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Pires Investments plc

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FY2013 Annual Report · Pires Investments plc
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Pires Investments plc 

(Incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 02929801) 

Annual Report and 
Financial Statements 
for the year ended 31 October 2013 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Contents 

Company Information 

Chairman’s Statement 

Investment Review 

Strategic Report 

Directors’ Report 

Report on Remuneration 

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

Corporate Governance Report 

Report of the Independent Auditor 

Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Statement of Changes in Equity 

Statement of Financial Position 

Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

      Page 

1 

2 

3 

4 

6 

8 

9 

10 

11 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Company Information 

Directors 

Secretary 

Registered office 

Auditors 

Nominated adviser 

Broker 

Registrars 

P Redmond (chairman) 
R J Armstrong 
A A Quraishi 
C J Yates 

R C Porter ACA 

c/o Morrison & Foerster 
CityPoint 
One Ropemaker Street 
London 
EC2Y 9AW 

Welbeck Associates 
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 
30 Percy Street 
London 
W1T 2DB 

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP 
61 Cheapside 
London 
EC2V 6AX 

Peterhouse Corporate Finance Limited 
31 Lombard Street 
London 
EC3V 9BQ 

Computershare Investor Services Plc 
PO Box 82 
The Pavilions 
Bridgwater Road 
Bristol 
BS99 7NH 

Registered number 

02929801 

Page | 1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Chairman’s Statement 

During the period under review, Pires made a number of investments in quoted and unquoted stocks 
pursuant to its investment strategy, which is to invest principally in the resources and energy sector.  
We looked closely at a number of pre-IPO and other opportunities during the period and this resulted 
in the Company making its first significant such investment in the new financial year. 

In July 2013, the Company raised £500,000 before expenses by way of the issue of 500 million new 
ordinary shares at a price of 0.1p per share.  As at 31 October 2013 the Company had cash resources 
of approximately £1.2m (2012: £1.3m). 

The cornerstone investee company is Rame Energy plc (“Rame”), in which we invested on a pre-IPO 
basis in February 2014 and which was admitted to trading on AIM on 10 April of this year.   Our initial 
investment  of  £410,000  was  in  the  form  of  a  convertible  loan  note  which  was  convertible  at  a 
minimum  25%  discount  to  the  IPO  placing  price.  In  addition,  we  invested  a  further  £55,000  on 
admission in ordinary shares at the placing price;  further details of the investment will be found on 
page 3 of this document under the heading “Investment Review”. 

Rame is a well-established UK based international specialist energy producer with a strong presence 
in Latin America, in particular Chile. Since establishing an office there in 2006, it has been involved in 
the  construction  of  a  significant  proportion  of  wind  power  projects  in  that  country, developing  and 
implementing power solutions for many of Chile’s major mining and industrial corporations.   It has 
developed its own portfolio of projects and is now in the process of becoming an independent power 
producer in its own right, with significant equity positions in its future developments.  We believe that 
it  now  has  the  capacity  to  make  a  quantum  leap  from  being  a  well-respected  but  modest-sized 
consultancy company to becoming a substantial player in the energy industry in Chile, which is widely 
regarded  as  a  stable  and  rapidly  growing  economy.  The  Board  believes  that  the  implementation  of 
these plans will result in the further enhancement of the value of the Company’s investment. 

The  Board  believes  that  the  investment  in  Rame  will  set  the  pattern  for  the  Company’s  future 
investments.  Our objective is to provide capital at the pre-IPO stage to well-established companies 
that  are  seeking  to  come  to  the  market  in  the  near  term  and  where  the  Board  believes  that  the 
Company’s funding and assistance can hasten this process. Although we are looking at other resource 
and energy projects currently, we are also reviewing opportunities outside of this sector. 

The Directors remain mindful of the need to restrain costs and generate additional income streams.  
The Board believes that the Company is now moving forward in a positive way and it looks forward to 
further positive developments in the current trading period. 

Peter Redmond 
Chairman 
29 April 2014 

Page | 2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Investment Review 

Rame Energy plc 

On 10 February 2014, Pires announced an investment of £410,000 in Rame Energy plc (“Rame”) via a 
three  year  convertible  loan  note,  convertible  at  a  minimum  25%  discount  to  its  IPO  price,  with 
automatic  conversion  should  Rame’s  IPO  occur  within  six  months  of  Pires’  investment.  Rame  was 
admitted to AIM on 4 April 2014 and Pires’ convertible loan noted therefore converted into 3,037,037 
new  ordinary  shares  in  Rame,  valued  at  £547,000.  Pires  subscribed  for  an  additional  308,233  new 
ordinary shares as part of the IPO placing at 18p per share, at a cost of £55,000. Pires therefore now 
has 3,345,270 ordinary shares in Rame, representing 3.5% of the issued share capital of Rame. Pires 
also  has  warrants  to  subscribe  for  125,000  new  ordinary  shares  in  Rame  at  the  placing  price  until 
February 2017. 

Rame raised $3.6 million by way of pre-IPO investment and a further £2.1 million by way of a placing 
of new ordinary shares and convertible loan notes on admission to AIM. 

Rame is a UK-based specialist international energy producer, established in 2002, and with a strong 
and  experienced  management  team.    Rame  has  a  well-established  presence  in  the  Chilean  wind 
power market and experience in a wide range of power resources, including solar and diesel power. It 
has been at the forefront of wind power development in Chile, developing projects for Barrick Gold, 
Anglo American and Antofagasta Minerals among others. 

It is now capitalising on its experience and expertise to develop, own and operate power generation 
projects,  with  its  initial  focus  being  in  Chile  and  thereafter  globally  as  dictated  by  the  needs  of  its 
clients.  Rame  plans  to  become  a  niche  independent  power  producer  taking  full  advantage  of 
opportunities created by increasing energy costs and demands in power intensive industrial activities 
such as mining. 

Rame has entered into binding agreements with Santander Investment Chile for the co-financing of 
15MW of wind farms across two project sites in Chile, with conditional loan agreements in place with 
Chilean bank, Banco BICE, to provide the debt package for the projects. It also has agreed indicative 
terms for the financing of another 9MW Chilean wind farm project  where binding terms have now 
been executed for a 10 year power purchase agreement . Rame has a 20% interest in the equity of 
the initial two projects,  with  an option to acquire the balance, and is  expected to have a minimum 
20% interest in the third. 

Rame  has  a  portfolio  of  28  onshore  wind  energy  assets  in  Chile  which,  based  on  the  Company’s 
estimations  using  wind  data  and  industry  standard  software,  have  a  potential  installed  capacity  in 
excess of 1.4 GW. Its next two projects are expected to provide 84MW of power at an advanced stage 
of development. Rame intends, subject to financing, to install approximately 300 MW of wind, solar, 
biomass and diesel projects over the next three years. 

Shale Energy plc 

Pires  has  a  shareholding  of  31,105  5p  ordinary  shares  in  Shale  Energy  plc  with  a  book  value  of 
£27,995.  It  is  seeking  to  acquire  interests  in  shale  energy  licences  in  the  UK;  and  it  has  been  in 
negotiations to acquire an interest in a company holding such licences, though the outcome of these 
negotiations is at present uncertain. 

Page | 3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Strategic Report 

Business review and future developments 

At the General Meeting held on 16 April 2012, members approved the adoption of an investing policy 
for  the  Company  and  this  policy  was  re-adopted  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  held  on  21  March 
2013. The policy is to invest, principally but not exclusively, in the resources and energy sectors and 
full details of the policy are set out below. 

Investing Policy  

The Company's Investing Policy is to invest principally, but not exclusively in the resources and energy 
sectors. The Company will initially focus on projects located in Asia but will also consider investments 
in other geographical regions. The Company may be either an active investor and acquire control of a 
single  company  or  it  may  acquire  non-controlling  shareholdings.  Once  a  target  has  been  identified, 
additional funds may need to be raised by the Company to complete a transaction.  

The  proposed  investments  to  be  made  by  the  Company  may  be  in  either  quoted  or  unquoted 
securities  made  by  direct  acquisition  and  may  be  in  companies,  partnerships  or  joint  ventures,  or 
direct interests in projects and can be at any stage of development. The Company’s equity interest in 
a proposed investment may range from a minority position to 100 per cent ownership.  

The  Company  will  identify  and  assess  potential  investment  targets  and  where  it  believes  further 
investigation is required, intends to appoint appropriately qualified advisers to assist.  

The Company proposes to carry out a comprehensive and thorough project review process in which 
all  material  aspects  of  any  potential  investment  will  be  subject  to  rigorous  due  diligences,  as 
appropriate. It is likely that the Company’s financial resources will be invested in a small number of 
projects or investments or potentially in just one investment which may be deemed to be a reverse 
takeover under the AIM Rules. Where this is the case, it is intended to mitigate risk by undertaking an 
appropriate  due  diligence  process.  Any  transaction  constituting  a  reverse  takeover  under  the  AIM 
Rules will require shareholder approval. The possibility of building a broader portfolio of investment 
assets has not, however, been excluded.  

The  Company  intends  to  deliver  shareholder  returns  principally  through  capital  growth  rather  than 
capital distribution via dividends. Given the nature of the Company’s Investing Policy, the Company 
does not intend to make regular periodic disclosures or calculations of net asset value.  

The Directors believe that their broad collective experience together with their extensive network of 
contacts  will  assist  them  in  the  identification,  evaluation  and  funding  of  suitable  investment 
opportunities.  When  necessary,  other  external  professionals  will  be  engaged  to  assist  in  the  due 
diligence of prospective opportunities. The Directors will also consider appointing additional directors 
with relevant experience if the need arises.  

The objective of the Directors is to generate  capital appreciation and any income generated by the 
Company will be applied to cover costs or will be added to the funds available to further implement 
the Investment Policy. In view of this, it is unlikely that the Directors will recommend a dividend in the 
early years. However, they may recommend or declare dividends at some future date depending on 
the financial position of the Company.  

Page | 4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Strategic Report 

Key performance indicators 

The key performance indicators are set out below: 

Net asset value 
Net asset value – fully diluted per share 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Principal business risks and uncertainties 

Market Risks 

31 October  
2013 
£1,305,635 
0.057p 
£1,195,379 

31 October 
2012 
£1,202,769 
0.069p 
£1,240,610 

Change % 

+9% 
-17% 
-4% 

The value of the Company’s  assets will depend, to a significant degree, on the Company’s ability to 
identify  and  make  suitable  investments  in  a  reasonable  timeframe.  The  Directors  intend  that 
appropriate  due  diligence  be  carried  out  by  the  Company  on  potential  prospects,  but  there  is  an 
inherent risk in investing in companies or businesses. 

Funding 

It is likely that, if the Company identifies and wishes to pursue an investment opportunity or a reverse 
takeover, it may need to raise further funds for further working or development capital.  There is no 
guarantee  that  the  then  prevailing  market  conditions  will  allow  for  such  a  fundraising  or  that  new 
investors will be prepared to invest on a basis which is acceptable to shareholders.  

Financial risk management objectives and policies 

Details of the Company’s financial instruments and financial risk management policies can be found in 
notes 14 and 15 to the financial statements. 

Assessment of Business Risk 

The Board regularly reviews operating and strategic risks and considers in such reviews financial and 
non-financial information including:  

• 
• 
• 
• 

a review of the business at each Board meeting, focusing on any new decisions/risks arising;  
the performance of investments;  
selection criteria of new investments; and  
reports prepared by third parties.  

C J Yates 

Director 
29 April 2014 

Page | 5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Directors’ Report  

The Directors present their annual report and the audited financial statements of Pires Investments 
Plc for the year ended 31 October 2013. 

The Company’s shares of 0.1p each are traded on AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange.  

Results and dividends 

The Company’s loss from continuing activities for the year was £352,634 (2012 profit: £348,688).  The 
2012  result  benefitted  from  a  gain  of  £1,526,949  arising  from  the  creditors'  voluntary  arrangement 
which  was  approved  during  the  year  and  was  after  charging  £825,211  arising  from  discontinued 
activities. 

The Directors are unable to recommend the payment of a dividend, given the deficit on distributable 
reserves. 

Principal activities and review of business 

The principal activities of the Company throughout the year under review and since have been as an 
investment company which has involved the seeking, investigation and making of investments.  

The review of the business is contained within the Strategic Report on page 4. 

Events after the Reporting Period 

Since 31 October 2013, the Company has made an investment of £410,000 in Rame Energy plc by way 
of a convertible loan.  On 10 February 2014, the Company’s convertible loan note was converted into 
3,037,037 new ordinary shares In Rame Energy plc, which would realise £547,000 at the placing price. 
In addition, as part of the IPO for Rame Energy, the Company subscribed for 308,233  new ordinary 
shares  in  Rame  Energy.  Following  the  conversion  and  subscription  the  Company  has  an  interest  of 
3,345,270  ordinary  shares,  representing  approximately  3.5  per  cent  of  Rame  Energy’s  issued  share 
capital. 

Directors 

The following Directors have held office since 31 October 2012: 

P Redmond 
A A Quraishi 
C J Yates 
R J Armstrong (appointed 14 February 2014) 

Charitable and political donations 

No charitable or political donations were made during the year (2012: nil). 

Going concern 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis because, as set out in detail in 
Note 1 (Going Concern), the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.  

Substantial shareholders 

As  at  15  April  2014,  either  the  Company  had  been  notified  in  accordance  with  Chapter  5  of  the 
Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the following holdings, or the Company’s share register showed 
the following shareholdings representing 3% or more of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital: 

Page | 6 

 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Directors’ Report (continued) 

Shareholder 
Ambrosia Investment Limited 
Gledhow Investments plc 
Jim Nominees Limited 
W B Nominees Limited 
XCAP Nominees Limited 
TD Direct Investing Nominees Limited 
AIMS Consultancy Limited 
L R Nominees Limited 
Euroclear Nominees Limited 

Auditor 

Ordinary shares 
of 0.1p each  
Number 
375,000,000 
200,000,000 
198,007,117 
180,500,000 
151,254,000 
127,707,624 
125,000,000 
121,302,731 
70,000,000 

% of the issued 
ordinary share 
capital 
16.15% 
8.61% 
8.53% 
7.77% 
6.51% 
5.50% 
5.38% 
5.22% 
3.02% 

Welbeck Associates have expressed their willingness to continue in office as auditor and a resolution 
to re-appoint them will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.  

By order of the Board 

C J Yates 

Director 
29 April 2014 

Page | 7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Report on Remuneration 

Policy on Directors’ remuneration 

The policy of the Board is to provide remuneration packages designed to attract, motivate and retain 
Directors  of  the  calibre  necessary  to  maintain  the  Company’s  position  and  to  reward  them  for 
enhancing  shareholder  value.  It  aims  to  provide  sufficient  levels  of  remuneration  to  do  this,  but  to 
avoid paying more than is necessary. The remuneration will reflect the Directors’ responsibilities and 
time  commitment  and,  where  appropriate,  will  contain  incentives  to  deliver  the  Company’s 
objectives.  

Remuneration of the Directors 

During the period, the following remuneration and other benefits were charged to the Company: 

P Redmond (see notes 1 &2 below) 
A A Quraishi (see notes 1 &2 below) 
C J Yates (see notes 1 &3 below) 
P D Collins (see  3 below) 
M C Woodcock (see note 3 below) 

Salaries 
2013 
£ 
- 
- 
27,083 
- 
- 
27,083 

Fees 
2013 
£ 
15,000 
15,000 
8,750 
- 
- 
38,750 

Total 
2013 
£ 
15,000 
15,000 
35,833 
- 
- 
65,833 

Total 
2012 
£ 
8,125 
8,125 
38,187 
688 
3,667 
58,792 

Notes: 
1 

In  addition,  companies  or  businesses  in  which  Mr  Redmond,  Mr  Quraishi  and  Mr  Yates  were 
interested  were  paid  consultancy  fees  in  respect  of  services  provided  and  disbursements 
totalling £11,000, £13,942 and £3,500 respectively. 

2  Mr Redmond and Mr Quraishi were each, in April 2012, granted a warrant to subscribe 1.5% of 
the  Company's  issued  share  capital  from  time  to  time  and  a  total  of  £19,212  for  these  share 
based payments was recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 
31 October 2012. 
In respect of the year ended 31 October 2012, these numbers represented the gross salary and 
fees  paid  to  the  Director  during  the  year  and  the  amount  settled  under  the  CVA  in  respect  of 
unpaid salary and fees. 

3 

Directors’ interests 

The Directors’ beneficial interests in the share capital of the Company as at 31 October 2012 and 31 
October 2013 were: 

Ordinary shares of 
0.1p each 31 October 
2013 
- 
- 
- 
6,766,819 

Ordinary shares of 
0.1p each 31 October 
2012 
- 
- 
- 
200,000 

P Redmond (note 1) 
A A Quraishi (note 1) 
R J Armstrong (note 2) 
C J Yates 
Notes: 
1 

On 17 April 2012, the Board granted to each of P Redmond and A A Quraishi a warrant over 1.5% 
of  the  Company’s  issued  ordinary  share  capital  from  time  to  time  exercisable  at  0.1p  per  new 
ordinary share at any time up to 17 April 2015 
R J Armstrong was appointed as a non-executive director of the company on 14 February 2014. 
Mr Armstrong has an interest of 15,113,436 ordinary shares in the Company 

2 

C J Yates 
Director 
29 April 2014 

Page | 8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Statement of Directors Responsibilities 

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

The Directors are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable law 
and  regulations.  Company  law  requires  the  Directors  to  prepare  financial  statements  for  each 
financial  year.    Under  that  law  the  Directors  are  required  to  prepare  the  Company  financial 
statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the 
European  Union  and  Article  4  of  the  IAS  Regulation  and  have  also  chosen  to  prepare  the  Company 
financial statements under IFRSs as adopted by the EU.  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 Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period. In preparing 
those financial statements, International Accounting Standard 1 requires the Directors to: 

•  properly select and apply accounting policies; 
•  present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, 

comparable and understandable information; 

•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent 
•  provide  additional  disclosures  when  compliance  with  the  specific  requirements  in  IFRSs  are 
insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events 
and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial performance; and  

•  make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.  

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

Disclosure of information 

In the case of each of the persons who are acting as Directors of the Company at the date when this 
report was approved:- 

•  so far as each of the Directors is aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined in 

the Companies Act 2006) of the which the Company’s auditor is not aware; and 

•  each of the Directors has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a Director to make 
himself  aware  of  any  relevant  audit  information  (as  defined)  and  to  establish  that  the 
Company’s auditor is aware of that information. 

The  Directors  are  also  responsible  for  the  maintenance  and  integrity  of  the  investor  information 
contained  on  the  website.  Legislation  in  the  UK  concerning  the  preparation  and  dissemination  of 
financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Publication of Accounts on the Company Website 

Financial statements are published on the Company’s website. The maintenance and integrity of the 
website is the responsibility of the Directors. The Directors’ responsibility also extends to the financial 
statements contained therein.  

By order of the Board 

C J Yates 

Director 
29 April 2014.

Page | 9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Corporate Governance Report 

The Company’s shares are traded on AIM and, accordingly, compliance with the revised UK Corporate 
Governance Code is not mandatory. However, the Company has sought to comply with the principles 
underlying the provisions of the Code in so far as it considers them to be appropriate for a company 
of this size and nature. The Board is accountable to the Company’s shareholders for good corporate 
governance.    This  report  and  the  Remuneration  Report  describe  how  the  Company  applies  the 
provisions of good corporate governance.  

Directors 

The Board currently consists of the Non-executive Chairman and three other Non-executive Directors 
whilst  it  is  seeking  investment  opportunities.  It  is  responsible  for  approving  Company  policy  and 
strategy  and  for  implementing  it  with  support  from  consultants.  The  Directors  will  review  the 
composition of the Board on a regular basis. All Directors have access to advice from  the Company 
Secretary and independent professional advice at the Company’s expense. 

Relations with shareholders 

The  Company  values  the  views  of  its  shareholders  and  recognises  their  interest  in  the  Company’s 
strategy and performance. The Annual General Meeting is used to communicate with investors and 
they  are  encouraged  to  participate  and  the  Directors  are  available  to  answer  questions.  Separate 
resolutions are proposed on each issue so that they can be given proper consideration. 

Audit Committee 

During the year the Audit Committee initially comprised Aamir Quraishi and Peter Redmond and now 
comprises Peter Redmond and Christopher Yates.  The Committee has met with the auditors and 
considered the results and the audit process, and has satisfied itself as to the auditor’s independence 
during the year. 

Remuneration Committee 

During the year the Remuneration Committee initially comprised Aamir Quraishi and Peter Redmond 
and  now  comprises  Peter  Redmond  and  Christopher  Yates.    The  policy  of  the  Company  on 
remuneration  is  to  reward  individual  performance  so  as  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the 
Company and enhance shareholder value.  The remuneration of Directors is approved by the Board.  
Individual Directors do not participate in decisions concerning their own remuneration. 

Internal control 

The  Board  is  committed  to  the  maintenance  of  effective  internal  controls.  The  Board  recognises  its 
responsibility  for  maintaining  a  strong  system  of  internal  control  to  safeguard  shareholders’ 
investment  and  the  Company’s  assets  and  for  reviewing  its  effectiveness.  The  system  of  internal 
financial  control  is  designed  to  provide  reasonable,  but  not  absolute,  assurance  against  material 
misstatement or loss. 

The Board has determined that there is currently no requirement for an internal audit function whilst 
it  is  seeking  investment  opportunities.  However,  the  Directors  will  continue  to  review  the 
requirement for an internal audit function on a regular basis.  

Peter Redmond 
Director 
29 April 2014 

Page | 10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Report of the Independent Auditor 

We  have  audited  the  financial  statements  of  Pires  Investments  Plc  for  the  year  ended  31  October 
2013  which  comprise  the  income  statement,  statement  of  changes  in  equity,  balance  sheet, 
statement  of  cash  flows  and  the  related  notes  to  the  financial  statements. The  financial  reporting 
framework  that  has  been  applied  in  their  preparation  is  applicable  law  and  International  Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 

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 auditors’ 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. 

Respective responsibilities of Directors and auditor 

As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities Statements, the Directors are responsible for 
the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. 
Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us 
to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the financial statements  

An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements 
sufficient  to  give  reasonable  assurance  that  the  financial  statements  are  free  from  material 
misstatement,  whether  caused  by  fraud  or  error.  This  includes  an  assessment  of:  whether  the 
accounting  policies  are  appropriate  to  the  Company’s  circumstances  and  have  been  consistently 
applied  and  adequately  disclosed;  the  reasonableness  of  significant  accounting  estimates  made  by 
the  Directors;  and  the  overall  presentation  of  the  financial  statements.  In  addition  we  read  all 
financial and non-financial information in the Chairman’s Statement, Directors’ Report and Statement 
of Corporate Governance to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements. If 
we  become  aware  of  any  apparent  material  misstatements  or  inconsistencies  we  consider  the 
implications for our report. 

Opinion on financial statements 

In our opinion the financial statements: 

• 

• 

• 

give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s affairs as at 31 October 2013 and of 
the Company’s loss for the year then ended; 
have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; 
and 
have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the  Companies  Act 
2006. 

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 

In our opinion the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial period for which the 
financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.  

Page | 11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Report of the Independent Auditor (continued) 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 

We  have  nothing  to  report  in  respect  of  the  following  matters  where  the  Companies  Act  2006 
requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: 

• 

• 

• 
• 

adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Company, or returns adequate for 
our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or 
the  Company  financial  statements  are  not  in  agreement  with  the  accounting  records  and 
returns; or 
certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or  
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

Jonathan Bradley-Hoare (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
For and on behalf of Welbeck Associates 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 
30 Percy Street 
London 
W1T 2DB 
29 April 2014 

Page | 12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Statement of Comprehensive Income 

CONTINUING ACTIVITIES 
Revenue 
Investment income 
Other income 
Total revenue 

Losses on investments held at fair value through profit or 
loss 
Operating expenses 

Exceptional credit arising from CVA  

Operating (loss) / profit from continuing activities 

Finance costs 

(Loss) / profit before taxation from continuing activities 

Tax  

(Loss) / profit for the year from continuing activities 

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations 

(Loss)/profit for the period and total comprehensive 
income attributable to equity holders of the Company 

Basic (loss) / earnings per share  

Equity holders 
From continuing operations 
From discontinued operations 
Basic and diluted 

Note: 

2013 
£ 

2012 
(see note 
below) 
£ 

Notes 

5 

13 

3 

6 

8 

9 

4,327 
25,050 
29,377 

835 
28,500 
29,335 

(45,939)  

- 

(336,072) 

(348,562) 

- 

1,526,949 

(352,634) 

1,207,722 

- 

(33,823) 

(352,634) 

1,173,899 

- 

- 

(352,634) 

1,173,899 

- 

(825,211) 

(352,634) 

348,688 

10 

10 

(0.02)p 
- 
           (0.02)p 

0.12p 
     (0.08)p 
0.04p 

The financial statements for the year to 31 October 2012 were prepared on a consolidated basis, so 
the comparatives have been restated to reflect the results of the Company only. 

Page | 13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Statement of Changes in Equity 

Share 
Capital 
 £ 
9,587,103 

Share 
Premium  
£ 
3,017,818 

Shares to 
be issued 
£ 
- 

Capital 
Redemption 
Reserve 
 £ 
164,667 

Retained 
Earnings 
£ 
(13,632,330) 

Total 
 £ 
(862,742) 

- 
1,700,000 
- 
- 
11,287,103 

- 
- 
(104,212) 
19,212 
2,932,818 

- 
82,611 
- 
- 
82,611 

- 
- 
- 
- 
164,667 

348,688 
- 
- 
19,212 
(13,264,430) 

348,688 
1,782,611 
(104,212) 
38,424 
1,202,769 

- 
566,089 
- 
11,853,192 

- 
16,522 
(44,500) 
2,904,840 

- 
(82,611) 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
164,667 

(352,634) 
- 
- 
(13,617,064) 

(352,634) 
500,000 
(44,500) 
1,305,635 

Balance at 1 November 2011 
Total comprehensive income 
for the year ended 31 October 
2012 
Issue of shares 
Share issuance costs 
Cost of share based payments 
As at 31 October 2012 
Total comprehensive income 
for the year ended 31 October 
2013 
Issue of shares 
Share issuance costs 
As at 31 October 2013 

Page | 14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
(Incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 02929801) 
Statement of Financial Position 

Non-current assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Investments in subsidiary undertakings 
Total non-current assets 

Current assets 
Investments 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total current assets 
Total assets 

Equity 
Issued share capital 
Share premium 
Equity share capital to be issued (including 
premium) 
Retained earnings 
Capital redemption reserve 
Total equity 

Liabilities 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 

Total liabilities and current liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

Note 

11 
16 

13 
17 

18 
18 

19 

2013 
£ 

1,812 
- 
1,812 

2012 
£ 

- 
- 
- 

84,966 
128,588 
1,195,379 
1,408,933 
1,410,745 

- 
89,023 
1,240,610 
1,329,633 
1,329,633 

11,853,192 
2,904,840 
- 

11,287,103 
2,932,818 
82,611 

(13,617,064) 
164,667 
1,305,635 

(13,264,430) 
164,667 
1,202,769 

105,110 

105,110 

126,864 

126,864 

1,410,745 

1,329,633 

These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 29 
April 2014 and were signed on its behalf by: 

C J Yates 

Director 

Page | 15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Statement of Cash Flows 

Cash flows from operating activities 
Net cash absorbed by operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets 
Payments to acquire investments 
Proceeds of disposal of investments 
Finance income received net 
Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Net (repayments)/advances on borrowings 
Cash from subscriptions for new shares 
Expenses of share issue 
Finance cost paid 
Net cash from financing activities 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 
during the year 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

2013 
£ 

2012 
£ 

(372,045) 

(297,905) 

Note 

20 

 (2,109) 
(863,206) 
732,302 
4,327 
(128,686) 

- 
500,000 
(44,500) 
- 
455,500 

- 
- 
- 
835 
835 

(26,531) 
1,700,000 
(85,000) 
(50,789) 
1,537,680 

(45,231) 

1,240,610 

1,240,610 

1,195,379 

- 

1,240,610 

Page | 16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements  

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES  

General Information 

Pires Investments plc (“the Company”) was throughout the year an investing company with an investing 
policy adopted on 16 April 2012 and re-adopted on 21 March 2013. 

In  the  previous  year,  the  Company  and  its  then  subsidiaries  were  the  operators  of  leisure  activities.  
These businesses ceased to operate or were disposed of by 16 April 2012. 

The Company is a limited liability company incorporated and domiciled in England. 

The  address  of  the  registered  office  is  c/o  Morrison  &  Foerster,  CityPoint,  One  Ropemaker  Street, 
London EC2Y 9AW. 

These financial statements are prepared in Pounds Sterling, because that is the currency of the primary 
economic environment in which the Company operates.  

Principal accounting policies 

The  principal  accounting  policies  applied  in  the  preparation  of  these  financial  statements  are  set  out 
below. These policies have been consistently applied to all periods presented, unless otherwise stated.  

Basis of preparation 

The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) and IFRIC interpretations as adopted by the European Union applicable to companies 
reporting  under  IFRSs.    The  financial  statements  have  also  been  prepared  under  the  historical  cost 
convention. 

For all periods up to and including the year ended 31 October 2012, financial statements were prepared 
on a Group Consolidated basis. The 31 October 2012 financial information has been restated to show 
the  Company  financial  information  as  there  is  no  longer  the  requirement  to  prepare  Group  financial 
statements.  

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  IFRSs  requires  the  use  of  certain  critical 
accounting estimates.  It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying 
the Company’s accounting policies.  The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or 
areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed later in 
these accounting policies. 

Going Concern  

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis.  

The  Directors  have  prepared  cash  flow  forecasts  through  to  30  April  2015,  which  show  that  the 
Company  will  have  sufficient  available  cash  resources  to  provide  for  its  future  requirements.  In 
preparing their forecasts the Directors have given due regard to the risks and uncertainties affecting the 
business as set out in the Strategic Report and the liquidity risk disclosed in note 14. 

On this basis, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to 
continue operating for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing the Company’s financial statements.  

Page | 17 

 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

Statement of compliance 

The Directors anticipate that the adoption of new standards which are in issue but not yet effective and 
have  not  been  early  adopted  by  the  Company  will  be  relevant  to  the  Company  but  will  not  result  in 
significant changes to the Company’s accounting policies. These are: 

Amendments resulting from Annual improvements 2010-2012 Cycle 

Effective for 
accounting 
periods 
beginning on or 
after: 
1 July 2014 

Amendments resulting from Annual improvements 2011-2013 Cycle 

1 July 2014 

Deferral  of  mandatory  effective  date  of  IFRS  7  and  amendments  to 
transition disclosures 
Deferral  of  mandatory  effective  date  of  IFRS  9  and  amendments  to 
transition disclosures 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  –  Amendments  for  investment 
entities 
Joint arrangements 
Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities – Amendments for investment 
entities 
Employee  Benefits  –  Amended  to  clarify  the  requirements  that  relate 
to how contributions from employees or third parties that are linked to 
service should be attributed to periods of service.  
Amendments for investment entities 
Investment in associates 
Financial  Instruments:  Presentation  –  Amendments  to  application 
guidance on the offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities 
Impairment of assets 
Amendments resulting from Annual improvements 2010-2012 Cycle 
Financial  Instruments:  Recognition  and  Measurement  –  Amendments 
for novation of derivatives 
Levies 
Consolidated financial statements – Identification of the concept of 
control of an entity and the requirement to include in consolidated 
accounts 

1 January 2015 

1 January 2015 

1 January 2014 

1 January 2014 
1 January 2014 

1 July 2014 

1 January 2014 
1 January 2014 
1 January 2014 

1 January 2014 
1 July 2014 
1 January 2014 

1 January 2014 
1 January 2014 

IFRS 
2,8,16,24,36 
IFRS 
3,13,IAS 40 
IFRS 7 

IFRS 9 

IFRS 10 

IFRS 11 
IFRS 12 

IAS 19 

IAS 27 
IAS 28 
IAS 32 

IAS 36 
IAS 38 
IAS 39 

IFRIC 21 
IFRS 10  

The Directors anticipate that the adoption of the above Standards and Interpretations in future periods 
will have little or no impact on the Financial Statements of the Company.  

Critical judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty  

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of estimates and 
assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  at  the  date  of  the  financial 
statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Although 
these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of the amounts, events or actions, actual 
results ultimately may differ from these estimates. 

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated  and are based on historical experience and other 
factors,  including  expectations  of  future  events  that  are  believed  to  be  reasonable  under  the 
circumstances. 

In  certain  circumstances,  where  fair  value  cannot  be  readily  established,  the  Company  is  required  to 
make judgements over carrying value impairment, and evaluate the size of any impairment required. 

Page | 18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

The major area in which estimates and judgements are most important is the valuation of investments 
and such estimates and judgements are made on the basis described under “Financial assets designated 
at fair value through profit or loss” below in this note 1. 

Depreciation 

Computer equipment is measured at cost less provision for depreciation.  Depreciation is provided on 
these  assets  at  33  1/3%  of  cost  per  annum  which  is  calculated  to  write  off  the  cost  less  estimated 
residual value of the assets over their expected useful lives. 

Income recognition  

Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective 
interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through 
the  expected  life  of  the  financial  asset  to  that  asset’s  net  carrying  amount.    Dividend  income  is 
recognised at the time any market share price is adjusted to exclude the right to receive such dividend 
or, if there is no such adjustment, when received. 

Deferred taxation 

Deferred  tax  is  the  tax  expected  to  be  payable  or  recoverable  on  differences  between  the  carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the 
computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method.  Deferred 
tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are 
recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible 
temporary  differences  can  be  utilised.    Such  assets  and  liabilities  are  not  recognised  if  the  temporary 
difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a 
business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit 
nor the accounting profit.   

Deferred  tax  is  calculated  at  the  tax  rates  that  are  expected  to  apply  in  the  period  when  the  liability  is 
settled or the asset is realised.  Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when 
it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in 
equity.  Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset  when  there  is  a  legally  enforceable  right  to  set  off 
current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same 
taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. 

Share based awards  

The Company has applied the requirements of IFRS 2 Share based payment.  

All services received in exchange for the grant of any share based remuneration are measured at their 
fair values. These are indirectly determined by reference to the fair value of the share options/warrants 
awarded. Their value is appraised at the grant date and excludes the impact of any non-market vesting 
conditions (for example, profitability and sales growth targets). 

Share  based  payments  are  ultimately  recognised  as  an  expense  in  the  Statement  of  Comprehensive 
Income with a corresponding credit to the retained earning reserve in equity, net of deferred tax where 
applicable. If vesting periods or other vesting conditions apply, the expense is allocated over the vesting 
period, based on the best available estimate of the number of share options/warrants expected to vest. 
Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options/warrants that 
are expected to become exercisable. Estimates are subsequently revised if there is any indication that 
the number of share options/warrants expected to vest differs from previous estimates. No adjustment 
is made to the expense or share issue cost recognised in prior periods if fewer share options ultimately 
are exercised than originally estimated. 

Page | 19 

 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

Upon exercise of share options, the proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction costs 
up  to  the  nominal  value  of  the  shares  issued  are  allocated  to  share  capital  with  any  excess  being 
recorded as share premium. 

Where  share  options  are  cancelled,  this  is  treated  as  an  acceleration  of  the  vesting  period  of  the 
options.    The  amount  that  otherwise  would  have  been  recognised  for  services  received  over  the 
remainder  of  the  vesting  period  is  recognised  immediately  within  the  Statement  of  Comprehensive 
Income. 

Fair value is measured by use of the Black-Scholes model.  The expected life used in the model has been 
adjusted,  based  on  management’s  best  estimate,  for  the  effects  of  non-transferability,  exercise 
restrictions and behavioural considerations. 

Investments in subsidiaries 

Investments in subsidiaries are stated in the Company's statement of financial position at cost less any 
attributable impairment losses. 

Financial assets 

The  Company  classifies  its  financial  assets  into  one  of  the  following  categories,  cash  and  cash 
equivalents, loans and receivables and investments held at fair value through profit or loss depending 
on  the  purpose  for  which  the  asset  was  acquired.  The  Company  has  not  classified  any  of  its  financial 
assets as held to maturity, held for trading or available for sale. 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at hand and current and deposit balances at banks, together 
with other short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash 
and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. 

Loans and receivables 

Loans and receivable from third parties are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently carried at 
amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.   

Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss 

All short term investments are designated upon initial recognition as held at fair value through profit or 
loss (FVTPL). Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Assets are de-recognised 
at  the  trade  date  of  the  disposal.  Investments  are  initially  measured  at  fair  value  plus  incidental 
acquisition costs. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value in accordance with IAS 39. This is either 
the  bid  price  or  the  last  traded  price,  depending  on  the  convention  of  the  exchange  on  which  the 
investment is quoted. The fair value of the financial instruments in the  balance  sheet  is  based  on  the 
quoted  bid  price  at  the  balance  sheet  date,  with  no  deduction  for  any  estimated  future  selling  cost. 
Unquoted  investments  are  valued  by  the  directors  using  primary  valuation  techniques  such  as  recent 
transactions, last price and net asset value. Changes in the fair value of investments held at fair value 
through  profit  or  loss  and  gains  and  losses  on  disposal  are  recognised  in  the  Statement  of 
Comprehensive Income as “Net change in fair value of investments”.  

Page | 20 

 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

Impairment of financial assets 

Financial assets, other than those at FVTPL, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each balance 
sheet date.  Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or 
more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash 
flows of the investment have been impacted. 

Financial liabilities 

Financial liabilities are recognised in the Company’s balance sheet when the Company becomes a party 
to  the  contractual  provisions  of  the  instrument.    All  interest  related  charges  are  recognised  as  an 
expense in finance cost in the income statement using the effective interest rate method.   

The Company's financial liabilities comprise trade and other payables. 

Trade payables are recognised initially at their fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost 
less settlement payments. 

Equity instruments 

An  equity  instrument  is  any  contract  that  evidences  a  residual  interest  in  the  assets  of  the  company 
after  deducting  all  of  its  liabilities.  Equity  instruments  issued  by  the  Company  are  recorded  at  the 
proceeds received net of direct issue costs. 

The share premium account represents premiums received on the initial issuing of the share capital. Any 
transaction  costs  associated  with  the  issuing  of  shares  are  deducted  from  share  premium,  net  of  any 
related income tax benefits. 

Share capital account represents the nominal value of the shares issued.  

Retained  earnings  include  all  current  and  prior  period  results  as  disclosed  in  the  Statement  of 
Comprehensive Income. 

2.  BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL REPORTING 

The  Company’s  operations  are  solely  in  the  United  Kingdom.  Following  the  disposal  of  the 
Company’s trading operations its only trading activity is rendering services and so no segmental 
analysis of operations is included. 

3.  OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT 

Operating (loss) / profit from continuing activities is stated after 
charging: 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Cost of share based payments (see note 24) 

2013 
£ 

296 

- 

2012 
£ 

50 

19,212 

Page | 21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

4.  AUDITORS REMUNERATION 

During the year the Company obtained the following services from the Company’s auditor (in respect of 
continuing and discontinuing activities): 

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

2013 
£ 
14,000 

2012 
£ 
10,000 

Fees paid to the Company’s auditors in respect of prior year audit 

3,440 

- 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for other 
services: 

Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation 

- 

1,000 

Other services relating to taxation 

All other services 

1,500 

2,100 

- 

250 

21,040 

11,250 

All  other  services  in  the  current  year  relate  to  accountancy  services  in  relation  to  a  former  subsidiary 
and those of the previous year are costs associated with company formation.   

5. 

INVESTMENT INCOME 

The Company’s finance income were: 

Interest receivable 

Dividends receivable 

6.  FINANCE COSTS  

The Company’s finance costs were: 

Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts 

Other interest payable and finance costs 

2013
£
2,941 

1,386

4,327

2013
£
-

-

-

2012
£
835 

-

835

2012
£
(21,328)

(12,495)

(33,823)

Page | 22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

  7.  REMUNERATION 

The Company’s employee benefit expense (for continuing and discontinued activities in 2012) was: 

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs 

Share based payments (all in respect of Directors) 

2013
£ 
65,833  

2012
£ 
124,792  

4,891  

12,804  

-  

19,212  

70,724  

156,808  

The average monthly number of persons employed by the Company, including  Directors, during the 
year was as follows: 

2013 
No 
3  

2012 
No 
3  

Details  of  Directors’  emoluments,  including  details  of  warrants  awarded,  are  given  in  the  Report  on 
Remuneration.  These  disclosures  form  part  of  the  audited  financial  statements  of  the  Company.    The 
Directors of the Company are considered to represent key management of the Company as defined by 
IFRS. 

8.  TAX EXPENSE 

Factors affecting the tax charge for the year 

(Loss)/ profit on ordinary activities before taxation 

(352,634)

348,688 

(Loss)/ profit on ordinary activities before taxation multiplied by the 
standard rate of UK corporation tax of 23.41% (2012: 24.83%) 

(82,552)

86,579  

2013
£ 

2012
£ 

Effects of: 

Extraordinary CVA gain not taxable 

Expenses  not  deductible  for  tax  purposes  net  of  income  not  subject  to 
corporation tax 

Provisions against amounts due from subsidiaries 

Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation 

Loss on disposal of capital assets 

Tax losses arising in the year carried forward 

Tax losses of prior year offset against realised investment gains 

Unrealised taxable losses not subject to tax in the period 

Share-based payment charge not deductible 

Tax charge 

- 

(379,192)

218 

12,716  

- 

186,300  

(424)

- 

72,004 

(3,611)

14,365 

- 

- 

- 

6,209  

82,617 

- 

- 

4,771  

 -  

Page | 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

8.  TAX EXPENSE (continued) 

The Company has tax losses available to carry forward against relevant future taxable income and profits 
of  approximately  £2.0  million  (2012:  £1.9  million)  in  respect  of  which  no  deferred  tax  asset  has  been 
recognised. 

Where  it  is  anticipated  that  future  taxable  profits  will  be  available  against  which  these  losses  will  be 
utilised a deferred tax asset is recognised. 

9.  DISCONTINUED ACTIVITIES 

On  16  April  2012,  the  Company  sold  two  subsidiaries,  Oak  Heritage  Limited  and  Rother  Valley  Steam 
Railway Limited, and also sold the assets of a further subsidiary, Ringwood Town & Country Experience 
Limited.  The activities of Oak Heritage Limited and Ringwood Town & Country Experience Limited are 
treated  as  discontinued  activities  in  the  year  ended  31  October  2012.      As  referred  to  above,  Rother 
Valley Steam Railway was treated as having ceased business in October 2011, during the year ended 31 
October  2011.    The  consideration  for  the  disposals  was  £25,002  together  with  the  discharge  by  the 
acquirer  of  certain  loans  outstanding  at  the  date  of  transaction  totalling  £190,230.  The  net  loss 
attributable  to  discontinued  activities  comprised  loss  on  disposal,  and  provision  against  the  value,  of 
equity shares of £25,201 and the write off of intra company debts of £800,010. As a result the total loss 
on disposal of discontinued operations was £825,211. 

During the year to 31 October 2012, discontinued activities generated £25,000 from investing activities 
and absorbed £26,529 from financing activities. 

10. 

 (LOSS)/EARNINGS PER SHARE 

(Loss)/profit attributable to the owners of the Company 

Continuing Operations 

Discontinued Operations 

Weighted average number of shares for calculating basic loss per 
share 

Basic and diluted loss per share 

Continuing Operations 

Discontinued Operations 

2013 
£ 

2012 
£ 

(327,634) 

1,173,899 

- 

(825,211) 

(327,634) 

348,688 

2013 
No. of  
shares 

2012 
No. of 
shares 

1,945,616,874 

954,477,964 

2013 
£ 

(0.02) 

- 

(0.02) 

2012  
£ 

0.12 

(0.08) 

0.04 

There were no dilutive instruments which would give rise to diluted earnings per share.  

Page | 24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

  11.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Computer equipment 

 Cost 

 At 1 November 2011 

 Disposals during the year 

 At 1 November  2012 

 Additions during the year 

 At 31 October 2013 

 Depreciation 

 At 1 November 2011 

 Charge for the year 

 Disposal during the year 

 At 1 November  2012 

 Charge for the year 

 As at 31 October 2013 

 Carrying amount 

 As at 31 October 2013 

 At 31 October 2012 

 At 31 October 2011 

£ 

361  

(361)

-  

2,108 

 2,108  

 50  

50  

(100)

-  

296 

 296  

1,812  

-  

311  

12.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT 

The  table  below  sets  out  the  fair  value  measurements  using  the  IFRS  7  fair  value  hierarchy.  
Categorisation within the hierarchy has been determined on the basis of the lowest level of input that is 
significant to the fair value measurement of the relevant asset as follows: 

Level 1 – valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. 

Level 2 – valued by reference to valuation techniques using observable inputs other than quoted prices 
included within Level 1. 

Level  3  –  valued  by  reference  to  valuation  techniques  using  inputs  that  are  not  based  on  observable 
market data. 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 3 in 2013 or 2012. 

Page | 25 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

13. 

INVESTMENTS  

 Investments held at fair value through profit or loss 

 Investments at fair value at 1 November 2012 

 Purchase of investments 

 Investment disposals 

 Gain on disposal of investments 

 Movement in investment holding losses 

 Investments at fair value at 31 October 2013 

 Categorised as 

 Level 1 – quoted prices 

 Level 3 – Unquoted investments 

- 

863,207 

(732,302)

15,424 

(61,363)

84,966 

56,971 

27,995 

 The valuation techniques used by the Company are explained in the accounting policy note, “financial 
assets designated at fair value through profit or loss”. 

 Gains / (losses) on investments held at fair value through profit or loss 

 Realised gain on disposal of investments 

 Movement in investment holding losses 

 Net loss on investments held at fair value through profit or loss 

15,424 

(61,363)

(45,939)

 Unquoted investments (Level 3) 

The value of the unquoted investments as at 31 October 2013 was £27,995 and the amount comprised 
a holding in Shale Energy PLC.  

Shale  Energy  PLC  is  an  independent  gas  business  and  emerging  coal  bed  methane  and  shale  gas 
developer. The Company is focused on producing shale gas through sites based in the UK. The holding 
is valued on the basis of evaluation of subsequent pre-IPO fundraising. The latest fundraising price and 
liquidity of private investors are reflected in determining the fair value of the investment holding. The 
Directors consider this value to be supported by information they have received over the course of the 
financial year. 

Page | 26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

14.  RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES 

The  Company  is  exposed  to  a  variety  of  financial  risks  which  result  from  both  its  operating  and 
investing  activities.    The  Company’s  risk  management  is  coordinated  by  the  Board  of  Directors,  and 
focuses  on  actively  securing  the  Company’s  short  to  medium  term  cash  flows  by  minimising  the 
exposure to financial markets. 

The  main  risks  the  Company  is  exposed  to  through  its  financial  instruments  are  credit  risk,  foreign 
currency risk, liquidity risk and market price risk.  

Capital risk management 

The Company’s objectives when managing capital are: 
• 

to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, so that it continues to provide 
returns and benefits for shareholders; 
to support the Company’s growth; and 
to provide capital for the purpose of strengthening the Company’s risk management capability. 

• 
• 

The  Company  actively  and  regularly  reviews  and  manages  its  capital  structure  to  ensure  an  optimal 
capital structure and equity holder returns, taking into consideration the future capital requirements 
of the Company and capital efficiency, prevailing and projected profitability, projected operating cash 
flows, projected capital expenditures and projected strategic investment opportunities.  Management 
regards total equity as capital and reserves, for capital management purposes. 

Credit risk 

The Company’s financial instruments, that are subject to credit risk, are cash and cash equivalents and 
loans and receivables.  The credit risk for cash and cash equivalents is considered negligible since the 
counterparties are reputable financial institutions. 

The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk is £1,291,731 (2012: £1,313,486) comprising cash and 
cash equivalents and loans and receivables. 

Liquidity risk 

Liquidity  risk  arises  from  the  possibility  that  the  Company  might  encounter  difficulty  in  settling  its 
debts  or  otherwise  meeting  its  obligations  related  to  financial  liabilities.  The  Company  manages  this 
risk  through  maintaining  a  positive  cash  balance  and  controlling  expenses  and  commitments.    The 
Directors are confident that adequate resources exist to finance current operations.  

Market price risk 

The Company’s exposure to market price risk mainly arises from potential movements in the fair value 
of its investments. 

The Company’s exposure to price risk on quoted investments is as follows: 

Change in equity 

Increase in quoted investments by 10% 

Decrease in quoted investments by 10% 

2013 

£ 

 5,697  

(5,697)

2012 

£ 

 -  

- 

Page | 27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

15.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

Financial assets by category: 

The IAS 39 categories of financial asset included in the statement of financial position and the headings 
in which they are included are as follows: 

Financial Assets 

Fair value through profit or loss investments 

Loans and receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total 

Financial liabilities by category: 

2013 
£ 
84,966 

96,352 

2012 
£ 
- 

72,876 

1,195,379 

1,240,610 

1,376,697  

1,313,486 

The  IAS  39  categories  of  financial  liabilities  included  in  the  statement  of  financial  position  and  the 
headings in which they are included are as follows: 

Trade and other payables 

16. 

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS 

Cost 

At 1 November 2011 

Disposals during the year 

At 1 November 2012 

Disposals during the year 

At 31 October 2013 

Provision for diminution in value  

At 1 November 2011 

Disposals during the year 

At 1 November 2012 

Disposals during the year 

At 31 October 2013 

Net book value 

At 31 October 2013 and 31 October 2012 

Subsidiary undertakings 

2013 
£ 
51,526 

2012 
£ 
91,982 

£ 

10,436,164 

(10,436,064)

100 

(100)

- 

10,435,961 

(10,435,861)

100 

(100)

- 

- 

During  the  year  the  company  disposed  of  its  last  remaining  subsidiary.  The  loss  on  disposal  had  been 
fully provided for in the previous year.  

Page | 28 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

17.  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 

Amount held by Insolvency Practitioner in connection with CVA 

Other receivables 

Prepayments and accrued income 

2013 
£ 
16,682 

79,670 

32,236 

2012 
£ 
17,303 

55,573 

16,147 

128,588 

89,023 

As  described  in  note  14,  the  Directors  do  not  consider  credit  risk  to  be  material  to  the  Company's 
operations. 

18.  SHARE CAPITAL 

Issued and fully paid: 

At 1 November 2011 

Ordinary shares of 5p each 

Deferred shares of 5p each 

Ordinary shares issued 

Share issuance costs 

Share based payments 

At 31 October 2012 

Ordinary shares of 0.1p each 

Deferred shares of 5p each 

Deferred shares of 4.9p each 

Ordinary shares issued 

Share issuance costs 

At 31 October 2013 

Ordinary shares of 0.1p each 

Deferred shares of 5p each 

Deferred shares of 4.9p each 

Number of 
shares 

Nominal 
value 
£ 

Share 
premium 

55,570,856 

2,778,543 

3,017,818  

136,171,197 

6,808,560  

- 

9,587,103 

3,017,818 

1,700,000,000 

1,700,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(104,212)

19,212 

1,755,570,856 

1,755,571 

2,932,818 

136,171,197 

6,808,560 

55,570,856 

2,722,972 

- 

- 

  11,287,103 

2,932,818 

566,089,008 

566,089 

16,522 

- 

- 

(44,500))

2,321,659,864 

2,321,660 

2,904,840 

136,171,197 

6,808,560 

55,570,856 

2,722,972 

- 

- 

  11,853,192 

2,904,840 

In  a  general  meeting  held  on  16  April  2012,  a  special  resolution  was  approved  to  subdivide  each 
ordinary  share  of  5p  into  a  share  of  4.9p  each  (which  was  re-designated  as  a  deferred  share)  and  a 
share of 0.1p each (which continued to be an ordinary share).   

Page | 29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

18.  SHARE CAPITAL (continued) 

On 18 April 2012, the Company placed 1,000,000,000 new ordinary shares of 0.1p each at par and on 24 
April  2012  placed  a  further  700,000,000  such  shares  at  the  same  price.    In  aggregate,  the  placings 
generated net proceeds to the Company of £1,615,000 after the costs of the placing. Pursuant to the 
CVA, the Company allotted 66,089,008 new ordinary shares on 19 November 2012 at a value of 0.125p 
per  share  in  part  settlement  of  unsecured  debt  subject  to  the  CVA.  On  5  August  2013,  the  Company 
allotted 500,000,000 new ordinary shares for cash at a price of 0.1p per share. 

The holders of the ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share held on a poll.  They are also 
entitled to receive dividends declared in proportion to the number of shares held (subject to any right of 
another class, and none currently exists, to receive a preferred dividend) and, on a return of capital and 
subject to the limited participation rights of the holders of the two classes of deferred shares detailed 
below and any subsequently created class of shares with preferential rights, to participate in such return 
in proportion to the number of shares held.  

Neither class of deferred shares have any voting or dividend rights and only have rights to a repayment 
of the nominal value of the shares and then only after a £100,000 per ordinary share has been returned 
to each holder of ordinary shares.   The Company has the  right to acquire for cancellation each entire 
class of deferred share for an aggregate consideration of 1p and the Company intends to exercise such 
right in due course. 

  Warrants 

The Company issued warrants on 24 October 2003 entitling warrant holders to subscribe in cash at a price of 
2.38p  per  Ordinary  1p  share  for  up  to  101,419,687  Ordinary  shares.    Following  the  exercise  of  warrants  and 
restructurings of the Company’s share capital, the number of warrants outstanding at 31 October 2013 and 31 
October 2012 was 2,021,791 exercisable at a price of £1.19 each.  The warrants expired on 2 December 2013 
and none of the warrants outstanding at 31 October 2013 were exercised.  

The Company has also issued warrants to subscribe 6% of the issued share capital of the Company from 

time to time as detailed in note24 

19.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 

Trade payables  

Other payables 

Accruals and deferred income 

Taxation and social security 

2013 
£ 
21,459 

2012 
£ 
60,370 

28,187 

25,000 

53,584 

34,882 

1,880  

6,612  

105,110  

126,864  

The  fair  value  of  trade  and  other  payables  has  not  been  disclosed  as,  due  to  their  short  duration, 
management considers the carrying amounts recognised in the statement of financial position to be a 
reasonable approximation of their fair value.  

Page | 30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

20.  CASH ABSORBED BY OPERATIONS 

(Loss)/profit 

Depreciation 

Realised gain on disposal of investments 

Fair value movements in investments 

Loss on disposal of discontinued activities 

Extraordinary credit from CVA 

Share based payments 

Finance income 

Finance costs 

Decrease/(increase) in receivables  

(Decrease)/increase in payables 

Cash absorbed by operations 

2013 
£ 

2012 
£ 

(327,634) 

348,688  

296 

(15,424) 

61,363 

50  

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

774,205  

(1,526,949)

19,212  

(4,327) 

(835)

- 

50,789  

(64,565) 

(89,929)

(21,754) 

126,864  

(372,045) 

(297,905)

21.  CONTINGENT LIABILITES 

At 31 October 2013 and 2012, the Company had no material contingent liabilities. 

22.  CAPITAL COMMITMENTS 

At 31 October 2013 and 2012, the Company had no capital commitments authorised or contracted by 
the Directors.  

23.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Ultimate controlling party 

The Directors do not consider there to be a single ultimate controlling party. 

Transactions with Directors 

Fees  for  consultancy  services  and  disbursements  supplied  by  Benedict 
Investments Limited, a company of which AA Quraishi is a director and the 
controlling shareholder 

2013 
£ 

2012 
£ 

11,500 

7,027  

Fees  for  consultancy  services  supplied  by  Catalyst  Consultancy  Limited,  a 
company beneficially controlled by P Redmond and of which he is a director 

11,000  

13,750  

Fees  for  consultancy  services  supplied  by  C  J  Yates  as  a  consultant  for 
services other than director’s duties 

3,500 

- 

Page | 31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

23.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued) 

Fees  paid  for  financial  advisory  services  rendered  by  Corporate  Finance 
Partners  Limited,  a  company of  which  C  J  Yates  is  a  director  (but  who  did 
not render the services and had no beneficial interest in the fee).  The fee 
was subject to the CVA and this amount represents the amount paid in cash 
and shares 

-  

3,000  

24.  SHARE BASED PAYMENTS 

The Company has been subject to the following potential share issue obligations during the year, none 
of which are share based payments of the current year:The Company had a share option scheme for all 
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries from time to time.  Options were exercisable at a price 
equal to the average quoted market price of the Company’s shares on the date of grant.  The vesting 
period varied between  1 and 4 years.  If the options remained unexercised after a period of 10 years 
from the date of grant, the options expired.  Options were forfeited if the employee left the Company 
(or the relevant subsidiary) before the options vested and were exercisable for a period of no more than 
six  months  after  his  leaving.    At  1  November  2011,  there  were  options  extant  over  91,428  ordinary 
shares exercisable at a price of 87.5 pence per share which lapsed by 31 October 2012.  At 31 October 
2012 and 2013, there were no options extant under the scheme. 

On 16 April 2012, the Company granted a warrant to Peterhouse Capital Limited which gave Peterhouse 
Capital  Limited  the  right  to  subscribe  new  ordinary  shares  of  0.1p  each  representing  up  to  3%  of  the 
issued share capital of the  Company from time to time.  The subscription price  for the  exercise of this 
warrant is 0.1p per share and the warrant may be exercised at any time up to 20 March 2015.  On 17 
April 2012, the Company granted warrants to each of P Redmond and A A Quraishi which each gave the 
holder  the  right  to  subscribe  new  ordinary  shares  of  0.1p  each  representing  up  to  1.5%  of  the  issued 
share  capital  of  the  Company  from  time  to  time.  The  subscription  price  for  the  exercise  of  these 
warrants is 0.1p per share and the warrants may be exercised at any time up to 17 April 2015. 

In April 2012, the Company granted warrants, as described above, over an aggregate of 6% of the issued 
ordinary share capital of the Company from time to time. These warrants may be exercised at any time 
up to their expiry date and vested on issue. Due to the increase in the total number of issued ordinary 
shares of the Company during year ended 31 October 2013, the warrants granted rights to subscribe a 
number of ordinary shares increased by 33,965,332 in the year.  

The  Directors  have  used  the  Black  Scholes  option  pricing  model  to  estimate  the  fair  value  of  the 
warrants applying the assumptions below: 

Number of shares arising from 
warrants granted 
Grant date share price 
Exercise share price 
Risk free rate 
Expected volatility 
Option life 
Calculated fair value per share 

105,334,260 

0.10p 
0.10p 
3.00% 
50% 
3 years 
0.0365p 

Page | 32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 

24.  SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (continued) 

The  estimated  fair  value  of  the  warrants  granted  in  2012  £38,424  has  been  charged  to  the 
statement of comprehensive  income and share premium.  All warrants were outstanding at the 
year end. 

Exercise 
price for 
the year 

Number of 
shares to be 
issued upon 
exercise for the 
year ended 31  
October 
 2013 

ended             

ended             

Number of 
shares to be 
issued upon 
exercise price 
for the year 
ended 31 
October 2012 

Exercise 
price for 
the year 

31 October 
2012  

£ 

- 

105,334,260 

- 

33,965,332 

0.10p 

105,334,260 

- 

- 

- 

139,229,592 

139,229,592 

0.10p 

0.10p 

105,334,260 

105,334,260 

31 October 
2013  

£ 

0.10p 

0.10p 

- 

0.10p 

0.10p 

Outstanding at beginning of 
period 

Arising during the period 

Exercised during the period 

Outstanding at end of period 

Exercisable at end of period 

25.  POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS 

Since 31 October 2013, the Company has made an investment of £410,000 in Rame Energy plc by way of 
a  convertible  loan.  On  10  February  2014,  the  Company’s  convertible  loan  note  was  converted  into 
3,037,037 new ordinary shares In Rame Energy plc, which would realise £547,000 at the placing price. In 
addition,  as  part  of  the  IPO  for  Rame  Energy,  the  Company  has  subscribed  for  308,233  new  ordinary 
shares  in  Rame  Energy.  Following  the  conversion  and  subscription  the  Company  has  an  interest  of 
3,345,270  ordinary  shares,  representing  approximately  3.5  per  cent  of  Rame  Energy’s  issued  share 
capital.  

Page | 33