Quarterlytics / Financial Services / Asset Management / Tanfield Group Plc / FY2021 Annual Report

Tanfield Group Plc
Annual Report 2021

TAN · LSE Financial Services
Claim this profile
Ticker TAN
Exchange LSE
Sector Financial Services
Industry Asset Management
Employees 1-10
← All annual reports
FY2021 Annual Report · Tanfield Group Plc
Loading PDF…
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

TANFIELD GROUP PLC 
REPORT AND FINANCIAL  
STATEMENTS 2021 

Registered in England & Wales 

Company number 04061965 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2021 

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS 

Directors and Advisors  

Strategic Report 

Directors’ Report 

Corporate Governance 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

Report of the Independent Auditor  

Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Statement of Financial Position 

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 

9 

10 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

19 

21 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS 

Chairman 
Non-Executive Director 

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

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

DIRECTORS 

NON-EXECUTIVE 
D Robinson  
M Groak 

SECRETARY 
D Robinson 

REGISTERED OFFICE AND ADVISORS 

REGISTERED OFFICE 
c/o Weightmans LLP 
1 St James’ Gate 
Newcastle upon Tyne 
Tyne and Wear 
NE99 1YQ 

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

SOLICITOR 
Weightmans LLP 
1 St James’ Gate 
Newcastle upon Tyne 
Tyne and Wear 
NE99 1YQ 

REGISTRAR 
Link Group  
10th Floor 
Central Square 
29 Wellington Road 
Leeds 
LS1 4DL 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STRATEGIC REPORT 
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 

The Company’s main investment, Snorkel International Holdings 
LLC  ("Snorkel  International"),  began  to  see  signs  of  its  markets 
recovering as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic reduced.  The 
Board continues to closely monitor performance and is  hopeful 
that 2022 will see a continued recovery and improved sales levels.  
It is not known whether 2022 will see a return to the pre Covid-
19  sales  levels.    Following  Tanfield’s  51%  joint  venture  partner 
Xtreme  Manufacturing  LLC  (“Xtreme”),  via  its  subsidiary  SKL 
Holdings LLC (“SKL”) and Snorkel International, filing a Summons 
and Complaint (the “US Proceedings”) against the Company and 
its  subsidiary  HBWP 
(“HBWP”),  the  Board  remains 
disappointed that an amicable resolution has not been possible.  
The  Board  therefore  continues  to  seek  advice  and  vigorously 
defend its position. 

Inc 

investment 

The 
continues to be held at nil value. 

in  Smith  Electric  Vehicles  Corp.  ("Smith") 

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 in 2009 and the formation of a 
joint venture between Tanfield and Xtreme relating to the Snorkel 
division in October 2013 (the “Joint Venture”).  Tanfield currently 
owns 5.76% of Smith and 49% of Snorkel International.  

OVERVIEW 

to  retain  an 

Snorkel International 
Tanfield  continues 
in  Snorkel 
International  (currently  valued  at  £19.1m,  2020:  £19.1m) 
consisting  of  a  49%  interest  and  a  preferred  interest  position, 
incorporating  a  Priority  Amount  and  a  Preferred  Return 
(collectively the “Preferred Interest”), which it has held since the 
Joint Venture was established in October 2013.  

investment 

Since the injection of working capital following the Joint Venture, 
Snorkel  achieved  increased  year  on  year  sales  levels  however, 
during 2020  the impact of  the Covid-19 pandemic saw the first 
reduction of sales.  2021 has seen sales levels recover somewhat, 
but they remain below pre pandemic levels.  A summary of sales 
(unaudited)  and  the  operating 
loss  (unaudited),  excluding 
depreciation is shown below:  

Year 

Sales 

2021 
2020 
2019 
2018 
2017 
2016 
2015 
2014 

$155.0m 
$110.8m 
$220.8m 
$200.5m 
$165.8m 
$130.5m 
$109.9m 
$85.3m 

Increase/ 
(decrease) 
40% 
(50%) 
10% 
21% 
27% 
19% 
29% 
- 

Operating profit/ 
(loss) excluding 
depreciation 
($9.1m) 
($12.3m) 
$0.3m 
$2.9m 
$1.6m 
($2.8m) 
($10.6m) 
($14.9m) 

Despite the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Board is not 
aware of any market factors and have not been made aware of any 
specific  reason  why  sales  growth  should  not  be  achieved  in  2022, 
when  compared  to  2021  sales,  as  the  impact  of  the  pandemic 
continues to subside.  

In  October  2019,  the  Board  received  the  US  Proceedings,  in  which 
Xtreme,  via  its  subsidiary  SKL  and  Snorkel  International,  allege  that 
Tanfield has refused to comply with its contractual obligations by not 
agreeing  to  sign  over  its  interest  in  Snorkel  International  for  £nil 
consideration.  It is the Board’s belief that the intent of Tanfield, its 
non-conflicted  directors  at  the  time  and  its  shareholders,  as  well  as 
the contractual terms, require that the Preferred Interest is paid to the 
Company  before  its  49%  holding  in  Snorkel  International  can  be 
acquired.  Notwithstanding that, in the Board’s opinion, payment of 
the Preferred Interest is a clear requirement described in the Circular 
that  was  distributed  to  shareholders  in  advance  of  shareholders 
approving the contemplated transaction, Xtreme allege that this was 
not  their  intent  or  understanding  of  the  contemplated  transaction 
despite both they, and their advisers, reviewing and commenting on 
the Circular prior to its distribution.  They also allege that they do not 
believe  payment  of  the  Preferred  Interest  is  a  requirement  of  the 
contractual agreements. 

The position of Xtreme, which is the premise of the US Proceedings, is 
that while they accept that Tanfield received a 49% interest in Snorkel 
International  and  an  adjusted  priority  amount  of  $22.5m  (adjusted 
from  the  headline  $50m  value  detailed  in  the  Circular,  and  with 
interest  accruing)  in  exchange  for  contributing  the  entire  Snorkel 
division, including all its assets and intellectual property, to the Joint 
Venture, and gave Xtreme a 51% controlling interest, they allege that 
because  Snorkel  International,  under  Xtreme’s  control,  failed  to 
achieve a 12 month EBITDA of $25m prior to 30 September 2018, that 
Tanfield’s  $22.5m  adjusted  Priority  Amount,  plus  accrued  interest, 
simply  disappeared;  allowing  Xtreme  to  acquire  Tanfield’s  49% 
interest for £nil consideration.  

Accordingly, in summary, it is alleged by Xtreme that the terms of the 
transaction  were  such  that  after  (a)  Tanfield  contributed  all  of  the 
assets  and  intellectual  property  of  its  Snorkel  division  to  the  Joint 
Venture, which Snorkel’s own tax returns declare as having a net fair 
market value of $45.5m, (b) Tanfield conceded management control 
of the Snorkel division to Xtreme, (c) Xtreme ran the business as it saw 
fit  for  approximately  5  years  and  Snorkel  International  failed  to 
achieve an annualized $25m EBITDA, (d) Tanfield’s value  disappears 
completely  and  Xtreme  can  take  100%  ownership  of  Snorkel 
International without paying any consideration to Tanfield.  

The Board vigorously deny that this was the intent of the parties, or 
the  meaning  of  the  contractual  agreements.    It  would  have  made 
absolutely no commercial sense to contribute the considerable value, 
trade  and  assets  of  the  Snorkel  division,  which  both  parties  agreed 
from  the  outset  was  fundamentally  a  viable  company,  while  also 
relinquishing control of the division, to then receive no consideration 
for the considerable value contributed to the Joint Venture, because 
the controlling party failed to achieve the target. The Board therefore 
continues to seek advice and vigorously defend its position.   

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STRATEGIC REPORT (Continued) 

Despite  the  allegations,  which  the  Board  believe  are  without 
merit, the Board is currently of the opinion that the investment in 
Snorkel International will result in a return to shareholders in the 
future, but would like to draw your attention to the “Valuation of 
Snorkel International holding” below and the critical accounting 
estimates and key judgments on pages 19 and 20 which further 
explain the potential risks. 

Due to the risks involved with the ongoing different opinions regarding 
the  contractual  agreements,  it  is  possible  the  actual  realisation  of 
value could be less, or more, than the current valuation. A number of 
factors could influence the valuation of Snorkel International between 
now  and  a  potential  realisation  date,  including  the  outcome  of  all 
relevant  legal  proceedings,  Xtreme’s  negotiating  stance  and  the 
exchange rate at the time of any realisation. 

As a result of the issues arising from the US Proceedings, Tanfield 
also sought to preserve its position against Ward Hadaway, the 
Company’s former solicitor, as, depending on the outcome of the 
US  Proceedings,  the  Company  may  need  to  hold  the  firm  to 
account for its role in and/or advice to Tanfield in relation to the 
Joint  Venture  transfer.   Due  to  statutory  time  limitation  issues, 
and because a suitable Standstill Agreement - which would have 
fully  protected  the  Company  -  could  not  be  agreed,  it  became 
necessary  for  the  Company  to  issue  and  serve  a  claim  against 
Ward Hadaway in the English High Court (the “UK Proceedings”) 
in order to ensure that the Company's rights were fully protected 
pending the outcome of the US Proceedings.  

Both  proceedings  have  continued  to  progress  during  2021 
however,  due  to  Covid-19  and  other  factors,  delays  were 
unavoidable.  Further updates in relation to progress and timing 
will be provided as and when appropriate.  The outcome of the 
US  Proceedings,  if  completed  before  the  UK  Proceedings,  may 
have  a  direct  and  material  impact  on  the  UK  Proceedings, 
including the quantum of any claim.  

Valuation of Snorkel International holding: £19.1 
million (2020: £19.1 million) 
On 30 September 2018 the fixed terms of the agreement came to 
an end. In summary, if the trailing 12 month EBITDA had reached 
$25m by 30 September 2018, this would have triggered payment 
of  the  Preferred  Interest,  valued  at  £19.1m,  which  once  paid, 
would  have  allowed  the  Company  to  exercise  its  put  option, 
compelling the purchase / sale of Tanfield's remaining holding in 
Snorkel International.  As a $25m trailing 12 month EBITDA was 
not  reached  by  the  deadline,  the  put  option  expired.  Tanfield 
retains a 49% interest in Snorkel International and, in the Board’s 
opinion,  the  Preferred  Interest,  but  it  can  no  longer  compel 
Xtreme to pay the Preferred Interest and acquire its 49% interest.  
The  Board  therefore  remains  of  the  opinion  that  the  Preferred 
Interest is the minimum payment required under the terms of the 
contractual agreements for Xtreme to acquire Tanfield’s interest 
and that this is therefore an appropriate basis for determining the 
value the investment is to be carried at. 

As the US Proceedings have been brought against Tanfield, it is 
evident  that  Don  Ahern,  the  owner  of  Xtreme,  wishes  to  own 
100%  of  Snorkel  International.  However,  based  on  statements 
within the US Proceedings, it is evident that Don Ahern does not 
believe  he  should  have  to  pay  anything  in  order  to  acquire 
Tanfield’s 49% of Snorkel International.  One possible outcome is 
that  Tanfield  continues  to  hold 
interest  for  the 
foreseeable future however, the Board  does not believe such a 
scenario would be in the best interest of shareholders given the 
action taken by  Don Ahern against the Company  and, should it 
become  necessary,  would  consider  options  that  may  assist  in 
moving from this position. 

its  49% 

Due to these inherent uncertainties, the Board is unable to determine 
whether the actual outcome will be less than the current valuation of 
£19.1m, which it believes is underpinned by the value of the Preferred 
Interest, so feel the valuation of £19.1m should be maintained. This 
valuation  has  been  assessed  against  various  criteria,  including 
exchange rate fluctuations. The Board would like to draw the reader’s 
attention to the  critical accounting estimates and  key judgments on 
pages  19  and  20  which  further  explain  the  uncertainty  and  to  the 
Auditors’ report on pages 10 to 12 in which it is also highlighted. 

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.  

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 understand that Smith has not been trading in recent years 
and  as  Smith  are  unable  to  provide  any  certainty  on  its  future,  the 
Board maintains its opinion that the investment value should be held 
at £nil. 

Strategy of Tanfield Board of Directors in relation to 
its Investments 
The Board believes its investment in Snorkel International will result 
in a return of value to shareholders but cannot predict the timeframe 
for  such  a  return.  With  regard  to  Smith,  due  to  the  ongoing 
uncertainty, the Board is  unable to say, at this time, whether it  will 
result in a return of value to shareholders. 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 will 
continue  to  fulfil  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 
International  or  Smith.  There  is  no  limit  on  the  amount  of  time  the 
existing investments may be held by the Company. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STRATEGIC REPORT (Continued) 

Finance expense and income 
Interest cost of £145k was incurred in the period (2020: £100k) 
and  interest  income  of  £nil  (2020:  £nil)  was  received  on  bank 
balances. 

The  likely  consequences  of  decisions  in  the  long  term.    As  discussed 
earlier  in  this  report,  the  sole  aim  of  the  Board  is  to  maximise  the 
return  to  shareholders  through  its  investment  holdings.    This  is  of 
necessity a short-term focus, and the financial outcome will determine 
the future position and strategy of the Company.  

Loss from operations  
The loss from operations before tax was £514k (2020: £697k), the 
most  significant  difference  compared  to  the  prior  year  being  a 
reduction in legal fees relating to the ongoing US Proceedings and 
UK Proceedings, as well as an increase in the finance expense. 

Loss per share  
Loss per share from continuing operations was 0.32 pence (2020: 
0.43 pence).  No dividend has been declared (2020: £nil). 

Cash 
At  31  December  2021,  the  Company  had  cash  of  £0.6m  (2020: 
£0.5m) and approximately £1.4m as at the date of this report. At 
31  December  2021,  £0.5m  of  cash  is  held  on  deposit  with  the 
English  Court  as  security  in  relation  to  the  UK  Proceedings  and 
£1.25m as at the date of this report. 

Risks and uncertainties  
Loan  note  instruments  totalling  £3.7m  have  been  put  in  place 
between 2020 and the date of this report, with £2.6m of notes 
currently  issued.  Having  discussed  matters  with  the  Company’s 
shareholders, the directors believe that, if required, the Company 
should be able to source sufficient working capital, in the form of 
further loans, to provide the resources to allow it to continue for 
a period of 12 months from the date of this report.   However, 
there is no guarantee if and when a realisation of value from one 
of  the  investments  will  happen,  or  of  the  costs  associated  in 
securing  a  realisation,  and  the  Board  will  closely  monitor 
progress.  It  recognises  that  its  investments  have  a  level  of  risk 
associated with them and is somewhat reliant on their continued 
performance within their markets.  

The ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic is continuing to impact the 
performance of the investment in Snorkel International but signs 
are that Snorkel’s markets began recovering in 2021 and this has 
continued to be the case in early 2022.  However, at this stage, it 
is not possible to estimate how long it will be until the pandemic 
no longer impacts the performance of Snorkel at all.  The Board 
note  that  any  impact  would  likely  be  limited  to  timing  and 
currently do not believe that it should alter what it believes to be 
the minimum contractual value. 

Section 172: Companies Act Statement 
The  Board  takes  seriously  its  duties  towards  a  wide  range  of 
stakeholders and acts in a way to ensure that its decision making 
promotes  the  success  of  the  Company  for  the  benefit  of  these 
stakeholders in accordance with Section 172. The Board’s ability 
to do this is as a result of the Company status – as an investment 
Company it has no employees or customers and its activities have 
no  impact  on  the  wider  community  and  environment.  The 
statements  below  provide  further  information  as  to  how  the 
directors have had regard to the relevant matters. 

The need to foster the Company’s business relationships with suppliers 
and the desirability of the Company to maintain a reputation for high 
standards  of  business  conduct.    Engagement  with  suppliers  is  a  key 
part  of  the  business  as  the  Board  looks  to  bring  a  resolution  to  its 
investment position. Therefore, we are selective in the suppliers we 
choose  to  work  with,  demonstrating  the  Board’s  commitment  to 
maintaining high standards of business conduct and professionalism. 

The  need  to  act  fairly  between  members  of  the  Company. 
Responsibility  for  investor  relations  rests  with  the  Chairman.  The 
Board  is  committed  to  communicating  openly  with  shareholders  to 
ensure that its strategy and performance are clearly understood.  

The Annual General Meeting is the principal forum for shareholders, 
and  we  encourage  all  shareholders  to  attend  (where  appropriate, 
subject  to  Covid-19  restrictions)  and  participate.    The  notice  of  the 
meeting is sent at least 21 days before the meeting. The Chairman of 
the  Board  and  other  directors,  where  possible,  are  present  and  are 
available  to  answer  questions  raised  by  shareholders.  The  Board 
ensure  regular  communications  are  made  to  all  shareholders  via 
periodic RNS announcements. 

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 
Chairman 
30 June 2022 

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 2021. 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.  

INVESTING POLICY 
The  holdings  in  Snorkel  International  Holdings  LLC  and  Smith 
Electric Vehicles Corp. are passive investments. It is the intention 
that where distributions or realisations of such holdings are made 
(or  there  is  a  receipt  of  marketable  securities)  that  these  are 
distributed to shareholders, subject to compliance with any legal 
requirements  associated  with  such  distributions.  There 
is 
presently no anticipated limit on the amount of time the holdings 
are to be held by the Company. The Company does not have and 
will not make any cross holdings and does not have a policy on 
gearing.  

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. 

Trade  creditor  days  based  on  trade  payables  at  31  December  2021 
were 25 days (2020: 37 days). 

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS 
On  31  December  2021  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  

54,108,810  

33.2% 

CHASE NOMINEES LIMITED  

34,126,672 

20.9% 

AURORA NOMINEES LIMITED  

19,739,558 

12.1% 

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS 
The financial result for the year to 31 December 2021 reflects the 
principal  activity  of  the  company  being  that  of  an  investment 
company. 

VIDACOS NOMINEES LIMITED 

11,851,174 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK (NOMINEES) 

11,829,698 

LYNCHWOOD NOMINEES LIMITED 

5,511,566 

7.3% 

7.3% 

3.4% 

Turnover  for  the  year  was  £nil  (2020:  £nil).  The  loss  from 
operations  in  the  year  of  £369k  (2020:  £597k)  arose  from 
operating costs.  

The statement of financial position shows total assets at the end 
of the year of £19.7m (2020: £19.6m). Net Current Assets were 
£0.5m (2020: £0.5m) with cash balances of £0.6m (2020: £0.5m). 
Having  discussed  matters  with  certain  Company  shareholders, 
the  directors  believe  that,  if  required,  the  Company  should  be 
able  to  source  sufficient  working  capital,  in  the  form of  further 
loans, to provide the resources to allow it to continue for a period 
of  12  months  from  the  date  of  this  report.    Note  19  provides 
details of further loans already provided since the year end. 

No dividend has been paid or proposed for the year (2020: £nil). 
The loss of £514k (2020: £697k) has been transferred to reserves. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
The Company’s financial instruments comprise cash, non-current 
investments,  current  receivables,  current  payables  arising  from 
its operations and borrowings. The principal financial instruments 
used  by  the  Company  during  the  year  are  cash  balances  raised 
from  borrowings.  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.  

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

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. 

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 has 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 INDEMNITY 
Every  Director  shall  be  indemnified  by  the  Company  out  of  its  own 
funds. 

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

The directors’ do not currently have a right to acquire shares in 
the company via the exercise of options as all past options have 
either  been  exercised  or  lapsed.    Details  of  the  directors’ 
remuneration  and  incentives  are  set  out  in  the  Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on page 8. 

Daryn Robinson 
Chairman 
30 June 2022 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  Board  considers  evaluation  of  its  committees  and  individual 
directors to be an integral part of corporate governance to ensure it 
has  the  necessary  skills,  experience  and  abilities  to  fulfil 
its 
responsibilities. To ensure the skills and knowledge of the Board are 
kept up to date, it works with its Nominated Advisor & Broker, Auditor 
and Solicitor to ensure that any relevant new or amended accounting 
standards and interpretations, AIM rules or Companies Act legislation 
are fully understood and implemented. 

The Board recognises that a corporate culture based on sound ethical 
values and behaviours is an asset. In accordance with the Company’s 
stated social responsibilities it endeavours to conduct its business in 
an ethical, professional and responsible manner. As the Company has 
no control over operational matters relating to its investments, it is 
unable to influence the values and behaviours directly but it supports 
a culture of dealings with both shareholders and investee companies 
with integrity and respect. 

The QCA Code is constructed around ten broad principles and a set of 
disclosures. The QCA has stated what it considers to be appropriate 
arrangements  and  asks  companies  to  provide  an  explanation  about 
how  they  are  meeting  the  principles  through  the  prescribed 
disclosures. We have considered how we apply each principle to the 
extent  that  the  board  judges  these  to  be  appropriate  in  the 
circumstances,  and  we  provide  a  full  explanation  of  the  approach 
taken in relation to each in the details of our approach to Corporate 
Governance  which  can  be  found  on  the  Company’s  website 
www.tanfieldgroup.com/about#governance.  The  board  considers 
that it does not depart from any of the principles of the QCA Code.  

Going Concern 
Having  discussed  matters  with  the  Company’s  shareholders,  the 
directors are satisfied that, if required, the Company should be able 
to source sufficient working capital, in the form of further loans, to 
provide  the  resources  to  continue  for  a  period of  12  months  from 
the date of this report.  For this reason, they continue to adopt the 
going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.   

TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

All  members  of  the  board  believe  strongly  in  the  value  and 
in  our 
importance  of  good  corporate  governance  and 
accountability  to  all  of  Tanfield’s  stakeholders, 
including 
shareholders and suppliers.  

The  corporate  governance  framework  which  the  company 
operates,  including  board  leadership  and  effectiveness,  board 
remuneration, and internal control is based upon practices which 
the board believes are proportional to the size, risks, complexity 
and operations of the business and is reflective of the company’s 
values.  Of  the  two  widely  recognised  formal  codes,  we  have 
adopted  the  Quoted  Companies  Alliance’s  (QCA)  Corporate 
Governance  Code  for  small  and  mid-size  quoted  companies 
(revised in April 2018 to meet the new requirements of AIM Rule 
26). 

Tanfield  is  a  passive  investment  company  with  investments  in 
Snorkel  International  and  Smith.    It  is  the  intention  that  where 
distributions or realisations are made that these are distributed 
to  shareholders,  subject 
legal 
requirements associated with such distributions.  

to  compliance  with  any 

The Board is mindful of and monitors its corporate risks. The main 
risks the business faces are that the investments may not achieve 
their operational goals, resulting in no realisation event and the 
potential for disputes with the controlling shareholders as to the 
terms  of  a  realisation  event  should  one  occur.  As  a  passive 
investment  company,  the  Board  is  not  able  to  influence  the 
decision making or strategy of the investment companies and so 
its ability to mitigate some risks is limited. 

The Company operates as a passive investment company and has 
put in place a board structure that can best provide the strategic 
advice, leadership and continuity required. The  board structure 
consists  of  two  non-executive  directors,  Daryn  Robinson  and 
Martin Groak, both sitting on the PLC Board. Due to the nature of 
the  business,  executive  directors  and  an  operational  Board  are 
not deemed necessary and therefore the non-executive directors 
are  deemed  not  to  be  independent.    During  the  year  5  board 
meetings, all fully attended, took place. 

The  Board  considers  the  Board  composition  in  terms  of  skills, 
experience and balance. Its committees seek external expertise 
and advice where required. With only two Board members, due 
to  the  limited  activities  of  the  Company,  Board  cohesion  is 
paramount  and  this  is  regularly  reviewed.  The  Board  members 
have  held  roles  and  directorships  in  other  publicly 
listed 
companies  where  they  have  gained  a  wealth  of  financial  and 
public  market  experience  which  collectively  has  provided  them 
with  the  balance  of  skills  and  expertise  to  deliver  the  business 
strategy. 

Daryn Robinson 
Chairman 
30 June 2022 

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 
QCA Code.  The members of the committee during the year were 
D  Robinson  and  M  Groak  and  the  committee  was  chaired  by  D 
Robinson. 

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. 

• 
• 
• 

Share options 
The  directors  had  options  granted  to  them  under  the  terms  of  the 
Share  Option  Scheme  which,  as  at  the  date  of  this  report,  have 
expired. Share options were awarded as set out in the table below.  No 
new share options have been granted as at the date of this report. 

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 2021 and 31 December 
2020 are shown below: 

                                                     Number of shares 

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. 

D Robinson 
M Groak 
Total 

2021 
942,785 
40,000 
982,785 

2020 
942,785 
40,000 
982,785 

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.  

The  directors,  as  a  group,  beneficially  own  0.6%  of  the  company’s 
shares. 

As at the date of this report, no director has any remaining 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.  

Remuneration review 
Directors emoluments for the financial year were as follows: 

M Groak 
D Robinson 
Total 

Salary  
2021 
£000's 
20 
70 
90 

Pension 
2021 
£000's 
- 
3 
3 

Total 
2021 
£000's 
20 
73 
93 

Salary  
2020 
£000's 
20 
61 
81 

Pension 
2020 
£000's 
- 
2 
2 

Total 
2020 
£000's 
20 
63 
83 

The directors held no share options at 31 December 2021 (2020: nil). 

Approval 
This report was approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 30 June 2022 and signed on its behalf by: 

Daryn Robinson 
Chairman 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES 

The  directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  Strategic 
Report and the Directors’ 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  and  the 
AIM  Rules  of  the  London  Stock  Exchange  the  directors  have 
elected to prepare the financial statements of the company in 
accordance  with  applicable 
law  and  UK-adopted 
International Accounting Standards. 

The financial statements are required by law and UK-adopted 
International  Accounting  Standards  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 
International  Accounting 
with  UK-adopted 
Standards; 

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

statements 

financial 

comply 

with 

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. 

9 

 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR  

Independent auditor's report to the members of Tanfield Group Plc  

Opinion 
We  have  audited  the  financial  statements  of  Tanfield  Group 
plc  (the  ‘company’)  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2021 
which  comprise  the  statement  of  comprehensive  income, 
statement of financial position, statement of changes in equity 
attributable to equity shareholders, cash flow statement and 
including  significant 
notes  to  the  financial  statements, 
accounting  policies.  The  financial  reporting  framework  that 
has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and UK-
adopted International Accounting Standards. 

asset investments with a carrying value of £19.1m (2020: £19.1m). 
This  represents  holdings  of  5%  and  49%  respectively  in  Smith 
Electric  Vehicles  US  Corp  and  Snorkel  International  Holdings  LLC 
(‘Snorkel’).  Note  6  and  the  Accounting  Policies  of  the  financial 
statements  describes  the  judgements  made  by  the  Board  with 
regards to the need for an impairment to be recognised in respect 
of  each  of  these  investments  and,  in  particular,  the  significant 
uncertainty concerning the carrying value of the company’s £19.1m 
investment in Snorkel International Holdings LLC. The investment 
in Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp has already been fully impaired. 

In our opinion the financial statements:  
• 

give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s 
affairs  as  at  31  December  2021  and  of  its  loss  for  the 
year then ended; 
have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  UK-
adopted International Accounting Standards; and 
have  been  prepared 
in  accordance  with 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

the 

• 

• 

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

Summary of our audit approach 
• 

Key  audit  matters  -  Carrying  value  of  non-current 
investments 
•  Materiality 

-  Overall  materiality:  £408,000 

(2020: 
£409,000),  Performance  materiality:  £306,000  (2020: 
£306,750) 
Scope  -  Our  audit  procedures  covered  100%  of  total 
assets and 100% of loss before tax. 

• 

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

Carrying value of non-current investment 
Key audit matter description 
Included in the Statement of Financial Position are non current 

The investment in Snorkel represents the sole significant asset held 
within  the  Statement  of  Financial  Position  of  the  company.  As 
described  on  pages  19  and  20  there  are  significant  uncertainties 
over  the  timing  of  any  realisation,  and  the  amount  that  might 
ultimately  be  realised  on  this  investment,  that  could  have  a 
material effect on the recoverable amount. The realisation of this 
investment  for  either  more  or  less  than  its  carrying  value  could 
have a material impact on the financial statements.  

The Board has limited financial and non-financial information upon 
which  to  calculate/base  its  estimate  of  the  realisation  value  and 
timing  thereof.  The  Critical  Accounting  Estimates  and  Key 
Judgements disclosures on pages 19 and 20 set out the basis of the 
Directors consideration of the fair value of the investment, based 
on  its  expected  recoverable  amount,  and  the  assumptions  made 
therein. The assessments and conclusion of the directors are based 
on  the  Investment  Circular  setting  out  the  Proposed  Transaction 
issued  to  Shareholders  in  September  2013,  the  legal  advice 
obtained at the time and subsequent to that date along with the 
information received in respect of the financial performance and 
position  of  Snorkel.  The  assessment  made  by  the  Directors  as  to 
the sums falling due under the Investment Circular  differs to the 
assessment made by Xtreme, which has led to legal proceedings by 
Xtreme  against  the  company  to  obtain  control  of  the  remaining 
49%  of  Snorkel.  The  directors  have  concluded  that  the  most 
appropriate basis for determining the carrying  amount continues 
to be the amount represented by the Preferred Interest element, 
which was established at the time of the Transaction, and was the 
value  the  investment  in  Snorkel  was  impaired  to  following  the 
expiry of the put option in 2018. 

in  the  Critical  Accounting  Estimates  and  Key 
As  explained 
Judgements section on pages 19 and 20, the timing of realisation 
and the sum to be realised are dependent on definitive clarification 
as to the legal position of the call option still held by Xtreme. The 
eventual amount realised is also dependent on the applicable rate 
of exchange at the time that any US$ proceeds are converted into 
GBP.  As a result, there remains significant doubt over the timing 
and value at which this asset will be realised.  

How the matter was addressed in the audit 
Our audit work has considered the nature of the financial and other 
information  held  by  management  described  above, 
the 
assumptions used by management to assess the estimated timing 
and  realisable  value  of  the  investment,  and  such  other  audit 
evidence as was available, to form a view on the reasonableness of 
these assumptions, estimates and calculations. 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR (CONTINUED)  

In  carrying  out  our  audit  work  we  have  considered  and 
challenged the range of outcomes considered by the directors, 
the conclusion the directors have reached about the reliability 
of  any  alternative  valuation  and  the  disclosures  made, 
specifically  in  the  Critical  Accounting  Estimates  and  Key 
Judgements disclosures and in Note 6. We also circularised the 
Company’s legal advisors in both the UK and United States. 

Our application of materiality 
When  establishing  our  overall  audit  strategy,  we  set  certain 
thresholds which help us to determine the nature, timing and 
extent of our audit procedures. When evaluating whether the 
effects of misstatements, both individually and on the financial 
statements  as  a  whole,  could  reasonably  influence  the 
economic  decisions  of  the  users  we  take  into  account  the 
qualitative nature and the size of the misstatements. Based on 
our  professional  judgement,  we  determined  materiality  as 
follows: 
•  Overall materiality - £408,000 (2020: £409,000) 
• 

Basis for determining overall materiality – 2.1% of total 
assets. 
Rationale for benchmark applied - Consistent with prior 
year, the company’s principal activity continues to be that 
of  an  investment  company.  As  such,  we  deemed  total 
assets to be the key benchmark for users of the financial 
statements. 
Performance materiality - £306,000 (2020: £306,750). 
Basis for determining performance materiality - 75% of 
overall materiality.  

• 

• 
• 

•  Materiality levels for those classes of transaction where 
materiality  levels  are  lower  than  overall  materiality  - 
The  statement  of  comprehensive  income  was  tested  to 
the  lower  Performance  Materiality  figure  of  £19,275 
(2020:  £34,500  to  ensure  adequate  coverage  of  these 
values. This has been calculated as 3.8% (2020: 4.9%) of 
loss before tax. 
Reporting  of  misstatements  to  the  Audit  Committee  - 
Misstatements  in  excess  of  £4,080  and  misstatements 
below  that  threshold  that,  in  our  view,  warranted 
reporting on qualitative grounds. 

• 

An overview of the scope of our audit 
The company has been subject to a full scope audit.  

• 

Conclusions relating to going concern 
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that 
the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in 
the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our 
evaluation  of  the  directors’  assessment  of  the  company’s 
ability  to  continue  to  adopt  the  going  concern  basis  of 
accounting included: 
• 

checking  the  integrity  and  accuracy  of  the  cashflow 
forecasts prepared by management; 
assessing  the  reasonableness  of  assumptions  and 
explanations  provided  by  management  to  supporting 
information, where available;  
reviewing  the 
funding  requirements  and 
assessing the directors’ opinion of the entity’s ability to 
obtain future funding; and 

forecast 

• 

• 

• 

auditing the accuracy and consistency of disclosures made in 
the financial statements in respect of principal risks and going 
concern. 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any 
material  uncertainties  relating  to  events  or  conditions  that, 
individually  or  collectively,  may  cast  significant  doubt  on  the 
company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at 
least  twelve  months  from  when  the  financial  statements  are 
authorised for issue. 

Our  responsibilities  and  the  responsibilities  of  the  directors  with 
respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of 
this report. 

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

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent 
with  the  financial  statements  or  our  knowledge  obtained  in  the 
course  of  the  audit  or  otherwise  appears  to  be  materially 
misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent 
material  misstatements,  we  are  required  to  determine  whether 
this  gives  rise  to  a  material  misstatement  in  the  financial 
statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, 
we  conclude  that  there  is  a  material  misstatement  of  this  other 
information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing 
to report in this regard. 

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the 
audit: 
• 

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 
the  Strategic  Report  and  the  Directors’  Report  have  been 
prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 

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 material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the 
Directors’ Report. 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in 
relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to 
you if, in our opinion: 
• 

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 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR (CONTINUED)  

•  we  have  not  received  all 

the 

information  and 

explanations we require for our audit. 

the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and 
detection of fraud. 

Responsibilities of directors 
As  explained  more  fully  in  the  directors’  responsibilities 
statement set out on page 9, the directors are responsible for 
the  preparation  of  the  financial  statements  and  for  being 
satisfied  that  they  give  a  true  and  fair  view,  and  for  such 
internal  control  as  the  directors  determine  is  necessary  to 
enable  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  that  are  free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

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

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

The  extent  to  which  the  audit  was  considered  capable  of 
detecting irregularities, including fraud 
Irregularities  are  instances  of  non-compliance  with  laws  and 
regulations.  The objectives of our audit are to obtain sufficient 
appropriate  audit  evidence  regarding  compliance  with  laws 
and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination 
of  material  amounts  and  disclosures 
in  the  financial 
statements,  to  perform  audit  procedures  to  help  identify 
instances of non-compliance with other laws and regulations 
that may have a material effect on the financial statements, 
and to respond appropriately to identified or suspected non-
compliance  with  laws  and  regulations  identified  during  the 
audit.    

In relation to fraud, the objectives of our audit are to identify 
and assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial 
statements due to fraud, to obtain sufficient appropriate audit 
the  assessed 
evidence 
risks  of  material 
regarding 
through  designing  and 
to 
misstatement  due 
implementing  appropriate 
respond 
appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the 
audit.   

responses  and 

fraud 

to 

However, it is the primary responsibility of management, with 
the  oversight  of  those  charged  with  governance,  to  ensure 
that the entity's operations are conducted in accordance with  

In  identifying  and  assessing  risks  of  material  misstatement  in 
respect  of  irregularities,  including  fraud,  the  audit  engagement 
team: 
• 

obtained an understanding of the nature of the industry and 
sector, including the legal and regulatory framework that the 
company operates in and how the company is complying with 
the legal and regulatory framework; 
inquired of management, and those charged with governance, 
about their own identification and assessment of the risks of 
irregularities,  including  any  known  actual,  suspected  or 
alleged instances of fraud; 
discussed  matters  about  non-compliance  with  laws  and 
regulations and how fraud might occur including assessment 
of how and where the financial statements may be susceptible 
to fraud. 

• 

• 

The most significant laws and regulations were determined as: UK-
adopted IAS; Companies Act 2006 and AIM listing rules. Additional 
audit  procedures  performed  by  the  audit  engagement  team 
included: 
• 

Review  of  the  financial  statement  disclosures  and  testing 
these to supporting documentation; and 
Completion of disclosure checklists to identify areas of non-
compliance. 

• 

The  area  that  we  identified  as  being  susceptible  to  material 
misstatement due to fraud were: the risk of management override 
of  controls.    The  audit  procedures  performed  by  the  audit 
engagement team included: 
• 

Testing  the  appropriateness  of  journal  entries  and  other 
adjustments;  
Assessing  whether 
accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and 
Evaluating 
rationale  of  any  significant 
transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of 
business. 

judgements  made 

the  business 

in  making 

• 

• 

the 

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

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

ALAN AITCHISON (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
For and on behalf of RSM UK Audit LLP, Statutory Auditor  
Chartered Accountants 
Third Floor, 69 Wellington Street, Glasgow, G2 6HG  
30 June 2022 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 

Revenue 
Staff costs 
Other operating income 
Other operating expenses 
Loss from operations  
Finance expense 
Finance income 
Loss from operations before tax 
Taxation 
Loss & total comprehensive income for the year attributable  
     to equity shareholders 

Loss per share 

Loss per share from operations 
Basic and diluted (p) 

Notes 

2021 
£000's 

2020 
£000's 

1 

3 

2 
2 

4 

- 
(93) 
19 
(295) 
(369) 
(145) 
- 
(514) 
- 
(514) 

- 
(83) 
18 
(532) 
(597) 
(100) 
- 
(697) 
- 
(697) 

5 

(0.32) 

(0.43) 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Company registration number 04061965) 
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021 

Non current assets 
Non current Investments 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Non current liabilities 
Borrowings 

Current liabilities 
Trade and 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 

10 

9 

11 
11 
12 

2021 
£000's 

19,100 
19,100 

23 
588 
611 

2020 
£000's 

19,100 
19,100 

24 
524 
548 

19,711 

19,648 

1,695 
1,695 

72 
72 

1,100 
1,100 

90 
90 

1,767 

1,190 

8,145 
17,336 
- 
66,837 
1,534 
(75,908) 
17,944 

8,145 
17,336 
331 
66,837 
1,534 
(75,725) 
18,458 

Total equity and liabilities 

19,711 

19,648 

The financial statements on pages 13 to 27 were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 30 June 2022 and 
are signed on its behalf by: 

Daryn Robinson  
Chairman 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY 
SHAREHOLDERS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 

At 1 January 2020 
Comprehensive income 
Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive income for 
the year 
At 31 December 2020 
Comprehensive income 
Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive income for 
the year 
Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners:- 
     Share based payments (note 12) 
At 31 December 2021 

Share 
capital 

Share 
premiuma 

£000's 
8,145 

£000's 
17,336 

Share 
option 
reserveb 
£000's 
331 

Merger 
reservec 

Special 
reserved 

Retained 
earningse 

Total 

£000's 
1,534 

£000's 
66,837 

£000's 
(75,028) 

£000's 
19,155 

- 

- 

- 
8,145 

- 
17,336 

- 

- 

- 

- 

8,145 

17,336 

- 

- 
331 

- 

- 

(331) 
- 

- 

- 

(697) 

(697) 

- 
1,534 

- 
66,837 

(697) 
(75,725) 

(697) 
18,458 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(514) 

(514) 

(514) 

(514) 

1,534 

66,837 

331 
(75,908) 

- 
17,944 

a The share premium account represents amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value, net of directly attributable share issue costs. 
b The share option reserve represents the cumulative share-based payment expense. 
c The merger reserve has arisen on the legal acquisition of subsidiary companies. 
d The special reserve relates to a previous reclassification of the share premium account. 
e The retained earnings represents the accumulated retained profits and losses less dividend payments. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 

Loss from operations  
Adjustment for: 
Finance costs 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities / working capital: 
  Decrease/(Increase) in receivables 
  (Decrease) / increase in payables 
Net cash used in operating activities 

Cash flow from Investing Activities 
  Interest received 
Net cash from investing activities 

Cash flow from financing activities 
  Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares net of costs 
  Proceeds from borrowings 
Net cash generated by financing activities  

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at the start of year 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

2021 
£000's 

(514) 

145 

1 
(18) 
(386) 

- 
- 

- 
450 
450 

64 
524 
588 

2020 
£000's 

(697) 

100 

(1) 
(14) 
(612) 

- 
- 

- 
1,000 
1,000 

388 
136 
524 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

(i)  Basis  of  preparation  of 

the 

financial 

statements 

Tanfield Group Plc is a public company incorporated in England 
and  quoted  on  AIM.  These  financial  statements  have  been 
prepared  on  the  going  concern  basis  in  accordance  with 
applicable  law  and  UK-adopted  International  Accounting 
Standards. The financial statements have been prepared under 
the  historical  cost  convention,  except  for  the  revaluation  of 
certain financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value. 

The financial statements present the company accounts only and 
have  not  been  consolidated  as  the  adjustments  made  to  the 
financial  statements  upon  consolidation  would  be  immaterial.  
The  financial  statements  are  prepared  in  sterling,  which  is  the 
functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these 
financial statements are rounded to the nearest thousand. 

the 

financial 

statements 

The  preparation  of 
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  statements,  are 
disclosed  below  in  “Critical  accounting  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 2021 the Company had cash balances of 
£0.6m (2020: £0.5m) and approximately £1.4m as at the date of 
this  report.    At  31  December  2021,  £0.5m  of  cash  is  held  on 
deposit with the English Court as security in relation to the UK 
Proceedings and £1.25m as at the date of this report.  

Having  discussed  matters  with  certain  Company  shareholders, 
the  directors  believe  that,  if  required,  the  Company  should  be 
able to source sufficient working capital, in the form of further 
loans,  to  provide  the  resources  to  a)  allow  the  Company  to 
continue in operation for a minimum of 12 months and b) see the 
legal proceedings continue, possibly to a conclusion, during that 
period.    It  is  not  currently  expected  that  the  ongoing  Covid-19 
pandemic will impact on this. Having taken the uncertainties into 
account  the  Board  believes  it  is  appropriate  to  prepare  the 
financial statements on the going concern basis.  

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 
profit and loss. 

 (iv) Retirement benefit cost  
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and 
pays contributions to an externally administered pension plan. The 
the 
company  has  no 
contributions have been paid. The contributions are recognised as 
an employee benefit expense in the period in which they fall due. 

further  payment  obligations  once 

 (v) 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. 

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

Financial assets 
Investments 
Investments  in  equity  instruments  are  included  at  fair  value  with 
fair value gains and losses recognised in profit or loss. 

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  amortised  cost  less 
provisions made for impairment. 

The  Directors  do  not  believe  that  the  ongoing  global  Covid-19 
pandemic will have a direct impact on the Company’s ability to 
continue as a going concern due to the nature of its activities as 
an investment company. 

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

(iii) Foreign currencies 
Transactions  in  currencies  other  than  sterling,  the  functional 
currency of the company, are recorded at the rates of exchange 
prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At each statement of 
financial  position  date,  monetary  assets  and  liabilities  that  are 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates 
prevailing on the statement of financial position date.  

An impairment loss is recognised for the expected credit losses on 
receivables  when  there  is  an  increased  probability  that  the 
counterparty will be unable to settle an instrument’s contractual 
cash  flows  on  the  contractual  due  dates,  a  reduction  in  the 
amounts expected to be recovered, or both.  

Impairment  losses  and  any  subsequent  reversals  of  impairment 
losses are adjusted against the carrying amount of the receivable 
and are recognised in profit or loss. 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New and amended standards and interpretations 
effective from 1 January 2022 not yet adopted by 
the Company. 

Certain  new  accounting  standards  and  interpretations  have  been 
published that are not mandatory for 31 December 2021 reporting 
periods  and  have  not  been  early  adopted  by  the  group.  These 
standards are not expected to have a material impact on the entity 
in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future 
transactions. 

TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

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 amortised cost. 

Borrowings 
initially  recognised  at  fair  value,  net  of 
Borrowings  are 
transaction  costs 
incurred.  Borrowings  are  subsequently 
measured at amortised cost.  Borrowings are classified as current 
liabilities  unless  the  group  has  an  unconditional  right  to  defer 
settlement  of  the  liability  for  at  least  12  months  after  the 
reporting period. 

(vii) Segmental reporting 
In accordance with IFRS 8 operating segments are determined 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, or 
when  an  employee  accepts  voluntary  redundancy  in  exchange 
for these benefits.  The Company recognises termination benefits 
when  it  is  demonstrably  committed  to  the  affected  employees 
leaving the Company. 

Accounting  standards, 
amendments to published accounts 

interpretations  and 

During the year ended 31 December 2021, 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  

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND KEY JUDGEMENTS 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with  UK-
adopted  IAS  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. 

Despite the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Board is 
not aware of any market factors and have not been made aware of 
any  specific  reason  why  sales  growth  should  not  be  achieved  in 
2022, when compared to 2021 sales, as the impact of the pandemic 
continues to subside.  

Under  the  terms  of  the  Joint  Venture,  the  level  of  financial 
information available to the Board to assess the fair value of the 
investment in Snorkel International is limited to quarterly historical 
financial 
incorporating  a  consolidated  operating 
statement, balance sheet and cashflow. 

information, 

Investments 
Smith 
The status of the Company’s holding in Smith Electric Vehicles US 
Corp was reviewed during the year. The Board previously advised 
that  the  company  had  ceased  operations  and  did  not  feel  that 
Smith had made sufficient progress towards achieving its plan of 
obtaining a public listing to maintain the previous valuation and 
had therefore decided to impair the investment in Smith to £nil. 
Subsequently, no progress has since been made that gives rise to 
an  expectation  of  a  realisation  in  value.  As  such,  the  Board  is 
maintaining its view that the investment currently has nil value.  

In 2018, the Board impaired Tanfield’s investment value in Snorkel 
International  down  to  £19.1m,  from  the  previous  valuation  of 
£36.3m.    The  valuation  of  £19.1m  is  based  on  the  value  of  the 
Preferred Interest which is made up of the priority amount, set in 
2013 based upon the assets of the Snorkel division contributed to 
the Joint Venture, plus the preferred return, being interest accruing 
on the priority amount.  This is the basis of valuation that was set 
out in the Circular issued to Shareholders at the time of the Joint 
Venture.  The Board have not included the effect of discounting for 
the  timing  of  a  future  realisation  as  they  do  not  believe  this 
materially impacts on the valuation. 

The previous valuation of £36.3m was originally calculated in 2013 
and assumed the $25m EBITDA trigger, compelling the payment of 
the  Preferred  Interest  and  the  purchase  of  Tanfield's  interest  in 
Snorkel  International  by  Xtreme,  would  be  reached  within  the 
predefined  period  ending  30  September  2018.  As  Snorkel 
International, under Xtreme’s control, failed to achieve the EBITDA 
trigger, Tanfield retains a 49% interest in Snorkel International and 
the Preferred Interest, but it can no longer compel Xtreme to pay 
the Preferred Interest and acquire its 49% interest. 

In November 2018, the Board received a call option notice in which 
Xtreme, via its subsidiary SKL, requested to exercise a call option to 
acquire Tanfield's interest in Snorkel International.  In the request, 
SKL stated that the option price to acquire Tanfield’s holding was 
$0  (nil)  and  that  payment  of  the  Preferred  Interest  was  not 
required.  

The Board did not agree with this statement and does not believe 
that  the  contractual  agreements,  or  the  Circular  distributed  to 
shareholders  to  fully  explain  the  terms  of  the  transaction  -  and 
thereby seek their authority to enter in to the transaction - allow 
for a call option whereby Xtreme can acquire Tanfield’s interest in 
Snorkel International for a nil value. The Board therefore rejected 
the call option notice and sought to amicably resolve the dispute 
with Tanfield’s 51% joint venture partner, Xtreme. As announced 
on  22  October  2019,  Xtreme  (via  its  subsidiary  SKL  and  Snorkel 
International)  filed  the  US  Proceeding  against  Tanfield  and  its 
subsidiary HBWP. 

Nevertheless, the Board acknowledges that there is a chance the 
investment  could  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.  

Snorkel International 
The  status  of  the  Company’s  holding  in  Snorkel  International 
Holdings  LLC  was  reviewed  during  the  year.  The  Board  has 
concluded that, while Tanfield continues to retain an investment 
in Snorkel International (currently carried at £19.1m), consisting 
of a 49% interest and the Preferred Interest, under the terms of 
the  Joint  Venture,  they  are  unable  to  exercise  significant 
influence  over  the  activities  and  strategic  direction  of  Snorkel 
International  and  therefore  holding  the  investment  as  a  trade 
investment, as opposed to applying equity accounting, continues 
to be the correct treatment. 

Since the injection of working capital following the Joint Venture, 
Snorkel  achieved  increased  year  on  year  sales  levels  however, 
during 2020 the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic saw the first 
reduction of sales.  2021 has seen sales levels recover somewhat, 
but they remain below pre pandemic levels.  A summary of sales 
(unaudited)  and  the  operating 
loss  (unaudited),  excluding 
depreciation is shown below:  

Year 

Sales 

2021 
2020 
2019 
2018 
2017 
2016 
2015 
2014 

$155.0m 
$110.8m 
$220.8m 
$200.5m 
$165.8m 
$130.5m 
$109.9m 
$85.3m 

Increase/ 
(decrease) 
40% 
(50%) 
10% 
21% 
27% 
19% 
29% 
- 

Operating profit/ 
(loss) excluding 
depreciation 
($9.1m) 
($12.3m) 
$0.3m 
$2.9m 
$1.6m 
($2.8m) 
($10.6m) 
($14.9m) 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND KEY JUDGEMENTS (continued) 

As the US Proceedings have been brought against Tanfield, it is 
evident  that  Don  Ahern,  the  owner  of  Xtreme,  wishes  to  own 
100%  of  Snorkel  International.  However,  based  on  statements 
within the US Proceedings, it is evident that Don Ahern does not 
believe  he  should  have  to  pay  anything  in  order  to  acquire 
Tanfield’s  49%  interest  in  Snorkel  International.    One  possible 
outcome is that Tanfield continues to hold its 49% interest for the 
foreseeable  future  however,  the  Board  do  not  believe  such  a 
scenario  would  be  in  the  best  interest  of  shareholders  and, 
should  it  become  necessary,  would  consider  options  that  may 
assist in moving from this position. 

The Board has reviewed the historic financial information, along 
with  the  global  industrial  and  aerial  work  platform  market 
conditions and has concluded it is appropriate to value Tanfield’s 
investment  in  Snorkel  International  based  on  what  the  Board 
understands  are  the  contractual  arrangements  and  so  at  an 
amount based on the Preferred Interest amount of £19.1m. 

The  Board,  however,  caveat  that  a  number  of  factors  could 
influence the valuation and performance of  Snorkel International 
between now and a potential realisation date, including Xtreme’s 
opinion of the contractual agreements which has resulted in the US 
Proceedings  (see  Strategic  Report  on  pages  3  to  5  for  further 
information), the outcome of the UK Proceedings and the ongoing 
global  Covid-19  pandemic.    Due  to  the  risks  involved  with  the 
ongoing different opinions regarding the contractual agreements, 
it is possible the actual realisation of value could be less than the 
current  valuation,  potentially  as  low  as  £nil  as  alleged  by  Xtreme 
and depending on the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings. While 
the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic subsided during 2021, 
it is not possible at this stage to estimate what likely future impact 
the pandemic may have.  The Board note that any ongoing impact 
of Covid-19 would likely be limited to the performance of Snorkel 
International and the timing of a possible realisation but currently 
do  not  believe  that  it  should  alter  what  it  believes  to  be  the 
minimum contractual value.  

Given  the  risks,  the  Board  has  considered  whether  a  further 
impairment  loss  should  be  recognised  but  have  concluded  that 
based  on  their  understanding  of  the  contractual  agreements  in 
place, no further impairment is required at this time.  

Whilst  the  timing  and  quantum  of  realisation  of  the  investment 
remains  unclear,  the  Board  is  currently  of  the  opinion  that  the 
investment  in  Snorkel  International  will  result  in  a  return  to 
shareholders in the future, that the current value of the investment 
of  £19.1m  remains  appropriate  and  there  is  not  an  alternative, 
more  reliable  valuation  of  the  investment  than  the  current 
estimate. 

This  valuation  has  been  assessed  against  various  criteria, 
including past performance (including but not limited to a growth 
improved  operating 
in  sales,  bill  of  material  costs  and 
profitability),  production  capacity,  market  conditions,  the 
capability of the business to increase output and exchange rate 
fluctuations. In coming to this opinion, the Board has considered 
the  trends  within  the  business  and  their  consistency; 
in 
particular: 
• 

the  rate  of  sales  growth  being  more  or  less  than  that 
recently achieved by Snorkel International.  
the level of operating profitability improvement being more 
or less than that recently achieved by Snorkel International. 
The  impact  of  exchange  rate  movements  given  that  any 
proceeds  will  be  received  in  USD,  considering  current, 
historic and average exchange rates.  

• 

• 

Between 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021, the range of the 
GBP  to  USD  exchange  rate  has  a  low  of  1.3191  and  a  high  of 
1.4208,  the  average  being  1.3751.  If  £19.1m  is  assumed  to 
represent the average exchange rate, then based on the low of 
1.3191 the valuation increases by approximately 4% to £19.9m 
and  based  on  the  high  of  1.4208  the  valuation  reduces  by 
approximately 3% to £18.5m giving a potential movement of 7% 
in the valuation. Whilst the Board is not in a position to mitigate 
any  potential  exchange  rate  variation,  until  such  time  as  the 
realisation  of  the  Snorkel  International  investment  is  known,  it 
will  continue  to  consider  such  means  as  may  be  possible  to 
maximise the GBP return to shareholders. 

If the assumption is made that both the progress within Snorkel 
International  and  the  wider  global  market  conditions  will 
continue  to  improve,  then  the  Board  note  that  the  valuation 
could  potentially 
is 
underpinned  by  the  Preferred  Interest  element.    However,  the 
Board  has  considered  various  Snorkel  International  trading 
scenarios,  based  around  historic  sales  growth  trends  and  does 
not  believe  the  valuation  is  likely  to  materially  increase  from 
£19.1m in the near future.  

increase  beyond  the  £19.1m  which 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 

1. Staff costs 

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

Average monthly number of employees 
Directors 
Total 

2021 
£000's 
90 
3 
93 

2021 
No. 
2 
2 

2020 
£000's 
81 
2 
83 

2020 
No. 
2 
2 

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 page 8. 

2. Finance expense and finance income 

Finance expense 
Interest on borrowings 
Total finance expense 

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

3. Other operating expenses 

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

2021  
£000's 
145 
145 

2021 
£000's 
- 
- 

2021 
£000's 
24 
22 
249 
295 

2020 
£000's 
100 
100 

2020 
£000's 
- 
- 

2020 
£000's 
27 
22 
483 
532 

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 

2021 
£000's 

2020 
£000's 

23 

- 
23 

23 
- 

22 

- 
22 

22 
- 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 19% (2020: 19%) 
Effects of: 
Non-deductible expenses  
Deferred tax asset not recognised in the period 
Total taxation charge in the income statement 

2021 
£000's 
(514) 
(98) 

34 
64 
- 

2020 
£000's 
(697) 
(132) 

80 
52 
- 

The Company has tax losses of approximately £4.6m (2020: £4.3m) available to carry forward against future profits of the same 
trade. 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 2.38p (2020: 2.75p). 

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 and 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 

2021 
No. 
000’s  
162,907 
- 
162,907 

2021 
£000's 
(514) 

- 
(514) 

2020 
No. 
000’s  
162,907 
- 
162,907 

2020 
£000's 
(697) 

- 
(697) 

(0.32) 

(0.43) 

2021 
£000’s 
- 
19,100 
19,100 

2020 
£000’s 
- 
19,100 
19,100 

Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp  
At 31 December 2021, the Company held a 5.76% (2020: 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 continue to maintain 
this position. However, the Board will continue to monitor the investment. 

Snorkel International Holdings LLC 
At 31 December 2021, the Company held a 49% (2020: 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 (2021: £19.1m, 2020: 
£19.1m).  The cumulative impairment provision against this investment is £17.2m (2020: £17.2m).  See Strategic Report for further 
considerations. 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

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 cash and cash equivalents in Sterling bank accounts.  

Cash and cash equivalents a 
a 
Included in cash and cash equivalents is £500k (2020: £500k) held on deposit with the English Court as security in relation to the UK Proceedings 

8. Trade and other receivables 

Receivable within one year 
Other debtors and prepayments 

2021 
£000's 
588 

2021 
£000's 

23 
23 

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

9. Trade and other payables 
The directors consider that the carrying amounts of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value. 
2021 
£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.  

20 
1 
51 
72 

25 

10. Borrowings 

Unsecured 
Loan notes 
Total borrowings 

2021 

2020 

Non-current 
£000's 

1,695 
1,695 

Total 
£000's 

1,695 
1,695 

Non-current 
  £000's 

1,100 
1,100 

2020 
£000's 
524 

2020 
£000's 

24 
24 

2020 
£000's 

53 
1 
36 
90 

37 

Total 
£000's 

1,100 
1,100 

Unsecured 10% loan notes 2025 
The Company issued 212,500 loan notes for £212,500 on 30 March 2020, 143,750 loan notes for £143,750 on 30 June 2020 and 
143,750 loan notes for £143,750 on 14 September 2020.  Interest is charged on the initial loan note value at 10% per annum which 
is rolled up and included above.  A loan note holder may at any time after 28 February 2025 serve notice upon the Company 
requesting the redemption of all the Loan Notes, plus accrued interest, held by them.  In the event of a realisation from the US 
Proceedings and/or the UK Proceedings exceeding £2.5m, any amount in excess of £2.5m will be used to realise a proportion of 
Loan Notes and accrued interest.  Should a repayment take place prior to 28 February 2025, a 20% early redemption premium 
shall apply. 

Unsecured 10% second loan notes 2025 
The Company issued 500,000 second loan notes for £500,000 on 29 July 2020, 200,000 loan notes for £200,000 on 25 January 
2021 and 250,000 loan notes for £250,000 on 1 June 2021.  Interest is charged on the initial loan note value at 10% per annum 
which is rolled up and included above.  A loan note holder may at any time after 28 February 2025 serve notice upon the Company 
requesting the redemption of all the Loan Notes, plus accrued interest, held by them.  In the event of a realisation from the US 
Proceedings and/or the UK Proceedings exceeding £1.5m, any amount in excess of £1.5m will be used to realise a proportion of 
Loan Notes and accrued interest.  Should a repayment take place prior to 28 February 2025, a 20% early redemption premium 
shall apply. 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

11. 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. 

At 1 January 2020 

At 31 December 2020 

At 31 December 2021 

Nominal share 
value 
5p 

Number of shares 
162,906,850 

Share capital 
£000’s 
8,145 

5p 

5p 

162,906,850 

162,906,850 

8,145 

8,145 

Share premium 
£000’s 
17,336 
- 
17,336 

17,336 

12. 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.  The  share  based 
payment expense is recognised in profit or loss over the vesting period.   

All share based payments are equity settled and details of the share option activity during 2021 and 2020 are shown below. 

Outstanding at the beginning of the year 
Lapsed 
Outstanding at the end of the year 
Exercisable 

Number of 
share options 

3,800,000 
(3,800,000) 
- 
- 

2021 
Weighted average 
exercise price 
(pence) 
27 
27 

Number of 
share options 

4,100,000 
(300,000) 
3,800,000 
3,800,000 

2020 
Weighted average 
exercise price 
(pence) 
27 
27 
27 
27 

There were no outstanding options at 31 December 2021.  The outstanding options at 31 December 2020 had a weighted 
average remaining contractual life of 0.05 years. 

A charge to the income statement of £nil (2020: £nil) and a credit directly to equity of £nil (2020: £nil) have been made during 
the year in accordance with IFRS2 ‘Share-based payments’. 

13. 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 

2021 
£000's 
2 
588 
590 

2020 
£000's 
2 
524 
526 

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 statement of financial position liquidity.  The Board reviews forecasts, 
including cash flow forecasts on a quarterly basis.  

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

13. Financial risk management (continued) 

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 statement of financial position date up to the contractual maturity date. 

2021 
Trade and other payables 
Borrowings 

2020 
Trade and other payables 
Borrowings 

Within 1 year 
£000's 

1 to 5 years 
£000's 

Over 5 years 
£000's 

72 
- 
72 

90 
- 
90 

- 
1,695 
1,695 

- 
1,100 
1,100 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

Total 
£000's 

72 
1,695 
1,767 

90 
1,100 
1,190 

Foreign exchange risk management 
The Company is exposed to movements in foreign exchange rates due to any realisation of its investment in Snorkel International 
being  denominated  in  foreign  currencies.    The  carrying  amount  of  the  company’s  investment  in  Snorkel  International  at  31 
December 2021, which is denominated in USD, is £19.1m (2020: £19.1m).  During 2021, the GBP to USD exchange rate averaged 
1.3751 with a low of 1.3191 and a high of 1.4208. The company has no other material assets or liabilities 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 net debt to capital gearing ratio on a regular basis.  
The Company considers its capital to include share capital, share premium, special reserve, share option reserve, merger reserve 
and retained earnings.   

Net debt of the company (including changes in liabilities arising from financing activities) 

Borrowings: 
Loan notes 
  Opening balance of loan notes in issue 
  Loan notes issued in the year – cash flows 
  Other changes including accrued interest (non-cash) 
Total Liability in respect of loan notes in issue 
  Less: cash and cash equivalents 
Net debt / (cash) at year end 

Total Capital 

Net debt to capital ratio (%) 

2021 
£000's 

1,100 
450 
145 
1,695 
(588) 
1,107 

2020 
£000's 

- 
1,000 
100 
1,100 
(524) 
576 

17,944 

18,458 

6.2% 

3.1% 

During 2021, in order to fund the legal proceedings, the Company issued  further loan notes resulting in an increased net debt 
position of £1,107k at 31 December 2021 (2020: £576k).   

14. Contingencies 

Authorised Guarantee Agreement 
At the time of the Joint Venture between Tanfield Group Plc and Xtreme Manufacturing LLC relating to  Snorkel International in 
October 2013, Tanfield Group Plc was the tenant of the Vigo Centre manufacturing facility from which the Snorkel division carried 
out its UK manufacturing operations. In order to gain permission to assign the lease to Snorkel Europe Limited, Tanfield Group Plc 
entered into an authorised guarantee agreement on the 25-year lease which commenced 27 June 2006. 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

15. 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 page 8. 

Salaries and short term benefits including NI 
Post employment benefits 

16. Retirement benefits 

2021 
£000’s 
90 
3 
93  

2020 
£000’s 
81 
2 
83  

The Company operates a defined contribution retirement benefit plan for all qualifying employees. The total cost charged to income 
of £3k (2020: £2k) represents contributions payable to that scheme by the Company at rates specified in the rules of the scheme. 
As at 31 December 2021, contributions of £nil (2020: £nil) due in respect of the current reporting period had not been paid over to 
the scheme. 

17. Financial instruments recognised in the statement of financial position 

Amortised 
cost 

£000’s 

2021 
Fair value 
through profit 
and loss 
£000’s 

Total 

Loans and 
receivables 

£000’s 

£000’s 

2020 
Fair value 
through profit 
and loss 
£000’s 

Assets 

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

Liabilities 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Borrowings 
Total 

2 
- 
588 
590 

Other 
financial 
liabilities 
£000’s 

72 
1,695 
1,767 

- 
19,100 
- 
19,100 

2021 
Held for 
trading 

2 
19,100 
588 
19,690 

Total 

£000’s 

£000’s 

- 

- 

72 
1,695 
1,767 

2 
- 
524 
526 

Other 
financial 
liabilities 
£000’s 

90 
1,100 
1,190 

Total 

£000’s 

2 
19,100 
524 
19,626 

Total 

- 
19,100 
- 
19,100 

2020 
Held for 
trading 

£000’s 

£000’s 

- 

- 

90 
1,100 
1,190 

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are measured using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the 
inputs used in making the fair value measurements, as follows:- 

• 
• 

• 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical asset or liabilities (‘quoted prices’); 
Level 2 – Inputs (other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities) that are directly or indirectly 
observable for the asset or liability (‘observable inputs’); or  
Level 3 – Inputs that are not based on observable market data (‘unobservable inputs’). 

All of the company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are measured using level 3 valuations in both the year 
ended 31 December 2021 and the year ended 31 December 2020. 

The fair value investment is measured against the contractual terms of the Joint Venture with Xtreme, as detailed in the circular 
distributed  to  shareholders  to  fully  explain  the  terms  of  the  transaction  –  and  thereby  seek  their  authority  to  enter  into  the 
transaction.  Further details are provided in the strategic report on pages 3 to 5 and in the critical accounting estimates and key 
judgements on pages 19 and 20. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANFIELD GROUP PLC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

18. Investments 

The tables below give brief details of the Company’s investments at 31 December 2021.  The Company had no operating subsidiaries 
as of 31 December 2021.  

Investments 
Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp 
HBWP Inc 
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  
 The Company’s interest is held indirectly through HBWP Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary, and its investment in Snorkel International Holdings LLC  

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

Group Interest in allotted 
capital & voting rights 
5.76% 
100.00% 
49.00% 
49.00% 
49.00% 
49.00% 
49.00% 
49.00% 

a

Country of 
incorporation 
US 
US 
US 
US 
UK 
US 
AUS 
NZ 

19. Post balance sheet events 

The Company issued further unsecured 10% loan notes 2025 amounting to £125,000 on 1 March 2022 and unsecured third loan 
notes amounting to £950,000 on 17 and 23 May 2022. 

27