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SDI Group

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FY2019 Annual Report · SDI Group
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Building
on our 
Success

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Scientific Digital Imaging plc (“SDI”) designs  
and manufactures analytical technology  
products for use in applications including:

Highlights

Strategic Report

01

Astronomy  
and Art  
Conservation

Consumer 
Manufacturing

Life Sciences

Precision  
Optics

Thermal  
Control

Healthcare

Scientific &  
Industrial 
Analysis

Contents

Strategic Report

 01  Highlights
02   Our Specialist Company Portfolio

  – Digital Imaging
  – Sensors & Control

 06  Group Overview and Vision Statement
 08  Chairman’s Statement 
 10  Chief Executive’s Operating Report
14  Strategy and Key Performance Indicators
16  Principal Risks and Uncertainties
18  Chief Financial Officer’s Report

Governance Report

20   Board of Directors
21  Corporate Governance Statement
26   Report of the Audit Committee 
27  Report of the Remuneration Committee
28  Directors’ Remuneration Report
29  Directors’ Report

Financial Statements

31  Report of the Independent Auditor
40  Consolidated Income Statement
40  Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
41  Consolidated Balance Sheet
42  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
43  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
44  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
74  Company Balance Sheet 
75  Company Statement of Changes in Equity 
76  Notes to the Company Financial Statements

80  Five-Year Summary

IBC Shareholder Information

Revenue

+20%

2018
£14.5m

2019
£17.4m

including 5%  
organic growth

Adjusted profit before tax*

+32.5%

2018
£2.3m

2019
£3.0m

* before reorganisation  
costs, acquisition and 
fundraising costs,  
share-based payments  
and amortisation of  
acquired intangible assets

Reported profit before tax

Cash generated from 
operations

+23.8% +28%

2018
£1.7m

2019
£2.1m

2018
£2.8m

2019
£3.6m

Record 5 new acquisitions 
added to the Group for  
consideration of 

£6.7m

Gross margin consistent

66%

2018
66%

2019
66%

Companies across the Group continuing to contribute  
good organic sales growth, profitability and cash generation

Why invest in SDI?

 Buy & build model within the science, technology and medical markets
 Good growth drivers 
 Potential acquisitions of companies with niche expertise 
 Ten successful acquisitions since 2014
 Reputation building as acquisition partner of choice
 Track record of selecting sustainable profitable businesses

 
 
 
 
 
 
02

03

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report

Our Specialist Company Portfolio

SDI Group is an AIM-quoted group specialising in the acquisition and 
development of a portfolio of companies that design and manufacture 
digital imaging and sensing and control products for use in science, 
technology and medical applications. Corporate expansion is being 
pursued, both through organic growth within its subsidiary companies  
and through the acquisition of high-quality businesses with established 
reputations in global markets.

Digital Imaging…

The Digital Imaging segment incorporates 
the Synoptics brands Syngene, Synbiosis and 
Synoptics Health, the Atik brands Atik Cameras, 
Opus and Quantum Scientific Imaging, and 
the Fistreem, Ionscope and Graticules Optics 
businesses acquired during the year.

Atik
Based in Norwich, UK, Atik Cameras designs 
specialised cameras under the Atik, Quantum 
Scientific Imaging and Opus Instruments  
brands and for OEM customers. The cameras 
from all three brands are manufactured in a 
dedicated factory in Lisbon, Portugal. 

l  Atik Cameras
Atik Cameras designs and manufactures  
highly sensitive cameras for life science and 
industrial applications, as well as deep-sky 
astronomy imaging. 

l	 Quantum Scientific Imaging 
Quantum Scientific Imaging (QSI) designs and 
manufactures a range of high-performance 
cameras that have applications in astronomy,  
life sciences and flat panel inspection.  
Originally based in the USA, SDI acquired the 
assets of QSI in February 2018 and transferred 
production to Atik’s manufacturing facility in 
Lisbon, Portugal. 

l		Opus Instruments
Opus Instruments is a world leader in the 
field of Infrared Reflectography cameras 
for use in art conservation. It developed its 
original Osiris camera in collaboration with 
the National Gallery in London. Recently it 
has developed a higher specification version 
called Apollo which has been well received 
by the art conservation market.

Synoptics
Synoptics based in Cambridge UK, is the 
headquarters and manufacturing site for 
Syngene, Synbiosis, Synoptics Health, Fistreem 
International and Ionscope products. 

l		Syngene
Syngene develops and manufactures systems 
and software specifically for automated 
gel-based DNA and protein fluorescence/
chemiluminescence imaging and includes the 
popular global systems, G:BOX and NuGenius. 

l		Synbiosis
Synbiosis provides automated and manual 
systems for microbiological testing in 
food, water, pharmaceutical and clinical 
applications, with its ProtoCOL 3 system used 
in all the major pharmaceutical companies for 
vaccine and antibiotic development. 

l 

l 

l		Synoptics Health
Synoptics Health manufactures and supplies 
ProReveal, a highly sensitive fluorescence-
based patented protein detection test for 
checking the presence of residual protein on 
surgical instruments after going through a 
washer disinfector process.

l		Fistreem International
Fistreem International designs and 
manufactures water purification products and 
vacuum ovens. The firm’s Cyclon Water Still 
is recognised as a world-leading brand. The 
Company was acquired by SDI in September 
2018. Its technology portfolio is being 
relocated for manufacture at Synoptics’  
facility in Cambridge, UK. 

l		Ionscope
Ionscope produces Scanning Ion 
Conductance Microscopes, a niche 
microscopy technique which allows 
nanoscale topographical mapping of soft  
and delicate surfaces. The business, based  
in Cambridge, UK, was acquired by SDI in 
January 2019 for a nominal amount and  
was relocated to the Synoptics site also in 
Cambridge, UK. 

SDI’s nine Digital  
Imaging brands  
increased sales 
revenues by 

23%

in the past  
financial year.

2018
£7.6m

2019
£9.4m

l 

Graticules Optics
Graticules Optics is a world-class designer 
and manufacturer of precision micropattern 
products. The firm, based in Kent, UK was 
acquired by SDI in February 2019 and is 
unique in offering photolithographic products 
on glass, film and on metal foil, with additional 
capability in coatings, cementing, mounting 
and small optical assembly.

04

05

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report

Our Specialist Company Portfolio continued

Sensors & Controls

Our 5 Sensing & 
Control brands  
increased sales  
revenues by 

17%

£6.8m £8m

The Sensors & Control segment combines  
our Sentek, Astles Control Systems and  
Applied Thermal Control entities, and the 
Thermal Exchange and MPB Industries 
businesses acquired during the year. 

Sentek
Sentek manufactures and markets off-the-shelf 
and custom-made, reusable and single-use 
electrochemical sensors for use in laboratory 
analysis, food, beverage, pharmaceutical 
and personal care manufacturing, as well as 
the leisure industry. The company, based in 
Braintree UK and Auchtermuchty, UK serves 
global markets and has long-term contracts  
to supply sensors to two major life science 
companies. 

Astles Control Systems 
Astles Control Systems is a supplier of  
chemical dosing and control systems 
principally to manufacturers of beverage  
cans. The company is based in Princes 
Risborough, UK and supplies capital  
equipment together with service contracts  
and repeat business consumables.

Applied Thermal Control
Applied Thermal Control based in 
Loughborough, UK manufactures and 
supplies a range of chillers, coolers 
and heat exchangers used within the 
scientific instrument support market where 
cooling systems are required to protect 
instrumentation, improve analytical  
repeatability and stability or remove heat  
from chemical reactions. 

Thermal Exchange
Thermal Exchange manufactures and maintains 
heat exchangers, coolers and chillers to the 
Industrial, Medical and Scientific markets. The 
company based in Leicester, UK designs and 
provides cooling solutions for its customers.

MPB Industries
MPB Industries designs and manufactures 
flowmeters, flow alarms, flow indicators, 
flow switches, calibration cylinders and sight 
glasses for the measurement of liquids and 
gases by well-known industrial and scientific 
users. Based in East Peckham, UK, MPB 
operates across a broad range of applications 
including water treatment, oil and gas 
production, medical anaesthesia,  
and scientific analysis. 

06

07

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report

Heading
Group Overview

Digital Imaging

Our Vision…
To develop our existing 
technologies and to grow 
through strategic acquisitions.

…and how we achieve it.

Sensors and Controls

Together, we are helping  
to advance medical and 
scientific knowledge,  
increasing the technical 
capabilities of industry and 
ultimately, improving the 
standard of living.

With science and industry 
sourcing globally for best-
in-class niche products and 
with strong UK scientific and 
engineering capabilities, SDI 
is well placed to continue its 
current trajectory of growth 
and profitability.

Purpose

Horizons

Acquiring companies 
that complement the 
capabilities within the 
Group promotes organic 
growth. It provides the 
opportunity to explore  
new challenges and 
markets within the fast 
evolving science and 
technology sectors.

Synergy

Identify

Invest

Create

Build

Unlock the potential  
of the companies we  
invest in, enabling them  
to consolidate their  
technical capabilities  
and helping them grow  
in adjacent markets and 
geographical areas.

Seek out potential 
investment opportunities 
that will add value to our 
business and fall within 
our current business 
development strategy.

We’re investing in people,  
not just companies, the 
brightest minds who like  
to make things better,  
faster, smaller, more  
efficient and reliable. 

The companies within the 
Group are at the forefront of 
scientific and technological 
innovation, addressing key 
challenges within their own 
niche markets. 

 
 
08

09

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report

Chairman’s Statement
for the year ended 30 April 2019

Performance
I am pleased to report that in the financial 
year ended 30 April 2019, Scientific 
Digital Imaging plc (SDI) (the Group) 
made considerable progress. The Group 
achieved record revenues, pre-tax profit 
and earnings per share whilst completing 
five acquisitions. SDI acquired Fistreem 
International (September 2018), Ionscope 
(January 2019), Thermal Exchange 
(February 2019), Graticules Optics (February 
2019) and MPB Industries (April 2019). 
These businesses have complementary 
technologies for the sectors that the 
SDI Group serves and offer potential for 
continued sales and profitable growth. 

SDI Group Share Price Performance 

£0.60

£0.50

£0.40

£0.30

£0.20

£0.10

2000

1500

1000

500

£0

14

15

16

17

18

0

19

■ SDI share price       

          ■ FTSI AIM all share index

Ken Ford
Chairman 
17 July 2019

Full year Revenues of £17.4 million are up 20% 
and Adjusted Profit before Tax* at £3.0 million 
is up 32.5% against the prior year. Reported 
Profit before Tax is up by 23.8% to £2.1m. This 
performance has been achieved through 5% 
organic growth from the businesses already in 
the Group’s portfolio at the start of the financial 
year, demonstrating continued commercial 
demand for the niche technologies produced 
within SDI. The newly acquired businesses  
have also delivered a contribution in line with 
the Board’s expectations.

On 12th February 2019 SDI announced a 
placing of 7.6 million shares at 34p to help with 
the funding of the Graticules Optics acquisition 
(for £3.4 million), and raised gross proceeds 
of £2.5 million. The placing included an issue 
with Primary Bid to permit private clients to 
participate. SDI also made use of its increased 
bank facilities to fund the acquisitions.

* Before reorganisation costs, acquisition costs, share-based 
   payments and amortisation of acquired intangible assets.

Strategy
The Group continues to implement a buy and build strategy adding 
carefully selected acquisitions, where possible funded by earnings 
and cash flows from the Group’s existing businesses, but also using 
debt or share issues if required. The Group’s policy is to acquire 
profitable, often niche, small/ medium-sized companies with relevant 
medical and scientific technologies. In order to obtain immediate, 
continuing earnings enhancements, SDI only acquires businesses with 
complementary technologies that have sustainable profits and cash 
generating capability.

The requirement for SDI’s products, particularly in the science and 
technology industries, remains robust. Since many of the Group’s 
businesses trade globally this reduces the potential for volatility in 
European markets as a result of Brexit uncertainty and currency 
fluctuations. Long-term market drivers, including the global expansion 
of automation and in-process measurements to support optimisation 
across science and industrial applications, should result in continued 
demand for the Group’s technologies. All the major companies where 
SDI provides original equipment manufacturer (OEM) products and 
components in their automated systems have signed long-term 
agreements to ensure continuity of their supply-chain. 

Delivering returns to SDI’s shareholders is a key objective of the Group 
and this year the Board has put in place a Long-Term Incentive Plan to 
incentivise management to increase shareholder value. The Board has 
decided not to pay a dividend for the year ended April 2019 but will 
keep this under review in the current year.

Governance and Organisation
The Board remains committed to high standards of corporate 
governance and has adopted the 2018 QCA Corporate  
Governance Code after deciding it was best suited to SDI’s  
business aims and ambition.

During the year, SDI’s Board has benefitted from the appointment of  
a new Chief Financial Officer, Jon Abell. His expertise and  
contribution has already proved valuable and the Board is confident 
that he will continue to have a very positive impact on the Group’s 
operations. As I have been actively involved in the acquisition process  
I am now not deemed to be non-executive. The appointment of two 
strong non-executive directors in the last two years gives the Board 
confidence that strong corporate governance remains a key point of 
principle for the Group. 

The pleasing results achieved this financial year are due to the hard  
work of all SDI’s staff delivering to budget and quality targets and the 
Board would like to thank all of them for their contribution to this  
year’s positive performance. 

Current Trading and Outlook
Since 2014 SDI has seen turnover rise from  
£7 million to £17.4 million and a Loss Before 
Tax of £38,000 become a Profit Before Tax  
of £2.1 million. The market capitalisation has  
been below £2 million and is now around  
£50 million and a share price once at 8p is 
currently over 50p (at date of this report).

The Board believes that the scientific, 
technology and medical sectors in which SDI 
operates are ripe for further acquisitions and 
consolidation. SDI’s attraction to a company 
looking to sell are multiple, including providing 
the support and investment required whilst, in 
most cases, leaving the management team in 
place. In the coming year SDI will continue to 
integrate the five newly acquired businesses 
into the Group according to their needs. The 
Group is focusing on organic growth but also 
expects to add at least one new business that 
complements SDI’s capabilities in the financial 
year ending in April 2020.

The year has started well and a further 
announcement will be made at the Annual 
General Meeting on our progress. The Board 
is confident that SDI will continue to deliver 
profitable growth in 2019-20.

Group Revenue
5-year Summary 
(£m)

14.5

17.4

10.7

8.5

7.0

15

16

17

18

19

 
10

11

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report

Chief Executive’s Operating Report 
for the year ended 30 April 2019

Buy & Build …We’re on track

Thermal Exchange 
Purchased Feb 2019

MPB Industries 
Purchased April 2019

Ionscope 
Purchased Jan 2019

Graticules Optics 
Purchased Feb 2019

Mike Creedon
Chief Executive Officer 
17 July 2019

Group revenues for the financial year ended 
30 April 2019 grew from £14.5 million 
to £17.4 million, an increase of 20%. This 
reflects organic growth and the full year 
contributions of Applied Thermal Control 
and Quantum Scientific Imaging, acquired 
in 2017/2018, as well as acquisitions in the 
year. During this financial year, a record 
number of five companies were acquired 
at a cost of £6.8 million. Acquisition costs 
were part-funded by an oversubscribed 
share issue in February 2019, which raised 
proceeds of approximately £2.4 million, from 
the Company’s existing bank facilities and 
from the cash flows of the Group’s existing 
businesses. The Group now has a market 
capitalisation of approximately £50 million.

Fistreem International 
Purchased Sept 2018

New acqisitions  
have contributed

£1.3m

of revenue to the 
Group in this  
financial year. This is 
expected to increase 
in the year ahead.

Revenues and Profit
SDI’s nine digital imaging brands delivered 
£9.4 million revenue and a 20% operating 
profit during the past financial year. Revenues 
have been enhanced by organic growth of 5% 
and the acquisition of Fistreem International, 
Ionscope and Graticules Optics into the  
digital imaging division in 2018/19. Demand for 
products from the Atik brands remains robust 
across all global markets. Atik is now the 
largest division in the SDI Group. This year’s 
highlights for Atik include £0.5 million  
revenue from Quantum Scientific Imaging 
which was acquired in 2018 for £0.25 million 
and £0.4 million revenue from sales of the 
new Opus Apollo camera. QSI is now fully 
integrated into Atik’s manufacturing, design 
and commercial facilities. Additionally, Atik’s 
largest OEM customer, a major US-based 
life science company rated Atik very highly 
for customer support and increased their 
purchases by 90% during the financial year. 

SDI’s five sensors and control companies 
progressed from £6.8 million to £8.0 million 
in revenue, an increase of 17% in this financial 
year. Revenues have been enhanced by the 
acquisition of MPB Industries and Thermal 
Exchange and organic growth of 5%. Sentek 
had another strong year with demand for 
its single-use or limited life sensors, from 
two major life science companies with 
whom Sentek has five-year supply contracts, 
continuing to increase. Sentek is the largest 
company in the sensors and control division. 

Adjusted operating profit, our preferred 
internal measure of profit for our businesses 
(which excludes reorganisation costs, 
share-based payments, acquisition costs and 
amortisation of acquired intangible assets) 
increased 32.2% to £3.1m (2018: £2.3m). 
Reported operating profit increased by  
23.8% to £2.2m.

Basic earnings per share increased by 16.0% 
from 1.81p to 2.10p; fully diluted earnings per 
share improved 14.5% to 2.05p (2018: 1.79p). 

12
12

13

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report

Chief Executive’s Operating Report continued 
for the year ended 30 April 2019

Operations
SDI has continued to invest in the 
improvement of its existing products, as well 
as the development of new technologies 
and additional manufacturing capacity 
where required. To keep pace with market 
requirements, Atik Cameras is expanding its 
production facility in Lisbon, Portugal. The new 
site, which is 2.5 times larger than Atik’s existing 
one, will be operational by the end of 2019 and 
will house additional production staff to ensure 
demand for the Opus, QSI and Atik cameras is 
met in the coming year. 

The Synoptics site in Cambridge, UK is now 
the headquarters of two of the newly acquired 
brands, Fistreem International and Ionscope. 
Production of Fistreem’s technology is 
being relocated from Loughborough to 
take advantage of Synoptics’ underutilised 
manufacturing capacity and to provide an 
additional steady revenue stream to Synoptics 
from sales of Fistreem consumables. 

Sentek’s new larger production facility at 
Braintree with three newly refurbished buildings 
became operational in 2019. Housing additional 
clean room space and manufacturing staff, this 
new site is allowing Sentek to meet targets for 
quality and production of sterile sensors for  
two major clients. 

Thermal Exchange (acquired in February 2019) 
and Applied Thermal Control manufacture 
complementary chiller technologies and are 
geographically closely located. SDI has 
identified a suitable site to house both 
companies in the UK and the relocation will  
be completed during this financial year.  
Co-locating both companies on the same 
site will ensure synergies in development and 
manufacturing expertise, economies of scale 
in terms of costs, as well as the opportunity to 
select and establish a solid global distributor 
network going forward.

The Group has made these investments to 
facilitate future growth of revenues and profits 
while also growing in the current year.

Acquisitions 
The UK is a centre of excellence for product innovation and 
manufacturing with world-leading businesses in many niches of 
science and technology. As a buy and build group, the acquisition of 
businesses with complementary technologies is key to the success 
of SDI. The Group is known to be a supportive buyer that trusts 
subsidiary management teams with the day-to-day running of their 
firms, and this reputation underpinned the successes seen in 2018/19 
where the Group made a record number of five business acquisitions. 
After consolidation currently being worked on, these acquisitions 
will ultimately add two additional manufacturing sites to SDI’s estate, 
both of them near Tonbridge, UK. The acquisitions have also allowed 
better utilisation of manufacturing capacity at the Synoptics site 
in Cambridge by Ionscope and Fistreem International, acquired 
in 2018/19, and the opportunity to find a single new site to house 
Thermal Exchange, acquired in February 2019, with Applied Thermal 
Control. The new acquisitions have contributed £1.3 million of 
revenue to the Group in this financial year and SDI expects all of the 
businesses added to the Group in 2018/19 to continue to be earnings 
enhancing in the coming year.

The Group has sufficient cash and bank facilities that can be 
used, with its steady cash flow, to acquire new businesses with 
complementary technologies and SDI would expect to announce 
further expansion of the Group with the addition of at least one new 
business in 2020.

Outlook
Market demand for digital imaging and sensors and control 
technologies remains strong and is being driven primarily by 
increased worldwide investment in higher education and a growing 
trend towards automation and in-process measurement. These 
are areas across which the SDI Group successfully operates, and 
are well known in their niches. Although these markets can be 
subject to short-term variability, influenced by government spending 
and currency fluctuations, because the Group’s geographic and 
technology markets are spread globally, SDI feels it is well-positioned 
to remain competitive.

SDI has started 2019 in a strong financial position with good  
forward orders within the operating businesses. The Group’s business 
will continue to be influenced by world-wide public spending and 
trade issues (including Brexit) which could impact performance; 
however, SDI is well diversified and has shown its resilience in the  
past three years and the outlook in the next financial year continues 
to be positive. 

Complementary
technologies are the 
key to our Success

Fistreem’s ‘vapour trap’ glass condenser for their 
Calypso and Cyclon Ultrapure water stills, is 
typical of the innovative new technologies that  
address a specialist market need and drives our 
business model.

This unique, patented water distillation system is 
widely used in the scientific, pharmaceutical and 
healthcare industries.

14

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Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report

Strategy and Key Performance Indicators

Strategy
SDI Group is an AIM-quoted group specialising 
in the acquisition and development of a portfolio 
of companies that design and manufacture 
products for use in digital imaging and sensing 
and control applications in science, technology 
and medical markets. Corporate expansion is 
being pursued, both through organic growth 
within its subsidiary companies and through 
the acquisition of high-quality businesses with 
established reputations in global markets.

The Board believes there are many businesses 
operating within the market, a number of which 
have not achieved critical mass, that presents an 
ideal opportunity for consolidation. This strategy 
will be primarily focused within the UK but, 
where opportunities exist, acquisitions in Europe 
and the United States and elsewhere will also 
be considered, particularly if these also enable 
geographic expansion of our existing businesses. 

We intend to buy stand-alone businesses as well 
as smaller entities and technology acquisitions 
which bolt onto our existing ones.

In previous years we have acquired Atik 
Cameras, Opus Instruments, Sentek and Astles 
Control Systems. In the financial year ended 
30 April 2018 we acquired Applied Thermal 
Control and Quantum Scientific Imaging. In the 
latest financial year ending 30 April 2019, we 
completed four significant acquisitions: Fistreem 
International, Thermal Exchange, Graticules 
Optics and Thermal Exchange. We also acquired 
Ionscope, which was integrated directly into our 
Synoptics entity. All of these acquisitions fit our 
acquisition criteria, which are listed opposite.

An important element of our strategy is that we 
are known to be a good acquirer, able to help 
sellers to achieve a sale quickly and easily, and 
without surprises.

We keep a lean headquarters, and our 
businesses are run by seasoned local 
management with broad discretion within 
defined limits. Our aim is to grow them, 
profitably, and we seek to provide them with 
the resources necessary to grow. Acquired 
businesses often find that they can grow faster 
within the SDI Group than they were prepared 

to do under private ownership, and they are able 
to learn from and share experience with other 
companies in the group.

Our current businesses fall broadly into two 
segments, which we call Digital Imaging and 
Sensors & Control, and within these groupings 
there are significant commonalities of 
applications, industries served and technologies 
employed. This provides additional opportunity 
for knowledge sharing, and we have initiated a 
programme of mentoring within the Sensors & 
Control businesses. 

Growth in revenues and profit within our 
businesses depends on both technology 
advancement and seeking new customers, 
often by expanding geographical reach, and the 
Board sees geographical expansion as a driver of 
organic growth for the future.

By lowering the cost of capital of businesses we 
acquire and by facilitating their profitable growth, 
our business model has demonstrated that it can 
provide good returns to shareholders and can be 
scaled into the future.

Key Performance Indicators
A range of financial key performance indicators 
are monitored on a monthly basis against 
budget by the Board and by management, 
including order pipeline, revenue, gross profit, 
costs, adjusted operating profit, and cash. 

In support of our acquisition strategy as outlined 
above, we monitor our acquisition pipeline, 
including any prospects that fail to progress. 
Post-acquisition, the Board discusses integration 
progress, and monitors financial performance 
against our initial plans. Over a longer period, 
we monitor the return on total invested capital 
of all of our businesses.

The Board regularly discusses progress in all 
major research and development and other 
projects with project and business leaders, 
including with respect to cost, timelines and 
adherence to the projects’ initial objectives.

Additionally, the Board reserves a specific 
agenda item for discussion of health and safety 
and other employee welfare-related issues.

What the SDI Group offers as an acquirer

	 Experience in completing acquisitions in a co-operative atmosphere 
understanding the needs of the seller. It can be a stressful 
experience, and we aim to make it as easy and certain as possible.
	 Continuity of the business as a stand-alone entity and brand, and 
continuing employment for staff, if appropriate.
	 Continuity of management. We would not typically buy a business 
without management in place, and we especially welcome owner-
managers who want to remain active in the business.
	 Support and investment to allow the business to grow and thrive as 
part of a solid and well-financed group of similar businesses.

There can be no promises, as we will always act in the interests of 
our shareholders in the future. However, if we have bought the right 
businesses, we expect them to thrive.

High quality  
businesses, with 
established 
reputations and 
customer loyalty in 
global markets

Available at a  
reasonable price

Typically niche,  
small / medium  
sized companies with  
relevant scientific,  
technology or  
medical products

SDI
Acquisition  
criteria

Profitable

Motivated  
management teams  
in place

Either stand-alone  
or bolt-on to our 
existing businesses

Growth potential, 
particularly 
internationally

16

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Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report

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.

Competition and technological 
obsolescence
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.

Dependence on key distributors and  
OEM customers
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 
dedicates significant resource to maintaining 
close relationships with our distributors and 
OEM customers, including at Group level.

Acquisitions
Acquisitions are a key element of our  
strategy, and the failure to identify and 
prosecute acquisition opportunities would 
impact future growth in profit and share price. 
The Group spends significant time and energy 
in identifying acquisition opportunities, and 
receives suggestions from various sources as 
well as directly or through our own businesses 
and management. These are carefully filtered, 
and the most attractive ones are managed to  
a possible successful conclusion.

An additional important risk is that an 
acquisition does not provide the financial 
return expected. The Group’s disciplined  
due diligence process helps to avoid this, but 
the Group is also able to marshal resources  
in support of an acquired entity’s 
management team to help them improve 
performance as necessary.

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 
against Pound Sterling, and in both currencies 
we sell more than we purchase and we have 
a higher level of debtors than creditors. This 
typically means that a relative devaluation of 
the Pound results in exchange gains and an 
improvement in competitiveness, whereas a 
revaluation has the opposite effect. 

We do not hedge our exposure financially, 
but we do have some activity in both Europe 
and USA which acts a partial natural hedge. 
We keep cash balances in Euros and Dollars 
to a minimum. If the Pound revalues, we will 
review all opportunities to realign our costs to 
the changed circumstances.

Recruitment and staffing
If the Group fails to recruit and retain 
individuals with the appropriate skills and 
experience its performance may suffer. 
To ensure the Group retains the highest 
calibre staff it has implemented a number of 
schemes designed to retain key individuals, 
both financial and non-financial, including 
bonuses and share option schemes.

Brexit
The Group manufactures its products in the 
UK and in Portugal, and sells worldwide. 
The likely exit of the UK from the European 
Union may cause some initial disruption to 
goods movements, may increase barriers 
to trade between the UK and the EU, and 
may impact the investment plans of some 
of our customers. There are likely also to be 
macroeconomic developments impacting 
exchange rates, interest rates, GDP growth 
and government spending levels. The Group 
has operating flexibility to mitigate some 
of the potential effects, but is exposed to 
economic downturns within the markets 
in which it operates. The Group has taken 
appropriate steps to minimise disruption, 
and has cooperated with customers to 
ensure continuity of their supply chain.  
The Group continues to monitor the 
progress of the British Government’s 
negotiations with the EU.

A review of the Group’s exposure to credit 
risk, liquidity and currency risk is provided  
in Note 27. 

Going Concern
The Group’s business activities, together 
with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, performance and position 
are set out within this Strategic report. The 
financial position of the Group, its cash flows, 
and liquidity position are provided in the 
financial statements on pages 40-43.  
In addition, notes to the financial statements 
include the Group’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 30 April 2021. 
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 a bank loan as detailed 
in Note 20. 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 continues to 
adopt the going concern basis of accounting 
in preparing the annual financial statements. 

18

19

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Strategic Report

Chief Financial Officer’s Report

Revenue and Profits
Group revenue for the year was £17.4 million, an increase of 20% over 
2018, achieved through approximately 5% organic growth and from 
contributions of £1.3 million from businesses acquired in the year.

Gross profit increased to £11.5m (2018: £9.5m) with increased gross 
margin at 66.1% (2018: 65.8%).

Operating profit for the year was £2,198,000 (2018: £1,776,000), and 
Adjusted Operating Profit (AOP) was £3,102,000 (2018: £2,346,000) 
before reorganisation costs, acquisition costs, share-based payments 
and amortisation of acquired intangibles, an increase of 32%. Organic 
sales growth was the main driver of profit growth, although all of our 
newly-acquired businesses contributed positively to AOP in the period. 
We have selectively invested in head office and in our fastest growing 
businesses, and we expect further investment over time to underpin 
future growth.

Financing expense was £77,000 (2018: £63,000), reflecting  
increased usage of our loan facility to fund the acquisitions, further 
described below.

Investment in R&D
Under IFRS we are required to capitalise certain development 
expenditure and in the year ended 30 April 2019 £585,000 (2018: 
£606,000) of cost was capitalised and added to the balance sheet. 
This expenditure represents the Group’s investment in new product 
development. Amortisation and write-offs for 2019 were £591,000 
(2018: £528,000). The carrying value of the capitalised development 
at 30 April 2019 was £1,180,000 (2018: £1,186,000) to be amortised 
between 3-5 years.  

Reorganisation Costs
The Board carries out a thorough review of the operations and cost 
structure of the Group and this gave rise to £124,000 (2018: £63,000) 
of reorganisation costs in the year, which should bring benefits in the 
current year.

Acquisition and Fundraising Costs
£288,000 of costs relate to stamp duty, legal fees, and other advisor 
remuneration for the acquisitions completed in the year (2018: 
£165,000). In addition, £190,000 of brokers fees and legal expenses 
relating to the share placing were booked directly to the share 
premium account within equity.

Jon Abell
Chief Financial Officer 
17 July 2019

Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share for Group was 2.10p 
(2018: 1.81p) and diluted earnings per share 
for the Group was 2.05p (2018: 1.79p). 

Taxation
Taxation for the year was £209,000 
(2017: £98,000) arising through improved 
profitability, but impacted favourably by a 
reduction in deferred tax liabilities in view of 
the enacted future tax rate of 17% in England 
and Wales and by the recognition of the tax 
benefit (current and deferred) on exercise of 
share options.

Accounting Standards
In the year beginning 1 May 2019, we will 
implement IFRS 16, which requires us to 
capitalise assets held under operating 
leases, such as the Group’s building leases. 
The effects on the consolidated income 
statement are minor, but the change will 
have the effect of increasing both fixed 
assets and debt by about £2.2 million from  
1 May 2019. The change will not impact our 
banking covenants.

Cash Flow and Working Capital
During the year the Group generated cash from operations of 
£3,620,000 (2018: £2,830,000). Despite the organic growth, our 
businesses slightly reduced their investment in working capital 
compared with last year (or compared with the date of acquisition 
for new entities). Taxes paid increased from £198,000 to £319,000.

Our investment in fixed assets increased to £419,000 (2018: 
£184,000) with notable investment in our Sentek business to fit  
out an additional industrial unit and in our newly-acquired  
Graticules Optics business to separate it from its former parent. 

Capitalised Research and Development at £585,000 (2018: 
£606,000) was broadly equal to amortisation. 

However, our biggest investments were in the acquisition of new 
businesses, and we deployed £6,668,000 of funds to that end in  
the year (2018: £1,341,000). All of these investments will lead to 
further growth in the coming years.

Funding
Our acquisitions were financed by a combination of our own  
cash flow, an increase in our use of our borrowing facility, and by  
a placing of new shares.

Our HSBC loan facility was opened in April 2018, and was initially 
committed for 3 years and for £3 million. In January 2019, we 
extended both the term (to 5 years) and the amount committed 
(to £5 million). During the year, our actual borrowing under the 
facility increased from £1,370,000 at April 2018 to a maximum of 
£4,970,000, and we closed the year with £4,000,000 borrowed.

In conjunction with the acquisition of the assets of Graticules Optics 
in February 2019, we conducted a fundraising with the issue of  
7.6 million shares, or about 8.1% of the prior share capital. The 
shares were placed at a discount of 7.5% to the prevailing share 
price. We were pleased to see a solid participation by our existing 
larger shareholders, and we also reserved a quota of £100,000 of 
the new shares for retail shareholders on the Primary Bid platform. 
The placing was substantially oversubscribed, and we extend 
a warm welcome to new shareholders on the register. Gross 
proceeds from the placing were £2,574,000.

We closed the year with a cash balance of £2,494,000 (2018: 
£2,007,000), and net debt (debt, including £100,000 of finance 
lease debt, less cash) of £1,606,000 (2018: net cash of £435,000). 
There is no deferred or contingent consideration outstanding for 
any of our acquisitions.

Cash generated from  
operating activities 
(£’000)

2,593

3,224

1,263

1,326

409

15

16

17

18

19

Cash generated from  
financing activities 
(£’000)

5,049

3,456

2,582

403

15

16

17

–799

19

18

Cash deployed in  
investing activities  
(£’000)

7,785

4,135

3,015

2,124

489

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Governance Report

Board of Directors
Heading

Corporate Governance Statement

Ken Ford  Chairman

Ken joined the Board in 2010, and became Chairman in 2012. He was previously Chief 
Executive of Teather & Greenwood, the investment bank, and brings over 36 years 
of City experience to the Company, including a strong understanding of shareholder 
value, strategic planning and corporate transactions. His previous roles include 
Aberdeen Asset Management, Morgan Grenfell and Wedd Durlacher. Ken is currently 
Chairman of AIM-listed Gear4music. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Securities Institute.

Mike Creedon  Chief Executive Officer

Mike joined the Board in 2010 as Finance Director, and was appointed CEO in 2012, 
maintaining also the Finance Director role until July 2018. A Chartered Certified 
Accountant with an MBA from Henley Management College, Mike brings to SDI 
considerable experience of working within quoted companies and technology 
businesses, and fundraising, mergers and acquisitions. In particular, he has recent 
experience of AIM-listed technology companies.

Previous Finance Director posts include Ninth Floor plc and Ideal Shopping Direct plc.

Jon Abell  Chief Financial Officer

Jon joined the Board in July 2018 and has over 35 years of business experience.  
Prior to joining SDI he was Divisional VP of Finance, Electronic Instruments Group  
at Ametek, Inc. where his principal duties include performance management,  
M&A, business controls and accounting for several scientific and industrial  
instrument businesses.

Jon started his career with industrial companies in the UK and in Italy, before 
obtaining his MBA at Columbia Business School in New York. He subsequently  
went on to senior financial management roles in Germany, the Netherlands, USA  
and UK including at Philips Electronics and Broadcom Inc.

Isabel Napper  Non-Executive  Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Isabel joined the Board in February 2017 and has more than 25 years’ experience in 
advising clients in the technology and healthcare/life science areas, both public and 
private sector, leading on business development and managing regulatory issues, 
governance risk and strategic change. Isabel was previously a Partner at the law firm 
Mills & Reeve where she acted as legal adviser and company secretary to a number 
of boards. Her extensive business development and marketing skills are invaluable  
to the Board.

David Tilston  Non-Executive  Chair of the Audit Committee

David joined the Board in July 2017. He has over 30 years’ experience in finance 
functions within public companies, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in England and Wales. Most recently, David held the role of Interim 
Group CFO of Northgate plc, and before that Interim Group CFO at Consort  
Medical plc. Previously, David held senior finance roles at Innovia Group, Mouchel 
Group plc, Findel plc, SABMiller plc and SThree plc. He has 8 years experience as 
Audit Committee chairman at two companies. 

Chairman’s Introduction
As Chairman I am responsible for the leadership of the board and for ensuring the board’s effectiveness. I also have the 
responsibility for conducting board meetings and making sure that there is effective and timely communication to our 
shareholders. In my role as chair I also provide advice, counsel and support to the executive.

The 2018 QCA Corporate Governance Code
The new AIM Rule 26 introduced during the year requires the Group to follow a recognised corporate code of 
governance. The Board, after due consideration, has agreed to follow the 2018 QCA Corporate Governance Code after 
concluding that it was the one best suited to SDI’s business, aims and ambitions. The Board believes that the Group 
complies with the Code, but is committed to continuously improving its governance over time.

Here we explain how we implement the 10 principles of the QCA Corporate Governance Code in practice.

Further Information

The Strategy section of 
this Annual Report and 
our website.

Details of all shareholder 
communications  
are provided on  
our website.

Principle

Commentary

1   A strategy and 
business model which 
promotes long-term  
value for shareholders.

2   Understanding and 
meeting shareholder  
needs and expectations.

3   Taking account of 
wider stakeholder and 
social responsibilities and 
their implications for  
long-term success.

The Board has a shared view of SDI’s purpose, business model and 
strategy. Our vision is to develop our existing technologies and 
to grow through strategic acquisitions. We believe that acquiring 
companies which complement the capabilities within SDI will 
promote organic growth and give us the opportunity to explore 
challenges and new markets within the fast-evolving science and 
technology sectors.

Responsibility for shareholder liaison rests principally with our 
CEO supported by our CFO. However, all our Board members 
attach a high degree of importance to providing shareholders 
with clear and transparent information on the Group’s activities, 
strategy and financial position. 

The Board holds meetings with institutional investors and other 
large shareholders following the release of the interim and 
financial results. 

We regard our Annual General Meeting as a good opportunity 
to engage directly with shareholders through a question and 
answer session. We provide the market and shareholders 
with the results of AGM and GM voting via RNS and other 
communication channels including this website.

SDI also participates from time to time in investor shows offering 
smaller and private investors insight into our business and also 
access to our management team.

SDI’s vision involves encouraging our subsidiary businesses to 
work together to help advance medical and scientific knowledge, 
increase the technical capabilities of industry and ultimately 
improve the standard of living of the population as a whole.

As well as that overarching purpose, the Board recognises that 
long-term business success relies on good relations with a range 
of different stakeholder groups both internal and external such as 
staff, suppliers and customers. 

We also seek to understand the impact our business activities 
have on the communities in which we operate and consider 
our corporate social responsibilities and how these issues are 
integrated in to our long-term strategy. 

We encourage feedback from all our stakeholders and where 
appropriate use that feedback to shape our future direction e.g 
new methods or product offerings.

22

23

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Governance Report

Corporate Governance Statement continued

Principle

Commentary

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

5   Maintaining the board 
as a well-functioning, 
balanced team led by  
the chair.

We have addressed the principal risks we face by the appointment 
of an experienced executive board supported by experienced 
non-executive directors and a team of appropriately qualified 
professional advisers.

Our executive directors are closely involved in the day to day 
operations of the Group and of our operating subsidiaries and 
report to the board in detail at regular intervals. Relevant papers 
are distributed to members of the board in advance of board and 
committee meetings. Detailed financial reports of the Group’s 
financial performance are also provided on a regular basis. 

Our directors’ knowledge and understanding of the Group is 
further enhanced by on-site visits to operational units; directors 
also receive presentations from senior management on the 
performance and strategies of their business units. 

Directors also have the contractual right to take independent 
professional advice on any matter – at SDI’s expense – if they 
deem it necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

Our board consists of three executive directors (Chairman, CEO  
and CFO) together with two non-executive directors. We believe 
this to be a good balance for a business of our size. Due to their 
working backgrounds and professional experience the non-
executive directors provide a solid foundation for good  
corporate governance for the Group. They are also independent  
of management and ensure that no individual or group  
dominates the board’s decision-making process. 

To ensure the board functions well, our non-executive directors  
are requested to attend eleven board and board committee 
meetings per year. They are also required to be available at other 
times between meetings when necessary for face-to-face and 
phone/web meetings. We also hold an annual strategy meeting 
at which directors’ attendance is mandatory. Each non-executive 
director continues to demonstrate that they have sufficient time  
to devote to our business.

To support the board we have put in place Audit, Remuneration 
and Nomination Committees all of which have agreed formal 
terms of reference.

Further Information

The Principal Risks and 
Uncertainties section of 
this Annual Report sets 
out some of the principal 
risks and uncertainties 
faced by the Group.

Biographies of the 
Directors are presented 
on page 20 in this  
Annual Report and on  
our website.

Reports of the Board 
committees are also 
presented on pages  
26-27 in this Report.

6   Ensuring the 
directors have the 
necessary up-to-date 
experience skills and 
capabilities.

Our directors have been chosen because of the skills and 
experience they offer. Of our five directors one is female and four 
are male. All have listed company experience and one was the  
CEO of an investment bank, three are accountants, one a lawyer. 

Our directors attend industry and regulatory learning and 
networking events in order to keep up to date with relevant 
developments. 

Biographies of the 
Directors are presented 
on page 20 in this  
Annual Report and on  
our website.

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

We undertake annual monitoring of personal and corporate 
performance. The responsibility for assessing and monitoring  
the performance of the executive directors lies with the 
independent non-executive directors. 

Agreed personal objectives and targets are set each year for  
the executive directors and performance measured against  
these metrics.

Principle

Commentary

Further Information

7   …continued.

8  Promote a corporate 
culture that is based 
on ethical values and 
behaviours.

9  Maintain governance 
structures and processes 
that are fit for purpose and 
support good decision 
making by the board.

10  Communicate how 
the company is governed 
and is performing by  
maintaining a dialogue with 
shareholders and other 
relevant stakeholders.

Going forward we intend to institute a more formal board 
evaluation process which will be carried out in the current 
financial year (to April 2020). The process will be led by our Chair 
and will require directors to answer a set of questions setting out 
their views on the effectiveness of the Board and on the value of 
their board contributions. The results of that assessment process 
will be used by the Chair to facilitate discussions with each 
individual director and with the Board as a whole. It is intended 
that the questions will be based around issues arising from the ten 
principles of the QCA Code.

We believe it is the responsibility of the Board and senior leaders 
to ensure that the culture of our organisation is based on ethical 
values and behaviours. As well as leading by example, our ethics-
based culture is promoted through our business behaviours, 
decisions, processes and operations, as well as the management 
of the risk of ethical misconduct. 

In addition, we have mechanisms to support high ethical 
standards – e.g for raising concerns and reporting misconduct. 
We also aim to include ethical criteria in recruitment and in 
performance appraisals, and have detailed policies relating to 
important issues such as discrimination, harassment, bribery and 
corruption, and conflicts of interest. We expect all our staff to 
adhere to these high standards. 

We are keen to invest in our people not just our companies. 
With that in mind we seek to make our workplaces a better 
environment and to encourage all our staff to undergo relevant 
training and development.

Our non-executive directors scrutinise the performance of 
management against the Group’s objectives and also monitor 
the reporting of performance.

The Board has considered mechanisms by which the business 
and the financial risks facing the Group are managed and 
reported to the board. The principal business and financial risks 
have been identified and control procedures implemented. 
The Board acknowledges its responsibility for reviewing the 
effectiveness of the systems that are in place to manage risk. 

To achieve this aim 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, Remuneration and Nomination committees, 
which as explained in section 5 above operate within clearly 
defined terms of reference, and which report back to the Board.

We have set out in section 2 above how we maintain a regular 
dialogue with our shareholders including welcoming all 
shareholders to our AGMs. 

Reports of the Board 
committees are also 
presented on pages  
26-27 in this Report.

Further information and 
the resolutions put to a 
vote at annual general 
meetings can be found  
on our website.

24

25

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Governance Report

Corporate Governance Statement continued

The Board
The Board comprises the Chairman, two Executive Directors (one until 
2 July 2018) and two Non-Executive Directors. The 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 and attendance  
at Board and Committee meetings is summarised later in this report.

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.

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 29  
and a statement on going concern is given on page 17.

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, Remuneration 
and Nomination 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.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, which is chaired by  
D Tilston and has I Napper as the other 
member, meets not less than twice annually 
and more frequently if required. 

The Board considers that both members of 
the Audit Committee have 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. Where appropriate meetings are also 
attended by the Chairman and executives at 
the invitation of the Committee.

A report of the Audit Committee is provided 
on page 26.

Remuneration Committee
A report of the Remuneration Committee and the Directors’ 
remuneration report can be found on pages 27- 28.

Nomination Committee
This Committee is chaired by I Napper and has D Tilston as its other 
member and meets at least once per annum. Where appropriate 
meetings are also attended by the Chairman and the CEO at the 
invitation of the Committee.

The Nomination Committee focusses on evaluating the board of 
directors, examining the skills and characteristics which are needed in 
board candidates, and on succession issues. Its principle focus during 
the last financial year was on the identification and recruitment of  
Jon Abell as Group CFO following a thorough search facilitated by  
an external recruitment company.

Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings
The Directors’ attendance at Board and Committee meetings during 
the year is disclosed in the table below.

Board

Audit

Remuneration Nomination

K Ford

M Creedon

I Napper

D Tilston

J Abell

11/11

11/11

11/11

11/11

9/9

3/3

-

4/4

4/4

-

-

-

3/3

3/3

-

-/-

-

-/-

-/-

-

Jon Abell was appointed to the Board on 2 July 2018. Ken Ford stepped 
down from the Audit and Nomination Committees in December 2018.

26

27

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Governance Report

Report of the Audit Committee

Report of the Remuneration Committee

I am pleased to present the Audit Committee report for the year  
ended 30 April 2019. 

Composition of the Committee 
The Committee consists of myself (as Chairman) and Isabel Napper.  
The Chairman and Executive Directors may be invited to attend 
Committee meetings if required. During the year, the Committee met  
four times, to approve the audit plan, review the audit conclusions 
and interim findings and to consider other matters delegated to the 
Committee. The Board is satisfied that I, as Chairman of the Committee, 
have recent and relevant financial experience. I am a Chartered 
Accountant, I have served as Group Finance Director in several quoted 
companies and have prior experience as an Audit Committee Chairman. 
I report the Committee’s activities at Board meetings and the minutes of 
each meeting are made available to all members of the Board. The Audit 
Committee has satisfactorily completed a self-assessment exercise on  
its effectiveness using externally sourced material.

Responsibilities 
The main duties of the Audit Committee are set out in its Terms of 
Reference, which are available on the Company’s website. 

The Committee’s main duties are to: 

l  ensure the integrity of the financial statements (including annual and 

interim accounts and results announcements); 

l  review significant financial reporting judgements and the application 

of accounting policies thereon; 

l  ensure the Annual Report and Accounts are fair, balanced and 
understandable and recommend their approval to the Board;

l  manage the relationship with the Group’s external Auditor and review 

their suitability and independence; 

l  negotiate and approve the external Auditor’s fee, the scope of their 

audit and terms of engagement; 

l  advise on the appointment of external Auditors and to review and 
monitor the extent of the non-audit services undertaken by the 
Group’s external Auditor; 

l  review of the risk management and internal control systems; 

l  review the assessment of going concern; and 

l  assess the need for an internal audit function.

Role of the External Auditor 
The Audit Committee monitors the relationship with the external 
Auditor, Grant Thornton UK LLP, to ensure that auditor independence 
and objectivity are maintained. As part of its review the Committee  
has established a policy in respect of the provision of non-audit 
services by the external Auditor which it monitors. No issues  
impacting upon the Auditor’s independence were observed or  
brought to the Committee’s attention.

Audit Process 
The external Auditor prepares an audit plan for 
its audit of the full year financial statements. 
The audit plan sets out the scope of the 
audit, specific areas of risk to target and the 
audit timetable. This plan is reviewed and 
agreed in advance by the Audit Committee. 
Following completion of audit fieldwork 
the Auditor presented their findings to the 
Audit Committee for discussion, including 
accounting judgements undertaken in  
respect of various matters including  
acquisition accounting and research and 
development capitalisation.

Internal Audit 
At present the Group does not have a formal 
internal audit function and the Committee will 
keep this matter under review as the Group’s 
activities expand.

Risk Management and Internal 
Controls 
The Corporate Governance Statement on 
pages 21-25 explains the measures taken to 
embed effective risk management throughout 
the Group which is dependent upon the close 
involvement of the executive directors in 
the day-to-day operations of the Group, the 
strength of subsidiary management teams and 
reporting from the operating subsidiaries. The 
Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing 
the risk management and internal control 
framework and ensuring that it operates 
effectively. During the year the Committee 
has reviewed the framework and determined 
that it is appropriate for the Group’s current 
scale of operations. The Audit Committee also 
completed a review to ensure it could confirm 
its compliance with the QCA Corporate 
Governance Code.  

David Tilston
Audit Committee Chairman  
17 July 2019

Remuneration Committee
I am pleased to present the report of the Remuneration Committee  
for the year ended 30 April 2019.

The Committee is chaired by myself and has Ken Ford and David 
Tilston as its other members. Other regular attendees include the  
CEO and the CFO. 

The Committee meets at least two times per year and determines 
the Group’s policy for executive remuneration and the individual 
remuneration packages for executive directors. In setting the Group’s 
remuneration policy, the Committee considers a number of factors 
including the following: 

l  Salaries and benefits available to executive directors of comparable 

companies; 

l  The need to both attract and retain executives of appropriate 

calibre; and 

l  The continued commitment of executives to the Group’s 

development through appropriate incentive schemes (including  
the award of shares and share options). 

Remuneration of Executive Directors 
Consistent with this policy, benefit packages awarded to executive 
directors comprise a mix of basic salary and performance-related 
remuneration that is designed as an incentive. The remuneration 
packages cover the following elements: 

l  Base salary: the Remuneration Committee sets base salaries to 

reflect responsibilities and the skills, knowledge and experience of 
the individual; 

l  Bonus Scheme: the executive directors are eligible to receive a 

bonus dependent on both individual and Group performance as 
determined by the Remuneration Committee; 

l  Retention bonus: the executive directors are eligible to receive 
a retention bonus awarded during the year under the terms of  
a long-term incentive scheme as determined by the  
Remuneration Committee; 

l  Equity: share options; and 

l  Company contribution into a personal pension scheme, life 

assurance, and private medical insurance. 

The executive directors are engaged under separate contracts which 
require a notice period of six months given at any time by the Company 
or the individual.

During 2018 the Committee looked at how 
the provision of long-term performance 
incentives to executive directors could support 
the realisation of the Group’s growth strategy 
going forward and the policy factors referred 
to above. Detailed consideration was given to 
various alternatives and independent advice 
was taken from BDO LLP on LTIP performance 
issues and design of the incentive scheme. 
Soundings were also taken from a number of 
major shareholders of the Group. 

The Committee believe that the LTIP scheme 
plan recommended to and subsequently 
adopted by the Board in December 2018 is a 
fair reward for, and a reflection of, the Group’s 
executive directors’ significant responsibility for 
growth whilst at the same time encouraging 
appropriate corporate behaviour. 

The LTIP awards granted in 2018 have a  
three-year vesting period and are made in 
respect of the CEO, M Creedon and Group 
CFO, J Abell. The Group Chairman, K Ford, 
was also included in the award as a reflection 
of the significant amount of time and 
experience he provides to the Group in  
relation to acquisitions and other important 
strategy issues. 

The details of the LTIP are set out in the 
Remuneration Report.

Remuneration of Non-Executive 
Directors 
The fees and equity paid to the Chairman and 
to non-executive directors are determined by 
the Board. The Chairman and non-executive 
directors do not receive any other forms of 
benefits such as health cover or pension.  
The notice periods of the Chairman and the 
non-executive directors are three months.  

Isabel Napper 
Chairman, Remuneration Committee 
17 July 2019

 
 
 
 
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29

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Governance Report

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Directors’ Report
Directors’ Report
Directors’ Report

Statement About Basis of Preparation 
SDI has produced this report, read in conjunction with the Report of  
the Remuneration Committee, to comply with AIM rule 19.

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

Salary
/Fees
£’000

Bonus
£’000

Taxable 
Benefits
£’000

Pension
£’000

2019
Total
£’000

2018
Total
£’000

48

146

27

27

100

-

348

- 

50

-

-

-

-

50

-

1

-

-

1

-

2

-

7

-

-

4

-

11

48

204

27

27

105

-

411

43

175

24

19

-

10

271

K Ford

M Creedon

I Napper

D Tilston

J Abell

A Simon

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

K Ford

M Creedon

I Napper

D Tilston

J Abell

2019
Number

2018
Number

1,450,000

1,350,000

311,924  

146,924   

35,472

90,000

59,608

-

70,000

-

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:

2019
Number

715,217

1,872,173

250,000

250,000

1,021,739

2018
Number

500,000

1,385,000

250,000

250,000

-

K Ford

M Creedon

I Napper

D Tilston

J Abell

28 

Scientific Digital Imaging plc

Service contracts
The service contracts with M Creedon dated 
25 April 2010 and with J Abell dated 4 April 
2018 include a notice period of six months if 
given by either party.

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

Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”)
This LTIP was introduced in December 2018 
to provide an effective mechanism for senior 
executives to participate in the company’s 
equity, aligning their interests with those of 
the shareholders. The LTIP scheme overall 
has a duration of ten years and provides for 
a maximum of 10% of the company’s equity 
to be granted to executives in that period, 
subject to performance conditions which are 
set for each award.

An award was made on 21 December 2018 
with performance conditions based for 50% 
on the growth in fully-diluted Earnings Per 
Share in the three years starting 1 May 2018 
and for 50% on the total shareholder return 
for SDI shareholders compared with a basket 
of twenty comparable companies. Subject 
to the rules of the LTIP, vesting is on the third 
anniversary of the date of grant, to the extent 
that the performance conditions are met. The 
directors participating in the scheme at the date 
of this report and their maximum respective 
entitlement under the scheme to equity in 
Scientific Digital Imaging plc are as follows:

M Creedon

J Abell

K Ford

0.67%

0.54%

0.22%

BDO LLP was employed to draft the LTIP 
under the supervision of the Remuneration 
Committee.

The market price of the company’s shares at 
the end of the financial year was 54.5p and 
ranged from 28.6p to 54.5p during the year.

Directors’ Responsibilities 
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 
comprising Strategic Report, Governance 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 
consolidated 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, including FRS101 Reduced Disclosure Framework). 
Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view 
of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company and the profit or 
loss of the company and the Group for that period. In preparing these 
financial statements, the Directors are required to:

l  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently

l  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent

l  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

l  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.

The Directors confirm that:

l  so far as each Director is aware there is no relevant audit 

information of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and

l  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 Company’s auditor is 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. 

Group Results 
The Group profit for the year after taxation 
amounted to £1,912k (2018: £1,615k) and has 
been transferred to reserves.

The Board does not recommend the payment 
of a dividend.

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

K Ford

M Creedon 

I Napper 

D Tilston

J Abell (appointed to the Board on 2 July 2018)

The interests of the Directors and their families 
in the share capital of the Company are shown 
in the Remuneration Report on page 28.

The appointment and replacement of Directors 
of the Company is governed by its Articles of 
Association and the Companies Act 2006.  
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.

30

31

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Directors’ Report continued

Report of the Independent Auditor

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  
25 September 2018, the Directors were given 
the power to:

l  Arrange for the Company to purchase its 
own shares in the market up to a limit of 
15% of its issued share capital;

l  Allot ordinary shares up to an aggregate 

nominal value of £299,000;

l  Issue equity securities for cash, otherwise 
than to existing shareholders in proportion 
to their existing shareholdings, up to an 
aggregate nominal value of £44,800.

Similar powers will form part of the 
resolutions to be put to the forthcoming  
AGM to be held on 25 September 2019.

Structure of Share Capital
As at 30 April 2019 the Company’s authorised 
share capital was £10,000,000 comprising 
1,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 1p each.

As at 30 April 2019 the Company had 
97,203,951 (2018: 89,633,424) 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 27 ‘Financial risk 
management objectives and policies’.

30 

Scientific Digital Imaging plc

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.

Substantial Shareholdings
As at 17 July 2019 the Company is aware of the following  
shareholders who hold an interest of 3% or more in the Company’s 
ordinary share capital.

Number of
ordinary shares

Percentage of  
share capital

Business Growth Fund

9,765,731

10.05%

Berenberg Wealth and Asset Management

9,651,726

Herald Investment Management

Octopus Investments

Hargreaves Lansdown

Dana Investments BV

Killik stockbrokers

Charles Stanley

8,178,149

3,719,640

3,629,335

3,496,494

3,463,534

3,123,307

9.93%

8.41%

3.83%

3.73%

3.60%

3.56%

3.21%

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

Ken Ford 
Chairman  
17 July 2019 

 Mike Creedon
 Chief Executive Officer
 17 July 2019 

Independent Auditor’s Report 
to the Members of Scientific 
Digital Imaging Plc

Opinion 

Our opinion on the financial statements is unmodified
We have audited the financial statements of Scientific Digital 
Imaging plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the 
‘Group’) for the year ended 30 April 2019, which comprise 
the consolidated income statement and statement of 
comprehensive income, consolidated balance sheet, 
consolidated statement of cash flows, consolidated statement 
of changes in equity, company balance sheet, company 
statement of changes in equity and notes to the financial 
statements, including a summary of significant accounting 
policies. The financial reporting framework that has been 
applied in the preparation of the Group financial statements is 
applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. The financial 
reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 
of the parent company financial statements is applicable law 
and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial 
Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosures Framework’ 
(United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion:
l  the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state 
of the Group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at  
30 April 2019 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

l  the Group financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 
European Union;

l  the parent company financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice; and

l  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance 

with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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

Conclusions relating to going concern
We have nothing to report in respect of the 
following matters in relation to which the ISAs 
(UK) require us to report to you where:

l  the directors’ use of the going concern 

basis of accounting in the preparation of 
the financial statements is not  
appropriate; or

l  the directors have not disclosed in the 

financial statements any identified material 
uncertainties that may cast significant 
doubt about the Group’s or the parent 
company’s ability to continue to adopt the 
going concern basis of accounting for a 
period of at least twelve months from the 
date when the financial statements are 
authorised for issue.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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33

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Report of the Independent Auditor continued

Overview of our Audit Approach
l  Overall materiality: £174,000, which represents 1% of the Group’s revenue;

l  Key audit matters were identified as: 

- the risk that revenue includes fraudulent transactions;

- carrying value of capitalised development costs and goodwill; 

- valuation of intangible assets on recognition of the acquired businesses. 

l  We performed full scope procedures at Scientific Digital Imaging Plc, Synoptics 
Limited, Atik Cameras Limited, Sentek Limited, Astles Control Systems Limited, 
Applied Thermal Control Limited, Fistreem International Limited, Thermal 
Exchange Limited and Graticules Optics Limited.

l  We performed targeted procedures on Synoptics Inc, Perseu Comercio De 

Equipamento Para Informatica E Astronomica SA, and MPB Industries Limited; 
and analytical procedures were performed on Opus Instruments Limited.

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

Key Audit Matter – Group

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group

The risk that revenue includes 
fraudulent transactions
Under International Standard on Auditing (UK) 240 ‘The 
Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Fraud in an Audit of 
Financial Statements’, there is a rebuttable presumed 
risk that revenue may be misstated due to the improper 
recognition of revenue due to fraud.

The Group has recognised revenues of £14.5m (2017: 
£10.7m) in the year, which is comprised of revenues 
from sales of goods, contract income and services. The 
nature of the Group’s revenue involves the processing 
of numerous transactions, with each stream possessing 
different revenue recognition criteria.

As the Group’s revenue is material to the financial 
statements, comprises various streams and is subject to 
different recognition policies, the presumed risk of 
improper recognition of revenue due to fraud has been 
identified as a significant risk, which was one of the 
most significant assessed risks of material misstatement.

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to: 

l  assessing whether revenue recognition policies were 

compliant with relevant accounting standards;

l  analytical procedures over revenue to identify and 

analyse key movements and significant transactions 
which have occurred in the year;

l  performing a test of operating effectiveness of key 
controls at entities in the Group where this was 
possible achieved through observation of the three-
way match performed between purchase order, 
delivery document and sales invoice;

l  substantively testing a sample of revenue

transactions in respect of sale of goods and  
agreeing them to a cash receipt or proof of delivery 
to vouch that the sale did occur;

l  testing a sample of revenue transactions in respect 

of contract income for services by obtaining 
purchase orders and supporting documentation, 
recalculating the revenue recognised, and verifying 
the appropriateness of any deferred or accrued 
income at year end;

l  agreeing a sample of transactions around the year 

end to supporting documentation to ensure cut off 
has been correctly applied; 

l  identifying revenue journals that were posted in 

the year, and verifying that these have commercial 
rationale as most of the Group would not be 
expected to include revenue journals; and

l  assessing management’s paper on the implications 

of IFRS 15 and also considering whether the 
recognition of revenue tested was compliant with 
IFRS 15.

The Group’s accounting policy on revenue is shown 
in note 3 to the financial statements and related 
disclosures are included in note 6. 

Key observations
Our testing did not identify any material misstatements 
in the revenue recognised during the year or any 
instances of revenue not being recognised in 
accordance with stated accounting policies and IFRSs.

 
 
 
 
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35

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Report of the Independent Auditor continued

Key audit matter – Group 

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group 

Key audit matter – Group 

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group 

Carrying value of capitalised 
development costs and goodwill
The carrying value of goodwill at the year end 
amounted to £8.4m (2018: £5.4m). 

The net book value of capitalised development costs  
at the year end amounted to £1.2m (2018: £1.2m), 
including amortisation charged in the year on  
capitalised development costs of £0.59m (2018: 
£0.57m). These costs are amortised by the Group to 
ensure the capitalised cost reflects the anticipated  
benefit of the development project to the Group  
over time.

In accordance with IAS 36, ‘Impairment of Assets’, an 
annual review is required to assess whether goodwill or 
capitalised development costs may be impaired. 

The impairment reviews of development costs are 
based on identifiable assets for which future revenues 
and gross margins can be assigned to calculate a value 
in use based on a discounted cash flow model. 

The impairment reviews of goodwill are based on 
forecasting cash flows relating to cash generating units 
using a discounted cash flow model. 

Due to the inherent uncertainty and key assumptions 
involved in forecasting and discounting future cash 
flows, we identified the carrying value of capitalised 
development costs and goodwill as a significant risk, 
which was one of the most significant assessed risks of 
material misstatement.

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to:

l  ensuring the amortisation policy relating to 

capitalised development costs was consistent with 
prior year and assessing the adequacy of the useful 
economic life; 

l  comparing the carrying value of selected 

development projects against the net present value 
calculations, produced by management, based on 
future cash flows;

l  checking the mathematical accuracy of a 

selection of impairment models for capitalised  
development costs;

l  testing the accuracy of management’s forecasting 
by comparing the 2019 budgeted sales and gross 
profit to the results achieved for the year;

l  challenging management on the basis of key 

assumptions used within the forecasts, such as 
revenue growth and the discount rate;

l  performing sensitivity analysis of cash flow inputs, 

including the discount rate applied;

l  discussing and corroborating the ongoing viability 
and recoverability of development projects with 
relevant Group personnel by getting an update  
from management about project progress and 
looking at sales generated for new products when 
possible; and

l  comparing the carrying value of goodwill against 
the net present value calculations, produced by 
management, based on future cash flows.

The Group’s accounting policy on the carrying value 
of capitalised developments and goodwill is shown 
in note 3 to the financial statements and related 
disclosures are included in note 11. 

Key observations
Our testing did not identify any material misstatements 
in the carrying value of the capitalised development 
costs or goodwill. We are satisfied that the  
judgements involved in using discounted future cash 
flows are balanced.

Valuation of intangible assets on 
recognition of the acquired businesses 
In the year the Group acquired:

l  the trade and assets of Graticules Optics Limited 

for £3,400k;

l  100% of the share capital in Fistreem International 

Limited for £756k;

l  100% of the share capital in MPB Industries Limited 

for £1,586k;

l  100% of the share capital in Thermal Exchange 

Limited for £997k; and 

l  the trade and assets of Ionscope for £49k. 

The judgements involved used in determining the 
value of goodwill (£3.0m) and acquired intangible 
assets (£3.9m) and the allocation between these  
assets could, if performed inaccurately, lead to a 
material misstatement. 

There is significant judgement and complexity involved 
in the allocation of excess consideration over net 
assets acquired between separable intangible assets 
and remaining goodwill. The client used a 
management expert for the valuation of the largest 
acquisition (Graticules Optics Limited) and then 
prepared a valuation model based on the valuation 
model used by the expert in Graticules Optics Limited 
for the remaining acquisitions. For the fair value of the 
intangible assets, this includes assumptions for growth 
rates, margins, discount rates and attrition rates. 

Due to the inherent uncertainty and key assumptions 
involved in determining the accurate allocation 
between acquired intangible assets and goodwill, we 
therefore identified the valuation of intangible assets 
on recognition of the acquired businesses as a 
significant risk, which was one of the most significant 
assessed risks of material misstatement.

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to:

l  obtaining and assessing the acquisition accounting 
workpapers for all material acquisitions in the year, 
which calculated the split between net assets 
acquired, fair value of acquired intangibles and 
goodwill to be recognised on consolidation;

l  obtaining the valuations report prepared by 

management’s expert. Where assumptions were 
sufficiently complex we received assistance from 
an auditor’s expert who checked the mathematical 
accuracy of the model prepared by management;

l  obtaining the workings prepared by the client for 

the acquired entities where a management expert 
was not used, and verified the split of intangibles 
was correctly calculated and in line with the 
standard model for measurement provided by the 
management experts;

l  assessing that the models used for valuation were 

appropriate to use for the entities acquired;

l  challenging the assumptions used in the valuation 

models, to ensure they were reasonable and 
consistent with the knowledge of the acquired 
entity; and

l  obtaining and inspecting the purchase agreements 

to verify that the treatment of the acquisitions was in 
line with IFRS 3 Business Combinations.

The Group’s accounting policy on the valuation 
of intangible assets on recognition of the acquired 
businesses is shown in note 3 to the financial 
statements and related disclosures are included in  
note 11. 

Key observations
Our testing did not identify any material misstatements 
in the carrying valuation of intangible assets on 
recognition of the acquired businesses. We are  
satisfied that the judgements involved in determining 
the split between acquired intangibles and goodwill  
are reasonable.

We did not identify any Key Audit Matters relating to the audit of the financial statements of the parent company.

 
 
 
36

37

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Report of the Independent Auditor continued

Our Application of Materiality

We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the 
economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality in 
determining the nature, timing and extent of our audit work and in evaluating the results of that work. 

 Materiality was determined as follows:

Materiality measure

Group

Parent

Financial statements as a whole

£174,000 which is 1% of the Group’s 
revenue. This benchmark is 
considered the most appropriate 
because the Group are strategically 
looking to increase Group  
revenues, and the net profit  
margins in the Group are 
inconsistent between entities. 

Materiality for the current year is 
higher than the level that we 
determined for the year ended  
30 April 2018 to reflect increased 
trading following both organic and 
inorganic growth in the Group. 

£122,000 which is 70% of the 
Group materiality measure. This 
benchmark is considered the most 
appropriate because basing the 
parent materiality on assets would 
exceed Group materiality, so it has 
been restricted.

Materiality for the current year is 
higher than the level that we 
determined for the year ended  
30 April 2018 to reflect the 
increased size of the business  
this year.

Performance materiality used to 
drive the extent of our testing

70% of financial statement 
materiality.

70% of financial statement 
materiality.

Specific materiality

We determined a lower level of 
specific materiality for certain areas 
such as directors’ remuneration and 
related party transactions due to the 
inherent sensitivity of these 
transactions and related disclosures. 

We determined a lower level of 
specific materiality for certain areas 
such as directors’ remuneration and 
related party transactions due to 
inherent sensitivity of these 
transactions and related disclosures.

Communication of misstatements 
to the audit committee

£8,700 and misstatements  
below that threshold that, in our 
view, warrant reporting on 
qualitative grounds.

£6,100 and misstatements  
below that threshold that, in our 
view, warrant reporting on 
qualitative grounds.

An Overview of the Scope of our Audit
Our audit approach was a risk-based approach founded on a thorough understanding of the Group’s business, 
its environment and risk profile and included:

l  an evaluation by the Group audit team of identified components to assess the significance of that 

component and to determine the planned audit response based on a measure of materiality. Significance 
of each component was determined as a percentage of the Group’s total assets, revenues and profit/(loss) 
before taxation; 

l  full scope procedures at Scientific Digital Imaging Plc, Synoptics Limited, Atik Cameras Limited, Sentek 

Limited, Astles Control Systems Limited, Applied Thermal Control Limited, Fistreem International Limited, 
Thermal Exchange Limited and Graticules Optics Limited;

l  targeted procedures on Synoptics Inc, Perseu Comercio De Equipamento Para Informatica E Astronomica 

SA, and MPB Industries Limited;

l  analytical procedures on Opus Instruments Limited;

l  site visits at a majority of entities to gain an understanding of the processes and controls around the revenue 

cycle and the implications of the IT environment that might have an impact on the audit approach; and

l  work around the acquisition accounting of the four material acquisitions in the year, which introduced a 
significant risk and key audit matter on the valuation of intangible assets on recognition of the acquired 
businesses;

The total percentage coverage of full scope and targeted procedures over the Group’s revenue was 100%.

The total percentage coverage of full scope and targeted procedures over the Group’s total assets was 99%.

Our audit approach in the current year for all financial statement line items, aside from revenue, were 
consistent in the prior year in that it was substantive in nature. For revenue we were able to place reliance on 
operating effectiveness of controls at Applied Thermal Controls Limited, Sentek Limited, Synoptics Limited and 
Astles Control Systems Limited, with the remaining revenue at the other subsidiaries being tested substantively.

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

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing 
so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge 
obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or 
apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial 
statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude 
that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. 

We have nothing to report in this regard.

 
38

39

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Contents

40  Consolidated Income Statement
40  Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
41  Consolidated Balance Sheet
42  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
43  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
44  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
74  Company Balance Sheet 
75  Company Statement of Changes in Equity 
76  Notes to the Company Financial Statements

80  Five-Year Summary

IBC Shareholder Information

Financial Statements

Report of the Independent Auditor continued

Our opinion on other matters prescribed by the 

Companies Act 2006 is unmodified

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of 
the audit:

l  the information given in the strategic report and the 
directors’ report for the financial year for which the 
financial statements are prepared is consistent with the 
financial statements; and

l  the strategic report and the directors’ report have been 

prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report under  
the Companies Act 2006
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and 
the parent company and its environment obtained in the course 
of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the 
strategic report or the directors’ report.

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

l  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

l  the parent company financial statements are not in agreement 

with the accounting records and returns; or

l  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are 

not made; or

l  we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit. 

Responsibilities of directors for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement set 
out on page 29, the directors are responsible for the preparation of 
the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine 
is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that 
are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

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

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

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

Use of our report
This report is made solely to the 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.

Adrian Bennett
Senior Statutory Auditor 
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP 
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants 
Cambridge 
17 July 2019

40

41

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Consolidated Income Statement 
For the year ended 30 April 2019

Consolidated Balance Sheet  
For the year ended 30 April 2019

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Operating expenses

Analysed as:
Reorganisation costs
Share-based payments
Acquisition and fundraising costs
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Other operating costs
Operating expenses

Operating profit

Net financing expenses

Profit before tax

Income tax

Profit for the year

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

(124)
(136)
(288)
(356)
(8,423)
(9,327)

Note

6

9

7

10

23
23

2019 
Total 
£’000

17,427
(5,902)
11,525
(9,327)

2,198

(77)

2,121

(209)

1,912

2.10p
2.05p

(63)
(65)
(165)
(277)
(7,196)
(7,766)

2018 
Total 
£’000

14,496
(4,954)
9,542
(7,766)

1,776

(63)

1,713

(98)

1,615

1.81p
1.79p

All activities of the Group are classed as continuing.

The results attributable to business combinations in the year are disclosed in Note 30.

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 2019

Profit for the period
Other comprehensive income
Items that will subsequently be reclassified to profit and loss:
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations
Total comprehensive income for the period

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

 2019
 £’000

1,912

31
1,943

2018
£’000

1,615

(30)
1,585

Assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax asset

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets
Liabilities
Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings 
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

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

11
12
13

14
15
16

20
13

17
19
20

22

24

17,194
767
180
18,141

2,576
3,340
2,494
8,410
26,551

4,016
1,448
5,464

3,280
11
84
626
4,001
9,465
17,086

972
3,030
8,696
(17)
284
140
3,981
17,086

10,727
431
37
11,195

2,090
2,221
2,007
6,318
17,513

1,391
969
2,360

2,309
11
29
244
2,593
4,953
12,560

896
3,030
6,390
(82)
148
109
2,069
12,560

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 17 July 2019.

Mike Creedon 
Director  

Jon Abell 
Director

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

Company registration number: 6385396

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42
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43

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 30 April 2019

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 30 April 2019 

Note

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

Share 
capital
£’000

Merger 
reserve
£’000

Foreign 
exchange
£’000

Share  
premium
£’000

Own shares 
held by EBT
£’000

Other 
Reserves
£’000

Retained 
earnings
£’000

Total
£’000

Balance at 30 April 2017

889

3,030

139

6,200

(85)

Shares issued
Share-based payments

Transactions with owners

Profit for the year
Foreign exchange on 
consolidation of subsidiaries

Total comprehensive income 
for the period
Balance at 30 April 2018

Shares issued
Share-based payments
Transactions with owners
Profit for the year
Foreign exchange on 
consolidation of subsidiaries

Total comprehensive income 
for the period
Balance at 30 April 2019

7
–

7

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
896

–
3,030

76
–
76
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

(30)

(30) 
109

–
–
–
–

31

190
–

190

–

–

–
6,390

2,306
–
2,306
–

–

–
972

–
3,030

31 
140

–
8,696

3
–

3

–

–

–
(82)

65
–
65
–

–

–
(17)

83

–
65

65

–

–

–
148

 –
136
136
–

–

–
284

454

10,710

–
–

–

200
65

265

1,615

1,615

–

(30)

1,615
2,069

–
–
–
1,912

1,585
12,560

2,447
136
2,583
1,912

–

31

1,912
3,981

1,943
17,086

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

Operating activities
Net Profit for the year 
Depreciation
Amortisation
Finance costs and income
(Decrease) increase in warranty provision
Release of deferred consideration
Taxation in the income statement
Employee share-based payments
Operating cash flows before movement in working capital
Changes 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
Sale of property, plant and equipment
Expenditure on development and other intangibles
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash
Deferred consideration paid
Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities
Finance leases net repayments
Proceeds from bank borrowing
Repayment of borrowings
Issues of shares and proceeds from option exercise
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 

1,912
231
971
77
(12)
–
209
136
3,524
65
(415)
446
3,620

(77)
(319)
3,224

(419)
45
(591)
(6,668)
(152)
(7,785)

(30)
3,600
(970)
2,449
5,049

488
2,007
(1)
2,494

1,615
240
836
63
(8)
–
98
65
2,909
(134)
(106)
161
2,830

(63)
(198)
2,569

(184)
3
(620)
(1,341)
(1,201)
(3,343)

(33)
1,370
(1,111)
200
426

(348)
2,355
–
2,007

 30

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
44
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45

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 April 2019

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 2019 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together 
referred to as the “Group”). The details of subsidiary undertakings are 
listed in Note 4 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 Group’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 Group, its cash flows, 
and liquidity position are provided in the financial statements on pages 
40-43. In addition, notes to the financial statements include the 
Group’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  
30 April 2021. 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 a bank loan as detailed in 
note 20. 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. 

Accounting judgements and estimates
The preparation of financial statements 
requires management to make judgements, 
estimates and assumptions that affect the 
application of policies and reported amounts 
of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. 
These judgements and estimates are based  
on management’s best knowledge of the 
relevant facts and circumstances, having 
regard to prior experience, but actual results 
may differ from the amounts included in  
the consolidated financial statements. 

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.

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:

Judgements in applying accounting policies
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 46). Significant 
judgements are made in categorising 
development costs and in establishing 
whether grounds for capitalisation exist. 

Sources of estimation uncertainty
Fair value assessments of business 
combinations 
Following an acquisition, management makes 
an assessment of the fair value of all assets 
and liabilities acquired, including intangible 
assets and goodwill. The valuation process 
requires a number of estimates to be made. 
For details of assumptions see note 31.

Carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets
The impairment analysis of intangible assets is based upon future 
discounted cash flows and a number of assumptions are 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 11. 

3   Principal Accounting Policies 
The principal accounting policies adopted are consistent with those  
of the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2018.  
The adoption of new accounting standards and interpretations  
which came into effect, including IFRS 9 and IFRS 15, 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. The subsidiaries transitioned to FRS 101 from previously extant 
UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice for all periods presented.

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 within 
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. Exchange differences on net assets 
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.

Income and expense items of overseas 
operations are translated at exchange rates 
approximating to those ruling when the 
transactions took place. 

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 

 
46
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47

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

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.

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 three 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 in a business combination includes the 
value of 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
Customer relationships  
and trade marks

3 years
3–15 years 

15 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.

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 reserves” represents equity-settled 
share-based employee remuneration  
until such share options are exercised.  
The equity component of convertible  
loan stock, if any, 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 Contribution Scheme
Obligations for contributions for defined 
contribution plans are recognised as an  
expense in the income statement when they  
are due.

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 unit 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.

Any impairment in respect of goodwill is not reversed. Impairment  
losses on other 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. 

 
48
48

49

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

Financial assets
The Group’s financial assets comprise trade receivables, other 
receivables, cash and cash equivalents. Trade and other receivables are 
recognised and carried at the original invoice amount less a provision  
for the expected credit loss, where collection of the amount is no longer 
probable. Management uses historical experience of losses applied to  
the specific circumstances of the receivable, including trading history 
with the debtor and period overdue to determine the need for and 
amount of any provision to cover expected future losses. Uncollectable 
amounts are written off to the Income Statement when identified.

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.

Revenue recognition
In accordance with IFRS 15 ‘Revenues from Contracts with Customers’, 
revenue is measured by reference to the fair value of consideration 
received or receivable by the Group, excluding value added tax (or 
similar local sales tax), in exchange for transferring the promised goods 
or services to the customer. The consideration is allocated to each 
separate performance obligation that is identified in a sales contract, 
based on stand-alone selling prices. Sales of instruments and spare 
parts, and sales of services, such as non-specialised installation, 
support, training or consultancy, are assessed to be separate 
performance obligations.

Revenue is recognised when (or as) the Group satisfies the identified 
performance obligation. For sales of instruments and spare parts,  
the performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time; for revenue 
from services, the performance obligation is satisfied over time. As the 
period of time between payment and performance is less than one 
year, the Group does not adjust revenue for the effects of financing.

Revenue from sales of instruments and spare parts is recognised at the 
point at which the customer obtains control of the asset. This is usually 
on despatch of the instrument but in some cases (depending on the 
contract with the customer) it is when the customer receives the goods. 

Revenue from services is a separate performance obligation and is 
recognised when the service is performed.

Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method  
which calculates the amortised cost of a financial asset and allocates  
the interest income over the relevant period. Dividend income, if any,  
is recognised when the shareholder’s right to receive payment  
is established.

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.

Employee benefit trust
The employee benefit trust (EBT) 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 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 
issue date.

The fair value of the grants is measured using 
the Black-Scholes model or a Monte Carlo 
simulation as appropriate, taking into account 
the terms and conditions upon which the 
grants were made. 

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.

The carrying value of deferred tax asset 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 
Board of Directors.

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.

50
50

51

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

reduction in rental charge offset by 
depreciation on the right-of-use asset would 
have been a decrease of £28k, increasing 
operating profit by £28k. After taking into 
account the additional interest charge on the 
lease liability, the cumulative impact on the 
Consolidated Income Statement for the year 
ended 30 April 2019 would have been a 
reduction of £41k. Therefore in the year of 
adoption shareholders will see operating profit 
increase, but profit after tax will decrease, and 
earnings per share will also be impacted. 
Assuming no further changes to the Group’s 
leases, the increase in operating profit will 
endure, however in future years the interest 
charge will reduce as the discount unwinds.  
It is likely that the Group will renew or replace 
leases as they expire.

Management expects to implement the new 
standard with effect from 1 May 2019.

Change to segment reporting
Until 30 April 2018, management considered 
that the Group constituted a single  
operating segment.

During the year ended 30 April 2019, the 
Group has started to analyse its operating 
performance for management reporting 
purposes into two distinct segments, under 
the names Digital Imaging and Sensors  
& Control, and has concluded that it is 
appropriate to report these as operating 
segments under IFRS8. These are shown  
in Note 6.

4  Changes in Accounting Policies
Standards adopted for the first time
IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ (2014) (effective date 1 January 2018) – 
the new standard introduces extensive changes to IAS 39’s guidance 
on the classification and measurement of financial assets and 
introduces a new “expected credit loss” model for the impairment of 
financial assets. IFRS 9 also provides new guidance on the application 
of hedge accounting. The Group has adopted the new standard from  
1 May 2018; It has not, as permitted by IFRS 9, restated prior period and 
has not made a prior year adjustment in respect of the carry value of 
financial assets at 1 May 2018 since the impact of the implementation 
of IFRS 9 was not significant.

IFRS 15 ‘Revenues from Contracts with Customers’ (effective date  
1 January 2018) – this new standard presents new requirements for the 
recognition of revenue, replacing IAS 18 ‘Revenue’, IAS 11 ‘Construction 
Contracts’ and several revenue-related Interpretations. The new 
standard establishes a control-based revenue recognition model and 
provides additional guidance in many areas not covered in detail under 
previous IFRSs, including how to account for arrangements with 
multiple performance obligations, variable pricing, customer refund 
rights, supplier repurchase options and other common complexities.

The Group has adopted the new standard from 1 May 2018; the 
application of this new standard has not caused a material change  
to the Group’s results.

Standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards 
that are 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 16 ‘Leases’ (effective date 1 January 2019) – this new standard  
will require the capitalisation of operating leases, such as the Group’s 
building leases, as right of use assets with an offsetting financial liability. 
The current rental charge will be replaced with a combination of 
depreciation from the asset and an interest charge from the liability. 
This is expected to cause a material change to the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet and a material change to the presentation of amounts 
within the Consolidated Income Statement. The Group has reviewed 
the transition options in relation to adopting IFRS 16, and intends to 
adopt the modified retrospective approach, and will recognise an initial 
right of use asset amount equal to the lease liability. The Group has 
performed a detailed review of its leases and concluded that, at 30 April 
2019, the right of use asset and offsetting lease liability that would have 
been recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet is £2,172k. In the 
Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended 30 April 2019, 
under the new standard the net impact on operating costs of the 

5   Alternative Performance Measures
The Group uses Adjusted Operating Profit, Adjusted Profit Before Tax and Net Operating Assets as supplemental  
measures of the Group’s profitability and investment in business-related assets, in addition to measures defined under 
IFRS. The Group considers these useful due to the exclusion of specific items that are considered to hinder comparison 
of underlying profitability and investments of the Group’s segments and businesses, and is aware that shareholders  
use these measures to evaluate performance over time. 

The following table is included to define the term Adjusted Operating Profit:

Operating Profit (as reported)
Adjusting items (all costs):
Reorganisation costs
Share-based payments
Acquisition and fundraising costs
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Total adjusting items
Adjusted Operating Profit

Adjusted Profit Before Tax is defined as follows:

Profit before tax (as reported)
Adjusting items (all costs):
Reorganisation costs
Share-based payments
Acquisition and fundraising costs
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Total adjusting items
Adjusted Profit Before Tax

The following table is included to define the term Net Operating Assets.

Net assets
Deferred tax asset
Cash and cash equivalents
Borrowings (current and non-current)
Deferred tax liability
Current tax payable
Total adjusting items within Net assets
Net Operating Assets

2019
£’000

2,198

124
136
288
356
904
3,102

2019
£’000

2,121

124
136
288
356
904
3,025

2019
£’000

17,086
180
2,494
(4,100)
(1,449)
(626)
(3,501)
20,586

2018
£’000

1,776

63
65
165
277
570
2,346

2018
£’000

1,713

63
65
165
277
570
2,283

2018
£’000

12,560
37
2,007
(1,420)
(969)
(244)
(589)
13,149

52
52

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

6  Segment Analysis
The Digital Imaging segment incorporates the Synoptics brands Syngene, Synbiosis and Synoptics Health, the Atik brands 
Atik Cameras, Opus and Quantum Scientific Imaging, and the Fistreem, Ionscope and Graticules Optics businesses 
acquired during the year. These businesses share significant characteristics including customer application, technology, 
and production location. Revenues derive from the sale of instruments, components for OEM customers’ instruments, 
and from accessories and service.

The Sensors & Control segment combines our Sentek, Astles Control Systems and Applied Thermal Control entities,  
and the Thermal Exchange and MPB Industries businesses acquired during the year. All of these businesses enable 
accurate control of scientific and industrial equipment. Their revenues also derive from the sale of instruments, major 
components for OEM customers’ instruments, and from accessories and service.

The Board of Directors reviews operational results of these segments on a monthly basis, and decides on resource 
allocations to the segments and is considered the Group’s chief operational decision maker. Financial information  
for these segments is available for the year ending 30 April 2018, and is therefore presented below in addition to the 
information for the current period.

Revenues
Digital Imaging
Sensors & Control
Group

Adjusted Operating Profit
Digital Imaging
Sensors & Control
Other
Group

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Digital Imaging
Sensors & Control
Other
Group

Adjusted Operating Profit has been defined in Note 5. 

2019 
Total 
£’000

9,434
7,993
17,427

1,954
2,165
(1,017)
3,102

50
306
–
356

2018 
Total 
£’000

7,647
6,849
14,496

1,041
2,007
(702)
2,346

7
270
–
277

Analysis of amortisation of acquired intangible assets has been included separately as the Group considers it to be an 
important component of profit which is directly attributable to the reported segments.

The Other category includes costs which cannot be allocated to the other segments, and consists principally of Group 
HQ costs.

53

2018 
Total 
£’000

3,976
1,966
20
5,962

1,360
8,148
–
9,508

(1,148)
(845)
(328)
(2,321)

4,188
9,269
(308)
13,149

2019 
Total 
£’000

4,828
3,020
27
7,875

5,552
10,451
–
16,003

(1,281)
(1,361)
(649)
(3,291)

9,099
12,110
(623)
20,586

Operating assets excluding acquired intangible assets
Digital Imaging
Sensors & Control
Other
Group

Acquired intangible assets
Digital Imaging
Sensors & Control
Other
Group

Liabilities
Digital Imaging
Sensors & Control
Other
Group

Net operating assets
Digital Imaging
Sensors & Control
Other
Group

Net Operating Assets has been defined in Note 5.

The geographical analysis of revenue by destination, analysis of revenue by product or service, and non-current assets by 
location are set out below:

Revenue by destination of external customer

United Kingdom (country of domicile)
Europe
Americas
Asia
Rest of World

Revenue by product or service

Instruments and spare parts
Service

Non-current assets by location

United Kingdom
Portugal
America

2019
£’000

6,624
3,216
2,805
4,539
243
17,427

2019
£’000

16,867
560
17,427

2019
£’000

17,943
106
92
18,141

2018
£’000

4,857
3,051
2,736
3,319
533
14,496

2018
£’000

13,964
532
14,496

2018
£’000

10,988
96
111
11,195

 
 
 
54
54

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

7   Profit Before Taxation
Profit for the year has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):

Amortisation and write-down of intangible assets
Depreciation of property plant and equipment
Auditor’s remuneration Group:
– Audit of Group accounts
Fees paid to the auditor and its associates in respect of other services:
– Audit of Company and of subsidiaries 
– Tax advisory services
– Tax compliance services
– Audit related assurance services
Currency exchange loss (gains)
Rental of land and buildings 
Reorganisation costs
Acquisition and fundraising costs

8  Directors’ and Employees’ Remuneration
Staff costs during the year were as follows:

Wages and salaries (including reorganisation costs and other termination benefits  
£124k (2018: £63k))
Social security costs
Share-based payments
Other pension costs

2019
£’000

971
234

 34

82
–
14
10
16
176
124
288

2019
£’000

4,905
441
136
281
5,763

2018
£’000

836
240

26

47
5
17
12
33
156
63
165

2018
£’000

4,106
409
65
123
4,703

The share-based payment charge and reorganisation costs are included in the income statement separately.

Key management for the Group is considered to be the Directors of the Group. Remuneration of Directors is set out  
in the Directors’ remuneration report on page 28.

Pensions
The Group operates defined contributions pension schemes for the benefit of the employees. The assets of the schemes 
are administered by trustees in funds independent from those of the Group. Total contributions for the Group were  
£281k (2018: £123k).

55

2019
£’000

12

2018
£’000

7

2019
Number

2018
Number

24
95
13
16
148

15
80
11
15
121

Current pension obligations included in liabilities

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

Administration
Production
Product development 
Sales and marketing

Share-based employee remuneration
The company has various active option schemes, all of which share similar features, but may be treated differently 
regarding taxation of the option holder. 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. During the year, 1,750,000 of such options were granted under these schemes, at exercise prices ranging from 
£0.345 to £0.545. The weighted average remaining contractual life of all outstanding options under these schemes  
is 8.48 years.

In addition, in December 2018, a Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) was approved by the Board of Directors and 1,389,129 
options were granted under this plan to certain Directors. Under the terms of the grant, a proportion of the options will 
vest after three years, depending on a) the ranking of Total Shareholder Return (TSR) to Group shareholders compared 
with a basket of twenty comparator companies, and b) the earnings per share growth for the Group over the three year 
period. The exercise price for these options is 1p each, being the nominal value of SDI shares.

A summary of options outstanding currently is as follows:

Scheme

EMI, Approved  
and Unapproved
LTIP
Total

Options 
outstanding 
at 1 May  
2018

Granted

Lapsed

Exercised

Options 
outstanding 
at 30 April 
2019

of which 
exercisable

Weighted 
average 
exercise price

4,229,000 
– 
 4,229,000 

1,750,000 
1,389,129 
3,139,129 

340,000 
– 
340,000 

459,000 
– 
459,000 

5,180,000 
1,389,129 
6,569,129 

280,000 
– 
280,000 

£0.299
£0.010
£0.238

In accordance with IFRS 2, share-based compensation expense is calculated on the issue of share options. For options 
under the LTIP scheme vesting based on TSR, a Monte Carlo simulation performed by a third party was used to value the 
compensation expense. For the other options issued during the year, the compensation expense was valued using the 
Black Scholes model, with the following inputs:

●  interest rate  0.75%–0.79%
●  volatility  39%–46%
●  expected life of option  3 years.

The charge for the year ended 30 April 2019 was £136k (2018: £65k). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
56
56

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

9  Finance Costs

Bank loans 
Finance leases and hire purchase contracts

10  Taxation

Corporation tax:
Prior year corporation tax adjustment
Current tax

Deferred tax (income)/expense
Income tax charge

Reconciliation of effective tax rate

Profit on ordinary activities before tax 

2019
£’000

74
3
77

2018
£’000

59
4
63

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

37
469
506
(297)
209

2019
£’000

2,121

(51)
233
182
(84)
98

2018
£’000

1,713

Profit on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of Corporation tax in the UK  
of 19% (2018: 19%)

403

325

Effects of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Capital allowances less than / (in excess of) depreciation and amortisation

Additional deduction for R&D expenditure
Share scheme deduction
Prior year tax adjustments
Update deferred tax liabilities and assets to enacted future tax rate of 17%
Establish deferred tax asset relating to share option exercises
Transferred to/(from) tax losses 

156
7

(136)
(22)
37
(82)
(154)
–
209

651
(91)

(136)
–
(51)
–
–
(14)
98

11  Intangible Assets
The amounts recognised in the balance sheet relate to the following:

Cost

At 1 May 2018
Additions
Fair value adjustment
Disposals/Eliminations
At 30 April 2019

Amortisation
At 1 May 2018
Fair value adjustment
Amortisation for the year
Disposals/Eliminations
At 30 April 2019
Net book amount at 30 April 2019

Cost

At 1 May 2017
Additions
Fair value adjustments
Disposals/Eliminations

Amortisation
At 1 May 2017
Fair value adjustment
Amortisation for the year
Disposals/Eliminations
At 30 April 2018
Net book amount at 30 April 2018

Customer 
relationships 
£’000

Other 
intangibles 
£’000

Goodwill 
£’000

Development 
costs  
£’000

4,241
3,658
–
–
7,899

389
–
330
–
719
7,180

650
223
–
(63)
810

380
–
50
(63)
367
443

5,419
2,972
–
–
8,391

–
–
–
–
–
8,391

2,458
585
–
(365)
2,678

1,272
–
591
(365)
1,498
1,180

Customer 
relationships
£’000

Other 
intangibles
£’000 

Goodwill
£’000

Development 
costs
£’000

3,680
561
–
–
4,241

129
–
260
–
389
3,852

580
114
–
(44)
650

376
–
48
(44)
380
270

4,907
512
–
–
5,419

–
–
–
–
–
5,419

2,505
606
–
(653)
2,458

1,397
–
528
(653)
1,272
1,186

57

Total  
£’000

12,768
7,438
–
(428)
19,778

2,041
–
971
(428)
2,584
17,194

Total
£’000

11,672
1,793
–
(697)
12,768

1,902
–
836
(697)
2,041
10,727

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. 

Capitalised development costs include amounts totalling £674k (2018: 234k) relating to incomplete projects for which 
amortisation has not yet begun.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
58
58

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

Goodwill relates to various acquisitions, and impairment has been tested for the following cash-generating units:

12   Property, Plant and Equipment 

●  Atik, consisting of the acquisitions of Artemis CCD Ltd, Perseu Comercio De Equipamento Para Informatica E 

Astronomica SA, Opus Instruments, and the assets of QSI.

●  Sentek

●  Astles Control Systems

●  Applied Thermal Control

●  Fistreem International

●  Thermal Exchange

●  Graticules Optics

●  MPB Industries

It is expected that we will, in the future, consider Applied Thermal Control and Thermal Exchange as a single cash 
generating unit as their merger proceeds, and that, similarly, Fistreem International will be combined into a single  
cash generating unit with Synoptics.

The individual impairment assessments for the cash generating units were based on value-in-use calculations covering a 
five year forecast followed by an extrapolation of expected cash flows to perpetuity using a long-term growth rate of 2%. 
A risk-adjusted, pre-tax discount rate of 12% was used which was judged to be appropriate for each of the entities given 
that they operate in similar markets and the risk profiles of each CGU are similar. Management’s key assumption for all 
cash generating units and resulting cash flows is to maintain market share in their markets. Management has considered 
the sensitivity of the key assumptions and concluded that it is unlikely that other reasonable assumptions would result in 
impairments, given the available headroom.

The average remaining amortisation period of intangible assets excluding Goodwill is 9.4 years (2018: 6.3 years).

Motor 
vehicles
£’000

Computer 
equipment
£’000

Tools and 
other 
equipment
£’000

Furniture 
fixtures 
& fittings
 £’000

Building and 
leasehold 
improvements
£’000

56
–
64
–
(56)
64

51
5
–
(52)
4

60

124
108
7
–
(8)
231

65
34
–
(8)
91

140

946
143
93
3
(235)
950

661
163
1
(191)
634

316

123
30
30
–
(1)
182

100
15
–
(1)
114

68

141
138
–
–
(6)
273

82
14
–
(6)
90

183

Motor 
vehicles
£’000

Computer 
equipment
£’000

Tools and 
other 
equipment
£’000

Furniture 
fixtures 
& fittings
 £’000

Building and 
leasehold 
improvements
£’000

56
–
–
–
–
56

47
4
–
–
51

5

290
1
–
–
(167)
124

203
29
–
(167)
65

59

928
167
18
(18)
(149)
946

630
190
(12)
(147)
661

285

139
16
–
–
(32)
123

118
13
–
(31)
100

23

141
–
–
–
–
141

78
4
–
–
82

59

Cost
At 1 May 2018
Additions
Additions on acquisition
FX movement
Disposals
At 30 April 2019

Depreciation
At 1 May 2018
Charge for year
FX movement
Disposals
At 30 April 2019

Net book value
At 30 April 2019

Cost
At 1 May 2017
Additions
Additions on acquisition
FX movement
Disposals
At 30 April 2018

Depreciation
At 1 May 2017
Charge for year
FX movement
Disposals
At 30 April 2018

Net book value
At 30 April 2018

59

Total
£’000

1,390
419
194
3
(306)
1,700

959
231
1
(258)
933

767

Total
£’000

1,554
184
18
(18)
(348)
1,390

1,076
240
(12)
(345)
959

431

The net book value of property, plant and equipment includes an amount of £73k held under finance leases and hire 
purchase contracts, of which £50k for tools and other equipment and £23k for computer equipment (2018: £47k for 
computer equipment). Depreciation on these assets is £27k, of which £3k for tools and other equipment and £24k  
for computer equipment (2018: £24k, all relating to computer equipment). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

13  Deferred Tax

15   Trade and Other Receivables

Deferred 
tax asset
£’000

 2019

Deferred 
tax liability
£’000

Deferred 
tax asset
£’000

 2018

Deferred 
tax liability
£’000

Opening
Capitalised R & D
Introduce deferred tax on share options
Trading losses recognised
Other temporary differences
Purchased intangible assets
Intangibles recognised on business combinations
Adjustment to enacted tax rate of 17%
At 30 April 2019

Deferred tax on capitalised R & D
Other temporary differences
Deferred tax on acquisition intangibles
Deferred tax on share option exercises
Trading losses recognised

37
–
154
(8)
–
–
–
(3)
180

Asset
£’000

–
–
–
154
26
180

(969)
(20)
–
–
59
61
(661)
82
(1,448)

 2019

Liability
£’000

(204)
40
(1,284)
–
–
(1,448)

48
–
–
(11)
–
–
–
–
37

Asset
£’000

–
–
–
–
37
37

(950)
(115)
–
5
59
125
(93)
–
(969)

 2018

Liability
£’000

(204)
4
(769)
–
–
(969)

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 £308k (2018: £308k) in respect of losses. Total losses (provided and unprovided) totalled £1.8m (2018: £1.8m).

14  Inventories

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress
Finished goods

2019
£’000

1,943
229
404
2,576

2018
£’000

1,600
76
414
2,090

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

In the year ended 30 April 2019 a total of £5,902k (2018: £4,954k) of inventories were consumed and charged to the 
Income Statement as an expense. 

61

2019
£’000

2,963
157
220
3,340

2018
£’000

1,946
80
195
2,221

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments 

All amounts are short-term. All of the receivables have been reviewed for potential credit losses, and expected credit loss 
has been estimated. 

No significant difference in valuation has resulted from the implementation of IFRS 9 compared with the previously-
applied IAS 39 standard.

A reconciliation of the movement in the expected credit loss provision for trade receivables is as follows:

Expected credit loss provision as at 1 May 2018
Increase/(decrease) in provision
Provision as at 30 April 2019

2019
£’000

9
123
132

2018
£’000

53
(44)
9

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

16  Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

17  Trade and Other Payables

Trade payables
Social security and other taxes
Other payables
Accruals and deferred income
Deferred consideration

2019
£’000

2,494

2019
£’000

1,632
300
151
1,197
–
3,280

2018
£’000

2,007

2018
£’000

1,011
216
141
789
152
2,309

Accruals and deferred income includes an amount of £192k (2018: £139k) in respect of contract liabilities for service 
revenues recognised over time but invoiced in advance, relating to performance obligations expected to be satisfied 
within the next 12 months.

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

 
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Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

18  Lease Liabilities
The Group’s motor fleet, a number of computers, some production equipment and a leasehold property in Portugal are 
held under finance lease arrangements. The net carrying amount of the assets held under leases is £115k (2018: £47k).

20  Borrowings
Borrowings are repayable as follows:

30 April 2019

Gross lease payments
Future interest 
Net present values

30 April 2018

Gross lease payments
Future interest 
Net present values

Within 1 year
£’000

1 to 5 years
£’000

Over 5 years
£’000

88
(4)
84

19
(3)
16

–
–
–

Within 1 year
£’000

1 to 5 years
£’000

Over 5 years
£’000

39
(4)
35

7
–
7

–
–
–

Total
£’000

107
(7)
100

Total
£’000

46
(4)
42

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

19  Provision for Warranties 

As at 1 May 2018
Provided for (released) in year (net)
Warranty provision as at 30 April 2019

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

11
–
11

19
(8)
11

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. 

Within one year
Bank finance
Finance leases

After one and within five years
Bank finance
Finance leases

Total borrowings

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

–
84
84

4,000
16
4,016
4,100

–
29
29

1,370
21
1,391
1,420

Bank finance relates to amounts drawn down under the Group’s revolving bank facility with HSBC Bank plc. The facility 
was extended from £3,000,000 to £5,000,000 and the termination date was extended from 3 April 2021 to 3 April 2023  
in December 2018. 

21  Reconciliation of Liabilities Arising from Financing Activities
The changes in the Group’s liabilities arising from financing activities can be classified as follows:

1 May 2018
Cash-flows:
– Repayments
– New liabilities
Non-cash:
– Assumed on acquisition
– Fair value
– Reclassification
– Adoption IFRS 16
30 April 2018

Long-term 
borrowing
£’000

Leases
£’000

1,370

(970)
3,600

–
–
–
–
4,000

50

(66)
36

80
–
–
–
100

Total
£’000

1,420

(1,036)
3,636

80
–
–
–
4,100

 
 
 
 
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Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

22  Share Capital

24  Own Shares Held by Employee Benefit Trust

Authorised
1,000,000,000 (2018: 1,000,000,000) Ordinary shares of 1p each

Allotted, called up and fully paid 97,203,951
(2018 : 89,633,424) Ordinary shares of 1p each

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

10,000

10,000

972

896

During the year 7,570,527 Ordinary shares of 1p were issued in a share placing associated with the acquisition  
of Graticules Optics. Gross proceeds were £2,574k and net proceeds after broker and legal fees were £2,384k.

160,528 ordinary shares (2018: 619,528) are held by the Synoptics Employee Benefit Trust and are reserved for providing 
employee benefits such as satisfying the exercise of share options.

23  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 period. All profit per share calculations 
relate to continuing operations of the Group.

Basic earnings per share:
– Year ended 30 April 2019
– Year ended 30 April 2018

Dilutive effect of share options:
– Year ended 30 April 2019
– Year ended 30 April 2018

Diluted earnings per share:
– Year ended 30 April 2019
– Year ended 30 April 2018

Profit
attributable to
shareholders
£’000

Weighted 
average 
number of 
shares

Earnings
per share 
amount in 
pence

1,912
1,616

91,209,753
89,391,064

2.10
1.81

2,120,747
723,173

1,912 93,330,500
90,114,237
1,616

2.05
1.79

The Group 

Investment in own shares

2019
£’000

17

2018
£’000

82

As at 30 April 2019 the trust held 160,528 shares (30 April 2018 the trust held 619,528 shares) in Scientific Digital Imaging plc.

25  Operating Leases Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

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

Group

In one year or less
Between one and five years
Over five years

Land and
Buildings
£’000

379
1,059
1,216
2,654

2019

Other
£’000

20
32
–
52

Land and
Buildings
£’000

193
618
872
1,683

2018

Other
£’000

17
7
–
24

Lease payments recognised as an expense during the year amount to £288k (2018: £176k).

Contingent liabilities 
Performance guarantees totalling £32k 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.

26  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 in note 8.

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

 
 
 
 
 
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Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

27  Financial Risk Management Objectives and Policies
Financial instruments
The Group uses various financial instruments, including loans and leasing arrangements, and has certain assets and 
liabilities which are denominated in foreign currencies. The main purpose of the financial instruments is to raise finance 
for the Group’s operations. The existence of these financial instruments and other financial assets and liabilities 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 and long term bank borrowings, and 
shareholders’ equity. The Group has an exposure to interest rate fluctuations on its borrowings which are generally  
linked to LIBOR at 1 or 3 months. An increase in LIBOR of 1% would result in an increase in interest costs of approximately 
£40k annually, based on the loan outstanding at 30 April 2019.

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 rates could lead to a devaluation of these 
assets. As at 30 April 2019 an adverse movement in the dollar of 5% would result in a reduction in the Group’s equity  
and profit or loss of £28k (2018: £8k). An adverse movement in the Euro of 5% would result in a reduction in the Group’s 
equity and profit or loss of £36k (2018: £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
2019
 £’000

562
721

2018
 £’000

429
436

In addition an element of the Group’s revenue and overhead transactions is completed in a foreign currency. 

The Group does not attempt to hedge its exposure using derivative instruments.

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 £5,834k (2018: £4,512k). 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 15.

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is that the Group might be unable to meet its obligations and arises from trade and other payables.  
The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves and banking facilities and by continuously monitoring 
forecasts and actual cash flows. 

As at 30 April 2019, the Group’s financial liabilities have contractual maturities as summarised below: 

Trade and other payables 
Borrowings
Deferred or contingent consideration

As at 30 April 2018

Trade and other payables 
Borrowings
Deferred or contingent consideration

Current

Between  
6 and 12 
months
£’000

–
40
–

Current

Between  
6 and 12 
months
£’000

–
15
–

Within  
6 months
£’000

3,280
44
–

Within  
6 months
£’000

2,164
14
152

Non-current

Between  
1 and 5 years
£’000

Later than  
5 years
£’000

–
4,016
–

–
–
–

Non-current

Between  
1 and 5 years
£’000

Later than  
5 years
£’000

–
1,391
–

–
–
–

The undiscounted liabilities for non-current borrowings would be approximately £440k (2018: £126k) higher than the 
discounted liabilities, if maintained to their maturity. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

29  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 by tracking its Debt-to-EBITDA ratio as required by its bank facility covenant.

The Group will keep its dividend policy under review.

30  Fair Value Measurement
Contingent consideration for acquisitions

Deferred consideration re ATC acquisition – current
Deferred consideration re ATC acquisition – non current

2019
£’000

–
–
–

2018
£’000

152
–
152

The deferred consideration payable with respect to the 2018 acquisition of Applied Thermal Controls of £152k was paid  
in June 2018. No deferred consideration is payable with respect to acquisitions completed in 2019.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

28  Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities by IFRS 9 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;

Financial 
assets at 
amortised 
cost
2019
£’000

2,494
3,120
–
–

Non  
financial 
assets
2019
£’000

Financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost
2019
£’000

–
220
–
–

–
–
(84)
(4,016)

–

–

(2,980)

–
5,614

–
220

–
(7,080)

Financial 
assets at 
amortised 
cost
2018
£’000

Non  
financial 
assets
2018
£’000

Financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost
2018
£’000

2,007
2,002
–
–

–

–
4,009

–
219
–
–

–

–
219

–
–
(29)
(1,391)

(1,941)

–
(3,361)

Financial 
liabilities 
measured at 
fair value 
through  
profit  
and loss
2019
£’000

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

Financial 
liabilities 
measured at 
fair value 
through  
profit  
and loss
2018
£’000

–
–
–
–

(152)

–
(152)

Non  
financial 
liabilities
2019
£’000

–
–
–
–

Total  
balance  
sheet  
heading
2019
£’000

2,494
3,340
(84)
(4,016)

(300)

(3,280)

–
(300)

–
(1,546)

Non  
financial 
liabilities
2018
£’000

–
–
–
–

Total  
balance  
sheet  
heading
2018
£’000

2,007
2,221
(29)
(1,391)

(216)

(2,309)

–
(216)

–
499

Balance sheet headings

Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Borrowings – current
Borrowings – non current
Trade and other payables   
– current
Trade and other payables   
– non current
Total

Balance sheet headings

Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Borrowings – current
Borrowings – non current
Trade and other payables  
– current
Trade and other payables   
– non current
Total

The fair values of the financial assets and liabilities at 30 April 2019 and 30 April 2018 are not materially different from  
their book values.

With the adoption of IFRS 9 in the current period, the only change is in classification with financial assets at amortised 
cost previously being classified as loans and receivables under IAS 39.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

(b) On 1 February 2019, the Company acquired the entire share capital of Thermal Exchange Limited, a company 
incorporated in England and Wales, for a consideration payable in cash.

The assets and liabilities acquired were as follows:

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

31  Business Combinations
(a) On 24 September 2018, the Company acquired the entire share capital of Fistreem International Limited, a company 
incorporated in England and Wales, for a consideration payable in cash.
The assets and liabilities acquired were as follows:

Assets
Non-current assets
Fixed assets
Intangible assets – trade names
Intangible assets – customer relationships
Total non-current assets
Current assets
Stock
Debtors
Cash at bank
Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Corporation tax
Deferred tax liability
Net assets acquired
Goodwill 
Consideration and cost of investment
Fair value of consideration transferred
Cash paid in year 

Book value
£’000

Fair Value
adjustment
£’000

Fair Value
£’000

1
–
–
1

107
35
12

(36)
(44)
–
75
–

–
33
309
342

(50)
(2)
–

(5)
– 
(57)
228
453

1
33
309
343

57
33
12

(41)
(44)
(57)
303
453
756

756
756

Assets
Non-current assets
Fixed assets
Intangible assets – trade names
Intangible assets – customer relationships
Total non-current assets
Current assets
Stock
Debtors
Cash at bank
Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Lease commitments
Corporation tax
Deferred tax liability
Net assets acquired
Goodwill 
Consideration and cost of investment
Fair value of consideration transferred
Cash paid in year 

Book value
£’000

Fair value
adjustment
£’000

Fair value
£’000

86
–
–
86

252
107
55

(212)
(37)
(82)
–
169
–

(6)
56
338
388

(106)
–
–

–
–
–
(65)
217
611

80
56
338
474

146
107
55

(212)
(37)
(82)
(65)
386
611
997

997
997

Fistreem International Limited contributed £458k revenue and approximately £84k (after management charges) to the 
Group’s profit for the period between the date of acquisition and the balance sheet date.

If the acquisition of Fistreem International Limited had been completed on the first day of the financial year, the impact  
on group revenues for the period would have been £272k and the impact on group profit would have been approximately 
£65k (after management charges). 

Thermal Exchange Limited contributed £243k revenue and approximately £3k (after management charges) to the Group’s 
profit for the period between the date of acquisition and the balance sheet date.

If the acquisition of Thermal Exchange Limited had been completed on the first day of the financial year, the impact on 
group revenues for the period would have been £1,059k and the impact on group profit would have been approximately 
£107k (after management charges). 

The goodwill of £453k arising from the acquisition relates to the assembled workforce and to expected future profitability 
and growth expectations.

The goodwill of £611k arising from the acquisition primarily relates to the assembled workforce and to expected future 
profitability and growth expectations.

The customer relationships intangible asset has been valued using a multi-period excess earnings methodology.  
The estimated fair value of the customer relationships therefore reflects the present value of the projected stream of  
cash flows that are expected to be generated by existing customers going forwards. Key assumptions are the discount 
rate and attrition rate. Values of 17.5% and 20% were selected. The fair value of stock has been adjusted downwards from 
its previous book value to account for estimated excess and obsolescence. The deferred tax liability has been calculated 
on the amortisable intangible assets using the enacted statutory tax rate of 17%.

The last financial year for Fistreem International Limited closed in August 2018. It is expected that the current financial 
year will be shortened by four months to coincide with the financial year of the Group. 

The last financial year for Thermal Exchange Limited closed in December 2017. The current financial year has been 
extended by four months to coincide with the financial year of the Group, to 30 April 2019.

The customer relationships intangible asset has been valued using a multi-period excess earnings methodology.  
The estimated fair value of the customer relationships therefore reflects the present value of the projected stream of  
cash flows that are expected to be generated by existing customers going forwards. Key assumptions are the discount 
rate and attrition rate. Values of 17.5% and 10% were selected. The fair value of stock has been adjusted downwards from 
its previous book value to account for estimated excess and obsolescence. The deferred tax liability has been calculated 
on the amortisable intangible assets using the enacted statutory tax rate of 17%.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

31  Business Combinations continued
(c) On 12 February 2019, a dormant group subsidiary, subsequently renamed Graticules Optics Limited, acquired the trade 
and assets of the Graticules division of Pyser Optics Limited for a consideration payable in cash, with funding provided by 
the Company in the form of a loan.

The assets and liabilities acquired were as follows:

Book value
£’000

Fair Value
adjustment
£’000

Fair Value
£’000

Assets
Non-current assets
Fixed assets
Intangible assets – trade names
Intangible assets – customer relationships
Total non-current assets
Current assets
Stock
Debtors
Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Lease commitments
Deferred tax liability
Net assets acquired
Goodwill 
Consideration and cost of investment
Fair value of consideration transferred
Cash paid in year 

91
–
–
91

250
248

(174)
(34)
–
381
–

–
67
2,096
2,163

(20)
(31)

–
–
(371)
1,741
1,278

91
67
2,096
2,254

230
217

(174)
(34)
(371)
2,122
1,278
3,400

3,400
3,400

Graticules Optics Limited contributed £444k revenue and approximately £117k (after management charges) to the 
Group’s profit for the period between the date of acquisition and the balance sheet date.

If the acquisition of Graticules Optics had been completed on the first day of the financial year, the impact on group 
revenues for the period would have been £1,523k and the impact on group profit would have been approximately £340k 
(after management charges). 

The goodwill of £1,278k arising from the acquisition primarily relates to the assembled workforce and to expected future 
profitability and growth expectations.

The customer relationships intangible asset has been valued using a multi-period excess earnings methodology.  
The estimated fair value of the customer relationships therefore reflects the present value of the projected stream of  
cash flows that are expected to be generated by existing customers going forwards. Key assumptions are the discount 
rate and attrition rate. Values of 17.5% and 10% were selected. The deferred tax liability has been calculated on the 
amortisable intangible assets using the enacted statutory tax rate of 17%.

(d) On 4 April 2019, the Company acquired the entire share capital of MPB Industries Limited, a company incorporated  
in England and Wales, for a consideration payable in cash.

The assets and liabilities acquired were as follows:

Book value
£’000

Fair Value
adjustment
£’000

Fair Value
£’000

Assets
Non-current assets
Fixed assets
Intangible assets – trade names
Intangible assets – customer relationships
Total non-current assets
Current assets
Stock
Debtors
Cash at bank
Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Lease commitments
Corporation tax
Deferred tax liability
Net assets acquired
Goodwill 
Consideration and cost of investment
Fair value of consideration transferred
Cash paid in year 

19
–
–
19

119
259
55

(252)
(9)
(44)
–
147
–

–
59
915
974

–
–
–

–
–
–
(165)
809
630

19
59
915
993

119
259
55

(252)
(9)
(44)
(165)
956
630
1,586

1,586
1,586

MPB Industries Limited contributed £145k revenue and approximately £21k (after management charges) to the Group’s 
profit for the period between the date of acquisition and the balance sheet date.

If the acquisition of MPB Industries Limited had been completed on the first day of the financial year, the impact on group 
revenues for the period would have been £1,767k and the impact on group profit would have been approximately £214k 
(after management charges). 

The goodwill of £630k arising from the acquisition primarily relates to the assembled workforce and to expected future 
profitability and growth expectations.

The customer relationships intangible asset has been valued using a multi-period excess earnings methodology.  
The estimated fair value of the customer relationships therefore reflects the present value of the projected stream of  
cash flows that are expected to be generated by existing customers going forwards. Key assumptions are the discount 
rate and attrition rate. Values of 17.5% and 10% were selected. The deferred tax liability has been calculated on the 
amortisable intangible assets using the enacted statutory tax rate of 17%.

The last financial year for MPB Industries Limited closed in December 2018. It is expected that the current financial year 
will be extended by four months to coincide with the financial year of the Group.

In addition, on 15 January 2019, the Group subsidiary Synoptics Limited acquired the trade and assets of the Ionscope 
division of DeepMatter plc for a consideration of £49k, which was equal to the fair value of tangible net assets acquired.

In the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended 30 April 2019, the item “Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of 
cash” of £6,668k comprises the consideration and cost of investment for the investments as shown above, less the Cash 
at Bank assumed with the acquisitions totalling £122k.

 
 
 
 
 
 
74
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Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Note

2019
£’000

2018
Restated
£’000

Share capital
£

Merger 
reserve
£

Share 
premium 
reserve
£

Company Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 30 April 2019

75

Total
£

11,088
(701)
10,387
2,385
173
2,558
2,406
15,351

Total
£

6,274
200
25
225
3,888
10,387

Profit  
and loss 
account
£

3,268
(701)
2,567
–
–
–
2,406
4,973

Profit  
and loss 
account
£

(1,321)
–
–
–
3,888
2,567

Other 
reserves
£

111
–
111
–
173
173
–
284

At 1 May 2018 (as reported)
Restatement
At 1 May 2018 restated
Shares issued
Share-based payments
Transactions with owners
Profit for the year
At 30 April 2019

896
–
896
76
–
76
–
972

424
–
424
–
–
–
–
424

6,389
–
6,389
2,309
–
2,309
–
8,698

At 1 May 2017
Shares issued
Share-based payments
Transactions with owners
Profit for the year (restated)
At 30 April 2018 (restated)

Share capital
£

Merger 
reserve
£

Share 
premium 
reserve
£

Other 
reserves
£

889
7
–
7
–
896

424
–
–
–
–
424

6,199
190
–
190
–
6,389

83
3
25
28
–
111

Restatement: 2018 Profit has been reduced by £701,000 to correct a mis-statement in the Company accounts relating  
to the payment of a dividend by an acquired company to former owners. This was correctly accounted for in the Group’s 
consolidated financial statements.

Company Balance Sheet
For the year ended 30 April 2019

Fixed assets
Investments
Intangible assets
Deferred tax asset

Current assets
Debtors
Cash

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
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

4
5
6

7

8

9/10

11

15,739
–
120
15,859

3,674
437
4,111
(619)
3,492
19,351
(4,000)
15,351

972
8,698
284
424
4,973
15,351

12,036
8
–
12,044

59
173
232
(519)
(287)
11,757
(1,370)
10,387

896
6,389
111
424
2,567
10,387

Restatement: 2018 Investments and Profit and loss account have been reduced by £701,000 to correct a mis-statement 
in the Company accounts relating to the payment of a dividend by an acquired company to former owners. This was 
correctly accounted for in the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 17 July 2019.

Mike Creedon 
Chief Executive Officer         Chief Financial Officer

      Jon Abell 

Company registration number: 6385396

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 profit for the financial year was £2,406,000 (2018 
restated: profit £3,888,000).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
76
76

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Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Company Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 April 2019

1  Principal Accounting Policies 
Basis of preparation
The separate financial statements were prepared in accordance with 
Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework. The 
financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention.

Disclosure exemptions adopted
In preparing these financial statements the Company has taken 
advantage of all disclosure exemptions conferred by FRS 101.  
Therefore these financial statements do not include:

●  A statement of cash flows and related notes

●  T he requirements of IAS 24 related party disclosures to disclose 

related party transactions entered between two or more members 
of the group as they are wholly owned within the group.

●  Disclosure of key management personnel compensation

●  Capital management disclosures 

●  Presentation of comparative reconciliation of the number of 

shares outstanding at the beginning and at the end of the period

●  The effect of future accounting standards not adopted

●  Certain share-based payment disclosures

●  Disclosures in relation to impairment of assets

●  Financial instrument disclosures under IFRS 9

Investments
Scientific Digital Imaging Plc qualifies 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 any provision for impairment.

Share options
Scientific Digital Imaging Plc regularly issues share options to 
employees, including to employees of subsidiary companies. 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 number expected to vest.  
The expense relating to these options is recognised in the relevant 
subsidiary company profit and loss account. The carrying value of  
the investment in those subsidiaries is increased by an amount equal  
to the value of 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.

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.

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

Emoluments
Pension

2019 
£’000

400
12
412

2018
£’000

264
6
270

During the period one director exercised 
165,000 share options held over ordinary 
shares of Scientific Digital Imaging Plc.

Details of directors’ interest in the shares  
and options of the Company are provided  
in the Directors’ remuneration report on  
page 28. The highest paid director aggregate 
entitlements were £204k (2018:£170k) in 
addition to Company pension contributions  
of £7k (2018:£6k) made to a money purchase 
scheme As at 30 April 2019 the highest paid 
Director held a total of 1,872,123 share  
options (2018: 1,385,000 share options). 

Key management for the Company is 
considered to be the Directors of the Company. 
Employer’s National Insurance in respect  
of Directors was £46k in 2019 (2018: £25k).

Share-based employee remuneration
Further details of the Company’s share-based remuneration are set out in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.

The share-based payment expense for the Company totalled £105k (2018: £25k).

3  Auditors’ Remuneration
Auditors’ remuneration attributable to the Company is as follows:

Taxation compliance services/taxation advisory services
Fees payable to the company’s auditor for the audit of the financial statements

4  Investments 

Investments in Group undertakings

Cost and net book amount as at 1 May 2018 (as reported)
Restatement
Cost and net book amount as at 1 May 2018 restated
Additions
Share-based payment expense recognised as capital contributions in subsidiaries
Capital increase at Perseu Comercio De Equipamento Para Informatica E Astronomica SA
Cost and net book amount as at 30 April 2019

2019
£’000

4
11

2018
£’000

3
11

£’000

12,737
(701)
12,036
3,283
70
350
15,739

Restatement: 2018 Investments have been reduced by £701,000 to correct a mis-statement in the Company accounts 
relating to the payment of a dividend by an acquired company to former owners. This was correctly accounted for in the 
Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Details of the investments are as follows:

Subsidiary undertakings

Synoptics Limited
Atik Cameras Limited
Perseu Comercio De Equipamento  
Para Informatica E Astronomica SA
Opus Instruments Limited
Sentek Limited
Astles Control Systems Limited
Applied Thermal Control Limited
Fistreem International Limited
Thermal Exchange Limited
Graticules Optics Limited
MPB Industries Limited

Country of
incorporation

Holdings

Proportion of 
voting rights

Nature of
business

England and Wales Ordinary shares
England and Wales Ordinary shares

100%  Design & Manufacture
Design
100%

Portugal

Share quotas
England and Wales Ordinary Shares
England and Wales Ordinary Shares
England and Wales Ordinary Shares
England and Wales Ordinary Shares
England and Wales Ordinary Shares
England and Wales Ordinary Shares
England and Wales Ordinary Shares
England and Wales Ordinary Shares

Manufacture
100%
100%
Dormant
100% Design & Manufacture
100% Design & Manufacture
100% Design & Manufacture
100% Design & Manufacture
100% Design & Manufacture
100% Design & Manufacture
100% Design & Manufacture

The following companies are all held by Synoptics Limited:
Image Techniques of Cambridge Limited England and Wales Ordinary Shares
England and Wales Ordinary Shares
SDI Group Limited
Ordinary
Synoptics Inc

USA

100%
100%
100%

Dormant
Dormant
Distributor

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
78
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Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Financial Statements

Notes to the Company Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 April 2019

5  Intangible Assets 

Cost at 30 April 2019 & 2018

Amortisation as at 1 May 2018
Charge for the year
Amortisation as at 30 April 2019
Net book value as at 30 April 2018
Net book value as at 30 April 2019

6  Deferred Tax Asset

Deferred tax asset

The deferred tax asset relates to tax deductions for share options as they are exercised.

7  Debtors 

Inter-group debtors – short term
Inter-group debtor – long term
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors

2019
£’000

50

42
8
50
8
0

2018
£’000

–
–

2018
£’000

47
–
7
5
59

2019
£’000

120
120

2019
£’000

225
3,400
40
9
3,674

All debtors, with the exception of the Inter-group debtor – long term shown above, fall due within one year of the balance 
sheet date. No provisions are made for long-term inter-group debtors as the credit risk is not thought to be significant.

8  Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year

Amounts owed to other group companies
Trade creditors
Bank loans
Other creditors
Social security and other taxes
Accruals and deferred income

2019
£’000

2018
£’000

69
149
–
–
14
387
619

192
29
–
152
14
132
519

79

2018
£’000

–
1,370
–
1,370

2018
£’000

1,370
1,370

2019
£’000

–
4,000
–
4,000

2019
£’000

4,000
4,000

9  Creditors: Amounts Falling Due After One Year

Amounts owed to other group companies
Bank loans
Other loans

10  Borrowings

Amounts repayable In more than two years but not more than five years:
Bank loan
Loan 

Bank finance relates to amounts drawn down under the Group’s revolving bank facility with HSBC Bank plc. The Group 
has a £5,000,000 facility. The termination date of the facility is 3 April 2023.

11  Called Up Share Capital

Authorised
1,000,000,000 Ordinary shares of 1p each

Allotted, called up and fully paid 97,203,951
 2019: (2018: 89,633,424) Ordinary shares of 1p each

2019 
£’000

2018
£’000

10,000

10,000

972

896

During the year 7,570,527 Ordinary shares of 1p were issued in a share placing associated with the acquisition of 
Graticules Optics. Gross proceeds were £2,574k and net proceeds after broker and legal fees were £2,384k.

Ordinary shares 160,528 (2018: 619,528) are held by the Synoptics Employee Benefit Trust and are reserved for providing 
employee benefits such as satisfying the exercise of share options.

Share options
A summary of options outstanding currently is provided in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.

12  Related Party Transactions
Transactions with Directors are disclosed within the Directors’ Remuneration Report and note 8 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Additionally, Ken Ford is a non-executive director of Primary Bid, an electronic broker. The Company placed £100,000 of 
shares with retail investors using Primary Bid’s platform in February 2019 alongside its institutional placing associated with 
the Group’s acquisition of Graticules Optics. Fees for the placing were approximately £5,000.

The Company is not required to disclose transactions with its wholly owned subsidiaries.

80
80

Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019
Scientific Digital Imaging plc Annual Report 2019

Five-Year Summary

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit

Gross margin %

2019 
Total 
£’000

17,427
(5,902)
11,525

2018 
Total 
£’000

14,496
(4,954)
9,542

2017 
Total 
£’000

10,748
(3,837)
6,911

2016 
Total 
£’000

8,473
(3,298)
5,175

2015 
Total 
£’000

6,955
(2,837)
4,118

66.1%

65.8%

64.3%

61.1%

59.2%

Other operating costs

(8,423)

(7,196)

(5,575)

(4,346)

(3,665)

Adjusted Operating Profit

3,102

2,346

1,336

Reorganisation costs
Share-based payments
Acquisition and fundraising costs
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Operating profit

Net financing expenses

Profit before tax

Income tax

Profit for the year

Cash generated from operations

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

(124)
(136)
(288)
(356)

2,198

(77)

2,121

(209)

1,912

3,620

2.10p

2.05p

(63)
(65)
(165)
(277)

1,776

(63)

1,713

(98)

1,616

2,854

1.81p

1.79p

Group Revenue 
(£m)

17.4

14.5

10.7

8.5

7.0

Gross Profit 
(£m)

11.5

9.5

6.9

5.2

4.1

15

16

17

18

19

15

16

17

18

19

819

(17)
(7)
(178)
(81)

536

(40)

496

75

571

453

(200)
(8)
(126)
(60)

59

(36)

23

21

44

(87)
(2)
(165)
(118)

964

(61)

903

(75)

828

1,406

1,298

439

1.17p

1.14p

1.17p

1.15p

0.15p

0.15p

Operating Profit 
(£’000)

2,198

1,776

964

536

59

15

16

17

18

19

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Shareholder Information
For the year ended 30 April 2019

Scientific Digital Imaging plc

Company registration number 6385396

Registered office 
Beacon House, Nuffield Road, Cambridge CB4 1TF

Directors
E K Ford  Chairman 
M Creedon  Chief Executive Officer
I Napper  Non-Executive Director
D Tilston  Non-Executive Director
J Abell  Chief Financial Officer (appointed 2 July 2018)

Company Secretary
J Abell

Bankers
HSBC Bank Plc
St John’s Innovation Park, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0DS

Solicitors 
Mills & Reeve LLP
Botanic House, 100 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1PH

Auditor 
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
The Courtyard, 17 West Street, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7LL

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scientific Digital Imaging plc
Beacon House, Nuffield Road, Cambridge CB4 1TF

T +44 (0)1223 727144  
F +44 (0)1223 727101  
E info@scientificdigitalimaging.com

www.scientificdigitalimaging.com