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Tanfield Group Plc

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FY2016 Annual Report · Tanfield Group Plc
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TANFIELD GROUP PLC 
REPORT AND FINANCIAL  
STATEMENTS 2016 

Registered in England & Wales 

Company number 04061965 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2016 

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS 

Directors and Advisers  

Strategic Report 

Directors’ Report 

Corporate Governance 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

Report of the Independent Auditor  

Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Balance Sheet 

Statement of Changes in Equity Attributable to Equity Shareholders 

Cash Flow Statement 

Accounting Policies 

Critical Accounting Estimates and Key Judgements 

Notes to the Accounts 

2 

3 

6 

7 

8 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

18 

19 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS 

DIRECTORS 

NON-EXECUTIVE 
J Pither              
M Groak 
D Robinson  

SECRETARY 
D Robinson 

REGISTERED OFFICE AND ADVISORS 

REGISTERED OFFICE 
Sandgate House 
102 Quayside 
Newcastle upon Tyne 
NE1 3DX 

AUDITOR 
RSM UK Audit LLP  
1 St James’ Gate 
Newcastle upon Tyne 
NE1 4AD 

SOLICITOR 
Ward Hadaway 
Sandgate House 
102 Quayside 
Newcastle upon Tyne 
NE1 3DX 

REGISTRAR 
Capita IRG Plc  
Bourne House 
34 Beckenham 
Beckenham 
Kent 
BR3 4TH    

Chairman (resigned 31 May 2017) 
Non executive Director 
Non executive Director (appointed acting Chairman 31 May 2017)   

NOMINATED ADVISOR 
WH Ireland 
24 Martin Lane 
Londno 
London 
EC4R 0DR 

NOMINATED BROKER 
WH Ireland 
24 Martin Lane 
Londno 
London 
EC4R 0DR 

NOMINATED BROKER 
Peterhouse Corporate Finance Plc  
3rd Floor 
New Liverpool House 
15 Eldon Street 
London 
EC2M 7LD    

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STRATEGIC REPORT 
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 

During  the  year  we  have  continued  to  monitor  closely  the 
progress of both of the Company’s investments. The Board once 
again  feels  that  some  progress  has  been  made  towards  a 
realisation  of  value  in  the  investment  in  Snorkel  following 
further growth in 2016. The calculation of the Snorkel valuation 
was made in 2013 and is based on the formula detailed in the 
circular  that  was  distributed  prior  to  the  disposal  of  the 
controlling interest in  Snorkel,  which  expires  on  30  September 
2018. There is no guarantee that the financial targets required 
to  trigger  the  realisation  of  this  value  will  be  met  before  the 
expiry date. The Board is of the opinion that should the financial 
targets  not  be  met  before  the  deadline,  the  current  valuation 
could  be  a  fair  reflection  of  the  investment  value  beyond  the 
end of the 5 year period.  

With respect to Smith, however, the Board continue to hold the 
view that the value of the investment should be nil.   

NON-EXECUTIVES' REVIEW 

Background 
The  Company  is  defined  as  an  investment  company  with  two 
passive  investments.  This definition  resulted from the  disposal 
of the controlling interest in Smith Electric Vehicles in 2009 and 
Snorkel  in  October  2013.    Tanfield  Group  Plc  currently  owns 
5.76%  of  Smith  Electric  Vehicles  Corp.  ("Smith")  and  49%  of 
Snorkel International Holdings LLC ("Snorkel").  

OVERVIEW 

Snorkel 
Tanfield  continues  to  own  49%  of  Snorkel,  which  it  has  held 
since the disposal of the business in October 2013.  Sales levels 
(unaudited) have continued to grow during 2016, increasing by 
19%  to  $130.5m  (2015:  $109.9m  /  2014:  $85.3m).  Despite 
market  conditions  continuing  to  be  challenging,  Snorkel  has 
been able to achieve improved market share in targeted regions 
allowing it to also create a broader and more diverse customer 
base.    This  is  expected  to  help  underpin  further  growth 
expected  for  2017,  including  from large  rental  companies that 
have not purchased Snorkel product for a number of years.  This 
is testament to the  progress  Snorkel has  made  in  recent  years 
and  the  improvements  to  the product  range, build  quality  and 
customer service. 

The Snorkel 2016 accounts report an operating loss (unaudited), 
excluding  depreciation,  of  $2.8m  (2015:  $10.6m  /  2014: 
$14.9m)  with  $1.9m  of  this  loss  being  incurred  in  the  first 
quarter  of  the  year  and  the  business  operationally  breaking 
even during some of the later periods.  The significantly reduced 
operating loss is partially linked to the increased sales levels but 
is  mainly  the  result of the focused  cost-down  activity  that  has 
taken  place  during  2015  and  2016  coming  to  fruition,  thereby 
reducing the bill of material costs and lowering the break-even 
sales point.   

the  challenging 

trading  conditions, 

Despite 
the  Board 
understand  Snorkel  is  again  targeting  double-digit  growth  in 
2017 from their UK manufacturing facility which mainly provides 
product  to  the  European  marketplace.    Tanfield  are,  however, 
unsure how much growth will come from the US manufacturing 
facility in 2017, given its dependency upon Ahern Rentals as its 
principal  customer.  Nevertheless,  as  a  result  of  the  success  of 
the  cost  down  activity  and  the  double  digit  European  growth 
expectation,  the  Board  believes  Snorkel  could  still  achieve 
combined  growth,  as  evidenced  in  the  March  2017  quarterly 
accounts, and move into profit for the full 2017 year, in line with 
their forecast. 

Should  economic  conditions  materially  change  in  the  latter 
stages  of  2017,  this  may  have  an  impact  on  the  expected 
outcome, but the Tanfield Board is currently of the opinion that 
the investment in Snorkel will result in a return to shareholders 
in  the  future,  although  it  should  be  noted  that  this  may  not 
materialise  until  after  30  September  2018  when  the  outcome 
then  becomes  uncertain  and  could  be  more  or  could  be  less 
than the calculated realisation value. 

Valuation  of  Snorkel  holding:  unchanged  at 
£36.3 million 
The Board of Tanfield  has taken a view of the carrying value of 
its  49%  holding  and  its  preferred  interest  position  that  takes 
account of risks in the industrial global markets and the normal 
cycles that operate within these markets.  The range of potential 
valuations  can be  broad,  with  the  added complexity  of  a  time- 
driven  element  whereby  the  agreement  for  the  current 
valuation  formula  could  only  be  triggered  during  a  five  year 
period  ending  in  September  2018.  The transaction  is  described 
below, largely extracted from page 7 of the Circular distributed 
to  Shareholders  in  2013  and  available  from  the  Company 
website  at  http://www.tanfieldgroup.com  with  current  values* 
inserted where appropriate.  

Xtreme,  by  way  of  its  holding  in  SKL  Holdings,  entered  in  to  a 
staged  acquisition  of  the  Snorkel  Division,  via  the  creation  of 
Snorkel  International  Holdings,  in  which  Tanfield  retains  a 
holding  until the  consideration  terms are  fully  met.  Xtreme  has 
made  significant  working  capital  facilities  available  to  Snorkel 
International  Holdings  to  deliver  its  growth  forecast  (currently 
believed to be approximately $70m* of working capital) and has 
delivered  certain  other  strategic  benefits  and  synergies  to 
Snorkel International Holdings. Tanfield retains an initial interest 
in  49%  of  Snorkel  International  Holdings  and  an  adjusted 
preferred interest position of $22.4m*, in exchange for Xtreme’s 
controlling interest in Snorkel International Holdings. Subject to 
the Snorkel Division reaching an EBITDA of at least $25m for any 
prior 12 month period prior to 30 September 2018, Tanfield can 
demand payment of this preferred interest which would be paid 
when  Snorkel  International  Holdings  is  able  to  fund  such 
payment and its net debt/EBITDA ratio is less than 2, ultimately 
reducing Tanfield’s interest to 30% and Xtreme will hold 70% of 
Snorkel International Holdings. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STRATEGIC REPORT (Continued) 

Subject to the payment of the preferred interest, and before 30 
September 2018, Tanfield has a ‘‘put’’ option on this remaining 
holding,  whereby  SKL  Holdings  will  be  obliged  to  purchase  the 
remaining interest held by Tanfield at an agreed multiple of 5.5 
times EBITDA earnings, as at the date of the put, again subject 
to  Snorkel  International  Holdings  being  able  to  fund  such  a 
payment.  SKL  Holdings  has  a  call  option  on  the  same 
commercial terms. 

At the end of 2016 there were just under two years left to run 
on  the  fixed  terms  of  the  agreement.  If  the  formula  is  not 
triggered within the 5 year time frame Tanfield will retain a 49% 
interest  in  Snorkel  but  the  $25m  EBITDA  trigger  compelling 
payment of the $22.4m adjusted preferred interest position and 
the Company's put option compelling the purchase of Tanfield's 
remaining interest in Snorkel will expire.  

The  Board  continues  to  have  discussions  with  Snorkel  and 
remain of the view that Don Ahern, the owner of Xtreme, would 
wish to one day own 100% of Snorkel and will therefore seek to 
buy Tanfield’s holding in Snorkel at some point in the future.  

The Board has considered a number of scenarios and, based on 
the  range  of  possible  outcomes,  feel  the  valuation  of  £36.3m 
should be maintained. This valuation has been assessed against 
including  past  performance,  production 
various  criteria, 
capacity,  market  conditions,  the  capability  of  the  business  to 
increase output and exchange rate fluctuations.  

The  original  valuation  was  based  on  the  assumption  that  the 
$25m EBITDA target would be reached within the 5 year period. 
Whilst  that  target  now  seems  increasingly  unlikely  to  be 
achieved,  if  the  assumption  is  made  that  both  the  progress 
within  Snorkel  and  the  wider  global  market  conditions  will 
continue  to improve,  then  the  current  £36.3m  valuation  could 
still  be  a  fair  reflection  of  the  investment  value  beyond  the  5 
year  period;  with  the  caveat  that  a  number  of  factors  could 
influence  the  valuation  and  performance  of  Snorkel  between 
now  and  a  potential  realisation  date  beyond  September  2018, 
including  Xtreme’s  negotiating  stance.  Therefore,  the  actual 
value  that  might  be  realised  could  be  more  or  less  than  the 
current valuation.  

The  Board  would  like  to  draw  your  attention  to  the  Auditors’ 
report  on  page  11  in  which  they  have  also  highlighted  this 
uncertainty. 

The  Board  will  continue  to  monitor  the  investment  and  is 
reviewing the original agreements with its advisers to ensure it 
has an accurate understanding of the position post September 
2018 should the EBITDA target not be achieved beforehand.  

Smith  
In October 2014 Smith completed a restructuring exercise that 
saw it convert debt to equity.  As a result of this, they informed 
the  Company  that  its  equity  shareholding  had  reduced  from 
24% to 5.76% (excluding warrants). 

Since then, Smith has sought to raise funds which would allow it 
to implement its strategic plan.  To date, no significant fundraise 
has been completed and the Board of Tanfield does not foresee 
this happening in the immediate future.  

In May 2015 Smith executed a conditional agreement to form an 
exclusive  joint  venture  with strategic  partner  and investor  FDG 
Electric  Vehicles  Limited  ("FDG").  In  May  2016,  the  Board  of 
Tanfield was informed that Smith had filed a complaint against 
FDG  and  the  New  Joint  Venture.    The  Board  of  Tanfield 
understands that counter-claims have been made against Smith 
and that legal procedures are ongoing. 

Valuation of Smith holding 
In  2015,  the  Board  of  Directors  carried  out  a  review  of  the 
investment  in  Smith  resulting  in  a  decision  to  impair  the 
investment value to nil. The Board came to this decision due to 
funding  uncertainties  as  well  as the  legal  proceedings  between 
Smith and FDG. 

We  understand  that  legal  proceedings  are  ongoing  and  that 
Smith  have  not  been  able  to  raise  any  meaningful  funds  since 
that  time  and  so  the  Board  maintain  its  opinion  that  the 
investment value should be held at nil. 

Strategy  of  Tanfield  Board  of  Directors 
relation to its Investments 
Although the Board cannot predict the timeframe for a return of 
value  in  its  investment  in  Snorkel,  the  Directors  believe  that  it 
will  result  in  a  return  of  value  to  shareholders  over  time.    In 
contrast, at this stage it does not look likely that its investment 
in Smith will result in a return of value to shareholders. 

in 

The Directors will update shareholders should this view change. 

The strategy of the Company in relation to these investments is 
to  return  as  much  as  possible  of  any  realised  value  to 
shareholders  as  events  occur  and  circumstances  allow,  subject 
to compliance with any legal requirements associated with such 
distributions.   

The  Board  takes  the  view  that  while  there  has  been  further 
progress made by Snorkel, there is still a risk of failure, although 
based on progress to date and commitments from Don Ahern / 
Xtreme, this seems unlikely. The Board will continue to fulfill its 
obligation to its shareholders in seeking to optimise the value of 
its investments.  

The Investments  are  defined  as  passive investments  and in  line 
with this definition Tanfield does not hold Board seats in either 
Snorkel  or  Smith.  There  is  no  limit  on  the  amount  of  time  the 
existing Investments may be held by the Company. 

Finance expense and income 
The interest cost in the period of £13k (2015: £54k) was incurred 
from  loan  interest  charged  during  the  period  and  interest 
income of £1k (2015: £1k) received on bank balances. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STRATEGIC REPORT (Continued) 

Loss from operations  
Loss  from  operations  after  impairment  was  £0.2m,  (2015: 
£4.4m),  the  most  significant  difference  being  the  £4.8m 
impairment of the investment in Smith in 2015. 

Loss per share  
Loss per share from continuing operations was 0.2 pence (2015: 
3.1 pence).  No dividend has been declared. (2015: nil) 

Cash 
At 31 December 2016, the Company had cash of £0.3m (2015: 
£0.1m).   

Risks and uncertainties  
The business believes it has sufficient cash funds to continue in 
business  beyond  June  2018.  There  is  no  guarantee  that  a 
realisation  of  value  from  one  of  its  investments  will  happen 
before  then  and  the  Board  will  closely  monitor  progress.  It 
recognises  that  its  investments  have  a  level  of  risk  associated 
with  them  and  is  reliant  on  the  continued  performance within 
their respective markets.  

KPI's 
The Board do not use any KPI's to monitor the performance of 
the business. 

Approved by the Board of Directors and signed on behalf of the 
Board 

Daryn Robinson 
Non-Executive Director 
29 June 2017 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

The  directors  submit  their  report  and the financial  statements 
of Tanfield Group PLC for the year ended 31 December 2016. 

Trade  creditor  days  based  on  creditors  at  31  December  2016 
were 48 days (2015: 58 days). 

Tanfield Group Plc is a public listed company incorporated and 
domiciled in England and quoted on AIM. 

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES 
The  company’s  principal  activity  is  that  of  an  investment 
company.  

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS 
The financial result, for the  year to 31 December 2016 reflects 
the  principal  activity  of  the  company  being  that  of  an 
investment company. 

Turnover  for  the  year  was  nil  (2015:  nil).  The  operating  loss 
before  impairments  in  the  year  of  £0.2m  (2015:  £0.4m  profit) 
arose from operating costs. The prior year profit resulted from 
the reversal of a provision that was no longer required. 

The  balance  sheet  remains  consistent  with  total  assets  at  the 
end of  the  year  of  £36.6m (2015:  £36.5m).  Net  Current Assets 
were £0.2m (2015: £0.1m) with cash balances of  £0.3m (2015: 
£0.1m).  The  directors  believe  the  Company  has  sufficient 
working capital to allow it to continue beyond June 2018. 

No dividend has been paid or proposed for the year (2015: £nil). 
The  loss  of  £0.2m  (2015:  £4.4m)  has  been  transferred  to 
reserves. 

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS 
On  31  December  2016  the following  held  substantial  shares  in 
the company.  No other person has reported an interest of more 
than 3% in the ordinary shares. 

No. 

% 

HSBC GLOBAL CUSTODY NOMINEE   

46,337,197 

29.64% 

CHASE NOMINEES LIMITED  

21,166,792 

13.54% 

AURORA NOMINEES LIMITED  

14,566,045 

9.32% 

VIDACOS NOMINEES LIMITED 

12,234,421 

7.83% 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK (NOMINEES)  

10,621,200 

6.79% 

RATHBONE NOMINEES LIMITED  

  7,087,279  

4.53% 

FOREST NOMINEES LIMITED  

  6,174,063 

3.95% 

LYNCHWOOD NOMINEES LIMITED  

  5,561,841  

3.56% 

DIRECTORS’ INTEREST IN CONTRACTS 
No director had a material interest at any time during the year in 
any contract of significance, other than a service contract, with 
the company or any of its subsidiary undertakings. 

AUDITOR 
A  resolution  to  reappoint  RSM  UK  Audit  LLP  as  auditor  will  be 
put  to  the  members  at  the  annual  general  meeting.  RSM  UK 
Audit LLP has indicated its willingness to continue in office. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
The  Company’s  financial  instruments  comprise  cash,  current 
debtors  and  current  and  non  current  creditors  arising  from its 
operations.  The  principal  financial  instruments  used  by  the 
Company  are  cash  balances  raised  from  share  issues  by  the 
Company. The Company has not established a formal policy on 
the use of financial instruments but assesses the risks faced by 
the  Company  as  economic  conditions  and  the  Company’s 
operations develop.   

STATEMENT  AS  TO  DISCLOSURE  OF  INFORMATION  TO  THE 
AUDITOR 
The  directors  in  office  on  the  date  of  approval  of  the  financial 
statements have confirmed that, as far as they are aware, there 
is no relevant audit information of which the auditor is unaware. 
Each  of  the  directors  have  confirmed  that  they  have  taken  all 
the steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to 
make  themselves  aware  of  any  relevant  audit  information  and 
to establish that it has been communicated to the auditor. 

DIRECTORS 
The present membership of the board is set out on page 2. 

DIRECTORS INDEMNITY 
Every  Director  shall  be  indemnified  by  the  company  out  of  its 
own funds. 

All directors have the right to acquire shares in the company via 
the exercise of options granted under the terms of their service 
contracts,  copies  of  which  may  be  inspected  by  shareholders 
upon  written  application  to  the  company  secretary.  Details  of 
the  directors’  options  to  acquire  shares  are  set  out  in  the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 8 to 9. 

POLICY ON PAYMENT OF CREDITORS  
It  is  Company  policy  to  agree  and  clearly  communicate  the 
terms  of  payment  as  part  of  the  commercial  arrangements 
negotiated  with  suppliers  and  then  to  pay  according  to  those 
terms based on the timely receipt of an accurate invoice.  The 
company supports the CBI Prompt Payers Code.  A copy of the 
code  can  be  obtained  from  the  CBI  at  Centre  Point,  103  New 
Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DU. 

Approved by the Board of Directors and signed on behalf of the 
Board 

Daryn Robinson 
Non-Executive Director 
29 June 2017 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

Principles of Corporate Governance 
The  Company  is  committed  to  high  standards  of  corporate 
is  accountable  to  the  Company’s 
governance.  The  board 
shareholders for good corporate governance. The Company has 
complied  substantially  throughout  the  period  with  the 
corporate governance guidelines for smaller quoted companies 
issued  by  the  Quoted  Company  Alliance  and  details  are 
provided below. 

The role of the Board is to provide entrepreneurial leadership of 
the  company  within  a  framework  of  prudent  and  effective 
controls, which enables risk to be assessed and managed.  The 
Board  sets  the  company’s  strategic  aims,  ensures  that  the 
necessary  financial  and  human  resources  are  in  place  for  the 
company  to  meet  its  objectives  and  reviews  management 
performance.    The  Board  sets  the  company’s  values  and 
standards  and  ensures  that  its  obligations  to  its  shareholders 
and others are understood and met.  

Board Structure 
During  the  year  the  Board  comprised  of  the  Non-Executive 
Chairman and two independent Non-Executive Directors.  

Board Role 
The  Board  is  responsible  to  shareholders  for  the  proper 
management  of  the  Company.  The  Non-Executive  Directors 
have  a  particular  responsibility  to  ensure  that  the  strategy  is 
fully considered.  To enable the Board to discharge its duties, all 
Directors have full and timely access to all relevant information 
and there is a procedure for all Directors, in furtherance of their 
duties, to take independent professional advice, if necessary, at 
the expense of the Company.  The Board has a formal schedule 
of  matters  reserved  to  it.  The  Board  met  on  six  separate 
occasions in the year. 

Appointment and Induction of Directors 
The composition of the Board is kept under review with the aim 
of ensuring that the directors collectively possess the necessary 
skills and experience to direct the Company’s business activities. 

Board Committees 
The  Board  delegates  certain  matters  to  its  two  principal 
committees, which deal with remuneration and audit. 

Remuneration Committee 
During the year the Remuneration Committee comprised of Jon 
Pither  and  Daryn  Robinson.  The  Remuneration  Committee 
determined  and  agreed  with  the  Board  the  framework  of 
remuneration for the Non-Executive Directors.   There was one 
remuneration committee meeting in the period which was fully 
attended.  The report on Directors’ remuneration is set out on 
pages 8 to 9. 

Audit Committee 
During  the  year  the  Audit  Committee  comprised  of  Martin 
Groak and Jon Pither.   

The Audit Committee is responsible for: 

 

 

 

Reviewing  the  scope  of  external  audit,  to  receive 
reports from RSM UK Audit LLP. 
Reviewing  the  half-yearly  and  annual  accounts  prior 
to their recommendation to the Board. 
Reviewing  the  Company’s  internal  financial  controls 
and risk management systems and processes.  
  Making  recommendations  on  the  appointment,  re-
appointment  and  removal  of  external  auditors  and 
approving the terms of engagement. 
Reviewing  the  nature  of  the  work  and  level  of  fees 
for  non-audit  services  provided  by  the  external 
auditors. 
Assessing 
effectiveness of the external auditor. 

independence,  objectivity 

and 

the 

 

 

The committee met on two occasions during the year and they 
were fully attended. 

Internal Control 
The Board has overall responsibility for the Company’s system of 
internal  control  and  risk  management  and  for  reviewing  the 
effectiveness of this system. Such a system can only be designed 
to  manage,  rather  than eliminate, the  risk  of failure  to  achieve 
business  objectives  and  can therefore  only provide  reasonable, 
and  not  absolute  assurance  against  material  misstatement  or 
loss.  

The  Board  is  of  the  view  that  due  to  the  current  size  and 
composition of the Company, that it is not necessary to establish 
an internal audit function.  

Relations with Shareholders 
The  Company  values  its  dialogue  with  both  institutional  and 
private  investors.   Effective  two-way  communication  with fund 
managers, institutional investors and analysts is actively pursued 
and  this  encompasses  issues  such  as  performance,  policy  and 
strategy.   

Private  investors  are  encouraged  to  participate  in  the  Annual 
General Meeting at which the Chairman presents a review of the 
results  and  comments  on  current  business  activity.  The 
Chairmen  of  the  Audit  and  Remuneration  Committees  will  be 
available  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  to  answer  any 
shareholder questions. 

Notice  of  the  Annual  General  Meeting  will  be  issued  in  due 
course. 

Going Concern 
The directors confirm that they are satisfied that the Company 
has  adequate  resources  to  continue  in  business  for  the 
foreseeable  future.    For  this  reason,  they  continue  to  adopt 
the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. 

Daryn Robinson 
Non-Executive Director 
29 June 2017 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT 

Remuneration committee 
The company has established a Remuneration Committee which 
is  constituted  in  accordance  with the  recommendations of the 
Combined  Code.    The  members  of  the  committee  during  the 
year  were  J  Pither  and  D  Robinson  and  the  committee  was 
chaired by J Pither. 

Remuneration policy 
There  were four main  elements of  the  remuneration  packages 
for directors: 
 

Basic  annual  salary  (including  directors’  fees)  and 
benefits; 
Annual bonus payments; 
Share option incentives; and 
Pension arrangements. 

 
 
 

Basic salary 
The  basic  salary  of  the  directors  is  reviewed  annually  having 
regard to the commitment of time required and the level of fees 
in similar companies. Non-executive directors are employed on 
renewable  fixed  term  contracts  not  exceeding  three  years.  
Remuneration  levels  have  been  held  at  the  reduced  values 
agreed in December 2015. 

Annual bonus 
The  committee  established  the  objectives  which  must  be  met 
for  each  financial  year  if  a  cash  bonus  was  to  be  paid.  The 
purpose  of  the  bonus  was  to  reward  directors  for  achieving 
above average performance which also benefits shareholders.   

Share options 
The directors have options granted to them under the terms of 
the Share Option Scheme. There are no performance conditions 
attached to the share options.  Share options were awarded as 
set out in the table on page 9. 

Pension arrangements 
Some  directors  were  members  of  a  money  purchase  pension 
scheme to which the company contributed.   

Directors interests 
The  interests  of  directors  holding  office  at  the  year  end  in  the 
company’s  ordinary  5p  shares  at  31  December  2016  and  1 
January 2016 are shown below: 

M Groak 
J Pither 
D Robinson 
Total 

Number of shares 
2016 
- 
1,542,553 
942,785 
2,485,338 

2015 
- 
1,403,248 
546,740 
1,949,988 

The  directors,  as  a  group,  beneficially  own  1.59%  of  the 
company’s shares. 

All directors have the right to acquire shares in the company via 
the exercise of options granted under the terms of their service 
contracts,  copies  of  which  may  be  inspected  by  shareholders 
upon written application to the company secretary.  

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (continued) 

Remuneration review 

Directors emoluments for the financial year were as follows: 

RRE Stanleya 
M Groak 
J Pither 
D Robinson 
Total 
a 

RRE Stanley resigned on 17 November 2015

Salary  
2016 
£000's 
- 
20 
24 
41 
85 

Pension 
2016 
£000's 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Total           
2016 
£000's 
- 
20 
24 
41 
85 

Salary           
2015 
£000's 
43 
35 
39 
4 
121 

Pension 
2015 
£000's 
16 
- 
- 
- 
16 

Total 
2015 
£000's 
59 
35 
39 
4 
137 

Directors share options held at 31 December 2016 were as follows: 

31 December 
2015 

Granted/ 
(Lapsed) 

Exercised 

31 December 
2016 

M Groak b 
M Groak 
M Groak  
J Pither 
D Robinson 
Total 

200,000 
30,000 
100,000 
100,000 
100,000 
530,000 

- 
(30,000) 
- 
- 
- 
(30,000) 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

200,000 
- 
100,000 
100,000 
100,000 
500,000 

Option 
price per 
sharea 

Date from 
which normally 
exercisable 

5p 
5p 
27p 
27p 
27p 

02/01/2010 
01/03/2009 
02/02/2015 
02/02/2015 
02/02/2015 

Expiry Date 

02/01/2017 
01/03/2016 
02/02/2020 
02/02/2020 
02/02/2020 

a 

On 31 December 2016 the market price of the ordinary shares was 15.25p. The range during 2015 was 9.31p to 16.25p 

b 

On 2 January 2017 the option lapsed 

Approval 
This report was approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 29 June 2017 and signed on its behalf by: 

Daryn Robinson 
Non-Executive Director 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES 

The  directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  Strategic 
Report,  Directors’  Report,  Corporate  Governance  Report  and 
Directors' Remuneration Report and the financial statements in 
accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company  law  requires  the  directors  to  prepare  financial 
statements  for  each  financial  year.   Under  that  law  the 
directors  have  elected  to  prepare  the  financial  statements  of 
the  company 
International  Financial 
Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union 
(“EU”). 

in  accordance  with 

The  financial  statements  are  required  by  law  and  IFRS  as 
adopted  by the EU  to present fairly  the  financial  position  and 
performance  of  the  company.  The  Companies  Act  2006 
provides in relation to such financial statements that references 
in the relevant part of that Act to financial statements giving a 
true  and  fair  view  are  references  to  their  achieving  a  fair 
presentation. 

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 the financial statements, the directors are required 
to: 

a. 

b. 

c. 

d. 

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 
consistently; 

make  judgements  and  accounting  estimates  that  are 
reasonable and prudent; 

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

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 
statements 
Companies Act 2006.  They are also responsible for safeguarding 
the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps 
fraud  and  other 
for  the  prevention  and  detection  of 
irregularities. 

comply  with 

financial 

the 

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity 
of  the  corporate  and  financial  information  included  on  the 
Tanfield Group Plc website. 

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation 
in other jurisdictions. 

10 

 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR   

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tanfield Group PLC 

Opinion on the financial statements 
We  have  audited  the  financial  statements  on  pages  12  to  24. 
The  financial  reporting  framework  that  has  been  applied  in 
their  preparation  is  applicable  law  and  International  Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union.  

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

In our opinion the financial statements:  
 

give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  state  of  the  company’s 
affairs as at 31 December 2016 and of its loss for the year 
then ended;  
have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as 
adopted by the European Union; and  
have  been  prepared in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of 
the Companies Act 2006.  

 

 

Emphasis of matter - Carrying value of non-current investment 
In forming our opinion on the financial statements, which is not 
modified, we have considered the adequacy of the disclosures 
made  in  the  Accounting  Policies  and  note  6  to  the  financial 
statements  concerning  the  carrying  value  of  the  company’s 
£36m  investment  in  Snorkel  International  Holdings  LLC.  The 
Accounting  Policies  set  out  the  basis  whereby  the  Directors 
have  considered  the  fair  value  of  the  investment  and  the 
assumptions  made  therein.  The  timing  of  when  the  company 
will be able to realise its interest in Snorkel and the sum to be 
realised  are  both  dependent  on  the  underlying  trading 
performance  of  Snorkel  over  the  period  to  September  2018 
over which the Directors have no control and the sum realised 
may  be  more  or  less  than  the  current  carrying  value.  The 
Directors  continue  to  discuss  the  realisation  process  with  the 
majority  shareholders  of  Snorkel  and  take  appropriate 
professional  advice  on  this  matter.  These  conditions  indicate 
the  existence  of  a  material  uncertainty  that  could  impact  the 
carrying value of Non Current Asset Investments. The ultimate 
outcome  of  this  material  uncertainty  cannot  presently  be 
determined  and  as  a  result  the  financial  statements  do  not 
include  any  adjustments  that  would  result  if  any  of  the 
assumptions made by the Board were incorrect. 

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

Opinion  on  other  matter  prescribed  by  the  Companies  Act 
2006  
In our opinion the information given in the Strategic Report and 
the  Directors’  Report  for  the  financial  year  for  which  the 
financial  statements  are  prepared  is  consistent  with  the 
financial statements and, based on the work undertaken in the 
course  of  our  audit,  the  Strategic  report  and  the  Directors’ 
Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal 
requirements.  

We  have  nothing  to  report  in  respect  of  the  following  matters 
where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in 
our opinion:  
 

adequate  accounting  records  have  not  been  kept,  or 
returns adequate for our audit have not been received from 
branches not visited by us; or  
the  financial  statements  are  not  in  agreement  with  the 
accounting records and returns; or  
certain  disclosures  of  directors’  remuneration  specified by 
law are not made; or  

 

 

  we have not received all the information and explanations 

we require for our audit. 

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor  
As  more  fully  explained 
in  the  Directors’  Responsibilities 
Statement set out on page 10, 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 (APB’s) Ethical Standards for 
Auditors. 

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

ANDREW ALLCHIN (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
For and on behalf of RSM UK AUDIT LLP, Statutory Auditor  
Chartered Accountants 
1 St James’ Gate 
Newcastle upon Tyne 
NE1 4AD 

29 June 2017 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015 
£000's 

- 
618 
27 
(268) 
377 
(4,770) 
(4,393) 
(54) 
1 
(53) 

(4,446) 
- 
(4,446) 

- 
(85) 
30 
(182) 
(237) 
- 
(237) 
(13) 
1 
(12) 

(249) 
- 
(249) 

(0.2) 
(0.2) 

(3.1) 
(3.1) 

TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016 

Notes 

2016 
£000's 

Revenue 
Staff costs 
Other operating income 
Other operating expenses 
(Loss)/Profit from operations before impairments 
Impairment of Investments 
Loss from operations after impairments 
Finance expense 
Finance income 
Net finance expense 

Loss from operations before tax 
Taxation 
Loss & total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity 
shareholders 

Earnings per share 

Loss per share from operations 
Basic (p) 
Diluted (p) 

1 

3 

2 
2 

4 

5 
5 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

BALANCE SHEET (Company registration number 04061965) 
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2016 

Non current assets 
Non current Investments 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 

Non-current liabilities 
Other payables 

Total liabilities 

Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium 
Share option reserve 
Special reserve 
Merger reserve 
Retained earnings 
Total equity attributable to equity shareholders 

Notes 

6 

8 
7 

9 

9 

10 
10 

2016 
£000's 

36,283 
36,283 

61 
269 
330 

2015 
£000's 

36,283 
36,283 

98 
94 
192 

36,613 

36,475 

91 
91 

- 
- 

91 

7,816 
17,190 
459 
66,837 
1,534 
(57,314) 
36,522 

110 
110 

254 
254 

364 

7,546 
16,800 
461 
66,837 
1,534 
(57,067) 
36,111 

Total equity and liabilities 

36,613 

36,475 

The financial statements on pages 12 to 24 were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 29 June 2017 and 
are signed on its behalf by: 

Daryn Robinson  
Non-Executive Director 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY 
SHAREHOLDERS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016 

At 1 January 2015 
Comprehensive income 
Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive income for 
the year 
Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners:- 
   Issuance of new shares (note 10) 
   Share based payments (note 11) 
At 31 December 2015 
Comprehensive income 
Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive income for 
the year 
Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners:- 
   Issuance of new shares (note 10) 
   Share based payments (note 11) 
At 31 December 2016 

Share 
capital 

Share 
premium 

£000's 
7,187 

£000's 
16,455 

Share 
option 
reserve 
£000's 
845 

Merger 
reserve 

Special 
reservea 

Retained 
earnings 

Total 

£000's 
1,534 

£000's 
66,837 

£000's 
(53,005) 

£000's 
39,853 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(4,446) 

(4,446) 

(4,446) 

(4,446) 

359 
- 
7,546 

345 
- 
16,800 

- 
(384) 
461 

- 
- 
1,534 

- 
- 
66,837 

- 
384 
(57,067) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(249) 

(249) 

270 
- 
7,816 

390 
- 
17,190 

- 
(2) 
459 

- 
- 
1,534 

- 
- 
66,837 

- 
2 
(57,314) 

704 
- 
36,111 

(249) 

(249) 

660 
- 
36,522 

a 

The company’s special reserve relates to a previous reclassification of the share premium account.

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016 

Loss before interest and taxation 
Loss on impairment of investments 
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 
Decrease/(increase) in receivables 
Decrease in payables 
Net cash from/(used in) operations 

Cash flow from financing activities 
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares net of costs 
Net cash from financing activities 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at the start of year 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

2016 
£000's 

(237) 
- 
(237) 
25 
(273) 
(485) 

660 
660 
175 
94 
269 

2015 
£000's 

(4,393) 
4,770 
377 
(25) 
(1,331) 
(979) 

704 
704 
(275) 
369 
94 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
(i)  Basis  of  preparation  of 

statements 

the 

financial 

These  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by 
the  EU  (“IFRS”),  IFRIC  interpretations  and  the  requirements  of 
the  Companies  Act  applicable  to  Companies  reporting  under 
IFRS.   The financial  statements  have  been  prepared  under  the 
historical  cost  convention,  modified  for  the  revaluation  of 
certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS 
requires  the  use  of  accounting  estimates.    It  also  requires 
management  to  exercise  its  judgement  in  the  process  of 
applying the company’s accounting policies.  The areas involving 
a  higher  degree  of  judgement  or  complexity,  or  areas  where 
assumptions  and  estimates  are  significant  to  the  financial 
in  “Critical  accounting 
statements,  are  disclosed  below 
estimates and key judgements”. 

(ii) Going Concern  
The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  on  the  going 
concern  basis,  which  assumes  that  the  Company  will  continue 
to  be  able  to  meet  its  liabilities  as  they  fall  due  for  the 
foreseeable  future.  At  31  December  2016  the  Company  had 
cash balances of £0.3m and is debt free.   

The  Directors  are  confident  that  the  cash  balances  will  be 
sufficient  to  see  the  Company  continue  for  a  minimum  of  12 
months, or until it realises the value of one of its investments, 
and  that  the  assumptions  underlying  their  opinion  are 
reasonable and that the Company will be able to operate within 
its  cash  balances.  Having  taken  the  uncertainties  into  account 
the Board believes that it is appropriate to prepare the financial 
statements on the going concern basis. The financial statements 
do not include any adjustment to the value of the balance sheet 
assets  or  provisions  for  further  liabilities,  which  would  result 
should the going concern assumption not be valid. 

in 

currencies  other 

(iii) Foreign currencies 
Transactions 
the 
presentational  currency  of  the  company,  are  recorded  at  the 
rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At 
each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates 
prevailing on the balance sheet date.  

sterling, 

than 

Non-monetary assets and liabilities carried at fair value that are 
denominated  in  foreign  currencies  are  translated  at  the  rates 
prevailing  at  the  date  when  the  fair  value  was  determined. 
Gains  and  losses  arising  on  retranslation  are  included  in  the 
income  statement  for  the  period,  except  for  exchange 
differences  on  non-monetary  assets  and  liabilities,  which  are 
recognised directly in equity. 

(iv) Share based payments 
The  Company  issues  equity-settled  share  based  payments  to 
certain  employees  and  has  applied  the  requirements  of  IFRS2 
“Share-based payments”.  

Equity settled share-based payments are measured at fair value 
at  the  date  of  the  grant.  Fair  value  is  measured  using  a  Black-
Scholes model. 

The  fair  value  is  expensed  on  a  straight  line  basis  over  the 
vesting period, based on the Company’s estimate of shares that 
will eventually vest. 

(v) Borrowing costs 
All borrowing costs are expensed in the income statement in the 
period in which they are incurred. 

(vi) Financial instruments 
Recognition of financial assets and financial liabilities 
Financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  are  recognised  on  the 
Company’s  balance  sheet  when  the  Company  has  become  a 
party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 

Financial assets 
Investments 
Investments are included at either cost less amounts written off 
or fair value where applicable. 

Trade and other receivables 
Financial  assets  within  trade  and  other  receivables  are  initially 
recognised  at  fair  value,  which  is  usually  the  original  invoiced 
amount  and  are  subsequently  carried  at  fair  value 
less 
provisions made for impairment. 

Trade  receivables  do  not  carry  any  interest  and  are  stated  at 
their  nominal  value  as  reduced  by  appropriate  allowances  for 
estimated irrecoverable amounts. 

Provisions  for  impairment  are  made  specifically  where  there  is 
evidence  of  a  risk  of non-payment,  taking into  account  ageing, 
previous losses experienced and general economic conditions. 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash  and  cash  equivalents  comprise  cash  on  hand  less  short 
term bank overdrafts. 

liabilities  and  equity 

Financial liabilities and equity 
Financial 
instruments  are  classified 
according  to  the  substance  of  the  contractual  arrangements 
entered  into.    An  equity  instrument  is  any  contract  that 
evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Company after 
deducting all of its liabilities. 

Ordinary  shares  are  classified  as  equity.  Incremental  costs 
directly  attributable  to  the  issue  of  new  shares  are  shown  in 
equity as a deduction from the proceeds received. 

Trade and other payables 
Financial  liabilities  within  trade  and  other  payables  are  initially 
recorded  at  fair  value,  which  is  usually  the  original  invoiced 
amount, and subsequently carried at historical cost. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

(vii) Segmental reporting 
IFRS 8 provides segmental information for the Company on the 
basis  of  information  reported  to  the  chief  operating  decision-
maker  for  decision-making  purposes.    The  Company  considers 
that it only has one segment and that the role of chief operating 
decision-maker is performed by the Tanfield Group  Plc's board 
of directors.   

(viii) Termination benefits 
Termination  benefits 
(leaver  costs)  are  payable  when 
employment is terminated before the normal retirement date, 
in 
or  when  an  employee  accepts  voluntary  redundancy 
exchange  for  these  benefits. 
  The  Company  recognises 
termination benefits when it is demonstrably committed to the 
affected employees leaving the Company. 

(ix) Provisions 
Provisions  are  recognised  when  the  Company  has  a  present 
legal  or  constructive  obligation  as  a  result  of  past  events,  it  is 
probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle 
the obligation and the amount can be reliably estimated. 

(x) Functional and presentational currencies 
The consolidated financial statements are presented in sterling 
which is also the functional currency of the company. 

17 

 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND KEY JUDGEMENTS 

and 

amended 

New 
and 
interpretations  effective  from  1  January  2017 
not yet adopted by the Company 

standards 

The  Company  currently  adopts  all  relevant  accounting 
standards  that  have  been  endorsed  by  the  EU.    There  are 
various  standards  that  are  expected  to  be  endorsed  in  2017 
which the Company believes will have no significant impact on 
the  Company’s  financial  position  or  results  for  the  current  or 
prior  years  but  may 
impact  the  accounting  for  future 
transactions or arrangements. 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS 
requires  the  use  of  accounting  estimates  and  assumptions.    It 
also requires management to exercise judgement in the process 
of applying the Company’s accounting policies.  We continually 
evaluate our estimates, assumptions and judgements based on 
the most up to date information available. 

The  estimates  and  assumptions  that  have  a  significant  risk  of 
causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below. 

Investments 
The status of the Company’s holding in Smith Electric Corp was 
reviewed. The Board understand that the company has ceased 
to  trade  and  do  not  feel  that  Smith  have  made  sufficient 
progress towards achieving  its plan of obtaining a public listing 
to maintain the previous valuation and have therefore decided 
to  impair  the  investment  in  Smith  to  nil.  However,  the  board 
acknowledge that there is a chance the investment will result in 
a  return  to  Shareholders  and  will  continue  to  monitor  the 
investment.    Should  progress  be  made  in  the  future  the 
valuation of the investment will be revisited.  

The  status  of  the  Company’s  holding  in  Snorkel  International 
Holdings  was  reviewed.    Since  the  injection  of  working  capital 
Snorkel  International  Holdings  continues  to  progress  well  with 
production increasing.  The company has reviewed the financial 
projections  prepared  by  Snorkel  and  taking  in  to  account 
improving  global  market  conditions,  the  injection  of  working 
capital  and  applying  its  own  sensitivity  to  the  time  taken  to 
achieve  EBITDA  growth  to  $25m,  considers  its  investment  in 
Snorkel  International  Holdings  to  be  at  fair  market  value.  The 
Board takes the view that while there has been progress made 
by Snorkel, there is still a risk of failure. The valuation has not 
been  adjusted  for  foreign  currency  fluctuations  due  to  the 
uncertain nature of foreign currency markets. 

Accounting  standards, 
amendments to published accounts 

interpretations  and 

The  Company  considered  the  implications,  if  any,  of  the 
following  amendments  to  IFRSs  during  the  year  ended  31 
December 2016. 

and 

amended 

New 
and 
interpretations  effective  from  1  January  2016 
adopted by the Company 

standards 

During the year ended 31 December 2016, the Company has not 
adopted any new IFRS, IAS or amendments issued by the IASB, 
and interpretations  by  the  IFRS  Interpretations  Committee, 
which  have had  a  material  impact  on  the  Company’s  financial 
statements. 

18 

 
 
 
      
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 

1. Staff costs 

Aggregate remuneration comprised 
Wages and salaries  
Social security costs 
Other pension costs 
Total staff costs 

Average monthly number of employees 
Directors' 
Total 

2016 
£000's 
85 
- 
- 
85 

2016 
No. 
3 
3 

2015 
£000's 
(638) 
4 
16 
(618) 

2015 
No. 
3 
3 

Details of Directors’ fees and salaries, bonuses, pensions, benefits in kind and other benefit schemes together with details in 
respect of Directors’ share option plans are given in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 8 to 9. During the previous 
year a provision of £760k of remuneration costs was reversed. 

2. Finance expense and finance income 

Finance expense 
Interest on director loans  
Total finance expense 

Finance income 
Interest on cash, cash equivalents & financial instruments  
Total finance income 

3. Other operating expenses 

Other operating expenses 
Property related expenses 
Auditor's remuneration (see below) 
Other operating expenses 
Total operating expenses 

2016 
£000's 
13 
13 

2016 
£000's 
1 
1 

2015 
   £000's 
54 
54 

2015 
£000's 
1 
1 

2016 
£000's 

2015 
£000's 

43 
24 
115 
182 

39 
24 
205 
268 

Auditor's remuneration 
Amounts payable to RSM UK Audit LLP and their associates in respect of both audit and non audit services are as follows: 

Audit Services 

 

statutory audit of accounts 

Other services relating to taxation 

 

compliance services 

Comprising 
 
Audit services 
  Non audit services 

2016 
£000's 

2015 
£000's 

22 

2 
24 

22 
2 

22 

2 
24 

22 
2 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

4. Taxation 
Analysis of and factors affecting taxation charge 
The taxation charge on the loss for the year differs from the amount computed by applying the corporation tax rate to the loss 
before taxation as a result of the following factors: 

Loss before taxation 
Notional taxation charge at UK rate of 20% (2015: 20.25%) 
Effects of: 
Non (taxable) income/deductable expenses  
Deferred tax asset not recognised in the period 
Utilisation of tax losses brought forward 
Total taxation charge in the income statement 

2016 
£000's 
(249) 
(50) 

- 
50 
- 
- 

2015 
£000's 
(4,446) 
(900) 

966 
- 
(66) 
- 

No deferred tax asset has been recognised due to the uncertainty of future profitability of the Company. 

5. Loss per share 
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to equity shareholders by the weighted average number of 
shares in issue during the period.  In calculating the dilution per share, share options outstanding and other potential ordinary 
shares have  been taken into  account where the  impact  of  these  is  dilutive.    As  the  potential  dilutive  ordinary shares  from 
share options reduce the loss per share these shares are omitted from the dilutive loss per share calculation.   The average 
share price during the year was 12.88p (2015: 19.58p). 

Number of shares 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share 
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares from share options 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share 

Loss 

From operations 
Loss for the purposes of basic earnings per share being net profit attributable to owners of the 
parent 
Potential dilutive ordinary shares from share options 
Loss for the purposes of diluted earnings per share 

Loss per share from operations 
Basic (p) 
Diluted (p) 

6. Non current investments 
A summary of the Non current investments is shown below: 

Investment in Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp 
Investment in Snorkel International Holdings LLC 
Total non current investments 

2016 
No. 
000’s  
153,677 
122 
153,799 

2016 
£000's 
(249) 

- 
(249) 

2015 
No. 
000’s  
144,823 
171 
144,994 

2015 
£000's 
(4,446) 

- 
(4,446) 

(0.2) 
(0.2) 

(3.1) 
(3.1) 

2016 
£000’s 
- 
36,283 
36,283 

2015 
£000’s 
- 
36,283 
36,283 

Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp  
At 31 December 2016, the Company held a 5.76% (2015: 5.76%) share of the issued share capital of Smith Electric Vehicles US 
Corp, a company registered in the US.   In 2015 the Board decided to impair the investment in Smith to nil and they maintain 
continue to maintain this position. However, the board acknowledge that there is a chance the investment will result in a return 
to Shareholders and will continue to monitor the investment. 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

6. Non current investments (continued) 

Snorkel International Holdings LLC 
At 31 December 2016, the Company held a 49% (2015: 49%) share of the issued share capital of Snorkel International Holdings 
LLC, a company registered in the US.  This shareholding is being held as a non current investment at fair value (2016: £36,283k, 
2015: £36,283k).  See Strategic Report for impairment considerations. 

7. Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and short-term deposits held by the Company. The carrying amount of these assets 
approximates their fair value. The Company primarily holds Sterling.  Currency denominated balances are translated to sterling 
at the balance sheet date.  

Cash and cash equivalents 

8. Trade and other receivables 

Receivable within one year 
Amounts due from Snorkel International Holdings LLC 
Other debtors and prepayments 

2016 
£000's 
269 

2016 
£000's 

- 
61 
61 

2015 
£000's 
94 

2015 
£000's 

15 
83 
98 

The directors consider that the carrying amounts of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value. A provision has 
been made against the amounts due from Snorkel International Holdings LLC due to the age and nonpayment of the debt. 

9. Trade and other payables 
The directors consider that the carrying amounts of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value. 
2016 
£000's 

Payable within one year 
Trade payables 
Social security and other taxes 
Accrued expenses 

Average credit period taken on trade purchases (days)a 
a 
Creditor days have been calculated as trade payables over other operating expenses multiplied by 365 days.   

Payable after one year 
Loans 

23 
37 
31 
91 

48 

2016 
£000's 

- 
- 

2015 
£000's 

43 
37 
30 
110 

58 

2015 
£000's 

254 
254 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

10. Share capital and share premium 
The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income. All shares are fully paid up. 
Nominal share 
value 
5p 
5p 
5p 
5p 
5p 
5p 
5p 
5p 

At 31 December 2014 
Share options exercised  
New share issue 6 November 2015a 
At 31 December 2015 
Share options exercised  
New share issue 22 March 2016b 
New share issue 10 October 2016c 
At 31 December 2016 
a

Number of shares 
143,740,739 
600,000 
6,583,334 
150,924,073 
30,000 
2,758,620 
2,610,824 
156,323,517 

Share capital 
£000’s 
7,187 
30 
329 
7,546 
1 
138 
131 
7,816 

Share premium 
£000’s 
16,455 
- 
345 
16,800 
- 
254 
136 
17,190 

  On 3 November 2015 the Company announced that  Directors and the Company Secretary were converting  £675k of convertible loan  and accrued interest  in to  equity which resulted in 
6,583,334 new Ordinary Shares of 5 pence ("Shares") being issued.  Under the terms of the convertible loan agreements, the shares were issued at a price of 10.25 pence per Share and were 
admitted onto the AIM market on 6 November 2015. 
b

  On 16 March 2016 the Company announced that it had conditionally raised gross proceeds of £400k.  These funds were raised by way of a placing of 2,758,620 new Ordinary Shares of 5 
pence ("Shares") with institutional investors at a price of 14.5 pence per Share which were issued onto the AIM market on 22  March 2016. Costs of £8k attributable to the share issue have 
been charged against the Share Premium account. 
c

  On 5 October 2016 the Company announced that Directors and former Directors of the Company were converting £267k of convertible loan and accrued interest in to equity which resulted 
in 2,610,814 new Ordinary Shares of 5 pence ("Shares") being issued.  Under the terms of the convertible loan agreements, the shares were issued at a price of 10.25 pence per Share and were 
admitted onto the AIM market on 10 October 2016. 

11. Share based payments 
IFRS2 requires share based payments to be recognised at fair value.  The company measures the fair value of its share based 
payments to employees, “share options”, using the Black-Scholes valuation method at the date of grant and recognised in profit 
or loss over the vesting period.   

All share based payments are equity settled and details of the share option activity during 2016 and 2015 are shown below. 

Outstanding at the beginning of the 
year 
Granted 
Exercised 
Outstanding at the end of the year 
Exercisable 

Number of 
share options 

4,330,000 

- 
(30,000) 
4,300,000 
4,300,000 

2016 
Weighted average 
exercise price 
(pence) 
24 

- 
(5) 
26 
26 

Number of 
share options  

4,630,000 

300,000 
(600,000) 
4,330,000 
4,330,000 

2015 
Weighted average 
exercise price 
(pence)  
23 

27 
(5) 
24 
24 

The outstanding options at 31 December 2016 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.8 years (2015: 4.5 years) 

The following table relates to share options outstanding and exercisable at 31 December 2016 

Exercise price (pence) 
No of share options 
No of exercisable options 

Option exercise prices 

5p 
200,000 
200,000 

27p 
4,100,000 
4,100,000 

Total 
4,300,000 
4,300,000 

Income statement charge 
In accordance with IFRS2 the company determined the fair value of its options at ‘grant date’.  The  company accrues this fair 
value charge over the share option vesting period.  Share options that are forfeited during the year are credited directly to the 
share option reserve account. 

A charge to the income statement of nil (2015: nil) and a credit directly to equity of £2k (2015: £384k) have been made during 
the year in accordance with IFRS2 ‘Share-based payments’. 

The company uses the Black-Scholes model to value its share options.  

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

12. Financial risk management 
The Company’s operations are exposed to various financial risks which are managed by various policies and procedures. The 
main risk and their related management are discussed below: 

Credit risk management 
The Company’s exposure to credit risk arises from its trade and other receivables and cash deposits with financial institutions.  

The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk is summarised below: 

Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

2016 
£000's 
61 
269 
330 

2015 
£000's 
98 
94 
192 

Liquidity risk management 
The Company is exposed to liquidity risk arising from having insufficient funds to meet the  Company’s future financing needs.  
The Company’s liquidity management process includes projecting cash flows and considering the level of liquid assets available 
to meet future cash requirements along with monitoring balance sheet liquidity.  The Board reviews forecasts, including cash 
flow forecasts on a quarterly basis.   

Maturity analysis 
The table below analyses the Company’s financial liabilities on a contractual gross undiscounted cash flow basis into maturity 
groupings based on amounts outstanding at the balance sheet date up to the contractual maturity date. 

2016 
Trade and other payables 

2015 
Trade and other payables 

Within 1 year 
£000's 

1 to 5 years 
£000's 

Over 5 years 
£000's 

Total 
£000's 

91 
91 

110 
110 

- 
- 

254 
254 

- 
- 

- 
- 

91 
91 

364 
364 

Foreign exchange risk management 
The  Company  is  exposed  to  movements  in  foreign  exchange  rates  due  to  the  net  assets  of  its  foreign  investments  being 
denominated  in  foreign  currencies.    If  appropriate  the  Company  can  use  currency  derivative  financial  instruments  such  as 
foreign exchange contracts to reduce exposure.  These were not used in the period. 

Capital management 
The  Company’s  main  objective  when  managing  capital  is  to  protect  returns  to  shareholders.    The  Company  also  aims  to 
maximise its capital structure of debt and equity so as to minimise its cost of capital.  The Company manages its capital with 
regard to risks inherent in the business and the sector in which it operates by monitoring its gearing ratio on a regular basis.  
The Company considers its capital to include share capital, share premium, special reserve,  share option reserve and retained 
earnings.  No gearing is currently calculated as the Company currently has no borrowings. 

13. Related party transactions 

Remuneration of key personnel 
The remuneration of the key management personnel, which includes Directors, is set out below in aggregate for each of the 
categories specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures.  Further information about the remuneration of individual directors is 
provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 8 to 9. 

Directors emoluments are shown in the table below: 

Salaries and short term benefits including NI 
Post employment benefits 

23 

2016 
£000’s 
85 
- 

2015 
£000’s 
125 
16 

85                        141                       

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

13. Related party transactions (continued) 

Transactions with directors 

Loans 
On 5 October 2016, it was announced that the Directors were converting £267k of loans and accrued interest at 10.25p resulting 
in 2,610,814 new ordinary shares of 5p each being issued.  As of 31 December 2016 the outstanding loan balances due were nil 
(2015: £254k) which has been classified under trade and other payables within the balance sheet. 

14. Retirement benefits 
The  Company  operates  a  defined  contribution  retirement  benefit  plan  for  all qualifying  employees. The  total  cost  charged to 
income of nil (2015: £16k) represents contributions payable to that scheme by the Company at rates specified in the rules of the 
scheme. As at 31 December  2016, contributions of nil (2015: nil) due in respect of the current reporting period had not been 
paid over to the scheme. 

15. Financial instruments recognised in the balance sheet 

Assets 

Current financial assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Investments 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total 

Liabilities 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Total 

2016 
Assets  
Available for 
Salea 
£000’s 

- 
36,283 
- 
36,283 

Held for 
tradinga 

Total 

£000’s 

61 
36,283 
269 
36,613 

Total 

£000’s 

£000’s 

- 
- 

54 
54 

Loans and 
receivables 
£000’s 

61 
- 
269 
330 

Other 
financial 
liabilities 
£000’s 

54 
54 

2015 
Assets  
Available 
for Salea 
£000’s 

- 
36,283 
- 
36,283 

Held for 
tradinga 

Total 

£000’s 

98 
36,283 
94 
36,475 

Total 

£000’s 

£000’s 

- 
- 

73 
73 

Loans and 
receivables 
£000’s 

98 
- 
94 
192 

Other 
financial 
liabilities 
£000’s 

73 
73 

a

 Assets and liabilities at fair value through profit and loss. 

16. Investments 
The  tables  below  give  brief  details  of  the  Company’s  investments  at  31  December  2016.    The  Company  had  no  operating 
subsidiaries as of 31 December 2016.   

Investments 
Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp 
Snorkel International Holdings LLC 
Tanfield Engineering Systems US (Inc)a 
Snorkel Europe Ltd a 
Snorkel International Inc a 
Snorkel Australia Limited a 
Snorkel New Zealand Limited a 
a

Principal activity 
Electric vehicle manufacture 
Holding Company 
Powered Access 
Powered Access 
Powered Access 
Powered Access 
Powered Access 

Group Interest in 
allotted capital & 
voting rights 
5.76% 
49.00% 
49.00% 
49.00% 
49.00% 
49.00% 
49.00% 

Country of 
incorporation 
US 
US 
US 
UK 
US 
AUS 
NZ 

 The Company’s interest is held indirectly through its investment in Snorkel International Holdings LLC. 

24