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The Descartes Systems Group

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FY2011 Annual Report · The Descartes Systems Group
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Company Registration No. 4578125 (England and Wales) 

ANNUAL REPORT 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

CONTENTS 

Highlights 

Directors and advisers 

Chairman’s statement 

Business review 

Financial review 

Directors’ report 

Corporate governance report 

Report to the shareholders on directors’ remuneration 

Independent auditors’ report to the members 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Company statement of changes in equity 

Consolidated and Company statement of financial position 

Consolidated cash flow statement 

Company cash flow statement 

Notes to the financial statements 

Page 

1 

2 

3 

5 

7 

9 

15 

18 

21 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC  

HIGHLIGHTS  

Highlights for the year: 

  Revenues up 28% to £5.4m with non recurring revenues up 24% 
  Record level of recurring revenues of £3.2m up 28% from 2010 
  Underlying organic growth in revenues of 12%  
  Operating  profits  before exceptional  items  up  17%  to £1.4m  and  up 

4% to £1.2m after exceptional items 

  Final  dividend  of  2.3333p  per  share  recommended,  making  total 

dividend for year of 3.5p  

  Cash funds of £1.6m (2010: £2.1m) and the Group remains debt free 
  EPS*  pre  exceptional  items  up  22%  to  6.26p  and  up  4%  to  5.34p 

post exceptional items 

  Acquisition of Voyager Software successfully completed 
  Results of Voyager Software included from 21 September 2011 
  Healthy growth in new clients: clients in more than 60 countries  
  FileFinder 10 launched on 31 March 2011 

Commenting on the results, Mike Love, Non-Executive Chairman, said: 

“2011 has been an excellent year for Dillistone.  The Group has delivered a 
strong  set  of  results,  completed  its  first  acquisition  and  launched  its  next 
generation executive search software.” 

*rebased following 2:1 bonus issue 

Page 1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC  

DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS 

Directors 

M D Love – Non-Executive Chairman 
G R Fearnley – Non-Executive Director 
J S Starr – Chief Executive Officer 

R Howard – Operations Director 
A D James – Product Development Director 
J P Pomeroy – Group Finance Director 
A F Milne – Director of Support Services 

Secretary 

J P Pomeroy 

Company number 

4578125 

Registered office 

Independent auditors 

Principal Bankers 

Solicitors 

Nominated Adviser 

Broker 

Registrars 

3rd Floor  
50-52 Paul Street  
London, EC2A 4LB 

Grant Thornton UK LLP 
Grant Thornton House 
Melton Street 
Euston Square 
London, NW1 2EP  

Barclays Bank PLC 
240 Whitechapel Road 
PO Box 14623 
London, E1 1SH 

Ashfords LLP 
Tower Wharf 
Cheese Lane  
Bristol BS2 0JJ 

WH Ireland Limited 
24 Martin Lane 
London 
EC4R 0DR 

WH Ireland Limited 
24 Martin Lane 
London 
EC4R 0DR 

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

Page 2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Results Overview 

The Group enjoyed a successful year in 2011, achieving a number of its shorter and longer term 
objectives.  A strong set of results were delivered showing a profit before exceptional items of 
£1.084m (2010: £0.872m). The profit after exceptional items was £0.926m (2010: £0.872m).  

The Group began the year with our Dillistone Systems subsidiaries specialising in supplying our 
FileFinder software to the executive search industry.  The main operational objective for Dillistone 
Systems in 2011 was to launch its next generation platform, FileFinder 10.  This was achieved 
and has been well received in the market. 

We also said in our 2010 annual report that we were actively pursuing an acquisition strategy.  
This strategy came to fruition when, in September 2011, the Group acquired Woodcote Software 
Limited and its subsidiary companies, Voyager Software and Voyager Software (Australia) Pty.  
Voyager Software is a recruitment software firm which provides software solutions to a number of 
sectors of the wider recruitment market outside the executive search sector.  The acquisition 
significantly broadens our capabilities and market reach. This is my first opportunity to welcome 
publicly the new members of our enlarged team to the Group.   

Strategy 

The Group’s strategy is to continue to grow the business both organically and through acquisition.  
Our organic growth is supported by our commitment to product development which ensures that 
the business continues to command a leading role in all of the market sectors in which it 
operates. 

We are focussed on the integration of Voyager Software and Dillistone Systems.  Whilst separate 
brands and products will be maintained, a number of synergies and cost savings have been 
identified and are being implemented.   Voyager Software’s UK management team has been 
retained and they will continue to manage their brand and customers which are fundamentally 
important to the success of the business.  We anticipate making further acquisitions, although we 
do not expect to make any announcements on this front in the near future. 

Investor relations 

In my last report, I stated that we planned to make a bonus issue of shares.  The aim of this was 
to increase the liquidity and marketability of our shares.  The AGM in June 2011 subsequently 
approved the two for one bonus issue which was then completed on 14 June 2011.  We believe 
that this has proven successful with the share spread reducing to around 5% from over 15% 
previously. 

I also stated that a strategic objective was to broaden our shareholder base.  Through the issuing 
of shares as part of the acquisition consideration and the issue of shares in a placing to part 
finance the acquisition we have made some progress with this.  Directors’ holdings have reduced 
to 45.7% (2010: 48.6%) and institutional holdings increased to over 20%. 

The Group will continue to develop opportunities to broaden its shareholder base.  As part of this 
strategy, I am delighted that we have appointed WH Ireland as our Nomad and Broker as of 5 

Page 3 

 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

April 2012.  On a related topic, the Board has appointed Grant Thornton UK LLP as our Auditors 
for the year ended 31 December 2011.  We would like to thank our former Nomad, Broker and 
Auditors for their efforts on our behalf in previous years. 

Dividends 

An interim dividend of 1.1667p per share was paid in November 2011.  The Board has 
recommended a final dividend of 2.3333p per share, subject to shareholder approval, payable on 
26 June 2012 to holders on the register on 1 June 2012. Shares will trade ex-dividend from 30 
May 2012.  This takes the dividend for the year to 3.5p and gives a yield of 4.9% on a share price 
of 71.5p. 

Board Changes 

Alistair Milne joined the Board as Director of Support Services with effect from January 2011.  
Alistair has been with the Group since 2003, and continues as a Director of our UK subsidiary, 
Dillistone Systems Ltd. 

Staff 

Our staff are fundamentally important to the success of the business.  It is through their efforts, 
commitment and determination that we continue as a leading player in the executive search and 
now recruitment software industries and have been able to produce strong results for 2011.  On 
behalf of the Board I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of them. 

Outlook 

We issued a trading update in January in which we stated that the market was patchy, but that 
Dillistone Systems had enjoyed some success winning contracts with larger clients.  Both of 
these statements continue to reflect the state of our markets.   

Dillistone Systems operates internationally and, as such, is subject to the difficulties in Europe 
whilst enjoying the improving market in the Americas.   

Voyager Software is currently much more focussed on the UK and, to a lesser extent, Australian 
markets.  Although the company delivered better than expected results in the three months of our 
ownership prior to our year end, it is more exposed to the domestic economy.  The next 18 
months for Voyager Software will primarily be focussed on the launch of its next generation 
recruitment technology platform within the UK and taking this new product offering into further 
overseas markets.  Therefore, whilst we anticipate that Voyager Software will deliver earnings 
enhancing results for the Group in 2012, it is our belief that we can significantly improve the 
performance of the Voyager Software business in the longer term. 

Whilst the Group is not immune to wider economic difficulties, at this stage we remain confident 
in making further progress in FY 2012. 

Dr Mike Love 
Non-Executive Chairman 

Page 4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

BUSINESS REVIEW 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Business Review 

I believe that 2011 will prove to be a transformational year for the Group.  March saw Dillistone 
Systems launch the latest generation of its FileFinder software system, whilst in September the 
Group completed its first acquisition of Woodcote Software and its subsidiaries Voyager Software 
and Voyager Software Australia.   

In our report last year, I was able to state that “we 
believe that we have implemented more systems, in 
more countries, for more executive search firms, than 
any comparable supplier.”  I believe that this 
statement still applies, and, with the acquisition of 
Voyager taking our business into the wider recruitment 
industry, we believe that, in terms of number of new 
contract wins, the Group has become one of Europe’s 
leading suppliers of specialist software to the third 
party recruitment industry.  

The business now has 2 distinct brands and products serving different sectors of the recruitment 
industry and we will in future years, report on the business on the basis of two divisions, namely 
Dillistone Systems, our executive search software business, and Voyager Software, our 
recruitment software business. 

Dillistone Systems 

Dillistone Systems launched its next generation FileFinder 10 application at the end of March 
2011.  This product has been well received in the market, and is currently being used by more 
than 130 firms.  In December 2011, we announced the availability of our “WebPort” tool for social 
network integration and are pleased to announce that our web application for smart phones 
“FFMobile” will be launched in May 2012. 

Dillistone Systems’ head office is based in London and it has offices in the US, Germany and 
Australia.  We saw revenues in this division increase by 12% in 2011 to £4.759m (2010: 
£4.251m).  It had a segmental operating profit of £1.630m (2010: £1.414m) before unallocated 
central costs and exceptional items. 

Voyager Software 

Voyager Software is a software firm with a number of products targeting different parts of the 
recruitment sector to Dillistone Systems.  It has operations in the UK and Australia.  Voyager 
Software is well known in the recruitment industry and its brand will be maintained.  It has a 
strong customer base of over 700 customers and maintains good customer relationships, which 
are fundamental to the future well being of the business.  Voyager Software also has an excellent 
work force.  

Page 5 

1,500 1,700 1,900 2,100 2,300 2,500 2,700 2,900 3,100 3,300 3,500 20072008200920102011£'000sRecurring revenue 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

BUSINESS REVIEW 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

We have consolidated the results of Voyager Software from 21 September 2011, with revenues 
of £0.689m and a segmental pre tax profit of £0.165m before unallocated central costs and 
exceptional items. 

The acquisition of Voyager will make the combined group more UK centric in the short term as 
the Voyager Software business is largely UK based.   In the longer term we would anticipate 
Voyager Software leveraging Dillistone Systems’ experience in international sales, marketing and 
implementation of recruitment software.  

The integration of Voyager has gone smoothly with trading being ahead of internal expectations 
in 2011. The teams in both divisions have worked well together which has helped to deliver 
synergy benefits.  On an annualised basis, we have already made savings in Voyager Software 
worth more than £200,000, and we will continue to make savings where appropriate.  All staff 
(both Voyager Software and Dillistone Systems) were granted options (in aggregate over 420,794 
ordinary shares) immediately following the acquisition. 

Product development 

Product development remains fundamental to both businesses.  Dillistone Systems launched its 
next generation of technology, FileFinder 10, in 2011, and Voyager Software is going through a 
similar process, expecting to launch its “Infinity” platform later this year.  Infinity has been 
developed using similar technologies to those behind the FileFinder 10 platform and we 
anticipate that this will allow the Group to generate further synergies over time.   

The global market for Voyager Software’s products is potentially much larger than that for 
Dillistone Systems, and as such, represents a significant opportunity for the Group.  The 
acquisition has seen us inherit a first class team and, working with the existing staff of Dillistone 
Systems, we are confident of our ability to take advantage of the new opportunities created by the 
acquisition.  

Jason Starr 
Chief Executive Officer 

Page 6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

FINANCIAL REVIEW 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Overview 

Total revenues increased by 28% to £5.448m (2010: £4.251m), with profit before tax and 
exceptional items up 19% to £1.405m (2010: £1.182m).  Recurring revenues increased by 28% 
to £3.248m (2010: £2.536m).  Non-recurring revenues saw an increase of 24% to £2.122m from 
£1.715m in 2010.  Third party software product sales amounted to £0.078m in the period (2010: 
£nil).  

Excluding the acquisition of Voyager, revenues grew organically by 12% to £4.759m (2010: 
£4.251m) with recurring revenues increasing by 13% to £2.874m (2010: £2.536m).  Non recurring 
revenues saw a 10% increase to £1.885m (2010: £1.715m).   

On a Group basis we saw strong growth in UKMEA and Europe in 
2011 with a slight fall in US revenues due to the implementation of 
an exceptional contract in that region in 2010. In reality, the 
number of new orders received in the US increased in 2011. 

Cost of sales increased by 136% to £0.441m (2010: £0.187m).  
£0.098m of the increase relates to costs associated with Voyager 
Software and the balance mainly relates to development costs 
which have not been capitalised. 

Administrative costs excluding exceptional items rose 26% to £3.627m (2010: £2.889m).  This 
was in part due to the administration costs of Voyager Software from 21 September 2011 which 
totalled £0.394m.  Exceptional items total £0.172m and relate to the costs of the acquisition that 
have been expensed totalling £0.115m plus amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition.   

Tax has been provided at an effective rate of 23% (2010: 26.2%) excluding exceptional items and 
at 25% post exceptional costs.  These rates reflect the higher R&D tax credits available to both 
Dillistone Systems and Voyager Software that have been claimed, though not yet agreed, 
partially offset by the higher rates of corporation tax that are payable in the US and Australia.   

Profits for the year before exceptional items rose 24% to £1.084m (2010: £0.872m) and profits for 
the year after exceptional items increased by 6% to £0.926m.  Basic EPS rose 22% to 6.26p 
(2010: 5.13p) before exceptional items and 4% to 5.34p after exceptional items.  Fully diluted 
EPS rose 22% to 6.23p (2010: 5.12p) and 4% to 5.32p after exceptional items. 

Capital expenditure 

Dillistone invested £0.661m in fixed assets and product development during the year (2010: 
£0.679m) of which £0.580m was spent on development costs (2010: £0.623m) of which £0.101m 
relates to expenditure on development in Voyager Software that has been capitalised under IFRS 
in the Group accounts since acquisition.   

Page 7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

FINANCIAL REVIEW 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Trade and other payables 

This liability includes income which has been billed in advance but is not recognised at that time.  
This principally relates to support renewals which have been billed in December 2011 but that are 
in respect of services to be delivered in 2012.  This also impacts on debtors at the year end.  
Support income is recognised monthly over the period to which it relates.  It also includes 
deposits taken for work which has not yet been completed.  Income is only recognised when the 
work is complete or the project goes “live”.  

Also included in trade and other payables is £0.098m relating to the working capital payment 
which was paid in February 2012 and £0.499m relating to contingent consideration due to 
Woodcote shareholders.  The contingent consideration is dependent on the level of turnover 
achieved in 12 month periods to: 

  30 June 2012 

  31 December 2012 

  31 December 2013 

Cash 

Dillistone finished the year with cash funds of £1.617m (2010: £2.147m) and remains debt free.  
This was after taking into account cash from Voyager Software of £0.171m.  The Group raised 
£0.5m from a placing and paid out £1.638m (including fees) to acquire Voyager Software.  
Dividends paid in the year totalled £0.609m (2010: £0.595m). 

Julie Pomeroy 
Group Finance Director 

Page 8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

The Directors present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 
2011. 

Principal Activities and Review of the Business 

The principal activity of the Company continued to be that of a parent company.  The principal 
activity of the Group is the sale of specialist computer software and the provision of related 
support services.  A review of the business is contained on pages 5 and 6. 

Results and dividends 

The consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year is set out on page 23. 

An interim dividend of 1.16667p per share was paid in November 2011.  A final dividend of 
2.3333p per share will be paid, subject to shareholder approval, on 26 June 2012. 

Key performance indicators 

The following financial KPIs are used by the Board and management to monitor the performance 
of the business: 

In addition the Board monitors order levels and employee numbers as well as performance 
against budget. 

Financial Risk Management 

The Group’s operations expose it to a number of risks that include the effect of changes in 
interest rates, credit, foreign currency exchange rates and liquidity. The Group does not trade in 
financial instruments.  Further details in relation to these risks are shown in note 21.  

Interest rate risk 
The Group finances its activities through retained cash and equity finance. The Group monitors 
its exposure to interest rate risk when investing its cash resources. 

Credit risk 
The Group has a large customer base of approximately 1,800 customers (2010: approximately 
1,100) and is not dependent on a small number of customers. Accordingly the Group does not 
believe it is exposed to significant credit risk.  In addition it only places money with banks with 
strong credit ratings.  

Page 9 

 FY 2007  FY 2008  FY 2009  FY 2010  FY 2011  £000  £000  £000  £000  £000  Revenues        4,066       4,608        3,655      4,251       5,448  Recurring revenues      1,666       2,246        2,344      2,536       3,248  Non recurring revenues      2,400       2,362        1,311      1,715       2,122  Other revenue           -              -               -             -             78  Profit before tax and exceptionals      1,196       1,426        1,081      1,182       1,405  Cash      1,534       2,353        1,820      2,147       1,617  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Exchange risk 
The Company is exposed to translation and transaction foreign exchange risk.  The Group’s 
foreign operations trade in their own currencies reducing the transaction risk.  As a result the 
main foreign exchange transactional exposure arises when repatriating profits.  The Group only 
seeks to remit cash when required in the UK and it usually has some flexibility on timing of such 
appropriations to minimise any exchange losses. To a degree, the Group relies on a partial 
natural hedge of Euro, Australian Dollar and US Dollar to cover the translation exposures. 

Liquidity risk 
The Group maintains positive cash resources and has sufficient available funds for its operations 
and planned expansion of its existing activities.  

Principal risks and uncertainties 

There are a number of risks and uncertainties which could have an impact on the Group’s long 
term performance and cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historical 
results. The Directors seek to identify material risks and put in place policies and procedures to 
mitigate any exposure.  The table of risks that follows gives details of the principal risks and the 
approach being taken to manage them. 

Risk 
Economic risk 

Potential adverse impact 
The recruitment industry has a 
reputation for being vulnerable to the 
cyclical nature of the economy. 

continuity 

risks 
Business 
associated  with  operational 
failure of hosting facilities 

A failure of our hosting facilities could 
lead to loss of customer confidence 
and to potential claims for loss of 
profits.  

How we mitigate the risk 
The Company operates globally 
and so is not reliant on one 
economy. It enjoys a high % of 
recurring revenues. 

In a downturn there may be a 
reduction in new permanent hires 
which may be replaced by 
temporary hires.  The Group’s 
suite of products now supports 
more aspects of the third party 
recruitment market through its 
acquisition of Voyager.   
Data backups occur daily and the 
necessary test carried out on a 
regular basis to ensure data can 
be restored.  

Attrition of customer base 

Competitor activity 

Failure to attract new customers or 
the loss of existing customers could 
have a detrimental effect on the 
Group’s ability to generate revenues. 

The Group continues to invest in 
product development to ensure 
that it remains competitive in the 
market. 

The market for recruitment software is 
extremely fragmented with a large 
number of small suppliers operating in 
all of the Group’s geographical 
markets.  Very few of these suppliers 
have the necessary financial, 
technical and marketing resources to 

Management work to build strong 
customer relationships and uses 
account management to keep in 
touch with clients. 

The Group continues to invest in 
its product development and 

Page 10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Employee retention 

New product risk 

Acquisition risk 

be able to develop their competitive 
position. However, the competition 
may intensify through consolidation or 
new entrants to the market. 

Some competitors offer a broader 
product range enabling them to 
compete across the whole of the 
sector. 

Our capability to meet the demands of 
the markets in which the Group 
operates and compete effectively with 
other software suppliers is partially 
dependent on the skills, experience 
and performance of our people. 
Failure to attract or retain high calibre 
employees could seriously impede 
future growth and present 
performance. 
The introduction of new products 
might contain significant bugs that 
make them unusable.  This could 
damage the Group’s reputation and 
result in loss of new orders and 
therefore reduce revenue growth.  It 
could also result in claims against the 
company. 

The Group has made its first 
acquisition in 2011 and is likely to 
make further acquisitions in the 
future.  This creates the potential risk 
that acquisitions may not perform or 
contain hidden risks or liabilities. 

2011 saw the launch of FF10 
which is based on .net 
technology.  It continues to 
innovate and provide solutions to 
client needs. 

The acquisition of Voyager gives 
the group access to the broader 
range of recruitment companies 
and will in the longer term enable 
it to compete more effectively. 

To retain staff the Group 
operates competitive 
remuneration packages and an 
appropriate culture in which staff 
work. 

Products are tested pre launch 
and launch strategies developed 
to minimise risks.   

For all acquisitions and in 
advance of completion, 
management undertake due 
diligence and prepare detailed 
integration plans including risk 
identification. These papers are 
reviewed and approved by the 
Board prior to any commitment 
being entered into. 

Page 11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Directors 

The following Directors have held office since 1 January 2011 other than where stated: 
M D Love - Non-Executive Chairman  
J S Starr  
R Howard  
A D James   
J P Pomeroy 
G R Fearnley - Non-Executive Director 
A Milne (3 January 2011) 

The interests of the Directors (including family interests) in the share capital of the Company are 
listed on page 20. 

Jason Starr and Alex James, who are proposed for re-election at the forthcoming AGM, have a 
service contract with a 1 year notice period.   

Principal shareholders 

At the 16 April 2012 the Directors have been notified of the following shareholdings in excess of 
3% of the Company’s issued share capital: 

J S Starr  
R Howard 
J McLaughlin 
Herald Investment Management 
G R Fearnley 
Unicorn Asset Management 
CFS Independent 
R Howells 

Creditor payment policy 

Ordinary shares 
of 5 pence each 
3,554,442 
3,524,433 
2,572,122 
1,767,444 
993,435 
900,043 
870,889 
750,000 

Percentage 
19.53% 
19.37% 
14.14% 
9.71% 
5.46% 
4.95% 
4.79% 
4.12% 

The Group agrees payment terms with individual suppliers which vary according to the 
commercial relationship and the terms of the agreement reached.  Payments are made to 
suppliers in accordance with the terms agreed.  The number of supplier days represented by 
trade payables at 31 December 2011 was 16 days (31 December 2010: 48 days). 

Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance 
The Group maintains insurance cover for all Directors and Officers of Group companies against 
liabilities which may be incurred by them while acting as Directors and Officers. 

Page 12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Annual General Meeting 

The Company’s Annual General Meeting will be held at its offices located at 50-52 Paul Street, 
London, EC2A 4LB on 29 May 2012 at 11:00 am.  The Notice convening the Annual General 
Meeting and an explanation of the business to be put to the meeting is contained in the separate 
document to shareholders which accompanies this report. 

Auditors 

Grant Thornton UK LLP was appointed as auditor for the year ended 31 December 2011 and a 
resolution proposing their re-appointed as auditors to the Company will be put to the forthcoming 
Annual General Meeting. 

Directors’ responsibilities 

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Report of the Directors and the financial 
statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. 
Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs). 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 and profit or loss of the Company and 
Group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to: 

  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 
  make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 
  state whether applicable IFRSs have been followed, subject to any material departures 

disclosed and explained in the financial statements. 

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show 
and explain the Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply 
with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the 
Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and 
other irregularities. 

In so far as each of the Directors is aware: 

 
 

there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditors are unaware; and 
the Directors have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves 
aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that 
information. 

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

Page 13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Statement of disclosure to auditor 

In the case of each of the persons who are Directors at the time when this report is approved, the 
following applies; 

(a)  so far as each Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the 

Company’s auditors are unaware, and; 

(b)  each Director has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken in his duty as a Director in 
order to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the 
Company’s auditors are aware of that information. 

On behalf of the Board 

J P Pomeroy 
Company Secretary 

24 April 2012 

Page 14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Corporate Governance 

The Board supports the principles of good governance. In fulfilling their responsibilities, the 
Directors believe that they govern the Group in the best interests of the shareholders, whilst 
having due regard to the interests of other stakeholders in the Group including, in particular, 
customers, employees and suppliers. 

The Workings of the Board and its Committees 

The Board 

The Board comprises a Non-Executive Chairman, one Independent Non-Executive Director and 
five Executive Directors. All Directors are obliged to submit themselves for re-election at least 
every three years.  The Chairman and Non-Executive Director are considered to be independent 
of management and free from any business or other relationship which could materially interfere 
with the exercise of their independent judgement.  Giles Fearnley is the current Senior 
Independent Director and his shareholding of approximately 6% is not considered by the Board to 
change his independence.  To enable the Board to discharge its duties, all Directors have full and 
timely access to all relevant information. They are also able to take independent professional 
advice as appropriate.   

The Board meets at least four times each year and has adopted a formal schedule of matters 
specifically reserved for decision by it, thus ensuring that it exercises control over appropriate 
strategic, financial, operational and compliance issues. At these meetings the Board reviews 
trading performance, ensures adequate financing, sets and monitors strategy, examines 
investment and acquisition opportunities and discusses reports to shareholders. The following 
Committees have been established to deal with specific aspects of the Group’s affairs. 

Audit Committee 

In 2011 the Audit Committee comprised the Chairman and Non-Executive Director and met twice 
during the year.  

The Finance Director, Group Chief Executive Officer and external Auditors attend by invitation. 
The Audit Committee makes recommendations to the Board on issues surrounding the 
appointment, resignation or removal of Auditors and their remuneration.  It discusses and agrees 
the scope of the audit with the external Auditors before the audit.  The Audit Committee Chairman 
also chaired the selection panel to appoint auditors during 2011. 

The  Audit  Committee  reviews  external  audit  activities,  monitors  compliance  with  statutory 
requirements  for  financial  reporting  and  reviews  the  half-year  and  annual  accounts  before  they 
are  presented  to  the  Board  for  approval.  It  is  also  required  to  review  the  effectiveness  of  the 
Group’s  internal  control  systems,  to  review  the  Group’s  statement  on  internal  control  systems 
prior  to  endorsement  by  the  Board  and  to  consider,  from  time  to  time,  the  need  for  a  risk 
assessment of the Group’s internal control systems. 

Page 15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Remuneration Committee 

In 2011 the Remuneration Committee comprised the Chairman, the Non-Executive Director and, 
by invitation, the Group Managing Director and Company Secretary. It is responsible for 
recommending to the Board the contract terms, remuneration and other benefits for Executive 
Directors, including performance-related bonus scheme and participation in the Group’s long term 
share option schemes. 

Internal Controls 

The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s system of internal controls. However, such a 
system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business 
objectives, and can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement. In order to discharge that responsibility in a manner which ensures compliance 
with laws and regulations and promotes effective and efficient operations, the Directors have 
established an organisation structure with clear operating procedures, lines of responsibility and 
delegated authority. There is an established framework of internal controls set out and approved 
by the Executive Management. The more important elements of this framework are as follows: 

Management structure 
The Board has overall responsibility for the Group and each Executive Director has been given 
responsibility for specific aspects of the Group’s affairs. 

Corporate accounting and procedures  
Responsibility levels are communicated throughout the Group as part of the corporate 
communication procedure.  Accounting, delegation of authority and authorisation levels, 
segregation of duties and other control procedures, together with the general ethos of the Group 
are included in these communications, and standardised accounting policies are in place 
reflecting this policy. 

Quality and integrity of personnel 
The integrity and competence of personnel is ensured through high recruitment standards and 
subsequent training courses. Quality personnel are seen as an essential part of the control 
environment and the ethical standards expected are communicated through senior members of 
staff. 

Budgetary process  
Each year the Board approves the annual budget, which includes an assessment of key 
assumptions underlying it.  Performance is monitored and relevant action taken throughout the 
year by monthly reporting to the Board of updated forecasts together with information on key risk 
areas. 

Page 16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Internal monitoring 

The Audit Committee considers and determines relevant action in respect of any control issues 
raised by the Auditors. Given the size of the Group and the close day to day control exercised by 
the Executive Directors and senior management, no formal financial internal audit department is 
considered necessary. The Operations Director is responsible for maintaining registrations and 
quality related certifications and defining and agreeing the procedures, standards and practices to 
be followed in all non financial aspects of the Group’s business. 

The Directors have reviewed the effectiveness of the system of internal controls in operation 
during the year through the compliance monitoring process set out above and by reports from 
senior managers concerning the operations for which they are responsible. It must be recognised 
that such a system can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance and, in that context, 
the review revealed nothing, which in the opinion of the Directors, indicates that the system was 
inappropriate or unsatisfactory. 

Relations with Shareholders  

The Company seeks to maintain good communications with shareholders. The Executive 
Directors make presentations to institutional shareholders covering the interim and full year 
results. The Group despatches the notice of Annual General Meetings (‘AGM’), with an 
explanatory circular describing items of special business, at least 21 working days before the 
meeting. All shareholders have the opportunity formally or informally to put questions to the 
Company’s AGM and the Chairman typically makes a statement on current trading conditions at 
that meeting. The Chairman of the Audit and Remuneration Committees attends the AGM and 
will answer questions that may be relevant to the remit of those Committees. At each AGM the 
Chairman advises shareholders of the proxy voting details on each of the resolutions, which are 
dealt with on a show of hands. 

Auditors 

A resolution authorising the Directors to set the remuneration of the auditor will be put to 
shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 

Page 17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

REPORT TO THE SHAREHOLDERS ON DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Remuneration Report 

Remuneration Policy 

The objective of the Group’s remuneration policy is to attract, motivate, and retain high quality 
individuals who will contribute significantly to shareholder value.  The remuneration committee 
decides on the remuneration of the Directors and other senior management, which comprises a 
basic salary, benefits, bonus scheme, share options and longer term incentive plan. 

Service Contracts 

The Board’s policy is that service contracts of Executive Directors should provide for termination 
by the Group on one year’s notice. The service contracts of each of the current Executive 
Directors provide for such a period of notice. 

The Independent Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment providing fixed three-year 
service periods, which may be terminated by giving six months notice. 

Non-Executive Directors’ Remuneration 

The fees for the Chairman and the Independent Non-Executive Director are determined by the 
Board. The Chairman and the Non-Executive Director are not involved in any discussions or 
decisions about their own remuneration. 

The Chairman and the Independent Non-Executive Director do not receive bonuses or pension 
contributions and are not entitled to participate in any of the Group’s share schemes. They are 
entitled to be reimbursed the reasonable expenses incurred by them in carrying out their duties 
as Directors of the Company. 

Executive Directors’ Remuneration 

The remuneration package of the Executive Directors includes the following elements: 

Basic salary  
Salaries are normally reviewed annually taking into account inflation and salaries paid to directors 
of comparable companies. Pay reviews also take into account Group and personal performance.  
The Board as a whole decide the remuneration of the Non-Executives. 

Performance related pay scheme 
There are two performance related pay schemes for Executive Directors.  The first is an annual 
bonus scheme which is based upon the achievement of certain profit and commercial targets for 
the Group as appropriate.  A bonus of £90,000 was payable to the Executive Directors in respect 
of 2011 (2010: £87,000). In addition, an ex-gratia bonus of £10,000 was paid to one Director in 
the year. 

The second scheme was introduced in 2011 and is a long term incentive plan linked to growth in 
earnings per share over a three year period.  Executive Directors may be granted “phantom 
share options” at the ruling mid market price at the time of the grant. The awards are subject to 
meeting challenging growth targets and will be cash settled.  It is expected that annual awards 
will be made under the scheme.  The value of the award is calculated at each reporting period 
using a Black Scholes model (see note 19 for further details).  The awards made in the period are 

Page 18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

REPORT TO THE SHAREHOLDERS ON DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

included below.  The remuneration committee can also choose to grant share options in place of 
phantom options under this scheme with the same growth targets.   

Directors’ remuneration (Audited) 

Details of the remuneration of the Directors for the financial year are set out below: 

 Salary 
 & Fees 
 £’000 

 Bonus 

 £’000 

 Pension 
  Payments* 
 £’000 

 Benefits**  

 £’000 

 2011 
 Total 
 £’000 

 2010 
 Total 
 £’000 

Executive Directors  
J S Starr  

R Howard  
A D James  
J P Pomeroy  
A Milne  
J McLaughlin 

Non-Executive Directors  
M D Love  
G R Fearnley  

112 

102 
80 
72 
65 
- 

33 
12 

476 

23 

21 
27 
15 
14 
- 

- 
- 

100 

*   Includes cash payments in lieu of employer contributions 
** 5% of salary set aside for future benefits 

LTIP Award (Not Audited) 

1 

1 
1 
- 
1 
- 

- 
- 

4 

6 

5 
4 
4 
3 
- 

- 
- 

22 

142 

129 
112 
91 
83 
- 

33 
12 

602 

138 

126 
99 
47 
- 
23 

32 
4 

469 

J S Starr 

R Howard 
A D James 

J P Pomeroy 
A Milne 

Number of 
phantom 
options 
 granted in 
year  

168,000 

152,250 
120,000 

104,250 
101,250 
645,750 

  Value at 31 
December 
2011 

£’000 
9 

8 
7 

6 
6 
36 

Page 19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

REPORT TO THE SHAREHOLDERS ON DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Directors’ Interests 

The interests of the Directors (including family interests) in the share capital of the Company at 
the year end are set out below: 

J S Starr 
R Howard 
A D James 
M D Love 
G R Fearnley 
A Milne 
J P Pomeroy 

Ordinary shares of 5 pence each 
At 31 December 
2010* 

At 31 December 
2011 

3,554,443 
3,524,433 
121,494 
127,137 
993,435 
72,189 
13,888 

3,554,443 
3,524,433 
121,494 
57,693 
993,435 
72,189 
- 

*after adjusting for the 2 for 1 bonus issue 

In addition to the above, Julie Pomeroy was granted share options over 25,794 shares at 77p in 
the Company on 21 September 2011 which are exercisable from 21 September 2014.  There are 
no performance conditions attaching to these shares. 

Page 20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Independent auditor's report to the members of Dillistone Group Plc 
We have audited the financial statements of Dillistone Group Plc for the year ended 31 December 
2011  which  comprise  the  Group  statement  of  comprehensive  income,  the  Group  and  parent 
company statements of changes in equity, the Group and parent company statement of financial 
position,  the  Group  and  parent  company  statements  of  cash  flow  and  the  related  notes.  The 
financial  reporting  framework  that  has  been  applied  in  their  preparation  is  applicable  law  and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and, as 
regards the parent company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of 
the Companies Act 2006. 

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. 

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor 
As  explained  more  fully  in  the  Directors’  Responsibilities  Statement,  set  out  on  page  13,  the 
directors  are  responsible  for  the  preparation  of  the  financial  statements  and  for  being  satisfied 
that  they  give  a  true  and fair  view.  Our  responsibility  is  to  audit  and  express  an  opinion  on  the 
financial  statements  in  accordance  with  applicable  law  and  International  Standards  on  Auditing 
(UK  and  Ireland).  Those  standards  require  us  to  comply  with  the  Auditing  Practices  Board’s 
(APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the APB's website at 
www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/private.cfm. 

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion: 
 

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group's and of the parent 
company's affairs as at 31 December 2011 and of the Group's profit for the year then ended;  
the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as 
adopted by the European Union;  
the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with 
IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions 
of the Companies Act 2006; and 
the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006. 

 

 

 

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

Page 21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

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

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

 

Paul Etherington BSc FCA CF 
Senior Statutory Auditor 
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP 
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants 
London 

24 April 2012 

Page 22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Before 
Exceptional 
items  
2011 
£’000 

Exceptional 
Items 
 2011 
£’000 

Note 

2 

5,448 

(441) 

5,007 

- 

- 

- 

2011 
 £’000  

5,448 

(441) 

5,007 

2010 
 £’000  

4,251 

(187) 

4,064 

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Administrative expenses 

Results from operating activities 

Financial income 

Profit before tax 

Tax expense 

3 

4 

6 

7 

(3,627) 

(172) 

(3,799) 

(2,889) 

1,380 

(172) 

1,208 

1,175 

25 

- 

25 

7  

1,405 

(172) 

1,233 

1,182  

(321) 

14 

(307) 

(310) 

Profit for the year  

1,084 

(158) 

926 

872  

Other comprehensive income: 
Currency translation differences 

Total comprehensive income 
for the year 

(2) 

- 

1,082 

(158) 

(2) 

924 

59 

931 

Earnings per share – from continuing activities 

Basic** 

Diluted** 

8 

8 

6.26p 

6.23p 

5.34p 

5.32p 

5.13p 

5.12p 

**The  comparative  earnings  per  share  have  been  adjusted  to  reflect  the  effect  of  the  two  for  one  bonus 
issue. 

The notes on pages 29 to 61 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

Page 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

 Share  

 Share  

 Merger   

 Retained  

 Share  

 Foreign  

 Total  

 capital  

 premium  

 reserve  

 earnings  

 option  

exchange  

 £’000  

 £’000  

 £’000  

 £’000  

 £’000  

 £’000  

 £’000  

283            

30                

- 

1,907           

10                

106              

  2,336         

Balance at 31 
December 2009 

Comprehensive 
income 
Profit for the year 
ended 31 Dec 2010 

Other comprehensive 
income 
Exchange differences 
on translation of 
overseas operations 

Total comprehensive 
income 

Transactions with 
owners 

Share option charge 

Dividends paid 

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

Balance at 31 
December 2010 

283  

30  

Comprehensive 
income 
Profit for the year 
ended 31 Dec 2011 

Other comprehensive 
income 
Exchange differences 
on translation of 
overseas operations 

Total comprehensive 
income 

Transactions with 
owners 

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

872  

-  

872  

-  

(595)  

-  

-  

-  

2  

-  

-  

872  

59  

59  

59  

931  

-  

-  

2  

(595)  

2,184  

12  

165  

2,674  

926  

-  

926  

-  

-  

(609)  

(567)  

-  

-  

-  

-  

12  

-  

-  

-  

926  

(2)  

(2)  

(2)  

924  

-  

-  

-  

-  

846  

12  

(609)  

-  

Issue of share capital 

60  

421  

365  

Share option charge 

Dividends paid 
Capitalisation of 
reserves 

Balance at 31 
December 2011 

-  

-  

567  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

910  

451  

365  

1,934  

24  

163  

3,847  

The notes on pages 29 to 61 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

Page 24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                
 
                 
 
                 
 
            
 
                   
 
                  
 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                
 
                 
 
                 
 
                  
 
                   
 
              
 
             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                
 
                 
 
                 
 
            
 
                   
 
              
 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                
 
                 
 
                 
 
                  
 
                  
 
                  
 
               
                
 
                 
 
                 
 
          
 
                   
 
                  
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
 
              
 
                 
 
         
 
               
 
            
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                
 
                 
 
                 
 
            
 
                   
 
                  
 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                
 
                 
 
                 
 
                  
 
                   
 
              
 
             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                
 
                 
 
                 
 
            
 
                   
 
              
 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
             
 
                 
 
           
 
                  
 
                   
 
                  
 
           
                
 
                 
 
                 
 
                  
 
               
 
                  
 
             
                
 
                 
 
                 
 
          
 
                   
 
                  
 
        
           
 
                 
 
                 
 
          
 
                   
 
                  
 
                
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
 
              
 
           
 
         
 
               
 
            
 
       
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Share 

Share 

Merger  

  Retained 

Share  

Total 

capital 

  premium 

reserve 

earnings 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

option 

£’000 

£’000 

Balance at 31 December 
2009 

Comprehensive income 

Profit and total comprehensive 
income for the year ended 31 
Dec 2010 * 

Transactions with owners 

Share option charge 

Dividends paid 

283  

30  

-  

- 

-  

-  

- 

-  

Balance at 31 December 
2010 

283 

30 

- 

-  

- 

-  

- 

95  

10  

418  

1,245  

-  

1,245  

- 

(595)  

2 

-  

2 

(595)  

745 

12 

1,070 

Comprehensive income 

Profit and total comprehensive 
income for the year ended 31 
Dec 2011 

Transactions with owners 

Issue of share capital 

Share option charge 

Dividends paid 

Capitalisation of reserves 

Balance at 31 December 
2011 

* 

see note 24  

-  

-  

-  

1,406  

-  

1,406  

60  

421  

365  

-  

-  

567  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

(609)  

(567)  

-  

12  

-  

-  

846  

12  

(609)  
 -  

910 

451 

365 

975 

24 

2,725 

The notes on pages 29 to 61 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

Page 25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
 
              
 
 
              
 
              
 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                 
 
                 
 
                 
 
        
 
                 
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                 
 
                 
 
                 
 
         
 
                 
 
         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                 
 
                 
 
                 
 
        
 
                 
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
              
 
                 
 
           
 
                 
 
                 
 
           
                 
 
                 
 
                 
 
                 
 
              
 
              
                 
 
                 
 
                 
 
         
 
                 
 
         
           
 
                 
 
                 
 
         
 
                 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2011 

ASSETS 

Non-current assets 

Goodwill 

Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Investments 
Trade and other receivables  

Current assets 

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES  

Equity attributable to owners 
of the parent 

Share capital 

Share premium 

Merger reserve 

Retained earnings 

Share option reserve 

Translation reserve 

Total equity 

Liabilities 
Non current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Deferred tax liability 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Current tax payable 

Total liabilities 

Total liabilities and equity 

Group 

Company 

Notes 

2011 
 £’000  

2010 
 £’000  

2011 
 £’000  

2010 
 £’000  

10 

11 

12 

13 
15 

14 

15 

17 

19 

16 
7 

16 

2,490 

2,710 

143 

- 
23 

5,366 

11 

1,728 

1,617 

3,356 

8,722 

910 

451 

365 

1,934 

24 

163 

3,847 

364 
565 

3,795 

151 

4,875 

8,722 

494 

1,195 

71 

- 
68 

1,828 

55 

1,346 

2,147 

3,548 

5,376 

283 

30 

- 

2,184 

12 

165 

2,674 

- 
197 

2,408 

97 

2,702 

5,376 

- 

- 

- 

4,111 
- 

4,111 

- 

39 

13 

52 

- 

- 

- 

1,623 
- 

1,623 

- 

82 

11 

93 

4,163 

1,716 

910 

451 

365 

975 

24 

- 

283 

30 

- 

745 

12 

- 

2,725 

1,070 

344 
- 

1,094 

- 

1,438 

4,163 

- 
- 

646 

- 

646 

1,716 

The notes on pages 29 to 61 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 24 
April 2012. They were signed on its behalf by 

J S Starr – Director 

 Company Registration No. 4578125

Page 26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Operating activities 

Profit from operations 
Less taxation paid 
Adjustment for 
Depreciation and amortisation 
Share option expense 
Foreign exchange adjustments arising from 
operations 

Operating cash flows before  
movement in working capital 

(Increase) in receivables 
Decrease in inventories 
Increase in payables 

2010 
£’000 

2011 
£’000 

2011 
£’000 

1,208 
(171) 

309 
12 

17 

1,375 

(214) 
44 
366 

2010 
£’000 

1,175 
(155) 

183 
2 

- 

1,205 

(154) 
1 
483 

Net cash generated from operating activities 

1,571 

1,535 

Investing activities 

Interest received 
Purchases of property plant and  
equipment 
Investment in development costs 
Acquisition of subsidiaries net of cash acquired 

25 
(81) 

(580) 
(1,292) 

7 
(56) 

(623) 
- 

Net cash used in investing activities 

(1,928) 

(672) 

Financing activities 

Net proceeds from issue of share capital 
Dividends paid 

457 
(609) 

- 
(595) 

Net cash used by financing activities 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at 
beginning of year 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

(152) 

(509) 

2,147 

(21) 

1,617 

(595) 

268 

1,820 

59 

2,147 

The  notes  on  pages  29  to  61  are  an  integral  part  of  these  consolidated  financial  statements.

Page 27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

COMPANY CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2011 

2011 
£’000 

1,400 
- 

12 

1,412 

(1) 
243 

Operating activities 

Profit from operations 
Less taxation paid 
Adjustment for share option 
expense 

Operating cash flows before  
movements in working capital 

(Increase) in receivables 
(Decrease)/increase in payables 

Net cash generated from operating  
activities 

Investing activities 

2010 
 £’000  

2011 
 £’000    

2010 
£’000 

1,245 
- 

2 

1,247 

(77) 
(674) 

1,654 

496 

Investment in acquisitions 

(1,500) 

- 

Net cash used in investing activities 

(1,500) 

- 

Financing activities 

   Dividends paid 
   Placing monies raised 

Net cash used in 
financing activities 

Net (decrease) 
in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at 
beginning of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at 
end of year 

(609) 
457 

(595) 
- 

(152) 

(595) 

2 

11 

13 

(99) 

110 

11 

The notes on pages 29 to 61 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

Page 28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

Dillistone  Group  Plc  (the  “Company”)  is  a  company  incorporated  in  England  and  Wales.  The 
financial statements are presented in thousands Pounds Sterling. 

The Group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and its subsidiaries (together 
referred to as the “Group”). The parent company financial statements present information about 
the Company as a separate entity and not about its Group. 

Both the Group financial statements and the Company financial statements have been prepared 
and  approved  by  the  directors  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards 
(“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union (“EU”), IFRIC Interpretations and the Companies Act 
2006  applicable  to  companies  reporting  under  IFRS.  In  publishing  the  Company  financial 
statements here together with the Group financial statements, the Company has taken advantage 
of  the  exemption  in  s408  of  the  Companies  Act  2006  not  to  present  its  individual  income 
statement and related notes in these financial statements. 

1. 

Accounting policies 

Basis of accounting 

1.1 
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis. 

Use of accounting estimates and judgements 
Many of the amounts included in the financial statements involve the use of judgement and/or 
estimation. These judgements and estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of the 
relevant facts and circumstances, having regard to prior experience, but actual results may differ 
from the amounts included in the financial statements. Information about such judgements and 
estimation is contained in the accounting policies and/or the notes to the financial statements and 
the key areas are summarised below. 

Customers’ practical acceptance of licence software 
As detailed in note 1.4, licence fee revenues are recognised on practical acceptance of the 
software. The Group uses the “live” date as the basis of determining the timing of customer 
practical acceptance, thereby reducing the judgement required to ascertain the timing of licence 
revenue recognition. 

Capitalisation of internal development expenditure 
Management exercises judgement in establishing both the technical feasibility of completing an 
intangible asset which can be used internally or sold and the degree of certainty that a market 
exists for the asset, or its output, for the generation of future economic benefits.  In addition, 
amortisation rates are based on estimates of the useful economic lives and residual values of the 
assets involved.  The assessment of these useful economic lives is made by projecting the 
economic lifecycle of the asset which is subject to alteration as a result of product development 
and innovation. Amortisation rates are changed where economic lives are re-assessed and 
technically obsolete items written off where necessary.  

Valuation of assets and liabilities 
Management has made a number of assumptions with regards to the models used to value 
assets and liabilities at the statement of financial position date. Valuation techniques commonly 
used by market practitioners are applied. In respect of the provision for bad and doubtful  

Page 29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

1. 

Accounting policies (continued) 

receivables and credit note provisions, management have made relevant judgments based on 
discussions with the account managers as regards the recoverability of trade receivables.  

Valuation of share-based payments 
The estimation of share-based payment costs requires the selection of an appropriate valuation 
model and consideration as to the inputs necessary for the valuation model chosen. The Group 
has made estimates as to the volatility of its own shares, the probable life of options granted, 
leaver rates and the time of exercise of those options. The model used by the Group is a Black-
Scholes valuation model. Further details are shown in note 19. 

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets 
There are a number of assumptions management have considered in performing impairment 
reviews of goodwill and intangible assets which include an estimate of the future cash flows 
expected to arise from the cash generating unit and a suitable discount rate in order to calculate 
present value.  

Business combinations: 
On initial recognition, the assets and liabilities of the acquired business are included in the 
consolidated statement of financial position at their fair values. In measuring fair value, 
management uses estimates about future cash flows and discount rates.  However, actual results 
may vary.  Details of acquired assets and liabilities are given in note 20. 

Valuation of separately identifiable intangible assets 
As detailed in note 1.6 separately identifiable intangible assets are identified and amortised over 
a defined period. The Directors use an acknowledged approach but this is reliant upon certain 
judgments which they determine are reasonable by reference to companies in similar industries. 

Contingent consideration: 
Where contingent consideration is payable in cash and discounting would have a material effect, 
management uses an appropriate discount rate. Where the deferred consideration is contingent 
and dependent upon future trading performance, an estimate of the present value of the likely 
consideration payable is made. See note 20. 

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

1.2  Going concern 
The Group’s business activities and financial position, together with the factors likely to affect its 
future development, performance and position are set out in the Business Review and Financial 
Review on pages 5 to 8.  In addition, note 21 to the financial statements include the Company’s 
objectives,  policies  and  processes  for  managing  its  capital;  its  financial  risk  management 
objectives; details of its financial instruments; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk. 

The Group has considerable financial resources together with well established relationships with 
a number of customers and suppliers across different geographic areas. 

As a consequence, the directors believe that the Company is well placed to manage its business 
risks successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook. 

Page 30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

1. 

Accounting policies (continued) 

The  directors  have  a  reasonable  expectation  that  the  Company  has  adequate  resources  to 
continue  in  operational  existence  for  the  foreseeable  future.  Thus  they  continue  to  adopt  the 
going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements.  

Basis of consolidation 

1.3 
The  Group  financial  statements  consolidate  those  of  Dillistone  Group  Plc  and  of  its  subsidiary 
undertakings at the statement of financial position date. Subsidiary undertakings are entities over 
which  the  Group  has  the  power  to  govern  the  financial  and  operating  policies  so  as  to  obtain 
benefits  from  the  activities,  which  is  considered  to  represent  control.  The  Group  obtains  and 
exercises  control  through  voting  rights.  There  are  no  associates  or  joint  ventures  to  be 
considered. 

Intra-group balances, and any unrealised gains and losses or income and expenses arising from 
intra-group  transactions,  are  eliminated  in  preparing  the  consolidated  financial  statements. 
Acquisitions of subsidiaries are dealt with by the acquisition method.  

Revenue 

1.4 
General 
Revenue is the fair value of the total amount receivable by the Group for supplies of services 
which are provided in the normal course of business. VAT or similar local taxes and trade 
discounts are excluded. 

Licensing 
The Group licenses software under licence agreements. Licence fee revenues are recognised on 
practical acceptance of the software, when all obligations have been substantially completed. 
This is when the customer has accepted the product, the risks and rewards of ownership have 
been transferred, it is probable that the economic benefits of the transaction will flow to the 
Group, all costs and revenue in relation to the transaction can reliably be measured and the 
Group has no further managerial involvement over the goods to the degree usually associated 
with ownership. To the extent that payments have been received in advance for licences, where 
practical acceptance has not yet been reached, these amounts are recognised as deferred 
income. 

Professional services 
The Group provides professional services  which  include installation, consulting,  data translation 
and  training.    Such  revenues  are  recognised  as  the  services  are  completed  or  where  they  are 
part of the sale and installation of software, they are recognised when the obligations under the 
contract  are  complete.  To  the  extent  that  payments  have  been  received  in  advance  for  such 
services these amounts are recognised as deferred income.  

Product support, hosting and software as a service (SaaS) 
Revenues from support, hosting or SaaS agreements are recognised over the period to which 
they relate but only after practical acceptance of the software, as defined above, have been 
received.  As revenue is invoiced in advance for such services, the amount in advance is 
included in deferred revenue and released over the period to which the service relates.  

Page 31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

1. 

Accounting policies (continued) 

Share based payments 

1.5 
The Company operates two share based schemes.  

The first is an equity settled share-based compensation plan (share options) for remuneration of 
its employees.   

All employee services received in exchange for the grant of any share-based compensation are 
measured at their fair values. These are indirectly determined by reference to the share option 
awarded. Their value is appraised at the grant date and excludes the impact of any non-market 
vesting conditions (e.g. profitability or sales growth targets).  

All share-based compensation is ultimately recognised as an expense in the profit or loss with a 
corresponding credit to share-based payment reserve, net of deferred tax where applicable. If 
vesting periods or other vesting conditions apply, the expense is allocated over the vesting 
period, based on the best available estimate of the number of shares options expected to vest. 
Non market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are 
expected to become exercisable.  Estimates are subsequently revised if there is any indication 
that the number of share options expected to vest differs from previous estimates. No adjustment 
to expenses recognised in prior periods is made if fewer share options ultimately are exercised 
than originally estimated. 

Upon exercise of share options, the proceeds received, net of any directly attributable transaction 
costs, up to the nominal value of the shares issued are reallocated to share capital with any 
excess being recorded as additional share premium. 

The second scheme is cash settled share based compensation plan for directors.  The directors 
“phantom” options which have performance conditions related to the growth in earnings per share 
of the Group.  The options will automatically be exercised following the publication of the annual 
report of the company, three years after the grant.  These phantom options are re-valued at each 
half  year  end  using  a  Black  Scholes  model  and  the  necessary  movement  in  the  provision  in 
recognised through profit and loss.  The liability is included in non-current liabilities. 

Business combinations 

1.6 
The Group applies the acquisition method in accounting for business combinations.  The 
consideration transferred by the Group to obtain control of a subsidiary is calculated as the sum 
of the acquisition-date fair values of assets transferred, liabilities incurred and the equity interests 
issued by the Group, which includes the fair value of any asset or liability arising from a 
contingent consideration arrangement.  Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred. 

The Group recognises identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business 
combination regardless of whether they have been previously recognised in the acquiree’s 
financial statements prior to the acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are generally 
measured at their acquisition-date fair values. Goodwill is stated after separate recognition of 
identifiable intangible assets. It is calculated as the excess of the sum of a) fair value of 
consideration transferred, b) the recognised amount of any non controlling interest in the acquiree 
and c) acquisition-date fair value of any existing equity interest in the acquiree, over the 
acquisition-date fair values of identifiable net assets. If the fair values of identifiable net assets 
exceed the sum calculated above, the excess amount (ie gain on a bargain purchase) is 
recognised in profit or loss immediately.  

Page 32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

1. 

Accounting policies (continued) 

Exceptional charges 

1.7 
Charges which are both material and considered by the Directors to be unusual in either nature 
or size are separately disclosed on the face of the Statement of Comprehensive Income. These 
include acquisition costs. 

Impairment  testing  of  goodwill,  other  intangible  assets  and  property,  plant  and 

1.8 
equipment 
For impairment assessment purposes, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are 
largely independent cash inflows (cash generating units). As a result, some assets are tested 
individually for impairment and some are tested at cash-generating unit level. Goodwill is 
allocated to those cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from synergies of the related 
business combination and represent the lowest level within the Group at which management 
monitors goodwill. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated (determined by 
the Group’s management as equivalent to its operating segments) are tested for impairment at 
least annually.  All other individual assets or cash-generating units are tested for impairment  
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be 
recoverable. 

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s or cash-generating unit’s 
carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of fair value less costs to 
sell and value-in-use. To determine the value-in-use, management estimates expected future 
cash flows from each cash-generating unit and determines a suitable interest rate in order to 
calculate the present value of those cash flows. The data used for impairment testing procedures 
are directly linked to the Group’s latest approved budget, adjusted as necessary to exclude the 
effects of future reorganisations and asset enhancements. Discount factors are determined 
individually for each cash-generating unit and reflect management’s assessment of respective 
risk profiles, such as market and asset-specific risks factors.  Impairment losses for cash-
generating units reduce first the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to that cash-generating 
unit. Any remaining impairment loss is charged pro rata to the other assets in the cash-generating 
unit. With the exception of goodwill, all assets are subsequently reassessed for indications that 
an impairment loss previously recognised may no longer exist. An impairment charge is reversed 
if the cash-generating unit’s recoverable amount exceeds its carrying amount. 

Segment reporting 

1.9 
Operating  segments  are  reported  in  a  manner  consistent  with the  internal  reporting  provided to 
the  chief  operating  decision-maker.  The  chief  operating  decision-maker,  who  is  responsible  for 
allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified 
as the Board of Directors. 

1.10 

Intangible assets 

Internal development costs 
Costs  incurred  on  product  development  relating  to  the  design  and  development  of  new  or 
enhanced  products  are  capitalised  as  intangible  assets  when  it  is  reasonably  certain  that  the 
development  will  provide  economic  benefits,  considering  its  commercial  and  technological 
feasibility and the resources available for the completion and marketing of the development, and 
where the costs can be measured reliably. The expenditures capitalised are the direct labour and 
subcontracted  costs,  which  are  managed  and  controlled  centrally.  Product  development  costs 
previously recognised as an expense are not recognised as an asset in a subsequent period. 

Page 33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

1. 

Accounting policies (continued) 

Capitalised product development expenditure for versions of the Group’s FileFinder product (up 
to version 9) and for expenditure on subsequent enhancements and releases to FileFinder 10 is 
amortised over its useful life of 3 years, commencing a year following the costs being incurred. 

Capitalised product development expenditure for the Company’s FileFinder version 10 .Net and 
Voyager Infinity platform is amortised over its useful life of 10 years, commencing in the year in 
which the product is first brought into use. 

Capitalised  product  development  expenditure  is  subject  to  regular  impairment  reviews  and  is 
stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses and amortisation. Any impairment taken 
during  the  year  is  shown  under  administrative  expenses  on  the  Consolidated  Statement  of 
Comprehensive Income. 

Acquired as part of a business combination 
In  accordance  with  IFRS  3  Business  Combinations,  an  intangible  asset  acquired  in  a  business 
combination is deemed to have a cost to the Group of its fair value at the acquisition date. The 
fair value of the intangible asset reflects market expectations about the probability that the future 
economic benefits embodied in the asset will flow to the Group. Where an intangible asset might 
be separable, but only together with a related tangible or intangible asset, the Group of assets is 
recognised  as  a  single  asset  separately  from  goodwill  where  the  individual  fair  values  of  the 
assets  in  the  Group  are  not  reliably  measurable.  Where  the  individual  fair  values  of  the 
complementary  assets  are  reliably  measurable,  the  Group  recognises  them  as  a  single  asset 
provided the individual assets have similar useful lives. 

Subsequent  to  initial  recognition,  intangible  assets  are  reported  at  cost  less  accumulated 
amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation is provided to write off the cost of 
each intangible asset over its useful economic life, which is between 1 – 15 years. 

1.11  Depreciation 
Property, plant and machinery are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation on 
these assets is provided at rates estimated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of 
each asset over its expected useful life as follows: 

Leasehold land and buildings 

Office and computer equipment 
Fixtures, fittings & equipment 

the  lower  of  5  years  or  the  remaining  lease 
period 
33% -50% straight line 
25% straight line 

1.12  Financial assets 
The Group classifies its financial assets under the definitions provided in International Accounting 
Standard  39  (IAS  39)  Financial  Instruments:  Recognition  and  measurement,  depending  on  the 
purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. Management determines the classification 
of  its  financial  assets  at  initial  recognition.    Management  consider  that  the  Group’s  financial 
assets fall under the ‘loans and receivables’ category. 

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determined payments that 
are  not  quoted  in  an  active  market.  They  are  included  in  current  assets,  except  for  maturities 
greater than 12 months after the statement of financial position date, which are classified as non-
current  assets.  The  Group’s  loans  and  receivables  comprise  trade  receivables,  intercompany 
trading balances, and cash and cash equivalents. 

Page 34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

1. 

Accounting policies (continued) 

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised 
cost using the effective interest rate method, less any provision for impairment. Receivables are 
considered for impairment when they are past due or when other objective evidence is received 
that a specific counterparty  may default.  Receivables that are not considered to be individually 
impaired are reviewed for impairment in groups. The impairment loss estimate is then based on 
recent historical counterparty default rates and current economic conditions.  

De-recognition of financial assets occurs when the rights to receive cash flows from the 
investments expire or are transferred and substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership 
have been transferred. An assessment for impairment is undertaken at least at each statement of 
financial position date whether or not there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group 
of financial assets is impaired. 

1.13  Financial liabilities 
The  Group  classifies  its  financial  liabilities  under  the  definitions  provided  in  IAS  39,  either  as 
financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, or financial liabilities measured at amortised 
cost.  Management  consider  that the  Group’s financial  liabilities fall  under  the  ‘financial  liabilities 
measured  at  amortised  cost’  category.  The  Group’s  ‘financial  liabilities  measured  at  amortised 
cost’ comprise trade payables, intercompany trading balances, and accruals. 

Trade  payables  are  recognised  initially  at  fair  value  and  subsequently  measured  at  amortised 
cost using the effective interest method. 

Investments 

1.14 
Investments  in subsidiary  companies  are  included at  cost  in the  accounts  of  the  Company  less 
any amount written off in respect of any impairment in value. 

1.15  Leases 
Finance leases are recognised as being those that transfer substantially all the risks and rewards 
of ownership. Assets held under finance leases are capitalised and the outstanding future lease 
obligations  are  shown  in  payables  at  the  present  value  of  the  lease  payments.  They  are 
depreciated  over  the  term  of  the  lease  or  their  useful  economic  lives,  whichever  is  the  shorter. 
The  interest  element  (finance  charge)  of  lease  payments  is  charged  to  profit  or  loss  over  the 
period of the lease. 

All  other  leases  are  regarded  as  operating  leases  and  the  payments  made  under  them  are 
charged  to profit  or  loss  in  the  period  in  which  they  are  incurred.  The Group  does not  act  as a 
lessor. 

Inventory 

1.16 
Inventories  are  stated  at  the  lower  of  cost  and  net  realisable  value.  Cost  includes  all  directly 
attributable  expenses.  Costs  of  ordinarily  interchangeable  items  are  assigned  using  the  first  in, 
first out cost formula. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of 
business less any applicable selling expenses. 

1.17  Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and other 
short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and which are 
subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. 

Page 35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

1. 

Accounting policies (continued) 

1.18  Equity 
Equity comprises the following: 

•  
•  

•  

•  

•  
•  

“Share capital” represents the nominal value of equity shares. 
“Share  premium”  represents  the  excess  over  nominal  value  of  the  fair  value  of 
consideration received for equity shares, net of expenses of the share issue. 
“Merger reserve” is used where more than 90% of the shares in a subsidiary are 
acquired and the consideration includes the issue of new shares by the Company, 
thereby attracting merger relief under the Companies Act 2006. 
“Share-based  payment  reserve”  represents  equity-settled  share-based  employee 
and non-employee remuneration until such share options are exercised. 
“Retained earnings” represents retained profits and losses. 
“Foreign  exchange  reserve”  represents  translation  differences  arising  on  the 
consolidation of investments in overseas subsidiaries. 

1.19  Foreign currency translation 
The  consolidated  financial  statements  are  presented  in  sterling,  which  is  also  the  functional 
currency of the parent company. 

Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  are  translated  into  sterling  at 
the  rates  of  exchange  ruling  at  the  statement  of  financial  position  date.  Transactions  in  foreign 
currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. All differences are taken 
to profit and loss. 

On  consolidation,  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  Group’s  overseas  subsidiaries  are  translated 
from their functional currency to sterling at exchange rates prevailing on the statement of financial 
position  date.    Income  and  expenses  have  been  translated  from  their  functional  currency  into 
sterling at the average rate for each month over the reporting period.  Exchange differences are 
charged/credited  to  other  comprehensive  income  and  recognised  in  the  currency  translation 
reserve in equity. 

Income taxes 

1.20 
Current  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  comprise  those  obligations  to  fiscal  authorities  in  the 
countries in which the Group carries out its operations. They are calculated according to the tax 
rates and tax laws applicable to the fiscal period and the country to which they relate. All changes 
to current tax liabilities are recognised as a component of tax expense in profit and loss. 

Deferred  income  taxes  are  calculated  using  the  liability  method  on  temporary  differences.  This 
involves  the  comparison  of  the  carrying  amount  of  assets  and  liabilities  in  the  consolidated 
financial statements with their respective tax bases. However, deferred tax is not provided on the 
initial recognition of goodwill, or on the initial recognition of an asset or liability unless the related 
transaction  is  a  business  combination  or  affects  tax  or  accounting  profit.  Deferred  tax  on 
temporary  differences  associated  with  investments  in  subsidiaries  is  not  provided  if  reversal  of 
these temporary  differences can  be  controlled  by  the  Group and  it  is  probable that  reversal  will 
not occur in the foreseeable future. 

Deferred tax liabilities are always provided for in full.  Deferred tax assets are recognised to the 
extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary 
differences can be utilised.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated at tax rates that are  

Page 36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

1. 

Accounting policies (continued) 

expected  to  apply  to  their  respective  period  of  realisation,  provided  they  are  enacted  or 
substantively enacted at the statement of financial position date.  

1.21  Defined contribution pension scheme 
The pension costs charged in the financial statements represent the contributions payable by the  
Group during the year. 

1.22  New accounting standards 
The  Group  has  adopted  the  following  new  interpretations,  revisions  and  amendments  to  IFRS 
issued by  the  International  Accounting Standards  Board,  which  are  relevant  to  and effective for 
the Group’s financial statements for the annual period beginning 1 January 2011.  

The  following  standards,  amendments  and  interpretations  would  be  effective  for  the  first  time 
during 2011: 

IAS 24 (revised), ‘Related party disclosures’ 

 
  Amendment to IAS 32, ‘Classification of rights issues’ 
 

IFRIC 19, ‘Extinguishing financial liabilities with equity instruments’ 

None of the above had a material impact on the financial statements of the Group. As such there 
have  been  no  material  changes  to  the  Group’s  accounting  policies  since  the  previous  Annual 
Report. 

Standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards that are not yet effective 
and have not been early adopted by the Group in the 31 December 2011 financial 
statements 

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements certain new Standards, amendments 
and Interpretations to existing standards have been published but are not yet effective. The 
Group has not early adopted any of these pronouncements. The new Standards, amendments 
and Interpretations that are expected to be relevant to the Group’s financial statements are as 
follows: 

Standard 

Content 

Applicable for financial years 
beginning on/after 

IAS1 

IAS 19 

IFRS 9 

IFRS 10 

IFRS 12 

IFRS 13 

Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income 
(Amendments to IAS1) 
‘Employee benefits’ 

1 July 2012 

1 January 2013 

Financial instruments: Classification and measurement 

1 January 2015 

‘Consolidated financial statements’ 

Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities 

‘Fair value measurement’ 

1 January 2013 

1 January 2013 

1 January 2013 

Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (IAS 1 Amendments) 

Page 37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

1. 

Accounting policies (continued) 

IAS 19, ‘Employee benefits’ 
In June 2011 IAS 19, ‘Employee benefits’ was amended. As the Group does not hold any defined 
benefit pension schemes the amendment will not have any impact on the financial statements. 

IFRS 9, ‘Financial instruments: Classification and measurement’ 
In  November  2009,  the  IASB  issued  the  first  part  of  IFRS  9  relating  to  the  classification  and 
measurement of financial assets. IFRS 9 will ultimately replace IAS 39. The standard requires an 
entity to classify its financial assets on the basis of the entity’s business model for managing the 
financial  assets  and  the  contractual  cash  flow  characteristics  of  the  financial  asset,  and 
subsequently  measures  the  financial  assets  as  either  at  amortised  cost  or  fair  value.  The  new 
standard has yet to be adopted by the EU, but  is expected to be mandatory for annual periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2015. This standard is not expected to have a significant impact 
on the Group’s financial statements. 

IFRS 10, ‘Consolidated financial statements’ 
IFRS  10,  ‘Consolidated  financial  statements’  builds  on  existing  principles  by  identifying  the 
concept  of  control  as  the  determining  factor  in  whether  an  entity  should  be  included  within  the 
consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Parent  Company.  The  Group  does  not  expect  the 
standard  to  have  a  significant  impact  on  the  Group’s  financial  statements  due  to  the 
straightforward  nature  of  its  corporate  structure.  The  Group  expects  to  adopt  the  standard  in 
2013, subject to EU endorsement. 

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities (IFRS 12) 
IFRS 12 integrates and makes consistent the disclosure requirements for various types of 
investments, including unconsolidated structured entities. It introduces new disclosure 
requirements about the risks to which an entity is exposed from its involvement with structured 
entities. 

IFRS 13, ‘Fair value measurement’ 
IFRS 13 does not affect which items are required to be fair-valued, but clarifies the definition of 
fair value and provides related guidance and enhanced disclosures about fair value 
measurements. It is applicable for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013. The 
Group’s management have yet to assess the impact of this new standard. 

In 2011, the Group did not early adopt any new or amended standards and does not plan to early 
adopt any of the standards issued not yet effective. 

Page 38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

2. 

Segment reporting 

Since the acquisition of Woodcote, the Board have principally monitored the Group’s operations 
in  terms  of  results  of  the  two  divisions,  Dillistone  and  Voyager  rather  than  on  the  geographical 
basis  used  prior  to  the  acquisition  and  accordingly  the  segment  reporting  on  this  basis  is  also 
presented for 2011.  It is expected that in future years the geographic segmental analysis will not 
be  included,  although a  breakdown of  turnover  will  continue to be  provided.    Voyager  numbers 
are  included  from  21  September  2011.    Segment  results  reflect  management  charges  made  or 
received.  Intercompany balances are excluded from segment assets and liabilities. 

Divisional segments 
For the year ended 31 December 2011 

Segment revenue 
Depreciation and amortisation 
expense 

Segment result 

Central costs 

Exceptional charges 

Operating profit 

Financial income 

Income tax expense 

Additions of non-current assets 

Additions on acquisition 

Segment assets 

Intangibles and goodwill 

Central assets 

Total 

Segment Liabilities 

Central liabilities 

Dillistone 
£’000 

  Voyager 
£’000 

4,759 

250 

1,639 

689 

3 

165 

25 

- 

560 

- 

3,124 

101 

57 

375 

3,078 

986 

Total 
£’000 

5,448 

253 

1,804 

(424) 

(172) 

1,208 

25 

(307) 
926 

661 

57 

3,499 

5,200 

23 

8,722 

4,064 

811 

4,875 

No comparative is given as in 2010 only the Dillistone division existed. 

Page 39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

2. 

Segment reporting (continued) 

Geographical segments 
The following tables provide an analysis of the Group’s revenue, assets, liabilities and additions 
by geographic market. 

For the year ended 31 December 2011 

Segment revenue 
Depreciation and amortisation 
expense 

Segment result 

Central costs 

Exceptional charges 

Operating profit 

Financial Income 

Income tax expense 

Additions of non-current assets 

Additions on acquisition 

Segment assets 

Central assets and  goodwill 

Total assets 

Segment liabilities 

Central liabilities 

UKMEA 
£’000 

2,669 

247 

1,253 

2 

653 

57 

1,517 

Europe 
£’000 

  Americas 
£’000 

1,076 

- 

236 

- 

- 

- 

991 

4 

129 

6 

4 

- 

Asia-
Pacific 
£’000 

712 

2 

186 

17 

4 

- 

872 

779 

331 

2,730 

563 

559 

212 

Total 
£’000 

5,448 

253 

1,804 

(424) 

(172) 

1,208 

25 

(307) 
926 

661 

57 

3499 

5,223 

8,722 

4,064 

811 

4,875 

Page 40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

2. 

Segment reporting (continued) 

For the year ended 31 December 2010 

UKMEA 
£’000 

1,810 

177 

892 

Europe 
£’000 

823 

1 

138 

USA 
£’000 

1,051 

3 

239 

Asia-
Pacific 
£’000 

567 

2 

145 

677 

2,587 

- 

867 

- 

889 

2 

539 

Segment revenue 
Depreciation and amortisation 
expense 

Segment result 

Central costs 

Operating profit 

Financial Income 

Income tax expense 

Additions of non-current assets 

Segment assets 

Central assets - goodwill 

Total assets 

Segment liabilities 

1,571 

440 

532 

159 

Business segment 
The following table provides an analysis of the Group’s revenue by business segment 

Total 
£’000 

4,251 

183 

1,414 

(239) 

1,175 

7 

(310) 

872 

679 

4,882 

494 

5,376 

2,702 

Revenue 

Recurring income 
Non-recurring income 
Third Party Revenues 

2011 
 £’000    
3,248 
2,122 
78 
5,448 

2010 
 £’000  
2,536 
1,715 

- 
4,251 

Recurring income includes all support services, software as a service income (SaaS) and hosting 
income. Non-recurring income includes sales of new licenses, and income derived from installing 
those  licenses  including  training,  installation,  and  data  translation.    Third  Party  Revenues  arise 
from the sale of Third Party software. 

It  is  not  possible  to  allocate  assets  and  additions  between  recurring,  non-recurring  income  and 
third party revenue.  

No customer represented more than 10% of Revenue of the Group. 

Page 41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

3. 

Exceptional Items 

Fees relating to the acquisition of Woodcote 
and its restructuring 
Amortisation of intangibles 

2011 
 £’000    

2010 
 £’000  

115 
57 
172 

- 
- 
- 

Note 20 contains details of the acquisition giving rise to the exceptional charges 

2011 
 £’000    

2010 
 £’000  

4. 

Results from operating activities 

Result from operating activities is stated after charging: 
Depreciation 
Amortisation 
Loss on foreign exchange transactions 
Operating lease rentals - land and buildings 
Money purchase pension contributions 

Fees receivable by the Group auditors: 

Audit of financial statements 
Other services: 
Audit of accounts of subsidiary of the Company 
Other services relating to taxation 
All other services* 

66 
243 
9 
137 
31 

20 

25 
17 
- 

*Fees of £30,000 were paid to Grant Thornton prior to their appointment as auditors 

5. 

Employees 

The average number of employees was: 

Operations 
Management 

Employee numbers 

2011 
54 
6 

60 

Page 42 

82 
101 
- 
118 
22 

15 

14 
11 
17 

2010 
46 
4 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

5. 

Employees (continued) 

Their aggregate remuneration comprised: 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Pension costs 
Share based payments charged  

2011 
 £’000  

2,562 
292 
31 
48 

2,933 

2010 
 £’000  

2,093 
234 
22 
- 

2,349 

The aggregate remuneration includes directors’ remuneration and costs totalling £418,000 (2010: 
£457,000) that have been capitalised in intangible assets.   

Key management of the Group are the Directors and, from acquisition, the directors of Voyager 
Software.  Remuneration of Key management was a follows: 

Wages and salaries and benefits 
Social security costs 
Pension costs 
Share based payments charge including LTIP charge 

2011 
 £’000  

2010 
 £’000  

661 
72 
7 
40 
780 

466 
51 
3 
- 
520 

Details  of  Directors’  emoluments,  share  options  and  pension  entitlements  are  given  in  the 
Remuneration Report on pages 18 to 20. 

6. 

Financial income 

Interest receivable 

2011 
 £’000    

25 

2010 
 £’000  

7 

Page 43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

7. 

Tax expense 

Current tax 
Deferred tax 
Deferred tax re acquisition intangibles 
Income tax expense for the year 

Factors affecting the tax charge for the year 
Profit before tax 

UK rate of taxation 

Profit before tax multiplied by the UK rate of taxation 

Effects of : 
Overseas tax rates 

Deferred tax not provided 
Enhanced R&D relief 
Disallowed expenses 
Rate change impact on deferred tax 
Prior Year adjustments 
Exchange rate 
Tax expense 

2011 
 £’000    

234 
62 
11 
307 

1,233 

26.5% 

327 

29 
- 
(70) 
63 
(13) 
(32) 
3 
307 

2010 
 £’000  

207 
103 
- 
310 

1,182 

28% 

331 

37 
3 
(76) 
15 
(16) 
13 
3 
310 

Deferred tax provided in the financial statements is as follows: 

Accelerated intangible 
amortisation 
Provisions 
Acquisition Intangibles 

Group 

Company 

2011 
 £’000  

2010 
 £’000    

2011 
 £’000    

2010 
 £’000  

299 
(14) 
280 
565 

208 
(11) 
- 
197 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

Page 44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

8. 

Earnings per share 

Profit attributable to ordinary 
shareholders 
Weighted average number of shares* 

2011 
  Pre exceptional 

£’000 

2011 
Post 
exceptional 
£’000  

1,084,000 

926,000 

2010 

£’000  

872,000 

17,328,365 

17,328,365 

16,996,323 

Basic earnings per share 

6.26 pence 

5.34 pence 

5.13 pence 

Weighted average number of shares 
after dilution 
Fully diluted earnings per share 

17,392,866 

17,392,866 

17,031,975 

6.23 pence 

5.32 pence 

5.12 pence 

*  a  bonus  issues  of  shares  took  place  in  June  2011  and  the  number  of  shares  in  2010  have  been  adjusted  to  take 
account of this issue. 

9. 

Profit for the financial year 

As  permitted  by  section 408 of  the  Companies Act  2006, the  holding  company’s profit and loss 
account has not been included in these financial statements. The profit for the financial year for 
the holding company was £1,406,000 (2010: £1,245,000). 

Page 45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

10.  Goodwill 

Group 

Cost 
At 1 January 2010 
Additions 
At 31 December 2010 

Additions 

At 31 December 2011 

Amortisation 
At 1 January 2010 
Charge for the year 
At 31 December 2010 

Charge for the year 
At 31 December 2011 

Carrying amount 
At 31 December 2011 

At 31 December 2010 

At 31 December 2009 

Goodwill 
£’000 

494 
- 

494 

1,996 

2,490 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

2,490 

494 

494 

At the year end date an impairment test has been undertaken by comparing the carrying values 
of  goodwill  with  the  recoverable  amount  of  the  cash  generating  unit  to  which  the  goodwill  has 
been allocated. The recoverable amount of the cash generating unit (CGU) is based on value-in-
use calculations. These calculations use cash flow projections covering a 3 year period based on 
financial  budgets  and  a  calculation  of  the  terminal  value,  for  the  period  following  these  formal 
projections. 

The  key  assumptions  used  for  value-in-use  calculations  are  those  regarding  growth  rates, 
increases  in  costs  and  discount  rates.    The  discount  rate  is  reviewed  annually  to  take  into 
account the current market assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to the 
cash-generating units and rates used by comparable companies.  The pre tax discount rate used 
to  calculate  value-in-use  is  12%  (2010:  12%).    Growth  rates  for  forecasts  take  into  account 
historic experience and current market trends.  Costs are reviewed and increased for inflation and 
other costs pressures.  The long term growth rate used for the terminal value calculation is 2%. 

Page 46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

10.  Goodwill (continued) 

(2010: 2%) for all CGUs.  The allocation of goodwill across the CGUs is as follows: 

  Opening 
£’000 

  Addition 
£’000 

Impairment 
£’000 

  Closing 
£’000 

Dillistone UKMEA 
Dillistone Europe 
Dillistone Australia 
Dillistone US 
Voyager consolidated 

 290  
 110  
 40  
 54  

 494  

- 
- 
- 
- 
 1,996  
 1,996  

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

 290  
 110  
 40  
 54  
 1,996  
 2,490 

Sensitivities 
To  reduce  the  headroom  in  the  impairment  calculation  to  £nil  for  the  Voyager  consolidation 
goodwill would require a reduction of terminal growth rate to 0% and an increase in the discount 
rate to 20%.  No meaningful sensitivity for the Dillistone goodwill reduces the headroom to £nil. 

11. 

Intangible assets 

Group 

Cost 
At 1 January 2010 
Additions 
At 31 December 2010 

Additions 
At 31 December 2011 

Amortisation 
At 1 January 2010 
Charge for the year 
At 31 December 2010 

Charge for the year 
At 31 December 2011 

Carrying amount 
At 31 December 2011 

At 31 December 2010 

At 31 December 2009 

Development 
costs 
£’000 

Acquisition 
Intangibles 

£’000 

- 
- 
- 

1,178 

1,178 

- 
- 
- 

57 

57 

1,121 

- 

- 

1,047 
623 
1,670 

580 
2,250 

374 
101 
475 

186 
661 

1,589 

1,195 

673 

Page 47 

Total 
£’000 

1,047 
623 
1,670 

1,758 
3,428 

374 
101 
475 

243 
718 

2,710 

1,195 

673 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

11. 

Intangible assets (continued) 

Acquisition Intangibles can be summarised as follows: 

Cost 

At 1 January 2011 

Additions 

Amortisation 
At 31 December 2011 

Developed 
Technology 

Contractual 
relationship 

Non 
contractual 
relationship 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

- 

306 

(8) 

298 

- 
171 

(34) 

137 

- 

507 

(12) 

495 

Brand 

£’000 

- 

194 

(3) 
191 

Total 

£’000 

- 

1,178 

(57) 
1,121 

12. 

Property, plant and equipment 

Group 

Cost 
At 1 January 2010 
Currency impact 
Additions 
At 31 December 2010 
Currency impact 
Additions by acquisition 
Additions 
At 31 December 2011  

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2010 
Currency impact 
Charge for the year 
At 31 December 2010 
Currency impact 
Depreciation on acquisition 
Charge for the year 
At 31 December 2011 

Carrying Amount 
At 31 December 2011 

At 31 December 2010 

At 31 December 2009 

Land and 
buildings 

£’000 

Office & 
computer 
equipment 
£’000 

Fixtures 
and 
fittings 
£’000 

Total 

£’000 

270 
3 
56 
329 
- 
112 
81 
522 

229 
3 
47 
279 
- 
100 
40 
419 

103 

50 

41 

163 
- 
- 
163 
- 
- 
- 
163 

110 
- 
33 
143 
- 
- 
20 
163 

- 

20 

53 

Page 48 

25 
3 
- 
28 
- 
102 
- 
130 

24 
1 
2 
27 
- 
57 
6 
90 

40 

1 

1 

458 
6 
56 
520 
- 
214 
81 
815 

363 
4 
82 
449 
- 
157 
66 
672 

143 

71 

95 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

13. 

Non-current asset investments 

Company 

Cost 
At 1 January 2011  
Acquired - Woodcote 

31 December 2011 

Unlisted 
Investments 
£’000 

1,623 
2,488 

4,111 

The Company has the following subsidiary undertakings: 

Name 

Principal activity 

Holding of 
ordinary 
shares 

Registered 

Dillistone Systems Limited 

Sale of computer software and  
related support services 

100% 

England &  

  Wales 

Dillistone Systems (Australia)  Sale of computer software and  
Pty Limited 

related support services 

100% 
(indirect) 

Australia 

Dillistone Systems (US) Inc 

Sale of computer software and  
related support services 

100% 

USA 

Woodcote Software 
Limited 

Holding company 

100% 

England &  

Voyager Software 
Limited * 

Sale of computer software and 
related support services 

100% 

Voyager Software 
(Australia) Pty Limited 

Sale of computer software and 
related support services 

100% 
(Indirect) 

  Wales 

England &  
Wales 

Australia 

* The ownership of Voyager Software was transferred from Woodcote Software Limited to Dillistone Group Plc on 30 
December 2011. 

Page 49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

14. 

Inventories 

Group 

2011 
£’000 

2010 
£’000 

Company 

2011 
£’000 

2010 
£’000 

Licences for resale 

11 

55  

-  

 -  

15. 

Trade and other receivables 

Trade and other receivables* 
Group receivables 
Other current assets 
Prepayments and accrued  
income 

Group 

Company 

2011 
£’000 
1,514 
- 
44 
193 

2010 
£’000 
1,161 
- 

- 
253 

1,751 

1,414 

2011 
£’000 
- 
30 
8 
1 

39 

2010 
£’000 
- 

78 
4  
- 

82 

*Trade and other receivables includes £23,000 (2010: £68,000) receivable in more than one year 
and have been included in non-current assets.  

The  carrying  value  of  trade  receivables  is  considered  a  reasonable  approximation  of  fair  value.  
All  of  the  receivables  have  been  reviewed  for  indicators  of  impairment.  The  movement  in  the 
provision is shown below: 

At start of year 
Movement in the year 
At the year end 

2011 
£’000 
52 
26 
78 

2010 
£’000 
- 
52 
52 

The ageing profile of trade receivables past due date but not impaired as at the year end is as 
follows:  

Current 
31 - 60 days overdue 
More than 60 days overdue 

Total 

2011 
£’000 
1,346 
71 
97 

1,514 

2010 
£’000 
996 
55 
110 

1,161 

Page 50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

16. 

Trade and other payables 

Group 

Company 

2011 
£’000 
476 
- 
2,473 
846 

3,795 

£’000 
308 
36 
20 

364 

2010 
£’000 
352 
- 
1,799 
257 

2,408 

£’000 
- 
- 
- 

- 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Group payables 
Deferred income 
Accruals  

Non current liabilities 
Contingent consideration 
Cash settled option provision 
Other provisions 

17. 

Share capital 

Allotted, called up and fully paid 

2011 
£’000 
10 
626 
- 
458 

1,094 

£’000 
308 
36 
- 

344 

2010 
£’000 
5 
546 
- 
95 

646  

£’000 
- 
- 
- 

-  

2011 
£’000 

2010 
£’000 

18,196,277  Ordinary shares of 5 pence each 

910 

283 

In  June  2011 the  Company  carried  out  a  2  for  1  bonus  issue  of  11,330,882  Bonus  Shares.    In 
September 2011 the Company placed 694,445 shares @72p to partially finance the acquisition of 
Woodcote Software Limited.  It also issued 505,509 shares to the Vendors of Woodcote as part 
of the consideration paid. 

Shares issued and fully paid 

2011 

2010 

Beginning of the year 
Bonus issue 
Shares issued on placing 
Issued on acquisition of Woodcote 
Shares issued and fully paid 

5,665,441 
11,330,882 
694,445 
505,509 
18,196,277 

  5,665,441 
- 
- 
- 
  5,665,441 

Page 51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

18.  Operating lease arrangements 

The Group leases offices under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. 

At 31 December 2011 the Group had future total commitments under non-cancellable operating 
leases as follows: 

Commitments payable: 

Within one year 
Between two and five years 

19.  Share options 

Share based payments 

2011 
£’000 
479 

154 
325 

2010 
£’000 
286 

83 
203 

There are two share option schemes in operation: an Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme 
(“the EMI Scheme”) which complies with the requirements of HMRC and a scheme which has not 
been approved by HMRC (“the Unapproved Scheme”).  If the options remain unexercised after a 
period of 10 years from the date of grant, the options expire. Options are normally forfeited if the 
employee leaves the Company before the options become available to exercise.  There are no 
performance conditions associated with these options 

During 2011 the Group made two grants of options.  The fair values of the services received in 
exchange for share-based payments were calculated using a Black-Scholes pricing model. 
The inputs into the model were as follows: 

Date of grant 

Number 
granted* 

Share 
price on 
issue 
date* 

Exercise 
price * 

Expected 
volatility 

Vesting 
period 

Leaver 
rate over 
vesting 
period 

Risk free 
rate 

Expected 
dividend 
yield 

14 Jan 2011 

30,000 

58.33p 

58.33p 

21 Sept 2011 

420,794 

77.00p 

77.00p 

65% 

65% 

3 years 
3.33 
years 

0% 

1.75% 

15% 

0.79% 

4.5% 

4.5% 

*Adjusted for the 2 for 1 bonus issue where appropriate 

No options were granted in 2010. 

Page 52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

19.  Share options (continued) 

Details  of  the  number  of  share  options  and  the  weighted  average  exercise  price  (WAEP) 
outstanding during the year are as follows: 

Outstanding at beginning of year 

Granted during year 

Exercised during year 

Forfeited during year 

Outstanding at the end of the year 

Exercisable at the year end 

2011 

No of options* 
101,652 

450,794 

- 

- 

552,446 

101,652 

WAEP* 
55.27 

75.76 

74.01 

66.27 

2010 

No of options* 
107,652 

- 

- 

(6,000) 

101,652 

101,652 

WAEP* 
68.11 

- 

- 

99.17 

66.27 

66.27 

*Adjusted for the 2 for 1 bonus issue were appropriate 

No directors exercised share options during the year.  The Company’s mid-market share price on 
31 December 2011 was 72.5p. 

The  fair  value  of  all  options  granted  is  shown  as  an  employee  expense  with  a  corresponding 
increase  in  equity.  The  employee  expense  is  recognised  equally  over  the  time  from  grant  until 
vesting of the option. The employee expense for the year was £ 12,000 (2010: £2,000).   

Share options remaining in the schemes are as follows: 

Scheme Type 

Date of Grant 

Exercise From 

Lapse Date 

EMI 
Unapproved 
EMI 
Unapproved 
Unapproved 
EMI 
Unapproved 

03/05/2006 
03/05/2006 
14/09/2007 
14/09/2007 
14/01/2011 
21/09/2011 
21/09/2011 

03/05/2009 
03/05/2009 
14/09/2010 
14/09/2010 
14/01/2014 
21/09/2014 
21/09/2014 

02/05/2016 
02/05/2016 
13/09/2017 
13/09/2017 
13/01/2021 
20/09/2021 
20/09/2021 

Options 
remaining 
8,913  
26,739  
 60,000  
 6,000  
 30,000  
398,794  
22,000  
552,446 

Ex Price (p) 

5.38  
5.38  
99.17  
99.17  
58.33  
77.00  
77.00  

Cash settled options 

During  the  year  the  Board introduced a  long term  incentive scheme for directors.   The  scheme 
grants phantom options to the participants and these options are cash settled on the vesting date, 
which will  be  the  date  of  the  publication  of  the  appropriate  annual  report.   The  amount  payable 
will be the increase in share price between the date of grant and vesting multiplied by the number 
of  phantom  options  granted  multiplied  by  the  performance  factor.    The  performance  factor  is 
based on the percentage rise in the earnings per share over the period.   

The  fair  values  of  the  services  received  in  exchange  for  cash  based  option  payments  were 
calculated using a Black-Scholes pricing model at 31 December 2011.  

Page 53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

19.  Share options (continued) 

The inputs into the model were as follows 

Date of grant 

Number 
granted* 

Exercise 
price * 

Expected 
volatility 

Share 
price on 
issue 
date* 

Remaining 
period to 
vesting  

Leaver 
rate over 
vesting 
period 

Risk free 
rate 

Expected 
dividend 
yield 

28 April 2011 

645,750 

58.33p 

66.67p 

65% 

2.33 years 

0% 

0.4% 

4.25% 

*Adjusted for the 2 for 1 bonus issue 

The  expense  charged  for  the  year  for  the  year  was  £36,000  (2010:  £nil).    The  total  provision 
carried forward was £36,000 (2010: £nil) and is included in non-current liabilities 

20. 

Acquisitions 

On  21  September  2011,  the  Group  acquired  the  entire  share  capital  of  Woodcote  Software 
Limited for an estimated consideration before fees of £2,487,000, which was satisfied as detailed 
below.  This was part of the Group’s strategy to broaden our offering to the recruitment sector.   

Woodcote  is  a  non-trading  holding  company.  Voyager  Software  Limited  (www.voyage.co.uk/), 
which  was  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Woodcote,  sells  a  number  of  software  products  to  its 
target  market  of  recruitment  agencies.    The  products  are  designed  to  facilitate  the  filling  of 
temporary  or  permanent  vacancies.    Voyager  Software  (Australia)  Pty  Ltd.,  a  wholly  owned 
subsidiary  of  Voyager,  markets  a  similar  product  range.    Between  them,  Voyager  and  Voyager 
(Australia) have over 700 active unique clients and nearly 5,000 active licensed users.   

Page 54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

20. 

Acquisitions (continued) 

The details of the business combination are as follows: 

Book 
value 
£'000 

Fair Value 
adjustments 
£'000 

Fair Value 

£'000 

ASSETS 
Non-current assets 
Property plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Deferred tax liability 

Net assets acquired 
Goodwill 

57  
-  

125  
208  

390  

(756)  
-  

(366)  

-  
1,178  

-  
-  

1,178 

(24)  
(295)  

859  

Satisfied by 
Cash consideration 
Settled in shares 
Cash consideration in relation to surplus working capital * 
Contingent consideration 

Fair value of Consideration transferred 
Amount settled in cash consideration in period 
Cash and cash equivalents acquired 
Net cash outflow on acquisition 
Acquisition  fees  relating  to  placing  charged  to  share  premium 
reserve 
Acquisition costs charged to expenses 
Net cash paid relating to acquisition 

*included in trade payables at the year end 

57  
1,178  

125  
208  

1,568  

(780)  
(295)  

493  
1,994  
2,487  

1,500  
390  
98  
499  

2,487  

£'000 
1,500  
(208)  
1,292 
43 

115 
1,450 

Equity  consideration  was  agreed  at  £390,000  and  satisfied  by  the  issue  of  505,509  ordinary 
shares in Dillistone Group.  It was also contractually agreed that the price used to calculate the 
shares  would  be  the  mid  market  price  over  the  average  of  the  previous  30  days.    This  was 
calculated to be 77.15p.   

The placing was carried out at a price of 72p and this has been used to value the equity issued. 

Page 55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

20. 

Acquisitions (continued) 

The total consideration of £2,487,000 net of cash acquired of £208,000 was £2,279,000 before 
fees. The fair value adjustment of £24,000 to liabilities was in relation to employee redundancy 
costs which had been approved by previous management pre acquisition but not recognised.  
Fees of £43,000 in respect of the issue of equity have been offset against the merger reserve 
and £115,000 were expensed as exceptional costs.  In addition, following a detailed review of 
the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired, in accordance with IFRS3 Business 
Combinations the Group has recognised 4 intangible assets totalling £1,178,000 made up as 
follows: 

Intangible assets: 
Brand 
Developed technology 
Contractual customer relationships  
Non contractual customer 
relationships 

£’000 

Estimated 
life 

194 
306 
171 
507 

15 years 
11.25 years 
1.25 years 
10.25 years 

1,178 

Goodwill of £1,994,000 represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net 
tangible and intangible assets acquired. The goodwill arising on the acquisition consists largely 
of the workforce value, synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the 
operating with Dillistone Group companies. 

As part of the acquisition, the Group agreed to pay additional consideration against surplus 
working capital up to a certain level that was retained in the business at completion.  Following a 
completion accounts verification process, an amount of £98,000 was agreed to be paid to the 
vendors and is included in creditors at the year end. In addition the vendors are entitled to 
contingent consideration:  

  £200,000 - provided that the revenue of the acquired companies exceeds £2,200,000 in 

the year ending 30 June 2012 

  30 per cent of the revenue of the acquired companies over £2,300,000 in the year ending 

31 December 2012 

  30 per cent of the revenue of the acquired companies over £2,300,000 in the year ending 

31 December 2013 

From the date of acquisition to 31 December 2011, the acquired companies contributed £689,000 
to revenue and £165,000 to profit before taxation.  In the last financial year, being the year ended 
30 June 2011 the acquired companies made a profit before taxation of £105,000 and before an 
exceptional loss totalling £384,000 relating to a loan write-off to a Group company, ExpressHR 
Services Limited, which was sold on acquisition.  However, due to a change in year end, lack of 
audited accounts, changed capital structure and exceptional write-offs, pro-forma profit or loss of 
the combined entity for the complete 2011 reporting period cannot be readily be determined. 

Page 56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

21 

Financial instruments 

The Group uses various financial instruments; these include cash and bank deposits and various 
items such as trade receivables and trade payables that arise directly from its operations. The 
main purpose of these financial instruments is to provide finance for the Group’s operations. 

The Group finance department maintains liquidity, manages relations with the Group’s bankers, 
identifies and manages foreign exchange risk and controls Group treasury operations. Treasury 
dealings  such  as  investments  and  foreign  exchange  are  conducted  only  to  support  underlying 
business  transactions.  Consequently,  the  Group  does  not  undertake  speculative  foreign 
exchange dealings for which there is no underlying exposure. 

The  Group’s  policies  for  management  of  the  financial  risks  to  which  it  is  exposed  are  outlined 
below. 

(i) 

Interest rate risk 

The Group has a limited exposure to interest rate volatility. The Group has no debt and the only 
interest rate exposure is therefore on the Group’s bank deposits. The Group’s policy is to 
maintain capital preservation and flexibility rather than to optimise interest rates on bank deposits 
held, Cash deposits in sterling and foreign currencies are made at prevailing interest rates. 
Where rates are fixed, the fixed interest period is generally no more than 1 month. 

At the year end, the Group had positive cash balances totalling £1,617,000 (2010: £2,147,000).  
Had interest rates been 1% higher during the financial year, the impact on profit would have been 
an increase in profit for the year of £ 21,000 (2010: increase of £20,000). 

(ii) 

Credit risk 

The  Group’s  principal  financial  assets  are  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  trade  and  other 
receivables. 

Credit  risk  is  the  risk  of  financial  loss  to  the  Group  if  a  customer  or  counterparty  to  a  financial 
instrument  fails  to  meet  its  contractual  obligations  and  arises  principally  from  the  Group’s 
receivables from customers and monies on deposit with financial institutions. 

Historically, the cash collection profile has been very good.  Debt aging and collections are 
monitored on a regular basis.  Some of the unimpaired trade receivables are past due as at the 
reporting date. Information on financial assets past due but not impaired are included in Note 16. 

The  credit  risk  on  liquid  funds  and  derivative  financial  instruments  is  limited  because  the 
counterparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit rating agencies.  

The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk. 

Page 57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

21 

Financial instruments (continued) 

The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is represented by the carrying 
value of financial assets, as follows: 

Trade and other receivables (current assets) 
Trade and other receivables (non-current assets) 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total 

(iii) 

Liquidity risk 

2011 
£’000 
1,728 
23 
1,617 

3,368 

2010 
£’000 
1,346 
68 
2,147 

3,561 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall 
due. The Group’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure it will has sufficient liquidity to meet 
its liabilities when due. 

As  at  31  December  2011,  the  Group  and  Company’s  financial  liabilities  (being  trade  and  other 
payables  and  deferred  income  and  income  tax)  have  contractual  maturities  as  summarised 
below: 

Group 

31 December 2011 

Trade and other payables (current liabilities) 

Trade and other payables (non-current liabilities) 

31 December 2010 

Trade and other payables (current liabilities) 

Trade and other payables (non-current liabilities) 

Company 

31 December 2011 

Trade and other payables (current liabilities) 

Trade and other payables (non-current liabilities) 

Carrying 
amount 

< 1 year  

1-2 years 

2-5 years 

£’000 
3,795  

364    

4,159 

£’000 
3,795 
- 

3,795 

£’000 
- 
128 

128 

£’000 
- 
236 

236 

Carrying 
amount 

< 1 year  

1-2 years 

2-5 years 

£’000 
2,408  

-    

2,408 

£’000 
2,408 
- 

2,408 

£’000 
- 
- 

- 

£’000 
- 
- 

- 

Carrying 
amount 

< 1 year  

1-2 years 

2-5 years 

£’000 
1,094  

344    

1,438 

£’000 
1,094 
- 

1,094 

£’000 
- 
108 

108 

£’000 
- 
236 

236 

Page 58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

21 

Financial instruments (continued) 

31 December 2010 

Trade and other payables (current liabilities) 

Trade and other payables (non-current liabilities) 

Carrying 
amount 

< 1 year  

1-2 years 

2-5 years 

£’000 
2,408  

-    

2,408 

£’000 
2,408 
- 

2,408 

£’000 
- 
- 

- 

£’000 
- 
- 

- 

The directors consider there to be no significant liquidity risks due to the significant cash balances 
of the Group.  

(iv) 

Foreign currency risk 

The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk on sales and purchases which are denominated in 
a currency other than sterling.  Exposures to currency exchange rates are primarily denominated 
in US Dollars ($), Australian Dollars (AUD) and Euros (€).  The Group does not use derivatives to 
hedge translation exposures arising on the consolidation of its overseas operations. 

At  the  year  end,  the  Group  had  assets  totalling  £852,000  and  liabilities  totalling  £563,000 
denominated in Euros (2010: assets totalling £867,0000 and liabilities totalling £440,000), assets 
totalling  £759,000  and  liabilities  totalling  £559,000  denominated  in  US  Dollars  (2010:  assets 
totalling  £889,000  and  liabilities  totalling  £532,000)  and  assets  totalling  £323,000  and  liabilities 
totalling  £212,000  denominated  in  Australian  Dollars  (2010:  assets  totalling  £539,000  and 
liabilities totalling £159,000). If each of the exchange rates weakened by 5%, the impact on the 
income  statement  would  be  a  decrease  in  profit  before  tax  by  £27,000  (2010:  decrease  of 
£27,000). 

Capital risk management 
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the entity's ability to continue as 
a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other 
stakeholders. 

The  Group  sets  the  amount  of  capital  in  proportion  to  risk.  The  Group  manages  the  capital 
structure and makes adjustments to it in the light of changes in economic conditions and the risk 
characteristics  of  the  underlying  assets.  In  order  to  maintain  or  adjust  the  capital  structure,  the 
Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, 
issue new shares, or sell assets. 

The Company has no debt, and therefore the total capital managed by the Group as at the year 
end was  its  total  equity  balance of  £3,847,000 (2010:  £2,674,000).  Further  details  in respect  of 
movements in capital are provided in the statement of changes in equity. 

Page 59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

21 

Financial instruments (continued) 

Summary of financial assets and liabilities by category 
The  carrying  amounts  of  the  financial  assets  and  liabilities  as  recognised  at  the  statement  of 
financial position date of the years under review may also be categorised as follows: 

Financial assets 

Loans and receivables 
Cash and Cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 

Financial liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Contingent consideration 

22. 

Control 

Group 

2011 
£'000s 

                -  
1,617  
1,751  

2010 
£'000s 

-  
 2,147  
1,414  

Company 

2011 
£'000s 

2010 
£'000s 

-  
  13  
39  

-  
  11  
82  

3,368  

   3,561  

52  

        93  

3,660  
499 

4,159  

2,408  
- 

2,408  

939  
499 

1,438  

 646  
- 

646  

No  individual  shareholder,  or  shareholders  acting  in  concert,  hold  more  than  50%  of  voting 
shares, and accordingly there is not considered to be an “ultimate controlling party”. 

23. 

Related party transactions 

Transactions  between  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries,  which  are  related  parties,  have  been 
eliminated  on  consolidation  and  are  not  disclosed  in  this  note.    These  take  the  form  of 
management  charges  payable  by  Group  members  to  relating  to  support  services  provided 
directly to them and dividends. 

The directors received dividends paid by the Company of £292,000 (2010: £289,000). 

24. 

Dividends 

The dividends paid in 2011 and 2010  were £ 609,000 (3.5p per share) and £595,000  (3.5p per 
share)  respectively  after  adjusting  for  the  bonus  issue.  A  final  dividend  in  respect  of  the  year 
ended  31  December  2011  of  2.3333p  per  share  will  be  paid  on  26  June  2012.  These financial 
statements do not reflect this dividend.  

Page 60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                 
 
                 
 
                 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLISTONE GROUP PLC 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011 

24. 

Dividends (continued) 

Under company law, any distribution made by a company to its shareholders must not exceed the 
amount of distributable reserves reported in the last annual accounts of the company circulated to 
shareholders.    In  the  event  that  the  last  annual  accounts  do  not  show  sufficient  distributable 
reserves to pay all or any part of the dividends concerned, then it is a company law requirement 
that  a  company  prepares  unaudited  interim  accounts  demonstrating  sufficient  distributable 
reserves prior to payment of such dividend (“Interim Accounts”).  In the case of a public company, 
Interim Accounts need to have been properly prepared and filed with the Registrar of Companies 
before a dividend is declared or (in the case of an interim dividend) paid.  

In the years 2006 to 2010, the Company paid dividends to shareholders in part out of 
distributable profits generated in the year in which the dividends were paid, rather than in respect 
to the distributable reserves available by reference to the last filed annual accounts or relevant 
Interim Accounts.   

Whilst the Group did have sufficient distributable reserves at the relevant times to cover the 
whole amounts of the dividends paid in the years 2006 to 2010, at the time that those dividends 
were paid, sufficient distributable reserves had not been distributed from the other companies 
within the Group and paid to the Company by way of intra-group dividends.  Accordingly the 
payment of the dividends in this period has given rise to certain technical breaches of the 
Companies Act 1985 or the Companies Act 2006. 

Interim Accounts for the six months to 30 June 2011 were prepared by the Company and filed 
with the Registrar of Companies, showing distributable reserves sufficient to allow the 
appropriation of reserves necessary to rectify the past dividend issue. 

At a general meeting in November 2011, shareholders voted on and passed four resolutions to 
rectify and ratify the payment of the dividends paid in the years 2006 to 2010, which were made 
in breach of the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies Act 2006 and to release any claims that 
the Company may have against its shareholders or directors (whether past present or future) in 
respect of the dividends paid incorrectly.  This matter is now resolved. 

Page 61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dillistone Group Plc 
Third Floor 
50-52 Paul Street 
London EC2A 4LB 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7749 6100 
www.Dillistonegroup.com