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FY2021 Annual Report · TransUnion
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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 

Company Information 
2 
Chairman’s Statement 
3 
CEO’s Review 
5 
9 
Group Strategic Report 
12  Report of the Directors 
17  Audit Committee Report 
18  ESG Responsibility Statement 
19  Report of the Independent Auditor 
25  Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
26  Company Statement of Comprehensive Income 
27  Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 
29  Company Statement of Financial Position 
30  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
31  Company Statement of Changes in Equity 
32  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
33  Company Statement of Cash Flows 
34  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       1 

 
 
 
COMPANY INFORMATION 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Directors 

Steve Baldwin (Chairman)  
James van den Bergh (Chief Executive Officer) 
Penny Judd (Non-Executive Director) 
Paul Dentskevich (Non-Executive Director) 
Anders Wilhelmsen (Non-Executive Director) (appointed 16 February 
2022) 
Stephen Greene (Non-Executive Director) (resigned 31 October 
2021) 

Company Secretary 

Ocorian Secretaries (Jersey) Limited 

Registered Office 

Business Address 

26 New Street 
St Helier 
Jersey 
JE2 3RA 

48 Warwick Street 
London 
W1B 5AW 

Registered Number 

125245 

Auditor 

Nominated Advisor 
and Broker 

Advisors 

Crowe U.K. LLP 
55 Ludgate Hill 
London 
EC4M 7JW 

Liberum Capital Limited 
25 Ropemaker Street 
London  
EC2Y 9LY 

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 2021       2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

When I wrote my Chairman’s Statement last year, we had just experienced a very difficult 12 months. The 
pandemic was still causing significant disruption and the outlook was still highly unpredictable for companies 
around the world. The Group’s various businesses responded amazingly well to unprecedented challenge, and 
I am incredibly proud of our employees who navigated new working environments and continued to drive the 
businesses forward. 

I wrote last year that the Group was emerging from the pandemic relatively unscathed and even better placed 
to prosper. I am delighted to say that this has indeed been the case and we have made great strides forward 
in 2021. Though the pandemic’s impact appears to be waning, we now face other challenges, such as rising 
inflation  resulting  in  increased  interest  rates  and,  no  doubt,  further  difficulties  caused  by  the  conflict  in 
Ukraine. Despite such challenges, TruFin is in great shape and I expect to be able to report considerable growth 
in all our businesses through 2022. 

The Group had three main objectives during 2021. Firstly, the restructuring of the shareholder base to allow 
the Group to fully capitalise on the inherent value it had already created, whilst ensuring it remains a stable 
Group  for  employees,  strategic  partners  and  other  stakeholders.  This  successfully  happened  via  two 
oversubscribed sell-downs of our largest shareholder’s position – resulting in TruFin gaining many new, high 
quality institutional shareholders. 

Secondly,  the  Group  sought  to  continue  the  transition  from  a  lending  Group  to  one  focused  on  recurring 
software sales and licencing fees. It is therefore very pleasing to report that during 2021 the Group generated 
more than 87% of its revenue from these sources. 

Finally,  the  Group  strived  continuously  to  provide  exemplary  service  to  its  customers  and  give  our  136 
employees the opportunity to continue the important work they do. As a result of their efforts, TruFin is better 
positioned now than it has ever been. This is no more evident than in the recent signing of a letter of intent 
by Lloyds Bank plc (“Lloyds Bank” or the “Bank”) and £5m equity investment by Lloyds Banking Group (“LBG”) 
in Satago Financial Solutions Limited (“Satago”) which was only possible thanks to the collaborative and stellar 
work carried out by all parties during 2021.   

Highlights throughout 2021 include: 

•  Oxygen Finance Limited (“Oxygen”) recording its first full year EBITDA profit  

•  Satago  extending  its  trial  with  Lloyds  Bank  and  developing  further  integration  with  the  Bank’s 

infrastructure 

•  Playstack Limited’s (“Playstack”) beta launch of Interact, their new brand offering which introduces real 

world brands into the gaming space 

•  Vertus Capital Limited (“Vertus”) recording its first year of profit whilst writing £8.4m of new facilities and 

experiencing zero credit losses, yet again demonstrating the efficacy of its underwriting 

What is particularly pleasing is how significantly de-risked the Group now is - both tactically and strategically - 
as a result of the work carried out during the last 12 months. 

The decision for Oxygen to demonstrate the operational leverage in the business, whilst maintaining its leading 
market position, has resulted in its first full year of EBITDA profit during 2021. With 2022 expected to deliver 
the first year of cash generation, this will end the need for financial support from TruFin. 

Satago’s  focus  on  its  Lending-as-a-Service  (“LaaS”)  launch  and  delivering  on  its  strategic  partnership  with 
Lloyds Bank has resulted in the Bank selecting it to provide invoice factoring solutions to the Bank’s customers. 
Alongside this recent landmark announcement, it was also very pleasing to report that LBG made a strategic 
investment of £5m in Satago. 

Playstack’s successful launch of their first major title has resulted in the console portfolio being extended by 
three new titles for release in 2022, with a strong pipeline of further titles for 2023 and beyond. The existing 
back catalogue in mobile and console, combined with these secured releases and Interact’s launch, ensures a 
balanced mix of revenue streams going forward for this exciting gaming technology business. 

As ever with Vertus, it has been pleasing to witness such a robust credit performance and a first full year of 
profitability.  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       3 

 
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT (CONTINUED)  
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

TruFin’s share price has risen by more than 400% since mid-2020. This rise, I believe, is a result of the wholesale 
restructuring in the shareholder register plus the excellent work done at subsidiary level. This work, evidenced 
by demonstrable milestones, now ensures that the Group’s subsidiaries are moving from the ‘venture’ stage 
to greater maturity. This reduces Group volatility whilst increasing the inherent value of the subsidiaries and 
the Group’s ability to realise this value.  

2022 meanwhile has started with two incredibly positive developments: Satago’s selection as the platform of 
choice by Lloyds Bank and an oversubscribed £10m Placing and Open Offer. The fundraise, together with the 
additional £5m invested in Satago by LBG, positions the Group to accelerate growth and capitalise on all the 
work undertaken to date. 

I look forward to updating the market on our continued progress over the course of the year and, as ever, I 
would like to thank all our employees and shareholders, new and old, for their continued support.  

Steve Baldwin 

Chairman  

28 April 2022 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       4 

 
 
 
 
CEO’S REVIEW 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

As our Chairman highlighted, 2021 was a pivotal year for TruFin. With our largest shareholder selling down 
their  73.82%  position  (to  15  institutional  investors  in  two  oversubscribed  transactions)  the  Group  was 
effectively re-IPOd. 

One of the key objectives for the Group is to create a stable environment for our subsidiaries. As such it cannot 
be  underestimated  how  positively  the  news  of  our  updated  shareholder  structure  was  received  by  both 
employees and customers, alongside our partners, suppliers and other stakeholders.   

In addition, the Group continued to transition its revenue base away from lending income towards recurring 
licence  fee  and  software  revenues.  Alongside  these  important  strategic  goals,  the  subsidiaries  grew  their 
customer bases, strengthened their partnerships and positioned themselves for an exciting 2022 and beyond. 

2021 Group Performance 

When  I  became  CEO  in  2019,  the  Group’s  revenue  was  dominated  by  lending  income,  with  just  36%  of 
revenues attributed to recurring software and licencing fees. One of the Group’s strategic objectives was to 
reorientate  income  so  that  the  majority  came  from  these  more  predictable  sources.  With  87%  of  2021 
revenues coming from such fees we can say that this transition has occurred successfully. Our new capital light 
model positions us perfectly to generate the high EBITDA margins and return on equity that other successful 
software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) businesses enjoy. 

The  shift  to  recurring  software  and  licencing  fees  has  resulted  in  the  Group  consolidating  the  significant 
revenue growth we experienced in 2020; 2021 saw a modest 12% decline in revenues to £13.1m, driven by 
lending earnings falling by 35%. With the split between the various revenue streams now at a sustainable level, 
we can look forward to the Group returning to meaningful growth in 2022 and beyond. 

The Group ended the year with a cash balance of £7.6m (including cash of £4.7m in Satago and £0.7 million in 
Vertus which cannot be accessed at a Group level) and, following the £10m fundraising post period end, is fully 
funded to achieve profitability. 

Oxygen 

•  Revenue growth in the year and strong cost management resulted in positive EBITDA generation for each 

quarter of 2021, ensuring Oxygen delivered its first full year of EBITDA profit (£0.5m) 

•  Oxygen is now fully funded through to profitability and cash generation and therefore no longer requires 

financial support from the Group  

•  New  business  continued  to  progress  well  with  five  new  Early  Payment  Programme  clients  and  23  new 
Insight Solutions clients. Oxygen lost two Insight clients in the period (one of which returned during the 
final quarter 2021) and as a result Oxygen had 120 unique clients at year end 

•  Average Early Payment Programme client tenure, as at end of 2021, was 6.2 years. The average length of 
contract terms and loyalty of the customer base amplifies the value of the recurring revenue stream built 
up within Oxygen 

•  Suppliers joined Oxygen’s Early Payment Programmes at a record rate, with a 43% increase in suppliers 

onboarded versus the same period in 2020 

•  Oxygen processed its 1,000,000th rebate in 2021  

•  Oxygen successfully positioned itself as a financial technology company delivering social value. As a result, 
2021 saw dramatic growth in its FreePay Programme, which allows small and micro suppliers to benefit 
from  early  payment  without  charge,  and  the  development  of  a  Carbon  Reporting  tool  to  provide  local 
authorities insight into their Scope 3 emissions 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       5 

 
 
CEO’S REVIEW (CONTINUED)  
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Satago 

•  2021 was the first full year of the LaaS proposition with a focus on developing the offering for Lloyds Bank, 
culminating  in  the  March  2022  announcement.  The  work  carried  out  with  both  Lloyds  Bank  and  other 
potential partners provides the foundation for significant future growth 

•  Satago expanded its product range, with whole book funding launched during 2021 

•  Government backed loans and Covid restrictions reduced demand for Satago’s financing products 

•  New financing product providing funding against HMRC R&D tax credit submissions 

•  £5m revolving credit agreement signed in March 2020 continues to run well and the agreement remains 

in force 

Playstack 

•  Good  progress  during  this  transitional  year,  delivering  financial  targets  and  setting  the  foundations  for 

growth in 2022 and 2023 

•  Back-book games portfolio contributed more than 50% of games revenue in 2021, with strong catalogue 

management and platform partnerships 

•  Ongoing investment in Interact, the brand technology platform, throughout 2021 ensuring a successful 

beta launch in November 2021 and public launch in February 2022 

Vertus 

•  New facilities closed during 2021 increased by 70% to £8.4m (2020: £4.9m), resulting in interest income 

increasing by 33% to £1.3m (2020: £1.0m) 

•  Active facilities increased from 15 to 21 (inclusive of two early settlements) 

•  Zero missed payments, defaults, or impairments across the book for the fifth consecutive year 

•  Renewal of creditor agreements for a further 36 months, on improved terms 

Current trading and prospects 

After a transitional 2021 in which the Group reorientated towards recurring software and licencing fee income, 
we expect significant growth during 2022. Group revenues in the first quarter of 2022 are expected to be more 
than £2.5m (unaudited), flat versus revenues during the same period in 2021.  

Following the recent oversubscribed Placing and Open Offer, the Group is focused on delivering considerable 
growth, profitability and value crystallisation.  

Oxygen 

•  Current trading in line with budget expectations for both Early Payment Programmes and Insight Solutions, 
with both delivering cumulative revenue growth for the first quarter of 2022 of over 25%, compared to the 
same period in 2021 

•  Record monthly recurring revenues in March 2022  

•  Strong  pipeline  for  both  Early  Payment  Programmes  and  Insight  Solutions  clients  with  new  product 
development  allowing  for  the  release  of  the  proprietary  ‘Carbon  footprint  Insights  Solution’.  This  new 
product is generating  significant  interest and demonstrates Oxygen’s ability to provide further product 
ranges to their loyal customer base 

•  Record supplier on-boarding of £102m in the first quarter of 2022, representing an increase of 34% over 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       6 

 
CEO’S REVIEW (CONTINUED)  
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

the  same  period  in  2021  and  a  120%  increase  over  the  fourth  quarter  of  2021.  The  supplier  spend  in 
Oxygen’s Early Payment Programmes is expected to reach £1bn during 2022 

•  Unique client count exceeded 125  

Satago 

•  The first quarter of 2022 was dominated by continued work with Lloyds Bank, culminating in confirmation 

of their intention to enter into a commercial agreement with Satago 

•  A £5m equity investment by LBG into Satago ahead of the signing of the commercial agreement with Lloyds 

Bank 

•  Meaningful progress with a growing pipeline of LaaS customers in Europe and the UK interested in all or 

part of its technology suite  

•  Increased activity and demand for Satago’s own loan book offering 

Playstack 

•  Console portfolio extended by three new titles for release during 2022, with a strong pipeline of titles for 

2023 and beyond 

•  Interact brand technology publicly announced in February 2022, with significant interest from numerous 

developers and brands 

•  Increased mix of revenue sources for 2022 and beyond, providing a more balanced mix across the company 

portfolio and allowing the business expected to target profitability during 2023 

Vertus 

•  Ongoing consolidation in the IFA market is fuelling demand for funding, positioning Vertus well for further 

growth 

•  Lead times for closing facilities increased due to challenges around FCA change of control processing times. 

We believe these delays are temporary 

•  New referral agreements and online campaigns are driving increased applications. The first quarter of 2022 
saw £2.8m of new facilities closed and a further £8.4m of new facilities approved and submitted for legal 
drafting 

•  Zero missed payments, defaults or impairments  

Outlook 

In  2021  we  remained  focused  on  our  technological  advantages.  This  allowed  us  to  expand  our  product 
offerings to new and existing customers, the benefits of which we will see in 2022 and beyond. Similarly, we 
expect our investments in building lasting relationships with Lloyds Bank and our other partners to bear fruit 
in the coming years. 

With each subsidiary delivering on their strategic objectives and having executed on an oversubscribed Placing 
and Open Offer, the Group is now well positioned to focus on continued growth, moving towards profitability 
and value creation.  

It is with pride that I have seen first-hand how our Board has acted to protect all shareholders over the last 24 
months. We have received unwavering support from new and existing shareholders who have given us the 
time to develop the foundations for continued growth. Crucially, we have also been trusted by our employees 
and  partners who  have  remained  loyal  despite our  competitors attempting to capitalise on our  temporary 
instability. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       7 

 
CEO’S REVIEW (CONTINUED)  
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

So,  alongside  the  habitual  ‘thank  you’  to  our  shareholders  I  would  like  to  thank  all  stakeholders  for  their 
support and encouragement. 

We  have  hit  the  ground  running  in  2022  and  we  look  forward  to  updating  investors  on  TruFin’s  progress 
throughout the year.  

James van den Bergh 

Chief Executive Officer  
28 April 2022 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Goals and Objectives 

TruFin’s overarching strategy is to generate significant value by remaining focused on poorly served niches 
and partnering with others. We work with an increasing number of partners which have dominant positions 
in their markets, allowing us to scale over time without significant marketing costs. It is through existing and 
new partnerships that the Group expects to grow and meaningfully increase shareholder value. 

Our strategic objective remains the realisation of value from each of our assets at the appropriate time. 

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

Oxygen 

•  Expand the Early Payment Solutions client portfolio to beyond 70 clients 

•  Build out partnerships and launch proprietary products for new and existing clients 

•  Achieve  first  full  year  of  positive  free  cash  flow, ensuring  no  further  financial  support  is  required  from 

TruFin 

Satago 

•  Finalise commercial terms with Lloyds and begin serving Lloyds Bank customers by the end of 2022 

•  Expand the client base utilising the Satago platform and lending offerings in order to support the UK’s small 

and medium sized enterprises 

•  Sign up further strategic partnerships for the LaaS products 

•  Ensure Satago’s platform can provide the full range of invoice finance products by the end of 2022 (single 

invoice, factoring and discounting) 

Playstack 

•  Continue to maximise the console catalogue performance through diligent management and analysis 

•  Build on a successful launch of Interact with developers and brands, expanding the feature-set to exceed 

customer expectation 

•  Continue to invest in the games portfolio, data technology and gaming insights in order to build sustainable 

and scalable revenues across the mobile portfolio 

•  Secure key console and mobile titles for 2023 and beyond 

Vertus 

•  Remain  the  UK’s  go-to  provider  of  independent  capital  solutions  for  IFA  acquisition  and  succession 
planning. We believe this alone can enable significant growth in facilities of 40% per annum over the next 
three years 

•  Explore additional capital products to offer well-positioned regional IFA firms seeking market consolidation 

through acquisition  

•  Continue  to  collaborate  closely  with  IntegraFin  plc  in  order  to  build  our  reputation  as  a  niche  capital 

provider in the UK IFA market 

Principal risks and uncertainties 

The Directors of TruFin plc confirm that they 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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       9 

 
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)  
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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: 

•  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. 
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 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 with which they can continue to grow their loan books. PlayIgnite is acting 
as a ‘broker’ for an external debt provider and is looking to increase the pool of capital available for 
funding 

•  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. Mitigating factors 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 

•  Covid-19 – The Covid-19 pandemic and related lockdowns has impacted companies, employees, suppliers 
and customers across the world. Operationally the Group fully adapted to remote working in 2021, with 
minimal disruption to business. The Group will continue to monitor the impacts on its customers and 
partners and will work alongside them to navigate any short, medium and long-term challenges that may 
arise 

•  Risk to delayed Contract Signings – Satago and Lloyds Bank are in discussions to enter into a commercial 
agreement to license Satago’s software platform and these conversations are progressing as planned. The 
risk is that a commercial agreement is not finalised which would result in lower forecast financial 
performance in the near term. The Group will continue to monitor this matter and support Satago in 
finalising an agreement 

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 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       10 

 
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)  
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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 

In February 2022 the Company was pleased to announce the appointment of Anders Wilhelmsen as a Non-
Executive Director. Mr Wilhelmsen is appointed as a representative of Watrium AS (“Watrium”) which is a 
long-standing and very supportive shareholder. The Company has already benefited from Mr Wilhelmsen’s 
appointment and looks forward to working with him to achieve its stated strategic objectives. 

We are delighted that Satago’s platform was selected by Lloyds Bank as the platform of choice to support the 
provision of invoice factoring solutions to the Bank’s customers. In addition, LBG made a strategic investment 
of £5m in Satago. These landmark commercial and strategic partnerships are pivotal to the future success of 
Satago, and we look forward to updating shareholders on its progress, and further partnerships. 

Finally, I would like to thank shareholders for their substantial support for the recent Placing and Open Offer. 
Both transactions were over-subscribed and resulted in the Company raising £10m via the issue of 13,360,739 
New Ordinary Shares at 75 pence per Share. 

TruFin has never been better positioned. With two businesses already achieving sustainable profitability and 
a fully funded business plan, we look to the future with confidence. 

James van den Bergh 

Chief Executive Officer  
28 April 2022 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

The Directors present their report with the financial statements of the Company and the Group for the year 
ended 31 December 2021. 

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  

The Directors have confirmed that no dividends have been declared for the year to 31 December 2021 (2020: 
£nil). 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.  

Events since the end of the year 

On 12 April 2022 the Company successfully completed a Placing and Open offer resulting in 13,360,739 new 
ordinary shares being issued in the Company at £0.75 per share, raising gross proceed of c.£10m. Following 
issue of the new shares, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 94,182,943. 

Since the year end Lloyds Banking Group (“LBG”) has completed an investment of £5m of new equity capital in 
Satago, at a pre-money valuation of £20m. 

937,501 newly created B ordinary shares, with a par value of £0.001 per share, were allotted for £5m cash from 
LBG, representing 20% of the fully diluted share capital. 

On 9 March 2022 TruFin agreed to vary the terms of an existing £3 million loan to Satago so that it is convertible 
into equity capital in Satago at the same valuation as the LBG investment or, if a further funding round takes 
place, the valuation implied by the funding round. Assuming conversion based on the £20 million valuation (and 
assuming LBG does not subscribe for its pro rata entitlement to shares), TruFin would hold approximately 68% 
of Satago (on a fully diluted basis). 

In  addition  on  9  March  2022  LBG  confirmed  its  intention  to  enter  into  a  commercial  agreement  to  licence 
Satago’s software platform for its Single Invoice Finance and whole of book Invoice Factoring customers. Satago 
and LBG have signed a letter of intent. 

Directors 

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

Steve Baldwin 

James van den Bergh 

Penny Judd 

Paul Dentskevich 

Anders Wilhelmsen (appointed 16 February 2022) 

Stephen Greene (resigned 31 October 2021) 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       12 

 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

The Directors’ interests in the shares of TruFin plc, all of which were beneficial interests, at 31 December 2021 
are as follows: 

Number of Shares 

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

2021 
165,982   
24,723   

2020 
165,982 
24,723 

395,558   

791,118 

During the year 395,560 shares that were jointly held by the EBT and James van den Bergh vested. 395,560 
shares became fully owned by the EBT. James van den Bergh holds a nil cost option in respect of 1,186,679 
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 2021: 

Watrium AS 
Gresham House Asset Management 
Lombard Odier Investment Managers 
Premier Miton Investors 
JO Hambro Capital Management 
Jupiter Asset Management 
AXA Framlington Investment Managers 
Credit Suisse Private Banking 
GPIM 
M&G Investments 
CRUX Asset Management 

Statement of Directors’ responsibility 

Number of 
shares 
16,986,657   
8,320,628   
5,547,343   
5,415,051   
4,982,620   
4,755,188   
3,740,096   
3,502,781   
3,409,057   
2,727,273   
2,430,692   

% of issued 
share capital 
21.02% 
10.29% 
6.86% 
6.70% 
6.16% 
5.88% 
4.63% 
4.33% 
4.22% 
3.37% 
3.01% 

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 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

•  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 proper 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.  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  four  Non-Executive  Directors,  three  of  which  are 
independent. 

Brief biographies of the Directors are set out below: 

James van den Bergh – Chief Executive Officer  

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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       14 

 
 
 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Steve Baldwin – Chairman (appointed Chairman 26 June 2020, previously 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,  Plus500 Limited and Wings Holdings 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 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 
a Non-Executive Director, Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of AIM listed Alpha 
Financial Management Consulting plc. She is also a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee 
of AIM listed Team17 plc and LendInvest plc. 

Penny started her career at KPMG qualifying as a chartered accountant and specialising in Audit and Corporate 
Finance before joining the London Stock Exchange where she was Head of Equity Markets at the UKLA. She then 
moved  to  Cazenove  &  Co  as  a  corporate  financier  and  was  a  consultant  at  the  London  Investment  Banking 
Association before moving into  a  career in Compliance. Penny  was a Managing Director  and EMEA  Head of 
Compliance firstly for UBS Limited and then Nomura International Plc before moving into her current portfolio 
career. 

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  and  Chairman  of  the  Risk  Committee at  Standard  Life  Aberdeen.  Having  previously  been  at 
Brevan Howard, 2008 to 2015, Paul was a member of the Manager’s Investment Committee. Paul is currently 
a Director at Signal Credit GP Limited, Signal Alpha II CP Limited and CloverTree Opportunities Fund Limited. 
Paul has a PhD in Economics from Imperial College London. 

Anders Wilhelmsen – Non-Executive Director 

Anders is an investment professional and the nominated non-executive representative of the Company’s major 
shareholder, Watrium. 

Anders currently serves on several boards on the Watrium portfolio, including Private equity firm, HitecVision 
and health-tech company, Sensio. He holds an MA Honours in Financial Economics from the University of St Andrews, 
and an MBA from INSEAD. 

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 
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 has unrestricted access to the Company’s auditors. A copy of the Audit Committee Terms of 
Reference can be found on our website.  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       15 

 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

(b) Remuneration Committee 

The Remuneration Committee is chaired by Paul  Dentskevich.  Its other members are  Penny  Judd  and  Steve 
Baldwin. 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 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  and  Paul 
Dentskevich. 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. 

Given the small number of meetings held by the Nomination and Remuneration Committees, neither have 
produced a separate report, however the Company intends to review this requirement on an annual basis 

Board and Committee attendance record 

James van den Bergh 
Steve Baldwin 
Penny Judd 
Paul Dentskevich 
Stephen Greene 

Board 

Meetings 
attended 
5 / 5 
5 / 5 
5 / 5 
5 / 5 
4 / 5 

Committee Membership 

Nomination 
Committee 

Audit 
Committee 

Remuneration 
Committee 

1 / 1 
1 / 1 
1 / 1 

2 / 2 
2 / 2 
2 / 2 

4 / 4 
4 / 4 
4 / 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 

Steve Baldwin 
Chairman  
28 April 2022

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Members of the Committee 

•  Penny Judd (Chair) 

•  Steve Baldwin 

•  Paul Dentskevich 

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 2021       17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
ESG Responsibility Statement 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Environmental Responsibility  

We believe protecting the environment is a global mission and we have our own part to play in helping the UK 
reduce  greenhouse  gas  emissions  to  net  zero  by  2050.  Our  offices  operate  energy  saving  practices,  our 
employees recycle waste, and we discourage excessive printing of documents and will continue to remove 
unnecessary paper wherever we can. 

We  will  be  also  considering  the  impact  of  climate  change  on  our  Group  model  as  well  as  our  own 
environmental  footprint  and  consider  how  we  can  incorporate  climate  change  criteria  into  the  Group 
businesses.  We  want  to  support  valuable  businesses  that  share  the  same  commitment  and  passion  to 
sustainability as we do, and plan to focus on how the Group approaches environmental concerns and its carbon 
footprint. 

Social Responsibility  

Our  aim  is  to  embrace  diversity  and  be  truly  representative  of  all  sections  of  society.  We  believe  the 
foundations are in place for the Group to uphold a diverse and inclusive environment where employees feel 
they  can  fulfil  their  career  ambitions  regardless  of  their  gender,  sexual  orientation,  ethnicity,  disability,  or 
social upbringing. 

We believe it is critical for boards of directors to benefit from diverse perspectives, and so we aim to achieve 
this on the boards throughout the Group. 

We  strive  to  uphold  working  environments  free  of  bullying,  harassment,  victimisation  and  unlawful 
discrimination, where individual differences and contributions from all employees are recognised and valued.  

We our proud to work with companies within the Group that hold similar values to us, that understand the 
importance of a Living Wage, respect the Modern Slavery Act, and think about their communities. 

Governance Responsibility  

We acknowledge the importance of high standards of corporate governance and intend to comply with the 
principles set out in the QCA Corporate Governance Code for Small and Mid-Size quoted companies 2018. This 
sets out a standard of minimum best practice for small and mid-size quoted companies, particularly Alternative 
Investment  Market  (“AIM”)  companies.  A  statement  regarding  how  we  comply  with  the  QCA  code  can  be 
found on the TruFin website.  

We aim to make governance a priority throughout the Group and have implemented a Group Governance 
Policy within each of the subsidiaries. We believe this policy provides the Group with sufficient autonomy to 
be as successful as possible, whilst ensuring we have adequate information about, and appropriate control 
over, the significant activities and decisions of our subsidiaries, ensuring that good governance is achieved.  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       18 

 
 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Opinion 

We  have  audited  the  financial  statements  of  TruFin  plc  (the  “parent  company”)  and  its  subsidiaries  (the 
“group”) for the year ended 31 December 2021, which comprise: 

•  the group consolidated and parent company statements of comprehensive income for the year then 

ended; 

•  the group consolidated and parent company statements of financial position as at 31 December 2021; 

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

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

•  the notes to the financial statements, including 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 2021 and of the group and parent company’s loss for the year then ended; 

•  the group and parent company 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 

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

•  Obtaining and reviewing the Board’s assessment of going concern, which included considerations arising 

from the COVID-19 pandemic and general economic conditions; 

•  Challenging budgets used by management in their going concern assessment by assessing the historical 
accuracy of the management’s budgeting process by comparing the prior year budgets with actual 
figures and by comparing the first trimester of the 2022 budget to the actual trimester 2022 results;  

•  Examining within the working capital forecasts the key inputs within the model and corroborating them 

through discussions with management, including the impact of the post year end fundraising; and 

•  Reviewing for accuracy the disclosures in relation to this matter in the financial statements. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       19 

 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or 
conditions  that,  individually  or  collectively,  may  cast  significant  doubt  on  the  parent  company’s  ability  to 
continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are 
authorised for issue. 

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

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 and Company financial 
statements  as  a  whole  to  be  £500,000  (2020:  £305,000)  and  £165,000  (2020:  £180,000)  respectively.  In 
determining this, we considered a range of benchmarks with specific focus on approximately based on 1% of 
Total Assets (2020: 0.5% of Total Assets). 

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. The performance materiality that was set was £300,000. 

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 £25,000 (2020: £15,000). 
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. 

In establishing our overall approach to the Group audit, we determined the type of work that needed to be 
undertaken  at  each  of  the  components  by  us,  as  the  primary  audit  engagement  team.  The  primary  audit 
engagement team audited all the UK trading entities within the group, except for the Oxygen business which 
was audited by a separate Crowe UK team. For the Oxygen business, we determined the appropriate level of 
involvement to enable  us to determine  that sufficient  audit evidence had been obtained as a basis  for our 
opinion  on  the  Group  as  a  whole.  The  primary  team  led  by  the  Senior  Statutory  Auditor  was  ultimately 
responsible for the scope and direction of the audit process. The primary team interacted regularly with the 
component team where appropriate during various stages of the audit, reviewed working papers and were 
responsible for the scope and direction of the audit process. This, together with the additional procedures 
performed at Group level, such as performing analytical procedures on non significant entities to the Group, 
gave us appropriate evidence for our opinion on the Group financial statements.  

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 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       20 

 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 
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. 

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

Revenue Recognition  

Key audit matter  

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 2021, the Group recorded total gross revenue of £13,115k 
(FY20: £14,832k). 

Interest income is earned on loans and advances to customers by Vertus and Satago 
and accounts for 13% of total revenue. Fee income is earned on payment services 
and  subscription  fees  provided  by  Oxygen  and  Satago  which  accounts  for 
approximately 33% of total revenue. Publishing income is earned by the companies 
in the Playstack group and accounts for approximately 54% of total revenue. 

Revenue  is  recognised  in  accordance  with  the  accounting  policy  set  out  in  the 
financial  statements.  We  focus  on  the  risk  of  material  misstatement  in  the 
recognition  of  revenue,  as  a  result  of  both  fraud  and  error,  because  revenue  is 
material and is an important determinant of the Group’s profitability, which has a 
consequent impact on its share price performance. 

•  For  each  company  in  the  Group,  we  confirmed  our  understanding  of  its 
business model and the services and products it delivers to its customers; 

•  Based  on  that  understanding,  we  considered  the  performance  obligations 
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  confirmed  our  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 and vouched to cash 
receipt; 

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

•  We reviewed aged receivables profile and credit notes issued post year end; 

and 

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

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       21 

 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 
Carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets 

Key audit matter  

The  Group’s  intangible  assets  comprises  of  goodwill,  separately  identifiable 
intangible assets, 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. 

•  We  reviewed  the  accuracy  of  the  disclosures  included  in  the  financial 

statements. 

Carrying value of the loan book 

Key audit matter  

How the scope of our 
audit addressed the 
key audit matter 

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.  

Due to the estimation needed in assessing the carrying value of the loan book, this is 
considered a 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. 

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  contained  within  the  annual  report.  The  other 
information comprises the information 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 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       22 

 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 
conclusion thereon. 

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

We have nothing to report in this regard. 

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 parent 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. 

Irregularities,  including  fraud,  are  instances  of  non-compliance  with  laws  and  regulations.  We  design 
procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of 
irregularities,  including  fraud.  The  extent  to  which  our  procedures  are  capable  of  detecting  irregularities, 
including fraud is detailed below: 

We  obtained  an  understanding  of  the  legal  and  regulatory  frameworks  within  which  the  parent  company 
operates, focusing on those laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material 
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The laws and regulations we considered in this context 
were the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 and income tax rules. 

As part of our audit planning process we assessed the different areas of the financial statements, including 
disclosures,  for  the  risk  of  material  misstatement.  This  included  considering  the  risk  of  fraud where  direct 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       23 

 
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF TRUFIN PLC (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 
enquiries were made of management and those charged with governance concerning both whether they had 
any knowledge of actual or suspected fraud and their assessment of the susceptibility of fraud. We considered 
the risk was greater in areas involve significant management estimate or judgement. Based on this assessment 
we designed audit procedures to focus on the key areas of estimate or judgement, this included specific testing 
of journal transactions, both at the year end and throughout the year. 

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements 
of the financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in 
accordance with the ISAs (UK). The potential effects of inherent limitations are particularly significant in the 
case of misstatement resulting from fraud because fraud may involve sophisticated and carefully organized 
schemes designed to conceal  it,  including deliberate failure to record transactions, collusion or intentional 
misrepresentations being made to us. 

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

Use of our report 

This report is made solely to the parent 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 parent 
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 parent company and the parent 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 
28 April 2022 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Interest income 

Fee income 

Publishing income 

Interest, fee and publishing expenses 

Net revenue 

Staff costs 

Other operating expenses 

Depreciation & amortisation 

Net impairment reversal on financial assets 

Share of profit from associates 

Loss before tax 

Taxation 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive income 

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 for the year attributable to: 

Owners of TruFin plc 

Non-controlling interests 

Total comprehensive loss for the year attributable to: 

Owners of TruFin plc 

Non-controlling interests 

Earnings per Share 

Basic and Diluted EPS 

Notes 
21 

Notes 

3 

3 

3 

5 

7 

2021 
£’000 

1,681   

4,330   

7,104   

(6,214)   

6,901   

(11,285)   
(3,257)   

(794)   

10   

3   

2020 
£’000 

2,578 

3,846 

8,408 

(6,512) 

8,320 

(11,532) 

(4,927) 

(799) 

11 

– 

(8,422)   

(8,927) 

2, 9 

986   
(7,436)   

(2,476) 

(11,403) 

(39)   

(39)   

(7,475)   

(7,071)   
(365)   
(7,436)   

(7,112)   

(363)   

(7,475)   

2021 
pence 
(8.7)   

85 

85 

(11,318) 

(10,971) 

(432) 

(11,403) 

(10,886) 

(432) 

(11,318) 

2020 
pence 

(13.6) 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       25 

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Revenue 

Staff costs 

Other operating expenses 

Depreciation & amortisation 

Loss before tax 

Taxation 

Loss and total comprehensive income for the year 

Notes 

2021 
£’000 

2020 
£’000 

3 

5 

9 

2,126   

2,192 

(1,911)   
(624)   

–   

(409)   

–   
(409)   

(1,920) 

(975) 

(1) 

(704) 

– 

(704) 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       26 

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 
As at 31 December 2021 

Notes 

2021 
£’000 

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

Total non-current assets 

Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Loans and advances  
Interest in associate 

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 
Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings 
Total non-current liabilities 

Current liabilities 
Borrowings 
Trade and other payables 

Total current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

10 
11 
9 
13 

13 

14 

14 

15 

19 

16 

16 
17 

21,191   
65   
303   
11,575   

33,134   

7,608   
4,558   
3   

2,585   

2,840   

17,594   

50,728   

73,548   
(17,731)   
4   
(24,393)   

31,428   
1,023   

32,451   

11,351   
11,351   

1,634   
5,292   

6,926   

18,277   

50,728   

2020 
£’000 

21,041 
140 
43 
9,301 

30,525 

17,728 
5,359 

– 

1,992 

1,962 

27,041 

57,566 

73,548 
(10,730) 
45 
(24,395) 

38,468 
1,268 

39,736 

8,507 

8,507 

2,204 
7,119 

9,323 

17,830 

57,566 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (CONTINUED) 
As at 31 December 2021 

The notes on pages 34 to 79 are an integral part of these financial statements. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 28 April 2022. 
They were signed on its behalf by: 

James van den Bergh 
Chief Executive Officer 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       28 

 
 
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 
As at 31 December 2021 

Assets 

Non-current assets 

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 

Total current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

Notes 

2021 
£’000 

2020 
£’000 

12 

14 

15 

17 

30,189   

46,919   

77,108   

786   

144   

930   

78,038   

73,548   

(5,504)   

8,966   

77,010   

1,028   

1,028   

1,028   

78,038   

30,189 

47,066 

77,255 

578 

658 

1,236 

78,491 

73,548 

(5,165) 

8,966 

77,349 

1,142 

1,142 

1,142 

78,491 

The notes on pages 34 to 79 are an integral part of these financial statements. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 28 April 2022. 
They were signed on its behalf by: 

James van den Bergh 
Chief Executive Officer 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Share 
capital 
£’000 
73,548 
– 

Retained 
earnings 
£’000 
  (10,730) 
(7,071) 

Foreign 
exchange 
reserve 
£’000 
45 
– 

Other 
reserves 
£’000 
  (24,395) 
– 

Balance at 1 January 2021 
Loss for the year 
Other comprehensive income for 
the year 

Total comprehensive loss for the 
year 
Share based payment 
Adjustment arising from change 
in non-controlling interest 
Issuance of subsidiary shares to 
employees 
Intragroup transfer of subsidiary 
Issuance of shares by subsidiary 

Balance at 31 December 2021 

73,548 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

(7,071) 

70 

4 

– 

– 
(4) 
  (17,731) 

(41) 

(41) 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

4 

Non- 
controlling 
interest 
£’000 
1,268 
(365) 

Total 
equity 
£’000 
39,736 
(7,436) 

2 

(39) 

Total 
£’000 
38,468 
(7,071) 

(41) 

(7,112) 

(363) 

(7,475) 

70 

4 

– 

– 

(4) 

19 

– 
103 

70 

– 

19 

2 
99 

1,023 

32,451 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2 
– 
  (24,393) 

2 
(4) 
31,428 

Balance at 1 January 2020 
Loss for the year 
Other comprehensive income for 
the year 
Total comprehensive loss for the 
year 

Share based payment 
Issuance of subsidiary shares to 
employees 
Adjustment arising from change 
in non-controlling interest 
Balance at 31 December 2020 

73,548 
– 

(63) 
(10,971) 

(40) 
– 

  (24,395) 
– 

49,050 
(10,971) 

1,293 
(432) 

50,343 
(11,403) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(10,971) 

545 

(322) 

81 

85 

85 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

85 

– 

85 

(10,886) 

(432) 

(11,318) 

545 

(322) 

81 

– 

488 

(81) 

545 

166 

– 

73,548 

  (10,730) 

45 

  (24,395) 

38,468 

1,268 

39,736 

The notes on pages 35 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.  

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 and the share revaluation reserve. 

The merger reserve arose as a result of combining businesses that are under common control. As at 31 December 2021 it 
was a debit balance of £33,358,000 (2020: £33,360,000) 

The share revaluation reserve arose from the share cancellation that took place in February 2018. As at 31 December 2021 
its balance was £8,966,000 (2020: £8,966,000). 

Non-Controlling Interest 

The non-controlling interest relates to the minority interest held in Bandana Media Limited, Playstack OY, Vertus Capital 
Limited, Vertus SPV1 Limited, Satago Financial Solutions Limited, Satago SPV1 Limited, Satago SPV2 Limited, Altlending 
Limited and Satago z.o.o. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Balance at 1 January 2021 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Share based payment 

Balance at 31 December 2021 

Balance at 1 January 2020 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Share based payment 

Balance at 31 December 2020 

Share capital 
£’000 

73,548 

– 

– 

73,548 

73,548 

– 

– 

73,548 

Retained 
earnings 
£’000 

(5,165) 

(409) 

70 

(5,504) 

(5,006) 

(704) 

545 

(5,165) 

Other reserves 
£’000 

Total equity 
£’000 

8,966 

– 

– 

8,966 

8,966 

– 

– 

8,966 

77,349 

(409) 

70 

77,010 

77,508 

(704) 

545 

77,349 

The notes on pages 34 to 79 are an integral part of these financial statements. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Loss before tax 

Adjustments for 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of intangible assets 

Share based payments 

Decrease in provision  

Finance costs 

Impairment of intangible assets 

Share of profit from associate 

Loss on disposal of Fixed Assets 

Loss on intragroup transfer of subsidiary 

Working capital adjustments 

Movement in Loans and advances 

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables 

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables 

Tax paid 

Interest and finance costs paid 

Net cash (used in)/from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities: 
Additions to intangible assets 

Additions to property, plant and equipment 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities: 

Issue of ordinary share capital of subsidiary 

New borrowings 

Net cash generated from financing activities 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year 

2021 
£’000 

2020 
£’000 

(8,422)   

(8,927) 

96   

1,571   

70   

–   

656   

–   

(3)   

2   

2   

128 

1,209 

545 

(700) 

412 

222 

– 

– 

– 

(6,028)   

(7,111) 

(1,472)   

(720)   

(1,831)   

(4,023)   

(2)   

(716)   

(10,769)   

(1,779)   

(24)   

(1,803)   

148   

2,353   

2,501   

(10,071)   

17,728   

(49)   

7,608   

13,045 

30 

2,384 

15,459 

(17) 

(276) 

8,055 

(1,905) 

(31) 

(1,936) 

166 

4,382 

4,548  

10,667 

6,971 

90 

17,728 

16 

All cash and cash equivalents are cash at bank. 

The notes on pages 34 to 79 are an integral part of these financial statements 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Loss before income tax 

Adjustments for: 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Interest income 

Share based payments  

Decrease in provision 

Working capital adjustments 

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 

Decrease in trade and other payables 

2021 
£’000 

2020 
£’000 

(409)   

(704) 

–   

(2,008)   

70   

–   

(2,347)   

513   

(114)   

399   

1 

(2,073) 

545 

(700) 

(2,931) 

(369) 

(304) 

(673) 

Net cash generated used in operating activities 

(1,948)   

(3,604) 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Cash received on intragroup loans 
Net cash generated from investing 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 79 are an integral part of these financial statements. 

2,156   

2,156   

208   

578   

786   

3,998 

3,998 

394 

184 

578 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       33 

 
 
 
   
 
   
   
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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 
on 21 February 2018. The address of the registered office is 26 New Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3RA. 

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 2021       34 

 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Entities 
TruFin Holdings Limited (“THL”) 

Country of 
incorporation 
Jersey 

Satago Financial Solutions Limited 
(“Satago”)  
Satago SPV 1 Limited (“Satago SPV 1”) 

UK 

UK 

Satago SPV 2 Limited (“Satago SPV 2”) 

UK 

Satago z.o.o (Satago Poland) 

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”) 
Vertus Capital SPV 1 Limited (“Vertus 
SPV 1”)  

Playstack Limited (“Playstack”)**** 

Bandana Media Limited 
(“Bandana”)**** 
PlayIgnite Ltd (“PlayIgnite”)**** 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

UK 

Playstack z.o.o (“PS Poland”) **** 

Poland 

Playstack OY (“PS Finland”)**** 

Finland 

Playstack AB (“PS Sweden”)**** 

Sweden 

Playstack Inc (“Playstack USA”)**** 

USA 

PlayIgnite Inc (“PlayIgnite 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 
48 Warwick Street, London, 
United Kingdom, W1B 5AW 
32-023 Krakow ul. Sw. Krzyza 
19/6 Poland 
1st Floor Enterprise House, 
115 Edmund Street, 
Birmingham, United 
Kingdom, B3 2HJ 
1st Floor Enterprise House, 
115 Edmund Street, 
Birmingham, United 
Kingdom, B3 2HJ 
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 
48 Warwick Street, London, 
United Kingdom, W1B 5AW 

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 

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 
Provision of short 
term finance 
Holding Company 

% voting rights 
and shares held 
100% of ordinary 
shares 
85.1% of 
ordinary shares* 
85.1% of 
ordinary shares* 
85.1% of 
ordinary shares* 
85.1% of 
ordinary shares* 
88.4% of 
ordinary 
shares** 

Provision of early 
payment services 

Provision of early 
payment services 

88.4% of 
ordinary 
shares** 

88.4% of 
ordinary 
shares** 

Provision of market 
research 
information. 

84.4% of 
ordinary 
shares** 

Provision of 
technology 
services 
Provision of short 
term finance 
Provision of short 
term finance 

100% of ordinary 
shares 

100% of ordinary 
shares* 
54% of ordinary 
shares 

Provision of short 
term finance 

54% of ordinary 
shares 

Publishing of 
computer games 
Publishing of 
computer games 
Business and 
domestic software 
developer 
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 

75% of ordinary 
shares 

100% of ordinary 
shares – (80% 
until 8 October 
2020) 
100% of ordinary 
shares 
100% of ordinary 
shares 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       35 

 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

*  Following  the  grant  of  the  Satago  Management  Incentive  Plan  (“Satago  MIP”),  the  effective  economic 
ownership of these companies is 94.1% based on their Statements of Financial Position at the Reporting Date. 

** Nominal ownership of these companies is 88.4% due to the Oxygen Management Incentive Plan (“Oxygen 
MIP”). Effective economic ownership is 100% based on their Statements of Financial Position at the Reporting 
Date. 

*** On 22 March 2022, Porge was dissolved. 

**** The Playstack Group includes 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 27% interest in Storm Chaser Games Limited (“Storm Chaser Games”) 

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,  and 
following the fundraise post year end of c.£10m, 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. 

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 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       36 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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 EPPS 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. 

Implementation fees 

Oxygen Implementation fees 

Implementation fees are charged to some clients in establishing a client’s technological access to the EPPS 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 EPPS. 
Accordingly, such revenue is initially deferred and then recognised in the statement of comprehensive income 
over the life of the related EPPS. 

Satago Implementation fees 

Implementation fees have also been recognised by Satago in full on the signing of new contracts with partners.  

Consultancy fees 

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

Subscription fees 

Insight services subscription fees 

The Insight Services offered by OFL (previously within Porge) provide focussed public sector procurement data 
and analytics on a subscription  basis.  Clients cover both the Private sector, enabling them  to improve and 
develop their engagement with the public sector, and Public sector organisations, enabling them to make more 
informed  procurement  decisions.  Subscriptions  are  typically  received  in  advance  and  recognised  over  the 
length of the contract as access to the database is provided.  

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.  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       37 

 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Fee expenses 

Fee  expenses  are  directly  attributable  costs,  associated  with  the  Oxygen’s  EPPS.  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. 

Operating profit/loss 

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

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities of the group’s foreign operations 
are translated at the exchange rate at the reporting date. Income and expense items are translated at the 
average  exchange  rates  for  the  year.  Exchange  differences  arising,  are  recognised  in  other  comprehensive 
income and are accumulated in the Foreign exchange reserve equity section. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       38 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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 

Fixtures and fittings 

Computer equipment 

– 

– 

– 

5 years 

3 years 

3 -5 years 

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

Intangible 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; 

•  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 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       39 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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 

– 

– 

Goodwill 

3 -5 years 

Life of underlying contract (typically 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 

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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       40 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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  

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 
expense. 

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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       41 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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. 

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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       42 

 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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 18 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: 

•  Significant financial difficulty of the borrower; 

•  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 18 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;  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       43 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

•  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 
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.  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       44 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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 
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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       45 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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. 

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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       46 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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 
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. 

Leases  

Leases  are  accounted  for  under  IFRS  16.  IFRS  16  distinguishes  leases  and  service  contracts  on  the  basis of 
whether  an  identified  asset  is  controlled  by  a  customer.  A  model  where  a  right-of-use  asset  and  a 
corresponding liability are  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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       47 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Government grants 

Government grants are not recognised until there is reasonable assurance that the group will comply with the 
conditions attaching to them and that the grants will be received.  

Government grants that are receivable as compensation for expenses or losses already incurred or for the 
purpose of giving  immediate  financial  support to the Group with no future related costs are recognised in 
profit or loss in the period in which they become receivable. These grants are deducted from the expense that 
the grant is related to. 

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 10. 

•  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. 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, 
except for Vertus Capital Limited as there is uncertainty surrounding the timing of when these losses will 
be used. 

Refer to note 9 for more information on the deferred tax asset. 

•  The accounts of the trustee (the “EBT Trustee”) of the Company’s Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”) have not 
been consolidated as it is the Directors’ opinion that the Company does not have control over the EBT. The 
EBT is a discretionary trust, which means that the EBT Trustee has discretion how to act, provided that the 
action taken by the EBT Trustee is considered by the EBT Trustee to be in the interest of one of more EBT 
beneficiaries (being employees and former employees (and certain of their relatives) of the Company and 
its subsidiaries. 

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 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       48 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

3. 

Gross revenue 

Group 
Revenue  

Interest income 

Total interest income 

EPPS contracts 

Consultancy fees 

Implementation fees* 

Subscription fees 

Total fee income 

IAP revenue 
Advertising revenue 

Console revenue 

Brand revenue 

Total publishing income 

Gross revenue 

2021 
£’000 

1,681   

1,681   

2,536   

436   

70   

1,288   

4,330   

428   
378   

6,285   
13   

7,104   

2020 
£’000 

2,578 

2,578 

2,243 

288 

301 

1,014 

3,846 

410 
410 

7,500 
88 

8,408 

13,115   

14,832 

*In 2020, Implementation fees also included fees recognised by Satago in full on the signing of new contracts 
with partners. 

Company 

Intercompany interest income 

Intercompany fee income 

Other interest income 

Gross revenue 

4. 

Segmental reporting 

2021 
£’000 

2,008   

118   

–   

2,126   

2020 
£’000 

2,073 

118 

1 

2,192 

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 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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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. For results during the reporting period, this corresponds 
to the results of TSL, THL and TruFin plc. 

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 2021 

Gross revenue 

Cost of sales 

Net revenue 

Adjusted loss before tax* 

Loss before tax 

Taxation 

Loss for the year 

Total assets 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Short term 
finance 
£’000 
1,878   
(832)   
1,046   

Payment 
services 
£’000 
4,133   
(873)   
3,260   

(3,877)   
(3,877)   
367   

(3,510)   

24,607   
(13,341)   
11,266   

(548)   
(548)   
175   

(373)   

8,331   
(1,747)   
6,584   

Publishing 
£’000 
7,104   

(4,509)   

2,595   

(1,439)   

(1,439)   

444   

Other 
£’000 
–   
–   
–   

(2,488)   
(2,558)   
–   

(995)   

(2,558)   

16,774   

(2,184)   

14,590   

1,016   
(1,005)   
11   

*adjusted loss before tax excludes share-based payment expense 

Year ended 31 December 2020 

Gross revenue 

Cost of sales 

Net revenue 

Adjusted loss before tax* 

Loss before tax 

Taxation 

Loss for the year 

Total assets 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Short term 
finance 
£’000 
2,020   
(730)   
1,290   

(3,318)   
(3,318)   
42   

Payment 
services 
£’000 
3,490   
(760)   
2,730   

(1,111)   
(1,111)   
(2,504)   

Publishing 
£’000 
8,408   

(5,022)   

3,386   

(2,458)   

(2,458)   

(14)   

Other 
£’000 
914   
–   
914   

(1,495)   
(2,040)   
–   

(3,276)   

(3,615)   

(2,472)   

(2,040)   

(11,403) 

22,798   
(11,276)   
11,522   

7,430   
(1,858)   
5,572   

17,765   

(3,559)   

14,206   

9,573   
(1,137)   
8,436   

57,566 

(17,830) 

39,736 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       51 

Total 
£’000 

13,115 

(6,214) 

6,901 

(8,352) 

(8,422) 

986 

(7,436) 

50,728 

(18,277) 

32,451 

Total 
£’000 

14,832 

(6,512) 

8,320 

(8,382) 

(8,927) 

2,476 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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 

Government grants 

Group 

Company 

2021 
£’000 

9,011   

395   

1,409   

428   

70   

(28)   

2020 
£’000 

9,311   

313   

1,019   

442   

545   

(98)   

2021 
£’000 
1,440   

19   

355   

27   

70   

–   

2020 
£’000 
1,327 

– 

22 

26 

545 

– 

11,285   

11,532   

1,911   

1,920 

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 

2021 
Number 

2020 
Number 

16   

7   

23   

36   

54   

136   

17 

8 

33 

37 

54 

149 

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. 

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

2021 
Number 

–   

2020 
Number 

– 

Executive Directors: 

J v d Bergh 

S H Kenner* 

Salary 

Bonus 

Pension 
and Benefits 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

256 

– 

256 

200 

– 

200 

9 

– 

9 

2021 
Total 

£’000 

465 
– 
465 

2020 
Total 

£’000 

735 

97 

832 

* S H Kenner left the Group in June 2020 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Salary 

Bonus 

Pension  
and Benefits 

2021 
Total 

2020 
Total 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

£’000 

100 
70 
50 

220 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

100 

70 

50 

220 

85 
65 
50 

200 

Non-executive 
Directors: 
S Baldwin 

P Judd 

P Dentskevich 

Key management  

The  Directors  consider  that  key  management  personnel  include  the  Executive  Director  of TruFin plc. This 
individual has 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 2019 Award  

Performance Share Plan 2018 Award  

Total 

2021 
£’000 

59   

11   

–   

–   

70   

2020 
£’000 

465 

80 

– 

– 

545 

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 
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 Distribution Finance Capital Ltd’s (“DFC”) 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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

The second 25% of Founder Awards held by James van den Bergh vested on 21 February 2020 when the share 
price was £0.26. As a result, 395,560 shares subject to the Join Share Ownership Plan became fully owned by 
EBT and James’ nil cost option under the Performance Share Plan vested in respect of the same number of 
shares. 

On 27 November 2020, Henry Kenner exercised his nil cost option under the Performance Share Plan which 
resulted in 1,807,217 shares being transferred from the EBT to Henry Kenner on 22 December 2020. This gave 
rise to an Employer’s National Insurance liability of £82,000 which was paid in January 2021.  

The third 25% of Founder Awards held by James van den Bergh vested on 21 February 2021 when the share 
price was £0.68. As a result, 395,560 shares subject to the Join Share Ownership Plan became fully owned by 
EBT and James’ nil cost option under the Performance Share Plan vested in respect of the same number of 
shares. 

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 was further adjusted to £0.71, and the share price milestones were 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 
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 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       54 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

•  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 

In 2019, 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  2021 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 2021 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: 

Type of instrument granted 

Outstanding at 1 January 2021 
Granted during the year 
Vested during the year 
Exercised during the year 

JSOP Founder 
Award* 
Shares (#)   

PSP Founder 
Award* 
Options (#)   

PSP Market 
Value 
Options (#) 

791,118   

1,566,255   

4,868,420 

–   
(395,560)   
–   

–   
–   
–   

– 
– 
– 

Outstanding at 31 December 2021 

359,558   

1,566,255   

4,868,420 

Exercisable at 31 December 2021 

1,170,697   

– 

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

Type of instrument granted 

Outstanding at 1 January 2021 

Granted during the year 
Vested during the year 
Exercised during the year 
Cancelled during the year 

PSP 2018   
Options (#)   

PSP 2019 

Options (#) 

263,158   

320,000 

–   
–   
–   
–   

– 
– 
– 
– 

Outstanding at 31 December 2021 

263,158   

320,000 

Exercisable at 31 December 2021 

–   

– 

No options expired during the year.  

The weighted average remaining contractual life for the share options outstanding as at 31 December 2021 was 
6.21 years (2020: 7.21 years). 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       55 

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
 
   
   
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

7. 

Net impairment loss on financial assets 

At 1 January  

Charge for impairment loss 

Amounts written off in the year 

Amounts recovered in the year 

At 31 December 

2021 
£’000 

10   

(10)   

8   

(4)   

4   

2020 
£’000 

123 

(11) 

(102) 

– 

10 

At 31 December 2021, the Group had an impairment balance of £4,000 which was allocated against loans and 
advances. At 31 December 2020, all of the impairment balance was allocated against loans and advances. 

The net impairment charge on financial assets during the year ended 31 December 2021 all related to loans 
and advances.  

The net impairment charge on financial assets during the year ended 31 December 2020 all related to loans 
and advances. 

8. 

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 

Fees payable to the Group’s auditor (Crowe U.K. 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 

9. 

Taxation 

Analysis of tax charge recognised in the period 

Current tax (credit)/charge 

Deferred tax (credit)/charge 

Total tax (credit)/charge  

2021 
£’000 

96   

1,571   

11,285   

2021 
£’000 

45   
84   
129   

2020 
£’000 

128 

1,209 

11,532 

2020 
£’000 

44 

83 

127 

13   
13   

12 

12 

2021 
£’000 
(726)   

(260)   

(986)   

2020 
£’000 
16 

2,460 

2,476 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Reconciliation of loss before tax to total tax credit recognised 

Group 
Loss before tax 

Loss before tax multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the 
UK of 19% (2020: 19%) 

2021 
£’000 
(8,422)   

  2020 
£’000 
(8,927) 

(1,600) 

(1,696) 

Tax effect of: 

Expenses not deductible 

Depreciation in excess of capital allowances 

Capital allowances 

Other short term timing differences 

R&D tax credit 

Deferred tax not recognised 

Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries  operating in other 
jurisdictions 
Total tax charge 

Company 
Loss before tax 

Loss before tax multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the 
UK of 19% (2020: 19%) 

Tax effect of: 

Expenses not deductible 

Other short term timing differences 

Deferred tax not recognised 

Total tax charge 

(223)   

395   

(187)   

(5)   

(733)   

1,367   

–   

(986)   

2021 
£’000 
(409)   

(78) 

32   

–   

46   
–   

161 

132 

(57) 

(129) 

– 

4,064 

1 

2,476 

  2020 
£’000 
(704) 

(134) 

169 

(133) 

98 
– 

The UK Government enacted changes to the UK tax rate in 2020, resulting in the rate remaining at 19% (instead 
of the previously intended reduction from 19% to 17% from 1 April 2020). In the Finance Bill 2021, the UK 
chancellor announced that legislation would be proposed to increase the main rate of corporation tax to 25% 
from 1 April 2023, and this was substantively enacted on 24 May 2021. 

The  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  at  31  December  2021  have  been  based  on  the  rates  substantively 
enacted at the reporting date.  

Taxation for other jurisdictions is calculated at the rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       57 

 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Deferred tax asset 

Group 

Balance at start of the year 

Credit/(charge) to the statement of comprehensive income 

Balance at end of the year 

Comprised of: 

Losses 

Total deferred tax asset 

2021 
£’000 

43   
260   
303   

303   
303   

2020 
£’000 

2,503 

(2,460) 

43 

43 

43 

A deferred tax asset from losses in Vertus Capital Limited was recognised, to be used against profits in Vertus 
Capital SPV 1, which became profitable in the prior year. Unutilised tax losses in the remainder of the Group 
as at the reporting date were £77,124,000 (2020:£69,496,000) 

10. 

Intangible assets 

Client 
contracts 
£’000 

Software 
licenses and 
similar assets 
£’000 

Separately 
identifiable 
intangible 
Assets 
£’000 

4,689 
1,056 

(256) 

1 
5,490   

(956) 
(873) 

222 

– 

1,834 
757 

– 

(12) 
2,579   

(814) 
(370) 

– 

3 

1,642 
– 

– 

– 

1,642 

(742) 
(328) 

– 

– 

(1,607) 

(1,181) 

(1,070) 

(408) 
(408) 

3,475 

3,325 

– 
– 

1,398 

1,020 

– 

– 

572 

900 

Goodwill 
£’000   

15,796 
(50) 

– 

– 
15,746   

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

Total 
£’000 

23,961 
1,763 

(256) 

(11) 

25,457 

(2,512) 
(1,571) 

222 

3 

(3,858) 

(408) 
(408) 

15,746 

15,796 

21,191 

21,041 

Group 

Cost 
At 1 January 2021 

Additions 

Disposals 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2021 

Amortisation 
At 1 January 2021 
Charge 

Disposals 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2021 
Accumulated 
impairment losses 
At 1 January 2021 

At 31 December 2021 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2021 

At 31 December 2020 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Client 
contracts 
£’000 

Software 
licenses and 
similar assets 
£’000 

Separately 
identifiable 
intangible 
Assets 
£’000 

3,574 
1,180 

(61) 

(4) 
4,689   

(479) 
(538) 

61 

(956) 

(186) 
(222) 

(408) 

1,109 
725 

– 

– 
1,834   

(471) 
(343) 

– 

(814) 

– 
– 

– 

1,642 
– 

– 

– 

1,642 

(414) 
(328) 

– 

(742) 

– 
– 

– 

Goodwill 
£’000   

15,796 
– 

– 

– 
15,796   

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

Total 
£’000 

22,121 
1,905 

(61) 

(4) 

23,961 

(1,364) 
(1,209) 

61 

(2,512) 

(186) 
(222) 

(408) 

3,325 

2,909 

1,020 

638 

900 

1,228 

15,796 

15,796 

21,041 

20,571 

Group 

Cost 
At 1 January 2020 

Additions 

Disposals 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2020 

Amortisation 
At 1 January 2020 
Charge 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2020 
Accumulated 
impairment losses 
At 1 January 2020 

Charge 

At 31 December 2020 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2020 

At 31 December 2019 

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 2021 and there was no impairment in relation 
to underperforming contracts. 

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 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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  2021  and  concluded  no  impairment  was 
required. 

The ‘Software, licenses and similar assets’ net book value balance related to internally generated intangible 
assets at 31 December 2021 was £1,398,000 (2020: £1,020,000). This consists of cost of £2,579,000 (2020: 
£1,834,000)  and  accumulated  amortisation  of  £1,181,000  (2020:  £814,000).  During  the  year  there  were 
additions of £757,000 (2020: £725,000) and amortisation of £370,000 (2020: £343,000).  

Goodwill and “Separately identifiable intangible assets” arise from acquisitions made by the Group. 

Porge (now Insight Services within OFL) 

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  £277,000 
(2020: £277,000) during the year. Net Book value of these assets at 31 December 2021 was £439,000 (2020: 
£717,000). Goodwill related to this transaction excluding these assets at 31 December 2021 was £1,372,000 
(2020: £1,372,000). 

On 31 August 2020, OFL purchased the Trade and Assets of Porge. The purchase price was set at the Net book 
value of the assets acquired at the time of the transaction.  

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.  

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 £51,000 (2020: £51,000). Net Book value of these assets at 31 
December 2021 was £132,000 (2020: £183,000).  

During the year, the Group increased its ownership of Vertus Capital from 51% to 53.8%. ,This resulted in a 
£50,000 adjusted to Goodwill related to Vertus (excluding the assets mentioned above). Goodwill related to 
Vertus excluding these assets at 31 December 2021 was £1,409,000 (2020: £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. 

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.  

The insight services segment of OFL was valued using the discounted cash flow methodology. Its net earnings 
were forecasted to 2025, a discount rate of 12% was used and terminal growth rate of 2%. This valuation was 
greater than the amount of CGU and therefore the goodwill is not deemed to be impaired. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       60 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Vertus was valued using the discounted cash flow methodology. The net earnings of Vertus were forecasted 
to 2030, 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 2030, 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. 

11. 

Property, plant and equipment 

Group 

Cost 
At 1 January 2021 

Additions 

Disposals 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2021 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2021 
Charge 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2021 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2021 

At 31 December 2020 

Fixtures & 
fittings 
£’000  

Computer 
equipment 
£’000  

Right-of-Use 
Asset 
£’000  

Total 
£’000 

52 
2 

– 

(1) 

53 

(36) 
(8) 

– 

(44) 

60 
22 

(4) 

– 

78 

(26) 
(20) 

2 

(44) 

9   
16   

34   
34   

429 
– 

– 

429 

(339) 
(68) 

– 

(407) 

22 

90 

541 
24 

(4) 

(1) 

560 

(401) 
(96) 

2 

(495) 

65 

140 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Group 

Cost 
At 1 January 2020 

Additions 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2020 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2020 
Charge 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2020 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2020 

At 31 December 2019 

Company 

Cost 
At 1 January 2021 

Additions 

At 31 December 2021 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2021 

Charge 

At 31 December 2021 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2021 

At 31 December 2020 

Leasehold 
improvements 
£’000  

Fixtures & 
fittings 
£’000  

Computer 
equipment 
£’000  

Right-of-Use 
Asset 
£’000  

Total 
£’000 

44 
– 

(44) 

– 

(36) 
(8) 

44 

– 

247 
7 

(202) 

52 

(219) 
(19) 

202 

(36) 

36 
24 

– 

60 

(9) 
(17) 

– 

(26) 

–   
8   

16   
28   

34   
27   

429 
– 

– 

429 

(255) 
(84) 

– 

(339) 

90 

174 

Computer 
equipment 
£’000   

Right-of-
use asset 
£’000   

3 
–   
3   

(3) 
–   
(3)   

–   
–   

167 
–   
167   

(167) 
– 

(167) 

–   

– 

756 
31 

(246) 

541 

(519) 
(128) 

246 

(401) 

140 

237 

Total 
£’000 

170 
– 

170 

(170) 
– 

(170) 

– 

– 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Company 

Cost 
At 1 January 2020 

Additions 

At 31 December 2020 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2020 

Charge 

At 31 December 2020 

Net book value 

At 31 December 2020 

At 31 December 2019 

Computer 
equipment 
£’000   

Right-of-
use asset 
£’000   

3 
–   
3   

(2) 
(1)   
(3)   

–   
1   

167 
–   
167   

(167) 
– 

(167) 

–   

– 

The Right of use assets in the Group and Company relates to leases for office buildings. 

12. 

Investment in subsidiaries 

Company 
Balance at 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 

Balance at 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 

13. 

Loans and advances 

Group 

Total loans and advances  

Less: loss allowance 

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 

2021 
£’000 

16,137   

(4)   

16,133   

2021 
£’000 

16,062   

32   
10   
28   

1   

Total 
£’000 

170 
– 

170 

(169) 
(1) 

(170) 

– 

1 

£’000 
30,189 

30,189 

2020 
£’000 

14,670 

(10) 

14,660 

2020 
£’000 

14,401 

254 
2 

– 

3 

The Company had no loans and advances at the year end (2020: £nil). 

16,133   

14,660 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

14. 

Trade and other receivables 

Trade and other receivables 

Prepayments 

Accrued Income 

VAT 

Other debtors 

Amounts due from Group 
Undertakings 

Group 

Company 

2021 
£’000 
2,585   
467   
385   
–   
1,988   
–   

2020 
£’000 
1,992   
421   
263   
–   
1,278   
–   

2021 
£’000 
–   
52   
–   
33   
5   
54   

5,425   

3,954   

144   

2020 
£’000 
– 

39 

– 

15 

7 

597 

658 

Trade receivables above are stated net of a loss allowance of £nil (2020: £nil). All receivables are due within 
one year. 

The aging of trade receivables is analysed as follows: 

Group 

Company 

2021 
£’000 
2,182   
96   
88   
13   
206   
2,585   

2020 
£’000 
1,411   
121   
92   
50   
318   
1,992   

2021 
£’000 
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   

2020 
£’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 

15. 

Share capital 

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

Share Capital 
£’000 
73,548 

Total 
£’000 
73,548 

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 2021. 

16. 

Borrowings 

Group 

Loans due within one year 

Loans due in over one year 

2021 
£’000 

1,634   

11,351   

12,985   

2020 
£’000 

2,204 

8,507 

10,711 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Movements in borrowings during the year 

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

Group 

Balance at 1 January 2021 

Funding drawdown 

Interest expense 
Origination fees paid 

Fee amortisation 

Repayments 

Interest paid 

Loan written off 

Exchange differences 

Balance at 31 December 2021 

Group 

Balance at 1 January 2020 

Funding drawdown 

Interest expense 

Origination fees paid 

Fee amortisation 
Repayments 

Interest paid 

Balance at 31 December 2020 

£’000 

10,711 

5,725 

528 

(211) 

141 

(3,371) 

(506) 

(13) 

(19) 

12,985 

£’000 

6,194 

5,840 

279 

(2) 

133 

(1,458) 

(275) 

10,711 

The primary borrowings of the Group are comprised of the following: 

•  A 24-month revolving facility agreement with a 12-month term-out period, maturing in September 2024. 
This facility incepted in September 2019 and was renewed in November 2021. Interest is payable monthly 
with the principal balance rolled over monthly, subject to ongoing compliance with the agreement. This 
facility is secured by a debenture over all assets of Vertus Capital. 

•  Unsecured interest bearing facility due in 2028, with interest payable quarterly. This facility was renewed 

during the current year with the maturity date extended from 2026 to 2028. 

•  A  revolving  credit  facility  under  which  notice  is  given  by  either  the  lender  (3  months)  or  borrower  (6 
months).  The facility is secured by a fixed and floating charge over Satago SPV1 and interest is payable 
monthly. 

The Company had no borrowings during the period or at year end. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

17. 

Trade and other payables 

Group 

Company 

2021 
£’000 
380   
3,949   
103   
9   
706   
145   
5,292   

2020 
£’000 
1,553   
4,179   
247   
1   
960   
179   
7,119   

2021 
£’000 
5   
670   
–   
–   
353   
–   
1,028   

2020 
£’000 
32 

569 

2 

– 

539 

– 
1,142 

Trade payables 

Accruals 

Other payables 

Corporation tax 

Other taxation and social security 

VAT 

18. 

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  16  and  equity  of  the  Group 
(comprising issued capital, reserves, retained earnings and non-controlling interests as disclosed in note 15 
and note 19). 

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. 

Analysis of financial instruments by valuation model 

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

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

31 December 2021 

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  

16,133 

Trade receivables 

Other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

2,585 

2,373 

7,608 

Fair 
value 
£’000 

16,133 

2,585 

2,373 

7,608 

28,699 

28,699 

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value 

Borrowings 

Trade, other payables and 
accruals 

12,985 

4,672 

12,985 

4,672 

17,657 

17,657 

31 December 2020 

Group 

Carrying 
amount 
£’000 

Financial assets not measured at fair value 
Loans and advances  

14,660 

Trade receivables 

Other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

1,992 

1,541 

17,728 

35,921 

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value 

Borrowings 

Trade, other payables and 
accruals 

10,711 

6,578 

17,289 

Fair 
value 
£’000 

14,660 

1,992 

1,541 

17,728 

35,921 

10,711 

6,578 

17,289 

Level 1 
£’000 

Level 2 
£’000 

Level 3 
£’000 

– 

– 

– 

7,608 

7,608 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

16,133 

2,585 

2,373 

– 

21,091 

12,985 

4,672 

17,657 

Level 1 
£’000 

Level 2 
£’000 

Level 3 
£’000 

– 

– 

– 

17,728 

17,728 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

14,660 

1,992 

1,541 

– 

18,193 

10,711 

6,578 

17,289 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

31 December 2021 

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 

46,919 

46,919 

92 

786 

92 

786 

47,797 

47,797 

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

1,028 

31 December 2020 

Company 

1,028 

Carrying 
amount 
£’000 

1,028 

1,028 

Fair 
value 
£’000 

Financial assets not measured at fair value 

Amounts owed by group 
undertakings 
Other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

47,066 

47,066 

619 

578 

619 

578 

48,263 

48,263 

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

1,142 

1,142 

1,142 

1,142 

– 

– 

786 

786 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

46,919 

92 

– 

47,011 

1,028 

1,028 

Level 1 
£’000 

Level 2 
£’000 

Level 3 
£’000 

– 

– 

578 

578 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

47,066 

619 

– 

47,685 

1,142 

1,142 

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 and/or expected credit losses recognised, their carrying 
value is considered to be approximately equal to their fair value.  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Trade and other receivables, borrowings, trade and other payables, and accruals 

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 2021       69 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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 2021       70 

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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 2021       71 

 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Maximum exposure to credit risk 

Group 

Company 

2021 
£’000 
7,608   
16,133   

–   

4,958   
28,699   

Group 

2021 
£’000 

2   
83   
192   
142   
–   
419   

2020 
£’000 
17,728   
14,660   

–   

3,532   
35,920   

2020 
£’000 

–   
75   
163   
2,185   
–   
2,423   

–   
15,718   

–   
12,247   

2021 
£’000 
786   
–   

46,919   

144   
47,849   

2020 
£’000 
578 

– 

47,066 

658 

48,302 

Company 

2021 
£’000 

2020 
£’000 

–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   

–   
–   

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

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.  

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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. 

  2020 
Total 
£’000 

6,360 
6,675 

1,635 

14,670 

(10) 

14,660 

Stage 1 
£’000 

Stage 2 
£’000 

Stage 3 
£’000 

5,274 
10,863 

– 
16,137 

(4) 

16,133 

Stage 1 
£’000 
14,665 

5 

– 

– 

1,467 

16,137 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

Stage 2 
£’000 
– 

– 

– 

– 

–  

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

Stage 3 
£’000 
5 

(5) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2021 
Total 
£’000 

5,274 
10,863   

– 

16,137   

(4)   

16,133   

Total 
£’000 
14,669 

– 

– 

– 

1,468 

16,137 

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 2021 
Transfer to stage 1 

Transfer to stage 2 

Transfer to stage 3 

Net Loans originated 

As at 31 December 2021 

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 (2020: £nil). 

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 2021 (2020: £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 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       73 

 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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. 

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. 

Carrying 
Amount 
£’000 

  Less than 
1 month 
£’000 

1-3 
months 
£’000 

  3 months 
to 1 year 
£’000 

1-5 
years 
£’000 

  >5 years 

£’000 

7,608 

7,608 

– 

– 

– 

4,958 
16,133 
28,699 

2,717 
740 
11,065 

4,672 
12,985 
17,657 

1,203 
48 
1,251 

690 
660 
1,350 

2,414 
– 
2,414 

392 
3,158 
3,550 

1,159 
11,197 
12,356 

– 

– 
378 
378 

1,055 
1,602 
2,657 

– 
7,835 
7,835 

– 
3,500 
3,500 

As at 31 December 
2021 

Financial Assets 
Cash and cash 
equivalents 
Trade and other 
receivables 
Loans and advances 

Financial Liabilities 
Trade payables, other 
payables and accruals 
Borrowings  

Market risk 

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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

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.  

19. 

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’s ownership share Vertus Capital and Vertus SPV1 at the reporting date was 53.8% (2020: 51.0%).  

Statement of Financial Position 

Vertus Capital 

  Vertus SPV1 

Current assets 

Non-current assets 

Current liabilities 

Equity attributable to owners of the 
Company 
Non-controlling interests 

2021 
£’000 
5,005   

5   

94   

2,747   

2,357   

  2020 
£’000 
4,670   

5   

(144)   

2,311   

2,220   

  2021 
£’000 

15,740   
–   
(15,746) 

(3) 

(3)   

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 

2021 
£’000 
522   

(436)   

86   

46   

40   

  2020 
£’000 
469   

(623)   

(154)   

(79)   

(75)   

  2021 
£’000 

1,380   
(1,193)   
187 

100   

87   

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 

2021 
£’000 
(520)   

224   

488   

192   

  2020 
£’000 
(390)   

331   

–   

(59)   

  2021 
£’000 

(2,922)   
–   
2,839 

(83)   

  2020 
£’000 

12,538 

– 

(12,731) 

(98) 

(95) 

  2020 
£’000 

1,018 

(940) 

78 

40 

38 

  2020 
£’000 

(2,035) 

– 

2,043 

8 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

Vertus Capital 

Vertus SPV1 

Balance at 1 January 

Share of loss for the year 

Change in NCI due to share issuance 
in the year 
Balance at 31 December  

2021 
£’000 
2,220   

40   

97   

2,357   

  2020 
£’000 
2,295   

–   

(75)   

2,220   

The Group had a 72% ownership share of Bandana Media Ltd during the year.  

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 1 January 

Share of loss for the year 

Balance at 31 December  

  2021 
£’000 

(95)   

87   

5   

(3)   

2021 
£’000 

45   
(5,258)   
(3,773)   
(1,440)   

2021 
£’000 

–   

(981)   

(981)   

(710)   

(271)   

2021 
£’000 

–   

–   

2021 
£’000 
(1,169)   
(271)   
(1,440) 

  2020 
£’000 
(134) 

– 

39 

(95) 

  2020 
£’000 

61 

(4,293) 

(3,063) 
(1,169) 

  2020 
£’000 

– 

(824) 

(824) 

(596) 

(228) 

2020 
£’000 

1 

1 

  2020 
£’000 
(941) 

(228) 
(1,169) 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

The Group had a 94.1% effective economic ownership share of Satago Financial Solutions Limited at the 
reporting date (2020: 93.7%). 

Satago Financial Solutions Ltd 

Current assets 

Non-current assets 

Current liabilities 

Equity attributable to owners of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 

Satago Financial Solutions Ltd 

Revenue 

Expenses 

Loss after tax 

Loss after tax attributable to owners of the Company 

Loss after tax attributable to the non-controlling interests 

Satago Financial Solutions Ltd 

Net cash used in operating activities 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Net cash used in financing activities 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 

Satago Financial Solutions Ltd 
Balance at 1 January 

NCI on grant of Satago MIP 

Share of loss for the year 

Arising from change in non-controlling interest 

Balance at 31 December  

2021 
£’000 

1,748   

631   
(291)   
1,985   
103   

2021 
£’000 

198   

(3,284)   

(3,086)   

(2,905)   

(181)   

2021 
£’000 
(3,965)   

189   

2,731   

(1,044)   

2021 
£’000 
294   
–   
(181)   
(10)   
103 

  2020 
£’000 

5,256 

631 

(713) 

4,880 

294 

  2020 
£’000 

591 

(3,508) 

(2,916) 

(2,787) 

(129) 

2020 
£’000 

(751) 

(305) 

– 

(1,056) 

  2020 
£’000 
– 

496 

(129) 

(73) 
294 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

20. 

Leases 

The carrying amounts of the right-of-use assets recognised and the movements during the period are shown in 
note 11. 

The lease liability and movement during the period were: 

Group 
Lease liability recognised at 1 January 2021 

Interest  

Payments 

Balance at 31 December 2021 

21. 

Earnings per share 

£’000 

120 

3 

(99) 

25 

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 

2021 

2020 

80,822,204   

80,822,204 

80,822,204   

80,822,204 

Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders 

Loss after tax attributable to the owners of TruFin plc 

£’000   

(7,071)   

£’000 

(10,971) 

Adjusted earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders 

Loss after tax attributable to the owners of TruFin plc 

Adjusted for share-based payment 

Adjusted loss after tax attributable to the owners of TruFin plc 

Earnings per share* 

Basic and Diluted 
Adjusted1 

(7,071)   
70   
(7,001)   

Pence   
(8.7)   
(8.7)   

(10,971) 
545 

(10,426) 

Pence 
(13.6) 

(12.9) 

* 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 

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. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       78 

 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 
For the year ended 31 December 2021 

22. 

Related party disclosures 

Transactions with Directors 

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

Payment to an ex-Director 
Consultancy services provided by an ex-Director 
Other related parties 

2021 
£’000 
– 
21 
– 

2020 
£’000 
359 
29 
2 

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

During the year, the company made loans to Storm Chaser UG, a company based in Germany. Storm Chaser UG 
is 100% owned by Storm Chaser Games – an associate company of Playstack (See note 1). The balance of the 
loans (including interest) at the reporting date was £148,000 (prior period: £Nil). 

23. 

Post balance sheet events 

On 12 April 2022 the Company successfully completed a Placing and Open offer resulting in 13,360,739 new 
ordinary shares being issued in the Company at £0.75 per share, raising gross proceed of c.£10m. Following 
issue of the new shares, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 94,182,943. 

Since the year end Lloyds Banking Group (“LBG”) has completed an investment of £5m of new equity capital in 
Satago, at a pre-money valuation of £20m. 937,501 newly created B ordinary shares, with a par value of £0.001 
per share, were allotted for £5m cash from LBG, representing 20% of the fully diluted share capital. 

On 9 March 2022 TruFin agreed to vary the terms of an existing £3 million loan to Satago so that it is convertible 
into equity capital in Satago at the same valuation as the LBG investment or, if a further funding round takes 
place, the valuation implied by the funding round. Assuming conversion based on the £20 million valuation (and 
assuming LBG does not subscribe for its pro rata entitlement to shares), TruFin would hold approximately 68% 
of Satago (on a fully diluted basis). 

In  addition  on  9  March  2022  LBG  confirmed  its  intention  to  enter  into  a  commercial  agreement  to  licence 
Satago’s software platform for its Single Invoice Finance and whole of book Invoice Factoring customers. Satago 
and LBG have signed a letter of intent. 

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021       79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TruFin plc 

www.TruFin.com