25th Nov 2015 07:00
25 November 2015
BETTER CAPITAL PCC LIMITED
(the "Company")
INTERIM RESULTS UPDATE
Better Capital PCC Limited announces its 2015 interim results for both the 2009 Cell and the 2012 Cell.
2009 Cell Interim Results
· NAV at 30 September 2015: £264.2 million, NAV at 31 March 2015: £262.3 million, NAV at 30 September 2014: £225.8 million
· £210.0 million total capital raised
· £203.8 million net proceeds invested in Fund I
· £26.5 million/12.6 per cent. cumulative distributions to date
· 41.8 per cent. return from NAV growth and distributions since inception
· 6.2 per cent. annualised NAV total return including distributions
Key Financials | |
NAV | £264.2m |
NAV (including distributions) | £290.7m |
NAV per share | 127.77 pence |
NAV per share (including distributions) | 140.57 pence |
NAV total return * | 28.88 per cent. |
NAV total return (including distributions) * | 41.79 per cent. |
Annualised NAV total return (including distributions) ** | 6.17 per cent. |
Share price at 30 September 2015 | 97.00 pence |
Market capitalisation at 30 September 2015 | £200.6m |
* Based on the weighted average issue price of ordinary shares and net of share issue costs, since inception.
** Annualised return since inception
· 4.4 years average holding period of portfolio companies
· 9 total platform investments
· 10 follow-on investments
· 2 good realisations - ATH Coal, Calyx Managed Services
· 2 poor realisations - Reader's Digest, Fairline
· £30.9 millionⱡ net debt across Fund I portfolio companies
ⱡ SPOT, a minority holding in Fund I excluded (net debt of £33.0 million)
2012 Cell Interim Results
· NAV at 30 September 2015: £263.3 million, NAV at 31 March 2015: £339.9 million, NAV at 30 September 2014: £354.1 million
· £355.5 million total capital raised
· £347.4 million net proceeds invested in Fund II
· £6.1 million/1.7 per cent. distribution to date
· £285.5 million/82.2 per cent. committed to date
· 22.6 per cent. value decline combined NAV and distributions since inception
· 6.6 per cent. annualised value decline combined NAV and distributions
· 0.78 times return on total capital so far
Key Financials | |
NAV | £263.3m |
NAV (including distributions) | £269.4m |
NAV per share | 75.96 pence |
NAV per share (including distributions) | 77.71 pence |
NAV total decline * | (24.33) per cent. |
NAV total decline (including distributions) * | (22.58) per cent. |
Annualised NAV total return (including distributions) ** | (6.60) per cent. |
Share price at 30 September 2015 | 61.25 pence |
Market capitalisation at 30 September 2015 | £212.3m |
* Based on the weighted average issue price of ordinary shares and net of share issue costs, since inception.
** Annualised return since inception
· 6 total platform investments
· 1 follow-on investment
· 1 partial loss - City Link
· 2.0 years average holding period of portfolio companies
· £30.2 million net debt across Fund II portfolio companies
Chairman's Statement
Better Capital PCC Limited, including its two cells, the 2009 Cell and the 2012 Cell, today issues its Interim Report for the period ended 30 September 2015.
On 6 November 2015, the Company issued a trading statement in relation to the 2012 Cell, "that it had been advised by BECAP12 GP Limited ("Fund II GP"), the general partner of BECAP12 Fund LP ("Fund II"), of recent trading underperformance in certain of the Fund II portfolio companies" and consequently, "anticipated that the Net Asset Value at 30 September 2015, in respect of the 2012 Cell, will show a decline in the region of 20 per cent."
Careful review and refinement by the Fund II GP in consultation with the Board has resulted in a reported decline of 22.1 per cent. This is shown in the summary below.
2012 Cell
Value at March 2015 £'m | Movement at cost £'m | Movement in value £'m | Value at Sept 2015 £'m | Fund cost Sept 2015 £'m | |
Everest | 69.4 | 0.0 | (15.9) | 53.5 | 25.4 |
Jaeger | 30.0 | 7.0 | 0.0 | 37.0 | 63.0 |
City Link | 15.0 | (10.0) | 2.0 | 7.0 | 25.0 |
SPOT | 100.0 | 0.0 | (35.0) | 65.0 | 100.01 |
iNTERTAIN | 25.0 | 0.0 | 7.0 | 32.0 | 23.12 |
CAV Aerospace | 40.0 | 8.0 | (28.0) | 20.0 | 48.0 |
BC12 shares | n/a | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
279.4 | 7.0 | (69.9) | 216.5 | 286.5 | |
Fund II cash on deposit | 39.5 | ||||
Fund II & SPV combined other net assets attributable to 2012 Cell | 3.4 | ||||
2012 Cell fair value of investment in Fund II | 259.4 | ||||
2012 Cell cash on deposit | 2.3 | ||||
2012 Cell current assets less liabilities | 1.6 | ||||
2012 Cell NAV | 263.3 | ||||
Capital distributions | 6.1 | ||||
2012 Cell Adjusted NAV | 269.4 |
1 Excludes an £8.9 million repayment held at SPV level2 Includes £3.1 million of cash held at SPV level
The 2012 Cell NAV, including accumulated distributions of £6.1 million (1.7 per cent. of funds raised), fell by £76.6 million in the period to £269.4 million, principally due to write downs in Everest, SPOT and CAV Aerospace.
Everest and SPOT have both delivered disappointing trading results with sales performance well behind budgeted levels in the current year. Issues driving poor performance have been identified by the Fund II GP and shared with the Board. Consequent action plans are in progress. It is important to note that both companies remain profitable and are not subject to liquidity issues.
Following a short period of Fund II ownership, it became clear to the Fund II GP that the trading and operations at CAV Aerospace were significantly worse than understood at acquisition and a substantial warranty claim has been filed. The business continues to suffer considerable losses. It will require a further cash injection in the near term.
Greater detail on Fund II's investment activities, portfolio companies and valuation are set out in the Fund II GP's report below.
The 2012 Cell NAV per share was 75.96p at 30 September 2015 which compares to 98.06p at 31 March 2015 (102.16p at 30 September 2014). The 2012 Cell Adjusted NAV per share, which includes accumulated distributions, was 77.71p at 30 September 2015 which compares to 99.81p at 31 March 2015 (103.91p at 30 September 2014).
2009 Cell
Value at March 2015 £'m | Movement at cost £'m | Movement in value £'m | Value at Sept 2015 £'m | Fund cost Sept 2015 £'m | |
Gardner Aerospace | 160.0 | (2.0) | 27.0 | 185.0 | 27.81 |
m-hance | 12.5 | (0.2) | 0.2 | 12.5 | 14.0 |
Santia | 40.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 40.0 | 13.92 |
Omnico | 25.0 | 3.3 | (3.3) | 25.0 | 37.6 |
SPOT | 11.5 | (1.1) | (4.2) | 6.2 | 10.4 |
249.0 | 0.0 | 19.7 | 268.7 | 103.7 | |
Fund cash on deposit | 0.4 | ||||
Fund & SPV combined other net assets attributable to 2009 Cell | 2.0 | ||||
Provision for carried interest | (7.1) | ||||
2009 Cell fair value of investment in Fund I | 264.0 | ||||
2009 Cell cash on deposit | 0.2 | ||||
2009 Cell current assets less liabilities | 0.0 | ||||
2009 Cell NAV | 264.2 | ||||
Capital distributions | 26.5 | ||||
2009 Cell Adjusted NAV | 290.7 |
1 This excludes £4.0 million of interest repaid during the period2 This excludes £0.5 million of interest repaid during the period
The 2009 Cell NAV, including accumulated distributions of £26.5 million (12.6 per cent. of funds raised) rose by £1.9 million, 0.7 per cent. in the period to £290.7 million including a net carry provision of £7.1 million.
Gardner remains the principal driver of NAV growth in the 2009 Cell, offset by write downs in Fairline and SPOT.
In September 2015, Fund I disposed of its equity interest in Fairline to Wessex Bristol for a £2.0 million secured deferred consideration. Faced with a weak market for its boats, the Fund I GP no longer considered the business had a feasible strategy to support going forward. The deferred consideration has been recognised as a receivable in Fund I's net assets attributable to the 2009 Cell.
Fund I's holding in SPOT has been written down, reflecting the group's trading underperformance and adjusted for a partial repayment of Fund I's short term loan. A comprehensive overview of the Fund I portfolio companies is set out in the Fund I GP's report below.
The 2009 Cell NAV per share was 127.77p at 30 September 2015 which compares to 126.86p at 31 March 2015 (109.19p at 30 September 2014). The 2009 Cell Adjusted NAV per share, which includes accumulated distributions, was 140.57p at 30 September 2015 which compares to 139.66p at 31 March 2015 (121.99p at 30 September 2014).
Better Capital team
Since my last report, there have been further personnel changes in Better Capital LLP, the Consultant to the Fund GPs. Mark Aldridge, one of the founders of Better Capital, has decided to step down as CEO. Mark remains a strong supporter of Better Capital and we wish him well.
Simon Pilling has replaced Mark as CEO and is leading the Consultant, in conjunction with his role as Head of Portfolio, which involves sitting as non-executive Chairman of Jaeger, SPOT and iNTERTAIN and sitting on the boards of m-hance and Omnico. The Consultant retains strong transacting capabilities, with Rob Asplin leading on the transaction side.
On the Portfolio side, the Consultant has boosted its team with the addition of Chris Horobin. Chris has proven experience in internet and digital retailing, having previously run QVC Japan and Sensen Taiwan as CEO of those businesses. In the near term, Chris is CEO at Jaeger and is providing valuable input on the strategic direction of Everest.
Jon Moulton is the Chairman of Omnico and remains on the boards of Gardner and CAV Aerospace.
In addition to the Better Capital team there are external persons with suitable experience at board level in place at CAV, iNTERTAIN and m-hance.
2009 Cell - Distributions
The Fund I GP has advised the Board that, save for a small balance to maintain Fund I's incidentals and portfolio requirements, it is anticipated that all cash surpluses arising from major disposals will be returned to the 2009 Cell. It is the Board's intention to distribute any such available cash to the investors of the 2009 Cell, save for a small balance to support the working capital requirement of the 2009 Cell.
2012 Cell - Cash
The principal concern of the Fund II GP is to maximise the return available to the 2012 Cell investor.
The Fund II GP has advised the Board that in respect of the utilisation of current cash balances (£39.1 million at the time of writing, some 11.0 per cent. of original subscribed capital) and of future cash inflow is as follows:
With that object to the fore, it is the Fund II GP's intention, after providing for the Cell and PCC costs, first to utilise any excess liquidity to purchase the shares of the 2012 Cell, if the opportunity arises to purchase such at an attractive discount to NAV. To the extent that this is not possible, the remaining liquidity will be available to support add-ons to the existing portfolio or, subject to consultation with the Board, particularly attractive new opportunities (until 30 June 2016 when the investment period ends) as they may arise.
Any cash surplus to the above objectives that is returned to the Company will be distributed to investors.
The Board's perspective
The Board recognises and shares investors' concerns regarding recent developments, particularly the underperformance of certain businesses within Fund II which have led to the significant write down of the 2012 Cell NAV and a further material fall in the 2012 Cell share price.
I noted in my annual report statement that the valuation of turnaround investments is necessarily subjective and therefore likely to give rise to volatility in NAV over time. Regardless, the Board is very disappointed that such a material write down has proven necessary and, on shareholders' behalf, it has engaged actively with the Consultant to review the operational, personnel and sectoral issues across the Funds' portfolios. The Board has received assurance from the Consultant that appropriate resource is being deployed to address these issues and that its team remains committed and determined to maximise the long term return to the Company's shareholders.
The Company's structure was designed with the intention that cash will be distributed to shareholders as investments are realised, rather than being reinvested as would be the case for many other listed private equity funds. In the near term this structure is most relevant to the 2009 Shareholders. Your Board is closely following the exit strategies of the Fund GPs in order to maximise returns for the benefit of shareholders.
With regard to the 2012 Fund, which is still in its investment period with meaningful cash resources, the Board has encouraged and is supportive of the Fund II GP's decision, stated above, that any excess Fund II liquidity will first be allocated to potential purchases of the 2012 Shares. The extent of such purchases will be dependent on the Fund II GP's assessment of what liquidity is "excess" and the availability of the 2012 Shares in the market at attractive discounts; although it is clearly important that sufficient cash is retained to protect and enhance the value of existing portfolio companies.
The Board would welcome increased direct engagement with the Company's shareholders and can be contacted via the Company Secretary or Numis, the Company's corporate broker.
Richard CrowderChairman24 November 2015
Enquiries: | |
Better Capital PCC Limited | +44 (0) 1481 716 000 |
Laurence McNairn (Administrator and Company Secretary) | |
Numis Securities Limited (Corporate Broker & Financial Adviser) | +44 (0) 2072 601 000 |
Nathan Brown | |
Oliver Hardy | |
Powerscourt (Public Relations Adviser) | +44 (0) 2072 501 446 |
Justin Griffiths |
Statement of Responsibility and Other Information
Responsibility Statement
The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:
· the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union; and
· the Interim Financial Report meets the requirements of an interim management report (as defined below), and includes a fair review of the information required by:
a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first period of the financial year; and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties of the remaining six months of the year; and
b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first period of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the audited financial statements that could do so.
Interim management report
· Important events of the interim period
The important events that have occurred during the interim period and the key factors influencing the financial statements are all set out in this report, comprising: the Chairman's Statement, Fund I General Partner's Report, Investment Report of Fund I, Fund II General Partner's Report, Investment Report of Fund II and the Financial Statement sections.
· Principal risks
There are a number of risks that could have a material impact on the performance of the Company over the remaining six months of the financial year, thereby causing actual performance to differ materially from expectations.
The Board considers that the principal risks and uncertainties have not materially altered from those published in the Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2015. The Company's principal risk relates to the financial and operational performance of the Fund I and Fund II portfolios.
The Company's principal risk factors are fully discussed in the Company's prospectuses, available on the Company's website www.bettercapital.gg.
The Directors of the Company are listed below and have been directors throughout the period.
By order of the Board
Richard Crowder
Chairman
24 November 2015
Independent Review Report to Better Capital PCC Limited
Introduction
We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements of the Company in the interim financial report for the period ended 30 September 2015 which comprises the Company Condensed Statement of Financial Position, Company Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income, Company Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity, Company Condensed Statement of Cash Flows and Company related notes.
We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.
Directors' responsibilities
The interim financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the interim financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
As disclosed in Note 2, the annual financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The Company's condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union.
Our responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the Company's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review.
Our report has been prepared in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the Company in meeting its responsibilities in respect of interim financial reporting in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose. No person is entitled to rely on this report unless such a person is entitled to rely upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of our terms of engagement or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior written consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this report to any other person or for any other purpose and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability.
Scope of review
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.
Conclusion
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the Company's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2015 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
BDO LimitedChartered AccountantsPlace du Pré, Rue du Pré, St Peter Port, Guernsey
24 November 2015
Condensed Statement of Financial Position
As at 30 September 2015
As at | As at | As at | ||||||
30 September | 30 September | 31 March | ||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2015 | ||||||
Notes | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||||
ASSETS: | ||||||||
Non-current assets | ||||||||
Investment in Limited Partnerships | 4 | 523,510 | 576,227 | 597,812 | ||||
Total non-current assets | 523,510 | 576,227 | 597,812 | |||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Trade and other receivables | 1,652 | 2,652 | 3,862 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 2,566 | 1,249 | 792 | |||||
Total current assets | 4,218 | 3,901 | 4,654 | |||||
TOTAL ASSETS | 527,728 | 580,128 | 602,466 | |||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Trade and other payables | (259) | (250) | (256) | |||||
Total current liabilities | (259) | (250) | (256) | |||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | (259) | (250) | (256) | |||||
NET ASSETS | 527,469 | 579,878 | 602,210 | |||||
EQUITY | ||||||||
Share capital | 6 | 520,387 | 520,387 | 520,387 | ||||
Retained earnings | 7,082 | 59,491 | 81,823 | |||||
TOTAL EQUITY | 527,469 | 579,878 | 602,210 | |||||
Number of 2009 Shares in issue at period/year end | 6 | 206,780,952 | 206,780,952 | 206,780,952 | ||||
Number of 2012 Shares in issue at period/year end | 6 | 346,600,520 | 346,600,520 | 346,600,520 | ||||
Net asset value per 2009 Share (pence) | 8 | 127.77 | 109.19 | 126.86 | ||||
Adjusted net asset value per 2009 Share (pence) | 8 | 140.57 | 121.99 | 139.66 | ||||
Net asset value per 2012 Share (pence) | 8 | 75.96 | 102.16 | 98.06 | ||||
Adjusted net asset value per 2012 Share (pence) | 8 | 77.71 | 103.91 | 99.81 |
The unaudited condensed interim financial statements of the Company were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 24 November 2015 and signed on their behalf by:
Richard Crowder Richard Battey
Chairman Director
The notes below form an integral part of the Company's condensed interim financial statements.
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the six months ended 30 September 2015
Six months to 30 September 2015 | Six months to 30 September 2014 | Year ended 31 March 2015 | ||||
Notes | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||
Income | ||||||
Change in fair value of Investments in Limited Partnerships | 4 | (74,302) | (24,630) | (3,045) | ||
Income distribution | 4 | - | 1,800 | 3,000 | ||
Interest income | 3 | 4 | 6 | |||
Total expenses | (74,299) | (22,826) | (39) | |||
Expenses | ||||||
Administration fees | 135 | 135 | 287 | |||
Directors' fees and expenses | 7 | 105 | 105 | 209 | ||
Legal and professional fees | 96 | 72 | 149 | |||
Other fees and expenses | 52 | 48 | 83 | |||
Audit fees | 34 | 45 | 81 | |||
Insurance premiums | - | - | 29 | |||
Registrar fees | 20 | 16 | 38 | |||
Total expenses | 442 | 421 | 876 | |||
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the period/year | (74,741) | (23,247) | (915) | |||
Basic and diluted earnings per 2009 Share (pence) | 8 | 0.91 | (3.77) | 13.90 | ||
Basic and diluted earnings per 2012 Share (pence) | 8 | (22.10) | (4.46) | (8.56) |
All activities derive from continuing operations.
The notes below form an integral part of the Company's condensed interim financial statements.
Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity
For the six months ended 30 September 2015
Share | Retained | Total | |
capital | earnings | equity | |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
As at 1 April 2015 | 520,387 | 81,823 | 602,210 |
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the financial period | - | (74,741) | (74,741) |
Total comprehensive expense for the period | - | (74,741) | (74,741) |
As at 30 September 2015 (unaudited) | 520,387 | 7,082 | 527,469 |
Share | Retained | Total | |
capital | earnings | equity | |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
As at 1 April 2014 | 526,453 | 82,738 | 609,191 |
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the financial period | - | (23,247) | (23,247) |
Total comprehensive expense for the period | - | (23,247) | (23,247) |
Transactions with owners | |||
Capital distribution | (6,066) | - | (6,066) |
Total transactions with owners | (6,066) | - | (6,066) |
As at 30 September 2014 (unaudited) | 520,387 | 59,491 | 579,878 |
Share | Retained | Total | |
capital | earnings | equity | |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
As at 1 April 2014 | 526,453 | 82,738 | 609,191 |
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the financial year | - | (915) | (915) |
Total comprehensive expense for the year | - | (915) | (915) |
Transactions with owners | |||
Capital distribution | (6,066) | - | (6,066) |
Total transactions with owners | (6,066) | - | (6,066) |
As at 31 March 2015 (audited) | 520,387 | 81,823 | 602,210 |
There have been no transactions with owners during the period.
The notes below form an integral part of the Company's condensed interim financial statements.
Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
For the six months ended 30 September 2015
Six months to | Six months to | Year ended |
| |||||
30 September | 30 September | 31 March |
| |||||
2015 | 2014 | 2015 |
| |||||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| |||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) |
| |||||
Cash flows used in operating activities |
| |||||||
Loss for the financial period/year | (74,741) | (23,247) | (915) |
| ||||
Adjustments for: |
| |||||||
Change in fair value on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | 74,302 | 24,630 | 3,045 |
| ||||
Movement in trade and other receivables | 2,210 | (1,790) | (3,000) |
| ||||
Movement in trade and other payables | 3 | (15) | (9) |
| ||||
Repayment of loan investment in Limited Partnerships | - | 6,558 | 6,558 |
| ||||
Net cash generated from operating activities | 1,774 | 6,136 | 5,679 |
| ||||
| ||||||||
Cash flow used in financing activities |
| |||||||
Capital distribution | - | (6,066) | (6,066) |
| ||||
Net cash used in financing activities | - | (6,066) | (6,066) |
| ||||
| ||||||||
| ||||||||
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents during the period/year | 1,774 | 70 | (387) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period/year | 792 | 1,179 | 1,179 |
| ||||
| ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period/year | 2,566 | 1,249 | 792 |
| ||||
The notes below form an integral part of the Company's condensed interim financial statements.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Financial Statements
For the six months ended 30 September 2015
1. General information
Better Capital PCC Limited is a Closed-ended Investment Company, incorporated in, and controlled from Guernsey as a Protected Cell Company. It has an unlimited life and is registered with the GFSC as a Registered Closed-ended Collective Investment Scheme pursuant to the POI Law.
The Company maintains a separate cell account for each class of shares, to which the capital proceeds of issue and the income arising from the investment of these proceeds in the respective Fund are credited, and against which the expenses allocated are charged. In any redemption, shareholders are only entitled to their proportion of the net assets held in the cell relating to the particular shares.
The Company has two cells: 2009 Cell and 2012 Cell. The financial results for each cell can be found below.
2. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The unaudited company condensed financial information included in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2015 has been prepared in accordance with the DTRs and Listing Rules of the UK's FCA and IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU.
The interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual financial statements for the year to 31 March 2015, which are available on the Company's website www.bettercapital.gg. The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with EU adopted IFRS.
The Company does not operate in an industry where significant or cyclical variations, as a result of seasonal activity, are experienced during the financial period.
The same accounting policies and methods of computation are followed in the interim financial statements as in the annual financial statements for the year to 31 March 2015.
Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards adopted in the period
There were no new standards applied during the period ended 30 September 2015.
Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company, and in turn Funds I and II, have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and do not consider there to be any threat to the going concern status of the Company. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these interim financial statements.
Critical accounting judgement and estimation uncertainty
Use of estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.
The critical accounting judgements and estimation uncertainties for the 2009 Cell and 2012 Cell are stated on below.
Taxation
The Company and Cells are exempt from taxation in Guernsey.
3. Segmental reporting
For management purposes, the Company is organised into two main operating segments, being the 2009 Cell and the 2012 Cell. Full details of the 2009 Cell's and 2012 Cell's results are shown below.
4. Investment in Limited Partnerships
Total Investment:
Loans | Capital | Total | |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
Cost | |||
Brought forward at 1 April 2015 | 519,405 | 37 | 519,442 |
Carried forward | 519,405 | 37 | 519,442 |
Fair value adjustment through profit or loss | |||
Brought forward | 78,370 | - | 78,370 |
Fair value movement during period | (74,302) | - | (74,302) |
Carried forward | 4,068 | - | 4,068 |
Fair value as at 30 September 2015 (unaudited) | 523,473 | 37 | 523,510 |
Loans | Capital | Total | |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
Cost | |||
Brought forward at 1 April 2014 | 525,963 | 37 | 526,000 |
Repayment of loan investment in Limited Partnerships | (6,558) | - | (6,558) |
Carried forward | 519,405 | 37 | 519,442 |
Fair value adjustment through profit or loss | |||
Brought forward | 81,415 | - | 81,415 |
Fair value movement during period | (24,630) | - | (24,630) |
Carried forward | 56,785 | - | 56,785 |
Fair value as at 30 September 2014 (unaudited) | 576,190 | 37 | 576,227 |
Loans | Capital | Total | |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
Cost | |||
Brought forward at 1 April 2014 | 525,963 | 37 | 526,000 |
Repayment of loan investment in Limited Partnerships | (6,558) | - | (6,558) |
Carried forward | 519,405 | 37 | 519,442 |
Fair value adjustment through profit or loss | |||
Brought forward | 81,415 | - | 81,415 |
Fair value movement during year | (3,045) | - | (3,045) |
Carried forward | 78,370 | - | 78,370 |
Fair value as at 31 March 2015 (audited) | 597,775 | 37 | 597,812 |
The movement in fair value is derived from the fair value movements in the underlying investments held by Fund I and Fund II, net of income and expenses of Fund I and Fund II and their related special purpose vehicles.
The outstanding loans do not incur interest. The loans are expected to be repaid by way of distributions from the Funds. The Company is not entitled to demand repayment of the outstanding loans, however, the General Partner may, upon request by the Company, repay to the Company any amount of the outstanding loan. During the period £nil was repaid to the Company by Fund I (Six months to 30 September 2014: £0.5 million, Year to 31 March 2015: £0.5 million) and £nil by Fund II (Six months to 30 September 2014: £6.1 million, Year to 31 March 2015: £6.1 million).
Income distributions receivable from the Funds in relation to the period amounted to £nil (Six months to 30 September 2014: £1.8 million, Year to 31 March 2015: £3.0 million) which have been allocated as income based on discretionary allocation powers of the respective General Partners of the Funds as set out in the respective Limited Partnership Agreements. At the period end an aggregate £1.6 million (Six months to 30 September 2014: £2.6 million, Year to 31 March 2015: £3.8 million) remained outstanding.
In the financial statements of the Company, the fair value of the investments in Limited Partnerships are adjusted to reflect the fair value of the Cell's attributable valuation of net assets within Fund I and Fund II, as seen in more detail in Note 5.
5. Fair value
The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the financial assets or financial liabilities are categorised is determined on the basis of the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified in their entirety into only one of the three levels.
The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:
- Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
- Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).
- Level 3 - inputs for the assets or liabilities that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).
The only financial instruments carried at fair value are the investments in Fund I and Fund II which are fair valued at each reporting date.
The Company's investments in Fund I and Fund II have been classified within Level 3 as they have unobservable inputs and are not traded. Amounts classified as Level 3 for the period are £264.1 million for Fund I (30 September 2014: £225.3 million, 31 March 2015: £262.0 million) and £259.4 million for Fund II (30 September 2014: £350.9 million, 31 March 2015: £335.8 million).
Transfers during the period
There have been no transfers between levels during the period.
Valuation techniques
The value of the Cells' investments in the Funds is based on the value of each Cell's limited partner capital and loan accounts within each Fund. This is based on the components within the Funds, principally the value of the underlying investee companies. Any fluctuation in the value of the underlying investee companies will directly impact on the value of the Company's investment in the Funds.
When valuing the underlying investee companies, the GPs of each Fund review information provided by the underlying investee companies and other business partners and apply IPEV methodologies to estimate a fair value that is in adherence with the requirements of IFRS 13 'Fair Value Measurement' as at the reporting date.
Initially acquisitions are valued at price of recent investment. Once maintainable earnings can be identified, or reasonably estimated, the preferred method of valuation is the earnings multiple valuation technique, where a multiple that is an appropriate and reasonable indicator of value (given the size, risk profile and earnings growth prospects of the underlying company) is applied to the maintainable earnings of the company. Occasionally other methods, as deemed suitable by the GPs, may be used, such as revenue multiple, net assets, break-up value or discounted cash flows. The techniques used in determining the fair value of the Cells' investments are selected on an investment by investment basis so as to maximise the use of market based observable inputs.
The Board reviews and considers the fair value arrived at by the GPs before incorporating into the fair value of the investment adopted by the Company. The variety of valuation bases adopted, quality of management information provided by the underlying investee companies and the lack of liquid markets for the investments mean that there are inherent difficulties in determining the fair value of these investments that cannot be eliminated. Therefore the amounts realised on the disposal of investments may differ from the fair values reflected in these interim financial statements and the differences may be significant.
The significant unobservable inputs in the 2009 Cell and in the 2012 Cell are shown below.
6. Share capital
Core shares
Period ended 30 September 2015
£ | ||||||||
Core shares as at 1 April 2015 and as at 30 September 2015 | 100 | |||||||
Period ended 30 September 2014
£ | ||||||||
Core shares as at 1 April 2014 and as at 30 September 2014 | 100 |
Year ended 31 March 2015
£ | ||||||||
Core shares as at 1 April 2014 and as at 31 March 2015 | 100 |
Cell shares
Authorised:
The Cells are authorised to issue an unlimited amount of ordinary shares at £1 par value.
Period ended 30 September 2015
2009 Cell | 2012 Cell | Total | |||||
Issued and fully paid: | |||||||
Unlimited shares of £1 par value | No. | No. | No. | ||||
Shares as at 1 April 2015 | 206,780,952 | 346,600,520 | 553,381,472 | ||||
Shares as at 30 September 2015 | 206,780,952 | 346,600,520 | 553,381,472 | ||||
Share capital | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||
Share capital as at 1 April 2015 | 178,539 | 341,848 | 520,387 | ||||
Share capital as at 30 September 2015 | 178,539 | 341,848 | 520,387 |
Period ended 30 September 2014
2009 Cell | 2012 Cell | Total | |||||
Issued and fully paid: | |||||||
Unlimited shares of £1 par value | No. | No. | No. | ||||
Shares as at 1 April 2014 | 206,780,952 | 346,600,520 | 553,381,472 | ||||
Shares as at 30 September 2014 | 206,780,952 | 346,600,520 | 553,381,472 | ||||
Share capital | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||
Share capital as at 1 April 2014 | 178,539 | 347,914 | 526,453 | ||||
Movements for the period: | |||||||
Capital distribution | - | (6,066) | (6,066) | ||||
Share capital as at 30 September 2014 | 178,539 | 341,848 | 520,387 |
Year ended 31 March 2015
2009 Cell | 2012 Cell | Total | |||||
Issued and fully paid: | |||||||
Unlimited shares of £1 par value | No. | No. | No. | ||||
Shares as at 1 April 2014 | 206,780,952 | 346,600,520 | 553,381,472 | ||||
Shares as at 31 March 2015 | 206,780,952 | 346,600,520 | 553,381,472 | ||||
Share capital | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||
Share capital as at 1 April 2014 | 178,539 | 347,914 | 526,453 | ||||
Movements for the year: | |||||||
Capital distribution | - | (6,066) | (6,066) | ||||
Share capital as at 31 March 2015 | 178,539 | 341,848 | 520,387 |
The two capital distributions (reductions of share capital) to date for the 2009 Cell total £26.5 million, being 12.6 per cent. of funds raised.
The one capital distribution (a reduction of share capital) to date for the 2012 Cell totals £6.1 million, being 1.7 per cent. of funds raised.
7. Related party transactions
The Company has four non-executive Directors. Mr Jon Moulton is a director and the sole shareholder of BECAP GP Limited, the general partner of the Fund I GP and BECAP12 GP Limited, the General Partner of the Fund II GP.
Annual remuneration for each Director is as follows: the Chairman receives £60,000, the Chairman of the audit committee receives £52,500, the Chairman of the management engagement, nomination and remuneration committee receives £50,000 and the other non-executive Director receives £45,000.
Directors' fees and expenses for the period to 30 September 2015 amounted to £105,000 (31 March 2015: £209,000, 30 September 2014: £105,000), of which £52,000 (31 March 2015: £52,000, 30 September 2014: £52,000) remained outstanding at the period end.
8. Earnings per share and net asset value per share
The earnings per share, net asset value per share and adjusted net asset value per share for the 2009 Cell and 2012 Cell are shown below.
9. Subsequent events
Subsequent events for 2009 Cell and 2012 Cell are detailed below.
Better Capital 2009 Cell
Investment policy summary
Better Capital 2009 Cell has invested in a portfolio of businesses which, when purchased, had significant operating issues and associated financial distress, and which have significant activities within the United Kingdom.
The 2009 Cell Investment policy is in the Company's prospectus, available on the Company's website www.bettercapital.gg.
General Partner's Report
Fund I is now in its development and realisation phase. The formal process to realise Santia is in advanced progress, with Gardner, the dominant investment, still on course to follow suit in 2016. Omnico and m-hance are work-in-progress but continue to demonstrate good potential.
Portfolio update
Gardner completed its August 2015 financial year marginally ahead of its EBITDA budget of £16.0 million (2014 audited EBITDA: £11.8 million) and is on track to deliver its EBITDA budget in Q1 2016. Cash generation remains good. Under Nick Sanders' leadership the business continues to enjoy considerable success in winning new work with existing and new customers and has continued to find areas in its cost base to drive incremental improvements, further underpinning its 2016 performance. Gardner's main focus now is to continue to demonstrate that it can maintain its excellent reputation for delivery and quality whilst delivering sales growth.
Gardner's valuation has been written up by £25.0 million, reflecting a £31.0 million improvement in the underlying value, offset by a £6.0 million repayment of capital and interest in the period. The valuation is based on an earnings approach, with maintainable EBITDA at c. £24.0 million, derived from the average of historic, current budget and next year's projected profits, benchmarked to transactions in a similar space to Gardner (range of EV/EBITDA: 8.2 times to 12.8 times). At 30 September, the business had net debt of £27.5 million. Exit preparation is underway with a view that the business will come to market in late 2016. We, the Fund I GP remain confident that Gardner will deliver a strong overall return to Fund I.
Steady progress continues to be made in m-hance, the remaining business in the Calyx Group. The business is on-course to more than double the December 2014 audited EBITDA of £0.5 million with revenue being broadly flat (2014 audited revenue: £16.8 million) due to variations in its product mix. The business's budget to December 2016 is expected to deliver incremental profits to the current year, through realised savings in the support base and continued growth in the CRM practice as seen over the last two years.
Microsoft Dynamics GP is still seen as a strong product for an on premises solution. The market is changing and many customers are looking for applications based on software as a service that operate via the cloud. m-hance is in advanced discussions with a major ERP provider to expand its offering to cater for this new area of demand.
The valuation for m-hance remains unchanged at £12.5 million. This has been derived using an earnings approach (range of EV/EBITDA: 8.1 times to 12.6 times), supported by a revenues approach, on the business's 2016 budgeted profits and revenue.
Trading in Santia is in line with expectations. The formal sale process for Santia is progressing at pace and is expected to conclude shortly at around the carrying value published, of £40.0 million which is unchanged from March 2015.
Omnico closed the financial year ended September 2015 with revenues materially below prior year (2014: £42.9 million), with revenues in Hardware almost halved offset by growth of 8 per cent. in Software. The Software business continues to enjoy profitable growth with notable wins in the period including SeaWorld and HMV, and a reasonable pipeline of opportunities both in the UK and in the US. However, Hardware has remained loss-making. A decision to radically downsize this division was reached in the summer and has been a major focus for the management team which will continue until Q1 of calendar year 2016. New funding totalling £4.7 million (£3.3 million in the period) has been provided to support this and the software initiatives which are expected to return Omnico to meaningful profitability in 2016.
Following a review of the management team structure, Mel Taylor has taken on the role of CEO. Mel has been instrumental in driving the on-going change programme in Omnico.
Omnico's valuation is unchanged at £25.0 million, supported using an earnings approach to valuation. Maintainable EBITDA is derived from the average of historic, current budget (year to September 2016) and future (year to September 2017) profits, against a range between 11.4 times to 17.5 times EBITDA, with the most comparable transaction being the acquisition of Micros by Oracle in September 2014.
An update on SPOT, a portfolio company 9.9 per cent. owned by Fund I is provided in the Fund II General Partner's Report below. The business performed significantly worse than expectations due to a combination of a lower return rate of previously lost Spicers' customer relationships and a weakness in general trading affecting both Spicers and OfficeTeam. Clear routes to address the issues have been identified and are underway. Fund I's holding in SPOT has been written down to £6.2 million reflecting the deterioration of profit expectation in the current year and a repayment of £1.1 million in July 2015. SPOT's valuation has been derived using an earnings approach, applied to the group's 2016 budgeted profits. The 2016 EBITDA is predicated on current trading conditions, augmented by further savings in its cost base and a modest growth in sales. At 30 September, the business had net debt of £33.0 million.
Investment activities in the period to 30 September 2015
During the period, Gardner repaid £6.0 million in a combination of capital and interest repayments, with an additional £2.0 million repaid post period end. Total repaid to date is £19.2 million from a total capital outlay of £41.0 million (46.8 per cent.).
Santia also repaid £0.5 million in interest in the period. Total repaid to date is £3.5 million from a total capital outlay of £15.0 million (23.3 per cent.).
The refinancing in SPOT which completed in the period enabled the group to return a total of £10.0 million across the Better Capital entities, of which £1.1 million was repaid to Fund I.
m-hance also returned £0.3 million to Fund I in the period, funded through internal cash resources.
Prior to its disposal, Fairline received £7.3 million of new investment to fund on-going losses, the development of the new 53-foot model and the transition towards a demand-led manufacturing model. The business was disposed of in September 2015 to Wessex Bristol, owners of Fletcher Boats for a deferred payment of £2.0 million*, with a secured first charge on all assets. This was very disappointing after the good progress in the spring but orders dried up despite considerable sales efforts. The only alternative route relied on considerable further funding and a marked improvement in a market where all UK participants are reporting weak results. We wish Fairline and its employees the very best under its new owners.
* the Fairline £2.0 million deferred consideration has been treated as a receivable in Fund I's net assets
Omnico also received new investments totalling £3.3 million in the period and further £1.4 million in October 2015. The funding was to support the large-scale restructuring of its loss-making hardware division.
Valuation
The overall portfolio carrying value rose by £6.2 million between 1 April 2015 and 30 September 2015. Gardner has been written up by a net £25.0 million reflecting strong current performance, offsetting the write down incurred on the sale of Fairline and the impairment on Fund I's holding in SPOT.
Cash and closing remarks
On 24 November 2015, Fund I had cash of £0.6 million. The current intention remains that surplus proceeds will be returned to the 2009 Cell as soon as each divestment is concluded, leaving a small balance to support portfolio requirements and incidentals.
Fund I's overall return is heavily dependent upon a good exit for Gardner and also importantly, in building value in Omnico. If these are achieved then a respectable overall outturn should be obtained.
Jon Moulton
Director
BECAP GP Limited
24 November 2015
Investment Report of Fund I
Gardner
Business description
A Tier-1 supplier of medium and high complexity machined metallic components to the aerospace industry (www.gardner-aerospace.com)
Investment details
£'m | 30 September 2015 | 31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 |
Total invested | *27.8 | 29.8 | 33.8 |
Total committed | 27.8 | 29.8 | 33.8 |
Fair value (earnings based) | 185.0 | 160.0 | 118.0 |
\* This excludes £4.0 million of interest repaid during the period.
m-hance
Business description
Implements, deploys and manages enterprisewide business management software solutions (www.m-hance.com)
Investment details
£'m | 30 September 2015 | 31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 | ||
Total invested | 14.0 | 14.2 | 33.0 | ||
Total committed | 14.0 | 14.2 | 33.0 | ||
Fair value (earnings based) | 12.5 | 12.5 | 20.0 |
Santia
Business description
Provider of consultancy and advisory health, safety and environmental services (www.santia.co.uk)
Investment details
£'m | 30 September 2015 | 31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 | ||
Total invested | *13.9 | 13.9 | 14.5 | ||
Total committed | 13.9 | 13.9 | 14.5 | ||
Fair value (earnings based) | 40.0 | 40.0 | 36.2 |
\* This excludes £0.5 million of interest repaid during the period.
Omnico
Business description
Provider of omni-channel hardware, software and services to the retail, entertainment, hospitality and leisure sectors (www.omnicogroup.com)
Investment details
£'m | 30 September 2015 | 31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 | ||
Total invested | 37.6 | 34.3 | 34.3 | ||
Total committed | 37.6 | 34.3 | 34.3 | ||
Fair value (earnings based) | 25.0 | 25.0 | 34.3 |
SPOT
Business description
Spicers is a leading office products and stationery wholesaler (www.spicers.co.uk)
OfficeTeam is a leading office products and services supplier (www.officeteam.co.uk)
Investment details
£'m | 30 September 2015 | 31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 | ||
Total invested | 10.4 | 11.5 | 11.5 | ||
Total committed | 10.4 | 11.5 | 11.5 | ||
Fair value (earnings based) | 6.2 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
Portfolio summary and reconciliation
Sector | Fund project cost* | Fund fair value investment in SPV's** | Valuation percentage of NAV | Valuation methodology | ||||||||
£'m | £'m | |||||||||||
Gardner | Aerospace | 27.81 | 185.0 | 70.0% | Earnings | |||||||
m-hance | Information Systems | 14.0 | 12.5 | 4.7% | Earnings | |||||||
Santia | Professional Services | 13.92 | 40.0 | 15.1% | Earnings | |||||||
Omnico | Information Systems | 37.6 | 25.0 | 9.5% | Earnings | |||||||
SPOT | Office Products | 10.4 | 6.2 | 2.3% | Earnings | |||||||
103.7 | 268.7 | 101.6% | ||||||||||
Fund cash on deposit | 0.4 | 0.2% | ||||||||||
Fund & SPV combined other net assets | 2.0 | 0.8% | ||||||||||
Provision for carried interest | (7.1) | (2.7)% | ||||||||||
2009 Cell fair value of investment in Fund I | 264.0 | 99.9% | ||||||||||
2009 Cell cash on deposit | 0.2 | 0.1% | ||||||||||
2009 Cell other current assets less liabilities | 0.0 | 0.0% | ||||||||||
2009 Cell NAV | 264.2 | 100.0% | ||||||||||
Cumulative capital distributions | 26.5 | |||||||||||
2009 Cell Adjusted NAV | 290.7 | |||||||||||
* Fund I holds its investments at cost in accordance with the terms of the Limited Partnership Agreement.
** 2009 Cell fair values its investment in Fund I in accordance with the accounting policies as set out in Note 2.
1 This excludes £4.0 million of interest repaid during the period
2 This excludes £0.5 million of interest repaid during the period
Summary income statement for the Partnership
1 Apr 2015 to | 1 Apr 2014 to | 1 Apr 2014 to | |||
30 Sept 2015 | 30 Sept 2014 | 31 March 2015 | |||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||
Total income | 93 | 85 | 1,547 | ||
Net profit/(loss) on Fund I investment portfolio | 5,498 | (6,423) | 35,456 | ||
Fund I GP's Share | (1,030) | (987) | (2,323) | ||
Other operating expenses | (423) | (313) | (609) | ||
Carried interest movement | (2,069) | - | (4,993) | ||
Partnership's operating profit/(loss) for the period/year | 2,069 | (7,638) | 29,078 | ||
Portion of the operating profit/(loss) for the period/year for 2009 Cell's investment in the Partnership (Note 4) | 2,069 | (7,638) | 29,078 |
Cash Management
As at 30 September 2015, Fund I had placed a total of £0.4 million (31 March 2015: £4.0 million, 30 September 2014: £0.8 million) of cash on instant access deposit with one bank. Fund I has in place a strict cash management policy that limits counterparty credit risk whilst simultaneously seeking to maximise returns.
Counterparty | Location | Rating | Term |
30 September 2015 |
31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||
Barclays Bank PLC | Guernsey | A | Instant access |
353 |
4,040 | 800 |
INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO BETTER CAPITAL PCC LIMITED IN RESPECT OF THE 2009 CELL
Introduction
We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements of the 2009 Cell, a cell of Better Capital PCC Limited, for the period ended 30 September 2015 which comprises the 2009 Cell Condensed Statement of Financial Position, the 2009 Cell Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income, the 2009 Cell Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity, the 2009 Cell Condensed Statement of Cash Flows, and the 2009 Cell related notes.
We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.
Directors' responsibilities
The interim financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Company's Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the interim financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
As disclosed in Note 2, the annual financial statements of the 2009 Cell are prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The 2009 Cell's condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union.
Our responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the 2009 Cell's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review.
Our report, including the conclusion, has been prepared in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the 2009 Cell in meeting its responsibilities in respect of interim financial reporting in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose. No person is entitled to rely on this report unless such a person is entitled to rely upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of our terms of engagement or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior written consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this report to any other person or for any other purpose and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability.
Scope of review
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.
Conclusion
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the 2009 Cell's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2015 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
BDO LimitedChartered AccountantsPlace du Pré, Rue du Pré, St Peter Port, Guernsey
24 November 2015
Condensed Statement of Financial Position
As at 30 September 2015
As at | As at | As at | ||||||
30 September 2015 | 30 September 2014 | 31 March 2015 | ||||||
Notes | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||||
ASSETS: | ||||||||
Non-current assets | ||||||||
Investment in Limited Partnership | 4 | 264,089 | 225,304 | 262,020 | ||||
Total non-current assets | 264,089 | 225,304 | 262,020 | |||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Trade and other receivables | 23 | 20 | 24 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 179 | 530 | 359 | |||||
Total current assets | 202 | 550 | 383 | |||||
TOTAL ASSETS | 264,291 | 225,854 | 262,403 | |||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Trade and other payables | (92) | (76) | (79) | |||||
Total current liabilities | (92) | (76) | (79) | |||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | (92) | (76) | (79) | |||||
NET ASSETS | 264,199 | 225,778 | 262,324 | |||||
EQUITY | ||||||||
Share capital | 6 | 178,539 | 178,539 | 178,539 | ||||
Retained earnings | 85,660 | 47,239 | 83,785 | |||||
TOTAL EQUITY | 264,199 | 225,778 | 262,324 | |||||
Number of 2009 Shares in issue at period/year end | 6 | 206,780,952 | 206,780,952 | 206,780,952 | ||||
Net asset value per 2009 Share (pence) | 8 | 127.77 | 109.19 | 126.86 | ||||
Adjusted net asset value per 2009 Share (pence) | 8 | 140.57 | 121.99 | 139.66 |
The unaudited condensed interim financial statements of the 2009 Cell were approved and authorised for issue by the Company's Board of Directors on 24 November 2015 and signed on its behalf by:
Richard Crowder Richard Battey
Chairman Director
The notes below form an integral part of the 2009 Cell condensed interim financial statements.
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the six months ended 30 September 2015
Six months to | Six months to | Year ended | ||||
30 September 2015 | 30 September 2014 | 31 March 2015 | ||||
Notes | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||
Income | ||||||
Change in fair value investment in Limited Partnership | 4 | 2,069 | (7,638) | 29,078 | ||
Interest income | - | 1 | 1 | |||
Total income/(expense) | 2,069 | (7,637) | 29,079 | |||
Expenses | ||||||
Administration fees | 59 | 52 | 110 | |||
Directors' fees and expenses | 7 | 43 | 42 | 82 | ||
Legal and professional fees | 41 | 29 | 51 | |||
Other fees and expenses | 23 | 20 | 34 | |||
Audit fees | 18 | 17 | 31 | |||
Insurance premiums | - | - | 11 | |||
Registrar fees | 10 | 6 | 17 | |||
Total expenses | 194 | 166 | 336 | |||
Profit/(loss) and total comprehensive income/(expense) for the period/year | 1,875 | (7,803) | 28,743 | |||
Basic and diluted earnings per 2009 Share (pence) | 8 | 0.91 | (3.77) | 13.90 |
All activities derive from continuing operations.
The notes below form an integral part of the 2009 Cell condensed interim financial statements.
Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity
For the six months ended 30 September 2015
Share | Retained | Total |
| |||
capital | earnings | equity |
| |||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| |||
| ||||||
As at 1 April 2015 | 178,539 | 83,785 | 262,324 |
| ||
| ||||||
Profit and total comprehensive income for the financial period | - | 1,875 | 1,875 |
| ||
Total comprehensive income for the period | - | 1,875 | 1,875 |
| ||
As at 30 September 2015 (unaudited) | 178,539 | 85,660 | 264,199 |
| ||
| ||||||
Share | Retained | Total |
| |||
capital | earnings | equity |
| |||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| |||
| ||||||
As at 1 April 2014 | 178,539 | 55,042 | 233,581 |
| ||
| ||||||
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the financial period | - | (7,803) | (7,803) |
| ||
Total comprehensive expense for the period | - | (7,803) | (7,803) |
| ||
As at 30 September 2014 (unaudited) | 178,539 | 47,239 | 225,778 |
| ||
Share | Retained | Total | |
capital | earnings | equity | |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
As at 1 April 2014 | 178,539 | 55,042 | 233,581 |
Profit and total comprehensive income for the financial year | - | 28,743 | 28,743 |
Total comprehensive income for the year | - | 28,743 | 28,743 |
As at 31 March 2015 (audited) | 178,539 | 83,785 | 262,324 |
There have been no transactions with owners during the period.
The notes below form an integral part of the 2009 Cell condensed interim financial statements.
Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
For the six months ended 30 September 2015
Six months to | Six months to | Year ended | |||
30 September | 30 September | 31 March | |||
2015 | 2014 | 2015 | |||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | |||
Cash flows used in operating activities | |||||
Profit/(loss) for the financial period/year | 1,875 | (7,803) | 28,743 | ||
Adjustments for: | |||||
Change in fair value on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | (2,069) | 7,638 | (29,078) | ||
Movement in trade and other receivables | 1 | 7 | 3 | ||
Movement in trade and other payables | 13 | (14) | (11) | ||
Repayment of loan investment in limited partnership | - | 500 |
500 | ||
Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities | (180) | 328 | 157 | ||
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents during the period/year | (180) | 328 | 157 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period/year | 359 | 202 | 202 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period/year | 179 | 530 | 359 |
The notes below form an integral part of the 2009 Cell condensed interim financial statements.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Financial Statements
For the six months ended 30 September 2015
1. General information
The 2009 Cell is a cell of Better Capital PCC Limited and has the investment objective of generating attractive total returns from investing (through Fund I) in a portfolio of businesses which have significant operating issues and may have associated financial distress, with a primary focus on businesses which have significant activities within the United Kingdom. Such returns are expected to be largely derived from capital growth.
Fund I is managed by its general partner, BECAP GP LP, which is in turn managed by its general partner BECAP GP Limited. Such arrangements are governed under the respective Limited Partnership Agreements, as amended.
The 2009 Cell is listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market.
2. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The unaudited 2009 Cell condensed financial information included in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2015 has been prepared in accordance with the DTRs and Listing Rules of the UK's FCA and IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU.
The interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual financial statements for the year to 31 March 2015, which are available on the Company's website www.bettercapital.gg. The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with EU adopted IFRS.
The principal accounting policies adopted are set out in the Company's accounting policies below.
Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the 2009 Cell, and in turn Fund I, have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and do not consider there to be any threat to the going concern status of the 2009 Cell. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these interim financial statements.
Critical accounting judgement and estimation uncertainty
Use of estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.
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.
The areas involving a high degree of judgement or complexity or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the interim financial statements are disclosed below. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.
The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.
Investment in Fund I
The value of the 2009 Cell's investment in Fund I is based on the value of the 2009 Cell's limited partner capital and loan accounts within Fund I. This is based on the components within Fund I, principally the value of the underlying investee companies. Any fluctuation in the value of the underlying investee companies will directly impact on the value of the 2009 Cell's investment in Fund I.
When valuing the underlying investee companies, the General Partner of Fund I reviews information provided by the underlying investee companies and other business partners and applies IPEV methodologies, as noted above, to estimate a fair value as at the date of the statement of financial position. The variety of valuation bases adopted, quality of management information provided by the underlying investee companies and the lack of liquid markets for the investments mean that there are inherent difficulties in determining the fair value of these investments that cannot be eliminated. Therefore the amounts realised on the sale of investments will differ from the fair values reflected in these financial statements and the differences may be significant.
Further information in relation to the valuation of the investment in Fund I is disclosed in Notes 4 and 5.
3. Segmental reporting
For management purposes, the 2009 Cell is organised into one main operating segment, which invests in one limited partnership.
4. Investment in Limited Partnership
Loans | Capital | Total | ||||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||
Cost | ||||||
Brought forward at 1 April 2015 | 178,080 | 20 | 178,100 | |||
Carried forward | 178,080 | 20 | 178,100 | |||
Fair value adjustment through profit or loss | ||||||
Brought forward | 83,920 | - | 83,920 | |||
Fair value movement during period | 2,069 | - | 2,069 | |||
Carried forward | 85,989 | - | 85,989 | |||
Fair value as at 30 September 2015 (unaudited) | 264,069 | 20 | 264,089 | |||
| ||||||
Loans | Capital | Total |
| |||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| |||
Cost |
| |||||
Brought forward at 1 April 2014 | 178,580 | 20 | 178,600 |
| ||
Repayment of loan investment in Limited Partnership | (500) | - | (500) |
| ||
Carried forward | 178,080 | 20 | 178,100 |
| ||
| ||||||
Fair value adjustment through profit or loss |
| |||||
Brought forward | 54,842 | - | 54,842 |
| ||
Fair value movement during period | (7,638) | - | (7,638) |
| ||
Carried forward | 47,204 | - | 47,204 |
| ||
| ||||||
Fair value as at 30 September 2014 (unaudited) | 225,284 | 20 | 225,304 |
| ||
Loans | Capital | Total | |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
Cost | |||
Brought forward at 1 April 2014 | 178,580 | 20 | 178,600 |
Repayment of loan investment in Limited Partnership | (500) | - | (500) |
Carried forward | 178,080 | 20 | 178,100 |
Fair value adjustment through profit or loss | |||
Brought forward | 54,842 | - | 54,842 |
Fair value movement during the year | 29,078 | - | 29,078 |
Carried forward | 83,920 | - | 83,920 |
Fair value as at 31 March 2015 (audited) | 262,000 | 20 | 262,020 |
The movement in fair value of the Fund I investment is derived from the fair value increase in Gardner, fair value decrease in SPOT, the sale of Fairline and expenses of Fund I and its related special purpose vehicles.
The outstanding loans do not incur interest. The loans are expected to be repaid by way of distributions from Fund I. The 2009 Cell is not entitled to demand repayment of the outstanding loans, however the General Partner may, upon request by the Company, repay to the 2009 Cell any amount of the Cell's outstanding loan. During the period £nil was repaid to the 2009 Cell by Fund I (Six months to 30 September 2014: £0.5 million, Year to 31 March 2015: £0.5 million).
In the financial statements of the 2009 Cell the fair value of the investment in the Limited Partnership is adjusted to reflect the fair value of the 2009 Cell's attributable valuation of net assets within Fund I, as seen in more detail in Note 5.
5. Fair value
The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the financial assets or financial liabilities are categorised is determined on the basis of the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy and further information on valuation techniques can be found in Note 5 in the Company financial statements.
The following table summarises the valuation methodologies and inputs used for the 2009 Cell's Level 3 investments as at the period end:
Valuation Methodology | Description | Input | Adjustments | Discount Rate Applied to Multiples | Discounted Multiples | Value of portfolio valued on this basis (£'m) | ||
30 September 2015 | 30 September 2014 | 31 March 2015 | ||||||
Multiple | Most commonly used Private Equity valuation methodology | Multiples are applied to the earnings of the investee company to determine the enterprise value | Surplus assets available for imminent sale are added to the multiple valuation | A discount is applied to earnings multiples at 20 per cent. (30 September 2014: 20 per cent., 31 March 2015: 10 per cent to 20 per cent.) | EBITDA multiples ranging from 6.5 times to 11.2 times (30 September 2014: 7.0 times to 9.0 times, 31 March 2015: 7.3 times to 12.4 times) | 268.7 | 169.3 | 251.0 |
30 September 2015 - Gardner - m-hance - Santia - Omnico - SPOT | Earnings Reported earnings adjusted for non-recurring items, such as restructuring expenses, for significant corporate actions and, in exceptional cases, run-rate adjustments to arrive at maintainable earnings. Most common measure is EBITDA (Gardner, Santia, m-hance, Omnico, SPOT). Other earnings such as revenue may also be used where relevant. Further information in relation to the application of earnings can be found in the Fund I GP report above | |||||||
30 September 2014 - Gardner - Calyx - m-hance - Santia | Discounts to the valuation generated by applying multiples to reflect the time and costs of reaching sustainable profitability and the inevitable accompanying uncertainties | Revenue multiple nil (30 September 2014: 1 times, 31 March 2015: nil) | ||||||
31 March 2015 - Gardner - m-hance - Santia - Omnico - Fairline | Multiples The earnings multiple is derived from comparable listed companies or relevant market transaction multiples (Gardner, Santia, m-hance, Omnico, SPOT). The Fund I GP typically selects businesses in the same industry and, where possible, with a similar business model and profile in terms of size, products, services and customers, growth rates and geographic focus and adjust for changes in the relative performance in the set of comparables | |||||||
Price of recent investment | Where there has been a recent Investment in the Investee Company, the price of that Investment will provide a basis of the valuation | Book cost | Addition of costs since initial purchase and the subtraction of monies returned to Fund I | n/a | n/a | - | 45.8 | 11.5 |
30 September 2015 - None | ||||||||
30 September 2014 - Omnico Group- SPOT | ||||||||
31 March 2015- SPOT | ||||||||
Other | Values of separate elements prepared under other methods, as deemed suitable by the Fund I GP. | Revenue, Gross Profit | As determined on a case by case basis | n/a | Revenue multiple nil (30 September 2014: 0.5 to 0.7 times, 31 March 2015: nil) | - | 14.9 | - |
30 September 2015-None | Gross profit multiple nil (30 September 2014: 1.5 times, 31 March 2015: nil) | |||||||
30 September 2014 - Calyx - CMS- Fairline | ||||||||
31 March 2015-None | ||||||||
Level 3 Portfolio valuation | 268.7 | 230.0 | 262.5 | |||||
Other net assets/(liabilities) | 2.4 | (4.7) | 4.5 | |||||
Provision for Better Capital SLP interest in Fund I | (7.1) | - | (5.0) | |||||
2009 Cell fair value of investments in Fund I | 264.0 | 225.3 | 262.0 |
During the period the basis of valuation for SPOT changed from price of recent investment to an earnings basis as the Fund I GP and the Company's board consider this to be a more appropriate basis. This resulted in an unrealised loss. Further information on this unrealised loss can be found in the Fund I GP Report above.
This approach requires the use of assumptions about certain unobservable inputs. Significant unobservable inputs as at 30 September 2015 are:
- Multiples used to derive enterprise value
- Discount factors
A reasonably possible change in the multiples used +/- 10.0 per cent. would result in:
- An increase in carrying value of £29.1 million or 10.8 per cent. (+10.0 per cent.)
- A decrease in the carrying value of £26.8 million or 10.0 per cent. (-10.0 per cent.)
A reasonably possible change in the discount factors used would be to completely remove the discount factor or to double the discount factor. This would result in:
- A decrease in carrying value of £74.4 million or 27.7 per cent. (+100.0 per cent.)
- An increase in the carrying value of £79.3 million or 29.5 per cent. (-100.0 per cent.)
The Fund I GP approves the valuations performed with input from the Consultant and monitors the range of reasonably possible changes in significant observable inputs on a regular basis.
6. Share capital
Share capital for the 2009 Cell is detailed in the relevant column in Note 6 of the Company's financial statements above.
The two capital distributions (reductions of share capital) announced to date for the 2009 Cell total £26.5 million, being 12.6 per cent. of funds raised.
7. Related party transactions
Further information on related party transactions can be found in Note 7 in the Company financial statements above.
Directors' fees and expenses, incurred by the 2009 Cell, for the period to 30 September 2015 amounted to £43,000 (31 March 2015: £82,000, 30 September 2014: £42,000) apportioned on a NAV basis between the cells. At the period end, £23,000 (31 March 2015: £20,000, 30 September 2014: £20,000) remained outstanding.
8. Earnings per share and net asset value per share
Earnings per share
2009 Cell | Six months to 30 September 2015 | Six months to 30 September 2014 | Year ended 31 March 2015 | |||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||
Profit/(loss) for the period/year | £1,874,757 | £(7,802,456) | £28,743,309 | |||
Weighted average number of 2009 Shares in issue | 206,780,952 | 206,780,952 | 206,780,952 | |||
EPS (pence) | 0.91 | (3.77) | 13.90 |
The earnings per share is based on the profit or loss of the 2009 Cell for the period/year and on the weighted average number of shares of the 2009 Cell in issue for the period/year.
The 2009 Cell does not have any instruments which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future.
Net asset value per share
| As at 30 September 2015 | As at 30 September 2014 | As at 31 March 2015 | |
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||
Net assets attributable to 2009 Cell shareholders | £264,200,823 | £225,778,301 | £262,324,066 | |
Capital distributions | £26,467,962 | £26,467,962 | £26,467,962 | |
Adjusted Net asset value | £290,668,785 | £252,246,263 | £288,792,028 | |
2009 Shares in issue | 206,780,952 | 206,780,952 | 206,780,952 | |
NAV per share (IFRS) | 127.77 | 109.19 | 126.86 | |
Adjusted NAV per share | 140.57 | 121.99 | 139.66 |
The net asset value per share for the 2009 Cell is arrived at by dividing the total net assets of the 2009 Cell at the period/year end by the number of shares in issue at the period/year end.
The adjusted net asset value adds back capital distributions made to the 2009 Share investors to date.
The adjusted net asset value per share for the 2009 Cell is arrived at by dividing the adjusted net asset value of the 2009 Cell at the period/year end by the number of 2009 Shares in issue at the period/year end.
9. Subsequent events
On 2 October 2015, BECAP Gardner 1 Limited returned £2.0 million to Fund I by way of an interest and principal repayment of its outstanding loan facilities.
On 13 October 2015, Fund I extended a further £1.4 million to Omnico Group Limited to fund further restructuring initiatives.
There were no other significant events occurring after 30 September 2015.
Better Capital 2012 Cell
Investment policy summary
Better Capital 2012 Cell seeks to invest in a portfolio of businesses which have significant operating issues and may have associated financial distress.
Uninvested or surplus capital may be invested on a temporary basis in cash deposits or other high interest accounts.
The 2012 Cell Investment policy is in the Company's prospectuses, available on the Company's website www.bettercapital.gg.
General Partner's Report
The results have clearly been most unsatisfactory. Two issues are at the forefront of many investors' minds.
· The principal causes of the sizeable write down in Fund II, and consequently the 22.1 per cent. decline in the 2012 Cell NAV. Everest and SPOT have performed materially below expectations with significant revenue shortfalls to budget in the current year. Clear routes to resolve the underperformance have been identified and actions are in motion.
CAV Aerospace was an immediately disappointing investment. Despite due diligence of considerable depth the business was in a considerably worse state than expected, a warranty claim is afoot and an aggressive but potentially costly turnaround plan is underway.
· Application of remaining cash in Fund II. The principal concern of the General Partner is to maximise the return available to the investor. With that object to the fore, it is the Fund II GP's intention, after providing for the Cell and PCC costs, first to utilise any excess liquidity to purchase the shares of the 2012 Cell, if the opportunity arises to purchase such at an attractive discount to NAV, to the extent that this is not possible then the remaining liquidity will be available to support add-ons to the existing portfolio or particularly attractive new opportunities (until 30 June 2016 when the investment period ends) as they may arise. Any cash surplus to the above objectives that is returned to the Company will be distributed to investors.
Portfolio update
Everest published its 31 December 2014 results with EBITDA profitability significantly better than prior year (2014 audited EBITDA: £8.2 million; 2013 audited EBITDA: £6.9 million). However, 2015 trading has been disappointing. The Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA), a certification body set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) reported a 9 per cent. decline in installations over the prior year for the nine months to September 2015. Increased marketing spend has been needed to reach a similar level of revenues as in 2014 - but significantly below the 2015 budget. Changes in the regulatory regime on consumer finance packages also had a negative effect.
Leads generation, particularly the ever more important online leads, was weaker than anticipated and has been attributed to lower marketing effectiveness than planned by Everest, market weakness, and more tactical advertising by competitors; this was partially offset by improved conversion of leads into orders (2015 YTD average: 1:6; 2014 YTD average: 1:7). The business has addressed the wider marketing issue by recruiting a new hire with proven track record. The new Marketing Director is working closely with Chris Horobin, operating partner at Better Capital LLP, to re-energise the Everest proposition. At an operational level, further efficiencies continue to be made, targeting areas such as materials sourcing and operations.
Due to the profit deterioration in the current year, Everest's NAV has been written down to £53.5 million using an earnings approach. Maintainable Earnings is derived as the average of prior year profits, current year expected outturn and next year's budgeted profits. The 2016 budget is expected to be finalised at around the 2014 level, reflecting the action plans that are in the process of being implemented. Overall, market comparable multiples have improved by c.13% (EV/EBITDA range 7.4 times to 9.7 times) since March 2015 (EV/EBITDA range 7.0 times to 8.4 times), primarily driven by SafeStyle UK plc (+39%). Timing of exit will be reassessed when results improve.
Trading in Jaeger, alongside many of the high street competitors, remains difficult in the current period. Whilst Jaeger's year to date like-for-like sales are behind prior year mainly due to slower sales performance in the main stores and concessions, there has been strong growth in online and outlets. Online now accounts for over 20 per cent. of sales which is encouraging progress on the back of significant investment into Jaeger's online infrastructure.
Over the summer of 2015, management undertook a comprehensive review of its strategy. Whilst some of the strategic directional changes will be evident in the Autumn/Winter 2015 collection, the full benefit of this review will not be seen until Spring/Summer 2016. The brand will have a more contemporary, casual feel but in keeping with its premium British heritage. Although early days, Jaeger has seen improvements in full price sell-through and margins in recent weeks - partly attributable to new products and partly due to an improved trading methodology.
As part of Jaeger's turnaround improvement strategy, several loss making stores have been closed and a review of Regent Street has resulted in a decision to sell the lease before a further rent increase impacted store profitability. The Jaeger team is actively pursuing new London locations for a flagship store.
Colin Henry, formerly CEO, left the business in September 2015 and currently, Jaeger is led by Chris Horobin who is well supported by the incumbent senior team.
Jaeger is valued at £37.0 million, derived using a revenue approach (revenue multiple range: 0.4 times to 0.6 times). Interests received following a strategic review undertaken in the Autumn have also produced offers supporting the valuation. The business is on a much stronger footing with a clearer focus on customers, product strategy and the overall approach to trading, especially online.
SPOT, comprising OfficeTeam and Spicers, is expected to report a profit outturn for the year to December 2015 that is materially below budget.
The extent of Spicers' legacy issues on customer attrition had a deeper impact than initially envisaged and whilst the business had been successful in winning new customers against the backdrop of a declining sector, it has not regained all of the lost ground. To counteract this decline, Spicers is increasingly diversifying its product range, from traditional office supplies into areas such as sanitary, janitory and health and safety supplies. Good progress has been made on improving service availability and on cost savings from restructuring the delivery network.
OfficeTeam also had a weaker start to the year - again principally due to poor sales performance. Significant changes have been made to the sales team and sales are slowly improving.
During the period, SPOT completed a refinancing exercise which enabled the group to return £10.0 million to the Better Capital entities. Of this, £8.9 million was distributed to BECAP12 SPOT Limited, a wholly owned special purpose vehicle of Fund II earmarked for follow-on acquisitions. The remaining £1.1 million was repaid to Fund I.
SPOT was previously held at cost. Due to the deterioration of profits expected in the current year, Fund II's interest in SPOT has been written down to £65.0 million. The valuation has been derived using an earnings basis, applied to the group's 2016 budgeted profits using EBITDA multiples ranging from 6.5 times to 8.2 times. Similar transactions include Vansanta Group's acquisition of Office2Office (August 2014) and Staples' acquisition of Office Depot (February 2015). The 2016 EBITDA is predicated on current trading conditions, augmented by further achievable savings in its cost base and a modest growth to sales. At 30 September, the business had net debt of £33.0 million.
iNTERTAIN is trading in line with expectations. Since completion of the business's Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) in February 2015, iNTERTAIN has embarked on a number of site refurbishments and single site acquisitions. The newly refurbished locations (Newquay, Bristol, Sheffield and Swansea) and the newly acquired venues (Brighton, Solihull and Lichfield), are all performing well in the new Walkabout format. Specific venue related incidents at Bar Risa, Birmingham and the impact of closure periods during refurbishment and overspend on pre-opening costs have held back the overall performance. Bar Risa is now fully refurbished, rebranded as 6 on Broad Street and re-opened in September. Although early days, the new investments in iNTERTAIN are currently indicating a cash payback period of c. 2.4 years. The early demise of the England rugby team from the World Cup, whilst unwelcome, did not prevent the business from delivering sales uplifts of c. 30 per cent. over the seven weeks of the tournament.
Using an earnings approach, iNTERTAIN has been written up by £7.0 million to £32.0 million reflecting much improved current year run-rate EBITDA as a result of the new site acquisitions and effective refurbishment programme benchmarked against quoted companies trading in a similar segment to iNTERTAIN (EV/EBITDA multiples range between 6.2 times and 8.2 times). Further site refurbishments have been earmarked for early next year for which Fund II has already committed a further £3.1 million and I am confident that these too will deliver incremental improvements to profitability in the next year. Strategic options for the business are being explored.
CAV Aerospace, the latest addition to Fund II, is a manufacturer of large, niche, metallic aircraft components. Since its acquisition in March, significant internal and external resources have been invested to execute the turnaround of the business. The business was in a substantially poorer state than established during due diligence, with clear absence of critical controls and processes. Steady progress has been made to address some of these concerns, notably the exceedingly poor record in health and safety, an ineffective costing system and some very poor machine performance; however, much more still needs to be achieved. Following early implementation of standard costing within the business, several significant legacy contracts were found to be loss-making. Urgent cost reductions and negotiations with key customers are underway to address this. The loss-making operation in Mexico has since been disposed of to a key customer for a nominal sum. Andrew Milner, who joined as CEO in June and his new team, together with Peter Mottershead, operating partner at the Consultant, are focused on the tasks at hand. The business has received an additional £8.0 million to fund on-going losses and restructuring, and is expected to require further cash injection in the near future.
This has been by far the most challenging acquisition for Better Capital; however, it operates in a sector which we believe still enjoys strong growth. CAV Aerospace has been written down to £20.0 million on an assets basis, reflecting the magnitude of the task ahead. At 30 September, the business had net debt of £7.5 million.
Investment activities in the period to 30 September 2015
In April 2015, Fund II invested £2.0 million to acquire 3.3 million 2012 Cell shares. This lower share price presented an opportunity for Fund II to acquire from willing sellers.
Jaeger received further investments totalling £7.0 million in the period and a further £3.0 million in October 2015 to fund on-going losses and to provide the working capital necessary to build on the progress achieved to date. Total cash investment in Jaeger to date is £66.0 million.
CAV Aerospace also received cash injections totalling £8.0 million to fund continuing losses and its turnaround. Fund II has invested £48.0 million to date, with the business likely to request further funding in the near future.
As a secured creditor to City Link, Fund II received distributions of £10.0 million in the period and a further £4.0 million in October 2015. The most recent estimated total net receivable by Fund II has improved by £2.0 million at £22.0 million. To date, £19.0 million has been received.
Valuation
In the six month period to 30 September 2015, the investment portfolio value has declined by £73.0 million:
£'m | ||
Portfolio value at 1 April 2015 | 279.4 | |
Acquisition of 3.3 million 2012 Cell shares | 2.0 | |
Additions at cost - follow on investments | 18.1 | |
299.5 | ||
Return of cash | (10.0) | |
NAV movement | (73.0) | |
Portfolio value at 30 September 2015 | 216.5 |
Cash and closing remarks
On 24 November 2015, Fund II had cash of £39.1 million.
The principal concern of the Fund II GP is, as said above, to maximise the return available to the 2012 Cell investor.
From the current position of Fund II, a good outcome, judged against the original objective, seems unlikely. However, effective management actions, sensible use of the remaining cash resources of the fund and the passage of time should result in improvement in the results of the portfolio companies and consequently in the performance of Fund II.
We are committed to achieving this.
Jon Moulton
Director
BECAP12 GP Limited
24 November 2015
Investment Report of Fund II
Everest
Business description
A leading consumer brand in the manufacture, installation and supply of uPVC and aluminium windows and doors, conservatories, roofline products, garage doors, security systems, driveways and other home improvement products (www.everest.co.uk)
Investment details
£'m | 30 September 2015 | 31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 |
Total invested | 25.4 | 25.4 | 25.0 |
Total committed | 25.4 | 25.4 | 25.0 |
Fair value (earnings based) | 53.5 | 69.4 | 69.4 |
Jaeger
Business description
Ladies' and men's wear retailer, operating in the premium segment of the market (www.jaeger.co.uk)
Investment details
£'m | 30 September 2015 | 31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 |
Total invested | 63.0 | 56.0 | 56.0 |
Total committed | 63.0 | 56.0 | 56.0 |
Fair value (revenue based) | 37.0 | 30.0 | 50.0 |
City Link (in administration)
Business description
Formerly a parcel delivery business
Substantially realised with cash returned of £15.0 million at 30 September 2015 and a further £4.0 million after that date
Investment details
£'m | 30 September 2015 | 31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 |
Total invested | 25.0 | 35.0 | 40.0 |
Total committed | 25.0 | 35.0 | 40.0 |
Fair value (net realisable value) | 7.0 | 15.0 | 20.0 |
SPOT
Business description
Spicers is a leading office products and stationery wholesaler (www.spicers.co.uk)
OfficeTeam is a leading office products and services supplier (www.officeteam.co.uk)
Investment details
£'m | 30 September 2015 | 31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 |
Total invested | *100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
Total committed | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
Fair value (earnings based) | 65.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
*Excludes £8.9 million of cash returned to BECAP12 SPOT Limited
iNTERTAIN
Business description
Operator of late night bars across the UK, trading predominantly under the brand name 'Walkabout' (www.intertainuk.com)
Investment details
£'m | 30 September 2015 | 31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 | |
Total invested | *23.1 | 20.0 | - | |
Total committed | 23.1 | 20.0 | - | |
Fair value (earnings based) | 32.0 | 25.0 | - | |
*£3.1 million was invested by Fund II into BECAP12 iNTERTAIN Limited to fund further site refurbishments earmarked for 2016
CAV Aerospace
Business description
A leading European aerospace manufacturer of complex metallic components and sub-assemblies to major original equipment manufacturers (www.cav-aerospace.net)
Investment details
£'m | 30 September 2015 | 31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 | |||
Total invested | 48.0 | 40.0 | - | |||
Total committed | 48.0 | 40.0 | - | |||
Fair value (assets basis) | 20.0 | 40.0 | - | |||
Portfolio summary and reconciliation
Sector | Fund project cost* | Fund fair value investment in SPV's** | Valuation percentage of NAV | Valuation methodology | ||||
£'m | £'m | |||||||
Everest | Building Products | 25.4 | 53.5 | 20.3% | Earnings | |||
Jaeger | Retail | 63.0 | 37.0 | 14.0% | Revenue | |||
City Link | Parcel Delivery | 25.0 | 7.0 | 2.6% | Net realisable value | |||
SPOT | Office Products | 100.01 | 65.0 | 24.7% | Earnings | |||
iNTERTAIN | Leisure | 23.12 | 32.0 | 12.2% | Earnings | |||
CAV Aerospace | Aerospace Manufacturing | 48.0 | 20.0 | 7.6% | Assets basis | |||
Better Capital 2012 Cell | Private Equity Investment Vehicle | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.8% | Market value | |||
286.5 | 216.5 | 82.2% | ||||||
Fund cash on deposit | 39.5 | 15.0% |
| |||||
Fund & SPV combined other net assets | 3.4 | 1.3% | ||||||
2012 Cell fair value of investment in Fund II | 259.4 | 98.5% | ||||||
2012 Cell cash on deposit | 2.3 | 0.9% | ||||||
2012 Cell other current assets less liabilities | 1.6 | 0.6% | ||||||
2012 Cell NAV | 263.3 | 100.0% | ||||||
Cumulative capital distributions | 6.1 | |||||||
2012 Cell Adjusted NAV | 269.4 | |||||||
* Fund II holds its investments at cost in accordance with the terms of the Limited Partnership Agreement. | ||||||||||||||
** 2012 Cell fair values its investment in Fund II in accordance with the accounting policies as set out in Note 2. | ||||||||||||||
1 Excludes an £8.9 million repayment help at SPV level 2 Includes £3.1 million of cash held at SPV Level
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| Summary Income Statement for the Partnership |
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| |||||||||||||
| 1 Apr 2015 to | 1 Apr 2014 to | 1 Apr 2014 to |
| ||||||||||
| 30 Sept 2015 | 30 Sept 2014 | 31 March 2015 |
| ||||||||||
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
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|
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| Total income | 248 | 2,501 | 4,363 |
| |||||||||
| Net loss on Fund II investment portfolio | (72,233) | (14,084) | (25,562) |
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| Fund II GP's Share | (2,673) | (2,673) | (5,332) |
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| Other operating expenses | (1,713) | (936) | (2,592) |
| |||||||||
| Distribution to 2012 Cell | - | (1,800) | (3,000) |
| |||||||||
| Partnership's operating loss for the period/year | (76,371) | (16,992) | (32,123) |
| |||||||||
| Portion of the operating loss for the period/year for 2012 Cell's investment in the Partnership (Note 4) | (76,371) | (16,992) | (32,123) |
| |||||||||
Cash Management
As at 30 September 2015, Fund II had placed a total of £39.5 million (31 March 2015: £54.7 million, 30 September 2014: £111.3 million) of cash on instant access deposit with three banks. Fund II has in place a strict cash management policy that limits counterparty risks whilst simultaneously seeking to maximise returns.
Counterparty | Location | Rating | Term | 30 September 2015 | 31 March 2015 | 30 September 2014 |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||
Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited* | Guernsey | A-2 | Instant access | 40 | 12,261 | 8,717 |
Barclays Bank PLC | Guernsey | A | Instant access | 2,900 | - | - |
Lloyds Bank International Limited | Jersey | A+ | Instant access | 36,523 | 39,913 | 49,908 |
HSBC Bank plc | Guernsey | AA- | One month | - | 2,553 | 49,398 |
Barclays Bank PLC | Guernsey | A | One month | - | - | 3,263 |
39,463 | 54,727 | 111,286 | ||||
\* These balances include amounts held in Euros, which resulted in a foreign exchange loss of £nil (31 March 2015: £0.5 million, 30 September 2014: £0.5 million) during the period.
INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO BETTER CAPITAL PCC LIMITED IN RESPECT OF 2012 CELL
Introduction
We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements of the 2012 Cell, a cell of Better Capital PCC Limited, for the period ended 30 September 2015 which comprises the 2012 Cell Condensed Statement of Financial Position, the 2012 Cell Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income, the 2012 Cell Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity, the 2012 Cell Condensed Statement of Cash Flows and the 2012 Cell related notes.
We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.
Directors' responsibilities
The interim financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Company's Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the interim financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
As disclosed in Note 2, the annual financial statements of the 2012 Cell are prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The 2012 Cell's condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union.
Our responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the 2012 Cell's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review.
Our report, including the conclusion, has been prepared in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the 2012 Cell in meeting its responsibilities in respect of interim financial reporting in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose. No person is entitled to rely on this report unless such a person is entitled to rely upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of our terms of engagement or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior written consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this report to any other person or for any other purpose and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability.
Scope of review
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.
Conclusion
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the 2012 Cell's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2015 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
BDO LimitedChartered AccountantsPlace du Pré, Rue du Pré, St Peter Port, Guernsey24 November 2015
Condensed Statement of Financial Position
As at 30 September 2015
As at | As at | As at | ||||||
30 September 2015 | 30 September 2014 | 31 March 2015 | ||||||
Notes | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||||
ASSETS: | ||||||||
Non-current assets | ||||||||
Investment in Limited Partnership | 4 | 259,421 | 350,923 | 335,792 | ||||
Total non-current assets | 259,421 | 350,923 | 335,792 | |||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Trade and other receivables | 1,629 | 2,632 | 3,838 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 2,335 | 667 | 381 | |||||
Total current assets | 3,964 | 3,299 | 4,219 | |||||
TOTAL ASSETS | 263,385 | 354,222 | 340,011 | |||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Trade and other payables | (115) | (122) | (125) | |||||
Total current liabilities | (115) | (122) | (125) | |||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | (115) | (122) | (125) | |||||
NET ASSETS | 263,270 | 354,100 | 339,886 | |||||
EQUITY | ||||||||
Share capital | 6 | 341,848 | 341,848 | 341,848 | ||||
(Accumulated losses)/Retained earnings | (78,578) | 12,252 | (1,962) | |||||
TOTAL EQUITY | 263,270 | 354,100 | 339,886 | |||||
Number of 2012 Shares in issue at period/year end | 6 | 346,600,520 | 346,600,520 | 346,600,520 | ||||
Net asset value per 2012 Share (pence) | 8 | 75.96 | 102.16 | 98.06 | ||||
Adjusted net asset value per 2012 Share (pence) | 8 | 77.71 | 103.91 | 99.81 |
The unaudited condensed interim financial statements of the 2012 Cell were approved and authorised for issue by the Company's Board of Directors on 24 November 2015 and signed on its behalf by:
Richard Crowder Richard Battey
Chairman Director
The notes below form an integral part of the 2012 Cell condensed interim financial statements.
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the six months ended 30 September 2015
Six months to | Six months to | Year ended | ||||
30 September | 30 September | 31 March | ||||
2015 | 2014 | 2015 | ||||
Notes | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||
Income | ||||||
Change in fair value investment in Limited Partnership | 4 | (76,371) | (16,992) | (32,123) | ||
Income distribution | 4 | - | 1,800 | 3,000 | ||
Interest income | 3 | 3 | 5 | |||
Total expenses | (76,368) | (15,189) | (29,118) | |||
Expenses | ||||||
Administration fees | 76 | 83 | 177 | |||
Directors' fees and expenses | 7 | 62 | 63 | 127 | ||
Legal and professional fees | 55 | 43 | 98 | |||
Other fees and expenses | 29 | 28 | 49 | |||
Audit fees | 16 | 28 | 50 | |||
Insurance premiums | - | - | 18 | |||
Registrar fees | 10 | 10 | 21 | |||
Total expenses | 248 | 255 | 540 | |||
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the financial period/year | (76,616) | (15,444) | (29,658) | |||
Basic and diluted earnings per 2012 Share (pence) | 8 | (22.10) | (4.46) | (8.56) |
All activities derive from continuing operations.
The notes below form an integral part of the 2012 Cell condensed interim financial statements.
Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity
For the six months ended 30 September 2015
Share | Accumulated | Total | ||
capital | losses | equity |
| |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| |
| ||||
As at 1 April 2015 | 341,848 | (1,962) | 339,886 |
|
| ||||
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the financial period | - | (76,616) | (76,616) |
|
Total comprehensive expense for the period | - | (76,616) | (76,616) |
|
As at 30 September 2015 (unaudited) | 341,848 | (78,578) | 263,270 |
|
Share | Retained | Total | ||
capital | earnings | equity |
| |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| |
| ||||
As at 1 April 2014 | 347,914 | 27,696 | 375,610 |
|
| ||||
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the financial period | - | (15,444) | (15,444) |
|
Total comprehensive expense for the period | - | (15,444) | (15,444) |
|
| ||||
Transactions with owners |
| |||
Capital distribution | (6,066) | - | (6,066) |
|
Total transactions with owners | (6,066) | - | (6,066) |
|
As at 30 September 2014 (unaudited) | 341,848 | 12,252 | 354,100 |
|
Share | Accumulated | Total | ||
capital | losses | equity |
| |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| |
| ||||
As at 1 April 2014 | 347,914 | 27,696 | 375,610 |
|
| ||||
Loss and total comprehensive expense for the financial year | - | (29,658) | (29,658) |
|
Total comprehensive expense for the year | - | (29,658) | (29,658) |
|
| ||||
Transactions with owners |
| |||
Capital distribution | (6,066) | - | (6,066) |
|
Total transactions with owners | (6,066) | - | (6,066) |
|
As at 31 March 2015 (audited) | 341,848 | (1,962) | 339,886 |
|
There have been no transactions with owners during the period.
The notes below form an integral part of the 2012 Cell condensed interim financial statements.
Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
For the six months ended 30 September 2015
Six months to | Six months to | Year ended | |||
30 September 2015 | 30 September 2014 | 31 March 2015 | |||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | |||
Cash flows used in operating activities | |||||
Loss for the financial period/year | (76,616) | (15,444) | (29,658) | ||
Adjustments for: | |||||
Change in fair value on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | 76,371 | 16,992 | 32,123 | ||
Movement in trade and other receivables | 2,209 | (1,797) | (3,003) | ||
Movement in trade and other payables | (10) | (1) | 2 | ||
Repayment of loan investment in Limited Partnership | - | 6,058 | 6,058 | ||
Net cash generated from operating activities | 1,954 | 5,808 | 5,522 | ||
Cash flow used in financing activities | |||||
Capital distributions | - | (6,066) | (6,066) | ||
Net cash used in financing activities | - | (6,066) | (6,066) | ||
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents during the period/year | 1,954 | (258) | (544) | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period/year | 381 | 925 | 925 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period/year | 2,335 | 667 | 381 |
The notes below form an integral part of the 2012 Cell condensed interim financial statements.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Financial Statements
For the six months ended 30 September 2015
1. General information
The 2012 Cell is a cell of Better Capital PCC Limited and has the investment objective of generating attractive total returns from investing (through Fund II) in a portfolio of businesses which have significant operating issues and may have associated financial distress, with a primary focus on businesses which have significant activities within the United Kingdom. Such returns are expected to be largely derived from capital growth.
Fund II is managed by its general partner, BECAP12 GP LP, which is in turn managed by its general partner BECAP12 GP Limited. Such arrangements are governed under the respective Limited Partnership Agreements, as amended.
The 2012 Cell is listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market.
2. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The unaudited 2012 Cell condensed financial information included in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2015 has been prepared in accordance with the DTRs and Listing Rules of the UK's FCA and IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU.
The interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual financial statements for the year to 31 March 2015, which are available on the Company's website www.bettercapital.gg. The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with EU adopted IFRS.
The principal accounting policies adopted are set out in the Company's accounting policies above.
Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Company's Directors have a reasonable expectation that the 2012 Cell, and in turn Fund II, have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and do not consider there to be any threat to the going concern status of the 2012 Cell. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these interim financial statements.
Critical accounting judgement and estimation uncertainty
Use of estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.
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.
The areas involving a high degree of judgement or complexity or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the interim financial statements are disclosed below. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.
The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.
Investment in Fund II
The value of the 2012 Cell's investment in Fund II is based on the value of the 2012 Cell's limited partner capital and loan accounts within Fund II. This is based on the components within Fund II, principally the value of the underlying investee companies. Any fluctuation in the value of the underlying investee companies will directly impact on the value of the 2012 Cell's investment in Fund II.
When valuing the underlying investee companies, the General Partner of Fund II reviews information provided by the underlying investee companies and other business partners and applies IPEV methodologies, as noted above, to estimate a fair value as at the date of the statement of financial position. The variety of valuation bases adopted, quality of management information provided by the underlying investee companies and the lack of liquid markets for the investments mean that there are inherent difficulties in determining the fair value of these investments that cannot be eliminated. Therefore the amounts realised on the sale of investments will differ from the fair values reflected in these financial statements and the differences may be significant.
Further information in relation to the valuation of the investment in Fund II is disclosed in Notes 4 and 5.
3. Segmental reporting
For management purposes, the 2012 Cell is organised into one main operating segment, which invests in one limited partnership.
4. Investment in Limited Partnership
Loans | Capital | Total | |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
Cost | |||
Brought forward at 1 April 2015 | 341,325 | 17 | 341,342 |
Carried forward | 341,325 | 17 | 341,342 |
Fair value adjustment through profit or loss | |||
Brought forward | (5,550) | - | (5,550) |
Fair value movement during period | (76,371) | - | (76,371) |
Carried forward | (81,921) | - | (81,921) |
Fair value as at 30 September 2015 (unaudited) | 259,404 | 17 | 259,421 |
Loans | Capital | Total | |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
Cost | |||
Brought forward at 1 April 2013 | 347,383 | 17 | 347,400 |
Repayment of loan investment in Limited Partnership | (6,058) | - | (6,058) |
Carried forward | 341,325 | 17 | 341,342 |
Fair value adjustment through profit or loss | |||
Brought forward | 26,573 | - | 26,573 |
Fair value movement during period | (16,992) | - | (16,992) |
Carried forward | 9,581 | - | 9,581 |
Fair value as at 30 September 2014 (unaudited) | 350,906 | 17 | 350,923 |
| |||
Loans | Capital | Total | |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
Cost | |||
Brought forward at 1 April 2014 | 347,383 | 17 | 347,400 |
Repayment of loan investment in Limited Partnership | (6,058) | - | (6,058) |
Carried forward | 341,325 | 17 | 341,342 |
Fair value adjustment through profit or loss | |||
Brought forward | 26,573 | - | 26,573 |
Fair value movement during the year | (32,123) | - | (32,123) |
Carried forward | (5,550) | - | (5,550) |
Fair value as at 31 March 2015 | 335,775 | 17 | 335,792 |
The movement in fair value of the Fund II investment is derived from the fair value uplift in iNTERTAIN, increase in cost of Jaeger and the write downs in Everest, SPOT and CAV Aerospace net of income and expenses of Fund II and its related special purpose vehicles.
The outstanding loans do not incur interest. The loans are expected to be repaid by way of distributions from Fund II. The 2012 Cell is not entitled to demand repayment of the outstanding loans, however, the General Partner may, upon request by the Company, repay to the 2012 Cell any amount of the outstanding loan. During the period £nil (Year to 31 March 2015: £6.1 million, Six months to 30 September 2014: £6.1 million) was repaid to the 2012 Cell by Fund II.
Income distributions receivable from Fund II in the period amounted to £nil (Year to 31 March 2015: £3.0 million, Six months to 30 September 2014: £1.8 million) which have been allocated as income based on the discretionary allocation powers of the General Partner of Fund II as set out in the Limited Partnership Agreement. At the period end an aggregate £1.6 million (Year to 31 March 2015: £3.8 million, Six months to 30 September 2014: £2.6 million) remained outstanding.
In the interim financial statements of the 2012 Cell the fair value of the investment in the Limited Partnership is adjusted to reflect the fair value of the 2012 Cell's attributable valuation of net assets within Fund II.
5. Fair value
The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the financial assets or financial liabilities are categorised is determined on the basis of the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy and further information on valuation techniques can be found in Note 5 in the Company financial statements.
Fund II's Level 1 investment consists of 3.3 million shares in the 2012 Cell, purchased in the period, which are valued at £2.0 million based on their 30 September 2015 quoted price.
The following table summarises the valuation methodologies and inputs used for the 2012 Cell's Level 3 investments as at the period end:
Valuation Methodology | Description | Input | Adjustments | Discount Rate Applied to Multiples | Discounted Multiples | Value of portfolio valued on this basis (£'m) | ||
30 September 2015 | 30 September 2014 | 31 March 2015 | ||||||
Multiple | Most commonly used Private Equity valuation methodology | Multiples are applied to the earnings of the investee company to determine the enterprise value | Surplus assets available for imminent sale may be added to the multiple valuation | A discount is applied to earnings multiples, ranging from 10 per cent. to 20 per cent. (30 September 2014: 10 per cent. to 20 per cent., 31 March 2015: 10 per cent to 20 per cent.) | Multiples being 0.4 times revenue and ranging from 6.2 times to 7.4 times EBITDA (30 September 2014: 6.1 times EBITDA, 31 March 2015: 0.3 times revenue and 6.1 times to 6.5 times EBITDA) | 187.5 | 69.4 | 124.4 |
30 September 2015 - Everest - SPOT - iNTERTAIN - Jaeger | EarningsReported earnings adjusted for non-recurring items, such as restructuring expenses, for significant corporate actions and, in exceptional cases, run-rate adjustments to arrive at maintainable earnings. Most common measure is EBITDA (Everest, SPOT, iNTERTAIN). Other earnings such as revenue may also be used where relevant (Jaeger). Further information in relation to the application of earnings can be found in the Fund II GP report above | |||||||
30 September 2014 - Everest | Discounts to the valuation generated by applying multiples to reflect the time and costs of reaching sustainable profitability and the inevitable accompanying uncertainties | |||||||
31 March 2015 - Everest - Jaeger - iNTERTAIN | Multiples The earnings multiple is derived from comparable listed companies (Everest, iNTERTAIN) or relevant market transaction multiples (Jaeger, SPOT) . The Fund II GP typically selects businesses in the same industry and, where possible, with a similar business model and profile in terms of size, products, services and customers, growth rates and geographic focus and adjust for changes in the relative performance in the set of comparables | |||||||
Price of recent investment | Where there has been a recent Investment in the Investee Company, the price of that Investment will provide a basis of the valuation | Book cost | Addition of costs since initial purchase and the subtraction of monies returned to Fund II | n/a | n/a | 0.0 | 100.0 | 140.0 |
30 September 2015 - None | ||||||||
30 September 2014 - SPOT | ||||||||
31 March 2015 - SPOT - CAV | ||||||||
Other | Values of separate elements prepared under other methods, as deemed suitable by the Fund II GP, such as net realisable value (City Link) and asset basis (CAV Aerospace) | Net realisable value, assets | As determined on a case by case basis | n/a | n/a | 27.0 | 70.0 | 15.0 |
30 September 2015 - City Link - CAV Aerospace | ||||||||
30 September 2014 - Jaeger - City Link | ||||||||
31 March 2015 - City Link | ||||||||
Level 3 Portfolio valuation | 214.5 | 239.4 | 279.4 | |||||
Level 1 Portfolio valuation | 2.0 | - | - | |||||
Other net assets | 42.9 | 111.5 | 56.4 | |||||
2012 Cell fair value of investments in Fund II | 259.4 | 350.9 | 335.8 |
During the period the basis of valuation for SPOT and CAV Aerospace changed from price of recent investment to an earnings basis and assets basis respectively. The basis of valuation for Jaeger changed from an earnings basis to a discounted cash flow basis. The Fund II GP and the Company's board consider these methods to be a more appropriate basis of valuation for the aforementioned portfolio Companies. These changes resulted in a write down. Further information on this write down can be found in the Fund II GP Report above.
This approach requires the use of assumptions about certain unobservable inputs. Significant unobservable inputs as at 30 September 2015 are:
- Multiples used to derive enterprise value
- Discount factors
A reasonably possible change in the multiples used +/- 10.0 per cent. would result in:
- An increase in carrying value of £18.5 million or 8.5 per cent. (+10.0 per cent.)
- A decrease in the carrying value of £19.3 million or 8.9 per cent. (-10.0 per cent.)
A reasonably possible change in the discount factors used would be to completely remove the discount factor or to double the discount factor. This would result in:
- A decrease in carrying value of £50.5 million or 23.3 per cent. (+100.0 per cent.)
- An increase in the carrying value of £49.9 million or 23.0 per cent. (-100.0 per cent.)
The Fund II GP approves the valuations performed with input from the Consultant and monitors the range of reasonably possible changes in significant observable inputs on a regular basis.
6. Share capital
Share capital for the 2012 Cell is detailed in the relevant column in Note 6 of the Company's financial statements above.
The one capital distribution (reduction of share capital) announced to date for the 2012 Cell totalled £6.1 million, being 1.7 per cent. of funds raised.
7. Related party transactions
Further information on related party transactions can be found in Note 7 in the Company financial statements.
Directors' fees and expenses, incurred by the 2012 Cell, for the period to 30 September 2015 amounted to £62,000 (31 March 2015: £127,000, 30 September 2014: £63,000) apportioned on a NAV basis between the Cells. At the period end, £29,000 (31 March 2015: £32,000, 30 September 2014: £32,000) remained outstanding.
8. Earnings per share and net asset value per share
Earnings per share
2012 Cell | Six months to 30 September 2015 | Six months to 30 September 2014 | Year ended 31 March 2015 | |||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||
Loss for the period/year | £(76,615,949) | £(15,445,529) | £(29,658,961) | |||
Weighted average number of 2012 Shares in issue | 346,600,520 | 346,600,520 | 346,600,520 | |||
EPS (pence) | (22.10) | (4.46) | (8.56) | |||
The earnings per share is based on the profit or loss of the 2012 Cell for the period/year and on the weighted average number of shares of the 2012 Cell in issue for the period/year.
The 2012 Cell does not have any instruments which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future.
Net asset value per share
| As at 30 September 2015 | As at 30 September 2014 | As at 31 March 2015 | |
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||
Net assets attributable to 2012 Cell shareholders | £263,269,992 | £354,099,373 | £339,885,941 | |
Capital distributions | £6,065,509 | £6,065,509 | £6,065,509 | |
Adjusted net asset value | £269,335,501 | £360,164,882 | £345,951,450 | |
2012 Shares in issue | 346,600,520 | 346,600,520 | 346,600,520 | |
NAV per share (IFRS) | 75.96 | 102.16 | 98.06 | |
Adjusted NAV per share | 77.71 | 103.91 | 99.81 |
The net asset value per share for the 2012 Cell is arrived at by dividing the total net assets of the 2012 Cell at the period/year end by the number of shares in issue at the period/year end.
The adjusted net asset value adds back capital distributions made to the 2012 Share investors to date.
The adjusted net asset value per share for the 2012 Cell is arrived at by dividing the adjusted net asset value of the 2012 Cell at the period/year end by the number of 2012 Shares in issue at the period/year end.
9. Subsequent events
On 2 October 2015, Fund II received a further £4.0 million from the proceeds of realisation of City Link (in administration).
On 9 October 2015, Fund II invested a further £3.0 million into Jaeger.
There were no other significant events occurring after 30 September 2015.
Defined Terms
"2009 Cell" or "Better Capital 2009 Cell" | the Cell in the Company established following the Conversion which holds partnership interests in Fund I, and is interpreted as the Company acting in its capacity as a protected cell company transacting its business in the name of the 2009 Cell; |
"2009 Shares" | the ordinary shares of £1 par value in the 2009 Cell; |
"2012 Cell" or "Better Capital 2012 Cell" | the Cell in the Company established following the Conversion which holds partnership interests in Fund II, and is interpreted as the Company acting in its capacity as a protected cell company transacting its business in the name of the 2012 Cell; |
"2012 Shares" | the ordinary shares of £1 par value in the 2012 Cell issued by the Company pursuant to the Firm Placing and Placing and Open Offer; |
"Administrator" or "Heritage" | means Heritage International Fund Managers Limited; |
"Carried Interest" | the Special Limited Partner's entitlement to participate in the gains and profits of Fund I or Fund II, as set out in the relevant partnership agreement; |
"CAV Aerospace" | means CAV Aerospace Limited; |
"Cells" | the 2009 Cell and 2012 Cell together; |
"Cell Shares" | the 2009 Shares and 2012 Shares together; |
"City Link" | means City Link Limited; |
"Companies Law" | the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 as amended; |
"Company" or "Better Capital PCC Limited" | Better Capital Limited, being prior to the Conversion, a non-cellular company limited by shares and being upon and after the Conversion a protected cell company, in each case incorporated in Guernsey with registered number 51194 whose registered office is at Heritage Hall, PO Box 225, Le Marchant Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 4HY; |
"Consultant" | means Better Capital LLP; |
"Core" | the Company excluding its Cells;
|
"Core Shares" | the shares in the Core; |
"Directors" or "Board" | the directors of the Company as at the date of this document and "Director" means any one of them; |
"DTR" | Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the UK's FCA; |
"EBITDA" | being earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation; |
"EU" or "European Union" | the European Union first established by the treaty made at Maastricht on 7 February 1992; |
"EU Adopted IFRS" | International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted in the EU; |
"Fairline"
| means the Fairline group of companies;
|
"FCA" | the Financial Conduct Authority; |
"FCA Rules" | the rules or regulations issued or promulgated by the FCA from time to time and for the time being in force (as varied by any waiver or modification granted, or guidance given, by the FCA); |
"Funds" | both Fund I and Fund II together; |
"Fund GPs" | being both Fund I GP and Fund II GP; |
"Fund I" | BECAP Fund LP, a Guernsey limited partnership established on 23 November 2009 and registered in Guernsey as a limited partnership on 25 November 2009 (registration number 1242); |
"Fund I GP" | means BECAP GP LP acting as general partner of Fund I and by its general partner, BECAP GP Limited; |
"Fund II" | BECAP12 Fund LP, a Guernsey limited partnership established and registered in Guernsey as a limited partnership on 17 November 2011 (registration number 1558); |
"Fund II GP" | means BECAP12 GP LP acting as general partner of Fund II and by its general partner, BECAP12 GP Limited; |
"Gardner" | Gardner Group Limited; |
"General Partners" or "GPs" | both Fund I GP and Fund II GP together; |
"General Partner's Share" | the priority profit share payable to the General Partner pursuant to the Partnership Agreement; |
"IFRS" | International Financial Reporting Standards; |
"iNTERTAIN" | means the iNTERTAIN group of companies; |
"IPEV" | International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines; |
"Jaeger" | means the Jaeger group of companies; |
"Listing Rules" | the listing rules made under section 73A of the FSMA (as set out in the FCA Handbook), as amended; |
"London Stock Exchange" | London Stock Exchange plc; |
"Main Market" | the main market of the London Stock Exchange; |
"Net Asset Value" | the value of the assets of the Company less its liabilities, calculated in accordance with the valuation guidelines laid down by the Board; |
"OfficeTeam" | means Project Oliver Topco Limited and its subsidiaries, which together trade as OfficeTeam; |
"Omnico Group" | means the Omnico Group of companies; |
"PCC" | Protected Cell Company; |
"POI Law" | The Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987, as amended; |
"Prospectus" | The prospectus of the Company, most recently updated on 29 July 2013 and available on the Company's website (www.bettercapital.gg); |
"Registrar" | Capita Registrars (Guernsey) Limited; |
"Santia" | means the Santia group of companies; |
"Spicers" | means the Spicers group of companies; |
"SPOT" | means the Spicers OfficeTeam group of companies; |
"UK" | United Kingdom; |
General Information
Board of Directors Richard Crowder (Chairman) Richard Battey Philip Bowman Jon Moulton
Company secretary Heritage International Fund Managers LimitedHeritage Hall PO Box 225 Le Marchant StreetSt Peter PortGuernseyGY1 4HY
Registered office Heritage Hall PO Box 225 Le Marchant StreetSt Peter PortGuernseyGY1 4HY
Guernsey administrator Heritage International Fund Managers LimitedHeritage Hall PO Box 225 Le Marchant StreetSt Peter PortGuernseyGY1 4HY
Registrar Capita Registrars (Guernsey) Limited Longue Hougue House St Sampson Guernsey GY2 4JN
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Guernsey advocates to the Company Carey Olsen PO Box 98 Carey House Les Banques St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 4BZ
English solicitors to the Company DLA Piper UK LLP 3 Noble Street London EC2V 7EE
Corporate broker and financial adviser Numis Securities Limited 10 Paternoster Square London EC4M 7LT
Independent auditor BDO Limited PO Box 180 Place du Pré Rue du Pré St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3LL
Public relations adviser Powerscourt 2-5 St John's Square London EC1M 4DE
Website www.bettercapital.gg
Tickers 2009 Cell: BCAP.L 2012 Cell: BC12.L |
Related Shares:
BC12.LBCAP.L