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Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC

wwh · LSE Healthcare
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FY2013 Annual Report · Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC
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228467 Finsbury WWH Cover  18/06/2013  07:19  Page 1

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 O R  T H E  YE A R   E N D E D   3 1   MA R C H   2 0 1 3

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

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
228467 Finsbury WWH Cover  18/06/2013  07:19  Page 2

CO N T E N TS
ANNUAL REPORT
Financial Highlights
1
Chairman’s Statement
2-3
OrbiMed Capital LLC - Investment Manager
4
Review of Investments
5-10
Historic Performance
11
Champions of Innovation
12-13
Portfolio
14-16
Analysis of the Portfolio
17
Your Board
18
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of the Directors 

(Incorporating the Business Review)
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
Corporate Governance
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
GENERAL INFORMATION
Explanatory Notes of the Principal Changes to 

the Company’s Articles of Association

Notice of Annual General Meeting 
Notice of Separate Meeting of Subscription 

Shareholders

How to Invest
Glossary
Company Information

19-28
29
30-35
36
37-38
39-40
41
42
43
44
45-60

61
62-67

68-69
70-71
72
73

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  pharmaceutical,
biotechnology and related companies in the healthcare sector
on a global scale.

to  gain  exposure 

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.  Performance  is  measured  against  the  MSCI  World
Health Care Index on a net total return, sterling adjusted basis.
Further details of the Company’s investment policy are set out
in the Report of the Directors beginning on page 19.

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 
further
opportunities  to  vote  on  the  continuation  of  the  Company
shall be given to shareholders every five years thereafter.

in  2014,  and 

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
2013 Annual General Meeting

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 2013 £31.4m was
drawn down from this facility. 

31 March
June
30 September
November

February/August
January/July

I S A   S TAT U S

Wednesday, 17 July
to be held at,
the Carpenters’ Hall
Throgmorton Avenue, London
EC2N 2JJ

The  Company’s  shares  are  eligible  for  inclusion  in  Individual
Savings  Accounts  (‘ISAs’)  and  for  Junior 
ISAs.  Further
information on how to invest in the Company can be found
beginning on page 70.

W E B S I T E

The Company’s internet address is www.worldwidewh.com

This report is printed on Revive Pure White Silk a totally recycled paper produced using 100% recycled
waste at a mill that has been awarded the ISO 14001 certificate for environmental management.

The pulp is bleached using a totally chlorine free (TCF) process.

Perivan Financial Print    228467

 
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Financial Highlights  

Share price
Net asset value per share – diluted
(dilution for subscription shares)
Net asset value per share – basic

Discount of share price to the diluted

net asset value per share

Fi n a n c i a l   H i g h l i g h t s   

0 1

As at
31 March
2013
1009.0p

As at
31 March
2012
795.0p

%
Change
+26.9

1089.6p
1110.2p

871.0p
909.4p

+25.1
+22.1

7.4%

8.7%

n/a

Share price (total return)*^
Net asset value per share (total return)*+^
Benchmark index (total return)*
Dividends per share
*Source – Morningstar. 
+The net asset value per share has been diluted for both subscription shares and treasury shares. 
^Includes the 2012 interim dividend of 17.5p per share which had an ex dividend date of 6 June 2012 and also the 2013 first interim dividend of 7.0p per share which had

Year ended Year ended
31 March
2012
+18.2%
+14.4%
+13.4%
17.5p

31 March
2013
+30.9%
+30.3%
+31.4%
16.5p

an ex dividend date of 12 December 2012.
Details of the Company’s historic performance can be found on page 11.
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 3

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

100

Apr
95

Mar
96

Mar
97

Mar
98

Mar
99

Mar
00

Mar
01

Mar
02

Mar
03

Mar
04

Mar
05

Mar
06

Mar
07

Mar
08

Mar
09

Mar
10

Mar
11

Mar
12

Mar
13

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. 

**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). 

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C h a i r m a n’s   S t a t e m e n t

Chairman’s Statement

“I am delighted to report that during the year ended 31 March 2013, 
the Company’s net asset value per share total return was 30.3% and the 
share price total return was 30.9%...”

Sir Martin Smith

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
I am delighted to report that during
the year ended 31 March 2013, the
Company’s net asset value per share
total  return  was  30.3%  and  the
share  price  total  return  was 30.9%,
both closely tracking the Company’s
benchmark,  the  MSCI World  Health
Care Index on a net total return, sterling adjusted basis, which
rose by 31.4%. I should point out that the share price and the
net  asset  value total  return  generated  during  the  year  were
enhanced by the change in the Company’s dividend payment
policy  whereby  a  first  interim  dividend  of  7.0p  per  share  was
paid  in  January  2013. This “extra”  dividend  payment  enhanced
performance  in  total  return  terms  by  approximately  1.0%. The
Company  has  continued  to  benefit  from  strong  performance
from  biopharmaceutical  companies  such  as  Gilead  Sciences
and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, and also from large capitalisation
pharmaceutical  companies  such  as  Roche  Holdings,  Pfizer
and Sanofi. Further information on the Company’s investments
can be found in the Review of Investments beginning on page 5
of this Annual Report.

Since the Company’s inception in 1995, the total return of the
Company’s net asset value per share is 1,150.4%, equivalent to a
compound  annual  return  of  15.1%.  This  compares  to  a
cumulative “blended”  benchmark  return  of 593.8%,  equivalent
to a compound annual return of 11.4%. During this period the
Company’s net asset value total return ranked second out of the
approximately  250  UK  Listed 
Investment  Companies
(Source: Winterflood Securities Limited and Thomson Reuters).

At 31 March 2013, the discount of the Company’s share price to
the  diluted  net  asset  value  was  7.4%  (31  March  2012:  8.7%).
However,  as  a  result  of  continued  strong  performance,  at  the
time of writing the discount has narrowed to 1.3%. The average
discount  of  the  share  price  to  the  diluted  net  asset  value  per
share during the year was 6.0% which compares to 7.1% during
the previous year.

C A P I TA L
In implementing our policy of actively managing the share price
discount we repurchased a total of 2,411,340 ordinary shares for
treasury  during  the  year,  at  a  discount  greater  than  6.0%  to  the
prevailing  diluted  net  asset  value  per  share,  at  a  cost  of
£19.2 million (including expenses). In line with the Board’s policy, a
total of 2,941,518 shares held in treasury at 18 July 2012, the date
of last year’s Annual General Meeting, were cancelled. I am pleased
to report that, during the year and to the date of this report, we
have been able to reissue all of the 378,408 shares bought back
into  treasury  since  the  2012  Annual  General  Meeting at  prices
representing no more than a 4.9% discount to the prevailing fully
diluted cum income net asset value per share, raising £4.0 million
of new funds for the Company. Shareholder approval to renew the
authority  to  buy-back  both  ordinary  shares  and  subscription
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  any  shares  held  in
treasury on 17 July 2013, the date of this year’s Annual General
Meeting, will be cancelled. 

The next exercise date for the Company’s subscription shares is
31 July 2013 and the exercise price is 699p, where it will remain
until the expiry date of the subscription shares on 31 July 2014.
As  a  result  of  holders  of  subscription  shares  exercising  their
subscription  rights  during  the  year  and  to  the  date  of  this
report) a  total  of  4,764,682  new  shares  were  issued,  raising
£30.5 million of additional funds for the Company.

R E V E N U E   A N D   D I V I D E N D
I
reminded  shareholders last  year  that  it  remained  the
Company’s policy to pursue capital growth for shareholders and
to pay dividends to the extent required to maintain investment
trust status, I also confirmed that the Company would in future
declare two interim dividends per year. A first interim dividend
of 7.0p per share, for the year ended 31 March 2013, was paid on
11  January  2013  to  ordinary  shareholders  on  the  register  on
14 December 2012. The Company’s net revenue return for the
fallen  slightly  to  £7.6  million
year  as  a  whole  has 

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Chairman’s Statement (continued)

C h a i r m a n’s   S t a t e m e n t  

0 3

(2012: £9.5 million) due to a reduction in the overall yield from
portfolio investments. The Board has declared a second interim
dividend of 9.5p per share which, together with the first interim
dividend  already  paid,  makes  a  total  dividend  for  the  year  of
16.5p (2012: 17.5p per share) which is sufficient to ensure that
the Company maintains its investment trust status. Based on the
current  mid-market  share  price  of 1052.0p the  total  dividend
payment for the year represents a yield of 1.6%.

The second interim dividend will be payable on 5 July 2013 to
ordinary  shareholders  on  the  register  of  members  on  7  June
2013. The associated ex-dividend date was 5 June 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 2013 a total of £31.4 million of this facility
was  drawn  down,  representing  6.2%  of  the  Company’s  net
assets. Your Company has utilised gearing over many 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. The  Company’s  gearing  policy  is  to  borrow  up  to  the
lower of £120 million or 20% of the Company’s net asset value.

T H E   B OA R D
Anthony Townsend,  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. Anthony was
instrumental in ensuring the launch of the Company 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. Jo Dixon
will be succeeding him as the Senior Independent Director.

I  am  delighted  to  welcome  Sarah  Bates  onto  the  Board.  Sarah
brings  with  her  a  wealth  of  experience,  both  as  a  former
Chairman of the Association of Investment Companies and also
as  a  non-executive  Director  of  a  number  of  public  companies
including JPMorgan American Investment Trust plc, where she is
Chairman, and also New India Investment Trust PLC, Polar Capital
Technology Trust plc and Witan Pacific Investment Trust plc. 

T H E   A LT E R N AT I V E   I N V E S T M E N T
F U N D   MA N AG E R S   D I R E C T I V E
(A I FM D)

The AIFMD is European legislation which will create a European-
wide  framework  for  regulating  managers  of  ‘alternative
investment  funds’,  which  includes  investment  trusts.  It  came
into force in July 2011 with the intention that it be implemented
into national legislation by July 2013. Your Board is currently in
the  process  of  complying  with this  legislation and  will  keep
shareholders informed of developments.

O U T LO O K
While the prospects for global economic growth remain mixed,
with  a  further  year  of  recession  and  continued  political
uncertainty  expected  in  the  Eurozone,  and  the  Chinese
economy struggling with high energy costs and a deteriorating
trade balance. However, there is better news in Japan and also
in  the  U.S. where,  despite  automatic  budgetary  cuts,  the  US
economy  is  still  expected  to  grow  at  2%  this  year.  Our
Investment Manager continues to believe that the outlook for
the healthcare sector is positive and that there is potential for
continued  outperformance  of the wider  market over the long
term.  In  particular,  they  believe  that  the  portfolio  is  well
positioned to benefit from such factors as low valuations, a rise
in  the  prospects  for  emerging  markets, attractive  growth
potential 
large  capitalisation  pharmaceutical  and
biotechnology companies as a result of new product launches
and continued merger and acquisition activity.

for 

Our focus continues to be on the selection of stocks with strong
prospects and we continue to believe that investors committed
to the sector will be well rewarded.

A N N UA L   G E N E R A L   M E E T I N G
This year, the Annual General Meeting of the Company will be
held  at Carpenters’  Hall,  Throgmorton  Avenue, London
EC2N 2JJ on Wednesday, 17 July 2013 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.

Sir Martin Smith
Chairman
6 June 2013  

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O r b i M e d   C a p i t a l   L LC   –   I nve s t m e n t   M a n a g e r

OrbiMed Capital LLC – Investment Manager

OrbiMed had over U.S.$7 billion in assets under management as
of 31 March 2013, across a range of funds, including investment
trusts, hedge funds, mutual funds, and private equity funds.   

The  Team  has  a  global  focus  with  a  universe  of  coverage  that
covers the  entire  spectrum  of  companies,  from  early  stage
companies  with  pre-clinical  assets  to  full  integrated  bio-
pharmaceutical  companies. The  universe  of  actively  covered
companies is approaching 1,000.

investments 

in  companies  with
OrbiMed  emphasises 
underappreciated  products 
in  the  pipeline,  high  quality
management  teams,  and  adequate  financial  resources.  A
disciplined portfolio construction process is utilised to ensure the
portfolio  is  focused  on  high  conviction  positions.  Finally,  the
portfolio  is  subject  to  rigorous  risk  management  process  to
moderate portfolio volatility.

OrbiMed was born in 1989 and has evolved over time to be the
largest  dedicated  healthcare  investment  firm  in  the  world.
OrbiMed  has  managed  the  portfolio  since  the  Company’s
launch  in  1995.    Exceptional  returns  and  recipient  of  many
investment  awards  signifies  the  aggregate  talents  of  this
exceptional team.

T H E  T E A M  
The  OrbiMed  Public  Equity  Investment  Team  continues  to
expand. Led by founding partner, Samuel D. Isaly, now over 60
investment professionals cover all aspects of research, trading,
finance, and compliance. This includes over 20 degree holders
with MD and/or PhD credentials, healthcare industry veterans,
and finance professionals with over 20 years of experience.

The  firm  has  a  global  investment  horizon  and  the  OrbiMed
footprint now spans 3 continents with offices in New York, San
Francisco, Tel Aviv, Shanghai, and Mumbai.

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
The Team works constantly to identify sources of alpha generation
with  a  focus  on  fundamental  research. In  healthcare,  there  are
many  primary  sources  of  alpha  generation,  especially  in
therapeutics. Clinical events such as the publication of new clinical
trial  data  is  a  prominent  example  and  historically  has  been  the
largest source of share price volatility. Regulatory events, such as
new  drug  approvals  by  U.S.,  European,  or  Japanese  regulatory
authorities  are  also  stock  moving  events. Subsequent  new
product  launches  are  carefully  tracked  and  forecasted. Other
sources include legal events and, of course, M&A activity.

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R e v i e w   o f   I nve s t m e n t s  

0 5

Review of Investments 

“.... healthcare outperformance in the period was both 
immediate and sustained.”

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

The year ended 31 March 2013 was
marked  by  periods  of  volatility, but
primarily was a bullish period for the
global  equity  markets.  Early  returns
were  negative  in  the  period,  but  a
turn  in  the  markets  in  May  2012
marked the beginning of a bull run
that  bore  witness  to  a  nearly  30%
swing  in  the  MSCI  World  Index
measured in sterling terms on a net
total return  basis.  Ultimately  the
MSCI World Index finished up an impressive 17.7% for the year.

Samuel D. Isaly

Despite  such strong returns,  global  healthcare  equities
outperformed  the  broader  market during the  year. Although
following  a  similar  pattern,  healthcare  outperformance  in  the
period  was  both  immediate  and  sustained. The  MSCI  World
Healthcare  Index  rose  by  31.4%  on  a  net  total  return,  sterling
adjusted basis during the year. This compares to the Company’s
net  asset  value  per  share  total  return  of  30.3%  and  the  share
price total return of 30.9% in the same period. 

While currency movements have been volatile in recent times,
including  some  precipitous  swings  in  2012  and  early  in  2013,
the currency impact was modest during the year. A significant
majority  of  the  portfolio  holdings  are  denominated  in  U.S.
dollars,  but  the  net  move  in  sterling  versus  the  dollar  was
approximately 5% in the period.

CONTRIBUTION TO PERFORMANCE

Large  capitalisation  therapeutic  stocks  were  the  hallmark  of
2013  performance. Dusting  off  the  doldrums  with  renewed
positive  fundamentals,  these  stocks  shook  off  historically  low
valuations  and  re-rated  to  better  reflect  a  new  era  of
productivity  and  growth. This  led  to  the  largest  contributions
during the year.

Gilead  Sciences,  is a  good example  of  this  phenomenon.
Worldwide  leaders  in  virology,  the  company  maintained  its
leadership in HIV and grabbed the mantle in hepatitis C, as well.
During  the  period,  the  company  was  able  to  gain  regulatory
approval  for  the  next  generation  of  anti-viral  combination
therapy  for  HIV.  Known  as  Stribild  (elvitegravir,  cobicistat,
launch  was  solid.
emtricitabine,  tenofovir),  the  product 
Moreover,  Gilead’s  next  generation  anti-viral  combination
therapy  for  hepatitis  C  began  to  usher  in  a  new  era  for  the
treatment of this chronic liver disease. The novel, all-oral therapy
will likely set a new standard in efficacy, safety, and tolerability

for this unmet medical need. The regimen is in late stage clinical
trials  and  we  expect  it  to  be  available  to  patients  in  2015.  In
recognition of such impressive productivity, the stock doubled
during the year. This performance led to Gilead being the top
contributor to performance in the period.

Roche  Holdings is  another  example  of  a  large  capitalisation
bio-pharmaceutical  company  that  demonstrated continued
leadership  in  product  development,  in  this  case,  in  cancer.
Roche is the worldwide leader in oncology and sells the three
largest cancer drugs in the world (Avastin, Rituxan, Herceptin).
Over  the  past  twelve  months,  the  company  made  important
strides  in  maintaining  that  leadership  with  extensive  life  cycle
management  and  pipeline  developments  to  protect
its
oncology franchise. Two drugs were approved for breast cancer,
Perjeta  (pertuzumab)  and  Kadcyla  (ado-trastuzumab),  raising
the efficacy and safety bar first established by Herceptin. Most
notably  was  the  approval  of  Kadcyla,  the  first  antibody-drug
conjugate (ADC) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
This  type  of  therapy,  pioneered  by  Roche,  helped  the  stock
outpace the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index by over 50% in the
period.

Shares  of  the  specialty biotechnology  company,  Onyx
Pharmaceuticals,  increased  sharply  due  to  the  approval  and
launch  of  Kyprolis  (carfilzomib)  for  treatment  of  multiple
myeloma (a type of bone marrow cancer). Entering 2012, there
was significant doubt that the regulatory package submitted to
the  U.S.  Food  and  Drug  Administration  (“FDA”)  would  be
sufficient for approval, as it was based on a phase II trial rather
than a large, randomised phase III trial. However, because of the
high unmet medical need represented by refractory myeloma,
the drug received a positive review by an advisory committee
and accelerated approval from the FDA. The initial launch of the
product has gone well, providing further support for the stock.
Future approval in Europe is expected. Additionally during the
year under  review,  approval  was  received  for  Stivarga
(regorafenib)  for  the  treatment  of  colorectal  cancer  by  Bayer,
from which Onyx receives a meaningful royalty.

Another large capitalisation stock, Pfizer, utilised a host of levers
to  produce  outperformance  in  the  period.  The  company
successfully divested its Infant Nutritionals business to Nestlé for
U.S.$11.9 billion. The company also successfully spun off (partially)
its Animal  Health  business  in  a  U.S.$2.2  billion  initial-public-
offering. The  company  continued  to  return  this  cash  to
shareholders in the forms of increasing dividends and an industry
leading  share  buyback  programme.  Moreover,  the  company
participated  in  two  of  the  most  important  drug  approvals  in
recent memory. First, Pfizer was able to obtain U.S. FDA approval
for  Xeljanz  (tofacitinib),  the  first  ever  oral,  disease  modifying

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R e v i e w   o f   I nve s t m e n t s  

Review of Investments (continued)

agent  for  the  treatment  of  rheumatoid  arthritis. Second,  the
company, along with partner Bristol-Myers Squibb, launched
what we believe is the most important therapy ever approved
for  the  prevention  of  stroke  in  patients  with  atrial  fibrillation.
Known globally as Eliquis (apixaban), this drug has shown to be
more efficacious at reducing strokes with less bleeding than the
long time gold standard, Coumadin (warfarin). We expect both
Xeljanz and Eliquis to reach “mega-blockbuster” status.

The Paris-based bio-pharmaceutical giant, Sanofi, entered the
year  in  the  midst of one  of  the  largest  patent  cliffs  in  the
industry. However,  while  revenues  and  earnings  suffered  with
the loss of patent protection for its U.S.$10 billion franchise for
blood  thinner  Plavix  (clopidogrel),  the  company  was  able  to
align a host  of  additional  growth  platforms  to  drive  above
average  growth  in  the  future.  Sanofi  has  shown  leadership  in
diabetes, vaccines, and consumer healthcare. The acquisition of
Genzyme  in  2011  also  puts  Sanofi  in  the  forefront  of  the
biotechnology space, in particular for rare orphan diseases and
multiple  sclerosis.  The  market  was  able  to  look  past  the
headwind  of  generics  and  the  stock  outpaced  the  NYSE  Arca
Pharmaceutical  Index  by  over  50%  in  the  period. Thus,  Sanofi
was another top contributor to performance.

For  stocks  that  were  the  largest  detractors  in  the  period,  a
common  thread  is  more  difficult  to  identify  but  one  recurring
theme that hurt many stocks in the portfolio was disappointing
new  product 
launches  for  small  and mid-capitalisation
companies.  Dendreon is  a  typical  example. The  company
received  approval  in  2010  for  their  novel  vaccine  for  the
treatment of prostate cancer. While expectations did reset lower,
the  combination  of  high  price,  difficult  procurement  logistics
(for both the patient and physician), and new competitor entries
continued  a  long  string  of  quarterly  sales  disappointments.
Further exacerbating the move down was decreasing likelihood
of  the  company  being  acquired  and  thus  the  valuation
compressed  further. Overall,  the  stock  fell  over  50%  in  the
period.

OraSure Technologies is a leading diagnostics company that
significantly  underperformed  the  broader  market during  the
year. The stock lagged due to a muted over-the-counter HIV test
launch coupled with deteriorating legacy diagnostics business
caused  by  a  difficult  public  health  funding  environment.
OraSure’s over-the-counter HIV test received its FDA approval in
July 2012 on the heels of a unanimous recommendation from
the  FDA  advisory  panel  in  May  2012. The  initial  enthusiasm  of
the  first  FDA  cleared  over-the-counter  HIV  test  became  short-

lived soon after initial data tracking the launch started coming
in  below stock  market expectations. Public  health  funding
environment  also  provided  a  difficult  backdrop  for  OraSure’s
core  diagnostics  business  causing  the  company  to  provide
lacklustre future guidance for two consecutive quarters putting
additional downward pressure on the stock.

VIVUS, is  a  specialty pharmaceutical  player  that  was  the  first
company in the U.S. to launch a new drug for the treatment of
obesity  in  over  a  decade. The  drug,  known  as  Qsymia
(phentermine and topiramate), was approved in July 2012 and
the  company’s  share  price  reached  a  10-year  high  shortly
thereafter.  However,  the  small  company  with  less  than  150
employees took a “go-it-alone” alone strategy and launched the
product  without  the  marketing know-how of  an  established
partner. The result was woeful physician and patient awareness
about  the  new  weight  loss  drug.  An  FDA  mandated  Risk
Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy turned into another obstacle
for  patients  trying  to  get  on  therapy. The  net  result  was  a
spectacularly  failed  launch  and  a  precipitous  decline  in  share
price. This stock is no longer held in the portfolio.

Humana is a managed care company in the United States. The
company reported poor quarters in the first half of 2012 when it
became apparent they had underpriced premiums for the core
“Medicare  Advantage”  product,  a  privately  offered  health
insurance programme that provides an eligible person with the
U.S.  Medicare  benefits. The  shares  partially  rebounded  later  in
the year as the prospects improved for the Romney Presidential
candidacy  on  the  hopes  that  a  Republican  administration
would  provide  a  more  favourable operating  environment  for
managed care companies and Medicare Advantage plans. This
enthusiasm  was  reversed  on  Election  Day  when  President
Obama  was  re-elected. More  recently,  there  has  been  more
volatility in Humana shares due to pressures on Medicare rates.

Questcor  Pharmaceuticals,  a  specialty  pharmaceuticals
company based in California, was a notable detractor during the
year. The  position  was  initially  predicated  on  our  belief  that
robust  utilisation  of  their  key  drug  Acthar  (corticotrophin)  –
particularly 
in  the  nephrology  setting  –  could  drive
exceptionally  strong  revenue  and  earnings  growth  for  the
company for several years. In addition, we viewed the stock as
attractively valued in light of anticipated growth. Questcor was
a solid performer during the first half of the calendar year 2012,
underpinned  by  strong  prescription  demand  for  Acthar.
However,  in  September,  a  broker’s “short  report”  highlighted  a
reimbursement  policy  change  at  an  insurance  carrier  and  the

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company disclosed a government investigation into marketing
practices  for Acthar. The  back-to-back  events  triggered  a
massive sell-off with the stock falling more than 60% in only four
trading  days. Although  a  sell-off  of  that  magnitude  was
unwarranted, we exited our Questcor position as the stock no
longer traded on fundamentals. Questcor Pharmaceuticals is no
longer held in the portfolio. 

Finally, a comment on derivatives and impact on performance.
The Company uses derivatives to enhance the capital return of
the  portfolio,  facilitate  the  management  of  portfolio  volatility
and improve the risk-return profile of the Company relative to
the  benchmark.  For  year  ended  31  March  2013,  the option
overlay strategy added 1.1% to performance.

SECTOR UPDATE

The calendar year of 2012 represented a clear inflection point in
the  pharmaceutical  and  biotechnology  industries. Evidence  of
resurgence  in  research  and  development  (“R&D”)  productivity
was the key. More positive late stage clinical trial read outs and
product approvals were the hallmark metrics. A total of 40 new
products were approved by the FDA in 2012, 10 more than in
2011. This is the most new approvals since 2004. 

Certainly,  the  FDA  has  continued  its  upswing  in  “industry
friendliness”  that  commenced  in  2010. Tellingly,  many  of  the
new  product  reviews  were  completed  on  the  “first  cycle”,  or
without delay. This represents a dramatic improvement over as
little  as  two  years  ago  when  “complete  response  letters”
(implicit rejections) were as common as approvals. Additionally,
2012 was witness to multiple approvals that occurred before the
mandated-by-law action dates for the FDA. This phenomenon
was previously unheard of. Finally, the FDA has commenced a
new  “breakthrough  therapy”  designation  for  investigational
compounds  in  early  stage  development. This  enables  sponsor
companies  to  gain  better  access  to  FDA  staffers  to obtain
important  input  in  designing  and  expediting  pivotal  trial
programmes. A significant number of compounds received this
designation in the first four months of 2013.

On  the  political  front,  a  plethora  of  uncertainty existed in  the
first  half  of  the  year  with  the  constitutionality  of “Obamacare”
(The Affordable Care Act or ACA) debated at the Supreme Court
of the United States (SCOTUS), followed by the U.S. Presidential
Election later in the year. June brought resolution to the ACA as
SCOTUS upheld the law in a close 5-4 vote. Thus, there will be no
repeal of the new Medical Device tax that commenced in 2013

and,  moreover,  we  will  see  Health  Insurance  Market  reforms
beginning in 2014 as the rate of health insurance for Americans
will increase significantly. Specifically, Medicaid eligibility will be
expanded effective 1 January 2014. Health insurance exchanges
will be established on a state level for people to participate, with
subsides  for  insurance  premiums  available  to  individuals  who
buy  a  plan  from  an  exchange  and  have  a  household  income
between 133% and 400% of the poverty line.

PHARMACEUTICALS

for

found  bullishness

Our  new 
large  capitalisation
pharmaceutical  stocks  continued  this  year. Despite  the  well-
chronicled “patent  cliff”  reaching  its  nadir  in  2012,  the  overall
fundamentals  of  the  group  have  improved  dramatically. A
number  of  metrics  have  impacted  the  group,  but  none  more
important  than  increased  R&D  productivity  and  new  product
launches.  The  “new  normal”  for  pharmaceutical  companies  is
that pipelines are delivering new and innovative medicines that
are being approved by the FDA. While valuations have moved
up to reflect this thinking, the re-rating of the sector is far from
complete given that the stocks still trade in the bottom quartile
of their historical range and only at a modest premium to the
S&P 500. The outlook for the group is one of accelerating sales
and earnings, in particular off of the patent cliff trough, fueled
by new product launches.

Emerging  markets  reached  critical  mass  from  a  global  sales
perspective  earlier  this  decade.  Now,  for  many  companies,
emerging  markets  are  a  critical  growth  driver  going  forward.
Visibility into these markets has grown as well, and we are better
able to assess this component of a company’s sales and income
statements.

While  our enthusiasm for  the  group  has  increased,  we  remain
cautious on some companies that comprise the universe. Patent
expirations  will  prove  to  be  cyclical  over  time,  and  while  the
majority of them for the industry have passed, some companies
still have significant generic headwinds in front of them. Further,
R&D productivity is not created equal amongst this peer group.
We  have  highlighted  some  companies  as  leaders  in  bringing
new drugs to market, but some are relatively thin on late stage
pipeline opportunities.

Finally,  we  remain  very  much  focused  on  catalysts,  in  particular
clinical and regulatory catalysts. Short term shifts in sentiment can
follow unexpected positive or negative events. Fundamentals are
most critical, but we are mindful of trading opportunities.

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Review of Investments (continued)

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Our  bullishness  for  the  outlook  of  the  biotechnology  sector  is
perhaps at an all-time high, in particular for large capitalisation
stocks. These stocks are trading at multiples that are comparable
to  their  pharmaceutical counterparts despite  superior  growth
profiles. The  combination  of  robust,  future  growth  and  still
depressed valuations has created a rare investment opportunity
in this space.

Once  again,  R&D  is  a  key  component  of  the strategy. The
number  of  drugs  in  clinical  development  has  been  increasing
over  the  past  decade.  With  decreased  attrition  and  higher
approval  rates,  more  drugs  are  being  approved  now  than
previously observed. Moreover, six of the top ten current best-
selling  drugs  worldwide  were  originally  developed  by
biotechnology  companies  and  a  host  of  recently  launched  or
soon-to-launch  biotechnology  drugs  have  “blockbuster”
potential.

Biotechnology companies are also incrementally more astute at
targeting “hot” therapeutic categories – ones in which there is a
high unmet medical need, in specialist categories which do not
require  large  sales  and  marketing  infrastructures,  and  pricing
flexibility  remains  high. Such  categories  include  immunology,
oncology and orphan diseases.

The topic of “biosimilars” (generic alternatives to large molecule
drugs) has been a hotly debated one for most of this century.
However,  most  recent  observations  suggest  that  generic
companies  attempting  to  develop,  manufacture,  and  sell
biosimilars  are  finding  the  regulatory  and  cost  barriers  much
higher  than  originally  expected.  Compared  to  small  molecule
generics,  we  expect  fewer  entrants,  smaller  share  gains, lower
pricing  discounts,  lower  prospects  for  interchangeability,  and
higher  manufacturing  hurdles. We  continue  to  believe  that
biosimilars of some sort are inevitable, but do not believe that
they will materially effect the biotechnology industry. Therefore
for  biotechnology  versus
the  patent  cliff  outlook 
the
pharmaceutical 
biotechnology industry.

remains  decidedly 

in favour of 

GLOBAL GENERICS

Market  conditions  for  generic  drug  manufacturers  are
improving  across  the  globe. In  the  U.S.,  pricing  stability  and  a
favourable patent cycle make the world’s largest generic market
amongst the most attractive. In Europe, austerity measures have

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nudged  generic  utilisation  markedly  higher,  overwhelming
pricing  erosion  in  many  major  markets. Throughout  Asia,
economic  expansion,  favourable  demographics,  supportive
governmental  policies  and  other  contributing  factors  have
boosted generic utilisation in some regions to unprecedented
levels.

Although  we  are encouraged by  these  positive  dynamics,
increased regulatory scrutiny, especially manufacturing-related,
and  reimbursement  uncertainties  have  become  global  issues
worth  monitoring. In-line  with  our positive views,  we  favour
many  of  the  mid-sized  and  large  global  generic  players,
especially those with emerging branded franchises. We believe
these companies are best positioned to realise both near-term
and  longer-term  growth  opportunities. Japan  possesses  the
fastest  growing  generic  drug  market  in  the  world  and  2013
promises to be the most dynamic in history. In India, we favour
companies  with  geographic  and  product  diversification  with
strong management teams in place.

SPECIALTY PHARMACEUTICALS

We look at this sub-sector on a number of levels. On one hand,
we  continually  search  for  high-growth  companies  with
attractive,  growth-adjusted  valuations. On  the  other,  we  seek
out “contrarian” stocks with underappreciated businesses often
trading  at  depressed  valuations.
In  Europe,  we  remain  very
selective, as we find conditions in several major markets to be
unfavourable  for  many  specialty  pharmaceutical  companies.
Finally, merger and acquisition activity is always a consideration
and  we  continually  look  for  companies  that  could  become
acquisition targets.

MEDICAL DEVICES

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  led  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
sector. These  metrics  are  critical  in  considering  the  large
capitalisation  medical  device  stocks. For  small  and  mid-
capitalisation companies, we look for undervalued quality and
misunderstood product cycles that allow for opportunistic buys.

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R e v i e w   o f   I nve s t m e n t s    

0 9

HEALTHCARE SERVICES

EMERGING MARKETS

It  remains  a  dynamic  time  in  history  for  the  hospitals  and
managed  care companies in  the  U.S.,  the  so-called “HMOs”  or
Health  Maintenance  Organisations. For  the  next  several  years,
the key variable for the services sector is the implementation of
healthcare  reform  emanating  from  the  ACA. The  expansion  of
insurance coverage should improve the profitability of hospitals
which  previously  were  uncompensated  for  care  provided  to
uninsured patients. 

For the HMOs, 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 utilisation is unlikely
to  recover  until  the  broader  macro  and  employment
environment  improves. With  attractive  valuations,  we  are
positive on the group.

LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS AND DIAGNOSTICS

We continue to favour the Life Sciences Tools & Diagnostics sub-
sectors  as  we  enter  2013. The  sector  is  beginning  to  rebound
from  depressed  multiples  of  the  last  few  years  as  visibility  in
organic  growth  improves,  fueled  by  innovations  in  genomic
research. The industry  consolidation  theme  has  been  driving
sector-wide  multiples  expansion  as 
large  bell-weather
conglomerates  begin  to  show  explicit  interests  in  acquiring
smaller  companies  in  growth  areas. Recovery  in  the  macro
economy, coupled with foreseeable resolution to sequestration
in the U.S., should continue to support outperformance in the
group especially as we head into second half of 2013.

Within the sub-sectors of Life Sciences Tools & Diagnostics, we
favour  companies  with  new  innovative  products  in  genomic
research  over  the  traditional  life  sciences  names  with  more
cyclical industrial markets exposures. We continue to believe in
the large market potential of next-generation sequencing, as it
moves  from  research  markets  into  clinical  applications  still  in
nascent stages. 

We  substantially  increased  our  exposure  to  emerging  market
stocks  after  the  2011  sell-off.  The  increased  exposure  was
through a combination of either direct holdings of companies
in the local geographies such as China and India, and indirectly
through our global large capitalisation holdings. 

The size of our direct holdings in individual stocks in countries
such as China and India, further increased from more than 8% at
the  end  of  fiscal  year  2011  to  roughly  11%  through  2012. In
particular,  it  is  noteworthy  that  we  have  ventured  into  the
Chinese “A” share market via the Qualified Foreign Institutional
Investor  (QFII)  programme  which  allows  licensed  foreign
investors to buy and sell yuan-denominated "A" shares in China's
mainland stock exchanges.

for 

revenues 

capitalisation
Emerging  market 
pharmaceutical stocks range up to 34% of total sales for these
companies. For the period ending with the 2013 fiscal year, we
estimate that this contributed an additional 10% of exposure to
emerging markets.

large 

Samuel D. Isaly
OrbiMed Capital LLC
Investment Manager
6 June 2013

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1 0

R e v i e w   o f   I nve s t m e n t s     

Review of Investments (continued) 

CO N T R I B U T I O N   BY   I N V E S T M E N T
Principal contributors to and detractors from net asset value performance over the year to 31 March 2013

Top Five Contributors

Gilead Sciences
Roche Holdings
Onyx Pharmaceuticals
Pfizer
Sanofi

Top Five Detractors

Dendreon
Orsure Technologies
VIVUS
Humana
Questcor Pharmaceuticals

Contribution
for the year to
31 March 2013
£’000

Contribution
per share
(pence)*

13,923
13,405
8,249
6,573
6,139

(2,688)
(2,446)
(2,285)
(1,846)
(1,750)

31.07
29.91
18.41
14.67
13.70

107.76

(6.00)
(5.46)
(5.10)
(4.12)
(3.90)

(24.58)

*based on 44,819,199 being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year ended 31 March 2013.
Source: Frostrow Capital LLP

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Historic Performance

H i s t o r i c   Pe r f o r m a n c e  

1 1

Net asset value per share – 
diluted (dilution for 
warrants/subscription shares)

31 March
2008

31 March
2009

31 March 31 March
2011

2010

31 March
2012

31 March
2013

482.4p 

600.5p

752.7p 773.5p

871.0p 1089.6p

Net asset value per share – basic 

486.6p 

635.9p

780.8p 799.2p

909.4p 1110.2p

Share price 

457.0p 

550.5p

701.5p 686.0p

795.0p 1009.0p

% Change 
for the 
year ended
31 March
2013

+25.1

+22.1

+26.9

Warrant/subscription share price

27.5p

62.0p

98.0p

84.5p

133.5p

307.5p

+130.3

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)†

†See glossary on page 72.

(5.3%) 

(8.3%) 

(6.8%) 

(11.3%) 

(8.7%)

(7.4%)

n/a

(6.4%)

1.8%

1.3% 

(7.5%)

15.3%

1.2%

(7.1%)

(7.6%)

10.4% 13.3%

1.0%

1.0%

(7.1%)

16.4%

1.1%

(6.0%)

9.8%

1.0%

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.3%

1.2%

1.0%

1.8%

1.3%

1.2%

n/a

5  YE A R   P E R F O R MA N C E  TO   3 1   MA R C H   2 0 1 3

260

240

220

200

180

160

140

120

100

80

Mar
08

Mar
09

Mar
10

Mar
11

Mar
12

Mar
13

WWH Net Asset Value (total return)

WWH Share Price (total return)

Benchmark Index (total return)*

Rebased to 100 as at 31 March 2008
Source: Morningstar, Thomson Reuters & Bloomberg

*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). 

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1 2

C h a m p i o n s   o f   I n n o v a t i o n  

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

ROCHE  HOLDINGS (Large  Capitalisation
Bio -pharmaceutical)
The  worldwide  leaders  in  oncology,  Roche  Holdings,  are  not
resting  on  their  past  laurels.  Rather,  the company  continues  to
push the frontiers of science in developing novel therapies for the
treatment of cancer. Antibody Drug Conjugates (or ADC’s) are a
new type of targeted therapy which consist of antibody linked to
a cytotoxic drug (chemotherapy). The antibody will seek and bind
to  the  specific  tumor  cells,  be  internalised,  and  release  the
cytotoxin to kill the host cell. Roche was the first company to get
FDA approval for an ADC. Known as Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab),
adding the drug to current treatment regimens has increased the
survival of metastatic breast cancer patients (who are HER2+) by
almost 300% over chemotherapy alone. Roche also has a follow-
on  drug  to  the  “mega-blockbuster” cancer  product,  Rituxan
(rituximab), for blood cancers. Referred to as obinutuzumab (GA-
101),  filing  with  regulatory  authorities  should  occur  late  2013.
Roche  is  also  involved  in  a  new  class  of  cancer  therapies  –
immunotherapy – with first data available later in 2013. But Roche
is not only a cancer company, with important pipeline projects in
neuroscience, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular that could further
their reputation as leaders in innovative medicines. 

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GILEAD  SCIENCES (Large  Capitalisation
Biotechnology)
Founded  in  1987,  the  biotechnology  company  Gilead  Sciences,
has become a  category  leader in  virology,  in  particular  the
treatment  of  human  immunodeficiency  virus  (HIV).  In  2012,  the
company  posted  global  sales  of  U.S.$8  billion  for  HIV  therapies
alone. In 2013, the company launched is what will probably be the
next  gold  standard  therapy  for  HIV,  the  four  drug  combination
product  known  as  Stribild  (elvitegravir,  cobicistat,  emtricitabine,
tenofovir). We  expect  Stribild  to  reach  well  over  U.S.$3  billion  in
peak global sales. Gilead has also attempted to become category
leaders in another virology category, specifically hepatitis C. Once
again  through  astute  R&D  and  M&A,  Gilead  is  on  the cusp of
redefining the treatment of hepatitis C with a 2-3 month all-oral
therapy  (versus  the  current  gold  standard  treatment  regimen
which includes weekly injections for a minimum of 6 months). The
Gilead approach not only simplifies the regimen into a single, once
daily  pill,  but  also  avoids  the  very  difficult  side  effects  of  today’s
regimen which causes many patients to discontinue therapy. But
most noteworthy is that Gilead’s therapy will also lead to a cure in
the vast majority of patients with hepatitis C. We expect the drug
cocktail to be available to patients in 2015 and take the majority
share of what we expect to be a U.S.$10 billion market.

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Champions of Innovation (continued)

C h a m p i o n s   o f   I n n o v a t i o n  

1 3

I N S U L E T   CO R P O R AT I O N
(Medical  Devices)
Insulet  Corporation  develops,  manufactures,  and  markets  a
tubeless  insulin  patch  pump,  called  the  OmniPod,  to  treat
people with insulin-dependent diabetes. The patch pump offers
the  patient  freedom  from  tubes,  ease  of  training  and  a  more
payer-friendly  pay-as-you-go  plan.  The company  has  recently
launched  a  next  generation  pump  that  is  smaller  and  lighter
with  lower  cost  of  manufacture.  Insulet  should  benefit  from
greater  demand  and  higher  gross  margins.  Going  forward,
Insulet  may  also  eventually  incorporate  a  continuous  glucose
monitoring  capability  and  is  working  with  pharmaceutical
partners  to  use  the  patch  pump  technology  to  deliver  other
drugs.

JIANGSU  HENGRUI  MEDICINE
(Chinese  Pharmaceutical)
We  view  Jiangsu  Hengrui  Medicine  as  the  most  established
innovative  pharmaceutical  company  in  China.  While  we
acknowledge  that  drug development in China has very  much
lagged behind  the  developed  countries,  we 
like  the
tremendous market potential and growth trajectory the market
offers. Jiangsu Hengrui is the largest oncology drug developer
and  marketer  in  China,  and  is  rapidly  expanding  its  franchise
into  surgical  anesthetic,  autoimmune,  and  diabetes  drugs.
Hengrui  has  one  of  the  most  solid  drug  pipelines  among  all
Chinese  pharmaceutical  companies.  Among  60  plus  drug
applications filed with the State Food and Drug Administration,
some  noteworthy  examples  include  apatinib  (a  VEGFR  2
tyrosine  kinase  inhibitor  for  gastric  cancer), sunitinib  (inhibitor
for  multiple  receptor  tyrosine  kinases  for  renal  cell  cancer),
long-lasting G-CSF (for neutropenia), and a DDP-4 inhibitor (for
diabetes), among others. In addition, Jiangsu Hengrui also has
one  of  the  most  established  and  best  managed  sales  and
marketing channels in China.

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1 4

Po r t f o l i o

Portfolio

as at 31 March 2013

Investments

Roche Holdings

Gilead Sciences

Pfizer

Sanofi

HCA 

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Amgen

Mylan

Merck & Co.
Incyte Corp +

Top 10 Investments

Ono Pharmaceutical

AbbVie

Celgene

GlaxoSmithKline

Express Scripts

Novartis

Abbott Laboratories

Actavis 

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma
Onyx Pharmaceuticals

Top 20 Investments

Illumina

Sawai Pharmaceutical

Infinity Pharmaceuticals

Insulet

Actelion

Wellpoint

Biogen Idec

Mako

UnitedHealth
Zimmer 

Country

Switzerland

USA

USA

France

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA
USA

Japan

USA

USA

UK

USA

Switzerland

USA

USA

Japan
USA

USA

Japan

USA

USA

Switzerland

USA

USA

USA

USA
USA

Market value
£’000

% of
investments

49,995

25,579

24,786

23,456

20,769

18,274

16,741

16,652

15,049
13,649

9.0

4.6

4.5

4.2

3.8

3.3

3.0

3.0

2.7
2.5

224,950

40.6

12,491

11,317

10,796

10,539

10,206

9,844

9,808

9,581

9,562
9,066

2.3

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.7

1.7
1.6

328,160

59.1

8,537

8,237

8,218

7,754

7,207

7,190

6,987

6,525

6,476
6,437

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.2
1.2

Top 30 Investments

401,728

72.5

+includes Incyte 4.75% 01/10/15 (Conv) equating to 1.6% of investments

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Portfolio (continued)

as at 31 March 2013

Po r t f o l i o  

1 5

Investments

Country

Market value
£’000

% of
investments

Towa Pharmaceutical

Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical

Dendreon Λ

Allergan

Life Technologies

Vocera Communications

Baxter International

Medivation

BioMarin Pharmaceutical
Biosensors International

Top 40 Investments

Fluidigm

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Shandong Weigao Group

Impax Laboratories

3SBio

Aetna

Exact Sciences

Elan 

Neurocrine Biosciences
China Shineway Pharmaceutical

Top 50 Investments

Japan

Japan

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA
Singapore

USA

USA

China

USA

China

USA

USA

Ireland

USA
China

^includes Dendreon 2.875% 15/01/16 (Conv) equating to 0.6% of investments

6,285

6,218

6,132

5,807

5,787

5,680

5,549

5,544

5,494
5,088

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0
0.9

459,312

82.7

4,956

4,835

4,573

3,741

3,654

3,367

3,333

3,232

3,138
3,066

0.9

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.7

0.6

0.6

0.6

0.6
0.6

497,207

89.7

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1 6

Po r t f o l i o  

Portfolio (continued)

as at 31 March 2013

Investments

Country

Market value
£’000

% of
investments

Affymetrix 4% 01/07/19 (Conv)

CIGNA

Given Imaging

Orasure Technologies

Curis

Sequenom

Humana

Sino Biopharmaceuticals
InterMune

USA

USA

Israel

USA

USA

USA

USA

China
USA

2,833

2,546

2,529

2,520

2,444

2,069

1,502

934
745

Total equities and fixed interest investments

515,329

OrbiMed Emerging Markets Basket

Jiangsu Hengrui

Lupin

Strides Arcolab

China Resources
Aurobindo

Total OTC Swaps

Options – (Put & Call)

Total investments including OTC Swaps and Options

18,031

6,411

4,760

2,642

2,526
1,618

35,988

2,442

553,759

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.2
0.1

93.1

3.2

1.2

0.9

0.5

0.4
0.3

6.5

0.4

100.0

S U M M A RY
as at 31 March 2013

Equities (including options & swaps)
Convertibles

Total of all investments

Market value
£’000

538,744
15,015

553,759

% of
investments

97.3
2.7

100.0

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A n a l ys i s   o f   t h e   Po r t f o l i o  

1 7

Analysis of the Portfolio

as at 31 March 2013

BY   G E O G R A P HY

2 0 1 3

Europe
19.3%

Emerging
Markets
9.7%

Asia 7.7%

BY S E C TO R

2 0 1 2

Europe 21.0%

Emerging
Markets
6.6%

Asia 7.8%

North America 
63.3%

North America 
64.6%

2 0 1 3

Healthcare
Distributors/
Services/
Facilities 6.7%

Managed 
Healthcare
4.2%

Fixed Income 1.1%

Healthcare
Equipment/
Supplies/ 
Technology
10.1%

Life Sciences 
Tools and
Services 5.9%

Biotechnology
22.1%

Pharmaceutical
49.9%

Healthcare
Distributors/
Services/
Facilities 4.4%

Healthcare
Equipment/
Supplies/ 
Technology
13.0%

Life Sciences 
Tools and
Services 5.9%

2 0 1 2

Managed 
Healthcare
8.9%

Royalty interests and
Fixed Income 5.2%

Biotechnology
16.5%

Pharmaceutical
46.1%

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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1 8

Yo u r   B o a r d   

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.

S I R   MA R T I N   S M I T H * + (C H A I R MA N )
Sir Martin Smith, aged 70, joined the Board in 2007. After acting
as  Head  of  Corporate  Finance  for  Citibank  in  Europe,  and
Chairman of Bankers Trust International, he became 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 became a founder and Vice Chairman
of New Star Asset Management Group PLC. He is a Director of a
number  of  private  companies.  He  attended  Oxford  University
and has an MBA from Stanford University.

S A R A H   B AT E S * +
Sarah  Bates,  aged  54,  joined  the  Board  in  May  2013.  A  former
Chairman  of  the  Association  of  Investment  Companies,  she  is
currently Chairman of JPMorgan American Investment Trust plc
and a non-executive Director of New India Investment Trust PLC,
Polar  Capital  Technology  Trust  plc,  St  James’s  Place  plc,  Witan
Pacific Investment Trust plc and Development Securities plc. She
is also Chairman of Rutley Russia Property Fund Limited and of
Stena  Line  (UK)  Pension  Scheme  Trustees  Limited.  In  addition,
she is Chairman of, or a member of Charitable and pension fund
investment committees including that of the East Riding Pension
Fund and is Chairman of the Kings Corner Project. She attended
Cambridge  University  and  has  an  MBA  from  London  Business
School.

J O D I XO N * +
Jo Dixon, aged 53, joined the Board in 2004 and is Chairman of
the Audit Committee. She is currently 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. Her career has spanned strategic development,
finance  and  commercial  management  at  a  number  of
companies  including The  Eden  Project,  Cornwall, Serco  Group
plc and Newcastle United PLC and also within the Investment
Bank and main group of NatWest.

D R   DAV I D   H O L B R O O K * +
Dr David Holbrook, aged 53, 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
blue  chip  biopharmaceutical  organisations 
including
GlaxoSmithKline and Roche. 

S A M U E L   D.   I S A LY
Sam Isaly, aged 68, 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.

D O U G   M c C U TC H E O N * +
Doug McCutcheon, aged 48, joined the Board in 2012. Based in
Toronto, Canada, Doug is both a Canadian and UK citizen. Doug
is  the  President  of  Gormley  Limited,  an  investment  company
focused  on  investing  in  private  companies,  and  is  also  on  the
Board  of  Longview  Asset  Management.  Doug  is  involved  in
several philanthropic organisations, with a focus on healthcare
and education. Until 2012, Doug was at UBS, where he was the
former head of UBS Healthcare Investment Banking for Europe,
the  Middle  East,  Africa  and  Asia-Pacific.  He  has over  25  years’
experience as an investment banker. 

A N T H O NY  TO W N S E N D * +
Anthony Townsend, aged 65, 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

R e p o r t   o f   t h e   D i r e c t o r s

1 9

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 2013.

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 10 and the analyses on
pages 11 to 17.

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  2012.  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. In accordance with recent changes to CTA 2010, the
Company has obtained ongoing approval from HM Revenue &
Customs  for  all  accounting  periods  commencing  on  1  April
2012.

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

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:
•

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
Exchange,  except  where  the 
investment  companies
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.

•

•

•

•

•

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
U.S.$5bn);

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

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2 0

R e p o r t   o f   t h e   D i r e c t o r s

Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

•

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

•

The Company’s gearing policy is to borrow up to the lower
of £120 million or 20% of the Company’s net asset value;
• Derivative transactions can be used to mitigate risk and/or
enhance capital returns and will be restricted to 5% of the
portfolio; and

•

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  gross  assets  of  the
Company at the time of acquisition.

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 2013, the Company’s net asset value total
return was 30.3% compared to a rise of 31.4% in the Company’s
benchmark, the MSCI World Health Care Index (net total return,
sterling  adjusted). The  Company’s  share  price total  return  was
30.9% during  the  year. Both  the  share  price  and  the  net  asset
value total return generated during the year were enhanced by
virtue of the change in the Company’s dividend payment policy
whereby  a  first  interim  dividend  of  7.0p  per  share  was  paid  in
January  2013.  This  “extra”  dividend  payment  enhanced
performance in total return terms by approximately 1.0%.

The Review of Investments on pages 5 to 10 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 41. In order to maintain
investment trust status the Directors have declared two interim
dividends for  the  year totaling 16.5p per  share  (2012:  a  single
interim dividend of 17.5p) the second of which will be payable on
5 July 2013.

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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:
• Net asset value total return (see pages 1 and 11)
•
Share price total return (see pages 1, 11 and 38)
•
•

Share price premium/discount to net asset value per share
(see page 11)

Stock contribution analysis (see page 10)

• Ongoing charges (see page 11)
•
•

Benchmark performance (see pages 1, 11 and 38)

Issue of new shares/repurchase of own shares (see page 22
and 52)

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
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. Each
month  the  Board  receives  a  monthly  review report which
monitors  the  Company’s  investment  performance  (both  on  an
absolute basis and against the benchmark and peer group) and its

level  of  gearing,  may 

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R e p o r t   o f   t h e   D i r e c t o r s

2 1

Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

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
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 6%. 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 afforded protection under both the
SEC rules and U.S. legislation equal to the value of the net assets
held  by  Goldman  Sachs  &  Co.  New York (also  see  glossary  on
page 72).

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 54.

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
list  of
the 
reviews 
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

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

(“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
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.  At  the  year  end  total
borrowings  amounted  to  the  equivalent  of  £31.4 million
representing 6.2% of net assets. Further details can be found in
note 11 on page 52 and in note 18 beginning on page 54.

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:

2,213,584 shares were allotted on 2 May 2012 raising £14,123,000.

2,457,096  shares  were  allotted  on  1  August  2012  raising
£15,676,000.

960 shares were allotted on 14 August 2012 raising £6,000.

9,946 shares were allotted on 1 November 2012 raising £70,000.

33,336 shares were allotted on 1 February 2013 raising £233,000.

aggregate, to 6 June 2013, the shares re-purchased equate to a
total of 5.6% 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 2013, the date of the Annual General
Meeting,  will  be  cancelled.  A  total  of  2,941,518  shares  held  in
treasury were cancelled on 17 July 2012. During the year to date
all of the 378,408 shares bought back into treasury since the 2012
Annual General Meeting were reissued at prices representing no
more  than  a  4.9%  discount  to  the  prevailing  fully  diluted  cum
income net asset value per share, raising £4,000,000 of new funds
for the Company.

No Subscription  Shares  were  re-purchased  for  cancellation
during the year.

P R O S P E C TS
The  Company’s  Investment  Manager continues  to  believe  that
the outlook for the healthcare sector is positive and that there is
potential  for  continued  outperformance  of  the  wider  markets
over the long term.

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:
•
•

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

seeking out and evaluating investment opportunities;

•

•
•

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.

Subsequent  to  the  year-end 49,760 shares  were  allotted  on 
2 May 2013 raising £348,000.

During the year under review the Company re-purchased a total
of 2,411,340 shares to be held in treasury, at a cost of £19.2 million
(including expenses). Since the year end and to 6 June 2013 no
further shares  have  been  repurchased  by  the  Company.  In

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  £150 million,
0.20%  per  annum  of  the  market  capitalisation  in  excess  of

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

£150 million and up to £500 million, and 0.125% per annum of
the market capitalisation in excess of £500 million, 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:

• marketing and shareholder services;

•

•

administrative services;

advice  and  guidance  in  respect  of  corporate  governance
requirements;

• 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;

•

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.

During the year performance fees totaling £643,000 crystallised
(year ended 31 March 2012: £909,000) in relation to maintained
outperformance of  which  £268,000  was  payable  at  31  March
2013 (see note 3 on page 48 for further details).

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 19 to 28.  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 45.  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.

C R E D I TO R S PAYM E N T   P O L I C Y
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 2013, the Company did not have any trade creditors
(2012: nil).

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

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.

investment 

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
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.

I N D I V I D UA L   S AV I N G S   ACCO U N TS
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 (£11,520 for an ISA and £3,600 for a
Junior ISA for the 2013/2014 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
ISA  should  contact  their
Ordinary  Shares  through  an 
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 18.

Sir Martin Smith (Chairman)
Sarah Bates (appointed on 22 May 2013)
Jo Dixon
Professor Duncan Geddes (retired on 17 July 2012)
Dr David Holbrook 
Samuel D. Isaly
Doug McCutcheon (appointed on 7 November 2012)
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:

Shares of 25p each

Subscription Shares

31 March 2013

1 April 2012

31 March 2013

1 April 2012

Sir Martin Smith
Sarah Bates (appointed 22 May 2013)
Jo Dixon
Dr David Holbrook
Samuel D. Isaly
Doug McCutcheon (appointed 7 November 2012)
Anthony Townsend

5,859
7,200
3,000
1,094
353,600
15,000
21,619

5,859
–
3,000
–
353,600
–
21,619

400
–
600
–
720
–
25,793

400
–
600
–
100,720
–
25,793

As at 6 June 2013 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 22 and 23. 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

D I R E C TO R S’  F E E S  
A report on Directors’ Remuneration is set out on pages 37 and 38.

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  2013.  It  is
intended  that  this  policy  will  continue  for  the  year  ending
31 March 2014 and subsequent years.

D I R E C TO R S’  I N D E M N I T I E S  
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   I N T E R E S TS
The Company was aware of the following substantial interests in the voting rights of the Company:

Beneficial
shareholder
Investec Wealth & Investment
Alliance Trust Savings
Smith & Williamson
Brewin Dolphin
Henderson Global Investors
Charles Stanley, Stockbrokers
Newton Investment Management
Speirs & Jeffrey, Stockbrokers
Legal & General Investment Management

30 April 2013*

31 March 2013

Number of
shares
4,315,131
2,401,636
2,069,159
2,020,827
1,944,188
1,820,180
1,728,842
1,507,516
1,446,387

% of issued
share capital
9.43
5.25
4.52
4.42
4.25
3.98
3.78
3.39
3.16

Number of
shares
4,216,604
2,370,495
2,113,833
2,058,011
2,149,188
1,783,132
1,764,947
1,537,031
1,446,387

% of issued
share capital
9.21
5.18
4.62
4.49
4.70
3.90
3.86
3.36
3.16

As at 31 March 2013 the Company had 45,434,746 shares in issue. As at 30 April 2013 the Company had 45,504,746 shares in issue.

*30 April being the latest practicable date before publication of the Annual Report.

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.
Ernst & Young LLP have been in post for over 18 years and the
Board, after consideration, has agreed that a tender process for
the post of Auditor to the Company should take place in early
2014. As part of its deliberations, the Board has noted that the
audit partners responsible for the audit are rotated at least every
five  years,  in  accordance  with  professional  and  regulatory
standards, in order to protect independence and objectivity and
also  to  provide  fresh  challenge  to  the  business,  but  the  Board

still believes that the holding of a tender process is appropriate.
The results of the tender will be published in next year’s Annual
Report and Accounts and will be voted on by shareholders at
next year’s 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.

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

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 52.

Voting Rights in the Company’s shares
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 66.

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 30 to 35.

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 15 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 62 to 67 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 10  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 £1,145,323 (equivalent to
4,581,291 shares,  or  10%  of  the  Company’s  existing  issued  share
capital on 6 June 2013, 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
General Meeting.

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
issue  to  existing  shareholders.  Special
by  a  pro  rata 
Resolution 11 will, if passed, give the Directors power to allot for
cash equity securities up to 10% of the Company’s existing share
capital on 6 June 2013 (reduced by any treasury shares sold by
the  Company  pursuant  to  Special  Resolution 12,  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 11.  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 11, Resolution 12, 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

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Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

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 12. 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
authority is limited to 10% of the Company’s existing share capital
on 6 June 2013 (reduced by any equity securities allotted for cash
on  a  non-pro  rata  basis  pursuant  to  Resolution 11,  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 10, 11  and 12  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 13 and 14, if passed, would authorise the Company
to  buy  back  up  to 6,867,356 Ordinary  shares  and 350,791
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 6 June 2013 respectively. If given, these authorities
will expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting
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
Annual General Meeting.

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  13,  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  15  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 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
and 15 will last until the conclusion of the next Annual General
Meeting or, if less, a period of 15 months.

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

Amendment to Articles of Association
It  is  proposed  to  make  certain  changes  to  the  Company’s
Articles  of  Association  in  order  to  (i)  take  advantage  of  HM

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R e p o r t   o f   t h e   D i r e c t o r s

Report of the Directors (continued)
Incorporating the Business Review

Recommendation

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 as the
Directors  intend  to  do  in  respect  of  their  own  beneficial
holdings totaling 407,372 Shares.

By order of the Board
Frostrow Capital LLP
Company Secretary
6 June 2013

Government’s  reform  of  the  tax  and  company  law  rules
affecting  investment  trusts  by  removing  the  prohibition  on
distributing  capital  profits,  which  the  Company  is  no  longer
required  to  include  (the  Board  is,  however,  not  currently
proposing  any  change  to  the  Company’s  dividend  policy);  (ii)
remove the upper limit of the Company’s share capital, which is
no  longer  required  pursuant  to  the  Companies  Act  2006;  (iii)
delete  provisions  that  were  formerly  contained  within  the
Company’s  memorandum  of  association;  (iv)  clarify  the
procedure  for  dealing  with  Subscription  Shares,  once  the
Subscription  Share  Rights  attaching  to  them  have  lapsed;  and
(v)  make  other  technical  amendments  so  that  the  Articles  of
Association  conform  to  the  Companies  Act  2006  and  other
legislation  applicable  to  companies  in  its  current  form  and
current best practice.  Accordingly, Special Resolution 16 will be
put to the Annual General Meeting to be held on 17 July 2013.
Details  of  the  changes  are  set  out  on  page 61 of  this  Annual
Report.

Subscription Shareholder Class Meeting
As  the  proposed  amendments  to  the  Company’s  Articles  of
Association vary the rights attached to the Subscription Shares,
the  passing  of  Special  Resolution  16  at  the Annual  General
Meeting is  conditional  on  the  approval  of  the  Subscription
Shareholders  in  a  separate  class  meeting. If  adopted,  the  new
Articles of Association will not affect the rights attached to the
Ordinary Shares, and therefore a separate class meeting of the
Ordinary  Shareholders  is  not  necessary  and  will  not  be  held.
Only Subscription Shareholders are entitled to attend and vote
at this class meeting. The notice of the Subscription Shareholder
class meeting, which will be held at 12.20pm on 17 July 2013 or
as  soon  as  the Annual General Meeting  of  the  Company
convened for 12 noon on the same day has concluded or been
adjourned, may be found on pages 68 and 69.

The quorum for the Class Meeting is not less than two persons
present (in person or by proxy) holding at least one-third of the
nominal amount paid up on the Subscription Shares in issue.  If
a  quorum  is  not  present  at  the  time  and  place  for  which  the
class  Meeting  has  been  convened,  the  Class  Meeting  will  be
adjourned until Monday, 29 July 2013 when one person holding
Subscription Shares (whatever the number of shares held) who
is present in person or by proxy will constitute a quorum.

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2 9

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

they were initially presented on the website. Visitors to the website
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.

The  Directors,  whose  details  can  be  found  on  page 18,  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 2013, 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.

On behalf of the Board
Sir Martin Smith
Chairman 
6 June 2013

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

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.

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

•

select suitable  accounting  policies  and  applied  them
consistently;

• make  judgments  and  estimates  that  are  reasonable  and

prudent; and

•

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

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Co r p o ra t e   G o ve r n a n ce

Corporate Governance

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 has noted the recommendations of the UK Corporate
Governance  Code  published  in  October  2012  (applicable  for
financial  years  beginning after 1  October  2012)  and  will  duly
report  on  these  recommendations  in  the  Company’s  2014
Annual Report.

The Board considers that it has managed its affairs throughout
the  year  ended  31  March  2013  in  compliance  with  the
recommendations of the AIC Code and the relevant provisions
of the UK Governance Code, except as set out below:

•

•

•

•

the role of the chief executive;

executive directors’ remuneration;

the need for an internal audit function; and

the  Chairman  of  the  Company  acting  as  Chairman  of  the
Management Engagement and Remuneration Committee.

For the reasons set out in the AIC Guide, and in the preamble to
the  AIC  Code,  the  Board  considers the  first  three provisions
mentioned  above 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. With regard to the Chairman of the Company acting
as  the  Chairman  of  the  Management  Engagement  and
Remuneration  Committee,  the  Board  considers  this  to  be
appropriate  in  light  of  the remit of  the  Committee.  Further
details covering the Committee can be found on page 32.

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.  Mr  Anthony Townsend,  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 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
Sir 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 seven non-executive Directors. The Directors’
biographical details, set out on page 18, demonstrate a breadth
of 
investment,  commercial  and  professional  experience.
Mr Anthony  Townsend  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. Mr Townsend will not be seeking re-election at
this year’s Annual General Meeting. He will be succeeded as the
Senior  Independent  Director  by Jo  Dixon. 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.  Ms  Jo  Dixon and  Mr Townsend  have also
served  on  the  Board  for  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  Samuel  D.  Isaly,  each  of  the  Directors  is  independent  in
character  and  judgment  and  that  there  are  no  relationships  or
circumstances which are likely to effect their judgment. Sir Martin
Smith  and  Dr  David  Holbrook  joined  the  Board  in  2007  and  are
both considered by the Board to be independent. The Board has

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Corporate Governance (continued)

Co r p o ra t e   G o ve r n a n c e

3 1

considered the position of Ms Dixon, Sir Martin Smith, Mr Isaly 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.  Mrs  Sarah
Bates and Mr Doug McCutcheon were appointed directors with
effect from 22 May 2013 and 7 November 2012 respectively and
they will be seeking election at this year’s Annual General Meeting.
They are both considered to be independent by the Board. 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.

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 issuance and 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.

BOARD  EVALUATION
During  the  year  under  review,  the  performance  of  the  Board,
Committees and individual Directors was evaluated through a
formal assessment process led by Mr Anthony Townsend, as the
Senior  Independent  Director.  The  review concluded that  the
Board worked in a collegiate, efficient and effective manner. The
results  of  the  external  independent  evaluation  process,
conducted by Board Alpha, 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. It has been agreed that an external
independent  evaluation  of  the  Board  will  be  held  every  three
years.

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

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Corporate Governance (continued)

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 Chairman of the Company, Sir Martin Smith, and the Audit
Committee by Jo Dixon.

The table overleaf 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 37 and 38.

in  discussions 

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

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

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. The
membership  of  the  Company’s  committees  comprises  those
Directors  considered 
independent  by  the  Board.  The
Nominations Committee is chaired by Anthony Townsend, the
Management  Engagement  and  Remuneration  Committee  by

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Corporate Governance (continued)

Co r p o ra t e   G o ve r n a n c e

3 3

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:

Type and number of meetings
held in 2012/13

Sir Martin Smith†
Sarah Bates (appointed on 22 May 2013)
Jo Dixon
Professor Duncan Geddes (retired on 17 July 2012)
Dr David Holbrook
Samuel D. Isaly*
Doug McCutcheon (appointed on 7 November 2012)
Anthony Townsend

Board
(4)

Audit
Committee
(2)

Nominations
Committee
(1)

Management
Engagement and
Remuneration
Committee
(1)

4
–
4
1
4
4
2
4

2
–
2
0
2
–
1
2

1
–
1
–
1
–
1
1

1
–
1
–
1
–
1
1

All of the serving Directors attended the Annual General Meeting held on 17 July 2012.
†Sir Martin Smith was appointed as a member of the Audit Committee on 17 July 2012.
*Mr Isaly is not a member of the Audit, Management Engagement & Remuneration and Nominations Committees.

AUDIT COMMITTEE
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
£8,000 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.

BOARD DIVERSITY 
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 be 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.

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Co r p o ra t e   G o ve r n a n ce

Corporate Governance (continued)

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
judgment  of  what  risks  the  Company  faces,  the  Board  has
considered  the  Company’s  operations  in  the  light  of  the
following factors: 
•

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

•
•

the threat of such risks becoming a reality; and

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

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:
•
•
•

information,  compliance  with 

investment activity;

corporate strategy;

laws  and

published 
regulations;

•
•

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:
•
•

identification and evaluation of risks and control objectives; 

details of the control environment in operation;

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•
•

review of communication methods and procedures; and

assessment of the control procedures.

The  key  procedures  which  have  been  established  to  provide
internal financial controls are as follows:
•

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;

•

•

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;

•

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; 
• mandates  for  authorisation  of  investment  transactions  and

expense payments are set by the Board; and

•

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
The Board reviews the shareholder register at each Board meeting.
institutional
The  Company  has  regular  contact  with 
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

its 

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Corporate Governance (continued)

Co r p o ra t e   G o ve r n a n c e

3 5

of  the  Board.  Details  of  proxy  votes  received  in  respect  of  each
resolution are made available to shareholders at the meeting and
are  also  published  on 
the  Company’s  website  at
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
below.

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.

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 29.  The  report  of  the
Auditors is set out on pages 39 and 40. 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:
•

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

•

•

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. 

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3 6

S h a r e h o l d e r   A n a l ys i s

Shareholder Analysis

% of shares held on 31 March

2 0 1 3

Retail Holders
(including private client,
Stockbrokers & the
Alliance Trust Savings
& ISA Clients)
65.7%

Institutional &
Corporate Holders
19.5%

Mutual Funds
(including Investment
Trusts)
14.8%

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

2 0 1 2

Institutional &
Corporate Holders
19.5%

Mutual Funds
(including Investment
Trusts)
19.9%

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D i r e c t o r s ’   R e m u n e r a t i o n   R e p o r t

3 7

Directors’ Remuneration Report

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.

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. Up until 31 March 2013 the Company’s policy was
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. With effect from 1 April 2013 Directors will be paid
monthly in arrears in accordance with new legislation by HMRC.

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  2013
represented in the graph overleaf consists of a blended figure
containing both indices.

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 39 and 40.

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 seven non-executive Directors, six of whom
are  considered  by  the  Board  to  be  independent.  The  whole
Board, with the exception of Mr Isaly, fulfills the function of the
Management Engagement and Remuneration Committee. 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 2013. The revised fee levels are set out on page 38.

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 2014 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
eligible for bonuses, pension benefits, share options, long-term

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3 8

D i r e c t o r s ’   R e m u n e r a t i o n   R e p o r t  

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 2013                                        Fees                                        Fees
                                                                                                                                                                                         (unaudited)                                      2013                                       2012
                                                                                                                                                                                                      £’000                                      £’000                                      £’000

Martin Smith (Chairman of the Board)                                                                                                39.2                                 38.0                                 36.5
Sarah Bates (appointed 22 May 2013)                                                                                                 24.8                                      –                                      –
Jo Dixon (Chairman of the Audit Committee)                                                                                    27.9                                 27.0                                 26.0
Paul Gaunt (retired on 7 July 2011)                                                                                                                                   –                                              –                                           8.0
Professor Duncan Geddes (retired on 17 July 2012)                                                                              –                                   7.0                                 23.5
Dr David Holbrook                                                                                                                                24.8                                 24.0                                 23.0
Samuel D. Isaly                                                                                                                                       24.8                                 24.0                                 23.0
Doug McCutcheon (appointed on 7 November 2012)                                                                     24.8                                 10.0                                      –
Anthony Townsend (Senior Independent Director)                                                                          25.3                                 24.0                                 23.0

                                                                                                                                                                                                        154.0                               163.0

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 3

260

240

220

200

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

Mar
08

Mar
09
Worldwide Healthcare Share price

Mar
10

Rebased to 100 as at 31 March 2008
Source: Morningstar, Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg

Mar
11

Mar
12

Benchmark index

Mar
13

A P P R O V A L
The Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 37 and 38 was approved by the Board of Directors on 6 June 2013 and signed on its
behalf by:

Sir Martin Smith 
Chairman

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I n d e p e n d e n t   A u d i t o r s ’   R e p o r t

3 9

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

We  have  audited  the  financial  statements  of  Worldwide
Healthcare Trust PLC for the year ended 31 March 2013 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 29, 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 Annual  Report 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 2013 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 Report of the Directors 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:
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required 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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4 0

I n d e p e n d e n t   A u d i t o r s ’   R e p o r t

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.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:
•     the Directors’ Statement, set out on page 23, in relation to

going concern;

•     the parts of the Corporate Governance Statement relating
to  the  Company’s  Compliance  with  the  nine  provisions  of
the  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code  specified  for  our
review; and

•     certain  elements  of  the  report  of  the  shareholders  by  the

Board on Directors’ remuneration.

Amarjit Singh (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor
London 
6 June 2013 

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Income Statement

for the year ended 31 March 2013

I n c o m e   S t a t e m e n t

4 1

                                                                                                                                           2013                     2013                     2013                     2012                     2012                     2012
                                                                                                                                   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                        –            109,322            109,322                        –              52,193              52,193
Exchange losses on currency balances                                                  –               (2,322)              (2,322)                      –                  (535)                 (535)
Income from investments held at fair value

through profit or loss                                                  2                9,614                        –                9,614              11,653                        –              11,653

Investment management, management

and performance fees                                                 3                  (190)              (2,284)              (2,474)                 (162)              (5,953)              (6,115)
Other expenses                                                                 4                  (595)                      –                  (595)                 (548)                      –                  (548)

Net return before 

finance charges and taxation                                               8,829            104,716            113,545              10,943              45,705              56,648
Finance costs                                                                     5                      (9)                 (177)                 (186)                   (14)                 (272)                 (286)

Net return before taxation                                                          8,820            104,539            113,359              10,929              45,433              56,362
Taxation on net return on ordinary 

activities                                                                         6               (1,171)                    18               (1,153)              (1,456)                  406               (1,050)

Net return after taxation                                                             7,649            104,557            112,206                9,473              45,839              55,312

Return per share – basic                                             7                17.1p              233.3p              250.4p                21.8p              105.7p              127.5p

Return per share – diluted                                        7                16.9p              231.1p              248.0p                21.4p              103.7p              125.1p

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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4 2

R e c o n c i l i a t i o n   o f   M o v e m e n t s   i n   S h a r e h o l d e r s ’   F u n d s  

Reconciliation of Movements 
in Shareholders’ Funds

For the year ended 31 March 2013

                                                                                                              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 2012                                                             10,997                    71          186,300          174,230               7,068            13,131          391,797
Net return from ordinary activities  

after taxation                                                                          –                      –                      –          104,557                      –               7,649          112,206

Dividend paid in respect of year 

ended 31 March 2012                                                          –                      –                      –                      –                      –             (7,705)            (7,705)

First interim dividend paid in respect

of year ended 31 March 2013                                             –                      –                      –                      –                      –             (3,175)            (3,175)

Subscription shares exercised for 

ordinary shares                                                                1,179                   (47)           28,929                    47                      –                      –            30,108

Shares purchased to be held in treasury 

and treasury shares cancelled                                       (735)                     –                      –           (19,239)                735                      –           (19,239)
Shares issued from treasury                                                     –                      –                      8                  415                      –                      –                  423

At 31 March 2013                                                             11,441                    24          215,237          260,010               7,803               9,900          504,415

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

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

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Balance Sheet

as at 31 March 2013

B a l a n c e   S h e e t  

4 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         2013                                       2012
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Notes                                      £’000                                      £’000

Fixed assets
Investments held at fair value through profit or loss                                                                          9                          515,329                          454,301
Derivative – OTC swaps                                                                                                                    9 & 12                             35,988                             13,691

                                                                                                                                                                                                   551,317                          467,992
Current assets
Debtors                                                                                                                                                       10                               9,010                               2,512
Derivative – financial instruments                                                                                                  9 & 12                               2,442                                  940

                                                                                                                                                                                                      11,452                               3,452

Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year                                                                                 11                           (58,354)                          (79,647)

                                                                                                                                                                                                    (58,354)                          (79,647)

Net current liabilities                                                                                                                                                          (46,902)                          (76,195)

Total net assets                                                                                                                                                                    504,415                          391,797

Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital                                                                                                                              13                             11,441                             10,997
Subscription share capital                                                                                                                       13                                    24                                    71
Share premium account                                                                                                                                                        215,237                          186,300
Capital reserve                                                                                                                                           19                          260,010                          174,230
Capital redemption reserve                                                                                                                                                       7,803                               7,068
Revenue reserve                                                                                                                                                                           9,900                             13,131

Total shareholders’ funds                                                                                                                                                504,415                          391,797

Net asset value per share – basic                                                                                                    14                          1110.2p                            909.4p

Net asset value per share – diluted for subscription shares                                                14                          1089.6p                            871.0p

Net asset value per share – fully diluted for subscription shares

and treasury shares                                                                                                                        14                          1089.1p                            869.7p

The financial statements on pages 41 to 60 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 6 June 2013 and
were signed on its behalf by:

Sir 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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4 4

C a s h   F l o w   S t a t e m e n t  

Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 31 March 2013

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         2013                                       2012
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Notes                                      £’000                                      £’000

Net cash inflow from operating activities                                                                                   15                               4,202                               4,112

Servicing of finance
Interest paid                                                                                                                                                                                    (186)                               (286)

Taxation
Taxation suffered                                                                                                                                                                            (431)                               (422)

Financial investments
Purchases of investments and derivatives                                                                                                                        (349,759)                        (301,803)
Sales of investments and derivatives                                                                                                                                  381,024                          288,756

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financial investment                                                                                              31,265                           (13,047)

Equity dividends paid                                                                                                                           8                           (10,880)                            (6,474)

Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing                                                                                                                 23,970                           (16,117)

Financing
Repurchase of own shares                                                                                                                      13                           (19,239)                            (7,233)
Issue of shares from treasury                                                                                                                  13                                  423                                      –
Subscription shares exercised for ordinary shares                                                                             13                             30,108                               5,411

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing                                                                                                                    11,292                              (1,822)

Decrease/(increase) in net debt                                                                                                      16                             35,262                           (17,939)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

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N o t e s   t o   t h e   Fi n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s

4 5

Notes to the Financial Statements

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 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:

•

•

•

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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4 6

N o t e s   t o   t h e   Fi n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s  

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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4 7

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)

(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’.

The equity swaps are accounted for as Fixed Assets in the Balance Sheet and Options are accounted for as Current Assets and/or
Current Liabilities in the Balance Sheet.

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; and

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

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

2013
£’000

507
8,124
977

9,608

6

9,614

8,631
983

9,614

2012
£’000

505
8,863
2,283

11,651

2

11,653

9,368
2,285

11,653

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4 8

N o t e s   t o   t h e   Fi n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s  

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 (write back)/accrual

2013
Revenue
£’000

141
49
–

190

2013
Capital
£’000

2,674
943
(1,333)

2,284

2013
Total
£’000

2,815
992
(1,333)

2,474

2012
Revenue
£’000

119
43
–

162

2012
Capital
£’000

2,251
817
2,885

5,953

During the year, performance fees totaling £643,000 crystallised (year ended 31 March 2012: £909,000).

The fees crystallised at the following quarterly calculation dates:

30 June 2012
30 September 2012
31 December 2012
31 March 2013 (see note 11 on page 52)

Fees crystallised during year ended 31 March 2013

2012
Total
£’000

2,370
860
2,885

6,115

£’000

375
–
–
268

643

The performance fee amount of £1,333,000 which was written back as at 31 March 2013 represents outperformance generated as
at 31 March 2012 which was not maintained for the twelve month period. In accordance with the performance fee arrangements
this amount was written back as at 31 March 2013.

Further details of the performance fee basis can be found in the Report of the Directors on page 23 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 audit related assurance services
Marketing costs
Registrar fees
Broker retainer
Legal and professional costs
Printing
Stock exchange listing fees
Custody fees
Other costs

2013
Revenue
£’000

2012
Revenue
£’000

154
26
8
42
63
30
36
41
35
2
158

595

163
26
11
44
54
30
13
35
17
3
152

548

Details of the amounts paid to Directors are included in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 38.

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

Finance charges

2013
Revenue
£’000

9

2013
Capital
£’000

177

2013
Total
£’000

186

2012
Revenue
£’000

14

2012
Capital
£’000

272

2012
Total
£’000

286

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N o t e s   t o   t h e   Fi n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s

4 9

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

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 24% (2012: 26%)
Tax relief to capital
Overseas taxation

2013
Revenue
£’000

2013
Capital
£’000

18
1,153

1,171

(18)
–

(18)

2013
Total
£’000

–
1,153

1,153

2012
Revenue
£’000

2012
Capital
£’000

406
1,050

1,456

(406)
–

(406)

2012
Total
£’000

–
1,050

1,050

(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 24% (2012: 26%). 

The difference is explained below.

Total return before taxation

Corporation tax at 24% (2012: 26%)
Non-taxable gains on investments held at fair value 

through profit or loss

Overseas withholding taxation
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

2013
Revenue
£’000

8,820

2,117

2013
Capital
£’000

2013
Total
£’000

104,539

113,359

25,089

27,206

2012
Revenue
£’000

10,929

2,842

–
1,153
(1,977)
(122)
–
–
–

1,171

(25,680)
–
–
–
573
–
–

(25,680)
1,153
(1,977)
(122)
573
–
–

(18)

1,153

–
1,050
(2,535)
(131)
(6)
231
5

1,456

2012
Capital
£’000

45,433

11,813

(13,431)
–
–
–
1,212
–
–

2012
Total
£’000

56,362

14,655

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

(406)

1,050

As at 31 March 2013, the Company has not recognised a deferred tax asset of £9,146,000 (23% tax rate) (2012: £8,805,000 (24% tax
rate)) as a result of unutilised management expenses and a 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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5 0

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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

2013
£’000

7,649
104,557

112,206

2012
£’000

9,473
45,839

55,312

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

44,819,199

43,362,962

Revenue return per share
Capital return per share

Total return per share – basic

17.1p
233.3p

250.4p

21.8p
105.7p

127.5p

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

45,243,785

44,223,263

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

16.9p
231.1p

248.0p

21.4p
103.7p

125.1p

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 2013 were as follows:

Interim dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2011
Interim dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2012
First interim dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2013

2013
£’000

–
7,705
3,175

10,880

2012
£’000

6,474
–
–

6,474

In respect of the year ended 31 March 2013, an interim dividend of 7.0p per share was paid on 11 January 2013, with a second interim
dividend of 9.5p payable on 5 July 2013 the associated ex dividend date was 5 June 2013. The total dividends payable in respect of
the year ended 31 March 2013 is 16.5p per share (2012: 17.5p per share). The aggregate cost of the second interim dividend based
on the number of shares in issue at 5 June 2013 will be £4,352,000. In accordance with FRS 21 the second interim dividend will be
reflected in the interim accounts for the period ending 30 September 2013. 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
Interim dividend in respect of year ended 31 March 2012
First interim dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2013
Second interim dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2013*

*based on 45,812,914 shares in issue as at 5 June 2013.

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2013
£’000

7,649
–
(3,175)
(4,352)

122

2012
£’000

9,473
(7,740)
–
–

1,733

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5 1

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

9 .

I N V E S T M E N TS  

Cost at 1 April 2012
Investment holdings gains at 1 April 2012

Valuation at 1 April 2012

Movement in the year:
Purchases at cost
Sales – proceeds

– realised gains on sales

Net movement in investment holding gains

Valuation at 31 March 2013

Cost at 31 March 2013
Investment holding gains at 31 March 2013

Valuation at 31 March 2013

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

Listed
investments
£’000

401,933
52,368

454,301

280,877
(318,815)
28,188
70,778

515,329

392,183
123,146

515,329

Derivative
financial
instruments
£’000

13,960
671

14,631

82,039
(68,596)
4,693
5,663

38,430

32,096
6,334

38,430

2013
£’000

32,881
(27,881)

5,000
104,322

109,322

Total
£’000

415,893
53,039

468,932

362,916
(387,411)
32,881
76,441

553,759

424,279
129,480

553,759

2012
£’000

33,733
(13,237)

20,496
31,697

52,193

Purchase transaction costs for the year to 31 March 2013 were £819,000 (year ended 31 March 2012: £575,000). These comprise
mainly commission and stamp duty.

Sales transaction costs for the year to 31 March 2013 were £733,000 (year ended 31 March 2012: £504,000). These comprise mainly
commission.

1 0 . D E BTO R S

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

2013
£’000

6,641
1,378
66
925

9,010

2012
£’000

254
947
47
1,264

2,512

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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

2013
£’000

25,605
–
31,419
268
1,062

58,354

2012
£’000

12,448
5
64,359
1,976
859

79,647

*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 2013, assets to the value of approximately 140% of the Company’s debt were
held by Goldman Sachs as collateral.

†See glossary on page 72

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 51 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 2012
Ordinary shares bought back and held in treasury
Ordinary shares re-issued from treasury
Treasury shares cancelled following 2012 AGM
Subscription shares converted to Ordinary shares

At 31 March 2013

Ordinary
shares
number

43,081,164
(2,411,340)
50,000
–
4,714,922

45,434,746

Treasury
shares
number

908,586
2,411,340
(50,000)
(2,941,518)
–

328,408

Issued and fully paid:
45,763,154 Ordinary shares of 25p (including 328,408 ordinary shares held in treasury)
2,389,926 Subscription shares of 1p

2013
£’000

35,988
2,442

38,430

Total
Ordinary
shares
in issue
number

43,989,750
–
–
(2,941,518)
4,714,922

45,763,154

2012
£’000

13,691
940

14,631

Total
Subscription
shares
in issue
number

7,104,848
–
–
–
(4,714,922)

2,389,926

£’000

11,441
24

During the year ended 31 March 2013 a total of 2,411,340 shares were bought back by the Company (2012: 908,586) at a cost of
£19,143,000  and  expenses  of  £96,000  (2012: 6,908,000  and  £31,000).  328,408  shares  were  held  in  treasury  at  31  March  2013
(2012: 908,586). There were 50,000 shares issued from treasury raising proceeds of £423,000 (2012: nil). 4,714,922 new shares were
issued during the year as a result of holders of subscription shares exercising their subscription rights, raising £30,108,000 (2012:
848,139, raising £5,411,000). There were no subscription shares bought back for cancellation during the year (2012: 238,125 shares,
at a cost of £292,000 and expenses of £2,000).

At the year end there were 2,389,926 subscription shares in issue (2012: 7,104,848).

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5 3

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

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

2013

1,110.2p

1,089.6p

1,089.1p

2012

909.4p

871.0p

869.7p

The net asset value per share is based on the assets attributable to equity shareholders of £504,415,000 (2012: £391,797,000) and on
the number of shares in issue at the year end of 45,434,746 (excluding shares held in treasury) (2012: 43,081,164). As at 31 March
2013, there were 2,389,926 subscription shares in issue (2012: 7,104,848). 

The  net  asset  value  per  share  diluted  assumes  all  outstanding  subscription  shares  were  exercised  at  699p  resulting  in  assets
attributable to equity shareholders of £521,121,000 and on 47,824,672 shares (2012: assumed all outstanding subscription shares
were exercised at 638p resulting in assets attributable to shareholders of £437,126,000 and on 50,186,012 shares). 

The net asset value per share fully diluted for subscription shares and treasury shares assumes that all outstanding subscription
shares were exercised at 699p and the treasury shares were sold back to the market at 1,009p resulting in assets attributable to
equity shareholders of £524,435,000 (2012: £444,349,000) and on 48,153,080 shares (2012: 51,094,598).

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 in prepayments and accrued income
(Increase)/decrease in other debtors
Decrease in creditors and accruals
Net taxation suffered on investment income

Net cash inflow from operating activities

2013
£’000

113,545
(104,716)

8,829
(2,284)
339
(19)
(1,510)
(1,153)

4,202

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

2012
£’000

56,648
(45,705)

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

4,112

2012
£’000

(17,939)
(535)

(18,474)
(45,885)

(64,359)

2013
£’000

35,262
(2,322)

32,940
(64,359)

(31,419)

Decrease/(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
2012
£’000

(64,359)

Cash flows
£’000

35,262

Exchange
movements
£’000

At 31 March
2013
£’000

(2,322)

(31,419)

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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, the Company’s Investment Manager, are disclosed in
the Report of the Directors on page 22. Samuel D. Isaly is a Director of the Company, as well as Managing Partner at OrbiMed Capital
LLC. During the year ended 31 March 2013, OrbiMed Capital LLC earned £2,815,000 in respect of Investment Management fees, of
which £807,000 was  outstanding  at  the  year  end.  In  addition, performance  fees  of  £341,000 were paid  to OrbiMed  Capital  LLC
during the year and £244,000 was payable at 31 March 2013.

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 19 and 20. 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 20 to 22
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 14 to 16.

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:

•

•

•

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 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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5 5

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

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

2013

1.518
142.765
1.438
1.183

2012

1.598
131.487
1.444
1.120

Foreign currency exposure and sensitivity
The fair values of the Company’s monetary items that are denominated in foreign currency as at 31 March 2013 are shown below:

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

2013
Current
assets
£’000

2013
Current
liabilities
£’000

2013

Investments
£’000

2012
Current
assets
£’000

2012
Current
liabilities
£’000

2012

Investments
£’000

6,980
1,238
441
117
–
–

8,776

(56,689)
–
(545)
–
–
–

(57,234)

396,264
67,045
42,793
23,457
8,573
5,088

543,220

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

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 (2012: 10% increase and decrease), a 10% increase and decrease in sterling
against the Japanese yen (2012: 10% increase and decrease), and a 10% increase and decrease in sterling against the Swiss franc
(2012: 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

2013
USD
£’000

41,788
(32,259)

2013
YEN
£’000

4,831
(3,953)

2013
CHF
£’000

7,857
(6,207)

2012
USD
£’000

31,662
(25,906)

2012
YEN
£’000

4,102
(3,356)

2012
CHF
£’000

5,213
(4,265)

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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 and fixed 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. £31.4 million was drawn down under this
facility at 31 March 2013. 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 2013 in respect of
cash was nil (2012: nil). At 31 March 2013 there was an overdraft position at Goldman Sachs of £31,419,000 (2012: £64,359,000).

Fixed rate
At 31 March, the Company held 2.7% of the portfolio in convertible bonds (2012: 3.3% of the portfolio). 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  (2012: 25% higher  or  lower)  while  all  other  variables  remained  constant,  the  revenue  return  would  have
decreased/increased by £66,000 (2012:  £49,000),  and the  capital  return  would  have  increased/decreased  by  £137,191,000
(2012: £116,168,000) and the return on equity would have increased/decreased by £137,125,000. 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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5 7

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

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 72.

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 2013, based on the earliest date on which payment can be required
are as follows:

31 March 2013

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

31 March 2012

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

3 months
or less
£’000

31,419
26,935

58,354

3 months
or less
£’000

64,359
15,288

79,647

2013

Not more than
one year
£’000

–
–

–

2012
Not more
than one year
£’000

–
–

–

Total
£’000

31,419
26,935

58,354

Total
£’000

64,359
15,288

79,647

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Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

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

(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 2013, assets with a total market value of £50.1 million
(31 March 2012: £93.9 million) were held as collateral. In addition £4.5 million cash was held as collateral at Goldman Sachs (31 March
2012: £2.7 million).

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

•

•

•

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 72. 

Credit risk exposure

Fixed interest and convertible securities
Derivative – OTC equity swaps

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

and interest receivable and derivative financial instruments)

2013
Balance
Sheet
£’000

15,015
35,988

2012
Balance
Sheet
£’000

31,574
13,691

11,452

3,452

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5 9

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

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

As of 31 March 2013

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

506,475

–

506,475

Level 2
£’000

8,854

38,430

47,284

Level 3
£’000

Total 
£’000

–

–

–

515,329

38,430

553,759

As at 31 March 2013, the put and call options, the equity swaps, and Incyte Corporation 4.75% 01/10/15 convertible bond, have
been classified as level two. All of the remaining investments have been classified as level one.

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

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 £120 million 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 43.

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6 0

N o t e s   t o   t h e   Fi n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s  

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 2013 the gearing percentage
of the Company was 9.8% (2012: 16.4%).

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 2012
Transfer on disposal of investments
Net gains on investments
Expenses charged to capital less tax relief thereon
Subscription shares exercised
Shares issued from treasury
Shares purchased including expenses
Exchange loss on currency balances

At 31 March 2013

Capital Reserve –
Other
£’000

Capital Reserve* –
Investment
Holding Gains
£’000

121,191
27,881
5,000
(2,443)
47
415
(19,239)
(2,322)

130,530

53,039
(27,881)
104,322
–
–
–
–
–

129,480

Total
£’000

174,230
–
109,322
(2,443)
47
415
(19,239)
(2,322)

260,010

* Investment holding gains relate to the revaluation of investments held at the reporting date. (See note 9 on page 51 for further

details).

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E x p l a n a t o r y   N o t e s   o f   P r i n c i p a l   C h a n g e s   t o   t h e   Co m p a ny ’s   A r t i c l e s   o f   A s s o c i a t i o n  

6 1

Explanatory Notes of Principal Changes to the
Company’s Articles of Association

Set out below is a summary of the main differences between the current and the proposed new Articles of Association
(the “Articles”). The principal changes in the new Articles to be adopted at the Annual General Meeting to be held on
17 July 2013 relate to:

Distribution of Capital Profits
The  Company  is  no  longer  required  to  include  a  prohibition  on  distributing  capital  profits  in  its  Articles,  following
HM Government’s  reform  of  the  tax  and  company  law  rules  affecting  investment  trusts.  This  prohibition  has  been
removed  in  the  proposed  new  Articles.  Please  note  that  the  Board  is  not  currently  proposing  any  change  to  the
Company’s dividend policy.

Authorised Share Capital
The Companies Act 2006 abolished the requirement for Companies to have an authorised share capital, with effect from
1 October 2009. The Company is therefore taking the opportunity to remove the upper limit of the Company’s share
capital included in its current Articles.

Deletion of Provisions Formerly in the Memorandum of Association
Most of the provisions of the memorandum of association of a company incorporated before 1 October 2009 are now
deemed to form part of its articles of association. Of these the Company is only required to retain in its articles the
statements that the liability of members is limited and that the company’s registered office is situated in England and
Wales. The Company is therefore taking this opportunity to remove from its Articles of Association all those provisions
formerly in its Memorandum of Association which it is not required to retain. In particular the clause setting out the
objects of the Company is to be removed so that the Company’s objects will in future be wholly unrestricted.

Subscription Shares
The Company is proposing to amend the provisions of the Articles that relate to the Subscription Shares issued in 2009.
The  Directors  understand  that  HM  Revenue  &  Customs  has  recently  indicated  that  where  the  Subscription  Rights
attached to the Subscription Shares have lapsed such shares must remain admitted to trading on a regulated market.
While the Company already has authority to redeem or transfer such shares without further authorisation, the Board is
proposing an amendment to clarify the Articles so that on the date that the rights attaching to the Subscription Shares
lapse,  such  Subscription  Shares  will  be  converted  into  Deferred  Shares  and  the  Company  may  then  transfer  such
Deferred Shares to its nominee without making any payment to the holders thereof. Following the transfer of Deferred
Shares to its nominee, the Company may cancel and/or purchase the Deferred Shares without making any payment to
or obtaining the sanction of such nominee or any holder of Deferred Shares or for such consideration as the Directors
may determine. Following the cancellation or repurchase of such shares, they will cease to exist.

Other Changes
Other technical changes have been made so that the Articles of Association conform to the Companies Act 2006 and
other legislation applicable to companies, as currently in force and current best practice.

A copy of the current Articles and of the proposed new Articles marked up to show the proposed amendments will be
available for inspection at the offices of Frostrow Capital LLP during normal business hours and will be available for
inspection at the Annual General Meeting, in each case until conclusion of the meeting.

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N o t i ce   o f   A n n u a l   G e n e ra l   M e e t i n g    

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice  is  hereby  given  that  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  Worldwide  Healthcare  Trust  PLC  will  be  held  at Carpenters’  Hall,
Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2W 2JJ on Wednesday, 17 July 2013 from 12 noon for the following purposes:

O R D I N A RY   B U S I N E S S
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following as ordinary resolutions:
1.

To receive and, if thought fit, to accept the Audited Accounts and the Report of the Directors for the year ended 31 March 2013

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

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 Sir Martin Smith as a Director of the Company

To elect Mrs Sarah Bates as a Director of the Company

To elect Mr Doug McCutcheon 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 2013

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 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 will be proposed as special
resolutions:

Authority to Allot Shares
10. 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 £1,145,323 (being 10%
of the issued share capital of the Company at 6 June 2013) and representing 4,581,291 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 2014 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
11. THAT in substitution of all existing powers (but in addition to any power conferred on them by resolution 12 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 10 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  capital  of  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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6 3

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 £1,145,323, being 10% of the issued share capital of the Company as at
6 June 2013 and representing 4,581,291 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  12  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.

12. THAT in substitution of all existing powers (but in addition to any power conferred on them by resolution 11 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 capital of 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 £1,145,323 being 10% of
the issued share capital of the Company as at 6 June 2013 and representing 4,581,291 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 11 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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N o t i ce   o f   A n n u a l   G e n e ra l   M e e t i n g   

Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)

Authority to Repurchase Ordinary 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
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)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

the maximum aggregate number of Shares authorised to be purchased is 6,867,356 (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);

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

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 2014 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
14. 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)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

the maximum aggregate number of Subscription Shares authorised to be purchased is 350,791 (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;

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

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 2014 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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6 5

Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)

General Meetings
15. 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.

Adoption of New Articles of Association

16. THAT, subject to and conditional upon the passing of the special resolution set out in the notice dated 6 June 2013 convening

a meeting of the holders of the subscription shares of 1p each in the capital of the Company:

(i)

(ii)

the Articles of Association of the Company be and are hereby amended by deleting all the provisions of the Company’s
Memorandum of Association which, by virtue of section 28 Companies Act 2006, are to be treated as provisions of the
Company’s Articles of Association; and

the Articles of Association set out in the document produced to this meeting and signed by the Chairman of the meeting
for the purposes of identification be and are hereby approved and adopted as the Articles of Association of the Company
in substitution for and to the exclusion of the existing Articles of Association of the Company.

Full explanatory notes of principal changes to the Articles of Association are set out on page 61 of this Annual Report.

By order of the Board

Frostrow Capital LLP
Company Secretary
6 June 2013

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.

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 Monday, 15 July 2013.

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.

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N o t i ce   o f   A n n u a l   G e n e ra l   M e e t i n g   

Notice of Annual General Meeting (continued)

7.

8.

9.

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 Monday, 15 July 2013 (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 6 June 2013 (being the last business day prior to the publication of this notice) the Company’s issued share capital consists of 45,812,914
ordinary shares, carrying one vote each. Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company as at 6 June 2013 are 45,812,914.

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.

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 65) 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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N o t i ce   o f   A n n u a l   G e n e r a l   M e e t i n g    

6 7

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

Carpenters’ Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2V 2JJ

UNDERGROUND

MOORGATE

LONDON WALL

E
T
A
G
R
O
O
M

ELDON STREET

FISBURY CIRCUS

LONDON WALL

T
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R
T
D S
FIE
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B

L

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A
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LOTHBUR Y

P

R

I

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C

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S

S

S

BANK OF
ENGLAND

T

R

E

E

T

UNDERGROUND

BANK
(DLR)

MANSION
HOUSE

E
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V
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L

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A

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COPT

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N A
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T

T H R O G M ORTON STREET

CARPENTERS’
HALL

T H R E A D N E E D L E   S T R E E T

ROYAL
EXCHANGE

CORNHILL

LOMBARD STREET

T
E
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UNDERGROUND

LIVERPOOL
STREET STATION
LIVERPOOL STREET

OPSGATE
BISH

OPSGATE
BISH

NORTH

T
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OLD B

TOWER
42

L E AD ENH A L L   S T R E E T

FENCHURCH STREET

CANNON STREET

UNDERGROUND

UNDERGROUND

MONUMENT

CANNON
STREET STATION

UPPER THAMES STREET

F E N C H U R C H
S T R E E T   S TAT I O N

EAST CHEAP

LOWER THAMES STREET

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6 8

N o t i ce   o f   S e p a ra t e   M e e t i n g   o f   S u b s c r i p t i o n   S h a r e h o l d e r s    

Notice of Separate Meeting of Subscription
Shareholders 

Notice is hereby given that a separate general meeting of holders of subscription shares of 1p each in the capital of the Company (the
“Subscription  Shares”)    will  be  held  at Carpenters’  Hall,  Throgmorton  Avenue,  London  EC2W  2JJ  on  Wednesday,  17  July  2013  at
12.20 p.m. or as soon as the Annual General Meeting of the Company convened for 12 noon on the same day has concluded or been
adjourned, and if this separate class meeting is adjourned due to a lack of quorum notice is hereby given that any such adjourned
meeting shall be held on 29 July 2013 at 11.00 a.m. at 25 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1AL, for the purpose of considering
and, if though fit, passing the following resolution, which will be proposed as a special resolution namely:

Adoption of New Articles of Association
THAT the meeting of the holders of Subscription Shares hereby sanctions and consent to every alteration, modification, variation or
abrogation of the special rights, privileges and restrictions attaching to the Subscription Shares to be effected by the passing and
implementation of the special resolution of the Company numbered 16 in the notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company
contained in the annual report and accounts of the Company dated 6 June 2013, a copy of which has been initialled by the chairman
of the meeting for the purpose of identification and produced to the meeting.

By order of the Board

Frostrow Capital LLP
Company Secretary
6 June 2013

Registered Office:
One Wood Street
London EC2V 7WS

Notes
1.

Only holders of Subscription Shares are entitled to attend and vote at the meeting. Holders of Ordinary Shares are not entitled to attend and
vote at the meeting unless they also hold Subscription Shares. A Subscription Shareholder may appoint one or more proxies to exercise all or
any of the rights of the Subscription Shareholder to attend and speak and vote in his place. A proxy need not be a member of the Company.
A  Subscription  Shareholder  may  appoint  more  than  one  proxy  provided  that  each  proxy  is  appointed  to  exercise  the  rights  attached  to  a
different share or shares held by that member. If a Subscription Shareholder wishes to appoint more than one proxy and so requires additional
proxy forms, the shareholder should contact the Company’s Registrars, Capita Registrars.

2.

3.

4.

A form of proxy is enclosed for use by Subscription Shareholders. To be valid, the form of proxy and any power of attorney or other authority
(if any) under which it is signed (or a notarially certified copy thereof ) must be deposited with the Company’s Registrars, Capita Registrars or
(by  hand  during  normal  business  hours  only)  to  the  same  address  not  later  than  12.20  a.m.  on  Monday,  15  July  2013  or,  if  the  meeting
is adjourned,  48  hours  before  the  time  of  the  adjourned  meeting.  Alternatively,  a  proxy  may  be  appointed  online  at
www.capitashareportal.com by  that  time.  Completion  and  return  of  a  form  of  proxy  (including  online)  will  not  preclude  a  Subscription
Shareholder from attending and voting at the meeting if he or she wishes to do so.

The Company has specified that only those Subscription Shareholders entered on the register of members of the Company as at 5.30 p.m. on
15 July 2013 or, if the meeting is adjourned, on the register of members 48 hours before the time of the adjourned meeting shall be entitled
to attend and vote at the meeting in respect of the number of Subscription Shares registered in their name at that time. Changes to the register
of members after 5.30 p.m. on 15 July 2013 or, if the meeting is adjourned, after 48 hours before the time of the adjourned meeting will be
disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and vote at the meeting or adjourned meeting (as the case may be).

Any person receiving a copy of this Notice as a person nominated by a member to enjoy information rights under section 146 Companies Act
2006 (a Nominated Person) should note that the provisions in Notes 1 and 2 above concerning the appointment of a proxy or proxies to attend
the meeting in place of a member, do not apply to a Nominated Person, as only shareholders have the right to appoint a proxy. However, a
Nominated Person may have a right under an agreement between the Nominated Person and the member by whom he or she was nominated
to be appointed, or to 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 have a right under such an agreement to give instructions to the member as to the exercise of
voting rights at the meeting.

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N o t i ce   o f   S e p a ra t e   M e e t i n g   o f   S u b s c r i p t i o n   S h a r e h o l d e r s    

6 9

Notice of Separate Meeting of Subscription
Shareholders (continued)

5.

6.

Terms  used  in  this  notice  shall  have  the  same  meaning  as  in  the  annual  report and  accounts  for  the  year  ended  31  March  2013 unless
otherwise defined.

As at 6 June 2013 (the latest practicable date before the printing of this document) the Company’s total subscription share capital consisted
of 2,340,166 Subscription Shares of 1p each in the capital of the Company with voting rights for this meeting. On a poll, each Subscription
Shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for every subscription share held by them.

7.

Subscription Shareholders have the right to ask questions at the meeting in accordance with Section 319A of the Companies Act 2006.

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7 0

H o w   t o   I nve s t  

How to Invest

Investment Platforms
The Company’s shares are traded openly on the London Stock Exchange and can be purchased through a stock broker or other
financial intermediary. The shares are available through savings plans (including Investment Dealing Accounts, ISAs, Junior ISAs and
SIPPs) which facilitate both regular monthly investments and lump sum investments in the Company’s shares. There are a number
of investment platforms that offer these facilities. A list of some of them, that is not comprehensive nor constitutes any form of
recommendation, can be found below:

Alliance Trust Savings
Barclays Stockbrokers
Club Finance
Fast Trade
FundsDirect
Halifax Share Dealing
Hargreaves Lansdown
HSBC
iDealing
IG Index 
Interactive Investor 
IWEB
James Brearley
Natwest Stockbrokers 
Saga Share Direct 
Selftrade 
The Share Centre 
Sippdeal 
Saxo Capital Markets 
TD Direct Investing 

http://www.alliancetrustsavings.co.uk/
https://www.barclaysstockbrokers.co.uk/Pages/index.aspx
http://www.clubfinance.co.uk/
http://www.fastrade.co.uk/wps/portal
http://www.fundsdirect.co.uk/Default.asp
http://www.halifax.co.uk/Sharedealing/
http://www.hl.co.uk/
https://investments.hsbc.co.uk/
http://www.idealing.com/
http://www.igindex.co.uk/
http://www.iii.co.uk/
http://www.iweb-sharedealing.co.uk/share-dealing-home.asp
http://www.jbrearley.co.uk/Marketing/index.aspx
http://www.natweststockbrokers.com/nw/products-and-services/share-dealing.ashx
https://www.sagasharedirect.co.uk/
http://www.selftrade.co.uk/
https://www.share.com/
http://www.sippdeal.co.uk/
http://uk.saxomarkets.com/
http://www.tddirectinvesting.co.uk/

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 £21.00, max £125.00)

Telephone
1.5% of the value of the deal
(Minimum £28.50, max £175.00)

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 of 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.

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How to Invest (continued)

H o w   t o   I nve s t  

7 1

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
Conduct Authority and is also authorised to conduct cross-border business in the EEA under the provisions of the EU
Markets in Financial Investments Directive.

RISK WARNINGS
–

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

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7 2

G l o s s a r y   

Glossary

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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
Calculated  using  the  Association  of  Investment  Companies
definition. 

Total  assets,  less  current  liabilities  (before  deducting  any  prior
charges) minus cash/cash equivalents divided by Shareholders’
funds, expressed as a percentage.

For  years  prior  to  2013,  the  calculation  was  based  on  prior
charges as a percentage of average net assets. 

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

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Co m p a ny   I n f o r m a t i o n  

7 3

Company Information 

D I R E C TO R S
Sir Martin Smith (Chairman)
Sarah Bates
Jo Dixon
Dr David Holbrook
Samuel D. Isaly
Doug McCutcheon
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
incorporated  as
14 February  1995.  The  Company  was 
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 Conduct 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.

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

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

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.

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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 O R  T H E  YE A R   E N D E D   3 1   MA R C H   2 0 1 3

W
O
R
L
D
W

I

D
E

H
E
A
L
T
H
C
A
R
E

T
R
U
S
T

P
L
C

A
N
N
U
A
L

R
E
P
O
R
T

F
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E

Y
E
A
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E
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3
1

M
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2
0
1
3

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

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
228467 Finsbury WWH Cover  18/06/2013  07:19  Page 2

CO N T E N TS
ANNUAL REPORT
Financial Highlights
1
Chairman’s Statement
2-3
OrbiMed Capital LLC - Investment Manager
4
Review of Investments
5-10
Historic Performance
11
Champions of Innovation
12-13
Portfolio
14-16
Analysis of the Portfolio
17
Your Board
18
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of the Directors 

(Incorporating the Business Review)
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
Corporate Governance
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
GENERAL INFORMATION
Explanatory Notes of the Principal Changes to 

the Company’s Articles of Association

Notice of Annual General Meeting 
Notice of Separate Meeting of Subscription 

Shareholders

How to Invest
Glossary
Company Information

19-28
29
30-35
36
37-38
39-40
41
42
43
44
45-60

61
62-67

68-69
70-71
72
73

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  pharmaceutical,
biotechnology and related companies in the healthcare sector
on a global scale.

to  gain  exposure 

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.  Performance  is  measured  against  the  MSCI  World
Health Care Index on a net total return, sterling adjusted basis.
Further details of the Company’s investment policy are set out
in the Report of the Directors beginning on page 19.

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 
further
opportunities  to  vote  on  the  continuation  of  the  Company
shall be given to shareholders every five years thereafter.

in  2014,  and 

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
2013 Annual General Meeting

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 2013 £31.4m was
drawn down from this facility. 

31 March
June
30 September
November

February/August
January/July

I S A   S TAT U S

Wednesday, 17 July
to be held at,
the Carpenters’ Hall
Throgmorton Avenue, London
EC2N 2JJ

The  Company’s  shares  are  eligible  for  inclusion  in  Individual
Savings  Accounts  (‘ISAs’)  and  for  Junior 
ISAs.  Further
information on how to invest in the Company can be found
beginning on page 70.

W E B S I T E

The Company’s internet address is www.worldwidewh.com

This report is printed on Revive Pure White Silk a totally recycled paper produced using 100% recycled
waste at a mill that has been awarded the ISO 14001 certificate for environmental management.

The pulp is bleached using a totally chlorine free (TCF) process.

Perivan Financial Print    228467