Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Pittards plc

Pittards plc

ptd · LSE Consumer Cyclical
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FY2018 Annual Report · Pittards plc
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A N N UA L  R EP O RT  2018

PITTARDS IS A GLOBAL BRAND 
SUPPLYING PREMIUM LEATHER AND 
LEATHER PRODUCTS, WORKING WITH 
LEADING INTERNATIONAL BRANDS, 
RETAILERS AND MANUFACTURERS.

 01  Chairman’s statement 

25    Consolidated statement of 

03   Chief Executive’s statement

 07   Directors, officers and advisers

 08   Strategic report

10   Corporate governance report

15   Directors’ report

18   Statement of directors’ 

responsibilities in respect of    
 the financial statements

 19  Independent auditor’s report

24   Consolidated income statement 

and consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income

changes in equity

26    Company statement of changes 

in equity

27   Balance sheets

28   Statements of cash flows

29   Notes to the consolidated 

accounts

55   Five year review

55   Financial calendar

56   Notice of Annual General 

Meeting 

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

01

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

for the year ended 31 December 2018

“It has been a year of solid 
achievement where the Group 
has delivered stable results, 
established the pillars for 
growth and made strategically 
important inroads.”  

At the beginning of 2018, the Group 
established its strategic vision for the 
business and unveiled its priorities; to 
deliver an excellent service to its core 
customers whilst targeting the interiors 
and performance footwear markets. This 
will create a more balanced business and 
product portfolio that builds upon the 
strengths of its customer base, expertise 
in leather innovation and focuses the 
business on areas which will most enhance 
financial performance. Further details of 
current opportunities and the strategically 

important progress made are outlined by 
the CEO, Reg Hankey, in his review.

Throughout the year, the number of global 
uncertainties and challenges has not 
reduced, and it is against this backdrop 
that the business delivered results for 
2018 in line with market expectations. 
To achieve this in a year of transition 
and investment to strengthen its people, 
technology and manufacturing capabilities, 
reflects the quality and hard work of the 
staff throughout the business.   

As previously announced, Matthew 
O’Rourke left the company at the end 
of the year after two and a half years 
of service and we wish him well for the 
future. Subsequently, Richard Briere was 
welcomed to the Board as CFO on 19 
March 2019, bringing with him experience 
from both manufacturing and distribution 
industries. 

Good progress has already been made 
in implementing the Group’s stated 
objectives. Whilst the Group must be 
mindful of the unpredictable global 
economic situation, in several respects the 
Group has entered 2019 well positioned 
for growth, with clear priorities, a stable 
financial base with available banking 
facility headroom of £5.5m and a positive 
outlook about its near-term opportunities.

The Group’s optimism for the future is 
supported by new business opportunities 
that are now beyond the the bulk sampling 
stage, with new customers in both its 
existing and target markets.

Stephen Yapp 
Chairman 
1 April 2019

Results in brief

Revenue

Gross profit 

Gross profit margin 

Profit before taxation

EBITDA

Net assets

Inventory

Net debt

Gearing

Basic earnings per share

Net assets per share

Strategic and operational highlights

–  New foothold in automotive and airline markets
–  Progression of footwear manufacturing in Ethiopia

2018
£’m

28.5

7.2

25%

0.4

1.8

18.5

16.3

7.7

42%

2017
£’m

30.3

7.1

23%

0.4

1.6

19.8

15.3

8.0

40%

(13.91p)

3.58p

133.59p

142.30p

Company Number 102384

 
 
02 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

03

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S STATEMENT

for the year ended 31 December 2018

2018 was a year of strategic progress  
and steady financial performance. The 
Group has had a productive year supporting 
its existing customer base, mainly focused 
upon balance sheet management and 
progressing its pipeline of innovative 
products to new markets.

Highlights 
Year ended 31 December 2018: 
•  Revenue £28.5m (2017: £30.3m)
•  Profit before tax £0.4m (2017: £0.4m)
•  EBITDA £1.8m 6.2% (2017: £1.6m)
•  Net assets £18.5m (2017: £19.8m) 
•  Net debt £7.7m (2017: £8.0m)
•  New foothold in automotive and airline 

markets 

•  Progression of footwear manufacturing 

in Ethiopia.

Financial review
Despite reduced revenue at £28.5m (2017: 
£30.3m), the Group has improved gross 
profit to £7.2m (2017: £7.1m).

The global economic climate was subdued 
during 2018 with overall weaker demand. 
In particular, demand for shoe leather 
was lower reflecting global trends in this 
market. The Group remained focused on 
the gross margin where lower raw material 
prices were favourable, improving gross 
margin to 25% (2017: 23%). 

EBITDA increased to £1.8m (2017: £1.6m) 
resulting in a profit before tax of £0.4m 
(2017: £0.4m). Net assets decreased to 
£18.5m (2017: £19.8m). Net debt was 
lower at £7.7m (2017: £8.0m). The Group’s 
banking facilities have been renewed and 
give headroom of £5.5m, adequate for the 
Group’s medium-term growth objectives.

The Group has taken the prudent view in 
line with IAS 12 ‘Income Taxes’ to eliminate 
the deferred tax asset of £1.9m in the 
year. This has no effect on the operating 
performance, cash, debt or the Group’s 
outlook, which remains unchanged. This 
now leaves the Group’s net asset value per 
share fully covered by tangible assets at 
133.59p (2017: 142.30p).

The tax charge for the year of £2.3m 
includes £1.9m relating to a deferred tax 
charge which was written down to meet 
the IAS12 requirement and £0.3m relating 
to Ethiopian tax on profits relating to prior 
year; both are one time in nature. The 
Group expects a more normalised split of 
profits between the UK and Ethiopia in 
2019 and retains taxable losses in the UK 
of £11.2m to utilise in future periods.  

Overall inventory levels have increased to 
£16.3m (2017: £15.3m), with the increase 
in raw materials of £2.4m being partially 
offset by a £1.6m reduction in work in 
progress and finished goods. The increase 
in raw material stocks is largely a result of 
two factors which fall outside the Group’s 
core stock holding; these factors being 
the strategic purchase of raw materials, 
mainly chemicals from Europe ahead of 
Brexit, along with additional stock items to 
support the Group’s new shoe production 
line. The Group continues to make progress 
in reducing the levels of some of the more 
difficult stocks, in particular sheepskins, 
and this continues to remain a key focus.

One of the Group’s key financial measures 
is Return on Capital Employed. This has 
increased in 2018 to 5.2% (2017: 4.1%) 
and the Group’s near-term objective is 
to deliver returns above its estimated 
Weighted Average Cost of Capital of 
approximately 7%.

Market view
The overall global economic climate 
remains complex. There continues to be 
speculation around the impact of Brexit 
and general trading conditions in Europe. 
The economic implications resulting from 
the impact of Brexit are largely beyond 
the control of the Group, however, the 
Group will continue to review the impact 
of Brexit with key suppliers, stakeholders 
and professional advisors. The uncertainty 
regarding the trading relationship between 
the US and China has a greater impact on 
the global leather industry.

As a predominantly global export 
business, the Group’s trade is clearly 
affected by these macro-economic 
trends. Such a period of uncertainty also 
presents opportunities for the Company 
as pricing pressures on raw materials are 
subdued and more customers are seeking 
innovation, supply chain integrity and 
trusted relationships as brands seek to 
capture the millennial customer, more 
than 70% of whom would be happy to 
pay extra for sustainable products. 23.3bn 
square feet of leather is sold globally 
of which 4% is glove leather, 47% is 
footwear leather and 27% is automotive 
and furniture leather.    

The Group anticipates these trends will 
continue into 2019.

Operations
During the year, the Group has continued 
to build on its capacity and capabilities 
to both meet the demands of its new 
markets and deliver against its objectives.
This has seen a targeted capital investment, 
a devolved management structure, with 
two divisions – the UK and Ethiopia – 

FootJoy continues to lead the US Golf market for 
both gloving and footwear and 2018 saw the 
launch of the new StaSof glove featuring next-
generation Pittards leather technology.  
Pictured: leading Tour player Adam Scott.

Profit before tax

£0.4 million

(2017: £0.4 million)

EBITDA

£1.8million

(2017: £1.6 million)

 
 
 
 
0 4 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S STATEMENT

with their own operational and financial 
accountability and the strengthening of 
the senior management team through the 
recruitment of a UK Sales Director and a 
Technical Director, who are based at the 
UK operations of Yeovil.        

Strategic progress
Pittards remains one of the oldest 
manufacturers of high quality and 
performance leathers with a diverse 
customer base of premium brands 
across its core markets of shoe, gloving 
and leathergoods. Delivering on the 
expectations of the Group’s core customers 
in performance gloves and footwear, from 
both divisions, remains a key focus and the 
Group will continue to enhance its offering 
to ensure it meets their needs. Alongside 
this, and as already communicated, the 
Group intends to leverage its heritage, 
competitive advantage and expertise to 
broaden the business into new products 
and markets to maximise its growth. 

The Group’s strategy recognises that 
most of its current, core customers 
operate in niche market sectors and the 
Group has long established excellent 
relationships within these sectors. The 
Group’s established customer base is 
very important for its long-term success, 
but its growth opportunities are limited 
in these niche markets. In order to build 
medium and long-term growth into the 
business, the Group needs to develop 
into new market sectors. The Group’s 
growth strategy for the UK business is 
predominantly targeted upon increasing 
leather sales, both to the whole hide 
interiors markets, embracing automotive, 
airline and others, together with a new 
emphasis upon larger shoe leather brands.

In the UK, the business has now started to 
supply the automotive and airline markets 
with initial production beyond the sampling 
stage. Inevitably, the business will need 
to build on this foundation into higher 
volumes, but the Group now believes it has 
a clearly established foothold in this new 
market sector where leather use is forecast 
to continue to grow at a Compound 
Annual Growth Rate of 6.5%, to a value 
of $46.3 billion by 2022. The investment 
of a whole-hide shaving machine means 
the Group’s whole hide production volume 
capabilities are secure.  

The Group’s commitment to remain at 
the forefront of leather innovation will 
help the business deliver against customer 
requirements and is evidenced by the 
progression and increase of its pipeline for 
other potential customers in the UK. 

Additionally, in the UK, the Company is 
sampling new products into some new 
large shoe brands, although the global 
market is weak in this area, the Company 
does anticipate making further progress in 
the near-term. 

For the Ethiopian business, the strategy is 
to focus on the development of finished 
product manufacture, in particular shoes 
and gloves. The division has increased its 
manufacturing capabilities for footwear 
by investing in people and machinery. 
Consequently, the division has expanded its 
product offering and volumes and become 
established as a reliable resource for 
these finished products. This strategically 
significant development further diversifies 
the business model with customers 
including Soul of Africa, Vivo Barefoot, and 
in 2019 another niche brand is planned.

At the 2019 Geneva Motorshow, the Morgan 
Motor Company unveiled its new Plus Six model. 
Described as the ‘most dynamically capable 
Morgan ever produced’, the performance leather 
for the interior will be manufactured by Pittards.

In addition to the investment in shoe 
machinery at Pittards Products 
Manufacturing (PPM), the Group has also 
added new tanning drums and fleshing 
machines to Ethiopia Tannery Share 
Company (ETSC) to upgrade its capacity. 
Together with the purchase of the whole-
hide shaving machine, the Group has 
invested £0.6m this year. The Group is 
continuing to invest in machinery in the 
first half of 2019, with the purchase of a 
whole-hide splitting machine, two 
measuring machines and a wet blue 
shaving machine underway for ETSC. 

Following the recent period of 
restructuring and recruitment, senior 
management was further strengthened 
with hires including a UK Sales Director 
and a Technical Director, who will also be 
based at the UK operations in Yeovil. The 
Company now considers it has the people 
in place to deliver against its objectives. 

Summary
It has taken time to build the platform 
to implement the Group’s vision for the 
business in parallel with servicing its core 
customers. This was a year of progress 
and whilst there is much more ahead of 
the Group, it has started to demonstrate 
its ability to differentiate its customer-
focused model to provide a more balanced 
portfolio, deliver growth and remain a 
world class provider of leather and finished 
leather products.

Reg Hankey 
Chief Executive Officer 
1 April 2019

Net debt

£7.7million

(2017: £8.0 million)

Net assets

£18.5million

(2017: £19.8 million)

Revenue outside the UK

90%(2017: 91%)

 
2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

05

 
 
0 6 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

Clockwise from top left.

Ocean lifestyle brand Olukai creates comfort 
casual footwear. This concept sandal 
showcases a Pittards innovation that allows the 
creation of intricate contrast surface patterns, 
meeting the brand’s demand for performance 
combined with standout style.

Developed for the military, loved by fashion. 
Pittards’ highly specified camouflage leathers 
translate technology into street appeal. Seen 
here on the Clarks x END collaboration of its 
famous Wallabee boot.

‘Ridiculously comfortable’ Samuel Hubbard shoes 
are designed in the USA and crafted in Portugal. 
Utilising Pittards classic water resistant leathers 
allows the brand to engineer protection from the 
elements into its everyday styles.

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

07

DIRECTORS, OFFICERS  
AND ADVISERS

R Briere  Secretary
Richard Briere (45) joined the Group as Chief 
Financial Officer and Company Secretary on 
19 March 2019. Richard has broad experience 
across the manufacturing and distribution 
industries.   

M O’Rourke  ACMA  
Matthew O’Rourke (49) joined the Group as 
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary 
in June 2016. He left the company on  
31 December 2018.    

A  Member of the Audit Committee

B  Member of the Remuneration Committee

C  Member of the Nominations Committee

Registered Office  Sherborne Road, Yeovil, 
Somerset BA21 5BA
Company Number 102384

Broker  WH Ireland, 4 Colston Avenue, 
Bristol BS1 4ST

Nominated Adviser  WH Ireland, 4 Colston 
Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST

Independent Auditors  
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered 
Accountants & Statutory Auditors, 2 Glass 
Wharf, Bristol BS2 0FR

Bankers  Lloyds Bank plc, Canons House, 
Canons Way, Bristol BS99 7LB

Registrars  Link Asset Services, The Registry, 
34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent  
BR3 4TU

S Yapp  FCMA MBA, Chairman, non-executive B C
Stephen Yapp (61) joined the Group in June 
2015 and was appointed as Chairman in May 
2016. Stephen has 25 years’ experience as a 
director of public and private companies over 
the course of his career. He is also a director 
of Downing Strategic Micro-Cap Investment 
Trust Plc, as well as a number of private 
companies, having held similar roles in other 
listed companies over recent years. Stephen 
is also a Fellow Chartered Management 
Accountant and holds an MBA.  

G P Davis  FCA, non-executive A B
Godfrey Davis (70) joined the Group in 
February 2014. He is non-executive Chairman 
of Mulberry Group plc. He also holds several 
other directorships, including Hestercombe 
Gardens Ltd and King’s Schools (Taunton) Ltd.  
Godfrey is an experienced leader of private 
and publicly owned entities and has a strong 
understanding of the UK AIM market. He has 
a deep knowledge of the leather goods sector 
accumulated over many years’ experience in 
the industry. 

L M Cretton  BA Hons, non-executive A B
Louise Cretton (62) rejoined the Group in 
August 2015 having served for twelve years 
until 2013 and was subsequently appointed 
as Audit Committee Chair. She is a director 
of Market Evaluer LLC and serves as a non-
executive director of Croydon Health Services, 
where she chairs the Finance and Performance 
Committee. Louise has extensive experience 
in international quantitative and qualitative 
research, brand engineering, strategic 
development and planning. 

R H Hankey  BSc, FSLTC, LCGI, FCMI, CDipAF C 
Reg Hankey (63) was appointed to the Board 
in January 1998 having joined the Group as 
Technical Director of the Yeovil Division in 
1990. He was appointed Chief Executive on 
19 July 2007. He is also a director and past 
President of UK Leather Federation (formerly 
BLC Research), additionally he has Chaired 
LIAC for the University of Northampton for 
over 20 years. Reg is also a founding member 
of the global Leather Naturally campaign.  

 
 
0 8 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

STRATEGIC REPORT

for the year ended 31 December 2018

Principal activities
The principal activities of the Group are 
the design, procurement and production 
of technically advanced leather for 
manufacturers and distributors of shoes, 
gloves, luxury leathergoods, interiors, 
sports equipment and the retail of leather 
and leathergoods. The principal activities 
of its subsidiaries are the production of 
leather, leathergoods, gloves and shoes. 

Business review
Financial results
Overall, the Group’s financial performance 
has remained steady in 2018, during a 
year where global demand has been 
challenging. Although this has impacted 
revenue, with a 6% decrease noted, the 
Group has achieved a gross profit ahead 
of 2017. Gross margin has improved 2% in 
the year to 25%, reflecting the benefit of 
lower raw material prices. 

The Group’s cost percentage has 
increased to 22% (2017: 20%) as a 
result of additional strategic costs to 
support the development of new business 
opportunities. The Group has made some 
targeted investments in people to support 
its future growth aspirations, however, 
in addition, the Group has incurred some 
restructuring costs as it reshapes the 
business to support the future strategy. 
Administration costs also include share-
based incentive schemes at a cost of £0.1m.

Profit before tax for the year was £0.4m 
which is consistent with 2017. 

Performance remains highly sensitive to 
small changes in volume, demonstrating 
the importance of strong relationships 
with the Group’s existing customers 
and the need to acquire new customers 
in the Group’s target markets. This will 
be delivered through the Group’s key 
strengths of heritage, integrity, quality and 
innovation. The Group has made further 
progress on this, as disclosed in the Chief 
Executive’s Statement on page 3.

Year end position
Net assets have decreased from £19.8m 
to £18.5m. Stock has increased in the 
year to £16.3m, as a result of increases in 
chemicals and raw material stock holdings 
for finished goods manufacturing in 
Ethiopia. The Group has made progress 
in reducing some of its older, low end 
problem stock, which is predominantly 
skins, and this will remain a key focus for 
the Group. 

Total net debt (including obligations, 
finance leases and overdrafts) decreased 
by £0.3m during the year, bringing the 
Group’s gearing ratio to 42%, which is 
ahead of its target level of 50%. Free cash 
flow remains positive at £0.4m (2017: 
£1.0m), impacted by working capital 
movements. 

Business environment
The leather industry is a global business, 
wherever countries have meat and 
dairy industries, hides and skins will be 
produced as by-products. Group policy is 
to only process hides and skins that are a 
by-product of these industries. 

The Group operates in the UK, where it 
sources most of its hides, and in Ethiopia, 
where it sources local hairsheep skins, goat 
skins and hides. The Group exports on 
average around 90% of its production into 
most areas of the world.

Environmental matters 
Pittards takes the responsibility of 
protecting the environment extremely 
seriously and whilst producing some 
of the finest leathers in the world, it 
also maximises the use of sustainable 
technology and processes during 
manufacturing. 

Having recently attained a bronze 
medal rating against Leather Working 
Group standards in the Environmental 
Stewardship Audit, The Group maintains 
an ISO14001:2015 certified environmental 
management system and continues making 
improvements with the introduction of the 
latest technological developments, both in 
house and with its partners in industry. 

The Group is committed to continually 
preserving the environment through 
amending processes and investing in new 
technology and plant at the operational 
level to reduce its environmental impact 
across all its sites in the UK and Ethiopia.

Anti-bribery and corruption
Pittards is committed to conducting its 
business affairs so as to ensure that it 
does not engage in or facilitate any form 
of bribery or corruption in any parts of 
its supply chain or other stakeholder 
interactions. Expected standards of 
behaviour are outlined in the anti-bribery 
and corruption policy, which also provides 
guidance on the giving and receiving of 
gifts and hospitality.

Strategy
The Group remains committed to 
optimising and growing its existing core 
business of gloves and performance 
footwear where the fundamentals 
of integrity, service, innovation and 
reputation are the foundations of its 
customer relationships. 

In addition, the Group has identified two 
new target markets, whole hide interiors 
and large shoe brands, which are within 
the hide sector. The hide business stock 
typically turns faster than skins, and 
therefore will result in a more balanced 
product portfolio, alongside a reduction in 
inventory days of sale.

Further details of the Group’s strategic 
objectives and their implementation to 
date are covered in both the Chairman’s 
Statement on page 1 and the Chief 
Executive’s Statement on page 3. 

Principal risks and uncertainties
Risk management is an important part of 
the management process throughout the 
Group, with regular reviews of the key risks 
identified and the adequacy of the controls 
in place to mitigate the risks. The current 
risks considered to be key to the Group are 
as follows:

 
2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

09

have excellent working relationships with 
its banking partners in both the UK and 
Ethiopia and has sufficient facility levels to 
meet its planned requirements. 

Through its activities, the Group is exposed 
to a variety of financial risks; market 
(including currency, price and interest rate), 
liquidity and credit which are discussed in 
Note 26.

Key performance indicators
The following key performance indicators 
are considered by the Board to be the 
most effective for achieving its business 
objectives:

• Revenue 
The Group’s revenue is £28.5m, behind 
the £30.3m in the prior year, however, this 
remains a key driver for the business. 

• Profit before tax 
The Group’s profit before tax is consistent 
with the prior year at £0.4m. 

• EBITDA 
The Group’s EBITDA is £1.8m, ahead of the 
£1.6m achieved in 2017.  

• Return on Capital Employed 
The Group’s return on capital employed 
is at 5.2% (2017: 4.1%). This is below 
the Group’s weighted average cost of 
capital which the Group is addressing in its 
strategic and operational plans.  

• Inventory days of sale 
Stock turn in 2018 has declined to 279 
days, from 241 days in 2017. 

• Gearing 
The Group’s gearing has increased to  
42% (2017: 40%), remaining ahead of the 
target level of 50%. 

• Borrowings 
The Group monitors its bank balances 
against facilities daily and prepares weekly, 
monthly and annual cashflow forecasts to 
ensure that it has sufficient funds to run 
the business. 

This report was approved by the board on  
1 April 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

Reg Hankey 
Chief Executive Officer 
1 April 2019

• Currency 
The Group is subject to the current volatility 
in the currency markets, particularly US 
dollar, Ethiopian Birr and Euro. The Group 
manages its exposure by maintaining a 
natural hedge where possible for US dollar 
and Euro and sells any surplus US dollars 
when the rate is favourable. Additionally, 
in 2018, the Group has entered into 
foreign forward currency contracts to 
hedge against movements in the US 
dollar, adopting a new cash flow hedging 
strategy, in response to the anticipated 
continued volatile currency markets. The 
Group is now more forward protected than 
historically, and will continue to review it’s 
strategy in this area. 

• Political 
The political environment in Ethiopia 
has been notably more stable in 2018 as 
the new Prime Minister establishes his 
office and new strategy for the evolving 
democracy. Opportunities for further 
economic developments are growing, 
however the new administration is still 
in its infancy. The Group continues to 
mitigate this risk through its ability to dual 
supply from the UK. 

In the UK, there continue to be 
uncertainties regarding the country’s future 
relationship with the European Union. The 
Group’s exposure to Europe is largely supply 
driven, with some of its key purchases 
derived from Europe. The Group continues 
to monitor this situation and the effects 
that Brexit could have on the business.

• Supply 
The availability of quality raw materials.  
This is paramount to the business; the 
Group owns Ethiopia Tannery Share 
Company (which is a main supplier of 
Ethiopian skins) and has strong relationships 
with other major suppliers of skins and hides 
in Ethiopia, the UK and around the world.

• Energy 
Continuing escalation in energy and 
environmental costs. The Group uses 
industry experts to obtain the best 
energy rates available and continuous 
improvements are sought in reducing 
waste of all kinds from the business. 

• Working capital 
The availability of working capital to 
finance its operations. The Group actively 
monitors its liquidity position to ensure it 
has sufficient available funds and working 
capital to operate and meet its planned 
commitments. The Group continues to 

Tanning Drums, Ethiopia  
The new tanning drums in the hide section of 
Ethiopia Tannery.

Fleshing Machine, Ethiopia  
Pickle fleshing machine for sheepskin production 
in Ethiopia Tannery.

Vac Dryer, Ethiopia  
New vacuum dryer for sheepskin production in 
Ethiopia Tannery.

Whole Hide Shaver, Yeovil  
A new shaving machine to support whole hide 
capacity in Yeovil Tannery.

 
 
 
10 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

for the year ended 31 December 2018

Contemporary luxury lifestyle brand Hill & 
Friends is working in partnership with Pittards 
to ensure all of its bags are made in the UK, 
commencing with Spring / Summer 2019 
production.

Pittards Ethiopia has established skills in 
hand stitched footwear that will be extended 
into the newly developed NTOTO brand for 
distribution and sale in the local market. The 
launch style has been designed to be versatile 
across a range of stock materials.

Statement of Corporate Governance 
As the Chairman, I recognise the 
importance of high standards of Corporate 
Governance and am pleased to report 
below on how the Board of Pittards 
maintains its governance framework.

The Group is led and controlled by the 
Board who are responsible for approving 
Group policy and strategy for the benefit 
of its shareholders in accordance with 
their fiduciary and statutory duties. The 
Board comprises two executive members 
and three non-executive directors, the 
biographies of the directors are on  
page 7. These show the range of business 
and financial experience on which the 
Board can call.  

Chairman and Chief Executive
The Chairman, Stephen Yapp, is responsible 
for the leadership of the Board and 
ensuring its effectiveness. The Chairman 
is considered independent by the Board. 
Reg Hankey, Chief Executive, manages the 
Group and has the prime role, with the 
assistance of the Board, of developing and 
implementing business strategy.  

Non-Executives
The Non-Executive Directors, under the 
leadership of the Chairman, undertake 
detailed examination and discussion of 
the strategies proposed by the Executive 
Directors, to ensure that decisions are 
in the best, long-term interests of the 
shareholders and take proper account 
of the interests of the Group’s other 
stakeholders. The Non-Executive Directors 
bring independent judgement and scrutiny 
to the decisions taken by the Board. They 
monitor the success of management in 
delivering the agreed strategy within the 
risk appetite and control framework set by 
the Board. Their views are actively sought 
when developing proposals on strategy 
and in discussions in meetings.   

The QCA guidelines acknowledge that 
for growing companies it may not be 
possible for boards to meet the definition 
of “independence” for Non-Executive 
Directors, however it sets out that it is 

important for the board to foster an 
attitude of independence of character 
and judgement. The Board is mindful of 
the threat to independence and actively 
manages the potential risk to ensure 
that the Non-Executives provide the 
independent, constructive challenge to 
help develop the Board’s proposals on 
strategy. The Non-Executive Directors 
are considered to be independent by the 
Board. 

The Senior Independent Director, Godfrey 
Davis, offers a sounding board for the 
Chairman and serves as an intermediary 
for other directors and shareholders when 
necessary. 

All Directors have access to the advice 
and services of the Company Secretary, 
who is responsible for ensuring that 
Board procedures, applicable rules and 
regulations are observed. 

In the furtherance of their duties on 
behalf of the Group, the Directors also 
have access to independent professional 
advice at the expense of the Group. During 
the year, the Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee sought external tax advice on 
long-term incentive schemes.

The Chairman ensures that the Board 
meet regularly throughout the year, with 
additional ad hoc meetings and calls being 
held as required. The Chairman ensures 
that meetings of Non-Executive Directors 
without the Executive Directors are held. 

Communication with Shareholders
The Board attaches great importance to 
providing shareholders with clear and 
transparent information on the Group’s 
activities, strategies and financial position, 
in addition to having regard to its 
obligations as a quoted public company 
and the AIM rules.

The Group holds meetings with significant 
shareholders on a regular basis and 
regards the Annual Report and Annual 
General Meeting as a good opportunity to 
communicate directly with shareholders 
which allow them to participate by 

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

11

 
 
12 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

submitting questions at the Annual 
General Meeting.

The Group lists contact details on its website 
should shareholders wish to communicate 
with the Board. All announcements and 
results, including those released via RNS, are 
available on the Group’s website.  

Committees
The Board has three standing committees: 
the Audit Committee, the Remuneration 
Committee and the Nomination 
Committee. The Terms of Reference for 
each of the Committees are available on 
the Group’s website. 

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee currently consists 
of two Non-Executive Directors who 
formally met twice during the year under 
the Chairmanship of Louise Cretton. Whilst 
Louise Cretton has been a member of the 
board for more than sixteen years (non-
consecutively), the Board nevertheless 
considers that Louise Cretton fulfils the 
roles of Audit Chair and Non-Executive 
Director with independence of character 
and judgement and has concluded that 
it is appropriate to retain the experience, 
corporate memory and knowledge of the 
business possessed by Louise Cretton in 
her role as Chair of the Audit Committee. 

The Chief Financial Officer and the external 
auditors attend meetings of the Audit 
Committee by invitation. The Committee 
may also hold separate meetings with the 
external auditors as appropriate.

The Audit Committee duties include 
monitoring internal controls throughout 
the Group, approving the Group’s 
accounting policies and reviewing the 
Group’s interim results and full year 
statements before submission to the full 
board. The Audit Committee also reviews 
the risk register and risk appetite of the 
Group and monitors the independence of 
the external auditors.

The Audit Committee acts to ensure that 
the financial performance of the Group 
is properly recorded and monitored, and 

in fulfilling its role, it meets annually with 
the auditors and reviews the external audit 
report.

During the course of this year, the Audit 
Committee reviewed the Terms of 
Reference for the committee. In between 
the formal meetings, the Chair had 
discussions with the audit partner at PwC 
to discuss issues on mutual performance 
and planning. Particular attention has been 
given to financial resource and the audit 
in Ethiopia this year. In addition, there has 
also been a focus on stock identification 
and measurement. 

The contents of the meetings are recorded 
in the minutes which are then circulated 
to the committee, by the Chair, for review 
before being issued. The Chair reports 
on the full agenda and discussions to the 
Board.

Remuneration Committee 
The Remuneration Committee consists 
of the three Non-Executive Directors 
and meets at least once a year under the 
Chairmanship of Godfrey Davis.

The purpose of the Committee is to review 
the performance of the full-time Executive 
Directors and to set the scale and structure 
of their remuneration and the basis of  
their service agreements with due regards 
to the interests of the shareholders. 
In fulfilling this responsibility, the 
Remuneration Committee is responsible 
for setting salaries, incentives and other 
benefit arrangements of Executive 
Directors. The Remuneration Committee 
also advises the Board on the remuneration 
policy for senior Executives and may invite 
participation in the Company’s long-term 
incentive share scheme.

During the course of this year, the 
Committee reviewed, in detail, the 
remuneration of the directors and senior 
employees, including the setting and 
measurement of annual bonus and long-
term incentive targets. In between formal 
meetings, the Chair has taken external 
advice on long-term incentives, which 
are an area of focus as the business 

invests in developing and incentivising its 
management team. 

The contents of the meetings are recorded 
in the minutes which are circulated to the 
Committee by the Chair for review before 
being issued. The Chair reports on the full 
agenda and discussions of the Board. 

Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee consists of 
one executive and one Non-Executive 
Director and is chaired by Stephen Yapp. 
The Nominations Committee did not meet 
during this year.  

The Nominations Committee is responsible 
for evaluating the Board and determining 
the skills and characteristics that are needed 
in new board candidates when required. 

Internal Controls
The Board is responsible for the Group’s 
system of internal controls and for 
reviewing its effectiveness. Such a system 
is designed to manage rather than 
eliminate the risk of failure to achieve 
business objectives and can only provide 
reasonable and not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss.  
A risk register is maintained by the Group 
containing both potential financial and 
non-financial risks which may impact the 
business. The Board confirms that there 
are ongoing processes for identifying, 
evaluating and mitigating the significant 
risks faced by the Group. The Group’s 
internal financial control and monitoring 
procedures include:

•  Clear responsibility on the part of 
line and financial management for 
the maintenance of good financial 
controls and the production of accurate 
and timely financial management 
information; The control of key financial 
risks through appropriate authorisation 
levels and segregation of accounting 
duties;

•  Detailed budgeting and reporting of 
trading results, balance sheets and 
cash flows, with regular review by 
management of variances from budget;

 
2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

13

•  Reporting on any non-compliance 
with internal financial controls and 
procedures; and

•  Audit Committee review reports issued 
by the external auditors and present 
to the board via the Chair of the Audit 
Committee.

The Group does not have an Internal Audit 
function as the Board considers that the 
size and nature of the business does not 
currently require it. The Audit Committee, 
on behalf of the Board, review reports 
from the external auditors together 
with management’s response regarding 
proposed actions. In this manner, the Board 
comment on internal controls, as directed 
by the Executive Directors, and they 
also make independent enquires on the 
function and scope of the controls. These 
discussions are recorded in minutes and 
actions, where necessary, are agreed.

Embed effective risk management, 
considering both opportunities and 
threats, throughout the organisation
The Board is responsible for risk 
management and maintaining an 
appropriate system of internal controls to 
safeguard the shareholders’ investment 
and Group assets. The Directors continue 
to review the financial reporting 

procedures and internal controls of the 
Group companies to ensure they are robust 
enough to deliver timely, detailed reporting 
that will allow accurate monitoring of the 
Group’s performance. 

The Board receives regular feedback from 
the Audit Committee on any internal 
control issues raised by its external auditors.

In the context of the Group’s overall 
strategy, the Board undertakes risk 
assessment as well as the review of internal 
controls. The Group has established a 
risk register which involves risks being 
identified, recorded, monitored and 
addressed at division and Group level and 
subject to regular review. A top-down risk 
review is combined with a complimentary 
bottom-up approach to ensure that risks 
are fully considered.

The Board determines the extent and 
nature of the risks it is prepared to take to 
achieve the Group’s strategic objectives. 
The Board has overall responsibility for the 
Group’s risk appetite. 

The significant areas of risk and  
judgement in relation to the Group’s 
financial statements for the year ended  
31 December 2018, as discussed at the 
Audit Committee, are as follows:

• Revenue recognition
As with most companies, there is a risk 
that in order to achieve planned results, 
revenue may not be recognised in 
accordance with the Group’s policy. The 
systems of internal control deployed within 
the Group are designed to mitigate this 
risk and the adequacy and effectiveness 
of these controls is regularly reviewed by 
management.

• Inventory valuation
Inventory remains a significant item in 
the Group’s balance sheet and a key area 
of estimation and judgment. Inventory 
policies are reviewed on a regular basis, 
with provisions made where required to 
ensure that the inventory is held at an 
appropriate value.

Maintain the Board as a well-
functioning, balanced team led by  
the Chair 
The Board normally meets six times per year 
in person to review and discuss strategy, 
financial results, business planning, sales, 
operations and HR matters. The Director’s 
are required to invest the necessary time to 
execute their role properly. 

Directors’ attendance at Board and 
Committee meetings during the year was 
as follows:

Board  
Meetings

Audit 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Nominations 
Committee

Dircetors’ attendance

Attended

Eligible

Attended

Eligible

Attended

Eligible

Attended

Eligible

R Briere1

L Cretton

G Davis

R Hankey

M O’Rourke 2 (resigned 31 Dec 2018)

S Yapp

1

6

6

6

6

6

1

6

6

6

6

6

–

2

2

–

–

–

–

2

2

–

–

–

–

1

1

–

–

1

–

1

1

–

–

1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.  R Briere joined the Board as Chief Financial Officer on 19 March 2019 and attended his first board meeting on 20 March 2019.
2.  The Chief Financial Officer attends audit committee meetings by invitation which are not included in the above attendance.

 
 
14 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Evaluate board performance based on 
clear and relevant objectives, seeking 
continuous improvement
The Company undertakes regular 
monitoring of personal and corporate 
performance using agreed key performance 
indicators and detailed financial reports. 
Responsibility for assessing and monitoring 
the performance of the Executive Directors 
lies with the independent Non-Executive 
Directors. Key performance indicators are 
detailed on page 9. 

The performance of individual Executive 
Directors is reviewed not less than once a 
year by the Remuneration Committee and 
has both formal and informal mechanisms 
for evaluating and giving feedback on an 
ad-hoc basis. 

All Directors have the opportunity to 
undertake relevant training and attend 
relevant seminars and forums.

The Board is confident that all of its 
members have the knowledge, ability 
and experience to perform the functions 
required of a director of an AIMS listed 
company. 

Promote a corporate culture that 
is based on ethical values and 
behaviours
The Board is committed to embodying and 
promoting a corporate culture of excellent 
service delivery across the Group, whereby 
a customer need can be fulfilled whilst 
maintaining the Group’s margins. It has 
endorsed various policies to achieve this, 
which also require ethical behaviour of 
staff and relevant counterparties.

Operating in a fragmented global 
industry, the Group’s marketing strategy 
is to be selective and targeted towards 

trade shows, events and through social 
media. The Group is proud of its existing 
long-term customer relationships and 
will continue to invest in those as well as 
potential new customers. Staff throughout 
the business are regularly updated on key 
developments both formally and informally 
and staff feedback is always encouraged.  

Communicate how the Company 
is governed and is performing 
by maintaining a dialogue with 
shareholders and other relevant 
stakeholders
The Board recognises the importance of 
providing shareholders with clear and 
transparent information on any group 
activities, strategy and financial position. 

The Board encourages engagement 
with all shareholders, including two-
way communications with institutional 
investors, analysts and private investors. 
The Board holds regular meetings with 
the larger shareholders and considers it 
has successfully created an open channel 
of communication for specific concerns, 
questions or updates facilitated by regular 
meetings, site visits and ad hoc telephone 
calls as appropriate with the Chairman,  
the Chief Executive and the Chief  
Financial Officer. 

Risk Management and Internal Controls 
are discussed throughout the Corporate 
Governance report.

Historic reports and accounts, along with 
all notices and circulars for the last five 
years, are available on the Group’s website.

Stephen Yapp 
Chairman 
1 April 2019

Zero waste

Pittards Work Glove manufacturing delivered 
over one million pairs in 2018. The Chevron 
Glove is a partner to that production, 
designed to use the smaller pieces left after 
the original style is cut, working towards a 
zero waste position.

 
2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

15

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

for the year ended 31 December 2018

The directors submit their report together 
with the audited consolidated financial 
statements of the Group and the Company 
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

Brexit
The uncertainty of Brexit is discussed in the 
Chief Executive’s statement on page 3. 

Principal activities
The principal activities of the Group are 
the design, procurement and production 
of technically advanced leather for 
manufacturers and distributors of shoes, 
gloves, luxury leathergoods, interiors, 
sports equipment and the retail of leather 
and leathergoods. The principal activities 
of its subsidiaries are the production of 
leather, leathergoods, gloves and shoes. 

Future developments
The Group will continue to look for new 
opportunities to develop the Pittards brand 
and build on its relationships across the 
supply chain. It will seek to maximise the 
benefits from owning facilities in Ethiopia 
and manufacturing both leather and 
finished leather products in a lower cost 
environment. 

Dividends and reserves
No interim dividend was paid in respect 
of 2018 (2017: £nil) and the directors are 
not recommending the payment of a final 
dividend (2017: £nil). The Board continue 
to believe that the payment of dividends 
is important and therefore intends, when 
appropriate, to return to the dividend 
paying list. Whereas this is the Board’s 
intention, payment of a dividend in any 
future financial year is not guaranteed 
and will be subject to the company having 
sufficient distributable reserves at such 
time to do so. 

Going concern
After making enquiries and taking into 
consideration the factors described in Note 
1(b) to the accounts, the directors have 
a reasonable expectation that the Group 
and Company have adequate resources to 
continue in operation for the foreseeable 
future. For this reason, they continue to 
adopt the going concern basis in preparing 
the financial statements.

Research and development
The Group recognises the importance 
of continuous product and process 
development in maintaining its reputation 
for innovative high performance leathers. 
It works closely with both customers and 
suppliers to develop clearly differentiated 
products using advanced technology.  
It uses trend information from designers 
in order to reflect current trends in 
more fashion orientated products, holds 
consumer focus groups and attends 
relevant trade shows to better understand 
its potential consumers.

Treasury policies
The Group finances its activities with a 
combination of bank loans, overdrafts, 
finance leases and hire purchase contracts, 
as disclosed in Note 26. Other financial 
assets and liabilities, such as trade 
receivables and trade payables, arise directly 
from the Group’s operating activities. The 
Group has traded in financial instruments 
during the year.

Overall, some 80% of Group revenue 
is in US dollars, 12% in Sterling, 4% in 
Ethiopian Birr and 4% in Euros. Where 
possible, a natural hedge is maintained 
against the Group’s currency exposure. 
During 2018, a review of the Group’s 
foreign currency risk management policy 
has been performed, resulting in the 
adoption of a cash flow hedging strategy 
with the use of forward foreign currency 
contracts for US dollars. Given current 
currency market conditions, Group policy 
is to hold a contract position covering 6 
months, in order to protect future cash 
flows and reduce the level of uncertainty. 
This time frame is considered appropriate 
for the cost base of the business to be 
amended, should a significant, prolonged 
shift in exchange rates be noted. The 
Group will continue to review this 
strategy considering the continued Brexit 
uncertainties, with the potential to extend 
this period out further. 

The Group’s principal borrowings are in 
Sterling, US dollars and Ethiopian Birr (for 
Ethiopia Tannery Share Company (ETSC), 
Pittards Product Manufacturing Share 
Company (PPM) and Pittards Global Sourcing 
Private Limited Company (GS)) which are 
used to manage timing differences in cash 
flows arising from trading activities as set 
out in Note 26. The debt is a combination of 
variable and fixed rate.

The Group’s objective is to maintain a 
balance between continuity of funding and 
flexibility through the use of overdrafts, bank 
loans and finance leases, with short and 
medium term variable rate debt favoured. No 
specific policy exists with regard to liquidity. 

Transactions with customers are either credit 
insured or under confirmed letters of credit. 
Where these terms are not possible goods 
will not be released without payment in 
advance of despatch, unless the Group sets 
an internal credit limit based on its previous 
experience of the customer or external credit 
rating agencies.

Group policies also restrict the 
counterparties with which funds may be 
invested, to those approved by the Board. 

As with all companies that operate in 
this sector, the Group has significant 
exposure to changes in raw material 
prices for hides and skins which are a 
by-product of the meat and dairy industry. 
The Group manages its risk in this area 
by using industry wide information on 
pricing, working closely with its suppliers 
and committing to purchase on the basis 
of anticipated and actual forward sales 
orders. The ownership of ETSC enables this 
risk in respect of Ethiopian skins and hides 
to be managed more closely, with greater 
market information.

Creditor payment policy
The Group does not follow a particular 
code for the payment of suppliers. It is the 
Group’s policy in respect of major suppliers 
to settle terms of payment when the terms 
of each transaction are agreed, to ensure 
the supplier is made aware of the terms 
of payment and to abide by the terms of 

 
 
16 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

Long-term partner Franklin specifies Pittards’ 
performance sport leathers with grip 
technology into its batting gloves. Pittards 
is proud to see them worn by World Series 
winners, Boston Red Sox.

payment. For small local suppliers the policy 
is to pay within 45 days of invoice and for 
other suppliers to pay within 60 days. Trade 
payables at the year end represented 33 
days’ purchases (2017: 42 days).

Equal opportunities
Pittards is committed to ensuring that 
colleagues are treated equally, regardless 
of gender, sexual orientation, religion or 
belief, age, mental status, social class, 
colour, race, ethnic origin, creed, disability, 
political or philosophical beliefs, or marital 
or civil partnership status. 

Through the Group’s equal opportunities 
policy, it aims to create an environment 
that offers all colleagues the chance to 
use their skills and talent. Decisions on 
recruitment, training, promotion and 
employment conditions are based solely on 
objective, job-related criteria, and personal 
competence and performance. 

The Group seeks wherever possible to make 
reasonable adjustments to ensure that a 

colleague who becomes disabled during the 
course of his or her employment is able to 
continue working effectively. 

The Group is confident that all employees, 
regardless of gender, are paid equally 
for doing equivalent jobs across the 
business and have an equal opportunity 
to participate in and earn incentives. 
The current recruitment, progression, 
performance, reward and benefit policies 
and practices are not gender biased and the 
business will continue to monitor them to 
ensure they remain fair and equitable. 

Pittards is committed to ensuring that 
the rights of all individuals are respected 
throughout the business and its supply 
chain.

Employee consultation and 
involvement
The Group places great importance on 
the involvement of its employees and has 
continued its previous practice of keeping 
them informed on matters affecting them 

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

17

Holding of 50p shares

2,902,592

2,370,000

2,240,000

790,747

528,457

500,000

433,333

425,000

% Holding

20.90%

17.06%

16.13%

5.69%

3.80%

3.60%

3.12%

3.06%

At end of year

At beginning of year or  
date of appointment (if later)

Fully paid
50p shares

–

14,203

87,567

240,033

99,111

Share options

–

–

–

–

–

Fully paid
50p shares

–

12,000

72,667

240,033

60,231

Share options

–

–

–

155,945

47,337

Substantial interests

Downing LLP

Artemis Investment Management LLP

John A Rendell

Pension Protection Fund

Ruffer Investment Management

Rath Dhu Ltd

Denton & Co Trustees Limited

Armstrong Investments Ltd

Dircetors’ interests

R Briere

LM Cretton

GP Davis

RH Hankey

S Yapp

A special resolution (number 7) will be 
proposed to enable the Company to make 
market purchases of its own shares. 

The authority for all the above resolutions 
expires on the date falling 15 months 
after the passing of the resolutions or the 
conclusion of the Annual General Meeting 
in 2020 (whichever is earlier).

Independent auditors
A resolution to re-appoint 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the 
Company’s auditors will be proposed at 
the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

This report was approved by the Board on 
1 April 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

Reg Hankey 
Chief Executive Officer 
1 April 2019

as employees and on the various factors 
affecting the performance of the Group, 
through special briefing meetings.  

Substantial interests
In addition to those disclosed under 
directors’ interests, the Company has been 
notified of the interests under section 793 
Companies Act 2006 as at 1 April 2019 
shown in the table below. No significant 
movements impacting the profile of the key 
shareholders have been noted since  
31 December 2018. 

Directors
The persons named on page 7 are the 
directors during the year and up to the 
date of approval of the Annual Report.  
R H Hankey and G Davis retire by rotation 
and offer themselves for re-election.  
R Briere was appointed a director in March 
2019 and offers himself for election at the 
forthcoming AGM. M O’Rourke stepped 
down as a director on 31 December 2018.  

Directors’ interests
The directors at the end of the year 
and their interests in the shares of the 
Company were as shown in the table 
below. No changes took place in the 
interests of directors in the shares of the 
Company between 31 December 2018 and 
1 April 2019.

The share options included in the previous 
table relate to the 2015 Long Term 
Incentive Plan (LTIP), which lapsed during 
2018. On 26 September 2016, an LTIP 
was granted to all Board directors detailed 
below. The vesting period is four years 
and is dependent upon the attainment 
of a minimum specific share price at the 
exercise date. The directors are entitled to 
shares based on the excess value generated 
at the exercise date, with the total value 
generated split based on the following 
percentages: 

LM Cretton 
GP Davis 
RH Hankey 
S Yapp 

% entitlement 
5%
5%
40%
30% 

Matthew O’Rourke resigned from the Board 
during the year (effective 31 December 
2018), with a fully paid up shareholding of 
8,606 shares. His entitlement to the 2016 
LTIP was forfeited on leaving the company. 
Compensation for loss of office is disclosed 
in Note 6.    

Annual General Meeting
An ordinary resolution (number 6) will 
be proposed to enable the Company to 
issue and allot shares up to an aggregate 
nominal value of £694,434. 

 
 
 
18 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN 
RESPECT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2018

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and 
the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and 
regulation.

Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed in 
Directors and officers section on page 7 confirm that, to the best 
of their knowledge:

•  the parent company financial statements, which have been 

prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position and loss of the company;

•  the group financial statements, which have been prepared in 

accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, give 
a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position 
and profit of the group; and

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

In the case of each director in office at the date the Directors’ 
Report is approved:

•  so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit 

information of which the group and parent company’s auditors 
are unaware; and

•  they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as 
a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish that the group and parent 
company’s auditors are aware of that information.

On behalf of the Board:

Reg Hankey 
Chief Executive Officer 
1 April 2019

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors 
have prepared the group financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by 
the European Union and parent company financial statements 
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. Under company law 
the directors must not approve the financial statements unless 
they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of 
affairs of the group and parent company and of the profit or loss 
of the group and parent company for that period. In preparing the 
financial statements, the directors are required to:   

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently;

•  state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European 

Union have been followed for the group financial statements 
and IFRSs as adopted by the European Union have been 
followed for the company financial statements, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and explained in the financial 
statements;

•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent; and

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis 

unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and parent 
company will continue in business.

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

The directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of 
the group and parent company and hence for taking reasonable 
steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other 
irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity 
of the parent company’s website. Legislation in the United 
Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The directors consider that the annual report, taken as a whole, is 
fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the group and parent 
company’s performance, business model and strategy.

 
2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

19

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS  
OF PITTARDS PLC

Report on the audit of the financial statements 

Opinion
In our opinion, Pittards plc’s group financial statements and parent company financial statements (the “financial statements”):

•  give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 2018 and of the group’s 

loss and the group’s and the parent company’s cash flows for the year then ended;

•  have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European 

Union and, as regards the parent company’s financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 
2006; and

•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual Report 2018 (the “Annual Report”), which comprise: the group 
and company balance sheets as at 31 December 2018; the consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, the group and company statements of cash flows, and the consolidated and company statements of changes in equity for the 
year then ended; and the notes to the financial statements, which include a description of the significant accounting policies.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our 
responsibilities under ISAs (UK) are further described in the Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of 
our report. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence
We remained independent of the group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial 
statements in the UK, which includes the FRC’s Ethical Standard, as applicable to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

Our audit approach 
Overview

Materiality

Audit scope

•  Overall group materiality: £284,700 (2017: £302,900), based on 1% of total revenue.
•  Overall parent company materiality: £251,500 (2017: £268,700), based on 1% of total 

revenue.

•  Pittards plc is based in the United Kingdom and Ethiopia. There are two legal entities located in 
the United Kingdom and three further entities in Ethiopia, these are split into a UK division and 
Ethiopian division for internal reporting purposes.

•  We performed full scope audits on the four significant reporting units (the UK entities, Pittards 
plc and Pittards Garnar Services Limited were audited by PwC LLP, the significant Ethiopian 
entities, Pittards Products Manufacturing Share Company and Ethiopia Tannery Share 
Company were audited by the Ethiopian component auditor HST Consulting).

•  The entities where either PwC LLP or HST Consulting performed full scope audits accounted 

Key audit 
matters

for 99.9% of group revenue

.
•  Deferred tax assets (Group and parent).
Inventory valuation (Group and parent).
• 

The scope of our audit 
As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. 
In particular, we looked at where the directors made subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates 
that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain. As in all of our audits we also addressed 
the risk of management override of internal controls, including evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that 
represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

 
 
 
20 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF PITTARDS PLC

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors’ professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) 
identified by the auditors, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the 
audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters, and any comments we make on the results of our procedures 
thereon, were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we 
do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit. 

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Deferred tax assets

Group and parent
Deferred tax is a key audit matter because Pittards plc held a 
large deferred tax asset in respect of losses incurred within 
the UK.

There is significant judgement as to whether this asset should 
be continued to be recognised, and if so at what amount 
since under accounting standards a deferred tax asset should 
only be recognised to the extent it is ‘highly probable’ that 
sufficient taxable profits will be available in the future for it to 
be utilised. Given recent trading results consideration needs to 
be given as to the appropriateness of continuing to recognise 
this asset.

See notes 1 and 2b to the financial statements for the 
directors’ disclosures of the related accounting policies and 
judgements for deferred tax and note 19. 

Inventory valuation

Group and parent
Accounting standards require that inventory is held at the 
lower of cost and net realisable value as required in IAS 2.

Pittards plc holds inventory in the United Kingdom and 
Ethiopia, the valuation of inventory across the group is 
considered a key audit matter due to the level of inventory 
held (compared to turnover), the low demand for certain 
inventory lines and the Company’s complex cost absorption 
system and the risk that the inventory is valued too high. We 
assessed that the valuation could be too high if production 
costs were over absorbed or if the inventory provision was 
understated.

Inventory is valued to incorporate raw material costs plus 
an allocation of production overheads. An adjustment is 
considered at the year-end to ensure that the quantum of 
production overheads included in closing inventory fairly 

We discussed forecast trading expectations and the current 
position of bulk sampling and any confirmed orders with 
new customers. We assessed the sensitivity of these forecasts 
and expectations of profitability and the range of possible 
outcomes in the future.

We looked back on the accuracy of management’s forecasts 
of performance in previous years to provide insight into the 
reliability of management’s forecasts to assess the future 
expected utilisation of the deferred tax asset.

Due to the time taken for product development and refining 
bulk sampling processes whilst the pipeline is encouraging, 
the previously forecast profits have not been realised. The 
company believe these new customers will generate sufficient 
taxable profits to utilise the deferred tax asset in the future 
but as orders have not been confirmed and based on historic 
performance and lead time with new customers they have 
agreed that this is not highly probably and the deferred tax 
asset should not be recognised.

This is an area of judgement but based on the current position 
of the company, it was agreed that it is no longer highly 
probable that sufficient future taxable profits will be made to 
continue to justify the carrying value of this asset and therefore 
the deferred tax asset has been derecognised in the year.

For the UK inventory costing, we tested the assumptions and 
methodology used in the absorption of appropriate indirect 
costs and confirmed for a sample of items to supporting 
documentation that the correct absorption rates were used in 
the inventory valuation.

We tested amounts of costs absorbed into closing inventory to 
ensure this is appropriate based on actual production costs and 
levels of production. 

For Ethiopian inventory costing, the valuation of inventory was 
tested by re-computing the costs and tracing them to a sample 
of purchase invoices. 

In addition a sample of material costs and direct production 
overheads were traced to invoices and the basis of allocating 
these overheads to individual inventory types was agreed. 

To assess the appropriateness of the closing inventory provision, 
we tested a sample of inventory items to ensure that they were 
recognised at the lower of cost and net realisable value

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

21

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Inventory valuation continued

reflects an appropriate allocation of actual production 
overhead costs incurred. The basis of allocation is subject to 
some judgement. 

Due to the nature of the inventory, there is judgement as 
to the level of any provision to ensure that inventory is not 
valued in excess of its net realisable value. The inventory 
typically has a long life but may be impaired if high levels of 
inventory are held which are in excess of historic demand 
levels or if inventory is the wrong size or quality for key 
customer requirements impacting the demand for the 
inventory held. 

See notes 1 and 2a to the financial statements for the 
directors’ disclosures of the related accounting policies and 
judgements for inventory and note 13.

by tracing the product back to the most recent sales invoice to 
support the valuation of the inventory provisions recognised. 

We tested management’s methodology for calculating the 
provision for inventory by confirming that for the written down 
value of specific inventory lines was lower than the selling price 
achieved in the past three years. We obtained analysis of the 
stock movements of the individual items to assess the demand 
and frequency of the sales. 

We agreed that the provision methodology is in line with the 
requirements of IAS 2 and has been applied consistently with 
the prior year. 

No material issues were noted.

How we tailored the audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements 
as a whole, taking into account the structure of the group and the parent company, the accounting processes and controls, and the 
industry in which they operate.

The Group is structured into two operating segments- UK and Ethiopia. Underpinning these operating segments are five reporting units 
(excluding dormant entities).

Our audit approach was based on auditing the financially significant reporting units underpinning the two operating segments. We 
consider there to be four financially significant reporting units- Pittards plc, Pittards Garnar Services, Pittards Products Manufacturing 
Share Company and Ethiopia Tannery Share Company.

Pittards plc and Pittards Garnar Services were audited by the UK Group team with Pittards Products Manufacturing Share Company and 
Ethiopia Tannery Share Company being audited by HST Consulting as a component auditor operating under our instruction. Audit work 
was performed over the consolidation process at a consolidated Group level.

Where the work was performed by the component auditor, we determined the level of involvement we needed to have in their audit 
work to be able to conclude whether sufficient audit evidence has been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the Group financial 
statements as a whole. As part of our planning and year-end procedures, we held discussions with HST Consulting and we reviewed 
their audit working papers in Ethiopia and attended the local clearance meeting with management.

The reporting units where we performed full scope audit work accounted for 99.9% of group revenue and profit before tax.

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, 
together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our 
audit procedures on the individual financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both 
individually and in aggregate on the financial statements as a whole. 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

 
 
22 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF PITTARDS PLC

Materiality continued

Group financial statements

Parent company financial statements

Overall materiality

£284,700 (2017: £302,900).

£251,500 (2017: £268,700).

How we determined it

1% of total revenue

1% of total revenue

Rationale for benchmark applied

Based on the benchmarks used in the 
annual report and our assessment 
of the company operating in a low 
margin industry, revenue is the primary 
measure used by the shareholders 
in assessing the performance of the 
group, and is a generally accepted 
auditing benchmark.

Based on the benchmarks used in the 
annual report and our assessment 
of the company operating in a low 
margin industry, revenue is the primary 
measure used by the shareholders 
in assessing the performance of the 
group, and is a generally accepted 
auditing benchmark.

For each component in the scope of our group audit, we allocated a materiality that is less than our overall group materiality. The range 
of materiality allocated across components was between £7,600 and £251,500. Certain components were audited to a local statutory 
audit materiality that was also less than our overall group materiality.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £14,235 (Group 
audit) (2017: £15,100) and £12,575 (Parent company audit) (2017: £13,436) as well as misstatements below those amounts that, in our 
view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Conclusions relating to going concern
ISAs (UK) require us to report to you when: 

•  the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or    
•  the directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about 
the group’s and parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve 
months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

We have nothing to report in respect of the above matters.

However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the group’s and parent 
company’s ability to continue as a going concern. For example, the terms on which the United Kingdom may withdraw from the 
European Union, are not clear, and it is difficult to evaluate all of the potential implications on the group’s trade, customers, suppliers and 
the wider economy.  

Reporting on other information 
The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our auditors’ report 
thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other 
information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, any 
form of assurance thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are required 
to perform procedures to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of the financial statements or a material misstatement 
of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other 
information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report based on these responsibilities.

With respect to the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report, we also considered whether the disclosures required by the UK Companies 
Act 2006 have been included.  

Based on the responsibilities described above and our work undertaken in the course of the audit, ISAs (UK) require us also to report 
certain opinions and matters as described below.

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

23

Strategic Report and Directors’ Report
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Report for the year ended 31 December 2018 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with 
applicable legal requirements. 

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the 
audit, we did not identify any material misstatements in the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report. 

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit
Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the Statement of directors’ responsibilities in respect of the financial statements set out on page 17, the 
directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view. The directors are also responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to 
enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the group’s and the parent company’s ability to 
continue as a going concern, disclosing as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting 
unless the directors either intend to liquidate the group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative 
but to do so.

Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a 
high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, 
they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/
auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors’ report.

Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the parent company’s members as a body in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume 
responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where 
expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

Other required reporting

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

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 

from branches not visited by us; or

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
•  the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.  

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Heather Ancient (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Bristol
1 April 2019

 
 
 
24 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Continuing operations

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Distribution costs

Administrative expenses

Profit from operations before finance costs

Finance costs

Finance income

Profit before taxation

Taxation

(Loss)/profit for the year after taxation

Earnings per share

Basic 

Diluted

Note

3

8

8

4

9

10

10

2018
£’000

28,469

(21,318)

7,151

(2,209)

(3,950)

992

(647)

9

354

(2,283)

(1,929)

2017
£’000

30,287

(23,194)

7,093

(2,443)

(3,716)

934

(521)

–

413

84

497

(13.91p)

(13.76p)

3.58p

3.49p

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 31 December 2018 

(Loss)/profit for the year after taxation

Other comprehensive income/(expense)

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Revaluation of land and buildings

Revaluation of land and buildings – unrealised exchange gain/(loss) 

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss

Unrealised exchange gain/(loss) on translation of overseas subsidiaries

Fair value losses on foreign currency cash flow hedges 

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

Total comprehensive loss for the year

The accompanying notes on pages 29 to 54 form an integral part of the Financial Statements.

Note

11

2018
£’000

(1,929)

219

49

268

389

(52)

337

605

(1,324)

2017
£’000

497

171

(625)

(454)

(1,655)

–

(1,655)

(2,109)

(1,612)

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

25

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Share 
capital
£’000

Share 
premium
£’000

Capital
reserve
£’000

Shares held 
by ESOP
£’000

Note

Share-  
based 
payment
reserve
£’000

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve
 £’000

Translation
reserve
£’000

Revaluation
reserve
£’000

Retained
earnings
£’000

Total
equity
£’000

At 1 January 2017

6,944

2,984

6,475

(495)

29

–

(1,865)

2,267

4,935

21,274

Comprehensive income/(expense)  
for the year:

Profit for the year after taxation

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

Gain on the revaluation of buildings

11

Unrealised exchange loss on translation of  
foreign subsidiaries

Total other comprehensive loss

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Share-based payment expense

At 1 January 2018 (as previously published)

Impact of the adoption of new standards

7

1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6,944

2,984

6,475

(495)

–

–

–

–

At 1 January 2018 (restated)

6,944

2,984

6,475

(495)

Comprehensive income for the year:

Loss for the year after taxation

Other comprehensive income/(expense):

Gain on the revaluation of buildings

11

Unrealised exchange gain on translation of  
foreign subsidiaries

Fair value losses on foreign currency cash 
flow hedges

Total other comprehensive loss

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for  
the year

Share-based payment expense 

7

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

At 31 December 2018

6,944

2,984

6,475

(495)

–

–

–

–

–

102

131

–

131

–

–

–

–

–

–

72

203

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(52)

(52)

(52)

–

–

–

–

497

497

171

(1,655)

(625)

(1,655)

(1,655)

–

(454)

(454)

–

–

–

–

171

(2,280)

(2,109)

497

(1,612)

–

102

(3,520)

1,813

5,432

19,764

–

–

(26)

(26)

(3,520)

1,813

5,406

19,738

–

–

389

–

389

389

–

–

(1,929)

(1,929)

219

49

–

268

–

–

–

–

219

438

(52)

605

268

(1,929)

(1,324)

–

43

115

(52)

(3,131)

2,081

3,520

18,529

 
 
26 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Note

Share 
capital
£’000

Share 
premium
£’000

Shares held 
by ESOP
£’000

Share- 
based 
payment 
reserve
£’000

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve 
£’000

At 1 January 2017

Comprehensive loss for the year:

Loss for the year after taxation

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Share-based payment expense

6,944

2,984

(495)

29

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

At 1 January 2018 (as previously published)

6,944

2,984

(495)

Impact of the adoption of new standards

1

–

–

–

At 1 January 2018 (restated)

Comprehensive loss for the year:

Loss for the year after taxation

Other comprehensive loss

Fair value losses on foreign currency cash flow hedges

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Share-based payment expense

At 31 December 2018

6,944

2,984

(495)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6,944

2,984

(495)

Retained
earnings
£’000

Total
equity
£’000

9,536

18,998

(450)

(450)

–

(450)

(450)

102

9,086

18,650

(26)

(26)

9,060

18,624

(2,452)

(2,452)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(52)

(52)

–

(52)

–

–

43

(52)

(52)

115

6,651

16,235

–

–

102

131

–

131

–

–

–

72

203

 
BALANCE SHEETS
as at 31 December 2018

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Investments in subsidiary undertakings

Deferred income tax asset

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Current income tax recoverable

Total current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Interest bearing loans, borrowings and overdrafts

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Deferred income tax liability

Interest bearing loans, borrowings and overdrafts

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

EQUITY

Share capital

Share premium

Capital reserve

Shares held by ESOP

Share-based payment reserve

Cash flow hedge reserve

Translation reserve

Revaluation reserve

Retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

27

Group

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

Company

2018
£’000

Note

10,778

5,622

11

12

27

19

13

14

14

15

16

19

17

20

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

11,006

147

–

–

11,153

16,306

3,306

598

–

20,210

31,363

(4,350)

(7,756)

(12,106)

(162)

(566)

(728)

(12,834)

18,529

6,944

2,984

6,475

(495)

203

(52)

(3,131)

2,081

3,520

18,529

209

–

1,901

12,888

15,332

3,991

327

41

19,691

32,579

(4,358)

(5,641)

(9,999)

(140)

(2,676)

(2,816)

(12,815)

19,764

6,944

2,984

6,475

(495)

131

–

(3,520)

1,813

5,432

19,764

2017
£’000

5,697

209

378

1,901

8,185

9,156

8,934

32

–

18,122

26,307

(2,923)

(3,141)

(6,064)

(69)

(1,524)

(1,593)

(7,657)

18,650

6,944

2,984

–

(495)

131

–

–

–

147

378

–

6,147

9,861

8,294

17

–

18,172

24,319

(2,568)

(5,299)

(7,867)

(112)

(105)

(217)

(8,084)

16,235

6,944

2,984

–

(495)

203

(52)

–

–

6,651

16,235

9,086

18,650

In accordance with the exemptions given by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has not presented its own Statement 
of Comprehensive Income or Income Statement. The Company achieved a loss of £2.452m (2017: £0.450m).

The financial statements on pages 24 to 54 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of directors on 1 April 2019 and signed 
on its behalf by:

Reg Hankey 
Chief Executive  
Company Number 102384

 
 
28 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from/(used in) operations

Tax paid

Interest paid

Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Purchases of intangible assets

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of bank loans

New finance lease obligations

Group

2018
£’000

Note

22

1,583

2017
£’000

2,299

(48)

(516)

1,735

(696)

(2)

(698)

1,096

(1,072)

–

(84)

(60)

977

Company

2018
£’000

(311)

–

(194)

(505)

(249)

–

(249)

–

(210)

41

(85)

(254)

(1,008)

2017
£’000

1,285

–

(179)

1,106

(68)

(2)

(70)

–

(210)

–

(84)

(294)

742

(11)

(634)

938

(588)

–

(588)

–

(1,304)

41

(85)

(1,348)

(998)

Repayment of obligations under finance leases

Net cash used in financing activities

24

(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

(2,698)

(3,738)

(2,821)

(3,563)

Exchange gains on cash and cash equivalents

1

63

–

–

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

23

(3,695)

(2,698)

(3,829)

(2,821)

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

29

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

1. Statement of accounting policies 
General information
Pittards plc is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled under the Companies Act 2006 in England, United Kingdom and is 
quoted on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The address of the registered office is given on page 7. The nature of the Group’s 
operations and its principal activities are set out in the Strategic report on page 8.

(a) Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) 
including International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) and IFRS Interpretations Committee (“IFRS IC”) interpretations and with those 
parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under accounting standards as adopted for use in the EU. The 
consolidated financial statements for the years ended 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017 have been prepared under the 
historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of land and buildings. 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires 
management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies. The areas involving a high degree 
of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements, are 
disclosed in Note 2.

The Company only disclosures have been prepared in accordance with the above. 

The accounting policies outlined below have been consistently applied across all companies within the Group. 

(b) Going concern
The Group and Company meet their day-to-day working capital requirements through their bank facilities. The Group and Company’s 
forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that they should be able to 
operate within the level of its current facilities. The Directors are reviewing the basis of the loan covenant going forwards and are 
confident that on the existing covenant basis, the Company will comply with the covenant. The banking relationship with Lloyds Bank 
remains strong and facilities have been renewed for 2019. After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that 
the Group and the Company have adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. The Group and Company 
therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its consolidated financial statements. Further information on the 
Group’s borrowings is given in Note 26.

(c) New and amended standards
The following standards and amendments apply for the first time in the current financial year:  

•   IFRS 15 Revenue from contracts with customers 
•   IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
•   Amendments to IFRS 2 Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions
•   IFRIC 22 Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration

The Group has adopted IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 from 1 January 2018. The modified retrospective approach has been applied in both 
instances, with an adjustment made to opening retained earnings to reflect the brought forward position at the start of the year.

Under IFRS 9, the impairment of financial assets is now provided for on an expected loss basis, rather than incurred loss. The impact of 
this is to increase the accounts receivable provisions by £0.017m as at 1 January 2018.

Following the adoption of IFRS 15, any variable consideration, such as early payment discount, is considered as part of the initial 
recognition of revenue for the transaction and therefore shown as a reduction in total revenue, rather than a separate cost disclosed 
within distribution costs. An opening provision against accounts receivable in relation to variable consideration as at 1 January 2018 of 
£0.009m has been recognised. 

The adoption of all other standards and amendments has had a limited impact on the financial statements in the current year. 

At the date of approval of these financial statements the following revised standards, amended standards and interpretations were in 
issue, but not yet effective and have not been early adopted in these financial statements:

•   IFRS 16 Leases
•   Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations 
•   Amendments to IFRS 9 Financial Instruments 
•   Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes
•   Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates  

and Errors. 

 
 
30 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

1. Statement of accounting policies (continued)
(c) New and amended standards (continued)
The adoption of IFRS 16 Leases requires a lease liability and right of use asset to be recognised for all leased assets, except for short term 
contracts or low value items. The adjustment for these items as at 1 January 2019 is anticipated to be £0.208m. This will increase the net 
debt position. This standard will also impact the classification of items in the income statement going forwards, with the cost now shown 
as depreciation and interest, rather than through the associated expense line (rental currently categorised based on the nature of the 
leased item), impacting EBITDA measures. 

The directors expect that the adoption of the other standards and interpretations will have no material impact on the financial statements 
of the Group. 

(d) Basis of consolidation 
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company (its 
subsidiaries) made up to 31 December each year. Control is achieved where the Company has the power to govern the financial and 
operating policies of an investee entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies generally accompanying a 
shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights. The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable 
or convertible are considered when assessing whether the Group controls another entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date 
on which control is transferred to the Group.

Non-controlling interests in the net assets of consolidated subsidiaries are identified separately from the Company’s equity therein. Non-
controlling interests consist of the amount of those interests at the date of the original business combination and the non-controlling 
interest’s share of changes in equity since the date of the combination. Losses applicable to the non-controlling interest in excess of the 
non-controlling interest in the subsidiary’s equity are allocated against the interests of the Company except to the extent that the non-
controlling interest has a binding obligation and is able to make an additional investment to cover the losses.

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. Acquisition costs are expensed as 
incurred. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued, and liabilities incurred or 
assumed at the date of exchange. Identifiable assets acquired, and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination 
are initially measured at fair value at the acquisition date irrespective of the extent of any non-controlling interest. Where necessary, 
adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other 
members of the Group.

Goodwill is initially measured as the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred and the fair value of non-controlling interest 
over the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If this consideration is lower than the fair value of the net assets of the 
subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognised in profit or loss as a gain on purchase.

All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenditure are eliminated on consolidation.

(e) Revenue recognition
Revenue is measured at fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services 
provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, value added tax and other sales related taxes. Revenue is also shown net of 
prompt payment discount included within the customer terms. Revenue is recognised to the extent that the performance obligations have 
been met and the revenue can be reliably measured.       

–  Sales of goods
Revenue from the sale of skins, hides and retail leather goods is recognised when the performance obligations have been met and the 
amount of revenue can be measured reliably, usually on despatch.

–  Sales of services
Where services are provided, revenue is recognised on an accruals basis in the accounting period in which the service is rendered. 

(f) Finance income
Finance income comprises of interest receivable in respect of overdue debtors.

(g) Finance expenses
Finance expenses comprise interest payable on interest-bearing loans and borrowings. Finance expenses are recognised using the 
effective interest method.

(h) Foreign currency translation
These financial statements are presented in sterling as that is considered to be the currency of the primary economic environment in 

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

31

which the Company operates. This decision was based on the fact that sterling is the currency in which management reporting and 
decision making is based.  

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which the entity operates (‘the functional currency’). The consolidated financial statements are presented in sterling 
which is the Company’s functional and the Group’s presentational currency.

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the 
transactions or valuation where items are re-measured, except where foreign currency has been hedged. Foreign exchange gains and 
losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the income statement as gain or loss on foreign exchange. 

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to borrowings, and cash and cash equivalents are presented in the income statement within 
administrative expenses (Note 4).

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s overseas operations are translated into the Group’s presentational currency at 
exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the year. 
Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognised in other comprehensive income and transferred to the Group’s translation reserve.

(i) Exceptional items
Items that are material in size, unusual and one-off in nature are presented as exceptional items in the Income Statement. The directors 
are of the opinion that the separate disclosure of such items provides helpful information about the Group’s underlying business 
performance.

(j) Intangible assets
An intangible asset, which is an identifiable non-monetary asset without physical substance, is recognised to the extent that it is probable 
that the expected future economic benefits attributable to the asset will flow to the Group and that its cost can be measured reliably. The 
asset is deemed to be identifiable when it is separable or when it arises from contractual or other legal rights.

Computer software that is not integral to an item of property, plant and equipment is recognised separately as an intangible asset and is 
carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Costs include software licences and consulting costs 
attributable to the development, design and implementation of the computer software. Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line 
method so as to charge the cost of the computer software to the Income Statement over its estimated useful life (up to 7 years). Costs 
associated with the development of the Group’s website are also recognised as intangible assets and carried at cost less accumulated 
amortisation. 

Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.

(k) Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment (other than land and buildings) are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised 
impairment loss. Property, plant and equipment are initially recorded at cost of purchase or construction. Cost includes expenditure that is 
directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Depreciation is charged (excluding land) to write off the cost or valuation of assets on 
a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

Land and buildings  
Plant, machinery and motor vehicles 

2% 
6-33%

The Group revaluation policy is to perform a formal revaluation every 5 years, with director assessment in the intervening period, except 
where a material movement in property valuations is expected. In the UK, the Board performed an assessment of the property valuation 
as at 31 December 2018 and concluded that the net book value remains in line with fair value (the current market value) therefore 
no adjustment has been made. In December 2016, a formal assessment was performed by an independent RICS Registered Valuer. 
Buildings in Ethiopia were revalued at December 2018 and December 2017 based on the fair value (their depreciated replacement cost) as 
determined by an independent licensed loss assessor qualified to value buildings in Ethiopia. The increase in value has been reflected via a 
revaluation of land and buildings in other comprehensive income. No depreciation has been charged on the building being constructed by 
GS in Ethiopia as it remains under construction.  

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is determined as the 
difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in income.

The residual values and useful lives of assets are reviewed annually and adjusted when appropriate.

 
 
 
32 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

1. Statement of accounting policies (continued)
(l) Leased assets
Assets held under finance leases, which are leases where substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset have been 
transferred to the Group, are capitalised in the balance sheet and depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or their useful lives. The 
asset is recorded at the lower of its fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease. The 
capital elements of future obligations under finance leases are included in liabilities in the balance sheet and analysed between current 
and non-current amounts. The interest elements of future obligations under finance leases are charged to the Income Statement over 
the periods of the leases and represent a constant proportion of the balance of capital repayments outstanding in accordance with the 
effective interest rate method.

Leases where the lessor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as operating leases. The cost of operating 
leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) is charged to the Income Statement on a straight line basis over the periods of the 
leases.

(m) Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Cost is determined on a first in first out (FIFO) basis. Net realisable value 
is the estimated selling price less all costs to be incurred. Raw materials are valued according to the cost of the materials purchased plus 
any direct transport costs. Work in progress (WIP) is valued as the cost of raw materials plus an appropriate proportion of production 
overheads. Finished goods are valued as the cost of raw materials plus full absorption of production overheads based on normal 
operating capacity.

Inventory held at ETSC is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value but cost is determined on an average cost basis. An 
impairment reserve to reflect the directors’ best estimates of the difference between FIFO and average was established on acquisition.  
The directors have satisfied themselves that there was no material difference between FIFO and average. Inventories include goods in 
transit from the suppliers to the Group’s factory where ownership has effectively passed to the Group.

Provision is made against slow moving and obsolete inventory to ensure the value at which inventory is held in the balance sheet is 
reflective of anticipated future sales patterns. Provision is made having regard to the saleability and condition of inventory.

(n) Current and deferred income tax
Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income for the year, on the basis of tax laws enacted or substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date, and any adjustments to tax payable in respect of previous years, in the countries where the Company 
and its subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income.

Deferred tax is provided in full using the liability method on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their 
carrying amounts in the financial statements. A deferred tax asset is only recognised to the extent it is probable that sufficient taxable 
profits will be available in the future for it to be utilised. 

Deferred tax is determined using the tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date and are 
expected to apply when the deferred tax asset or liability is realised or settled. 

Tax is recognised in the Income Statement, except where it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in 
equity, in which case it is recognised in other comprehensive income or equity.

(o) Retirement benefit costs
An Auto Enrolment scheme was introduced in May 2014 under which matching contributions are made by the employer in line with 
scheme rules. Pension contributions are made for employees in Ethiopia under the Ethiopian Social Security Agency scheme.

(p) Provisions
Provisions are recognised where a legal or constructive obligation has been incurred which will probably lead to an outflow of resources 
that can be reasonably estimated. Provisions are recorded for the estimated ultimate liability that is expected to arise, taking into account 
the time value of money. A contingent liability is disclosed where the existence of the obligations will only be confirmed by future events, 
or where the amount of the obligation cannot be measured with reasonable reliability.

(q) Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument.

– Investment
Where the investing entity does not exercise significant influence or control over the other entity, its investment is recorded initially at cost 
and then at fair value through profit and loss.

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

33

– Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost less provision for impairment.   
A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect 
all amounts due according to the original terms of receivables. Following the adoption of IFRS9 in the year, additional provisions are held 
on an expected credit loss basis against debt that is more than 90 days old. The amount of the provision is recognised in the Income 
Statement in Distribution costs. 

– Trade payables
Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost.

– Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are 
subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. For the purpose of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents includes bank 
overdrafts.

– Bank borrowings
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded as the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Finance charges, including 
premiums payable on settlement or redemption, are accounted for on an accruals basis and are added to the carrying amount of the 
instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the period in which they arise.

– Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to foreign currency risk, by hedging against highly probable forecast 
cash flows. The instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered in to and then 
subsequently remeasured at fair value.

The Group recognises the effective part of any gain or loss on the derivative financial instrument in equity. Any ineffective portion is 
recognised immediately in the income statement, if the underlying relationship cannot be rebalanced. The amounts accumulated in equity 
are reclassified to the income statement when the hedged item is recognised, or the hedging relationship ends.

(r) Share-based payments
Equity settled share-based payments to employees are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date, using an 
appropriate valuation model. Details regarding the determination of the fair value of equity settled share-based transactions, including all 
key assumptions, are set out in Note 7.

The fair value determined is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of the shares that 
will eventually vest, with a corresponding increase in equity. For share schemes held with non-market performance and service conditions, 
the Group assess its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest at the end of each reporting period. Any revision to 
the original estimate, is recognised in the Income Statement, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

(s) Employee share ownership trust
The assets of the employee share ownership trust are fully consolidated within the accounts of the Group. Shares held in the Trust are 
deducted from shareholders’ funds and are stated at cost. The shares were originally bought to reflect potential awards with a previous 
bonus scheme which is no longer in existence.

(t) Segmental reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision maker. The 
chief operating decision maker has been identified as the Board of Pittards plc which makes strategic decisions.

(u) Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new ordinary shares or options are shown in 
equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

 
 
34 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

2. Critical judgements and estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount 
of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements. If in the 
future such estimates and assumptions, which are based on management’s best judgement at the date of preparation of the financial 
statements, deviate from actual circumstances, the original estimates and assumptions will be modified as appropriate in the year in 
which circumstances change.    

(a) Inventory valuation
The calculation of WIP and finished goods inventory value requires an estimate of the total production cost and an estimate of production 
levels in order to determine the value of direct costs to absorb into inventory on an ongoing basis. Variations in production levels will 
impact the value of direct costs not absorbed into inventory. Estimates are revised periodically through the year to ensure that absorption 
of labour and overheads is materially correct as at the end of the year.

The Group reviews its inventory on a regular basis and, where appropriate, makes provisions for slow moving and obsolete inventory 
based on estimates of future sales activity. The estimates of the future sales activity will be based on both historical experience and 
expected outcomes based on knowledge of the markets in which the Group operates as well as strategic assessments of potential new 
markets. Market performance is reviewed periodically throughout the year and the impact on the provision assessed. 

(b) Recognition of deferred tax asset
The recognition of deferred tax assets is based upon whether it is more likely than not that sufficient and suitable taxable profits will 
be available in the future against which the reversal of temporary differences can be deducted. Where the temporary differences are 
related to losses, the availability of the losses to offset against forecast taxable profits is also considered. Recognition therefore involves 
judgement regarding the future financial performance of the entity in which the deferred tax asset has been recognised, which is based 
on current forecasts. The rate at which the asset unwinds will vary with the profitability of the entity.  

(c) Property valuations
The Group policy is to perform a formal revaluation every 5 years, with a director assessment in the intervening period. In performing 
this assessment, the directors of the Group perform a localised market review assessing similar marketed properties, in comparison to 
the previous formal valuation to ensure they remain consistent. If a material difference in the property valuation is expected, a formal 
revaluation will be undertaken. 

3. Business segments information
Management has determined the operating segments based on the reports reviewed by the Board that are used to make strategic 
and operational decisions. The Board consider the business in terms of two divisions: UK and Ethiopia. The consolidation adjustment 
represents those adjustments required to prepare the group accounts.

2018

Revenue from customers

Revenue from other sources – rental income

Inter-segmental trading

Gross profit1

(Loss)/profit before tax

Assets

Liabilities

UK
Division
£’000

25,736

12

Ethiopia
Division
£’000

12,223

–

(1,469)

(8,033)

24,279

4,796

(180)

36,215

(18,826)

4,190

3,114

534

14,349

(8,185)

Consolidation
adjustment
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total
£’000

37,959

12

(9,502)

28,469

7,910

354

(19,201)

31,363

14,177

(12,834)

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

35

2017

Revenue

Revenue from other sources – rental income

Inter-segmental trading

Gross profit1

(Loss)/profit before tax

Assets

Liabilities

UK
Division
£’000

Ethiopia
Division
£’000

Consolidation
adjustment
£’000

27,569

11,227

12

(1,564)

26,017

5,003

(381)

–

(6,957)

4,270

2,799

794

–

–

–

–

–

–

37,638

15,264

(18,074)

(10,159)

(20,323)

15,418

Total
£’000

38,796

12

(8,521)

30,287

7,802

413

32,579

(12,815)

1.  Included in inter-segmental trading in the UK is a balance of £0.759m (2017: £0.709m) relating to group recharges, for which there is no cost of sale. Costs associated with this revenue 

are included within administration costs.   

All revenue from contracts with customers is recognised at the point in time that the invoice is raised. Rental income is recognised over 
the period in which the service is performed.  

Geographical analysis of revenue (based on the customer’s country of domicile):

2018

UK

Europe

North America

Far East and Rest of the World

2017

UK

Europe

North America

Far East and Rest of the World

UK 
Division
£’000

2,665

1,713

389

19,512

24,279

UK 
Division
£’000

2,479

1,732

1,038

20,768

26,017

Ethiopia 
Division
£’000

204

–

2,953

1,033

4,190

Ethiopia 
Division
£’000

99

2

3,221

948

4,270

Total
£’000

2,869

1,713

3,342

20,545

28,469

Total
£’000

2,578

1,734

4,259

21,716

30,287

Revenues of approximately £5.315m (2017: £4.650m) within the UK segment are derived from one customer. Revenues of approximately 
£6.174m (2017: £9.322m) within the UK segment are derived from another customer. Both customers’ revenues fall within the Far East 
and Rest of the World geographical segment.

 
 
36 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

4. Profit before taxation
The following items have been included in arriving at profit before taxation:  

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (Note 11)

Amortisation of intangible assets (Note 12)

Operating lease rentals recognised as an expense

Staff costs (Note 5)

Employee benefit expense (life and health insurances)

Research and development expenditure

Net loss/(gain) on foreign currency translation

Auditors’ remuneration
The analysis of fees payable to the Company’s auditors is as follows: 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors in respect of the audit of the parent company and 
consolidated financial statements 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors in respect of the audit of subsidiaries

Total audit fees

No non-audit fees were paid during the year.

2018
£’000

705

62

119

8,222

112

74

71

2017  
restated
£’000

604

36

115

8,378

113

85

(282)

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

53

6

59

50

6

56

5. Staff costs
The average number of employees of the Group and Company (including directors), on an average monthly basis was:

Production

Sales, distribution and administration

Directors

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs

Compensation for loss of office

Group

Company

2018
No.

1,307

380

5

1,692

£’000

7,260

545

246

171

2017
No.

1,380

261

6

1,647

£’000

7,380

563

236

199

2018
No.

141

43

5

189

£’000

5,704

545

103

171

2017
No.

147

48

6

201

£’000

5,923

563

86

199

8,222

8,378

6,523

6,771

    
 
2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

37

6. Directors’ remuneration

Executive

RH Hankey

M O’Rourke

Non-executive

LM Cretton

GP Davis

J Williams

S Yapp

Salary 
& fees
£’000

Profit
related
bonus
£’000

Compensation 
for loss of 
office
£’000

Benefits
£’000

Pension
contributions
£’000

205

125

39

39

–

120

528

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

111

–

–

–

–

111

5

3

–

–

–

1

9

10

6

–

–

–

–

16

2018
Total
£’000

220

245

39

39

–

121

664

2017
Total
£’000

215

128

39

39

42

121

584

Benefits received consist of health insurance and life assurance. The values of the benefits are based on the taxable value. 

The Company matches employee pension contributions up to a maximum of 5% of basic salary for directors and key management. 

Details of options granted to directors are provided in the Directors’ report on page 15. No options were exercised during the year.  

Key management compensation
Key management represents the directors of the Internal Executive Board, this does not include the Executive Directors outlined above. 
The compensation paid or payable to key management for employee services is shown below:

Salaries, bonus and other short-term benefits

Pension contributions

Compensation for loss of office

Total

2018
£’000

495

19

–

514

2017
£’000

524

21

21

566

21,949 options remain outstanding for key management personnel in relation to 2017 Save As You Earn scheme. All options relating to 
the 2015 LTIP lapsed during the year (2017: 109,104).

7. Share options 
2017 Save As You Earn Scheme (SAYE) 
On 16 May 2017, a Save As You Earn (SAYE) share option scheme was granted to employees. The options under the SAYE scheme are 
exercisable on 1 July 2020. 

Details of the share-based payment cost recognised during the year are:

At 1 January 

Share-based payment expense 

At 31 December

2018
£’000

10

20

30

2017
£’000

–

10

10

This charge has been included within administration expenses. 

All outstanding share options are measured in accordance with IFRS at their market-based measure at the grant date. Options were priced 
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. 

Expected volatility is based on the historical share price volatility over the past three years. 

 
 
38 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

7. Share options (continued)
The assumptions used in the model are detailed below: 

Grant date 

Share price at grant date 

Exercise price 

Vesting period 

Expected volatility 

Risk-free rate

Dividend yield 

Details of the SAYE share options extant during the year are:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted during the year

Lapsed during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

16/05/2017

86.0p

65.6p

3.0 years

31.0%

0.2%

0%

2018

2017

No. of 
options

Exercise price  
(pence)

180,908

–

(26,337)

154,571

65.6

–

65.6

65.6

No. of 
options

–

187,493

(6,585)

180,908

Exercise price
 (pence)

–

65.6

65.6

65.6

2016 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 
On 26 September 2016, a Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) was granted to certain members of the Board, as per the Director’s report on 
page 15. The vesting period is four years and is dependent upon the attainment of a minimum specific share price at the exercise date. 
The directors are entitled to shares to the value of specific percentages granted, based on the excess value generated at the exercise date.                

Details of the share-based payment costs recognised during the year are:

At 1 January 

Share-based payment expense 

Reversal of expense following forfeiture of entitlement

At 31 December

2018
£’000

121

95

(43)

173

2017
£’000

29

92

–

121

The share-based payment charge has been included within administration expenses. 

Matthew O’Rourke forfeited his entitlement to his percentage share in the 2016 LTIP on leaving the company on 31 December 2018. The 
percentage cost recognised to date has been reversed via an adjustment to retained earnings. 

The charge equates to the fair value of the award and has been calculated using the Monte-Carlo model. The assumptions used in the 
model are detailed below: 

Grant date 

Share price at grant date 

Exercise price 

Vesting period 

Expected volatility 

Risk-free rate

Dividend yield 

26/09/2016

94.5p

£1

3.8 years

39.5%

0.1%

–

 
2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

39

2015 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 
Share options were granted to directors and key managers as part of the 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) established on 12 May 
2015. The vesting period was three years and dependent upon attainment of certain performance conditions, comprising achievement 
of Group revenue growth and EBIT growth.   

Details of the share awards extant during the year are:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted during the year

Lapsed during the year 

Outstanding at the end of the year

2018

2017

No. of 
options

Weighted average 
exercise price (pence)

No. of 
options

Weighted average 
exercise price (pence)

349,721

–

(349,721)

–

–

–

–

–

434,186

–

(84,465)

349,721

–

–

–

–

The options under the 2015 LTIP lapsed during the year, with no awards made. The performance conditions required were not achieved 
and therefore no charge has been recognised during the year (2017: £nil).

8. Finance costs and income

(a) Finance costs

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts

Interest on obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts

Interest on historic foreign tax charge

(b) Finance income

Interest on bank accounts

9. Taxation

(a) Analysis of the charge/(credit) in the year  

The charge based on the profit for the year comprises:

Corporation tax on profit for the year

Foreign tax on profit for the year

Foreign tax related to prior years

Total current tax

Deferred tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Impact of change in UK tax rate

Derecognition of deferred tax asset

Total deferred taxation

Income tax charge/(credit)

2018
£’000

604

9

34

647

2017
£’000

507

14

–

521

9

–

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

263

89

10

362

26

(6)

1,901

1,921

2,283

–

32

–

32

(128)

12

–

(116)

(84)

 
 
 
4 0 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

9. Taxation (continued)
The Company’s profits for the year are taxed at the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2017: 19.25%) and Ethiopia of 
30% (2017: 30%). The tax assessed in each year differs from the standard rate of corporation tax for the relevant year. The differences 
are explained below:

The tax charge for the year of £2.3m, includes £1.9m relating to a deferred tax charge which was written down to meet the ISA12, and 
£0.1m relating to Ethiopian tax on profits relating to prior year, both are one time in nature. The group expects a more normalised split of 
profits between the UK and Ethiopia in 2019 and retains taxable losses in the UK of £11.2m to utilise in future periods. 

(b) Factors affecting the charge for the year 

Profit on ordinary activities before tax

Tax calculated at domestic tax rates applicable to profits in the respective countries

Income not subject to tax

Foreign tax related to prior years1

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes2

Allowable tax deductions3

Profits/(losses) generated

Foreign tax paid

Double tax relief

Utilisation of losses

Impact of change in UK tax rate

Derecognition of deferred tax asset

Total tax charge/(credit) for the year (Note 9(a))

2018
£’000

354

220

(4)

10

334

(181)

9

89

(57)

(32)

(6)

1,901

2,283

2017
£’000

413

274

(295)

–

174

(145)

(104)

32

(32)

–

12

–

(84)

1.  Foreign tax in prior years relates to a historic tax charge imposed on ETSC.
2.  Expenses not deductible for tax purposes largely relate to depreciation, for which capital allowances are received.  
3.  Allowable tax deductions relate to capital allowances received.

(c) Factors that may affect future tax charges
The Finance Act 2016 which was enacted on 15 September 2016 included legislation to reduce the main rate of corporation tax to 17% 
from 1 April 2020. All UK deferred tax assets have been measured using the rate in place at the time they expect to be realised or settled.   

10. Earnings per ordinary share

Analysis of the profit in the year:

(Loss)/profit for the year

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding the shares owned  
by the Pittards Employee Share Ownership Trust)

Basic 

Diluted

Basic earnings per ordinary 50p share

Diluted earnings per ordinary 50p share

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

(1,929)

497

’000s

13,870

14,023

(13.91p)

(13.76p)

’000s

13,870

14,224

3.58p

3.49p

 
2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

41

11. Property, plant and equipment

Group

Company

Plant, 
machinery 
and
motor 
vehicles
£’000

Land and 
buildings 
£’000

Asset under 
construction 
£’000

Total
£’000

Land and 
buildings 
£’000

Plant, 
machinery 
and
motor 
vehicles
£’000

Asset under 
construction 
£’000

Total
£’000

Cost or valuation

At 1 January 2017

Exchange differences

Additions

Disposals

Revaluation of property

At 1 January 2018

Exchange differences

Additions

Revaluation of property

At 31 December 2018

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2017

Exchange differences

Charge for year

Disposals

Revaluation of property

At 1 January 2018

Exchange differences

Charge for year

Revaluation of property

At 31 December 2018

Net book value

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

7,549

18,616

672

26,837

3,902

12,859

(941)

(1,477)

(173)

(2,591)

28

–

86

660

(4)

–

6,722

17,795

69

18

115

120

436

–

6,924

18,351

64

–

127

–

(75)

14,667

(1,000)

477

(4)

–

116

14,140

–

135

(83)

76

570

–

168

14,786

8

–

10

517

13

134

21

685

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

696

(4)

96

–

–

–

–

–

68

(4)

–

25,034

3,902

12,923

202

588

136

–

1

–

–

122

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

126

–

16,761

68

(4)

–

16,825

–

249

–

25,960

3,903

13,045

126

17,074

14,731

(1,000)

604

(4)

(75)

63

–

52

–

–

10,752

–

265

(4)

–

14,256

115

11,013

76

705

(83)

–

52

–

–

272

–

14,954

167

11,285

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

10,815

–

317

(4)

–

11,128

–

324

–

11,452

6,756

6,606

3,565

3,655

685

517

11,006

10,778

3,736

3,787

1,760

1,910

126

–

5,622

5,697

Depreciation of £0.612m (2017: £0.520m) has been charged to cost of sales, £0.065m (2017: £0.056m) to administrative expenses and 
£0.028m (2017: £0.028m) to distribution expenses in the Income Statement.

Included in the Group’s and Company’s plant, machinery and motor vehicles are leased assets and assets being acquired under hire 
purchase agreements with a net book value of £0.389m (2017: £0.413m).

Land and buildings include an amount of £0.550m (2017: £0.516m) in respect of work commenced on the building for Pittards Global 
Sourcing Private Limited Company. As this building is under construction no depreciation has been charged.

The Group’s buildings in Ethiopia were revalued to fair value as at 31 December 2018. Fair value was determined by Getachew Tesfaye, 
licensed loss assessor, who is an independent valuer. The fair value of the UK site was assessed by the Board, in line with the Group 
revaluation policy. No change in fair value was noted. 

If buildings across the Group were stated on historic cost basis the net book value would be £4.191m (2017: £4.275m).

 
 
42 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

12. Intangible assets

Cost

At 1 January 2017

Additions

At 1 January 2018

Additions

At 31 December 2018

Accumulated amortisation

At 1 January 2017

Charge for year

At 1 January 2018

Charge for year

At 31 December 2018

Net book value

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

Group

Computer 
software
£’000

Website 
£’000

109

2

111

–

111

15

16

31

16

47

64

80

1,781

–

1,781

–

1,781

1,632

20

1,652

46

1,698

83

129

Total
£’000

1,890

2

1,892

–

1,892

1,647

36

1,683

62

1,745

147

209

Company

Computer 
software
£’000

Website 
£’000

109

2

111

–

111

15

16

31

16

47

64

80

1,774

–

1,774

–

1,774

1,625

20

1,645

46

1,691

83

129

Amortisation of £0.062m (2017: £0.036m) has been charged to administrative expenses in the Income Statement.  

13. Inventories

Raw materials

Work in progress

Finished goods

Group

Company

2018
£’000

6,473

4,274

5,559

2017
£’000

4,031

5,575

5,726

16,306

15,332

2018
£’000

4,135

1,123

4,603

9,861

Total
£’000

1,883

2

1,885

–

1,885

1,640

36

1,676

62

1,738

147

209

2017
£’000

2,307

2,164

4,685

9,156

During the year £0.143m in respect of stock provision movement was credited to the income statement (2017 £0.528m) as part of cost  
of sales.

The movement in exceptional provision is as follows :

As at 1 January 2018

Utilisation

Charge 

As at 31 December 2018

Group
£’000

1,715

(194)

227

1,748

Company
£’000

1,296

(167)

227

1,356

Since the exceptional stock provision was recognised in 2016, the provision has been incorporated into the normal provisioning 
methodology applied by the Group and the Company each year.

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

43

Inventory charged to the Income Statement during the year as part of cost of sales totalled £11.981m (2017 £13.113m). Raw materials 
include £1.494m of goods in transit at the year end (2017 £0.415m).

14. Current financial assets

Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Less provision for impairment of trade receivables

Trade receivables net

Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

Amounts owed by Group undertakings

Movement on the provision for impairment of trade receivables  
was as follows:

As at 1 January 

Impact of the adoption of new standards (Note 1)

Increase in provision for receivables impairment

Receivables written off during the year as uncollectable

As at 31 December

Group

Company

2018
£’000

3,141

(804)

2,337

401

568

–

2017
£’000

3,630

(675)

2,955

815

221

–

3,306

3,991

675

26

113

(10)

804

506

–

197

(28)

675

2018
£’000

2,630

(801)

1,829

108

182

6,175

8,294

656

26

129

(10)

801

The table below shows an analysis of the ageing of trade receivables which are past due but not impaired.

Up to 60 days

60-90 days

More than 90 days

Group

Company

2018
£’000

442

31

223

696

2017
£’000

544

95

411

1,050

2018
£’000

415

16

107

538

2017
£’000

2,978

(656)

2,322

51

236

6,325

8,934

506

–

178

(28)

656

2017
£’000

476

93

175

744

There are £1.533m (2017: £1.033m) of trade receivables which are not due and not impaired as at 31 December 2018. There are no 
concerns regarding the recoverability of these amounts.

As at 31 December the provision against trade receivables was £0.804m (2017: £0.675m) for the Group and £0.801m (2017: £0.656m) 
for the Company. The ageing of the receivables impaired against which part provisions have been made is as follows:

Not overdue

Up to 60 days

60-90 days

More than 90 days

Group

Company

2018
£’000

252

272

31

357

912

2017
£’000

284

237

7

344

872

2018
£’000

252

272

31

351

906

2017
£’000

284

237

7

306

834

 
 
4 4 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

14. Current financial assets (continued)

Provisions against trade receivables not overdue represent credit note provisions. Part provisions have been made against some 
significantly overdue balances based on a recoverability assessment considering credit insurance held and ongoing discussions with 
customers. Following the adoption of IFRS 9 in the year, additional provisions are held on an expected credit loss basis against debt that 
is more than 90 days old. The directors consider that the carrying amounts of trade and other receivables approximate to their fair value 
and that the above unprovided elements are recoverable.

An analysis of the currencies in which trade receivables are held is shown in Note 26 (c).

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

Group

Company

2018
£’000

598

2017
£’000

327

2018
£’000

17

2017
£’000

32

Credit risk
The Group’s credit risk is attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for 
impaired receivables. An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, 
is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows. Additionally, following the adoption of IFRS 9, an additional allowance 
is made in respect of expected credit loss, which is calculated based on historical data trends, and an assessment of the current and 
future market conditions. Where possible, the Group mitigates its credit risk by using credit insurance policies to insure its credit sales.

Provision is also made for any customer claims or allowances where a credit note has yet to be issued. The Group does not hold any 
collateral as security. However, the Group has traded with a high proportion of its customers for several years and is experienced in 
managing this risk, resulting in low levels of impairment.

15. Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Corporation tax payable

Other taxes and social security costs

Accruals and deferred income

Other payables

Financial derivatives

Amounts owed to Group undertakings

Group

Company

Note

26

2018
£’000

2,320

262

212

1,092

412

52

–

2017
£’000

3,127

–

201

673

357

–

–

2018
£’000

1,394

–

148

853

68

52

53

4,350

4,358

2,568

2017
£’000

2,115

–

153

451

72

–

132

2,923

The directors consider that the carrying amounts of trade and other payables approximate to their fair value.

 
 
2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

45

16. Interest-bearing loans, borrowings and overdrafts – current

Unsecured:

Loans

Secured:

Overdrafts

Loans

Obligations under finance leases

Group

Company

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

–

51

–

–

4,293

3,375

88

7,756

3,025

2,487

78

5,641

3,846

1,365

88

5,299

2,853

210

78

3,141

During 2018, the Company was granted an additional £1.500m extension to the Lloyds Bank overdraft facility in the UK. ETSC were 
granted an additional £0.304m headroom within their revolving credit facility with Awash International Bank. 

Lloyds Bank waived a technical covenant breach relating to early payment of debt in the Ethiopian division. Despite the waiver, it was 
necessary to reclassify the loan as payable on demand, however, the bank have confirmed that they will preserve the duration of the loan 
and review the appropriateness of the covenant in light of the debt repayment. The Group has headroom within the current facilities to 
redeem the mortgage.  

During 2017, ETSC were granted a £1.082m revolving credit facility with Awash International Bank. This facility renews annually, has 
an interest rate of 9.5% and is secured against the assets of ETSC. PPM were also granted an overdraft facility of £0.189m with Awash 
International Bank. This facility renews annually, has an interest rate of 9.5% and is secured against the assets of PPM.

17. Interest-bearing loans, borrowings and overdrafts – non-current

Secured:

Loans

Obligations under finance leases

Repayable as follows:

Group

Company

2018
£’000

461

105

566

2017
£’000

2,517

159

2,676

2018
£’000

–

105

105

2017
£’000

1,365

159

1,524

Between one and five years by instalments

566

2,676

105

1,524

During 2017, the loan previously held by PPM with the Development Bank of Ethiopia was renegotiated and moved to Awash 
International Bank. This loan has been taken for a period of 3 years at an interest rate of 9.5% and is secured against the assets of PPM. 
The individual loans held by ETSC with Commercial Bank of Ethiopia were also consolidated into one loan, which has been taken for a 
period of 3 years at an interest rate of 11.5% and is secured against the assets of ETSC. The interest rate for all loans held in Ethiopia was 
increased by 2% during 2017 following a rate change by the Ethiopian government.

In the UK in 2017, the mortgage term was renegotiated, with a repayment term of 3 years at an interest rate of 2.25% over LIBOR. 

The fair value of the Group’s loan and overdraft facilities is materially the same as book value, and the secured facilities are supported by 
fixed and floating charges over the assets of the Group, principally property, plant and equipment, inventory and receivables. Obligations 
under finance leases are secured by the related asset.

 
 
4 6 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

18. Obligations under leases
Operating lease agreements where the Group is lessee
The Group has entered into commercial leases on certain properties, plant and machinery. Future aggregate minimum rentals payable 
under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Not later than one year

After one year but not more than five years

Group

Company

2018
£’000

104

156

260

2017 
restated
£’000

110

258

368

2018
£’000

64

76

140

2017
£’000

71

141

212

The Group uses finance leases to acquire plant and machinery. Future minimum lease payments under finance leases and hire purchase 
contracts are as follows:

Future minimum payments due:

Not later than one year

After one year but not more than five years

Less finance charges allocated to future periods

Present value of minimum lease payments

The present value of minimum lease payments is analysed as follows:

Not later than one year

After one year but not more than five years

Group

Company

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

96

104

200

(7)

193

88

105

193

86

166

252

(15)

237

78

159

237

96

104

200

(7)

193

88

105

193

86

166

252

(15)

237

78

159

237

All lease obligations are denominated in sterling. The fair value of the Group’s lease obligations approximates their carrying amount.

19. Deferred taxation
In accordance with the requirements of IAS12, the directors considered the potential utilisation of the deferred tax asset and have taken 
a prudent view to derecognise the deferred tax asset of £1.901m. This has no effect on the Group’s operating performance, cash, debt 
or the Group’s outlook, which remains unchanged.

In 2017, the Group has recognised deferred tax assets in respect of temporary differences and losses of £1.761m.

Deferred tax asset

Deferred tax liability 

Deferred tax assets (net)

Group

Company

2018
£’000

–

(162)

(162)

2017
£’000

1,901

(140)

1,761

2018
£’000

–

(112)

(112)

2017
£’000

1,901

(69)

1,832

 
 
 
2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

47

Group

Company

2018
£’000

1,761

(1,921)

(2)

(162)

2017
£’000

1,617

116

28

1,761

2018
£’000

1,832

(1,832)

–

–

Group and Company

Tax losses 
£’000

Other timing 
difference
 £’000

1,794

81

1,875

(1,875)

–

6

20

26

(26)

–

2017
£’000

1,741

91

–

1,832

Total
£’000

1,800

101

1,901

(1,901)

–

The movement on the net deferred tax account during the year is as follows:

At 1 January

Income Statement (debit)/credit

Exchange differences

At 31 December

(a) Deferred tax assets

The analysis of the deferred tax asset is as follows:

Recognised

At 1 January 2017

Income Statement credit

At 1 January 2018

Income Statement debit

At 31 December 2018

The Group has unrecognised deferred tax assets of £0.065m. The Company has no unrecognised deferred tax assets. 

(b) Deferred tax liabilities
The Group deferred tax liability of £0.162m (2017: £0.140m) and Company deferred tax liability of £0.112m (2017: £0.069m) represent 
temporary timing differences.

20. Share capital

Issued and fully paid

At 31 December

Number of ordinary shares of 50p each

At 31 December

The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

6,944

6,944

2018
Shares

2017
Shares

13,888,690

13,888,690

 
 
 
4 8 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

21. Reserves
The share premium account represents the difference between the issue price and the nominal value of shares issued.

The capital reserve relates to goodwill arising on previous acquisitions written off directly to reserves.

The Pittards Employee Share Ownership Trust holds Pittards plc ordinary shares to meet potential obligations under the restricted share 
plan scheme. Shares are held in trust until such time as they may be transferred to employees in accordance with the terms of the 
scheme. There are no further awards in the scheme which could vest in the participants. At 31 December 2018, the trust held a total of 
19,026 50p shares (2017: 19,026) with a market value at that date of £13,604 (2017: £16,933). 

The share-based payment reserve represents the fair value of the entitlement to shares awarded under the 2017 SAYE scheme and 2016 
Long Term Incentive Plan. See note 7 for further details.

The cash flow hedge reserve represents the fair value of forward currency contracts held under hedge accounting at the end of the year. 
See note 26 for further details. 

The translation reserve represents the cumulative net unrealised exchange loss arising from the translation of overseas subsidiaries.

The revaluation reserve represents the revaluation of the buildings at ETSC, PPM and GS undertaken annually.

The retained earnings reserve represents the cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated statement of  
comprehensive income.

22. Cash generated from/(used in) operations

Group

Company

Profit/(loss) before taxation

Adjustments for:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation

Bank and other interest charges

Share-based payment expense

Other non-cash items in Income Statement

2018
£’000

354

705

62

638

115

194

2017
£’000

413

604

36

521

102

(133)

Operating cash flows before movement in working capital

2,068

1,543

Movements in working capital (excluding exchange differences on 
consolidation):

Increase in inventories

Decrease/(increase) in receivables

Decrease/(increase) in payables

Cash generated from/(used in) operations 

(710)

792

(567)

1,583

(749)

(47)

1,552

2,299

2018
£’000

(476)

324

62

198

115

–

223

(705)

614

(443)

(311)

2017
£’000

(541)

317

36

184

102

–

98

(324)

1,472

39

1,285

 
2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

49

As at 
1 January
2018 
£’000

327

(3,025)

(2,698)

As at 
1 January
2018
£’000

32

(2,853)

(2,821)

Cash flow
£’000

264

(1,262)

(998)

Cash flow
£’000

(15)

(993)

(1,008)

Exchange
movements
£’000

As at
31 December
2018
£’000

7

(6)

1

598

(4,293)

(3,695)

Exchange
movements
£’000

As at
31 December
2018
£’000

–

–

–

17

(3,846)

(3,829)

23. Analysis of the changes in cash and cash equivalents

Group

Cash at bank and in hand

Bank overdraft

Company

Cash at bank and in hand

Bank overdraft

24. Analysis of the changes in liabilities from financing activities

Group

Long term borrowings 

Short term borrowings 

Lease liabilities

Company

Long term borrowings 

Short term borrowings 

Lease liabilities

As at 
1 January
2018
£’000

2,517

2,538

237

5,292

As at 
1 January
2018
£’000

1,365

210

237

1,812

Loan 
repayments 
£’000

New loans 
£’000

Term
 renegotiations
£’000

Exchange
movements
£’000

(930)

(374)

(85)

(1,389)

–

–

41

41

(1,155)

1,155

–

–

30

56

–

86

Loan 
repayments 
£’000

£’000

New loans 

Term
 renegotiations
£’000

Exchange
movements
£’000

(210)

–

(85)

(295)

–

–

41

41

(1,155)

1,155

–

–

–

–

–

–

As at
31 December
2018
£’000

462

3,375

193

4,030

As at
31 December
2018
£’000

–

1,365

193

1,558

The mortgage has been reclassified from long term borrowing in to short term borrowing due to a technical covenant breach. Further 
detail is provided in note 16.

25. Related party transactions
(a) Related party trading 

Group
The following transactions with related parties took place during the year: 

Transactions with related parties

Purchases from related parties

Group

2018 
£’000

18

2017
£’000

17

 
 
 
50 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

25. Related party transactions (continued)
Purchases and sales are disclosed from entities where a member of the Board holds a further directorship. Purchases and sales are made 
on normal commercial terms and conditions.

Payments made to directors as part of their standard emoluments package are separately disclosed within the Directors’ Remuneration 
note on page 37.

Year end balances arising from purchases

Payables to related parties

Company
The following transactions with other Group undertakings took place during the year:

Transactions with subsidiaries

Purchases from subsidiaries

Sales to subsidiaries

Group

2018
£’000

9

2017
£’000

–

Company

2018
£’000

8,032

710

2017
£’000

6,957

854

Pittards plc holds intercompany balances with various subsidiary companies and settles expenses on behalf of these companies which are 
charged to the intercompany accounts. 

There are no provisions for impaired debts relating to the amount of outstanding intercompany balances.

Amounts due from subsidiaries

Pittard Garnar Services Limited

Ethiopia Tannery Share Company

Pittards Global Sourcing Private Limited Company

Pittards Products Manufacturing Share Company

Amounts due to subsidiaries

Pittards Group Limited

Ethiopia Tannery Share Company

Pittards Global Sourcing Private Limited Company

Note

Company

2018 
£’000

5,117

739

2

317

14

6,175

(30)

–

(23)

(53)

15

2017
£’000

4,433

1,412

2

478

6,325

(30)

(80)

(22)

(132)

(b) Transactions with directors
Disclosures required under IAS24 regarding remuneration of key management personnel are covered by the Directors’ remuneration 
disclosure in Note 6 and interests in shares are disclosed in the Directors’ report. 

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

51

26. Financial instruments
(a) Financial risk factors
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks; market (including currency, price and interest rate), liquidity and credit. 
The Group’s overall risk management systems seek to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial performance. The 
Company’s financial risk factors are considered to be consistent with those of the Group so are not presented separately.

The board of directors has approved policies for the management of the risks identified.

– Currency risk
The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily with 
respect to US dollar, Euro and Ethiopian Birr. Approximately 90% (2017: 91%) of the Group’s revenue is from sales outside the UK, with 
some 80% (2017: 82%) in US dollars. US dollar based raw material purchases amounted to 31% in 2017 (2017: 35%).

Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognised assets and liabilities and net investments in foreign 
operations. Where possible, a natural hedge is maintained against the Group’s currency exposure, however, during 2018, forward 
foreign currency contracts have additionally been entered into to manage the US dollar foreign exchange risk. Hedge accounting has 
been applied to these contracts. See the Treasury policy in the Directors’ report on page 15 for further details. 

– Price risk
Price risk includes the variability in the purchase price of hides and skins which are internationally traded commodities with no futures 
markets. The Group addresses this by buying forward to match anticipated revenues. This risk was reduced by the purchase of ETSC 
which buys a substantial proportion of the skins sourced in Ethiopia.

– Interest rate risk
The Group mitigates its exposure to interest rate fluctuations by using fixed rates where possible. Management would consider taking 
out an interest rate cap if this was felt to be beneficial.

– Liquidity risk
Borrowing facilities are monitored against the Group’s forecast requirements and it is the Group’s policy to mitigate risk by staggering 
the maturity of borrowings and by maintaining undrawn committed facilities, using overdrafts and medium term loans. Regular cash 
flow forecasts are prepared to assess the adequacy of undrawn facilities and appropriate action taken to improve cash flow where 
necessary.

– Credit risk
The Group is exposed to credit risk to the extent of non-payment by its customers. The Group utilises credit insurance policies to mitigate 
its risk from its trading exposure or seeks secure terms or payment in advance.    

(b) Significant accounting policies
Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement 
and the basis on which income and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity 
instrument are disclosed in Note 1 to the financial statements.

(c) Foreign currency risk management
The Group undertakes certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies, hence exposures to exchange rate fluctuations arise. 

The carrying amount of the Group’s foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the reporting date is as 
follows:

US dollar

Euro

Ethiopian Birr

Other

GBP

Total

Assets

Liabilities

Cash

2018 
£’000

2,178

208

495

19

2,900

525

3,425

2017
£’000

2,604

155

1,128

29

3,916

492

4,408

2018 
£’000

(32)

(262)

2017
£’000

(130)

(512)

(4,337)

(4,776)

(1)

(4,632)

(2,924)

(7,556)

–

(5,418)

(3,461)

(8,879)

2018 
£’000

(873)

2017
£’000

646

(2,529)

(2,762)

310

85

(3,007)

(512)

(3,519)

25

163

(1,928)

(869)

(2,797)

 
 
52 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

26. Financial instruments (continued)
(d) Foreign currency sensitivity
As 80% (2017: 82%) of the Group’s revenue is in US dollars, the sensitivity analysis is only on the US dollar impact. The following 
table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 10% increase in pounds sterling against the US dollar. 10% is considered to be a reasonable 
movement and also enables the users of the accounts to calculate other percentage movements. The sensitivity analysis of the Group’s 
exposure to foreign currency risk at the reporting date has been determined based on the change taking place at the beginning of the 
financial year and held constant throughout. A positive number indicates an increase in profit or loss and other equity where pounds 
sterling decrease against the respective currency.

Loss1

Group

2018 
£’000

2017
£’000

(1,884)

(2,003)

1.  This is mainly attributable to the exposure on revenue and outstanding US dollars receivables, payables and cash at the year end in the Group.

(e) Forward foreign exchange contracts
It is the policy of the Group to sell surplus dollars and to enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to manage the risk associated 
with anticipated foreign currency sales and purchase transactions, when this is felt appropriate. In 2018 the Group has entered into 
forward foreign currency contracts to manage the US dollar foreign exchange risk, hedging against forecast cash flows to the extent that 
those cash flows are deemed highly probable. The Group currently holds contracts to cover the first 6 months of 2019 net sales, with 
expiration dates to 30 August 2019.  

The notional value of open forward foreign currency contracts as at 31 December 2018 was £4.6039m (2017: £nil). The net fair value 
loss on open contracts held in the cash flow hedge reserve at 31 December 2018 were £0.052m. This will be recycled to the income 
statement within interest over the next 6 months. 

(f) Liquidity and interest rate risk
i) Interest rate risk management
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk as it borrows funds at both fixed and variable interest rates. The risk is managed by borrowing 
where appropriate on fixed interest rates.

ii) Interest rate sensitivity
The sensitivity analysis has been determined on the exposure to interest rates at the reporting date and the stipulated change taking 
place at the beginning of the financial year and held constant throughout. 50 basis points has been applied in the sensitivity analysis as 
this is considered to be an indicative movement for the analysis of interest rate risk. At the reporting date, if interest rates had been 50 
basis points higher and all other variables were held constant, the Group’s net profit would decrease by £0.053m (2017: £0.050m). This 
is attributable to the Group’s exposure to interest rates on its variable borrowings.

iii) Liquidity risk management
Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the Board, which has built an appropriate liquidity risk management 
framework for the management of the Group’s short, medium and long-term funding and liquidity management requirements. The 
Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate banking and borrowing facilities by continuously monitoring forecast with actual 
cash flows and matching profiles of financial assets and liabilities.

iv) Liquidity and interest risk tables
The interest rate profile of the non-derivative financial liabilities of the Group and its contractual maturity as at 31 December 2018 and at 
31 December 2017 are as follows:

As at 31 December 2018

Fixed rate

Obligations under finance leases

Variable rate

Bank overdrafts and loans 

Trade and other payables

Less than 
3 months 
£’000

3 months to 
1 year 
£’000

–

5,563

3,127

–

–

–

Group

1-2 
years 
£’000

159

2,765

–

2-5 
years 
£’000

Over 
5 years 
£’000

34

–

–

–

–

–

Total 
£’000

193

8,328

3,127

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

53

As at December 2017 restated1

Fixed rate

Obligations under finance leases

Variable rate

Bank overdrafts and loans 

Trade and other payables

Less than 
3 months 
£’000

3 months to 
1 year 
£’000

2

4,676

3,484

1

–

–

Group

1-2 
years 
£’000

–

–

–

2-5 
years 
£’000

234

3,781

–

1.  2017 numbers have been restated to include interest. 

The Group has the following undrawn borrowing facilities:

Variable rate

Expiring within one year

Expiring beyond one year

Over 
5 years 
£’000

–

–

–

Group

2018 
£’000

4,849

–

4,849

Total 
£’000

237

8,457

3,484

2017
£’000

3,907

–

3,907

The facilities expiring within one year are subject to review at various dates in 2019 however, Lloyds have confirmed their commitment to 
the business and renewal of the facilities for 2019.

(g) Capital risk management
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide 
returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, issue new shares 
or sell assets to reduce debt.

Consistent with others in the industry, the Group monitors capital on the basis of the gearing ratio. This ratio is calculated as net debt 
divided by total capital. Net debt is calculated as total borrowings (including ‘current and non-current borrowings’ as shown in the 
consolidated balance sheet) less cash and cash equivalents. Total capital is calculated as ‘equity’ as shown in the consolidated balance 
sheet.

During 2018, the Group’s strategy was to maintain the gearing ratio at an acceptable level, which is considered to be between 10% and 
50%. The gearing ratios at 31 December 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

Total borrowings

Less cash at bank and in hand

Net debt

Total equity

Gearing ratio

Group

2018 
£’000

8,322

(598)

7,724

18,529

41.7%

2017
£’000

8,317

(327)

7,990

19,764

40.4%

 
 
54 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS

27. Investments

At 1 January and 31 December

Company

2018
£’000

378

2017
£’000

378

The subsidiary undertakings whose results or financial position affect the figures in the consolidated financial statements are:

Pittards Group Limited

Pittard Garnar Services Limited

Principal activities

Dormant

Country of incorporation

Functional currency

United Kingdom

£ sterling

Consultancy and other related services  
to the leather industry

United Kingdom

£ sterling

Daines & Hathaway Limited

Dormant

United Kingdom

£ sterling

Pittards Global Sourcing Private  
Limited Company

Production of quality leather garments

Ethiopia

Ethiopia Tannery Share Company

Leather production

Pittards Products Manufacturing  
Share Company

Production of quality leather gloves and 
leathergoods

Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Birr

Ethiopian Birr

Ethiopian Birr

The registered office for all UK incorporated entities is Sherborne Road, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 5BA. The registered offices of the 
Ethiopian entities are as follows:

Pittards Global Sourcing Private Limited Company

Nefas Silk Laphto Sub City, Saris Industry Zone, Addis Ababa, 
Ethiopia

Ethiopia Tannery Share Company

P.O. Box 5628, Kirkos Sub City, Kebele 16, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Pittards Products Manufacturing Share Company

Nefas Silk Laphto Sub City, Saris Industry Zone, Addis Ababa, 
Ethiopia

Pittards plc holds directly or indirectly all the issued ordinary share capital and voting rights of its principal trading subsidiary undertakings.

The directors believe that the carrying value of the Group’s investments is supported by their underlying net assets. 

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

55

FIVE YEAR REVIEW

Revenue

Percentage sold outside UK

Profit/(loss) from operations before finance costs

Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation

Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation

Net assets

Inventory 

Inventory days of sale 

Net debt 

Gearing 

2018 
£’000

28,469

90%

992

354

(1,929)

18,529

16,306

279

7,724

42%

Earnings/(loss) per 50p ordinary share (restated from 1p share)

(13.91p)

Dividends per ordinary share

–

FINANCIAL CALENDAR 

Annual General Meeting 

Announcement of half year results for 2019  

Announcement of 2019 results  

2017
£’000

30,287

91%

934

413

497

19,764

15,332

241

7,990

40%

3.58p

–

2016 
£’000

27,009

92%

(3,591)

(4,071)

(4,146)

21,274

17,353

308

10,109

48%

(29.89p)

–

2015 
£’000

30,523

90%

1,115

655

471

24,150

18,872

288

6,458

27%

3.98p

–

2014 
£’000

34,729

91%

1,971

1,589

1,110

18,136

17,796

235

7,601

42%

12.06p

–

15 May 2019

September 2019

March 2020

 
 
56 

PIT TARDS PLC 2018 ANNUAL REPORT      

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the 110th Annual General Meeting 
(“AGM”) of Pittards Plc (the “Company”) will be held at the 
Company’s registered office situated at Sherborne Road, Yeovil, 
Somerset, BA21 5BA at 12 noon on 15 May 2019 to consider and, if 
thought fit, pass the resolutions set out in this Notice.  

All of the resolutions in this Notice, apart from Resolution 7, are 
proposed as ordinary resolutions. Resolution 7 is proposed as a special 
resolution.

Ordinary Resolutions

1   To receive the annual statement of accounts of the Company for 

the year ended 31 December 2018, and the directors’ and auditors’ 
reports thereon.

2.  To re-elect Reg Hankey as a director of the Company, who is 

retiring by rotation.

3.  To re-elect Godfrey Davis as a director of the Company, who is 

retiring by rotation.

4.  To appoint Richard Briere as a director of the Company.

5.  To re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s 
auditors and to authorise the directors to determine their 
remuneration.

6.  That the directors of the Company (“Directors”) be and are 

hereby unconditionally authorised pursuant to section 551 of the 
Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”) to exercise all powers of the 
Company to allot equity securities (as defined in section 560 of the 
Act) up to an aggregate nominal value of £694,434 (in substitution 
for, and to the exclusion of, all previous allotment authorities 
granted prior to the date of this resolution) to such persons, and 
at such time and on such terms, as they think proper during the 
period commencing on the date of the passing of this resolution 
and expiring on the date falling 15 months after the passing of this 
resolution or the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of 
the Company (whichever is the earlier) unless previously revoked, 
varied or extended by the Company in general meeting; and the 
Company be and is hereby authorised to make, prior to the expiry 
of such period, any offer or agreement which would or might 
require equity securities to be allotted after the expiry of said 
period and the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of 
any such an offer or agreement notwithstanding the expiry of the 
authority given by this resolution.

Special Business 

7.  That the Company be and is hereby granted general and 

unconditional authority, for the purposes of section 701 of the 
Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”) to make one or more market 
purchases (as defined in section 693(4) of the Act) of any of its 
ordinary shares of 50 pence each (“Ordinary Shares”) on such 
terms and in such manner as the directors of the Company may 
from time to time determine, provided that the authority conferred 
by this resolution shall:

(a)  be limited to a maximum number of 1,388,869 Ordinary Shares 
to be purchased (being 10% of the Company’s Ordinary Shares 
in issue as at the date of this resolution);

(b) not permit the price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid 
per Ordinary Share to be more than 5% above the average 
middle market quotation for an Ordinary Share (as derived 
from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List) for the five 
business’ days immediately preceding the day on which such 
Ordinary Share(s) are contracted to be purchased, or to be less 
than 50p per Ordinary Share, and

(c) expire on the date falling 15 months after the passing of 

this resolution or the conclusion of the next Annual General 
Meeting of the Company (whichever is the earlier), but during 
this period the Company may enter into a contract to purchase 
Ordinary Shares, which would, or might, be completed or 
executed wholly or partly after the authority ends and the 
Company may purchase Ordinary Shares pursuant to any such 
contract as if such authority had not ended.

By order of the Board 
Reg Hankey 
Chief Executive and Company Secretary
Pittards plc
Sherborne Road
Yeovil
Somerset
BA21 5BA
Date: 1 April 2019

2018 ANNUAL REPORT PIT TARDS PLC 

57

Notes
1. Voting at the AGM will take place by means of a show of hands, unless a poll 
is demanded in accordance with the Company’s articles of association. 

2. A member entitled to attend and vote at the AGM may appoint one or more 
proxies to exercise all or any of the member’s rights to attend, speak and vote 
at the AGM. A proxy need not be a member of the Company but must attend 
the AGM for the member’s vote to be counted. A proxy shall, unless directed 
otherwise by the appointing member, vote or abstain from voting as the proxy 
sees fit at the AGM.

3. A proxy may only be appointed by a member using the procedures set out in 
these notes to the Notice of AGM and the notes to the Form of Proxy for the 
AGM. To be effective, the proxy vote must be submitted at www.signalshares.
com so as to have been received by the Company’s Registrars, Link Asset 
Services, not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the AGM, or 
any adjournment thereof (excluding weekends and public holidays). To register, 
members will need their Investor Code. Alternatively, a member may request a 
Form of Proxy in paper form from the Company’s Registrars, Link Asset Services, 
on 0871 664 0300 (calls cost 12p per minute plus your operator’s network 
access charge). If you are outside the United Kingdom, please call +44 371 664 
0300 (calls will be charged at the applicable international rate). Lines are open 
between 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays in 
England and Wales.

4. Pursuant to Regulation 41(1) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 
2001 (as amended), only those members entered on the Company’s register 
of members at close of business on 13 May 2019 (“the “Specified Time”) (or, if 
the AGM is adjourned to a time more than 48 hours after the Specified Time, 
at close of business on the business day which is two days’ prior to the time of 
the adjourned meeting) shall be entitled to attend and vote or to appoint one 
or more proxies to vote on their behalf at the AGM in respect of the number of 
ordinary shares registered in their name at that time. If the AGM is adjourned 
to a time not more than 48 hours after the Specified Time, that time will also 
apply for the purpose of determining the entitlement of members to attend and 
vote (and for the purposes of determining the number of votes they may cast) 
at the adjourned meeting. Changes to the register of members of the Company 
after the relevant deadline shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any 
person to attend and vote at the AGM.

5. If a member appoints more than one proxy to attend the AGM, each proxy 
must be appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share(s) held by 
the member. If a member wishes to appoint more than one proxy they may do 
so at www.signalshares.com or by a paper Form of Proxy available on request 
from the Company’s Registrars, Link Asset Services, as set out in Note 3 above.  
The appointment of a proxy shall not preclude a member from attending and 
voting in person at the AGM, or at any adjournment thereof. If a member has 
appointed a proxy but decides to attend the AGM, such proxy will not be able 
to attend, speak or vote at the AGM on the member’s behalf.

6. Any power of attorney (duly certified) or other authority under which a Form 
of Proxy is submitted, and any Form of Proxy completed in paper form, must 
be returned to the Company’s Registrars, Link Asset Services, by post to PXS1, 
34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4ZF, so as to arrive not less than 
48 hours before the time appointed for the AGM or any adjournment thereof 
(excluding weekends and public holidays).

7. Subject to Note 5, if more than one valid proxy appointment is submitted by 
a member, the appointment received last before the latest time for receipt of 
proxies will take precedence.

8. CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the 
CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so for the AGM and any 
adjournment(s) thereof by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual. 
CREST personal members or other CREST sponsored members, and those CREST 
members who have appointed a voting service provider(s), should refer to 
their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be able to take the 
appropriate action on their behalf.

9. In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made using the CREST service 
to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a “CREST Proxy Instruction”) must 
be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited’s 
specifications and must contain the information required for such instruction, 
as described in the CREST Manual (available via www.euroclear.com/CREST). 
The message, regardless of whether it constitutes the appointment of a proxy 
or is an amendment to an instruction given to a previously appointed proxy, 
must, in order to be valid, be transmitted so as to be received by the Company’s 
agent (ID: RA10) by the latest time(s) for receipt of proxy appointments 
specified in Note 3 above. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to 
be the time (as determined by the time stamp applied to the message by the 
CREST Application Host) from which the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the 
message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. After this 
time, any change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be 
communicated to the appointee through other means.

10. CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting 
service providers should note that Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited does not make 
available special procedures in CREST for any particular messages. Normal system 
timings and limitations will therefore apply in relation to the input of CREST 
Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST member concerned to take 
(or, if the CREST member is a CREST personal member or sponsored member or 
has appointed a voting service provider(s), to procure that his CREST sponsor or 
voting service provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be necessary to ensure that 
a message is transmitted by means of the CREST system by any particular time. 
In this connection, CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors 
or voting service providers are referred, in particular, to those sections of the 
CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and timings 
(www.euroclear.com/CREST).

11. The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the 
circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities 
Regulations 2001 (as amended).

12. A member wishing to revoke his or her proxy appointment should do so by 
sending a notice to that effect to the Company’s Registrars, Link Asset Services, 
PXS1, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4ZF or electronically by 
means of the facilities described in Notes 3 and 9 above. The revocation notice 
must be received by the Company’s Registrars, Link Asset Services, by the time 
limit set out in Note 3. Any revocation notice received after this time will not 
have effect.

13. Any corporation which is a member of the Company can appoint one or 
more corporate representatives who may exercise on its behalf all of its powers 
as a member provided that they do not do so in relation to the same shares.

14. The Company’s register of directors’ holdings and copies of directors’ 
contracts of service will be available for inspection at the registered office of the 
Company during usual business hours from the date of this Notice until the date 
of the AGM, and from at least fifteen minutes prior to commencement, and 
until the conclusion, of the AGM.

15. Members who have general queries about the AGM should contact the 
Company Secretary at the Company’s registered address set out above. No other 
methods of communication will be accepted. Any electronic address provided 
either in this Notice of AGM, or in any related documents, may not be used to 
communicate with the Company for any purposes other than those expressly 
stated. 

16. In the case of joint holders, where more than one of the joint holders 
purports to appoint a proxy, only the appointment submitted by the 
most senior holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the 
order in which the names of the joint holders appear in the register of 
members of the Company in respect of the joint holders (the first named 
being the most senior). 

 
 
A L S O  AVA I L A B L E   O N L I N E
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