criteria.

As the Board drives this strategy forward, we 
expect that the Group’s Wash.ME and Feed.ME 
business areas will contribute an increasing 
proportion of total Group revenue and profit.

Furthermore, the Group has extended its 
geographic footprint. In June 2021 we took the first 
commercial steps to expand vending operations 
into Finland, and in September 2021 we entered the 
Australian market via a small vending acquisition for 
a consideration of £1.9 million (A$3.5 million). The 
Board is also considering opportunities in other 
European markets. 

Our corporate responsibility 
The Board recognises the Group’s responsibilities 
to the community and the environment and 
believes that health, safety, and environmental 
issues are integral and important components of 
best practice in business management. 

Our systemic CSR approach and focus on inventing 
eco-responsible local services together supports 
our growth strategy and operations by integrating 
social, environmental, and economic expectations 
into the Group’s strategy and operations. We are 
committed to strengthening our efficiency by 
better coordinating and aligning all our CSR-related 
actions across our organisation to accelerate 
delivery of our CSR goals. Our priorities are focused 
on our social commitment, our environmental 
footprint, and our responsibility toward society. 
Our aim is for the Group to be carbon neutral  
by 2040. 

The Board
The Board of Directors has been working hard to 
refresh its membership for some time as it 
continues to plan for succession for both Executive 
and Non-executive Directors and we were 
delighted to announce the appointment of four 
new members on 23 June 2021. 

Tania Crasnianski was appointed as an Executive 
Director, and Camille Claverie, René Proglio and 
Sigieri Diaz della Vittoria Pallavicini were appointed 
as Non-executive Directors. These new 
appointments bring a wealth of experience and 
breadth of skill sets and the Board is pleased to  
work with Tania, Camille, René and Sigieri to drive 
forward the Group’s growth strategy. . 

Mr Yitzhak Apeloig tendered his resignation as 
a Non-executive director and left the Company 
in April 2021. The Board thanks Mr Apeloig for his 
invaluable contribution to the Group during his 
tenure of office.   

8

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportDividend 
The Board is recommending a final dividend of 
2.89p per ordinary share for the shareholders on 
the register at the close of business on 19 April 
2022. The ex-dividend date will be 14 April 2022 
and, if approved by shareholders at the Company’s 
annual general meeting on 29 April 2022, the 
dividend will be paid on 13 May 2022.

Looking ahead
While there continues to be some disruption from 
the pandemic and market visibility is still somewhat 
limited, we remain highly vigilant and continue to 
take the steps needed to mitigate the impact of the 
current trading environment on our operations and 
our financial position.

The situation in Russia and Ukraine is being 
closely monitored by the Board. However, the 
Group has no activities at all in this region and 
therefore it does not currently expect Group 
revenue to be impacted.

The Board has carefully reviewed several scenarios 
and we are confident that the Group has sufficient 
financial resources to continue to deal with the 
economic risks over the next five years. 

There has been a recovery in activity in most 
territories, except for Asia which is still severely 
impacted by COVID-19 government restrictions. 
The Board believes that the Group’s recovery to 
date demonstrates its resilience and the benefits 
of its strategic activities, which gives us further 
confidence that our financial performance will 
return closer to pre-pandemic levels as the 
pandemic subsides.

Sir John Lewis
Non-executive Chairman

30 March 2022

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Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic Report 
Strategic Report

Business Model and Strategy

Our business model has proven its 
strength through the resilience of 
our performance in the 2021 
financial year. 

Millions of people see our machines 
each day and we benefit from a 
dominant market position in many of 
the countries in which we operate, 
with limited or no competition. 

We have established and long-standing 
partnerships, underpinned by long-term 
contracts which gives the Group good revenue 
visibility and year-on-year recurring revenue 
streams and provides a significant barrier to 
potential competitors.

Our business strategy is focused on 
diversifying our product portfolio, 
expanding the number of units in operation, 
and increasing the yield per unit, while 
minimising production and operational 
costs to the Group.

VALU
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Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key investment priorities

 ▪ Diversification and 

commercialisation of our next 
generation photobooths, 
a key margin contributor

 ▪ Continued expansion of our 
laundry operations, a key 
growth driver for the Group

 ▪ Growth of Feed.ME, to become 
the food-vending equipment 
market leader in France by 2023

 ▪ Innovation and diversification 

focused on delivering a  
state-of-the-art user 
experience, backed by the 
best technology, and an 
Omnichannel approach 

Our key strengths support our growth strategy 

Long-term partnerships with  
high footfall technology and innovation 
Development of proprietary solutions and 
continuous focus on product diversification

Long-term partnerships with 
high footfall site owners, underpinned by 
long-term contracts 
Supermarkets, shopping malls, public transport 
and public administration buildings

Brand recognition 
Leading brands and household names in 
key territories

Network of skilled field engineers 
Supporting growth across business areas at 
limited additional cost

Telemetry system 
Sophisticated and tailored to the Group’s 
proprietary technology

Industry expertise 
More than 50 years working with regulatory bodies

Stable cash flows 
Generated from existing network to fund R&D 
and support growth through product innovation  
and to consolidate our offer and extend our 
geographic presence 

Value for all our stakeholders

Competitively priced, high-quality  
services for consumers 
Meeting increasing demand for instant 
vending services on-the-go

Additional services for site owners 
Support customer needs and footfall

Shareholder value
Delivered through growth and dividends

Corporate social responsibilty 
Focus on social commitment, environmental 
footprint, and responsibility towards society

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Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportStrategic Report  |  Our Business

Identification

G R O U P TOTA L  V E N D I N G E S TAT E

63.6% 

P H OTO B O OT H U N I T S   
I N O P E R AT I O N 

27,867

P H OTO B O OT H P R E S E N C E I N

15 countries

Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Ireland, 
Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, 
South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom

R E V E N U E 1

15.2%

2021:   £123.2m
2020:  £106.9m

1  For the 12 months ended 31 October

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Photobooths and integrated 
biometric photo 
identification solutions

A global leader in the photobooth market 
for instant photo ID, portraits, and 
fun photographs

We have an established network of nearly 
28,000 photobooths offering market-
leading photographic quality and 
technology in 15 countries

Our services are primarily aimed at the consumer 
market, with machines typically located in 
convenient, high-footfall locations such as 
supermarkets, shopping centres and travel hubs 

We work closely with national institutions to fully 
understand government Photo ID standards 
and security requirements 

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportOur strategy

Photo.ME delivers stable cash flow that supports the 
Group’s diversification strategy and investment in new 
product development.

Our Photo.ME growth strategy is focused around:

 ▪ Diversification and commercialisation of next generation photobooths, a key 

margin contributor to the Group 

 ▪ Longer-term opportunities to expand presence outside of Europe, particularly 

in countries where self-taken ID photos are not permitted

 ▪ Deploying proven identification security technologies in existing and  

new territories

 ▪ Growing revenue through multiple service offering 

Our operations

Photo.ME offers:

Integrated proprietary software ensuring all 
photographs conform to International Standards 
Organisation (ISO) and International Civil  
Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations for 
photo identification

Secure digital Photo ID technology 
providing solutions to governments seeking to 
improve and digitalise security ID to combat 
fraud and security threats, including biometric 
data capture, secure and direct transfer of data 
to government servers and 3D facial image 
capture via our photobooths. Agreements in 
place with governments for the direct and secure 
upload of photographs from our photobooths to 
their servers for official documents

Strong support and maintenance network 
in development such as beautifying, vintage 
pictures and editing 

Our strategy in action

Photobooths receive Biometric Presentation 
Attack Detection compliant accreditation 
Developed at the Group’s R&D centre in France, 
its liveness detection technology has been 
recognised as compliant under international 
Biometrics Presentation Attack Detection 
standards (ISO/IEC 30107-3) by the French 
biometrics and security technologies experts at 
Cabinet Louis Reynaud Labs

This accreditation is a key achievement and 
provides further evidence of the Group’s security 
and industry-leading technology across its 
photobooth estate, which effectively detects and 
prevents potential biometric presentation attacks

The prevention of presentation attacks within 
photobooths is an essential process to mitigate 
and eliminate the creation of real “fake” official 
identity documents

Photobooths equipped with encrypted digital 
Photo ID upload technology:

2021

2020

2017

7 000

12 937

12 000

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Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021 
 
 
Strategic Report  |  Our Business

Laundry

Unattended 24/7 laundry 
services, launderettes, B2B 
laundry services

Large-capacity, energy-saving rapid 
unattended laundry services aimed at 
consumers and B2B market

Growing network of more than 4,000 
Revolution units 

Key markets include France, the United 
Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and Portugal

G R O U P TOTA L  V E N D I N G E S TAT E

9.3% 

R E VO LU T I O N L AU N D RY U N I T S   
I N O P E R AT I O N 

4,094

O P E R AT I O N S I N

13 countries

Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Ireland, 
Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, 
Switzerland, United Kingdom 

R E VO LU T I O N R E V E N U E 1

26.6 %

2021:   £44.8m
2020:  £35.4m

1  For the 12 months ended 31 October

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Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportOur strategy

Our Wash.ME business is our highest margin and fastest 
growing business area. The Group’s growth strategy is 
focused on:

 ▪ Expansion of Revolution laundry services in target territories through new and 

existing partnerships with strategic site owners

 ▪ Continued innovation of laundry units, upgrading existing machines and the 

commercialisation of new formats 

 ▪ Continuing to increase laundry revenue as proportion of total Group revenue 

Our operations

Our strategy in action

Wash.ME comprises three main areas 
of operation: Revolution laundry 
services (primarily), launderettes, 
and B2B laundry services

Revolution laundry services offer 24/7 
outdoor self-service machines, typically located 
on high-footfall sites such as car parks, campsites 
and university campuses

 ▪ Operations in thirteen countries: Austria, 
Belgium, China, France, Germany, Ireland, 
Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, 
Switzerland and United Kingdom 

Self-service launderette shops offer 
convenient and competitively priced large-
capacity, self-service laundry amenities, typically 
located near town centres 

 ▪ Operations in five countries: France, Japan, 

Portugal, Republic of Ireland and  
United Kingdom

B2B laundry operations sells laundry services, 
targeting hospitals, care homes and universities

 ▪ Operations in Spain1

1  The Group sold its UK B2B business (Revolution Max) in FY2021

Average of 60 machines installed per month

R E P R E S E N TAT I O N O F TOTA L 
G R O U P V E N D I N G E S TAT E

2021

2020

2019

9.3%

7.7%

6.4%

Increasing Revolution unit revenue contribution 

R E P R E S E N TAT I O N  A S P E R C E N TAG E 
O F   G R O U P R E V E N U E

2021

2020

2019

20.9%

19%

20.9%

Photovoltaic solar panels installed on 198 
Revolution units in France, and these are being 
rolled out to other territories including United 
Kingdom and Germany

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Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic Report 
Strategic Report  |  Our Business

Kiosks

G R O U P TOTA L  V E N D I N G E S TAT E

11.8% 

U N I T S I N O P E R AT I O N 

5,173

O P E R AT I O N S I N

8 countries

Portugal, Germany, Spain, Japan, Belgium, France, 
Netherlands, Switzerland

  R E V E N U E 1

2.6%

2021:   £11.7m
2020:  £11.4m

1  For the 12 months ended 31 October

16

Print.

High-quality digital printing 
kiosks positioned in attractive 
high footfall locations  
across Europe

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportOur strategy

Our operations

 ▪ Consider opportunities to extend 
digital kiosk services offered 
through the Group’s instant-
service machine network

 ▪  Identify product partnership 

opportunities within 
existing territories

Industry-leading technology offers a wide 
range of printing formats (with multi-touch 
technology for cropping and editing) and 
personalised products. Products to print include 
vintage photos, personalised gifts, calendars, 
announcement cards 

Fully integrated with major social media 
networks providing consumers with convenient, 
easy-to-use, reliable, competitively priced, and 
high-quality services from smartphones and other 
devices for a seamless customer experience

Other vending equipment

U N I T S I N O P E R AT I O N 

6,624

G R O U P TOTA L V E N D I N G E S TAT E

15.1% 

Operations include children’s rides (Amuse.ME) and 
photocopiers (Copy.ME) 

Units are reliant on high footfall to generate 
consumer demand, and are usually situated at sites 
where the Group has an existing relationship with the 
site owner

Operations benefit from operating synergies, 
leveraging the same 650-strong field engineer and 
maintenance network

Safely entertaining thousands 
of children on traditional or 
interactive rides to enchant 
their parents’ daily lives as well.

Reproduce all your private or 
professional documents on 
your way to work or while you 
are shopping with the latest 
 technology photocopiers.

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Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021 
Strategic Report  |  Our Business

Food

O P E R AT I O N S I N

3 countries

Belgium, France, Switzerland 

R E V E N U E 1

52.4%

2021:   £9.6m
2020:  £6.3m

Vending equipment for the food 
service market

Entered the food vending equipment market 
in 2019 through the acquisition of Sempa 
SARL, a specialist in commercialised self-
service fresh fruit juice equipment 

Through innovation and bolt-on 
acquisitions, this business area has 
expanded into new markets

1  For the 12 months ended 31 October

18

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportOur strategy

 ▪ Expand presence in the self-service fruit juice equipment market and offer 
a wider variety of self-service fresh juice options in all territories where the 
Group has an existing footprint

 ▪  Establish a presence in the pizza-vending equipment market with the aim 
of becoming a leader in the European market, and installing 100 machines 
per month by 2023 

 ▪  Become the food-vending equipment market leader in France by 2023 

Our operations

Our strategy in action

Specialist high-end professional fresh 
citrus fruit machines with proprietary 
technologies to produce high-quality fruit juices 

Pizza vending equipment manufacturer 
offering consumers self-service pizza 24/7 ready 
in four minutes, as well as pizza machines aimed 
at the B2B hospitality market (restaurants 
and takeaways) 

Innovative professional apple and pineapple 
machines developed for the B2B market. So far, 
100 machines installed across France, Belgium  
and Japan

New ‘juice wall concept’ developed, which offers 
a variety of self-service fresh juice options, 25 of 
which were deployed in 2021

Prototype new grape juice machines developed 
and being tested

Entered a new business area through the 
acquisition of French manufacturers of pizza 
vending machines, Resto’Clock, in May 2021 with 
plans to increase manufacturing capacity and 
geographic distribution in the future. During the 
year installation rate was accelerated from 40 per 
year to 30 per month

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Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021 
Strategic Report

Celebrating 60 years in 2022

The Group has a rich history driven by a strong culture of 
creativity and innovation. Over the past six decades it has 
rapidly grown to become one of the leading players in 
self-service automated services globally.

During this time, the services the Group provides to its customers and consumers around the 
world have evolved and diversified significantly. The Group’s purpose is to develop everyday 
instant solutions that everyone can access, without exception, and this commitment remains 
true today.

1962

2010

Photo-Me International shares list on 
the London Stock Exchange (PHTM.L)

New generation iconic 
photobooth launched

1994

Merger with KIS (France), 
a leading instant printing 
business

1954

First customer uses a Photo-Me® 
photobooth and a few minutes later 
walks away with their picture – 
amazing technology for its time

2012

New Revolution self-service laundry 
concept launched, diversifying the 
Group’s range of instant-services

20

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportInnovation remains at our core as 
we continue to make several hundred 
thousands lives easier each day.

2021

Acquisition of pizza 
vending machine 
manufacturer, 
Resto’Clock

Developed proprietary 
‘anti-spoofing’ solution 
of ID photos

2019

Entered the food vending sector, with 
acquisition of SEMPA Sarl, the French 
leader in the manufacture and 
distribution of fresh fruit juice 
machines, marking the start of the 
Group’s food vending operations

Launch of ME Group 
corporate brand strategy 
to better define how the 
Group has innovated and 
diversified its products, 
services and operations

2014

2020

Self-service apple and 
pineapple juice machines 
developed for the B2B 
market, and other 
machine innovation 
projects in the pipeline

State-of-the-art 
encrypted upload 
technology providing 
digital photo ID for official 
documents launched, 
working in partnership 
with governments – 
including driving licenses 
in France, passports 
office in Ireland and in 
the United Kingdom

2022

Celebrating 60th anniversary since 
being listed on the London Stock 
Exchange, as the Group gains new 
momentum supported by the ME 
Group corporate brand

21

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportCelebrating 60 years in 2022 continued

Continuous innovation and diversification

The Group’s in-house R&D team is continuously working on new 
product innovation to meet ever-changing customer and consumer 
needs, supported by a 50-strong team of dedicated engineers. 
Our approach is focused on two key pillars:

1. A state-of-the-art user 

experience, backed by the 
best technology

 ▪ Design of new, intuitive, and modern user 

interfaces across product categories 
 ▪ Integration of digital payment systems 
 ▪ Up-to-date functionalities, through an 

aggregate of the best of external 
technology providers 

2. An omnichannel approach, 

leveraging digital functionalities 
to enhance user experience of 
our brands and explore new 
business models 

 ▪ Use of a powerful CRM which offers a 
customised experience to end users 
 ▪ Launch of applications that connect 
to our machines to offer mobile-to-
machine features

 ▪ Remote management of our self-

service vending equipment through 
a cloud-based infrastructure

Photobooths and digital kiosks:

Innovation to  
reinvent the offer 

Face ID anti-spoofing support 
through biometric authentication

Fun products and social media 
sharing functions

Multiservice photobooths and 
kiosks to integrate the consumer 
journey into specific omnichannel 
automated services

22

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportLaundry

Innovation to enhance 
presence in self-service 
laundry market

Innovation to enhance presence 
in self-service laundry market 
 ▪ Multiple configuration options 
tailored to customers’ needs

 ▪ Reduced production costs 
 ▪ Reduced catalogue 

product lines

Revolution Compact V3, new 
outdoor laundry unit with new 
features to benefit customers 
and the environment
 ▪ Uses less energy, detergent 
 ▪ Equipped with solar panels, 
reducing carbon footprint

Flex, new indoor laundry unit
 ▪ Based on modular 
configurations

 ▪ For distribution into 
co-living locations

Food

Innovation to address 
market opportunities

Expansion of professional fresh 
fruit juice range to include grape, 
kiwi and pear products

Second generation pizza kiosks 
due to launch from June 2022 to 
address the independent 
pizzaiolos market and hypermarket 
global key accounts 

 ▪ Pizza oven integrated with 

Boxpresso e-fridge 
 ▪ 64-pizza Muliquattro V3
 ▪ 96-pizza capacity kiosk

The Group has plans to further 
digitalise pizza kiosks by using a 
centralised software platform to:

 ▪ Manage customer activity 

remotely

 ▪ Integrate a real-time inventory, 
sales and back-office functions 

 ▪ Support cashless payments
 ▪ Offer a dedicated end-user 

application

23

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportChief Executive’s Report

Serge Crasnianski
Chief Executive Officer  
& Deputy Chairman

Business review

The Group has continued its 
recovery, despite the ongoing 
disruption in 2021 due to COVID-19 
in all the countries in which the 
Group operates, which followed 
a difficult year in 2020. 

R E V E N U E

£214.4m

12 months ended 31 October 2020 £186.3m

P R O F I T B E FO R E TA X

£28.6m

12 months ended 31 October 2020 £(27.8)m

24

Nonetheless, the Group has made progress 
towards returning to its pre-pandemic 
performance. The responsiveness of the 
management team, the rapid and decisive actions 
taken, and the efforts made by all have made it 
possible to overcome adversities and envisage the 
way forward post-pandemic with confidence. 

The in-depth restructuring of the Group and its 
assets is now complete, and the Group is entering a 
new era. While maintaining the same strategic 
direction, focused on photobooth, laundry and 
food activities, we continue to expand our presence 
in all the territories where we operate, and extend 
our presence in Southern and Northern Europe 
and in Asia Pacific. Through targeted acquisitions 
we have consolidated our position in Japan and 
extended our Feed.ME business. Despite the 
pandemic, we have continued to invest in R&D, 
including a unique anti-spoofing patent for our 
photobooths, and solar panels for our Revolution 
laundry units. Our commercial performance has 
also been supported by our marketing activities, 
which are essential to ensure a high-quality 
customer experience.

Financial performance 
Reported revenue in the Period increased by 15.1% 
to £214.4 million, compared with £186.3 million in 
the prior 12 months ended 31 October 2020, 
reflecting continued recovery in activity levels in 
most of our markets. 

Continental Europe performed particularly well, 
with revenue up 22.7% and operating profit up 
773.5%, primarily driven by activity in France.  

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportDespite COVID-19, our results show 
our spectacular resilience, including on 
photobooths. We are back to comparable 
figures for 2019 and all our efforts are focused 
on the diversification of our business. 

Serge Crasnianski
Chief Executive Officer & Deputy Chairman

Funding and liquidity 
At 31 October 2021, the Group had gross cash 
of £98.4 million and a net cash balance of 
£34.9 million. This is net of £10.1 million net cash 
investment in acquisitions. 

During the Period, the Group’s French state-backed 
PGE loan with French banks was converted into a 
commercial loan. Subsequently, the Group is no 
longer restricted by conditions which meant it was 
unable to allocate surplus cash or return capital to 
shareholders under the original terms of the loan.

The Group remains confident that it has sufficient 
liquidity to navigate headwinds from the pandemic. 

The UK & Ireland delivered a significant 
improvement in profitability, with operating profit 
at £5.0 million, compared with a loss of £20.9 
million in the 12 months ended 31 October 2020. 
A breakdown of performance by region is set out 
in the Review of Performance by Geography.

Reported EBITDA (excluding associates) 
was £65.1 million, an increase of 57.2% on the prior 
12-month period, which delivered an EBITDA 
margin of 30.4%.

Reported profit before tax improved significantly 
to £28.6 million compared with a loss of 
£27.8 million in the 12 months to 31 October 2020. 

Capital expenditure in the Period was £29.9 million, 
primarily related to laundry operations (£16.2 
million). The remainder relates to photobooths, 
and other plant equipment. The investment in 
acquisitions (Photo Plaza in Japan, Resto’Clock in 
France and NRG in Australia) was £11.5 million. 

25

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportChief Executive’s Report continued

Overview of principal 
business areas

Below is an overview of the Group’s four 
principal business areas: Identification (Photo.ME), 
Laundry (Wash.ME), Kiosks (Print.ME) and 
Food (Feed.ME). In addition, the Group operates 
other vending equipment.

Photobooths and integrated biometric 
identification solutions

12 months to 
31 Oct 2021

12 months to 
31 Oct 2020

27,867

27,189

63.6%

61.0%

Number of units in 
operation

Percentage of total Group 
vending estate (number 
of units)

Operating Revenue

£123.2m

£106.9m

Capex

£5.0m

£5.7m

We are a prominent international player in the 
photobooth market, offering market-leading 
photographic quality and technology across our 
operating regions. 

Our well-established network of photobooths is 
situated in attractive, high-footfall locations, such 
as travel hubs, shopping centres and retail parks. 
Over the years, our photobooth offer has 
diversified to include encrypted photo ID upload 
technology connected to government organisations 
including in the UK, France, Republic of Ireland, and 
the Netherlands. All our photobooths conform to 
ICAO and ISO rules for photo ID for official 
documentation, including passports. 

While the photobooth market was severely and 
widely impact by the onset of the pandemic in 
2020, the actions taken by the Board to mitigate 
the impact, including the removal and in some 
cases relocation of unprofitable machines, 
positioned this business area to benefit from the 
recovery seen during FY2021. As government 
lockdowns and restrictions were eased, we saw a 
return of consumer activity, albeit this varied across 
the countries in which we operate. 

Revenue grew by 15.2% to £123.2 million, driven by 
a stronger than anticipated recovery in most of our 
key markets, particularly in France and Japan. 
Activity levels in the UK improved, although the 
market remains challenging due to both the 
pandemic. Whilst the UK Government’s policy to 
accept photos taken at home (selfies) for official 
documentation including passports has had some 
negative impact on activity levels, this has not 
been as severe as initially anticipated when the 
acceptance of selfie’s was first introduced by  
the Government.

Consequently, EBITDA was £36.4 million, and 
represented 55.8% of Group EBITDA. 

In the Period, the Group’s capital expenditure on 
the photobooth business was £5.0 million, a 12.3% 
decrease compared with the prior 12 months. In the 
prior 12 months during the pandemic, machines 
were removed and relocated to new sites. 

At 31 October 2021, the Group had 27,867 
photobooths in operation, an increase of 2.5% 
compared with 31 October 2020. Photobooths 
accounted for 63.6% of total vending units  
in operation. 

We remain focused on diversification and 
commercialisation of our next generation 
photobooth, which is a key margin contributor to 
the Group, and to grow revenue through a multiple 
service offering. 

We have been working to introduce additional 
security measures across our photobooths, 
developing anti-spoofing technology for the  
Photo.ME business. Whilst this is still at an early 
development stage, we believe this exciting new 
technology will help further differentiate the Group 
in the photobooth market. 

The Board continues to believe that there are 
longer-term opportunities in the photo ID market 
and continues to install photobooths outside of the 
UK, particularly where self-taken ID photos for 
official documents are not permitted. 

26

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportUnattended Revolution laundry services, 
launderettes, business to business 
laundry services

12 months to 
31 Oct 2021

12 months to 
31 Oct 2020

5,533

5,568

£54.2m

£47.3m

Total Laundry units 
deployed (owned, sold and 
acquisitions) 

Total revenue from Laundry 
operations

Revolution (excludes 
Launderettes and B2B):

Number of Revolutions in 
operation1

Percentage of total Group 
vending estate  
(number of units)

Total revenue from 
Revolutions

£44.8m

£35.4m

Revolution capex

£15.9m

£14.4m

1  There were 3,765 Revolution units in operation through the entirety 
of the 12 months ended 31 October 2021 compared with 3,216 in 12 
months ended 31 October 2020.

The total number of laundry units has decreased by 
35 machines due to the sale of the Group’s UK B2B 
business (Revolution Max). The Group launched its 
laundry business in 2012 in France, and since then 
we have continuously, successfully expanded our 
operations and now operate in 13 countries. Our 
most important markets by number of laundry 
machines are France, the UK, Republic of Ireland 
and Portugal.

In the Period, total revenue from laundry 
operations increased by 14.6% to £54.2 million 
despite the sale of Revolution Max Ltd last year, 
which comprised 412 machines and contributed 
£4.5 million of revenue. The total number of 
Revolution units deployed (owned only) increased 
by 19.1% in the Period. This was despite some 
operational challenges related to our supply chain, 
namely around supply of vending machines, which 
restricted the number of laundry machines 
available for deployment. The Group believes these 
were short term issues and will not continue  
into 2022. 

Nonetheless, total laundry EBITDA increased 
significantly to £22.6 million in the Period, which 
represented 34.7% of Group EBITDA. 

Our Wash.ME business comprises of three areas of 
operation. Revolution laundry units, which remains 
a key growth driver for the Group, launderette, and 
business-to-business (B2B) laundry services. The 
Group has stopped installing new launderettes and 
sold its UK B2B business (Revolution Max) to focus 
on vending equipment. 

Continued growth of Revolution 
laundry operations
Revolution is our 24-hour, outdoor, self-service 
laundry unit which is typically located on busy 
sites such as supermarket car parks and petrol 
station forecourts. 

4,094

3,437

9.3%

7.7%

Our strategy is to continue to expand our 
operations through partnerships with strategic site 
owners and identify and expand into new high-
demand markets. 

Our target geographies are the UK & Republic of 
Ireland and Continental Europe, including France, 
Portugal, Germany and Austria. We are also 
focused on the commercialisation of new indoor-
format Revolution machines for the B2B market 
(University, administration, campsite, etc.). 

In the year, the number of Revolution units (owned 
only) in operation grew by 19.1% to 4,094, from 
3,437 at 31 October 2020. We installed an average 
of 60 machines per month with the aim of 
increasing this to 70 machines per month, subject 
to the pandemic. Our rollout strategy remains 
focused on Continental Europe (mainly France and 
Germany) and the UK & Republic of Ireland.

Total revenue from Revolution units increased by 
26.6% to £44.8 million, from £35.4 million in the 
prior year, reflecting the Group’s ongoing growth 
strategy of expanding Revolution operations as well 
as the continued recovery across key markets. 

In the Period, capex for our Revolution operations 
increased by 10.4% to £15.9 million, mainly due to 
the installation of 716 units in the Period. 

The Group is continually considering methods to 
reduce the impact of its laundry operations on the 
environment and good progress has been made.  
To date we have now installed Photovoltaic solar 
panels on 198 Revolution units in France and have 
started to roll these out to other geographies 
including the UK and Germany. 

27

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportChief Executive’s Report continued

Revolutions accounted for 9.3% of the Group’s total 
vending estate, up from 7.7% at 31 October 2020.

Launderette 
These shops are typically situated in or near to 
town centres where there is limited competition 
from other laundry services. Expansion has 
been delivered through an owned-and operated 
model. As flagged at the interim results on 
12 July 2021, the Group continues to review its 
Launderette operations and remove or sell 
unprofitable machines. 

B2B laundry services 
The Group sells laundry services. Customers 
include institutions such as hospitals, care homes, 
and universities. Following the sale of the UK B2B 
subsidiary, the Group has only one franchise  
in Spain. 

High-quality digital printing services

Number of units in 
operation

Percentage of total 
Group vending estate 
(number of units)

Operating revenue

Capex

12 months to 
31 Oct 2021

12 months to 
31 Oct 2020

5,173

5,304

11.8%

11.9%

£11.7m

£0.5m

£11.4m

£1.4m

Our estate of digital printing kiosks offers a wide 
range of competitively priced print formats and 
personalized products. Our key markets are 
France, where most machines are situated, the 
UK, and Switzerland. 

The number of kiosks in operation was 5,173, 
compared with 5,304 at 31 October 2020, and 
Print.ME operations represented 11.8% of the 
Group’s total vending estate. 

Our state-of-the-art machines – Speedlab cube 
and Speedlab bio – are fully integrated with all 
major social media networks and offer consumers 
a fast, high-quality printing service. As previously 
flagged, the Group is in the process of developing 
a new cloud architecture which aims to support 

multi-functional capabilities of photobooths and 
Speedlab units. We will aim to launch a prototype 
in May and provide an update on progress later 
in 2022.

Print.ME revenue increased slightly to £11.7 million 
compared to £11.4 million in the 12 months to 
31 October 2020. EBITDA remained stable at  
£3.4 million and represented 5.3% of Group EBITDA.

Capex was reduced by 64.3% to £0.5 million, in line 
with the Group’s current strategy to primarily focus 
expansion of its Wash.ME and Feed.ME operations. 

Vending equipment for the food 
service market
The Group entered the food vending equipment 
market in 2019 with the acquisition of a B2B 
specialist in commercialised self-service fresh fruit 
juice equipment for freshly squeezed orange juice. 
Since then, our R&D team has developed 
innovative professional apple and pineapple 
machines for the B2B market. The rollout of these 
machines has been delayed due to the pandemic, 
however we installed 100 machines across France, 
Belgium and Japan which was very promising and 
plan to rollout many more during the 2022 financial 
year, subject to the pandemic. 

In addition, a prototype of a new grape juice 
machine is being tested, and the Group has 
developed a ‘juice wall concept’ which offers a 
variety of self-service fresh juice options, 25 of 
which were deployed in the Period. 

In the second half of the Period the Group 
extended its Feed.ME business with the acquisition 
of Resto’Clock, a French manufacturer of pizza 
vending machines, for a net cash consideration of 
£2.9 million, offering consumers pizzas 24/7 which 
are ready to eat in four minutes. The machines, 
aimed at the hospitality market, have been 
redesigned and the Group either sells or leases 
these machines to site owners. During the Period, 
the Group accelerated the rate of installations from 
40 per year to 30 per month with the aim of scaling 
this up to c.100 machines per month by the end of 
2023. The Group will target additional geographies 
and has earmarked the UK, Switzerland and 
Belgium for deployment in 2022. 

28

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportAt 31 October 2021, other vending equipment 
accounted for 15.1% of the Group’s total vending 
estate by number of units, down 4.1% compared 
with the prior 12 month period, and represented 
2.5% of the total Group revenue. 

Further details on all our operations are provided in 
the Review of Performance by Geography. 

Cyber security certification 
We are proud that Photo-Me UK has been 
awarded PCI DSS certification. The acronym PCI 
DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security 
Standard) refers to data security standards for the 
payment industry. Developed by the PCI Security 
Standard Council, the PCI DSS aims to reduce 
online fraud.

This certification, which is subject to annual 
renewal, reflects the dedication of our IT team and 
the Group’s commitment to improving payment 
security across its portfolio. This certification has a 
bearing across the Group’s operations, particularly 
in KIS where the payment process will soon need to 
be PCI DSS-certified. 

In the Period, revenue was £9.6million and 
contributed 4.5% to Group revenue. EBITDA was 
£2.1 million, contributing 3.2% of Group EBITDA. 

The Group’s strategy is to continue to (i) expand its 
presence in the self-service fruit juice equipment 
market and offer a wider variety of self-service 
fresh juice options in all territories where the Group 
has an existing footprint; (ii) establish a presence in 
the pizza vending equipment market with the aim 
of becoming a leader in the European market, and 
install 100 machines per month by 2023; and (iii) 
become the food vending equipment market 
leader in France by 2023.

The Board remains confident in the long-term 
opportunities in this market and expects that Feed.
ME will become an increasingly important business 
area for the Group.

Other vending equipment 
In addition to our four principal business areas, the 
Group operates 6,624 other vending units, which 
are primarily situated alongside the Group’s 
principal activities, and benefit from existing site 
owner relationships and operating synergies, such 
as leveraging the same 650-strong field engineer 
and maintenance network. These units include 
2,428 children’s rides, 3,464 photocopiers and 732 
other miscellaneous machines. 

These machines are reliant on high footfall to 
generate consumer demand. The ongoing 
pandemic and lockdown measures continued to 
impact the performance of this business area 
during the Period. So far, no real recovery has 
been noted. 

29

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportChief Executive’s Report continued

Continuous innovation and diversification
We are continuously working to evolve our product 
offer to meet the constantly changing needs of our 
customers and consumers. This is supported by our 
50-strong team of dedicated engineers within our 
in-house R&D department. 

Our approach has been focused on two key pillars:

1.  A state-of-the-art user experience, 

backed by the best technology

 ▪ Design new, intuitive and modern 

user interfaces (HMI) across all our product 
categories 

 ▪ Integrate digital payment systems  

(ex: cashless / QR codes) 

 ▪ Aggregate the best of external technology 

providers to offer up-to-date 
functionalities

2.  An omnichannel approach, leveraging 
digital functionalities to enhance user 
experience of our brands and explore 
new business models

 ▪ Build a powerful CRM which offers a 
customised experience to end users 

 ▪ Launch applications that connect to 

our machines to offer mobile-to-machine 
features

 ▪ Manage our self-service vending 

equipment remotely through a cloud-
based infrastructure

Update on new product development 

Photobooths and digital kiosks
The Group is reinventing its offer in the photobooth 
category through three main areas of development 
which support our innovation strategy; (i) face ID 
anti-spoofing support through biometric 
authentication; (ii) entertainment to meet the 
younger generation’s expectations for fun products 
and social media sharing functions; and (iii) 
multiservice photobooths and kiosks to integrate 
the consumer journey into specific omnichannel 
automated services.

Laundry 
We have developed an innovative modular 
self-service laundry range, Optimus, to further 
enhance our presence in the self-service laundry 
market. This module-based approach gives us the 
flexibility to offer multiple configuration options 
which can be tailored to the needs of our 
customers. In addition, this format of machine 
considerably reduces our production costs and the 
number of lines in our sales catalogue. 

The new outdoor Revolution Compact V3 was 
released in Europe in 2021. This laundry unit offers 
new features, such as a better user interface, to 
benefit our customers and the environment. The 
unit uses less energy and detergent, and is 
equipped with solar panels on the roof, reducing 
the carbon footprint through the optimisation of 
renewable energy. 

In addition, we are extending our distribution of 
launderettes into co-living locations, with our new 
indoor lineup unit (Flex), which is also based on 
modular configurations. 

Food
The Group plans to launch a second-generation of 
pizza kiosks from June 2022 (Boxpresso, e-Fridge 
together with our oven) to October 2022 (64-pizza 
Multiquattro V3 and 96-pizza capacity kiosks). 

These new models will enable the Group to 
address the independent pizzaiolos market as well 
as special-interest and hypermarket global key 
accounts. Furthermore, we will digitalise our pizza 
kiosks by using a centralised software platform to 
manage our customers’ activity remotely. This 
digital multichannel platform will integrate a 
real-time inventory and sales management 
back-office functions, cashless payment systems, 
as well as an application dedicated for end users. 

Our professional fresh fruit juice range is also due 
to be expanded in coming months, to include 
grape, kiwi, and pear products. 

Our People 
The pandemic has continued to cause disruption to 
our operations and has touched many people 
personally. On behalf of the Board, I would like to 
thank all our team members across the world for 
their continued commitment and ongoing hard 
work throughout the Period, supported by our 
country managers. We are proud of what they have 
achieved in difficult circumstances. 

30

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic Report 
Review of performance 
by geography

Commentary on the Group’s financial performance 
is set out below, in line with the segments as 
operated by the Board and the management of the 
Group. These segmental breakdowns are 
consistent with the information prepared to 
support the Board’s decision-making. Although the 
Group is not managed around product lines, some 
commentary below relates to the performance of 
specific products in the relevant geographies.

Vending units in operations

Key financials
The Group reports its financial performance 
based on three geographic regions of operation: 
(i) Continental Europe; (ii) the UK & Republic of 
Ireland; and (iii) Asia. 

Revenue by geographic region

12 months to  
31 October 
2021

12 months to  
31 October 
2020

Continental Europe

£145.0m

£118.2m

UK & Republic of Ireland

£29.6m

£30.5m

Asia

Total

£39.8m

£37.6m

£214.4m

£186.3m

12 months to  
31 October 2021

12 months to  
31 October 2020

Number 
of 
units

% of 
total 
estate

Number 
of 
units

% of 
total 
estate

25,111

57.3% 25,097

56.3%

Operating profit

12 months to  
31 October 
2021

12 months to  
31 October 
2020

7,238

16.5% 9,499

21.3%

UK & Republic of Ireland

£5.0m 

£(20.9)m

Continental Europe

£29.6m

£3.3m

11,468

26.2% 9,955

22.3%

43,817 100.0% 44,551

100.0%

Asia

£2.0m

£1.1m

Corporate costs

£(7.3)m

£(9.3)m

Total

£29.3m

£(25.8)m

Continental 
Europe

UK & Republic 
of Ireland

Asia

Total

As expected, the Group’s total vending estate 
reduced slightly in the Period, in line with its 
strategy to remove unprofitable machines. The 
vending estate restructuring programmes were 
completed in April 2021. Consequently, the total 
number of vending units in operation was 1.6% 
lower at 43,817. 

The Group delivered a 15,1% increase in total 
revenue to £214.4 million. Subsequently, and 
driven by recovering markets as well as successful 
progression of the Group’s restructuring 
programme, operating profit increased by 
£55.0 million to £29.3 million. 

31

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportChief Executive’s Report continued

Operating revenue evolution (last 12 months by quarter)
The table below provides a detailed breakdown of operating revenue by geographic region and business 
area for the Period, compared with the similar period in the 12 months ended 31 October 2020.

Continental Europe
Photo.ME 
Print.ME
Wash.ME 

Other Vending
Total

UK & Republic of Ireland
Photo.ME 
Print.ME
Wash.ME 

Other Vending
Total

Asia
Photo.ME 
Print.ME
Wash.ME 

Other Vending
Total

Total
Photo.ME 
Print.ME
Wash.ME 

Other Vending
Total 

Nov 2020 to 
Jan 2021 

Feb 2021 to 
Apr 2021

May 2021 to 
Jul 2021

Aug 2021 to 
Oct 2021

-6.9%
-2.8%
0.8%

-19.4%
-4.7%

-50.0%
-44.2%
15.4%

-78.4%
-34.4%

-13.6%
-15.1%
39.5%

35.4%
59.1%
29.5%

8.1%
34.8%

-32.1%
2.9%
21.4%

-77.3%
-21.6%

35.4%
-1.5%
50.9%

68.0%
0.5%
30.2%

-15.6%
46.9%

59.0%
-18.2%
46.1%

659.1%
57.4%

7.7%
-7.3%
40.2%

-84.0%
-17.8%

605.2%
41.2%

-199.7%
1.9%

-16.4%
-7.0%
4.9%

-57.5%
-13.7%

24.7%
52.3%
27.3%

-0.5%
25.4%

47.0%
-0.8%
33.6%

-21.7%
38.0%

12.0%
-6.5%
33.4%

-5.0%
15.4%

109.5%
-16.4%
44.2%

78.7%
69.1%

-14.0%
-3.6%
65.0%

-51.5%
-14.9%

10.7%
-7.1%
36.0%

3.6%
15.3%

Total

25.3%
6.1%
23.6%

-10.1%
21.7%

-1.3%
-24.0%
31.3%

-43.2%
5.5%

4.4%
-7.1%
49.1%

-41.6%
2.9%

15.2%
3.6%
25.6%

-27.0%
14.9%

Continental Europe 
Continental Europe is the Group’s largest region by 
both number of machines and contribution to 
Group revenue. The region experienced a strong 
rebound in activity, particularly in France, as 
restrictions were eased which supported a 
recovery of consumer demand in the region. 

As a result, revenue increased 22.7% to  
£145.0 million. This was driven by a strong and 
sustained increase in Photo.ME and Wash.ME 
revenue from Q2 onwards. In total, Continental 
Europe contributed 67.6% of total Group revenue.

Operating profit increased by £26.3 million to  
£29.6 million.

At 31 October 2021, there were 25,111 units operating 
in the region which represented 57.3% of the 
Group’s total estate. 

UK & Republic of Ireland 
Trading remained challenging due to the ongoing 
pandemic. In addition, the UK Government’s policy 
to accept photos taken at home (selfies) for official 
documentation including passports has led to 
some reduction in activity, albeit this has not been 
as dramatic as the Group initially anticipated. 
European regulation does not permit this method 
for photo ID, and the Board continues to be 
hopeful that at some stage official documents in 
the UK will once again need to conform to ICAO 
and ISO rules.

32

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportOur previously announced restructuring 
programme to remove unprofitable machines, 
renegotiation of site rent, and labour cost savings 
supported the Group’s return to profitability in 
this region. At the same time, the Group continued 
with its expansion of Revolution units across the 
region in line with its growth strategy for the 
Wash.ME business.

As a result of the successful restructuring 
programme in the UK & Ireland, the region returned 
to profitability during FY21. Operating profit 
increased to £5.0 million from a loss of  
£20.9 million in the prior year. 

At 31 October 2021 the Group had 7,238 vending 
units in operation across the region, 23.8% lower 
than at 31 October 2020 due to the actions taken to 
restructure operations. 

The Group has expanded its laundry presence and 
now operates 887 Revolutions units in the region, of 
which 285 units were added in the Period. The 
average revenue per unit improved to £15,000, up 
36.4% from £11,000 per unit in the 12 months ended 
31 October 2020, mainly due to returning demand.

Asia 
The performance in Asia was driven by photobooth 
activity in Japan, owing to the My Number card, the 
Japanese government’s social security and taxation 
photo identification card scheme. The Group’s 
photobooths in Japan are equipped to scan the 
unique “My Number card” QR code that every 
Japanese citizen has received and match the ID 

photo to the card application. The scheme 
(launched in 2015) is not mandatory, but a 
government-backed incentive scheme to drive 
adoption of the scheme and promote citizen 
applications was introduced in September 2020. 
This generated significantly more photobooth 
activity in the first half of the Period. 

The Group acquired Photo Plaza in February 2021, 
which added a further 1,500 photobooth units 
to the Group’s operations in Asia. The business 
was integrated into our existing operations in 
Japan in Q2. 

The second-half activity in Japan was impacted by 
COVID-19 restrictions. Similarly, trading conditions 
in China remained challenging owing to border 
closures and COVID-19 restrictions. 

As shown in the table above (operating revenue 
evolution by quarter), photobooths revenue in the 
region increased only 4% due to a combination of a 
general decline in revenue from photobooths in 
China, and the impact of the pandemic in Japan, 
specifically during Q1 and Q2.

Nevertheless, overall revenue grew by 5.9% to 
£39.8 million, including a contribution of  
£4.2 million from Photo Plaza. Operating profit 
grew by £0.9 million to £2.0 million.

At 31 October 2021, there were 11,468 units situated 
in Asia, representing 26.2% of the Group’s total 
units in operation. 

Key performance Indicators (KPIs)
The Group measures its performance using different types of indicators. The main objective of these KPIs is 
to monitor the Group’s cash generation, long-term profitability, preservation of the value of its assets, and 
of returns to shareholders.

Description

Relevance

Total Group revenue at actual rate of 
exchange

Group profit before tax

Increase in number of photobooths 

Increase in number of Laundry units 
(operated)

The increase in number of Revolutions is a 
constant priority and a main driver for 
growth

Performance

12 months to 
31 October 
2021

12 months to 
31 October 
2020

214.4m

£186.3m

28.6m

£(27.8)m

679

657

(1,250)

389

33

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportFinancial Review

Financial performance

Financial performance
Reported revenue in Period was up at £214.4 million (2020: £186.3 million), underpinned by recurring 
revenue received from long-term customer contracts. Reported EBITDA (excluding associates) was up at 
£65.1 million (2020: £41.4 million) and reported profit before tax improved to £28.6 million from a loss of 
£27.8 million in 2020.

Revenue

EBITDA (excluding associates)

Operating profit (excluding associates)

Reported profit / (loss) before tax

Profit / (loss) after tax 

The movements in turnover are outlined in the following table. 

Turnover at 31 October 2020 (12 months)

Change in turnover: 

Continental Europe

UK & Ireland 

Asia

Turnover at 31 October 2021 

The increase in the profit before tax can be explained as follows: 

Profit before tax at 31 October 2020 

Changes in revenue

Changes in costs

Restructuring costs

Increase in net finance income & other gains 

Impact of exchange rates

Profit before tax 31 October 2021 (12 months)

12 months to 
31 October 2021

12 months to 
31 October 2020

£214.4m

£186.3m

£65.1m

£29.3m

£28.6m

£21.9m

£41.4m

£(25.7)m

£(27.8)m

£(24.9)m

£186.3m

£26.8m

£(0.9)m

£2.2m

£214.4m

£(27.8)m

£28.1m

£26.0m

£1.0m

£1.4m

£(0.1)m

£28.6m

The movement in costs is mainly due to the variance of provisions and impairments impact between the 
prior period and FY2021 (£33.3 million in the prior period).

34

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic Report 
 
Provisions and impairment
The COVID-19 crisis has required an in-depth 
review of the Group’s operations and increased 
rigor to address the current trading environment. 
As a result, in the 12 months to 31 October 2021, the 
same testings were made and no major new 
impairments were noted.

Earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share was 5.77 pence (2020: nil 
pence). Basic earnings per share was 5.78 pence 
(2020: nil pence).

Taxation
The Group tax charge of £6.8 million corresponds 
to an effective tax rate of 23.8% (30 October 
2020: 578.0%). 

35

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportFinancial review continued

Statement of financial position
At the end of October 2021, the Group had a gross cash of £98.4 million, and a net cash balance of 
£33.4 million. The Group continues to comply with its revised banking covenants.

The Group balance sheet can be summarised as follows:: 

Non-current assets

Current assets 

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities 

Cash and cash equivalent

Total equity 

Minority interests

Total shareholders’ funds

Non-current assets detailed are outlined in the following table:

Goodwill

Other intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment

Investment property

Financial instruments

Trade and other receivables

Total non-current assets 

12 months to 
31 October 2021

12 months to 
31 October 2020

£130.5m

£141.7m

£68.9m

£73.6m

£99.4m

£128.0m

£1.7m

£121.0m

£140.8m

£53.0m

£94.9m

£107.2m

£112.2m

£1.7m

£129.7m

£113.9m

12 months to 
31 October 2021

12 months to 
31 October 2020

£17.6m

£16.9m

£92.0m

£0.6m

£1.5m

£1.9m

£13.8m

£13.5m

£90.3m

£0.7m

£0.9m

£1.8m

£130.5m

£212.0m

The £3.8 million increase in goodwill was due to the acquisitions of Resto’clock, Now Retail Group and 
Photo Plaza (+£4.6 million), net of additional impairments of £(0.6 million) and a foreign exchange 
translation impact of £(0.2 million).

36

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportCash flow and net cash position 

Opening net cash

Cash generated from operations

Interest paid

Taxation

Net cash generated from operations

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash (used) / generated in financing activities

Dividends paid net of shares issued

Net cash (utilised) / generated

Impact of exchange rates

Net cash (outflow) / inflow

Closing net cash

31 October 
2021

31 October
2020

£22.3m

£66.1m

£(3.0)m

£(9.3)m

£53.8m

£18.2m

£92.9m

£(2.6)m

£(4.7)m

£85.6m

£(33.9)m

£(45.9)m

£(6.8)m

£(1.8)m

–

£(31.9)m

£13.1m

£(0.5)m

£12.6m

£34.9m

£6.0m

£(1.9)m

£4.1m

£22.3m

Net cash generated from operations reduced by 37.1% in the Period. The net cash used in investing activities 
decreased to £33.9 million (31 October 2020: £(45.9) million), despite acquisition of subsidiaries, which 
amounted to £10.1 million. The reduction is due to lower capital expenditure. The closing net cash was  
£34.9 million. 

Outstanding debt of £65.9 million (excluding IFRS16 Lease Liabilities).

Total cash and cash equivalents at 31 October 2021 were £99.4 million (at 31 October 2020: £107.2 million). 

At 31 October 2021, the Group’s net cash was £34.9 million (31 October 2020: £22.3 million), and was split  
as follows:

Balance at 31 October 2020

Cash flow

Non-cash movements

Balance at 31 October 2021

Serge Crasnianski
Chief Executive Officer & Deputy Chairman

30 March 2022

Cash and 
deposits

£107.2m

£(7.8)m

£0m

Borrowings

£(84.9)m

£15.0m

£5.4m

Net Cash

£22.3m

£7.2m

£5.4m

£99.4m

£(64.5)m

£34.9m

37

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportSection 172(1) Statement 

Directors are required to act in the way they consider, in 
good faith, would most likely promote the success of the 
company for the benefit of its members as a whole, whilst 
also having regard, amongst other matters, to the factors 
listed in Section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006.

Consumers

How we engage

How this engagement influenced 
Board discussions and decision-making

Senior management considers the needs 
of the consumer and how to provide the 
best-in-class service for the most 
competitive price.

A number of the changes we have made to our products are in 
response to consumer needs. In making its decisions, the Board 
pays regard to the need to balance consumer needs with customer 
and commercial outcomes. Some examples of the product 
changes include photobooths that are designed to allow easy 
access and use for persons with disability.

Customers

How we engage

Continual contact with customers 
through customer-relation managers.

How this engagement influenced  
Board discussions and decision-making

Feedback can be shared with the Executive Directors and the Board.

The last 12 months have seen some of the measures brought in as a 
result of the COVID-19 pandemic continue with the emergence of 
the Omicron variant of COVID-19, not just for the benefit of 
employees but also consumers, customers and the public at 
large. The Company continues to monitor and follow  
government guidance.

38

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportEmployees

How we engage

 ▪ Regular briefings from UK 

management as to how the Company 
is doing both through personal 
meetings and through email inviting 
questions from employees 
 ▪ Regular HR briefings in the UK
 ▪ Updates and newsletters
 ▪ Whistleblowing service

How this engagement influenced 
Board discussions and decision-making

The last 12 months have seen some of the measures brought in as a 
result of the COVID-19 pandemic continue with the emergence of 
the Omicron variant of COVID-19, not just for the benefit of 
employees but also consumers, customers and the public at 
large. The Company continues to monitor and follow 
government guidance.

The Executive Directors and the CFO have regular weekly briefings 
with senior management and through the medium of these 
meetings are able to learn about employee concerns and views so 
that they can be taken into account in making decisions which are 
likely to affect their interests.

There are open forums for staff to come forward with any queries. 
Consultations required by law are complied with (e.g. in cases of 
redundancy).

The Company operates an executive share option scheme, and 
rewards senior management with bonuses.

The Company encourages a common awareness on the part of all 
employees of the financial and economic factors affecting the 
performance of the Company is achieved through the regular 
meetings referred to above. 

The Board has ensured job retention where possible; one 
example is where a reduction of hours was proposed as opposed 
to further redundancies. 

Although the CFO is a not a statutory director of the Company, he 
regularly attends board meetings and interacts closely with the 
Board, particularly the audit committee.

Partners and suppliers

How we engage

How this engagement influenced 
Board discussions and decision-making

The Executive Directors plus the CFO (and where necessary the 
Non-executive Directors) review and approve material contracts 
with suppliers and partners, joint ventures and acquisitions.

Regular engagement with suppliers and 
partners, including through our:

 ▪ Supplier/procurement processes 

engaged at the time of appointment 
and during the relationship

 ▪ Regular monitoring and reviews of 
financial and operating resilience
 ▪ Reporting on payment of suppliers

39

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportSection 172(1) Statement continued

The Community and Environment

How we engage

How this engagement influenced  
Board discussions and decision-making

The Board relies on regular updates from 
senior management who in turn rely on 
direct or indirect feedback from 
colleagues and customers, as well as 
general observations on current best 
practices and individual customer 
recommendations. These provide useful 
insights and guides to help shape the 
Group’s activities.

Green Awareness 
The Group is actively working to decrease energy use and demand 
for natural resources.

Recycling Policy 
The Group aims to recover, refurbish and re-sell its  
electrical equipment.

Monitoring Power Consumption 
 ▪ Automatic shutdown of units when not in use
 ▪ Remote telemetry reduces the number of service visits 

and consumables

 ▪ Use of low-energy lamps
 ▪ Use of energy-efficient flat screen technology

Products 
The development, use, and disposal of the Group’s products 
represent a main area of both risk and opportunity. The Group 
ensures that its products and services are designed to meet 
existing legislation and increased customer expectations, including 
environmental, health and safety and accessibility issues for 
persons with disabilities. 

To ensure products manufactured by KIS SAS (the Group’s 
manufacturing subsidiary, based in France, which subcontracts this 
function to third parties) consistently satisfy our stringent quality 
requirements, ISO 9001 standard certification has been achieved.

The Revolution units are eco-friendly
 ▪ The built-in washing liquid pump provides the ideal quantity for 

each washing cycle and reduces waste

 ▪ The highly concentrated washing liquid, free of phosphates, 

colouring agents and preservatives, meets the French OCERT 
standard. Ecological, effective at low-temperature and without 
allergen, this washing liquid naturally perfumes the linen

 ▪ The boiler only heats the water when the dryer is not 

in operation

 ▪ The energy-saving dryer reduces power consumption
 ▪ LED lights use less energy than standard lighting
 ▪ The launderette only requires 13KW (compared with 30KW for a 

classical launderette)

They are also user-friendly 
The launderettes comply with CE standards and the new decree 
N°2012-412 practical since 1st July 2012

 ▪ Accessibility for our disabled customers has been a priority in the 
design of this launderette from the outset. The machines and 
touchpads are located at the legally required height, thus 
combining a beautiful design with easy access for our customers
 ▪ As an added service to the customer, a built-in pump releases a 

specially designed neutral and mild washing liquid with a 
pleasant fragrance. This also helps ensure the machines are kept 
clean and tidy

 ▪ Equipped with high capacity professional washing machines 

(8 and 18kg), the user can wash and dry large or heavy loads such 
as duvets, blankets and pillows in the very fast time of 30 minutes 
per washing cycle

40

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportThe Community and Environment continued

How we engage

How this engagement influenced 
Board discussions and decision-making

 ▪ Customers can enter their mobile number at the point of 

payment and an SMS will be sent to alert them 5 minutes before 
the end of the cycle

 ▪ This free service is convenient for customers who might use this 

waiting time for shopping

 ▪ Thanks to the touch screen, the payment station is easy to use by 

following the on-screen instructions

 ▪ Besides the coin and note acceptor, credit card payment is 

available as an option. It is a service which facilitates the use of 
the launderette and thus increases its broad use 

They are also buyer-friendly 
 ▪ Floor space used is less than 5m² – relatively little for a new 

innovative service
 ▪ Low installation cost
 ▪ The launderette is delivered fully assembled and cabled, and can 

be installed in half a day

 ▪ Thinner power cables (due to low power), thus cheaper

In consideration of global concerns regarding the disposal of waste 
and increasing metal prices and landfill costs, we have focused 
more attention on the re-use and recycling of our retired products. 
Currently, more than 90% by weight of the materials used in our 
photobooths, mostly steel and other metals, is recycled at the end 
of their product lifecycle. In light of our concerns regarding 
increased energy costs and man-made impact on climate change, 
we have embraced technological advances by investing in 
energy-saving improvements to our products, which are explained 
further under “Environment” below.

The needs of all our customers are important to us. This drives a 
continuous review of our products and the development of 
solutions to meet these needs. For example, we have improved 
services offered to customers with disabilities, and complied with 
the Equality Act 2010 by introducing on-screen instructions within 
our photobooths for hard-of-hearing customers, and voice 
instructions and carefully selected screen colours and font sizes for 
customers with visual impairments. In addition, the development 
of the universal photobooth enables access for wheelchair users.

Carbon footprint reduction – fleet:

 ▪ Cars are regularly serviced to ensure efficiency
 ▪ All drivers are asked to check tyre pressure once a week 

(properly inflated tyres can boost car mileage)

 ▪ Generally cars are leased for no more than 48 months, as newer 

cars tend to be more fuel efficient 

 ▪ One of the criteria for new car orders is its level of CO₂ emissions
 ▪ Our regions are divided into specific areas and engineers must 
live within their area of work. This ensures that the distance 
driven to service machines is kept to an absolute minimum

 ▪ Other groups of drivers, such as commercial team members, plan 
their journey ahead in order to cover their territory efficiently

41

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportSection 172(1) Statement continued

Investors

How we engage

Comprehensive investor relations 
programme including formal 
presentations to investors and analysts 
on the half-year and full-year results; 
formal investor roadshows in the UK; 
and an ongoing programme of one-to-
one meetings and group meetings with 
institutional investors, fund managers 
and analysts.

Meetings which relate to governance are 
attended by the Chairman or another 
Non-executive Director

 ▪ Annual Report and Annual General  

Meeting (AGM)

 ▪ Corporate website and market 

announcements

 ▪ Active consultation on remuneration 

framework and policies

How this engagement influenced  
Board discussions and decision-making

The Remuneration Committee consulted with major investors and 
external remuneration specialists before introducing, and then 
updating, any changes to the implementation of the remuneration 
policy. The Board reviews the Group’s dividend policy and, following 
the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board suspended its 
interim dividend, as the Board considered this to be in the long-term 
interest of shareholders. The Board is, however, recommending a 
final dividend for the year ended 31 October 2021. 

Involvement of the Chairman highlights the importance of 
governance from the top down. 

The AGM in particular provides a convenient forum for 
shareholders to question the Board, give useful feedback and 
make helpful suggestions. It is normally very well attended and 
constructive. This was not the case for the AGM in respect of the 
financial period 2019/2020 owing to the restrictions that were in 
place owing to COVID-19, however, members were encouraged to 
submit questions in advance of that AGM. 

The Remuneration Committee takes advice from external 
remuneration consultants to ensure that it is up to date with 
market trends, expectations, and best practises.

The Board relies on regular updates from senior management who in turn rely on direct or indirect 
feedback from colleagues and customers, as well as general observation on current best practices and 
individual customer recommendations. These provide useful insights and guides to help shape the 
Group’s activities.

42

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportPrincipal Risks

Similar to any business, the Group faces risks and 
uncertainties that could impact the achievement 
of the Group’s strategy.

These risks are accepted as inherent to the Group’s business. The Board recognises that the 
nature and scope of these risks can change; it therefore regularly reviews the risks faced by the 
Group as well as the systems and processes to mitigate them. 

The table below sets out what the Board believes to be the principal risks and uncertainties, 
their impact, and actions taken to mitigate them.

Economic

Nature of risk

Description and impact

Mitigation

COVID-19

COVID-19 has continued to cause 
disruption to worldwide markets and 
supply chains, including those that 
Photo-Me operates within. In the UK 
government guidance around 
COVID-19, especially in light of the 
Omicron variant, continued to evolve 
and restrict footfall through the course 
of 2021.

Global economic 
conditions 

Economic growth has a major 
influence on consumer spending.

Volatility of foreign  
exchange rates 

A sustained period of economic 
recession could lead to a decrease in 
consumer expenditure in  
discretionary areas.

The majority of the Group’s revenue 
and profit is generated outside the UK, 
and the Group’s financial results could 
be adversely impacted by an increase 
in the value of sterling relative to 
those currencies. 

The Group continues to monitor the 
COVID-19 situation closely particularly 
given the emergence of the Omicron 
variant of COVID-19, and continually 
reviews operational practices, updating its 
practices in line with government 
guidelines and other relevant guidance.

The pandemic cleaning regime continues, 
to help reduce the risk of cross 
contamination between the Company’s 
customers.

Measures taken include providing 
employees with face shields, surgical 
masks, gloves, hand sanitizer. The cleaning 
equipment additions such as SD90 and 
DEW remain in use.

The Group focuses on maintaining the 
characteristics and affordability of its 
needs-driven products.

The group has no exposure to the invasion 
of Ukraine by Russia.

The Group hedges its exposure to currency 
fluctuations on transactions, as relevant. 
However, by its nature, in the Board’s 
opinion, it is very difficult to hedge against 
currency fluctuations arising from 
translation in consolidation in a cost-
effective manner. 

43

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportPrincipal Risks continued

Regulations

Nature of risk

Description and impact

Mitigation

Centralisation of the 
production of ID 
photos 

Brexit

In many European countries where the 
Group operates, if governments were 
to implement centralised image 
capture, for biometric passport and 
other applications, or widen the 
acceptance of self-made or home- 
made photographs for official 
document applications, the Group’s 
revenues and profits could be affected.

The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. 
This has led to changes in UK 
regulations as modifications to 
numerous arrangements between the 
UK and other members of the EU and 
EEA, affecting trade and customs 
conditions, taxation, movements of 
resources, among other things.

The Group has developed new systems 
that respond to this situation, leveraging 
3D technology in ID security standards, 
and securely linking our booths to the 
administration repositories. Solutions are 
in place in France, Ireland, Germany, 
Switzerland and the UK; discussions in 
Belgium and the Netherlands).

Furthermore, the Group also ensures that 
its ID products remain affordable and of a 
high-quality.

The Board is continually reviewing the 
potential impact on the Group’s operations 
following the UK’s leaving the EU.

Any potential developments, including 
new information and policy indications 
from the UK Government and the EU, is 
scrutinised with a view to enhancing the 
Group’s ability to take appropriate action 
targeted at managing and, where possible, 
minimising adverse repercussions of 
Brexit.

The specific impact of Brexit on the Group 
will depend on the details of any potential 
renegotiation of the Brexit deal between 
the UK and the EU.

The business carried out post-transition 
impact assessments to include all customs 
documentation, licences, permits, 
consents, certificates, rules of origin, 
commodity codes, and delays at the 
borders.

The Board foresees that in the short-term 
the negative impact of the uncertainty 
overshadowing the general UK economy 
could spill over into the Group’s UK 
operations.

Strategic

Nature of risk

Description and impact

Mitigation

Identification of 
new business 
opportunities

The failure to identify new business 
areas may impact the ability of the 
Group to grow in the long-term.

Management teams constantly review 
demand in existing markets and potential 
new opportunities. The Group continues to 
invest in research in new products and 
technologies. Furthermore, the Group also 
ensures that its ID products remain 
affordable and of a high-quality.

Inability to deliver 
anticipated benefits 
from the launch of 
new products

The realisation of long-term 
anticipated benefits depends mainly 
on the continued growth of the 
laundry and food businesses and the 
successful development of integrated 
secure ID solutions.

The Group regularly monitors the 
performance of its entire estate of 
machines. New technology-enabled secure 
ID solutions are heavily trialled before 
launch and the performance of operating 
machines is continually monitored.

44

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportMarket

Nature of risk

Description and impact

Mitigation

Commercial 
relationships 

The Group has well-established,

long-term relationships with a number 
of site-owners. The deterioration in 
the relationship with, or ultimately the 
loss of, a key account would have an 
adverse, albeit contained, impact on 
the Group’s results, bearing in mind 
that the Group’s turnover is spread 
over a large client base and none of the 
accounts represent more than 2% of 
Group turnover.

To maintain its performance, the 
Group needs to have the ability to 
continue trading in good conditions in 
France and the UK, taking into account 
the situation in these two countries.

The Group’s major key relationships are 
supported by medium-term contracts. The 
Group actively manages its site-owner 
relationships at all levels to ensure a high 
quality of service. 

The Group continues to monitor the 
situation in both the French and the  
UK markets.

Operational

Nature of risk

Description and impact

Mitigation

Reliance on foreign 
manufacturers

The Group sources most of its products 
from outside the UK. Consequently, the 
Group is subject to risks associated with 
international trade.

Extensive research is conducted into 
quality and ethics before the Group 
procures products from any new country 
or supplier. The Group also maintains very 
close relationships with both its suppliers 
and shippers to ensure that risks of 
disruption to production and supply are 
managed appropriately.

Reliance on one 
single supplier of 
consumables

Reputation

Product and  
service quality

Technological

The Group currently buys all its paper 
for photobooths from one single 
supplier. The failure of this supplier 
could have a significant adverse impact 
on paper procurement.

The Board has decided to hold a strategic 
stock of paper, allowing for 6-10 months’ 
worth of paper consumption, to  
allow enough time to put in place  
alternative solutions.

The Group’s brands are key assets of 
the business. Failure to protect the 
Group’s reputation and brands could 
lead to a loss of trust and confidence. 
This could result in a decline in our 
customer base.

The Board recognises that the quality 
and safety of both its products and 
services is of critical importance and 
that any major failure will affect 
consumer confidence.

The protection of the Group’s brands in its 
core markets is sustained by products with 
certain unique features. The appearance of 
the machine is subject to high maintenance 
standards. Furthermore, the reputational 
risk is diluted as the Group also operates 
under a range of brands.

The Group continues to invest in its 
existing estate, to ensure that it remains 
contemporary, and in constant product 
innovation to meet customer needs.

The Group also has a programme in place 
to regularly train its technicians.

Nature of risk

Description and impact

Mitigation

Failure to keep up  
with advances  
in technology

The Group operates in fields where 
upgrades to new technologies are 
mission-critical.

Cyber risk: Third 
party attack on 
secure ID data 
transfer feeds

The Group operates an increasing

number of photobooths capturing 
ID data and transferring these data 
directly to government databases.

The Group mitigates this risk by continually 
focusing on R&D.

The Group undertakes an ongoing 
assessment of the risks and ensures that 
the infrastructure meets the security 
requirements.

45

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportStrategic Report

Corporate Responsibility Statement 

Our approach to  
corporate responsibility

The Group recognises its responsibilities to the community and the 
environment and that health, safety and environmental issues are integral 
and important components of best practice in business management. 
Our management of corporate responsibility can influence our ability to 
create long-term financial and non-financial value, and impacts on our 
relationship with shareholders and other stakeholders.

Principal Activities
We believe that effective management of 
corporate responsibility can reduce risks and 
help us identify business opportunities.

We prioritise our corporate responsibility activities 
based on three main drivers:

 ▪ legal requirements and future policy trends;

 ▪ customer, employee and investor preferences 

for corporate responsibility; and

 ▪ cost savings and business efficiency.

We aim to ensure that our approach is consistent 
with the directors’ duty to promote the success of 
the Company, a legal requirement included in the 
Companies Act 2006. This duty is based on the 
principle of ‘enlightened shareholder value’.

How we manage corporate responsibility
The Board is ultimately accountable for corporate 
responsibility. The Chief Operating Officer has 
specific responsibility for risk management and 
health, safety and environmental matters, with 
delegated authority through line management.

The Group operates in highly differentiated 
national markets with differing national laws, 
preferences and cultures. As a result, operational 
direction and management of corporate 
responsibility lie primarily with national 
business managers, who are best placed to 
ensure compliance with national legislation and 
market expectations.

The Group’s internal audit programme operates a 
risk-based assessment process, including corporate 
responsibility issues. The Board reviews Group-wide 
performance on corporate responsibility within 
the assessment and review process. Where 
necessary, Group-wide policies are developed or 
revised to address specific risks, opportunities, or 
new information.

46

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Key areas of focus

Products

See page 48

ISO certified

Eco friendly

Buyer friendly equipment

ISO International Standards ensure that 
products and services are safe, reliable 
and of good quality

In many European countries where 
the Group operates, if governments 
were to implement centralised image 
capture, for biometric passport and 
other applications, or widen the 
acceptance of self-made or home-
made photographs for official document 
applications, the Group’s revenues and 
profits could be affected 

We are also reducing their  
environmental impact

User friendly  
Launderettes 

We are also reducing  
their environmental  
impact

Health & safety

See page 50

Accredited contractor

CE marking

Safe Contractor accreditation 
managed by Alcumus and 
Altius Assured award

Confirms that our products comply 
with all health, product safety and 
environmental protection

Photobooths: 
CE Marking (RoHS2) Children’s rides: 
BACTA CE Marking (RoHS2)

Dedicated experts
 ▪ Network of trained service operators

 ▪ Periodic safety inspections and tests

 ▪ Call centres provide customer 

assurance and within 24-hour service

 ▪ New product assessments

Employees

See page 49

Equal opportunities 
and diversity
 ▪ Fair and equitable policies and 

procedures for all

 ▪ Support for employees who have or 

develop a disability

Employee engagement
 ▪ Business networking

 ▪ Notification of vacancies and 

policy updates

 ▪ Monthly operational meeting for 

business leaders

 ▪ Retraining

 ▪ Redeployment

 ▪ Gender diversity

Environment

See page 52

Green awareness

We actively work to decrease energy 
use and demand for natural resources

Circular economy

We recover, refurbish and re-sell 
our electrical equipment

Monitor power consumption
 ▪ Automatic shut-down of units 

when not in use

 ▪ Remote telemetry reduces the 
number of service visits and 
consumables

 ▪ Use of low-energy lamps

 ▪ Use of energy-efficient flat 

screen technology

47

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportCorporate Responsibility Statement continued

Products 

The development, use and disposal of 
our products represent a main area of 
both risk and opportunity. We ensure 
that our products and services are 
designed to meet existing legislation 
and increased customer expectations, 
including environmental, health and 
safety, and accessibility issues.

To ensure products manufactured by KIS SAS (the 
Group’s manufacturing subsidiary, based in France, 
which subcontracts this function to third parties) 
consistently satisfy our stringent quality 
requirements, ISO 9001 standard certification has 
been achieved.

Revolution laundry units are eco-friendly
 ▪ The built-in washing liquid pump provides the 
ideal quantity for each washing cycle and 
reduces waste

 ▪ The built-in washing liquid pump provides the 
ideal quantity for each washing cycle and 
reduces waste

 ▪ The highly concentrated washing liquid, free of 

phosphates, colouring agents and preservatives, 
meets the French OCERT standard. Ecological, 
effective at low-temperature and without 
allergen, this washing liquid naturally perfumes 
the linen

 ▪ The boiler only heats the water when the dryer 

is not in operation

 ▪ The energy-saving dryer reduces power 

consumption

 ▪ LED lights use less energy than standard lighting

 ▪ The launderette only requires 13KW (compared 

with 30KW for a classical launderette)

 ▪ All new Revolution units are equipped with solar 
panels which leads to a reduction of between 
10% to 15% of electricity use per machine

The Group was awarded the CSR price at System U 
exhibition in November 2021 for the Revolution 
laundry machine.

They are also user-friendly
 ▪ The launderettes comply with CE standards 

and the new decree N°2012-412 practical since 
1st July 2012

 ▪ Accessibility for disabled customers has been a 
priority in the design of launderette from the 
outset. The machines and touchpads are 
located at the legally required height, thus 
combining a beautiful design with easy access 
for our customers

 ▪ As an added service to the customer, a built-in 
pump releases a specially designed neutral and 
mild washing liquid with a pleasant fragrance. 
This also helps ensure the machines are kept 
clean and tidy

 ▪ Equipped with high-capacity professional 

washing machines (8kg and 18kg), the user can 
wash and dry large or heavy loads such as 
duvets, blankets and pillows in just 30 minutes 
per washing cycle, representing a 60% time-
saving for the user compared with home laundry 

 ▪ Customers can enter their mobile number at 
the point of payment and an SMS will be sent 
to alert them five minutes before the end of 
the cycle

 ▪ This free service is convenient for customers 
who might use this waiting time for shopping

 ▪ Thanks to the touch screen, the payment 
station is easy to use by following the 
on-screen instructions

 ▪ Besides the coin and note acceptor, contactless-
credit- and-debit-card payment is available as 
an option, which facilitates the use of the 
launderette and thus increases its use

 ▪ Measures were taken to safeguard the interests 
of customers and the community at large during 
the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning 
regimes and customer signage (further details 
set on our page 61).

They are also buyer-friendly
 ▪ Floor space used is less than 5m² – relatively 

small for a new innovative service

 ▪ Low installation cost

 ▪ The launderette is delivered fully assembled and 

cabled, and can be installed in half a day

 ▪ Thinner power cables (due to low power-

requirement), thus cheaper

48

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic Report ▪ Monthly operational meetings for business 
leaders across the Group to engage with 
colleagues, providing business and local 
updates. Encouraging interactive feedback to 
ensure business leaders are kept informed of 
the Group’s performance and of the financial 
and economic factors affecting Company and 
Group performance

While it has adopted a decentralised Group 
management approach, the Company nurtures a 
common culture among its workforce throughout 
the entire Group through openness, honesty and 
the pursuit of a universal goal that focuses on core 
corporate values.

We do everything in our power to support and 
protect human rights. As a responsible company 
with operations across the world, we believe that 
strong ethics and good business go hand-in-hand. 
We commit to complying with the laws and 
regulations of the countries and jurisdictions in 
which we operate.

Equal opportunities and diversity
The Company is an equal opportunities employer 
and is committed to ensuring equal career 
opportunities for all its employees without 
discrimination, and pursuing fair and equitable 
policies and procedures for recruitment, training 
and development. Full consideration is accorded to 
all applications from persons with disabilities, with 
due regard to their aptitudes and abilities.

The Company ensures that, wherever possible, 
employees who develop a disability during their 
engagement can continue their employment 
through a supportive mechanism of retraining, 
redeployment and reasonable adjustments where 
practicable, enabling them to remain within the 
Group. Opportunities for training, career 
development and progression into and within the 
Group do not operate to the detriment of persons 
with disabilities.

We are also reducing their 
environmental impact 
 ▪ In consideration of global concerns regarding the 
disposal of waste and increasing metal prices 
and landfill costs, we have focused more 
attention on the re-use and recycling of our 
retired products 

 ▪ Currently, more than 90% by weight of the 

materials used in our photobooths, mostly steel 
and other metals, is recycled at the end of their  
product lifecycle 

 ▪ In light of our concerns regarding increased 

energy costs and man-made impact on climate 
change, we have embraced technological 
advances by investing in energy-saving 
improvements to our products, which are 
explained further under “Environment” below

Responding to customer need
 ▪ The needs of all our customers are important to 
us. This drives a continual review of our products 
and the development of solutions to meet these 
needs. For example, we have improved services 
offered to customers with disabilities, and 
complied with the Equality Act 2010 by 
introducing on-screen instructions within our 
photobooths for hard-of-hearing customers, 
and voice instructions and carefully selected 
screen colours and font sizes for customers with 
visual impairments. In addition, the 
development of the universal photobooth 
enables access for wheelchair users.

Employees 

The Company’s employees are a 
valued, integral part of the business 
and the Company’s ability to achieve 
success in key business objectives.

As such, it is the Company’s policy to provide 
colleagues with appropriate financial and other 
information about the business to encourage 
employee engagement, and to enthuse and inspire 
its workforce through a network of media such as:

 ▪ Business networking tools to encourage 

synergies among colleagues and businesses, 
sharing ideas and best practices;

 ▪ Internal notification of vacancies and policy 

updates; and

49

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportCorporate Responsibility Statement continued

Health & safety

We are committed to ensuring 
that customers, site owners and 
employees are free from risk from 
products operated by the Group. 
In addition to these moral and 
ethical considerations, we believe 
that the effective management of 
health and safety is an essential 
ingredient for successful 
business performance.

Our commitment to the safety of our customers 
and business partners is achieved through a 
network of trained service operatives who routinely 
service installed equipment on customers’ sites as 
well as conducting periodic safety inspections and 
tests. Customers and site owners can raise any 
safety concerns directly through our call centres, 
which immediately inform management and direct 
an operative to the site within 24 hours.

New products from external suppliers are 
assessed to ensure that they meet relevant safety 
standards before being launched in the market. 
We work with our suppliers where appropriate, 
sharing the benefit of our many years’ experience 
of developing products to the highest standards 
of safety.

Photobooth security is managed by a multipoint 
locking system with either one or two security 
padlocks depending on the model. Our 
photobooths meet current electrical standards 
through a declaration of conformity (DOC) and 
Conformité Européene (CE) marking, confirming 
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS2) 
product compliance. Our experienced engineers 
also test equipment regularly to ensure it meets 
both Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) and 
Amusement Device Inspection Procedures 
Scheme (ADIPS) standards.

Children’s rides manufactured by Jolly Roger 
(Amusement Rides) Limited, a Group subsidiary 
company in the UK, are produced in accordance 
with industry guidance issued by the British 
Amusement and Catering Trades Association 
(BACTA) and conform to CE marking confirming 
RoHS2 product compliance. This supplements the 
various British, European and International 
standards that apply to children’s rides and ensures 
a minimum standard of quality and safety. The 
Company is also a registered inspection body 
within the UK of ADIPS Scheme administered by 
BACTA and enables its qualified operatives to  
inspect children’s rides and issue the required  
safety certification.

Within the UK, the General Manager fully supports 
the health and safety policy and ensures there is 
provision on the agenda of regular senior executive 
meetings to address health and safety matters. 

Gender diversity
The table below shows the gender diversity of the Group’s employees at 31 October 2021 with 
corresponding figures at 31 October 2020:

As at 31 October 2020

The Board of Photo-Me

Senior managers in the Group (excluding directors of Photo-Me)

Employees (excluding above)

Total

As at 31 October 2021

The Board of Photo-Me

Senior managers in the Group (excluding directors of Photo-Me)

Employees (excluding above)

Total

Total

Male

Female

7

13

1,056

1,056

Total

10

18

995

1,023

6

12

854

875

1

1

182

183

Male

Female

7

15

831

853

3

3

164

170

50

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportPolicies and procedures developed over the years 
continue to be reviewed and adjusted as part of the 
process of continual improvement and keeping 
pace with legislative advances. Risk assessments 
are regularly undertaken for any new tasks and all 
are reviewed every 12 months. 

To achieve the standard of health and safety 
performance to which the Company aspires, we 
believe that it is important to empower individuals 
at all levels and equip them with the tools and 
skills they require by providing relevant training 
and information. The Company continues to 
improve its employee-induction process following 
the introduction of an alternative online training 
system supplied by Essential Skillz in 2014 to teach 
and refresh employee skills as required. This year 
the platform enabled us to produce our own in 
house training for all our employees on the 
importance of security awareness. As well as this, 
all regional engineers underwent refresher 
training. The Company continues to maintain its 
membership of the British Safety Council and is 
also a member of the CE Marking Association.

In addition to demonstrating our commitment to 
best safety and environmental practice and 
consistent improvement, these ongoing 
partnerships enable us to access expert advice 
and quality training resources to assist us in 
achieving our goals. 

Throughout the pandemic our front line 
employees have been our priority. Whilst many 
were furloughed initially there was a skeleton crew 
working to ensure our machines were kept up and 
running where possible. In order for them to 
achieve this we brought in two new cleaning 
products in 2020 called SD90, a high performance 
self-disinfectant coating for up to 90 days as well 
as DEW, an antibacterial cleaner. Both products 
are still being used across the business as part of 
our routine service visits to reduce the risk of cross 
contamination between customers.

As the pandemic is still a part of our lives we 
continue to provide employees with PPE such as 
face masks, face shields, hand sanitiser and gloves 
as standard. Our COVID-19 risk assessment is 
regularly reviewed. 

Photo-Me will continue to follow the government 
advice regarding the pandemic and home working. 
A new seating plan is in place to provide social 
distancing across our offices. Where social 
distancing cannot be enforced, lateral flow tests 
continue to be required before entering the 
office building.

In the UK, the Company is accredited under two 
safe contractor schemes, one managed by Alcumus 
and the other by Altius, and has also received an 
Assured Vendor award. This accreditation is 
reviewed annually and requires all Health and 
Safety policies and procedures to be audited as 
part of the scheme. This year the Company was 
selected for a manual audit by Avetta where they 
conduct an in-depth review which we passed.

Photo-Me UK has also been awarded PCI DSS 
(Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) 
certification which, developed by the PCI Security 
Standard Council, aims to reduce online fraud. 

We recognise that all employees have an important 
contribution to make in the ongoing development 
and implementation of our health and safety 
policies and procedures. This is reflected in the 
representation from all levels of the business on 
the Health and Safety Committee.

For more on how the Company has acted to 
safeguard employees, please see page 61.

51

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportCorporate Responsibility Statement continued

Environment

The Company recognises its 
responsibility towards the 
environment and the impact of its 
business activities. We integrate our 
environmental impact into the core 
business through our focus on circular 
economy, reduction of resource 
consumption and carbon footprint.

The main risks to the business in this area arise 
from increased potential legislation, the rising cost 
of waste disposal and raising awareness of the 
climate crisis amongst consumers. The Company 
has mitigated its exposure to these risks, and the 
emissions which the business generates, by:

 ▪ Reducing the amount of waste produced;

 ▪ The recovery, refurbishment and resale of 

electrical equipment such as children’s rides 
which promote the principle embodied in recent 
legislation of reuse before recycling. This not 
only generates cost savings but also creates a 
source of income. Where possible, we 
endeavour to embrace technological advances 
to reduce the impact of our operations on the 
environment. Such initiatives include:

 - reducing the amount of waste produced;

 - introducing automatic shutdown (and restart) 
of photobooths during closing hours which 
saves approximately 30% of power 
consumption on site;

 - using remote telemetry systems to minimise 

the number of service visits and reduce 
wastage of consumables;

 - substituting old-technology lighting with new 
low-energy lamps in all photobooths. The 
latest generation Photobooth by Starck uses 
the latest LED lighting which also eliminates 
the hazardous waste associated with 
fluorescent tubes; 

 - installing low energy LED lights in place of old-
technology lighting in Photo-Me’s factories;

 - upgrading to certain of Photo-Me’s offices 

through installing upgraded windows, doors and 
roofing to improve insulation and energy 
efficiency, as well as upgrading air conditioning 
and heating systems as a step towards lower 
energy usage; and

 - replacing most old CRT monitors with new flat 

screen technology which is more energy-efficient 
and eliminates associated hazardous waste

Although we are not presently exposed to material 
risks related to climate change, we are taking steps to 
ensure that our energy use and demand for natural 
resources are reduced wherever possible. In addition 
to the examples highlighted above, the Company 
operates a green fleet policy which specifies that 
vehicles are sourced according to practicality and 
environmental impact as defined in terms of CO₂ 
emissions. This green fleet policy, and the above 
measures, constitute the principal measures taken by 
the Company during the reporting period to increase 
the Company’s energy efficiency.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) and energy emissions

Reporting of GHG emissions
In accordance with the disclosure requirements for 
listed companies, the table below shows the Group’s 
greenhouse gas emissions for the current and 
preceding financial year.

The Group is required to report the emissions it is 
responsible for (as defined below), and to provide at 
least one ‘intensity ratio’ together with an explanation 
of methodology used.

In the table below, the Group has not reported fugitive 
emissions (which include leakages from refrigerants 
used in air conditioning units, etc.) because no data 
were available and, given the low number of such units 
in the Group, management did not consider such 
emissions to be material.

52

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportAssessment parameters

Assessment parameters

Consolidation approach

Boundary summary

The figures below are based on subsidiary companies owned by Photo-Me, except 
for those non-material subsidiary companies (mainly new start-up ventures) 
whose vending estate comprises less than 50 machines. This is because it would 
not be practicable for the Company to include those subsidiary companies in the 
data.

For those investments where the Group has less than 50% of the issued share 
capital, the Group does not have operational control for day-to-day activities and 
these entities are not included in the above figures.

The Group has included vending estates which are owned by the Group even 
though it does not directly control the operational use (i.e. period of operation) for 
these assets.

Emission factor source

Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, 2016 GHG Conversion 
Factors for Company Report (2016: DEFRA 2014).

Methodology

The Company followed the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard.

Materiality threshold

As mentioned above, subsidiary companies with less than 50 units of operating 
equipment have been excluded, as have depots and other property units where 
the total amount spent on heating, lighting and power is less than £50,000 per 
annum per site. 

Intensity ratio

As explained below.

In the tables below, the Group has not reported fugitive emissions (which include leakages from refrigerants 
used in air conditioning units, etc.) because no data were available and, given the low number of such units 
in the Group, management did not consider such emissions to be material.

Global (UK incl)

Emissions from
Scope 1
Scope 1 – travel costs
Scope 1 – gas
Scope 2
Scope 2 – operating estate
Scope 2 – electricity, heat, steam or cooling
Total emissions
Intensity ratio
Per number of units of operating equipment

12 months ended 
31 October 2021

12 months ended 
31 October 2021

12 months ended
31 October 2020

12 months ended
31 October 2020

Tons of CO2e
2 912.90
2 577.83
335.07

kWh
12 780 741.05
11 057 012
1 723 729
25 075.50 107 269 011.89
105 831 816
24 673.63
1 437 196
401.87
120 049 753
27 988.40

Tons of CO2e
2 858.66
2 446.51 
412.15 
18 852.24
18 473.01
379.24
21 710.90 

kWh
12 261 549.48
10 493 734.81
1 767 814.67 
80 862 330.21 
  79 235 678.87  
 1 626 651.33
93 123 879.68 

0.6627

2 842.5580

0.47101

2 020.30 

Focus UK only (Photo-Me International plc and Jolly Roger (Amusement Rides) Limited)

Emissions from
Scope 1
Scope 1 – travel costs
Scope 1 – gas
Scope 2
Scope 2 – operating estate
Scope 2 – electricity, heat, steam or cooling
Total emissions
Intensity ratio
Per number of units of operating equipment

12 months ended
31 October 2021

12 months ended
31 October 2021

12 months ended
31 October 2020

12 months ended
31 October 2020

Tons of CO2e
235.62
210.99
24.62
2 807.41
2 709.85
97.57
3 043

kWh
1 323 489.18
905 005
418 484
11 728 884.64
11 623 271
105 614
13 052 374

Tons of CO2e
312.06
191.41
120.66 
2 127.68
2 057.65
70.03
2 439.74

kWh
1 338 529.01  
820 991.68 
517 537.33  
 9 126 188.33  
8 825 798.33
300 390.00
10 464 717.34

0.5037

2 160.6313

0.24669 

 1 058.11 

53

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportCorporate Responsibility Statement continued

Methodology used:
 ▪ The data detailed in the table above represents 

Non-financial information statement 
 ▪ We are pleased to set out below where you can 

the emissions and energy used for which 
Photo-Me is responsible and is incorporated 
by reference in the Directors’ Report on pages 
60 to 64.

find information relating to non-financial 
matters in our Strategic Report, as required 
under sections 414CA and 414CB of the 
Companies Act 2006.

 ▪ Data based on actual utilities invoices for Head 

Information

Section/Policy

Office consumption

 ▪ Kilometres travelled by cars, multiplied by the 

CO₂ emissions (by kilometre) for every car in the 
Group fleet

 ▪ Theoretical consumption by machines, 

multiplied by average number of machines for 
each country of operation. Mainly it is the 
partners who pay for the electricity consumed 
by the Group’s operating machines, not the 
Group. A theoretical consumption has therefore 
been calculated based on an average hourly 
consumption and an average number of hours 
of uptime per day 

 ▪ In order to provide data that can be easily 

compared from one year to the next, the Group 
has chosen to translate last year’s figures over a 
12-month period by means of a 3:2 ratio

 ▪ 12 months ended 31 October 2021 compared 
with the 18 months ended 31 October 2020 

Environmental 
matters (including 
the impact of the 
company’s business 
on the environment)

The Company’s 
employees

Social matters

Respect for human 
rights

Anti-corruption and 
anti-bribery matters

This is found above in the 
Corporate Responsibility 
Statement

This is found above in the 
Corporate Responsibility 
Statement.

This is found above in the 
Corporate Responsibility 
Statement.

The Company followed 
the Greenhouse Gas 
Protocol Corporate 
Standard.

The Company operates 
an anti-bribery and 
corruption policy.

54

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportViability Statement 

The Directors have assessed 
the viability and prospects 
of the Group in accordance 
with the requirements of  
the UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

In doing so, the Directors have considered and 
taken into account the Group’s present position 
and the principal risks facing it, the latter being set 
out in the Strategic Report. The Directors have 
carried out their assessment by:

i.  considering the potential repercussions of those 
principal risks at least annually as well as the risk 
impact of each major event or transaction;

ii.  examining the effectiveness of the actions taken 

to mitigate the principal risks;

iii. continually reviewing strategy and market 
developments through regular executive 
briefings; and

iv. taking into account the Group’s operational 

processes and financial resources. 

Based on this robust assessment, the Directors 
have a reasonable expectation that the Group will 
be able to continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities over a five-year period to October 2026.

plausible combination scenarios together with the 
effectiveness of any mitigating actions. 
Consideration has also been given to the risk of 
regional changes such as Brexit; however, the Board 
believes that having diverse geographical 
operations means that the Group is less susceptible 
to the effects of regional changes.

The Directors decided that a five-year period is 
appropriate for this assessment because it enables 
a good level of confidence due to a number of 
factors including: (i) the Group’s considerable 
financial resources including the high cash 
generation of its operations; (ii) the inherent 
unlikelihood of all or even most of the identified 
potential principal risks materialising 
simultaneously; (iii) the length of major operating 
contracts; (iv) the Group’s diverse geographical 
operations plus its established business 
relationships with many customers and suppliers in 
countries throughout the world; and (v) its proven 
track record in R&D development and its ability to 
adapt to market trends.

The Directors have no reason to believe the Group 
will not be viable over a longer period, however, 
given the inherent uncertainty involved in looking at 
longer time frames, the period over which the 
Directors consider it possible to form a reasonable 
expectation as to the Group’s longer-term viability 
is five years.

This assessment included stress tests on the future 
performance and solvency for changes in the base 
assumptions over the five years and also for the 
principal risks facing the business in severe but 

Del Mansi
Company Secretary

30 March 2022

55

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Strategic ReportTo provide a professional laundry 
service, accessible 24 hours a day, 
7 days a week, for all inhabitants 
of small towns and cities.

Corporate
Governance

Board of Directors & Company Secretary 
Report of Directors  
Corporate Governance 
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 
Directors’ Remuneration Report 
Remuneration Policy Report 
Annual Report on Remuneration 

58
60
65
72
74
77
82

5656

Strategic report2020 in Summary  04Business at a Glance  05Chairman’s Statement  06Business Model  10  Our Business: Identification  12  Our Business: Laundry  14  Our Business: Kiosks  16Innovation & Diversification  18Chief Executive’s Report   20  Business Review  20  Review of Performance by Geography  26  Key Performance Indicators  29Financial Review  30Section 172(1) Statement 34Principal Risks  38Corporate Responsibility Statement  40Viability Statement  49Facilitating the administrative procedures of several hundred thousand citizens every day throughout the world in government-approved connected photo ID booths. Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 20215757 

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Board of Directors & Company Secretary

Sir John Lewis OBE

Non-executive Chairman

Serge Crasnianski

Chief Executive Officer & Deputy Chairman

Sir John joined the Board in 2008 and was appointed Chairman 
in 2010. He is Chairman of the Nomination Committee and a 
member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. Until 
early 2019, Sir John was a Consultant to Eversheds Sutherland 
LLP (as now is). 

Serge was appointed to the Board in 2009, having previously 
served on the Board from 1990 to 2007 (as a Non-executive 
Director until 1994, and from 1994 as an Executive Director).  
He is Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chairman and member of 
the Executive Committee. Serge founded KIS in 1963.

He is a Director of AIM market company, Prime People plc, as 
well as various private companies. He was previously a 
practising Solicitor and Partner in Lewis, Lewis & Co which 
became part of Eversheds Sutherland LLP (as now is) after a 
series of mergers. He served as Chairman of Cliveden plc and 
Principal Hotels plc and as Vice Chairman of John D Wood & Co 
plc and Pubmaster Group Ltd.

Tania Crasnianski

Executive Director

Tania has been an independent legal adviser for the past seven 
years and before that held the role of Head of Global 
Investments at Stratford Capital between 2006-2014. She 
spent 12 years in the legal field; having worked in that time as a 
Criminal Lawyer for SCP Versini-Campinchi & Associés, Paris. 
Tania joined the Group on 1 June 2020 as head of legal and 
general secretary, and shortly thereafter took over the 
supervision of the Group’s entities in Germany and Austria.

Jean-Marc Janailhac

Executive Director

Jean-Marc joined the Board in 2019. He was designated 
Executive Director in July 2020, and appointed chairman of the 
newly formed Strategic Committee (now the Executive 
Committee) that is responsible for reviewing and implementing 
operational decisions across the Group. 

He is a senior adviser of Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited, 
which he joined in 2016. In October 2010, he was appointed a 
Non-executive Director of Athena Investments A/S, a Danish 
company dedicated to renewable energy (wind and solar) listed 
on Nasdaq Copenhagen and included in the OMX Copenhagen 
Small Cap Index, a role he retains.

Del Mansi 

Company Secretary 

Del, a qualified solicitor, 
joined the Group in 2006. He 
served as interim Company 
Secretary from April to July 
2008, and was appointed 
Group General Counsel in 
2009, a role retained on being 
appointed Company 
Secretary in May 2013.

58

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceJean-Marcel Denis

Non-executive Director

Françoise Coutaz-Replan

Non-executive Director

Jean-Marcel was appointed to the Board in 2012. He is 
Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the 
Nomination and Remuneration Committees. Jean-Marcel 
founded his own auditing firm in 1970 in Paris, Auditeurs & 
Conseils Associés (ACA), and sold his interest in ACA in 2005. 
He then became a consultant in Finance & Conseils Associés, 
which specialises in business valuation.

Françoise was appointed to the Board in 2009 as Group 
Finance Director and retired from that executive role in August 
2015. She is a Non-executive Director and was appointed to the 
Audit Committee in October 2016. Françoise joined KIS in 1991.

René Proglio

Non-executive Director

Camille Claverie

Non-executive Director

René was appointed to the Board in June 2021. He worked at 
Morgan Stanley for 17 years and during that time he held senior 
roles, including as Managing Director (2004-2007) and as Head 
of Investment Banking (2008-2010). He was then country head 
for France from 2010 to 2020, and he recently joined PJT 
Partners as a Partner. Before this, he was a Partner at Ernst & 
Young. He is a member of the Audit Committee. The Board 
considers Mr Proglio to be independent.

Camille was appointed to the Board in June 2021. She has 
previously held roles at Sagard, latterly as Principal, and at 
Morgan Stanley and she is a Director at Montefiore Investment 
where her responsibilities cover deal origination, and execution 
and investment monitoring to support companies and 
management teams in their growth plans. The Board considers 
Ms Claverie to be non-independent because she works for 
FPCI Montefiore Investment IV which holds 9.8% of the issued 
share capital of Photo-Me.

Emmanuel Olympitis

Non-executive Director

Sigieri Diaz Della Vittoria Pallavicini

Non-executive Director

Emmanuel was appointed to the Board in 2009. He is the 
Senior Independent Non-executive Director, Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee, and a member of the Nomination 
and Audit Committees.

Previous directorships include China Cablecom Holdings 
Limited (NASDAQ), Canoel International Energy Limited 
(Canada), Matica plc, Secure Fortress plc, Bulgarian Land 
Development plc, Norman 95 plc, Pacific Media plc (Executive 
Chairman) and Bella Media plc (Chairman). Early career in 
merchant banking and financial services, including as Executive 
Director of Bankers Trust International Ltd, Group Chief 
Executive of Aitken Hume International plc, and Executive 
Chairman of Johnson & Higgins Ltd.

Sigieri was appointed to the Board in June 2021. He is the 
founder and managing partner of Italian private equity firm 
Armònia SGR. For 15 years he was the founder CEO and 
Chairman of GWM Financial Group and he was CEO of 
Greentech Energey Systems A.S, a Danish renewable energy 
company. During his career, Sigieri has worked in several 
financial institutions including Morgan Stanley, Lehman 
Brothers, Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan. The Board considers 
Mr Diaz della Vittoria Pallavicini to be independent.

59

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceReport of Directors 

The Directors submit to the 
shareholders their report, the audited 
consolidated financial statements of 
the Group, and such audited financial 
statements of Photo-Me International 
plc as required by law for the year 
ended 31 October 2021. 

The Corporate Governance Statement and the 
Corporate Responsibility Statement should be read 
as forming part of this report. In this document, 
references to the “Group”, the “Company”, “Photo-
Me”, “we”, or “our”, refer to Photo-Me International 
plc, its subsidiary companies and, where applicable, 
its associated undertakings, or any of them as the 
context may require.

Principal Activities 
The principal activities of the Group continue to be 
the operation, sale, and servicing of a wide range of 
instant-service equipment. The Group operates 
coin-operated automatic photobooths for 
identification and fun purposes, and a diverse 
range of vending equipment, including digital photo 
kiosks, laundry machines, and business service 
equipment, and amusement machines. The 
Company’s subsidiary and associated undertakings 
are shown on pages 162 and 163.  The Group 
entered the self-service fresh fruit juice equipment 
market in April 2019, with the acquisition of SEMPA 
Sarl. In 2021, the Group entered the pizza-vending 
market with the acquisition of Resto’Clock, a French 
manufacturer of pizza vending machines. Together, 
these acquisitions have created a new business 
area: vending equipment for the food service 
market (Feed.ME). The Board believes this will 
continue to develop as a key business area 
alongside Identification (Photo.ME), Laundry 
(Wash.ME) and Kiosks (Print.ME), and be a 
significant part of the Group’s future  
growth strategy.

Results and dividends
The results for the year are set out in the Group 
Statement of Comprehensive Income on page 102. 
The Directors are recommending a final dividend for 
the year ended of 31 October 2021 of 2.89p per 
ordinary share. The ex-dividend date will be 14 April 
2022 and, if approved by shareholders at the 
Company’s annual general meeting on 29 April 2022, 
the dividend will be paid on 13 May 2022. No interim 
dividend was paid for this financial period.

Review of business and future 
developments 
The Strategic Report describes the activities of the 
business during the year ended 31 October 2021, 
recent events (including any important events 
affecting the Group which have occurred since the 
end of that period), and gives an indication of likely 
future developments in the Group’s business. A 
discussion of the key risks facing the Group and an 
analysis of key performance indicators are provided 
in the Strategic Report. The Strategic Report 
 also contains the Board’s Long-term  
Viability Statement.

Research and development
The Group is committed to its research and 
development programme in order to maintain its 
introduction of innovative products to the market. 
The expenditure incurred on the development of 
new products is shown in notes 4 and 11 of the 
financial statements.

Employees
Information on the Company’s employment 
practices including: its policy regarding applications 
for employment by persons with disabilities; the 
continuing employment of employees who have 
developed disabilities; and the training, career 
development and promotion of persons with 
disabilities employed by the Company, as well as 
employee communication and involvement, is 
contained within the Corporate Responsibility 
Statement on pages 46 to 54, and which is deemed 
to form part of this report.

Employee engagement
The senior management team has held several 
internal consultations, and released internal 
memoranda outlining the movement of the 
business throughout each quarter including 
financial updates, customer movements, benefit 
renewals, and guidance on support, wellbeing, 
whistleblowing and zero tolerance. These 
communications also help to achieve a common 
awareness on the part of all employees of the 
financial and economic factors affecting the 
performance of the Company.

60

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceThe Board understands the importance of 
considering the views of all stakeholders, including 
its employees. The Executive Directors have regular 
meetings with all managers. Since the outbreak of 
COVID-19, these meetings have taken place by 
audio-visual conference calls. These meetings 
provide an opportunity for the Directors to learn of 
the views of the employees at large, and to report 
back to the Board as a whole so that in making any 
decisions affecting the employees, the Board can 
take those views and any decisions made can take 
into account those employee views.

The Company operates an executive share option 
scheme that was introduced in 2014 (itself replacing 
an earlier similar scheme). Senior members of staff 
receive annual bonuses depending on personal 
performance and the Group’s performance. 
The above sets out how Directors have engaged 
with employees.

The Company has introduced the following 
measures to protect employees against COVID-19:

 ▪ A new office layout has been implemented, with 

social distancing measures introduced  
between workstations. 

 ▪ Hand sanitiser has been provided at multiple 
locations around the site to promote good 
hygiene with notices asking employees to  
use them.

 ▪ Signage and posters have been placed around 
site reminding workers to maintain hygiene 
standards and maintain their distance.

 ▪ First aid needs have been reviewed with new 
measures put in place to ensure any first aid 
treatment is Covid-safe, such as: where possible 
assist from a safe distance and if the patient is 
capable asking them to do things for you. Only 
delivering CPR by chest compressions.

 ▪ Workers are provided with clear instructions 

that they should follow government guidelines 
and self-isolate where necessary.

 ▪ The Company will continue to comply with 

government guidelines; this currently involves 
where possible all staff working remotely.

See below under ‘Engagement with Suppliers and 
Others’ to see protective measures introduced for 
field staff.

The Board understands the importance of 
considering the views of all stakeholders, including 
its employees. 

Engagement with suppliers and others
The Executive Directors (and where necessary the 
Non-executive Directors) meet suppliers, 
customers and major shareholders, as do senior 
management. This gives them an opportunity to 
learn of their wishes and concerns, thereby 
acquiring information to which they can have 
regard when making strategic and other decisions. 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, these are some of 
the measures taken to safeguard the interests of 
customers and the community at large:

 ▪ Machine touch screens have notices installed 

recommending customers to wash their hands 
before and after use.

 ▪ Machines are coated in SD90 which creates an 
antimicrobial surface which enables the surface 
to become self-disinfecting for 90 days – this is 
reapplied within every 90-day period.

 ▪ Within our Revolution launderettes, social 

distancing notices have been placed around the 
stores as well as signage requesting customers 
to sanitise before entry. Signage upon entry also 
asks customers to wear face coverings when in 
store to reduce transmission risk.

 ▪ Enhanced cleaning regimes have been 
introduced on the machines, with DEW 
disinfectant to be used at each maintenance 
visit by the Company’s engineers.

 ▪ Stickers notifying customers of the use of SD90 

have been applied to machines.

 ▪ Signage is placed on machines when 

maintenance is being carried out telling 
surrounding guests to keep their distance whilst 
the machine is undergoing maintenance.

 ▪ Engineers are issued with hand sanitiser to 

promote good hygiene standards which in turn 
reduces the risk of cross-contamination.

61

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceReport of Directors continued

Corporate responsibility
A summary of the Company’s approach to 
corporate social responsibility and environmental 
matters, including a report on the Group’s 
greenhouse gas emissions for the 12 months ended 
31 October 2021, can be found in the Corporate 
Responsibility Statement on pages 46 to 54.

Board of Directors and their interests
The current Directors of the Company are:

Sir John Lewis OBE
Chairman, member of the Audit and Remuneration 
Committees, and Chairman of the  
Nomination Committee

Serge Crasnianski
Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chairman

Jean-Marc Janailhac
Executive Director and chairman of the Executive 
Committee that is responsible for reviewing and 
implementing operational decisions across the 
Group. He was a member of the audit and 
remuneration committees from his appointment in 
July 2019 until December 2020

Emmanuel Olympitis
Senior Independent Non-executive Director, 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and a 
member of the Nomination and Audit Committees

These are the Directors who served during the year, 
with their periods of tenure.

From 31 October 2020 to 30 April 2021
Sir John Lewis, Serge Crasnianski, Jean-Marc 
Janailhac, Emmanuel Olympitis, Françoise Coutaz-
Replan, Jean-Marcel Denis, and Yitzhak Apeloig

From 1 May 2021 to 22 June 2021
Sir John Lewis, Serge Crasnianski, Jean-Marc 
Janailhac, Emmanuel Olympitis, Françoise Coutaz-
Replan, and Jean-Marcel Denis

From 23 June 2021 to date
Sir John Lewis, Serge Crasnianski, Jean-Marc 
Janailhac, Emmanuel Olympitis, Françoise Coutaz-
Replan, Jean-Marcel Denis, Camille Claverie, Tania 
Crasnianski, Sigieri Diaz della Vittoria Pallavicini and 
René Proglio

In addition to the powers conferred on the 
Directors by law, the Company’s Articles of 
Association also set out powers of the Directors; 
under these powers, the Directors may, subject to 
any statutory provision requiring prior shareholder 
approval, exercise all powers of the Company to 
borrow money, issue shares, appoint and remove 
Directors and recommend dividends and pay 
interim dividends. A copy of the Articles of 
Association can be found on the 
Company’s website.

Françoise Coutaz-Replan
Non-executive Director and a member of the  
Audit Committee

Details of the Directors’ contracts, emoluments 
and interests in shares and share options are given 
in the Remuneration Report on pages 74 to 90.

Jean-Marcel Denis
Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member 
of the Nomination and Remuneration Committees

Tania Crasnianski
Executive Director

Camille Claverie
Non-independent Non-executive Director 

René Proglio
Independent Non-executive Director and member 
of the Audit Committee

Sigieri Diaz della Vittoria Pallavicini
Independent Non-executive Director

Further details, together with a brief biography of 
each Director, can be found on pages 58 and 59. 

Directors’ And Officers’ Liability Insurance
The Company maintained directors’ and officers’ 
liability insurance cover throughout the 12-month 
period ended 31 October 2021. This insurance cover 
extends to Directors and officers of subsidiary 
undertakings and remains in force. Article 191 of the 
Company’s Articles of Association allows the 
indemnification of directors of the Company and 
associated companies and of Directors of a 
company that is the trustee of an occupational 
pension scheme for employees of the Company or 
an associated company against liability incurred by 
them in certain situations, and would, if granted, 
constitute a “qualifying indemnity provision” within 
the meaning of Section 236 (1) of the Companies 
Act 2006. No such indemnities have been granted.

62

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceSubstantial shareholders
As of 28 February 2022, the Company had been 
notified of the following disclosable interests in the 
ordinary shares of the Company:

Major shareholders

Shareholder Name 
(Director¹)

Serge Crasnianski1

Schroders PLC

FIL Ltd

FPCI Montefiore 
Investment IV

% Voting Rights

Amount

36.49

137,948,596

10.56

39,914,994

9.98

37,747,309

9.8

37,058,915

1  Except for 63,750 ordinary shares held in his name, the interest in 
which is direct, the remaining shares are registered in the name of 
Tibergest PTE LTD, and Mr Crasnianski’s interest in those remaining 
shares is indirect. Except for the above, the Company had not been 
advised of any shareholders with interests of 3% or more in the 
issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at such date.

Share capital
The issued share capital of the Company, plus 
details of the movements in the Company’s issued 
share capital during the year, is shown in note 20 of 
the financial statements. Each ordinary share of the 
Company carries one vote at general meetings of 
the Company.

Report of Directors’ continued authority 
to purchase shares
Pursuant to a resolution passed at its 2020 AGM 
(held on 30 April 2021), the Company is authorised 
to purchase its own shares in the market. The 
Company will seek approval at the 2022 AGM to 
renew the authority for the Company to make 
market purchases of up to 10% of its own ordinary 
shares at a maximum price per share of not more 
than the higher of: (a) an amount that is not more 
than 5% above the average of the closing middle 
market quotations for an ordinary share (derived 
from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List) 
for the five business days immediately before the 
date on which that ordinary share is contracted to 
be purchased; or (b) the higher of the price of the 
last independent trade or the highest current 
independent bid on the London Stock Exchange. 
This authority will expire on the earlier of 15 
months from the passing of the relevant special 
resolution or the conclusion of the following AGM. 
The Company made no repurchases of shares in 
the 12-month period financial period ended 
31 October 2021.

Additional information
Where not provided elsewhere in the Report of the 
Directors, the following provides the additional 
information required to be disclosed in the Report 
of the Directors. The structure of the Company’s 
share capital, including the rights and obligations 
attaching to the shares, is set out within note 20]to 
the financial statements.

No person holds securities carrying special rights 
with regards to control of the Company.

There are no restrictions on the transfer of ordinary 
shares in the capital of the Company other than 
certain restrictions that may from time to time be 
imposed by law; for example, insider trading law. In 
accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial 
Conduct Authority, certain employees are required 
to seek the approval of the Company to deal in  
its shares.

On a show of hands at a general meeting of the 
Company, every holder of ordinary shares entitled 
to vote and who is present in person or by proxy 
shall have one vote and on a poll, every member 
present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote 
shall have one vote for every ordinary share held 
(except as otherwise stated in Article 81 of the 
Company’s Articles of Association). Any notice of 
general meeting issued by the Company will 
specify deadlines for exercising voting rights and in 
appointing a proxy or proxies in relation to 
resolutions to be passed at the general meeting. All 
proxy votes are counted and the numbers for, 
against or withheld in relation to each resolution are 
announced at the general meeting and published 
on the Company’s website after the meeting. Proxy 
appointments and voting instructions must be 
received by the Company’s registrars not less than 
48 hours before a general meeting.

Under its Articles of Association, unless the Board 
otherwise determines, no member shall be entitled 
to vote in respect of any share unless all calls or 
other sums presently payable by them in respect of 
that share shall have been paid. The Company is 
not aware of any agreements between 
shareholders that may result in restrictions on the 
transfer of shares or on voting rights.

The rules governing the appointment of Directors 
are set out in the Corporate Governance Statement 
on pages 65 to 71. The Company’s Articles of 

63

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceDisclosure of information to the auditor
The Directors who held office at the date of 
approval of this Report of the Directors confirm 
that: As far as they are each aware, there is no 
relevant audit information of which the Company’s 
auditor (Mazars LLP) is unaware; and each Director 
has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have 
taken as a director to make himself or herself aware 
of any relevant audit information and to establish 
that the Company’s auditor is aware of 
that information.

Annual general meeting
The Company’s AGM this year will be held on 
29 April 2022 at the offices of Hudson Sandler LLP, 
25 Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6AE at 10 
a.m. Notice of the AGM is sent to all shareholders of 
the Company, as well as to persons nominated by a 
shareholder of the Company to enjoy information 
rights. The Notice convening the meeting provides 
full details of all the resolutions to be proposed, 
together with explanatory notes for both the 
ordinary and special business. Hard copies of this 
Annual Report are sent only to shareholders who 
have requested or request a copy. 

By order of the Board

Del Mansi
Company Secretary

30 March 2022

Report of Directors continued

Association may only be amended by a special 
resolution at a general meeting of shareholders. 
The Company is party to a number of agreements 
with site owners (such as major supermarket 
chains), which could be terminated by the site 
owners following a change of control of  
the Company.

There are no agreements between the Company 
and its Directors or employees which provide for 
compensation for loss of office or employment 
(whether through resignation, purported 
redundancy or otherwise) that occurs because of a 
takeover bid.

The Company is not aware of any contractual or 
other agreements that are essential to its business 
which ought to be disclosed in this Report of  
the Directors.

Related-party transactions
Details of related-party transactions are set out in 
note 27 to the financial statements.

Financial instruments
Details of the financial risk management objectives 
and policies of the Group and exposure of the 
Group to foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk 
and liquidity risk are given in note 15 to the 
financial statements.

Political donations
No member of the Group made any political 
donations during the 12-month period ended 
31 October 2021.

Going concern
Having reviewed forecasts, cash flow, financial 
resources and financing arrangements and after 
making enquiries, the Directors consider that the 
Company and the Group have adequate resources 
to remain in operation for the foreseeable future. 
Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the 
going concern basis in preparing the  
financial statements.

64

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate Governance 
Corporate Governance

Statement of compliance 
with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

The Board has complied with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (2018 edition) (the “Code”) 
except as set out in the table on page 66.

The Group’s business model and strategy
The Group’s business model and strategy are 
summarised in the Strategic Report, and describe, 
amongst other things, how the Company 
generates and preserves value over the longer 
term and the strategy for delivering the objectives 
of the Company.

The Board

Board composition
At the start of the year under review until  
30 April 2021, the Board comprised seven directors; 
Mr Apeloig resigned as a director on 30 April 2021. 
On 23 June 2021, Ms Tania Crasnianski was 
appointed an Executive Director, Ms Claverie was 
appointed Non-independent Non-executive 
Director and Messrs Diaz della Vittoria Pallavicini 
and Proglio were appointed Independent Non-
executive Directors. 

The Chairman
The Chairman has the overall responsibility for 
managing the Board. The Chief Executive Officer 
has responsibilities for strategy, operations and 
results. The Chief Executive Officer has 
responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the 
Group. A clear division of responsibility exists, such 
that no one individual or group of individuals can 
dominate the Board’s decision-making process. 
Throughout the year under review, Sir John Lewis 
served as Chairman and Serge Crasnianski served 
as Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chairman and 
member of the Executive Committee In the 
Board’s opinion, even though Sir John Lewis has 
been a Director since 2008 and Chairman since 
2010, it is proposed that he remain in place for the 
time being.

Director independence
The Board structure has not complied with the 
Code provision that requires that at least half the 
Board, excluding the chairman, should be Non-
executive Directors whom the Board considers to 

be independent. The table overleaf contains more 
details on this.

The Senior Independent Director
Emmanuel Olympitis has served as the Company’s 
Senior Independent Non-executive Director 
throughout the period.

Although Mr Olympitis has been a director since 
December 2009, he is considered by the Board as 
independent on the basis that he continues to 
demonstrate total independence in his behaviour 
and in his interaction with the rest of the Board.

If a new Director were to be appointed, the Board 
would ordinarily appoint someone whom it 
believes has sufficient knowledge and experience 
to fulfil the duties of a director. If this were not the 
case, an appropriate training course would be 
provided. An appropriate induction programme is 
undertaken for all newly appointed Directors. All 
Directors have access to the advice and services of 
the Company Secretary. Any Director wishing to do 
so in furtherance of his or her duties may take 
independent advice at the Company’s expense. 

All Directors are required to stand for re-election 
every three years and newly appointed Directors 
are subject to election by shareholders at the first 
Annual General Meeting after their appointment. 
However, in order to provide for stability and 
continuity, and to avoid destabilising the Board, the 
Directors have unanimously decided not to comply 
with the Code’s recommendation that all Directors 
seek annual re-election. 

Directors’ conflicts of interest
During the year, Directors completed 
questionnaires in respect of their interests. The 
Board will continue to monitor and review actual or 
potential conflicts of interest on a regular basis and 
will consider whether or not it is appropriate to 
authorise any such conflicts.

The Financial Reporting Council requires listed 
companies incorporated in the UK to include in 
their annual financial report: (i) a statement of how 
they have applied the main principles set out in the 
Code; and (ii) a statement as to whether they have 
complied throughout the accounting period with all 
relevant provisions set out in the Code. The 
Directors consider that the Company has, 
throughout the 12-month period ended 31 October 
2021, complied with those provisions of the Code 
that are applicable to it, except for the following:

65

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceCorporate Governances continued

Point of non-compliance with Code

Reason for non-compliance 

At least half the board, excluding the chair, should 
be non-executive directors whom the board 
considers to be independent.

For engagement with the workforce, one or a 
combination of the following methods should 
be used:

 ▪ a Director appointed from the workforce;
 ▪ a formal workforce advisory panel; and
 ▪ a designated Non-executive Director.

There is no annual re-election of all directors.

Chairman has been in office for more than 
nine years. 

Excluding the Executive Directors and Chairman, the Board comprised 
six Non-executive Directors, four of whom are considered independent 
by the Board. Strict compliance would have required an additional 
independent non-executive director. The Board considers its 
composition to be sufficiently close to the Code’s prescription on this 
point to render its non-compliance in this regard inconsequential.

The Executive Directors meet regularly with the general managers of the 
Group. This enables both sides to raise any matters of interest to either 
side. The Non-executive Directors are always available should anyone not 
be comfortable in dealing with the Executive Directors about anything. 
Also, the whistle-blowing policy is in place as a further avenue should 
anyone wish to use it. Therefore, the Board believes that given the size of 
the Group and its resources, this is appropriate and additional measures 
to engage are unnecessary and overly cumbersome. 

The Board thinks this would distract the Board from its business, and that 
continuity enables people with deep knowledge of the Company to make 
more informed, effective and considered judgments. 

Sir John Lewis is considered by the Board to be an effective and engaged 
chair. He has the full approval and confidence of  
the Board.

Open advertising and/or an external search 
consultancy should generally be used for the 
appointment of the Chair and Non-executive 
Directors.

No open advertising or external search consultancy was used when the 
Ms Crasnianski, Ms Claverie, Mr Diaz della Vittoria Pallavicini and Mr 
Proglio were appointed directors in June 2021.It was considered 
unnecessary given the high quality of the resumés of these appointees. 

Mr Janailhac was a member of the Audit and 
Remuneration Committees although he is an 
Executive Director.

Non-executive Director to liaise with work force.

Ms Coutaz-Replan is a member of the Audit 
Committee even though the Code states that the 
Board should establish an audit committee of 
Independent Non-executive Directors.

Mr Olympitis’s independence despite not 
meeting the criteria set out by the Code which 
raises a presumption against independence 
where a director has served on the Board for 
more than nine years from the date of their first 
appointment.

Sir John Lewis is a member of the Audit 
Committee.

The Remuneration Committee should have 
delegated responsibility…for senior management. 
It should review workforce remuneration and 
related policies and the alignment of incentives 
and rewards with culture, taking these into 
account when setting the policy for Executive 
Director remuneration.

Did not self-evaluate.

Did not evaluate auditor.

Mr Janailhac resigned from those Committees before either of those 
Committees met after his appointment as an Executive Director. He 
resigned from the Audit and Remuneration Committees in December 
2020. There was little activity in those Committees during the time he 
became an Executive Director until he resigned his membership of  
those Committees.

After due consideration, the Board concluded that it was in order for the 
Executive Directors to liaise with the work force. If anyone felt 
uncomfortable, for whatever reason, about liaising with the Executive 
Directors there was recourse to the Non-executive Directors, as well as 
recourse to the whistleblowing process. 

The Board considers Ms Coutaz-Replan an invaluable support, given her 
knowledge of the Group’s systems and processes gained when she was 
Group Finance Director from September 2009 until August 2015.

Despite having been a Director for more than nine years, Mr Olympitis is 
considered by the Board as independent on the basis that he continues 
to demonstrate total independence in the opinion of the Board his 
behaviour and in his interaction with the rest of the Board.

Under the predecessor to the Code, there was no restriction on the 
Chairman of the Board being a member of the Audit Committee and 
such membership in the case of Sir John Lewis, did in the opinion of the 
Board not impede that committee’s functioning but enhanced it.

The Remuneration Committee thinks it is advisable that the Executive 
Directors address remuneration of the senior management and 
workforce pay polices in general as the former have most interaction with 
them and are therefore best placed to make meaningful and equitable 
assessments of their performance and remuneration levels.

As a result of the coronavirus, the Board for the second year running did 
not conduct its usual annual self-assessment. This was not considered a 
priority in the circumstances. No external evaluation takes place.

As a result of the coronavirus, the Audit Committee did not conduct its 
usual annual assessment of the external auditor. This was not considered 
a priority in the circumstances. 

The Code and associated guidance are available on the Financial Reporting Council website at https://www.frc.org.uk/getattachment/88bd8c45-50ea-4841-95b0-
d2f4f48069a2/2018-UK-Corporate-Governance-Code-FINAL.pdf.

66

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceBoard evaluation
Normally, the following occurs. The Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer would review the performance 
of other Executive Directors. The Chairman would 
review the performance of the Chief Executive, 
Chief Operating Officer and each Non-executive 
Director. The Non-executive Directors, led by the 
Senior Independent Non-executive Director, would 
evaluate the performance of the Chairman, taking into 
account the views of the Executive Directors. During 
the year, the Chairman would meet with the Non-
executive Directors without the Executive Directors 
being present. As mentioned, none of these took 
place this year.

Normally, the Board would undertake an internal 
process to assess the effectiveness of the Board during 
each financial year, consisting of a confidential survey. 
Areas identified in which there is considered to be 
room for improvement are usually addressed by the 
Board during the current year. As mentioned, this 
process did not take place this year.

Operation of the Board
The Board is normally scheduled to meet in person four 
or five times a year, with ad hoc meetings (including by 
way of conference and video calls) convened to deal 
with urgent matters. The Board has a formal schedule 
of matters reserved to it for decision. These include: the 
approval of the financial statements; dividend policy; 
major acquisitions, disposals and other transactions; 
significant changes in accounting policies; the 
constitution of Board Committees; risk management; 
and Corporate Governance policy.

The Board has delegated various matters to 
Committees, as detailed below. These Committees 
of the Board meet regularly (the Nomination 
Committee meets as required. The Committees 
deal with specific aspects of the management of 
the Company. The Board has delegated authority 
to the Committees and they have defined terms of 
reference; those of the Nomination, Audit and 
Remuneration Committees are available on the 
Company’s website (www.photo-me.com). 
Decision-making relating to operational matters 
is handled by the Executive Directors and 
senior management. 

Board and Committee papers are circulated in 
advance of each meeting and are supplemented by 
reports and presentations to ensure that Board 
members are kept fully informed.

Regular communication between the Directors also 
takes place outside the formal forum of Board and 
Committee meetings.

The Board had five meetings during the year 
under review.

The attendance of Directors at those meetings and 
meetings of Board Committees is set out below:

J Lewis

S Crasnianski

T Crasnianski

J-M Janailhac

Y Apeloig

F Coutaz-Replan

J-M Denis

E Olympitis

C Claverie

S Diaz della Vittoria Pallavicini

R Proglio 

Board

5(5)

5(5)

2(5)1

1(5)2

5(5)

5(5)

5(5)

2(5)1

2(5)

2(5)

Audit 
committee

Remuneration 
committee

Nomination 
committee

2(2)

2(2)

2(2)

1(2)

2(2)

2(2)

2(2)

– 

1(5)1

1(5)1

2(2)

0(2)

2(2)

1  These represent full attendance for those meetings held whilst the respective individuals were members of the Board.
2  The maximum number of meetings for Mr Apeloig could have been two.

67

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceCorporate Governances continued

Board committees

The Audit Committee
For the whole of the year ended 31 October 2021, 
this comprised Jean-Marcel Denis (Committee 
Chairman), Emmanuel Olympitis (Senior 
Independent Director), Sir John Lewis (Chairman of 
the Board), and Françoise Coutaz-Replan (the 
Group’s former Finance Director). Mr Yitzhak 
Apeloig (who is a qualified accountant) served on 
the Committee until his resignation from the Board 
on 30 April 2021. Mr Proglio joined the Committee 
when he was appointed a Director in June 2021. The 
composition of the Committee was not Code-
compliant to the extent that Sir John Lewis remains 
a member, and Ms Coutaz-Replan is not 
independent. Nonetheless, the Board considers 
that Ms Coutaz-Replan provides invaluable support, 
given her knowledge of the systems and processes 
gained when she was Group Finance Director from 
September 2009 until August 2015. The Board 
considers that Emmanuel Olympitis, Jean-Marcel 
Denis, Françoise Coutaz-Replan and Sir John Lewis 
and René Proglio have suitable recent and relevant 
financial experience to satisfy the requirements of 
the Code. 

Meetings are normally held at least twice a year. 
Two meetings were held during the year ended 
31 October 2021. Other Directors, together with the 
Chief Financial Officer and representatives of the 
external auditor, are generally invited to attend 
meetings, as is the Group’s internal auditor  
when required.

External auditor
The Audit Committee meets with the external 
auditor, at least twice a year. On behalf of the 
Board, the Committee reviews the Group’s 
accounting and financial reporting practices, the 
reports of the internal auditor and external auditor, 
and compliance with policies, procedures and 
applicable legislation. In addition, the Committee 
monitors the effectiveness of both the external and 
internal audit functions and reviews the Group’s 
internal financial control systems and reporting 
processes, and risk management procedures. The 
Committee considers the appointment of the 
external auditor and makes a recommendation on 
the audit fee to the Board; it usually assesses the 
effectiveness of the external auditor by means of 
an internal review process, assisted by a 
confidential questionnaire; it sets a policy for 
safeguarding the independence of the external 
auditor; and reviews the external auditor’s work 

outside of the audit itself, taking into account the 
nature of the work, the amount of the fees and 
whether it is appropriate for the external auditor to 
carry out such work. Details of the audit and 
non-audit fees are provided in note 4 to the 
financial statements.

Mazars LLP has been the external auditor of the 
Group since the Annual General Meeting in 
October 2019. The audit partner is David Herbinet. 
The Audit Committee is satisfied with the 
effectiveness, objectivity and independence of the 
external auditor. Accordingly, a resolution will be 
proposed at the forthcoming Annual General 
Meeting for Mazars LLP’s re-election as auditor for 
the coming year. The Board is committed to putting 
the audit contract out to tender at least once every 
ten years. It conducted a tender process for the 
external audit role in 2019 in which it invited three 
firms to tender for the role of external auditor; 
Mazars LLP was the successful tenderer. 

The Audit Committee has obtained confirmation 
from Mazars LLP that no non-audit services were 
provided by Mazars LLP during the year. The Audit 
Committee is satisfied that Mazars LLP  
remains independent. 

Key matters considered
In March 2022, the Committee met to review this 
Annual Report and to receive the external auditor’s 
update and report on its audit activity.

The Committee’s primary areas of focus have been:

 ▪ Risk of fraud in revenue recognition. There is a 
presumption under the International Auditing 
Standards that there is a significant risk of fraud 
in the timing of revenue recognition leading to 
the material misstatement of revenue overall. 
This is because revenue is an area of particular 
focus by users of financial statements and can be 
subject to judgments as to when the full risk and 
reward of the ownership of an asset has passed. 

 ▪ Takings are an exact reflection of the cash 

received at the bank. A daily double 
reconciliation between the cash recorded and 
the machine counters (cash and statistics) is 
carried out.

 ▪ A cut-off calculation of the takings is made per 

machine and enables the most accurate possible 
turnover to be recorded each month. This 
calculation has been unchanged for more than 
15 years and has been tested by successive 
audits over this time.

68

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate Governance ▪ Management override of controls. Management 
at various levels within an organisation are in a 
unique position to perpetrate fraud because of 
their ability to manipulate accounting records and 
prepare fraudulent financial statements by 
overriding controls that otherwise appear to be  
operating effectively.

 ▪ Management has a read-only access in the 
operational and accounting systems of the 
Group. In no circumstances can a member of 
management be allowed to make any payment 
whatsoever. There is a strict segregation of duties 
between the payment preparing, the validation 
and then the (double) payment signing. In total, 
each payment involves four people.

 ▪ Recognition and valuation of other intangible 

assets (significant). There is a risk that intangible 
assets don’t meet the recognition criteria to be 
recognised as intangible assets. Due to its 
complex nature, there is a further risk over the 
valuation of the intangible assets. 

 ▪ Valuation of Defined Benefit Obligations. Define 
benefit obligations contain significant judgments 
and valuations due to the complex nature of 
actuarial assumptions. 

 ▪ Valuation, allocation and Impairment of 

Goodwill. The Goodwill recognition is deemed as 
judgemental area by the audit team. 

1.  The risk of error arising from the 

appropriateness of the judgments and 
assumptions used in the impairment test of 
goodwill in particular discount rate, long term 
growth rate (in a context of COVID 19), and 
country risk adjustment. 

2.  Besides, the Group acquired three companies 
during the period (Photo Plaza in Japan, Resto’ 
Clock in France and NRG in Australia).

The Intangible Assets of Resto’Clock and NRG 
subsidiaries will be considered in the subsequent 
2022-2023 period (brand, customer 
relationships, and contract-related assets 
distributor agreement) and will be depreciated 
over an appropriated period. The residual 
amount will be booked as Goodwill and 
consequently not amortized.

Regarding Photo Plaza, On 1 February 2021 the 
Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital 
of Photo Plaza Co Ltd.

The goodwill of £647,000 arising from the 
acquisition is attributable to the anticipated 
operational benefits and improvements to the 
Group’s commercial offering.

As part of the purchase price allocation, the 
Group has recognised separately identifiable 
acquired intangible assets in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards, and 
had their fair values assessed by an independent 
expert. The following intangible assets were 
identified and recognised at their fair value:

 ▪ Order backlog of £1,440,000

 ▪ Customer relationships of £6,198,000

UEL for the acquired intangibles is seven years.

The Committee’s Terms of Reference are available 
on the Company’s website.

The remuneration committee
During the year period ended 31 October 2021, the 
Remuneration Committee comprised Emmanuel 
Olympitis (Committee Chairman), Jean-Marcel 
Denis (Chairman of the Audit Committee), Sir John 
Lewis (Chairman of the Board), and Mr Jean-Marc 
Janailhac who was appointed to the Committee 
when he joined the Board on 22 July 2019 but 
stepped down in December 2020. Thus, the 
composition of the Committee was not compliant 
with the provisions of the Code, which require the 
Remuneration Committee of a smaller company to 
comprise at least two Independent Non-executive 
Directors with the Chairman of the Board 
additionally being permitted to serve as a member 
providing that he or she was considered 
independent on his or her appointment as chairman, 
which was the case. Mr Janailhac resigned from the 
Committee in December 2020.

The Committee meets at least once per year. It met 
twice in the year ended 31 October 2021.

The Committee makes recommendations to the full 
Board in respect of the Group’s remuneration policy. 
The Committee also keeps under review the 
remuneration of the Chairman and the Group’s 
Executive Directors, to ensure that they are 
rewarded fairly for their contribution. The 
Committee also makes awards under the Executive 
Share Option Scheme. The Committee’s Terms of 
Reference are available on the Company’s website.

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Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceCorporate Governances continued

The Remuneration Report on pages 74 to 90 
provides details of how the Committee applies the 
directors’ remuneration principles of the Code.

The Nomination Committee
During the year ended 31 October 2021, the 
Nomination Committee comprised Sir John Lewis 
(Committee Chairman), Emmanuel Olympitis and 
Jean-Marcel Denis. The Chairman of the Board 
would not chair the Remuneration Committee when 
it addresses the appointment of his or her successor. 
Thus the Committee is compliant with the 
applicable provisions of the Code which requires 
that a majority of members of the Committee are 
independent non-executive directors, and that its 
chairman should not chair the committee when it is 
dealing with the appointment of his or her successor.

The Committee, which meets as required, makes 
recommendations to the Board on the appointment 
of new directors. The Committee met twice in the 
year ended 31 October 2021.

The Nomination Committee is committed to the 
pursuit of diversity, including gender diversity, 
throughout the business. Appointments to the 
Board are made on merit, against objective 
criteria and with due regard for the benefits of 
diversity on the Board, including gender 
diversity. The Nomination Committee does not 
commit to any specific targets. The Group’s 
Diversity Policy also recognises the benefits of 
diversity. The Nomination Committee will ensure 
that its development in this area is consistent 
with the Group’s current and future 
requirements, enhances Board effectiveness, 
and reflects the Company’s UK listing and the 
international activity of the Group.

Executive Committee
As part of actions to further stabilise executive 
governance, the Group has taken the decision to 
evolve what was the Strategic Committee into a 
new Executive Committee. The Group believes 
this is the correct Committee to provide 
coherence, optimise synergies, share best 
practices and support the Group’s succession 
process.

Led by key operational management, the 
Executive Committee will provide sustainable 
management and allow the Group to better plan 
for the future.

The Executive Committee will comprises:

 ▪ Serge Crasnianski, Chief Executive Officer and 

Deputy Chairman

 ▪ Jean-Marc Janailhac, Executive Director  

(Chair of the Executive Committee)
 ▪ Tania Crasnianski, Executive Director 
 ▪ Stéphane Gibon, Chief Financial Officer
 ▪ Alessandro Reitelli, France and Continental Europe
 ▪ Christian Autié, Asia Pacific
 ▪ Pascal Faucher, President KIS, Food Division
 ▪ Nathalie Lamri, Chief Marketing Officer
 ▪ Virginie Winkelmuller, HR Director

The Executive Committee will meet once a month to 
decide all strategies, resources and Group actions. 
Each member of the operational management team 
will be responsible for, and in charge of, implementing 
the decisions from within their business area.

A larger Group Managers Committee will meet every 
three months, gathering country managers together 
with the Executive Committee in order to discuss 
and review the implementation of communication, 
decisions and actions that have been decided by the 
Executive Committee meetings.

Shareholder communication and engagement
The Chief Executive Officer has regular meetings with 
the Company’s major institutional shareholders to 
help ensure, amongst others, that the Board 
develops an understanding of the views of major 
shareholders about the Company and the Group.

The Chairman also meets with major shareholders and 
has contact with them as and when required. The Senior 
Independent Non-executive Director and, where 
appropriate, other Non-executive Directors, are also 
made available to meet with major shareholders on 
request. Any pertinent feedback arising from such 
meetings is reported to the Board at its regular meetings 
and/or by correspondence or dialogue.

In normal circumstances, private investors are 
encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting 
and have the opportunity to question the Board. 
All members of the Board usually attend the 
Annual General Meeting. Shareholders are given 
the opportunity to vote on each separate issue. 
The number of proxy votes lodged is given at the 
meeting after the vote on a show of hands for each 
resolution and is published on the Company’s website 
after the meeting.

70

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceAccountability and internal control
The Board is ultimately responsible for the Group’s 
systems of internal control and risk management, and 
for reviewing their effectiveness. This is effected by 
receiving reports from the Audit Committee following 
its review. The Board confirms that it has reviewed 
the effectiveness of the systems of internal control 
and risk management for the year under review. The 
Board is generally satisfied that such systems have 
operated adequately throughout the period.

The system of internal control is designed to manage, 
rather than eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve 
business objectives. Such a system can, however, 
provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss.

The Group has in place processes for identifying, 
evaluating and managing the significant risks that are 
applicable to the business. The Board regularly 
reviews these processes.

Internal control and risk management in 
relation to the financial reporting process
The Group has a thorough assurance process in place 
in respect of the preparation, verification and approval 
of periodic financial reports.

This process includes:

 ▪ The involvement of qualified, professional 

employees with an appropriate level of experience 
(both in Group finance and throughout the business)

 ▪ Formal sign-offs from appropriate business 

segment Managing Directors and  
Finance Directors

 ▪ Comprehensive review and, where appropriate, 
challenge from key internal Group functions

 ▪ A transparent process to ensure full disclosure of 

information to the external auditor

 ▪ Engagement of a professional and experienced firm 

as external auditor

The Chief Executive Officer is ultimately responsible 
for risk management. Executive Managers of 
individual Group companies are responsible for the 
identification, evaluation and management of the 
key risks applicable to their areas of responsibility. 
These risks are assessed on a regular basis.

 ▪ Oversight by the Audit Committee, involving 

(amongst other things):

i.  A detailed review of key financial reporting 

judgments that have been discussed  
by management

The Managers of Group companies are aware of their 
responsibility to operate systems of internal control 
that are effective and efficient for their businesses, to 
provide reliable financial information and to ensure 
compliance with local laws and regulations.

The Group has a comprehensive budgeting system, 
with an annual budget approved by the Board. Actual 
results are reported monthly through the Group’s 
financial systems, and variances are reviewed. The 
Audit Committee receives reports from both the 
internal auditor and the external auditor and reports 
its conclusions to the Board.

A whistle-blowing procedure by which staff may 
raise concerns about possible improprieties in 
matters of financial reporting or other matters, was 
in place throughout the year. The whistle-blowing 
policy can be found on the Company’s website.

ii.  Review and, where appropriate, challenge on 
matters including: the consistency of, and any 
changes to, significant accounting policies and 
practices during the year; significant adjustments 
arising as a result of the external audit; the going 
concern assumption; and the Company’s 
statement on internal control systems, before 
endorsement by the Board

The above process, plus the review by the Audit 
Committee of a comprehensive note that sets out the 
details of the preparation, internal verification and 
approval process for the Annual Report and Accounts, 
provides comfort to the Board that the Annual Report 
and Accounts, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and 
understandable, and give the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and 
performance, business model and strategy.

71

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceStatement of Directors’ Responsibilities

The Directors of the Company, who 
are named on page 62, are responsible 
for preparing the Annual Report, the 
Report of the Directors and the 
Group and Company financial 
statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare 
financial statements for the Group and the 
Company for each financial year. Under that law, 
the Directors are required to prepare the Group 
financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 
as adopted by the European Union and applicable 
law and have elected to prepare the Company’s 
financial statements on the same basis.

Under company law, the Directors must not 
approve the financial statements unless they are 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the 
state of affairs of the Group and the Company and 
of their respective profit or loss for that period. In 
preparing each of the Group and the Company’s 
financial statements, the Directors are required to:

 ▪ Select suitable accounting policies and then 

apply them consistently;

 ▪ Make judgments and accounting estimates that 

are reasonable and prudent;

 ▪ State whether they have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the 
European Union; and

 ▪ Prepare the financial statements on the 

going-concern basis unless it is inappropriate to 
presume that the Group and the Parent 
Company will continue in business.

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

72

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceThe Directors have general responsibility for taking 
such steps as are reasonably open to them to 
safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent 
and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors 
are also responsible for preparing a Strategic 
Report, Directors’ Report, Directors’ Remuneration 
Report and Corporate Governance Statement that 
comply with that law and those regulations.

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

Responsibility Statement of the Directors 
in respect of the annual financial report
Each of the Directors of the Company, whose 
names and functions are listed on page 62, 
confirms that, to the best of his or her knowledge:

 ▪ The financial statements, prepared in 

accordance with IFRS as adopted by the 
European Union, give a true and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or 
loss of the Company and the undertakings 
included in the consolidation taken as a whole; 
and 

 ▪ The Strategic Report, which is incorporated into 

the Report of the Directors, includes a fair 
review of the development and performance 
of the business and the position of the 
Company and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole, together with a 
description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that they face. 

Fair, balanced and understandable
In accordance with the principles of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code, the Directors have 
arrangements in place to ensure that the 
information presented in the Annual Report is fair, 
balanced and understandable; these are described 
on pages 72 and 73.

The Board considers, on the advice of its Audit 
Committee, that the Annual Report, taken as a 
whole, is fair, balanced and understandable, and 
provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Company’s and the 
Group’s position and performance, business model 
and strategy.

Significant accounting policies, critical 
estimates and key judgments 
Our significant accounting policies are set out on 
pages 109 and following of the consolidated 
financial statements and conform to IFRS as 
adopted by the European Union. These policies 
and applicable estimation techniques have been 
reviewed by the Directors who have confirmed 
them to be appropriate for the preparation of the 
2020/2021 consolidated financial statements.

Statement of Compliance with UK Listing 
Rules, Rule 9.8.4(14) 
The Company is putting in place a written and 
legally binding agreement as required by Listing 
Rule 9.2.2ADR(1). The election and re-election of 
Independent Directors at the Company’s annual 
general meeting to be held on 29 April 2022 will be 
conducted in accordance with Listing Rules 9.2.2ER 
and 9.2.2FR.

By order of the Board

Sir John Lewis OBE
Non-executive Chairman

30 March 2022 

73

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceDirectors’ Remuneration Report

Emmanuel Olympitis
Chairman of the  
Remuneration Committee

In the 12 months ended 31 October 
2021, the Committee’s work has 
largely been focused on addressing 
the challenges arising as a result of 
the ongoing global pandemic. 

Dear Shareholder,
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present our 
Directors’ Remuneration Report which covers the 
12 months ended 31 October 2021. 

This report has been prepared in line with the 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and 
Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) 
Regulations 2008 (as amended). The report has 
also been prepared in line with the 
recommendations of the 2018 UK Corporate 
Governance Code and the requirements of the 
UKLA Listing Rules.

The report is divided into three sections:
 ▪ This Annual Statement, which summarises the 

work of the Committee, remuneration 
outcomes in 2020/21 and how the 
Remuneration Policy will be operated in 
2021/22;

 ▪ The Remuneration Policy Report, which details 
the Company’s Remuneration Policy (Policy) for 
the remuneration of Executive and Non-
executive Directors, which was approved by 
shareholders at the 2020 AGM held on  
30 April 2021; and

 ▪ The Annual Report on Remuneration, which 
discloses details of the Committee, how the 
Policy was implemented in the year ended  
31 October 2021, and how the Policy will operate 
for the year ending 31 October 2022.

The Annual Statement and Annual Report on 
Remuneration will be subject to an advisory 
shareholder vote at the AGM on 29 April 2022.

Work of the committee during the 
12 months ended 31 October 2021
The Committee’s main activities during the period 
were as follows:

 ▪ Setting the targets for the 2021/2022  

annual bonus;

 ▪ Agreeing the performance against the targets 
for the 2017 ESOS awards and determining 
vesting levels;

 ▪ Agreeing the award levels and performance 

targets for the 2021 ESOS awards;

 ▪ Agreeing the remuneration arrangements for 

joiners and leavers; and

 ▪ Agreeing the fees and salaries/fees of the new 

directors appointed on 23 June 2021.

In addition, the Committee has sought to ensure 
that the Policy and practices are consistent with the 
six factors set out in Provision 40 of the 2018 UK 
Corporate Governance Code:

74

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceThe Committee takes an active interest 
in shareholder views on our executive 
Remuneration Policy and is mindful of  
the concerns of shareholders and 
other stakeholders. 

Emmanuel Olympitis
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Clarity – The Policy is understood by our senior 
executive team and we have sought to articulate it 
clearly to our shareholders and representative 
bodies (both on an ongoing basis and during 
consultation when changes are being made).

Simplicity – The Committee is mindful of the need 
to avoid overly complex remuneration structures 
which can be misunderstood and deliver 
unintended outcomes. Therefore, a key objective of 
the Committee is to ensure that our executive 
remuneration policies and practices are 
straightforward to communicate and operate.

Risk – Our Policy has been designed to ensure that 
inappropriate risk-taking is discouraged and will not 
be rewarded via: (i) the balanced use of both short 
and market value options which employ a blend of 
financial, non-financial and share price hurdles;  
(ii) the significant role played by equity in our 
incentive plans; and (iii) malus/clawback provisions.

Predictability – Our incentive plans are subject to 
individual caps, with our share plans also subject to 
market standard dilution limits.

Proportionality – There is a clear link between 
individual awards, delivery of strategy and our 
long-term performance.

Alignment to culture – Our executive pay policies 
are aligned to culture through the use of metrics in 
both the annual bonus and share options that 
measure how we perform against our KPIs and the 
long-term performance of the share price.

Remuneration Outcomes In 2020/21 
The performance of the Group is summarised on 
page 4 and in the financial statements on pages 92 
to 168.

In respect of the annual bonus for the year ended 
31 October 2021, while the profit and personal/
strategic targets were met in full, Mr Crasnianski 
and Mr Janailhac recommended to the 
Remuneration Committee post year end that no 
annual bonuses should be paid to them. The 
Remuneration Committee accepted this 
recommendation for the last financial year. 
However, subject to ongoing individual and 
company performance, and only after appropriate 
consultation with major shareholders, the 
Committee will consider if it is appropriate to pay 
some or all of the bonuses that would have been 
payable, after the announcement of the 2022 
interim results. Tania Crasnianski was not eligible 
for an annual bonus as she was only recently 
appointed to the Board.

The Directors unanimously agreed to a salary/fee 
reduction of 20% as from 1 July 2020; this voluntary 
reduction ceased as of 1 August 2021 and rates 
resumed to 100%. 

No share option awards held by current Executive 
Directors vested in the year ended 31 October 2021.

75

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceDirectors’ Remuneration Report continued

Implementation of the remuneration policy 
for 2021/22
The Committee proposes to operate the Policy for 
the year ending 31 October 2022 as follows:

Executive Directors’ current base salaries are  
as follows: 

Role

CEO

Name

Serge 
Crasnianski1

Executive 
Director

Jean-Marc 
Janailhac

Executive 
Director

Tania 
Crasnianski

Salary from  
1 November 
2021

 Salary from 
1 November 
2020

£560,211

£560,211

£195,0292,4

£180,0003,4

£257,0005

–

1  Or appointment if later 
2  Based on a conversion rate.
3  Based on a conversion rate as at 1 November 2020 of €1:£0.90.
4  Delivered in two parts, namely £45,000 and €216,000. Following a 

review of Jean-Marc Janailhac’s time commitment and 
responsibility levels, the amount paid in Euros was increased from 
€150,000 to €216,000 from 1 August 2021.

5  Ms Crasnianski has been paid €230,000 from appointment under 
a contract with Photomaton France SAS, and £50,000 under a 
contract with Photo-Me Limited. The salary is shown using a 
conversion rate as at 1 November 2021 of €1.1513:£1.

 ▪ Benefit and pension provisions will be in line 

with the approved Policy although it should be 
noted that Mr Crasnianski’s pension contribution 
will be aligned to that offered to the general 
workforce from 1 January 2023.

 ▪ The annual bonus for the year ending 

31 October 2022 will continue to be capped at 
150% of salary, with targets based on pre-tax 
profit growth (80% of the bonus) and a number 
of key personal/strategic targets (20% of the 
bonus). The bonus targets are currently 
considered to be commercially sensitive and as 
such, the targets and performance against the 
targets will be disclosed retrospectively in next 
year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report.

 ▪ Future grants of ESOS awards to Executive 

Directors will be kept under review.

Use of discretion
In determining remuneration outcomes for the year 
ended 31 October 2021, the Committee has not 
exercised discretion.

Shareholder engagement
The Committee takes an active interest in 
shareholder views on our Executive Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy and is mindful of the 
concerns of shareholders and other stakeholders. 
This is reflected in the Company’s voting results at 
the 2021 AGM (approval of the current 
Remuneration Policy and the Annual Statement 
and Remuneration Report), with both relevant 
resolutions supported by a significant majority  
of shareholders.

Yours faithfully,

Emmanuel Olympitis
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

30 March 2022

76

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceRemuneration Policy Report

A summary of the Policy 
approved by shareholders 
at the 2020 AGM held on  
30 April 2021 is set out 
below. The full Policy is 
set out in the Annual  
Report 2020.

The Committee’s Remuneration Policy for the 
Executive Directors is to have regard to the 
directors’ experience and the nature and 
complexity of their work in order to provide a 
competitive remuneration package that attracts, 
retains and motivates high-calibre executives from 
whom first-class performance is expected. The 
Remuneration Policy is also intended to be 

consistent with the Company’s business objectives, 
risk profile and shareholder interests.

In order to align the interests of shareholders and 
Executive Directors, a significant proportion of the 
remuneration of Executive Directors is 
performance-related, through an annual bonus 
plan and the grant of share options.

The Committee will ensure that the incentive 
structures for Executive Directors and senior 
managers will not raise environmental, social or 
governance (“ESG”) risks by inadvertently 
motivating irresponsible behaviour. More generally, 
with regard to overall remuneration structures, 
there is no restriction on the Committee that 
prevents it from taking into account ESG matters, 
nor do these remuneration structures encourage 
inappropriate operational risk-taking.

Purpose and link to 
strategy

Operation

Maximum

Performance measures

Component

Salary

Reflects the value 
of the individual 
and their role

Normally reviewed 
annually, effective 
1 May

Reflects skills and 
experience over 
time

Provides an 
appropriate level of 
basic fixed income, 
avoiding excessive 
risk arising from 
over-reliance on 
variable income

Normally paid in 
cash; pensionable

Comparison against 
companies with 
similar characteristics 
and comparators 
taken into account 
in review

Benefits

Provides insured 
benefits to support 
the individual and 
their family during 
periods of ill health 
or death

Gives allowances to 
support individuals 
in their relevant 
roles

Includes company 
car and private 
medical insurance, 
and may include an 
overseas housing 
allowance for a 
director working 
outside of his or her 
country of normal 
residence

Other benefits may 
be offered where 
appropriate 

n/a

n/a

The Committee is 
guided by the 
requirements of the 
Company and 
prevailing market 
levels

However, no 
Executive Director will 
receive a base salary 
increase in excess of 
10% p.a., except to 
reflect the fact that 
their salary was set at 
a lower level initially, 
with the intention that 
the salary be 
increased  
to a more market-
reflective level as the 
individual gains 
experience (subject  
to performance)

Benefits will not 
normally be provided 
with a value per 
Executive Director in 
excess of £75,000 p.a.

77

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceRemuneration Policy Report continued

Component

Purpose and link to 
strategy

Operation

Maximum

Performance measures

Performance is 
assessed on an annual 
basis, based on the 
achievement of 
objectives relating to 
financial performance, 
progress of strategic 
priorities and/or 
personal targets. The 
specific measures used 
in the bonus and their 
weighting may vary each 
year depending on 
business context and 
strategy

Clawback provisions are 
operated

n/a

The Remuneration 
Committee may set 
such performance 
conditions on awards as 
it considers appropriate 
(whether financial or 
non-financial; and 
whether corporate, 
divisional or individual)

Up to 25% of salary 
vests at threshold, 
increasing to 150% 
vesting at maximum

Clawback provisions are 
operated

Up to 150% of base 
salary p.a.

Annual 
Bonus

Incentivises 
delivery of specific 
Company, 
divisional and 
personal annual 
goals

Maximum bonus 
only payable for 
achieving specified 
targets

Normally payable in 
cash; non-
pensionable

Committee has the 
discretion to defer up 
to 50% of the bonus 
in shares for three 
years

Pension

Provides 
competitive 
retirement benefits

Defined contribution 
Executive Directors 
may be offered cash 
in lieu of pension

Executive 
Share 
Option 
Scheme 
(ESOS)

Aligns Executive 
Directors’ interests 
with those of 
shareholders

Retention

Share 
Ownership 
Guidelines

Provides alignment 
of interests 
between Executive 
Directors and 
shareholders

Annual awards of 
market value options 
may be granted

The Committee 
reviews the quantum 
of awards annually 
and monitors the 
continuing suitability 
of the performance 
measures

In employment: 
Executive Directors 
are required to build 
and maintain a 
shareholding 
equivalent to at least 
two years’ base 
salary through the 
retention of 50% of 
the net-of-tax vested 
share awards or 
through open-
market purchases

Post cessation: 
Executive Directors 
will be required to 
retain a shareholding 
for two years post 
cessation of 
employment

New Executive 
Directors: Workforce 
aligned

Mr Crasnianski: 
Workforce aligned 
from 1 January 2023

Up to 150% of base 
salary p.a.

In employment: 200% 
of salary

Post cessation: 100% 
of the in-employment 
guideline (or actual 
shareholding if lower) 
excluding: (i) own 
shares purchased/
shares currently held; 
and (ii) shares vesting 
from any share award 
granted prior to the 
2021 AGM

78

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceComponent

Non-
Executive 
Directors

Purpose and link to 
strategy

Provides fees 
reflecting time 
commitments and 
responsibilities, in 
line with those 
provided by 
similarly sized 
companies

Operation

Maximum

Performance measures

Cash fee paid on a 
monthly basis; fees 
are reviewed annually

Not entitled to 
participate in any 
Group pension 
scheme. No awards 
to be granted under 
the annual bonus or 
ESOS

No Non-executive 
Director receives any 
benefits in kind 
(other than in respect 
of the expenses 
relating to the 
performance of that 
individual’s duties, 
such as travel to/
from Board 
meetings)

n/a

The Committee is 
guided by market 
rates, time 
commitments and 
responsibility levels

However, aggregate 
annual fees will not 
exceed £750,000 or 
such other figure as 
provided for in the 
Company’s Articles of 
Association from time 
to time

The Board may 
request that a 
Non-executive 
Director undertake 
services not within the 
normal scope of his or 
her role. Should this 
be the case in the 
future, a commercial 
rate would be paid 
and full disclosure 
would be provided in 
the relevant Directors’ 
Remuneration Report

Choice of performance measures
The Committee has given careful consideration to 
the performance measures applicable to both the 
annual bonus and the 2014 Executive Share  
Option Scheme.

The choice of the performance metrics applicable 
to the annual bonus scheme reflects the 
Committee’s belief that any incentive 
compensation should be appropriately challenging, 
with the majority (or the entirety) linked to the 
achievement of profit-related targets. The 
Committee may also link a proportion of the annual 
bonus to strategic and/or personal objectives if it 
deems this appropriate with regard to the 
Company’s key objectives. The earnings per share 
(EPS) performance condition, applicable to the 
2014 Executive Share Option Scheme, was selected 
by the Committee on the basis that it incentivises 
the delivery of sustainable long-term financial 
performance and rewards management for 
growing the Company while retaining an 
appropriate profit margin. The use of share options 
retains a robust link between management and 
shareholders by incentivising management to 
deliver long-term growth in the Company’s share 
price. The Committee retains discretion over the 
use of other financial/share price-based 
performance metrics and the calculation of EPS in 

order to appropriately adjust for any material 
one-off items including (but not limited to) major 
acquisitions, changes in accounting policies and 
major share issues.

The Committee operates the 2014 Executive Share 
Option Scheme in accordance with the scheme 
rules, the Listing Rules and HMRC legislation. The 
Committee, consistent with market practice, 
retains discretion over a number of areas relating to 
the operation and administration of the plan.

How employees’ pay is taken into account
The Committee is aware of the general pay and 
conditions in the Group as a whole when 
determining the directors’ Remuneration Policy 
and its implementation. However, reflecting 
standard practice, employees are not consulted in 
the formulation of the policy.

How shareholders’ views are taken  
into account
The Committee continues to take an active interest 
in shareholder views on our executive Remuneration 
Policy and is mindful of the concerns of shareholders 
and other stakeholders. This is reflected in the voting 
result at the AGM held in 2021, with 94.84% 
shareholder support (of votes cast) in respect of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

79

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceRemuneration Policy Report continued

Approach to recruitment and promotions
The remuneration package for a new Executive 
Director would be set in accordance with the terms 
of the Company’s prevailing approved 
Remuneration Policy at the time of appointment 
and takes into account the skills and experience of 
the individual, the market rate for a candidate of 
that experience and the importance of securing the 
relevant individual.

Service contracts will be subject to any mandatory 
provisions of foreign laws where such laws govern a 
director’s contract of employment providing that 
the use of such foreign law is not deliberately used 
to circumvent this policy.

The salary would be provided at such a level as 
required to attract the most appropriate candidate, 
and may be set initially at a below mid-market level 
on the basis that it may progress towards the 
mid-market level once expertise and performance 
have been proven and sustained.

Consistent with Part 4 of the Large and Medium-
sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and 
Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 as 
amended, any caps contained within the policy for 
fixed pay do not apply to new recruits, although the 
Committee would not envisage exceeding these 
caps in practice unless absolutely necessary.

The annual bonus potential would be limited to 
150% of salary, and grants under the 2014 Executive 
Share Option Scheme would be limited to 150% of 
salary. In addition, the Committee may offer 
additional cash and/or share-based elements to 
replace deferred or incentive pay forfeited by an 
executive leaving a previous employer. It would 
seek to ensure, where possible, that these awards 
would be consistent with awards forfeited, in terms 
of vesting periods, expected value and 
performance conditions.

For an internal Executive Director appointment, 
any variable pay element awarded in respect of the 
prior role may be allowed to pay out according to 
its original terms.

For external and internal appointments, the 
Committee may agree that the Company will 
meet certain relocation and/or incidental expenses, 
as appropriate.

Fee structure and quantum for Non-executive 
Director appointments will be based on the 
prevailing Non-executive director fee policy.

Approach to leavers
No Executive Director has the benefit of provisions 
in his or her service contract for the payment of 
predetermined compensation in the event of a 
termination of employment. It has been the 
Committee’s general policy that the service 
contracts of Executive Directors (none of which is 
for a fixed term) should provide for termination of 
employment by giving notice or by making a 
payment of an amount equal to base salary (and in 
the case of the CEO and other Executive Directors, 
an additional amount equal to the cost of providing 
any benefits for the period of notice) in lieu of any 
unserved notice period. It is the Committee’s 
general policy that no Executive Director should be 
entitled to a notice period or payment on 
termination of employment in excess of the levels 
set out in his or her service contract. In determining 
amounts payable on termination, the Committee 
also considers, where it is able to do so, appropriate 
adjustments to take into account accelerated 
receipt and the Executive Director’s duty to 
mitigate his or her loss. An annual bonus may be 
payable with respect to the period of the financial 
year served, although it will be prorated for time 
served and paid at the normal pay-out date.

The treatment of any share awards granted to an 
Executive Director will be determined based on the 
relevant scheme rules.

The default treatment under the 2004 Executive 
Share Option Scheme is that any outstanding 
awards or unexercised options lapse on cessation 
of employment. However, in certain prescribed 
circumstances (e.g. death, ill health, disability, 
redundancy or other circumstances at the 
discretion of the Committee), “good leaver” status 
is applied. In this scenario, other than in the case of 
a retirement, any outstanding options will normally 
be exercisable on the date of cessation and remain 
exercisable for a period of six months (or 12 months 
in the case of death). On a retirement, options vest 
at the normal vesting date and remain exercisable 
for a period of six months.

The default treatment under the 2014 Executive 
Share Option Scheme is that any outstanding 
awards or unexercised options lapse on cessation 
of employment. However, in certain prescribed 
circumstances (e.g. death, injury, disability or other 
circumstances at the discretion of the Committee), 
“good leaver” status can be applied at the 
discretion of the Committee or shall apply in 
relation to HMRC tax-favoured options as relevant. 

80

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceIn this scenario, any outstanding options will 
normally be exercisable on the date of cessation 
and remain exercisable for a period of six months 
(or 12 months in the case of death). Alternatively, in 
the case of non-tax favoured options, the 
Committee has the discretion to determine that 
good leavers’ awards should continue to be 
exercisable based on the normal timetable.

The extent to which outstanding option awards 
become exercisable for good leavers will depend on 
the satisfaction of any applicable performance 
conditions (over a curtailed or full performance 
period, as relevant). Time pro rating of options will 
apply to good leavers’ awards unless the Committee 
determines that time prorating is inappropriate.

The Company has the power to enter into 
settlement agreements with Directors and to pay 
compensation to settle potential legal claims. In 
addition, and consistent with market practice, in 
the event of the termination of an Executive 
Director, the Company may make a contribution 
towards that individual’s legal fees and fees for 
outplacement services as part of a negotiated 
settlement. Any such fees will be disclosed as part 
of the detail of termination arrangements. For the 
avoidance of doubt, the policy does not include an 
explicit cap on the cost of termination payments.

Service contracts
Details of the CEO’s and the other Executive 
Directors’ service contracts are as follows:

Executive Director

Serge Crasnianski¹

Jean-Marc Janailhac3

Date of 
contract Notice period

01/05/2010

12 months2

6 months

19/06/2020 
and 
12/12/2019

Tania Crasnianski

23/06/2021

12 months2

All Non-executive Directors are appointed for 
specified terms, subject to re-election at the AGM 
immediately following their appointment, and 
every three years thereafter. None of the Non-
Executive Directors will ordinarily be entitled to 
compensation upon termination of their 
involvement with the Company. However, if a 
Non-executive Director should be removed as a 
result of a resolution duly proposed and resolved 
by members of the Company during the non-
Executive Director’s normal term of appointment, 
he or she will be entitled to compensation equal to 
three months’ fees, and in the case of the chairman, 
six months’ fees. The relevant appointment letter 
and term dates of the Non-executive Directors are 
set out below: 

External appointments
The Board may allow Executive Directors to accept appropriate outside commercial Non-executive 
Director appointments provided the aggregate commitment is compatible with their duties as an Executive 
Director. Whether or not the Executive Director concerned may retain fees paid for these services will be 
considered on a case-by-case basis, and will be subject to approval by the Board.

Non-executive Director
Sir John Lewis4

Françoise Coutaz-Replan5

Jean-Marcel Denis6

Emmanuel Olympitis

Camille Claverie 7

Sigieri Diaz della Vittoria Pallavicini 8

René Proglio 9

Appointment letter 
date

Year of last election

Expected year of 
expiry of current

26/07/2010

27/08/2015

01/03/2012

11/11/2009

23/06/2021

23/06/2021

23/06/2021

2018

2018

2018

2019

n/a

n/a

n/a

2021

2021

2021

2022

2021

2021

2021

1  Mr Crasnianski’s contract is with Photo-Me Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Mr Crasnianski’s services are also made. available 

under a consultancy agreement with Photo-Me Limited and a third party that makes Mr Crasnianski’s services available to the Company.

2  Where served by the Company; six months, notice where served by the Director or where applicable their service company.
3  Appointed to the Board on 22 July 2019 as a Non-executive director, he became an Executive director on 27 in July 2020. Mr Janailhac’s services 
are also made available under a consultancy agreement with Photo-Me Limited and a third party that makes Mr janailhac’s services available  
to the Company.

4  First appointed to the Board on 3 July 2008.
5  First appointed to the Board as Group Finance Director on 24 September 2009, and resigned as Executive Director on 27 August 2015.
6  First appointed to the Board on 1 March 2012. Mr Denis’s contract is with Photo-Me Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Mr 
Denis’s services are made available under a consultancy agreement with Photo-Me Limited and a third party that makes Mr Denis’s services 
available to the company.

7  First appointed to the Board on 23 June 2021. Ms Claverie’s contract is with Photo-Me Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
8  First appointed to the Board on 23 June 2021. Mr Pallavicini’s contract is with Photo-Me Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
9  First appointed to the Board on 23 June 2021, Mr Proglio’s services are made available under a consultancy agreement with Photo-Me Limited and 

a third party that makes Mr Proglio’s services available to the Company.

81

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceAnnual Report on Remuneration

Implementation of the 
Remuneration Policy 
for the year ending 
31 October 2022.

The following section provides the details of how 
the Remuneration Policy will be implemented 
during the year ending 31 October 2022. 

Base salary
The base salary for each Executive Director is 
reviewed annually by the Committee and the 
current applicable base salaries (shown before any 
voluntary reductions) are as follows:

Executive Director

Serge Crasnianski

1 November 
20211

1 November 
2020

£560,211

£560,211

Jean-Marc Janailhac2

£239,400

£180,000

Tania Crasnianski3

£257,000

–

1  Or appointment
2  Mr Janailhac was originally appointed to the Board in July 2019 as a 
Non-executive Director on a fee of £45,000 p.a. When he was 
appointed an Executive Director on 17 July 2020, it was agreed that 
he would continue to receive the £45,000 plus an additional 
amount of €150,000 p.a. The latter portion of his salary was 
increased to €216,000 with effect from 1 August 2021 to reflect the 
Remuneration Committee’s assessment of his role and 
responsibilities. The 2021/2022 salary is shown using a conversion 
rate as at 1 November 2020 of €1:£0.93

3  Ms Crasnianski has been paid €230,000 under a contract with 
Photomaton France SAS, and £50,000 under a contract with 
Photo-Me Limited. The salary is shown using a conversion rate as at 
1 November 2021 of €1:£0.85.

Pension and benefits
Mr Crasnianski will continue to receive a pension 
contribution equal to 15% of base salary in the form 
of a salary supplement although it should be noted 
that Mr Crasnianski’s pension contribution will be 
aligned to that offered to the general workforce 
from 1 January 2023. To the extent that either or 
both of Ms Crasnianski and Mr Janailhac receive 
any pension contribution for 2021/2022, it will be 
aligned with that of the work force. Mr Crasnianski 
also received private healthcare as a benefit.

Benefits
Benefit provision will continue to be in line with the 
approved Remuneration Policy.

Annual bonus
The annual bonus for the year ending 31 October 
2022 will continue to be capped at 150% of salary, 
with targets based on pre-tax profit growth (80% 
of the bonus) and a number of key personal/
strategic targets (20% of the bonus). The bonus 
targets are currently considered to be commercially 
sensitive and as such, the targets and performance 
against the targets will be disclosed retrospectively 
in next year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Long-term incentives
The Remuneration Committee is not currently 
considering granting any options to the CEO or the 
other Executive Directors under the 2014 Executive 
Share Option Scheme (ESOS) this year.

Non-executive Directors 
The fees for Non-executive Directors are reviewed at least once every three years; the current applicable 
fee levels for the roles below (shown before any voluntary reductions) are as follows:

Non-executive Director

Role

Sir John Lewis

Chairman

Emmanuel Olympitis

Senior Independent Director

Committee chairman

Chair of Nomination 
Committee

Chair of 
Remuneration 
Committee

1 November 
2021 £ 

1 November 
2020 £

132,000

132,000

55,000

55,000

Françoise Coutaz-Replan

Non-executive Director

–

Jean-Marcel Denis

Non-executive Director

Chair of Audit 
Committee

Yitzhak Apeloig

Camille Claverie 

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director

Sigieri Diaz Pallavicini

Non-executive Director

René Proglio 

Non-executive Director

–

–

–

–

1  Mr Apeloig resigned from the Board on 30 April 2021.
2  Ms Claverie has chosen not to receive any fee. 

44,000

49,500

n/a1

02

45,000 

45,000 

44,000

49,500

44,000

n/a

n/a

n/a

82

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceSingle total figure of remuneration (audited)
The detailed emoluments received by the Executive and Non-executive Directors for the 12 months ended 31 October 
2021 and the 18 months ended 31 October 2020 are shown below:

Executive Directors
Serge Crasnianski4

Jean-Marc Janailhac8

Tania Crasnianski

Non-executive Directors
Sir John Lewis6

Yitzhak Apeloig9

Françoise  
Coutaz-Replan5

Jean-Marcel Denis10

Emmanuel Olympitis

Camille Claverie 

Sigieri Diaz Pallavicini

René Proglio11

Year

Months

Salary/ 
Fees  
£

Benefits1  
£

Bonus2  
£

LTI  
£

Pension3 
 £

Total

Total fixed  
remuner 
-ation

Total  
variable 
remuner 
-ation

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

12

476,180

16,498

18 830,035 

30,248 

12

18

12

195,0297

52,703

88,9547

–

– 

–

–

0

0

0

0

0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

71,427

564,105

564,105

123,965 984,248

984,248

– 195,0297

195,0297

–

–

–

52,703

88,9547

–

52,703

88,9547

–

0

0

0

0

0

–

2020 

n/a

n/a

Year

Months

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

12

18

12

18

12

18

12

18

12

18

12

18

12

18

12

18

Salary/ 
Fees  
£

108,900

189,200

14,667

66,000

37,400

110,317

42,075

70,950

46,750

78,834

0

–

14,250

–

14,250

–

Benefits1  
£

Bonus2  
£

LTI  
£

Pension3 
 £

Total

Total fixed  
remuner 
-ation

Total  
variable 
remuner 
-ation

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 108,900

108,900

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

189,200 

189,200 

14,667 

14,667

66,000

66,000

37,400

110,317 

42,075

37,400

63,067

42,075

70,950 

70,950 

46,750

78,834

0

n/a

46,750

78,834

0

n/a

14,250

14,250

–

–

14,250

14,250

–

–

0

0

0

0

0

47,250

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1  Taxable benefits comprise the provision of private medical insurance and, where appropriate, an accommodation allowance.
2  Bonus is that awarded in respect of performance in the relevant financial year. No bonus was awarded in respect of the 12 months ended 31 October 2021.
3  The pension payment to Mr Crasnianski in the financial period ended 31 October 2021 represented 15% of base salary.
4  The emoluments of Mr Crasnianski shown above for the 12 months ended 31 October 2021 include fees totalling £396,834.30 (£608,952 for the 18 month-period 

ended 31 October 2020), payable to a third party in respect of making available the services of Serge Crasnianski to the Company. Although a reduction of 20% was 
applied to Mr Crasnianski (this is the voluntary reduction accepted owing to Covid), this reduction was not applied due to an administrative oversight to the fees 
payable to Realin Ltd for Mr Crasnianski’s services in the 2020 financial year. Realin Ltd repaid the overpayment thus made during the 2021 financial year. The 
reduction was lifted from and including 1 August 2021.

5  Ms Coutaz-Replan stepped down as an Executive Director on 27 August 2015, and was appointed as a Non-executive Director on the same date.
6  The emoluments of Sir John Lewis shown above include fees of £38,775 paid to a third party in respect of making available the services of Sir John Lewis to the 

Company (£70.8950 for the 18 month-period ended 31 October 2020).

7  Exchange rate: of €1.1513:£1
8  Mr Janailhac was appointed Non-executive Director on 22 July 2019 and was subsequently appointed an Executive Director on 17 July 2020. The emoluments of 

Mr Janailhac shown above include fees of £31,269.12 (2020: £39,836) paid to a third party in respect of making available the services of Mr Janailhac to the 
Company. Mr Janailhac’s fee/salary for the period was partially delivered in GBP (£45,000 – reduced by 20% from 1 July 2020 until 31 July 2021) and partially 
delivered in euros which when converted amounted to £158,672 fees which include a flat payment of £6,886 for travel expenses) (£39,836 for the 18 month-period 
ended 31 October 2020). The euro amount has been translated at an exchange rate using the same exchange rate mentioned in note 7 above. Mr. Mr Janailhac has 
two contracts. The discount of 20% was only applied to one contract. There will be no reimbursement as regards payments made under the contract to which the 
reduction was not applied.

9  The emoluments of Mr Apeloig (who resigned from the Board on 30 April 2021) shown above shown above were paid to a third party in respect of making available 

the services of Mr Apeloig to the Company. No reduction of 20% had been applied to Mr Apeloig’s fee due in the 2020 financial year due to an administrative 
oversight. This was rectified in the 2021financial year. 

10  The emoluments of Mr Denis shown above were paid to a third party in respect of making available the services of Mr Denis to the Company.
11  The emoluments of Mr Proglio shown above were paid to a third party in respect of making available the services of Mr Proglio to the Company.

83

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceAnnual Report on Remuneration continued

Annual Bonus

Details of the performance against the profit before tax targets for the year ended 31 October 2021 annual  
bonuses were as follows:

Financial Targets (80% of Bonus Potential) 

Executive
Group pre-tax profit between 100% and 105% of prior year1

Group pre-tax profit 5% more but less than 10% higher  
that of prior year1

Group pre-tax profit 10% or more than prior year1 

Prior year profit1

Current year actual profit result

% of bonus payable (out of 120% of salary)

1 

18 months to 31 October 2020 (annualised).

Committee discretion depending on year-on-year growth

2020/21 Annual Bonus
(% of salary)

60%

120%

£0.5m

£28.6m

0% of salary

Personal/Strategic Targets (20% of Bonus Potential)
Details of performance against the personal/strategic targets are as follows: 

Executive

Serge Crasnianski

Jean-Marc Janailhac 

Maximum Bonus

20% of bonus (30% of salary)

20% of bonus (30% of salary)

Target 1 
(10% of salary)

Target 2 
(10% of salary)

Target 3 
(10% of salary)

Continue to drive the expansion of the 
Company’s business activities – with 
particular emphasis on identifying and 
negotiating acquisitions

Devising and implementing succession 
management for senior colleagues

Identify and manage strategic acquisitions 
including post acquisition management in 
respect of delivering planned synergies and 
operational benefits

Build a new senior management team 

Manage and minimise the impact of Covid-19 
on the Company’s business activities and 
financial results where possible, maximising 
employee and customer safety at all times

Manage and minimise the impact of Covid-19 
on the Company’s business activities and 
financial results where possible, maximising 
employee and customer safety at all times

Committee Assessment 

Achieved, but please see note below

Achieved, but please see note below

Bonus Award

0% of salary1

0% of salary1

1  However, subject to ongoing individual and company performance, and only after appropriate consultation with major shareholders, the Committee will consider 

if it is appropriate to pay some or all of the bonuses that would have been payable, after the announcement of the 2022 interim results.

2  While the profit and personal/strategic targets were met in respect of the year ended 31 October 2021, Mr Crasnianski and Mr Janailhac recommended to the 
Remuneration Committee post year end that no annual bonuses should be paid to them. The Remuneration Committee accepted this recommendation.

ESOS (Audited) 

Scheme Interests Awarded In The Year (Audited) 
The Company granted the following market value share option awards (exercise price of 77.5 pence per share) to Executive 
Directors during the year ended 31 October 2021:

Executive Director

Serge Crasnianski

Jean-Marc Janailhac

Tania Crasnianski

Number of ESOS Awards

Basis

 1,000,000

150% of salary

 400,000

150% of salary

 96,774

150% of director’s fee only

Face Value1

£775,000

£310,000

£75,000

1  Based on a share price of £0.775 which was the average share price over the three days immediately prior to grant.

84

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate Governance 
Executive Director
Serge Crasnianski4

Jean-Marc Janailhac7,8

Tania Crasnianski7

Non-executive Director

Sir John Lewis

Yitzhak Apeloig

The EPS performance targets, with pro-rata vesting between targets, are as follows:

2023 EPS

Below 8.00p

8.00p

8.5p

9.00p

9.5p

10p

10.5p

Options exercisable to maximum percentage of salary

None

25% of salary

50% of salary

75% of salary

100% of salary

125% of salary

150% of salary

Directors’ interests in shares (audited)
According to the records kept by the Company, the directors had interests in the share capital of the Company as shown 
below. Between 31 October 2021 and the date of this report, Mr Crasnianski and persons closely associated with him 
increased their interest to 137,948,596 ordinary shares of 0.5p of the Company. 

Beneficially owned at

31 October  
2021

31 October  
2020

31 October 
2020
ESOS Awards1 

ESOS 
Awards²

Requirement 
(% of salary)

Shareholding
(% of salary)³

Guideline

108,837,410 

105,105,381 

816,509 1,000,000

80,000

–

27,000

–

–

–

400,000

96,774 

200%

200%

200%

 12,861%

12.5%

29.2

Yes

No

No

Beneficially owned at

31 October  
2021

25,000

–

31 October  
2020

25,000

–

31 October 
2020
ESOS Awards1

–

–

Françoise Coutaz-Replan5

200,000

200,000

407,600

Jean-Marcel Denis

–

–

Emmanuel Olympitis

45,000

45,000

–

–

ESOS 
Awards²

Requirement 
(% of salary)

Shareholding
(% of salary)³

Guideline

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1  Options with no further performance conditions attached that have not been exercised.
2  Options with outstanding performance conditions attached.
3  Executive Directors are required to build and maintain a shareholding equivalent to at least 200% of base salary through the retention of 50% of the net-of-tax 
vested share awards or through open-market purchases. Calculated using the closing share price on the last trading day in October (i.e. Friday, 29 October 2021. 
being 66.2 p. The shareholding guideline is calculated using only beneficially owned shares.

4  Of the shares beneficially owned by Serge Crasnianski, 63,750 shares (2020: 63,750) were registered in his name, the balance in other names.
5  Françoise Coutaz-Replan stepped down as an Executive Director on 27 August 2015, continuing as a Non-executive Director.

85

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceAnnual Report on Remuneration continued

Directors’ interests in share options (audited)
Details of outstanding share awards held by Directors are set out below. 

Executive Director
Serge Crasnianski 

27 August 2019 

5 August 2021

Jean-Marc Janailhac

5 August 2021 

Tania Crasnianski

5 August 2021 

Françoise  
Coutaz-Replan

10 July 2014

9 July 2015

Number of 
options
As at 
 1 November 2020

Granted 
during 
period

Exercised 
during 
period

Lapsed 
during 
period

As at 31 
October 2021

Exercise 
price

Exercisable 
from 

Expiry 
date

816,509

1,000,000

Nil

400,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

816,509

101.4p 27 August 2022 27 August 2026

1,000,000

77.5p 5 August 2024 4 August 2028

400,000

77.5p 5 August 2024 27 August 2028

Nil

96,774

96,774

77.5p 5 August 2024 27 August 2028

195,000

212,600

195,000

145.33p

10 July 2017

9 July 2021

212,600 133.33p

9 July 2018

8 July 2022

Relative importance of the spend on pay
The following table sets out the percentage change in distributions to shareholders and employee remuneration costs:

Year ended October 2021

 18 months ended 2020

Pence per share

£’000

Pence per share 

£’000

Interim

Final

Total

1  Paid on 10 May 2019
2  Paid on 8 November 2019

–

2.89

2.89

–

–

–

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Share options granted to directors and employees

Post-employment benefit costs

 ▪ defined benefit schemes
 ▪ defined contribution schemes
 ▪ other post-employment costs

–

–

–

Group

2021
£’000

38,919

7,491

493

252

446

–

–

–

2020
£’000

44,279

8,930

171

351

656

47,601

54,387

1  Based on the figure shown in note 5 to the Financial Statements.
2  Based on the cash returned to shareholders through dividends, as shown in note 9 to the Financial Statements. The Company did not undertake any buy-backs in 

the financial period ended 31 October 2021.

86

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceTSR performance graph
The graph below shows the Company’s performance, measured by total shareholder return (TSR) (share price growth 
plus dividends reinvested), compared with the performance of the FTSE SmallCap Index (calculated on the same basis) 
from 1 May 2010. As the Company has been a constituent of the FTSE SmallCap Index for all of the relevant period, this 
index is considered an appropriate form of “broad equity market index” against which the Company’s performance 
should be compared.

Total shareholder return

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

30 April
2011

30 April
2012

30 April
2013

30 April
2014

30 April
2015

30 April
2016

30 April
2017

30 April
2018

30 April
2019

30 April
2020

31 October
2021

Source: Datastream ((cid:4)omson Reuters)

Photo-Me International plc

FTSE SmallCap

Percentage increase in the remuneration of the members of the Board 
The table below shows the change in the salary, benefits and annual bonus for the members of the Board who served in 
both the period just ended and the previous financial year in full, compared with the change in remuneration for the UK 
employee population. 

Executive Directors

Serge Crasnianski

Jean-Marc Janailhac

Non-executive Directors

Sir John Lewis

Yitzhak Apeloig

Françoise Coutaz-Replan

Jean-Marcel Denis

Emmanuel Olympitis

UK Employee Population1

1  With the exception of Inox Equip Limited

Base salary

Benefits

Annual bonus

0%

27%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

11%

0%

0%

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

1%

0%

0%

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0%

87

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceAnnual Report on Remuneration continued

CEO remuneration
The table below shows the total remuneration for the CEO over the same 10.5 year period as the TSR chart above. 
All share awards are valued at the date of vesting. 

CEO

2021 (12 months to 31 October 2021)

Serge Crasnianski

2020 (18 months to 31 October 2020)

Serge Crasnianski

2019 (12 months to 30 April 2019)

Serge Crasnianski

2018 (12 months to 30 April 2018)

Serge Crasnianski

2017 (12 months to 30 April 2017)

Serge Crasnianski

2016 (12 months to 30 April 2016)

Serge Crasnianski

2015 (12 months to 30 April 2015)

Serge Crasnianski

2014 (12 months to 30 April 2014)

Serge Crasnianski

2013 (12 months to 30 April 2013)

Serge Crasnianski

2012 (12 months to 30 April 2012)

Serge Crasnianski

Total (£)

564,105

984,248

650,380

681,954

1,498,113

1,429,209

1,031,628

914,278

899,487

898,693

Annual
(% of max)

Long-term incentives 
(% of max)1

0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

–

–

–

–

–

100%

–

–

–

–

2  Shows the number of share options that vested as a percentage of the maximum number of share options that could have vested. For the years ended 30 April 

2011 to 30 April 2019 (but excluding 2016), Serge Crasnianski did not have any outstanding share option awards that could have vested in the relevant years.

3  Serge Crasnianski was appointed to the role of CEO on 3 July 2009, having previously served as a Non-executive Director from 6 May 2009. The total 

remuneration figure shown includes all payments received following his appointment as CEO but excludes any fees paid (£5,429) for performing the role of 
Non-executive Director.

CEO pay ratio 
The data shows how the CEO’s single figure remuneration for the period ended 31 October 2021 compares with 
equivalent single figure remuneration for full-time equivalent UK employees, ranked at the 25th, 50th and 75th 
percentile. The salary and total pay and benefits data have been annualised for 2020 to aid with future year comparison.

Period Method

2021

Option A

2020 Option A

25th percentile pay ratio

Median pay ratio

75th percentile pay ratio

35:1

44:1

28:1

30:1

19:1

24:1

No components of pay and benefits have been omitted for the purpose of the above calculations.
Option A was selected given that this method of calculation was considered to be the most statistically robust approach 
in respect of gathering the required data for 2021.

The respective quartile salary and total pay and benefits numbers are as follows:

Salary

Total pay and benefits

Period

25th % percentile

Median

 75th percentile

25th percentile

Median

75th percentile

2021

2020

£18,309

£14,410

£23,533

£21,185

£32,187

£25,687

£18,858

£14,825

£24,286

£21,824

£34,336

£27,579

88

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate Governance 
Committee role and membership
The Remuneration Committee comprises three Non-executive Directors: Emmanuel Olympitis (Committee Chairman, 
member of the Audit and Nomination Committees, and Senior Independent Director); Sir John Lewis (Chairman of the 
Board and the Nomination Committee, and member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees); and Jean-Marcel 
Denis (Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committees). The Board 
considers Mr Olympitis and Mr Denis to be independent, and Sir John Lewis to have been independent on appointment 
as Chairman.

Biographies of the members of the Committee are set out on pages 58 and 59. Details of their membership of the 
Committee and attendance at the meetings during the year are as follows. 

Name

Position

Appointment date

Emmanuel Olympitis

Committee Chairman

11 November 2009

Sir John Lewis

Committee Member

3 July 2008

Jean-Marcel Denis

Committee Member

1 March 2012

Number of 
Meetings attended 
(Maximum possible)

2(2)

2(2)

2(2)

It remains the Committee’s policy that it will meet on an ad hoc basis when the needs of the Company require it. At the 
invitation of the Chairman, the CEO and other Executive Directors and Non-executive Directors may attend meetings of 
the Committee, except when their own remuneration is under consideration. No director is involved in determining his or 
her own remuneration. The Company Secretary acts as the Secretary to the Committee. The members of the Committee 
can, where they judge it necessary to discharge their responsibilities, obtain independent professional advice at the 
Company’s expense.

The Committee’s terms of reference are published in the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at  
www.photo-me.com

Payments to past Directors
The Company did not make any payments to past Directors in the year ended 31 October 2021.

Advisers
FIT Remuneration Consultants LLP advised the Committee during the period ended 31 October 2021 in respect of the 
treatment of outstanding ESOS awards following the year-end change and the preparation of this Remuneration Report. 
Fees paid to FIT in respect of the year ended 31 October 2021 totalled £23,498 (exclusive of VAT). The Committee is 
satisfied that the advice provided by FIT is objective and independent, and fees were charged based on time  
and material.

The Committee also receives advice from the CEO in relation to the remuneration of certain senior executives, but not in 
relation to his own remuneration.

89

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceAnnual Report on Remuneration continued

Statement of shareholder voting
The table below shows the advisory vote on the 2019/20 Directors’ Remuneration Report at the 2021 AGM 
Remuneration Report and the last binding vote on the Remuneration Policy at the 2021 AGM. 

Total Votes For

%

Total Votes 
Against

Total Votes 
Cast (excluding 
withheld)

% of total  
votes cast / 
issued capital 

%

Votes 
Withheld1

241,461,350

91.34%

22,902,100

8.66% 264,363,450

69.94%

14,544

250,728,194

94.84%

13,636,756

5.16% 264,364,950

69.94%

13,044

Directors’ Remuneration 
Report (excluding the 
Remuneration Policy)

Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy

1  A vote withheld is not a vote in law and is not counted in the calculation of the proportion of votes cast ‘for’ and ‘against’ a resolution.

By order of the Board

Emmanuel Olympitis
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

30 March 2022

90

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceIt remains the Committee’s 
policy that it will meet on an 
ad hoc basis when the needs 
of the Company require it. 

91

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Corporate GovernanceTo offer a balanced diet through 
a wide range of top-of-the-
range juicers and vending 
machines for food professionals 
and their customers. 

Financial  
Statements

Independent auditor’s report to the  
members of Photo-Me International plc 
Group Statement of Comprehensive Income 
Group Statements of Financial Position 
Company Statements of Financial Position 
Group Statements of Cash Flows 
Company Statements of Cash Flows 
Group Statements of Changes in Equity 
Company Statements of Changes in Equity 
Notes to the Financial Statements 
Company Information & Advisers 
Shareholder Information 

94
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
169
170

9292

Strategic report2020 in Summary  04Business at a Glance  05Chairman’s Statement  06Business Model  10  Our Business: Identification  12  Our Business: Laundry  14  Our Business: Kiosks  16Innovation & Diversification  18Chief Executive’s Report   20  Business Review  20  Review of Performance by Geography  26  Key Performance Indicators  29Financial Review  30Section 172(1) Statement 34Principal Risks  38Corporate Responsibility Statement  40Viability Statement  49Facilitating the administrative procedures of several hundred thousand citizens every day throughout the world in government-approved connected photo ID booths. Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 20219393 

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Independent auditor’s report to the  
members of Photo-Me International plc

Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Photo 
Me International Plc (the ‘parent company’) and its 
subsidiaries (together the ‘group’) for the year 
ended 31 October 2021 which comprise the Group 
Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Group 
and Company Statement of Financial Position, the 
Group Statement of Cash Flows, the Company 
Statement of Cash Flows, the Group Statement of 
Changes in Equity, the Company Statement of 
Changes in Equity, 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 
international accounting standards in conformity 
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 
and, as regards the parent company financial 
statements, as applied in accordance with the 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and, as 
regards the group financial statements, 
international financial reporting standards adopted 
pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it 
applies in the European Union. 

In our opinion, the financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with the requirements of 
the Companies Act 2006 and:

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with 
International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) 
and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those 
standards are further described in the “Auditor’s 
responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements” section of our report. We are 
independent of the group and the parent company 
in accordance with the ethical requirements that 
are relevant to our audit of the financial statements 
in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as 
applied to listed entities and 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 going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have 
concluded that the directors’ use of the going 
concern basis of accounting in the preparation of 
the financial statements is appropriate. 

Our audit procedures to evaluate the directors’ 
assessment of the group’s and the parent 
company’s ability to continue to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting included but were not 
limited to:

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

 ▪ Undertaking an initial assessment at the 

group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 
31 October 2021 and of the group’s profit for the 
year then ended;

 ▪ the group financial statements have been 
properly prepared in accordance with 
international accounting standards in conformity 
with the requirements of the Companies Act 
2006 and international financial reporting 
standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) 
No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European 
Union; and

planning stage of the audit to identify events or 
conditions that may cast significant doubt on 
the group’s and the parent company’s ability to 
continue as a going concern;

 ▪ Making enquiries of the directors to understand 
the period of assessment considered by them, 
the assumptions they considered including 
consideration of events after balance sheet date 
and the implication of those when assessing the 
group’s and the parent company’s future 
financial performance; 

 ▪ the parent company financial statements have 
been properly prepared in accordance with 
international accounting standards in conformity 
with the requirements of the Companies Act 
2006, as applied in accordance with the 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

 ▪ Assessing the appropriateness of the directors’ 
key assumptions in their cash flow forecasts, as 
described in note 1, by reviewing supporting and 
contradictory evidence in relation to these key 
assumptions and assessing the directors’ 
consideration of severe but plausible scenarios; 

 ▪ Testing the accuracy and functionality of the 

model used to prepare the directors’ forecasts; 

 ▪ Assessing the historical accuracy of forecasts 

prepared by the directors; 

1
2
0
2
t
r
o
p
e
R

l

a
u
n
n
A
c
p

l

l

a
n
o
i
t
a
n
r
e
t
n

I

e
M
-
o
t
o
h
P

94

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 ▪ Considering the consistency of the directors’ 
forecasts with other areas of the financial 
statements and our audit including the viability 
statement; and

 ▪ Evaluating the appropriateness of the directors’ 
disclosures in the financial statements on going 
concern.

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

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the 
directors with respect to going concern are 
described in the relevant sections of this report.

In relation to Photo Me International Plc’s reporting 
on how it has applied the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, we have nothing material to add 
or draw attention to in relation to the directors’ 
statement in the financial statements about 
whether the director’s considered it appropriate to 
adopt the going concern basis of accounting.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our 
professional judgement, were of most significance 
in our audit of the financial statements of the 
current period and include the most significant 
assessed risks of material misstatement (whether 
or not due to fraud) we identified, including those 
which 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.

We summarise below the key audit matter in 
forming our opinion above, together with an 
overview of the principal audit procedures 
performed to address this matter and our key 
observations arising from those procedures. 

This matter, together with our findings, was 
communicated to those charged with governance 
through our Audit Completion Report.

Recognition, valuation and impairment 
of intangible assets including goodwill 
(Group)

The Risk
Intangible assets, including goodwill are presented 
in note 11 – Goodwill and other intangible assets to 
the consolidated financial statements.

Intangible assets including goodwill represented 
£32.7m at 31 October 2020 and £34.5m at 
31 October 2021. 

In the year ended 31 October 2021, in accordance 
with IFRS 3 – Business Combinations. The group 
remeasured the value of intangibles arising from 
the acquisition of Photo Plaza (a Japanese entity) 
on 1 February 2021 with the allocation of £7.6m to 
other intangibles assets and the recognition of a 
residual goodwill of £0.6m. 

The group recognised an additional £4m goodwill 
corresponding to the temporary entries resulting 
from the acquisition of two entities in France and 
Australia. These acquisitions were made close to 
the year-end and the Purchase Price Allocation has 
therefore not been completed . 

Further, as a result of a strategic review during the 
year in relation to the group’s operations in Spain, 
an impairment of £2.6m was recognised to fully 
impair the carrying value of intangible assets 
including goodwill of the corresponding CGU.

As described in note 1.4, management performs 
impairment reviews at least once a year for all 
goodwill and other non-amortisable intangible 
assets or more frequently where there is an 
impairment trigger. Assets are tested at the level of 
the cash generating units (“CGUs”) defined by the 
group, being the operating companies. An 
impairment loss is recognised if the carrying value 
of an asset or cash-generating unit is higher than its 
recoverable value. The recoverable value is the 
value in use, determined according to the 
discounted future cash flow projections method 
(excluding interest on borrowings and taxes) for 
each cash generating unit. The recognition of 
intangible assets and the assessment of the 
recoverable value of these assets is a key audit 
matter, given the significant potential of 
impairment and the high degree of estimation and 
judgment required by management for this 

95

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial StatementsIndependent auditor’s report to the members  
of Photo-Me International plc continued

Our observations
We confirmed that the movements in intangible 
assets including goodwill in the year and their 
carrying value reflected in the financial statements 
as appropriate. Overall, the assumptions used by 
management in arriving at the impairment charge 
for the year were considered to be reasonable..

We identified a number of audit adjustments and 
internal control recommendations to strengthen 
the group’s approach to goodwill recognition and 
impairment assessments that were shared with the 
Audit Committee.

Our application of materiality and an 
overview of the scope of our audit
The scope of our audit was influenced by our 
application of materiality. We set certain 
quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, 
together with qualitative considerations, helped us 
to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, 
timing and extent of our audit procedures on the 
individual financial statement line items and 
disclosures and in evaluating the effect of 
misstatements, both individually and on the 
financial statements as a whole. Based on our 
professional judgement, we determined materiality 
for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

assessment. The judgments include, in particular, 
assumptions regarding the future evolution of 
trading, the determination of infinite growth rates 
and discount rates applied to the appropriate 
future cash flows.

How our scope addressed this matter
Our audit procedures included, but were not 
limited to:

 ▪ For the acquisitions in the year, we reviewed the 
sale and purchase agreements and financial 
information of the entities acquired at the date 
of acquisition to confirm the level of initial 
goodwill to be recognised before 
remeasurement.

 ▪ In connection with the recognition of other 

intangible assets arising from these acquisitions, 
management obtained an expert report to 
determine the required purchase price 
adjustments within the remeasurement period. 
We engaged our valuation experts to assess the 
proposed purchase price adjustments, including 
the review of the methodology and key inputs 
used by management. 

 ▪ In connection with impairment charges, we 
reviewed the impairment testing process 
implemented by group management, , which is 
based on actual performance, cash-flow 
forecasts from the budget and five-year plan 
presented to and approved by the Board.

 ▪  Where impairment charges were caused by the 
cessation of certain activities, we confirmed this 
to the plans approved by the Board. Where 
impairment charges were caused by expected 
future business underperformance, we 
undertook a detailed risk assessment to identify 
which assumptions were most sensitive to the 
projections.

 ▪ We assessed the sensitivity of the impairment 

test to key changes in assumptions.

96

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statements 
Group materiality and Parent company materiality

Overall materiality

How we determined it

Rationale for benchmark 
applied

Performance materiality

Group

£1,500,000

Parent company

£1,400,000

Our materiality has been determined 
with reference to a benchmark of 
profit before tax of which it 
represents 5%.

Materiality has been determined with 
reference to a benchmark of net 
assets, of which it represents 3%.

We used profit before tax as described 
above as, in our view, this is the most 
relevant measure of the financial 
performance of the group.

We used net assets as, in our view, this 
is the most relevant measure of the 
performance of the company, being 
the parent company of the group.

Performance materiality is set to 
reduce to an appropriately low level 
the probability that the aggregate of 
uncorrected and undetected 
misstatements in the financial 
statements exceeds materiality for the 
financial statements as a whole.

Performance materiality is set to 
reduce to an appropriately low level 
the probability that the aggregate of 
uncorrected and undetected 
misstatements in the financial 
statements exceeds materiality for the 
financial statements as a whole.

We set performance materiality at 
£1,100,000, which represents 70% of 
overall materiality. This was based on 
our risk assessments, together with 
our assessment of the group’s overall 
control environment.

We set performance materiality at 
£1,000,000, which represents 70% of 
overall materiality. This was based on 
our risk assessments, together with 
our assessment of the group’s overall 
control environment.

As part of designing our audit, we assessed the 
risk of material misstatement in the financial 
statements, whether due to fraud or error, and 
then designed and performed audit procedures 
responsive to those risks. In particular, we looked 
at where the directors made subjective 
judgements, such as assumptions on significant 
accounting estimates.

We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that 
we performed sufficient work to be able to give an 
opinion on the financial statements as a whole. We 
used the outputs of our risk assessment, our 
understanding of the group and the parent 
company, their environment, controls, and critical 
business processes, to consider qualitative factors 
to ensure that we obtained sufficient coverage 
across all financial statement line items.

Our group audit scope included an audit of the 
group and parent company financial statements of 
Photo Me International Plc. Based on our risk 
assessment, the eight most significant entities 
within the group including the group shared service 
centre, representing 78% of the relevant materiality 
benchmark (profit before tax) were subject to full 
scope audit which was performed by the group 
audit team for two entities including the shared 
service centre and by component auditors for the 
other entities. Where we relied on work performed 
by component auditors, we issued audit 
instructions, reviewed component audit files and 
exercised group oversight throughout the audit. For 
entities that did not subject to a full scope audit, we 
performed specified audit procedures including 
but not limited to: obtaining third party 
confirmations, obtaining confirmatory evidence for 
all account balances higher than our group 
materiality and obtaining an understanding of 
account balances through analytical review.

97

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial StatementsIndependent auditor’s report to the members  
of Photo-Me International plc continued

At the parent company level, the group audit team 
also tested the consolidation process and carried 
out analytical procedures to confirm our 
conclusion that there were no significant risks of 
material misstatement of the aggregated 
financial information.

Other information
The other information comprises the information 
included in the annual report other than the 
financial statements and our auditor’s report 
thereon. The directors are responsible for the other 
information. 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.

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 course of audit or otherwise appears to be 
materially misstated. If we identify such material 
inconsistencies or apparent material 
misstatements, we are required to determine 
whether this gives rise to a material misstatement 
in the financial statements themselves. 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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by 
the Companies Act 2006
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 
those reports have been prepared in 
accordance with applicable legal requirements;

 ▪ the information about internal control and risk 
management systems in relation to financial 
reporting processes and about share capital 
structures, given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 
and 7.2.6 in the Disclosure Guidance and 
Transparency Rules sourcebook made by the 
Financial Conduct Authority (the FCA Rules), is 
consistent with the financial statements and has 
been prepared in accordance with applicable 
legal requirements; and

 ▪ information about the parent company’s 

corporate governance code and practices and 
about its administrative, management and 
supervisory bodies and their committees 
complies with rules 7.2.2, 7.2.3 and 7.2.7 of the 
FCA Rules.

Matters on which we are required to report 
by exception
In light of the knowledge and understanding of the 
group and the parent company and their 
environment obtained in the course of the audit, 
we have not identified material misstatements 
in the:

 ▪ Strategic Report or the Directors’ Report; or 

 ▪ information about internal control and risk 

management systems in relation to financial 
reporting processes and about share capital 
structures, given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 
and 7.2.6 of the FCA Rules.

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

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

 ▪ the parent company financial statements 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

98

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statements ▪ we have not received all the information and 
explanations we require for our audit; or

 ▪ a corporate governance statement has not been 

prepared by the parent company.

Corporate governance statement
The Listing Rules require us to review the directors’ 
statement in relation to going concern, longer-term 
viability and that part of the Corporate Governance 
Statement relating to Photo-Me International plc ‘s 
compliance with the provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Statement specified for 
our review.

Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, 
we have concluded that each of the following 
elements of the Corporate Governance 
Statement is materially consistent with the 
financial statements or our knowledge obtained 
during the audit:

 ▪ Directors’ statement with regards the 

appropriateness of adopting the going concern 
basis of accounting and any material 
uncertainties identified, set out on page 64;

 ▪ Directors’ explanation as to its assessment of 

the entity’s prospects, the period this 
assessment covers and why they period is 
appropriate, set out on page 55;

 ▪ Directors’ statement on fair, balanced and 

understandable, set out on page 73;

 ▪ Board’s confirmation that it has carried out a 
robust assessment of the emerging and 
principal risks, set out on page 55;

 ▪ The section of the annual report that describes 
the review of effectiveness of risk management 
and internal control systems, set out on page 71; 
and;

 ▪ The section describing the work of the audit 

committee, set out on page 68.

Responsibilities of Directors
As explained more fully in the statement of 
directors’ responsibilities on page 72, the directors 
are responsible for the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view, and for such internal control as 
the directors determine is necessary to enable the 
preparation of financial statements that are free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud 
or error.

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

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements 

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

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

99

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial StatementsIndependent auditor’s report to the members  
of Photo-Me International plc continued

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of 
non-compliance with laws and regulations. We 
design procedures in line with our responsibilities, 
outlined above, to detect material misstatements 
in respect of irregularities, including fraud.

Based on our understanding of the group and the 
parent company and their industry, we 
considered that non-compliance with the following 
laws and regulations might have a material effect 
on the financial statements: employment 
regulation, health and safety regulation, anti-
money laundering regulation the FCA Rules and 
Listing Rules. 

To help us identify instances of non-compliance 
with these laws and regulations, and in identifying 
and assessing the risks of material misstatement in 
respect to non-compliance, our procedures 
included, but were not limited to:

We also considered those laws and regulations that 
have a direct effect on the preparation of the 
financial statements, such as tax legislation, 
pension legislation and the Companies Act 2006. 

In addition, we evaluated the directors’ and 
management’s incentives and opportunities for 
fraudulent manipulation of the financial 
statements, including the risk of management 
override of controls, and determined that the 
principal risks related to management bias through 
judgements and assumptions in significant 
accounting estimates, in particular in relation to 
recognition, valuation and impairment of intangible 
assets including goodwill, and valuation of 
investments (company level), revenue recognition, 
and significant one-off transactions.

Our procedures in relation to fraud included but 
were not limited to:

 ▪ Gaining an understanding of the legal and 

 ▪ Making enquiries of the directors and 

regulatory framework applicable to the group 
and the parent company, the industry in which 
they operate, and the structure of the group, 
and considering the risk of acts by the group and 
the parent company which were contrary to the 
applicable laws and regulations, including fraud; 

 ▪ Inquiring of the directors, management and, 

where appropriate, those charged with 
governance, as to whether the group and the 
parent company is in compliance with laws 
and regulations, and discussing their policies and 
procedures regarding compliance with laws 
and regulations;

 ▪ Inspecting correspondence with relevant 

regulatory authorities;

management on whether they had knowledge 
of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;

 ▪ Gaining an understanding of the internal 

controls established to mitigate risks related 
to fraud;

 ▪ Discussing amongst the engagement team the 

risks of fraud; 

 ▪ Addressing the risks of fraud through 

management override of controls by performing 
journal entry testing including consolidation 
journals;

 ▪ Reviewing accounting estimate for management 
bias when making significant judgements; and

 ▪ Reviewing transaction outside of normal course 

 ▪ Reviewing minutes of directors’ meetings in the 

of business.

year; and

 ▪ Discussing amongst the engagement team the 

laws and regulations listed above, and remaining 
alert to any indications of non-compliance.

100

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsUse of the audit 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. 

David Herbinet (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of Mazars LLP  
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor  
London 

31 March 2022

The primary responsibility for the prevention and 
detection of irregularities, including fraud, rests 
with both those charged with governance and 
management. As with any audit, there remained 
a risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these 
may involve collusion, forgery, intentional 
omissions, misrepresentations or the override 
of internal controls.

The risks of material misstatement that had the 
greatest effect on our audit are discussed in the 
“Key audit matters” section of this report. 

A further description of our responsibilities is 
available 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
Following the recommendation of the audit 
committee, we were appointed by the directors 
on 3 September 2019. The period of total 
uninterrupted engagement is 2 years and 6 months, 
covering the 18-month period ended 31 October 
2020 and the year-ended 31 October 2021.

No non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s 
Ethical Standard were provided to the group or the 
parent company during the year and we remain 
independent of the group and the parent company 
in conducting our audit.

Our audit opinion is consistent with our additional 
report to the audit committee.

101

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
 
Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the 12 months ended 31 October 2021

 12 months to 
31 October
2021
£’000

12 months to 
31 October
2020
£’000

Notes 

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Other operating income 

Administrative expenses 

Share of post-tax profits from associates 

Operating profit/(loss) 

Other gains and losses 

Finance revenue 

Finance cost 

Profit/(loss) before tax 

Total tax (charge)/credit 

Profit/(loss) for the period 

Other comprehensive income 

Items that are or may subsequently be classified to profit and loss:

Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operations

Taxation on exchange differences 

Total items that are or may subsequently be classified to  
profit and loss

Items that will not be classified to profit and loss:

Remeasurement gains/(losses) in defined benefit obligations and other 
post-employment benefit obligations

Deferred tax on remeasurement (losses)/gains 

Total items that will not be classified to profit and loss

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period net of tax

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to: 

Owners of the Parent 

Non-controlling interests 

Total comprehensive income attributable to: 

Owners of the Parent 

Non-controlling interests 

Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share 

  All results derive from continuing operations.

3

4

14

4

6

6

7

10

10

18 months to
31 October
2020
Audited
£’000

310,245

(255,258)

 54,987

910 

214,404 

(161,467)

52,937

317

186,384

(168,895)

17,489

318

(23,919)

(43,428)

(52,580)

–

29,335

1,998

177 

(2,955)

28,555

(6,703)

21,852 

(53)

(25,674)

(283)

(15)

(1,879)

(27,851)

2,960

(24,891)

–

 3,317

(283) 

51 

 (2,593)

 492 

(2,844)

 (2,352)

(6,987)

–

3,796

(15)

 3,948

(3)

(6,987)

3,781

 3,945

560

(94)

466

(6,521) 

15,331

21,713 

139

21,852

15,192 

139

15,331

5.78p 

5.77p

340

(65)

275

4,056

(20,835)

(24,797)

(94)

(24,891)

(20,769)

(65)

(20,835)

(6.58p)

(6.58p)

 340

(65)

 275

 4,220

 1,869

 (2,305) 

(47)

 (2,352)

 1,888 

(19)

1,869

 (0.62p) 

 (0.62p)

The notes on pages 109 to 168 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

102

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsGroup Statements of Financial Position

As at 31 October 2021

Assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Property, plant & equipment

Investment property

Investment in associates

Financial instruments held at FVTPL

Trade and other receivables

Non-current assets 

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax

Cash and cash equivalents

Current assets 

Total assets

Equity

Share capital

Share premium

Translation and other reserves

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to owners of the Parent

Non-controlling interests

Total Shareholders’ funds

Financial liabilities

Post-employment benefit obligations

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions

Non-current liabilities 

Financial liabilities

Provisions

Current tax

Trade and other payables

Current liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities

Group

31 October 
2021
£’000

31 October 
2020
£’000

Notes

11

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

16

18

20

21

22

24

23

21

23

25

17,642

16,860

91,973

597

21

1,501

1,868

130,462

18,458

22,452

1,417

99,362

141,688

272,150

1,889

10,599

9,435

106,051

127,974

1,720

129,694

55,058

4,933

8,571 

338

68,900

25,877

1,828

3,367

42,484

73,556

272,150

13,767

13,466

90,285

652

57

960

1,799

120,986

16,611

16,740

217

107,177

140,745

261,731

1,889

10,599

15,245

84,448

112,181

1,689

113,870

40,937

5,973

6,058

–

52,968

54,516

1,262

4,909

34,206

94,893

261,731

The notes on pages 109 to 168 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The accounts were approved by the Board on 30 March 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

Serge Crasnianski 
Chief Executive Officer  

John Lewis
Non-executive Chairman

Registration number: 00735438

103

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statements of Financial Position

As at 31 October 2021

Assets

Property, plant & equipment

Investment in associates

Investment in subsidiaries

Financial instruments held at FVTPL

Deferred tax assets

Non-current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Current tax

Current assets

Total assets

Equity

Share capital

Share premium

Translation and other reserves

Retained earnings

Total Shareholders’ funds

Liabilities

Financial liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Current tax

Trade and other payables

Current liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Company

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

Notes

12

14

14

15

24

17

16

18

20

21

21

25

10,933

–

46,901

1,292

–

59,125

1,492

19,454

4,002

583

25,531

84,656

1,889

10,599

2,207

46,405

61,100

1,727

1,727

830

–

20,999

21,829

84,656

8,755

35

45,496

745

670

55,701

1,263

24,909

5,879

–

32,051

87,752

1,889

10,599

2,207

45,632

60,327

995

995

873 

1,196

24,361

26,430

87,752

The notes on pages 109 to 168 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The company recognised a profit after tax for the period of £785,000 (2020: profit of £41,632,000).

The accounts were approved by the Board on 30 March 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

Serge Crasnianski 
Chief Executive Officer  

John Lewis
Non-executive Chairman

Registration number: 00735438

104

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsGroup Statements of Cash Flows

For the period ended 31 October 2021

31 October
2021
£’000

30 October
2020
£’000

Notes

Cash flow from operating activities

Profit before tax 

Finance cost

IFRS 16 Interest

Finance income

Other gains

Operating profit 

Amortisation and impairments of intangible assets including goodwill

Depreciation and impairments of property, plant and equipment

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

4

4

Exchange differences

Other items

Changes in working capital:

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other payables

Provisions

Cash generated from operations

Interest paid

Taxation paid

Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Acquisition of subsidiaries net of cash acquired 

Proceeds from disposal of associate

Proceeds from sale of subsidiary

Investment in intangible assets

Proceeds from sale of intangible assets

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Interest received

Dividends received 

Net cash utilised in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Issue of Ordinary shares to equity shareholders

Repayment of lease liabilities

Repayment of borrowings 

Increase in borrowings

Decrease in assets held to maturity

Dividends paid to owners of the Parent

Net cash utilised in financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

Exchange gain on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

28,555

697

2,258

(177)

(1,998)

29,335

5,419

30,328

(368)

(355)

680

(1,847)

(5,580)

8,278

400

66,090

(2,956)

(9,269)

53,865

492

791

1,801

(51)

283

3,317

18,939

64,610

–

(2,597)

215

5,728

4,177

(1,170)

(112)

93,107

(2,594)

(4,688)

85,825

(786)

357

–

(2,326)

50

(44,782)

1,474

259

(184)

29

(10,133)

–

1,050

(2,529)

–

(26,376)

3,904

73

104

19

19

19

19

9

(33,907)

(45,938)

–

(4,600)

(22,365)

5,093

25

–

(21,847)

(1,889)

107,177

(5,926)

99,362

11

(286)

(17,097)

30,964

–

(31,894)

(18,302)

21,585

85,573

19

107,177

The notes on pages 109 to 168 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

105

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial StatementsCompany Statements of Cash Flows

For the period ended 31 October 2021

Cash flow from operating activities

Profit before tax

Finance costs

IFRS 16 Interest

Finance income

Other gains

Operating profit 

Amortisation of intangible assets

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

COVID-19 impairments

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

Other items

Changes in working capital:

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other payables

Cash generated from operations

Interest paid

Taxation paid

Net cash (utilised in)/generated from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Acquisition of subsidiaries net of cash acquired

Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Interest received

Dividends received

Net cash generated from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Issue of Ordinary shares to equity shareholders

Repayment of lease liabilities

Increase in assets held to maturity

Dividends paid to owners of the Parent

Net cash utilised in financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

  Notes

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

2,050

41,632

36

247

(76)

311

2,568

–

3,436

–

31

(848)

(230)

5,455

(3,362)

7,049

(283)

(2,373)

4,394

(2,440)

1,050

(4,387)

450

–

76

–

285

250

975

43,142

186

7,567

8,000

(51)

(2)

2,594

(3,296)

(17,705)

40,435

(284)

–

40,151

–

–

(7,603)

1,085

(8)

–

(5,251)

(6,526)

–

(1,020)

–

–

(1,020)

(1,877)

5,879

4,002

11

–

(1)

(31,894)

(31,884)

1,741

4,137

5,879

9

18

The notes on pages 109 to 168 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

106

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
Group Statements of Changes in Equity

For the period ended 31 October 2021

Share
capital
£’000
1,889
–
–
–

Share
premium
£’000
10,588
–
–
–

Other
reserves
£’000
1,781
–
–
–

Translation
reserve
£’000
10,588
–
3,948
(3)

Attributable
to owners
of the
Parent
£’000
141,977
(2,305)
3,948
(3)

Retained
earnings
£’000
117,131
(2,305)
–
–

Non-
controlling
interests
£’000
1,870
(47)
–
–

Total
£’000
143,847
(2,352)
3,948
(3)

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
11
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–
1,889
1,889
–

11
10,599
10,599
–

–
1,781
1,781
–

–

–

3,945

3,945
–
–
–
–

–
14,533
14,533
–

340 

(65)

275 

 (2,030)
–
172

 (31,722)
 83,379
83,379
21,713

(31,894) 

 (31,894) 

–

–

340 

(65)

–

–

340 

(65)

4,220 

 – 

4,220 

1,915
11
172

(31,711)
112,181
112,181
21,713 

–
(6,879)
–

(47)
–
–
–
(134)

 1,868
11
172

(31,894) 
(134)

(134)
1,689
1,689
139

(31,845)
 113,870
113,870
21,852 

(108)
–

(6,987)
– 

(6,879)
–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

560

(94)

560

(94)

–

–

560

(94)

(6,879)

466

(6,413)

(108)

(6,521)

(6,879)

22,179

15,300

31

15,331

–
–

493
–

493
–

–
–

493
–

At 1 May 2019
Loss for the period
Exchange differences
Tax on exchange
Remeasurement losses in 
defined benefit pension scheme 
and other post-employment 
benefit obligations
Deferred tax on remeasurement 
gains
Total other comprehensive 
(expense)/income
Total comprehensive (expense)/
income
Shares issued in the period
Share options
Dividends paid
Disposal of minority
Total transactions with the 
Parent
At 31 October 2020
At 1 November 2020
Profit for the period
Other comprehensive (expense)/
income
Exchange differences
Tax on exchange
Remeasurement gains in 
defined benefit pension scheme 
and other post-employment 
benefit obligations
Deferred tax on remeasurement 
gains
Total other comprehensive 
(expense)/income
Total comprehensive (expense)/
income
Transactions with owners of the 
Parent
Share options
Dividends
Total transactions with owners of 
the Parent
At 31 October 2021

–
1,889

–
10,599

–
1,781

–
7,654

493
106,051

493
127,974

–
1,720

493
129,694

The notes on pages 109 to 168 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

107

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial StatementsCompany Statements of Changes in Equity

For the period ended 31 October 2021

At 1 May 2019

Profit for the period

Other comprehensive income

Remeasurement losses in defined benefit pension 
scheme and other post-employment benefit 
obligations

Deferred tax on remeasurement losses

Total other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the period

Shares issued

Dividends

Total transactions with owners of the Parent

At 31 October 2020

At 1 November 2020

Profit/(loss) for the period

Other comprehensive expense

Total other comprehensive expense

Total comprehensive income for the period

 Share
capital
£’000 

1,889

 Share
premium
£’000 

10,588

 Other
reserves
£’000 

2,197

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

11

–

11

–

–

12

(2)

10

10

–

–

–

1,889

1,889

10,599

10,599

2,207

2,207

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Retained
earnings
£’000 

35,791

41,632 

103

–

–

103

41,735 

–

(31,894) 

(31,894) 

45,632

45,632

785

(12)

(12)

773

 Total
£’000 

50,465

41,632 

103

12

(2)

113

41,745 

11

(31,894) 

(31,883) 

60,327

60,327

785

(12)

(12)

773

At 31 October 2021

1,889

10,599

2,207

46,405

61,100

108

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements

For the period ended 31 October 2021

The Group’s prior financial year, ended 31 October 2020, 
was an extended period of 18 months due to the 
extension of the year end date from 30 April 2020. 
Consequently, the comparative period for all income 
statement related disclosure notes is the 18-month period 
ended 31 October 2020.

Authorisation of the financial statements and statement 
of compliance with IFRSs
The Group and the Company financial statements of 
Photo-Me International plc (the “Company”) for the period 
ended 31 October 2021 were authorised for issue by the 
Directors on 30 March 2022 and the statements of 
financial position were signed by S. Crasnianski, Chief 
Executive Officer and J. Lewis, Non-executive Chairman.

The Company is a public limited company incorporated 
and registered in England and Wales and whose shares are 
quoted on the London Stock Exchange, under the symbol 
PHTM. The registered number of the Company is 735438 
and its registered office is at Unit 3B, Blenheim Rd, Epsom, 
KT19 9AP. The principal activities of the Group are shown 
on page 60.

The financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with international accounting standards in 
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 
2006, and they are prepared in accordance with 
international financial reporting standards adopted 
pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in 
the European Union.

Accounting policies

1 
The principal accounting policies adopted in the 
preparation of the Group’s consolidated financial 
statements and the Company’s individual financial 
statements are set out below. The policies have been 
consistently applied, unless otherwise stated, to all of the 
statements presented. New standards adopted for this 
financial period are shown in note 2 on page 117.

1.1  Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements have been 
prepared under the historical cost convention except for 
certain financial instruments held at FVTPL and available-
for-sale financial assets that are measured at fair value.

Going concern
The financial statements of the Group and the Parent 
Company have been prepared on the going concern basis.

In reaching this conclusion, the Directors have reviewed 
detailed budgets, which reflect, where applicable, the 
current economic conditions, with regard to the level of 
demand for the Group’s and Parent Company’s  
manufactured products, the level of consumer confidence 
including the potential prolonged impact of the COVID 19 
pandemic and cash flow forecasts for at least the next 
twelve months.

Directors assessed the Group’s and Parent Company’s 
going concern by stress testing four scenarios and their 
projected financial impact over a five-year period. The 
Directors’ have used the five- year business plan in this 
assessment which covers a period of 12 months for the 
assessment of going concern and a period of five years for 
the assessment of viability as disclosed on page 55 The 
following scenarios were tested:

Scenario 1:
The budget, elaborated with each country manager and 
validated by the top management, which we consider as 
the best scenario.

Scenario 2:
The “most likely scenario” is based on the budget, but 
includes a less ambitious deployment plan for machine 
installations over the year (half of budget), and an 
assumption of 7% lower average revenue per machine. In 
addition, it includes a 5% price increase in spare parts and 
consumables, a 5% drop in machine installations due to 
supply chain issues, a 1% drop in total revenue due to loss 
of key accounts, and a 1% drop in revenue due to a 
prolonged impact from the pandemic. This scenario does 
not consider the potential impact of new regulations 
regarding photo identification or permission of selfies as 
official photos within the five-year forecast.

Scenario 3:
The “mild” scenario is as per Scenario 2, but with the 
following changes to assumptions: a 15% increase in the 
price of spare parts and consumables, a 5% drop in the 
number of machine installations due to delivery problems, 
a loss of key accounts amounting to 1% of total revenue 
and 3% of revenue due to a prolonged impact from the 
pandemic. Revenue is reduced by 2% each year due to the 
potential impact of new regulations regarding photo 
identification or permission of selfies as official photos.

.

109

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial StatementsFor the period ended 31 October 2021

Accounting policies continued

1 
Scenario 4:
The “worst case” scenario is as per Scenario 3, but with the 
following changes to assumptions: a 20% increase in the 
price of spare parts and consumables, a drop in the 
number of machine installations by 25 machines due to 
delivery problems, a loss of key accounts of 3% of total 
revenue and 5% of revenue due to a prolonged impact 
from the pandemic. Revenue is reduced by 3% each 
year due to the potential impact of new regulations 
regarding photo identification or permission of selfies as 
official photos.

In all four scenarios, exchange rate assumptions are as per 
the budget. The forecasts assume payment of dividends 
commensurate with results.

In all four scenarios tested, the group continues to comply 
with its bank covenants and loan repayment terms and is 
in a strong financial position after five years. 

Brexit impact was considered by management to have 
no significant impact on the business of the Group, nor 
will the Ukrainian conflict, as the Group has no activity in 
this region.

Management does not consider interest rate risk to be a 
threat to the Group’s going concern, as all current debt is 
at fixed rates and the forecasts indicate no requirement 
for new debt facilities.

As a result, the cash flow projections indicate that the 
Group and the Parent Company will remain within their 
available banking facilities over the 12 months from signing 
these financial statements. Additional information on 
these facilities is provided in note 15.

Critical accounting estimates and key judgements
The following are the critical judgements, apart from those 
involving estimations (which are dealt with separately 
below), that the directors have made in the process of 
applying the Group’s accounting policies and that have the 
most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the 
financial statements.

 Development costs – notes 1.4 and 11.

1)  
Management determine when the criteria for 
capitalisation of development costs have been met 
including commercial viability and ability to reliably 
measure costs as an intangible asset based on discounted 
expected cash flows and the costs can be reliably 
measured. Judgement is required in determining the 

practice for capitalising development costs and is required 
in assessing whether the development costs meet the 
criteria for capitalisation. This judgement has been applied 
consistently year to year.  

Group and Company
The following are areas of estimation uncertainty:

1) 

 Goodwill and other intangible assets – notes 1.4, 1.8 
and 11.

The recoverable amount of cash generating units (CGUs) 
has been determined by management on a value in use 
basis. These calculations require estimates by 
management, including management’s expectations of 
future growth in revenue, costs and profit margins, cash 
flows and discount rates. The value of these assets was 
significantly impaired in the prior period due to impact of 
the COVID 19 pandemic on the business.

The carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets at the 
period end were £17,642,000 and £17,860,000 
respectively.

For both goodwill and intangible assets, we have used for 
impairment tests the discounted cash flows method to 
evaluate the asset value. Value in use was determined by 
discounting the future cash flows of the CGU. Cash flows 
include a forecast period of five years, based on actual 
operating results, budgets and economic market research 
with a terminal value based on a long-term growth rate 
applied thereafter. The Growth rate assumption for the 
Group’s Japanese CGUs was 0%. For all other CGUs the 
growth rate assumption was 1%.

WACC discount rates were calculated for each territory 
and ranged between 12.6% and 14.5%. Further details of 
impairment testing are disclosed in note 11.

Goodwill impairments are not reversed or adjusted.

2) 

 Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
– notes 1.5, 1.8, 12 and 13.

Management make estimates of the useful life of 
property, plant and equipment as disclosed below in 
notes 1.4 and 1.5. Technological developments and 
regulatory changes can impact on the lives of the vending 
estate. Management consider these factors in assessing 
the useful lives of the assets.

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on the 
business, there were significant indications in the prior 
period that machines should be impaired. Consequently, 

110

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continued 
at the prior year end each unit was subject to impairment 
testing, based on each individual unit’s projected EBITDA, 
as described in note 12.

At the current year end all units were subject to an 
updated impairment test and impairments were updated 
accordingly. Where impairment tests indicated a reduced 
level of impairment, the impairment held was reduced, 
with care taken to ensure that the closing net book value 
did not exceed what it would have been had the original 
impairment never occurred. Further details are disclosed 
in note 12.

The carrying value of property, plant and equipment at the 
period end was £91,973,000.

 Taxation – note 7

3) 
The Group continues to follow the transfer pricing policy 
implemented in the previous years. The Group recognises 
deferred tax assets based upon management’s judgement 
of the expected recoverability of the balance. 
Management’s expectation of recoverability is based on 
forecast profits of the Group’s subsidiaries. The estimate 
will include assumptions regarding future income streams 
of the Group and the future movement in corporation tax 
rates in the respective jurisdictions. The estimation of 
provisions in respect of current taxation depends on 
management’s judgements in respect of taxation 
enquiries and the uncertainty surrounding resolution.

Changes in ownership of subsidiaries and loss of control
Changes in the Group’s interest in a subsidiary that do not 
result in loss of control are accounted for as equity 
transactions.

Where the Group loses control of a subsidiary, the assets 
and liabilities are derecognised along with any related non-
controlling interest and other components of equity. Any 
resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit and loss. Any 
interest retained in a subsidiary is measured at fair value 
when control is lost.

The Group uses the acquisition method of accounting to 
account for business combinations. Acquisition costs for 
business combinations are expensed as incurred. The 
consideration transferred for the acquisition of a 
subsidiary is the fair value of the assets acquired, the 
liabilities incurred to the former owners of the acquiree 
and the equity interests issued by the Group. The 
consideration transferred includes the fair value of any 
asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration 
arrangement. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities 
and contingent liabilities assumed in a business 
combination are initially measured at their fair values on 
acquisition date. The Group recognises any non-
controlling interest in the acquiree on an acquisition-by-
acquisition basis, either at fair value or at the non-
controlling interest’s proportionate share of the 
recognised amounts of acquiree’s identifiable net assets.

1.2  Basis of consolidation
The Group consolidates the financial statements of the 
Company and all of its subsidiaries, and includes 
associates under the equity method, as at each 
period end.

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the 
carrying value of the acquirer’s previously held interest 
in the acquiree is re-measured to fair value at the 
acquisition date, with such gains or losses arising from 
re-measurement recognised in profit and loss.

Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are all entities controlled by the Group. The 
Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has 
rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the 
entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its 
power over the entity. In assessing control, the Group 
takes into consideration potential voting rights that are 
currently exercisable. The acquisition date is the date on 
which control is transferred to the acquirer. The financial 
statements of subsidiaries are included in the 
consolidated financial statements from the date that 
control commences until the date on which control ceases. 
Losses applicable to non-controlling interests in a 
subsidiary are allocated to the non-controlling interests 
even if doing so causes the non-controlling interests to 
have a negative balance.

The principal subsidiaries affecting the results and 
financial position of the Group are shown in note 28.

Transactions eliminated on consolidation
Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains 
and losses on transactions between Group companies are 
eliminated. Unrealised gains arising from transactions with 
equity-accounted investees are eliminated against the 
investment to the extent of the Group’s interest in the 
investee. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way 
as unrealised gains, but only to the extent that there is no 
evidence of impairment. Where necessary, subsidiaries’ 
accounting policies have been changed to ensure 
consistency with the Group’s policies.

Associates
Associates are those entities in which the Group has 
significant influence, but not control, over the financial and 
operating policies. Significant influence is presumed to 
exist when the Group holds between 20% and 50% of the 
voting power of another entity.

111

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial StatementsAccounting policies continued

1 
Application of the equity method to associates and  
joint ventures
Associates are accounted for using the equity method 
(equity accounted investees) and are initially recognised at 
cost. The Group’s investment includes goodwill identified 
on acquisition, net of any accumulated impairment losses. 
The consolidated financial statements include the Group’s 
share of the total comprehensive income and equity 
movements of equity accounted investees, from the date 
that significant influence or joint control commences until 
the date that significant influence or joint control ceases. 
When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in an 
equity accounted investee, the Group’s carrying amount is 
reduced to nil and recognition of further losses is 
discontinued except to the extent that the Group has 
incurred legal or constructive obligations or made 
payments on behalf of an investee.

The principal associates affecting the results and financial 
position of the Group are shown in note 28.

date of the transaction and their statements of financial 
position are translated at the exchange rate ruling at 
31 October. Exchange differences arising on the translation 
of opening net assets are taken to equity, as is the 
exchange difference on the translation of the income 
statement between average and closing exchange rates. 
For this purpose, net assets includes loans between group 
companies and any related foreign exchange contracts 
where settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur in 
the foreseeable future. Such cumulative exchange 
differences are released to the income statement on 
disposal of the subsidiary or associate.

Intangible assets

1.4 
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of cost of an acquisition of 
a subsidiary or associate over the fair value of the Group’s 
share of net identifiable assets at the date of acquisition. 
Goodwill on acquisition of associates is included in 
investment in associates and impairments thereof in 
administrative expenses in the SOCI.

Non-controlling interests
Non-controlling interests represent the portion of results 
for the period and net assets not held by the Group. They 
are presented separately within the statement of 
comprehensive income and the statement of 
financial position.

Goodwill is not amortised but is tested annually for 
impairment or more frequently if events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may be 
impaired and is carried at cost less any impairment. On 
disposals, goodwill is included in the calculation of gains or 
losses on the sale of the previously acquired entity.

1.3  Foreign currency translation
The consolidated financial statements and the Company’s 
own financial statements are presented in Sterling being 
the functional and presentational currency of the Parent 
Company and all values are shown in £’000 except 
where indicated.

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the 
respective functional currencies of the Group’s 
subsidiaries at the exchange rate ruling on the date the 
transaction is recorded. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the 
exchange rates ruling at 31 October. Exchange gains and 
losses resulting from the above translation are reflected in 
the income statement, except where they qualify as cash 
flow hedges and are reflected in equity. There were no 
qualifying cash flow hedges in 2021 or 2020.

Income statements of overseas entities are translated into 
Sterling, at weighted average rates of exchange, as a 
reasonable approximation to actual exchange rates at the 

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is 
allocated to cash-generating units. Each of these units 
represents the Group’s investment in each region 
of operation.

Research and development expenditure
Research and Development costs are accounted for in line 
with all relevant criteria as mandated by IAS 38 Intangible 
Assets. Research expenditure is expensed as incurred. 
Costs incurred in developing projects are capitalised as 
intangible assets when it is considered that the 
commercial viability of the project will be a success based 
on discounted expected cash flows, and the costs can be 
reliably measured. Other development costs are 
expensed and are not recognised as assets.

Other intangible assets
Intangible assets (including research and development) 
acquired as part of a business combination are capitalised 
at fair value at the date of acquisition. Other intangibles 
are capitalised at cost.

112

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021The policies applied to the Group’s intangible assets are summarised as follows:

Useful lives
Amortisation

Research and 
development costs

Finite
Straight-line basis, 
with a maximum 
life of four years 
from 
commencement 
of commercial 
production, with 
no residual value

Finite
Straight-line basis, 
with a maximum 
life of three years, 
with no residual 
value

Software

Customer related

Finite
The majority of 
customer related 
intangible assets 
are depreciated 
over their useful 
lives of between 
three and ten 
years on a 
Straight-line basis 
with no residual 
value
Acquired

Patents and licences
Finite
Most patents are 
depreciated over 
a period of 10 
years or less with 
no residual value 
on a straight line 
basis

Droit au Bail

Indefinite
Not amortised 
regularly, but 
subject to 
impairment 
testing

Acquired

Acquired

Internally generated  
or acquired

Internally 
generated

Acquired

1.5  Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is shown at cost, less 
accumulated depreciation and any impairment.

Subsequent expenditure on property, plant and 
equipment is capitalised, either as a separate asset, or 
included in the cost of the asset, as appropriate, only when 
it is probable that future economic benefits associated 
with the item will flow to the Group and the cost can be 
measured reliably. The carrying amount of any parts of the 
assets that are replaced are derecognised. All other costs 
are recognised in the income statement as an expense 
as incurred.

Freehold land is not depreciated. Other assets are 
depreciated on a straight-line basis, or occasionally on a 
reducing balance basis, to reduce cost to the estimated 
residual value over the estimated useful life of the asset at 
the following rates:

Freehold buildings
Leasehold improvements

Photobooths and vending 
machines 
Plant, machinery, furniture, 
fixtures and motor vehicles

2% – 5% straight-line
over the life of the lease on 
a straight-line basis
10% – 33.33% straight-line

12.5% – 33.33% straight-
line. Capitalised lease assets 
are depreciated over the 
shorter of the life of the 
asset or the life of the lease.

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed at 
each year end and adjusted, if appropriate.

Operating equipment assets are reviewed at least annually 
for impairment testing.

Investment property

1.6 
Certain of the Group’s properties are classified as 
investment properties; being held for long-term 
investment and to earn rental income. Investment 
properties are stated at cost and the building element is 
depreciated to reduce cost to its estimated residual value 
at rates between 3.33% and 8.33% on a straight-line basis.

IFRS16 leases

1.7 
The Group adopted IFRS 16 on 1 May 2019.

The Group has arrangements across three main categories 
that meet the definition of a lease under IFRS 16: site 
agreements, property and motor vehicles. The Group 
assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease at 
inception of the contract. The Group recognizes a right-of-
use asset and corresponding lease liability at the lease 
commencement date, except for short term leases and 
leases of low value. For these leases, the lease payments 
are recognized as an operating expense on a straight-line 
basis over the term of the lease.

The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which 
comprises the initial amount of the lease liabilities 
adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the 
commencement date, plus any initial costs incurred. The 
right-of-use assets are subsequently measured at cost less 
accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. The 
right-of-use assets are from the commencement date 
depreciated over the shorter period of lease term and 
useful life of the underlying asset. The estimated useful 
lives of right-of-use assets are determined on the same 
basis as those of property and equipment. In addition, the 
right-of-use assets are periodically reduced by impairment 
losses, if any, and adjusted for certain re-measurements of 
the lease liabilities, e.g. revised discount rate, change in the 
lease term or change in future lease payments resulting 
from a change in an index.

113

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial StatementsAccounting policies continued

1 
The lease liabilities are initially measured at the present 
value of the lease payments that are not paid at the 
commencement date, discounted using the relevant 
country discount rate. The discount rate per country is 
the sum of the Group incremental borrowing rate, the 
country risk adjustment, a size premium adjustment and 
the Term-adjustment.

Site agreements
The Group operates vending units which are deployed 
under a fee-paying agreement with the site owner. These 
agreements vary widely in their terms and conditions. The 
Group examines, on an individual basis, the degree to 
which these agreements meet the definition of a lease 
under IFRS 16, with particular regard to the presence of an 
identified asset with no substitution rights. While the 
standard sets out the definition of a lease, judgement is 
required in assessing the degree to which those criteria are 
met, particularly with regard to the presence of an 
identified asset with no substitution rights.

Non-IFRS16 leases
Some of the Group’s lease arrangements do not meet the 
criteria for IFRS16 treatment (eg variable rent, site owners 
have the control on the machine location or Photo-Me can 
stop a contract with a short period notice at any time) and 
are de facto accounted for as operating costs.

Impairment

1.8 
For goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, the 
carrying value is reviewed annually for impairment or 
more frequently if events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying amounts may be impaired.

Other intangible assets and property, plant and 
equipment are reviewed for impairment losses whenever 
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying 
value of the asset is higher than the recoverable amount of 
the asset an impairment loss is recognised. In carrying out 
such impairment evaluations the recoverable amount is 
the higher of the asset’s value in use or its fair value less 
costs to sell. Assets that do not generate largely 
independent cash inflows are grouped at the lowest level 
for which separately identifiable cash flows exist (cash-
generating units) and the recoverable amount is 
determined for the cash-generating unit (CGU). If 
necessary, the carrying value is reduced by charging an 
impairment loss in the income statement.

These impairments are shown under “Administrative 
expenses” on the Statement of Comprehensive income.

Reversal of impairment
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the 
carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised 
estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that it does not 
exceed the carrying amount that would have been 
determined had no impairment loss been recognised. No 
impairment loss is reversed for goodwill.

1.9  Financial instruments
  Trade receivables
(i) 
Trade receivables are initially measured at fair value, and 
subsequently at their amortised cost as reduced by 
appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable 
amounts.

 Financial assets held at amortised cost

(ii) 
These assets are subsequently measured at amortised 
cost using the effective interest method. The amortised 
cost is reduced by impairment losses. Interest income, 
foreign exchange gains and losses and impairment are 
recognised in profit or loss. Any gain or loss on 
derecognition is recognised in profit or loss.

 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

(iii) 
A financial asset is classified in this category if acquired 
principally for the purpose of trading or if so designated by 
management. Assets held in this category are classified as 
current assets if expected to be settled within one year; 
otherwise they are classified as non-current. Financial 
assets in this category are initially recorded and 
subsequently valued at fair value, with changes in fair 
value recognised in the income statement.

 Borrowings

(iv) 
Borrowings are recorded initially at the fair value of the 
consideration received net of directly attributable 
transaction costs.

After initial recognition, borrowings are subsequently 
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 
rate method. This method includes any initial issue costs 
and discounts or premiums on settlement. Finance costs 
on the borrowings are charged to the income statement 
under the effective interest rate method.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the obligation 
under the liability is cancelled, discharged or has expired.

 Trade and other payables

(v) 
Trade payables are initially recorded at fair value and 
subsequently recorded at amortised cost using the 
effective interest rate method.

114

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021Recognition and measurement
For investments designated as financial assets at fair value 
through profit or loss or available-for-sale financial assets 
the fair values of quoted investments are based on current 
bid prices. For unlisted investments the Group uses 
various valuation techniques to determine fair values.

Classification of financial assets
Financial instruments are designated in accordance with 
the business model under which the instrument is held.

1.10  Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net 
realisable value. Cost includes costs incurred in bringing 
inventories to their present location and condition. The 
cost of work-in-progress and finished goods includes an 
appropriate proportion of production overheads.

Finished goods also include operating equipment not 
yet sited.

Raw materials and consumables are valued on a first-in 
first-out basis or on an average cost basis where average 
cost is not significantly different to first-in first-out due to 
the fast turnaround of consumables. The Group uses 
standard costs to value inventory and these standard 
costs are regularly updated to reflect current prices.

Inventories are stated net of provisions for slow moving 
and obsolete inventory based on expected future usage.

1.11  Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are carried in the statements of 
financial position at cost. Bank overdrafts are included 
within borrowings in current liabilities in the statements of 
financial position. For the purposes of the statements of 
cash flows, cash and cash equivalents comprises cash on 
hand, unrestricted deposits held at banks with less than 
three months’ notice and other highly liquid investments 
with an original maturity of three months or less, less 
bank overdrafts.

1.12  Share capital
Shares of the Company are classified as equity.

Where the Company acquires its own equity share capital 
(treasury shares), the consideration paid, including any 
directly attributable incremental costs (net of tax relief), is 
deducted from equity attributable to the Company’s 
equity shareholders until the shares are either cancelled or 
subsequently reissued. The amount is shown in equity as 
treasury shares. Where such shares (the treasury shares) 
are subsequently reissued, any consideration received, net 
of any directly attributable incremental transaction costs 

and the related income tax effects, is included in equity 
attributable to the Company’s equity holders.

1.13  Employee benefits
Pension obligations
Group companies have various pension schemes in 
accordance with local conditions and practices in the 
countries in which they operate.

The Company operates a defined benefit pension 
scheme, which is closed to new entrants, with 
contributions made by employees and the Company with 
defined benefits being based upon the employee’s length 
of service and final pensionable salary. The Company also 
operates a defined contribution pension scheme.

Defined benefit scheme
The Group also has defined benefit pension schemes as 
noted in note 22.

The net obligation for the Group’s defined benefit pension 
schemes is calculated for each scheme separately by 
estimating the future benefit that employees have earned 
in the current and prior periods, discounting that amount 
and deducting the fair value amount of plan assets. The 
calculation is performed by independent actuaries using 
the projected unit credit actuarial method. If this 
calculation results in a potential asset for the Group, this 
asset is only recognised to the present value of the 
economic benefits available in the form of a refund of 
contributions paid to the fund or reductions in future 
contributions. In calculating the present value of any 
economic benefit consideration is given to any minimum 
funding requirements.

Re-measurement of the net liability, which comprises 
actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets 
(excluding interest) and the effects of any asset ceiling, are 
recognised in other comprehensive income. The Group 
determines the net interest expense (income) on the net 
liability (asset) for the period by applying the discount rate 
used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the 
beginning of the period to the then net defined liability 
(asset), taking into account changes in the period as a 
result of contributions and pension benefits paid. Other 
expenses are charged to profit and loss.

When plan benefits are changed or the plan curtailed, the 
resulting change in benefit that relates to past service or 
the gain or loss on curtailment is recognised in profit and 
loss. Gains and losses on settlement of any plan are 
recognised when settlement occurs.

115

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial StatementsAccounting policies continued

1 
Defined contribution scheme
Contributions to defined contribution schemes are 
expensed as incurred.

Other post-employment benefits
In addition to the pension schemes noted above, 
contracts of employment in certain Group companies 
require provision to be made for employee retirements. 
These provisions are based on local circumstances, length 
of service and salaries of the employees concerned. They 
are included in post-employment benefit obligations and 
shown in note 22 as other retirement provisions.

Equity compensation benefits
The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees is 
measured by reference to the fair value at the date of 
grant, determined using the Black-Scholes model. The fair 
value is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting 
period, based on management’s estimate of the number 
of shares that will eventually vest. The Group does not 
have options with market conditions.

On exercise of the option the proceeds received are 
allocated to share capital (nominal value of shares) and 
share premium.

The grant by the Company of options over its equity 
instruments (shares) to the employees of subsidiary 
undertakings in the Group is treated as a capital 
contribution. The fair value of the employee services 
received, measured by reference to the grant date fair 
value, is recognised over the investing period as an 
increase to the investment in subsidiary undertakings with 
a corresponding credit to other reserves in equity.

Termination benefits
Termination benefits are recognised in the income 
statement in the period when the Group is demonstrably 
committed to the termination of employment or to 
provide termination benefits as a result of an offer made 
to encourage voluntary redundancy.

Short-term employee benefits
The Group recognises a liability and an expense for 
short-term employee benefits (such as holiday pay, 
bonuses and profit sharing) where these obligations 
contractually arise (for example, as a result of employment 
contracts) or where a constructive obligation has arisen 
from past practice.

1.14  Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present 
legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it 
is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to 

settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made. 
Provisions are discounted where the effect of the time 
value of money is material.

1.15  Taxation
Tax expense for the current period comprises current and 
deferred tax and is recognised in the income statement, 
except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in 
other comprehensive income or equity. The current tax 
charge is calculated on the basis of the laws enacted or 
substantively enacted at the statement of financial 
position date in the countries where the Group operates.

Deferred tax is provided in full on temporary differences 
arising between the tax base of assets and liabilities and 
their carrying value in the accounts.

Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis at the 
tax rates that are expected to apply in future periods in 
which the temporary difference will reverse, based on tax 
rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the 
year end.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is 
probable that the future taxable profit, against which the 
deductible temporary differences can be utilised, will 
be available.

Deferred tax is provided, or an asset recognised, on 
taxable temporary differences arising on investments in 
subsidiaries and associates, except where the timing of the 
reversal of the temporary difference can be controlled and 
it is probable that the temporary difference will not 
reverse in the foreseeable future.

Current tax assets and liabilities are measured at the 
amounts expected to be recovered from, or paid to, the 
taxation authorities, based on tax rates and laws that are 
enacted or substantively enacted at year end.

1.16  Segment reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent 
with internal reporting provided to the Chief Operating 
Decision Maker as required by IFRS 8 Operating 
Segments. Details of the segments are shown in note 3.

1.17  Revenue recognition
There are 3 types of revenue considering by the Group:

 ▪ Vending revenue from the operating machines is 

recognised when the services are provided which is 
when payment is received. Vending revenue is total 
consideration received during the period including that 
held in machines at the statement of financial position 
date. There are no vending transactions requiring 

116

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021unbundling of components. Revenue is the fair value of 
consideration received or receivable and is measured 
net of discounts, VAT and other sales-related taxes.

 ▪  Revenue from the sale of equipment, spare parts 
and consumables is recognised upon delivery of 
products and acceptance, if applicable, by the 
customer. Equipment, spare parts and consumables 
are sold on their own and no unbundling required for 
accounting purposes.

 ▪  Revenue from the provision of services, principally 

maintenance contracts, is recognised at the time the 
service is delivered to the customer. Services are sold 
on their own as stand-alone products with no 
unbundling required.

1.18  Dividend distributions
Dividends to the Company’s shareholders are recognised 
as a liability and deducted from shareholders’ equity in the 
period in which the shareholders’ right to receive payment 
is established.

1.19  Government grants
Grants that compensate the Group for expenses incurred 
are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive 
Income as a deduction of expenses on a systematic basis 
in periods in which the expenses are recognised, provided 
the terms of the grant are satisfied.

1.20  Company investments
In the Company statement of financial position, 
investments in subsidiaries and associates are stated at 
cost less impairment. The Company reviews, at least 
annually, the carrying value of investments and performs 
an impairment exercise.

An impairment charge is made where there is evidence 
that the carrying value exceeds the future cash flows of 
the investment or where its carrying amount will not be 
recovered from sale.

2  New standards, amendments and interpretations
New accounting standards
Adopted by the Group
The Group has adopted the following new standards and amendments for the first time in these financial statements 
with no material impact.

 ▪ Amendments to References to Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards

 ▪ Definition of a Business (Amendments to IFRS 3)

 ▪ Definition of Material (Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8)

 ▪ Interest Rate Benchmark Reform (Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7)

 ▪ COVID-19-Related Rent Concessions (Amendment to IFRS 16)

Not yet adopted by the Group
Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for the current period 
and have not been early adopted by the Group. These new standards and interpretations, which are not expected to have 
a material effect on the Group, are set out below.

Description

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2 (Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39,  
IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16)

Date required to be
adopted by the Group

1 January 2021

117

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial StatementsSegmental analysis

3 
IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be identified, based on information presented to the Chief Operating Decision 
Maker (CODM) in order to allocate resources to the segments and monitor performance. The Group reports its segments 
on a geographical basis: Asia, Continental Europe and United Kingdom & Ireland. The Group’s European operations are 
predominately based in Western Europe and, with the exception of the Swiss operations, use the Euro as their domestic 
currency. The Board, being the CODM, believe that the economic characteristics of the European operations, together 
with the fact that they are similar in terms of operations, use common systems and the nature of the regulatory 
environment allow them to be aggregated into one reporting segment.

In accordance with IFRS 8, no segment information is provided for assets and liabilities in the disclosures below, as this 
information is not regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker.

The segment results are as follows:

12 months to 31 October 2021 

Total revenue

Inter segment sales

Revenue from external customers

EBITDA

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

Operating profit/(loss) excluding associates

Operating profit

Other gains

Finance income

Finance costs

Profit before tax

Tax

Profit for the period

Asia
£’000

39,751 

–

39,751 

8,062 

(6,024)

2,038 

Continental
Europe
£’000

152,257 

(7,248)

145,009 

54,809 

(25,174)

29,635 

United
Kingdom
& Ireland
£’000

29,644 

–

29,644 

8,587 

(3,643)

4,944 

Corporate
£’000

–

–

–

(6,381)

(901)

(7,282)

Capital expenditure (excluding Right of Use assets)

Non-current assets

2,993 

28,088 

20,749 

85,150 

5,974 

18,643 

245 

(419)

Total
£’000

221,652 

(7,248)

214,404 

65,077 

(35,742)

29,335 

29,335 

1,998 

177 

(2,955)

28,555 

(6,703)

21,852 

29,961 

131,462 

118

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18 months to 31 October 2020 

Total revenue

Inter segment sales

Revenue from external customers

EBITDA

Depreciation, amortisation, impairment and 
provisions against investments 

Asia
£’000

60,394

(2)

60,392

13,222

(8,721)

Continental
Europe
£’000

202,297

(7,067)

195,230

75,486

(46,736)

United
Kingdom
& Ireland
£’000

56,369

(1,746)

54,623

7,923

(27,038)

Corporate
£’000

–

–

–

(9,319)

(1,500)

Operating profit/(loss) excluding associates

4,501

28,750

(19,115)

(10,819)

Operating profit

Other losses

Finance income

Finance costs

Profit before tax

Tax

Loss for the period

Capital expenditure (excluding Right of Use assets)

Non-current assets

4,972

20,023

31,797

85,360

9,855

17,178

484

3,930

Inter-segment revenue mainly relates to sales of equipment.

The Parent Company is domiciled in the UK. Total revenue from external customers is as follows:

Total
£’000

319,060

(8,815)

310,245

87,313

(83,996)

3,317

3,317 

(284)

51 

(2,593)

491 

(2,844)

(2,353)

47,108

126,492

Total revenue from external customers

Asia and rest of the world

Europe

UK

Total revenue from external customers

Sales of equipment, spare parts & consumables

Sales of services

Other sales

Vending revenue

Total revenue

There were no key customers in the period ended 31 October 2021 (2020: none).

Group

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

39,751

145,009

29,644

214,404

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

21,013

3,772

130

24,915

189,488

214,404

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

60,392

195,230

54,623

310,245

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

23,761

5,599

239

29,599

280,646

310,245

119

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
 
Profit for the period

4 
Costs and overhead items charged/(credited) in arriving at profit for the period, include the following:

Amortisation, depreciation and impairment

Amortisation of previously capitalised research and development expenditure

Amortisation of intangible assets other than research and development 

Impairment of/(reversal of impairment of) previously capitalised research and development 
expenditure

Impairment of intangible assets other than research and development

Impairment of goodwill

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and investment property

Depreciation of owned assets

Depreciations of Right of Use asset

Impairment of/(reversal of impairment of) property, plant and equipment and investment property 
– owned

Amortisation of previously capitalised research and development expenditure

– reflected in income statement in cost of sales

Amortisation of intangible assets other than research and development 

– reflected in income statement in cost of sales 

– reflected in income statement in administrative expenses

Short term and low value leases

– property

– plant and equipment

Inventory cost

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

1,396

(49)

(112)

3,602

582

5,419

28,767 

4,420

(2,875)

30,312

4,031

3,516

1,660

5,290

5,143

19,640

39,152

7,400

15,794

62,346

1,396

4,031

1,181

(1,231)

1,346

794

271

5,096

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

537

888

1,425

8,537

8,537

774

1,436

2,210

20,450

20,450

120

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
During the period the Group provided £1,268,000 in respect of obsolete stock (2020: £809,000).

Other items

Research and development current period expenditure, not capitalized

Trade receivables impairment (note 15)

Net foreign exchange loss/(gain)

Loss/(gains) on sale of property, plant and equipment

Direct expenses for investment properties generating rental income

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

(608)

850

689

(368)

12

913

324

(346)

402

26

Audit and non-audit services
The following fees for audit and non-audit services were paid or are payable to the Company’s auditor, Mazars (2020: 
Mazars) and its associates.

Fees for the audit of the company and the group – Mazars LLP

Fees for the audit of the subsidiaries – other Mazars

Audit related services – Mazars

Non audit related services – Mazars

Fees for the audit of the subsidiaries – Other firms

Fees for the audit of the prior year incurred in the year – other firms

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

232

192

–

–

83

–

507

263

102

124

25

310

27

851

In order to maintain the independence of the external auditors, the Board has determined policies as to what non-audit 
services can be provided by the Company’s external auditors and the approval processes related thereto. This function is 
performed by the Audit Committee. Such services will only be approved if there are clear efficiencies and added value 
benefits to the Company.

In addition to the audit fees payable to the Group’s auditor and its associates, certain Group subsidiaries are audited by 
other firms.

Other operating income

Other operating income

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

317

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

910

Other operating income principally includes rental income from investment property (note 13) of £98,000, logistics 
income of £44,000, other rental income of £27,000 and other small items of non-trading income.

121

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
 
For the period ended 31 October 2021

 Profit for the period continued

4. 
Other gains and losses
Other gains and losses comprise of profits arising on financial instruments held at FVTPL, profit on disposal of 
subsidiaries and gains on financial instrument classified as available for sale. They have been disclosed separately in order 
to improve a reader’s understanding of the financial statements and are not disclosed within operating profit as they are 
non-trading in nature.

Other gains and losses

Investment in associate

Disposal of subsidiary

Fair value gain on financial instrument held at FVTPL

Gain/(loss) on available for sale financial instruments

Other gains

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

–

1,093

546

26

333

1,998

140

–

7

(431)

 –

(284)

Period ended 31 October 2021
The gain of £1,093,000 relates to the disposal of the Group’s investments in Revolution Max Limited and Inox Limited, 
previously subsidiary undertakings.

5 
Employees
Employment costs

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Share options granted to directors and employees

Post-employment benefit costs

– defined benefit schemes

– defined contribution schemes

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

38,920

7,491

493

251

447

47,602

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

56,605

9,634

171

351

656

67,417

Directors’ emoluments
Full details of directors’ remuneration and share options are given in the Remuneration Report on pages 74 to 90.

122

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continued 
 
 
 
Number of employees
The average number of employees during the period (including executive directors) comprised:

Full – time

Part – time

UK : Full – time

UK : Part – time

Continental Europe : Full – time

Continental Europe : Part – time

Asia and rest of the world : Full – time

Asia and rest of the world : Part – time

Employees by category

Senior managers in the Group (excluding directors of Photo-Me) 

Employees– Sales

Employees-Administration

Employees-Operating

Total

6 

Finance revenue and costs

Finance income 

Dividends received from investments 

Other financial income

Finance costs 

Bank loans and overdrafts at amortised cost 

Interest on IFRS16 lease liabilities

Other loans at amortised cost and lease liabilities 

12 months
ending
31 October
2021

18 months
ending
31 October
2020

860

113

973

103

0

625

35

132

78

973

932

124

1,056

186

5

605

37

141

82

1,056

As at
31 October
2021

As at
31 October
2020

31

113

184

645

973

13

70

115

858

1,056

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

104 

73

177

(691)

(2,259)

(5)

(2,955)

56

(5)

51

(794) 

(1,801)

2

(2,593)

123

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
Taxation expense

7 
Tax charges/(credits) in the statement of comprehensive income

Taxation

Current taxation

UK Corporation tax

– current period

– prior periods

Overseas taxation

– current period

– prior periods

Total current taxation

Deferred taxation

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

– current period – UK

– current period – overseas

Impact of change in rate

Total deferred tax

Tax charge in the statement of comprehensive income

Tax relating to items (credited)/charged to other components of comprehensive income

Corporation tax

Deferred tax

Tax (credit)/charge in other comprehensive income

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

3,562

(259)

3,303

3,415

259

3,674

6,977

(301)

119

–

(181)

6,796

700

–

700

4,209

–

4,209

4,909

(175)

(1,890)

–

(2,065)

2,844

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

–

94

94

(3)

(65)

(68)

124

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021Reconciliation of total tax charge
The difference between the Group tax charge and the standard UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2020: 19%) is 
explained below:

Profit before tax

Tax using the UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2020: 19%)

Effect of:

– non-taxable items

– change in UK tax rates

– overseas tax rates

– income not assessable

– losses not recognised in deferred tax (relieved)/incurred

– non-deductible impairment

– adjustments to tax in respect of prior periods

– other items

Total tax charge

Effective tax rate

12 months
ending
31 October
2021
£’000

28,560

5,426

63

–

354

–

648

–

–

212

6,703

23.8%

18 months
ending
31 October
2020
£’000

492

93

–

–

157

–

–

2,378

215

–

2,844

578.0%

The Group tax charge of £6.7m (2020: £2.8m) corresponds to an effective tax rate of 23.8% (2020: 578.0%). The distorted 
ETR in the prior year was due to the non-deductibility of goodwill impairment.

The corporation tax rate for the period ended 31 October 2021 was 19%. The Finance Bill 2021 was substantively enacted 
on 24 May 2021, legislating that the UK Corporation Tax rate will increase from 19% to 25% with effect from 1 April 2023.

The Group undertakes business in multiple tax jurisdictions.

Profits attributable to members of the parent company

8 
The profit for the period, after tax, dealt with in the financial statements of the Parent Company is £785,000 (2020: 
£41,632,000), including dividends received from subsidiaries.

9  Dividends paid and proposed

Interim

2019 paid on 11 May 

Final

2019 approved at AGM held on 25 October 2018

31 October 2021

31 October 2020

Pence
per share

£’000

Pence
per share

£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

3.71

14,014

4.73

8.44

17, 880

31, 894

Periods ended 31 October 2021 and 31 October 2020 – Proposed dividends not yet paid
The Board is recommending a dividend of 2.89p per ordinary share for the period ended 31 October 2021  
(2020: no dividend).

125

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
 
 
10  Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Parent of 
£21,852,000 (2020: loss of £2,352,000) by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period.

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Parent 
by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period plus the weighted average number of shares 
that would be issued on conversion of all the dilutive potential shares into shares. The Group has only one category of 
dilutive potential shares being share options granted to senior staff, including directors, as detailed in note 20.

The earnings and weighted average number of shares used in the calculation are set out in the table below:

Basic earnings per share

Effect of dilutive share options 

Diluted earnings per share

31 October 2021

31 October 2020

Weighted
average
number
of shares
‘000

378,012

927

Earnings
£’000

21,852

–

21,852

378,938

Earnings
per share
pence

5.78

(0.01)

5.77

Weighted
average
number
of shares
‘000

377,749

765

Earnings
£’000

(2,352)

–

(2,352)

378,514

Earnings
per share
pence

(0.62)

–

(0.62)

Potential shares (for example, arising from exercising share options) are treated as dilutive only when their conversion to 
shares would decrease basic earnings per share or increase loss per share from continuing operations.

126

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 202111  Goodwill and other intangible assets
Goodwill
Group

Cost : 

At 30 April 2019 

IFRS remeasurement

At 30 April 2019 (restated)

At 1 May 2019

Exchange differences

Additions

At 31 October 2020

At 1 November 2020

Exchange differences 

Additions

At 31 October 2021 

Impairment charges: 

At 1 May 2019 

Exchange differences

Impairment charge in the period

At 30 April 2020 

At 31 October 2020

At 1 November 2020 

Exchange differences

Impairment charge in the period

At 31 October 2021 

Net book value: 

At 31 October 2020

At 31 October 2021

Additions to goodwill in the year are in relation to the following acquisitions of subsidiaries:

Restoclock

Now Retail Group

Photo Plaza Co Ltd

Company
The Company has no goodwill.

 £’000 

26,892

(8,175)

18,717

18,717

65

464

19,246

19,246

(370) 

4,685

23,561

298

37

5,143

298

5,478 

5,478

(141)

582

5,919

13,767

17,642

£’000

2,253

1,823

609

4,685

127

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements11  Goodwill and other intangible assets continued
Goodwill by segments
The table below shows the allocation of goodwill acquired through business combinations between segments.

The amount of impairment losses is recognised in Administrative costs.

Goodwill has been allocated for impairment testing purposes to nine (2020: seven) cash-generating units (CGUs); 
allocated between geographical areas and activity in accordance with impairment testing in the prior period:

Carrying amount 

UK & Ireland 

CGU 1 – Photo-Me Ireland Limited 

CGU 2 – Photo-Me Northern Ireland

Total UK & Ireland 

Continental Europe 

CGU 1 – Photomaton SAS 

CGU 2 – Fotofix-Schnellphotoautomaten G.m.b.H. 

CGU 3 – LaWash Group

CGU 4 – Sempa

CGU 5 – Restoclock

Total Continental Europe 

Asia 

CGU 1 – Nippon Auto-Photo Kabushiki Kaisha*

CGU 2 – Now Retail Group Pty Ltd

Total Asia 

Total 

31 October
2021
£’000 

31 October
2020
£’000 

154

14

168

303 

1,941 

–

3,299

2,254

7,797

7,854

1,823

9,677

17,642

154 

14

 168

322 

 2,068 

604

3,360

–

6,354

7,245

–

 7,245

13,767

*   Asia CGU 1 includes goodwill from the acquisition of Photo Plaza Co Ltd, which was merged into Nippon Auto-Photo Kabushiki Kaisha on 15th March 2021.

The Group tests annually, for impairment, or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired. The 
recoverable amount of all CGUs has been determined on a value in use basis. As a result of the impairment tests we fully 
impaired CGU 3 in Continental Europe (£0.6m), due to a reduction in forecasted cash generation.

Value in use was determined by discounting the future cash flows of the CGU. Cash flows include a forecast period of five 
years, based on actual operating results, budgets and economic market research with a terminal value based on a 
long-term growth rate applied thereafter.

Key assumptions
Growth rate 0% – 1% (2020: 1%)
The Growth rate assumption for the Group’s Japanese CGUs was 0%. For all other CGUs the growth rate assumption was 
1%. The growth rate has been determined based on a conservative basis for expected annual growth in EBITDA for each 
CGU and takes into account revenue, volumes, selling prices and operating costs. It is based on past experience and 
expected future developments in markets and operations, and for the current period taking into account in particular the 
COVID-19 pandemic which has significantly impacted the Group’s end-markets.

128

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021Discount rate 12.63%-14.50% (2020: 10.42%-11.96%)
The post-tax discount rates applied to the cash flow forecasts for the CGUs are derived from the pre-tax weighted 
average cost of capital for the Group adjusted for economic and political risks for the specific country concerned.

The rates used are: United Kingdom 13.14%, (2020: 11.00%), Ireland 13.39% (2020: 11.24%), France 13.05% (2020: 10.90%), 
Germany 12.61% (2020: 10.42%), Spain 13.97% (2020: 11.96%), Japan 13.20% (2020: 11.10%), Portugal 14.50%, Belgium 
13.14%, Netherlands 12.63%, Switzerland 12.67% and Austria 12.96%. The Board is confident, overall, that these discount 
rates reflect the circumstances in each region, and are in accordance with IAS 36.

Other intangible assets – Group

Cost: 

At 30 April 2019

IFRS 3 remeasurement

At 30 April 2019 (restated)

At 1 May 2019

Exchange differences

Additions external

Disposals

At 31 October 2020*

At 1 November 2020*

Exchange differences

Additions – external 

Additions – new subsidiary

Disposals

At 31 October 2021

Amortisation: 

At 1 May 2019

Exchange differences

Provided during the period

Disposals

At 30 October 2020 

At 1 November 2020

Exchange differences

Provided during the period

New subsidiaries

Transfers

Disposals

At 31 October 2021

Net book value: 

At 30 April 2019

At 30 April 2019 (restated)

At 30 October 2020

At 31 October 2021 

Capitalised
development
costs
£’000 

Other
intangible
assets
£’000 

10,848 

–

10,848 

10,848 

487 

2,296 

(712)

12,919 

12,919 

(710)

1,802 

–

(1,000)

9,243

4,713 

207 

5,038 

(715)

13,011 

9,243 

(1,157)

1,284 

–

758

–

10,128

6,135

6,135

3,676 

2,883

13,420 

10,553 

23,973 

23,973 

466 

150 

(1,553)

23,036 

23,036 

(1,311)

727 

7,700 

(42)

30,110 

4,333 

1,659 

8,758 

(1,504)

13,246 

13,246 

(1,066)

3,553 

56 

386

(42)

16,133

9,087

19,640

9,790

13,977

Total
£’000 

24,268 

10,553 

34,821 

34,821 

953 

2,446 

(2,265)

35,955 

35,955 

(2,021)

2,529 

7,700 

(1,042)

43,121

9,046 

1,866 

13,796 

(2,219)

22,489 

22,489 

(2,223)

4,837

56 

1,144 

(42)

22,261 

15,222 

25,775

13,466

16,860

* A reclassification of £5.5m was made between intangible assets and Creditors.

129

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements11  Goodwill and other intangible assets continued
Capitalised research and development expenditure is amortised over a maximum of four years, with no residual value.

Other intangible assets consist of software, customer related assets and patents and licenses.

Other intangible assets
A credit for reversal of impairments of £112,000 (2020: impairment charge of £1,660,000) is recognised in the line “Costs 
of sales” and an impairment charge of £3,602,000 (2020: £5,290,000) is recognised in “Administrative expenses”.

An amortisation charge was recognised against the intangible assets of Sempa SARL (£1,538,000) and an impairment was 
recognised against the intangibles assets of Global Network Investment SL (£2,064,000) in accordance with our stated 
accounting policy.

Impairment losses were mostly due to a reduction in forecast cash generation of the affected subsidiaries.

Company

Cost: 

At 1 May 2019

At 31 October 2010 

At 1 November 2020 

At 31 October 2021 

Amortisation: 

At 1 May 2019

At 31 October 2020 

At 1 November 2020 

At 31 October 2021

Net book value: 

At 30 April 2019

At 31 October 2020 

At 31 October 2021 

 Other
intangible
assets
£’000 

776

776

776

776

776

776

776

–

–

12  Property, plant and equipment
Own work capitalised
Some of the Group’s subsidiaries manufacture vending equipment, which is then sold to the Group’s operating 
companies and capitalised by them as fixed assets. The amount capitalised includes direct costs associated with the 
manufacture of such items together with applicable overheads, but excludes general overheads and administration costs. 
When relevant, profits made by the selling company are eliminated on consolidation.

130

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021 
 
Group

Cost: 

At 30 April 2019 

Exchange difference 

Additions

Right of Use assets

Additions – internal 

Additions – external 

Disposals 

At 31 October 2020

Exchange difference 

Additions – right of use

Additions – internal

Additions – external 

Additions – new subsidiaries

Disposals – right of use

Disposals 

At 31 October 2021 

Depreciation 

At 30 April 2019

Exchange difference 

Right of Use assets 

Provided during the period 

Impairments

Disposals 

31 October 2020

Exchange difference 

Right of Use assets 

New subsidiaries

Provided during the period 

Impairments

Transfers to intangible assets

Disposals – right of use

Disposals 

At 31 October 2021 

Net book value: 

At 30 April 2019 

At 31 October 2020 

At 31 October 2021

Land &
Buildings
£’000 

 Photobooths
and vending
machines
£’000 

 Plant, machinery, 
furniture, fixtures 
and motor vehicles
£’000 

7,550

336

11,719

(4)

785

(75)

20,311

(1,408)

7,873

–

425

–

(1,047)

(313)

25,841

4,363

220

5,018

421

–

(41)

9,981

(812)

2,974

–

330

95

–

(866)

(56)

11,646

3,187

10,330

14,195

252,108

8,150

–

36,540

1,895

(19,893)

278,800

(17,747) 

 – 

 22,450 

 113 

 9,876 

–

(20,991)

272,501

170,304

7,502

–

35,740

17,538

(17,804)

213,280

(13,922) 

–

 7,669 

 25,931 

(4,167) 

(1,144)

–

(18,960)

208,687

81,804

65,520

63,814

33,928

443

4,814

783

5,900

(3,081)

42,787

(2,235) 

 1,868 

 4 

 4 437 

 581 

(998)

(2,362)

44,082

23,566

270

1,828

4,065

–

(1,377)

28,532

(1,675) 

1,446

307 

2,506 

 1,197 

–

(901)

(1,114)

30,118

10,362

14,435

13,964

 Total
£’000 

293,586

8,929

16,533

37,319

8,580

(23,049)

341,898

(21,390)

9,741

22,454

 4,975 

 10,457 

(2,045) 

(23,666) 

342,424

198,233

7,992

6,846

40,226

17,538

(19,222)

251,613

(16 409)

4,420

7,976

28,767

(2,875)

(1,144)

(1,767)

(20,130)

 250,451

95,353

90,285

91,973

Internal additions for photobooths and vending machines of £22,454,000 (2020: £36,540,000) relate to own work 
capitalised, being equipment produced by the subsidiaries and capitalised by the group companies.

The Group and the Company test all significant operating equipment asset classes for impairment annually, or more 
frequently if there are indications of impairment. Impairment reviews on operating equipment are all conducted on a 
value in use basis.

131

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements12  Property, plant and equipment continued
For the purpose of impairment testing, the recoverable amount of every each assets was measured on the basis of its value 
in use, by applying cash flow projections based on financial forecasts. Per unit, discounted cash flows were summed over 
the remaining depreciation period, plus 4 years as all machines continue to operate with adequate maintenance beyond 
the depreciation period of at least 4 to 7 years. This was compared to the net book value of each asset and then impaired 
partially or totally when needed.

The key assumptions for the value in use calculation were those regarding the discount rates, growth rates during the 
forecast period. The estimated growth rates were based on historic performance trends and budgets. The growth rate 
used to extrapolate cash flow projections beyond the period covered by the financial forecasts ranged from 0% to 1% 
(2020: 0%– 3%). Pre-tax discount rates ranging between 12.6% and 14.5% (2020: 11%) were applied to the cash flows.

At the current year end all units were subject to an updated impairment test and impairments updated accordingly. Where 
impairment tests indicated a reduced level of impairment, the impairment held was reduced, with care taken to ensure 
that the closing net book value did not exceed what it would have been had the original impairment never occurred.

For the purpose of impairment testing, the recoverable amount of every assets was measured on the basis of its value in 
use, by applying cash flow projections based on financial forecasts. Per unit, discounted cash flows were summed over 
the remaining depreciation period, plus 4 years as all machines have a longer life than the depreciation period of at least 4 
to 7 years. This was compared to the net book value of each asset and then impaired partially or totally when needed.

The key assumptions for the value in use calculation were those regarding the discount rates, growth during the forecast 
period. The estimated growth rates were based on historic performance trends and budgets. The growth rate used to 
extrapolate cash flow projections beyond the period covered by the financial forecasts ranged from 0% to 1% (2020: 
0%– 3%). Pre-tax discount rates ranging between 12.6% and 14.5% (2020: 11%) were applied to the cash flows.

At the current year end all units were subject to an updated impairment test and impairments updated accordingly. 
Where impairment tests indicated a reduced level of impairment, the impairment held was reduced, with care taken to 
ensure that the closing net book value did not exceed what it would have been had the original impairment 
never occurred.

132

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021Company

Cost: 
At 30 April 2019
Additions 
– internal 
– external 
Right of Use assets
Disposals external 
At 31 October 2020
Additions 
– internal 
– external 
– right of use
Disposals
– external
– right of use
At 31 October 2021 
Depreciation 
At 30 April 2019 
Right of Use assets
Provided during the period 

Disposals external 
At 31 October 2020
Right of Use assets charge
Provided during the period 
Disposals
– external
– right of use
At 31 October 2021 
Net book value: 
At 30 April 2019 
At 31 October 2020 
At 31 October 2021 

 Land &
Buildings
£’000 

 Photobooths
and vending
machines
£’000 

 Plant, machinery, 
furniture, fixtures 
and motor vehicles
£’000 

– 

42,956 

–
–
3,392
–
3,392

–
–
1,011

–
–
4,403

– 
1,597
–

–
1,597
269
–

–
–
1,866

–
1,796
2,537

 3,521 
 3,656 
–
(7,603)
42,530

3,226 
193 
–

(7,517)

38,432

29,323 
–
 15,411 

(6,525)
36,612
–
1,524 

(7,128)
–
31,008

13,633
4,321
7,424

 1,115 

–
 426 
–
(100)
 1,441

–
969 
880

(128)
(959)
2,202

 255 
–
187 

 (41)
 400
820
822 

(35)
(777)
1,230

 860
 1,041
972

 Total
£’000 

44,071 

 3,521 
 4,082 
3,392
(7,703)
47,363

3,226 
1,162 
1,891

(7,645)
(959)
45,037

29,578 
1,597
15,598 

(6,566)
38,609
1,089
2,346 

(7,163)
(777)
34,104

14,493
7,158
10,933

Internal additions for photobooths and vending machines of £3,226,000 (2020: £3,521,000) relate to new equipment 
produced by subsidiaries and equipment previously capitalised by the Group’s subsidiaries and sold to the parent.

133

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
Investment property

13 
Group

Cost: 

At 30 April 2019 

Exchange differences 

At 31 October 2020 

Exchange differences 

At 31 October 2021 

Depreciation:

At 30 April 2019 

Exchange differences 

Provided during the period 

At 31 October 2020 

Exchange differences 

Provided during the period 

At 31 October 2021

Net book value: 

At 30 April 2019 

At 31 October 2020 

At 31 October 2021 

 £’000 

13,088 

 572

13,660

(838)

12,822

12,440 

 545

23

13,008

(799) 

16

12,225

648

652

597

The investment property is freehold and is stated at cost less depreciation and any impairment charges. The directors are 
satisfied that the fair value of the Investment property is not less than its net book value.

Rental income from the investment property was £98,000 (2020: £481,000) (note 4) and finance costs were £2,500 
(2020: £2,500).

Company
The Company has no investment property.

Investments in associates and subsidiaries

14 
Investment in associates
Group

Cost: 

At 30 April 2019 

Exchange differences 

Disposal (see note 4)

At 31 October 2020 

Exchange differences 

Disposal (see note 4)

At 31 October 2021 

In May 2020, the group sold its shares in PHOTO DIRECT Pty Ltd, an Australian based associate.

£’000

415 

16

(374)

57

(1) 

(35) 

21

134

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021 
Name

Country of
incorporation

Assets
£’000

Liabilities
£’000

Revenue
£’000

Share of 
profit
£’000

Dividends
received

Interest
%

At 31 October 2020

Other associates

At 31 October 2021

Globe Connect & Photomaton 
Maroc

Morocco 

69

69

90

90

12

12

69

69

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 –

–

–

–

Company

Costs:

At 30 April 2019

Capital contribution relating to share-based payment (net)

At 30 October 2020

At 1 November 2020

Addition

Disposal

At 31 October 2021

Provision:

At 30 April 2019

Impairment

At 31 October 2020

Impairment

Disposal

At 31 October 2021

Net book value:

At 30 April 2019

At 31 October 2020

At 31 October 2021

Associated
undertakings
£’000

Subsidiary
undertakings
£’000

38

 3

41

41

–

(35)

6

3

–

3

3

–

6

35

38

–

48,119

–

48,119

48,119

2,953

(2,251)

48,821

372

2,251

2,623

1,548

(2,251)

1,920

47,747

45,496

46,901

50

50

Total
£’000

48,157

3

48,160

48,160

2,953

(2,286)

48,827

375

2,251

2,626

1,552

(2,251)

1,926

47,782

45,534

46,901

The net capital increase relating to share-based payments relates to share options in the parent company, Photo-Me 
International plc, granted to employees of subsidiary undertakings of the Group. Refer to note 20 for further details on 
the Group’s share option schemes.

The details of all the Group’s subsidiaries and associates are given in note 28.

15  Financial instruments
Group Treasury
The Group has a centralised treasury function. The primary aim for this function is to manage liquidity and funding 
arrangements and the Group’s exposure to associated financial and market risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk 
and foreign currency risk. The general approach for Group Treasury is one of risk reduction within a framework of 
delivering total shareholder return.

Treasury operations
Overview and policy
Treasury policy is set by the Board. Group treasury activities are subject to a set of controls appropriate for the magnitude 
of the borrowing, investments and group-wide exposures. To date the treasury function has limited itself to obtaining 
surplus cash from the subsidiaries and depositing this in bank accounts owned by the Group’s Treasury Company. The 
Board has defined an investment strategy, amounts and types of products to which the surplus cash may be invested.

135

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
15  Financial instruments continued
The Board monitors the performance of the Treasury function and is responsible for making changes to the personnel 
and limits of authority of Treasury personnel.

The Board has provided written principles for overall risk management of the Treasury Function. It has also defined 
policies and procedures covering such areas as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, the use of derivative 
instruments and investment of excess liquidity (surplus funds above the immediate and short–term operational funding 
needs, such as working capital requirements). The key objectives for Group Treasury are to protect the principal value of 
cash and cash equivalents, to concentrate cash at the centre to minimise external borrowings, and to maximise the return 
on cash.

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will face in meeting its obligations in settling its financial liabilities. The Group’s 
approach to managing liquidity risk is to ensure that it has sufficient funds to meet its liabilities when due without 
incurring unacceptable losses. A material and sustained shortfall in the Group’s cash flow could undermine the Group’s 
credit rating, impair major investor confidence and restrict the ability of the Group to raise new funds.

The Group maintained a satisfactory net cash position throughout the period and preceding periods as a result of cash 
generation from the business.

During the current period and prior period surplus cash held by the operating subsidiaries, over and above balances 
required for working capital management was transferred to Group Treasury. These funds were kept in their local 
currency, or converted into sterling and kept in the Treasury Company bank accounts which are interest bearing.

The strong cash generation and retention from the business together with available credit resources, help mitigate 
liquidity risk.

The Group may hold financial instruments (such as bank and other loans) to finance its day to day working capital 
requirements, for capital expenditure, for corporate transactions (such as dividend payments to shareholders, share 
buybacks, acquisitions), for the management of currency and interest rate exposure arising from its operations (which 
may involve the use of derivatives and swaps) and for the temporary investment of short-term funds. No derivatives or 
swaps have been used in the period ending 31 October 2021 (31 October 2020: none). With a satisfactory net cash 
position, the Group largely finances its working capital and capital expenditure programmes from its own resources. In 
addition financial instruments such as trade receivables (amounts due from customers as a result of a sale) and trade 
payables (arising from purchases of materials and services) arise from day to day trading.

The following notes describe the Group’s financial risk management policy and details on financial instruments.

136

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 202115(A)  Fair values of financial instruments by class
There is no difference between the fair values and the carrying values of financial assets and financial liabilities held in the 
Group’s or the Company’s statement of financial position.

Held at fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL), amortised cost, to maturity, available-for-sale financial assets  
and derivatives
The fair value is based on quoted prices at the statement of financial position date for quoted investments and other 
valuation methods for unquoted investments. For restricted deposit accounts held to maturity, fair value is estimated 
at the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the statement of financial 
position date.

Trade and other receivables
The fair value of trade and other receivables is estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the 
market rate of interest at the statement of financial position date if the effect is material.

Cash and cash equivalents
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is estimated as its carrying value where cash is repayable on demand. For 
short-term cash deposits and other items not repayable on demand, fair value is estimated at the present value of future 
cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the statement of financial position date.

Interest-bearing borrowings
Fair value is calculated based on the present value of future principal and interest cash flows, discounted at the market 
rate of interest at the statement of financial position date. For lease liabilities the market rate of interest is determined by 
reference to similar lease agreements.

Trade and other payables
The fair value of trade and other payables is estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the market 
rate of interest at the statement of financial position date if the effect is material.

IFRS 13 requires an analysis of financial instruments carried at fair value by valuation method as follows:

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly 
(that is, as process) or indirectly (that is derived from process).

Level 3 – inputs for assets or liabilities that are not based on observable market data.

The investment in Max Sight Group Holdings Ltd, which as a listed investment, is valued at level 1. We own 109,972,500 
Max Sight Group Holdings Ltd’s shares valued at 0,125 HKD per share at the end of October 2021 (£1,291,597).

There are no material Level 2 or Level 3 investments held by the Group or Company.

137

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements15(A)  Fair values of financial instruments by class continued
Financial instruments by category
The tables below show financial instruments by category for the Group

Assets per statement of financial position 

Financial instruments held at FVTPL 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Liabilities per statement of financial position 

Borrowings 

Leases 

Trade and other payables excluding non – financial liabilities

Assets per statement of financial position 

Financial instruments held at FVTPL 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Liabilities per statement of financial position 

Borrowings 

Leases 

Trade and other payables excluding non – financial liabilities

At 31 October 2021 

 Loans and
receivables
£’000 

 Financial
instruments
£’000 

–

1,501 

25,464

99,362

124,826

–

–

1,501

 Other financial
liabilities at
amortised cost
£’000 

64,443 

16,493 

42,484

123,420

At 31 October 2020 

 Loans and
receivables
£’000 

 Financial
instruments
£’000 

–

 18,539

 107,177

125,716

960

–

–

960

 Other financial
liabilities at
amortised cost
£’000 

84,878

10,577

34,206

129,661

 Total
£’000 

1,501 

25,464

99,362

126,327

 Total
£’000 

64,443 

16,493 

42,484

123,420

 Total
£’000 

 960

18,539

107,177

126,676

 Total
£’000 

84,878 

 10,577

34,206

129,661

138

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021Company

Assets per statement of financial position 

Financial assets held at FVTPL 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Liabilities per statement of financial position 

Leases

Trade and other payables excluding non – financial liabilities

Assets per statement of financial position 

Financial assets held at FVTPL 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Liabilities per statement of financial position 

Leases

Trade and other payables excluding non – financial liabilities

At 31 October 2021

 Loans and
receivables
£’000 

 Financial
instruments
£’000 

–

19,454

4,002

23,456

1,292

–

–

1,292

Other financial
liabilities at
amortised cost
£’000 

2,557

20,999

23,556

At 31 October 2020 

Loans and
receivables
£’000 

 Financial
instruments
£’000 

–

 24,909

5,879

30,788

745

–

–

745

 Other financial
liabilities at
amortised cost
£’000 

1,868

24,361

26,229

 Total
£’000 

1,292 

19,454

4,002

24,748

Total
£’000 

2,557

20,999

23,556

 Total
£’000 

 745 

24,909 

 5,789

31,533

 Total
£’000 

1,868

24,361

26,229

139

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements15(B)  Financial statement risk management
Financial risk factors and financial risk management
Overview
The Group and the Company are exposed to the following risks arising from financial instruments:

(i) 
(ii) 
(iii) 

 Credit risk
 Liquidity risk
 Market risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group and the Company if a customer or counterparty to a financial 
instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. It mainly arises on trade and other receivables and bank balances.

Liquidity risk arises from the Group and the Company having insufficient cash resources to meet its obligations as and 
when they fall due for payment.

Market risk arises from changes in market prices, such as exchange rates, interest rates and equity prices that will impact 
on the Group’s and the Company’s income statement or the value of its holding of financial instruments.

Listed below are details of these risks, the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and monitoring risks 
and the Group’s management of capital.

Risk Management Framework
The Group’s overall risk management programme focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to 
minimise potential risks for the Group. Information has been disclosed relating to the Parent Company only where 
material risk exists.

There is a continuous process for identifying, evaluating and managing the key financial risks faced by the Group in line 
with changing market conditions and the Group’s strategy. If necessary, the Group’s internal audit function may assist in 
monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of controls and procedures. The Board retains responsibility for ensuring the 
adequacy of systems for identifying and assessing significant risks, that appropriate control systems and other mitigating 
actions are in place and that residual exposures are consistent with the Group’s strategy and objectives. Assessments are 
conducted for all material entities.

The Group may use derivatives to manage exchange or interest rate risk. Approval for their use is given by the Board and 
the position is monitored constantly.

With regard to management of interest rate risk, the objectives are to lessen the impact of adverse interest rate 
movements on earnings and shareholders’ funds and to ensure no breach of covenants. This is mainly achieved by 
reviewing the mix of fixed and floating rate borrowings.

The Group’s liquidity risk management involves maintaining sufficient cash and cash equivalents and the availability of 
funding through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities.

(i) Credit risk
The Group has no significant concentrations of credit risk. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents and deposits 
with banks and financial institutions, and on outstanding trade and other receivables. Cash deposits are limited to high 
credit quality financial institutions. The Group has policies in place to ensure that sales of products and services are made 
to customers with an approved credit history.

Credit quality of financial assets
Individual Group companies have banking relationships with leading banks in the country in which the Group company 
operates. Surplus cash is placed with Group Treasury bank accounts, as described above. The Group has procedures in 
place to ensure that cash is placed with sound financial institutions.

140

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021The Group and the Company trade with a large number of customers, ranging from quoted companies and state 
organisations to individual traders. Individual Group companies have credit control procedures in place before making 
sales to new customers and levels of credit are reviewed in light of trading experience. The normal terms of trade are in 
the range 30–90 days. The collection of outstanding receivables is monitored at both the Group and subsidiary level.

The Group and the Company make provisions against trade and other receivables, such provisions being based on the 
previous credit history of the debtor and if the debtor is in receivership or liquidation.

The maximum credit risk for financial assets is the carrying value.

Trade receivables are normally interest free. The normal terms of settlement are between 30 and 90 days. Other 
receivables and prepayments and accrued income are interest free.

Trade receivables and contract assets are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. Indicators that 
there is no reasonable expectation of recovery include, amongst others, the failure of a debtor to engage in a repayment 
plan with the group, and a failure to make contractual payments for a period of greater than 120 days past due or an 
impairment amount being required under the ECL model mandated by IFRS 9.

Impairment losses on trade receivables and contract assets are presented as net impairment losses within operating 
profit. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against the same line item.

The Group does not require collateral in respect of trade and other receivables. The Group does not have trade receivable 
and contract assets for which no loss allowance is recognised because of collateral.

The Directors have concluded that the credit risk of trade and other receivables has not increased significantly since initial 
recognition. The Directors have come to this conclusion having considered micro and macro-economic factors including 
Brexit, the Group’s knowledge of its customers, payment history of the customers and industry trends.

The ageing of net current trade receivables is as follows:

Current

Past due

– overdue 1-30 days

– overdue 31-60 days

– overdue 61 days

Total past due

Total trade receivables

Group

Company

31 October
2021
£’000

7,061

31 October
2020
£’000

7,828

–

1,280

1,370

2,650

9,711

835

113

709

1,657

9,485

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

(2)

–

65

(52)

13

11

42

–

–

–

–

42

The credit quality of trade receivables that are neither past due nor impaired is assessed on an individual basis, based on 
credit ratings and experience. Management believes adequate provision has been made for trade receivables.

141

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
15(B)  Financial statement risk management continued
(ii) Liquidity risk
The Group’s liquidity risk management involves maintaining sufficient cash and cash equivalents and the availability of 
funding through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities. Trading forecasts indicate that the current facilities 
provide more than sufficient liquidity headroom to support the business for the foreseeable future. The net cash position 
at 31 October 2021 and 31 October 2020 has reduced liquidity risk for the Group.

The Group has adequate undrawn facilities and, having regard to the Group’s cash flow, it is considered that these 
facilities provide adequate headroom for the Group’s needs. The facilities are generally reaffirmed by the banks annually. 
These undrawn facilities, if used, will be subject to floating rates of interest and may be subject to the normal covenant 
conditions attached to such borrowings.

Certain lending banks may impose loan covenants on borrowings, which are normal for these types of borrowings, and, 
during the years to 31 October 2021 and 31 October 2020, the Group and the Company have comfortably complied with 
such requirements.

The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Group’s and Company’s financial liabilities (including trade and 
other payables) at 31 October 2021 and 31 October 2020 based on contractual undiscounted payments.

Group contractual cash flows 

At 31 October 2021 

Interest bearing loans and borrowings and 
interest free loans 

Lease liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

At 31 October 2020 

Interest bearing loans and borrowings and 
interest free loans 

Lease liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Company contractual cash flows 

At 31 October 2021 

Lease liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

At 31 October 2020

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables 

Within
one year
£’000 

 Year 2
£’000 

 Year 3
£’000 

 Year 4
£’000 

 Year 5
£’000 

 Over
5 years
£’000 

 Total
£’000 

20,120

 5,727

42,484

17,770

2,556

 –

13,593

2,141 

–

7,381

2,082 

–

4,410

2,071 

 –

1,169

1,887 

 –

64,443

16,493

42,484

 68 361 

 20 326 

 15 734 

 9 463 

 6 481 

 3 056 

 123 420 

45,433

4,535

34,206

84,174

 15,624

13,635

8,706

115

 –

92 

 –

54

 –

 15,739

13,727

8,760

1,480

4,300 

 –

5,780

– 

84,878

1,481 

 –

1,481

10,577 

34,206

129,661

Within
one year
£’000 

830

20,999

21,829

873

24,361

25,234

 Year 2
£’000 

 Year 3
£’000 

 Year 4
£’000 

 Year 5
£’000 

 Over
5 years
£’000 

 Total
£’000 

361

–

361

–

 –

–

361

–

361

–

 –

–

361

–

361

–

 –

–

361

–

361

–

 –

–

282

–

282

–

 –

–

2,557

20,999

23,556

873

24,361

25,234

Financial instruments held at amortised cost and held to maturity
These largely comprise of restricted bank deposit accounts where the cash acts as security against possible shortfalls in 
the funding required to meet future payments in the course of business.

142

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021(iii) Market risk
Foreign exchange risk
The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk on sales and purchases that are denominated in a currency other than the 
local functional currency. In addition, the Group faces currency risks arising from monetary financial instruments held in 
non-functional currencies. The income statement reflects the impact of realised and unrealised exchange differences on 
trading items and monetary financial instruments (note 4).

The Group has certain investments in foreign operations, whose net assets are exposed to foreign currency translation 
risk. The main currency translation risk relates to foreign operations whose functional currency is the Euro, Swiss Franc or 
Japanese Yen. The investments are not hedged. The translation reserve reflects the exchange differences arising on 
translation of the opening net assets and results of the foreign operation (note 20).

Operational foreign exchange exposure
Where possible, the Group tries to invoice in the local currency of the respective entity. If this is not possible, to mitigate 
exposure, the Group endeavours to buy from suppliers and sell to customers in the same currency. The exposure relating 
to receivables and payables denominated in the non-functional currency is normally less than 3 months as this is the 
normal settlement period for these items.

Subject to the requirements of Group Treasury, as noted above, where possible, the Group tries to hold the majority of its 
cash and cash equivalent balances in the local currency of the respective entity.

Monetary assets/liabilities
The Group continues to monitor exchange rates and buy or sell currencies in order to minimise the open exposure to 
foreign exchange risk.

The Group may use derivative financial instruments mainly to reduce the risk of foreign exchange exposure on trading 
items (sales or purchases in currencies other than the domestic currency of the company concerned) and interest rate 
movements. The Group does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for financial trading purposes.

Borrowings
At 31 October 2021 and 31 October 2020 the Group had no borrowings which were not denominated in the functional 
currency of the Group company concerned.

Analysis of net cash by currency
Group

31 October 2021 

Sterling

Euro

Swiss Franc

US Dollar

Japanese yen

Other currencies

31 October 2020 

Sterling

Euro

Swiss Franc

US Dollar

Japanese yen

Other currencies

Bank
£’000

Loans/IFRS16 
liabilities
£’000

5,146

80,199 

3,493 

25 

8,539 

1,960 

(2,557)

 (70,780)

(225)

-

(7,239)

(135)

99,362

(80,936) 

18,803

72,838 

4,426 

28 

8,391 

2,692 

107,177 

(1,868)

 (89,461)

(1,183)

–

(2,916)

(25)

(95,452)

Total
£’000

2,590 

9,419

3,268 

25

1,300

1,825

18,426

16,935 

(16,624)

3,243 

28 

5,475 

2,667 

11,725 

Net cash at 31 October 2021 includes £15,016,000 of IFRS 16 liabilities (2020: £10,153,000).

143

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements15(B)  Financial statement risk management continued
Interest rate risk

Net cash

Mainly non-interest bearing current accounts:

Cash at bank and in hand

Deposit accounts – generally interest bearing:

Bank deposit accounts

Financial asset held at amortised cost/held to maturity

Other items

Interest free and interest bearing loans

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

97,683

 105,235

695 

984

958 

984

(64,443)

34,919

(84,878)

 22,299

The above table shows which components of net debt are subject to interest. With the current low interest rates for bank 
base rates worldwide, the interest which can be earned on bank deposits is low. The Group’s exposure to floating rate 
interest bearing debt is small and a change in interest rates will not have a material change on interest expense.

IFRS 7 sensitivity analysis
With current low interest rates and the Group’s level of debt financing, the impact on the total interest payable charges 
due to a change of 100 basis points (1%) on borrowings subject to floating rates of interest is not material. Consequently, 
no sensitivity tables have been presented. The Group has total loans outstanding at 31 October 2021 of £64,443,000 
(31 October 2020 of £95,030,000), all of which is subject to fixed interest rates, which range from 0.25% to 1.2% 
(31 October 2020: £49,817,000 was subject to a fixed interest rate of 1.2%, the remainder being variable rate).

An increase of 1% in the fixed rate of interest would result in an extra £644,000 (31 October 2020: £500,000) of 
interest expense.

Terms and debt repayment schedule
The table below shows the maturity profile and interest rates of the Groups borrowings at 31 October 2021 and 
31 October 2020. Floating rate interest borrowings (loans and overdrafts) are based on LIBOR, EURIBOR or equivalent 
rates in other countries plus a margin (generally between 0.45% and 1.0%). 

Lease liabilities

Loans

IFRS16 lease liabilities

Group

Status

Fixed rate

Fixed rate

Fixed rate

Currency

Various

Interest Rate

Year of maturity

0.0% – 7.2%

2025

Euro

0.25% – 1.2%

2022-2026

Various

6.1% – 18.6%

Various

2021
Carrying
amount
£’000

1,477

64,443

15,016

80,936

2020
Carrying
amount
£’000

424

84,878

10,153

95,455

Price risk
The Group and the Company are exposed to changes in prices on raw materials, consumables and finished goods 
purchased from suppliers. Wherever possible, price rises are passed on to customers via sales price increases to help 
manage this risk.

The Group’s other investments in equity securities are not listed, and are not material thus the Group does not have any 
significant exposure to price risk on these equity investments.

144

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021 
 
 
 
15(C)  Capital risk management
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern and to 
enhance long-term shareholder value, by investing in the business so as to improve the return on investment (by 
increasing profits available for dividends) and by managing the capital gearing ratio (mixture of equity and debt).

The Group manages, and makes adjustments to, its capital structure in light of the prevailing risks and economic 
conditions affecting its business activities. This may involve adjusting the rate of dividends, purchasing the Company’s 
own shares, the issue of new shares and reviewing the level and type of debt. The Group manages its borrowings by 
appraising the mix of fixed and floating rate borrowings and the mix of long-term and short-term borrowings. Details of 
how the Group and subsidiaries are funded are shown below. There were no changes to the Group’s approach to capital 
management during the period.

Group
The Group is funded by share capital and retained earnings; supplemented by external borrowing as required. The Group 
has had a strong net cash position throughout the current and comparative period.

Subsidiary companies
Subsidiary companies are funded by share capital and retained earnings, and where applicable local borrowings by the 
subsidiaries in appropriate currencies.

The capital structure of the Group is presented below.

Cash and cash equivalents

Borrowings

Net cash (excluding restricted deposits)

Equity

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

99,362

(64,443)

34,919

129,694

107,177

(84,878)

22,299

113,870

The Group has various borrowings and available facilities that contain certain external capital requirements (covenants) 
that are considered normal for these types of arrangements. The Group remains comfortably within all such covenants.

15(D)  Other financial assets held at amortised cost, at fvtpl, to maturity and available for sale
Group

Non-current

Financial instruments held at FVTPL consist of investments in listed and unlisted entities.

Company

Non-current

Financial instruments held at FVTPL consist of investments in listed and unlisted entities.

Financial
instruments
held at
FVTPL
31 October
2021
£’000

1,501

Financial
instruments
held at
FVTPL
31 October
2020
£’000

960

Financial
instruments
held at
FVTPL
31 October
2021
£’000

1,292

Financial
instruments
held at
FVTPL
31 October
2020
£’000

745

145

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements16  Trade and other receivables

Non-current assets

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

Current assets

Trade receivables 

Amounts due from subsidiaries

Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

Group

Company

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

1,648

136

84

1,868

9,711

– 

9,162

3,578

22,451

–

1,799

–

1,799

7,828

 – 

7,959

953

16,740

–

– 

–

–

11

–

 – 

 –

–

41

17,020

127

2,296

19,454

24,725

143

–

24,909

All trade receivables arise from contracts with customers.

Non-current other receivables include deposits relating to operating sites and properties. Current other receivables 
include deposits relating to operating sites and properties, indirect and other taxation and other receivables.

17 

Inventories

Raw materials and consumables

Finished goods

Group

Company

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

14,271

4,187

18,458

14,650

1,961

16,611

999

493

1,492

864

399

1,263

The replacement value of inventories is not materially different from that stated above.

18  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

Deposit accounts (excluding restricted deposits)

Restricted bank deposit accounts

Cash and cash equivalents per statement of financial position

Cash and cash equivalents per cash flow

Group

Company

31 October
2021
£’000

97,683

695

984

99,362

99,362

31 October
2020
£’000

91,963

14,230

984

107,177

107,177

31 October
2021
£’000

3,026

– 

976

4,002

4,002

31 October
2020
£’000

4,903

 –

976

5,879

5,879

Cash and cash equivalents per cash flow comprise cash at bank and in hand and short-term deposit accounts with an 
original maturity of less than three months, less bank overdrafts. The amounts placed in short-term deposit accounts 
depend on the immediate cash requirements of the Group, and earn interest at the respective short-term deposit rate. 
Cash at bank is generally interest free, but may earn interest at the applicable daily bank floating deposit rate.

The restricted bank deposit accounts are subject to restrictions and are not freely available for use by the Group 
or Company.

146

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 202119  Net cash

Cash and cash equivalents per statement of  
financial position

Non-current borrowings

Current borrowings 

Net cash*

Group

Company

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

99,362

(44,323)

(20,120)

34,919

107,177

(39,444)

(45,434)

22,299

4,002

5,879

–

–

 –

 –

4,002

5,879

Notes

18

21

21

*   Net cash was reported at 31 October 2020 net of certain lease liabilities of £421,000. The Group no longer includes any lease liabilities in its calculation of net cash. 

The net cash at 31 October 2020 has been restated to reflect the change of definition.

At 31 October 2021, £984,000 of the total net cash (2020: £984,000) comprised bank deposit accounts that are subject to 
restrictions and are not freely available for use by the Group and Company.

Net cash is a non-GAAP measure since it is not defined in accordance with IFRS but is a key indicator used by 
management in assessing operational performance and financial position strength. The inclusion of items in net cash as 
defined by the Group may not be comparable with other companies’ measurement of net cash/debt. The Group includes 
in net cash, cash and cash equivalents and certain financial assets, mainly deposits, less current and non-current 
borrowings outstanding excluding lease liabilities of £15,016,000 (2020: £10,577,000).

The tables below, which are not currently required by IFRS, reconcile the Group’s net cash to the Group’s statement of 
cash flows. Management believes the presentation of the tables will be of assistance to shareholders. Presentation of this 
information is recommended by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) as good practice as being of use to shareholders 
and analysts, in their Financial Lab Project, Net Debt Reconciliations.

Group

12-months to 31 October 2021

Cash and cash equivalents per statement of financial 
position and cash flow

Non-current loans

Current loans

18-months to 31 October 2020

Cash and cash equivalents per statement of financial 
position and cash flow

Non-current loans

Current loans

1 November
£’000

Exchange
differences
£’000

Other
movements
£’000

Cash flow
£’000

31 October
£’000

107,177

(39,444)

(45,434)

22,299

85,573

(52,322)

(15,071)

18,180

(5,926)

2,413

2,989

(524)

19

(1,060)

(779)

(1,820)

–

(3,295)

3,295

–

–

44,902

(12,486)

32,416

(1,889)

(3,997)

19,030

13,144

21,585

(30,964)

(17,097)

(26,476)

99,362

(44,323)

(20,120)

34,919

107,177

(39,444)

(45,434)

22,299

147

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
19  Net cash continued
Company

12-months to 31 October 2021

Cash and cash equivalents per statement of financial position and cash flow

18-months to 31 October 2020

Cash and cash equivalents per statement of financial position and cash flow

1 November
£’000

Cash flow
£’000

31 October
£’000

5,879

5,879

(1,877)

(1,877)

4,002

4,002

£’000

£’000

£’000

4,137

4,137

1,742

1,742

5,879

5,879

20  Share capital and reserves

Allotted, issued and fully paid:

Ordinary shares of 0.5p each

At the beginning of the period

Issued in year – share options exercised

At the end of the period

Share Capital

31 October
2021
Number

31 October
2020
Number

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

377,992,637

377,981,637

19,000

11,000

378,011,637

377,992,637

1,889

–

1,889

1,889

–

1,889

The holders of Ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one 
vote per share at meetings of the Company.

Share options, which have been granted to senior staff, including directors, to purchase Ordinary shares of 0.5p each, are 
as follows:

Date 
options 
granted

At 31 October 
2020

9-Jul-15

15-Dec-15

13-Jul-16

21-Jul-17

27-Aug-19

4-Oct-19

5-Oct-20

19-Apr-21

5-Aug-21

5-Oct-21

861,600

57,400

622,716

354,500

1,006,509

1,000,000

1,000,000

–

–

–

4,902,725

Exercise 
price

133.33p

153.25p

141.50p

157.00p

101.40p

93.30p

51.05p

–

–

–

–

Lapsed or 
forfeited 
during year

100,600

57,400

123,416

94,500

30,000

-

-

–

–

–

405,916

Exercised 
during year

At 31 October 
2021

Exercise price

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

761,000

–

499,300

260,000

976,509

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,265,000

788,000

1,000,000

7,549,809

133.33p

153.25p

141.50p

157.00p

101.40p

93.30p

51.05p

61.40p

77.50p

61.10p

Date from 
which 
exercisable

Last date 
on which 
exercisable

09-Jul-18

08-Jul-22

15-Dec-18

14-Dec-22

13-Jul-19

21-Jul-20

12-Jul-23

21-Jul-24

27-Aug-22

26-Aug-26

4-Oct-22

5-Oct-23

4-Oct-26

5-Oct-27

19-Apr-24

19-Apr-28

5-Aug-24

5-Oct-24

5-Aug-28

5-Oct-28

Full details of directors’ share options are given in the Remuneration report on pages 74 to 90.

All options can be exercised, in normal circumstances, within a period of four years from the exercise of option date, 
providing that the performance criterion or performance condition has been achieved. The subscription price for all 
options is based upon the average market price on the three days prior to the date of grant. Options are restricted, or may 
lapse, if the grantee leaves the employment of the Group before the first exercise date.

All options are equity settled options.

148

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021 
Options granted after 2005 are covered by the new Photo-Me Executive Share Option Scheme. The vesting of options is 
subject to an EPS-based performance condition relating to the extent to which the Company’s basic EPS for the third 
financial year, following the date of grant, reaches a sliding scale of challenging EPS targets.

Options are normally granted over shares worth up to 150% of a participant’s salary each year. In exceptional cases as part 
of the terms of attracting senior management, options in excess of that number may be granted.

The weighted average exercise price of all options outstanding at 31 October 2021 is 86.91p (2020: 113.42p) and the 
weighted average exercise price of options exercisable at 31 October 2021 is 140.06p (2020: 124.55p).

There were no options exercised during the period ended 31 October 2021 (31 October 2020: no options exercised).

The weighted average remaining years for options outstanding at the period-end date is 4.9 years (2020: 3.2 years).

Share-based payments
In accordance with IFRS 2 Share-based Payments, share options granted to senior management including directors after 
November 2002 have been fair-valued and the Company has used the Black-Scholes option pricing model. This model 
takes into account the terms and conditions under which the options were granted.

The following table lists the inputs to the model used for the years ended 31 October 2021 and 31 October 2020:

Vesting period

Share price volatility

Share price on date of grant

Option price

Expected term

Dividend yield

Risk free interest rate

Fair value

Vesting period

Share price volatility

Share price on date of grant

Option price

Expected term

Dividend yield

Risk free interest rate

Fair value

Vesting period

Share price volatility

Share price on date of grant

Option price

Expected term

Dividend yield

Risk free interest rate

Fair value

Date of grant

9 July 
2015

15 December 
2015

3 years

30.70%

113.50p

133.33p

3 years

26.16%

154.00p

153.25p

13 July 
2016

3 years

26.35%

146.75p

141.50p

Date of grant

Date of grant

3.25 years

3.25 years

3.25 years

4.02%

0.82%

21.00p

31 July 
2017

3 years

36.00%

159.00p

157.00p

3.32%

0.90%

21.78p

27 August 
2019

3 years

32.5%

101.40p

103.00p

3.99%

0.11%

19.72p

4 October 
2019

3 years

32.59%

92.80p

93.30p

3.25 years

3.25 years

3.25 years

4.00%

0.62%

30.61p

5 October 
2020

3 years

31.64%

42.30p

93.30p

0.00%

0.00%

45.51p

19 April 
2021

3 years

51.40%

63.20p

61.40p

3.98%

5 August 
2021

3 years

77.50%

77.50p

77.50p

3.25 years

3.25 years

3.25 years

0.00%

0.00%

0.17%

34.89p

0.00%

0.15%

28.18p

149

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements20  Share capital and reserves continued

Vesting period

Share price volatility

Share price on date of grant

Option price

Expected term

Dividend yield

Risk free interest rate

Fair value

Date of grant

5 October 
2021

3 years

49.48%

65.50p

61.10p

3.25 years

0.00%

0.56%

24.47p

The charge for share-based payments is £493,000 (2020: £171,000) and for the Company the charge is £5,000 
(2020: £5,000).

Share price volatility is based on historical data.

Reserves
Group
Treasury shares (Group and Company)
In accordance with shareholders’ resolutions passed at Annual General Meetings, the Company may purchase its own 
shares up to a maximum of 10% of the Ordinary shares in issue. At 31 October 2021 and 31 October 2020 the Company 
held no shares in treasury.

Share premium
Share premium reserve is the cumulative value of the excess received for shares above their nominal value.

Other reserves
Other reserves mainly arise in subsidiaries, are generally not distributable, and arise as a result of local legislation regarding 
capital maintenance.

Translation reserve
The foreign currency translation reserve is used to record exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial 
statements of foreign subsidiaries and associates. In accordance with the options allowed under IFRS 1, only exchange rate 
differences arising on translation after the date of transition, 1 May 2004, are shown in this reserve. When an overseas 
subsidiary or associate is disposed, the cumulative exchange difference relating to the entity disposed is recycled through 
the income statement as part of the profit or loss on sale in finance revenue/cost and is shown as a movement in other 
comprehensive income.

Company
Other reserves
The Company’s other reserves include £201,000 (2020: £201,000) arising on the redemption of the deferred shares and 
£2,006,000 (2020: £2,006,000) relating to the fair value of options granted to employees of Group undertakings.

21  Financial liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Non-current instalments due on bank loans

44,323

39,444

Current liabilities

Current instalments due on loans

20,120

45,434

–

–

–

–

Group

Company

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

150

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021 
The above financial liabilities exclude current Lease liabilities of £5,757,000 (2020: £4,535,000) and non-current Lease 
liabilities of £10,736,000 (2020: £6,042,000).

Bank loans bear interest rates based on LIBOR or foreign equivalent rates appropriate to the country in which the 
borrowing is incurred. Further details are provided in note 15 and in the tables below. Margins are generally between 0.4% 
and 1.0%.

22  Post-employment benefit obligations
The Company and its principal subsidiaries operate pension and other retirement and post-employment schemes 
including both funded defined benefit schemes, and defined contribution schemes.

Defined benefit plans
A defined benefit plan is a pension arrangement under which participating members receive a benefit at retirement. The 
amount is determined by the plan rules and is dependent on such factors as age, years of service and pensionable pay 
and is not dependent on contributions made by the Company or members. The income statement service cost, in 
respect of defined benefit plans represents the increase in the defined benefit liability arising from pension benefits 
accrued by members in the current period. The Company having such plans is exposed to investment and other 
experience risks and may need to make additional contributions where it is estimated that the benefits will not be 
covered by the assets of the plan.

The Group’s and the Company’s policy is to recognise actuarial gains and losses immediately each year in the statement 
of changes in equity, under other comprehensive income. These comprise the impact on the defined benefit liability of 
changes in demographic and financial assumptions compared with the start of the year, actual experience being different 
to those assumptions and the return on plan assets above the amount included in net pension interest.

Defined contribution plans are arrangements in which the benefits paid to participants are linked to the amount of 
contributions paid and the performance of the scheme. Such plans are independent of the Company and the Group and 
the Company and the Group have no exposure to investment and experience risks. The income statement charge for 
these plans represents the contributions paid by the Group based on a percentage of employees’ pay.

The Group’s and the Company’s defined benefit pension schemes are included in the statement of financial position 
under employment benefit obligations, as are other overseas retirement provisions.

The amounts charged to profit and loss for all post-employment benefits are shown in note 5.

The amount shown in the statement of financial position is detailed as follows:

Employment benefit obligations

Defined benefit schemes

Group

Company

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

4,425 

508

4,933

 4,793

 1,179

 5,973

–

–

–

–

–

–

Photo-Me International plc defined benefit pension scheme
The Company operates a final salary defined benefit scheme in the UK for some long-serving employees, which is funded 
by contributions from the Company and by members of the scheme. This pension scheme (the Photo-Me International 
plc Pension and Life Assurance Fund) is closed to new entrants. The defined benefits are based upon then employee’s 
length of service and final pensionable salary.

The actuarial valuation of the UK Pension scheme has revealed a surplus at 31 October 2021, 31 October 2020, 30 April 
2019, 30 April 2018 and 30 April 2017. This surplus has not been recognised as an asset, in accordance with IFRIC 14, as in 
the future the surplus will not be recovered by a reduction in future contributions to the scheme. The scheme has been 
closed to new members for over 30 years.

151

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements22  Post-employment benefit obligations continued
The Fund is administered by a corporate Trustee, with Trustee Directors, which is legally separate from the Company. The 
Trustee Directors include representatives of both the Company and Fund members. The Trustee Directors are required 
by law to act in the interest of all relevant beneficiaries and are responsible for the investment policy with regard to the 
assets plus the day to day administration of the benefits.

The level of benefits provided by the Fund depends on a member’s length of service and salary at date of leaving or 
retiring from the Fund. Annual pension increases between leaving the Fund and retirement are linked to increases in the 
Retail Prices Index (RPI). After retirement, annual pension increases are at 3.0% per annum for pension accrued before 
April 1997 and in line with increases in the RPI, up to a maximum of 5.0% pa, for pension accrued from April 1997.

The benefit payments are from a trustee administered fund containing assets held in trust and governed by UK 
regulations and practice. The amount of Company contributions is decided jointly by the Trustee Directors and 
the Company.

The Fund’s investment strategy is decided by the Trustee Directors, in consultation with the Company. The Trustee 
Directors exercise their powers of investment (or delegation where these powers have been delegated to a fund 
manager) in a manner calculated to ensure the security, quality, liquidity and profitability of the portfolio as a whole. 

In order to avoid an undue concentration of risk a spread of assets is held. The diversification is both within and across 
asset classes. The assets are invested in a manner appropriate to the nature and duration of the expected future 
retirement benefits payable under the Fund. Day to day selection of stocks is delegated to fund managers appointed by 
the Trustee Directors. As regards the review and selection of their fund managers, the Trustee Directors take expert 
advice.

UK legislation requires that pension schemes are funded prudently. The most recent triennial funding valuation of the 
Fund was carried out by a qualified actuary with an effective date of 1 June 2018. At this date the Fund had a funding level 
of 103% and a surplus of approximately £0.3 million on a technical provisions basis. This basis uses actuarial assumptions 
adopted by the Trustee Directors of the Fund that are consistent with the Fund continuing on an ongoing basis with 
support from the Company.

The last active member ceased employment with the Company in 2020 so contributions are no longer required in respect 
of the accrual of benefits in the Fund.

Risks associated with the Fund
The fund exposes the Company to a number of risks, the most significant of which are described below.

Asset volatility 

Changes in bond yields 

Inflation risk 

Life expectancy 

The liabilities are calculated using a discount rate set with reference to corporate 
bond yields; if assets underperform this yield, this will create a deficit. 
A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase the value placed on the Fund’s 
liabilities for IAS 19, although this will be partially offset by an increase in the 
value of the Fund’s bond holdings and insurance policies backing pensions in 
payment. 
Some of the Fund’s benefit obligations are linked to inflation, and higher 
inflation will lead to higher liabilities (although, in most cases, caps on the level of 
inflationary increases are in place to protect against extreme inflation). The 
majority of the assets are either unaffected by or only loosely correlated with 
inflation, meaning that an increase in inflation will also increase the deficit. 
The majority of the Fund’s obligations are to provide benefits for the life of the 
member, so increases in life expectancy will result in an increase in the liabilities. 

152

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021Reconciliation of the movement in the present value of the defined benefit obligation

Present value of defined benefit obligation at beginning of the period

Current service cost

Interest cost

Actuarial gains on fund liabilities arising in demographic assumptions

Actuarial losses/(gains) from changes in financial assumptions

Actuarial losses on liabilities from experience

Benefits paid

Present value of defined benefit obligation at end of the period

Reconciliation of the movement in the fair value of plan assets

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the period

Interest income on fund assets

Remeasurement gains on assets

Contributions by the Company

Benefits paid

Fair value of plan assets at end of the period

Amount to be recognised in the statement of financial position

Present value of funded obligations

Fair value of scheme assets

Net surplus

Effect of limit of recognition of an asset

Amount recognised in statement of financial position

31 October
2021
£’000

6,267

31 October
2020
£’000

5,940

–

98

(8)

(151)

(79)

(339)

5,788

9

206

23

523

67

(501)

6,267

31 October
2021
£’000

7,040

110

(170)

–

(339)

6,641

31 October
2020
£’000

6,675

231

622

13

(501)

7,040

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

5,788

6,641

(853)

853

–

6,267

7,040

(773)

773

–

The cumulative amount of remeasurement gains and losses recognised since 1 May 2004 in the Group and Company 
statements of comprehensive income, within other comprehensive income, is a loss of £1,363,000 (2020: loss of 
£1,363,000) in respect of the Company’s defined benefit scheme. This has been charged to retained earnings.

Amount recognised in profit and loss

Amount recognised in profit and loss

Current service cost

Interest on net defined liability/(asset)

Total charge

Pension expense recognised in profit and loss

Remeasurement in Other Comprehensive Income

Return on Scheme assets in excess of that recognised in net interest

Actuarial losses due to changes in financial assumptions

Actuarial losses/(gains) due to changes in demographic assumptions

Actuarial losses/(gains) on liabilities arising from experience

Adjustment due to the asset ceiling

Total expense/(income) amount recognised in Other Comprehensive Income

Total expense amount recognised in Comprehensive Income 

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

–

–

–

–

170

(151)

(8)

(79)

68

–

–

9

–

9

9

(622)

523

23

67

12

3

12

The amounts shown above are included in staff costs (note 5) and in administrative expenses.

153

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
 
 
 
22  Post-employment benefit obligations continued
An analysis of the assets of the plan is as follows:

Bonds and insurance policies

Other

31 October 2021

30 October 2020

£’000

6,628

13

6,641

%

100

–

100

£’000

7,027

13

7,040

%

100

 –

100

There were no financial instruments of the Company included in the plan assets (2020: none) and there were no property 
assets occupied by the Company (2020: none).

Principal actuarial assumptions

Discount rate for scheme liabilities

Rate for increase in salaries

Price inflation

Pension increases

31 October
2021

31 October
2020

1.9

n/a

3.3

3.2

1.6

n/a

3.1

3.0

The mortality tables used for 2021 are S3NXA Light tables for males and S3NXA All lives for females, with CMI 2020 
projections and a long-term rate of improvement of 1.25% pa. The mortality tables used for 2020 were also S3NXA Light 
tables, but with CMI 2019 projections and a long term rate of improvement of 1.25% pa. The mortality assumptions allow 
for expected future improvements in mortality rates.

Male currently aged 65

Female currently aged 65

Male currently aged 45

Female current aged 45

Fair value of defined benefit obligation

Fair value of assets

Surplus/(deficit)

Experience gains/(losses) on fund assets

Experience (losses)/gains on plan liabilities 

31 October 2021

31 October 2020

23.3 years (age 88.3)

23.3 years (age 88.3)

24.6 years (age 89.6)

24.6 years (age 89.6)

24.5 years (age 89.5)

24.5 years (age 89.5)

26.0 years (age 91.0)

26.0 years (age 91.0)

2021
£’000

5,788

6,641

853

2020
£’000

(170)

79

2020
£’000

6,267

7,040

773

2019
£’000

622

(67)

2019
£’000

5,940

6,675

735

2018
£’000

160

(9)

2018
£’000

5,947

6,657

710

2017
£’000

(409)

(87)

2017
£’000

6,639

7,223

584

2016
£’000

653

49

Liabilities for 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 relate to gains/(losses) in respect of liability experience only, and excludes 
any change in liabilities in respect of changes to the actuarial assumptions used.

Sensitivity to key assumptions
The key assumptions used for the IAS 19 valuation are: discount rate, inflation rate and mortality. If different assumptions 
were used, this could have a material effect on the results disclosed. The table below shows the sensitivity to the key 
assumptions noted above.

154

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021 
 
 
 
As reported

Following a 0.1% decrease in the discount rate

Following a 0.1% increase in the inflation assumption

Following an increase in the life expectancy of one year

Period ended 31 October 2021

Plan
assets
£’000

6,641

6,661

6,644

6,765

Defined
benefit
obligation
£’000

5,788

5,853

5,806

6,077

Surplus
£’000

853

808

838

688

The sensitivity information shown above has been prepared using the same method as adopted when adjusting the 
results of the latest valuation to the statement of financial position data. This is the same approach as has been adopted 
in previous years.

Overseas pension schemes
The Group’s Swiss subsidiary, Prontophot (Schweiz) A.G. participates in funded multi-employer pension schemes. A 
guaranteed return for such employees’ schemes is mandated by the Swiss state. An actuarial valuation was performed at 
31 October 2021 and 31 October 2020 by independent actuaries.

Reconciliation of the movement in the present value of the defined benefit obligation

Present value of defined benefit obligation at start of the period

Exchange difference

Contribution by members

Current service cost

Past service cost

Interest cost

Remeasurement losses on plan liabilities

Benefits paid

Administration costs

Present value of defined benefit obligation at end of the period

Fair value of plan assets at start of the period

Exchange difference

Contributions by company and members

Expected return on plan assets

Remeasurement gain on plan assets

Benefits paid

Prepaid risk premiums

Fair value of plan assets at end of the period

Net liability at start of the period

Exchange difference

Increase in liability

Net liability at end of the period

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

4,792

(329)

37

214

–

8

(436)

(667)

2

3,621

4,144

481

69

282

(269)

43

93

(54)

3

4,792

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

3,615

(190)

183

6

166

(667)

–

3,113

3,087

361

306

53

(69)

(54)

(69)

3,615

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

1,177

(138)

(531)

508

1,057

120

–

1,177

155

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
 
 
22  Post-employment benefit obligations continued
Amounts recognised in comprehensive income

Amount recognised in profit and loss

Amounts recognised in comprehensive income

Current service cost

Past service cost

Administrative expenses

Net pension interest

Total charge

Amount recognised in other comprehensive income

Return on scheme assets

Actuarial losses on defined benefit obligation

Total amount recognised in other comprehensive income

Total amount recognised in profit and loss and other comprehensive income

Cash

Equities & debt instruments

Other

Total plan assets

Principal actuarial assumptions

Discount rate

Expected return on plan assets at end of year

Rate of increase in salaries

Price inflation

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

214 

–

2

2

218

(166) 

(436)

(602)

(384)

31 October 2021

30 October 2020

£’000

31 

2,117 

965

3,113

%

1

68

31

100

£’000

 36

 2,459

 1,120

 3,615

 282

(269)

 3

 (10)

 6

69 

 93

 162

 168

%

1

68

31

100

31 October
2021
%

31 October
2020
%

0.30

n/a

1.20

0.00

0.20

n/a

1.20

0.00

The normal retirement age for males is between 60 – 65 years and for females between 59 – 64 years for both 2021 
and 2020.

The mortality tables used in 2021 were the BVG 2020 GT tables.

The mortality tables used in 2020, 2019 and 2018 were the BVG 2015 GT tables.

The mortality tables used in 2017 were the BVG 2010 GT tables.

156

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021History of assets, liabilities and actuarial gains and losses

Present value of defined benefit obligation

Fair value of assets

Deficit

Experience (losses)/gains on plan liabilities 

–  as a percentage of the present value of plan liabilities

Difference between expected and actual return

on plan assets 

–  as a percentage of the present value of plan assets

2021
£’000

3,621 

3,113

(508)

2021
£’000

436 

(12%)

166 

5%

2020
£’000

 4,792

 3,615

(1,177)

2020
£’000

(93) 

2%

 (69)

2%

2019
£’000

 4,144

 3,087

(1,057)

2019
£’000

 (144)

3%

96 

3%

2018
£’000

 3,826

 2,894

(932)

2018
£’000

131 

3%

 (78)

(3%)

2017
£’000

 4,062

 3,047

(1,015)

2017
£’000

(186) 

(5%)

 218

7%

Sensitivity to key assumptions
The key assumptions used for the IAS 19 valuation are: discount rate, inflation rate and mortality.

If different assumptions were used, this could have a material effect on the results disclosed.

The table below shows the sensitivity to the key assumptions noted above.

Defined benefit obligation as reported

Defined benefit obligation 

– with discount rate – 0.25%

– with discount rate 0.25%

– with salary decrease – 0.25%

– with salary increase 0.25%

– with life expectancy 1 year

– with life expectancy – 1 year

Defined
benefit
obligation
£’000

Increase/
(decrease) in
defined benefit
obligation
£’000

 3,621 

 3,767 

 3,485 

 3,590 

 3,652 

 3,681 

 3,560 

–

146

(136)

(31)

31

60

(61)

The Group’s best estimate for contributions to be paid by the company next year to the scheme is £142,000 
(2020: £169,000).

The amount recognised in the income statement for this scheme was £218,000 (31 October 2020: £6,000).

157

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
 
 
 
22  Post-employment benefit obligations continued
Overseas post-employment benefit obligations
Provisions for obligations to make termination payments on retirement, to employees who are not members of the 
pension and retirement schemes, are as follows:

 ▪ The Group’s Japanese subsidiary undertaking, Nippon Auto–Photo K.K, has an unfunded post-employment 
retirement provision based on an employee’s length of service with the company and their current salary. The 
allowance is paid to an employee when they leave the company. This has been provided for in full within the accounts. 
Nippon Auto –Photo K.K, agreed with the employees that 50 % of the liability for the retirement provision will be paid 
in cash to an independently controlled defined contribution scheme, with the balance to be met by the company 
when the employee leaves.

 ▪ To meet the legal obligations within France, the Group’s subsidiary undertakings have unfunded retirement 

provisions, which were valued by an independent actuary using the Projected Unit Credit Method at 31 October 2021 
and 31 October 2020. This actuarial valuation incorporated the following principal assumptions in arriving at the 
present value of the obligations:

Discount rate

Rate of increase in salaries

Retirement age

Inflation rate

Mortality table

23  Provisions
Group

At 30 April 2019

Exchange differences

Reclassification

Charged to income statement

At 31 October 2020

Amount shown as current liability

At 31 October 2020

Exchange differences

Charged to income statement

At 31 October 2021

Amount shown as current liability

Amount shown as non-current liability

31 October
2021

31 October
2020

0.65%

1.75%

0.40%

1.75%

62-67 years

61-63 years

1.75%

1.75%

TGH/TGF 05

TGH/TGF 05

Employee
related
claims
£’000

110

 –

–

239

349

349

349

84 

255

688

688

–

Product
warranties
£’000

108

12

–

(21)

99

99

99

(10)

675

764

426

338

Other
£’000

–

 –

886

(72)

 814

 814

814 

(177)

77

714

714

–

Total
£’000

218

12

886

146

1,262

1,262

1,262

(103)

1,007

2,166

1,828

338

Other provisions represent potential obligations to suppliers and tax authorities.

158

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 202124  Deferred taxation
Deferred tax comprises:

Group

Company

Temporary differences relating to property, plant and equipment

Other temporary differences in recognising revenue and expense 
items in other periods for taxation purposes:

– capitalised development costs

– post-employment benefit provisions

– losses

– acquisition related intangibles

– other short-term temporary differences

The closing balance comprises:

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

31 October
2021
£’000

140

514

99

30

4,740

3,049

8,571

(833)

9,454

8,571

The movements on deferred taxation during the period were as follows:

31 October
2020
£’000

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

(732) 

(670)

18

16

–

30

2,378

3,616

6,058

–

6,058

6,058

– 

– 

– 

– 

–

(732)

(732) 

–

(732)

Opening balance

Exchange differences

Arising on acquisition of subsidiary

Post-employment benefit provisions

Charge for the period in income statement

Amounts (credited)/charged to other comprehensive income

Group

Company

31 October
2021
£’000

6,058

98

2,362

98

(181)

136

8,571

30 October
2020
£’000

6,896

31 October
2020
£’000

(670)

1

–

–

(839)

–

6,058

– 

– 

–

(62)

–

(732)

–

 –

 –

 –

–

(670)

(670)

–

(670)

30 April
2019
£’000

(670)

 –

 –

–

–

–

(670)

Temporary differences associated with Group investments
Unremitted earnings of overseas affiliates
No deferred tax liability has been recognised on the unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries as no tax is expected to 
be payable on them in the foreseeable future based on current legislation or where the Group is able to control 
remittance of earnings and it is possible that such earnings will not be remitted in the foreseeable future.

159

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24  Deferred taxation continued
Unrecognised deferred tax assets
Unrecognised deferred tax assets amounting to £3,012,000 (2020: £2,465,000) arising on temporary differences in 
respect of unrelieved tax losses and other temporary differences have not been recognised, as their future economic 
benefit is uncertain.

The expiry dates of unrelieved tax losses are as follows: 

Expiring in less than one year

Expiring between two and 20 years

No expiry date

Group

31 October
2020
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

0

2,713

299

3,012

–

2,065

399

2,465

In addition, the Group has an unrecognised deferred tax asset on gross capital losses of £3,756,000 (2020: £3,756,000), of 
which £3,627,000 (2020: £3,627,000) relate to the Company, which have not been recognised as their future economic 
benefit is not certain.

Factors that may affect future tax charges
There will be a reduction in the corporation tax rates in one of the major jurisdictions in which the Group operates, in 
France to 25% from 2022. The deferred tax assets and liabilities have been recognised based on the respective 
corporation tax rates at which they are anticipated to unwind in each jurisdiction.

25  Trade and other payables

Amounts shown as current liabilities

Trade payables

Amounts owed to subsidiaries

Other taxes and social security costs

Other payables

Accruals and deferred income

Group

Company

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

24,599

–

3,820

7,232

6,833

21,799

 –

2,900

2,960

6,547

3,624

15,030

871

62

1,412

42,484

34,206

20,999

3,227

19,072

536

77

1,448

24,360

26  Capital commitments and contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities
The Company and subsidiary undertakings have given guarantees in the normal course of business to third parties, 
including to the Group’s bankers. No losses are expected from guarantees given by the Company and subsidiary 
undertakings.

In the opinion of the Directors, adequate provision has been made for claims and legal disputes and the Directors 
therefore consider that no contingent liability for litigation exists.

The Group has no contingent liabilities with regard to its interest in the associated undertakings (2020: none).

160

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021 
 
27  Related parties
The Group’s related parties are its associated undertakings, subsidiary undertakings and its key management personnel, 
which comprises the Board of Directors as set out on pages 58 and 59.

The following transactions were carried out with related parties:

Directors’ compensation 

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits excluding long-term 
incentives and pension contributions

Share-based payment charge

Group

Company

31 October
2021
£’000

1,110

127 

1,237

31 October
2021
£’000

2,212

171

2,383

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2021
£’000

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

The remuneration of the directors, both executive and non-executive, of the Company, who are the key management 
personnel of the Group, is set out in the table above. These figures include amounts payable to third party companies for 
services of the directors. Further information about the remuneration of the directors is given in the Remuneration 
Report on pages 74 to 90. Certain executive directors, with UK salaries, are entitled to join the Company’s Group Personal 
Pension Plan, to which the Company contributes 5% of their basic salaries. The charge for the period in respect of this was 
£nil (2020: £nil). No director who served during the year was a member of the Company’s defined benefit pension 
scheme (2020: none).

Directors of the Company control 36.52% of the Ordinary shares of the Company. The interests of the directors are shown 
on page 85 of the Remuneration report.

Company

Transactions with subsidiaries

Sales

Purchases

Amounts owed by subsidiaries

Amounts owed to subsidiaries

Other items:

Intercompany fees charged by/(received from) subsidiaries

Property, plant and equipment

acquired from subsidiaries

Dividend income

– from subsidiaries

31 October
2021
£’000

31 October
2020
£’000

–

20

18,279

15,030

–

1,096

23,466

19,072

1,646

(13,309)

3,226

5,037

–

184

161

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
28  Group undertakings
This disclosure is made in accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 and the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, as amended by the Companies, Partnerships and 
Groups (accounts and reports) Regulations 2015. A full list of subsidiary undertakings and associated undertakings 
(showing country of incorporation, which is also the main trading location of the company, and the effective percentage of 
equity shares held) at 31 October 2021 is shown below. Unless indicated otherwise the equity shares held are in the form 
of ordinary shares or common stock.

Principal group undertakings which affect the financial statements of the Group are highlighted in bold. Together with the 
parent company, Photo-Me International plc, these companies contributed over 90% of the Group’s revenue and 
operating profit.

Company name

Principal 
Activity

Group 
interest

Registered office address

Country of 
incorporation 

UK & Ireland
Jolly Roger (Amusement Rides) Limited Production
Investment
MgInvest Investments Limited
Dormant
Me Group International Limited
Operations
Corporate
Dormant
Investment
Dormant
Operations

Photo-Me (Retail) Limited
Photo-Me Limited
Photo-Me Trustee Company Limited
Xpand Investments Limited
Power-Me Limited
Photo-Me Ireland Limited

100% Unit 3B, Blenheim Road, Epsom, KT19 9AP
100%* Unit 3B, Blenheim Road, Epsom, KT19 9AP
100% Unit 3B, Blenheim Road, Epsom, KT19 9AP
100% Unit 3B, Blenheim Road, Epsom, KT19 9AP
100% Unit 3B, Blenheim Road, Epsom, KT19 9AP
100% Unit 3B, Blenheim Road, Epsom, KT19 9AP
100% Unit 3B, Blenheim Road, Epsom, KT19 9AP
100% Unit 3B, Blenheim Road, Epsom, KT19 9AP
100% Unit A4, Alexander House, Tallaght Cross East, 

Tallaght, Dublin 24

UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
Republic of 
Ireland

Continental Europe
Prontophot Austria G.m.b.H.

Operations

100% Viktor Kaplan Strasse 9B, 2201 Gerasdorf bei 

Austria

Wien

Prontophot Belgium NV
Photo-Me Czech Republic s.p.o.l. s.r.o. Dormant

Operations

100% Boulevard Paepsem 8a, 1070 Anderlecht
100%* Husova 2117, 256 01 Benešov

Belgium
Czech Republic

KIS SAS
Photomaton SAS

Production
Operations

100%* 7 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 38130 Echirolles
100%* 4 Rue de la Croix Faron, 93217 La Plaine 

France
France

Sempa SARL
Photo-Me France SAS
SCI du Lotissement d’Echirolles

SCI Immobilière du 21

Fotofix-Schnellphotoautomaten 
G.m.b.H.
SGER
Me-Group Italia Srl
Kis Italia Srl 

Prontophot Holland B.V
KIS Poland s.p.z.o.o.
Animate Fotofixe Limitada

Saint-Denis

Operations
Corporate
Property

100%* 73 D rue du Général Mangin, 38000 Grenoble France
France
100% 7 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 38130 Echirolles
France
61%*

2110 Avenue Du Général De Gaulle, 38130 
Echirolles

Property
Operations

100%* 7 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 38130 Echirolles
100% Medienstrasse 4, 47807 Krefeld

France
Germany

Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Operations
Operations
Operations

100% Z.I du Pre Brun, 38530 PONTCHARRA
100% Roma (RM) Via Lovanio 1, CAP 00198
100% Roma (RM) Via Lovanio 1, CAP 00198
100% Loonseweg 14, 5527 AC Hapert 
100% ul. Targowa 46/5, 03-733 Warszawa
100% Rua Sto António do Zaire, n°138, 2685-492 

France
Italy
Italy 
Netherlands
Poland 
Portugal

Camarate

Operations
Global Network Investment SL
Smart Real Estate & Refurbishment SL Operations
Operations
Prontophot (Schweiz) AG

100% Provença 385, entrelo. 2º, 08025 Barcelona
100% Provença 385, entrelo. 2º, 08025 Barcelona
100% Sonnentalstrasse 5, 8600Dübendorf

Spain
Spain
Switzerland

162

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021Company name

Principal 
Activity

Group 
interest

Registered office address

Country of 
incorporation 

Asia & ROW

Photo-Me (Shanghai) Co Limited

Operations

100%* Room 1102 Tongyong Tower, No. 1346 Gong he 

China

Photo-Me Beijing Co Limited 

Dormant

Xin Road, Zha bei District, Shanghai 200070
100%* Room 1124, Ocean Natural Xintiandi, No.106 
East Majiapu Road, Fengtai District, Beijing 
100000

China

Nippon Auto-Photo Kabushiki Kaisha Operations

100% Room 1302, Atlas Tower Roppongi, Roppongi 

Japan

7-7-13,Minato-Ku, 106 0032

Photo-Me Korea Company Limited

Operations

100%* Room #203-1, Daeryung techno town 1st, 

Korea

Gasan Digital 2 ro 18, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, 
08592

Photomatico (Singapore) Pte Limited
KIS (Thailand) Limited

Operations
Dormant

100% 26 Sin Ming Lane, Singapore 573971
49% 53/3, 4th Floor, Unit 4, Goldenland Bldg, Soi 

Singapore
Thailand

Mahardlekluang 1, Badmiri Rd, Lumpini 
Phathumwan, 10330 Bangkok

* Investments in subsidiaries not owned directly by Photo-Me International plc.

Photo-Me CR.s.p.o.l.s.r.o. is owned 20% by Photo-Me International plc and 80% by Prontophot Austria G.m.b.H.

Photo-Me International plc owns 49% common shares in KIS (Thailand), 51% preferred stock is owned by other 
shareholders.

The results of the Group’s subsidiaries and associates are consolidated for the period ended 31 October 2021. Certain 
subsidiaries and associates have a different statutory year end, sometimes due to legal requirements in the country 
concerned. The following subsidiaries are exempt from the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to the audit 
of individual accounts by virtue of section 479A of the Companies Act:

 ▪ Jolly Roger (Amusement Rides) Limited;

 ▪ Photo-Me (Retail) Limited;

 ▪ Xpand Investments Limited;

 ▪ Mginvest Investments Limited; and

 ▪ Photo-Me Limited.

Fotofix-Schnellphotoautomaten GmbH is exempted from local audit as of 30 April 2020.

163

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements29  Business combinations
Photo Plaza Co Ltd
On 1 February 2021 the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Photo Plaza Co Ltd for a consideration of JPY 
950,000,000 (£6,624,000), obtaining control of the company on that date.

Photo Plaza is a Japanese photobooth owner and operator and this acquisition adds a further 1,500 photobooth units 
to the Group’s operations in Asia. This acquisition is in line with the Group’s strategy to expand the number of units 
in operation.

The acquisition was financed with borrowings from the Group’s bankers.

On 15 March 2021 Photo Plaza Co Ltd was merged into Nippon Auto Photo KK, another subsidiary of the Group and Photo 
Plaza Co Ltd’s immediate parent company.

Deferred consideration
There is no contingent or deferred consideration.

Goodwill
The goodwill of £647,000 arising from the acquisition is attributable to the anticipated operational benefits and 
improvements to the Group’s commercial offering.

Acquired assets and liabilities
As part of the purchase price allocation, the Group has recognised separately identifiable acquired intangible assets in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and had their fair values assessed by an independent 
expert. The following intangible assets were identified and recognised at their fair value:

 ▪ Order backlog of £1,440,000

 ▪ Customer relationships of £6,198,000

A deferred tax liability of £2,337,000 was recognised in relation to these intangible assets, calculated at the local 
corporation tax rate.

The net book value and fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired, and the calculation of goodwill, are shown in the 
table opposite.

164

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021The final table of this note shows the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired, cash outlay on acquisition and results 
of the acquired business included in Group results in the year ended 31 October 2021.

Purchase consideration

Fair value of debt

Implied total purchase consideration

Fixed assets

Intangible assets:

Contractual

Non-contractual

Inventory

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Deferred tax liability

Net assets

Goodwill

Net book value 
of assets and 
liabilities 
acquired
£’000

Fair value 
adjustments
£’000

Fair value of 
identifiable 
acquired net 
assets
£’000

–

–

–

 2,476 

–

–

 228 

 221 

 124 

(229) 

–

 2,820 

–

–

–

–

 1,440 

 6,198 

–

–

–

(170)

(2,337) 

 5,131 

–

–

–

 2,476 

 1,440 

 6,198 

 228 

 221 

 124 

(399) 

(2,337) 

 7,951

Goodwill 
calculation
£’000

 6,624 

 1,974 

 8,598 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(7,951) 

 647 

SGER (Resto’clock)
On 30 June 2021 the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of SGER for a consideration of €3,489,000 
(£2,948,000), obtaining control of the company on that date.

SGER, which operates under the trading name ‘Resto’clock’, is a France based, market leader in pizza vending equipment. 
This acquisition supports the Group’s strategic aim of diversification and becoming a European market leader in food 
vending equipment.

The acquisition was funded from the Group’s cash resources.

Deferred consideration
There is no contingent or deferred consideration.

Acquired assets and liabilities
Due to the proximity of the transaction to the reporting date, the purchase price allocation, including determination of the 
fair value of intangible assets recognised on consolidation has not been finalised.

The provisional fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired, cash outlay on acquisition and results of the acquired 
business included in Group results in the year ended 31 October 2021 are shown in the table below.

Now Retail Group
On 3 September 2021 the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Now Retail Group Pty Ltd for a 
consideration of AUD 3,477,000 (£1,913,000), obtaining control of the company on that date.

Now Retail Group is an Australian owner and operator of automated retail units, with a focus on health, beauty and 
consumer electronics products. This acquisition supports the Group’s strategic aims of geographic and product 
diversification.

The acquisition was funded from the Group’s cash resources.

165

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements29  Business combinations continued
Contingent consideration
Of the total £1,913,000 consideration, £880,000 is payable to the vendors contingent on earnings performance in the 
12-month period ending 30 June 2021 and the 16 month period from 1 July 2021 to 31 October 2022. The directors 
consider it likely that the performance conditions will be met and have therefore recognised the maximum amounts 
payable.

Acquired assets and liabilities
Due to the proximity of the transaction to the reporting date, the purchase price allocation, including determination of the 
fair value of intangible assets recognised on consolidation has not been finalised.

The provisional fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired, cash outlay on acquisition and results of the acquired 
business included in Group results in the year ended 31 October 2021 are shown in the table below.

Property, plant and equipment

Intangibles: order backlog

Intangibles: customer relationships

Intangibles: other

Total non-current assets

Inventory

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Trade and other payables

Deferred tax

Total current liabilities

Borrowings

Total liabilities

Total identifiable net assets excluding goodwill

Goodwill

Total identifiable net assets acquired

Satisfied by:

Cash

Deferred consideration

Total consideration

Cash consideration per cashflow:

Cash consideration

Net cash acquired

Initial cash outlay on purchase of subsidiaries

£’000

Photo Plaza

2,476

1,440

6,198

–

10,114

228

221

124

573

(399)

(2,337)

(2,736)

(1,974)

(4,710)

5,977

647

6,624

6,624

–

6,624

6,624

(124)

6,499

The following results were included in the Group’s results for the year ended 31 October 2021:

Revenue

Profit before tax

292

45 

SGER

165

–

–

6

171

433

347

1,185

1,965

(1,176)

–

(1,176)

(265)

(1,441)

695

2,253

2,948

2,948

–

2,948

2,948

(1,185)

1,763

3,103

124

Now Retail 
Group

5

–

–

–

5

163

20

42

225

(140)

–

(140)

–

(140)

90

1,823

1,913

1,913

–

1,913

1,913

(42)

1,871

1,100

33

Total

2,646

1,440

6,198

6

10,290

824

588

1,351

2,763

(1,715)

(2,337)

(4,052)

(2,239)

(6,291)

6,762

4,723

11,485

11,485

–

11,485

11,485

(1,351)

10,133

4,495

161

166

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 202130  Events after statement of financial position date
On 21 January 2022, Tibergest PTE Ltd, a company wholly-owned by Mr. Serge Crasnianski, agreed to buy 29.1 million 
Photo-Me shares from the Dan David Foundation, taking its and its associates’ total holding to 138.0 million shares, or a 
37% stake, triggering a mandatory offer under UK takeover rules and announced its intention to make a mandatory cash 
offer for all of the issued and to be issued Photo-Me Shares not already held.

Shareholders of Tibergest would be set to receive 75p for every share held, if the buy-out proceeds.

Tibergest announced on January 21 that it intends to make a mandatory cash offer for all of Photo-Me’s shares that are 
not already held by the company. The offer document was published and sent to Photo-Me shareholders on February 15.
It is a non-recommended mandatory cash offer.

On 8 March 2022, The board of Photo-Me announces that the unrecommended mandatory offer, has lapsed as the 
Acceptance Condition (50%) was not satisfied. Consequently, the Company is now no longer in an offer period.

31  Period summary
Income statement (unaudited)

Revenue

UK & Ireland

Continental Europe

Asia

Total revenue

Operating profit

Net finance (cost)/income & Other gains

Profit before taxation

Taxation

Profit after taxation

Attributable to:

– equity owners of the Parent

– Non-controlling interests

Earnings per share – Basic

Earnings per share – Diluted

Dividends – interim

Dividends – final

Dividends – special

Total dividends

2021
£’000

2020
£’000

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

29,644

145,009

39,751

214,404

29,335

(780)

28,555

(6,703)

21,852

21,713

139

21,852

5.78p  

5.77p  

0.00p

0.00p

 –

0.00p

54,623

195,230

60,392

310,245

3,317

(2,825)

492

(2,844)

(2,352)

(2,305)

(47)

(2,352)

(0.62)p

(0.62)p

0.00p

0.00p

 –

0.00p

52,919

130,661

44,538

228,118

42,739

(146)

42,593

(11,314)

31,279

31,226

53

31,279

8.27p

8.26p

3.71p

4.73p

 –

8.44p

63,707

121,134

44,973

229,814

46,106

4,069

50,175

(9,889)

40,286

40,134

152

40,286

10.64p

10.60p

3.71p

4.73p

 –

8.44p

53,639

111,670

49,344

214,653

46,807

1,232

48,039

(12,901)

35,138

34,991

147

35,138

9.30p

9.27p

3.09p

3.94p

–

7.03p

167

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial Statements 
 
31  Period summary continued
Statements of financial position

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other non-current investments 

Other non-current assets

Current assets

Assets held for sale

Total assets

Share capital

Share premium

Reserves

Equity of the Parent

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Total non-current liabilities

Total current liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Net cash

2021
£’000

34,502

91,973

21

3,966

141,688 

–

272,150

1,889

10,599

115,486

127,974

1,720

129,694

68,900

73,556

272,150

34,919

2020
£’000

32,739

90,937

57

3,743

139,760

 –

2019
£’000

41,816

95,353

415

5,693

128,723

–

2018
£’000

27,395

93,232

1,583

10,047

106,652

–

2017
£’000

25,263

75,651

2,095

8,136

85,753

96

267,237

272,000

238,909

196,994

1,889

10,599

99,693

112,181

1,689

113,870

52,968

100,399

267,237

21,877

1,889

10,588

129,500

141,977

1,870

143,847

64,450

63,703

272,000

16,338

1,887

10,366

131,004

143,257

1,553

144,810

35,959

58,140

238,909

26,688

1,882

8,999

117,080

127,961

1,341

129,302

19,045

48,647

196,994

39,212

Note: The figures above have been extracted from the accounts for the relevant period and have not been adjusted for 
changes in accounting policies as a result of adoption of new accounting standards.

Financial & operating statistics

Capital expenditure – photobooth &  
vending machines £’000

Capital expenditure – research &  
development £’000

EBITDA £’000

EBITDA % of revenue

Number of vending sites

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

22,563

38,435

24,938

35,588

33,787

1,802

65,077

30.4

43,800

2,296

87,313

28.1

44,500

1,631

69,705

30.6

47,000

2,510

70,981

30.9

47,000

2,390

69,034

32.2

48,000

168

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsNotes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the period ended 31 October 2021 
 
Company Information & Advisers

Registered in England and Wales
Number 735438

Registered Office
Unit 3B
Blenhiem Road
Epsom
KT19 9AP

44 (0)1372 453399

Tel: 
Web:   www.photo-me.com
e-mail:   ir@photo-me.com

Auditor
Mazars LLP
Tower Bridge House
St Katharine’s Way
London
E1W 1DD

Brokers
Canaccord Genuity Limited
88 Wood Street
London
EC2V 7QR

finnCap Limited
1 Bartholomew Close
London
EC1A 7BL

Bankers
Lloyds Bank plc
25 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7HN

Santander UK plc
2 Triton Square
Regent’s Place
London
NW1 3AN

Financial Public Relations
Hudson Sandler LLP
25 Charterhouse Square
Barbican
London
EC1M 6AE

Registrars
Link Group
10th floor
Central Square
29 Wellington Street
Leeds
LS1 4DL

169

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial StatementsShareholder Information

Analysis of registered shareholdings at 28 February 2021

Individuals

Nominees

Other corporate bodies

Total

1 – 1,000

1,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 100,000

100,001 – 500,000

500,001 – 1,000,000

1,000,001 and above

Total

 Category

Number of
holdings

Number of
Ordinary shares

 Size of holding:

1,738

317

38

7,195,811 

365,080,151

5,735,675

2,093

378,011,637

Number of
holdings

Number of
Ordinary shares

1,065

512,077 

743

167

64

21

33

2,254,808 

5,918,347 

14,951,936 

16,328,506 

338,045,963

2,093

378,011,637

%
Ordinary
share capital

1.90%

96.58%

5.52%

100%

%
Ordinary
share capital

0.14%

0.61%

1.61%

4.22%

4.56%

88.90%

100%

Capital gains tax
For shareholders wishing to calculate United Kingdom capital gains tax, the example below shows the effect on 
100 shares at 31 March 1982 after all subsequent capitalisations and subdivisions:

31 March 1982

9 December 1983 (1 for 5 Cap.)

12 December 1985 (1 for 6 Cap.)

12 December 1985 (subdivision)

18 December 1987 (subdivision)

13 December 1989 (subdivision)

8 November 1999 (subdivision)

100

20

120

20

140

140

280

1,120

1,400

1,400

2,800

11,200

Ordinary shares of 50p each

(at market value of 445p per 50p share)

Ordinary shares of 50p each

Ordinary shares of 50p each

(50p to 25p)

Ordinary shares of 25p each

(25p to 5p)

Ordinary shares of 5p each

(5p to 2.5p)

Ordinary shares of 2.5p each

(2.5p to 0.5p)

14,000

Ordinary shares of 0.5p each

170

Photo-Me International plc Annual Report 2021Financial statementsFor the 12 months ended 31 October 2021Investor relations website
Investor relations information, including share price, is available through the Company’s website www.photo-me.com

Transfer office and registration services
Link Group act on behalf of the Company. All shareholder enquiries, notifications of change of address, dividend 
mandates, etc. should be referred to them at:

Link Group
10th floor
Central Square
29 Wellington Street
Leeds
LS1 4DL

Tel: 
Overseas Tel:  00 44 371 664 0391

0371 664 0300

Link Group also offer a range of shareholder information online at www.capitashareportal.com

The Register of directors’ interests is maintained at the Registered Office at Epsom.

Copies of the Annual Report should be requested from:

Photo-Me International plc
Unit 3B
Blenheim Road
Epsom
KT19 9AP

Tel 
e-mail: 

44 (0)1372 453399
ir@photo-me.com

Financial Calendar
Annual General Meeting

Half year results
(to 30 April 2022)

Full year results
(to 31 October 2022)

 29 April 2022

Announcement in July 2022

Announcement in February 2023

Photo-Me International plc
Unit 3B Blenheim Road, Epsom KT19 9AP

T +44(0)1372 453399 F +44(0)1372 451044 W www.photo-me.com

Designed and produced by Invicomm
www.invicomm.com

Photo-Me International plc 
Unit 3B Blenheim Road, Epsom KT19 9AP  

T  +44(0)1372 453399     F +44(0)1372 451044     W www.photo-me.com