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FY2018 Annual Report · Savaria
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PERFORMANCE  
 INNOVATION  
INSPIRATION

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WHO WE ARE

Science in Sport plc (“Group”) is a leading premium performance  
nutrition company that owns the PhD Nutrition and Science in Sport  
brands. The Group develops, manufactures and markets innovative sports  
nutrition products for elite athletes, sports and gym lifestyle enthusiasts.

We are a performance nutrition partner that truly understands nutrition needs 
whilst exercising, and are trusted by our customers to provide the best products 
and expert guidance. We develop products with our athletes to ensure we 
provide the right range of products with the best possible ingredients for  
their needs, so that they can focus on performing to the best of their ability.

OUR VISION
To be the world’s #1 premium  
performance nutrition business.

Our key growth drivers are:
1.  Sector leading brands
2.  Science and innovation
3. Profitable, growing core market
4.  Online channels
5.  International markets

OUR PROMISE
Trust is key for our consumers and we  
utilise the best science and innovation  
to deliver the best products and best  
advice to our customers.

 Highlights 

STRATEGIC REPORT
01 
02  Driving business performance
08  At a glance
1 1 
12 
1 4 
1 6 
1 8 
20 

Chairman’s statement
 Chief Executive’s statement 
Business model
Risk management
 Financial review
 Corporate social 
responsibility

GOVERNANCE
22  Directors’ report
24  Corporate governance report
26  Board of Directors
28  Audit Committee report
29 

 Remuneration  
committee report

38 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Independent auditor’s report
32 
  Consolidated statement  
37 
of comprehensive income
 Consolidated statement  
of financial position
 Consolidated statement  
of cash flows
 Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity
 Notes to the consolidated 
financial statements

40 

39 

41 

66 

67 

68 

69 

 Parent company statement  
of financial position
 Parent company statement  
of cash flows
 Parent company statement  
of changes in equity
 Notes to the parent company 
financial statements

OTHER INFORMATION
71 

Company information

www.scienceinsport.com01

HIGHLIGHTS

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

GROUP
 ΅ A 37% increase in Group revenue to £21.3 million  

(2017 – £15.6 million), including a 25-day contribution  
of £1.5 million from PhD Nutrition Limited (“PhD”) 
acquired on 6 December 2018;

PhD
 ΅ In December, SiS acquired PhD, a premium performance 
nutrition brand, for £32.0 million. The transformational 
deal doubles the size of the Group, extends its product 
range, and enhances international presence; 

 ΅ Increase in gross profit to £12.0 million (2017 – 

£9.3 million) including £0.4 million gross profit following 
the acquisition of PhD; 

 ΅ PhD contributed £0.1million of operating profit in 2018; and
 ΅ Integration plans are on track.

 ΅ Underlying operating loss1 of £2.5 million (2017 – 

£1.7million) in line with growth strategy and expectations, 
reflecting continued investment in brand awareness, 
e-commerce and international expansion; and 
 ΅ Cash and cash equivalents of £8.0 million (2017 –  

£16.6 million) in line with market expectations following 
the acquisition of PhD.

SiS
 ΅ A 27% increase in underlying SiS revenue to £19.8 million 
(2017 – £15.6 million), with acceleration in growth during 
H2 to 34% reflecting first half investment initiatives; 
 ΅ Revenue growth significantly ahead of the sports 

nutrition sector, with particularly strong growth in online 
channels +26% and international markets +55% driven  
by consistent investment in marketing resulting in 
significant brand awareness improvement versus  
the Group’s competitors;

 ΅ Robust gross profit margin 58.2% (2017 – 59.7%);
 ΅ New product development – a key growth driver 

delivering £1.1 million of revenue in the year (2017 –  
£0.9 million) contributing 26% of overall revenue growth;
 ΅ SiS Core2 business increasingly profitable with operating 

profits of £2.0 million (2017 – £0.5million); and
 ΅ On plan delivery in strategic markets of USA, Italy 

and Australia.

FINANCIAL KPIs 

REVENUE3

£21.3m

(27% UNDERLYING SIS SALES 
GROWTH, £15.6M IN 2017)

CORE UK BUSINESS  
UNDERLYING OPERATING PROFIT

£2.0m

(£0.5M IN 2017)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

GROSS PROFIT

£8.0m

(£16.6M IN 2017)

£12.0m

(£9.3M IN 2017)

UNDERLYING OPERATING LOSS1

INNOVATION REVENUE

£2.5m

(£1.7M IN 2017)

£1.1m

(0.9M IN 2017)

1.  Excludes depreciation, amortisation, non-cash share based payments and costs 

relating to the acquisition of PhD Nutrition.

2.  Core business is defined as UK, EU, RoW excluding strategic markets US, Italy and 

Australia consistent with segmental reporting (note 5).

3.  Includes 25-day contribution of £1.5 million from PhD Nutrition following acquisition 

completion on 6 December.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION02 STRATEGIC REPORT

DRIVING BUSINESS PERFORMANCE THROUGH…

A TRANSFORMATIONAL  
ACQUISITION

The acquisition of PhD Nutrition doubles the size of the Science  
in Sport PLC Group and accelerates its ambition to become the  
world’s #1 premium performance nutrition business.

WHAT THE ACQUISITION MEANS  
FOR SCIENCE IN SPORT

WHO ARE PhD NUTRITION? 

The acquisition of PhD Nutrition gives the Group access to an 
addressable global protein market some four times larger than 
the endurance nutrition market.

PhD and SiS are two premium brands that have complementary 
products, operations and sales channels. Together the brands 
create a well-balanced, cash generative company with enhanced 
potential.

 ΅ UK headquartered premium protein brand.
 ΅ One of the UK’s leading performance nutrition brands with  
a reputation for high quality and innovative products aimed  
at sports enthusiasts and gym lifestyle consumers.

 ΅ c. 24 employees.
 ΅ An experienced management team that has a track record  
of delivering consistent revenue growth and profitability.

2006
 ΅ A different approach 
to sports nutrition

www.scienceinsport.com

2006 – 2010
 ΅ Revolutionary flagship  

products drive early growth

2010 – 2014
 ΅ Large scale UK rollout  
as brand gains scale

03

PhD 12 MONTHS REVENUE  
TO 31 DECEMBER 20181
£12.9m

£4.2m

Retail

£4.1m

International

Online

12%

Growth on Jan-Dec 17

1.  £1.5m revenue included in SiS plc financial statements covering the  

post-acquisition trading period until year-end.

“ I have been using 
PhD products now 
for 3 years. I chose 
them because they 
are intelligent and 
authentic and a 
perfect fit for me as 
an artist and athlete.”

BUGZY MALONE
Brand Ambassador

2014 – 2017
 ΅ International

2017
 ΅ Smart range launches

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION04 STRATEGIC REPORT

DRIVING BUSINESS PERFORMANCE THROUGH…

AN INDUSTRY LEADING 
REPUTATION

The Science in Sport brand is trusted by professional and  
Olympic athletes in a range of sports across the world.

OUR REPUTATION  
IS ENABLING US TO...

WORLD-CLASS APPROACH  
TO BANNED SUBSTANCE TESTING

A key component of this trust is our approach to preventing 
banned substances entering our supply chain and finished 
products.

Read more about our approach to preventing banned 
substances in our Corporate Social Responsibility report.

Move into new sporting markets
We have developed a relationship with 85 leading professional 
clubs and our new partnership with Manchester United Football 
Club gives us the opportunity to broaden awareness through 
their extensive social media and Facebook reach, as well as 
developing assets and product innovation.

Enhance our international presence
In the USA we have established a fully resourced base in 
San Francisco and are building our brand awareness through 
leveraging key partnerships with USA Cycling and Rock n Roll 
Marathon Series, as well as extensive brand in hand initiatives 
and product and flavour innovation. 

www.scienceinsport.com

05

OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH MANCHESTER 
UNITED IS DRIVING BRAND CREDIBILITY

SiS have been fuelling Manchester 
United since 2008 and became their 
official nutrition partner in 2018. We 
work closely with their performance 
team to provide tailored nutrition 
programmes for the players and have 
co-developed and launched innovative 
products including Whey Power, Rego 
Power and the new 2019 football 
range. This close partnership with the world’s leading club 
has enabled SIS to build its credentials both at elite level,  
and increasingly with the 2 million+ UK amateur players.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION06 STRATEGIC REPORT

DRIVING BUSINESS PERFORMANCE THROUGH…

INNOVATION, PRODUCT 
DEVELOPMENT AND 
INVESTMENT IN MAJOR 
NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Trust, quality and innovation are the key qualities for which  
PhD and SiS are recognised and we continue to invest in this  
strategically important area.

PRODUCT INNOVATION

Once again, innovation has been a key driver of growth, with 
6% of sales and 26% of total revenue growth coming from new 
products, continuing the trend of the previous four years. 

We work with partners and academic institutions to continue to 
deliver innovative products and formats and ensure the pipeline 
maintains and enhances its value.

KEY INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS  
DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 

 ΅ Beta Fuel a novel new sports drink delivering high levels 
of isotonic energy following success fuelling Team Sky at 
the Giro D’Italia. Exclusive launch on scienceinsport.com 
alongside 50 selected top tier US & UK independent  
bike stores.

 ΅ Launch of a new athlete health range in February. Range  

of vitamins, minerals and supplements developed alongside 
Team Sky specifically for the needs of endurance athletes 
performing at the highest level. Exclusive launch on 
scienceinsport.com in the UK and extending to Italy  
in Q2 2019.

www.scienceinsport.com

07

“ I first started using 
SiS products in the 
mid 90s, and have 
used for three decades 
now, once I found a 
company that I trusted 
I stuck with them. I 
trust Science in Sport 
for their rigorous 
testing, as an athlete 
you want to have the 
confidence that what 
you’re using is safe. As 
a professional athlete 
it’s your whole career”

“ Science in Sport 
are one of the few 
companies who 
genuinely put science 
into the products”

CHRIS HOY
Elite Sports Consultant

JAMES MORTON 
Chief Scientific Officer

CONTINUOUS INVESTMENT  
IN SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

In line with our strategy we continuously invest in science  
and new product development and innovation and as a  
result, the pipeline for new products in 2019 is very strong.  
We are also investing in major new technologies for future 
product development.

Renowned for our innovation and product development in 
conjunction with elite athlete insight, we have continued to work 
with our partners, and have developed new products with Team 
Sky and Manchester United Football Club as well as others.

A sports partner that 
truly understands  
endurance sport
Our partner for three years,  
helping fuel another Tour de 
France victory. One of our latest  
innovative products, Beta Fuel,  
was developed with them.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION08 STRATEGIC REPORT– At a glance

AT A GLANCE

SCIENCE IN SPORT PLC GROUP

Science in Sport plc Group is a premium performance 
nutrition business. We have two brands in our portfolio, 
PhD Nutrition and Science in Sport.

WHERE WE OPERATE
We have offices in the UK, US, Italy, Australia and the Middle East, and have 
customers in over 80 countries worldwide.

OUR PEOPLE  
AND CULTURE

Our people make our business and 
we attract and develop the best. 
Our teams are passionate about 
the brands, our customers, and 
the business. Performance matters 
to everyone. We have committed 
teams in all our locations, and invest 
in training and development as well 
as opportunities to pursue individual 
and team sporting challenges, 
whatever they may be.

CUSTOMER SEGMENTS

Premium endurance sport  
nutrition brand

+

Premium protein gym  
lifestyle brand 

=

Premium performance  
nutrition business

ELITE

ELITE

ELITE

ENTHUSIASTS 

ENTHUSIASTS 

ENTHUSIASTS 

GYM LIFESTYLE

GYM LIFESTYLE

GYM LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE
Countries we operate in

LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE

www.scienceinsport.com09

Science in Sport is a premium endurance sports 
nutrition brand. But above all else, it represents 
constant progression. A desire to continually 
improve, push boundaries, translate science to 
performance.

WHERE WE  
OPERATE
We have offices in the UK, 
US, Italy and Australia, and 
have customers in over 80 
countries worldwide.

WHAT WE DO

INNOVATE
Science and innovation 
to push performance 
boundaries for all our 
consumers

BRAND
Invest in brand awareness  
to grow brand equity and 
drive usage

DIGITAL
Drive Science in Sport online 
platform and leverage third-
party reach

NEW MARKETS
Invest in new sports, 
namely football, and new 
international markets

OUR RANGE OF PRODUCTS

Energy
Bars, shots, gels and 
powders to give  
athletes energy

Hydration 
Gels, tablets and  
powders to keep  
athletes energised  
and hydrated

Recovery
Powder range to aid 
athletes’ recovery  
post-exercise

Rebuild
Powders, gels and  
bars to build and  
maintain lean  
muscle mass

Athlete health
Vitamins and supplements 
range designed to support 
and maintain immune 
function, digestive  
health and bone health  
amongst athletes 

SIS GEL RANGE
The SiS energy gel is the  
world’s first isotonic energy gel, 
delivering energy fast, clinically 
proven to be absorbed more 
quickly in the gut, and with no 
need for added water. Using fully 
patented technology and 
manufactured in-house, the  
gels deliver high margins.

38%
The gel range makes 
up 38% of sales

Revenue by sales channel % 

2018

2017

  SiS.com 

 32%

  SiS.com 

 29%

  Third party online   22%

  Third party online   25%

  Retail 

 46%

  Retail 

 46%

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION10 STRATEGIC REPORT– At a glance

AT A GLANCE
CONTINUED

PhD is a premium performance nutrition 
brand with a wide range of protein products 
and formats. Delivering performance 
nutrition that inspires and enables you  
to achieve your goals.

WHERE WE  
OPERATE
We have offices in the UK 
and Dubai, plus a strong 
global distributor network.

WHAT WE DO

INNOVATE
Taste and format innovation 
to drive performance

BRAND
Invest in sub brands to grow 
brand equity and drive usage

DIGITAL
Launching upgraded PhD 
online platform and leverage 
third-party reach

NEW MARKETS
New international markets, 
Middle East and China

OUR RANGE OF PRODUCTS

Fat loss
High protein products like Diet Whey  
with additional ingredients such as CLA,  
green tea and L Carnitine

Muscle
Protein quality is vital to ensure  
muscle isn’t lost during exercise, PhD 
performance nutrition has a superior 
range with delicious flavours

Strength & performance
Ingredients such as creatine, BCAAs, 
glutamine, caffeine, electrolytes, protein 
variants and vitamins and minerals, 
amongst many others are targeted 
towards naturally and safely enhancing 
your performance

Energy
Explosive energy or endurance. You 
decide your goals and PhD have the 
products to make the difference

Recovery
Protein, branch chain amino acids and 
various other active performance 
ingredients play a vital role in optimising 
recovery after exercise and throughout 
the day so you can go harder, faster and 
better the next day

Natural
Plant proteins, superfoods, greens, 
wholefoods, naturally sourced 
polyphenols, nitrates and vitamins and 
minerals all play a huge part in optimising 
performance, which is why PhD have 
dedicated an entire range to them

Accessories
From hoodies to shakers, you’ll find 
everything you need to make your life  
that bit easier 

Food & drink
PhD have a market leading range of 
protein and performance bars, ready-to-
drink formulas and brand new single-
serve squeezy smoothies, all developed 
with the serious athlete in mind, but 
equally ideal for the beginner

PhD Smart Range
The PhD Smart Range is made up of great 
tasting high protein, low sugar foods, bars 
and snacks. This includes the Smart Bar,  
an on-the-go protein hit, the multi-use 
Smart Protein suitable for cooking with,  
a ready-to-drink Smart Protein shake,  
and an oven-baked high protein  
flapjack, Smartjack.

The Smart range makes up 32% of sales.

www.scienceinsport.comChairman’s statement

FOCUSED ON  
THE FUTURE

11

The underlying operating loss was 
£2.5 million (2017 – £1.7 million) which 
reflected continued investment in growth 
opportunities, namely in the USA, Italy 
and football.

Our cash position remains strong with a 
year-end balance of £8.0 million. £1.5 million 
of Science in Sport plc cash reserves were 
used to finance the acquisition of PhD in 
December, together with proceeds from  
a fundraise and the issue of shares, and 
consideration shares.

We are targeting further strong revenue 
growth in 2019 for both brands, PhD and 
Science in Sport. We will be focusing  
on realising the untapped e-commerce 
opportunity for PhD, including the launch  
of a new website in Q2. Both brands will 
continue to invest in innovation, product 
launches and international growth. The 
Science in Sport business will continue  
its expansion into football with a new, 
innovative product range specifically 
formulated for footballers launched in Q1. 
Additionally, we will deliver revenue and 
cost synergies through bringing together 
PhD and SiS.

Even though the UK is facing some 
economic uncertainty our confidence for  
the year ahead remains unchanged. The 
Board continues to be focused on building 
shareholder value through driving core 
profitability and developing our strategic 
growth markets to profitability. Our strategy 
remains unchanged, focusing on innovation, 
brand, online and new markets.

Our people
The continued strength of the Group is  
the hard work and dedication of all the 
people who work for PhD and Science  
in Sport. I would like to thank them all  
for their contribution, especially for the 
determination and commitment they have 
shown through this exciting phase in the  
Group’s development, and for delivering 
another sector leading performance.

The Group has continued to invest in its 
people, with a number of employees being 
supported through professional training 
relevant to their functional areas, as well  
as other relevant role-specific training.  
We have also attracted a great deal of  
new talent during the year as we continue  
to expand in markets around the world.

GOVERNANCE 
PRIORITIES FOR 2019

1.  STRENGTHEN THE BOARD

2.  CONTINUED TRAINING FOR 

BOARD MEMBERS

3.  STRATEGY DELIVERY

4.  COMPLIANCE AND RISK 

MANAGEMENT

5.  STAKEHOLDER 

ENGAGEMENT

Find out more on delivering  
our priorities on pages 24 to 31.

Development of the Board

It is the Board’s task to ensure the Group  
is managed for the long term benefit of all 
Shareholders, with effective and efficient 
decision-making. Corporate governance is 
an important part of that role, reducing risk 
and adding value to our business.

Culture
The culture of the Group is to be 
entrepreneurial and innovative, always 
committed and striving for excellence, as our 
customers do. Acting responsibly is critical 
to our business performance and the Group 
takes its obligations to act very seriously. 

Further detail is included in the Corporate 
Social Responsibility section of the Annual 
report but some examples of actions taken 
to support our values this year include; our 
market leading banned substance testing 
programme, the significant investment in 
innovation and support provided to our 
employees to help them excel in their 
chosen sports. 

JOHN CLARKE
Non-Executive Chairman

19 March 2019

JOHN CLARKE
Non-Executive Chairman

2018 will be seen as a 
landmark year for the 
Group. In December 
we acquired the PhD 
business to bring 
together two of the 
premium brands in  
the performance  
nutrition sector.” 

The Science in Sport business delivered 
another strong year of revenue growth, 
underpinned by investment in brand equity 
and a science-led innovation pipeline.  
We believe the expanded Group has  
the potential to be a global leader in 
performance nutrition.

Overview
We are delighted to announce a strong set 
of results for the year ended 31 December 
2018. Underlying revenue excluding the 
acquisition of PhD in December was  
£19.8 million, 27% ahead of the same period 
in 2017, with second half growth accelerating 
to 34%, following first half investment in 
growth initiatives.

The acquisition of PhD on 6 December  
2018 added a further £1.5 million of revenue 
to the Group results, with full year revenue 
totalling £21.3 million.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION12 STRATEGIC REPORT – Chief Executive’s statement

WORLD’S #1 PREMIUM PERFORMANCE 
NUTRITION BUSINESS

STEPHEN MOON
Chief Executive Officer

We were delighted 
to have acquired the 
PhD business and its 
excellent Management 
team. Integration is 
on track to maximise 
the potential of the 
combined Group.”

International distributors grew strongly  
by 44% to £3.2m. Within this our strategic 
heartland distributor Shimano performed 
well again across all our European 
geographies, growing 23% to £1.3m. 
International distributors made good 
progress in a wide range of global markets, 
with Russia and Turkey delivering strong 
growth. In the second half of the year we 
made progress in markets including 
Argentina, Brazil, China and Colombia  
and believe these will become important  
in 2019 and beyond.

The new vertical of football started well and 
delivered £0.7m of revenue. We made major 
inroads into elite football and more than 80 
UK clubs are supplied by us. Good progress 
was made with our e-commerce business 
and we launched a new sisfootball.com 
portal in early 2019. Our exclusive nutrition 
supplier relationship with Manchester United 
Football club underpins our marketing 
efforts and we expect it to be a key driver  
of awareness and revenue in the future. 

Strategic Markets
Our business in the USA grew from £0.4m  
to £1.4m of revenue in line with plan. The 
scienceinsport.com platform delivered 62% 
of the total and also become a major source 
of brand awareness and athlete education 
for the brand. We set up our Amazon Seller 
platform during the year and expect this to 
grow significantly in 2019. We continue to 
extend our retail presence in the heartland 
of running and cycle stores, as a key 
awareness and product trial tool.

The Italian business grew 61% to £1m with 
scienceinsport.com delivering 60% of these 
revenues. Late in the year we established 
our business with Amazon and this is 
expected to perform well in 2019. Retail  
is important in the Italian market and is 
underpinned by Shimano distributing to 
cycle stores, with Nutramis servicing its  
own health chain stores and seeking to 
extend into pharmacy in 2019. 

Our ambition is to build the world’s #1 
premium performance nutrition business.  
In the last five years the Science in Sport 
business has delivered sales Compound 
Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 25% and with 
our proven strategy and the PhD acquisition, 
the Board remains confident of continued 
strong growth in 2019 and beyond.

2018 was another period of very strong 
growth, the sixth consecutive year where 
SiS has significantly outperformed the 
sector. We saw strong performance in all 
online channels and international markets. 
Our strategy of consistent investment in 
brand equity, our best in class e-commerce 
platform and product innovation contributed 
to this success. Continuing improvements  
in factory and supply chain efficiencies 
underpinned a very robust gross margin. 
Our core business segment generated 
operating profits of £2.0m.

Core Market Growth
The Company’s revenue channels comprise 
our own e-commerce platform, third-party 
online retailers, independent sports 
retailers, major grocers, high street health 
chains, and international sales distributors.

Our e-commerce platform was a focus again 
during 2018 and delivered 40% revenue 
growth. The new Magento 2 platform 
enabled us to make substantial gains in 
traffic from mobile devices and this was 
reflected in very high conversion rates. 
Third-party online retailers, led by Wiggle, 
Chain Reaction and Amazon, also delivered 
ahead of market growth, as we continued  
to invest in this channel. Overall, 54% of 
revenue was derived from all online 
channels, and we expect this online share  
of revenue to continue to grow in 2019.

We have continued to work closely with the 
leading five major grocers during what has 
been a challenging year for this channel  
but nevertheless we delivered like-for-like 
growth of 1%. High street revenue grew  
34% in 2018 with this growth being driven  
by additional distribution in Superdrug  
and Holland & Barrett. Our heartland of 
independent cycle and running shops 
remained flat in a challenging market. We 
remain committed to our distribution in this 
important and opinion leading channel. 

www.scienceinsport.com13

We streamlined our Australian business 
during the year and brought more focus  
to our scienceinsport.com platform. This 
channel exited the year well and has started 
2019 strongly. We were a first mover into 
Amazon’s new Australian business, listing  
on the platform in Q4. The business grew 
11% to £0.8m. With a streamlined approach 
in place and the online channels performing 
well, we expect good growth in 2019.

International markets, both distributors and 
strategic markets, comprised 34% of total 
revenues and delivered 55% growth.

Acquisition of PhD
The acquisition of PhD in December 2018 
was a transformational transaction for our 
business. It has delivered on our strategic 
intent to grow through acquisition to 
complement our portfolio.

PhD is a premium performance nutrition 
brand which operates in the complementary 
protein category. It has well established 
retail sales channels in the UK alongside  
a growing third party online channel. PhD 
also has an established and growing 
international presence in over 45 countries 
accessed through selected distributors. 

Strategically, PhD provides SiS with a 
premium protein-based product range  
and the opportunity for sales channel 
optimisation across the enlarged Group 
particularly online and internationally.  
Cost synergies will be delivered through 
in-sourcing production of PhD protein 
powders. During the period between the 
acquisition of PhD on 6 December 2018 and 
31 December 2018, the acquired business 
contributed a profit before tax of £0.1 million.

Significant progress is being made on the 
integration of PhD, to deliver strong growth 
in PhD revenue and improved gross margin.

The enhanced PhD website is on schedule 
to launch at the beginning of Q2, with plans 
in place to expand our picking and packing 
facility in Nelson to bring the PhD operation 
in-house. This will deliver customer service 
benefits as well as some cost benefits.

Strategic intent
Our intent is for the combined PhD and SiS 
Group to become the world’s #1 premium 
performance nutrition business. 

This is underpinned by the following key 
principles and strategic actions:
 ΅ Continuing to drive growth for both 

brands through a science and innovation-
led pipeline, including current and  
new technologies and formats;

 ΅ Developing the manufacturing facility 
and International logistics footprint to 
underpin market leading gross margins;

 ΅ Continued investment in building the 

equity in both the PhD and SiS brands to 
drive sales through increased awareness 
and usage; and

 ΅ Growing our sales presence in markets 
globally, through both online and retail 
channels.

Specific initiatives to leverage the combined 
strength of the Group include:
 ΅ Collaborating in existing international 

markets;

 ΅ Building an e-commerce capability  

for PhD;

 ΅ Improving PhD’s gross margin by 
bringing its powder manufacture  
into the Nelson facility;

 ΅ Combining third-party logistics 

operations to enhance customer  
service and optimise costs; and
 ΅ Bringing PhD e-commerce picking  
& packing into a new Nelson facility.

We see several structural growth 
opportunities including developing a 
combined business in both the USA and 
Asia, as well as new verticals, the first of 
these being the SiS football business.

The Board believes there continues to  
be a significant growth opportunity and  
if appropriate, we will acquire relevant, 
complementary businesses to grow and 
extend our existing product range and 
deliver synergies from our distribution, 
e-commerce and supply chain capabilities.

Outlook
We are seeking further strong revenue 
growth in 2019 and the year has started well 
for us. Our intention is for the Group to move 
to a breakeven situation at EBITDA1 level  
this year. 

There are a number of growth opportunities 
presenting themselves to us and we will 
assess these and act accordingly. Key 
themes are online and international growth. 

Integration of the PhD and SiS businesses  
is on track and we expect to deliver  
revenue growth and cost savings in line  
with expectations.

We look forward to 2019 with optimism as 
we continue to deliver strong growth on the 
path to becoming the world’s #1 premium 
performance nutrition business. 

STEPHEN MOON
Chief Executive Officer

19 March 2019

1.  Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation  

and amortisation.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION14 STRATEGIC REPORT – Business model

CREATING LONG  
TERM VALUE

Our vision is to be the world’s #1 premium performance nutrition 
business, driving above market norm top line improvements 
whilst growing our core profitability. With the acquisition of 
PhD the enlarged Group is expected to generate an underlying 
operating profit1 in 2019 (2018: Loss £2.5 million).

WHAT WE DO

KEY VALUE DRIVERS

SiS is a trusted brand which is used widely by enthusiasts and elite 
athletes in a growing range of endurance sports. These customers 
include cyclists, footballers, triathletes, rowers, tennis players  
and runners. 

With the acquisition of PhD in December the Company has added a 
leading premium performance nutrition brand to its portfolio. PhD is 
used by serious strength athletes and gym lifestyle consumers.

SCIENCE & INNOVATION 
working closely with elite  
athletes and research partners  
to develop products with  
superior science credentials,  
performance characteristics  
and quality

SALES
making products 
available both in a wide 
range of international 
markets, online and 
through multiple  
retail channels

PRODUCTION
efficiency of production 
in terms of both low 
cost and high customer 
service levels

MARKETING
building valuable 
brand equity through 
advertising, sponsorship 
and social media

QUALITY
high quality raw materials, 
accredited manufacturing 
facility and world leading 
banned substance  
testing regime

1.  Excludes depreciation, amortisation, non-cash share based payments  

and costs relating to the acquisition of PhD Nutrition.

A trusted business with world-class ambassadors
Consistently used by elite athletes across all sports. Most advanced 
banned substance testing regime. World-class ambassadors such  
as Sir Chris Hoy, Mark Cavendish MBE and Adam Peaty MBE.

Committed people
Our people have a strong commitment to our values and a passion 
for our brands. We can attract people from world-class brands such 
as Pepsico, Nestle, GSK, P&G.

Science, innovation and technology
We work with elite athletes, our partners and academic institutions 
to develop cutting-edge performance nutrition and novel formats. 

Leadership on banned substances
World leading banned substance testing regime in place on all SiS 
raw materials and finished products.

Brand investment
Our high gross margins enable us to invest in brand awareness 
which in turn drives consideration and usage. 

Independent e-commerce platform
We continually invest in our e-commerce platform to improve the 
customer experience and develop functionality. It provides a 
customer forum for world-class knowledge to improve performance. 

Strong online and retailer relationships
We are a truly omni-channel business, and work closely with the 
leading grocers and high street retailers as well as independent 
cycle and running shops. Wiggle and Amazon remain key  
online partners.

Stakeholder relationships
The Company has good relationships with major shareholders and 
their backing of equity funding for international expansion and for 
the acquisition of PhD Nutrition underlines their support for the 
Group strategy.

www.scienceinsport.com15

THE VALUE WE CREATE FOR  
OUR STAKEHOLDERS

Customers
Our products are designed to enable athletes at any level to 
maximise their performance, from Chris Froome using Beta Fuel in 
the Giro D’Italia to a gym lifestyle athlete completing their morning 
Crossfit workout. 

People
We employed 142 staff as at 31 December 2018, 69 of whom are 
based in our factory at Nelson, Lancashire. As we expand we are 
employing more staff and have also been able to promote internally 
to a number of roles both in the UK and worldwide, thereby offering 
employees the opportunity to grow with the Group.

Investors
We have grown a profitable core segment delivering £2.0 million of 
underlying operating profit and are investing in our strategic growth 
markets to deliver profits in the medium term. With the acquisition 
of the profitable PhD Nutrition business, the Group is forecast to be 
positive at underlying operating profit for 2019.

Strategic partners and suppliers
We have been building strategic partnerships with our partners and 
suppliers to work together, ensuring that our strategic objectives 
and financial targets can be met.

Communities
We support staff and investor fundraising activities by providing 
free products. 

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION16 STRATEGIC REPORT – Risk management

RISK MANAGEMENT IS AN INTEGRAL 
PART OF GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICE

In the course of its normal business the 
Company is exposed to a range of risks  
and uncertainties which could impact  
on the results of the Company.

The Board considers that risk management is an integral part  
of good business process and, on a quarterly basis, reviews the 
industry, operational and financial risks facing the Company and 
considers the adequacy of the controls and mitigations to manage 
these risks.

RISK

RISK RATING

POTENTIAL IMPACT

MITIGATION CONTROLS

1.  FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY

Accidental or malicious ingredient contamination, or  
supply chain contamination caused by human error  
or equipment fault or due to manufacturing or design  
faults could compromise the safety and quality of SiS  
and PhD products.

PRINCIPAL RISK HEAT MAP
The Directors have identified the following principal risks and 
uncertainties that could have the most significant impact on 
the Company’s long term value generation.

2.  COMMODITY PRICING RISK

Movement in the commodity prices of raw materials and,  
in the case of imported raw materials and other goods,  
the value of Sterling against other currencies may have  
a corresponding impact on finished product cost.

h
g
H

i

1

6

7

2

3

3.  BREXIT IMPACT

Risk to the import of raw materials and the export of finished 
goods following UK exit from EU on 29 March 2019.

t
c
a
p
m

I

4

5

w
o
L

Low

Likelihood

High

1.  Food quality & safety
2.  Commodity pricing risk
3.  Brexit impact 
4.  Customers & consumers

5.  Trademarks and IP
6.  PhD integration
7.  Factory disruption

4.  CUSTOMERS AND CONSUMERS

The Company operates in a competitive market sector 
and its ability to compete effectively requires an ongoing 
commitment to marketing, product development, innovation, 
product quality and ability to offer value for money as well  
as first-class customer service. 

5.  TRADEMARKS AND IP

The Company’s success will depend in part on its ability 
to obtain and protect its trademarks both in the UK and 
internationally.

6.  PHD INTEGRATION

Significant business-wide change being implemented 
following the acquisition of PhD.

7.  FACTORY DISRUPTION

The landlord is carrying out remedial underpinning to  
rectify subsidence, which will cause a two-week break  
in gel production and require sectioning of the facility  
whilst work is completed.

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

NEW

2018

2017

The consequences could be severe and may 

include adverse effects on consumer health,  

loss of market share, financial costs and loss of 

revenue to SiS. A product recall may be required 

as a result, a subsequent product re-launch may 

not successfully return the relevant brand to its 

previous market position. 

The Group maintains product liability insurance cover  

to mitigate the potential impact of such an event.

The Group’s stringent approach to food quality and 

safety is controlled via quality assurance procedures 

which are based on a risk management approach. 

Internal systems are reviewed continuously and potential 

for improvement is monitored. The manufacturing facility 

at Nelson is subject to regular food safety and quality 

control audits. At the beginning of 2018 we enhanced 

our banned substance testing regime to ensure we 

remain best in class.

Failure to manage the Company’s exposure  

The risk is mitigated by securing supplies in advance 

to price increase may adversely affect the 

Company’s financial performance, through 

increasing costs of sales which cannot be 

mitigated through price increases.

based on estimated volumes, thus ensuring greater 

price certainty. Significant volumes are purchased  

from Europe priced in GBP, and for Euro contracts  

the business makes significant sales in Euros. Risk has 

increased due to unknown impact of Brexit (see risk 3).

Delays at port may reduce availability of raw 

materials and disrupt production, and delay 

deliveries to the end consumer therefore 

We have increased raw material stocks on lines sourced 

from the EU. Early shipment of goods to key European 

distributors has taken place. We are in constant dialogue 

impacting sales and customer service. Tariffs  

with suppliers and customers to assess and mitigate 

may need to be absorbed therefore impacting 

risk. Systems changes to supply export documentation 

profitability.

required to third-party carriers is in hand and we are 

constantly monitoring the situation.

Although no single retailer accounts for more  

Significant resources are devoted to forging strong 

than 14% of SiS sales, the dominance of the large 

relationships with customers. The continued move 

to Online also diversifies the sales channels.

retail multiples and third-party e-commerce 

retailers could force an erosion of prices and, 

subsequently, profit margins. 

The Company cannot give definitive assurance 

To mitigate this, the Group enters into non-disclosure 

that pending or future trademark applications will 

agreements with employees, consultants and 

be granted or that trademarks granted will not be 

prospective commercial partners but cannot assure  

challenged or held unenforceable.

that such agreements will provide complete safeguards 

against unauthorised disclosure of confidential 

information.

Additional revenue and cost savings expected 

Implementation programme in place with individual 

following the acquisition and will be impacted if 

project plans agreed. Senior steering group monitor 

there are delays in the integration programme,  

progress weekly and a full-time programme director  

for example delay in PhD.com website launch  

is in place. 

and late installation of powder line in Nelson.

Whilst the timelines are fully planned, there is  

Contractual obligations on the landlord to complete  

risk of overrun with building works and further 

the works to plan, with liquidated damages for delays. 

disruption to production, which could result in 

Full time SiS project manager working with landlord  

supply chain delays and subsequent missed sales.

to manage risks through the programme of works. 

www.scienceinsport.com17

RISK

RISK RATING

POTENTIAL IMPACT

MITIGATION CONTROLS

Risk rating key

  Low
  Medium
  High

1.  FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY

Accidental or malicious ingredient contamination, or  

supply chain contamination caused by human error  

or equipment fault or due to manufacturing or design  

faults could compromise the safety and quality of SiS  

and PhD products.

2.  COMMODITY PRICING RISK

Movement in the commodity prices of raw materials and,  

in the case of imported raw materials and other goods,  

the value of Sterling against other currencies may have  

a corresponding impact on finished product cost.

3.  BREXIT IMPACT

Risk to the import of raw materials and the export of finished 

goods following UK exit from EU on 29 March 2019.

4.  CUSTOMERS AND CONSUMERS

The Company operates in a competitive market sector 

and its ability to compete effectively requires an ongoing 

commitment to marketing, product development, innovation, 

product quality and ability to offer value for money as well  

as first-class customer service. 

5.  TRADEMARKS AND IP

The Company’s success will depend in part on its ability 

to obtain and protect its trademarks both in the UK and 

internationally.

6.  PHD INTEGRATION

Significant business-wide change being implemented 

following the acquisition of PhD.

7.  FACTORY DISRUPTION

The landlord is carrying out remedial underpinning to  

rectify subsidence, which will cause a two-week break  

in gel production and require sectioning of the facility  

whilst work is completed.

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

NEW

2018

2017

The consequences could be severe and may 
include adverse effects on consumer health,  
loss of market share, financial costs and loss of 
revenue to SiS. A product recall may be required 
as a result, a subsequent product re-launch may 
not successfully return the relevant brand to its 
previous market position. 

Failure to manage the Company’s exposure  
to price increase may adversely affect the 
Company’s financial performance, through 
increasing costs of sales which cannot be 
mitigated through price increases.

Delays at port may reduce availability of raw 
materials and disrupt production, and delay 
deliveries to the end consumer therefore 
impacting sales and customer service. Tariffs  
may need to be absorbed therefore impacting 
profitability.

Although no single retailer accounts for more  
than 14% of SiS sales, the dominance of the large 
retail multiples and third-party e-commerce 
retailers could force an erosion of prices and, 
subsequently, profit margins. 

The Group maintains product liability insurance cover  
to mitigate the potential impact of such an event.

The Group’s stringent approach to food quality and 
safety is controlled via quality assurance procedures 
which are based on a risk management approach. 
Internal systems are reviewed continuously and potential 
for improvement is monitored. The manufacturing facility 
at Nelson is subject to regular food safety and quality 
control audits. At the beginning of 2018 we enhanced 
our banned substance testing regime to ensure we 
remain best in class.

The risk is mitigated by securing supplies in advance 
based on estimated volumes, thus ensuring greater 
price certainty. Significant volumes are purchased  
from Europe priced in GBP, and for Euro contracts  
the business makes significant sales in Euros. Risk has 
increased due to unknown impact of Brexit (see risk 3).

We have increased raw material stocks on lines sourced 
from the EU. Early shipment of goods to key European 
distributors has taken place. We are in constant dialogue 
with suppliers and customers to assess and mitigate 
risk. Systems changes to supply export documentation 
required to third-party carriers is in hand and we are 
constantly monitoring the situation.

Significant resources are devoted to forging strong 
relationships with customers. The continued move 
to Online also diversifies the sales channels.

The Company cannot give definitive assurance 
that pending or future trademark applications will 
be granted or that trademarks granted will not be 
challenged or held unenforceable.

To mitigate this, the Group enters into non-disclosure 
agreements with employees, consultants and 
prospective commercial partners but cannot assure  
that such agreements will provide complete safeguards 
against unauthorised disclosure of confidential 
information.

Additional revenue and cost savings expected 
following the acquisition and will be impacted if 
there are delays in the integration programme,  
for example delay in PhD.com website launch  
and late installation of powder line in Nelson.

Implementation programme in place with individual 
project plans agreed. Senior steering group monitor 
progress weekly and a full-time programme director  
is in place. 

Whilst the timelines are fully planned, there is  
risk of overrun with building works and further 
disruption to production, which could result in 
supply chain delays and subsequent missed sales.

Contractual obligations on the landlord to complete  
the works to plan, with liquidated damages for delays. 
Full time SiS project manager working with landlord  
to manage risks through the programme of works. 

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION18 STRATEGIC REPORT – Financial review

DELIVERING STRONG  
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Revenue
The Company has continued to grow strongly 
during the year ended 31 December 2018, 
with revenue increasing 37% to £21.3 million 
(2017 – £15.6 million). This includes £1.5 
million of revenue from PhD following its 
acquisition on 6 December. Revenue growth 
has been achieved through a particularly 
strong performance across the e-commerce, 
third-party online retailers and international 
channels and reflects the continued 
investment in the business across all 
channels. The investment in, and focus on, 
online sales has resulted in 57% of revenue 
being derived from e-commerce sales 
across our own platform and third party 
platforms.

Our International growth strategy has 
delivered significant growth with 34% of 
revenue now coming from International 
customers (2017 – 28%).

During 2018, the Company also continued  
to invest in product innovation and launched 
a number of new products. 

Gross margin
The Company generated a gross profit of 
£12.0 million (2017 – £9.3 million) achieving a 
gross margin of 56.1% (2017 – 59.7%). Gross 
margin of 28% from the newly acquired PhD 
business reduced overall Group margin.  
We see this as a key opportunity for the 
combined business through initiatives such 
as insourcing PhD protein manufacture and 
scale benefits in areas including purchasing 
and logistics. The gross margin for the SiS 
brand was 58.2% (2017 – 59.7%). This has 
reduced slightly due to the impact of more 
product being sold through overseas 
subsidiaries which increased the shipping 
and duty costs. However, an increase in  
the cost of raw materials was offset by the 
factory delivering further efficiencies.

Underlying operating loss
The underlying operating loss of £2.5  
million (2017 – £1.7 million) reflects the 
ongoing investment in science and 
innovation, building brand equity, 
developing our e-commerce capability and 
international expansion. The operating loss 
is in line with management expectations.

The Group’s cost base and its resources 
have been, and will continue to be, tightly 
managed within budgets approved and 
monitored by the Board. If a growth 
opportunity is identified then ex-plan 
investment will be approved.

The Group has chosen to report underlying 
operating loss as the Board believe that  
the operating loss before depreciation, 
amortisation, non-cash share based 
payments and PhD acquisition related 
expenses provides additional useful 
information for Shareholders on underlying 
trends and performance. This measure is 
used for internal performance analysis.  
A reconciliation of underlying operating  
loss to loss from operations is presented  
on the face of the consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income. 

At the reporting date the Company held 
inventory of £7.1 million (31 December 2017 
– £2.7 million), comprising £4.7 million of SiS 
stock (2017 – £2.7 million) and £2.4 million of 
PhD stock post acquisition. Inventory levels 
increased due to overseas expansion, new 
product launches and planning for Brexit. 
Trade and other receivables were £8.9 million 
(31 December 2017 – £2.9 million) and 
equates to 57 debtor days (2017 – 45 days). 

ELIZABETH LAKE
Chief Financial Officer

It has been another 
exciting year at SiS, 
delivering market 
leading growth 
in the endurance 
sports nutrition 
sector, and now the 
transformational 
acquisition of PhD, has 
created an enlarged 
Group with significant 
opportunities to deliver 
Shareholder value.”

www.scienceinsport.com19

The increase in receivables arises from the 
acquisition of PhD (£4.5m) and the revenue 
growth in SiS. The cash balance as at 31 
December 2018 was £8.0 million (31 
December 2017 – £16.6 million). During the 
year cash use primarily relates to investment 
in brand, new markets and infrastructure 
efficiencies together with working capital 
requirements and the acquisition of PhD. 

Share based payments
The Company operates both a Short Term 
Incentive Programme (“STIP”) and a Long 
Term Incentive Programme (“LTIP”). Together, 
the Share Option Plan (“SOP”) was approved 
by the Remuneration Committee in June 
2014 in line with the proposal contained in 
the Company’s AIM Admission document in 
August 2013. A new LTIP was approved by 
the Remuneration Committee in September 
2016, following the completion of the 
previous three-year LTIP at the end of 2015.

Accordingly, the Company has recognised  
a share based payment charge totalling 
£1.9 million in the year ended 31 December 
2018 (2017 – £1.6 million).

The Company intends to put in place a  
new incentive scheme following the equity 
raise in December 2018 and will update 
Shareholders on this matter in due course.

Taxation
The current tax charge is £Nil (2017 –  
£Nil) due to the loss made in the year. The 
deferred tax credit of £0.1 million (2017 – £0.2 
million) is primarily due to the recognition  
of a deferred tax asset in respect of taxable 
losses created in the year. The Group has 
estimated tax losses of £10.1m. With the 
acquisition of PhD which generates taxable 
profits, the Group expects to be able to 
utilise its tax losses over the next 3 – 5 years. 

Losses and dividends 
The loss attributable to equity holders of the 
parent for the year ended 31 December 2018 
was £5.9 million (2017 – £3.6 million) and the 
basic and diluted loss per share was 8.2p 
(2017 – 7.7p). The payment of a dividend 
cannot be recommended due to negative 
retained earnings (2017 – £nil).

Capital structure and funding
On 6 December 2018 the Group acquired 
the entire share capital of PhD for 
£32 million. The acquisition was funded 
through the issue and allotment of 
46,533,333 ordinary shares at a placing 
price of 60p per share with the balance of 
consideration coming from existing cash 
reserves. The placing was undertaken with 
new and existing institutional Shareholders  
and shares forming part of consideration.  
A further 7,694,667 Ordinary shares were 
issued pursuant to this transaction.

The latest placing resulted in significant 
institutional investors consolidating their 
position on the Shareholder register of the 
Company. The Directors believe establishing 
a broader institutional shareholder base is in 
the long term interests of the Company. 

Going concern
The Group made a loss after tax for the  
year attributable to owners of the parent  
of £6.0 million (2017 – £3.6 million) and 
expects to make a further loss in the year 
ending 31 December 2019.

The net decrease in cash and cash 
equivalents in the year ended 31 December 
2018 was £8.6 million (2017 – £10.4 million 
increase). At 31 December 2018 the Group 
had cash balances of £8.0 million (2017 – 
£16.6 million). 

The Directors have prepared projected  
cash flow information for a period ending  
31 December 2020. 

Accordingly, the Directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Company will have 
sufficient cash to meet all liabilities as they 
fall due for a period of at least 12 months 
from the date of approval of these financial 
statements. For these reasons, they 
continue to adopt the going concern  
basis of accounting in preparing the  
annual financial statements. 

ELIZABETH LAKE
Chief Financial Officer

19 March 2019

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION20 STRATEGIC REPORT – Corporate social responsibility

ACTING RESPONSIBLY IS CRITICAL  
TO OUR BUSINESS PERFORMANCE

The Company takes 
its obligations to act 
responsibly very seriously. 

Employees
Our employees are key Stakeholders and 
assets within the business and the Board 
closely monitors and reviews the results  
of employee engagement surveys as well  
as other feedback it receives to ensure 
alignment of interests.

The Executive Directors keep staff informed 
of the progress and development of the 
Company on a regular basis through the 
formal and informal meetings.

Over the past year we have implemented  
a number of activities designed to enhance 
employee engagement and wellbeing, 
these include an informal monthly forum 
across all UK locations, group bike rides  
and events for staff participation in sport.

We are Investor in People accredited and 
have a number of employees completing 
further education in their areas of expertise, 
i.e. MBA, finance and supply chain 
qualifications.

The Company does not discriminate between 
employees and prospective employees on 
grounds of age, race, religion or gender. 
Every effort is made to provide the same 
opportunities to disabled persons as  
to others.

The Board recognises its obligation towards 
employees to provide a safe and healthy 
working environment. The Company 
complies with health & safety legislation 
conducting regular inspections and risk 
assessments.

Suppliers
Our suppliers are key business partners and 
we maintain an open dialogue with all of our 
key suppliers. We aim to pay our suppliers 
on time according to our agreed  
credit terms.

During the year we have organised regular 
factory visits to foster understanding and 
collaboration. We operate with mutual 
confidentiality agreements in place and 
conduct open and two-way conversations 
with our biggest suppliers about our 
business and strategy.

The relationships we have with our European 
suppliers have played a key part in our  
Brexit planning.

Customers
As with any business, our customers are  
our key Stakeholders, and we work hard to 
improve our offering and customer service.

This year we have improved our customer 
helplines with increased multi-lingual 
resource. Our investment in our website  
has enhanced the customer experience  
and made it easier for customers to  
leave feedback. 

Customer feedback will play a key part  
in our Long Term Incentive Plan from  
2019 onwards.

We have also broadened our contact  
with key trade and retail partners and have 
organised regular factory visits for them,  
as well as visiting our International 
distribution partners around the world.

GENDER DIVERSITY

Directors

Senior managers

All employees

4 Male

  1 Female

13 Male

  6 Female

86 Male

  56 Female

www.scienceinsport.com   
   
   
21

ON PREVENTING BANNED SUBSTANCES

The Science in Sport brand  
is trusted by professional and 
Olympic athletes in a range  
of sports across the world.

A key component of this trust is our 
approach to preventing banned 
substances entering its supply chain 
and finished products. In line with 
this, Science in Sport is the only 
brand globally to hold both Informed 

Sport Site Certification and Informed 
Product Certification. Each year 
an internal review of the banned 
substance prevention regime takes 
place, and from January 2018 an 
upgraded system was implemented  
to continually improve and evolve  
the controls and systems within  
the Company. 

THE COMPANY REGIME IS BUILT ON THE FOLLOWING PILLARS:

1.

2.

3.

Every single batch of Science in 
Sport finished product which leaves 
the Company’s factory is screened 
against the 2018 World Anti-Doping 
Agency (“WADA”) list. Banned 
substances including steroids are 
tested to the level of 10 Nanograms 
per gram, and stimulants to 100 
Nanograms per gram. 

Batches (sampled at the 
beginning, during and end of 
each product batch) receive the 
recognised and respected  
Informed Sport certificate. Finished  
product testing is the final and  
most effective step that we have  
to ensure product assurance.

Raw material batch testing, in 
addition to testing on finished 
goods, for any product deemed 
“high-risk”. 

4.

5.

6.

Full trace management of all raw 
materials from raw material base 
and manufacturing supplier, through 
to finished goods manufactured 
per production batch. This allows 
the Company to demonstrate to 
athletes the source of ingredients 
and all parties involved in the 
manufacturing process.

Rigorous screening of all 
ingredient suppliers, including 
annual auditing. All suppliers 
are required to be certified to a 
recognised Quality Management 
system that is approved by The 
Global Food Safety Initiative. 

In-house product screening 
within the Company’s production 
facility in Nelson, Lancashire, 
including swab testing for banned 
substances, and surprise third-party 
inspections throughout the year.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION22 GOVERNANCE – Directors’ report

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The Directors present 
their report together with 
the consolidated financial 
statements for the year 
ended 31 December 2018.

Certain information that fulfils the 
requirements of the Directors’ report can  
be found elsewhere in this document and  
is referred to below. This information is 
incorporated into this Directors’ report  
by reference.

As at the date of signing this report,  
Science in Sport plc has five wholly 
owned subsidiaries, SiS (Science in Sport) 
Limited, PhD Nutrition Ltd, SiS APAC Pty 
Limited, Science in Sport Inc, and Science 
in Sport (Italy) Srl Limited, which are 
registered in England and Wales, 
Australia, the United States of America 
and Italy respectively. 

Future developments
The Strategic report and the Chairman 
and Chief Executive reports cover the 
Group’s performance during the year 
ended 31 December 2018, its position  
at that date and its likely future 
development.

Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has overall 
responsibility for the Company.

The Directors of the Company during the 
year and up to the date that the financial 
statements were approved are 
shown below.

Executive Directors

S N Moon 

E J Lake

Non-Executive Directors

J M Clarke 

T Wright

R Duignan

Details of Directors are included on  
pages 26 to 27.

A qualifying third-party indemnity provision 
as defined in Section 234 of the Companies 
Act 2006 is in force for the benefit of each of 
the Directors in respect of liabilities incurred 
as a result of their office, to the extent 
permitted by law. In respect of those 
liabilities for which Directors may not be 
indemnified, the Company maintained a 
Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance 
policy throughout the financial year.

Details of each Directors’ interests in the 
Company’s Ordinary shares and options 
over Ordinary shares are set out in the 
Remuneration report on pages 29 to 31.

Dividends
No dividends were paid and none proposed 
(31 December 2017 – £nil).

Financial instruments
The Group’s significant financial instruments 
are disclosed in note 2 and include trade 
receivables, trade payables and cash arising 
from operations.

Going concern
The Directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group will continue in 
operational existence for the foreseeable 
future. For this reason, they continue to 
adopt the going concern basis in preparing 
the Group’s financial statements. Further 
detail with regards to the consideration of 
going concern can be found in the Strategic 
report on page 19.

Employee Benefit Trust Shares
The Company issued 342,129 £0.10 Ordinary 
shares to the Employee Benefit Trust to 
satisfy the provision of the share scheme 
(see note 20).

Share Capital Structure
Details of changes in the Company’s share 
capital are disclosed in note 19 of the 
financial statements.

Substantial shareholdings
As at 31 December 2018, the following Shareholders own more than 3% of issued share 
capital of the Company:

Tellworth Investments

Legal & General Investment Mgt

JO Hambro Capital Mgt

Downing

FIL Investment International

Otus Capital Mgt

Miton Asset Mgt

PHD Acquisition Bidco Ltd

Canaccord Genuity Wealth Mgt

Baillie Gifford & Co

Regal Trustees Limited EBT

% at 31
 December
2018

11.60

11.08

8.95

7.11

6.34

5.96

5.39

4.78

3.66

3.11

3.05

Number of
 shares

14,147,651

13,515,147

10,917,864

8,666,290

7,738,167

7,264,942

6,569,718

5,833,334

4,467,838

3,788,336

3,726,036

www.scienceinsport.com23

Website publication
The Directors are responsible for ensuring 
the Annual report and the financial 
statements are made available on a  
website. Financial statements are  
published on the Company’s website,  
www.scienceinsport.com, in accordance  
with legislation in the United Kingdom 
governing the preparation and dissemination 
of financial statements, which may vary  
from legislation in other jurisdictions. The 
maintenance and integrity of the Company’s 
website is the responsibility of the Directors. 
The Directors’ responsibility also extends to 
the ongoing integrity of the financial 
statements contained therein.

By order of the Board

STEPHEN MOON
Director

19 March 2019

In preparing these financial statements,  
the Directors are required to:
 ΅ select suitable accounting policies  
and then apply them consistently;
 ΅ make judgements and accounting 
estimates that are reasonable  
and prudent;

 ΅ state whether the Group financial 
statements have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by  
the European Union, subject to any 
material departures disclosed and 
explained in the financial statements;
 ΅ state whether the Company financial 
statements have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by 
the European Union and as applied 
in accordance with the provisions of 
the Companies Act 2006, subject to 
any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the financial statements; and

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

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

Auditors
On 1 February 2019 Moore Stephens LLP 
merged its business with BDO LLP. As a 
result Moore Stephens LLP resigned as 
auditor and the directors have appointed 
BDO LLP as auditor in their place. BDO LLP 
has indicated its willingness to continue in 
office and a resolution will be proposed at 
the annual general meeting to reappoint 
BDO LLP as auditor for the next 
financial year.

Each Director has taken all reasonable  
steps to make himself/herself aware of any 
information needed by the Company’s 
Auditors for the purpose of their audit and to 
establish that the Auditors are aware of that 
information. The Directors are not aware of 
any relevant audit information of which the 
Auditors are unaware.

Directors’ responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for preparing 
the Annual Report and the Consolidated  
and Parent Company financial statements  
in accordance with applicable law and 
regulations. Company law requires the 
Directors to prepare financial statements for 
each financial year. Under Company 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. 
They have also elected to prepare  
the Company financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted  
by the European Union. 

Under company law the Directors must not 
approve the financial statements unless they 
are satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Group and 
Company and of the profit or loss of the 
Group for that period. The Directors are also 
required to prepare financial statements in 
accordance with the rules of the London 
Stock Exchange for companies trading 
securities on the Alternative 
Investment Market.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION24 GOVERNANCE – Corporate governance report

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Board of Directors
The Board is led by the Non- Executive 
Chairman, John Clarke, who is responsible 
for the Group’s corporate governance 
arrangements and who ensures that all 
members of the Board are able to contribute 
to Board discussions and decision- making. 
In addition to the Non-Executive Chairman 
the Board comprises, two additional 
Non-Executive Directors, all of who are 
independent, and two Executive Directors. 
The Board continues to be satisfied that it 
has an appropriate mix of independence 
and experience in its Non-Executive 
Directors.

The Non-Executive Chairman, John Clarke 
owns shares in the Company and is a 
participant in the Group’s Long Term 
Incentive Plan as detailed in the 
Remuneration Report. The Board are 
satisfied that he remains impartial. 

The effectiveness of the Board is kept  
under review by the Chairman who has 
been assessing the individual contributions 
of each of the members of the team to 
ensure that; their contribution is relevant  
and effective, they are committed and  
where relevant, they have maintained  
their independence. 

The Board is satisfied that, between the 
Directors, it has an effective and appropriate 
balance of skills and experience, including  
in the areas of FMCG, finance, corporate 
finance, international trading, and marketing. 
In addition to their general Board 
responsibilities, Non- Executive Directors 
are encouraged to be involved in specific 
workshops, meetings or seminars in line 
with their individual areas of expertise. 

The Board seeks guidance from external 
advisors when appropriate such as financial 
and legal due diligence on potential 
acquisitions. Advice was taken during the 
year on the acquisition of PhD Nutrition. In 
addition the Board consults regularly with its 
Nominated Advisors and retained advisers 
for MAR and company secretarial support.

Board responsibility
The Board is responsible for maintaining  
a sound system of internal control to 
safeguard Shareholders’ investment and the 
Company’s assets, as well as reviewing its 
effectiveness. The system of internal control 
is designed to manage rather than eliminate 
the risk of failure to achieve business 
objectives and can only provide reasonable 
and not absolute assurance against material 
loss and misstatement.

Over the next twelve months the Board 
performance will be reviewed as a unit to 
ensure that the members of the board are 
collectively functioning in an efficient and 
productive manner.

The Board has adopted the Quoted 
Companies Alliance (“QCA”) Corporate 
Governance Code in line with the London 
Stock Exchange’s recent changes to the AIM 
Rules requiring all AIM-listed companies to 

adopt and comply with a recognised 
corporate governance code. A copy of our 
report setting out in broad terms how we 
comply at this point in time can be found on 
the Company’s website investor pages 
www.scienceinsport.com/help/investors/
corporate-governance. 

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee consists of the 
Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors. 
It is chaired by Raymond Duignan and it 
meets at least twice each year.

The Audit Committee is responsible for 
ensuring that the financial performance of 
the Company is properly reported on and 
monitored and for meeting with the auditors 
and reviewing the reports from the auditors 
relating to accounts and internal control 
systems. The audit committee meets at  
least once a year with the auditors.

The Audit Committee report is on page 31.

Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee consists of the 
Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors. 
It is chaired by John Clarke and meets  
as required.

The Nominations Committee is responsible 
for reviewing the structure, size and 
composition of the Board, making 
recommendations to the Board with  
regard to any changes and identifying  
and nominating candidates to fill Board 
vacancies.

KEY BOARD ACTIVITIES 
THIS YEAR INCLUDED:
 ΅ Input into the accelerating  

growth plan;

 ΅ Reviewing and approving the 

business case for the acquisition  
of PhD Nutrition;

 ΅ Continued and open dialogue  
with the investment community;

 ΅ Considering financial and  
non-financial policies;

 ΅ Discussing strategic priorities;
 ΅ Discussing internal governance 

processes;

 ΅ Reviewing the Business  

Risk Register.

BOARD GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

The Board
The Board meets quarterly and at other times when required 
and comprises the Chairperson, 2 non-execs, and 2 execs

Nomination 
Committee
This committee meets  
as and when required  
and comprises the 
Chairperson and  
2 Non-Executive 
Directors

Audit Committee
This committee meets 
bi-annually and at other 
times when required,  
and comprises the 
Chairperson and  
2 Non-Executive 
Directors

Remuneration 
Committee
This committee meets 
bi-annually and at other 
times when required,  
and comprises the 
Chairperson and 
2 Non-Executive Directors

www.scienceinsport.com25

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee consists  
of the Chairman and the Non-Executive 
Directors. It is chaired by John Clarke and 
meets as required, at least twice during  
the year.

The committee reviews the performance  
of the executive Directors and sets and 
reviews the scale and structure of their 
remuneration and the basis of their 
remuneration and the terms of their service 
agreements with due regard to the interests 
of Shareholders. In determining the 
remuneration of executive Directors,  
the remuneration committee seeks to 
enable the Company to attract and  
retain executives of the highest calibre.  
The remuneration committee also makes 
recommendations to the Board  
concerning the allocation of share  
options to employees.

The Remuneration Committee report is  
on page 29.

Risk management
The Company has an established framework 
of internal controls, the effectiveness of 
which is regularly reviewed by the Executive 
Management, the Audit Committee and the 
Board in light of an ongoing assessment of 
significant risks facing the company.

The Company’s key risks (financial, 
operational and reputational) are recorded 
on a Business Risk Register and those risks 
together with their controls, mitigating and 
corrective actions are reviewed regularly by 
the Board. 

Risk is a standing agenda item for the Board 
and senior managers are required to review, 
identify and report on risks on an ongoing 
basis and review all key risks on a quarterly 
basis. 

The principle risks that the Group is facing 
are detailed in the “Principle risks and 
uncertainties” section of this Annual Report 
together with an assessment of the potential 
impact and mitigating controls.

The key features of the Group’s system  
of internal control are as follows:
 ΅ An ongoing process of risk assessment 

to identify, evaluate and manage 
business risks and opportunities;
 ΅ Comprehensive procedures for 
budgeting and planning and for 
monitoring and reporting to the Board 
business performance against plans;
 ΅ A consistent system of prior appraisal  
for investments overseen by the  
Chief Financial Officer and Chief 
Executive Officer;

 ΅ An organisational structure with defined 
levels of responsibility, which promotes 
entrepreneurial decision-making  
and rapid implementation while  
minimising risk;

 ΅ Central control over key areas such as 
capital expenditure, authorisation and 
banking facilities.

The Group continues to review its system  
of internal control to ensure compliance with 
best practice, while also having regard to its 
size and the resources available. 

Attendance 
Directors are required to devote such time and effort to their duties as required to secure 
their proper discharge. For Non- Executive Directors, this typically entails one or two days  
of meetings per month as well as reading and preparation time. A full pack of management 
information is provided to the Board in advance of every meeting. Each Executive Director 
has a full- time service agreement. 

Directors attendances at meetings of the Board and its Committees during 2018 were:

John Clarke

Raymond Duignan

Tim Wright

Stephen Moon

Elizabeth Lake

Board

Audit
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

4/4

4/4

4/4

4/4

4/4

2/2

2/2

2/2

–

–

2/2

2/2

2/2

–

–

Due to the size of the business there is no 
internal audit function. As part of the Group’s 
review a number of non-financial controls 
covering areas such as regulatory compliance, 
business integrity, health and safety, risk 
management and business continuity have 
been assessed.

Relationship with Shareholders
The Directors seek to build a mutual 
understanding of objectives between  
the Company and its Shareholders. The 
Company reports formally to Shareholders 
in its Interim and Annual reports, setting  
out details of its activities. In addition, the 
Company keeps Shareholders informed of 
events and progress through the issue of 
regulatory news in accordance with the AIM 
rules of the London Stock Exchange.  
The Chief Executive seeks to meet with 
significant Shareholders following interim 
and final results. The Company also 
maintains investor relations pages and  
other information regarding the business,  
its products and activities on its website  
www.scienceinsport.com.

The Annual report is made available to 
shareholders on the website at least 21 
working days before the Annual General 
Meeting. Directors are required to attend the 
Annual General Meetings of the Company 
unless unable to do so for personal reasons 
or due to pressing commercial commitments. 
Shareholders are given the opportunity to 
vote on each separate issue. The Company 
counts all proxy votes and will indicate the 
level of proxies lodged on each resolution, 
after it has been dealt with by a show  
of hands.

Employees
Other statutory disclosures required by the 
Strategic report, as detailed on page 20, 
report on the involvement of employees  
in the affairs, policy and performance of  
the Company.

Environmental, social and 
community matters
Given the size and nature of the Company’s 
operations, the impact of the Company’s 
operations on the local community and the 
environment is not considered to be 
significant. Recycling of office supplies  
is undertaken where possible.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION26 GOVERNANCE – Board of Directors

ENSURING HIGH STANDARDS  
OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

JOHN CLARKE
Independent 
Non-Executive Chairman

RAYMOND DUIGNAN
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

TIM WRIGHT
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

A

N

R

A

N

R

A

N

R

John Clarke became Non-Executive 
Chairman in June 2013. John has extensive 
experience of the functional food and  
sports nutrition sectors, having worked at 
GlaxoSmithKline for more than 35 years. 
John was global President of GSK Consumer 
Healthcare from 2006 to 2011, and was a 
member of GlaxoSmithKline plc Corporate 
Executive Team until March 2012.

Under John’s leadership from 2006 to  
2011 GSK Consumer Healthcare was the 
fastest-growing business in the industry, 
growing by 60% and reaching sales  
of £5 billion despite recessionary 
environments in the majority of the  
business’ markets. The business added  
£2 billion in turnover from 2006. Mr Clarke 
was responsible for the Lucozade brand 
including strategy, innovation programme, 
portfolio and global expansion for 15 years 
from 1996 to 2011, Lucozade achieved 
growth of 13% CAGR throughout this period.

Raymond has extensive industry experience 
having set up a specialist investment bank, 
Stamford Partners, in the mid-1990s advising 
the European food and drink industries.  
The firm became a market leader in food 
and drink transactions in Europe, offering 
financial and corporate advisory services  
as well as strategy consulting. Clients of  
the firm included Unilever, Nestle, Mars, 
Pepsico, Sara Lee, Best Foods, United 
Biscuits and Pernod Ricard as well as a 
range of smaller businesses such as Green 
and Black’s, Jordans, Innocent and Ella’s 
Kitchen and leading private equity firms. 
Raymond retired from Stamford Partners in 
2012. Raymond is currently a Non-Executive 
Director at Finsbury Food Group and holds 
other advisory positions.

Tim Wright, has spent 35 years in Consumer 
Healthcare management roles in the US, 
Canada and Europe. In 2015 Tim acquired, 
and now runs, EmbraceHearing.com, a 
leading online, direct to consumer provider 
of high performance hearing aids. Tim also 
runs StepChange Strategy, a strategy 
consultancy focusing in Strategy, Innovation 
and Global Expansion for start-up to 
mid-sized consumer healthcare companies. 
Prior to that, he was President to Zarbee’s 
Naturals (2011-2013), a private equity owned 
natural medicine business that grew from  
$3 million to $18 million during his tenure. 
From 2005 – 2011, Tim was President of 
GSK Consumer Healthcare’s Global Brands, 
where market leading revenue growth was 
achieved through world class marketing  
and innovation.

www.scienceinsport.comSTEPHEN MOON
Chief Executive Officer

ELIZABETH LAKE
Chief Financial Officer

Stephen had an extensive corporate  
career with BP, Dalgety, Quaker and 
GlaxoSmithKline. He has held a wide range 
of functional roles in his career including 
supply chain, strategic project management, 
strategy planning, innovation and business 
development. At GSK he was Strategy 
Planning and Worldwide Business 
Development Director for the Nutritional 
Healthcare Division. He has an MBA from 
Ashridge Business School and a diploma  
in Clinical Organisational Psychology from 
INSEAD. After founding a functional food 
startup in 2003, he later became CEO of 
Provexis PLC and Science in Sport PLC was 
spun-out from this company in August 2013.

Elizabeth is a big four trained Chartered 
Accountant with over 25 years’ experience 
in blue chip, growth oriented, global 
organisations. Having started her career 
outside practice within global publishing 
businesses, Pearson plc and Thomson 
Reuters, where she gained extensive M&A 
experience, Elizabeth moved into retail in 
2001 and held a number of senior finance 
roles in Marks and Spencer plc. Elizabeth 
joined SiS in 2016, following 4 years as 
Finance Director for the UK, Ireland and 
Scandinavia at Hugo Boss during an 
extensive retail portfolio expansion 
and migration to online. 

27

BOARD DIVERSITY

Composition

3 Non-Executive
Directors

  2 Executive
Directors

Gender

Female

1

Male

3

1

   Non-Executive Directors
   Executive Directors

Age

60+

50-59

1

1

1

2

Non-Executive Directors
Executive Directors

Tenure

2-3 Years

3-6 Years

6+ Years

1

1

1

1

1

   Non-Executive Directors
   Executive Directors

Committee key:

A  

N  

R  

Audit Committee 

Nomination Committee

Remuneration Committee

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION   
   
   
28 GOVERNANCE – Committee reports

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

RAYMOND DUIGNAN
Chairman of the 
Audit Committee

Audit Committee: composition  
and terms of reference
The Audit Committee comprises two 
Non-Executive Directors and is chaired by 
Raymond Duignan. It meets as required and 
specifically to review the Interim report and 
Annual report and to consider the suitability 
and monitor the effectiveness of the internal 
control processes. There were two Audit 
Committee meetings during the year. The 
Audit Committee reviews the findings of the 
external auditors and reviews accounting 
policies and material accounting 
judgements.

Independence of Auditors and 
non-audit services
The independence of the Auditors is 
considered by the Audit Committee. The 
Audit Committee meets at least twice per 
calendar year with the Auditors to discuss 
their objectivity and independence. 

As well as providing audit-related services 
the Auditors have, provided taxation 
compliance, corporate finance services and 
share option scheme advice. The fees in 
respect of the non-audit services provided 
were £144,000 for the year (2017 – £7,000). 
The non-audit fees include £107,000  
for corporate finance services on the 
acquisition of PhD Nutrition in December 
2018. The Audit Committee have considered 
the non-audit fees agreed with BDO LLP 
(previously Moore Stephens LLP) and  
are satisfied that the objectivity and 
independence of the Auditors is 
safeguarded.

RAYMOND DUIGNAN
Chairman, Audit Committee

19 March 2019

Activities in the year
During the year, the Committee concluded 
that the Annual Report and Financial 
Statements, taken as whole, were fair, 
balanced and understandable and provided 
the information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the Group’s business model, 
strategy and performance. During the year, 
the Committee considered the following  
key matters:
 ΅ the adequacy of accounting and 

disclosures in respect of the acquisition 
of PhD Nutrition and in particular the 
valuation of Goodwill and separately 
identifiable intangibles;

 ΅ the implementation of new accounting 
standards, namely IFRS 9 Financial 
Instruments and IFRS 15 Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers;

 ΅ the consistency of accounting policies 
on a year- on year basis and across the 
group following the acquisition of PhD;

 ΅ implementation of new accounting 

systems effective from 1 January 2019; 
and

 ΅ the appropriateness of the application of 
the going concern basis in preparation 
of the financial statements following a 
review of forecasts to December 2020.

The Committee received and considered 
reports from the Auditor in respect of the 
audit plan for the year and the results of the 
annual audit. These reports included the 
scope of the audit, the approach to the be 
adopted to address key audit matters, the 
basis on which the Auditor assesses 
materiality, the terms of engagement for  
the Auditor and an on-going assessment  
of the impact of future accounting 
developments for the Group.

www.scienceinsport.comREMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT

29

The full Board determines whether or not 
Executive Directors are permitted to serve in 
roles with other companies. Such permission 
is only granted where a role is on a strictly 
limited basis, where there are no conflicts  
of interest or competing activities and 
providing there is not an adverse impact  
on the commitments required to the Group. 
Earnings from such roles are not disclosed 
nor paid to the Group.

Short term incentive plan (“STIP”)

Awards are calculated as a percentage  
of base salary and are determined by 
reference to the attainment of personal 
objectives or sales growth or both. 
Management has agreed to have its annual 
bonus paid in shares rather than take cash 
out of the business, which could be used to 
generate further growth.

There are three main elements of the 
remuneration package for Executive 
Directors and senior staff:

(i) Basic salaries and benefits in kind

Basic salaries are recommended to the 
Board by the Remuneration Committee, 
taking into account the performance of the 
individual and the rates for similar positions 
in comparable companies. Benefits in kind 
comprising private medical insurance are 
available to all senior staff and Executive 
Directors.

(ii) Share option scheme

The Company operates a Share Option Plan 
(“SOP”), which grants options over Ordinary 
shares to certain Directors and senior 
employees. The purpose of the scheme  
is to incentivise key members of the 
Management team and to align their 
interests with those of the Shareholders. 

The SOP was approved by the Remuneration 
Committee in June 2014 as outlined in  
the AIM Admission document. Further 
amendments to the SOP were approved  
in September 2016, introducing a new 
three-year plan to replace the existing 
five-year plan.

Under the SOP there are both short term 
and long term incentive arrangements. In 
both cases the options granted are nil-cost 
options, meaning that the participants are 
not required to pay cash to exercise the 
option. An Employee Benefit Trust has been 
established to purchase, hold and issue 
ordinary shares when awards are exercised. 
Options must be exercised within a period of 
10 years after the grant date for that option 
otherwise the option will lapse.

The Remuneration Committee has been 
working with external advisors to create a 
new SOP to be implemented during 2019, 
details will be published when finalised.

Long term incentive plan (“LTIP”)

The Board approved a new LTIP element  
of the SOP on 22 September 2016 which 
relates to revenue growth achievement. This 
award replaces the existing five-year LTIP, 
the three-year revenue growth phase of this 
scheme vested in March 2016, and was then 
planned to be a profit plan for two years 
thereafter. Following the raising of additional 
capital in October 2015, the strategy has 
continued to be focussed on revenue 
growth following the completion of the  
first three years of the previous LTIP:

Revenue incentive motivates Management 
to grow revenue in years one to three, 
where year three ends December 2018.

The Options will be awarded each year on  
a sliding scale for revenue growth between 
15% and 30% per annum over the three 
years. The maximum value of the shares 
subject to these awards is 200% of the basic 
salary of the Chairman and CEO, and 100% 
of the basic salary of the Finance Director 
and other Senior Management. 

During the year under review the 
Remuneration Committee made awards 
under the STIP and LTIP as follows:
 ΅ In respect of the LTIP for the year 
ended 31 December 2018, 218,579 
nil-cost options were granted to senior 
employees on 21 March 2018 (2017 – nil). 

 ΅ In respect of the STIP for the year  
ended 31 December 2017, 12,500  
nil-cost options were granted to senior 
employees on 21 March 2018 (2017 – 
219,444), and 29,244 nil-cost options 
were granted to EJ Lake on 21 March 
2018 (2017 – 81,278) and 81,806 nil-cost 
options were granted to SN Moon on  
21 March 2018 (2017 – 460,164). 

The Board is in the process of implementing 
a new three-year LTIP, which will be 
announced in due course. 

JOHN CLARKE
Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee

Remuneration Committee: 
composition and terms of reference
The Company’s Remuneration Committee 
since the date of Admission to AIM 
comprises at least two Independent 
Non-Executive Directors and is chaired  
by the Group Chairman John Clarke.

The purpose of the Remuneration 
Committee is to ensure that the Executive 
Directors are fairly rewarded for their 
individual contribution to the overall 
performance of the Group. The Committee 
considers and recommends to the Board  
the remuneration of the Executive Directors 
and is kept informed of the remuneration 
packages of senior staff and invited to 
comment on these.

Policy on Executive Directors’ 
remuneration
Executive remuneration packages are 
designed to attract and retain executives  
of the necessary skill and calibre to run  
the Group successfully but avoiding  
paying more than is necessary. Direct 
benchmarking of remuneration is not 
possible given the specialised nature and 
size of the Group. The Remuneration 
Committee recommends to the Board 
remuneration packages by reference  
to individual performance and uses the 
knowledge and experience of the Non-
Executive Directors and published surveys 
relating to AIM Directors, and market 
changes generally. The Remuneration 
Committee has responsibility for 
recommending any long term  
incentive schemes.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION30

GOVERNANCE – Committee reports

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT
CONTINUED

(iii) Pension contributions

Service contracts

The Company pays a defined contribution to 
the pension scheme of Executive Directors 
and employees. The individual pension 
schemes are private and their assets are 
held separately from those of the Company.

The Chief Executive is employed under a 
service contract requiring 12 months’ notice 
by either party. Non-Executive Directors 
receive payments under appointment 
letters, which are terminable by six months’ 
notice from either party.

Policy on Non-Executive  
Directors’ remuneration
John Clarke, Raymond Duignan and Tim 
Wright each receive a fee for their services 
as a Director, which is approved by the 
Board, mindful of the time commitment and 
responsibilities of their roles and of current 
market rates for comparable organisations 
and appointments. Non-Executive Directors 
are reimbursed for travelling and other minor 
expenses incurred. 

Details of Directors’ remuneration
The emoluments paid to the individual Directors of the Company for the period were as follows:

Executive Directors

SN Moon

EJ Lake

Non-Executive Directors

JM Clarke

R Duignan

T Wright 

Year ended 31 December 2018

Salary/fees
£’000

LTIP
£’000

STIP
£’000

Benefits 
in kind
£’000

Pension
£’000

270

164

46

36

36

552

326

86

73

 –

–

485

406

91

–

–

–

497

4

2

–

–

–

6

–

9

–

–

–

9

Year ended
31 December 
2017
£’000

925

337

113

35

35

Total
£’000

1,006

352

119

36

36

1,549

1,445

Prior year remuneration includes share awards of £692,879 for SN Moon, £67,500 for JM Clarke, and £179,750 for EJ Lake. 

The above fees and emoluments exclude reimbursed expenditure incurred in the conduct of Company business. 

Directors’ interests in shares
The Directors’ interests in the Ordinary shares of the Company, as recorded in the register maintained by the Company in accordance  
with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, were as follows:

Beneficial interests

SN Moon

EJ Lake

JM Clarke

R Duignan

T Wright

Ordinary 
shares
 of 10p each
31 December
 2018

Ordinary 
shares
 of 10p each 
31 December
 2017

843,456

843,456

–

–

178,500

178,500

–

–

–

–

1,021,956

1,021,956

www.scienceinsport.com31

31 December
 2018

31 December
 2017

4,603,126

4,521,320

614,087

653,009

614,087

623,765

Directors’ interests in share options 
The share options held by the Directors and not exercised at the period end date are summarised below:

SN Moon

JM Clarke

EJ Lake

Details of share options at 31 December 2018 of the Directors who served during the year are set out below: 

SN Moon

SN Moon

SN Moon

SN Moon

SN Moon

SN Moon

SN Moon

JM Clarke

JM Clarke

EJ Lake

EJ Lake

EJ Lake

EJ Lake

Date of grant

22 July 2014

26 March 2015

22 March 2016

26 Sept 2016

22 March 2017

22 March 2017

21 March 2018

22 March 2016

26 Sept 2016

26 Sept 2016

22 March 2017

22 March 2017

21 March 2018

Exercise
 price pence

Share price on
 date of grant

Number 
of options

Earliest
exercise date 

Expiry date

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

72.0p

68.0p

52.5p

328,125

22 July 2014

21 July 2024

267,206

26 March 2015

25 March 2025

1,089,675

22 March 2016

21 March 2026

68.75p

1,752,429

22 March 2019

25 Sept 2026

81p

81p

73p

52.5p

68.75p

68.75p

81p

81p

73p

623,721

22 March 2017

21 March 2027

460,164

22 March 2018

21 March 2027

81,806

21 March 2018

20 March 2027

221,360

22 March 2016

21 March 2026

392,727

22 March 2019

25 Sept 2026

483,637

22 March 2019

25 Sept 2026

58,850

22 March 2017

21 March 2027

81,278

22 March 2018

21 March 2027

29,244

21 March 2018

20 March 2028

Other than as shown in the tables above no Director had any interest in the shares or share options of the Company or its subsidiary 
company at 31 December 2018 or 31 December 2017. 

JOHN CLARKE
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

19 March 2019

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION 
32

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS  
OF SCIENCE IN SPORT PLC 

Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Science in Sport plc (the “parent company”) and its subsidiaries ( the “group”) for the year  
ended 31 December 2018 which comprise the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of financial 
position, consolidated statement of cash flows, consolidated statement of changes in equity, parent company statement of financial  
position, parent company statement of cash flows, parent company statement of changes in equity and notes to the financial statements, 
including a summary of significant accounting policies. 

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

In our opinion:
 ΅ the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 2018 

and of the group’s loss for the year then ended;

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

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.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities 
under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report.  
We are independent of the group and the parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the 
financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate  
to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:
 ΅ the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or
 ΅ the directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about 
the group’s or the parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve 
months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com33

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

Acquisition of PhD Nutrition – valuation of goodwill and intangibles

Key audit matter
During the year the group acquired the entire share capital of PhD Nutrition 
Limited. This acquisition has a material impact on the financial statements 
resulting in the recognition of goodwill and intangible assets upon 
consolidation.

How we addressed the matter in our audit
Our procedures included:
•  reviewing management’s purchase price allocation paper and the terms 
of the sale and purchase agreement to assess the reasonableness of 
separately identifiable intangible assets acquired;

Goodwill is measured at the acquisition date as the fair value of 
consideration paid less the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and 
liabilities assumed. Goodwill of £17.4 million was recognised as a result of 
this acquisition.

Previously unrecognised intangible assets are recognised on consolidation 
at their fair value at acquisition, being £14.6 million. The valuation of these 
intangibles require judgement by the Directors around key assumptions 
such as revenue growth, discount rates, brand royalty rates, customer 
attrition and long term growth rates. 

We therefore identified valuation of goodwill and intangibles recognised  
in respect of the acquisition of PhD Nutrition as a significant audit risk. 

Accounting policies related to intangibles are included in note 1 and 
relevant disclosures are included in notes 4 and 12.

Existence and accuracy of revenue

Key audit matter
The Group’s reported revenue is a key performance indicator for the 
market and is a key metric in the Group’s short and long term incentive 
schemes used to incentivise directors, key management personnel 
and staff. Due to the incentive that exists to overstate revenue we have 
considered a significant risk to be present over the existence and accuracy 
of revenue.

In addition the Group enters into commercial arrangements with its 
customers to offer promotional discounts, rebates and customer loyalty 
programs. Due to the potentially complex and varying nature of these 
arrangements there is a risk that they are not appropriately accounted for 
and as a result revenue is misstated. 

The Group’s revenue recognition policy is included within the accounting 
policies in note 1.

•  re-performing management’s calculation of the fair value of the 
consideration transferred less the fair value of identifiable assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed;

•  agreeing the consideration transferred to supporting documentation;
•  agreeing assets and liabilities acquired to supporting evidence; and
•  using our internal valuation specialists to assess whether the valuation 
methodology applied to each separately identified intangible asset 
was appropriate and to evaluate and challenge the assumptions 
used, including discount rates, growth rates and forecasts future 
trading performance.

How we addressed the matter in our audit
Our procedures included:
•  assessing the appropriateness of the revenue recognition accounting 
policies, in particular those relating to volume rebates and discounts;

•  agreeing transactions falling outside of the normal revenue 

transaction cycle (which constitute outliers from our expectation) 
to supporting documentation;

•  agreeing a sample of items despatched around the year-end to proof 
of delivery to ensure that revenue has been correctly recorded in the 
period. This was performed with reference to the Group’s terms and 
conditions of sale;

•  reviewing credit notes issued after the year end to assess the 

completeness of the commercial accruals recorded and the existence 
of revenue; and

•  testing on a sample basis year end promotional discount, product 

rebate and customer loyalty program accruals, obtaining documentation 
(e.g. contracts) to support the existence and measurement of the 
accruals balance.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION34

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS  
OF SCIENCE IN SPORT PLC 
CONTINUED

Inventory valuation

Key audit matter
Until the new ERP system is implemented, manual cost absorption 
calculations are being prepared to ensure compliance with IAS 2. There  
is a risk that costs are not accurately absorbed into inventory, impacting  
the valuation of inventory as well as the split of costs recognised in cost  
of sales and administrative expenses.

The group’s accounting policy related to inventories is included in note 1 
and relevant disclosures are included in note 14.

How we addressed the matter in our audit
Our procedures included:
•  reviewing overhead absorption calculations to ensure they are in 

accordance with the requirements of IAS 2;

•  considering whether actual production levels represent a close 

approximation with normal capacity used in the absorption calculations;
•  performing calculations to confirm mathematical accuracy of the models 

used; and

•  agreeing costs to underlying support.

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

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality as follows:

Materiality measure

Group 

Parent company

Financial statements as a whole

Performance materiality used 
to determine the extent of our 
testing

£266,000 (2017: £200,000) which represents 
approximately 1.25% (1.28%) of the Group’s revenue. 
This benchmark is considered the most appropriate 
as it a key performance indicator for the market. As 
an organically growing business at the current stage 
of its lifecycle, the main focus of the group is revenue 
generation. Whilst underlying loss before tax is still a 
key metric, it is not considered to be an appropriate 
benchmark for determining materiality as the group 
continues to make losses as part of a strategic decision 
to invest for revenue growth.

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with 
our assessment of the company’s overall control 
environment, our judgement was that basic performance 
materiality was 75% (2017: 75%) of materiality, being 
£199,500 (2017: £150,000). Basic performance 
materiality is adjusted further for higher risk assertions.

£75,000 (2017: £120,000) which represents 
approximately 3% (3.6%) of the parent company total 
assets, capped at 28% (2017: 60%) of group materiality. 
This benchmark is considered the most appropriate  
as it most accurately reflects the parent company’s 
status as a non-trading holding company. 

On the basis of our risk On the basis of our risk 
assessments, together with our assessment of the 
company’s overall control environment, our judgement 
was that basic performance materiality was 75% (2017: 
75%) of materiality, being £56,250 (2017: £90,000). Basic 
performance materiality is adjusted further for higher 
risk assertions.

Specific materiality

We determined a lower level of materiality for directors’ 
remuneration and related party transactions.

We determined a lower level of materiality for directors’ 
remuneration and related party transactions.

Communication of misstatements 
to the audit committee

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would 
report misstatements identified during our audit above 
£13,300 (2017: £10,000) or that, in our view, warrant 
reporting on qualitative grounds.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would 
report misstatements identified during our audit above 
£3,750 (2017: £6,000) or that, in our view, warrant 
reporting on qualitative grounds.

Component materiality

Component materiality ranged from £125,000 to 
£200,000 (2017: £100,000 and £180,000), subject to 
the mix of size and risk profile of the group across the 
components.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com35

An overview of the scope of our audit
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and our 
allocation of performance materiality determine our audit scope for 
each entity within the group. Taken together, this enables us to form 
an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We take into 
account the size, the risk profile the organisation of the group, 
changes in the business environment and other factors such as 
output from discussion with management when assessing the work 
to be performed on each component. 

We analysed the key financial metrics of the group’s components  
to determine those we consider to be financially significant to the 
group. Science in Sport plc, SiS (Science in Sport) Limited and  
PhD Nutrition Limited are considered to be significant components.  
As such, these companies were subject to full scope audits to 
component materiality. All component audits were performed  
by BDO LLP with no use of component audit teams. 

The group includes subsidiaries based in Australia, the US and Italy. 
Based on their percentage contribution to key financial metrics, our 
scoping deemed these components to be non-significant to the 
group. As such they are not in scope for a full component audit, 
however our approach included specific audit procedures on 
inventory and overheads by the group audit team.

We considered each key audit matter identified above in respect of 
the non-significant components, however we determined that these 
risks were appropriately addressed through our work performed at a 
group level.

Other information
The directors are responsible for the other information. The other 
information comprises the information included in the annual report, 
other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other 
information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in 
our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion 
thereon.

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

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies 
Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of  
the audit:
 ΅ the information given in the Strategic report and the Directors’ 
report for the financial year for which the financial statements  
are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

 ΅ the Strategic report and the Directors’ report have been 

prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company 
and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have  
not identified material misstatements in the Strategic report or the 
Directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in 
relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report  
to you if, in our opinion:
 ΅ adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns 
adequate for our audit have not been received from branches 
not visited by us; or

 ΅ the financial statements are not in agreement with the 

accounting records and returns; or

 ΅ certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law 

are not made; or

 ΅ we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit.

Responsibilities of Directors
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement 
set out on page 23, the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give  
a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors 
determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether  
due to fraud or error.

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

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION36

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS  
OF SCIENCE IN SPORT PLC 
CONTINUED

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the  
financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about  
whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an 
auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance  
is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit 
conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a  
material misstatement when it exists.

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered 
material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably  
be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken  
on the basis of these financial statements.

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

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

DANIEL HENWOOD 
(Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of BDO LLP, Statutory Auditor 
Reading 
United Kingdom

19 March 2019

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and 
Wales (with registered number OC 305127)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.comCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

37

Revenue

Cost of goods

Gross profit

Operating expenses

Underlying operating loss

Depreciation and amortisation

Share based payments charge

Costs associated with acquisition of PhD

Loss from operations

Finance income

Loss before taxation

Taxation

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Loss per share to owners of the parent

Basic and diluted – pence

All amounts relate to continuing operations.

The notes on pages 41 to 65 form part of these consolidated financial statements.

Year ended 
31 December
2018
£’000 

Year ended 
31 December 
2017
£’000 

Notes

3

6

20

21,318

(9,363)

11,955

(17,950)

(2,548)

(926)

(1,922)

(599)

15,615

(6,300)

9,315

(13,167)

(1,704)

(567)

(1,581)

–

7

(5,995)

(3,852)

5

–

(5,990)

(3,852)

10

115

(5,875)

246

(3,606)

(125)

(6,000)

78

(3,528)

11

(8.2p)

(7.7p)

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION38

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Assets

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Deferred tax

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves attributable to owners of the Parent company

Share capital

Share premium reserve

Employee Benefit Trust reserve

Other reserve

Foreign exchange reserve

Retained deficit

Total equity

As at 
31 December
2018
£’000 

As at 
31 December
2017
£’000 

Notes

12

13

18

14

15

16

17

18

19

33,742

1,033

1,430

36,205

7,102

8,939

8,002

24,043

1,359

793

1,332

3,484

2,713

2,851

16,570

22,134

60,248

25,618

(7,970)

(7,970)

(2,461)

(2,461)

(2,810)

(2,810)

–

–

(10,431)

(2,810)

49,817

22,808

12,197

48,464

(372)

(907)

(97)

(9,468)

49,817

6,683

22,339

(397)

(907)

28

(4,938)

22,808

These consolidated financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 19 March 2019 and signed on its behalf by: 

STEPHEN MOON
Director

The notes on pages 41 to 65 form part of these consolidated financial statements. 

Company number 08535116 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.comCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

39

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss for the financial year

Adjustments for:

Amortisation 

Depreciation

Loss on sale of fixed assets

Net finance income

Taxation

Share based payment charge

Operating cash outflow before changes in working capital

Changes in inventories

Changes in trade and other receivables

Changes in trade and other payables

Total cash outflow from operations

Cash flow from investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Purchase of intangible assets

Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Cash flow from financing activities

Gross proceeds from issue of share capital

Expenses paid on share issues

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Opening cash and cash equivalents

Closing cash and cash equivalents

Significant non-cash consideration

Year ended 
31 December
2018
£’000 

Year ended 
31 December 
2017
£’000 

Notes

(5,875)

(3,606)

12

13

7

10

13

12

4

555

371

–

(5)

(115)

1,922

(3,147)

(2,070)

(1,707)

503

(6,421)

(519)

(945)

(28,363)

(29,827)

19

27,920

(240)

27,680

(8,568)

16,570

8,002

16

307

260

17

–

(246)

1,581

(1,687)

(475)

(635)

271

(2,526)

(255)

(799)

–

(1,054)

14,848

(828)

14,020

10,440

6,130

16,570

Significant non-cash transactions from investing activities include £3,500,000 of equity consideration in respect of the acquisition of 
PhD Nutrition.

The notes on pages 41 to 65 form part of these consolidated financial statements. 

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION40

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

At 31 December 2016

Share
capital 
£’000 

4,322

Share 
premium
£’000 

10,331

Employee
 Benefit Trust
 reserve
£’000

(215)

Other 
reserve
£’000 

(907)

Foreign
 exchange
 reserve
£’000 

Retained 
deficit
£’000 

Total 
equity
£’000 

(50)

(2,662)

10,819

Total comprehensive loss for the year

–

–

Transactions with owners

Issue of shares:

–  Issued in return for sponsorship 

services

– Placing

Transaction costs of placing

Issue of shares to EBT

Issue of shares held by EBT  
to employees

Share based payments

16

2,121

–

224

–

–

109

12,727

(828)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(224)

42

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

78

(3,606)

(3,528)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(42)

1,372

125

14,848

(828)

–

–

1,372

At 31 December 2017

6,683

22,339

(397)

(907)

28

(4,938)

22,808

Total comprehensive loss for the year

–

–

Transactions with owners

Issue of shares:

–  Issued in return for sponsorship 

services

– Placing

Transaction costs of placing

– Consideration shares issued  
on acquisition of PhD

Issue of shares to EBT

Issue of shares held by EBT  
to employees

Share based payments

57

4,840

–

583

34

–

–

368

24,197

(1,357)

2,917

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(34)

59

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(125)

(5,875)

(6,000)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(59)

1,404

425

20,037

(1,357)

3,500

–

–

1,404

At 31 December 2018

12,197

48,464

(372)

(907)

(97)

(9,468)

49,817

The notes on pages 41 to 65 form part of these consolidated financial statements. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.comNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

41

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
General information
Science in Sport plc (the “Company” and together with its subsidiaries “SiS” or the “Group”) is a public limited company incorporated and 
domiciled in the United Kingdom (registration number 08535116). The address of the registered office is 2nd Floor, 16 – 18 Hatton Garden, 
Farringdon, London EC1N 8AT. The functional and presentation currency is Pounds Sterling and the financial statements are rounded to the 
nearest £1,000.

The main activities of the Group are those of developing, manufacturing and marketing sports nutrition products for professional athletes 
and sports enthusiasts.

Basis of preparation
The Company has elected to prepare its Parent company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards, International Accounting Standards and Interpretations (collectively “IFRS”) issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (“IASB”) as adopted by the European Union (“adopted IFRS”) and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 
2006, and these are set out on pages 66 to 70.

The financial statements are prepared for the year ended 31 December 2018. 

The Group’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, International 
Accounting Standards and Interpretations (collectively “IFRS”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) as adopted 
by the European Union (“adopted IFRS”) and those parts of the Companies Act 2006 that are applicable to financial statements prepared in 
accordance with IFRS. The Group’s financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for financial instruments that 
are measured at fair values, as explained in the accounting policies below. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the 
consideration given in exchange for assets.

The accounting policies set out below have been applied to all periods presented in these Group financial statements and are in accordance 
with IFRS, as adopted by the European Union and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”) interpretations that 
were applicable for the period ended 31 December 2018.

New accounting standards, interpretations and amendments adopted by the Group
The Group has adopted the new interpretations and revised standards effective for the year ended 31 December 2018, notably IFRS 15 
Revenue from Contracts with Customers and IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. The nature and effect of these changes are discussed below.

The adoption of these revised standards and interpretations has not had an impact on the current and comparative figures recorded but they 
have changed disclosure.

IFRS 15 “Revenue from contracts with customers”
(i) Sale of goods
The Group’s contracts with customers for the sale of product generally include one performance obligation. The Group has concluded that 
revenue from the sale of product should be recognised at the point in time when control of the asset is transferred to the customer i.e. on the 
despatch of the product. This does not represent a change to the Group’s accounting policy and therefore, the adoption of IFRS 15 did not 
have an impact on the timing of revenue recognition.

(ii) Presentation and disclosure requirements 
As required for the financial statements, the Group disaggregated revenue recognised from contracts with customers into categories that 
depict how the nature, amount and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. The Group also disclosed 
information about the relationship between the disclosure of disaggregated revenue and revenue information disclosed for each reportable 
segment. Refer to Note 3 for disclosure on disaggregated revenue.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION42

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTINUED

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

IFRS 9 “Financial instruments” 

IFRS 9 replaces IAS 39 “Financial instruments: recognition and measurement” for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018,  
which covers the accounting for financial instruments: classification and measurement, impairment and hedge accounting. The Group 
applied the expected credit loss model when calculating impairment losses on its financial assets measured at amortised cost (trade and 
other receivables). The historical loss rate has typically been very low and the impact of incorporating forward looking information when 
establishing has not had a material impact on impairment provisions. The impact of the application of IFRS 9 was not material to the  
net assets or profit for the period or prior period.

New accounting standards, interpretations and amendments not yet effective

IFRS 16 – “Leases”

Adoption of IFRS 16 will result in the group recognising right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all contracts that are, or contain, a lease. 
For leases currently classified as operating leases, under current accounting requirements the group does not recognise related assets or 
liabilities, and instead spreads the lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term, disclosing in its annual financial statements 
the total commitment.

The Board has decided it will apply the modified retrospective adoption method in IFRS 16, and, therefore, will only recognise leases on  
the Statement of Financial Position as at 1 January 2019. In addition, it has decided to measure right-of-use assets by reference to the 
measurement of the lease liability on that date. This will ensure there is no immediate impact to net assets on that date. At 31 December  
2018 operating lease commitments amounted to £0.5 million (see note 23), which is not expected to be materially different to the anticipated 
position on 31 December 2019 or the amount which is expected to be disclosed at 31 December 2018. Assuming the Group’s lease 
commitments remain at this level, the effect of discounting those commitments is anticipated to result in right-of-use assets and lease 
liabilities of approximately £0.4 million being recognised on 1 January 2019. However, further work still needs to be carried out to determine 
whether and when extension and termination options are likely to be exercised, which will result in the actual liability recognised being 
higher than this.

Instead of recognising an operating expense for its operating lease payments, the group will instead recognise interest on its lease liabilities 
and amortisation on its right-of-use assets. This will reduce the underlying operating loss by the amount of its current operating lease cost, 
which for the year ended 31 December 2018 was approximately £0.2 million.

Going concern 
The Directors are of the opinion that as at 19 March 2019, the Group and Parent Company’s liquidity and capital resources are adequate to 
deliver the current strategic objectives having considered projected cash flow information for a period including 12 months from the date of 
approval of these financial statements and that the Company and its subsidiaries remain a going concern.

Basis of consolidation
Where the company has control over an investee, it is classified as a subsidiary. The company controls an investee if all three of the following 
elements are present: power over the investee, exposure to variable returns from the investee, and the ability of the investor to use its power 
to affect those variable returns. Control is reassessed whenever facts and circumstances indicate that there may be a change in any of these 
elements of control.

The consolidated financial statements present the results of the company and its subsidiaries (“the Group”) as if they formed a single entity. 
Intercompany transactions and balances between group companies are therefore eliminated in full.

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of business combinations using the acquisition method. In the statement  
of financial position, the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their fair values at the 
acquisition date. The results of acquired operations are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income from the date  
on which control is obtained. They are deconsolidated from the date on which control ceases.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com43

Revenue

(i) Performance obligations and timing of revenue recognition

The group’s revenue is derived from selling goods with revenue recognised at a point in time when control of the goods has transferred to 
the customer. Revenue from sales to external customers is recognised when goods are despatched. There is limited judgment needed in 
identifying the point at which the performance obligation is satisfied.

(ii) Determining the transaction price

Most of the group’s revenue is derived from fixed price contracts and therefore the amount of revenue to be earned from each contract is 
determined by reference to those fixed prices. Variable consideration relating to volume rebates has been constrained in estimating contract 
revenue in order that it is highly probable that there will not be a future reversal in the amount of revenue recognised when the amount of 
volume rebates has been determined.

(iii) Allocating amounts to performance obligations

For most contracts, there is a fixed unit price for each product sold, with discounts given for bulk orders placed at a specific time. Therefore, 
there is no judgement involved in allocating the contract price to each unit ordered in such contracts (it is the total contract price divided by 
the number of units ordered). Where a customer orders more than one product line, the Group is able to determine the split of the total 
contract price between each product line by reference to each products standalone selling price. All product lines are capable of being,  
and are, sold separately.

Sales rebate and discount reserves are established based on management’s best estimate of the amounts necessary to meet claims by 
customers in respect of these rebates and discounts. A refund liability is made at the time of sale and updated at the end of each reporting 
period for changes in circumstances.

(iv) Practical exemptions

The Group has taken advantage of the practical exemption not to account for significant financing components where the time difference 
between receiving consideration and transferring control of goods to its customer is less than one year. 

Segment reporting
The Directors have determined that six operating segments exist under the terms of International Financial Reporting Standard 8 “Operating 
Segments”. The Group is organised between core business which covers all sales made from the UK entity, (this will include sales into 
International markets through both the UK website and International distributors), Football (includes sales to consumers in football), PhD 
Nutrition sales and sales in each of the international subsidiaries in the US, Australia and Italy.

The prior year consisted of two segments and this has been restated to show the six segments for comparison.

Use of non-GAAP profit measure – underlying operating loss
The Directors believe that the operating loss before depreciation, amortisation, share based payments and costs relating to the acquisition 
of PhD as a measure provides additional useful information for Shareholders on underlying trends and performance. This measure is used 
for internal performance analysis. Underlying operating loss is not defined by IFRS and therefore may not be directly comparable with other 
companies’ adjusted profit measures. It is not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to IFRS measurements of profit. A reconciliation of 
underlying operating loss to statutory operating loss is set out on the face of the consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Foreign currency translation
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. 
Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at period end exchange rates 
of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit or loss.

Foreign subsidiaries are retranslated using the closing rate method and foreign exchange gains and losses on translation are recognised 
through other comprehensive income. The exchange differences are held in a separate reserve and will be recycled to the profit or loss on 
disposal of the subsidiary.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION44

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTINUED

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued
Employee benefits

(i) Defined contribution plans

The Group provides retirement benefits to a number of employees and Executive Directors. The assets of these schemes are held 
separately from those of the Group in independently administered funds. Contributions made by the Group are charged to profit or  
loss in the period in which they become payable.

(ii) Accrued holiday pay

Provision has been made at the reporting date for holidays accrued but not taken at the salary of the relevant employee at that date.

Leased assets
Leases, which contain terms whereby the Group does not assume substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the 
leased item, are classified as operating leases. Operating lease rentals are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the lease 
term. The Group does not hold any assets under finance leases.

Interest income
Interest income is recognised on a time-proportion basis using the effective interest rate method.

Research and development
Expenditure on research and development activities of internal projects is written off as incurred unless the criteria are met to recognise an 
intangible asset in accordance with IAS 38 “Intangible assets”. Development costs that are directly attributable to the design and testing of 
identifiable and unique products controlled by the Group are capitalised as intangible assets only when the following criteria are met: (i) it is 
technically feasible to complete the product so that it will be available for use; (ii) the Directors intend to complete the product and use it; 
(iii) there is an ability to use the product; (iv) it can be demonstrated how the product will generate probable future economic benefits; 
(v) adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and use the product are available; and (vi) the 
expenditure attributable to the product during its development can be measured reliably.

Directly attributable costs that are capitalised include relevant employee costs. Capitalised development costs are amortised on a straight 
line basis over a period of five years from the date that the product is brought into first use. The directors consider that five years represents 
the usual period over which the main benefits of a new product are gained by the Group.

Taxation
Current tax is provided at amounts expected to be recovered or to be paid using the tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted at the reporting date. When research and development tax credits are claimed, they are recognised on an accruals 
basis and are included as a grant and are taken above the line as a credit to expenditure. Tax credits are included in underlying  
operating loss.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability differs from its tax base, except for 
differences arising on: 
 ΅ The initial recognition of goodwill;
 ΅ The initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and at the time of the transaction 

affects neither accounting or taxable profit; and

 ΅ Investments in subsidiaries where the Company can control the timing of the reversal of the difference and it is probable that the 

difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which  
the difference can be utilised. 

The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date  
and are expected to apply when the deferred tax liabilities/(assets) are settled/(recovered). Deferred tax balances are not discounted.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com45

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of a business combination over the Group’s interest in the fair value of identifiable assets, 
liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired. Cost comprises the fair value of assets given, liabilities assumed and equity instruments  
issued. No contingent consideration has been paid. Direct costs of acquisition are recognised immediately as an expense.

Goodwill is capitalised as an intangible asset with any impairment in carrying value being charged to the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income. Where the fair value of identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities exceed the fair value of consideration 
paid, the excess is credited in full to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on the acquisition date.

Intangible assets

(i) Externally acquired intangibles

Externally acquired intangible assets are initially recognised at cost less impairment and subsequently amortised on a straight line basis over 
their expected useful economic lives.

Intangible assets are recognised on business combinations if they are separable from the acquired entity or give rise to other contractual/
legal rights. The amounts ascribed to such intangibles are arrived at by using appropriate valuation techniques (see section related to critical 
estimates and judgements below).

The significant intangibles recognised by the Group, their useful economic lives and the methods used to determine the cost of intangibles 
acquired in a business combination are as follows:

Brands

Customer relationships

(ii) Internally generated intangible assets

Useful economic life

10 years

10 years

Valuation method

Relief from royalty

Multi period excess earnings

Expenditure on internally developed products is capitalised if it can be demonstrated that; it is technically feasible to develop the product  
for it to be sold, adequate resources are available to complete the development, there is an intention to complete and sell the product, the 
Group is able to sell the product, sale of the product will generate future economic benefits, and expenditure on the project can be 
measured reliably.

Capitalised development costs are amortised over the periods the Group expects to benefit from selling the products developed. The 
amortisation expense is included within the administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Development 
expenditure not satisfying the above criteria and expenditure on the research phase of internal projects are recognised in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income as incurred.

Website and software development

Product development

5 years

5 years

Useful economic life

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets
Impairment tests on goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful economic lives are undertaken annually at the financial year 
end. Other non-financial assets are subject to impairment tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying 
amount may not be recoverable. Where the carrying value of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount (i.e. the higher of value in use and fair 
value less costs to sell), the asset is written down accordingly.

Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the impairment test is carried out on the smallest group  
of assets to which it belongs for which there are separately identifiable cash flows; its cash generating units (“CGUs”). Goodwill is allocated 
on initial recognition to each of the Group’s CGUs that are expected to benefit from a business combination that gives rise to the goodwill. 
Impairment charges are included in profit or loss, except to the extent they reverse gains previously recognised in other comprehensive 
income. An impairment loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed. All goodwill relates to the Group’s acquisition of PhD Nutrition which 
forms an individual CGU.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION46

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTINUED

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued
Property, plant and equipment 
Plant and equipment assets are stated at cost. Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. 
Depreciation is charged to profit or loss on all plant and equipment at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation, less estimated 
residual value, of each asset on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives, which is: 

Leasehold improvements

Plant and machinery

Fixtures, fittings, computer equipment

Motor vehicles

Useful economic life

Over length of the lease

4 – 10 years

4 years

4 years

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are determined by the Directors and reviewed and adjusted if appropriate at each reporting  
date in accordance with the Group policy for impairment of assets.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated as follows: 

Raw materials  

– cost of purchase on a first in, first out basis.

Work in progress and finished goods  –  cost of raw materials and labour, together with attributable  

overheads based on the normal level of activity.

Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price less further costs to completion and disposal. A charge is made to profit or loss for 
slow moving inventories. The charge is reviewed at each reporting date.

Financial instruments

Financial assets

The Group’s financial assets measured at amortised cost comprise trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents in the 
consolidated statement of financial position. The Group does not have an financial assets measured at fair value through profit and loss. 

Financial assets measured at amortised costs are recognised, when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the 
instrument, initially at their fair value (plus transaction costs) and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method. If an 
asset is judged to be impaired the carrying amount of the asset will be adjusted to its impaired valuation. 

Impairment provisions for current and non-current trade receivables are recognised based on the simplified approach within IFRS 9 using 
a provision matrix in the determination of the lifetime expected credit losses. During this process the probability of the non-payment of the 
trade receivables is assessed. This probability is then multiplied by the amount of the expected loss arising from default to determine the 
lifetime expected credit loss for the trade receivables. For trade receivables, which are reported net, such provisions are recorded in a 
separate provision account with the loss being recognised within cost of sales in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. 
On confirmation that the trade receivable will not be collectable, the gross carrying value of the asset is written off against the associated 
provision. The methodology adopted is described in note 15.

Financial liabilities

The Group’s financial liabilities comprise trade and other payables. These are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently at amortised 
cost using the effective interest method.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand.

Share capital
Financial instruments issued by the Group are classified as equity only to the extent that they do not meet the definition of a financial liability 
or financial asset.

The Group’s ordinary shares are classified as equity instruments.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com 
 
47

Share based payments
Some employees are granted share options which allow these employees to acquire shares in the Company, if certain performance 
conditions are met.

The fair value of share options is recognised as an employee expense in profit or loss with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair values 
of options are calculated at the earlier of the date on which an expectation of the share options arise and the date on which the options are 
granted. All options have a £nil exercise price and no market based performance conditions, therefore the fair value has been calculated 
using the market value of the shares at the date of grant adjusted for any non-entitlement to dividends over the vesting period.

The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of equity instruments vested or expected to vest at each reporting 
date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of shares that eventually vest.

The social security contributions payable in connection with the grant of the share options is considered an integral part of the grant itself, 
and the charge will be treated as a cash settled transaction.

Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”)
As the Group is deemed to have control of the EBT, it is treated as a subsidiary and consolidated for the purpose of the Group accounts.  
The EBT’s investment in the Company’s shares is deducted from shareholders’ funds in the Group statement of financial position as if they 
were treasury shares.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates and assumptions  
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and 
expenses during the reporting period. 

In the course of preparing the financial statements, no judgements have been made in the process of applying the Group’s accounting 
policies that have had a significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.

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

As the use of estimates is inherent in financial reporting, actual results could differ from these estimates. The Directors believe the following 
to be the key areas of estimation: 

(i) Recognition of product rebates

Product rebates offered to certain customers are treated as a reduction in sales. Where the rebates are volume related an estimate for the 
reporting period is included for the expected sales relevant to each customer contract period.

(ii) Intangible assets

Intangible assets are recognised on the acquisition of PhD Nutrition in relation to brands and customer relationships. The fair value of these 
assets are determined by discounting estimated future net cash flows generated by the assets where no active market for the assets exists. 
These are assessed based upon management forecasts. Key assumptions are those regarding discount rates, growth rates, brand royalty 
rates and customer attrition.

As the acquisition was completed shortly before the year end management have not identified any material variances from the assumptions 
used. The performance of PhD post acquisition will be monitored closely for any future indicators of impairment. 

(iii) Recognition of deferred tax asset

The carrying value of deferred tax assets are disclosed in note 18. The Directors consider it appropriate to recognise a deferred tax asset in 
respect of tax losses on the basis that the losses incurred to date are as a result of the Group’s current strategy to invest in growing revenue 
and they therefore consider it reasonable to conclude that suitable taxable profits against which losses can be utilised are able to be 
generated in the foreseeable future. At the point of acquisition PhD Nutrition has historically realised taxable profits and it is therefore 
expected that future taxable losses generated by SiS (Science in Sport) Limited will be eligible to offset against these profits. 

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION48

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTINUED

2. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
2.1 Financial risk factors
The Group’s activities inevitably expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, cash flow interest rate risk and fair 
value interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.

It is Group policy not to enter into speculative positions using complex financial instruments. The Group’s primary treasury objective is to 
minimise exposure to potential capital losses whilst at the same time securing favourable market rates of interest on Group cash deposits 
using money market deposits with banks. 

(a) Market risk 
Foreign exchange risk
The Group operates globally with subsidiaries in the USA, Italy and Australia, and therefore there will be risks around foreign exchange rates.

The Group primarily enters into contracts which are to be settled in UK Pounds. However, some contracts involve other major world 
currencies including the US Dollar, Euro and Australian Dollar. Where large contracts of more than £50,000 total value are to be settled  
in foreign currencies consideration is given to converting the appropriate amounts to or from UK Pounds at the outset of the contract to 
minimise the risk of adverse currency fluctuations.

The Directors consider that given the value of transactions in foreign currencies during the year, and the prior year, there has been no 
material exposure to foreign currency rate risk, although this is likely to change in the future as export markets are developed. See note 16 
for analysis of cash balances by currency.

Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk
The Group’s interest rate risk arises from medium term and short term money market deposits. Deposits which earn variable rates of interest 
expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. Deposits at fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk. The Group had no 
fixed rate deposits during the year. The Group analyses its interest rate exposure on a dynamic basis throughout the year. The Group has  
no borrowings and therefore no interest rate swaps or other forms of interest risk management have been undertaken.

(b) Credit risk

Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents and deposits with banks and financial institutions as well as credit exposure in relation to 
outstanding receivables. Group policy is to place deposits with institutions with investment grade A2 or better (Moody’s credit rating) and 
deposits are made in Sterling only.

The Group does not expect any losses from non-performance by these institutions. Management believes that the carrying value of 
outstanding receivables and deposits with banks represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk.

The top 10 customers account for 39.0% (2017– 45.5%) of the Group’s revenue and hence there is some risk from the concentration of 
customers, however the largest single customer is only 13.3% (2017 – 14.0%) of revenue and is a major international business. As at 
31 December 2018, the provision for doubtful debts totalled £43,000 (2017 – £43,000). The Board believes no further provision is required 
for doubtful debts.

(c) Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk arises from the Group’s management of working capital; it is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting its 
financial obligations as they fall due. Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and cash equivalents and 
management monitors rolling forecasts of the Group’s liquidity on the basis of expected cash flow.

The Group had trade and other payables at the reporting date of £8.0 million (2017 – £2.8 million) as disclosed in note 17.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com49

2.2 Capital risk management
The Group considers its capital to comprise its ordinary share capital, share premium, other reserve and accumulated retained earnings/
deficit as disclosed in the consolidated statement of financial position.

The Group remains funded primarily by equity capital. The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for equity holders of the Group and benefits for other Stakeholders and to maintain 
an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. 

3. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
Disaggregation of Revenue
The Group has disaggregated revenue into various categories in the following table which is intended to:
 ΅ depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic date; and
 ΅ enable users to understand the relationship with revenue segment information provided in note 5.

Year to 31 December 2018

Contract Counterparties

Retailers

Distributors

Direct to consumers (online)

Total

Year to 31 December 2017

Contract Counterparties

Retailers

Distributors

Direct to consumers (online)

Total

Core
£’000

4,609

3,150

8,291

16,050

Core
£’000

4,413

2,212

7,279

13,904

Football
£’000

418

–

237

655

Football
£’000

–

–

–

–

USA
£’000

–

64

1,307

1,371

USA
£’000

–

–

416

416

Italy
£’000

140

208

636

984

Italy
£’000

–

246

362

608

APAC
£’000

331

–

422

753

APAC
£’000

299

–

388

687

PhD
£’000

1,054

451

–

1,505

PhD
£’000

–

–

–

–

Total
£’000

6,552

3,873

10,893

21,318

Total
£’000

4,712

2,458

8,445

15,615

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION 
50

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTINUED

4. ACQUISITIONS
On 6 December 2018 the Group acquired the entire share capital of PhD Nutrition Ltd (“PhD”) for £32.0 million plus £2.8m working capital 
adjustment. PhD is a premium performance nutrition brand operating in the protein category through UK retail channels and international 
distributors. Strategic and financial benefits of the acquisition include complementary product ranges within the sports nutrition category, 
sales channel optimisation across the enlarged Group particularly online and international, as well as cost synergies through in-sourcing 
production of protein powders. 

In the period between acquisition date and 31 December 2018, the acquired business contributed revenue of £1.5 million and a profit before 
tax of £0.1 million. If PhD had been acquired on the first day of 2018 Group revenue would have been £41.0 million and Group loss before tax 
would have been £3.3 million. 

Details of the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, purchase consideration and goodwill are as follows:

Fair value of net assets acquired:

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Intangible assets on acquisition:

– Brands

– Customer relationships

Inventories

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other payables

Deferred tax

Deferred tax – intangibles

Total identifiable net assets

Fair value of consideration paid:

Cash

Consideration settled in equity (5,833,334 ordinary shares)

Equity value

Working capital adjustment

W&I insurance

Total Consideration

Goodwill

Book value
£’000

Adjustment
£’000

Fair value
£’000

94

33

–

–

2,319

2,743

4,381

(3,877)

19

–

5,712

–

(33)

8,957

5,638

–

–

–

(362)

(19)

(2,482)

11,699

94

–

8,957

5,638

2,319

2,743

4,381

(4,239)

–

(2,482)

17,411

Fair value
£’000

28,500

3,500

32,000

2,607

202

34,809

17,398

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com 
 
Cash outflow in respect of the acquisition comprised:

Cash paid

Cash acquired

Total cash outflow

51

£’000

31,106

(2,743)

28,363

Acquisition costs amounting to £599,000 have been recognised as an expense and have been included as an exceptional item on the  
face of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Share placing costs of £1,357,000 relating to an equity raise to part fund the 
acquisition have been written off against the share premium account.

The main factors leading to the recognition of goodwill are the presence of certain intangible assets, such as the assembled workforce of  
the acquired entity, which do not qualify for separate recognition, opportunities for synergies in production, supply chain and sales channels. 

5. SEGMENTAL REPORTING
Operating segments are identified on the basis of internal reporting and decision making. The Group’s Chief Operating Decision Maker 
(“CODM”) is considered to be the Board, with support from the senior management teams, as it is primarily responsible for the allocation  
of resources to segments and the assessments of performance by segment.

The Group’s reportable segments are strategic business units that operate in different markets. They are managed separately because  
each business requires different sales and marketing strategies. Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal 
reporting provided to the CODM as described above.

The business has expanded significantly during 2018 and operating segments have been increased to provide greater granularity and to 
reflect the way the business is managed. The number of segments has expanded from two in 2017 to six in 2018, reflecting the growth of 
International markets and football as separate segments. This is consistent with changes to internal reporting to the CODM.

The Core segment manufactures and sells endurance sports nutrition in the UK through SiS.com, third-party retailers, grocers, high street 
and heartland bike shops. Also included in this segment is sales to Europe (excluding Italy) through distributors and online. 

Sales through the Football website and of football products through any channel are included as a separate segment.

Each International subsidiary is also considered as a separate segment.

PHD was acquired by Science in Sport plc on 6 December 2018 and is reported as a separate segment. The PhD brand is a premium protein 
brand that appeals to the gym Lifestyle consumer. 

The Board uses underlying operating loss (see note 1 for definition), reviewed on regular basis, as the key measure of the segment’s 
performance. The segment profit is also stated before the allocation of central administration costs and Directors’ salaries. The products  
of the operating segments are detailed in the Accounting Policies note 1.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION52

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTINUED

5. SEGMENTAL REPORTING continued
The following is an analysis of the Group’s revenue and results from continuing operations by reportable segment.

Turnover by geographic destination of sales may be analysed as follows:

United Kingdom

EU excluding the UK

Australia

Rest of the World

Core

USA

Italy

Australia

Football

PhD

Depreciation and amortisation

Share based payments

Costs associated with acquisition of PhD

Loss from operations

Year ended
31 December 
2018
£’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
£’000

14,062

3,849

755

2,652

21,318

11,217

2,880

680

838

15,615

Segment revenue

Segment profit/(loss)

Year ended 
31 December
 2018
£’000

16,047

1,373

983

755

655

1,505

21,318

Year ended 
31 December 
2017
£’000

13,907

418

610

680

–

–

15,615

Year ended 
31 December
 2018
£’000

Year ended 
31 December
 2017
£’000

2,033

(2,451)

(608)

(545)

(1,113)

136

(2,548)

(926)

(1,922)

(599)

(5,995)

463

(1,055)

(433)

(679)

–

–

(1,704)

(567)

(1,581)

–

(3,852)

Segment revenue reported above represents revenue generated from external customers.

The 2017 numbers have been restated due to the change in the composition of operating segments.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com53

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Year ended 
31 December
 2018
£’000

Year ended 
31 December
 2017
£’000

Year ended 
31 December
 2018
£’000

Year ended 
31 December
 2017
£’000

14,313

10,551

(2,770)

(2,489)

945

521

698

–

41,499

57,976

2,272

60,248

455

86

436

–

–

11,528

14,090

25,618

(240)

(117)

(153)

–

(6,295)

(9,575)

(856)

(10,431)

(85)

(75)

(89)

–

–

(2,738)

(72)

(2,810)

Core

USA

Italy

Australia

Football

PhD

Unallocated assets/(liabilities)

Total assets/(liabilities)

Goodwill and intangibles recognised on acquisition are included in the PhD segment. 

Unallocated assets includes cash held by the parent company of £2,185,000 (2017 – £14,090,000).

Revenue from one customer in the Core segment of £2,632,000 individually exceeds 10% of Group revenue (2017 – one, £2,181,000).  
All non-current assets, except for an immaterial amount of fixed assets, are located in the UK.

6. OPERATING EXPENSES

Sales and marketing costs

Operating costs

Depreciation and amortisation
Share based payment charge1

Costs associated with acquisition of PhD

Administrative expenses

Total operating expenses

Year ended
 31 December
 2018
£’000 

Year ended 
31 December 
2017
£’000 

10,753

3,750

926

1,922

599

7,197

17,950

7,982

3,037

567

1,581

–

5,185

13,167

1.  Includes associated social security costs of £93,000 (31 December 2017 – £84,000) and consideration in respect of sponsorship services of £425,000  

(31 December 2017 – £125,000).

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION54

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTINUED

7. LOSS FROM OPERATIONS
Loss from operations is stated after charging: 

Amortisation of intangible assets

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Research and development costs

Grant income in respect of research and development tax credits

Foreign exchange losses/(gains)

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Operating lease costs

Auditor’s remuneration

The total fees for services provided by the Group’s Auditor are analysed below:

Audit services

– Audit fees in respect of the parent company and consolidation

– Audit fees in respect of the subsidiary accounts

Non-audit services

– Corporation tax compliance

– Other taxation advisory

– Corporate finance fees

Total fees

Year ended
31 December 
2018
£’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
£’000

555

371

320

(60)

(161)

–

177

307

260

339

(125)

121

17

196

Year ended
31 December 
2018
£’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
£’000

43

44

7

30

107

231

18

27

7

–

–

52

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com 
 
 
 
 
55

Year ended
31 December
 2018
Number

Year ended
31 December
2017
Number

56

63

18

5

142

£’000

4,723

118

542

160

5,543

1,404

93

7,040

37

55

8

4

104

£’000

3,714

115

355

118

4,302

1,372

83

5,757

Year ended
31 December
 2018
£’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
£’000

552

6

9

567

982

1,549

491

5

9

505

940

1,445

8. WAGES AND SALARIES
The average monthly number of persons, including Directors, employed by the Group was:

Sales and marketing

Manufacturing 

Administration

Directors

Their aggregate emoluments were:

Wages and salaries

Directors’ fees

Social security costs

Pension and other staff costs

Total cash settled emoluments

Share based payments – equity settled

Share based payments – social security costs

Total emoluments

9. DIRECTORS’ AND KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL REMUNERATION
Amounts paid to the Directors of the Parent company:

Directors

Aggregate emoluments and fees

Benefits in kind

Pension contributions

Total emoluments

Share based payment remuneration charge: equity settled

Total Directors’ emoluments

Directors’ fees of £36,000 (2017 – £35,000) for one Director are paid through a Limited Liability Company.

During the year, one Director participated in defined contribution pension schemes (year ended 31 December 2017 – one).

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION56

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTINUED

9. DIRECTORS’ AND KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL REMUNERATION continued
The number of Directors who participated in the long term incentive programme was 3 (2017 – 3).

No share options were exercised by any Director during the period.

Directors’ emoluments include amounts attributable to benefits in kind comprising private medical insurance on which the Directors are 
assessed for tax purposes. The amounts attributable to benefits in kind are stated at cost to the Group, which is also the tax value of those 
benefits. Further details of Directors’ emoluments are included in the Remuneration report on pages 32 to 35.

The aggregate remuneration of members of Key Management Personnel (which includes the Board of Directors and other Senior 
Management Personnel) during the year was as follows:

Amounts paid to Key Management Personnel.

Remuneration and short term benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share based payments

10. TAXATION

Current tax income

United Kingdom corporation tax

Adjustment in respect of prior period

Total current tax income

Deferred tax

Effect of change in tax rates

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Tax on loss for the period

Year ended
31 December
 2018
£’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
£’000

1,059

30

1,404

2,493

916

30

1,373

2,319

Year ended
31 December
 2018
£’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
£’000

–

(4)

(4)

–

119

115

–

–

–

–

246

246

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com57

The tax assessed for the year is different from the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The differences are explained below:

Loss before tax

Loss before tax multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2017 – 19.25%)

Effects of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Unprovided deferred tax asset on losses carried forward

Additional deduction for R&D expenditure

Share scheme deduction

Effect of changes in tax rate 

Adjustment in respect of prior periods

Capital allowances in excess of depreciation

Total tax credit for the period

Year ended
31 December
 2018
£’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
£’000

5,990

1,138

3,852

741

(7)

(575)

(34)

(147)

(31)

(229)

–

115

(289)

–

(72)

(14)

(3)

(94)

(23)

246

At 31 December 2018 UK tax losses of the Company available to be carried forward are estimated to be £10,100,000 (31 December 2017 – 
£6,307,000).

Deferred tax balances are valued at the rate of 17% in these accounts to the extent that timing differences are expected to reverse after this 
later date.

11. LOSS PER SHARE
Basic and diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to owners of the parent by the weighted average number  
of Ordinary shares in issue during the period. The exercise of share options would have the effect of reducing the loss per share and is 
therefore anti-dilutive under the terms of IAS 33 “Earnings per share”.

Loss for the year attributable to owners of the parent – £’000

Weighted average number of shares

Basic and diluted loss per share – pence

Year ended
31 December
2018

Year ended
31 December
2017

(5,875)

(3,606)

71,422,400

46,695,814

(8.2p)

(7.7p)

The number of vested but unexercised share options is 5,428,949 (2017 – 4,733,600). In relation to the LTIP award for 2018 it is expected 
that a further 1,015,212, share options will vest in March 2019.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION 
58

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTINUED

12. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Cost

At 31 December 2016

Additions

Disposals

At 31 December 2017

Additions

Acquisitions (note 4)

At 31 December 2018

Amortisation

At 31 December 2016

Charge for year

Disposal

At 31 December 2017

Charge for year

At 31 December 2018

Net book value

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

Goodwill
£’000

Brands
£’000

Customer
 relationships
£’000

Website and
 software
 development
£’000

Product
 development
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

17,398

17,398

8,957

8,957

5,638

5,638

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

75

75

–

–

–

–

47

47

1,058

627

(40)

1,645

787

–

2,432

335

252

(23)

564

329

893

17,398

–

8,882

–

5,591

–

1,539

1,081

185

172

–

357

158

–

515

24

55

–

79

104

183

332

278

Total
£’000

1,243

799

(40)

2,002

945

31,993

34,940

359

307

(23)

643

555

1,198

33,742

1,359

At 31 December 2018, the Group had capital commitments £133,000 relating to website development and SAP development costs 
(31 December 2017 – £215,000).

The brand and customer relationships recognised were purchased as part of the acquisition of PhD Nutrition on 6 December 2018. They are 
considered to have finite useful lives and are amortised on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives of 10 years. The intangibles 
were valued using an income approach, using Multi-Period excess earnings Method approach for customer relationships and Relief from 
Royalty Method for brand valuations.

Goodwill impairment

The group is required to test on an annual basis whether goodwill has suffered any impairment. However the goodwill as at the balance 
sheet date relates entirely to the acquisition of the PhD Nutrition CGU, which was acquired close to the year end and we consider that no 
adverse changes have occurred post acquisition to the balance sheet date.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com59

Total
£’000

2,300

255

2,555

517

94

3,166

1,502

260

1,762

371

2,133

1,033

793

Leasehold
 improvements
£’000

Plant and
 machinery
£’000

Fixtures,
 fittings and
 computer
 equipment
£’000

Motor 
vehicles
£’000

457

4

461

20

25

506

310

32

342

66

408

98

119

1,145

92

1,237

134

12

1,383

654

142

796

161

957

426

441

698

143

841

363

57

1,261

538

86

624

137

761

500

217

–

16

16

–

–

16

–

–

–

7

7

9

16

31 December
2018
£’000

31 December
2017
£’000

2,164

4,938

7,102

883

1,830

2,713

13. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Cost

At 31 December 2016

Additions

At 31 December 2017

Additions

Acquisitions (note 4)

At 31 December 2018

Depreciation

At 31 December 2016

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2017

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2018

Net book value

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

14. INVENTORIES

Raw materials

Finished goods

There is a provision of £27,000 included within inventories in relation to the impairment of inventories (31 December 2017 – £27,000).

During the period inventories of £9,094,000 (year ended 31 December 2017 – £6,189,000) were recognised as an expense within cost  
of sales. 

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION60

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTINUED

15. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables

Less: provision for impairment of trade receivables

Trade receivables – net

Other receivables

Total financial assets other than cash and cash equivalents classified as amortised cost

Prepayments and accrued income

Total trade and other receivables

Trade receivables represent debts due for the sale of goods to customers. 

31 December
2018
£’000

31 December
2017
£’000

7,513

(43)

7,470

480

7,950

989

8,939

1,947

(43)

1,904

436

2,340

511

2,851

Trade receivables are denominated in local currency of the operating entity and converted to Sterling at the ruling exchange rate as at 
31 December 2018. The Directors consider that the carrying amount of these receivables approximates to their fair value. All amounts  
shown under receivables fall due for payment within one year. The Group does not hold any collateral as security.

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses using a lifetime expected credit loss provision for 
trade receivables and contract assets. To measure expected credit losses on a collective basis, trade receivables and contract assets are 
grouped based on similar credit risk and aging. 

The expected loss rates are based on the Group’s historical credit losses experienced over the three year period prior to the period end. 
The historical loss rates are then adjusted for current and forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the Group’s 
customers. The Group has identified the gross domestic product (GDP), unemployment rate and inflation rate as the key macroeconomic 
factors in the countries where the Group operates.

At 31 December 2018 the lifetime expected loss provision for trade receivables is as follows:

Expected loss rate (%)

Gross carrying amount (£’000)

Loss provision (£’000)

More than 
60 days 
past due

More than 
90 days 
past due

2%

501

10

7%

475

33

Total

 43

As at 31 December 2018 trade receivables of £43,000 (2017: £nil) had lifetime expected credit losses of the full value of trade receivables. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com61

31 December 
2018
£’000

31 December
2017
£’000

8,002

16,570

5,418

1,587

619

378

8,002

15,385

812

233

140

16,570

31 December 
2018
£’000

31 December
2017
£’000

4,661

2,631

7,292

678

7,970

1,222

1,382

2,604

206

2,810

16. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand is made up of the following currency balances:

British pound

Euro

US Dollar

Australian Dollar

The directors consider that the carrying amount of cash approximates to its fair value.

17. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade payables

Accruals

Total financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

Other taxes and social security

Total trade and other payables

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of these liabilities approximates to their fair value.

All amounts shown fall due within one year.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION62

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTINUED

18. DEFERRED TAX
Deferred tax is calculated in full on temporary differences under the liability method using a tax rate of 17% (year ended 31 December  
2017 – 18%). Details of the deferred tax asset and liability, amounts recognised in profit or loss and amounts recognised in other 
comprehensive income are as follows:

Year ended 31 December 2018:

Accelerated capital allowances

Available losses

Other temporary and deductible differences

Business combinations

Tax asset/(liabilities)

Set off of tax

Net tax assets/(liabilities)

Year ended 31 December 2017: 

Accelerated capital allowances

Available losses

Other temporary and deductible differences

Business combinations

Tax asset/(liabilities)

Set off of tax

Net tax assets/(liabilities)

Recoverability of deferred tax asset

Asset
£’000

–

1,325

424

–

1,749

(319)

1,430

Asset
£’000

–

767

678

–

1,445

(113)

1,332

Liability
£’000

(319)

–

–

(2,461)

(2,780)

319

(2,461)

Liability
£’000

(113)

–

–

–

(113)

113

–

(Charged)/ 
credited to 
profit or loss
£’000

(206)

558

(254)

21

119

–

119

(Charged)/ 
credited to 
profit or loss
£’000

(10)

45

211

–

246

–

246

Net
£’000

(319)

1,325

424

(2,461)

(1,031)

–

(1,031)

Net
£’000

(113)

767

678

–

(1,332)

–

(1,332)

The Directors consider it appropriate to recognise a deferred tax asset in respect of tax losses on the basis that the losses incurred to  
date are as a result of the Group’s current strategy to invest in growing revenue and they therefore consider it reasonable to conclude  
that suitable taxable profits against which losses can be utilised will be generated in the foreseeable future. At the point of acquisition 
PhD Nutrition has historically realised taxable profits and it is therefore expected that future taxable losses generated by SiS  
(Science in Sport) Limited will be eligible to offset against these profits. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com63

Ordinary
10p shares
number

Ordinary
10p shares
£’000

221,000,000

22,100

Ordinary
10p shares
number

Ordinary
10p shares
£’000

66,824,821

6,683

436,241

136,612

342,129

46,533,333

1,861,333

5,833,334

43

14

34

4,654

186

583

121,967,803

12,197

19. SHARE CAPITAL

Authorised share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid 

At 31 December 2017

Sponsorship consideration 24 January 2018

Sponsorship consideration 27 March 2018

Treasury shares issued 10 May 2018

Firm Placing of shares issued 6 December 2018

Shares issued to Liberum as fee payment 6 December 2018

Consideration shares issued 6 December 2018

At 31 December 2018

The Company has one class of Ordinary shares which carry no rights to fixed income.

On 24 January and 27 March the Company issued 436,241 and 136,612 new Ordinary shares of 10p each respectively, as consideration for 
sponsorship related services. The fair value of these shares at the date of issue was £425,000, this represented the market price for the 
sponsorship services provided.

On 10 May 2018 the Company issued 342,129 new Ordinary shares of 10p each to the Employee Benefit Trust to satisfy share options 
granted in 2018. At 31 December 2018 the Employee Benefit Trust held in reserve 3,726,036 new Ordinary shares of 10p each to be issued 
as share options (2017 – 3,972,986 new Ordinary shares of 10p each).

On 6 December 2018 the Company issued 48,394,666 new Ordinary shares of 10p each at a price of 60p per share raising gross proceeds 
of £29,037,000 of which 1,861,333 Ordinary shares were used to settle related transaction costs. The net cash inflow from the placing was 
£27,920,000.

On 6 December 2018 the Company issued 5,833,334 as part of the consideration for the acquisition of PhD Nutrition as detailed in note 4.

20. SHARE OPTIONS 
In June 2014 the Company adopted a new Share Option Plan (“SOP”). The key terms of the SOP are substantially the same as set out in the 
AIM Admission Document which is available on the Group’s website. Under the SOP, options to purchase Ordinary shares may be granted by 
the Remuneration Committee to Directors, Senior Executives and potentially other employees at nil-cost. To enable the Company to grant 
nil-cost options it has established an Employee Benefit Trust to purchase, hold and transfer the Ordinary shares pursuant to the options.

The SOP is managed by the Remuneration Committee on behalf of the Company. The Company will grant each participant an option subject 
to the terms and conditions of each participant’s individual option agreement (including performance conditions) and the SOP rules. Each 
participant may be granted either annual or long term (three- or five-year vesting period) options or both. Annual options may be settled in 
either cash or shares at the sole discretion of the Remuneration Committee. As at 31 December 2018 3,726,036 unsettled options were held 
by the Employee Benefit Trust in respect of options awarded to the Directors in respect of previous years. All other annual options have 
been treated as equity settled options.

In the event that the option holder’s employment is terminated before vesting, the option may not be exercised unless the Remuneration 
Committee so permits. Options expire 10 years from date of grant. 

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION64

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTINUED

20. SHARE OPTIONS continued
Further information regarding the SOP scheme may be found in the Remuneration report.

The total charge for the year relating to employee share based payment plans was £1,404,000 (2017 – £1,372,000), all of which related to 
equity settled share based payment transactions. Total social security costs of £93,000 (2017 – £84,000) have also been recognised and 
included in the share based payment charge of £1,922,000 (2017 – £1,581,000) disclosed on the face of the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income. 

Options granted during the period
During the year ended 31 December 2018 options were granted under the short term incentive plan with regard to performance in the year 
ended 31 December 2017, and under the long term incentive plan with regard to performance in the year ended 31 December 2018. All 
options have a nil exercise price and no market based performance conditions, therefore the fair value has been calculated using the  
market value of the shares at the date of grant. As the expected dividend yield for the life of the option is assumed to be nil no adjustment  
is required for non-entitlement to dividends. 

Date of grant

21 March 2018

Exercise
 price
pence

Share 
options
number

Share price 
at date of 
grant pence

nil

342,129

73p

Movements in the number of share options outstanding and their related weighted average exercise prices are as follows:

Options at 1 January 2017

Granted during year

Exercised

Forfeited during year

Outstanding at 31 December 2017

Granted during year

Exercised

Forfeited during year

Outstanding at 31 December 2018

Weighted
 average
 exercise 
price pence

Weighted 
average share
 price at date 
of exercise
pence

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

–

–

74p

–

–

73p

–

Share 
options
number

5,996,861

1,781,988

(417,937)

–

7,360,912

342,129

(589,079)

 (271,423)

6,842,539

The exercise price of all options outstanding at the end of the year was nil. The average remaining contractual life for these options as at 
31 December 2018 was 7.6 years (31 December 2017 – 8.6 years).

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.com65

21. RESERVES

Share premium

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value less costs directly attributable to the issue 
of shares

Employee Benefit Trust reserve

Shares in the Company held by the Employee Benefit Trust which will be used to settle options held by 
employees under the SOP

Other reserve

Retained deficit

Arose as a result of applying the principles of reverse acquisition accounting following the demerger of 
SiS (Science in Sport) Limited from Provexis plc in August 2013 and represents the difference between 
the capital reserves of Science in Sport plc (the legal acquirer) and those of SiS (Science in Sport) Limited 
(the legal acquiree).

Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Foreign exchange reserve

Arises on the translation of foreign subsidiaries into Sterling at the year-end date. For the year ending 
31 December 2018 a loss of £125,000 was recognised (2017 – £78,000 gain) to this reserve.

22. PENSION COSTS
The pension charge represents contributions payable by the Group to independently administered funds which during the period ended 
31 December 2018 amounted to £155,000 (period ended 31 December 2017 – £118,000). Pension contributions payable but not yet paid at 
31 December 2018 totalled £22,000 (31 December 2017 – £17,000).

23. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS
Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Expiring:

Due within 1 year

Due between 2 years and 5 years

31 December 
2018
£’000

31 December 
2017
£’000

147

326

473

196

327

523

Operating lease payments primarily represent rentals payable by the Group for properties. The leases have various terms, escalation 
clauses and renewal rights typical of lease agreements for the class of asset.

24. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
IAS 24 “Related Party Transactions” requires the disclosure of the details of material transactions between reporting entities and related 
parties. Transactions and balances with Group companies are eliminated on consolidation and therefore do not need to be disclosed.

Details of Directors’ remuneration are within the Remuneration Committee report.

25. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial assets measured at amortised cost

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

31 December
2018
£’000

31 December
2017
£’000

15,952

7,292

18,910

2,604

Financial assets comprise cash and cash equivalents trade and other receivables. Financial liabilities comprise trade payables and accruals.

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION66

PARENT COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Assets

Non-current assets

Investments

Current assets

Other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities

Net current assets 

Total net assets

Capital and reserves attributable to owners of the Parent company

Share capital

Share premium reserve

Share options reserve

Employee Benefit Trust reserve

Retained deficit

Total equity

As at 
31 December
2018
£’000 

As at 
31 December
2017
£’000 

Notes

4

5

6

7

47,216

10,578

16,519

2,185

18,704

8,418

14,090

22,508

65,920

33,086

(493)

(493)

(71)

(71)

18,211

22,437

65,427

33,015

12,197

48,464

6,218

(372)

(1,080)

6,683

22,339

4,814

(397)

(424)

65,427

33,015

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 no separate Parent company profit and loss account has been included in these 
financial statements. The Parent company loss for the period was £597,000 (period ended 31 December 2017 – £Nil).

These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 19 March 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

STEPHEN MOON
Director

The notes on pages 69 to 70 form part of these Parent company financial statements.

Company number 08535116

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.comPARENT COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

67

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss after tax

Operating cash outflow before changes in working capital

Changes in other receivables and investments

Changes in trade and other payables

Total cash outflow from operations

Cash flow from investing activities

Acquisition of subsidiary

Interest received

Financing operations of subsidiary

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Cash flow from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of share capital

Expenses paid on share issues

Net cash inflow from financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Opening cash and cash equivalents

Closing cash and cash equivalents

The notes on pages 69 to 70 form part of these Parent company financial statements.

Year ended 
31 December
2018
£000 

Year ended 
31 December 
2017
£000 

(597)

(597)

(88)

215

(470)

(31,106)

4

(8,013)

(39,115)

–

–

(1)

71

70

–

–

–

–

27,920

(240)

14,848

(828)

27,680

14,020

(11,905)

14,090

14,090

2,185

–

14,090

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION68

PARENT COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

At 31 December 2016

Share
capital 
£’000 

4,322

Share 
premium
£’000 

10,331

Share option 
reserve
£’000

Employee
 Benefit Trust
reserve
£’000

Retained 
deficit
£’000 

Total 
equity
£’000 

3,442

(215)

(382)

17,498

Total comprehensive loss for the year

–

–

Transactions with owners

Issue of shares:

– Issued in return for sponsorship services

– Placing

Transaction costs of placing

Issue of shares to EBT

Issue of shares held by EBT to employees

Share based payments

16

2,121

–

224

–

–

109

12,727

(828)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,372

–

–

–

–

(224)

42

–

–

–

–

–

–

(42)

–

–

125

14,848

(828)

–

–

1,372

At 31 December 2017

6,683

22,339

4,814

(397)

(424)

33,015

Total comprehensive loss for the year

–

–

Transactions with owners

Issue of shares:

– Issued in return for sponsorship services

– Placing

Transaction costs of placing

– Consideration shares issued on acquisition of PhD

Issue of shares to EBT

Issue of shares held by EBT to employees

Share based payments

57

4,840

–

583

34

–

–

368

24,197

(1,357)

2,917

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,404

–

–

–

–

–

(34)

59

–

(597)

(597)

–

–

–

–

–

(59)

–

425

29,037

(1,357)

3,500

–

–

1,404

At 31 December 2018

12,197

48,464

6,218

(372)

(1,080)

65,427

The notes on pages 69 to 70 form part of these Parent company financial statements.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.comNOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

69

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Parent company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, International 
Accounting Standards and Interpretations (collectively “IFRS”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) as adopted 
by the European Union (“adopted IFRS”) and applied in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.. The accounting policies are consistent 
with those of the Group which are disclosed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

Going concern
The going concern basis has been applied in preparing the Parent company financial statements for the reasons identified and disclosed in 
note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Valuation of investments
The investment in SiS (Science in Sport) Limited is recorded at the nominal value of shares issued for the purposes of the demerger in 
accordance with Section 615 of the Companies Act 2006. Accordingly, no premium on the issue of shares has been recognised.

2. PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 no separate Parent company profit and loss account has been included in these 
financial statements. The Parent company loss for the period was £597,000 (period ended 31 December 2017 – £Nil). 

The auditors remuneration for audit and other services is disclosed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements

3. EMPLOYEE COSTS
All salary costs of employees of the Company are borne by subsidiary companies, and are disclosed in note 8 of the consolidated financial 
statements.

4. INVESTMENTS

At 31 December 2016

Capital contribution

At 31 December 2017

Capital contribution

Acquisition of subsidiary – PhD Nutrition

At 31 December 2018

£’000

9,081

1,497

10,578

1,829

34,809

47,216

Capital contribution relates to share based payment transactions settled by the Company on behalf of SiS (Science in Sport) Ltd. 

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION70

NOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

4. INVESTMENTS continued
At 31 December 2018 the Company owned the following subsidiary undertakings:

Share of issued 
ordinary share capital, 
and voting rights

Registered office

SiS (Science in Sport) Limited

SiS (APAC) Pty Limited

Science in Sport Inc

Science in Sport (Italy) Srl

PhD Nutrition Limited

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Business activity

Sports Nutrition

2nd Floor, 16-18 Hatton Garden, Farringdon,  
London, EC1N 8AT United Kingdom

Level 3, 41-43 Stewart St, Richmond, VIC 3121 Australia

Sports Nutrition

C/o USA Corporate Services Inc., 3500 S Dupont Hwy, 
Dover, DE 19901 USA

Sports Nutrition

Via Bernadino Telesio 25, 20142, Milan Italy

Sports Nutrition

2nd Floor, 16-18 Hatton Garden, Farringdon,  
London, EC1N 8AT United Kingdom

There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the subsidiary undertaking to transfer funds to the parent, other than those imposed  
by the Companies Act 2006.

5. OTHER RECEIVABLES

Amounts falling due within one year

Amounts owed by SiS (Science in Sport) Limited

Other receivables 

At 31 December 2018

6. OTHER PAYABLES 

Amounts falling due within one year

Trade payables

Accruals

At 31 December 2018

31 December 
2018
£’000

31 December
2017
£’000

16,429

90

16,519

8,416

2

8,418

31 December
 2018
£’000

31 December
2017
£’000

155

338

493

18

53

71

7. SHARE CAPITAL
Details of the share capital of the Company are included in note 19 to the consolidated financial statements.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSwww.scienceinsport.comOTHER INFORMATION

71

COMPANY INFORMATION

Company number   

Directors  

Audit committee 

Remuneration committee 

Registrars 

Registered office 

Nominated adviser and broker 

Principal solicitors   

Auditors   

08535116

JM Clarke 
T Wright 
R Duignan 
SN Moon 
E Lake

R Duignan (Chairman) 
JM Clarke 
E Lake

SN Moon 
JM Clarke (Chairman)

Equiniti Limited 
Aspect House 
Spencer Road 
Lancing 
West Sussex BN99 6DA

2nd Floor 
16-18 Hatton Garden 
Farringdon 
London EC1N 8AT 

Liberum Capital Limited 
Ropemaker Place 
25 Ropemaker Street 
London EC2Y 9LY

Dentons 
One Fleet Place 
London EC4M 7WS

BDO LLP 
2 Blagrave Street 
Reading RG1 1AZ

Science in Sport plc Annual Report and Accounts 2018 STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
72

www.scienceinsport.com

Find out more information online: 
www.scienceinsport.com

OTHER INFORMATIONThis report is printed on paper certified in accordance with the FSC® 
(Forest Stewardship Council®) and is recyclable and acid-free. 
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performance is an important part of this strategy.
Pureprint Ltd aims to reduce at source the effect its operations have on 
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