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Surface Transforms Plc
Annual Report 2013

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FY2013 Annual Report · Surface Transforms Plc
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Surface Transforms Plc

Registered number 3769702

Annual Report and
Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 May 2013

Contents
for the year ending 31 March 2008

Highlights

Chairman’s Statement

Directors’ Report

Report on Directors’ Remuneration

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Independent Auditor’s Report

Statement of Total Comprehensive Income

Statement of Changes in Equity

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Notes to the Financial Statements

Company Information and Advisers

Notice of Annual General Meeting

2

3

7

10

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

35

36

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

1

Highlights
for the year ended 31 May 2013

l

l

l

Revenues increased by 6% to £ 1.1 million (2012: £1.0 million).

Improved gross margin during the year of 74% (2012: 63%) including income from sale
of certain technology rights. 

Loss before taxation and exceptional items of £640k (2012: £638k). 

l Cash used in operating activities increased by 65% to £392k (2012: £237k).

l Cash position as at 31 May 2013 of £457k (2012: £547k). 

l

l

l

l

Equity fundraising completed during the year raising £504k before related expenses.

Signing of a $1 million technology contract over 12 months with a major clutch and
transmission manufacturer.

Launching the company’s STCC brand, website and retail products for automotive
carbon ceramic brakes.

Significant technical progress on the Company’s aircraft braking development
programme.

l New CVI furnace installed increasing production capacity threefold.

2

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

2

Chairman’s Statement
for the year ended 31 May 2013

It is pleasing to report significant strategic commercial progress at Surface Transforms, albeit progress which is not easily
seen in the financial results of the past year. 

The results are consistent with the announcement we made on 6 March 2013, profit (including R&D tax credit) and cash
in  line  with  expectations  but  with  turnover  being  lower  than  anticipated  a  year  ago.  Nonetheless  the  Company  is  still
targeting cash break even in the current financial year ending 31 May 2014.

From  a  trading  perspective,  the  year  was  one  of  significant  highs  and  lows.  We  were  particularly  pleased  by  the  $1m
technology  transfer  agreement  signed  with  a  major  US  clutch  and  transmission  manufacturer  but  this  good  news  was
partially  offset  by  both  our  German  distribution  partner,  Mov’It  going  into  administration,  and  a  significant  supply
disruption elsewhere in the European supply chain of our main preform discs customer. The net result was that turnover
from “product” customers actually fell in the year by £ 242k.

Nonetheless  these  two  particular  trading  problems  are  behind  us,  Mov’It  is  now  trading  again  as  a  wholly  owned
subsidiary of Schüler GmbH and orders from the European brake manufacture who buys the company’s preform discs are
now  back  at  FY11/12  levels.  Moreover  good  progress  is  being  made  with  both  new  and  on-going  “game  changer”
customers who should lead to volume production in due course.

The strategy of Surface Transforms is unchanged:

l

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l

l

The Company will realise shareholder value both through product sales, and sales and licensing of its technology.

The  Company’s  resources  are  focussed  in  mainstream  automotive,  specialised  vehicles  and  aerospace  markets.
However, whilst there is no on-going resource allocation, we will react to funded opportunities in other markets as
they arise. Clutch manufacture and our small sales into the rocket engine market fall into this category.

In  automotive  our  “go  to  market”  strategy  is  a  continuum  of  retrofit
Manufacturer) 

limited editions 

mainstream adoption.
→

option list 

super  cars  (near  OEM-  Original  Equipment

→

→

→

In our chosen markets, product cost and lead time are critical differentiators. In particular, success in the automotive
market is nearly always a function of cost. We are therefore targeting to halve our manufacturing costs and lead times
over the next two years.

l Distributor  partners  are  a  key  element  of  our  work  on  retrofit  and  “near  OEM”  markets  but  the  company  will  not
delegate  the  responsibility  of  sales  and  marketing  solely  to  distributors,  instead  being  either  involved  inside  the
partners company or taking direct responsibility.

Against these core strategic objectives we can specifically report:

l

Testing  continues  on  the  potential  aerospace  contract.  A  key  technical  objective  has  been  reached  but  a  minor  –
previously resolved – problem has reappeared. The Company is confident it can successfully resolve this particular
issue and is particularly encouraged by the active participation of the customer in the project. The potential customer
wants this project to succeed! The sales from this project will not materially contribute to target break even in FY13/14
but are expected to make a significant contribution in FY14/15.

l A major UK vehicle manufacturer continues to test the Company’s products.

l A new (for the Company) brake manufacturer is now testing the Company’s product. This is a significant potential new

customer for the Company.

l A recent revision to the US DOD (Department of Defence) project priorities appears to have resuscitated a military
project previously believed to be dead. The Company is in discussion with the OEM to understand the reality of this
potentially significant new development.

l

l

The Company is in new discussions with a number of German “near OEM” car manufacturers.

The Company continues to make good progress on the target of halving production costs and lead times in the next
two years.

3

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

3

Chairman’s Statement
for the year ended 31 May 2013

The Board is aware that shareholders would like to see more frequent announcements of progress but, apart from the
commercial and competitive sensitivity of much of our work, the reality is that testing new products, notably endurance
testing, is characterised by “no news being good news”. 

Nonetheless we are pleased to advise:

l we have more “game changer” customers testing our products than this time last year; 

l

l

that all the strategic projects (both old and new) are progressing – not without setbacks on the way – but continuously
getting nearer to the goal of approval;

that whilst these strategic contracts are essential for ultimate shareholder value they are not needed to achieve cash
break even in FY13/14;

l we have widened our retrofit and aftermarket product range in the last year;

l

l

the customer spread within the sales forecast for FY13/14 is more broadly based than was the case at the start of this
financial year; and

the sales forecast to achieve EBITDA and cash break-even is unchanged at approximately £1.9 million . 

Consequently your Board still believes that FY13/14 break-even is a realistic target and that the company can achieve one
or more of its target OEM strategic contacts in the next twelve months.

Financial review
In the year ended 31 May 2013, revenues were £1.1 million (2012: £1.0 million) which was in line with our expectations.
Gross  margin  also  improved  during  the  year  to  74%  (2012:  63%)  due  to  the  successful  implementation  of  our  cost
reduction  programme  and  the  income  received  from  the  sale  of  intellectual  property  services,  although  these
achievements were in part offset by the sale of more products of a lower gross margin compared to prior year. 

Losses  after  taxation  increased  by  22%  to  £580k  (2012:  £477k)  after  an  exceptional  charge  of  £72k  – mainly  due  to
increased contribution of £152k from sales, reduced payroll costs of £51k offset by increased net research costs expensed
of £88k and lower other operating income of £60k and income tax credit of £29k and, together with a higher financial
expense (net) of £43k. The increase in research costs was a consequence of our decision to concentrate R&D efforts on
the continued development of our technologies and products in our core markets.

Looking  ahead,  our  R&D  tax  credit  advisers,  Baker  Tilly,  have  advised  us  we  should  continue  to  receive  tax  credits  of
between £150k to £160k per annum based on the continued current levels of research activity. 

At  31  May  2013,  inventory  was  £357k  (2012:  £404k).  This  decrease  was  as  a  result  of  increased  trading  activity  and
utilisation  of  stock  during  the  last  month  to  support  our  projected  increase  in  sales  to  the  motor  racing  market  during 
FY 2013/14. 

The Board has continued to address the Company’s production constraints and has completed the purchase of a new CVI
furnace during the year increasing production capacity threefold.

Net cash used in operating activities increased by a significant 65% to £392k from £237k last year, mainly due to increased
losses after tax (as above), offset by R&D tax credit received and lower working capital levels at FY 2013 year end.

The Company had a cash balance of £457k at 31 May 2013 (2012: £547k).

Loss per share was 1.71 pence (2012: loss 1.50 pence).

4

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

4

Chairman’s Statement
for the year ended 31 May 2013

Chief Executive’s Report
The Company has maintained its focus this year on its strategic medium term “game changing” projects’ and has made
progress both in the automotive and aircraft brakes market. 

In terms of the automotive market, we have continued to develop the Company’s business capabilities in the form of:

l

l

Enhanced brake system knowledge and expertise through working closely with a number of OEMs and tier 1 system
suppliers. The Company sees these relationships becoming stronger;

Enhancing our manufacturing capacity in the form of the new Chemical Vapour Infiltration (CVI) furnace. This new
furnace increases our manufacturing capacity three fold and is now contributing to output;

l Continuing our manufacturing cost reduction programme to enable the Company to now offer a competitively priced
brake disc to the main OEM market. The Company is on track to deliver a 50% reduction in manufacturing cost with
the completion of the current programme in two years time;

l Developing  the  Company’s  plan  to  reduce  manufacturing  lead-time  through  the  development  of  new  processing
capabilities. Suitable process technology has been identified and trials have been completed with satisfactory results.
To  continue  this  development  the  Company  is  in  discussions  regarding  expansion  plans  with  local  enterprise
authorities relating to facilities, incentives and grants with detailed planning underway. However the construction and
new equipment contracts will only be signed in parallel with both the sales contract win and raising the second stage
finance required to complete a new factory.

In terms of the aircraft brakes market, we have taken a further significant technological step closer to commercialising the
Company’s  proprietary  carbon  ceramic  technology  with  the  resolution  of  a  major  outstanding  technical  requirement.
There is still technical work to be completed relating to a recurring minor technical issue, which we are confident can be
addressed successfully.

In parallel to these important activities the Company has faced a sometimes rewarding but in the main challenging trading
environment throughout the year:

l Continuing to accumulate significant on car service miles; allowing the Company to identify, trouble shoot and resolve
a  technical  issue  relating  to  the  carbon  ceramic  brake  system  beyond  just  technical  development  of  the  carbon
ceramic disc. 

l As noted in the Chairman’s statement, managing a situation which saw Mov’It GmbH enter into administration at the
start of January 2013 and emerge under new ownership in May 2013. This resulted in a significant drop in sales for
the  financial  year.  With  Mov’It  GmbH  now  under  new  ownership  and  having  undergone  restructuring  we  expect
trading and sales returning to previous levels in the key European automotive market of Germany. To mitigate such
risks in the future, we intend to position a salesman in Germany which will also enable us to work more closely with
both the wider automotive market and Mov’It;

l

l

Temporary gap in sales for carbon fibres preforms emerged in the first half of the financial year. Our main European
customer suffered a major supply chain problem which prevented it from servicing the market. This issue was rectified
in the first quarter of 2013 and sales have returned to previous levels with a strong order book in place as we enter
the financial year 2013-14.

Signing  of  a  $1  million  contract  with  a  major  US  clutch  and  transmission  manufacturer.  The  agreement  relates  to 
the transfer of one of Surface Transforms’ in-house developed process technologies, a technology which is only one
stage  of  ST’s  multi-stage  production  process  for  carbon-ceramic  brake  disc  components,  and  includes  the  sale  of
specialist  equipment  and  an  option  to  purchase  further  process  technology  and  equipment  worth  approximately 
$1.5 million. A five year licence is included in the agreement, commencing 2018, should they choose to manufacture
and sell carbon ceramic components using Surface Transforms’ process technology. The global manufacturer will not
manufacture or sell carbon ceramic products using the Company’s process technology prior to 2018.

5

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

5

Chairman’s Statement
for the year ended 31 May 2013

We  have  expanded  the  automotive  retrofit  product  range  beyond  the  Nissan  GTR,  to  Porsche  and  Ferrari.  Sales
opportunities for these product extensions will be seen in the current financial year 2013-14.

l

l

Sales for the supply of carbon ceramic discs which are then integrated into our brake system supplier distributors own
upgrade  kits  have  continued.  The  three  key  distributors  continue  to  be  important  to  the  Company’s  commercial
objectives of achieving cash break even and building market reputation and pedigree. Additionally however, Surface
Transforms  Engineering  has  designed  and  launched  its  own  retail  products  for  Nissan,  Porsche  and  Ferrari  and
launched  the  STCC  new  brand  and  website.  Sales  growth  for  these  products  is  expected  in  the  financial  year 
2013-14.

To  strengthen  our  commercial  position  with  the  development  of  STCC  retail  disc  assembly  kits  we  have  begun  to
expand our distributor network to include independent Nissan, Porsche and Ferrari tuners in the UK. During 2013 we
plan to continue adding new distributors across the rest of the world.

Alongside these activities the Company has:

l Completed a placing and open offer in February 2013 for £504k before expenses from both institutional and private

investors to further progress the Company’s objectives towards ‘game changing’ new business;

l Appointed a Sales Director with Automotive experience – Greg Harris joined the management team in October 2012.
With a career spanning GKN, Prodrive and Aston Martin Motorsport he is focused on capturing some of the game
changing projects ;and

l Commenced  the  establishment  of  a  world  class  manufacturing  facility  to  TS16949  standards  through  total  quality
management  and  continuous  improvement.  Craig  Cartmell  has  been  appointed  as  the  Continuous  Improvement
Manager and has over 20 years experience.

In summary the Company has seen its automotive and carbon fibre preform sales slower than expected but has offset this
in terms of profits with new licence income. These sales issues are now resolved and the Company’s current contracts and
sales order bank provide a realistic base to reach its target of cash breakeven (on approximately £1.9 million of sales) this
year and allows it to continue to focus on a number of exciting growth opportunities across both automotive and aircraft
brake markets.

Director’s and staff
We would like to thank all our colleagues, management and staff alike, for their hard work and dedication over the past
year. 

Outlook
Surface Transforms continues to develop and is clearly progressing the commercialisation of its technology. The Board
expects continuing sales growth and has the objective of becoming cash break even in the current financial year ending
31 May 2014.

David Bundred 
Chairman

1 August 2013

Kevin Johnson
Chief Executive

6

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

6

Directors’ Report
for the year ended 31 May 2013

The Directors present their annual report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2013.

Principal activity
The principal activities of the Company during the year were the development and manufacture of carbon fibre reinforced
ceramic product (CFRC) for automotive disc brake and aircraft and rocket component applications and the exploitation of
company carbon/carbon technologies. 

Business review
A  review  of  the  Company’s  activities  during  the  year  is  provided  within  the  financial  review  section  of  the  Chairman’s
statement (page 4). 

Key risks and uncertainties 
As in previous years the principal risk faced by the Company is considered to be the speed at which our customers and
potential customers adopt the new ceramic disc technology. Indications in the automotive market are that the technology
continues to be well received and is being adopted over an increasing number of vehicles. This risk is constantly assessed
by monitoring the level of enquiries and orders for both the Company and industry wide. In addition the Company faces
the continuing uncertainty created by the current economic climate, particularly within the automotive sector.

Key performance indicators
The Directors continue to monitor the business internally with a number of performance indicators: order intake, sales
output, profitability and manufacturing cost of automotive discs. The Company has met its revised performance targets in
each of these areas – please see Chairman’s statement for more details: 

l

l

Turnover £1.1 million (2012: £1.0 million)

Losses after taxation and exceptional items £580k (2012: £477k) 

The Company produces an annual business plan and full monthly forecasts detailing sales, profitability and cash flow to
help monitor business performance going forward.

Future developments
In the short term, the Company aims to continue with its corporate strategy which is to exploit its technologies in carbon
fibre reinforced ceramics by:

l

l

establishing contract development opportunities and collaborations with national and multi-national customers in the
aerospace and automotive industries; and 

expanding commercial sales of CFRC products.

Research and development
The  majority  of  the  Company’s  staff  are  employed  in  research  activities  which  are  concentrated  on  the  ongoing
identification of new products and applications for carbon fibre reinforced ceramic friction and non-friction materials. 

Proposed dividend and transfer to reserves
The  loss  for  the  year  after  taxation  and  exceptional  item  amounted  to  £580k  (2012:  £477k).  The  Directors  do  not
recommend the payment of a dividend. 

7

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

7

Directors’ Report
for the year ended 31 May 2013

Policy and practice on payment of payables 
It  is  the  Company’s  policy  that  payments  to  suppliers  are  made  in  accordance  with  the  terms  and  conditions  agreed
between the Company and its suppliers, providing that all trading terms and conditions have been complied with. The
Company does not follow any code or standard on payment practice.

At the year end, there were 54 days (2012: 55 days) purchases in trade payables.

Political and charitable donations
The Company made no political or charitable donations during the year (2012: £nil).

Directors and Directors’ interests
The Directors who held office during the year were as follows:

D Bundred* (Chairman)
K D’Silva*
Dr K Johnson(Chief Executive)
RD Gledhill* 

*denotes non-executive Director.

The Director retiring by rotation is K D ‘Silva.

The Directors who held office at the end of the financial year had the following interests in the ordinary shares of the
Company according to the register of Directors’ interests:

K D’Silva
RD Gledhill
Dr K Johnson
D Bundred

% of issued
share capital
at end of year

2.17%
21.07%
0.32%
0.72%

Number of
£0.01 ordinary shares

Interest at
end of year

833,870
8,098,153
124,000
275,000

Interest at
start of year

386,486
7,664,723
124,000
150,000

According to the register of Directors’ interests, no rights to subscribe for shares in or debentures of the Company were
granted  to  any  of  the  Directors  or  their  immediate  families,  or  exercised  by  them  during  the  financial  year,  except  as
disclosed in the report on Directors’ remuneration on pages 10 and 11. 

The Directors benefited from qualifying third party indemnity provisions in place during the financial year and at the date
of this report. 

Substantial shareholders
In addition to the Directors’ interests noted above, the Directors are aware of the following who were interested in 3% or
more of the Company’s equity as at 28 June 2013: 

Registered holding 

J M Finn Nominees Limited
Brooks MacDonald Nominees Limited 
Ferlim Nominees Limited
Octopus Investments Nominees 
TD Direct Investing Nominees Limited
Fitel Nominees Limited

Number of
ordinary shares

% of issued
share capital

14,915,403
2,355,000
1,914,450
1,639,532
1,499,063
1,250,000

38.81%
6.13%
4.98%
4.27%
3.90%
3.25%

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Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

8

Directors’ Report
for the year ended 31 May 2013

Corporate governance
Surface Transforms Plc is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance. The Company complies with
the Combined Code as modified by the recommendations of the Quoted Companies Alliance to the extent the Directors
consider appropriate, given the size of the Company, its current stage of development and the constitution of the Board. 

The Board has appointed an Audit Committee whose primary role is to review the Company’s interim and annual financial
statements before submission to the Board for approval. The Board has also appointed a Remuneration Committee, which
is responsible for reviewing executive remuneration and performance. The Remuneration Committee is made up of three
non-executive Directors, David Bundred, Kevin D’Silva and Richard Gledhill. The Audit Committee is made up of three
non-executive Directors, David Bundred, Kevin D’Silva and Richard Gledhill. Details of the Remuneration Committee are
disclosed in the report on Directors’ remuneration on pages 10 and 11.

Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which the Directors believe to be appropriate. The
Company incurred a net loss of £580k during the year however the Directors are satisfied, based on detailed cash flow
projections and after the consideration of reasonable sensitivities, that sufficient cash is available to meet the Company’s
needs as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of signing the accounts. Revenues are expected to continue to
increase in the coming years resulting in the Company becoming profitable in due course. 

The  Directors  believe  that  the  Company  is  well  placed  to  manage  its  business  risks  successfully  despite  the  current
uncertain economic outlook. After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt
the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.

Disclosure of information to auditor
The Directors who held office at the date of approval of this Directors’ report confirm that, so far as they are each aware,
there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor are unaware; and each Director has taken all the
steps that he ought to have taken as a Director to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish
that the Company’s auditor are aware of that information. 

Auditors
Our Auditor, KPMG Audit plc has instigated an orderly wind down of business. The Board has decided to put KPMG LLP
forward to be appointed as auditor and a resolution concerning their appointment will be put to the forthcoming AGM of
the Company.

By order of the board

D Bundred
Chairman

1 August 2013

Unit 4
Olympic Park
Poole Hall Road
Ellesmere Port
Cheshire CH66 1ST

9

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

9

Report on Directors’ Remuneration
for the year ended 31 May 2013

Policy on executive Directors’ remuneration
The Remuneration Committee comprises of David Bundred, Kevin D’Silva and Richard Gledhill.

The  Remuneration  Committee  is  responsible  for  reviewing  and  determining  the  Company’s  policy  on  executive
remuneration  (including  the  grant  of  options  under  the  Share  Option  Scheme)  and  ensuring  compliance  with  and
implementation  by  the  Company,  as  far  as  reasonably  practicable,  of  the  recommendations  and  guidelines  of  the
Combined Code. Executive remuneration packages are designed to ensure the Company’s executive Directors and senior
executives are fairly rewarded for their individual contributions to the Company.

Fees for non-executive Directors
The fees for non-executive Directors are determined by the Board. The non-executive Directors are not involved in the
decisions about their own remuneration.

Directors’ remuneration
Set out below is a summary of the fees and emoluments received by all Directors for the year or, where applicable, period
of office:

Executive directors
Dr K Johnson
Dr G Gould (Resigned 14 October 2011)

Non-executive directors
K D’Silva
KM Baker O.B.E. (Resigned 31 January 2012)
RD Gledhill
D Bundred

2013
£

104,092
–

104,092

16,550
–
18,000
27,000

61,550

2012
£

82,712
10,642

93,354

19,982
5,250
17,023
23,625

65,880

165,642

159,234

With the exception of Dr K Johnson, none of the Directors received pension contributions in respect of their office. In
addition  to  the  emoluments  received,  as  stated  above,  Dr  K  Johnson  received  £21,000  (2012:  £21,000)  in  respect  of
pension contributions. 

Directors’ interests
Details of any contracts in which a Director has a material interest are disclosed in note 18.

None of the Directors received any remuneration or benefits under long term incentive schemes.

10

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

10

Report on Directors’ Remuneration
for the year ended 31 May 2013

Share options
The Company operates a share incentive scheme. All options are granted at the discretion of the Board. The number of
options granted, date of grant, exercise price and exercise periods under the scheme are set out below. 

None  of  the  Directors  exercised  options  during  the  year.  Directors’  options  outstanding  and  the  options  which  were
granted, surrendered and expired during the year are as follows:

Director

Dr K Johnson
Dr K Johnson
Dr K Johnson
Dr K Johnson
Dr K Johnson
KA D’Silva
D Bundred
D Bundred
D Bundred

Date of
Grant

18/04/2007
30/06/2008
22/09/2008
01/03/2011
15/03/2012
18/04/2007
17/10/2011
17/10/2011
17/10/2011

Holding

Number
of Share
options
expired,
on Granted
waived
during
2012 the year or lapsed

1 June

Holding
on

31 May Exercise
Price

2013

Exercise Period

Expiry Date

100,000
288,000
481,707
345,000
330,000
50,000
100,000
100,000
100,000

1,894,707

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

100,000
288,000
481,707
345,000
330,000
50,000
100,000
100,000
100,000

– 1,894,707

£0.21
£0.18
£0.19
£0.09
£0.12
£0.21
£0.09
£0.09
£0.09

18/04/10-18/04/17 18/04/2017
30/06/11-30/06/18 30/06/2018
22/09/11-22/09/18 22/09/2018
01/03/13-01/03/20 01/03/2020
15/03/15-15/03/22 15/03/2022
18/04/10-18/04/17 18/04/2017
17/10/11-18/10/21 18/10/2021
17/10/12-18/10/21 18/10/2021
17/10/13-18/10/21 18/10/2021

The market price of the shares at 31 May 2013 was 7.5 pence and during the year varied from 13.5 pence to 6.5 pence. 

By order of the board

D Bundred
Chairman

1 August 2013

Unit 4
Olympic Park
Poole Hall Road
Ellesmere Port
Cheshire CH66 1ST

11

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

11

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
for the year ended 31 May 2013

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable
law and regulations.

Company  law  requires  the  Directors  to  prepare  financial  statements  for  each  financial  year.  Under  that  law  they  have
elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and applicable law.

Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true
and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period. In preparing
these financial statements, the Directors are required to:

l

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

l make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

l

l

state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU; and

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

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  keeping  adequate  accounting  records  that  are  sufficient  to  show  and  explain  the
Company’s  transactions  and  disclose  with  reasonable  accuracy  at  any  time  the  financial  position  of  the  Company  and
enable  them  to  ensure  that  the  financial  statements  comply  with  the  Companies  Act  2006.  They  have  general
responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Company and to prevent
and detect fraud and other irregularities.

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

12

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

12

Independent Auditor’s Report
to the members of Surface Transforms Plc

We have audited the financial statements of Surface Transforms Plc for the year ended 31 May 2013 set out on pages 14
to  34.  The  financial  reporting  framework  that  has  been  applied  in  their  preparation  is  applicable  law  and  International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU.

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

Respective responsibilities of Directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 12, the Directors are responsible for
the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is
to audit, and express an opinion on, the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards
on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards
for Auditors.

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

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion the financial statements:

l

l

l

give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s affairs as at 31 May 2013 and of its loss for the year then ended;

have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU; and

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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

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

l

l

l

adequate  accounting  records  have  not  been  kept,  or  returns  adequate  for  our  audit  have  not  been  received  from
branches not visited by us; or

the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

l we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Mick Davies (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc, Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants
St James’ Square
Manchester M2 6DS
United Kingdom

1 August 2013

13

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

13

Statement of Total Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 May 2013

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit

Administrative expenses:
Before research costs
Research costs

Total administrative expenses

Other operating income

Operating loss
Financial income 
Financial expenses

Loss before tax and exceptional item
Exceptional item

Loss before tax 
Taxation

Loss for the year after tax
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Loss per ordinary share
Basic and diluted

All amounts relate to continuing activities.

Note

2

3

3

6
6

7

8

16

2013
£’000

1,059
(275)

784

(601)
(895)

(1,496)

138

(574)
2
(68)

(640)
(72)

(712)
132

(580)
–

(580)

2012
£’000

1,001
(369)

632

(638)
(807)

(1,445)

198

(615)
4
(27)

(638)
–

(638)
161

(477)
–

(477)

19

(1.71p)

(1.50p)

14

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

14

Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 May 2013

For the year to 31 May 2013

Balance at 31 May 2012

Comprehensive income for the year
Loss for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners, recorded directly 
to equity
Shares issued in the year
Costs of issue written off to share premium
Equity settled share based payment transactions

Total contributions by and distributions 
to the owners

Balance at 31 May 2013

For the year to 31 May 2012

Balance at 31 May 2011

Comprehensive income for the year
Loss for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners, recorded directly 
to equity
Equity settled share based payment transactions

Total contributions by and distributions 
to the owners

Share
capital
£’000

319

Share
premium
account
£’000

7,305

Capital
reserve
£’000

Retained
earnings 
£’000

464

(7,034)

–

–

65
–
–

65

384

–

–

465
(63)
–

402

7,707

–

–

–
–
–

–

(580)

(580)

–
–
28

28

464

(7,586)

Share
capital
£’000

319

Share
premium
account
£’000

7,305

Capital
reserve
£’000

Retained
earnings 
£’000

464

(6,598)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(477)

(477)

41

41

Total
£’000

1,054

(580)

(580)

530
(63)
28

495

969

Total
£’000

1,490

(477)

(477)

41

41

Balance at 31 May 2012

319

7,305

464

(7,034)

1,054

15

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

15

Balance Sheet
at 31 May 2013

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities
Other interest bearing loans and borrowings
Trade and other payables

Non Current liabilities
Other interest bearing loans and borrowings

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Share capital
Share premium
Capital reserve
Retained loss

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders 
of the Company

Note

2013
£’000

357
326
457

(198)
(299)

(497)

(339)

9

10
11

12
13

12

15
16
16
16

2013
£’000

665

1,140

1,805

(836)

969

384
7,707
464
(7,586)

969

2012
£’000

404
357
547

(89)
(298)

(387)

(155)

2012
£’000

288

1,308

1,596

(542)

1,054

319
7,305
464
(7,034)

1,054

These financial statements were approved by the board of Directors on 1 August 2013 and were signed on its behalf by:

D Bundred
Director

Dr K Johnson
Director

Company Registered Number 3769702

16

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

16

Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 31 May 2013

Cash flows from operating activities
Loss for the year

Adjusted for:
Depreciation charge
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
Equity settled share-based payment expenses
Financial income
Financial expense
Taxation

Changes in working capital
Increase in inventories
Decrease in trade and other receivables
Decrease in trade and other payables

Interest received
Interest paid
Taxation received

Net cash used in operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital
Proceeds from new loan
Payment of finance lease
Repayment of borrowings

Net cash from financing activities

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

Note

2013
£’000

2012
£’000

(580)

83
–
28
(2)
68
(132)

(535)

46
31
–

(458)

2
(68)
132

(392)

(460)

(460)

468
437
(4)
(139)

762

(90)

547

457

(477)

67
1
41
(4)
27
(161)

(506)

(99)
247
(17)

(375)

4
(27)
161

(237)

(65)

(65)

–
285
–
(51)

234

(68)

615

547

6
6
8

9

17

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

17

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

1

Accounting policies
Surface Transforms Plc (the Company) is a Company incorporated and domiciled in the UK.

Statement of compliance
The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards
(‘IFRSs’) as adopted by the EU.

The financial statements were approved by the board on 1 August 2013.

Basis of preparation
The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  applicable  accounting  standards  and  under  the
historical cost convention. 

The  accounting  policies  set  out  below  have,  unless  otherwise  stated,  been  applied  consistently  to  all  periods
presented in these financial statements. 

Going concern
The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  on  a  going  concern  basis  which  the  Directors  believe  to  be
appropriate. The Company incurred a net loss of £580k during the year however the Directors are satisfied, based
on  detailed  cash  flow  projections  and  after  the  consideration  of  reasonable  sensitivities,  that  sufficient  cash  is
available to meet the Company’s needs as they fall due for the foreseeable future and at least 12 months from the
date of signing the accounts. Revenues are expected to continue to increase in the coming years resulting in the
Company becoming profitable in due course. 

Further  information  regarding  the  Company’s  business  activities,  together  with  the  factors  likely  to  affect  future
development, performance and position are set out in the Chairman’s statement on pages 3 to 6 and the Director’s
report on pages 7 to 9. In addition, note 20 to the financial statements includes the Company’s objectives, policies
and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments
and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Directors believe that the Company is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the current
uncertain economic outlook. After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company
has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue
to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.

Share based payments
The share option programme allows employees to acquire shares of the Company. The fair value is measured at grant
date and spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the options. The fair
value of the options granted is measured using an option pricing model, taking into account the terms and conditions
upon which the options were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number
of share options that vest except where forfeiture is only due to share prices not achieving the threshold for vesting.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

Where  parts  of  an  item  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  have  different  useful  lives,  they  are  accounted  for  as
separate items of property, plant and equipment.

Leases in which the Company assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the leased asset are
classified as finance leases. Leased assets acquired by way of finance lease are stated at an amount equal to the lower
of their fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments at inception of the lease, less accumulated
depreciation and less accumulated impairment losses. Lease payments are accounted for as described below.

Depreciation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part
of an item of property, plant and equipment. Land is not depreciated. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
12.5%-20% per annum
15% per annum
Over life of lease

Plant and machinery 
Fixtures and fittings
Leasehold improvements 

l

l

l

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each balance sheet date. 

18

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

18

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

1

Accounting policies continued
Foreign currencies
Transactions  in  foreign  currencies  are  recorded  using  the  rate  of  exchange  ruling  at  the  date  of  the  transaction.
Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  are  translated  to  the  functional  currency  at  the
foreign  exchange  rate  ruling  at  the  balance  sheet  date  and  the  gains  or  losses  on  translation  are  included  in  the
income statement.

Leases
Operating lease payments
Payments made under operating leases are recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term
of the lease. Lease incentives received are recognised in the income statement as an integral part of the total lease
expense.

Finance lease payments
Minimum lease payments are apportioned between the finance charge and the reduction of the outstanding liability.
The finance charge is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of
interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Government grants
Revenue grants are credited to the statement of total comprehensive income, and included within other operating
income, so as to match them with expenditure to which they relate.

Post retirement benefits
The  Company  does  not  operate  a  pension  scheme,  but  does  contribute  to  specific  employees’  personal  pension
schemes. The amount charged to the profit and loss account represents the contributions payable to employees
personal pension schemes during the accounting year.

Research and development expenditure
Expenditure on research activities is recognised in the income statement as an expense as incurred.

Expenditure on development activities is capitalised if the product or process is technically and commercially feasible
and the Company intends and has the technical ability and sufficient resources to complete development, future
economic  benefits  are  probable  and  if  the  Company  can  measure  reliably  the  expenditure  attributable  to  the
intangible asset during its development. No development costs met the criteria for capitalisation in the current or
preceding years.

Inventories 
Inventories  are  stated  at  the  lower  of  cost  and  net  realisable  value.  In  determining  the  cost  of  raw  materials  and
consumables the purchase price is used. For work in progress, cost is taken as production cost, which includes an
appropriate proportion of attributable overheads.

Taxation
The charge for taxation is based on the loss for the year and takes into account taxation deferred or accelerated
arising from temporary differences between the carrying amounts of certain items for taxation and for accounting
purposes. 

Deferred taxation is provided for in full at the tax rate which is expected to apply to the period when the deferred
taxation is expected to be realised, including on tax losses carried forward. 

Deferred  taxation  assets  are  recognised  only  to  the  extent  that  it  is  probable  that  future  taxable  profits  will  be
available against which the temporary differences can be utilised. 

Research  and  development  tax  credits  are  recognised  on  a  cash  received  basis  as  a  reduction  in  the  current  tax
payable as this is when the tax credit is considered recoverable as the associated uncertainties have been eliminated.

19

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

19

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

1

Accounting policies continued
Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash  and  cash  equivalents,  for  the  purpose  of  the  cash  flow  statement,  comprises  cash  in  hand  and  deposits
repayable on demand.

Revenue
Revenue comprises income derived from the supply of carbon fibre materials and from the sale of technology rights
during the course of the year. Revenue is recognised on transfer to the customer of significant risks and rewards of
ownership, generally this will be when goods are despatched to the customer. Turnover excludes value added taxes.

Contractual  arrangements  exist  with  specific  customers  which  set  selling  prices  and  target  volumes  for  future
periods.  The  revenue  derived  from  specific  purchase  orders  raised  against  these  contracts  is  recognised  in  a
consistent manner to that described above.

Non-derivative financial instruments
Non-derivative financial instruments comprise trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents and trade and
other payables.

Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured
at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses.

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at
amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Interest-bearing borrowings 
Interest-bearing borrowings are recognised initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to
initial recognition, interest-bearing borrowings are stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method less
any impairment losses.

Capital management
The Company manages its capital to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern and satisfy its debt as
it falls due whilst also maximising opportunities to progress the development of the business. The capital structure
of the Company consists of cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to shareholders comprising issued
capital .The key indicator of capital management performance used by management is the level of cash and cash
equivalents available to the Company. Cash balances are monitored on a daily basis to ensure that the actual position
is in line with cash flow forecasts.

Interest rate risk
The  Company  finances  its  operations  through  cash.  Cash  resources  are  invested  to  attract  the  highest  rates  for
periods that do not limit access to these resources.

Liquidity risk
With regard to liquidity, the Company’s policy has throughout the year been to ensure that the Company is able at
all times to meet its financial liabilities as and when they fall due.

20

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

20

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

1

Accounting policies continued
Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  adopted  IFRSs  requires  management  to  make
judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and
various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis
of making the judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not already apparent from other
sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk
of  causing  a  material  adjustment  to  carrying  amount  of  assets  and  liabilities  within  the  next  financial  year  are
discussed below:

Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable. 

Provision to write inventories down to net realisable value
The  Company  makes  provisions  for  obsolescence  based  on  historical  experiences  and  management  estimates  of
future events. Actual outcome could vary significantly from these estimates.

Research and development expenditure
The Board considers the definitions of research and development costs as outlined in IAS 38: Intangible assets when
determining  the  correct  treatment  of  costs  incurred.  Where  such  expenditure  is  technically  and  commercially
feasible, the Company intends and has the technical ability and sufficient resources to complete development, future
economic  benefits  are  probable  and  if  the  Company  can  measure  reliably  the  expenditure  attributable  to  the
intangible asset it is treated as development expenditure and capitalised on the balance sheet.

In considering whether an item of expenditure meets these criteria, the Board applies judgement. During the year
all such expenditure has been expensed to the income statement on the grounds that it relates to feasibility studies
to identify new applications for the technology or methods of improving the production process. As the technical
feasibility of this work is unknown at the time the costs are incurred, none meet the criteria for capitalisation during
the current or previous year.

Segmental reporting 
The Board has reviewed the requirements of IFRS 8 “Operating Segments”, including consideration of what results
and information the Chief Executive reviews regularly to assess performance and allocate resources, and concluded
that, as under IAS 14, all revenue falls under a single business segment.

The Directors consider the business does not have separate divisional segments as defined under IFRS 8. The Chief
Executive  assesses  the  commercial  performance  of  the  business  based  upon  a  single  set  of  revenues,  margins,
operating costs and assets.

New standards and interpretations that have been endorsed, but which are not yet effective and not
early adopted
There are no new endorsed standards, amendments to standards and interpretations which are not yet effective for
the year ended 31 May 2013 and which will have a significant impact on the information reported by the company
in future periods.

21

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

21

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

2

Segment reporting
Due to the start up nature of the business the Company is currently focussed on building revenue streams from a
variety of different markets. As there is only one manufacturing facility and this has capacity above and beyond the
current levels of trade there is no requirement to allocate resources to or discriminate between specific markets or
products.  As  a  result  the  Company’s  chief  operating  decision  maker,  the  Chief  Executive,  reviews  performance
information for the Company as a whole and does not allocate resources based on products or markets. In addition,
all products manufactured by the Company are produced using similar processes.

Having considered this information in conjunction with the requirements of IFRS 8, as at the reporting date the board
of Directors have concluded that the Company has only one reportable segment, that being the manufacture and
sale of carbon fibre materials and the development of technologies associated with this.

Segment results
Segment revenues
Operating expenses

Results from operating activities
Net finance costs

Loss before tax and exceptional item

Segment assets/liabilities
Segment assets
Segment liabilities

2013
Total
£’000

1,059
(1,633)

(574)
(66)

(640)

1,805
(836)

2012
Total
£’000

1,001
(1,616)

(615)
(23)

(638)

1,596
(542)

The Company considers it offers product technology namely carbon fibre re-enforced ceramic material, which is
machined into differing shapes depending on the intended purpose of the end user.

Revenue by geographical destination is analysed as follows:

United Kingdom
Rest of Europe
United States of America

2013
£’000

291
392
376

1,059

2012
£’000

229
749
23

1,001

Turnover  comprises  £759k  of  product  sales  (2012:  £1,001k)  and  £300k  in  relation  to  the  sale  of  technology 
(2012: £nil).

22

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

22

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

3

Expenses and auditors remuneration

2013
£’000

2012
£’000

Operating loss before taxation is stated
after charging
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
Research costs expensed as incurred
Rents payable under operating leases – land and buildings
Rents payable under operating leases – other
Exchange losses
Inventory write down
Impairment loss on receivable

after crediting
Exchange gains
Government grants

Auditor’s remuneration
Amounts receivable by auditors and their associates in respect of:

Audit of these financial statements
All other services

83
895
55
6
6
42
18

2
138

2013
£’000

18
2

67
807
55
18
12
30
–

2
198

2012
£’000

18
2

Government grants
Grants received comprise revenue grants from the Technology Strategy Board (formerly DTI).

These are subject to making expenditure as stipulated in the grant applications and to audit of the claims. There are
no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies associated with government assistance received.

4

Remuneration of Directors
The  Company  considers  key  management  personnel  as  defined  in  IAS  24  “Related  party  disclosures”  to  be  the
Directors of the Company. The aggregate amount of emoluments paid to Directors in respect of qualifying services
during the year was £165,642 (2012: £159,234). Of this £104,092, (2012: £82,712) was made to the highest paid
Director and Company pension contributions of £21,000 (2012: £21,000) were made to a money purchase scheme
on his behalf.

Pension contributions were not received by any other Director during either the current or prior year.

23

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

23

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

5

Staff numbers and costs
The  average  number  of  persons  employed  by  the  Company  (including  Directors)  during  the  year,  analysed  by
category, was as follows:

Number of employees
2012
2013

Directors
Other employees

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs (see note 17)

6

Financial income and expenses

Finance income
Bank interest receivable

Finance expenses
Total interest expense on financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

7

Exceptional item
Exceptional item comprises:

Restructure of sales department and costs incurred

4
18

22

2013
£’000

607
64
50

721

2013
£’000

2

68

2013
£’000

72

5
19

24

2012
£’000

628
63
82

773

2012
£’000

4

27

2012
£’000

–

24

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

24

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

8

Taxation

Analysis of credit in year

UK corporation tax
Research and development tax repayment

Total income tax credit

2013
£’000

2012
£’000

(132)

(132)

(161)

(161)

Details of the unrecognised deferred tax asset are included in note 14. 

Factors affecting the tax credit for the current period
The  current  tax  credit  for  the  year  is  lower  (2012:  lower)  than  the  standard  rate  of  corporation  tax  in  the  UK  of
23.83% (2012: 25.67%). The differences are explained below:

Reconciliation of effective tax rate
Loss for the year
Total income tax credit

Loss excluding income tax

Current tax at average rate of 23.83% (2012: 25.67%)

Effects of:
Non-deductible expenses 
Change in unrecognised timing differences
Current year losses for which no deferred tax recognised
Tax incentives

Income tax credit (see above)

2013
£’000

2012
£’000

(580)
(132)

(712)

(170)

7
(33)
196
(132)

(132)

(477)
(161)

(638)

(164)

13
(6)
157
(161)

(161)

Factors that may affect future tax charges 
The effective tax rate in future years is expected to be below the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK due
principally to historical losses which have been carried forward

25

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

25

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

9

Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 31 May 2011
Additions
Disposals

At 31 May 2012
Additions
Disposals

At 31 May 2013

Depreciation 
At 31 May 2011
Charge for year
Charge on disposal

At 31 May 2012
Charge for year
Charge on Disposal

At 31 May 2013

Net book value
At 31 May 2011

At 31 May 2012

At 31 May 2013

Leasehold
improvements
£’000

Plant and
machinery
£’000

Fixtures and
fittings
£’000

75
–
–

75
–
–

75

29
7
–

36
8
–

44

46

39

31

459
57
(4)

512
451
–

963

223
55
(2)

276
69
–

345

236

236

618

47
8
–

55
9
–

64

37
5
–

42
6
–

48

10

13

16

At 31 May 2013 the net carrying amount of leased plant and machinery was £36,833 (2012: £Nil).

10

Inventories

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress

2013
£’000

63
294

357

Total
£’000

581
65
(4)

642
460
–

1,102

289
67
(2)

354
83
–

437

292

288

665

2012
£’000

65
339

404

Raw materials, consumables and changes in finished goods and work in progress recognised as cost of sales in the
year amounted to £274,906 (2012: £368,534).

11 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

All receivables fall due within one year.

2013
£’000

230
51
45

326

2012
£’000

219
94
44

357

26

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

26

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

12 Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings

This note provides information about the contractual terms of the Company’s interest-bearing loans and borrowings,
which are measured at amortised cost. For more information about the Company’s exposure to interest rate and
foreign currency risk, see note 20.

Current liabilities
Loans
Finance lease liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Loans
Finance lease liabilities

2013
£’000

191
7

313
26

2012
£’000

89
–

155
–

In the prior year, on 18 October 2011 the company took out a loan for £285,000 in order to fund the acquisition of a
new CVIST furnace. This loan is repayable in equal instalments over a 3 year period and attracting interest of 10%.
In the current year, on 27 September 2012 the company also took out a further loan of £400,000 in order to further
fund the CVIST furnace and the resulting working capital requirements. This loan is repayable in equal instalments
over a 4 year period and attracting interest of 11.25%. On 8 August 2012 the company took out a finance lease for
£51,000 to fund the acquisition of a road car vehicle for use in brake testing of the company’s products at a monthly
interest rate of 0.85%. 

Finance lease liabilities are payable as follows:

Future
minimum
lease
payments
2013
£’000

10
30

40

Present
value of
minimum
lease
payments
2013
£’000

7
26

33

Future
minimum
lease
payments
2012
£’000

–
–

–

Interest
2013
£’000

3
4

7

Less than one year
Between one and five years

13  Trade and other payables: amounts falling due within one year

Trade payables
Taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income

Present
value of
minimum
lease
payments
2012
£’000

–
–

–

2012
£’000

198
30
70

298

Interest
2012
£’000

–
–

–

2013
£’000

196
15
88

299

27

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

27

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

14 Deferred tax 

Difference between accumulated depreciation and amortisation 
and capital allowances
Other short term timing differences
Tax losses

Unrecognised deferred tax asset

The elements of the deferred taxation are as follows:

2013
£’000

46
(1)
(819)

(774)

2012
£’000

34
(1)
(794)

(761)

The  Company  has  an  unrecognised  deferred  tax  asset  at  31  May  2013  of  £774,000  (2012:  £761,000)  relating
principally to tax losses which the Company can offset against future taxable profits from the same trade.

The deferred tax asset has not been recognised in the accounts because it is not possible to assess whether there
will  be  suitable  taxable  profits  from  which  the  future  reversal  of  the  underlying  temporary  differences  can  be
deducted.

15 Called up share capital

Authorised
60,000,000 ordinary shares of £0.01 each (2012: 40,000,000 shares of £0.01 each)

Allotted, called up and fully paid
38,435,138 shares of £0.01 each (2012: 31,885,442 shares of £0.01 each)

2013
£’000

600

384

2012
£’000

400

319

The Company’s authorised share capital was increased to 60,000,000 ordinary shares of £0.01 each on 27 February
2013.

The Company operates a share incentive scheme for the benefit of the Directors and certain employees. All options
are granted at the discretion of the Board. The scheme grants options to purchase ordinary shares of £0.01 each. No
options were exercised in the period.

The options granted to Directors, date of grant and exercise price and exercise periods under the scheme are set out
in  the  report  on  Directors’  remuneration  on  pages  10  and  11.  In  addition  to  the  Directors’  share  options,  certain
employees have been granted the following options:

Date of grant

18/04/2007
30/06/2008
22/09/2008
01/03/2010
15/02/2012

Number of
unexpired share
options at year end

130,000
106,200
342,547
150,000
131,696

Exercise price

£0.21
£0.18
£0.18
£0.09
£0.12

Exercise period

18/04/10-18/04/17
30/06/11-30/06/18
22/09/11-22/09/18
01/03/13-01/03/20
15/03/15-15/03/22

There are a total of 860,443 unexpired options held by employees, a total of 1,894,707 unexpired options held by
Directors and 177,219 unexpired options held by former directors.

28

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

28

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

16 Share premium and reserves

At 31 May 2011
Retained loss for the year
Share issue
Equity settled share based payment transactions

At 31 May 2012
Retained loss for the year
Share issue
Costs of issue written off to share premium
Equity settled share based payment transactions

At 31 May 2013

Share
premium
account
£’000

7,305
–
–
–

7,305
–
465
(63)
–

7,707

Capital
reserve
£’000

Retained
earnings
£’000

464
–
–
–

464
–
–
–
–

464

(6,598)
(477)
–
41

(7,034)
(580)
–
–
28

(7,586)

17 Pension scheme

The  Company  contributes  to  specific  employees’  personal  pension  schemes.  The  pension  charge  for  the  year
represents  contributions  payable  by  the  Company  to  the  schemes  and  amounted  to  £50,572  (2012:  £82,160).
During  the  year  one  director  and  several  senior  managers  opted  to  enter  into  salary  exchange  arrangements
whereby they sacrificed salary for increased pension contributions. These arrangements accounted for £25,965 of
the pension contributions (2012: £49,670).

There were outstanding contributions of £1,498 (2012:£nil) at the end of the financial year.

18 Related party disclosures

The Company purchased £nil goods from related parties (2012: £nil). 

19 Loss per ordinary share

The calculation of basic loss per ordinary share is based on the loss for the financial year divided by the weighted
average number of shares in issue during the year.

Losses and number of shares used in the calculations of loss per ordinary share are set out below:

Basic

Loss after tax 

Weighted average number of shares (No. of shares)

Loss per share (pence)

2013
£’000

(580)

2012
£’000

(477)

33,915,972

31,885,442

(1.71p)

(1.50p)

The calculation of diluted loss per ordinary share is identical to that used for the basic loss per ordinary share. This
is because the exercise of options would have the effect of reducing the loss per ordinary share from continuing
operations and is therefore not dilutive under the terms of IAS33.

29

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

29

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

20 Financial instruments

The Company’s policies with regard to financial instruments are set out within the accounting policies note. The risks
arising  from  the  Company’s  financial  assets  and  liabilities  are  set  out  below  with  the  policies  for  their  respective
management.

Currency Risk
The Company transacts business in foreign currencies and therefore incurs some transaction risk.

The Company’s exposure to foreign currency risk was as follows, this is based on the carrying amount for monetary
financial instruments:

US Dollar
£’000

31 May 2013
Euro
£’000

Sterling
£’000

US Dollar
£’000

31 May 2012
Euro
£’000

Sterling
£’000

Cash and cash equivalents
Trade receivables
Trade payables
Finance lease liabilities

Net Exposure

20
–
(13)
–

7

US Dollar
Euro

9
41
–
–

50

2013

1.569
1.218

428
189
(183)
(33)

401

52
–
(58)
–

(6)

–
75
–
–

75

495
144
(140)
–

499

Average Rate

2012

1.590
1.174

Reporting Date
Spot Rate

2013

1.531
1.179

2012

1.574
1.243

Sensitivity Analysis
A  ten  percent  strengthening  of  the  pound  against  the  US  Dollar  and  the  Euro  at  31  May  2013  would  have
(decreased)/increased  profit  by  the  amounts  below.  This  analysis  assumes  that  all  other  variables,  in  particular
interest rates, remain constant. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2012.

31 May 2013
31 May 2012

US Dollar
£’000

(1)
1

Euro
£’000

(5)
(7)

A ten percent weakening of the pound against the US Dollar and the Euro at 31 May 2013 would have an equal and
opposite effect to the amounts shown above, on the basis all other variables remain constant. 

Price Risk
The Company aims to minimise its exposure to supplier price increases and customer price decreases by offsetting
reciprocal supplier and customer arrangements.

The Company also deals in Forward Contracts to minimise the exposure.

30

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

30

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

20 Financial instruments continued

Credit Risk
The Company operates a closely monitored collection policy.

The ageing of trade receivables at the reporting date was:

Not past due
Past due 0 to 30 days
Past due 31 to 90 days

Gross
£’000

31 May 2013
Impairment
£’000

127
51
70

248

–
–
(18)

(18)

Net
£’000

127
51
52

230

Gross
£’000

31 May 2012
Impairment
£’000

137
44
38

219

–
–
–

–

Net
£’000

137
44
38

219

There was an amount of £18,353 (2012 : £nil) in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade receivables. 

Liquidity Risk
The Company’s objective is to maintain a balance between continuity and flexibility of funding through the use of
short term deposits.

The contractual maturity of all cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables at the current and preceding
balance sheet date is within one year.

The contractual maturity of trade and other payables at the current and preceding balance sheet date is within three
months.

The contractual maturity of finance lease liabilities can be found in note 12.

Interest Rate Risk
At the balance sheet date the interest rate profile of the Company’s interest-bearing financial instruments was:

Fixed rate instruments
Finance lease liabilities
Loan

2013
£’000

33
504

2012
£’000

–
244

The Company has cash deposits of £310,331 (2012: £422,726) placed on premium rate deposit at rates which tracks
bank base rate. These deposits are reviewed at least every 30 days. These funds are available on demand. At the
year end, the weighted average interest rate for the floating rate cash deposits was the Barclays base rate of 0.5%
(2012: 0.5% Barclays). 

Fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities
Trade and other receivables
The fair value of trade and other receivables is estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the
market rate of interest at the balance sheet date if the effect is material.

Trade and other payables
The fair value of trade and other payables is estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the
market rate of interest at the balance sheet date if the effect is material.

Cash and cash equivalents
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is estimated as its carrying amount, all cash and cash equivalents are
repayable on demand. 

31

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

31

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

20 Financial instruments continued

Interest-bearing borrowings
Fair  value,  which  after  initial  recognition  is  determined  for  disclosure  purposes  only,  is  calculated  based  on  the
present value of future principal and interest cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the balance sheet
date if the effect is material.

The fair value of financial assets and liabilities, together with the carrying amounts shown in the balance sheet are as
follows:

Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents

Loans and receivables:
Trade receivables

Total financial assets

Financial liabilities at amortised cost:
Trade payables
Loans
Finance lease liabilities

Total financial liabilities

2013
Carrying
value
£’000

457

230

687

(196)
(504)
(33)

(733)

2013
Fair
value
£’000

457

230

687

(196)
(504)
(33)

(733)

21 Commitments

Non-cancellable operating lease rentals are payable as follows:

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive

Land and
buildings
2013
£’000

55
150

205

Motor
vehicles
2013
£’000

6
4

10

2012
Carrying
value
£’000

547

219

766

(198)
(244)
–

(442)

Land and
buildings
2012
£’000

55
205

260

2012
Fair
value
£’000

547

219

766

(198)
(244)
–

(442)

Motor
vehicles
2012
£’000

6
10

16

Capital commitments as at 31 May 2013 were £nil (2012: £284,100). Commitments in 2012 relate to a new furnace
currently under construction.

32

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

32

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

22 Share based payments

Share Options
The number of options outstanding under the Company’s share option scheme is as follows:

Number of Share Options – Ordinary Shares at 1p

At 31
Note May 2012

Granted

Surrendered

Lapsed

At 31
May 2013

Exercise
price

(a)
(b)
(a)
(b)
(a)
(b)
(a)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(a)
(b)

230,000
100,000
417,200
63,000
632,035
213,438
215,000
345,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
176,696
330,000

Total 3,022,369

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
(45,000)
–
–
–
–
(45,000)
–

(90,000)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

230,000
100,000
417,200
63,000
632,035
213,438
170,000
345,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
131,696
330,000

2,932,369

£0.21
£0.21
£0.18
£0.18
£0.19
£0.19
£0.09
£0.09
£0.09
£0.09
£0.09
£0.12
£0.12

Date from
which 
exercisable

18/04/2009
18/04/2009
30/06/2012
22/09/2012
30/06/2012
22/09/2012
01/03/2013
01/03/2013
17/10/2011
17/10/2012
17/10/2013
15/03/2015
15/03/2015

Expiry 
date

18/04/2017
18/04/2017
30/06/2018
22/09/2018
30/06/2018
22/09/2018
01/03/2020
01/03/2020
18/10/2021
18/10/2021
18/10/2021
15/03/2022
15/03/2022

(a)  These options have been granted under the EMI approved scheme. There have been no variations to the terms
and conditions or performance criteria attached to these share options during the financial year. There are no
performance conditions attached to these shares other than continued employment by the Company.

(b)

These options have been granted under the unapproved scheme. There have been no variations to the terms
and conditions or performance criteria attached to these share options during the financial year. There are no
performance conditions attached to these shares other than continued employment by the Company.

There was no cost payable by the employees on the grant of any of the above options.

The option holder may only exercise their options during employment with the Company.

The movements of the EMI and unapproved share options outstanding are shown below:

Outstanding at 31 May 2011
Granted
Forfeited & surrendered

Outstanding at 31 May 2012
Granted
Forfeited & surrendered

Outstanding at 31 May 2013

Range of exercise prices

EMI Scheme

Unapproved Scheme

Number
of awards

1,923,370
176,696
(379,135)

1,720,931
–
(90,000)

1,630,931

9p to 21p

Weighted 
average 
exercise
price
£

0.17
0.12
–

0.17
–
–

0.18

Number
of awards

732,313
630,000
(60,875)

1,301,438
–
–

1,301,438

9p to 21p

Weighted 
average 
exercise
price
£

0.14
0.11
–

0.13
–
–

0.13

Weighted average remaining contractual life for the EMI Scheme is 5 years 11 months (2012: 6 years 11 months).

Weighted average remaining contractual life for the unapproved Scheme is 6 years 11 months (2012: 7 years 11 months).

There were no share options exercised during the year (2012: nil).

A charge of £27,687 (2012: £41,366) has been made in the statement of comprehensive income to spread the fair
value of the options over the 3 year service obligations of those incentives.

33

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

33

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

22 Share based payments continued

Assumptions used in the valuation of share based options
In  calculating  the  fair  value  of  the  share  based  payment  arrangements  the  Company  has  used  the  Black  Scholes
method.

Weighted average assumptions

Fair value per share option
Share price on date of grant
Exercise price
Share options granted in the year – EMI scheme
Share options granted in the year – Unapproved scheme
Expected volatility
Exercise pattern (years)
Expected dividend yields
Risk free rate of return

2013

2012

10.19p
11.5p
11.5p
–
–
100%
3-10 years uniformly
0%
2%

9.02p
11.5p
11.5p
176,696
630,000
100%
3-10 years uniformly
0%
2%

The fair value of the share options is applied to the number of options that are expected to vest which takes into
account the expected and actual forfeitures over the vesting period as a result of cessation of employment.

Expected volatility was determined by assessing the Company’s historic data and the market in which the Company
operates.

23 Capital management

The Board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and
to sustain future development of the business. The Board of Directors monitors the return on capital, defined as net
operating income divided by total shareholders’ equity.

At present employees and Directors would hold 28% of the share capital, following the exercise of all outstanding
share options.

34

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

34

Company Information and Advisers
for the year ended 31 May 2013

Websites

www.surfacetransforms.com 

Registered Number

03769702

Directors

Company Secretary

Address

Nominated adviser 

Brokers

Auditors

Solicitors to the Company

Bankers

Registrars

David Bundred (Non-executive Chairman)
Dr Kevin Johnson (Chief Executive)
Kevin D’Silva (Non-executive Director)
Richard Douglas Gledhill (Non-executive Director)

Sarah Steel

Unit 4
Olympic Park
Poole Hall Road
Ellesmere Port
Cheshire CH66 1ST
Tel: 0151 356 2141

Cantor Fitzgerald Europe
1 America square
17 Crosswall
London EC3N 2LS

Cantor Fitzgerald Europe
1 America square
17 Crosswall
London EC3N 2LS

KPMG Audit Plc
St James’ Square
Manchester M2 6DS

Gateley LLP
Ship Canal House, 
98 King Street, 
Manchester M2 4WU

Barclays Bank plc
125 Main Street
Frodsham
Cheshire WA6 7AD

NatWest
Chester Branch
33 Eastgate Street
Chester CH1 1LG

Capita Registrars 
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent BR3 4TU

35

Surface Transforms Plc

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

35

Notice of Annual General Meeting
for the year ended 31 May 2013

NOTICE  IS  HEREBY  GIVEN  that  the  annual  general  meeting  of  the  above  named  Company  will  be  held  at  Cantor
Fitzgerald,  1  America  square,  17  Crosswall,  London,  EC3N  2LS,  on  24  September  2013  at  11.00  am  for  the  following
purposes:

Ordinary Business
1.

To receive the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ended 31 May 2013 together with the last
Directors’ report, the last Directors’ remuneration report and the auditors’ report on those accounts.

2.

3.

To re-elect KA D’Silva, who retires by rotation pursuant to article 113 of the articles of association of the Company
and who, being eligible, offers himself for re-election as a Director.

KPMG Audit PLC has notified the Company that it is not seeking reappointment. It is proposed that KPMG LLP be
and are hereby appointed auditor of the Company and will hold office from the conclusion of this meeting until the
conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company, and that their remuneration
be fixed by the Directors.

Special Business
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution which will be proposed as an ordinary resolution:

4.

“THAT, in substitution for all existing and unexercised authorities and powers, the Directors of the Company be and
they are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised for the purpose of section 551 of the Companies Act 2006
(the “Act”): 

(a) 

(b)

to  exercise  all  or  any  of  the  powers  of  the  Company  to  allot  shares  of  the  Company  or  to  grant  rights  to
subscribe for, or to convert any security into, shares of the Company (such shares and rights being altogether
referred to as “Relevant Securities”) up to an aggregate nominal value of £128,117 to such persons at such
times and generally on such terms and conditions as the Directors may determine (subject always to the articles
of association of the Company); and further

to allot equity securities (as defined in section 560 of the Act) up to an aggregate nominal value of £128,117
in connection with a rights issue or similar offer in favour of ordinary shareholders where the equity securities
respectively attributable to the interests of all ordinary shareholders are proportionate (as nearly as may be)
to  the  respective  numbers  of  ordinary  shares  held  by  them  subject  only  to  such  exclusions  or  other
arrangements as the directors of the Company may consider appropriate to deal with fractional entitlements
or legal and practical difficulties under the laws of, or the requirements of any recognised regulatory body in
any territory,

PROVIDED  THAT  this  authority  shall,  unless  previously  renewed,  varied  or  revoked  by  the  Company  in  general
meeting, expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting or on the date which is 6 months after the next
accounting reference date of the Company (if earlier) save that the Directors of the Company may, before the expiry
of such period, make an offer or agreement which would or might require relevant securities or equity securities (as
the case may be) to be allotted after the expiry of such period and the Directors of the Company may allot relevant
securities  or  equity  securities  (as  the  case  may  be)  in  pursuance  of  such  offer  or  agreement  as  if  the  authority
conferred hereby had not expired.”

36

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

36

Notice of Annual General Meeting
for the year ended 31 May 2013

5.

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution which will be proposed as a special resolution:
“THAT,  subject  to  and  conditional  upon  the  passing  of  the  resolution  numbered  5  in  the  notice  convening  the
meeting at which this resolution was proposed and in substitution for all existing and unexercised authorities and
powers, the Directors of the Company be and are hereby empowered pursuant to section 570 of the Act to allot
equity securities (as defined in section 560 of the Act) pursuant to the authority conferred upon them by resolution
5 as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment provided that this authority and power shall be
limited to:

(a)

the  allotment  of  equity  securities  in  connection  with  a  rights  issue  or  similar  offer  in  favour  of  ordinary
shareholders where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interest of all ordinary shareholders
are proportionate (as nearly as may be) to the respective numbers of ordinary shares held by them subject only
to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors of the Company may consider appropriate to deal
with  fractional  entitlements  or  legal  and  practical  difficulties  under  the  laws  of,  or  the  requirements  of  any
recognised regulatory body in any, territory; and

(b)

the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above) of equity securities up to an aggregate
nominal  amount  of  £38,435,  representing  approximately  10%  of  the  current  issued  share  capital  of  the
Company,

and shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting or on the date which is 6 months after the next
accounting reference date of the Company (if earlier) save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer
or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may
allot equity securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired.”

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

Sarah Steel
Company Secretary

Date: 1 August 2013

Registered office:
Unit 4
Olympic Park
Poole Hall Road
Ellesmere Port
Cheshire CH66 1ST

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

37

Notice of Annual General Meeting
for the year ended 31 May 2013

Notes
1.

A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the meeting convened by this notice is entitled to appoint
one or more proxies to exercise any of his rights to attend, speak and vote at that meeting on his behalf. If a member
appoints  more  than  one  proxy,  each  proxy  must  be  entitled  to  exercise  the  rights  attached  to  different  shares. 
A proxy need not be a member of the Company.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

A proxy may only be appointed using the procedures set out in these notes and the enclosed proxy form. To appoint
a  proxy,  a  member  must  complete,  sign  and  date  the  enclosed  proxy  form  and  deposit  it  at  the  office  of  the
Company’s Registrars, Capita Registrars at PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU by 11.00 am on
22 September 2013. Any power of attorney or any other authority under which the proxy form is signed (or a duly
certified copy of such power or authority) must be enclosed with the proxy form.

In  order  to  revoke  a  proxy  appointment,  a  member  must  sign  and  date  a  notice  clearly  stating  his  intention  to 
revoke  his  proxy  appointment  and  deposit  it  at  the  office  of  the  Company’s  Registrars,  Capita  Registrars  at  PXS, 
34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU by 11.00 am on 22 September 2013.

CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies by utilising the CREST electronic proxy appointment service
may do so in relation to the meeting, and any adjournment(s) thereof, by utilising the procedures described in the
CREST  Manual.  In  order  for  a  proxy  appointment  made  by  means  of  CREST  to  be  valid,  the  appropriate  CREST
message must be transmitted so as to be received by the Company’s registrars, Capita Registrars (whose CREST ID
is RA10) by the latest time for receipt of proxy appointments specified in note 2 above. For this purpose, the time of
receipt  will  be  taken  to  be  the  time  (as  determined  by  the  timestamp  applied  to  the  message  by  the  CREST
Applications  Host)  from  which  the  Company’s  agent  is  able  to  retrieve  the  message  by  enquiry  to  CREST  in  the
manner prescribed. The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the circumstances set out in
Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.

Any corporation which is a member of the Company may authorise a person (who need not be a member of the
Company) to attend, speak and vote at the meeting as the representative of that corporation. A certified copy of the
board  resolution  of  the  corporation  appointing  the  relevant  person  as  the  representative  of  that  corporation  in
connection  with  the  meeting  must  be  deposited  at  the  office  of  the  Company’s  Registrars  prior  to  the
commencement of the meeting.

Only  those  persons  whose  names  are  entered  on  the  register  of  members  of  the  Company  at  6.00  pm  on 
22 September 2013 shall be entitled to attend and vote in respect of the number of shares registered in their names
at that time. Changes to entries on the register of members after that time shall be disregarded in determining the
rights of any person to attend and/or vote at the meeting. 

The return of a completed proxy form, other such instrument or any CREST proxy instruction (see note 4) does not
preclude  you  from  attending  the  meeting  and  voting  in  person.  If  you  have  appointed  a  proxy  and  attend  the
meeting in person, your proxy appointment will automatically be terminated.

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Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013

38

39

Printed by Michael Searle & Son Limited

39

Surface Transforms Plc
Unit 4
Olympic Park
Poole Hall Road
Ellesmere Port
Cheshire CH66 1ST
Tel: 0151 356 2141