Quarterlytics / Utilities / Diversified Utilities / Unitil Corporation

Unitil Corporation

utl · NYSE Utilities
Claim this profile
Ticker utl
Exchange NYSE
Sector Utilities
Industry Diversified Utilities
Employees 565
← All annual reports
FY2018 Annual Report · Unitil Corporation
Loading PDF…
Current Year Performance 4

Performance since Inception 

Group Performance Summary 

Chairman’s Statement 

7

5

6

Investment Managers’ Report 

10

Geographical & Sector Split of Investments  14

TEN Largest Holdings 

15

Strategic Report and Business Review 

26

Investment Managers and Team 

34

Directors 

36

Report of the Directors 

Corporate Governance 

37

49

Capital Structure  52

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Audit & RISK Committee Report 

55

59

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

63

Report of the Independent Auditor  64

Group Income Statement  69

Company Income Statement 

70

Group Statement of Changes in Equity 

Company Statement of Changes in Equity 

71

72

Balance Sheets  73

Statements of Cash Flows  74

Notes to the Accounts 

1.  Accounting Policies 

2. 

Investment And Other Income  78

3.  Management And Administration Fees  78

4.  Other Expenses 

4A.  Auditor’s Remuneration 

80

75

75

80

81

90

91

92

5.  Finance Costs 

6. 

 Taxation 

81

8.  Dividends 

82

9. 

Investments  82

7.  Earnings Per Ordinary Share  81

10.  Subsidiary Undertakings 

84

11.  Other Receivables 

85

12.  Derivative Financial Instruments 

13.  BANK Loans – Current Liability  86

14.  Other Payables 

86

15.  Zero Dividend Preference Shares 

16.  Bank Loans – Non-current liability 

17.  Ordinary Share Capital 

18.  Share Premium Account 

19.  Special Reserve 

20.  Non-Distributable Reserve 

89

90

90

21.  Capital Reserves 

22.  Revenue Reserve 

26.  Ultimate Parent Undertaking  93

27.  Related Party Transactions 

94

28.  Operating Segments  95

29.  Going concern 

95

30.  Financial Risk Management 

96

85

86

89

23.  Net Asset Value Per Ordinary Share 

92

24.  Reconciliation Of Total Return Before Tax To Net Cash Inflow From Operating Activities 

92

25.  Reconciliation of Liabilities arising from Financing Activities 

93

31.  Alternative investment Fund Managers Directive (“AIMFD”) 102

Notice of Annual General Meeting  103

Company Information 

106

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES 

107

Historical Performance  

109

2018

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

2

OVERVIEW AND PERFORMANCE

4 

5 

Current Year Performance 

Performance since Inception 

6   Group Performance Summary

7   Chairman’s Statement

STRATEGIC REPORT AND INVESTMENTS

10  

Investment Managers’ Report

14   Geographical and Sector Split of Investments

15  Ten Largest Holdings

26   Strategic Report and Business Review

34  

Investment Managers and Team

GOVERNANCE

36   Directors

37   Report of the Directors

49   Corporate Governance

52  Capital Structure

55   Directors’ Remuneration Report

59   Audit & Risk Committee Report

63   Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

64  

Independent Auditor’s Report

69   Accounts

75  Notes to the Accounts

OTHER

103  Notice of Annual General Meeting

106  Company Information

107  Alternative Performance Measures

109  Historical Performance

1

CONTENTS 
 
 
 
 
UIL LIMITED

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

UIL  Limited’s  investment  objective 
is to maximise shareholder returns 
by  identifying  and  investing  in 
investments  worldwide  where  the 
underlying  value  is  not  reflected  in 
the market price. 

NATURE OF THE COMPANY
UIL Limited (“UIL” or the “Company”) is a closed end investment company, whose ordinary shares are listed on the 

premium segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and are traded on the Main Market of the 

London Stock Exchange. UIL is a Bermuda exempted company incorporated with liability limited by shares. The 

business of the Company consists of investing the pooled funds of its shareholders in accordance with its investment 

objective and policy, generating a return for shareholders and spreading the investment risk. The Company has 

borrowings and gearing is also provided via zero dividend preference (“ZDP”) shares, issued by its wholly owned 

subsidiary UIL Finance Limited (“UIL Finance”), the proceeds from which can also be invested with the aim of enhancing 

returns to shareholders. This gearing increases the potential risk to ordinary shareholders should the value of the 

investments fall. The joint portfolio managers of the Company are ICM Investment Management Limited (“ICMIM”) 

and ICM Limited (“ICM”), together referred to as the “Investment Managers”.

The Company’s shares are traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

The Company’s ordinary shares and ZDP shares can be held in an individual savings account (“ISA”).

The Company’s shares qualify to be considered as a mainstream investment product suitable for ordinary 

retail investors. 

2

 
GEOGRAPHICAL INVESTMENT EXPOSURE

FINANCIAL CALENDAR
FINANCIAL CALENDAR

Year end

30 June

Annual General Meeting (“AGM”)

21 November 2018

Half year

31 December

Quarterly dividends, payable in

September, December, March and June

Q4 interim dividend – Ex-dividend

– Paid

6 September 2018
21 September 2018

FORWARD–LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report may contain “forward-looking statements” with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company 
and the Group. Such statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that could cause actual results to 
differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on the Directors’ current 
views and on information known to them at the date of this report. Nothing in this publication should be construed as a profit forecast.

Potential investors are reminded that the value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not receive 
back the full amount invested.

3

GEOGRAPHICAL INVESTMENT EXPOSURE 
UIL Limited
Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

CURRENT YEAR PERFORMANCE

   Net asset value (“NAV”) total return of 18.7%
   Dividend per ordinary share maintained at 7.50p

NAV TOTAL RETURN COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE*
June 2017 to June 2018

120

115

110

105

100

95

Jun 17

Jul 17

Aug 17

Sep 17

Oct 17

Nov 17

Dec 17

Jan 18

Feb 18

Mar 18

Apr 18

May 18

Jun 18

NAV per ordinary share total return

FTSE All-Share Index total return

*Rebased to 100 at 30 June 2017

Source: ICM 

Other key features

•  Invested £68.7m (2017: £121.3m) and realised £72.9m (2017: £155.7m)

•  Gearing reduced to 87.3% from 97.2%

•  50.0m 2024 and 25.0m 2026 ZDP shares issued 

•  Technology investments increased to 25.9% of the total portfolio (2017: 22.3%)

•  Unlisted investments are 21.0% of the total portfolio (2017: 20.5%)

•  Bought back 703,819 shares for £1.2m at an average price of 172.67p per share

4

PERFORMANCE SINCE INCEPTION

UIL Limited
Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

   Annual compound NAV total return since inception of 12.4%
   Dividends per ordinary share have increased from 1.60p to 7.50p

HISTORIC NAV TOTAL RETURN PERFORMANCE*
from August 2003 to June 2018

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

NAV per ordinary share total return** 

FTSE All-Share Index total return

*Rebased to 100 at 14 August 2003
**Adjusted for the exercise of warrants and convertibles

Source: ICM

ALLOCATION OF GROSS ASSETS (£m)
from August 2003 to June 2018

DIVIDENDS PER ORDINARY SHARE (pence)
from June 2004 to June 2018

500

400

300

200

100

0

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

12.0

10.0

8.0

6.0

4.0

2.0

0.0

2004

2005

2006

2007

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Dividend per share – ordinary

Dividend per share – special

 Ordinary shares 

 ZDP shares 

 Bank loans

Source: ICM

No dividends were paid between 2007 and 2010

Source: ICM

CUMULATIVE NAV TOTAL RETURN COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE (pence) 
from August 2003 to June 2018 (Rebased to 100 at 14 August 2003*)

NAV total 
return of 
468.5%

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

*Inception of Utilico Investment Trust PLC
**Adjusted for the exercise of warrants and convertibles

NAV per ordinary share total return**

FTSE All-Share Index total return

Source: ICM

5
5

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

30 JUNE  
2018

30 JUNE 
2017

CHANGE %  
2018/17

18.7
11.3
12.4
291.79
174.50
40.2

6.67
38.96
45.63
7,389
7.50

156.78
159.50

131.52
142.50

113.01
124.50

103.10
107.50

100.87
102.25

488.3
27.8
199.4
261.1

10.6
2.8
1.6

2.2
4.4
87.3

7.7
31.3
11.9
252.86
164.00
35.1

6.38
12.46
18.84
6,777
7.50

146.19
154.75

122.64
140.38

106.37
119.50

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

449.7
47.8
173.8
228.1

10.7
2.9
1.8

2.1
2.6
97.2

n/a
n/a
n/a
15.4
6.4
n/a

4.5
212.7
142.2
9.0
0.0

7.2
3.1

7.2
1.5

6.2
4.2

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

8.6
(41.8)
14.7
14.5

(0.9)
(3.4)
(11.1)

n/a
n/a
n/a

GROUP PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

NAV total return(1) (for the year) (%)
Share price total return(1) (for the year) (%)
Annual compound NAV total return (since inception) (%)
NAV per ordinary share (pence)
Ordinary share price (pence)
Discount(1) (%)
Returns and dividends (pence)
Revenue return per ordinary share
Capital return per ordinary share
Total return per ordinary share 
FTSE All-Share Index total return
Dividend per ordinary share
ZDP shares(2) (pence)
2018 ZDP shares
Capital entitlement(3) per ZDP share
ZDP share price
2020 ZDP shares
Capital entitlement(3) per ZDP share
ZDP share price
2022 ZDP shares
Capital entitlement(3) per ZDP share
ZDP share price
2024 ZDP shares
Capital entitlement(3) per ZDP share
ZDP share price
2026 ZDP shares
Capital entitlement(3) per ZDP share
ZDP share price
Equity holders’ funds (£m)
Gross assets(4)
Bank debt 
ZDP shares
Equity holders’ funds
Revenue account (£m)
Income
Costs (management and other expenses)
Finance costs
Financial ratios of the Group (%)
Ongoing charges figure excluding performance fees(1)
Ongoing charges figure including performance fees(1)
Bank debt, overdraft and ZDP shares gearing on net assets(1)

(1)  See Alternative Performance Measures on pages 107 and 108 
(2)  Issued by UIL Finance, a wholly owned subsidiary of UIL
(3)  See page 52
(4)  Gross assets less current liabilities excluding loans and ZDP shares

6
6

UIL LimitedCHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

It is pleasing to report that UIL achieved a NAV total return per ordinary share of 18.7% for 

the year to 30 June 2018. This outperformed the FTSE All Share Total Return Index over the 

same period, which was up by 9.0%. Over the three years to 30 June 2018, UIL’s NAV total 

return was 90.3%, representing a gain of over £110.0m, well ahead of most relevant indices. 

Since inception in August 2003, UIL has distributed £61.0m in dividends, invested £23.9m 

in ordinary share buybacks and added net gains to our NAV of some £215.0m for a total 

return of 468.5% (adjusted for the exercise of warrants and convertibles). This represents 

an average annual compound total return since inception of 12.4%. The FTSE All Share Total 

Return Index average annual compound total return for the same period was 8.6%.

I noted in the half-yearly report that the goldilocks scenario for equities (positive gross 

domestic product (“GDP”) growth, low inflation, low interest rates) had continued from the 

end of 2017 into the start of 2018. We had, however, expressed concern that the rising 

dislocation  between  Quantitative  Easing  (“QE”)  and  Quantitative  Tightening  (“QT”)  in  a 

number of countries would likely result in increased volatility. This volatility is now evident 

and markets are starting to be tested. In January and February 2018, the S&P 500 lost over 

10% from peak to trough and failed to regain that January peak of 2,823.81 and closed on 

30 June 2018 at 2,718.37. Since then the S&P 500 has exceeded that peak and was 2901.52 

as at 31 August 2018. Emerging markets (“EM”) have experienced an even greater level of 

volatility than developed markets.

While most markets have gained over the past twelve months, corporate earnings have been 

rising at a faster rate. This has resulted in a number of compelling investment opportunities.

The gain in UIL’s portfolio is as a result of the Investment Managers’ individual stock selection, 

strong conviction in the Company’s existing investments and by remaining fully invested 

throughout the reporting period. UIL’s investments are guided by three core views. First, 

that the world’s financial markets are over indebted; second, disruptive technological change 

offers strong investment upside; and third, EM provide higher GDP growth opportunities 

than developed markets. The Investment Managers are focused on finding compelling 

investment opportunities at valuations that do not reflect their true long-term value. ICM is 

a relentless bottom up investor. 

While I don’t usually comment on individual investment positions it would be remiss of 

me not to note the stellar performance of Afterpay Touch Group Limited (“APT”). Having 

started the year trading at AUD 2.68 and ending the year at AUD 9.35, APT’s performance 

has been outstanding. It is even more pleasing to see APT trading at over AUD 16.00 today. 

The Investment Managers sold down half the holding into this rising strength, however, APT 

remains UIL’s fifth largest holding. APT’s disruptive business model is a truly global business 

opportunity and one that we have significant expectations for further upside. 

UIL continues to invest in and develop a number of platforms: Utilico Emerging Markets 

Trust plc (“UEM”) (EM); Somers Limited (“Somers”) (financial services); Zeta Resources Limited 

(“Zeta”) (resource and commodities); and Infratil Limited (“Infratil”) (utility infrastructure in 

Australasia). In addition, UIL has established a strong track record of investing in the FinTech 

and PayTech sectors and is looking to establish a “platform” to capitalise on this position. 

It is pleasing to report that 
UIL achieved a NAV total 
return per ordinary share of 
18.7% for the year to 30 June 
2018. This outperformed the 
FTSE All Share Total Return 
Index over the same period, 
which was up by 9.0%. Over 
the three years to 30 June 
2018, UIL’s NAV total return 
was 90.3%, representing a 
gain of over £110.0m, well 
ahead of most relevant 
indices. 

7
7

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

Allectus Capital Limited (“Allectus”) will focus on this key area for UIL. Pleasingly, the majority of our existing platforms 

have continued to make significant progress over the last 12 months. 

A negative aspect of the platform investments continues to be the ‘discount on discount’. UEM’s share price on 30 June 

2018 was 197.00p, which represented a discount of 13.6% to the diluted NAV of 228.11p. A look-through valuation of 

UEM, Somers and Zeta would increase UIL’s NAV by 24.6% to 363.69p per share.

The discount factor encouraged the Investment Managers, supported by the Board, to continue to buy back shares. 

This year UIL bought back 0.7m ordinary shares (0.8%) at an average price of 172.67p, which represented a discount of 

40.8% to the closing NAV. These buybacks were accretive to UIL’s NAV per share and earnings per share (“EPS”). Further 

buybacks need to be balanced with the need for the Company to maintain adequate cover for the ZDP shareholders 

and to maintain liquidity for the redemption of the ZDP shares when due for repayment.

In November 2017 UIL successfully rolled 17.1m of its existing 2018 ZDP shares into 26.7m new 2024 ZDP shares and 

placed 3.3m of the new 2024 ZDP shares for cash. The new 2024 ZDP shares have a lower compounding rate of 4.75% 

and will reduce UIL’s funding costs going forward. In April 2018 UIL launched a new £25.0m issue of 2026 ZDP shares 

with the objective of reducing the bank facility from the proceeds raised. This extends the ZDP cycle for UIL and 

results in lower bank debt and a lower redemption value every two years as the ZDP shares will be spread over four 

issues. UIL initially placed 10.6m 2026 ZDP shares at the 100.00p placing price and has subsequently placed 1.0m at 

an average price of 101.53p. UIL held 13.4m shares on its balance sheet at the year end and intends to place these 

out in response to market demand.

It is pleasing to see our four issues of ZDP shares trading at much tighter gross redemption yields than last year and 

that the ZDP market remains relatively buoyant. As a result of UIL’s investment performance the cover for the ZDP 

shares has improved considerably.

Revenue return for the year to 30 June 2018 was £6.0m, ahead of the prior year of £5.8m, (an increase of 4.1%). This 

resulted in revenue return EPS of 6.67p versus the prior year’s 6.38p, an increase of 4.5%. The better outcome at an 

EPS level is due in part to the share buybacks outlined above.

The Board maintained total dividends for the year to 30 June 2018 at 7.50p per share which represents a yield on the 

closing share price of 174.50p of 4.3%. Looking forward, the Board expects to maintain the current dividend profile. 

Undistributed revenue reserves carried forward reduced from £9.5m to £9.0m equal to some 10.02p per share.

The capital return for the year ended 30 June 2018 was £35.0m. This reflects portfolio gains of £48.4m and gains on 

derivatives and foreign exchange of £4.1m. Ongoing charges are 2.2% excluding performance fees and 4.4% including 

performance fees payable by UIL and the other companies managed by ICM (2017: 2.1% excluding performance fees 

and 2.6% including performance fees). These charges include operational, recurring costs payable not only by the 

Group but also a proportion of costs incurred at other investment companies held within the portfolio.

With effect from 1 July 2018 the provision of administration services to UIL was moved from F&C Management Limited 

to JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. (in relation to fund accounting, fund valuation and reporting administration services) 

and through ICMIM, to Waverton Investment Management (in relation to middle office and market dealing services). 

JPMorgan remains UIL’s custodian and depositary. 

I would like to thank F&C Management Limited for their support and contribution to UIL and its predecessors going 

back to 1993. I would also like to thank the management team at ICM and Waverton for achieving this move. It is never 

easy with a highly regulated framework with which UIL is required to comply.

8
8

UIL Limited(continued) CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENTReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

OUTLOOK
The world’s markets have seen a sharp increase in volatility. The main driving factor is the shift from QE to QT by the 

USA. This in turn is leading to US Dollar strengthening and a ‘risk off’ approach by investors to many markets. We expect 

this to continue and the consequence to likely be a slowing of EM economies and possibly a global recession and this 

will in turn feed back to the developed economies over the next 24 months.

Against the above backdrop, stock selection is of increasing importance. ICM’s relentless bottom up approach to 

investment should benefit UIL’s portfolio.

Peter Burrows AO 

Chairman 

14 September 2018

9
9

UIL LimitedINVESTMENT MANAGERS’ REPORT

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

UIL’s NAV total return of 18.7% for the twelve months to 30 June 2018 was a rewarding result given the market volatility 

in 2018. 

The stand out performances have been the technology investments, especially APT and Optal Limited (“Optal”) up 

by 248.9% and 66.7% respectively. Share price performance at both companies was driven by strong operational 

performances.

UIL continues to develop its core platform investments, which offer the following benefits:

•  Focused strategy. Each platform has a narrow mandate and as such is driven by the objective of finding and making 

investments within its mandate.

•  Dedicated research analysts. The research analysts for each platform are focused on both understanding existing 

portfolio businesses and identifying compelling new investments.

•  Financial support. Ability to draw on UIL’s support and financial backing.

•  Deep knowledge. Utilising the Investment Managers’ knowledge across many jurisdictions to optimise investment 

opportunities and undertake corporate finance led transactions.

The platforms have been set up to provide a sharper focus, leading to better investment opportunities and decision 

making by analysts within their defined sectors.

Platform investments represent 56.1% of the total portfolio as at 30 June 2018, amounting to a total investment of 

£276.8m. During the year to 30 June 2018, UIL made net withdrawals of £15.5m, (prior year £23.5m) from its platform 

investments. Key realisations included £18.1m from Zeta and £10.5m from Infratil. 

Offsetting the benefits outlined above is the discount drag that UIL suffers on its platform investments. As at 30 June 

2018 there were discounts to published NAVs of 13.6% for UEM (some £12.0m); 18.4% for Somers (some £25.1m) and 

30.9% for Zeta (some £27.3m). Together this amounts to a discount on these investments of some £64.4m. Adding 

these discounts back would see UIL’s shareholders’ funds increase by 24.6% to 363.69p.

A key driver in shaping the current portfolio is the Investment Managers’ three medium-term core views. First, that the 

world’s financial markets are over indebted; second, that technological change offers strong investment upside and 

third, that EM offers higher GDP growth opportunities than developed markets. UIL’s Investment Managers’ emphasis 

is on individual stock selection, remaining fully invested and focusing on finding investments at valuations that do not 

reflect their true long-term value, while at the same time being a supportive shareholder of investee companies. ICM 

is a relentless bottom up investor.

INVESTMENTS (£m)
from 30 June 2013 to 30 June 2018

500

400

300

200

100

0

10
10

Jun 13

Dec 13

Jun 14

Dec 14

Jun 15

Dec 15

Jun 16

Dec 16

Jun 17

Dec 17

Jun 18

Listed investments

Investments in unlisted companies

Loans to listed companies

Source: ICM

UIL LimitedINVESTMENT MANAGERS’ REPORTReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

PORTFOLIO
The portfolio’s exposure to infrastructure and utilities was in line with last year, with 27.4% invested in these sectors. The 

prior year’s exposure was 25.8%. The big increases in sector exposures are in technology, up to 25.9% (prior year 22.3%) 

of the portfolio and financial services, up to 22.7% (prior year 20.0%), mainly as a result of investment outperformance.

As at 30 June 2018 the top ten investments accounted for 89.2% of the portfolio versus the prior year’s 86.5%. Concentration 

risk, however, is significantly reduced owing to platforms holding a number of underlying investments. It should be noted 

that for both sector and geographic analysis, we continue to present the portfolio on a look-through basis.

PLATFORM INVESTMENTS
UIL currently has six individual platform investments – Somers, UEM, Zeta, Infratil, Bermuda First Investment Company 

Limited (“BFIC”) and Allectus. These investments represent five of the top ten portfolio investments and excluding 

Allectus, these five investments account for 56.1% of the total portfolio as at 30 June 2018 (prior year 56.5%). These 

are reviewed under the ten largest holdings starting on page 16.

In addition, Allectus is an unlisted investment company, holding unlisted investments in technology companies, primarily 

related to Fintech. ICM’s Allectus team are actively seeking and making early stage investments in potentially disruptive 

technology businesses. 

DIRECT INVESTMENTS
UIL has five direct investments in its top ten holdings. These include: Resolute Mining Limited (“Resolute”), APT, Optal, Vix 

Technology Limited (“VixTech”) and Vix Verify Global Pty Ltd (“Vix Verify”). The top ten investments are reviewed individually 

under the ten largest holdings starting on page 16.

UNLISTED INVESTMENTS
Unlisted investments at UIL were valued at £103.6m (21.0% of the total portfolio) as at 30 June 2018, up from £92.2m 

(20.5% of the portfolio) as at 30 June 2017. Included in the unlisted investments in the top ten are Optal, VixTech and 

Vix Verify, each of which are reviewed under the ten largest holdings starting on page 16.

Together the unlisted investments and the loans to the listed 

platforms are reported as level 3 investments amounting to 

£126.1m, as compared to the prior year of £109.0m.

COMMODITIES MOVEMENTS 

SECTOR REVIEWS
Technology – 25.9% (prior year 22.3%)

from June 2017 to June 2018
170

UIL  holds  a  number  of  investments  in  the  technology 

sector, both directly and through Allectus (eleventh largest 

investment). APT is UIL’s fifth largest holding in the portfolio 

as at 30 June 2018 while Optal is the sixth largest holding and 

VixTech is the eighth largest holding.

Financial Services – 22.7% (prior year 20.0%)

UIL’s largest investment in financial services is Somers, UIL’s 

largest investment holding which accounts for 22.6% of UIL’s 

total portfolio as at 30 June 2018 (prior year 19.1%)

150

130

110

90

Jun
17

Sep

Dec

Mar

Jun
18

Copper
Oil

Gold
Nickel

Source: Bloomberg

11
11

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

Gold Mining – 15.6% (prior year 18.1%)

UIL’s largest investment in gold mining is in Resolute, which is held both directly by UIL (13.1% of the total portfolio) and 

indirectly through Zeta.

Resources (including gold mining) – 25.0% (prior year 21.7%)

UIL’s largest investment in resources is Zeta, which accounts for 12.3% of the total portfolio as at 30 June 2018 (prior 

year 12.1%).

DERIVATIVES
UIL was for the most part inactive in stock market derivatives during the year as the Investment Managers expected the 

markets to perform well in 2018 driven by strong corporate earnings, notwithstanding increased volatility.

UIL operates a Sterling liability neutral policy and therefore hedged its predominantly Sterling ZDP liabilities with an 

appropriate mix of currency hedges.

Currency hedging resulted in profits of £3.3m due to Sterling’s relative weakness. UIL has hedged a mixture of Australian 

Dollar, US Dollar, New Zealand Dollar and Euro to ensure ZDP liabilities were matched with certain assets. At the period 

end UIL’s forward currency sale contracts in place were for nominal AUD 183.0m, USD 87.3m, NZD 14.7m and EUR 6.0m. 

GEARING
We are pleased to highlight that UIL’s initial goal set in 2013 of reducing gearing to 100.0% or below has been delivered 

again this year. Gearing (including the ZDP shares) has steadily reduced from 160.4% in 2013 to 87.3% as at 30 June 2018. 

It is also worth noting UIL’s average cost of borrowing (ZDP shares and bank debt) has now fallen to 5.9% in 2018.

ZDP SHARES
UIL’s wholly owned subsidiary, UIL Finance, commenced the year with £173.8m of ZDP shares in issue. With the new 2024 

and 2026 ZDP shares issued in the financial year under review, the ZDP shares were at £233.9m as at 30 June 2018. UIL 

INDICES MOVEMENTS

from June 2017 to June 2018

CURRENCY MOVEMENTS vs STERLING

from June 2017 to June 2018

115

110

105

100

95

90

Mar

S&P 500
FTSE All-Share

Jun
18

Source: Bloomberg

Jun
17

Sep

Dec

Mar

Australian Dollar
US Dollar

New Zealand Dollar
Euro

Jun
18

Source: Bloomberg

Sep

Jun
17
Australian Stock Exchange (”ASX”)
New Zealand Stock Exchange (”NZX”)

Dec

125

120

115

110

105

100

95

90

12
12

UIL LimitedINVESTMENT MANAGERS’ REPORT(continued)Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

holds 0.3m 2018 ZDP shares, 20.0m 2024 ZDP shares and 13.4m 2026 ZDP shares on its balance sheet. As at 30 June 

2018, the net issued ZDP shares on a consolidated basis to outside investors are some £199.4m.

Further details on the ZDP shares are included in note 15 to the accounts. 

DEBT
Bank debt decreased from £47.8m as at 30 June 2017 to £27.8m as at 30 June 2018 and was drawn in both Australian 

and Canadian Dollars. 

Scotiabank’s £50.0m committed senior secured multicurrency revolving facility has been extended to March 2020.

REVENUE RETURNS
Revenue returns were £6.0m, up by 4.1% on the previous year’s £5.8m. Management fees decreased by 10.0% reflecting 

the increased investments in platforms and resultant reduction of fees at a UIL level in order to avoid double charging. The 

revenue return EPS of 6.67p was up from the prior year’s 6.38p, an increase of 4.5% driven by revenue return increases 

and a lower number of shares in issue following the buybacks during the financial year. 

CAPITAL RETURNS
Capital returns were £35.0m, up by 211.0% on the prior year’s £11.3m. The gains on investments were £48.4m reflected 

in the main by very strong technology investee gains together with gains on derivatives and foreign exchange of £4.1m. 

These were offset by the investment management performance fee of £5.3m.

Ongoing charges, excluding performance fees, were 2.2% on average net assets.

ICM Investment Management Limited and ICM Limited  

Investment Managers 

14 September 2018

13
13

UIL LimitedGEOGRAPHICAL & SECTOR SPLIT OF INVESTMENTS

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

GEOGRAPHICAL SPLIT OF INVESTMENTS

2018

2017

SECTOR SPLIT OF INVESTMENTS

2018

2017

 % OF TOTAL

COUNTRY

Australia

2018

32.4

UK and Channel Islands 

16.7

Gold mining

Bermuda

Asia

Latin America

Europe excluding UK

New Zealand

North America

Africa

15.6

13.0

6.3

5.9

4.8

1.9

1.9

1.5

2017

27.3

10.3

18.1

16.1

7.4

6.1

6.2

5.7

0.8

2.0

Source: ICM

SECTOR

 % OF TOTAL

2018

2017

Technology 

Financial services

Gold mining 

Resources 

Electricity 

Other

Oil & gas 

Telecoms

Ports

Airports 

Toll roads

Renewables

Infrastructure 

Water & waste

25.9

22.7

15.6

9.4

6.1

4.7

3.7

3.6

1.9

1.9

1.5

1.2

1.0

0.8

22.3

20.0

18.1

3.6

7.1

4.7

9.1

4.8

2.6

2.3

1.2

1.6

1.3

1.3

Source: ICM

14
14

UIL LimitedTEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

2018 2017

Company  
Description

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1

2

3

4

5

9

7

8

6

Somers Limited

Financial services investment company 

Utilico Emerging Markets Trust plc

Emerging markets investment company

Resolute Mining Limited

Gold mining company

Zeta Resources Limited

Resources Investment company

Afterpay Touch Group Limited

Electronic payment services company

Optal Limited

Electronic payment services company

Bermuda investment company

Vix Technology Limited

Automated fare collection systems

Infratil Limited

Infrastructure company

10

10

Vix Verify Global Pty Ltd

Technology investment company

Ten largest holdings

Other investments 

Total investments

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

Fair Value 
£’000s

% of total 
investments

 111,499 

22.6%

 75,931 

15.4%

 64,687 

13.1%

 60,978 

12.3%

 47,361 

9.6%

 26,860 

5.4%

 15,315 

3.1%

 10,769 

2.2%

 9,243 

1.9%

 440,298 

89.2%

 53,077 

10.8%

 493,375 

100.0%

Bermuda First Investment Company Limited

 17,655 

3.6%

The value of the ten largest holdings represents 89.2% (2017: 86.5%) of the Group’s total investments. The value of convertible securities represents 
7.1% (2017: 7.9%) of the Group’s portfolio and the value of fixed income securities represents 6.7% (2017: 10.1%) of the Group’s portfolio. The total 
number of companies included in the portfolio is 43 (2017: 43).

15
15

UIL Limited 
REVIEW OF THE TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

1.  SOMERS LIMITED

www.somers.limited

Market cap  
USD 322.1m
Ordinary shareholders’ funds  USD 378.3m 
USD 424.0m
Gross assets  
USD 18.7bn
Somers’ group AUM 
3.0%
Dividend yield 

UIL investment 
UIL portfolio weighting 
UIL percentage interest in Somers  

USD 146.4m
22.6%
44.2%

Somers is a financial services investment holding company whose shares are listed on the Bermuda Stock Exchange 
(“BSX”). Somers reported a NAV per share increase to USD 19.09 as at 30 June 2018 up from USD 17.63 as at 30 June 2017, 
an increase of 8.3%. Somers declared dividends of 49.0c up from 46.0c in the prior year, an increase of 6.5%. Adding back 
dividends, the total NAV return over the twelve months to 30 June 2018, was 11.1%. Somers is managed by ICM.

During the twelve months to 30 June 2018 Somers’ share price increased from USD 13.00 to USD 16.25. This represents 
a total return to UIL of 29.0%, after adding back dividends. 

Somers is classified as an investment company under IFRS 10 and, accordingly, values its underlying investments at fair value. 

Somers’ four largest investments are a 62.3% holding in Homeloans Limited (“Homeloans”) (a leading non-bank Australian 
financial institution with AUD 12.1bn assets under management), a 100% shareholding in Bermuda Commercial Bank 
Limited  (“BCB”)  (one  of  the  four  licensed  banks  in  Bermuda),  a  65.7%  shareholding  in  UK  specialist  bank,  PCF  Group 
plc (“PCF”) and a 62.5% holding in Waverton Investment Management Limited (“Waverton”) (a UK wealth manager with 
£5.6bn assets under management).

Homeloans reported normalised profit after tax of AUD 26.2m for the year ended 30 June 2018 with a 19.4% increase 
in total settlements to AUD 4.3bn for the full year. Homeloans’ assets under management (“AuM”) was AUD 12.1bn as at 
30 June 2018. 

Waverton’s AuM was £5.6bn as at 30 June 2018 (30 September 2017: £5.2bn). For the nine months ended 30 June 2018, 
Waverton earned revenue of £27.7m (30 June 2017: £26.5m) and profit before tax of £6.1m (30 June 2017: £7.0m). The 
year on year revenue growth was aided by solid global equity markets. However, their own profit levels were negatively 
impacted by MiFID II related costs.

Somers increased its direct investment in PCF to 56% following the acquisition, during the year, of 94.5m shares from 
BCB. PCF reported an increase in interim profit before tax of 20% to £2.1m (2017: £1.7m). In July 2017 PCF commenced 
deposit-taking activities as a fully operational bank and PCF reported that as at 31 March 2018 customer deposits had 
reached £108.0m.

BCB maintained a high capital ratio of 40.3% and a highly liquid balance sheet with 52.1% in cash and liquid assets.

UIL’s shareholding in Somers increased in the year as UIL elected to receive script dividends for its dividend payment.

Homeloans  
Limited

Waverton Investment 
Management Limited

Bermuda Commercial 
Bank Limited

Non-bank Lender

Private Wealth Management 

Banking

PCF 
Bank

Banking

Australian and New Zealand 
Mortgage Securitisation 
business. Listed on the 
Australian Securities Exchange

AUM in excess of  
AUD 12 billion

62.3% owned

UK Private Wealth 
Management business 

AUM in excess of  
£5.6 billion

62.5% owned

Licensed bank in Bermuda

Focus on Commercial Banking 
and Private Banking/Wealth 
Management  

A London Stock Exchange 
listed bank

Focus on retail banking and 
business banking 

100% owned

65.7% owned

16

UIL Limitedwww.uemtrust.co.ukMarket Cap USD  £463mNAV £534.9m Dividend Yield 3.6%UIL investment £75.9mUIL portfolio weighting 15.4%UIL percentage interest in UE  16.4% 
Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

2.  UTILICO EMERGING MARKETS TRUST PLC

www.uemtrust.co.uk

Market Cap  
NAV 
Dividend yield 

£463.4m
£534.9m 
3.6%

UIL investment 
UIL portfolio weighting 
UIL percentage interest in UEM  

£75.9m
15.4%
16.4%

UEM  is a  closed-end  investment company, whose ordinary  shares are listed  on the premium segment of the Official 
List of the Financial Conduct Authority and are traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. UEM invests 
predominantly in emerging markets with a focus on infrastructure and utility assets. UEM is managed by ICM and ICMIM.

UEM’s NAV total return fell by 2.6% in the twelve months to 30 June 2018, due to the emergence of significant EM market 
volatility,  particularly  in  the  April-June  period.  UEM’s  performance  trailed  the  MSCI  Emerging  Markets  Total  Return 
Index (Sterling adjusted) which grew by 6.5%. UEM’s underperformance versus the MSCI Emerging Markets Index was 
primarily due its lack of exposure to certain sectors, such as the Chinese technology sector which has seen material 
investor interest. Over the period, UEM’s share price fell by 10.3%, with the discount to NAV widening from 9.3% to 13.4%. 
Dividends per share increased to 7.00p from 6.65p.

UEM’s positive total return performance over three, five and ten years to 31 March 2018 of 36.8%, 48.5% and 125.0% 
respectively  remains  comfortably  ahead  of  the  MSCI  Emerging  Markets  Total  Return  Index  (Sterling  adjusted)  which 
has posted returns of 36.3%, 38.1% and 90.6%. The Investment Managers’ stock selection ability has once again been 
recognised by the industry with UEM selected as one of Money Observer’s rated funds for 2018.

In the year to 30 June 2018, EM saw a material increase in volatility which impacted both stock markets and currencies. 
Some EM indices performed well, with the India SENSEX up by 18.4%, the Brazil BOVESPA up by 15.7% and the Hong 
Kong Hang Seng up by 12.4%. However, others such as China’s Shanghai Composite, the Mexico Bolsa and the Bursa 
Malaysia weakened, falling by 10.8%, 4.4% and 4.1% respectively over the year. EM currencies were generally weaker with 
the Brazilian Real, Mexican Peso and Philippine Peso falling by 15.3%, 9.4% and 7.0% against Sterling respectively over 
the period.

In February 2018, Utilico Emerging Markets Limited announced a proposal to re-domicile from Bermuda to the United 
Kingdom  and  on  3  April  2018,  following  the  completion  of  a  scheme  of  arrangement  pursuant  to  section  99  of  the 
Bermuda Companies Act, the company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Utilico Emerging Markets Trust plc, a newly 
incorporated closed ended investment trust established in the UK.

In  the  twelve  months  under  review  UIL  increased  its  shareholding  in  UEM  by  19.8%  following  the  exercise  of  its 
subscription shares.

17

UIL LimitedREVIEW OF THE TEN LARGEST HOLDINGSwww.uemtrust.co.ukMarket Cap USD  £463mNAV £534.9m Dividend Yield 3.6%UIL investment £75.9mUIL portfolio weighting 15.4%UIL percentage interest in UE  16.4%Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

3.  RESOLUTE MINING LIMITED

www.rml.com.au

Market Cap  
Gold production 
Dividend yield 

AUD 945.4m
284,185oz 
1.6%

UIL investment 
UIL portfolio weighting 
UIL percentage interest in Resolute  

AUD 115.6m
13.1%
12.2%

Resolute is an Australian domiciled gold mining company listed on the ASX with two operating mines, one in southern 
Mali and the other in northeast Australia. In addition, the company owns a gold mining project in Ghana. 

Resolute’s share price in the year ended 30 June 2018 rose by 7.1% to AUD 1.275 on the back of higher AUD gold prices 
and  successful  exploration  results.  Production  in  the  year  to  30  June  2018  of  c.280,000oz  of  gold  was  down  on  the 
previous year’s production of c.330,000oz.

Resolute’s  principal  producing  assets  are  the  Syama  gold  mine  in  Mali  and  Ravenswood  in  Australia.  Gold  ounces 
produced at Syama decreased by 18.3% to 194,211oz. Production was down on the previous year as Resolute processed 
lower  grade  ore  from  stockpiles.  Resolute  has  begun  work  on  a  significant  extension  to  Syama’s  mine  life  through 
the development of underground mining, which is expected to commence operations by the end of 2018. With lower 
volumes, cash costs per ounce at Syama rose by 33.5% to AUD 1,196oz. At Ravenswood gold ounces produced fell by 
2.2% to 89,975oz. Production volumes are expected to remain flat until the Ravenswood expansion project in 2019. Cash 
costs per ounce at Ravenswood increased by 6.2% to AUD 1,330oz. With regards to Bibiani in Ghana, Resolute updated 
its  2016  feasibility  study,  and  will  make  a  final  investment  decision  on  this  site  once  the  development  of  the  Syama 
underground mine has been completed.

As at 30 June 2018 Resolute had cash and bullion on hand of AUD 79.6m, down from AUD 282.5m in the prior year as 
a result of the significant capital expenditures on the Syama underground mining development. Total borrowings were 
AUD 33.8m. Dividends were maintained at 2.0 cents per share.

During the year, Resolute made a number of investments in junior African gold exploration companies, with the aim of 
gaining access to prospective gold resources. As at 30 June 2018, Resolute had a total of AUD 34.8m in listed investments. 

Resolute has provided guidance for gold production of 300,000oz at an All-In-Sustaining-Cost of AUD 1,280oz (USD960oz) 
for the year to 30 June 2019.

UIL’s shareholding in Resolute was unchanged over the period. 

18

UIL LimitedREVIEW OF THE TEN LARGEST HOLDINGSwww.uemtrust.co.ukMarket Cap USD  £463mNAV £534.9m Dividend Yield 3.6%UIL investment £75.9mUIL portfolio weighting 15.4%UIL percentage interest in UE  16.4%Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

4.  ZETA RESOURCES LIMITED 

www.zetaresources.limited

Market Cap  
AUD 116.9m
Ordinary shareholders’ funds  AUD 167.0m 
0.0%
Dividend yield 

UIL investment 
UIL portfolio weighting 
UIL percentage interest in Zeta  

AUD 109.9m
12.3%
59.7%

Zeta is an ASX listed investment company, focused on investing in resource companies. In the year ended 30 June 2018, 
Zeta’s net assets per share rose by 56.9% and its share price rose by 8.1%. Zeta’s share price closed the year at a 30.1% 
discount to net tangible assets (“NTA”) per share. Zeta is managed by ICM.

The commodity prices of Zeta’s major underlying investments were all up to varying different degrees in USD, with Brent 
oil up by 65.8%, gold up by 0.9%, nickel up by 58.6%, and copper up by 12.5%. Even after accounting for this tailwind, the 
performance of Zeta’s investments overall was pleasing.

Zeta  has  a  concentrated  portfolio,  having  built  up  cornerstone  shareholdings  in  gold,  nickel,  copper,  and  bauxite 
companies. The company has focused on adding value to its existing investments. Zeta has encouraged the efficient use 
of capital in its investments. 

During the year, Zeta realised its investment in oil and gas producer New Zealand Oil and Gas Limited (“NZOG”) by selling 
the  majority  of  its  holding  into  a  takeover  bid.  In  May  2018,  Zeta  shareholders  approved  the  acquisition  of  Axelrock 
Limited  (“Axelrock”).  By  doing  so,  Zeta  substantially  increased  its  interests  in  the  unlisted  bauxite  company  Alliance 
Mining  Commodities  Limited,  GME  Resources,  and  oil  and  gas  seismic  exploration  firm  Seacrest  NL,  all  of  which  are 
underlying investment positions of Axelrock.

Zeta’s five largest holdings as at 30 June 2018 were: Panoramic, an Australian nickel company; Resolute, a gold mining 
company, (discussed separately); Copper Mountain, a Canadian copper producer; AMC, an unlisted bauxite company 
whose principal asset is in Guinea; and GME Resources, an Australian nickel and cobalt exploration company.

Panoramic Resources Limited

Resolute Mining Limited

GME Resources Limited

Nickel

Gold

Nickel & Gold

West Australian nickel company

ASX-listed mid-cost gold producer

Over 300,000 tonnes of nickel 
resources

Producing mines in Mali and 
Queensland, Australia

ASX-listed junior nickel and gold 
explorer

Substantial nickel resources in 
Western Australia

Alliance Mining  
Commodities Limited

Bauxite

Unlisted bauxite development 
company

World-class bauxite asset in 
Guinea, West Africa

Copper Mountain 
Mining Corporation

Copper

Bligh Resources  
Limited

Gold

TSX-ASX-listed copper producer

ASX-listed junior gold explorer

Recently acquired Australian junior 
copper firm Altona Mining

Substantial identified gold resource 
in Western Australia

19

UIL LimitedREVIEW OF THE TEN LARGEST HOLDINGSwww.uemtrust.co.ukMarket Cap USD  £463mNAV £534.9m Dividend Yield 3.6%UIL investment £75.9mUIL portfolio weighting 15.4%UIL percentage interest in UE  16.4%Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

5.  AFTERPAY TOUCH GROUP LIMITED

www.afterpaytouch.com

Market Cap  
AUD 2,036.2m
Ordinary shareholders’ funds   AUD 183.6m
AUD 392.2m
Gross assets  
0.0%
Dividend yield  

UIL investment  
UIL portfolio weighting 
UIL percentage interest in APT  

AUD 84.6m
9.6%
4.2%

APT is an Australian listed, a consumer orientated, FinTech company formed by the merger of Afterpay Holdings Limited 
and Touchcorp Limited in June 2017. 

APT offers consumers the ability to pay for purchases (online or in store) in instalments over an eight week period with no 
interest charge. The service is funded by retailers, who benefit from larger average basket sizes and a higher propensity 
for consumers to purchase. 

At 30 June 2018, the service was available through 16,500 retailers (online and instore), primarily in Australia and New 
Zealand, up from 6,000 in June 2017. APT services were launched in the United States in May 2018, with Urban Outfitters, 
a  major  US  fashion  retailer,  one  of  the  customers  at  launch.  Initial  trading  has  been  very  encouraging,  with  150,000 
unique customers attracted in the first three months of operation. APT intends to launch its services in the UK in the 
next few months.

The value of transactions processed through the service increased 289% in the year to 30 June 2018. 2.0m customers 
used the service during the year, with purchases averaging AUD 1,100 per customer over the twelve-month period. APT 
believes that there is still potential for strong growth in Australia and USA, as well as internationally. 

APT  operates  in-store  terminals  for  the  sale  of  mobile  phone  top-ups  and  other  voucher/ticket-based  products  and 
provides payment services to government and healthcare providers. These units reported a stable performance in the 
full year to June 2018.

APT’s share price more than tripled during the year advancing by 248.9%, with the stock entering the ASX 200 Index in 
June 2018. UIL sold approximately half of its shares during the period, realising £33.4m.

20

UIL LimitedREVIEW OF THE TEN LARGEST HOLDINGSwww.uemtrust.co.ukMarket Cap USD  £463mNAV £534.9m Dividend Yield 3.6%UIL investment £75.9mUIL portfolio weighting 15.4%UIL percentage interest in UE  16.4%Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

6.  OPTAL LIMITED

www.optal.com

Market Cap  
Ordinary shareholders’ funds  
Gross assets  
Dividend yield 

Unlisted
EUR 35.3m
EUR 46.6m
2.1%

UIL investment 
UIL portfolio percentage 

EUR 30.4m 
5.4%

Optal is an unlisted, UK domiciled developer of global payments and its key application is providing services to eNett, 
a virtual payment card solution for the travel industry. The system allows travel agents to make payments to service 
providers (e.g. hotels, airlines, tour operators) over the universally accepted Mastercard system in a secure, cost effective 
and efficient way using a virtual account number (VAN) created solely for each single transaction. 

Optal is the primary VAN issuer for eNett, which is majority owned by the US-listed Travelport, with Optal owning the 
residual 23.5%. eNett reported very strong revenue growth of 81% in the first half of 2018. 

For its full year to December 2017, Optal grew revenues by 28.1% to EUR 202.5m. Despite being a fast growing fintech 
business, Optal is profitable, cash generative and pays regular dividends to shareholders. 

Optal is also seeking to develop other solutions outside of the travel payment industry. It is currently working with a 
number of UK insurance companies to trial payments to service providers (such as vehicle recovery contractors and car 
bodywork repair shops). 

Optal is exploring options with regard to a potential liquidity event for shareholders in 2018, given that it is currently 
unlisted. The carrying value of Optal was increased during the year, reflecting its impressive performance.

UIL’s investment in Optal was unchanged in the period under review.

21

UIL LimitedREVIEW OF THE TEN LARGEST HOLDINGSwww.uemtrust.co.ukMarket Cap USD  £463mNAV £534.9m Dividend Yield 3.6%UIL investment £75.9mUIL portfolio weighting 15.4%UIL percentage interest in UE  16.4%Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

7.  BERMUDA FIRST INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED

Market Cap  
Unlisted
Ordinary shareholders’ funds   USD 25.5m
0.0%
Dividend yield 

UIL investment 
UIL portfolio weighting  
UIL percentage interest in BFIC  

USD 23.3m
3.6%
95.8%

BFIC is an investment holding company which has several investments in local Bermudian companies which are listed 
on  the  BSX.  BFIC’s  two  major  investments  are  Ascendant  Group  Limited  (“Ascendant”),  Bermuda’s  monopoly  energy 
company  and  One  Communications  Limited  (“OneComm”),  a  holding  company  for  telecommunication  companies  in 
Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. BFIC is managed by ICM.

As at 30 June 2018, BFIC had total assets of USD 48.0m and net assets of USD 25.5m.

Ascendant’s share price has increased significantly over the last twelve months on the back of improved financial results 
at both its regulated and unregulated businesses, and the result of approval from the Regulatory Authority for BELCO’s 
(Bermuda’s electricity company and a 100% subsidiary of Ascendant) capital replacement programme. 

OneComm  completed  its  deep  fibre  project  in  Bermuda  and  continues  to  invest  in  its  infrastructure  in  the  Cayman 
Islands. OneComm’s financial results are now starting to reflect the significant investment made by the company and 
results should continue to improve as the level of CAPEX returns to a more normal level. This should enable the company 
to consider the payment of a dividend. As at 30 June 2018 BFIC had total assets of USD 48.1m and net assets of USD 
25.5m.

The Bermuda economy continues to improve with investment and tourism improving following the Island’s hosting of 
the America’s Cup in 2017. 

In the year to 30 June 2018, UIL’s shareholding was unchanged.

22

UIL LimitedREVIEW OF THE TEN LARGEST HOLDINGSwww.uemtrust.co.ukMarket Cap USD  £463mNAV £534.9m Dividend Yield 3.6%UIL investment £75.9mUIL portfolio weighting 15.4%UIL percentage interest in UE  16.4%Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

8.  VIX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

www.vixtechnology.com

Market Cap  

Unlisted

UIL investment 
UIL portfolio percentage 
UIL percentage interest in VixTech  

AUD 103.0m
3.1%
39.8%

VixTech  is  an  unlisted,  integrated  payment  solutions  company  with  a  global  footprint  that  has  developed  solutions 
for over 200 cities and regions in 25 countries, enabling millions of people worldwide to experience the convenience 
of  low-cost,  smartcard  travel  through  integrated  systems  processing  billions  of  transactions  per  annum.  VixTech’s 
products are the cornerstone of some of the world’s largest smartcard payment and billing systems and include flagship 
transportation solutions such as the Hong Kong Octopus Card, Singapore EzLink, Beijing ACC and Melbourne Metcard. 
During the financial year 2018, VixTech’s innovative expertise is regularly recognised and this year it was awarded the 
Best Smart Ticketing Programme award at TT Global 2018 for its work with Stagecoach Group for implementing ground 
breaking ticketing technology. 

VixTech continues to undergo a significant corporate restructuring program in order to improve its long-term efficiency 
in global operations, by developing a product-focused business model. VixTech therefore continues to roll out its OneVix 
strategy which promotes greater integration, the outsourcing of non-core functions and a commitment to its common 
technology SaaS platform. VixTech now has a number of large clients committed to its SaaS platform. 

Given the restructuring that VixTech has experienced during the financial years 2017 and 2018, revenues remain partly 
deferred whilst investment costs and restructuring costs remain high. For the year end 2018, revenues were USD 107.0m 
with adjusted EBITDA being negative USD 5.0m. As the new corporate structure evolves and product developed, future 
earnings are expected to improve along with profitability. UIL and ICM (VixTech’s two shareholders) continue to support 
the investment needs of the business pro rata to their shareholding and during the financial year ending June 2018, UIL 
loaned AUD 8.8m to VixTech.

UIL’s shareholding in VixTech remained unchanged during the twelve months to 30 June 2018.

23

UIL LimitedREVIEW OF THE TEN LARGEST HOLDINGSwww.uemtrust.co.ukMarket Cap USD  £463mNAV £534.9m Dividend Yield 3.6%UIL investment £75.9mUIL portfolio weighting 15.4%UIL percentage interest in UE  16.4%Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

9.  INFRATIL LIMITED

www.infratil.com

Market Cap 
NAV 
Dividend yield 

NZD 1,890.4m
NZD 3,133.0m
5.0%

UIL investment 
UIL portfolio weighting 
UIL percentage interest in Infratil 

NZD 21.0m
2.2%
1.1%

Infratil  is  an  infrastructure  holding  company  managed  by  H.R.L.  Morrison  &  Co,  listed  on  the  NZX  and  ASX,  their  principal 
businesses  include  Trustpower  and  Tilt  Renewables,  both  51.0%  shareholdings;  Wellington  Airport  (66.0%  shareholding), 
Canberra Data Centres (CDC, 48.0% shareholding), RetireAustralia (50.0% shareholding) and NZ Bus (100.0% shareholding). 
Infratil has a 45.0% stake in Longroad Energy, a US-based renewables developer.

From an operational standpoint, Infratil had a successful year with underlying EBITDAF in its financial year to 31 March 2018 
growing  by  7.7%  and  net  operating  cash  flow  increasing  by  20.7%.  This  growth  was  principally  driven  by  Infratil’s  largest 
investment, Trustpower, which delivered 19.8% EBITDAF growth due to strong hydrology boosting its electricity generation in 
New Zealand as well as higher average electricity prices. 

Infratil has been investing materially in renewable energy for a number of years and reported a weaker performance at Tilt 
Renewables due to poorer wind resource, with electricity generated falling by 12.3%. Longroad Energy is at a relatively early 
stage of development with three projects totalling 683MW of wind and solar generation assets and over 6,000MW of projects 
under development. 

Infratil’s group performance was helped by improving utilisation and full-year consolidation of Canberra Data Centres, which 
contributed  to  a  five-fold  increase  in  EBITDAF.  At  the  same  time,  Wellington  Airport  reported  3.0%  growth  in  passenger 
throughput, predominantly driven by the domestic market due to incremental capacity expansion by Air New Zealand as well 
as strong competition by Jetstar. Perth Energy losses narrowed significantly. 

Weaker performance was seen at NZ Bus, which reported a 23.6% decline in EBITDAF following material changes and losses in 
contracts with Auckland Transport and Greater Wellington Regional Council. Infratil has announced it is undertaking a strategic 
review of NZ Bus. RetireAustralia reported EBITDAF decline of 41.7%, while ANU Student Accommodation EBITDAF more than 
doubled. 

The robust levels of cash earnings have supported increased dividends to Infratil’s shareholders, including UIL, with dividends 
per share increasing by 6.3% from 16.75 NZ cents from 15.75 NZ cents.

In the year to 30 June 2018 UIL reduced its holding in Infratil by 50.3% with the sale of 6.3m shares, realising £10.5m.

24

UIL LimitedREVIEW OF THE TEN LARGEST HOLDINGSwww.uemtrust.co.ukMarket Cap USD  £463mNAV £534.9m Dividend Yield 3.6%UIL investment £75.9mUIL portfolio weighting 15.4%UIL percentage interest in UE  16.4%Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

10. VIX VERIFY GLOBAL PTY LTD

www.vixverify.com

Market Cap  
Ordinary shareholders’ funds  
Gross assets  

Unlisted
AUD (0.6m)
AUD 9.2m

UIL investment 
UIL portfolio weighting  
UIL percentage interest in Vix Verify  

AUD 16.5m
1.9%
39.8%

Vix  Verify  is  an  unlisted  disruptive  global  business  headquartered  in  Australia,  which  provides  identity  verification 
products  to  customers  such  as  banks,  telecommunications  providers,  online  gaming  companies  and  government 
agencies,  particularly  when  transacting  online.  Their  systems  are  used  to  check  identities  and  verify  the  validity  of 
identification  documents,  for  various  purposes  including  fraud  reduction,  the  prevention  of  money  laundering  and 
terrorism financing and checking immigration status. Vix Verify’s Australian and New Zealand based business continues 
to perform well. 

In the year to 30 June 2018, revenues grew by 20.5% and Vix Verify reported a net profit of AUD 67,000 compared to a 
loss of AUD 2.6m as at 30 June 2017.

UIL hold its shares in Vix Verify through a CFD, which confers the same economic benefit as if the shares were held 
directly by UIL.

VIX

25

UIL LimitedREVIEW OF THE TEN LARGEST HOLDINGSwww.uemtrust.co.ukMarket Cap USD  £463mNAV £534.9m Dividend Yield 3.6%UIL investment £75.9mUIL portfolio weighting 15.4%UIL percentage interest in UE  16.4%STRATEGIC REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEW

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

UIL is an investment company holding investments with gross assets (less current liabilities excluding debt) of £488.3m 

as at 30 June 2018. Its principal activity is portfolio investment.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Company’s investment objective is to maximise shareholder returns by identifying and investing in investments 

worldwide where the underlying value is not reflected in the market price.

STRATEGY AND BUSINESS MODEL
The Company invests in accordance with the objective given above. It has no employees and outsources its activities 

to third party service providers. The strategy the Board of non-executive directors follows to achieve that investment 

objective is to appoint external managers to deliver investment performance, with the Board setting investment policy and 

risk guidelines, together with investment limits. The Board oversees and monitors the activities of the service providers, 

including the Investment Managers, who are the Company’s principal service providers. 

ICMIM, an English incorporated company which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as an 

alternative investment fund manager (“AIFM”) pursuant to the AIFM Rules, was appointed to act as the Company’s AIFM 

with effect from 13 April 2015 and as joint portfolio manager alongside ICM. ICMIM acted as company secretary during 

the year ended 30 June 2017 and ICM was appointed to this role in place of ICMIM with effect from 1 July 2017.

ICMIM and ICM managed the portfolio throughout the year. Successful implementation of the investment strategy is 

achieved by identifying undervalued stocks in the relevant sectors, which generally generate an income stream, with the 

aim to maximise value for shareholders through a relatively concentrated portfolio of investments. This model, combined 

with the use of gearing, should crystallise financial returns, generating a total return through both capital and income. 

The investment team responsible for the management of the portfolio is headed by Duncan Saville and Charles Jillings. 

The Board, together with the Investment Managers, consider how the business strategy and model has to be adapted 

to comply with new legislation and regulations. 

F&C Management Limited up to 30 June 2018 and JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. London Branch from 1 July 2018 (the 

“Administrator”) have been appointed to undertake general administration services, including fund accounting, fund 

valuation and reporting services. Other administrative functions are contracted to external service providers.

INVESTMENT POLICY AND RISK
The Company will identify and invest in opportunities where the underlying value is not reflected in the market price. This 

perceived undervaluation may arise from factors such as technological change, market motivation, prospective financial 

engineering opportunities, competition, underperforming management or shareholder apathy.

The Company aims to maximise value for shareholders through a relatively concentrated portfolio of investments. 

Historically the Company had invested a significant proportion of its gross assets in existing infrastructure, utility and 

related sectors but, following the change in mandate in 2007, this direct exposure has reduced as the Company has, 

in addition, invested in other sectors. The Company has been reclassified in the Association of Investment Companies 

(“AIC”) database as a “Flexible Investment”.

Subject to compliance with the Listing Rules in force from time to time, UIL may invest in other investment companies or 

vehicles, including any managed by the Investment Managers, where such investment would be complementary to the 

Company’s investment objective and policy.

The Company has the flexibility to invest in shares, bonds, convertibles and other types of securities, including non-

investment grade bonds and to invest in unlisted securities.

26
26

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The Company may also use derivative instruments such as American Depositary Receipts, promissory notes, foreign 

currency hedges, interest rate hedges, contracts for difference, financial futures, call and put options and warrants and 

similar instruments for investment purposes and efficient portfolio management, including protecting the Company’s 

portfolio and balance sheet from major corrections and reducing, transferring or eliminating investment risks in its 

investments. These investments will be long term in nature.

The Company has the flexibility to invest in markets worldwide although investments in the utilities and infrastructure 

sectors are principally made in the developed markets of Australasia, Western Europe and North America, as UIL’s 

exposure to the emerging markets infrastructure and utility sectors is primarily through its holding in UEM. UIL has the 

flexibility to invest directly in these sectors in emerging markets with the prior agreement of UEM.

The Company believes it is appropriate to support investee companies with their capital requirements whilst at the same 

time maintaining an active and constructive shareholder approach through encouraging a review of the capital structure 

and business efficiencies. The Investment Managers’ team maintains regular contact with investee companies and UIL 

may often be among the largest shareholders. There are no limits on the proportion of an investee company that UIL 

may hold and UIL may take legal or management control of a company from time to time.

As required by the Listing Rules, there will be no material change to the investment policy without prior approval of 

the FCA and shareholders. The approval of the ZDP shareholders is also required where the investment policy of the 

Company is changed materially.

INVESTMENT LIMITS
The Board has prescribed the following limits on the investment policy, all of which are at the time of investment unless 

otherwise stated.

There are no fixed limits on the allocation of investments between sectors and markets, however the following investment 

limits apply:

•  investments in unlisted companies will, in aggregate, not exceed 25% of gross assets at the time that any new unlisted 

investment  is  made.  This  restriction  does  not  apply  to  loans  to  listed  platform  companies  and  to  the  Company’s 

holding  of  shares  linked  to  a  segregated  account  of  Global  Equity  Risk  Protection  Limited  (“GERP”),  an  unquoted 

Bermuda segregated accounts company. This account, which is structured as the Bermuda equivalent of a protected 

cell, exists for the sole purpose of carrying out derivative transactions on behalf of the Company (see below);

•  no single investment will exceed 30% of gross assets at the time such investment is made, save that this limit shall not 

prevent the exercise of warrants, options or similar convertible instruments acquired prior to the relevant investment 

reaching the 30% limit; and

•  derivative transactions are carried out by GERP on behalf of the Company to enable it to make investments more 

efficiently and for the purposes of efficient portfolio management. GERP spreads its investment risks by having the 

ability to establish an overall net short position in index options, contracts for difference, swaps and equity options. 

GERP may not hold more than 50% of the value of UIL’s segregated portfolio in index options and GERP may not hold 

more than 100% of the relevant debt or of the relevant market value in foreign currency by way of foreign exchange 

options or forwards.

None of the above restrictions will require the realisation of any assets of the Company where any restriction is 

breached as a result of an event outside of the control of the Investment Managers which occurs after the investment 

is made, but no further relevant assets may be acquired or loans made by the Company until the relevant restriction 

can again be complied with.

27
27

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

VALUATION METHODOLOGY
Investments are measured at the Board’s estimate of fair value at the reporting date, in accordance with IFRS 13 – Fair 

Value measurement.

Fair value is the amount for which an asset (or liability) could be exchanged between knowledgeable, willing parties in 

an arm’s length transaction.

Publicly traded securities
Investments listed in an active market are valued at their closing bid price on the reporting date. When a bid price is 

not available, the price of the most recent reported transaction would normally be used. 

Market bid prices are used even in situations where the Company holds a large position and a sale could reasonably 

affect the quoted price. Active market quotations are included in level one and inactive in level two. Where there is an 

inactive market the bid price is used unless there is reason to believe it is incorrect.

Unquoted securities
Unlisted loans to listed companies are valued at the principal amount loaned or if impaired at the impaired value.

The determination of fair value for other unquoted securities where there is little, if any, market activity, is achieved by 

the application of a valuation technique that is appropriate for the circumstances, in accordance with the International 

Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines. This will make the maximum use of market based information 

and is consistent with methodology generally used by market participants.

Valuation is normally determined by using one of the following valuation methodologies:

Recent investments
For an initial or most recent relevant transaction, the approach used is cost for a limited period following the transaction, 

where the transaction represents fair value.

Established investments
There are three approaches to valuing established investments: multiples; discounted cash flows or earnings; and 

net assets. Depending on the investment and relevance of the approach, any or all of these valuation methods could 

be used.

Appropriate market multiples will vary by instrument, but would typically be by reference to one or more of, but not 

limited to, net earnings ratio, EV/EBITDA ratio, dividend yield, discount to NAV or yield to maturity. 

Discounted earnings multiples will use maintainable earnings discounted at appropriate rates to reflect the value of 

the business. Generally, the latest historical accounts are used unless reliable forecast results for the current year are 

available. Earnings are adjusted where appropriate for exceptional or non-recurring items.

BORROWING AND GEARING POLICY
The Board carefully considers the Company’s policy in respect of the level of equity exposure. The Board takes 

responsibility for the Company’s gearing strategy and sets guidelines to control it, which it may change from time to 

time. The Company may, from time to time, use bank borrowings for short-term liquidity purposes. In addition it has 

longer term borrowings in the form of the ZDP shares that its subsidiary UIL Finance has issued. Details of the ZDP 

shares in issue and any changes during the year are included in note 15 to the accounts.

28
28

UIL Limited(continued) STRATEGIC REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEWReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

Under UIL’s Bye-laws, the Group is permitted to borrow (excluding the gearing provided through the Group’s capital 

structure) an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the Group’s gross assets. Borrowings will be drawn down in any 

currency appropriate for the portfolio.

The Board has set a current limit on gearing (being total borrowings excluding the ZDP shares measured against gross 

assets) not exceeding 33.3% at the time of drawdown. Borrowings may be drawn down in Sterling, US Dollars or any 

currency for which there are corresponding assets within the portfolio (at the time of draw down, the value drawn 

must not exceed the value of the relevant assets in the portfolio).

The Company has a £50m multicurrency revolving facility with Scotiabank Europe plc which expires on 22 March 2020; 

as at 30 June 2018 £27.8m was drawn down under the facility. Further details are included in note 16 to the accounts.

DERIVATIVES
The Investment Managers may follow a policy of actively hedging the market and balance sheet risks faced by the 

Company.

A review of the investment portfolio, borrowings and hedging is included in the Investment Managers’ report and also 

within the notes to the accounts.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Delivery of shareholder value is achieved through the increase in capital value of the Company’s shares and by its 

income return.

The Board reviews performance by reference to a number of Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”) that include the 

following:

•  NAV total return relative to the FTSE All-Share Index

•  Share price

•  Discount to NAV

•  Revenue earnings 

•  Ongoing charges figure

While some elements of performance against KPIs are beyond management control, they provide measures of the 

Group’s absolute and relative performance and are therefore monitored by the Board on a regular basis. 

30 JUNE

NAV total return (%)

FTSE All-Share Index total return (%)

Share price (pence)

Discount to NAV (%)

Percentage of issued shares bought back during the year (based on 

opening share capital) (%) 

Revenue EPS (pence)

Ongoing charges figure – excluding performance fees (%)

2018

18.7

9.0

2017
2017

7.7

18.1

174.50

164.00

40.2

0.8

6.67

2.2

35.1

0.5

6.38

2.1

29
29

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The Company achieved a positive performance in the year reflecting successful implementation of the business strategy 

by the Investment Managers.

A graph showing the historic NAV total return performance compared to the FTSE All-Share Index can be found on page 

5.  The  Investment  Managers’  Report,  on  pages  10  to  13,  provides  a  commentary  on  how  this  performance 

was achieved. 

The ten year record on page 109 shows historic data for the Company’s metrics.

Discount to NAV: The Board monitors the premium/discount at which the Company’s shares trade in relation to 

the assets. During the year the Company’s shares traded at a discount relative to NAV in a range of 34.6% to 42.4% 

and an average discount of 39.1%. The Board and the Investment Managers closely monitor both movements in the 

Company’s share price and significant dealings in the shares. In order to avoid substantial overhangs or shortages of 

shares in the market the Board asks shareholders to approve resolutions which allow for the buyback of shares and 

their issuance which can assist in the management of the discount. The Company bought back, and cancelled, 703,819 

ordinary shares during the year, representing 0.8% of its issued share capital.

Earnings and dividends per share: The Board’s objective is to maintain or increase the total annual dividend. The 

Board and the Investment Managers attach great importance to maintaining dividends per share. The Board has the 

flexibility to pay dividends from capital reserves.

Dividends form a key component of the total return to shareholders and the level of potential dividend payable and 

income from the portfolio is reviewed at every Board meeting. The Company has declared four quarterly interim 

dividends, each of 1.875p, in respect of the year ended 30 June 2018. The fourth quarterly interim dividend was declared 

on 21 August 2018 and will be paid on 21 September 2018 to shareholders on the register as at 7 September 2018. 

The total dividend for the year was 7.50p, the same as in the previous year. 

Ongoing charges: These are the industry measure of costs as a percentage of NAV. The expenses of the Company 

are reviewed at every Board meeting, with the aim of managing costs incurred and their impact on performance. The 

ongoing charges figure appears high when compared to other investment companies as the expenses are expressed 

as a percentage of average net assets (after the deduction of the ZDP shares) and comprises all operational, recurring 

costs that are payable by the Company or incurred within underlying investee funds. This ratio is sensitive to the size 

of the Company as well as the level of costs.

FINANCIAL POSITION
As at 30 June 2018, the Group’s net assets were valued at £261.1m (2017: £228.1m). These comprised a portfolio of mainly 

equity investments and net liabilities. 

UIL has a leveraged balance sheet structure, with the ordinary shares leveraged by the ZDP shares and bank debt. 

Due to the readily realisable nature of the Company’s assets, cash flow does not have the same significance as for an industrial 

or commercial company. The Company’s principal cash flows arise from the purchase and sales of investments and the 

income from investments against which must be set the costs of borrowing and management expenses.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND RISK MITIGATION 
ICMIM was appointed as the Company’s AIFM with effect from 13 April 2015 and has sole responsibility for risk management 

subject to the overall policies, supervision, review and control of the Board.

30
30

UIL Limited(continued) STRATEGIC REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEWReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The Board considers carefully the Company’s principal risks and seeks to mitigate these risks through continual and regular 

review, policy setting, compliance with and enforcement of contractual obligations and active communication with the 

Investment Managers and the Company’s Administrator.

The Board applies the principles and recommendations of the UK Code on Corporate Governance and the AIC’s Code on 

Corporate Governance (the “AIC Code”) as described on page 50. The Company’s internal controls are described in more 

detail on page 44. Through these procedures, and in accordance with Internal Control: Revised Guidance for Directors 

on the Combined Code (the “FRC guidance”), the Board has established an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and 

managing the significant risks faced by the Company and has regularly reviewed the effectiveness of the internal control 

systems for the year. This process has been in place throughout the year under review and to the date hereof and will 

continue to be regularly reviewed by the Board going forward. 

Most of the Company’s principal risks are market-related and similar to those of other investment companies which invest 

globally in various currencies around the world. The principal ongoing risks and uncertainties currently faced by the Company, 

and the controls and actions to mitigate those risks are described below. Further details of risks and risk management policies 

as they relate to the financial assets and liabilities of the Company are detailed in note 30 to the accounts.

Investment risk: the risk that the investment strategy does not achieve long-term total returns for the 
Investment risk: the risk that the investment strategy does not achieve long-term total returns for the 
Company’s shareholders
Company’s shareholders

The Board monitors the performance of the Company and has established guidelines to ensure that the investment policy that 

has been approved is pursued by the Investment Managers.

The investment process employed by the Investment Managers combines assessment of economic and market conditions in 

the relevant countries with stock selection. Fundamental analysis forms the basis of the Company’s stock selection process, with 

an emphasis on sound balance sheets, good cash flows, the ability to pay and sustain dividends, good asset bases and market 

conditions. The political risks associated with investing in these countries are also assessed. Overall, the investment process 

aims to achieve absolute returns through an active fund management approach. 

The Company’s results are reported in Sterling, whilst the majority of its assets are priced in foreign currencies. The impact of 

adverse movements in exchange rates can significantly affect the returns in Sterling of both capital and income. Such factors 

are out of the control of the Board and the Investment Managers and may give rise to distortions in the reported returns to 

shareholders. It can be difficult and expensive to hedge some currencies.

In  addition,  the  ordinary  shares  of  the  Company  may  trade  at  a  discount  to  their  NAV.  The  Board  monitors  the  price  of  the 

Company’s shares in relation to their NAV and the premium/discount at which they trade. The Board may buy back shares if there 

is a significant overhang of stock in the market, having regard to the percentage of shares in public hands.

The Board regularly reviews strategy in relation to a range of issues including the balance between quoted and unquoted stocks, 

the allocation of assets between geographic regions and sectors and gearing. Periodically the Board holds a separate meeting 

devoted to strategy, the most recent one being held in November 2017.

A  fuller  review  of  economic  and  market  conditions  is  included  in  the  Investment  Managers’  Report  section  of  this  Strategic 

Report.

There is no guarantee that the Company’s strategy and business model will be successful in achieving its investment objective. 

The  value  of  an  investment  in  the  Company  and  the  income  derived  from  that  investment  may  go  down  as  well  as  up  and 

an  investor  may  not  get  back  the  amount  invested.  Past  performance  of  the  Company  is  not  necessarily  indicative  of  future 

performance.

No material change in overall risk in the year.

31
31

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

Gearing: the risk that the use of gearing may adversely impact on the Company’s performance
Gearing: the risk that the use of gearing may adversely impact on the Company’s performance

The ordinary shares rank behind bank debt and ZDP shares, making them a geared instrument. 

The  gearing  level  is  high  due  to  the  capital  structure  of  the  balance  sheet.  Whilst  the  gearing  should  enhance  total  return 

where the return on the Company’s underlying securities is rising and exceeds the cost of borrowing, it will have the opposite 

effect where the underlying return is falling. As at 30 June 2018, gearing on net assets, including bank loans, any overdrafts 

and ZDP shares, was 87.3%. The Board reviews the level of gearing at each Board meeting.

No material change in overall risk in the year.

Banking: a breach of the Company’s loan covenants might lead to funding being summarily withdrawn
Banking: a breach of the Company’s loan covenants might lead to funding being summarily withdrawn

ICMIM monitors compliance with the banking covenants when each drawdown is made and at the end of each month. The 

Board reviews compliance with the banking covenants at each Board meeting.

No material change in overall risk in the year.

 Key staff: loss by the Investment Managers of key staff could affect investment returns
 Key staff: loss by the Investment Managers of key staff could affect investment returns

The quality of the management team is a crucial factor in delivering good performance. There are training and development 

programs  in  place  for  employees  of  the  Investment  Managers  and  the  recruitment  and  remuneration  packages  have  been 

developed in order to retain key staff.

Any material changes to the management team are considered by the Board at its next meeting; the Board discusses succession 

planning with the Investment Managers at regular intervals.

No material change in overall risk in the year.

Reliance on the Investment Managers and other service providers: inadequate controls by the Investment 
Reliance on the Investment Managers and other service providers: inadequate controls by the Investment 
Managers or Administrator or other third party service providers could lead to misappropriation of assets
Managers or Administrator or other third party service providers could lead to misappropriation of assets

Failure by any service provider to carry out its obligations to the Company in accordance with the terms of its appointment could 

have a materially detrimental impact on the operation of the Company and could affect the ability of the Company to successfully 

pursue  its  investment  policy.  The  Company’s  main  service  providers  are  listed  on  page  106.  The  Audit  &  Risk  Committee 

monitors the performance of the service providers.

All  listed  investments  are  held  in  custody  for  the  Company  by  JPMorgan  Chase  Bank  N.A.,  Jersey  (“JPMorgan”);  the  unlisted 

investments are held in custody by BCB (together “the Custodians”). Following the appointment of J.P. Morgan Europe Limited 

(“JPMEL”)  as  the  Company’s  Depositary  services  provider,  JPMEL  also  monitors  the  movement  of  cash  and  assets  across  the 

Company’s accounts. The Audit & Risk Committee reviews the Administrator’s annual internal controls report.

The Board reviews operational issues at each Board meeting and the Audit & Risk Committee receives reports on the operation 

of  internal  controls  and  the  risk  of  cybercrime,  as  explained  in  more  detail  within  ”Internal  Controls”  on  page  44.  The  risk  of 

cybercrime is high, as it is with most organisations, but the Board regularly seeks assurances from the Investment Managers and 

other service providers on the preventative steps that they are taking to reduce this risk.

Although there has been no change in overall risk in the year, the possibility of cybercrime continues to be a concern. The Company’s 

assets  are  considered  to  be  relatively  secure,  so  the  risk  is  the  inability  to  transact  investment  decisions  for  a  period  of  time  and 

reputational risk.

32
32

UIL Limited(continued) STRATEGIC REPORT AND BUSINESS REVIEWReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

OUTLOOK AND FUTURE TRENDS
The main trends and factors likely to affect the future development, performance and position of the Company’s 

business can be found in the Investment Managers’ Report section of this Strategic Report. Further details as to the 

risks affecting the Company are set out above under “Principal Risks and Risk Mitigation”.

VIABILITY STATEMENT
In accordance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code, published by the Financial Reporting Council 

in September 2014 (the “Code”), the Directors have assessed the prospects of the Company over the next three years. 

The Board has determined that a three year period is a reasonable time horizon to consider the continuing viability of 

the Company, given the current regulatory environment, as they do not expect there to be any significant change to 

the current principal risks and to the mitigating controls in place over this period.

In its assessment of the viability of the Company, the Board has considered each of the Company’s principal risks and 

uncertainties detailed above, as well as the impact of a sustained, but not catastrophic, fall in equity markets, and 

related falls in income streams, on the Company’s ability to repay the £140.7m ultimate liability in respect of the 2018 

and 2020 ZDP share issues and its bank debt, whilst maintaining its objective of maximising shareholder returns. In 

arriving at its conclusions, the Board has also considered the Company’s income and expenditure projections and the 

fact that a significant percentage of the Company’s investments comprise readily realisable securities which could be 

sold to meet funding requirements, if necessary.

Additionally, the Board has considered the impact of failure of any or all of its key service providers over the ensuing 

three years and has satisfied itself that suitable alternative providers could be engaged at short notice and at similar 

cost, if necessary.

The Board has considered the Company’s business model, investment objective and policy, as well as the processes 

in place to monitor operating costs, share price discount, asset allocation, portfolio risk profile, gearing, counterparty 

exposure, liquidity risk and financial controls. The Board has concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that 

the Company will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the next three years.

This Strategic Report and Business Review was approved by the Board of Directors on 14 September 2018.

By order of the Board 

ICM Limited 

Company Secretary

14 September 2018

33
33

UIL LimitedINVESTMENT MANAGERS AND TEAM

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The Investment Managers are focused on finding investments at valuations that do not reflect their true long term value. 

Their investment approach is to have a deep understanding of the business fundamentals of each investment and its 

environment versus its intrinsic value. The Investment Managers are long term investors and see markets as a place to 

exchange assets. ICM is a relentless bottom up investor.

ICM manages over £15.0bn in funds, directly and indirectly, in a range of mandates. ICM has over 50 staff based in 

offices in Bermuda, Cape Town, Dublin, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Singapore, Sydney and Wellington.

UIL has a broad investment mandate. To better execute the mandate UIL has set up a number of platforms to focus the 

investment process and decisions. The Investment Managers have mirrored these platforms in establishing investment 

teams dedicated to each.

The investment teams are led by Duncan Saville and Charles Jillings.

Duncan Saville, a director of ICM, is a chartered accountant with corporate finance and asset management experience. 

He was formerly a non-executive director of Utilico Investment Trust plc and is an experienced director having been 

or is a non-executive director of a number of utility, financial service, resource and technology companies.

Charles Jillings, a director of ICM and chief executive of ICMIM, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Company 

and the investment portfolio. He is a qualified chartered accountant and has extensive experience in corporate finance 

and asset management. He is an experienced director having previously been a non-executive director in the water, 

waste and financial services sectors. 

Core teams assisting them at a senior level, including consultants, are:

Utilities & Infrastructure

Jacqueline Broers, who has been involved in the running of UIL and UEM since September 2010. Mrs Broers is focused 

on the transport sector worldwide with particular emphasis on emerging markets. Prior to joining the investment 

team, Mrs Broers worked in the corporate finance team at Lehman Brothers and Nomura. Mrs Broers is a qualified 

chartered accountant.

Jonathan Groocock, who has been involved in the running of UIL and UEM since February 2011. Mr Groocock is focused 

on the utilities sector worldwide with particular emphasis on emerging markets. Prior to joining the investment team 

Mr Groocock had nine years’ experience in sell side equity research, previously covering telecoms stocks at Investec. 

Mr Groocock qualified as a CFA charterholder in 2005.

Mark Lebbell, who has been involved in the running of UIL and UEM since their inception and before that was involved 

with Utilico Investment Trust plc and The Special Utilities Investment Trust PLC since 2000. Mr Lebbell is focused on the 

communications sector worldwide with particular emphasis on emerging markets. Mr Lebbell is an associate member 

of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.

Fixed Income

Gavin Blessing, joined ICM in 2012. He has over 20 years of experience, mostly in the corporate fixed income markets, 

both investment grade and high yield. He worked as a credit research analyst and portfolio manager at Goldman Sachs 

Asset Management in London for 10 years and subsequently as head of credit origination at ISTC in Dublin, Ireland. 

Prior to joining ICM he was head of bond credit research at Canaccord Genuity in Dublin. Mr Blessing is a qualified 

chartered accountant and CFA charterholder.

Resources

Dugald Morrison, based in Wellington, New Zealand, is responsible for ICM NZ Limited and in addition is focused on 

the resources sector worldwide. He is an experienced investment analyst, having worked in stockbroking, investment 

34
34

UIL LimitedINVESTMENT MANAGERS AND TEAMReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

banking and investment management firms in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States since 1987. He is 

a non-executive director of RESIMAC New Zealand. Mr Morrison is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Technology

Jason Cheong, based in Sydney, Australia is responsible for ICM’s technology investing activities. He is the portfolio 

manager for Allectus Capital, having worked in private equity, investment banking and corporate law in Australia and 

the UK. Prior to joining ICM, he was an investment manager at Brookfield Asset Management. Mr Cheong is a qualified 

solicitor, admitted to practice in Australia. 

Financial services

Alasdair Younie is a director of ICM, based in Bermuda. Mr Younie is responsible for the day to day running of the 

Somers Group and its Bermuda investments portfolio. Mr Younie has extensive experience in financial markets and 

corporate finance. He worked for six years within the corporate finance department of Arbuthnot Securities Limited in 

London. He is a director of Ascendant Group Limited, Bermuda Commercial Bank Limited, Bermuda First Investment 

Company Limited, Somers Limited and West Hamilton Holdings Limited. Mr Younie is a member of the Institute of 

Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Corporate finance

Sandra Pope is a director of ICMIM. She has over 25 years’ experience in corporate finance, having previously worked 

in corporate finance at Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Hill Samuel Bank and Close Brothers for 10 years and has worked for 

the ICM Group since 1999. Mrs Pope is a qualified chartered accountant and is a director of several private companies.

Operations

Brad Goddard has over 25 years’ experience in international markets and finance and their related operations with 

the ICM Group. Brad has been involved with UIL since its inception and prior to that, he was involved with The Special 

Utilities Investment Trust plc. Brad is currently working closely with Somers’ investee companies to achieve greater 

operational synergies across the Somers group.

Accounting

Werner Van Kets has managed various operational and financial aspects of ICM Corporate Services (Pty) Ltd since its 

inception, which provides accounting and other corporate support services to the ICM group. His previous work experience 

includes Deloitte (South Africa) and Credit Suisse in London. Werner is a qualified chartered accountant.

Company Secretary, ICM Limited

Alastair Moreton, a chartered accountant, joined the team in 2017 to provide company secretarial services to the 

Company and UEM. He has over thirty years’ experience in corporate finance with Samuel Montagu, HSBC, Arbuthnot 

Securities and Stockdale Securities, where he was responsible for the company’s closed end fund corporate clients.

ICMIM, a company authorised and regulated by the FCA as an AIFM pursuant to the AIFM Rules, is the Company’s 

AIFM with sole responsibility for risk management, subject to the overall policies, supervision, review and control of 

the Board and is joint portfolio manager of the Company, alongside ICM. 

35
35

UIL LimitedDIRECTORS

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

Peter Burrows AO* (Chairman) was appointed a Director in September 2011 and Chairman in November 2015. 

Mr Burrows is an experienced stockbroker and founded his own independent specialist private client stock broking 

firm, Burrows Limited, in 1986. Mr Burrows was previously the chairman and director of a number of listed and unlisted 

companies and is currently chairman of ASX-listed Sunvest Corporation Limited. Mr Burrows was made an officer in 

the Order of Australia (AO) for his services to medical research, tertiary education and finance.

Alison Hill, FCMA, CGMA*, was appointed a Director in November 2015 and is an executive director and chief executive 

officer of The Argus Group in Bermuda, which provides insurance, retirement and financial services. Ms Hill has over 

twenty five years’ experience in global corporations in the financial services sector. Ms Hill is a trustee and a member 

of committees of a number of non-corporate organisations in Bermuda. Ms Hill is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute 

of Management Accountants and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.

Warren McLeland, was appointed a Director in September 2013. He was formerly a stockbroker, investment banker and 

Chief Executive Officer of Resimac Ltd. He acts as an adviser in funds management and business strategy to companies 

operating in the Asia Pacific region. He is chairman of Somers Limited, director of Homeloans Limited and is an experienced 

non-executive director.

Christopher Samuel*, who was appointed a Director in November 2015, was Chief Executive of Ignis Asset Management 

until mid-2014, when it was taken over by Standard Life. He has worked in financial services throughout his career with 

over twenty years of Board level experience in the investment management sector. He is currently Chairman of Defaqto 

and Blackrock Throgmorton Trust plc as well as a non-executive director of Alliance Trust PLC, JP Morgan Japanese 

Investment Trust plc and Sarasin LLP. Mr Samuel is a Chartered Accountant.

David Shillson, LLM (Hons), who was appointed a Director in November 2015, is an experienced corporate and 

commercial lawyer and a senior partner of Kensington Swan, a New Zealand law firm. He has significant experience 

acting for a mix of non-government, central and local government clients, particularly in acquisitions and investment 

structuring, advising on transactional and governance matters across the utilities (ports, airports), technology, energy, 

transport (rail and roads) and finance sectors. Mr Shillson is a member of the New Zealand Law Society and the New 

Zealand Institute of Directors.

Eric Stobart, FCA* (Chairman of Audit and Management Engagement Committees) was appointed a Director in May 

2007. He has spent most of his career in merchant and commercial banking, latterly as Director of Public Policy and 

Regulation for what is now Lloyds Banking Group. He is a non-executive chairman of Capita Managing Agency Limited 

and a member of the audit and risk committee of London Business School. He is also a trustee of the Anglian Water 

Group Pension Schemes, the Dixons Retail Pension Scheme, Lloyd’s Superannuation Fund and the Royal Hospital for 

Neuro-Disability Pension Scheme. Mr Stobart is a chartered accountant with an MBA from London Business School.

* Independent Director and member of the Audit Committee and Management Engagement Committee

36
36

UIL LimitedREPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The Directors submit the Annual Report and Accounts of the Company and Group for the year ended 30 June 2018. 

The Corporate Governance Statement commencing on page 49, the Audit & Risk Committee Report on page 59 

and the Directors’ Remuneration Policy and Remuneration Report on page 55 all form part of this Report of the 

Directors. There are no instances where the Company is required to make disclosures in respect of Listing Rule 9.8.4R.

STATEMENT REGARDING ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
The Directors consider that, following advice from the Audit & Risk Committee, the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a 

whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s 

performance, business model and strategy.

STATUS OF THE COMPANY 
The Company is a Bermuda exempted closed end investment company with company registration number 39480. The 

Company’s ordinary shares are listed on the premium segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority 

and are traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. It is a member of the AIC in the UK. 

The Company’s subsidiary undertaking, UIL Finance, carries on business as an investment company. 

The Company also holds shares in a segregated account in GERP, an unquoted Bermuda segregated accounts company. 

This account, which is structured as the Bermuda law equivalent of a protected cell, exists for the sole purpose of 

carrying out derivative transactions on behalf of the Company. As at the year end, the Company was the majority 

shareholder of BFIC, an investment holding company investing in Bermuda companies, Zeta, a resources focused 

holding and development company listed on the ASX and two unlisted non-trading companies. Details of these 

investments are given in note 10 to the accounts. 

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS
Details of the Company’s performance in the year to 30 June 2018 are set out in the Chairman’s Statement and 

Investment Managers’ Report. The results for the year are set out in the attached accounts, which are prepared on 

a going concern basis as disclosed in note 29 to the accounts; details of the dividends declared in respect of this 

financial year are included in note 8 to the accounts.

The dividends in respect of the year, which total 7.50p per ordinary share, have been declared and are paid as four 

interim dividends in order to maintain quarterly payments (in December, March, June and September) as the Board 

and its Investment Managers believe, from discussions with shareholders, that the timely and regular payment of 

dividends is valued by the Company’s shareholders.

THE EU ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUND MANAGERS DIRECTIVE (“AIFMD”)
The Company is a non-EU Alternative Investment Fund for the purposes of the AIFMD. The Company has appointed 

ICMIM, an English incorporated company which is regulated by the FCA, as its AIFM with effect from 13 April 2015, 

with sole responsibility for risk management and ICM and ICMIM jointly to provide portfolio management services.

The AIFMD requires certain information to be made available to investors in Alternative Investment Funds (“AIFs”) before 

they invest and requires that material changes to this information be disclosed in the annual report of each AIF. An 

Investor Disclosure Document (“IDD”), which sets out information on the Company’s investment strategy and policies, 

leverage, risk, liquidity, administration, management, fees, conflicts of interest and other shareholder information, is 

available on the Company’s website at www.uil.limited.

37
37

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The Company has also appointed JPMEL as its depositary services provider, with effect from 13 April 2015. JPMEL’s 

responsibilities, which are set out in the IDD on the Company’s website at www.uil.limited, include general oversight 

over the issue and cancellation of the Company’s shares, the calculation of the NAV, cash monitoring and asset 

verification and record keeping. JPMEL receives a fee of 2.2bps on UIL’s NAV for its services, subject to a minimum fee 

of £25,000 per annum, payable monthly in arrears.

There have been no material changes to the information in the IDD requiring disclosure. Any information requiring 

immediate disclosure pursuant to the AIFMD will be disclosed to the London Stock Exchange through a Regulatory 

Information Service. As a UK authorised AIFM, ICMIM will make the requisite disclosures on remuneration levels and 

policies to the FCA at the appropriate time.

FUND MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The joint portfolio managers are ICMIM and ICM. The aggregate fees payable by the Company under the Investment 

Management Agreement (“IMA”) are 0.5% per annum of gross assets after deducting current liabilities (excluding 

borrowings incurred for investment purposes), payable quarterly in arrears, with such fees to be apportioned between 

ICMIM and ICM as agreed by them. The Investment Managers may also become entitled to a performance-related 

fee. Note 3 to the accounts provides detailed information in relation to the management fee and performance fee.

The IMA may be terminated upon one year’s notice in writing given by the Company or by the Investment Managers 

acting together.

ICMIM acted as company secretary during the year ended 30 June 2017 and ICM was appointed to this role in place 

of ICMIM with effect from 1 July 2017. 

The Board continually reviews the policies and performance of the Investment Managers. The Board’s philosophy and 

the Investment Managers’ approach are that the portfolio should consist of shares thought attractive irrespective of 

their inclusion or weighting in any index. Over the long term, the Board expects the combination of the Company’s 

and Investment Managers’ approach to generate a positive return for shareholders. The Board is satisfied with the 

terms of appointment of ICMIM and ICM.

REGULATORY AND COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT
The Company is obliged to comply with Bermuda law, the Listing Rules of the FCA and International Financial Reporting 

Standards (“IFRS”). The financial statements are also presented, where relevant, in compliance with the Statement of 

Recommended Practice (“SORP”) for Investment Trusts issued by the AIC in November 2014 and updated in January 

2017. The Company is exempt from taxation, except insofar as it is withheld from income received and capital gains 

taxes in some jurisdictions. Under Bermuda law, the Company may not distribute income or capital reserves by way 

of a dividend unless, after distribution of the dividend, the Company would be able to pay its liabilities as they become 

due and the realisable value of the Company’s assets would be greater than the aggregate of its liabilities and its 

issued share capital and share premium account. The Company is registered with the IRS in the USA under the Foreign 

Account Tax Compliance Act.

In addition to annual and half-yearly accounts published under these rules, the Company announces net asset values 

weekly via the London Stock Exchange’s Regulatory News Service and provides more detailed statistical information 

on a monthly basis on its website and to the AIC in order to allow investors and brokers to review its performance. 

The Company also reports to shareholders on performance against the investment objective, Directors’ dealings in 

the shares of the Company, corporate governance, investment activities and share buybacks. 

38
38

UIL Limited(continued) REPORT OF THE DIRECTORSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The accounting policies of the Company are detailed in note 1 to the accounts on pages 75 to 77. 

DIRECTORS 
The Company has a Board of six non-executive Directors who oversee and monitor the activities of the Investment 

Managers and other service providers and ensure that the Company’s investment policy is adhered to. Details of the 

Board’s responsibilities and the information it relies upon are set out below. The Board is supported by an Audit & Risk 

Committee and a Management Engagement Committee, which deal with specific aspects of the Company’s affairs as 

summarised on pages 59 and 41 respectively.

The Directors have a range of business, financial and asset management skills as well as experience relevant to the 

direction and control of the Company. Brief biographical details of the members of the Board are shown on page 36.

Under the Company’s Bye-Laws, the number of Directors on the Board shall be not less than two and not more than 

10 (or such other number as the Company by resolution may from time to time determine).

There is no chief executive position within the Company, as day-to-day management of the Company’s affairs has been 

delegated to the Investment Managers under the terms of the IMA. 

CHAIRMAN
The Chairman of the Company is Peter Burrows, a non-executive Director, who the Board considers to be independent. 

He has been a Director since 2011 and Chairman of the Board of Directors since November 2015. Mr Burrows is 

responsible for leadership of the Board and ensuring its effectiveness on all aspects of its role. 

SENIOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
It is considered unnecessary to identify a senior independent director due to the nature of an investment company 

and the relationship between the Board and the Investment Managers. Any of the Directors is available if shareholders 

have concerns which have not been resolved through the normal channels of contact with the Chairman or Investment 

Managers, or for which such channels are inappropriate.

BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board of Directors is responsible for overall stewardship of the Company, including corporate strategy, corporate 

governance, risk and controls assessment, overall investment policy and gearing limits. Although the Company has 

appointed ICMIM as its AIFM with responsibility for risk management, in performing its services, ICMIM is subject to 

the overall policies, supervision, review and control of the Board.

Directors have a duty to promote the success of the Company taking into consideration the likely consequences of any decision 

in the long-term; the need to foster the Company’s business relationships with its Investment Managers and advisers; the 

impact of the Company’s operations on the community and the environment; the desirability of the Company maintaining a 

reputation for high standards of business conduct; and the need to act fairly as between shareholders of the Company. The 

Directors are also responsible for the proper conduct of the Company’s affairs and for promoting the success of the Company 

by directing and supervising its affairs within a framework of effective controls which enable risk to be assessed and managed. 

In addition, the Directors are responsible for ensuring that the Company’s policies and operations are in the best interests of 

all of its shareholders and that the interests of creditors and suppliers to the Company are properly considered.

39
39

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The Board is committed to the prevention of corruption in the conduct of the Company’s affairs and, taking account of 

the nature of the Company’s business and operations, has put in place procedures that the Board considers adequate 

to prevent persons associated with it from engaging in bribery for and on behalf of the Company.

A formal schedule of matters reserved for decision by the Board and detailing the responsibilities of the Board has been 

established. The main responsibilities include setting the Company’s objectives, policies and standards, considering any 

major acquisitions or disposals of portfolio companies (more than 15% of the portfolio), ensuring that the Company’s 

obligations to shareholders and others are understood and complied with, approving accounting policies and dividend 

policy, managing the capital structure, setting long-term objectives and strategy, assessing and managing risk (including 

supervising and reviewing the performance of ICMIM as the Company’s AIFM with responsibility for risk management), 

reviewing investment performance, monitoring the net borrowing position, approving recommendations made by the 

Audit & Risk Committee, reviewing Directors’ remuneration, undertaking nomination responsibilities and assessing 

the Investment Managers on an ongoing basis. The Board also seeks to ensure that shareholders are provided with 

sufficient information in order to understand the risk/reward balance to which they are exposed by holding their 

shares, through the portfolio details given in the annual and half-yearly financial reports, monthly factsheets and 

weekly NAV disclosures.

There is an agreed procedure for Directors, in the furtherance of their duties, to take legal advice at the Company’s 

expense, having first consulted with the Chairman. 

SUPPLY OF INFORMATION
To enable the Directors to fulfil their roles, the Investment Managers ensure that all Directors have timely access to all 

relevant management, financial and regulatory information.

On being appointed to the Board, Directors are fully briefed as to their responsibilities and are continually updated 

throughout their term in office on industry and regulatory matters. The Board and the Investment Managers have also 

put arrangements in place to address the ongoing training requirements of Directors which include briefings from 

the Investment Managers’ staff or external advisers and which ensure that Directors can keep up to date with new 

legislation and changing risks. The Board holds meetings with various specialists including the auditor at least once a 

year at which specific topics are addressed.

The Board meets on a regular basis at least four times each year. Additional meetings are arranged as necessary. Regular 

contact is maintained between the Investment Managers, the Chairman and the other Directors between formal meetings.

Board meetings follow a formal agenda, which includes a review of the investment portfolio with a report from the 

Investment Managers on the current investment position and outlook, strategic direction, performance against stock 

market indices and the Company’s peer group, asset allocation, gearing policy, cash management, revenue forecasts 

for the financial year, marketing and shareholder relations, corporate governance, regulatory changes and industry and 

other issues. The Board also receives reports from the Board’s Committees (Audit & Risk and Management Engagement).

BOARD DIVERSITY, APPOINTMENT, RE-ELECTION AND TENURE
The Board as a whole undertakes the responsibilities which would otherwise be assumed by a nomination committee. 

It considers the size and structure of the Board, including the balance of expertise and skills brought by individual 

Directors. It has regard to board diversity and recognises the value of progressive refreshing of, and succession 

planning for, company boards, which matters are discussed by the Board as a whole at least annually. The Board also 

seeks to have Directors with knowledge and experience of relevant sectors, who understand the key influences on 

40
40

UIL Limited(continued) REPORT OF THE DIRECTORSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

businesses in their area, whether they are economic, political, regulatory or other issues. On the issue of diversity, any 

new appointment is considered on the basis of the skills and experience that the individual would bring to the Board, 

regardless of gender. 

The Board is of the view that length of service does not necessarily compromise the independence or contribution 

of directors of an investment company, where continuity and experience can add significantly to the strength of the 

Board. This is supported by the views on independence expressed in the AIC Code. No limit on the overall length of 

service of any of the Company’s Directors, including the Chairman, has been imposed. The Board has put in place a 

policy whereby Directors who have served for nine years or more will be subject to annual re-election. 

The Board reviews succession planning at least annually. Appointments of new Directors will be made on a formalised 

basis with the Chairman agreeing in conjunction with his colleagues the skills and expertise required and other relevant 

selection criteria, and the methods of recruitment (where appropriate using an external recruitment agency), selection 

and appointment. The potential Director would meet with Board members prior to formal appointment. An induction 

process will be undertaken with new appointees to the Board being given a full briefing on the workings and processes 

of the Company and the management of the Company by the Chairman, the Investment Managers, the company 

secretary and other appropriate persons. All appointments are subject to subsequent confirmation by shareholders 

in general meeting.

The Bye-laws require that a Director shall retire and be subject to re-election at the first AGM after appointment and 

at least every three years thereafter. 

One-third of the Board is subject to retirement by rotation each year and in addition, any Director who is not considered 

to be independent stands down annually and seeks re-election. Mr Samuel will retire by rotation at the forthcoming 

AGM; Mr Stobart, who has been a director for over nine years, will be seeking re-election at the AGM; and Mr McLeland 

and Mr Shillson, who are not considered to be independent (Mr McLeland is a director of other companies associated 

with the Investment Managers and Mr Shillson is a partner of Kensington Swan, a New Zealand law firm which has 

acted for members of the UIL and ICM groups) retire annually and will do so at the forthcoming AGM and, being eligible, 

offers themselves for re-election. The Bye-laws provide that the Company may, in a special general meeting, remove 

any Director from the Board.

The Board has considered the re-election of Mr Samuel, Mr Stobart, Mr McLeland and Mr Shillson and has reviewed 

the composition of the Board as a whole and borne in mind the need for a proper balance of skills and experience. 

Following an appraisal of the performance of these Directors, the Board believes that these Directors should be put 

forward for re-election. The Board feels that all four Directors make a valuable contribution based on their individual 

skills, knowledge and experience. They have commitment to their roles and the Board believes that their re-election 

would be in the best interests of the Company. 

AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE
The composition and activities of the Audit & Risk Committee are summarised in the Audit & Risk Committee Report 

on pages 59 to 62. Copies of the terms of reference are available on the Company’s website at www.uil.limited.

MANAGEMENT ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE 
The Board has appointed a Management Engagement Committee, chaired by Mr Stobart, which operates within written 

terms of reference clearly setting out its authority and duties. Copies of the terms of reference are available on the 

Company’s website at www.uil.limited.

41
41

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The Management Engagement Committee is comprised of the independent Directors of the Company and will meet 

at least once a year. 

The Investment Managers’ performance is considered by the Board at every meeting, with formal evaluation by the 

Management Engagement Committee annually. During the year, the Board received detailed reports and views from 

the Investment Managers on investment policy, asset allocation, gearing and risk at each Board meeting, with ad hoc 

market/company updates if there were significant movements in the intervening period. 

The Management Engagement Committee also considers the effectiveness of the administration services provided by 

the Investment Managers and Administrator, including the timely identification and resolution of areas of accounting 

judgement and implementation of new regulatory requirements and the performance of other third party service 

providers. In this regard, the Management Engagement Committee assessed the services provided by the Investment 

Managers, the Administrator and the other service providers to be good. 

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
The Board as a whole undertakes the work which would otherwise be undertaken by a Remuneration Committee. Its 

work is summarised in the Directors’ Remuneration Report which starts on page 55. 

BOARD, COMMITTEE AND DIRECTORS’ PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL
The Directors recognise the importance of the AIC Code’s recommendations in respect of evaluating the performance 

of the Board as a whole, the Audit & Risk Committee and the Management Engagement Committee and individual 

Directors. The performance of the Board, Audit & Risk Committee and Management Engagement Committee and 

Directors has been assessed during the year in terms of:

•  attendance at meetings;

•  the independence of individual Directors;

•  the  ability  of  Directors  to  make  an  effective  contribution  to  the  Board  and  Committees  through  the  range  and 

diversity of skills and experience each Director brings to their role; and

•  the Board’s ability to challenge the Investment Managers’ recommendations, suggest areas of debate and set the 

future strategy of the Company.

The Board opted to conduct performance evaluation through questionnaires and discussion between the Directors, 

the Chairman and the chairmen of the Committees. This process is conducted by the Chairman, having regard to the 

performance evaluation questionnaire, reviewing individually with each of the Directors their performance, contribution 

and commitment to the Company and the possible further development of skills. In addition, the Chair of the Audit & 

Risk Committee reviews the performance of the Chairman with the other Directors, taking into account the views of 

the Investment Managers. The relevant points arising from these meetings are then reported to, and discussed by, the 

Board as a whole. This process has been carried out in respect of the year under review and will be conducted on an 

annual basis. The result of this year’s performance evaluation process was that the Board, the Committees of the Board 

and the Directors individually were all assessed to have performed satisfactorily. No follow-up actions were required.

It is not felt appropriate currently to employ the services of, or to incur the additional expense of, an external third 

party to conduct the evaluation process as an appropriate process is in place; this will, however, be kept under review.

ATTENDANCE AT BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Board meets at least quarterly, with additional Board and Board committee meetings being held on an ad hoc 

basis to consider particular issues as they arise.

42
42

UIL Limited(continued) REPORT OF THE DIRECTORSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The quorum for any Board meeting is two Directors, however attendance by all Directors at each meeting is strongly 

encouraged. A committee of the Board is constituted to deal with any matters between scheduled Board meetings. 

The following table sets out the number of formal Board meetings (excluding Board committee meetings) and other 

committee meetings held during the year under review and the number of meetings attended by each Director who 

held office at the end of the year under review.

Number of meetings held during the year

 Peter Burrows

 Alison Hill

 Warren McLeland

 Christopher Samuel

 David Shillson

 Eric Stobart

BOARD

AUDIT  
COMMITTEE

MANAGEMENT 
MANAGEMENT 
ENGAGEMENT 
ENGAGEMENT 
COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE

5

5

5

5

5

4

5

3

3

3

n/a

3

n/a

3

1

1

1

n/a

1

n/a

1

Apart from the meetings detailed above, there were a number of meetings held by committees of the Board to approve 

the final versions of the interim and annual financial statements, the declaration of quarterly dividends and other ad 

hoc items.

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION AND SHAREHOLDINGS
The Directors’ Remuneration Report, which can be found on page 55, contains information on the policy and annual 

remuneration of the Directors and their share interests in the Company. Shareholders will be asked to approve the 

Directors’ annual report on remuneration on page 56, (excluding the remuneration policy which is next due for 

approval in 2020).

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS 
The Directors’ interests in the ordinary share capital of the Company are disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration 

Report on page 57.

No Director was a party to, or had any interests in, any contract or arrangement with the Company at any time during 

the year or at the year end. There are no agreements between the Company and its Directors concerning compensation 

for loss of office.

A Director must avoid a situation where he has, or can have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts, or possibly may 

conflict, with the Company’s interests. The Directors have declared any potential conflicts of interest to the Company. 

Potential conflicts of interest are reviewed regularly by the Board. The Directors have undertaken to advise the company 

secretary and/or Chairman as soon as they become aware of any potential conflicts of interest.

DIRECTORS’ AND OFFICERS’ LIABILITY INSURANCE
The Company maintains Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which provides appropriate cover for any legal action 

brought against its Directors. 

43
43

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

SAFE CUSTODY OF ASSETS
The Company’s listed investments are held in safe custody by JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., Jersey, as custodian. 

Operational matters with the Custodian are carried out on the Company’s behalf by ICMIM and the Administrator in 

accordance with the IMA and the Administration Agreement. The Custodian is paid a variable fee dependent on the 

number of trades transacted and the location of the securities held.

The Company’s unlisted investments continue to be held in safe custody by BCB.

INTERNAL FINANCIAL AND NON-FINANCIAL CONTROLS
The Directors acknowledge that they are responsible for ensuring that the Company maintains a sound system of 

internal financial and non-financial controls (“internal controls”) to safeguard shareholders’ investments and the 

Company’s assets.

The Company’s system of internal control is designed to manage rather than eliminate risk of failure to achieve the 

Company’s investment objective and/or adhere to the Company’s investment policy and/or investment limits. The 

system can therefore only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The Investment Managers, Administrator and Custodians maintain their own systems of internal controls and the 

Board and the Audit & Risk Committee receive regular reports from the Investment Managers. 

The Board meets regularly, at least four times a year. It reviews financial reports and performance against relevant 

stock market criteria and the Company’s peer group, amongst other things. The effectiveness of the Company’s system 

of internal controls, including financial, operational, compliance and risk management systems is reviewed at least bi-

annually against risk parameters approved by the Board. The Board confirms that the necessary actions are taken to 

remedy any significant failings or weaknesses identified from its review. No significant failings or weaknesses occurred 

during the year ended 30 June 2018 or subsequently up to the date of this annual financial report.

The Board has reviewed and accepted the Investment Managers’ anti-bribery and corruption and whistleblowing 

policies. 

COMPANY SECRETARY
The Board has direct access to the advice and services of the company secretary, who is an employee of ICM. The 

company secretary, with advice from the Company’s lawyers and financial advisers, is responsible for ensuring that 

the Board and Committee procedures are followed and that applicable rules and regulations are complied with. The 

company secretary is also responsible to the Board for ensuring timely delivery of information and reports and that the 

statutory obligations of the Company are met. The company secretary is responsible for advising the Board, through 

the Chairman, on all governance matters.

ADMINISTRATION 
The provision of accounting and administration services to the Company has been delegated to the Administrator. The 

Administrator during the year ended 30 June 2018 was F&C Management Limited which provided general administration 

services, including fund accounting, fund valuation, dealing and reporting services to the Company and UIL Finance for 

a fee, payable monthly in arrears, of £320,000 per annum from 1 October 2017 (2017: £310,000). With effect from 1 

July 2018, JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. – London Branch was appointed Administrator and ICMIM appointed Waverton 

Investment Management Limited to provide certain support services (including middle office, market dealing and 

information technology support services). The Agreement with the Administrator provides for an annual fee based on 

44
44

UIL Limited(continued) REPORT OF THE DIRECTORSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

UIL’s month end NAV (5 bps on first £100m NAV, 3 bps on next £150m, 2 bps on next £250m) and the Company or the 

Administrator may terminate this agreement upon six months’ notice in writing after an initial term of one year. Waverton 

is entitled to receive an annual fee of 3bps of UIL’s NAV and UIL will reimburse ICMIM for its costs and expenses incurred 

in relation to this agreement. Other administrative functions are contracted to external service providers.

Annually, the Management Engagement Committee also considers the ongoing administrative requirements of the 

Company and assesses the services provided. The Board, based on the recent review of activities by the Management 

Engagement Committee, believes that the continuing appointments of ICM as company secretary and JP Morgan Chase 

Bank N.A. - London Branch as administrator remain in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

SHARE CAPITAL 
As at 30 June 2018 the issued share capital of the Company and the total voting rights were 89,493,389 ordinary 

shares of 10p each. Full details of changes to the Company’s authorised and issued share capital during the year can 

be found in note 17 to the accounts. 

Since the year end, the Company has bought back no further ordinary shares. As at 14 September 2018 the issued 

share capital and total voting rights were 89,493,389 ordinary shares of 10p each. 

At the last AGM, the Company was granted authority to make market purchases of up to 14.99% of its ordinary shares. 

A total of 703,819 ordinary shares were bought back and cancelled during the year.

UIL Finance, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, issued a total of 50.0m 2024 ZDP shares on 2 November 2017 

and 25.0m 2026 ZDP shares on 26 April 2018.

SUBSTANTIAL SHARE INTERESTS 
As at 14 September 2018, the Company had received notification from Mr Duncan Saville that he had an interest in 

63,409,821 ordinary shares (70.9% of UIL’s issued share capital) which included the holdings of General Provincial Life 

Pension Fund Limited (56,001,533 ordinary shares (62.6%)) and Permanent Mutual Limited (6,712,477 ordinary shares 

(7.5%)).

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT AND VOTING 
The Company has developed a policy on corporate governance, socially responsible investment and voting. The 

Company believes that the interests of its shareholders are served by investing in companies that adopt best practice 

in corporate governance and social responsibility. Where the Investment Managers become aware that best practice 

in corporate governance and social responsibility is not followed, the Company and the Investment Managers will 

encourage changes towards this goal. 

As an investment company, environmental policy has limited application. The Investment Managers consider various 

factors  when  evaluating  potential  investments.  While  a  company’s  policy  towards  the  environment  and  social 

responsibility, including with regard to human rights, is considered as part of the overall assessment of risk and 

suitability for the portfolio, the Investment Managers do not necessarily decide to, or not to, make an investment on 

environmental and social grounds alone. 

The Company is not within the scope of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 because it has no or insufficient turnover and is 

therefore not obliged to make a human trafficking statement.

The exercise of voting rights attached to shares held by the Company lies with the Investment Managers. Their 

Stewardship and Voting policy is included on the Company’s website at www.uil.limited. Generally, the Investment 

45
45

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

Managers will vote in favour of all resolutions at general meetings, unless they see clear investment reasons for doing 

otherwise. The Board periodically receives a report on instances where the Investment Managers have voted against 

the recommendation of the management on any resolution. It also expects to be informed of any sensitive voting 

issues involving the Company’s investments.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
The Company has no employees or property and it does not combust any fuel or operate any facility. The Company 

does not purchase electricity, heat, steam or cooling for its own use. Accordingly, the quantifiable amount of carbon 

dioxide equivalent produced by the Company annually is zero tonnes. All services are outsourced on a fee basis that 

is independent of any energy expended on its behalf and it is not practical for the Company to attempt to quantify 

emissions in respect of such proxy energy use.

FACILITATING RETAIL INVESTMENTS
The Company currently conducts its affairs so that its securities can be recommended by Independent Financial 

Advisers to ordinary retail investors in accordance with the FCA’s rules in relation to non-mainstream investment 

products and intends to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

The securities are excluded from the FCA’s restrictions which apply to non-mainstream investment products because 

the investment returns received in connection with the shares are wholly or predominantly linked to, contingent on, 

highly sensitive to or dependent on, the performance of or changes in the value of shares, debentures or government 

and public securities.

As a consequence, the Company’s shares qualify to be considered as a mainstream investment product suitable for 

ordinary retail investors.

The Company’s ordinary shares and ZDP shares are eligible for inclusion in an ISA.

THE COMMON REPORTING STANDARD 
New tax legislation under The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Common Reporting 

Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information (the “Common Reporting Standard”) was introduced 

on 1 January 2016. The legislation requires the Company, as an investment company, to provide personal information 

on shareholders to the Company’s local tax authority in Bermuda. The Bermuda tax authority may in turn exchange 

the information with the tax authorities of another country or countries in which the shareholder may be tax resident, 

where those countries (or tax authorities in those countries) have entered into agreements to exchange financial 

account information.

All new shareholders, excluding those whose shares are held as depositary interests, who are entered on the share 

register will be sent a certification form for the purposes of collecting this information.

RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS 
The Company welcomes the views of shareholders and places great importance on communication with shareholders. 

The Investment Managers hold meetings with the Company’s largest shareholders and report back to the Board on 

these meetings. The Chairman and other Directors are available to discuss any concerns with shareholders, if required. 

The prime medium by which the Company communicates with shareholders is through the half-yearly and annual 

financial reports, which aim to provide shareholders with a full understanding of the Company’s activities and its results. 

46
46

UIL Limited(continued) REPORT OF THE DIRECTORSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

This information is supplemented by the calculation and publication weekly, via a Regulatory Information Service, of 

the NAV of the Company’s ordinary shares and by monthly factsheets produced by the Investment Managers. 

Shareholders can visit the Company’s website: www.uil.limited in order to access copies of half-yearly and annual 

financial reports, Company factsheets and regulatory announcements. 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Company’s AGM will be held on 21 November 2018. 

The notice of the AGM and related notes can be found on pages 103 to 105. All resolutions are ordinary resolutions 

unless otherwise identified.

Resolutions relating to the following items of special business will be proposed at the forthcoming AGM:

Resolution 10 Authority for the Company to purchase its own shares 
The Directors’ authority to buy back shares was renewed at last year’s AGM and will expire at the end of the AGM in 2018.

The Directors are proposing to renew the authority at the forthcoming AGM, and are seeking authority to purchase in 

the market up to 13,410,000 ordinary shares (equivalent to approximately 14.99% of the issued ordinary shares as at 

the date of this report) as set out in Resolution 10 in the Notice of AGM. This authority, unless it is varied, revoked or 

renewed, will expire at the conclusion of the Company’s AGM in 2019. 

Any purchases will be made at prices below the prevailing NAV per ordinary share. The maximum price that can be paid 

is the higher of: (a) 105% of the average of the mid-market quotations of the ordinary shares for the five business days 

immediately before the date of purchase; and (b) the higher of the price of the last independent trade and the highest 

current independent bid on the trading venue where the purchase is carried out. Any ordinary shares purchased by 

the Company may be held in treasury or cancelled. 

Any purchases are regarded as investment decisions. It is proposed that any purchase of shares would be funded from 

the Company’s own cash resources or, if appropriate, from short-term borrowings. 

The Board intends to seek a renewal of such authority at subsequent AGMs. 

Resolution 11 Disapplication of pre-emption rights
The Company’s Bye-laws provide that, unless otherwise determined by a special resolution, the Company is not able to 

allot ordinary shares for cash without offering them to existing shareholders first in proportion to their shareholdings. 

Resolution 11 will grant the Company authority to dis-apply these pre-emption rights in respect of up to £447,400 of 

relevant securities in the Group (equivalent to 4,474,000, ordinary shares of 10p each, representing approximately 

5% of its ordinary shares in issue as at the date of this report). This will allow the Company flexibility to issue further 

ordinary shares for cash without conducting a rights issue or other pre-emptive offer in circumstances where the 

Directors believe it may be advantageous to shareholders to do so. Any such issues would only be made at prices greater 

than NAV and would therefore increase the assets underlying each share. The issue proceeds would be available for 

investment in line with the Company’s investment policy. 

Resolution 11 is a Special Resolution and will require the approval of a 75% majority of votes cast in respect of it. 

47
47

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

RECOMMENDATION
The Board considers the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM to be in the best interests of the Company and its 

shareholders as a whole. Accordingly, the Directors recommend that shareholders should vote in favour of all the 

resolutions to be proposed at the AGM.

By order of the Board  

ICM Limited, Secretary  

14 September 2018

48
48

UIL Limited(continued) REPORT OF THE DIRECTORSCORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

THE COMPANY‘S GOVERNANCE NETWORK
Responsibility for good governance lies with the Board. The Board is committed to maintaining high standards of 

corporate governance and is accountable to shareholders for the governance of the Company’s affairs.

The governance framework of the Company reflects the fact that as an investment company it has no employees and 

outsources investment management and company secretarial services to the Investment Managers and administration 

to the Administrator and other external service providers.

THE BOARD

Key Objectives:

Six non-executive directors (NEDs)

Chairman: Peter Burrows

•  to set strategy, values and standards;

•  to provide leadership within a framework 
of prudent and effective controls which 
enable risk to be assessed and managed; 
and

•  to constructively challenge and scrutinise 
performance of all outsourced activities.

AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE 

All the independent Directors

Key Objective:

Chairman: Eric Stobart

•  to oversee the financial reporting 

and control environment.

MANAGEMENT ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE 

All the independent Directors

Key Objectives:

Chairman: Eric Stobart 

•  to review the performance of the 
Investment Managers and the 
Administrator; and

•  to review the performance of other 

service providers.

NOMINATION COMMITTEE FUNCTION

The Board as a whole  
performs this function 

Key Objectives:

•  to regularly review the Board’s 
structure and composition; and

•  to consider any new appointments.

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE FUNCTION

The Board as a whole  
performs this function

Key Objective:

•  to set the remuneration policy for 
the Directors of the Company.

INTRODUCTION
As a Bermuda incorporated company with a premium listing on the Official List, the Company is required to comply 

with the UK Corporate Governance Code issued by the Financial Reporting Council. The Board has considered the 

principles and recommendations of the AIC Code by reference to the AIC Corporate Governance Guide for Investment 

49
49

UIL LimitedCORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
 
Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

Companies. The AIC Code, as explained by the AIC Guide, addresses all the principles set out in the UK Corporate 

Governance Code, as well as setting out additional principles and recommendations on issues that are of specific 

relevance to investment companies. Bermuda does not have its own corporate governance code.

The Board considers that reporting against the principles and recommendations of the AIC Code, and by reference to 

the AIC Guide (which incorporates the UK Corporate Governance Code), will provide better information to shareholders.

COMPLIANCE WITH THE AIC CODE
The Company has complied with the recommendations of the AIC Code and the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate 

Governance Code, except as set out below. 

The UK Corporate Governance Code includes provisions relating to:

•  the role of the chief executive

•  executive directors’ remuneration 

•  the need for an internal audit function

•  nomination of a senior independent director

For the reasons set out in the AIC Guide, and as explained in the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Board considers 

these provisions are not relevant to the position of UIL, being a Bermuda incorporated investment company with 

external investment managers. In particular, all of the Company’s day-to-day management and administrative functions 

are outsourced to third parties. As a result, the Company has no executive directors, employees or internal operations. 

The Company has therefore not reported further in respect of these provisions.

In common with most investment companies, the Company does not have an internal audit function. All of the 

Company’s management and administration functions are delegated to the Investment Managers and Administrator, 

whose controls are monitored by the Board and which include audit and risk assessment. It is therefore felt that there 

is no need for the Company to have its own internal audit function. However, this is reviewed annually by the Audit & 

Risk Committee. Action will be taken to remedy any significant failings or weaknesses identified from the review of the 

effectiveness of the internal control system.

In view of the requirement of the Bye-laws that all Directors retire by rotation, the Board considers that it is not 

appropriate for the Directors to be appointed for a specified term as recommended by the AIC Code. In addition, the 

Board has considered provision B.7.1 in the UK Corporate Governance Code issued by the Financial Reporting Council 

published in September 2014 recommending that all directors of FTSE 350 companies should be subject to annual re-

election. The Board believes that the current election system, with each Director being re-elected to the Board at least 

every three years or re-elected annually if they have served more than nine years or are “non-independent”, is sufficient. 

The Company does not have a Nomination or Remuneration Committee.

Details of the Company’s ten largest investments are published monthly and in this report; a full list of investments 

is not published.

Information on how the Company has applied the principles of the AIC Code and the UK Corporate Governance Code 

is provided in the Report of the Directors as follows:

•  The  composition  and  operation  of  the  Board  and  its  Committees  is  summarised  on  pages  39  to  42,  and  49,  and 

pages 59 to 62 in respect of the Audit & Risk Committee.

•  The Company’s approach to risk management and internal control is summarised on pages 31 and 32 and page 44. 

•  The contractual arrangements with, and assessment of, the Investment Managers are summarised on page 38.

50
50

UIL Limited(continued) CORPORATE GOVERNANCEReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

•  The Company’s capital structure and voting rights are summarised on pages 45 and 52. The substantial shareholders 

in the Company are listed on page 45.

•  Powers to buy back the Company’s shares or to issue shares on a non pre-emptive basis, which are sought annually, are 

summarised on page 47.

Details of how the Company communicates with its shareholders are included in the Report of the Directors, under 

“Relations with shareholders” on pages 46 and 47.

By order of the Board 

ICM Limited 

Company Secretary

14 September 2018

51
51

UIL LimitedCAPITAL STRUCTURE

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

UIL has a leveraged balance sheet structure, with the ordinary shares leveraged by the ZDP 
shares, bank debt and other loans.

ORDINARY SHARES
The number of ordinary shares in issue, and the voting rights, as at 30 June 2018 was 89,493,389 shares. The ordinary 

shares are entitled to all the revenue profits of the Company available for distribution and resolved to be distributed 

by the Directors by way of a dividend. The Directors consider the payment of dividends on a quarterly basis.

On a winding up, holders of ordinary shares will be entitled, after payment of all debts and the satisfaction of all liabilities 

of the Company, to the winding up revenue profits of the Company and thereafter, after paying to UIL Finance for its 

ZDP shareholders their accrued capital entitlement, to all the remaining assets of the Company.

ZDP SHARES
The ZDP shares are issued by UIL Finance, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UIL. The ZDP shares carry no entitlement to 

income and the whole of any return will take the form of capital.

2018 ZDP shares

32,716,029 2018 ZDP shares were in issue as at 30 June 2018. The 2018 ZDP shares rank for payment in priority to the 

ordinary shares (save for any undistributed revenue profit on winding up) and the 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2026 ZDP shares, 

but rank behind the bank debt for capital repayment of 160.52p per 2018 ZDP share on 31 October 2018. The capital 

repayment is equivalent to a redemption yield of 7.25% per annum based on the initial capital entitlement of 100p.

2020 ZDP shares

39,000,000 2020 ZDP shares were in issue as at 30 June 2018. The 2020 ZDP shares rank for payment in priority to the 

ordinary shares (save for any undistributed revenue profit on winding up) and the 2022, 2024 and 2026 ZDP shares 

but rank behind the bank debt and the 2018 ZDP shares for capital repayment of 154.90p per 2020 ZDP share on 

31 October 2020. The capital repayment is equivalent to a redemption yield of 7.25% per annum based on the initial 

capital entitlement of 100p. 

2022 ZDP shares

50,000,000 2022 ZDP shares were in issue as at 30 June 2018. The 2022 ZDP shares rank for payment in priority to 

the ordinary shares (save for any undistributed revenue profit on winding up) and the 2024 and 2026 ZDP shares but 

rank behind the bank debt, the 2018 and the 2020 ZDP shares for capital repayment of 146.99p per 2022 ZDP share 

on 31 October 2022. The capital repayment is equivalent to a redemption yield of 6.25% per annum based on the 

initial capital entitlement of 100p.

2024 ZDP shares

50,000,000 2024 ZDP shares were in issue as at 30 June 2018. The 2024 ZDP shares rank for payment in priority to the 

ordinary shares (save for any undistributed revenue profit on winding up) and the 2026 ZDP shares but rank behind 

the bank debt, the 2018, 2020 and the 2022 ZDP shares for capital repayment of 138.35p per 2024 ZDP share on 31 

October 2024. The capital repayment is equivalent to a redemption yield of 4.75% per annum based on the initial 

capital entitlement of 100p.

2026 ZDP shares

25,000,000 2026 ZDP shares were in issue as at 30 June 2018. The 2026 ZDP shares rank for payment in priority to the 

ordinary shares (save for any undistributed revenue profit on winding up) but rank behind the bank debt, the 2018, 2020, 

2022 and the 2024 ZDP shares for capital repayment of 151.50p per 2026 ZDP share on 31 October 2026. The capital 

repayment is equivalent to a redemption yield of 5.00% per annum based on the initial capital entitlement of 100p.

52
52

UIL LimitedCAPITAL STRUCTUREReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

SPLIT OF GROSS ASSETS  
as at 30 June 2018

CONSOLIDATED FUNDING COST STRUCTURE  
as at 30 June 2018

by value

by percentage

7.25% 7.25%

6.25%

£ 261.1m

Ordinary shares

53.48%

5.00%

4.75%

£11.3m
£29.4m

£55.9m

£51.9m

£50.9m

£27.8m

2026 ZDP shares
2024 ZDP shares

2.31%
6.02%

2022 ZDP shares

11.45%

2020 ZDP shares

2018 ZDP shares

Bank loans

10.63%

10.42%

5.69%

3.45%

Bank 
loans

2018
ZDP
shares

2020
ZDP
shares

2022
ZDP
shares

2024
ZDP
shares

2026
ZDP
shares

6.10%

Blended 
cost 
of prior 
charges 
to 
ordinary 
shares

Source: ICM

Source: ICM

BANK DEBT
At the year end UIL had a £50.0m multi-currency loan facility provided by Scotiabank, secured against the Company’s 

assets by way of a debenture.

SENSITIVITY OF RETURNS AND RISK PROFILES 
Ordinary shares rank behind the ZDP shares (save for any undistributed revenue profit on a winding up) and bank debt 

such that they represent a geared instrument. For every £100 of gross assets of the Company as at 30 June 2018, the 

ordinary shares could be said to be interested in £53.48 of those assets after deducting the prior claims as above. This 

makes the ordinary shares more sensitive to movements in gross assets. Based on these amounts, a 1.0% movement 

in gross assets would change the NAV attributable to ordinary shares by 1.9%.

The interest cost of UIL’s bank debt, combined with the annual accruals in respect of ZDP shares, represents a blended 

cost to the ordinary shares of 6.1% as at 30 June 2018.

Based on their final entitlement of 160.52p per share, the final entitlement of the 2018 ZDP shares was covered 6.50 

times by gross assets as at 30 June 2018. Should the gross assets fall by 84.6% over the remaining life of the 2018 ZDP 

shares, then the 2018 ZDP shares would not receive their final entitlement in full. Should gross assets fall by 94.7%, 

equivalent to an annual fall of 100.0%, the 2018 ZDP shares would receive no payment at the end of their life.

Based on their final entitlement of 154.90p per share, the final entitlement of the 2020 ZDP shares was covered 3.71 

times by gross assets as at 30 June 2018. Should the gross assets fall by 73.1% over the remaining life of the 2020 ZDP 

shares, then the 2020 ZDP shares would not receive their final entitlement in full. Should gross assets fall by 84.6%, 

equivalent to an annual fall of 55.1%, the 2020 ZDP shares would receive no payment at the end of their life.

Based on their final entitlement of 146.99p per share, the final entitlement of the 2022 ZDP shares was covered 2.44 

times by gross assets as at 30 June 2018. Should the gross assets fall by 59.0% over the remaining life of the 2022 ZDP 

shares, then the 2022 ZDP shares would not receive their final entitlement in full. Should gross assets fall by 73.1%, 

equivalent to an annual fall of 26.1%, the 2022 ZDP shares would receive no payment at the end of their life.

53
53

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

Based on their final entitlement of 138.35p per share, the final entitlement of the 2024 ZDP shares was covered 1.84 

times by gross assets as at 30 June 2018. Should the gross assets fall by 45.7% over the remaining life of the 2024 ZDP 

shares, then the 2024 ZDP shares would not receive their final entitlement in full. Should gross assets fall by 59.0%, 

equivalent to an annual fall of 13.1%, the 2024 ZDP shares would receive no payment at the end of their life.

Based on their final entitlement of 151.50p per share, the final entitlement of the 2026 ZDP shares was covered 1.63 

times by gross assets as at 30 June 2018. Should the gross assets fall by 38.5% over the remaining life of the 2026 ZDP 

shares, then the 2026 ZDP shares would not receive their final entitlement in full. Should gross assets fall by 45.7%, 

equivalent to an annual fall of 7.1%, the 2026 ZDP shares would receive no payment at the end of their life.

54
54

UIL Limited(continued) CAPITAL STRUCTUREReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT
for the year ended 30 June 2018

The Board is composed solely of non-executive Directors, none of whom has a service contract with the Company 

and therefore no remuneration committee has been appointed. The Board as a whole undertakes the responsibilities 

which would otherwise be assumed by a remuneration committee.

Full details of the Company’s policy with regards to Directors’ fees and fees paid during the year ended 30 June 2018 

are shown below. There were no changes to the policy during the year.

Under company law, the auditor is required to audit certain disclosures provided. Where disclosures have been audited 

they are indicated as such. The auditor’s report is contained on pages 64 to 68.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN
The Board’s policy on remuneration is set out below. A key element is that fees payable to Directors should reflect the 

time spent by them on the Company’s affairs and should be sufficient to attract and retain individuals with suitable 

knowledge and experience. 

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION POLICY 
The Board considers the level of the Directors fees at least annually. The Company’s Bye-laws currently limit the 

aggregate fees payable to the Directors to a total of £250,000 per annum. Within that limit, it is the responsibility of 

the Board as a whole to determine the level of Directors’ fees. 

The Board’s policy is to set Directors’ remuneration at a level commensurate with the skills and experience necessary 

for the effective stewardship of the Company and the expected contribution of the Board as a whole in continuing to 

achieve the investment objective. Time committed to the Company’s business and the specific responsibilities of the 

Chairman, Directors and the chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee are taken into account. The policy aims to be fair 

and reasonable in relation to comparable investment companies. 

The fees are fixed and are payable in cash, quarterly in arrears. Directors are entitled to be reimbursed for any 

reasonable expenses properly incurred by them in connection with the performance of their duties and attendance at 

Board and general meetings and committee meetings. Directors are not eligible for bonuses, pension benefits, share 

options, long-term incentive schemes or other benefits.

Directors are provided with a letter of appointment when they join the Board. There is no provision for compensation 

upon early termination of appointment. The letters of appointment are available on request at the Company’s registered 

office during business hours and will be available for 15 minutes before and during the forthcoming AGM.

The Directors’ Remuneration Policy was approved by shareholders at the Company’s AGM in November 2017. Over 

99% of the votes cast were in favour of resolution and less than 1% were against. The Directors’ Remuneration Policy 

will next be put to shareholders for approval at the AGM to be held In 2020, unless changes are proposed to be made 

in the meantime. 

The Directors’ Remuneration Report was approved by shareholders at the Company’s AGM in November 2017. Over 

99% of the votes cast were in favour of the resolution and less than 1% were against. The Board has not received any 

views from shareholders in respect of the levels of Directors’ remuneration.

The Board reviews the fees payable to the Chairman and Directors annually. The fees payable to the Chairman and 

Directors were reviewed and increased with effect from 1 July 2017 such that the Directors received fees of £32,500 

per annum, the chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee received £42,000 and the Chairman of the Board received 

£44,000 in the year to 30 June 2018. 

55
55

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The review in respect of 2018/2019 has resulted in the fees being increased with effect from 1 July 2018 as detailed 

in the table below.

Chairman

Directors

Chairman of Audit & Risk Committee

*Actual

2019 
£’000s 

2018* 
£’000s 

2017* 
£’000s 

45.0

33.3

43.0

44.0

32.5

42.0

43.0

31.8

41.0

Based on the levels of fees effective from 1 July 2018, Directors remuneration for the year ending 30 June 2019 would 

be as follows:

YEAR ENDING
YEAR ENDING

Peter Burrows (Chairman) 

Alison Hill

Warren McLeland

Christopher Samuel

David Shillson

Eric Stobart

Total

2019 
£’000s 

45.0

33.3

33.3

33.3

33.3

43.0

221.0

DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION
Shareholders will be asked to approve this Directors’ annual report on remuneration at the forthcoming AGM.

During the year ended 30 June 2018, the Chairman received a fee of £44,000, the chairman of the Audit & Risk 

Committee received a fee of £42,000 and the remaining Directors received a fee of £32,500 per annum. 

The amounts paid to each Director are set out in the following table, which has been audited. These fees were for 

services to the Company solely in the capacity of non-executive Directors and have no performance related element.

56
56

UIL Limited(continued) DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORTReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

2018 
£’000s

2017 
2017 
£’000s 
£’000s(1) 

44.0

32.5

32.5

32.5

32.5

42.0

43.0

31.8

31.8

31.8

31.8

41.0

216.0

211.2

REMUNERATION FOR QUALIFYING SERVICES TO THE COMPANY (AUDITED)

DIRECTOR(1)

Peter Burrows 

Alison Hill

Warren McLeland 

Christopher Samuel

David Shillson

Eric Stobart(2)

Total

The Directors’ entitlement to fees is calculated in arrears as set out in note 1(j) on page 77

(1) 
(2)  Mr Stobart’s fee includes entitlement of £9,500 (2017, £9,200) for being chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS AND INDEMNIFICATION
There were no contracts of significance to which the Company was a party and in which a Director is, or was, materially 

interested during the year.

The Company has insurance in place which indemnifies the Directors against certain liabilities arising in carrying out 

their duties.

There are no agreements between the Company and its Directors concerning compensation for loss of office.

DIRECTORS’ BENEFICIAL SHARE INTERESTS
Ordinary shares of 10p each 

AT 30 JUNE 

Peter Burrows(1)

Alison Hill

Warren McLeland 

Christopher Samuel 

David Shillson

Eric Stobart

2018

539,617

28,970

52,849

40,000

65,460

50,000

2017
2017

539,617

9,755

33,634

20,000

46,245

50,000

(1)  Mr Burrows holds a further 100,000 shares in a non-beneficial capacity

Since the year end, Ms Hill, Mr McLeland and Mr Shillson have each acquired a further 4,588 ordinary shares in the 

Company. No Director held any interest, beneficial or otherwise, in the issued shares of the Company other than as 

stated above.

COMPANY PERFORMANCE
The Board is responsible for the Company’s investment strategy and performance, although the management of the 

Company’s investment portfolio is delegated to the Investment Managers pursuant to the IMA, as referred to in the 

Report of the Directors’ on page 38. The graph below compares, for the nine years ended 30 June 2018, the share 

57
57

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

price total return to ordinary shareholders (assuming all dividends are reinvested) to the FTSE All-Share Index total 

return (GBP adjusted). An explanation of the performance of the Company for the year ended 30 June 2018 is given in 

the Chairman’s Statement and Investment Managers’ Report. 

SHARE PRICE TOTAL RETURN
from June 2009 to June 2018 (rebased to 100 at 30 June 2009)

280

240

200

160

120

80

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

UIL ordinary share price total return
FTSE All-Share Index total return

Source: ICM

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF SPEND ON PAY

The following table compares the remuneration paid to the Directors with aggregate distributions paid to shareholders 

in the year to 30 June 2018 and the prior year. This disclosure is a statutory requirement, however the Directors consider 

that comparison of Directors’ remuneration with annual dividends does not provide a meaningful measure relative 

to the Company’s overall performance as an investment company with an objective of providing shareholders with 

long-term total return.

2018 
£’000s 

2017 
£’000s 

CHANGE 
£’000s 

Aggregate Directors’ emoluments

216

211

Aggregate shareholder distributions(1) 

6,738

6,774

5

(36)

(1)  The  dividend  per  share  was  the  same  in  both  years  at  7.50p  per  ordinary  share;  the  total 
dividend  paid  has  reduced  in  2018  due  to  the  reduction  in  the  number  of  shares  in  issue 
following buybacks of shares by the Company.

On behalf of the Board 

Peter Burrows 

Chairman 

14 September 2018

58
58

UIL Limited(continued) DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORTAUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE REPORT

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

As chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee, I am pleased to present the Audit & Risk Committee’s report to shareholders 

for the year ended 30 June 2018.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Company has established a separately chaired Audit & Risk Committee whose duties include considering and 

recommending to the Board for approval the contents of the half yearly and annual financial statements and providing 

an opinion as to whether the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable 

and provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business model and 

strategy. The terms of reference detailing the scope and duties of the Audit & Risk Committee are available on the 

website www.uil.limited/investor_relations/other_documents.

The Audit & Risk Committee meets at least three times a year. Two of the planned meetings are held prior to the Board 

meetings to approve the half yearly and annual results and the Audit & Risk Committee receives information from the 

Investment Managers and the Administrator on their internal controls. Representatives of the Investment Managers 

attend the meetings.

COMPOSITION
The Audit & Risk Committee is composed of the independent Directors of the Company and is chaired by Eric Stobart. 

It is considered that there is a range of recent and relevant financial experience amongst the members of the Audit 

& Risk Committee.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND REVIEW OF THE EXTERNAL AUDIT
During the year the principal activities of the Audit & Risk Committee included:

•  regular review of the portfolio, particularly of the unlisted investments;

•  considering  and  recommending  to  the  Board  for  approval  the  contents  of  the  half  yearly  and  annual  financial 

statements and reviewing the external auditor’s report;

•  considering the Company’s viability statement;

•  considering  the  narrative  elements  of  the  annual  financial  report,  including  whether  the  annual  financial  report 

taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the necessary information for shareholders;

•  evaluation of reports received from the auditor with respect to the annual financial statements and its review of 

the interim report;

•  management  of  the  relationship  with  the  external  auditor,  including  its  appointment  and  the  evaluation  of  the 

scope, effectiveness, independence and objectivity of its audit, with particular regard to non-audit fees; 

•  evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control and risk management systems, including reports received on 

the operational controls of the Company’s service providers;

•  monitoring  developments  in  accounting  and  reporting  requirements  that  impact  on  the  Company’s  compliance 

with relevant statutory and listing requirements; and

•  review of AAF and SSAE 16 reports or their equivalent from the Administrator and the Custodian.

AUDITOR AND AUDIT TENURE
KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) has been the auditor of the Company since 2012, following a competitive tender process. The 

audit partner is Jonathan Martin. The Audit & Risk Committee has considered the independence of the auditor and the 

objectivity of the audit process and is satisfied that KPMG has fulfilled its obligations to shareholders as independent 

auditor to the Company.

59
59

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

It is the Company’s policy not to seek substantial non-audit services from its auditor, unless they relate to a review of the 

interim report or reporting on financial information in circulars or prospectuses, as the Board considers the auditor is 

best placed to provide these services. If the provision of significant non-audit services were to be considered, the Audit & 

Risk Committee would consider whether the particular skills of the audit firm made it a suitable supplier of those services 

and that there was no threat to the objectivity and independence of the audit. Non-audit fees paid to KPMG during the 

year amounted to £31,000 for the year ended 30 June 2018 (2017: £4,000) and related to work in connection with the 

issue of the ZDP shares and the review of the interim accounts; more details are included in note 4A to the accounts.

The partner and manager of the audit team at KPMG presented their audit plan to the Audit & Risk Committee and 

subsequently reported on the nature, scope and results of their audit at the meeting when the draft annual financial 

report was considered. 

Members of the Audit & Risk Committee meet in camera with the external auditor at least once annually.

The audit plan and timetable were presented by and agreed with KPMG in advance of the financial year end. Items of 

audit focus were discussed, agreed and given particular attention during the audit process. KPMG reported to the Audit 

& Risk Committee on these items, amongst other matters. This report was considered by the Audit & Risk Committee 

and discussed with KPMG and the Investment Managers prior to approval of the annual financial report.

ACCOUNTING MATTERS AND SIGNIFICANT AREAS
The Audit & Risk Committee considered the appropriateness of the accounting policies at the meeting when it reviewed 

the annual financial statements and agreed with KPMG when discussing the audit plan the more significant accounting 

matters in relation to the Company’s annual financial statements. For the year end the accounting matters that were 

subject to specific consideration by the Audit & Risk Committee and consultation with KPMG where necessary were as 

follows:

SIGNIFICANT AREA
SIGNIFICANT AREA

HOW ADDRESSED

Carrying value of the 
listed investments

Actively traded listed investments are valued using stock exchange prices provided by 
third party pricing vendors. 

The Audit & Risk Committee regularly reviews the portfolio. 

The Audit & Risk Committee reviews the annual internal control report produced by the 
Administrator,  which  is  reported  on  by  independent  external  accountants  and  which 
details the systems, processes and controls around the daily pricing of the securities.

KPMG independently tests the pricing of the listed investments.

Investments  that  are  unlisted  or  not  actively  traded  are  valued  using  a  variety  of 
techniques to determine a fair value, as set out in note 1(d) to the accounts, and all such 
valuations  are  carefully  reviewed  by  the  Audit  &  Risk  Committee  with  the  Investment 
Managers.

The Audit & Risk Committee receives detailed information on all the unlisted investments 
and  it  discusses  and  challenges  the  valuations  with  the  Investment  Managers.  It 
considers  market  comparables  and  discusses  any  proposed  revaluations  with  the 
Investment  Managers.  The  Audit  &  Risk  Committee  checks  with  KPMG  that  it  has 
reviewed and tested the proposed valuations for reasonability.

Value of the unlisted 
investments

60
60

UIL Limited(continued) AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE REPORTReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The  above  was  satisfactorily  addressed  through  consideration  of  reports  provided  by,  and  discussed  with,  the 

Investment Managers and KPMG. As a result, and following a thorough review process, the Audit & Risk Committee 

advised the Board that it is satisfied that, taken as a whole, the annual financial report for the year to 30 June 2018 is 

fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s 

performance, business model and strategy. In reaching this conclusion, the Audit & Risk Committee has assumed that 

the reader of the report would have a reasonable level of knowledge of the investment company industry.

The Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee will be present at the AGM to respond to any questions relating to the 

financial statements.

EXTERNAL AUDIT, REVIEW OF ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND AUDITOR REAPPOINTMENT 
The Audit & Risk Committee advises the Board on the appointment of the external auditor, its remuneration for audit 

and non-audit work and its cost effectiveness, independence and objectivity.

As part of the review of the effectiveness of the audit process, a formal evaluation process incorporating views from the 

members of the Audit & Risk Committee and relevant personnel at the Investment Managers is followed and feedback 

is provided to KPMG. Areas covered by this review include:

•  the calibre of the audit firm, including reputation and industry presence;

•  the extent of quality controls including review processes, second director oversight and annual reports from its 

regulator;

•  the performance of the audit team, including skills of individuals, specialist knowledge, partner involvement, team 

member continuity and quality and timeliness of audit planning and execution;

•  audit communication including planning, relevant accounting and regulatory developments, approach to significant 

accounting risks, communication of audit results and recommendations on corporate reporting;

•  ethical standards including independence and integrity of the audit team, lines of communication to the Audit & 

Risk Committee and partner rotation; and

•  reasonableness of the audit fees.

For the 2018 financial year, the Audit & Risk Committee is satisfied that the audit process was effective.

Resolutions proposing the reappointment of KPMG as the Company’s auditor and authorising the Directors to determine 

its remuneration will be put to the shareholders at the forthcoming AGM.

AUDIT INFORMATION
The Directors confirm that, so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s 

auditor is unaware and each Director has taken steps that he ought to have taken as a Director to make himself 

aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware of that information. This 

confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of section 418 of the UK Companies 

Act 2006.

INTERNAL CONTROLS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company’s risk assessment process and the way in which significant risks are managed is a key area of focus for 

the Audit & Risk Committee. Work here was driven by the Audit & Risk Committee’s assessment of the risks arising in 

the Company’s operations and identification of the controls exercised by the Board and its delegates, the Investment 

Managers, the Administrator and other service providers. These are recorded in risk matrices prepared by ICMIM as 

the Company’s AIFM with responsibility for risk management which continue to serve as effective tools to highlight 

61
61

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

and monitor the principal risks, details of which are provided in the Strategic Report and Business Review. The Audit 

& Risk Committee also received and considered, together with representatives of the Investment Managers, reports in 

relation to the operational controls of the Investment Managers, Administrator, Custodians and share registrar. These 

reviews identified no issues of significance.

INTERNAL AUDIT
Due to the nature of the Company, being an externally managed investment company with no executive employees, 

the Company does not have its own internal audit function. The Committee and the Board have concluded that there 

is no current need for such a function, based on the satisfactory operation of controls within the Company’s service 

providers.

COMMITTEE EVALUATION
The Audit & Risk Committee’s activities formed part of the review of Board effectiveness performed in the year. Details 

of this process can be found under “Board, Committee and Directors’ performance appraisal” in the Report of the 

Directors.

Eric Stobart 

Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee 

14 September 2018

ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION

The  annual  report  and  accounts  are  published  on  the  Company’s  website,  www.uil.limited,  the  maintenance  and 
integrity of which is the responsibility of ICMIM. The work carried out by the auditor does not involve consideration of 
the maintenance and integrity of the website and accordingly, the auditor accepts no responsibility for any changes that 
have occurred in the financial statements since they were originally presented on the website. Visitors to the website 
need  to  be  aware  that  the  legislation  governing  the  preparation  and  dissemination  of  the  accounts  may  differ  from 
legislation in their jurisdiction.

62
62

UIL Limited(continued) AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE REPORTSTATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Report and Accounts and the Group and parent Company financial 

statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

The Directors are required under Bermudan law to prepare Group and parent Company financial statements for 

each financial year. The Group financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 

Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union and applicable law and the Directors have elected to prepare 

the parent Company financial statements on the same basis. 

Under Bermudan company law the financial statements are required to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs 

of the Group and parent Company and of their profit or loss for that period. In preparing each of the Group and parent 

Company financial statements, the Directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant and reliable; 

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

•  assess the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters 

related to going concern; and 

•  use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company 

or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

They are responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements 

that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and have general responsibility for taking such steps 

as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. 

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also responsible for preparing a Directors’ Report and a Corporate 

Governance Statement that complies with that law and those regulations. The Directors have decided to prepare voluntarily 

a Directors’ Remuneration Report as if the Company was required to comply with the requirements of Schedule 8 to The 

Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008 No. 410) made under 

the UK Companies Act 2006.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on 

the Company’s website. The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show 

and explain the Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the 

Company and enable them to ensure that its financial statements comply with the Bermuda Companies Act (1981). They 

have a general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group 

and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTORS IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
We confirm to the best of our knowledge:

•  the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and 

fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included 

in the consolidation taken as a whole; and 

•  the annual report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of 

the issuer and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the 

principal risks and uncertainties that they face. 

We consider the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 

information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy. 

Approved by the Board on 14 September 2018 and signed on its behalf by:

Peter Burrows 
Chairman

63
63

UIL Limitedin respect of the Annual Report and Financial StatementsReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

Independent 
auditor’s report

• 

Overview

Materiality: 
group financial 
statements as a 
whole

£5.0m (2017: £5.0m)

1% (2017: 1%) of total assets

Risks of material misstatement                     vs 
2017

Recurring risks Valuation of listed 

investments 

Valuation of unlisted 
investments

◄►

◄►

to the members of UIL Limited

1. Our opinion is unmodified 

We have audited the financial statements of UIL 
Limited (“the Company”) for the year ended 30 
June 2018 which comprise the Group and 
Company Income Statements, Group and Company 
Statement of Changes in Equity, Balance Sheets 
and Statements of Cash Flow and the related 
notes, including the accounting policies in note 1.

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 30 June 2018 and of the Group’s and parent 
Company’s profit for the year then ended; 

— have been properly prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as 
adopted by the European Union; 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with 
International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs 
(UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities are 
described below. We have fulfilled our ethical 
responsibilities under, and are independent of the 
Group in accordance with, UK ethical requirements 
including the FRC Ethical Standard as applied to 
listed entities. We believe that the audit evidence 
we have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate 
basis for our opinion. Our audit opinion is consistent 
with our report to the audit committee. 

We were first appointed as auditor by the 
shareholders on 29 October 2012. The period of 
total uninterrupted engagement is for the 6 financial 
years ended 30 June 2018.  We have fulfilled our 
ethical responsibilities under, and we remain 
independent of the Group in accordance with, UK 
ethical requirements including the FRC Ethical 
Standard as applied to listed public interest entities.  
No non-audit services prohibited by that standard 
were provided.

64
64

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

2. Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by 
us, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and 
directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial 
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. In 
arriving at our audit opinion above, the key audit matters, in decreasing order of audit significance for both the parent company 
and group, were as follows (unchanged from 2017):

Valuation of listed investments 

Low risk, high value:

Our procedures included:

The risk

Our response

(£367.3 million; 2017: 
£340.1million)

Refer to page 60 (Audit 
Committee Report), page 76 
(accounting policy) and pages 82 
to 84 (financial disclosures).

Valuation of unlisted 
investments

(£126.1 million; 2017: 
£109.0million)

Refer to page 60 (Audit 
Committee Report), page 76 
(accounting policy) and pages 82 
to 84 (financial disclosures).

The company’s portfolio of quoted 
investments makes up 74% of the 
group’s total assets (by value) and is 
considered to be the key driver of 
results. We do not consider these 
investments to be at a high risk of 
significant misstatement, or to be 
subject to a significant level of 
judgement because they comprise 
liquid, quoted investments. However, 
due to their materiality in the context of 
the financial statements as a whole, 
they are considered to be the area 
which had the greatest effect on our 
overall audit strategy and allocation of 
resources in planning and completing 
our audit.

— Control design: Documenting and 

assessing the design and implementation of 
the investment valuation processes and 
controls;

— Pricing: Agreeing the pricing of 100% of the 
listed investments in the portfolio to third
party pricing sources; and

— Custodian confirmations: Agreeing 100%
of investment holdings in the portfolio to 
independently received third party 
confirmations.

Subjective valuation:

— Our procedures included: 

is

price

25% of
the group’s total assets (by
value) is held in investments where no
quoted market
available.
Unquoted investments are measured at
fair value, which is established in
accordance with the International Private
Equity and Venture Capital Valuation
Guidelines by using measurements of
value such as prices of recent orderly
transactions, earnings multiples and net
assets. There is a significant risk over
the valuation of these investments.

— Control design: Documenting and 

assessing the design and implementation of 
the investment valuation processes and 
controls;

— Control observation: Attending the year-
end Audit Committee meeting where we 
assessed the effectiveness of the Audit 
Committee’s challenge and approval of 
unlisted investment valuations;

— Historical comparisons: Assessment of 
investment realisations in the period, 
comparing actual sales proceeds to prior 
year end valuations to understand the 
reasons for significant variances and 
determine whether they are indicative of 
bias or error in the company’s approach to 
valuations; 

— Methodology choice: In the context of 
observed industry best practice and the 
provisions of the International Private Equity 
and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines, 
we challenged the appropriateness of the 
valuation bases selected;

— Comparing valuations: Where a recent 
transaction has been used to value a 
holding, we obtained an understanding of 
the circumstances surrounding the 
transaction and whether it was considered 
to be on an arms-length basis and suitable 
as an input into a valuation.

65
65

UIL Limited2. Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement (cont.) 

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

Valuation of unlisted 
investments (cont.)

(£126.1 million; 2017: 
£109.0million)

Refer to page 60 (Audit 
Committee Report), page 76 
(accounting policy) and pages 82 
to 84 (financial disclosures).

The risk

Our response

Subjective valuation (cont.):

— Our procedures included (cont.): 

is

price

25% of
the group’s total assets (by
value) is held in investments where no
available.
quoted market
Unquoted investments are measured at
fair value, which is established in
accordance with the International Private
Equity and Venture Capital Valuation
Guidelines by using measurements of
value such as prices of recent orderly
transactions, earnings multiples and net
assets. There is a significant risk over
the valuation of these investments.

— Our valuations experience: Challenging 

the investment manager on key judgements 
affecting investee company valuations, such 
as discount factors and the choice of 
benchmark for earnings multiples. We 
compared key underlying financial data 
inputs to external sources, investee 
company audited accounts and 
management information as applicable. We 
challenged the assumptions around 
maintainability of earnings based on the 
plans of the investee companies and 
whether these are achievable and we 
obtained an understanding of existing and 
prospective investee company cashflows to 
understand whether borrowings can be 
serviced or whether refinancing may be 
required. Our work included consideration of 
events which occurred subsequent to the 
year end up until the date of this audit 
report;

— Assessing transparency: Consideration of 
the appropriateness, in accordance with 
relevant accounting standards, of the 
disclosures in respect of unquoted 
investments and the effect of changing one 
or more inputs to reasonably possible 
alternative valuation assumptions.

3. Our application of materiality and an overview of the 

scope of our audit 

Total Assets
£496.2m (2017: £478.7m)

Group Materiality
£5.0m (2017: £5.0m)

Materiality for the group’s financial statements as a whole 
was set at £5.0 million (2017: £5.0 million), determined with 
reference to a benchmark of total assets, of which it 
represents 1% (2017: 1%). 

In addition, we applied materiality of £0.3 million (2017: 
£0.3 million) to management and administration fees for 
which we believe misstatements of lesser amounts than 
materiality for the financial statements as a whole could 
reasonably be expected to influence the group’s         
members’ assessment of the financial performance of the 
group.

Materiality for the parent company financial statements as a 
whole was set at £5.0 million (2017: £5.0 million). 

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected 
or uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding £0.3 
million (2017: £0.3 million), in addition to other identified 
misstatements that warranted reporting on qualitative 
grounds.

The Group team performed the audit of the Group as if it 
was a single aggregated set of financial information. The 
audit was performed using the materiality levels set out 
above at our offices in London, United Kingdom.

£5.0m
Whole financial
statements materiality
(2017: £5.0m)

£3.5m
Performance materiality 
(2017: £3.5m)

Total Assets
Group materiality

£0.3m
Misstatements reported to the 
audit committee (2017: £0.3m)

66
66

UIL Limited(continued) REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

4. We have nothing to report on going concern   

We are required to report to you if:

— we have anything material to add or draw attention to 
in relation to the directors’ statement in note 29 to the 
financial statements on the use of the going concern 
basis of accounting with no material uncertainties that 
may cast significant doubt over the Group and 
Company’s use of that basis for a period of at least 
twelve months from the date of approval of the 
financial statements; or  

— if the related statement under the Listing Rules set out 
on page 33 is materially inconsistent with our audit 
knowledge.  

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

5.  We have nothing to report on the other information in 

the Annual Report

The directors are responsible for the other information 
presented in the Annual Report together with the financial 
statements. Our opinion on the financial statements does 
not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not 
express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated 
below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in 
doing so, consider whether, based on our financial 
statements audit work, the information therein is materially 
misstated or inconsistent with the financial statements or 
our audit knowledge. Based solely on that work we have 
not identified material misstatements in the other 
information.

Directors’ remuneration report 

In addition to our audit of the financial statements, the 
directors have engaged us to audit the information in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report that is described as having 
been audited, which the directors have decided to prepare 
as if the company were required to comply with the 
requirements of Schedule 8 to The Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 
2008 (SI 2008 No. 410) made under the Companies Act 
2006. 

In our opinion the part of the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report to be audited has been properly prepared in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006, as if those 
requirements applied to the company.

Disclosures of principal risks and longer-term viability 

Based on the knowledge we acquired during our financial 
statements audit, we have nothing material to add or draw 
attention to in relation to: 

— the directors’ confirmation within the Strategic Report 

on page 33 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 and liquidity; 

— the Principal Risks disclosures describing these risks 
and explaining how they are being managed and 
mitigated; and 

— the directors’ explanation within the Strategic Report on 
page 33 of how they have assessed the prospects of 
the Group, over what period they have done so and why 
they considered that period to be appropriate, and their 
statement as to whether they have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the 
period of their assessment, including any related 
disclosures drawing attention to any necessary 
qualifications or assumptions.

Corporate governance disclosures

We are required to report to you if:

— we have identified material inconsistencies between the 
knowledge we acquired during our financial statements 
audit and the directors’ statement that they consider 
that the annual report and financial statements taken as 
a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Group’s position and performance, business 
model and strategy; or

— the section of the annual report describing the work of 
the Audit Committee does not appropriately address 
matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee.

6. Respective responsibilities

Directors’ responsibilities 

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

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 our opinion in an auditor’s report. Reasonable 
assurance is a high level of assurance, but does not 
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 aggregate, they 
could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial 
statements.

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the 
FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.

DN756 UIL AR18 FINAL 2.indd   67

676767
67

18/09/2018   14:43

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

7. The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe 

our responsibilities 

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a 
body, in accordance with section 90(20) of the Companies 
Act 1981 of Bermuda and the terms of our engagement by 
the company. Our audit work has been undertaken so that 
we might state to the company’s members those matters 
we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report, and 
the further matters we are required to state to them in 
accordance with the terms agreed with the company, and 
for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, 
we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other 
than the company and the company’s members, as a body, 
for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we 
have formed.

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor  

Jonathan Martin (Senior Statutory Auditor) 

Chartered Accountants  

15 Canada Square 

London 

E14 5GL  

14 September 2018

Jonathan Martin

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor 

Chartered Accountants 

15 Canada Square

London

E14 5GL

14 September 2018 

68
68

UIL Limited(continued) REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

GROUP INCOME STATEMENT

for the year to 30 June

2018

s
e
t
o
N

9 Gains on investments

12 Gains/(losses) on derivative financial instruments

Revenue 
return 
£’000s

Capital 
return 
£’000s

Total 
return 
£’000s

Revenue 
return 
£’000s

Capital  
return 
£’000s

2017

Total  
return 
£’000s

 – 

 – 

48,366

48,366

3,298

3,298

 – 

 – 

31,238

31,238

(11,346)

(11,346)

Foreign exchange (losses)/gains

(97)

777

680

(67)

3,058

2,991

2 Investment and other income

10,671

 – 

10,671

10,775

 – 

10,775

Total income

10,574

52,441

63,015

10,708

22,950

33,658

3 Management and administration fees

(1,491)

(5,337)

(6,828)

(1,656)

4 Other expenses

(1,316)

(1)

(1,317)

(1,205)

–

(3)

(1,656)

(1,208)

Profit before finance costs and taxation

7,767

47,103

54,870

7,847

22,947

30,794

Gains on transactions of ZDP shares held intra 

group

5 Finance costs

 – 

4

4

 – 

617

617

(1,592)

(12,083)

(13,675)

(1,837)

(12,273)

(14,110)

Profit before taxation

6,175

35,024

41,199

6,010

11,291

17,301

6 Taxation

(179)

 – 

(179)

(250)

(30)

(280)

Profit for the year

5,996

35,024

41,020

5,760

11,261

17,021

7 Earnings per ordinary share – pence

6.67

38.96

45.63

6.38

12.46

18.84

The Group does not have any income or expense that is not included in the profit for the year and therefore the profit for the year is also the total 
comprehensive income for the year, as defined in International Accounting Standard 1 (revised).

All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

All income is attributable to the equity holders of the Company. There are no minority interests.

69
69

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

COMPANY INCOME STATEMENT

for the year to 30 June

2018

s
e
t
o
N

9 Gains on investments

12 Gains/(losses) on derivative financial instruments

Revenue 
return 
£’000s

Capital 
return 
£’000s

Total 
return 
£’000s

Revenue 
return 
£’000s

Capital  
return 
£’000s

2017

Total  
return 
£’000s

 – 

 – 

49,712

49,712

 – 

31,001

31,001

3,298

3,298

 – 

(10,346)

(10,346)

Foreign exchange (losses)/gains

(97)

777

680

(67)

3,053

2,986

2 Investment and other income

10,671

 – 

10,671

10,775

 – 

10,775

Total income

10,574

53,787

64,361

10,708

23,708

34,416

3 Management and administration fees

(1,491)

(5,337)

(6,828)

(1,641)

4 Other expenses

(1,316)

(1)

(1,317)

(1,196)

–

(3)

(1,641)

(1,199)

Profit before finance costs and taxation

7,767

48,449

56,216

7,871

23,705

31,576

5 Finance costs

(1,592)

(12,821)

(14,413)

(1,837)

(12,697)

(14,534)

Profit before taxation

6,175

35,628

41,803

6,034

11,008

17,042

6 Taxation

(179)

 – 

(179)

(250)

(30)

(280)

Profit for the year

5,996

35,628

41,624

5,784

10,978

16,762

7 Earnings per ordinary share – pence

6.67

39.63

46.30

6.40

12.15

18.55

The Company does not have any income or expense that is not included in the profit for the year and therefore the profit for the year is also the 
total comprehensive income for the year, as defined in International Accounting Standard 1 (revised).

All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

All income is attributable to the equity holders of the Company.

70
70

UIL LimitedGROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

for the year to 30 June 2018

s
e
t
o
N

Ordinary
share
capital
£’000s

Share
premium
account
£’000s

Special 
reserve 
£’000s 

Non-
distributable
reserve
£’000s

Capital
reserves
£’000s

Revenue
reserve
£’000s

Total
£’000s

Balance at 30 June 2017

9,020

19,313

233,866

32,069

(75,667)

9,468

228,069

Profit for the year

Transfer for change in 

treatment of subsidiary 
(see note 1)

8 Ordinary dividends paid

17 Shares purchased by the 

Company

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(71)

(1,146)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

35,024

5,996

41,020

 – 

 – 

 – 

(243)

243

 – 

 – 

 – 

(6,738)

(6,738)

 – 

(1,217)

Balance at 30 June 2018

8,949

18,167

233,866

32,069

(40,886)

8,969

261,134

for the year to 30 June 2017

Ordinary
share
capital
£’000s

Share
premium
account
£’000s

Special 
reserve 
£’000s 

Non-
distributable
reserve
£’000s

Capital
reserves
£’000s

Revenue
reserve
£’000s

Total
£’000s

Balance at 30 June 2016

9,065

20,031

233,866

32,069

(86,928)

10,482

218,585

Profit for the year

8 Ordinary dividends paid

17 Shares purchased by the 

Company

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(45)

(718)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

11,261

5,760

17,021

 – 

 – 

(6,774)

(6,774)

 – 

(763)

Balance at 30 June 2017

9,020

19,313

233,866

32,069

(75,667)

9,468

228,069

71
71

UIL LimitedCOMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

for the year to 30 June 2018

s
e
t
o
N

Ordinary
share
capital
£’000s

Share
premium
account
£’000s

Special 
reserve 
£’000s 

Non-
distributable
reserve
£’000s

Capital
reserves
£’000s

Revenue
reserve
£’000s

Total
£’000s

Balance at 30 June 2017

9,020

19,313 233,866

32,069

(75,910)

9,711

228,069

Profit for the year

8 Ordinary dividends paid

17 Shares purchased by the 

Company

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(71)

(1,146)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

35,628

5,996

41,624

 – 

 – 

(6,738)

(6,738)

 – 

(1,217)

Balance at 30 June 2018

8,949

18,167 233,866

32,069

(40,282)

8,969

261,738

for the year to 30 June 2017

Ordinary
share
capital
£’000s

Share
premium
account
£’000s

Special 
reserve 
£’000s 

Non-
distributable
reserve
£’000s

Capital
reserves
£’000s

Revenue
reserve
£’000s

Total
£’000s

Balance at 30 June 2016

9,065

20,031

233,866

32,069

(86,888)

10,701

218,844

Profit for the year

8 Ordinary dividends paid

17 Shares purchased by the 

Company

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(45)

(718)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

10,978

5,784

16,762

 – 

 – 

(6,774)

(6,774)

 – 

(763)

Balance at 30 June 2017

9,020

19,313

233,866

32,069

(75,910)

9,711

228,069

72
72

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

GROUP

COMPANY

2018

£’000s

2017

£’000s

2018

£’000s

2017

£’000s

493,375

449,116

528,544

449,261

BALANCE SHEETS

s at 30 June

e
t
o
N

Non-current assets

9 Investments

Current assets

11 Other receivables

12 Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities

13 Bank loans

14 Other payables

12 Derivative financial instruments

15 Zero dividend preference shares

Net current liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

16 Bank loans

15 Zero dividend preference shares

Net assets

Equity attributable to equity holders

17 Ordinary share capital

18 Share premium account

19 Special reserve

20 Non-distributable reserve

21 Capital reserves

22 Revenue reserve

Total attributable to equity holders

23 Net asset value per ordinary share – pence

1,699

503

647

2,849

 – 

(6,852)

(1,089)

(50,858)

(58,799)

(55,950)

437,425

(27,795)

(148,496)

261,134

8,949

18,167

233,866

32,069

(40,886)

8,969

261,134

291.79

Approved by the Board on 14 September 2018 and signed on its behalf by

P Burrows 
Chairman 

E St C Stobart 
Director

25,190

818

3,573

29,581

(47,846)

(26,472)

(2,532)

 – 

(76,850)

(47,269)

401,847

1,699

503

647

2,849

 – 

(240,771)

(1,089)

 – 

(241,860)

(239,011)

289,533

 – 

(27,795)

 – 

25,190

818

3,423

29,431

(47,846)

(200,245)

(2,532)

 – 

(250,623)

(221,192)

228,069

 – 

 – 

(173,778)

228,069

9,020

19,313

233,866

32,069

(75,667)

9,468

228,069

252.86

261,738

228,069

8,949

18,167

233,866

32,069

(40,282)

8,969

261,738

292.47

9,020

19,313

233,866

32,069

(75,910)

9,711

228,069

252.86

73
73

UIL Limited 
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

GROUP

COMPANY

s for the year to 30 June

e
t
o
N

24 Cash flows from operating activities

2018

£’000s

2,116

2017

£’000s

1,314

2018

£’000s 

2,122

Investing activities:

Purchases of investments

Sales of investments

Purchases of derivatives

Sales of derivatives

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows before financing activities

Financing activities:

Equity dividends paid

Movements on loans

Cash flows from issue of ZDP shares

(64,046)

(67,267)

(64,313)

70,115

109,560

71,092

 – 

(23,202)

 – 

2,170

8,239

10,355

(6,738)

(18,962)

13,921

 – 

19,091

20,405

(6,774)

25,148

27,258

2,170

8,949

11,071

(6,738)

(18,962)

12,943

2017

£’000s 

1,340

(72,371)

124,709

(23,202)

 – 

29,136

30,476

(6,774)

25,148

17,208

Cash flows from redemption of ZDP shares

(417)

(62,741)

 – 

(62,744)

Cash paid for ordinary shares purchased for 
cancellation

Cash flows from financing activities

(1,381)

(13,577)

(599)

(17,708)

(1,381)

(14,138)

(599)

(27,761)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

(3,222)

2,697

(3,067)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the 

year

Effect of movement in foreign exchange

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

Comprised of:

Cash

Bank overdraft

Total

3,573

(404)

(53)

647

(700)

(53)

(114)

990

3,573

3,573

 – 

3,573

3,423

(409)

(53)

647

(700)

(53)

2,715

(277)

985

3,423

3,423

 – 

3,423

74
74

UIL LimitedNOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company, UIL Limited, is an investment company incorporated in Bermuda and traded on the London Stock Exchange. The 

Company commenced trading on 20 June 2007.

The Group Accounts comprise the results of the Company and UIL Finance Limited (“UIL Finance”) (2017 comprised the results 

of the Company, UIL Finance and Global Equity Risk Protection Limited (“GERP”)). The Board reviewed the current structure and 

the recent principle activity of GERP and determined it would be more appropriate to treat GERP as an investment company and 

held as part of the investment portfolio. Under IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests 

in Other Entities, subsidiaries of the Company, held as part of the investment portfolio, are accounted for as investments at fair 

value through profit and loss (see note 10).

The Group is engaged in a single segment of business, focusing on maximising shareholder returns by identifying and investing 

in investments where the underlying value is not reflected in the market price.

(a)  Basis of accounting

The Accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with IFRS, which comprise standards and interpretations 

approved by the IASB, and International Accounting Standards and Standing Interpretations Committee interpretations approved 

by the IASC that remain in effect and to the extent that they have been adopted by the European Union.

The Board has determined by having regard to the currency of the Company’s share capital and the predominant currency in 

which its shareholders operate, that Sterling is the functional and reporting currency.

There have been no significant changes to the accounting policies during the year to 30 June 2018.

Where  presentational  recommendations  set  out  in  the  revised  Statement  of  Recommended  Practice  “Financial  Statements  of 

Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts” (“SORP”), issued in the UK by the Association of Investment Companies 

(“AIC”)  in  November  2014  and  updated  in  February  2018,  do  not  conflict  with  the  requirements  of  IFRS,  the  Directors  have 

prepared the Accounts on a basis consistent with the recommendations of the SORP, in the belief that this will aid comparison 

with similar investment companies incorporated and listed in the United Kingdom.

In  accordance  with  the  SORP,  the  Income  Statement  has  been  analysed  between  a  revenue  return  (dealing  with  items  of  a 

revenue  nature)  and  a  capital  return  (relating  to  items  of  a  capital  nature).  Revenue  returns  include,  but  are  not  limited  to, 

dividend  income,  operating  expenses,  finance  costs  and  taxation  (insofar  as  they  are  not  allocated  to  capital,  as  described  in 

notes 1(j) and 1(k)). Net revenue returns are allocated via the revenue return to the revenue reserve.

Capital returns include, but are not limited to, profits and losses on the disposal and the valuation of non-current investments, 

derivative instruments and on cash and borrowings. Net capital returns are allocated via the capital return to capital reserves.

Dividends on ordinary shares may be paid out of the revenue reserve and the capital reserves.

A number of new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations are effective for annual periods beginning after 

1 January 2018 and have not been applied in preparing these consolidated accounts. None of these, including IFRS 9 ‘Financial 

Instruments’ regarding the classification and measurement of financial assets, are expected to have a significant effect on the 

consolidated accounts of the Company. The Company does not plan to adopt IFRS 9 early.

The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing 

a  material  adjustment  to  the  carrying  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  within  the  next  financial  year  relate  to  the  valuation  of 

unlisted investments, details of which are set out in accounting policy 1(d).

(b)  Basis of consolidation

The  consolidated  Accounts  include  the  Accounts  of  the  Company  and  its  operating  subsidiary,  UIL  Finance.  All  intra  group 

transactions,  balances,  income  and  expenses  are  eliminated  on  consolidation.  Other  subsidiaries  and  associate  undertakings 

held as part of the investment portfolio (see 1(d) below) are not accounted for in the Group Accounts, but are carried at fair value 

through profit or loss.

75
75

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
(c)  Financial instruments

Financial instruments include non-current assets, derivative assets and liabilities and long-term debt instruments. For those financial 

instruments  carried  at  fair  value,  accounting  standards  recognise  a  hierarchy  of  fair  value  measurements  for  financial  instruments 

which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest 

priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The classification of instruments depends on the lowest significant applicable input, as follows:

Level 1 –  Unadjusted, fully accessible and current quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Included within this 

category are investments listed on any recognised stock exchange or quoted on any secondary market.

Level 2 –  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, or other directly or indirectly observable inputs which exist for the duration of the 

period of investment. Examples of such instruments would be convertible loans in listed investee companies, securities for 

which the quoted price has been recently suspended, forward exchange contracts and certain other derivative instruments.

Level 3 –  External  inputs  are  unobservable.  Value  is  the  Directors’  best  estimate  of  fair  value,  based  on  advice  from  relevant 

knowledgeable  experts,  use  of  recognised  valuation  techniques  and  on  assumptions  as  to  what  inputs  other  market 

participants would apply in pricing the same or similar instruments. Included in Level 3 are investments in private companies 

or securities, whether invested in directly, via loans or through pooled private equity vehicles.

(d)  Valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments held at fair value through profit or loss

Investment purchases and sales are accounted for on the trade date, inclusive of transaction costs. Investments used for efficient 

portfolio management are classified as being at fair value through profit or loss. As the Company’s business is investing in financial 

assets with a view to profiting from their total return in the form of dividends, interest or increases in fair value, its investments 

(including  those  ordinarily  classified  as  subsidiaries  under  IFRS  10  but  exempted  by  that  financial  reporting  standard  from  the 

requirement  to  be  consolidated)  are  designated  as  being  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  on  initial  recognition.  Derivatives 

including forward foreign exchange contracts and options are accounted for as a financial asset/liability at fair value through profit or 

loss. The Company manages and evaluates the performance of these investments and derivatives on a fair value basis in accordance 

with its investment strategy and information about the Company is provided internally on this basis to the Company’s Directors 

and key management personnel. Gains and losses on investments and on derivatives are analysed within the Income Statement 

as capital returns. Quoted investments are shown at fair value using market bid prices. The fair value of unquoted investments is 

determined by the Board in accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation guidelines. In exercising 

its judgement over the value of these investments, the Board uses valuation techniques which take into account, where appropriate, 

latest  dealing  prices,  valuations  from  reliable  sources,  net  asset  values,  earnings  multiples,  recent  orderly  transactions  in  similar 

securities and other relevant factors.

(e)  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances. Bank overdrafts are included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for 

the purpose of the cash flow statement only.

(f)  Bank borrowings

Interest-bearing  bank  loans  and  overdrafts  are  initially  measured  at  fair  value  and  subsequently  measured  at  amortised  cost 

using  the  effective  interest  method.  No  debt  instruments  held  during  the  year  required  hierarchical  classification.  Finance 

charges,  including  interest,  are  accrued  using  the  effective  interest  method  and  are  added  to  the  carrying  amount  of  the 

instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the year. See 1(k) below for allocation of finance costs between revenue and 

capital return within the Income Statement.

(g)  Zero dividend preference shares

The ZDP shares, due to be redeemed in 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2026 at a redemption value, including accrued capitalised 

returns (see note 15) of 160.52 pence per share, 154.90 pence per share, 146.99 pence per share, 138.35 pence per share and 

151.50 pence per share respectively, have been classified as liabilities, as they represent an obligation on behalf of the Group 

to  deliver  to  their  holders  a  fixed  and  determinable  amount  at  the  redemption  date.  They  are  accordingly  accounted  for  at 

amortised cost, using the effective interest method. ZDP shares held by the Company are deemed cancelled for Group purposes.

76
76

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued))

(h)  Foreign currency

Foreign currency assets and liabilities are expressed in Sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Foreign 

currency  transactions  are  translated  at  the  rates  of  exchange  ruling  at  the  dates  of  those  transactions.  Exchange  profits 

and  losses  on  currency  balances  are  credited  or  charged  to  the  Income  Statement  and  analysed  as  capital  or  revenue  as 

appropriate. Forward foreign exchange contracts are valued in accordance with quoted market rates.

(i) 

Investment and other income
Dividends receivable are brought into the Income Statement and analysed as revenue return (except where, in the opinion of the 

Directors, their nature indicates they should be recognised as capital) on the ex-dividend date or, where no ex-dividend date is 

quoted, when the Group’s right to receive payment is established. Where the Group or the Company has elected to receive its 

dividends in the form of additional shares rather than in cash, the amount of the cash dividend foregone is recognised as revenue 

return. Any excess in the value of the shares received over the amount of the cash dividend foregone is recognised as capital 

return. Interest on debt securities is accrued on a time basis using the effective interest method. Bank and short-term deposit 

interest is recognised on an accruals basis. These are brought into the Income Statement and analysed as revenue returns.

(j)  Expenses

All expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenses are charged through the Income Statement and analysed under 

revenue return except for those expenses incidental to the acquisition or disposal of investments and performance related fees 

(calculated under the terms of the management agreement), which are analysed under the capital return, as the Directors believe 

such fees arise from capital performance.

(k)  Finance costs

Finance costs are accounted for using the effective interest method, recognised through the Income Statement and analysed 

under the revenue return except those finance costs of the ZDP shares which are analysed under the capital return.

(l)  Dividends payable

Dividends paid by the Company are accounted for in the year in which the Company is liable to pay them and are reflected in the 

Statement of Changes in Equity. Under Bermuda law, the Company is unable to pay dividends unless it has revenue and other 

reserves (excluding share capital and share premium) which together have a positive value exceeding the cost of the dividend.

(m)  Capital reserves

The following items are accounted for through the Income Statement as capital returns and transferred to capital reserves:

Capital reserve – arising on investments sold
 − gains and losses on the disposal of investments and derivative instruments

 − exchange differences of a capital nature

 − expenses allocated in accordance with notes 1(j) and 1(k)

Capital reserve – arising on investments held
 − increases and decreases in the valuation of investments and derivative instruments held at the year end

(n)  Use of estimates and judgements

The  presentation  of  the  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  IFRS  requires  management  to  make  judgements,  estimates  and 

assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. 

The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing a 

material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year relate to the valuation of unquoted 

investments, details of which are set out in accounting policy 1(d). Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and 

underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which 

the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

77
77

UIL Limited 
 
Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

2. 

INVESTMENT AND OTHER INCOME

Group and Company

Investment income:

Dividends

Interest

Other income

Interest on cash and short-term deposits

Total income

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

8,315

2,334

10,649

22

10,671

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

3.  MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION FEES

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

2018 
Total 
£’000s

8,315

2,334

7,094

3,681

10,649

10,775

22

 – 

10,671

10,775

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Group

Payable to:

ICM/ICMIM –  management fee, secretarial and 
administration fees

– performance fee

F&C Management Limited – administration fee

Company

Payable to:

ICM/ICMIM – management and secretarial fees

– performance fee

F&C Management Limited – administration fee

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

1,174

–

317

–

5,337

 – 

1,491

5,337

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

1,174

–

317

–

5,337

 – 

1,491

5,337

2018  
Total  
£’000s

1,174

5,337

317

6,828

2018  
Total  
£’000s

1,174

5,337

317

6,828

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

1,346

–

310

1,656

 – 

–

 – 

–

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

1,331

–

310

1,641

 – 

–

 – 

–

2017 
Total 
£’000s

7,094

3,681

10,775

 – 

10,775

2017  
Total  
£’000s

1,346

–

310

1,656

2017  
Total  
£’000s

1,331

–

310

1,641

The Company has appointed ICM Investment Management Limited (“ICMIM”) as its Alternative Investment Fund Manager and joint 

portfolio manager with ICM Limited (“ICM”), for which they are entitled to a management fee and a performance fee. The aggregate 

fees  payable  by  the  Company  are  apportioned  between  the  joint  portfolio  managers  as  agreed  by  them.  ICM  also  acts  as  UIL’s 

Company Secretary for which it receives a company secretarial fee (as described below).

The relationship between ICMIM and ICM is compliant with the requirements of the EU Alternative Investment Fund Manager Directive 

and also such other requirements applicable to ICMIM by virtue of its regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The annual management fee is based on total assets less current liabilities (excluding borrowings and excluding the value of all holdings 

in companies managed or advised by the Investment Managers or any of its subsidiaries from which it receives a management fee), 

payable quarterly in arrears. The agreement with ICM and ICMIM may be terminated upon one year’s notice given by the Company 

or by ICM and ICMIM, acting together.

78
78

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 
 
Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

3.  MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION FEES (continued) 
In addition, the Investment Managers are entitled to a capped performance fee payable in respect of each financial period, equal to 

15% of the amount by which the Company’s total net asset value attributable to holders of ordinary shares outperforms the higher of 

(i) the post-tax yield on the FTSE Actuaries Government Securities UK Gilts 5 to 10 years’ index, plus inflation (on the RPIX basis); and 

(ii) 5.0%, during the period (the “Reference Rate”). The opening equity funds for calculation of the performance fee are the higher of (i) 

the equity funds on the last day of a calculation period in respect of which a performance fee was last paid, adjusted for capital events 

and dividends paid since that date (the “high watermark”); and (ii) the equity funds on the last day of the previous calculation period 

increased by the Reference Rate during the calculation period and adjusted for capital events and dividends paid since the previous 

calculation  date.  In  a  period  where  the  Investment  Managers  or  any  of  their  associates  receive  a  performance  fee  from  any  ICM 

managed investment in which UIL is an investor, the performance fee payable by UIL will be reduced by a proportion corresponding 

to UIL’s percentage holding in that investment applied to the underlying investment performance fee, subject to the provision that the 

UIL performance fee cannot be a negative figure. In calculating any performance fee payable, a cap of 2.5% of closing NAV (adjusted 

for capital events and dividends paid) will be applied following any of the above adjustments and any excess over this cap shall be 

written off. Based on the NAV calculated at the year end, the performance fee due to ICM and ICMIM in respect of the year ended 30 

June 2018 was estimated to be £5,310,000 (2017: £nil). ICM and ICMIM received this fee in cash on 13 July 2018. The full performance 

fee per these audited accounts is £5,337,000. The subsequent adjustment of £27,000 due to ICM and ICMIM will be paid within 7 days 

of the publication of the Report and Accounts.

From 1 July 2017 ICM also provides company secretarial services to the Company (prior to 1 July 2017 ICMIM provided the company 

secretarial services), with the Company paying 45% of the incurred costs associated with this post (2017: 33.3%).

For the financial year ended 30 June 2018, F&C Management Limited (“F&C”) provided accounting, dealing and administration services 

to the Company for a fee of £320,000 per annum (prior to 1 October 2017: £310,000), payable monthly in arrears. On 24 April 2018, 

the Company gave six months notice to terminate the administration agreement under the terms of the Agreement.

With  effect  from  1  July  2018,  JP  Morgan  Chase  Bank  N.A.  –  London  Branch  was  appointed  Administrator  and  ICMIM  appointed 

Waverton  Investment  Management  Limited  to  provide  certain  support  services  (including  middle  office,  market  dealing  and 

information technology support services). The Company or the Administrator may terminate the agreement with the Administrator 

upon six months’ notice in writing after an initial term of one year.

79
79

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

4.  OTHER EXPENSES

Group

Auditor’s remuneration (see note 4A)

Broker and consultancy fees

Custody fees

Directors’ fees for services to the Company 

(see Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 55 to 58)

Travel expenses

Professional and legal fees

Sundry expenses

Company

Auditor’s remuneration (see note 4A)

Broker and consultancy fees

Custody fees

Directors’ fees for services to the Company 

(see Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 55 to 58)

Travel expenses

Professional and legal fees

Sundry expenses

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

2018  
Total  
£’000s

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

2017  
Total  
£’000s

76

133

231

216

185

163

312

1,316

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

1

1

76

133

231

216

185

163

313

65

73

207

211

196

152

301

1,317

1,205

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

3

3

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

2018  
Total  
£’000s

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

76

133

231

216

185

163

312

1,316

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

1

1

76

133

231

216

185

163

313

63

73

207

211

196

152

294

1,317

1,196

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

3

3

65

73

207

211

196

152

304

1,208

2017  
Total  
£’000s

63

73

207

211

196

152

297

1,199

4A.  AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION
Fees paid to the Group’s auditor are summarised below:

Group Auditor – KPMG LLP 
Annual audit fees

Audit of the Group and Company’s annual financial statements

Audit of financial statements of subsidiaries

Total audit fees

Other non-audit services – review of interim financial statements

Total auditor’s remuneration allocated to the income statement

Other non-audit services – reporting accountants for the issue of ZDP shares and 

included within the ZDP share issue costs

Total auditor's remuneration for the year

2018 
£’000s 

Group 
2017 
£’000s 

2018 
£’000s 

Company 
2017 
£’000s 

70

 – 

70

6

76

25

101

55

6

61

4

65

 – 

65

70

 – 

70

6

76

25

101

55

4

59

4

63

 – 

63

80
80

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

5.  FINANCE COSTS

Group

Loans and bank overdrafts

ZDP shares

Company

Loans and bank overdrafts

Intra-group loan account

6. 

 TAXATION

Group and Company

Overseas taxation

Bermuda overseas investment taxation

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

2018  
Total  
£’000s

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

2017  
Total  
£’000s

1,592

 – 

1,592

1,837

 – 

1,837

 – 

12,083

1,592

12,083

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

12,083

13,675

2018  
Total  
£’000s

 – 

12,273

1,837

12,273

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

12,273

14,110

2017  
Total  
£’000s

1,592

 – 

1,592

1,837

 – 

1,837

 – 

12,821

1,592

12,821

12,821

14,413

 – 

12,697

1,837

12,697

12,697

14,534

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

179

 – 

179

 – 

 – 

 – 

2018  
Total  
£’000s

179

 – 

179

Revenue 
£’000s

Capital 
£’000s

250

 – 

250

 – 

30

30

2017  
Total  
£’000s

250

30

280

Except as stated above, profits of the Company and subsidiaries for the year are not subject to any taxation within their countries of 

residence (2017: same).

7.  EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE
The calculation of earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations is based on the following data:

Revenue

Capital

Total

2018 
£’000s

5,996

35,024

41,020

Group

2017
£’000s

5,760

11,261

17,021

2018 
£’000s

5,996

35,628

41,624

Company

2017
£’000s

5,784

10,978

16,762

Number 

Number 

Number 

Number 

Weighted average number of shares in issue during the year for 

earnings per share calculations

89,892,773

90,356,380

89,892,773

90,356,380

81
81

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

Record date Payment date

09-Sep-16

28-Sep-16

02-Dec-16

21-Dec-16

10-Mar-17

22-Mar-17

09-Jun-17

22-Jun-17

08-Sep-17

22-Sep-17

08-Dec-17

14-Dec-17

09-Mar-18

23-Mar-18

08-Jun-18

22-Jun-18

2018 
Total 
£’000s

2017 
Total 
£’000s

–

–

–

–

1,695

1,693

1,693

1,693

1,691

1,691

1,678

1,678

–

–

–

–

6,738

6,774

8.  DIVIDENDS

Group and Company

2016 Fourth quarterly of 1.875p

2017 First quarterly of 1.875p

2017 Second quarterly of 1.875p

2017 Third quarterly of 1.875p

2017 Fourth quarterly of 1.875p

2018 First quarterly of 1.875p

2018 Second quarterly of 1.875p

2018 Third quarterly of 1.875p

The Directors declared a fourth quarterly dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2018 of 1.875p per share which will be paid 

on 21 September 2018 to all ordinary shareholders on the register at close of business on 7 September 2018. The total cost of the 

dividend, which has not been accrued in the results for the year to 30 June 2018, is £1,678,000 based on 89,493,389 ordinary shares 

in issue.

9. 

INVESTMENTS

Group

Investments brought forward 

Cost

Gains/(losses)

Valuation

Movements in the year:

Transfer between levels*

Level 1  
£’000s

Level 2  
£’000s

Level 3 
£’000s 

2018 
Total  
£’000s

Level 1  
£’000s

Level 2  
£’000s

Level 3 
£’000s 

2017 
Total  
£’000s

132,779 128,183

123,894

384,856 174,702

117,332

91,904

383,938

72,474

6,679

(14,893)

64,260

74,976

(10,938)

4,221

68,259

205,253 134,862

109,001

449,116 249,678

106,394

96,125

452,197

Adjustment for fair value of GERP (see note 1)

–

145

2,725

(2,725)

–

–

–

145

(330)

(19,949)

20,279

–

–

–

–

–

Purchases at cost

Sales

proceeds

16,524

1,800

50,354

68,678

5,070

28,488

87,784

121,342

(49,228)

(69)

(23,633)

(72,930)

(68,011)

(1,013)

(86,637)

(155,661)

realised net gains/(losses) on sales

31,881

2,461

(2,791)

31,551

21,560

(33)

13,710

35,237

Gains/(losses) on investments held at year end

5,070

18,611

(6,866)

16,815

(2,714)

20,975

(22,260)

(3,999)

Valuation at 30 June

Analysed at 30 June

Cost

Gains/(losses)

Valuation

212,225 155,085

126,065

493,375 205,253

134,862

109,001

449,116

133,874 143,581

148,352

425,807 132,779

128,183

123,894

384,856

78,351

11,504

(22,287)

67,568

72,474

6,679

(14,893)

64,260

212,225 155,085

126,065

493,375 205,253

134,862

109,001

449,116

*Transfers due to investee company shares resuming regular trading in the period (2017: illiquidity or delisting of investee companies)

Level 1 includes investments listed on any recognised stock exchange or quoted on any secondary market

Level 2 includes holdings linked directly to companies whose prices are quoted and quoted investments that are thinly traded

Level 3 includes investments in private companies and other unquoted securities

82
82

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

9. 

INVESTMENTS (continued)

Company

Investments brought forward

Cost

Gains/(losses) 

Movements in the year:

Transfer between levels*

Purchases at cost

Sales

proceeds

Level 1 
£’000s 

Level 2  
£’000s

Level 3 
£’000s 

2018 
Total  
£’000s

Level 1  
£’000s

Level 2  
£’000s

Level 3 
£’000s 

2017 
Total  
£’000s

132,779 141,835

123,894

398,508 183,703 130,976

91,904

406,583

72,474

(6,828)

(14,893)

50,753

75,246

(23,426)

4,221

56,041

205,253 135,007

109,001

449,261 258,949 107,550

96,125

462,624

2,725

(2,725)

–

–

(330)

(19,949)

20,279

–

51,323

1,800

50,354

103,477

10,166

28,496

87,784

126,446

(50,204)

(69)

(23,633)

(73,906)

(83,160)

(1,013)

(86,637)

(170,810)

realised net gains/(losses) on sales

31,895

2,461

(2,791)

31,565

22,612

(33)

13,710

36,289

Gains/(losses) on investments held at year end

6,402

18,611

(6,866)

18,147

(2,984)

19,956

(22,260)

(5,288)

Valuation at 30 June

Analysed at 30 June 

Cost

Gains/(losses) 

Valuation

247,394 155,085

126,065

528,544 205,253 135,007

109,001

449,261

167,711 143,581

148,352

459,644 132,779 141,835

123,894

398,508

79,683

11,504

(22,287)

68,900

72,474

(6,828)

(14,893)

50,753

247,394 155,085

126,065

528,544 205,253 135,007

109,001

449,261

*Transfers due to investee company shares resuming regular trading in the period (2017: illiquidity or delisting of investee companies)

Level 1 includes investments listed on any recognised stock exchange or quoted on any secondary market

Level 2 includes investment in GERP, holdings linked directly to companies whose prices are quoted and quoted investments that are thinly traded

Level 3 includes investments in private companies and other unquoted securities

Gains on investments held at fair value

Gains on investments sold

Gains/(losses) on investments held

Total gains on investments

2018  
£’000s

31,551

16,815

48,366

Group

2017  
£’000s

35,237

(3,999)

31,238

2018  
£’000s

31,565

18,147

49,712

Company

2017  
£’000s

36,289

(5,288)

31,001

Associated undertakings
Under  IFRS10  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  IFRS  12  Disclosure  of  Interests  in  Other  Entities,  the  following  associated 

undertakings at 30 June 2018 are held as part of the investment portfolio and consequently are accounted for as investments at fair 

value through profit and loss:

Allectus  
Capital Limited 
(“Allectus”)

Somers  
Limited 
(“Somers”)

Vix Technology 
 Limited
(“VixTech”)

Country of registration and incorporation

Number of ordinary shares held

Percentage of ordinary shares held

Bermuda

477,720

39.8%

Bermuda

8,762,807

44.2%

Singapore

Vix Verify

Australia

55,742,658

44,327,353

39.8%

39.8%

83
83

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

9. 

INVESTMENTS (continued)

Transactions with associated undertakings

Allectus 

Somers 

Loans of USD 5.0m were advanced to Allectus. At year end the loan balance was £6.0m.

UIL received 171,820 ordinary shares in February 2018 as part of a dividend reinvestment program. 

UIL  borrowed  £3.4m  from  Somers  in  January  2018  and  repaid  this  in  May  2018.  £20,866  interest  was  paid  to 

Somers on this loan.

Loans of £3.4m were advanced to Somers. At year end the loan balance was £3.6m.

FX forwards were entered into with Somers during the year, UIL bought £22.0m from Somers in exchange for USD 

29.9m and also bought AUD 72.5m in exchange for USD 57.0m.

VixTech

Loans of AUD 8.8m were advanced to VixTech. At year end the loan balance was £14.7m.

Vix Verify

There were no transactions between UIL and Vix Verify during the year.

Significant interests
In addition to the above, the Group and Company have a holding of 3% or more of any class of share capital of the following investments, 

which are material in the context of the Accounts:   

Company

Optal Limited

Resolute Mining Limited

Utilico Emerging Markets Trust plc

Country of  
registration and 
incorporation

Class of  
instruments  
held

United Kingdom Ordinary shares

Australia

Ordinary shares

United Kingdom  Ordinary shares

2018 
% of class of  
instruments 
held

2017 
% of class of  
instruments  
held

5.3%

12.2%

16.4%

5.3%

12.3%

15.2%

10.  SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS
The following was a subsidiary undertaking of the Company as at 30 June 2018 (as at 30 June 2017: UIL Finance and GERP).

Country of 
registration and 
incorporation

Number and class  
of shares held

UIL Finance

Bermuda

10 ordinary shares of 10p nil paid share

The subsidiary was incorporated, and commenced trading, on 17 January 2007 to carry on business as an investment company.

Holdings and 
voting rights  
%

100

Under IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities, the following are subsidiaries 

of the Company, held as part of the investment portfolio, and are accounted for as investments at fair value through profit and loss.

Country of  
registration 
and 
incorporation

2018 
Holding and 
voting rights 
%

2017 
Holding and 
voting rights 
%

Number of  
shares held

Number of  
shares held

Bermuda First Investment Company Limited (“BFIC”) Bermuda

 1,891,195 

 94.2 

1,891,195

 95.8 

Coldharbour Technology Limited (“Coldharbour”)

Energy Holdings Ltd

GERP

UIL Holdings Pte Ltd

Zeta Resources Limited (“Zeta”)

United 
Kingdom

Bermuda

Bermuda

Singapore

Bermuda

12,260,694

91.9

2,633,613

 100 

 3,920 

 100 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

100

100

100

 172,191,580 

 59.7 

85,539,612

69.3

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 85.5 

84
84

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 
 
Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

10.  SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS (CONTINUED)
Transactions with subsidiaries held as investments 

BFIC

BFIC drew down USD 0.5m (£0.4m) on its loan during the year. At year end the loan balance was £1.3m.

Coldharbour

UIL purchased £5.1m equity shares during the year with 5.1m warrants attached.

Energy Holdings Ltd

There were no transactions between UIL and Energy Holdings Ltd during the year.

GERP

Loans of £15k were advanced to GERP during the year. At year end the loan balance was £15k.

UIL Holdings Pte Ltd

There were no transactions between UIL and UIL Holdings Pte Ltd during the year.

Zeta

Zeta repaid loans of AUD 52.2m (£29.2m) and drew down loans of AUD 39.7m (£22.2m) and CAD 21.3m 

(£12.3m) during the year. At year end the loan balance was £22.4m.

11.  OTHER RECEIVABLES

Group and Company

Investment debtors

Accrued income

Prepayments and other debtors

12.  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Group and Company

Forward foreign exchange contracts – GBP/AUD

Forward foreign exchange contracts – GBP/EUR

Forward foreign exchange contracts – GBP/NZD

Forward foreign exchange contracts – GBP/USD

Forward foreign exchange contracts – USD/AUD

Forward foreign exchange contracts – USD/EUR

2018 
£’000s

2017 
£’000s

–

24,496

1,665

34

652

42

1,699

25,190

2018 
Net  
current 
assets/
(liabilities)  
£’000s

2017 
Net 
current 
assets/
(liabilities) 
£’000s

Current 
assets 
£’000s 

Current 
liabilities 
£’000s 

Current 
assets 
£’000s 

Current 
liabilities 
£’000s 

297

 – 

70

136

 – 

 – 

 – 

(14)

 – 

 – 

297

(14)

70

136

(1,040)

(1,040)

 – 

 – 

 – 

818

(1,495)

(1,495)

(503)

(335)

 – 

(503)

(335)

818

(35)

Total derivative financial instruments

503

(1,089)

The above derivatives are classified as level 2 as defined in note 1(c).

Changes in derivatives
Changes in total net current derivative financial instruments are as follows:

Valuation brought forward

Net acquisitions

Net settlements

Gains/(losses)

Valuation carried forward

(35)

(586)

 – 

(199)

(199)

818

(2,532)

(1,714)

2018 
£’000s

Group

2017
£’000s

Company 

2018 
£’000s

2017
£’000s

(1,714)

(13,570)

(1,714)

(14,570)

 – 

23,202

 – 

23,202

(2,170)

 – 

(2,170)

 – 

3,298

(11,346)

3,298

(10,346)

(586)

(1,714)

(586)

(1,714)

85
85

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

2018 
£’000s

2017
£’000s

 – 

47,846

Group

2017
£’000s

Company 

2018 
£’000s

2017
£’000s

 – 

700

 – 

25,511

164

5

 – 

25,511

164

 – 

233,919

173,778

114

683

71

6,076

114

678

26,472

240,771

200,245

2018 
£’000s

700

5

 – 

 – 

71

6,076

6,852

13.  BANK LOANS – CURRENT LIABILITY

Group and Company

AUD 81.0m repaid January 2018

For details of the loan facilities, see note 16.

14.  OTHER PAYABLES

Bank overdraft

Investment creditors

Cost of ordinary shares repurchased

Intra-group loans

Accrued finance costs

Accrued expenses

The Directors consider that the carrying values of other payables are equivalent to their fair value.

15.  ZERO DIVIDEND PREFERENCE SHARES

ZDP shares – current liabilities

2018 ZDP shares

ZDP Shares – non-current liabilities

2018 ZDP shares

2020 ZDP shares

2022 ZDP shares

2024 ZDP shares

2026 ZDP shares

Total ZDP shares liabilities

Authorised ZDP shares of the Company at 30 June 2018 are as follows:

2018 ZDP shares

2020 ZDP shares

2022 ZDP shares

2024 ZDP shares

2026 ZDP shares

Authorised ZDP shares of the Group at 30 June 2017 are as follows

2016 ZDP shares

2018 ZDP shares

2020 ZDP shares

2022 ZDP shares

86
86

2018 
£’000s

50,858

2017
£’000s

 – 

 – 

72,622

51,940

48,704

55,873

52,452

29,408

11,275

 – 

 – 

148,496

173,778

199,354

173,778

Number

£’000s 

53,072,561

 3,148 

50,000,000

 3,026 

78,117,685

 4,154 

76,717,291

 2,917 

25,000,000

 2,500 

Number

£’000s 

45,046,966

 4,505 

70,198,945

 4,164 

50,000,000

 3,026 

78,117,685

 4,154 

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

15.  ZERO DIVIDEND PREFERENCE SHARES (continued) 
On  28  September  2017,  by  written  resolution,  UIL  Finance  diminished  its  existing  authorised  share  capital  from  £15,848,832  to 

£11,344,135 by the cancellation of all of the 2016 ZDP shares comprised in its authorised but unissued share capital and then increased 

its  authorised  share  capital  from  £11,344,135  to  £13,245,385  by  the  creation  of  50,000,000  2024  ZDP  shares  of  3.8025p  each.  On 

2 November 2017, 17,126,384 2018 ZDP shares were converted into 26,717,110 2024 ZDP shares.

On 22 March 2018, by written resolution, UIL Finance increased its authorised share capital from £13,245,385 to £15,745,385 by the 

creation of 25,000,000 2026 ZDP shares of 10.0p each.

2018

Number

£’000s  Number

£’000s  Number

£’000s  Number

£’000s  Number

2018 

2020 

2022 

2024 

2026 
£’000s 

Total 
£’000s 

Balance at 30 June 

2017

49,842,413 72,622 39,000,000 48,704 50,000,000 52,452

 – 

 – 

 – 

 –  173,778

Issue of ZDP 
shares

Issue costs of ZDP 

shares

Redemption of 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

2018 ZDP shares (17,126,384) (25,644)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 –  30,000,000 30,000 11,579,465 11,579

41,579

 – 

 – 

 –  (1,626)

 – 

(410)

(2,036)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

(25,644)

ZDP shares 

purchased by 
the Company

Finance costs  
(see note 5)

Balance at 

(260,760)

(406)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(406)

 – 

4,286

 – 

3,236

 – 

3,421

 –  1,034

 – 

106

12,083

30 June 2018

32,455,269 50,858 39,000,000 51,940 50,000,000 55,873 30,000,000 29,408 11,579,465 11,275 199,354

2017

Number

2016 
£’000s 

Number

2018 
£’000s 

Number

2020 
£’000s 

Number

2022 
£’000s 

Total 
£’000s 

Balance at 30 June 2016

32,546,966 61,327 49,842,413

67,548 25,000,000

28,134 40,999,212

40,352 197,361

Issue of ZDP shares

Issue costs of ZDP shares

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Redemption of 2016 ZDP shares (32,546,966) (62,734)

Finance costs (see note 5)

Balance at 30 June 2017

 – 

 – 

1,407

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 –  14,000,000

18,005

9,000,788

9,341

27,346

 – 

 – 

5,074

 – 

 – 

 – 

(345)

 – 

2,910

 – 

 – 

 – 

(123)

(468)

 – 

(62,734)

2,882

12,273

 –  49,842,413

72,622 39,000,000

48,704 50,000,000

52,452 173,778

On 28 September 2017, UIL Finance announced plans for a rollover offer of 2018 ZDP shares into 2024 ZDP shares (the “Rollover 

Offer”); a placing of up to 30,000,000 2024 ZDP shares (less the number of 2024 ZDP shares arising on the conversion of 2018 ZDP 

shares pursuant to the Rollover Offer); and a UIL Limited subscription of up to 20,000,000 2024 ZDP shares. 

Holders of 17,126,384 2018 ZDP shares elected to roll over into the new 2024 ZDP shares and 26,717,110 new 2024 ZDP shares were issued 

on the basis of each 2018 ZDP share converting into 1.56 2024 ZDP shares. UIL Finance placed 3,282,890 new 2024 ZDP shares at 100 pence 

per share with certain institutional and other investors, raising gross proceeds of £3.3m and issued 20,000,000 2024 ZDP shares to UIL Limited.

The  50,000,000  new  2024  ZDP  shares  were  admitted  to  the  standard  segment  of  the  Official  List  and  to  trading  on  the  London  Stock 

Exchange on 2 November 2017.

UIL Limited held 20,000,000 2024 ZDP shares as at 30 June 2018.

On 23 March 2018, UIL Finance published a prospectus in connection with the Initial Issue (comprising the Initial Placing, Intermediaries 

Offer and Offer for Subscription) of up to 25,000,000 2026 ZDP shares and a Placing Programme of up to 25,000,000 2026 ZDP shares 

(less the number of 2026 ZDP shares issued pursuant to the Initial Issue).

UIL Finance raised gross proceeds of approximately £10.6m through the issue of 10,616,760 new 2026 ZDP shares at 100 pence per 

2026 ZDP share through the Initial Placing, Intermediaries Offer and Offer for Subscription. In addition, the remaining 14,383,240 new 

2026 ZDP shares were issued to UIL at a price of 100 pence per 2026 ZDP share.

87
87

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

15.  ZERO DIVIDEND PREFERENCE SHARES (continued) 
The  25,000,000  2026  ZDP  shares  were  admitted  to  the  standard  segment  of  the  Official  List  and  to  trading  on  the  London  Stock 

Exchange’s on 26 April 2018.

In the period from 26 April 2018 to 30 June 2018, UIL sold 962,705 2026 ZDP shares in the open market, receiving £1.0m. UIL held 

13,420,535 2026 ZDP shares as at 30 June 2018. Since the year end no further 2026 ZDP shares have been sold by the Company.

In the year 260,760 2018 ZDP shares were purchased by the Company at a cost of £416,000 and held intra-group. Since the year end 

a further 562,804 2018 ZDP shares have been purchased by the Company at a cost of £899,000 and held intra-group.

The intra group transactions are eliminated on consolidation.

2018 ZDP shares
Based on the initial entitlement of a 2018 ZDP share of 100p on 26 January 2012, a 2018 ZDP share will have a final capital entitlement 

at the end of its life on 31 October 2018 of 160.52p equating to a 7.25% per annum gross redemption yield. The capital entitlement 
(excluding issue costs) per 2018 ZDP share as at 30 June 2018 was 156.78p (2017: 146.19p).

2020 ZDP shares
Based on the initial entitlement of a 2020 ZDP share of 100p on 31 July 2014, a 2020 ZDP share will have a final capital entitlement 

at the end of its life on 31 October 2020 of 154.90p equating to a 7.25% per annum gross redemption yield. The capital entitlement 

(excluding issue costs) per 2020 ZDP share as at 30 June 2018 was 131.52p (2017: 122.64p).

2022 ZDP shares
Based on the initial entitlement of a 2022 ZDP share of 100p on 23 June 2016, a 2022 ZDP share will have a final capital entitlement at the 

end of its life on 31 October 2022 of 146.99p equating to a 6.25% per annum gross redemption yield. The capital entitlement (excluding 

issue costs) per 2022 ZDP share as at 30 June 2018 was 113.01p (2017: 106.37p).

2024 ZDP shares
Based on the initial entitlement of a 2024 ZDP share of 100p on 2 November 2018, a 2024 ZDP share will have a final capital entitlement at 

the end of its life on 31 October 2024 of 138.35p equating to a 4.75% per annum gross redemption yield. The capital entitlement (excluding 

issue costs) per 2024 ZDP share as at 30 June 2018 was 103.10p (2017: n/a).

2026 ZDP shares
Based on the initial entitlement of a 2026 ZDP share of 100p on 26 April 2018, a 2026 ZDP share will have a final capital entitlement 

at the end of its life on 31 October 2026 of 151.10p equating to a 5.00% per annum gross redemption yield. The capital entitlement 

(excluding issue costs) per 2026 ZDP share as at 30 June 2018 was 100.87p (2017: n/a).

The ZDP shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange and are stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The 

ZDP shares carry no entitlement to income however they have a pre-determined final capital entitlement which ranks behind all other 

liabilities and creditors of UIL Finance and UIL but in priority to the ordinary shares of the Company save in respect of certain winding 

up revenue profits.

The growth of each ZDP accrues daily and is reflected in the capital return and net asset value per ZDP share on an effective interest 

rate basis. The ZDP shares do not carry any voting rights at general meetings of the Company. However the Company will not be able 

to carry out certain corporate actions unless it obtains at separate meetings approval of each class of ZDP shareholders. Separate 

approval of each class of ZDP shareholders must be obtained in respect of any proposals which would affect their respective rights, 

including any resolution to wind up the Company. In addition the approval of ZDP shareholders by the passing of a special resolution 

at  separate  class  meetings  of  the  ZDP  shareholders  is  required  in  relation  to  any  proposal  to  modify,  alter  or  abrogate  the  rights 

attaching to any class of the ZDP shares and in relation to any proposal by the Company or its parent company which would reduce 

the Group’s cover of the existing 2018 ZDP shares below 1.5 times and the Group’s cover of the existing 2020 ZDP shares, 2022 ZDP 
shares, 2024 ZDP shares and 2026 ZDP shares below 1.35 times.

On a liquidation of UIL and/or UIL Finance, to the extent that the relevant classes of ZDP shares have not already been redeemed, 

the shares shall rank in the following order of priority in relation to the repayment of their accrued capital entitlement as at the date 

of liquidation: 

88
88

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

15.  ZERO DIVIDEND PREFERENCE SHARES (continued) 
(i) 

the 2018 ZDP shares shall rank in priority to the 2020 ZDP shares, the 2022 ZDP shares, the 2024 ZDP shares and the 2026 ZDP shares; 

(ii)  the 2020 ZDP shares shall rank in priority to the 2022 ZDP shares, the 2024 ZDP shares and the 2026 ZDP shares;

(iii)  the 2022 ZDP shares shall rank in priority to the 2024 ZDP shares and the 2026 ZDP shares; and

(iv)  the 2024 ZDP shares shall rank in priority to the 2026 ZDP shares.

The entitlement of ZDP shareholders of a particular class shall be determined in proportion to their holdings of ZDP shares of that class.

16.  BANK LOANS – NON-CURRENT LIABILITY

Group and Company

AUD 29.1m repayable April 2021

CAD 20.0m repayable April 2021

Balance carried forward

2018 
£’000s

16,279

11,516

27,795

2017
£’000s

 – 

 – 

 – 

The  Company  has  a  committed  loan  facility  of  £50,000,000  from  Scotiabank  Europe  plc  (“Scotiabank”)  expiring  on  22  March  2020. 

Commissions are  charged  on  any  undrawn  amounts at  commercial  rates. The  terms  of  the  loan  facility,  including  those related  to 

accelerated repayment and costs of repayment, are typical of those normally found in facilities of this nature. Scotiabank has a floating 

charge over the assets of the Company in respect of amounts owing under the loan facility.

17.  ORDINARY SHARE CAPITAL

Equity share capital: 

Ordinary shares of 10p each with voting rights

Authorised

2018

Balance at 30 June 2017

Purchased for cancellation

2017

Balance at 30 June 2016

Purchased for cancellation

Balance at 30 June 2017

Number

£’000s 

250,000,000

25,000

Total shares  
in issue 
Number

Total shares  
in issue 
£’000s 

90,197,208

(703,819)

89,493,389

Total shares  
in issue 
Number

90,653,789

(456,581)

90,197,208

9,020

(71)

8,949

Total shares  
in issue 
£’000s 

9,065

(45)

9,020

During the year the Company bought back for cancellation 703,819 ordinary shares at a total cost of £1,217,000.

No further ordinary shares have been purchased for cancellation since the year end.

In addition to receiving the income distributed by way of dividend, the ordinary shareholders will be entitled to any balances on the revenue 

reserve at the winding up date, together with the assets of the Company remaining after payment of the ZDP shareholders’ entitlement. The 
ordinary shareholders participate in all general meetings of the Company on the basis of one vote for each share held. 

89
89

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

2018 
£’000s 

19,313

(1,146)

18,167

2017 
£’000s 

20,031

(718)

19,313

2018 
£’000s 

2017 
£’000s 

233,866

233,866

18.  SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT

Group and Company

Balance brought forward

Purchase of ordinary shares

Balance carried forward

This is a non-distributable reserve arising on the issue of share capital.

19.  SPECIAL RESERVE

Group and Company

Balance brought forward and carried forward

The  special  reserve  can  be  used  to  purchase  the  Company’s  own  shares  in  accordance  with  Bermuda  law.  The  reserve  will  not 

constitute winding up revenue profits in the event of the Company’s liquidation, but it constitutes a reserve under Bermuda law for 

assessing the sufficiency of reserves for the purpose of making dividend payments to ordinary shareholders.

20.  NON-DISTRIBUTABLE RESERVE

Group and Company

Balance brought forward and carried forward

2018 
£’000s 

32,069

2017 
£’000s 

32,069

The non-distributable reserve constitutes a reserve for the purpose of assessing the sufficiency of reserves for the purpose of making 

dividend payments to ordinary shareholders.

90
90

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

21.  CAPITAL RESERVES

Group

2018 

Capital 
reserve 
(arising on 
investments 
sold) 
£’000s 

Capital 
reserve 
(arising on 
investments 
held) 
£’000s 

Capital 
reserves 
total 
£’000s 

Capital  
reserve  
(arising on 
investments 
sold) 
£’000s 

Capital 
reserve 
(arising on 
investments 
held) 
£’000s 

2017 

Capital 
reserves  
total 
£’000s 

Gains on investments sold

31,551

 – 

31,551

35,237

 – 

35,237

Gains/(losses) on investments held

 – 

16,815

16,815

 – 

(3,999)

(3,999)

Gains/(losses) on derivative financial instruments sold

2,170

Gains on derivative financial instruments held

Foreign exchange gains

Performance fee (see note 3)

Other capital charges

Gains on transactions of ZDP shares held intra group

ZDP shares finance charges

Taxation

 – 

777

(5,337)

(1)

4

(12,083)

 – 

 – 

1,128

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

2,170

1,128

777

(5,337)

(1)

4

 – 

17,081

17,943

35,024

(24,109)

 – 

(24,109)

 – 

12,763

12,763

3,058

 – 

(3)

617

(30)

2,497

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

3,058

 – 

(3)

617

(12,273)

(30)

8,764

11,261

(12,083)

(12,273)

Balance brought forward

(138,213)

62,546

(75,667)

(140,710)

53,782

(86,928)

Transfer for change in treatment of subsidiary  

(see note 1)

Balance at 30 June

(243)

–

(243)

–

–

–

(121,375)

80,489

(40,886)

(138,213)

62,546

(75,667)

Company

2018 

Capital 
reserve 
(arising on 
investments 
sold) 
£’000s 

Capital 
reserve 
(arising on 
investments 
held) 
£’000s 

Capital 
reserves 
total 
£’000s 

Capital  
reserve  
(arising on 
investments 
sold) 
£’000s 

Capital 
reserve 
(arising on 
investments 
held) 
£’000s 

2017 

Capital 
reserves  
total 
£’000s 

Gains on investments sold

31,565

 – 

31,565

36,289

 – 

36,289

Gains/(losses) on investments held

 – 

18,147

18,147

 – 

(5,288)

(5,288)

Gains/(losses) on derivative financial instruments sold

2,170

Gains on derivative financial instruments held

Foreign exchange gains

Performance fee (see note 3)

Other capital charges

Intra-group loan account finance charges

Taxation

 – 

777

(5,337)

(1)

(12,821)

 – 

 – 

1,128

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

2,170

1,128

777

(5,337)

(1)

 – 

16,353

19,275

35,628

(23,202)

 – 

(23,202)

 – 

12,856

12,856

3,053

 – 

(3)

(30)

3,410

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

3,053

 – 

(3)

(12,697)

(30)

7,568

10,978

(12,821)

(12,697)

Balance brought forward

Balance at 30 June 

(124,949)

49,039

(75,910)

(128,359)

41,471

(86,888)

(108,596)

68,314

(40,282)

(124,949)

49,039

(75,910)

Group and Company
Included  within  the  capital  reserve  movement  for  the  year  is  £nil  (2017:  £nil)  of  dividend  receipts  recognised  as  capital  in  nature, 

£2,000 (2017: £4,000) of transaction costs on purchases of investments and £49,000 (2017: £119,000) of transaction costs on sales of 

investments.

91
91

UIL Limited 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

22.  REVENUE RESERVE

Amount transferred to revenue reserve

Dividends paid in the year

Balance brought forward

Transfer for change in treatment of subsidiary (see note 1)

Balance at 30 June

23.  NET ASSET VALUE PER ORDINARY SHARE

2018 
£’000s

5,996

Group

2017
£’000s

5,760

Company 

2018 
£’000s

5,996

2017
£’000s

5,784

(6,738)

(6,774)

(6,738)

(6,774)

9,468

10,482

9,711

10,701

243

8,969

–

–

–

9,468

8,969

9,711

Group and Company
Net asset value per ordinary share is based on net assets at the year end of £261,134,000 for the Group and £261,738,000 for the 

Company  (2017:  £228,069,000  for  the  Group  and  for  the  Company)  and  on  89,493,389  ordinary  shares  in  issue  at  the  year  end 

(2017: 90,197,208).

24.  RECONCILIATION OF TOTAL RETURN BEFORE TAX TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

2018 
£’000s

Group

2017
£’000s

Company 

2018 
£’000s

2017
£’000s

41,199

17,301

41,803

17,042

(48,366)

(31,238)

(49,712)

(31,001)

(3,298)

11,346

(3,298)

10,346

(680)

(2,976)

(1,013)

9

5,341

(4)

(2,991)

(6,736)

2,031

(3)

228

(617)

12,083

12,273

(680)

(2,976)

(1,013)

9

5,347

 – 

 – 

(2,986)

(6,736)

2,031

(3)

230

 – 

 – 

 – 

(179)

 – 

12,821

12,697

(250)

(179)

(250)

(39,083)

(15,957)

(39,681)

(15,672)

 – 

(30)

 – 

(30)

2,116

1,314

2,122

1,340

Profit before taxation 

Adjust for non-cash flow items: 

Gains on investments

(Gains)/losses on derivative financial instruments

Foreign exchange gains

Non-cash flows on income

Decrease/(increase) in accrued income

Decrease/(increase) in other debtors

Increase in creditors

Gains on transactions of ZDP shares held intra group

ZDP shares finance costs

Intra-group loan account finance costs

Tax on overseas income

Other cash flow adjustments:

Bermuda overseas investment taxation

Cash flows from operating activities

92
92

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

25.  RECONCILIATION OF LIABILITIES ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Group

2018

Bank loans

ZDP shares

2017

Bank loans

ZDP shares

Company

2018

Bank loans

Intra-group loans

2017

Bank loans

Intra-group loans

Balance at 
30 June 2017 
£’000s 

Cash  
flows 
£’000s 

Foreign 
exchange 
movement 
£’000s 

Non-cash flow changes

Gains on 
transactions 
of ZDP 
shares held 
intra group 
£’000s 

Finance 
costs 
£’000s 

Increase 
of accrued  
costs 
£’000s 

Balance at  
30 June 
 2018 
£’000s 

47,846

(18,962)

(1,089)

 – 

173,778

13,504

 – 

221,624

(5,458)

(1,089)

12,083

12,083

 – 

(4)

(4)

 – 

(7)

(7)

27,795

199,354

227,149

Non-cash flow changes

Balance at 30 
June 2016 
£’000s 

Cash  
flows 
£’000s 

Foreign 
exchange 
movement 
£’000s 

Gains on 
sales of ZDP 
shares held 
intra group 
£’000s 

Finance 
costs 
£’000s 

Decrease 
of accrued  
costs 
£’000s 

Balance at  
30 June 2017 
£’000s 

24,699

25,148

(2,001)

 – 

197,361

(35,483)

 – 

222,060

(10,335)

(2,001)

12,273

12,273

 – 

(617)

(617)

 – 

47,846

244

244

173,778

221,624

Non-
cash flow 
changes

Balance at 
30 June 2017 
£’000s 

Cash  
flows 
£’000s 

Non-cash 
flows on 
issues of 
ZDP shares 
£’000s 

Foreign 
exchange 
movement 
£’000s 

Finance 
costs 
£’000s 

Decrease  
of accrued  
costs 
£’000s 

Balance at  
30 June 
 2018 
£’000s 

47,846

(18,962)

 – 

(1,089)

 – 

173,778

12,943

221,624

(6,019)

34,383

34,383

 – 

(1,089)

12,821

12,821

 – 

(7)

(7)

27,795

233,918

261,713

Non- 
cash flow 
changes

Balance at 30 
June 2016 
£’000s 

Cash  
flows 
£’000s 

Foreign 
exchange 
movement 
£’000s 

Finance 
costs 
£’000s 

Decrease 
of accrued  
costs 
£’000s 

Balance at  
30 June 2017 
£’000s 

24,699

25,148

(2,001)

 – 

 – 

47,846

206,373

(45,536)

 – 

231,072

(20,388)

(2,001)

12,697

12,697

244

244

173,778

221,624

26.  ULTIMATE PARENT UNDERTAKING
In the opinion of the Directors, from 26 June 2018 the Group’s ultimate parent undertaking is Somers Isles Private Trust Company 

Limited (“SIPTCL”), a company incorporated in Bermuda and owned by Mr Duncan Saville (prior to 26 June 2018, the Group’s ultimate 

parent undertaking was General Provincial Life Pension Fund Limited (“GPLPF”) which is incorporated in Bermuda).

93
93

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

27.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The following are considered related parties of UIL:
UIL’s majority shareholder is “GPLPF which holds 62.6% of UIL’s shares. GPLPF is ultimately controlled by SIPTCL.

Subsidiaries of UIL:
BFIC, Coldharbour, Energy Holdings Limited, GERP, UIL Finance, UIL Holdings Pte Ltd and Zeta (on consolidation, transactions between 

the Company, UIL Finance and GERP have been eliminated).

Controlled Entities:
Allectus, Somers, VixTech and Vix Verify.

Subsidiaries of the above subsidiaries and controlled entities:
BCB,  PCFG,  Stockdale  Securities  Limited,  Waverton,  West  Hamilton  Holdings  Limited,  Homeloans  Limited  (“Homeloans”)  and  Zeta 

Energy Pte. Ltd (“Zeta Energy”).

Key management entities and persons:
ICM and ICMIM and the board of directors of ICM who are Duncan Saville, Charles Jillings, Alasdair Younie and of ICMIM, Charles Jillings 

and Sandra Pope.

Persons exercising control of UIL:
The Board of UIL.

Companies controlled by key management persons:
Platform Technology Limited (“PTL”), Permanent Investment Limited (“PIL”), Permanent Mutual Limited (“PML”), Mitre Finance Limited, 

Mitre Investments Limited and Azure Limited.

The following transactions were carried out during the year to 30 June 2018 between the Company and its related parties above:

UIL Finance
Loans from UIL Finance to UIL of £173.8m as at 30 June 2017 increased by £60.1m, to £233.9m as at 30 June 2018. The loans are 

repayable on any ZDP share repayment date.

In the year to 30 June 2018, the number of ZDP shares subscribed for and sold in the market by UIL is detailed in note 15 to the 

accounts.

GERP
During the year UIL loaned GERP £15,000 for working capital (2017: nil).

BFIC, Coldharbour, Zeta, UIL Holdings and Energy Holdings
Transactions are disclosed in note 10.

Allectus, Somers, Vix Verify and VixTech
Transactions are disclosed in note 9.

BCB, PCF Bank, Waverton and Seacrest LP Interests
There were no transactions between these entities and UIL in the year.

ICM and ICMIM
ICM and ICMIM are joint portfolio managers of UIL. These were no other transactions with ICM or ICMIM or ICM Investment Research 
Limited and ICM Corporate Services (Pty) Ltd, both wholly owned subsidiaries of ICM, other than investment management, secretarial 

costs, administration fees and performance fees as set out in note 3, and reimbursed expenses included within note 4 of £114,000 (2017: 

£108,000). At the year end £279,000 (2017: £297,000) remained outstanding to ICM and ICMIM in respect of management and company 

secretarial fees and £5,337,000 (2017: nil) in respect of performance fees.

94
94

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

27.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

Duncan Saville, Charles Jillings, Alasdair Younie and Sandra Pope
Mr Saville is a director of Allectus, BFIC, GERP, Homeloans, Newtel Holdings Limited, PIL, PML, PTL, SIPTCL, Somers, Vix Holdings, Vix 

Limited, VixTech, Vix Verify, West Hamilton Holdings Limited, Zeta Energy and Zeta Investments Pty Limited.

Mr Jillings is a director of Allectus, GERP, Merrion Capital Group, PIL, PML, SIPTCL, Somers, and Waverton Investment Management 

Limited.

Mr Younie is a director of Ascendant Group Limited, BCB Limited, BFIC, GERP, One Communications Limited, PIL, PML, SIPTCL, Somers, 

VixTech, West Hamilton Holdings Limited and Zeta Investments Limited. 

Mr Jillings received dividends from UIL of £26,250. 

There were no other transactions in the year between UIL and Duncan Saville, Charles Jillings, Alasdair Younie or Sandra Pope.

The Board
As  detailed  in  the  Directors’  Remuneration  Report  on  page  57,  the  Board  received  aggregate  remuneration  of  £216,000  (2017: 

£211,000) included within “Other expenses” in note 4 for services as Directors. As at 30 June 2018, £54,000 (2017: £53,000) remained 

outstanding to the Directors. In addition to their fees, the Directors received dividends totalling £62,627 (2017: £58,499) during the 

year under review in respect of their shareholdings in the Company.

There were no further transactions with the Board during the year.

PTL
PTL is 100% owned by Mr Saville and holds the regulated businesses of Newtel Holdings Limited (“Newtel”). 100% of economic interest 

in Newtel accrues to UIL through a promissory note. Similarly UIL holds an economic interest in Vix Verify through a CFD with PTL.

PIL and PML
PIL and PML are both controlled by SIPTCL and hold 46.0% and 3.1% of Somers ordinary shares respectively. PML received dividends 

of £476,623 from UIL.

There were no other transactions between the Company and PIL or between the Company and PML in the year.

SIPTCL
SIPTCL was established on 26 June 2018 and is 100% owned by Mr Saville.

Other
GPLPF  received  dividends  of  £4,200,115  from  UIL.  Azure  Limited  received  dividends  of  £3,465  from  UIL.  There  were  no  other 

transactions between the above associates and the Company other than investments in the ordinary course of UIL’s business.

28.  OPERATING SEGMENTS
Operating segments are considered to be secondary reporting segment. The Directors are of the opinion that the Company’s activities 

comprise a single operating segment, which is investing in equity, debt and derivative securities to maximise shareholder returns.

29.  GOING CONCERN
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The majority of the Company’s assets consist of equity shares in 

listed companies and in most circumstances are realisable within a short timescale. The use of the going concern basis of accounting is 

appropriate because there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt about the ability 

of the Company to continue as a going concern. After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company 

has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the 

going concern basis in preparing the accounts.

As at the year end, the Company had a £50m multicurrency loan facility with Scotiabank expiring on 22 March 2020. Drawdowns under 

the facility are detailed in note 16. The Company will either extend or replace the facility or repay the outstanding debt when due from 

portfolio realisations..

95
95

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

30.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group’s investment objective is to maximise shareholder returns by identifying and investing in investments worldwide where the 

underlying value is not reflected in the market price.

The  Group  seeks  to  meet  its  investment  objective  by  investing  principally  in  a  diversified  portfolio  of  both  listed  and  unlisted 

companies.  Derivative  instruments  may  be  used  for  purposes  of  hedging  the  underlying  portfolio  of  investments.  The  Group  has 

the power to take out both short and long term borrowings. In pursuing the objective, the Group is exposed to financial risks which 

could result in a reduction of either or both of the value of the net assets and the profits available for distribution by way of dividend. 

These financial risks are principally related to the market (currency movements, interest rate changes and security price movements), 

liquidity  and  credit  and  counterparty  risk.  The  Board  of  Directors,  together  with  the  Investment  Managers,  is  responsible  for  the 

Group’s risk management. The Directors’ policies and processes for managing the financial risks are set out in (a), (b) and (c) below.

The Company’s risks include the risks within UIL Finance and therefore only the Group risks are analysed below as the differences are 

not considered to be significant. The accounting policies which govern the reported Balance Sheet carrying values of the underlying 

financial assets and liabilities, as well as the related income and expenditure, are set out in note 1 to the Accounts. The policies are in 

compliance with IFRS and best practice, and include the valuation of financial assets and liabilities at fair value except as noted in (d)

below and in note 15 in respect of ZDP shares. The Group does not make use of hedge accounting rules.

(a)  Market risks
The  fair  value  of  equity  and  other  financial  securities  held  in  the  Group’s  portfolio  and  derivative  financial  instruments  fluctuates 

with changes in market prices. Prices are themselves affected by movements in currencies and interest rates and by other financial 

issues, including the market perception of future risks. The Board sets policies for managing these risks within the Group’s objective 

and meets regularly to review full, timely and relevant information on investment performance and financial results. The Investment 

Managers  assess  exposure  to  market  risks  when  making  each  investment  decision  and  monitors  on-going  market  risk  within  the 

portfolio. The Group’s other assets and liabilities may be denominated in currencies other than Sterling and may also be exposed 

to  interest  rate  risks.  The  Investment  Managers  and  the  Board  regularly  monitor  these  risks.  The  Group  does  not  normally  hold 

significant cash balances. Borrowings are limited to amounts and currencies commensurate with the portfolio’s exposure to those 

currencies, thereby limiting the Group’s exposure to future changes in exchange rates.

Gearing may be short- or long-term, in Sterling and foreign currencies, and enables the Group to take a long-term view of the countries 

and markets in which it is invested without having to be concerned about short-term volatility. Income earned in foreign currencies 

is converted to Sterling on receipt. The Board regularly monitors the effects on net revenue of interest earned on deposits and paid 

on gearing.

Currency exposure
The principal currencies to which the Group was exposed were the Australian Dollar, Bermuda Dollar, Euro, New Zealand Dollar and 

US Dollar. The exchange rates applying against Sterling at 30 June and the average rates for the year were as follows:

AUD – Australian Dollar 

BMD – Bermuda Dollar

EUR – Euro

NZD – New Zealand Dollar 

USD – US Dollar 

2018

1.7869

1.3203

1.1308

1.9500

1.3203

Average

1.7421

1.3471

1.1308

1.8904

1.3471

2017

1.6934

1.2989

1.1389

1.7740

1.2989

96
96

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS49

 – 

 – 

 – 

49

 – 

22

 – 

 – 

 – 

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

30.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)
The Group’s assets and liabilities at 30 June (shown at fair value, except derivatives at gross exposure value), by currency excluding 

Sterling based on the country of primary exposure, are shown below:

2018

Other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents 

AUD  
£’000s

1,016

272

Derivative financial instruments – liabilities

(103,370)

Long-term borrowings

Net monetary (liabilities)/assets

Investments

Net financial assets

(16,280)

(118,362)

159,630

41,268

BMD 
£’000s 

EUR  
£’000s

NZD  
£’000s

USD 
 £’000s

 – 

4

 – 

127

19

244

(5,344)

(7,526)

(66,051)

Other 
£’000s

460

 – 

 – 

Total 
£’000s

1,544

647

(182,291)

 – 

 – 

 – 

(11,516)

(27,796)

49

(5,340)

(7,399)

(65,788)

(11,056)

(207,896)

64,047

64,096

23,774

18,434

9,135

1,736

9,543

144,919

411,048

(56,245)

133,863

203,152

2017

Other receivables

Derivative financial instruments – assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Short-term borrowings

Other payables 

509

 – 

(153)

(47,846)

 – 

AUD  
£’000s

BMD 
£’000s 

EUR  
£’000s

NZD  
£’000s

USD 
 £’000s

24,496

14,970

1,330

 – 

(25,510)

 – 

 – 

7

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Other 
£’000s

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Total 
£’000s

25,054

14,970

1,206

(47,846)

(25,510)

(181,813)

(213,939)

Derivative financial instruments – liabilities

(82,683)

(19,779)

(31,586)

(47,765)

Net monetary (liabilities)/assets

(130,173)

71

(19,772)

(31,586)

(32,479)

Investments

Net financial assets

122,739

72,400

27,827

25,454

3,612

150,996

403,028

(7,434)

72,471

8,055

(6,132)

(28,867)

150,996

189,089

Based on the financial assets and liabilities held, and exchange rates applying, at Balance Sheet date, a weakening or strengthening 

of Sterling against each of these currencies by 10% would have had the following approximate effect on annualised income after tax 

and on net asset value (NAV) per share:

Weakening of Sterling

Income Statement

AUD  
£’000s

BMD 
£’000s 

EUR  
£’000s

NZD  
£’000s

2018 
USD 
 £’000s

AUD  
£’000s

BMD 
£’000s 

EUR  
£’000s

NZD  
£’000s

2017 
USD 
 £’000s

Revenue profit for the year

Capital profit for the year

Total profit for the year

311

4,472

4,783

380

7,116

7,496

59

2,048

2,107

113

193

306

 – 

(6,252)

(6,252)

472

(883)

(411)

183

8,047

8,230

65

895

960

158

 - 

(681)

(3,207)

(523)

(3,207)

NAV per share

Basic – pence

5.34

8.38

2.36

0.34

(6.99)

(0.46)

9.12

1.06

(0.58)

(3.56)

97
97

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

30.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

Strengthening of Sterling

Income Statement

AUD  
£’000s

BMD 
£’000s 

EUR  
£’000s

NZD  
£’000s

2018 
USD 
 £’000s

AUD  
£’000s

BMD 
£’000s 

EUR  
£’000s

NZD 
£’000s

2017 
USD 
 £’000s

Revenue profit for the year

(311)

(380)

(59)

(113)

 – 

(472)

(183)

Capital profit for the year

(4,472)

(7,116)

(2,048)

(193)

6,252

Total profit for the year

(4,783)

(7,496)

(2,107)

(306)

6,252

883

411

(8,047)

(8,230)

(65)

(895)

(960)

(158)

681

523

 - 

3,207

3,207

NAV per share

Basic – pence

(5.34)

(8.38)

(2.36)

(0.34)

6.99

0.46

(9.12)

(1.06)

0.58

3.56

These analyses are broadly representative of the Group’s activities during the current year as a whole, although the level of the Group’s 

exposure to currencies fluctuates in accordance with the investment and risk management processes.

Interest rate exposure
The exposure of the financial assets and liabilities to interest rate risks at 30 June is shown below:

Total  
£’000s

Within  
one year 
£’000s

2018 
More than  
one year 
£’000s

Total  
£’000s

Within  
one year  
£’000s

2017 
More than  
one year  
£’000s

647

(700)

(27,795)

(27,848)

647

(700)

 – 

(53)

 – 

 – 

(27,795)

(27,795)

3,573

 – 

(47,846)

(44,273)

3,573

 – 

(47,846)

(44,273)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Exposure to floating rates

 – Cash

 – Bank overdraft

 – Borrowings

Exposure to fixed rates

Zero dividend preference shares

(199,354)

(50,858)

(148,496)

(173,778)

 - 

(173,778)

Net exposures

 – At period end

 – Maximum in year

 – Minimum in year

Net exposures

 – Maximum in year

 – Minimum in year

(227,202)

(233,949)

(204,155)

(50,911)

(176,291)

(218,051)

(46,524)

(187,425)

(243,742)

(27,434)

(176,721)

(216,395)

(44,273)

(32,915)

(44,264)

(173,778)

(210,827)

(172,131)

Exposure to 
floating  
interest  
rates  
£’000s 

Total  
£’000s

Fixed  
interest  
rates  
£’000s

Exposure to 
floating  
interest  
rates  
£’000s 

Total  
£’000s

Fixed  
interest  
rates  
£’000s

(233,949)

(204,155)

(35,479)

(198,470)

(243,742)

(27,434)

(176,721)

(216,395)

(82,915)

(44,264)

(160,827)

(172,131)

98
98

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

30.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)
Exposures vary throughout the year as a consequence of changes in the make-up of the net assets of the Group arising out of the 

investment and risk management processes. Interest received on cash balances or paid on overdrafts is at ruling market rates. Finance 

costs on the ZDP shares are fixed (see note 15). Interest paid on borrowings is at ruling market rates (2017: same) The Group’s total 

returns and net assets are sensitive to changes in interest rates on cash and borrowings. Based on the financial assets and liabilities 

held, and the interest rates pertaining, at each Balance Sheet date, a decrease or increase in interest rates by 2% would have had 

the following approximate effects on the Group Income Statement revenue and capital returns after tax and on the NAV per share.

Revenue profit for the year

Capital profit for the year

Total profit for the year

NAV per share

Basic – pence

Increase  
in rate  
£’000s

(557)

 – 

(557)

2018  
Decrease  
in rate  
£’000s

557

 – 

557

Increase  
in rate  
£’000s

(885)

 – 

(885)

2017  
Decrease  
in rate  
£’000s

885

–

885

(0.62)

0.62

(0.98)

0.98

Other market risk exposures
The portfolio of investments, valued at £493,375,000 at 30 June 2018 (2017: £449,116,000) is exposed to market price changes. The 

Group enters into currency and index options in managing its exposure to other market risks.

The Investment Managers assess these exposures at the time of making each investment decision. The Board reviews overall exposures 

at each meeting against indices and other relevant information. An analysis of the portfolio by country and major industrial sector is set 

out  on  page  14.  The  Investment  Managers  have  operated  a  strategic  market  position  via  the  purchase  and  sale  of  equity  index  put 

and call options, principally on the S&P500 Index. The level of the position is kept under constant review, and will depend upon several 

factors including the relative performance of markets, the price of options as compared to the market, and the Investment Managers’ 

view of likely future volatility and market movements.

Based on the portfolio of investments at the balance sheet date, and assuming other factors, including derivative financial instrument 

exposure, remain constant, a decrease or increase in the fair values of the portfolio by 20% would have had the following approximate 

effects on the Income Statement Capital Return after tax and on the NAV per share:

Increase in  
value

2018  
Decrease in 
value

Increase in  
value

2017  
Decrease in 
value

Income Statement capital profit for the year (£’000s)

98,675

(98,675)

89,823

(89,823)

NAV per share

Basic – pence

110.26

(110.26)

99.59

(99.59)

(b)  Liquidity risk exposure
The  Group  and  the  Company  are  required  to  raise  funds  to  meet  commitments  associated  with  financial  instruments  including  ZDP 

shares. These funds may be raised either through the realisation of assets or through increased borrowing. The risk of the Group or 

the Company not having sufficient liquidity at any time is not considered by the Board to be significant, given: the number of quoted 

investments held in the Group’s portfolio, 14 at 30 June 2018 (20 at 30 June 2017); the liquid nature of the portfolio of investments; the 

industrial and geographical diversity of the portfolio (see charts on page 14); and the existence of an on-going loan facility agreement. 

Cash balances are held with reputable banks.

99
99

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

30.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)
The Investment Managers review liquidity at the time of making each investment decision. The Board reviews liquidity exposure at each 

meeting. The Group has bank loan facilities of £50.0m as set out in note 16 to the accounts and ZDP share liabilities of £199.4m as set 

out in note 15. The contractual maturities of the financial liabilities, based on the earliest date on which payment can be required, were 

as follows:

Three  
months  
or less  
£’000s

700

6,152

Bank overdraft

Other creditors

Derivative financial 

instruments

182,292

Bank loans

ZDP shares

 – 

 – 

189,144

More than  
three 
months but 
less than  
one year  
£’000s

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

–

2018  

Total  
£’000s

700

6,152

Three  
months  
or less  
£’000s

–

26,472

182,292

181,814

More  
than  
one year  
£’000s

 – 

 – 

 – 

27,890

27,890

245,051

245,051

 – 

 – 

More than  
three  
months but 
less than  
one year  
£’000s

 – 

 – 

 – 

48,380

More  
than  
one year  
£’000s

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

2017  

Total  
£’000s

–

26,472

181,814

48,380

 – 

213,913

213,913

272,941

462,085

208,286

48,380

213,913

470,579

(c)  Credit risk and counterparty exposure
The Group is exposed to potential failure by counterparties to deliver securities for which the Group has paid, or to pay for securities 

which the Group has delivered. The Board approves all counterparties used in such transactions, which must be settled on a basis of 

delivery against payment (except where local market conditions do not permit). A list of pre-approved counterparties is maintained 

and regularly reviewed by the Administrator and the Board. Broker counterparties are selected based on a combination of criteria, 

including  credit  rating,  balance  sheet  strength  and  membership  of  a  relevant  regulatory  body.  Cash  and  deposits  are  held  with 

reputable  banks.  The  Group  has  an  on-going  contract  with  its  Custodians  for  the  provision  of  custody  services.  The  contracts  are 

reviewed regularly. Details of securities held in custody on behalf of the Group are received and reconciled monthly. To the extent that 

the Investment Managers carry out duties (or cause similar duties to be carried out by third parties) on the Group’s behalf, the Group 

is exposed to counterparty risk. The Board assesses this risk continuously through regular meetings with management.

In summary, compared to the amounts included in the balance sheet, the maximum exposure to credit risk was as follows:

Current assets

Cash at bank

Financial assets through profit and loss

 – derivatives (put options and call options)

2018  
Maximum  
exposure 
in the year  
£’000s

30 June  
£’000s

647

21,901

2017  
Maximum  
exposure 
in the year  
£’000s

7,147

30 June  
£’000s

3,573

 – 

 – 

 – 

25,761

 – derivatives (forward foreign exchange contracts)

181,706

192,308

187,621

229,975

None of the Group’s financial assets are past due or impaired. The Group’s principal custodian is JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.. BCB acts 

as custodian for unquoted investments. UIL has an indirect interest in BCB.

(d)  Fair values of financial assets and liabilities
The assets and liabilities of the Group are, in the opinion of the Directors, reflected in the Balance Sheet at fair value except for ZDP 

shares which are carried at amortised cost using effective interest rate basis (see note 15). Borrowings under loan facilities do not 

have a value materially different from their capital repayment amount. Borrowings in foreign currencies are converted into Sterling at 

exchanges rates ruling at each valuation date.

100
100

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

2018  
£’000s

51,766

55,575

62,250

32,250

11,840

2017  
£’000s

77,131

54,748

59,750

 – 

 – 

30.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)
The fair values of ZDP shares derived from their quoted market price at 30 June, were:

Current assets

2018 ZDP shares

2020 ZDP shares

2022 ZDP shares

2024 ZDP shares

2026 ZDP shares

Unquoted investments are valued based on professional assumptions and advice that is not wholly supported by prices from current 

market transactions or by observable market data. The Directors make use of recognised valuation techniques and may take account 

of recent arms’ length transactions in the same or similar investments.

The Directors regularly review the principles applied by the Investment Manager to those valuations to ensure they comply with the 

Group’s accounting policies and with fair value principles.

Level 3 financial instruments
Valuation methodology
The  Directors  have  satisfied  themselves  as  to  the  methodology  used,  the  discount  rates  and  key  assumptions  applied  and  the 

valuation.  The  level  3  assets  comprise  of  a  number  of  unlisted  investments  at  various  stages  of  development  and  each  has  been 

assessed based on its industry, location and business cycle. The valuation methodologies include cost of recent investment or last 

funding  round,  listed  peer  comparison  or  peer  group  multiple,  dividend  yield  or  net  assets  as  appropriate.  Where  applicable,  the 

Directors have considered observable data and events to underpin the valuations. A discount has been applied, where appropriate, 

to reflect both the unlisted nature of the investments and business risks.

The level 3 financial instruments are split between unlisted companies and loans to listed companies. 

Sensitivity of level 3 financial investments measured at fair value to changes in key assumptions.
The following table shows the sensitivity of the fair value of level three financial investments to changes in key assumptions.

Unlisted companies

Loans to unlisted companies

Total

2018  
Effect of 
possible 
alternative 
assumptions  
£’000s

7,080

5,527

Carrying 
amount  
£’000s

70,796

55,269

2017  
Effect of 
possible 
alternative 
assumptions  
£’000s

7,164

3,736

Carrying 
amount  
£’000s

71,637

37,363

126,065

12,607

109,000

10,900

(e)  Capital risk management
The objective of the Group is stated as being to maximise shareholder returns by identifying and investing in investments where the 

underlying value is not reflected in the market price. In pursuing this long term objective, the Board has a responsibility for ensuring 

the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. It must therefore maintain its capital structure through varying market conditions. 

This involves the ability to: issue and buy back share capital within limits set by the shareholders in general meeting; borrow monies in 

the short and long term; and pay dividends to shareholders out of current year earnings as well as out of brought forward reserves. 
Changes to ordinary share capital are set out in note 17 to the accounts.

Dividends are set out in note 8 to the accounts. Borrowings are set out in notes 13 and 16 to the accounts. ZDP shares are set out 

in note 15 to the accounts.

101
101

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

31.  ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUND MANAGERS DIRECTIVE (“AIMFD”)
In accordance with the AIFMD, information in relation to the Group’s leverage and the remuneration of the Company’s AIFM, ICMIM, 

is required to be made available to investors. Detailed regulatory disclosures including those on the AIFM’s remuneration policy are 

available on the Company’s website or from ICMIM on request.

The Group’s maximum and actual leverage as at 30 June 2018 are shown below:

Leverage exposure

Maximum permitted limit

Actual

Gross  
method

Commitment 
method

425%

213%

425%

213%

The leverage limits are set by the AIFM and approved by the Board. The AIFM is also required to comply with the gearing parameters 

set by the Board in relation to borrowings.

102
102

UIL Limited(continued) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSNOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in any doubt 
as to what action to take, you should consult your stockbroker, solicitor, accountant or other appropriate 
independent  professional  adviser  authorised  under  the  Financial  Services  and  Markets  Act  2000.  If  you 
have  sold  or  otherwise  transferred  all  your  shares  in  UIL  Limited,  please  forward  this  document  and 
the  accompanying  Form  of  Proxy  to  the  person  through  whom  the  sale  or  transfer  was  effected,  for 
transmission to the purchaser or transferee.

Notice is hereby given that the 2018 Annual General Meeting of UIL Limited will be held at the Raffles Makati, 1 Raffles 

Drive, 1224 Makati, Manila, Philippines on Wednesday, 21 November 2018 at 9.00am (local time) for the following 

purposes: 

To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions:

ORDINARY BUSINESS:
1. 

To confirm the Minutes of the last General Meeting. 

2. 

To receive and adopt the Report of the Directors, the report of the independent auditor and the accounts for the 

year ended 30 June 2018.

To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 30 June 2018.

To re-elect Mr C Samuel as a Director. 

To re-elect Mr E Stobart as a Director.

To re-elect Mr W McLeland as a Director.

To re-elect Mr D Shillson as a Director

To re-appoint KPMG LLP as auditor of the Company. 

To authorise the Directors to determine the auditor’s remuneration.

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

SPECIAL BUSINESS:
10.  As an Ordinary Resolution: That in substitution for the Company’s existing authority to make market purchases of 

ordinary shares of 10p in the Company (“Ordinary Shares”), the Company be and it is generally and unconditionally 

authorised to make market purchases of Ordinary Shares, provided that: 
(a)  the  maximum  number  of  Ordinary  Shares  hereby  authorised  to  be  purchased  is  13,410,000  (being  the 

equivalent of approximately 14.99% of the issued Ordinary Shares as at the date of this notice); 

(b) the minimum price which may be paid for an Ordinary Share shall be 10p;
(c)  the maximum price (exclusive of expenses payable by the Company) which may be paid for an Ordinary Share 

shall be the higher of:
(i)  105% of the average of the middle market quotations of the Ordinary Shares for the five business days 

prior to the date on which such shares are contracted to be purchased; and 

(ii)  the  higher  of  the  price  of  the  last  independent  trade  and  the  highest  current  independent  bid  on  the 

trading venue where the purchase is carried out;

(d)  such purchases shall be made in accordance with the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda; 
(e) unless renewed, the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting 
to be held in 2019 save that the Company may, prior to such expiry, enter into a contract to purchase Ordinary 

Shares which will or may be completed or executed wholly or partly after the expiration of such authority.

103
103

UIL LimitedNOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

11.  As  a  Special  Resolution:  That,  for  the  purpose  of  Bye-law  4A  of  the  Company’s  Bye-laws,  the  Company  may 

issue Relevant Securities (as defined in the Bye-laws) representing up to 4,474,000 Ordinary Shares, equivalent to 

approximately 5% of the total number of Ordinary Shares in issue as at the date of this notice otherwise than on 

a pre-emptive basis, provided that such disapplication shall expire (unless and to the extent previously revoked, 

varied or renewed by the Company in general meeting by Special Resolution (as defined in the Bye-laws)) at the 

earlier of the conclusion of the annual general meeting to be held in 2019 or 18 months from the date of this 

resolution but so that this power shall enable the Company to make such offers or agreements before such expiry 

which would or might otherwise require Relevant Securities to be issued after such expiry and the Directors may 

issue Relevant Securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if such expiry had not occurred.

By order of the Board  

ICM Limited, Secretary 

14 September 2018

Notes
1.  Only the holders of ordinary shares registered on the register of members of the Company at close of business on 16 November 2018 
shall be entitled to attend and vote or to be represented at the meeting in respect of the ordinary shares registered in their name at 
that time. Changes to entries on the register after close of business on 16 November 2018 shall be disregarded in determining the 
rights of any person to attend and vote at the meeting. 

2.  A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint one or more proxies to attend and vote instead of him/her. A proxy 

need not be a member of the Company. 

3.  If the Chairman, as a result of any proxy appointments, is given discretion as to how the votes are cast and the voting rights in respect 
of those discretionary proxies, when added to the interests in the Company’s securities already held by the Chairman, result in the 
Chairman holding such number of voting rights that he has a notifiable obligation under the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency 
Rules,  the  Chairman  will  make  the  necessary  notifications  to  the  Company  and  the  Financial  Conduct  Authority.  As  a  result,  any 
person holding 5% or more of the voting rights in the Company who grants the Chairman a discretionary proxy in respect of some 
or all of those voting rights and so would otherwise have a notification obligation under the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency 
Rules need not make a separate notification to the Company and the Financial Conduct Authority.

4.  Any such person holding 5% or more of the voting rights in the Company who appoints a person other than the Chairman as his 
proxy will need to ensure that both he and such person complies with their respective disclosure obligations under the Disclosure 
Guidance and Transparency Rules.

5.  A form of proxy is provided with this notice of meeting. The return of a form of proxy will not preclude a member from attending the 
meeting and voting in person if he/she wishes to do so. To be valid, a form of proxy for use at the meeting and the power of attorney 
or other authority (if any) under which it is signed, or a notarially certified or office copy of such power or authority, must be deposited 
with the Company’s registrars, Computershare Investor Services (Bermuda) Limited, c/o The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 
6ZY not later than 4:00 pm (GMT) on 16 November 2018. Shareholders may also lodge their votes electronically by visiting the website 
www.eproxyappointment.com (the on-screen instructions will give details on how to complete the voting process).

In view of this requirement, investors holding ordinary shares in the Company through depository interests should ensure that 
Forms of Instruction are returned to Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS99 6ZY 
not later than 4:00 pm (GMT) on 15 November 2018 or give an instruction via the CREST system as detailed below.

CREST members who wish to vote through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so by using the procedures 
described in the CREST Manual. CREST personal members or other CREST sponsored members, and those CREST members 
who have appointed a voting service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be 
able to take the appropriate action on their behalf.

In  order  for  a  proxy  appointment  or  instruction  made  using  the  CREST  service  to  be  valid,  the  appropriate  CREST  message 
(a  “CREST  Proxy  Instruction”)  must  be  properly  authenticated  in  accordance  with  Euroclear  UK  &  Ireland  Limited’s 
specifications, and must contain the information required for such instruction, as described in the CREST Manual (available via 
www.euroclear.com/CREST). The message, regardless of whether it constitutes the appointment of a proxy or is an amendment 
to the instruction given to a previously appointed proxy must, in order to be valid, be transmitted so as to be received by the 
issuer’s agent (ID 3RA50) by not later than 4:00 pm (GMT) on 15 November 2018. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be 

104
104

UIL LimitedNOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING(continued) Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

taken  to  be  the  time  (as  determined  by  the  timestamp  applied  to  the  message  by  the  CREST  Applications  Host)  from  which 
the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. After this time any 
change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the appointee through other means.

CREST  members  and,  where  applicable,  their  CREST  sponsors,  or  voting  service  providers  should  note  that  Euroclear  UK  & 
Ireland Limited does not make available special procedures in CREST for any particular messages. Normal system timings and 
limitations will, therefore, apply in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST member 
concerned to take (or, if the CREST member is a CREST personal member, or sponsored member, or has appointed a voting 
service provider, to procure that his CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be necessary to 
ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the CREST system by any particular time. In this connection, CREST members 
and,  where  applicable,  their  CREST  sponsors  or  voting  system  providers  are  referred,  in  particular,  to  those  sections  of  the 
CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and timings.

The  Company  may  treat  as  invalid  a  CREST  Proxy  Instruction  in  the  circumstances  set  out  in  Regulation  35(5)(a)  of  the 
Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.

6.  The register of Directors’ holdings is available for inspection at the registered office of the Company during normal business hours 
on any weekday and will be available at the place of the meeting from 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting until 
the conclusion thereof. 

7.  No service contracts exist between the Company and any of the Directors, who hold office in accordance with letters of appointment 
and the Company’s Bye-laws. The letters of appointment are available for inspection on request at the Company’s registered office 
and at the annual general meeting.

8.  The fourth quarterly dividend of 1.875p per ordinary share in respect of the year ended 30 June 2018 will be paid on 21 September 

2018 to the relevant holders on the register at the close of business on 7 September 2018.

105
105

UIL LimitedCOMPANY INFORMATION

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

DIRECTORS
Peter Burrows, AO (Chairman)  
Alison Hill 
Warren McLeland 
Christopher Samuel 
David Shillson 
Eric St C Stobart

LEGAL ADVISOR TO THE COMPANY
(as to English law)

Norton Rose Fulbright LLP 
3 More London Riverside, London SE1 2AQ 
United Kingdom

LEGAL ADVISOR TO THE COMPANY
(as to Bermuda law)

REGISTERED OFFICE
34 Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda 
Company Registration Number: 39480

Appleby (Bermuda) Limited 
Canon’s Court, 22 Victoria Street, Hamilton HM 12 
Bermuda

LEI: 213800CTZ7TEIE7YM468

AIFM AND JOINT PORTFOLIO MANAGER
ICM Investment Management Limited 
PO Box 208, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7YF 
United Kingdom

Telephone number 01372 271486 
Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority

JOINT PORTFOLIO MANAGER AND SECRETARY
ICM Limited 
34 Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda

ASSISTANT SECRETARY
BCB Charter Corporate Services Limited 
34 Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda

ADMINISTRATOR (TO 30 JUNE 2018)
F&C Management Limited (trading as BMO Global Asset 
Management) 
Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2NY 
United Kingdom
Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority

REPORTING ACCOUNTANTS AND  
REGISTERED AUDITOR
KPMG LLP 
15 Canada Square, London E14 5GL, United Kingdom
Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

DEPOSITARY SERVICES PROVIDER
J.P. Morgan Europe Limited 
25 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5JP 
United Kingdom
Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the 
Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority

CUSTODIANS
JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. 
JPMorgan House, Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8QH

Bermuda Commercial Bank Limited 
34 Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda

REGISTRAR
Computershare Investor Services (Bermuda) Limited 
5 Reid Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda 
Telephone 0370 707 4040

ADMINISTRATOR (FROM 1 JULY 2018)
JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. – London Branch 
25 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5JP 
United Kingdom
Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the 
Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority

REGISTRAR TO THE DEPOSITARY INTERESTS  
AND CREST AGENT
Computershare Investor Services PLC 
The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY 
United Kingdom

BROKER
Stockdale Securities Limited 
100 Wood Street, London EC2V 7AN 
United Kingdom
Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority

COMPANY BANKER
Scotiabank Europe PLC 
201 Bishopsgate, 6th Floor, London EC2M 3NS 
United Kingdom

106
106

UIL LimitedCOMPANY INFORMATIONALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

The European Securities and Markets Authority defines an Alternative Performance Measure (“APM”) as being a financial 

measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows, other than a financial measure 

defined or specified in the applicable accounting framework. The Group uses the following APMs:

Discount/Premium – if the share price is lower than the NAV per ordinary share, the shares are trading at a discount. 

Shares trading at a price above NAV per ordinary share are said to be at a premium. As at 30 June 2018 the ordinary 

share price was 174.50p and the net asset value per ordinary share was 291.79p, the discount was therefore 40.2%.

Gearing – represents the excess amount above shareholders’ funds of gross assets less current liabilities expressed 

as a percentage of the shareholders funds.

Bank overdraft

Bank loans

ZDP shares

Total debt

Equity holders' funds

Gearing

2018 
£’000s 

 700 

 27,795 

 199,354 

 227,849 

 261,134 

87.3%

2017 
£’000s 

–

 47,846 

 173,778 

 221,624 

 228,069 

(a)

(b)

97.2% (a)/(b)

NAV per ordinary share – the value of the Group’s net assets divided by the number of ordinary shares in issue (see 

note 23).

NAV/share price total return – the return to shareholders calculated on a per ordinary share basis by adding dividends 

paid in the period to the increase or decrease in the Share Price or NAV in the period. The dividends are assumed to 

have been re-invested in the form of shares or net assets, respectively, on the date on which the dividends were paid. 

2018

30 June 2017

22 September 2017

14 December 2017

23 March 2018

22 June 2018

30 June 2018

Total return

2017

30 June 2016

28 September 2016

21 December 2016

22 March 2017

22 June 2017

30 June 2017

Total return

Dividend rate 
(pence)

NAV 
(pence)

Share price 
(pence)

n/a

1.875

1.875

1.875

1.875

n/a

252.86

267.46

256.62

271.44

280.20

291.79

18.7%

164.00

163.25

158.00

167.50

172.50

174.50

11.3%

Dividend rate 
(pence)

NAV 
(pence)

Share price 
(pence)

n/a

1.875

1.875

1.875

1.875

n/a

241.12

334.25

261.72

276.63

275.66

252.86

7.7%

164.00

187.75

147.50

159.50

164.00

164.00

31.3%

107
107

UIL LimitedReport & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

Annual compound NAV total return since inception – the annual return to shareholders calculated on a per ordinary 

share basis by adding dividends paid in the period and adjusting for the exercise of warrants and Convertible Unsecured 

Loan Stock (“CULS”) in the period to the increase or decrease in the NAV in the period. The dividends are assumed to 

have been re-invested in the form of shares or net assets, respectively, on the date on which the dividends were paid. 

The adjustment for the exercise of warrants and CULS is made on the date the warrants and CULS were exercised.

Annual compound

NAV 13 August 2003 (pence)

Total dividend, warrants and CULS adjustment factor

NAV 30 June 2018 (pence)

Adjusted NAV at 30 June 2018 (pence)

Annual compound NAV total return since inception

99.47

1.93796

291.79

565.48

12.40%

Ongoing charges – all operating costs expected to be regularly incurred and that are payable by the Group or suffered 

within underlying investee funds, expressed as a proportion of the average weekly net asset values of the Group 

(valued in accordance with accounting policies) over the reporting year. The costs of buying and selling investments 

and derivatives are excluded, as are interest costs, taxation, non-recurring costs and the costs of buying back or 

issuing ordinary shares.

Ongoing charges calculation (excluding performance fees)

Management and administration fees

Other expenses

Expenses suffered within underlying funds

Total expenses for ongoing charges calculation

page

69

69

2018 
£’000s 

 1,491 

 1,316 

 2,580 

 5,387 

2017 
£’000s 

 1,656 

 1,205 

 2,575 

 5,436 

Average weekly net asset values of the Group

 243,894 

 260,871 

(a)

(b)

Ongoing Charges

6

2.2%

2.1% (a)/(b)

Ongoing changes calculation (including performance fees)

Management and administration fees

Other expenses

Expenses suffered within underlying funds

Total expenses for ongoing charges calculation

page

69

69

2018 
£’000s 

 6,828 

 1,316 

 2,580 

 10,724 

2017 
£’000s 

 1,656 

 1,205 

 3,970 

 6,831 

Average weekly net asset values of the Group

 243,894 

 260,871 

(c)

(d)

Ongoing Charges

6

4.4%

2.6% (c)/(d)

108
108

UIL LimitedALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES(continued) 
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE 

Report & Accounts for  
the year to 30 June 2018

at 30 June

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013(1)

2012

2011

2010

2009

NAV per ordinary share (pence)

291.79

252.86

241.12

169.00

165.84

148.33

209.67

201.63 166.39

146.87

Ordinary share price (pence)

174.50

164.00

130.75

117.00

128.00

130.00

144.00

147.25 116.50

117.00

Discount/(premium) (%)

40.2

35.1

45.8

30.8

22.8

12.4

31.3

27.0

30.0

20.3

Returns and dividends (pence)

Revenue return per ordinary share

Capital return per ordinary share

Total return per ordinary share

FTSE All-Share Index total return

Dividend per ordinary share

Capital distribution per ordinary share

ZDP shares(3) (pence)

2018 ZDP shares

6.67

38.96

45.63

7,389

7.50

-

6.38

6.23

12.46

68.45

7.84

2.47

7.03

12.06

11.99

7.65

10.49

2.77

19.85

(63.65)

2.73

26.05

21.15

(82.62)

18.84

6,777

7.50

–

74.68

5,737

7.50

–

10.31

26.88

(51.59)

14.72

33.70

31.64

(79.85)

5,614

5,471

4,837

4,101

4,234

3,370

2,782

7.50

7.50 10.00(2)

7.00

8.25

–

–

–

–

–

–

12.00

Capital entitlement per ZDP share

156.78

146.19

136.32

127.09

118.50

110.50

103.03

ZDP share price

2020 ZDP shares

159.50

154.75

147.25

141.75

128.25

113.38

104.00

Capital entitlement per ZDP share

131.52

122.64

114.35

106.61

ZDP share price

2022 ZDP shares

142.50

140.38

130.00

122.38

Capital entitlement per ZDP share

113.01

106.37

100.12

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

–

–

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

124.50

119.50

104.50

103.10

107.50

100.87

102.25

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

488.3

449.7

440.7

373.4

399.1

383.0

434.5

408.7

334.2

288.9

27.8

47.8

24.7

34.4

22.2

42.5

0.0

30.9

29.3

17.0

199.4

173.8

197.4

172.4

212.5

193.4

224.4

172.8

161.2

145.1

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.2

3.5

–

–

261.1

228.1

218.6

166.6

164.4

147.1

208.9

201.5

143.7

126.8

10.6

2.8

1.6

10.7

10.5

11.2

10.4

16.2

15.9

11.9

13.8

2.9

1.8

1.9

1.7

1.8

1.1

2.1

0.9

3.2

0.8

3.0

0.8

2.9

2.0

2.4

1.4

8.5

2.4

2.6

ZDP share price

2024 ZDP shares

Capital entitlement per ZDP share

ZDP share price

2026 ZDP shares

Capital entitlement per ZDP share

ZDP share price

Equity holders’ funds (£m)

Gross assets(4)

Bank debt 

ZDP shares 

Other debt

Equity holders’ funds

Revenue account (£m)

Income

Costs (management and other expenses)

Finance costs

Financial ratios of the Group (%)

Ongoing charges figure(5)

2.2

2.1

3.3

2.0

2.2

1.8

1.7 

2.0

0.7

0.8

Bank debt, other loans and ZDP shares 
gearing on net assets

87.3

97.2

101.6

124.1

144.4

160.4

108.0

102.8

132.6

127.9

Includes the special dividend of 2.50p per share
Issued by UIL Finance, a wholly owned subsidiary of UIL

(1)  Restated on adoption of IFRS10 Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) 
(3) 
(4)  Gross assets less current liabilities excluding loans
(5)  See Alternative Performance Measures on pages 107 and 108

109
109

UIL LimitedHISTORICAL PERFORMANCE8
1
-
N
N
A
/
L
U

I

UK ContactPO Box 208Epsom SurreyKT18 7YFTelephone: 01372 271 486www.uil.limited34 Bermudiana RoadHamiltonHM11Bermuda