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FY2013 Annual Report · RM plc
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Annual Report  
and Accounts

for the year ended 30 November 2013

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The RM plc group of 
businesses creates and 
maintains an extensive 
range of innovative and 
award-winning solutions and 
services - all designed or 
selected to meet the specific 
needs of educational users.

The RM Group comprises the following divisions:

Education Technology
Technology-based software and services, specifically designed for UK 
schools and other educational establishments, across the following 
categories:

 •

 •

 •

Services: Outsourcing, support and implementation services, 
including managed services, onsite support, telephone support and 
consultancy services.

Digital Platforms & Content: Access to curriculum resources and 
school management solutions, including RM Unify ‘launchpad 
to the cloud’, RM Books e-book system, RM Integris school 
management systems, RM Easimaths and RM Easiteach.

Infrastructure Solutions: Network software, tools and infrastructure 
services, such as RM Neon and Community Connect network and 
device management tools and virtualisation.

 •

Internet: The provision of broadband and e-safety solutions.

Education Resources
This division comprises two operating businesses: TTS and SpaceKraft. 
TTS provides a whole range of resources for use in schools and other 
educational settings. TTS is a leading provider of physical resources 
to UK schools, with over 14,000 product lines and an established 
leadership position in Primary and Early Years age groups. SpaceKraft is 
a leading provider of resources and immersive environments to meet 
the specific requirements of learners with Special Educational Needs.

Assessment and Data Services (ADS)
ADS supplies government ministries, exam boards and professional 
awarding organisations with technology and expertise to improve 
efficiency, accuracy and clarity in the assessment cycle, both in the UK 
and internationally. This includes the systems required to provide the 
school ‘league tables’ for English schools.

Branded as ‘RM Results’, ADS is a business that provides products and 
services that include secure, innovative systems for creating high-
stakes exams and tests, onscreen testing, onscreen marking and the 
management and analysis of educational data.

For more information  
about RM visit 

RM plc Annual Report 2013

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RM plc Annual Report 2013Overview

02  Chairman’s Statement
04  Strategic Report

Governance

18  Directors’ Biographies
19  Directors’ Report
24   Corporate Governance Report
31   Audit Committee Report
34  Remuneration Report

Financial  
Statements

45   Independent Auditor’s Report
48   Consolidated Income Statement
49  Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
50   Consolidated Balance Sheet
51   Company Balance Sheet
52   Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
53   Company Cash Flow Statement
54   Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
55   Company Statement of Changes in Equity
56   Notes to the financial statements

100  Shareholder Information

The first choice for education

01

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stock code: RM. 
The Group has a strong balance sheet with cash and 
short-term deposits at year end of £63.2 million. 

The Board is recommending a final dividend of 2.46 
pence per share which would, in total, constitute 
an increase of 10% over the prior year. In addition, 
recognising that the Group’s cash resources are greater 
than those required to meet the prudent requirements 
of the business, the Board is proposing to pay a special 
dividend of 16.00 pence per share (£15 million) at the 
same time as the final dividend.

The Board is proposing the establishment of an escrow 
account to be utilised for initiatives to reduce the risks 
related to the RM defined benefit pension scheme 
which was closed to new entrants in 2003 and to 
accrual of benefits in 2012. It is anticipated that an 
amount of £8 million will be paid into this account by 
the Group in 2014.

Chairman’s Statement

2013 has been an eventful but positive year for RM plc.

Trading performance, which is detailed below, showed 
revenues down as anticipated, but sharply improved 
profitability, together with good cash generation. The 
well-signalled decline in the Building Schools for the 
Future (‘BSF’) programme was the major contributor to 
revenue reduction, but was equally a valuable source of 
profit and cash.

The strategic decision within the Group’s Education 
Technology division to discontinue the manufacture 
and distribution of computer hardware in order to 
expand software and service offerings represented a 
major change, and was received with understanding 
in the marketplace. The operational reorganisation 
consequent upon this decision is in the process of 
implementation and is on track in respect of timing  
and cost.

The other two divisions, Assessment and Data Services 
(‘ADS’) and Education Resources, acquitted themselves 
well. ADS has extended contractual relationships with 
existing customers and increased margins. Education 
Resources has delivered good margins despite a large 
Corporate Social Responsibility (‘CSR’) programme, 
sponsored by a major corporate, not being repeated  
this year.

An eventful but 
positive year

02

RM plc Annual Report 2013

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www.rmplc.com2013

With reference to the Board, I became Chairman of RM 
and David Brooks took over as Chief Executive in Spring 
2013. Jo Connell will be retiring from the Board at the 
Annual General Meeting in March 2014. Substantial 
thanks are due to her for her service to the Group over 
the past six years. Patrick Martell has been appointed to 
the Board with effect from 1 January 2014.

I would like to thank our Board members and 
employees for their successful efforts during a 
challenging year. The Board is fully committed to 
building the Group on the strengthened foundations 
which will result.

Looking forward, the changes to the Education 
Technology division will, as announced, impact 2014 
but create a more robust business for the future. ADS 
and Education Resources are expected to continue to 
perform well.

John Poulter 
Chairman 
3 February 2014

03

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The first choice for educationstock code: RM.OverviewThe total tax charge within the Income Statement 
for the year was £3.3 million (2012: £3.5 million). The 
Group’s tax charge for the period, measured as a 
percentage of profit before tax, was 35% (2012: 47%). 
This decrease is principally due to a higher proportion 
of ‘Adjustments’ to operating profit being tax deductible. 
Excluding the impact of such adjustments, the tax 
charge on adjusted profit before tax was at an effective 
rate of 30% (2012: 26%). Statutory basic earnings per 
share were 6.7 pence (2012: 4.3 pence) and statutory 
diluted earnings per share were 6.6 pence (2012: 4.3 
pence).

RM delivered another year of strong cash generation 
with cash generated by operations for the year of £34.7 
million (2012: £33.5 million). As a result, cash and short 
term deposits increased to £63.2 million (2012: £37.8 
million). The lowest cash position during the year due 
to seasonal cash flows was £33.0 million (2012: £6.5 
million).

Working capital efficiency improved further. Specific 
elements include inventory levels reducing by 29% year 
on year and trade receivables reducing by 35%.

Dividends
The total dividend paid and proposed for the year has 
been increased by 10% to 3.30 pence per share (2012: 
3.00 pence). This comprises an already paid interim 
dividend of 0.84 pence per share and, subject to 
shareholder approval, a proposed final dividend of 2.46 
pence per share. The estimated total cost of normal 
dividends paid and proposed for 2013 is £3.0 million 
(2012: £2.8 million).

In addition, recognising that the Group’s cash resources 
are greater than those required to meet the prudent 
requirements of the business, the Board is proposing 
to pay a special dividend of 16.00 pence per share (£15 
million) at the same time as the annual dividend in April 
2014. The Board will also recommend that the special 
dividend is combined with a share consolidation. This 
is common in such circumstances and is intended to 
maintain the comparability of the Company’s share 
price before and after the special dividend.

Strategic Report

The Annual Report has been restructured this year in 
response to the new Companies Act Regulations and 
Financial Reporting Council’s guidance. The Annual 
Report is split into three main sections: a Narrative 
Report on the Group’s strategy and performance 
contained in this section, Corporate Governance 
Reports (set out on pages 18 to 44) and the Financial 
Statements (set out on pages 45 to 99).

The Group’s objective is to create shareholder value 
through the provision of software, services and 
resources to the education sector.

The strategies by which the Group pursues this 
objective are specific to the businesses within the Group 
and are addressed in the Divisional Reviews contained 
later in this report. 

Group Financial Performance
Group revenues excluding businesses exited in 2012 
declined by 8.4% to £261.7 million (2012: £285.9 million, 
£288.7 million including exited businesses).

To provide a better guide to underlying business 
performance, the Income Statement amortisation 
charges relating to acquisition related intangible assets, 
share-based payment charges and other items of a 
non-operational nature have been disclosed in an 
adjustments column in the Income Statement to give 
‘Adjusted’ results.

The Group has adopted the provisions of the recently 
revised International Accounting Standard 19 (‘IAS19R’) 
with respect to treatment of defined benefit pension 
schemes. This accounting change has no impact on 
total distributable reserves but does affect where certain 
costs appear in the Income Statement. The impact of 
this change on the results for the years ended  
30 November 2012 and 2013 are set out in more detail 
in Note 3. 

Adjusted operating profit margins increased from 4.4% 
in 2012 to 6.6%. Adjusted operating profit increased to 
£17.2 million (2012: £12.7 million). The Group generated 
an unadjusted statutory profit before tax of £9.4 million 
(2012: £7.4 million). Significant exceptional items 
included £5.1 million of restructuring costs following 
the strategic review of the Education Technology 
division and the associated impact on central services. 
In addition, there was an increase in property-related 
provisions of £2.6 million, principally related to provision 
for onerous leases on surplus property.

04

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013RM Annual Report 2013 FRONT - Proof 4-p4p.indd   5

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05

The first choice for educationstock code: RM.OverviewStrategic Report

continued

Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
The RM Defined Benefit Pension Scheme was closed to 
new entrants in 2003. An agreement was reached with 
the Trustees to close the Scheme to future accrual of 
benefits from 31 October 2012. At 30 November 2013 
the IAS 19R scheme deficit (pre-tax) was £15.8 million 
(2012: £20.4 million). The triennial valuation of the 
Scheme’s position at 31 May 2012 for statutory funding 
purposes showed a Scheme deficit of £53.5 million. A 
deficit recovery plan over 15 years was agreed with the 
Trustees for future annual deficit recovery payments of 
£3.6 million, these amounts being guaranteed by the 
parent company. The Group also pays the Scheme’s 
expenses, including the Payment Protection Fund levy. 
Total cash payments including expenses for the year 
were £4.4 million (2012: £7.3 million payments in excess 
of current service cost).

The Board has proposed the establishment of an 
escrow account to be utilised for initiatives to reduce 
the risks related to the Scheme. It is anticipated that an 
amount of £8.0 million will be paid into this account 
in 2014 in addition to the annual deficit recovery 
payments.

Divisional Review
The Group is structured in three operating divisions, 
each with its own Managing Director and management 
team. Some staff functions are provided centrally. In 
addition approximately 25% of Group headcount is 
based in India, providing support services and software 
development to the operating divisions.

Education Technology
The Education Technology division is a UK-focused 
business supplying IT and related services to schools 
and colleges. The sale of personal computing devices 
was discontinued from December 2013. Going 
forward the Education Technology division will focus 
on four distinct product groups: IT Services, Digital 
Platforms and Content, Infrastructure Solutions and 
Internet Services. The business has experienced 
declining transactional volumes for hardware over 
many years, apart from demand derived from new 
school openings under the Building Schools for the 
Future (‘BSF’) programme which is coming to a close. 
Existing contractual commitments to provide personal 
computing devices will be fulfilled and the division will 
continue to provide third party infrastructure hardware 
as part of its Infrastructure and Services businesses. 
The divisional strategy is to continue to develop and 
encourage adoption of its portfolio of software products 
and services through new and existing propositions 
which meet the needs of UK schools.

06

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Market trends affecting the business include increasing 
interest in schools towards adoption of Bring Your Own 
Device (‘BYOD’) policies. This offers RM an opportunity 
to supply both services and network infrastructure 
solutions to facilitate this complex transition. In addition, 
purchasing decisions in England have been increasingly 
devolved to schools and academy groups and away 
from central government and local authorities. This 
required a change in the way RM engages with its 
market and the review has resulted in an increased 
focus on marketing and telephone sales over face to 
face sales, though direct contact will still be necessary 
when complex solutions are involved.

As anticipated, continued funding pressures in the UK 
education sector led to overall revenue in the Education 
Technology division declining by 10.6% to £181.2 million 
(2012: £202.7 million). However, adjusted operating 
profit margins increased from 2.6% to 4.8%. In large 
part this was due to improved margins on long-term 
contracts within the Services part of the business, 
including BSF contracts, where profitability in 2012 was 
negatively impacted by provision for costs forecast to 
migrate customers from learning platform offerings, 
combined with lower than expected final costs on 
projects completing in 2013. Adjusted operating profit 
was £8.6 million (2012: £5.4 million).

The performance of the four retained product groups 
and the Personal Computer Hardware business, which 
is in the process of being exited, are reviewed below.

Services
These include implementation, management and 
support of IT infrastructure within schools and colleges, 
including BSF contracts. As anticipated, revenues in 
2013 declined with a reduction in new school openings 
under the BSF programme. Due to the contract roll-
out schedule it is anticipated that BSF revenue will 
decline significantly over the next year with only modest 
revenue from BSF implementations after 2014. Services 
revenues decreased by 14% to £85.7 million (2012: £99.1 
million).

RM’s strong record of extending contractual 
relationships with existing Services customers has 
continued, including a new seven year ICT managed 
services contract signed with South Lanarkshire Council. 

Long-term managed services are subject to long-
term project accounting policies and revenues and 
profits were positively affected by good operational 
performance and cost control in completing BSF 
contracts.

New service propositions have been launched in the 
year including a mixed remote/on-site support service 
for primary schools which allows them to select 
from a range of service levels and gain the benefits of 
wider access to knowledge available across RM while 
maintaining continuity of elements of on-site service.

The first choice for education

07

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stock code: RM.OverviewStrategic Report

continued

Digital Platforms and Content
These include established products such as RM Integris 
(RM’s cloud-based school management system), RM 
Easimaths curriculum software and RM EasiTeach 
whole class teaching software but also newer offerings 
including RM Books and RM Unify. Digital Platforms 
and Content revenues decreased by 17% to £7.3 million 
reflecting the run down of learning platforms and 
reduced curriculum software sales.

Revenue from RM Integris increased following customer 
wins including schools across Oxfordshire. The strategy 
is to increase RM’s market share in a market dominated 
by a competitor and with low levels of switching 
between suppliers. RM Integris is a cloud-based 
Software as a Service offering with annual licences.

RM Unify is a product launched by RM in 2013 as a 
technology solution to allow customers easy access 
to the varied digital, cloud-based, educational specific 
content and materials now available. RM Unify 
incorporates a cloud-based ‘launchpad’ and ‘application 
store’ enabling schools to procure and access a wide 
variety of applications in a secure, single sign-on 
environment. As part of an extension to a contract with 
the Scottish Government, RM Unify has been made 
available to all schools in Scotland. Since the year end 
RM has also been awarded a new contract to provide 
RM Unify to all schools in Scotland until January 
2016. In addition, RM Unify has been chosen by a 
number of existing managed services customers as the 
replacement for their learning platform. 

Over 90 third-party applications are now available 
for use through RM Unify. Revenue is derived from 
annual school subscriptions and from fees from 
sales of third party applications. The division’s 
strategy is generally not to develop its own 
curriculum software but to provide the best of 
what is available from third parties via RM Unify.

RM Books, launched last year, is still in the early stages 
of adoption. RM Books provides the first e-book solution 
designed for UK schools. The launch has been well 
received by publishers with the majority of leading UK 
textbook publishers now participating. Approximately 
5,000 titles are currently available through RM Books. 
The service is free to schools with RM taking a share 
of revenue from content sold through the system. The 
market penetration of e-books in consumer markets 
has increased dramatically in recent years but e-book 
adoption in schools is currently limited. The current 
focus is on securing a share of ‘early adopters’ and 
demonstrating the educational value added. Revenues 
remain small and RM Books is expected to remain an 
area of investment going forward.

08

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www.rmplc.comInfrastructure Solutions
Infrastructure Solutions include sales of RM’s 
Community Connect and Ranger network management 
tools and related provision of hardware such as routers 
and wireless systems. Existing products are typically 
sold as perpetual licences with annual maintenance 
contracts. Revenues decreased by 7% to £15.7 million 
(2012: £16.9 million) as demand for established products 
reduced year on year.

In the year the division invested in a significant new 
proposition, RM Neon, which has been launched since 
the year end. RM Neon provides a new generation of 
network and device monitoring tools to schools and 
is available via an annual subscription. Consistent with 
Education Technology’s wider strategy, these tools 
allow network managers to incorporate the best of third 
party and ‘home grown’ applications and scripts.

Internet
RM is a broadband and e-safety service provider to 
approximately 7,000 schools. RM designs and manages 
networks, procuring and integrating bandwidth and 
e-safety products from third parties. Competitors 
include regional educational aggregators and some of 
the large telecom providers who sell to schools directly. 
The devolution of purchasing decisions to individual 
schools is reducing the likelihood of local authorities 
procuring services centrally on their behalf.

RM’s business is dominated by one large regional 
consortium which accounts for the majority of its 
revenue. This relationship is underpinned by a contract 
which runs until 2018 though volumes are variable.

Revenues decreased by 5% to £19.3 million  
(2012: £20.2 million).

Personal Computing Hardware
Revenue derived from hardware (RM-branded and third 
party computing products, together with maintenance 
and warranty and other third party classroom 
equipment) decreased by 8% to £53.1 million (2012: 
£57.7 million).

As discussed above, the division will exit the declining 
and low margin sale and manufacture of personal 
computing devices over the course of FY14. Where 
required under wider managed services contracts, RM 
will contract third parties to provide such devices or 
offer a procurement service.

The expected rundown in BSF activity combined with 
exiting personal computing device sales will result 
in a c.50% reduction in the Education Technology 
division’s revenue between FY13 and FY15. FY14 will 
be a year of transition with cost reductions lagging 
reduced revenues as existing commitments are met and 
manufacturing and warehousing facilities are closed.

The first choice for education

09

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stock code: RM.OverviewStrategic Report

continued

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Education Resources
The Education Resources division comprises two 
operating businesses: TTS and SpaceKraft.

TTS provides resources used in schools through a 
mainly direct marketing business model with goods 
supplied from large centralised UK warehouse 
operations. Products supplied are a mix of third party 
branded and TTS branded items manufactured by a 
network of third party suppliers.

The division’s strategy is to grow market share in the 
provision of resources to the UK schools, Early Years 
and Special Educational Needs markets via direct 
catalogue and on-line sales and marketing channels as 
well as through selective supply of products to UK trade 
and international schools and distributors.

As anticipated, divisional revenue declined year on year 
with the absence of a contribution from an annual 
contract providing educational products for a Corporate 
Social Responsibility (‘CSR’) programme sponsored 
by a major UK group which was discontinued by the 
customer. Revenues fell by 9.7% to £54.0 million (2012: 
£59.8 million) in a declining UK market.

Despite lower revenues at SpaceKraft, which was loss-
making, divisional adjusted operating margins remained 
strong at 13.3% compared with 14.8% in the prior year. 
Adjusted operating profit was £7.2 million (2012: £8.8 
million). Inventory and supply chain management 
remained strong. A new warehouse management 
system was successfully introduced during the 
year which has improved delivery performance and 
operational efficiency such as warehouse space 
utilisation.

TTS UK Catalogues and On-line
Revenues from TTS UK catalogues and on-line sales 
increased by 2% to £37.0 million (2012: £36.4 million). 
During the period, TTS experienced the impact of 
reduced funding streams to Early Years and nurseries, 
though revenue from primary and secondary schools 
increased. 

A new parent-focused programme was launched in the 
year. This allows parents to purchase from catalogues 
distributed by schools with a percentage of revenues 
provided back to the schools via credits to purchase TTS 
products.

Product ranges have been expanded through the 
addition of more high volume products in everyday 
demand, some of which are provided via direct 
shipment from third party suppliers.

TTS International
Revenues from international sales to overseas resellers 
and to international schools increased by 11% to £7.0 
million (2012: £6.3 million). This was driven by growth in 
Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

TTS CSR and Trade
Revenues from UK trade and the provision of a 
Corporate Social Responsibility programme to a major 
UK group decreased in aggregate from £13.1 million to 
£6.6 million. The CSR programme mentioned above 
represented over 10% of TTS revenues in FY12.

SpaceKraft
SpaceKraft supplies products and installation services 
for the Special Educational Needs market. Products are 
a mix of own brand manufactured items and third party 
sourced. Sales of installations are made direct with other 
products supplied through catalogues and on-line.

Revenues declined in the year by 15% to £3.4 million 
(2012: £4.0 million) with budgetary reductions in 
this area particularly impacting installation services. 
The business was loss-making in the year. Following 
a significant cost base reduction exercise, a new 
management team was appointed to the business in 
the second half of the year and back-office support 
activities are being more closely integrated with the TTS 
business.

11

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The first choice for educationstock code: RM.OverviewStrategic Report

continued

Assessment and Data Services 
(‘ADS’)
The ADS business provides onscreen exam marking, 
onscreen testing and the management and analysis of 
educational data. Its customers include government 
ministries, exam boards and professional awarding 
bodies around the world improving the efficiency, 
accuracy and clarity of the assessment cycle.

The strategy in the Assessment side of the business is 
to expand the scope of services to existing customers 
through provision of leading software products and 
services and to win new customers in both the UK and 
overseas. Software is proprietary while other services 
such as image scanning are outsourced to third parties. 
Internationally the business is anticipated to evolve 
through partnerships and software licencing rather than 
as a service based activity.

The business was successful in securing contract 
extensions with several existing customers including 
Cambridge Assessment and the Association of 
Chartered Certified Accountants. Revenues rose in the 
year through a combination of increased examination 
volumes and customer change requests.

Internationally the business is pursuing opportunities 
for the onscreen marking of paper based exams. In 
the UK, examination and curricula changes introduced 
by the English Department for Education will reduce 
the number of exam retakes while a move away from 
modular courses to final exam-based assessment will 
also impact the business in the medium term. There is a 
long-term trend from paper-based to onscreen testing 
though this adoption, for school based examinations,  
is slow.

The Data side of the business is highly dependent 
on one public sector customer, the Department for 
Education. RM was successful in winning a new School 
Performance Data Programme contract which runs 
to 2018 with an option to extend to 2020. This is the 
successor to the National Pupil Database contract and 
includes the capture and publishing of data for the 
school performance tables in England. 

ADS brought together all its propositions under the RM 
Results brand during the year. While the business has 
an excellent record in extending existing contractual 
relationships, the rate of contract wins with new 
customers and for onscreen testing has been weaker 
than anticipated and is an important area of focus for 
the future. Pilots with two new awarding bodies, in the 
UK and overseas, are underway.

Revenues increased by 13.8% to £26.5 million (2012: 
£23.3 million). Adjusted operating margins increased 
further to 15.6% (2012: 10.8%). Adjusted operating profit 
was £4.1 million (2012: £2.5 million).

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013RM India
At 30 November 2013, RM’s operation in Trivandrum 
accounted for approximately 25% of Group headcount 
(2012: 23%).

The Indian operation provides services solely to 
RM Group companies. Activities include software 
development, customer and operational support and 
back office shared service support (e.g. customer order 
entry, IT, finance and HR) and administration.

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13

The first choice for educationstock code: RM.OverviewThe Group has a wide range of other written policies, 
designed to ensure that it operates in a legal and ethical 
manner. These include policies related to health and 
safety, ‘whistle blowing’, anti-bribery and corruption, 
business gifts, grievance, career planning, parental leave, 
systems and network security. All of RM’s employment 
policies are published internally.

Going Concern
The Directors, having made appropriate enquiries, 
consider that the Company and the Group have 
adequate resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future and that therefore 
it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in 
preparing the financial statements.

Environmental Matters
The Group’s impact on the environment, and its policy 
in relation to such matters, are noted in the Directors’ 
Report.

Strategic Report

continued

Employees
Average Group headcount for the year was 2,148 (2012: 
2,305). At 30 November 2013 headcount was 2,018, a 
10% reduction from 2,250 on 30 November 2012. The 
November 2013 headcount comprises 1,820 permanent 
and 198 temporary or contract staff, of which 1,514 
were located in the UK, 504 in India and elsewhere.

The following table sets out a more detailed summary 
of the permanent staff employed as at 30 November 
2013:

Directors

Senior Managers 
(excluding Directors)

Male

2 (100%)

Female

0 (0%)

59 (82%)

13 (18%)

All employees

1,192 (65%)

628 (35%)

As a consequence of the strategic review of Education 
Technology it is anticipated that c.300 temporary and 
permanent UK roles will be eliminated over the course 
of FY14.

The Group is committed to offering equal employment 
opportunities and its policies are designed to attract, 
retain and motivate the best staff regardless of gender, 
sexual orientation, race, religion, age or disability. The 
Group gives proper consideration to applications for 
employment when these are received from disabled 
persons and will employ them in posts whenever 
suitable vacancies arise. Employees who become 
disabled are retained whenever possible through 
retraining, use of appropriate technology and making 
available suitable alternative employment.

The Group encourages the participation of all 
employees in the operation and development of the 
business and has a policy of regular communications. 
The Group incentivises employees and senior 
management through the payment of bonuses 
linked to performance objectives, together with the 
other components of remuneration detailed in the 
Remuneration Report.

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15

The first choice for educationstock code: RM.OverviewStrategic Report

continued

Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The management of the business and the execution of the Group’s strategy are subject to a number of risks. Risks are 
reviewed by the Audit Committee and Board and appropriate processes put in place to monitor and mitigate them. The key 
business risks for the Group are set out in the table below.

Risk

Mitigation

The majority of RM’s business is funded from 
UK government sources. Changes in political 
administration, or changes in policy priorities, 
might result in a reduction in education 
spending.

Global economic conditions might result in 
a reduction in budgets available for public 
spending generally and education spending 
specifically.

Education practices and priorities may change 
and, as a result, RM’s products and services 
may no longer meet customer requirements.

The Group seeks to understand the education 
policy environment by regular monitoring of 
policy positions and by building relationships 
with education policy makers.

The Group seeks to increase the diversity of 
its revenue streams by developing a broad 
product and service portfolio.

The Group seeks to maintain knowledge 
of current education practice and priorities 
by maintaining close relationships with 
customers.

RM provides sophisticated products and 
services, which require a high level of technical 
expertise to develop and support, and on 
which its customers place a high level of 
reliance.

RM is engaged in the delivery of large, multi-
year education projects, typically involving the 
development and integration of complex ICT 
systems, and may have liability for failure to 
deliver on time.

The Group invests in maintaining a high 
level of technical expertise. The Group has 
in place a range of customer satisfaction 
programmes, which include management 
processes designed to address the causes of 
customers’ dissatisfaction.

Internal management control processes are 
in place to govern the delivery of projects, 
including regular reviews by relevant 
management.

RM is involved in the supply of electrical 
goods, physical education resources and other 
products that will be used by children of all 
ages and abilities.

The Group’s product development processes 
take account of international safety 
regulations.

RM is engaged in storing and processing 
sensitive data, where accuracy, privacy and 
security are important.

The Group would be significantly impacted 
if, as a result of a disaster, one of its 
major buildings, systems or infrastructure 
components could not function for a long 
period of time.

The Group’s IS function has invested in 
developing its Data Centres, and has been 
successfully certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2005 
for the provision of systems, information and 
hosting services.

The Group has established an Information 
Security Committee to oversee the security 
aspects of the Group’s information systems. 
This covers data integrity and protection, 
defence against external threats and disaster 
recovery.

The Group seeks to protect itself against the 
consequences of a disaster by implementing 
a series of back-up and safety measures.

The Group has property damage and business 
interruption insurance cover.

Public policy

Education practice

Operational 
execution

Product safety

Data and business 
continuity

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Risk

Mitigation

People

RM’s business depends on highly skilled 
employees.

Innovation

The IT market is subject to rapid, and 
often unpredictable, change. As a result 
of inappropriate technology choices, the 
Group’s products and services might become 
unattractive to its customer base.

The Group’s continued success depends on 
developing and/or sourcing a stream  
of innovative and effective products for  
the education market.

The Group seeks to be an attractive 
employer and regularly monitors the 
engagement of its employees. The Group 
has talent management and career planning 
programmes.

The Group monitors technology and market 
developments and invests to keep its existing 
products and services up-to-date as well as 
seeking out new opportunities and initiatives. 
Recent examples include RM Books,  
RM Unify and RM Neon.

The Group works with teachers and 
educators to understand opportunities and 
requirements.

Financial – foreign 
exchange

The Group is exposed to foreign currency 
risk with respect to purchases of goods in US 
Dollars and from its operations in India.

The Group enters into US Dollar and Indian 
Rupee denominated hedging contracts with 
approved banking organisations.

Financial – liquidity  

The Group is exposed to counterparty risk on 
liquid assets.

The Group operates a Defined Benefit Pension 
Scheme in the UK, which is in deficit. The 
Scheme deficit can adversely impact the net 
assets position of the trading subsidiary RM 
Education Ltd.

The Group’s ability to pay dividends to 
shareholders depends on having sufficient 
distributable reserves in the holding company, 
RM plc. Losses incurred as a result of 
significant increases in the pension Scheme 
deficit could impair the ability of RM Education 
Ltd to pay dividends up to RM plc.

The performance of certain divisions is  
dependent on the winning and extension 
of long-term contracts with government,  
local authorities, examination boards and  
commercial customers.

Pension

Financial – capital

Dependence on key 
contracts

By Order of the Board

David Brooks 
Chief Executive Officer 
3 February 2014

Limits are placed on the level of deposit with 
any one counterparty. Bank selection takes 
into account credit ratings.

The Scheme was closed to new entrants in 
2003 and closed to future accrual of benefits 
in October 2012.

The Group evaluates risk mitigation proposals 
with the Scheme Trustees.

The Group monitors the level of distributable 
reserves in subsidiary companies and 
considers their ability to make dividend 
payments to the holding company.

The Group invests in maintaining a high level 
of technical expertise. The Group has in place 
a range of customer satisfaction programmes, 
which include management processes 
designed to address the causes of customers’ 
dissatisfaction.

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17

The first choice for educationstock code: RM.OverviewDirectors’ Biographies

John Poulter – Chairman  
(a) (r) (n)

John Poulter (71) was appointed as Non-Executive 
Chairman of RM plc on 1 May 2013. He is also Chairman 
of the Nomination Committee of the Board. Mr Poulter 
is currently Executive Chairman of 4imprint Group plc. 
He is a former Chairman and former Chief Executive 
of Spectris plc, a former Non-Executive Chairman of 
Filtronic plc and a former Non-Executive Chairman of 
Hampson Industries plc. He has also acted as Non-
Executive Director to a number of public and private 
companies including FTSE 250 constituents BTP plc, 
RAC plc and Kidde plc.

Lord Andrew Adonis – Independent Non-Executive 
Director  
(a) (r) (n)

Lord Andrew Adonis (50) joined the Board on 1 October 
2011. He served 12 years in government as a Minister 
and special adviser, including Secretary of State for 
Transport, Minister for Schools, Head of the No. 10 
Policy Unit, and senior No. 10 adviser on education, 
public services and constitutional reform. Before joining 
government, he was Public Policy Editor of the Financial 
Times. Lord Adonis is also a Non-Executive Director 
of Dods (Group) PLC and a number of charitable 
organisations.

David Brooks – Chief Executive Officer 
David Brooks (44) was appointed Chief Executive Officer 
of RM plc on 1 March 2013, having been appointed to 
the Board as Chief Operating Officer on 1 July 2012. He 
originally joined RM, with a degree in computing, on 
the Group’s graduate scheme. He has gained extensive 
experience in the education sector across many parts of 
the RM Group and is an alumni of the Harvard Business 
School Advanced Management Programme.

Jo Connell OBE, DL – Senior Independent Non-
Executive Director  
(a) (r) (n)

Jo Connell (66) was appointed to the Board as a 
Non-Executive Director in December 2007. Until 
2003, she was Managing Director of Xansa plc, the 
outsourcing and technology company, having served 
on the Board since 1991. Until August 2013, Ms Connell 
was Chair of Governors and Pro-Chancellor of the 
University of Hertfordshire. She is also Chairman of 
the Communications Consumer Panel and Ofcom’s 
Advisory Committee for Older and Disabled People 
and a former Non-Executive Director of THUS plc and 
Synstar plc. Ms Connell will be retiring as a Director of 
RM plc at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

18

Iain McIntosh – Chief Financial Officer
Iain McIntosh MA, FCA (50) joined RM on 30 November 
2009 and was appointed to the Board as a Director 
on 1 April 2010. Before joining RM, he held equivalent 
positions in listed and private equity backed IT and 
service companies, most recently as CFO of FTSE 250 
listed Axon Group plc. Mr McIntosh initially qualified as 
a Chartered Accountant and then spent four years as a 
Management Consultant with McKinsey & Co.

Patrick Martell – Independent Non-Executive Director  
(a) (r) (n)

Patrick Martell (50) joined the Board on 1 January 2014 
as a Non-Executive Director. Mr Martell is currently 
Group CEO of St Ives plc, having joined in 1980. He 
was appointed to the Board of St Ives plc on 1 August 
2003 and held the position of Managing Director, Media 
Products and Managing Director, UK Operations from 
2006 to 2009, at which point he was appointed Group 
CEO.

Deena Mattar – Independent Non-Executive Director  
(a) (r) (n)

Deena Mattar FCA (48) joined the Board on 1 June 2011 
as a Non-Executive Director and was appointed Chair 
of the Audit Committee on 26 March 2012. She served 
as Group Finance Director of Kier Group plc from 2001 
to 2010, having joined the Group in 1998 as Finance 
Director of Kier National. Prior to this she held senior 
positions at KPMG. Ms Mattar is also a Non-Executive 
Director of Wates Group Ltd. and, until its recent sale to 
Schneider Electric, she was a Non-Executive Director 
and Chairman of the Audit Committee for Invensys plc. 
She is also a former Non-Executive Director of  
Lamprell plc.

Committee membership as at the date of this report.

(a) Audit Committee Member 
(r) Remuneration Committee Member 
(n) Nomination Committee Member

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Directors’ Report

The Directors submit their report together with the 
audited consolidated and Company financial statements 
for the year ended 30 November 2013.

The Corporate Governance Report is incorporated into 
this report by reference.

Dividends
The total dividend paid and proposed for the year has 
been increased by 10% to 3.30 pence per share (2012: 
3.00 pence). This comprises an interim dividend of 0.84 
pence per share paid in September 2013 and, subject to 
shareholder approval, a final dividend of 2.46 pence per 
share.

The Board is proposing to pay a special dividend 
of 16.00 pence per share at the same time as the 
annual dividend in April 2014. The Board will also 
recommend that the special dividend is combined with 
a share consolidation. This is intended to maintain the 
comparability of the Company’s share price before and 
after the special dividend.

Treasury and foreign exchange
The Group has in place appropriate treasury policies 
and procedures, which are approved by the Board. 
The treasury function manages interest rates for both 
borrowings and cash deposits for the Group and is also 
responsible for ensuring there is sufficient headroom 
against any banking covenants contained within its 
credit facilities, and for ensuring there are appropriate 
facilities available to meet the Group’s strategic plans.

In order to mitigate and manage exchange rate risk, 
the Group routinely enters into forward contracts and 
continues to monitor exchange rate risk in respect of 
foreign currency exposures.

All these treasury policies and procedures are regularly 
monitored and reviewed. It is the Group’s policy not 
to undertake speculative transactions which create 
additional exposures over and above those arising from 
normal trading activity.

Environmental policy and reporting
The Group recognises that its activities must be carried 
out in an environmentally friendly and compliant 
manner. Good standards of environmental performance 
are adopted to minimise the potential negative 
environmental impact of products and processes and 
also to promote sustainability. These actions include 
efficient utility usage, waste reduction/recycling and use 
of energy saving features in products.

The Group is required to report Scope 1 and 2 emissions 
for all Group companies within the Annual Report 
and has elected to report emissions for the year to 30 
September 2013.

Set out below are all of the emission sources required to 
be reported under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic 
Report and Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013.

The GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting 
Standard (revised edition) has been applied. The figures 
include emissions arising from all financially controlled 
assets, as well as business travel arising from air and 
other vehicle use.

All emissions factors have been selected from the 
emissions conversion factors published annually by 
Defra (which can be found at www.gov.uk/measuring-
and-reporting-environmental-impacts-guidance-for-
businesses).

The first choice for education

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stock code: RM.GOVERNANCEGovernanceDirectors’ Report

Emissions by scope:

Scope

Source

Scope 1

Air travel

Air travel

Van/car travel

Van/car travel

Gas

Scope 2

Electricity & Gas

Electricity & Gas

Total

Country

UK

India

UK

India

UK

UK

India

Tonnes 
CO2e
2012/13

527

339

1,017

82

846

3,065

798

Absolute 
totals
Tonnes 
CO2e

2,811 

3,863

6,674 

Emissions have also been analysed using an intensity 
metric, which will enable the Company to monitor 
how well emissions are controlled on an annual basis, 
independent of fluctuations in the levels of activity. The 
metric used is ‘emissions per full-time equivalent (FTE) 
employee’. The Group’s emissions per employee are 
shown in the table below.

Health and safety
The Group has implemented a health and safety 
management system which aims to continually improve 
health and safety implementation and is designed to 
meet the requirements of OHSAS 18001. The following 
objectives are incorporated into the management 
system:

Scope 1

Scope 2
Total

Tonnes 
CO2e/employee

1.34

1.84
3.17

 •

 •

 •

 •

Accident reduction

Raising health and safety awareness

Effective training

Risk reduction and management

Political and charitable donations
The Group made charitable donations totalling £14,542 
during the year ended 30 November 2013 (2012: 
£80,000). There were no political donations.

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013 
 
 
Substantial shareholdings
On 31 January 2014 the Company had received notifications that the following parties were interested in accordance  
with DTR 5:

Shareholder

Schroders Investment Management Ltd

Aberforth Partners

Artemis Investment Management LLP

River and Mercantile Asset Management LLP

The Wellcome Trust Ltd

Standard Life Investments Ltd

No. of
 shares

15,677,185

13,326,940

10,005,002

8,215,619

7,310,811

2,814,190

Percentage of Issued 
Share Capital as at 
31 January 2014

No. of shares
Direct

No. of shares 
Indirect

16.76%

14.25%

10.70%

8.79%

7.82%

3.01%

15,677,185

0

0

13,326,940

6,560,530

3,444,472

8,215,619

0

0

7,310,811

2,800,016

14,174

The Takeovers Directive
The Company has one class of share capital, ordinary 
shares. All the shares rank pari passu. There are no 
special control rights in relation to the Company’s 
shares. As at 30 November 2013, the RM plc Employee 
Share Trust owned 1,811,652 ordinary shares in the 
Company (1.94% of the issued share capital); any voting 
or other similar decisions relating to those shares would 
be taken by the Trustees, who may take account of any 
recommendation of the Board of the Company.

The Group enters into long-term contracts to supply 
ICT products and services to its customers. Wherever 
possible, these contracts do not have change of control 
provisions, but some significant contracts do include 
such provisions.

In January 2012 the Group entered into a £30 million 
revolving credit facility with Barclays Bank. This facility 
has a change of control provision and is subject to 
termination in the event of change of control of the 
Company.

Repurchase of own shares
At the Annual General Meeting held on 24 April 2013, 
members renewed the authority under section 701 of 
the Companies Act 2006 to make market purchases on 
the London Stock Exchange of up to 9,351,544 ordinary 
shares of 2p each, being 10% of the issued share capital 
of the Company. The minimum price which may be 
paid for each share is the nominal value. The maximum 
price which may be paid for a share is an amount equal 
to the higher of (1) 5% above the average of the middle 
market quotations of the Company’s ordinary shares as 
derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official 
List for the five business days immediately preceding the 
day on which such share is contracted to be purchased 
and (2) the amount stipulated by Article 5(1) of the Buy-
back and Stabilisation Regulation 2003. This authority 
has not been used since the Annual General Meeting.

The Directors will seek to renew this authority at the 
next Annual General Meeting scheduled for 19 March 
2014.

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The first choice for educationstock code: RM.GOVERNANCEGovernanceDirectors’ Report

continued

Overseas branches
The Group has overseas branches in Italy and 
Singapore.

Directors
Details of those Directors who have held office during 
the financial year and up to the date of signing this 
report and any changes since the start of the financial 
year are given below:

Lord Andrew Adonis 
David Brooks 
Jo Connell 
Iain McIntosh 
Patrick Martell (appointed 1 January 2014) 
Deena Mattar 
John Poulter (appointed 1 May 2013) 
Martyn Ratcliffe (retired 30 April 2013) 
Sir Mike Tomlinson (retired 24 April 2013)

Biographical details of the current Directors are given 
on page 18. At the forthcoming Annual General Meeting 
all continuing Directors will stand for re-election in 
accordance with best practice and guidance set out 
in the UK Corporate Governance Codes 2010 and 
2012. The Directors who are proposed for re-election 
or election have either a letter of appointment or a 
service contract, details of which can be found in the 
Remuneration Report.

The Group has provided indemnity insurance for one or 
more of the Directors during the financial year and at 
the date of signing this report. The Directors also have 
the benefit of a Deed of Indemnity in respect of liabilities 
which may attach to them in their capacity as Directors 
of the Company. These provisions are qualifying third 
party indemnity provisions as defined by section 234 of 
the Companies Act 2006.

Independent auditor and disclosure 
of information to auditor
As far as the Directors are aware, there is no relevant 
audit information (as defined by section 418(3) of the 
Companies Act 2006) of which the Company’s auditor 
is unaware and each of the Directors have taken 
reasonable steps in order to make themselves aware 
of relevant audit information and to establish that the 
Company’s auditor is aware of that information.

As a consequence of an internal restructuring within 
KPMG, KPMG Audit Plc has notified the Company 
that it is not seeking reappointment. A resolution will 
be proposed to appoint KPMG LLP as auditor of the 
Company from the conclusion of the next Annual 
General Meeting.

Directors’ responsibilities statement
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual 
Report, the Remuneration Report and the financial 
statements in accordance with applicable UK law and 
regulations.

UK company law requires the Directors to prepare 
financial statements for each financial year. Under that 
law the Directors are required to prepare the Group 
financial statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by 
the European Union and have elected to prepare the 
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 
Company and the Group and of the profit or loss of the 
Group for that year.

In preparing those financial statements, the Directors 
are required to:

 •

select suitable accounting policies and then apply 
them consistently;

 • make judgments and estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent;

 •

 •

state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the 
European Union have been followed, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and explained in the 
financial statements; and

prepare the financial statements on a going 
concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume 
that the Group and the Company will continue in 
business.

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

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors 
are also responsible for preparing a Strategic Report, 
Directors’ Report, Remuneration Report, Corporate 
Governance Report and Audit Committee Report that 
complies with that law and those regulations.

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are 
listed at the front of this report confirm that, to the best 
of their knowledge:

 •

 •

the Group financial statements, which have been 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs, as adopted by 
the EU, give a true, balanced and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities, financial position and performance 
of the Group; and

the information contained in pages 4 to 17 of 
this Annual Report includes a true, balanced and 
fair review of the development and performance 
of the business and the position of the Group, 
together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that it faces.

A copy of the Group financial statements is posted on 
the Group’s website www.rmplc.com. The Directors 
are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the 
Group’s website and the financial information included 
on the website. Information published on the website 
is accessible in many countries with differing legal 
requirements but only legislation in the United Kingdom 
governing the preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements applies to the Group.

Annual General Meeting
The forthcoming Annual General Meeting will be held 
on 19 March 2014 at 140 Eastern Avenue, Abingdon, 
Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, at the time set out in the Annual 
General Meeting notice. The notice of the Annual 
General Meeting contains the full text of resolutions to 
be proposed.

By Order of the Board

Greg Davidson 
Company Secretary 
3 February 2014

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The first choice for educationstock code: RM.GOVERNANCEGovernanceCorporate Governance Report

Statement of compliance
The Group has applied the principles set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code 2010 and also the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2012 (together the “Codes”). The Company has complied with the Codes throughout the 12 month 
period ended 30 November 2013, other than the exceptions which are noted in the table below.

Compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Codes 2010 and 2012

Code of Best Practice – Principles

RM Statement of compliance

A

A1

A2

Directors 

The Role of the Board 
Every company should be headed by an effective board, 
which is collectively responsible for the success of the 
company.

Division of responsibilities 
There should be a clear division of responsibilities at 
the head of the company between the running of the 
board and the executive responsibility for the running of 
the company’s business. No one individual should have 
unfettered powers of decision.

A3

The Chairman 
The Chairman is responsible for leadership of the board 
and ensuring its effectiveness on all aspects of its role.

A4

Non-executive Directors 
As part of their role as members of a unitary board, non-
executive directors should constructively challenge and 
help develop proposals on strategy.

The Directors’ responsibilities are outlined in the 
Directors’ Report. The Board meets regularly on 
a formal basis plus additional ad hoc meetings as 
necessary.

There is a clear distinction between the role of the Non-
Executive Directors on the Board, which is chaired by 
the Chairman, and the Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer, who have executive responsibility for 
the running of the Company’s business.

It is acknowledged that the role of Chairman and Chief 
Executive was exercised by the same individual, Martyn 
Ratcliffe, until 1 March 2013.

The Chairman sets the Board’s agenda and ensures 
that adequate time is available for the discussion of all 
agenda items. The Chairman promotes a culture of 
openness and debate. He also ensures constructive 
relations between the Executive Directors and the Non-
Executive Directors. The Chairman ensures effective 
communication with shareholders.

The Chairman meets the independence criteria.

The Non-Executive Directors scrutinise the 
performance of management and monitor the 
reporting of performance. Jo Connell is Senior 
Independent Director and is available to shareholders if 
they have concerns which contact through the normal 
channels has failed to resolve.

The Chairman holds meetings with the Non-Executive 
Directors without the Executive Directors present 
when considered appropriate. The Senior Independent 
Director meets with the Non-Executive Directors 
without the Chairman being present on such occasions 
as she considers appropriate.

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013 
Code of Best Practice – Principles

RM Statement of compliance

B

B1

Effectiveness

The composition of the Board
The board and its committees should have the 
appropriate balance of skills, experience, independence 
and knowledge of the company to enable them to 
discharge their respective duties and responsibilities 
effectively.

B2

Appointments to the Board
There should be a formal, rigorous and transparent 
procedure for the appointment of new directors to the 
board.

B3

B4

B5

Commitment
All directors should be able to allocate sufficient time 
to the company to discharge their responsibilities 
effectively.

Development
All directors should receive induction on joining the 
board and should regularly update and refresh their 
skills and knowledge.

Information and Support
The board should be supplied in a timely manner with 
information in a form and of a quality appropriate to 
enable it to discharge its duties.

The Board consists of the Chief Executive Officer 
and Chief Financial Officer plus, currently, five Non-
Executive Directors including the Chairman. All of the 
Non-Executive Directors are considered by the Board to 
be independent of the management of the Company 
and free from any business or other relationship 
which could materially interfere with the exercise of 
their independent judgment. The Directors have a 
combination of financial, business and educational 
expertise which is suited to the nature of the Company.

A separate Nomination Committee, comprised of all 
Non-Executive Directors, including the Chairman, is 
responsible for identifying and nominating candidates 
to fill Board vacancies. An external search consultancy, 
which had no other connection to the Company, 
assisted with the appointment of Patrick Martell as a 
Non-Executive Director (appointment effective  
1 January 2014).

The Board ensures that on appointment and thereafter 
all Directors have sufficient time to carry out their 
duties.

All Non-Executive Directors receive an induction on 
joining the Board. All Non-Executive Directors have 
extensive experience and possess relevant skills and 
knowledge to perform their duties.

The Board is supplied with monthly management 
accounts and detailed operational reviews.

All Directors have access to the advice and services of 
the Company Secretary or suitably qualified alternative, 
and all the Directors are able to take independent 
professional advice, if necessary, at the Company’s 
expense. All Directors are also invited to attend 
meetings of the Executive Committee and have access 
to managers within the Group.

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The first choice for educationstock code: RM.GOVERNANCEGovernanceCorporate Governance Report

continued

Code of Best Practice – Principles

RM Statement of compliance

The performance of the Board and each Board 
Committee is reviewed on an annual basis. It is 
acknowledged that a formal review of the Board itself 
has not taken place during the 12 months to  
30 November 2013, as it was not considered 
appropriate to do so given the change in Chairman 
during the period. However, a review will be  
conducted in the forthcoming year and thereafter on an 
annual basis.

The performance of the Chairman is assessed by the 
Non-Executive Directors led by the Senior Independent 
Director. The performance of the Chief Executive 
Officer and Chief Financial Officer is assessed by the 
Chairman, in consultation with the other Non-Executive 
Directors.

All Directors are appointed for specific terms subject to 
annual re-election.

In preparing the Annual Report to shareholders, the 
Directors consider that they present a summarised 
but fair, balanced and easily understood assessment 
of the Group’s performance and position and provide 
guidance on its future prospects.

The Company operates a risk management and internal 
control process which is reviewed at least on an annual 
basis by the Audit Committee and endorsed by the 
Board.

The Audit Committee is comprised of Non-Executive 
Directors and meets at least three times a year. The 
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer 
are invited to attend. The Audit Committee meets 
separately with the Company’s auditor without the 
Executive Directors present. Further details are set out in 
the Audit Committee Report.

B6

Evaluation
The board should undertake a formal and rigorous 
annual evaluation of its own performance and that of its 
committees and individual directors.

Re-election
All directors should be submitted for re-election at 
regular intervals, subject to continued satisfactory 
performance.

Accountability

Financial and Business reporting
The board should present a fair, balanced and 
understandable assessment of the company’s position 
and prospects.

Risk Management and Internal Control
The board is responsible for determining the nature 
and extent of the significant risks it is willing to take 
in achieving its strategic objectives. The board should 
maintain sound risk management and internal control 
systems.

Audit Committee and Auditors
The board should establish formal and transparent 
arrangements for considering how they should apply 
the corporate reporting and risk management and 
internal control principles and for maintaining an 
appropriate relationship with the company’s auditors.

B7

C

C1

C2

C3

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Code of Best Practice – Principles

RM Statement of compliance

D

D1

D2

E

E1

Remuneration

The Level and Components of Remuneration
Levels of remuneration should be sufficient to attract, 
retain and motivate directors of the quality required 
to run the company successfully, but a company 
should avoid paying more than is necessary for this 
purpose. A significant proportion of executive directors’ 
remuneration should be structured so as to link rewards 
to corporate and individual performance.

Procedure
There should be a formal and transparent procedure for 
developing policy on executive remuneration and for 
fixing the remuneration packages of individual directors. 
No director should be involved in deciding his or her 
own remuneration.

Relations with shareholders

Dialogue with Shareholders
There should be a dialogue with shareholders based on 
the mutual understanding of objectives. The board as a 
whole has responsibility for ensuring that a satisfactory 
dialogue with shareholders takes place.

E2

Constructive use of the AGM
The board should use the AGM to communicate with  
investors and to encourage their participation.

Each of the Chief Executive Officer’s and Chief Financial 
Officer’s remuneration consists of basic salary and 
a variable annual bonus. Basic salaries are reviewed 
annually in the light of individual performance and 
market comparisons for similar jobs. Annual bonuses 
may be paid as described in the Remuneration Report.

In addition there are long-term incentive schemes in 
place as detailed in the Remuneration Report. These 
long-term incentive schemes include the Performance 
Share Plan and Share Option Plans.

During the period, neither the Chief Executive Officer 
nor the Chief Financial Officer held any Non-Executive 
positions with other companies.

Remuneration packages for individual Directors are 
set by the Remuneration Committee after, if required, 
receiving information from independent sources and 
the Company’s Human Resources function. The Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer may be 
invited to attend the Committee’s meetings.

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer 
offer meetings with major shareholders at least twice 
a year after the announcement of preliminary full 
year and interim results. The Chairman also meets 
with shareholders, as appropriate. All Non-Executive 
Directors are available to meet institutional shareholders 
on an ad hoc basis.

All Directors make themselves available at the Annual 
General Meeting to respond to any questions raised by 
the investors in attendance.

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The first choice for educationstock code: RM.GOVERNANCEGovernanceCorporate Governance Report

continued

Board of Directors
The Board of Directors meets regularly to review 
strategic, operational and financial matters, including 
proposed acquisitions and divestments, and has a 
formal schedule of matters reserved to it for decision. 
It approves the interim and annual financial statements, 
the annual financial plan, significant Stock Exchange 
announcements, significant contracts and capital 
investment in addition to reviewing the effectiveness of 
the internal control systems and business risks faced by 
the Group. Where appropriate, it has delegated authority 
to committees of Directors.

Board committees
There are four Board committees: Audit, Remuneration, 
Nomination and Transactions; each of which, apart 
from the Transactions Committee, comprises only Non-
Executive Directors.

The Audit Committee is chaired by Deena Mattar. The 
Audit Committee was comprised solely of independent 
Non-Executive Directors. The Audit Committee meets 
at least three times a year. The Company’s external 
auditor, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, 
Company Secretary, and the Group Financial Controller, 
who is Head of Internal Audit, normally attend these 
meetings. The Audit Committee is responsible for 
reviewing the accounting policies, internal control 
assessment and the financial information contained 
in the annual and interim reports. It provides an 
opportunity for the Non-Executive Directors to make 
independent judgments and contributions, thus 
furthering the effectiveness of RM’s internal financial 
controls. Further details of the Audit Committee’s 
activities are given in the Audit Committee Report. 
The terms of reference for the Audit Committee are 
published on www.rmplc.com.

During the period the Remuneration Committee was 
chaired by Jo Connell and comprised independent 
Non-Executive Directors. Following the Annual General 
Meeting scheduled for 19 March 2014, Patrick Martell 
will become Chair of the Remuneration Committee. 
Executive Directors and senior managers may be invited 
to attend Committee meetings, but will not be present 
during any discussion of their own pay arrangements. 
The Remuneration Committee sets the remuneration of 
the Executive Directors and senior management. It also 
considers grants and performance conditions under 
RM’s share-based payment schemes and reviews RM’s 
employment strategy generally. Further details of the 
Remuneration Committee’s activities are given in the 
Remuneration Report. The terms of reference for the 
Remuneration Committee are published on  
www.rmplc.com.

The Nomination Committee is chaired by the Chairman 
and includes all of the independent Non-Executive 
Directors. The Nomination Committee recommends to 
the Board candidates for appointment as Directors. It 
meets at least once a year, with more frequent meetings 
when the Group is actively selecting Directors. The 
terms of reference for the Nomination Committee are 
published on www.rmplc.com.

The Transactions Committee comprises the Chairman 
plus any one independent Non-Executive Director 
and any one Executive Director. The Transactions 
Committee meets at such times as are required. The 
Transactions Committee approves, enters into and 
authorises the execution of all deeds and documents 
and does everything that is necessary to give effect 
to any ‘substantial transaction’ that has already been 
approved in principle by the Board. The terms of 
reference for the Transactions Committee are published 
on www.rmplc.com.

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Board attendance
Details of the number of meetings of the Board, including sub-committees and individual attendances by Directors are set 
out in the table below.

Number of meetings held in the period

Lord Andrew Adonis

David Brooks

Jo Connell

Iain McIntosh

Deena Mattar

John Poulter 1

Martyn Ratcliffe 2

Sir Mike Tomlinson 3

1 Appointed 1 May 2013. 
2 Retired 30 April 2013. 
3 Retired 24 April 2013.

Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is chaired by the Chief 
Executive Officer. The Executive Committee comprises 
the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and 
other senior managers within the Group. The Executive 
Committee normally meets on a monthly basis to 
discuss policy and operational issues. Those issues 
outside the delegated authority levels set by the Group 
Board are referred to the Group Board for its decision. 
All Non-Executive Directors are invited to attend the 
Executive Committee.

Relations with shareholders
In order to maintain dialogue with institutional 
shareholders the Executive Directors meet with them 
following interim and final results announcements, or 
as appropriate, with other Directors available to meet 
institutional shareholders on request. Where practicable 
the Annual Report is sent to shareholders at least 20 
working days before the Annual General Meeting and 
each issue for consideration at the Annual General 
Meeting is proposed as a separate resolution. All 
Directors generally attend the Annual General Meeting.

Board
Meetings

Audit
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

Nomination
Committee

12

11

12

12

12

12

6

6

5

3

2

—

3

—

3

2

—

1

7

6

—

7

—

7

3

—

4

1

0

—

1

—

1

0

1

1

Social, ethical and environmental 
issues
The Board takes regular account of the significance of 
social, ethical and environmental (‘SEE’) matters related 
to the Group’s business of providing IT services and 
solutions (including software, managed services and 
consultancy) to educational institutions.

The Board considers that it has received adequate 
information to enable it to assess significant risks to the 
Company’s short and long-term value arising from SEE 
matters and has concluded that the risks associated 
with SEE matters are minimal. The Board will continue 
to monitor those risks on an ongoing basis and will 
implement appropriate policies and procedures if those 
risks become significant.

Internal control
The Group maintains an ongoing process in respect of 
internal control to safeguard shareholders’ investments 
and the Group’s assets and to facilitate the effective and 
efficient operation of the Group.

These processes enable the Group to respond 
appropriately, and in a timely fashion, to significant 
business, operational, financial, compliance and other 
risks, in line with the Codes, which may otherwise 
prevent the achievement of the Group’s objectives.

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continued

The key features of the systems of internal financial 
control include:

 •

A financial planning process with an annual financial 
plan approved by the Board. The plan is regularly 
updated providing an updated forecast for the year

 • Monthly comparison of actual results against plan

 • Written procedures detailing operational and 

financial internal control policies which are 
reviewed on a regular basis

 •

 •

 •

Regular reporting to the Board on treasury and legal 
matters

Defined investment control guidelines and 
procedures

Periodic reviews by the Audit Committee of the 
Group’s systems and procedures

The majority of the Group’s financial and management 
information is processed and stored on computer 
systems. The Group is dependent on systems that 
require sophisticated computer networks. The Group 
has established controls and procedures over the 
security of data held on such systems, including 
business continuity arrangements.

On behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee has 
reviewed the operation and effectiveness of this 
framework of internal control for the period and up to 
the date of approval of the Annual Report.

The Group recognises that it operates in a highly 
competitive market that can be affected by factors and 
events outside its control. Details of the risks faced by 
the Group are set out in the table on pages 16 to 17. 
It is committed to mitigating risks arising wherever 
possible and accepts that internal controls, applied 
and monitored, are an essential tool in achieving this 
objective.

The key elements of Group internal control, which 
have been effective during 2013 and up to the date 
of approval of these financial statements, are set out 
below:

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

The existence of a clear organisational structure 
with defined lines of responsibility and delegation of 
authority from the Board to its Executive Directors 
and operating divisions

A procedure for the regular review of reporting 
business issues and risks by operating divisions

Regular review meetings with the operating 
management

A planning and management reporting system 
operated by each division and the Executive 
Directors

The establishment of prudent operating and 
financial policies

The Directors have overall responsibility for establishing 
financial and other reporting procedures to provide 
them with a reasonable basis on which to make proper 
judgments as to the financial position and prospects of 
the Group, and have responsibility for establishing the 
Group’s system of internal control and for monitoring 
its effectiveness. The Group’s systems are designed 
to provide Directors with reasonable assurance 
that physical and financial assets are safeguarded, 
transactions are authorised and properly recorded and 
material errors and irregularities are either prevented 
or detected with the minimum delay. However, 
systems of internal financial control can provide only 
reasonable and not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss.

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee operates under terms of 
reference approved by the Board, with the purposes of:

 •

 •

 •

 •

Appointing the Group’s internal and external auditor

Reviewing the performance of and relationship with 
the Group’s external auditor (including considering 
fee levels and the provision of non-audit work)

Reviewing the performance of the Group’s internal 
audit function

Reviewing and recommending to the Board the 
approval of the financial statements released by the 
Company including a review of accounting policies 

 • Monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the 

system of internal controls and risk management

 •

Assessing the effectiveness of the external audit 
process

Financial statements
The Audit Committee reviewed the form and content 
of the Annual Report and Interim Report prior to their 
publication to provide assurance that the disclosure 
made in the financial statements was properly set in 
context. 

The Audit Committee reviewed and considered the 
following areas:

 •

 •

 •

The appropriateness of accounting policies used

Compliance with external and internal financial 
reporting standards and policies

Significant items in the Group Financial Statements 
that require critical accounting judgements, 
estimates and assumptions such as long-term 
contract accounting and revenue recognition

 • Whether the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is 

fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess 
the Group’s performance, business model and 
strategy 

As part of this process the Audit Committee received 
reports from the management and the external auditor. 
The external auditor provided their audit opinion along 
with their audit findings that were of significance in 
relation to the audit of the annual financial statements 
and a high-level review of the interim financial 
statements. The Audit Committee reviewed these 
reports with the external auditor. 

The Audit Committee considers that the significant 
accounting judgements upon which the accounts are 
based relate primarily to long-term contract accounting 
and the related revenue recognition. 

Long-term contracts represent a significant part of 
the Group’s business and the accounting is inherently 
judgemental. To determine the revenue to be 
recognised it is necessary to assess how far a contract 
has progressed. To decide the margin to be recognised 
or loss to be provided, it is necessary to estimate future 
costs. Also, the Group may sign variations, extensions 
and/or new contracts with an existing customer and it 
is necessary to assess whether or not, for accounting 
purposes, these should be combined with an existing 
contract.

Monthly management accounts and reports are 
provided to the Board and Audit Committee, which 
are prepared by management. These management 
accounts are based on detailed information obtained by 
management which take into account the following:

 •

 •

 •

The forecast costs on contracts to complete and 
the margin to recognise or loss to be provided 

Contract variations and extensions and whether 
they should be combined with existing contractual 
arrangements and their impact on recognised 
revenue and margin

Evaluation of contract deliverables and whether 
the delivery criteria have been met for revenue 
recognition. 

Where a contract has a significant impact on revenue 
and profit or where there is a significant variation to the 
contract outturn or a significant judgement is required 
this information is typically included in the management 
accounts and discussed by the Board and the Audit 
Committee.

Taking into account the track record and experience 
of the management team which prepares the costs to 
complete on long-term contracts and after reviewing 
the presentations and reports from management and 
the auditor and consulting with the auditor, the Audit 
Committee was satisfied that, overall, the financial 
statements appropriately addressed the critical 
judgements and key estimates (both in respect to the 
amounts reported and the disclosures). 

Management reported to the Committee that they were 
not aware of any material misstatements. The auditor 
reported to the Audit Committee the misstatements 
that they had found in the course of their work and 
no material amounts remain unadjusted. The Audit 
Committee was also satisfied that the significant 
assumptions used for determining the value of assets 
and liabilities had been appropriately scrutinised, 
challenged and were sufficiently robust.

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The first choice for educationstock code: RM.GOVERNANCEGovernanceAudit Committee Report

continued

The Audit Committee considered and is satisfied 
that, taken as a whole, the Annual Report 2013 is 
fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Group’s performance, business model and strategy. 

Composition and qualifications of 
the Audit Committee
During the period the Audit Committee comprised 
Deena Mattar BSc (Econ), FCA (Chair), John Poulter 
(from 1 May 2013), Jo Connell, Sir Mike Tomlinson (until 
24 April 2013) and Lord Andrew Adonis, all of whom 
are independent Non-Executive Directors. The Group 
considers that Deena Mattar as a Fellow of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and 
former FTSE250 Finance Director has significant recent 
and relevant financial experience. 

David Brooks (Chief Executive Officer), Iain McIntosh 
MA, FCA (Chief Financial Officer), Philip Deakin MPhil, 
FCA (Group Financial Controller and Head of Internal 
Audit) and other management as appropriate are invited 
to attend Audit Committee meetings. Martyn Ratcliffe, 
(Executive Chairman to 30 April 2013) also attended 
while he was a Director of the Company.

Schedule of meetings
The Audit Committee met three times during the 
period. All of these meetings were part of the regular 
schedule of meetings set out in the Committee’s terms 
of reference.

Audit Committee meetings have formal agendas, which 
cover all of the areas of responsibility set out in the 
Committee’s terms of reference. These agendas include 
meetings with the external auditor without Executive 
Directors or managers of the Company present. In 
addition to the usual activities, the Audit Committee 
has considered changes to the Corporate Governance 
Code which will apply to the Company relating to 
financial reporting and audit and the guidance on Audit 
Committees issued by the Financial Reporting Council 
in September 2012. 

Appointment of external auditor
The Audit Committee recommended, and shareholders 
approved at the Group’s Annual General Meeting on 
24 April 2013, the re-appointment of KPMG Audit Plc as 
Group external auditor.

As a consequence of an internal restructuring within 
KPMG, KPMG Audit Plc has notified the Company that it 
is not seeking reappointment. A resolution is proposed 
that KPMG LLP be appointed auditor of the Company 
from the conclusion of the next Annual General 
Meeting.

32

KPMG Audit Plc has been the Group’s auditor since 
2011. The external auditor is required to rotate the audit 
partner responsible for the Group audit every five years 
and the current lead audit partner has been in place 
since 2011.

There are no contractual obligations restricting the 
Group’s choice of external auditor.

Oversight of external audit
The Audit Committee has reviewed the scope and 
results of the audit services, and the cost effectiveness 
and independence and objectivity of the external 
auditor.

Internal audit
The Audit Committee has approved the re-appointment 
of RM’s Group Financial Controller, Philip Deakin 
MPhil, FCA as Head of Internal Audit. For the purposes 
of this role, the Group Financial Controller reports 
directly to the Chair of the Audit Committee. The Audit 
Committee, with the advice and support of the Head 
of Internal Audit, sets an internal audit plan. The Head 
of Internal Audit reports on progress against this plan 
at Audit Committee meetings. Reflecting the current 
scale and complexity of the Group, from 2014 there will 
no longer be a full time internal audit function. Rather, 
internal audit activities will be undertaken on a peer-to-
peer basis.

Policy on non-audit work
The Audit Committee has considered the issue of the 
provision of non-audit work by the external auditor 
and has agreed a policy intended to ensure that the 
objectivity of the external auditor is not compromised. 
The policy sets a limit for fees for non-audit work and 
states that non-audit work should only be undertaken by 
the external auditor where there is a clear commercial 
benefit in doing so. Any significant activity must be 
approved, in advance, by at least two Audit Committee 
Members.

The Audit Committee’s policy is to include a cap on fees 
for non-audit work of 25% of the annual audit fee. This 
fee incorporates a review of the Group’s interim results. 
In exceptional circumstances it may be appropriate for 
the auditor to carry out non-audit work in excess of 
this cap. If this is the case the type of work and the fee 
is considered very carefully by the Audit Committee in 
advance of appointing the auditor to the work. Fees 
for total non-audit work in the period were 4.1% of the 
annual audit fee.

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013‘Whistle blowing’ policy
The Group has adopted a formal ‘whistle blowing’ 
policy, which allows staff to raise concerns about 
possible improprieties. No concerns were raised during 
the year.

Anti-bribery
RM conducts all its business in an honest and ethical 
manner and seeks to ensure that all associates and 
business partners do the same.

The Bribery Act 2010 sets clear standards of behaviour, 
which govern the Group’s operations. The Group has 
implemented policies and procedures to ensure that it 
is transparent and ethical in all business dealings. The 
Group has an anti-corruption and anti-bribery policy 
which sets out the legal standards the Group enforces 
as part of its ongoing commitment to implement 
adequate procedures to guard against illegal practices.

Statement of risks
As with any business, RM is exposed to risks as an 
inherent part of creating value for shareholders. As 
described above, the Group has put in place processes 
designed to identify these principal risks and to manage 
and mitigate the effect of them. The Audit Committee 
is responsible for ensuring that risks are properly 
considered and the Board is responsible for deciding 
what risks should be taken and how best to manage and 
mitigate the risks.

The Audit Committee is satisfied that the Group’s 
risk management and internal control processes are 
appropriate to the business and Executive management 
has identified and addressed the principal risks  
affecting RM.

The most significant risks the Group is exposed to are 
set out in the Strategic Report.

Deena Mattar 
Chair, Audit Committee 
3 February 2014

Internal control
Control environment – The Board has put in place an 
organisational structure with clearly defined lines of 
responsibility and delegation of authority to Executive 
management. A Group-wide approval matrix is in place. 
Individuals are made aware of their level of authority 
and their budgetary responsibility which enables them 
to identify and monitor financial performance. There 
are established policies and procedures, which are 
subject to regular review. The Boards of the operating 
companies work within terms of reference and any 
matters outside those terms or the agreed business plan 
are referred to the Group Board for approval.

Identification and evaluation of business risks and 
control objectives – The Board has the primary 
responsibility for identifying the principal business risks 
facing the Group and developing appropriate policies 
to manage those risks. It delegates responsibility for 
operational risks to the Executive Committee which 
meets monthly.

Public reporting – The Audit Committee reviews and 
comments upon both the Group’s Annual and Interim 
reports prepared by management.

Management information – Executive managers are 
required to produce a business plan for approval at the 
beginning of each financial year and detailed financial 
reporting and cash flow forecasts are formally compiled 
monthly and reviewed by the Board. Consolidated 
management accounts are produced each month and 
results measured against plan and the previous year to 
identify significant variances.

Main control procedures – The existing finance systems 
and procedures allow the Board to derive confidence 
in the completeness and accuracy of the recording of 
financial transactions. The processes in place and the 
level of analytical detail given within the management 
accounts facilitate the identification of unreliable data. 
The Group’s treasury activities are operated within a 
defined policy designed to control the Group’s cash 
and to minimise its exposure to foreign exchange and 
liquidity risk.

Monitoring – The Audit Committee meets periodically 
to review reports from management and the external 
auditor so as to derive reasonable assurance on behalf 
of the Board that financial control procedures are in 
place and operate effectively. An internal audit plan is 
set with the Audit Committee and updates on progress 
are provided periodically. The internal audit work is 
performed on a peer-to-peer review basis directed 
by a qualified accountant who is independent of the 
business division. 

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The first choice for educationstock code: RM.GOVERNANCEGovernanceRemuneration Report

Part A — Introduction
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the 
Remuneration Report for the year ended 30 November 
2013.

Following recent changes in law and guidance, this 
Report is divided into the following three sections:

Part A — Introduction 
Part B — Remuneration Policy 
Part C — Implementation Report

The introduction in this Part A provides an overview 
of the Report and explains any major decisions or 
changes in remuneration made during the year and the 
context of those changes (if any). It also summarises 
the functioning and membership of the Remuneration 
Committee.

The proposed Remuneration Policy set out in Part B 
will be put to a binding vote at the next Annual General 
Meeting and the Implementation Report in Part C will be 
put to an advisory vote.

1 The Remuneration Committee
The Committee operates under terms of reference 
approved by the Board with the purposes of 
determining, on behalf of the Board and shareholders, 
the remuneration of the Executive Directors and senior 
employees throughout the Group. The Committee 
also oversees major policy changes (if any) to the 
overall reward structure of employees throughout the 
Group. In particular, the Committee keeps under review 
incentive plans operated throughout the Group so as to 
ensure that these plans are structured appropriately and 
are coherent. The Committee’s terms of reference can 
be found on the Group’s website at www.rmplc.com.  
The Committee undertakes an annual appraisal of 
remuneration policy and addresses any areas for 
improvement.

2 Membership of the Committee
The membership of the Remuneration Committee 
during the year ended 30 November 2013 comprised 
Sir Mike Tomlinson (until his retirement at the Annual 
General Meeting on 24 April 2013), Jo Connell, 
Deena Mattar, Lord Andrew Adonis and John Poulter 
(appointed 1 May 2013), all of whom are independent 
Non-Executive Directors. Sir Mike Tomlinson was Chair 
of the Committee until his retirement, at which point 
Jo Connell became Chair of the Committee. Following 
the retirement of Jo Connell at the next Annual General 
Meeting, Patrick Martell will become Chair of the 
Committee. The other Directors attend meetings by 
invitation.

34

None of the members of the Remuneration Committee 
has any personal financial interest in the Company 
other than through fees received or as a shareholder. 
They are not involved in the day-to-day running of the 
business and have no personal conflicts of interest 
which could materially interfere with the exercise of 
their independent judgement.

3 Major Decisions on Directors’ 

Remuneration

During the year, the following key decisions were 
considered by the Committee:

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

Agreement of the bonuses payable in respect of the 
financial year ended 30 November 2012.

David Brooks was appointed Chief Executive Officer 
with effect from 1 March 2013. At that time, the 
Committee considered whether it was appropriate 
to alter Mr Brooks’ remuneration. It was decided 
that this would be reviewed following the end of 
the financial year.

Increase in base salary for Iain McIntosh from 
£229,600 to £235,000 (2.3%), with effect from  
1 January 2013. This was consistent with the  
overall rise in base salaries for other employees 
across the Group.

The grant of Performance Share Plan (PSP) awards 
to Executive Directors and senior management in 
July 2013.

Review of remuneration packages.

Approval of the Remuneration Report for the year 
ended 30 November 2012.

Part B — Remuneration Policy
1 General Objectives
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for the 
remuneration of the Directors and senior employees 
across the Group.

RM’s Remuneration Policy is designed to attract, retain 
and motivate Executive Directors and senior employees, 
both to achieve the Group’s business objectives and 
to deliver outstanding shareholder returns. To achieve 
this, RM’s Remuneration Policy aims to provide 
‘median’ reward compared to comparator groups when 
acceptable levels of performance have been delivered. 
For the achievement of outstanding performance, it 
aims to deliver ‘upper quartile’ remuneration compared 
to comparator groups.

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Under these arrangements, the variable component of 
the remuneration package is designed to be focused 
on performance. These incentive arrangements enable 
Executive Directors and senior employees to have the 
opportunity to earn high levels of reward but only if they 
enhance shareholder returns by meeting the Group’s 
short-term and long-term targets. The Remuneration 
Policy therefore seeks to ensure that Executive Directors 
and senior employees are focused on the achievement 
of key Company objectives. The Committee is satisfied 
that this model provides appropriate alignment 
with shareholder interests and therefore acts as an 
appropriate motivator.

The Committee, together with the entire Board, also 
recognises the need for investment in the long-term 
future of the Company, not just performance in a single 

year. Since such measures are difficult to quantify, the 
Committee retains the discretion to adjust annual bonus 
payments to ensure that balance is maintained between 
short-term performance and longer-term investment.

The Committee has reviewed the level of risk inherent 
in the Remuneration Policy and is satisfied that there 
is an appropriate balance between encouraging 
entrepreneurial behaviour from Executive Directors and 
senior employees, whilst at the same time ensuring that 
there are no areas of the Policy which encourage undue 
risk taking. In relation to the target setting process and 
other matters arising in relation to the operation of 
the annual bonus and long-term incentive plans, the 
Committee considers that the structure should not 
encourage excessive risk taking.

2 Components of Remuneration for Executive Directors
The following table sets out a summary of the various components of remuneration for Executive Directors, their purpose 
and link to strategy, how it operates, the maximum opportunity available, the nature of any applicable performance metrics 
and changes (if any) made during the year.

Element

Fixed Pay:
Base Salary

Purpose and link 
to Strategy

To attract and 
retain talent by 
ensuring that 
salaries are 
competitive in 
the market.

Fixed Pay:
Pension
(see also 
note 3 
below)

To attract and 
retain talent by 
ensuring that 
remuneration is 
competitive in 
the market.

Operation

Reviewed annually, with 
changes usually taking effect 
from 1 January (see note  
1 below). Reviews take  
account of:

 •

business performance and 
the wider economic and 
market conditions;

 • market position relative to 

relevant comparator groups;

 •

 •

the range of salary increases 
(if any) across the Group; 
and

individual experience and 
performance.

Reviews may be conducted at 
other times if appropriate (e.g. 
on a change in responsibility).

Entitlement is the same as 
for other employees within 
the Group. Cash allowance 
alternative where individuals are 
subject to HMRC pension limits 
(subject to there being the same 
overall cost to the Group).

Maximum 
Opportunity

Performance 
Metrics

Changes for 
2013/14

None.

N/A (see note 
2 below). 

Base salaries 
will be 
determined 
from the 
outcome of 
reviews.

None.

N/A (see note 
2 below). 

Up to 7% of 
base salary 
(depending 
upon level 
of employee 
contribution).

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continued

Element

Fixed Pay:
Benefits

Purpose and link 
to Strategy

To attract and 
retain talent by 
ensuring that 
remuneration is 
competitive in 
the market.

Operation

Entitlement is the same as for 
other employees within the 
Group. The range of benefits 
offered to employees is 
reviewed periodically to ensure 
that offerings are in line with 
market practice.

Reviewed annually prior to the 
start of each financial year to 
ensure targets support short-
term and long-term business 
strategy. Targets are intended to:

 •

 •

 •

 •

be stretching but realistic;

reflect expectations of the 
investor community;

avoid unnecessary risk 
taking; and

encourage long-term 
decision making (e.g. 
incentivising long-term 
investments).

Variable Pay:
Annual 
Bonus

Provides an 
element of at 
risk pay, which 
incentivises good 
annual financial 
results.

Variable Pay:
LTIPs

Incentivises 
Directors to 
achieve returns 
for shareholders 
over a longer 
time frame.

Maximum 
Opportunity

Performance 
Metrics

Changes for 
2013/14

Private 
healthcare.
Permanent 
health 
insurance.
Life assurance.
Car 
allowance.
Mobile phone 
allowance.

55% of base 
salary for 
on-target 
performance, 
with a 
maximum 
figure 
for over-
performance 
of 110% of 
base salary.

150% of base 
salary.

None.

n/a (see note 
2 below).

n/a (see note 
2 below).

n/a (see note 
2 below).

Set by the 
Committee at 
the beginning 
of each year 
to focus on 
alignment 
with 
shareholders’ 
interests.

Set by the 
Committee 
at the date 
of grant to 
align with 
shareholders’ 
interests over 
a period of 
not less than 3 
years.

Notes:
1.  As noted in paragraph 3 of Part A of this Remuneration Report, when David Brooks was appointed Chief Executive Officer, the Committee decided not to 

alter his remuneration at that time and instead deferred the decision until after the end of the financial year. The Committee has now considered Mr Brooks’ 
performance in the role and, having undertaken a benchmarking exercise, decided to increase base salary to £300,000 with effect from 1 January 2014.  
The Committee has also undertaken a benchmarking exercise in relation to the base salary for Mr McIntosh and decided that there should be no increase at 
this time.

2.  No changes to policy as this is the first Remuneration Policy prepared under the new rules. Any changes to policy in future years would be set out at  

that time.

3.  The RM Defined Benefit Pension Scheme is operated by Group company RM Education Limited. This closed to new members in 2003 and, in respect of 

current members, closed to future accruals on 31 October 2012. David Brooks, Chief Executive Officer, has past benefits accrued as at 31 October 2012. His 
entitlements under that Scheme are calculated on the same basis as those of other members. Since 1 November 2012, Mr Brooks has been a member of a 
defined contribution pension scheme.

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 20133 Illustration of Remuneration Policy
The graphs below provide estimates of the potential future reward for each of the Executive Directors based on their 
current roles, the Remuneration Policy outlined above and base salaries as at 1 December 2013. However, it is noted that 
the illustrations show maximum LTIP awards at 150% of base salary, whereas the typical value of LTIP awards is lower (e.g. 
as is shown in paragraph 2 of Part C of this Remuneration Report, the value of LTIP awards made during the year ended  
30 November 2013 was 37% of base salary for David Brooks and 39% of base salary for Iain McIntosh).

David Brooks – Chief Executive Officer

Explanations:

Fixed (£000)
On-target

Maximum

Base

Benefits

Pension

250

10

18

Total

278

On-target is assumed to be an annual bonus equal to 55% of 
maximum and an LTIP award of 25% of maximum
 •

Full payout of annual variable pay i.e. 110% of base salary

 • Maximum vesting of LTIP awards

£000

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

■ LTIPs
■ Variable Pay
■ Fixed

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Iain McIntosh – Chief Financial Officer

Explanations:

Fixed (£000)
On-target

Maximum

Base

Benefits

Pension

235

10

16

Total

261

On-target is assumed to be an annual bonus equal to 55% of 
maximum and an LTIP award of 25% of maximum
 •

Full payout of annual variable pay i.e. 110% of base salary

 • Maximum vesting of LTIP awards

£000

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

■ LTIPs
■ Variable Pay
■ Fixed

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

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4 Comparison of Remuneration Policy
This policy sets out the remuneration structure applicable to Executive Directors of the Group. Salary levels and incentive 
arrangements applicable to other Group employees are determined by reference to local employment conditions for 
comparative roles.

Budgeted salary increases for Group employees are taken into consideration when determining increases for the Executive 
Directors.

Employees are provided with a competitive benefits package including (as appropriate) private healthcare, permanent 
health insurance, life assurance, car allowance, mobile phone allowance and pension.

The closure to future accrual of RM’s Defined Benefit Pension Scheme in October 2012 has applied equally to all 
employees, including Directors.

Consistent with Directors, the majority of employees are eligible to participate in an annual bonus scheme with conditions 
linked to their personal performance, the performance of their operating subsidiary and the Group overall.

The Committee does not consult with employees in respect of the Remuneration Policy. However, the Committee 
receives regular updates on salary and bonus levels across the Group and is aware of how the remuneration of Directors 
compares to employees.

In addition, when setting remuneration levels for the Executive Directors, the Committee takes account of the levels of 
remuneration received by executive directors of similar companies.

Whilst remuneration consultants have not been engaged during the period, regular benchmarking is undertaken against 
comparable companies using salary reports and surveys of established remuneration consultants.

5 Directors’ Service Contracts and Letters of Appointment
The Committee’s policy on Executive Directors’ service contracts is for them to contain a maximum notice period of 
one year. Each service contract expires at the respective normal retirement date of the Executive Director but is subject 
to earlier termination for cause or if notice is given under the contract. The contracts are designed to allow for flexibility 
to deal with each case on its own particular merits in accordance with the law and policy as they have developed at the 
relevant time. In the event that the Company wishes to terminate the employment of an Executive Director, it will take into 
account the Executive Director’s obligations to mitigate losses when deciding on an appropriate level of compensation.

Details of the Directors’ service contracts and/or letters of appointment who served for all or part of the year ended  
30 November 2013 are shown in the table below:

Initial agreement
date

Expiry date of
current agreement

Notice to be given by
employer and individual

Current Directors1

Lord Andrew Adonis

David Brooks

Jo Connell

Iain McIntosh

Deena Mattar

John Poulter

Patrick Martell3

Past Directors1

1 October 2011

30 September 2014

1 July 2012

Indefinite

20 December 2007

20 December 20132

22 October 2009

1 June 2011

1 May 2013

Indefinite

31 May 2014

30 April 2016

1 January 2014

31 December 2016

Martyn Ratcliffe

Sir Mike Tomlinson

1 June 2011

2 February 2004

Indefinite

24 April 2013

3 months

12 months

6 months

12 months

3 months

6 months

6 months

6 months

3 months

Notes:
1.  As at the date of this Report.
2.  Jo Connell’s appointment has been extended to the next Annual General Meeting on 19 March 2014, at which she will retire.
3.  Patrick Martell was appointed as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 January 2014, which is after the end of the period, but is included in the above 

table for completeness.

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Part C — Implementation Report
1 Directors’ Remuneration — Single Figure of Remuneration
The table below sets out a single figure of remuneration for each of the Directors in respect of the year ended  
30 November 2013:

Year ended 30 Nov 2013

Name

Executive

David Brooks (appointed 1/7/12)

Iain McIntosh 

Martyn Ratcliffe (retired 30/4/13)

Non-Executive

Lord Andrew Adonis

Jo Connell

Deena Mattar

John Poulter (appointed 1/5/13)

Sir Mike Tomlinson (retired 24/4/13)

Total

Year ended 30 Nov 2012

Name

Executive

David Brooks (appointed 1/7/12)

Iain McIntosh 

Martyn Ratcliffe (retired 30/4/13)

Rob Sirs (retired 31/1/12)

Non-Executive

Lord Andrew Adonis

Sir Bryan Carsberg (retired 26/3/12)

Jo Connell

Deena Mattar

Martyn Ratcliffe
(Non-Executive from 1/12/11 to 31/1/12)

Sir Mike Tomlinson (retired 24/4/13)

Total

Salary  
and fees
£000

Taxable
benefits 
£000

Annual
bonus 
£000

LTIPs
£000

Retirement 
Benefits 
£000

215

201

87

36

40

45

70

16

710

10

10

—

—

—

—

—

—

20

158

148

—

—

—

—

—

—

306

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total
£000

436

409

87

36

40

45

70

16

53

50

—

—

—

—

—

—

103

1,139

Salary  
and fees 
£000

Taxable
benefits 
£000

Annual 
bonus
£000

LTIPs
£000

Retirement 
Benefits 
£000

Total 
£000

96

195

237

47

36

14

38

36

48

39

786

4

10

—

2

—

—

—

—

—

—

16

58

124

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

182

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

19

50

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

177

379

237

49

36

14

38

36

48

39

69

1,053

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continued

The following provides details of how the ‘single figure’ has been calculated:

Taxable benefits:
These comprise the benefits noted in Part B above other than retirement related benefits. The figure included in the above 
table in respect of such benefits is calculated based on the taxable value of such benefits.

Annual bonus:
As noted in the Remuneration Policy, on-target performance is paid out at 55% of base salary, with over-performance 
capped at a maximum of 110% of base salary. In respect of the financial year ended 30 November 2013, bonus payments 
were made at 63% of base salary for both David Brooks and Iain McIntosh. The Remuneration Committee considered it 
appropriate to pay annual bonuses at those levels on the basis of the financial performance of the Group, strong cash 
generation and the investment and strategic decisions made during the year to help secure the Group’s long-term interests.

LTIPs:
The performance conditions for the PSP awards made to David Brooks and Iain McIntosh in March 2010 and December 
2010 were not achieved and, therefore, those awards did not vest.

An award to Iain McIntosh under the Group’s Deferred Bonus Plan is due to vest in February 2014. In respect of this award, 
£39,487 of Mr McIntosh’s bonus for the financial year ended 30 September 2010 was deferred into 25,151 shares. Using the 
closing share price of £1.125 on 30 November 2013, this would result in a payment in February 2014 of £28,295, indicating 
a loss of £11,192 over the period. As such, and in accordance with section 8(3) of the Large and Medium-sized Companies 
and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, a figure of zero is included in the above table.

In October 2011, Martyn Ratcliffe was awarded 1,000,000 share options. These lapsed in full following his retirement in April 
2013.

Retirement benefits: 
Each of the Executive Directors is a member of a defined contribution pension scheme operated by RM Education Ltd, into 
which the Group makes a contribution of 7% of base salary. This is subject to each Executive Director contributing at least 
10% of base salary, through a salary sacrifice arrangement, which the Group also pays direct into that scheme. David Brooks 
is also a member of RM’s Defined Benefit Pension Scheme which closed to future accrual with effect from 31 October 2012. 
During the year, the increase in Mr Brooks’ accrued pension under that Scheme was nil.

Note: There were no termination or exit payments made during the year.

2 Directors’ long-term incentive plans
During the year ended 30 November 2013, the following long-term incentive awards were made:

Type of share 
award

Grant date

Face value of 
award (£000)

David Brooks

PSP1 10 July 2013

Iain McIntosh

PSP1 10 July 2013

92 (37% of 
base salary)2

92 (39% of 
base salary)2

Maximum 
percentage of 
the face value 
where this is 
more than the 
face value

The end of the 
period over 
which the 
performance 
conditions 
have to be 
fulfilled

Percentage 
that would 
vest at 
threshold 
performance

25%

25%

n/a

11 July 2016

n/a

11 July 2016

A summary of 
performance 
targets and 
measures

Relative TSR
performance3

Relative TSR
performance3

Notes:
1.  Awards granted under the RM plc Performance Share Plan 2010.
2.  The face value of each award has been calculated by multiplying the maximum number of shares in the award (125,000 shares) by the share price on the 

date of grant of the award (73.5 pence).

3.  Targets are based on relative TSR compared with a comparator group of the companies in the FTSE Small Cap index. Threshold vesting is at median 

performance, maximum vesting at upper quartile performance, with straight line vesting in between these points.

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 20133 Performance graph
The following graph shows the value, by 30 November 2013, of £100 invested in RM plc on 30 November 2008 compared 
with the value of £100 invested in the FTSE Small Cap Index on the same date. The other points plotted are the values at 
intervening financial year-ends.

Total shareholder return
Value (£)

400  

350  

300  

250  

200  

150  

100  

50  

2008  

2009  

RM  

2010  

2011

2012  

2013

FTSE Small Cap Index

4 Historical Chief Executive Officer pay
The table below sets out details of:

 •

The total pay for each of the persons who have performed the role of Chief Executive Officer for the current year and 
the preceding four financial years. The ‘single figure’ is calculated using the same methodology as that used for the 
“Single Figure of Remuneration” table in paragraph 1 above. 

 •

The payout of incentive awards as a proportion of the maximum opportunity for the period.

Single Figure (£000)

Annual variable element award rates 
against maximum opportunity

Long-term incentive vesting rates against 
maximum opportunity

2009

548

48%

0%

2010

517

56%

40%

20111

426

0%

0%

20122

286

0%

0%

20133

379

58%4

0%

Notes:
1.  Terry Sweeney to 24 October 2011 (single figure: £369,000). Rob Sirs from 25 October 2011 to 30 November 2011 (single figure: £57,000).
2.  Rob Sirs from 1 December 2011 to 31 January 2012 (single figure: £49,000). Martyn Ratcliffe from 1 February 2012 to 30 November 2012 (single figure: 

£237,000).

3.  Martyn Ratcliffe from 1 December 2012 to 28 February 2013 (single figure: £52,000). David Brooks from 1 March 2013 (single figure: £327,000). Figures from 
the Single Figure table in paragraph 1 of this Part C have been pro-rated to reflect the period during which Mr Ratcliffe and Mr Brooks respectively fulfilled 
the role of Chief Executive Officer.

4.  Relates to David Brooks only. Martyn Ratcliffe had no annual variable remuneration.

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Remuneration Report

continued

5 Relative importance of spend on pay
The following table sets out, in respect of the year ended 30 November 2013 and the immediately preceding financial year, 
the total remuneration paid to all employees as compared to other significant distributions and payments.

Total remuneration to employees

Total remuneration to Directors

Dividends paid

Corporation tax paid

Defined benefit pension cash contribution

2013 
(£m)

85.0

1.1

2.8

1.8

4.41

2012 
(£m)

82.0

1.1

2.1

0.1

7.31

Note:
1.  The figure for 2012 is the cash contribution in excess of the current service cost. There were no service costs for 2013 following the closure to accrual of 

the defined benefit pension scheme in October 2012.

6 Relative changes in pay – Chief Executive Officer and employees
The average increase in pay for employees across the Group between the year ended 30 November 2012 and the year 
ended 30 November 2013 was 5.2% (3.5% in the UK and 9.5% in India). The table set out in paragraph 4 above shows 
the historical pay of the person acting as Chief Executive Officer over the last 5 financial years. For the purposes of this 
section, it is not possible to make a meaningful comparison between the change in pay for employees as a whole and the 
Chief Executive Officer over the last year due to the change in Chief Executive Officer in the year. However, the table in 
paragraph 4 above sets out all relevant details.

7 Statement of shareholder voting
Voting at the Annual General Meeting held on 24 April 2013 in respect of the Remuneration Report for the year ended 30 
November 2012 was as follows:

Resolution to approve the Remuneration Report

Resolution to approve the Directors’ remuneration policy1

% of votes in 
favour

% of votes 
against

Number of 
votes withheld

91.88%

n/a

8.12%

n/a

3,327,995

n/a

Note:
1.  The requirement to hold a separate vote on remuneration policy was not in force at the time of the last Annual General Meeting but has been included in 

the above table to reflect the latest remuneration reporting rules. The equivalent table in future years will include voting figures for that remuneration policy.

8 Directors’ shareholdings
The beneficial interests of the Directors (including connected persons as defined for the purposes of section 96B(2) of the 
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in the ordinary shares of RM plc as at 30 November 2013 were:

Lord Andrew Adonis

David Brooks

Jo Connell

Iain McIntosh

Deena Mattar

John Poulter

42

30 November 
2013

30 November 
2012

—

4,546

35,000

150,151

20,495

100,000

—

4,546

35,000

50,151

20,495

—

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013No changes to the Directors’ shareholdings took place between 1 December 2013 and the date of this Report. There 
are no formal minimum shareholding requirements. In accordance with section 17(b)(iii) of the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, the above table does not include interests 
reported elsewhere in this Report.

9 Directors’ interests in share plans
As at 30 November 2013, the Executive Directors had the following interests in the Company’s share plans1:

David Brooks

PSP Awards3

Date of Grant

1/12/11

6/8/12

10/7/13

Iain McIntosh

PSP Awards3

Date of Grant

1/12/11

10/7/13

No. of 
shares

Performance 
Conditions

250,000

See note 4

250,000

125,000

See note 5

See note 5

No. of 
shares

Performance 
Conditions

300,000

125,000

See note 4

See note 5

Share Options2

Date of Grant

6/12/06

28/11/07

No. of 
Options

10,000

20,000

Exercise 
Price

£1.742

£1.973

Notes:
1.  To avoid duplication, and in accordance with Section 17(b)(iii) of The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) 

Regulations 2013, the figures in the above table do not include the shares or share-based awards referred to in paragraphs 1 (Directors’ Remuneration – 
Single Figure of Remuneration) or 8 (Directors’ Shareholdings) above.

2.  Granted under “The RM plc 2004 Inland Revenue Approved Company Share Option Plan and The RM plc 2004 Non-Inland Revenue Approved Company 
Share Option Plan”. All Options lapse if not exercised within 10 years of the date of grant. The Options in the above table have vested and are no longer 
subject to any performance conditions. Other Options previously granted but which have lapsed due to the performance conditions not having been met 
are not included.

3.  Granted under “The RM plc Performance Share Plan 2010”. All PSP awards are subject to a minimum vesting period of 3 years.
4.  50% of the award is subject to the Company’s share price achieving £1.00 or more for 20 consecutive trading days. This condition was satisfied during the 

period. The remaining 50% is subject to the Company’s share price achieving £1.25 or more for 20 consecutive trading days between the date of grant and 30 
November 2016.

5.  Targets are based on relative TSR compared with a comparator group of the companies in the FTSE Small Cap index. Threshold vesting is at median 

performance, maximum vesting at upper quartile performance, with straight line vesting in between these points.

10 Details of Directors’ Service Contracts
Relevant information relating to the Service Contracts of the Directors is set out in Part B of this Report (Remuneration 
Policy).

11 Remuneration Committee details
Details of the Remuneration Committee and its membership are contained in Part A of this Report (Introduction).

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continued

12 Compliance with Regulations
This Report has been prepared in accordance with Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-Sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, as amended by The Large and Medium-Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts 
and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013. The Report also meets the relevant requirements of the Listing Rules of 
the UK Listing Authority and illustrates how the principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code relating to Directors’ 
remuneration are applied by the Company.

The Group’s auditor is required to comment on whether certain parts of the Group’s Remuneration Report have been 
prepared in accordance with Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) 
Regulations 2008. Accordingly, the following sections of this Part C of this Report have been audited by KPMG Audit Plc:

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

The “Single Figure of Remuneration” table in paragraph 1.

Total retirement benefits, as described in the notes to paragraph 1.

Scheme interests awarded during the year, as set out in paragraph 2.

Directors’ shareholdings, as set out in paragraph 8.

Directors’ interests in share plans, as set out in paragraph 9.

Conclusion
This is the first Report written under the new rules and the Board welcomes any comments that shareholders may have to 
help improve Reports in future years.

In the meantime, I hope that this Report meets with the approval of shareholders and I will be available at the Annual 
General Meeting to answer any questions that you may have.

By Order of the Board

Jo Connell OBE, DL 
Chair, Remuneration Committee 
3 February 2014

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Independent Auditor’s Report 

to the members of RM plc only 

Opinions and conclusions arising 
from our audit

17201 Our opinion on the financial statements is 

unmodified

We have audited the financial statements of RM plc for 
the year ended 30 November 2013 set out on pages 48 
to 99. 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 30 November 2013 and of 
the Group’s profit for the year then ended; 

the Group financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European 
Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU); 

the parent company financial statements have 
been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs 
as adopted by the EU 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 and, as regards the Group 
financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

17202 Our assessment of risks of material 

misstatement

In arriving at our audit opinion above on the financial 
statements the risk of material misstatement that had 
the greatest effect on our audit was as follows. 

Long-term contracts (Revenue £91m; Receivables 
£1m; Payables £28m)
Refer to page 31 (Audit Committee statement), page 57 
(accounting policy) and page 77 (financial disclosures).

 •

The risk – Long-term contracts represent a 
significant part of the Group’s business and the 
accounting is inherently judgemental. To determine 
the revenue to be recognised it is necessary to 
assess how far a contract has progressed. To decide 
the margin to be recognised or loss to be provided, 
it is necessary to estimate future costs, including 
contingent amounts in respect of contract risks. 
Also, the Group may sign variations, extensions and/
or new contracts with an existing customer and it is 
necessary to assess whether or not, for accounting 
purposes, these should be combined with an 
existing contract.

 • Our response – Our audit procedures included, 
among others, making an assessment of the 
Group’s ability to forecast costs. We assessed 
the knowledge and skill of the Group’s project 
accounting staff by attending a project review 
meeting at which the progress of a number of 
contracts was discussed. We assessed the range 
and seniority of those present, the quality and 
relevance of documents prepared for discussion, 
the size of the financial variances for which 
explanations were sought and the extent of relevant 
technical and commercial information provided. 
Separately, we compared actual outturn to previous 
forecast for a number of contracts.

 We selected for detailed testing a number of 
long-term contracts based on the magnitude of 
revenue recognised in the year and risk indicators 
(such as contracts with a significant change in 
the estimate of lifetime revenue, margin or risk 
provision, loss making contracts and contracts with 
a large work in progress balance). For the contracts 
we selected, we read any variations, extensions 
and new contracts and considered, amongst other 
matters, whether the new agreement provided 
value to the customer on a stand-alone basis 
(and therefore should be treated as a separate 
contract) or whether, together with an existing 
contract, it was effectively a single project with 
an overall profit margin (and therefore should 
be accounted for as a revision to the existing 
contract). To evaluate whether revenue had been 
recognised appropriately for the selected contracts, 
we read the contract, determined the contract 
deliverables and obtained evidence of whether 
significant contract requirements had been met (for 
example, by inspecting a customer sign off). We 
assessed the completeness and accuracy of costs 
included in contract estimates, including those for 
specified contract risks, by reading the contract 
and customer correspondence, obtaining evidence 
to support selected inputs and by checking the 
mathematical accuracy of the Group’s calculations.

 Where a contract had been selected for detailed 
work during a prior year’s audit and the contract 
is now a stable managed service phase, we 
determined whether revenue and margin in the 
current year was in line with our expectation. 
We also assessed the adequacy of the Group’s 
disclosure about estimation uncertainty regarding 
long-term contract outcome. 

45

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The first choice for educationstock code: RM.Financial Statements 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report 

to the members of RM plc only 

continued

17203 Our application of materiality and an 
overview of the scope of our audit

17204 Our opinion on other matters prescribed by 
the Companies Act 2006 is unmodified

The materiality for the Group financial statements as a 
whole was set at £1 million. This has been calculated 
with reference to a benchmark of Group profit before 
taxation. When determining materiality, we adjusted 
the benchmark for certain of the exceptional items 
disclosed on the face of the income statement in 
the Adjustments column to provide a normalised 
profit before tax from continuing operations based 
on past results. The exceptional items adjusted for 
were: the impairment expense relating to goodwill, 
acquisition related intangible assets, other intangible 
assets and investments; the gain on sale of operations, 
the restructuring charge; the increase in provision for 
dilapidations on leased properties and onerous lease 
contracts; and the exceptional credit on settlement. We 
consider the adjusted Group profit before taxation to 
be one of the principal considerations for members of 
the Company in assessing the financial performance of 
the Group. The materiality represents 5% of the adjusted 
benchmark. 

We agreed with the Audit Committee to report to it all 
corrected and uncorrected misstatements we identified 
through our audit with a value in excess of £50,000, 
in addition to other audit misstatements below that 
threshold that we believe warranted reporting on 
qualitative grounds.

Audits for Group reporting purposes were performed by 
component auditors at the key reporting components 
in the UK. In addition, specified audit procedures were 
performed by a component auditor in India. These 
Group procedures covered 98% of total Group revenue; 
89% of the total profits and losses that made up Group 
profit before tax; and 99% of total Group assets. 

The audits undertaken for Group reporting purposes at 
the key reporting components of the Company were 
all performed to materiality levels set by, or agreed with, 
the Group audit team. These materiality levels were 
set individually for each component and ranged from 
£0.75m to £0.95m. 

Detailed audit instructions were sent to the component 
auditors in the UK and India. These instructions covered 
the significant audit areas that should be covered 
by these audits (which included the relevant risk of 
material misstatement detailed above) and set out the 
information required to be reported back to the Group 
audit team. Telephone meetings were held with the 
component auditors in the UK and India. 

46

In our opinion: 

 •

 •

the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
to be audited has been properly prepared in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006; and 

the information given in the Strategic Report and 
Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the 
financial statements are prepared is consistent with 
the financial statements. 

17205 We have nothing to report in respect of the  

 matters on which we are required to report by 
exception 

Under ISAs (UK and Ireland) we are required to report to 
you if, based on the knowledge we acquired during our 
audit, we have identified other information in the Annual 
Report that contains a material inconsistency with either 
that knowledge or the financial statements, a material 
misstatement of fact, or that is otherwise misleading. 

In particular, we are required to report to you if: 

 • we have identified material inconsistencies between 
the knowledge we acquired during our audit and 
the Directors’ statement that they consider that the 
Annual Report and financial statements taken as 
a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the Group’s performance, business model 
and strategy; or

 •

the section of the Annual Report describing the 
work of the Group Audit and Risk Committee does 
not appropriately address matters communicated 
by us to the Audit and Risk Committee.

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 and the 
part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be 
audited 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. 

RM Annual Report 2013 FRONT - Proof 4-p4p.indd   46

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Under the Listing Rules we are required to review: 

 •

 •

the Directors’ statement, set out on page 14, in 
relation to going concern; and

the part of the Corporate Governance Statement 
on pages 24 to 27 relating to the Company’s 
compliance with the ten provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code specified for our 
review.

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

Scope and responsibilities
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement set out on page 22, the Directors are 
responsible for the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view. A description of the scope of an audit 
of financial statements is provided on the Financial 
Reporting Council’s website at 
www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate. This report is 
made solely to the Company’s members as a body and 
is subject to important explanations and disclaimers 
regarding our responsibilities, published on our website 
at www.kpmg.com/uk/auditscopeukco2013a, which 
are incorporated into this report as if set out in full and 
should be read to provide an understanding of the 
purpose of this report, the work we have undertaken 
and the basis of our opinions.

Tudor Aw (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of  
KPMG Audit Plc, Statutory Auditor  
Chartered Accountants 
Arlington Business Park, Theale, 
Reading, RG7 4SD 
3 February 2014

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47

The first choice for educationstock code: RM.Financial StatementsConsolidated Income Statement

for the year ended 30 November 2013

Revenue
Cost of sales 
Gross profit 
Operating expenses 
Amortisation of acquisition related 
intangible assets
Impairment of goodwill, acquisition 
related intangible assets and investments
Gain/(loss) on sale of operations
Share-based payment charges
Restructuring costs
Increase in provision for dilapidations 
on leased properties and onerous lease 
contracts
Exceptional credit on settlement
Release of deferred consideration
Exceptional net credit on Defined 
Benefit Pension Scheme 

Profit from operations
Investment income
Finance costs
Profit before tax
Tax
Profit for the year

Earnings per ordinary share
— basic
— diluted
Paid and proposed dividends per share 
— interim 
— final 
— special 

Note

4 

6

15

14
8

23

25

6
9
10

11

12

13

Year ended 30 November 2013

Year ended 30 November 2012

Adjusted
£000

Adjustments
£000

Total
£000

Adjusted
Restated
(note 3)
£000

Adjustments
Restated
(note 3)
£000

261,759 
(187,793) 
73,966 
(56,757)

–  
– 
– 
–

261,759 
(187,793) 
73,966 
(56,757)

288,688 
(217,868) 
70,820 
(58,115)

– 
– 
– 
–

Total
Restated
(note 3)
£000

288,688
(217,868)
70,820
(58,115)

(244)

(244)

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
(56,757)
17,209
730
(1,490)
16,449
(4,910)
11,539

(195)

(195)

(328)
1,387
(507)
(5,128)

(2,627)
543
–

–
(6,855)
(6,855)
–
(159)
(7,014)
1,643
(5,371)

(328)
1,387
(507)
(5,128)

(2,627)
543
–

–
(63,612)
10,354
730
(1,649)
9,435
(3,267)
6,168

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
(58,115)
12,705
926
(1,510)
12,121
(3,160)
8,961

(3,212)
(2,448)
(129)
(312)

(457)
715
195

1,324
(4,568)
(4,568)
–
(181)
(4,749)
(301)
(5,050)

12.6p
12.4p

(5.9)p
(5.8)p

6.7p
6.6p

9.8p
9.8p

(5.5)p
(5.5)p

0.84p 
2.46p 
16.00p

(3,212)
(2,448)
(129)
(312)

(457)
715
195

1,324
(62,683)
8,137
926
(1,691)
7,372
(3,461)
3,911

4.3p
4.3p

0.75p
2.25p
–

Adjustments to results have been presented to give a better guide to business performance (see note 1).

All amounts were derived from continuing operations.

48

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income

Profit for the year 

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss:

Defined Benefit Pension Scheme remeasurements 

Tax on items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss

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

Fair value (loss)/gain on hedged instruments 

Exchange loss on translation of overseas operations 

Tax on items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss 
Other comprehensive expense 
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year attributable to equity holders

Note

25

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
Restated  
(note 3)
£000

6,168 

3,911

1,442

(799) 

(435) 

(329) 
73
(48) 

6,120

(6,586)

1,492

5

(171)
(11)
(5,271)
(1,360)

RM Annual Report 2013 BACK - Proof 4.indd   49

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49

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stock code: RM.The first choice for educationFinancial StatementsConsolidated Balance Sheet

at 30 November 2013

Non-current assets
Goodwill 
Acquisition related intangible assets 
Other intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Interest in associate
Other receivables 
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Tax assets
Cash and short-term deposits

Total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 
Provisions

Net current assets
Non-current liabilities

Retirement benefit obligation 
Other payables
Provisions

Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity attributable to equity holders
Share capital
Share premium account
Own shares 
Capital redemption reserve
Hedging reserve
Translation reserve
Retained earnings
Total equity

Note

14
15
15
16
8
20
11

18
20

21

22
23

25
22
23

 24

26

 2013
£000

14,067
764
1,026
9,099
–
1,911
4,622
31,489

10,549
35,134
340
63,169
109,192
140,681 

(78,917) 
(7,201)
(86,118)
23,074 

(15,828) 
 (3,455)
 (6,255)
(25,538) 
(111,656)
29,025

1,870
26,997
(2,972)
94
(474)
(385)
3,895
29,025

2012
£000

14,395
960
2,278
11,440
58
1,911
6,331
37,373

 14,787
55,604
 847
37,823
109,061
146,434

(88,098) 
(4,108) 
(92,206)
16,855

(20,433) 
(3,634) 
(4,929) 
(28,996)
(121,202)
25,232

1,870
26,997
(2,972) 
94
(39) 
(56) 
(662) 

25,232

These financial statements of RM plc, registered number 01749877, were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of 
Directors on 3 February 2014.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

David Brooks
Director

Iain McIntosh
Director

50

RM Annual Report 2013 BACK - Proof 4.indd   50

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Company Balance Sheet

at 30 November 2013

Non-current assets

Investments

Trade and other receivables

Current assets

Trade and other receivables 

Tax assets

Total assets 

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables 
Net current assets/(liabilities)

Non-current liabilities

Provisions
Total liabilities
Net assets

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share capital 

Share premium account 

Own shares 

Capital redemption reserve 

Retained earnings 
Total equity

Note

 2013
£000

2012
£000

17 
20 

20 

22 

23 

24 

26 

55,548 
1,661 
57,209 

104 
– 
104 
57,313 

– 
104 

(429)
(429)
56,884 

1,870 

26,997 

(2,972)

94 
30,895 
56,884 

55,654 
1,661 
57,315 

– 
94 
94 
57,409 

(3,686)
(3,592)

(629)
(4,315)
53,094 

1,870 

26,997 

(2,972)

94 
27,105 
53,094

These financial statements of RM plc, registered number 01749877, were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of 
Directors on 3 February 2014.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

David Brooks
Director

Iain McIntosh
Director

RM Annual Report 2013 BACK - Proof 4.indd   51

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51

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stock code: RM.The first choice for educationFinancial StatementsConsolidated Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 30 November 2013

Profit from operations
Adjustments for:
Loss/(gain) on foreign exchange derivatives
Impairment of investment in associate
Impairment of goodwill
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets
Amortisation of other intangible assets
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
(Gain)/loss on sale of operations
Loss on disposals of other intangible assets
(Gain)/loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment
Share-based payment charge
Increase in provisions
Defined benefit pension administration cost
Exceptional pension fund credit
Release of deferred consideration
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
Decrease in inventories
Decrease in receivables
(Decrease)/increase in payables
Cash generated by operations
Defined benefit pension cash contribution 
(2012: in excess of current service cost)
Tax paid
Borrowing facilities arrangement and commitment fees
Interest paid
Income on sale of finance lease debt
Net cash inflow from operating activities
Investing activities
Interest received
Proceeds of sale of operations
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Purchases of other intangible assets
Increase in short-term deposits
Amounts received from joint venture undertaking
Amounts advanced to third parties
Net cash (used in)/generated by investing activities
Financing activities
Dividends paid
Net proceeds from sale and leaseback of vehicles
Proceeds of share capital issue, net of share issue costs
Decrease in borrowings
Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

52

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Note

Year ended
30 November
2012
Restated 
(note 3)
£000

10,354

8,137

75
–
 328
 –
 195
 582
3,919
(1,387)
736
(118)
507
7,777
391
–
–
23,359
4,238
20,383
(13,317)
34,663

(4,384)
(1,790)
(451)
(20)
289
28,307

441
336
420
(1,980)
 (68)
 (6,000)
–
 –
(6,851)

(2,834)
771
–
–
(2,063)
19,393
37,823
(47)
57,169

(250) 
 258
2,954
 144
 244
1,254
5,701 
2,448
 496 
 302
129
 841
866
(1,824) 
(195) 

21,505
3,610
3,895 
4,529
33,539

(7,279) 
 (59) 
(658)
 (92) 
644
26,095

258
2,481
 856
(1,852) 
(400) 
– 
1,878
(919) 

2,302

(2,090) 
– 
35

(13,005) 
(15,060) 
13,337
24,529
(43)
37,823

 14
16
15
15
 16
 8

25

25

9

9

16
15
21

13

21

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Company Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 30 November 2013

Loss from operations
Adjustments for:
Impairment of investment in subsidiary
(Profit)/loss on disposal of investments
Impairment of investment in associate
Decrease in provisions
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
Increase in receivables
Decrease in payables
Cash used in operations
Dividends received – trading
Net cash generated from operating activities
Investing activities
Amounts advanced to third parties
Interest received
Net cash generated by/(used in) investing activities
Financing activities
Dividends paid
Proceeds from share capital issue, net of share issue costs
Proceeds from disposal of investments
Net cash (used in)/generated by financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

Note

17
8

23

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
£000

(426)

(21)

555 
(77)
– 
(200)
(148)
(10)
(3,686)
(3,844)
6,200 
2,356 

– 
343 
343 

(2,834)
– 
135 
(2,699)
– 
– 
– 

4,638 
1,300 
258 
– 
6,175 
– 
(12,346)
(6,171)
6,480 
309 

(919)
295 
(624)

(2,090)
35 
2,370 
315 
– 
– 
–

RM Annual Report 2013 BACK - Proof 4.indd   53

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stock code: RM.The first choice for educationFinancial StatementsConsolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 30 November 2013

At 1 December 2011
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 
income/(expense)
Total comprehensive 
income
Transactions with 
owners of the Company
Shares issued
Share-based payment 
awards exercised
Share-based payment 
fair value charges
Dividends paid
At 30 November 2012
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 
income/(expense)
Total comprehensive 
income 
Transactions with 
owners of the Company
Share-based payment 
fair value charges
Dividends paid 
At 30 November 2013

Note

Share 
capital 
£000

1,869
–

Share 
premium 
£000

26,963
–

Own 
shares 
£000

(3,202)
–

24

27
13

–

–

1

–

–

–

34

–

–
–
1,870
–

–
–
26,997
–

–

– 

–

– 

–

–

–

230

–
–
(2,972)
–

–

– 

27
13 

 – 
– 
1,870

– 
– 
26,997

– 
– 
(2,972)

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000

94
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
94
–

–

– 

– 
– 
94

Hedging 
reserve 
£000

Translation 
reserve 
£000

(44)
–

115
–

Retained 
earnings
Restated 
(note 3) 
£000

2,723
3,911

Total 
Restated 
(note 3) 
£000

28,518
3,911

5

5

–

–

–
–
(39)
–

(171)

(5,105)

(5,271)

(171)

(1,194)

(1,360)

–

–

–
–
(56)
–

–

(230)

129
(2,090)
(662)
6,168

35

–

129
(2,090)
25,232
6,168

(435)

(329)

716

(48)

(435) 

(329) 

6,884

 6,120

– 
– 
(474)

– 
– 
(385)

507 
(2,834) 
3,895

507
(2,834)
29,025

54

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Company Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 30 November 2013

Share 
capital 
£000

Share 
premium 
£000

Note

1,869
–
–
–

1
–
–
–
1,870
–
–
–

26,963
–
–
–

34
–
–
–
26,997
–
–
–

At 1 December 2011
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners of the Company
Shares issued
Share-based payment awards exercised
Share-based payment fair value charges
Dividends paid
At 30 November 2012
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners of the Company
Share-based payment fair value charges
Dividends paid
At 30 November 2013

24

27
13

27
13

–
–
1,870

–
–
26,997

–
–
(2,972)

Own 
shares 
£000

(3,202)
–
–
–

–
230
–
–
(2,972)
–
–
–

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£000

94
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
94
–
–
–

–
–
94

Retained 
earnings 
£000

28,976
320
–
320

–
(230)
129
(2,090)
27,105
6,117
–
6,117

Total
 £000

54,700
320
–
320

35
–
129
(2,090)
53,094
6,117
–
6,117

507
(2,834)
30,895

507
(2,834)
56,884

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, no separate income statement is presented in respect of the 
parent company, RM plc.

RM Annual Report 2013 BACK - Proof 4.indd   55

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stock code: RM.The first choice for educationFinancial StatementsNotes to the financial statements

1 General information
RM plc (‘Company’) is incorporated in the United Kingdom and listed on the London Stock Exchange. It is the parent 
company of a group of companies (‘Group’), the nature of whose operations and its principal activities are set out in the 
Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report. 

The Group’s business activities and financial position, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, 
performance and position, and risk management policies with the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group are 
presented in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report. 

Going concern
The Directors have assessed forecast future cash flows for the foreseeable future, being a period of at least a year following 
the approval of the Accounts, and are satisfied that the Group’s agreed working capital facilities are sufficient to meet 
these cash flows. Given the Group’s continued seasonality and long-term education project contractual commitments, 
operational cash flows are forecast to be at their highest outflow between July and September. 

Considering the above, the Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite 
the continued current uncertain economic outlook and have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Therefore, they continue to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements.

Consolidated income statement presentation
The income statement is presented in three columns. This presentation is intended to give a better guide to business 
performance by separately identifying the following adjustments to profit: the amortisation of acquisition related intangible 
assets; the impairment of goodwill; acquisition related intangible assets; other intangible assets and investments; the gain/
loss on sale of operations; share-based payment charges; restructuring costs; increase in provision for dilapidations on 
leased properties and onerous lease contracts; exceptional credit on settlement; release of deferred consideration; and an 
exceptional net pension credit on the Group’s Defined Benefit Pension Scheme. The columns extend down the income 
statement to allow the tax and earnings per share impacts of these transactions to be understood.

2 Significant accounting policies
The accounting policies are drawn up in accordance with those International Accounting Standards (IAS) and International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and adopted for use 
in the EU and therefore comply with Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulation applied in accordance with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006. 

These accounting policies have been consistently applied to the years presented unless otherwise specified.

Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for certain financial instruments, share-
based payments and pension assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value. The preparation of financial statements, 
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect 
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial 
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates 
are based on the Directors’ best knowledge of current events and actions, actual results ultimately may differ from those 
estimates.

Consolidation
The Group financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and all its subsidiaries for the periods 
during which they were members of the Group.

Inter-company balances and transactions between Group companies are eliminated on consolidation. On acquisition, 
assets and liabilities of subsidiaries are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition with any excess of the cost of 
acquisition over this value being capitalised as goodwill.

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Investment in subsidiaries 
In the Company accounts, investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less any provision for impairment where 
appropriate.

Business combinations
The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of the acquisition is measured at 
the aggregate of the fair values, at the date of exchange, of assets given and liabilities incurred or assumed in exchange 
for control. The acquired company’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that meet the conditions for 
recognition under IFRS 3 Business Combinations are recognised at their fair value at the acquisition date.

Revenue
Revenue represents amounts receivable for goods supplied and services provided to third-parties net of VAT and other 
sales-related taxes. 

Revenue from the sale of goods and services is recognised upon transfer to the customer of the significant risks and 
rewards of ownership. This is generally when goods are despatched to, or services performed for, customers. Revenue 
on hardware and perpetual software licences is recognised on shipment providing there are no unfulfilled obligations that 
are essential to the functionality of the delivered product and with consideration of any significant credit risk uncertainty. 
If such obligations exist, revenue is recognised as they are fulfilled. Revenue from term licences is spread over the period 
of the licence, reflecting the Group’s obligation to support the relevant software products or update their content over 
the term of the licence. Revenue from contracts for maintenance, support and annually and other periodically contracted 
products and services is recognised on a pro-rata basis over the contract period. Revenue from installation, consultancy 
and other services is recognised when the service has been provided. For multiple element arrangements revenue is 
allocated to each element on a fair value basis. The portion of the revenue allocated to an element is recognised when the 
revenue recognition criteria for that element have been met. Appropriate provisions for returns, trade discounts and other 
allowances are deducted from revenue.

Long-term contracts
Revenue on long-term contracts is recognised while contracts are in progress. Revenue is recognised proportionally to the 
stage of completion of the contract, based on the fair value of goods and services provided to date, taking into account the 
sign-off of milestone delivery by customers.

Long-term contracts represent those accounted for in accordance with the principles of IAS 18 Revenue and related 
linkage with IAS 11 Construction Contracts. 

Profit on long-term contracts is recognised when the outcome of the contract can be assessed with reasonable certainty, 
including assessment of contingent and uncertain future expenses. Thereafter profit is recognised based upon the 
expected outcome of the contract and the revenue recognised at the balance sheet date as a proportion of total contract 
revenue.

If the outcome of a long-term contract cannot be assessed with reasonable certainty, no profit is recognised. Any expected 
loss on a contract as a whole, is recognised as soon as it is foreseen. The loss is calculated using a discounted cash flow 
model utilising a discount rate that reflects an estimate of the market’s assessment of the time value of money and the risks 
specific to the liability. Any unwinding of the discount is included in the income statement in finance costs.

Where the cumulative fair value of goods and services provided exceeds amounts invoiced the balance is included within 
trade and other receivables as long-term contract balances. Where amounts invoiced exceed the fair value of goods and 
services provided the excess is first set off against long-term contract balances and then included in amounts due to long-
term contract customers within trade and other payables.

Pre-contract costs are expensed until the awarding of the contract to the Group is considered to be virtually certain which 
is not before the Group has been appointed sole preferred bidder. Once virtual certainty has been established and the 
contract is expected to be awarded within a reasonable timescale and pre-contract costs are expected to be recovered 
from the contract’s net cash flows, then pre-contract costs are recognised as an asset and accounted for as long-term 
contract costs.

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continued

2 Significant accounting policies continued

Intangible assets
All intangible assets, except goodwill, are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment 
losses. 

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the amount by which the fair value of the cost of a business combination exceeds the fair value of 
net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortised and is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. For business 
combinations occurring before 1 October 2004, the Group’s transition date to IFRS, the cost of goodwill is deemed to be 
the UK GAAP net book value at this date. 

The recoverable amount of goodwill is tested for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstance indicate 
that it might be impaired. Impairment charges are deducted from the carrying value and recognised immediately in profit 
or loss. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Group’s cash generating units expected 
to benefit from the synergies of the combination. If the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit is less than the 
carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated 
to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. An 
impairment loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed in a subsequent period.

Research and development costs
Research and development costs associated with the development of software products or enhancements and their 
related intellectual property rights are expensed as incurred until all of the following criteria can be demonstrated, in which 
case they are capitalised as an intangible asset:

a.  The technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale.

b.  An intention to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it.

c.  Ability to use or sell the intangible asset.

d.   How the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits. Among other things, the Group can 

demonstrate the existence of a market for the output of the intangible asset or the intangible asset itself or, if it is to be 
used internally, the usefulness of the intangible asset.

e.   The availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the 

intangible asset.

f.  An ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development.

The technological feasibility for the Group’s software products is assessed on an individual basis and is generally reached 
shortly before the products or services are released, and late in the development cycle. Capitalised development costs are 
amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful lives, once the product is available for use. Useful lives are assessed on a 
project-by-project basis. 

Other intangible assets
Intangible assets purchased separately, such as software licences that do not form an integral part of hardware and the 
costs of internally generated software for the Group’s use, are capitalised at cost and amortised over their useful lives of  
2–8 years.

For business combinations occurring after 1 October 2004, net assets acquired includes an assessment of the fair value 
of separately identifiable acquisition related intangible assets, in addition to other assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities 
purchased. These are amortised over their useful lives which are individually assessed.

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Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment assets are stated at cost, less depreciation and provision for impairment where appropriate.

Property, plant and equipment are depreciated by equal annual instalments to write down the assets to their estimated 
disposal value at the end of their useful lives as follows: 

  Freehold property

Up to 50 years

  Leasehold building improvements

Up to 25 years

  Plant and equipment

  Computer equipment

  Vehicles

3–10 years

2–5 years

2–4 years

Computer units produced by the Group which are used for the purposes of administration, research and development and 
customer demonstrations are capitalised and carried at cost less accumulated depreciation.

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets excluding goodwill
At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine 
whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the 
recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of any impairment loss. Where the asset 
does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the 
cash generating unit to which the asset belongs. 

The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. 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 which the estimates of future cash flows 
have not been adjusted. 

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying 
amount of the asset (or cash generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised as an 
expense immediately.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash generating unit) is increased 
to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying 
amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash generating unit) 
in prior periods. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised as income immediately.

Financial instruments

Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables are not interest bearing and are stated at their original invoiced value reduced by appropriate 
allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts.

Cash and short-term deposits
Cash comprises cash at bank and in hand and deposits with a maturity of three months or less. Bank overdrafts are 
included in cash only to the extent that the Group has the right of set-off. Short-term deposits represent cash deposited 
with a maturity period in excess of three months and where the deposited amounts cannot be recalled on demand.

Trade and other payables
Trade payables on normal terms are not interest bearing and are stated at original invoiced amount.

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continued

2 Significant accounting policies continued

Derivative financial instruments
The Group holds derivative financial instruments to hedge its foreign currency and interest rate risk exposures. 

On initial designation of the derivative as the hedging instrument, the Group formally documents the relationship between 
the hedging instrument and hedged item, including the risk management objectives and strategy in undertaking the hedge 
transaction and the hedged risk, together with the methods that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the hedging 
relationship. The Group makes an assessment, both at the inception of the hedge relationship as well as on an ongoing 
basis, as to whether the hedging instruments are expected to be “highly effective” in offsetting the changes in the fair value 
or cash flows of the respective hedged items attributable to the hedged risk, and whether the actual results of each hedge 
are within a range of 80 – 125 percent. For a cash flow hedge of a forecast transaction, the transaction should be highly 
probable to occur and should present an exposure to variations in cash flows that could ultimately affect reported profit  
or loss.

Derivatives are recognised initially at fair value and attributable transaction costs are recognised in profit or loss as incurred. 
Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value, and changes therein are accounted for as described 
below. Fair value measurements are classified using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in 
making the measurements.

Cash flow hedges
When a derivative is designated as the hedging instrument in a hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to a 
particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction that could affect profit 
or loss, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognised in Other Comprehensive Income 
and presented in the hedging reserve in equity. Any ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is 
recognised immediately in profit or loss.

When the hedged item is a non-financial asset, the amount accumulated in equity is included in the carrying amount of 
the asset when the asset is recognised. In other cases the amount accumulated in equity is reclassified to profit or loss 
in the same period that the hedged item affects profit or loss. If the hedging instrument no longer meets the criteria 
for hedge accounting, expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or the designation is revoked, then hedge accounting 
is discontinued prospectively. If the forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, then the balance in equity is 
reclassified in profit or loss.

Other non-trading derivatives
When a derivative financial instrument is not designated in a hedge relationship that qualifies for hedge accounting, all 
changes in its fair value are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Inventories
Finished goods and work-in-progress are valued at cost on a first in first out basis, including appropriate labour costs and 
other overheads. Raw materials and bought in finished goods are valued at purchase price. All inventories are reduced 
to net realisable value where lower than cost. Provision is made for obsolete, slow moving and defective items where 
appropriate.

Provisions
A provision is recognised if, as a result of a past event, the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation that can 
be estimated reliably, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. 
Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised 
as a finance cost.

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Restructuring
A provision for restructuring is recognised when the Group has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan, and the 
restructuring either has commenced or has been announced publicly. Future operating losses are not provided for.

Onerous contracts
A provision for onerous contracts is recognised when the expected benefits to be derived by the Group from a contract 
are lower than the unavoidable cost of meeting its obligations under the contract. The provision is measured at the present 
value of the lower of the expected cost of terminating the contract and the expected net cost of continuing with the 
contract. Before a provision is established, the Group recognises any impairment loss on the assets associated with that 
contract.

Dilapidations provision
A dilapidations provision is recognised when the Group has an obligation to rectify, repair or reinstate a leased premises to a 
certain condition in accordance with the lease agreement. The provision is measured at the present value of the estimated 
cost of rectifying, repairing or reinstating the leased premises at a specified future date. To the extent that future economic 
benefits associated with leasehold improvements are expected to flow to the Group, this cost is capitalised within the 
leasehold improvement category of property, plant and equipment and is depreciated over its useful economic life.

Leases
The Group offers customers the option to finance lease assets. Where these transactions are entered into, the lease debt 
is subsequently sold to a finance institution. At this stage profit on sale of the lease debt is recognised as a financing item 
within investment income.

Where assets are financed by leasing agreements which give rights approximating to ownership, the assets are treated 
as if they had been purchased outright. The amount capitalised is the lower of the fair value or the present value of the 
minimum lease payments during the lease term determined at the inception of the lease. The assets are depreciated over 
the shorter of the lease term or their useful life. Obligations relating to finance leases, net of finance charges in respect of 
future periods, are included, as appropriate, under borrowings due within or after one year. The finance charge element of 
rentals is charged to finance in the income statement over the lease term.

All other leases are operating leases, the rentals of which are charged to the income statement on a straight line basis over 
the lease term.

Share-based payments
The Group operates a number of executive and employee share schemes. For all grants of share-based payments, the 
fair value as at the date of grant is calculated using a pricing model and the corresponding expense is recognised over 
the vesting period. Where the vesting period is shortened after the date of grant, the fair value at grant, or the expense, 
is recognised over the shortened vesting period. At vesting the cumulative expense is adjusted to take into account the 
number of awards actually vesting as a result of survivorship and where this reflects non-market-based performance 
conditions. Share based payment charges which are incurred by a subsidiary undertaking are included as increase in 
Investments in subsidiary undertakings within the parent company, and a capital contribution in the subsidiary.

Employee benefits
The Group has both defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes. For the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, 
based on the advice of a qualified independent actuary at each balance sheet date and using the projected unit method, 
the administrative expenses are charged to operating profit, with the interest cost, net of interest on plan assets, reported as 
a financing item. Defined Benefit Pension Scheme remeasurements are recognised directly in equity such that the balance 
sheet reflects the scheme’s surplus or deficit as at the balance sheet date. 

Contributions to defined contribution plans are charged to operating profit as they become payable. An accrual is 
maintained for paid holiday entitlements which have been accrued by employees during a period but not taken during  
that period.

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continued

2 Significant accounting policies continued

Employee share trust
The Employee share trust, which holds ordinary shares of the Company in connection with certain share schemes, is 
consolidated into the financial statements as the Company controls the trust. Any consideration paid to the trust for the 
purchase of the Company’s own shares is shown as a movement in shareholders’ equity.

Taxation
Current tax, including UK corporation tax and foreign tax, is provided at amounts expected to be paid or recovered using 
the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred taxation is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method in respect of temporary differences arising 
from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding 
tax bases used in computation of taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences 
except in respect of investments in subsidiaries where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference 
and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Current tax balances are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax 
liabilities.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which 
the temporary difference can be utilised. Their carrying amount is reviewed at each balance sheet date on the same basis. 

Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis, and at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which 
the asset or liability is settled. It is recognised in the income statement except when it relates to items credited or charged 
directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset 
when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and when the Group intends to settle its current tax 
assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Foreign currencies
The Group presents its financial statements in Sterling because this is the currency in its primary operating environment. 
Balance sheet items of subsidiary undertakings whose functional currency is not Sterling are translated into Sterling at the 
period-end rates of exchange. Income statement items and the cash flows of subsidiary undertakings are translated at the 
average rates for the period. Exchange differences on the translation of subsidiary opening net assets at closing rates of 
exchange and the differences arising between the translation of profits at average and closing exchange rates are recorded 
as movements in the currency translation reserve.

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into Sterling at rates prevailing at the dates of the individual 
transactions. Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the rates prevailing at the balance sheet 
date. Exchange gains and losses arising are charged or credited to the income statement within operating costs. Foreign 
currency non-monetary amounts are translated at rates prevailing at the time of establishing the fair value of the asset or 
liability.

Dividends
Dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which the shareholders’ right to receive payment has been 
established.

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Key sources of estimation uncertainty and critical accounting judgements
In applying the Group’s accounting policies the Directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions. 
Actual results may differ from these estimates. The Group’s key risks are set out in the Strategic Report and give rise to the 
following estimations and judgements which are disclosed within the relevant note to the Report and Accounts:

 •

 •

Long-term contract outcome – see note 19.

Retirement benefit scheme valuation – see note 25.

 • Onerous lease provision – see note 23.

 •

Goodwill valuation and impairment – see note 14.

Adoption of new and revised International Financial Reporting Standards 
The IFRIC interpretations, amendments to existing standards and new standards that are mandatory and relevant for the 
Company’s accounting periods beginning on or after 1 December 2012 have been adopted. The following new standards 
and interpretations have been adopted in the current period but have not impacted the reported results or the financial 
position: 

 •

 •

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, amendments to presentation of Other comprehensive income

IAS 12 Income Taxes, recovery of underlying assets

IAS 19 (revised), which has been adopted early, has impacted the measurement of the various components representing 
movements in the defined benefit pension obligation and associated disclosures. Following the replacement of expected 
returns on plan assets with a net finance cost in the income statement, and scheme administration costs now being 
included in operating profit, the profit for the period is reduced and accordingly other comprehensive income increased. 
The effect of this adjustment is disclosed in note 3.

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations which have not been 
applied in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective/endorsed (and in some cases had not yet been 
adopted by the EU):

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, comparative information

IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment, servicing equipment

IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements, amended standard and amendments for investment entities

IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures, revised standard

IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation, tax effect of equity distributions, offsetting financial assets and liabilities

IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting, interim reporting of segment assets

IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, amendments arising from Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets

IAS 39 Financial Instruments, Recognition and Measurement, novations of derivatives, amendments to hedge 
accounting

IFRS 1 First time Adoption of IFRSs, low interest rate government loans

IFRS 7 Financial Instruments, Disclosure – offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities, additional hedge accounting 
disclosures

IFRS 9 Financial instruments

IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements

IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities

IFRS 13 Fair value measurement 

IFRIC 20 Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine (endorsed but not yet effective)

IFRIC 21 Levies (not endorsed)

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stock code: RM.The first choice for educationFinancial StatementsNotes to the financial statements 

continued

2 Significant accounting policies continued
The Directors are finalising their analysis and do not expect that the adoption of the standards listed above will have a 
material impact on the financial statements of the Company in future periods. The Directors have identified the below as 
having the potential to materially impact the financial statements in future periods.

 •

 •

IFRS 9 will impact both the measurement and disclosures of Financial Instruments;

IFRS 13 will impact the measurement of fair value for certain assets and liabilities as well as the associated disclosures;

Beyond the information above, it is not practicable to provide a reasonable estimate of the effect of these standards until a 
detailed review has been completed.

3 Prior year adjustments 

a. Employee Benefits
The adjustments made as a result of adopting IAS 19 Employee Benefits (as revised in June 2011) in the Consolidated 
Income Statement and Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income are as follows:

Consolidated Income Statement
Operating expenses
Profit from operations
Finance costs
Profit before tax and profit attributable to equity holders

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme remeasurements
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to 
equity holders

Year ended
30 November
 2013
Effect
£000

Year ended 30 November 2012

As reported
£000

Adjustment
£000

Restated
£000

(391)
(391)
(486)
(877)

877

–

(57,249)

(1,540)

(866)
(866)
(151)
(1,017)

(58,115)

(1,691)

(7,603)

1,017

(6,586)

–

The reduction in profit attributable to equity holders has reduced Basic and Diluted earnings per share by 1.0 pence in the 
year ended 30 November 2013 (2012: 1.1 pence).

Segmental results
Segmental Adjusted profit in note 5 is stated after the following adjustments to operating expenses:

Education Technology 
Assessment and Data Services

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
£000

352
39
391

779
87
866

These adjustments have no impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at 30 November 2013 or 30 November 2012.

b. Long-term contracts
The classification of certain balances relating to long-term contracts has been changed this year to improve the 
Consolidated Balance Sheet presentation by presenting all long-term contract balances together. To give consistency, the 
equivalent balances as at 30 November 2012 have been restated, as detailed below. This re-presentation of the balances 
had no impact on reserves or equity. 

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Trade and other receivables:
Long-term contract balances
Accrued income
Trade and other receivables, Current assets and Total assets

Trade and other payables: Long-term contract balances
Deferred income — current
Trade and other payables and Current liabilities

Other payables:
Deferred income — due after one year but within two years
Deferred income — due after two years but within five years
Other payables, Non-current liabilities and Total liabilities
Net assets

4 Revenue

Revenue from supply of products 
Revenue from rendering of services 
Revenue from the sale of licences and receipt of royalties 
Total revenue 

30 November 2012

Note

As reported
£000

Adjustment
£000

Restated
£000

19
20

19
22

22
22

8,748
334

(17,646)
(26,400)

(3,799)
(2,986)

6,458
228

(25,518)
(19,283)

(2,394)
(1,240)

(2,290)
(106)
(2,396)

(7,872)
7,117
(755)

1,405
1,746
3,151
–

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
£000

136,307 
107,494 
17,958 
261,759 

153,401
114,878
20,409
288,688

5 Operating segments
The Group’s business is supplying products, services and solutions to the UK and international education markets.

Following a review of the Group’s divisional structure in November 2012, from 1 December 2012 the Group was 
restructured into three operating divisions: Education Technology, Education Resources, and Assessment and Data 
Services. From 1 December 2012, the Group changed the presentation of financial information included in the consolidated 
management accounts to reflect the new reporting structure with this information being presented to the chief operating 
decision maker. Segmental information for the Group is reported on this basis for the year ended 30 November 2013 and 
prior year financial information has been restated to be in line with this new basis.

The nature of the products/services sold within each segment is explained below:

Education Technology — a UK focused business supplying schools with ICT managed services, internet services, network 
software, digital platforms, hardware and related services, including implementation and support. The division also includes 
the implementation, management and support of IT infrastructure as part of the Building Schools for the Future contracts.

Education Resources — provides schools with curriculum focused classroom resources including teaching equipment and 
materials.

Assessment and Data Services — comprises Assessment Services and Data Solutions with the largest contributor of 
revenue being the Assessment business, providing e-marking and e-testing solutions and services for examining boards.

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continued

5 Operating segments continued
The November 2012 review also identified certain central costs and assets which had previously been allocated across the 
divisions and were considered more appropriately reported within Corporate Services. The segmental results for the year 
ended 30 November 2013 include these costs and assets within Corporate Services and the segmental results for the year 
ended 30 November 2012 have been restated to be in line with this new basis.

The following disclosure shows the result and total assets of these segments (2012 is restated based on the new divisional 
structure, and incorporates the prior year adjustments (note 3)):

The revenue disclosed below is that earned by the Group from third parties.

Segmental results

Education 
Technology
£000

Education 
Resources
£000

Assessment & 
Data Services
£000

Corporate
Services
£000

Exited 
Operations2
£000

181,171
8,643

54,008
7,164

26,545
4,134

–
(2,738)

35
6

202,731
5,363

59,809
8,825

23,335
2,522

–
(3,554)

2,813
(451)

33,728

31,794

6,890

221

58,074

36,438

6,957

48

–

–

Year ended 30 November 2013
Revenue
Adjusted profit from operations
Investment income
Finance costs
Adjusted profit before tax
Adjustments1
Profit before tax
Year ended 30 November 2012
Revenue
Adjusted profit from operations
Investment income
Finance costs
Adjusted profit before tax
Adjustments1
Profit before tax
Segmental assets
Group
30 November 2013
Segmental
Other
Total assets
30 November 2012
Segmental
Other
Total assets

Total
£000

261,759
17,209
730
(1,490)
16,449
(7,014)
9,435

288,688
12,705
926
(1,510)
12,121
(4,749)
7,372

72,633
68,048
140,681

101,517
44,917
146,434

1 Refer to note 1 for an explanation of adjustments to profit.
2  Exited operations represent the results from operations sold following the September 2011 Strategic Review.

The Group’s operations are predominately located in the United Kingdom, with operations also in India. The Group sells 
to the UK market and also in the European, North American, Asian and Australasian continents. Revenues of £11.1 million 
(2012: £10.6 million) were earned on non-UK sales and include Education Technology sales of £0.5 million (2012: £0.3 
million) largely in Europe, £7.6 million (2012: £7.2 million) of Education Resources sales largely in Europe, £3.0 million (2012: 
£3.1 million) of Assessment and Data Services sales largely in Europe.

Included within the disclosed segmental assets are non-current assets (excluding financial instruments, deferred tax assets 
and other financial assets) of £26.3 million (2012: £28.3 million) located in the United Kingdom and £0.6 million (2012: £0.8 
million) located in India. Other non-segmented assets materially includes deferred tax and cash and short-term deposits.

66

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 20136 Profit for the year
Profit for the year is stated after charging/(crediting):

Amortisation of acquisition related intangible assets 
Amortisation of other intangible assets 
Impairment of goodwill 
Impairment of investment in associate

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment:
— charged in cost of sales
— charged in operating expenses 

Selling and distribution costs
Research and development costs
Administrative expenses — adjusted
Operating expenses — adjusted
Adjustments to administrative expenses (see Consolidated Income 
Statement)
Total operating expenses
(Gain)/loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment
Loss on disposals of other intangible assets
Cost of inventories recognised as expense
Staff costs
Operating lease expense
Foreign exchange loss
Increase/(decrease) in stock obsolescence provision
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of these financial 
statements:
The audit of the Company’s accounts
The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation
Other services pursuant to legislation
Tax compliance services
Corporate finance services

Note

15
15
14

16

7

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
Restated 
(note 3)
£000

195
582
328
–
1,105

1,475
2,444
3,919
31,204
10,665
14,888
56,757

6,855
63,612
(118)
736
89,801
84,995
4,348
354
983

15
162
14
7
4
202

244
1,254
2,954
258
4,710

2,913
2,788
5,701
30,944
8,162
19,009
58,115

4,568
62,683 
302
496
108,736
82,030
4,675
130
(1,522)

8
176
14
8
23
229

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continued

7 Staff numbers and costs
The average number of persons (including Directors and contractors) employed by the Group during the year was as 
follows:

Research and development, products and services 
Marketing and sales 
Corporate services 

Aggregate emoluments of persons employed by the Group comprised:

Wages and salaries 
Termination payments 
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Share-based payments (note 27) 

Year ended
30 November
 2013
Number
employed

Year ended
30 November
2012
Number
employed

1,645
293
210
2,148

1,854
243
208
2,305

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
£000

69,740
4,942
6,227
3,579
507
84,995

71,167
464
6,004
4,266
129
82,030

The Company employs no staff (2012: none).

Information regarding the remuneration of the Directors is shown in the Remuneration Report.

8 Sale of operations
As a result of the September 2011 Strategic Review, the Board determined that it would dispose of several Group 
subsidiaries and businesses.

A gain on sale of £1,387,000 (2012: loss of £2,448,000) has been recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.

The gain is attributable to adjustments to estimates made on the disposals of the US hardware business (£909,000), RM 
Asia-Pacific (£100,000) and AMI Education Software Limited (£301,000), all of which were transacted in a prior period, and 
the sale of the investment in its associated company, Inclusive Limited, in the current period.

The sale of the Group’s interest in Inclusive Limited generated net cash of £135,000 and a gain on sale of £77,000. 

9 Investment income

Bank interest
Income on sale of finance lease debt
Other finance income

68

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
£000

223
289
218
730

258
644
24
926

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Interest on bank overdrafts and loans
Borrowing facilities arrangement fees and commitment fees
Cost of leasing finance
Finance lease interest
Net finance costs on Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
Unwind of discount on provisions

11 Tax

a) Analysis of tax charge in the Consolidated Income Statement

Current taxation
UK corporation tax 
Adjustment in respect of prior years 
Overseas tax
Total current tax charge 
Deferred taxation
Temporary differences 
Adjustment in respect of prior years 
Overseas tax
Total deferred tax charge 
Total Consolidated Income Statement tax charge 

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Note

Year ended
30 November
2012
Restated
(note 3)
£000

15
495
130
20
830
159
1,649

176
424
– 
– 
910
181
1,691

25

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
£000

1,707
859
453
3,019

206
 93
(51)
248
3,267

3,124
(154) 
411
3,381

348
(288) 
20
80
3,461

b) Analysis of tax charge/(credit) in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

UK corporation tax
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme 
Deferred tax
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme 
Share based payments 
Total Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income tax charge/(credit) 

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
£000

(735) 

(2,086)

1,534

(73) 
726

594
11
(1,481)

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continued

11 Tax continued

c) Reconciliation of Consolidated Income Statement tax charge
The tax charge in the Consolidated Income Statement reconciles to the effective rate applied by the Group as follows:

Profit on ordinary activities before tax
Tax at 23.33% (2012: 24.67%) thereon: 

Effects of:
—  change in tax rate on carried forward 

deferred tax asset

—  other expenses not deductible for tax 

purposes

—  temporary timing differences 
unrecognised for deferred tax

— other temporary timing differences
— R&D tax credit
— impairments
— overseas tax
— loss on sale of operations
— prior period adjustments
Tax charge in the Consolidated Income 
Statement

Year ended 30 November 2013 

Year ended 30 November 2012

Adjusted 
£000

Adjustments 
£000 

16,449
3,839

(7,014)
(1,637)

Total 
£000

9,435
2,202

Adjusted 
Restated 
(note 3) 
£000

12,121
2,990

Adjustments 
£000

(4,749)
(1,172)

Total 
Restated 
(note 3) 
£000

7,372
1,818

224

373

(331)
–
(242)
(29)
124
–
952

(23)

(186)

–
–
–
297

(94)
–

201

187

(331)
–
(242)
268
124
(94)
952

157

351

107
211
(468)
(58)
312
–
(442)

4,910

(1,643)

3,267

3,160

(19)

32

–
112
–
792
–
556
–

301

138

383

107
323
(468)
734
312
556
(442)

3,461

Factors that may affect future tax charges
The Budget Statement on 20 March 2013 announced that the UK corporation tax rate will reduce to 21% by 2014 and 20% 
by 2015. A reduction in the rate from 24% (effective from 1 April 2012) to 23% (effective from 1 April 2013) was substantively 
enacted on 3 July 2012.

This will reduce the Group’s future current tax charge accordingly. The deferred tax asset at 30 November 2013 has been 
calculated based on the rate of 20% which had been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

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d) Deferred tax
The Group has recognised deferred tax assets as these are anticipated to be recoverable against profits in future periods. 
The major deferred tax assets and liabilities recognised by the Group and movements thereon are as follows:

Group

At 1 December 2011
(Charge)/credit to income
(Charge)/credit to equity
Disposed on sale of business
At 30 November 2012
(Charge)/credit to income
(Charge)/credit to equity
At 30 November 2013

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation 
£000

Retirement 
benefit 
obligations 
£000

Share-based 
payments 
£000

Short-term 
timing 
differences 
£000

1,074
137
–
12
1,223
(235)
–
988

5,294
–
(594)
–
4,700
–
(1,534)
3,166

150
(110)
(11)
1
30
78
73
181

754
(185)
–
30
599
(159)
–
440

Acquisition 
related 
intangible 
assets 
£000

(299)
78
–
–
(221)
68
–
(153)

Total 
£000

6,973
(80)
(605)
43
6,331
(248)
(1,461)
4,622

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset above.

The Group has recognised deferred tax assets in jurisdictions where these are expected to be recoverable against profits 
in future periods. At the balance sheet date, the Group also has an unrecognised gross deferred tax asset of £1.2 million 
(2012: £2.4 million) which is available for offset against future profits within the United States of America. Included within 
this balance are unrecognised tax losses of £1.5 million (2012: £1.7 million). A deferred tax asset has not been recognised in 
respect of any of this amount due to uncertainty surrounding the future use of these losses.

No deferred tax liability is recognised on temporary differences of £240,000 (2012: £240,000) relating to the unremitted 
earnings of overseas subsidiaries as the Group is able to control the timings of the reversal of these temporary differences 
and it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

12 Earnings per ordinary share

Year ended 30 November 2013 

Year ended 30 November 2012

Basic earnings per ordinary share:
Adjustments* 
Adjusted basic earnings 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share:
Basic earnings 
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares: 
share based payment awards
Diluted earnings per ordinary share: 
Adjustments* 

Weighted 
average 
number of 
shares 
’000

91,718
–
91,718

Profit for 
the year 
£000

6,168 
5,371 
11,539

Pence per 
share

6.7 
5.9 
12.6

Profit/(loss) 
for the year 
attributable 
to equity 
holders
£000

3,911 
5,050 
8,961

Weighted 
average 
number of 
shares 
’000

91,543
–
91,543

6,168

91,718

6.7

3,911

91,543

–
6,168
5,371
11,539

1,153
92,871
–
92,871

(0.1) 
6.6
5.8
12.4

–
3,911
5,050
8,961

116
91,659
–
91,659

* Refer to note 1 for an explanation of adjustments to profits.

Pence per 
share

4.3
5.5
9.8

4.3

–
4.3
5.5
9.8

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Notes to the financial statements 

continued

13 Dividends
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders were:

Final dividend for the year ended 30 November 2012 of 2.25p (2011: 1.53p) per share 
Interim dividend for the year ended 30 November 2013 of 0.84p (2012: 0.75p) per share 

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
£000

2,064
770
2,834

1,402
688
2,090

The proposed final dividend of 2.46p per share for the year ended 30 November 2013 was approved by the Board on  
31 January 2014. The dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the annual general meeting. The anticipated cost of 
this dividend is £2.3 million. The Board is also proposing a special dividend of 16.00p per share, which will cost £15 million; 
this is also subject to approval by shareholders. Neither of these proposed dividends has been included as a liability at  
30 November 2013.

The Board will also recommend that the special dividend is combined with a share consolidation. This is common in 
such circumstances and is intended to maintain the comparability of the Company’s share price before and after a special 
dividend.

14 Goodwill

Group

Cost
At 1 December 2011 
Derecognised on dissolution of subsidiary 
At 30 November 2012 and 30 November 2013 
Accumulated impairment losses
At 1 December 2011 
Impairment loss
Derecognised on dissolution of subsidiary 
At 30 November 2012 
Impairment loss
At 30 November 2013 
Carrying amount
At 30 November 2013 
At 30 November 2012 

£000

24,983
 (1,222) 
23,761

7,634
2,954
(1,222) 
 9,366
328
9,694

14,067
14,395

The annual impairment test on goodwill resulted in an increase in the impairment for goodwill relating to Space Kraft 
Limited for the year ended 30 November 2013.

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14 Goodwill continued
The carrying amount of goodwill is allocated as follows:

Group

Education Resources
  TTS Group
  Space Kraft
Assessment and Data Services

Education Resources 

2013

2012

Pre tax 
discount 
rate

11.8%
–
12.0%

Pre tax 
discount 
rate

13.3%
13.1%
10.1%

£000

11,111
–
2,956
14,067

£000

11,111
328
2,956
14,395

 •

 •

Following a review of the forecast future cash flows of TTS Group Limited, no impairment was required.

An impairment of £0.3m (2012: £1.4m) has been recognised in relation to the goodwill allocated to Space Kraft Limited. 
This has resulted from a reduction in public sector spending on SEN, which has led to a reduction in forecast net future 
cash flows.

Assessment and Data Services

 •

 •

Following the transfer of the trade and assets of RM Data Solutions Limited to RM Education Limited on 1 December 
2012 the lowest level at which this goodwill is monitored is the ADS segment.

The future cash flows of the Assessment and Data Services division have been reviewed and there was no indication of 
impairment and therefore no impairment required.

Further information pertaining to the performance and future strategy of the Education Resources and Assessment and 
Data Services divisions can be found within the Strategic Report.

The total impact of the items identified above is an impairment charge on the carrying value of goodwill of £0.3 million 
(2012: £3.0 million), which has been recognised in the year in the Consolidated Income Statement.

The recoverable amounts of the Cash Generating Units (‘CGU’) are determined from value in use calculations. The key 
assumptions for the value in use calculations are those regarding the discount rates and growth rates.

The Group monitors its post-tax Weighted Average Cost of Capital and those of its competitors using market data. In 
considering the discount rates applying to CGUs, the Directors have considered the relative sizes, risks and the inter-
dependencies of its CGUs and their relatively narrow operation within the education products and services market. 
The impairment reviews use a discount rate adjusted for pre-tax cash flows. Analysis of the sensitivity of the resultant 
impairment reviews to changes in the discount rate is included below.

The Group prepares cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent 3 year financial plan approved by the Board, and 
extrapolates cash flows based on internal forecasts terminal rates of between 0% and 3% (2012: between 0% and 3%).

Sensitivity analysis
No reasonably possible change in a key assumption would produce a significant movement in the carrying value of 
goodwill allocated to a CGU and therefore no sensitivity analysis is presented.

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Notes to the financial statements 

continued

15 Other intangible assets 

Group

Cost
At 1 December 2011
Additions
Effect of movements in exchange rates
Disposals
At 30 November 2012
Additions
Effect of movements in exchange rates
Disposals
At 30 November 2013
Accumulated amortisation and 
impairment losses
At 1 December 2011
Charge for the year
Effect of movements in exchange rates
Disposals
At 30 November 2012
Charge for the year
Effect of movements in exchange rates
Disposals
At 30 November 2013
Carrying amount
At 30 November 2013
At 30 November 2012

Customer 
relationships 
£000

Brands 
£000

Intellectual 
property & 
database 
assets
£000

Acquisition 
related 
intangible 
assets 
sub-total 
£000

1,599
–
–
–
1,599
–
–
–
1,599

844
152
(2)
–
994
124
1
–
1,119

480
605

564
–
–
–
564
–
–
–
564

120
89
–
–
209
71
–
–
280

284
355

325
–
–
–
325
–
–
–
325

322
3
–
–
325
–
–
–
325

–
–

2,488
–
–
–
2,488
–
–
–
2,488

1,286
244
(2)
–
1,528
195
1
–
1,724

764
960

Other 
software 
assets 
£000 

12,650
422
(14)
(2,722)
10,336
68
(29)
(7,686)
2,689

9,043
1,254
(13)
(2,226)
8,058
582
(27)
(6,950)
1,663

1,026
2,278

Total 
£000

15,138
422
(14)
(2,722)
12,824
68
(29)
(7,686)
5,177

10,329
1,498
(15)
(2,226)
9,586
777
(26)
(6,950)
3,387

1,790
3,238

The review of other intangible assets at the balance sheet date indicated that there was no additional impairment loss in the 
year ended 30 November 2013 (2012: £nil).

The carrying values at 30 November 2013 and 30 November 2012 of Acquisition related intangible assets and Other 
software assets include impairment losses of £443,000 and £275,000 respectively.

Other software assets included purchased and internally developed software assets, the carrying values of which at 30 
November 2013 were £0.1 million (2012: £0.2 million) and £0.9 million (2012: £2.1 million) respectively.

The average remaining period over which amortisation will be charged is 2.5 years (2012: 3.5 years) for Acquisition related 
intangibles and 1 year (2012: 2 years) for Other software assets.

During the year, no material expenditure on research and development is considered to have met the criteria whereby the 
expenditure is capitalised as an intangible asset (2012: £nil). The carrying amount of capitalised research and development 
at 30 November 2013 was £nil (2012: £nil).

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 201316 Property, plant and equipment 

Group

Cost
At 1 December 2011
Additions
Effect of movements in exchange rates
Disposals
At 30 November 2012
Additions
Effect of movements in exchange rates
Assets reclassified
Disposals
At 30 November 2013
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 December 2011
Charge for the year
Impairment loss
Effect of movements in exchange rates
Disposals
At 30 November 2012
Charge for the year
Effect of movements in exchange rates
Assets reclassified
Disposals
At 30 November 2013
Carrying value
At 30 November 2013
At 30 November 2012

Freehold 
land & 
buildings 
£000

Short 
leasehold 
improvements 
£000

Plant & 
equipment 
£000

Computer 
equipment 
£000

Vehicles 
£000

Total 
£000

2,780
2
–
(3)
2,779
–
–
–
–
2,779

689
98
–
–
(2)
785
98
–
–
–
883

1,896
1,994

4,622
191
(24)
(296)
4,493
199
(46)
48
(135)
4,559

2,421
495
68
(6)
(225)
2,753
534
(15)
12
(135)
3,149

1,410
1,740

9,183
617
(66)
(548)
9,186
175
(98)
(48)
(4,448)
4,767

6,326
786
76
(41)
(387)
6,760
1,022
(69)
(12)
(4,435)
3,266

1,501
2,426

38,048
542
(35)
(25,008)
13,547
1,531
(143)
1
(8,018)
6,918

31,252
3,251
–
(51)
(24,291)
10,161
1,546
(112)
2
(7,859)
3,738

3,180
3,386

6,285
522
(10)
(2,583)
4,214
75
(20)
(1)
(1,409)
2,859

3,630
1,071
–
(6)
(2,375)
2,320
719
(11)
(2)
(1,279)
1,747

1,112
1,894

60,918
1,874
(135)
(28,438)
34,219
1,980
(307)
–
(14,010)
21,882

44,318
5,701
144
(104)
(27,280)
22,779
3,919
(207)
–
(13,708)
12,783

9,099
11,440

Part of the vehicle fleet owned by the Group was sold to a third party during the year for net proceeds of £771,000, and 
then leased back. The carrying value of vehicles at the year end includes £1,032,000 (2012: £nil) held under finance leases.

17 Investments in subsidiary undertakings
The principal subsidiary undertakings of the Company at 30 November 2013 were:

Name

Principal activity

incorporation Class of share

% held

Country of 

Software services
Software, services & systems
Software, services & systems

RM Books Limited
RM Group US LLC*
RM Education Limited
RM Education Solutions India Pvt Limited* Software and corporate services
RM Leasing Limited 
(dissolved 28 January 2014)
Space Kraft Limited
TTS Group Limited

Resource supply
Resource supply

Leasing

* Held through subsidiary undertaking. 

England
USA
England
India
England

England
England

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

100%
100%

75

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stock code: RM.The first choice for educationFinancial StatementsNotes to the financial statements 

continued

17 Investments in subsidiary undertakings continued
The investment in subsidiary undertakings comprises:

Company

Cost
At 1 December 2011 
Increases 
Disposals
Share-based payments 
At 30 November 2012 
Disposals
Share-based payments
At 30 November 2013 
Impairment
At 1 December 2011 
Impairment loss
Disposals
At 30 November 2012 
Impairment loss
Disposals
At 30 November 2013 
Carrying value 
At 30 November 2013 
At 30 November 2012 

Investment in 
share capital 
£000

Capital 
contribution 
share-based 
payments 
£000

Quasi-equity 
loan
 £000

55,183
4,700
(13,602) 

–
46,281
(1,014)
–
45,267

12,039
4,896
(10,690) 
 6,245
555
(956) 

5,844

39,423
40,036

8,514
–
(102) 
 129
8,541
–
507
9,048

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

7,077
–
–

7,077
–
–
7,077

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

9,048
8,541

7,077
7,077

Total
 £000

70,774
4,700
(13,704) 

129
61,899
(1,014) 
507
61,392

12,039
4,896
(10,690) 
6,245
555
(956)
5,844

55,548
55,654

An impairment loss of £0.6 million (2012: £4.6 million and £0.3 million associated company) was recognised during the 
year within operating expenses in the Company Income Statement. The impairment relates to the Space Kraft Limited 
business which has seen a reduction in profitability due to difficult market conditions and an ongoing tightening of public 
sector SEN budgets.

Refer to note 14 for further information on the impairment reviews performed and the calculation of the recoverable 
amounts.

The disposal during the period related to the sale of the Company’s interest in Inclusive Ltd (note 8).

The quasi-equity loan is to a subsidiary undertaking and bears interest at LIBOR plus 2%, has no specified repayment date 
and is therefore considered to form part of the Company’s investment.

76

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013 
18 Inventories 

Group

Components
Work in progress
Finished goods

19 Long-term contracts

Group

 2013
£000

845
87
9,617
10,549

Note

2013
£000

Contracts in progress at the balance sheet date
Contract costs incurred plus recognised profits less recognised losses to date 
Less: Progress billings

Amounts due from contract customers included in trade and other receivables 
Amounts due to contract customers included in trade and other payables 

20
22

375,058
(402,095) 
(27,037)
671

(27,708) 
(27,037)

2012
£000

3,425
151
11,211
14,787

2012
Restated  
(note 3)
£000

408,519
(427,579)
(19,060)
6,458
(25,518)
(19,060)

Total revenue recognised in the year ended 30 November 2013 from long-term contracts amounted to £91.1 million (2012: 
£109.2 million).

Long-term contract outcome – estimation uncertainty
The Group’s long-term contracts represent a significant part of the Group’s business. As a result of the accounting for these 
contracts, as outlined in note 2 it is necessary for the Directors to assess the outcome of each contract and also estimate 
future costs and contracted revenues to establish ultimate contract profitability. Key judgements include performance 
indicator outcomes, future inflation rates, implementation/software development costs and whether the contract variations 
and extensions should be combined with existing arrangements. Profit is then recognised based on these judgements and 
therefore, depending on the maturity of the contract portfolio, a greater or lesser proportion of Group profit will arise from 
long-term contracts.

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stock code: RM.The first choice for educationFinancial StatementsNotes to the financial statements 

continued

20 Trade and other receivables

Group

Company

Current
Financial assets:
Trade receivables
Long-term contract balances
Other receivables
Accrued income
Amounts owed by Group undertakings
Non-financial assets:
Prepayments

Non-current
Financial assets:
Other receivables

Currency profile of receivables
Sterling
US Dollar
Euro
Indian Rupee

Note

2013
£000

19

27,432
671
474
157
–

6,400
35,134

1,911
37,045

36,748
17
56
224
37,045

2012
Restated
(note 3)
£000

41,978
6,458
760
228
–

6,180
55,604

1,911
57,515

56,545
626
65
279
57,515

2013
£000

2012
£000

–
–
–
–
104

–
104

1,661
1,765

1,661
–
–
–
1,661

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

1,661
1,661

1,661
–
–
–
1,661

The Directors consider that the carrying amounts of trade and other receivables approximates their fair values.

Other non-current receivables includes £1.7 million (2012: £1.7 million) of gross amounts receivable from the Group’s equity 
investments in BSF delivery companies, Newham Learning Partnership (PSP) Ltd and Essex Schools (Holdings) Ltd. The 
interest charged on these receivables is 11.75% pa.

Analysis of trade receivables by type of customer

Group

Government
Commercial

 2013
£000

10,482
16,950
27,432

2012
£000

27,540
14,438
41,978

Trade receivables included an allowance for estimated irrecoverable amounts at 30 November 2013 of £1,777,000  
(2012: £1,624,000), based on management’s knowledge of the customer, externally available information and  
expected payment likelihood. This allowance has been determined by reference to specific receivable balances and  
past default experience. New customers are subject to credit checks where available, using third party databases prior  
to being accepted.

78

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 201320 Trade and other receivables continued
Ageing of unimpaired trade receivables 

Group

Not past due
Overdue by less than 60 days
Overdue by between 60 and 90 days
Overdue by more than 90 days

2021 Cash and short-term deposits

Cash and cash equivalents 
Short-term deposits

30 November
 2013
£000

30 November
2012
£000

21,106
5,622
323
381
27,432

34,734
5,697
733
814
41,978

Group

2013
£000

57,169 
6,000
63,169

2012
£000

37,823 
–
37,823

Company

2013
£000

2012
£000

– 
–
–

–
–
–

The short-term deposits are for a period of 6 months at interest rates of 0.80-0.85%.

The interest and currency profile of cash and short-term deposits is shown in note 30.

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stock code: RM.The first choice for educationFinancial StatementsNotes to the financial statements 

continued

172022 Trade and other payables

Group

Company

Current liabilities
Financial liabilities:
Trade payables
Amounts owed to Group undertakings
Other taxation and social security
Other payables
Accruals
Obligations under finance leases
Derivative financial instruments
Long-term contract balances

Non-financial liabilities:
Deferred income

Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities:
Obligations under finance leases
Non-financial liabilities:
Deferred income:
— due after one year but within two years
— due after two years but within five years

Note

2013
£000

12,163
–
3,019
1,848
18,395
350
544
27,708
64,027

14,890
78,917

19

2012
Restated
(note 3)
£000

14,302
–
5,857
574
22,533
–
31
25,518
68,815

19,283
88,098

438

–

1,827
1,190
3,455
82,372

2,394
1,240
3,634
91,732

Currency profile of trade and other payables

Group

Company

Sterling
US Dollar
Euro
Indian rupee

2012
Restated
(note 3)
£000

89,804
1,279
98
551
91,732

2013
£000

80,284
1,364
193
531
82,372

2013
£000

–
–
–
–
–

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates their fair value.

2013
£000

2012
£000

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–
3,686
–
–
–
–
–
–
3,686

–
3,686

–

–
–
–
3,686

2012
£000

3,686
–
–
–
3,686

80

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013172022 Trade and other payables continued

Obligations under finance leases
The Group sold part of its vehicle fleet to a finance lease provider during the year. Interest rates on finance lease contracts 
are charged at the Bank of England base rate + 2%, which is fixed at the date of acquiring the asset, and the lease term is 
four years.

Group

Amounts payable under finance lease contracts:
Within one year 
In the second to fifth years inclusive

Less: finance charges allocated to future periods
Present value of minimum lease payments

172023 Provisions

Group

At 1 December 2011
Release of provisions
Utilisation of provisions
Increase in provisions
Unwind of discount
At 30 November 2012
Release of provisions
Increase in provisions
Utilisation of provisions
Effect of movements in exchange rates
Unwind of discount
At 30 November 2013

2013

2012

Present 
value of 
minimum 
lease 
payments 
£000

Minimum 
lease 
payments 
£000

Present 
value of 
minimum 
lease 
payments 
£000

Minimum 
lease 
payments 
£000

373
446
819
(31)
788

350
438
788
–
788

–
–
–
–
–

– 
–
– 
–
–

Employee-
related 
restructuring 
£000

Onerous 
lease and 
dilapidations 
£000 

3,769
(677)
(3,103)
464
–
453
 –
4,942
(1,154)
–
–
4,241

7,497
(389)
(1,656)
776
 181
6,409
–
2,627
(1,331)
21
 159
7,885

Other 
£000 

2,147
 (788)
 (187)
1,003
–
2,175
(1,092)
 320
(52)
(21)
–
1,330

Total 
£000

13,413
(1,854) 
(4,946) 
2,243
 181
9,037
(1,092)
7,889
(2,537) 
– 
 159
13,456

Employee-related restructuring provisions refer to costs arising from restructuring to meet the future needs of the Group 
and are all expected to be utilised during the following financial year.

Provisions for onerous leases and dilapidations have been recognised at the present value of the expected obligation at 
discount rates of 3% reflecting a risk free discount rate, applicable to the liabilities. These discounts will unwind to their 
undiscounted value over the remaining lives of the leases via a finance cost within the income statement. At 30 November 
2013, £5.6 million (2012: £4.2 million) of the provision refers to onerous leases, and £2.3 million (2012: £2.2 million) refers 
to dilapidations.

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stock code: RM.The first choice for educationFinancial StatementsNotes to the financial statements 

continued

172023 Provisions continued

As a result of the restructure of the Education Technology division announced in October 2013 the Group expects to 
provide for an onerous lease provision on one further building in the second half of 2014. The additional provision is 
expected to be circa £1.5 million.

The average remaining life of the leases at 30 November 2013 is 2.1 years (2012: 3.8 years).

Other provisions includes one off items not covered by any other category. The significant element relates to on-going 
legal activity in connection with the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme of £0.5 million, and provisions recognised as part of 
the exit of operations, both of which were included in the previous year. All provisions in this category, other than those 
held by the parent company, are classified as current.

The release of provisions within Other provisions category includes £1.0 million (2012: £0.7 million) which has been 
recognised on the exit of operations and included within the gain (2012: loss) on sale of operations in the Consolidated 
Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement.

Disclosure of provisions: 

Group

Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

 2013
£000

7,201
6,255
13,456

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of provisions approximates their fair value.

The Company has outstanding provisions relating to warranties on businesses sold in previous years. The remaining 
expected life of all provisions held by the Company is 1.1 years (2012: 2.1 years)

Company

Non-current
At 1 December 2011
Increase in provisions
At 30 November 2012
Release of provisions
At 30 November 2013

172024 Share capital

Company and Group

Allotted, called-up and fully paid ordinary shares of 2p each
At 1 December 2011
Issued
At 30 November 2012 and 30 November 2013

The ordinary shares issued carry no right to fixed income.

Number
000

93,468
47
93,515

2012
£000

4,108
4,929
9,037

£000

126
503
629
(200)
429

£000

1,869
1
1,870

82

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013172025 Retirement benefit schemes

a. Defined contribution scheme

The Group operates or contributes to a number of defined contribution schemes for the benefit of qualifying employees. 
The assets of these schemes are held separately from those of the Company. The total cost charged to income of 
£3.6 million (2012: £3.7 million) represents contributions payable to these schemes by the Group at rates specified in 
employment contracts. At 30 November 2013 £0.5 million (2012: £0.4 million) due in respect of the current financial year 
had not been paid over to the schemes.

b. Local government pension schemes

The Group has TUPE employees who retain membership of local government pension schemes. The Group makes 
payments to these schemes for current service costs in accordance with its contractual obligations which are capped and 
collared. The Group has insignificant deficit risk for these schemes.

c. Defined benefit scheme

The Group operates one defined benefit pension scheme, the Research Machines plc 1988 Pension Scheme. The scheme 
is a funded scheme. The scheme provides benefits to qualifying employees and former employees of certain of the Group 
undertakings, but was closed to new members with effect from 1 January 2003 and closed to future accrual of benefits 
from 31 October 2012. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Group in a trustee-administered 
fund.

The most recent actuarial valuation of plan assets and the present value of the defined benefit obligation were carried out 
for statutory funding purposes at 31 May 2012 by a qualified independent actuary. IAS 19 Employee Benefits liabilities have 
been rolled forward based on this valuation’s base data. Plan assets are measured at bid-price at 30 November 2013. The 
present value of the defined benefit obligation and the related current service cost up to the date of curtailment of accrual 
was measured using the projected unit credit method.

As at 31 May 2012, the triennial valuation for statutory funding purposes showed a deficit of £53.5 million (31 May 2009: 
£16.6 million). The Group agreed with the Scheme Trustees to repay this amount via deficit catch up payments of £4 
million per annum until 31 May 2013 and thereafter at £3.6m per annum until 31 May 2027.

Under the scheme employees were entitled to retirement benefits of 1/60th of final salary for each qualifying year on 
attainment of retirement age of 60 or 65 years and additional benefits based on the value of individual accounts. No other 
post-retirement benefits are provided.

The Group holds the entire deficit position of the scheme on its balance sheet as it in substance bears all of the material 
risks associated with the scheme.

During the period, the Group has adopted IAS 19 Employee Benefits, amended June 2011. The transition effect of adoption 
is shown in note 3 above.

RM plc has entered into a guarantee irrevocably to undertake with the Trustees that, if ever the principal employing 
company RM Education Limited does not pay any amount when due in respect of its Guaranteed Obligations, it must 
immediately on demand by the Trustees pay that amount (that was due but unpaid) as if it were the principal obligor. The 
guarantee for the deficit recovery remains in place on condition that the assumptions underlying the valuation in 2012 
remain materially unchanged for all subsequent triennial valuations undertaken.

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stock code: RM.The first choice for educationFinancial StatementsNotes to the financial statements 

continued

172025 Retirement benefit schemes continued

Amounts recognised within operating profit and in the Statement of Comprehensive Income

Amounts recognised within operating profit
Current service cost
Administrative expenses and taxes 
Curtailment gain
Operating expense
Interest cost
Interest on plan assets
Net interest expense

Amounts recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income
Effect of changes in demographic assumptions 
Effect of changes in financial assumptions 
Effect of experience adjustments
Total actuarial losses
Actual return on plan assets less interest on plan assets 

Total defined benefit (credit)/cost 

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
Restated
(note 3)
£000

–
391
–
391
6,722
(5,892)
830
1,221

–
8,199
–
8,199
(9,641) 
(1,442)
(221) 

2,209
866
(1,824) 
1,251
6,327
(5,417) 
910
2,161

5,528
10,120
 (3,252) 
12,396
(5,810)
6,586
8,747

84

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013172025 Retirement benefit schemes continued
Reconciliation of the scheme assets and obligations through the year

Assets
At start of period
Interest on plan assets
Actual return on plan assets less interest on plan assets
Administrative expenses paid from plan assets
Contributions from employer
Contributions from scheme members
Benefits paid
At end of period
Obligations
At start of period
Current service costs
Curtailment gain resulting from closure to future accrual
Interest cost
Contributions from scheme members
Actuarial losses
Benefits paid
At end of period
Deficit in scheme and liability recognised in the balance sheet

Reconciliation of net defined benefit liability

Net defined benefit liability at the start of the year
Defined benefit cost included in operating profit 
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme remeasurements included in 
Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income 
Cash outflow in respect of current service cost
Cash outflow in excess of current service cost
Net defined benefit liability at the end of the year 

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
Restated
(note 3)
£000

129,710
5,892
9,641
(391)
4,384
–
(1,548)
147,688

150,143
–
–
6,722
–
8,199
(1,548)
163,516
(15,828)

111,415
5,417
5,810
(866) 
9,488
10

(1,564) 

129,710

132,589
2,209
(1,824) 
6,327
10
12,396
(1,564) 

150,143
(20,433)

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
Restated
(note 3)
£000

(20,433)
 (1,221) 

1,442
–
4,384
(15,828) 

(21,174)
 (2,161)

(6,586)
2,209
7,279
(20,433)

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stock code: RM.The first choice for educationFinancial StatementsNotes to the financial statements 

continued

172025 Retirement benefit schemes continued
Defined benefit obligation by participant status

Active members
Vested deferreds
Retirees

Fair value of plan assets with a quoted market price

Cash and cash equivalents 
Equity instruments 
Debt instruments 

Membership statistics

1. Census date
2. Actives
  a. Number
  b. Total annual pensionable pay
  c. Average annual pensionable pay
  d. Average age
  e. Average past service
3. Vested deferreds
  a. Number
  b. Average annual pension
  c. Average age
4. Retirees
  a. Number
  b. Average annual pension
  c. Average age

 2013
£000

—
145,944
17,572
163,516

 2013
£000

416
74,840
72,432
147,688

2012
£000

—
132,765
17,383
150,148

2012
£000

98
64,820
64,792
129,710

31 May 2012

371
£12.7m 
£34,247
43 years 
14.1 years

 1,259
£4,135
44 years

136
£6,880
62 years

86

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013172025 Retirement benefit schemes continued
Significant actuarial assumptions

Weighted average to determine benefit obligations
Discount rate 
Rate of salary increases 
Rate of RPI price inflation
Rate of CPI price inflation
Rate of pensions increases
  pre 6 April 1997 service
  pre 1 June 2005 service
  post 31 May 2005 service
Post retirement mortality table
Weighted average to determine defined benefit cost
Discount rate
Rate of salary increases
Rate of RPI price inflation
Rate of CPI price inflation
Rate of pensions increases (post 31 May 2005 service)
Post retirement mortality table

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
£000

4.65%
 n/a
3.45%
2.55%

 1.35%
 3.30%
 2.25%

4.50% 
 n/a 
2.85% 
2.15% 

1.35% 
2.80% 
2.00%

S1NA CMI 2011 1.25%

4.50%
n/a
2.85%
2.15%
2.00%

4.80%
n/a
3.00%
2.30%
2.00%

S1NA CMI 2011 1.25%

Weighted average duration of defined benefit obligation

24 years 

24 years

Assumed life expectancy on retirement at age 65
Retiring today (male member aged 65) 
Retiring in 20 years (male member aged 45) 

22.5
24.2

Expected cash flows

Expected employer contributions
Expected total benefit payments
  Year 1
  Year 2
  Year 3
  Year 4
  Year 5
  Next 5 years 

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22.4
24.1

£000

4,384

1,590
1,636
1,682
1,729
1,778
9,671

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stock code: RM.The first choice for educationFinancial StatementsNotes to the financial statements 

continued

172025 Retirement benefit schemes continued

Sensitivity analysis
An indication of the sensitivity of the results to changes in the most material assumptions is included below. This sensitivity 
analysis shows the degree to which the scheme liability would be different if alternative assumptions were substituted.

1. Discount rate
  a. Discount rate –0.1%

  Assumption

Weighted average duration of defined benefit obligation
  b. Discount rate +0.1%

  Assumption

Weighted average duration of defined benefit obligation
2. RPI inflation rate
  a. RPI inflation rate -0.1%

  Assumption

  b. RPI inflation rate +0.1%

  Assumption

3. Mortality: life expectancy plus 1 year

 2013

2012

£167.5m
4.55%
24 years
£159.6m
 4.75%
24 years

£160.1m
3.35%
£166.9m
3.55%
£166.2m

£153.8m 
 4.40% 
24 years
£146.6m 
4.60% 
24 years

£147.0m
2.75% 
£153.4m 
2.95%
£152.7m

Sensitivities at 30 November 2013 — one item changed with all others held constant

Analysis of net balance sheet position
  Fair value of plan assets 
  Present value of plan obligations 
  Deficit

2012

£m

129.7
150.1
20.4

Year 
ended 30 
November 
2012 

30 November 2013

-0.1% 
discount 
rate 
£m

+0.1% 
discount 
rate 
£m

-0.1% RPI 
£m 

+0.1% RPI 
£m 

Life +1 yr 
£m

147.7
167.5
19.8

147.7
159.6
11.9

147.7
160.1
12.4

147.7
166.9
19.2

147.7
166.2
18.5

Base 
£m

147.7
163.5
15.8

Year ended 30 November 2013

Actuarial assumptions
  Discount rate
  Rate of RPI
  Rate of CPI
  Mortality table
  Rating (years)

4.50%
2.85%
2.15%

4.65%
3.45%
2.55%

4.55%
3.45%
2.55%

4.75%
3.45%
2.55%

4.65%
3.35%
2.45%

4.65%
3.55%
2.65%

4.65% 
3.45% 
2.55% 

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1)

S1NA CMI 2011 1.25%

172026 Own shares
The RM plc Employee Share Trust (EST) was established in March 2003 to hedge the future obligations of the Group in 
respect of shares awarded under the RM plc Co-Investment Plan, RM plc Performance Share Plan and Deferred Bonus Plan. 
The trustee of the EST, Computershare Trustees (C.I.) Ltd, purchases the Company’s ordinary shares in the open market 
with financing provided by the Company on the basis of regular reviews of the anticipated share-based payment liabilities 
of the Group. The EST has waived any entitlement to the receipt of normal dividends in respect of all of its holding of the 
Company’s ordinary shares. The EST’s waiver of dividends may be revoked or varied at any time. It is anticipated the EST will 
receive the proposed special dividend.

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172026 Own shares continued

Company and Group

At 1 December 2011
Disposed on exercise of co-investment plan and deferred bonus plan
At 30 November 2012
Additions
At 30 November 2013

Number
000

1,942
(145)
1,797
14
1,811

£000

3,202
(230)
2,972
–
2,972

The valuation of the shares is the weighted average cost. There was nil cost of the additional shares provided to the EST in  
the year.

172027 Share-based payments
The Group operates a number of executive and employee equity settled share-based payment schemes including co-
investment plans, performance share plans, deferred bonus plans, share options and staff share schemes. The fair values 
of these schemes have been assessed using Black–Scholes and Monte Carlo models, as appropriate to the scheme, at the 
date of grant. The fair values of the schemes are expensed over the period between grant and vesting.

Share-based payment awards exercised in the period disclosed in the statement of changes in equity represents the impact 
on retained earnings of releasing the fair value charge accrued under IFRS 2 Share-based payment, which for the Deferred 
Bonus Plan is partially matched by the release of own shares held.

a) Employee Share Option Scheme
The Group has in place share option schemes which issue options over shares in the Company. There have been various 
performance conditions attached to share option grants including EPS, share-price and share purchase conditions. Options 
are usually forfeited if an employee leaves the Group before the options vest.

Details of share options outstanding are as follows:

Group

At 1 December 2011 
Lapsed during the year 
Exercised during the year 
At 30 November 2012 
Lapsed during the year 
At 30 November 2013 

Number of 
share options

4,291,417 
(1,130,867) 
(47,650) 
3,112,900 
(1,569,500) 
1,543,400 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

Weighted 
average 
share price 
at exercise 

£1.45 
£1.71
£0.73 
£1.37 
£0.93
£1.81 

£0.77

Exercise 
price range 

£0.51–£2.05

£0.51–£2.05

£1.45–£2.05

The options outstanding at 30 November 2013 had a weighted average contractual life of 3.0 years (2012: 6.0 years).

Included within the total outstanding options at 30 November 2013 are 1,543,400 (30 November 2012: 1,710,900) options 
which are exercisable.

No option grants were made in the current year (2012: nil).

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172027 Share-based payments continued

b) Co-investment Plan
All the co-investment plans lapsed during the previous financial period owing to the non-achievement of the plan 
performance conditions.

c) Performance Share Plan
The Group uses performance share plans for the remuneration of senior executives and senior management. Details of 
senior executive awards are contained within the Remuneration Report. Senior management participation has been subject 
to various vesting conditions, including EPS, Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and share price conditions. If the vesting 
conditions are either not met or the participants leave the Group’s employment then in most circumstances the award 
lapses.

Details of performance share plan shares are as follows:

Group

At 1 December 2011 
Granted during the year 
Lapsed during the year 
At 30 November 2012 
Granted during the year 
Lapsed during the year 
At 30 November 2013 

Maximum 
number of 
matching 
shares

2,972,492
3,230,000
(1,110,987)
5,091,505
1,615,000
(1,112,238)
5,594,267

Market price 
on grant 

£0.75

£0.74

The plans outstanding at 30 November 2013 had a weighted average contractual life of 1.3 years (2012: 1.4 years).

In the period to 30 November 2013, 1,615,000 performance share plan rights were granted to executive and senior 
management (2012: 3,230,000). The fair values are determined using a Monte Carlo model which gives a fair value of £0.44 
per share under the TSR performance condition.

Inputs to the model are as follows:

Group

Share price at grant
Exercise price
Expected life
Expected dividends

10 July
2013
TSR

£0.74
Nil
3 years
4.20%

The expected life used in the modelling has been adjusted based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-
transferability and exercise restrictions.

Comparator company volatility is assessed using annualised, daily historic TSR growth assessed over a period prior to the 
date of grant that corresponds to the performance period of three years. The company correlation uses historic pairwise 
correlations of the companies over a three year period. The fair value of the TSR element is based on a large number of 
stochastic projections of company and comparator TSR.

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In March 2003 the Company established the RM plc EST to hedge the future obligations of the Group in respect of shares 
awarded under the RM plc Co-Investment Plan. In order to hedge the Group’s liability to provide shares in the Company 
under the performance share plans the Trustee periodically purchases shares on the open market using funds provided by 
the Group. These shares are used to hedge the estimated liability but until vesting represent own shares  
held — see note 26.

d) Deferred Bonus Plan
The Group has in place a deferred bonus plan for the remuneration of Executive Directors. This plan was not used for the 
year ended 30 November 2013, and the Board has no plans to utilise this scheme in the future. Under historic plans 40% 
of the Directors’ annual cash bonus was deferred in ordinary shares for a period of three years. Any unvested shares lapse 
immediately if the Executive Director ceases to be an employee of the Group in circumstances where they would not be 
considered to be a “good leaver” under the rules of the plan.

Details of deferred bonus grants outstanding are as follows:

Group

Number of 
bonus shares

Market price 
on settlement

Market price 
on grant

At 1 December 2011 
Released during the year to 30 November 2012 
Lapsed during the year to 30 November 2012
At 30 November 2012 and 30 November 2013

186,609
(145,195) 
(1,340)
40,074

The number of shares outstanding at 30 November 2013 had a weighted average contractual life of 0.2 years  
(2012: 1.2 years).

In order to hedge the Group’s liability to provide shares in the Company under the deferred bonus plans the Trustee 
periodically purchase shares on the open market using funds provided by the Group. These shares are used to hedge the 
estimated liability but until vesting represent own shares held – see note 26.

e) Staff share schemes
The RM plc 2002 Staff Share Scheme, which was introduced to replace the RML Staff Share Scheme, historically made 
annual grants of shares in RM plc to almost all employees, although no awards were made in the current year or the prior 
year. At grant, the Trustee of the scheme purchases shares on the open market and holds these in trust on behalf of the 
employees. The shares vest to the employees after a minimum of three years, but normally after five years. The scheme is 
an HMRC approved employee share scheme constituted under a trust.

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continued

172027 Share-based payments continued
The schemes hold the following shares:

Group

RM plc 2002 Staff Share Scheme
RML Staff Share Scheme
At 1 December 2011
Vested
At 30 November 2012
RM plc 2002 Staff Share Scheme
RML Staff Share Scheme
At 30 November 2012
Vested
At 30 November 2013
RM plc 2002 Staff Share Scheme
RML Staff Share Scheme
At 30 November 2013

Number of 
shares

Weighted 
average cost 
£000

455,209
1,361
456,570
(96,375)
360,195
358,834
1,361
360,195
(32,958)
327,237
325,876
1,361
327,237

747
1
748
(159)
589
588
1
589
(54)
535
534
1
535

Performance conditions — estimation uncertainty
Assigning a fair value charge to share-based payments requires estimation of the projected share price; the number of 
instruments which are likely to vest, and other non-market based performance conditions. Assigning a fair value charge 
requires continuing reassessment of these estimates.

172028 Guarantees and contingent liabilities

a) Guarantees
The Company has entered into guarantees relating to the performance and liabilities of its subsidiaries’ major contracts. 
The Directors are not aware of any circumstances that have given rise to any liability under such guarantees and consider 
the possibility of any arising to be remote.

b) Contingent liabilities
The Group has provided performance guarantees and indemnities relating to performance bonds and letters of credit 
issued by its banks on its behalf, in the ordinary course of business. The Directors are not aware of any circumstances that 
have given rise to any liability under such guarantees and indemnities and consider the possibility of any arising to  
be remote.

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a) Operating leases
The Group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases 
which fall due as follows:

Group

Within 1 year
In years 2 to 5 inclusive
After year 5

2013
£000

3,593
6,799
1,461
11,853

2012
£000

3,540
9,412
4,601
17,553

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its office properties and include the period 
up to the first break clause of the lease.

The balances include commitments for onerous leases. The total commitment reported in the Financial Statements for 
the year ended 30 November 2012 of £15.2 million excluded onerous leases of £2.4 million, which is now included in the 
analysis above.

The terms of these leases are subject to renegotiation on average terms of 4.2 years (2012: 3.8 years) and rentals are fixed 
for an average of 1.7 years (2012: 3.6 years).

The Company had no operating leases during the year.

b) Capital commitments
The Group had the following capital expenditure commitments at 30 November 2013:

Group

Contracted but not provided for

2013
£000

–

2012
£000

191

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continued

172030 Financial risk management
Carrying value of financial assets and financial liabilities

Financial assets
Trade and other receivables - current
Trade and other receivables - non-current
Cash and short-term deposits

Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables - current
Trade and other payables - non-current
Provisions - current
Provisions - non-current

Group

Company

2012
Restated
(note 3)
£000

49,424
1,911
37,823
89,158

(68,815)
–
(4,108)
(4,929)
(77,852)

2013
£000

28,734
1,911
63,169
93,814

(64,027)
(438)
(7,201)
(6,255)
(77,921)

2013
£000

104
1,661
–
1,765

–
–
–
(429)
(429)

2012
£000

–
1,661
–
1,661

(3,686)
–
–
(629)
(4,315)

All financial assets are classified as loans and receivables except for the forward foreign exchange contract of £4,000 (2012: 
£1,000) which is classified as at fair value through profit or loss.

All liabilities classified as financial liabilities are held at amortised cost except for forward foreign exchange contracts of 
£544,000 (2012: £31,000) which are classified at fair value through profit or loss.

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of all financial assets and financial liabilities approximates their fair value. 

Fair value information for financial assets and financial liabilities not shown at fair value are therefore not disclosed.

It is, and has been throughout the period under review, the Group’s policy that no trading in financial instruments shall be 
undertaken and the Group does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. The main risks 
arising from the Company’s financial assets and liabilities are market risk (foreign currency risk and interest rate risk), credit 
risk and liquidity risk. The Board reviews and agrees policies on a regular basis for managing the risks associated with these 
assets and liabilities.

Foreign currency risk

a) Translation
During the year the Group held operations in the United States of America and India and trades within Europe, hence 
exposing the Group to foreign exchange risk on non-Sterling assets, liabilities and cash flows. The individual Group 
companies have long-term intra-group loans of £8.5 million ($13.9 million) (2012: £9.5 million ($15.2 million)) denominated 
in US dollars and the Group applies net investment hedging to the balances.

The Group also maintains foreign currency denominated cash accounts, but only holds balances required to settle its 
payables. 

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b) Transaction
Operations are also subject to foreign exchange risk from transactions in currencies other than their functional currency, 
and once recognised, the revaluation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. Principally, this relates 
to transactions arising in US Dollars and Indian Rupees. Specifically, the Group purchases significant amounts of its 
components in US Dollars and operating costs in the Group’s subsidiary RM Education Solutions India Pvt Ltd are in  
Indian Rupees.

In order to manage these risks the Group enters into derivative transactions in the form of forward foreign currency 
contracts. To manage the US Dollars to Sterling risk, the forward foreign currency contracts are designed to cover 80-90% 
of forecast currency denominated purchases and the contracts are renewed on a revolving basis of approximately three 
months. To manage the Indian Rupee to Sterling risk, the contracts are designed to cover 80% of forecast Rupee costs and 
are renewed on a revolving basis of approximately eleven to twelve months.

The total amount of outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts to which the Group was committed was:

Group

Forward foreign exchange contracts 

9,315

(540)

5,816

2013

2012

Nominal value
£000

Fair value
£000

Nominal value 
£000

Fair value 
£000

(30)

The fair value of the derivative financial instruments is estimated by discounting the future contracted cash flow, using 
readily available market data and represents a level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy under IFRS 7. These fair value 
gains/(losses) are included within trade and other receivables and trade and other payables respectively.

Of these, forward foreign currency exchange contracts with a nominal value of £8.7 million (2012: £0.1 million) and fair 
value loss of £528,000 (2012: £1,000 gain) have been designated as effective hedges in accordance with IAS 39 Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. The movement in fair value of hedged derivative financial instruments during 
the year was a debit of £529,000 (2012:£66,000 debit) which has been recognised in other comprehensive income 
and presented in the hedging reserve in equity. In addition the Group retain the gain or loss on realised foreign currency 
contracts used to hedge non-financial assets which are realised when the asset is recognised. A fair value gain of £54,000 
(2012: £40,000 loss) has been realised on forward contracts which were designated as effective hedges in accordance 
with IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. The value of realised forward contracts was a credit of 
£94,000 (2012: nil) which has been recognised in other comprehensive income and presented in the hedging reserve in 
equity.

The remaining forward foreign currency exchange contracts, with a nominal value of £0.6 million (2012: £5.7 million) and 
a fair value loss of £12,000 (2012: £31,000 loss), have not been designated as effective hedges in accordance with IAS 39 
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. The movements in the fair value of these instruments, a credit of 
£19,000 (2012: £200,000 credit), have therefore been charged to income.

Commercially effective hedges may continue to lead to income statement volatility in the future, particularly if the 
hedges do not meet the criteria of an effective hedge in accordance with IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement.

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172030 Financial risk management continued

c) Foreign exchange rate sensitivity
The following table details how the Group’s income and equity would increase/(decrease) if there was a 10% increase 
in the amount of the respective currency which could be purchased with £1 Sterling (assuming all other variables 
remain constant), for example from $1.60:£1 to $1.76:£1 at the balance sheet date. The sensitivity analysis includes only 
outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation at the period end for a 10% change 
in foreign currency rates and is shown after considering the impact of the Group’s foreign exchange forward contracts and 
net investment hedge positions. A positive number indicates an increase in profit and equity where Sterling strengthens 
10% against the relevant currency and negative a reduction in profit and equity. For a 10% weakening of Sterling against the 
relevant currency, there would be a comparable but opposite impact on the profit and equity.

Group

Sensitivity:
10% increase in foreign exchange rates against Sterling:
US Dollar
Indian Rupee 
Euro

Year ended 
30 November 2013

Year ended 
30 November 2012

Income 
£000 

Equity
£000

Income
£000 

Equity
£000

115
(14) 
 12

637
(175) 
 (38) 

318
28
 3

977
(134) 
(36)

In management’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis is unrepresentative of the inherent foreign exchange risk as the period 
end exposure does not reflect the exposure during the period, as the analysis does not reflect management’s proactive 
monitoring methods for exchange risk.

Interest rate risk
The only significant interest bearing financial assets held by the Group are cash and short-term deposits which comprise 
cash held by the Group and Company and short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of six months or less. Surplus 
Sterling balances are invested in the money market, or with financial institutions on maturing terms from within 24 hours 
up to a period of six months with interest earned based on the relevant national inter-bank rates available at the time of 
investing. During the year, average cash and short-term deposits were £47.6 million (2012: £23.7 million), and the maximum 
bank overdraft was £nil (2012: £nil).

The interest and currency profile of cash and short-term deposits is shown below:

Floating 
rate 
£000

54,229
6,000
–
–

–
195
–
60,424

2013
Interest 
free 
£000

1,984
–
474
120

–
143
24
2,745

Total 
£000

56,213
6,000
474
120

–
338
24
63,169

Floating 
rate 
£000

34,200
–
–
–

–
57
–
34,257

2012
Interest 
free
 £000

2,393
–
974
72

1
126
–
3,566

Total 
£000

36,593
–
974
72

1
183
–
37,823

Group

Sterling cash and cash 
equivalents
Sterling short-term deposits
US Dollar
Euro

Danish Kroner

Indian Rupee
Singapore Dollar

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The Group’s main interest bearing financial liability is a £30 million committed Barclays revolving credit facility signed 
on 27 January 2012. The Group also has a £3 million on demand working capital facility held with Barclays. Neither the 
committed revolving credit facility nor the working capital facility has been utilised during the year. The Group has allocated 
£0.6 million of the £30 million revolving credit facility to meet its performance bond requirements.

Interest payable on any utilised revolving credit facility is fixed 2.5% above Libor for the remainder of the 3 year committed 
term subject to certain financial ratios. A commitment fee of 1.2% is payable on the unutilised balance and an arrangement 
fee of £0.1 million (2012: £0.4 million) has been paid and is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement on an 
effective interest rate basis over the duration of the facility.

The weighted average effective interest rates at the balance sheet date were as follows:

Group

Financial assets:
Cash and short-term deposits
Trade and other receivables (non-current)

2013

2012

Floating 
rate 
£000

63,169
1,911

Weighted 
average 
interest rate 
%

0.55
10.41

Floating 
rate 
£000

37,823
1,911

Weighted 
average 
interest rate 
%

0.27
11.28

Interest rate risk sensitivity (assuming all other variables remain constant): 

Group

1% increase in interest rates
1% decrease in interest rates

Year ended 
30 November 2013

Income 
sensitivity 
£000

Equity 
sensitivity 
£000

419
(419)

419
(419)

Year ended 
30 November 2012

Income 
sensitivity 
£000

154
(154)

Equity 
sensitivity 
£000

154
(154)

Credit risk
The Group’s principal financial assets are bank balances and trade and other receivables. The Group’s credit risk is primarily 
attributable to its trade receivables. Credit checks are performed on new customers and before credit limits are increased. 
The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables. Note 20 includes an analysis of 
trade receivables by type of customer and of the ageing of unimpaired trade receivables.

The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high 
credit ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk, with 
exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers and a large proportion are ultimately backed by the 
UK Government.

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. The Group does not hold any collateral 
to cover its risks associated with financial assets.

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continued

172030 Financial Risk Management continued

Liquidity risk
Cash is managed to ensure that sufficient liquid funds are available with a variety of counterparties to meet short, medium 
and long-term cash flow forecasting requirements.

The Group meets its seasonal working capital requirements from current funds. At the balance sheet date, the Group has 
a £30m three year committed facility held with Barclays Bank. The Group also has a £3 million on demand working capital 
facility with Barclays Bank which is reviewed annually each March. The Group has allocated £0.6 million of the £30 million 
revolving credit facility to meet its performance bond requirements. These facilities combined gave £32.4 million of working 
capital funding capacity at the end of the year. At 30 November 2013 none of these facilities were drawn down (2012: £nil).

Capital management
The Group monitors capital using a ratio of adjusted net debt (total liabilities less cash and short term deposits) to adjusted 
equity (total equity less hedging reserves). The ratio at the end of the year was:

Group

Total liabilities
Less: cash and short-term deposits
Net debt
Adjusted equity
Net debt to adjusted equity ratio

 2013
£000

111,656
(63,169)
48,487
29,499
1.6

2012
£000

121,202
(37,823)
83,379
25,271
3.3

172031 Related party transactions 

a) Key management personnel
The remuneration of the Directors and other key management personnel of the Group during the year, in aggregate, was:

Group

Short-term employee benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Termination payments 
Share-based payments 

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
£000

2,855
327
–
281

2,570
222
313
141

Further information about the remuneration of individual Directors is provided in the audited part of the Remuneration Report.

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b) Transactions between the Company and its subsidiary undertakings
During the year, the Company entered into the following transactions with its subsidiary undertakings:

Company

Management recharges 
Net intercompany interest income
Dividends received 

Year ended
30 November
 2013
£000

Year ended
30 November
2012
£000

(348) 
122
6,200

(501) 
 116
6,480

Total amounts owed by the Company by and to its subsidary undertakings are disclosed in notes 20 and 22 respectively.

c) Other related party transactions 

Microgen plc
As disclosed in the financial statements for the period ended 30 November 2012, RM plc has engaged Microgen plc’s 
subsidiary, Microgen Aptitude Limited to perform certain accounting software development services. Former RM plc Board 
Chairman, Martyn Ratcliffe, is Chairman of, and equity holder in, Microgen plc, the controlling party of Microgen Aptitude 
Limited. During the current period, the Group incurred costs from Microgen Aptitude Limited of £0.1 million (2012: £0.4 
million). Further, the Group has entered into a contract with Microgen to utilise its software and services for RM Books and 
RM Unify some of whose fees are contingent on transaction volumes. Martyn Ratcliffe did not participate in the negotiation 
of these contracts.

TSL Education Limited
RM plc Board Director Lord Andrew Adonis is a member of the Advisory Board of TSL Education Limited, from which the 
Group made purchases of £11,000 during the year.

Wates Group Limited
RM plc Board Director Deena Mattar is a director of Wates Group Limited, to which the Group made sales of £70,000 
during the year. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
The Group uses PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to provide certain consultancy and assurance services, but excluding 
external audit services. RM plc Board Director Iain McIntosh’s wife is an equity partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers. She has 
not been involved in any services provided to the Group.

The Group encourages its Directors and employees to be governors, trustees or equivalent of educational  
establishments. The Group trades with these establishments in the normal course of its business.

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Shareholder Information

Financial calendar

Ex-dividend date for 2013 final dividend 12 March 2014

Record date for 2013 final dividend

14 March 2014

Annual General Meeting

19 March 2014

Record date for special dividend

19 March 2014

Ex-dividend date for special dividend

20 March 2014

Payment of 2013 final dividend and 
special dividend

11 April 2014

Announcement of 2014 interim results

July 2014

Preliminary announcement of 2014 
results

February 2015

Corporate website
Information about the Group’s activities is available from 
RM at www.rmplc.com.

Investor information
Information for investors is available at 
www.rmplc.com.  Enquiries can be directed to Greg 
Davidson, Company Secretary, at the Group head office 
address or at companysecretary@rm.com.

Registrars and shareholding information
Shareholders can access the details of their holdings in 
RM plc via the Shareholder Services option within the 
investor section of the corporate website at  
www.rmplc.com. Shareholders can also make changes 
to their address details and dividend mandates online.  
All enquiries about individual shareholder matters 
should be made to the registrars either via email at 
shareholderenquiries@capita.co.uk or telephone:  
0871 664 0300 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network 
extras; lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to 
Friday).  To help shareholders, the Capita website at 
www.capitaassetservices.com contains a shareholders’ 
frequently asked questions section.

Electronic communication
Shareholders are able to receive Company 
communication via email. By registering your email 
address, you will receive emails with a web link to 
information posted on our website. This can include our 
Annual Report and Accounts, notice of meetings and 
other information we communicate to our shareholders.

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www.rmplc.comRM plc Annual Report 2013Company Secretary
Greg Davidson

Group head office and registered office
140 Eastern Avenue 
Milton Park 
Milton 
Abingdon 
Oxfordshire  
OX14 4SB 
Telephone: +44 (0) 8450 700300

Registered number
RM plc’s registered number is 01749877

Auditor
KPMG Audit Plc 
Arlington Business Park 
Theale 
Reading RG7 4SD

Stockbroker
Numis Securities Ltd 
10 Paternoster Square 
London EC4M 7LT

Financial Public Relations
FTI Consulting Ltd 
Holborn Gate  
26 Southampton Buildings  
London WC2A 1PB

Registrar
Capita Asset Services 
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent BR3 4TU

Legal Adviser
Osborne Clarke 
One London Wall 
London EC2Y 5EB 

Printed on FSC® certified material, sourced from well 
managed and sustainable forests.
All process waste is reused and recycled wherever 
possible, in full compliance with current legislation.

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RM plc
140 Eastern Avenue
Milton Park
Milton
Abingdon
Oxfordshire
OX14 4SB
Telephone: 08450 700300

Stock code: RM.

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