Quarterlytics / Industrials / Consulting Services / TransUnion

TransUnion

tru · LSE Industrials
Claim this profile
Ticker tru
Exchange LSE
Sector Industrials
Industry Consulting Services
Employees 51-200
← All annual reports
FY2019 Annual Report · TransUnion
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 

Company information 
2 
Chairman’s Statement 
4 
CEO’s Review 
6 
9 
Group Strategic Report 
12  Report of the Directors 
17  Audit Committee Report 
18  Report of the Independent Auditor 
25  Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
27  Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 
28  Company Statement of Financial Position 
29  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
30  Company Statement of Changes in Equity 
31  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
33  Company Statement of Cash Flows 
34  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       1 

 
 
 
COMPANY INFORMATION 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Directors 

Simon Henry Kenner (Chairman)  
James van den Bergh (Chief Executive Officer)  
Raxita Kapashi (Chief Financial Officer) (resigned 31 July 2019) 
Steve Baldwin (Senior Independent Non-Executive Director)  
Peter Whiting (Non-Executive Director) (resigned 31 July 2019) 
Penny Judd (Non-Executive Director) 
Paul Dentskevich (Non-Executive Director) 
Stephen Greene (Non-Executive Director) (appointed 29 April 2020) 

Company Secretary 

Ocorian Secretaries (Jersey) Limited 

Registered Office 

Business Address 

26 New Street 
St Helier 
Jersey 
JE2 3RA 

Mercury House 
109-117 Waterloo Road 
London 
SE1 8UL 

Previous Business Address (until 05 December 2019) 

4 Bentinck Street  
London 
W1U 2EF 

Registered Number 

125245 

Auditor 

Nominated Advisor 
and Broker 

Joint Broker 

Crowe U.K. LLP 
St Bride’s House 
10 Salisbury Square 
London  
EC4Y 8EH 

Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited Ropemaker 
Place 
28 Ropemaker Street  
London  
EC2Y 9HD 

Liberum Capital Limited 
25 Ropemaker Street 
London  
EC2Y 9LY 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY INFORMATION (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Advisors 

Travers Smith LLP (Solicitors – UK law)  
10 Snow Hill 
London  
EC1A 2AL 

Ogier (Solicitors – Jersey law)  
44 Esplanade 
St Helier 
Jersey  
JE4 9WG 

Equiniti (Jersey) Limited (Registrar)  
26 New Street 
St Helier 
Jersey  
JE2 3RA 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

As I write this report, we are still in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic – a global catastrophe and one that 
has caused enormous uncertainty for so many. And so, whilst expressing our heartfelt condolences to all those 
suffering, I have been hugely impressed and immensely proud at how our businesses have reacted, adapted 
and coped with this unprecedented occurrence. We owe them a large thank you for enabling the services we 
offer our customers to remain open and available. 

The consequences of this pandemic are still far from certain and we are still assessing all potential impacts; it 
would be foolish and inappropriate to make too many overly assertive statements at this time. 

As regards 2019 it was yet another eventful year with the following notable strategic transactions: 

•  The disposal of our stake in Zopa Limited (“Zopa”) for £44.5m as part of a strategic assessment 

•  The demerger of Distribution Finance Capital Ltd (“DFC”) and listing of Distribution Finance Capital 

Holdings plc as a pragmatic step towards its strategic goal of obtaining a bank licence 

•  The acquisition of 100% of Playstack Limited (“Playstack”) to garner control and provide strategic 

leadership to this exciting growth company 

•  Conversion of the outstanding convertible loan in Vertus Capital Limited (“Vertus”) resulting in a holding 

of 51% of Vertus 

•  External funding secured by Vertus enabling it to continue its growth 

•  £5m return of value to shareholders in June 2019 and a further £5m in December 2019 

These transactions are a great tribute to all involved and belie the intense level of activity within the Group 
throughout  the  year  as  many  other  potential  opportunities  and  developments  were  assessed.  For  a  small 
executive  team  this  represents  a  great  achievement  especially  given  that  the  team  was  restructured  and 
reduced during the year. 

My  change  of  role  to  a  non-executive  role  has  enabled  me  to  fulfil  some  lifelong  ambitions  in  the  field  of 
ornithology for which I am extremely grateful, whilst allowing James van den Bergh to more than ably fill my 
shoes  as  our  new  Chief  Executive  Officer.  In  this  roll  call  we  should  also  not  forget  the  considerable 
contribution  made  by  Peter  Whiting  prior  to  his  stepping  down  from  the  Board  and  those  of  our  former 
executive management team Raxita Kapashi and Jason Rogers – thank you. 

As to the businesses themselves, they continued to perform well in 2019, as detailed in our Chief Executive 
Officer’s  report  below.  Oxygen  Finance’s  (“Oxygen”)  leading  market  position,  Satago  Financial  Solutions 
Limited’s  (“Satago”)  strategic  partnerships,  Playstack’s  position  in  the  games  publishing  and  mobile  game 
financing sector and Vertus’s exciting pipeline mean we have good reason to be excited for the future. The 
leadership and management teams within all our businesses continue to develop, mature and deliver for you 
our  shareholders.  The  businesses  are  each  well  positioned  to  pursue  their  paths  to  profitability.  I  see  this 
continuing in 2020 and we hope and expect to be able to further report positively on all of this in the future. 

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention that our share price has not performed as the Board would 
have liked. You will be aware that our 74 per cent shareholder, Arrowgrass Master Fund Limited (“AMFL”), 
announced in September 2019 that it would be closing and divesting of its positions over time. We believe 
that this resulted in an “overhang” on the share price. We remain in regular dialogue with AMFL and have 
been seeking ways to resolve this situation. On 29 April 2020, Stephen Greene joined the Board as a Non-
Executive Director. This appointment was in accordance with AMFL’s rights under its relationship agreement 
with TruFin as described at IPO. At this stage, we can provide no certainty over the future of AMFL’s holding, 
but we remain focused on working with AMFL and Stephen Greene for a solution in the interests of TruFin’s 
stakeholders as a whole.  

From the business perspective we have started 2020 in good form with developments apace and, despite the 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       4 

 
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT (CONTINUED)  
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

pandemic, hope to show the fruits of all these efforts in our future results. 

Henry Kenner 

Chairman  

14 May 2020 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
CEO’S REVIEW 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

CEO’s Review  

2019 was a year of meaningful change for TruFin. Most notably we successfully demerged and listed our largest 
subsidiary (DFC) on AIM, sold our stake in Zopa (the largest consumer lending peer-to-peer platform in the 
UK),  acquired  a  majority  stake  in  Playstack  and  converted  our  outstanding  loan  in  Vertus.  Alongside  these 
transactions, we secured  a  £15m  funding facility for Vertus and executed a significant restructuring of the 
TruFin Group (“Group”) HQ. Finally, our largest shareholder, AMFL, announced their closure and with it the 
future divestment of all its holdings.  

Our subsidiaries operate in competitive markets and the objective of the team at Group level is to shield them 
from any unnecessary distractions which could be unsettling for their employees, cause a lack of focus, and 
ultimately be an edge for their rivals. In order to do this, we arm the subsidiaries with the capital – both human 
and financial – they need to compete in their marketplaces. Alongside maintaining a stable environment for 
our  subsidiaries,  we  also  implemented  a  number  of  material  strategic  changes  during  2019  as  further 
described below. This will ensure the momentum we experienced in 2019 is maintained in 2020 and beyond. 

TruFin’s performance in 2019 

Alongside  the  corporate  events  that  occurred  during  2019  at  Group  level,  the  Group  saw  strong  revenue 
growth  of  68%  across  the  continuing  operations  and  despite  the  impact  of  the  Covid-19  pandemic  this 
momentum has, in the main, continued in the first quarter of 2020. 

Oxygen 

•  During 2019 Oxygen maintained a 100% renewal record for local authority Early Payment Programme 

Services with three customers renewing their contract for a further 5 years 

•  The total amount of invoices, for which Oxygen accelerated payment, rose by 26% to £550 million and 

further efficiencies were made reducing EBITD losses by 36% 

•  A refined commercial model has resulted in clients acquired in the second half of 2019 contracting on a 
gain share model, alongside a new fixed monthly service fee. This is now the standard model for all new 
business and results in even greater income predictability for the five-year term of every new contract 

Satago 

•  In a direct response to customer and partner demand, Satago launched a paid subscription model for its 

core software services in October 2019 

•  The monthly subscription model growth was bolstered by the signing of a reseller agreement with a 

leading software provider in the fourth quarter of 2019 

•  In addition to the many thousands of customers who currently use Satago’s software on a free basis, 

Satago is targeting 2,000 paid subscribers by 31 December 2020 

•  Satago’s key strength remains the technology platform; to ensure they maintain their competitive position 
the development team was enhanced during 2019 to allow for complimentary product builds during 2020 
and beyond 

•  Minimal defaults with the loans advanced constrained only by a lack of capital 

Playstack 

•  TruFin acquired a majority controlling stake in Playstack in September 2019 

•  Lending in PlayIgnite, the financing subsidiary of Playstack, experienced zero losses and showcased the 

opportunity set within the mobile-game lending space 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       6 

 
CEO’S REVIEW (CONTINUED)  
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

•  The Group remains capital constrained and as such the full lending opportunity set cannot yet be fully 

exploited 

•  Playstack released six new titles including ‘Doctor Who: Edge of Time’ VR game under licence from the 

BBC 

•  Playstack also pioneered and tested a proprietary technology platform to scale mobile game revenue in 

2020 and beyond 

Vertus 

•  TruFin converted its outstanding loan to Vertus in July 2019, resulting in a 51% holding of Vertus 

•  In September 2019 Vertus concluded a secured debt facility of £15 million with a UK high street bank, with 

the potential for it to be increased by a further £10 million 

•  Approved loan facilities to clients increased by 58% between September and December of 2019 

•  In 2019, approved loan facilities grew by 82% from £9 million to £16.5 million 

•  The business experienced zero defaults or write downs in the year 

Current Trading and Prospects 

I am pleased to report that the Group’s robust growth has remained resilient with Group revenues for the first 
quarter ended 31 March 2020 of £2.1 million (unaudited). This is an increase of 36% over the same period in 
2019 and a 5% increase over the fourth quarter of 2019. 

Given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic we felt it important to reassure shareholders that April 2020 also saw 
revenue growth from continuing operations of not less than 40% over April 2019 (unaudited). 

Oxygen 

•  Oxygen has maintained their 100% renewal success rate in 2020, with four renewals already secured 

•  During April 2020 Oxygen was notified, following a full Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) 

process, that the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) will award a contract to Oxygen enabling 
their 520 NEPO member organisations to procure Oxygen’s Early Payment Programme Services. The 
framework contract is available for 8 years 

•  Oxygen’s pipeline of opportunities remains strong overall although we expect to see some ‘pushing back’ 

of the pipeline in the second and third quarters of 2020 

•  As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic some UK Government bodies are delaying the tendering of certain 
capital projects which we anticipate will have a knock-on financial impact for Oxygen during the second 
half of 2020 and into early 2021 

Satago 

•  A £5 million revolving credit facility was signed in March 2020. This is the first step to resolving Satago’s 

capital constraints 

•  Satago anticipates writing in excess of £60 million of loans during 2020 

•  All else being equal, Satago expects paying subscribers to hit 2,000 by 31 December 2020 and this 

momentum to continue into 2021 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       7 

 
CEO’S REVIEW (CONTINUED)  
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

•  Satago continues to have strategic dialogue with new and existing partners and is now in discussions with 
a leading UK clearing bank, which is looking at the feasibility of leveraging Satago’s best-in-class invoice 
financing software for its SME customers 

•  During this period of macro uncertainty Satago will continue to manage the book cautiously  

Playstack 

•  During the first quarter of 2020 Playstack signed a significant exclusivity contract with a leading games 

platform for one of its upcoming launches, highlighting the pedigree of the Playstack portfolio 

•  Due to the Group’s capital constraints, PlayIgnite has begun to source capital from external debt providers 

which has led to their pipeline of international funding opportunities growing meaningfully 

•  Given interest from investors in the ‘Covid-19 resilient’ gaming space and the momentum of the Playstack 

portfolio, we are currently exploring the feasibility of a third-party equity investment into Playstack. 
Discussions are at an early stage and may or may not lead to a transaction 

Vertus 

•  Vertus expects a mature pipeline to result in completed applications as the market environment stabilises 

•  The Covid-19 pandemic has had a short-term impact on new loan applications, although Vertus believes 

that the IFA sector will be robust through the crisis 

•  All else being equal, Vertus is targeting a loan book of £16m by 31 December 2020 

Outlook 

It is with considerable pride that I can write that during the Covid-19 crisis all of our businesses have stood by 
their customers and are working closely with their customers and partners to ensure we all come through this 
pandemic stronger. This collaborative approach is not only the right thing to do, but we are convinced will, in 
time, yield meaningful financial benefits. This is an ever-changing situation and, although we are cautiously 
optimistic about how the Group is weathering the crisis, we will be sure to update shareholders as and when 
the effects (both positive and negative) of the pandemic are clear. 

As demonstrated by the pursuit of external investors directly into Playstack, the Board remains opportunistic. 
This fresh approach of inviting new investors into our subsidiaries in order to drive further growth without an 
equity injection from TruFin, demonstrates the Board’s pragmatism and ability to quickly adapt to changing 
market sentiment. If  successful,  this  could be a model we look to replicate across the  Group,  and we  look 
forward to updating shareholders in due course. 

Despite  the  uncertainty  caused  by  the  Covid-19  crisis  we  believe  each  of  the  subsidiaries  have  excellent 
prospects. They operate in resilient sectors such as public procurement, mobile gaming, independent financial 
advice, and, in the case of Satago, provide cashflow management software for SMEs. As a result, we believe, 
there are considerable opportunities for meaningful capital realisations over time within the Group. 

James van den Bergh 
Chief Executive Officer  
14 May 2020 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       8 

 
 
 
 
 
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Goals and Objectives 

TruFin was founded with the belief that it could generate significant value by focusing on poorly served niches. 
These are markets where the large lenders and operators cannot navigate or are unable to make a return, due 
to cumbersome cost bases and ineffective use of technology. These markets need servicing and the customers 
we serve are loyal, reliable and can scale with us. This belief has not changed. In fact, it has been solidified 
over the last three months  as  a  number of our competitors begin to rein in their lending or have stopped 
operating all together. 

We remain focused on these niches. We remain committed to our markets and we remain committed to our 
partners.  The  way  our  businesses  are  acting  now,  in  the  face  of  adversity,  will  ensure  they  become  more 
valuable in the medium term. Our strategic objective remains the realisation of value from each of our assets, 
ensuring our shareholders’ commitment and support is well rewarded. 

Specifically, the Directors have the following strategic objectives for each business: 

Oxygen 

•  The absolute focus of the business remains on monetising live clients through the onboarding of their 

suppliers to Oxygen programmes 

•  The formation of the client led ‘Advisory Boards’ is leading to far greater client engagement and best 

practice, which will continue to drive improved efficiencies for both Oxygen and their clients  

•  Oxygen has signed several partnerships with organisations that are keen to leverage Oxygen’s client 

relationships. These complimentary services augment the value that Oxygen can bring to existing clients 
whilst strengthening relationships 

•  New products will be launched in 2020 combining the deep technical connectivity Oxygen has with its 
client’s data and the research and insight capabilities of its subsidiary Porge. These new chargeable 
services have already been successfully tested and deployed in 2020 

Satago 

•  Satago’s core strategic goal is unchanged: to be the leading comprehensive cash flow management 

solution for SMEs. To achieve this goal Satago is leveraging technology to enhance credit control, risk 
monitoring, customer experience and its product suite 

•  Satago’s customer acquisition strategy is focused on the deep partnerships it has formed to-date with 
accountants and software providers whilst seeking new routes to market through other financial 
intermediaries 

•  The rapid adoption of the paid subscription model has given management the confidence to reinforce the 
technology investment already made, in order to solidify the competitive advantage Satago has built  

Playstack 

•  Raise 3rd party equity capital in order to exploit the growing pipeline of opportunities for both PlayIgnite 

and Playstack 

•  Market testing of proprietary technology platform to grow additional revenues in 2020 and beyond 

•  Increase reach on console and PC platforms 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       9 

 
 
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)  
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Vertus 

•  Vertus aims to be the UK leader in providing debt capital and support to IFAs for succession planning 

(acquisitions and MBOs) 

•  Vertus has an established management team, a strong partner (in IntegraFin Holdings plc) and an efficient 

capital structure 

•  Following the focus on capital raising in 2019, Vertus is now solely focussed on sales and origination 
opportunities to capitalise on the significant consolidation that is taking place in the UK IFA market 

•  Vertus, along with their partner, anticipate that the Covid-19 crisis will accelerate consolidation in the IFA 

market, increasing their lending opportunities 

Principal risks and uncertainties 

The Directors of TruFin plc confirm that we have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing 
the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. 

Principal risks are a risk or combination of risks that, given the Group’s current position, could seriously affect 
the  performance,  future  prospects  or  reputation  of  the  Group.  These  risks  could  potentially  threaten  the 
businesses, performance, solvency or liquidity, or prevent the delivery of the strategic objectives. The Board 
has overall responsibility for ensuring that risk is appropriately managed across the Group. 

As well as external reviews and audits from the Group’s statutory auditors, the Group has internal checks and 
policies. Initial responsibility rests with the management team of each business for identifying and managing 
risks arising in their business areas. This is augmented by the Group’s central compliance and finance function 
with responsibility for reporting to the Board. 

The key risks identified and which the Board has reasonable expectation are appropriately mitigated are: 

•  Covid-19 – The overarching risk of the Covid-19 crisis is how it impacts our customers and partners. The 
inevitable rescheduling of meetings, agreements and partnerships makes this pandemic a headwind on 
the Group. It is too early to say what the medium-term financial impacts are and we will be sure to update 
shareholders when the full impact is more accurately measurable 

•  Strategic risk - Strategic and business risk is the risk which can affect the Group’s ability to achieve its 
corporate and strategic objectives. The risk on the performance of the Group arising from its strategic 
decisions, change in the business conditions, improper implementation of decisions or lack of 
responsiveness to industry changes. It is particularly important as the Group continues its growth strategy. 
Mitigating factors include: the Group will not put its core strategic and business objectives at a level of risk 
which is beyond its financial resources and operational capabilities. The Group will monitor and 
continually review this risk 

•  Credit risk - The risk of default, potential write-off, financial loss arising from a borrower or counterparty 
failing to meet its financial obligations. This is mitigated by the Group adopting prescribed lending policies 
and adhering to strict credit and underwriting criteria specifically tailored to each business area. The loans 
issued are in most cases collateralised to a large extent and the majority of the loans are short dated and 
therefore the risk of loss is mitigated to the extent the Directors deem appropriate in accordance with the 
relevant risk policies 

•  Funding risk - The risk of the Group not being able to meet its current and future financial obligations over 
time, specifically that funding is not available to meet the Group’s growth targets. Both Vertus and Satago 
have secured external funding in the last six months with which they can continue to grow their loan 
books. Playstack has started to explore the feasibility of third-party equity investment and PlayIgnite has 
begun to source capital from external debt providers 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       10 

 
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)  
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

There is ongoing uncertainty amongst potential funding partners and delivery partners concerning the 
intentions of TruFin's largest shareholder, AMFL, which announced in September 2019 that it would be 
closing its fund, leading in due course to the divestment of its investment positions. AMFL has appointed a 
representative director to the board and the Board remains actively engaged with AMFL 

•  Liquidity risk - The Group is due to receive repayments of £5.3m from DFC in June 2020 and £9.1m in 

December 2020. There are risks that these payments become impaired or delayed and this would cause a 
considerable risk to the Group. The Group regularly conducts liquidity stress tests, based on a range of 
different scenarios to ensure it can meet all of its liabilities as they fall due 

•  Operational risk - the risk of financial loss and/or reputational damage resulting from inadequate or failed 

internal processes, people and systems or from external events. The exposure to operational risk has 
increased from the previous year as the businesses have grown. Mitigants are: the Group reviews its 
operational infrastructure to ensure that it is secure and fit for purpose, the Group maintains a strong 
internal control environment and the Group has also factored in the strengthening of processes and 
systems 

Strict adherence to managing risk 

The Group manages such risks, among other things, with robust systems and processes, guidelines and policies 
which  are  forward-looking,  clearly  articulated,  documented  and  communicated  throughout  the  businesses 
and which enable the accurate identification and control of potentially problematic transactions and events.  

Due to Satago and Vertus being lending businesses, they each have their own risk committees and formal risk 
procedures in place that aim to manage risk effectively. The systems and processes, guidelines and policies are 
continually reviewed and updated and effectively communicated to all personnel to ensure that resources, 
governance and infrastructure are appropriate for the increasing size and complexity of the business.  

The  Group  manages  the  risks  by  making  complex  judgements,  including  decisions  (based  on  assumptions 
about economic factors) about the level and types of risk that it is willing to accept in order to achieve its 
business objectives, the maximum level of risk the Group can assume before breaching constraints determined 
by liquidity needs and its regulatory. 

Significant events post reporting date 

Since the year end, it has become clear that the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus will have a material impact 
on  many  economies  globally  both  through  the  effects  of  the  virus  itself  and  the  measures  taken  by 
governments to restrict its spread. 

Given the emergence and spread of the Covid-19 virus is not considered to provide more information about 
conditions that existed as at the balance sheet date, this is considered to be a non-adjusting post balance sheet 
event and so the measurement of assets and liabilities in the accounts have not been adjusted for its potential 
impact.  

Since the year end Satago has implemented its Management Incentive Plan (“Satago MIP”). Under the Satago 
MIP key Satago managers were given the opportunity to acquire new created ordinary shares in the capital of 
Satago Financial Solutions Limited. 20% (750,000 ordinary shares) of the fully diluted share capital has been 
made  available  under  the  Satago  MIP  and,  to  date,  590,625  ordinary  shares  have  been  issued  to  Satago 
managers. It is expected that Satago MIP participants will receive value for their shares on an exit event in 
relation to Satago. 

James van den Bergh 
Chief Executive Officer  
14 May 2020 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       11 

 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

The Directors present their report with the financial statements of the Company and the Group for the year 
ended 31 December 2019. 

Principal activity 

The principal activities of the Group in the year under review were those of providing niche lending, early 
payment services and video games publishing. 

Dividends and return of capital 

The Directors have confirmed that no dividends have been declared for the year to 31 December 2019. The 
Directors’  current  view  is  that  the  earnings  of  Group  will  first  be  reinvested  in the  businesses  to  fund  the 
Group’s growth strategy and any surplus cash, if not reinvested in the foreseeable future, will be returned to 
shareholders. During the year £10m was returned to shareholders via a share buyback of £5m in June 2019 
and £5m in December 2019. 

Events since the end of the year 

Since the year end, it has become clear that the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus will have a material impact 
on  many  economies  globally  both  through  the  effects  of  the  virus  itself  and  the  measures  taken  by 
governments to restrict its spread. 

Given the emergence and spread of the Covid-19 virus is not considered to provide more information about 
conditions that existed as at the balance sheet date, this is considered to be a non-adjusting post balance sheet 
event and so the measurement of assets and liabilities in the accounts have not been adjusted for its potential 
impact.  

Directors 

The Directors who held office during the year and up to the date of the Directors’ report were as follows:  

Simon Henry Kenner 

James van den Bergh 

Raxita Kapashi (resigned 31 July 2019) 

Steve Baldwin 

Peter Whiting (resigned 31 July 2019) 

Penny Judd 

Paul Dentskevich 

Stephen Greene (appointed 29 April 2020) 

The Directors’ interests in the shares of TruFin plc, all of which were beneficial interests, at 31 December 2019 
are as follows: 

Number of Shares 

S H Kenner 
J van den Bergh 
P Whiting 
P Judd 
Shares jointly held by the trustee of the Company’s employee benefit trust 
(the “EBT”) and S H Kenner 
Shares jointly held by the EBT and J van den Bergh 

2019 
18,441   
165,982   
26,315   
24,723   

2018 
– 
150,000 
26,315 
24,723 

–   

1,825,658 

1,186,678   

1,582,237 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       12 

 
 
 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

During  the  year  1,825,658  shares  that  were  jointly  held  by  the  EBT  and  Henry  Kenner  vested.  1,807,217 
became fully owned by the EBT and 18,441 became fully owned by Henry Kenner. Henry Kenner holds a nil 
cost option in respect of 1,807,217 shares. 

During the year 395,559 shares that were jointly held by the EBT and James van den Bergh vested. 379,577 
became fully owned by the EBT and 15,982 became fully owned by James van den Bergh. James van den Bergh 
holds a nil cost option in respect of 1,186,678 shares. 

Directors insurance and indemnities 

Throughout the year the Company has maintained Directors and Officers liability insurance for the benefit of 
the  Company,  the  Directors  and  its  officers.  The  Directors  consider  the  level  of  cover  appropriate  for  the 
business and will remain in place for the foreseeable future.  

Significant shareholders 

The following parties held greater than 3% of the issued share capital of TruFin plc as at 31 December 2019: 

Arrowgrass Master Fund Limited 
Watrium AS 
TruFin plc Employee Benefit Trust  
Liontrust Asset Management 

Statement of Directors’ responsibility 

Number of 
shares 
59,470,670   
5,260,588   
3,373,472   
2,938,523   

% of issued 
share capital 
73.58% 
6.51% 
4.17% 
3.64% 

The  Directors  are  required  by  the  Companies  (Jersey)  Law  1991,  to  prepare  financial  statements  for  each 
financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company as at the end of the financial 
year and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. The directors have elected to prepare the financial 
statements  in  accordance  with  applicable  law  and  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRSs)  as 
adopted by the European Union. In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to: 

•  Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently, 

•  Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent, 

•  State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures 

disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and 

•  Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the 

Company will continue in business. 

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  keeping  accounting  records  that  are  sufficient  to  show  and  explain  the 
Company’s  transactions.  These  records  must  disclose  with  reasonable  accuracy  at  any  time  the  financial 
position of the Company and enable the Directors to ensure that any financial statements prepared comply 
with the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company 
and, hence, for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud, error and non-compliance 
with law and regulations. 

Statement of Going Concern 

The directors have completed a final assessment of the Group’s financial resources, including forecasts. Based 
on this review, the directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully 
within the expected economic outlook. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       13 

 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

After making enquiries, and taking into consideration the potential uncertainties of Covid-19, the directors 
have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for 
the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Annual 
Report and Financial Statements. 

Corporate Governance and Internal Controls 

The Directors acknowledge the importance of high standards of corporate governance and how the Board and 
its  committees  operate.  The  corporate  governance  framework  which  TruFin  operates,  including  Board 
leadership  and  effectiveness,  board  remuneration,  and  internal  control  is  based  upon  practices  which  the 
board believes are proportional to the size, risks, complexity and operations of the business and is reflective 
of the Group’s values. 

The  Board  has  decided  to  adhere  to  the  Quoted  Companies  Alliance’s  Corporate  Governance  Code  (“QCA 
Code”) for small and mid-size quoted companies (revised in April 2018 to meet the new requirements of AIM 
Rule 26). The QCA Code is constructed around ten broad principles and a set of disclosures. The QCA itself has 
stated  what  it  considers  to  be  appropriate  arrangements  for  growing  companies  and  asks  companies  to 
provide an explanation about how they are meeting the principles through the prescribed disclosures. 

The Board has considered how it applies each principle and the extent to which the Board judges these to be 
appropriate in the circumstances. Details of how TruFin adhere to these principles can be found on our website 
www.TruFin.com. 

In line with the QCA Code, the Board and Committees conducted a formal performance evaluation process 
during the year. The process was carried out by way of tailored questionnaires completed by each member of 
the Board and Committees. 

With respect to the Board, the question covered a variety of topics, including the composition of the Board, 
the  quality  and  timeliness  of  information  provided  to  the  Board,  succession  planning  and  shareholder 
engagement.  In  general,  the  responses  found  the  Board  comprises  an  appropriate  balance  of  skills  and 
experience and that it is operating effectively.  

The Board comprises one Executive Director and five Non-Executive Directors, three of which are independent. 

Brief biographies of the Directors are set out below: 

Henry Kenner – Chairman (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until 11 September 2019) 

Henry  possesses  over  30  years  of  investment  banking  and  capital  markets  experience.  Henry  co-founded 
Arrowgrass Capital Partners LLP in 2008 and was CEO until late 2017. Prior to that, Henry served as a Managing 
Director at Deutsche Bank. Henry has also worked as a Managing Director at Swiss Re Capital Management 
and at ABN Amro Hoare Govett having started his capital markets career at NatWest Markets. Henry qualified 
as a Chartered Accountant. 

James van den Bergh – Chief Executive Officer (Deputy Chief Executive Officer until 11 September 
2019) 

James possesses over 16 years of investment banking and capital markets experience. James led the alternative 
finance team at Arrowgrass Capital Partners since its inception in 2013 to its transfer to TruFin. James began 
his career at Merrill Lynch before transitioning into investment management in 2003. James was formerly a 
partner at SAC Capital Advisors, Walter Capital Management LLP and Ivaldi Capital LLP. James is a Chartered 
Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder. 

Steve Baldwin – Senior Independent Non-Executive Director 

Steve has an extensive corporate finance background and is currently a Non-Executive Director at The Edinburgh 
Investment Trust plc and Plus500 Limited. He is also a Trustee at Howard de Walden Estate Limited. Steve was the 
Head of European Equity Capital Markets and Corporate Broking at Macquarie Capital until February 2015. 
Prior to this, Steve was a Director at JPMorgan Cazenove for ten years and was a Vice President of Corporate 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       14 

 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Finance at UBS from 1995 to 1998. Steve qualified as a Chartered Accountant. 

Penny Judd – Independent Non-Executive Director 

Penny has over 30 years of experience in Compliance, Regulation, Corporate Finance and Audit and is currently 
Chairman  of  Plus500.  Penny  was  until  June  2016,  a  Managing  Director  and  EMEA  Head  of  Compliance  at 
Nomura International plc, a position she held for three years. Prior to this, Penny worked at UBS Investment 
Bank for nine years and held the position of Managing Director, EMEA Head of Compliance. Penny qualified as 
a  Chartered  Accountant.  Penny  is  also  currently  Non-executive  Director  of  Alpha  Financial  Management 
Consulting Plc and Team17 plc. 

Paul Dentskevich – Independent Non-Executive Director 

Paul  has  over  30  years  of  financial  services  experience,  specialising  in  risk  management,  investment 
management and corporate governance of hedge and other multi-asset funds. Paul is currently Risk Director at 
Crestbridge, having previously been at Brevan Howard, 2008 to 2015, where he was a member of the Manager’s 
investment  committee  and  sat  on  a  number  of  boards.  Paul  has  a  PhD  in  Economics  from  Imperial  College 
London. 

Stephen Greene – Non-Executive Director 

Stephen has investment banking, investing and capital markets experience, previously holding positions at Keel 
Harbour  Capital  Limited,  Arrowgrass  Capital  Partners,  RMG  Wealth  Management,  ACPI  Investments  and 
Deutsche Bank. Having recently transitioned into more technology focused roles, specifically within financial 
services and artificial intelligence, Stephen currently serves as a Non-Executive Director of Distribution Finance 
Capital Holdings plc, Managing Director of Orsus Ventures Limited and Coleura Labs Limited and formerly served 
as Managing Director of Satalia. Stephen is a CFA Charterholder. 

Stephen was appointed to the Board as Director Representative of Arrowgrass Master Fund Limited on 29 April 
2020 pursuant to the relationship agreement entered into with Arrowgrass Master Fund Limited at IPO. 

Our Committees 

The Board has established the Audit Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination 
Committee each with written terms of reference and agreed schedules of work. 

(a) Audit Committee 

The Audit Committee is chaired by Penny Judd. Its other members are Steve Baldwin and Paul Dentskevich 
who joined the committee on 6 August 2019. Peter Whiting was a member of this committee prior to him 
leaving the Group. The Audit Committee has primary responsibility for monitoring the quality of internal controls 
and ensuring that the financial performance of the Company is properly measured and reported on. It receives 
and  reviews  reports  from  the  Company’s  management  and  auditors  relating  to  the  interim  and  annual 
accounts  and  the  accounting  and  internal  control  systems  in  use  throughout  the  Company.  The  Audit 
Committee meets at least twice a year and will have unrestricted access to the Company’s auditors. A copy of 
the Audit Committee Terms of Reference can be found on our website.  

(b) Remuneration Committee 

The Remuneration Committee  is chaired by Steve  Baldwin.  Its other members are  Penny  Judd  and  Paul 
Dentskevich who both joined the committee on 6 August 2019. Peter Whiting chaired this committee prior to 
him leaving the Group. The Remuneration Committee reviews the performance of the Company’s Executive 
Directors and makes recommendations to the Board on matters relating to their remuneration and terms of 
employment. The Remuneration Committee also makes recommendations to the Board on proposals for the 
granting  of  options  and  other  equity  incentives  pursuant  to  any  share  option  scheme  or  equity  incentive 
scheme  in  operation  from  time  to  time  by  the  Company.  The  remuneration  and  terms  and  conditions  of 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       15 

 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

appointment of the Non-Executive Directors is set by the Board. The Remuneration Committee meets formally 
at least once a year and otherwise as required. A copy of the Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference 
can be found on our website.  

(c) Nomination Committee 

The Nomination Committee is chaired by Steve Baldwin. Its other members are Penny Judd, Henry Kenner and 
Paul Dentskevich. Paul joined the committee on 6 August 2019. The Nomination Committee assists the Board 
in discharging its responsibilities relating to the composition of the Board, performance of Board members, 
induction  of  new  Directors,  appointment  of  committee  members  and  succession  planning  for  senior 
management of the Company. The Nomination Committee is responsible for evaluating the balance of skills, 
knowledge,  diversity  and  experience  of  the  Board,  the  size,  structure  and  composition  of  the  Board, 
retirements  and  appointments  of  additional  and  replacement  directors  and  makes  appropriate 
recommendations to the Board on such matters including succession planning. The Nomination Committee 
prepares  a  description  of  the  role  and  capabilities  required  for  a  particular  appointment.  The  Nomination 
Committee  meets  formally  at  least  once  a  year  and  otherwise  as  required.  A  copy  of  the  Nomination 
Committee Terms of Reference can be found on our website. 

Board and Committee attendance record 

Henry Kenner 
James van den Bergh 
Raxita Kapashi 
Steve Baldwin 
Peter Whiting 
Penny Judd 
Paul Dentskevich 

Board 

Meetings 
attended 
20 / 20 
19/ 20 
11 / 12 
19 /20 
10 / 12 
18 / 20 
20 / 20 

Committee Membership 

Audit 
Committee 

Remuneration 
Committee 

Nomination 
Committee 
3 / 3 

3 / 3 

3 / 3 
2 / 2 

3 / 3 
1 / 2 
3 / 3 
1 / 1 

8 / 8 
4 / 4 
3 / 4 
3 / 4 

Statement as to disclosure of information to auditors 

So far as the Directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditors are 
unaware and each Director has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken as a Director in order to 
make himself or herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditors 
are aware of that information. 

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD 

Henry Kenner 
Chairman  
14 May 2020 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       16 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Members of the Committee 

•  Penny Judd (Chair) 

•  Peter Whiting (resigned 31 July 2019) 

•  Steve Baldwin (joined committee 6 August 2019) 

•  Paul Dentskevich (joined committee 6 August 2019) 

Role of the Committee 

The Audit Committee has primary responsibility for monitoring the quality of internal controls and ensuring 
that  the  financial  performance  of  the  Company  is  properly  measured  and  reported  on.  It  receives  reviews 
reports from the Company’s management and auditors related to the interim and annual accounts and the 
accounting and internal control systems in use throughout the Group. The Audit Committee meets at least 
twice a year and has unrestricted access to the Company’s auditors. A copy of the Audit Committee Terms of 
Reference can be found on our website.  

External Audit 

The Audit Committee approves the appointment and remuneration of the Group’s external auditors. They also 
ensure that they are satisfied with the external auditors’ independence in relation to any other non-audit work 
undertaken by them. 

Internal Audit 

The Committee has considered the need for an internal audit function during the year and continues to be of 
the  view  that,  given  the  size  and  nature  of  the  Group’s  operations  and  finance  team,  there  is  no  current 
requirement to establish a separate internal audit function. 

Significant issues considered in relation to the financial statements 

The  Audit  Committee  assesses  whether  suitable  accounting  policies  have  been  adopted  and  whether 
appropriate  estimates  and  judgements  have  been  made  by  management.  The  Committee  also  reviews 
accounting papers prepared by management, and reviews reports by the external auditors. The specific areas 
reviewed by the Committee in respect of the year were: 

•  appropriateness of the calculation and valuation of Goodwill recognised in the Group financial 

statements 

•  appropriateness of going concern assumptions  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       17 

 
 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Opinion 

We  have  audited  the  financial  statements  of  TruFin  plc  (the  “Parent  Company”)  and  its  subsidiaries  (the 
“Group”) for the year ended 31 December 2019, which comprise: 

•  the Group consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2019; 

•  the Group consolidated and parent company statements of financial position as at 31 December 2019; 

•  the Group and parent company statements of cash flows for the year then ended; 

•  the Group and parent company statements of changes in equity for the year then ended; and 

•  the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies 

The  financial  reporting  framework  that  has  been  applied  in  the  preparation  of  the  financial  statements  is 
applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. 

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 2019 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended; 

•  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 

European Union; and 

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies 

(Jersey) Law 1991 

Basis for opinion 

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

Conclusions relating to going concern 

We have nothing to  report in  respect  of the following matters in relation to which ISAs (UK) require us to 
report to you when: 

•  The directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements 

is not appropriate; or 

•  The directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that 
may cast significant doubt about the Group’s or the Parent Company’s ability to continue to adopt the 
going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the 
financial statements are authorised for issue.  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       18 

 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Overview of our audit approach 

Materiality 

In planning and performing our audit we applied the concept of materiality. An item is considered material if 
it could reasonably be expected to change the economic decisions of a user of the financial statements. We 
used  the  concept  of  materiality  to  both  focus  our  testing  and  to  evaluate  the  impact  of  misstatements 
identified. 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined overall materiality for the Group financial statements 
as a whole to be £300,000 (FY18: £766,250), based on 0.5% of Total Assets (FY18: 0.5% of equity).  

We use a different level of materiality (‘performance materiality’) to determine the extent of our testing for 
the audit of the financial statements. Performance materiality is set based on the audit materiality as adjusted 
for the judgements made as to the entity risk and our evaluation of the specific risk of each audit area having 
regard to the internal control environment. 

Where considered appropriate performance materiality may be reduced to a lower level, such as, for related 
party transactions and directors’ remuneration. 

We agreed with the Board of Directors to report to it all identified errors in excess of £15,000 (2018: £38,312). 
Errors below that threshold would also be reported to it if, in our opinion as auditor, disclosure was required 
on qualitative grounds. 

Overview of the scope of our audit 

The group consists of TruFin plc itself, TruFin Holdings Ltd (the holding entity) and the subsidiaries as disclosed 
in note 1.  

All of the trading subsidiaries, excluding the non-UK registered entities, have been subject to a full scope audit. 

Key Audit Matters 

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

This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Revenue Recognition  

Key audit matter 
description 

How the scope of our 
audit addressed the 
key audit matter 

The Group derives its revenue from interest, fee and publishing income. During the 
year ended 31 December 2019, the Group recorded total revenue of £7,339k (FY18: 
£4,365k). 

Interest income is earned on loans and advances to customers and accounts for 46% 
of total revenue. Fee income is earned on payment services provided by Oxygen and 
accounts for approximately 47% of total revenue. Publishing income is provided by 
Playstack and accounts for approximately 7% of total revenue. 
The key revenue recognition risk is in respect of ensuring revenue is recognised in 
the year that has not been performed. 

•  For each company in the Group, we gained an understanding of its business 

model and the services and products it delivers to its customers; 

•  Based  on  that  understanding  we  identified  when  “control”  passes  to  the 

customer and, consequently, when revenue is earned; 

•  We  selected  a  sample  of  contracts  to  confirm  our  understanding  of  the 

principal terms and obligations; 

•  We gained an understanding of the key systems used to capture and record 

that income and evaluate any key controls; 

•  Where the Group utilises third party platforms we evaluated those platforms 
and the safeguards management have in place to corroborate the output from 
those platforms; 

•  We performed an overall analytical review and corroborated the reasons for 

any large and unusual variances; 

•  For a selection of transactions, we confirmed that the recognition criteria in 

relation to the income earned in the period has been met; 

•  We reviewed and tested the basis for accrued and deferred income;  

•  We  reviewed  aged  receivables  profile  and  credit  notes  issued  post  balance 

sheet date; and 

•  Where relevant, we reviewed and tested revenue cut off procedures 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets 

Key audit matter 
description 

The  Group’s  intangible  assets  comprises  of  goodwill,  client  contracts,  software 
licenses and project costs. 
When assessing the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets, management 
make judgements regarding the appropriate cash generating unit, strategy, future 
trading and profitability and the assumptions underlying these. We considered the 
risk that goodwill and/or other intangible assets were impaired. 

How the scope of our 
audit addressed the 
key audit matter 

•  We  evaluated,  in  comparison  to  the  requirements  set  out  in  IAS  36, 
management’s assessment (using discounted cash flow models) as to whether 
goodwill and/or other intangible assets were impaired 

•  We challenged, reviewed and considered by reference to external evidence, 
management’s impairment and fair value models as appropriate and their key 
estimates, including the discount rate. We reviewed the appropriateness and 
consistency of the process for making such estimates 

Recognition and carrying value of deferred tax 

Key audit matter 
description 

As at 31 December 2019, the Group is carrying a deferred tax asset of £2.50m in 
respect of the gross value of the accumulated tax losses in Oxygen. The estimation 
of  this  carrying  value  requires  the  exercise  of  considerable  judgement  about  the 
ability of the Group to utilise the accumulated tax losses.  

How the scope of our 
audit addressed the 
key audit matter 

•  We  obtained  and  assessed  extended  projections  and  financial  analyses  to 

support management valuation for balances. 

•  We  challenged  management’s  projections  and 

the 
management used as basis for recognition and carrying value of the deferred 
tax assets by holding discussions with management, reviewing the inputs and 
assumptions used such as the forecasted profit levels and growth rate.  

forecasts  which 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Carrying value of the loan book 

Key audit matter 
description 

The Group’s total revenue is derived mainly from the loan books under Satago and 
Vertus.  There is a  risk the loan book is not appropriately carried at the expected 
recoverable amount which includes the expected credit loss required under IFRS 9. 
We also considered the ageing analysis to ensure that an appropriate approach has 
been taken to dealing with any loans which are deemed past due either in terms of 
capital or interest.  

How the scope of our 
audit addressed the 
key audit matter 

•  We  selected  a  sample  of  agreements  entered 
understanding of the principal terms and obligations. 

into  to  confirm  our 

•  We examined the ageing analysis to ensure that an appropriate approach has 
been  taken  to  dealing  with  any  loans  which  are  deemed  past  due  either  in 
terms of capital or interest. 

•  We challenged management in relation to the assumptions applied in the ECL 
model by holding discussions with the management and challenging the inputs 
applied in the Loss Given Default assumption used in the ECL model.  

Going concern 

Key audit matter 
description 

How the scope of our 
audit addressed the 
key audit matter 

The  Board  is  responsible  for  ensuring  it  is  appropriate  to  prepare  the  Group’s 
financial statements on the basis that it is a going concern for a period of at least 12 
months from the date of approving the financial statements. 

•  We obtained  and reviewed  the Board’s assessment of going concern,  which 
included  considerations  arising  from  the  Covid-19  pandemic.  The  directors 
have completed a full assessment of the Group’s financial resources, including 
forecast projections.  

•  We  challenged  budgets  used  by  management 

in  their  going  concern 
assessment  by  assessing  the  degree  of  effectivity  in  the  management’s 
budgeting process by comparing the prior year budgets with actual figures and 
by comparing the first quarter of the 2020 budget to the actual Q1 2020 results. 

•  We examined within the working capital forecasts the key inputs within the 

model and corroborated them through discussions with management. 

Our audit procedures in relation to these matters were designed in the context of our audit opinion as a whole. 
They were not designed to enable us to express an opinion on these matters individually and we express no 
such opinion. 

Other information 

The  directors  are  responsible  for  the  other  information.  The  other  information  comprises  the  information 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 
included  in  the  annual  report,  other  than  the  financial  statements  and  our  auditor’s  report  thereon.  Our 
opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise 
explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information 
and,  in  doing  so,  consider  whether  the  other  information  is  materially  inconsistent  with  the  financial 
statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we 
identify  such  material  inconsistencies  or  apparent  material  misstatements,  we  are  required  to  determine 
whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other 
information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of 
this other information, we are required to report that fact. 

We have nothing to report in this regard. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 

We have nothing to report to you in respect of the following matters where the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 
requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: 

•  proper accounting records have not been kept by the company, or proper 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 

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

Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements 

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,  and  for  such  internal  control  as  the  directors  determine  is  necessary  to  enable  the  preparation  of 
financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

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

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 

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

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

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       23 

 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Use of our report 

This  report  is  made  solely  to  the  company's  members,  as  a  body,  in  accordance  with  Article  113A  of  the 
Companies (Jersey) Law 1991. 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. 

Leo Malkin (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of  
Crowe U.K. LLP 
Statutory Auditor 
London 
14 May 2020 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Notes 

3 

3 

3 

5 

8 

11 

10 

14 

Interest income 

Fee income 

Publishing income 

Interest, fee and publishing expenses 

Net revenue 

Staff costs 

Other operating expenses 

Depreciation & amortisation 

Net impairment gain/(loss) on financial assets 

Operating loss before share of loss from joint venture 

Share of profit from associates accounted 
for using the equity method 

Loss before tax 

Taxation 

Loss from continuing operations 

Loss from discontinued operations 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive income 
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss 

Gains on investments in equity instruments 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss 

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations 

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Loss from continuing operations attributable to: 

Owners of TruFin plc 

Non-controlling interests 

Loss from discontinued operations attributable to: 

Owners of TruFin plc 

Non-controlling interests 

2019 
£’000 

3,347   

3,445   

547   

(1,115)   

6,224   

(12,722)   
(4,406)   

(963)   

18   

(11,849)   

2018 
£’000 

1,467 

2,898 

– 

(157) 

4,208  

(10,244) 

(3,490) 

(175) 

(128) 

(9,829) 

15 

– 

(11,834)   

(9,829) 

(3,090)   
(14,924)   

(3,463)   

(18,387)   

–   

–   

81   

81   

(18,306)   

(14,783)   

(141)   

(14,924)   

(3,287)   

(176)   

(3,463)   

390 

(9,439)  

(5,671) 

(15,110) 

8,000 

8,000 

275 

8,275 

(6,835)  

(9,439) 

–  

(9,439)  

(5,249) 

(422)  

(5,671)  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       25 

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Total comprehensive loss for the period attributable to the 
owners of TruFin plc from 
Continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

Earnings per Share 

Basic and Diluted EPS 

Adjusted EPS 

Notes 

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

(14,702)   

(3,287)   

(17,989)   

2019 
pence 
(19.2)   
(13.1)   

(1,164) 

(5,249) 

(6,413)  

2018 
pence 
(15.8) 

(7.2) 

Notes 
27 

27 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       26 

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 
As at 31 December 2019 

Assets 
Non-current assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax asset 

Total non-current assets 

Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Loans and advances  
Other investments 
Assets classified as held for sale 
Trade receivables 

Other receivables 

Total current assets 

Total assets 

Equity and liabilities 
Equity 
Issued share capital 
Retained earnings 
Foreign exchange reserve 
Other reserves 

Equity attributable to owners of the company 
Non-controlling interest 

Total equity 

Liabilities 
Current liabilities 
Borrowings 
Trade and other payables 
Provision for commitments and other liabilities 

Total current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

Notes 

2019 
£’000 

12 
13 
11 

16 
14 
17 
18 

18 

19 

23 

20 
21 
7 

20,571   
237   
2,503   

23,311   

6,971   
27,705   
–   
–   
1,075   

2,932   

38,683   

61,994   

73,548   
(63)   
(40)   
(24,395)   

49,050   
1,293   

50,343   

6,194   
4,757   
700   

11,651   

11,651   

61,994   

2018 
£’000 

6,038 
303 
5,579 

11,920 

24,888 
129,221 
49,494 
266 
417 

3,202 

207,488 

219,408 

185,000 
15,375 
(121) 
(50,261) 

149,993 
3,255 

153,248 

59,041 
6,066 
1,053 

66,160 

66,160 

219,408 

The notes on pages 34 to 84 are an integral part of these financial statements. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 14 May 2020. 
They were signed on its behalf by: 

James van den Bergh 
Chief Executive Officer 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       27 

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 
As at 31 December 2019 

Assets 

Non-current assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Investments in subsidiaries 

Amounts owed by group undertakings 

Total non-current assets 

Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Total current assets 

Total assets 

Equity and liabilities 

Equity 

Issued share capital 

Retained earnings 

Other reserves 

Total equity 

Liabilities 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Provisions 

Total current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

Notes 

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

13 

15 

18 

19 

21 

1   

30,189   

49,083   

79,273   

184   

195   

379   

2 

123,966 

– 

123,968 

8,448 

56,652 

65,100 

79,652   

189,068 

73,548   

(5,006)   

8,966   

77,508   

1,444   

700   

2,144   

2,144   

185,000 

(6,033) 

8,966 

187,933 

1,135 

– 

1,135 

1,135 

79,652   

189,068 

The Company reported a loss for the year to 31 December 2019 of £6,530,000 (2018: £4,391,000).  

The notes on pages 34 to 84 are an integral part of these financial statements. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 14 May 2020. 
They were signed on its behalf by: 

James van den Bergh 
Chief Executive Officer 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Share 
capital 
£’000 
185,000 
– 

Retained 
earnings 
£’000 
15,375 
(18) 

Foreign 
exchange 
reserve 
£’000 
(121) 
– 

Other 
reserves 
£’000 
  (50,261) 
– 

Total 
£’000 
  149,993 
(18) 

Non- 
controlling 
interest 
£’000 
3,255 
1 

Total 
equity 
£’000 
153,248 
(17) 

185,000 

15,357 

(121) 

(50,261) 

  149,975 

3,256 

153,231 

Balance at 1 January 2019 
IFRS 16 adjustment 
Revised Balance at 1 January 
2019 
Loss for the year 
Other comprehensive income for 
the year 
Loss from discontinued 
operations 

Total comprehensive loss for the 
year 
Acquisition of subsidiaries 
Demerger of subsidiary 
Share buyback 
Share based payment 
Reduction of capital 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

Balance at 1 January 2018 
Loss for the year 
Other comprehensive income for 
the year 

Total comprehensive loss for the 
year 

New issue of shares 
Share cancellation 
Share based payment 
Reduction of Capital 
NCI Share Premium 
Adjustment arising from change 
in NCI 
Balance at 31 December 2018 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(14,783) 

– 

(3,287) 

  (18,070) 

– 
(96,395) 
(15,057) 
– 
– 

73,548 

123,966 
– 

– 

– 

70,000 
(8,966) 
– 
– 
– 

– 
(13,916) 
5,057 
2,509 
9,000 

(63) 

(4,962) 
(14,688) 

8,000 

(3,661) 
– 
2,739 
28,752 
– 

– 

(805) 

– 

81 

– 

81 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

(40) 

(396) 
– 

275 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(14,783) 

(141) 

(14,924) 

81 

– 

81 

(3,287) 

(176) 

(3,463) 

  (17,989) 

(317) 

(18,306) 

– 
34,866 
– 
– 
(9,000) 
  (24,395) 

– 
(75,445) 
(10,000) 
2,509 
– 
49,050 

1,435 
(3,081) 
– 
– 
– 

1,293 

1,435 
(78,526) 
(10,000) 
2,509 
– 

50,343 

  (26,919) 
– 

91,689 
(14,688) 

(293) 
(422) 

91,396 
(15,110) 

– 

– 

– 
8,966 
– 
(28,752) 
– 

8,275 

– 

8,275 

(6,413) 

(422) 

(6,835) 

66,339 
– 
2,739 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
1,819 
1,482 

66,339 
– 
2,739 
1,819 
1,482 

(3,556) 

(4,361) 

669 

(3,692) 

(6,688) 

275 

185,000 

15,375 

(121) 

  (50,261) 

  149,993 

3,255 

153,248 

The notes on pages 34 to 84 are an integral part of these financial statements 

Share capital 

Share capital represents the nominal value of equity share capital issued. 

Retained earnings 

The retained earnings reserve represents cumulative net gains and losses. Retained earnings for the year include a credit 
of £5,057,000 arising from two share buybacks that took place in 2019. 

Foreign exchange reserve 

The foreign exchange reserve represents exchange differences which arise on consolidation from the translation of the 
financial statements of foreign subsidiaries. 

Other reserves 

Other reserves consist of the merger reserve, the share revaluation reserve and share buyback reserve. 

The merger reserve arose as a result of combining businesses that are under common control. As at 31 December 2019 it 
was a debit balance of £33,360,000 (2018: £59,227,000). The merger reserve balance related to Distribution Finance Capital 
Limited pre demerger was £34,866,000. 

The share revaluation reserve arose from the share cancellation that took place in February 2018. As at 31 December 2019 
its balance was £8,966,000 (2018: £8,966,000). 

Non-Controlling Interest 

The non-controlling interest relates to the minority interest held in Bandana Media Limited, Playstack OY, Foxglove 
Studios AB, Vertus Capital Limited, Vertus SPV1 Limited and Distribution Finance Capital Limited prior to its demerger 
from the Group. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Balance at 1 January 2019 

IFRS 16 adjustment 

Revised balance at 1 January 2019 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Share buyback 

Demerger of subsidiary  

Share based payment 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

Balance at 1 January 2018 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

New issue of shares 

Share cancellation 

Share options issued 

Balance at 31 December 2018 

Share capital 
£’000 

185,000 

– 

185,000 

– 

(15,057) 

(96,395) 

– 

73,548 

123,966 

– 

70,000 

(8,966) 

– 

185,000 

Retained 
earnings 
£’000 

(6,033) 

(9) 

(6,042) 

(6,530) 

5,057 

– 

2,509 

(5,006) 

(720)    

(4,391) 

(3,661) 

– 

2,739 

(6,033) 

Other reserves 
£’000 

Total equity 
£’000 

8,966 

– 

8,966 

– 

– 

– 

– 

8,966 

– 

– 

– 

8,966 

– 

8,966 

187,933 

(9) 

187,924 

(6,530) 

(10,000) 

(96,395) 

2,509 

77,508 

123,246  

(4,391) 

66,339 

– 

2,739 

187,933 

The notes on pages 34 to 84 are an integral part of these financial statements. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       30 

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Loss before income tax 

Continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

Adjustments for 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of intangible fixed assets 

Share based payments 

Increase in provision  

Impairment of intangible assets 

Fair value increase of demerged subsidiary 

Underlying trading loss on discontinued operations 

Working capital adjustments 

Movement in Loans and advances 

Increase in trade and other receivables 

Increase in trade and other payables 

Net payables on acquisition of subsidiary 

IFRS 16 adjustment 

Additions to assets held for sale 

Tax paid 

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

(11,849)   

(3,463)   

307   

1,032   

2,509   

506   

186   

(2,618)   

2,963   

(9,829) 

(5,671) 

109 

225 

2,739 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(10,427)   

(12,427) 

770   

(2,637)   

1,165   

1,162   

(462)   

–   

(2)   

(36)   

(96,512) 

(1,311) 

3,318 

(325) 

– 

(266) 

(95,096) 

(36) 

Net cash used in operating activities 

(10,465)   

(107,559) 

Cash flows from investing activities: 

Additions to intangible assets 

Additions to property, plant and equipment 

Net increase in debt securities 

Acquisition of subsidiaries 

Movement in loans in year to subsidiaries pre acquisition 

Cash from acquisition of subsidiaries 

Disposal of equity investment 

Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities: 

Issue of ordinary share capital 

Issue of ordinary share capital of subsidiary 

Share issue costs 

New borrowings 

Share buybacks 

Net cash (used)/generated from financing activities 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from 
continuing operations 

(1,695)   

(38)   

–   

(1,105)   

(7,201)   

516   

44,500   

34,977   

–   

30   

–   

5,011   

(10,000)   

(4,959)   

19,553   

(2,855) 

(275) 

(4,993) 

(2,014) 

– 

382 

– 

(9,755) 

70,000 

– 

(3,661) 

49,926 

– 

116,265 

(1,049) 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Net cash from discontinued operations 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year 

(37,556)   

24,888   

86   

6,971   

– 

26,049 

(112) 

24,888 

All cash and cash equivalents are cash at bank. 

The notes on pages 34 to 84 are an integral part of these financial statements 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       32 

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Loss before income tax 

Adjustments for: 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Fair value of intangible fixed assets 

Share based payments  

Increase in provision 

Working capital adjustments 

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 

Increase in trade and other payables 

Net cash used in operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Decrease/(increase) in intragroup loans 

Additions to property, plant and equipment 
Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Issue of ordinary share capital 
Share issue costs 
Share buyback 
Net cash generated from financing activities 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year 

All cash and cash equivalents are cash at bank. 

The notes on pages 34 to 84 are an integral part of these financial statements. 

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

(6,530)   

(4,391) 

167   

(2,618)   

2,509   

700   

(5,772)   

190   

140   

330   

(5,442)   

7,178   

–    

7,178   

–   

–    

(10,000)   

(10,000)   

(8,264)   

8,448   

184   

1 

– 

2,739 

– 

(1,651) 

(3,407) 

334 

(3,073) 

(4,724) 

(53,164) 

(3) 

(53,167) 

70,000 

(3,661) 

– 

66,339 

8,448 

– 

8,448 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       33 

 
 
 
   
 
   
   
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Statutory information 

TruFin  plc  is  a  Company  registered  in  Jersey  and  incorporated  under  Companies  (Jersey)  Law  1991.  The 
Company’s ordinary shares were listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. 
The address of the registered office is 26 New Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3RA. 

The Company was listed on 21 February 2018. 

1. 

Accounting policies 

General information 

The TruFin Group (the “Group”) is the consolidation of TruFin plc and the companies set out in the “Basis of 
consolidation” (below).  

The principal activities of the Group are the provision of niche lending, early payment services and mobile game 
publishing. 

The  financial  statements  are  presented  in  Pounds  Sterling,  which  is  the  currency  of  the  primary  economic 
environment in which the Group operates. Amounts are rounded to the nearest thousand. 

Basis of accounting 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards as adopted by the European Union (“IFRS”). 

Prior to 29 November 2017 and before the incorporation of TruFin plc and TruFin Holdings, the entities named 
above were under common control and therefore, have been accounted for as a common control transaction 
– that is a business combination in which all the combining entities or businesses are ultimately controlled by 
the same company both before and after the combination. IFRS 3 provides no specific guidance on accounting 
for  entities  under  common  control  and  therefore  other  relevant  standards  have  been  considered.  These 
standards refer to pooling of assets and merger accounting and this is the methodology that has been used to 
consolidate the Group. 

After 29 December 2017, post the reorganisation, the entities constitute a legal group and accordingly the 
consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  by  applying  relevant  principles  underlying  the 
consolidation procedures of IFRS. 

Basis of preparation 

The results of the Group companies have been included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. 
Where necessary, adjustments have been made to the underlying financial information of the companies to 
bring  the  accounting  policies  used  into  line  with  those  used  by  the  Group.  All  intra-group  transactions, 
balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. 

The  consolidated  financial  statements  contained  in  this  document  consolidates  the  statements  of  total 
comprehensive  income,  statements  of  financial  position,  cash  flow  statements,  statements  of  changes  in 
equity and related notes for each of the companies listed in the “Basis of consolidation” below, which have 
been prepared in accordance with IFRS. 

Non-controlling interests, presented as part of equity, represent the portion of a subsidiary’s profit or loss and 
net  assets  that  is  not  held  by  the  Group.  The  Group  attributes  total  comprehensive  income  or  loss  of 
subsidiaries between the owners of the parent and the non-controlling interests based on their respective 
ownership interests. 

Basis of consolidation 

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  all  of  the  companies  controlled  by  the  Group,  which  are  as 
follows: 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       34 

 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Entities 
TruFin Holdings Limited (“THL”) 

Country of 
incorporation 
Jersey 

Satago Financial Solutions Limited 
(“Satago”)  
Satago SPV 1 Limited (“Satago SPV 1”) – 
incorporated on 11 September 2019 
Satago z.o.o (Satago Poland) 

UK 

UK 

Poland 

Oxygen Finance Group Limited (“OFGL”) 
(together with OFL and OFAI) 
(“Oxygen”) 

UK 

Oxygen Finance Limited (“OFL”) 

UK 

Oxygen Finance Americas, Inc (“OFAI”)  USA 

Porge Ltd (“Porge”)  

UK 

TruFin Software Limited (“TSL”)  

UK 

AltLending UK Limited (“AltLending”) 

UK 

Vertus Capital Limited (“Vertus Capital”) 
(together with Vertus SPV 1 Limited) 
(“Vertus”) – acquired on 29 July 2019 
Vertus Capital SPV 1 Limited (“Vertus 
SPV 1”) – acquired on 29 July 2019 

UK 

UK 

Playstack Limited (“Playstack”)* 

UK 

Bandana Media Limited (“Bandana”)* 

UK 

PlayIgnite Ltd (“PlayIgnite”)*  

Playtest Limited (“Playtest”)* - dissolved 
on 24 March 2020 
Playstack z.o.o (“PS Poland”) * 

UK 

UK 

Poland 

Playstack OY (“PS Finland”)* 

Finland 

Foxglove Studios AB (“Foxglove”)* 

Sweden 

Playstack Inc (“Playstack USA”)* 

PlayIgnite Inc (“PlayIgnite USA”)* 

USA 

USA 

Registered address 
26 New Street, St Helier, 
Jersey JE2 3RA 
48 Warwick Street, London, 
United Kingdom, W1B 5AW 
48 Warwick Street, London, 
United Kingdom, W1B 5AW 
32-023 Krakow ul. Sw. Krzyza 
19/6 Poland 
Cathedral Place, 
42-44 Waterloo Street, 
Birmingham, United 
Kingdom, B2 5QB 
Cathedral Place, 
42-44 Waterloo Street, 
Birmingham, United 
Kingdom, B2 5QB 
Corporation Trust Center, 
1209 Orange Street, City of 
Wilmington, County of New 
Castle, Delaware 19801, USA 
Cathedral Place, 
42-44 Waterloo Street, 
Birmingham, United Kingdom, 
B2 5QB 
Mercury House, 109-117 
Waterloo Road, London, 
United Kingdom, SE1 8UL 

48 Warwick Street, London, 
United Kingdom, W1B 5AW 
Building 1 Chalfont Park, 
Gerrards Cross, United 
Kingdom, SL9 0BG 
Building 1 Chalfont Park, 
Gerrards Cross, United 
Kingdom, SL9 0BG 
56a Poland Street, London 
United Kingdom, W1F 7NN 
56a Poland Street, London 
United Kingdom, W1F 7NN 
56a Poland Street, London 
United Kingdom, W1F 7NN 

56a Poland Street, London 
United Kingdom, W1F 7NN 
Kamienna 21, 31-403 Krakow, 
Poland 

Mikonkatu 17 B, 00100 
Helsinki, Finland 

Solbergavägen 17, 17998 
Färentuna, Sweden 

Gust Delaware, 16192 Coastal 
Hwy, Lewes, DE 19958 
Cogency Global Inc, 850 New 
Burton Road, Suite 201, Dover 
DE 19904 

Nature of the 
business 
Holding Company 

Provision of short 
term finance 
Provision of short 
term finance 
Provision of short 
term finance 
Holding Company 

% voting rights 
and shares held 
100% of ordinary 
shares 
100% of ordinary 
shares 
100% of ordinary 
shares 
100% of ordinary 
shares 
100% of ordinary 
shares 

Provision of early 
payment services 

100% of ordinary 
shares 

Provision of early 
payment services 

99.99% of 
ordinary shares 

Provision of market 
research 
information. 

100% of ordinary 
shares 

Provision of 
technology 
services 

100% of ordinary 
shares 

Provision of short 
term finance 
Provision of short 
term finance 

100% of ordinary 
shares 
51% of ordinary 
shares 

Provision of short 
term finance 

51% of ordinary 
shares 

Publishing of 
computer games 
Publishing of 
computer games 
Business and 
domestic software 
developer 
Publishing of 
computer games 
Publishing activities 
in the field of 
computer games 
Publishing activities 
in the field of 
computer games 
Developing, 
publishing and 
selling electronic 
games 
Publishing of 
computer games 
Business and 
domestic software 
developer 

100% of ordinary 
shares 
72% of ordinary 
shares 
100% of ordinary 
shares 

100% of ordinary 
shares 
100% of ordinary 
shares 

75% of ordinary 
shares 

80% of ordinary 
shares 

100% of ordinary 
shares 
100% of ordinary 
shares 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       35 

 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

*These companies (together the “Playstack Group”) were acquired on 11 September 2019. The Group had a 
40% interest in PlayIgnite prior to this date and until then was accounted for using the equity method. The 
Playstack Group acquisition also included 4 associate companies incorporated in the UK which have been 
accounted for using the equity method. These are: 

•  A 49% interest in PlayFinder Games Ltd 

•  A 49% interest in Snackbox Games Ltd 

•  A 42% interest in Military Games International Ltd 

•  A 26% interest in Stormchaser Games Ltd 

The consolidated financial information also includes: 

•  a 50% interest in a joint venture, Clear Funding Limited (“Clear Funding”), which was struck off on 30 April 

2019. 

On 7 May 2019 Distribution Finance Capital Limited (“DFC”) demerged from the Group. The Group held 94% 
of the ordinary shares in DFC prior to the demerger. 

The Group had a minority interest in Zopa Group Limited (“Zopa”) which was sold on 7 May 2019. 

All of these three investments were incorporated in the UK. 

Principal accounting policies 

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. 
These policies have been applied consistently to all the financial periods presented. 

The  consolidated  financial  statements have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  European Union  Endorsed 
International Financial Reporting  Standards  (IFRSs)  and  the  IFRS  Interpretations  Committee  (formerly  the 
International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC)) interpretations. These statements have 
been prepared on a going concern basis and under the historical cost convention except for the treatment of 
certain financial instruments. 

Going concern 

The  Group’s  forecasts  and  projections,  taking  into  account  reasonable  possible  changes  in  trading 
performance, show that the Group should be able to operate in the foreseeable future. As a consequence,  the 
Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will have adequate resources to continue in operational 
existence  for  the  foreseeable  future.  Accordingly,  the  Directors  have  adopted  the  going  concern  basis  in 
preparing  these  financial statements.  This  assessment  takes  into  consideration  the  potential  uncertainties 
arising from Covid-19 mentioned earlier in the report.  

Revenue recognition 

Net revenue 

Interest income and expense 

Interest  income  and  expense  for  all  financial  instruments  except  for  those  classified  as  held  for  trading  or 
measured or designated as at Fair Value Through Profit and Loss (“FVTPL”) are recognised in “Net revenue” as 
“Interest income” and “Interest, fee and publishing expenses” in the profit or loss account using the effective 
interest method. 

The Effective Interest Rate (“EIR”) is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash flows of the financial 
instrument through the expected life of the financial instrument or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to 
the net carrying amount of the financial asset or financial liability. The future cash flows are estimated taking 
into account all the contractual terms of the instrument. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       36 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

The calculation of the EIR includes all fees and points paid or received between parties to the contract that are 
incremental  and  directly  attributable  to  the  specific  lending  arrangement,  transaction  costs  and  all  other 
premiums or discounts. 

The  interest  income/expense  is  calculated  by  applying  the  EIR  to  the  gross  carrying  amount  of  non-credit 
impaired financial assets (that is, to the amortised cost of the financial asset before adjusting for any expected 
credit loss allowance), or to the amortised cost of financial liabilities. 

For  credit-impaired  financial  assets,  as  defined  in  the  financial  instruments  accounting  policy,  the  interest 
income is calculated by applying the EIR to the amortised cost of the credit-impaired financial assets, that is, 
to the gross carrying amount less the allowance for Expected Credit Losses (“ECLs”). 

Fee income 

Fee income for the Group is earned from payments services fees provided by Oxygen and subscription fees 
from Porge and Satago. 

Payment services provided by Oxygen comprises the following elements: 

Early Payment Programme Services (“EPPS”) contracts 

Oxygen’s Early Payment Programme Services generate rebates (i.e. discounts on invoice value) for its clients 
by facilitating the early payment of supplier invoices. Oxygen’s single performance obligation is to make its 
intellectual property and software platform available to its clients for the duration of their contracts. 

Oxygen  bills  its  clients  monthly  for  a  contractually  agreed  share  of  supplier  rebates  generated  by  their 
respective Early Payment Programmes during the previous month. This revenue is recognised in the month 
the rebates are generated. 

Assessment fees 

Assessment  fees  include  Oxygen  consultants  reviewing  the  client’s  internal  processes  and  technology  and 
analysing the financial business case for setting up an Early Payment Programme. The assessment is a self- 
contained consultancy project which is not contingent on any future Early Payment Programme being entered 
into by the client and accordingly Oxygen’s single performance obligation is to deliver a report that summarises 
the  assessment  findings.  Revenue  from  assessment  fees  is  deferred  and  is  accrued  over  the  period  of  the 
assessment. 

Implementation fees 

Implementation fees are charged to some clients to cover Oxygen’s costs in establishing a client’s technological 
access  to  the  Early  Payment  Programme  Services  and  in  otherwise  readying  a  client  to  benefit  from  the 
Services. Establishing access to the company’s intellectual property and software platform does not amount 
to a distinct service as the client cannot benefit from the initial access except by the company continuing to 
provide access for the contract period. Where an implementation fee is charged, it is therefore a component 
of the aggregate  transaction  price of  the Early Payment Programme Services. Accordingly, such revenue is 
initially deferred and then recognised in the statement of comprehensive income over the life of the related 
Early Payment Programme Services contract. 

Consultancy fees 

Oxygen provides stand-alone advisory services to clients. Revenue is accrued as the underlying services are 
provided to the client. 

Subscription fees 

Porge subscription fees 

These are typically annual fees for access to Porge’s market insight and research database. Subscriptions are 
received in advance and recognised over the length of the contract as access to the database is provided. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       37 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Satago subscription fees 

These are monthly fees for access to Satago’s platform. Subscriptions are received in advance and recognised 
during the month the subscription relates to.  

Fee expenses 

Fee expenses are directly attributable costs, associated with the Oxygen’s Early Payment Programme Services. 
The expenses include amortisation arising from capitalised contract costs incurred directly through activities 
which generate fee income. Amortisation arising from other intangible assets is recognised in depreciation 
and amortisation of non-financial assets before operating profit/loss. 

Publishing income 

Publishing income for the Group is earned by companies in the Playstack Group and comprises the following 
elements. Publishing income is recognised at the fair value of consideration received or receivable for goods 
and services provided and is shown net of VAT and any other sales taxes. The fair value takes into account any 
trade or volume discounts and commission retained. 

In App Purchases (IAP)revenue 

IAP revenue is earned on the sale of mobile games and features within those games. It is recognised when the 
game or feature is sold. 

Advertising revenue 

Advertising revenue is earnings from featuring third party advertising within mobile games. It is recognised 
when these advertisements are featured within the games. 

Console revenue 

Console revenue is earned on the sale of video games for consoles. It is recognised when the game is sold.  

Brand revenue 

Brand revenue is when a mobile game player signs up to an advertised brand in a mobile game. Revenue is 
recognised when the brand has confirmed acquisition of the customer.  

Publishing expenses 

Publishing expenses are directly attributable costs, associated with the Playstack Group’s publishing income. 
These costs are included at their invoiced value and are net of VAT and any other sales tax. 

Other income from financial instruments 

Dividends from equity investments measured at Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income (“FVTOCI”) 
are recognised in profit and loss when the Group becomes entitled to them. 

For financial instruments that are classified as FVTPL, any interest or fee income is included in the profit and 
loss account within the fair value gain or loss. 

Debt securities are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. The securities are measured 
at  their  closing  bid  prices  at  the  reporting  date  with  any  unrealised  gain  or  loss  recognised  through  other 
comprehensive income. 

The Group presently holds no financial instruments for trading or hedging purposes, nor has it designated  any 
other items as FVTPL. 

Operating profit/loss 

Operating profit/loss is net interest and fee income less staff costs, depreciation and amortisation, impairment 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       38 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

loss on financial assets and other operating expenses.  

Foreign currencies 

The  results  and  financial  position  of  each  group  company  are  expressed  in  Pounds  Sterling,  which  is  the 
functional currency of the UK based members of the Group and the presentation currency for the consolidated 
financial statements. 

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the Group companies’ functional currency at the foreign 
exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies at the reporting date are retranslated to the functional currency at the foreign exchange rate ruling 
at  that  date.  Non-monetary  assets  and  liabilities  that  are  measured  in  terms  of  historical  cost  in  a  foreign 
currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Foreign exchange differences 
arising on translation are recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. 

Property, plant and equipment 

All  property,  plant  and  equipment  is  stated  at  historical  cost  (or  deemed  historical  cost)  less  accumulated 
depreciation and less any identified impairment. Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and the 
costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use. 

Depreciation is provided on all property, plant and equipment at rates calculated to write each asset down to 
its estimated residual value on a straight line basis at the following annual rates: 

Leasehold improvements 

Office equipment 
Computer equipment 

– 

– 
– 

5 years 

3 years 

3 -5 years 

Useful economic lives and estimated residual values are reviewed annually and adjusted as appropriate. 

Intangible and contract assets 

Identifiable  intangible  assets  are  recognised  when  the  Group  controls  the  asset,  it  is  probable  that  future 
economic  benefits  attributed  to  the  asset will  flow  to  the  Group  and  the  cost  of  the  asset  can  be  reliably 
measured. 

Intangible assets with finite lives are stated at acquisition or development cost less accumulated amortisation 
and less any identified impairment. The amortisation period and method is reviewed at least annually. Changes 
in the expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in 
the asset are accounted for by changing the amortisation period or method, as appropriate and are treated as 
changes in accounting estimates. 

Computer software 

Computer software which has been purchased by the Group from third party vendors is measured at initial 
cost less accumulated amortisation and less accumulated impairments.  

Computer software also comprises internally developed platforms and the costs directly associated with the 
production of these identifiable and unique software products controlled by the Group. They are probable of 
producing  future  economic  benefits.  They  primarily  include  employee  costs  and  directly  attributable 
overheads. 

Internally generated intangible assets are only recognised by the Group when the recognition criteria have 
been met in accordance with IAS 38: Intangible Assets as follows: 

•  expenditure can be reliably measured; 

•  the product or process is technically and commercially feasible; 

•  future economic benefits are likely to be received; 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       39 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

•  intention and ability to complete the development; and  

•  view to either use or sell the asset in the future. 

The Group will only recognise an internally-generated asset should it meet all the above criteria. In the event 
of a development not meeting the criteria it will be recognised within the statement of profit or loss in the 
period incurred. 

Capitalised costs include all directly attributable costs to the development of the asset. Internally generated 
assets are measured at capitalised cost less accumulated amortisation less accumulated impairment losses. 
The  internally  generated  asset  is  amortised  at  the  point  the  asset  is  available for  use  or  sale.  The  asset  is 
amortised on a straight-line basis over the useful economic life with the remaining useful economic life and 
residual value being assessed annually.  

Any  subsequent  expenditure  on  the  internally  generated  asset  is  only  capitalised  if  the  cost  increases  the 
future  economic  benefits  of  the  related  asset.  Otherwise  all  additional  expenditure  should  be  recognised 
through the statement of profit or loss in the period it occurs. 

Contract assets 

Contract assets comprise the directly attributable costs incurred at the beginning of an Early Payment Scheme 
Service contract to revise a client’s existing payment systems and provide access to the Group’s software and 
other intellectual property. These implementation (or “set up”) costs are comprised primarily of  employee 
costs. 

Amortisation is charged to the statement of comprehensive income over the estimated useful lives of intangible 
assets from the date they are available for use, on a straight-line basis. The amortisation basis adopted for 
each class of intangible asset reflects the Group’s consumption of the economic benefit from that asset. 

Estimated useful lives 

The estimated useful lives of finite intangible assets are as follows: 

Computer software 

Contract assets 
Computer equipment 

– 

– 
– 

Goodwill 

3 -5 years 

Life of underlying contract (typically 5 years) 

3 -5 years 

Goodwill arising on acquisition represents the excess cost of a business combination over the fair values of the 
Group’s  share  of  the  identifiable  assets  and  liabilities  at  the  date  of  the  acquisition.  When  part  of  the 
consideration transferred by the Group is deferred or contingent, this is valued at its acquisition date fair value, 
and  is  included  in  the  consideration  transferred  in  a  business  combination.  Changes  in  the  deferred  or 
contingent  consideration,  which  occur  in  the  measurement  period,  are  adjusted  retrospectively,  with 
corresponding adjustments to goodwill. 

Goodwill is not amortised but is reviewed at least annually for impairment. For the purpose of impairment 
testing, goodwill is allocated to each Cash Generating Unit (“CGU”). Each CGU is consistent with the Group’s 
primary reporting segment. Any impairment is recognised immediately through the income statement and is 
not subsequently reversed. 

On disposal of a subsidiary, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of profit or 
loss on disposal. 

Assets classified as held for sale 

Whilst assessing whether any assets should be classified as held for sale, the management of the Group ensure 
that the status of the asset satisfies all of the following criteria as set out within IFRS 5: 

•  the carrying amount of the asset will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       40 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

through continuing use; 

•  the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and 

customary for sales of such assets; 

•  its sale must be highly probable and within one year from the date of classification; 

•  management must be committed to a plan to sell the asset; and 

•  the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a sales price reasonable in relation to its fair value. 

In the event an asset satisfies the criteria, prior to reclassification the asset should be valued in accordance 
with IFRS accounting standards applicable to the asset in question.  

At initial recognition the asset is measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Any 
unrealised gains or losses are recognised in the profit and loss account. 

Financial instruments 

Initial recognition 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s statement of financial position when the 
Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly 
attributable to the acquisition or issue of the financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets 
and financial liabilities at FVTPL) are respectively added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets 
or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to 
the acquisition of financial assets and financial liabilities at FVTPL are recognised immediately in profit or loss. 

Financial assets 

Classification and reclassification of financial assets 

Recognised financial assets within the scope of IFRS 9 are required to be classified as subsequently measured 
at amortised cost, FVTOCI or FVTPL on the basis of both the Group’s business model for managing the financial 
assets and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. 

Financial assets are reclassified if and only if, the business model under which they are held is changed. There 
has been no such change in the allocation of assets to business models in the periods under review. 

Loans and advances  

Other  than  convertible  debt  instruments,  loans  and  advances  are  held  within  a  business  model  whose 
objective is to hold those financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows. The contractual terms of 
the loan agreements give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest 
or fees on the principal amount outstanding. 

After  initial  measurement,  loans  and  advance  to  customers  are  subsequently  measured  at  amortised  cost 
using the Effective  Interest  Rate method (EIR) less impairment. Amortised cost is calculated by taking into 
account any fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included in interest and 
similar income in the statement of comprehensive income. The losses arising from impairment are recognised 
in the statement of comprehensive income and disclosed with any other similar losses within the line item 
“Net impairment losses on financial assets”. 

Where cash flows are significantly different from the original expectations used to determine EIR, but where 
this difference does not arise from a modification of the terms of the financial instrument, the Group revises 
its  estimates  of  receipts  and  adjusts  the  gross  carrying  amount  of  the  financial  asset  to  reflect  actual  and 
revised estimated contractual cash flows. The Group recalculates the gross carrying amount of the financial 
asset  as  the  present  value  of  the  estimated  future  contractual  cash  flows  discounted  at  the  financial 
instrument’s original EIR. The adjustment is recognised in statement of comprehensive income as income or 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       41 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

expense. 

Convertible debt instruments 

Convertible debt instruments, included within loans and advances, are held by the Group and are measured at 
Fair Value through Profit and Loss as they fail the contractual cash flow characteristics test required by IFRS 9 
for classification under amortised cost. Movements in the fair value of these assets are recognised in the profit 
and loss account. 

Trade and other receivables 

Trade receivables do not contain any significant financing component and accordingly are recognised initially 
at transaction price, and subsequently measured at cost less expected credit losses. 

Investments in equity shares 

Prior to its disposal the Group’s investment in the equity shares of Zopa was not held for trading. The Group 
made an irrevocable election to classify and subsequently measure the investment at FVTOCI. Movements in 
the fair value of the investment were recognised in the statement of other comprehensive income and were 
not reclassified to profit on loss on derecognition.  

Investments in subsidiaries 

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost less impairment in the Company’s financial statements. 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  comprise  cash  balances  and  demand  deposits  and  short  term,  highly  liquid 
investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant 
risk of changes in value. 

Impairment 

The  Group (and Company)  recognises  loss  allowances for Expected Credit Losses (“ECLs”) on the  following 
financial instruments that are not measured at FVTPL: 

•  Loans and advances;  

•  Other receivables; 

•  Trade receivables; and 

•  Intercompany receivables 

ECLs are measured through loss allowances calculated on the following bases: 

ECLs  are  a  probability-weighted  estimate  of  the  present  value  of  credit  losses.  These  are  measured  as  the 
present value of the difference between the cash flows due to the Group under the contract and the cash 
flows that the Group expects to receive arising from the weighting of future economic scenarios, discounted 
at the asset’s EIR within the current performing book. 

The Group measures ECL on an individual basis, or on a collective basis for portfolios of loans that share similar 
credit risk characteristics. The loss allowance is measured as the present value of the difference between the 
contractual  cash  flows  and  cash  flows  that  the  Group  expects  to  receive  using  the  asset’s  original  EIR, 
regardless of whether it is measured on an individual basis or a collective basis. 

A  financial  asset  that  gives  rise  to  credit  risk,  is  referred  to  (and  analysed  in  the  notes  to  this  financial 
information) as being in “Stage 1” provided that since initial recognition (or since the previous reporting date) 
there has not been a significant increase in credit risk, nor has it has become credit impaired. 

For a Stage 1 asset, the loss allowance is the “12-month ECL”, that is, the ECL that results from those default 
events on the financial instrument that are possible within 12 months from the reporting date. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       42 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

A financial asset that gives rise to credit risk is referred to (and analysed in the notes to this financial information) 
as being in “Stage 2” if since initial recognition there has been a significant increase in credit risk but it is not 
credit impaired. 

For a Stage 2 asset, the loss allowance is the “lifetime ECL”, that is, the ECL that results from all possible default 
events over the life of the financial instrument. 

A financial asset that gives rise to credit risk is referred to (and analysed in the notes to this financial information) 
as being in “Stage 3” if since initial recognition it has become credit impaired. 

For a Stage 3 asset, the loss allowance is the difference between the asset’s gross carrying amount and the 
present  value  of  estimated  future  cash  flows  discounted  at  the  financial  asset’s  original  EIR.  Further,  the 
recognition of interest income is calculated on the carrying amount net of impairment rather than the gross 
carrying amount as for stage 1 and stage 2 assets. 

If  circumstances  change  sufficiently  at  subsequent  reporting  dates,  an  asset  is  referred  to  by  its  newly 
appropriate Stage and is re-analysed in the notes to the financial information. 

Where an asset is expected to mature in 12 months or less, the “12 month ECL” and the “lifetime ECL” have 
the same effective meaning and accordingly for such assets the calculated loss allowance will be the same 
whether such an asset is at Stage 1 or Stage 2. However, the Group monitors significant increase in credit risk 
for all assets so that it can accurately disclose Stage 1 and Stage 2 assets at each reporting date. 

Lifetime ECLs are recognised for all trade receivables using the simplified approach. 

Significant increase in credit risk – policies and procedures for identifying Stage 2 assets 

The Group compares the risk of a default occurring on the financial instrument as at the reporting date with 
the  risk  of  a  default  occurring  on  the  financial  instrument  as  at  the  date  of  initial  recognition  in  order  to 
determine whether credit risk has increased significantly. 

See note 22 for further details about how the Group assesses increases in significant credit risk. 

Definition of a default 

Critical to the determination of significant increases in credit risk (and to the determination of ECLs) is the 
definition of default. Default is a component of the Probability of Default (“PD”), changes in which lead to the 
identification of a significant increase in credit risk and PD is then a factor in the measurement of ECLs. 

The Group’s definition of default for this purpose is: 

•  a counterparty defaults on a payment due under a loan agreement and that payment is more than 90 days 

overdue, or 

•  within the core invoice finance proposition, where one or more individual finance repayments are beyond 

90 days overdue, management judgement is applied in considering default status of the client. 

•  the collateral that secures, all or in part, the loan agreement has been sold or is otherwise not available 

for sale and the proceeds have not been paid to the lending company; or 

•  a counterparty commits an event of default under the terms and conditions of the loan agreement which 
leads  the  lending  company  to  believe  that  the  borrower’s  ability  to  meet  its  credit  obligations  to  the 
lending company is in doubt. 

The definition of default is similarly critical in the determination of whether an asset is credit-impaired (as 
explained below). 

Credit-impaired financial assets – policies and procedures for identifying Stage 3 assets 

A financial asset is credit-impaired when one or more events that have a detrimental impact on the estimated 
future cash flows of the financial asset have occurred. IFRS 9 states that evidence of credit-impairment includes 
observable data about the following events: 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       43 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

•  Significant financial difficulty of the borrower or issuer; 

•  A breach of contract such as a default (as defined above) or past due event, or 

•  The Group, for economic or contractual reasons relating to the borrower’s financial difficulty, having 

granted to the borrower a concession that the Group would not otherwise consider. 

The  Group  assesses  whether  debt  instruments  that  are  financial  assets  measured  at  amortised  cost  or  at 
FVTOCI  are  credit-impaired  at  each  reporting  date.  When  assessing  whether  there  is  evidence  of  credit- 
impairment,  the  Group takes  into  account  both qualitative and  quantitative indicators relating to both the 
borrower and to the asset. The information assessed depends on the borrower and the type of the asset. It 
may not be possible to identify a single discrete event – instead, the combined effect of several events may 
have caused financial assets to become credit-impaired. 

See note 22 for further details about how the Group identifies credit-impaired assets. 

Presentation of allowance for ECL in the statement of financial position 

Loss allowances for ECL are presented in the statement of financial position as follows: 

•  For financial assets measured at amortised cost: as a deduction from the gross carrying amount of the 

assets;  

•  For loan commitments: as a provision; and 

•  For debt instruments measured at FVTOCI: no loss allowance is recognised in the statement of financial 
position as the carrying amount is at fair value. However, the loss allowance is included as part of the 
revaluation amount in the investment revaluation reserve. 

Modification of financial assets 

A  modification  of  a  financial  asset  occurs  when  the  contractual  terms  governing  a  financial  asset  are 
renegotiated without the original contract being replaced and derecognised and: 

•  The gross carrying amount of the asset is recalculated and a modification gain or loss is recognised in 

profit or loss; 

•  Any fees charged are added to the asset and amortised over the new expected life of the asset; and 

•  The asset is individually assessed to determine whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk. 

Derecognition of financial assets 

A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) 
is  derecognised  when  the  rights  to  receive  cash  flows  from  the  asset  have  expired.  The  Group  also 
derecognises the assets if it has both transferred the asset and the transfer qualifies for derecognition. 

A transfer only qualifies for derecognition if either  

•  The Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset; or 

•  The Group has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset but has 

transferred control of the asset. 

Write offs 

Loans and advances are written off when the Group has no reasonable expectation of recovering the financial 
asset (either in its entirety or a portion of it). This is the case when the Group determines that the borrower 
does not have assets or sources of income that could generate sufficient cash flows to repay the amounts 
subject  to  the  write-off.  A  write-off  constitutes  a  derecognition  event.  The  Group  may  apply  enforcement 
activities to financial assets written off. Recoveries resulting from the Group’s enforcement activities will result 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       44 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

in impairment gains. 

Debt securities 

Debt securities are financial assets that are not held for trading and are intended to be held within a business 
model to collect contractual cash flows or sell. These are initially measured at fair value plus transaction costs 
that are directly attributable to the financial asset. Subsequently changes in the fair value are recognised in 
other  comprehensive  income  except  for  interest  calculated  at  the  asset’s  EIR,  foreign  exchange  and 
impairment gains and losses. 

Financial liabilities 

Financial liabilities and equity 

Debt and equity instruments that are issued are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance 
with the substance of the contractual arrangement. 

A financial liability is a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset or to exchange financial 
assets  or  financial  liabilities  with  another  entity  under  conditions  that  are  potentially  unfavourable  to  the 
Group or a non-derivative contract that will or may be settled in a variable number of the Group’s own equity 
instruments, or a derivative contract over own equity that will or may be settled other than by the exchange 
of a fixed amount of cash (or another financial asset) for a fixed number of the Group’s own equity instruments.  

Equity instruments 

An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting 
all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Group are recognised as at the proceeds received, net of 
direct issue costs. Distributions on equity instruments are recognised directly in equity. 

Financial liabilities 

Financial liabilities are classified as either financial liabilities at FVTPL or other financial liabilities. 

Financial liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss 

Financial liabilities at FVTPL may include financial liabilities held for trading. Financial liabilities are classified as 
held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling in the near term. 

During  the  period  under  review  the  Group  has  held  no  financial  liabilities  for  trading,  nor  designated  any 
financial liabilities upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss. 

Other financial liabilities  

Interest bearing borrowings are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Gains and 
losses  are  recognised  in  the  income  statement  when  the  liabilities  are  derecognised  as well  as  through  the 
effective  interest  rate  method  (EIR).  Amortised  cost  is  calculated  by  taking  into  account  any  discount  or 
premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included 
in “Interest and fee expenses” in the profit and loss account.  

Derecognition of financial liabilities 

The Group derecognises financial liabilities when and only when, the Group’s obligations are discharged, 
cancelled or they expire. 

Impairment of non-financial assets 

The carrying amounts of the entity’s  non-financial assets, other than goodwill and deferred tax assets, are 
reviewed  at  each  reporting  date  to  determine  whether  there  is  any  indication  of  impairment.  If  any  such 
indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. The recoverable amount of an asset or 
cash-generating unit is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. In assessing value in 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       45 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that 
reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.  

For the purposes of impairment testing, assets that cannot be tested individually are grouped together into 
the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of 
the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets (the Cash-Generating Unit or “CGU”). 

Contract assets are reviewed for impairment based on the performance of the underlying contract. 

Goodwill  is  tested  annually  for  impairment  in  accordance  with  IFRS.  The  goodwill  acquired  in  a  business 
combination, for the purpose of impairment testing is allocated to CGU that are expected to benefit from the 
synergies of the combination. For the purpose of goodwill impairment testing, if goodwill cannot be allocated 
to individual CGUs or groups of CGUs on a non-arbitrary basis, the impairment of goodwill is determined using 
the recoverable amount of the acquired entity in its entirety, or if the acquired entity has been integrated then 
the entire group of entities into which it has been integrated. 

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset or its CGU exceeds its estimated recoverable 
amount.  Impairment  losses  are  recognised  in  the  statement  of  comprehensive  income.  Impairment  losses 
recognised in respect of CGUs are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to 
the units and then to reduce the carrying amounts of other assets in the unit (or group of units) on a pro rata 
basis. 

An  impairment  loss  is  reversed  if  and  only  if  the  reasons  for  the  impairment  have  ceased  to  apply.  An 
impairment loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed. 

Impairment losses recognised in prior periods are assessed at each reporting date for any indication that the 
loss  has  decreased  or  no  longer  exists.  An  impairment  loss  is  reversed  only  to  the  extent  that  the  asset’s 
carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation 
or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised. 

Current and deferred income tax 

Income tax on the result for the period comprises current and deferred income tax. Income tax is recognised in 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income except to the extent that it relates to items recognised 
directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity. 

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income for the period, using tax rates 
enacted  or  substantively  enacted  at  the  reporting  date  and  any  adjustment  to  tax  payable  in  respect  of 
previous periods. 

Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method, providing for temporary differences between 
the  carrying  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  for  financial  reporting  purposes  and  the  amounts  used  for 
taxation purposes. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or 
settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at 
the reporting date. 

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that 
it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be 
recovered.  Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset  when  there  is  a  legally  enforceable  right  to  set off 
current  tax  assets  against  current  tax  liabilities  and  when  they  relate  to  income  taxes  levied  by  the  same 
taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. 

Employee benefits – pension costs 

A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions 
into a separate entity and will have a legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. Contributions to 
defined contribution schemes are charged to the statement of comprehensive income as they become payable 
in  accordance  with  the  rules  of  the  scheme.  Differences  between  contributions  payable  in  the  year  and 
contributions actually paid are shown as either accruals or prepayments in the statement of financial position. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       46 

 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Provisions for commitments and other liabilities 

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past 
event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be 
made of the amount of the obligation. 

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present 
obligation at the reporting date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. 
Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying 
amount is the present value of those cash flows (discounted at the Group’s weighted average cost of capital 
when the effect of the time value of money is material). 

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a 
third  party,  a  receivable  is  recognised  as  an  asset  only  if  it  is  virtually  certain  that  reimbursement  will  be 
received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably. 

Merger reserve 

Prior to 29 December 2017, the entities within the Group were held by Arrowgrass Master Fund Limited. On 
29 December 2017, these entities were acquired by TruFin plc via TruFin Holdings Limited. The consideration 
provided to Arrowgrass for the companies acquired was in exchange for shares of TruFin plc based on the fair 
value of the underlying companies. Upon consolidation of the group, the difference between the book value of 
the entities and the amount of the consideration paid was accounted through a merger reserve, in accordance 
with relevant accounting standards relating to businesses under common control. 

Investments in associates 

Associates are entities in which the Group has between 20% and 50% of the voting rights, or is otherwise able 
to exercise significant influence, but which it does not control or jointly control. Investments in associates are 
accounted for under the equity method and are initially recognised at costs, including goodwill. Subsequent 
changes in the carrying value reflect the post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of net assets of the 
associate.  The  Group’s  share  of  its  associates  profits  or  losses  is  recognised  in  the  consolidated  income 
statement. However, when the Group’s share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the 
associate, the Group does not recognise further losses, unless the Group is obliged to make further payments 
to, or on behalf of the associate. 

Segmental reporting 

An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn 
revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses relating to transactions with other components 
of the same entity) and whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Board of Directors in order to 
make decisions about resources to be allocated to that component and assess its performance and for which 
discrete financial information is available. 

For the purposes of the financial statements, the Directors consider the Group’s operations to be made up of 
four  operating  segments:  the  provision  of  short  term  finance,  payment  services,  publishing  and  other 
operations. 

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with the accounting policies of the Group 
as a whole.  

Further details are provided in note 4. 

Share based payments  

Where the Group engages in share-based payment transactions in respect of services received from certain of 
its  employees,  these  are  accounted  for  as  equity-settled  share-based  payments  in  accordance  with  IFRS  2 
‘Share-based payments’. The equity is in the form of ordinary shares. 

The grant date fair value of a share-based payment transaction is recognised as an employee expense, with a 
corresponding increase in equity over the period that the employees become unconditionally entitled to the 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       47 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

awards. In the absence of market prices, the fair value of the equity at the date of the grant is estimated using 
an appropriate valuation technique 

The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of awards for which the related 
services  and  non-market  vesting  conditions  are  expected  to  be  met  such  that  the  amount  ultimately 
recognised as an expense is based on the number of awards that do meet the related service and non-market 
performance conditions at the vesting date. 

For share-based payment awards with market performance conditions the grant date fair value of the award 
is measured to reflect such conditions and there is no true-up for differences between expected and actual 
outcomes. 

Refer to note 6 for the amounts disclosed. 

New standards and interpretations  

IFRS 16 - Leases 

IFRS 16 became effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 and has superseded IAS 
17 Leases.  

IFRS 16 distinguishes leases and service contracts on the basis of whether an identified asset is controlled by 
a  customer.  Distinctions  of  operating  leases  (off  balance  sheet)  and  finance  leases  (on  balance  sheet)  are 
removed  for  lessee  accounting  and  has  been  replaced  by  a  model  where  a  right-of-use  asset  and  a 
corresponding liability have to be recognised for all leases by lessees (i.e. all on balance sheet) except for short 
term leases and leases of low value assets.  

The  right-of-use  asset  is  initially  measured  at  cost  and  subsequently  measured  at  cost  (subject  to  certain 
exceptions) less accumulated depreciation and  impairment losses, adjusted for any remeasurement of the 
lease liability. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not 
paid at that date. Subsequently, the lease liability is adjusted for interest and lease payments, as well as the 
impact of lease modifications, amongst others. 

Note 25 explains the impact of the adoption of this standard on the Group’s financial statements. 

2. 

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty 

The preparation of financial information in accordance with IFRS requires management to make judgements, 
estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and reported amounts of assets 
and liabilities, income and expenses. 

The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that 
are believed to be reasonable  under  the circumstances, the results of which  form the basis of making the 
judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apart from other sources. The 
estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Actual results may differ from these 
estimates. 

The  following  are  the  critical  judgements,  apart  from  those  involving  estimations  (which  are  dealt  with 
separately below), that the directors have made in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies and 
that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in financial statements.  

Critical accounting judgements 

•  Early Payment Programme Services set up costs: the Group capitalises the direct costs of implementing 
Early Payment Programme Services contracts for clients. These costs are essential to the satisfaction of the 
Group’s performance obligation under that contract and accordingly the Group considers that these costs 
meet the applicable criteria for recognition as contract assets. 

The amount capitalised is disclosed in note 12. 

•  Deferred  tax  asset:  There  is  inherent  uncertainty  in  forecasting  beyond  the  immediate  future  and 
significant judgement is required to estimate whether future taxable profits are probable in order to utilise 
the  carried  forward  tax  losses.  However, the  Group  has  determined  that  convincing  evidence  exists  to 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       48 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

support the recognition of a deferred tax asset in respect of carried forward losses for Oxygen. 

For Oxygen, a high proportion of the forecast revenue is expected to be generated from clients that are 
either already “live” or  have  already  signed contracts with Oxygen. Oxygen’s fixed cost base is already 
scaled for continued business growth and variable cost growth is not expected to be significant. 

Other companies in the Group have carried forward losses which will be utilised against future taxable 
profits. However, a deferred tax asset has not been recognised for these companies as there is uncertainty 
surrounding the timing of when these losses will be used. 

Refer to note 11 for more information on the deferred tax asset. 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty 

The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting 
period that may have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below: 

Expected credit losses 

•  Where an asset has a maturity of 12 months or less, the “12 month ECL” and the “lifetime ECL” have the 
same effective meaning  and  accordingly for such assets the calculated loss allowance will be the same 
whether such an asset is at stage 1 or stage 2. 

•  The Probability of Default (“PD”) is an estimate of the likelihood of default over a given time horizon and 
is a key input to the ECL calculation. The Group primarily uses credit scores from credit reference agencies 
to calculate the PD for loans and advances. The score is a 12-month predictor of credit failure and, in the 
absence of  internally generated loss history, the Group believes that it provides the best proxy for the 
credit quality of the loan portfolio. 

•  Exposure At Default (“EAD”) is an estimate of the exposure at a future default date, taking into account 
expected changes in the exposure after the reporting date, including repayments of principal and interest, 
whether scheduled by contract or otherwise, expected drawdowns on committed facilities and accrued 
interest from missed payments. 

•  Loss Given Default (“LGD”) is an estimate of the loss arising on default. It is based on the difference between 
the contractual cash flows due and those that the lender would expect to receive, in particular taking into 
account wholesale collateral values and certain buy back options. 

Measurement of fair values of level 3 instruments 

In estimating the fair value of a financial asset or liability, the Group uses market observable data to the extent 
that it is available. Where such level 1 inputs are not available, the Group uses valuation models to estimate 
the fair value of its financial instruments. 

Refer to note 14 for more information on fair value measurement. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

3. 

Gross revenue 

Revenue  

Interest income 

Total interest income 

EPPS* contracts 

Assessment fees 

Consultancy fees 

Subscription fees 

Total fee income 

IAP revenue 
Advertising revenue 

Console revenue 

Brand revenue 

Total publishing income 

Gross revenue 

*Early Payment Programme Services 

2019 
£’000 

3,347   

3,347   

2,502   

–   

45   

898   

3,445   

223   
181   
98   

45   

547   

2018 
£’000 

1,467 

1,467 

2,373 

145 

35 

345 

2,898 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

7,339   

4,365 

The above figures are from continuing activities with comparatives restated accordingly based on information 
drawn from prior financial statements. 

4. 

Segmental reporting 

The results of the Group are broken down into segments based on the products and services from which it 
derives its revenue: 

Short term finance: 

Provision of distribution finance products and invoice discounting. For results during the reporting period, this 
corresponds to the results of DFC, Satago, Vertus and AltLending. 

Payment services: 

Provision of Early Payment Programme Services. For results during the reporting period, this corresponds to 
the results of Oxygen and Porge. 

Publishing 

Publishing of video games. For results during the reporting period, this corresponds to the results of the 
Playstack Group. 

Other: 

Revenue and costs arising from investment activities and peer-to-peer lending. For results during the reporting 
period, this corresponds to the results of TSL, THL, the Group’s investment in Zopa and joint venture in Clear 
Funding, and TruFin plc. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       50 

 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

The results of each segment, prepared using accounting policies consistent with those of the Group as a 
whole, are as follows: 

Year ended 31 December 2019 

Gross revenue 

Cost of sales 

Net revenue 

Adjusted operating loss* 

Share of profit from associates 

Loss before tax 

Taxation 

Loss for the year from continuing 
operations 

Loss for the year from discontinued 
operations 

Loss for the year 

Total assets 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Short term 
finance 
£’000 
2,752   
(269)   
2,483   

(880)   
15   
(865)   
–   

Payment 
services 
£’000 
3,436   
(562)   
2,874   

(2,015)   
–   
(2,015)   
(3,090)   

Publishing 
£’000 
547   

(284)   

263   

(2,003)   

–   

(2,003)   

–   

Other 
£’000 
604   
–   
604   

(4,442)   
–   
(6,951)   
–   

Total 
£’000 

7,339 

(1,115) 

6,224 

(9,340) 

15 

(11,834) 

(3,090) 

(865) 

(5,105) 

(2,003) 

(6,951) 

(14,924) 

(2,963) 

– 

–   

(500) 

(3,463) 

(3,828)   

(5,105)   

(2,003)   

(7,451)   

(18,387) 

21,385   
(7,010)   
14,375   

9,440   
(1,814)   
7,626   

15,804   

(673)   

15,131   

15,365   
(2,154)   
13,211   

61,994 

(11,651) 

50,343 

*adjusted operating loss before tax excludes share-based payment expense 

Year ended 31 December 2018 

Gross revenue 

Cost of sales 

Net revenue 

Adjusted operating loss* 

Loss before tax 

Taxation 

Loss for the year from continuing 
operations 

Loss for the year from discontinued 
operations 

Loss for the year 

Total assets 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Short term 
Finance 
£’000 

1,411   
(106)   
1,305   

(956)   

(956)   

Payment 
services 
£’000 
2,894   
(51)   
2,843   

Other 
£’000 

60   
–   
60   

Total 
£’000 
4,365 

(157) 

4,208 

(2,333)   

(3,801)   

(7,090) 

(2,333)   

(6,540)   

(9,829) 

–   

390   

–   

390 

(956)   

(1,943)   

(6,540)   

(9,439) 

(5,671)   

–   

–   

(5,671) 

(6,627)   

(1,943)   

(6,540)   

(15,110) 

153,451   
(62,331)   
91,120   

11,889   
(2,649)   
9,240   

54,068   
(1,180)   
52,888   

219,408 

(66,160) 

153,248 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

The  figures  in  this  note  are  from  continuing  activities  with  comparatives  restated  accordingly  based  on 
information drawn from prior period financial statements. 

5. 

Staff costs 

Analysis of staff costs: 

Wages and salaries 

Consulting costs 

Social security costs 

Pension costs arising on defined contribution schemes 

Share based payment 

2019 
£’000 

8,203   

506   

1,275   

229   

2,509   

12,722   

2018 
£’000 

5,673 

783 

898 

151 

2,739 

10,244 

Consulting  costs  are  recognised  within  staff  costs  where  the  work  performed  would  otherwise  have  been 
performed by employees. Consulting costs arising from the performance of other services are included within 
other operating expenses. 

Average monthly number of persons (including Executive Directors) employed: 

Management 

Finance 

Sales & marketing 

Operations 

Technology 

Directors’ emoluments 

2019 
Number 

2018 
Number 

15   

6   

20   

42   

36   

119   

8 

7 

16 

46 

15 

92 

The number of directors who received share options during the year was as follows: 

Long term incentive schemes 

There were no directors who exercised share options during the year. 

2019 
Number 

1   

2018 
Number 

3 

The  figures  in  this  note  are  from  continuing  activities  with  comparatives  restated  accordingly  based  on 
information drawn from prior period financial statements. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

The directors’ aggregate emoluments in respect of qualifying services were: 

Salary 

Bonus 

£’000 

£’000 

Change of 
role/ 
Settlement 
£’000 

Transaction 
dependent 
payments 
£’000 

Pension  
and 
Benefits 
£’000 

2019 
Total 

2018 
Total 

£’000 

£’000 

Executive 
Directors: 
S H Kenner 

J v d Bergh 

R Kapashi* 

Non-executive 
Directors: 
S Baldwin 

P Whiting** 

P Judd 

P Dentskevich 

285 

255 

111 

651 

70 

45 
60 
50 

225 

– 

79 

– 

79 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

224 

122 

207 

553 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

575 

739 

200 

1,514 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

7 

9 

3 

19 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

1,091 
1,204 
521 

2,816 

70 

45 

60 

50 

628 

456 

319 

1,403 

69 

58 
58 
49 

225 

234 

* R Kapashi left the Group in July 2019 

** P Whiting left the Group in July 2019 

Transaction dependent payments relate to one-off amounts, that were payable as a result of the successful 
Zopa sale, the subsequent returns of value and DFC demerger that took place in 2019. 

The change of role payments for  Henry Kenner were due to his change of role from an executive to a non-
executive director.  

Key management  

The Directors consider that key management personnel include the Executive Directors of TruFin plc and the 
Chief Operating Officer (the Chief Operating Officer left the Group in July 2019). These individuals have the 
authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group. 

6. 

Employee share-based payment transactions 

The employment share-based payment charge comprises: 

Performance Share Plan and Joint Share Ownership Plan Founder Award 

Performance Share Plan Market Value Award  

Performance Share Plan 2018 Award 

Performance Share Plan 2019 Award  

Total 

2019 
£’000 

2,430   

79   

–   

–   

2018 
£’000 

2,671 

68 

– 

– 

2,509   

2,739 

Performance Share Plan and Joint Share Ownership Plan Founder Award (“Founder Award”) 

On 21 February 2018, 3,407,895 shares were granted to selected founder members of senior management of which 
the share price at date of grant was £1.90 per share. The awards are structured as a Performance Share Plan and a 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Joint Share Ownership Plan. The Performance Share Plan is structured as a nil cost option with no performance 
conditions attached. The awards were also granted subject to continued employment until February 2021. The Joint 
Share Ownership Plan allows the employee to participate in the growth in value over and above the grant price of 
£1.90. The shares vest 25% on each anniversary of the grant date. 

The first 25% of shares (851,973 shares) vested on 21 February 2019 when the share price was £1.98. As a result 
817,550 shares subject to the Joint Share Ownership Plan became fully owned by the trustee of the Company’s 
employee benefit trust (the “EBT”) and 34,423 became fully owned by senior management. 

At the time of DFC’s demerger from the Group, there was a modification to the Founder Award. The £1.90 
price above which the employee was able to participate in value growth under the Joint Share Ownership Plan 
was  adjusted  proportionally  by  reference  to  the  respective  share  prices  of  DFC  and  TruFin  to  £0.85.  This 
modification has not resulted in a change in the valuation of the award and this continues to be recognised 
over the remainder of the original vesting period. 

As part of the demerger, holders of Founder Awards also received an award in respect of DFC shares which 
gave rise to an Employers National Insurance liability of £419,000, which was paid in July 2019. 

On 11 September 2019, in connection with his change of role, the unvested Founder Awards in respect of 
1,369,244 shares held by Henry Kenner fully vested, the result of which was that all of the relevant shares 
ceased to be subject to the Joint Share Ownership Plan and instead become fully owned by the EBT. In addition, 
1,369,244  shares  subject  to  the  Performance  Share  Plan  ceased  to  be  subject  to  continued  employment 
condition. 

Performance Share Plan Market Value Award (“PSP Market Value Award”) 

On 21 February 2018, options to acquire  4,868,420 shares were granted to the senior management team. The 
vesting of this award is based on market-based performance conditions. The vesting of these awards is subject to 
the holder remaining an employee of the Company and the Company’s share price achieving five distinct milestones 
- vesting at 20% each milestone. The exercise price of the awards at the time of grant was £1.90 per share. A Monte 
Carlo simulation was used to determine the fair value of these options. The model used an expected volatility of 
10% and a risk free rate of 1.3%. 

In order to reflect the impact of the demerger, the PSP Market Value Award was split into two:  

•  Part of the award remained as an option in respect of TruFin shares (“TruFin Market Value Award”)  

•  Part of the award became an award in respect of DFC shares (“DFC market Value Award”) 

The TruFin Market Value Award is on the same terms as the original PSP Market Value Award except that:  

•  The  exercise  price  was  adjusted  to  £0.85,  and  the  share  price  milestones  were  adjusted  to  reflect  the 

demerger 

•  The exercise price was further adjusted to £0.80 and the share price milestones were further adjusted, to 

reflect the return of value to shareholders in June 2019 

•  The exercise price will be further adjusted to £0.71, and the share price milestones will be further adjusted 

to reflect the return of value to shareholders in December 2019 

The modification has not resulted in a change in the valuation of the award and this continues to be recognised 
over the remainder of the original vesting period.  

The  grant  of  the  DFC  Market  Value  Award  gave  rise  to  an  Employer’s  national  insurance  liability  for  the 
Company of £265,000 which was paid in July 2019. 

Performance Share Plan 2018 Award (“PSP 2018 Award”) 

On 21 February 2018, options to acquire 1,000,001 shares were granted to the senior management team. The PSP 
2018 Award is structured as a nil cost option. The vesting of this award is subject to the holder being in continued 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       54 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

employment until February 2021 and the subsidiary companies achieving certain financial metrics over a three-year 
period. 

In order to reflect the impact of the demerger, and as the performance condition relating to the business of 
DFC was deemed to be achieved in full due to the demerger, the PSP 2018 Award was adjusted as follows: 

•  the award part vested and was satisfied by way of a cash payment calculated by reference to 50% of the 
shares subject to the award and a price of £1.90 per share. The cash payments were made in September 
2019; and 

•  the  awards  have  otherwise  continued  in  respect  of  100%  of  the  TruFin  shares,  but  the  performance 

condition now relates solely to the business of Oxygen 

During the year, PSP 2018 Awards in respect of 736,843 shares lapsed following members of senior management 
leaving the Group and changing roles. 

The fair value of the unvested part of the award as  at  31 December 2019 was deemed to be nil as it is highly 
improbable that the vesting conditions will be met. 

Performance Share Plan 2019 Award (“PSP 2019 Award”) 

On 11 September 2019 an option to acquire 320,000 shares was granted to James van den Bergh. The PSP 
2019  Award  is  structured  as  a  nil  cost  option.  The  vesting  of  this  award  is  subject  to  the  holder  being  in 
continued employment  until  September 2022 and subsidiary companies  achieving certain financial  metrics 
over a three-year period. The fair value of the award as at 31 December 2019 was deemed to be nil as it is highly 
improbable that the vesting conditions will be met. 

Details of share based awards during the year: 

JSOP 
Founder 
Award* 

PSP 
Founder 
Award* 

PSP Market 
Value 

PSP 2018 

PSP 2019 

Type of instrument granted 

Outstanding at 1 January 2019 
Granted during the year 
Vested during the year 
Lapsed during the year 

Shares (#)    Options (#)    Options (#)    Options (#)    Options (#) 

3,407,895   

3,407,895   

4,868,420   

1,000,001   

– 

–   
(2,221,217)   
–   

–   
–   
(34,423)   

–   
–   
–   

–   
–   
(736,843)   

320,000 
– 
– 

Outstanding at 31 December 2019 

1,186,678   

3,373,472   

4,868,420   

263,158   

320,000 

Exercisable at 31 December 2019 

NA   

2,186,794   

–   

–   

– 

*The JSOP Founder Awards and PSP Founder Awards will together deliver, in aggregate, a maximum of 3,407,895 
TruFin shares. 

No options expired during the year.  

The weighted average remaining contractual life for the share options outstanding as at 31 December 2019 was 
8.41 years (2018: 9.47 years). 

The charges incurred as a result of the demerger and subsequent modifications of the awards have been included 
within discontinued operations in note 10. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

A breakdown of these charges is shown below: 

PSP and JSOP Employer’s NI charge 

PSP Market Value Employers NI charge 

PSP 2018 – DFC portion 

DFC Banking licence contingent liability (See note 7) 

2019 
£’000 

419   

265   

1,081   

700   

2,465   

2018 
£’000 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Employees are responsible for settling their own tax obligations related to these awards as and when they arise. 
The Company will pay any Employers NI that becomes due on these awards. 

7. 

Provision for commitments and other liabilities 

A provision of £750,000 had been made in 2018 for the deferred consideration payable for the acquisition of 
Porge by Oxygen.  The  deferred  consideration was dependent upon Porge meeting certain revenue targets 
which Porge met and was paid in the second quarter of 2019. 

A provision of £700,000 which includes Employer’s National Insurance has been provided for as a contingent 
liability to be paid to management as part of the management incentive plan agreed at the time of the IPO. 
The payment is condition on DFC being granted a bank licence, which is at the discretion of the PRA. 

Management have reviewed aged provisions totalling £194,000 in relation to uncertain liabilities that originate 
prior to 31 December 2016. Management have considered these liabilities and consider the likelihood of a 
payment obligation arising as remote and have therefore deemed the provision to be no longer required. 

Provisions recognised by DFC totalling £109,000 as at 31 December 2018 are no longer part of the balance 
following DFC’s demerger from the Group. 

Group 

At 1 January 2019 
Demerger of subsidiary 
Deferred consideration paid 
Net additional provision during the year 

At 31 December 2019 

Group 

At 1 January 2018 
Additional provision during the year 

At 31 December 2018 

The Company had no provisions at the year end. 

£’000 

1,053 

(109) 
(750) 
506 

700 

£’000 

299 

754 
1,053 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

8. 

Net impairment loss on financial assets 

At 1 January  

On demerger of subsidiary 

Charge for impairment loss 

Amounts written off in the year 

At 31 December 

2019 
£’000 

319   

(180)   

(14)   

(2)   

123   

2018 
£’000 

126 

– 

248 

(55) 

319 

At 31 December 2019, the Group had an impairment balance of £123,000 which was allocated against loans 
and advances. At 31 December 2018, £308,000 of the impairment balance was allocated against loans and 
advances, which the residual balance against trade receivables. 

The net impairment charge on financial assets during the year ended 31 December 2019 all related to loans 
and advances.  

The  net  impairment  charge  on  financial  assets  during  the  year  ended  31  December  2018  derived  from 
£237,000 for loans to customers and the residual £11,000 for trade receivables. 

9. 

Loss before income tax 

Loss before income tax is stated after charging: 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of intangible assets 

Staff costs including share based payments charge 

2019 
£’000 

307   

1,032   

12,722   

2018 
£’000 

50 

176 

10,244 

The above figures are from continuing activities with comparatives restated accordingly based on information 
drawn from prior financial statements. 

Fees payable to the Group’s auditor (Crowe LLP) (2018: Deloitte LLP) 

Fees payable for the audit of the company’s annual accounts 

Fees payable for the audit of the company’s subsidiaries 

Total audit fees 

Non audit services 
Other assurance services 

Total non audit fees 

10. 

Discontinued operations 

2019 
£’000 

44   
78   
122   

12   
12   

2018 
£’000 

68 

132 

200 

68 

68 

On 8 May 2019, DFC was demerged from the group into a separate AIM listed company (Distribution Finance 
Capital  Holdings  plc),  with  the  existing  TruFin  plc  shareholders  being  given  one  new  share  in  DFC  for  each 
existing TruFin B share they held. These B shares were subsequently cancelled (as mentioned in note 19); the 
value  of  these  cancelled  shares  was  £96.4  million  and  is  the  deemed  consideration  of  the  transaction.  The 
carrying value of DFC prior to demerger was £93.8 million which gave rise to a fair value uplift of £2.6 million.  

DFC’s results for the period from the start of the year to the date of demerger have been included within this 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

note.  

DFC results for the period to demerger 
Revenue 

Expenses excluding IPO and demerger costs 

Loss before tax 

2019 
£’000 

3,601 

(6,564) 

(2,963) 

Also included within this note are; the costs to the Group associated with the demerger and the fair value uplift 
in the value of DFC prior to its demerger from the Group. 

DFC loss before tax 

Other items included within discontinued operations 
Fair value uplift in value of DFC 

Costs of demerger 

MIP related demerger costs 

Loss from discontinued operations 

2019 
£’000 
(2,963) 

2,618 

(653) 

(2,465) 

(3,463) 

The assets other than cash or cash equivalents in DFC at the time of demerger were £157 million and liabilities 
were £125 million. 

DFC Cash flow  
DFC loss before tax 

Working capital adjustments 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Net increase in cash 

Cash leaving the group on date of demerger 

Less intragroup transfers 

Cash used by discontinued operations 

11. 

Taxation 

Analysis of tax charge/(credit) recognised in the period 

Current tax charge 

Deferred tax charge/(credit) 

Total tax credit 

2019 
£’000 

14   

3,076   

3,090   

2019 
£’000 

(2,963) 

(33,435) 

(36,398) 

(123) 

71,876 

35,355 

(42,911) 

(7,556) 

(30,000) 

(37,556) 

2018 
£’000 
– 

(390) 

(390) 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       58 

 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Reconciliation of loss before tax to total tax credit recognised 

Loss before tax 

Loss before tax multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the 
UK of (19%) 

Tax effect of: 

Expenses not deductible 

Depreciation in excess of capital allowances 

Capital allowances 

Other short term timing differences 

Capitalised revenue expenditure 

Unrecognised deferred tax on brought forward assets 

Unrecognised deferred tax from acquired subsidiaries  

Unrecognised deferred tax from demerged subsidiary 

Adjust closing deferred tax to rate at which losses expect to be utilised 
(17%) 

Adjust closing deferred tax to average rate of 19% 

Adjust opening deferred tax to average rate of 19% 

Deferred tax not recognised 

Total tax charge/(credit) 

2019 
£’000 
(15,311)   

  2018 
£’000 
(15,500) 

(2,842) 

(2,884) 

478   

27   

(17)   

(2)   

–   

(2,790)   

(1,815)   

2,400   

(80) 

–   

(58)   

7,789   
3,090   

543 

23 

(10) 

4 

1 

(1,461) 

– 

– 

560 
656 

(612) 

2,790 
(390) 

Reductions in the UK corporation tax rate from 19% (effective from 1 April 2017) and to 18% (effective 1 April 
2020) were substantively enacted on 26 October 2015. An additional reduction to 17% (effective from 1 April 
2020) was substantively enacted on 6 September 2016. This will reduce the Group’s future current tax charge 
accordingly.  The  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  at  31  December  2019  have  been  based  on  the  rates 
substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. 

Deferred tax asset 

Group 

Balance at start of the year 

(Debit)/Credit to the statement of comprehensive income 

Balance at end of the year 

Comprised of: 

Losses 

Total deferred tax asset 

2019 
£’000 

5,579   
(3,076)   
2,503   

2,503   
2,503   

2018 
£’000 

5,189 

390 

5,579 

5,579 

5,579 

A deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of Oxygen. It is considered probable that future taxable 
profits  will  be  available  to  be  realised  against  Oxygen’s  historical  losses.  This  determination  is  based  on 
Oxygen’s forecasts. A high proportion of the revenue forecast is expected to be generated from clients which 
have either already onboarded or which have already signed contracts with Oxygen. Oxygen’s fixed cost base 
is already scaled for continued business growth, whilst variable costs are not expected to be material.  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       59 

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Client 
contracts 
£’000   

Software 
licenses and 
similar assets 
£’000   

Goodwill 
£’000   

12. 

Intangible assets 

Group 

Cost 
At 1 January 2019 

Additions 

Arising on acquisition of subsidiary 

Demerger of subsidiary 

At 31 December 2019 

Amortisation 
At 1 January 2019 
Charge 

Demerger of subsidiary 

At 31 December 2019 

Accumulated impairment losses 
At 1 January 2019 

Charge 

At 31 December 2019 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2019 

At 31 December 2018 

2,165 
1,409 

– 

– 
3,574   

(103) 
(376) 

– 
(479)   

– 

(186) 

(186) 

2,909 

2,062 

1,495 
283 

– 

(669) 
1,109   

(278) 
(242) 

49 
(471)   

– 

– 

– 

2,759 
– 

14,679 

– 
17,438   

– 
(414) 

– 
(414)   

– 

– 

– 

Total 
£’000 

6,419 
1,692 

14,679 

(669) 

22,121 

(381) 
(1,032) 

49 

(1,364) 

– 

(186) 

(186) 

638 

1,217 

17,024 

2,759 

20,571 

6,038 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Group 

Cost 
At 1 January 2018 

Additions 

Arising on acquisition of subsidiary 

At 31 December 2018 

Amortisation 
At 1 January 2018 
Charge 

At 31 December 2018 

Accumulated impairment losses 
At 1 January 2018 

Charge 

At 31 December 2018 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2018 

At 31 December 2017 

Client 
contracts 
£’000   

Software 
licenses and 
similar assets 
£’000   

305 
1,860 

– 
2,165   

(52) 
(51) 
(103)   

– 

– 

– 

500 
995 

– 
1,495   

(104) 
(174) 
(278)   

– 

– 

– 

Goodwill 
£’000   

– 
– 

2,759 
2,759   

– 
– 
–   

– 

– 

– 

2,062 

253 

1,217 

396 

2,759 

– 

Total 
£’000 

805 
2,855 

2,759 

6,419 

(156) 
(225) 

(381) 

– 

– 

– 

6,038 

649 

The Company had no intangibles assets at the year end. 

Client contracts comprise the directly attributable costs incurred at the beginning of an Early Payment Scheme 
Service contract to revise a client’s existing payment systems and provide access to the Group’s software and 
other intellectual property. These implementation (or “set up”) costs are comprised primarily of employee 
costs. 

The useful economic life for each individual asset is deemed to be the term of the underlying Client Contract 
(generally 5 years) which has been deemed appropriate and for impairment review purposes, projected cash 
flows have been discounted over this period. 

The  amortisation  charge  is  recognised  in  fee  expenses  within  the  statement  of  comprehensive  income, as 
these costs are incurred directly through activities which generate fee income. 

The Group performed an impairment review at 31 December 2019 and has impaired £186,000 in relation to 
an underperforming contract. 

Software,  licenses  and  similar  assets  comprises  separately  acquired  software,  as  well  as  costs  directly 
attributable  to  internally  developed  platforms  across  the  Group.  These  directly  attributable  costs  are 
associated with the production of identifiable and unique software products controlled by the Group and are 
probable  of  producing  future  economic  benefits.  They  primarily  include  employee  costs  and  directly 
attributable overheads. 

A  useful  economic  life  of  3  to  5  years  has  been  deemed  appropriate  and  for  impairment  review  purposes 
projected cash flows have been discounted over this period. 

The  amortisation  charge  is  recognised  in  depreciation  and  amortisation  on  non-financial  assets  within  the 
statement of comprehensive income. 

The  Group  performed  an  impairment  review  at  31  December  2019  and  concluded  no  impairment  was 
required. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

The ‘Software, licenses and similar assets’ net book value balance related to internally generated intangible 
assets  at  31  December  2019  was  £636,000  (2018:  £1,198,000).  This  consists  of  cost  of  £1,108,000  (2018: 
£1,471,000)  and  accumulated  amortisation  of  £472,000  (2018:  £273,000).  During  the  year  there  were 
additions of £283,000 (2018: £971,000) and amortisation of £242,000 (2018: £169,000). At the prior year end 
the net book value of internally generated intangible assets held by DFC was £602,000 are no longer part of 
the Group following its demerger from the Group. 

Goodwill arises from acquisitions made by the Group. 

Porge 

Porge was acquired by OFGL in August 2018 and goodwill of £2,759,000 that arose from this acquisition was 
included within the payments services segment of the Group. Following the acquisition, separately identifiable 
intangible assets of £1,387,000 primarily relating to the value of the contracts in the business at acquisition 
were  recognised.  These  are  being  amortised  over  5  years  resulting  in  an  amortisation  charge  of  £393,000 
during the year. Goodwill related to Porge excluding these assets at 31 December 2019 was £1,372,000. 

Vertus 

In July 2019, the Group converted into ordinary shares its existing convertible loan with Vertus Capital in full 
satisfaction  and  discharge  of  the  loan.  This,  together  with  a  further  cash  payment,  gave  the  Group  51% 
ownership of Vertus Capital and Vertus SPV 1. Further details of the acquisition are included in note 24. 

Goodwill  of  £1,714,000  arose  from  this  transaction  and  has  been  included  within  the  short  term  finance 
segment of the business. Separately identifiable intangible assets of £255,000 primarily related to the value of 
existing third party relationships on acquisition have been identified. These are being amortised over 5 years 
and the amortisation charge for the year was £21,000. Goodwill related to Vertus excluding these assets at 31 
December 2019 was £1,459,000. 

Playstack 

In September 2019, the Group converted into ordinary shares its existing convertible loans with Playstack Ltd 
in full satisfaction and discharge of the loans. This gave the Group ownership of Playstack Ltd and the other 
companies within the Playstack Group. Further details of the acquisition are included in note 24. 

Goodwill of £12,965,000 arose from this transaction and has been included within the publishing segment of 
the business.  

Impairment testing of intangibles  

An impairment review of goodwill was carried out at the year end.  

Porge was valued using the discounted cash flow methodology. The net earnings of Porge were forecasted to 
2024, a discount rate of 12% was used and terminal growth rate of 2%. The valuation of Porge was greater 
than the amount of goodwill and therefore the goodwill is not deemed to be impaired. 

Vertus was valued using the discounted cash flow methodology. The net earnings of Vertus were forecasted 
to 2028, a discount rate of 12% was used and terminal growth rate of 3%. The valuation of Vertus was greater 
than the amount of goodwill and therefore the goodwill is not deemed to be impaired. 

Playstack  was  valued  using  the  discounted  cash  flow  methodology.  The  net  earnings  of  Playstack  were 
forecasted to 2028, a discount rate of 20% was used and terminal growth rate of 3%. The valuation of Playstack 
was greater than the amount of goodwill and therefore the goodwill is not deemed to be impaired. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       62 

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

13. 

Property, plant and equipment 

Leasehold 
improvements 
£’000  

Fixtures & 
fittings 
£’000  

Computer 
equipment 
£’000  

Right-of-Use 
Asset 
£’000  

Total 
£’000 

Group 

Cost 
At 1 January 2019 

Additions 

On adoption of IFRS 16 

Acquisition of subsidiary 

Demerger of subsidiary 

At 31 December 2019 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2019 
Charge 

Acquisition of subsidiary 

Demerger of subsidiary 

At 31 December 2019 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2019 

At 31 December 2018 

Group 

Cost 
At 1 January 2018 

Additions 

Arising on acquisition of subsidiary 

At 31 December 2018 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2018 
Charge 

At 31 December 2018 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2018 

At 31 December 2017 

67 
– 

– 

– 

(23) 

44 

(24) 
(15) 

– 

3 

(36) 

337 
14 

– 

– 

(104) 

247 

(205) 
(32) 

– 

18 

(219) 

177 
24 

– 

5 

(170) 

36 

(49) 
(5) 

(3) 

48 

(9) 

8   
43   

28   
132   

27   
128   

– 
– 

429 

– 
– 

429 

– 
(255) 

– 

– 

(255) 

174 

– 

Leasehold 
improvements 
£’000   

Fixtures & 
fittings 
£’000   

Computer 
equipment 
£’000   

44 
23 

– 

67 

(6) 
(18) 

(24) 

221 
113 

3 

337 

(157) 
(48) 

(205) 

43   
38   

132   
64   

35 
139 

3 

177 

(6) 
(43) 

(49) 

128   
29   

581 
38 

429 

5 

(297) 

756 

(278) 
(307) 

(3) 

69 

(519) 

237 

303 

Total 
£’000 

300 
275 

6 

581 

(169) 
(109) 

(278) 

303 

131 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Company 

Cost 
At 1 January 2019 

Additions 

On adoption of IFRS 16 

At 31 December 2019 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2019 

Charge 

At 31 December 2019 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2019 

At 31 December 2018 

Company 

Cost 
At 1 January 2018 

Additions 

At 31 December 2018 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2018 

Charge 

At 31 December 2018 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2018 

14. 

Other investments 

Group 
Investments in equity instruments 

Debt securities 

Computer 
equipment 
£’000   

Right-of-
use asset 
£’000   

3 
–   
–   
3   

(1) 
(1)   
(2)   

1   
2   

– 
–   
167   
167   

– 
(167) 

– 

–   

– 

Computer 
equipment 
£’000   

– 
3   
3   

– 
(1)   

(1) 

2   

Total 
£’000 

3 
– 

167 

170 

(1) 
(168) 

(169) 

1 

2 

Total 
£’000 

– 

3 

3 

– 

(1) 

(1) 

2 

2019 
£’000 

–   

–   

–   

2018 
£’000 
44,500 

4,944 

49,494 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Investment in equity instruments 

Fair value at 1 January 2019 

Disposal of investment 

Fair value at 31 December 2019 

Fair value at 1 January 2018 

Gain on revaluation at 31 December 2018 

Fair value at 31 December 2018 

Group 
Level 3 
valuation 
£’000 
44,500   
(44,500)   
–   

Group 
Level 3 
valuation 
£’000 
36,500   
8,000   
44,500   

Company 
£’000 

– 

– 

– 

Company 
£’000 

– 

– 

– 

On 7 May 2019, the Group sold its investment in Zopa to Arrowgrass for a gross cash consideration of £44.5 
million which was equal to the fair value of Zopa. 

Group 

Undiluted 
Fully diluted 

2019 

0.0% 
0.0% 

2018 

13.3% 
12.5% 

A level 3 valuation is one that relies on unobservable inputs to the valuation process. 

Debt Securities 

Group 
Balance at 1 January 2019 

Demerger of subsidiary 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

Balance at 1 January 2018 

Purchased debt securities 

Fair value gain 

Proceeds from maturing securities 

Balance at 31 December 2018 

£’000 
4,994 

(4,994) 

– 

- 
5,993 

1 

(1,000) 

4,994 

Following the demerger of DFC from the Group, the Group no longer holds any debt securities. 

The Company had no debt securities at the year end (£nil). 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       65 

 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

15. 

Investment in subsidiaries 

Company 
Balance at 1 January 2019 

Demerger of subsidiary 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

Balance at 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018 

£’000 
123,966 

(93,777) 

30,189 

123,966 

The Group has considered its market capitalisation as at 31 December 2019 as part of the impairment review 
consideration. Although the Group's market capitalisation as at 31 December 2019 was below the carrying 
value of the investment and loans in its subsidiaries, the Group has determined based on the present value of 
forecast future cash flows that no impairment is required. The Group’s determination of whether investment 
and  loans  in  subsidiary  undertaking  are  impaired  requires  an  estimation  of  the  value  in  use  of  the  cash 
generating units to which the relevant investment is allocated. This requires estimation of future cash flows 
and the selection of a suitable discount rate. The recoverable amount of the cash generating unit has been 
determined based on fair value calculated using discounted future cash flows, which are subject to significant 
estimates  due  to  the  growth  phase  of  the  business.  Further  information  on  the  assumptions  used  in  this 
assessment are included in note 12. 

16. 

Loans and advances 

Group 

Total loans and advances  

Less: loss allowance 

Less: deferred income 

Total loans and advances are made up of 
Loans and advances  

Financial assets at Fair Value 

2019 
£’000 

27,828   

(123)   

–   

2018 
£’000 

129,678 

(308) 

(149) 

27,705   

129,221 

2019 
£’000 

27,828   

–   

27,828   

2018 
£’000 

122,528 

7,150 

129,678 

At 31 December 2018 the Group held Financial assets held at Fair Value which corresponded to convertible 
loan notes of £3.5 million in Playstack and a convertible loan note of £3.65 million in Vertus Capital. During the 
year, the Group exercised the conversion rights on the loans with both companies. Further information on 
these transactions is in note 24. 

The aging of loans and advances are analysed as follows: 

Neither past due nor impaired 

Past due: 0–30 days 

Past due: 31–60 days 

Past due: 61–90 days 

Past due: more than 91 days 

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

27,126   

128,341 

490   
61   
23   

5   

742 
219 

30 

38 

27,705   

129,370 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

The Company had no loans and advances at the year end (2018: £nil). 

17. 

Assets classified as held for sale 

At 31 December 2018, the Group had one asset classified as held for sale valued at £266,000. This asset was 
within DFC, so following the demerger this is no longer within the Group.  

18. 

Trade and other receivables 

Trade and other receivables 

Prepayments 

Accrued Income 

VAT 

Other debtors 

Amounts owed to group 
undertakings 

Group 

Company 

2019 
£’000 
1,075   
368   
178   
25   
2,361   
–   

2018 
£’000 

417   
1,387   
676   
–   
1,139   
–   

2019 
£’000 
–   
41   
–   
61   
93   
–   

2018 
£’000 
– 

72 

– 

24 

296 

56,261 

4,007   

3,619   

195   

56,652 

Trade receivables above are stated net of a loss allowance of £nil (2018: £11,000). All receivables are due 
within one year. 

The aging of trade receivables are analysed as follows: 

Group 

Company 

2019 
£’000 

447   
254   
106   
67   
201   
1,075   

2018 
£’000 

135   
90   
66   
10   
116   
417   

2019 
£’000 
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   

2018 
£’000 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

Not yet due 

Past due: 0–30 days 

Past due: 31–60 days 

Past due: 61–90 days 

Past due: more than 91 days 

19. 

Share capital 

Group and Company 
80,822,204 shares at £0.91 per share 

Share Capital 
£’000 
73,548 

Total 
£’000 
73,548 

At 31 December 2018, 97,368,421 shares of no par value were in issue. In May 2019, these were converted into 
97,368,421 ordinary shares of £1.90 each. On 8 May 2019, each share was subdivided and redesignated into 
one ordinary  share of £0.91  each and  one ordinary B share  of £0.99  each. The B shares were subsequently 
cancelled on the same day as part of the DFC demerger, thereby reducing the share capital of TruFin plc by 
£96,394,737, to £88,605,263. 

In June 2019, TruFin plc returned £5,000,297 to Eligible shareholders through a purchase of 5,435,105 ordinary 
shares at a Tender Price of £0.92 per share. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

In December 2019, TruFin plc returned £5,000,000 to eligible shareholders through a purchase of 11,111,112 
ordinary share at a Tender Price of £0.45 per share. 

All ordinary shares carry equal entitlements to any distributions by the company. No dividends were proposed 
by the Directors for the year ended 31 December 2019. 

20. 

Borrowings 

Group 

Loans due within one year 

Movements in borrowings during the year 

The below table identifies the movements in borrowings during the year. 

2019 
£’000 

6,194   

6,194   

2018 
£’000 

59,041 

59,041 

Group 

Balance at 1 January 2019 

Demerger of subsidiary 

Acquisition of subsidiary 

Funding drawdown 

Interest expense 
Origination fees paid 

Repayments 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

Balance at 1 January 2018 

Funding drawdown 

Interest expense 

Interest paid 

Balance at 31 December 2018 

£’000 

59,041 

(59,041) 

1,183 

5,350 

39 

(357) 

(21) 

6,194 

9,035 

49,926 

2,145 

(2,065) 
59,041 

At 31 December 2019, borrowings consisted of facilities that Vertus SPV 1 has with two lenders.  

The 31 December 2018 balance related to DFC’s senior debt facility. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

21. 

Trade and other payables 

Group 

Company 

2019 
£’000 
651   
3,001   
379   
22   
704   
–   
4,757   

2018 
£’000 
1,606   
3,526   
228   
22   
438   
246   
6,066   

2019 
£’000 
85   
947   
3   
–   
409   
–   
1,444   

2018 
£’000 
24 

1,045 

1 

– 

65 

– 
1,135 

Trade payables 

Accruals 

Other payables 

Corporation tax 

Other taxation and social security 

VAT 

22. 

Financial instruments 

The  Directors  have  performed  an  assessment  of  the  risks  affecting  the  Group  through  its  use  of  financial 
instruments and believe the principal risks to be: capital risk; credit risk, and market risk including interest rate 
risk.  

This note describes  the Group’s  objectives, policies and processes for managing the material risks and the 
methods  used  to  measure  them.  The  significant  accounting  policies  regarding  financial  instruments  are 
disclosed in note 1. 

Capital risk management 

The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as going concerns 
while providing an adequate return to shareholders. 

The  capital  structure  of  the  Group  consists  of  borrowings  disclosed  in  note  20  and  equity  of  the  Group 
(comprising issued capital, reserves, retained earnings and non-controlling interests as disclosed in note 19 
and note 23). 

The Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements. 

Principal financial instruments 

The principal financial instruments to which the Group is party and from which financial instrument risk arises, 
are as follows: 

•  Loans and advances, primarily credit risk and liquidity risk; 

•  Trade receivables, primarily credit risk and liquidity risk; 

•  Investments, primarily fair value or market price risk; 

•  Cash and cash equivalents, which can be a source of credit risk but are primarily liquid assets available to 

further business objectives or to settle liabilities as necessary; 

•  Trade and other payables; and 

•  Borrowings which are used as sources of funds and to manage liquidity risk. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Analysis of financial instruments by valuation model 

Financial assets included in the statement of financial position at fair value: 

Group 
Debt securities (level 1) 
Investments (level 3) 
Financial assets at fair value (level 3) 

2019 
£’000 
–   
–   
–   

2018 
£’000 
4,994 

44,500 
7,150 

Debt securities carried at fair value by the Group were treasury bills. Treasury bills are traded in active markets 
and fair values are based on quoted market prices. There were no transfers between levels during the periods, 
all debt securities were been measured at level 1 from acquisition to the demerger date. 

A level 3 valuation is one that relies on unobservable inputs to the valuation process. 

•  The 31 December 2018 Zopa valuation was calculated by reference to the independent valuer’s valuation. 
This  valuation  has  utilised,  amongst  other  things,  recent  financial  data  provided  by  Zopa,  peer  group 
valuation metrics and the most recent funding round. A combination of these provide the best estimate 
for the investment’s market value. Zopa was sold at this valuation in May 2019. 

•  Financial assets at fair value were valued by considering the valuation of the convertible loans as well as 
the value of the underlying companies (Playstack and Vertus). The conversion rights on these loans were 
exercised during the year. 

There were no transfers of assets between level 1 and level 2 during the current or prior year. 

Reconciliation of level 3 financial assets included in the statement of financial position at fair value: 

Group 

Investments 
£’000 

  Financial assets 
at fair value 
£’000 

Balance at 1 January 2019 

Disposals 

Conversion of convertible loans 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

44,500 

(44,500) 

– 
– 

7,150 

– 

(7,150) 

– 

Total 
£’000 

51,650 

(44,500) 

(7,150) 

– 

There are no financial liabilities included in the statement of financial position at fair value. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

31 December 2019 

Financial assets and financial liabilities included in the statement of financial position that are not measured at 
fair value: 

Group 

Carrying 
amount 
£’000 

Financial assets not measured at fair value 
Loans and advances  

27,705 

Trade receivables 

Other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

1,075 

2,907 

6,971 

Fair 
value 
£’000 

27,705 

1,075 

2,907 

6,971 

38,658 

38,658 

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value 

Borrowings 

Trade, other payables and 
accruals 

6,194 

4,029 

6,194 

4,029 

10,223 

10,223 

Level 1 
£’000 

Level 2 
£’000 

Level 3 
£’000 

– 

– 

– 

6,971 

6,971 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

27,705 

1,075 

2,907 

– 

31,687 

6,194 

4,029 

10,223 

31 December 2018 

Group 

Carrying 
amount 
£’000 

Fair 
value 
£’000 

Level 1 
£’000 

Level 2 
£’000 

Level 3 
£’000 

Financial assets not measured at fair value 
Loans and advances  

122,071 

Trade receivables 

Other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

417 

3,202 

24,888 

150,578 

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value 

Borrowings 

Trade, other payables and 
accruals 

59,041 

5,361 

64,402 

122,071 

417 

3,202 

24,888 

150,578 

59,041 

5,361 

64,402 

– 

– 

– 

24,888 

24,888 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

122,071 

417 

3,202 

– 

125,690 

59,041 

5,361 

64,402 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

31 December 2019 

Company 

Carrying 
amount 
£’000 

Fair 
value 
£’000 

Level 1 
£’000 

Level 2 
£’000 

Level 3 
£’000 

Financial assets not measured at fair value 

Amounts owed by group 
undertakings 
Other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

49,083 

49,083 

134 

184 

134 

184 

49,401 

49,401 

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value 
Trade, other payables and 
accruals 

1,035 

31 December 2018 

Company 

1,035 

Carrying 
amount 
£’000 

Financial assets not measured at fair value 

Amounts owed by group 
undertakings 
Other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

56,261 

368 

8,448 

65,076 

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value 
Trade, other payables and 
accruals 

1,070 

1,070 

1,035 

1,035 

Fair 
value 
£’000 

56,261 

368 

8,448 

65,076 

1,070 

1,070 

– 

– 

184 

184 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

49,083 

134 

– 

49,217 

1,035 

1,035 

Level 1 
£’000 

Level 2 
£’000 

Level 3 
£’000 

– 

– 

8,448 

8,448 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

56,261 

368 

– 

56,628 

1,070 

1,070 

Fair values for level 3 assets and liabilities were calculated using a discounted cash flow model and the Directors 
consider that the carrying amounts of financial assets and liabilities recorded at amortised cost in the financial 
statements approximate to their fair values. 

Loans and advances  

Due to the short term nature of loans and advances, their carrying value is considered to be approximately 
equal to their fair value. These items are short term in nature such that the impact of the choice of discount rate 
would not make a material difference to the calculations. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Trade and other receivables, other borrowings and other liabilities 

These represent short term receivables and payables and as such their carrying value is considered to be equal 
to their fair value. 

Financial risk management 

The Group’s activities and the existence of the above financial instruments expose it to a variety of financial 
risks. 

The  Board  of  Directors  has  overall  responsibility  for  the  determination  of  the  Group’s  risk  management 
objectives and policies. The overall objective of the Board of Directors is to set policies that seek to reduce 
ongoing risk as far as possible without unduly affecting the Group’s competitiveness and flexibility. 

The Group is exposed to the following financial risks: 

•  Credit risk 

•  Liquidity risk 

•  Market risk 

•  Interest rate risk 

Further details regarding these policies are set out below. 

Credit risk 

Credit risk is the risk that a customer or counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in 
financial loss to the Group. One of the Group’s main income generating activities is lending to customers and 
therefore credit risk is a principal risk. Credit risk mainly arises from loans and advances. The Group considers 
all elements of credit risk exposure such as counterparty default risk, geographical risk and sector risk for risk 
management purposes. 

Credit risk management 

The credit committees within the wider Group are responsible for managing the credit risk by: 

•  Ensuring that it has appropriate credit risk practices, including an effective system of internal control; 

•  Identifying,  assessing  and  measuring  credit  risks  across  the  Group  from  an  individual  instrument  to  a 

portfolio level; 

•  Creating  credit  policies  to protect  the  Group  against the  identified  risks  including  the  requirements  to 
obtain  collateral  from  borrowers,  to  perform  robust  ongoing  credit  assessment  of  borrowers  and  to 
continually monitor exposures against internal risk limits; 

•  Limiting concentrations of exposure by type of asset, counterparty, industry, credit rating, geographical 

location; 

•  Establishing  a  robust  control  framework  regarding  the  authorisation  structure  for  the  approval  and 

renewal of credit facilities; 

•  Developing and maintaining the risk grading to categorise exposures according to the degree of risk of 

default. Risk grades are subject to regular reviews; and 

•  Developing and maintaining the processes for measuring Expected Credit Loss (ECL) including monitoring 

of credit risk, incorporation of forward-looking information and the method used to measure ECL. 

Significant increase in credit risk 

The Group continuously monitors all assets subject to Expected Credit Loss as to whether there has been a 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       73 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, either through a significant increase in Probability of 
Default (“PD”) or in Loss Given Default (“LGD”). 

The following is based on the procedures adopted by the Group: 

Granting of credit 

The Business Development Team prepare a Risk Summary which sets out the rationale and the pricing for the 
proposed loan facility and confirms that it meets the Group’s product risk and pricing policies. The Application 
will include the proposed counterparty’s latest financial information and any other relevant information but 
as a minimum: 

•  Details of the limit requirement e.g. product, amount, tenor, repayment plan etc.; 

•  Facility purpose or reason for increase; 

•  Counterparty details, background, management, financials and ratios (actuals and forecast); 

•  Key risks and mitigants for the application; 

•  Conditions,  covenants  &  information  (and  monitoring  proposals)  and  security  (including  comments  on 

valuation); 

•  Pricing; 

•  Confirmation that the proposed exposure falls within risk appetite; and 

•  Clear indication where the application falls outside of risk appetite. 

The Credit Risk Department will analyse the financial information, obtain reports from credit reference agencies, 
allocate a risk rating and make a decision on the application. The process may require further dialogue with 
the Business Development Team to ascertain additional information or clarification. 

Each mandate holder and Committee is authorised to approve loans up to agreed financial limits provided that 
the risk rating of the counterparty is within agreed parameters. If the financial limit requested is higher than 
the credit authority of the first reviewer of the loan facility request, the application is sent to the next credit 
authority level with a recommendation. 

The Executive Risk Committee reviews all applications that are outside the credit approval mandate of the 
mandate  holder  due  to  the  financial  limit  requested  or  if  the  risk  rating  is  outside  of  policy  but  there  is  a 
rationale and/or mitigation for considering the loan on an exceptional basis. 

Applications  where  the  counterparty  has  a  high  risk rating  are  sent  to  the  Executive  Risk  Committee  for  a 
decision based on a positive recommendation from the Credit Risk department. Where a limited company has 
such a risk rating, the Executive Risk Committee will consider the following mitigants: 

•  Existing counterparty which has met all obligations in time and in accordance with loan agreements, 

•  Counterparty known to Group personnel who can confirm positive experience, 

•  Additional security, either tangible or personal guarantees where there is verifiable evidence of personal 

net worth, 

•  A commercial rationale for approving the application, although this mitigant will generally be in addition 

to at least one of the other mitigants. 

Identifying significant increases in credit risk 

The  Group  measures  a  change  in  a  counterparty’s  credit  risk  mainly  on  payment,  on  updated  from  credit 
reference agencies and adverse changes with a counterparty’s debtors. The Group views a significant increase 
in credit risk as: 

•  A two-notch reduction in the Group’s counterparty’s risk rating since origination, as notified 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       74 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

through the credit rating agency; 

•  A counterparty defaults on a payment due under a loan agreement; 

• 

Late contractual payments which although cured, re-occur on a regular basis; 

•  Evidence of a reduction in a counterparty’s working capital facilities which has had an adverse 

effect on its liquidity; or 

•  Evidence of actual or attempted sales out of trust or of double financing of assets funded by the 

Group. 

•  Deterioration in the underlying business (held as part of the security package) indicated through 

significant loss of revenue and higher than average client attrition. 

An increase in significant credit risk is identified when any of the above events happen after the date of initial 
recognition. 

Default 

Identifying loans and advances in default and credit impaired 

The Group’s definition of default for this purpose is: 

•  A counterparty defaults on a payment due under a loan agreement and that payment is overdue 

on its terms, or 

•  The collateral that secures, all or in part, the loan agreement has been sold or is otherwise not 

available for sale and the proceeds have not been paid to the lending company, or 

•  A  counterparty  commits  an  event  of  default  under  the  terms  and  conditions  of  the  loan 
agreement which leads the lending company to believe that the borrower’s ability to meet its 
credit obligations to the lending company is in doubt. 

Exposure at default 

Exposure  at  default  (“EAD”)  is  the  expected  loan  balance  at  the  point  of  default  and,  for  the  purpose  of 
calculating  the  Expected  Credit  Losses  (“ECL”),  management  have  assumed  this  to  be  the  balance  at  the 
reporting date. 

Expected Credit Losses 

The ECL on an individual loan is based on the credit losses expected to arise over the life of the loan, being 
defined as the difference between all the contractual cash flows that are due to the Group and the cash flows 
that it actually expects to receive. 

This  difference  is  then  discounted  at  the  original  effective  interest  rate  on  the  loan  to  reflect  the  disposal 
period of underlying collateral. 

Regardless  of  the  loan  status  stage,  the  aggregated  ECL  is  the  value  that  the  Group  expects  to  lose  on  its 
current loan book having assessed each loan individually. 

To calculate the ECL on a loan, the Group considers: 

1.  Counterparty PD; and 

2.  LGD on the asset 

whereby: ECL = EAD x PD x LGD 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       75 

 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Maximum exposure to credit risk 

Group 

Company 

2019 
£’000 
6,971   
27,705   

–   

3,983   
38,659   

2018 
£’000 
24,888   
129,221   

–   

3,619   
157,728   

2019 
£’000 
184   
–   

49,083   

195   
49,462   

2018 
£’000 
8,448 

– 

56,261 

368 

65,077 

Group 

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

Company 

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

3   
75   
250   
3,465   
6   
3,799   

2,408   
6,000   
36,126   
31,756   
45,994   
122,284   

–   
24,032   

–   
160   

–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   

–   
–   

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Loans and advances  

Amounts owed by group 
undertakings 
Trade and other receivables 

Maximum exposure to credit risk 

Loans and advances: 

Collateral held as security 

Fully collateralised 
Loan-to-value* ratio: 

Less than 50% 

50% to 70% 

71% to 80% 

81% to 90% 

91% to 100% 

Partially collateralised 
Collateral value relating to loans 
over 100% loan-to-value  
Unsecured lending 

* Calculated using wholesale collateral values 

Concentration of credit risk 

The Group maintains policies and procedures to manage concentrations of credit at the counterparty level and 
industry level to achieve a diversified loan portfolio.  

Credit quality 

An analysis of the Group’s credit risk exposure for loan and advances per class of financial asset, internal rating 
and “stage” is provided in the following tables. A description of the meanings of stages 1, 2 and 3 is given in 
the accounting policies set out in note 1. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  2018 
Total 
£’000 

55,698 
46,784 

20,046 

122,528 

(308) 

122,220 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Risk rating 

Above average (risk rating 
1-2) 

Average (risk rating 3-5) 

Below average (risk rating 
6+) 

Gross carrying amount 

Loss allowance 

Carrying amount 

Gross Carrying Amount 
As at 1 January 2019 
Transfer to stage 1 

Transfer to stage 2 

Transfer to stage 3 

Acquisition of subsidiary 

Stage 1 
£’000 

Stage 2 
£’000 

Stage 3 
£’000 

8,247 
5,283 

271 
13,801 

(26) 

13,775 

Stage 1 
£’000 
99,757 

– 

– 

(86) 

6,727 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

101 
101 

(97) 

4 

Stage 2 
£’000 
22,621 

Stage 3 
£’000 
150 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

86 

– 

2019 
Total 
£’000 

8,247 
5,283   

372 
13,902   

(123)   

13,779   

Total 
£’000 
122,528 

– 

– 

– 

6,727 

Demerger of subsidiary 

(91,359) 

(22,621) 

(135) 

(114,115) 

Net Loans 
originated/(repaid) 
As at 31 December 2019 

(1,238) 

13,801 

–  

– 

–  

(1,238) 

101 

13,902 

Trade receivables 

Status at reporting date 

The Group has assessed the trade and other receivables in accordance with IFRS 9 and determined that, at the 
balance sheet date, the lifetime ECL is £nil (2018: £11,000). 

The contractual amount outstanding on financial assets that were written off during the reporting period and 
are still subject to enforcement activity is £nil at 31 December 2019 (2018: £nil). 

Liquidity risk 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group does not have sufficient financial resources to meet its obligations as they 
fall due or will have to do so at an excessive cost. This risk arises from mismatches in the timing of cash flows 
which is inherent in all banking operations and can be affected by a range of Group specific and market-wide 
events. 

Liquidity risk management 

Group Finance performs  treasury management for the Group, with responsibility  for the treasury for each 
business  entity  being  delegated  to  the  individual  subsidiaries.  However,  in  line  with  the  wider  Group 
governance structure, Group Finance performs an important oversight role in the wider treasury considerations 
of the Group. The primary mechanism for maintaining this oversight is a formal requirement that subsidiaries’ 
Finance teams notify all material Treasury matters to Group Finance. 

The main Group responsibilities are to maintain banking relationships, manage and maximise the efficiency of 
the  Group’s  working  capital  and  long  term  funding  and  ensure  ongoing  compliance  with  banking 
arrangements. The Group currently does not have any offsetting arrangements. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       77 

 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Liquidity stress testing 

The Group regularly conducts liquidity stress tests, based on a range of different scenarios to ensure it can 
meet all of its liabilities as they fall due. 

Maturity analysis for financial assets and financial liabilities 

The following maturity analysis is based on expected gross cash flows. 

As at 31 December 
2019 

Financial Assets 
Cash and cash 
equivalents 
Trade receivables 
Loans and advances 

Financial Liabilities 
Trade other payables 
and accruals 
Borrowings  

Market risk 

Carrying 
Amount 
£’000 

  Less than 
1 month 
£’000 

1-3 
months 
£’000 

  3 months 
to 1 year 
£’000 

6,971 
1,075 
27,705 
35,751 

4,029 
6,194 
10,223 

6,971 
1,075 
3,841 
11,887 

4,029 
21 
4,050 

– 
– 
335 
335 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
16,017 
16,017 

– 
– 
– 

1-5 
years 
£’000 

– 
– 
7,677 
7,677 

– 
3,943 
3,943 

  >5 years 

£’000 

– 
– 
349 
349 

– 
2,230 
2,230 

Market risk is the risk that movements in market factors, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates, credit 
spreads, equity prices and commodity prices will reduce the TruFin Group’s income or the value of its portfolios. 

Market risk management 

The TruFin Group’s management objective is to manage and control market risk exposures in order to optimise 
return on risk while ensuring solvency. 

The core market risk management activities are: 

•  The identification of all key market risk and their drivers, 

•  The independent measurement and evaluation of key market risks and their drivers, 

•  The use of results and estimates as the basis for the TruFin Group’s risk/return-oriented management, and 

•  Monitoring risks and reporting on them. 

Interest rate risk management 

The TruFin Group is exposed to the risk of loss from fluctuations in the future cash flows or fair values of 
financial instruments because of the change in market interest rates. 

Interest rate risk 

Interest rates on loans and advances are charged at competitive rates given current market condition. Should 
rates fluctuate, this will be reviewed and pricing will be adjusted accordingly. 

Vertus’s has interest income that is variable in relation to the Bank of England base rate, and interest expense 
variable to both LIBOR and the Bank of England base rate.  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

23. 

Non-controlling interests 

The summarised financial information below represents financial information for each subsidiary that has 
non-controlling interest that are material to the Group. The amounts disclosed for each subsidiary are before 
intragroup eliminations. 

The Group had a 51% ownership share of Vertus Capital and Vertus SPV1 during the period from acquisition to 
the year end.  

Balance Sheet 

Vertus Capital 

  Vertus SPV1 

Current assets 

Non-current assets 

Current liabilities 

Equity attributable to owners of the 
Company 
Non-controlling interests 

2019 
£’000 
4,757   

3   

(75)   

2,388   

2,295   

  2018 
£’000 
–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

  2019 
£’000 

10,344   
–   
(10,616) 

(139) 

(133)   

Income Statement 

Vertus Capital 

  Vertus SPV1 

Revenue 

Expenses 

Profit/(loss) after tax 

Profit/(loss) after tax attributable to 
owners of the Company 
Profit/(loss) after tax attributable to 
the non-controlling interests 

2019 
£’000 
268   

(247)   

21   

11   

10   

  2018 
£’000 
–   

–   

–   

–   

–   

  2019 
£’000 

339   
(441)   
(102) 

(52)   

(50)   

Cash Flow Statement 

Vertus Capital 

  Vertus SPV1 

Net cash used in operating activities 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Net cash generated from financing 
activities 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and 
cash equivalents 

Balance at acquisition 29 July 2019 

Share of loss for the year 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

2019 
£’000 
(182)   

71   

–   

(111)   

Vertus Capital 

2019 
£’000 
2,285   

10   
2,295   

  2018 
£’000 
–   

–   

–   

–   

  2018 
£’000 
–   

–   
–   

  2019 
£’000 

(3,316)   
–   
3,507 

191   

Vertus SPV1 

  2019 
£’000 

(84)   

(50)   
(134)   

  2018 
£’000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

  2018 
£’000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

  2018 
£’000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

  2018 
£’000 
– 

– 
– 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

The Group had a 72% ownership share of Bandana Media Ltd during the period from acquisition to the year 
end.  

Bandana Media Ltd 

Current assets 

Current liabilities 

Equity attributable to owners of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 

Bandana Media Ltd 

Revenue 

Expenses 

Loss after tax 

Loss after tax attributable to owners of the Company 

Loss after tax attributable to the non-controlling interests 

Bandana Media Ltd 

Net cash used in operating activities 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 

Bandana Media Ltd 
Balance at acquisition 29 July 2019 

Share of loss for the year 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

24. 

Acquisition of Subsidiaries 

Vertus  

2019 
£’000 

51   
(3,457)   
(2,465)   
(941)   

2019 
£’000 

–   

(392)   

(392)   

(284)   

(108)   

2019 
£’000 

(1)   

(1)   

2019 
£’000 
(833)   
(108)   
(941) 

  2018 
£’000 

– 

– 

– 
– 

  2018 
£’000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2018 
£’000 

– 

– 

  2018 
£’000 
– 

– 
– 

On  29  July  2019,  the  Group  converted  into  ordinary  shares  its  existing  £3.65 million  convertible  loan with 
Vertus  Capital  in  full  satisfaction  and  discharge  of  the  loan.  This,  together  with  a  further  cash  payment  of 
approximately  £355,000  resulted  in  TruFin  Holdings  becoming  the  51%  controlling  shareholder  in  Vertus 
Capital and its 100% owned subsidiary Vertus SPV1. Vertus is a funding provider to the Independent Financial 
Adviser sector and the Group considers Vertus to be best in class with significant opportunities arising from a 
sector trend of consolidation. 

Vertus’s financial year end  date  is  31 December 2019. Its results have been consolidated  from the date of 
acquisition to 31  December  2019, in line  with the Group’s financial year end. The loss for the period from 
acquisition consolidated in the Group’s accounts was £81,000. Had the acquisition taken place on 1 January 
2019,  the  loss  from  Vertus  consolidated  in  the  Group  would  have  been  £59,000.  This  amount  includes 
transactions with other Group companies during the year. 

The amounts recognised in respect of the identifiable net assets of Vertus acquired are as set out in the table 
below: 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Net assets at acquisition 

TruFin share of net assets 

Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Total consideration 

Less: fair value of identifiable net assets acquired 

Separately identifiable intangible assets 

Goodwill net of separately identifiable intangible assets 

Consideration satisfied by: 

Conversion of loan notes 

Cash 

£’000 
4,493 

2,292 

4,005 

(2,292) 

1,713 

255 

1,458 

3,650 

355 

In  accordance  with  IFRS  3,  we  have  recognised  and  measured  the  separately  identifiable  intangible  assets 
acquired as part of the transaction. These have been valued at £255,000 and primarily relate to the value of 
Vertus’s relationships with third parties.  

Playstack Group 

On 11 September 2019, the Group converted into ordinary shares its existing £3.5 million convertible loans 
with Playstack Ltd in full satisfaction and discharge of the loan. This resulted in TruFin Holdings becoming the 
c99% controlling shareholder in Playstack Ltd and the other companies within the Playstack Group (as per note 
1).  

Playstack’s financial year end date is 31 December 2019. Its results have been consolidated from the date of 
acquisition to 31 December  2019,  in line with the Group’s financial year end. The loss for the period from 
acquisition consolidated in the Group’s accounts was £2,349,000. Had the acquisition taken place on 1 January 
2019, the loss from the Playstack Group that would have been consolidated in the Group would have been 
£9,612,000. This amount includes transactions with other Group companies during the year. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

The amounts recognised in respect of the identifiable net assets of the Playstack Group are as set out in the 
table below: 

Net assets at acquisition 

TruFin share of net assets 

Goodwill arising on acquisition 

Total consideration 

Less: fair value of identifiable net assets acquired 

Consideration satisfied by: 

Conversion of loan notes 

Share of associate income to date 

25. 

Changes in accounting policies 

£’000 
(10,269) 

(9,450) 

3,515 

9,450 

12,965 

3,500 

15 

This note explains the impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 Leases on the Group’s financial statements. The Group 
has adopted IFRS 16  retrospectively  from 1 January 2019, but has not restated comparatives for the 2018 
reporting period, as permitted under the specific transitional provisions in the standard. The reclassifications 
and the adjustments arising from the new leasing rules are therefore recognised in the opening balance on 1 
January 2019. 

Balances recognised on adoption of IFRS 16 

Lease Liability 
Operating lease commitments disclosed at 31 December 2018 

Lease commitments related to discontinued operations 

Adjustments 

Lease liability recognised at 1 January 2019 

£’000 

1,192 

(715) 

(7) 

470 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

26. 

Leases 

The carrying amounts of the right-of-use assets recognised and the movements during the period are shown in 
note 13. 

The lease liability and movement during the period were: 

Group 
Lease liability recognised at 1 January 2019 

Interest  

Payments 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

27. 

Earnings per share 

£’000 

470 

13 

(251) 

232 

Earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.  

The calculation of the basis and adjusted earnings per share is based on the following data: 

Number of shares 

At year end 

Weighted average 

2019 

2018 

80,822,204   

97,368,421 

94,043,175   

92,791,949 

Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders 

Loss after tax attributable to the owners of TruFin plc 

£’000   

(18,070)   

£’000 

(14,688) 

Adjusted earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders 

Loss after tax attributable to the owners of TruFin plc 

Adjusted for share-based payment 

Loss from discontinued operations 

Adjusted loss after tax attributable to the owners of TruFin plc 

Earnings per share* 

Basic and Diluted 
Adjusted1 
Adjusted2 

(18,070)   
2,509   
3,287   
(12,274)   

Pence   
(19.2)   
(13.1)   
(13.1)   

(14,688) 

2,739 
5,249 
(6,700) 

pence 
(15.8) 

(7.2) 

1.4 

* All Earnings per share figures are undiluted and diluted. 

Adjusted1 EPS excludes share-based payment expense and loss from discontinued operations from loss after tax 

Adjusted2 EPS includes the unrealised gain on the revaluation of the TruFin Group’s investment in Zopa: £nil for the year ended 31 
December 2019 (2018: £8.0 million) 

Comparative figures have been restated to adjust for discontinued operations  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       83 

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 

Changes to share capital during the period are described in note 19. 

Management  has  been  granted  5,451,578  share  options  in  TruFin  plc  (see  note  6  for  details). These  could 
potentially dilute basic EPS in the future, but were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS as they are 
antidilutive for the years presented as the Group is loss making. 

28. 

Related party disclosures 

Transactions with Directors 

Transactions with Directors, or entities in which a Director is also a Director or partner: 

Loans provided to directors 
Other related parties 

2019 
£’000 
– 
8 

2018 
£’000 
140 
9 

Key management personnel disclosures are provided in note 5 and 6. 

Loans were issued to Henry Kenner (£74,878) and James van den Bergh (£64,894) in 2018 were repaid in full 
during the year. 

29. 

Post balance sheet events 

Since the year end, it has become clear that the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus will have a material impact 
on many economies globally both through the effects of the virus itself and the measures taken by governments 
to restrict its spread. 

Given the emergence and spread of the Covid-19 virus is not considered to provide more information about 
conditions that existed as at the balance sheet date, this is considered to be a non-adjusting post balance sheet 
event and so the measurement of assets and liabilities in the accounts have not been adjusted for its potential 
impact.  

Since the year end Satago has implemented its Management Incentive Plan (“Satago MIP”). Under the Satago 
MIP key Satago managers were given the opportunity to acquire new created ordinary shares in the capital of 
Satago Financial Solutions Limited. 20% (750,000 ordinary shares) of the fully diluted share capital has been 
made  available  under  the  Satago  MIP  and,  to  date,  590,625  ordinary  shares  have  been  issued  to  Satago 
managers. It is expected that  Satago  MIP participants will receive value for their shares on an exit event in 
relation to Satago. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019       84 

 
 
 
 
TruFin plc 

www.TruFin.com