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Serko

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FY2020 Annual Report · Serko
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Serko 2020 Annual Report

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Our Purpose

Our purpose is to transform the way businesses manage travel and expenses. We do this 

by helping companies drive down the cost of their travel program, using smart technology 

and making the process of booking and managing travel and reconciling expenses a 

positive experience for their people.

About Serko

Serko is a market leading travel and expense technology solution in Australasia, used by 

over 6,800 corporate entities. Zeno is Serko’s next generation travel management 

application, using intelligent technology, predictive workflows, and a global travel 

marketplace to transform business travel across the entire journey. Serko is listed on the 

New Zealand Stock Exchange Main Board (NZX:SKO) and Australian Securities Exchange 

(ASX:SKO). Serko employs more than 240 people worldwide, with its headquarters in New 

Zealand, and offices across Australia, China, and the U.S.

Visit www.serko.com for more information.

SERKO 2020
ANNUAL REPORT

This Annual Report is dated 24 June 2020 and is signed on behalf of the Board of Directors (Board) of Serko 

Limited by Claudia Batten, Acting Chair, and Darrin Grafton, Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

CLAUDIA BATTEN
ACTING CHAIR

DARRIN GRAFTON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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Our Purpose

Our purpose is to transform the way businesses manage travel and expenses. We do this 

by helping companies drive down the cost of their travel program, using smart technology 

and making the process of booking and managing travel and reconciling expenses a 

positive experience for their people.

About Serko

Serko is a market leading travel and expense technology solution in Australasia, used by 

over 6,800 corporate entities. Zeno is Serko’s next generation travel management 

application, using intelligent technology, predictive workflows, and a global travel 

marketplace to transform business travel across the entire journey. Serko is listed on the 

New Zealand Stock Exchange Main Board (NZX:SKO) and Australian Securities Exchange 

(ASX:SKO). Serko employs more than 240 people worldwide, with its headquarters in New 

Zealand, and offices across Australia, China, and the U.S.

Visit www.serko.com for more information.

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$26.8m

2%

$42.4m

Cash balances increased

from $15.7m post net capital

raise of $43.2m

($6.1m)

EBITDAF* loss

($9.4m)

Net Loss After Tax 

11%Operating Revenue Growth to $25.9m

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11%Operating Revenue Growth to $25.9m

$26.8m

2%

$42.4m

Cash balances increased
from $15.7m post net capital
raise of $43.2m

($6.1m)

EBITDAF* loss

($9.4m)

Net Loss After Tax 

* EBITDAF = earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, amortisation and fair value

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Increase in booking transactionsTotal Income 
 
 
 
CEO and Chairman’s letter 

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

The first three quarters of the financial year ended 31 March 

Company’s strong cash position has provided a comfortable 

2020 were characterised by monthly revenue growth and 

level of liquidity that meant we have had no requirement to 

the achievement of a number of key milestones. However, 

raise capital in distressed circumstances.

Serko’s performance was impacted in the fourth quarter of the 

financial year as the Covid-19 pandemic became widespread, 

significantly affecting booking volumes. This resulted in an 

adverse impact on the full-year result.

This has allowed us to maintain our operating capacity and 

retain our key people to best position Serko when travel 

volumes recover. 

Government responses to the pandemic worldwide, including 

SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS

lockdowns and the suspension of all non-essential travel, 

continue to have a material adverse effect on booking 
transaction volumes on Serko’s online travel booking platforms, 
which generate the majority of Serko’s revenue. 

The Serko Board has exercised judgement on a number of 
important areas in the Income Statement and Statement 
of Financial Position and we draw your attention to the 

commentary in this Annual Report, the Financial Statements 

Clear evidence of a pattern of declining booking activity 

themselves and the Notes to the Financial Statements for 

became apparent in mid-February 2020 and this was followed 

more detailed explanations.

by a precipitous decline in March 2020 as lockdown measures 

were implemented.  At its lowest point during the financial year 

Revenue

in March 2020, daily booking volumes were down in excess of 

90% compared to similar days in March 2019.  

Total Operating Revenue for the year to 31 March 2020 rose 11% 

to $25.9 million from $23.4 million in the same period a year 

In response to the operational and economic impacts of 

ago, substantially lower than our initial guidance range of 20% 

Covid-19, Serko has reduced cash burn and reprioritised 

- 40% for the year. We revised revenue expectations to the 

strategic initiatives to position the business for the materially 

low end of the range on 25 February 2020 and then abandoned 

changed operating environment. The implementation of these 

guidance completely on 16 March 2020, in both cases owing to 

initiatives was largely undertaken after the balance date.  

the effects of Covid-19. 

It should, however, be noted that Serko has carefully chosen 

Under IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts) Serko records 

to retain resource and capacity on key growth initiatives to 

revenue from its portfolio of contracts with reference to actual 

ensure we are well positioned to participate in the recovery of 

transactions, forecast transactions and minimum contracted 

corporate travel.

Of note during the financial year, Serko entered into an 
agreement with Booking.com to supply a ‘white-label’ version 

of our Zeno booking tool for Booking.com, targeting its 

business customer base internationally. The ‘Booking.com 

for Business’ version of Zeno is currently in pilot phase and is 

expected to be rolled out to additional Northern Hemisphere 

markets following achievement of agreed performance targets.  

Booking Holdings (owner of Booking.com) participated in 

Serko’s successful oversubscribed capital raising of $45 million 

commitments. Serko has agreed to a number of changes to 

contracts as a result of the impact of Covid-19 on the entire 

industry, this includes changes to schedules of contracted 

minimum revenues.   This has had the effect of reducing the 

revenue that Serko expected to record in the current year.  The 

Board has also made decisions with respect to Expected Credit 

Losses (IFRS 9) that reflect the prevailing level of uncertainty 

in the travel industry.

Total income from all sources for the year to 31 March 2020 was 

up 9% to $26.8 million from $24.6 million in the prior year. 

($43.2 million net of costs), completed in late 2019.  

Recurring Product Revenues increased 16% during the year, 

This capital raise was intended to provide funding for Serko’s 

planned expansion into new markets.  Although we did not 

anticipate an event as catastrophic as Covid-19, the Serko 

Board has always maintained a prudent approach to balance 

sheet management.   By raising additional capital, the 

lifted by a full-year contribution from InterplX and organic 

business growth prior to the Covid-19 outbreak. Peak 

Annualised Transactional Monthly Revenue (ATMR) at the end 

of February 2020, historically a forward-looking indicator 

of recurring revenues, stood at $27.5 million, up from $26.0 

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million in the same period of the prior year.  However, by the 

AUSTRALASIAN MARKET UPDATE

end of March ATMR had fallen to $15 million, based on the drop 

that occurred within the month, ending the year with travel 

booking revenues up only 2% to $16.3 million from $15.9 million 

in the prior year. Subsequently ATMR has dropped further post 

year-end.

Serko Expense platform revenues were up 115% to $5.8 million 

for the financial year from $2.7 million reflecting the full-year 

contribution of the InterplX acquisition of $3.7 million versus 

$0.9 million for a single quarter for FY19. Excluding InterplX, 

Serko Expense platform revenues were up 16% at $2.1 million 

from $1.8 million the prior year.

Services revenue and grant income were down 33% on the 

same period a year ago, reduced to $1.8 million owing to 

Serko’s development resources being directed toward product 

development for new markets. Supplier commissions revenues 
declined marginally by $111,000 (7%) to $1.4 million. 

Expenses and Investment Activity

Operating costs increased 59% to $37.1 million reflecting a 

full year of InterplX operating costs and the scale up of our 

international presence. Costs included $4.7 million non-

The New Zealand and Australian markets together generated a 

majority of total bookings on our platform, and travel booking 

revenues, during the financial year. The majority of these 

transactions were domestic bookings.

During the financial year we achieved year-on-year booking 

growth each month through to February 2020. This was 

despite softer economic conditions in Australia in the first 

half, followed by the Australian bushfires negatively impacting 

corporate travel.  

Serko continued to grow customer numbers during the 

financial year with the number of corporates transacting 

through the travel platforms increasing by over 700 (comparing 

February 2020 to February 2019).  

We also saw a significant transition to the premium Zeno 
product from Serko Online during the period. Zeno was carrying 

approximately 25% of transactions across our platforms at 

the end of the financial year, up from approximately 6% of 

transactions at the beginning of the year. 

Zeno is now being used by 42% of corporate customers in 

Australia and New Zealand, up from 9% at the beginning of 

cash costs relating primarily to depreciation, amortisation, 

final fair-value adjustment related to the issue of the final 

the year.

tranche of Serko shares for the InterplX acquisition and 

In February a peak of over 24,000 bookings were processed 

share based payments.

Serko has capitalised $11 million of development costs for 

FY20, compared to $6.7 million in FY19.  Total Research & 

Development (R&D) at $13.6 million was 53% of net operating 

income compared to 39% in the prior year.  Although there 

remains considerable uncertainty as to the future operating 

environment, the Serko Board remains of the view that this 

in a single day (up from a peak of 21,000 in the same month in 

the prior year). However, with the gradual decline in bookings 

becoming evident in mid-February, and the subsequent rapid 

decline in March 2020, total bookings for the entire financial 

year were up only 2% over the prior year.

Impacts of Covid-19

investment will produce an acceptable commercial return in 

The Covid-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions resulted 

the future.

Cash Flow and Cash Balance

in an observable declining trend in February 2020 followed by a 

dramatic reduction in March 2020.  By the end of March 2020, 

daily transaction volumes had declined by ~90% compared to 

the equivalent days in March 2019.

Serko remains well funded following the completion of an 

oversubscribed capital raise of $45 million in November 2019, 

We currently believe that the Australian and New Zealand 

with cash balances up from $15.7 million in the prior year.  Net 

domestic and trans-Tasman travel markets, which presently 

funds received after capital raising costs were $43.2 million. 

generate most of our revenue, are poised to recover more 

Excluding these funds, Serko’s net cash burn for the year, 

quickly than international routes outside of Australasia. 

including capitalised development, was $16.5 million.  Cash 

balances at 31 March 2020 were $42.4 million.

Earnings

Travel volumes have gradually started to recover in May 2020 

with the easing of domestic travel restrictions in New Zealand. 

We are yet to see any material increase in domestic travel 

in Australia owing to the significant travel restrictions that 

Net loss after tax for the year was ($9.4 million), down from 

remain in place. Essential travel in Australia has, however, 

a FY19 profit of $1.6 million and EBITDAF fell to a loss of ($6.1 

continued and we continue to manage a small number of 

million) from a profit of $2.6 million in the same period a 

Australian transactions across our platforms. 

year ago. 

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During the first three weeks of June 2020, over 3,200 

for most of FY21. Additional key markets will be developed and 

corporate customers have made travel bookings as New 

‘localised’ (e.g. for content and language) as we progressively 

Zealand moved down to Level 1 restrictions.  This has resulted 

roll out the solution across Europe. 

in daily booking volumes on Serko’s platforms steadily 

increasing in June 2020 to about 25% of the daily booking 

Impacts of Covid-19

volumes in June 2019 (from a low of 9% in April). Although the 

outlook is highly uncertain, we anticipate our core Australasian 

markets will be operating at 40% - 70% of their pre-Covid-19 

activity levels by March 2021. Beyond that we are taking a 

conservative approach to growth as most industry reports 

indicate a slow, and largely unpredictable, return to full pre-

Covid-19 activity levels. 

We have been working proactively with our travel 

management partners to support their recovery. In some 

instances this has required amendment of contractual 

obligations that has adversely impacted our previously noted 

FY20 revenue recognition.

NORTH AMERICAN & EUROPEAN EXPANSION UPDATE

North America

During the financial year we invested heavily in our Zeno 

platform for expansion into North America. Transactions 

commenced in this market following the transition of several 

travel management resellers from pilot phase to onboarding 

their first corporate customers. As expected, revenue numbers 

from this market were not significant for the financial year.

Travel management reseller onboarding slowed materially in 

the last quarter owing to the impact of Covid-19 and we expect 

further corporate onboarding to be slow until travel resumes in 

that market. 

Serko’s business plans in North America and Europe are not 

contingent on the revival of long-haul international travel. In 

excess of 95% of the revenue opportunities we were pursuing 

prior to the pandemic were domestic or intra-regional 

bookings and the total addressable market remains significant.  

Domestic travel in the United States (US), and domestic and 

cross-border intra-regional travel to nearby countries within 

Europe, are expected to be the first segments of these travel 

markets to recover post-Covid-19. 

SERKO EXPENSE PLATFORM INITIATIVES

As noted above the Serko Expense platform has provided solid 

revenue growth during the financial year and represents an 

important diversification from travel revenues for Serko.

In North America the development work required to bring the 

InterplX expense platform in line with the Zeno user experience 

continues and we expect to launch the new Zeno Expense 

offering in Q3 FY21, bringing greater scalability and a richer set 

of features to our combined Travel & Expense offering.

In Australasia a direct marketing campaign and activation of a 

reseller incentive programme across our travel management 

company partners, along with the introduction of a rapid 

implementation programme that materially reduces our set-up 

time to onboard new accounts, is resulting in an increased 

pipeline of Serko Expense platform opportunities. 

Transactions have effectively ceased due to the lockdown 

restrictions in this market.

RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Despite the impacts of Covid-19, Serko has signed an additional 

three resellers since 31 March 2020.  Development work will 

continue in the market, expanding local air, rail and hotel 

content, as well as completing reseller integrations to support 

the migration of additional corporates onto our platforms.

United Kingdom & Europe

In the United Kingdom and Europe we have been undertaking 

the development work required for the launch of ‘Booking.

com for Business’, a white-label version of Zeno to be offered 

internationally to Booking.com’s small and medium-sized 

enterprise (SME) customers.

Our immediate response to the Covid-19 pandemic was to 

introduce measures to look after our people.   We already had 

in place a pandemic plan that informed our planning for a crisis 

such as Covid-19.  Our crisis management team convened when 

our China office was forced to close.  This team, with close 

Board oversight, focussed on ensuring the ongoing health 

and safety of our people and the seamless continuation of our 

operations as we transitioned to remote working.  

We maximised the use of digital technology to retain our 

productivity and interconnectedness.  We also worked hard 

to ensure we communicated effectively with our people 

throughout the crisis and ran a digital resilience programme 

to support and engage our people as they worked remotely. 

The impacts of Covid-19 delayed the beta-launch of ‘Booking.

Serko’s most recent (May 2020) culture survey results show the 

com for Business’ from March 2020 to May 2020. However, 

strongest engagement scores in five years of surveying and 

initial bookings have been completed in the United Kingdom 

our employees voiced their gratitude for the leadership and 

and Ireland and the roll out in these two markets will continue 

support shown during such a challenging period.

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These initiatives were rapidly followed by a cost-reduction 

programme designed to preserve our strong cash balance 

 • We are focusing predominantly on domestic travel within 
North America, where we continue to add resellers to 

position and target an average cash burn rate of no more than 

our platform and continue development work to localise 

$2 million per month through to the end of FY21. We balanced 

content in that region; 

cost savings with investment in core areas to maintain our 

capability to deliver on our key growth initiatives.

This cost-reduction programme saw the removal of non-

essential expenditure, scaled down operating expenses (such 

as cost of sales and hosting) as well as the rationalisation of 

our contractor resources (including the conversion of some 

of this resource to full-time employment). Serko has aimed to 

keep as many people employed during this period as possible, 

as we recognise the personal impact to employees if they were 

to lose their jobs and the cost to the business of losing skilled 

people, especially as our ambition to grow in new markets 

remains undiminished.  

We acknowledge and thank the various Government 

programmes and subsidy schemes that have assisted in the 

retention of our people during this challenging period.  We 

accessed $1.6 million of Government-backed Covid-19 relief 

schemes to date across the countries in which Serko operates, 

including receipt of $871,670 in salary subsidies from the New 

Zealand Government. 

In addition, employees agreed to take a salary reduction for 

three months from May 2020, and the non-executive directors 

agreed to either take a reduction in their directors’ fees or 

receive a portion of their directors’ fees in shares for the first 

three months of FY21.

BUSINESS TRAVEL OUTLOOK

The rate of return to business travel will vary by region and type 

of trip (i.e. domestic, regional, long-haul international). Volumes 

are very difficult to model. Travel Management resellers are 

operating with fewer human resources, creating opportunities 

for automation and technology solutions. Additionally, we are 

seeing greater cost management by corporations and a focus 

on traveller wellbeing, duty of care obligations and change 
management. We are actively assessing changes in corporate 

and traveller needs to ensure that we can support the market, 

our customers and our growth as the industry recovers.

FY21 OUTLOOK 

We consider the business is well positioned for growth when 

trading conditions improve and the travel industry starts to recover:

 • We occupy a strong market position in Australasia, with 
the majority of our transactions being domestic and 

Trans-Tasman in our home markets.  There remains a 

pipeline of new customers to be onboarded from our 

existing reseller partners;

 • ‘Booking.com for Business’ white-label is now live in the 
United Kingdom and Ireland and our agreement with 

Booking.com presents an opportunity to continue to 

expand use of the Zeno booking tool internationally; 

 • We have a strong balance sheet and ongoing 

commitment to investment, which will benefit existing 

and prospective customers; and

 • We have retained resource and capacity on key 

growth initiatives.

We believe these factors position us well to continue to prosper 

in our home markets and to roll out our products globally as 

confidence returns to corporate travel markets. 

Timing, however, remains uncertain.  As a result, we are unable 

to forecast our likely operating revenue for the 2021 financial 

year with any certainty.

As at 31 May 2020, Serko had net cash and cash equivalents of 

$39.9 million.  We believe these cash resources, at the current 

rate of cash burn, will be sufficient to see the Company through 

to cash flow break even again, should our anticipated recovery 

scenario be achieved. 

We will continue our rigorous focus on cash flow throughout the 

remainder of FY21, targeting an average monthly cash burn of no 

more than $2 million per month, to conserve cash reserves.

THANK YOU TO OUR PEOPLE

We want to take this opportunity to thank our people for 

their continuing dedication and hard work during the 2020 

financial year and also, most importantly, since the Covid-19 

pandemic dramatically changed our industry and our way of 

working.  We acknowledge this been an incredibly difficult 

period personally for many of our employees.  Our people 

have adapted quickly to working remotely during the lock 

down period in each of our offices and have continued to 

work hard to deliver on Serko’s goals.  We thank them for their 

continuing commitment to Serko.

Signed

CLAUDIA BATTEN
ACTING CHAIR

DARRIN GRAFTON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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STRATEGIC
OVERVIEW

Technology
Innovation

Grow ARPB

Grow Customer
Base

Grow average revenue 

per booking (ARPB) by 

offering increased 

content and moving 

customers to Zeno

Offer premium, 

integrated global 

solutions

Expand into new 

territories through 
strategic alliances and 
reach the unserved SME 

market

10

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STRATEGIC

OVERVIEW

Technology

Innovation

Grow ARPB

Grow Customer

Base

Grow average revenue 

per booking (ARPB) by 

offering increased 

content and moving 

customers to Zeno

Offer premium, 

integrated global 

solutions

Expand into new 

territories through 

strategic alliances and 

reach the unserved SME 

market

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

Our vision of building Zeno as a platform for the future of travel supported us into new 
markets and strategic partnerships 

 • Developed Zeno into a white-label platform under the Booking.com for Business brand to target SME customers 
 • Launched Zeno Labs, an innovation program that plugs our customers directly into our product development research and development 
 • Continued to expand our integrations with content partners, enriching travel options for users (e.g. Southwest Airlines through New 

Distribution Capability (NDC), train bookings)  

Our focus for FY21: 

 • Develop a strategy of architecting our technology to become an extensible platform that can be built on by partners in future
 • Accelerate our ability to scale internationally by enabling additional content and service partners to build onto the Zeno platform 
 • Implement the learnings from our partnership with Booking.com to deliver a more consumer-grade shopping and booking experience 

GROW CUSTOMER BASE

Zeno helped our travel management partners win new business and the first Zeno 
customers in the US and Canada went live

 • 700 new customers were added to Zeno during the year1, bringing total customers to more than 6,800 globally, with a peak of 24,000 

bookings per day2  

 • Developed content and systems integration needed to deploy Zeno through our reseller partners in North America and the first 

corporate customers in the US and Canada went live 

 • Launched a best-in-class sales enablement programme to support reseller partners globally to win and retain more customers with Zeno 

Our focus for FY21: 

 • Support Booking.com to roll out the Zeno powered white-label Booking.com for Business platform to their existing customers and drive 

new customer acquisition

 • Extend our self on-boarding white-label solution to additional resellers and markets 
 • Drive adoption and market share of Zeno across the customer base of our North American travel management partners 

GROW ARPB

We signed a significant new agreement to launch Booking.com for Business powered by 
Zeno on a revenue share model 

 • Grew the adoption of Zeno across the Serko customer base from approximately 6% of transactions at the beginning of the financial year 

to approximately 25% 

 • Developed a pipeline of partnerships with revenue share business models that are higher than our transactional ARPB to date (e.g. 

Booking.com for Business) presenting future opportunities for growth 

 • Rolled out the Zeno self-onboarding portal to enable partners to cost-effectively add customers to our online booking platform  

Our focus for FY21: 

 • Invest in product development of value-add functionality across cost, risk and change management that can be commercialised on a 

transaction or subscription basis

 • Launch our new Zeno Expense platform into the North American market 
 • Support the migration to Zeno of the remaining 50%+ of Serko Online customers, with the associated uplift in transaction fees

1  Comparing February 2019 to February 2020. 
2 

In February 2020, before the impact of Covid-19 hit. Note transactions have materially declined since February 2020 as a result of Covid-19. 

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Our Products

Zeno is an integrated travel and expense platform that is designed to revolutionise 
the world of corporate travel and expense management globally.

Zeno travel

Zeno Travel is an Online Booking Tool (OBT) that is used by 
corporate travellers to book flights, trains, hotels, rental cars and 
airport transfers in line with their corporate travel policies. 

This provides the oversight and control that travel managers need 
to ensure that spend is effectively managed, with the ease of use 
and personalised experience that draws corporate travellers to 
use the OBT and avoid travel program ‘leakage’ to supplier 
websites or leisure travel retailers. 

Zeno does this with an intuitive interface that makes booking 
business travel super simple, intelligent technology that provides 
personalised itinerary recommendations based on traveller 
preferences, and a global marketplace that allows travellers to 
connect with preferred suppliers at every stage of the journey. 

The result is greater traveller adoption, increased compliance 
and greater control over the entire travel program compared with 
legacy corporate booking tools. 

Zeno expense

Zeno Expense automates the process of corporate card and 
out-of-pocket expense submission, reconciliation and 
reimbursement. Employees capture receipts via the mobile app, 
or email receipts directly to Zeno, add a description or cost 
centre if needed and submit for approval there and then. To 
make it even simpler, Zeno also offers automated integrations 
with providers such as Uber for Business.

Zeno’s intelligent technology proactively identifies and manages 
out of policy claims, detecting and minimising expense claim fraud 
and dramatically streamlining the expense administration function.

Zeno Expense also provides managers and finance teams with a full 
suite of analysis tools that help them to run their Travel & Expense 
budgets more effectively, identify problem areas and optimize 
expense policies.

The result is better spend management and less time wasted 
preparing, approving and processing expense reports.

12

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Serko generates revenue through corporate 
customers paying a booking fee per transaction and 
through supplier commission.  

Serko earns revenue through corporate customers 
paying a fee per active user and/or per expense 
report submitted.

BOOKING.COM FOR BUSINESS

powered by Zeno

In October 2019 Booking Holdings invested in Serko as part of 

a capital raising, and extended the Serko partnership to 

eventually enable Booking.com to leverage the Zeno platform 

as a white-label solution under the Booking.com for Business 

brand, with a commercial partnership based on a revenue 

share model between Booking.com and Serko.

Teams at both companies have worked together to rapidly 

bring to market an initial product which is currently being 

tested in a few key markets.

For small to medium sized businesses who don't have the 

complex managed travel needs that a travel management 

company would support, the new Booking.com for Business 

platform will in time provide them with a one-stop-shop for all 

their business travel needs, helping them save time and money 

and making life easier for their travellers and their 

administration teams alike.

About Booking Holdings: Booking Holdings is the world’s 

leading provider of online travel & related services, provided to 

consumers and local partners in more than 225+ countries and 

territories through six primary consumer-facing brands: 

Booking.com, KAYAK, Priceline, Agoda, Rentalcars.com and 

OpenTable

Our Products

Zeno is an integrated travel and expense platform that is designed to revolutionise 

the world of corporate travel and expense management globally.

Zeno travel

Zeno Travel is an Online Booking Tool (OBT) that is used by 

corporate travellers to book flights, trains, hotels, rental cars and 

airport transfers in line with their corporate travel policies. 

This provides the oversight and control that travel managers need 

to ensure that spend is effectively managed, with the ease of use 

and personalised experience that draws corporate travellers to 

use the OBT and avoid travel program ‘leakage’ to supplier 

websites or leisure travel retailers. 

Zeno does this with an intuitive interface that makes booking 

business travel super simple, intelligent technology that provides 

personalised itinerary recommendations based on traveller 

preferences, and a global marketplace that allows travellers to 

connect with preferred suppliers at every stage of the journey. 

The result is greater traveller adoption, increased compliance 

and greater control over the entire travel program compared with 

legacy corporate booking tools. 

Zeno expense

Zeno Expense automates the process of corporate card and 

out-of-pocket expense submission, reconciliation and 

reimbursement. Employees capture receipts via the mobile app, 

or email receipts directly to Zeno, add a description or cost 

centre if needed and submit for approval there and then. To 

make it even simpler, Zeno also offers automated integrations 

with providers such as Uber for Business.

Zeno’s intelligent technology proactively identifies and manages 

out of policy claims, detecting and minimising expense claim fraud 

and dramatically streamlining the expense administration function.

Zeno Expense also provides managers and finance teams with a full 

suite of analysis tools that help them to run their Travel & Expense 

budgets more effectively, identify problem areas and optimize 

expense policies.

The result is better spend management and less time wasted 

preparing, approving and processing expense reports.

Serko generates revenue through corporate 

customers paying a booking fee per transaction and 

through supplier commission.  

Serko earns revenue through corporate customers 

paying a fee per active user and/or per expense 

report submitted.

BOOKING.COM FOR BUSINESS
powered by Zeno

In October 2019 Booking Holdings invested in Serko as part of 
a capital raising, and extended the Serko partnership to 
eventually enable Booking.com to leverage the Zeno platform 
as a white-label solution under the Booking.com for Business 
brand, with a commercial partnership based on a revenue 
share model between Booking.com and Serko.

Teams at both companies have worked together to rapidly 
bring to market an initial product which is currently being 
tested in a few key markets.

For small to medium sized businesses who don't have the 
complex managed travel needs that a travel management 
company would support, the new Booking.com for Business 

platform will in time provide them with a one-stop-shop for all 
their business travel needs, helping them save time and money 
and making life easier for their travellers and their 
administration teams alike.

About Booking Holdings: Booking Holdings is the world’s 
leading provider of online travel & related services, provided to 
consumers and local partners in more than 225+ countries and 
territories through six primary consumer-facing brands: 
Booking.com, KAYAK, Priceline, Agoda, Rentalcars.com and 
OpenTable

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Business travel in a

post-pandemic world

In a post-pandemic world, the rate of return to business travel will vary by region and type of trip 

(i.e. domestic, regional, long-haul international) and nobody can say with a great deal of certainty 

what volumes will look like.

The future

We’re built for the future

What is more certain, however, is that as business travel 

The managed sales channel offers a solution to these 

resumes, factors such as cost, risk and change management 

requirements. Flights or hotels booked directly with 

are likely to be top-of-mind priorities for organisations.

suppliers across multiple airline or hotel websites make it 

difficult for the organisation to effectively address cost, risk 

Cost management is a key consideration because most 

or change management.

organisations will be returning from a near zero dollar spend on 

travel, and each trip and each dollar proposed to be spent will 

Adoption of the corporate booking tool and the subsequent 

be reviewed with a greater level of scrutiny than before.

corporate travel policy compliance has become     

Risk management is likely to be of increased importance to 

ensure traveller wellbeing is certain and that duty of care 

obligations are being met.

Change management is also expected to be a critical priority, 

not just to support an organisation’s travellers as they navigate 

a much more unpredictable landscape of disruptions but also 

to ensure that credits are effectively tracked and utilised.

increasingly important.

This is the future of business travel that Zeno is built for:

A traveller-centric platform that is easy to use, with rich 

content presented in a way that is familiar to any traveller to 

drive adoption,

compliance, and

Seamless policy application at point of purchase to ensure 

Intelligent technology to support changes and cancellations 

with dynamic application of ticket credits.

The world of business travel has changed, and Serko is well 

positioned to support this change.

The markets we serve

HIGHLY
MANAGED

LIGHTLY
MANAGED

UNMANAGED

TRAVEL SPEND

$$$

$$

CORPORATE PROFILE

Enterprise

Mid-Large Corporate

TRAVEL POLICY

SERVICING NEEDS

CHANNEL TO MARKET

Highly complex

High touch

Direct + TMC

Moderate

Low touch

TMC

OUR SOLUTIONS

Zeno Travel 
& Expense

Zeno Travel & Expense 
Self on-boarding

$

SME

Simple

Self-service

TMC
Booking.com for Business

Booking.com for Business 
powered by Zeno
Zeno Travel & Expense Self 
on-boarding

Managed travel
Mid to large sized organisations generally have well 

Un-managed travel
Small to medium sized organisations (SMEs) generally have 

developed corporate travel policies and significant annual 

lower annual spend and less developed corporate travel 

travel spend, relying on the services of Travel Management 

policies. Travel bookings are generally made directly with 

Companies (TMC) to manage their corporate travel 

suppliers or through online travel booking sites, meaning 

programs. These services generally include travel booking, 

they miss out on corporate negotiated rates and often make 

risk management, traveller support, supplier negotiation and 

multiple bookings for a single trip. This can make it difficult 

reporting. TMCs provide Zeno to their corporate customers 

to deal with disruption and change management, 

as their online booking channel, as a standalone app or as 

expenditure reconciliation and traveller support. 

part of a suite of digital tools to support business travel.

14

Serko annual report

The markets we serve

HIGHLY

MANAGED

LIGHTLY

MANAGED

UNMANAGED

TRAVEL SPEND

$$$

$$

CORPORATE PROFILE

Enterprise

Mid-Large Corporate

TRAVEL POLICY

SERVICING NEEDS

CHANNEL TO MARKET

Highly complex

High touch

Direct + TMC

Moderate

Low touch

TMC

OUR SOLUTIONS

Zeno Travel 

& Expense

Zeno Travel & Expense 

Self on-boarding

$

SME

Simple

Self-service

TMC

Booking.com for Business

Booking.com for Business 

powered by Zeno

Zeno Travel & Expense Self 

on-boarding

Managed travel

Un-managed travel

Mid to large sized organisations generally have well 

Small to medium sized organisations (SMEs) generally have 

developed corporate travel policies and significant annual 

lower annual spend and less developed corporate travel 

travel spend, relying on the services of Travel Management 

policies. Travel bookings are generally made directly with 

Companies (TMC) to manage their corporate travel 

suppliers or through online travel booking sites, meaning 

programs. These services generally include travel booking, 

they miss out on corporate negotiated rates and often make 

risk management, traveller support, supplier negotiation and 

multiple bookings for a single trip. This can make it difficult 

reporting. TMCs provide Zeno to their corporate customers 

to deal with disruption and change management, 

as their online booking channel, as a standalone app or as 

expenditure reconciliation and traveller support. 

part of a suite of digital tools to support business travel.

Business travel in a
post-pandemic world

In a post-pandemic world, the rate of return to business travel will vary by region and type of trip 
(i.e. domestic, regional, long-haul international) and nobody can say with a great deal of certainty 
what volumes will look like.

The future

We’re built for the future

What is more certain, however, is that as business travel 
resumes, factors such as cost, risk and change management 
are likely to be top-of-mind priorities for organisations.

Cost management is a key consideration because most 
organisations will be returning from a near zero dollar spend on 
travel, and each trip and each dollar proposed to be spent will 
be reviewed with a greater level of scrutiny than before.

Risk management is likely to be of increased importance to 
ensure traveller wellbeing is certain and that duty of care 
obligations are being met.

Change management is also expected to be a critical priority, 
not just to support an organisation’s travellers as they navigate 
a much more unpredictable landscape of disruptions but also 
to ensure that credits are effectively tracked and utilised.

The managed sales channel offers a solution to these 
requirements. Flights or hotels booked directly with 
suppliers across multiple airline or hotel websites make it 
difficult for the organisation to effectively address cost, risk 
or change management.

Adoption of the corporate booking tool and the subsequent 
corporate travel policy compliance has become     
increasingly important.

This is the future of business travel that Zeno is built for:

A traveller-centric platform that is easy to use, with rich 
content presented in a way that is familiar to any traveller to 
drive adoption,

Seamless policy application at point of purchase to ensure 
compliance, and

Intelligent technology to support changes and cancellations 
with dynamic application of ticket credits.

The world of business travel has changed, and Serko is well 
positioned to support this change.

15

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Board of Directors

Simon Botherway CFA

Independent Non-executive Director, Chair, New Zealand

1

Appointed 30 April 2014, re-elected August 2018

Simon is based in New Zealand. He is a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors. He holds a BCom, as well as the US-based 
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Simon has extensive experience in corporate governance, banking and investment 
management. In 2002 Simon co-founded Brook Asset Management and was Chairman from 2004 to 2008. He is also a past President of 
the CFA Society of New Zealand and was a member of the CFA Asia-Pacific Advocacy Committee.

Simon was appointed as a member of the Securities Commission in 2009 and chaired the Financial Markets Authority Establishment 
Board in 2010. Simon is currently a Director of Fidelity Life Assurance and is a Guardian of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund.

Claudia Batten

Independent Non-executive Director, Acting Chair, United States

1

Appointed 30 April 2014, re-elected August 2017

Claudia is based in the United States. She holds an LLB (Hons) and BCA from Victoria University (Wellington). Claudia has been a founding 
member of two highly successful entrepreneurial ventures. The first venture was Massive Incorporated, a network for advertising in 
video games, she helped pioneer ‘digital’ as a media buy. Massive was sold to Microsoft in 2006. In 2009 she co-founded Victors & Spoils 
(‘V&S’), the first advertising agency built on the principles of crowdsourcing. V&S was majority acquired by French holding company 
Havas Worldwide in 2011. Claudia is a strong supporter of the New Zealand start-up scene as an active mentor and adviser. She is also 
the digital adviser to the Board of Westpac New Zealand.

Clyde McConaghy

Independent Non-executive Director, Australia

Appointed 30 April 2014, re-elected August 2019

Clyde is based in Australia. He holds a BBus, and an MBA from Cranfield University United Kingdom (UK). Clyde is a Fellow of the 
Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors UK. He is the founder of Optima Boards, providing 
independent director and advisory services to public, private, family office and charitable entities around the world. Clyde has worked 
in publishing, media, online and technology sectors, living in the UK, Germany, China and Australia. He is a Director of ASX-listed 
technology company, Infomedia Limited and Chairman of the Board of Chapman Eastway Pty Limited.

Darrin Grafton

Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

Appointed 5 April 2007, elected August 2019

Darrin has more than 25 years’ experience in travel technology and is a recognised industry innovator. He has been responsible 
for leading major changes in the corporate travel industry throughout his career and was named one of the top 25 most influential 
executives in the travel industry by the BTN Group in 2014. 

Darrin has held directorships and senior management positions across various companies, including the Gullivers Travel Group (listed 
on the Australian and New Zealand Stock Exchanges between 2004 and 2006). Darrin has previously been awarded the NZX Hi-Tech 
Entrepreneur Award, has been a past finalist for the NZ Hi-Tech Company Leader Award and the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award. 

He is also a member of the Institute of IT Professionals NZ, the Institute of Directors NZ.

Robert (Bob) Shaw

Executive Director, Chief Strategy Officer & Co-Founder

Appointed 5 April 2007, re-elected August 2018

Since 1987, Bob has been involved in transforming the travel industry, collaborating with the World’s leading airlines, travel agencies 
and global distribution systems. He has held a number of directorships and senior management positions in various high-profile 
ventures, including Gullivers Travel Group (listed on the Australian and New Zealand Stock Exchanges between 2004 and 2006) and 
Interactive Technologies.

Bob has been a past finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award. 

He is also a member of the Institute of IT Professionals NZ and the Institute of Directors NZ.

1. 

Mr Botherway continues as a director of Serko (attending all Board and Committee meetings) but took a leave of absence from the Chair role on 12 March 2020 for 
medical reasons.  Ms Batten assumed the role of Acting Chair from this date. 

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Management Team

John Challis

Head of Business Development

John has 18 years’ experience in the corporate travel technology sector across operations, implementations and sales.  John has been 
with Serko for 11 years and was until recently responsible for managing the Australasian sales team, however, as part of Serko’s global 
expansion plans John is now responsible for growth in new markets, with a heavy focus on the Northern Hemisphere.

Tony D’Astolfo

Senior Vice President, NORAM

Tony is a 35-year travel industry veteran, with rich expertise in travel and technology and a passion for moving the industry forward. His 
career includes senior leadership positions at Deem, Phocuswright, GroundLink, Sabre/GetThere and United Airlines. Tony is a long-time 
member of GBTA and ACTE and a former member of the Board of Directors of both ACTE and WINiT for Women.

Charlie Nowaczek

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Charlie has over 25 years’ experience as an operations executive and management adviser, specialising in business transformation and 
operational excellence. Over the last decade he has been COO for a number of technology start-ups in the US and Canada.

Duanne O’Brien

Chief Technology Officer

Duanne is a technology leader with over 25 years’ experience, specialising in building global enterprise SaaS (software as a service) 
platforms. Duanne leads the largest of our global teams, designing, building and running Serko’s platforms and products.

Susan Putt

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Susan has over 30 years’ experience working in New Zealand and has also worked in Australia and Canada. She is a Chartered Accountant 
and Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. Susan has worked as CFO, Head of Strategy, and director for a number of New 
Zealand businesses and specialises in working with high-growth companies.

Murray Warner

Head of Australasian Market

Murray has 20 years’ experience working with cloud software technology building new sales and revenue operations.  He has previously 
held several senior management positions with Concur Technologies, an SAP company, across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America.

Nick Whitehead

Chief Marketing Officer

Nick has a 20-year track record of commercialising technology through the development of effective go-to-market strategies and leads 
Serko’s global marketing and communications function.

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Corporate Responsibility

Serko aims to be a successful growth company. To 

realise this ambition we must do the right thing by our 

people, customers, communities and our shareholders.

We aim to achieve this through:

1)  Focusing on long-term growth and business 

sustainability;

2) Applying best practice governance and risk 

management procedures;

3) Cultivating an inclusive workplace of diverse and 

engaged staff; and

4) Enabling environmentally sustainable choices 

through technology.

Serko is committed to developing long-term value 

creation and making positive improvements in social, 

economic and environmental outcomes. 

Further information and our full Annual Report can be 

found on the investor centre of Serko’s website. 

Serko’s first Environmental Social and Governance 

(ESG) Report was produced in 2018. The United 

Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

have been adopted for Serko’s ESG initiatives 

to be reported against. Serko’s ESG framework 

remains under development and will continue to be 

progressed over time.

The SDGs are a set of global initiatives set by the UN 

for everyone to contribute to. For Serko, the SDGs 

are a way to see which areas of sustainability we are 

directly contributing to and how our initiatives relate 

to a larger vision for positive change.

The UN SDGs relevant to Serko and our actions are 

as follows:

18

Serko annual report

People:

Good health and well-being

Health and Safety Policies

Quality education 

Training and intern programmes

Gender equality 

Diversity and inclusion policies

Decent work and
economic growth

Remuneration policies

Reduced inequalities

Diversity and inclusion policies

Customers:

Industry, innovation and
infrastructure

Industry recognition for innovation

Responsible consumption
and production

Privacy and security policies

Community:

Sustainable cities and
communities

Sponsorships and donations

Climate action

Environmental practices

People:

Good health and well-being

Health and Safety Policies

Quality education 

Training and intern programmes

Gender equality 

Diversity and inclusion policies

Decent work and

economic growth

Remuneration policies

Reduced inequalities

Diversity and inclusion policies

Customers:

Industry, innovation and

infrastructure

Industry recognition for innovation

Responsible consumption

and production

Privacy and security policies

Community:

Sustainable cities and

communities

Sponsorships and donations

Climate action

Environmental practices

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MANAGEMENT
COMMENTARY

Please read the following commentary with the financial statements and the related notes in this report. Some parts of this 

commentary include information regarding the plans and strategy for the business and include forward-looking statements that 

involve risks and uncertainties.

Actual results and the timing of certain events may differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking 

statements contained in the following commentary. All amounts are presented in New Zealand dollars (NZD), except where indicated. All 

references to a year are the financial year ended 31 March, unless otherwise stated.

Non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting practices) measures have been included, as we believe they provide useful information for 

readers to assist in understanding Serko’s financial performance. Non-GAAP financial measures do not have standardised meanings and 

should not be viewed in isolation or considered as substitutes for measures reported in accordance with New Zealand Equivalents to 

International Financial Reporting Standards (NZ IFRS). These measures have not been independently audited or reviewed.

20

Serko annual report

NET LOSS AFTER TAX

BUSINESS RESULTS 

Year ended 31 March

Revenue

Other income

Total income

Operating expenses
Percentage of operating revenue

Net finance income

Net (loss)/profit before tax

Percentage of operating revenue

Income tax benefit (expense)

Net (loss)/profit after tax

Percentage of operating revenue

2020

$ (000)

25,869 

922 

2019

$ (000)

23,361 

1,215 

Change

$ (000)

%

2,508 

11%

(293)

-24%

26,791 

24,576 

2,215 

9%

(37,092)
-143%

975 

(9,326)

-36%

(38)

(9,364)

-36%

(23,320)
-100%

290 

1,546 

7%

87 

1,633 

7%

(13,772)

-59%

685 

236%

(10,872)

-703%

(125)

-144%

(10,997)

-673%

Operating revenue excludes other income, which is primarily grants.

Total income from all sources for the year to 31 March 2020 was up 9% to $26.8 million from 

$24.5 million in the prior year.  However, as operating costs increased, Serko recorded a 

net loss result after tax of ($9.4 million) against prior year net profit of $1.6 million. The 

result includes non-cash elements of $4.7 million for depreciation, amortisation, fair value 

remeasurement adjustments and share-based payments.  

Annual total operating revenue grew by $2.5 million (11%) to $25.9 million from $23.4 million 

in the prior year, primarily related to Expense platform revenue, with Travel platform revenue 

affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Refer to further analysis under Income on page 22.

The Company recognised $0.9 million in grants from Callaghan Innovation and New Zealand 

Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) within other income, down $0.3 million (24%) from the prior year.

Total operating expenses increased by $13.8 million to $37.1 million from $23.3 million in the 

prior year. Refer to further analysis under Operating Expenses on page 27.

Net finance income increased by $0.7 million to $1 million, primarily through increased foreign 

exchange gains.

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EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAX, DEPRECIATION, AMORTISATION AND FAIR VALUE 
(EBITDAF)

Year ended 31 March

EBITDAF LOSS

Net (loss) profit after tax

Add back/(deduct): income tax

Deduct: net finance income

Add back: depreciation and 
amortisation

Add back: Fair value remeasurement 
of contingent consideration

EBITDAF (Loss)

Percentage of operating revenue

2020

$ (000)

(9,364)

38 

(975)

3,156 

 1,056 

(6,089)

-24%

2019

$ (000)

Change

$ (000)

%

1,633

(87)

(290)

(10,997)

-673%

125 

-144%

(685)

236%

1,048 

2,108 

201%

287

2,591 

-11%

769 

268%

(8,680)

-335%

EBITDAF is a Non-GAAP measure representing Earnings Before the deduction of costs relating to Interest, Taxation, 
Depreciation, Amortisation and Fair value remeasurement of contingent consideration.  Serko uses this as a useful 
indicator of cash profitability. 

EBITDAF declined by $8.7 million from a profit of $2.6 million to a loss of ($6.1 million). 

Depreciation and amortisation increased by $2.1 million over the prior year, owing to increased 

amortisation of capitalised software of $1 million, as well as the inclusion of depreciation of 

right-of-use assets (leased premises) under IFRS-16 (Leases) adoption of $1 million.  

The second tranche of InterplX acquisition shares were issued in February 2020 resulting in a 

fair value remeasurement adjustment of contingent consideration of $1.1 million owing to the 

increase in share price since March 2019.

INCOME

Year ended 31 March

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

Change

$ (000)

%

Travel platform booking revenue

16,307 

15,948

359 

2%

Expense platform revenue

Supplier commissions revenue

Other revenues

Recurring product revenue

Percentage of operating revenue

Services revenue

Total revenue

Other income

Total income

5,831 

1,427 

485

24,050 

93%

1,819

25,869 

922

26,791 

2,710

1,538

467

20,663 

89%

2,698

23,361 

1,215

24,576 

3,121 

115%

(111)

18 

3,387 

-7%

4%

16%

(879)

-33%

2,508 

11%

(293)

-24%

2,215 

9%

Recurring product revenue (a Non-GAAP measure) is the revenue derived from transactions and usage of Serko products by 
contracted customers.  It excludes services revenue.

Total revenue is operating revenue excluding grants and finance income, while total income includes grants. 

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Serko annual report

11%

INCREASE

TOTAL REVENUE

9%

INCREASE

TOTAL INCOME

Under Serko IFRS-15 (Revenue from Contracts) records revenue from its portfolio of contracts with reference to actual transactions, 

forecast transactions and minimum contracted commitments. Owing to Covid-19 impacting the entire travel industry, Serko has agreed 

to a number of changes to contracts, including changes to schedules of contracted minimum revenue.   This has had the effect of 

reducing the revenue that Serko expected to record in the current year.  

Travel booking transactions were up year on year each month for the year through to February 2020 despite being adversely affected 

by a subdued economic climate in the first half, then the Australian bush fires in November. In the fourth quarter of the financial year 

the Covid-19 pandemic became widespread, significantly affecting booking volumes and materially impacting Serko’s performance. 

Governmental responses to the pandemic worldwide, including lockdowns and the suspension of all non-essential travel, has had 

a material adverse effect on booking transactions made on Serko’s online travel booking platforms, which generate the majority of 

Serko’s revenue.   

Clear evidence of a pattern of declining booking activity became apparent in mid-February 2020 and this was followed by a precipitous 

decline in March 2020 as lockdown measures were implemented.  At its lowest point during the financial year in March 2020, daily 

booking volumes were down in excess of 90% compared to similar days in March 2019.

Travel booking transactions grew 2% on the previous year, with a February peak of over 24,000 bookings processed in a single day (up 

over 14% from a peak of 21,000 in the prior year) before the impacts of Covid-19 were felt.  February has historically been the month with 

the highest average daily transaction volume.

During the year Serko continued to grow customer numbers, with the number of corporates transacting through the travel platforms 

for the year increasing by over 700 when comparing February 2020 with February 2019.  This was owing to the continued onboarding of 

corporate customers by TMC resellers.  

We also had significant transition to Zeno, Serko’s premium travel booking tool launched in 2018.  As of 31 March 2020, Zeno was carrying 

approximately 25% of transactions across our platforms at the end of the financial year, up from approximately 6% of transactions at the 

beginning of the year. Zeno is being used by 42% of the corporate TMC customers, up from 9% at the beginning of the year.

Travel platform revenue grew by 2% for the year to $16.3 million from $15.9 million.

Serko Expense platform revenues were up 115% to $5.8 million, up from $2.7 million in the prior year reflecting the full-year contribution 

from the InterplX acquisition of $3.7 million versus $0.9 million for a single quarter for FY19.  Excluding InterplX, Serko Expense platform 

revenues were up 16% at $2.1 million from $1.8 million the prior year.

Supplier commissions revenue declined marginally by $111,000 (7%) to $1.4 million from $1.5 million. Other revenues remained in line with 

the prior year at $0.5 million.

Recurring product revenue was up 16% to $24 million from $20.7 million on the prior year, lifted by a full year of contribution from 

InterplX and growth in the underlying business ahead of the Covid-19 outbreak. Recurring revenue as a percentage of total revenue 

increased to 93%, up from the prior year 89%.  Total income including grants was up 9% to $26.8 million. 

Services revenue are non-recurring revenues and primarily reflect revenue associated with customising Serko’s travel platform as white-
label solutions for its TMCs.  Total services revenue declined by 33% over the prior period to $1.8 million from $2.7 million.  This revenue 

was higher in the 2019 financial year owing to work performed on behalf of Flight Centre for its SAVI product.  This year development 

work has been prioritised for the launch of the Booking.com for Business platform, a white-label version of our Zeno booking tool for 

Booking.com. Under the agreement with Booking.com, Serko will receive a revenue share of commission rather than development fees. 

The platform is currently being trialled in the UK and Ireland.

HOW SERKO MAKES MONEY

Corporate traveller 
makes a booking via 
Serko Online/Zeno

Corporate traveller 
books a hotel, car or taxi 
via Serko Online/Zeno

Corporate traveller 
downloads and uses 
Serko Mobile

Corporate traveller 
submits receipts using 
Serko Expense/Zeno

$

Booking & 
other fees

$

Supplier 
commissions

$

Mobile
subscriptions

$

Monthly 
user fee

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HOW SERKO MAKES MONEY CONTINUED

Serko’s main source of revenue is Travel platform revenue from Serko Online and Zeno.

Revenue trend

Travel platform revenue is made up of transaction fees, ancillary service fees and contracted minimum payments (where applicable) and 

is stated net of volume-related rebates and discounts.

The serko.travel platform for small and medium enterprises is a free booking service and Serko earns commission income on those 

bookings direct from suppliers, therefore income from this platform is included in supplier commissions. This platform is now being 

adapted to become the Booking.com for Business platform in partnership with Booking.com.  The commissions earned through this 

platform will be split and recognised under supplier commissions.  

Serko also earns income from its expense management platform Serko Expense, which allows registered users of corporate customers 

to process travel and expense claims for accounting and reimbursement. Revenues are derived from a combination of fees for active 

users, registered users and reports processed. In December 2018 Serko acquired US based InterplX.  The two expense platforms will 

be brought together as Zeno Expense and with further development to link directly to Zeno travel platform to enable automation of the 

travel expenses filing.

Supplier commission revenue is earned when corporates opt to book Serko-sourced hotel and other traveller-related services. Serko is 

paid directly from the suppliers of these services. 

Other income includes income from Serko Mobile licence fees and other miscellaneous revenues.

Services revenue is derived from installation service and customised software development undertaken on behalf of the TMCs.  

It also includes the fees charged to develop connections to third party systems wanting to integrate with Serko’s platforms. The basis of 

charging can vary depending on the contractual terms with the customer, which may specify time and materials, capped  

or fixed pricing.

Other income is primarily government grants for research and development projects and international growth grants.

REVENUE BY GEOGRAPHY

Year ended 31 March

Australia

New Zealand

North America

Other

Revenue

2020

$ (000)

18,218 

2,465 

4,823 

363 

2019*

$ (000)

19,335

2,343

1,471

212

25,869 

23,361 

Change

$ (000)

%

(1,117)

122 

-6%

5%

3,352 

228%

151 

2,508 

71%

11%

Peak ATMR2

Year-on-year movement

*Note the prior year figures have been adjusted as a result of a reclass of grant revenue resulting in a movement between Australia and New Zealand-sourced income. 

Serko currently earns 70% (FY19: 83%) of revenue from Australia and 10% (FY19: 10%) from New Zealand sources, with New Zealand 

sourced income up 5% and Australian sourced income down 6% over the prior year. The decline in Australian revenue is owing to the 

Covid-19 impact on travel and declining services revenue. The portion of income from New Zealand has increased primarily with the 

onboarding of Orbit customers, which commenced last year (signed July 2018).  Both Australia and New Zealand have been adversely 

affected by Covid-19 travel restrictions.  While the travel market is expected to be impacted for a considerable period, there remains a 

pipeline of new customers to be onboarded onto Serko’s platforms by Serko’s travel management resellers.  

The portion of North American income has grown year on year, primarily owing to Expense platform revenue from the InterplX 

acquisition. Within North America, TMC onboarding and customer trials had commenced prior to Covid-19, with live bookings being 

made. However, transactions and further onboarding have been delayed in line with lockdown restrictions in this market.  Serko has 

signed three new mid-sized TMCs since 31 March 2020.

24

Serko annual report

FY13

FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17

FY18 FY19 FY20

Booking trend1

Travel platform booking trend

over the last 8 years

$25m

$20m

$15m

$10m

$5m

$0m

4m

3m

2m

1m

0m

Services

Suplier commissions and other

Expense platform

Travel platform

Other and custom bookings

Online bookings

FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

6%

$27.5m

$26m

$30m

$15m

$26m

41%

$18.4m

2019

2020

Revenue trend

Booking trend1

Travel platform booking trend
over the last 8 years

Peak ATMR2

Year-on-year movement

FY13

FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17

FY18 FY19 FY20

Services

Suplier commissions and other

Expense platform

Travel platform

Other and custom bookings

Online bookings

$25m

$20m

$15m

$10m

$5m

$0m

4m

3m

2m

1m

0m

FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

6%

$27.5m

$26m

$30m

$15m

$26m

41%

$18.4m

2019

2020

1  Booking volumes are total volumes and include Offline and and Custom Bookings, which can be either bundled into a price per Online booking or at a reduced rate, as these 

are primarily automated bookings but processed through the booking tool. 

2  Peak ATMR is a Non-GAAP measure representing Annualised Transactional Monthly Revenue (ATMR).  Serko uses this as a useful indicator of future recurring revenues from 

Serko products. It is based on the monthly transactions and average revenue per booking (for its Travel platform revenue) and monthly user charges (for its Expense platform 
revenue) annualised on a constant currency basis. Peak ATMR was February for both 2019 and 2020. However, ATMR declined at the end of March 2020 to $15 million based on 
the drop in transactions that occurred in the month following the impact of Covid-19.

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2%

INCREASE

TRAVEL PLATFORM
BOOKINGS

6%

INCREASE

PEAK ATMR

ACTIVITY

Travel platform bookings increased 2% over the prior year, driven mainly by growth in our core 

Australasian markets. Total travel bookings during FY20 were 4.22 million, up from 4.14 million, 

representing 58% of an estimated addressable market of 7.2 million corporate travel bookings 

in Australia and New Zealand. Total travel bookings include 0.5 million Offline bookings (system 

automated bookings) which don’t contribute significantly to revenue or are bundled into the 

‘Online’ booking rate.  Online bookings for the year were 3.72 million and, with 1% decline, were 

Covid-19 impacted, with more Offline bookings completed during March 2020. Online volumes 

dropped for March 2020 to around 50% of the previous March 2019 volumes.  

With border restrictions and in-country lockdowns in place, both domestic and international 

travel dropped, and Serko experienced a low of less than 10% of previous year volumes in April 

2020.  During the first three weeks of June 2020, over 3,200 corporate customers have made 

a travel booking as New Zealand moved down to Level 1 restrictions.  This has resulted in daily 

booking volumes on Serko’s platforms steadily increasing in June 2020 to about 25% of the daily 

booking volumes in June 2019. The Australian and New Zealand domestic and trans-Tasman 

travel markets, which presently generate the majority of our travel revenue, are poised to recover 

more quickly than international routes outside Australasia. 

Serko is currently expanding into Northern Hemisphere markets. However, these regions did 

not make a significant contribution to volumes in 2020 owing to being in development and trial 

stages.  Once travel does start to increase in these markets, Serko is expecting to gain volume 

both from its TMC resellers, as well as its recently launched Booking.com for Business (powered 

by Zeno) platform, which commenced trials in the UK and Ireland in May 2020.

Average Revenue Per Booking (ARPB) for travel-related revenue (Travel platform and supplier 

commissions) increased marginally during the year by 2% to $4.76 from $4.67 based on Online 

bookings and was largely related to increases in pricing for the Zeno platform. ARPB for recurring 

revenue (total recurring revenue divided by Online bookings) at $6.46 improved by 17% from $5.52 

in the prior year mainly attributable to the inclusion of InterplX income.

Peak Annualised Transactional Monthly Revenue (ATMR), a useful indicator of recurring revenue 

from Serko products, rose to $27.5 million in February 2020 from $26.0 million in the same period 

of the prior year.  However, ATMR declined at the end of March 2020 to $15 million based on the 

drop in transactions that occurred in the month following the impact of Covid-19.

26

Serko annual report

59%

INCREASE

OPERATING EXPENSES

OPERATING EXPENSES

Year ended 31 March

Marketing expenses

Third party connection costs

Other selling costs

Total selling and marketing expenses

2020

$ (000)

1,469 

885 

635 

2,989 

2019

$ (000)

Change

$ (000)

1,171 

62 

458 

1,691 

298 

823 

177 

1,298 

%

25%

1327%

39%

77%

Hosting expenses

3,362 

1,931 

1,431 

74%

44%

53%

66%

215%

48%

40%

26%

44 

74 

244 

-3486%

951 

1,157 

(721)

514 

665 

1,062 

3,990 

126%

394%

-90%

49%

256%

39%

64%

Employee renumeration

17,161 

11,924 

5,237 

Contribution to pension plans

Share-based payment expenses

Other remuneration and benefits

662 

959 

637 

433 

576 

202 

229 

383 

435 

Total remuneration and benefits

19,419 

13,135 

6,284 

Auditor remuneration and other 
assurance fees

Directors’ fees

Expected credit loss allowance on 
receivables

Amortisation of intangibles

Depreciation

Rental and operating lease expenses

Professional fees

Computer licences

Other administration expenses

Total administration expenses

Fair value remeasurement on 
contingent consideration

153 

357 

237 

1,705 

1,451 

83 

1,571 

925 

3,784 

10,266 

109 

283 

(7)

754 

294 

804 

1,057 

260 

2,722 

6,276 

1,056 

287 

769 

268%

Total operating expenses

Percentage of operating revenue

37,092 

143%

23,320 

100%

13,772 

59%

Selling and marketing expenses comprise all the direct costs of sales that are not people or salary related. 

Remuneration and benefits are the total costs of employees and contractors engaged within the business during the 
financial year, including gross salary, additional payroll taxes, superannuation and KiwiSaver, bonuses, commissions and 
the value of any share-based remuneration or awards.

Administration expenses are other general overheads and operating costs, including depreciation and                   
amortisation charges. 

Total operating expenses were up 59%, or $13.8 million, from the prior year to $37.1 million, owing 

to increases across all categories of expenses as Serko expands its operations.

Selling and marketing expenses increased to $3.0 million from $1.7 million in the prior year. 

Selling costs increased owing to increased third party connection costs, primarily related to 

Sabre Global Distribution technology fees introduced in May 2019.  Marketing costs increased 

owing to increased presence at North American travel conferences in advance of launching the 

product. This had led to a healthy pipeline of customer interest prior to Covid-19 but onboarding 

has been delayed owing to a significant number of TMC staff being furloughed in the region 

during the lockdown period. 

27

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES CONTINUED

Hosting costs at $3.4 million increased with the volume increases and set-up costs associated with new data centres for new territories 

as well as infrastructure improvements to increase speed and stability of the product.

Remuneration and benefits (R&B) increased by $6.3 million to $19.4 million owing to the increased head count from 173 full-time 

equivalent (FTE) to 233 FTE as at 31 March 2020. Share-based payments of $0.9 million related to employee share-based payments 

and options (long-term incentives) for 2020, compared to $0.6 million in the prior year. Short term incentives included in the prior year 

were $1.4 million.  Owing to Covid-19 cost saving measures, no short-term incentives have been accrued for the 2020 financial year.  

Serko was planning on hiring additional staff as it expanded, however, owing to Covid-19 additional hiring will be subject to a recovery 

in travel revenues.  

Administration costs at $10.3 million were up from $6.3 million on the prior year. Administration costs included significant increases 

for depreciation and amortisation, up $2.1 million of which $1.0 million related to reclassification of premises costs due to adoption of 
IFRS-16 (Leases).  An increase in professional fees included $0.4 million related to one-off costs related to partnership owing diligence 
activity prior to the share capital raise.  An increase in computer licences relates to head count increases, as well as more sophisticated 

collaboration tools and software monitoring. Other administration costs also increased with expansion, including increases in travel, 

recruitment and insurance.  An increase in Expected Credit Loss (ECL) provision was also related to Covid-19 impact owing to the 

prevailing level of uncertainty in the travel industry.

The fair value measurement adjustment on contingent consideration, relating to the InterplX acquisition, was $1.0 million, compared 

to the prior year value of $0.3 million.  The total value of shares issued in February 2020 for the final tranche was $2.9 million for a final 

increase in value of $1.3 million owing to the increase in share price since acquisition.  

The InterplX acquisition consideration was by way of issuance of Serko shares, half of which was deferred and contingent on InterplX 

achieving key milestones. As a result the liability for the deferred component of this acquisition varied with the trading price of the 

shares at the date of issue. An increase in the Serko price therefore resulted in an accounting entry that reduced Serko’s profit and 

increased the contingent consideration liability, which was then extinguished on share issue. 

28

Serko annual report

48%

INCREASE

R&D COSTS

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) COSTS

Year ended 31 March

Total R&D costs (including amounts 
capitalised)
Percentage of operating revenue

Less: capitalised product development 
costs
Percentage R&D costs

Research costs (excluding 
amortisation of amounts previously 
capitalised)

2020

$ (000)

13,606 

53%

2019

$ (000)

Change

$ (000)

%

9,165 

39%

4,441 

48%

(11,013)

(6,740)

(4,273)

63%

81%

74%

2,593 

2,425 

168 

7%

Less: Government grants for R&D

(683)

(810)

127 

-16%

Add: Amortisation of capitalised 
development costs and intellectual 
property

Net product development costs

Percentage of operating revenue

1,705 

3,615 

14%

754 

951 

126%

2,369 

10%

1,246 

53%

Research & Development (R&D) costs is a Non-GAAP measure representing the internal and external costs related to R&D 
that have been included in operating costs and capitalised as computer software development during the period. Research 
expenditure includes all reasonable expenditure associated with R&D activities that does not give rise to intangible 
assets. R&D expenses include employee and contractor remuneration related to these activities. It also covers research 
expenditure defined by NZ IAS 38.

Serko has capitalised more development costs for FY20 than in FY19, at $11.0 million compared 

to $6.7 million in FY19.  Total R&D at $13.6 million was 53% of net operating income compared to 

39% in the prior year.  While there remains considerable uncertainty as to the future operating 

environment, Serko remains of the view that this investment will produce an acceptable 

commercial return in the future.

Continued investment in the Travel platforms for Northern Hemisphere expansion, as well as the 

further development of the Serko Expense platform will see Serko continue in a development 

phase for the next financial year as the products continue to be localised for each market.  

29

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
35%

INCREASE

FTE

EMPLOYEES AND AVERAGE REVENUE PER FTE

Year ended 31 March

2020

2019

Change

%

Product development and maintenance

Sales and marketing

Customer support

Administration

Total employee numbers at end of the 
year (FTE)

146 

18 

52 

17 

233 

100 

16 

40 

17 

173 

46 

46%

2 

12 

0 

13%

30%

0%

60 

35%

Average revenue per FTE (NZD $000)

121 

167 

(46)

-28%

Serko’s staff numbers increased during the year moving to 233 from 173 full-time equivalent 

(FTE) staff at the end of 2019. Head count was 237 with 120 staff based in New Zealand, 23 in 
Australia, 48 in China and 46 in the US.  The increase in staff is primarily in product development 

and reflects the investment Serko is making in its product to service the Northern Hemisphere 

markets.  Post year end staff numbers have increased to 240.

Average revenue per FTE decreased by $46,000 to $121,000, reflecting the investment into 

additional staff as Serko expands.

30

Serko annual report

169%

INCREASE

CASH FLOWS

Year ended 31 March

Receipts from customers

CASH BALANCES

Grant income receipts

2020

$ (000)

22,318 

649 

2019

$ (000)

21,855 

1,264 

Change

$ (000)

%

463 

2%

(615)

-49%

Other operating cash flows

(26,756)

(19,472)

(7,284)

37%

Total cash flows from operating 
activities

(3,789)

3,647 

(7,436)

-204%

Investing cash flows

Financing cash flows

Total net cash flows

Net foreign exchange differences

Closing cash balances

(11,812)

42,273 

26,672 

(13)

42,391 

(7,279)

14,220 

10,588 

(4,533)

62%

28,053 

197%

16,084 

152%

(88)

75 

-85%

15,732 

26,659 

169%

Receipts from customers increased by 2% over the year from $21.9 million to $22.3 million. Other 

operating cash outflows increased by $7.3 million to $26.8 million mainly owing to increased 

payments to employees and suppliers. Net operating cash outflows for the year were $3.8 million.

Cash outflows for property, plant and equipment and intangibles, reflecting capitalised internal 

development, were $11.8 million. A capital raise to fund expansion resulted in a net $43.2 

million contribution to cash balances.  Lease liabilities recorded under finance activities under 

new IFRS 16 adoption were $1.1 million.  Previously, rental payments were recorded under 

operating activities.

Cash balances increased 169% as at 31 March 2020, from $15.7 million to $42.4 million.

31

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS

32

Serko annual report

The directors of Serko Limited are pleased to present the 

financial statements for Serko Limited and its subsidiaries (the 

group) for the year ended 31 March 2020 to shareholders.

The directors are responsible for presenting financial 

statements in accordance with New Zealand law and generally 

accepted accounting practice, which fairly present the financial 

position of the group as at 31 March 2020 and the results of its 

operations and cash flows for the year ended on that date.

The directors consider the financial statements of the group 

have been prepared using accounting policies that have been 

consistently applied and supported by reasonable judgements 

and estimates and that all relevant financial reporting and 

accounting standards have been followed.

The directors believe that proper accounting records have been 

kept that enable, with reasonable accuracy, the determination 

of the financial position of the group and facilitate compliance 

of the financial statements with the Companies Act 1993, NZX 
Listing Rules, Financial Reporting Act 2013 and the Financial 

Markets Conduct Act 2013.

The directors consider they have taken adequate steps to 

safeguard the assets of the group and to prevent and detect fraud 

and other irregularities. Internal control procedures are also 

considered to be sufficient to provide a reasonable assurance as 

to the integrity and reliability of the financial statements.

The financial statements are signed on behalf of the Board of 

Directors 24 June 2020 by:

CLAUDIA BATTEN
ACTING CHAIR

DARRIN GRAFTON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CONTENTS

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated statement of financial position

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Notes to the financial statements

Independent auditor’s report

34

35

36

37

38-73

74-77

33

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 March 2020

Revenue

Other income

Total income

Operating Expenses

Selling and marketing expenses

Hosting expenses

Remuneration and benefits

Administration expenses

Fair value remeasurement on contingent consideration

Total operating expenses

Finance income

Finance expenses

(Loss)/profit before income tax

Income tax (expense)/benefit

Net (loss)/profit attributable to the shareholders of the company

Movement in foreign currency reserve

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

Earnings per share

Basic profit per share

Diluted profit per share

Notes

2020

2019

$ (000)

25,869 

922 

26,791 

(2,989)

(3,362)

(19,419)

(10,266)

(1,056)

(37,092)

1,137 

(162)

(9,326)

(38)

(9,364)

(11)

(9,375)

($0.10)

($0.11)

$ (000)

23,361 

1,215 

24,576 

(1,691)

(1,931)

(13,135)

(6,276)

(287)

(23,320)

360 

(70)

1,546 

87 

1,633 

(126)

1,507 

 $0.02 

 $0.02 

4 

4 

5 

5 

5 

6 

18 

18 

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

34

Serko annual report

Consolidated Statement of 
Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 March 2020

Notes

Share 
capital

$ (000)

Share-
based 
payment 
reserve
$ (000)

Foreign 
currency 
reserve

Accumulated 
losses

Total

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

40,993 

1,885 

(211)

(16,432)

26,235 

Balance as at 1 April 2019

Net loss for the year

Adjustment on adoption of new IFRS16

2(d)

Other comprehensive income/(loss)*

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

Transactions with owners

Issue of share capital

Cost of equity issued

Shares allocated to employees

Shares forfeited from employees

Share-based payments — employee share options

Non-executive directors settlement of non-recourse loan

Shares issued in respect of InterplX acquisition

Balance as at 31 March 2020

Balance as at 1 April 2018

Net profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(loss)*

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners

Issue of share capital

Cost of equity issued

Shares allocated to employees

Shares forfeited from employees

Share-based payments — employee share options

Shares issued in respect of InterplX acquisition

Balance as at 31 March 2019

17 

17 

17 

17 

17 

17 

17 

17 

17 

17 

17 

17 

17 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

45,000 

(1,793)

353 

 - 

74 

243 

2,881 

87,751 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

682 

(17)

(133)

(43)

 - 

 - 

 - 

(11)

(11)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(9,364)

(9,364)

(323)

(323)

 - 

(11)

(9,687)

(9,698)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

45,000 

(1,793)

1,035 

(17)

(59)

200 

2,881 

2,374 

(222)

(26,119)

63,784 

25,185 

1,309 

 -   

 -   

-

 -   

 -   

-

(85)

 -   

(126)

(126)

(18,065)

8,344 

1,633 

1,633 

 -   

(126)

1,633 

1,507 

15,048 

(778)

 -   

 -   

 -   

1,538 

40,993 

406 

(24)

194 

 -   

 -   

 -   

15,048 

(778)

406 

(24)

194 

1,538 

 -   

 -   

 -   

1,885 

(211)

(16,432)

26,235 

*Items in other comprehensive income may be reclassified to the income statement and are shown net of tax.
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

35

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 31 March 2020

Current assets

Cash at bank and on hand

Receivables

Income tax receivable

Derivative financial instruments

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets 

Deferred tax asset

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Contingent consideration

Income tax payable

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Lease liabilities

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Lease liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Equity

Share capital

Share-based payment reserve

Foreign currency reserve

Accumulated losses

Total equity

Total equity and liabilities

Notes

2020

2019

$ (000)

$ (000)

11 

7 

8 

9 

10 

6 

12 

14 

16 

13 

12 

16 

13 

17 

17 

42,391 

6,578 

84 

557 

15,732 

5,493 

-

421 

49,610 

21,646 

3,382 

20,110 

250 

23,742 

1,129 

10,553 

84 

11,766 

73,352 

33,412 

7,073 

 - 

 - 

58 

1,280 

8,411 

 - 

92 

1,065 

1,157 

9,568 

4,791 

1,825 

224 

54 

-

6,894 

134 

149 

-

283 

7,177 

87,751 

2,374 

(222)

(26,119)

63,784 

40,993 

1,885 

(211)

(16,432)

26,235 

73,352 

33,412 

For and on behalf of the Board of Directors, who authorise these financial statements for issue on 24 June 2020

CLAUDIA BATTEN
ACTING CHAIR

DARRIN GRAFTON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

36

Serko annual report

Consolidated Statement of Cash flows
For the year ended 31 March 2020

Notes

2020

2019

$ (000)

$ (000)

22,318 

21,855 

418 

649 

(529)

304 

1,264 

(142)

(26,275)

(19,395)

(126)

(244)

21 

(3,789)

10 

17 

17 

13 

(794)

(11,018)

(11,812)

45,000 

(1,793)

(1,080)

200

(54)

42,273 

26,672 

(13)

15,732 

42,391 

(20)

(219)

3,647 

(466)

(6,813)

(7,279)

15,048 

(778)

-

-

(50)

14,220 

10,588 

(88)

5,232 

15,732 

11 

42,391 

42,391 

15,732 

15,732 

Cash flows from operating activities

Receipts from customers

Interest received

Receipts from grants

Taxation (paid)/received

Payments to suppliers and employees

Interest payments

Net GST refunded (paid)

Net cash flows (used in)/from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Capitalised development costs and other intangible assets

Net cash flows (used in) investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Issue of ordinary shares

Cost of new share issue

Payment of lease liabilities

Non-executive directors non-recourse loan 

Net repayment of loans

Net cash flows from financing activities

Net increase in total cash

Net foreign exchange difference

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

Cash and cash equivalents comprises the following:

Cash at bank and on hand

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

37

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

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Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 March 2020

1  CORPORATE INFORMATION

The financial statements of Serko Limited (‘the Company’) 

and subsidiaries (‘the Group’) were authorised for issue in 

accordance with a Board resolution. 

The Company is a limited liability company domiciled and 

incorporated in New Zealand under the Companies Act 1993 

and is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) and 

the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) as an ASX Foreign 

Exempt Listing.  Its registered office is at Unit 14d, 125 The 

Strand, Parnell, Auckland. 

The Group is involved in the provision of computer software 

solutions for corporate travel. The Group is headquartered 

in Auckland, New Zealand.

2  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation 

of these consolidated financial statements are set out in 

the respective notes and in this note.  These policies have 

been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless 

otherwise stated.

a)  Basis of preparation

In light of the severe impact of Covid-19 on Serko’s core 

business of the provision of online travel booking software, 

the Board has given careful consideration to the ability 

of the Group to continue to operate as a going concern 

for at least the next 12 months from the date the financial 

statements are authorised for issue.  

Serko completed an oversubscribed capital raising of $45 

million ($43.2 million net of costs) in late 2019. This capital 

raise was intended to provide funding for Serko’s anticipated 

strategic initiative of expansion into new markets.  Although 

we did not anticipate an event as catastrophic as Covid-19, 

the Serko Board has always maintained a prudent and 

conservative approach to balance sheet management.   By 

raising more capital than the Board believed Serko required, 

the Company’s a strong cash position that has provided a 

comfortable level of liquidity. It also allowed us to;

 • Maintain our operating capacity;
 • Retain resource and capability to put Serko into a strong 

position to reassure our customers of our ongoing viability;

 • Retain our key people to quickly recover from the impact 

of the pandemic when travel volumes recover. 

We have, however, responded to the decline in activity and 

the uncertainty of the future environment by reducing cash 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance 

costs across all expense categories.

with generally accepted accounting practice in New 

Zealand (NZ GAAP) and the requirements of the Financial 

Markets Conduct Act 2013.  The financial statements have 

been prepared on a historical cost basis, modified by the 

revaluation of certain assets and liabilities as identified in 

specific accounting policies.

The Group has made significant changes to the way we 

operate and addressed Serko’s cost base in anticipation 

of a subdued operating environment.  The Company 

has undertaken modelling of future results based on 

three alternative scenarios and has then weighted those 

scenarios to formulate a plan for the ongoing solvency of the 

The financial statements are presented in New Zealand 

business.  Serko has applied a weighting of 50% to the most 

dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand 

pessimistic scenario. 

dollars unless stated otherwise.

In reaching their conclusion the Board has considered the 

The financial statements provide comparative information 

following factors:

 • Cash reserves at 31 March 2020 of $42.4 million provides 

a sufficient level of headroom to help support the 

business for at least the next 12 months; 

in respect of the previous period.

b)  Going concern

The Board has carefully considered the ability of the Group 

to continue to operate as a going concern for at least the 

next 12 months from the date the financial statements are 

authorised for issue.  It is the conclusion of the Board that 

the Group will continue to operate as a going concern and 

the financial statements have been prepared on that basis.

38

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 • Covid–19 cost saving initiatives introduced post year end 
to target maximum cash burn of $2 million per month on 

NZ IFRS 16 (Leases) is effective for annual periods beginning 

on or after 1 January 2019. The standard deals with the 

average for FY21 through the following initiatives:

recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure 

of leases and replaces the current guidance in NZ IAS 

17 Leases (NZ IAS 17). The new standard introduces a 

single model for lessees that recognises all leases on the 

balance sheet through an asset representing the rights 

to use the leased item during the lease term and a liability 

for the obligation to make lease payments. This removes 

the distinction between operating and finance leases 

and aims to provide users of the financial statements 

relevant information to assess the effect that leases 

have on the statement of financial position, statement of 

comprehensive income and cash flows of the reporting 

entity. Lessor accounting remains largely unchanged from 

NZ IAS 17 for the Group.

The Group adopted NZ IFRS 16 using the modified 

retrospective approach with the right-of-use (ROU) asset 
being determined as if NZ IFRS 16 had been applied from 

lease commencement but using the incremental borrowing 

rate as at 1 April 2019. Leases recognised relate to 

building leases at different geographical locations and an 

incremental borrowing rate of between 4% and 6% has been 

applied. The Group has made use of the practical expedient 

available on transition to NZ IFRS 16 not to reassess whether 

a contract is or contains a lease. Accordingly, the definition 

of a lease in accordance with NZ IAS 17 will continue to be 

applied to those leases entered or modified before 1 April 

2019. Comparative numbers have not been restated.

 – Seeking government Covid-19 wage subsidy schemes, 

in New Zealand, Australia and the US

 – Implementing hiring and salary freezes and 

terminating non-essential contractors and staff

 – Scaling-down hosting environment for reduced 

transactions

 – Negotiating reduced rental on leasehold premises
 – Reducing other expenditure (i.e. marketing and travel) 

to essential only

 – Implementing voluntary staff salary reductions for 

three months from May 2020

 – Non-executive directors agreeing to take either 
a reduction of directors’ fees or receive a portion 

of their directors’ fees in shares for the first three 

months of FY21 

 • The Board has made due enquiry into the 

appropriateness of the assumptions underlying the 

budgetary forecasts.

c)  Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance 

with NZ GAAP.  They comply with New Zealand equivalents 

to International Financial Reporting Standards (NZ IFRS) and 

International Financial Reporting Standards, as appropriate 

for profit-oriented entities.

d)  Application of new and revised standards, amendments 
and interpretations

Apart from the changes noted below, the accounting policies 

adopted are consistent with those of previous years.

39

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Lease liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the lessee’s incremental 

borrowing rate at 1 April 2019. Key changes to the financial statements are set out below:

 • Recognition of an ROU asset and lease liability for operating leases, adjusted for any incentives on the statement of financial 

position; and

 • Recognition of interest and depreciation expense (refer to note 5) instead of operating lease rental expense in the statement of 
financial performance. The change in accounting standard has impacted retained earnings by $323,000 and resulted in a credit 

to profit before tax of $203,000 in the current financial year; and

 • Interest-bearing loans and borrowings relating to leasehold improvements have been reclassified.

In accordance with the transition provisions of NZ IFRS 16, comparatives have not been restated, with the cumulative effect being 

recognised in opening retained earnings at transition (1 April 2019).

A reconciliation of operating lease commitments at 31 March 2019 to the lease liability recognised at 1 April 2019 is shown below:

Operating lease commitments disclosed at 31 March 2019

The effect of discounting

Adjustments as a result of a different treatment of extension and termination options

Lease liabilities recognised as at 1 April 2019

Classified as:

   Less than one year

   Later than one year but not more than five years

Lease liabilities recognised as at 1 April 2019

$ (000)

1,688 

(196)

987

2,479 

768 

1,711 

2,479 

Serko Limited also entered into a lease agreement to sub-lease additional premises through to December 2020, with these premises 

being available for use in October 2019.

Practical expedients applied

In applying NZ IFRS 16 for the first time, Serko has used the following practical expedients permitted by the standard:

 • Use of a single discount rate to leases with reasonably similar characteristics;
 • Accounted for each lease component and any associated non-lease components as a single lease component;
 • Excluded lease contracts of insignificant value;
 • Excluded lease contracts less than 12 months; and
 • Exclusion of initial direct costs for the measurement of the lease asset at the date of initial application.

40

Serko annual report

e)  Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements comprise the 

 • Reclassifies the parent’s share of components 

financial statements of Serko Limited and its subsidiaries as 

previously recognised in other comprehensive income 

at and for the year ended 31 March each year.

Control is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has 

rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the 

to profit or loss or retained earnings, as appropriate, as 

would be required if the Group had directly disposed of 

the related assets or liabilities.

investee and has the ability to affect those returns through 

The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the 

its power over the investee. Specifically, the Group controls 

acquisition method of accounting.  The acquisition method 

an investee if and only if the Group has:

 • Power over the investee (i.e. existing rights that give 

it the current ability to direct the relevant activities of 

the investee);

 • Exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its 

involvement with the investee; and

 • The ability to use its power over the investee to affect     

its returns.

When the Group has less than a majority of the voting or 

similar rights of an investee, the Group considers all relevant 

facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power 

over an investee, including:

 • The contractual arrangement with the other vote holders 

of the investee;

 • Rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and
 • The Group’s voting rights and potential voting rights.

The Group reassesses whether or not it controls an 

investee if facts and circumstances indicate there are 

changes to one or more of the three elements of control.  

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Group 

obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the 

Group ceases control of the subsidiary.  Assets, liabilities, 

income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed 

of during the year are included in the financial statements 

from the date the Group gains control until the date the 

Group ceases to control the subsidiary.

A change in the ownership interest of a subsidiary, without a 

cease of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction. 

If the Group ceases control over a subsidiary, it: 

 • Derecognises the assets (including goodwill) and 

liabilities of the subsidiary; 

 • Derecognises the carrying amount of any non-

controlling interests;

 • Derecognises the cumulative translation differences 

recorded in equity;

 • Recognises the fair value of the consideration received;
 • Recognises the fair value of any investment retained;
 • Recognises any surplus or deficit in profit or loss; and

of accounting involves recognising at acquisition date, 

separately from goodwill, the identifiable assets acquired, 

liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the 

acquiree.  The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities 

assumed are measured at their acquisition date fair values.  

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and 

recognised in profit or loss.

The difference between the above items and the fair value 

of the consideration is recorded as either goodwill or gain 
on bargain purchase.  After initial recognition goodwill is 

measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.  

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired 

in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, 

allocated to each of the Group’s cash-generating units 

expected to benefit from the combination, irrespective 

of whether other assets or liabilities of the acquiree are 

assigned to those units.

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment, or immediately if 

events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be 

impaired, and carried at cost less accumulated impairment 

losses.  Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed. 

Any gain on bargain purchase is recognised immediately on 

acquisition to profit and loss.

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised 

gains and losses on transactions between Group 

companies are eliminated.

Non-controlling interests are allocated their share of 

comprehensive income after tax in the statement of 

comprehensive income and are presented within equity in 

the consolidated statement of financial position, separately 

from the equity of the owners of the parent.

f)  Foreign currency translation

i)  Functional and presentation currency

Items included in these financial statements of each of the 

Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the 
primary economic environment in which the entity operates 

(the ‘functional currency’).  These financial statements 

are presented in New Zealand dollars, which is the Group’s 

presentation currency and the parent’s functional currency.

41

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ii)  Transactions and balances

i)  Amortised cost

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded 

Financial assets measured at amortised cost are those 

in the functional currency by applying the exchange rates 

held within a business model whose objective is to hold 

ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets 

financial assets in order to collect contractual cash 

and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are 

flows and the contractual terms of the financial asset 

retranslated at the rate of exchange ruling at balance date.  

give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely 

Non-monetary items measured in terms of historical cost 

payments of principal and interest on the principal amount 

in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange 

outstanding. They arise when the Group provides money, 

rate as at the date of the initial transaction.  Non-monetary 

goods or services directly to a debtor with no intention 

items measured at fair value in a foreign currency are 

of selling the receivable.  Such assets are subsequently 

translated using the exchange rates at the date when the 

carried at amortised cost using the effective interest 

fair value was determined.

Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the 

settlement of such transactions and from the translation 

at year end of exchange rates for monetary assets and 

liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, are recognised 

in profit or loss.

iii)  Foreign Currency Translation Reserve 

For the purposes of presenting these consolidated financial 

statements the assets and liabilities of the Group’s foreign 

operations are translated into currency units using 

exchange rates prevailing at the end of each reporting 

method. Expected credit loss movements are recognised 

in profit or loss when the contract assets and liabilities 

are derecognised or impaired, as well as through the 

amortisation process.

ii)  Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are classified as ‘other financial 

liabilities’. Other financial liabilities, including  

interest-bearing loans and borrowings, are initially 

measured at fair value, net of transaction costs. Other 

financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised 

cost using the effective interest method.

period. Income and expense items are translated at the 

The effective interest method calculates the amortised cost 

average exchange rates for the period, unless exchange 

of a financial liability and allocates the interest expense 

rates fluctuate significantly during that period, in which 

over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the 

case the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions are 

rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments 

used. Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognised 

through the expected life of the financial liability or, where 

in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the 

appropriate, a shorter period to the net carrying amount of 

foreign currency translation reserve.

the liability.

g)  Financial instruments

Financial liabilities are classified as current liabilities unless 

the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of 

Cash at bank and on hand and receivables are financial 

the liability for at least 12 months after balance date.

assets measured at amortised cost. When financial assets 

are recognised initially they are measured at fair value 

iii)  Impairment of financial assets

plus directly attributable transaction costs. The Group 

determines the classification of its financial assets on initial 
recognition and, when allowed and appropriate, re-evaluates 

this designation at each financial year end.

The Group recognises a loss allowance for expected credit 
losses (ECL) on investments in debt instruments that 

are measured at amortised cost or at fair value through 

comprehensive income, lease receivables, trade receivables 

Derivative financial instruments are recognised at fair value 

and contract assets, as well as on financial guarantee 

through profit or loss.

contracts. The amount of expected credit losses is updated 

at each reporting date to reflect changes in credit risk since 

initial recognition of the respective financial instrument. 

42

Serko annual report

The Group always recognises lifetime ECL for trade 

h)  Borrowing costs 

receivables, contract assets and lease receivables. The 

expected credit losses on these financial assets are 

estimated using a provision matrix based on the Group’s 

historical credit loss experience, adjusted for factors that 

are specific to the debtors, general economic conditions 

and an assessment of both the current as well as the 

forecast direction of conditions at the reporting date, 

including time value of money where appropriate. 

Special consideration has been given to ECL in light of 

the economic impact of Covid-19 throughout the travel 

industry and the capacity of our customers to meet their 

obligations to us.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, 

construction or production of a qualifying asset are 

capitalised as part of the cost of that asset.  A qualifying 

asset is one that takes 12 months or longer to prepare for its 

intended use or sale.  Other borrowing costs are expensed 

when incurred.

i)  Other taxes

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the 

amount of goods and services tax (GST) except where the 

GST incurred on a purchase of goods and services is not 

recoverable from the taxation authority, in which case 

For all other financial instruments the Group recognises 

the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of 

lifetime ECL when there has been a significant increase 

the asset or as part of the expense item as applicable. All 

in credit risk since initial recognition. However, if the 

receivables and payables are stated GST inclusive.

credit risk on the financial instrument has not increased 

significantly since initial recognition, the Group measures 

the loss allowance for that financial instrument at an 

amount equal to 12-month ECL. 

Lifetime ECL represents the expected credit losses that will 

result from all possible default events over the expected 

life of a financial instrument. In contrast, 12-month ECL 

represents the portion of lifetime ECL that is expected to 

result from default events on a financial instrument that are 

possible within 12 months after the reporting date. 

The Group writes off a financial asset when there is 

information indicating that the debtor is in severe financial 

difficulty and there is no realistic prospect of recovery, e.g. 

when the debtor has been placed under liquidation or has 

entered into bankruptcy proceedings or, in the case of trade 

receivables, when the amounts are over two years past due, 

whichever occurs sooner.

The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, 

the taxation authority is included as part of receivables or 

payables in the statement of financial position. 

Commitments and contingencies are disclosed net of 

the amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the 

taxation authority.

j)  Comparatives

Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to 

conform to the current year’s presentation.

43

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3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES 

AND ASSUMPTIONS

The preparation of the Group’s consolidated financial 

Development costs (note 10)

statements requires management to make judgements, 

estimates and assumptions that affect the reported 

amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities and 

the accompanying disclosures.

Development costs of a project are capitalised in 

accordance with the accounting policy.  Initial capitalisation 

of costs is based on management’s judgement that 

technological and economic feasibility is confirmed, usually 

In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, 

when a product development project has reached a defined 

management has made the following judgements, 

milestone according to an established project management 

which have an effect on the amounts recognised in the 

model.  In determining the amounts to be capitalised, 

consolidated financial statements.

Covid-19 Pandemic

On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) 

declared a global pandemic as a result of the outbreak and 

spread of Covid-19.  However, as Serko announced on 25 

February 2020, the Company had detected an adverse trend 

management makes assumptions regarding the expected 

future cash generation of the project and the expected 

period of benefits. The effects that Covid-19 has had on 

travel have been considered in assessing expected future 

cash flows.

Functional and presentation currency

in travel bookings prior to the WHO declaration.  On 14 March 

The Group periodically reviews the functional currency 

the New Zealand Government announced it was closing its 

for reporting purposes. The Group believes that there 

borders to non-New Zealand residents and on 25 March the 

is sufficient justification for the continued use of NZD 

New Zealand Government raised its Alert Level to 4 (full 

as the functional currency. The key factors behind this 

lockdown other than ‘essential’ services) for an initial four-

conclusion are:

 • Serko is NZX listed and has raised capital in NZD;
 • Research and development grant funding is in NZD;
 • NZD is the main currency for labour, operating cost and 

capital expenditure; and

 • The Group also generates certain revenues in NZD as 

per note 4.

week period. Covid-19 related travel restrictions were also 

enacted within Australia and within Northern Hemisphere 

markets where Serko expects to grow.  New Zealand 

domestic travel resumed when the country moved to Level 

2 on 11 May.  However, travel is still restricted in Australia 

to essential travel only.  Northern Hemisphere travel is also 

restricted but varies between regions.

Revenue from Serko’s online booking tools is almost 

exclusively directly related to booking volumes.  

The Governmental policy responses, including lockdowns 

and the suspension of all travel other than essential 

services, has had a severe adverse effect on bookings on 

Serko’s Travel booking platform.  

The actions taken by Serko are outlined as per Going 
Concern disclosure (note 2b). It should, however, be noted 

that Serko has carefully chosen to retain resource and 

capacity on key growth initiatives to ensure it is positioned 

to participate in the eventual recovery of corporate travel.

The Serko Board has exercised judgement on a number of 

important areas in the income statement and statement 

of financial position and we draw your attention to the 

commentary in the notes to the financial statements for 

more detailed explanations.

44

Serko annual report

3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES 

AND ASSUMPTIONS CONTINUED

Impairment (note 10 – Intangibles and note 7 -  

Receivables)

Management reviews the carrying value of intangible and 

non-financial assets on an annual basis, in particular, 

goodwill, computer software and development work in 

progress. Consideration is placed on a number of factors, 

depending on the specific asset in question, which may 

include discounted cash flow forecasts, the ability to 

continue to generate discrete cash flow and returns, 

any changes or anticipated changes in the business or 

product circumstances and the nature of the events that 

originally gave rise to the recognition of any non-financial 

assets. Management has considered reduced travel owing 

to Covid-19 and estimated the recovery profile of travel 

in various geographies and its effect on growth plans. No 

impairment to intangibles is considered necessary.

Serko has updated its expected credit loss assumptions and 

the provision was increased to $237,000 from the prior year 

$7,000 due to Covid-19 impacts. 

Revenue recognition (note 4)

Serko has customer agreements that contain annual 

minimum transaction volume commitments that span 

financial reporting periods. Based on this management 

needs to make a judgement about estimated future 

transaction volumes to determine related revenue for the 

specific financial reporting period. The effects of Covid-19 

have been considered and as a result of reduced forecasts 

adjustments on contractual revenue have been recognised. 

45

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C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
4  REVENUE & OTHER INCOME

Revenue is recognised and measured at the fair value of 

the consideration received or receivable to the extent it 

is probable that the entity will collect the consideration 

to which it will be entitled in exchange for the goods or 

Supplier commission revenue, predominantly from hotel 

bookings, is recognised at a point in time, once the 

performance obligation is fulfilled. 

services that will be transferred to the customer.  Revenue 

b)  Revenue from services

is disclosed net of credit notes, rebates and discounts.

a)  Revenue from transaction and usage fees

Revenue from transaction and usage fees is recorded at the 

time travel or expense transactions are processed through 

Serko’s platforms. Contracts that have fixed minimum 

booking volume arrangements are recognised over the 

period of volume commitment. For contracts without 

fixed consideration we have applied the ‘as invoiced’ basis. 

Revenue from a contract to provide installation services is 

recognised by reference to the completion of the contract or 

services delivered at balance date. If services relate to one-off 

chargeable work orders, these can be invoiced as and when the 

performance obligation is satisfied. Revenue is recognised at a 

point in time by applying the ‘as invoiced’ practical expedient. If 

these relate to customised set up or installation, the revenues 

are recognised over the contract term.

Serko records revenue from its portfolio of contracts with 

c)  Contract assets

reference to actual transactions, forecast transactions 
and minimum contracted commitments. Owing to Covid-19 

impacting the entire travel industry, Serko has agreed to a 

number of changes to contracts with customers, including 

changes to schedules of contracted minimum revenue.   

This has had the effect of reducing the revenue that Serko 

expected to record in the current year.  

Serko Expense revenue is invoiced monthly on an active 

user basis and revenue recognised at a point in time. 

Contract assets relate to accrued revenue for contractual 

minimum guarantees (refer note 7).

d)  Government grants

When the grant relates to an expense item, it is recognised 

as income over the periods necessary to match the grant on 

a systematic basis to the costs it is intended to compensate. 

Revenue is recognised once the criteria of the grant 

application is met. 

46

Serko annual report

4  REVENUE & OTHER INCOME CONTINUED

Revenue – transaction and usage fees:

     Travel platform booking revenue

     Expense platform revenue

     Supplier commissions revenue

Services revenue

Other revenue

Total revenue

Government grants

Sundry income

Total other income

Total revenue and other income

Geographic information

Australia

New Zealand

US

Other

Total revenue

Notes

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

16,307 

15,948 

5,831 

1,427 

1,819 

485 

2,710 

1,538 

2,698 

467 

25,869 

23,361 

15 

922 

 - 

922 

1,208 

7 

1,215 

26,791 

24,576 

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

restated*

19,335 

2,343 

1,471 

212 

18,218 

2,465 

4,823 

363 

25,869 

23,361 

 *Note the prior year figures have been adjusted as a result of a reclass of grant revenue resulting in a movement between Australia and New Zealand sourced income.

47

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
5  EXPENSES

Operating profit before taxation includes the following expenses:

Marketing expenses

Third party connection costs

Other selling costs

Total selling and marketing expenses

Hosting expenses

Employee remuneration

Contributions to pension plans

Share-based payment expenses

Other remuneration and benefits

Total remuneration and benefits

Auditor remuneration and other assurance fees

Directors’ fees*

Expected credit loss allowance on receivables

Amortisation of intangibles

Depreciation

Rental and operating lease expenses

Professional fees

Computer licences

Other administration expenses

Total administration expenses

Fair value remeasurement of contingent consideration

Expenses from ordinary activities

*Directors’ fees include $12,500 earned by a director of subsidiary, Serko India Private Limited.

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

1,469 

885 

635 

2,989 

1,171 

62 

458 

1,691 

3,362 

1,931 

17,161 

11,924 

662 

959 

637 

433 

576 

202 

19,419 

13,135 

153 

357 

237 

1,705 

1,451 

83 

1,571 

925 

3,784 

10,266 

109 

283 

(7)

754 

294 

804 

1,057 

260 

2,722 

6,276 

1,056 

287 

37,092 

23,320 

48

Serko annual report

5  EXPENSES CONTINUED

Finance income and expenses includes:

Finance income

     Interest received

     Dividends received

     Foreign exchange gains – net

Total finance income

Finance expenses

     Interest expense

     Interest expense on lease liabilities

     Other finance expenses

Total finance expenses

Total finance income and expenses

Auditor remuneration 

Amounts for services performed by Deloitte Limited:

Audit of financial statements

Other assurance services*

Total audit fees

*Other assurance services relate to review of the Group’s compliance with Callaghan Innovation Grant requirements.

49

Serko annual report

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

418 

1 

718 

1,137 

(14)

(111)

(37)

(162)

305 

1 

54 

360 

(20)

-

(50)

(70)

975 

290 

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

146 

7 

153 

79 

7 

86 

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6 

INCOME TAX

Current tax assets and liabilities for the current period are 

measured at the amount expected to be recovered from 

or paid to the taxation authorities based on the current 

period’s taxable income. The tax rates and tax laws used 

to compute the amount are those that are enacted or 

substantively enacted in the jurisdictions on which the 

Group operates at the reporting date.

Current income tax relating to items recognised directly 

in equity is recognised in equity and not in the statement 

of comprehensive income. Management periodically 

evaluates positions taken in the tax returns, with respect to 

situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to 

interpretation, and establishes provisions where appropriate.

Deferred income tax is provided on all temporary 

differences at the balance sheet date between the tax 

bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for 

financial reporting purposes.

Deferred income tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable 

temporary differences except:

 • For a deferred income tax liability arising from the initial 

recognition of goodwill; and

Current income tax

     Current income tax charge

     Adjustments in respect of income tax

Deferred income tax

 • Where the deferred income tax liability arises from the 
initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction 

that is not a business combination and, at the time of 

the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit 

nor taxable profit or loss.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for all deductible 

temporary differences and unused tax losses, to the extent 

that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against 

which the deductible temporary differences can be utilised. 

The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is 

reviewed at each balance date and reduced to the extent 

that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will 

be available to allow all or part of the deferred income tax 

asset to be utilised.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at 

the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the 

asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates 

(and tax laws) relevant to the appropriate tax jurisdiction, 

that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the 

balance date.

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

318

(113)

205

493 

(225)

268 

     Origination and reversal of temporary differences

(167)

(355)

Income tax expense/(benefit) reported in the statement of comprehensive income

38

(87)

50

Serko annual report

6 

INCOME TAX CONTINUED

The prima facie tax payable on profit before income tax is reconciled to the income tax expense as follows:

Accounting (loss)/profit before income tax

At the statutory income tax rate of 28% (2019:28%) 

Non-deductible items

Adjustments in respect of income tax

Foreign taxes

Share-based payments

Tax losses unrecognised/(recognised)

Effect of tax on overseas subsidiaries at different rate

Income tax expense/(benefit)

At effective income tax rate of:

Deferred income tax at 31 March relates to the following:

Deferred income tax liabilities recognised

Intangibles

Unrealised foreign exchange

Deferred income tax asset recognised

Intangibles and non-current assets*

Provision for ECL

Employee entitlements

Bonus provision

Share-based payments

Net deferred tax asset recognised

Deferred income tax asset not recognised

Employee entitlements

Bonus provision

Leases

*Net of lease liabilities.

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

(9,326)

 1,546 

(2,611)

456 

(113)

72 

182 

2,132 

(80)

38

433 

143 

(225)

18 

170 

(545)

(81)

(87)

-0.4%

-5.6%

2020

2019

Statement 
of financial 
position

Statement of 
comprehensive 
income

Statement 
of financial 
position

Statement of 
comprehensive 
income

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

(320)

 - 

106 

65 

350 

8 

41 

250 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

86 

(13)

51

63 

102 

(163)

 41 

167 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(406)

13 

55 

2 

248 

172 

-

84 

  -    

  -    

  -    

 - 

20 

22 

(30)

2 

169 

172 

-

355 

(112)

(195)

11 

(296)

Tax losses carried forward are attributable to those generated in New Zealand of $20,437,000, subject to shareholder continuity 

rules being met.

51

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
7  RECEIVABLES

Receivables are recognised initially at fair value and 

matrix, considering history of debtor write off, ageing of 

subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 

invoices, country, market and product risk.

interest method, less provision for impairment. 

Collectibility of receivables is reviewed on an ongoing 

Serko has also made decisions with respect to Expected 

Credit Losses that reflect the prevailing level of uncertainty 

basis.  Debts that are known to be uncollectible are written 

in the travel industry and the impact of Covid-19 on our 

off when identified.  Trade receivables are assessed for 

impairment and an expected credit loss (ECL) provision 

made based on lifetime expected credit losses. The ECL 

model considers various aspects of credit risk within a risk 

customers’ businesses and their capacity to pay.

The impairment, and any subsequent movement, 

including recovery, is recognised in the statement of     

comprehensive income. 

Trade receivables

Expected credit loss provision

Trade receivables (net)

GST receivable

Sundry debtors

Contract assets

Prepayments

Funds held in trust

Total receivables

Foreign currency risk

The carrying amounts of the group’s receivables are denominated in the following 
currencies:

New Zealand dollars

Australian dollars

US dollars

British pounds

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

4,049 

(237)

3,812 

473 

34 

1,368 

845 

46 

6,578 

3,098 

2,748 

717 

15 

3,040 

(7)

3,033 

229 

58 

1,593 

551 

29 

5,493 

2,981 

1,841 

666 

5 

6,578 

5,493 

At 31 March the ageing analysis of receivables was as 
follows:

2020

Trade receivables

2019

Trade receivables

Total

0-30 days

31-60 days

61-90 days

91+  days

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

4,049 

1,996 

1,726 

173 

154 

3,040

2,252

630

48

110

52

Serko annual report

7  RECEIVABLES CONTINUED

Allowance for impairment loss – Trade receivables

Group trade receivables over 60 days were $327,000 (2018: $158,000. This balance of $327,000 has been assessed as part of Covid-

19’s impact on the recovery of trade receivables. An ECL provision of $237,000 (2019: $7,000) has been made as required under NZ 

IFRS 9. Additionally, the Group recognises an allowance of individual receivables if there is objective evidence of credit impairment.

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on 30 - 60-day terms.  Serko has historically low levels of impairment on 

trade receivables. 

8  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Derivative financial instruments

The Group uses derivatives in the form of forward exchange contracts (FECs) to reduce the risk that movements in the exchange 

rate will affect the Group’s New Zealand dollar cash flows.  Such derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value 

on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value.  Derivatives are carried as 

financial assets when the fair value is positive and as financial liabilities when the fair value is negative.

The following table presents the Group’s foreign currency forward exchange contracts measured at fair value:

Current:

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

557 

421 

Contractual amounts of forward exchange contracts outstanding were as follows:

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

18,819

11,016

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

Derivative financial instruments have been determined to be within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  Foreign currency forward 

exchange contracts have been fair valued using published market foreign exchange rates and contract forward rates discounted at a 

rate that reflects the credit risk of the counterparties.

53

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
9  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

a)  Impairment

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment 

are reviewed for impairment when events or changes 

in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not             

be recoverable.

If any such indication exists and where the carrying values 

exceed the estimated recoverable amount, the assets are 

written down to their recoverable amounts.

b)  Disposal

An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised 

upon disposal or when no further future economic benefits 

are expected from its use or disposal.  Any gain or loss 

arising on derecognition of the asset (calculated as the 

difference between the net disposal proceeds and the 

carrying amount of the asset) is included in profit or loss in 

the year the asset is derecognised. 

All items of property, plant and equipment are recorded 

at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. 

Initial cost includes purchase consideration and those 

costs attributable to bringing the asset to the location and 

condition necessary for its intended use.  Where an item is 

self-constructed, its construction cost includes the cost 

of materials, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of 

production overheads. 

Subsequent expenditure relating to an item of property, 

plant and equipment is added to its gross carrying amount 

when such expenditure either increases the future economic 

benefits beyond its existing service potential or is necessarily 

incurred to enable future economic benefits to be obtained 

and if that expenditure would have been included in the 

initial cost of the item had it been incurred at that time.  The 

carrying amount of any replaced part is derecognised. 

All other repairs and maintenance expenditure is recognised 

in profit or loss as incurred.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over 

the estimated useful life of the asset.  The residual value 

of assets is reviewed and adjusted, if appropriate, at each 

balance date. 

The following estimates have been used:

 • Leasehold improvements   -   Term of lease (7% - 16.7%)
 • Furniture and fittings   -   6% - 36%
 • Computer equipment   -   17.5% - 48%
 • Right-of-use asset   -   Term of lease (16.7% - 100%)

54

Serko annual report

9  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT CONTINUED

Leasehold 
improvement

Furniture & 
fittings

Computer 
equipment

Right-of-use 
asset*

Total

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

2020

Cost or valuation

Balance at 1 April 2019

Additions

Disposals

Currency translation

Balance at 31 March 2020

Depreciation

Balance at 1 April 2019

Depreciation expense

Disposals

Currency translation

Balance at 31 March 2020

Net carrying amount

2019

Cost or valuation

Balance at 1 April 2018

Additions

Acquisition through business combinations

Currency translation

Balance at 31 March 2019

Depreciation

Balance at 1 April 2018

Depreciation expense

Balance at 31 March 2019

Net carrying amount

*Right-of-use assets relate to premises leases.

812 

53 

(230)

(25)

610 

333 

133 

(223)

(25)

218 

392

770 

28 

14 

-

812 

222 

111 

333 

479

556 

251 

 - 

7 

814 

223 

70 

-

5 

298 

516

367 

166 

24 

(1)

556 

175 

48 

223 

333

873 

490 

 - 

 27 

 1,970 

946 

(60)

45

4,211 

1,740 

(290)

54

1,390 

2,901 

5,715 

556 

264 

-

18

838 

552

574 

270 

30 

(1)

873 

421 

135 

556 

317

 - 

984 

(17)

12

979 

1,922 

1,112 

1,451 

(240)

10 

2,333 

3,382 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,711 

464 

68 

(2)

2,241 

818 

294 

1,112 

1,129

55

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
10  INTANGIBLES

Intangible assets acquired separately or in a business 

Research and development

combination are initially measured at cost. The cost of 

an intangible asset acquired in a business combination is 

its fair value as at the date of acquisition. Following initial 

recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any 

accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment 

losses. Costs related to internally generated intangible 

assets, excluding capitalised development costs, are not 

capitalised and expenditure is recognised in profit or loss in 

the year in which the expenditure is incurred.

Research and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.  

An intangible asset arising from development expenditure 

on an internal project is recognised only when the Group 

can demonstrate the technical feasibility of completing 

the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or 

sale, its intention to complete and its ability to use or sell 

the asset. Also considered is how the asset will generate 

future economic benefits, the availability of resources 

to complete the development and the ability to reliably 

The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed to be 

measure the expenditure attributable to the intangible 

either finite or indefinite.  Intangible assets with finite 

asset during its development. Following initial recognition 

lives are amortised over the useful lives and tested for 

of the development expenditure, the cost model is 

impairment whenever there is an indication that the 

applied requiring the asset to be carried at cost less any 

intangible asset may be impaired.  The amortisation period 

accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.  Any 

and the amortisation method for an intangible asset with a 

expenditure capitalised is amortised over the period of 

finite useful life is reviewed at least at each financial year 

expected benefit from the related project. 

end. Changes in the expected useful life or the expected 

pattern of consumption of future economic benefits 

embodied in the asset, are accounted for prospectively by 

changing the amortisation period or method, as appropriate, 

which is a change in accounting estimate. The amortisation 

expense on intangible assets with finite lives is recognised 

in profit or loss.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for 

impairment annually either individually or at the cash-

generating unit level.  Such intangibles are not amortised. 

An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is reviewed 

each reporting period to determine whether indefinite life 

assessment continues to be supportable. If not, the change 

in the useful life assessment from indefinite to finite is 

accounted for as a change in an accounting estimate and is 

thus accounted for on a prospective basis.

Gains or losses arising from derecognition of an intangible 

asset are measured as the difference between the net disposal 

proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and are 

recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised.

Intangible assets under development at balance date are 

recorded as capital work in progress and are not subject 

to amortisation.

Impairment of non-financial assets 

Intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives or are 

not yet completed are not subject to amortisation and are 

tested annually for impairment or more frequently if events 

or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be 

impaired. Other assets are tested for impairment whenever 

events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 

carrying amount may not be recoverable. 

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which 

the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable 

amount. Recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair 

value less costs to sell, and value in use. For the purposes 

of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest 

levels for which there are separately identifiable cash 

inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows 

from other assets or groups of assets (cash-generating 

A summary of the policies applied to the Group’s intangible 

units (‘CGUs’). Non-financial assets, including development 

assets is as follows:

 • Goodwill and Other intangible assets (indefinite useful 

life, tested annually for impairment)

 • Intellectual property (finite, amortised on 5 years 

straight-line basis)

 • Capitalised software development costs (finite, 

amortised on 5 years straight-line basis)

 • Computer software (finite, amortised on a straight-line 

basis 40% - 60%).

work in progress and computer software are assessed for 

impairment at a Group level under one reporting segment. 

For the year ended 31 March 2019, InterplX Inc goodwill 

was assessed as a separate CGU. In the current year, the 

InterplX product has been developed to bundle with travel, 

it no longer has separately identifiable cash flows and is 

assessed as part of the one Group CGU.

56

Serko annual report

10  INTANGIBLES CONTINUED

Non-financial assets, other than goodwill that suffered 

In undertaking an impairment review of the cash-

impairment, are tested for possible reversal of the 

generating unit the following assumptions were used in the 

impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 

impairment model:    

indicate that the impairment may have reversed.

The recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is 

determined from a value-in-use calculation that uses a 

discounted cash flow analysis. The key assumptions for the 

value-in-use calculation are those regarding the discount 

rate, growth rates and forecast financial performance and 

cash flows.  Management estimates the discount rate using 

rates that reflect current market assumptions of the time 

value of money and risk specific to the cash-generating 

unit.  The growth rates are based on management’s best 

estimate. Forecast revenues, direct and indirect costs, 

are based on historical experience/past practices and 

expectations of future changes in the markets the Group 

operates in and services.

 • Cash flow projections across a five-year forecast period
 • Three distinct scenarios were modelled and probability 

weighted at 10% to the highest case, 40% to the mid case 

and 50% to the lowest case. As a result, the major approved 

assumptions for impairment testing are as follows:

 – The Australian and New Zealand travel industry 
recovers over two years to pre-Covid-19 levels 

 – Northern Hemisphere travel markets are assumed to 
have a lag relative to Australasia and forecasts return 

to pre-Covid-19 levels in FY23

 – Serko Expense platform revenue growth, supplier 
commissions and services and other revenues are 

relative to Travel platform recovery and growth in each 

Owing to Covid-19 there is uncertainty around forecasts 

territory

 • Discount rate of 11.7% (FY19: 11.5%) 
 • Discount factor applied using a mid-year convention
 • Terminal growth rate of 2% (FY19: 2.4%).

for domestic and international air travel and consequently 

uncertainty relating to Serko’s forecast cash flows, which is 

an indicator of possible impairment. Serko has forecast a 

significant reduction in travel bookings and Serko Expense 

platform system use for the year ending 31 March 2021. These 

forecasts are based on the information available to the 

Group at the time of preparing these financial statements 

and were arrived at with reference to various data sources, 

including airlines, the International Air Transport Association 

(‘IATA’), external management consultancy reports and Travel 

Management Company resellers.

Serko’s estimates of travel recovery and growth rates 

remain uncertain and dependent on a number of factors 

with respect to Covid-19, including timing of return to 

domestic travel, border controls for international travel and 

public demand and behaviour with respect to travel and 

airline scheduling. Cash flows are sensitive to the ability 

of the Group to return to pre-Covid-19 revenue by the end 

of FY2022 and to achieve its Northern Hemisphere growth 

plans over the five-year period.  The longer-term effects 

of Covid-19 on Serko’s business remain uncertain and the 

potential impacts of the pandemic continue to evolve.

57

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
10  INTANGIBLES CONTINUED

In assessing the sensitivity of the forecasts to errors in assumptions, an analysis in key underlying assumptions was performed 

and applied to the weighted average scenario. This included reducing the estimated growth rate by 10%, reducing the terminal 

growth rate by 1% and increasing the discount rate by 1%. These reasonably possible changes in assumptions did not result in any 

impairment to intangible assets.

Goodwill

Intellectual 
property

Key 
employee 
retention

Customer 
contracts

Other 
intangible 
assets

Development 
work in 
progress

Computer 
software

Total

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

2020

Cost

Balance at 1 April 2019

1,405 

1,477 

Additions

Assets no longer in use

Transfer of cost

Currency translation

Balance at 31 March 2020

Amortisation and impairment

Balance at 1 April 2019

Amortisation

Currency translation

Balance at 31 March 2020

 - 

 - 

 - 

117 

1,522 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

237 

1,714 

76 

332 

74 

482 

Net carrying amount

1,522

1,232

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

2019

Cost

Balance at 1 April 2018

Additions

Assets no longer in use

Transfer of cost

Acquisition through business 
combinations (refer note 13)

Currency translation

Balance at 31 March 2019

Amortisation and impairment

Balance at 1 April 2018

Amortisation

Assets no longer in use

Balance at 31 March 2019

220

 -   

(220)

 -   

1,444

(39)

1,405 

220

 -   

(220)

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

1,523

(46)

1,477 

 -   

76 

 -   

76 

Net carrying amount

1,405

1,401

78

 -   

443

 -   

(78)

(443)

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

78

 -   

443

 -   

(78)

(443)

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

73 

5 

 - 

 - 

 - 

78 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

78

 -   

73

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

4,766 

11,013 

 - 

(11,215)

 - 

4,775 

12,496 

 - 

11,018 

(36)

11,215

 - 

(36)

 - 

354 

4,564 

15,954  23,832 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

1,867 

1,943 

1,373 

1,705 

 - 

74 

3,240 

3,722 

4,564

12,714

20,110

49

2,915

3,705

6,740

 -   

6,813

 -   

(201)

(942)

(2,023)

2,023

 -   

 -   

 -   

39

(1)

3,006

(86)

73 

4,766 

4,775 

12,496 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

1390

2,131

678 

754 

(201)

(942)

1,867 

1,943 

73

4,766

2,908

10,553

58

Serko annual report

11  CASH AT BANK AND ON HAND   

Cash and short-term deposits in the statement of financial position comprise cash at bank, and on hand, short-term highly liquid 

investments with an original maturity of three months or less. 

Cash at bank – New Zealand dollar balances

Cash at bank – foreign currency balances

The carrying amounts of the group’s cash at bank and on hand are denominated in the 
following currencies:

New Zealand dollars

Australian dollars

Chinese Yuan

US dollars

Indian rupees

The Group has an indemnity guarantee over the Australian leased property of $108,000.

2020

$ (000)

34,776 

7,615 

42,391 

34,776 

6,751 

429 

412 

23 

2019

$ (000)

8,945 

6,787 

15,732 

8,945 

6,356 

290 

119 

22 

42,391 

15,732 

59

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Employee benefits

Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, long-service leave and annual leave expected to be settled 

within 12 months of the reporting date, are recognised in respect of employees’ services up to the reporting date.  They are 

measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled. 

Liabilities for wages and salaries that are not expected to be settled within 12 months are measured at the present value of the 

estimated future cash outflows to be made by the Group in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date. 

Post-employment benefits

Contributions made on behalf of eligible employees to defined contribution funds are recognised in the period they are incurred.  

The defined contribution funds receive fixed contributions from the Group whose legal or constructive obligation is limited to these 

contributions only.

Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are carried at amortised cost and represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior 

to the end of the financial year that are unpaid and arise when the Group becomes obliged to make future payments in respect of the 

purchase of these goods and services.

Trade payables

Accrued expenses

Lease incentive*

Annual leave accrual

Total trade and other payables

Disclosed as:

Current

Non-current

* The lease incentive has been reclassified upon transition to NZ IFRS 16.

The average credit period on trade payables is approximately 30 days.

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

3,032 

2,743 

 - 

1,298 

7,073 

7,073 

 - 

7,073 

1,144 

2,701 

193 

887 

4,925 

4,791 

134 

4,925 

60

Serko annual report

13  LEASE LIABILITIES 

Recognition and measurement of Serko leasing activities

Serko leases property for fixed periods of between one and six years and some include extension options. These extension options 

are usually at the discretion of Serko and are included in the measurement of the lease asset if management intends to exercise the 

extension. 

Prior to 31 March 2019 leases of property, plant and equipment were classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating 

leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) were charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Now assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease incentives are recognised as 

part of the measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liabilities, whereas under NZ IAS 17 they resulted in the recognition of a 

lease incentive liability, amortised as a reduction of rental expense on a straight-line basis. Lease liabilities include the net present 

value of fixed payments less any lease incentives receivable. The lease payments are discounted using the lessee’s incremental 

borrowing rate, being the rate that the lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value in a 

similar economic environment with similar terms and conditions. 

The amortisation of the discount applied on recognition of the lease liability is recognised as interest expense in the income statement.

Key movements relating to lease balances are presented below.

2020

$ (000)

2,479 

900 

(1,080)

46 

2,345 

1,280 

1,065 

2,345 

1,423 

848 

347 

2,618 

Balance at 1 April 2019 due to first-time adoption of NZ IFRS 16

Leases entered into during the period

Principal repayments

Foreign exchange adjustment

Closing balance

Classified as:

Current

Non-current

Closing balance

Maturity analysis - contractual undiscounted cash flows:

Less than 1 year

Later than 1 year and not later than 2 years

Later than 2 years and not later than 3 years

Total undiscounted lease liabilities at 31 March

61

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
14  CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION — INTERPLX 

Consideration for the InterplX Inc. acquisition was part settled in shares at the market price on 20 December 2018, with the purchase 

agreement including contingent consideration that was settled on 12 February 2020 in the form of further Serko shares (tranche 

2). Contingent consideration was calculated based on the achievement of InterplX revenue performance over the period 1 January 

2019 to 31 December 2019. The fair value remeasurement of shares issued in respect of tranche 2 was $1,342,977 with $1,056,016 

recognised as an expense in 2020 (2019: $286,961).

15  GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Income relating to grants is presented in the table below

Callaghan R&D grant

Callaghan student experience grant

NZTE international growth grant

Total compensation

16  INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS

Current

Leasehold fitout loan

Non-current

Leasehold fitout loan

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

683 

34 

205 

922 

810 

66 

332 

1,208 

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

58 

58 

92 

92 

54 

54 

149 

149 

62

Serko annual report

17  EQUITY

Ordinary share capital is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received.  Transaction costs relating to the listing of new 

ordinary shares and the simultaneous sale and listing of existing shares are allocated to those transactions on a proportional basis.

Transaction costs relating to the sale and listing of existing shares are not considered costs of an equity instrument as no equity 

instrument is issued and, consequently, costs are recognised as an expense in the statement of comprehensive income when 

incurred.  Transaction costs relating to the issue of new share capital are recognised directly in equity as a reduction of the share 

proceeds received.

During the year the Group allocated the following restricted shares to Serko employees (refer to note 19): 

 • In respect of the Restricted Share Plan (RSP), the Group allocated 25,000 shares (2019: 346,157). Unallocated shares are 

1,256,846 (2019: 1,268,628); and

 • In respect of Restricted Share Units (RSU), the Group allocated 671,117 (2019: nil).

2020

2019

2020

2019

Number of 
shares

Number of 
shares

$ (000)

$ (000)

(000)

(000)

Ordinary shares

Share capital at the beginning of the year

40,993 

25,185 

80,923 

74,894 

Issue of shares pursuant to institutional capital placement

40,000 

15,048 

9,900 

5,455 

Issue of shares pursuant to Share Purchase Plan (SPP) placement

Transaction costs for issue of new shares

Non-executive directors settlement of non-recourse loan

Issue of shares pursuant to US Options plan

Issue of shares pursuant to Restricted Share Units (RSU) scheme

Shares issued in respect of InterplX acquisition

Share capital at 31 March

Share-based payment reserve

Balance at 1 April

Shares allocated to employees via Restricted Unit Scheme

Shares allocated to employees via Restricted Share Plan

Shares forfeited from employees via Restricted Share Plan

Non-executive directors settlement of non-recourse loan

Share-based payments - employee share options

Share-based payment reserve at 31 March

5,000 

(1,793)

243 

74 

353 

2,881 

87,751 

 - 

(778)

 - 

 - 

 - 

1,538 

1,238 

 - 

 - 

25 

79 

574 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

574 

40,993 

92,739 

80,923 

1,885 

1,309 

659 

23 

(17)

(43)

(133)

2,374 

 - 

406 

(24)

 - 

194 

1,885 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

63

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
18  EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

Basic EPS amounts are calculated by dividing the profit for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the 

weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted EPS amounts are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted 

average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, plus the weighted average number of shares that would be issued on 

conversion of all of the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

The following reflects the income and share data used in the basic and diluted EPS computations:

(Loss)/profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent

Continuing operations

Basic earnings per share

Issued ordinary shares

Adjusted for employee restricted share plan shares

Weighted average of issued ordinary shares

Basic earnings per share (dollars)

Diluted earnings per share

Weighted average of issued ordinary shares

Weighted average of issued ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share (dollars)

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

(9,365)

(9,365)

1,633 

1,633 

Notes

2020

2019

Number

Number

(000)

(000)

17

92,739 

(1,919)

90,820 

(0.10)

86,893 

86,893 

(0.11)

80,923 

(2,769)

78,154 

(0.02)

77,584 

77,584 

0.02

Subsequent to the reporting date but prior to the date of authorisation of these financial statements, Serko issued a total of 472,243 RSUs.

Net tangible assets per security

2020

Cents

2019

Cents

47.09 

19.38 

64

Serko annual report

19  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

Employees of the Group receive remuneration at the Board’s 

discretion in the form of share-based payment transactions, 

where services are provided as consideration for the receipt 

of equity instruments.

the Group.  Under the RSP ordinary shares in Serko Limited 

are issued to a trustee, Serko Trustee Limited, a wholly-

owned subsidiary, and allocated to participants, on grant 

date, using funds lent to them by the Company.

The cost of share-based payment transactions are 

recognised, together with a corresponding increase in 

equity, over the period in which the service conditions are 

fulfilled. The cumulative expense recognised for share-based 

transactions at each reporting date, until the vesting date, 

reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired 

and the Group’s best estimate of the number of equity 

instruments that will ultimately vest. The expense or credit 

for a period represents the movement in cumulative expenses 

recognised at the beginning and end of that period.

No cumulative expense is recognised for awards that do not 

ultimately vest except where vesting is conditional upon a 

market condition.

Employee Restricted Share Plan

The Serko Limited Employee Restricted Share Plan (RSP) 

was introduced for selected executives and employees of 

The price for each share vested during the year under the 

RSP is the higher of the market price of the share on the 

date on which the shares are allocated or the grant price.

Under the RSP shares are beneficially owned by the 

participants.  The length of retention period before the 

shares vest is between one and three years.  If the individual 

is still employed by the Group at the end of this specific 

period, the employee is awarded a cash bonus that must be 

used to repay the loan and shares are then transferred to 

the employee.  The number of shares awarded is determined 

by the Remuneration Committee of the Board.  The weighted 
average grant date fair value of restricted shares issued 
during the year was $3.17 (2019: $2.96) and was determined 

by the volume weighted average price (VWAP) of shares 

traded in the previous 20 trading days preceding the date of 

grant.  The Group has no legal or constructive obligation to 

repurchase the shares or settle the RSP for cash. 

Unvested shares at 1 April

Granted

Forfeited

Vested

Unvested shares at 31 March - allocated to employees

Ageing of unvested shares

Vest within one year

Vest within two to five years

Ageing of unvested shares at 31 March - allocated to employees

2020

2019

Number of shares

Number of shares

1,499,943 

25,000 

(13,218)

(849,433)

662,292 

312,475 

349,817 

662,292 

1,398,707 

345,890 

(22,219)

(222,435)

1,499,943 

842,911 

657,032 

1,499,943 

Unallocated shares - held by trustee

1,256,846 

1,268,628 

The number of shares awarded pursuant to the RSP does not equal the number of shares created for the scheme, as the scheme had 

an allocated pool of shares upon set up and forfeited shares are held in the trust and reissued.

65

Serko annual report

03

S
E
R
K
O

A
B
O
U
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04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
19  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS CONTINUED

Employee Restricted Share Units scheme (RSUs)

The Serko Limited Employee Restricted Share Units scheme (RSU) was introduced during the year to replace the RSP. Under the RSU 

scheme, ordinary shares in Serko Limited are allocated to employees at grant date with a zero-exercise price and will be taxable to 

the employee in the income year when the awards vest. 

Vesting conditions are based on:

 • Period of continuous employment (usually three years, however, it can be up to five years) and/or;
 • Performance hurdles, such as performance against revenue targets.

The weighted average grant date fair value of RSUs issued during the year was determined by either the volume weighted average 

price (VWAP) of shares traded in the previous 20 trading days preceding the date of grant or closing price the day before issue.

Weighted 
average price 
NZ$

4.31

3.95

4.49

2020

2019

Number of  RSUs

Number of  RSUs

671,117 

(1,979)

(78,521)

590,617 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

Allocated to employees during the year

Cancelled during the year

Vested during the year

Total RSUs granted

Employee incentive share options scheme

Options are granted to selected employees. The exercise price of the granted options is set at the closing price the day before issue. 

Options are conditional on the completion of the necessary years of service (the vesting period) as appropriate to that tranche. The 

options are considered graded equity instruments that vest in tranches over two to five years from the grant date. No options can be 

exercised later than five years from grant date. There were 14 holders of options at 31 March 2020 (2019: 14). 

The Group has no legal or constructive obligation to repurchase or settle the options in cash.

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

2020

2020

2019

2019

Weighted average 
exercise price ($)

Options 

Weighted average 
exercise price ($)

 2.90 

 4.45 

 2.90 

 2.97 

 286,901 

 44,169 

(177,783)

(25,000)

 128,287 

 - 

 2.90 

 - 

 - 

Options 

 - 

 286,901 

 - 

 - 

286,901 

Outstanding at 1 April

Granted

Cancelled

Exercised

Outstanding at 31 March

66

Serko annual report

19  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS CONTINUED

During the year a further 32,394 options were granted, however, these were subsequently cancelled or forfeited prior to 31 March 2020.

Options outstanding at 31 March fall within the following ranges: 

2018-19

2019-20

Granted

Expiry date

Grant price 
(NZ$)

Options

Options

2020

2019

 2020-21 

 2.68 - 3.32 

 84,118 

 286,901 

 2021-22 

 3.95 - 4.49 

 44,169 

 - 

 128,287 

 286,901 

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year, determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, was $1.84 

per option (2019: $1.64).

The significant inputs into the valuation model were the market share price at grant date, the grant price as shown above, expected 

annualised volatility of between 50% and 56% (FY19: 55% and 66%), a dividend yield of 0%, an expected option life of between two 

and five years (FY19: two and five) and an annual risk-free interest rate of between 0.7% and 1.2% (FY19: 3%). 

The volatility input measured is the standard deviation of continuously compounded share returns and is based on a statistical 

analysis of daily share prices in the past one to five years.

Non-executive director shares

The Group’s non-executive directors were granted shares in 2014 that are to be settled by way of a non-recourse loan. The non-

recourse loans were due for repayment on 30 June 2020, following an extension to the previous loan due 30 June 2017. These were 

valued using Black-Scholes model at the time of loan extension. During the year Ms Batten settled her loan in full.  Subsequent to 

year end Mr Botherway’s and Mr McConaghy’s loans were extended to 30 January 2021 and 30 June 2021 respectively. Post balance 

date these have been valued using the Black-Scholes model, with the incremental fair value recognised in the profit and loss. 

67

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E
R
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O

A
B
O
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04

S
U
M
M
A
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Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
20  RELATED PARTIES

a)  Subsidiaries

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Serko Limited and subsidiaries as listed in the following table:

Serko Australia Pty Limited

Serko Trustee Limited

Serko India Private Limited

Serko Investments Limited

Foshan Sige Information Technology Limited

Serko Inc

InterplX Inc

% Equity interest

Investment $(000)

Balance date

2020

2019

2020

2019

31 March

31 March

31 March

31 March

31 March

31 March

31 March

100%

100%

99%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

99%

100%

100%

100%

100%

1 

 - 

2 

 - 

 - 

 - 

1 

 - 

2 

 - 

 - 

 - 

3,076 

3,079 

3,076 

3,079 

Serko Australia Pty Limited’s principal business is the marketing and support of travel booking software solutions supplied  

by Serko Limited.

Serko Trustee Limited was incorporated on 4 June 2014 to hold the shares issued to key management and staff in the Restricted 

Share Scheme in trust until vesting.

Serko India Private Limited was incorporated on 18 February 2015 as a subsidiary for the India-based operations. As of 1 January 

2020  Serko India Private Limited was non-trading.

Serko Investments Limited was incorporated on 5 November 2014 as a holding company.  It holds 1% of the shares in Serko India 

Private Limited. 

Foshan Sige Information Technology Limited was incorporated on 7 August 2017 as a subsidiary for the China-based operations.

Serko Inc was incorporated on 30 October 2017 as a subsidiary for the US-based operations.

InterplX Inc was acquired on 20 December 2018 and its principal business is the sale of expense management solutions. 

68

Serko annual report

20  RELATED PARTIES CONTINUED

b)  Transactions with related parties

The following table provides the total amount of transactions that have been entered into with related parties, excluding key 

management and executive director remuneration.                                    

Purchases from related parties

Simon Botherway - Chair (to 12 March*)

Clyde McConaghy - Non-executive Director

Claudia Batten - Acting Chair (from 12 March*)

Total

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

121 

110 

113 

344 

108 

83 

83 

274 

*Mr Botherway continues as a director of Serko (attending all Board & Committee meetings) but took a leave of absence from the Chair role on 12 March 2020 for medical 
reasons.  Ms Batten assumed the role of Acting Chair from this date.                                                                                                                             

c)  Key management remuneration

Short-term benefits employees (*)

Share-based payments

Post-employment benefits

Total compensation

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

5,779 

3,800 

733 

201 

427 

121 

6,713 

4,348 

*Key management personnel includes the executive directors in their capacity as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, the executive management team and 
their direct reports. Short-term benefits include salaries, short-term incentives related to FY19 paid in FY20 and the bonus payments related to Restricted Share Plan 
(RSP) long-term incentives granted in previous years and vested during the financial year to 31 March 2020.

d)  Terms and conditions of transactions with related parties

Outstanding balances at year end are unsecured and settlement occurs in cash.

For the year ended 31 March 2020 the Group has not made any allowance for impairment loss relating to amounts owed by related 

parties (2019: $nil).  An impairment assessment is undertaken each financial year by examining the financial position of the related 

party and the market in which the related party operates, to determine whether there is objective evidence that a related party 

receivable is impaired.  When such objective evidence exists, the Group recognises an allowance for the impairment loss.

69

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E
R
K
O

A
B
O
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T

04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
21  RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net (loss)/profit after tax

Add non-cash items

Amortisation

Depreciation

Loss on property, plant and equipment disposal

Fair value remeasurement of contingent consideration

Deferred tax benefit

Gain on foreign exchange transactions

Share-based compensation

Add/(less) movements in working capital items

(Increase) in receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

(Decrease)/increase in income tax

2020

$ (000)

2019

$ (000)

(9,364)

1,633 

1,705 

1,451 

50

1,056 

(167)

(370)

959 

(4,680)

(1,084)

2,283 

(308)

891

754 

294 

 - 

287 

(72)

(153)

576 

3,319 

(1,795)

1,998 

125 

328 

Net cash flow from operating activities

(3,789)

3,647 

22  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise cash at bank, derivatives, receivables, payables and loans.

The Group manages its exposure to key financial risks, including currency risk, in accordance with the Group’s financial risk 

management policy. The objective of the policy is to support the delivery of the Group’s financial targets whilst protecting future 

financial security.

Group capital consists of share capital and retained earnings. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust 

amounts of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or amend capital spending plans.

The main risks arising from the Group’s financial instruments are foreign currency, interest, credit and liquidity risk.  The Group uses 

different methods to measure and manage the different types of risks to which it is exposed. These include monitoring levels of 

exposure to foreign exchange risk and assessments of market forecasts for foreign exchange. Ageing analyses and monitoring of 

specific credit allowances are undertaken to manage credit risk. Liquidity risk is monitored through the development of future rolling 

cash flow forecasts.

70

Serko annual report

21  RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES CONTINUED

The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks as summarised below.

a)  Risk exposures and responses 

i) 

Interest rate risk 

The Group has exposure to interest rate risk to the extent it borrows funds at fixed and floating interest rates.  The risk 

specifically relates to the variability of interest rates and the impact this will have on the Group’s financial results.  The Group 

manages its cost of borrowing by placing limits on the proportion of borrowings at floating rate and the proportion of fixed rate 

borrowing repriced in any year.

At balance date this year and prior year, the Group did not have any financial liabilities exposed to variable interest rate risk.

ii)  Liquidity and interest rate risk

Liquidity risk represents the Group’s ability to meet its financial obligations on time.  In terms of managing its liquidity risk, the Group 

generates sufficient cash flows from its operating activities and holds sufficient cash reserves to meet its obligations arising from 
its financial liabilities and has credit lines in place to cover potential shortfalls.

The following table sets out the contractual cash flows for all non-derivative financial liabilities settled on a gross cash flow basis.

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest rate %

Contractual 
cash flows

6 months 
or less

6-12 
months

1-2 years

2-5 years

More than 5 
years

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

0%

8%

0%

8%

 7,074 

 7,074 

 165 

 7,239 

 34 

 7,108 

 4,732 

 4,732 

 233 

 27 

 4,965 

 4,759 

 - 

 34 

 34 

 - 

 27 

 27 

 - 

 68 

 68 

 - 

 82 

 82 

 - 

 29 

 29 

 - 

 97 

 97 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

Group -  2020

Trade and other payables

Leasehold fitout loan

Group -  2019

Trade and other payables

Leasehold fitout loan

71

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E
R
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A
B
O
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04

S
U
M
M
A
R
Y

06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
R
E
C
T
O
R
Y

G
L
O
S
S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21  RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES CONTINUED

b)  Currency risk

The Group has exposure to foreign exchange risk as a result of transactions denominated in foreign companies.  The risk specifically 

relates to the variability of foreign exchange rates for the currencies the Group trades in and the impact this has on the Group’s 

financial results.  The majority of the Group’s trading activities occur in New Zealand dollars, however, sales to overseas customers 

are transacted in United States and Australian dollars.

Refer to notes 7 (receivables), 11 (cash at bank and on hand) and 12 (trade and other payables) for further details on the Group’s foreign 

currency denominated accounts receivable and cash balances.

The following table summarises the sensitivity to foreign currency exchange rate movements.  A sensitivity of +/- 15% (2019: +/- 15%) 

has been selected owing to exchange rate volatility observed.

Foreign currency risk

Carrying 
amount

-15%

Post-tax 
profit

Equity

+15%

Post-tax 
profit

Equity

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

$ (000)

 7,615 

 3,480 

(1,178)

 9,917 

 6,787 

 2,507 

(173)

 9,121 

 968 

 430 

(150)

 968 

 430 

(150)

 1,248 

 1,248 

 862 

 315 

(22)

 1,155 

 862 

 315 

(22)

 1,155 

(715)

(337)

 111 

(941)

(637)

(239)

 16 

(860)

(715)

(337)

 111 

(941)

(637)

(239)

 16 

(860)

2020

Foreign exchange balances

Cash at bank

Trade receivables

Trade payables

Net exposure

2019

Foreign exchange balances

Cash at bank

Trade receivables

Trade payables

Net exposure

c)  Credit risk

Credit risk arises from the financial assets of the Group, which comprise cash and cash equivalents, receivables and contract assets. 

The Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from potential default of the counterparty, with a maximum exposure equal to the carrying 

amount of these instruments. Exposure at balance date is addressed in each applicable note.

The Group does not hold any credit derivatives to offset its credit exposure.

The Group monitors and manages the exposure to credit risk by ensuring customers have an appropriate credit history. The credit 

risk associated with Expense customers is small owing to the inherently low transaction value and the distribution over a large 

number of customers. 

At reporting date 99% (2019: 99%) of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents were with one bank.  The Group has no other 

concentrations of credit risk.

d)  Fair value

The Board considers that the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities recognised in the consolidated financial 

statements approximate their fair value. 

72

Serko annual report

 
 
 
 
 
23  SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Board and senior management team monitors the results of the Group’s operations as a whole for the purpose of making 

decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment and therefore the Board has determined the Group is a single 

reportable operating segment. 

This reporting segment is predominantly made up of revenue generated from Travel platform bookings and Expense revenue. 

Revenues have been disaggregated at note 4.

As required under NZ IFRS 8 Serko is required to report on major customers making up more than 10% of the revenue for the year. 

Under this disclosure Serko advises that two customers had revenue more than 10% of the revenue for the Group.  

These customers accounted for $10,814,032 of the revenue for the year ended 31 March 2020 (2019: $10,721,614).

24  EVENTS AFTER BALANCE SHEET DATE

The non-recourse loans for directors have been extended in May 2020. These have been valued using the Black-Scholes model with 

the incremental fair value recognised in the profit and loss for the FY21 (refer to note 19). 

In May 2020 Serko issued a total of 472,243 RSUs (refer to note 18).

The Group has applied for Government Covid-19 wage subsidy schemes in New Zealand, Australia and the US (refer to note 2b)) and 

received $1.6 million post year end of which $871,670 was received from the New Zealand government.

There have been no other events subsequent to 31 March 2020 that materially impact the results reported (2019: nil). 

25  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

There were no contingent liabilities at balance date (2019: $nil).

73

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S
U
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M
A
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06

L
E
T
T
E
R

10

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

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R
E
C
T
O
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Y

G
L
O
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S
A
R
Y
&

 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report

To the Shareholders of Serko Limited

OPINION

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Serko 

Limited and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’), which comprise the 

consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 March 

2020, and the consolidated statement of comprehensive 

income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash 
flows for the year then ended, and notes to the consolidated 

financial statements, including a summary of significant 

accounting policies. 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial 

statements, on pages 34 to 73, present fairly, in all material 

respects, the consolidated financial position of the Group as 

at 31 March 2020, and its consolidated financial performance 

and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with 

New Zealand Equivalents to International Financial Reporting 

Standards (‘NZ IFRS’) and International Financial Reporting 

Standards (‘IFRS’).

BASIS FOR OPINION

We conducted our audit in accordance with International 

Standards on Auditing (‘ISAs’) and International Standards 

on Auditing (New Zealand) (‘ISAs (NZ)’). Our responsibilities 

under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s 

Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial 

Statements section of our report. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is 

sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

We are independent of the Group in accordance with 

Professional and Ethical Standard 1 (Revised) Code of Ethics 

for Assurance Practitioners issued by the New Zealand 

Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and the International 

Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ Code of Ethics for 

Professional Accountants, and we have fulfilled our other ethical 

responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

Other than in our capacity as auditor and the provision of 

assurance services, we have no relationship with or interests in 

the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except that partners and 

employees of our firm deal with the Company and its subsidiaries 

on normal terms within the ordinary course of trading activities of 

the business of the Company and its subsidiaries.

AUDIT MATERIALITY

We consider materiality primarily in terms of the magnitude 

of misstatement in the financial statements of the Group that 

in our judgement would make it probable that the economic 

decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be 

changed or influenced (the ‘quantitative’ materiality). In 

addition, we also assess whether other matters that come to 

our attention during the audit would in our judgement change 

or influence the decisions of such a person (the ‘qualitative’ 

materiality). We use materiality both in planning the scope of our 

audit work and in evaluating the results of our work.

We determined materiality for the Group financial statements as 

a whole to be $450,000. 

KEY AUDIT MATTERS

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 

judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the 

consolidated financial statements of the current period. These 

matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 

consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our 

opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on 

these matters. 

74

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Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Group has reported revenue of $25.9 million, as set out in 

note 4 ‘Revenue and other income’.

Revenue is based on multiple customer contracts that contain 

different pricing schedules and varying revenue recognition 

triggers. Complexity exists because of the specific nature of 

each customer contract, which can include transactional and 

usage fees, establishment and installation fees, and chargeable 

work orders.

Management judgement is required to estimate revenue 

recognition where cash flows do not align to contract 

performance obligations, in particular when minimum 
transaction volume commitments have period end dates that do 

not align to the financial year end.

The recognition of revenue is a key audit matter due to the 

significance of revenue to the financial statements and the 

specific nature of individual customer contracts.

We considered the application of NZ IFRS 15: Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers for new contracts entered into in 
the year.

We evaluated the systems, processes and controls in place over 
the major operating revenue streams. 

We engaged our Information Technology specialists to test the 
IT environment in which bookings occur and interface with the 
general ledger.

We recalculated revenue recognised for a sample of customers 
by reconciling transactions recorded in the relevant IT systems 
to the financial ledger, and validating pricing inputs to invoices 
and signed customer contracts.

We tested samples of manual journal entries recorded outside 
of normal business processes by profiling for unusual revenue 
impacting journals.

We assessed key judgements adopted by the Group in 
recognising revenue including the timing and disclosure of 
revenue net of credit notes, rebates and discounts and the 
extent that forecast volumes are impacted by Covid-19.

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Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

CAPITALISATION OF SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT 
INCLUDING IMPAIRMENT CONSIDERATIONS

The Group capitalised $11.0 million in relation to software 

Capitalisation of software development costs

development, as set out in note 10 ‘Intangibles’, of which $4.6 

million relates to development work in progress at balance date.

Capitalisation of software development costs

We evaluated the nature of expenditure, the stage of product 

development, and how the group distinguishes expenditure 

between research, development and maintenance costs.

As a Software as a Service (‘SaaS’) provider, the Group 

incurs significant expenditure in developing and enhancing        

software products.

We assessed the Group processes and controls for recording 

time spent on products and the allocation between research or 

software development to be capitalised under NZ IAS 38.

Judgement is required to determine if the recognition criteria 

under NZ IAS 38: Intangible Assets have been met in order to 

capitalise the applicable costs of development. This includes 

considering whether the costs are directly attributable to 

the development of an asset, and whether the Group can 

demonstrate that the asset is in the development stage. This 

includes demonstrating the technical feasibility of completing 

the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale, 

the Group’s intention to complete the asset, how the asset will 

We tested a sample of additions to evaluate if the recognition 

criteria under NZ IAS 38 have been met.

Impairment assessment due to Covid-19

We considered existing software for technical obsolescence, 

by ensuring appropriate revenues exist for those products and 

corroborating with management whether features or product 

enhancements previously capitalised are still in use.

generate future economic benefits, the availability of resources 

We challenged the key assumptions within the cash 

to complete the asset development and the ability of the 

Group to reliably measure the expenditure attributable to the 

intangible asset.  

Impairment assessment due to Covid-19

The Group must also assess each period whether there are any 

indications that the software development assets are impaired 

and must perform impairment testing on any capitalised 

development costs for which there are indicators of impairment 

or which relate to software that is not yet available for use. 

flow forecasts by considering historical cash flows, our 

understanding of the business strategy and other relevant 

external information. This included considering the three 

scenarios used due to Covid-19 uncertainties. 

We used our internal valuation specialists to assist in evaluating 

the assumptions used in the Group’s discounted cash flow model, 

specifically the discount rate and terminal growth rates used, to 

support the carrying value of assets as at 31 March 2020.

We performed sensitivity analysis over key drivers in the Group’s 

Serko has done an impairment test because there is uncertainty 

impairment model, particularly forecast travel bookings and 

Serko Expense platform use.

around forecasts for travel bookings and Serko Expense 

platform use, as a result of Covid-19, particularly around 

domestic and international air travel assumptions. 

The Group has performed an impairment assessment using 

a discounted cash flow analysis for its cash-generating unit. 

Expected cash flows were adjusted with reference to Covid-19, 

with three distinct scenarios used to factor in the uncertainty 

involved in determining the timing of return to domestic travel, 

border controls for international travel and public demand and 

behaviour with respect to travel and airline scheduling.

Other key assumptions include the discount rates and     

growth rates. 

We have included capitalisation and impairment considerations 

of software development as a key audit matter due to the level 

of judgement required.

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OTHER INFORMATION

The directors are responsible on behalf of the Group for 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the 

the other information. The other information comprises 

consolidated financial statements is located on the External 

the information in the Annual Report that accompanies the 

Reporting Board’s website at: 

consolidated financial statements and the audit report.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not 

practitioners/auditors-responsibilities/audit-report-1 

cover the other information and we do not express any form of 

assurance conclusion thereon.

This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

https://www.xrb.govt.nz/standards-for-assurance-

Our responsibility is to read the other information and 

RESTRICTION ON USE

This report is made solely to the Company’s shareholders, as a 

body. Our audit has been undertaken so that we might state to 

the Company’s shareholders 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’s shareholders 

as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions 
we have formed.

Bryce Henderson, Partner for Deloitte Limited
Auckland, New Zealand
24 June 2020

consider whether it is materially inconsistent with the 

consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained 

in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

If so, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to 

report in this regard.

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The directors are responsible on behalf of the Group for the 

preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial 

statements in accordance with NZ IFRS and IFRS, and for such 

internal control as the directors determine is necessary to 

enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements 

that are free from material misstatement, whether due to 

fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the 

directors are responsible on behalf of the Group for assessing 

the Group’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 to cease operations, or have no 

realistic alternative but to do so.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 

whether the consolidated 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 

and ISAs (NZ) 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 consolidated 

financial statements.

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Corporate Governance & Disclosures

For the year ended 31 March 2020 

INTRODUCTION

OVERVIEW OF SERKO’S GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

The Board and management of Serko Limited (Serko or 

The Serko Board has been appointed by shareholders to 

the Company) are very committed to ensuring that Serko 

protect and enhance the long-term value of Serko and to act 

maintains corporate governance practices that are in line 

in the best interests of Serko and its shareholders. The Board 

with best practice and that Serko adheres to the highest                       

is the ultimate decision-making body of the Company and is 

ethical standards.

The Board has considered the NZX Listing Rules and a number 

of corporate governance recommendations when establishing 

its governance framework, including the revised NZX Corporate 

responsible for the corporate governance of the Company. 

The role and responsibilities of the Board are set out in the 

Board Charter, which can be found on the investor centre of the 

Company’s website.

Governance Code dated 1 January 2020 (NZX Code) and 

The Board currently comprises an independent non-executive 

the Third and Fourth Editions of the Australian Securities 

Chair, two independent non-executive directors and two 

Exchange (ASX) Corporate Governance Council Principles and 

executive directors, as detailed on page 16 of this Annual 

Recommendations.

Report. These directors held office throughout the financial 

The NZX Listing Rules require Serko to formally report its 

year ended 31 March 2020.

compliance against the recommendations contained in the NZX 

The Board has established two standing Board Committees to 

Code. How Serko has implemented these recommendations 

assist in the execution of the Board’s responsibilities:

 • Audit and Risk Committee – The current members 
of the Committee are Clyde McConaghy (Chair), 

Simon Botherway and Claudia Batten. All members 

are independent, non-executive directors. Their 

qualifications and experience are set out under Board of 

Directors in this Annual Report; and

 • Remuneration and Nominations Committee – The 

current members of the Committee are Claudia Batten 

(Chair), Simon Botherway and Clyde McConaghy. All 

members are independent, non-executive directors. 

Their qualifications and experience are set out under 

Board of Directors in this Annual Report.

is set out in Serko’s Corporate Governance Statement, which 

is included in its ESG Report and can be found on the investor 

centre of the Company’s website. Go to: www.serko.com/

investor-centre/. The Board considers that Serko’s corporate 

governance structures, practices and processes have followed 

all of the recommendations in the NZX Code during the financial 

year ended 31 March 2020.

Serko’s governance charters and policies can also be found 

on the investor centre of the Company’s website. Serko’s 

corporate governance charters and policies have been 

approved by the Board and are regularly reviewed by the Board 

and amended (as appropriate) to reflect developments in 

corporate governance practices.

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTINGS

Serko is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX Main 

Board) and on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) as an 

ASX Foreign Exempt Listing. As an ASX Foreign Exempt Listing, 

Serko needs to comply with the NZX Listing Rules (other than 

as waived by NZX) but does not need to comply with the vast 

majority of the ASX Listing Rule obligations.

Serko is incorporated in New Zealand.

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NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REMUNERATION

In 2019 Serko’s shareholders approved a total cap of $450,000 per annum for non-executive directors’ fees for the purposes of the NZX 

Listing Rules. 

The Board has agreed that the following fixed annual fees will apply to all non-executive directors for the year ending 31 March 2021: 

Postion

Fees per annum

Board of Directors

Audit & Risk Committee

Remuneration & Nominations Committee

Chair

Non-executive directors

Committee Chair

Committee Member

Committee Chair

Committee Member

AUD$120,000

AUD$75,000 

AUD$15,000

-

AUD$15,000

-

In light of the challenging operating environment caused by Covid-19 and related travel restrictions (which have materially impacted 

Serko’s revenues), the non-executive directors have either agreed to take a reduction in their directors’ fees or receive a portion of their 

directors’ fees in shares for the first three months of FY21. This is to assist Serko to manage expenditure during this challenging period.

Non-executive directors received the following directors’ fees, remuneration and other benefits from the Company in the year ended 31 

March 2020: 

Name of director

Non-executive 
directors’ Board 
fees

2

Audit & Risk 
Committee fees

Remuneration 
& Nominations 
Committee fees

Shares and other 
payments or 
benefits

3

Total remuneration

Remuneration and value of other benefits received

1

Simon Botherway

$71,533*

-

Clyde McConaghy

$94,465 

4, 5

$15,625*

-

-

$50,000

$121,533 

-

$110,090 

Claudia Batten

$47,493*

5

-

$15,625*

$50,000

$113,118 

TOTAL

$213,491 

$15,625 

$15,625 

$100,000 

$344,741 

* Indicates Chair of the Board/Committee. Mr Botherway continues as a director of Serko (attending all Board and Committee meetings) but took a leave of absence from the 
Board Chair role on 12 March 2020 for medical reasons.  Ms Batten assumed the role of Acting Chair from this date. 

1  The figures shown are gross amounts, which have been converted into NZD and exclude GST (where applicable).

2  Board fees includes the amount of base fees payable to Mr Botherway and Ms Batten, which are used to acquire shares in the Company under the Non-executive Director 

Fixed Trading Plan (refer to the ESG Report on the investor centre of Serko’s website for more information on the Plan).

3 

In addition to directors’ fees, Serko meets costs incurred by non-executive directors that are incidental to the performance of their duties. This includes paying the costs of 
directors’ travel. As these costs are incurred by Serko to enable directors to perform their duties, no value is attributable to them as benefits to directors for the purposes of 
the above table.

4 

Includes Australian superannuation payable. 

5  Fees include special fees of NZ$15,000 paid to Mr McConaghy and Ms Batten respectively for ad hoc committee meetings held during the year in respect of a capital raising 

and merger & acquisition (M&A) transaction.

More information about remuneration payable to directors is set out in Serko’s Corporate Governance Statement, which is included in the 

ESG Report located on the investor centre of the Company’s website.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REMUNERATION 

The executive directors, Darrin Grafton and Bob Shaw, receive remuneration and other benefits in their respective executive roles as 

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategy Officer and, accordingly, do not receive directors’ fees. Their remuneration packages are set 

by the Board to reflect the scope and complexity of each role, with reference to comparative market data.

Mr Grafton and Mr Shaw’s remuneration comprises a fixed base salary, a short-term incentive up to a maximum target value of 40% of 

their base salary; and a long-term incentive up to a maximum target value of 100% of their base salary.  This remuneration composition 

will carry forward into FY21.

During the period ended 31 March 2020, both Darrin Grafton’s and Bob Shaw’s variable remuneration components were based on key 

performance indicators (KPIs) relating to: 

 • Delivery of operational value drivers linked to Serko’s strategy;
 • Delivering shareholder value;
 • Meeting performance targets in respect of customer satisfaction and retention; and
 • Maintaining a positive culture and safe working environment.

Delivery of these KPIs is used to assess whether pre-performance hurdles are met in relation to the granting of long-term incentives 

for the upcoming financial year and determining the individual component of any short-term incentive payable for the current financial 

year. In addition, pay out of any short-term incentive is dependent on meeting pre-determined revenue and EBITDA targets during 

the financial period. Owing to Covid-19 related cost savings initiatives that were implemented at the beginning of FY21, no short-term 

incentive was paid out in respect of FY20.  

Similar criteria will be applied for assessing the performance of the executive directors in FY21.

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Serko annual report

The tables below (and accompanying notes) set out the total remuneration and value of other benefits earned by, or paid to, each 

executive director of Serko during, and in respect of, the financial period ended 31 March 2020:

Base salary

1

Taxable 
2
benefits

Subtotal

Pay for performance

Total 
remuneration

Darrin Grafton

$370,564 

$30,000 

$400,564 

Bob Shaw

$256,652 

$30,000 

$286,652 

1  Base salary includes employer contributions towards KiwiSaver at 3%.

2  Taxable benefits include a car allowance, carpark and medical insurance.

STI

3

-

4

-

5

LTI

Subtotal

$126,000 in the form of 
31,899 restricted share units

$54,000 in the form of 13,671 
restricted share units

$126,000 

$526,564 

$54,000 

$340,652 

3  For FY20 no short-term incentive was allocated owing to Covid-19 cost saving initiatives. Darrin Grafton’s potential short-term incentive payment for FY20 was $140,000. 

During the financial period Darrin Grafton received a short-term incentive of $50,400, which was earned in FY19 and paid in FY20. 

4  For FY20 no short-term incentive was allocated owing to Covid-19 cost saving initiatives. During the financial period Bob Shaw received a short-term incentive of $21,600, 

which was earned in FY19 and paid in FY20. 

5  The FY20 long-term incentive was granted in July 2019, following partial achievement of pre-grant performance targets based on FY19 performance. The restricted share 

units will vest three years after the allocation date. The value stated is the gross amount earned.

The following long-term incentives previously granted to the executive directors vested during the financial period ended 31 March 2020:

Director

Grant year

Securities

Performance period

 Shares vested 

1
 Value on vesting  

Darrin Grafton

Financial Year 2017

Restricted shares

July 2016 - July 2019 

 39,512 

$167,926.00 

Bob Shaw

Financial Year 2017

Restricted shares

July 2016 - July 2019 

 9,106 

$38,700.50 

1  Represents the NZX closing price of SKO ordinary shares on the vesting date multiplied by the number of securities vested. 

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EMPLOYEE REMUNERATION

The table below shows the number of employees and former employees of Serko and its subsidiaries, not being directors (including 

executive directors) of Serko, who, in their capacity as employees, received remuneration and other benefits during the period ended 31 

March 2020 totalling at least NZ$100,000.

The remuneration of those employees paid outside of New Zealand has been converted into New Zealand dollars. No employee appointed 

as a director of a subsidiary company of Serko receives any remuneration or other benefits for acting in that capacity.

The table below includes base salaries, short-term incentives and vested or exercised long-term incentives. The table does not include 

long-term incentives that have been granted and have not yet vested. Where the individual is a KiwiSaver member, contributions of 3% 

of gross earnings towards that individual’s KiwiSaver scheme are included in the below table. Where the individual works in Australia, 

contributions of 9.5% of gross earnings towards Australian Superannuation are included in the below table.

Remuneration range (NZD)

Number of employees 
whose remuneration 
1
includes vested LTI

Total number of 
employees in range

$100,000 - $110,000

$110,001 - $120,000

$120,001 - $130,000

$130,001 - $140,000

$140,001 - $150,000

$150,001 - $160,000

$160,001 - $170,000

$170,001 - $180,000

$180,001 - $190,000

$190,001 - $200,000

$200,001 - $210,000

$210,001 - $220,000

$220,001 - $230,000

$230,001 - $240,000

$240,001 - $250,000

$250,001 - $260,000

$260,001 - $270,000

$290,001 - $300,000

$410,001 - $420,000

$420,001 - $430,000

$580,001 - $590,000

2

1

1

5

3

-

2

2

1

1

-

3

-

1

-

1

-

1

-

1

1

12

14

15

8

8

9

6

2

1

5

1

3

2

2

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

Total number of employees and former employees

26

96

1  Specifies total number of employees within the range whose remuneration includes long-term incentives that have vested during the period.

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DIVERSITY

The respective numbers and proportions of men and women at various levels within the Serko workforce as at 31 March 2019 and 31 

March 2020 are set out in the table below:

Female

Male

All directors

Non-executive directors

Officers

1

Senior employees

2

Remaining workforce

All directors

Non-executive directors

Officers

1

Senior employees

2

Remaining workforce

2020

2019

no.

1

1

1

3

86

no.

4

2

7

10

128

%

20%

33%

13%

20%

40%

%

80%

66%

87%

80%

60%

2020

no.

1

1

1

4

61

no.

4

2

6

10

94

%

20%

33%

14%

29%

39%

%

80%

66%

86%

71%

61%

2019

1  Officers are considered to be the Chief Executive Officer and his direct reports (the Executive Team). Note that Chief Executive Officer, Darrin Grafton and Chief of Strategy, 

Bob Shaw, are included in both the number of directors and officers reported.

2  Direct reports to the Executive Team with managerial responsibilities.

The Board’s assessment of Serko’s performance against its Diversity and Inclusion Policy is set out in the latest ESG report, which can be 

found on the investor centre of the Company’s website. 

83

Serko annual report

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06

L
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10

O
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12

P
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U
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16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

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Y

G
L
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S
A
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&

 
 
 
 
BOARD AND COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE

The table below shows the Board and Committee meeting attendance during the year ended 31 March 2020:

Director attendance

Darrin Grafton

Bob Shaw

Simon Botherway

Clyde McConaghy

Claudia Batten

Board

12/12

12/12

11/12

12/12

12/12

Audit & Risk 
Committee

Remuneration 
& Nominations 
Committee

*

*

6/6

6/6

6/6

*

*

4/4

4/4

4/4

*Indicates the director is not a member of the Committee (although they may have been in attendance for these meetings).

In addition, during the year directors participated in 22 additional Special Board Meetings and Board Sub-Committee meetings primarily 

associated with M&A activity, the 2019 capital raising and managing risks associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. 

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The Board currently comprises five directors – being the two co-founders and executive directors, Darrin Grafton and Bob Shaw, and 

three non-executive directors – Claudia Batten, Simon Botherway and Clyde McConaghy.

The Board has determined, based on information provided by directors regarding their interests, which has been evaluated against the 

criteria in the Board Charter, that as at 31 March 2020 and the date of this Annual Report, Claudia Batten, Simon Botherway and Clyde 

McConaghy are independent directors. The Board has also determined that Darrin Grafton and Bob Shaw are not independent directors 

owing to also being executives and major shareholders in Serko.

84

Serko annual report

DIRECTOR INTEREST DISCLOSURES

Directors have given notices disclosing interests pursuant to section 140(1) of the Companies Act 1993. Those interests (and any changes 

to interests) notified and recorded in Serko’s Interests Register during the financial year ended 31 March 2020 are set out below:

Date of disclosure

Director

Entity

22 October 2019

Darrin Grafton  
Simon Botherway

Gave notice that they intend to participate in an offer of existing shares by certain 
shareholders and, accordingly, were to be considered as interested in the transaction 
and entry into the associated Underwriting Agreement.

Directors have given general notices disclosing interests pursuant to section 140(2) of the Companies Act 1993. All of those interests, 

and any changes to interests notified and recorded in Serko’s Interests Register during the financial year ended 31 March 2020 and 

subsequently, are set out below:

Director

Entity

Relationship

Claudia Batten

Simon Botherway

Darrin Grafton

AIDER International Limited 
Broadli Inc 
Serko Inc 
1
Westpac New Zealand Limited

Arrow Trust 
Fidelity Life Assurance Company Limited  
Guardians of NZ Super Fund  
MSH Trustee (Arrow Limited)

Financial Equities Limited 
Grafton-Howe No.2 Trust 
1
InterplX Inc. 
Serko Australia Pty Limited 
1
Serko Inc 
1
Serko India Private Limited 
1
Serko Investments Limited 
1
Travelog World for Windows Pty. Limited

Adviser 
Director 
Director 
Board Adviser

Trustee 
Director 
Guardian 
Trustee

Director 
Trustee 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director

Clyde McConaghy

Chapman Eastway Pty Limited 
Infomedia Limited 
Optima Boards

Chairman (Advisory Board) 
Director 
Director

Financial Equities Limited 
Ripon Trust 
Serko Australia Pty Limited 
1
Serko India Private Limited 
1
Serko Investments Limited 
1
Travelog World for Windows Pty. Limited

Director 
Trustee 
Director 
Director 
Director 
Director

Bob Shaw

1  Serko subsidiary as detailed on page 92.

85

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12

P
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16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
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I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
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Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

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Y

G
L
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S
A
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Y
&

 
 
 
 
DIRECTOR INTEREST DISCLOSURES CONTINUED

In accordance with Section 148(2) of the Companies Act 1993, directors disclosed the following acquisitions or disposals of relevant 

interests in Serko ordinary shares during the financial year ended 31 March 2020:

Name

Nature of relevant interest

Number of securities 
acquired/(disposed)

Consideration   
5
paid/received

Date of 
acquisition/ 
disposal

2-Apr-19 
2-May-19 
6-Jun-19 
2-Jul-19 
6-Aug-19 
3-Sep-19 
19-Sep-19 
3-Oct-19 
5-Nov-19 
3-Dec-19 
7-Jan-20 
4-Feb-20 
4-Mar-20 
17-Mar-20

 1,283.10  
 1,108.61  
 993.63  
 909.44  
 1,088.69  
 862.67  
 77.06  
 1,001.03  
 821.05  
 801.34  
799.22 
 783.28  
 995.82  
 108.57 

$4,041.77  
$3,990.79  
$3,984.44  
$3,976.07  
$4,093.46  
$3,916.54  
$323.65  
$4,014.13  
$3,965.65  
$3,995.70  
$3,994.98 
$3,994.71  
$4,082.85  
$184.57

(100,000)

$523,755.50 

31-Jan-20

1,283.00  
1,108.55 
993.56 
909.37 
1,088.63 
862.62 
77.06 
1,001.00 
821.01 
801.74 
798.78 
783.23 
995.78 
110.88

$4,041.45  
$3,990.79  
$3,984.16  
$3,975.76  
$4,093.24  
$3,916.31  
$323.64  
$4,014.02  
$3,965.49  
$3,997.66  
$3,992.79  
$3,994.47  
$4,082.69  
$188.50

2-Apr-19 
2-May-19 
6-Jun-19 
2-Jul-19 
6-Aug-19 
3-Sep-19 
19-Sep-19 
3-Oct-19 
5-Nov-19 
3-Dec-19 
7-Jan-20 
4-Feb-20 
4-Mar-20 
17-Mar-20

(1,150,000)

$4,646,000.00 

30-Oct-19

Claudia Batten

On-market acquisition of beneficial 
interest in ordinary shares (held in 
custody for Claudia Batten pursuant 
to Non-executive Director Fixed           
Trading Plan)

1

Simon Botherway

On-market disposal of registered and 
beneficial interest in ordinary shares held 
pursuant to the Serko Non-executive 
Director Loan Facility 

On-market acquisition of beneficial 
interest in ordinary shares (held in 
custody for Simon Botherway pursuant 
to Non-executive Director Fixed            
Trading Plan)

1

Off-market disposal of beneficial 
interest in ordinary shares pursuant to 
an underwritten primary placement by 
Serko Limited and secondary sell down 
by various existing shareholders of 
Serko Limited 

86

Serko annual report

DIRECTOR INTEREST DISCLOSURES CONTINUED

Darrin Grafton

Bob Shaw

Registered holder and beneficial interest 
in ordinary shares issued upon vesting of 
restricted shares pursuant to the Serko 
Limited Employee Restricted Share Plan

Indirect interest in ordinary shares issued 
upon vesting of restricted shares pursuant 
to the Serko Limited Employee Restricted 
Share Plan, by virtue of a personal 
relationship with the registered holder

Beneficial interest in unlisted restricted 
share units granted under the Serko 
Limited Employee Long Term Incentive 
Scheme (ANZ)

Indirect interest in unlisted restricted 
share units granted under the Serko 
Limited Employee Long Term Incentive 
Scheme (ANZ), by virtue of a personal 
relationship with the registered holder

Off-market disposal of beneficial interest 
in ordinary shares pursuant to an 
underwritten primary placement by Serko 
Limited and secondary sell down by various 
existing shareholders of Serko Limited 

Registered holder and beneficial interest 
in ordinary shares issued upon vesting of 
restricted shares pursuant to the Serko 
Limited Employee Restricted Share Plan

Beneficial interest in unlisted restricted 
share units granted pursuant to the Serko 
Limited Employee Long Term Incentive 
Scheme (ANZ)

39,512

2

4
$167,926.00 

29-Jul-19

2,017

2,3

4
$8,572.25 

29-Jul-19

31,899

2

Nil / Services

30-Jul-19

2,3

762

Nil / Services

30-Jul-19

(1,800,000)

$7,272,000.00 

30-Oct-19

9,106

2

$38,700.50

4

29-Jul-19

13,671

2

Nil / Services

30-Jul-19

1  Shares are acquired automatically, on a monthly basis, by an independent broker pursuant to the Non-executive Director Fixed Trading Plan. For more details refer to Serko’s 
Corporate Governance Statement on the investor centre of Serko’s website. These shares may not be disposed of while the holder remains a director of Serko and, in any 
event, for three years from the commencement of the Plan.

2  These shares are subject to a deed restricting exercise of any voting rights attached to the shares/any shares issued upon vesting.

3  By virtue of Darrin Grafton’s personal relationship, he is implied to have the power to exercise, or to control the exercise of, any right to vote attached to these shares by 

virtue of a personal relationship with the beneficial holder of these shares. These shares are subject to a deed restricting exercise of voting rights attached to the shares.

4  Paid in the form of services to Serko. Represents the NZX closing price of SKO ordinary shares on the vesting date multiplied by the number of securities vested.

5  The consideration for on-market trades is stated as the market price paid, excluding fees and taxes.

87

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10

O
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S
T
R
A
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G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
T
S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

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O
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Y

G
L
O
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S
A
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Y
&

 
 
 
 
DIRECTOR INTEREST DISCLOSURES CONTINUED

In accordance with the NZX Listing Rules, as at 31 March 2020, directors had a relevant interest (as defined in the Financial Markets 

Conduct Act 2013) in Serko shares as follows:

Name

Bob Shaw

1

2
Darrin Grafton

Simon Botherway

3

Clyde McConaghy

4

5
Claudia Batten

Relevant interest

Percentage

12,943,426

12,232,868  

1,200,986.06

181,818

113,802.76

13.957%

13.191%

1.295%

0.196%

0.123%

1  The relevant interest includes: 12,884,296 shares are held via a trust in which the director is a trustee and beneficiary; 9,106 ordinary shares held directly; and a beneficial 

interest in 50,024 restricted shares allocated pursuant to the Serko Employee Restricted Share Plan and held on trust until vesting.  

Mr Shaw is also the registered holder and beneficial owner of 13,671 unlisted restricted share units allocated pursuant to the Serko Employee Long Term Incentive Scheme.

2  The relevant interest includes: 10,867,629 ordinary shares are held via a trust in which the director is a trustee and beneficiary; 39,512 ordinary shares held directly; 97,712 
restricted shares allocated pursuant to the Serko Employee Restricted Share Plan and held on trust until vesting; and an indirect interest in 1,223,421 ordinary shares and 
4,594 restricted shares by virtue of a personal relationship with the beneficial holder of these shares.  The 12,232,868 shares are subject to a 12-month contractual lock up on 
sale or disposition expiring in October 2020.  

Mr Grafton is also the registered holder and beneficial owner of 31,899 unlisted restricted share units allocated pursuant to the Serko Employee Long Term Incentive Scheme 
and has an indirect interest in 762 unlisted restricted share units by virtue of a personal relationship with the beneficial owner. 

3  884,091 ordinary shares are held via a trust in which the director is a trustee and beneficiary. 284,909 ordinary shares are held directly. 31,986.06 ordinary shares are held 
in custody pursuant to the Serko Non-executive Director Fixed Trading Plan. These shares are subject to a 12-month contractual lock up on sale or disposition expiring in 
October 2020.

4  Held via a trust in which the director is a trustee and beneficiary.

5  31,876.19 ordinary shares are held in custody pursuant to the Serko Non-executive Director Fixed Trading Plan.

88

Serko annual report

 
 
DIRECTOR INTEREST DISCLOSURES CONTINUED

For the purposes of section 161 of the Companies Act 1993, the following entries were made in the Interests Register in relation to the 

payment of remuneration and other benefits to directors:

Date of disclosure

Director

Particulars of Board authorisation

21-May-19

Bob Shaw 
Darrin Grafton

The payment of remuneration and the provision of other benefits (annual remuneration 
review) by the Company to the executive directors on the terms detailed in the Board 
minutes dated 21 May 2019  and on the grounds set out in the corresponding directors’ 
certificate. 

23-Jul-19

Bob Shaw 
Darrin Grafton

The payment of remuneration and the provision of other benefits (the granting of long-
term incentives) by the Company to the executive directors on the terms detailed in 
the Board minutes dated 23 July 2019  and on the grounds set out in the corresponding 
directors’ certificate. 

22-Oct-19

11-Nov-19

Darrin Grafton 
Simon Botherway

The provision of benefits to the directors who were participating in the sell down in the 
form of entry into the Underwriting Agreement pursuant to the capital raising being 
undertaken on or about the date of the certificate.

Claudia Batten 
Clyde McConaghy

The payment of remuneration (in the form of Special Fees) by the Company to the non-
executive directors on the terms detailed in the resolution dated the same date as this 
certificate and on the grounds set out in the corresponding directors’ certificate. 

For the purposes of section 162 of the Companies Act 1993, an entry was made in the Interests Register in relation to insurance effected 

for directors and officers of Serko in relation to any act or omission in their capacity as directors.

There were no entries made in the subsidiary company Interests Register during the financial reporting period.

SHAREHOLDING INFORMATION

As at 30 April 2020 there were 92,738,865 Serko ordinary shares on issue, each conferring on the registered holder the right to vote on 

any resolution at a meeting of shareholders, held as follows:

Size of shareholding

Number of holders

1

%

Number of ordinary shares

%

1 - 1,000

1,001 - 5,000

5,001 - 10,000

10,001 - 50,000

50,001 - 100,000

100,001 and over

TOTAL

 2,141 

 1,612 

 334 

 269 

 37 

 56 

 4,449 

48.12

36.23

7.51

6.05

0.83

1.26

100

 1,080,725 

 3,826,164 

 2,436,609 

 5,439,768 

 2,451,010 

1.17

4.13

2.63

5.87

2.64

 77,504,589 

83.57

 92,738,865 

100

1 

Includes 1,919,138 ordinary shares with restrictive conditions held by Serko Trustee Limited on behalf of 40 individual beneficial holders (with 662,292 of those ordinary 
shares allocated) pursuant to the Serko Restricted Share Plan. Restricted shares have voting rights attached, which are exercised on behalf of a beneficial holder by the 
Trustee at the direction of the beneficial holder.

89

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10

O
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I
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S
T
R
A
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G
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I

12

P
R
O
D
U
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S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

D
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E
C
T
O
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Y

G
L
O
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S
A
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Y
&

 
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDING INFORMATION CONTINUED

As at 30 April 2020, 1,919,138 ordinary shares with restrictive conditions held by Serko Trustee Limited on behalf of 40 individual 

beneficial holders (with 662,292 of those ordinary shares allocated) pursuant to the Serko Restricted Share Plan; 14 participants holding 

a total of 128,287 options pursuant to the Serko (US) Share Incentive Plan and 53 participants holding a total of 590,617 restricted share 

units pursuant to the Serko Employee Long Term Incentive Scheme (ANZ) and Serko Employee Share Incentive Plan (US).  Further 

information on these incentive plans is contained in note 19 to the financial statements and in Serko’s ESG Report, which can be found on 

the investor centre of the Company’s website. Go to: www.serko.com/investor-centre.

Set out below are details of the 20 largest shareholders of Serko as at 30 April 2020: 

Shareholder

1

 Number of ordinary shares held 

%

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

Robert James Shaw & Geoffrey Robertson Ashley Hosking

Darrin Grafton & Geoffrey Robertson Ashley Hosking

TEA Custodians Limited

National Nominees New Zealand Limited

Coronado Pte Limited

Citibank Nominees (NZ) Ltd

HSBC Nominees (New Zealand) Limited

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited

Serko Trustee Limited

PT Booster Investments Nominees Limited

Donna Bailey

Philip Rodger Ball

Chuck Buckner

Investment Custodial Services Limited

Skip Enterprises Pty Limited

Accident Compensation Corporation

Simon John Botherway & MSH Trustee (Arrow) Limited

JPMORGAN Chase Bank

Robert Alan Hawker & Elizabeth Anne Hawker

20

Cogent Nominees (NZ) Limited

 12,884,296 

 10,867,629 

 8,490,874 

 5,128,273 

 4,331,683 

 3,276,738 

 3,007,745 

 2,268,826 

 1,919,138 

 1,218,334 

 1,217,594 

 1,162,517 

 1,035,014 

 1,007,360 

 1,000,000 

 954,931 

 884,091 

 830,198 

 822,812 

 784,819 

13.89

11.72

9.16

5.53

4.67

3.53

3.24

2.45

2.07

1.31

1.31

1.25

1.12

1.09

1.08

1.03

0.95

0.9

0.89

0.85

1  The shareholding of New Zealand Central Securities Depository Limited (custodian for members trading through NZClear) has been reallocated to the applicable members.

90

Serko annual report

SHAREHOLDING INFORMATION CONTINUED

According to notices given to Serko under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, the following persons were substantial product 

holders as at 31 March 2020. As at the balance date (31 March 2020) there were 92,738,865 Serko ordinary shares on issue: 

Substantial product holder

Number of ordinary shares in which relevant 
2
interest is held

3
% of class held at balance date

Geoffrey Hosking

Robert Shaw

Darrin Grafton

Harbour Asset Management Limited

1

Milford Asset Management Limited

Jarden Securities Limited

1

 23,751,925 

 12,943,426 

 12,232,868 

 8,223,424 

 5,773,273 

40,015

25.612

13.957

13.191

8.867

6.225

0.043

1  Jarden Securities Limited (formerly First NZ Capital Group Limited) and Harbour Asset Management Limited file joint substantial product holder notices. 

2  Based on last substantial product holder notice filed prior to 31 March 2020.

3  Based on issued share capital of 92,738,865 as at 31 March 2020.

91

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10

O
V
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V
I
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S
T
R
A
T
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G
C

I

12

P
R
O
D
U
C
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S

16

L
E
A
D
E
R
S
H
P

I

18

C
O
R
P
O
R
A
T
E

R
E
S
P
O
N
S
I
B
I
L
I
T
Y

20

C
O
M
M
E
N
T
A
R
Y

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T

32

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L

I

S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

78

D
I
S
C
L
O
S
U
R
E
S

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E
&

95

I

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G
L
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S
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&

 
 
 
 
SUBSIDIARY COMPANY DIRECTORS

With the following exception, directors of Serko’s subsidiaries do not receive any remuneration or other benefits in respect of their 

appointments. The remuneration and other benefits of any such directors who are employees of the group totalling $100,000 or more 

during the year ended 31 March 2020 are included in the relevant bandings for remuneration disclosed on page 82 of this Annual Report.

Serko has agreed to pay Ms Chadha NZ$30,000 per year in relation to acting as a director of Serko India Private Limited.  During the 

financial year ended 31 March 2020, she earned NZ$12,500 (of which $7,500 was paid during FY20) in her capacity as a director of this 

entity, representing a pro rating of director fees for five months of the financial year. Prior to that time, she was an employee and did not 

receive any directors’ fees for this role.

The following persons held office as directors of subsidiary companies as at 31 March 2020:

Subsidiary

Foshan Sige Information Technology Limited  (China)

InterplX Inc. (US)

Serko Australia Pty Limited (Australia)

Serko Inc (US)

Serko India Private Limited (India)

Serko Investments Limited (New Zealand)

Serko Trustee Limited (New Zealand)

1  No subsidiary directors retired during the financial year. 

Directors

1

Gerard Neilsen

Darrin Grafton 
Tony D’Astolfo

Darrin Grafton  
Bob Shaw  
John Challis

Darrin Grafton 
Claudia Batten

Darrin Grafton  
Bob Shaw  
Yogita Chadha

Darrin Grafton  
Bob Shaw

Susan Putt  
Fiona Rockel

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REGULATORY MATTERS

On 22 July 2015, NZX regulation granted Serko a waiver from NZX Listing Rule 7.6.4(b)(iii) to the extent required to allow Serko to provide 

financial assistance to executive directors, and an associated person of one of the executive directors, to enable them to participate in 

Serko’s Restricted Share Plan. The full waiver is available on Serko’s website. Go to: www.serko.com/investors/.  The Restricted Share 

Plan has now been grandfathered and there is no intention to grant the executive directors (and their associates) any further restricted 

shares in reliance on this waiver.

For completeness it is noted that post-year end, Serko has relied on the NZX class waiver dated 3 April 2020, which provides listed 

companies with an additional 30 days to prepare and release their full-year FY20 results in acknowledgement of the challenges caused 

by Covid-19.

DONATIONS

Serko did not make any donations during the financial year. 

CREDIT RATING

Serko does not presently have an external credit rating status.

DISTRIBUTIONS / DIVIDENDS

There were no dividends or distributions paid to shareholders during the financial period.

Dividends and other distributions with respect to the Shares are only made at the discretion of the Serko Board. Serko is a growth 

technology company and is not intending to pay a dividend for FY21.

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Glossary

ARPB

Average Revenue Per Booking

Listing

Asia Pacific

ASX

ATMR

Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, 
South Korea, South Africa, Singapore, 
Philippines, Pakistan, New Zealand, 
Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, India, Hong 
Kong, China, Bangladesh and Australia for 
the purposes of this Annual Report

ASX Limited, also known as the Australian 
Securities Exchange

ATMR (Annualised Transactional Monthly 
Revenue) is a Non-GAAP measure.  It is 
based on the monthly transactions and 
average revenue per booking (for its 
Travel platform revenue) and monthly 
user charges (for its Expense platform 
revenue) annualised on a constant 
currency basis.

AUD or A$

Australian dollars

Australasia

New Zealand and Australia for the 
purposes of this Annual Report

Board or Board of 
Directors

Cloud or cloud-
based

The board of directors of Serko

Cloud computing is when the software 
and associated data is hosted outside 
the customer’s premises and delivered 
over a network or the Internet as a 
service, which allows immediate access 
to the software

Company or Serko Serko Limited, a New Zealand 

incorporated company

EBITDAF (refer 
page 22)

ESG

FTE

FX

FY

GST

IFRS

EBITDAF is a Non-GAAP measure 
representing Earnings Before the 
deduction of costs relating to Interest, 
Taxation, Depreciation, Amortisation and 
Fair value remeasurement

Environmental Social Governance

Full-time equivalent

Foreign exchange

Financial year ended, or ending, on 
31 March (unless otherwise stated)

Goods and Services Tax

The date Serko shares started trading on 
the NZX Main Board, 24 June 2014

NZ

New Zealand

NZD or NZ$

New Zealand dollars

NZ GAAP or GAAP New Zealand Generally Accepted 

Accounting Practice

NZ IFRS or IFRS

New Zealand equivalents to International 
Financial Reporting Standards

NZX

NZX Limited, also known as the New 
Zealand Stock Exchange

NZX Listing Rules 
or Listing Rules

The Listing Rules applying to the NZX 
Main Board as amended from time to time

NZX Main Board

The New Zealand main board equity 
security market operated by NZX

R&D

SAAS

Serko Expense 
Management 
business

Serko Mobile

Serko Online

serko.travel

Research and Development expenditure

Software-as-a-service

Serko’s online expense management 
solutions that enables the capture and 
processing of corporate credit cards and 
out-of-pocket claims 

Serko’s mobile app for iPhones and 
Android devices that gives users access 
to information and travel booking 
functionality on their mobile devices

Serko’s cloud-based online travel booking 
solution for large organisations

Serko’s cloud-based online travel booking 
solution for small to medium enterprises 
(SMEs)

SME

Small and medium enterprise

TMC, Travel 
Agency or Travel 
Management 
Company

A travel management company that 
provides specialised travel-related 
services to corporate customers

USD or US$

United States dollars

Zeno

Serko’s premium cloud-based online 
travel booking solution

Zeno Expense

Serko’s Expense management solutions

International Financial Reporting 
Standards

$

All figures are in New Zealand dollars, 
unless otherwise stated

Independent 
Directors

Simon Botherway, Claudia Batten and 
Clyde McConaghy

IPO

Initial Public Offering

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Serko annual report

Company Directory

Serko is a company incorporated with limited liability under the New Zealand Companies Act 1993

New Zealand Companies Office registration number 1927488

Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN) 611 613 980

For investor relations queries contact: investor.relations@serko.com

REGISTERED OFFICE

PRINCIPAL 
ADMINISTRATION 
OFFICE

SHARE 
REGISTRAR

New Zealand
Saatchi Building

Unit 14D

125 The Strand

Parnell, 1010

+64 9 309 4754

Australia
c/- Sly & Russell Legal 

Nominees Pty Ltd

Level 18

225 George Street

Sydney 2000

NSW, Australia

New Zealand
Saatchi Building

Unit 14D

125 The Strand

Parnell, 1010

+64 9 309 4754

Australia
Level 8

75 Elizabeth Street

Sydney 2000

NSW, Australia

+61 2 9435 0380

DIRECTORS

Simon Botherway (Chairman)

Claudia Batten (Acting Chair from 12 March 2020)

Robert (Clyde) McConaghy

Darrin Grafton

Robert (Bob) Shaw

Key Dates

New Zealand 
Link Market Services Limited

Level 11, Deloitte House

80 Queen Street

Auckland 1140, New Zealand

+64 9 375 5998

serko@linkmarketservices.co.nz

Australia 
Link Market Services Limited 

Level 12

680 George Street

Sydney 2000

NSW, Australia

+61 1300 554 474

AUDITOR

Deloitte Limited

Deloitte Centre

80 Queen Street

Auckland 1040, New Zealand

+64 9 303 0700

19 AUGUST 2020

30 SEPTEMBER 2020

18 NOVEMBER 2020

31 MARCH 2021

Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

Half-Year End

Half-year Results Announced

Financial-Year End

Serko’s ESG Report, which includes its Corporate Governance Statement, can be found at www.serko.com/investor-centre.

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Serko Limited Annual Report 2020
www.serko.com

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Serko annual report