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Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC

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FY2012 Annual Report · Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC
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W O R L D W I D E   H E A LT H C A R E  T R U S T   P LC

A N N UA L   R E P O R T   &   F I N A N C I A L   S TAT E M E N TS
F O R  T H E  YE A R   E N D E D   3 1   MA R C H   2 0 1 2

2012

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ACC E S S I N G  T H E   G LO B A L   MA R K E T

The healthcare sector is a global one and accessing this global market as a UK investor can be difficult. Within the UK, there are
diminishing  options  for  investment  as  the  universe  of  healthcare  companies  is  shrinking  through  mergers  and  acquisitions.
Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC offers an opportunity to gain exposure to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and related companies
in the healthcare sector on a global scale.

I N V E S T M E N T   O B J E C T I V E   A N D   P O L I C Y

Worldwide  Healthcare  Trust  PLC  invests in  the  global  healthcare  sector  with  the  objective  of  achieving  a  high  level  of  capital
growth.  In  order  to  achieve  its  investment  objective,  the  Company  invests worldwide in  a  diversified  portfolio  of  shares  in
pharmaceutical  and  biotechnology  companies  and  related  securities in  the  healthcare  sector.  It  uses  gearing  and  derivative
transactions to mitigate risk and also to enhance returns. Further details of the Company’s investment policy are set out in the
Report of the Directors beginning on page 17.

CO N T I N UAT I O N  V OT E

The next continuation vote of the Company shall be held at the Annual General Meeting in 2014, and further opportunities to vote
on the continuation of the Company shall be given to shareholders every five years thereafter.

G E A R I N G

The  Company’s  borrowing  requirements  are  met  through  the  utilisation  of  a  loan  facility,  repayable  on  demand  provided  by
Goldman Sachs & Co. New York. At 31 March 2012 £64.4m was drawn down from this facility.

1
Financial Highlights
2-3
Chairman’s Statement
4
OrbiMed Capital LLC - Investment Manager
5-9
Review of Investments
10
Historic Performance
11
Champions of Innovation
12-14
Portfolio
15
Analysis of the Portfolio
Your Board
16
Report of the Directors (Incorporating the Business Review) 17-25
26
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
27-32
Corporate Governance
32
Shareholder Analysis

Directors’ Remuneration Report
 Independent Auditors’ Report
Income Statement
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders’ Funds
Balance Sheet
Cash Flow Statement
Notes to the Financial Statements
Notice of Annual General Meeting 
How to Invest
Glossary
Company Information

33-34
35-36
37
38
39
40
41-56
57-62
63
64
65

F I N A N C I A L   C A L E N DA R

Financial Year End
Financial Results Announced
Half Year End
Half Year Results Announced
Interim Management Statements Announced
Dividends payable
2012 Annual General Meeting

31 March
May
30 September
November
February/August
January/July
12 noon, Tuesday, 17 July
to be held in the Barber-Surgeon’s Hall,
Monkwell Square, Wood Street,
London EC2Y 5BL

 
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Financial Highlights

Share price (total return)*

Net asset value per share (total return)*

Benchmark index (total return)**

Dividend per share

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01

Year ended Year ended
31 March
2011
-0.9%

31 March
2012
+18.2%

+14.4%

+13.4%

17.5p

+4.0%

+2.5%

15.0p

*Source – Morningstar. 

The net asset value per share has been diluted for subscription shares and treasury shares. 

**With effect from 1 October 2010, the performance of the Company is measured against the MSCI World Health Care Index on a net total return, sterling adjusted basis. Prior
to this date, performance was measured against the Datastream World Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Index (total return, sterling adjusted). The return for the year ended
31 March 2011, therefore, consists of a blended figure containing both indices. (Source: Thomson Reuters and Morningstar).

Details of the Company’s historic performance can be found on page 10.

P E R F O R MA N C E S I N C E   L AU N C H  TO   3 1   MA R C H   2 0 1 2

1200

1100

1000

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800

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600

500

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100

0

Apr
95

Mar
96

Mar
97

Mar
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Mar
99

Mar
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Mar
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Mar
02

Mar
03

Mar
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Mar
05

Mar
06

Mar
07

Mar
08

Mar
09

Mar
10

Mar
11

Mar
12 

WWH Net Asset Value (total return)

WWH Share Price (total return)

Benchmark Index (total return)**

Rebased to 100 as at 28 April 1995

*Source – Morningstar, Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg. 

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02

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Chairman’s Statement

“…the Company’s net asset value per share total return was 14.4% and the share
price total return was 18.2%, both substantially outperforming the Company’s
benchmark…”

R E V I E W   O F  T H E
YE A R   A N D
P E R F O R MA N C E

Having reported a slightly negative
net  asset  value  per  share  total
return over the first half of the year, I
am delighted to report that returns
in  the  second  half  have  shown  a
significant improvement.

Martin Smith

Overall, during the year ended 31 March 2012, the Company’s
net asset value per share total return was 14.4% and the share
price total return was 18.2%, both substantially outperforming
the Company’s benchmark, the MSCI World Health Care Index
on a total return, sterling adjusted basis, which rose by 13.4%.
Since the Company’s inception in 1995, the total return of the
Company’s net asset value per share is 858.2%, equivalent to a
compound  annual  return  of  14.3%.  This  compares  to  a
cumulative “blended”  benchmark  return  of  428.1%,  equivalent
to a compound annual return of 10.3% over the same period.

At 31 March 2012, the discount of the Company’s share price to
the diluted net asset value was 8.7% (31 March 2011: 11.3%). The
average  discount  of  the  share  price  to  the  diluted  net  asset
value per share during the year was 7.1% this compares to 7.6%
during the previous year.

The  Company  has  continued  to  benefit 
from  strong
performance  from  emerging  biotechnology  companies,  the
release  of  important  positive  product  data  and  merger  and
acquisition activity in the healthcare sector. Further information
on the Company’s investments can be found in the Review of
Investments beginning on page 5.

C A P I TA L

In implementing our policy of actively managing the share price
discount we repurchased a total of 908,586 ordinary shares for
treasury at a cost of £6.9m (including expenses) during the year.
In  addition,  238,125  subscription  shares  were  repurchased  for
cancellation  at  a  cost  of  £294,000  (including  expenses).  As
mentioned above, the average discount during the year of the

Company’s share price to the diluted net asset value per share
was 7.1%, slightly wider than the stated target of 6%. As we have
previously highlighted it remains possible for the discount to be
greater than 6% at times as the share price reflects the overall
balance between supply and demand for the Company’s shares
in the secondary market. The volatility of the net asset value per
share in an asset class such as healthcare is another factor over
which  we  have  no  control however,  the  Board  remains  fully
committed  to  a  discount  protection  through  an  active  share
buy-back  programme.  Shareholder  approval  to  renew  the
authority  to  buy-back  shares  will  be  sought  at  the  Annual
General  Meeting.  The  execution  and  timing  of  any  share
buy-back  will  continue  to  be  at  the  absolute  discretion  of  the
Board.

I would like to remind shareholders that the Board has resolved
that any shares held in treasury will be cancelled on the date of
the  Annual  General  Meeting  each  year  and  consequently  all
shares held in treasury on 17 July 2012 will be cancelled. 

The next exercise date for the Company’s subscription shares is
31  July  2012  and  the  exercise  price  is  638p.  This  is  the  last
opportunity for holders of subscription shares to exercise their
subscription  rights  at  this  price  as,  after  this  date,  the  exercise
price will increase to 699p where it will remain until the expiry
date of the subscription shares on 31 July 2014. During the year
and  to  the  date  of  this  report  a  total  of  3,061,723  new  shares
were  issued,  raising  £19.5m  of  additional  funds  for  the
Company, as a result of holders of subscription shares exercising
their subscription rights.

R E V E N U E   A N D   D I V I D E N D

I reported last year that the Company’s net revenue return had
been boosted by a higher yield from a number of investments
within the portfolio. I am pleased to report that this has again
been the case this year with our net revenue return for the year
rising  to  £9.5  million  (2011:  £7.2  million).  In  order  to  maintain
investment  trust  status  the  Board  has  declared  an  interim
dividend  of  17.5p  per  share,  compared  to  last  year’s  interim
dividend of 15.0p per share, an increase of 16.7%. It is the Board’s
intention  to  maintain  this  level  of  distribution  as  long  as  the

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03

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yield  from  the  portfolio  permits  us  to  do  so.  Based  on  the
current mid-market share  price  of  769p  the  interim  dividend
represents a yield of 2.3%. 

The interim dividend will be payable on 6 July 2012 to ordinary
shareholders  on  the  register  of  members  on  8  June  2012. The
associated ex-dividend date will be 6 June 2012.

In light of the increase in the Company’s net revenue the Board
has given consideration to the frequency of dividends paid to
shareholders. It has been decided that in future the Company
will declare two interim dividends per year, one at the half-year
stage and one shortly after the year-end. It is therefore expected
that in respect of the year ending 31 March 2013 a first interim
dividend  will  be  declared  in  November  2012  and  a  second
interim dividend will be declared in May 2013. 

G E A R I N G
The Company’s borrowing requirements are met through a loan
facility, negotiated on competitive terms, which is repayable on
demand, provided by the custodian Goldman Sachs & Co New
York. As at 31 March 2012 a total of £64.4m of this facility was
drawn down, representing 16.4% of the Company’s net assets.
Your  Company  has  used  a  modest  level  of  gearing  over  a
number of years and the Board believes that the availability of a
meaningful  gearing  facility  is  very  useful  for  a  closed  end
investment company such as ours.

T H E   B OA R D
Professor  Duncan  Geddes,  who  has  been  a  Director  of  the
Company since its launch in 1995, will be retiring from the Board
at  the  conclusion  of  this  year’s  Annual  General  Meeting.
Duncan’s  knowledge  and  experience  have  been  an  essential
part of your Board’s deliberations and I would like to thank him
for his hard work during his time on the Board. His experience
and wise counsel will be greatly missed. Anthony Townsend will
be succeeding him as the Senior Independent Director. 

Your  Board  is  currently  in  discussions  with  external  advisers
concerning the appointment of a successor.

O U T LO O K
We  continue  to experience  difficult  and  volatile  markets  and
after two  successive  quarters  of  negative  growth  the  U.K.  is
officially in a  “double dip” recession. There is also doubt about
the  health  of  the  U.S.  economy  and  the  sustainability  of  its
recovery.  Further  uncertainty  exists  in  Europe  where  in  recent
elections the first socialist president for 30 years was elected in
France and in Greece no clear result was obtained, prompting
the  need  for  a  further  election  in  the  summer.  The  recent
banking problems in Spain have also contributed to the doubts
over the future of the euro.

Our Investment Manager believes, however, that the outlook for
the healthcare sector is positive and that there is potential for
strong  performance  both  in  relative  and  absolute  terms.  In
particular,  they  believe  that  the  portfolio  is  well  positioned  to
benefit from such factors as historically low valuations, a rise in
the  prospects  for  emerging  markets  and  increased  levels  of
productivity driven by research and development.

Our focus continues to be on the selection of stocks with strong
prospects  and  we  continue  to  believe  that  the  long  term
investor in our sector will be well rewarded.

A N N UA L   G E N E R A L   M E E T I N G
The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the
Barber-Surgeons’  Hall,  Monkwell  Square,  Wood  Street,  London
EC2Y 5BL on Tuesday, 17 July 2012 at 12 noon, and we hope as
many  shareholders  as  possible  will  attend.  This  will  be  an
opportunity  to  meet  the  Board  and  to  receive  a  presentation
from our Investment Manager.

Martin Smith

Chairman
1 June 2012  

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04

OrbiMed Capital LLC – Investment Manager

OrbiMed  has  managed  the portfolio  since  the  Company’s
launch in 1995, and the many awards won by the Company over
the years are a testament to the strength and talent harnessed
by the OrbiMed team.

OrbiMed  had approximately  US$6 billion  in  assets  under
management  as  at  31 March  2012,  across  a  range  of  funds,
including  investment  trusts,  hedge  funds  and private  equity
funds.  OrbiMed’s  investment  management  activities  were
founded in 1989 by Samuel D. Isaly.

OrbiMed  emphasises  investments  in  companies  with  under-
appreciated products in the pipeline, high quality management
teams and adequate financial resources.

A disciplined portfolio construction process is utilised to ensure
that  the  portfolio  is  focused  on 60 to 70 “high  conviction”
positions.

Finally,  the  portfolio  is  subject  to  a  rigorous  risk  management
process to moderate portfolio volatility.

T H E  T E A M  
OrbiMed’s  investment  team,  headed  up  by  Samuel  D.
Isaly,
includes  over 30  experienced  professionals  with  expertise  in
science,  medicine,  finance  and  law,  many  of  whom  have
advanced  degrees  and  broad  experience  in  science  and
medicine. Collectively, the team currently serves on the boards
of over 25 biotechnology and healthcare companies.

With  a  coverage  universe  of  over  750  public  companies,
OrbiMed’s  professionals  maintain  an  exceptional  level  of
research  intensity.  The  team  has  a  demonstrated  record  of
investing  successfully  across  market  cycles  in  both  public  and
private companies.

I N V E S T M E N T   S T R AT E G Y   A N D
P R O C E S S
‘Bottom-up’ fundamental research provides the investment thesis
for  all  positions.  In  addition  to  meeting  frequently  with  industry
executives and  healthcare  practitioners,  OrbiMed  attends  many
major  medical  conferences  worldwide.  Portfolio  positions  are
discussed  and  selected  during  daily  portfolio  management
meetings.  OrbiMed  invests  with  a  worldwide  perspective,
selecting ideas from across all major geographical markets.

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Review of Investments 

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05

“Our confidence in the potential performance of the healthcare sector is high…
Conditions are ripe for both positive absolute and relative performance.”

P E R F O R MA N C E   R E V I E W

The fiscal year ended 31 March, 2012
was  one  of  volatility  and ultimately
modest returns for the global equity
markets.  This  is evidenced  by  the
MSCI World Index, which experienced
slight  declines  early  in  the  year  that
were followed by a sharp drop in the
summer months of July and August.
This  fall  presaged  a  market  rally  into
the year end, with the index posting a
total return of 1.0% in sterling terms.

Samuel D. Isaly

Global  healthcare  equities  followed  a  similar  pattern  but
unequivocally  outperformed  the  broader  market  in  the  year.
Healthcare stocks also saw a fiscal year end rally, but to a greater
and more sustained magnitude, ending on new highs. The total
return for the MSCI World Healthcare Index was 13.4% in sterling
terms for the year.

In comparison, the total return of the Company’s net asset value
per share was14.4% for the year. The share price total return was
18.2% in the same period. 

Since the Company’s inception in 1995, the total return of the
Company’s  net  asset  value  per  share  measures  858.2%,
equivalent  to  a  compound  annual  return  of  14.3%,  this
compares  to  a  cumulative  blended  benchmark  return  of
428.1%, equivalent to a compound annual return of 10.3%.

While currency movements have been volatile in recent times,
including swings in 2011, the currency impact was modest this
fiscal  year. A  significant  majority  of  the  portfolio  holdings  are
denominated in U.S. dollars, but the net movement in sterling
versus the dollar was close to zero in the period.

CO N T R I B U T I O N  TO   P E R F O R MA N C E

Emerging biotechnology companies over the past decade have
become  critical  providers  of  clinical  innovation  and  drug
discovery for the pharmaceutical industry. The top contributors
to  the  Company’s  performance  are  certainly  reflective  of  this
trend.  Medivation  Inc.  of  San  Francisco,  California  is  a  typical
example of this. The stock soared in response to phase III data
unveiled  by  the  company  for  their  novel  oral  therapy  for  the
treatment  of  prostate  cancer. The  compound  was  licensed  to
and is being co-developed by Astellas Pharma Inc. During the
fiscal period, Medivation rose by approximately 300% with the
share price moving to $74.72 at 31 March 2012 from $18.64 at
31 March 2011; this was the top contributor to the Company’s
net asset value total return (see page 9).

VIVUS  Inc.,  another  emerging  biopharmaceutical  company,
enjoyed some regulatory success in their pursuit to bring a drug
for  obesity  to  the  market.  The  stock  more  than doubled in
response to a positive recommendation for approval by a panel
convened by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). We
expect approval in 2012. The company also possesses pipeline
assets  that  help  support  its  valuation,  most  notably  in  erectile
dysfunction.

The viral disease of hepatitis C (“HCV”) is highly prevalent and is
a burden to healthcare systems on a worldwide basis. The past
5 years have shown incredible advances in the treatment of this
chronic  disease. Pharmasset  Inc.  became  a  leader  in  the  next
wave  of  therapies  for  HCV. Their  lead  compound,  GS-7977,
became a desired asset in the race for the next standard of care
and  a  bidding  war  ensued. Pharmasset  was  the  next  largest
contributor in the period, specifically in the form of merger and
acquisition (“M&A”) activity. Gilead Sciences Inc.’s U.S. $11 billion
purchase  of  Pharmasset  Inc.,  represented  nearly  a  100%
premium  to  the  previous  close  and  was  a  record  high  in  the
industry for an acquisition of a company with no revenues and
a lead asset in phase II clinical development. Pharmasset’s shares
ceased  trading  on  18  January  2012  at  U.S.  $136.97  which
represented a 248% increase during the Company’s fiscal year. 

Roche  Holding  AG  remains  an  important  holding  and  was
another  top  contributor  to  performance  in  the  fiscal  year. The
stock  rebounded  from  a  difficult  year  in  2010, in  which news
flow was decidedly negative, and rose by a further 20% in local
currency terms during the Company’s fiscal year. Nevertheless,
we  viewed  the  stock  as  oversold  and  our  patience  was
rewarded in 2011. The company remains the worldwide leader
in oncology and their cancer pipeline consists of important late
stage  products  whose  visibility  should  continue  to  grow  and
provide  a  defence  against  potential “bio-similars”. This  should
foster a critical life cycle strategy for the company’s respective
cancer franchises. Not to be overlooked is the company’s efforts
to broaden the scope of the therapeutic categories in which it
sells drugs, in particular cardiovascular disease. Roche has some
high-risk, high-reward compounds in development that should
bear fruit over the next two years.

Alzheimer’s  disease  represents  a  major  unmet  medical  need
and the commercial potential of a truly disease modifying agent
is  huge. Thus,  it  is  no  surprise  that  a  company  geared  to  the
pursuit  of  a  new  therapy  was  a  top  contributor  in  the  period.
Elan  Corporation  plc,  in  conjunction  with  Johnson  &  Johnson
and  Pfizer, 
is  nearing  the  completion  of  a  multi-year
development  programme  for  an  antibody  to  treat  this  brain
in
disorder. The  stock  enjoyed  enormous  momentum 
anticipation of the results, expected in 2012.

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Review of Investments (continued)

We  would  be  remiss  not  to  mention  the  contribution  of
Bristol-Myers  Squibb  to  performance. The  company  was  the
best  performing  large  capitalisation  holding  in  2011  as  its
industry  leading  pipeline  moves  through  regulators  and  onto
the  commercial  market. We  expect  this  to  continue  as  the
company  has  been  able  to  demonstrate  research  and
development (“R&D”) leadership in diabetes, oncology, virology,
and cardiovascular medicine, just to name a few. The stock was
a key contributor to outperformance versus the benchmark in
the fiscal year.

Key detractors from performance were diverse in the fiscal year,
both  in  terms  of  sub-sector  and  geography. Human  Genome
Sciences  Inc.,  an  emerging  biotechnology  company,  was  the
largest detractor from performance in the period. The company,
in  conjunction  with  GlaxoSmithKline,
launched  the  first  new
drug  for  the  treatment  of lupus  in  decades  in  March  2011.
Expectations were appropriately high for the novel compound,
known as Benlysta (belimumab). However, the sales of the drug
in its first year fell short of these lofty expectations and the drug
sold off. We feel the sell off was excessive and that the company
is  currently  undervalued  given  the  remaining  opportunity  for
Benlysta and other compounds in Human Genome’s pipeline.

leader 

in  generic 

injectable  drugs  and 

Hospira,  Inc.  is  a  specialty  pharmaceutical  company  that  is  a
infusion
world 
technologies. The  stock  performed  poorly  during  the  year  as
manufacturing  issues  affecting  both  its  drug  and  device
operations  forced  management  to  reduce  its  growth  outlook.
Although  the  company’s  shares  have  partially  recovered  from
their  December  2011  lows,  we  found  the  stock’s  risk-reward
profile unattractive. As a result, we exited the position. 

The  mid-tier  Japanese  pharmaceutical  company,  Mitsubishi
Tanabe Pharma Corp., was besieged by bad news this year. Of
course, there was the lingering impact of the great East Japan
earthquake  and  subsequent  tsunami,  although  the  stock
rebounded  nicely  from  that  sell off.  Two  other  unexpected
events  occurred  and  their  impacts  have  been  more  enduring.
First,  Japanese  regulators,  who  are  responsible  for  setting  all
pharmaceutical  prices  in  that  country,  priced  the  company’s
innovative new HCV treatment, Telavic (telaprevir, licensed from
In  fact,  the  set  price  is
Vertex),  well  below  expectations.
approximately  70%  of  the  price  payable  in  the  United  States.
Second, a safety scare for the company’s multiple sclerosis drug,
Gilenya (fingolimod, licensed to Novartis), prompted another fall
in  share  price.  We  believe  the  valuation  dropped  to  a
compelling  level  that  overly  discounted  the  prospects  for

Gilenya  and  we  added  to  our  position  on  the  dip. We  expect
Gilenya to reach blockbuster status in 2012.

Illumina,  Inc.  is  a  leading  developer  of  next-generation
sequencing  instruments  in  a  fast  growing  applied  genomics
research  market. Illumina’  s  stock  underperformed  the  general
market during second half of the calendar year 2011 as its key
end-markets in academia and government funded research labs
deteriorated  due  to  concerns  arising  from  the  federal  debt
ceiling  and  the  ensuing  budget  cuts. The  failure  of  the  Joint
Super  Committee  (“JSC”)  enacted  a  mandatory  cut  in  federal
spending for 2013, known as sequestration, potentially cutting
2013  budget  by  as  much  as  8%  to  the  National  Institute  of
Health (“NIH”) which funds academic research end market. We
exited  the  position  in  Illumina  after  a  lacklustre third  quarter
results pre-announcement  due  to  limited  visibility  and  the
continued  debate  around  budgetary  sequestration  planned
for 2013.

the 

fiscal  year  due 

Sinopharm  Group  Co. is  the  largest  drug  distributor  in  China.
The  shares  declined  during 
to
government-mandated price cuts on drugs, restrictions on the
use  of  antibiotics  in  hospitals,  cash  flow  challenges  in  the
business, and diminished ability of Sinopharm to acquire smaller
distributors  at  compelling  prices. We  believe  that  Chinese
healthcare  policies  will  continue  to  act  as  headwinds  to
Sinopharm’s business in the near-term.

S E C TO R   U P DAT E

the 

We  believe  therapeutic  stocks  rose  due  to  two  important
observations – R&D productivity has been on an upswing and
more new products are being approved. As a metric, we look to
the FDA approvals record. 2011 was the best year for approvals
lacklustre approval
since  2004,  easily  surpassing 
performance  of  2010. A  total  of  30  “new  chemical  entities”
(including  biologics)  were  approved  in  2011,  nine  more  than
those  approved  in  2010  (source:  Washington  Analysis). We
expect  this  trend  to  continue.  The  start  of  2012  (January
through  March)  saw  a  continuation  of  this  trend  as  approval
numbers are once again up on a year-over-year basis. Certainly
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are doing their
part  with  new  product  applications,  but  the  recent  trend  also
reflects  the  increasing  “industry  friendliness”  we  have  been
observing  at  the  FDA.  This  includes  an  increase  in  priority
reviews, approvals in the absence of advisory committees, and a
willingness to extend deadlines to get a drug approved (rather
than  simply  rejecting  it  to  ensure  a  deadline  “was  met”).

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Review of Investments (continued) 

07

Moreover, 2012 may bring the approval of a drug for obesity –
which we would hail as a watershed moment for the FDA, the
industry, and patients.

M&A  is  a  constant  theme  in  the  therapeutics  space and,
although there can be some ebbs and flows, we believe we are
approaching another  inflection  point  of  M&A  activity. The
market  downturn  witnessed  in  mid-2008  eventually  led  to  a
bout of acquisition activity as acquirers took advantage of lower
valuations. The market downturn starting in mid-2011 may lead
to  another bout of  acquisition  activity. There  is  evidence  to
suggest  that  this  is  happening  as  a  number  of  M&A  plays
occurred in late 2011 including Pharmasset (by Gilead), Inhibitex
(by Bristol-Myers Squibb), and Adolor (by Cubist) just to name
a few.

2012  represents  a  pivotal  political  year  for  the  U.S.  healthcare
landscape. In  addition  to  being  an  election  year,  the  Supreme
Court of the United States will be ruling on President Obama’s
sweeping healthcare reforms, and Congress will need to address
budgetary  and  debt  ceiling  concerns. The  Supreme  Court’s
decision in June will determine whether the Affordable Care Act
(“ACA”) will stand or be repealed. If the whole act is repealed, the
Managed  Care  industry  will  be  the  subsector  that  is  most
positively affected while hospital companies will be hurt. If the
ACA  is  upheld,  the  reforms  will  continue  as  planned  with
Medical Device taxes being levied in 2013 and Health Insurance
Market reforms beginning in 2014. The next political catalyst will
be the elections in November. If the Republicans are able to win
both the White House and a majority in the Senate, they may try
to repeal ACA by defunding its programs. Lastly, Congress has
been able thus far to delay its implementation as it relates to the
national debt and budgetary issues. However, they may decide
to enact broad budget cuts and sequestration which may put all
government  funded healthcare  programs  at  risk  (Medicaid,
Medicare, and NIH).

P H A R MAC E U T I C A L S

Recently we have grown more bullish on the large capitalisation
pharmaceutical  stocks.  The  calendar-year  end  rally  in  2011
proved to be a flight-to-safety for the generalist investor rather
than a fundamental rotation into these stocks.

However,  the  much  discussed  patent  cliff  will  reach  its
maximum extent in 2012 with the genericisation of some of the
largest  pharmaceutical  brands  in  history,  including  Lipitor
(Pfizer),  Plavix  (Bristol-Myers  Squibb  and  Sanofi),  Zyprexa

(Eli Lilly),  and  Diovan  (Novartis). On  the  anniversary  of these
patent expirations the growth outlook becomes more clear and
positive for the industry, attracting growth investors who have
avoided the space for years.

We also believe R&D productivity, coupled with a more industry
friendly  FDA,  will  continue  to  produce  new  product  flow  and
drug launches that will be above the pace seen in the previous
decade. This  should  also  add  to  the  earnings  growth  in  2013
and beyond.

Emerging markets have finally reached critical mass for the large
capitalisation pharmaceutical  companies. With  revenues  from
emerging  markets  reaching  up  to  30%  of  total  sales  for  some
companies  and  a  growth  outlook  decidedly  above  developed
markets, this creates a new growth driver the sector.

Finally,  valuations  remain  near  the  low  end  of  the  historical
range  for  pharmaceuticals. And  while  these  stocks  have  been
cheap  for  some  time,  the  improvement  in  fundamentals  and
the  return  to  growth  certainly  portends  the  possibility  of
significant multiple expansion.

That said, we continue to be selective in the space. We remain
focused  on  companies  with  pipeline  opportunities,  new
product  flow,  and  catalyst  rich. Additionally,  we  will pursue
contrarian  ideas. Valuation,  dividends  and  potential  M&A will
also be considered.

B I OT E C H N O LO G Y

A number of the large capitalisation biotechnology stocks have
become  catalyst  driven  growth  stories,  in  particular  pipeline
related catalysts. This will be our focus for 2012. In the small and
mid-capitalisation  biotechnology  space,  we  will  continue  to
focus  on “hot”  therapeutic  classes  where  significant  advances
should  drive  stock  performance  including  HCV,  oncology
(mainly  prostate  cancer  and  liquid  tumors),  orphan  diseases,
multiple  sclerosis,  and  Alzheimer’s  disease.  Certainly  we
continue to expect acquisitions in the emerging biotechnology
space as well. Finally we note that several product launches fell
short  of  expectations  in  2011  which  engendered  a  negative
attitude amongst investors. We see a contrarian opportunity in
stocks that we believe will exceed launch expectations.

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08

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Review of Investments (continued)

S P E C I A LT Y   P H A R MAC E U T I C A L S

in 

strategy 

specialty  pharmaceuticals 

Our 
remains
multi-pronged  given  the  inherent  heterogeneity  of  this
sub-sector. First,  we  search  for  high  growth  companies  with
attractive,  growth  adjusted  valuations. Second,  we  consider
stocks  with  rock  bottom  valuations  with  underappreciated
business opportunities that are often contrarian ideas. Third, we
look, ex-U.S., on  a  highly  selective  basis  as  we  await  improved
fundamentals  and  more  attractive  valuations  considering  the
significant  pricing  headwinds  across  European  markets  owing
to sever austerity measures that have occurred. Finally, M&A is a
consideration  as  we  look  for  companies  that  are  themselves
potential acquisition targets.

G E N E R I C S

The  generic  drug  manufactures  face  a  mixed  landscape,
particularly on a global basis. Like their specialty pharmaceutical
brethren, European austerity has adversely impacted this group.
Additionally,  increased  regulatory  scrutiny,  especially  on
manufacturing, has affected many players. Continual changes in
reimbursement create uncertainty, a dynamic shunned by the
generalist investor. The role of the pure play generic drug maker
in  the  U.S.  is  becoming  a  more  and  more  difficult  business
model  to  sustain. However,  there  are  many  tailwinds  for  this
sector as well. Patent expirations for branded products reaches
its zenith in 2012 and is a boon for companies exposed to the
U.S.  market.  In  the  U.S.,  we  prefer  small/mid-sized  generic
players with emerging branded franchises who can seize both
near  term  opportunities  but  also  sustain  long  term  growth.
Japan possesses the fastest growing generic drug market in the
world and 2012 promises to be the most dynamic in history. In
India,  we  prefer  companies  with  geographic  and  product
diversification with strong management teams in place.

M E D I C A L   D E V I C E S

We remain cautious on the medical device sector, an industry
that  has  underperformed  due  to  multi-year  head  winds.
Innovation  and  pricing  go  hand-in-hand  and  this  sector  has
been  devoid  of  both. Uncertain  economic  times  have  lead  to
lower utilisation and decreased demand, clearly a headwind for
these  companies. An  inflection  is  possible  if  not  inevitable,  so
we continuously monitor utilisation trends across the healthcare
space. These  metrics  are  critical  in  considering  the  large
and
capitalisation  medical  device 

stocks.

small

For 

mid-capitalisation companies, we look for undervalued quality
and misunderstood product cycles that allow for opportunistic
buys.

H E A LT H C A R E   S E R V I C E S

It is a fascinating time for the managed care players in the U.S.,
the  so-called  “HMOs”  or  Health  Maintenance  Organisations.
Privatisation  of  Medicare/Medicaid/Dual  eligibles  is  an  area  of
growth  as  stretched  government  budgets  encourage  shifting
these individuals to a managed care platform. The HMOs have
been  able  to  maintain  premiums  by  assuming  a  recovery  in
utilisation, however this is unlikely to recover until the broader
macro  and  employment  environment  improves. Uncertainty
around  the  upcoming  Supreme  Court  ruling  and  eventual
“ObamaCare” implementation continues to weigh on the sector.
But with attractive valuations and a resolution expected in 2012
for the above, we are positive on the group.

L I F E   S C I E N C E  TO O L S   A N D
D I AG N O S T I C S

We  are  bullish  on  the  life  science tools  and  diagnostics
sub-sectors  as  we  enter  2012. The  sector  should  continue  its
rebound from the depressed valuation levels seen in the second
half  of  2011  as the uncertainty over  the  academic  budget
receeds  with  the  emergence  of news-flow supporting  a  less
draconian cut to the NIH budget. The political will to support a
well-funded  academic  research  environment  is  strong  as  we
head into the general election cycle in November.

On  a  micro  level,  specialty  capitalisation diagnostic  names
continue  to  attract  attention  as  we  continue  to  overweight
assets with new product launch stories that are also viewed as
attractive acquisition targets. We remain positive on stories with
transformative  products  as  wide  ranging  as  sophisticated
cancer  diagnostics 
to  use
over-the-counter tests for home use. We also remain optimistic
the
but  cautious
next-generation-sequencing  market. There  is  the  prospect  of
sequencing a human genome for U.S.$1,000 later in 2012.

stocks  with 

to  simple 

the  clinic 

leverage 

about

to 

in 

E M E R G I N G   MA R K E TS

The  2011  sell off
in emerging  market  stocks  created  an
opportunity for bold purchases. Thus, the portfolio’s holdings in
emerging  markets  substantially  increased  during  the  year. The
weighting here to direct holdings has increased from under 4%

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Review of Investments (continued) 

09

O U R   G A M E   P L A N   F O R   2 0 1 2   A N D
B E YO N D

Our confidence in the potential performance in the healthcare
sector is  high. The  beginning  of  the  2012  calendar  year  was
perhaps a preview of things to come. Fundamentals continue to
improve and valuations remain on the low end of historic levels.
Conditions  are  ripe  for  both  positive  absolute  and  relative
performance.

at  the  end  of  fiscal  year  2010  to  more  than  doubling  that
exposure  during  2011. The  diversity  of  holdings  has  also
increased  dramatically,  from  two  positions  to  nine  that  span
numerous  healthcare  subsectors. Second,  the  portfolio  gains
indirect exposure to emerging markets through our global large
capitalisation  holdings,  in  particular  pharmaceutical  stocks,  in
which  emerging  market  sales  can  range  up  to  30%  of  total
revenues for those companies. For the period ended the 2011
fiscal year, we estimate that this contributed an additional 5% of
exposure.

Nevertheless,  our  geographic  exposure  continues  to  place
significant  emphasis  on  our  holdings  in  North  America,  with
over  65%  of  the  portfolio  in  that  region. The  balance  of  our
exposure resides in Europe (which has increased to above 20%),
Asia and emerging markets (approaching 15%).

Samuel D. Isaly
OrbiMed Capital LLC
Investment Manager
1 June 2012

CO N T R I B U T I O N   BY   I N V E S T M E N T   –   E XC LU D I N G D E R I VAT I V E S

Principal contributors to and detractors from net asset value performance over the year to 31 March 2012

Top Five Contributors

Medivation
VIVUS
Pharmasset
Roche Holding
Elan Corporation

Top Five Detractors

Human Genome Sciences
Hospira
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation
Illumina
Sinopharm

Contribution
for the year to
31 March 2012
£’000

Contribution
per share
(pence)*

7,258
7,128
6,273
3,686
3,425

(3,478)
(2,336)
(2,330)
(2,242)
(2,175)

16.74
16.44
14.47
8.50 
7.90 
64.05

(8.02)
(5.39)
(5.37)
(5.17)
(5.02)
(28.97)

*based on the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year ended 31 March 2012 (43,362,962).
Source: Frostrow Capital LLP

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10

Historic Performance

31 March
2007

31 March
2008

31 March
2009

31 March
2010

31 March
2011

31 March
2012

Net asset value per share – diluted

(dilution for warrants/subscription shares)

511.2p  482.4p 

600.5p

752.7p

773.5p

871.0p

Net asset value per share – basic 

520.9p  486.6p 

635.9p

780.8p

799.2p

909.4p

Share price 

477.8p  457.0p 

550.5p

701.5p

686.0p

795.0p

Warrant/subscription share price

106p

27.50p

62p

98p

84.5p

133.5p

% Change 
for the 
year ended
31 March
2012

+12.6

+13.8

+15.9

+58.0

Discount of share price to diluted

net asset value per share

Average month end discount of

share price to diluted net asset value 
per share

Gearing ^

Ongoing charges †

Ongoing charges (including performance 
fees crystallised during the period)†

(6.5%) 

(5.3%) 

(8.3%) 

(6.8%) 

(11.3%) 

(8.7%)

n/a

(3.1%)

(6.4%)

(7.5%)

(7.1%)

(7.6%)

5.7%

1.3% 

1.8%

15.3%

10.4%

13.3%

1.3% 

1.2%

1.0%

1.0%

(7.1%)

16.4%

1.1%

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.3%

1.3%

1.2%

1.0%

1.8%

1.3%

n/a

^Calculated using the Association of Investment Companies definition (prior charges as a percentage of average net assets).
†See glossary on page 64.

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Champions of Innovation

I N D U S T RY   L E A D I N G   I N V E S T M E N TS   I N  T H E P O R T F O L I O D U R I N G  T H E  YE A R

11

1) M E D I VAT I O N   I N C .
Medivation Inc. of San Francisco, California is a typical example of
a small “biopharmaceutical” company that rose to prominence in
late 2011 on the heels of a single compound. The company, with
just  over  100  employees,  released  data  for  their 
lead
investigational  compound,  enzalutamide  (MDV3100),  the  first
oral androgen receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSI) in development
for the treatment of early-stage and advanced prostate cancer.
The data was spectacular and promises to change the treatment
of  this  highly  prevalent  disease. The  stock  has  more  than
quadrupled  since  the  first phase  III  data  release  in  November
2011. It is this type of opportunity that we strive to identify.

3 ) E X P R E S S   S C R I P TS   H O L D I N G

CO M PA NY  

Express  Scripts  is  the  largest  full  service  pharmacy  benefit
management  and  specialty  managed  care  company. The
company  processes  and  pays  prescription  drug  claims  for
customers 
like  managed  care  companies,  third  party
administrators,  and  employers.  With  the  recent  acquisition  of
competitor Medco Health Solutions and a management team
with  deep  business  integration  experience,  Express  Scripts
should  have  good  visibility  into  driving  significant  integration
synergies  and  greater  percentage  of  generics  dispensed
through mail. As we move through 2012 to 2014, Express Scripts
should  also  benefit  from  large  generic  opportunities  to  drive
operating  profitability. The  company’s business  has  a  high
return on equity exceeding 25%.

2) V I V U S   I N C .
Another  small  biopharmaceutical  company  with  a  blockbuster
opportunity is VIVUS, Inc. Also based in California, the company
has long pursued the development of a drug for the treatment of
obesity,  often  considered  the  “Holy  Grail”  of  pharmaceutical
indications commercially but also regarded as the “graveyard” of
indications from a regulatory perspective. Undaunted by previous
failure, VIVUS is on the verge of launching the first new treatment
for  obesity  to  be  approved  in  over  a  decade. The  stock  rose  to
prominence  in  February  2012  when  a  U.S.  Food  and  Drug
Administration  panel  of  experts  nearly  unanimously
recommended  the  approval  of  Qnexa  (phentermine  and
topiramate). We  anticipate  final  approval  in  2012  and  expect
Qnexa to be the biggest drug launch of the year.

4) BRISTOL-MYERS  SQUIBB
We  have  viewed  Bristol-Myers  Squibb  as  a  Champion  of
Innovation in the past. The company has not rested on its laurels
and  continues  to  be  one  of  the  leading  research  and
development organisations  amongst  global  pharmaceutical
companies. Yervoy  (ipilimumab)  for  metastatic  melanoma  was
successfully launched in 2011 with a trajectory that is indicative
of  a  blockbuster.  Eliquis  (apixaban)  is  a  best-in-class  blood
thinning  compound  for  stroke  prevention  that  will  launch  in
2012. Dapagliflozin,  a 
first-in-class  compound  diabetes
compound has been filed with regulatory authorities in U.S. and
Europe.  Declatisvir  and  INX-189  combined  represent  the  next
wave  of  all-oral  therapy  for  the  treatment  of hepatitis  C. The
company’s  PD-1 
represent
paradigm-shifting  immunotherapy  for  oncology. Finally,  the
in
company  has  mid-stage  development  opportunities 
Alzheimer’s disease. The company’s new drug pipeline remains
unparalleled in comparison to its peers.

antibody  platform  may 

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12

Portfolio

as at 31 March 2012

Investments

Pfizer

Roche 

Novartis

Sanofi-Aventis

Merck & Co.

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma

Abbott Laboratories

Gilead Sciences

United Health
Watson Pharmaceuticals

Top 10 Investments

Life Technologies

Allergan

Wellpoint

Incyte Corp +

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Dendreon Λ

GlaxoSmithKline

Aetna

Elan~
Baxter International

Top 20 Investments

Humana

Medtronic

Warner Chilcott

Sawai Pharmaceutical

Shire

Medco Health Solutions

Shandong Weigao Group

Onyx Pharmaceuticals

Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical
Zimmer 

Top 30 Investments

Country

USA

Switzerland

Switzerland

France

USA

Japan

USA

USA

USA
USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

UK

USA

Ireland
USA

USA

USA

Ireland

Japan

Ireland

USA

China

USA

Japan
USA

Market value
£’000

% of
investments

25,123

22,047

20,187

17,712

15,610

15,598

15,334

13,450

12,911
12,596

5.3

4.7

4.3

3.8

3.3

3.3

3.3

2.9

2.8
2.7

170,568

36.4

11,336

11,047

11,039

11,027

10,773

10,410

9,600

8,571

8,330
7,891

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.0

1.8

1.8
1.7

270,592

57.7

7,814

7,496

7,493

6,995

6,882

6,600

6,491

5,740

5,735
5,631

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.2
1.2

337,469

72.0

+includes Incyte 4.75% 01/10/15 (Conv) equating to 1.5% of investments
^includes Dendreon 2.875% 15/01/16 (Conv) equating to 1.6% of investments
~includes Elan 8.75% 15/10/16 equating to 0.6% of investments

224634 Finsbury WWP pp01-pp16  07/06/2012  07:21  Page 13

Portfolio (continued)

as at 31 March 2012

Investments

Towa Pharmaceutical

Thermo Fisher Scientific

VIVUS

Volcano #

VWR Funding 10.25% 15/07/15

Questcor Pharmaceutical

Align Technology

Impax Laboratories

Exact Sciences
HCA 

Top 40 Investments

Biogen Idec

Valeant Pharmaceutical

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

BioMarin Pharmaceutical

Actelion

Carefusion

3SBio

Angiotech Pharmaceutical FRN 01/12/13

Forest Laboratories
Biosensors 

Top 50 Investments

K-V Pharmaceutical•

China Shineway Pharmaceutical

McKesson

Fluidigm

Lyrica Royalty 11% 01/05/19

Ono Pharmaceutical

NPS Pharmaceuticals

Given Imaging

Orasure Technologies
Sequenom

Top 60 Investments

Country

Japan

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA
USA

USA

Canada

USA

USA

Switzerland

USA

China

USA

USA
Singapore

USA

China

USA

USA

USA

Japan

USA

Israel

USA
USA

#includes Volcano 2.875% 01/09/15 (Conv) equating to 0.2% of investments
•includes KV Pharmaceutical 12% 15/03/15 equating to 0.4% of investments

Wo r l d w i d e   H e a l t h c a re Tr u s t   P LC   > A n n u a l   R e p o r t   2 0 1 2

13

Market value
£’000

% of
investments

5,613

5,215

4,560

4,398

4,380

4,354

4,035

3,998

3,838
3,778

1.2

1.1

1.0

0.9

0.9

0.9

0.9

0.9

0.8
0.8

381,638

81.4

3,737

3,698

3,655

3,600

3,541

3,489

3,381

3,342

3,257
2,901

0.8

0.8

0.8

0.8

0.8

0.7

0.7

0.7

0.7
0.6

416,239

88.8

2,860

2,855

2,637

2,630

2,589

2,567

2,560

2,520

2,519
2,478

0.6

0.6

0.6

0.6

0.6

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.5
0.5

442,454

94.4

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14

Portfolio (continued)

as at 31 March 2012

Investments

Country

Market value
£’000

% of
investments

Cardinal Health

Ariad Pharmaceuticals

Sinopharm

Neurocrine Biosciences

Immunogen

Human Genome Science
QHP Royalty 10.25% 15/03/15

USA

USA

China

USA

USA

USA
USA

Total equities and fixed interest investments

Derivatives – (OTC Equity Swaps)
Options - (Put & Call)

Total investments

2,429

2,008

1,868

1,850

1,709

1,391
592

454,301

13,691
940

468,932

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.3
0.1

96.9

2.9
0.2

100.0

S U M MA RY
as at 31 March 2012

Equities (including options & swaps)

Convertibles
Fixed Interest Securities

Total of all investments

Market value
£’000

% of
investments

437,358

15,871
15,703

468,932

93.3

3.4
3.3

100.0

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15

Analysis of the Portfolio

as at 31 March 2012

BY   G E O G R A P HY

2 0 1 2

Europe 21%

Emerging
Markets
6%

Asia 8%

2 0 1 1

Europe
23%

Asia
11%

Emerging
Markets
3%

North America
63%

North America 
65%

BY   MA R K E T   C A P I TA L I S AT I O N

2 0 1 2

Small Cap 
North America
20%

Large Cap 
Europe
16%

2 0 1 1

Small Cap 
Far East incl. 
Japan 8%

Large Cap 
Far East incl. 
Japan 6%

Small Cap 
Europe 4%

Large Cap 
Europe
19%

Small Cap 
Far East 
incl. 
Japan 10%

Small Cap 
Europe
5%

Large 
Cap 
Far 
East 
incl. 
Japan
4%

Small Cap 
North 
America
20%

Large Cap 
North America
45%

Large Cap 
North America 43%

Note:
A small capitalisation company is defined as being one with a market capitalisation of less than U.S.$5bn and a large capitalisation
company is one with a market capitalisation of more than U.S.$5bn.

 
 
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16

Your Board

The Board of Directors, all of whom are non-executive, supervise
the management of Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC and look
after the interests of shareholders.

MA R T I N   S M I T H + (C H A I R MA N )
Martin  Smith,  aged  69,  joined  the  Board  in  2007.  He  was  a
founder  of  Phoenix  Securities,  a  private  investment  banking
firm. Following the acquisition of Phoenix in 1997 by Donaldson
Lufkin  and  Jenrette  (“DLJ”),  he  chaired  DLJ’s  European
Investment Banking Group. He subsequently founded and was
a non executive director of New Star Asset Management Group
PLC.  He  attended  Oxford  University  and  has  an  MBA  from
Stanford University.

J O S E P H I N E   D I XO N * +
Josephine (Jo) Dixon aged 52, joined the board in 2004 and is
Chairman of the Audit Committee. She is currently the Interim
Finance  Director at the  Eden  project  in  Cornwall and a  non-
executive  Director  and  Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee  of
Standard Life  Equity  Income  Trust  PLC  and  Baring Emerging
Europe  PLC.  Jo  is  a  graduate  Chartered  accountant  having
trained with Touche Ross in London. She has held a number of
roles  in  her  career  including  Commercial  Director  UK  Europe
and  Middle  East  of  Serco  Group and Finance  Director  at
Newcastle  United  PLC.  She  also  held a  number  of  senior
executive  positions  in investment  banking and at the  group
head office of NatWest Group.

P R O F E S S O R   D U N C A N   G E D D E S * +
Professor Geddes, aged 70, joined the Board at launch in 1995
and  has  been  designated  as  the  Senior  Independent  Director.
An  author  of  numerous  publications  on  respiratory  medicine,
Professor Geddes is self-employed.  

D R   DAV I D   H O L B R O O K * +
Dr David Holbrook, aged 52, joined the Board in 2007. He is a
qualified  physician  and  a  Director  of  MTI  Partners  Limited,  a
leading  technology  venture  capital  investor.  He  attended
London and Oxford Universities, and has an MBA from Harvard
Business  School.  He  has  held  senior  positions  in  a  number  of
including
blue  chip  biopharmaceutical  organisations 
GlaxoSmithKline and Roche. 

S A M U E L   D. I S A LY
Sam Isaly, aged 67, joined the Board at launch in 1995. Sam is
Managing  Partner  of  OrbiMed  Capital  LLC,  the Company’s
Investment  Manager,  and  has  been an international
pharmaceutical  investment  specialist  for  more  than  20  years
having worked in New York and Europe with Chase Manhattan,
Société Générale, Crédit Suisse and UBS Warburg.

A N T H O NY  TO W N S E N D * +
Anthony Townsend, aged 64, joined the Board at launch in 1995.
Anthony has spent over 40 years working in the City and was
Chairman  of  The  Association  of  Investment  Companies  from
2001 to 2003.  Anthony is Chairman of Baronsmead VCT 3 plc,
British  &  American  Investment  Trust  PLC,  F&C  Global  Smaller
Companies PLC, Finsbury Growth & Income Trust PLC and Miton
Worldwide Growth Investment Trust Plc.

Other  than  those  stated  above,  none  of  the  Directors  has  any
other  connections  with  the  Investment  Manager  and  is  not
employed  by  any  of  the  companies  in  which  the  Company
holds an investment.

*Member of the Audit Committee
+Member  of  the  Nominations  and  Management  Engagement  and

Remuneration Committees 

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Report of the Directors
Incorporating the Business Review

17

In accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006
(the ‘Act’) and the UK Listing and Transparency Rules, the Directors
present their annual report on the affairs of the Company together
with  the  audited  financial  statements  and  the  Independent
Auditors’ Report for the year ended 31 March 2012.

performance has been measured against the MSCI World Health
Care  Index  (total  return,  sterling  adjusted).  Prior  to  this  date,
performance  was  measured  against  the  Datastream  World
Pharmaceutical  &  Biotechnology  Index  (total  return,  sterling
adjusted).

I N T R O D U C T I O N

The  Report  of  the  Directors  includes  the  Business  Review  and
Corporate Governance Statement. The Business Review contains
a  review  of  the  Company’s  business,  the  principal  risks  and
uncertainties  it  faces  and  an  analysis  of  its  performance  during
the financial period and the position at the period end and the
future  business  plans  of  the  Company. To  aid  understanding  of
these areas the Board has included an analysis using appropriate
Key Performance Indicators. The Business Review should be read
in conjunction with the Chairman’s Statement on pages 2 and 3,
the Review of Investments on pages 5 to 9 and the analyses on
pages 10 to 15.

B U S I N E S S   A N D   S TAT U S   O F  T H E   CO M PA NY

The Company is registered as a public limited company and is
an investment company within the terms of Section 833 of the
Companies  Act 2006 (the  ‘Act’).
Its  shares  are  listed  on  the
Official List of the UK Listing Authority and traded on the main
market  of  the  London  Stock  Exchange,  which  is  a  regulated
market as defined in Section 1173 of the Act. The Company has
received  approval  from  HM  Revenue  &  Customs  as  an
authorised  investment  trust  under  Sections  1158  and  1159  of
the  Corporation  Tax  Act  2010  (CTA  2010’) for  the  year  ended
31 March  2011.  This  approval  is  subject  to  there  being  no
subsequent  enquiry  under  corporation  tax  self-assessment.  In
the opinion of the Directors, the Company continues to direct
its affairs so as to enable it to qualify for such approval.

CO N T I N UAT I O N   O F  T H E   CO M PA NY

A resolution was passed at the Annual General Meeting held in
2009  that  the  Company  continue  as  an  investment  trust  for  a
further  five  year  period.  In accordance  with  the  Company’s
Articles of Association, shareholders will have an opportunity to
vote on the continuation of the Company at the Annual General
Meeting in 2014 and every five years thereafter.

I N V E S T M E N T   O B J E C T I V E   A N D   B E N C H MA R K

The  Company  invests  worldwide  in pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies  and  related securities in  the
healthcare sector with the objective of achieving a high level of
capital growth. With effect from 1 October 2010, the Company’s

I N V E S T M E N T   P O L I C Y

In  order  to  achieve  its  investment  objective,  the  Company
invests in a diversified portfolio of shares in pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies and  related securities in  the
healthcare  sector on  a  worldwide  basis.  It  uses  gearing  and
derivative  transactions  to  mitigate  risk  and  also  to  enhance
capital returns. 

Investment Limitations and Guidelines

The  Board  seeks  to  manage  the  Company’s  risk  by  imposing
various investment limits and restrictions:
(cid:129)

The  Company  will  not  invest  more  than  10%  of  its  gross
assets  in  other  closed  ended  investment  companies
(including  investment  trusts)  listed  on  the  London  Stock
investment  companies
Exchange,  except  where  the 
themselves  have  stated  investment  policies  to  invest  no
more than 15% of their gross assets in other closed ended
investment  companies  (including  investment  trusts)  listed
on the London Stock Exchange.

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

The Company will not invest more than 15% of the portfolio
in any one individual stock at the time of acquisition;

At  least  60%  of  the portfolio  will  normally  be  invested  in
larger companies (i.e. with a market capitalisation of at least
US$5bn);

At  least  20%  of  the portfolio  will  normally  be  invested  in
smaller  companies  (i.e.  with  a  market  capitalisation  of  less
than US$5bn);

Investment  in  unquoted  securities  will  not  exceed  10%  of
the portfolio at the time of acquisition;

A maximum of 5% of the portfolio, at the time of acquisition,
may be invested in each of debt instruments, convertibles
and 
issued  by  pharmaceutical  and
royalty  bonds 
biotechnology companies;

A  maximum  of  15%  of  the  portfolio,  at  the  time  of
acquisition,  may  be  invested  in  companies  in  each  of  the
following sectors:

–

–

–

healthcare equipment

healthcare technology

providers of healthcare and related services

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18

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

(cid:129)

The Company’s gearing policy is to borrow up to the lower
of £90m or 20% of the Company’s net asset value;

(cid:129)

Share price premium/discount to net asset value per share
(see page 10)

(cid:129) Derivative transactions can be used to mitigate risk and/or
enhance capital returns and will be restricted to 5% of the
portfolio; and

(cid:129)

Equity Swaps may be used in order to meet the Company’s
investment  objective  of  achieving  a  high  level  of  capital
growth and is restricted to 8% of the portfolio.

Compliance  with  the  Board’s  investment  limitations  and
guidelines  is  monitored  continuously  by  Frostrow  Capital  LLP
(“Frostrow”  or  the  “Manager”)  and  OrbiMed  Capital  LLC
(“OrbiMed” or the “Investment Manager”) and is reported to the
Board on a monthly basis.

P E R F O R MA N C E

In  the  year  to  31  March  2012,  the  Company’s net  asset  value
total  return  was 14.4%  compared  to  a  rise  of 13.4%  in  the
Company’s benchmark.  With  effect  from  1  October  2010,  the
Company’s  performance  is  measured  against  the  MSCI  World
Health  Care  Index  (total  return,  sterling  adjusted).  Prior  to  this
date, performance was measured against the Datastream World
Pharmaceutical  &  Biotechnology  Index  (total  return,  sterling
adjusted).  Historic  data,  therefore,  consists  of  a  blended  figure
containing both indices. The Company’s share price total return
was 18.2% during the year.

The Review of Investments on pages 5 to 9 includes a review of the
principal developments during the year, together with information
on investment activity within the Company’s portfolio.

R E S U LTS   A N D   D I V I D E N D

The  results  attributable  to  shareholders  for  the  year  and  the
transfer to reserves are shown on page 37. In order to maintain
investment  trust  status  the  Directors  have  declared  an  interim
dividend for the year of 17.5p per share (2011: interim dividend of
15.0p) payable on 6 July 2012.

K E Y   P E R F O R MA N C E   I N D I C ATO R S   ( ‘ K P I s’ )

At  each  Board  meeting  the  Board  assesses  the  Company’s
performance  in  meeting its  investment  objective  and  against
the following key performance indicators:
(cid:129) Net asset value total return (see pages 1 and 10)
(cid:129)
Share price total return (see pages 1, 10 and 34)
(cid:129)

Stock contribution analysis (see page 9)

Benchmark performance (see pages 1, 10 and 34)

Issue of new shares/repurchase of own shares (see page 20)

(cid:129) Ongoing charges (see page 10)
(cid:129)
(cid:129)
The  management  of  the portfolio  is  conducted  by  the
Investment  Manager  and  the  management  of  the  Company’s
affairs,  including  marketing,  administration  and  company
secretarial matters is conducted by the Manager. Each provider
is responsible to the Board which is ultimately responsible to the
shareholders  for  performing  against, inter alia,  the  above  KPIs
within the terms of their respective agreements by utilising the
capabilities of the experienced professionals within each firm.

P R I N C I PA L   R I S K S   A N D  T H E I R  
M I T I G AT I O N

The  Company’s  assets  consist  principally  of  listed  equities;  its
main  area  of  risk  is  therefore  stockmarket-related. The  specific
key  risks  faced  by  the  Company,  together  with  the  Board’s
mitigation approach, are as follows:

Investment Activity and Strategy

level  of  gearing,  may 

The Board regularly reviews the Company’s investment mandate
and its long-term  investment  strategy  in  relation  to  market  and
economic conditions, and the operation of the Company’s peers,
thereby monitoring whether the Company should continue in its
present form. An inappropriate investment strategy, for example
lead  to
asset  allocation  or  the 
underperformance against the Company’s benchmark index and
peer companies, resulting in the Company’s shares trading on a
wider discount. The Board manages these risks by diversification of
investments  through  its  investment  restrictions  and  guidelines
which  are  monitored  and  reported  on  by  the  Manager.  A
continuation vote was held at the Annual General Meeting held in
2009 and will be held every five years thereafter. Each month the
Board receives a monthly review, which monitors the Company’s
investment performance (both on an absolute basis and against
the  benchmark  and  peer  group)  and  its  compliance  with  the
investment  guidelines.  Additional  reports  and  presentations  are
regularly  presented  to  investors  by  the  Company’s  Manager,
Investment  Manager  and  also  by  Winterflood  Securities,  the
Company’s Corporate Stockbroker.

The  Board  undertakes  a  regular  review  of  the  level  of
discount/premium and consideration is given to ways in which

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

19

share  price  performance  may  be  enhanced,  including  the
effectiveness  of  marketing  and  share  buy-backs,  where
appropriate.  The  Board  has  implemented  a  discount  control
mechanism intended to establish a target level of no more than
a 6% discount of share price to the diluted net asset value per
share.  Shareholders  should  note,  however, that  it  remains
possible for the share price discount to net asset value per share
to be greater than 6% on any one day and is due to the fact that
the share price continues to be influenced by overall supply and
demand for the Company’s shares in the secondary market. The
volatility of the net asset value per share in an asset class such as
healthcare  is  another  factor  over  which  the  Board  has  no
control. The average month end share price discount during the
year was 7.1%. The making and timing of any share buy-backs is
at the absolute discretion of the Board.

A  significant  proportion  of  the  Company’s  assets  are,  and  will
continue  to  be,  invested  in  securities  denominated  in  foreign
currencies, in particular U.S. dollars. As the Company’s shares are
denominated and traded in sterling, the return to shareholders
will  be  affected  by  changes  in  the  value  of  sterling  relative  to
those  foreign  currencies.  The  Board  has  made  clear  the
Company’s position with regard to currency fluctuation, which is
that it does not currently hedge against currency exposure.

Shareholder Relations and Corporate Governance

The Board regularly reviews investment performance against the
benchmark  and  against  peer  group.  The  Board  also  receives
regular reports that show an analysis of performance compared
with other relevant indices. The Investment Manager provides an
explanation of stock selection decisions and an overall rationale
for  the  make-up  of  the  portfolio.  The  Investment  Manager
discusses  current  and  potential  investment  holdings  with  the
Board on a regular basis in addition to new initiatives, which may
enhance shareholder returns.

Operational

Disruption  to,  or  failure  of  accounting,  dealing  or  payments
systems  or  the  custodian’s  records  could  prevent  accurate
reporting  and  monitoring  of  the  Company’s  financial  position.
The  Board  reviews  both  the  internal  control  and  the  disaster
recovery procedures put in place by its principal service providers
on a regular basis.

Financial

Industry risk exists in all specialist industries. Risks are inherent in
pharmaceutical companies with, for example, the potential for

drug withdrawals from the market or failures after launch and
lack of expected profit growth.

The Board meets on a quarterly basis during the year and on an
ad  hoc  basis  if  necessary.  At  each  meeting  they  consider  the
asset  allocation  of  the portfolio. The  Investment  Manager  has
responsibility for selecting investments in accordance with the
Company’s  investment  objective  and  seeks  to  ensure  that
individual stocks meet an acceptable risk-reward profile. 

The Company’s assets comprise mainly readily realisable liquid
securities,  which  can  be  sold  to  meet  funding  requirements  if
necessary.

The Company’s assets can be held by Goldman Sachs & Co. New
York as collateral for the loan provided by them to the Company.
Such  assets  taken  as  collateral  may  be  used,  loaned,  sold,
rehypothecated  or  transferred  by  Goldman  Sachs  &  Co.  New
York, although the Company maintains the economic benefits
from ownership of those assets. Goldman Sachs & Co. New York
may  take  up  to  140%  of  the  value  of  the  outstanding  loan  as
collateral.  The  Company  is  protected,  such  protection  being
equal to the net assets held by Goldman Sachs & Co. New York,
by SEC rules and U.S. legislation. (Also see glossary on page 64).

Assets held by Goldman Sachs & Co. New York, as custodian, that
are not used as collateral, are held in segregated client accounts.

Further  information  on  financial  instruments  and  risk,  as
required  by  FRS  29,  can  be  found  in  note  18  to  the  financial
statements beginning on page 50.

The  Company  is  also  exposed  to  the  risk  that  the  custodian
and/or counterparties may fail and that title to stocks does not
survive  an  ensuing  liquidation.  The  Company’s  Investment
Manager  is  responsible  for  undertaking  reviews  of  the  credit
worthiness of the counterparties that it uses. The Board regularly
reviews 
list  of
the 
counterparties.

Investment  Manager’s  approved 

Accounting, Legal and Regulatory

In  order  to  qualify  as  an  investment  trust,  the  Company  must
comply  with  Section  1158  of  the  Corporation  Tax  Act  2010
(‘Section 1158’). Were the Company to breach Section 1158, it
might lose investment trust status and, as a consequence, gains
within  the  Company’s portfolio  could  be  subject  to  Capital
Gains Tax. The Section 1158 qualification criteria are continually
monitored  by  the  Manager  and  the  results  reported  to  the
Board  each  month. The  Company  must  also  comply  with  the
provisions  of  the  London  Stock  Exchange,  the  UKLA  Listing

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

P R O S P E C TS

The Company’s Investment Manager is confident in the potential for
good performance in the healthcare sector.  They believe that the
beginning  of  the  2012  calendar  year  was  a  preview  of  things  to
come. Fundamentals continue to improve and valuations remain on
the low end of historic levels. They believe that conditions are ripe for
both positive absolute and relative performance.

The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive came into force
in  July  2011  and  is  required  to  be  implemented  into  national
legislation  by  July  2013.  Companies  then  have  until  July  2014  to
obtain the relevant authorisation. Currently, European regulators are
preparing the more detailed rules and UK regulators are considering
how  to  implement  the  rules  in  the  UK.  The  Board  is  keeping
developments here under close review.

HMRC’s  regulations  on  the  modernisation  of  investment  trust  tax
rules  have  been  finalised  and  were  approved  by  Parliament  in
December 2011. The new regime became effective for this company
from 1 April 2012.

I N V E S T M E N T   MA N AG E M E N T  

Investment Management Agreement:
The  Investment  Manager  receives  a  periodic  fee  equal  to
0.65% p.a.  of  the  Company’s  net  asset  value.  The  Investment
Management  Agreement  may  be  terminated  by  either  party
giving notice of not less than 12 months. The Investment Manager
under  the  terms  of  the  agreement  provides,  inter  alia,  the
following services:
(cid:129)
(cid:129)

recommending  the  manner  by  which  monies  should  be
invested, disinvested, retained or realised;

seeking out and evaluating investment opportunities;

(cid:129)

(cid:129)
(cid:129)

advising on how rights conferred by the investments should
be exercised;

analysing the performance of investments made; and

advising  the  Company  in  relation  to  trends,  market
movements  and  other  matters  which  may  affect  the
investment policy of the Company.

Rules and Disclosure & Transparency Rules (‘DTRs’). A breach of
the  Companies  Act  could  result  in  the  Company  and/or  the
Directors being fined or subject to criminal proceedings. Breach
of the UKLA Listing Rules or DTRs could result in the Company’s
shares being suspended in listing which in turn would breach
Section 1158. The Board relies on the services of its Manager to
ensure  compliance  with  The  Companies  Act  and  The  UKLA
Listing Rules.

LOA N   FAC I L I T Y

The  Company’s  borrowing  requirements  are  met  through  the
utilisation of a loan facility, repayable on demand, provided by
Goldman Sachs & Co. New York. Further details can be found in
note 11 on page 48 and in note 18 beginning on page 50.

S H A R E   C A P I TA L

On  4  September  2009,  the  Company  made  a  bonus  issue  of
subscription  shares  on  the  basis  of  one  subscription  share  for
every  five  ordinary  shares  held  at  that  date.  The  subscription
shares  have  quarterly  subscription  dates  and  the  following
shares  were  allotted  by  the  Company  as  a  result  of  holders  of
the  subscription  shares  exercising  their  subscription  rights
during the year:

15,599 shares were allotted on 18 May 2011 raising £100,000.

354,240 shares were allotted on 2 August 2011 raising £2,260,000.

10,813 shares were allotted on 1 November 2011 raising £69,000.

467,487 shares were allotted on 2 February 2012 raising £2,980,000.

Subsequent to the year-end 2,213,584 shares were allotted on 
2 May 2012 raising £14,120,000.

During the year under review the Company re-purchased a total
of 908,586 shares to be held in treasury, at a cost of £6,942,000
(including  expenses).  Since  the  year  end  and  to 31  May 2012
1,063,722 shares  have  been  repurchased  by  the  Company.  In
aggregate, to 31 May 2012, the shares re-purchased equate to a
total of 4.4% of the issued share capital (excluding shares held in
treasury)  at  the  beginning  of  the  year.  As  indicated  in  the
Chairman’s  Statement,  the  Board  has  agreed  that  any  treasury
shares remaining on 17 July 2012, the date of the Annual General
Meeting,  will  be  cancelled.  A  total  of  358,607  shares  held  in
treasury were cancelled on 26 July 2011.

During the year 238,125 Subscription Shares were re-purchased
for  cancellation  at  a  cost  of £294,000 (including  expenses). To
31 May 2012 the Subscription Shares re-purchased equate to a
total of 2.9% of the subscription shares in issue at the beginning
of the year.

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

21

MA N AG E M E N T

Company Management, Company Secretarial and Administrative
Services Agreement:
The Manager, receives a periodic fee equal to 0.30% per annum
of the Company’s market capitalisation up to £150m, 0.20% per
annum of the market capitalisation in excess of £150m and up
to £500m, and 0.125% per annum of the market capitalisation in
excess  of  £500m,  plus  a  fixed  amount  equal  to  £57,500
per annum.

The  notice  period  on  the  Company  Management, Company
Secretarial  and  Administration  Agreement  with  Frostrow  is
12 months, termination can be initiated by either party.

The Manager, under the terms of the agreement provides, inter
alia, the following services:

(cid:129) marketing and shareholder services;

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

administrative services;

advice  and  guidance  in  respect  of  corporate  governance
requirements;

(cid:129) maintaining the books of account and record in respect of
Company dealing, investments, transactions, dividends and
other income, the income account, balance sheet and cash
books and statements;

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

preparation  and  despatch  of  the  audited  annual  and
unaudited  interim  report  and  accounts  and  interim
management statements; and

attending to general tax affairs where necessary.

Performance Fee:
Dependent  on  the  level  of  long  term  outperformance  of  the
Company, the Investment Manager and the Manager are entitled
to  the  payment  of  a  performance  fee.  The  performance  fee  is
calculated by reference to the amount by which the Company’s
net  asset  value  (‘NAV’)  performance  has  outperformed  the
benchmark index. (See page 1 for details of the benchmark).

The  fee  is  calculated  quarterly  by  comparing  the  cumulative
performance  of  the  Company’s  NAV  with  the  cumulative
performance  of  the  benchmark  since  the  launch  of  the
Company  in  1995. The  performance  fee  amounts  to  16.5%  of
any  outperformance  over  the  benchmark,  the  investment
manager  receiving  15%  and  the  manager  receiving  1.5%
respectively.  Provision  is  also  made  within  the  daily  NAV  per
share calculation as required and in accordance with generally
accepted accounting standards.

In  order  to  ensure  that  only  sustained  outperformance  is
rewarded,  at  each  quarterly  calculation  date  any  performance
fee is based on the lower of:

i)

The cumulative out-performance of the investment portfolio
over the benchmark as at the quarter end date; and

ii) The  cumulative  out-performance  of  the 

investment
portfolio  over  the  benchmark  as  at  the  corresponding
quarter end date in the previous year.

In  addition,  a  performance  fee  only  becomes  payable  to  the
extent that the cumulative outperformance gives rise to a total
fee greater than the total of all performance fees paid to date.

As  at  31  March  2012 no  fee  was payable  in  relation  to
maintained outperformance.

During the year a performance fee of £909,000 crystallised (year
ended  31  March  2011: £2,624,000)  in  relation  to  maintained
outperformance.

CO N T I N U I N G   A P P O I N T M E N T   O F  T H E
MA N AG E R   A N D   I N V E S T M E N T   MA N AG E R

The Board has concluded that it is in shareholders’ interests that the
Manager and the Investment Manager continue in their roles. The
review  undertaken  by  the  Board  considered  the  Company’s
investment  performance  over  both  the  short  and  longer  terms,
together with the quality and adequacy of other services provided.
The  Board  also  reviewed  the  appropriateness  of  the  terms  of  the
Investment  Management  and  Management  Agreements,  in
particular the length of notice period and the fee structures.

G O I N G   CO N C E R N

The Company’s business activities together with the factors likely to
affect its future development, performance and position are set out
in  the  Report  of  the  Directors  on  pages 17 to 25.  The  financial
position  of  the  Company,  its  liquidity  position  and  its  borrowing
facility are set out in the notes to the financial statements beginning
on  page 41.  In  addition,  the  Corporate  Governance  Report,  the
Financial  Statements  and  the  associated  notes  give  details  of  the
Company’s  objectives,  policies  and  processes,  its  financial  risk
management objectives and its exposure to risks. The Company has
considerable financial resources and a good spread of investments
across different geographical areas. The majority of the Company’s
investments  are  listed  on  recognised  stock  exchanges  and  are
readily realisable. Having considered the Company’s prospects, the
Directors believe that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern
basis  in  preparing  the  financial  statements  as  the  assets  of  the
Company consist mainly of securities that are readily realisable and,
accordingly,  the  Company  has  adequate  financial  resources  to
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

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22

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

C R E D I TO R S PAYM E N T   P O L I C Y

I N D I V I D UA L   S AV I N G S   ACCO U N TS

Terms of payment are negotiated with suppliers when agreeing
settlement details for transactions. While the Company does not
follow a  formal  code,  it  is  the  Company’s  continuing  policy  to
pay amounts due to creditors as and when they become due. As
at 31 March 2012, the Company did not have any trade creditors
(2011: nil).

C H A R I TA B L E   A N D   P O L I T I C A L   D O N AT I O N S

The Company has not in the past and does not intend in future
to make any charitable or political donations.

E N V I R O N M E N TA L   A N D   E T H I C A L   P O L I C Y

investment 

The  Company’s  primary  objective  is  to  achieve  a  high  level  of
capital  growth  by 
in  pharmaceutical  and
biotechnology  companies  and  the  Board  recognises  that  this
should  be  done  in  an  environmentally  responsible  way.  The
Directors  support the  action  being  taken  by  the  major
pharmaceutical  companies  to  make  products  more  affordable
to  patients  in  developing  countries. The  Directors  believe  that
the  Company  would  be  in  breach  of  its  fiduciary  duties  to
shareholders  if  investment  decisions  were  based  solely  on
ethical  or  environmental  considerations.  The  Company
encourages  a  positive  approach  to  corporate  governance  and
engagements with investee companies.

The Company’s shares are eligible to be held in the stocks and
shares component of an ISA or Junior ISA, subject to applicable
annual subscription limits (£11,280 for an ISA and £3,600 for a
Junior ISA for the 2012/2013 tax year). Investments held in ISAs
or Junior ISAs will be free of UK tax on both capital gains and
income. The  opportunity  to  invest  in  Ordinary  Shares  through
an ISA is restricted to certain UK resident individuals aged 18 or
over.  Junior  ISAs  are  available  for  UK  resident  children  aged
under 18 and born before 1 September 2002 or after 2 January
2011. Sums received by a shareholder on a disposal of Ordinary
Shares held within an ISA or Junior ISA will not count towards
the  shareholder’s  annual  limit.  Individuals  wishing  to  invest  in
Ordinary  Shares  through  an 
ISA  should  contact  their
professional  advisers  regarding  their  eligibility  as  should
individuals  wishing  to  invest  through  a  Junior  ISA  for  children
under 18 years old.

D I R E C TO R S

The Directors of the Company, all of whom served throughout
the  year,  except  as  noted,  are  all  non-executive  and  are  listed
below. Their biographies can be found on page 16.

Martin Smith (Chairman)
Jo Dixon
Paul Gaunt (retired on 7 July 2011)
Professor Duncan Geddes
Dr David Holbrook 
Samuel D. Isaly
Anthony Townsend

D I R E C TO R S’  I N T E R E S TS

The beneficial interests of the Directors and their families in the Company were as set out below:

Martin Smith
Josephine Dixon
Professor Duncan Geddes
Paul Gaunt (retired on 7 July 2011)
Dr David Holbrook
Samuel D. Isaly
Anthony Townsend

Shares of 25p each

Subscription Shares

31 March 2012

1 April 2011

31 March 2012

1 April 2011

5,859
3,000
42,250
–
–
353,600
21,619

5,859
3,000
42,250
–
–
353,600
18,785

400
600
8,450
–
–
100,720
25,793

400
600
8,450
–
–
100,720
3,757

As at 1 June 2012 there had been no changes in the above details.

Samuel D. Isaly is a partner in OrbiMed Capital LLC which is party to the Investment Management Agreement with the Company
and receives fees as described on pages 20 and 21. A number of the partners at OrbiMed Capital LLC have a minority financial
interest totalling 20% in Frostrow Capital LLP, the Company’s Manager.

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

23

D I R E C TO R S’  F E E S  

D I R E C TO R S’  I N D E M N I T I E S  

A report on Directors’ Remuneration is set out on pages 33 and 34.

D I R E C TO R S’  &   O F F I C E R S’  L I A B I L I T Y
I N S U R A N C E   CO V E R

Directors’ & officers’ liability insurance cover was maintained by
the Company  during  the  year  ended  31  March  2012.  It  is
intended  that  this  policy  will  continue  for  the  year  ending
31 March 2013 and subsequent years.

As at the date of this report, indemnities are in force between the
Company and each of its Directors under which the Company has
agreed to indemnify each Director, to the extent permitted by law,
in respect of certain liabilities incurred as a result of carrying out his
or  her role  as  a  Director  of  the  Company. The  Directors  are  also
indemnified  against  the  costs  of  defending  any  criminal  or  civil
proceedings or any claim by the Company or a regulator as they
are incurred provided that where the defence is unsuccessful the
Director  must  repay  those  defence  costs  to  the  Company.  The
indemnities are qualifying third party indemnity provisions for the
purposes of the Companies Act 2006.

A copy of each deed of indemnity is available for inspection at the
Company’s registered office during normal business hours and will
be available for inspection at the Annual General Meeting.

S U B S TA N T I A L   S H A R E H O L D I N G S

As at 31 March 2012 the Company was aware of the following interests in the shares of the Company, which exceeded 3% of the
issued share capital (excluding treasury shares):

Beneficial
shareholder

Investec Wealth & Investment
Henderson Global Investors
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Alliance Trust Savings
Newton Investment Management
Smith & Williamson
Brewin Dophin
Legal & General Investment Management
Investec Asset Management
Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management
Speirs & Jeffrey, Stockbrokers
Charles Stanley, Stockbrokers

Registered holder

Various Nominees
Various Nominees
Nortrust Nominees
Alliance Trust Savings Nominees
Various Nominees
Various Nominees
Various Nominees
Various Nominees
Various Nominees
Pershing Nominees
Various Nominees
Various Nominees

Number of
shares

2,891,852
2,512,549
2,503,520
2,212,892
2,125,163
1,982,518
1,653,497
1,590,944
1,574,030
1,446,657
1,381,534
1,359,707

% of issued
share capital

6.57
5.71
5.69
5.03
4.83
4.51
3.76
3.62
3.58
3.29
3.14
3.09

I N D E P E N D E N T   AU D I TO R S

Ernst & Young LLP have indicated their willingness to continue
to  act  as  Independent  Auditors  to  the  Company  and  a
resolution  for  their  re-appointment will  be  proposed  at  the
forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

AU D I T   I N F O R MAT I O N

The  Directors  who  held  office  at  the  date  of  approval  of  this
Directors’ Report confirm that, so far as they are aware, there is
no  relevant  audit  information  of  which  the Auditors  are
unaware; and that each Director has taken all steps they ought

to  have  taken  as  a  Director  to  make  themselves  aware  of  any
relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are
aware of such information.

S E C T I O N   9 9 2   O F  T H E   CO M PA N I E S   AC T   2 0 0 6

The following disclosures are made in accordance with Section
992 of the Companies Act 2006.

Capital Structure

The  Company’s  capital  structure  is  summarised  in note  13  on
page 48.

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

Voting Rights in the Company’s shares

General Meeting.

Details of the voting rights in the Company’s shares at the date
of this Annual Report are given in note 9 to the Notice of Annual
General Meeting on page 60.

CO R P O R AT E   G O V E R N A N C E

A formal statement on Corporate Governance, which forms part
of this Report of the Directors, is set out on pages 27 to 32.

B E N E F I C I A L   O W N E R S   O F   S H A R E S   –
I N F O R MAT I O N   R I G H TS

Beneficial owners of shares who have been nominated by the
registered  holder  of  those  shares  to  receive  information  rights
under  section  146  of  the  Companies  Act  2006  are  required  to
direct  all  communications  to  the  registered  holder  of  their
shares rather than to the Company’s registrar, Capita Registrars,
or to the Company directly.

N OT I C E   P E R I O D   F O R   G E N E R A L   M E E T I N G S

Recent  amendments  made  to  the  Company’s  Articles  of
Association  included  a  provision  allowing  general  meetings  of
the  Company  to  be  called  on  the  minimum  notice  period
provided for in the Companies Act 2006. For meetings other than
annual general meetings this is currently a period of 14 clear days.

A Special Resolution  was passed  by shareholders  at  last  year’s
Annual General Meeting approving this. The Board is proposing
Resolution 14 as a Special Resolution to renew this approval for
a  further  year. The  notice  period  for annual general meetings
will remain 21 clear days.

A N N UA L   G E N E R A L   M E E T I N G

The  formal  Notice  of  Annual  General  Meeting  is  set  out  on
pages 57 to 62 of this Annual Report.

Resolutions  relating  to  the  following  items  of  special  business
will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting:

Issue of Shares

Ordinary  Resolution 9 in  the  Notice  of  Annual  General  Meeting
gives authority to the Directors to allot the unissued share capital
up to an aggregate nominal amount of £1,105,775 (equivalent to
4,423,102 shares,  or  10%  of  the  Company’s  existing  issued  share
capital on 31 May 2012, being the nearest practicable date prior to
the signing of this Report). Such authority will expire on the date of
the next Annual General Meeting or after a period of 15 months
from the date of the passing of the resolution, whichever is earlier.
This means that the authority will be renewed at the next Annual

When  shares  are  to  be  allotted  for  cash,  Section 551  of  the
Companies  Act 2006  (the  “Act”)  provides  that  existing
shareholders have pre-emption rights and that the new shares
must be offered first to such shareholders in proportion to their
existing holding of shares. However, shareholders can, by special
resolution, authorise the Directors to allot shares otherwise than
by  a  pro  rata 
issue  to  existing  shareholders.  Special
Resolution 10 will, if passed, give the Directors power to allot for
cash equity securities up to 10% of the Company’s existing share
capital on 31 May 2012 (reduced by any treasury shares sold by
the  Company  pursuant  to  Special  Resolution 11,  as  described
below), as if Section 551 of the Act does not apply. This is the
same nominal amount of share capital which the Directors are
seeking  the  authority  to  allot  pursuant  to  Resolution 10.  This
authority will also expire on the date of the next Annual General
Meeting or after a period of 15 months, whichever is earlier. This
authority will not be used in connection with a rights issue by
the Company.

Under  the  Companies  (Acquisition  of  Own  Shares)  (Treasury
Shares)  Regulations  2003  (as  amended)  (the  “Treasury  Share
Regulations”)  the  Company  is  permitted  to  buy  back  and  hold
shares in treasury and then sell them at a later date for cash, rather
than cancelling them. The Treasury Share Regulations require such
sale to be on a pre-emptive, pro rata, basis to existing shareholders
unless shareholders agree by special resolution to disapply such
pre-emption rights. Accordingly, in addition to giving the Directors
power to allot unissued share capital on a non pre-emptive basis
pursuant to Resolution 10, Resolution 11, if passed, will give the
Directors  authority  to  sell  shares  held  in  treasury  on  a  non
pre-emptive basis. No dividends may be paid on any shares held
in  treasury  and  no  voting  rights  will  attach  to  such  shares.  The
benefit of the ability to hold treasury shares is that such shares may
be  resold.  This  should  give  the  Company  greater  flexibility  in
managing its share capital, and improve liquidity in its shares. It is
the intention of the Board that any re-sale of treasury shares would
only take place at a narrower discount to the net asset value per
share than that at which they had been bought into treasury, and
in any event at a discount no greater than 5% to the prevailing net
asset  value  per  share,  and  this  is  reflected  in  the  text  of
Resolution 11. It is also the intention of the Board that sales from
treasury would only take place when the Board believes that to do
so  would  assist  in  the  provision  of  liquidity  to  the  market.  The
number  of  treasury  shares  which  may  be  sold  pursuant  to  this

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

25

authority is limited to 10% of the Company’s existing share capital
on 31 May 2012 (reduced by any equity securities allotted for cash
on  a  non-pro  rata  basis  pursuant  to  Resolution 10,  as  described
above).  This  authority  will  also  expire  on  the  date  of  the  next
Annual General Meeting or after a period of 15 months, whichever
is earlier.

intend 

to  use 

The  Directors 
the  authority  given  by
Resolutions 9, 10 and 11 to allot shares and disapply pre-emption
rights only in circumstances where this will be clearly beneficial to
shareholders as a whole. The issue proceeds would be available
for investment in line with the Company’s investment policy. No
issue  of  shares  will  be  made  which  would  effectively  alter  the
control  of  the  Company  without  the  prior  approval  of
shareholders in General Meeting. 

Authority for the Company to purchase its own shares

The Company’s Articles of Association permit the purchase by
the  Company  of  its  own  Ordinary  and  Subscription  shares
subject  to  shareholders’  prior  approval  being  obtained.
Resolutions 12 and 13, if passed, would authorise the Company
to  buy  back  up  to 6,630,230 Ordinary  shares  and  733,200
Subscription shares, which represents approximately 14.99% of
the  Company’s  issued  ordinary  share  capital  (excluding  shares
held  in  treasury)  and  14.99%  of  the  Company’s  Subscription
shares as at 31 May 2012 respectively. If given, these authorities
will expire at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company
after the passing of the resolution or, if earlier, 15 months from
the date of the passing of the resolution. The Directors intend to
seek a renewal of such powers at each AGM.

The  resolutions  specify  the  maximum  and  minimum  prices  at
which shares may be bought, reflecting the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006 and the Listing Rules. Any buy back would
only be made on the London Stock Exchange.

Any  purchases  of  Ordinary  shares  will  be  made  within
guidelines established from time to time by the Directors, but
they will only exercise the authority if, in their opinion, it would
be in the interests of the Company to do so and would result in
an  increase  in  net  asset  value  per  Ordinary  share  for  the
remaining  shareholders  and  if  it  is  in  the  best  interests  of
shareholders  generally.  Such  purchases  will  only  be  made  at
prices below the prevailing net asset value per Ordinary share
and within the price constraints set out in paragraphs (b) and (c)
of the resolution.

Under the Companies Act 2006, the Company is allowed to hold

its own Ordinary shares in treasury following a buy back, instead
of  cancelling  them.  This  gives  the  Company  the  ability  to  re-
issue  treasury  shares  quickly  and  cost-effectively  and  provides
the Company with additional flexibility in the management of
its capital base. Shares held in treasury may be resold for cash
but all rights attaching to them including voting rights and any
right to receive dividends, are suspended while they are held in
treasury.  If  the  Directors  exercise  the  authority  conferred  by
resolution  12,  the  Company  will  have  the  option  of  either
holding  in  treasury  or  of  cancelling  any  of  its  own  shares
purchased pursuant to the authority and will decide at the time
of  purchase  which  option  to  pursue.  The  Directors  will  have
regard to any guidelines issued by investor groups at the time of
any such purchase, holding or re-sale of treasury shares.

Purchases of Subscription shares will only be made through the
market at prices where the Directors believe such purchases will
enhance  Ordinary  shareholder  value  and  within  the  price
constraints  set  out  in  paragraphs  (b)  and  (c)  of  the  resolution.
Any  Subscription  shares  repurchased  by  the  Company  will  be
cancelled and will not be held in treasury for reissue or resale.

General Meetings

Special  Resolution  14  seeks  shareholder  approval  for  the
Company to hold General Meetings (other than Annual General
Meetings) at 14 clear days’ notice.

The authorities being sought under Resolutions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
and 14 will last until the conclusion of the next Annual General
Meeting or, if less, a period of 15 months.

The  Board  considers  that  the  resolutions  set  out  above  are,  in
the  Board’s  opinion,  in  the  best  interests  of  shareholders  as  a
whole.  Accordingly,  the  Board  unanimously  recommends  to
shareholders that they vote in favour of the above resolutions to
be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board
Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary
1 June 2012

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26

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  annual  report
and  the  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  applicable
United Kingdom law and regulations.

need  to  be  aware  that  legislation  in  the  United  Kingdom
governing  the  preparation  and  dissemination  of  the  financial
statements may differ from legislation in their jurisdiction.

Company  law  in  the  United  Kingdom  requires  the  Directors  to
prepare  financial  statements  for  each  financial  year. Under  this
law  the  Directors  have  elected  to  prepare  the  financial
statements  in  accordance  with  United  Kingdom  Generally
Accepted Accounting Practice, (United Kingdom standards and
applicable  law).  Under  Company  law  the  Directors  must  not
approve  the  financial  statements  unless  they  are  satisfied  that
they  give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  state  of  affairs  of  the
Company and the profit and loss of the Company for that period.

The  Directors,  whose  details  can  be  found  on  page 16,  each
confirm  that  to  the  best  of  their  knowledge  the  financial
statements,  within  the Annual Report,  have  been  prepared  in
accordance with applicable accounting standards, give a true and
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and the profit for
the year ended 31 March 2012, and that the Chairman’s Statement,
Review of Investments and the Report of the Directors include a
fair review of the information required by 4.1.8R to 4.1.11R of the
FSAs Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

In  preparing  these  financial  statements,  the  Directors are
required to:

(cid:129)

select suitable  accounting  policies  and  applied  them
consistently;

(cid:129) make  judgements  and  estimates  that  are  reasonable  and

On behalf of the Board
Martin Smith

Chairman 
1 June 2012

prudent; and

(cid:129)

state  whether  applicable  UK  Accounting  Standards  have
been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed
and explained in the financial statements.

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

Under  applicable  law  and  regulation,  the  Directors  are  also
responsible  for  preparing  a  Report  of  the  Directors,  including  a
formal  statement  on  Corporate  Governance  and  a  Directors’
Remuneration Report that comply with such law and regulations.

The financial statements are published on the Company’s website
(website  address:  www.worldwidewh.com),  which  is  a  website
maintained by the Manager. The maintenance and integrity of the
website is, so far as it relates to the Company, the responsibility of
the  Manager.  The  work  carried  out  by  the  Auditors  does  not
involve  consideration  of  the  maintenance  and  integrity  of  this
website and accordingly, the Auditors accept no responsibility for
any changes that have occurred to the financial statements since
they were initially presented on the website. Visitors to the website

 
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27

This Corporate Governance Statement forms part of the Report of the Directors. 

CO M P L I A N C E

The Board has considered the principles and recommendations of
the  Association  of  Investment  Companies  (“AIC”) Code  of
Corporate  Governance  (“AIC  Code”)  by  reference  to  the  AIC
Corporate  Governance  Guide  for Investment  Companies  (“AIC
Guide”),  both  of  which  can  be  found  on  the AIC  website
www.theaic.co.uk. The  AIC  Code,  as  explained  by  the  AIC  Guide,
addresses all the principles set out in the UK Corporate Governance
Code (the “UK Governance Code”) as well as setting out additional
principles  and  recommendations  on  issues  that  are  of  specific
relevance  to  the  Company.  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
Governance Code), provides better information to shareholders. A
copy of the UK Governance Code can be found at www.frc.org.uk. 

The Board considers that it has managed its affairs throughout
the  year  ended  31  March  2012  in  compliance  with  the
recommendations of the AIC Code and the relevant provisions
of the UK Governance Code, except as set out below:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

the role of the chief executive;

executive directors’ remuneration; and

the need for an internal audit function.

For the reasons set out in the AIC Guide, and in the preamble to
the  AIC  Code,  the  Board  considers  these  provisions  are  not
relevant  to  the  position  of  the  Company,  being  an  externally
managed  investment  trust.  The  Company  has  therefore  not
reported further in respect of these provisions. 

In view of its non-executive nature, the Board considers that it is
not appropriate for the Directors to be appointed for a specified
term as recommended by provision B.7.1 of the UK Corporate
Governance  Code  and  principle  3  of  the  AIC  Code. The Board
has agreed that  all  Directors  of  the  Company  will seek
re-election  annually.  Professor  Duncan  Geddes,  however, will
not be seeking re-election at this years’Annual General Meeting.

I N T E R N A L   AU D I T  

As  the  Company  delegates its  day-to-day  operations  to  third
parties and has no employees, the Board has determined that
there  are  no  requirements  for  an  internal  audit  function.  The
Board  reviews  annually  whether  a  function  equivalent  to  an
internal audit is needed annually and it will continue to monitor
its systems of internal controls in order to provide assurance that
they operate as intended.

B OA R D   I N D E P E N D E N C E ,   CO M P O S I T I O N   A N D
T E N U R E

Martin  Smith as  Chairman is  responsible  for  leadership  of  the
Board and for ensuring its effectiveness in all aspects of its role,
currently  consists  of six non-executive  Directors.  The  Directors’
biographical details, set out on page 16, demonstrate a breadth
of investment, commercial and professional experience. Professor
Duncan Geddes has been designated as the Senior Independent
Director who can act as a sounding board for the Chairman and
also  acts  as  an  intermediary  for  the  other  Directors  when
necessary.  Professor  Geddes  will  not  be  seeking  re-election  at
this year’s Annual General Meeting. He will be succeeded as the
Senior  Independent  Director  by  Anthony  Townsend.  The
Directors review their independence annually.

Samuel D. Isaly is Managing Partner of OrbiMed, the Company’s
Investment  Manager,  and  has  also  served  on  the  Board  for  over
nine  years.  Mr  Isaly  is  therefore  not  considered  to  be  an
Independent Director. Professor Geddes and Anthony Townsend
have both also served on the Board for over nine years. The Board
subscribes  to  the  view  expressed  within  the  AIC  Code  that
long-serving Directors should not be prevented from forming part
of an independent majority. It does not consider that a Director’s
tenure necessarily reduces his or her ability to act independently
and, following formal performance evaluations, believes that, with
the  exception  of  Samual  D.  Isaly, each  of  the  Directors  is
independent in character and judgement and that there are no
relationships  or  circumstances  which  are  likely  to  effect  their
judgement. Jo Dixon joined the Board in 2004 and Martin Smith
and  Dr  David  Holbrook  joined  the  Board  in  2007  and  are  all
considered  by  the  Board  to  be  independent.  The  Board  has
considered  the  position  of  Ms  Dixon  and  Messrs  Isaly,  Smith,
Townsend and Dr Holbrook as part of the evaluation process, and
believes  that  it  would  be  in  the  Company’s  best  interests  to
propose them for re-election at the forthcoming Annual General
Meeting.  In  line  with  the  Company’s  strong  commitment  to  its
corporate governance responsibilities, the Board regularly reviews
its performance and composition to ensure it has the correct mix
of  relevant  skills  and  experience  for  the  good  conduct  of  the
Company’s business. As part of this process the Board has agreed
a  programme  of  refreshment,  which  will  see  its  membership
change as current Directors retire in an orderly manner, and new
Directors are appointed.

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Corporate Governance (continued)

None of the Directors has a service contract with the Company.
New Directors are appointed with the expectation that they will
serve  for  a  minimum  period  of  three  years.  Any  Director  may
resign  in  writing  to  the  Board  at  any  time.  The  terms  of  their
appointment are detailed in a letter sent to them when they join
the Board. These letters are available for inspection at the offices of
the  Company’s  Manager  and  will  be  available  at  the  Annual
General Meeting. When a new Director is appointed to the Board,
they  are  provided  with  all  relevant  information  regarding  the
Company  and their  duties  and  responsibilities  as  a  Director.  In
addition, a new Director will also spend time with representatives
of the Manager and Investment Manager in order to learn more
about their processes and procedures. The Chairman also regularly
reviews the training and development needs of each Director. The
Board receives  regular  briefings  from,  amongst  others,  the
Auditors  and  the  Company  Secretary  regarding  any  proposed
developments or changes in laws or regulations that could affect
the Company and/or the Directors.

T H E   B OA R D ’S   R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S

The Board is responsible for efficient and effective leadership of the
Company and regularly reviews the schedule of matters reserved
for its decision. The Board meets at least on a quarterly basis and at
other times as necessary. The Board is responsible for all aspects of
the Company’s affairs, including the setting of parameters for and
the monitoring of investment strategy, the review of investment
performance (including peer group performance) and investment
policy.  It  also  has  responsibility  for  all  corporate  strategy  issues,
dividend  policy,  share  buy-back  policy,  gearing,  share  price  and
discount/premium  monitoring  and  corporate  governance
matters. To enable them to discharge their responsibilities, prior to
each meeting the Directors are provided, in a timely manner, with
a comprehensive set of papers giving detailed information on the
Company’s  transactions,  financial  position  and  performance.
Representatives of the Manager and Investment Manager attend
each Board meeting, enabling the Directors to seek clarification on
specific  issues  or  to  probe  further  on  matters  of  concern;  a  full
written report is also received from the Manager and Investment
Manager at each quarterly meeting. In light of these reports, the
Board gives direction to the Investment Manager with regard to
the Company’s investment objectives and guidelines. Within these
established guidelines, the Investment Manager takes decisions as
to the purchase and sale of individual investments.

There is an agreed procedure for Directors, in the furtherance of
their  duties,  to  take  independent  professional  advice,  if
necessary, at the Company’s expense. The Directors have access
to the advice and services of the Company Secretary, through its
appointed  representative,  who  is  responsible  to  the  Board  for
ensuring that Board procedures are followed.

EXTERNAL  INDEPENDENT  BOARD  EVALUATION

The results of the external independent evaluation process were
presented to and discussed by the Board in March 2012 and, as
a  result,  it  was  agreed  that  the  current  Directors  contributed
effectively and that all had the skills and experience which are
relevant to the leadership and direction of the Company.

CO N F L I C T   O F   I N T E R E S T

On  1  October  2008  it  became  a  statutory  requirement  that  a
Director must avoid a situation in which he or she has, or can
have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts, or possibly may
conflict,  with  the  Company’s  interests  (a “situational  conflict”).
The Company’s Articles of Association have been amended to
give  the  Directors  authority  to  approve  such  situations,  where
appropriate.

It  is  the  responsibility  of  each  individual  Director  to  avoid  an
unauthorised conflict situation arising. He or she must request
authorisation  from  the  Board  as  soon  as  he  or  she  becomes
aware of the possibility of a situational conflict arising.

The  Board  is  responsible  for  considering  Directors’  requests  for
authorisation  of  situational  conflicts  and  for  deciding  whether
they  should  be  authorised.  The  factors  to  be  considered  will
include  whether  the  situational  conflict  could  prevent  the
Director  from  performing  his  or  her  duties,  whether  it  has,  or
could have, any impact on the Company and whether it could
be regarded as likely to affect the judgment and/or actions of the
Director  in  question.  When  the  Board  is  deciding  whether  to
authorise a conflict or potential conflict, only Directors who have
no interest in the matter being considered are able to take the
relevant decision, and in taking the decision the Directors must
act in a way they consider, in good faith, will be most likely to
promote  the  Company’s  success.  The  Directors  are  able  to
impose  limits  or  conditions  when  giving  authorisation  if  they
think this is appropriate in the circumstances.

A register of conflicts is maintained by the Company Secretary
and is reviewed at quarterly Board meetings, to ensure that any

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Corporate Governance (continued)

29

authorised conflicts remain appropriate. Directors are required
to  confirm  at  these  meetings  whether  there  has  been  any
change to their position.

Chairman  of  the  committee.  Details  of  the  membership  of  the
Committees as at 31 March 2012 are shown with the Directors’
biographies on page 16.

The Directors must also comply with the statutory rules requiring
company  directors  to  declare  any  interest  in  an  actual  or
proposed transaction or arrangement with the Company.

CO M M I T T E E S   O F  T H E   B OA R D

During the year the Board delegated certain responsibilities and
functions  to  committees.  Copies  of  the  full  terms  of  reference,
which clearly define the responsibilities of each Committee, can
be  obtained  from  the  Company  Secretary,  will  be  available  for
inspection at the Annual General Meeting, and can be found at
the Company’s website at www.worldwidewh.com. Following a
review by the Board in 2008, it was agreed that due to the size of
the  Board,  the  membership  of  the  Management  Engagement
and  Remuneration  and  Nominations  Committees should
comprise  the  whole  Board, under  the  chairmanship  of the
Chairman  of  the  Company  and  Professor  Geddes  respectively
(provided  that  a  majority  of  the  Directors  present  are
independent). It was further agreed at a Board Meeting held in
March  2011  that  Mr  Isaly,  due  to  his  role  at  OrbiMed the
Company’s Investment Manager, should cease to be a member
of  the  Management  Engagement  and  Remuneration  and
Nominations  Committees.  The  membership  of  the  Audit
Committee  comprises  the  following  independent  Directors:  Jo
Dixon (Chairman), Dr David Holbrook, Professor Duncan Geddes
and Anthony Townsend. Directors who are not members of the
Company’s  committees  may  attend  at  the  invitation  of  the

The  table below  details  the  number  of  Board  and  Committee
meetings attended by each Director. During the year there were
four  Board  meetings, two  Audit  Committee  meetings, one
meeting of the Nominations Committee and one meeting of the
Management Engagement and Remuneration Committee.

N O M I N AT I O N S   CO M M I T T E E

The  Nominations  Committee  is  responsible  for  the  Board
appraisal process and for making recommendations to the Board
on the appointment of new Directors. Where appropriate, each
Director is invited to submit nominations and external advisers
may be used to identify potential candidates.

MA N AG E M E N T   E N G AG E M E N T   A N D
R E M U N E R AT I O N CO M M I T T E E

The level of Directors’ fees is reviewed on a regular basis relative
to other comparable investment companies and in the light of
Directors’  responsibilities.  Neither  the  Chairman  nor  individual
Directors  participate 
involving  personal
remuneration.  Details  of  the  fees  paid  to  the  Directors  in  the
year  under  review  are  detailed  in  the  Directors’  Remuneration
Report on pages 33 and 34.

in  discussions 

This  committee  also  reviews  the  terms  of  engagement  of  the
Investment  Manager,  the  Manager  and  the  Company’s  other
service providers.

M E E T I N G   AT T E N DA N C E
The number of meetings held during the year of the Board and its Committees, and each Director’s attendance level, is shown below:
M a n a g e m e n t
and
R e m u n e r a t i o n
Committee
(1)

Type and number of meetings
held in 2011/12

Nominations
Committee
(1)

Audit
Committee
(2)

Engagement 

Board
(4)

Martin Smith
Jo Dixon
Professor Duncan Geddes
Paul Gaunt (retired as a director on 7 July 2011)
Dr David Holbrook
Samuel D. Isaly*
Anthony Townsend

4
4
3
2
4
4
4

N/A
2
2
N/A
2
N/A
2

1
1
–
–
1
1
1

1
1
–
–
1
1
1

All of the Directors attended the Annual General Meeting held on 7 July 2011.

*Mr Isaly ceased to be a member of the Management Engagement & Remuneration and Nominations Committees after the meetings of those committees held in March 2011.

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Corporate Governance (continued)

AUDIT COMMITTEE

BOARD DIVERSITY 

The  Audit  Committee  meets  at  least  twice  a  year  and  is
responsible  for  the  review  of  the  interim  and  annual  financial
statements,  the  nature  and  scope  of  the  external  audit  and  the
findings therefrom and the terms of appointment of the Auditors,
including their remuneration and the provision of any non-audit
services by them.

The Audit Committee meets representatives of the Manager and
Investment Manager and their Compliance Officers who report as
to  the  proper  conduct  of  business  in  accordance  with  the
regulatory  environment  in  which  the  Company,  Manager  and
Investment  Manager  operate.  The  Company’s  external Auditors
also attend meetings of this Committee at its request and report
on  their  work  procedures  and  their  findings  in  relation  to  the
Company’s  statutory  audit.  They  also  have  the  opportunity  to
meet with the Committee without representatives of the Manager
or the Investment Manager being present. The Audit Committee
reviews  the  need  for  non-audit  services  to  be  provided  by  the
auditor  and  authorises  such  on  a  case  by  case  basis,  having
consideration  to  the  cost  effectiveness  of  the  services  and  the
independence and objectivity of the Auditors. Non-audit fees of
£11,000 were paid to Ernst & Young LLP during the year for agreed
upon  procedures  in  relation  to  the  Company’s  option positions,
performance  fee  review  and  tax  services. The  Board  has
concluded, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, that
the Auditors  continued  to  be  independent  and  that  their
reappointment be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.

THE BRIBERY ACT 2010

The Board has adopted a zero tolerance approach to instances of
bribery  and  corruption.  Accordingly  it  expressly  prohibits  any
Director  or  associated  persons  when  acting  on  behalf  of  the
Company, from accepting, soliciting, paying, offering or promising
to  pay  or  authorise  any  payment,  public  or  private  in  the  UK  or
abroad to secure any improper benefit for themselves or for the
Company.

The Board applies the same Standards to its service providers in
their activities for the Company.

A copy of the Company’s Anti Bribery and Corruption Policy can
be found on its website at www.worldwidewh.com.

The  Company  welcomes  the  objectives  of  the  Davies  Report  to
improve  the  performance  of  Corporate  boards  by  encouraging
the  appointment  of  the  best  people  from  a  range  of  differing
perspectives  and  backgrounds.  The  Company  recognises  the
benefits of diversity on the board, including gender, and takes this
into  account  in  its  board  appointments.  The  Company  is
committed to ensuring that any Director search processes actively
seek persons with  the  right  qualifications  so  that  appointments
can made, on the basis of merit, against objective criteria from a
diverse selection of candidates. To this end the Board will continue
to dedicate time to consider diversity during any director search
process.

INTERNAL CONTROLS

The Directors are responsible for the Company’s system of internal
control  which  is  designed  to  safeguard  the  Company’s  assets,
maintain  proper  accounting  records  and  ensure  that  financial
information  used  within  the  business,  or  published,  is  reliable.
However, such a system can only be designed to manage rather
than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and
therefore can only provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance
against fraud, material misstatement or loss.

Risk assessment and the review of internal controls are undertaken
by the Board in the context of the Company’s overall investment
objective.  The  review  covers  the  key  business,  operational,
compliance and financial risks facing the Company. In arriving at its
judgement  of  what  risks  the  Company  faces,  the  Board  has
considered  the  Company’s  operations  in  the  light  of  the
following factors: 
(cid:129)

the nature and extent of risks which it regards as acceptable
for  the  Company  to  bear  within  its  overall  business
objective;

(cid:129)
(cid:129)

the threat of such risks becoming a reality; and

the Company’s ability to reduce the incidence and impact
of risk on its performance.

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Corporate Governance (continued)

31

Against this background, the Board has split the review of risk
and associated controls into five sections reflecting the nature
of the risks being addressed. These sections are as follows:
(cid:129)
(cid:129)
(cid:129)

information,  compliance  with 

investment activity;

corporate strategy;

laws  and

published 
regulations;

(cid:129)
(cid:129)

service providers; and

financial activity.

The  Company  has  appointed Frostrow  Capital  LLP  to  provide
Company management, Company secretarial and administrative
services  to  the  Company.  The  Company  has  obtained  from  its
various  service  providers  assurances  and  information  relating  to
their internal systems and controls to enable the Board to make an
appropriate risk and control assessment, including the following:
(cid:129)
(cid:129)
(cid:129)
(cid:129)

identification and evaluation of risks and control objectives; 

review of communication methods and procedures; and

details of the control environment in operation;

assessment of the control procedures.

The  key  procedures  which  have  been  established  to  provide
internal financial controls are as follows:
(cid:129)

investment management is provided by OrbiMed Capital LLC.
The  Board  is  responsible  for  setting  the  overall  investment
policy and monitors the actions of the Investment Manager at
regular Board meeting;

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

administration, company secretarial and marketing duties for
the Company are performed by Frostrow Capital LLP;

custody of assets is undertaken by Goldman Sachs & Co. New
York;

(cid:129)

the Board clearly defines the duties and responsibilities of their
agents and advisers. The appointment of agents and advisers
to the Company is conducted by the Board after consideration
of the quality of the parties involved; the Board monitors their
ongoing performance and contractual arrangements; 
(cid:129) mandates  for  authorisation  of  investment  transactions  and

expense payments are set by the Board; and

(cid:129)

the  Board  reviews  financial  information  produced  by  the
Investment Manager and the Manager in detail on a regular
basis.

All  of  the  Company’s  management  functions  are  performed  by
third parties whose internal controls are reviewed by the Board or
on its behalf by Frostrow Capital LLP.

In  accordance  with  guidance  issued  to  directors  of  listed
companies,  (“the Turnbull  Guidance”)  the  Directors  confirm  that
they have carried out a review of the effectiveness of the system of
internal  financial  control  during  the  year  and  up  to  the  date  of
approval of the financial statements, as set out above.

RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS

its 

The Board reviews the shareholder register at each Board meeting.
The  Company  has  regular  contact  with 
institutional
shareholders  particularly  through  the  Manager.  The  Board
supports the principle that the Annual General Meeting be used
to communicate with private investors. The full Board attends the
Annual General Meeting under the Chairmanship of the Chairman
of  the  Board.  Details  of  proxy  votes  received  in  respect  of  each
resolution are made available to shareholders at the meeting and
the  Company’s  website  at
are  also  published  on 
www.worldwidewh.com.  Representatives  from  the  Investment
Manager  attend  the  Annual  General  Meeting  and  give  a
presentation  on  investment  matters  to  those  present.  The
Company has adopted a nominee share code which is set out on
page 32.

The  Board  receives  marketing  and  public  relations  reports  from
the  Manager  to  whom  the  marketing  function  has  been
delegated. The Board reviews and considers the marketing plans
of the Manager on a regular basis.

The annual and interim financial reports, the interim management
statements  and  a  monthly  fact  sheet  are  available  to  all
shareholders. The  Board  considers  the  format  of  the  annual  and
interim  financial  reports  so  as  to  ensure  they  are  useful  to  all
shareholders  and  others  taking  an  interest  in  the  Company.  In
accordance  with  best  practice,  the  annual  report,  including  the
Notice of the Annual General Meeting, is sent to shareholders at
least 20 working days before the meeting. Separate resolutions are
proposed for substantive issues.

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Corporate Governance (continued)

EXERCISE OF VOTING POWERS

The Board has delegated authority to the Investment Manager to
vote the shares owned by the Company that are held on its behalf
by its custodian, Goldman Sachs & Co. New York. The Board has
instructed  that  the  Investment  Manager  submit  votes  for  such
shares wherever possible. This accords with current best practice
whilst  maintaining  a  primary  focus  on  financial  returns.  The
Investment Manager may refer to the Board on any matters of a
contentious nature. The Company does not retain voting rights on
any shares that are subject to rehypothecation in connection with
the loan facility provided by Goldman Sachs & Co. New York.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND AUDIT

The Statement  of  Directors’  Responsibilities  in  respect  of  the
financial  statements  is  set  out  on page 26.  The  report  of  the
Auditors is set out on pages 35 and 36. The Board has delegated to
external  agencies,  including  the Manager  and  the  Investment
Manager,  the  management  of  the portfolio,  custodial  services
(which  includes  the  safeguarding  of  the  Company’s  assets),  the
day  to  day  marketing,  accounting  administration,  company
secretarial  requirements  and  registration  services.  Each  of  these
contracts was entered into after full and proper consideration by
the Board of the quality and cost of the services offered, including

the  control  systems  in  operation  in  so  far  as  they  relate  to  the
affairs of the Company. The Board receives and considers regular
reports  from  the  Manager  and  the  Investment  Manager  and  ad
hoc reports and information are supplied to the Board as required.

NOMINEE SHARE CODE

Where  shares  are  held  in  a  nominee  company  name,  the
Company undertakes:
(cid:129)

to  provide  the  nominee  company  with  multiple  copies  of
shareholder  communications,  so  long  as  an  indication  of
quantities has been provided in advance;

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

to  allow  investors  holding  shares  through  a  nominee
company  to  attend general meetings,  provided  the  correct
authority from the nominee company is available; and

that investors in the Alliance Trust Savings Scheme or ISA are
automatically  sent  shareholder  communications,  including
details of general meetings, together with a form of direction
to facilitate voting and to seek authority to attend.

Nominee  companies  are  encouraged  to  provide  the  necessary
authority  to  underlying  shareholders  to  attend  the  Company’s
general meetings. 

Shareholder Analysis

% of shares held at 31 March 2012

Retail Holders
(including private client,
Stockbrokers & the
Alliance Trust Savings
& ISA Clients)
60.6%

Institutional &
Corporate Holders
19.5%

Mutual Funds
(including Investment
Trusts)
19.9%

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Directors’ Remuneration Report

33

eligible for bonuses, pension benefits, share options, long-term
incentive  schemes  or  other  benefits.  The  policy  is  for  the
Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Audit Committee and
the Senior Independent Director to be paid higher fees than the
other Directors to reflect their additional responsibilities.

D I R E C T O R S ’   S E R V I C E   C O N T R A C T S

It is the Board’s policy that none of the Directors has a service
contract. The terms of their appointment provide that Directors
shall retire and be subject to election at the first Annual General
Meeting  after  their  appointment  and  re-election annually
thereafter. The terms also provide that a Director may resign by
notice in writing to the Board at any time and may be removed
without  notice  and  that  compensation  will  not  be  due  on
leaving  office.  The  Company’s  policy  is  for  the  Directors  to  be
remunerated in the form of fees payable quarterly in arrears, to
the Director personally or to a specified third party.

Y O U R   C O M P A N Y ’ S   P E R F O R M A N C E

The  Regulations  require  a  line  graph  be  included  in  the
Directors’ Remuneration Report comparing, for a period of five
years,  on  a  cumulative  basis,  the  total  share  price  return
(assuming all dividends are reinvested) to shareholders and the
total shareholder return on a notional investment made up of
shares of the same kind and number as those by reference to
the Company’s stated benchmark. With effect from 1 October
2010,  the  performance  of  the  Company  has  been  measured
against the MSCI World Health Care Index on a net total return,
sterling  adjusted  basis.  Prior  to  this  date,  performance  was
measured  against  the  Datastream  World  Pharmaceutical  &
Biotechnology Index (total return, sterling adjusted). Therefore,
the  benchmark  return  for  the  year  ended  31  March  2011
represented in the graph overleaf consists of a blended figure
containing both indices.

The  Board  has  prepared  this  report  in  accordance  with  the
requirements of Section 420 to 422 of the Companies Act 2006.
An ordinary resolution for the approval of this report will be put
to the members at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

The law requires the Company’s auditors to audit certain of the
disclosures  provided.  Where  disclosures  have  been  audited,
they are indicated as such. The Auditors’ opinion is included in
their report on pages 35 and 36.

M A N A G E M E N T  E N G A G E M E N T  A N D
R E M U N E R A T I O N   C O M M I T T E E

The Company has six non-executive Directors, five of whom are
considered by the Board to be independent. The whole Board,
with  the  exception  of Mr Isaly,  fulfils  the  function  of  the
Management  Engagement  and  Remuneration  Committee
(provided  that  a  majority  of  the  Directors  present  are
independent).  The  Board  may  utilise  the  services  of  the
Company Secretary or external advisers to provide advice when
the Directors consider the level of Directors’ fees. 

The Directors’ fees are reviewed annually by the Management
Engagement  and  Remuneration  Committee and  such  review
will not necessarily result in a change to the rates paid. During
the  year,  the  Management  Engagement  and  Remuneration
Committee carried out a review of the level of Directors’ fees in
relation  both  to  fees  paid  to  the  boards  of  other  investment
trust companies and also to the Board’s corporate governance
obligations.  The  Board  decided,  on  the  advice  of  the
Management Engagement and Remuneration Committee, that
the  fees  paid  to  the  Directors  should  be  increased  with  effect
from 1 April 2012. The revised fee levels are set out on page 34.

P O L I C Y   O N   D I R E C T O R S ’   F E E S

The Board’s policy is that the remuneration of Directors should
reflect  the  experience  of  the  Board  as  a  whole,  be  fair  and
comparable to that of other investment trusts that are similar in
size,  have  a  similar  capital  structure and  have  a  similar
investment objective. It is intended that this policy will continue
for the year ending 31 March 2013 and subsequent years. 

The fees for the Directors are determined within the limits set
out  in  the  Company’s  Articles  of  Association,  the  maximum
aggregate amount currently being £200,000. Directors are not

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34

Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

D I R E C T O R S ’   E M O L U M E N T S   F O R   T H E   Y E A R   ( A U D I T E D )

The Directors who served in the year received the following emoluments in the form of fees:
                                                                                                                                                                                   Level of fees
                                                                                                                                                                           with effect from                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                    1 April 2012                                       Fees                                       Fees
                                                                                                                                                                                      (unaudited)                                     2012                                       2011
                                                                                                                                                                                                 £’000                                     £’000                                     £’000

Martin Smith (Chairman of the Board)                                                                                                38.0                                 36.5                                 35.0
Jo Dixon (Chairman of the Audit Committee)                                                                                    27.0                                 26.0                                 25.0
Paul Gaunt (retired on 7 July 2011)                                                                                                            –                                   8.0                                 22.0
Professor Duncan Geddes (Senior Independent Director)                                                               24.5                                 23.5                                 22.0
Dr David Holbrook                                                                                                                                24.0                                 23.0                                 22.0
Samuel D. Isaly                                                                                                                                       24.0                                 23.0                                 22.0
Anthony Townsend                                                                                                                              24.0                                 23.0                                 22.0

                                                                                                                                                                161.5                               163.0                               170.0

S H A R E H O L D E R   T O T A L   R E T U R N   F O R   T H E   F I V E   Y E A R S   T O   3 1   M A R C H   2 0 1 2

200

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

Mar
07

Mar
08
Worldwide Healthcare Share price

Mar
09

Rebased to 100 as at 31 March 2007
Source: Morningstar, Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg

Mar
10

Mar
11

Benchmark index

Mar
12

A P P R O V A L

The Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 33 and 34 was approved by the Board of Directors on 1 June 2012 and signed on its
behalf by:

Martin Smith 

Chairman

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Independent Auditors’ Report 
to the Members of Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC

35

We  have  audited  the  financial  statements  of  Worldwide
Healthcare Trust PLC for the year ended 31 March 2012 which
comprise  the Income  Statement,  the  Reconciliation  of
Movements in Shareholders’ Funds, the Balance Sheet, the Cash
Flow  Statement and  the  related  notes  1  to  19.  The  financial
reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation
is  applicable  law  and  United  Kingdom  Accounting  Standards
(United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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

R E S P E C T I V E   R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S   O F
D I R E C T O R S   A N D   A U D I T O R S

As  explained  more  fully  in  the  Directors’  Responsibilities
Statement set out on page 26, the directors are responsible for
the  preparation  of  the  financial  statements  and  for  being
satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is
to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and International Standards on
Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply
with  the  Auditing  Practices  Board’s  Ethical  Standards  for
Auditors.

S C O P E   O F   T H E   A U D I T   O F   T H E   F I N A N C I A L
S T A T E M E N T S

An  audit  involves  obtaining  evidence  about  the  amounts  and
disclosures  in  the  financial  statements  sufficient  to  give
reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from
material  misstatement,  whether  caused  by  fraud  or  error.  This
includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are
appropriate  to  the  company’s  circumstances  and  have  been
consistently  applied  and  adequately  disclosed; 
the
reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the
directors;  and  the  overall  presentation  of  the  financial
In  addition,  we  read  all  the  financial  and
statements. 

non-financial  information  in  the  Report  of  the  Directors  to
identify  material  inconsistencies  with  the  audited  financial
statements.  If  we  become  aware  of  any  apparent  material
misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications
for our report.

O P I N I O N   O N   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

In our opinion the financial statements:
•     give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s affairs
as at 31 March 2012 and of its profit for the year then ended;
•     have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  United
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
•     have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  requirements

of the Companies Act 2006.

O P I N I O N   O N   O T H E R   M A T T E R S   P R E S C R I B E D
B Y   T H E   C O M P A N I E S   A C T   2 0 0 6

In our opinion:
•     the  part  of  the  Directors’  Remuneration  Report  to  be
audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the
Companies Act 2006; and

•     the  information  given  in  the  Directors’  Report  for  the
financial  year  for  which  the  financial  statements  are
prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

M A T T E R S   O N   W H I C H   W E   A R E   R E Q U I R E D   T O
R E P O R T   B Y   E X C E P T I O N

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters
where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in
our opinion:
•     adequate  accounting  records  have  not  been  kept,  or
returns adequate for our audit have not been received from
branches not visited by us; or

•     the  financial  statements  and  the  part  of  the  Directors’
Remuneration  Report  to  be  audited  are  not  in  agreement
with the accounting records and returns; or

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36

Independent Auditors’ Report (continued)

•     certain  disclosures  of  directors’  remuneration  specified  by

law are not made; or

•     we have not received all the information and explanations

we require for our audit.

Amarjit Singh (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor
London 
1 June 2012 

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37

Income Statement

for the year ended 31 March 2012

                                                                                                                                        2012                     2012                     2012                     2011                     2011                     2011
                                                                                                                                Revenue                 Capital                     Total             Revenue                 Capital                     Total
                                                                                                       Notes                    £’000                    £’000                    £’000                    £’000                    £’000                    £’000

Gains on investments held at fair 

value through profit or loss                                       9                        –              52,193              52,193                        –                5,477                5,477
Exchange (losses)/gains on currency balances                                    –                  (535)                 (535)                      –                   710                   710
Income from investments held at fair value

through profit or loss                                                  2              11,653                        –              11,653                9,125                        –                9,125

Investment management, management and 

and performance fees                                                 3                  (162)              (5,953)              (6,115)                 (147)              (2,658)              (2,805)
Other expenses                                                                 4                  (548)                      –                  (548)                 (586)                      –                  (586)

Net return before 

finance charges and taxation                                               10,943              45,705              56,648                8,392                3,529              11,921
Finance costs                                                                     5                    (14)                 (272)                 (286)                   (13)                 (247)                 (260)
Net return before taxation                                                         10,929              45,433              56,362                8,379                3,282              11,661
Taxation on net return on ordinary 

activities                                                                         6               (1,456)                  406               (1,050)              (1,224)                  239                  (985)
Net return after taxation                                                               9,473              45,839              55,312                7,155                3,521              10,676
Return per share – basic                                              7                21.8p              105.7p              127.5p                16.5p                  8.1p                24.6p
Return per share – diluted                                          7                21.4p              103.7p              125.1p                16.3p                  8.1p                24.4p

The “Total”  column  of  this  statement  is  the Income  Statement  of  the  Company.  The  “Revenue”  and  “Capital”  columns  are
supplementary to this and are prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies.

All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

The  Company  has  no  recognised  gains  and  losses  other  than  those  disclosed  in  the  Income  Statement  and  Reconciliation  of
Movements in Shareholders’ Funds. Accordingly no separate Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has been presented.

No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement. 

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Reconciliation of Movements 
in Shareholders’ Funds

For the year ended 31 March 2012

                                                                                                            Ordinary   Subscription                 Share                                            Capital                             
                                                                                                                   share                  share          premium               Capital     redemption           Revenue
                                                                                                                 capital               capital             account              reserve              reserve              reserve                   Total
                                                                                                                   £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000

At 31 March 2011                                                             10,875                    82          181,395          135,319               6,978            10,132          344,781
Net return from ordinary activities  

after taxation                                                                          –                      –                      –            45,839                      –               9,473            55,312

Dividend paid in respect of year 

ended 31 March 2011                                                          –                      –                      –                      –                      –             (6,474)            (6,474)

Subscription shares exercised for 

ordinary shares                                                                   212                     (9)             5,199                      9                      –                      –               5,411

Shares purchased to be held in treasury 

and treasury shares cancelled                                          (90)                     –                      –             (6,939)                   90                      –             (6,939)
Subscription shares repurchased for cancellation              –                     (2)               (294)                     2                      –                      –                (294)

At 31 March 2012                                                             10,997                    71          186,300          174,230               7,068            13,131          391,797

For the year ended 31 March 2011

                                                                                                            Ordinary   Subscription                 Share                                            Capital                             
                                                                                                                   share                  share          premium               Capital     redemption           Revenue
                                                                                                                 capital               capital             account              reserve              reserve              reserve                   Total
                                                                                                                   £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000

At 31 March 2010                                                             12,644                    90          176,648          145,160               5,009               6,630          346,181
Net return from ordinary activities  

after taxation                                                                          –                      –                      –               3,521                      –               7,155            10,676

Dividend paid in respect of year 

ended 31 March 2010                                                          –                      –                      –                      –                      –             (3,653)            (3,653)

Subscription shares exercised for 

ordinary shares                                                                  200                     (8)             4,747                      8                      –                      –               4,947

Shares purchased to be held in treasury         

and treasury shares cancelled                                    (1,969)                     –                      –           (13,370)             1,969                      –           (13,370)

At 31 March 2011                                                             10,875                    82          181,395          135,319               6,978            10,132          344,781

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

 
 
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39

Balance Sheet

as at 31 March 2012

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2012                                       2011
                                                                                                                                                                                                 Notes                                     £’000                                     £’000

Fixed assets

Investments held at fair value through profit or loss                                                                          9                          454,301                          385,869
Derivative – OTC swaps                                                                                                                    9 & 12                             13,691                                      –

                                                                                                                                                                                                   467,992                          385,869
Current assets

Debtors                                                                                                                                                       10                               2,512                               6,138
Derivative – financial instruments                                                                                                  9 & 12                                  940                               2,223

                                                                                                                                                                                                        3,452                               8,361

Current liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year                                                                                 11                           (79,647)                          (49,449)

                                                                                                                                                                                                    (79,647)                          (49,449)
Net current liabilities                                                                                                                                                            (76,195)                          (41,088)
Total net assets                                                                                                                                                                      391,797                          344,781
Capital and reserves

Ordinary share capital                                                                                                                              13                             10,997                             10,875
Subscription share capital                                                                                                                       13                                    71                                    82
Share premium account                                                                                                                                                        186,300                          181,395
Capital reserve                                                                                                                                           19                          174,230                          135,319
Capital redemption reserve                                                                                                                                                       7,068                               6,978
Revenue reserve                                                                                                                                                                        13,131                             10,132
Total shareholders’ funds                                                                                                                                                  391,797                          344,781
Net asset value per share – basic                                                                                                     14                            909.4p                            799.2p
Net asset value per share – diluted for subscription shares                                                   14                            871.0p                            773.5p
Net asset value per share – fully diluted for subscription shares

and treasury shares                                                                                                                          14                            869.7p                            772.8p

The financial statements on pages 37 to 56 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 1 June 2012 and
were signed on its behalf by:

Martin Smith
Chairman

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC – Company Registration Number 3023689 (Registered in England)

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Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 31 March 2012

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2012                                       2011
                                                                                                                                                                                                 Notes                                     £’000                                     £’000

Net cash inflow from operating activities                                                                                     15                               4,112                               3,268

Servicing of finance

Interest paid                                                                                                                                                                                    (286)                               (260)

Taxation

Taxation suffered                                                                                                                                                                            (422)                               (202)

Financial investments

Purchases of investments and derivatives                                                                                                                        (301,803)                        (274,348)
Sales of investments and derivatives                                                                                                                                  288,756                          273,089
Net cash outflow from financial investment                                                                                                                (13,047)                            (1,259)

Equity dividends paid                                                                                                                             8                              (6,474)                            (3,653)
Net cash outflow before financing                                                                                                                                  (16,117)                            (2,106)

Financing

Repurchase of own shares                                                                                                                                                        (7,233)                          (13,374)
Subscription shares exercised for ordinary shares                                                                             13                               5,411                               4,947
Net cash outflow from financing                                                                                                                                        (1,822)                            (8,427)

Decrease in cash                                                                                                                                     16                           (17,939)                          (10,533)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
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Notes to the Financial Statements

41

1 . ACCO U N T I N G   P O L I C I E S
The  principal  accounting  policies,  all  of  which  have  been  applied  consistently  throughout  the  year  in  the  preparation  of  these
financial statements, are set out below:

(a) Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom generally accepted accounting standards (UK
GAAP) and with the Statement of Recommended Practice ‘Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital
Trusts’ dated January 2009 (the ‘SORP’).

The Company’s financial statements are presented in sterling. All values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£’000) except
where otherwise indicated.

(b) Investments Held at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss
Listed investments have been designated by the Board as held at fair value through profit or loss and accordingly are valued at fair
value, deemed to be bid market prices. 

Unquoted investments are also been designated by the Board as held at fair value through profit or loss, and are valued by the
Directors using primary valuation techniques such as earnings multiples, option pricing models, discounted cash flow analysis and
recent transactions.

Changes in the fair value of investments held at fair value through profit or loss and gains and losses on disposal are recognised in
the Income Statement as ‘gains or losses on investments held at fair value through profit or loss’. Also included within this caption
are transaction costs in relation to the purchase or sale of investments, including the difference between the purchase price of an
investment and its bid price at the date of purchase. All purchases and sales are accounted for on a trade date basis.

The Company has classified its financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss and the fair value of derivative financial
instruments using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the fair value measurements. The
hierarchy has the following levels:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included with Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as
prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

Level 3 – inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

(c) Investment Income
Dividends receivable on equity shares are recognised on the ex-dividend date. Where no ex-dividend date is quoted, dividends are
recognised when the Company’s right to receive payment is established. UK dividends are shown net of tax credits and foreign
dividends are grossed up at the appropriate rate of withholding tax.

Income from fixed interest securities is recognised on a time apportionment basis so as to reflect the effective interest rate.

Deposit interest is accounted for on an accruals basis.

(d) Expenses
All expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenses are charged through the revenue column of the Income Statement except
as follows:

(i) expenses  which  are  incidental  to  the  acquisition  or  disposal  of  an  investment,  categorised  as  fixed  assets  held  at  fair  value

through profit or loss are charged to the capital column of the Income Statement; and

(ii) expenses  are  charged  to  the  capital  column  of  the Income Statement  where  a  connection  with  the  maintenance  or
enhancement  of  the  value  of  the  investments  can  be  demonstrated.  In  this  respect  the  investment  management  and
management fees have been charged to the Income Statement in line with the Board’s expected long-term split of returns, in
the  form  of  capital  gains  and  income,  from  the  Company’s portfolio.  As  a  result  5%  of  the  investment  management  and
management fees are charged to the revenue column of the Income Statement and 95% are charged to the capital column of
the Income Statement.

Any performance fee accrued or paid is charged in full to the capital column of the Income Statement.

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42

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

1 . ACCO U N T I N G   P O L I C I E S   (CO N T I N U E D)

(e) Finance Costs
Finance costs are accounted for on an accruals basis. Finance costs are charged to the Income Statement in line with the Board’s
expected long-term split of returns, in the form of capital gains and income, from the Company’s portfolio. As a result 5% of the
finance  costs  are  charged  to  the  revenue  column  of  the  Income  Statement  and  95%  are  charged  to  the  capital  column  of  the
Income  Statement.  Finance  charges,  if  applicable,  including  interest  payable  and  premiums  on  settlement  or  redemption,  are
accounted for on an accruals basis in the Income Statement using the effective interest rate method and are added to the carrying
amount of the instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the period in which they arise.

(f) Taxation
The tax effect of different items of expenditure is allocated between capital and revenue using the marginal basis.

Deferred taxation is provided on all timing differences that have originated but not been reversed by the Balance Sheet date other
than those differences regarded as permanent. This is subject to deferred tax assets only being recognised if it is considered more
likely  than  not  that  there  will  be  suitable  profits  from  which  the  reversal  of  timing  differences  can  be  deducted.  Any  liability  to
deferred tax is provided for at the average rate of tax expected to apply. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted to
reflect the time value of money.

(g) Foreign Currency
The results and financial position of the Company are expressed in sterling, which is the functional and presentational currency of
the Company. Sterling is the functional currency because it is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the
Company operates.

Transactions recorded in overseas currencies during the year are translated into sterling at the appropriate daily exchange rates.
Assets and liabilities denominated in overseas currencies at the Balance Sheet date are translated into sterling at the exchange rates
ruling at that date.

Any gains or losses on the translation of foreign currency balances, whether realised or unrealised, are taken to the capital or the
revenue column of the Income Statement, depending on whether the gain or loss is of a capital or revenue nature.

(h)  Functional and Presentational Currency
The financial information is shown in sterling, being the Company’s presentational currency. In arriving at the functional currency
the Directors have considered the following:

(i)

the primary economic environment of the Company;

(ii)  the currency in which the original capital was raised;

(iii)  the currency in which distributions are made;

(iv)  the currency in which performance is evaluated; and

(v)  the currency in which the capital would be returned to Shareholders on a break up basis.

The Directors are of the opinion that sterling best represents the Company’s functional currency.

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Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

43

1 . ACCO U N T I N G   P O L I C I E S   (CO N T I N U E D)

(i) Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments (namely put and call options and equity swaps). The merits and rationale behind
such strategies are to enhance the capital return of the portfolio, facilitate management of portfolio volatility and improve the risk-
return profile of the Company relative to its benchmark.

All  derivative  instruments  are  valued  at  fair  value  in  the Balance Sheet  in  accordance  with  FRS  26:  ‘Financial  instruments:
measurement’.

Each investment in options is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are all deemed to be capital in nature. As such, all gains and
losses on the above strategies have been debited or credited to the capital column of the Income Statement.

All gains and losses on over-the-counter (OTC) equity swaps, during the swap term, are accounted for as investment holding gains
or losses on investments. Where there has been a re-positioning of the swap, gains and losses are accounted for on a realised basis.
All such gains and losses have been debited or credited to the capital column of the Income Statement.

(j) Capital Reserves
The following are transferred to this reserve:

– gains and losses on the realisation of investments;

–

–

–

–

realised and unrealised exchange differences of a capital nature; 

expenses, together with the related taxation effect, in accordance with the above policies; 

increases and decreases in the valuation of investments held at the year end; and

unrealised exchange differences of a capital nature.

2 .

I N CO M E   F R O M   I N V E S T M E N TS   H E L D   AT   FA I R  VA LU E  T H R O U G H   P R O F I T   O R   LO S S

Income from investments
UK listed dividends
Overseas dividends
Fixed interest income

Other income
Deposit interest

Total income from investments held at fair value through profit or loss

Total income comprises:
Dividends
Interest

2012
£’000

505
8,863
2,283

11,651

2

11,653

9,368
2,285

11,653

2011
£’000

343
7,226
1,549

9,118

7

9,125

7,569
1,556

9,125

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44

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

3 .

I N V E S T M E N T   MA N AG E M E N T,   MA N AG E M E N T   A N D   P E R F O R MA N C E   F E E S

Investment Management fee
Management  fee
Performance fee accrual/(write back)

2012
Revenue
£’000

119
43
–

162

2012
Capital
£’000

2,251
817
2,885

5,953

2012
Total
£’000

2,370
860
2,885

6,115

2011
Revenue
£’000

107
40
–

147

2011
Capital
£’000

2,030
763
(135)

2,658

2011
Total
£’000

2,137
803
(135)

2,805

During the year, a performance fee of £909,000 crystallised (year ended 31 March 2011: £2,624,000).

Further details of the performance fee basis can be found in the Report of the Directors on page 21 under the heading ‘Performance
Fee’.

4 . OT H E R   E X P E N S E S

Directors’ remuneration 
Auditors’ remuneration for the audit of the Company’s financial statements
Auditors’ remuneration for other services
Marketing costs
Registrar fees
Broker retainer
Legal and professional costs
Printing
Stock exchange listing fees
Custody fees
Other costs

2012
Revenue
£’000

2011
Revenue
£’000

163
26
11
44
54
30
13
35
17
3
152

548

170
24
4
38
51
27
16
43
41
6
166

586

Details of the amounts paid to Directors are included in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 34.

5 .   F I N A N C E   C H A R G E S

Finance charges

2012
Revenue
£’000

14

2012
Capital
£’000

272

2012
Total
£’000

286

2011
Revenue
£’000

13

2011
Capital
£’000

247

2011
Total
£’000

260

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Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

45

6 . TAXAT I O N   O N   O R D I N A RY   AC T I V I T I E S

(a) Analysis of charge in year:

UK corporation tax at 26% (2011: 28%)
Tax relief to capital
Overseas taxation

2012
Revenue
£’000

2012
Capital
£’000

406
1,050

1,456

(406)
–

(406)

2012
Total
£’000

–
1,050

1,050

2011
Revenue
£’000

2011
Capital
£’000

239
985

1,224

(239)
–

(239)

2011
Total
£’000

–
985

985

(b) Factors affecting current tax charge for the year
The tax charged for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK for a large company 26% (2011: 28%). 

The difference is explained below.

Total return before taxation

Corporation tax at 26% (2011: 28%)
Non-taxable gains on investments held at fair value 

through profit or loss

Overseas withholding tax not recoverable
Non taxable overseas dividends
Non taxable UK dividend
Expenses charged to capital available to be utilised
Timing differences on overseas dividends
Disallowed expenses

Current tax charge

(c) Provision for deferred tax

2012
Revenue
£’000

2012
Capital
£’000

2012
Total
£’000

2011
Revenue
£’000

10,929

45,433

56,362

2,842

11,813

14,655

–
1,050
(2,535)
(131)
(6)
231
5

1,456

(13,431)
–
–
–
1,212
–
–

(13,431)
1,050
(2,535)
(131)
1,206
231
5

(406)

1,050

8,379

2,346

–
985
(1,725)
(96)
–
(291)
5

1,224

2011
Capital
£’000

3,282

919

(1,620)
–
–
–
462
–
–

(239)

2011
Total
£’000

11,661

3,265

(1,620)
985
(1,725)
(96)
462
(291)
5

985

As at 31 March 2012 the Company has not recognised a deferred tax asset of £8,805,000 (24% tax rate) (2011: £9,830,000 (26% tax rate)
as a result of unutilised management expenses and non-trade loan relationship.  It is not anticipated that this asset will be utilised in
the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax has not been provided for in these financial statements, because the Company meets and intends to continue meeting
the conditions for approval as an investment trust.

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46

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

7 . R E T U R N P E R   S H A R E

The return per share is based on the following figures:
Revenue return
Capital return

Total return

2012
£’000

9,473
45,839

55,312

2011
£’000

7,155
3,521

10,676

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year – basic

43,362,962

43,342,727

Revenue return per share
Capital return per share

Total return per share – basic

21.8p
105.7p

127.5p

16.5p
8.1p

24.6p

Weighted average number of shares in issue during the year – diluted

44,223,263

43,776,264

Revenue return per share
Capital return per share

Total return per share – diluted

8 .

I N T E R I M   D I V I D E N D

21.4p
103.7p

125.1p

16.3p
8.1p

24.4p

Under  UK  GAAP,  final  dividends  are  not  recognised  until  they  are  approved  by  shareholders  and  interim  dividends  are  not
recognised  until  they  are  paid.  They  are  also  debited  directly  from  reserves.  Amounts  recognised  as  distributable  to  ordinary
shareholders for the year ended 31 March 2012 were as follows:

Interim dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2011
Interim dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2010

2012
£’000

6,474
–

6,474

2011
£’000

–
3,653

3,653

In respect of the year ended 31 March 2012, an interim dividend of 17.5p per share (2011: 15.0p per share) has been declared. The
aggregate cost of this dividend based on the number of shares in issue at 31 May 2012 is estimated to be £7,740,000. In accordance
with FRS 21 this dividend will be reflected in the interim accounts for the period ending 30 September 2012. Total dividends in
respect of the financial year, which is the basis on which the requirements of s1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 are considered,
are set out below:

Revenue available for distribution by way of dividend for the year
Dividends for the year ended 31 March

based on 44,231,026 shares in issue as at 31 May 2012.

2012
£’000

9,473
(7,740)

1,733

2011
£’000

7,155
(6,474)

681

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Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

47

9 .

I N V E S T M E N TS  

Cost at 1 April 2011
Investment holdings gains at 1 April 2011

Valuation at 1 April 2011

Movement in the year:
Purchases at cost
Sales – proceeds

– realised gains on sales

Net movement in investment holding gains

Valuation at 31 March 2012

Cost at 31 March 2012
Investment holding gains at 31 March 2012

Valuation at 31 March 2012

Listed
investments
£’000

Unlisted
investments
£’000

Derivative
financial
instruments
£’000

346,920
32,309

379,229

276,768
(254,048)
32,293
20,059

454,301

401,933
52,368

454,301

5,107
1,533

6,640

–
(6,209)
1,102
(1,533)

–

–
–

–

1,486
737

2,223

37,292
(25,156)
338
(66)

14,631

13,960
671

14,631

2012
£’000

33,733
(13,237)

20,496
31,697

52,193

Total
£’000

353,513
34,579

388,092

314,060
(285,413)
33,733
18,460

468,932

415,893
53,039

468,932

2011
£’000

41,414
(30,857)

10,557
(5,080)

5,477

Gains on investment

Realised gains based on historical cost – sales
Less: amounts recognised as investment holding gains in previous years

Realised gains based on carrying value at previous Balance Sheet date
Movement in investment holding gains in the year

Gains on investments

Purchase transaction costs for the year to 31 March 2012 were £575,000 (year ended 31 March 2011: £507,000). These comprise
mainly stamp duty and commission.

Sales transaction costs for the year to 31 March 2012 were £504,000 (year ended 31 March 2011: £467,000). These comprise mainly
commission and stamp duty.

1 0 . D E BTO R S

Amounts due from brokers
Withholding taxation recoverable
VAT recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income

2012
£’000

254
947
47
1,264

2,512

2011
£’000

3,597
525
49
1,967

6,138

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48

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

1 1 . C R E D I TO R S

Amounts falling due within one year

Amounts due to brokers
Stamp duty due on repurchase of own shares
Bank loan facility*
Performance fee accrued
Other creditors and accruals

2012
£’000

12,448
5
64,359
1,976
859

79,647

2011
£’000

191
–
45,885
2,624
749

49,449

*The  Company’s  borrowing  requirements  are  met  through  the  utilisation  of  a  loan  facility,  repayable  on  demand,  provided  by
Goldman Sachs & Co. New York (“Goldman Sachs”). Interest on the facility is charged at the Federal Funds effective rate plus 1 week
LIBOR-OIS Spread† plus 35 basis points. As at 31 March 2012, assets to the value of approximately 140% of the Company’s debt were
held by Goldman Sachs as collateral.

†See glossary on page 64

1 2 . D E R I VAT I V E   F I N A N C I A L   I N S T R U M E N TS

Fair value of OTC equity swaps
Fair value of call and put options

See note 9 on page 47 for movements during the year.

1 3 . S H A R E   C A P I TA L

Issued and fully paid:
At 1 April 2011
Ordinary shares bought back and held in treasury
Treasury shares cancelled following 2011 AGM
Subscription shares converted to Ordinary shares
Subscription shares repurchased for cancellation

At 31 March 2012

Ordinary

shares

number

43,141,611
(908,586)
–
848,139
–

43,081,164

Treasury

shares

number

358,607
908,586
(358,607)
–
–

908,586

Issued and fully paid:
43,989,750 Ordinary shares of 25p (including 908,586 ordinary shares held in treasury)
7,104,848 Subscription shares of 1p

2012
£’000

13,691
940

14,631

Total

Ordinary

shares

in issue

number

43,500,218
–
(358,607)
848,139
–

43,989,750

2011
£’000

–
2,223

2,223

Total

Subscription

shares

in issue

number

8,191,112
–
–
(848,139)
(238,125)

7,104,848

£’000

10,997
71

During the year ended 31 March 2012 a total of 908,586 shares were bought back by the Company (2011: 1,996,340) at a cost of
£6,908,000  and  expenses  of  £31,000  (2011: 13,305,000  and  £65,000).  908,586  shares  were  held  in  treasury  at  31  March  2012
(2011: 358,607).  848,139  new  shares  were  issued  during  the  year  as  a  result  of  holders  of  subscription  shares  exercising  their
subscription  rights,  raising  £5,411,000.  238,125  Subscription  shares  were  bought  back  for  cancellation  (2011: nil)  at  a  cost  of
£292,000 and expenses of £2,000 (2011: nil and nil).

At the year end there were 7,104,848 subscription shares in issue (2011: 8,191,112).

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Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

49

1 4 . N E T   A S S E T  VA LU E   P E R   S H A R E

Net asset value per share – basic

Net asset value per share – diluted for subscription shares

Net asset value per share – fully diluted for subscription shares and treasury shares

2012

909.4p

871.0p

869.7p

2011

799.2p

773.5p

772.8p

The net asset value per share is based on the assets attributable to equity shareholders of £391,797,000 (2011: £344,781,000) and on
the number of shares in issue at the year end of 43,081,164 (excluding shares held in treasury) (2011: 43,141,611). As at 31 March
2012, there were 7,104,848 subscription shares in issue (2011: 8,191,112). 

The  net  asset  value  per  share  diluted  assumes  all  outstanding  subscription  shares  were  exercised  at  638p  resulting  in  assets
attributable to equity shareholders of £ 437,126,000 and on 50,186,012 shares (2011: assumed all outstanding subscription shares
were exercised at 638p resulting in assets attributable to shareholders of £397,040,000 and on  51,332,723 shares). 

The net asset value per share fully diluted for subscription shares and treasury shares assumes that all outstanding subscription
shares were exercised at 638p and the treasury shares were sold back to the market at 795p resulting in assets attributable to equity
shareholders of £444,349,000 (2011: £399,482,000) and on 51,094,598 shares (2011: 51,691,330).

1 5 . R E CO N C I L I AT I O N   O F   O P E R AT I N G   R E T U R N  TO   N E T   C A S H I N F LO W   F R O M

O P E R AT I N G AC T I V I T I E S

Gains before finance costs and taxation
Less: capital gain before finance costs and taxation

Revenue return before finance costs and taxation
Expenses charged to capital
Decrease/(increase) in accrued income
Decrease/(increase) in other debtors
Decrease in creditors and accruals
Net taxation suffered on investment income

Net cash inflow from operating activities

2012
£’000

56,648
(45,705)

10,943
(5,953)
703
2
(533)
(1,050)

4,112

1 6 . R E CO N C I L I AT I O N   O F   N E T   C A S H   F LO W   M O V E M E N T  TO   M O V E M E N T   I N   N E T D E BT

2011
£’000

11,921
(3,529)

8,392
(2,658)
(1,105)
(12)
(364)
(985)

3,268

2011
£’000

(10,533)
710

(9,823)
(36,062)

(45,885)

2012
£’000

(17,939)
(535)

(18,474)
(45,885)

(64,359)

Increase in net debt resulting from cashflows
Exchange movements

Movement in net debt in the year
Net debt at start of year

Net debt at end of year

Represented by:

Net bank overdraft

At 1 April
2011
£’000

(45,885)

Cash flows
£’000

(17,939)

Exchange
movements
£’000

At 31 March
2012
£’000

(535)

(64,359)

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50

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

1 7 . R E L AT E D   PA R T I E S
Details of the relationship between the Company and OrbiMed Capital LLC are disclosed in the Report of the Directors on page 20.
Samuel D. Isaly is a Director of the Company, as well as Managing Partner of the Company’s Investment Manager, OrbiMed Capital
LLC. During the year ended 31 March 2012, OrbiMed Capital LLC earned £2,370,00 in respect of Investment Management fees, of
which £639,000 was outstanding at the year end. In addition performance fees of £827,000 were earned and paid during the year
and £nil was payable at 31 March 2012.

1 8 . F I N A N C I A L   I N S T R U M E N TS’  E X P O S U R E  TO   R I S K   A N D   R I S K   MA N AG E M E N T   P O L I C I E S

The  Company’s  financial  instruments  comprise  securities  and  other  investments,  derivative  instruments,  cash  balances,  loans,
debtors and creditors that arise directly from its operations.

As an investment trust, the Company invests in equities  and other investments for the long term so as to secure its investment
objective as stated on pages 17 and 18. In pursuing its investment objective, the Company is exposed to a variety of risks that could
result in a reduction in the Company’s net assets.

The main risks that the Company faces arising from its financial instruments are:

(i) market risk (including foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and other price risk)

(ii)

liquidity risk

(iii) credit risk

These  risks and  the  Directors’  approach  to  the  management  of  them,  are  set  out  in  the  Report  of  Directors  on  pages 18 to 20
and have  not  changed  from  the  previous  accounting  period. The  Investment  Manager,  in  close  co-operation  with  the  Board  of
Directors, co-ordinates the Company’s risk management.

(i) Market risk:
The Company’s portfolio is exposed to market price fluctuations which are monitored by the Investment Manager in pursuance of
the investment objective. Further information on the portfolio is set out on pages 12 to 15.

Management of risk:
Derivative instruments are used to mitigate market price risk, the following option strategies or a combination of such have been
used during the financial year:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Buy calls: provides leveraged long exposure, facilitates exposure while minimising capital at risk.

Buy puts: provides leveraged protection, facilitates exposure while minimising capital at risk.

Sell calls: against an existing position, provides partial protection from a decline in stock price; facilitates commitment to an exit
strategy and exit price that is consistent with fundamental analysis.

Sell puts: provides an effective entry price at which to add to an existing position, or provides an effective entry price at which
to initiate a new position.

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Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

51

18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS’ EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES (CONTINUED)   

(a) Foreign currency risk
A significant proportion of the Company’s portfolio is denominated in currencies other than sterling (the Company’s functional
currency,  and  the  currency  in  which  it  reports  its  results).  As  a  result,  movements  in  exchange  rates  can  significantly  affect  the
sterling value of those items.

Rate of exchange against sterling at 31 March

U.S. dollar
Japanese yen
Swiss franc
Euro

2012

1.598
131.487
1.444
1.120

2011

1.603
132.853
1.467
1.130

Foreign currency exposure and sensitivity
The fair values of the Company’s monetary items that are denominated in foreign currency as at 31 March 2012 are shown below:

U.S. dollar
Swiss franc
Japanese yen
Euro
Hong Kong dollar
Singapore dollar

2012
Current
assets
£’000

2012
Current
liabilities
£’000

2012

Investments
£’000

2011
Current
assets
£’000

2011
Current
liabilities
£’000

2011

Investments
£’000

575
–
351
–
23
–

949

(74,797)
(596)
–
–
(128)
(647)

(76,168)

345,222
45,774
36,508
17,712
11,215
2,901

459,332

1,490
–
319
–
–
–

1,809

(45,992)
–
–
–
(191)
–

(46,183)

271,695
41,064
41,472
10,249
12,396
–

376,876

Management of risk:
The Investment Manager and Manager monitor the Company’s exposure to foreign currencies on a daily basis and report to the
Board on a regular basis. The Investment Manager does not hedge against foreign currency movements, but takes account of the
risk when making investment decisions.

Foreign currency borrowing facilities are available and are currently being utilised, to limit the Company’s exposure to anticipated
future changes in exchange rates, which might otherwise adversely affect the value of portfolio investments.

Income denominated in foreign currencies is converted into sterling on receipt. The Company does not use financial instruments
to mitigate the currency exposure in the period between the time that the income is included in the financial statements and its
receipt.

Foreign currency sensitivity
The following table details the sensitivity of the Company’s profit or loss after taxation for the year and shareholders’ funds to a 10%
increase and decrease in sterling against the U.S. dollar (2011: 10% increase and decrease), a 10% increase and decrease in sterling
against the Japanese yen (2011: 10% increase and decrease), and a 10% increase and decrease in sterling against the Swiss franc
(2011: 10% increase and decrease).

These percentages have been determined based on market volatility in exchange rates over the previous 12 months. The sensitivity
analysis is based on the Company’s foreign currency financial instruments held at each Balance Sheet date.

Sterling depreciates
Sterling appreciates

2012
USD
£’000

31,662
(25,906)

2012
YEN
£’000

4,102
(3,356)

2012
CHF
£’000

5,213
(4,265)

2011
USD
£’000

25,107
(20,786)

2011
YEN
£’000

4,609
(3,771)

2011
CHF
£’000

4,692
(3,839)

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52

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS’ EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES (CONTINUED)  

(b) Interest rate risk
Interest rate movement may affect:

–

–

–

the interest payable on the Company’s variable rate borrowings;

the level of income receivable from floating rate securities and cash at bank and on deposit;

the fair value of investments of fixed interest securities.

Management of the risk
The possible effects on fair value and cash flows that could arise as a result of changes in interest rates are taken into account when
making investment decisions and borrowing under the multicurrency loan facility.

The  Company,  generally,  does  not  hold  significant  cash  balances  (except  when  required  for  collateral  against  the  Company’s
derivative positions), with short term borrowing being used when required.

Interest rate exposure
The  Company  has a  loan  facility  with  Goldman  Sachs  which  is  repayable  on  demand. £64,359,000 was  drawn  down  under  this
facility at 31 March 2012. The exposure of financial assets and liabilities to floating interest rates, giving cash flow interest rate risk
when rates are re-set, is shown below.

Floating rate
The floating interest rate exposure of the financial assets and financial liabilities to interest rate risk at 31 March 2012 in respect of
cash was nil (2011: nil). At 31 March 2012 there was an overdraft position at Goldman Sachs of £64,359,000 (2011: £45,885,000).

Fixed rate
In the year to 31 March 2012, the Company held 3.3% of the portfolio in fixed interest securities. This percentage is deemed not to
be material and accordingly no sensitivity analysis has been presented.

(c) Other price risk
Other price risk may affect the value of the Company’s investments. If market prices at the Balance Sheet date had been 25% higher
or  lower  (2011: 25% higher  or  lower)  while  all  other  variables  remained  constant,  the  revenue  return  would  have
decreased/increased by £49,000  (2011:  £43,000),  and the  capital  return  would  have  increased/decreased  by  £116,168,000
(2011: £96,144,000) and the return on equity would have increased/decreased by £116,119,000. The calculations are based on the
portfolio valuations as at the respective Balance Sheet dates and are not representative of the year as a whole.

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Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

53

18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS’ EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES (CONTINUED)   

(ii) Liquidity risk
This is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities.

Management of the risk
Liquidity  risk  is  not  significant  as  the  majority  of  the  Company’s  assets  are  investments  in  quoted  equities  and  other  quoted
securities that are readily realisable. The Company has a loan facility repayable on demand with Goldman Sachs.
Interest on the facility is charged at the Federal Funds effective rate plus 1 week LIBOR-OIS Spread† plus 35 basis points.

† See glossary on page 64.

In order to ensure diversification within the portfolio, the Board gives guidance to the Investment Manager concerning exposure
limits to individual companies. Geographical and sectoral exposure are also reviewed regularly by the Directors.

Liquidity exposure
Contractual maturities of the financial liabilities as at 31 March 2012, based on the earliest date on which payment can be required
are as follows:

31 March 2012

Current liabilities:
Borrowings under the loan facility
Amounts due to brokers and accruals

31 March 2011

Current liabilities:
Borrowings under the loan facility
Amounts due to brokers and accruals

3 months
or less
£’000

64,359
15,288

79,647

3 months
or less
£’000

45,885
3,564

49,449

2012

Not more than
one year
£’000

–
–

–

2011
Not more
than one year
£’000

–
–

–

Total
£’000

64,359
15,288

79,647

Total
£’000

45,885
3,564

49,449

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54

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS’ EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES (CONTINUED)  

Company’s hierarchy as quoted in note 1b on page 41.
(iii) Credit risk
The failure of the counterparty to a transaction to discharge its obligations under that transaction could result in the Company
suffering a loss.

The carrying amounts of financial assets best represent the maximum credit risk at the Balance Sheet date. The Company’s listed
investments are held on its behalf by Goldman Sachs acting as the Company’s custodian.

Bankruptcy or insolvency of a custodian may cause the Company’s rights with respect to securities held by that custodian to be
delayed, however, the Board monitors the Company’s risk to its custodians by reviewing continuously their internal control reports
and their credit ratings.

Certain of the Company’s assets are held by Goldman Sachs as collateral for the loan provided by them to the Company. Such assets
held  by  Goldman  Sachs  are  available  for  rehypothecation†.  As  at  31  March  2012,  assets  with  a  total  market  value  of  £93.9m
(31 March 2011: £64.4m) were held as collateral.

Management of the risk
The risk is not significant, and is managed as follows:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

by only dealing with brokers which have been approved by OrbiMed Capital LLC and banks with high credit ratings;

by setting limits to the maximum exposure to any one counterparty at any time; and

by monitoring the assets subject to rehypothecation†.

† See glossary on page 64. 

Credit risk exposure

Fixed interest securities and convertibles
Derivative – OTC equity swaps

Current assets:
Other receivables (amounts due from brokers, dividends 

and interest receivable and derivative financial instruments)

2012
Balance
Sheet
£’000

31,574
13,691

2011
Balance
Sheet
£’000

29,968
–

3,452

8,361

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Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

55

18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS’ EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES (CONTINUED)  

As of 31 March 2012

Assets
Financial investments designated at 
fair value through profit or loss

Fair value of derivative financial instruments

Assets measured at fair value 

Level 1
£’000

454,301

–

454,301

Level 2
£’000

–

14,631

14,631

Level 3
£’000

Total 
£’000

–

–

–

454,301

14,631

468,932

As at 31 March 2012, the put and call options have been classified as level two. All of the remaining investments have been classified
as level one. The position in the unquoted convertible preferred equity certificates (CPEC) was sold during the year. It was previously
classified as level three (see below reconciliation).

As of 31 March 2011

Assets
Financial investments designated at 
fair value through profit or loss

Fair value of derivative financial instruments

Assets measured at fair value 

Level 1
£’000

379,229

–

379,229

Level 2
£’000

Level 3
£’000

Total 
£’000

–

2,223

2,223

6,640

–

6,640

385,869

2,223

388,092

Level 3 Reconciliation

At 31 March 2012

Opening fair value at 1 April 2011
Total losses included in gains on investments in the income statement:
Repayment of principal

Closing balance at 31 March 2012

2012
Equity
investments
£’000

6,640
(431)
(6,209)

–

Level 3 valuation techniques used by the Company are explained in the accounting policies in note 1b.

Fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities
The fair value of the financial assets and financial liabilities are either carried in the Balance Sheet at their fair value (investments and
derivatives)  or  the Balance Sheet  amount  is  a  reasonable  approximation  of  fair  value  (due  from  brokers,  dividends  and  interest
receivable, due to brokers, accrual, cash at bank, bank overdraft and amounts due under the loan facility).

Capital management policies and procedures
The Company’s capital management objectives are to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern and to maximise
the income and capital return to its equity shareholders through an appropriate level of gearing.

The Board’s policy is to limit gearing to the lower of £90m or 20% of the Company’s net assets.

The capital structure of the Company consists of the equity share capital, retained earnings and other reserves as disclosed on the
Balance Sheet on page 39.

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56

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS’ EXPOSURE TO RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES (CONTINUED)  

Gearing for this purpose is defined as net debt as a percentage of shareholders’ funds. As at 31 March 2012 the gearing percentage
of the Company was 16.4% (2011: 13.3%).

The Board with the assistance of the Investment Manager monitors and reviews the broad structure of the Company’s capital on an
ongoing basis. This includes a review of:

–

–

–

–

the planned level of gearing, which takes into account the Investment Manager’s view of the market;

the need to buy back equity shares, either for cancellation or to hold in treasury, in light of any share price discount to net asset
value per share in accordance with the Company’s share buyback policy;

the need for new issues of equity shares, including issues from treasury; and

the extent to which revenue in excess of that which is required to be distributed should be retained.

The Company’s objectives, policies and processes for managing capital are unchanged from the preceding accounting period.

The Company is also subject to several externally imposed capital requirements and are as follows:

–

–

as a public company, the Company has a minimum share capital of £50,000; and

in order to be able to pay dividends out of profits available for distribution, the Company has to be able to meet one of the two
capital restriction tests imposed on investment companies by company law.

These requirements are unchanged since last year and the Company has complied with them.

1 9 . C A P I TA L   R E S E R V E

At 31 March 2011
Transfer on disposal of investments
Net gains on investments
Expenses charged to capital less tax relief thereon
Subscription shares exercised & cancelled
Shares purchased including expenses
Exchange loss on currency balances

At 31 March 2012

Capital Reserve –
Other
£’000

Capital Reserve* –
Investment
Holding Gains
£’000

100,740
13,237
20,496
(5,819)
11
(6,939)
(535)

121,191

34,579
(13,237)
31,697
–
–
–
–

53,039

Total
£’000

135,319
–
52,193
(5,819)
11
(6,939)
(535)

174,230

 * Investment holding gains relate to the revaluation of investments held at the reporting date. (See note 9 on page 47 for further
details).

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Notice of Annual General Meeting

57

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC will be held at the Barber-Surgeons’ Hall,
Monkwell Square, Wood Street, London, EC2Y 5BL on Tuesday, 17 July 2012 from 12 noon for the following purposes:

O R D I N A RY   B U S I N E S S
1.

To receive and, if thought fit, to accept the Audited Accounts and the Report of the Directors for the year ended 31 March 2012

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

To re-elect Ms Jo Dixon as a Director of the Company

To re-elect Dr David Holbrook as a Director of the Company

To re-elect Mr Samuel D. Isaly as a Director of the Company

To re-elect Mr Martin Smith as a Director of the Company

To re-elect Mr Anthony Townsend as a Director of the Company

To re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Auditors and to authorise the Directors to determine their remuneration

To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2012

S P E C I A L   B U S I N E S S

To consider, and if thought fit, pass the following resolutions of which resolutions 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 will be proposed as special
resolutions:

Authority to Allot Shares

9.

THAT  in  substitution  for  all  existing  authorities  the  Directors  be  and  are  hereby  generally  and  unconditionally  authorised  in
accordance  with  section  551  of  the  Companies  Act  2006  (the “Act”)  to  exercise  all  powers  of  the  Company  to  allot  relevant
securities (within the meaning of section 551 of the Act) up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £1,105,775 (being 10%
of the issued share capital of the Company at 31 May 2012) and representing 4,423,102 shares of 25 pence each (or, if less, the
number representing 10% of the issued share capital of the Company at the date at which this resolution is passed), provided that
this authority shall expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held in 2013 or 15 months from
the date of passing this resolution, whichever is the earlier, unless previously revoked, varied or renewed, by the Company in
General Meeting  and  provided  that  the  Company  shall  be  entitled  to  make,  prior  to  the  expiry  of  such  authority,  an  offer  or
agreement which would or might require relevant securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot relevant
securities pursuant to such offer or agreement as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired.

Disapplication of Pre-emption Rights

10. THAT in substitution of all existing powers (but in addition to any power conferred on them by resolution 11 set out in the notice
convening the Annual General Meeting at which this resolution is proposed (“Notice of Annual General Meeting”)) the Directors
be and are hereby generally empowered pursuant to Section 570 of the Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”) to allot equity securities
(within the meaning of Section 560 of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authority conferred on them by resolution 9 set out in the
Notice of Annual General Meeting or otherwise as if Section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment:

(a) pursuant to an offer of equity securities open for acceptance for a period fixed by the Directors where the equity securities
respectively attributable to the interests of holders of shares of 25p each in the Company (“Shares”) are proportionate (as
nearly as may be) to the respective numbers of Shares held by them but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements
in  connection  with  the  issue  as  the  Directors  may  consider  necessary,  appropriate  or  expedient  to  deal  with  equity
securities representing fractional entitlements or to deal with legal or practical problems arising in any overseas territory,
the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange, or any other matter whatsoever; and 

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58

Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)

(b) provided that (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above) this power shall be limited to the allotment of equity
securities up to an aggregate nominal value of £1,105,775, being 10% of the issued share capital of the Company as at
31 May 2012 and representing 4,423,102 Shares or, if changed, the number representing 10% of the issued share capital
of the Company at the date of the meeting at which this resolution is passed, and provided further that (i) the number of
equity securities to which this power applies shall be reduced from time to time by the number of treasury shares which
are  sold  pursuant  to  any  power  conferred  on  the  Directors  by  resolution  11 set  out  in  the  Notice  of  Annual  General
Meeting and (ii) no allotment of equity securities shall be made under this power which would result in Shares being
issued at a price which is less than the net asset value per Share as at the latest practicable date before such allotment of
equity securities as determined by the Directors in their reasonable discretion,

and such power shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution
or  15  months  from  the  date  of  passing  this  resolution,  whichever  is  earlier,  unless  previously  revoked,  varied  or  renewed  by  the
Company in general meeting and provided that the Company shall be entitled to make, prior to the expiry of such authority, an offer
or agreement which would or might otherwise require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot
equity securities pursuant to such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired.

11. THAT in substitution of all existing powers (but in addition to any power conferred on them by resolution 10 set out in the
Notice  of  Annual  General  Meeting)  the  Directors  be  and  are  hereby  generally  empowered  pursuant  to  Section  570  of  the
Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”) to sell relevant shares (within the meaning of Section 560 of the Act) if, immediately before the
sale, such shares are held by the Company as treasury shares (as defined in Section 724 of the Act (“treasury shares”)), for cash
as if Section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such sale provided that:

(a) where any treasury shares are sold pursuant to this power at a discount to the then prevailing net asset value of ordinary
shares of 25p each in the Company (“Shares”), such discount must be (i) lower than the discount to the net asset value per
Share  at  which  the  Company  acquired  the  Shares  which  it  then  holds  in  treasury  and  (ii)  not  greater  than  5%  to  the
prevailing net asset value per Share at the latest practicable time before such sale (and for this purpose the Directors shall
be entitled to determine in their reasonable discretion the discount to their net asset value at which such Shares were
acquired by the Company and the net asset value per Share at the latest practicable time before such Shares are sold
pursuant to this power); and 

(b)

this power shall be limited to the sale of relevant shares having an aggregate nominal value of £1,105,775 being 10% of
the issued share capital of the Company as at 31 May 2012 and representing 4,423,102 Shares or, if changed, the number
representing 10% of the issued share capital of the Company at the date of the meeting at which this resolution is passed,
and provided further that the number of relevant shares to which power applies shall be reduced from time to time by
the  number  of  Shares  which  are  allotted  for  cash  as  if  Section  561(1)  of  the  Act  did  not  apply  pursuant  to  the  power
conferred on the Directors by resolution 10 set out in the Notice of Annual General Meeting, 

and such power shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this
resolution  or  15  months  from  the  date  of  passing  this  resolution,  whichever  is  earlier,  unless  previously  revoked,  varied  or
renewed by the Company in General Meeting and provided that the Company shall be entitled to make, prior to the expiry of
such authority, an offer or agreement which would or might otherwise require treasury shares to be sold after such expiry and
the Directors may sell treasury shares pursuant to such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired.

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Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)

59

Authority to Repurchase Ordinary Shares

12. THAT  the  Company  be  and  is  hereby  generally  and  unconditionally  authorised  in  accordance  with  section  701  of  the
Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”) to make one or more market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Act) of
ordinary shares of 25 pence each in the capital of the Company (“Shares”) (either for retention as treasury shares for future
reissue, resale, transfer or cancellation), provided that:

(a)

the maximum aggregate number of Shares authorised to be purchased is 6,630,230 (representing approximately 14.99% of
the issued share capital of the Company at the date of the notice convening the meeting at which this resolution is proposed);

(b)

the minimum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for a Share is 25 pence;

(c)

(d)

(e)

the maximum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for a Share is an amount equal to the greater of (i) 105%
of the average of the middle market quotations for a Share as derived from the Daily Official List of the London Stock
Exchange for the five business days immediately preceding the day on which that Share is purchased and (ii) the higher
of the price of the last independent trade and the highest then current independent bid on the London Stock Exchange
as  stipulated  in  Article  5(1)  of  Regulation  No.  2233/2003  of  the  European  Commission  (Commission  Regulation  of  22
December  2003  implementing  the  Market  Abuse  Directive  as  regards  exemptions  for  buyback  programmes  and
stabilisation of financial instruments);

the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held
in 2013 or, if earlier, on the expiry of 15 months from the date of the passing of this resolution unless such authority is
renewed prior to such time; and

the Company may make a contract to purchase Shares under this authority before the expiry of such authority which will
or  may  be  executed  wholly  or  partly  after  the  expiration  of  such  authority,  and  may  make  a  purchase  of  Shares  in
pursuance of any such contract.

Authority to Repurchase Subscription Shares

13. THAT  the  Company  be  and  is  hereby  generally  and  unconditionally  authorised  in  accordance  with  section  701  of  the
Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”) to make one or more market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Act) of
subscription shares of 1p each in the capital of the Company (“Subscription Shares”) for cancellation provided that:

(a)

the maximum aggregate number of Subscription Shares authorised to be purchased is 733,200 (representing approximately
14.99% of the issued Subscription Share capital of the Company at the date of the notice convening the meeting at which
this resolution is proposed;

(b)

the minimum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for a Subscription Share is 1p;

(c)

(d)

(e)

the maximum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for a Subscription Share is an amount equal to the greater
of (i) 105% of the average of the middle market quotations for a Subscription Share as derived from the Daily Official List
of the London Stock Exchange for the five business days immediately preceding the day on which that Subscription Share
is purchased and (ii) the higher of the price of the last independent trade and the highest then current independent bid
on the London Stock Exchange as stipulated in Article 5(1) of Regulation No. 2233/2003 of the European Commission
(Commission  Regulation  of  22  December  2003  implementing  the  Market  Abuse  Directive  as  regards  exemptions  for
buyback programmes and stabilisation of financial instruments);

the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held
in 2013 or, if earlier, on the expiry of 15 months from the date of the passing of this resolution unless such authority is
renewed prior to such time; and

the  Company  may  make  a  contract  to  purchase  Subscription  Shares  under  this  authority  before  the  expiry  of  such
authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiration of such authority, and may make a purchase
of Subscription Shares in pursuance of any such contract.

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60

Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)

General Meetings

14. THAT as permitted by the EU Shareholders’ Rights Directive (2007/36/EC) any General Meeting of the Company (other than the
Annual General Meeting of the Company) shall be called by notice of at least 14 clear days in accordance with the provisions
of the Articles of Association of the Company provided that the authority shall expire on the conclusion of the next Annual
General Meeting of the Company, or, if earlier, on the expiry 15 months from the date of the passing of the resolution.

By order of the Board

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary
1 June 2012

Registered Office:
One Wood Street
London EC2V 7WS

Notes
1. Members are entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of their rights to attend and to speak and vote on their behalf at the meeting. A
shareholder may appoint more than one proxy in relation to the meeting provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached
to a different share or shares held by that shareholder. A proxy need not be a shareholder of the Company. A proxy form which may be used
to make such appointment and give proxy instructions accompanies this notice.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

A vote withheld is not a vote in law, which means that the vote will not be counted in the calculation of votes for or against the resolutions. If
no voting indication is given, a proxy may vote or abstain from voting at his/her discretion. A proxy may vote (or abstain from voting) as he or
she thinks fit in relation to any other matter which is put before the meeting.

To be valid any proxy form or other instrument appointing a proxy must be completed and signed and received by post or (during normal business
hours only) by hand at Capita Registrars, PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU no later than 12 noon Friday, 13 July 2012.

In the case of a member which is a company, the instrument appointing a proxy must be executed under its seal or signed on its behalf by a
duly authorised officer or attorney or other person authorised to sign. Any power of attorney or other authority under which the instrument is
signed (or a certified copy of it) must be included with the instrument.

The  return  of  a  completed  proxy  form,  other  such  instrument  or  any  CREST  Proxy  Instruction  (as  described  below)  will  not  prevent  a
shareholder attending the meeting and voting in person if he/she wishes to do so.

Any person to whom this notice is sent who is a person nominated under section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 to enjoy information rights (a
“Nominated  Person”)  may,  under  an  agreement  between  him/her  and  the  shareholder  by  whom  he/she  was  nominated,  have  a  right  to  be
appointed (or have someone else appointed) as a proxy for the meeting. If a Nominated Person has no such proxy appointment right or does not
wish to exercise it, he/she may, under any such agreement, have a right to give instructions to the shareholder as to the exercise of voting rights.

The statement of the rights of shareholders in relation to the appointment of proxies in paragraphs 1 and 3 above does not apply to Nominated
Persons. The rights described in these paragraphs can only be exercised by shareholders of the Company.

Pursuant to regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001, only shareholders registered on the register of members of the
Company (the “Register of Members”) at 5.30 p.m. on Friday, 13 July 2012 (or, in the event of any adjournment, on the date which is two days
before the time of the adjourned meeting) will be entitled to attend and vote or be represented at the meeting in respect of shares registered
in their name at that time. Changes to the Register of Members after that time will be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to
attend and vote at the meeting.

As  at 31 May 2012 (being  the  last  business  day  prior  to  the  publication  of  this  notice)  the  Company’s  issued  share  capital  consists  of
44,231,026 ordinary shares, carrying one vote each. Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company as at 31 May 2012 are 44,231,026.

10. CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies 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 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.

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Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)

61

11.

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 the specifications of Euroclear UK and Ireland Limited (“CRESTCo”), and must
contain the information required for such instruction, as described in the CREST Manual. 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 RA10) no later than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting. For this purpose,
the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST Application 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.

12. CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors, or voting service providers should note that CRESTCo does not make available
special procedures in CREST for any particular message. 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.

13.

14.

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.

In the case of joint holders, where more than one of the joint holders purports to appoint a proxy, only the appointment submitted by the
most senior holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the order in which the names of the joint holders appear in the Register of
Members in respect of the joint holding (the first named being the most senior).

15. Members who wish to change their proxy instructions should submit a new proxy appointment using the methods set out above. Note that
the  cut-off  time  for  receipt  of  proxy  appointments  (see  above)  also  applies  in  relation  to  amended  instructions;  any  amended  proxy
appointment received after the relevant cut-off time will be disregarded.

16. Members who have appointed a proxy using the hard-copy proxy form and who wish to change the instructions using another hard-copy
form, should contact Capita Registrars on 0871 664 0300 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras). Lines are open 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Monday to Friday.

17.

18.

19.

If a member submits more than one valid proxy appointment, the appointment received last before the latest time for the receipt of proxies
will take precedence.

In order to revoke a proxy instruction, members will need to inform the Company. Members should send a signed hard copy notice clearly
stating their intention to revoke a proxy appointment to Capita Registrars, PXS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU. 

In the case of a member which is a company, the revocation notice must be executed under its common seal or signed on its behalf by an
officer of the company or an attorney for the company. Any power of attorney or any other authority under which the revocation notice is
signed (or a duly certified copy of such power of attorney) must be included with the revocation notice. If a member attempts to revoke their
proxy appointment but the revocation is received after the time for receipt of proxy appointments (see page 61) then, subject to paragraph 4,
the proxy appointment will remain valid.

In the case of a member which is a company, the revocation notice must be executed under its common seal or signed on its behalf by an
officer of the company or an attorney for the company. Any power of attorney or any other authority under which the revocation notice is
signed (or a duly certified copy of such power of attorney) must be included with the revocation notice. If a member attempts to revoke their
proxy appointment but the revocation is received after the time for receipt of proxy appointments (see above) then, subject to paragraph 4,
the proxy appointment will remain valid.

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62

Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)

LO C AT I O N   O F  T H E   A N N UA L   G E N E R A L   M E E T I N G

Barbican

Barber-Surgeons’ Hall
Monkwell Square

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Bank

 
 
 
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63

How to Invest
Alliance Trust Savings Limited

The Company’s shares are available through savings plans (including Investment Dealing Accounts, ISAs and SIPPs) operated by
Alliance Trust Savings Limited, which facilitates both regular monthly investments and lump sum investments in the Company’s
shares. Shareholders who would like information on the savings plans should call Alliance Trust Savings Limited on 01382 573737
or  log  on  to www.alliancetrustsavings.co.uk or  email  contact@alliancetrust.co.uk.  Calls  to  this  number  may  be  recorded  for
monitoring purposes.

An  Individual  Savings  Account  (‘ISA’) and  Junior  ISA  are tax  efficient  methods of  investment  for  an  individual  which  gives  the
opportunity to invest in the Company up to £11,280 in the year 2012/2013 for an ISA and £3,600 for a Junior ISA and in subsequent
tax years when they subscribe to a Stocks and Shares ISA.

The preceding two paragraphs have been issued and approved by Alliance Trust Savings Limited. Alliance Trust Savings Limited of PO Box 164,
8  West  Marketgait,  Dundee  DD1  9YP  is  registered  in  Scotland  with  number  SC98767.  Alliance  Trust  Savings  Limited  provides  investment
products and services and is authorised and regulated by the Finance Services Authority. It does not provide investment advice.

Capita Registrars – Share Dealing Service

A quick and easy share dealing service is available to existing shareholders through the Company’s Registrar, Capita Registrars, to
either buy or sell shares. An online and telephone dealing facility provides an easy to access and simple to use service.

Type of trade
Share certificates

Online
1% of the value of the deal
(Minimum £20.00, max £75.00)

Telephone
1.5% of the value of the deal
(Minimum £25.00, max £102.50)

There is no need to pre-register and there are no complicated forms to fill in. The online and telephone dealing service allows you
to trade ‘real time’ at a known price which will be given to you at the time you give your instruction.

To deal online or by telephone all you need is your surname, shareholder reference number, full postcode and your date of birth.
Your  shareholder  reference  number  can  be  found  on  your  latest  statement  or  certificate  where  it  will  appear  as  either  a ‘folio
number’  or ‘investor  code’.  Please  have  the  appropriate  documents  to  hand  when  you  log  on  or  call,  as  this  information  will  be
needed before you can buy or sell shares.

For further information on this service please contact: 

www.capitadeal.com (online dealing) or 0871 664 0364† (telephone dealing)

If calling from outside the UK please dial +44 (0) 203 367 2686

†Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras and may be recorded for training purposes. Lines are open from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

The Share Dealing Service is provided by Capita IRG Trustees Limited which has issued and approved the preceding paragraphs. Capita IRG
Trustees Limited, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU is registered in England and Wales with number 2729260.
Capita IRG Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. 

R I S K  WA R N I N G S

–

–

Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

The  value  of  your  investment  and  any  income  from  it  may  go  down  as  well  as  up  and  you  may  not  get  back  the  amount
invested. This is because the share price is determined by the changing conditions in the relevant stockmarkets in which the
Company invests and by the supply and demand for the Company’s shares.

– As the shares in an investment trust are traded on a stockmarket, the share price will fluctuate in accordance with supply and
demand and may not reflect the underlying net asset value of the shares; where the share price is less than the underlying value
of  the  assets,  the  difference  is  known  as  the ‘discount’.  For  these  reasons,  investors  may  not  get  back  the  original  amount
invested.

– Although  the  Company’s  financial  statements  are  denominated  in  sterling,  it  may  invest  in  stocks  and  shares  that  are
denominated in currencies other than sterling and to the extent they do so, they may be affected by movements in exchange
rates. As a result, the value of your investment may rise or fall with movements in exchange rates.

–

–

Investors should note that tax rates and reliefs may change at any time in the future.

The  value  of  ISA  tax  advantages  will  depend  on  personal  circumstances. The  favourable  tax  treatment  of  ISAs  may  not  be
maintained.

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64

Glossary

Diluted Net Asset Value

This is a method of calculating the net asset value (“NAV”) of a
company that has issued, and has outstanding, convertible loan
stocks, warrants, subscription shares or options. The calculation
assumes that the holders have exercised their right to convert or
subscribe, thus increasing the number of shares among which
the assets are divided. 

Discount or Premium

A description of the difference between the share price and the
net asset value per share. The size of the discount or premium is
calculated  by  subtracting  the  share  price  from  the  net  asset
value per share and is usually expressed as a percentage (%) of
the net asset value per share. If the share price is higher than the
net  asset  value  per  share  the  result  is  a  premium.  If  the  share
price is lower than the net asset value per share, the shares are
trading at a discount.

Gearing

The term used to describe the process of borrowing money for
investment purposes. The expectation is that the returns on the
investments purchased will exceed the finance costs associated
with those borrowings. 

There  are  several  methods  of  calculating  the  level  of  gearing
and the following has been selected: 

The  amount  drawn  down  from  the  Company’s  loan  facility
divided by shareholders’ funds expressed as a percentage.

Hypothecation

The pledging of securities or other assets as collateral to secure
a loan such as a debit balance in a margin account.

LIBOR-OIS Spread

This is the difference between LIBOR and the Overnight Indexed
Swap (OIS) rates. The spread between the two rates is considered
to be a measurement of health of the banking system.

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

The  interest  rate  at  which  banks  can  borrow  unsecured  funds
from  other  banks  in  London  wholesale  money  markets,  as
measured  by  daily  surveys  of  the  British  Bankers’  Association.
The published rate is a trimmed average of the rates obtained in
the survey. 

NAV per share (pence)

The  value  of  the  Company’s  assets,  principally  investments
made  in  other  companies  and  cash  being  held,  minus  any
liabilities. The NAV is also described as ‘shareholders’ funds’ per

share. The NAV is often expressed in pence per share after being
divided by the number of shares which have been issued. The
NAV per share is unlikely to be the same as the share price which
is  the  price  at  which  the  Company’s  shares  can  be  bought  or
sold  by  an  investor.  The  share  price  is  determined  by  the
relationship between the demand and supply of the shares.

NAV Total Return

The  theoretical  total  return  on  shareholders’  funds  per share,
including  the  assumed  £100  original  investment  at  the
beginning of the period specified, reflecting the change in NAV
assuming that dividends paid to shareholders were reinvested
at NAV at the time the shares were quoted ex-dividend. A way
of  measuring 
investment  management  performance  of
investment  trusts  which  is  not  affected  by  movements  in
discounts/premiums. 

Overnight Indexed Swap (OIS)

An  interest  rate  swap  that  serves  as  a  measure  of  investor
expectations  of  an  average  effective  overnight  rate  over  the
term of the swap.

Rehypothecation

The  pledging  to  banks  by  securities  brokers  of  the  assets  in  a
customer’s margin account used as collateral for a loan.

Total Assets

Total  assets  less  current  liabilities  before  deducting  prior
charges. Prior charges include all loans for investment purposes.

Ongoing Charges

Ongoing  charges  are  calculated  by  taking  the  Company’s
annualised  ongoing  charges,  excluding  performance  fees  and
exceptional items, and dividing by the average month end net
asset value of the Company over the year. 

The  publishing  of  ongoing  charges  information  rather  than  a
total  expense  ratio  (TER)  is  advocated  by  the  Association  of
Investment  Companies  who  believe  that  using  a  single
methodology  to  calculate  ongoing  charges  will  help  reduce
inconsistencies  and  allow  investors  and  advisers  to  compare
investment companies more easily with open-ended funds.

Treasury Shares

Shares previously issued by a company that have been bought
back  from  shareholders  to  be  held  by    the  company  for
potential sale or cancellation at a later date. Such shares are not
capable of being voted and carry no rights to dividends. 

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Company Information 

D I R E C TO R S
Martin Smith (Chairman)
Jo Dixon
Professor Duncan Geddes
Dr David Holbrook
Samuel D. Isaly
Anthony Townsend

CO M PA NY   R E G I S T R AT I O N   N U M B E R
3023689 (Registered in England)
The  Company  is  an  investment  company  as  defined  under
Section 833 of the Companies Act 2006
The  Company  was  incorporated  in  England  and  Wales  on
14 February  1995.  The  Company  was 
incorporated  as
Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust PLC.

W E B S I T E
Website: www.worldwidewh.com

R E G I S T E R E D   O F F I C E
One Wood Street
London EC2V 7WS

I N V E S T M E N T   MA N AG E R
OrbiMed Capital LLC
601 Lexington Avenue, 54th Floor
New York NY 10022
Website: www.orbimed.com
Registered under the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission

MA N AG E R ,   A D M I N I S T R ATO R   A N D   CO M PA NY
S E C R E TA RY
Frostrow Capital LLP
25 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1AL
Telephone: 0203 008 4910
E-mail: info@frostrow.com
Website: www.frostrow.com
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
If you have an enquiry about the Company or if you would like to
receive  a  copy  of  the  Company’s  monthly  fact  sheet  by  e-mail,
please contact Frostrow Capital using the above e-mail address.

C U S TO D I A N   A N D   B A N K E R
Goldman Sachs & Co.
200 West Street, Third Floor
New York, NY10282

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65

AU D I TO R S
Ernst & Young LLP
1 More London Place
London SE1 2AF

R E G I S T R A R S
Capita Registrars
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent BR3 4TU
Telephone (in UK): 0871 664 0300†
Telephone (from overseas): + 44 208 639 3399
Facsimile: + 44 (0) 1484 600911
E-mail: ssd@capitaregistrars.com
Website: www.capitaregistrars.com

Please contact the Registrars if you have a query about a 
certificated holding in the Company’s shares.
†calls  cost  10p  per  minute  plus  network  charges  and  may  be  recorded  for
training  purposes.  Lines  are  open  from  8.30  a.m.  to  5.30  p.m.  Monday  to
Friday.

S TO C K B R O K E R
Winterflood Securities Limited
The Atrium Building
Cannon Bridge, 25 Dowgate Hill
London EC4R 2GA

S H A R E   A N D S U B S C R I P T I O N   S H A R E   P R I C E
L I S T I N G S
The price of your shares and subscription shares can be found in
various  publications  including  the  Financial  Times,  The  Daily
Telegraph, The Times and The Scotsman.

The Company’s net asset value per share is announced daily and
is  available,  together  with  the  share  price,  on  the  TrustNet
website at www.trustnet.com.

I D E N T I F I C AT I O N   CO D E S
Shares:

0338530
GB0003385308

:
:

SEDOL
ISIN
BLOOMBERG : WWH LN
: WWH
EPIC
:
SEDOL
ISIN
:
BLOOMBERG : WWHS LN

B3VMCB0
GB00B3VMCB07

Subscription Shares:

L I S T E D

P R E M I U M

D I S A B I L I T Y   AC T
Copies of this annual report and other documents issued by the Company are available from the Company Secretary. If needed,
copies can be made available in a variety of formats, including Braille, audio tape or larger type as appropriate. You can contact the
Registrar to the Company, Capita Registrars, which has installed telephones to allow speech and hearing impaired people who have
their own telephone to contact them directly, without the need for an intermediate operator, for this service please call 0800 731
1888. Specially trained operators are available during normal business hours to answer queries via this service. Alternatively, if you
prefer to go through a ‘typetalk’ operator (provided by the RNID) you should dial 18001 followed by the number you wish to dial.

This report is printed on Revive 75 Silk. The paper consists of 50% de-inked post consumer waste, 25% pre-consumer waste and 25% virgin wood fibre.

The pulp used is a combination of Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) and Totally Chlorine Free (TCF). The mill is certified to environmental management

standard  ISO  14001.  This  product  has  been  awarded  the  NAPM  75%  Recycled  Mark.  This  report  has  been  printed  using  vegetable 

based inks.

Perivan Financial Print    224634

The Company is a member of the Association of Investment Companies.

Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC
25 Southampton Buildings, London  WC2A 1AL
www.worldwidewh.com