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Pires Investments plc

piri · LSE Financial Services
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FY2016 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 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

Contents 

Company Information 

Chairman’s Statement 

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 

5 

7 

8 

9 

10 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

Company Information 

Directors 

Peter Redmond (Chairman) 
Placid Gonzales (Non-Executive Director) 
John May (Non-Executive Director) 
Nicholas Lee (Non-Executive Director) 

Secretary 

Miles Nicholson 

Registered office 

Independent Auditors 

Nominated adviser 

Broker 

Registrars 

c/o Cooley Services Limited 
Dashwood House 
69 Old Broad Street 
London 
EC2M 1QS 

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

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP 
62-63 Cheapside 
Cheyne House 
Crown Court 
London 
EC2V 6AX 

Peterhouse Corporate Finance Limited 
3rd Floor 
New Liverpool House 
15 – 17 Eldon Street 
London 
EC2M 7LD 

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

Company Registration 
number 

02929801 

Page | 1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Chairman’s Statement  
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

The results for the financial period under review were disappointing.  This was principally due to Rame 
Energy  plc  (“Rame”),  our  largest  investment,  going  into  administration  and  therefore  delivering  no 
return to shareholders. The Company’s other investments continued to perform satisfactorily, although 
this  was  insufficient  to  offset  the  loss  on  Rame.    The  Company  also  made  certain  disposals  during  the 
period that generated a positive return, including part of our investment in Armstrong Investments plc 
(now EVR Holdings plc). 

During  the  period  under  review,  the  Company  raised  £100,000  in  new  equity  via  a  placing,  principally 
with  Ambrosia  Investments  Limited  (“Ambrosia”),  at  the  time  our  largest  shareholder.  Following  the 
administration of Rame, Ambrosia also provided a working capital facility of £200,000 which, to date, has 
not been drawn down. 

Following  the  year  end,  the  Company  was  able  to  complete  further  equity  placings  at  3p  per  share  to 
raise £675,000 in aggregate, before expenses. Subsequently, the Company has invested £500,000 in Eco 
(Atlantic)  Oil  &  Gas  Limited,  an  oil  exploration  company  previously  listed  only  on  the  Toronto  Stock 
Exchange.  This  company’s  shares  were  admitted  to  AIM  in  February  2017  as  part  of  a  £5  million  fund 
raising and are currently trading at a premium to the placing price.  

Costs  were  reduced  during  the  period  but  the  Board  recognises  that  these  remain  too  high  for  a 
company  of  Pires’  current  size  and  steps  have  been  taken  to  reduce  them  further.    The  Company 
currently  has  net  assets  of  approximately  £785,000  (2.3p  fully  diluted  per  share),  which  principally 
comprise cash and investments. 

Going  forward,  the  Company  previously  announced  that  it  was  looking  for  a  single  acquisition  or 
investment  rather  than  focusing  on  holding  multiple  investments.  This  remains  the  Board’s  objective. 
The  Board  is  reviewing  a  number  of  such  transactions  and  is  optimistic  about  bringing  one  of  these 
opportunities to fruition. 

In this context, we were pleased to welcome Nicholas Lee onto the Board in February 2017. Nicholas is 
an  experienced  corporate  financier  with  an  extensive  background  in  smaller  quoted  companies,  in 
particular in terms of investment and acquisitions. He is Chairman of Paternoster Investments plc, now 
our  largest  shareholder.  We  expect  that  his  assistance  will  be  invaluable  in  terms  of  bringing  a 
transaction to fruition in the current trading period. 

Peter Redmond 
Chairman 
28 April 2017 

Page | 2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Strategic Report 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

Business review and future developments 

Investments  

During  the  period  under  review  Pires  Investments  plc  (“the  Company”)  made  the  following  significant 
changes to its investments:  

SalvaRx  Group  Plc  (“SalvaRx”)  consolidated  its  share  capital  adjusting  the  Company’s  shareholding  to 
264,827  Ordinary  shares.  The  Company  disposed  of  12,500  Ordinary  shares  in  SalvaRx  for  a 
consideration of £4,148. As at the year end, the market value of the Company’s holding in SalvaRx was 
£78,221. 

The Company disposed of  1,020,000 Ordinary shares in EVR Holdings plc (“EVR”) for a consideration of 
£20,089. As at the year end the market value of the Company’s residual holding in EVR was £25,563. 

The Company made a number of disposals of its shares in Kennedy Ventures plc (“Kennedy”), disposing 
of  515,000 ordinary shares  for a  consideration of £24,518. As at the year  end the market  value of the 
Company’s residual holding was £26,618. 

On  the  1  July  2016,  Rame  Energy  Plc  (“Rame”)  announced  that  its  shares  had  been  suspended  from 
trading on AIM. On 5 August 2016, Rame announced that administrators had been appointed. In the light 
of  this,  the  Company  decided  to  write  off  its  residual  holding  of  3,230,000  shares,  which  at  the 
suspension price had a valuation of £230,138. 

Going concern 

The Company’s activities resulted  in a  loss of £559,637 (2015: loss of £388,253) and, as at 31 October 
2016, the Company’s cash balance was £49,448 (2015: £61,825). As such, the Company was dependent 
on raising additional funding, or reducing its operating costs in order to move forward.  

However,  the  Company  raised  £675,000  in  November  2016  by  way  of  two  equity  placings,  and  the 
Directors are in the process of a cost cutting exercise to minimise overheads including Directors’ fees. 

So whilst there are inherent uncertainties in relation to future events, the Directors consider that, based 
upon  financial  projections,  the  Company  will  be  a  going  concern  for  the  next  twelve  months.  For  this 
reason, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.   

Investing Policy  

The  Company’s  investing  policy  was  approved  by  shareholders  on  16  April  2012  and  implemented  in 
accordance with the requirements of Rule 15 of the AIM Rules (as in force at that time) on 12 April 2013.  
A copy of the investing policy is available on the website (www.piresinvestments.com).  

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. 

Page | 3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Strategic Report 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

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 

31 October  
2016 
£ 
130,714 
0.011p 
49,448 

31 October 
2015 
£ 
592,351 
0.026p 
61,825 

Change % 

(78%) 
(58%) 
(20%) 

Identifying suitable targets 
The Company is dependent upon the ability of the Directors to identify suitable investment opportunities 
in accordance with its Investing Policy. There is no guarantee that the  Company will be able to source 
further opportunities, or complete investments, at an appropriate price, or at all, as a consequence of 
which resources may be expended fruitlessly on investigative work and due diligence. 

Market conditions 
Market  conditions  may  have  a  negative  impact  on  the  Company’s  ability  to  execute  investments  in 
suitable  entities  which  generate  acceptable  returns.  There  is  no  guarantee  that  the  Company  will  be 
successful in sourcing suitable investments. 

Costs associated with potential investments 
The  Company  expects  to  incur  certain  third  party  costs  associated  with  the  sourcing  of  suitable 
investments. The Company can give no assurance as to the level of such costs, and given that there can 
be  no  guarantee  that  negotiations  to  acquire  any  given  investment  will  be  successful,  the  greater  the 
number  of  deals  that  do  not  reach  completion,  the  greater  the  likely  impact  of  such  costs  on  the 
Company’s performance, financial condition and business prospects. 

Valuation error 
The  Company  may  miscalculate  the  realisable  value  of  an  investment  in  a  project.  A  lack  of  reliable 
information, errors in assumptions or forecasts and/or inability to successfully implement an investment, 
among other factors, could all result in the project having a lower realisable value than anticipated. If the 
Company  is  not  able  to  realise  an  investment  at  its  anticipated  levels  of  profitability,  projected 
investment returns could be adversely affected. 

Funding 
It is likely that, if the Company identifies and wishes to pursue an investment opportunity or a reverse 
takeover, it is likely to 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.  

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.  

Peter Redmond 
Director 
28 April 2017 

Page | 4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Directors’ Report  
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

The  Directors  present  their  annual  report  and  the  audited  Company  financial  statements  of  Pires 
Investments plc for the year ended 31 October 2016. 

On  11  March  2016  the  Company  announced  that  it  had  disposed  of  the  entire  issued  share  capital  of 
Ventec Renewable Energy Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, to Ambrosia Investments Limited. The 
Company,  prior  to  the  disposal,  obtained  an  independent  valuation  for  Ventec  which  confirmed  the 
directors’ view that the subsidiary had nil economic value.  Consideration for the disposal was £2 and in 
addition  Ambrosia  Investments  Limited  settled  in  cash  intercompany  liabilities  amounting  to  circa 
£45,000. 

The  Company’s  Ordinary  Shares  are  traded  on  AIM  Market  of  the  London  Stock  Exchange  under  the 
ticker PIRI.  On 31 March 2016 shareholders approved a  capital reorganisation under which, inter alia, 
the 2,321,659,864 Ordinary Shares of 0.001p each were consolidated into 9,286,639 Ordinary Shares of 
0.25p each. 

Results and dividends 

The  Company’s  loss  from  continuing  activities  for  the  year  was  £559,637  (2015  loss:  £388,253).  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 3. 

Events after the Reporting Period 

On  2  November  2016  the  Company’s  broker,  Peterhouse  Corporate  Finance  Limited  (“Peterhouse”) 
raised  £525,000  gross  of  expenses,  for  the  Company,  through  the  issue  to  third  party  investors  of 
17,500,000 new ordinary shares in the Company at a placing price of 3 pence per Placing Share. 

Placees  also  received  one  warrant  for  every  two  placing  shares  subscribed  for.  The  warrants  have  an 
exercise price of 4.25 pence each, and are exercisable for a period of 18 months from the date of issue, 
the last exercise date being 2 May 2018. 

On  28  November  2016,  Peterhouse,  in  reponse  to  further  investor  demand,  raised  £150,000  gross  of 
expenses, for the Company, through the issue of 5,000,000 new ordinary shares at a placing price of 3 
pence per Placing Share. 

Placees  also  received  one  warrant  for  every  two  placing  shares  subscribed  for.  The  warrants  have  an 
exercise price of 4.25 pence each, and are exercisable for a period of 18 months from the date of issue, 
the last exercise date being 25 May 2018. 

Nicholas Lee was appointed as a Non-executive director on 13 February 2017. 

Directors 

The following Directors have held office since 1 November 2015: 

Peter Redmond 
John May  
Placid Gonzales  

Charitable and political donations 

No charitable or political donations were made during the year (2015: nil). 

Page | 5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Directors’ Report (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

Substantial shareholders 

As at 24 April 2017, the Company’s share register showed the following shareholdings representing 3% 
or more of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital: 

Paternoster Resources plc 

Peel Hunt Holdings Limited 

Lawshare Nominees Limited  

JIM Nominees Limited 

TD Direct Investing Nominees (Europe) Limited 

Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited 

Manoli Vaindirlis 

Ambrosia Investment Limited 

Winterflood Securities Limited 

Ordinary  
shares  
of 0.25p  
each  
Number 
8,333,333 

3,157,423 

2,640,639 

2,507,188 

1,923,597 

1,858,839 

1,585,624 

1,500,000 

1,062,352 

% of the issued 
ordinary share 
capital 

24.58% 

9.31% 

7.79% 

7.40% 

5.67% 

5.48% 

4.68% 

4.42% 

3.13% 

Manoli Vaindirlis is the sole shareholder of Ambrosia Investments Limited. 

Auditor 

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 

Peter Redmond 
Director 
28 April 2017 

Page | 6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Report on Remuneration  
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

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. 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.  

Remuneration of the Directors 

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

Peter Redmond  
John May 
Placid Gonzales 
Aamir Quraishi  
Christopher Yates  
Richard Armstrong  

Salaries 
2016 
£ 
30,000 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
30,000 

Fees 
2016 
£ 
30,000 
25,000 
15,000 
- 
- 
- 
70,000 

Total 
2016 
£ 
60,000 
25,000 
15,000 
- 
- 
- 
100,000 

Total 
2015 
£ 
60,000 
20,833 
13,024 
6,976 
3,750 
7,070 
111,653 

As at 31 October 2016, £52,000 of Directors fees had been deferred for payment. 

Directors’ interests 

The Directors’ had no beneficial interests in the share capital of the Company as at 31 October 2015 and 
31 October 2016. 

Peter Redmond 
Director 
28 April 2017 

Page | 7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

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  Parent  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:  www.piresinvestments.com.  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 

Peter Redmond 
Director  
28 April 2017

Page | 8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Corporate Governance Report  
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

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  Chairman  and  two  other  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 comprised John May and Peter Redmond. 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 comprised John May and Placid Gonzales.  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 undertaking its current activities. However, the Directors will continue to review the requirement for 
an internal audit function on a regular basis.  

Peter Redmond 
Director 
28 April 2017 

Page | 9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Pires Investments Plc 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

We have audited  the  Company’s financial statements (the “financial statements”) of  Pires Investments 
plc  for  the  year  ended  31  October  2016  which  comprise  the  statement  of  comprehensive  income, 
statement of changes in equity, statement of financial position, 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 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  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, Strategic Report, and Report  of the Directors to identify  any 
information  that  is  apparently  materially  incorrect  based  on,  or  materially  inconsistent  with,  the 
knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. 

A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the APB’s website at 
www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/private.cfm. 

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 2016 and of the 
Company’s loss for the year then ended; 
have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS 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  Strategic  Report  and  the  Report  of  the  Directors  for  the 
financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.  

Page | 10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Pires Investments Plc 
(continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

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 
28 April 2017 

Page | 11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Statement of Comprehensive Income 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

CONTINUING ACTIVITIES 
Revenue 
Investment income 
Other income 
Total revenue 

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

Operating (loss) from continuing activities 

(Loss) before taxation from continuing activities 

Tax  

(Loss) for the year from continuing activities 

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations 

(Loss) for the period and  attributable to equity holders of 
the Company 

Basic (loss) per share  

Equity holders 
From continuing operations 
From discontinued operations 
Basic and diluted 

Notes 

6 

13 

4 

8 

9 

10 

10 

2016 
£ 

33 
21 
54 

2015 
£ 

134 
6,200 
6,334 

(302,463) 

(80,380) 

(248,611) 

(314,207) 

(551,020) 

(388,253) 

(551,020) 

(388,253) 

- 

- 

(551,020) 

(388,253) 

(8,617) 

- 

(559,637) 

(388,253) 

- 
- 
(5.00)p 

- 
- 
(0.02)p 

The financial statements for the year to 31 October 2015 were prepared on a consolidated basis, so the 
comparatives have been restated to reflect the results of the Company only in accordance with IFRS. 

The accounting policies and notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 

Page | 12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Statement of Changes in Equity 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

Share 
Capital 
 £ 
11,853,192 

Share 
Premium  
£ 
2,904,840 

Capital 
Redemption 
Reserve 
 £ 
164,667 

Retained 
Earnings 
£ 
(13,942,095) 

Total 
 £ 
980,604 

- 
11,853,192 
5,285 
- 

- 
2,904,840 
94,715 
(2,000) 

- 
164,667 
- 
- 

(388,253) 
(14,330,348) 
- 
- 

(388,253) 
592,351 
100,000 
(2,000) 

- 
11,858,477 

- 
2,997,555 

- 
164,667 

(559,637) 
(14,889,985) 

(559,637) 
130,714 

Balance at 1 November 2014 
Total comprehensive income 
for the year ended 31 October 
2015 
As at 31 October 2015 
Issue of shares 
Share issue costs 
Total comprehensive income 
for the year ended 31 October 
2016 
As at 31 October 2016 

The accounting policies and notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 

Page | 13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
(Incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 02929801) 
Statement of Financial Position 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

Non-current assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Investment in subsidiaries 
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 
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 

Company 

2016 
£ 

230 
1 
231 

152,624 
53,865 
49,448 
255,937 
256,168 

2015 
£ 

1,057 
18,503 
19,560 

516,520 
76,340 
61,825 
654,685 
674,245 

11,858,477 
2,997,555 
(14,889,985) 
164,667 
130,714 

11,853,192 
2,904,840 
(14,330,348) 
164,667 
592,351 

125,454 

125,454 

81,894 

81,894 

256,168 

674,245 

These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 28 April 
2017 and were signed on its behalf by: 

Peter Redmond 
Director  

John May 
Director 

The accounting policies and notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 

Page | 14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Statement of Cash Flows 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

Cash flows from operating activities 
(Loss) 
Depreciation 
Realised (gain)/loss on disposal of investments 
Fair value movements in investments 
Finance income 
Decrease in receivables  
Increase/(decrease) in payables 
Net cash used in operating activities 

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

Cash flows from financing activities 
Finance cost paid 
Net cash from financing activities 

  Company 

2016 
£ 

2015 
£ 

(559,637) 
827 
3,996 
298,647 
(33) 
22,475 
43,560 
(190,165) 

- 
- 
61,434 
18,321 
98,000 
33 
177,788 

(388,253) 
1,107 
(38,969) 
119,349 
(134) 
47,931 
(57,749) 
(316,718) 

- 
(80,600) 
182,312 
- 
- 
134 
101,846 

- 
- 

- 
- 

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

(12,377) 

(214,873) 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

61,825 

276,698 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

49,448 

61,825 

Page | 15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements  
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

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. 

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

The  address  of  the  registered  office  is  c/o  Cooley  Services  Limited,  Dashwood  House,  69  Old  Broad  Street, 
London, EC2M 1QS. 

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 the year ended 31 October 2015, financial statements were prepared on a Group Consolidated basis. The 
31 October 2016 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. 

Any consideration of the foreseeable future involves making a judgement, at a particular point in time, about 
future  events  which  are  inherently  uncertain.  The  ability  of  the  Company  to  carry  out  its  planned  business 
objectives  is  dependent  on  its  continuing  ability  to  raise  adequate  capital  from  equity  investors  and/or  the 
realisation of quoted investments.  

At  the  time  of  approving  these  financial  statements  and  after  making  due  enquiries,  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 | 16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

Statement of compliance 

The following new and revised Standards and Interpretations have been adopted in the current period by the 
Company for the first time and do not have a material impact on the Company.  

IFRS 10 

IFRS 12 

Consolidated financial statements 

Disclosures of interests in other entities 

A number of new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations have been issued but are not 
yet  effective  and  not  early  adopted.  None  of  these  are  expected  to  have  a  significant  effect  on  the  financial 
statements of the Company. 

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. 

Revenue recognition  

Revenue is measured at the fair value of consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for 
goods or services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales-related taxes, and 
provisions for returns. 

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. 

Page | 17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (continued) 

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. 

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

Page | 18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

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”.  

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. 

  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATIONS 

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. 

Page | 19 

 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

2. 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATIONS (continued) 

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. 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an on-going basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are 
recognised in the period. Judgements and estimates that may affect future periods are as follows: 

GOING CONCERN 

The Company’s activities resulted in a loss of £559,637 (2015: loss of £388,253) and, as at 31 October 2016, the 
Company’s  cash  balance  was  £49,448  (2015:  £61,825).  As  such,  the  Company  was  dependent  on  raising 
additional funding, or reducing its operating costs in order to move forward.  

However, the Company raised £675,000 in November 2016 by way of two equity placings, and the Directors are 
in the process of a cost cutting exercise to minimise overheads including Directors’ fees. 

So  whilst  there  are  inherent  uncertainties  in  relation  to  future  events,  the  Directors  consider  that,  based  upon 
financial projections, the Company will be a going concern for the next twelve months. For this reason, the Directors 
continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.   

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

The  Company  holds  investments  that  have  been  designated  as  held  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss.  Investment 
transactions  are  accounted  for  on  a  trade  date  basis.    Assets  are  de-recognised  at  the  trade  date  of  the  disposal. 
Assets are sold at their fair value, which comprises the proceeds of sale less any transaction cost. 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 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income as “Net gains on investments”. 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. 

3.  BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL REPORTING 

The  Company’s  operations  are  solely  in  the  United  Kingdom.  Its  primary  trading  operation  and  activity  is  the 
rendering of services and so no segmental analysis of operations is included. 

4.  OPERATING (LOSS) 

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

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

827 

1,106 

2016 
£ 

2015 
£ 

Page | 20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

5.  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 

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

Other services relating to taxation 

All other services 

6. 

INVESTMENT INCOME 

The Company’s finance income was: 

Interest receivable 

  7.  REMUNERATION 

The Company’s employee benefit expense (for continuing activities in 2016) was: 

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs 

2016 
£ 
14,500 

- 

2015 
£ 
14,500 

- 

1,500 

1,500 

- 

- 

16,000 

16,000 

2016 
£ 
33 

33 

2015 
£ 
134  

134 

2016 
£ 
26,250 

1,725 

2015 
£ 
72,782 

3,530 

27,975 

76,312 

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

2016 
No 
3 

2015 
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. 

Page | 21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

8.  TAX EXPENSE 
8. 

Factors affecting the tax charge for the year 

(Loss)/ profit on ordinary activities before taxation 

(551,020) 

(388,253) 

(Loss)/ profit on ordinary activities before taxation multiplied by the standard 
rate of UK corporation tax of 20% (2015: 20%) 

(110,204) 

(77,651) 

2016 
£ 

2015 
£ 

Effects of: 

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

Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation 

Gain on disposal of capital assets 

Tax losses arising in the year carried forward 

Unrealised taxable losses not subject to tax in the period 

Share-based payment charge not deductible 

Tax charge 

- 

- 

(81) 

5,225 

2,429 

(181) 

7,794 

107,197 

102,631 

(37,159) 

- 

- 

-  

 -  

The Company has tax losses  available to  carry forward against  relevant  future taxable  income and profits of 
approximately £3.0 million (2015: £2.5 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.  

Page | 22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

9.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 

On 11 March 2016 the Company announced that it had disposed of the entire issued share capital of Ventec 
Renewable  Energy  Limited,  a  subsidiary  of  the  Company,  to  Ambrosia  Investments  Limited.  See  Note  23  – 
Related party transactions. 

The  Company,  prior  to  the  disposal,  obtained  an  independent  valuation  for  Ventec  which  confirmed  the 
directors’  view  that  the  subsidiary  had  nil  economic  value.  Consideration  for  the  disposal  was  £2  and  the 
intercompany liabilities amounting to circa £45,000 were settled in cash. 

The  results  of  the  discontinued  operations,  which  have  been  included  in  the  financial  statements,  were  as 
follows: 

Income statement 

Revenue 

Expenses 

Loss before tax 

Attributable tax expense 

Net loss attributable to discontinued operations 

Balance sheet 

Investment in subsidiaries 

Total non-current assets 

Trade and other payables 

Net liabilities  

2016 

- 

(8,617) 

(8,617) 

- 

(8,617) 

2016 

18,502 

18,502 

(63,500) 

(44,998) 

2015 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2015 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Page | 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

10.  (LOSS)/EARNINGS PER SHARE 

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

Continuing Operations 

(551,020) 

(388,253) 

2016 
£ 

2015 
£ 

2016 
No. of  
Shares 

2015 
No. of  
shares 

Weighted average number of shares for calculating basic loss per share 

11,400,805 

2,321,659,864 

Basic and diluted loss per share 

Continuing Operations 

2016 
Pence 

2015  
pence 

(5.00) 

(0.02) 

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

11.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Cost 

At 1 November 2014 

Additions during the year 

At 1 November  2015 

Additions during the year 

At 31 October 2016 

Depreciation 

At 1 November 2014 

Charge for the year 

Disposal during the year 

At 1 November  2015 

Charge for the year 

As at 31 October 2016 

Carrying amount 

As at 31 October 2016 

At 31 October 2015 

Computer equipment 
£ 

3,363  

- 

3,363  

- 

3,363  

1,200  

1,106  

- 

2,306 

827 

3,133 

230 

1,057  

Page | 24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

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 2016 or 2015. 

13. 

INVESTMENTS HELD AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS 

Investments at fair value brought forward 

Purchase of investments 

Investment disposals 

Movement in investment holding 

Balance  

Categorised as 

Level 1 – quoted prices 

Level 3 – Unquoted investments 

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

Movement in investment holding gains 

Realised (loss)/gain on disposal of investments 

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

Unquoted investments (Level 3) 

2016 
£ 

516,520 

- 

(65,429) 

(298,467) 

2015 
£ 

698,612 

80,600 

(143,343) 

(119,349) 

152,624 

516,520 

130,401 

494,297 

22,223 

22,223 

(298,467) 

(119,349) 

(3,996) 

(302,463) 

38,969 

(80,380) 

The  value  of  the  unquoted  investments  as  at  31  October  2016  was  £22,223  and  comprised  a  holding  in 
Evolution Energy E&P plc (previously named Shale Energy plc).  

Evolution Energy E&P plc is an unquoted public company whose focus is the acquisition or development of oil, 
gas  or  shale  gas  assets  principally  in  the  UK  and  USA.  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 | 25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

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, which 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  £103,313  (2015:  £138,165)  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% 

2016 

£ 

2015 

£ 

13,040 

49,430 

(13,040) 

(49,430) 

Page | 26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

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 

2016 
£ 

130,401 
40,895 
49,448 

220,744 

2015 
£ 

516,520 
64,403 
61,825 

642,748 

Financial liabilities by category: 
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 2014 
Additions during the year 
At 1 November 2015 

Disposals during the year 
Additions during the year 

At 31 October 2016 

Provision for diminution in value  
At 1 November 2014 and 1 November 2015 
Disposals during the year 

At 31 October 2016 

Net book value 
At 31 October 2016 

At 31 October 2015 

2016 
£ 
53,171 

2015 
£ 

49,066 

£ 
18,503  
- 
18,503 

(18,502) 
- 

1  

- 
- 

-  

1 

18,503 

At 31 October 2016 the subsidiaries were as follows: 

Subsidiary undertaking 
Energy Investment Opportunities Limited 

Country of 
registration 
UK 

Principal 
 activity 
Dormant 

Percentage 
holding 
100% 

*Ventec Renewable Energy Limited and its subsidiary Ventec Wind 1 GmbH was disposed of during the year. 

Page | 27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

17.  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 

Other receivables 

Prepayments and accrued income 

             Company 
2016 
£ 
40,895 

12,970 

53,865 

2015 
£ 
64,403 

11,937 

76,340 

As described in note 13, the Directors do not consider credit risk to be material to the Company's operations. 

18. 

ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL 

Issued and fully paid: 

At 1 November 2014 and 31 October 2015 

Ordinary shares of 0.1p each 
Deferred shares of 5p each 
Deferred shares of 4.9p each 

At 31 October 2016 

Ordinary shares issued in the year: 

Number of 
shares 

Nominal value 
£ 

Share premium 
£ 

2,321,659,864 
136,171,197 
55,570,856 

2,321,660 
6,808,560  
2,722,972  
11,853,192 

2,904,840 
- 
- 
2,904,840 

Ordinary shares of 0.001p each – share reorganisation 
Ordinary shares of 0.25p each - Consolidation 
Ordinary shares of 0.25p each 

Deferred shares of 0.099p each – share reorganisation 
Deferred shares of 5p each 
Deferred shares of 4.9p each 

2,321,659,864 
9,286,639 
100,000 
9,386,639 
2,321,659,864 
136,171,197 
55,570,856 

- 
5,285 
5,285 
2,321,660 
6,808,560 
2,722,972 
11,858,477 

2,904,840 
92,715 
2,997,555 
- 
- 
- 
2,997,555 

On 31 March 2016 shareholders approved a capital reorganisation under which: 

(a) the ordinary shares of 0.1p each were sub-divided into one ordinary share of 0.001p each and one deferred 
share of 0.099p each; 
(b) the ordinary shares of 0.001p each were consolidated on the basis of one ordinary share of 0.25p for every 
250 ordinary shares of 0.001p each; 
(c)  the  deferred  shares  of  5p  each,  4.9p  each  and  0.099p  each  are  to  be  bought  back  by  the  company  for 
cancellation from the proceeds of the issue of one ordinary share of 0.25p at a price of £1. 

Page | 28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

18. 

ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL (continued) 

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. 

19.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 

Trade payables  

Other payables 

Accruals and deferred income 

Taxation and social security 

Company 
2016 
£ 
48,570 

4,199 

72,283 

402 

125,454 

2015 
£ 
48,221 

- 

32,828 

845 

81,894 

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 | 29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

20.  CONTINGENT LIABILITES 

At 31 October 2016 and 2015, the Company had no material contingent liabilities. 

21.  CAPITAL COMMITMENTS 

At  31  October  2016  and  2015,  the  Company  had  no  capital  commitments  authorised  or  contracted  by  the 
Directors.  

22.   POTENTIAL SHARE ISSUES AND SHARE BASED PAYMENTS 

There were no outstanding options or warrants over the ordinary share capital of the Company as at 31 October 2016 
(2015: Nil): 

Number of 
shares to be 
issued upon 
exercise for the 
year ended 31  
October 
 2016 

Exercise 
price for the 
year ended             
31 October 
2016  

Number of 
shares to be 
issued upon 
exercise price 
for the year 
ended 31 
October 2015 

Exercise 
price for the 
year ended             
31 October 
2015  

£ 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

£ 

0.10p 

139,229,592 

- 

- 

0.10p 

139,229,592 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Outstanding at beginning of period 

Arising during the period 

Lapsed during the period 

Outstanding at end of period 

Exercisable at end of period 

Page | 30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
             
             
 
 
 
PIRES INVESTMENTS PLC 
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2016 

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  supplied  by  Catalyst  Corporate  Consultants 
Limited,  a  company  beneficially  controlled  by  Peter  Redmond  and  of  which 
he is a director 

Fees  for  consultancy  services  supplied  by  City  and  Westminster  Corporate 
Finance LLP, a company beneficially owned by John May 

Fees for consultancy  services supplied by Placid P.  Gonzales &  Associates, a 
company beneficially owned by Placid Gonzales and of which he is a director. 

Fees for consultancy services supplied by Richard Armstrong as a consultant 
for services other than director’s duties 

2016 
£ 
30,000 

2015 
£ 
30,000 

25,000 

20,833 

15,000 

13,024 

- 

1,344 

In  March  2016,  the  Company  disposed  of  its  entire  investment  in  its  trading  subsidiary  Ventec  Renewable  Energy 
Limited  to  Ambrosia  Investments  Limited.  Emmanouil  Vaindirlis  is  the  sole  shareholder  of  Ambrosia  Investments 
Limited  and  at  the  date  of  disposal  Ambrosia  and  Emmanouil  Vaindirlis  held  interests  of  4.42%  and  4.68%  in  Pires 
Investments Plc respectively. 

24.  POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS 

Issue of equity 

On 2 November 2016, the Company’s broker, Peterhouse Corporate Finance Limited (“Peterhouse”) raised £525,000 
gross of expenses, for the Company, through the issue to third party investors of 17,500,000 new ordinary shares in 
the Company at a placing price of 3 pence per Placing Share.  
Placees also received one warrant for every two placing shares subscribed for. The warrants have an exercise price of 
4.25 pence each, and are exercisable for a period of 18 months from the date of issue, the last exercise date bring 2 
May 2018. 

On 28 November 2016, Peterhouse, in response to further investor demand, raised £150,000 gross of expenses, for 
the Company, through the issue of 5,000,000 new ordinary shares at a placing price of 3 pence per Placing Share. 
Placees also received one warrant for every two placing shares subscribed for. The warrants have an exercise price of 
4.25 pence each, and are exercisable for a period of 18 months from the date of issue, the last exercise date being 25 
May 2018. 

On 8 February 2017, the Company subscribed for 3,125,000 ordinary shares in Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd at a price of 
16 pence per share for a consideration of £500,000, representing approximately 2.6% of their issued share capital. 

On 13 February 2017, the Company appointed Nicholas Lee as a Non-executive director. 

Page | 31