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SDI Group

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FY2015 Annual Report · SDI Group
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Scientific Digital Imaging plc 
Annual Report & Accounts 2015

SDI plc

Scientific Digital 
Imaging plc is
focused on the 
application of 
digital imaging 
technology to 
the needs of the
scientific and 
technology 
community.

SDI designs and manufactures digital 
technology products through its 
Synoptics brands (Syngene, Synoptics 
Health, Synbiosis and Syncroscopy), 
the Artemis CCD brands (Atik Cameras 
and Artemis CCD Cameras) and the 
Opus Instruments brand (Osiris).

Contents

For more information, visit:
www.scientificdigitalimaging.com

Strategic report
  • Chairman’s statement
  • Chief executive’s operating report
  • Strategic review
Report of the directors

Corporate governance statement

Directors’ remuneration report

Directors’ responsibilities

Report of the independent auditor

Consolidated income statement

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Consolidated balance sheet

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Report of the independent auditor on the company 
financial statements

Company balance sheet

Notes to the company financial statements

Company advisors

02

04

07

09

11

13

14

15

16

16

17

18

19

20

41

42

43

48

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

01

Overview
During the year to April 2015, Scientific Digital Imaging 
plc (“SDI”) invested in cost restructuring and change in 
commercial strategy of Synoptics, the benefits of which 
are taking effect. In addition Atik had an excellent year 
with both sales and profitability exceeding budget. 
In the second half of the financial year Synoptics, Opus 
Instruments and Atik have shown increased sales 
revenue across all sales territories contributing to a 
growth in their turnover and profitability, in line with 
management expectations.

SDI’s restructuring has been well received and has helped 
secure over £500,000. The Board is confident that SDI 
is now in a strong position for continued good growth 
through increased profitable revenue and acquisition of 
new companies.

Financial Results
Revenue for the year ended 30 April 2015 was £7.0m 
(2014: £7.0m). This has resulted in an operating profit 
for the year of £59k and £393k before costs of 
reorganisation, acquisition and fundraising and share 
based payments. This result is inclusive of currency losses. 
Basic profit per share was 0.15p and diluted profit per 
share earnings were 0.15p.

These results are in line with management expectations 
and have been the result of high levels of growth within 
Atik and refocusing our commercial strategy with the 
Syngene and Synbiosis brands within Synoptics. 
Following the successful integration of Opus Instruments 
into SDI and stable growth of Synoptics, we are actively 
seeking complementary acquisitions to enable further 
revenue growth.

STRATEGIC REPORT
Chairman’s statement

“The Company has delivered 
profits in a challenging year when 
significant restructuring took 
place and investment has been 
made to ensure new products 
continue to meet our customers’ 
current and future needs.”
Ken Ford
Chairman

02

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

Staff
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank our staff for 
continuing to work conscientiously during a challenging 
year when significant restructuring of Synoptics took 
place whilst ensuring new products meet our customers’ 
current and future needs. The Board looks forward to the 
new financial year with renewed confidence.

Ken Ford
Chairman
27 July 2015

Strategy
During the year SDI has focused on improving the 
underlying business of Synoptics by reorganising the 
management structure to improve profitability and to 
bring in a newly motivated team to run the company. 
Atik is continuing to capitalise on an expanding 
distributor network and the cost effective development 
of new products. Highly promising opportunities to 
supply to new OEM customers are being explored.

In the year, Opus Instruments, which develops, 
manufactures and sells an infrared imaging system for art 
conservators has as expected, contributed new profits 
to our Group.

SDI continues to assess new businesses with 
complementary product portfolios and intends to add 
further new companies to the Group. SDI will also 
continue to invest in its current operations to take 
advantage of the under-exploited microbiology, antibiotic 
resistance testing and healthcare sectors where SDI’s new 
products are currently well positioned for growth 
particularly in North America.

Current Trading and Outlook
In the financial year to the end of April 2015, SDI raised 
over £500,000 of new investment. SDI has continued to 
make process improvements to maintain the Company’s 
skill base and output capability.

The Board anticipates that Opus Instruments and 
Artemis CCD will continue to make positive contributions 
to SDI and the new Synoptics products released in 2015, 
together with a more focused sales strategy, will result in 
continued growth.

The coming financial year will see continued organic and 
acquisitive growth and with the growing interest in our 
products in North America, particularly in the 
microbiology and antibiotic resistance testing sectors, 
the Board views the next financial year positively.

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

03

STRATEGIC REPORT
Chief executive’s operating report

SDI designs and manufactures digital technology 
products for use by the scientific community, through its 
Synoptics brands (Syngene, Synoptics Health, Synbiosis, 
and Syncroscopy), the Artemis CCD brands (Atik 
Cameras and Artemis CCD Cameras) and the Opus 
Instruments brand (Osiris)

Synoptics
Synoptics designs and manufactures scientific 
instruments based on digital imaging, for the life science 
research, microbiology, healthcare and microscopy 
markets. The Divisions offer products under marketing 
brands including G:BOX, PXi, ProtoCOL, Protos and 
ProReveal, each targeting a different sector of these 
markets.

Syngene
Syngene remains the largest of the Synoptics divisions. 
The division provides systems and software for 
visualising and analysing gels and blots used by life 
scientists. Almost all research in biological sciences 
requires an understanding of molecular processes 
involving DNA, RNA and proteins, so gel electrophoresis 
and Western blotting are very actively used by many 
laboratories in this sector.

The market for image analysers is mature and Syngene 
continues to experience aggressive pricing competition in 
the DNA imaging sector, especially in North America, the 
largest life sciences market. This issue is being addressed 
by the introduction of a new-look, competitively priced 
imager, the PXi Access this year. The new imager received 
positive feedback at ArabLab and the American Society 
of Microbiology (ASM) trade shows and is beginning to 
sell across North America and Europe. Additionally, the 
basic image analyser, the G:BOX F3 introduced in 2014, 
remains a popular choice in China, Syngene’s largest Asia 
Pacific territory.

The re-engineered high end G:BOX imaging range, the 
G:BOX Chemi XRQ and G:BOX Chemi XX6 systems that 
can image more complex 1D and 2D gels, as well as 
different blot types, is gaining market penetration in all 
territories. Syngene recognises that as well as being 
competitively priced it has to differentiate itself on 
service. Syngene has recruited new sales and support 
personnel in the US and Europe, all with life science 
imaging backgrounds to train and support distributors 
and manufacturers representatives, as well as develop 
relationships with kit and reagent manufacturers for 
co-promotion of Syngene products.

In the next six months, there is an opportunity to explore 
co-promoting the Synbiosis software alongside Syngene 
systems, by utilising the Synbiosis new mASTer 
antibiotic resistance testing software with the G:BOX 
XRQ. This could help Syngene enter a new market and 
provide a highly profitable new revenue stream.

“The reorganisation of the 
Group is now complete and it is 
in a position to offer competitive 
products at competitive prices 
whilst achieving improved gross 
margins.”
Mike Creedon
Chief Executive Officer

04

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

With the combination of strengthened North American 
and European sales and support teams now in place, 
competitively priced imaging systems and new 
co-promotional opportunities, Syngene is well positioned 
for significantly improved performance in the 
forthcoming year.

Synoptics Health
The Synoptics Health division markets and supplies 
ProReveal, the only commercial test on the market of 
which the Directors are aware which complies with new 
UK recommendations for preventing iatrogenic variant 
Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease (vCJD) infections.

Synbiosis
The Synbiosis Division provides systems for 
microbiologists to automatically count and measure 
microbial colonies and measure inhibition zones. These 
instruments are used for microbiological testing in food, 
water and pharmaceutical applications and benefit users 
by reducing labour costs, providing more reproducible
results, and recording data for audit purposes, an area 
which is becoming increasingly important as 
microbiological testing becomes more regulated.

During the year, Synbiosis launched rapid microbiology 
identification software for ProtoCOL 3. The new Protos 3 
system is a mid-range automated colony counter which 
also allows automated identification of colonies on 
chromogenic plates. This system is currently selling well in 
the food microbiology sector across Europe, where 
objective and fully traceable results are required.

The Chromogenic ID software for use with the 
ProtoCOL 3 system has also been upgraded to enable 
users to identify microbes cultured on other chromogenic 
media ranges including Oxoid media from Thermo Fisher 
Scientific, one of the world’s largest media suppliers. 
Synbiosis anticipates the improved software will make this 
module more appealing to microbiologists globally and 
drive additional sales for both the software and 
ProtoCOL 3.

In 2015, Synbiosis developed the new mASTer software 
to measure zones around antibiotic sensitivity discs and 
then automatically predict antibiotic resistance from the 
results. The software, which can be used as a standalone 
product or with the ProtoCOL 3 was launched at the ASM 
trade show, where it was well received. The mASTer 
software is a timely product as there is a well-funded 
drive globally to produce more antibiotics, as well as 
rapidly test bacteria for antibiotic resistance.

In the next six months, Synbiosis is developing a new 
system, ChromoZona, for antibiotic resistance testing in 
clinical laboratories. The system is being evaluated by the 
MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory 
Agency) for an In-vitro diagnostics (IVD) medical devices 
CE mark and this will allow Synbiosis the opportunity to 
promote ChromoZona for clinical diagnostic use in, for 
example, hospital laboratories, a large market segment 
that Synbiosis has hitherto not exploited.

ProReveal is unlike any other test for detecting proteins 
on surgical instruments because it utilises much more 
sensitive fluorescence instead of colorimetric detection. 
It offers a highly sensitive alternative to swabbing 
techniques and tests the whole instrument for protein, 
rather than just a small, swabbed area. Taking less than 5 
minutes to carry out, ProReveal generates results as a 
visual and quantitative display of the presence (or 
absence) of any protein and these results can be 
documented and archived as proof of process cleanliness.

After the year end, helpful new guidelines from the UK 
Department of Health were published which recommend 
that the upper limit of acceptable protein contamination 
after processing should be 5μg BSA equivalent per 
instrument side, with a lower level necessary for 
neurosurgical instruments. The guidelines also stated 
that Ninhydrin swab kits, which are commonly used for 
the testing of cleaned instruments, are too insensitive for 
this application.

During the year, ProReveal achieved the BS EN ISO 
15883-1 standard as a test for washer-disinfector efficacy 
and in October 2014 was reviewed by the UK 
government Rapid Review Panel and recommended for 
use in NHS England for optimising cleaning protocols. 
The new guidelines coupled with the quality standard and 
rapid review panel recommendation, position the 
ProReveal test as one of the few technologies that can 
be safely used in UK Sterile Services Departments (SSDs) 
and Synoptics Health believes this may encourage a 
gradual uptake of this technology in the UK’s NHS.

To ensure ProReveal achieves sales outside the UK, 
Synoptics Health has continued to develop ProReveal 
for the cleaning validation market and is reviewing new 
distributors globally. Synoptics Health appointed a North 
American distributor in 2015 and is achieving success in 
placing the product in North American hospitals, making 
it easier for SSD staff to assess the technology in this 
major market.

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

05

STRATEGIC REPORT
Chief executive’s operating report continued

Syncroscopy
The Syncroscopy division provides digital imaging 
software to microscope users via its main product, 
AutoMontage, a software package that allows customers 
to overcome the limited depth of field in an optical 
microscope. This product line is extended with the 
Scopepad 500, a touch screen microscope tablet with 
integrated camera and the Montage Pad App, derived 
from the AutoMontage software. Since Syncroscopy 
software and systems generate a small percentage of 
sales revenue for SDI, the Group is not actively promoting 
or investing in this Division but will continue to provide 
and support the product lines.

Artemis CCD
Artemis CCD designs and manufactures 
high-sensitivity cameras for use in a variety of low-light 
applications. These are primarily sold for deep-sky 
astronomy imaging, life science and industrial applications 
under its Atik Cameras brand.

Atik Cameras
Atik’s mission is to make the world of astronomical 
imaging accessible for stargazers and enthusiasts so that 
this exceptional form of photography can be more widely 
enjoyed. Amateur astronomy remains the largest 
application for Atik Cameras. This is a niche area within 
the $25 billion global imaging market which requires 
highly specialised and refined camera design. Atik 
Cameras has seen year-on-year growth to become the 
leading European manufacturer in this area. 
Well-established in Europe, much of the marketing efforts 
over recent years have been directed at the North 
American market where the brand is seeing good growth.

While Amateur Astronomy is the largest sector of the Atik 
brand, work with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) 
customers has seen a very significant increase compared 
with the previous year. Customers in this area come from 
a wide range of life science and industrial imaging areas, 
all with their own specialisations and requirements.
Atik continually updates and develops its camera range, 
and a number of recent additions to the line are 
performing well.

Opus Instruments
Opus Instruments manufactures the Osiris infrared 
imaging system designed specifically for art conservators 
to capture high-resolution images of information not 
visible to the eye. SDI acquired Opus Instruments in 2014 
and utilised its imaging expertise to introduce a touch 
screen version of the Osiris system that allows remote 
access to the software by ‘phone or tablet. This allows 
art conservators to share results with colleagues in other 
galleries anywhere in the world.

This financial year is Opus’s first full trading year as an 
SDI company and the redeveloped Osiris system coupled 
with a more active promotional strategy has, as predicted, 
produced positive sales growth in line with management 
expectations.

Summary
At Synoptics, Syngene’s G:BOX systems are selling well 
internationally and the new mind-range PXi Access 
systems as an extension to the popular PXi range are 
gaining increasing global interest. Synbiosis Chromogenic 
ID software is stimulating sales of both the ProtoCOL 3 
and Protos 3 which utilise it and with the introduction of 
mASTer software for antimicrobial resistance testing, the 
Synbiosis Division will continue to provide good revenue 
growth in 2015, particularly in North America and Europe.

The new UK guidelines on protein decontamination and 
positioning of the ProReveal test, together with its 
accessibility in North America will drive sales in the 
decontamination sector and hospital SSDs.

Opus Instruments is producing profits in line with 
expectations and Artemis CCD is contributing to the SDI 
Group via both intra-group revenues and growth in its 
amateur astronomy market.

As budgets in life science markets recover, we anticipate 
that competitively–priced, new and unique products will 
provide increased revenues. Our refocused commercial 
strategy for Synoptics and acquisition of companies with 
complementary technologies, will we believe result in 
solid, beneficial growth for SDI in the coming year.

Mike Creedon
Chief Executive Officer
27 July 2015

06

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

STRATEGIC REPORT
Strategic review

Principal Activity and Business Review
Scientific Digital Imaging plc (SDI) is focused on the 
application of digital technology to the needs of the 
scientific community. Its principal subsidiary is Synoptics 
Limited, which designs and manufactures special-purpose 
instruments for use mainly in the life sciences, supplying 
customers in the academic and research sectors.

The Board intends to pursue a strategy of acquiring 
related companies, as well as seeking to generate organic 
growth. The Board believes there are many businesses 
operating within the market, a number of which have not 
achieved critical mass, and that this presents an ideal 
opportunity for consolidation. This strategy will be 
primarily focused within Europe but, where 
opportunities exist, acquisitions in the United States 
and elsewhere will also be considered. The acquisition 
of Artemis and Perseu represented the first step in the 
implementation of this strategy in 2008 followed by the 
acquisition of Opus Instruments.

The Chairman’s Report and Chief Executive’s Operating 
Report, which appear on Pages 2 to 6, give an overview of 
the performance of the Group during the year and likely 
future developments.

Key Performance Indicators
The key financial performance indicators (KPI’s) used to 
monitor the business include the order pipeline, revenue, 
gross profit, operating profit, cash and earnings per share. 
The KPI’s are reviewed on a monthly basis against budget 
by the Directors and management in respect of changes 
within periods and changes between reporting periods.

The non-financial key performance indicator is to monitor 
research and development projects to project 
management targets.

Group Summary
• Group revenue for the year is stable at £7.0m  
  (2014: £7.0m).

• Gross profit increased to £4.1m (2014: £4.0m)  
  with increased gross margins at 59.2% (2014:  
  57.1%).

• Operating profit for the year was £59k (2014:  
  £1k) and £393k (2014: £57k) before 
  reorganisation costs, acquisition costs and  
  share based payments.

Investment in R&D
Total research and development in the current year was 
£618k, representing 8.9% of Group sales (2014: £687k 
representing 9.8% of Group sales). Under IFRS we are 
required to capitalise certain development expenditure 
and in the year ended 30 April 2015 £280k (2014: £472k) 
of cost was capitalised and added to the balance sheet. 
This expenditure represents the Group’s investment in 
new product development. The amortisation charge for 
2015 was £312k (2014: £307k). The carrying value of the 
capitalised development at 30 April 2015 was £770k 
(2014: £802k) to be amortised over three years.

Reorganisation Costs
The Board constantly carries out a thorough review of the 
operations and structures of the Group which gave rise to 
£200k (2014: £22k) of costs from the review and 
reorganisation incurred in 2015.

Acquisition and Fundraising Costs
£126k of costs relating to work on potential acquisitions 
and fundraising (2014: £28k) were incurred in the year.

Earnings per Share
Basic profit per share for Group was 0.15p (2014: loss 
0.16p) and diluted profit per share for the Group was 0.15p 
(2014: loss 0.16p).

Finance Costs and Income
Net financing expense was £36k (2014: £39k). Loan stock 
interest charges for the year were £nil (2014: £11k).

Taxation
The tax credit of £21k (2014: £nil) is largely due to prior 
year corporation tax adjustments and tax credits.

Cash Flow
During the year the Group improved cash flow, reporting 
a cash balance of £876k (2014: £539k) at the year end.

In January 2015 the Group raised £0.5m through an issue 
of 5.1m new shares at 10p. The funds raised were firstly 
used to pay acquisition costs for a transaction abandoned 
at a late stage and secondly, further re-structuring costs.

Funding and Deposits
The Group utilises short-term facilities to finance its 
operations. The Group has one principal banker with an 
invoice discounting facility and bank loan. Surplus funds 
are placed on short-term deposit.

The Group utilises long-term borrowings from bank loans, 
other loans and finance leases.

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

07

STRATEGIC REPORT
Strategic review continued

Principal risks and uncertainties
The following represent, in the opinion of the Board, the 
principal risks of the business. It is not a complete list of 
all the risks and the priority, impact and likelihood of the 
risks may change over time.

Dependence on key distributors
Failure to effectively manage our distributors of products 
could damage customer confidence and adversely affect 
our revenues and profits.

In order to mitigate this risk the Group has a team 
dedicated to maintaining close relationships with our 
distributors.

Competition
Competition from direct competitors or third party 
technologies could impact upon our market share and 
pricing.

In order to mitigate this risk the Group continues to invest 
in researching its markets and continues to offer new 
products in response to changing customer preferences. 
In addition the Group invests in research and development 
to maintain its competitive advantage.

Currency Translation
The results for the Group’s overseas businesses are 
translated into Pounds Sterling at the average exchange 
rates for the relevant year. The balance sheets of 
overseas businesses are translated into Pounds Sterling 
at the relevant exchange rate at the year end. Exchange 
gains or losses from translating these items from one year 
to the next are recorded in other comprehensive income.

As with the majority of international companies, the 
Group’s UK and overseas businesses purchase goods and 
services, and sell some of their products, in non-functional 
currencies. Where possible, the Group nets such 
exposures or keeps this exposure to a minimum. The 
Group’s principal exposure is to US Dollar and Euro 
currency fluctuations.

Going concern
The company’s business activities, together with the 
factors likely to affect its future development, 
performance and position are set out within the 
Strategic report. The financial position of the company, 
its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities 
are described on pages 7 - 8. In addition, notes to the 
financial statements include the company’s objectives, 
policies and processes for managing its capital; its 
financial risk management objectives; details of its 
financial instruments and hedging activities; and its 
exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk. The Board has 
prepared forecasts for the period to 31 December 2016. 

These reflect the sales projections for new products 
coming on stream as a result of the Group’s research and 
development activity and continued cost management. 
The Group meets its cash flow and borrowing 
requirements through an invoice discounting facility 
which is a 12 month rolling contract and a bank loan as 
detailed in note 19. The Board’s forecasts indicate that the 
Group will continue to trade within its existing facilities 
with scope to further manage its cost base if necessary. 
The Board is confident that continued focus on research 
and development, new product development and sales & 
marketing will deliver growth. The Board considers that 
the Group will have adequate cash resources within its 
existing facilities to continue to trade for the foreseeable 
future and therefore continue to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual 
financial statements.

Acquisition strategy
The Board plans to make acquisitions of businesses if the 
targets fit appropriately into the Group by strengthening 
our product range and existing technologies, offering new 
and attractive routes to market, high performance and 
motivated management and a proven track record.

The successful implementation of our acquisition strategy 
depends on our ability to identify targets, in completing 
the transactions, to achieve an acceptable rate of return, 
and to successfully integrate the business in a timely 
manner post acquisition.

An example of the acquisition strategy is the acquisition 
of Opus Instruments Limited in the prior year. The deal 
provided SDI with an existing product, Osiris, which is 
used to examine works of art, but also with an infrared 
camera technology with other potential digital imaging 
applications.

Summary
The reorganisation of the Group is now complete and it is 
in a position to offer competitive products at competitive 
prices whilst achieving improved gross margins.

The Strategic report, which incorporates the Chairman’s 
Statement, Chief Executive’s Operating Report and 
Strategic review was approved by the Board of Directors, 
and signed on its behalf by. 

Mike Creedon
Chief Executive Officer
27 July 2015

08

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

Report of the directors

Group Results
The Group profit for the year after taxation amounted 
to £44k (2014: loss £38k) and has been transferred to 
reserves.

Structure of Share Capital
As at 30 April 2015 the Company’s authorised share 
capital of £10,000,000 comprised 1,000,000,000 
ordinary shares of 1p each.

As at 30 April 2015 the Company had 32,912,308 (2014: 
27,777,308) ordinary shares in issue with a nominal value 
of 1p each.

Financial risk management objectives 
and policies
Financial risk management objectives and policies are 
discussed in Note 25 ‘Financial risk management 
objectives and policies’.

Employee involvement
During the year, the policy of providing employees with 
information about the Group has been continued through 
regular meetings which are held between local 
management and employees to allow a free flow of 
information and ideas.

The Group gives full and fair consideration to 
applications for employment from disabled persons 
where the requirements of the job can be adequately 
fulfilled by a handicapped or disabled person. Employees 
who become disabled are provided, where practicable, 
with continuing employment under normal terms and 
conditions and are provided with training and career 
development where appropriate.

Health and safety policies
The Group is committed to conducting its business in a 
manner which ensures high standards of health and safety 
for its employees, visitors and general public. It complies 
with all applicable and regulatory requirements.

The Board does not recommend the payment of a 
dividend.

Directors
The Directors who served during the period are set out 
below.

M Creedon
E K Ford
J Gibbs
Dr A Simon

The interests of the Directors and their families in the 
share capital of the Company are shown in the 
Remuneration report on page 13.

The appointment and replacement of Directors of the 
Company is governed by its Articles of Association and 
the Companies Acts. The Articles of Association may be 
amended by special resolution of the shareholders.

The Company must have a minimum of two Directors 
holding office at all times. There is no maximum number 
of Directors. The Company may by ordinary resolution, 
appoint any person to be a Director. The Board may 
appoint a person who is willing to act as Director, either 
to fill a vacancy or as an addition to the Board. A Director 
appointed in this way may hold office only until the 
dissolution of the next Annual General Meeting unless he 
or she is reappointed during the meeting.

Power of Directors
The Directors are responsible for the management of the 
business of the Company and may exercise all powers of 
the Company subject to applicable legislation and 
regulation and the Memorandum and Articles of 
Association.

At the Annual General Meeting held on 23 September 
2014, the Directors were given the power to:
• Arrange for the Company to purchase its own shares in  

the market up to a limit of 15% of its issued share 

  capital;
• Allot ordinary shares up to an aggregate nominal value  
  of £93,000.
• Issue equity securities for cash, otherwise than to 
  existing shareholders in proportion to their existing 
  shareholdings, up to an aggregate nominal value of  
  £14,000.

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

09

 
Report of the directors continued

Substantial shareholdings
As at 30 April 2015 the following shareholders had each notified the Company that they held an interest of 3% or more, 
in the Company’s ordinary share capital.

Dana Investments BV

Herald Investment Management

Charles Stanley Stockbrokers

Hargreave Hale

H L Tee CBE and family trust

Rui Tripa

Laurence Robinson

Karen Robinson

WH Ireland

Parallel Ventures

SJ and TD Chambers

Sanibel Investments

Ken Ford

         Number of
ordinary 
shares

         Percentage 
of share
    capital

3,496,494

 2,936,667

1,591,688

1,476,667

1,396,000

1,333,000

1,285,578

1,250,578

1,223,000

1,209,704

1,066,000

1,045,000

1,000,000

10.62%

8.92%

4.84%

4.49%

4.24%

4.05%

3.91%

3.80%

3.72%

3.68%

3.24%

3.18%

3.04%

Auditor
A resolution to re-appoint Grant Thornton UK LLP as auditors for the ensuing year will be proposed at the Annual 
General Meeting in accordance with section 489 of the Companies Act 2006.

On behalf of the Board.

Mike Creedon
Chief Executive Officer
27 July 2015

10

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

 
 
Corporate governance statement

The Board is collectively responsible for the performance 
of the Group and is responsible to shareholders for proper 
management of the Group. A statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities is given on page 14 and a statement on 
going concern is given on page 8.

The Board has a formal schedule of matters 
specifically reserved to it for decisions including the 
approval of annual and interim results and 
recommendation of dividends, approval of annual 
budgets, approval of larger capital expenditure and 
investment proposals, review of the overall system of 
internal control and risk management and review of 
corporate governance arrangements. Other 
responsibilities are delegated to the Board Committees, 
being the Audit and Remuneration committees, which 
operate within clearly defined terms of reference, and 
which report back to the Board.

Relevant papers are distributed to members in advance 
of Board and Committee meetings. Directors’ knowledge 
and understanding of the Group is enhanced by visits to 
the operations and by receiving presentations by senior 
management on the results and strategies of the business 
units. Directors may take independent professional advice 
on any matter at the Company’s expense if they deem it 
necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities. The 
Company has secured appropriate insurance cover for 
Directors and Officers.

Board Committees
The following committees deal with specific aspects of 
the Group’s affairs.

Remuneration Committee
Details of the Remuneration Committee can be found in 
the Directors’ remuneration report on page 13.

The Board remains committed to maintaining high 
standards of corporate governance throughout the Group. 
The Board is accountable to the Company’s shareholders 
for good corporate governance. This statement describes 
how the principles of corporate governance are applied to 
the Company.

Statement about applying the principles 
of the Code
SDI does not fully comply with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code but has reported on the Company’s 
Corporate Governance arrangements drawing upon best 
practice available, including those aspects of the UK 
Governance Code which the Board considers to be 
relevant to the Company.

The workings of the Board and its committees
The Board
The Board comprises the Chairman, one Executive 
Director and two Non-Executive Directors. Mr Gibbs, a 
Non-Executive Director is an advisor to a major 
shareholder and is not considered to be independent. 
The remaining Non-Executive Directors are considered 
to be independent, provide a solid foundation for good 
corporate governance for the Group, and ensure that no 
individual or group dominates the Board’s decision 
making process. The Non-Executive Directors are 
independent of management. Each Non-Executive 
Director continues to demonstrate that they have 
sufficient time to devote to the Company’s business.

The Non-Executive Directors constructively challenge and 
assist in developing the strategy of the Group using their 
experience and knowledge of acquisition targets 
and fundraising. They scrutinise the performance of 
management against the Group’s objectives and also 
monitor the reporting of performance. The Board is 
provided with regular and timely information on the 
financial performance of the Group as a whole, together 
with reports on trading matters, markets and other 
relevant matters.

There are clearly defined roles for the Chairman and Chief 
Executive. The Chairman is responsible for leadership of 
the Board, ensuring effectiveness of the Board in all 
aspects, conducting Board meetings and the effective 
and timely communication of information to 
shareholders. The Chairman is able to provide advice, 
counsel and support to the Chief Executive. The Chief 
Executive has direct charge of the Group’s day-to-day 
activities and sets the operating plans and budgets 
required to deliver the agreed strategy. The Chief 
Executive is also responsible for ensuring that the Group 
has in place appropriate risk management and control 
mechanisms.

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

11

Corporate governance statement continued

• Management Structure. The Board has overall 

responsibility for the Group and there is a formal 

  schedule of matters specifically reserved for decision  
  by the Board. The Chief Executive has been given 

responsibility for specific aspects of the Group’s affairs.

  The Chief Executive also meets regularly with the
  Managing Directors and management teams of the
  subsidiary businesses.
• Quality and integrity of personnel. The integrity  
  and competence of personnel is ensured through high  

recruitment standards and subsequent training courses.  

  High quality personnel are seen as an essential part of 

the control environment.

• Financial information. There is a comprehensive   
  budgeting and forecasting system. Each year the Board  
  approves the annual budget. Key risk areas are 

identified and reported to the Board. Performance is  
  monitored on a monthly basis against budget and the  
  prior year and relevant actions identified.

  The Board receives and reviews monthly management  
  accounts together with full year forecasts which are 
  updated quarterly. Performance against forecast and  
  budget is closely monitored.

  The Chief Executive prepares a monthly report for the  
  Board on key developments, performance and issues in  

the businesses.

• Audit Committee. The Audit Committee monitors,  
through reports to it by the external auditors, the  
  controls which are in force and any perceived gaps  

in the control environment. The Audit Committee also  
  considers and determines relevant action in respect of  
  any control issues raised by these reports.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, which is chaired by A Simon and 
has J Gibbs and K Ford as members, meets not less than 
twice annually and more frequently if required.

The Board considers that each member of the Audit 
Committee has recent and relevant financial experience 
and an understanding of accounting and financial issues 
relevant to the industries in which Scientific Digital 
Imaging operates. The Committee provides a forum for 
reporting by the Group’s external auditors. Meetings are 
also attended by executives at the invitation of the 
Committee.

The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing a wide 
range of matters including the half year and annual 
accounts before their submission to the Board, and 
monitoring the controls which are in force to ensure 
integrity of the information reported to shareholders. 
The Audit Committee makes recommendations to the 
Board on the appointment and responsibilities of 
external auditors and on their remuneration both for 
audit and non-audit work, and discusses the nature, 
scope and results of the audit with external auditors.

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the 
cost effectiveness, independence and objectivity of Grant 
Thornton UK LLP, the external auditor, and agreeing the 
level of remuneration and extent of non-audit services.

Audit independence
The Board and Audit Committee place great emphasis on 
the objectivity of the Group’s auditors, Grant Thornton 
UK LLP. Audit Committee meetings are attended by the 
auditors to ensure full communication of matters relating 
to the audit and the Audit Committee meets with the 
auditors without the executives present to discuss, 
amongst other matters, the adequacy of controls and any 
material judgement areas.

Internal control
The Board has overall responsibility for establishing and 
maintaining the Group’s system of internal control and 
for reviewing its effectiveness. The Directors have 
reviewed the effectiveness of the system of internal 
controls in operation. The role of the Group’s 
management is to implement the Board policies on risk 
and control. Internal control systems are designed to 
meet the particular needs of the business concerned and 
the risks to which it is exposed and by their nature can 
provide reasonable but not absolute assurance against 
material misstatement or loss.

The key procedures, which the Directors have established 
to review and confirm the effectiveness of the system of 
internal control, include the following:

12

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ remuneration report

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is chaired by J Gibbs. 
A Simon and K Ford are also members of the Committee. 
In determining the remuneration packages, the 
Remuneration Committee may seek the view of the other 
Board members. The Committee consults with the Chief 
Executive on matters relating to the performance and 
remuneration of other senior executives within the Group. 
The Chief Executive was present for part of the 
Remuneration Committee meetings, but not when his 
own remuneration was discussed.

Statement about basis of preparation
SDI has produced this report to comply with AIM rule 19.

Remuneration policy
The objective of the remuneration policy is to provide 
packages for executives that are designed to attract, 
retain and motivate people of high quality and experience.

Directors’ remuneration and 
pension entitlements
The remuneration of the Directors is set out below:

Salary/ 
fees
£000

Taxable 
benefits 
£000

Pension      
£000

2015
Total
   £000

2014 
Total
£000

J Gibbs

18

A Simon

      18

K Ford

M Creedon

25

103

164

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

5

5

18

18

25

109

170

  18

18

25

107

168

Directors’ beneficial interests
Directors’ beneficial interests in shares in the Company 
are set out below:

The remuneration package for the Chief Executive and 
senior executives consists of an annual salary, short-term 
incentive scheme, pension arrangements, and health 
benefits.

A Simon

K Ford

M Creedon

2015
   Number

8,348

2014
Number

  8,348

1,000,000

375,000

7,500

2,000

The Committee believes that the base salary and benefits 
for executives should represent a fair return for 
employment but that the maximum total potential 
remuneration may only be achieved in circumstances 
where the executive has met challenging objectives that 
contribute to the Group’s overall profitability and 
performance. Performance-related elements, being the 
quarterly performance related pay, form a significant 
proportion of the remuneration of the executives aligning 
their interests with those of the shareholders and 
providing incentives for performance. A significant 
proportion of the executive’s total package is therefore 
required to be at risk.

Basic salary and benefits
The basic salaries of the Chief Executive and senior 
executives are reviewed annually and take effect from 1 
July each year. The basic salary is determined by 
reference to relevant market data and the individual’s 
experience, responsibilities and performance. Benefits 
principally comprise pension arrangements, life insurance, 
permanent health insurance, private healthcare and in 
some cases a company car.

None of the Directors had or has an interest in any 
material contract relating to the business of the Company 
or any of its subsidiary undertakings.

Directors’ beneficial interests in share options in the 
Company are set out below:

M Creedon

2015
   Number

2014
Number

285,000

  285,000

Service contracts
The service contract with M Creedon dated 25 April 2010 
includes a notice period of six months if given by either 
party.

The non-executive Directors’ service contracts include a 
notice period of three months if given by either party.

Remuneration policy for Non-Executive 
Directors
Fees for the Non-Executive Directors are determined by 
the Board as a whole. The Non-Executive Directors do 
not participate in the Company’s performance related pay 
scheme, and are not eligible for pension scheme 
membership.

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Directors confirm that:
• so far as each Director is aware there is no relevant  
  audit information of which the Company’s auditor is  
  unaware; and
• the Directors have taken all steps that they ought to  
  have taken as Directors in order to make themselves  
  aware of any relevant audit information and to establish  

that the auditors are aware of that information. 

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

By order of the Board

Ken Ford
Chairman
27 July 2015

Mike Creedon
Chief Executive Officer
27 July 2015

Directors’ responsibilities 

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year. Under that law the 
Directors have to prepare financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union 
and have elected to prepare separate parent company 
financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United 
Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable laws). 
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 and the 
profit or loss of the company and the Group for that 
period. In preparing these financial statements, the 
Directors are required to:
• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them  
  consistently
• make judgments and accounting estimates that are  

reasonable and prudent

• state whether applicable IFRSs and UK Accounting  
  Standards have been followed, subject to any 
  material departures disclosed and explained in the  
  Group and parent company financial statements 

respectively

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

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

14

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
Report of the independent auditor

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the 
Companies Act 2006
In our opinion the information given in the Strategic 
Report and Report of the Directors for the financial year 
for which the group financial statements are prepared is 
consistent with the group financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report 
by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following 
matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to 
report to you if, in our opinion:
• 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.

Other matter
We have reported separately on the parent company 
financial statements of Scientific Digital Imaging Plc for 
the year ended 30 April 2015.

David Newstead
Senior Statutory Auditor
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants
Cambridge
27 July 2015

Independent Auditor’s Report to the members
of Scientific Digital Imaging PLC
We have audited the group financial statements of 
Scientific Digital Imaging plc for the year ended 30 April 
2015 which comprise the consolidated income statement, 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the 
consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated statement 
of cash flows, the consolidated statement of changes 
in equity and the related notes. The financial reporting 
framework that has been applied in their preparation 
of the Group Financial statements is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 
adopted by the European Union.

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

Respective responsibilities of Directors 
and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement set out on page 14, the directors are 
responsible for the preparation of the group financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an 
opinion on the group financial statements in 
accordance with applicable law and International 
Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards 
require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s 
Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
A description of the scope of an audit of financial 
statements is provided on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion the consolidated financial statements:
• give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s 
  affairs as at 30 April 2015 and of its profit for the year  

then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs  
  as adopted by the European Union; and
• have been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

15

 
 
Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Administrative expenses

Operating profit

Analysed as:

Gross profit

Other administrative expenses

Reorganisation costs

Share based payments

Acquisition and fundraising costs

Operating profit

Finance payable and similar charges 

Net financing expenses

Profit/(loss) before tax

Income tax 

Profit/(loss) for the year

Earnings per share

Basic  earnings/(loss) per share

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share

 Note

   5

8

6

9

21

21

 4,118

(3,725)

393

 (200)

          (8)

       (126)

(36)

2015
 £000

   6,955

(2,837)

4,118

(4,059)

59

59

36

23

21

44

4,016

(3,959)

57

(22)

(6)

(28)

(39)

2014 
£000

   7,037

(3,021)

4,016

(4,015)

1

1

39

(38)

-

(38)

0.15p

0.15p

(0.16)p 

(0.16)p

All activities of the Group are classed as continuing.
The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

Profit/(loss) for the period

Other comprehensive income

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

2015
 £000

   44

40

84

2014 
£000

(38)

(75)

(113)

16

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
Consolidated balance sheet
for the year ended 30 April 2015

Assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment 

Deferred tax asset

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Liabilities

Non-current liabilities 

Borrowings 

Trade and other payables

Deferred tax liability

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables

Provisions for warranties

Borrowings

Current tax payable

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Share capital

Merger reserve

Share premium account

Own shares held by Employee Benefit Trust

Other reserves

Foreign exchange reserve

Retained earnings 

Total equity

 Note

2015
 £000

2014 
£000

10

11

12

13

14

15

19

16

12

16

18

19

2,012

2,085

417

105

419

99

2,534

2,603

982

1,584

5

876

3,447

5,981

156

101

174

431

1,117

1,286

16

539

2,958

5,561

272

189

169

630

1,452

1,427

18

269

-

1,739

2,170

3,811

17

199

35

1,678

2,308

3,253

20

329

278

3,030

3,030

22

1,478

(85)

73

(69)

(945)

3,811

1,063

(85)

65

(109)

(989)

3,253

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 27 July 2015.

Ken Ford
Chairman

Mike Creedon
Chief Executive Officer

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
Company registration number: 6385396

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

17

 
   
 
    
 
   
 
   
Consolidated statement of cash flows
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

Operating activities

Profit/(loss) for the year 

Depreciation

Amortisation

Finance costs and income

Increase in provision

Taxation in the income statement

Employee share based payments

Operating cash flows before movement in working capital

Increase in inventories

Changes in trade and other receivables

Changes in trade and other payables

Cash generated from operations

Interest paid

Income taxes received/(paid)

Cash generated from operating activities

Investing activities

Capital expenditure on fixed assets

Expenditure on development and other intangibles

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash

Sale of property, plant and equipment

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities

Finance leases repayments

Loan stock repayment

Proceeds from bank borrowing

Repayment of borrowings

Issues of shares

Net cash from financing

Net changes in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year  

Foreign currency movements on cash balances

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

2015
 £000

2014 
£000

44

199

372

36

1

(21)

8

639

135

(298)

(37)

439

(26)

(4)

409

(255)

(299)

-

65

(38)

227

368

39

-

-

6

602

(88)

199

(190)

523

(26)

7

504

(257)

(540)

(273)

64

(489)

(1,006)

(33)

-

-

(30)

466

403

323

539

14

876

(34)

(204)

300

(27)

636

671

169

388

(18)

539

18

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

 
   
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 30 April 2015

Balance at 30 April 2014

Shares issued

Share based payments

Transactions with owners

Profit for the year

Foreign exchange on consolidation 

of subsidiaries

Total comprehensive income for 

the period

Share 
capital
£000

278

Merger 
reserve 
£000

3,030

Foreign 
exchange 
 £000

Share 
premium
£000

Own 
shares 
held by 
EBT
   £000

Other 
reserves
£000

Retained 
earnings
£000

Total
£000

(109)

1,063

(85)

  65

  (989)

  3,253

51           

-

51

-

-

-

-           

-

-

-

-

-

-           

-

-

-

40

40

415

-

415

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

8

8

-

-

-

-

-

-

44

-

44

466

8

474

44

40

84

Balance at 30 April 2015

329

3,030

(69)

1,478

(85)

73

(945)

3,811

Balance at 30 April 2013

Shares issued

Share based payments

Transfer of equity on consolidation 

of shares

Share 
capital
£000

194

84           

-

-

Merger 
reserve 
£000

2,606

424           

-

-

Transactions with owners

84

424

Loss for the year

Foreign exchange on consolidation 

of subsidiaries

Total comprehensive income for 

the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

Foreign 
exchange 
 £000

Share 
premium
£000

(34)

-

-

-

-

-

(75)

(75)

335

728

-

-

728

-

-

-

Own 
shares 
held by 
EBT
   £000

Other 
reserves
£000

Retained 
earnings
£000

(85)

  100

  (992)

Total
£000

  2,124

1,236

6

-

1,242

(38)

(75)

-

-

41

41

(38)

-

(38)

(113)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6

(41)

(35)

-

-

-

Balance at 30 April 2014

278

3,030

(109)

1,063

(85)

65

(989)

3,253

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

19

           
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

1  Reporting entity
Scientific Digital Imaging plc, a public limited company, is the Group’s ultimate parent. It is registered and domiciled in 
England and Wales. The consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 30 April 2015 comprise the 
Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”). The details of subsidiary undertakings are listed in 
Note 5 to the Company Financial Statements.

2  Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the EU and as applied with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as 
modified by the recognition of certain financial instruments at fair value.

The principal accounting policies of the Group are set out below.

The consolidated financial statements are presented in British pounds (£), which is also the functional currency of the 
ultimate parent company. All values are rounded to the nearest thousand (£’000) except where otherwise indicated.

The Directors have concluded that the going concern basis remains appropriate in the preparation of the company 
financial statements as explained in the note on going concern in the Strategic Report on page 8.

Accounting judgement and estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires the management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that 
affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual amounts may 
differ from these estimates.

Judgements
Careful judgement by the management is applied when deciding whether the capitalisation requirements for 
development costs have been met. This is necessary as the economic success of any product development is uncertain 
and may be subject to future technical problems at the time of recognition. Judgements are based on the information 
available at each balance sheet date. In addition, all internal activities related to the research and development of new 
products are continuously monitored. The carrying value of development costs is detailed in note 10.

Estimates
Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are 
recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

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

Intangibles – development costs
The Group is required to capitalise any development costs that meet the criteria as per IAS 38. (See Research and 
Development accounting policy, page 22) Significant assumptions are made in categorising development costs and in 
estimating the future profits expected from the development. Changes in these assumptions could affect the value of 
costs capitalised and hence the amount charged to the income statement.
The point at which development costs meet the criteria for capitalisation is critically dependent on management’s 
judgement of the point at which technical and commercial feasibility is demonstrable. The carrying value of
development costs for this and prior year was £770k (2014: £802k).

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets
The impairment analysis of intangible assets is based upon future discounted cash flows and a number of assumptions 
have been made to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash generating unit as well as a suitable 
discount rate in order to calculate present value. Factors like lower than anticipated sales and resulting decreases of net 
cash flows and changes in discount rates could lead to impairment. For details of assumptions see note 10. The carrying 
amount of goodwill for this and prior year was £1,122k (2014: £1,122k). Other intangibles had a carrying amount of £120k 
(2014: £161k).

Deferred taxation
Deferred tax is provided for based on management’s estimation of future profits and utilisation of tax losses. Changes 
in these assumptions could affect the value of deferred tax provided for and hence the amount charged to the income 
statement. The total carrying amount of the deferred tax asset at 30 April 2015 is £105k (2014: £99k) of which £105k 
(2014: £99k) relates to trading losses.

20

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

Contingent consideration
Contingent consideration on acquisitions is measured at fair value. Where future payments are dependent on 
performance, predicted revenue levels for three years from the date of acquisition based on financial forecasts have 
been used, when recognising the liability. The fair value at 30 April 2015 was £194k (2014: £265k).

3  Principal accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year 
ended 30 April 2014. The adoption of new accounting standards and interpretations which came into effect has not had 
a material impact on the Group’s financial statements in this period of initial application.

Basis of consolidation
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group where control is the power to govern the financial and operating 
policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the 
consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Intra group balances and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra group transactions are eliminated in 
preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Business combinations
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method under the revised IFRS 3 Business combinations. 
The consideration transferred by the Group to obtain control of a subsidiary is calculated as the sum of the 
acquisition-date fair value of assets transferred, liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued by the Group, which 
includes the fair value of any asset or liability arising from a contingent consideration agreement. Acquisition costs are 
expensed with administration expenses as incurred. The Group recognises identifiable assets acquired and liabilities 
assumed including contingent liabilities, in a business combination regardless of whether they have been previously 
recognised in the acquiree’s financial statements prior to the acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are 
generally measured at their acquisition-date fair values.

Foreign currency
Transactions entered into by Group entities in a currency other than the functional currency of the company which 
incurred them are recorded at the rate of exchange at the time of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates of exchange prevailing at that 
date. Exchange differences arising on the retranslation of unsettled monetary assets and liabilities are recognised 
immediately in profit or loss.

For the purpose of presenting the consolidated financial statements the assets and liabilities of the Group’s overseas 
operations are translated using exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date.

Income and expense items of overseas operations are translated at exchange rates approximating to those ruling when 
the transactions took place. Exchange differences arising from this policy are recognised in other comprehensive income 
and accumulated in the foreign exchange reserve, such translation differences are reclassified from equity to profit or 
loss as a reclassification adjustment in the period in which the foreign operation is disposed of.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to profit or loss 
on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of property, plant and equipment to write down the 
cost of the asset to its residual value. Residual values are reviewed annually.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Motor vehicles 
Computer equipment 
Tools and other equipment 
Furniture, fixtures and fittings 
Building and leasehold improvements 

3 years
3 years 
3 years 
5 years 
5 years 

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred over the Group’s interest in the net fair 
value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquiree. When the excess is negative, it is 
recognised immediately in profit or loss as a gain from a bargain purchase. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually 
or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired. Goodwill is 
also reviewed for impairment immediately following an acquisition. The impairment of goodwill is based upon value in 
use, determined using estimated future discounted cash flows.

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

21

 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

Research and development
Expenditure on research activities undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and 
understanding is recognised in the income statement as an expense as incurred.

Expenditure on development activities, whereby research findings are applied to a plan or design for the production of 
new or substantially improved products and processes, is capitalised if the following conditions are met:
• Completion of the intangible asset is technically feasible so that it will be available for use or sale;
• The Group intends to complete the intangible assets and use or sell it;
• The Group has the ability to use or sell the intangible asset;
• The intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits. Among other things, this requires that there is 
  a market for the output from the intangible asset or the intangible asset itself, or, if it is to be used internally, the asset   
  will be used for generating such benefits;
• The expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development can be measured reliably.
The expenditure capitalised includes direct cost of material, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of overheads. 
Other development expenditure is recognised in the income statement as an expense as incurred. Capitalised 
development is stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.

Amortisation is charged to profit and loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets. 
Amortisation is shown within administrative expenses in the income statement. The estimated useful lives of current 
development projects are between three and five years. Until completion of the project the assets are subject to 
impairment testing.

Other intangible assets
Intangible assets acquired as part of an acquisition of a business are capitalised separately from goodwill providing the 
assets are separable or they arise from contractual or other legal rights and their fair value can be measured reliably. 
The fair value of intangible assets includes any tax benefit.

Intangible assets with a finite life are amortised over their useful economic lives. Amortisation is recognised in the 
income statement within administrative expenses on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible 
assets, other than goodwill, from the date that they are available for use.

Capitalised development costs 
Other intangible assets

3 years
5-7 years 

Impairment
The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-financial assets, other than inventories and deferred tax assets, are reviewed 
at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists then the 
asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. For intangible assets that have indefinite lives or that are not yet available for 
use, the recoverable amount is estimated at each reporting date.

The recoverable amount of an asset is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. In assessing value 
in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects 
current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.

For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are largely independent 
cash flows (cash-generating units). As a result, some assets are tested individually for impairment and some are tested 
at cash-generating level. Goodwill is allocated to those cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from synergies 
of the related business combination and represent the lowest level within the Group at which management monitors 
goodwill.

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment 
losses are recognised in profit or loss. Impairment losses for cash-generating units reduce first the carrying value of any 
goodwill allocated to that cash generating unit. Any remaining impairment loss is charged pro rata to the other assets 
in the cash-generating unit. With the exception of goodwill, all assets are subsequently reassessed for indicators that an 
impairment loss previously recognised may no longer exist.   

22

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

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

Inventories 
Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The cost of inventories comprises all costs of 
purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their location and condition at the 
balance sheet date. Items are valued using the first in, first out method. When inventories are used, the carrying amount 
of these inventories is recognised as an expense in the period in which the related revenue is recognised. Provisions 
for write-down to net realisable value and losses of inventories are recognised as an expense in the period in which the 
write-down or loss occurs.

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and deposits.

Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at 
amortised cost. Any difference between the proceeds and the redemption value is recognised in the income statement 
over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the 
liabilities for at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

Equity
Equity comprises the following:
• “Share capital” represents the nominal value of equity shares.
• “Merger reserve” represents the difference between the parent company’s cost of investment and the subsidiary’s  
  share capital and share premium where a group reorganisation qualifies as a common control transaction.
• “Share premium account” represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value of consideration received for 
  equity shares, net of expenses of the share issue.
• “Foreign exchange reserve” represents the differences arising from translation of investments in overseas subsidiaries.
• “Own shares held by Employee Benefit Trust” represents shares held in trust for the benefit of employees.
• “Other reserve” represents equity-settled share-based employee remuneration until such share options are exercised.    
  The equity component of convertible stock is also included. On conversion of the loan stock the equity component is    

transferred into the retained earnings reserve.
• “Retained earnings” represents retained profits.
Contributions to pension schemes
Defined Contributions Scheme
Obligations for contributions for defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the income statement when 
they are due.

Financial assets 
The Group’s financial assets comprise trade receivables, other receivables, cash and cash equivalents. Trade and other 
receivables are initially stated at fair value and thereafter at amortised cost using effective interest method. The 
carrying amounts of the Group’s financial assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is 
any indication of impairment. The amount of the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the assets’ 
carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate. 
The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

An impairment loss in respect of trade and other receivables is reversed if the amount of the impairment loss decreases 
and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised.

Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are obligations to pay cash or other financial assets and are recognised when the Group becomes 
a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. The Group’s financial liabilities comprise trade payables, other 
payables, other loans and bank borrowings. All financial liabilities are measured at fair value plus transaction costs on 
initial recognition and subsequently are measured at amortised cost. Contingent consideration is measured at fair value 
through profit and loss in the income statement. 

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

23

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

Financial instruments
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements 
entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that results in a residual interest in the assets of the Company after 
deducting all of its financial liabilities. Equity instruments do not include a contractual obligation to deliver cash or other 
financial assets to another entity.

Any instrument that does have the obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity is classified as a 
financial liability. Financial liabilities are presented under liabilities on the balance sheet.

Compound financial instruments
Compound financial instruments comprise both a liability and equity component. In accordance with International 
Accounting Standard (IAS) 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation such instruments are to be split into their debt and 
equity elements, with each element being accounted for separately.

At date of issue, the fair value of the liability component is estimated using the prevailing market interest rate for a 
similar debt instrument without the equity component. The residual is the difference between the net proceeds of issue 
and the liability component (at time of issue) and is accounted for as an equity instrument.

The interest expense on the liability component is calculated applying the effective interest rate for the liability 
component of the instrument and is recognised in the income statement. The difference between this amount and any 
repayments is added to the carrying amount of the financial liability. On conversion the equity component is transferred 
into the retained earnings reserve, and the liability component offset against the cash paid and shares issued.

Revenue recognition
Revenue is solely from the sale of goods and is recognised in the income statement when the significant risks and 
rewards of ownership have been transferred to the customers. Revenue is recognised when goods are despatched. 
Revenue from the sale of goods provided is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net 
of returns, VAT and trade discounts.

Leased assets
Leases are classified as finance leases when they transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership otherwise 
leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts are capitalised in the balance sheet and depreciated over 
their expected useful economic lives. Depreciation is over the shorter of the lease term and the useful life of the asset. 
The interest element of leasing payments represents a constant proportion of the capital balance outstanding and is 
charged to profit or loss over the period of the lease.

All other leases are regarded as operating leases and the payments made under them are recognised in profit or loss on 
a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Contingent consideration
Contingent consideration on acquisitions is measured at fair value. Future payments are dependent on revenue targets.

Taxation
Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on the taxable profit for the year. Current tax is recognised in profit or loss, except 
that current tax relating to items recognised in other comprehensive income is recognised in other comprehensive 
income and current tax relating to items recognised directly in equity is recognised in equity. Taxable profit differs from 
profit as reported in the income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or 
deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible.

Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial 
statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and are accounted for using 
the balance sheet liability method. However, deferred tax is not provided on the initial recognition of goodwill, or on 
the initial recognition of an asset or liability unless the related transaction is a business combination or affects tax or 
accounting profit. Deferred tax on temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries is not provided if 
reversal of these temporary differences can be controlled by the Group or it is probable that reversal will not occur in the 
foreseeable future. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets 
are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which the temporary 
difference can be utilised.

24

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

Taxation continued
The carrying value of deferred tax is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer 
probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow part or all of the assets to be recovered.

Deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that are enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred 
tax is charged or credited to the income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to 
equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax relating to items recognised in other 
comprehensive income is recognised in other comprehensive income.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against 
current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends 
to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Segment reporting
The Group identifies reportable operating segments based on internal management reporting that is regularly reviewed 
by the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision maker is the Chief Executive Officer.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when present obligations as a result of a past event will probably lead to an outflow of 
economic resources from the Group and the amounts can be estimated reliably.

A provision for warranties is recognised when the underlying products are sold. The provision is based on historical 
warranty data and a weighting of possible outcomes against their associated probabilities.

Employee benefit trust
The employee benefit trust is a separately administered discretionary trust for the benefit of employees, the assets of 
which comprise shares in the Company. The material assets, liabilities, income and costs of the ESOP or EBT are 
consolidated within these financial statements. Until such time as the Company’s own shares held by the trust vest 
unconditionally in employees, the consideration paid for the shares is deducted in arriving at shareholders’ funds.

Share based payments
Scientific Digital Imaging plc regularly issues share options to employees. The fair value of the award granted is 
recognised as an employee expense within the Income Statement with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value 
is measured at the grant date and allocated over the vesting period based on the best available estimate of the number 
of share options expected to vest. Estimates are subsequently revised if there is any indication that the number of share 
options expected to vest differs from previous estimates.

When shares are issued for the purchase of intangibles, the fair value is measured at the grant date.

The fair value of the grants is measured using the Black-Scholes model taking into account the terms and conditions 
upon which the grants were made.

4  Standards and interpretations currently in issue but not yet effective
The following new Standards and Interpretations, which are yet to become mandatory, have not been applied in the 
consolidated financial statements.
• IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (effective 1 January 2018).
• Amendments to IFRS 7 Disclosures – offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities (effective 1 January 2015).
• Amendments to IFRS 11 (effective 1 January 2016).
• Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 Clarification of acceptable methods of depreciation and amortisation (effective 1  
  January 2016).
• Annual improvements to IFRSs 2012-2014 Cycle (effective 1 January 2016).
Based on the Group’s current business model and accounting policies, management does not expect material impacts 
on the consolidated financial statements when the Standards and Interpretations listed above and others not listed 
become effective. The Group does not intend to apply any of these pronouncements early.

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

25

 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

5  Segment analysis
Management consider that there is a single operating segment being the supply of digital imaging equipment, 
encompassing Synoptics three marketing brands: Syngene, Synbiosis, Syncroscopy and the Atik brand which is used 
within Synoptics brands and sold externally to the amateur astronomy market. Each of the brands have a number of 
products and whilst sales performance of each brand is monitored, resources are managed and strategic decisions made 
on the basis of the Group as a whole.  

The geographical analysis of revenue by destination and non-current assets (excluding deferred tax) by location is set 
out below:

Revenue by destination of external customer

United Kingdom (country of domicile)

Europe

America

Rest of Asia

Rest of World

Non-current assets by location (excluding deferred tax)

United Kingdom

Portugal

America

6  Profit/(loss) before taxation
Profit/(loss) for the year has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):

Amortisation other intangibles (Note 10)

Depreciation charge for year:

- Property, plant and equipment

- Property, plant and equipment held under finance leases 

(Profit) / loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Research and development costs:

- Expensed as incurred   

- Amortisation charge

Auditor’s remuneration Group:

- Audit of Group accounts

Fees paid to the auditor and its associates in respect of other services:

- Audit of Company’s subsidiaries 

- Tax services

- Other services

Currency exchange (gains) and losses

Rental of land and buildings 

Rental of other items

2015
 £000

   834

2,121

2,290

1,413

297

2014 
£000

901

2,221

2,233

1,491

191

6,955

7,037

2015
 £000

2014 
£000

   2,225

2,293

60

144

66

145

2,429

2,504

2015
 £000

   60

2014 
£000

61

164

35

338

312

11

35

6

3

40

128

18

196

31

-

215

307

12

37

6

2

(66)

122

16

During the year the Board carried out a thorough review of the operations and structures of the Group which gave rise 
to £200k of costs incurred for the reorganisation (2014: £22k).

Additionally £126k of costs relating to work on potential acquisitions and fundraising (2014: £28k) were also incurred. 

26

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
7  Directors’ and employees’ remuneration
Staff costs during the year were as follows:

Wages and salaries (including restructuring costs and other termination

benefits £200k (2014: £26k))

Social security costs

Share based payments

Other pension costs

The share based payment charge is included in the income statement separately.

Staff costs relating to capitalised research and development are excluded from the table above. 

The average number of employees of the Group during the year was:

2015
 £000

2014 
£000

   2,020

2,035

180

8

49

187

6

61

2,257

2,289

2015
Number

2014 
Number

Administration

Production

Product development 

Sales and marketing

The remuneration of the Directors is set out below:

J Gibbs

A Simon

K Ford

M Creedon

   19

12

10

11

52

Salary/ 
fees
£000

18

      18

25

103

164

Taxable 
benefits 
£000

Sub 
Total
 £000

Pension      
£000

2015
Total
   £000

-

-

-

1

1

18

18

25

104

165

-

-

-

5

5

18

18

25

109

170

17

12

10

12

51

2014 
Total
£000

  18

18

25

107

168

The aggregate emoluments and amounts receivable under incentive schemes of the highest paid director were £104k 
(2014: £103k). Company pension contributions of £5k (2014: £4k) were made to a money purchase scheme. As at 30 
April 2015 the highest paid Director held a total of 285,000 share options (2014: 285,000 share options). No share 
options were exercised by any Director during the year.

Key management for the Group is considered to be the Directors of the Group. Employer’s National Insurance in respect 
of Directors was £19k in 2015 (2014: £19k), and share based payment charge was £2k in 2015 (2014: £2k).

Share based employee remuneration
Two employee share option schemes (an EMI scheme and an approved scheme) have been established, under which 
options may be granted to employees (including Directors) to subscribe for ordinary shares in the Company. A further 
share option scheme (unapproved scheme) has been established under which options may be granted to employees 
and directors to subscribe for ordinary shares in the Company. All schemes have been approved by shareholders in 
general meetings. The approved scheme has been approved by HM Revenue & Customs. The options can be exercised 
three years after the share options are granted. Upon vesting, each option allows the holder to purchase one ordinary 
share. The options lapse if share options remain unexercised after a period of 10 years after the date of grant or if the 
employee leaves. 

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

27

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

Share based employee remuneration continued
A summary of options outstanding currently is as follows:

2015

2014

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
price of 
options

Number of 
share options

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

1,083,000

£0.183

Granted during the year

Expired during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

-

(150,000)

933,000

355,000

-

£0.170

£0.177

£0.182

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
price of 
options

£0.185

£0.205

£0.183

£0.183

£0.125

Number of 
share options

1,130,000

100,000

(147,000)

1,083,000

304,000

The share options at the end of the year have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 6.2 years (2014: 7.2 
years). The range of exercise prices for the outstanding options is £0.125 to £0.3225.

Under the rules of the share option schemes, options are not normally exercisable until after 3 years from the date of the 
grant. Options may, however, be exercised early in certain circumstances such as, for example, option holders ceasing 
to be employed as a result of injury, disability, redundancy or retirement. Option holders in the unapproved scheme may 
exercise their options within 6 months of leaving the Board of Directors or Company for reasons other than for dismissal.

Options were valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. 

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price over three years. 
The expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based upon management’s best estimate, for the effects of 
non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

The share based payment expense for the Group totalled £8k (2014: £6k).

Pensions
The Group operates a defined contributions pension scheme for the benefit of the employees. The assets of the scheme 
are administered by trustees in a fund independent from those of the Group. Total contributions for the Group were 
£49k (2014: £65k).

2015
£000

9

2014
£000

9

2015
£000

27

4

-

5

36

2014
£000

18

7

11

3

39

Current pension obligations included in liabilities

8  Finance costs

Invoice discounting and bank loans  

Finance leases and hire purchase contracts

Loan stock 

Interest on other loans

28

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

9  Taxation

Corporation tax:

Corporation tax adjustment

Prior year corporation tax adjustment

Deferred tax expense

Income tax charge

Reconciliation of effective tax rate

Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before tax 

Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of 

Corporation tax in the UK of 20.92% (2014: 22.84%)

Effects of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Additional deduction for R&D expenditure

Prior year tax adjustments

Transferred (from)/to tax losses

2015
£000

2014
£000

-

(19)

(19)

(2)

(21)

2015
£000

23

5

19

-

(19)

(26)

(21)

(7)

(18)

(25)

25

-

2014
£000

(38)

(9)

-

(43)

(18)

70 

-

The Group takes advantage of the enhanced tax deductions for Research and Development expenditure in the UK and 
expects to continue to be able to do so.  

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

29

                                         
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

10  Intangible assets
The amounts recognised in the balance sheet relate to the following:

Cost

At 1 May 2014

Additions

At 30 April 2015

Amortisation

At 1 May 2014

Amortisation for the year

At 30 April 2015

Net book amount at 30 April 2015

Net book amount at 30 April 2014

Cost

At 1 May 2013

Additions

At 30 April 2014

Amortisation

At 1 May 2013

Amortisation for the year

At 30 April 2014

Net book amount at 30 April 2014

Net book amount at 30 April 2013

Other 
intangibles
£000

Goodwill
£000

Development
costs
£000

349

19

368

188

60

248

120

161

1,122

-

1,122

-

-

-

1,122

1,122

2,159

280

2,439

1,357

312

1,669

770

802

Other 
intangibles
£000

Goodwill
£000

Development
costs
£000

216

133

349

127

61

188

161

89

170

952

1,122

-

-

-

1,122

170

1,687

472

2,159

1,050

307

1,357

802

637

Total
£000

3,630

299

3,929

1,545

372

1,917

2,012

2,085

Total
£000

2,073

1,557

3,630

1,177

368

1,545

2,085

896

The goodwill relates to
(a) the acquisition of Artemis CCD Ltd and Perseu Comercio De Equipamento Para Informatica E Astronomia SA. 
These subsidiaries have been treated as a single cash generating unit (Atik) for the purpose of calculating the 
recoverable amount of goodwill which is based on its value in use. The impairment assessment for the cash 
generating unit was based on value-in-use calculations covering a detailed one year forecast, followed by an 
extrapolation of expected cash flows. These cash flows have been extrapolated over five years with a terminal  
growth rate of nil, and a discount rate of 17%. This period has been chosen because management’s experience 
and knowledge of the business indicates that an equivalent business will have a useful life in excess of five years. 

  Management’s key assumption for this cash generating unit and resulting cash flows is to grow sales through 

increased market share which have been determined based upon past experience in this market. The Group is not 
currently aware of any probable changes that would lead to the carrying value exceeding the recoverable amount.  

(b) the acquisition of Opus Instruments. The impairment assessment for the cash generating unit was based on 

value-in-use calculations covering a detailed three year forecast with an assumed terminal growth rate of nil and a  
discount rate of 17%. This period has been chosen because management’s experience and knowledge of the 
business indicates that an equivalent business will have a useful life in excess of three years. Management’s key 
assumption for this cash-generating unit is to grow sales through increased market share and reduced the cost base.  

  Which have been determined using the future plans for the business, which include exploration of further 

applications for the infrared imaging system and help to enhance SDI’s current product offering in this market. The  

  Group is not currently aware of any probable changes that would lead to the carrying value exceeding the

recoverable amount.

The amortisation charges are included within administrative expenses within the Income Statement.

30

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11  Property, plant and equipment

Cost

At 1 May 2014

Additions

Disposals

At 30 April 2015

Depreciation

At 1 May 2014

Charge for year

Disposals

At 30 April 2015

Net book value

At 30 April 2015

At 30 April 2014

Cost

At 1 May 2013

Additions

Disposals

At 30 April 2014

Depreciation

At 1 May 2013

Charge for year

Disposals

At 30 April 2014

Net book value

At 30 April 2014

At 30 April 2013

Motor
vehicles
£000

Computer
equipment
£000

Tools and
other
equipment
£000

Furniture
fixtures
and fittings
£000

Building and 
leasehold
improvements
£000

82

-

-

82

66

7

-

73

9

 16

187

10

-

197

156

23

-

179

18

31

993

237

(130)

1,100

682

161

(65)

778

322

311

109

4

-

113

103

6

-

109

4

6

124

11

-

135

69

2

-

71

64

55

Motor
vehicles
£000

Computer
equipment
£000

Tools and
other
equipment
£000

Furniture
fixtures
and fittings
£000

Building and 
leasehold
improvements
£000

77

25

(20)

82

77

9

(20)

66

16

 -

177

10

-

187

128

28

-

156

31

49

1,127

256

(390)

993

820

188

(326)

682

311

307

108

1

-

109

103

-

-

103

6

5

127

3

(6)

124

73

2

(6)

69

55

54

Total
£000

1,495

262

(130)

1,627

1,076

199

(65)

1,210

417

419

Total
£000

1,616

295

(416)

1,495

1,201

227

(352)

1,076

419

415

The net book value of building and leasehold, motor vehicles, computer equipment, tools and equipment and furniture, 
fixtures and fittings includes an amount of £27k (2014: £69k) in respect of assets held under finance leases and hire 
purchase contracts. Of this amount £15k (2014: £22k) relates to building and leasehold improvements, £14k (2014: £21k) 
relates to motor vehicles, £7k (2014: £36k) relates to computer equipment and £6k (2014: £12k) relates to tools and 
equipment.

Depreciation on these assets is £7k (2014: £3k), £7k (2014: £1k), £15k (2014: £21k) and £6k (2014: £6k) respectively.

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

31

      
      
            
         
         
      
      
            
         
         
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

12  Deferred tax

At 1 May 

Deferred tax on capitalised R & D

Trading losses recognised

Other temporary differences

Charge on intangibles recognised on acquisition

At 30 April

Deferred tax on capitalised R & D

Other temporary differences

Deferred tax on acquisition intangibles

Trading losses recognised

2015

2014

Deferred 
tax asset
£000

Deferred 
tax liability
£000

Deferred 
tax asset
£000

Deferred 
tax liability
£000

99

-

6

-

-

(169)

(17)

-

6

6

105

(174)

2015

Asset
£000

-

-

-

105

105

Liability
£000

(172)

-

(2)

-

(174)

125

-

(26)

-

99

2014

Asset
£000

-

-

-

         99

(164)

(26)

14

7

(169)

Liability
£000

 (155)

(6)

(8)

-

99  

(169)

Deferred tax assets are recognised for tax losses available for carrying forward to the extent that the realisation of the 
related tax benefit through future taxable profits is probable. The Group did not recognise deferred tax assets of £321k 
(2014: £537k) in respect of losses. Total losses (provided and unprovided) totalled £2.1m (2014: £3.1m).

13  Inventories

Raw materials and consumables

Work in progress

Finished goods

2015
£000

680

107

195

982

2014
£000

628

72

417

1,117

There is no material difference between the replacement cost of inventory and the amounts stated above.

In the year ended 30 April 2015 a total of £2,918k (2014: £2,944k) of inventories were consumed and charged to the 
Income Statement as an expense. In addition a total adjustment of £81k (2014: total adjustment £77k) was made 
resulting from the reduction of inventory provisions and write down of inventories.

32

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

14  Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Prepayments 

2015
£000

1,461

48

75

2014
£000

1,146

63

77

1,584

1,286

All amounts are short-term. All of the receivables have been reviewed for indications of impairment. A provision is made 
against debtors that are considered not to be recoverable.

A reconciliation of the movement in the impairment provision for trade receivables is as follows:

Impairment provision as at 1 May 2014

(Decrease)/ increase  in provision

Provision as at 30 April 2015

2015
£000

2014
£000

17

12

29

18

(1)

17

In addition, some of the unimpaired trade receivables are past due at the reporting date. There are no indications that 
financial assets past due but not impaired are irrecoverable. The age of financial assets past due but not impaired is as 
follows:

Less than 1 month

More than 1 month but not more than 3 months

More than 3 months but not more than 6 months

More than 6 months but not more than 1 year

More than 1 year

2015
£000

347

242

120

42

9

760

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

15  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

16  Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Social security and other taxes

Other payables

Accruals and deferred income

Contingent consideration

2015
£000

876

2015
£000

756

111

338

154

93

2014
£000

267

168

54

37

84

610

2014
£000

539

2014
£000

717

78

405

151

76

All amounts are short-term. The carrying values are considered to be a reasonable approximation of fair value.

1,452

1,427

Trade and other payables non-current

Contingent consideration (note 28) 

101

189

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

33

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

17  Lease liabilities
The Group’s motor fleet, a number of computers and a leasehold property in Portugal are held under finance lease 
arrangements. The net carrying amount of the assets held under leases is £44k (2014: £70k).

30 April 2015

Gross lease payments

Future interest 

Net present values

30 April 2014

Gross lease payments

Future interest 

Net present values

Within 1 
year
£000

1 to 5 
years
£000

Over 5 
years
£000

23

(2)

21

24

(1)

23

-

-

-

Within 1 
year
£000

1 to 5 
years
£000

Over 5 
years
£000

34

(3)

31

41

(2)

39

-

-

-

Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts are secured on the assets to which they relate.

18  Provision for warranties

As at 1 May 2014

Provision utilised during the year

Provided for in year

Warranty provision as at 30 April 2015

2015
£000

17

(17)

18

18

Total
£000

47

(3)

44

Total
£000

75

(5)

70

2014
£000

17

(17)

17

17

Warranties of between one and three years are given with the sales of products. There are potential costs associated 
with the repair of goods under these warranties which could occur at any time over the next three years. The level of 
costs is uncertain. The warranty provision is based on the historical cost of warranty repairs over the last three years. 
It is expected that the majority of this expenditure will be incurred in the next financial year.

19  Borrowings
Borrowings are repayable as follows:

Within one year

Bank finance

Finance leases

After one and within five years

Bank finance

Other loan

Finance leases

Total borrowings

34

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

2015
£000

2014
£000

248

21

269

83

50

23

156

425

168

31

199

183

50

39

272

471

19  Borrowings continued
Bank finance relates to amounts drawn down under the Group’s invoice discounting facility (£148k (2014: £69k)) and 
bank loans (£183k (2014: £282k)), secured by a fixed and floating charge over the Group’s undertakings. The bank loan, 
taken out to finance the acquisition of Opus Instruments, is repayable in monthly instalments and attracts interest at a 
rate of 6.1% over base rate.

During the year to 30 April 2014 loan stock of £368k was converted into 833,334 ordinary shares of 1 pence at a market 
price of 15 pence each and cash of £254k and (included outstanding loan interest of £11k), £50k of which was loaned 
back to the Group by a shareholder. This has been included under “Other loan”, and is repayable between June 2014 and 
June 2018. Interest is charged at a rate of 9%.

20  Share capital

Authorised

2015
£000

2014
£000

1,000,000,000 (2014: 1,000,000,000) Ordinary shares of 1p each

10,000

10,000

Allotted, called up and fully paid

32,912,308 (2014 : 27,777,308) Ordinary shares of 1p each

329

278

During the year 5,135,000 Ordinary shares of 1p each at a market price of 10p were issued raising £513k, £466k net 
(less share issue costs of £47k).

711,528 Ordinary shares (2014: 711,528) are held by the Synoptics Employee Benefit Trust and are reserved for providing 
employee benefits such as satisfying the exercise of share options.

21  Earnings per share
The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the profits attributable to the shareholders of Scientific 
Digital Imaging plc divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year, excluding shares held by 
the Synoptics Employee Benefit Trust. All earnings per share calculations relate to continuing operations of the Group.

Year ended 30 April 2015

Year ended 30 April 2014

Profit/(loss) 
attributable to 
shareholders
£000

Weighted 
average 
number of 
shares

Basic earnings/
(loss) per share 
amount in 
pence

44

28,902,787

 (38)

24,471,226

0.15

(0.16)

The calculation of the diluted earnings (loss) per share is based on the profits attributable to the shareholders of 
Scientific Digital Imaging plc divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year, as adjusted 
for dilutive share options.

Year ended 30 April 2015

Year ended 30 April 2014

Diluted (loss)/ 
earnings per 
share amount in 
pence

0.15

(0.16)

The reconciliation of average number of ordinary shares used for basic and diluted earnings is as below:

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used for basic earnings per share

28,902,787

24,471,226

Weighted average number of ordinary shares under option

-

-

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used for diluted earnings per share

28,902,787

24,471,226

In 2014, as the company has made a loss, the dilutive earnings per share is based on the basic earnings per share.

2015

2014

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

35

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

22  Own shares held by employee benefit trust

Group

At 30 April 2014 and 30 April 2015

As at 30 April 2015 and 30 April 2014 the trust held 711,528 shares in Scientific Digital Imaging plc.

23   Operating leases commitments and contingent liabilities

Operating lease commitments
Future total minimum rental payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows;

Investment in
own shares
£000

85

Group

In one year or less

Between one and five years

Over five years

2015

2014

Land and
Buildings
£000

97

335

1,049

1,481

Other
£000

16

11

-

27

Land and
Buildings
£000

28

207

-

235

Other
£000

-

39

-

39

Lease payments recognised as an expense during the year amount to £128k (2014: £122k).

Synoptics Limited have signed a rental contract this year for the office building rented from 28 September 2014 at 
Beacon House, Nuffield Road, Cambridge which expires in 28 September 2039.

Synoptics Inc. have a rental contract for the office building rented since January 2003 at Frederick, Maryland. This lease 
has been renewed until July 2018 and includes a 3% per year increase clause for the duration of the lease.

Artemis CCD Limited has a lease on two office buildings at Lodge Farm Barns, New Road, Bawburgh, Norwich. The lease 
commenced on 1 May 2015 and expires on 30 April 2020. Artemis CCD Limited shall be entitled to terminate the lease 20 
months and 40 months from the commencement date serving six months prior written notice.

Contingent liabilities
Performance guarantees totalling £46k are held by the bank. These would become payable by the Group if, once the 
customer has placed an order, the Group fails to deliver goods to the customer.

24  Related party transactions and controlling related party
The Group’s related parties comprise its Board of Directors and shareholders. Transactions with Directors are disclosed 
within the Directors’ Remuneration Report and note 7.

A £50k loan was provided by Dana Investment BV, a shareholder, in the prior year on conversion of the loan stock. This 
balance is outstanding in full at the year end. £5k interest was paid in the year.

Payments totalling £121k were made to Lawrence and Karen Robinson, shareholders, relating to the consideration of 
Opus Instruments Limited. A balance of £194k (2014: £265k) is outstanding at the year end. 

Unless otherwise stated, none of the transactions incorporated in these financial statements include any special terms or 
conditions. There is no ultimate controlling party.

36

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

25  Financial risk management objectives and policies

Financial instruments
The Group uses various financial instruments, including assets, liabilities, short term loans and loan stock. The main 
purpose of these financial instruments is to raise finance for the Group’s operations. The existence of these financial 
instruments exposes the Group to a number of financial risks, primarily interest rate risk and currency risk.

Interest rate risk
The Group finances its operations through a mixture of retained profits, short term bank borrowings, loan stock and 
shareholders’ equity. The Group’s exposure to interest rate fluctuations on its borrowings is managed by the use of both 
fixed and floating facilities for the bank overdraft and invoice discounting facility.

Currency risk
A significant proportion of the Group’s assets are denoted in Dollars and Euros but only a small amount are within an 
entity with a differing functional currency. An adverse movement in exchange rate could lead to a devaluation of these 
assets. As at 30 April 2015 an adverse movement in the dollar of 5% would result in a reduction in the Group’s equity and 
profit or loss of £27k (2014: £36k). An adverse movement in the Euro of 5% would result in a reduction in the Group’s 
equity and profit or loss of £6k (2014: £15k).

The carrying amount of the Group’s Dollar- and Euro-denominated monetary assets with a differing functional currency 
at the reporting date is as follows:

US Dollars

Euros

Assets

2015
£000

21

7

2014
£000

36

15

In addition an element of the Group’s revenue and overhead transactions is completed in a foreign currency. Transaction 
exposure is hedged through the use of currency accounts.

Credit risk
The Group’s exposure to credit risk is limited to the carrying amount of cash deposits and trade and other receivables 
recognised at the balance sheet date of £2,385k (2014: £1,725k). Risks associated with cash deposits are limited as the 
banks used are reputable with quality external credit ratings.

The principal credit risks lies with trade receivables. In order to manage credit risk credit limits are set for customers 
based on a combination of payment history and third party credit references. Details of overdue trade receivables are 
provided in Note 14.

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

37

 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

25  Financial risk management objectives and policies continued

Liquidity risk
The Group monitors its liquidity by monitoring cash outflows and available credit facilities on a regular basis. The funding 
for long term liquidity is additionally secured by an adequate amount of external credit facilities. 

As at 30 April 2015, the Group’s financial liabilities have contractual maturities as summarised below:

Trade and other payables 

Borrowings

Contingent consideration

As at 30 April 2014

Trade and other payables 

Borrowings

Contingent consideration

Current

Non-current

Within 6 
months
£000

1,248

210

46

Between 
6 and 12 
months
£000

Between 
1 and 5 
years
£000

-

59

47

-

156

101

Later 
than 5 
years
£000

-

-

-

Current

Non-current

Within 6 
months
£000

1,355

138

36

Between 
6 and 12 
months
£000

Between 
1 and 5 
years
£000

-

61

36

-

272

189

Later 
than 5 
years
£000

-

-

-

26  Summary of financial assets and liabilities by IAS 39 category
The carrying amounts of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities as recognised at the balance sheet date of the years 
under review may also be categorised as follows:

Loans 
and 
other 
receivables
2015
£000

       876

1,461

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Non 
financial 
assets
2015
£000

Financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost
2015
£000

Financial 
liabilities 
measured 
at fair value 
through 
profit and 
loss
2015
£000

Non 
financial 
liabilities
2015
£000

Total 
balance 
sheet 
heading
2015
£000

      -

      -

      -

      876

     -

-

128

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(248)

(83)

(756)

(21)

(23)

(492)

-

(50)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(194)

-

-

-

(111)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,461

128

(111)

(248)

(83)

(756)

(21)

(23)

(492)

(194)

(50)

487

2,337

128

(1,673)

(194)

(111)

Balance sheet headings

Bank

Trade receivables

Other receivables

VAT and taxation

Bank finance - current

Bank finance- non current

Trade payables

Finance lease liability – current 

Finance lease liability – non current 

Other payables and accruals

Contingent consideration

Other loan

Total

38

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

 
26  Summary of financial assets and liabilities by IAS 39 category continued

Balance sheet headings

Bank

Trade receivables

Other receivables

VAT and taxation

Bank finance - current

Bank finance- non current

Trade payables

Finance lease liability – current 

Finance lease liability – non current 

Other payables and accruals

Contingent consideration

Other loan

Total

Loans 
and 
other 
receivables
2014
£000

       539

1,146

40

Non 
financial 
assets
2014
£000

      -

-

116

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,725

116

Financial 
liabilities 
measured 
at fair value 
through 
profit and 
loss
2014
£000

Financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost
2014
£000

Non 
financial 
liabilities
2014
£000

Total 
balance 
sheet 
heading
2014
£000

      -

      -

      -

      539

-

-

-

(168)

(183)

(717)

(31)

(39)

(556)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(265)

(50)

(1,744)

-

(265)

-

-

        (113)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(113)

1,146

156

(113)

(168)

(183)

(717)

(31)

(39)

(556)

(265)

(50)

(281)

The fair values of the financial assets and liabilities at 30 April 2015 and 30 April 2014 are not materially different from 
their book values.

27  Capital management policies and procedures
The Group’s capital management objectives are:
• to ensure the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern; and
• to provide an adequate return to shareholders; and
• be in a position to make acquisitions (‘buy and build’ strategy).
The Group monitors capital on the basis of the carrying amount of equity less cash and cash equivalents as presented 
on the face of the balance sheet.

Although the Group is not constrained by any externally imposed capital requirements, its goal is to maximise its 
capital-to-overall-financing ratio by reducing borrowings.

Capital

Total equity

Less cash and cash equivalents

Overall financing

Total equity

Plus borrowings

Capital-to-overall-financing ratio

2015
£000

2014
£000

3,811

(876)

2,935

3,811

425

4,236

69.3%

3,253

(539)

2,714

3,253

471

3,724

72.9%

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

39

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

28  Fair value measurement

Contingent consideration re Opus acquisition – current

Contingent consideration re Opus acquisition – non current

2015
£000

93

101

194

2014
£000

76

189

265

The fair value of contingent consideration was calculated based on management’s assumptions regarding future 
performance. The consideration will be payable in quarterly instalments, based on a percentage of quarterly revenue 
over the next three years. The fair value measurement is classified as level 3 (inobservable inputs). It uses financial 
forecasts developed using the entity’s own data, to predict revenue levels over the next 3 years.

The provision for consideration of £194,000 is based on Opus achieving the revenue targets in full, discounting using a 
discount rate of 6.1%. This represents an approximation of the present value of the Group’s estimate of cash flow. The 
maximum amount payable is £229k should all the revenue targets be achieved and the minimum amount payable is £nil 
if no revenue is achieved.

40

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

Report of the independent auditor
on the company financial statements 

Opinion on other matter prescribed bt the 
Companies Act 2006
In our opinion the information given in the Strategic 
Report and Directors’ Report for the financial year for 
which the financial statements are prepared is consistent 
with the parent company financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report 
by exception 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following 
matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to 
report to you if, in our opinion:
•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by  

the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit  

  have not been received from branches not visited by 
  us; or
•  the parent company financial statements are not in  
  agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified  
  by law are not made; or
•  we have not received all the information and 
  explanations we require for our audit.

Other matters
We have reported separately on the group financial 
statements of Scientific Digital Imaging plc for the year 
ended 30 April 2015.

David Newstead
Senior Statutory Auditor
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants
Cambridge
27 July 2015

Independent Auditor’s Report of the members 
of Scientfic Digital Imaging PLC
We have audited the parent company financial statements 
of Scientific Digital Imaging plc for the year ended 30 
April 2015 which comprise the parent company balance 
sheet, and the related notes. The financial reporting 
framework that has been applied in their preparation is 
applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice).

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

Respective responsibilites of Directors 
and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement set out on page 14, the directors are 
responsible for the preparation of the parent company 
financial statements and for being satisfied that they give 
a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and 
express an opinion on the parent company financial 
statements in accordance with applicable law and 
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). 
Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing 
Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 
A description of the scope of an audit of financial 
statements is provided on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion the parent company financial statements:
•  give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s  
  affairs as at 30 April 2015
•  have been properly prepared in accordance with United  
  Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting
  Practice; and
•  have been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

41

 
 
 
Company balance sheet 
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

Fixed assets

Investments

Intangible assets

Current assets

Debtors 

Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Net current liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium account

Other reserves

Merger relief reserve

Profit and loss account

Shareholders’ funds

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 27 July 2015.

Ken Ford
Chairman
27 July 2015

Mike Creedon
Chief Executive Officer
27 July 2015

Company registration number: 6385396

Note

5

6

7

8

9

2015
£000

1,893

38

1,931

9

164

173

2014
£000

1,893

48

1,941

48

13

61

(475)

(350)

(302)

(289)

1,629

1,652

10

(366)

(422)

1,263

1,230

12

13

13

13

13

329

1,478

73

424

278

1,063

65

424

(1,041)

(600)

1,263

1,230

42

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

Notes to the company financial statements
for the year ended 30 April 2015

1  Principal accounting policies

Basis of preparation
The separate financial statements of the Company have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in 
accordance with United Kingdom accounting standards. The directors have concluded that the going concern basis 
remains appropriate in the preparation of the company financial statements as explained in the note on going concern in 
the Strategic Report on page 8.

The principal accounting policies of the Company are set out below and have remained unchanged from the previous 
year.

Investments
On the acquisition of Synoptics Limited, Scientific Digital Imaging plc qualified for merger relief under Companies Act 
2006 s612, and has recorded the investment in Synoptics Limited at the nominal value of the shares issued, less 
provision for impairment. The shares issued on acquisition of Opus Instruments Limited also qualified for merger relief 
under Companies Act 2006 s612 and so the premium has been classified as a merger relief reserve. All other investments 
are recorded at cost, less provision for impairment.

Share options
Scientific Digital Imaging plc issues share options to employees. The fair value of the employee services received in 
exchange for the grant of options is recognised as an expense which is written off to the profit and loss account over 
the vesting period of the option. The amount to be expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the options 
at the grant date adjusted for the estimate of the number expected to vest. All current share options have been issued 
to staff at Synoptics Limited, Scientific Digital Imaging plc and Synoptics Inc. The expense relating to these options is 
recognised in the relevant subsidiary profit and loss account. The carrying value of the investment in those subsidiaries is 
increased by an amount equal to the value of the share based payment charge attributable to the option holders in the 
respective subsidiaries.

Financial instruments
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements 
entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that results in a residual interest in the assets of the Company after 
deducting all of its financial liabilities. Equity instruments do not include a contractual obligation to deliver cash or other 
financial asset to another entity.

Any instrument that does have the obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity is classified as a 
financial liability. Financial liabilities are presented under creditors on the balance sheet.

Compound financial instruments
Compound financial instruments comprise both a liability and equity component. In accordance with Financial Reporting 
Standard (FRS) 25 Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation such instruments are to be split into their debt 
and equity elements, with each element being accounted for separately. This shows the different future obligations 
arising from each element of the instrument.

At date of issue, the fair value of the liability component is estimated using the prevailing market interest rate for a 
similar debt instrument without the equity component. The residual is the difference between the net proceeds of issue 
and the liability component (at time of issue) and is accounted for as an equity instrument.

The interest expense on the liability component is calculated applying the effective interest rate for the liability 
component of the instrument. The difference between this amount and any repayments is added to the carrying amount 
of the financial liability. On conversion the equity component is transferred into the retained earnings reserve, and the 
liability component offset against the cash paid and shares issued.

Related party transactions
In accordance with Financial Reporting Standard Number 8: Related Party Disclosures, the Company is exempt from 
disclosing transactions with wholly owned entities that are part of the Group headed by Scientific Digital Imaging plc as 
it is a parent company publishing group financial statements.

Pension
The pension costs charged against profits represent the amount of the contributions payable to the defined contribution 
scheme in respect of the accounting period.

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

43

Notes to the company financial statements continued
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

2  Employee remuneration
Remuneration in respect of Directors paid by the Company was as follows:

Emoluments

Pension

Amounts payable to third parties in respect of Directors’ services

2015
£000

165

5

-

170

2014
£000

164

4

-

168

During the period no Directors exercised any share options held over ordinary shares of Scientific Digital Imaging plc.

Details of Directors’ interests in the shares and options of the Company are provided in the Remuneration Committee 
report on page 13. The highest paid Director’s aggregate entitlements were £104k (2014: £103k). Company pension 
contributions of £5k (2014: £4k) were made to a money purchase scheme. As at 30 April 2015 the highest paid Director 
held a total of 285,000 share options (2014: 285,000 share options).

3  Auditor’s remuneration
Auditor’s remuneration attributable to the Company is as follows:

Tax advice

Statutory audit

2015
£000

2014
£000

1

8

1

8

4  Results for the year
The parent company has taken advantage of section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not included its own 
profit and loss account in these financial statements. The parent company’s own loss for the financial period was £441k 
(2014: loss of £115k).

5  Investments

Investments in Group undertakings

Cost and net book amount as at 1 May 2014 

and 30 April 2015

Subsidiary undertakings

Synoptics Limited

Artemis CCD Limited

Country of
incorporation

Proportion
of voting
rights

Holdings

£000

1,893

Nature of
business

England and Wales

Ordinary shares

100%

Manufacturer

England and Wales

Ordinary shares

100%

Design

Perseu Comercio De Equipamento  Para   

Portugal

Ordinary shares

100%

Manufacturer

Informatica E Astronomia SA

Opus Instruments Limited

England and Wales

Ordinary shares

100%

Design and

The following companies are all held by Synoptics Limited:

Image Techniques of Cambridge Limited

England and Wales

Ordinary shares

Myriad Solutions Limited

England and Wales

Ordinary shares

Synoptics Inc

USA

Ordinary shares

Each of the above investments has been included in the consolidated financial statements.

Manufacturer

100%

100%

100%

Dormant

Dormant

Distributor

44

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

 
6  Intangible assets

Software licence

Cost 

At 1 May 2014

Additions 

At 30 April 2015

Amortisation

At 1 May 2014

Charge for year

At 30 April 2015

Net book value

At 30 April 2015

At 30 April 2014

7  Debtors

Amounts due by other Group companies

Other debtors

All debtors fall due within one year of the balance sheet date.

8  Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand

9  Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors

Amounts owed to other Group companies

Bank loan

Accruals

Other creditors

Social security and other taxes 

£000

50

- 

50

2

10

12

38

48

2015
£000

2014
£000

9

-

9

37

11

48

2015
£000

164

2015
£000

2

260

100

19

93

1

2014
£000

13

2014
£000

40

66

99

19

126

-

475

350

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

45

 
 
Notes to the company financial statements continued
for the year ended 30 April 2015 

10  Creditors: amounts falling due after one year

Amounts owed to other Group companies

Bank loan

Other loan

Other creditors 

11  Borrowings

Amounts repayable:

In one year or less 

Bank loan

In more than one year but not more than two years

Bank loan

Other loan

In more than two years but not more than five years

Bank loan

2015
£000

132

83

50

101

366

2014
£000

-

183

50

189

422

2015
£000

2014
£000

100

99

83

50

-

233

100

50

83

332

The bank loan is secured by a fixed and floating charge over the Group’s undertakings. The bank loan taken out to 
finance the acquisition of Opus Instruments is repayable in monthly instalments and attract interest at a rate of 5.6% 
over base rate.

During the year to 30 April 2014 loan stock of £368k was converted into 833,334 ordinary shares of 15 pence each and 
cash of £254k (and included outstanding loan interest of £11k), £50k of which was loaned back to the Group. This has 
been included under “Other loan”.

46

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

12  Called up share capital

Authorised

1,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 1p each

Allotted, called up and fully paid

2015
£000

2014
£000

10,000

10,000

32,912,308 (2014: 27,777,308) Ordinary shares of 1p each

329

278

During the year 5,135,000 Ordinary shares of 1p each at a market price of 10p were issued raising £513k gross, £466k net 
(less share issue costs of £47k).

711,528 Ordinary shares are held by the Synoptics Employee Benefit Trust and are reserved for issue under options.

Share options
Two employee share option schemes (an EMI scheme and an approved scheme) have been established, under which 
options may be granted to employees (including Directors) to subscribe for Ordinary shares in the Company. A further 
share option scheme (unapproved scheme) has been established under which options may be granted to employees 
and Directors to subscribe for Ordinary shares in the Company. All schemes have been approved by shareholders in 
general meetings. The approved scheme has been approved by HM Revenue & Customs.

A summary of options outstanding currently is provided in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.

13  Reserves

Balance at 1 May 2014

Loss for the year

Share based payment

Shares issued

Balance at 30 April 2015

Share 
capital
£000

Share 
premium 
£000

278

1,063

-

-

51

-

-

415

Merger 
relief
reserve
 £000

424

-

-

-

Other 
reserves
      £000

65

-

8

-

Profit 
and loss 
account
   £000

(600)

(441)

-

-

329

1,478

424

73

(1,041)

Total
  £000

1,230

(441)

8

466

1,263

2015 Annual Report Scientific Digital Imaging plc 

47

   
Company advisors 

Company registration number:

6385396

Registered office:

Directors:

Beacon House

Nuffield Road

Cambridge

CB4 1TF

E K Ford (Chairman) 

J Gibbs (Deputy Chairman)

Dr A J B Simon (Non Executive Director) 

M Creedon (Chief Executive Officer) 

Company Secretary:

M Creedon

Bankers:

Solicitors:

Auditor:

National Westminster Bank Plc

35-37 Fitzroy Street

Cambridge

CB1 1EU

Mills & Reeve

Botanic House

100 Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 1PH

Grant Thornton UK LLP

Registered Auditor

Chartered Accountants

101 Cambridge Science Park

Milton Road

Cambridge

CB4 0FY

Nominated Advisor and Broker:

finnCap Limited

60 New Broad Street

London

EC2M 1JJ

Registrar:

Share Registrars Limited

Suite E

First Floor

9 Lion & Lamb Yard

Farnham

Surrey 

GU9 7LL

48

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 2015 Annual Report

Scientific Digital Imaging plc  

Beacon House  Nuffield Road  Cambridge  CB4 1TF  UK

T: +44 (0)1223 727144  

F: +44 (0)1223 727101  

E: info@scientificdigitalimaging.com