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Quixant Plc

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FY2020 Annual Report · Quixant Plc
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A PlAtform 

for SucceSS

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Annual Report and Accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2020

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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

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We are pioneering 
technology outsource 
partners delivering highly-
specialised products 
focussed on the needs of 
specific global industries 
with particular focus on 
the casino gaming and 
slot machine market.

CONTENTS

StrAteGIc rePort

Highlights  

Chairman’s Statement  

Chief Executive’s Report  

Financial Review  

Business Model and Strategy  

Key Performance Indicators  

Principal Risks  

GoVerNANce

Environment, Social & Governance Report  

Board of Directors 

Remuneration Committee Report 

Audit Committee Report 

Directors’ Report  

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities  
in respect of the annual report and the financial 
statements

fINANcIAl St AtemeNtS 

Independent Auditor’s Report  
to the members of Quixant Plc 

Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and  
other Comprehensive Income

Consolidated and Company Balance Sheets  

Consolidated and Company Statements  
of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated and Company Cash Flow Statements  

Notes to the Financial Statements  

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Strategic
Report

Quixant is a critical supply chain and 
technology partner for major global 
industrial equipment manufacturers. 

our QuIXANt GAmING BuSINeSS designs, develops and manufactures gaming 
platforms and display solutions for the casino gaming and slot machine  
industry. through Quixant, major gaming machine manufacturers have the  
ability to outsource non-differentiating aspects of their machine, including  
the computer platform and low-level software. this enables them to focus  
their r&D resource on game design which is the most critical component to 
improve player enjoyment.

our DeNSItroN BuSINeSS is a global specialist in Human machine Interaction 
bringing innovative displays, control surfaces and control systems to a wide 
range of global industrial markets with particular focus on the Broadcast sector. 
Densitron enables manufacturers of industrial equipment to revolutionise the 
control of their devices with tactile touchscreen displays and user-friendly 
graphical user interfaces driven by flexible embedded computer options.

HIGHLIGHTS

fINANcIAl HIGHlIGHtS

Net cASH At  
31 DecemBer 2020  

$17.4m

(fY 2019: $16.1m)

Net cASH   
from oPerAtING 
ActIVItIeS  of  
$4.0m

(fY 2019: $14.9m)

fullY DIluteD 
ePS of
($0.0445)/
share
(fY 2019: $0.1243/share)

DIVIDeND of
 2.0p

Per SHAre 
recommeNDeD 
(2019: Nil)

GrouP
reVeNue  of 
$63.8m 

(fY 2019: $92.3m)

ADJuSteD fullY  
DIluteD ePS of
($0.0040)/
share
(fY 2019: $0.1396/share)2

GrouP rePorteD 
Pre-tAX loSS of 
$2.0m 

(fY 2019: $9.4m profit)

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

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revenue Split 
Between:

GAMING PLATFORMS 
REVENUE of $27.5m 
(FY 2019: $46.6m)

GAMING MONITORS 
REVENUE of $2.8m 
(FY 2019: $9.6m)

QuIXANt 
GAmING 
DIVISIoN 
reVeNue  of 
$30.3m 

(fY 2019: $56.2m)

DeNSItroN   
DIVISIoN  
reVeNue  of 
$33.5m 

(fY 2019: $36.2m)

GrouP  
ADJuSteD   
Pre-tAX ProfIt  of 
$1.3m 

(fY 2019: $10.7m profit)1

1.   Adjusted by adding back 
items included in the 
adjusted PBT reconciliation 
in note 1 to the financial 
statements totalling $3.3m 
(2019: $1.3m).

2.   Adjusted by adding back 

the items included in note 1 
above and subtracting the 
associated tax effect as set 
out in note 9 to the financial 
statements. In 2020 these 
amounted to $2.7m (2019: 
$1.0m).

 
 
 
 
 
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oPerAtIoNAl HIGHlIGHtS

Close customer engagement 
through the crisis leading to 
positive net cash generation 
through the year. improved 
relationships and increased 
new business potential.

Return to profitability in the 
second half of 2020 driven by 
improved performance in 
Gaming business and 
continued resilient Densitron 
trading.

New gaming business
models arising from market 
disruption due to COVID-19 
bringing about opportunities 
with a pilot customer due to 
commence a lease programme 
of Quixant technology in the 
second half of 2021.

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

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CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

michael Peagram     cHAIrmAN

New gaming business wins
in 2020 expected to 
contribute in excess of $5m 
of revenue in 2021.

Densitron sales supported by 
conversion of pipeline in 
broadcast and medical 
sectors which both showed 
year-on year double digit 
growth to, partially offset 
declines in other sectors.

"

Jon Jayal, 

cHIef eXecutIVe offIcer of QuIXANt, 
commented:

Considering that our key global gaming 
market was so materially impacted in 
2020 due to the pandemic. I believe that 
to report an adjusted profit before tax and 
an improvement in our net cash position 
from FY 2019 is a remarkable achievement. 
It reflects the resilience in our Densitron 
business, the strength of the relationship 
we have with our customers and a robust 
balance sheet entering the year.

2021 has started strongly, with healthy 
order intake such that we now have 106% 
coverage of internal budget for the first half 
of the year. As the gaming industry evolves 

106% order coverage of 
Group internal budget for 
first six months of the year. 

out the crisis, we are bringing pioneering 
new offerings to market which we believe  
will support customers in their recovery.
 It is also pleasing to see double digit growth 
in our Densitron broadcast business despite 
the headwinds caused by the pandemic.  
The electronic component shortages 
present us with short-term supply chain 
risks, but we continue to utilise our strong 
cash position to mitigate the impact of these 
on 2021 trading.

The Board is confident in the future prospects 
of the Group which is reflected in our decision  
to recommend payment of a dividend.

"

Resilient trading through 
unprecedented gaming 
market disruption.

When we reported on our 2019 annual results, many of 
the countries in which the Group operates had moved 
into government mandated lockdown measures and we 
were entering into a second quarter in which we saw an 
unprecedented closure of almost all global land-based 
gaming markets. This had a profound impact on our 
gaming business, which saw an 87% year on year decline 
in revenues in the second quarter of 2020. During this time 
Densitron continued to trade resiliently, supported by its 
highly diversified industrial sector exposure.

Thanks to our preceding years of strong profitability, we 
entered this period of uncertainty with a healthy cash 
balance. This allowed us to make a measured and creative 
response during the tumultuous period that followed, as 
well as positioning us strongly for expected future growth 
as normal trading resumes.

We provided extraordinary support to our gaming 
customers, who faced significant financial and operational 
challenges, some of which continue today. These times 
of crisis have confirmed our position as a close outsource 
technology partner for them which in the long run 
positions us well for new business. It has also provided us 
with the opportunity to re-evaluate and refresh our gaming 
market propositions and align them with the challenges the 
market is facing in the recovery.

We undertook some streamlining of our overheads during 
the year, but importantly avoiding cost reductions which 
would inhibit our ability to take advantage of the re-
emergence of normal demand across our end markets.

We made progress in strengthening the senior 
management team, executing our succession plan for the 
business founders and implementing a new corporate 
governance framework. Having successfully hired senior 
management in the Gaming and Densitron businesses 
over the last 18 months, we have established an Executive 
Committee. As part of this transition, two of the founders, 
Nick Jarmany and Gary Mullins, moved to non-executive 
roles on the board in May 2020 and JJ (C-T) Lin stepped 
down from the board.

In January 2021 we welcomed Francis Small to the board 
as senior independent non-executive director. He has had 
a distinguished business and professional career and I am 
delighted with the contribution he has already made.

I believe the business is in a good position with high quality 
leadership, a robust balance sheet and strong growth 
opportunities.

I joined Quixant some months before the AIM flotation in 
2013 and after nine years of service, now is an appropriate 
time for me to retire. I shall therefore step down from the 
Board at the AGM and I am delighted that Francis Small 
will take over as Chairman.

While we remain necessarily cautious about the 
outlook, we are confident in the resilience of our 
business and its continued cash generation. We are 
therefore recommending payment of a dividend of 
2.0p per share for 2020 (2019: no dividend paid).

michael Peagram     cHAIrmAN

 
 
 
 
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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

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Profitable second half 
and growth in net cash 
balance

I am pleased to report that a return to profitable 
trading during the second half of the year enabled 
the Group to post an adjusted profit before tax 
for the year ending 31 December 2020 of $1.3m 
(2019: $10.7m) corresponding to a full year reported 
pre-tax loss of $2.0m (2019: profit of $9.4m). full 
year Group revenue of $63.8m was down 31% on 
prior (2019: $92.3m) due to the impact of coVID-19 
weighing heavily on demand in the gaming 
business, which ended the year with revenue of 
$30.3m (2019: $56.2m). Densitron traded resiliently 
through the period and, despite supply chain 
challenges and weak demand across certain sectors, 
posted revenue of $33.5m (2019: $36.2m).  

careful cash management, recovery in the gaming 
business and stable Densitron trading enabled us to 
grow our net cash position from $16.1m at the start 
of the year to $17.4m by December 2020. 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S 
REPORT

Jon Jayal     cHIef eXecutIVe offIcer

Gaming Business Review

After a strong first quarter in which revenue was up 54% 
year-on-year, the gaming business experienced a sharp 
decline in demand in the second quarter (down 87% on 
prior year) as almost all global gaming venues closed their 
doors due to the pandemic.

We shipped 22,000 gaming platforms during 2020 
compared to just over 40,000 in 2019, with a higher 
concentration of revenue from mid-range product than 
in the previous year. This was driven by sustained demand 
through the year from European customers for our QXi-
6000 and new business wins in the year using its successor 
– the QXi-7000. Conversely high-end product sales from 
the casino markets were down year-on-year due to 
COVID-19 related weakness in customer demand.

Quantity platform sales (quantity) 
by product family

45,000

40,000

35,000

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

-

• High-End
• Mid-Range
• Cost Effective

2020

2019

Despite having retained all our customers through the 
year, gaming monitor shipments were weak due to the 
pandemic and contributed $2.8m of revenue (2019: 
$9.6m). We nonetheless continue to see opportunities 
ahead for our monitor propositions and, in particular,  
our more niche button deck products.

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cAreful mANAGemeNt tHrouGH   
SecoND Qu Arter SHutDoWN

eVerI SHoWcASe

Our gaming customers saw an immediate cessation of 
both machine sales and revenue share income in March 
2020 which, put many under significant financial pressure. 
During this extremely challenging period, our primary 
objectives were to:

1.  Maintain close dialogue with the senior management 

of our customers to understand their position, evaluate 
market sentiment and plan for the recovery;

2.  Establish payment schemes to ensure outstanding debts 
owed to us were settled while being sympathetic to 
customers’ cashflow challenges; and

3.  Protect our cashflow through working with our 

suppliers to defer our orders with them where possible.

I am proud of the team’s performance through 
this period. our customers faced difficult business 
decisions in some cases in order to survive the 
second quarter with the sharp decline in revenue 
driving widespread salary cuts, furloughs and 
redundancies, payment deferrals and debt raises  
to supplement liquidity.  

our largest customer, everi saw an 89% decline in its 
share price through march, furloughed an undisclosed 
number of employees and implemented salary cuts 
across the executives and employees remaining. In 
addition, everi raised a further $125m to supplement its 
liquidity position. We remained in weekly contact with 
senior leadership at everi, provided extended payment 
terms for the outstanding debt and agreed deferral of 
their order commitments. 

"2020 was a challenging and uncertain 

time for Everi and the entire gaming 
community, as our end markets were 
severely impacted by pandemic-related 
restrictions. As a result, our revenues and 
cash flow were severely limited in the 
short-term, and Quixant was responsive 
to our situation. Together, we were able 
to collaboratively work to manage the 
challenges, enabling us to maintain an eye 
to the horizon and the growth prospects 
beyond. Our partnership with Quixant is an 
important relationship to us, and together 
we look to a successful future.

"

  Dean ehrlich  

eXecutIVe VIce PreSIDeNt AND  

GAmeS BuSINeSS leADer  

everi

As North American gaming venues, led by the tribal 
properties, started reopening from late may 2020, 
everi saw a rapid increase in activity and have since 
continued to show excellent game performance with 
some of the highest performing games in the charts. 
everi is well-poised to grow its market share over the 
coming year.

The result of the actions by our team has been to secure 
settlement of outstanding debts and demonstrate our 
commitment and partnership to our customers, all of 
whom we continue to supply. I believe this has significantly 
strengthened customer relationships and led to new 
business opportunities as the recovery continues.  

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
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AINSWortH SHoWcASe

"Quixant has been a partner of Ainsworth 

for many years, but 2020 showed the true 
meaning, and value, of our partnership. 
At a time when our customers’ venues 
were closed and everyone was working to 
manage cash flow through the pandemic, 
Quixant presented us with a payment 
solution which allowed us to concentrate 
on running our business, and to focus on 
growth post-pandemic, benefiting both 
organizations through 2021 and beyond. 
While undoubtedly a challenging year, 
2020 further strengthened our relationship 
with Quixant, as their forward thinking and 
innovative attitude demonstrated the true 
value of effective partnership.

"

ImProVemeNt IN SecoND HAlf AND  
StroNG BuSINeSS PoteNtIAl GeNerA teD

The third quarter saw a significant improvement in business 
activity with a recommencement of order intake and even 
new business wins with a number of European customers, 
including one which entered mass production during the 
fourth quarter. This improvement in activity was such that 
second half gaming revenues were 55% higher than first 
half revenues. The gaming business has a strong order 
book in 2021 with coverage of 105% of budget to June. 

The pandemic has certainly provided a catalyst for change 
in the gaming market. While gaming revenues continue 
to build, the replacement market remains muted as 
working capital challenges both the casinos and the game 
manufacturers. In September, we announced our intention 
to investigate new business models with our customers 
including lease programs for our computer boards and 
monitors and fully populated turnkey hardware cabinet 
solutions. I am pleased to report that substantial progress 
was made during the second half of 2020 with our first pilot 
customer for a lease model which we expect to commence 
shipments in the second half of 2021. These new business 
models set a precedent for a new way of manufacturers 
bringing their gaming offerings to market and increase 
their ability to focus resources on game design.

ryan comstock  

cHIef oPerAtING offIcer  

Ainsworth Game technology

While new business generation was challenging 
in a year when game manufacturers were mainly 
concerned with survival, nonetheless we converted 
new business during the second half which we expect 
to deliver in excess of $5m of revenue in 2021.

SuPPlY cHAIN cHAlleNGeS PerSISt

The disruption to the gaming business in 2020 was not 
isolated to customer demand – throughout the year we saw 
volatile input stocks due to the lockdown and subsequent 
reduced production capacity across mainland China and 
Taiwan. Our strategic inventory holding through the year 
enabled us to meet our delivery commitments to customers.

In December 2020, we started to see more acute shortages 
in the semiconductor market impacting our supply chain 
and took action to bolster our strategic inventory. Since 
the start of 2021, the semiconductor shortages have 
worsened as booming demand for electronic products 
has outstripped semiconductor component production 
capacity. We are experiencing manufacturers’ unexpectedly 
issuing end-of-life notices on parts, more than a doubling 
of their normal leadtimes and serving price increases on 
the components. We are utilising our strategic inventory 
holdings to enable uninterrupted customer deliveries 
through Q1 but expect to see some impact from Q2.  

In mid-January the Board took decisive action to allocate 
up to a further $5m of our cash reserves towards further 
strategic stock purchases to support anticipated demand 
over the next 6-9 months of the year and mitigate the 
short-term supply chain risks.

SPortS BettING ProGreSS DelAYeD

We demonstrated our QSBT-1000 sports betting terminal 
at the ICE Show at ExCel in February 2020. With the 
expectation of an explosion in sports betting around the 
industry, this was well positioned for new business. 

Unfortunately, the second quarter shutdown in most 
retail sports betting outlets delayed sports betting 
progress through 2020. We remain optimistic about the 
opportunities in the market and have live prospects with 
several vendors as part of our full cabinet offering.

ProDuct DeVeloPmeNt

We launched a new gaming platform at the low end of the 
range in March 2021 – IQ-1. This is the first of our revised, 
streamlined roadmap of products. During the second 
quarter, we learned of a major change in strategy from one 
of our key suppliers, AMD, who supply microprocessors and 
graphics accelerators which are used in all our products. 
AMD, despite being very popular in the gaming industry 
because of their attractive pricing and high-performance 
graphics processors, have decided to 

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defocus on the casino gaming market, as well as several 
other industrial sectors. Instead, their future strategy is to 
focus on data centre and networking devices alongside 
their client business.

We have therefore committed to a roadmap using Intel 
processors with some of our higher end products using 
NVIDIA graphics accelerators. We already have QMax-2i 
which uses Intel technology but will gradually be rolling out 
further gaming platforms using Intel, the first of which will 
be sampled during May 2021.  

While we do not expect to undertake any new product 
designs using AMD, we expect to offer gaming platforms 
already in production until the end of the decade.  

The consequence of this one-off repositioning of our 
product portfolio was a derecognition off of $1.5m of 
capitalised R&D in the year.

" With a 55% improvement in second 

half trading compared to the first half, 
we enter 2021 with positive momentum 

towards full year growth."

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Densitron Business Review

the Densitron business celebrated its 50th 
anniversary in 2020, with the origins of the firm 
tracing back to 1970 in Japan. there have been 
countless economic and financial shocks during this 
period which the business has weathered, and it is 
therefore unsurprising that, through the pandemic 
in 2020, Densitron continued to trade resiliently. 
revenues in 2020 were $33.5m, down 7% on prior 
year primarily due to a weak first quarter (2019: 
$36.2m). While the Gaming business suffered more 
critically from demand weakness, Densitron was 
immediately affected by the chinese manufacturing 
shutdown in february which caused delays to 
shipments. consequentially the first quarter was 
down 31% year on year, with the second and third 
quarters up 7% and 8% respectively.

from a Group perspective, the resilience of the 
Densitron business was essential in the maintenance 
of our strong cash position and ability to take a 
more measured approach to streamlining cost. 
During the gaming shutdown in the second quarter 
of 2020, we redeployed some of the Group’s product 
development and operational resource to Densitron 
which enabled accelerated progress on development 
of the new Densitron 2.0 and 3.0 product lines. 

DouBle DIGIt BroADcASt BuSINeSS GroWtH

Our strategy of market focus and elevation of the value 
proposition from pure display products towards integrated 
Human Machine Interface (HMI) solutions is showing early 
signs of success despite the headwinds caused by the 
pandemic. Excluding IDS, our broadcast sector revenue grew 
13% to $3.8m. Many of the pipeline opportunities due to 
enter mass production during 2020 were delayed but we 
expect these to contribute to Densitron revenue in 2021.  

IDS, the broadcast hardware and software solution 
which we acquired in 2019, had a difficult year because 
the current revenue generation model relies on our field 
technicians installing equipment into broadcast venues 
which was generally prohibited during the year due to the 
pandemic. The future release of the IDS software allows 
for virtualised deployments on a licensed basis, and we are 
starting to introduce this service to potential customers. 

BrIDGe tecHNoloGIeS SPotlIGHt

Bridge technology are a customer and technology 
partner with whom Densitron have been working 
for two years. While 2020 saw significant challenges 
for their business, we quietly continued to work and 
innovate together through the external market turmoil 
– this effort has resulted in the launch of the 4u product 
and the multiviewer+ solution in early 2021 which 
opens up a new market for IDS as a control system with 
the added value of probe data on broadcast streams 
provided by the Bridge technology hardware. 

"2020 was a challenging and uncertain 

time all of us in the Broadcast space – 
some areas of sales were accelerating, as 
broadcasters moved to remote production 
– but other areas went backwards as 
studios moved to skeleton staff and 
the filming and release of new content 
was delayed. We value the partnership 
with Densitron during this time as their 
business continued to operate on a largely 
‘business as usual’ basis and therefore 
progress was able to continue on our 
products – firstly through the installation 
of IDS at our headquarters and secondly 
through the development of the joint 
Multiviewer+ product which we are very 
excited to be launching with them in 
the first quarter of 2021. Our team love 
using the IDS control system and our 
sales team are very excited about the 
sales opportunity the collaboration will 
give them as we emerge from COVID-19 
hopefully in the second half of 2021.

"

Simen frostad 

ceo - Bridge technology

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mANAGemeNt teAm cHANGeS

Over the last two years, we have welcomed several leaders 
to the business in key roles. After Simon Jones joined 
in April 2019 to lead the Densitron business, Abhinay 
Bhagavatula joined in September 2019 as Gaming CTO and 
Duncan Faithfull joined in January 2020 as Gaming CCO. 
We have since promoted them to the Executive Committee.

After Guy Millward, CFO, left the business in August 2020, 
we brought Andrew Jarvis in as interim CFO. Andrew has 
since made considerable improvements in our management 
information and reporting, leveraging the benefits of our 
global SAP system. We will be evaluating our options for 
installing a permanent CFO in the second quarter.

As he retires from the board, I would like to thank Michael 
Peagram for his nine years of service to the business. His 
commitment, experience and professionalism have been 
invaluable to the business. We are delighted to have Francis 
Small onboard and I am looking forward to working closely 
with him as he assumes his role as Chairman.

outlook

With a 55% improvement in second half trading compared 
to the first half, we enter 2021 with positive momentum 
towards full year growth. Trading during the first three 
months of this year has been strong and ahead of last year 
and our Group order coverage for the first half of 2021 
is already 106% of internal budgets. In the context of the 
supply chain issues previously flagged, importantly we 
have secured sufficient parts to fulfil most of the orders. 
With 95% of US casinos currently open and with positive 
sentiment they will remain open, the signs for the gaming 
market are positive.

We are crucially aware that the future remains uncertain 
and any exponential spread of the pandemic in the US 
could materially impact the gaming industry although 
we believe the experience since the second quarter of 
2020 puts a lower probability on that scenario. We are 
working through the unprecedented electronic component 
shortages and recognise the risk of delays to shipments and 
inflation in prices over the coming months. We are working 
through contingency plans with customers and suppliers to 
mitigate this risk.

Our strong balance sheet and strengthened customer 
relationships, combined with the new business propositions 
targeted towards changes in our end markets give the 
Board confidence in tremendous opportunities for the 
Group ahead.

Jon Jayal     

cHIef eXecutIVe offIcer 

DouBle DIGIt meDIcAl Sector GroWtH 

Densitron medical exposure, the single largest 
sector exposure in the business, grew 17% in 2020 
to $8.2m. We agreed a corporate policy to support 
medical market customers over other business to 
help with their rollout of solutions to tackle the 
pressure being created by the pandemic. We were 
involved in several high-profile projects including 
supplying displays to manufacturers of coVID-19 
test equipment and ventilators.

We believe there are long term opportunities to build on 
our status as a trusted supplier of displays into medical 
equipment. Many of the innovative HMI and control 
solutions we have developed for broadcast can be applied 
to the medical sector and we are starting to explore their 
usage for a range of medical equipment, leveraging the 
strong customer relationships already established.

One example of such an application is use of our IDS 
technology to enable simple control of cameras used in 
operating theatres to record surgical procedures. Beyond 
this, there is scope for greater integration into, for example, 
other non-life-critical operating theatre systems such as 
those used for lighting and entertainment.

comPoNeNt SHort AGeS & PrIce INflA tIoN

Densitron has seen evidence of material future price 
inflation from many of our Chinese display suppliers. 
Combined with the US trade tariffs on goods imported 
from China, this will put pressure on our gross margin. 
We have engaged with our customers to pass on the 
tariffs, enforce price increases across many of our product 
lines and also extend customer order visibility to enable 
us to increase our purchasing power. In aggregate these 
initiatives have so far proven positive with no degradation 
to gross margin experienced and no net loss of business 
and have also led to us having 107% order coverage of the 
revenue budget in the first half of this year.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
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ProfIt Before tAX (PBt)

BAlANce SHeet AND cASH floW

Adjusted pre-tax profit decreased by 88% to $1.3m  
(2019: $10.7m). Adjustments to pre-tax profit were 
$3.3m in 2020 (2019: $1.3m) and comprise share-based 
payments of $0.2m, the write off of $1.5m of capitalised 
research and development expenditure due to unexpected 
early end-of-life of certain third party components, 
restructuring costs of $0.7m and an amortisation charge 
of acquired intangibles of $0.9m. Reported pre-tax profit 
declined to a loss of $2.0m  
(2019: Profit before tax of $9.4m).

eXPeNSeS

During the year the Group expenditure on research and 
development reduced to $4.3m (2019: $6.6m). These 
costs relate to investment activities principally undertaken 
in Taiwan, Italy, UK and Slovenia. $1.7m of these costs were 
capitalised (2019: $2.2m) with amortisation for the year on 
total capitalised development costs of $2.4m (2019: $1.4m).

To mitigate the effect of the decline in revenue on 
profitability, we took action to streamline full year operating 
costs by 34% to $21.9m (2019 restated: $22.5m) –  
which includes $3.3m of adjustments to the reported PBT. 
This Group has seen a reduction in headcount from an 
average of 223 people in 2019 to 209 in 2020.

tAXAtIoN

The tax charge for the year was $1.0m (2019: $1.1m). 
There has been limited reduction in the tax charge when 
compared to 2019, as a result of taxable positions in 
overseas entities.

The Group continues to benefit from enhanced tax reliefs 
available in respect of qualifying research and development 
expenditure and has also benefited from patent box relief.

eArNINGS Per SHAre

Basic earnings per share decreased by 136% to -$0.0445 
per share (2019: $0.1252 per share). Adjusted fully diluted 
earnings per share as set out in note 9 to the financial 
statements decreased by 103% to -$0.0040 per share 
(2019: $0.1396 per share).

Non-current assets have decreased in the year to $24.7m 
(2019: $25.6m) mainly due to the derecognition of R&D 
discussed above. Inventory has increased to $21.6m 
(2019: $20.2m). Raw material inventory has remained in 
line with 2019, and work-in-progress and finished goods 
have increased as we await to ship committed products to 
customers who have requested later delivery dates.

The cash generated from operating activities in the  
ear amounted to $4.0m (2019: $14.9m). The reduction 
in cash generated is largely due to the losses incurred in 
the year due to the pandemic. The Group has reduced its 
investments in the business, spending $2.2m (2019: $5.3m) 
on investing activities, in line with trading conditions.

GoVerNmeNt coVID-19 SuPPort

The Group has received government grants to support 
payroll costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This 
includes $217k for Quixant Taiwan and $32k for Quixant 
Italia. These grants and helped the business to maintain 
employment during the pandemic. A government-backed, 
revolving credit facility of £7.5m granted in the UK – 
however, this has substantively not been used in 2020,  
with only £25k drawn down to maintain the facility.  
The business seeks to close this facility before the AGM. 
In the year, we have also received cash from COVID-19 
support loans in France and the USA, totaling $0.9m, 
of which $0.3m has been forgiven in the USA. $0.5m in 
France will be repaid in 2021, and we expect the other 
$0.1m loan in the USA to also be forgiven in 2021.

DIVIDeND

While we suspended payment of a dividend in 2020 due  
to the risks facing the business in relation to COVID-19,  
we maintained a strong cash position through the year  
and saw profitable trading in the second half of the year. 
The Board therefore proposes reinstatement of a dividend 
for the year ended 31 December 2020 of 2.0p per share 
(2019: nil) payable on 14 May 2021 to all shareholders  
on the register on 23 April 2021 The corresponding  
ex-dividend date is 22 April 2021.

Andrew Jarvis    INterIm cHIef fINANcIAl offIcer

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Andrew Jarvis     INterIm cHIef fINANcIAl offIcer

The Quixant Group achieved revenues of 
$63.8m in the year, down by 31% on 
2019 revenues of $92.3m due to the 
significant impact of COVID-19.

reVeNue

Gaming business revenues were $30.3m, a decrease of 46% on prior year (2019: $56.2m). 
This was split between Gaming platform revenue of $27.5m, a 41% decrease on prior year 
(2019: $46.6m), and Gaming monitor revenue of $2.8 million, a 71% decrease on prior 
year (2019: $9.6m). Densitron division, which includes IDS, revenues were $33.5m,  
a decrease of 7% on prior year (2019: $36.2m).

The decline in Gaming revenues was due to the closures across the gaming market caused 
by government response to the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacting demand for our 
products. This resulted in very weak second quarter trading in the Gaming business, with 
some recovery in demand seen during the second half of the year. Densitron, which has 
sector exposure across a broad range of industrial markets, was less heavily impacted by 
the pandemic and despite some delays due to supply chain challenges, continued to trade 
well through the year..

GroSS ProfIt AND GroSS ProfIt mArGIN

We generated gross profit during the year of $20.1m (2019 restated: $32.1m) representing 
a gross margin of 31% (2019 restated: 35%). The decline in margin is due to an increased 
proportion of our Group revenue being generated by Densitron, which operates at lower 
gross margin than Gaming. Underlying Gaming and Densitron gross margins were consistent 
with previous years. We have seen price inflation in our supply chain since the second half 
of 2020 primarily due to component shortages and the imposition of import tariffs for 
Densitron goods entering the US from mainland China. We have acted to increase our prices 
to customers to protect our gross margin from this price inflation.

GrouP
reVeNue
DoWN
BY

31% 

(on 2019)

GAmING 
DIVISIoN 
reVeNueS
DoWN
BY

46%

(on 2019)

DeNSItroN
reVeNue
DoWN
BY

7% 

(on 2019)

 
 
 
 
16

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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

17

BUSINESS MODEL AND STRATEGY

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

QuIXANt IS AN outSource ProVIDer of tecHNoloGY ProDuctS  
AND SolutIoNS t ArGeteD A t SPecIfIc INDuStrIAl mArketS.

the Gaming business designs and manufactures 
computer hardware, software and electronic display 
solutions for the casino gaming and slot machine industry.  
Our customers are the manufacturers of electronic gaming 
machines which are located worldwide. By outsourcing 
several aspects of underlying technology to Quixant, this 
enables our gaming customers to focus their research and 
development efforts on differentiating elements of their 
electronic gaming machines and most critically in game 
development. Our customers, which are generally subject 
to heavy levels of regulatory scrutiny in most global gaming 
jurisdictions, then hold the licenses and the distribution 
channels to place their machines in casinos, bars, clubs, 
public houses and other gaming venues. We supply many 
of the world’s leading manufacturers of gaming machines.   

"...developed bespoke tactile Human  

Machine Interface solutions to enable
  broadcast equipment manufacturers to 

revolutionise the control of their products."

To ensure we supply products which have a consistent  
bill of materials – something which is a prerequisite in 
most regulated gaming markets – we procure our own 
parts in Taiwan and outsource assembly of our products to 
Tier 1 third-party electronic sub-contract manufacturers. 
All the intellectual property associated with the design of 
these products however remains Quixant’s property and is 
developed in-house.

the Densitron business is an expert in human machine 
interface and display solutions for a wide variety of 
industrial sectors. Within Densitron we have developed a 
specific focus business operating in the broadcast sector 
which has developed bespoke tactile Human Machine 
Interface solutions to enable broadcast equipment 
manufacturers to revolutionise the control of their 
products. Once a design is agreed with the customer, we 
outsource the manufacture of the finished goods to third-
party manufacturers.

Financially, the Group sets an annual budget detailing the 
revenues and expenses, balance sheet and cash flows that 
it expects to achieve each month during the ensuing year. 
This budget is approved by the Board and reviewed against 
the actual results achieved each month with explanations of 
significant variances provided. A forecast of expected results 
for the remainder of the year with a visual representation of 
the risk associated with that forecast is also provided as part 
of the management accounts pack to demonstrate that the 
Group remains on track to meet market expectations.

to measure the success or otherwise of the strategy, 
the Directors also review the ongoing trend of 
several indicators that they consider are key to the 
performance of the Group and to assist them in their 
strategic decision-making (opposite).

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kPI and objective

revenues

Procedure

comment

Revenues are reviewed to ensure that the 
Group’s business continues to grow in 
line with expectations.

The Board reviews revenues against 
budget as part of its management 
reporting review each month.

Revenues declined in 2020 as a result of 
the COVID-19 pandemic as major Gaming 
customers reacted to the unprecedented 
situation. Densitron revenues reduced, 
but to a lesser extent, which supported 
the Group overall.

Gross profit margin

To ensure that the Group maintains 
appropriate returns for the products that 
it is selling.

Inventory levels

The objective in monitoring inventory is:

• to ensure that working capital is not 

unduly tied up; 

• to guard against inventory obsolescence 

leading to potential write offs; and 

• to ensure sufficient inventory levels are 
maintained to meet near-term demand 
(usually 3 months revenues). 

fINANcIAl

kPI and objective

A report of the margin achieved in each 
part of the business is included as part 
of the management accounts pack and 
reviewed by the Board.

Margins are being maintained in all areas 
of the Group.

There was a one-off charge in 2020 for 
Densitron USA for China import tariffs 
not passed to customers.

The Board monitors the stock held at the 
end of each month and is provided with a 
trend graph during the year.

Additionally, it is provided with a monthly 
manufacturing report detailing the 
current inventory levels and the future 
product requirement.

For the year ended 31 December 2020 
the Board is satisfied that the level of 
inventory obsolescence is being controlled 
and that levels of raw material inventory 
at year end were required to offset long 
lead times (9 months or more) for key 
components.

Procedure

comment

Profit before tax (PBt) and Adjusted Profit before tax

To ensure that the Group is providing a 
sufficient return to its shareholders and 
that the Group’s profit is growing in line 
with market expectations.

The Board reviews PBT and adjusted 
PBT monthly as part of its review of 
management information.

The level of PBT and adjusted PBT 
decreased year-on-year and was behind 
Budget expectations, but ahead of 
estimates at the beginning of the 
COVID-19 pandemic.

Debtor days

To ensure that customers settle debts in 
an orderly fashion in line with agreed 
terms and that the Group is not exposed 
to bad debts.

The Board monitors the average number 
of days customers take to pay each 
month together with a trend graph 
plotted against budget.

The Board is satisfied with the procedures 
that are in place to qualify customers to 
mitigate the Group’s exposure to credit 
losses.

Additionally, it is provided with a monthly 
analysis of the profile of aged debts for 
each part of the business.

In both the current year and previous 
year, the Group has incurred little to no 
credit losses.

cash and borrowings balances

To ensure that the business has sufficient 
headroom to meet its future obligations.

The Board is provided with a report 
showing cash generated in the year and 
the current level of cash balances within 
the Group along with the current level of 
borrowings and available facilities.

At 31 December 2020, the Group had net
cash (cash less borrowings) of $17.4m com-
pared with $16.1m at 31 December 2019.

Group borrowings at 31 December 2020 
was low and amounted to short-term 
COVID-19 support loans in Quixant USA 
and Densitron France, to be cleared in 
2021, and a small mortgage in Taiwan.

The business also has access to a $7.5m 
Coronavirus Large Business Interruption 
Loan Scheme, revolving credit facility in 
the UK where required. A small drawdown 
was processed in December 2020 to keep 
the facility open.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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PRINCIPAL RISKS RELATING TO  
THE BUSINESS OF THE GROUP

The Group faces competitive and strategic risks that  
are inherent in rapidly growing and changing markets.  
The Board and Executive Committee review future strategy 
and risks to the business regularly. Where possible, 
processes are in place to monitor and mitigate the 
identified risks.

Financial and trading risks are discussed in note 23 of the 
consolidated financial statements.

The key business risks set out below are not an exhaustive 
list of the risks faced by the Group and are not presented in 
any order of priority.

risk

Description

mitigation

comment

commercial

The marketplace for the Group’s 
display products is highly 
competitive.

Gaming customers may decide to 
design their computer platforms 
and/ or monitors in-house or source 
from another supplier.

Geographical 
and 
environmental

The Group operates across a range 
of countries, all of which carry a 
degree of risk, whether it is political 
risk or environmental issues.

The Group has identified certain 
areas of the displays business where 
it considers that it can develop 
a competitive advantage and is 
investing in these areas.

The Group works closely with its 
customers to ensure its product 
roadmap is robust, technologically 
advanced and ahead of the 
competition.

The majority of the Group’s 
operations are in OECD countries 
and the majority of revenue 
is generated from customers 
operating in OECD countries. 
Despite not being an OECD 
member, Taiwan has a highly 
developed legal and political system.

regulation

Additional laws and regulations may 
be enacted covering issues such as 
law enforcement, pricing, taxation 
and quality of products and services.

The Group monitors prospective 
changes in local laws and 
regulations which may impact its 
business.

technological

The Group’s business is dependent 
upon technology which could be 
superseded by superior technology, 
more competitively priced 
technology or a shift in working 
practices, which could affect both 
potential profitability and saleability 
of the Group’s products.

The Group works closely with its 
technology partners to provide 
products which incorporate the 
most advanced technology available 
to our market. The Group also 
develops its own innovations to 
incorporate into new products.

key customer 
dependency

The Group generates a significant 
but declining portion of its revenue 
from a key customer.

As the Group continues to grow, 
the portion of revenue from key 
customers has declined.

The Group has the capabilities and 
skills to create highly engineered, 
optimised products targeted at 
specific markets.

The Group maintains an ongoing 
dialogue with its customers to 
maintain the relationships that it 
has developed and foster new ones.

The Group will continue to focus its 
operations in those countries that 
provide the best opportunity for 
growth and avoid those countries 
that pose significant country risk.

The Group is a member of profes-
sional bodies, where applicable, in the 
regions in which it operates to ensure 
that it stays informed of any legal or 
regulatory changes.

The Group recognises the 
technology requirements of its 
customers and works with them to 
provide the products that they need 
in their business.

The Board expects the Group’s 
continued organic growth to further 
reduce the dependency on key 
customers.

The Board expects this issue to 
continue to be relevant in 2021 and 
is regularly briefed.

component 
supply & price 
inflation

key persons

The Group relies on a steady 
supply of components used in the 
manufacture of its products. There 
is currently a global shortage of 
components, which may impact 
production, or cause prices to rise.

The Board recognises the 
importance of its key employees and 
the risk of losing the expertise and 
knowledge that they possess. 

The Group is proactively sourcing 
additional stocks to act as a safety 
net. Order coverage of stock is 
being monitored closely.

The executive officers are subject to 
long-term contracts. Key staff have 
contractual arrangements designed 
to develop and incentivise. Key roles 
can be replaced.

Key persons recruited and remain 
with the business.

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

19

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risk

Description

mitigation

comment

Intellectual 
property 
protection

cyber risks

Pandemic

Brexit

The Group may be unable to 
successfully establish and protect its 
intellectual property. The intellectual 
property rights may or may not have 
priority over other parties’ claims to 
the same intellectual property.

Cyber risk causes disruption to the 
business or loss of IP following 
a cyber-attack. This could cause 
interruption of internal or 
external facing systems, including 
interruption to the business caused 
by a loss of data and reputational 
damage from a loss of personal or 
confidential data. The cost or effort 
to reconstitute data that has been 
stolen or corrupted and commercial 
loss from the theft of commercially 
sensitive data, including IP.

Outbreaks of diseases could cause 
supply chain disruptions and 
shortages of staff if they become 
ill or die. Component production is 
concentrated in certain countries 
and the Group only currently 
manufactures product in one 
country.

The impact on the business of 
the United Kingdom leaving the 
European Union.

The Group seeks to establish and 
protect its intellectual property 
rights by patents and other 
protection mechanisms.

The Group works with professional 
external patent attorneys to protect 
its intellectual property rights.

Deploying the latest generation of 
firewall protection. 

No issues were reported in 2020  
but we maintain on-going vigilance.

Ongoing improvement in the rigour 
of authentication processes including 
wider use of single sign on.

Improved protection of confidential 
data on portable computers.

Improved process of system 
patching to close security loopholes.

Use of third-party audits.

Alternative sources of supply 
are available for many goods, as 
are alternative manufacturing 
countries, albeit with increased 
cost implications. 

The Group continues to monitor 
the latest updates on the 
COVID-19 pandemic, and is 
cautiously optimistic regarding the 
vaccine progress.

In 2019 the Board decided that in 
the light of the uncertainty about 
how the UK would trade with 
the EU after the end of 2020, the 
business of the Group would best 
be served by removing the impact 
by re-arranging the logistics flow 
of goods direct to customers from 
their point of manufacture in Asia.

A trade deal with the EU was 
agreed in December 2020. As the 
Group no longer ships goods from 
the UK to the EU or from the EU 
to the UK, there is little impact on 
business operations.

Other areas of the EU trade deal 
will be monitored and assessed for 
its business implications.

This Strategic report has been prepared solely to provide 
additional information to shareholders to assess the Group’s 
strategies and the potential for those strategies to succeed. 
The Directors, in preparing this Strategic report, have 
complied with section 414c of the Companies Act 2006.

The Strategic report contains certain forward-looking 
statements. These statements are made by the Directors 
in good faith based on the information available to them 
up to the time of their approval of this report and such 
statements should be treated with caution due to the 
inherent uncertainties, including both economic and 
business risk factors, underlying any such forward looking 
information.

This Strategic report has been prepared for the Group  
as a whole and therefore gives greater emphasis to 
those matters which are significant to Quixant plc and its 
subsidiary undertakings when viewed as a whole.

This report was approved by the Board of Directors on  
and signed on its behalf by:

Jon Jayal    DIrector

 
 
 
 
20

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Governance

ENVIRONMENTAL, 
SOCIAL AND  
GOVERNANCE REPORT

Quixant has always endeavoured to conduct business in a 
considerate and responsible manner, placing our key stakeholders, 
the environment and communities in which we operate and our 
customers at the core of everything we do.  

the Board have adopted an eSG strategy which is aligned with the business 
objectives and aims to support and, in areas, accelerate our business growth.  
Progress against this eSG strategy is assessed as a standing agenda item in our 
monthly Board meetings.

The key pillars of the Board’s ESG strategy are to:

1.

Raise awareness of the environmental impact of the 
Group’s activities across the business and encourage 
employees to bring ideas for improvements.

2.

3.

Foster a collaborative, inspiring working environment 
which allows employees to develop their careers.

Support charitable causes connected with the business 
through donation of a proportion of profits.

4.

Continually review the Group’s governance framework  
to improve organisational oversight.

A critical aspect to successful execution of our ESG strategy is employee engagement.  
With this in mind, we established a CSR Committee at the end of 2019 which consists of 
representatives from employees in several locations around the business.  

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

21

UK
2020

UK
2019

Change

energy use (kwh)

Electricity

Fuel Oil

Transport

44,960

46,836

41,598

49,890

32,727

55,642

Total energy use

119,285

152,368

GHG emissions (kg co2e)

Electricity

Fuel Oil

Transport

10,482

11,971

10,261

12,311

8,114

14,255

Total gross CO2e emissions

28,857

38,537

-4%

-17%

-41%

-22%

-12%

-17%

-43%

-25%

Intensity ratio

Average number of 
employees 

Total GHG emission per 
employee (kg CO2e / 
employee)

50

51

-2%

577

756

-24%

The methodology used in the UK energy usage and GHG 
emissions uses actual usage calculations of electricity and 
fuel oil use and mileage claimed for passenger vehicle 
transportation with conversions as necessary taken from 
the Government Conversion Factors for Company Reporting 
of Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2019 and 2020.

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Environmental Matters 

Quixant is committed to a programme to more 
accurately assess and reduce its environmental 
impact.  

We manufacture electronics product in facilities which are 
geographically adjacent to the manufacturing plants of 
the raw materials to reduce energy footprint in our supply 
chain. We also seek to utilise sea freight wherever possible 
over air freight in shipping finished goods to customers.  
Our global operations comply with the Waste Electrical and 
Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive to ensure safe reuse 
or disposal of depreciated product.  

We drove several initiatives during the year towards 
improving our environmental footprint, including:

•  Implementation in mid-2020 of a Supplier Code  
of Conduct which incorporates the Responsible 
Business Alliance (RBA) (formerly the Electronic 
Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC)) Code of Conduct.  
This requires our suppliers to conform to minimum 
standards around pollution, hazardous substances, 
waste, greenhouse gas emissions and use of certain 
materials, amongst other things.

•  Replaced both domestic and international travel with 

usage of video conferencing using Microsoft Teams for 
both internal and external meetings through COVID-19.  
It is our intention to permanently reduce our travel 
frequency through the use of video conferencing, 
particularly for meetings requiring long-haul flights.

•  Implemented a paper-free policy including implemen-

tation of a software solution to facilitate use of 
electronic board papers and replacement of hardcopy 
product datasheets with online versions at trade shows.

•  Reduction in the number of company cars offered  

in the group.

•  Replacement of dated Sevenoaks office with a new 

refurbished office in Crawley which holds a SKA Gold 
environmental rating and provision for charging electric 
vehicles.

The environmental footprint of the UK business over 
the last two years is as follows. 2020 energy usage and 
emissions saw a significant reduction, particularly in 
transport due to COVID-19 limiting employee travel for 
business.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

23

In the statements within this section we outline the 
Company’s approach to corporate governance. It is the 
intention that the information contained within the report 
will be updated annually alongside the publication of 
the Group’s Annual Report or more frequently for any 
fundamental changes.

michael Peagram     cHAIrmAN of tHe BoArD

QuoteD comPANIeS AllIANce  
coDe comPlIANce

the following paragraphs set out the 10 QcA code 
principles and either how Quixant has complied with 
those principles or where a more detailed discussion 
can be found on the group’s website following 
the disclosure guidance in the QcA corporate 
governance code:

1.  establish a strategy and business model which 
promote long-term value for shareholders

The Quixant business is split into two divisions: the Gaming 
division and the Densitron division. The business model 
and strategy are discussed earlier in the Chief Executive’s 
report and subsequent sections. In August 2020 the Group 
established an Executive Management Committee (“ExCo”) 
consisting of the Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and 
the senior leaders from both operating divisions. The ExCo 
meetings take place monthly, prior to the Board meetings 
and are attended by the Chairman on a quarterly basis. 
The divisional leaders from the ExCo also attend the Board 
meetings on a quarterly basis. 

This governance model ensures the Board and ExCo are 
well-appraised of operational and strategic matters to 
enhance value creation from the business.

2.  Seek to understand and meet shareholder  

needs and expectations 

The CEO and CFO meet at least bi-annually with major 
investors or more often as required and the Chairman also 
typically meets major institutional shareholders once a year.  
Since February 2020 most of these meetings have been 
conducted by conference call or video conference due to 
the COVID-19 restrictions.

3.  take into account wider stakeholder and  

social responsibilities and their implication for 
long-term success

Details of the Group’s compliance with these principles 
can be found on the Group’s website at https://www.
quixant. com/investors/corporate-governance. The Board 
has also adopted an ESG strategy which seeks to consider 
our approach to continual improvement of our social 
responsibilities.

4.  embed effective risk management, considering 
both opportunities and threats, throughout the 
organisation

The Board has in place a disaster recovery plan and risk 
registers for the Group that identify the key areas of 
risk within the Group particularly in respect of strategy, 
customers, suppliers, industry, regulatory, financial, legal 
and technology. The registers are formally reviewed by the 
Board annually and updated as considered necessary.

5.  maintain the Board as a well-functioning, 

balanced team led by the chair.

The Board, led by the Chairman, has a collective 
responsibility and legal obligation to promote the interests 
of the Group. The Chairman is ultimately responsible for 
Corporate Governance. However, the Board is responsible 
for defining the corporate governance policies. The Board 
is made up of four non-executives and one executive and 
has devolved responsibility for certain matters to two 
committees. Andrew Jarvis is currently serving in an interim 
role as Chief Financial Officer after Guy Millward’s departure 
in August 2020. It does not operate a separate nominations 
committee with all Board members being responsible for 
the appointment of new directors. Non-executive directors 
are expected to devote sufficient time to the company to 
meet their responsibilities. Generally, 11 Board meetings 
and an annual strategy meeting are held each year and 
directors in principle attend all meetings either in person 
or by video or telephone conference arrangements. During 
the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic the Board held mid-
monthly meetings from June to September in addition to 
the monthly main board meeting. In total, 14 meetings 
were held during the year plus a strategy day. Meetings 
held between January 2020 and December 2020 and the 
attendance of directors is summarised overleaf:

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Social Matters 

2020 has been an extremely challenging year for people 
worldwide. We believe the Company had a role to play, 
both as an employer and as a good corporate citizen to 
help our stakeholders through the period.

We understand the challenge caused by lack of social 
contact for many our employees and ensured frequent 
contact with all staff via video conferencing, including 
regular social events. Many also faced challenges with 
childcare which we enabled flexibility with working hours 
to accommodate. Some staff struggled with home working 
and wished to attend offices once they were able to 
under the local restrictions and we facilitated this through 
maintaining a COVID-19 safe environment and continuing 
a regular enhanced cleaning regime throughout the year.  
We also operate an Employee Assistance Programme 
through Health Assured to provide employees with access 
to legal advice, financial advice and counselling services.

As noted in the Chief Executive’s report, our Gaming 
customers in particularly faced significant challenges during 
the year, and we offered financial support with extending 
payment terms and deferral of order commitments.  
Despite this, we honoured all supplier commitments in 
accordance with agreed terms.

The Board has an approved charity budget intended to 
support causes local to the business’ operations and/or 
closely related to its employees. After surveying our staff, 
our CSR Committee selected the World Wildlife Fund as 
our corporate charity and while many events were unable 
to proceed as planned during the year, we raised money 
through the sale of old office furniture and equipment for 
the charity. We also made donations to the Cambridge City 
and the Crawley Town food banks and The Royal Marsden 
Cancer Charity.

The Group does not discriminate on the grounds of age, 
race, sex, sexual orientation or disability and operates a 
transparent and open recruitment process in which we 
aim to provide all interviewed candidates with feedback. 
All staff throughout the business have annual performance 
development reviews and a mid-year check up against their 
written objectives.

Governance Matters

cHAIrmAN’S INtroDuctIoN   
to GoVerNANce

The Group has adopted the corporate governance code of 
the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA).

The QCA Code follows 10 basic principles that requires 
companies to provide an explanation of how they consider 
that they are meeting those principles through a set of 
disclosures on their website and in their Annual Report.

As the Chairman of Quixant plc, I am ultimately responsible 
for the Corporate Governance of the Group but the Board 
as a whole considers that good corporate governance is a 
key driver in the success of the business and accountability 
to the Company’s stakeholders, including shareholders, 
customers, suppliers and employees is a vital element in 
that governance.

The Directors consider that the corporate governance 
framework that the Group operates within is proportionate 
to the size, risk and complexity of its business. The Board 
considers that it does not depart from any of the principles 
of the QCA Code except for principle 7 which it was unable 
to effectively fulfil in 2020 due to COVID-19.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

25

Board
Meetings

Audit
Committee
Meetings

Remuneration
Committee
Meetings

7.  evaluate board performance based on clear 
and relevant objectives, seeking continuous 
improvement 

Number of meetings 

M J Peagram

G Van Zwanenberg

G A Y Hudson  
(resigned 2020)

N C L Jarmany

C T Lin (resigned 2020)

G P Mullins

J F Jayal

G L Millward  
(resigned 2020)

N Payne  
(resigned 2020) 

A Jarvis (by invitation, 
joined 2020)

14

14

14

3

12

4

14

14

10

3

5

2

2

2

1

1

5

5

4

2

1

5

1

The Board is provided with Board papers in advance of 
the meetings and minutes of the meetings are provided 
to the Board following the meeting. The Chairman is 
responsible for ensuring that the directors receive the 
information that they require for decision-making and 
each member of the Board understands the information 
that they are expected to provide. The Board meetings 
have an annual cycle of matters that are reviewed 
annually, and these are spread through the program of 
meetings in the year.

Typically, directors would visit the Group’s major 
locations over the year but due to COVID-19 many of 
these visits have not been possible in person and instead 
local management challenge has been conducted via 
frequent video conference calls.

A Board evaluation process will be carried out annually 
going forward as part of a wider strategy review and 
future planning discussion. The process will be led by 
the Chairman and every three years with the help of an 
external facilitator, the Board will be challenged to review 
its performance and effectiveness objectively. During this 
process the Board will consider:

•  Performance of the Board against the current strategy; 

•  Effectiveness of the Board in areas such as supervision, 
leadership and management of personnel and risk 
areas; 

•  Areas of weakness either at Board level or executive 
management level for which recruitment may be 
required; and 

•  Succession planning. 

8.  Promote a corporate culture that is based  

on ethical values and behaviours 

Our long-term growth is underpinned by our corporate 
culture and core beliefs. As part of a new starter pack all 
new employees are provided with a statement on culture 
in which the Group operates. Quixant has a culture of 
openness and transparency, where team-work is key.  
We embrace ideas and above all we respect one another. 
The Group has policies in the following areas to help 
promote ethical values and behaviour: whistleblowing, anti-
bribery, anti-slavery, fraud, equal opportunities, disciplinary 
and grievance procedures, health and safety. These policies 
form part of a globally applicable Group Policy Handbook 
and Code of Conduct.

6.  ensure that between them the directors have 

the necessary up-to-date experience, skills and 
capabilities 

9.  maintain governance structures and processes 
that are fit for purpose and support good 
decision-making by the Board

All members bring different experiences and knowledge 
to the Board and between them they provide a blend of 
business understanding, technical knowhow, experience of 
public markets and financial expertise. The Board consider 
that this is appropriate to enable it to successfully execute 
its long-term strategy. All members of the Board attend 
seminars and regulatory and trade events to ensure that 
their knowledge is up to date and relevant. Where the 
Board considers that it does not possess the necessary 
expertise or experience it will engage the services of 
professional advisors. The Board considers that the three 
non-executive directors, including the Chairman, are 
independent. For biographies of each of the directors see 
pages 26 - 27.

Details of the Group’s compliance with this principle  
can be found on the Group’s website at: 
https://www.quixantplc.com/results-driven/#Governance

10. communicate how the company is governed 
going forward as part of a wider strategy 
review and future planning discussion

See items 2, 3 and 9 on the Group’s website at:  
https://www.quixantplc.com/results-driven/#Governance 
and in this annual report.

Section 172(1) Statement –  
Board engagement with our stakeholders

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires a Director 
of a company to act in the way he or she considers, in 
good faith, would be most likely to promote the success  
of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole. 
In doing this, section 172 requires a Director to have 
regard, among other matters, to: the likely consequences 
of any decision in the long term; the interests of the 
company’s employees; the need to foster the company’s 
business relationships with suppliers, customers and 
others; the impact of the Company’s operations on the 
community and the environment; the desirability of the 
company maintaining a reputation for high standards of 
business conduct; and the need to act fairly with members 
of the company. The Directors give careful consideration to 
the factors set out above in discharging their duties under 
section 172. The stakeholders we consider in this regard 
are the people who work for us, buy from us, supply to 
us, own us, regulate us, and live in the societies we serve 
and the planet we all inhabit. The Board recognises that 
building strong relationships with our stakeholders will  
help us to deliver our strategy in line with our long-term 
values and operate the business in a sustainable way.  
The Board is committed to effective engagement with all  
of its stakeholders.

For further details of how the Board operates and the way 
in which it makes decisions, including key activities during 
2020 and Board governance, see pages 20 to 23 and the 
Board committee reports thereafter. The Board regularly 
receives reports from management on issues concerning 
customers, the environment, communities, suppliers, 
employees, regulators, governments and investors, which 
it takes into account in its discussions and in its decision- 
making process under section 172. In addition to this, 
the Board seeks to understand the interests and views of 
the Group’s stakeholders by engaging with them directly 
as appropriate. The Board receives updates from senior 
management on various metrics and feedback tools in 
relation to employees, including an annual employee survey. 

Engagement with employees is two-way to ensure that 
employees are kept well-informed about the business and 
valuable feedback is received to ensure continuation of 
being a trusted employer.

The Board regularly receives updates on feedback from 
investors and senior management. In addition, various 
members of the Board, including the Chairman, CEO and 
CFO meet frequently with institutional investors to discuss 
and provide updates about – and seek feedback on – 
the business, strategy, long-term financial performance, 
Directors’ remuneration policy and dividend policy to the 
extent appropriate. Considering the capital growth aims 
of shareholders, the directors are focused on growing the 
revenue and product portfolio to ensure that the Group 
continues to grow, whilst remaining profitable. This is done 
by development of new products over the previous years 
and by strategic acquisitions when appropriate. Products 
are developed based on an identified market demand.

Acquisitions are evaluated not only for their financial 
merits, but on the basis that they fit within the strategy 
and culture of the Group and that synergies and further 
opportunities can be developed through integration.

Relationships with customers and key suppliers are fostered 
through a collaborative approach through the use of 
technical services, evaluation software and products and 
customer-specific product development where appropriate.

It is the Group’s policy to manage and operate worldwide 
business activities in conformity with applicable laws and 
regulations as well as with the highest ethical standards. 
Both the Group’s Board of Directors and executive 
management are determined to comply fully with the 
applicable law and regulations, and to maintain the 
Company’s reputation for integrity and fairness in business 
dealings with third parties.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

michael Peagram

NoN-eXecutIVe 
cHAIrmAN

Nicholas Jarmany

NoN-eXecutIVe  
DePutY cHAIrmAN

Appointed: 1 February 2013

Appointed: 16 March 2005

Skills and experience:

Nick is a founding Director of Quixant and has brought 
extensive management experience and computer 
engineering knowledge to the Company. Nick has a 
background in the technology industry and he was 
employed by Densitron Technologies PLC for 22 years.  
In this time, he held numerous roles in design, engineering, 
sales and, finally, as Group Technical Director. Nick had 
overall responsibility for Densitron’s gaming business 
strategy, led the design process and negotiated with key 
suppliers and customers in the USA, Europe and Asia.   
Nick will become a non-executive director on 31 May 2020. 

Nick has an honours degree in Electronic Engineering from 
the University of Sheffield.

committees: Chairman of 
the remuneration and member 
of the audit committees

Skills and experience:

Michael has a background in the pharmaceutical and 
chemical industry. As managing director of Holliday 
Chemical Holdings PLC, he oversaw the international 
expansion of the company, leading to a listing on the 
Official List in 1993 and the subsequent sale to Yule Catto 
PLC in 1998, following which he remained as deputy 
chairman until 2007. Subsequently, Michael has held 
various non-executive director positions, principally as 
chairman, for growing AIM listed companies such as CRC 
Group PLC (computer and mobile phone servicing) and 
RMR plc (internet conferencing). The Board considers 
Michael to be an independent director.

Michael is also an active investor in numerous private 
technology companies and is involved with a number of 
community-based business and technology development 
ventures.

Michael has a doctorate in Chemistry from Oxford 
University and an MBA from Manchester Business School.

Jon Jayal    

cHIef eXecutIVe  
offIcer

Appointed: 20 June 2016

Skills and experience:

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

27

Gary mullins

NoN-eXecutIVe 
DIrector

Appointed: 11 January 2006

Skills and experience:

Jon Jayal was one of the key members of the design team 
which developed Quixant’s first product, the QX-10.  
Jon left Quixant in 2006 to broaden his experience in the 
financial sector, both as an investment consultant at Mercer 
Limited and as account manager at BlackRock, Inc.  
He re-joined Quixant in July 2012 as General Manager of 
Quixant plc and latterly Chief Operating Officer (COO) and 
is based at the Company’s UK headquarters in Cambridge. 

Jon is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has a first class 
honours degree in Electronic Engineering from the 
University of Warwick.

Gary is a founding Director of Quixant and has a  
proven track record in technology sales and marketing.  
He was employed by Densitron Technologies PLC for more 
than 10 years in sales and marketing. At Densitron, Gary 
was responsible for securing contracts with numerous 
multi-nationals. Gary has a proven track record of winning 
large orders for technical products from major companies. 
Prior to founding Quixant, he was sales director at NTera 
Limited, a nanotech electronic paper displays developer. 
Gary become a non-executive director on 31 May 2020.

Gary has an honours degree in Electronic Systems from the 
Royal Military College of Science.

Guy van Zwanenberg

NoN-eXecutIVe  
DIrector

francis Small    

SeNIor NoN-eXecutIVe  
DIrector

Appointed: 1 March 2013

Appointed: 15 January 2021

committees: Chairman of 
the audit and member of the 
remuneration committees

Skills and experience:

committees: Member of 
the audit and remuneration 
committees

Skills and experience:

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Guy has 40 years’ experience in industry and practice.  
He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Grant Thornton 
and then spent three years working with James Gulliver.  
Guy subsequently moved to become UK Finance Director 
of an American computer accessory company which was 
taken public in 1989. In 1991, he established his own interim 
financial management business and has since been involved in 
a number of SME businesses providing strategic and financial 
help. He joined Gaming King PLC in 1998 on a part time 
basis as Finance Director and became Company Secretary and 
non-executive director in 2006, remaining as a non-executive 
director when the company reversed its listing on AIM by 
acquiring Sceptre Leisure PLC in 2008, whilst with them he sat 
on the Audit and Remuneration committees. The company 
was sold in 2013. In 2015 he joined Smartspace plc, an AIM 
listed software business specialising in smart offices. He is a 
member of the Audit committee and in July 2018 was made 
Chairman of the company. In November 2019, he was asked 
to join the board of Plant Health Care plc, a leading provider 
of novel patent-protected biological products to global 
agriculture markets, which it designs and develops to sell 
around the world. Guy is Chairman of the Audit Committee 
and a member of the Remuneration Committee. The Board 
considers Guy to be an independent director.

Guy is both a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in England and Wales and a Chartered 
Director. He attends regular courses and updates both with 
professional bodies and industry organisations.

Before commencing his non-executive career in 2015, 
Francis had a highly successful 36 year executive career at 
Ernst & Young in which he undertook a variety of 
international roles including serving on the E&Y Global 
Board, leading the UK Corporate Finance business and 
operating as Managing Partner of European Transaction 
Advisory Services.  

Francis currently serves as a non-executive director on the 
board of AIM-listed software business 1Spatial plc, as Chair 
of government-backed investment company British Business 
Investments, and as Chair of the Board of Governors of 
Kingston University.

Francis serves on the Audit and Remuneration Committees 
and is the Senior Independent Director (SID). The Board 
considers Francis to be an independent director.

Francis has a degree in Law from Cambridge University is a 
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England 
and Wales.  

 
 
 
 
28

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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

29

NoN-eXecutIVe DIrector remuNerA tIoN

keY remuNerA tIoN commIttee DecISIoNS

The committee met five times in 2020:

•  January 2020 to review and discuss executive bonuses 
for 2019 and executive compensation and bonus 
targets for 2020. No bonuses were payable for 2019 
performance as the profit before tax did not exceed the 
zero point of $20.0m. It was further agreed there would 
be no increment in directors’ salaries in 2020.

•  February 2020 to approve compensation and bonus 
schemes for 2020 and discuss share option grants.

•  April 2020 to agree a 25% reduction in pay of Michael 
Peagram, Guy van Zwanenberg, Jon Jayal and Guy 
Millward. Guy Millward’s reduction was subsequently 
reversed in his payment in lieu of notice.

•  August 2020 to review the pay reduction implemented 

in the context of business recovery and agree restoration 
to normal levels.

•  September 2020 to approve issuance of share  

options to employees.

michael Peagram     

cHAIrmAN of tHe remuNerAtIoN  
commIttee

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The non-executive directors are payed a salary through 
payroll and Guy van Zwanenberg, Nick Jarmany and Gary 
Mullins also receive pension contributions. The level of 
salary paid to the non-executive directors is determined by 
the Board. The non-executive directors do not receive any 
other forms of benefits. 

Details of the individual non-executive directors’ 
remuneration is provided in note 6 to the financial 
statements. 

Non-executive directors’ service contracts incorporate 
notice periods of not less than three months’ notice from 
the non-executive to the company and vice-versa.

SHAre INceNtIVe ScHeme

An employee share option scheme was established in 2013 
to provide a long-term performance and retention incentive 
for the executive directors and employees. At 31 December 
2020, options had been granted over a total of 3,037,294 
shares (4.6% of the shares in issue) of which options over 
687,290 shares were outstanding (1.0% of the shares in 
issue). The options are exercisable subject to the growth of 
the diluted earnings per Ordinary Share as set out in each 
of the audited accounts for the three years ending after 
the date of grant (for instance for options granted during 
2018, the years ending 31 December 2018, 2019 and 
2020) being equal to or greater than 10 per cent in each 
financial year. The Directors follow the guidance set out by 
Rule 21 of the AIM Rules relating to dealings by Directors 
in the Company’s securities and, to this end, the Company 
has adopted an appropriate share dealing code. Directors’ 
shareholdings are shown in the Directors’ Report on page 
33. Jon Jayal was issued with 65,000 fair value share 
options on 6 October 2020 at an exercise price of 112.5p 
with a three-year vesting period subject to the performance 
conditions detailed above.

the remuneration committee is comprised of not 
less than two independent non-executive directors, 
it meets at least once a year and is responsible for 
setting the remuneration policy for the executives 
and senior management of the company. the 
remuneration committee comprises michael 
Peagram (chairman), Guy van Zwanenberg and 
francis Small, it invites executive directors to attend 
as it considers necessary.  

The Committee considers the remuneration packages  
of executive directors and senior management and 
discusses policy on annual reviews with the Board.   
The Remuneration Committee considers a number of 
factors in setting remuneration policy including:

•  Salary and benefits packages awarded to executives of 

comparable companies;

•  Our ability to attract and retain executives with the 

necessary skills and capabilities to enable the Group to 
operate successfully;

•  Encouraging executives to deliver long-term sustainable 

growth through the use of share-based incentives.

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE REPORT

michael Peagram     

cHAIrmAN of tHe remuNerAtIoN commIttee

eXecutIVe DIrector remuNerA tIoN

Consistent with this policy, benefit packages awarded  
to executive directors comprise a mixture of basic salary  
and pension contributions combined with performance-
related bonus and share option based compensation.    
We consider external market data on both the levels of and 
trends in executive remuneration.

•  Basic salaries: benchmarked against salaries of 

executives in comparable companies with equivalent 
skills and experience.

•  Pension contributions: we contribute a maximum of 
10% of employees base salary to a defined contribution 
pension scheme.

•  Performance-related bonus: the Committee defines 
bonus targets which are principally linked to relevant 
profitability measures and are aligned with corporate 
growth targets. The maximum annual bonus for 
executive directors is at 100% of basic salary.

•  Share options: the Committee considers both fair 
value and nominal value conditional share option 
grants with multi-year vesting periods as a means of 
both aligning executive compensation with shareholder 
interests and retaining talent. 

Details of the individual executive directors’ remuneration  
is provided in note 6 to the financial statements. 

The directors’ service contracts incorporate notice periods 
of not less than six months’ notice from the executive to 
the company and not less than 12 months’ notice from the 
company to the executive, except for C-T Lin who prior to 
his departure from the Board on 31 May 2020 operated on 
a six-month notice period. 

 
 
 
 
30

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the following specific business was dealt 
with at each meeting held in 2020:

Annual results for 31 December 2019, including:

•  Accounting issues report from the CFO

•  Full year report from the external auditor including 
Auditor’s Report to be included in the 2019 Annual 
Report

•  Consolidated financial statements for the year ended 

31 December 2019

•  Principal risks and uncertainties

•  Consideration of the going concern basis for 

preparation of the financial statements, including 
COVID-19 impact

recommendations to the Board on:

•  Consolidated financial statements

•  Going concern statement

Half year results for 30 June 2020,  
including reviews of:

•  Accounting issues report from the CFO

•  Results for the half year ended 30 June 2020

Recommendations to the Board on the half year results

Reviewed scope for the external audit for 31 December 
2020, agreed fees for the 2020 audit, including an 
increased scope of the audit for Densitron Japan.

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3.  Internal controls

•  Monitor compliance with the QCA Code and other 

applicable regulations;

•  Test and monitor effectiveness and robustness of all 
internal controls including internal financial controls  
and processes and whether an internal audit function  
is required.

4.  external audit

•  Make recommendations to the Board for the 

appointment or reappointment of the external auditor;

•  Lead the process of and make recommendations of any 

successful party to an audit tender process;

•  Manage the overall relationship with the external auditor;

•  Review the independence and evaluate the effectiveness 

of the external auditor;

•  Monitor the policy on any non-audit services carried out 

by the external auditor;

•  Review and approve the external auditor’s fee, scope of 

the audit and terms of their engagement.

5.  fraud and whistleblowing

AUDIT  
COMMITTEE  
REPORT

Guy van Zwanenberg     

cHAIrmAN of tHe AuDIt commIttee 

the audit committee is responsible for ensuring  
the financial performance of the company is 
properly reported on and monitored, including 
reviews of the annual and interim reports, internal 
control systems and procedures and accounting 
policies. the Audit committee comprises Guy van 
Zwanenberg (chairman) and michael Peagram. 
the board considers that Guy van Zwanenberg 
has recent and relevant financial experience in 
accordance with the Quoted companies Alliance 
(QcA) code.  

The committee has met three times during the year inviting 
the external auditors to two of these meetings and the Chief 
Financial Officer to each meeting (at the meetings where 
the auditors were present, time was taken to meet with the 
auditors without the Chief Financial Officer being present). 

role of tHe AuDIt commIttee:

1.  risk management - on behalf of the Board, review 

and give supervision to the processes by which risks are 
managed;

2.  financial reporting

•  Oversee the reporting against various accounting 
policies, including compliance with accounting 
standards;

•  Ensure that financial statements have integrity and 

comply with all applicable UK legislation and regulation 
as appropriate;

•  Ensure that the Annual Report and Accounts is fair, 

balanced and understandable, to be able to recommend 
approval to the Board;

•  Oversee the processes in place to prevent and detect 
fraud and which enable employees to raise concerns 
without fear of recriminations;

•  Oversee financial results and trading announcements 

with the market.

•  Digest reports of fraud, bribery or whistleblowing that 
occur in the Group and to oversee any remedial action.

Significant accounting issues considered by the 
committee in relation to the 2020 financial statements,  
and how they were addressed, were:

Goodwill and intangible assets impairment – the Group 
has goodwill and intangible assets as a result of the 
acquisitions of Densitron and Alpha Displays in 2015 and 
of IDS in 2019 and as a result of capitalizing R&D carried 
out in both Gaming and Densitron as part of its on-going 
business. The Alpha Displays earn-out ended in 2018 and 
was paid in 2019. The IDS acquisition was integrated 
into the Group’s UK business immediately following 
acquisition on 1 July 2019. On an annual basis, the 
Group undertakes an impairment review of goodwill and 
intangible assets for each cash generating unit (CGU) using 
cash flow projections. IDS is measured as a standalone 
CGU, Densitron is measured using CGUs for the individual 
countries operated in and Alpha Displays is measured as 
part of the Gaming CGU. The board noted in the 2016 
annual report that the Alpha Displays acquisition brought 
significant knowledge to the Group of the global gaming 
monitors market, while the individuals who joined the 
group as part of that acquisition have since left the group, 
the Gaming monitors business established continues to 
trade profitably. Densitron’s history of declining legacy 
revenue has caused the board to consider impairing the 
goodwill of the business it bought in 2015 but forecasts 
of future revenue growth from Broadcast and Medical 
products recently developed currently show that overall the 
revenue will grow and that the goodwill is not impaired.

Valuation of inventory – in dealing with the effects of 
COVID-19 throughout the supply chain, the business has 
handled inventory and working capital well. The Group 
policy on inventory was sufficiently robust to ensure that 
the carrying values were suitable and inventory was not 
over-valued, but flexible enough for management to make 
appropriate decisions on the realisable value of stock based 
on contractual commitments from customers. Inventory 
levels are understandably higher as orders for customers 
were pushed out, and whilst there are component 
shortages in the global market, this leaves the Group in a 
strong position going into 2021.  

As at 31 December 2020, the total inventory in the Quixant 
CGU is $19.1m (2019: $17.1m) and in the parent company 
is $13.8m (2019: $13.7m).

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

31

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Going concern – the Directors have prepared cash flow 
forecasts for a period of at least 12 months from the date 
of signing the financial statements and are confident that 
the Group will have sufficient funds to continue to meet 
its liabilities beyond the 12-month period analysed, and 
therefore have prepared the financial statements on a 
going concern basis.

other area of focus

Management override of controls – despite the observations 
raised by KPMG, we are satisfied that adequate controls 
are in place and use the monthly management reporting 
and the results of the external audit to assess this on an 
on-going basis.

eXterNAl A uDIt

The external audit is scoped following an assessment by 
KPMG of the level of materiality and the specific audit 
risks. In 2020 the most significant risks identified were 
the recoverability of goodwill and acquired intangibles in 
the Densitron Europe CGU, Densitron US CGU and IDS 
CGU, revenue recognition, valuation of inventory in the 
Quixant CGU and the parent company, and going concern 
assessment. The audit committee reviewed and challenged 
KPMG on these matters and reviewed their reporting and 
feedback from management on the effectiveness of the 
audit process.

NoN-AuDIt SerVIceS

The Committee approves all non-audit services provided by 
the auditors before they are undertaken and reviews the 
level of these services to ensure KPMG’s independence is 
not compromised. KPMG provided tax advice to the group 
in the UK but no other non-audit services in 2020. In 2021 
the audit committee will review whether KPMG is able to 
continue to provide these services under the new auditor 
independence rules.

INterNAl coNtrolS

The review of risks facing the group is shown on pages  
18 and19. The group has clearly defined lines of 
accountability and delegation of authority which are closely 
adhered to, policies and procedures that cover financial 
planning and reporting, accounts preparation, information 
security and operational management. The reporting and 
review processes provide regular assurance to the board as 
to the adequacy and effectiveness on internal controls.  
The Committee has determined that an internal audit 
function is not currently required by the Group and that 
there are other monitoring processes applied to provide 
assurance that internal controls are functioning satisfactorily. 

Guy van Zwanenberg     

cHAIrmAN of tHe AuDIt commIttee

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

33

DIRECTORS' REPORT

Jon Jayal     

DIrector

the Directors present their Annual report and 
accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020.

StAtutorY INformA tIoN

PrINcIPAl ActIVItIeS, reSultS AND   
lIkelY future DeVeloPmeNtS

The principal activities of the Group are:

•	 the design, development and manufacture  

of gaming platforms and display solutions for  
the gaming and slot machine industry; and 

Quixant plc (The Company) is a Public Limited Company 
incorporated in the United Kingdom (Registration number: 
04316977). The Company’s ordinary shares are traded on 
the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock 
Exchange (AIM).

The Company has a branch, located in Taiwan, whose 
operations and results are included in the standalone 
financial statements of the Company.

•	 the design, development and delivery of electronic 

displays into the industrial marketplace. 

Details of the share capital of the Company are set out in 
note 22 of the consolidated financial statements.

The loss for the year after taxation amounted to $3.0m
(2019 profit for the year: $8.3m). Further comments  
on the development of the business are included in  
the Chairman’s Statement, Chief Executive’s Report and 
Financial Review on pages 7-15.

ANNuAl GeNerAl meetING

The date and other details of the next Annual General 
Meeting of the Company are contained within the notice 
of this meeting. The Board proposes reinstatement of a 
dividend for the year ended 31 December 2020 of 2.0p per 
share. No dividend was paid during 2020.

the Group has adopted the corporate  
governance code of the Quoted companies 
Alliance (QcA). further comments are included 
in the chairman’s Introduction to Governance on 
page 22. engagement with suppliers, customers 
and others in a business relationship with the 
company are also disclosed in the Governance 
report.

the Group have made disclosures in the 
environmental, Social and Governance report  
on pages 20-25 regarding Greenhouse gas 
emissions, energy consumption and energy 
efficiency of the business.

SuBStANtIAl SHAreHolDINGS

DIrectorS’ INDemNItY ArrANGemeNtS

On 14 April 2021 the Company had been notified of the 
following significant interests in its share capital over 3%:

Shares held
Ordinary shares 
of £0.001 each

% of issued
share capital

N C L Jarmany and his wife

11,506,163

Liontrust Asset Management

Mr J and Mrs S Mullins

Jupiter Asset Management

AXA Framlington Investment 
Managers

C-T Lin and his wife

Amati Global Investors

Schroders Plc

Tellworth Investments

Chelverton Asset Management

G P Mullins and his wife

Octopus Investments Nominees 
Limited

7,666,224

3,858,920

3,677,378

3,493,736

3,484,059

3,246,517

2,866,799

2,302,442

2,297,411

2,215,653

2,122,975

17.32%

11.54%

5.81%

5.54%

5.26%

5.24%

4.88%

4.32%

3.47%

3.46%

3.34%

3.20%

The Group has made qualifying third-party indemnity 
provisions for the benefit of its Directors which were 
made during the year and remain in force at the date of 
this report. The Group has purchased and maintained 
throughout the year Directors’ and Officers’ liability 
insurance in respect of itself and its Directors.

reSeArcH AND DeVeloPmeNt (r&D)

The Group continues to invest in R&D, spending 
$4.3m (2019: $6.6m) in its R&D and customer support 
programmes in the year, of which $1.7m (2019: $2.2m) 
was capitalised. The Group undertakes R&D to develop 
and enhance its products and the Group will continue 
to commit a significant level of resource and expenditure 
as appropriate to R&D. $1.5m of capitalised research 
& development was derecognised in the year due to 
extraordinary notifications by key suppliers to end-of-life 
key components utilised in our gaming products; citing 
changing market demands and supply chain issues brought 
about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alexander Taylor

2,058,958

3.10%

uSe of fINANcIAl INStrumeNtS

G
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DIrectorS

The Directors who served during the year and their interests  
in the share capital of the Company were as follows:

Information on both the Group’s financial risk management 
objectives and the Group’s policies on exposure to relevant 
risks in respect of financial instruments are set out in note 
23 of the consolidated financial statements.

PolItIcAl coNtrIButIoNS

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries made any 
political donations or incurred any political expenditure 
during the year (2019: nil).

Shares held ordinary 
shares of £0.001 each

options granted
£0.001 each

exercise 
price

2020

2019

G A Y Hudson (resigned 23 March 2020)

N C L Jarmany

J F Jayal

C-T Lin (resigned 31 May 2020)

G L Millward (resigned 21 August 2020)

G P Mullins

N T Payne (appointed 1 July 2020, resigned 31 August 2020)

M J Peagram

G van Zwanenberg

2020

7,350

2019

7,350

11,506,163

11,201,163

—

—

383,547

375,200

65,000

3,484,059

3,484,059

—

—

2,215,653

2,215,653

14,000

263,674

27,837

—

253,674

27,837

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

£1.125

—

—

—

—

—

—

There have been no other change in the interests set out above between 31 December 2020 and 14 April 2021. 

 
 
 
34

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GoING coNcerN

In determining the appropriate basis of preparation of the 
financial statements, the Directors are required to consider 
whether the Group and Company will have sufficient funds 
to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 
12 months from the date of approval of these financial 
statements.

While the Directors’ have no reason to believe that customer 
revenues and receipts will decline to the point that the 
Group no longer has sufficient resources to fund its 
operations, should this occur, the group would look to take 
out additional funding facilities, as well as making reductions 
in controllable costs. There would also be an opportunity to 
sell certain property and inventory assets to accelerate cash 
generation and/or mitigate risk.

Following the global pandemic in 2020, the world continues 
to recover as economies begin to re-open following the 
rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. Governments around the 
world continue to impose various restrictions on economic 
activity, the movement of people, and various other initiatives 
to minimise the opportunity for the disease to spread.

Consequently, the directors are confident that the Group 
and Company will have sufficient funds to continue to 
meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months 
from the date of approval of these financial statements and 
therefore have prepared these financial statements on a 
going concern basis.

The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts for a period 
of at least 12 months from the date of signing the financial 
statements. Ongoing effects of the pandemic on the 
forecasts include delays in recovering debts from customers 
who may be facing financial difficulties, further drops 
in customer demand in the coming months despite the 
recovery seen in H2 2020, and the uncertain timing of sales 
recovering to levels prior to the pandemic.

The Board considered their reasonably plausible but 
severe downside scenario where 2021 reported revenues 
were halved compared to forecast, and the performance 
expected in the 2021 Budget being achieved in 2022 
instead. The total revenues modelled in 2021 were lower 
than the extrapolated annual revenue based on Q2 2020 
performance, when the impact of COVID-19 was most 
significant. In this scenario, the Group will have sufficient 
cash reserves and working capital to continue operating as a 
going concern beyond the 12-month period analysed.

The Board’s other reasonably plausible but severe downside 
scenario can be viewed as similar to trading conditions that 
were experienced in 2020. In Q2 2020, due to the global 
pandemic and a significant lockdown in the USA, Gaming 
revenues dropped off in Q2 2020, and but then recovered 
through H2 2020. However, rather than the ongoing 
trading conditions due to the pandemic, the challenge in 
2021 might be related to stock and component availability. 
Therefore, the Board has considered a scenario where orders 
are not completed, and revenues are not received, in Q3 
2021, and resume in Q4 2021. This situation would also 
not cause the Group any difficulty with cashflow as per the 
analysis.

SuBSeQueNt eVeNtS

The Group continues to monitor and assess the impact of 
COVID-19 on the performance of the business in 2021.  
The Directors are confident in the Group’s ability to react 
to any further economic uncertainties that may occur 
in 2021 and will continue to utilise its experiences from 
2020. The net cash of the Group has improved since the 
end of 2020, and the government-backed, revolving credit 
facility remains available. The global component shortage 
is likely to have an impact on procurement. The Board has 
approved a plan to purchase additional buffer stock to 
support the 2021 order book and protect the business from 
ongoing global shortages, which will be managed within 
our current working capital structure.

DIScloSure of INformA tIoN  
to tHe AuDItor

The Directors who held office at the date of approval of 
this Directors’ Report confirm that, so far as they are each 
aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the 
Company’s auditor is unaware; and each Director has taken 
all the steps that they ought to have taken as a Director to 
make themselves aware of any relevant audit information 
and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware of 
that information.

AuDItor

In accordance with Section 489 of the Companies Act 
2006, a resolution for the re-appointment of KPMG 
LLP as auditor of the Company is to be proposed at the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board on 14 April 2021.

Jon Jayal    DIrector

Aisle Barn, 100 High Street, Balsham CB21 4EP

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

35

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate 
accounting records that are sufficient to show and 
explain the parent Company’s transactions and disclose 
with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 
position of the parent Company and enable them to 
ensure that its financial statements comply with the 
Companies Act 2006. They are responsible for such 
internal control as they determine is necessary to enable 
the preparation of financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, 
and have general responsibility for taking such steps as 
are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of 
the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other 
irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the directors are 
also responsible for preparing a Strategic Report and a 
Directors’ Report that complies with that law and those 
regulations.

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

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IN reSPect of tHe ANNuAl rePort  
AND tHe fINANcIAl StAtemeNtS

The directors are responsible for  
preparing the Annual Report and the  
Group and parent Company financial 
statements in accordance with applicable 
law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare Group and 
parent Company financial statements for each financial 
year. Under the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange 
they are required to prepare the Group financial statements 
in accordance with international accounting standards in 
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 
2006 and applicable law and they have elected to prepare 
the parent Company financial statements on the same basis.

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

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply  

them consistently;

•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, 

relevant and reliable;

•  state whether they have been prepared in accordance 
with international accounting standards in conformity 
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006;

•  assess the Group and parent Company’s ability to 

continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, 
matters related to going concern; and

•  use the going concern basis of accounting unless they 
either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent 
Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic 
alternative but to do so. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Financial 
Statements

INDEPENDENT 
AUDITOR'S REPORT

to the members of Quixant Plc

1. our oPINIoN IS uNmoDIfIeD

Basis for opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Quixant plc 
(“the Company”) for the year ended 31 December 2020 
which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Profit and 
Loss and other Comprehensive Income, Consolidated and 
Company Balance Sheets, Consolidated and Company 
Statement of Changes in Equity and Consolidated and 
Company Cash Flow Statements, and the related notes, 
including the accounting policies in note 1.

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 December 2020 and of the Group’s loss 
for the year then ended;  

 •  the Group financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with international accounting 
standards in conformity with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006; 

•  the parent Company financial statements have been 
properly prepared in accordance with international 
accounting standards in conformity with the 
requirements of, and 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. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable 
law. Our responsibilities are described below. We have 
fulfilled our ethical responsibilities under, and are 
independent of the Group in accordance with, UK ethical 
requirements including the FRC Ethical Standard as applied 
to listed entities. We believe that the audit evidence  
we have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate basis for 
our opinion. 

overview

materiality:

$370k (2019:$450k)

Group financial 
statements as a 
whole

coverage

3.8% of Group profit before tax 
normalised by averaging over the 
last four years (2019: 4.8% of Group 
profit before tax) 

99% (2019:100%) of total profits 
and losses that made up group loss 
before tax 

key audit matters

vs 2019

recurring risks

Going concern

Recoverability of Group 
goodwill and acquisition 
related intangibles in the
Densitron Europe, 
Densitron US and IDS CGUs 

Valuation of inventory in 
the Quixant CGU and the 
parent Company

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

37

2. keY A uDIt mAtterS: 
  our ASSeSSmeNt of rISkS of mA terIAl mISStAtemeNt

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our 
professional judgement, were of most significance in 
the audit of the financial statements and include the 
most significant assessed risks of material misstatement 
(whether or not due to fraud) identified by us, including 
those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit 
strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and 

directing the efforts of the engagement team.  These 
matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 
financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion 
thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on 
these matters.  In arriving at our audit opinion above, the 
key audit matters, in decreasing order of audit significance, 
were as follows:

the risk

our response

Going concern

Disclosure quality

Refer to page 30 
(Audit Committee 
Report) and note 
1 of the financial 
statements.

The financial statements explain how the Board 
has formed a judgement that it is appropriate to 
adopt the going concern basis of preparation for 
the Group and parent Company.

That judgement is based on an evaluation of 
the inherent risks to the Group’s and Company’s 
business model and how those risks might affect 
the Group’s and Company’s financial resources 
or ability to continue operations over a period of 
at least a year from the date of approval of the 
financial statements. 

The risk most likely to adversely affect the 
Group’s and Company’s available financial 
resources over this period was the recovery in 
customer demand in the Gaming CGU that 
was predominantly impacted by the closures 
of casinos around the world as a result of 
COVID-19 and the resulting lockdowns. We also 
considered less predictable but realistic second 
order impacts, such as the issues in the supply 
of raw materials which could result in a rapid 
reduction of sales achievable.

The risk for our audit was whether or not those 
risks were such that they amounted to a material 
uncertainty that may have cast significant doubt 
about the ability to continue as a going concern.  
Had they been such, then that fact would have 
been required to have been disclosed. 

We considered whether these risks could plausibly 
affect the liquidity in the going concern period by 
assessing the directors’ sensitivities over the level of 
available financial resources indicated by the Group’s 
financial forecasts taking account of severe, but 
plausible, adverse effects that could arise from these 
risks individually and collectively.  

our procedures also included:  

•		Our	sector	experience: Challenging the 

Directors’ assessment of the risks and impact of 
COVID-19 on the Group by benchmarking them to 
our knowledge of the industry.

•		Benchmarking	assumptions:	Assessing the 
reasonableness of the group’s assumptions in 
relation to key inputs such as projected growth 
rates with our knowledge of the industry, 
externally derived data and the actual performance 
during the pandemic.

•		Historical	comparisons:	Comparing the cash 
flows forecasted for the year to date to actual 
results. 

•		Sensitivity	analysis:	Considering sensitivities over 
the level of available financial resources indicated 
by the Group’s financial forecasts taking account 
of plausible (but not unrealistic) adverse effects 
that could arise from these risks individually and 
collectively. 

•		Assessing	transparency:	Considering whether 
the going concern disclosure in note 1 to the 
financial statements gives a full and accurate 
description of the Directors’ assessment of going 
concern, including the related sensitivities.

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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

39

2.  key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement (cont'd)

2.  key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement (cont'd)

the risk

our response

the risk

our response

recoverability of 
Group goodwill and 
acquisition related 
intangibles in the 
Densitron europe, 
Densitron uS and IDS 
cGus 

Goodwill:
Densitron Europe:
$2.9m (2019:$2.9m)
Densitron US:
$2.1m (2019:$2.1m)
IDS:
$0.7m (2019:$0.7m)

Acquisition related 
intangibles:
Densitron Europe:
$0.5m (2019:$0.7m)
Densitron US:
$0.9m (2019:$1.1m)
IDS:
$1.1m (2019:$1.6m)

Refer to page 30 
(Audit Committee 
Report), note 1 and 
note 11 of the financial 
statements.

forecast based assessment:

our procedures also included:  

The estimated recoverable amount of these 
balances is subjective due to the inherent 
uncertainty involved in forecasting and 
discounting future cash flows. 

The size of the balance, and in the case of 
goodwill, the requirement to test for impairment 
on an annual basis, makes this a core area on 
which our audit focused. 

The effect of these matters is that, as part of 
our risk assessment, we determined that the 
value in use of the above mentioned CGUs had 
a high degree of estimation uncertainty due to 
the uncertainty in the Group’s performance as 
a result of COVID-19, with a potential range of 
reasonable outcomes greater than our materiality 
for the financial statements as a whole. 

The financial statements (note 11) disclose the 
sensitivity estimated by the Group for these CGUs.

•		Benchmarking	assumptions:	Comparing the 
Group’s assumptions to externally derived data 
(for example competitor discount rates, inflation 
and OECD growth forecast data) in relation to key 
inputs such as projected economic growth and 
discount rates.

•		Historical	comparisons: Assessing the 

reasonableness of the forecasts used by considering 
the historical accuracy of previous budgets.

•		Sensitivity	analysis:	Performing our own 

sensitivity analysis on assumptions such as revenue 
growth rate, margins and discount rates, in 
addition to those performed by the Directors, and 
critically assessing the extent to which a change 
in these assumptions, both individually or in 
aggregate, would result in an impairment and 
considered the likelihood of such events occurring.

•		Comparing	valuations:	Comparing the sum of 
the discounted cash flows to the Group’s market 
capitalisation to assess the reasonableness of those 
cash flows.

•		Assessing	transparency: Assessing whether the 
Group’s disclosures about the sensitivity of the 
outcome of the impairment assessment to changes 
in key assumptions reflected the risks inherent in 
the valuation of goodwill and acquisition related 
intangibles.

Valuation of 
inventory in the 
Quixant cGu and the 
parent company

Parent company 
inventory:
$13.8m (2019:$13.7m)

Quixant CGU inventory:
$19.1m (2019: 
$17.1m)

Refer to page 30 
(Audit Committee 
Report), note 1 and 
note 15 of the financial 
statements.

Subjective estimate:

our procedures included: 

The estimated recoverable amount of the 
inventory balance in the Quixant CGU and 
the parent Company is subjective due to the 
inherent uncertainty involved in forecasting of 
future sales.

•		Review	of	policy:	Inspecting the inventory 

provision recorded by directors for consistency 
with the Group’s policy and accounting standards 
and recalculating the provision recognised by the 
Group.

The risk is higher for this year as the Group 
and parent company’s gaming revenue was 
predominantly impacted by the closures 
of casinos around the world as a result of 
COVID-19 and the resulting lockdowns. Also, 
the inventory days within the Quixant CGU have 
increased from 186 days in 2019 to 278 days 
in 2020. The inventory days within the parent 
company have increased from 116 days in 2019 
to 140 days in 2020. 

The effect of these matters is that, as part of our 
risk assessment for audit planning purposes, we 
determined that the valuation of inventory in 
the Quixant CGU and the parent company has 
a high degree of estimation uncertainty, with a 
potential range of reasonable outcomes greater 
than our materiality for the financial statements 
as a whole. In conducting our final audit 
work, we reassessed the degree of estimation 
uncertainty to be less than that materiality.

•		Test	of	detail: Assessing the key assumptions 
underlying the sales forecasts prepared by the 
directors for reasonableness by inspecting the 
committed orders in the pipeline. 

•		Test	of	detail: Comparing the levels of 

inventory held at year end, in comparison to the 
consumption during the year.

•		Test	of	detail: Testing a sample of items to 

purchase and sales invoices to ensure that stock is 
held at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

•		Test	of	detail: Performing our own calculation  

of the expected provision and compared this with 
the Group’s provision calculation and followed up 
on differences.

•		Assessing	transparency:	Assessing whether  

the Group’s disclosures about the key estimates and 
judgements gives a full and accurate description of 
the risks in the estimation uncertainty.

Following a Group re-organization, Densitron Technologies 
Limited is in liquidation and its trade and assets have 
been transferred to other group companies. Accordingly, 
the parent company no longer holds an investment in 
Densitron Technologies Limited. We continue to perform 
procedures over the recoverability of the parent company’s 
investments in other subsidiaries. However, following a 
review of the headroom in the client model to support the 
investment carrying values, we have not assessed this as 
one of the most significant risks in our current year audit 
and, therefore, it is not separately identified in our report 
this year.

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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

41

3.  our APPlIcA tIoN of mA terIAlItY AND   

AN oVerVIeW of tHe ScoPe of our A uDIt

The components within the scope of our work  
accounted for the percentages illustrated below. 

Materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole 
was set at $370k (2019: $450k), determined with reference 
to a benchmark of Group profit before tax, of which it 
represents 3.8% (2019: 4.8%). 

Normalised Group  
profit before tax

$9,691k (2019: $14,333k)

In 2020, we normalised Group profit before tax by 
averaging over the last four years due to the impact of the 
COVID-19 pandemic on the Group’s financial results.

Materiality for the parent Company financial statements as 
a whole was set at $180k (2019: $135k), determined with 
reference to a benchmark of Company revenue, of which it 
represents 0.4% (2019: 0.3%). 

In line with our audit methodology, our procedures 
on individual account balances and disclosures were 
performed to a lower threshold, performance materiality, 
so as to reduce to an acceptable level the risk that 
individually immaterial misstatements in individual account 
balances add up to a material amount across the financial 
statements as a whole. 

Performance materiality was set at 65% (2019: 75%) of 
materiality for the financial statements as a whole, which 
equates to $241k (2019: $337k) for the Group and $117k 
(2019: $101k) for the parent Company. We applied this 
percentage in our determination of performance materiality 
based on the level of identified misstatements and control 
deficiencies during the prior period.

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected 
or uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding 
$19k (2019: $22.5k), in addition to other identified 
misstatements that warranted reporting on qualitative 
grounds. 

Of the Group’s 10 (2019: 15) reporting components, 
we subjected 7 (2019: 8) to full scope audits for Group 
purposes and 0 (2019: 2) to specified risk-focused audit 
procedures. 

Group materiality

$370k (2019: $450k)

$370k
Whole financial statements 
materiality (2019: $450k)

$241k
Whole financial statements 
performance materiality  
(2019: $337k)

$275k
Range of materiality at 7 
components ($90k to $275k)
(2019: $70k to $330k)

$19k
Misstatements reported  
to the audit committee  
(2019: $22.5k)

Normalised PBT
Group materiality

Group revenue

total profits and losses that 
made up group loss before tax

97%

(2019 100%)

99%

(2019 100%)

Group total assets 

98%

(2019 96%)

key: 

Full scope for Group audit purposes 2020

Specified risk-focused audit procedures 2020

Full scope for Group audit purposes 2019

Specified risk-focused audit procedures 2019

Residual components 

The remaining 3% (2019: 0%) of total Group revenue, 1% 
(2019: 0%) of total profits and losses that made up group 
loss before tax and 2% (2019: 4%) of total Group assets is 
represented by 3 (2019: 5) reporting components, none of 
which individually represented more than 5% (2019: 5%) 
of any of total Group revenue, total profits and losses that 
made up group loss before tax or total Group assets. For 
these components, we performed analysis at an aggregated 
Group level to re-examine our assessment that there were 
no significant risks of material misstatement within these.

The Group team instructed component auditors as to the 
significant areas to be covered, including the relevant risks 
detailed above and the information to be reported back.  

The Group team approved the component materialities, 
which ranged from $90k to $275k (2019: $70k to $330k), 
having regard to the mix of size and risk profile of the 
Group across the components.  The work on 2 of the 
10 components (2019: 2 of the 15 components) was 
performed by component auditors and the rest, including 
the audit of the parent Company, was performed by the 
Group team. 

In regards to these 2 components, video and telephone 
conference meetings were held with these component 
auditors to assess audit risk and strategy.  At these meetings, 
the findings reported to the Group team were discussed in 
more detail, and any further work required by the Group 
team was then performed by the component auditor. 

4.  GoING coNcerN     

The Directors have prepared the financial statements on the 
going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the 
Group or the Company or to cease their operations, and 
as they have concluded that the Group and the Company’s 
financial position means that this is realistic. They have 
also concluded that there are no material uncertainties 
that could have cast significant doubt over their ability to 
continue as a going concern for at least a year from the 
date of approval of the financial statements (“the going 
concern period”).  

An explanation of how we evaluated management’s 
assessment of going concern is set out in the related key 
audit matter in section 2 of this report.

Our conclusions based on this work:

•  we consider that the directors’ use of the going concern 
basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial 
statements is appropriate;

•  we have not identified, and concur with the directors’ 
assessment that there is not, a material uncertainty 
related to events or conditions that, individually or 
collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group’s 
or Company's ability to continue as a going concern for 
the going concern period; and

•  we found the going concern disclosure in note 1 of the 

financial statements to be acceptable

•  However, as we cannot predict all future events or 
conditions and as subsequent events may result in 
outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements that 
were reasonable at the time they were made, the above 
conclusions are not a guarantee that the Group or the 
Company will continue in operation.

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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

43

We also performed procedures including:

• 

Identifying journal entries to test for all full scope 
components based on risk criteria and comparing the 
identified entries to supporting documentation. These 
included those posted to unusual accounts. 

•  Assessing significant accounting estimates for bias. 

Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement 
due to non-compliance with laws and regulations.

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could 
reasonably be expected to have a material effect on 
the financial statements from our general commercial 
and sector experience and through discussion with the 
directors (as required by auditing standards), and discussed 
with the directors and other management the policies 
and procedures regarding compliance with laws and 
regulations.  

We communicated identified laws and regulations 
throughout our team and remained alert to any indications 
of non-compliance throughout the audit. This included 
communication from the Group to component audit teams 
of relevant laws and regulations identified at the Group 
level, and a request for component auditors to report to 
the Group team any instances of non-compliance with 
laws and regulations that could give rise to a material 
misstatement at the Group level.

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the 
financial statements varies considerably.

Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and regulations that 
directly affect the financial statements including financial 
reporting legislation (including related companies 
legislation), distributable profits legislation and taxation 
legislation and we assessed the extent of compliance with 
these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the 
related financial statement items.  

5.  frAuD AND BreAcHeS of lAWS   

AND reGulAtIoNS – ABIlItY to Detect

Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement 
due to fraud.

To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud 
(“fraud risks”) we assessed events or conditions that 
could indicate an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or 
provide an opportunity to commit fraud.

Our risk assessment procedures included: 

•  Enquiring of directors, the audit committee and 

inspection of policy documentation as to the Group’s 
high-level policies and procedures to prevent and detect 
fraud, and the Group’s channel for “whistleblowing”, 
as well as whether they have knowledge of any actual, 
suspected or alleged fraud.

•  Reading board and audit committee meeting minutes.

•  Considering remuneration incentive schemes and 

performance targets for management, directors and 
sales staff.

•  Using analytical procedures to identify any unusual or 

unexpected relationships.

We communicated identified fraud risks throughout the 
audit team and remained alert to any indications of fraud 
throughout the audit. This included communication 
from the Group to component audit teams of relevant 
fraud risks identified at the Group level and request to 
component audit teams to report to the Group audit team 
any instances of fraud that could give rise to a material 
misstatement at the Group level.

As required by auditing standards, and taking into account 
possible pressures to meet profit targets, we perform 
procedures to address the risk of management override of 
controls and the risk of fraudulent revenue recognition, in 
particular the risk that product sales revenue is recorded in 
the wrong period and the risk that Group and component 
management may be in a position to make inappropriate 
accounting entries, and the risk of bias in accounting 
estimates and judgements such as valuation of inventory. 

Further detail in respect of valuation of inventory in the 
Quixant CGU and the parent Company is set out in the key 
audit matter disclosures in section 2 of this report.

We did not identify any additional fraud risks. 

Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and 
regulations where the consequences of non-compliance 
could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures 
in the financial statements, for instance through the 
imposition of fines or litigation. We identified the following 
areas as those most likely to have such an effect: GDPR, 
health and safety, anti-bribery, employment law and 
certain aspects of Company legislation recognising the 
nature of the Group’s activities. Auditing standards limit 
the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance 
with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors 
and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if 
any. Therefore if a breach of operational regulations is not 
disclosed to us or evident from relevant correspondence, an 
audit will not detect that breach.

Context of the ability of the audit to detect fraud  
or breaches of law or regulation.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an 
unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some 
material misstatements in the financial statements, even 
though we have properly planned and performed our audit 
in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the 
further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations 
is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial 
statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures 
required by auditing standards would identify it.  

In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk 
of non-detection of fraud, as these may involve collusion, 
forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the 
override of internal controls. Our audit procedures are 
designed to detect material misstatement. We are not 
responsible for preventing non-compliance or fraud and 
cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws 
and regulations.

6.  We HAVe NotHING to rePort oN   

tHe otHer INformA tIoN IN tHe ANNu Al 
rePort   

The directors are responsible for the other information  
presented in the Annual Report together with the financial 
statements. Our opinion on the financial statements does 
not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do 
not express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated 
below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon.  

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, 
in doing so, consider whether, based on our financial 
statements audit work, the information therein is materially 
misstated or inconsistent with the financial statements 
or our audit knowledge. Based solely on that work we 
have not identified material misstatements in the other 
information. 

Strategic Report and Directors’ Report.

Based solely on our work on the other information:

•  we have not identified material misstatements in  
the strategic report and the directors’ report;  

• 

in our opinion the information given in those reports 
for the financial year is consistent with the financial 
statements; and  

• 

in our opinion those reports have been prepared in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

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7. We HAVe NotHING to rePort oN tHe
otHer mAtterS oN WHIcH We Are
reQuIreD to rePort BY eXcePtIoN

Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required 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.

We have nothing to report in these respects.

8. reSPectIVe reSPoNSIBIlItIeS

Director’s responsibilities

As explained more fully in their statement set out on  
page 35, the directors are responsible for: the preparation 
of the financial statements including being satisfied that 
they give a true and fair view; such internal control as 
they determine is necessary to enable the preparation 
of financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; assessing the 
Group and parent Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting 
unless they either intend to liquidate the Group or the 
parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic 
alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities

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

A fuller description of our responsibilities  
is provided on the FRC’s website at:  
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities

9. tHe PurPoSe of our AuDIt Work AND

to WHom We oWe our reSPoNSIBIlItIeS

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.

kelly Dunn     (SeNIor StAtutorY AuDItor)

for and on behalf of kPmG llP, Statutory Auditor

Chartered Accountants
Botanic House
100 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 1AR

14 April 2021

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coNSolIDAteD StAtemeNt of ProfIt AND loSS AND otHer comPreHeNSIVe INcome
For the years ended 31 December 2020 and 2019

coNSolIDAteD AND comPANY BAlANce SHeetS
As at 31 December 2020 and 2019

revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Operating expenses

operating (loss) / profit

Financial expenses

(loss) / Profit before tax

Taxation

(loss) / Profit for the year

other comprehensive income for the year, net of income tax

Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Foreign currency translation differences

total comprehensive (expense) / income for the year

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

2020
total

$000

63,794

(43,742)

20,052

(21,904)

(1,852)

(151)

(2,003)

(955)

(2,958)

2019
Total
(Restated*)
$000

92,320

(60,259)

32,061

(22,507)

9,554

(136)

9,418

(1,102)

8,316

Note

2,3

4

7

8

788

(2,170)

9

9

($ 0.0445)

($ 0.0445)

(144)

8,172

$ 0.1252

$ 0.1243

The Italian subsidiary, Quixant Italia srl, is 99% owned 
by the Group. The comprehensive income and equity 
attributable to the non-controlling interests in this 
subsidiary are not material.

The consolidated statement of profit and loss and other 
comprehensive income has been prepared on the basis that 
all operations are continuing operations.

* See prior year adjustment note, (note 29).

Notes on pages 51 to 80 form part of the financial statements.

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Right-of-use assets

Investment property

Investments in group companies and associated undertakings

Deferred tax assets

Trade and other receivables

current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

total assets

current liabilities

Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Trade and other payables

Tax payable

Lease liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

Lease liabilities

total liabilities

Net assets

equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share capital

Share premium

Share-based payments reserve

Retained earnings

Translation reserve

total equity

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

47

Note

10

11

24

12

13

14

16

15

16

17

18

19

24

18

21

14

24

22

22

GrouP

comPANY

2020
$000

6,004

16,189

1,276

—

—

1,267

—

24,736

21,601

16,517

18,804

56,922

81,658

2019
$000

5,926

18,449

894

—

—

340

—

25,609

20,180

23,902

16,954

61,036

86,645

2020
$000

3,975

1,280

200

—

9,376

314

25,393

40,538

13,779

6,282

3,080

23,141

63,679

2019
$000

3,695

1,888

252

—

9,346

44

—

15,225

13,735

37,535

1,219

52,489

67,714

(695)

(82)

(96)

(81)

(12,913)

(17,756)

(10,723)

(12,184)

(1,022)

(386)

—

(406)

(83)

(200)

(51)

(252)

(15,016)

(18,244)

(11,102)

(12,568)

(712)

(354)

(1,322)

(901)

(3,289)

(18,305)

63,353

106

6,708

1,571

54,086

882

63,353

(738)

(343)

(1,469)

(564)

(3,114)

(21,358)

65,287

106

6,698

1,345

57,044

94

65,287

(712)

—

(76)

—

(788)

(11,890)

51,789

106

6,708

1,571

42,040

1,364

51,789

(738)

—

—

—

(738)

(13,306)

54,408

106

6,698

1,345

45,915

344

54,408

These financial statements were approved and authorised 
for issue by the Board of Directors on 14 April 2021 and 
were signed on behalf of the Board by:

Jon Jayal     DIrector

Company registered number: 04316977

Notes on pages 51 to 80 form part of the financial statements.

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coNSolIDAteD AND comPANY StAtemeNt of cHANGeS IN eQuItY
For the years ended 31 December 2020 and 2019

coNSolIDAteD AND comPANY StAtemeNt of cHANGeS IN eQuItY
For the years ended December 2020 and 2019

GrouP

Share
capital
$000

Share
Premium
$000

translation
reserve
$000

Share-
Based
Payments
$000

retained
earnings
$000

total 
equity
$000

comPANY

Share
capital
$000

Share
Premium
$000

translation
reserve
$000

Share-
Based
Payments
$000

retained
earnings
$000

total 
Parent 
equity
$000

Balance at 1 January 2019

106

6,499

238

1,102

51,488

59,433

Balance at 1 January 2019

106

6,499

(23)

1,102

15,364

23,048

total comprehensive income for the period

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive loss

total comprehensive (expense) / income for the period

transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity

Share-based payments

Dividend paid

Exercise of share options

total contributions by and distributions to owners

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

199

199

Balance at 31 December 2019

106

6,698

—

(144)

(144)

—

—

—

—

94

—

—

—

243

—

—

243

8,316

—

8,316

8,316

(144)

8,172

—

243

(2,760)

(2,760)

—

199

(2,760)

(2,318)

total comprehensive income for the period

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income

total comprehensive income for the period

transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity

Share-based payments

Dividend paid

Exercise of share options

total contributions by and distributions to owners

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

199

199

—

367

367

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

243

—

—

243

33,311

33,311

—

367

33,311

33,678

—

243

(2,760)

(2,760)

—

199

(2,760)

(2,318)

1,345

57,044

65,287

Balance at 31 December 2019

106

6,698

344

1,345

45,915

54,408

Balance at 1 January 2020

106

6,698

94

1,345

57,044

65,287

Balance at 1 January 2020

106

6,698

344

1,345

45,915

54,408

total comprehensive income for the period

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income

total comprehensive income / (expense) for the period

transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity

Share-based payments

Dividend paid

Exercise of share options

total contributions by and distributions to owners

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

10

10

—

788

788

—

—

—

—

—

(2,958)

(2,958)

     —

     —

788

—

(2,958)

(2,170)

226

—

—

226

—

—

—

—

226

—

10

236

total comprehensive income for the period

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income

total comprehensive income / (expense) for the period

transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity

Share-based payments

Dividend paid

Exercise of share options

Balance at 31 December 2020

106

6,708

882

1,571

54,086

63,353

total contributions by and distributions to owners

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

10

10

—

1,020

1,020

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

226

—

—

226

(3,875)

(3,875)

—

1,020

(3,875)

(2,855)

—

—

—

—

226

—

10

236

Balance at 31 December 2020

106

6,708

1,364

1,571

42,040

51,789

Notes on pages 51 to 80 form part of the financial statements.

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coNSolIDAteD AND comPANY cASH floW St AtemeNtS
For the years ended 31 December 2020 and 2019

cash flows from operating activities

(loss) / Profit for the year

Adjustments for:

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

Impairment losses on intangible assets

Depreciation of leased assets

Change in fair value of investment property

Movement in provisions

Taxation expense

Dividends received

Financial expense

Lease liability interest expense

Equity-settled share-based payment expenses

Decrease / (increase) in trade and other receivables

Decrease / (increase) in inventories

(Decrease) in trade and other payables

Interest paid

Lease liability interest paid

Tax paid

Net cash from operating activities

cash flows from investing activities

Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired

Capitalised development expenditure

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of intangible assets

Dividends received

Net cash from investing activities

cash flows from financing activities

Reduction / repayment of borrowings

Proceeds from new government loans (net of waiver of $297k)

Payment of lease liabilities

Dividends paid

Proceeds from issue of shares

Net cash from financing activities

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

Foreign exchange rate movements

GrouP

comPANY

Note

2020
$000

2019
$000

2020
$000

2019
$000

(2,958)

8,316

(3,875)

33,311

3,084

1,503

473

—

(1,061)

955

—

96

55

226

2,373

7,026

14

(4,625)

4,788

(96)

(55)

(663)

3,974

—

(1,738)

(431)

(71)

—

(19)

606

(526)

—

10

71

1,805

16,954

45

2,853

—

680

631

36

1,102

—

16

120

243

13,997

7,459

(488)

(3,636)

17,332

(16)

(120)

       (2,282)

970

—

230

—-

(194)

105

(391)

12

13

166

(2,964)

5,734

923

(1,523)

2,170

(12)

(13)

(73)

14,914

2,072

(2,392)

(2,165)

(316)

(433)

—

(534)

—

(674)

(2,760)

200

(3,768)

5,840

11,082

32

16,954

—

—

(383)

(71)

391

(63)

(11)

—

(191)

—

10

(192)

1,817

1,219

44

3,080

(2,240)

(5,306)

3,562

—

402

—

—

266

—

13

52

243

37,849

(27,600)

496

(7,140)

3,605

(13)

(52)

(971)

2,569

—

—

(165)

(432)

—

(597)

(267)

—

(402)

(2,760)

200

(3,229)

(1,257)

2,456

20

1,219

10

11

18

18

18

cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

17

18,804

Notes on pages 51 to 80 form part of the financial statements.

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

51

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. PrINcIPAl AccouNtING PolIcIeS

The accounting policies set out below have, unless 
otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods 
presented in these consolidated financial statements.

Quixant plc (the “Company”) develops and supplies 
specialist computer systems. The Company is a public 
company that is incorporated and domiciled in the UK. 
The registered number is 04316977. The address of the 
Company’s registered office is Aisle Barn, 100 High Street, 
Balsham, Cambridge, CB21 4EP.

sell. These calculations require the use of estimates and 
assumptions that have a significant estimation uncertainty 
in the current year. See note 11 for further details.

Reasonably possible changes to the assumptions in the 
future may lead to material adjustments to the carrying 
value of intangible and tangible assets.

other estimates 

Provisions against slow-moving and obsolete inventory 
are reviewed on a monthly basis and require the use of 
judgement to estimate its value.

The Group financial statements consolidate those of the 
Company, its branch in Taiwan and its subsidiaries (together 
referred to as the “Group”). The parent Company financial 
statements present information about the Company as a 
separate entity inclusive of its branch in Taiwan, and not 
about this group.

The estimated recoverable amount of the inventory balance 
in the Quixant CGU and the parent Company is subjective 
due to the inherent uncertainty involved in forecasting of 
future sales. As at 31 December 2020, the total inventory 
in the Quixant CGU is $19.1m (2019: $17.1m) and in the 
parent company is $13.8m (2019: $13.7m).

Basis of preparation

Significant judgement

Both the parent Company financial statements and the 
Group financial statements have been prepared and 
approved by the Directors in accordance with inter-
national accounting standards in conformity with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“Adopted 
IFRSs”). On publishing the parent Company financial 
statements here together with the Group financial 
statements, the Company is taking advantage of the 
exemption in s408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to 
present its individual Profit and Loss Account and related 
notes that form a part of these approved financial 
statements.

This financial information has been prepared under the 
historical cost convention.

The presentation currency adopted by the Group is US 
Dollars as the majority of the Group’s transactions are 
undertaken in US dollars.

The preparation of financial information in conformity 
with Adopted IFRSs requires the use of certain critical 
accounting estimates. It also requires management to 
exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group 
accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of 
judgement and estimation relate to the recoverable amount 
of goodwill and the valuation of inventory.

Significant estimates

The recoverable amounts of cash generating units and 
individual assets have been determined based on the higher 
of the value-in-use calculations and fair value less costs to 

The impact on the financial statements of a change in 
judgement with respect to the development cost criteria, 
such as the commercial viability of a product, could affect 
the value capitalised in respect of intangible assets and the 
corresponding profit and loss effect. If the criteria had not 
been met in the current year, the impact would have been 
to expense $1.7m (2019: $2.2m) of development costs.

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements comprise the 
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. 
Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date of 
acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtains 
control, and continue to be consolidated until the date 
when such control ceases. The financial statements of the 
subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as 
the parent Company, using consistent accounting policies. 
All intra-group balances, transactions, unrealised gains and 
losses resulting from intra-group transactions and dividends 
are eliminated in full.

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The Italian subsidiary, Quixant Italia srl, is 99% owned 
by the Group. The comprehensive income and equity 
attributable to the non-controlling interests in this 
subsidiary are not material.

Separate parent company financial statements

In the parent Company financial statements, all investments 
in subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associates are carried 
at cost less impairment. The functional and presentational 
currency adopted by the parent Company is US Dollars, and 
the functional currency of the branch is Taiwan Dollars.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Going concern

In determining the appropriate basis of preparation of the 
financial statements, the Directors are required to consider 
whether the Group and Company will have sufficient funds 
to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 
12 months from the date of approval of these financial 
statements.  

Following the global pandemic in 2020, the world continues 
to recover as economies begin to re-open following the 
rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. Governments around the 
world continue to impose various restrictions on economic 
activity, the movement of people, and various other initiatives 
to minimise the opportunity for the disease to spread.

The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts for a period 
of at least 12 months from the date of signing the financial 
statements. Ongoing effects of the pandemic on the 
forecasts include delays in recovering debts from customers 
who may be facing financial difficulties, further drops 
in customer demand in the coming months despite the 
recovery seen in the second half of 2020, and the uncertain 
timing of sales recovering to levels prior to the pandemic.

The Board considered their reasonably plausible but 
severe downside scenario where 2021 reported revenues 
were halved compared to forecast, and the performance 
expected in the 2021 Budget being achieved in 2022 
instead. The total revenues modelled in 2021 were lower 
than the extrapolated annual revenue based on Q2 2020 
performance, when the impact of COVID-19 was most 
significant. In this scenario, the Group will have sufficient 
cash reserves and working capital to continue operating as a 
going concern beyond the 12-month period analysed.

The Board’s other reasonably plausible but severe downside 
scenario can be viewed as similar to trading conditions that 
were experienced in 2020. In Q2 2020, due to the global 
pandemic and a significant lockdown in the USA, Gaming 
revenues dropped off in Q2 2020, and but then recovered 
through H2 2020. However, rather than the ongoing 
trading conditions due to the pandemic, the challenge in 
2021 might be related to stock and component availability. 
Therefore, the Board has considered a scenario where orders 
are not completed, and revenues are not received, in Q3 
2021, and resume in Q4 2021. This situation would also 
not cause the Group any difficulty with cashflow as per the 
analysis.

While the Directors’ have no reason to believe that customer 
revenues and receipts will decline to the point that the 
Group no longer has sufficient resources to fund its 
operations, should this occur, the group would look to take 
out additional funding facilities, as well as making reductions 
in controllable costs. There would also be an opportunity to 
sell certain property and inventory assets to accelerate cash 
generation and/or mitigate risk.

Consequently, the directors are confident that the Group  
and Company will have sufficient funds to continue to  
meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months 
from the date of approval of these financial statements and 
therefore have prepared these financial statements on a 
going concern basis.

revenue recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration 
received or receivable and represents amounts receivable 
for goods and services provided in the normal course of 
business by subsidiary companies to external customers, 
net of discounts, Value Added Tax (VAT) and other sales-
related taxes. Revenue is reduced for customer returns and 
other allowances. Revenue from the sale of goods namely 
gaming boards or platforms, gaming monitors and display 
products, which represent the significant majority of the 
Group revenue, is recognised in the income statement when:

•  The performance obligation of transferring control 
over a product to the buyer in accordance with the 
contracted terms of sale has occurred. This usually 
occurs at a point in time when the delivery terms of 
the terms of sale have been met and there is minimal 
judgement in regards to this; 

•  The Group no longer retains effective control over  

the goods. 

Consideration is payable based on contractual payment 
terms which are usually 30 days after the performance 
obligation has been met. Transaction prices are set up  
front for each contract based on standalone selling prices. 
The group has not identified any contracts which include 
either variable consideration or significant financing 
components. Other revenue streams of the group are 
immaterial.

cost of Sales

Cost of goods sold includes excess and obsolete inventory, 
as well as any other costs associated with the direct 
manufacturing and shipping of the Group’s products.

Goodwill

Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess 
of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s interest in 
the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of 
the subsidiary or associated undertaking at the date of 
acquisition. Goodwill is recognised as an asset and is 
reviewed for impairment at least annually. Any impairment 
is recognised immediately through the income statement 
and is not subsequently reversed. Impairment losses 
recognised are allocated first to reduce the carrying value of 
the goodwill the business relates to, and then to reduce the 
carrying value of the other assets of that business on a pro 
rata basis.

Impairment excluding inventories, investment 
properties and deferred tax assets

Non-financial assets

The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-financial assets, 
other than inventories, investment property and deferred 
tax assets, are reviewed at each reporting date to determine 
whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such 
indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is 
estimated. For goodwill, and intangible assets that have 
indefinite useful lives or that are not yet available for use, 
the recoverable amount is estimated each year at the 
same time. The recoverable amount of an asset or cash 
generating unit is the greater of its value in use and its 
fair value less costs to sell. In assessing value in use, the 
estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present 
value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current 
market assessments of the time value of money and the 
risks specific to the asset. For the purpose of impairment 
testing, assets that cannot be tested individually are 
grouped together into the smallest group of assets that 
generate cash inflows from continuing use that are largely 
independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups 
of assets (the “cash generating unit”). The goodwill 
acquired in a business combination, for the purpose of 
impairment testing, is allocated to cash generating units 
(“CGU”).

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount 
of an asset or its CGU exceeds its estimated recoverable 
amount. Impairment losses are recognised in profit or 
loss. Impairment losses recognised in respect of CGUs 
are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any 
goodwill allocated to the units, and then to reduce the 
carrying amounts of the other assets in the unit (group of 
units) on a pro rata basis.

An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed. 
In respect of other assets, impairment losses recognised 
in prior periods are assessed at each reporting date for 
any indications that the loss has decreased or no longer 
exists. An impairment loss is reversed if there has been a 
change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable 
amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent 
that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the 
carrying amount that would have been determined, net 
of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had 
been recognised.

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Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of 
depreciation and any provision for impairment.
Depreciation is provided on all property, plant and 
equipment at rates calculated to write off the cost less 
estimated residual value of each asset on a straight-line 
basis over its expected useful economic life, as follows:

freehold buildings 

20 – 50 years

Plant and machinery 

Between 3 and 6 years

No depreciation is provided on freehold land.

The carrying value of property, plant and equipment 
is reviewed for impairment if events or changes in 
circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be 
recoverable.

Investment property

Investment properties are properties or land which are held 
either to earn rental income or for capital appreciation or 
for both. Investment properties are stated at fair value and 
are reviewed on an annual basis with any revision to the 
valuation taken to the profit and loss account.

Intangible assets – customer relationships, order 
backlog, technology.

In accordance with IFRS 3, on the acquisition of subsidiary 
companies the Group assesses the identification of intangible 
assets acquired which are either separate or arise from 
contractual or other legal rights. These assets are recognised 
as intangible assets and are amortised over the period of 
future benefit to the Group. The estimated useful economic 
lives of these assets from the date of acquisition are:

•  The technical feasibility of completing the intangible 

asset so that it will be available for use or sale; 

•  The intention to complete the intangible asset and use 

or sell it; 

•  The ability to use or sell the intangible asset; 

•  The probability that the asset created will generate 

future economic benefits; 

•  The availability of adequate technical, financial and 
other resources to complete the development; and 

•  The ability to measure reliably the expenditure 
attributable to the intangible asset during its 
development. 

Development costs not meeting these criteria and all 
research costs are expensed in the Consolidated Income 
Statement as incurred. Capitalised development costs are 
amortised on a straight-line basis over their expected useful 
economic lives of five years once the related software 
product or enhancement is available for use.

Intangible assets – computer software

Computer software is stated at cost, net of amortisation 
and any provision for impairment.

Amortisation is provided on all computer software at rates 
calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual 
value of each asset on a straight-line basis over its expected 
useful economic life, as follows:

computer software 

Between 3 and 5 years

The carrying value of computer software is reviewed for 
impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate 
the carrying value may not be recoverable.

customer relationships  Between 4 and 10 years

order backlog 

Between 1 and 4 years

Inventories

technology 

5 years

Intangible assets – development costs

The Quixant Group incurs significant expenditure on the 
research and development of new computer products and 
enhancements. The internally generated intangible asset 
arising from the Company’s development is recognised 
only if the Company can demonstrate all of the following 
conditions:

Inventories, which comprise goods held for resale, are 
stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is 
accounted for on an average basis, and includes all costs in 
acquiring the inventories and bringing each product to its 
present location and condition, as well as an appropriate 
share of overheads based on normal operating capacity. 
Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price and 
costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution. 
Inventory provisions are made where there is doubt as to 
the recoverability of the value of specific stock items.

foreign currencies

leases, right of use assets and lease liabilities

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are 
translated into the functional currency of the relevant 
operation at the rates ruling at the dates of transactions. 
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies at the Balance Sheet date are translated at the 
rates ruling at that date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities 
that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign 
currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date 
of the transaction.

On consolidation, results of overseas subsidiaries are 
translated using the average exchange rate for the period, 
unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly. The Balance 
Sheets of overseas subsidiaries are translated to the Group’s 
presentational currency, US Dollars, using the closing 
period-end rate. Exchange differences arising, if any, are 
taken to a translation reserve. Such translation differences 
would be reclassified to profit and loss in the period in 
which the operation is disposed of.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when there is a present legal or 
constructive obligation as a result of past events, for which 
it is probable that an outflow of economic benefit will be 
required to settle the obligation, and where the amount 
of the obligation can be reliably measured. Provisions are 
determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at 
a pre-tax rate that reflects the current market assessment of 
the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability.

Government grants

The Group has elected to present COVID-19 government 
support grants as a reduction to the related expense line in 
the Comprehensive Statement of Profit and Loss and Other 
Comprehensive Income – in this case, Operating Expenses.

Share capital and share premium

Share issue costs are incremental costs directly attributable 
to the issue of new shares or options and are shown as a 
deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. Any excess of the 
net proceeds over the nominal value of any shares issued is 
credited to the share premium account. Where any Group 
company purchases the Company’s equity share capital 
(treasury shares), the consideration paid, including any 
directly attributable incremental costs (net of income taxes), 
is deducted from equity attributable to the Company’s 
equity holders until the shares are cancelled or reissued. 
Where such ordinary shares are subsequently reissued, 
any consideration received, net of any directly attributable 
incremental transaction costs and the related income tax 
effects, is included in equity attributable to the Company’s 
equity holders.

All leases are accounted for by recognising a right-of-use 
asset and a lease liability except for:

•  Leases of low value assets; and

•  Leases with a duration of 12 months or less.

Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the 
contractual payments due to the lessor over the lease 
term, with the discount rate determined by reference to 
the rate inherent in the lease. If not available, the Group’s 
incremental borrowing rate on commencement of the lease 
is used.

The right-of-use assets are initially measured at cost, 
which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability 
adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the 
commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred 
and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the asset 
or to restore the site on which it is located less any lease 
incentives received. The right-of-use asset is subsequently 
depreciated using the straight-line method from the 
commencement date to the end of the lease term.

Income tax

The charge for current income tax is based on the results 
for the year as adjusted for items which are not taxed or 
disallowed. It is calculated using tax rates that have been 
enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. 
Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) and 
Patent Box claims have been available to UK companies 
on qualifying expenditure incurred since 2013 (RDEC) and 
2016 (Patent Box). Where UK companies expect to elect for 
RDEC or qualify for Patent Box relief, the amount receivable 
reduces the tax payable and is credited to the tax charge in 
profit and loss.

Deferred income tax is accounted for using the liability 
method in respect of temporary differences arising 
from differences between the tax bases of certain 
assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the 
financial statements. In principle, deferred tax liabilities 
are recognised for all taxable temporary differences 
and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent 
that it is probable that taxable profits will be available 
against which deductible temporary differences can be 
utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if 
the temporary difference is due to goodwill arising on 
a business combination or from an asset or liability, the 
initial recognition of which does not affect either taxable or 
accounting income.

Deferred tax is charged or credited in the Consolidated 
Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive 
Income, except when it relates to items credited or charged 
directly to Shareholders’ Equity, in which case the deferred 
tax is also dealt with in Shareholders’ Equity.

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57

financial assets

When determining whether the credit risk of a financial 
asset has increased significantly since initial recognition 
and when estimating ECL, the Group considers reasonable 
and supportable information that is relevant and 
available without undue cost or effort. This includes both 
quantitative and qualitative information and analysis, based 
on the Group’s historical experience and informed credit 
assessment and including forward-looking information. 
The gross carrying amount of a financial asset is written 
off (either partially or in full) to the extent that there is no 
realistic prospect of recovery. The Group’s financial assets 
fall into the categories set out below, with the allocation 
depending to an extent on the purpose for which the asset 
was acquired. Unless otherwise indicated, the carrying 
amounts of the Group’s financial assets are a reasonable 
approximation of their fair values. 

•  trade receivables: Trade receivables are measured at 

amortised cost.

•  cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash 

equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet comprise 
cash at bank and in hand and short-term deposits. Cash 
and cash equivalents are measured at amortised cost.

In the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, cash and cash 
equivalents comprise cash and cash equivalents as defined 
above, net of bank overdrafts.

The Group considers a financial asset to be in default when 
the debtor is unlikely to pay its credit obligations to the 
Group in full, without recourse by the Group to actions such 
as realising security (if any is held); or the financial asset is 
more than 90 days past due (unless there is no evidence of 
unwillingness or of an inability to settle the debt).

financial liabilities

All of the Group’s financial liabilities are classified as 
financial liabilities carried at amortised cost. The Group 
does not use derivative financial instruments or hedge 
account for any transactions.

Unless otherwise indicated, the carrying amounts of the 
Group’s financial liabilities are a reasonable approximation 
of their fair values.

Financial liabilities include the following items:

•  Trade payables and other short-term monetary 

liabilities, which are recognised at their fair value, are 
subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the 
effective interest method. Trade payables and accrued 
liabilities with a short duration are not discounted, as 
the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of 
fair value.

•  Bank borrowings, which are initially, recognised at fair 
value net of any transaction costs directly attributable 
to the issue of the instrument. Such interest-bearing 
liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised 
cost using the effective interest rate method, which 
ensures that any interest expense over the period to 
repayment is at a constant rate on the balance of the 
liability carried in the consolidated Consolidated Balance 
Sheet. Interest expense in this context includes initial 
transaction costs and premiums payable on redemption, 
as well as any interest or coupon payable while the 
liability is outstanding.

financing income and expenses

Financing expenses include interest payable, finance 
charges on shares classified as liabilities and finance 
charges on lease liabilities recognised in profit or loss using 
the effective interest method, unwinding of the discount 
on provisions, and net foreign exchange losses that are 
recognised in the income statement (see foreign currencies 
accounting policy). Borrowing costs that are directly 
attributable to the acquisition, construction or production 
of an asset that takes a substantial time to be prepared for 
use, are capitalised as part of the cost of that asset.

Financing income comprise interest receivable on funds 
invested, dividend income, interest income on lease 
receivables and net foreign exchange gains.

Interest income and interest payable is recognised in profit 
or loss as it accrues, using the effective interest method. 
Dividend income is recognised in the income statement 
on the date the entity’s right to receive payments is 
established. Foreign currency gains and losses are reported 
on a net basis.

Pension

The Group operates a defined contribution scheme to the 
benefit of its employees. Contributions payable are charged 
to income in the year they are payable.

earnings per share

The Group presents basic and diluted earnings per share 
("EPS") data for its ordinary shares. Basic EPS is calculated 
by dividing the profit or loss attributable to ordinary 
shareholders of the Company by the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the reporting 
period. Diluted EPS is determined by adjusting the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the 
effects of all potential dilutive ordinary shares.

Dividends

Dividends are recorded in the financial statements in the 
period in which they are approved by the Company’s share-
holders. Interim dividends are recorded in the financial state-
ments in the period in which they are approved and paid.

Determination and presentation  
of operating segments

The Quixant Group determines and presents operating 
segments based on the information that internally is 
provided to the executive management team, the body 
which is considered to be the Quixant Group’s Chief 
Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”).

An operating segment is a component of the Quixant 
Group that engages in business activities from which it may 
earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and 
expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Quixant 
Group’s other components. The operating segment’s 
operating results are reviewed regularly by the CODM to 
make decisions about resources to be allocated to the 
segment to assess its performance, and for which discrete 
financial information is available.

Share-based payments

The grant date fair value of share-based payments awards 
granted to employees is recognised as an employee 
expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over 
the period in which employees become unconditionally 
entitled to the awards. The fair value of the awards granted 
is measured using an option valuation model, taking into 
account the terms and conditions upon which the awards 

(loss) / Profit Before tax reconciliation

(Loss) / Profit Before Tax and adjusted PBT for the current  
and prior year have been derived as follows:

(loss) / Profit for the year

Adding back:

Taxation expense

(loss) / profit before tax

Adjustments:

Research & development derecognised1

Amortisation of customer relationships and order backlog2

Share-based payments expense3

Loss on disposal of subsidiary

IDS acquisition costs

Restructuring cost4

Adjusted PBt

were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is 
adjusted to reflect the actual number of awards for which 
the related service and non-market vesting conditions 
are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately 
recognised as an expense is based on the number of 
awards that do meet the related service and non-market 
performance conditions at the vesting date. For share-
based payment awards with non-vesting conditions, the 
grant date for fair value of the share-based payment is 
measured to reflect such conditions and there is no true-up 
for differences between expected and actual outcomes.

Alternative performance measures

The Directors consider that disclosing alternative 
performance measures enhances shareholders’ ability to 
evaluate and analyse the underlying financial performance 
of the Group. They have identified adjusted profit 
before tax (adjusted PBT) as a measure that enables the 
assessment of the performance of the Group and assists 
in financial, operational and commercial decision-making. 
In adjusting for this measure the directors have sought 
to eliminate those items of income and expenditure 
that do not specifically relate to the normal operational 
performance of the Group in a specific year. The table 
below reconciles (loss) / profit before tax to adjusted PBT 
identifying those reconciling items of income and expense.

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PBt

2020
$000

(2,958)

955

(2,003)

1,503

920

226

—

—

674

1,320

2019
$000

8,316

1,102

9,418

—

663

243

124

63

169

10,680

1.  To derecognise capitalised research & development due 

3.  Share-based payments expense has been excluded as they are 

to one-off notifications by key suppliers to end-of-life key 
components utilised in our gaming products; citing changing 
market demands and supply chain issues brought about by the 
COVID-19 pandemic.

2.  The amortisation of customer relationships and order backlog 
has been excluded as it is not a cash expense to the Group. 

not a cash-based expense. 

4.  Other items of income and expense – where other items 

of income and expense occur in a particular year and their 
inclusion in PBT means that a year on year comparison of year 
on year results is not on a consistent basis the directors will 
exclude them from the adjusted numbers. During the year 
under review the directors have excluded restructuring costs in 
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2. BuSINeSS AND GeoGrAPHIcAl SeGmeNtS

The Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) in the 
organisation is an executive management committee 
comprising the Board of Directors. The segmental 
information is presented in a consistent format with 
management information. The Group assesses the 
performance of the segments based on a measure of 
revenue and PBT. The segmental split of the balance sheet is 
not reviewed by the CODM and they do not look at assets/
liabilities of each division separately but combined as a 
group. Therefore, this split for assets has not been included. 

The operating segments applicable to the Group are as 
follows:

•  Quixant - Three customers each accounted for over 10% 
of revenues in 2020. One accounted for 30.9%, another 
customer 22.6% and the other accounted for 13.6%. 

•  Densitron - the acquisition of IDS has been assessed and 
it has been determined that it should be included in the 
Densitron segment because the nature of the business, 
the products that are sold and the market that the 
business operates in are all consistent with that segment.

2020

Revenue from products

Profit / (Loss) before tax

2019

Revenue from products

Profit before tax

1.   2020 Quixant revenue from products splits into Gaming Platforms $27.5m  

(2019: $46.6m) and Gaming Monitors $2.8m (2019: $9.6m). Gaming Monitors also 
splits into Button-decks $2.5m (2019: $5.4m) and Monitors $0.3m (2019: $4.2m).

2.   2020 Densitron revenue from products splits into Densitron $32.5m (2019: $35.3m) 

and IDS $1.0m (H2 2019: $0.9m) 

Quixant
$000

Densitron
$000

total
$000

30,3181

     151

33,4762

(2,154)

63,794

(2,003)

56,169

7,980

36,151

1,438

92,320

9,418

3. ANAlYSIS of turNoVer

By primary geographical market

Asia

Australia

UK

Europe excl. UK

North America              

Other

The above analysis includes sales to individual countries in excess of 10% of total turnover of:

USA 

2020 
$000

8,521

2,793

4,375

16,984

28,857

2,264

63,794

2020
$000

27,786

2019
$000

15,517

5,452

5,297

18,533

46,693

828

92,320

2019
$000

44,148

4. eXPeNSeS AND A uDItor'S remuNerA tIoN

Included in profit/loss are the following:

Included in operating (loss) / profit:

Restructuring cost

(Gain) / Loss on foreign exchange transactions

Research and development expenditure

Of which capitalised

Depreciation of owned assets

Amortisation of intangible assets

Research & development derecognised1

1.   To derecognise capitalised research & development due to one-off notifications by key  

suppliers to end-of-life key components utilised in our gaming products; citing changing  
market demands and supply chain issues brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Auditor's remuneration:

Audit of these financial statements

Amounts receivable by the Company’s auditor and its associates in respect of:

Audit of financial statements of parent company

Audit of financial statements of subsidiaries of the company

Taxation

5. StAff NumBerS AND coStS

The average number of persons employed by the Group (including 
Directors) during the year, analysed by category, was as follows:

Production and manufacturing

Research and customer service

Sales and marketing

Administrative

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

Wages and salaries

COVID-19 support1

Share-based payments (See note 20)

Social security costs

Contributions to defined contribution plans

1.  The Group has received government grants to support payroll costs during the COVID-19 

pandemic. This includes $297k for Densitron USA, $217k for Quixant Taiwan and $32k for 
Quixant Italia.

2020
$000

674

(221)

4,344

(1,738)

477

2,607

1,503

2020
$000

271

83

66

2019 
$000

169

4

6,568

(2,165)

527

2,325

—

2019
$000

224

69

107

2020
Number

2019
Number

37

89

30

53

209

2020
$000

13,753

(546)

226

1,076

625

F
I
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A
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I

S
T
A
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t
e
s

t
o

t
h
e

fi
n
a
n
c
i
a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

33

94

39

57

223

2019 
$000

14,502

—

243

986

534

15,134

16,265

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
60

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6. DIrector'S remuNerA tIoN

7. fINANce eXPeNSe

eXecutIVe DIrectorS

Jon Jayal

Guy Millward*

Nick Jarmany

Gary Mullins

JJ (C-T) Lin

Salary
$000

366

501

57

54

71

total executive Directors

1,049

NoN-eXecutIVe DIrectorS

Michael Peagram

Guy van Zwanenberg

Gaye Hudson

Nick Jarmany

Gary Mullins

Nigel Payne

106

56

24

38

38

8

Total Non-executive Directors

270

total Board

1,319

2020

Share-
based 
payment
$000

Pension 
cont.
$000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

13

—

6

5

—

24

—

2

1

4

4

—

11

35

total
$000

Salary
$000

379

501

63

59

71

387

305

138

132

218

1,073

1,180

106

114

58

25

42

42

8

59

53

—

—

—

281

226

1,354

1,406

2019

Share-
based 
payment
$000

Pension 
cont.
$000

total
$000

432

326

152

145

222

1,277

114

60

54

—

—

—

228

13

—

14

13

4

44

—

1

1

—

—

—

2

46

1,505

32

21

—

—

—

53

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

53

* Includes additional payment of $284,298 in lieu of notice

Jon Jayal, Michael Peagram and Guy van Zwanenberg 
elected to take a 25% pay reduction for three months in 
2020 while the business was experiencing weak demand 
from its gaming customers due to COVID-19.  

Nick Jarmany and Gary Mullins moved into non-executive 
director roles and JJ (C-T) Lin retired from the Board on 31 
May 2020. Nigel Payne was appointed to the Board on 1 
July 2020 and retired from the Board on 31 August 2020.  
Guy Millward retired from the Board on 21 August 2020 
and was paid $284,298 in lieu of notice. Gaye Hudson 
retired from the Board on 19 May 2020.

Pension contributions are paid at 10% to Nick Jarmany and 
Gary Mullins and at 5% to Guy van Zwanenberg and Gaye 
Hudson. Jon Jayal elected to be paid £10,000 a year as 
pension contribution from the company with the remainder 
of his 10% pension contribution to be added to his base 
salary. Guy Millward elected to have all his company 
pension contribution added to his salary. In both cases the 
pension contribution has been reduced by the employers’ 
national insurance that is payable by the company for the 
amount added to base salary for each individual.  

Jon Jayal was issued with 65,000 fair value share options 
on 6 October 2020 at an exercise price of 112.5p with 
a three year vesting period subject to 10% per annum 
growth of the diluted earnings per Ordinary Share as set 
out in each of the audited accounts for the three years 
ending after the date of grant.

No share options have been exercised by the Directors in 
2020, and no new Directors’ long-term incentive awards 
vested in 2020.

No performance bonus targets were met in 2019 and 
therefore no bonuses were paid in 2020 to the executive 
directors. No bonuses are payable to the executive directors 
in 2021 for 2020’s financial performance.

There were no cash or non-cash benefits received by the 
directors in 2020. There were no director's advances, credits 
or guarantees outstanding at 31 December 2020 or 2019.

Total interest expense on financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

total finance expense 

8. tAXAtIoN

recognised in the profit and loss account

current tax expense

UK corporation tax

Foreign tax

Adjustments for prior years

current tax expense

Deferred tax1 (note 14)

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Adjustments for prior years

Change in deferred tax rate to 19% (2019: 17%)

Deferred tax

total tax expense in the income statement

reconciliation of effective tax rate

(loss) / Profit for the year

Total taxation expense

(loss) / Profit excluding taxation

tax using the uk corporation tax rate of 19% (2019: 19%)

Non-deductible expenses

Enhanced research and development claim

Patent box tax relief

Change in deferred tax rate to 19% (2019: 17%)

Overseas tax in excess of standard UK rate

Exercise of share options

Unrelieved / (relieved) losses

Under / (over) provided in prior years

Other

total taxation expense in the income statement

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

61

2020
$000

151

151                      

2020
$000

618

1,009

400

2,027

(1,074)

(80)

82

(1,072)

955

2020
$000

(2,958)

955

(2,003)

(381)

30

445

—

84

323

8

200

320

(74)

955

2019
$000

136

136

2019
$000

211

1,160

(142)

1,229

(92)

(35)

—

(127)

1,102

2019
$000

8,316

1,102

9,418

1,789

18

(496)

(340)

(4)

419

(2)

(58)

(177)

(47)

1,102

F
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A
N
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I

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M
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m
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1. 

In the prior year, deferred tax was calculated at 17%, but this year it is calculated at 19%.

factors that may affect future tax charges

A reduction in the UK corporation tax rate from 19%  
to 17% (effective 1 April 2020) was substantively enacted 
on 6 September 2016. This was reversed and the 
reinstatement of the 19% rate was substantively enacted 
on 17 March 2020.

In the 3 March 2021 Budget, it was announced that the UK 
tax rate will increase to 25% from 1 April 2023. This will 
have a consequential effect on the Group’s and Company’s 
future tax charge. If this rate change had been substantively 
enacted at the current balance sheet date, the deferred 
tax liability would have increased by $0.4m. However, this 
would have been substantially offset by the recognition of 
tax losses as a deferred tax asset.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
62

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9. eArNINGS Per orDINArY SHAre (ePS)

10. ProPertY, PlANt AND eQuIPmeNt – GrouP

earnings

Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted EPS being net (loss) / profit attributable to equity shareholders

(2,958)

8,316

2020
$000

2019
$000

Number of shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic EPS

Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares:

Share options

Weighted number of ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted ePS

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Number

Number

66,437,683

66,404,468

154,375

499,053

66,592,058

66,903,521

($0.0445)

($0.0445)

$0.1252

$0.1243

calculation of adjusted diluted earnings per share:

$000

$000

earnings

Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted EPS being net (loss) / profit attributable to equity shareholders

(2,958)

8,316

Adjustments

Research & development derecognised

Amortisation of customer relationships and order backlog

Share-based payments expense

Loss on disposal of subsidiary

IDS acquisition costs

Restructuring cost

Tax effect of adjustments

Adjusted earnings

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

1,503

920

226

—

— 

674

365

(631)

(266)

—

663

243

124

63

169

9,578

(239)

9,339

$0.0040

$ 0.1396

cost

Balance at 1 January 2019

Additions

Disposals

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2019

Balance at 1 January 2020

Additions

Disposals

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2020

Depreciation

Balance at 1 January 2019

Depreciation charge for the year

Disposals

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2019

Balance at 1 January 2020

Depreciation charge for the year

Disposals

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2020

Net book value

At 1 January 2019

At 31 December 2019 and 1 January 2020

At 31 December 2020

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

63

land and
Buildings
$000

Plant and
equipment
$000

5,571

58

—

(24)

5,605

5,605

179

—

186

3,071

258

(285)

55

3,099

3,099

252

(17)

21

total
$000

8,642

316

(285)

31

8,704

8,704

431

(17)

207

5,970

3,355

9,325

506

123

—

(2)

627

627

105

—

23

755

5,066

4,978

5,215

2,033

404

(280)

(6)

2,151

2,151

372

(16)

59

2,539

527

(280)

(8)

2,778

2,778

477

(16)

82

2,566

3,321

1,038

948

789

6,104

5,926

6,004

F
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A
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I

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T
A
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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

65

10. ProPertY, PlANt AND eQuIPmeNt – comPANY

11. INtANGIBle ASSetS – GrouP

cost

Balance at 1 January 2019

Additions

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2019

Balance at 1 January 2020

Additions

Disposals

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2020

Depreciation

Balance at 1 January 2019

Depreciation charge for the year

Balance at 31 December 2019

Balance at 1 January 2020

Depreciation charge for the year

Disposals

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2020

Net book value

At 1 January 2019

At 31 December 2019 and 1 January 2020

At 31 December 2020

land and
Buildings
$000

Plant and
equipment
$000

3,505

44

—

3,549

3,549

179

—

215

1,957

121

66

2,144

2,144

204

(17)

25

total
$000

5,462

165

66

5,693

5,693

383

(17)

240

cost

Balance at 1 January 2019
Additions – internally developed

Additions – externally purchased

Balance at 31 December 2019

Balance at 1 January 2020
Additions – internally developed

Additions – externally purchased

Disposals

3,943

2,356

6,299

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

333

78

411

411

58

—

27

496

3,172

3,138

3,447

1,378

209

1,587

1,587

196

(16)

61

1,711

287

1,998

1,998

254

(16)

88

1,828

2,324

579

557

528

3,751

3,695

3,975

Balance at 31 December 2020

Amortisation and impairment

Balance at 1 January 2019
Amortisation for the year

Balance at 31 December 2019

Balance at 1 January 2020
Amortisation for the year
Disposals1

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2020

Net book value
At 1 January 2019

At 31 December 2019 and 1 January 2020

At 31 December 2020

customer
relationships
technology
and order
Backlog
$000

Internally
Generated
capitalised
Development
costs
$000

computer 
Software
$000

5,201

—

1,895

7,096
7,096

—

—

—

—

1,954

—

432

2,386
2,386

—

71

(23)

96

8,451

2,165

—

10,616
10,616

1,738

—

—

4

Goodwill
$000

6,939

—

744

7,683
7,683

—

—

—

—

total
$000

22,545

2,165

3,071

27,781
27,781

1,738

71

(23)

100

7,683

7,096

2,530

12,358

29,667

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2,807

663

3,470
3,470

920

—

—

532

311

843
843

367

(23)

59

4,390

1,246

6,939

7,683

7,683

2,394

3,626

2,706

1,422

1,543

1,284

3,668

1,351

5,019
5,019

1,320

1,503

—

7,842

4,783

5,597

4,516

7,007

2,325

9,332
9,332

2,607

1,480

59

13,478

15,538

18,449

16,189

1.  A number of in-progress and completed development projects 

have been abandoned in full due to the supplier notifications 
to end-of-life key components utilised in our gaming products; 
citing changing market demands and supply chain issues 
brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, these 
intangible assets, which had a carrying value of $1.5m, were 
derecognised as no future economic benefits were expected. 
This gave rise to a loss on derecognition of $1.5m.

Impairment testing

Goodwill and acquisition related intangibles have been 
allocated to Cash Generating Units (CGUs) as follows:

Goodwill

Acquisition related 
intangibles

2020
$000

1,363

744

2,873

2,076

485

142

2019
$000

1,363

744

2,873

2,076

485

142

2020
$000
—

1,124

543

911

128

—

2019
$000

—

1,637

724

1,094

171

—

7,683

7,683

2,706

3,626

Quixant Gaming

IDS

Densitron Europe

Densitron US

Densitron France

Densitron Japan

The Group tests goodwill annually for impairment or more 
frequently if there are indications that goodwill might 
be impaired at the individual CGU level. The recoverable 
amounts of the CGUs are determined from the higher or the 
fair value less costs to sell and the calculations of value in use. 

Value-in-use calculations have been prepared for each  
CGU by discounting the cash flow projections included 
in the financial budgets prepared by management and 
approved by the Board for 2021, together with a four-year 
forecast to 2025. The budgets were put together taking 
into account the planned roadmaps for the business and 
any specific market condition in which the cash generating 
unit operates. The terminal growth rates used do not 
exceed the long-term average growth rates for the regions 
in which the CGUs operate. The cash flows have been 
discounted using discount rates appropriate for each CGU, 
and these are reviewed annually. 

We have assessed the individual CGUs separately.

The annual impairment review indicated that no 
impairment of goodwill is necessary at 31 December 2020 
or 31 December 2019.

F
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Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

67

key assumptions

Densitron europe cGu

The following key assumptions have been adopted in the 
calculations:

Quixant Gaming cGu

•  The revenue growth rate adopted for year 1 was 15% 

(2019: 7%) and for year 2 was 29% (2019: 0%), based 
on an expectation of recovery in revenues following the 
COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in operating costs 
adopted in the same period was 2% (2019: 0%). The 
revenue growth rates and increase in operating costs 
adopted for the years 2023-2025 were 5% (2019: 
0%) and 2% (2019: 2%) respectively in order to take a 
realistic valuation approach;  

•  The terminal growth rate was estimated to be 1% 

(2019: 0%) for the same reason; 

•  The estimated pre-tax market participant weighted 
average cost of capital of the cash generating unit 
was calculated with reference to its risk profile and 
calculated to be 13.72% (2019: 13.22%). This is the 
discount rate that has been applied in determining  
the value in use.

•  Trading gross margins were assumed to be slightly ahead 
of 2020 operating performance, disclosure of the actual 
margin is commercially sensitive so is omitted here.

IDS cGu

•  The revenue growth rate adopted for year 1 was 19% 

(2019: 29%) and for the years 2022-25 was 15% (2019: 
10%) reflecting higher expected future growth from 
using Densitron’s global sales capability. The increase 
in operating costs for the years 2021-25 have been 
estimated to be 2% (2019: 2%) to allow for inflation;

•  The terminal growth rate was estimated to be 1% 

(2019: 0%) to take a conservative valuation approach; 

•  The estimated pre-tax market participant weighted 
average cost of capital of the cash generating unit 
was calculated with reference to its risk profile and 
calculated to be 15.60% (2019: 15%). This is the 
discount rate that has been applied in determining the 
value in use.

•  Trading gross margins were assumed to be slightly ahead 
of 2020 operating performance, disclosure of the actual 
margin is commercially sensitive so is omitted here.

•  The revenue growth rate adopted for year 1 was 16% 

(2019: 5%) and for the years 2022-25 were 4% (2019: 
1%), with broadcast, medical and revenues from more 
sophisticated technology to support growth and offset 
legacy stagnant revenues. The increase in operating 
costs for the years 2021-25 have been estimated to be 
2% (2019: 2%) to allow for inflation;

•  The terminal growth rate was estimated to be 1% 

(2019: 1%) in order to take a conservative valuation 
approach;

•  Trading gross margins were assumed to be slightly ahead 
of 2020 operating performance, disclosure of the actual 
margin is commercially sensitive so is omitted here;

•  The estimated pre-tax market participant weighted 
average cost of capital of the cash generating unit 
was calculated with reference to its risk profile and 
calculated to be 13.43% (2019: 12.86%). This is the 
discount rate that has been applied in determining the 
value in use.

Densitron uS cGu

•  The revenue growth rate adopted for year 1 was 5% 

(2019: 3%) and for the years 2022-25 were 4% (2019: 
1%), with broadcast, medical and revenues from more 
sophisticated technology to support growth and offset 
legacy stagnant revenues. The increase in operating 
costs for the years 2021-25 have been estimated to be 
2% (2019: 2%) to allow for inflation;

•  The terminal growth rate was estimated to be 1% 

(2019: 1%) in order to take a conservative valuation 
approach;

•  Trading gross margins were assumed to be in line with 
2020 underlying operating performance, disclosure of the 
actual margin is commercially sensitive so is omitted here;

•  The estimated pre-tax market participant weighted 
average cost of capital of the cash generating unit 
was calculated with reference to its risk profile and 
calculated to be 16.32% (2019: 12.76%). This is the 
discount rate that has been applied in determining the 
value in use.

Densitron france cGu

•  The revenue growth rate adopted for year 1 was -11% 
(2019: -29%) and for the years 2022-25 were 4% 
(2019: 1%), with broadcast, medical and revenues 
from more sophisticated technology to support growth 
and offset legacy stagnant revenues. The increase 
in operating costs for the years 2021-25 have been 
estimated to be 2% (2019: 2%) to allow for inflation;

•  The terminal growth rate was estimated to be 1% (2019: 
0%) in order to take a conservative valuation approach;

•  Trading gross margins were assumed to be in line with 
2020 operating performance, disclosure of the actual 
margin is commercially sensitive so is omitted here;

•  The estimated pre-tax market participant weighted 
average cost of capital of the cash generating unit 
was calculated with reference to its risk profile and 
calculated to be 14.75% (2019: 12.88%). This is the 
discount rate that has been applied in determining the 
value in use.

Densitron Japan cGu

•  The revenue growth rate adopted for year 1 was 1% 

(2019: 4%) and for the years 2022-25 were 4% (2019: 
1%), with broadcast, medical and revenues from more 
sophisticated technology to support growth and offset 
legacy stagnant revenues. The increase in operating 
costs for the years 2021-25 have been estimated to be 
2% (2019: 2%) to allow for inflation;

•  The terminal growth rate was estimated to be 1% (2019: 
1%) in order to take a conservative valuation approach;

•  Trading gross margins were assumed to be ahead of 
2020 operating performance, disclosure of the actual 
margin is commercially sensitive so is omitted here;

•  The estimated pre-tax market participant weighted 
average cost of capital of the cash generating unit 
was calculated with reference to its risk profile and 
calculated to be 15.54% (2019: 12.85%).. This is the 
discount rate that has been applied in determining the 
value in use.

change required for carrying amount 
to equal recoverable amount

2020

-2.80%

2019

-0.01%

-2.28%

-0.01%

In percent

Revenue growth rate 
for the period 2022 
to 2025

Gross profit margin

Densitron uS cGu

The estimated recoverable amount of the CGU exceeded its 
carrying amount by approximately $1.7m (2019: $0.7m). 
Management has identified that a reasonably possible 
change in two key assumptions could cause the carrying 
amount to exceed the recoverable amount. The following 
table shows the amount by which these two assumptions 
would need to change individually for the estimated 
recoverable amount to be equal to the carrying amount. 
The Directors believe there were no reasonably possible 
changes in the other key assumptions that could cause 
impairment.

In percent

Revenue growth rate 
for the period 2022 
to 2025

Gross profit margin

change required for carrying amount 
to equal recoverable amount

2020

-2.35%

2019

-1.30%

-1.70%

-0.78%

A combined 1.5% decrease in gross profit margin and a 
1.5% decrease in revenue growth rate would result in an 
impairment of $801k.

SeNSItIVItY to cHANGeS IN ASSumPtIoNS

IDS cGu

for Densitron Japan cGu, Densitron france cGu and 
Quixant Gaming cGu, the Directors believe there are 
no reasonably possible changes in key assumptions 
that could cause impairment. for the remaining 
cGus, below is the sensitivity analysis.

Densitron europe cGu

The estimated recoverable amount of the CGU exceeded 
its carrying amount by approximately $2.4m (2019: $0). 
Management has identified that a reasonably possible 
change in two key assumptions could cause the carrying 
amount to exceed the recoverable amount. The following 
table shows the amount by which these two assumptions 
would need to change individually for the estimated 
recoverable amount to be equal to the carrying amount. 
The Directors believe there were no reasonably possible 
changes in the other key assumptions that could cause 
impairment.

The estimated recoverable amount of the CGU exceeded its 
carrying amount by approximately $0.8m (2019: $1.2m). 
Management has identified that a reasonably possible 
change in one key assumption could cause the carrying 
amount to exceed the recoverable amount. The following 
table shows the amount by which this assumption would 
need to change individually for the estimated recoverable 
amount to be equal to the carrying amount. The Directors 
believe there were no reasonably possible changes in the 
other key assumptions that could cause impairment.

change required for carrying amount 
to equal recoverable amount

2020

-4.08%

2019

-4.10%

In percent

Revenue growth rate 
for the period 2022 
to 2025

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

-

N
o
t
e
s

t
o

t
h
e

fi
n
a
n
c
i
a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
68

plc

plc

11. INtANGIBle ASSetS – comPANY

cost

Balance at 1 January 2019

Additions– externally purchased

Balance at 31 December 2019

Balance at 1 January 2020

Additions– externally purchased

Disposals

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2020

Amortisation

Balance at 1 January 2019

Amortisation for the year

Balance at 31 December 2019

Balance at 1 January 2020

Amortisation for the year

Disposals

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

Balance at 31 December 2020

Net book value

At 1 January 2019

At 31 December 2019 and 1 January 2020

At 31 December 2020

12. INVeStmeNt ProPertY

Balance at 1 January 

Impairment

Balance at 31 December

Internally
Generated
capitalised
Development
costs
$000

computer 
Software
$000

1,932

432

2,364

2,364

71

(23)

96

2,508

524

306

830

830

362

(23)

59

1,228

1,409

1,534

1,280

3,763

—

3,763

3,763

—

—

—

3,763

3,086

323

3,409

3,409

354

—

—

3,763

677

354

—

GrouP

comPANY

2020
$000

—

—

—

2019
$000

631

(631)

—

2020
$000

—

—

—

total
$000

5,695

432

6,127

6,127

71

(23)

96

6,271

3,610

629

4,239

4,239

716

(23)

59

4,991

2,085

1,888

1,280

2019
$000

—

—

—

Investment property relates to an area of land owned 
by the Group at Blackheath in London. In the prior year, 
the Group has written off the previously-booked value 
of the land as it has failed to sell the land and failed 
more than once to get planning permission to build on 
the land. Previous valuations were based on the ability 
to build on the land which is subject to a Metropolitan 
Land Order which restricts this. The fair value of the 
investment property was previously determined by 
external, independent property valuers, having appropriate 

professional qualifications and recent experience in the 
location and category of the property being valued.  
The previous carrying value is based on a valuation carried 
out on 10 May 2013 – an updated valuation was carried 
out in 2017 but not used as it relied on residential planning 
permission that had failed to be achieved. In the years 
where an external valuation was not undertaken (including 
as at 31 December 2020), the directors performed a 
desktop review to ascertain the fair value of the investment 
property.

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

69

13. INVeStmeNtS IN GrouP comPANIeS AND ASSocIA teD uNDertAkINGS

The principal subsidiary undertakings in which the Company had an interest in the year were:

Principal activities

Distribution company

In liquidation

Software development

In liquidation

company name

Quixant USA Inc

Quixant Gaming Limiteda

Quixant Italia S.r.l.

Densitron Technologies Limited

Quixant UK Limitedb

Densitron Corporation of Japan

Densitron Corporation of America

Densitron France SAS*

Densitron Deutschland GmbH*

Densitron Land Limited

IDS Control Solutions Limited*

Quixant Deutschland GmbH

Densitron Embedded D.O.O

registered
office of
business
1

2

3

2

2

4

5

6

7

2

2

8

9

Sales of specialist computer systems and electronic display products

Ordinary

Sales of electronic display products

Sales of electronic display products

Sales of electronic display products

In liquidation

In liquidation

In liquidation

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Sales of specialist computer systems and electronic display products Ordinary

Design of electronic displays

Ordinary

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

class of 
Shares 
Held
Ordinary

ownership 
2020 and 
2019
100%

Ordinary

100%

Ordinary

99%

Ordinary

Singularity Games, LLC**

10

Development and distribution of gaming technology solutions

Ordinary

100% / 0%

*  Subsidiary of Quixant UK Limited                      

**   Subsidiary of Densitron Corporation of America

1.  2147 Pama Lane, Bldg 6, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA 

2.  Aisle Barn, 100 High Street, Balsham, Cambridge, CB21 4EP, UK 

3.  Contrada Case Bruciate, 1, Torrita Tiberina (RM), 00060, Italy 

4.  Aichiya Building 2F, 1-26-2, Omori-kita, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-

0016, Japan

5.  2330 Pomona Road, Corona, CA 92880, USA 

6.  3 Rue de Tasmanie, 44115 Basse-Goulaine 

7.  Airport Business Centre, Am Soldnermoos 17, Hallbergmoos 

85399, Germany 

8.  Prinzregentenstrabe 20, 83022 Rosenheim, Germany

9.  Brnciceva ulica 13, 1231 Ljubljana-Crnuce, Slovenia 

ˇ ˇ                                            ˇ     ˇ

10. 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 9801, USA

a) Previously named Quixant UK Limited

b) Previously named Densitron UK Limited

Investments in subsidiaries

Balance at 1 January

Impairment

Acquisitions – Group-settled share-based payments

Balance at 31 December

A restructuring exercise has been undertaken to optimise 
the number of legal entities in the group and simplify the 
ownership structure. This process will include the liquidation 
of five companies, as outlined in the table above.

The Group does not intend to proceed with the liquidation 
of Quixant Gaming Limited, and will take the necessary 
steps to reverse this in 2021.

Singularity Games, LLC is a newly formed US company, 
registered in Delaware in 2020, with a focus on 
development and distribution of gaming technology 
solutions. It is incorporated into the Group for the first time 
in this annual report.

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

-

N
o
t
e
s

t
o

t
h
e

fi
n
a
n
c
i
a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

comPANY

2020
$000

9,346

—

30

9,376

2019
$000

11,992

(2,646)

—

9,346

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
70

plc

plc

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

71

14. DeferreD tAX ASSetS AND lIABIlItIeS – GrouP

DeferreD tAX ASSetS AND lIABIlItIeS – comPANY

recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities

recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

ASSetS

lIABIlItIeS

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets – capitalised development costs

Intangible assets – acquired in business combinations

Share-based payments

Receivables

Inventory provisions

Losses

Other

Net deferred tax (assets) / liabilities

movement in deferred tax during the year

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets – capitalised development costs

Intangible assets – acquired in business combinations

Share-based payments

Receivables

Inventory provisions

Losses

Other

movement in deferred tax during the prior year

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets – capitalised development costs

Intangible assets – acquired in business combinations

Share-based payments

Receivables

Inventory provisions

Other

2020
$000

—

—

—

(163)

(7)

(164)

(841)

(92)

(1,267)

2019
$000

—

—

—

(121)

(7)

(67)

—

(145)

(340)

2020
$000

31

831

460

—

—

—

—

—

2019
$000

77

762

630

—

—

—

—

—

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets – capitalised development costs

Inventories

Share-based payments

Foreign exchange

Deferred tax (assets) / liabilities

1,322

1,469

movement in deferred tax during the year

1 January
2020
$000

recognised in 
Profit & loss
$000

31 December
2020
$000

77

762

630

(121)

(7)

(67)

—

(145)

1,129

(46)

69

(170)

(42)

—

(97)

(841)

53

(1,704)

31

831

460

(163)

(7)

(164)

(841)

(92)

55

1 January
2019
$000

recognised in 
Profit & loss
$000

31 December
2019
$000

100

686

431

(93)

(18)

(25)

(103)

978

(23)

76

199

(28)

11

(42)

(42)

151

77

762

630

(121)

(7)

(67)

(145)

1,129

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets – capitalised development costs

Share-based payments

Inventories

Foreign exchange

movement in deferred tax during the prior year

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets – capitalised development costs

Share-based payments

Inventories

Foreign exchange

ASSetS

lIABIlItIeS

2020
$000

—

—

(130)

(183)

(1)

(314)

2019
$000

—

—

(12)

(118)

(27)

(157)

2020
$000

76

—

—

—

—

76

2019
$000

59

54

—

—

—

113

1 January
2020
$000

recognised in 
Profit & loss
$000

31 December
2020
$000

59

54

(118)

(12)

(27)

(44)

17

(54)

(65)

(118)

26

(194)

76

—

(183)

(130)

(1)

(238)

1 January
2019
$000

recognised in 
Profit & loss
$000

31 December
2019
$000

72

97

(89)

(12)

12

80

(13)

(43)

(29)

—

(39)

(124)

59

54

(118)

(12)

(27)

(44)

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

-

N
o
t
e
s

t
o

t
h
e

fi
n
a
n
c
i
a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
72

plc

plc

15. INVeNtorIeS

Raw materials and consumables

Work in progress

Finished goods

GrouP

comPANY

2020
$000

10,954

2,614

8,033

21,601

2019
$000

10,793

63

9,324

20,180

2020
$000

10,585

445

2,749

13,779

2019
$000

10,715

63

2,957

13,735

Raw materials, consumables and changes in finished goods 
and work in progress recognised as cost of sales in the year 
amounted to $41,179,000 (2019: $57,759,000).

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense includes 
$615,000 (2019: $340,000) in respect of write downs of 
inventory to net realisable value.

16. trADe AND otHer receIVABleS

GrouP

comPANY

Non-current

Amounts receivable from subsidiary undertakings1

current

Trade receivables

Amounts receivable from subsidiary undertakings

Other receivables

2020
$000

—

14,269

—

2,248

16,517

16,517

2019
$000

—

19,994

—

3,908

23,902

23,902

2020
$000

25,393

26

5,164

1,092

6,282

31,675

2019
$000

—

—

36,281

1,254

37,535

37,535

1.   The non-current amounts receivable from subsidiary undertakings are repayable on demand.

All trade and other receivables are receivable within one 
year and are included as current assets.

A provision of $146,963 has been provided in respect 
of expected credit losses as at 31 December 2020 (31 
December 2019: $300,861). The directors have considered 
the nature of the customers, the historic levels of bad debts 
and the payment profile of customer contracts in reaching 
the value of the expected credit losses above. See note 23 
for further disclosure regarding the credit quality of the 
Group's trade debtors. Management have also considered 

30 – 60 days

61 – 90 days

Over 90 days

the expected credit losses in relation to amounts owed 
from subsidiary undertakings and has considered it to be 
immaterial.

As at 31 December 2020 the following sets out the 
trade receivables that were past due but not impaired. 
These relate to customers where there is no evidence of 
unwillingness or of an inability to settle the debt.

The ageing of these receivables is as follows:

GrouP

comPANY

2020
$000

954

1,045

1,207

3,206

2019
$000

5,455

1,180

154

6,790

2020
$000

—

22

—

22

2019
$000

—

—

—

—

The trade receivables over 90 days are mainly comprised of long-standing customers 
who are on fixed payment plans to clear the balances owed during the first half of 2021.

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

73

18. otHer INtereSt-BeArING loANS AND BorroWINGS

This note provides information about the contractual 
terms of the Group and Company’s interest-bearing loans 
and borrowings, which are measured at cost. For more 

information about the Group and Company’s exposure to 
interest rate and foreign currency risk, see note 23.

Non-current liabilities

Secured bank loans

current liabilities

Current portion of secured bank loans

terms and debt repayment schedule

GrouP

comPANY

2020
$000

712

712

695

695

2019
$000

738

738

82

82

2020
$000

712

712

96

96

2019
$000

738

738

81

81

Loan secured on the Group’s 
freehold property in Taiwan

Revolving Credit Facility1

USA COVID-19 support loan2

France COVID-19 support loan3

currency

Nominal 
Interest rate

Year of
maturity

face 
Value
2020
$000

carrying 
Amount 
2020
$000

face 
Value
2019
$000

carrying 
Amount 
2019
$000

NTD

GBP

USD

EUR

1.45%

1.66% to 3.00%

1.00%

0%

2028

2021

2021

2021

808

33

117

449

808

33

117

449

1,407

1,407

820

—

—

—

820

820

—

—

—

820

1.   The existing security for the revolving £7.5m credit facility is 

a debenture granted by Quixant PLC, a debenture granted by 
Quixant UK Limited, and a legal charge over 11,000 shares in 
the name of Quixant USA Inc granted by Quixant PLC – all in 
favour of Barclays Bank PLC.

2.   Payroll Protection Program loan for Quixant USA. Application 
submitted and under consideration for loan forgiveness.

3.   Short term credit guaranteed by the state for COVID-19 

support for Densitron France business . Repayment after 12 
months in June 2021 will ensure 0% interest applied to loan.

reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities

GrouP

current liabilities

Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Lease liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings

2019

$000

82

406

488

$000

738

564

1,302

2020

Additions

$000

903

1,245

2,148

repay-
ments

$000

(89)

(568)

(657)

Interest

foreign
exchange

release

reclass-
ification

$000

$000

—

55

55

70

55

125

$000

(297)

(83)

(380)

$000

$000

26

(724)

(698)

695

386

1,081

$000

$000

$000

$000

$000

$000

$000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(387)

(387)

(26)

724

698

712

901

1,613

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

-

N
o
t
e
s

t
o

t
h
e

fi
n
a
n
c
i
a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

17. cASH AND cASH eQuIVAleNtS/  
      BANk oVerDrAftS

Cash and cash equivalents per balance sheet

Cash and cash equivalents per cash flow statements

GrouP

comPANY

Lease liabilities

2020
$000

18,804

18,804

2019
$000

16,954

16,954

2020
$000

3,080

3,080

2019
$000

1,219

1,219

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
74

plc

plc

reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities

comPANY

2019

Additions

current liabilities

$000

$000

Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Lease liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings

81

252

333

$000

738

—

126

126

$000

—

repay-
ments

$000

(89)

(186)

(275)

Interest

foreign
exchange

release

reclass-
ification

2020

$000

$000

$000

$000

$000

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

—

13

13

78

(5)

73

—

—

—

26

—

26

96

200

296

Granted during the year

Lapsed during the year

Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

$000

$000

$000

$000

—

—

—

—

$000

(26)

$000

712

The number and weighted average exercise prices of share 
options are as follows:

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

75

Weighted
Average
exercise 
Price
2020

Number of
options
2020

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
2019

£2.78

£1.13

£3.98

£0.49

£1.73

472,790

361,500

(132,000)

(15,000)

687,290

£2.63

£2.89

£3.57

£1.97

£2.78

Number Of
Options
2019

429,068

144,500

(22,000)

(78,778)

472,790

Lease release relates to one lease the Group and the landlord agreed to end at the break clause date.

19. trADe AND otHer PAYABleS

GrouP

comPANY

current

Trade payables

Other tax and social security payables

Other payables and accrued expenses

Amounts payable to subsidiary undertakings1

2020
$000

9,768

276

  2,869

—

12,913

2019
$000

12,678

209

4,869

—

17,756

2020
$000

8,899

5

1,605

214

10,723

2019
$000

10,426

—

1,729

29

12,184

1. The amounts payable to subsidiary undertakings are repayable on demand.

20. emPloYee BeNefItS

Share-based payments – Group and company

Defined contribution plans

The Group operates a number of defined contribution 
pension plans.

The total expense relating to these plans in the current year 
was $624,623 (2019: $534,000).

In 2013 the Company issued share options to employees. 
To be able to exercise these options, employees are required 
to be employed by the Company for a period of three years 
from the grant date. In addition, exercise is conditional on 
the Company achieving a minimum level of EPS growth 
over the vesting period.

Exercise prices are set out below. Options issued under the 
scheme expire 10 years from grant date.

Issue 8
15 october 2020

Issue 7a
25 April 2019

Issue 7
2 April 2019

The fair value of employee 
share options is measured 
using a Black Scholes model. 
Measurement inputs and 
assumptions for issues in 2019 
and 2020 are as follows:

Fair value at grant date

Weighted average share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Option life

Risk-free interest rate

£0.56

£1.25

£1.13

47%

10 yrs

0.90%

£0.89

£2.58

£2.58

40%

10 yrs

0.90%

£1.02

£2.96

£2.96

40%

10 yrs

0.90%

The fair values at grant date were converted at the 
exchange rate on the grant date to give fair values of 
$0.73, $1.15 and $1.32 per option. The total expense 
recognised in the period in respect of share options is 
$226,000 (2019: $243,000).

The expected volatility is based on the historic  
volatility (calculated based on the weighted average 
remaining life of the share options), adjusted for any 
expected changes to future volatility due to publicly 
available information.

The share options exercisable as at the 31 December 2020 were 148,290. 

A further 65,000 became exercisable in March 2021.

21. ProVISIoNS

Group

Balance at 1 January

Provisions made during the year

Balance at 31 December

2020
$000

343

11

354

2019
$000

306

37

343

The provision is in respect of long-term employment 
liabilities in Italy, Japan and the UK and is non-current.
The Company has no provisions.

22. cAPItAl AND reSerVeS

Share capital

Fully paid ordinary shares of 0.1p per share

Balance at 1 January 2020

Exercise of share options (see note 20)

Balance at 31 December 2020

Balance at 1 January 2019

Exercise of share options (see note 20)

Balance at 31 December 2019

The holders of fully paid ordinary shares are entitled to 
receive dividends as declared from time to time and are 
entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company.

translation reserve

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

ordinary shares
Number

Share capital
$000

Share Premium
$000

66,435,060

15,000

66,450,060

66,356,282

78,778

66,435,060

Dividends

106

—

106

106

—

106

6,698

10

6,708

6,499

199

6,698

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

-

N
o
t
e
s

t
o

t
h
e

fi
n
a
n
c
i
a

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

The Board proposed a dividend for the year ended 
December 2020 of 2.0p per share which is not recognised 
as a distribution to equity holders during the period. 

The following dividends were recognised during the period:

Nil per qualifying ordinary share

Total dividends recognised 
in the year

2020
$000

—

—

2019
$000

2,760

2,760

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
76

plc

plc

23. fINANcIAl INStrumeNtS – GrouP AND comPANY  

This note presents information about the Group’s 
objectives, policies and processes for measuring and 
managing risk, and the Group’s management of capital. 
Further quantitative disclosures are included throughout 
these consolidated financial statements.

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for 
the establishment and oversight of the Group’s risk 
management framework.

The Group’s risk management policies are established to 
identify and analyse the risks faced by the Group, to set 
appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks 
and adherence to limits. Risk management policies and 
systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market 
conditions and the Group’s activities. The Group, through 
its training and management standards and procedures, 
aims to develop a disciplined and constructive control 
environment in which all employees understand their roles 
and obligations.

financial risks

The Group’s activities expose it to a number of financial risks 
including credit risk, cash flow risk and exchange rate risk:

credit risk

The Group’s principal financial assets are bank balances and 
cash, trade and other receivables. The Group’s credit risk is 
primarily attributable to its trade receivables, which were 
concentrated in a small number of high-value customer 
accounts, but following the acquisition of the Densitron 
Group of companies this risk has been reduced. In addition, 
operations in emerging or new markets may have a higher 
than average risk of political or economic instability and 
may carry increased credit risk. In each case the risk to the 
Group is the recoverability of the cash flows.

The credit risk on trade and other receivables is managed 
by agreeing appropriate payment terms with customers, 
obtaining credit agency ratings of all potential customers, 
by requiring wherever possible payment for goods in 
advance or upon delivery, and by closely monitoring 
customers balances due, to ensure they do not become 
overdue. In addition careful consideration is given to 
operations in emerging or new markets before the Group 
enters that market. A provision of $146,963 has been 
provided in respect of expected credit losses as at 31 
December 2020 (31 December 2019: $300,861).  
The directors have considered the nature of the customers, 
the historic levels of bad debts and the payment profile of 
customer contracts in reaching the value of the expected 
credit losses above. Management have also considered 
the expected credit losses in relation to amounts owed 
from subsidiary undertakings and has considered it to be 
immaterial.

The aging of trade receivables at the Balance Sheet date is 
set out in note 16.

The Group is exposed to credit-related loses in the event of 
non-performance by counterparties to financial instruments 
but does not currently expect any counterparties to fail 
to meet their obligations. Credit risk on liquid funds is 
mitigated because the counterparties are banks with 
high credit ratings assigned by international credit rating 
agencies.

cash flow risk

Group cash balances and expected cash flow are monitored 
on a daily basis to ensure the Group has sufficient available 
funds to meet its needs.

exchange rate risk

Group exposure to exchange rate risk includes the 
measurement of overseas operations at the relevant 
exchange rate and changes in trade payables and 
receivables as a result of exchange rate movements.  
Daily exchange rate movements are monitored and any 
losses or gains incurred are taken to the Profit and Loss 
account and reported in the Group’s internal management 
information. Before agreeing any overseas transactions 
consideration is given to utilising financial instruments such 
as hedging and forward purchase contracts.

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

77

cAPItAl mANAGemeNt

Group and company

The capital management policy is to maintain a strong 
capital base so as to enhance investor, creditor and market 
confidence. The Board’s objective is to safeguard the Group’s 
ability to continue as a going concern, to sustain the future 
development of the business and to provide returns for 
shareholders, whilst controlling the cost of capital.

The Group monitors capital on the basis of the carrying 
amount of equity, less cash and cash equivalents as 
presented on the face of the Balance Sheet.

Total equity

Cash and cash equivalents

Capital

Total equity

Other financial liabilities

Total financing

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

There were no changes in the Group’s approach to capital 
management during the period. Neither the Company nor 
any of its subsidiaries are subject to externally imposed 
capital requirements.

GrouP

comPANY

2020
$000

63,353

(18,804)

44,549

2019
$000

65,287

(16,954)

48,333

2020
$000

51,789

(3,080)

48,709

GrouP

comPANY

2020
$000

63,353

1,407

64,760

2019
$000

65,287

820

66,107

2020
$000

51,789

808

52,597

2019
$000

54,408

(1,219)

53,189

2019
$000

54,408

819

55,227

financial assets and liabilities

creDIt rISk

The Group’s activities are financed by cash at bank and 
bank borrowings.

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments – non-current

Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments – current

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade receivables  
at the reporting date by geographic region was:

Australia

USA

Asia

Europe

Rest of World

F
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I

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t
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e

fi
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a
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l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

exposure to credit

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the 
maximum credit exposure. 

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting  
date was:

GrouP

comPANY

2020
$000

18,804

—

14,269

33,073

2019
$000

16,954

—

19,994

36,948

2020
$000

3,080

25,393

5,190

33,663

GrouP

comPANY

2020
$000

1,424

6,337

1,538

4,632

338

2019
$000

2,200

8,254

1,421

8,119

—

14,269

19,994

2020
$000

—

—

26

—

—

26

2019
$000

1,219

—

36,287

37,506

2019
$000

—

—

—

—

—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
78

plc

plc

liquidity risk

Group policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to 
enhance investor, creditor and market confidence. Surplus 
funds are placed on deposits with cash balances available 
for immediate withdrawal if required.

Liquidity needs are managed by regular review of the 
timing of expected receivables and the maintenance of cash 
on deposit. This review ensures the Group has sufficient 
cash balances to meet the contractual financial liabilities 
and interest payments.

The following show the contractual undiscounted cash 
flows and the contractual maturities of financial liabilities, 
including interest payments and excluding the impact of 
netting agreements.

Group

31 December 2020
Carrying amount

Contractual cash flows

6 months or less

6 to 12 months

More than 12 months

trade and
other
Payables
$000

other
financial
liabilities
$000

total
$000

12,913

1,407

14,320

12,913

—

—

165

530

712

13,078

530

712

12,913

1,407

14,320

Group

$000

$000

$000

31 December 2019
Carrying amount

Contractual cash flows

6 months or less

6 to 12 months

More than 12 months

17,756

17,756

—

—

17,756

820

41

41

738

820

18,576

17,797

41

738

18,576

company

$000

$000

$000

31 December 2020
Carrying amount

Contractual cash flows

6 months or less

6 to 12 months

More than 12 months

10,723

808

11,531

10,723

—

—

10,723

48

48

712

808

10,771

48

712

11,531

company

$000

$000

$000

31 December 2019
Carrying amount

Contractual cash flows

6 months or less

6 to 12 months

More than 12 months

12,184

12,184

—

—

12,184

819

41

40

738

819

The carrying amounts of the Group’s financial assets and 
liabilities may also be categorised as follows:

current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments – non-current

Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments – current

GrouP

comPANY

2020
$000

18,804

—

14,269

33,073

2019
$000

16,954

—

19,994

36,948

2020
$000

3,080

25,393

5,190

33,663

All of the above relate to the IFRS 9 category ‘loans and receivables’ and are measured at amortised cost.

current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Other financial liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Other financial liabilities

(12,913)

(17,756)

(10,723)

(695)

(82)

(96)

(13,608)

(17,838)

(10,819)

(712)

(14,320)

(738)

(18,576)

(712)

(11,531)

All of the above relate to the IFRS 9 category ‘other financial liabilities’ and are measured at amortised cost.

13,003

12,225

40

738

13,003

2019
$000

1,219

—

36,287

37,506

(12,184)

(81)

(12,265)

(738)

(13,003)

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

79

currency risk

fair values versus carrying amounts

transactional currency risk

The Group is exposed to foreign currency risks arising from 
sales or purchases in currencies other than their functional 
currencies. Before agreeing any overseas transactions 
consideration is given to utilising financial instruments such 
as hedging and forward purchase contracts.

This risk is mitigated by the majority of revenue and cost of 
sales being denominated in US Dollars which is the Group’s 
reporting currency.

Fair value is calculated based on the present value of future 
principal and interest cash flows, discounted at the market 
rate of interest at the balance sheet date. The Directors 
consider that there is no material difference between fair 
values and carrying amounts of financial assets and liabilities.

24. leASeS

The Group and Company do not have material operating 
leases that have not been capitalised under IFRS 16 (2019: Nil). 

translational currency risk

IfrS 16

The Group has significant investments in overseas operations. 
As a result, the US Dollar value of the Group’s balance 
sheet can be affected by movements in exchange rates.

The Group and Company leases office and the Group 
a small number of cars of immaterial value where 
employment practice demands company cars be available. 

Interest rate and currency profile

The Group’s financial assets comprise trade and other 
receivables and cash at bank. At 31 December 2020 the 
average interest rates earned on the daily closing balances 
were 1.10% and 1.05% (2019: 1.69% and 1.64%).

Sensitivity analysis

Office leases typically run from 5 to 10 years with options 
to renew. Lease payments are negotiated every five years 
to reflect market rentals. Sub-leasing arrangements are not 
always available. Car leases are typically three years long. 
Group expenses of $179,000 were incurred in 2020 (2019: 
$32,000) on leases excluded because they are short-term 
(less than one year) or low value (asset is less than $5,000). 

The Group’s does not prepare sensitivity analysis for 
fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates.

The following table summarises the IFRS 16 disclosures for 
the Group and Company:

Balance Sheet

Assets

Right of use assets

lease liabilities

current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Profit & loss Account

Depreciation

Lease interest expenses

Expenses on excluded leases (short-term or low value)

GrouP

comPANY

2020
$000

2019
$000

2020
$000

1,276

894

200

386

901

1,287

473

55

179

406

564

970

680

120

32

200

—

200

230

13

171

F
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A
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2019
$000

252

252

—

252

402

52

24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
80

plc

plc

Annual Report and Accounts | 2020

81

25. commItmeNtS

28. SuBSeQueNt eVeNtS

At 31 December 2020, the Group was in discussion with  
a key supplier, AMD, regarding a last-time-buy commercial 
agreement, which was concluded and signed in January 
2021. This relates to the purchase of components affected 
by an end-of-life notice from AMD and will ensure that 
Quixant can satisfy future Gaming customer orders across 
several products. Payment terms for the last-time-buy 
are six quarterly instalments, commencing Q4 2021, and 
totalling $5.7m.

26. coNtINGeNcIeS

The Group continues to monitor and assess the impact  
of COVID-19 on the performance of the business in 2021. 
The Directors are confident in the Group’s ability to react to 
any further economic uncertainties that may occur in 2021 
and will continue to utilise its experiences from 2020. The 
global component shortage is likely to have an impact on 
procurement. The Board has approved a plan to purchase 
additional buffer stock to support the 2021 order book 
and protect the business from ongoing global shortages, 
which will be managed within our current working capital 
structure.

Neither the Group nor Company had any contingencies 
existing at 31 December 2020 (2019: none).

29. PrIor YeAr ADJuStmeNt

27. relAteD PArtIeS

Group

During the year the Group paid € 31,200 (2019: € 31,200) 
for administration services to Francesca Marzilli, the wife of 
Nick Jarmany, and NTD 719,644 (2019: NTD 644,397) for 
HR services to Jenny Lin, the daughter of C-T Lin.

There were no other related party transactions other than 
transactions with Key Management Personnel, who are the 
Directors disclosed in Note 6 above.

other related party transactions

There are no other transactions and balances with 
key management not included within the Directors’ 
remuneration.

company

Directors and key management compensation disclosed  
in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.

During the year, the Company entered into transactions in 
the ordinary course of business with related companies. 

These related party transactions with other group 
companies and the balance outstanding are as follows:

Income

Sales to other Group Companies

Dividend income from other Group companies

Dividend income in respect of legal restructure from other Group companies

Loan interest receivable from Group companies

Audit fees recharged to Group companies

other loan balance due from Group companies

The Company has loan balances due from Group companies essentially 
related to funding to the establishment of overseas offices

expenses

Salary recharges from Group companies

During the year, Quixant plc identified that a consolidation 
journal between operating expenses and cost of sales in 
respect of overheads absorbed in the production of finished 
goods, was omitted in the prior year.

As a result, the cost of sales previously recognised in 
2019 of $58.0m has now increased by $2.2m whilst the 
operating expenses recognised in 2019 of $24.7m has now 
decreased by $2.2m. This adjustment has no effect on the 
profit before tax and profit for the year for 2019.

Profit & loss Account

Balance outstanding 
included in trade & other 
receivables

2020
$000

42,085

391

—

—

61

—

88

2019
$000

40,583

—

39,750

62

3

—

81

2020
$000

5,103

—

21,604

—

61

2019
$000

6,587

—

26,697

62

3

3,575

2,903

—

—

COMPANY INFORMATION

Directors 

M J Peagram
N C L Jarmany
G P Mullins
J F Jayal
G C van Zwanenberg
F D Small

company secretary 

L E Park

registered office 

Auditor 

Aisle Barn
100 High Street
Balsham
Cambridge
CB21 4EP

KPMG LLP
Botanic House
100 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 1AR

Nominated advisor and Broker  finnCap

Joint Broker  

financial Pr 

registrars and creSt 
settlement agents 

60 New Broad Street
London
EC2M 1JJ

Canaccord Genuity
88 Wood Street
London
EC2V 7QR

Alma PR
71-73 Carter Lane
London
EC4V 5EQ

Neville Registrars
Neville House
Steelpark Road
Halesowen
B62 8HD

registered number 

04316977

Website 

ticker: 

www.quixant.com

London: QXT

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plc

plc

Aisle Barn
100 High Street
Balsham
cambridge
cB21 4eP uk

t:  +44 (0)1223 892696
e:  info@quixant.com

registered Number: 04316977
registered in england and Wales

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