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2023 ReportX E R O S T E C H N O L O G Y G R O U P P L C – A N N U A L R E P O R T – D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 1 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS DIRECTORS Klaas de Boer Neil Austin Alexander Tristram David Armfield Rachel Nooney (Chairman) (Chief Executive Officer) (Finance Director) (Non-Executive Director) (Non-Executive Director) REGISTRAR Neville Registrars Limited Neville House Steelpark Road Halesowen B62 8HD COMPANY SECRETARY Alexander Tristram COMPANY WEBSITE https://www.xerostech.com/ COMPANY NUMBER 08684474 (England and Wales) REGISTERED OFFICE Unit 2 Evolution Advanced Manufacturing Park Whittle Way Catcliffe Rotherham S60 5BL AUDITOR Crowe UK LLP The Lexicon 10-12 Mount Street Manchester M2 5NT LEGAL ADVISER Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP 60 London Wall London EC2M 4UJ NOMINATED ADVISER AND BROKER Cavendish Capital Markets Ltd 1 Bartholomew Close London EC1A 7BL Xeros to the power of change CONTENTS STRATEGIC REPORT Chairman’s Statement Chief Executive Officer’s Review Financial Review Strategic Report GOVERNANCE Directors’ Report Directors’ Remuneration Report Corporate Governance Report Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Xeros Technology Group plc FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements Company Statement of Changes in Equity Company Statement of Financial Position Notes to the Company Information 9 10 13 14 18 20 22 26 27 32 33 34 35 36 57 58 59 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 CREATING VISIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE INVISIBLE ISSUES FACING OUR PLANET Xeros licenses sustainable proprietary technology solutions for the laundry and apparel industries. These drive significant cost, energy and water efficiencies, reducing pollution, in both the manufacture and laundering of clothing. Xeros has developed patented and proven, industry-leading technologies which reduce the environmental impact of how industries make and care for clothes. The traditional wet processing methods used in industrial and domestic laundry and garment manufacturing consume billions of litres of fresh water and large amounts of energy and chemicals, as well as damaging and weakening clothing fibres and creating rising levels of environmental pollution. It is estimated that washing machines contribute 35% of the 171 trillion microplastic particles in the ocean. A range of actors, including consumers, the media NGOs and regulators are exerting pressure on these industries, with legislative action beginning to be taken. Xeros’ three main technologies, Filtration, Finish, and Care, facilitate garment manufacturers, industrial laundries, domestic washing machine manufacturers and consumers, to reduce their environmental impact, whilst also significantly improving efficiency in the process. “The macro environment for our technologies continues to strengthen, in synchrony with our commercialisation goals. Global businesses are coming under increasing pressure to improve their environmental practices, and governments are introducing new regulations and legislation to protect against further ecological damage and meet their global obligations.” NEIL AUSTIN, CEO 1 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS INTRODUCTION FILTRATION OUR FILTRATION TECHNOLOGY CAPTURES OVER 99% OF MICROPLASTICS 2 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 It is estimated that washing machines contribute 35% of the 171 trillion microplastic particles in the ocean. On an eco-setting, washing clothes releases 700,000 microfibres. Our filtration technology helps trap microfibres, capturing over 99% of microplastics and over 80% of cellulosic microfibres. XFilters can be integrated into any domestic or commercial washing machine during manufacture or used as an external solution. Independent tests show it is the highest performing filtration device available. XFilters work with every wash cycle to capture both synthetic and natural microfibres, with the lowest emptying frequency of any integrated filtration device. The filter uses an innovative spin process to remove water, drying the microfibres for simple removal and disposal that’s intuitive for the user. Just like taking the lint from a tumble dryer. PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS: • XF1 DOMESTIC • XF2 COMMERCIAL • XF3 EXTERNAL SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DEMONSTRATION VIDEOS 3 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS INTRODUCTION FINISH LET’S STOP GREENWASHING AND START GREENER WASHING 4 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 Making one pair of jeans can use up to 10 years’ worth of drinking water for one person. The process uses pumice stones, which constantly need replacing and together with the chemicals used in the process, create chemically contaminated sludge. Our Finish technology uses patented XOrbs, which are reusable polymer spheres, that replace pumice and can reduce water and chemistry by up to 50%. Machines fitted with our patented innovations, allow a closed system, the XDrum, to release XOrbs, into specially designed garment finishing cycles. PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS: • XFN1 DENIM • XFN2 WASHING SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DEMONSTRATION VIDEOS 5 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS INTRODUCTION CARE CLEANING UP HOW WE CLEAN OUR CLOTHES. 6 6 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 Washing garments uses 20 billion cubic metres of water per year globally, enough drinking water for 228 million people. The washing process also reduces the life and quality of garments. Our Care technology is designed to save tens of millions of litres of water every year and extend the life of garments. It uses XOrbs and XDrum to reduce water, chemistry and energy. It has a gentler mechanical action that improves wash performance to better care for fabrics allowing them to last longer. The technology can be integrated into either domestic or commercial washing machines and scaled from small drum sizes to over 2,000 litre capacity machines. The XOrbs are released through a closed-loop system, complementing wash programmes. At the end of the cycle, the XDrum collects the XOrbs back into their storage system. PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS: • XC1 DOMESTIC • XC2 COMMERCIAL SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DEMONSTRATION VIDEOS 7 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS STRATEGIC REPORT 8 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT Given my detailed letter to shareholders in the Circular dated 8 April 2024, I will keep this year’s statement brief, concentrating on what is new, important and different. Under the impressive leadership of Neil Austin, the Group has transitioned from an engineering led organisation to a sales-led organisation. The Group welcomed five, highly capable employees into new, commercial roles during the year, generating a pipeline of 10 new opportunities. The Group is now in direct dialogue with six of the 10 leading global domestic washing machine manufacturers for its Care and Filtration technologies. While these may not all come to fruition, the quantum and quality of interest being generated by our new commercial team is extremely encouraging. We have completed the technology transfer process with IFB (Care technology) and Yilmak Makina (Finishing technology). The completion of these processes is a key milestone with both partners as it now enables the commercial roll-out of machines equipped with Xeros IP. Further information on the tangible progress being made on these and our other licensing agreements is given in the CEO’s report. The team has achieved all of this, while maintaining tight control of costs and a keen focus on achieving breakeven. The Group’s balance sheet has been significantly strengthened by a post year-end warrant exercise and fundraise, providing the Group with additional working capital of £6.3m before fees to support the delivery of our FY24 and FY25 goals. The Board underwent significant change in 2022 upon which the Nominations Committee has reviewed the structure and skill set of the current Board. It has concluded that, with the appointment of Alex Tristram as Finance Director in April 2024, it meets the current needs of the Group. The Committee will continue to monitor the suitability of the Board’s composition, as the Company completes its transition to a full-fledged commercial enterprise. As always, I want to thank you, shareholders, for your continued support of the business (through both the warrant exercise and participation in the recent financing), but also want to express my gratitude to our management team, all staff, commercial partners and my board colleagues for all your continued dedication to our cause: the adoption at scale of Xeros’ extremely compelling and necessary technologies. While we remain dependent on commercial delivery by licensees, the route to meaningful revenue is becoming clearer. With IFB and Yilmak Makina in final preparation for commercial scale roll-out later this year, we believe we are closer than ever to that inflection point. KLAAS DE BOER Chairman 24 May 2024 9 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REVIEW I am pleased to report that the Group made significant operational and commercial progress in the year to 31 December 2023, with further significant milestones being achieved post year end. Our agreements with licensees moved closer to commercial launch, as we embarked on the crucial technology transfer process with both IFB and Yilmak Makina. We completed the technology transfer for IFB domestic machines (Goa) in December 2023, and Yilmak Makina’s commercial denim processing machines (Turkey) in Q1 of the new financial year. All these machines have now moved to the manufacture and marketing stage, ahead of scale launch. This gives the Board confidence that the Group remains on track to achieve month- on-month operational breakeven. In addition, the work undertaken to increase the Group’s commercial focus has resulted in a stronger than expected pipeline of potential new agreements. We are now in discussion with 10 major organisations with interest across all the Group’s technologies. This progress, supported by the funds raised post period-end of £6.3m before fees, puts the Group in a strong position to execute its commercialisation strategy on existing opportunities, whilst also generating new ones. The macro environment for our technologies continues to strengthen, in synchrony with our commercialisation goals. Global businesses are coming under increasing pressure to improve their environmental practices. Governments are introducing new regulations and legislation to protect against further ecological damage and meet their global obligations. Xeros continues to be called upon to provide expert testimony on microfibre capture to feed into legislative initiatives in the U.S., European Union and the UK. OPERATIONAL REVIEW AND PROGRESS When I joined Xeros in August 2022, I talked about targeting change, which I have done in three parts. During my first six months, I reviewed the business proposition, the pipeline of opportunity for commercialisation, and the people. That initial period of evaluation told me that, on all three of our technology platforms, our proposition was incredibly compelling. After some 20 years of commercial experience, I recognised an extremely rare opportunity to offer both environmental solutions alongside improved efficiency and cost savings for two huge global industries, apparel manufacture and laundry. These industries had not innovated in decades and were slow to adopt better environmental practices, although under significant pressure to do so. When canvassing the opinion of key industry players on Xeros’ Care, Finish and Filtration technologies, the feedback was unanimous and clear. The combination of our authentic desire to help the planet and ability to reduce, not increase, their input costs to achieve a positive outcome is a compelling proposition. The second part of the change was to accelerate the commercialisation process. Before I joined Xeros, the Group had courted some significant players in the industry but had not managed to achieve any meaningful commercial traction. Investors often asked me why this was the case. I believe it resulted from a well-meaning attempt to ‘launch’ the technology before it was really market ready, and then, following the strategic change to the current licensing model, progress was hindered by the turbulent socio-economic issues triggered by the Pandemic. Since putting in place a new operational framework and improved processes, our extremely capable team of engineers and scientists has flourished. A new contract was signed in April 2023 with Yilmak Makina and, after what has been a lengthy period of education for our industry licensees, some of the Group’s contracts with IFB are now nearing market launch having completed the technical transfer process. PEOPLE Perhaps the most important element I have reshaped has been people. I have mentioned on several occasions that the people in Xeros, our scientists and engineers, are amongst the brightest, most passionate and intelligent that I have had the fortune to lead. I am reminded of this on a daily basis. What the team lacked, however, was commercial acumen, and a ‘pace and rhythm’ of activity necessary for commercialisation. Any successful business is characterised by a high performing, driven sales and marketing effort. I am 10 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORT delighted that during 2023, we reinforced our team with industry expertise and a sales programme full of ambition and confidence. We have added five new roles, incorporating further expertise in category marketing, licensing sales and applicable business knowledge from the white goods and denim processing industries. The success of this team is evidenced by the full sales pipeline described below. As well as bringing a new operational ‘commerciality’ led by sales and marketing, I was keen to surround the business with experience, know-how and sage advice. This has been achieved through the creation of an Advisory Board, consisting of high-quality individuals with a lifetime of experience in some of the world’s largest organisations. People who are passionate about Xeros’ technology. Being able to call upon the highest level of engineering, sales, science, retail, and marketing capability has been a key enabler for the Group in 2023 and we expect further benefits on future projects. BUSINESS UPDATE FILTRATION FILTRATION (XF1 – DOMESTIC, XF2 – COMMERCIAL, XF3 - EXTERNAL) We have made significant progress in Filtration, adding two licensing agreements with major European component manufacturers for XF1 in H1 2023. We now have three agreements in place, which equate to an ‘approved supplier’ coverage for 99% of the 105 million washing machines produced annually. In September 2023 at IFA Berlin, Europe’s largest consumer electronics show, we launched a new external filtration product for the domestic market, the XF3. This is an ‘outside-of-machine’ microplastic filtration device, which can be retrofitted to the existing domestic install base with full flexibility of placement. The XF3 has all the features of XF1, a market leading microfibre capture rate of 99% with no requirement for replacement cartridges and is lifetime of machine tested. Interest at IFA was overwhelming, and we are currently in negotiations to manufacture and distribute the XF3 under licence. The aim is for a full market launch later this year. FINISH FINISH (XFN1 – DENIM AND XFN2 – WASHING) Having signed an agreement in April 2023 with Yilmak Makina / KRM, one of the world’s largest and best respected garment finishing manufacturers and distributors respectively, they previewed their new Xeros-enabled denim processing machine at ITMA in Milan, the world’s most influential textile and garment technology exhibition. For Yilmak Makina, it was the first manifestation of the licence, and the feedback was excellent with several soft orders taken on the stand. Post the year end, in February 2024, Yilmak Makina concluded the technical transfer of fitting an XDrum and XOrb capability to their core machine. This important milestone was achieved some three months ahead of schedule and precedes a full marketing launch of the machine at the ITM trade show, one of the most important meeting points in the field of textile machinery in Istanbul in June 2024. Our existing licensing agreement with Ramsons, a leading full range supplier of equipment solutions to the apparel industry in South and East Asia, which was signed in March 2020 for denim finishing in India, continues to make progress with new installations expected at one of Sri Lanka’s largest garment manufacturers in 2024. We have also seen some important progression on the ‘demand’ side of the industry, with retail brands keen to promote more environmentally friendly/conscious fashion. As shown by a leading garment brand and a European retail chain being in the process of specifying Xeros’ technology in the recipe of their core denim ranges. CARE CARE (XC1 – DOMESTIC AND XC2 – COMMERCIAL) As outlined above, an important milestone in the agreement with IFB was achieved in the Period. IFB and Xeros engineers concluded the technical transfer process on a mass market 9kg domestic washing machine in December. I am pleased to report that subsequent field trials have been successful, and the project has now moved from R&D into manufacturing and marketing. IFB is targeting a launch later this calendar year. Our long-standing partner in France, Georges, a leading commercial laundry business that specialises in the cleaning and maintenance of workwear and PPE, continues to thrive using Xeros-enabled IFB machines with plans to open new sites over the next 12-18 months, in line with their expansion into the laundering of fire fighter uniforms. In addition, Georges has received compelling feedback from its key customer base, Air France and SNCF, with statistics showing a uniform life extension of 20% since using the Xeros CARE technology. In addition, early in the Period, we appointed Ecoprod as a UK distributor for Xeros enabled commercial care machines. The UK based company offers water management solutions to several thousand facilities in five major industries – healthcare, hotels, the care market, laundry companies and sports clubs. SALES PIPELINE The Company’s goal is mass implementation of its three technologies and, to this aim, I come to my third element of change, which is now well underway. Fuelled by the confidence of our progress with licensees, we led a programme of outreach to global players with a goal for 2023 to gain interest from a major European washing machine brand on each of our three technology platforms. As I write today, we are trending significantly beyond that initial target, and I am pleased to report that we are now in dialogue with six out of the 10 leading global domestic washing machine manufacturing brands and have 10 new commercial 11 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS STRATEGIC REPORT / CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REVIEW CONTINUED Textiles technologies are just the beginning of our long-term mission to reduce waste and use resources more responsibly to support a better future for both people, and the world we call our home. We are pleased to have been recognised as a B Corp business during the period. We are part of a global movement of companies dedicated to using business as a force for good. We are proud to be included in a network of over 6,000 mission- led businesses, committed to meeting the rising standards for social and environmental performance. POST PERIOD END AND OUTLOOK As detailed in the circular for the fundraise, dated 8 April, the Board conservatively estimates Xeros’ core technologies provide an addressable global market opportunity of c£40m- £50m pa in revenue in the medium term. The £6.3m before fees funds raised from the placing and retail offer in April 2024, and the warrant redemptions received in January 2024 will be used to strengthen the balance sheet and provide working capital to support our existing partners through to launch (IFB, Yilmak Makina and Ecoprod); the progression of the significant global opportunities referenced above; provide contingency against timing of royalty payments, over which we have little control; and for developing complementary additions to our core propositions not least on filtration. Cost controls will remain in place, and priority will be given to the commercialisation of existing opportunities. As a technology licensing business, we have the benefits of low overheads, a high margin business model and an ability to scale up significantly with minimal cost increase. The other side of the coin however is that we are unable to directly influence timings and ‘Go to Market’ decisions. Nonetheless, the route to nearer-term meaningful revenue is clear, with a number of our commercial partners, as detailed above, now close to commercial scale roll-out of machinery containing some element of Xeros’ IP. NEIL AUSTIN Chief Executive Officer 24 May 2024 opportunities including those referenced above: FOR FILTRATION (DOMESTIC) four global brands FOR FINISH a leading global fashion brand a major European retailer FOR CARE (COMMERCIAL) two global brands FOR CARE (DOMESTIC) two European brands a North American brand an Asian brand While we would not expect all of these to come to fruition, the response we have had is extremely encouraging. STRATEGY Our strategy to become an IP-rich, capital-light licensor of proprietary technology solutions to multiple scale industries, all of which deploy the same Xeros core technologies remains. Our technology provides cost-effective solutions for garment manufacture and clothing care within the $2.5 trillion fashion industry and the $55 billion domestic washing machine market. Our annual addressable markets in Filtration, Finish and Care are estimated to be £350 million, £132 million and £3 billion respectively. To achieve market penetration, we take a three-pronged approach: • • • Commercial partnerships – We have commercial partnerships in place with IFB for domestic and commercial laundry machines, with Ramsons and Yilmak/ KRM for garment finishing equipment, and with three component manufacturers on XF1. Direct engagement – We engage and work to influence major fashion and consumer brands to showcase the benefits of our technology and to build a market for it. We have significant engagement with leading global OEMs across all our technology platforms. Drive influence – We are a global leader in sustainable textile technologies and we work with legislators, industry groups and NGOs to show the scale of the environmental challenges and to demonstrate the effectiveness of our solutions. ESG Xeros’ technologies reduce the environmental impact of clothing on the planet. They save millions of litres of water and have the power to prevent billions of microfibres ending up in our oceans. 12 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 FINANCIAL REVIEW Group revenue was generated as follows: Service revenue Licensing revenue Sale of goods Total revenue 2023 £’000 82 138 77 297 RESTATED 2022 £’000 82 64 18 164 The financial results in 2023 show development of the Group’s licencing strategy alongside management of costs in order to put the Group into a strong position, and while revenue growth in FY23 was not as strong as anticipated due to the timing of XOrb orders from partners, it does support the anticipated revenue growth as contracts enter into their commercial phase. The increase in revenue and the high margins the Group records on licence income has driven an increase in gross profit in the period to £0.25m (2022: £0.08m), an increase of 81.1%, resulting in a gross margin of 82.5% (2022: 51.2%). The Group decreased its adjusted EBITDA loss by 37.5% to £4.6m (2022: loss £7.4m). The Group’s future revenue is based upon the anticipated commercial progress made by its commercial partners as they market and sell products incorporating Xeros technology into their respective markets. The Group has worked to set a cost base which can support these contracts as well as win new ones, with the expectation that costs will not need to rise significantly in future years as the Group moves into profitability. Further information on these financial results is provided below. Gross profit/loss and adjusted EBITDA are considered the key financial performance measures of the Group as they reflect the trading activities of the Group. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as the loss on ordinary activities before interest, tax, share-based payments and warrant expense, depreciation and amortisation. Administrative expenses, decreased by 33.7% to £5.0m (2022: £7.5m), following a reduction in the Group’s headcount and a continued focus on cost across the business. The Group’s average headcount fell by 26.8% in the year to 30 (2022: 41). Group revenue increased by 81.1% to £0.30m in the year ended 31 December 2023 (2022: £0.16m). The Group’s revenue is derived from three principal sources: The Group reported an operating loss of £4.7m (2022: loss £7.4m), a decrease of 33.2%. The loss per share was 2.82p (2022: loss 14.29p). • • Service revenue: reflecting the servicing of existing estate, based principally in Europe. Licensing revenue: reflecting royalty payments from licence partners, stage milestone payments during the technology transfer process and advance fees for access to Group intellectual property. • Sale of goods: reflecting sales of XOrbs to licence partners and sales of machines on behalf of licence partners. The Group continues to receive service revenue related to the retained estate of commercial laundry machines in the UK and Europe. As the licensing model grows, this service revenue is expected to become a smaller part of the overall revenue mix. Licensing revenue in the period was £0.14m (2022: £0.06m), an increase of 115.6%; revenue from sale of goods was £0.08m in the period (2022: £0.2m), an increase of 377.8%. Service revenue in the period was flat at £0.08m (2022: £0.08m). Net cash outflow from operations decreased by 33.2% to £4.7m (2022: £7.0m) as a result of the Group’s overall cost reduction, as shown in a reduction in cash used in operations to £5.2m (2022: £7.5m), and the receipt of £0.5m R&D tax credits from HMRC relating to 2022. Cash utilisation was in line with the Board’s expectations. Cash utilisation is not expected to increase during 2024. The Group had existing cash resources, including cash on deposit, as at 31 December 2023 of £1.6m (2022: £6.5m) and remains debt free. The Group received additional funding post period end in the form of warrant exercises and an equity placing, which between them raised £6.3m before fees. The Going Concern statement on page 25 draws attention to the Directors’ views on the Group’s ongoing prospects and the key assumptions behind the preparation of these accounts on a going concern basis. ALEX TRISTRAM Finance Director 24 May 2024 13 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS STRATEGIC REPORT Xeros Technology Group plc (LN: XSG) is the creator of technologies that reduce the impact of clothing on the planet. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Our Care and Finish technologies use patented, reusable XOrbs housed in our engineered XDrum for minimum disruption. Together, these components significantly reduce the amount of water and chemistry used in the dyeing, finishing or laundering of garments and fabrics. They increase the efficiency of these processes which require molecules to be either affixed or removed from substrates. In the case of laundry, they are proven to significantly increase the life of clothes and fabrics. The results are major improvements in economic, operational, product and environmental outcomes. The Group has signed multiple licence agreements for its Care and Finish technologies with leading OEMs in major commercial and domestic markets. XFilter is the Group’s proprietary washing machine filtration technology which prevents harmful microfibres including microplastics, generated during washing cycles, from being released into the world’s rivers and oceans. Microfibres released into the environment from clothing and fabrics during their laundering are a major source of pollution in the environment and contamination in the food chain. The Company is incorporated and domiciled in the UK. BUSINESS MODEL The Group seeks to generate a return through the licence of its proprietary technology to third parties in order to generate royalties and through the sale of XOrbs to support the production and distribution of products which incorporate Xeros technology. Further information on the Group’s activities and how it seeks to create added value is included in the Chairman’s statement, Chief Executive Officer’s review and financial review on pages 9 to 13. BUSINESS REVIEW AND RESULTS A review of the Group’s performance and future prospects is included in the Chairman’s statement, Chief Executive Officer’s review and financial review on pages 9 to 13. The loss for the year attributable to equity holders was £4.3m (2022: £6.9m). As the Group is in the process of commercialising its platform technologies, the Directors consider the key quantitative performance indicators to be: the level of cash and deposits held in the business of £1.6m (2022: £6.5m), gross profit/loss and adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as the loss on ordinary activities before interest, tax, share-based payment and warrant expense, depreciation and amortisation. Adjusted EBITDA is discussed in more detail in the financial review on page 13. The Board performs regular reviews of actual results against budget, and monitors cash balances on a regular basis to ensure that the business has sufficient resources to enact its current strategy. Certain qualitative measures, such as the performance of commercial initiatives, are also monitored on a regular basis. The Board will continue to review the KPIs used to assess the business as it grows. KEY RISKS The Board carefully considers the risks facing the Group and endeavours to minimise the impact of those risks. The key risks are as follows: DEPENDENCE ON KEY EXECUTIVES AND PERSONNEL DEPENDENCE ON KEY EXECUTIVES AND PERSONNEL AND THE ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN AND THE ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL The Group’s future success is substantially dependent on the continued services and performance of its Executive Directors and senior management, and its ability to attract and retain suitably skilled and experienced personnel. The Group cannot give assurances that members of the senior management team and the Executive Directors will continue to remain within the Group. Finding and hiring any such replacements could be costly and might require the Group to grant significant equity awards or other incentive compensation, which could adversely impact its financial results. In mitigation, the Group seeks to appropriately reward and incentivise key Group personnel, alongside succession planning to reduce the impact of departures should they occur. 14 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORT LACK OF PROGRESS WITHIN THE LEGISLATIVE LACK OF PROGRESS WITHIN THE LEGISLATIVE ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT The Group expects the legislative environment for domestic laundry filtration to be a significant factor in widespread adoption of the Group’s technology. There remains a risk that the relevant legislation within the Group’s target markets is not enacted, or that the legislation that is enacted is not of the standards anticipated. The Group works with industry and NGO partners to provide the relevant support and data to legislative assemblies in important jurisdictions, and continues to lobby for the protections it believes are required to safeguard the environment from worsening microparticle pollution. In addition, the Group has multiple applications with commercial potential and as such spreads risk in this way. SUPPLY AND LOGISTICS OF KEY MATERIALS SUPPLY AND LOGISTICS OF KEY MATERIALS The Group is dependent on a small number of key suppliers for the production, manufacture and logistics of key materials used in the Group’s technology and by licence partners. There remains a risk that these suppliers cannot fulfil the Group’s requirements on terms the Group considers acceptable and this could cause delays in the commercialisation of the Group’s technology, or reduce the returns from the Group’s commercial agreements. The Group has been working with a number of suppliers for key materials, and seeks to have long-term sourcing agreements in place with multiple suppliers to mitigate this risk. IT SECURITY IT SECURITY There is a risk that the Group suffers a breach of IT security, including a ransomware attack or significant data breach. In mitigation, the Group has strong IT security policies, and requires all staff to complete regular training to ensure they are up to date with the latest developments. RISK OF COMPETING TECHNOLOGY RISK OF COMPETING TECHNOLOGY There is a risk that technological advances in competing technology and/or the lower cost of such technology may impede the commercial exploitation of the Group’s technology. In mitigation, the Group has developed specific propositions to offer to customers and continues to monitor the global marketplace to keep up to date with the latest developments. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY The Group’s success will depend in part on its ability to maintain adequate protection of its intellectual property, covering its processes and applications. The intellectual property on which the Group’s business is based is a combination of patent applications and proprietary know- how. Patents for which the application is pending or for which applications are expected in the future may not be granted or that any such grant will be on a timely basis. The Group believes that the portfolio it holds is robust but there remains a risk that the portfolio will not provide the anticipated commercial advantages, or that the patents within it will be held valid if challenged, or that third parties will not claim rights in, or ownership of, the patents and other proprietary rights held by the Group. The Group is also subject to risks that others may develop similar products to the Group, duplicate any of the Group’s products or design around any patent applications held by the Group. Others may hold or receive patents which contain claims having a scope that covers products developed by the Group (whether or not patents are issued to the Group). In addition, no assurance can be given that others will not independently develop or otherwise acquire substantially equivalent techniques or otherwise gain access to the Group’s unpatented proprietary technology or disclose such technology or that the Group can ultimately protect meaningful rights to such unpatented technology. Any claims made against the Group’s intellectual property rights, even without merit, could be time-consuming and expensive to defend and could have a materially detrimental effect on the Group’s resources. In mitigation of the above risks, the Group holds significant patent litigation insurance, on which it could call should any litigation be required, either in defence of a claim against the Group or to prosecute those it believes infringe on IP protected rights. The Group actively engages in contingency planning, both internally and externally, and continues to monitor the wider IP landscape as to be aware of any relevant issues. ACCEPTANCE OF THE GROUP’S PRODUCTS ACCEPTANCE OF THE GROUP’S PRODUCTS The success of the Group will depend on the market’s acceptance of, and attribution of value to, its core technologies and the benefits of incorporating the same into various applications. There can be no guarantee that this acceptance will be forthcoming, that an acceptable value will be placed upon such technology, or that the Group’s core technology will succeed as an alternative to other applications. The Group has performed extensive testing, both internally and with its technology partners, to ensure that the technology works and can fit into the processes and equipment in the production chain. The Group acts as an influencer and thought leader to provide a path to long-term advocacy and acceptance within the relevant industries. 15 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS STRATEGIC REPORT / STRATEGIC REPORT CONTINUED ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, CURRENT ECONOMIC ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, CURRENT ECONOMIC WEAKNESS AND GEOPOLITICAL RISKS WEAKNESS AND GEOPOLITICAL RISKS Any economic downturn either globally or locally in any area in which the Group operates may have an adverse effect on the demand for the Group’s products. A more prolonged economic downturn may lead to an overall decline in the volume of the Group’s sales, or a delay in the full commercialisation of the Group’s technologies, restricting the Group’s ability to generate a profit. As a UK domiciled business, the Group is exposed to the risks associated with the UK’s decision to leave the EU (“Brexit”). The Board expects future revenues from the commercialisation of its technology in the EU to be in the form of royalties on its intellectual property. The international patent laws that apply to the protection of intellectual property are not affected by the status of the UK’s membership of the EU and, therefore, the Board does not view Brexit as posing a material risk to the Group’s future revenues. Travel restrictions and the associated disruption of Covid-19 have caused a significant level of economic uncertainty on a global basis. Any additional disruption may have a negative impact upon the Group’s ability to work closely with international licence partners. The Group operates, or is seeking to develop its operations, in several geographic regions and countries, some of which are categorised as developing and, as a result, is exposed to a wide range of political, economic, regulatory, social and tax environments. These environments are subject to changes in a manner that may have a material adverse effect on the Group, including changes to government policies and regulations governing import and export controls, tariffs, subsidies, income and other forms of taxation (including policies relating to the granting of advance rulings on taxation matters), repatriation of income, royalties, the environment, labour and health and safety. The geopolitical risks associated with operating in a variety of regions and countries, if realised, could affect the Group’s operations and could have a material adverse effect on the Group’s business, financial condition or results. STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF SECTION 172 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2006 Under section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, the Directors of Xeros Technology Group plc have a duty to promote the success of the Group for the benefit of the members as a whole and, in doing so, have regard to: (i) the likely consequences of any decision in the long term; (ii) the interests of the Company’s employees; (iii) the need to foster the Company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others; (iv) the desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct; and (v) the need to act fairly between members of the Company. The Directors of Xeros Technology Group plc consider the following areas of key importance in fulfilment of this duty: • • • • • Long-term strategic planning and budgeting to allow the Group to project a path to creating value for shareholders; Continued emphasis on health and safety, with regular and comprehensive dialogue with employees; Open and fair dealings with partners, customers, and suppliers, leading to long-term mutually beneficial relationships; A Group built on improving sustainability, with innovative technologies serving a range of industries; and Consideration of the Group’s operations on the community and the environment. The strategic report on pages 14 to 16 was approved by the Board and is signed on its behalf. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS Future developments are described in the Chairman’s statement, Chief Executive Officer’s review and financial review on pages 9 to 13. NEIL AUSTIN Chief Executive Officer 24 May 2024 16 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 GOVERNANCE XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 17 DIRECTORS’ REPORT The Directors hereby present their annual report and audited consolidated and parent company financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. SHARE CAPITAL AND FUNDING SHARE CAPITAL AND FUNDING Full details of the Group and Company’s share capital movements during the year are given in note 18 of the financial statements. DIVIDENDS DIVIDENDS The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend (2022: nil). DIRECTORS AND THEIR INTERESTS DIRECTORS AND THEIR INTERESTS The following Directors held office during the period and up to the date of signing this report except where noted otherwise: Klaas de Boer David Armfield Neil Austin Rachel Nooney Alexander Tristram (appointed 11 March 2024) Directors’ interests in the shares of the Company, including family interests, are included in the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 20 to 21. DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITY INSURANCE DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITY INSURANCE The Group has maintained insurance throughout the year for its Directors and officers against the consequences of actions brought against them in relation to their duties for the Group. PROFILES OF THE CURRENT DIRECTORS PROFILES OF THE CURRENT DIRECTORS Klaas de Boer, Chairman Klaas de Boer Klaas joined Xeros as Chairman in January 2020. In June 2021 he left Entrepreneurs Fund Management LLP, where he had served as Managing Partner since 2008. Klaas holds numerous board positions with international companies including SmartKem, Inc., General Fusion, Inc., where he is Chair, and veriNOS Pharmaceuticals GmbH. Klaas began his career with McKinsey & Company before transitioning to venture capital with Baan Investment more than 20 years ago. He holds an MSc in Applied Physics from Delft University of Technology and an MBA from INSEAD. Klaas is Chair of the Nominations Committee. Neil Austin, Chief Executive Officer Neil Austin Neil joined Xeros in August 2022 from Strix Ltd, an AIM listed global leader in domestic appliance heating control, where he led the consumer goods and group marketing divisions. Prior to that Neil was CCO of Neurovalens Limited, an innovative med tech company working in cerebral stimulation. He has also held leadership positions in sales, marketing & strategy functions with the Glen Dimplex Group and Whirlpool EMEA. As well as general management, Neil has worked on M&A, integration projects, project management approaches and commercial excellence initiatives. Alex Tristram, Finance Director Alex Tristram Alex joined the Xeros in January 2018 as Group Financial Accounting Manager and was appointed Director of Finance and Company Secretary in March 2023, formally joining the Board in March 2024. Prior to joining Xeros, Alex qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC in 2013 and worked previously at Pressure Technologies PLC. David Armfield, Senior Independent Director David Armfield David joined Xeros in June 2018. His background is in corporate finance, having previously worked for Lehman Brothers Limited as its Co-Head of European Industrial Coverage. He has also served as a partner at PwC, and as the firm’s National Head of Industrial Products. He is a founding Partner of Kinetix Critchleys Corporate Finance LLP, which provides advisory services to companies in the Clean Technology and Resource Efficiency industries. David is Chair of the Audit Committee and the Remuneration Committee. Rachel Nooney, Non-Executive Director Rachel Nooney Rachel joined Xeros in July 2021. Her background is in brand development, strategy, marketing planning, and creative. She has held senior Head of Brand and Marketing roles at Marks and Spencer plc and New Look, where she was responsible for leading brand development, marketing campaigns, digital and retail marketing, talent, creative and production. Rachel has worked both client and agency side in marketing, and is the founder and principal consultant of shoreseven, a brand and strategic marketing consultancy. Rachel is a member of CIM and has provided mentorship for marketeers and young people wanting to develop and break into the creative industries with both CIM and Creative Mentor Network. 18 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023GOVERNANCE SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS KEY DEVELOPMENTS FOLLOWING THE YEAR END KEY DEVELOPMENTS FOLLOWING THE YEAR END As at 1 May 2024, shareholders holding more than 3% of the share capital of Xeros Technology Group plc were: NAME OF SHAREHOLDER Amati Global Investors Lombard Odier Investment Managers Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management Premier Miton Investors Entrepreneurs Fund LP Rathbones Cavendish Capital Markets Dowgate Capital Spreadex Platform Securities Platform Services EMPLOYMENT POLICIES EMPLOYMENT POLICIES NUMBER OF SHARES % OF VOTING RIGHTS 66,666,666 56,226,599 51,992,479 39,010,010 35,767,534 33,333,333 30,021,989 22,407,761 21,377,014 16,666,666 12.80 10.80 9.99 7.49 6.87 6.40 5.77 4.30 4.11 3.20 The Group supports employment of disabled people where possible through recruitment, by retention of those who become disabled and generally through training, career development and promotion. The Group is committed to keeping employees as fully informed as possible with regard to the Group’s performance and prospects and seeks their views, wherever possible, on matters which affect them as employees. DISCLOSURE OF RISKS DISCLOSURE OF RISKS The Group’s exposure to price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk are discussed in note 15 to the Financial Statements. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT The Group is engaged in research and development in respect of current and future applications of its technologies, improving both existing processes and developing new ones where appropriate. Following the repricing of the Group’s warrants as approved by warrant holders on 21 December 2023, during the revised warrant exercise period the Group received valid warrant exercise notices for 58,913,935 warrants during January 2024. The exercise of these warrants provided the Group with £1,679,000. On 11 March 2024, the Group announced that Alex Tristram, the Group’s Finance Director, would join the Board. On 4 April 2024, the Group announced a placing and retail offer to issue 310,789,561 new shares at 1.5p each. The placing raised £4,662,000 for the Group, before fees. STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO THE AUDITOR THE AUDITOR The Directors who were in office on the date of approval of these financial statements have confirmed that, as far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditor is unaware. Each of the Directors have confirmed that they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been communicated to the auditor. AUDITOR AUDITOR The Board will put Crowe U.K. LLP forward to be appointed as auditor by the shareholders and a resolution concerning their appointment will be put to the forthcoming AGM of the Company. On behalf of the Board NEIL AUSTIN Chief Executive Officer 24 May 2024 Unit 2, Evolution Advanced Manufacturing Park Whittle Way Catcliffe Rotherham S60 5BL 19 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT This remuneration report is not intended to comply with the quoted company remuneration reporting requirements in company law and is provided in order to meet the requirements of AIM rule 19. It is the Company’s policy that Executive Directors should have contracts with an indefinite term providing for a maximum of six months’ notice. In the event of early termination, the Directors’ contracts provide for compensation up to a maximum of basic salary for the notice period. Non-Executive Directors are employed on letters of appointment which may be terminated on not less than one month’s notice. Companies with securities listed on AIM do not need to comply with the UKLA Listing Rules. The Remuneration Committee is, however, committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and disclosure and has applied the guidelines, as far as practicable, given the current size and development of the Company. REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE The Remuneration Committee consists of David Armfield as Chairman and Klaas de Boer. The Remuneration Committee reviews and makes recommendations in respect of the Directors’ remuneration and benefits packages, including share options, and the terms of their appointment. The Remuneration Committee also makes recommendations to the Board concerning the allocation of share options to employees under the share incentive schemes. The Remuneration Committee meets at least once a year. DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION The main elements of the remuneration packages for Executive Directors and senior management are: BASIC ANNUAL SALARY (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ FEES) The base salary is reviewed annually from the beginning of each calendar year. The review process is undertaken by the Remuneration Committee and takes into account several factors, including the current position and development of the Group, individual contribution and market salaries for comparable organisations. DISCRETIONARY ANNUAL BONUS All Executive Directors and senior managers are eligible for a discretionary annual bonus which is paid in accordance with a bonus scheme developed by the Remuneration Committee. This takes into account business performance and commercial progress, along with financial results. SHARE INCENTIVE SCHEMES The Group operates share option plans, under which certain Directors and senior management have been granted options to subscribe for ordinary shares. All options are equity settled. The options are subject to service and performance conditions, have an exercise price of between 5 pence and 30,500 pence and the vesting period is generally three years. If the options remain unexercised after a period of 10 years from the date of grant, the options expire. The Group has no legal or constructive obligation to repurchase or settle the options in cash. REMUNERATION POLICY FOR NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Remuneration for Non-Executive Directors is set by the Chairman and the Executive Members of the Board. Non- Executives do not participate in bonus schemes. The remuneration of the main Board Directors of Xeros Technology Group plc who served from 1 January 2023 (or date of appointment if later) to 31 December 2023 (or date of resignation if earlier) was: Klaas de Boer Mark Nichols (note 1) Neil Austin (note 2) Paul Denney (note 3) David Armfield David Baynes (note 4) Rachel Nooney Total SALARY AND FEES £’000 BONUS PAYMENTS £’000 BENEFITS £’000 TOTAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 TOTAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 70 260 91 35 – 35 491 – – – – – – – – – – 2 – – – 2 70 – 262 91 35 – 35 493 87 405 112 259 35 35 35 968 Note 1: Mark Nichols resigned as a Director on 1 August 2022. Note 2: Neil Austin was appointed as a Director on 1 August 2022 Note 3: Paul Denney resigned as a Director on 28 February 2023 Note 4: Director’s fees for David Baynes were payable to IP Group plc (see note 21 for further details). 20 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023GOVERNANCE CHANGES IN DIRECTORSHIPS CHANGES IN DIRECTORSHIPS DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDINGS DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDINGS On 11 March 2024 it was announced that Alexander Tristram would join the Board as Finance Director. The interests of the Directors holding office at 31 December 2023 in the shares of the Company as at 1 May 2024, including family interests, were: Klaas de Boer Neil Austin David Armfield Rachel Nooney ORDINARY SHARES OF 0.1P EACH NUMBER 8,383,333 866,666 292,857 200,000 % 1.61 0.17 0.06 0.04 DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS IN SHARE OPTIONS DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS IN SHARE OPTIONS Directors’ interests in share options, for Directors who held office at any point during the period, granted under either the Xeros Technology Group plc Enterprise Management Incentive Share Option Scheme or the Xeros Technology Group plc Unapproved Share Option Scheme, to acquire ordinary shares of 0.01 pence each in the Company at 31 December 2022 were: Paul Denney Paul Denney Paul Denney Paul Denney Paul Denney Paul Denney Neil Austin (note 1) AT 1 JANUARY 2023 GRANTED DURING THE PERIOD EXERCISED DURING THE PERIOD FORFEITED/ LAPSED DURING THE PERIOD TERMINATION OF DIRECTORSHIP AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 EXERCISE PRICE 5,000 3,000 150,195 81,770 – – – – – – 56,000 1,582,774 4,529,403 – – – – – – – (5,000) (3,000) (150,195) (81,770) (56,000) – – – – – (527,592) (1,055,182) – – – – – – – – 4,529,403 21,000.0 22,500.0 70 175 93.5 5 5 pence pence pence pence pence pence pence Note 1: There were employment conditions in relation to the 4,529,403 options issued on 10 November 2022 which allowed for vesting in three equal proportions on 11 November 2023, 11 November 2024 and 11 November 2025. On behalf of the Board DAVID ARMFIELD Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 24 May 2024 21 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CORPORATE GOVERNANCE In April 2018, the Quoted Companies Alliance released a version of its code for small and mid-sized quoted companies (the “Code”). The Board fully supports the underlying principles contained within the Code, has reviewed the Code in detail and complies with parts of the Code where it deems it appropriate for the size and operations of the Group. The responsibility for ensuring compliance and accurate reporting of Corporate Governance resides with the Board. Corporate Governance will be continually monitored and reviewed by the Board at least annually, as part of the Annual Report and Accounts process each year. The Board sets out its view on compliance with the corporate governance principles as detailed in the Code below and set out on the website at www.xerostech.com. PRINCIPLE ONE: PRINCIPLE ONE: ESTABLISH A STRATEGY AND BUSINESS MODEL WHICH PROMOTE LONG-TERM VALUE FOR SHAREHOLDERS The Group’s strategy is to develop into an IP-rich, capital- light licenser of polymer-based water-saving solutions to multiple scale industries, all of which deploy the same Xeros core technologies. Given the scale of the markets in which the Group operates, the strategy is to commercialise the Xeros technology with partners who already have strong international market positions and who also demonstrate a strategic intent to deliver increased levels of sustainability. PRINCIPLE TWO: PRINCIPLE TWO: SEEK TO UNDERSTAND AND MEET SHAREHOLDER NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS The Group remains committed to an ongoing dialogue with shareholders to ensure that its strategy, direction and performance are clearly understood. Understanding the opinion of analysts and investors in the Group and, as a result, helping our business be better understood, is a crucial objective for the Group, and the Group actively seeks to engage in this area. PRIVATE SHAREHOLDERS The AGM is the key forum for dialogue between retail shareholders and the Board. The Notice of Meeting is sent to shareholders at least 21 days before the meeting. The Board and the Executive Directors routinely attend the AGM and are available to answer questions raised by shareholders. For each vote, the number of proxy votes received for, against and withheld is announced at the meeting. The results of the AGM are subsequently published on the Group’s website. INSTITUTIONAL SHAREHOLDERS The Directors seek to build long-term relationships with institutional shareholders. These relationships are primarily managed by the Chief Executive Officer and the Finance Director. This process includes presentations to institutional shareholders and analysts following the release of the full-year and interim results, alongside other meetings as appropriate. The Board as a whole is updated on these relationships, including any views or concerns held by shareholders, by the Executive Directors on a regular basis. Analyst reports are also circulated to the Board as and when they are produced. PRINCIPLE THREE: PRINCIPLE THREE: TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WIDER STAKEHOLDER AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS The Board believes that the long-term success of the Groups is reliant on good relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, both internal and external to the Group. The Board is regularly updated on key stakeholder engagement by the Executive team and through other members of senior management, who manage stakeholder relationships where appropriate. EMPLOYEES The Group is committed to employee engagement, as the knowledge, skill and application of its employees is the defining factor in the long-term success of the Group. The Group takes the employee value proposition seriously, engaging with employees to establish what is important to them, through direct feedback and ongoing dialogue. The annual performance review cycle is key to the Group, ensuring that staff are given the necessary support in their development throughout the year, as well as allowing the senior management team to get feedback at a one-to- one level. SUPPLIERS The Group has relationships with key suppliers which are managed closely by relevant senior management to ensure ongoing supply of products or services which are crucial to the Group. The Board is actively updated on supplier relationships on a regular basis. CUSTOMERS As the medium- and long-term strategy of the business evolves into the IP-rich, capital-light licensor of water saving solutions, relationships with licensees become longer term and more co-operative. These key relationships are managed by the appropriate members of the Group’s senior management, with Board support where necessary. The Board is updated on key relationships on a regular basis. PRINCIPLE FOUR: PRINCIPLE FOUR: EMBED EFFECTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT, CONSIDER- ING BOTH OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS, THROUGH- OUT THE ORGANISATION The Group has established a framework of internal controls which the Directors believe to be appropriate for the size and operations of the Group. This framework is reviewed by the Executive team, the Audit Committee and the Board on an ongoing basis. 22 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023GOVERNANCE The Board is responsible for reviewing and approving overall Group strategy, approving Group budgets and determining the financial structure of the Group. Monthly results, including variances and commentary, are reported to the Board on a regular basis. The Audit Committee assists the Board in discharging its duties regarding the financial statements, accounting policies and the maintenance of proper internal business, and operational and financial controls. The Board has ultimate responsibility for the Group’s system of internal control and the effectiveness thereof. Any such system can only mitigate partially against the risk of material misstatement or loss to the Group. The Board considers that the internal control environment in place within the Group is appropriate for the size, complexity and risk profile of the Group. A formal risk management document is presented to and reviewed by the Board on a regular basis, alongside updates on the functioning of the environment on an ad hoc basis. PRINCIPLE FIVE: PRINCIPLE FIVE: MAINTAIN THE BOARD AS A WELL-FUNCTIONING, BALANCED TEAM LED BY THE CHAIR The Board comprises the Non-Executive Chairman, one Executive Director and two Non-Executive Directors. The Board believes that the Non-Executive Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors are classified as independent. The Board believes that the make-up of the Directors currently provides a balance between independence and knowledge of the Group which allows them to discharge their responsibilities effectively, alongside the relevant Board committees. Board members are expected to commit time for a minimum of eight Board meetings a year, alongside adequate preparation time. Other meetings and commitments may be required as appropriate. PRINCIPLE SIX: PRINCIPLE SIX: ENSURE THAT BETWEEN THEM THE DIRECTORS HAVE THE NECESSARY UP-TO-DATE EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES The Board believes that the current make-up of Directors offers a well-balanced mix of skills in areas relevant to the long-term strategy of the Group. This belief is gained through a knowledge and understanding of the backgrounds of Board members, alongside the understanding of the needs of the Xeros Group. Details of the Directors, their backgrounds and the skills and expertise they bring to Xeros can be found above in this Annual Report and Accounts. Board members keep their skills up to date through regular updates from professional advisers. The Board considers succession planning through the work of the Nomination Committee, considering the long- term benefits of an appointee and how their skills fit into the existing skills possessed by the Board. The continuous improvement process the Board undergoes ensures that they are aware of the areas in which they would like to strengthen, and it is through this lens that Director recruitment is performed. Executive Director and senior management succession planning is informed through the annual review cycle. PRINCIPLE SEVEN: PRINCIPLE SEVEN: EVALUATE BOARD PERFORMANCE BASED ON CLEAR AND RELEVANT OBJECTIVES, SEEKING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT The Board, through an internal survey of Board members and led by the Chairman and the Senior Independent Director, performs an evaluation procedure at least annually. The results of this are presented to the Board alongside any actions or recommendations. The Board has acted and continues to act on the results of this evaluation where appropriate. PRINCIPLE EIGHT: PRINCIPLE EIGHT: PROMOTE A CORPORATE CULTURE THAT IS BASED ON ETHICAL VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS The Group exists to provide solutions to global environmental challenges of water scarcity and pollution. The Board believes that Xeros technology provides genuine solutions to these challenges and prides itself on the impact that the Group can make in these critical areas. It is through this lens that the Group promotes a corporate culture based on ethical values and behaviours. This process is led by the Board, through actions such as committing resources to projects with an ethical and societally beneficial purpose and setting a tone at the top which encourages these within the wider Group. The Board receives feedback on the corporate culture through regular employee surveys and employee-led committees, such as the health and safety and sustainability committees. PRINCIPLE NINE: PRINCIPLE NINE: MAINTAIN GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES AND PRO- CESSES THAT ARE FIT FOR PURPOSE AND SUPPORT GOOD DECISION-MAKING BY THE BOARD The Board meets at least eight times a year in accordance with its meeting calendar. This meeting calendar is established each year to align with the Group’s financial calendar, ensuring a spread across the financial year alongside meetings at key times during the year. This calendar can also be supplemented with additional meetings as and when required. The Board and the associated committees receive appropriate information in a timely manner prior to each meeting. 23 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS GOVERNANCE / CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED ROLES OF THE BOARD, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER The Board is responsible for the long-term success of the Group. There is a formal schedule of matters which are reserved for the Board. These matters reserved for the Board include: • the overall strategy for the Group • the structure and capital of the Group • the financial reporting and control environment of the Group • the Group’s internal control framework • major contracts for the Group • shareholder communications • the delegation of authority and other key Group policies. There is clear distinction between the roles of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman is responsible for providing leadership to the Board and ensuring that the long-term strategic focus of the Group is in the best interest of shareholders. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for implementing the strategy as agreed by the Board and managing the direction of the Group through the Executive and wider senior management teams. BOARD COMMITTEES The Board has established three subcommittees – the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination committees – which exist to support the Board in its objectives. The Board believes the current governance structure is appropriate for the current size and scope of the Group. The Board remains committed to good corporate governance and will evolve the governance policies and procedures in place as the nature and scope of the Group evolves. PRINCIPLE TEN: PRINCIPLE TEN: COMMUNICATE HOW THE GROUP IS GOVERNED AND IS PERFORMING BY MAINTAINING A DIALOGUE WITH SHAREHOLDERS AND OTHER RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS The Group communicates with shareholders through the Annual Report and Accounts, full-year and half-year announcements, the AGM, meetings with institutional shareholders and online shareholder presentations. More detailed corporate information, including all announcements and presentations, can be seen on the Xeros website. The Board is provided with updates on these communications by the Executive team and through the Group’s brokers as appropriate. The Group maintains an open dialogue with other key stakeholders, including Group employees. THE BOARD THE BOARD The Board currently comprises two Executive Director and three Non-Executive Directors. AUDIT COMMITTEE AUDIT COMMITTEE The Audit Committee consists of David Armfield as Chairman and Rachel Nooney. Klaas de Boer and Neil Austin attend by invitation. The Audit Committee will, inter alia, determine and examine matters relating to the financial affairs of the Company including the terms of engagement of the Company’s auditor and, in consultation with the auditor, the scope of the audit. It has in the year received and reviewed reports from management and the Company’s auditor relating to the annual accounts and the accounting and internal control systems in use throughout the Group. The Audit Committee meets at least twice a year. NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE The Nominations Committee consists of Klaas de Boer as Chairman, David Armfield and Neil Austin. The Nominations Committee monitors the size and composition of the Board and the other Board committees and is responsible for identifying suitable candidates for Board membership and monitoring the performance and suitability of the current Board on an ongoing basis. The Board underwent significant change in 2022 and the Committee has reviewed the structure and skill set and, with appointment of Alex Tristram as Finance Director in April 2024, it meets the current needs of the Group The Nominations Committee meets at least once a year. INTERNAL CONTROL INTERNAL CONTROL The Board is responsible for maintaining a sound system of internal control. The Board’s measures are designed to manage, not eliminate risk, and such a system provides reasonable but not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. As it is AIM listed, the Company is not required to apply the full provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code. The Board has adopted features of the QCA Corporate Governance Code where it considers it appropriate for the size and scope of the business. Some key features of the internal control system are: (i) Management accounts information, budgets, forecasts and business risk issues are regularly reviewed by the Board which meets at least eight times per year; (ii) The Company has operational, accounting and employment policies in place; (iii) The Board actively identifies and evaluates the risks inherent in the business and ensures that appropriate controls and procedures are in place to manage these risks; (iv) There is a clearly defined organisational structure; and (v) There are well-established financial reporting and control systems. 24 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023GOVERNANCE GOING CONCERN GOING CONCERN As at 31 December 2023, the Group had £1.6m of cash and cash equivalents. At this stage of its development, the Group incurs operating cash outflows and is reliant on existing cash resources. The Group received £1.7m of cash in respect of warrant exercises during January 2024, and during April 2024, the Group completed an equity placing and retail offer which provided an additional £4.5m before fees. The Directors consider that, following these, the Group has sufficient cash to meet its obligations as they fall due for at least 12 months following the date of this report. The Directors also believe that these financial resources, alongside the Group’s existing and anticipated customer contracts, provide the Group with a platform to reach cash breakeven. While the Group actively manages key customer stakeholders where appropriate, the revenue anticipated to allow the Group to reach cash breakeven anticipated to be generated by these contracts is reliant on the actions of third parties and there remains risk that progress is not forthcoming in the timeframes anticipated by the Directors. Should there be significant delays in the commencement of the commercialisation of the Group’s technology by its licence partners, the Group’s existing cash balance may not be sufficient to support the Group’s expenditure until the point the Group’s revenue allows it to reach cash breakeven. The Directors consider that they have a number of options in place should there be delays in commercialisation, including reductions in discretionary spending, that would allow the existing cash resources to provide a longer runway. Given the lack of certainty around the timing of the commencement of significant revenues generated by the Group, the Directors consider that the Group’s current funding position constitutes a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt as to the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern; in the absence of significant customer revenue, the Group’s cash will run out. Notwithstanding this uncertainty, the Directors believe that they have sufficient options in place in order to allow the Group to continue trading in the short and medium term. Therefore, after making enquiries and considering the uncertainties as described above, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has and will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing this financial information. XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 25 STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITES STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Directors’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared the consolidated financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and the parent company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law, including FRS101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’). 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 and profit or loss of the Company and the Group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to: • • • select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 or UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and • prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business. The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Directors are also responsible for safeguarding the Company’s assets and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Directors confirm that: • • so far as each director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and the Directors have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as Directors in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware of that information. The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 26 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023GOVERNANCE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC OPINION We have audited the financial statements of Xeros Technology Group plc (the “Parent Company”) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) for the year ended 31 December 2023, which comprise: • • • • • the consolidated Group statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2023; the consolidated Group and parent company statements of changes in equity for the year then ended; the consolidated Group and parent company statements of financial position as at 31 December 2023; the consolidated Group statement of cash flows for the year then ended; and the notes to the financial statements, including material accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the consolidated Group financial statements is applicable law and UK-adopted international accounting standards. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Parent Company financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion: • • • • the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2023 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended; the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards; the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. BASIS FOR OPINION BASIS FOR OPINION We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group and the Parent Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. MATERIAL UNCERTAINTY RELATED TO GOING MATERIAL UNCERTAINTY RELATED TO GOING CONCERN CONCERN We draw attention to note 1 in the financial statements, which indicates that the Directors believe that the current levels of cash held provide the group with sufficient cash to meet its obligations as they fall due for at least twelve months following the date of this auditor’s report. However, the group is reliant on the actions of third parties to generate revenue anticipated from customer contracts and there remains risk that progress is not forthcoming in the timeframes anticipated by the Directors. Should there be significant delays in the receipt of this revenue, the Group’s existing cash balance may not be sufficient to support the Group’s expenditure until the point the Group generates sufficient revenue to reach cash breakeven. As stated in note 1, these events or conditions, along with the other matters as set forth in note 1, indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s and Parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter. In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the director’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the Group’s and Parent Company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included. Our evaluation of management’s assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern Our evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included the following audit procedures: • • • obtaining management’s going concern assessment including future financing expectations, cash flow forecasts and sensitivity analysis covering the period to 31 December 2025; gaining an understanding of the design of processes and controls in place over management’s forecasts supporting the going concern assessment and confirming that they are implemented as designed; challenging management over the key cost assumptions applied in the forecasts to determine whether these are reasonable and consistent with the trading expectations and history of the business; • challenging management over the likelihood, timing and quantity of future revenues forecast; 27 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS GOVERNANCE / INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED • • agreeing funds raised since the year end to supporting documentation; assessing the adequacy of the disclosures in the financial statements. In performing our audit procedures, we observed the following: in management’s most likely outcome forecast in the period to 31 December 2025, the group is reliant on generating revenue from its contracts with third parties and there remains risk that progress in these contracts is not forthcoming in the timeframes anticipated by the Directors. Should there be delays in the receipt of this revenue, the group’s existing cash balance may not be sufficient to support the group’s expenditure; and Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. OVERVIEW OF OUR AUDIT APPROACH OVERVIEW OF OUR AUDIT APPROACH MATERIALITY In planning and performing our audit we applied the concept of materiality. An item is considered material if it could reasonably be expected to change the economic decisions of a user of the financial statements. We used the concept of materiality to both focus our testing and to evaluate the impact of misstatements identified. Based on our professional judgement, we determined overall materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole to be £310,000, based on a 7% of the Group’s Loss Before Tax. Materiality for the Parent Company financial statements as a whole was set at £45,000 based on 6% of the Parent Company’s Loss Before Tax prior to the impairment of the intercompany receivable. We use a different level of materiality (‘performance materiality’) to determine the extent of our testing for the audit of the financial statements. Performance materiality is set based on the audit materiality as adjusted for the judgements made as to the entity risk and our evaluation of the specific risk of each audit area having regard to the internal control environment. This is set at £217,000 for the group and £31,500 for the parent. Where considered appropriate performance materiality may be reduced to a lower level, such as, for related party transactions and directors’ remuneration. We agreed with the Audit Committee to report to it all identified errors in excess of £15,500. Errors below that threshold would also be reported to it if, in our opinion as auditor, disclosure was required on qualitative grounds. OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT Our group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group and its environment, including Group-wide controls, and assessing the risks of material misstatements at the Group level. For the two significant components we identified, which are Xeros Technology Group plc and Xeros Limited, we performed a full scope audit of the complete financial information to component materiality. For the remaining components, we performed analytical reviews and other audit procedures on specific accounts within that component that we considered had the potential for the greatest impact on the significant accounts in the financial statements, either because of the size of these accounts or their risk profile. The group audit team conducted the audit of the all components of the business and no component auditors were used during the audit process. KEY AUDIT MATTERS Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. Aside from going concern, the work on which is noted in the section above, “Material uncertainty related to going concern”, we have not identified any additional key audit matters to be reported. OTHER INFORMATION OTHER INFORMATION The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material 28 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023GOVERNANCE misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. OPINION ON OTHER MATTER PRESCRIBED BY THE OPINION ON OTHER MATTER PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006 COMPANIES ACT 2006 In our opinion based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit • • the information given in the strategic report and the directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and the strategic report and the directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION BY EXCEPTION In light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: • • • • adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 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. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement set out on page 26, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the group’s and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non- compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the Group and Parent Company operates. We also considered and obtained an understanding of the UK legal and regulatory framework which we considered in this context were the Companies Act 2006 and UK taxation legislation. We identified the greatest risk of material impact on the financial statements from irregularities, including fraud, to be the override of controls by management and misstatement of income. Our audit procedures to respond to these risks included enquiries of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, sample testing on the posting of journals. We also reviewed and challenged accounting estimates and assumptions used by management in their going concern assessment, in order to verify that the calculations and models were reasonable and free of biases. Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect noncompliance with all laws and regulations. These inherent limitations are particularly significant in the case of misstatement resulting from fraud as this may involve sophisticated schemes designed to avoid detection, including deliberate failure to record transactions, collusion or the provision of intentional misrepresentations. 29 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS GOVERNANCE / INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. USE OF OUR REPORT USE OF OUR REPORT 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. Michael Jayson (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Crowe U.K. LLP Statutory Auditor 3rd Floor The Lexicon, Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NT 24 May 2024 30 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023GOVERNANCE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 31 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Continuing operations Continuing operations REVENUE REVENUE Cost of sales GROSS PROFIT/(LOSS) GROSS PROFIT/(LOSS) Administrative expenses Adjusted EBITDA* Adjusted EBITDA* Share-based payment credit/(expense) Depreciation of tangible fixed assets OPERATING LOSS OPERATING LOSS Net finance (expense)/income LOSS BEFORE TAX LOSS BEFORE TAX Taxation Loss from discontinued operations Loss from discontinued operations LOSS FOR THE PERIOD LOSS FOR THE PERIOD OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (EXPENSE)/INCOME: OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (EXPENSE)/INCOME: Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss: Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss: Foreign currency translation differences – foreign operations TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE EXPENSE FOR THE PERIOD TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE EXPENSE FOR THE PERIOD LOSS PER SHARE LOSS PER SHARE Basic and diluted on loss from continuing operations Basic and diluted on loss from continuing operations Basic and diluted on total loss for the period Basic and diluted on total loss for the period YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 NOTES 3 6 21 10 7 8 9 9 297 (52) 245 164 (80) 84 (4,982) (7,518) (4,606) 20 (151) (4,737) (38) (4,775) 520 – (4,255) 2,209 (2,046) (2.82)p (2.82)p (7,368) 79 (145) (7,434) (14) (7,448) 515 – (6,933) (3) (6,936) (14.29)p (14.29)p * Adjusted EBITDA comprises loss on ordinary activities before interest, tax, share-based payment expense, warrant expense depreciation and amortisation. 32 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 SHARE CAPITAL £’000 SHARE PREMIUM £’000 DEFERRED SHARE CAPITAL £’000 WARRANT RESERVE £’000 MERGER RESERVE £’000 FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION RESERVE £’000 ACCUMULATED LOSSES £’000 Balance at 31 December 2021 Balance at 31 December 2021 3,568 121,018 15,443 (2,206) (130,761) Loss for the year Other comprehensive income Loss and total comprehensive expense for the period Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity: Change in nominal value of ordinary shares Issue of shares following placing and open offer Costs of share issues Warrant expense (restated) Share-based payment Expense Total contributions by and distributions to owners (restated) At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2022 (restated) (restated) Loss for the year Other comprehensive expense Other comprehensive expense: Reclassification of historical foreign exchange on the closure of overseas subsidiaries Loss and total comprehensive expense for the year Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity: Costs of share issues Share-based payment Expense Total contributions by and distributions to owners At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2023 – – (3,544) – – – 127 6,234 – – – (539) (947) – – – – 3,544 – – – – – – – – – – 947 – (3,417) 4,748 3,544 (947) TOTAL £’000 7,062 (6,933) (3) (6,933) – (6,933) (6,936) – – – – (79) – 6,361 (539) – (79) (79) 5,743 – – – – – – – – – (3) (3) – – – – – – 151 125,766 3,544 (947) 15,443 (2,209) (137,773) 5,869 – – – – – – – – – – – (29) – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 151 125,766 3,544 (947) 15,443 – 10 (4,255) (4,255) – 10 – 2,199 (2,199) 2,209 (6,454) (4,245) – – – – – (20) (20) (29) (20) (20) (144,247) 1,604 33 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 ASSETS ASSETS Non–current assets Non–current assets Property, plant and equipment Right of use assets Trade and other receivables TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS Current assets Current assets Inventories Trade and other receivables Cash on deposit Cash and cash equivalents TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES LIABILITIES Non-current liabilities Non-current liabilities Right-of-use liabilities Deferred tax TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Current liabilities Current liabilities Trade and other payables TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES TOTAL LIABILITIES TOTAL LIABILITIES NET ASSETS NET ASSETS EQUITY EQUITY Share capital Share premium Deferred share capital Warrant reserve Merger reserve Foreign currency translation reserve Accumulated losses TOTAL EQUITY TOTAL EQUITY AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 NOTES RESTATED AT 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 10 10 12 11 12 13 14 16 17 16 18 18 18 18 18 129 772 – 901 159 352 4 1,595 2,110 3,011 (727) (38) (765) (642) (642) (1,407) 1,604 151 125,766 3,544 947 15,443 – (144,247) 1,604 104 717 6 827 164 387 4 6,465 7,020 7,847 (624) (38) (662) (1,316) (1,316) (1,978) 5,869 151 125,766 3,544 947 15,443 (2,209) (137,773) 5,869 Approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 24 May 2024. KLAAS DE BOER Chairman Company number: 08684474 NEIL AUSTIN Chief Executive Officer 34 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 OPERATING ACTIVITIES OPERATING ACTIVITIES Loss before tax Adjustment for non-cash items: Depreciation of property, plant and equipment Share-based payment (Decrease)/Increase in inventories (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables Decrease in trade and other payables Finance income Finance expense Cash used in operations Cash used in operations Tax receipts NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM OPERATIONS NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM OPERATIONS INVESTING ACTIVITIES INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchases of property, plant and equipment Cash removed/(placed on) deposit NET CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES NET CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES FINANCING ACTIVITIES FINANCING ACTIVITIES Finance income Finance expense Proceeds from issue of share capital, net of costs Payment of lease liabilities NET CASH INFLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES NET CASH INFLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at start of year/period Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 NOTES (4,775) (7,448) 10 20 11 12 16 7 7 8 10 13 7 7 18 14 151 (20) 5 40 (615) (2) 39 (5,177) 520 (4,657) (79) – (79) 1 (39) – (105) (143) (4,879) 6,469 5 1,595 145 (79) (56) (15) (46) (16) 30 (7,485) 515 (6,970) (63) 5,319 5,256 15 (30) 5,821 (113) 5,693 3,979 2,483 3 6,465 35 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 1) BASIS OF PREPARATION Xeros Technology Group plc is a public limited company domiciled in the United Kingdom. The financial statements of Xeros Technology Group plc are audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. These include comparatives for the year ended 31 December 2022. The level of rounding for financial information is to the nearest thousand pounds. warrant exercises during January 2024, and during April 2024, the Group completed an equity placing and retail offer which provided an additional £4.6m before fees. The Directors consider that, following these, the Group has sufficient cash to meet its obligations as they fall due for at least 12 months following the date of this report. The Directors also believe that these financial resources, alongside the Group’s existing and anticipated customer contracts, provide the Group with a platform to reach cash breakeven. The Company’s registered office is Unit 2, Evolution, Advanced Manufacturing Park, Whittle Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham, S60 5BL. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND BASIS OF BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION CONSOLIDATION Subsidiaries are all entities (including structured entities) over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and are deconsolidated from the date control ceases. Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains and losses on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Where the acquisition is treated as a business combination, the purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of the acquisition is less than the fair value of net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognised directly in the income statement. All intragroup balances and transactions, including unrealised profits arising from intragroup transactions, are eliminated fully on consolidation. GOING CONCERN GOING CONCERN As at 31 December 2023, the Group had £1.6m of cash and cash equivalents. At this stage of its development, the Group incurs operating cash outflows and is reliant on existing cash resources. The Group received £1.7m of cash in respect of While the Group actively manages key customer stakeholders where appropriate, the revenue anticipated to allow the Group to reach cash breakeven anticipated to be generated by these contracts is reliant on the actions of third parties and there remains risk that progress is not forthcoming in the timeframes anticipated by the Directors. Should there be significant delays in the commencement of the commercialisation of the Group’s technology by its licence partners, the Group’s existing cash balance may not be sufficient to support the Group’s expenditure until the point the Group’s revenue allows it to reach cash breakeven. The Directors consider that they have a number of options in place should there be delays in commercialisation, including reductions in discretionary spending, that would allow the existing cash resources to provide a longer runway. Given the lack of certainty around the timing of the commencement of significant revenues generated by the Group, the Directors consider that the Group’s current funding position constitutes a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt as to the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern; in the absence of significant customer revenue, the Group’s cash will run out. Notwithstanding this uncertainty, the Directors believe that they have sufficient options in place in order to allow the Group to continue trading in the short and medium term. Therefore, after making enquiries and considering the uncertainties as described above, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has and will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing this financial information. The Group is subject to a number of risks, including those as set out in the strategic report on pages 14 to 16. These risks include the global macro-economic conditions, particularly in the global markets in which the Group and its partners operate. The going concern assessment as carried out by the Directors has taken the impact of these into account as far as possible. While this inclusion does not change the assessment of the Directors in respect of going concern, the Group remains reliant on the progress of international licence partners in order for it to execute the commercialisation strategy. When making their going concern assessment the Directors assess available and committed funds against all non-discretionary expenditure, and related cash flows, as forecast for the period ended 31 December 2025. These forecasts indicate that the Group is able 36 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023FINANCIAL STATEMENTS to settle its liabilities as they fall due in the forecast period. In these forecasts the Directors have considered appropriate sensitivities, including the progress of the Group’s commercial contracts. Accordingly, the Directors continue to believe that the going concern assumption is appropriate for the Group and the financial statements have been prepared on that basis. Note 15 to this financial information includes the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital, its financial risk management objectives, details of its financial instruments and its exposure to credit, liquidity and market risk. The Directors have considered their obligation, in relation to the assessment of the going concern of the Group and each statutory entity within it and have reviewed the current budget cash forecasts and assumptions as well as the main risk factors facing the Group. 2) MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES The material accounting policies applied are set out below. REVENUE RECOGNITION REVENUE RECOGNITION LICENCE REVENUE When the Group receives payments in the form of upfront payments or technology fees, the Group assesses those payments against the contracts in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 15, and allocates the revenue against the performance obligations accordingly based on the proportion of agreed scope allocated to each part of the contract. Where licence revenue is based on sales of equipment by the licensee, the Group recognises revenue at the time of that sale. SALE OF GOODS Where the Group sells either equipment or consumables to a customer directly, revenue is recognised when the product in question is delivered to the customer, and, if required, any installation or setup of the equipment has been performed. SERVICE CONTRACTS Where the Group has a service contract in place, revenue is recognised in line with the profile of the delivery of the service to the customer on an outputs basis. LINKED CONTRACTS When the Group sells equipment, services and consumables in a package under a single contract, the Group assess the contract against the five steps of IFRS 15. This process includes the assessment of the performance obligations within the contract and the allocation of contract revenue across these performance obligations once identified. Revenue is allocated according to the value of consideration expected to be received for the transfer of the relevant goods or services to the customer. This consideration is calculated on an inputs basis using cost data and an appropriate margin. Revenue is shown net of Value Added Tax or Sales Tax as appropriate. The difference between the amount of income recognised and the amount invoiced on a particular contract is included in the statement of financial position as deferred income. Amounts included in deferred income due within one year are expected to be recognised within one year and are included within current liabilities. FOREIGN CURRENCIES FOREIGN CURRENCIES The individual financial statements of each group entity are presented in the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (its functional currency). For the purposes of the consolidated financial statements, the results and the financial position of each group entity are expressed in pounds sterling, which is the functional currency of the Company and the presentational currency for the consolidated financial statements. In preparing the financial statements of the individual entities, transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional currency (foreign currencies) are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in foreign currency are not retranslated. The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated using exchange rates at the balance sheet date. The components of shareholders’ equity are started at historical value. An average exchange rate for the period is used to translate the results and cash flows of foreign operations. Exchange differences arising on translating the results and net assets of foreign operations are taken to the translation reserve in equity until the disposal of the investment. The gain or loss in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income on the disposal of foreign operations includes the release of the translation reserve relating to the operation that is being sold. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred. Development costs are only capitalised when the related products meet the recognition criteria of an internally generated intangible asset, the key criteria being as follows: • it is probable that the future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the Group; • the project is technically and commercially feasible; • the Group intends to and has sufficient resources to complete the project; 37 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS / NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED • the Group has the ability to use or sell the asset; and • the cost of the asset can be measured reliably. Such intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis from the point at which the assets are ready for use over the period of the expected benefit and are reviewed for an indication of impairment at each reporting date. Other development costs are charged against profit or loss as incurred since the criteria for their recognition as an asset are not met. The costs of an internally generated intangible asset comprise all directly attributable costs necessary to create, produce and prepare the asset to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Directly attributable costs include employee costs incurred on technical development, testing and certification, materials consumed and any relevant third-party cost. The costs of internally generated developments are recognised as intangible assets and are subsequently measured in the same way as externally acquired intangible assets. However, until completion of the development project, the assets are subject to impairment testing only. No development costs to date have been capitalised as intangible assets as it was deemed that the probability of future economic benefit was uncertain at the time the costs were incurred. LEASES LEASES AS A LESSEE Where the Group enters a new contract, the Group considers whether this contract is, or contains, a lease. A lease is defined as “a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration”. To apply this definition, the Group assesses whether the contract meets three key evaluations, which are whether: • • the contract contains an identified asset, which is either explicitly identified in the contract or implicitly specified by being identified at the time the asset is made available to the Group; the Group has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the identified asset throughout the period of use, considering its rights within the defined scope of the contract; and • the Group has the right to direct the use of the identified asset throughout the period of use. MEASUREMENT AND RECOGNITION OF LEASES AS A LESSEE At the lease commencement date, the Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability in the statement of financial position. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which is made up of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any initial direct costs incurred by the Group, an estimate of any costs to dismantle and remove the asset at the end of the lease, and any lease payments made in advance of the lease commencement date (net of any incentives received). The Group depreciates the right-of-use assets on a straight-line basis from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The Group also assesses the right-of-use asset for impairment when such indicators exist. At the lease commencement date, the Group measures the lease liability at the present value of the lease payments unpaid at that date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease if that rate is readily available, of the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are made up of fixed payments. Subsequent to initial measurement, the liability will be reduced for payments made and increased for interest. It is remeasured to reflect any reassessment or modification, or if there are changes in in-substance fixed payments. When the lease liability is remeasured, the corresponding adjustment is reflected in the right-of-use asset, or profit and loss if the right-of-use asset is already reduced to zero. The Group has elected to account for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets using the practical expedients. Instead of recognising a right-of-use asset and lease liability, the payments in relation to these are recognised as an expense in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term. On the statement of financial position, right-of-use assets are shown separately and are included in property, plant and equipment notes for disclosure purposes. Lease liabilities are shown separately. AS A LESSOR If the Group transfers substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the asset, a receivable is recognised for the initial direct costs of the lease and the present value of the minimum lease payments. As payments fall due, finance income is recognised in the income statement so as to achieve a constant rate of return on the remaining net investment in the lease. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use. Depreciation is charged so as to write off the costs of assets over their estimated useful lives, on the following basis: 38 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Leasehold improvements – over the term of the lease on a straight-line basis Plant and machinery Fixtures and fittings Computer equipment Vehicles – – – – 20% on cost on a straight-line basis 20% on cost on a straight-line basis 33% on cost on a straight-line basis 20% on cost on a straight-line basis The gain or loss arising from the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. IMPAIRMENT OF NON-CURRENT ASSETS IMPAIRMENT OF NON-CURRENT ASSETS For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-generating units). As a result, some assets are tested individually for impairment and some are tested at cash-generating unit level. Goodwill is allocated to those cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from synergies of the related business combination and represent the lowest level at which management monitors goodwill. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually. All other individual assets or cash-generating units are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the assets or cash-generating unit’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value, reflecting market conditions less costs to sell, and value in use based on an internal discounted cash flow evaluation. INVENTORIES INVENTORIES Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost incurred in bringing each product to its present location and condition is accounted for as follows: Raw materials, work in progress and finished goods – purchase cost on a first-in, first-out basis. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business. CASH ON DEPOSIT CASH ON DEPOSIT Bank deposits where maturity is greater than three months from the date of investment, the Group cannot access the funds prior to the maturity date and the Group is not relying on the funds to meet its short-term operating requirements are disclosed as cash on deposit. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS Certain employees and consultants (including Directors and senior executives) of the Group receive remuneration in the form of share-based payment transactions, whereby employees render services as consideration for equity instruments (“equity-settled transactions”). This policy applies to all schemes, including the Deferred Annual Bonus scheme open to certain management personnel. The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to the fair value at the date on which they are granted. The fair value is determined by using an appropriate pricing model. The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the performance and/or service conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award (“the vesting date”). The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and the Group’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. The profit or loss charge or credit for a period represents the movement in cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning and end of that period. No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a market condition, which are treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not the market condition is satisfied, provided that all other performance and/or service conditions are satisfied. Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, the minimum expense recognised is the expense as if the terms had not been modified. An additional expense is recognised for any modification, which increases the total fair value of the share-based payment arrangement or is otherwise beneficial to the employee as measured at the date of modification. Where an equity-settled award is cancelled, it is treated as if it had vested on the date of cancellation and any expense not yet recognised for the award is recognised immediately. However, if a new award is substituted for the cancelled award and designated as a replacement award on the date that it is granted, the cancelled and new awards are treated as if they were a modification of the original award, as described in the previous paragraph. The dilutive effect of outstanding options is reflected as additional share dilution in the computation of earnings per share. WARRANTS WARRANTS The cost of equity-settled transactions with shareholders – i.e. the issuing of new shares to holders, in the form of warrants, is measured by reference to the fair value on the date on which they are granted. The fair value is determined by using an appropriate pricing model. The warrant charge is recognised over the vesting period of the warrants, if appropriate. Where warrants are issued to shareholders in 39 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS / NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED their capacity as such, the warrant charge is recognised directly in equity. Where the terms of existing warrants are amended, the charge is recalculated and, if greater than the original charge, the additional charge is recognised in the same way. FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position when the Group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or when the contractual rights to those assets are transferred. Financial liabilities are derecognised when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expired. Financial assets, other than those designated and effective as hedging instruments, are classified into the following categories: • amortised cost • fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) • fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI). In the periods presented, the Group does not have any financial assets categorised as FVTPL or FVOCI. After initial recognition, these are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Discounting is omitted where the effect is immaterial. All of the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities fall into this category. TRADE RECEIVABLES Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost less expected credit losses. Appropriate provisions for estimated irrecoverable amounts are recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income when there is objective evidence that the assets are impaired. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, demand deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. EQUITY INSTRUMENTS An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES Trade payables are initially measured at their fair value and are subsequently measured at their amortised cost using the effective interest rate method; this method allocates interest expense over the relevant period by applying the “effective interest rate” to the carrying amount of the liability. IMPAIRMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSETS The Group accounts for impairment of financial assets using the expected credit loss model as required by IFRS 9. The Group considers a broad range of information when assessing credit risk and measuring expected credit losses, including past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the expected collectability of the future cash flows of the instrument. TAXATION TAXATION The tax expense/(credit) represents the sum of the tax currently payable or recoverable and the movement in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Current tax is based upon taxable profit/(loss) for the year. Taxable profit/(loss) differs from net profit/(loss) as reported in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated by using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. Credit is taken in the accounting period for research and development tax credits, which have been claimed from HM Revenue and Customs, in respect of qualifying research and development costs incurred. Research and development tax credits are recognised on an accruals basis with reference to the level of certainty regarding acceptance of the claims by HMRC. The Group accounts for R&D tax credits as an investment tax credit accounted for on a flow through basis – R&D tax credits, while investment tax credits, are not considered to be substantially different from other tax credits and they are recognised when the conditions required to receive the credit, including that the Group is relatively certain of approval from the relevant taxation authorities are met and they are claimed on the Group’s tax return. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realised or the liability is settled based upon tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, except when it relates to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit and is accounted for using the liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available, against which deductible temporary differences can be 40 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023FINANCIAL STATEMENTS utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the profit nor the accounting period and which does not give rise to equal taxable and deductible temporary differences. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND AREAS OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND AREAS OF JUDGEMENT JUDGEMENT Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and assumptions that have the most significant effects on the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities in the financial information are discussed below. The point listed below is considered to be an area of judgement. DISPOSAL GROUPS AND DISCONTINUED DISPOSAL GROUPS AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS OPERATIONS Non-current assets (or disposal groups) are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use and a sale is considered highly probable. They are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell, except for assets such as deferred tax assets, assets arising from employee benefits, financial assets and investment property that are carried at fair value and contractual rights under insurance contracts, which are specifically exempt from this requirement. An impairment loss is recognised for any initial or subsequent write-down of the asset (or disposal group) to fair value less costs to sell. A gain is recognised for any subsequent increases in fair value less costs to sell of an asset (or disposal group), but not in excess of any cumulative impairment loss previously recognised. A gain or loss not previously recognised by the date of the sale of the non-current asset (or disposal group) is recognised at the date of derecognition. Non-current assets (including those that are part of a disposal group) are not depreciated or amortised while they are classified as held for sale. Interest and other expenses attributable to the liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale continue to be recognised. Non-current assets classified as held for sale and the assets of a disposal group classified as held for sale are presented separately from the other assets in the balance sheet. The liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale are presented separately from other liabilities in the balance sheet. A discontinued operation is a component of the entity that has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale and that represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations, is part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of such a line of business or area of operations, or is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale. The results of discontinued operations are presented separately in the statement of profit or loss. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS Careful judgement by the Directors is applied when deciding whether the recognition requirements for capitalising development costs have been met. This is necessary as the economic success of any product development is uncertain and may be subject to future technical problems. Judgements are based on the information available at each reporting date which includes the progress with testing and certification and progress on, for example, establishment of commercial arrangements with third parties. Specifically, the Directors consider production scale evidence of commercial operation of the Group’s technology. In addition, all internal activities related to research and development of new products are continuously monitored by the Directors. To date, no development costs have been capitalised. RECOGNITION OF REVENUE FROM AND THE LOAN ISSUED TO ESTR LTD The Directors apply judgement in respect of the relationship that the Group holds with ESTR Ltd. The Group has an outstanding loan owed by ESTR Ltd, against which the Group recorded an expected credit loss in accordance with IFRS 9 in a prior period. The Directors review this loan on at least an annual basis and apply judgement as to the recoverability or otherwise of the loan. At the date of this report, the Directors believe there remains significant doubt regarding the recoverability of this loan and therefore the expected credit loss remains in place. In addition, the Group has a technology licence with the same entity. The Directors consider the revenue recognition with respect to this licence against the criteria of IFRS 15 and assess at which point the revenue receivable under this licence is to be recognised. The licence contains minimum annual royalty payments for the duration of the licence, and under IFRS 15, given the Group’s performance obligations under the contract, these minimum royalty payments could meet the criteria for recognition. However, given the commercial circumstances, the Directors consider that payment of these minimum royalties is not probable and future contractual revenue is not recognised. 41 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS / NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS NOT APPLIED NOT APPLIED At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following IFRSs, IASs and Interpretations were in issue but not yet effective. Their adoption is not expected to have a material effect on the financial statements unless otherwise indicated: Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates 1 January 2025 Amendments to IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows Amendments to IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures 1 January 2024 1 January 2024 Amendments to IAS 21 The Effects of 3) SEGMENTAL REPORTING The financial information by segment detailed below is frequently reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer, who has been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”). The Group’s transition to a licensing organisation has led to a change to how the results of the Group are reviewed internally. The results are no longer split by segment but are reviewed in terms of the type of revenue. As such, the analysis below does not split the Group’s results into separate operating segments and instead reports results as one single segment. An analysis of revenues by type is set out below: Sale of goods Rendering of services Licensing revenue YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 77 82 138 297 18 82 64 164 The Group’s largest customer was responsible for 32% of Group revenue in the year to 31 December 2023. During the year ended 31 December 2022 the Group’s largest customer was responsible for 31% of Group revenue. An analysis of revenues by geographic location of customers is set out below: YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 161 8 128 297 120 31 13 164 Europe North America Rest of the World 42 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 4) LOSS FROM OPERATIONS Loss from operations is stated after charging to administrative expenses: Foreign exchange losses Depreciation of plant and equipment (note 10) Short term and low value rentals Staff costs (excluding share-based payment charge) Research and development s remuneration: Auditor’’s remuneration: Auditor – Audit of these financial statements – Audit of financial statements of subsidiaries of the company – Audit related assurance services Total auditor’s remuneration 5) STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the Group during the year was: Directors Operational staff The aggregate remuneration, including directors, comprised: Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension contributions Share-based payment (credit)/expense (note 21) Directors’ remuneration comprised: Emoluments for qualifying services YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 3 151 16 2,661 222 24 23 4 51 16 145 42 4,009 837 38 30 5 73 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 NUMBER YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 NUMBER 2 30 32 6 41 47 £’000 £’000 2,246 267 132 (20) 2,625 3,446 438 132 (79) 3,938 493 968 Directors’ emoluments disclosed above include £262,000 paid to the highest paid director (year ended 31 December 2022: £405,000). There are no pension benefits for Directors. Please see Directors’ remuneration report on pages 20 to 21 for further information on Directors’ emoluments. 43 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS / NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 6) EXPENSES BY NATURE The administrative expenses charge by nature is as follows: Staff costs, recruitment and other HR Share-based payment (credit)/expense Premises and establishment costs Research and development costs Patent and IP costs Legal, professional and consultancy fees IT, telecoms and office costs Depreciation charge Travelling, subsistence and entertaining Advertising, conferences and exhibitions Bad debt expense Other expenses Foreign exchange losses/(gains) Total administrative expenses 7) NET FINANCE (EXPENSE)/INCOME Bank interest receivable Finance expense in relation to right-of-use assets Finance income from lease receivables Net finance income 8) TAXATION TAX ON LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES TAX ON LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES Current tax: Current tax: UK Tax credits received in respect of prior periods Foreign taxes paid Deferred tax: Deferred tax: Origination and reversal of temporary timing differences Tax credit on loss on ordinary activities 44 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 2,735 (20) 160 84 549 617 164 151 275 256 10 (2) 3 4,982 4,221 (79) 157 259 687 1,088 265 145 329 360 64 6 16 7,518 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 – 39 (1) 38 13 (30) 3 (14) YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 (521) 1 (520) – (520) (517) 2 (515) – (515) XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 The credit for the year can be reconciled to the loss before tax per the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as follows: FACTORS AFFECTING THE CURRENT TAX CHARGES FACTORS AFFECTING THE CURRENT TAX CHARGES The tax assessed for the year varies from the main company rate of corporation tax as explained below: The tax assessed for the period varies from the main company rate of corporation tax as explained below: Loss on ordinary activities before tax Tax at the standard rate of corporation tax 19% (2022: 19%) Effects of: Expenses not deductible for tax purposes Research and development tax credits receivable Unutilised tax losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognised Employee share acquisition adjustment Foreign taxes paid Tax credit for the year Tax credit for the year YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 (4,775) (907) (4) (521) 911 – 1 (520) (7,448) (1,415) (15) (517) 1,430 – 2 (515) The Group accounts for Research and Development tax credits where there is certainty regarding HMRC approval. The Group has received a tax credit in respect of the year ended 31 December 2022. There is no certainty regarding the claim for the year ended 31 December 2023 and as such no relevant credit or asset is recognised. 9) LOSS PER SHARE (BASIC AND DILUTED) Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. Diluted loss per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. Total loss from continuing operations Total loss from continuing operations Total loss attributable to the equity holders of the parent Total loss attributable to the equity holders of the parent YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 (4,255) (4,255) YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 (6,933) (6,933) No. No. Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year 150,982,728 48,526,649 Loss per share Loss per share Basic and diluted on loss from continuing operations Basic and diluted on total loss for the year (2.82)p (2.82)p (14.29)p (14.29)p The weighted average number of shares in issue throughout the period is as follows. 45 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS / NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED Issued ordinary shares at 1 January 2023/1 January 2022 Effect of shares issued for cash YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 150,980,123 2,605 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 23,784,483 24,742,166 Weighted average number of shares at 31 December 150,982,728 48,526,649 The Company has issued employee options over 9,557,130 (31 December 2022: 10,852,514) ordinary shares which are potentially dilutive. There is, however, no dilutive effect of these issued options as there is a loss for each of the periods concerned. 10) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS £’000 LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS £’000 PLANT AND EQUIPMENT £’000 COMPUTER EQUIPMENT £’000 FIXTURES AND FITTINGS £’000 TOTAL £’000 COST COST At 31 December 2021 At 31 December 2021 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2022 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2023 DEPRECIATION DEPRECIATION At 31 December 2021 At 31 December 2021 Charge for the year Disposals At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2022 Charge for the year Disposals At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2023 NET BOOK VALUE NET BOOK VALUE At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2021 At 31 December 2021 177 775 (177) 775 154 – 928 163 72 (177) 57 98 – 155 772 718 14 548 29 – 577 51 – 628 526 24 – 550 4 – 554 74 27 22 292 1 – 293 20 – 313 236 31 – 267 23 – 290 23 26 55 134 32 – 165 7 – 173 99 17 – 116 26 – 142 31 49 35 48 – – 48 1 – 49 47 1 – 48 1 – 49 1 1 2 1,199 837 (177) 1,859 232 – 2,091 1,071 145 (177) 1,038 151 – 1,189 901 821 128 All the right-of-use assets relate to land and buildings. 11) INVENTORIES Finished goods 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 159 164 In the year ended 31 December 2023, changes in finished goods recognised as cost of sales amounted to £5,000 (year ended 31 December 2022: £11,000). 46 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 12) TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES Due within 12 months Due within 12 months Trade debtors Other receivables Prepayments Accrued income Due after more than 12 months Due after more than 12 months Other receivables 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 10 11 209 122 352 – 24 134 183 46 387 6 There is no material difference between the lease receivables amounts included in other receivables noted above, the minimum lease payments or gross investment in the lease as defined by IFRS 16. The minimum lease payment is receivable as follows: Not later than one year Later than one year not later than five years 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 7 – 7 25 6 31 Contractual payment terms with the Group’s customers are typically 30 to 60 days. The Directors considered the carrying value of trade receivables at 31 December 2023 and made a provision of £55,000 (31 December 2022: £55,000) for potential impairment losses arising from balances which were considered to be past due. The Directors believe that the carrying value of trade and other receivables represents their fair value. In determining the recoverability of trade receivables the Directors consider any change in the credit quality of the receivable from the date credit was granted up to the reporting date. For details on credit risk management policies, refer to note 15. Other receivables as of 31 December 2022 of £6,000) due after more than one year comprised the long-term portion of finance leases where the Group acts as lessor. 13) CASH ON DEPOSIT Bank deposits maturing between 3 and 12 months 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 4 4 4 4 At 31 December 2023, the Group held £4,000 (2022: £4,000) in 95 day deposit accounts. This balance is denominated in pound sterling (£). The Directors consider that the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates to their fair value. For details of credit risk management, see note 15. 47 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS / NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 14) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS A+ A BBB+ Held outside banking institutions Cash and cash equivalents 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 – 1,585 8 2 1,595 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 6,449 7 7 2 6,465 The above has been split by the Fitch rating system and gives an analysis of the long-term credit rating of the financial institutions where cash balances are held. All of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2023 are at floating interest rates. Balances are denominated in UK sterling (£), US dollars ($) and euros (€) as follows: Denominated in pound sterling Denominated in US dollars Denominated in euros Cash and cash equivalents 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 1,456 17 122 1,595 6,430 13 22 6,465 The Directors consider that the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates to their fair value. For details of credit risk management policies, refer to note 15. 15) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise short-term receivables and payables, and cash and cash equivalents. The Group does not trade in financial instruments. (A) FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES (A) FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY The following hierarchy classifies each class of financial asset or liability depending on the valuation technique applied in determining its fair value: Level 1: The fair value is calculated based on quoted prices traded in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: The fair value is based on inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. The fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Level 3: The fair value is based on inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs). The Group considers any forward foreign exchange contracts to be Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy should it enter into any. The Group has not entered into any such contracts in either the current or the prior year. There have been no transfers between categories in the current or preceding year. The fair value of financial instruments held at fair value have been determined based on available market information at the balance sheet date. (B) CREDIT RISK (B) CREDIT RISK FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. 48 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 The Group is exposed to credit risk in respect of trade and lease receivable balances such that, if one or more customers or a counterparty to a financial instrument encounters financial difficulties, this could materially and adversely affect the Group’s financial results. The Group attempts to mitigate credit risk by assessing the credit rating of new customers and financial counterparties prior to entering into contracts and by entering into contracts with customers on agreed credit terms. The Group is potentially exposed to credit risk in respect of its cash, both bank deposits and cash held on deposit, in the event of failure of the respective banks. The Group attempts to mitigate this risk through ongoing monitoring of the credit ratings of those banks. Further details are set out in note 16. At 31 December 2023, the Directors were not aware of any factors affecting the recoverability of the Group’s bank balances. EXPOSURE TO CREDIT RISK At 31 December 2023, the Group had gross trade receivables outstanding of £65,000 (2022: £79,000). The Directors have considered the recoverability of outstanding balances at 31 December 2023 and have made provisions for bad and doubtful debts amounting to £55,000 (2022: £55,000). The Group had gross lease receivable balances outstanding of £7,000 (2022: £79,000) and provision in place in respect of these lease receivables of £nil (2022: £50,000). The concentration of credit risk for trade and other receivables and lease receivables at the balance sheet date by geographic region was: United Kingdom United States of America 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 353 – 353 392 1 393 (C) LIQUIDITY RISK (C) LIQUIDITY RISK FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT Liquidity risk arises from the Group’s management of working capital. It is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting its future obligations as they fall due. The Group’s policy is to ensure that it will always have sufficient cash to allow it to meet its liabilities when they become due. To achieve this aim, it seeks to maintain cash balances to meet its expected cash requirements. The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities: NON-DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL LIABILITIES Due within one year Due within one year Trade and other payables Due after one year Due after one year Right of use liabilities Other liabilities Total Total 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 283 876 80 1,239 585 624 80 1,289 Further analysis of Right of use liabilities is given in note 19. The Group’s bank also provides the Group with a credit card facility, with a maximum value of £50,000, which is repaid in full each month. (D) MARKET RISK (D) MARKET RISK FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as interest rates or foreign exchange rates, will affect the Group’s income. The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters. Market interest rate risk arises from the Group’s holding of cash and cash equivalent balances and from cash held on term deposit accounts (see notes 13 and 14). The Board makes ad hoc decisions at its regular Board meetings, as to whether to hold funds in instant access accounts or longer-term deposits. All accounts are held with reputable banks. These policies are considered to be appropriate to the current stage of development of the Group and will be kept under review in future years. 49 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS / NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK The Group is exposed to currency risk on sales and purchases and cash held in bank accounts that are denominated in a currency other than the respective functional currencies of Group entities, primarily pound sterling (GBP), US dollars (USD) and the euro (EUR). The Group’s policy is to reduce currency exposure on sales and purchasing through forward foreign currency contracts where appropriate. The Group had no forward currency contracts in place as at either 31 December 2023 or 31 December 2022. The Group’s overall exposure to foreign currency risk is as follows. This is based on the carrying amount for monetary financial instruments. AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 Cash and cash equivalents Cash on deposit Trade and other receivables Trade and other payables Balance sheet exposure Net exposure AT 31 DECEMBER 2022 AT 31 DECEMBER 2022 Cash and cash equivalents Cash on deposit Trade and other receivables Trade and other payables Balance sheet exposure Net exposure SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS STERLING £’000 US DOLLAR £’000 1,453 4 343 (597) 1,203 17 – (1) (46) (30) (30) EURO £’000 122 – 10 – 132 132 CHINESE YUAN £’000 – – – – – – STERLING £’000 US DOLLAR £’000 EURO £’000 CHINESE YUAN £’000 6,426 4 378 (1,769) 5,039 – 13 – 5 (173) (155) (155) 22 – 10 3 35 4 – – (1) (1) (1) TOTAL £’000 1,592 4 352 (643) 1,305 102 TOTAL £’000 6,461 4 393 (1,940) 4,918 (152) A 10% weakening of the following currencies against the pound sterling at 31 December 2023 would have increased equity and profit or loss by the amounts shown below. The calculation assumes that the change occurred at the balance sheet date and had been applied to the risk exposure existing at that date. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular, other exchange rates and interest rates remain constant. The analysis is performed on the same basis for the period ended 31 December 2022. US Dollars Euros EQUITY PROFIT OR LOSS 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 (3) (13) (4) – (3) (13) (4) – A 10% strengthening of the above currencies against the pound sterling at 31 December 2023 would have had the equal but opposite effect on the above currencies to the amounts shown above on the basis that all other variables remain constant. 50 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 INTEREST RATE RISK INTEREST RATE RISK At the balance sheet date, the interest rate profile of the Group’s interest-bearing financial instruments was: Fixed rate instruments Fixed rate instruments Financial assets Financial liabilities Variable rate instruments Variable rate instruments Financial assets – cash Financial liabilities 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 4 – 4 1,592 – 1,592 4 – 4 6,465 – 6,465 Based on the Group’s above balances at 31 December 2023, if interest rates had been 5% higher, then the impact on the results for the year would be a reduction in the loss for the period of approximately £80,000 with a corresponding increase in the Group’s net assets. If the interest rate had reduced to 0%, there would have been no effect on the reported loss or on the Group’s net assets. (E) CAPITAL MANAGEMENT (E) CAPITAL MANAGEMENT The Group’s capital is made up of share capital, share premium and retained losses, totalling £1,278,000at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022: £5,869,000). The Group’s objectives when managing capital are: • to safeguard the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders; and • to provide an adequate return to shareholders by pricing products and services commensurately with the level of risk. The capital structure of the Group consists of shareholders’ equity as set out in the consolidated statement of changes in equity. All working capital requirements are financed from existing cash resources. There are no externally imposed capital requirements. Financing decisions are made by the Board of Directors based on forecasts of the expected timing and level of capital and operating expenditure required to meet the Group’s commitments and development plans. 16) TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES Trade payables Taxes and social security Other creditors Accruals and deferred income Right-of-use liabilities Current Non-current, comprising right-of-use liabilities 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 206 76 44 233 83 642 642 727 1,369 528 98 33 600 57 1,316 1,316 624 1,940 51 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS / NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED Trade payables, split by the currency they will be settled in are shown below: Sterling US dollars Euros Chinese yuan renminbi Trade payables 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 203 3 – – 206 405 125 (3) 1 528 Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. They are non- interest bearing and are normally settled on 30 to 45 day terms. The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other payables approximate their fair value. The Group has financial risk management policies in place to ensure that all payables are paid within the relevant credit timeframe and no interest has been charged by any suppliers as a result of late payment of invoices during the period. 17) DEFERRED TAX Accelerated depreciation for tax purposes Deferred tax credit/(expense) for the period At beginning of year Tax expense At end of year 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 38 – 38 – YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 38 – 38 38 – 38 As at 31 December 2023, the Group had unrecognised deferred tax assets in relation to losses of £76,532,000 (31 December 2022: £71,801,000). The Group has not recognised this as an asset in the Statement of Financial Position due to the uncertainty in the timing of its crystallisation. 18) SHARE CAPITAL AND WARRANTS Total ordinary shares of 15p each as Total ordinary shares of 15p each as at 31 December 2021 at 31 December 2021 Change in nominal value of ordinary shares Issue of ordinary shares following placing and open offer Costs of share issues Warrant expense Total ordinary shares of 0.1p each as Total ordinary shares of 0.1p each as at 31 December 2022 at 31 December 2022 Issue of ordinary shares as a result of warrants Costs of share issues 127,195,640 – – 150,980,123 2,794 – TOTAL ORDINARY SHARES OF 0.1P TOTAL ORDINARY SHARES OF 0.1P EACH AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 EACH AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 150,982,917 52 NUMBER SHARE CAPITAL £’000 SHARE PREMIUM £’000 DEFERRED SHARE CAPITAL £’000 MERGER RESERVE £’000 TOTAL £’000 23,784,483 3,568 121,018 – 15,443 140,029 – (3,544) – 3,544 – 6,234 (539) (947) – – – – 6,361 (539) (947) 125,766 3,544 15,443 144,904 – (29) – – – – (29) 125,766 3,544 15,443 144,904 127 – – 151 – – 151 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 The Group undertook a share capital reorganisation exercise during the year ended 31 December 2022, splitting the ordinary shares with a nominal value of 15p into ordinary shares of 0.1p and deferred shares of 14.9p. The new deferred shares have no significant rights attached to them and carry no right to vote or participate in distribution of surplus assets and have not been admitted to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange plc, nor will they in the future. Accordingly, deferred shares are excluded from the calculation of earnings per share in note 9. Total deferred shares of 14.9p each as at 31 December 2021 Total deferred shares of 14.9p each as at 31 December 2021 Issue of deferred shares as part of share capital reorganisation Total deferred shares of 14.9p each as at 31 December 2022 Total deferred shares of 14.9p each as at 31 December 2022 Total deferred shares of 14.9p each as at 31 December 2023 Total deferred shares of 14.9p each as at 31 December 2023 NUMBER – 23,784,483 23,784,483 23,784,483 As permitted by the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, the Company does not have an upper limit to its authorised share capital. The following is a summary of the changes in the issued share capital of the Company during the period ended 31 December 2023: (a) 2,794 ordinary shares of 0.1p per share were allotted at a price of 5p per share, for total cash consideration of £137 upon the exercise of warrants. At 31 December 2023, the Company had two classes of share, being ordinary shares of 0.1p each and deferred shares of 14.9p each. The Group’s Share Capital reserve represents the nominal value of the ordinary shares in issue. The Group’s Share Premium Reserve represents the premium the Group received on issue if its shares. The Group’s Deferred Share Capital reserve represents the nominal value of the deferred shares in issue. The Merger Reserve arose on the combination of companies within the Group prior to the flotation on AIM. As part of the placing completed in October 2022 the Group issued warrants to purchase ordinary shares of 0.1p for a fixed fee of 5p per share. Following consultation with warrant holders, the outstanding warrants were repriced to 2.85p per share in December 2023. In addition, the warrant exercise lapse date was amended to 31 January 2024. The warrant charge as calculated based on this reprice was lower than the initial warrant charge recognised on issue and hence no adjustment to the warrant charge has been recognised in these financial statements. At 31 December 2021 Issued in the period At 31 December 2022 Exercised in the period Effect of warrant reprice At 31 December 2023 19) LEASES NUMBER OF WARRANTS WEIGHTED AVERAGE EXERCISE PRICE (P) WEIGHTED AVERAGE CONTRACTUAL LIFE (YEARS) – 127,195,640 127,195,640 (2,794) – 127,192,846 – 5 5 5 (2.15) 2.85 – 1.5 1.5 1.5 (1.4) 0.1 The Group has leases for office buildings and associated warehousing and operational space. With the exception of short-term leases and leases of low-value underlying assets, each lease is reflected on the balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The Group classifies its right-of-use assets in a consistent manner to its property, plant and equipment (see note 10). Leases of buildings end within ten years. Lease payments are generally fixed. 53 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS / NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED Each lease generally imposes a restriction that, unless there is a contractual right for the Group to sublet the asset to another party, the right-of-use asset can only be used by the Group. Leases are either non-cancellable or may only be cancelled by incurring a substantive termination fee. The Group is prohibited from selling or pledging the underlying leased assets as security. For leases over office buildings and factory premises, the Group must keep those properties in a good state of repair and return the properties in their original condition at the end of the lease. Further, the Group must insure items of property, plant and equipment and incur maintenance fees on such items in accordance with the lease contracts. The table below describes the nature of the Group’s leasing activities by type of right-of-use asset recognised on the balance sheet: RIGHT-OF-USE ASSET Land and buildings RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS NO. OF RIGHT- OF-USE ASSETS LEASED REMAINING RANGE OF TERM AVERAGE REMAINING LEASE TERM NO. OF LEASES WITH TERMINATION OPTIONS 2 52 - 99 months 76 months 2 Additional information on the right-of-use assets by class is as follows: Balances as at 31 December 2021 Additions in the year Depreciation charged in the year Disposals in the year Foreign exchange differences Balance as at 31 December 2022 Balance as at 31 December 2022 Additions in the year Depreciation charged in the year Balance as at 31 December 2023 Balance as at 31 December 2023 LEASE LIABILITIES LEASE LIABILITIES LAND AND BUILDINGS £’000 14 775 (72) – – 718 154 (98) 772 Lease liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position as follows: Current Non-current 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 83 647 730 57 624 681 Both leases have termination options and no leases with extension options. The lease liabilities are secured by the related underlying assets. The undiscounted maturity analysis of the lease liabilities at 31 December 2023 is as follows: Lease payments Finance charges Net present value WITHIN 1 YEAR 1–2 YEARS 2–3 YEARS 3–4 YEARS 5+ YEARS TOTAL (119) 36 (83) (119) 30 (89) (119) 25 (94) (119) 20 (99) (400) 36 (364) (876) 146 (730) 54 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 20) SHARE BASED PAYMENTS SHARE OPTIONS SHARE OPTIONS The Company has share option plans (The Xeros Technology Group plc Unapproved Share Option Scheme and The Xeros Technology Group plc Enterprise Management Incentive Share Option Scheme) under which it grants options over ordinary shares to certain Directors, employees and consultants of the Group. Options under these plans are exercisable at a range of exercise prices ranging from the nominal value of the Company’s shares to the market price of the Company’s shares on the date of the grant. The vesting period for shares is usually over a period of three years. The options are settled in equity once exercised. If the options remain unexercised for a period after 10 years from the date of grant, the options expire. Options are forfeited if the employee leaves the Group before the options vest. Options issued in 2019, 2020 and 2021 have vesting conditions based upon the share price meeting certain targets. The number and weighted average exercise prices of share options are as follows: NUMBER OF SHARE INTERESTS EMI OPTIONS UNAPPROVED OPTIONS DEFERRED ANNUAL BONUS PLAN At 31 December 2021 Granted in the period Exercised in the year Forfeited/cancelled in the year At 31 December 2022 Forfeited/cancelled in the period At 31 December 2023 1,755,792 6,510,356 – (347,234) 7,918,914 (1,200,957) 6,717,957 332,058 2,841,858 – (240,361) 2,933,555 (94,427) 2,839,128 45 – – – 45 – 45 WEIGHTED AVERAGE EXERCISE PRICE PER SHARE (£) TOTAL 2,087,895 9,352,214 – (587,595) 10,852,514 (1,295,384) 9,557,130 5.620 (4,560) – (0.518) 0.543 (0.253) 0.290 There were 5.953.670 share options outstanding at 31 December 2023 which were eligible to be exercised. The remaining options were not eligible to be exercised as these are subject to employment period and/or market-based vesting conditions, some of which had not been met at 31 December 2023. Options have a range of exercise prices from 5 pence per share to 30,500 pence per share and have a weighted average contractual life of 8.62 years (31 December 2022: 8.87 years). A credit has been recognised in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for each period as follows: Share options 21) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 (20) (79) During the year, the Group entered into transactions, in the ordinary course of business, with other related parties. Those transactions with directors are disclosed below. Transactions entered into, along with trading balances outstanding at each period end with other related parties, are as follows: RELATED PARTY RELATIONSHIP IP Group plc Cofra London Limited Fund manager for certain shareholders (note) Shareholder (note 2) PURCHASES FROM RELATED PARTY 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 AMOUNTS OWED TO RELATED PARTY 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 PURCHASES FROM RELATED PARTY 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 AMOUNTS OWED TO RELATED PARTY 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 (4) 15 – 15 35 – 4 – Note: IP Group plc provide the services of David Baynes, who was a director of the Company until 31 December 2022, and invoice the Group for related fees. David Baynes was a Director of both the Company and of IP Group plc. Note 2: Cofra London Limited provide the services of Donald Brenninkmeijer as a strategic advisor to the Board, and invoice the Group for related fees. 55 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS / NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES Purchases between related parties are made on an arm’s length basis. Outstanding balances are unsecured, interest free and cash settlement is expected within 60 days of invoice. TRANSACTIONS WITH KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL TRANSACTIONS WITH KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL The Company’s key management personnel comprise only the Directors of the Company. During the period, the Company entered into the following transactions in which the Directors had an interest: DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION: Remuneration received by the Directors from the Company is set out below. Further detail is provided within the Directors’ remuneration report: Short-term employment benefits* YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 493 968 *In addition, certain Directors hold share options in the Company for which a fair value share based charge of £93,000 has been recognised in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (year ended 31 December 2022: £93,000). The highest-paid Director in the year received a total remuneration of £262,000 (year ended 31 December 2022: £405,000). During the year ended 31 December 2023, the Company entered into numerous transactions with its subsidiary companies which net off on consolidation – these have not been shown above. 22) EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD EXERCISE OF WARRANTS EXERCISE OF WARRANTS Following the repricing of the Group’s warrants as approved by warrant holders on 21 December 2023, during the revised warrant exercise period the Group received valid warrant exercise notices for 58,913,935 warrants during January 2024. The exercise of these warrants provided the Group with £1,679,000. BOARD APPOINTMENT BOARD APPOINTMENT On 11 March 2024, the Group announced that Alex Tristram, the Group’s Finance Director, would join the Board. PLACING AND RETAIL OFFER PLACING AND RETAIL OFFER On 4 April 2024, the Group announced a placing and retail offer to issue 310,789,561 new shares at 1.5p each. The placing raised £4,662,000 for the Group, before fees. 23) PRIOR YEAR RESTATEMENT In the current year it was noted that, the warrant reserve of £947,000 as created in 2023 was posted as a debit balance within equity rather than as a credit balance in error. As a result, and due to the material nature of the balance, the prior year has been restated in these financial statements. Given the nature of this restatement, there is no impact in either net assets as at 31 December 2022 or on the reported loss for the year ended 31 December 2022. 56 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY SHARE CAPITAL £’000 SHARE PREMIUM (RESTATED) £’000 DEFERRED SHARE CAPITAL £’000 WARRANT RESERVE (RESTATED) £’000 MERGER RESERVE £’000 RETAINED EARNINGS RESERVE £’000 At 31 December 2021 At 31 December 2021 3,568 121,018 6,625 (121,416) Total expense and other comprehensive loss for the period Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity: Issue of placing shares Exercise of share options Costs of share issues Change in nominal value of ordinary shares Warrant expense (restated) Share based payment expense Share based payment expense in respect of services provided to subsidiary undertaking Total contributions by and distributions to owners (restated) At 31 December 2022 (restated) At 31 December 2022 Total expense and other comprehensive loss for the period Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity: Issue of placing and open offer shares Costs of share issues Share based payment expense Share based payment expense in respect of services provided to subsidiary undertaking Total contributions by and distributions to owners – – 127 – – 6,234 – (539) – – – – – (3,544) – 3,544 – – – (947) – – (3,417) 4,748 151 – – – – – – 125,766 – – – – – (29) – – – 3,544 3,544 – – – – – – TOTAL £’000 9,795 (10,137) (10,137) – – – – – 93 6,361 – (539) – – 93 (172) (172) – – – – – – – – – 6,625 (131,632) (79) 5,743 5,401 – – – – – – (4,681) (4,681) – – (20) – – – (20) – (4,672) (4,672) – – – – – – 947 – – (947) (947) – – – – – – At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2023 151 125,766 3,544 (947) 6,625 (136,333) 700 57 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS / NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION ASSETS ASSETS Non-current assets Non-current assets Intercompany loan balance Total non-current assets Total non-current assets Current assets Current assets Trade and other receivables Cash and cash equivalents Total current assets Total current assets TOTAL ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES LIABILITIES Current liabilities Current liabilities Trade and other payables TOTAL LIABILITIES TOTAL LIABILITIES NET ASSETS NET ASSETS EQUITY EQUITY Share capital Share premium Deferred share capital Warrant reserve Merger reserve Retained earnings TOTAL EQUITY TOTAL EQUITY AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 NOTES RESTATED AT 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 C5 C6 C7 18 18 – – 27 832 859 859 (159) (159) 700 151 125,766 3,544 947 6,625 (136,333) 700 – – 80 5,698 5,778 5,778 (377) (377) 5,401 151 125,766 3,544 947 6,625 (131,632) 5,401 The Company reported a loss for the year ended 31 December 2023 of £4,681,000 (2022: £10,137,000). The accounting policies and notes on pages 59 to 61 form part of these Financial Statements. Approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 24 May 2024. KLAAS DE BOER Chairman Company number: 08684474 NEIL AUSTIN Chief Executive Officer 58 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 NOTES TO THE COMPANY INFORMATION C1. BASIS OF PREPARATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES C1. BASIS OF PREPARATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES Xeros Technology Group plc is registered in England and Wales as a public limited company. The address of its registered office is Unit 2, Evolution, Advanced Manufacturing Park, Whittle Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 5BL. The principal activity of Xeros Technology Group plc (together the “Group”) is that of a platform technology company that is transforming water-intensive industrial and commercial processes. The principal activity of the Company is that of a holding company. The separate financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework” (FRS 101), on the going concern basis under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and applicable Accounting Standards in the UK. The principal accounting policies are consistent with those set out in the financial statements of the Group. The following exemptions from the requirements in IFRS have been applied in the preparation of these financial statements, in accordance with FRS 101: • The following paragraphs of IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” o 16 (statement of compliance with all IFRS); and o 134–136 (capital management disclosures) • • • IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments: Disclosures”; IAS 24 (paragraphs 17 and 18a) “Related Party Disclosures” (key management compensation); and IAS 24 “Related Party Disclosures” – the requirement to disclose related party transactions between two or more members of a group. As the Group financial statements include the equivalent disclosures, the Company has taken the exemptions available under FRS 101 in respect of the following disclosures: • A cashflow statement and related notes • • IFRS 2 “Share-Based Payments” in respect of Group settled equity share-based payments; and Certain disclosures required by IFRS 13 “Fair Value Measurement” and disclosures required by IFRS 7 “Financial Instruments: Disclosures”. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND AREAS OF JUDGEMENT CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND AREAS OF JUDGEMENT Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experiences and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and assumptions that have the most significant effects on the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities in the financial information are discussed below: CARRYING VALUE OF INTERCOMPANY LOAN BALANCES Xeros Technology Group has previously held significant balances as investments in subsidiaries and intercompany loan balances. The Directors consider the valuation and recoverability of these balances based on the potential future cashflows from utilisation of the Xeros technology. The Directors consider all available evidence in making their judgements on the recoverability of these balances, including both internal and external valuations of the Group, the likelihood and extent of any Group funding requirements and the anticipated timescale to recovery of the balances. A provision of £3,903,000 has been made in the year and the Company’s intercompany loan balance to Xeros Ltd stands at £nil as at the period end. C2. COMPANY RESULTS C2. COMPANY RESULTS The Company has elected to take the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present the parent company’s statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. The parent company’s result for the year ended 31 December 2023 was a loss of £4,681,000 (year ended 31 December 2022: loss of £10,137,000). The audit fee for the Company is set out in note 5 of the Group’s financial statements. 59 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS / NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED C3. STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS C3. STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the Group during the year was: Directors The aggregate remuneration, including directors, comprised: Wages and salaries Social security costs Share based expense (note 20) Directors’ remuneration comprised: Emoluments for qualifying services YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 NUMBER YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 NUMBER 4 4 6 6 £’000 £’000 448 60 64 572 493 928 125 132 1,185 857 Directors’ emoluments disclosed above include £262,000 paid to the highest paid director (Year ended 31 December 2022: £405,000). There are no pension benefits for directors. Please see Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 20 to 21 for further information on directors’ emoluments. C4. INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES C4. INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES At 31 December 2023, the Company held the following investments in subsidiaries; UNDERTAKING Xeros Limited SECTOR Research, development and commercialisation of polymer technology alternatives to traditional aqueous based technologies SHARE OF ISSUED CAPITAL AND VOTING RIGHTS 2023 100% Xeros Limited, is incorporated in England and Wales as a private limited company under registered number 05933013. Its registered office is Unit 2, Evolution, Advanced Manufacturing Park, Whittle Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham, S60 5BL. COST AND NET BOOK VALUE At 31 December 2021 Diminutions Reversal of impairment At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2022 Diminutions Reversal of impairment At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2023 £’000 – (172) 172 – (20) 20 – Additions comprise amounts in respect of the IFRS 2 share-based payment contribution relating to options granted to employees of the Company’s subsidiaries. Impairment relates to provisions against the investment in Xeros Ltd as the Directors believe that this amount may not be recoverable. 60 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 C5. INTERCOMPANY LOANS C5. INTERCOMPANY LOANS Intercompany loan 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 – – Loans comprise a loan of £nil (31 December 2022: £nil) to Xeros Limited. No interest was payable on this loan. All intercompany loans are repayable on demand. The expected credit loss recorded in the year was £3,903,000. C6. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES C6. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES Prepayments Other debtors C7. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES C7. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES Trade payables Social security and other taxes Accruals C8. PRIOR YEAR RESTATEMENT C8. PRIOR YEAR RESTATEMENT 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 28 (1) 27 33 47 80 31 DECEMBER 2023 £’000 31 DECEMBER 2022 £’000 26 18 115 159 220 27 130 377 In the current year it was noted that, the warrant reserve of £947,000 as created in 2023 was posted as a debit balance within equity rather than as a credit balance in error. As a result, and due to the material nature of the balance, the prior year has been restated in these financial statements. Given the nature of this restatement, there is no impact in either net assets as at 31 December 2022 or on the reported loss for the year ended 31 December 2022. 61 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023STRATEGIC REPORTINTRODUCTIONGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS DIRECTORS Klaas de Boer Neil Austin Alexander Tristram David Armfield Rachel Nooney (Chairman) (Chief Executive Officer) (Finance Director) (Non-Executive Director) (Non-Executive Director) REGISTRAR Neville Registrars Limited Neville House Steelpark Road Halesowen B62 8HD COMPANY SECRETARY Alexander Tristram COMPANY WEBSITE https://www.xerostech.com/ COMPANY NUMBER 08684474 (England and Wales) REGISTERED OFFICE Unit 2 Evolution Advanced Manufacturing Park Whittle Way Catcliffe Rotherham S60 5BL AUDITOR Crowe UK LLP The Lexicon 10-12 Mount Street Manchester M2 5NT LEGAL ADVISER Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP 60 London Wall London EC2M 4UJ NOMINATED ADVISER AND BROKER Cavendish Capital Markets Ltd 1 Bartholomew Close London EC1A 7BL Xeros to the power of change CONTENTS STRATEGIC REPORT Chairman’s Statement Chief Executive Officer’s Review Financial Review Strategic Report GOVERNANCE Directors’ Report Directors’ Remuneration Report Corporate Governance Report Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Xeros Technology Group plc FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements Company Statement of Changes in Equity Company Statement of Financial Position Notes to the Company Information 9 10 13 14 18 20 22 26 27 32 33 34 35 36 57 58 59 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 X E R O S T E C H N O L O G Y G R O U P P L C – A N N U A L R E P O R T – D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 1 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023 XEROS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC – ANNUAL REPORT – DECEMBER 2023
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