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Prime People Plc

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FY2012 Annual Report · Prime People Plc
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Prime People Plc
Annual Report and Accounts

Annual report and financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2012

2012

Contents

Page

Chairman's statement & operating review

Financial review

Board of Directors

Report of the Directors

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

Corporate governance

Remuneration report

Independent Auditors’ report

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated statement of financial position

Company statement of financial position

Company statement of changes in equity

Group and company cash flow statement

Notes to the financial statements

Directors and Advisers

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Form of Proxy

1

3

4

5

11

12

15

18

20

21

22

24

25

26

27

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58

PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Chairman's Statement & Operating Review 

Introduction 

The Group‟s activity is the delivery of permanent 
and  temporary  recruitment  services.  Historically, 
the  Group‟s  focus  has  been  to  provide  these 
services to the built environment sector through its 
main  subsidiary  Macdonald  &  Company.  More 
recently  the  Group  has  broadened  its  focus  to 
include  provision  of  recruitment  services  for 
customer  insight  staff  in  the  market  research  and 
data  analysis  sector,  branded  as  Prime  Insight,  to 
the  energy  &  environmental  sector  as  Macdonald 
&  Company  and  the  pharmaceutical  research 
sector as Prime Pharma.  

Results  

In  2012  gross  revenue  reduced 
to  £12.65m 
reflecting  the  lower  level  of  temporary  business 
(2011: £13.95m).   

Net  fee  income,  which  is,  after  profit,  the  most 
important  measure  of  performance  for  the  Group, 
was  in  line  with  the  previous  year  at  £8.03m 
(2011: £8.04m). 

Whilst Group net fee income at the half year was 
8% ahead of the same period in the prior year, our 
second  half  saw  increased  rather  than  diminished 
economic  uncertainty  affecting  both  the  UK  and 
Middle East activity for our businesses resulting in 
a 12% fall in net fee income in the full year from 
£7.06m  to  £6.2m  from  those  regions.  By  way  of 
contrast, as the segment analysis in Note 2 shows, 
our Asia business continues to prosper and we are 
pleased  to  report  an  80%  increase  in  net  fee 
income from £1m to £1.8m. Overseas revenue has 
increased  year  on  year  and  the  Group  generated 
33%  of  its  net  fee  income  outside  the  UK, 
compared to the 29% achieved in 2011. 

income  derived  from 
The  ratio  of  net  fee 
permanent  as  against 
temporary  placements 
continues to rise from 88:12 in 2011 to 91:9 in the 
year being reported. 

During  the  year,  we  continued  to  increase  our 
permanent  consultant  headcount  within  certain  of 
our established areas of activity and, as referred to 
above,  we  have  broadened  our  business  into  new 
end  markets.  The  larger  part  of  the  overall 
headcount  increase  has  been  recruited  to  work  in 
our Asia operations.    

Productivity  from  our  investment  in  people  made 
in  the  year  has  been  slower  to  achieve  than 
expected, resulting in an 8% decrease in operating 
profit for the full year from £1.01m to £0.93m.  

The  conversion  rate  of  operating  profit  from  net 
fee  income  decreased  from  12.5%  in  2011  to 
11.6% in 2012.  

Basic  earnings  per  share  decreased  slightly  to 
5.72p (2011: 5.86p).  

The  Group  maintained  a  strong  net  cash  position 
with £2.8m as at 31 March 2012 (2011: £3.03m). 

Cash & Dividends 

The Company continues to hold a substantial cash 
balance.  The  Board  is  continually  assessing  the 
most appropriate use of surplus cash generated by 
the  Company.  Historically  this  has  focussed  on 
developing  new  business  lines  organically  and 
more  recently  on  a  program  of  share  buyback. 
Possible acquisitions have been investigated every 
year  but  as  yet,  none  has  met  the  Company‟s 
stringent criteria, which include ensuring that scale 
of  transaction  should  not  have  the  potential  to 
destabilise  our  continuing  businesses  and  risk 
associated  with  acquisition  should  be  minimal. 
The Board considers that cash needed to complete 
current  growth  plans  is  more  than  adequate. 
Accordingly,  subject  to  trading  conditions,  the 
Company  expects  to  continue  to  return  cash  to 
shareholders via its annual dividends and by other 
means when and if appropriate. 

The Board will be recommending a final dividend 
of 2.25p (2011: 2.25p) per share which combined 
with the interim dividend of 1.84p per share, will 
result in a total dividend of 4.09p (2011: 4.00p). 

Share Buy Back 

During  the  year  248,234  shares  at  a  cost  of 
£167,809  (2011:  55,000  shares  at  a  cost  of 
£30,375)  were  purchased  through  the  Group‟s 
buyback programme and the Board will be seeking 
shareholder  approval  for  the  renewal  of  the 
authority to repurchase up to 10% of the Group‟s 
issued share capital at the Annual General Meeting 
on 26 June 2012. 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Chairman's Statement & Operating Review (continued) 

Strategy & Outlook 

Since  this  time  last  year,  we  have  continued  to 
advance our overseas strategy by seeking to extend 
our  reach  in  Asia.  To  this  end  the  Company  has 
committed  to  the  establishment  of  an  office  in 
Singapore with a senior manager and first hires in 
place at the date of this report. 

The political and economic background to our UK 
and European activity has become more rather than 
less  uncertain  and  visibility  has  become  further 
clouded.  However,  the  Group  has  strong  client 
relationships and a committed staff ready to exploit 
regional  opportunities  and  the  upturn  when  it 
occurs. 

Whilst  the  economic  uncertainties  in  Europe  and 
the  Middle  East  remain,  we  will  still  continue  to 
invest  appropriately  in  our  established  revenue 
lines and offices, to grow overseas activity and to 
look  for  opportunities  to  broaden  the  recruitment 
services the Group offers within all our regions.  

Our  Far  East  and  South  East  Asia  plans  are 
advancing and these regions are expected to make 
to 
important 
increasingly 
an 
continuing profitability. 

contribution 

Our people 

Finally,  I  should  like  to  thank  our  staff  for  their 
hard  work  and  commitment  over  the  last  twelve 
months.   

Robert Macdonald 
Executive Chairman 
31 May 2012 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Financial Review 

Trading results 

Gross  fee  income  for  the  year  from  continuing 
operations  decreased  by  9.3%  to  £12.65m  (2011: 
£13.95m). 

Net  fee  income  decreased  by  0.01%  to  £8.03m 
(2011: £8.04m).  

The  group  considers  net  fee  income  to  be  a  key 
indicator of the performance of the business. This 
is defined as the income generated from permanent 
placements  together  with  the  contribution  earned 
from contract and temporary staff. 

credit period taken by customers at 47 days (2011: 
45 days).  

Cash flow and cash position 

Net  cash  inflow  of  £0.78m  (2011:  inflow  of 
£1.58m)  was  generated  from  operating  activities 
during the year, which after net taxation payments 
of  £0.34m  (2011:  net 
taxation  payment  of 
£0.23m),  resulted  in  a  net  cash  inflow  from 
operating  activities  of  £0.44m  (2011:  inflow  of 
£1.35m). 

Administrative  costs 
totalled  £7.1m  which 
represents  88% of net fee income (2011: £7.03m: 
87%).  Profit before tax decreased by 7 per cent to 
£0.95m (2011: £1.01m). 

The group operates a centralised treasury function 
with  a  net  cash  position  at  31  March  2012  of 
£2.82m,  compared  to  a  net  cash  position  of 
£3.03m at 31 March 2011.  

Chris Heayberd 
Finance Director 
31 May 2012 

The  taxation  charge  is  £0.27m  on  a  profit  on 
ordinary  activities  before  taxation  of  £0.95m 
which  gives  an  overall  tax  rate  of  28.3%  (2011:  
31.8%).    The  reasons  for  the  difference  from  the 
standard  UK  corporation  tax  rate  of  26%  are 
detailed in note 7 of the accounts.   

Earnings per share 

Basic  earnings  per  share  decreased  by  2%  to 
5.72pence (2011: 5.86pence).The diluted earnings 
per  share  decreased  by  1%  to  5.58pence  (2011: 
5.65pence).  

Dividend 

As  outlined  in  the  Chairman‟s  statement  & 
operating  review,  the  Directors  propose  a  final 
dividend  of  2.25  pence  which  will,  subject  to 
shareholder  approval  at 
the  Annual  General 
Meeting, be paid on 29 June 2012 to shareholders 
who are on the register on 15 June 2012, making a 
total dividend paid to shareholders for the year of 
4.09 pence per ordinary share. 

Balance sheet 

The Group‟s net assets position at 31 March 2012 
is  slightly  up  on  last  year  at  £13.89m  (2011: 
£13.79m) 

Trade receivables are slightly down on last year at 
£1.46m (2011:£1.72m) with a slight increase in the  

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Board of Directors 

Directors' biographies 

Robert Macdonald - Executive Chairman  

Robert has held senior positions within the recruitment industry since 1973 when he founded Reuter Simkin 
Limited,  a  recruitment  business  in  both  the  legal  and  property  sectors.  Reuter  Simkin  had  both  Kleinwort 
Benson  Development  Capital  and  Charterhouse  Development  Capital  as  investors.  After  the  sale  of  Reuter 
Simkin in 1989, he acquired shares in and was chairman of two other recruitment companies one of which 
acquired  the  legal  business  of  Reuter  Simkin  in  the  West  of  England  from  PSD  in  1992  and  traded  as 
Macdonald & Company. In 1994, he established Macdonald & Company as a specialist property recruitment 
consultancy in London. Lead by Robert and Peter Moore, Macdonald & Company Group Ltd completed the 
reverse takeover of Prime People Plc in January 2006. 

Peter Moore MRICS - Managing Director 

Peter graduated from the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester and then worked with Strutt & Parker from 
1992 to 1995, qualifying as a Charted Surveyor in 1994. He joined Macdonald & Company in 1995 and was 
appointed Managing Director in 1996. Under Peter‟s management Macdonald & Company became the largest 
and  most  respected  real  estate  focused  recruitment  provider  in  the  market  and  the  RICS‟s  preferred 
recruitment  partner.  Lead  by  Robert  Macdonald  and  Peter  Moore,  Macdonald  &  Company  Group  Ltd 
completed the reverse takeover of Prime People Plc in January 2006. Since when Peter has been instrumental 
in  developing  Prime  People  into  a  global  specialist  recruitment  business  spanning  real  estate,  energy  & 
environmental, insight & analytics and pharmaceuticals. 

Chris Heayberd BA ACA - Finance Director 

Chris qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1980 and since that date has held a number of financial positions 
in a broad range of industries. Since 1989 his main focus has been the business services sector. This included 
4 years as Finance Director of PSD Group plc, during which time the company was admitted to trading on the 
London Stock Exchange. Chris rejoined the Board of Prime People in June 2000 and for a period of five years 
combined the role of Finance Director with other business interests. In May 2005 he returned full time to the 
Board. 

John Lewis OBE LLB (Hons) - Non-executive Director 

John is a solicitor (Non Practising) and a consultant to Eversheds LLP (solicitors). Previously he served as a 
partner  in  Lewis  Lewis  &  Co  which  became  part  of  Eversheds  after  a  series  of  mergers.  John  is  currently 
Chairman  of  Photo-Me  International  Plc  and  several  private  companies.  He  has  served  as  chairman  of 
Cliveden Plc and Principal Hotels Plc and as deputy chairman of John D Wood & Co Plc, retiring in each case 
when the company was sold. 

Simon Murphy BSc ACA - Non-executive Director 

Simon  qualified as a  Chartered  Accountant  with  Coopers  &  Lybrand.  He  is  currently  Director of corporate 
finance  for  Treasury  Holdings.  He  was  previously  a  Managing  Director  in  the  global  investment  banking 
division  of  HSBC.  He  was  Chief  Executive  of  Prime  People  from  May  2005  until  the  acquisition  of 
Macdonald & Company Group Ltd.  He is a Director of a number of private companies. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Report of the Directors for the year ended 31 March 2012 

The  Directors  present  their  annual  report  on  the  affairs  of  the  Group,  together  with  the  audited  financial 
statements  for  the  year  ended  31 March  2012.  Prime  People  is  a  public  limited  company,  incorporated  and 
domiciled in England, and its shares are quoted on the AIM market. 

Principal activity 

The principal activity of the Group during the year was the provision of recruitment and training services. 

Business Review 

The  Company  is  required  by  the  Companies  Act  to  include  a  business  review  in  their  report  of  the 
development and performance of the Group‟s business for the financial year and of its position at the year end 
as well as expected future developments.  This information is contained within the Chairman‟s Statement and 
Operating Review on page 1 and the Financial Review on page 3. 

Principal Risks and uncertainties 

The  Board  reviews  on  a  regular  basis  the  principal  risks  and  uncertainties  facing  the  Group.  The  Board‟s 
approach  is  to  ascertain  the  key  risks  and  develop  plans  to  reduce  the  potential  effects  of  these  risks  on  the 
business. The principal risks identified are as follows: 

Dependence on Key People 
The future success of the Group is dependant on the continued service of senior management and key people. 
The loss of the services of the senior management and other key people could have  a  material  effect  on  the 
business.  To  address  this,  the  Group  has  put  in  to  place  an  internal  recruitment  function,  a  training  and 
development programme, competitive pay structures and long term remuneration plans, the aim of which is to 
retain the key employees.  

Competition 
Whilst the Directors believe that the Group is well positioned in its chosen markets it continues to broaden its 
strategy by expanding into new industry sectors to reduce reliance on any one recruitment market.  This exposes 
the Group to increased competition and whilst the Group seeks to continue to improve its competitive positions, 
the actions of current or indeed potential competitors may adversely affect the Group‟s business. 

Strength of Property Markets 
The  market  for  property  recruitment  services,  from  which  the  Group  obtains  the  major  part  of  its  revenue, 
remains  uncertain  and  it  is  difficult  to  predict  how  this  market  will  develop  in  the  foreseeable  future.  Our 
temporary business, which historically has been focused in the Public Sector has, following government funding 
cut backs, been in decline and for the time being the signs of recovery for this line of business are limited. We 
have taken defensive steps to ensure that this business will be in a position to exploit cyclical opportunities when 
they present themselves and to be prepared for the upturn in its markets when they come. A decline from current 
levels of activity in the property market generally could have a material adverse effect on profitability and cash 
flows of the business.  

Macro economic factors 
Recruitment  activity  is  largely  driven  by  economic  cycles  and  the  levels  of  business  confidence.  The  Board 
looks to reduce the Group‟s cyclical risk by expanding geographically and increasing the number of sectors from 
which it derives revenues. Future business expansion is planned for the United Kingdom and South East Asia 
and therefore outcomes could be influenced by the GDP growth of these economies.   

Regulatory position 
The recruitment industry is subject to an increasing level of regulation and compliance which varies in its degree 
of complexity from country to country. The Group takes its responsibilities seriously and remains committed to  
being compliant in each of the regions in which it operates. In order to reduce the legal and compliance risks, fee 
earners and support staff receive regular training and updates of changes in legal and compliance requirements. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Report of the Directors for the year ended 31 March 2012 

Principal Risks and uncertainties (continued) 

Information Technology 
To provide services to clients and candidates the Group is highly dependent on certain technology systems 
and the infrastructure on which they operate. These systems are dependent on specific suppliers who provide 
the  technology  infrastructure  and  disaster  recovery  solutions.  The  performance  of  these  suppliers  is 
continually monitored to ensure that the services are available and maintained. In addition the systems and 
infrastructure are regularly reviewed and upgraded to ensure that they provide appropriate functionality and 
resilience to support the business as it develops. 

Foreign exchange risk 
The Group‟s international operations account for approximately 33 per cent of net fee income and less than 15 
per cent of the Group‟s assets. Consequently the Group has a degree of translation exposure in accounting for 
overseas operations and expects this to increase in line with the growth of the Group‟s operations outside the 
United  Kingdom.  Currently  the  Group‟s  policy  is  not  to  hedge  against  this  exposure.  However,  the  Group 
seeks to minimise this exposure by converting into sterling all cash balances received in foreign currency that 
are not required for local short term working capital needs. The Group will continue to monitor its policies in 
this area. 

Treasury policies, liquidity and financial risk 
Surplus funds are held to support short term working capital requirements. These funds are invested through 
the use of short term and period deposits, with a policy of maximising fixed interest returns whilst providing 
the flexibility required to fund on-going operations and to invest cash safely and profitably. It is not a Group 
policy to invest in financial derivatives. 

Although  the  financial  risks  to  which  the  group  is  exposed  are  currently  considered  to  be  minimal,  future 
interest rate, liquidity and foreign currency risks could arise. The Board will  continually  review its existing 
policies and make changes as required to limit the financial risks of the business.  

Credit risk management 
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial 
loss  to  the  Group.  The  principal  credit  risk  arises  from  the  Group‟s  trade  receivables.  Ongoing  credit 
evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable based on payment history and third 
party credit references with appropriate provisions being made.  

Corporate Governance 

The Company and the Group are committed to high standards of corporate governance, details of which are 
provided in the Corporate Governance Report on pages 12 to 14 and Remuneration Report on pages 15 to 17. 

Results 

The consolidated profit on ordinary activities after taxation amounted to £680k (2011: £696k). 

Dividends 

An  interim  dividend  for  2012  of  1.84  pence  per  ordinary  share  was  paid  on  25  November  2011  to  those 
shareholders on the register at 18 November 2011 (2011: 1.75pence). The Directors recommend the payment 
of  a  final  dividend  for  2012  of  2.25  pence  per  ordinary  share  which,  if  approved  at  the  Annual  General 
Meeting,  will  be  paid  on  29  June  2012  to  those  shareholders  on  the  register  on  15  June  2012  (2011:  2.25 
pence). 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Report of the Directors for the year ended 31 March 2012 

Directors and interests 

The following were Directors during the year and held office throughout the year: 

Robert Macdonald    
Peter Moore             
Chris Heayberd          
John  Lewis            
Simon Murphy 

(Executive Chairman) 
(Managing Director)   
(Finance Director) 
(Non-executive Director)  
(Non-executive Director) 

Biographical details for all the current Directors are shown on page 4. 

Substantial shareholders 

As  at  18  May  2012,  the  Company  had  been  notified  in  accordance  with  Chapter  5  of  the  Disclosure  and 
Transparency Rules of the following substantial shareholdings:  

Peter Moore 
Robert Macdonald 
John Lewis 
Peter Hearn 
The Cayzer Trust Company Limited 

Number of 10p 
ordinary  shares 

Percent of issued 
share capital  
% 

         2,897,500 
         2,480,000 
         1,180,500 
            719,500 
            439,500 

24.36 
20.85 
9.78 
              6.04  
              3.69 

The  mid  market  quotation  of  the  Company‟s  shares  at  close  of  business  on  31  March  2012  was  70p.  The 
highest and lowest mid market quotations in the period from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 were 75p and 
62p.  

Our employees 

The involvement of our employees in the business is key to our success. We endeavour to source and retain 
the highest calibre employees from a wide range of backgrounds. The business is organised into a number of 
business teams based on sector with each team leader empowered to run their operations within the operating 
framework  of  the  Group.  The  policy  of  providing  employees  with  information  about  the  Group  has  been 
continued and employees are always encouraged to present their own suggestions and views. 

The Group is committed to the principles of hiring based purely on individual merit and is committed to equal 
opportunities. 

The Group gives full and fair consideration to applications for employment from disabled persons where the 
requirements of the job may be adequately covered by a disabled person. 

The Group has embraced the Government‟s policy on Stakeholder Pensions and made available schemes open 
to all employees. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Report of the Directors for the year ended 31 March 2012 

Policy and practice on payment of creditors 

The Group agrees payment terms with each of its major suppliers and seeks to abide by these terms, subject to 
satisfactory  performance  by  the  supplier.    Trade  creditors  for  the  Group  at  the  year  end  represent  35  days 
average purchases (2011: 34 days).  The Company makes no trade purchases. 

Environmental policy 

The Group recognises its responsibilities for the environment and gives due consideration to the possible effects 
of  its  activities  on  the  environment.    As  such  our  main  environmental  impact  comes  from  the  running  of  our 
businesses generating carbon emissions through the consumption of gas and electricity, transport activities and 
commuting,  as  well  as  office  based  waste  such  as  paper  and  toners.  We  do  not  consider  that  the  Group‟s 
activities have a major effect on the environment.  However, it is the Group‟s aim to reduce the environmental 
impact of its activities and to operate in an environmentally responsible manner.  We are, therefore, committed 
to the following principles to ensure the business operates in an environmentally sensitive manner: 

  Encouraging the re-use and re-cycling of products and waste from our offices 
  Ensuring efficient use of materials and energy 
  Purchasing environmentally friendly materials where appropriate. 

Charitable and Political Donations 

During the year, the Group supported the charity ELIFAR with a number of employees donating their time to 
support  initiatives.  This  year  we  also  allowed  employees  the  opportunity  to  be  involved  in  activities  with  a 
charity, community or environmental cause and allowed them to take two working days out of the office in order 
“to give something back”. In addition the Group made charitable donations of £7,755 (2011: £7,099).   
The group made no political donations during the year (2011: £Nil). 

Going concern 

At 31 March 2012 the Group had a net cash position of £2.82m (2011: £3.03m). The Directors have prepared 
cash flow forecasts for a  period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements. 
After reviewing these forecasts and having  made the  appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future. The Group 
continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.  

Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance 

The Company maintains liability insurance for the Directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries. 

Disposal of Harper Craven Associates Limited 

Harper Craven Associate‟s Limited („HCA‟) made small losses in the year and for the foreseeable future it 
expected to continue to make losses.  As a consequence on the 29 March 2012 the Company disposed of the 
entire issued share capital of „HCA‟ for a consideration of £2. 

Capital Structure 

Details of the authorised and issued share capital are shown in note 17. The Company has one class of ordinary 
shares which carry no right to fixed income and which represents 100% of the total issued nominal value of all 
share capital. Each share carries the right to one vote at general meetings of the Company. 

Details of employee share schemes are set out in note 17.  

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Report of the Directors for the year ended 31 March 2012 

Ordinary and Special business for the annual general meeting  

The notice of the meeting contains Ordinary and Special Resolutions to be proposed at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting to be held on Tuesday 26 June 2012.  The Special Business is detailed below. 

Allotment of shares 

The  Companies  Act  2006  provides  that  the  Directors  of  the  Company  may  only  allot  unissued  shares  if  they 
have  the  authority  of  shareholders  or  the  Articles  of  Association  to  do  so.    Approval  of  shareholders  will 
therefore be sought in resolution 6 to grant authority to allot shares up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount 
of £402,200.  This amounts to 4,022,000 shares or approximately 33.33 per cent of the total share capital in issue 
as at 31 May 2012. 

Except for the issue of shares held under an existing Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme, details of which 
are set out in note 17 of these accounts the  Directors have no intention, at present, of issuing any part of that 
capital and no issue will be made which will effectively alter control of the company without the prior approval 
of shareholders in general meeting. 

In  addition,  the  Companies  Act  2006  gives  shareholders  statutory  rights  of  pre-emption,  whereby  any  shares 
issued  for  cash  must  be  offered  to  existing  shareholders  pro-rata  to  their  respective  holdings.    Assuming  the 
board is granted the  authority to issue new shares by shareholders, authority will be sought in resolution  7 to 
allot shares for cash up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £60,350 representing 603,500 shares, being 
approximately  5  per  cent  of  the  issued  ordinary  share  capital  of  the  Company,  to  persons  other  than  existing 
shareholders  as  if  the  statutory  pre-emption  rights  did  not  apply.    The  authorities  granted  by  the  relevant 
resolutions  will  expire  on  the  earlier  of  26  September  2013  and  the  conclusion  of  the  next  Annual  General 
Meeting of the Company. 

Market purchases of own shares 

Resolution  8  will  be  proposed  as  a  special  resolution  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  and,  if  approved,  will 
give the Company authority to make market purchases of its own shares out of the distributable profits of the 
Company.    The  Directors  propose  that  the  Company  should  be  authorised  to  purchase  a  maximum  of 
1,206,650 ordinary shares of 10p each, equivalent to approximately 10 per cent of the current ordinary shares 
in issue.  On such purchase, such ordinary shares will be cancelled or held in treasury. 

The effect of any purchases will be to reduce the number of shares in issue. In recognition that current market 
conditions are  challenging and that  liquidity  for  dealing  in  the  Company‟s  shares  is  constrained,  within  the 
limits  of  the  resolution  dealing  with  the  purchase  of  its  own  shares  at  the  forthcoming  resolution  (if  duly 
passed  by  shareholders)  and  with  an  aggregate  consideration  not  exceeding  £250,000  the  Company  plans, 
from time to time, to purchase its shares in the market and to cancel them or held in treasury.  

If the Board exercises the authority conferred by Resolution 8 the Company will have the option of holding 
repurchased shares in treasury. 

The full exercise of all options outstanding at the date of the notice of meeting may require the issue of up to 
860,479 ordinary shares.  This represents 7.23 per cent of the Company‟s issued share capital if the proposed 
authority to purchase the Company‟s own shares has been obtained and exercised in full (in each case at the 
date of notice of the Annual General Meeting). 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Report of the Directors for the year ended 31 March 2012 

Statement as to disclosure of information to auditors 

Each of the persons who are Directors at the time when this report is approved has confirmed that: 
 (a) so far as each Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company‟s auditors 
are unaware; and 
(b) each Director has taken all steps that ought to have been taken as a Director in order to be aware of any 
information needed by the company‟s auditors in connection with preparing their report and to establish that 
the company‟s auditors are aware of that information. 

Auditor 

Crowe  Clark  Whitehill  LLP  have  expressed  their  willingness  to  continue  in  office  and  a  resolution  to 
re-appoint  them  as  auditor  and  authorising  the  Directors  to  set  their  remuneration  will  be  proposed  at  the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 

By order of the Board 

Chris Heayberd 
Finance Director 
31 May 2012 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  Directors'  Report,  Directors'  Remuneration  Report  and  the 
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the 
directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU and applicable law. 

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

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

  make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

state  whether  applicable  accounting  standards  have  been  followed,  subject  to  any  material  departures 
disclosed and explained in the financial statements;  

  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the 

company will continue in business. 

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

They are further responsible for ensuring that the Report of the Directors and other information included in 
the  Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  is  prepared  in  accordance  with  applicable  law  in  the  United 
Kingdom. 

The maintenance and integrity of the Prime People plc web site is the responsibility of the Directors; the work 
carried out by the auditors does not involve the consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors 
accept  no  responsibility  for  any  changes  that  may  have  occurred  in  the  accounts  since  they  were  initially 
presented on the website.  

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of the accounts and the other 
information included in annual reports may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Corporate Governance  

Statement by the Directors on compliance with the Combined Code 

The  Board  of  Directors  has  a  strong  commitment  to  high  standards  of  corporate  governance  integrity  and 
ethics. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) published the new „UK Corporate Governance Code‟ in June 
2010,  replacing  the  „Combined  Code  on  Corporate  Governance‟,  and  in  September  2010  the  Quoted 
Company  Alliance  (QCA)  published  „Corporate  Governance  Guidelines  for  Smaller  Quoted  Companies‟ 
replacing previous guidelines issued in 2004 and 2005. Although as an AIM listed company it is not formally 
required to do so, the Group and has followed the principles of the „UK Corporate Governance Code‟ so far as 
is practicable and appropriate for the nature and size of the Group. The Group supports the recommendations 
on corporate governance of the QCA and has implemented steps to reach compliance. 

A  statement  of  the  Directors‟  responsibilities  in  respect  of  the  financial  statements  is  set  out  on  page  11. 
Below is a brief description of the role of the Board and its Committees, followed by a statement regarding 
the Group‟s system of internal controls. 

The Board and its operation 

The  Board  of  Prime  People  Plc  is the  body  responsible  for  corporate  governance,  establishing  policies  and 
objectives, and reviewing the management of the Group‟s resources 

The Board consists of an executive chairman, Robert Macdonald, two other executive Directors and two non-
executive Directors.  

The non-executive Directors are John Lewis and Simon Murphy. Both receive a fixed fee for their services 
and their interests in the shares of the company are as described on pages 7 and 16 to 17. 

Biographies of the board members appear on page 4. 

The Board meets up to 6 times each year and more frequently where business needs require and the Directors 
receive  monthly  management  accounts  detailing  the  performance  of  the  Group.    The  Board  has  a  general 
responsibility for overseeing all day to day matters of the Company with specific responsibility for reviewing 
trading  performance,  resources  (including  key  appointments),  finding,  setting  and  monitoring  strategy, 
examining  acquisition  opportunities  and  reporting  to  shareholders.    The  non-executive  Directors  have  a 
responsibility to ensure the strategies proposed by the executive  Directors are fully considered and to bring 
their judgment to bear in this role. 

To enable the Board to function effectively and  Directors to discharge their responsibilities, full and timely 
access is given to all relevant information.  In the case of Board meetings, this consists of a comprehensive set 
of papers, including monthly business progress reports and discussion documents regarding specific matters. 

Directors are free to and regularly make further enquiries where they feel it is necessary and they are able to 
take independent professional advice as required at the Company's expense.  This is in addition to the access 
which every Director has to the company secretary. 

The  Board  considers  itself  to  be  a  "small  board",  and  therefore  has  not  set  up  a  separate  Nomination 
Committee.  Appointments to the Board of both executive and non-executive Directors are based on approval 
by the full Board. 

Any  Director  appointed  during  the  year  is  required,  under  the  provisions  of  the  Company's  Articles  of 
Association,  to  retire  and  seek  reappointment  by  shareholders  at  the  next  Annual  General  Meeting.    The 
Articles also require that one-third of the Directors retire by rotation each year and seek reappointment at the 
Annual General Meeting. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Corporate governance  

The Board and its operation (continued) 

The Directors have resolved that they will retire at least once every three years even though not required by 
the Company's Articles. 

The  executive  Directors  abstain  from  any  discussion  or  voting  at  full  board  meetings  on  Remuneration 
Committee  recommendations  where  the  recommendations  have  a  direct  bearing  on  their  own  remuneration 
package.   

Remuneration of non-executive Directors is determined by the Board.  Non-executive Directors abstain from 
discussions concerning their own remuneration. 

The Company publishes a full annual report and financial statements which are available on the Prime People 
website, to shareholders on request and to other parties who have an interest in the Group's performance. 

All shareholders have the opportunity to put questions at the Company's Annual General Meeting. 

Audit Committee 

  The Audit Committee comprises the two non executive  Directors of the Company and is chaired by Simon 
Murphy.  Its  terms  of reference require  it  to  meet  not  less  than  twice each  year and  it  provides a  forum  for 
reporting by the Group‟s auditors. By invitation, the meetings are also attended by the Finance Director. 

  The  Audit  Committee‟s  principal  tasks  are  to  ensure  the  integrity  of  the  Company‟s  Financial  Reporting 
process,  review  the  effectiveness  of  the  Group‟s  internal  controls  including  risk  management,  review  the 
scope  of  the  work  of  the  external  auditors  and  their  independence,  consider  issues  raised  by  the  external 
auditor, review audit effectiveness and review the half-yearly and annual accounts focusing in particular on 
accounting policies and compliance and on areas of management judgement and estimates.  

  Whistleblowing policy 

  The  Company  is  committed  to  maintaining  the  highest  ethical  standards  and  the  personal  and  professional 
integrity  of  its  employees,  suppliers,  contractors  and  consultants.  It  encourages  all  individuals  to  raise  any 
concerns that they may have about the conduct of others in the business or the way in which the business is 
run. The aim of the policy is to ensure that as far as is possible, our employees are able to tell us about any 
wrong doing at work which they believe has occurred or is likely to occur. 

Remuneration Committee 

The  members  of  the  Remuneration  Committee  comprises the  two  non  executive  Directors  of  the  Company 
and is chaired by John Lewis.  

 The  committee  reviews  the  Group  policy  on  the  Executive  Directors‟  remuneration  and  terms  of 
employment,  makes  recommendations  on  this  and  also  approves  the  provision  of  policies  for  the 
incentivisation of senior employees, including share schemes. 

The principal terms of reference of the committee are set out in the Remuneration Report on pages 15 to 17.  
The  report  also  contains  full  details  of  Directors'  remuneration  and  a  statement  of  the  Company's 
remuneration policy.  The committee meets when required to consider all aspects of the executive  Directors' 
remuneration, drawing on outside advice as necessary. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Corporate governance  

Internal controls 

The  Directors are responsible for the Group‟s system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness 
which, by its nature, can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or 
loss. 

  When  undertaking  their  review  the  Directors  have  considered  all  material  controls  including  operational, 

compliance and risk management, as well as financial. 

The Board has assessed the effectiveness of the Group‟s internal control systems for the period 1 April 2011 
to the date of approval of the financial statements and believes it has the procedures in place to safeguard the 
Group‟s assets and to ensure the reliability of information used within the business and for publication. 

Key elements of the system of internal control are as follows: 

Group organisation 
The  Board of  Directors  meets at least six times  a  year  focusing  mainly  on  strategic  issues,  operational  and 
financial performance. The Directors have in place an organisational structure with clearly defined levels of 
responsibility and delegation of authority. 

Annual Business Plan 
The Group has a comprehensive budgeting system with an annual budget approved by the Board. 

Monthly forecasting 
The Group prepares monthly fee income forecasts by individual businesses which are compared to budget. 

Financial Reporting 
Detailed monthly reports are produced showing comparison of results against budget, forecast and the prior 
year  with  performance  monitoring  and  explanations  provided  for  significant  variances.  Any  significant 
adverse variances are examined and remedial action taken where necessary. 

Capital Expenditure 
Capital expenditure requests are reviewed by the Board. Appropriate due diligence work will be carried out if 
a business is to be acquired. 

Risk Management 
The  Directors  and  operating  company  management  have  a  clear  responsibility  for  identifying  risks  facing 
each of the businesses and for putting in place procedures  to mitigate and monitor risks. Risks are assessed 
during the annual budget process, which is monitored by the Board, and the ongoing Group strategy process. 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Remuneration report 

The Remuneration Committee meets not less than twice a year and comprises John Lewis and Simon Murphy. 
The Committee is chaired by John Lewis.  

The purpose of the Remuneration Committee is to review, on behalf of the Board, the remuneration policy for 
the Chairman, Executive Directors and other Senior Executives and to determine the level of remuneration, 
incentives  and  other  benefits, compensation  payments  and terms  of  employment  of the  Executive  Directors 
and other Senior Executives. It seeks to provide a remuneration package that strongly aligns the interests of 
Executive Directors with those of shareholders. 

Remuneration policy 

The main aim of the Committee is to attract, retain and motivate high calibre individuals with a remuneration 
package comprising of basic salary, incentives and rewards which are linked to the overall performance of the 
Group and which are comparable to pay levels in companies of similar size and in similar business sectors. 

The Executive Chairman and Managing Director have service contracts which contain a notice period of one 
year  which  are  terminable  by  either  party  giving  one  years  notice.  The  service  contracts  also  contain 
restrictive  covenants  preventing  the  Executive  Directors  from  competing  with  the  Group  for  one  year 
following  the  termination  of  employment  and  preventing  both  Directors  from  soliciting  key  employees, 
clients and candidates of the employing Group and Group companies for 12 months following termination of 
employment. There are no provisions for liquidated damages on the early termination of any of the Directors‟ 
service contracts nor provisions for mitigating damages. 

The Finance Director has a service contract which contains a notice period of 3 months which is terminable 
by either party giving 3 months notice. The service contract also contains restrictive covenants preventing him 
from competing with the Group for 3 months following the termination of employment and preventing him 
from  soliciting  key  employees,  clients  and  candidates  of  the  employing  Group  and  Group  companies  for  3 
months  following  termination  of  employment.  There  are  no  provisions  for  liquidated  damages  on  the  early 
termination of any of the Directors‟ service contracts nor provisions for mitigating damages. 

Both  Non-Executive  Directors  have  letters  of  appointment  which  entitle  either  party  to  give  three  months 
notice.  The  remuneration  of  the  Non-Executive  Directors  is  determined  by  the  Board.  The    Non-Executive 
Directors do not receive any pension or other benefits, other than out of pocket expenses, from the Group, nor 
do they participate in any bonus schemes. 

The remuneration agreed by the Committee for the Executive Directors contains some or all of the following 
elements: a base salary and benefits, an annual bonus reflecting Group and individual performance and share 
options. 

Base Salary and benefits  

The Committee establishes salaries and benefits by reference to those prevailing in the employment  market 
generally for Executive Directors of companies of comparable status and market value. Reviews of such base 
salary and benefits are conducted annually by the committee. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Remuneration report 

Emoluments of Directors  

The  aggregate  emoluments  of  Directors  who  served  during  the  period  is  shown  in  the  table  below.  
Emoluments  include  management  salaries,  fees  as  Directors,  pension  payments  and  taxable  benefits.  
Emoluments shown are in respect of each Director's period in office during the year as a  Board member of 
Prime People Plc and includes emoluments from the Company and its subsidiary undertakings.  

Salaries and 
fees 

Pensions 
(Note1) 

Benefits 

Year ended 

31 March 
2012 
Total  

31 March 
2011 
Total 

Executive Chairman 

£ 

R J G Macdonald 

104,363 

Executive Directors 

P H Moore (Note 2)  

167,571 

£ 

- 

- 

£ 

£ 

£ 

5,521 

109,884 

103,497 

9,419 

176,990 

168,472 

C I Heayberd 

104,214 

13,279 

3,635 

121,128 

153,752 

Non-Executive Directors 

J H J Lewis 

S J Murphy 

12,731 

17,731 

- 

- 

- 

- 

12,731 

16,831 

17,731 

16,831 

406,610 

13,279 

18,575 

438,464 

459,413 

Notes to the emoluments:  
1 - Pension payments made to Chris Heayberd represent salary payments sacrificed in to his personal pension plan.  
2 - Peter Moore is the highest paid Director 
3 - Benefits include items such as medical and travel allowance, 
4 - The Group does not operate a defined benefit pension scheme. 

Share option schemes 

During 2012 no share options were granted to Executive Directors.  On 14 September 2011 Chris Heayberd 
exercised  184,234  employee  share  options  under  the  terms  of  the  company‟s  Enterprise  Management 
Incentive share option scheme.  The options were satisfied by transferring 59,234 ordinary shares of 10p from 
its treasury account and by issuing 125,000 ordinary shares of 10p in the company.  Following this exercise of 
the share options the company purchased 59,234 shares from Chris Heayberd at a price of 68 pence per share.  
These shares are held in the company‟s treasury account.  As at 31 March 2012 Director‟s options on ordinary 
shares  of  10p  each  granted  under  the  Prime  People  Enterprise  Management  Incentive  Scheme,  were  as 
follows: 

Director 

Year of issue  Granted   Exercise Price 

Earliest exercise date 

Simon Murphy 

2005/6 

184,234 

57.5p 

15 May 2007 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Remuneration report 

Performance criteria 

The performance criteria on Directors share options are as follows: 

Options issued in 2005/6: 

Options vested in full on the acquisition of Macdonald & Company Group Limited 

Annual resolution 

Shareholders  will  be  given  the  opportunity  to  approve  the  Remuneration  report  at  the  Annual  General 
Meeting. 

John Lewis 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
31 May 2012 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Independent Auditors’ report  

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Prime People plc 

We have audited the financial statements of Prime People plc for the year ended 31 March 2012 which 
comprise Group and Parent Company Statements of Financial Position, the Group Statements of 
Comprehensive Income, the Group and Company Cash Flow Statements, the Group and Parent Company 
Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes. 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and, as regards the 
parent company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 
2006. 

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

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors 

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

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 

An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient 
to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused 
by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the 
company's circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of 
significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall presentation of the financial 
statements. 

In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Directors‟ Report and any other 
surround information to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements. If we become 
aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report 

Opinion on financial statements 

In our opinion: 

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group‟s and of the parent 
company's affairs as at 31 March 2012 and of the group„s profit for the year then ended; 

the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by 
the European Union; 

the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as 
adopted by the European Union as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 
2006; and  

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

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Independent Auditors’ report (continued) 

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 

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

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 

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

adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our 
audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or 

the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; 
or 

certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or 

  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

Matthew Stallabrass 
Senior Statutory Auditor 
For and on behalf of 
Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP 
Statutory Auditor 
St Brides House 
10 Salisbury Square 
London 
EC4Y 8EH 

31 May 2012 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income  
for the year ended 31 March 2012 

Note 

2, 3 

2, 3 

4 

7 

9 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Net fee income 
Administrative expenses 

Operating profit 

Finance income 
Finance expense 

Profit before taxation 

Income tax expense 

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive loss 

Foreign currency exchange differences 

Total comprehensive income for the 
year 

Attributable to: 

Equity shareholders of the parent 

Earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share 
Diluted 

The above results relate to continuing operations 

20 

Year ended 

31 March  
2012 
£’000 

31 March 
2011 
£’000 

12,652 
(4,626) 

13,953 
(5,913) 

8,026 
(7,096) 

8,040 
(7,031) 

930 

1,009 

21 
(3) 

948 

(268) 

19 
(7) 

1,021 

(325) 

680 

696 

(9) 

(55) 

671 

641 

671 

641 

5.72p 
5.58p 

5.86p 
5.65p 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity  
For the year ended 31 March 2012 

Called 
up 
share 
capital 
£’000 

Capital 
Redemp- 
tion 
reserve 
£’000 

Treasury 
shares 

Share 
premium 
account 

Merger 
reserve 

Share 
option 
reserve 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

Foreign 
currency 
trans- 
lation 
£’000 

Retained 
earnings 

Total 

£’000 

£’000 

At 1 April 2010 

1,194 

9 

(9) 

7,095 

173 

77 

468 

4,525 

  13,532 

Total 
comprehensive 
income for the 
year 

Adjustment in 
respect of share 
schemes 

Shares 
purchased for 
treasury 

Dividend 

At 31 March 
2011 

Total 
comprehensive 
income for the 
year 

Issue of ordinary 
shares 

Adjustment  in 
respect of share 
schemes 

Shares 
purchased for 
treasury 

Dividend 

At 31 March 
2012 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(30) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(55) 

696 

641 

31 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

6 

37 

- 

(30) 

(387) 

(387) 

1,194 

9 

(39) 

7,095 

173 

108 

413 

4,840 

  13,793 

- 

13 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(130) 

- 

- 

14 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(27) 

- 

- 

(9) 

680 

671 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

27 

47 

20 

- 

(130) 

(487) 

(487) 

1,207 

9 

(169) 

7,109 

173 

81 

404 

5,080 

13,894 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Consolidated statement of financial position  
As at 31 March 2012 

Assets 
Non – current assets 
  Goodwill 
  Property, plant and equipment 
  Deferred tax asset 

Current assets 
  Trade and other receivables 
  Cash at bank and in hand 

Total assets 

Liabilities 
Current liabilities 
  Financial liabilities 
  Trade and other payables 
  Current tax liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 
  Financial liabilities – borrowings 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

2012 
£’000 

9,769 
195 
2 

9,966 

2,920 
2,831 

5,751 

2011 
£’000 

9,769 
258 
26 

10,053 

2,956 
3,104 

6,060 

15,717 

16,113 

7 
1,711 
105 

1,823 

- 

1,823 

56 
2,045 
198 

2,299 

21 

2,320 

13,894 

13,793 

Note 

11 
10 
13 

14 
21 

15 
16 

15 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Consolidated statement of financial position  
As at 31 March 2012  

Note 

2012 
       £’000 

Capital and reserves attributable to the  
company’s equity holders 
Called up share capital 
Capital redemption reserve fund 
Treasury shares 
Share premium account 
Merger reserve 
Share option reserve 
Currency translation reserve 
Retained earnings 

17 
18 
18 
18 
18 
18 
18 
18 

1,207 
9 
(169) 
7,109 
173 
81 
404 
5,080 

2011 
£’000 

1,194 
9 
(39) 
7,095 
173 
108 
413 
4,840 

Total equity 

13,894 

13,793 

The financial statements on pages 20 to 54 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue 
on 31 May 2012 and are signed on its behalf by: 

R J G Macdonald 

C I Heayberd 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Company statement of financial position  
As at 31 March 2012 

Assets 
Non-current assets 

Investment in subsidiaries 
  Property, plant and equipment 
  Deferred tax asset 

Current assets 
  Trade and other receivables 
  Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Liabilities 
Current liabilities 
  Financial liabilities – borrowings 
  Other payables 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Note 

12 
10 
13 

14 
21 

16 

2012 
£’000 

10,876 
- 
1 

10,877 

352 
2,076 

2,428 

2011 
£’000 

10,876 
1 
1 

10,878 

119 
2,420 

2,539 

13,305 

13,417 

7 
58 

65 

65 

29 
97 

126 

126 

13,240 

13,291 

Capital and reserves attributable to the company’s equity holders 
  Called up share capital 
  Capital redemption reserve fund 
  Treasury shares 
  Share premium account 
  Merger reserve 
  Share option reserve 
  Retained earnings 

17 
18 
18 
18 
18 
18 
18 

1,207 
9 
(169)   
7,109 
173 
32 
4,879 

1,194 
9 
(39) 
7,095 
173 
47 
4,812 

Total equity 

13,240 

13,291 

The financial statements of Prime People Plc, company Number 1729887 were approved by the Board and 
authorised for issue on 31 May 2012 and are signed on its behalf by: 

R J G Macdonald  

C I Heayberd 

24 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Company statement of changes in equity  
For the year ended 31 March 2012 

Company 

Called 
up 
share 
capital 
£’000 

Capital 
Redemp- 
tion 
reserve 
£’000 

At 1 April 2010 

1,194 

Total 
comprehensive 
income for the 
year 

Shares 
purchased for 
treasury 

Adjustment in 
respect of share 
scheme 

Dividend 

At 31 March 
2011 

Total 
comprehensive 
income for the 
year 

Issue of 
ordinary share 

Shares 
purchased for 
treasury 

Adjustments in 
respect of share 
schemes 

Dividend 

At 31 March 
2012 

Treasury 
shares 

Share 
premium 
account 

Share 
option 
reserve 

Other 
reserve 

Retained 
earnings 

Total 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

(9) 

7,095 

37 

173 

4,463  12,962 

- 

(30) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

10 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

736 

  736 

- 

- 

30 

10 

(387) 

(387) 

9 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,194 

9 

(39) 

7,095 

47 

173 

4,812 

13,291 

- 

13 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(130) 

- 

- 

- 

(15) 

14 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

537 

  522 

- 

27 

- 

  (130) 

17 

17 

(487) 

  (487) 

1,207 

9 

(169) 

7,109 

32 

173 

4,879 

13,240 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Group and company cash flow statement 
For the year ended 31 March 2012 

Cash generated from 
underlying operations 

Income tax paid 
Income tax received  

Net cash from/(used by) 
operating activities 

Cash flows from investing 
activities 
Interest received 
Net purchase of property, 
plant and equipment 
Dividend received 

Net cash (used in)/from 
investing activities  

Cash flows from financing 
activities  
Repayment of borrowings 
Capital element of hire 
purchase obligations 
Issue of ordinary share capital 
Purchase of own shares 
Treasury shares 
Dividend paid to shareholders 
Interest paid 

Net cash used in financing 
activities  

Net increase in cash and 
cash equivalents  

Cash and cash equivalents at 
beginning of the year 

Exchange loss on cash and 
cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at 
the end of the year 

Note 

20 

Group 
Year ended 

Company 
Year ended 

31 March 
2012 
£’000 

31 March 
2011 
£’000 

31 March 
2012 
£’000 

31 March 
2011 
£’000 

775 

1,577 

(203) 

(340)   
3 

(229)   
1 

(51)   
- 

236 

(3) 
- 

438 

1,349 

(254) 

233 

21 

(60) 
- 

19 

(169) 
- 

21 

- 
500 

18 

- 
645 

(39) 

(150) 

521 

663 

- 

(25) 
27 

(130)   
(487)   
(3)   

(280)   

25 
- 
- 
(30)   
(387)   
(7)   

- 

- 
27 
- 
(130)   
(487)   
- 

(280) 

- 
- 
- 
(30) 
(387) 
(2) 

(618) 

(679) 

(590) 

(699) 

(219) 

520 

(323) 

197 

3,052 

2,587 

2,392 

2,195 

(9) 

(55) 

- 

- 

2,824 

3,052 

2,069 

2,392 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

1   Nature of operations 

Prime People Plc („the Company‟) and its subsidiaries (together „the Group‟) is an international recruitment 
services organisation with offices in the United Kingdom, the Middle East, South Africa and the Asia Pacific 
region  from  which  it  serves  an  international  client  base.  The  Group  offers  both  permanent  and  contract 
specialist recruitment consultancy for large and medium sized organisations.  

The  company  is  a  public  limited  company  which  is  quoted  as  an  AIM  company  and  is  incorporated  and 
domiciled in  the  UK. The  address  of  the registered  office  and  the  principal  place  of  business  is  40a  Dover 
Street, London W1S 4NW. The registered number of the Company is 1729887. 

2   Summary of significant accounting policies 

Basis of preparation 

The  financial  statements  of  Prime  People  plc  consolidate  the  results  of  the  Company  and  all  its  subsidiary 
undertakings.  As  permitted  by  Section  408  of  the  Companies  Act  2006,  the  profit  and  loss  account  of  the 
Company has not been included as part of these financial statements. The amount of profit after tax and before 
dividends dealt with in the financial statements of the parent is £537,458 (2011: profit £735,794). The financial 
statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. 

The  consolidated  financial  statements  of  Prime  People  Plc  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as endorsed by the European Union and also comply with IFRIC 
interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to Companies reporting under IFRS. The consolidated 
financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention modified as necessary so as to 
include any items at fair value, as required by accounting standards.   

The accounting polices applied by the Group in these consolidated financial statements are the same as those 
applied  by  the  Group  in  its  consolidated  financial  statements  as  at  and  for  the  year  ended  31  March  2011 
except as described below.  

To ensure consistency of treatment with the current year a number of comparatives  on segment reporting in 
note 3 have been adjusted from those disclosed in the prior years financial statements. In the opinion of the 
Directors none of the amendments are material and none represent a change in accounting policy. There has 
been no change to the reported result or net assets from the prior year. 

International Accounting Standards (IAS/IFRS) and Interpretations not adopted 

At  the  date  of  authorisation  of  these  financial  statements  the  following  Standards  and  Interpretations,  that 
have not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue but not yet effective: 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (Effective 1 January 2013)* 

IFRS1 Amendments Severe Hyperinflation and Removal of Fixed Dates for First Time Adopters (effective 1 
July 2011) 

Amendment to IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements (effective 1 January 2013)* 

Amendment to IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (effective 1 January 2013)* 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

International Accounting Standards (IAS/IFRS) and interpretations not adopted (continued) 

IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements (effective 1 January 2013)* 

IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements (effective 1 January 2013)* 

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities (effective 1 January 2013)* 

IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement (effective 1 January 2013)* 

Disclosures – Transfers of Financial Assets – Amendments to IFRS 7 (effective 1 July 2011)* 

Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets – Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes (effective 1 January 
2012)* 

*To be approved by the European Union 

The  Directors  anticipate  that  the  adoption  of  the  above  Standards  and  interpretations  in  future  periods  will 
have little or no impact on the financial statements of the Group when the relevant Standards come into effect 
for periods commencing in or after 31 March 2012.  

Consolidation 

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.  Subsidiaries  are  fully 
consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are de-consolidated from the 
date that control ceases.  

Business  combinations  are  accounted  for  using  the  acquisition  method  of  accounting.  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, plus costs directly attributable to the acquisition. The excess of the cost of 
acquisition  over  the  fair  value  of  the  Group‟s  share  of  the  identifiable  net  assets  acquired  is  recorded  as 
goodwill.  

Inter-company  transactions,  balances  and  unrealised  gains  on  transactions  between  Group  companies  are 
eliminated  in  preparing  the  consolidated  financial  statements.  Unrealised  losses  are  also  eliminated  in  the 
same way as unrealised gains but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment. 

Accounting  policies  of  subsidiaries  have  been  changed  where  necessary  to  ensure  consistency  with  the 
policies adopted by the Group. 

Going concern 

The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval 
of the financial statements and have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate 
resources  to  continue  in  operational  existence  for  the  foreseeable  future.  Thus,  they  continue  to  adopt  the 
going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

Revenue recognition 

(a) Gross fee income 

Revenue, which excludes value added tax (“VAT”), constitutes the value of services undertaken by the Group 
from its principal activities, which are recruitment consultancy and other ancillary services. These consist of: 

  Revenue from temporary placements, which represents amounts billed for the services of temporary 

staff, including the salary of these staff. This is recognised when the service has been provided; 

  Revenue from permanent placements, which is based on a percentage of the candidate‟s remuneration 
package and is derived from both retained assignments (income recognised on completion of defined 
stages of work) and non-retained assignments (income recognised at the date an offer is accepted by a 
candidate, a start date has been agreed but employment has not yet commenced). The latter includes 
revenue anticipated but not invoiced at the balance sheet date, which is correspondingly accrued on 
the  balance  sheet  within  prepayments  and  accrued  income.  A  provision  is  made  against  accrued 
income based on past historical experience for possible cancellations of placements prior to, or shortly 
after, the commencement of employment based on past historical experience; and 

  Revenue  from  amounts  billed  to  clients  for  expenses  incurred  on  their  behalf  (principally 

advertisements) is recognised when the expense is incurred. 

Interest  income  is  accrued  on  a  time  basis,  by  reference  to  the  principal  outstanding  and  at  the  effective 
interest rate applicable. 

(b) Cost of sales 

Cost of sales consist of the salary cost of temporary staff and costs incurred on behalf of clients, principally 
advertising costs. 

(c) Net fee income 

Net  fee  income  represents  revenue  less  cost  of  sales  and  consists  of  the  total  placement  fees  of  permanent 
candidates,  the  margin  earned  on  the  placement  of  temporary  candidates  and  the  margin  on  advertising 
income. 

(d) Foreign currency translation 

(i)   Functional and presentation currency 

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 pounds sterling (£), which is the Company‟s functional and presentation 
currency and rounded to the nearest thousand pounds. 

(ii)Transactions and balances 

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at 
the  dates  of  the  transactions.  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. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

(d) Foreign currency translation (continued) 

(iii) Group companies 

The  results  and  financial  position  of  all  the  Group  entities  (none  of  which  has  the  currency  of  a  hyper-
inflationary economy) that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated 
into the presentation currency as follows: 

  assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of 

that balance sheet;  

income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates; and 

  all resulting exchange differences are recognised as a separate component of equity. On consolidation, 
exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign operations, are taken 
to shareholders‟ equity. 

(e) Property, plant and equipment 

All property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation less provisions 
for impairment. Depreciation is provided on all property, plant and equipment using the straight-line method 
at  rates  calculated  to  write  off  the  cost  less  estimated  residual  values  over  their  estimated  useful  lives,  as 
follows: 

  Leasehold improvements over the period of the lease. 
  Furniture, fittings and computer equipment 20% – 33% 
  Motor vehicles 20% – 33% 

The gain or loss arising on disposal or retirement of an asset is determined by comparing the sales proceeds 
with the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised as income. 

(f) Intangible assets 

(i)  Goodwill 

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group‟s share of the net 
identifiable assets of the acquired subsidiary/associate at the date of acquisition. Goodwill on acquisitions of 
subsidiaries is included in „intangible assets‟.  

As permitted by the exception in IFRS1 „First time adoption of International Reporting Standards‟, the Group 
has  elected  not  to  apply  IFRS3  „Business  combinations‟  to  goodwill  arising  on  acquisition  that  occurred 
before the date of transition to IFRS.  

Separately  recognised  goodwill  is  tested  annually  for  impairment  and  carried  at  cost  less  accumulated 
impairment  losses.  Impairment  losses  on  goodwill  are  not  reversed.  Determining  whether  goodwill  is 
impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash-generating units to which goodwill has been 
allocated. The value in use calculation requires the entity to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise 
from the cash generating unit and a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value. 

(ii) Computer software 

Computer software acquired by the Group is stated at cost. These costs are amortised using the straight-line 
method over their estimated useful economic lives (33% per annum).  

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

(g) Impairment of assets 

Assets that have an indefinite useful economic life are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for 
impairment. Assets that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised 
for the amount by which the asset‟s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount 
is  the  higher  of  an  asset‟s  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell  and  value  in  use.  For  the  purposes  of  assessing 
impairment,  assets  are  grouped  at  the  lowest  levels  for  which  there  are  separately  identifiable  cash  flows 
(cash-generating units).  

(h) Taxation 

The tax expense represents the sum of the current tax expense and deferred tax expense. 

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported 
in the income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other 
years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group‟s liability for current tax is 
calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date. 

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between 
the  tax  bases  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  carrying  amounts  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements. 
Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially enacted by 
the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the 
deferred income tax liability is settled. 

Deferred income  tax assets  are  recognised  to  the  extent  that it is  probable that  future  taxable  profit  will  be 
available against which the temporary differences can be utilised. 

(i) Leased assets and obligations 

Where  assets  are  financed  by  leasing  arrangements  that  give  rights  approximating  to  ownership  (finance 
leases), the assets are treated as if they had been purchased outright. The amount capitalised is the lower of 
fair  value  or  the  present  value  of  the  minimum  lease  payments  payable  during  the  lease  term,  The 
corresponding  lease  commitments  are  shown  as  obligations  to  the  lessor.  The  property,  plant  or  equipment 
acquired under finance leases is depreciated over the shorter of the asset‟s useful life and the lease term. 

Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and reduction in lease obligations so as to achieve a 
constant  rate  of  interest  on  the  remaining  balance  of  the  liability.  Finance  charges  are  charged  directly  to 
income. 

All  other  leases  are  operating  leases  and the annual rentals are charged  to  profit  and  loss  on  a  straight line 
basis over the lease term. 

The benefit of rent free periods received for entering into a lease is spread evenly over the lease term. 

(j) Pension costs 

The Group does not operate a pension scheme for employees but makes contributions to the personal defined 
contribution  pension  plan  of  one  Director.  The  pension  costs  charged  to  profit  represent  the  contributions 
payable by the Group during the year. 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

(k) Segmental reporting 

IFRS8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports that are regularly reviewed 
by the Managing Director to allocate resources to the segment and to assess their performance. 

(l) Financial assets and liabilities 

Financial assets and liabilities are recognised in the Group‟s balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to 
the  contractual  provision  of  the  instrument.  Non  derivative  financial  instruments  comprise  trade  and  other 
receivables, cash and cash equivalents, loans and borrowing and trade and other payables. 

Trade receivables, loans and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in 
an active market are classified as loans and receivables. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost 
using  the  effective  interest  method,  less  any  impairment.  Interest  income  is  recognised  by  applying  the 
effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the recognition of interest would be immaterial. 

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  include  cash  in  hand,  deposits  held  at  call  with  banks,  other  short  term  highly 
liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are 
shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the balance sheet. 

Trade  payables  are  recognised  initially  at  fair  value.  Other  financial  liabilities  including  borrowings  are 
recognised at fair value net of transaction costs incurred. 

(m) Share-based compensation 

The Group operates equity-settled share-based compensation plans.  

The fair value of the employee services received in exchange for the grant of the options is recognised as an 
expense. The total amount to be expensed over the vesting period is determined by reference to the fair value 
of the options granted, excluding the impact of any non-market vesting conditions (for example, profitability 
and sales growth targets). At the balance sheet date the number of outstanding options is adjusted to reflect 
those options that have been granted during the year or have lapsed in the year. 

(n) Dividend distribution 

A  final  dividend  distribution  to  the  Company‟s  shareholders  is  recognised  as  a  liability  in  the  Group‟s 
financial  statements  in  the  period  in  which  the  dividends  are  approved  by  the  Company‟s  shareholders. 
Interim dividend distributions are recognised in the period in which they are approved and paid. 

(o) Critical accounting estimates and judgements 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting 
estimates and judgements. It also requires management to exercise judgement in the process of applying the 
Company‟s accounting policies.  

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

In particular, information about significant areas of estimation uncertainty and critical judgements in applying 
accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amount recognised in the financial statements 
are described below: 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

(o) Critical accounting estimates and judgements (continued) 

Revenue recognition 

Revenue  from  permanent  placements  is  recognised  when  a  candidate  formally  accepts  an  offer  of 
employment, a start date has been agreed, but employment has not commenced. A „fall-through‟ provision is 
made by management, based on historical experience, for the proportion of those placements where the offer 
of  employment  is  not  taken  up.  Management  have  reviewed  the  past  assumptions  made  with respect to  the 
„fall-through‟ provisions and consider that they remain reasonable. The fall through provision is estimated at 
20.6% of those offers where employment has yet to commence (2011: 23.8%). The Directors consider that a 
change in the range of possible outcomes, or sensitivity, would not have a material impact on the business.    

Goodwill impairment 

The Group‟s determination of whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the 
cash  generating  units  to  which  goodwill  is  allocated.  This  requires  estimation  of  future  cash  flows  and  the 
selection of a suitable discount rate details of which are disclosed in note 11. 

Trade receivables 

There is uncertainty regarding customers who may not be able to pay as their debts fall due.  In reviewing the 
appropriateness  of  the  provisions  in  respect  of  recoverability  of  trade  receivables,  consideration  has  been 
given to the ageing of the debt and the potential likelihood of default, taking into account current economic 
conditions. Details of the total amount of receivables past due and the movement in allowance for doubtful 
debts are disclosed in note 14. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012 

3    Segment reporting  

a)  Revenue and net fee income, by geographical region 

UK 

Asia 

Rest of World 

Revenue 
Year ended 

  Net fee income 
Year ended 

31 March 
2012 
£’000 

31 March  
2011 
£’000 

31 March  
2012 
£’000 

31March  
2011 
£’000 

9,965 

1,801 

886 

11,617 

975 

1,361 

5,339 

1,801 

886 

12,652 

13,953 

8,026 

5,704 

975 

1,361 

8,040 

All revenues disclosed are derived from external customers and are for the provision of recruitment services.  
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group‟s accounting policies described 
in  note  2.    Segment  profit before  taxation  represents the  profit  earned  by  each  segment  after  allocations  of 
central administration costs.  

b)  Revenue and net fee income, by classification 

Permanent 
-UK 
-Asia 
-Rest of World 

Temporary (UK) 

Total 

Revenue 
Year ended 

Net fee income 
Year ended 

31 March 
2012 
£’000 

31 March  
2011 
£’000 

31 March  
2012 
£’000 

31March  
2011 
£’000 

4,763 
1,801 
886 

5,202 

4,925 
975 
1,361 

6,692 

12,652 

13,953 

4,609 
1,801 
886 

730 

8,026 

4,724 
975 
1,361 

980 

8,040 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

3    Segment reporting (continuing) 

c)  Profit before taxation by geographical region 

UK 

Asia 

Rest of World 

Operating Profit 

Net finance income 

Profit before taxation 

Year ended 

31 March 
2012 
£’000 

31 March  
2011 
£’000 

691 

324 

1,120 

96 

(85)    

(207) 

930 

18 

1,009 

12 

948 

1,021 

d)  Segment assets and liabilities by geographical region 

UK 

Asia 

Rest of World 

Total 

  Total non-current assets 

Total liabilities 

31 March  
2012 
£’000 

31March  
2011 
£’000 

31 March  
2012 
£’000 

31March  
2011 
£’000 

9,952 

10,039 

12 

2 

14 

- 

881 

601 

341 

1,955 

108 

257 

9,966 

10,053 

1,823 

2,320 

The analysis above is of the carrying amount of reportable segment assets, liabilities and non-current assets.  
Segment assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment and include income tax assets 
and liabilities.  Non-current asset include property, plant and equipment and computer software. 

Given the increasing importance of operations outside the UK to the group additional segmental information 
has been provided for Asia and Rest of World.  Previously the results of these two segments were combined. 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

4  Profit for the year 

Profit for the year  is arrived at after charging: 

Fees  payable  to  the  company‟s  auditor  for  the  audit  of  the  company‟s  annual 
accounts  

Fees payable to the company‟s auditor and its associates for other services 
- the audit of the company‟s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation  
- tax & other services 

Depreciation  

- owned assets 
- leased assets 

Operating lease rentals  

- land and buildings  
- other operating leases 

Loss/(profit) on disposal of fixed assets 

Exchange rate loss/(gain) 

5   Directors’ emoluments 

Year ended 

31 March  
2012 
£’000 

31 March  
2011 
£’000 

12 

31 
7  

115 
5 

392  
8  

1  

2  

12 

30 
4 

160 
3 

429 
14 

(3) 

(1) 

Short term employee benefits 
Share based payment charge 
Social security contributions 

Highest paid Director: 
Emoluments 

Year ended 

31 March  
2012 
£’000 

31 March  
2011 
£’000 

436 
2 
50 

488  

459 
10 
50 

519 

177  

168 

The Directors are the key management personnel of the group.  There were no post-employment benefits 
provided to key management during the year and no key management exercised any share based payments. 

Details of Directors‟ emoluments and interests, which form part of these financial statements, are provided in 
the Director‟s Remuneration report on pages 15 to 17. 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

6  Employee information 

Group 

The  average  monthly  number  of  employees  of  the  Group  during  the  year, 
including Directors, was as follows: 

Consultants 
Management and administration 
Temporary staff 

Company 

Year ended 

31 March  
2012 
Number 

31 March  
2011 
Number 

73 
25 
10 

64 
25 
11 

108 

100 

Year ended 

31 March  
2012 
Number 

31 March  
2011 
Number 

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

Management 

5 

5 

Staff costs for all employees, including Directors, but excluding temporary staff placed with clients consists 
of:  

Group 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Pension contributions 
Share option charge  

Year ended 

31 March  
2012 
£’000 

31 March  
2011 
£’000 

4,564 
386 
14 
22 

4,542 
387 
40 
37 

4,986 

5,006 

37 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

7  Taxation on profits on ordinary activities 

Analysis of charge in the year 

Current tax 
UK Corporation tax 
UK tax over provided in previous years 

Total current tax 

Deferred tax  
Origination and reversal of temporary differences 

Year Ended 

31 March  
2012 
£’000 

31 March  
2011 
£’000 

231 
13 

297 
- 

244 

297 

24 

28 

Total income tax expense in the income statement 

268 

325 

The tax assessed for the year is equal to that obtained by applying the standard rate of corporation tax in 
the  UK.    Taxation  for  other  jurisdictions  is  calculated  at  the  rates  prevailing  in  the  respective 
jurisdictions. 

Reconciliation of the effective tax rate 

Profit before taxation 

Year Ended 

31 March  
2012 

31 March  
2011 

948 

1,021 

UK  corporation  tax  at  the  standard  rate  of  26%  (2011:  28%)  on  profit  on 
ordinary activities  
Effects of: 
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes  
Capital allowances for the period less than depreciation 
Tax losses not utilised/(utilised) 
Tax rate differences 
Marginal relief 
Overprovision provision in prior years 

246 

25 
(7) 
7 
(40) 
- 
13 

286 

22 
22 
(5) 
2 
(2) 
- 

Tax charge for the year 

244 

325 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

8  Dividends 

Final dividend for 2011: 2.25 pence per share (2010: 1.5 pence per share) 

Interim dividend for 2012: 1.84pence per share (2011: 1.75 pence per share) 

Year ended 

31 March  
2012 
£’000 

31 March  
2011 
£’000 

267 

220 

178 

209 

487 

 387 

The Directors propose to pay a final dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2012 of 2.25 pence per 
share (2011: 2.25 pence per share) which, subject to shareholder approval,  will be paid on 29 June 2012 to 
shareholders who are on the register on 15 June 2012. 

9  Earnings per share 

Earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. 

Fully diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares by 
existing share options assuming dilution through conversion of all existing options. 

Earnings  and  weighted  average  number  of  shares  from  continuing  operations  used  in  the  calculations  are 
shown below. 

Year ended 

31 March 
2012 
£’000 

31 March 
2011 
£’000 

Retained profit for basic and diluted earnings per share 

680 

696 

Weighted average number of shares used for basic earnings per share  
Dilutive effect of share options 

11,890,089 
297,234 

11,883,121 
440,537 

Number  Number 

Diluted weighted average number of shares used for diluted earnings per 
share 

12,187,323 

12,323,657 

Basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 

39 

Pence 

Pence 

5.72p 
5.58p 

5.86p 
5.65p 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

10  Property, plant and equipment 

Group  

Cost 
At 1 April 2010 
Additions 
Disposals  
Exchange difference 

At 1 April 2011 
Additions 
Disposals  
Exchange difference 

At 31 March 2012 

Depreciation  
At 1 April 2010 
Provision for the year 
Disposals  
Exchange rate loss 

At 1 April 2011 
Provision for the year 
Disposals  
Exchange rate gain 

At 31 March 2012 

Net book value  
At 31 March 2012 

At 31 March 2011  

At 31 March 2010 

Total 

£’000 

1,123 
172 
(23) 
(8) 

1,264 
82 
(136) 
1 

1,211 

872 
163 
(22) 
(7) 

1,006 
120 
(111) 
1 

1,016 

195 

258 

251 

Fixtures, 
fittings and 
equipment  
£’000 

Motor 
vehicles 

£’000 

44 
30 
(22) 
(1) 

51 
- 
(30) 
- 

21 

38 
8 
(22) 
(1) 

23 
6 
(8) 
- 

21 

- 

28 

6 

1,079 
142 
(1) 
(7) 

1,213 
82 
(106) 
1 

1,190 

834 
155 
- 
(6) 

983 
114 
(103) 
1 

995 

195 

230 

245 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

10  Property, plant and equipment (continued) 

Company 

Cost 
At 1 April 2010, 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 

Depreciation 
At 1 April 2010 
Provision for the year 

At 1 April 2011 
Provision for the year 

At 31 March 2012 

Net book value 
At 31 March 2012 

At 31 March 2011 

At 31 March 2010 

11   Goodwill 

Cost 
At 1 April 2010, 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 

Fixtures, fittings and equipment 
£’000 

19 

16 
2 

18 
1 

19 

- 

1 

3 

Goodwill 
£’000 

9,769 

The total carrying value of goodwill is £9.77m, which relates to the acquisition of the Macdonald & Company 
group  of  companies  in  January  2006,  has  been tested for  impairment  with  the  recoverable  amount  being 
determined from value in use calculations. 

The value in use is determined through the analysis of the discounted cash flow forecasts based  on financial 
forecasts approved by management which takes account of both past performance and expected future market 
developments.  

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

11   Goodwill (continued) 

The key assumptions in calculating the value in use is that the Group will meet its budgeted growth in net fee 
income of 25% in the year to 31 March 2013 and 5% thereafter and the level of the rate of discounting used of 
7.5%. 

Based upon this analysis the asset has not been impaired since the „recoverable amount‟ (being the greater of 
the net realisable value and the value in use) is in excess of its carrying amount by £1.88m. If the net fee 
income growth rates are reduced to 0% for the year to 31 March 2013  and 3% thereafter an impairment 
charge of £0.25m is shown at a discount rate of 10%. 

12 

Investments  

Company   

Cost 

At 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011 

Disposal in year 

At 31 March 2012 

Amounts provided 

At 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011 

Disposal in year 

At 31 March 2012 

At 1st April 2010, 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 

Shares in  
subsidiary  
undertakings 
£’000 

11,139 

(263) 

10,876 

263 

(263) 

- 

10,876 

On 29 March 2012 the company disposed of the entire issued share capital of Harper Craven Associates 
Limited for a consideration of £2.

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012 

12 

Investments (Continued) 

The  following  are  subsidiary  undertakings  at  the  end  of  the  year  and  have  all  been  included  in  the 
consolidated financial statements: 

Country of 
incorporation 

  Principal  
   activity 

England and Wales 

Holding Company 

England and Wales 

Recruitment 

England and Wales 

Recruitment 

Macdonald & Company 
Group Limited 

Macdonald & Company 
Property Limited 

Macdonald and Company 
Freelance Limited 

Macdonald & Company 
(Overseas) Limited 

England and Wales 

Macdonald & Company Pty Ltd 

Australia 

Macdonald & Company Ltd 

Hong Kong 

Macdonald & Company  
Recruitment Limited 

Hong Kong 

Dormant 

Dormant 

Recruitment 

Dormant 

Ru Yi Consulting Limited 

Hong Kong 

Dormant 

Macdonald & Company  
Recruitment Proprietary Ltd 

South Africa 

Recruitment 

For all undertakings listed above, the country of operation is the same as its country of incorporation. 
The Group holds 100% of all classes of issued share capital. The percentage of the issued share capital held is 
equivalent to the percentage of voting rights for all companies. 

The results for Harper Craven Associates limited up until the date of disposal on the 29 March 2012 has been 
consolidated in the statement of comprehensive income.   

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

13  Deferred tax asset 

Group 

At 1 April 2010  
Charge to income 

At 31 March 2011 
Charge to income 

At 31 March 2012 

Company 

At 1 April 2010, 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 

14  Trade and other receivables 

Current 
Trade receivables 
Allowance for doubtful debts 
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 
Other receivables 
Prepayments and accrued income 

Accelerated 
depreciation 
£’000  

54 
(28)   

26 
(24)   

Total 

£’000 

54 
(28) 

26 
(24) 

2 

2 

Accelerated 
depreciation 
£’000 

1 

Total 

£’000 

1 

   Group  

2012 
£’000 

1,459 

(146)   

140 
1,467 

2011 
£’000 

1,715 
(196)   
- 
187 
1,250 

2,920 

2,956 

Company  

2012 
£’000 

2011 
£’000 

- 
- 
343 
2 
7 

352 

- 
- 
91 
4 
24 

119 

Trade  receivables  are  recognised  initially  at  fair  value.  A  provision  for  impairment  of  trade  receivables  is 
established  when  there  is  evidence  that  the  Group  will  not  be  able  to  collect  all  amounts  due  according  to  the 
original terms of the receivables. An allowance of £146k (2011:£196k) has been made for estimated irrecoverable 
amounts. 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

14  Trade and other receivables (continued) 

The ageing of trade receivables at the reporting date was: 

Gross trade 
receivables 
2012 
£’000 

Provisions 

2012 
£’000 

Gross trade 
receivables 
2011 
£’000 

  Provisions 

2011 
£’000 

Not past due 
Past due 0-30 days 
Past due 30-90 days 
Past due More than 90 days 

924 
384 
102 
49 

3 
68 
55 
20 

673 
794 
124 
124 

1,459 

146 

1,715 

Movement in allowance for doubtful debts: 

1 April 2011 
Impairment losses recognised 
Amounts written off as uncollectable 
Impairment losses reversed 

31 March 2012 

15  Financial Instruments 

Financial assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

2012 
£’000 

196 
93 
(60) 
(83) 

146 

2012 
£’000 

2,920 
2,831 

Note 

14 

- 
70 
7 
119 

196 

2011 
£’000 

250 
111 
(156) 
(9) 

196 

2011 
£’000 

2,956 
3,104 

Cash is held either on current account or on short term deposits at floating rates of interest determined by the 
relevant bank's prevailing base rate.  

5,751 

  6,060 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

15  Financial Instruments (continued) 

Financial liabilities 

Current 
Bank overdraft 
Hire purchase liabilities  

Non-current 
Hire Purchase liabilities  

The maturity of these obligations is as follows: 

Within one year 
Within two to five years 

Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase 
Contracts due within  five years 
Less: future finance charges 

2012 
£’000 

        2011 
£’000 

7 
- 

7 

52 
4 

56 

        2012 
       £’000 

2011 
£’000 

- 

- 

21 

21 

2012 
£’000 

2011 
£’000 

7 
- 

7 

- 
- 

- 

56 
21 

77 

31 
(6) 

25 

The Group's financial liabilities consist of a bank overdraft and hire purchase obligations, both denominated 
in sterling. 

Amounts  due  for  obligations  under  finance  leases  and  hire  purchase  contracts  are  secured  on  the  assets  to 
which they relate. 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

15  Financial Instruments (continued) 

The Group has not renewed its borrowing facilities with Barclays Bank Plc as the Board consider that the net 
cash within the group is sufficient to meet existing and foreseeable liabilities as they fall due.   

There is no material difference between the book values of the group's financial assets and liabilities and their 
fair values. 

The Group does not hold any derivative financial instruments. 

16  Trade and other payables 

Current 
Trade payables 
Other payables 
Taxation and social security 
Accruals and deferred income 

      Group  

    Company  

2012 
£’000 

289 
265 
355 
802 

2011 
£’000 

250 
243 
512 
1,040 

1,711 

2,045 

2012 
£’000 

6 
- 
8 
44 

58 

2011 
£’000 

2 
- 
42 
53 

  97 

Due  to the  short-term  nature  of  the trade and  other  payables, the  Directors  consider  that  the  carrying  value 
approximates to their fair value. 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

17  Share capital 

31 March 2012 

           31 March 2011 

     Number 

£’000 

Number 

        £’000 

ALLOTTED, CALLED UP AND FULLY PAID 
New ordinary shares of 10p each 
At beginning of period 
Shares issued 

  11,941,500 
125,000 

1,194 
- 

  11,941,500 
- 

  12,066,500 

1,207 

  11,941,500 

1,194 
- 

1,194 

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

Capital management disclosure 

The Group manages its capital to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising 
returns to shareholders through the optimisation of debt and equity balances. The Group considers capital to 
be comprised of all the components of equity. There are no externally imposed capital requirements on the 
Group. 

The  Group  manages  the  capital  structure  and  makes  adjustments  to  it  in  the  light  of  changes  to  economic 
conditions and risks. In order to manage capital the Group has continued to consider and adjust the level of 
dividends paid to shareholders and also made purchases of its own shares which are held as Treasury Shares. 
As part of its strategy of seeking to optimise the Group‟s debt and equity balance the Group also considers the 
appropriate level of external borrowing and, as disclosed in Note 15, has taken the decision not to renew its 
borrowing facilities with Barclays Bank. 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

17   Share capital (continued) 

Employee share schemes 

The Company operates two share options schemes and a HM Revenue & Customs SAYE approved scheme. 

Enterprise Management Incentive Share Option Scheme 

At  31  March  2011  the  following  options  had  been  granted  and  remained  outstanding  in  respect  of  the 
Company‟s ordinary shares: 

Year of 
grant 

Exercise 
Price 
Pence 

Exercise 
Period 

Number of 
options 
31 March  
2011 

2005/6 

57.50 

2007-2015* 

184,234 

2008/9 

2009/10 

20.50  2011-2016* 
20.77  2011-2016* 
31.50  2012-2017 
31.50  2014-2019 
42.00  2013-2018 

184,234 
194,000 
40,000 
200,000 
106,000 

Granted 

Exercised 

Cancelled  

Number of 
Options  
31 March 
2012 

-

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

-  

184,234 

(184,234) 
(57,000) 
(25,000) 

(14,000) 

- 
(10,000) 

- 
(20,000) 

- 
127,000 
15,000 
200,000 
72,000 

2011/12 

68.00  2014-2019 

- 

143,000 

- 

143,000 

Total 2012 

908,468 

143,000 

(280,234) 

(30,000) 

741,234 

Weighted  average  exercise  price 
2012 (pence) 

33.48p 

  68.00p 

22.61p 

34.92p 

44.19p 

Total 2011 

879,468 

117,000 

Weighted  average  exercise  price 
2011 (pence) 

33.21p 

  42.00p 

- 

- 

(88,000) 

908,468 

28.45p 

33.48p 

*These options have fully vested 

There were 741,234 options outstanding at 31 March 2012 (2011: 908,468) which had a weighted average 
price per share of 44.19p (2011: 33.48p). The options vest over a period of two to four years conditional upon 
the option holders continued employment with the company. 

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012 

17     Share capital (continued) 

The  conditions  which  give  the  option  holders  the  right  to  exercise  their  options  under  the  EMI  have  been 
achieved.    All the  options granted  during  the  year  have  been  valued  on  a  weighted average  basis  using  the 
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:   

Share price (pence) 
Expected volatility (%) 
Risk-free interest rate (%) 
Expected life of options (years) 

2012 

68.00 
41.00 
4.0 
2 

2011 

42.00 
65.00 
4.0 
2 

Expected volatility was determined by reference to historical volatility of the company‟s share price. 

2001 Employee Share Option Scheme 

There are no share options held under the HM Revenue & Customs approved scheme. 

SAYE Share Scheme 

The  company  operates  a  save  as  you  earn  (SAYE)  scheme  for  the  benefit  of  the  employees  within  the 
company which is administered by Barclays Bank Trust Company Limited. 

On 18 August 2011 all eligible employees within the group were invited to buy shares in Prime People Plc.   

Details are as follows: 

Year of grant 

Exercise 
price 
Pence 

Exercise 
period 

Number of 
options 31 
March 
2011  

Lapsed 

Granted 

Leavers 

Number of 
Options  
31 March  
2012 

2008 
2011 

86.00 
  56.00 

2011 
2014  

58,534 

 (58,534) 

- 
141,358 

- 
(22,112) 

- 
119,246 

Total 2012 

58,534 

(58,534) 

141,358 

(22,112) 

119,246 

Weighted  average  exercise  price  2012 
(pence) 

86.0p 

86.0p 

56.0p 

56.0p 

56.0p 

Weighted  average  exercise  price  2011 
(pence) 

86.0p 

- 

- 

86.0p 

86.0p 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

17    Share Capital (continued) 

There were 119,246 options outstanding at 31 March 2012 which had a weighted average price per share of 
56.0p.  The performance conditions which gives the option holder the right to exercise their options under the 
EMI have been achieved.  All the options granted during the year have been valued on a weighted average 
basis using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:  

Share price (pence) 
Expected volatility (%) 
Risk-free interest rate (%) 
Expected life of options (years) 

2012 

56.00 
20.00 
4.0 
3 

2011 

- 
- 
- 
- 

Expected volatility was determined by reference to historical volatility of the company‟s share price. 

18    Reserves 

Capital redemption reserve fund 

The capital redemption reserve relates to the cancellation of the Company‟s own shares. 

Treasury Shares 

At  31  March  2012,  173,000  shares  were  held  in  treasury  with  a  nominal  value  of  £17,300  (2011:  80,000 
shares with a nominal value £8,000).   

The maximum number of shares held in treasury during the year was  173,000 shares representing 1,43% of 
the called-up ordinary share capital of the company (2011: 80,000 representing 0.7% of the called-up ordinary 
share capital of the Company). 

Share Premium account 

The balance on the share premium account represents the amounts received in excess of the nominal value of 
the ordinary shares. 

Merger reserve 

The merger reserve represents the fair value of the consideration given in excess of the nominal value of the 
ordinary shares issued to acquire subsidiaries.  

Share option reserve 

The  reserve  represents  the  cumulative  amounts  charged  to  profit  in  respect  of  employee  share  option 
arrangements where the scheme has not yet been settled by means of an award of shares to an individual. 

Currency translation reserve 

The  translation  reserve  comprises  all  foreign  exchange  differences  arising  from  translation  of  the  financial 
statements of foreign operations. 

Retained earnings 

The balance held on this reserve is the accumulated retained profits of the Group.

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

19  Operating lease commitments 

As  at  31  March  2012  the  group  was  committed  to  making  the  following  total  payments  in  respect  of  non-
cancellable operating leases: 

Group 

Non-cancellable operating leases which expire: 
Within one year 
Within two to five years 
After five years  

Land and 
buildings 
2012 
£’000 

Other 

2012 
£’000 

Land and  
buildings 
2011 
£’000 

Other 

2011  
£’000 

10 
626 
213 

849 

- 
9 
- 

9 

40 
921 
241 

1,202 

1 
17 
- 

18 

The Group leases various offices under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. The leases have varying 
terms  as  disclosed  above.  The  Group  also  leases  various  plant  and  equipment  under  operating  lease 
agreements with varying terms. 

20  Reconciliation of profit before tax to net cash inflow from operating activities 

Group 
Year ended 

Company 
Year ended 

Profit before taxation 
Adjust for: 
Depreciation 
Share option reserve movement 
Loss/(profit) on sale of plant & equipment 
Net finance income 

31 March 
2012 
£’000 

31 March  
2011  
£’000 

  31 March 
2012 
£’000 

948 

120 
20 
2 
(18) 

1,021 

163 
37 
(3)   
(12) 

57 

1 
2 
- 
(21) 

Operating cash flow before changes in working 
capital 

1,072 

1,206 

39 

Decrease/(increase) in receivables 
(Increase)/decrease payables 

37 
(334)   

(160)   
531 

(232)   
(10)   

  31 March 
2011 
£’000 

119 

2 
10 
- 
(2) 

129 

81 
26 

Cash  generated  from/(used  by)  underlying 
operations 

775 

1,577 

(203) 

236 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

21  Analysis of net cash 

Group 

At 1 April 

  Cash flow 

At 31 March 

Cash at bank and in hand 
Bank overdraft  

Bank loans due within one year 

Obligations under finance lease 
< 1 year 
> 1 year 

Total cash 

Company 

Cash at bank and in hand 
Bank overdraft  

2011     
£’000 

3,104 
(52) 

3,052 

- 

(2) 
(23) 

£’000 

(273)   
45 

2012             
£’000 

2,831 
(7) 

(228)   

2,824 

2 
23 

- 
- 

3,027 

(203)   

2,824 

At 1 April 
2011 
£’000 

2,421 
(29) 

Cash flow 

£’000 

(345) 
22 

At 31 March 
2012  
£’000 

2,076 
(7) 

Total cash 

2,392 

(323) 

2,069 

22  Financial risk management 

The  Board  of  Directors  has  overall  responsibility  for  the  risk  management  policies  that  are  applied  by  the 
business to identify and control the risks faced by the Group. 

The Group has exposure from its use of financial instruments to foreign currency risk, credit risk and liquidity 
risk. 

Foreign currency 

The Group‟s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates 
which  will  impact  on  future  commercial  transactions  and  recognised  assets  and  liabilities  in  foreign 
operations. The principal foreign exchange risk is to the UAE Dirham, Hong Kong Dollar and South African 
Rand. 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notes to the financial statements 
For the year ended 31 March 2012  

22  Financial risk management (continued) 

Foreign currency (continued) 

The Group‟s international operations account for approximately 21 per cent (2011: 17 per cent) of gross fee 
income  and  slightly  less  than  15  per  cent  (2011:  10  per  cent)  of  the  Group‟s  assets  and  consequently  the 
Group has a degree of translation exposure in accounting for overseas operations.  

Currently the Group‟s policy is not to hedge against this exposure but it does seek to minimise this exposure 
by converting into sterling all cash balances in foreign currency that are not required for short term working 
capital monetary needs. 

Credit risk 

The  Group‟s  principal  financial  assets  are  bank  balances  and  trade  receivables.  The  Group‟s  credit  risk  is  
primarily  in  respect  of  trade  receivables.  Credit  risk  refers  to  the  risk  that  a  client  will  default  on  its 
contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. The Group does not have any significant credit 
risk exposure to any individual client.  At the year end no customer represented more than  12% of the total 
balance of trade receivables.   

However, in the current economic climate, there is increased uncertainty regarding customers who may not be 
able  to  pay  as  their  debts  fall  due.  In  reviewing  the  appropriateness  of  the  provisions  in  respect  of 
recoverability  of trade  receivables,  consideration has been  given to the  ageing  of  the debt  and the potential 
likelihood of default, taking into account current economic conditions. 

It is the Directors‟ opinion that no further provision for doubtful debts is required.  

Liquidity risk 

Effective  liquidity  risk  management  requires  maintaining  sufficient  cash  and  or  credit  facilities  to  meet 
forecast  cash  requirements  of  the  Group.  Management  monitors  its  forecasted  cash  flow  requirements  at  a 
Group level based on monthly returns made by the Group‟s operating units. 

Apart  from  one  overdrawn  bank  account  the  Group  has  no  financial  liabilities  other  than  short  term  trade 
payables and accruals as disclosed in note 16, all due within one year of the year end. 

The Group has net funds of £2.8m which the Board consider are more than adequate to meet future working 
capital requirements and to take advantage of business opportunities. 

23  Related party transactions 

Prime  People  Plc  provides  various  management  services to its subsidiary  undertakings.  These  services  take 
the  form  of  centralised  finance  and  operations  support.  The  total  amount  charged  by  the  Company  to  its 
subsidiaries during the year is £281k (2011: £388k). The balance owed by the subsidiary undertakings at the 
year end is £343k (2011: £91k). 

The  Company  also  provides  corporate  guarantees  on  the  subsidiary  bank  accounts.  At  31  March  2012 
amounts overdrawn by subsidiary bank accounts totalled £Nil (2011: £23k).  

The  Directors  receive  remuneration  from  the  Group,  which  is  disclosed  in  the  Directors‟  Remuneration 
Report. As shareholders, the Directors also received dividends  in the year from the Company amounting to 
£288,068 (2011: £227,027). 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Directors and Advisers 

Directors 

        (Managing Director) 

Robert Macdonald    (Executive Chairman) 
Peter Moore 
Chris Heayberd         (Finance Director) 
John Lewis OBE      (Non-Executive Director) 
Simon Murphy          (Non-Executive Director) 

Secretary and registered office 

Chris Heayberd, 40a Dover Street, London, W1S 4NW. 

Registered number 

1729887 

Stockbrokers & Nominated Advisers 

Cenkos Securities Plc, 6.7.8 Tokenhouse Yard, London, EC2R 7AS 

Solicitors 

Eversheds, One Wood Street, London, EC2V 7WS. 

Auditors 

Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP, St Brides House, 10 Salisbury Square, London, EC4Y 8EH 

Principal bankers 

Barclays Bank plc, Corporate Banking, 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP 

Registrars 

Neville Registrars Limited, Neville House, Laurel Lane, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 3DA. 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notice of Annual General Meeting 

Notice  is  hereby  given  that  the  twenty-eighth  Annual  General  Meeting  of  Prime  People  Plc  (the  “Company”)  will  be 
held at 40a Dover Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4NW on Tuesday 26 June 2012 at 11.00am for the following purposes: 
Ordinary Business: 

1.  To  receive  the  Company's  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  31  March  2012  together  with  the  reports  of  the 

directors and auditors thereon. 

2.  To approve the Remuneration Report. 
3.  To  reappoint  Mr  P  H  Moore  as  a  Director,  who  retires  by  rotation  pursuant  to  the  articles  of  association,  and  being 

eligible, offers himself up for reappointment.  

4.  To reappoint Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP as auditors for the ensuing year. 
5.  To authorise the Directors to determine the remuneration of the auditors. 

Special Business: 

6.  To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolution as an ordinary resolution: 

That, in substitution for any existing powers, the Directors be and are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised in 
accordance  with  Section  551  of  the  Companies  Act  2006  ('the  Act')  to  exercise  all  powers  of  the  Company  to  allot 
ordinary shares up to an aggregate nominal amount of £402,200 provided that this authority shall expire at the conclusion 
of  the  Annual  General  Meeting  to  be  held  in  2013 or 15 months  after  the  passing  of  this  resolution  (whichever  is  the 
earlier)  save  that  the  Company  may  before  such  expiry  make  an  offer  or  agreement  which  would  or  might  require 
ordinary shares to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot ordinary shares in pursuance of such an offer 
or agreement as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired. 

7.  To consider, and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolution as a special resolution: 

That, in substitution for all existing powers, under Section 570 of the Act, but without prejudice to the exercise of such 
power prior to the date hereof, the Directors be and are hereby empowered to allot equity securities (as defined in Section 
560(1)  and  560(2)  of  the  Act)  for  cash  pursuant  to  the  authority  conferred  in  accordance  with  Section  551  of  the  Act  
pursuant to Resolution 7 above as if Section 561of the Act did not apply to such allotment provided that this power shall 
be limited: 

a) 

b) 

to  the  allotment  of  equity  securities  in  connection  with  a  rights  issue,  open  offer  or  otherwise  in  favour  of  the 
holders  of  equity  securities  in  proportion  to  their  respective  holdings  of  such  securities  but  subject  to  such 
exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient to deal with legal or practical 
problems in respect of overseas holders, fractional entitlements or otherwise; or 
to  the  allotment  (otherwise  than  pursuant  to  sub-paragraph  (a)  above)  of  equity  securities  up  to  an  aggregate 
nominal amount of £60,350. 

8.  To consider, and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolution as a special resolution: 

That the Company be and is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised for the purposes of section  701 of the Act 
to make one or more market purchases (as defined in section 693 of the Act)) on the AIM Market of the London Stock 
Exchange plc of ordinary shares of 10p each in the capital of the Company provided that: 

a)  The  maximum  aggregate  number  of  new  ordinary  shares  authorised  to  be  purchased  is  1,206,650  (representing 

approximately 10 per cent of the Company‟s current issued ordinary share capital). 

b)  The minimum price which may be paid for such shares is £0.10 per share. 
c)  The maximum price which may be paid for an ordinary share shall not be more than 5 per cent above the average 
of the middle market quotations for a new ordinary share as derived from the London Stock Exchange plc for the 
five business days immediately preceding the date on which the new ordinary share is purchased. 

d)  Unless  previously  renewed,  varied  or  revoked,  the  authority  hereby  conferred  shall  expire  at  the  earlier  of  the 

Company‟s next Annual General Meeting or 18 months from the date of passing this resolution. 

e)  The  Company  may  make  a  contract  or  contracts  to  purchase  new  ordinary  shares  under  the  authority  conferred 
prior  to  the  expiry  of  such  authority  which  will  or  may  be  executed  wholly  or  partly  after  the  expiry  of  such 
authority and may make a purchase of new ordinary shares in pursuance of any such contract or contracts. 

Registered Office                                                                                                   By order of the Board 
40a Dover Street  
London  W1S 4NW  

C I Heayberd  
Secretary 
31 May 2012 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued) 

Notes: 

. 

. 

. 

1. A member entitled to speak, attend and vote at the above meeting convened by the above notice is entitled to appoint a 
proxy to attend, speak and vote in his place. Such proxy need not be a member of the Company. If you wish your proxy 
to speak on your behalf at the meeting you will  need to appoint your own choice of proxy (not the Chairman) and give 
your instructions directly to them. 

2.  A  member  may  appoint  more  than  one  proxy  in  relation  to  the  meeting  provided  that  each  proxy  is  appointed  to 
exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by the member.  A member wishing to appoint more than 
one proxy should photocopy the proxy card and indicate on each copy the name of the proxy he appoints and the number 
of shares in respect of which that proxy is appointed. 

3. A form of proxy is enclosed. The appointment of a proxy will not prevent a Shareholder from subsequently attending 
and  voting  at  the  meeting  in  person,  in  which  case  any  votes  cast  by  the  proxy  will  be  excluded  and  the  proxy 
appointment will automatically be terminated.  In order to revoke a proxy appointment Shareholders will need to inform 
the Company by sending a signed hard copy notice clearly stating the intention to  revoke the proxy appointment to the 
Company's registrars, Neville Registrars Limited, Neville House 18 Laurel Lane Halesowen West Midlands B63 3DA by 
the  time  appointed  for  holding  the  meeting  or  adjourned  meeting,  or  in  the  case  of  a  poll  taken  subsequently  to  the 
meeting or adjourned meeting, by the time appointed for taking the poll.   

4. To be effective the instrument of proxy and the power of attorney or other written authority (if any) under which it is 
signed, or an office or notarially certified copy or a copy certified in accordance with the Powers of Attorney Act 1971 or 
the Enduring Powers of Attorney Act 1986 (or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in 
force) of any such power or written authority must be deposited at the Company's registrars, Neville Registrars Limited, 
Neville House 18 Laurel Lane Halesowen West Midlands B63 3DA, not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for 
holding  the  meeting  or  adjourned  meeting,  or  in  the  case  of  a  poll  taken  subsequently  to  the  meeting  or  adjourned 
meeting, not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for taking the poll.  Where a poll is not taken forthwith but is 
taken less than 48 hours after it was demanded, the instrument of proxy together with any other documents required to be 
deposited shall be deemed to have been deposited if handed to the chairman of the meeting at which the poll is  validly 
demanded at any time prior to the commencement of such meeting and if so delivered the instrument of proxy shall be 
treated as valid. 

5. Directors' service contracts together with a copy of the Rules to the company's Inland Revenue Approved Employee 
Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme and the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting will be available for 
inspection during the Annual General Meeting and for at least 15 minutes before it begins.   

6. In accordance with Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001, only those Shareholders entered 
on  the  Company‟s  register  of  members  not  later  than  48  hours  before  the  time  of  the  meeting  or,  if  the  meeting  is 
adjourned, Shareholders entered on the Company‟s register of members not later than 48 hours before the time fixed for 
the adjourned meeting, will be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.  Changes to entries on the register of members 
after such time on such date will be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and vote at the meeting. 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRIME PEOPLE PLC 

Form of Proxy 

For use at the Annual General Meeting convened for Tuesday 26 June 2012 at 11.00am. 
I/We 

Of        

being (a) member(s) of the above-named Company, hereby appoint the Chairman for the time being of the meeting or* 

as my/our proxy to attend, speak and vote for me/us on my/our behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the Company to 
be held at 40a Dover Street, London, W1S 4NW on Tuesday 26 June 2012 at 11.00am and at any adjournment thereof. 

I/We direct my/our proxy to vote  with an X in the spaces below  on the resolutions set out in the notice convening the 
Annual  General  Meeting  as  follows,  (if  no  indication  is  given,  your  proxy  will  vote  for  or  against  the  resolution  or 
abstain from voting as he thinks fit): 

ORDINARY BUSINESS 

FOR 

AGAINST 

ABSTAIN 

1.  To  approve 

the  Company's  financial 
statements  for  the  year  ended  31  March 
2012  together  with  the  reports  of  the 
directors and auditors thereon. 

2.  To approve the Remuneration Report. 

3.  To reappoint Mr P H Moore as a Director 

4.  To  re-appoint  Crowe  Clark  Whitehill 
LLP as auditors for the ensuing year 
5.  To  authorise  the  directors  to  determine 

the remuneration of the auditors. 

SPECIAL BUSINESS 

6.  To  authorise  the  Directors  to  issue  new 

shares 

7.  To empower the Directors to allot shares 

for cash. 

8.  To  authorise 

the  Directors 

to  make 

market purchases of its own shares. 

If no indication is given, my/our proxy will vote or abstain from voting at his or her discretion and I/we authorise my/our 
proxy to vote (or abstain from voting) as he or she thinks fit in relation to any other matter which is put before the 

meeting. 

Signed this  
__________________________________________________________________________ 

day of  

2012 

Signature 
___________________________________________________________________________ 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
SECOND FOLD 

BUSINESS REPLY SERVICE 
Licence No BM3865 

NEVILLE REGISTRARS LIMITED 
NEVILLE HOUSE 
18 LAUREL LANE 
HALESOWEN 
WEST MIDLANDS 
B63 3BR 

F
I

R
S
T
F
O
L
D

THIRD FOLD AND TUCK IN 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prime People Plc 

Form of Proxy (continued) 

Notes: 

1. If any other proxy is preferred, strike out the words "Chairman of the Meeting" and add the NAME and ADDRESS of 
the proxy you wish to appoint and initial the alteration. The proxy need not be a member. 

2. To appoint more than one proxy you may photocopy this form. Please indicate the proxy holder's name and the 
number of shares in relation to which they are authorised to act as your proxy (which, in aggregate, should not exceed the 
number of shares held by you). Please also indicate if the proxy instruction is one of multiple instructions being given. 
All forms must be signed and should be returned together in the same envelope. 

3. If the appointer is a corporation, this form must be completed under its common seal or under the hand of some officer 
or attorney duly authorised in writing. 

4. The signature of any one of the joint holders will be sufficient, but the names of all the joint holders should be stated. 
In the case of joint holders of a share, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote whether in person or by proxy shall be 
accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the 
order in which the names stand in the register of members in respect of the share. 

5. To be effective this form and the power of attorney or other written authority (if any) under which it is signed, or an 
office or notarially certified copy or a copy certified in accordance with the Powers of Attorney Act 1971 or the Enduring 
Powers of Attorney Act 1986 (or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force) of any 
such power or written authority must be deposited at the Company's registrars, Neville Registrars Limited, Neville House 
18 Laurel Lane Halesowen West Midlands B63 3DA  not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the 
meeting or adjourned meeting, or in the case of a poll taken subsequently  to the meeting or adjourned meeting, not less 
than 24 hours before the time appointed for taking the poll.  Where a poll is not taken forthwith but is taken less than 48 
hours after it was demanded, this form together with any other documents required to be deposited shall be deemed to 
have been deposited if handed to the Chairman of the Meeting at which the poll is validly demanded at any time prior to 
the commencement of such meeting and if so delivered the instrument of proxy shall be treated as valid. 

6. The completion of this form  will not preclude  a  member from attending the  meeting and voting in person in  which 
case any votes cast by the proxy will be excluded and your proxy appointment will automatically be terminated. In order 
to revoke a proxy instruction you will need to inform the Company by sending a signed hard copy notice clearly stating 
the intention to invoke the proxy appointment to the Company's registrars, Neville Registrars Limited, Neville House 18 
Laurel Lane Halesowen West Midlands B63 3DA by the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting, 
or in the case of a poll taken subsequently to the meeting or adjourned meeting, by the time appointed for taking the poll.   

7. Any alteration of this form must be initialled. 

8. In accordance with Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001, only those members entered on 
the Company‟s register of members not later than 48 hours before the time of the meeting or, if the meeting is adjourned, 
Shareholders entered on the Company‟s register of members not later than 48 hours before the adjourned meeting, will 
be  entitled  to  attend  and  vote  at  the  meeting.    Changes  to  entries  on  the  register  of  members  after  such  time  will  be 
disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and vote at the meeting. 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Calendar
Half year results

Full year results

Report and accounts

-

-

-

Announcement November 2012

Announcement June 2013

Posted to shareholders June 2013

Macdonald & Company
40a Dover Street
Mayfair
London
W1S 4NW
T: + (0) 20 7629 7220
F: + (0) 20 7629 3990
www.macdonaldandcompany.com
E: london@macdonaldandcompany.com

Macdonald & Company
Office 206 - 207
Barsha Valley Building
Al Barsha 1
PO Box 282196
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
T: + 971 4 430 9233
www.macdonaldandcompany.ae
E: dubai@macdonaldandcompany.com

Macdonald & Company
16th Floor
1 Duddell Street
Central
Hong Kong
T: + 852 2248 3000
F: + 852 2526 9150
www.macdonaldandcompany.hk
E: hongkong@macdonaldandcompany.com

Principal Addresses

Prime People Plc
40a Dover Street
Mayfair
London
W1S 4NW
T: + (0) 20 7318 1785
F: + (0) 870 442 1737
www.prime-people.co.uk
E: co.sec@prime-people.co.uk

Macdonald & Company
York House
20 York Street
Manchester
M2 3BB
T: + (0) 161 605 0500
F: + (0) 20 7629 7220
www.macdonaldandcompany.co.uk
E: manchester@macdonaldandcompany.com

Macdonald & Company
Design Quarter
Nicol Grove Office Park
The Business Centre
Leslie Road
Fourways, 2055
South Africa
T: + 27 11 513 4020
www.macdonaldandcompany.co.za
E: southafrica@macdonaldandcompany.com

Macdonald & Company
30 Raffles Place
Level 17
Chevron House
Singapore
048622
T: + 852 2248 3000
www.macdonaldandcompany.com
E: singapore@macdonaldandcompany.com

Prime People Plc

40a Dover Street

Mayfair

London W1S 4NW

Tel: 0207 318 1785

Fax: 0870 442 1737