17 September 2024
Learning Technologies Group
plc
HALF YEAR RESULTS
2024
Healthy profit growth and
strong cash generation
Continued challenging macro
backdrop
Learning Technologies Group plc, a
global market leader in digital learning and talent management,
announces half year results for the six months ended 30 June 2024.
All figures relate to that period unless otherwise
stated.
Strategic and operational highlights
●
|
Resilient performance in a tough
macroeconomic environment.
|
●
|
SaaS and long-term contracts
account for 76% of total revenues (H1 2023:
72%)1.
|
●
|
All major clients above $5 million
annual revenue that were up for renewal in H1 2024 were
successfully renewed and strong growth in LATAM and Leadership
divisions of GP Strategies.
|
●
|
GP Strategies profits more than
doubled in the three years since acquisition, reflecting margin
progression and operational improvement actions.
|
●
|
Completed the sale of VectorVMS
("Vector") for $50 million as part of ongoing initiatives to
simplify our portfolio and sharpen focus on learning and talent
development.
|
●
|
Increased investment in AI product
innovation including GP's Content AIQ Learning Platform, Human+ AI
Learning Series, Rustici Generator and Bridge Learn and Develop.
Early signs of customer uptake are encouraging.
|
Financial highlights
●
|
Organic constant currency revenue
down 3.8% to £250.3 million, with the subdued macro backdrop
affecting overall spending on learning and talent development
activities, particularly in transactional and project work and
softness in SaaS subscriptions:
|
|
○
|
Content & Services down
2.9%;
|
|
○
|
Software and Platforms down
5.9%.
|
●
|
Continued growth in profits and
margin progression on a like-for-like basis2:
|
|
○
|
Adjusted EBIT up 5% to £43.3
million.
|
|
○
|
Adjusted EBIT margin increased to
17.3% (H1 2023: 15.3%) as the Group benefits from the successful
commercial transformation of GP Strategies and focus on cost
optimisation.
|
|
○
|
Statutory operating profit
increased 65% to £38.3 million.
|
●
|
Strong cash performance with cash
conversion of 70%3 (H1: 65%).
|
●
|
Robust balance sheet with net debt
as at 30 June of £57.5 million, reduced to c.£1 million at 30
August 2024 following the disposal of Vector.
|
●
|
Voluntary debt repayment of $25
million in July 2024.
|
US regulatory update
●
|
GP Strategies continues to be in
constant dialogue with DCSA (Defense Counterintelligence and
Security Agency), and is making good progress on resolving the
issues pertaining to certain approvals, however there is more work
to be done.
|
●
|
A new subsidiary, solely focused
on all forms of US Government contracts, is in the process of being
established. It is expected to become operational in H1 2025 and
has applied to be eligible to work on new classified
contracts.
|
●
|
No existing classified contracts
are due for renewal imminently and the value of the contracts is
not material in the context of total Group revenue and
profit.
|
Dividend
●
|
The Board is pleased to declare an
interim dividend of 0.45 pence per share (H1 2023: 0.45
pence).
|
Current trading and outlook
●
|
The Group previously
expected revenue to be in the range of £480
million to £500 million and adjusted EBIT to be in
the range of £88 to £93 million for FY 2024
(adjusting for the completion of the sale of Vector on 1
July). This range was based on an average GBP:USD rate of 1.26 for
H2 2024.
|
●
|
Based on an average GBP:USD rate
of 1.31 for H2, the ranges adjust to £473 to £493 million of
revenues and adjusted EBIT of £86 to £91 million for FY 2024
(adjusting for the completion of the sale of Vector on 1
July).
|
●
|
The Board expects the Group to be
towards the bottom of the range given current trading, in
particular at GP Strategies.
|
●
|
The Board is focused on continuing
to drive efficiencies whilst actively managing the portfolio to
support a return to organic growth once market conditions
improve.
|
Jonathan Satchell, Chief Executive Officer of Learning
Technologies Group, said:
"LTG has delivered a resilient performance, with growth in
adjusted EBIT of 5% on a like for like basis, and strong cash
performance in a
macroeconomic
backdrop which remains challenging.
Whilst the lack of revenue growth is disappointing, the
structural drivers of the learning and talent development market
remain intact and support our belief that LTG will return to growth
when market conditions improve."
Financial
summary:
|
Continuing
|
|
£m unless otherwise
stated
|
H1 2024
|
H1 2023
|
Change
|
Revenue
|
250.3
|
284.6
|
(12)%
|
Revenue like-for-like4
|
250.3
|
268.2
|
(7)%
|
Organic constant currency
|
(3.8)%
|
0.1%
|
|
Software & Platforms constant
currency
|
(5.9)%
|
(4.7)%
|
|
Content & Services organic constant
currency
|
(2.9)%
|
1.8%
|
|
SaaS & long-term
contracts
|
76%
|
72%
|
|
Adjusted EBIT
|
43.3
|
43.1
|
0.5%
|
Adjusted EBIT margin
|
17.3%
|
15.1%
|
+220bps
|
Adjusted EBIT like-for-like2
|
43.3
|
41.1
|
+5%
|
Adjusted EBIT margin
like-for-like2
|
17.3%
|
15.3%
|
+200bps
|
Statutory operating profit
|
38.3
|
23.2
|
+65%
|
Statutory PBT
|
34.0
|
16.5
|
106%
|
Adj. Diluted EPS (pence)
|
3.496
|
3.293
|
6%
|
Basic EPS (pence) - continuing &
discontinued
|
3.363
|
1.376
|
144%
|
Net Debt / (Cash)
|
57.5
|
108.4
|
(47)%
|
Dividend (pence)
|
0.45
|
0.45
|
0%
|
NOTES
1. Proportion of total revenues
that are SaaS or long-term contracts increased to 76% although
there was a slight decline in revenue in absolute terms to £191.4
million.
2. Excluding TTI Global Staffing
contracts and Lorien Engineering disposed of in 2023 & 2 Jan
2024 respectively, at 1.23 average H1 2023 USD/GBP
FX.
3. Adjusted operating cash flow as
a percentage of adjusted EBIT. Adjusted operating cashflow is
cashflow in the period after accounting for operating activities
and capital expenditure.
4. Excluding TTI Global Staffing
contracts and Lorien Engineering disposed of in 2023 & 2 Jan
2024 respectively, and reclassification of pass-through revenue, at
1.23 average H1 2023 USD/GBP FX.
Analyst and investor presentation:
LTG will host an analyst and
investor webcast at 09:30 today, 17 September 2024. The
registration link can be found below:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7598785774527469662
Enquiries:
|
|
Learning Technologies Group plc
Jonathan Satchell, Chief
Executive
Kath Kearney-Croft, Chief
Financial Officer
|
+44
(0)20 7832 3440
|
Deutsche Numis (NOMAD and Corporate
Broker)
Nick Westlake, Ben Stoop,
Tejas Padalkar
|
+44
(0)20 7260 1000
|
Goldman Sachs International (Joint Corporate
Broker)
Bertie Whitehead,
Adam Laikin
|
+44
(0)20 7774 1000
|
|
|
FTI Consulting (Public Relations
Adviser)
Jamie Ricketts, Emma Hall, Lucy
Highland, Jemima Gurney
|
+44
(0)20 3727 1000
|
About LTG
Learning Technologies Group
plc (LTG) is a leader in the growing workplace digital
learning and talent management market. The Group offers end-to-end
learning and talent solutions ranging from strategic consultancy,
through a range of content and software platform solutions to
analytical insights that enable corporate and government clients to
close the gap between current and future workforce
capability.
LTG is listed on the London
Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (LTG.L) and
headquartered in London. The Group has offices
in Europe, North America, South
America and Asia-Pacific.
Chief Executive
Review
Introduction
Learning Technologies Group plc is
a global market leader in learning and talent technologies and
services. Our purpose is helping organisations to transform through
their people.
Our portfolio is diversified
including businesses that provide services, content, software and
platforms to the learning and talent development market. Our
clients include large, medium and small corporates as well as
educational institutions, with a concentration in North America
where we derive the majority of our revenue. We believe our people,
scale, diversification and holistic offering are differentiating
features within an industry that is both large and
fragmented.
Our strategy has three core
pillars including (i) grow and strengthen our existing businesses,
(ii) operate more efficiently and (iii) actively manage our
portfolio.
Our industry has experienced
softness in growth over the last two years driven by inflation
resulting in lower budgets, declining global growth and the
emergence of AI causing corporations to revisit historical ways of
working. However, the structural drivers of the industry remain
strong as there is significant ongoing business transformation
requiring training, and companies are focused on aligning skills
with organisational objectives through training and technology. AI
is evolving at a rapid pace, creating growing needs for training,
and employee trends are towards moving jobs more frequently
creating a demand for onboarding and upskilling.
Despite the revenue softness, LTG
continues to deliver profit growth and healthy cash flow. We
continue to concentrate on simplifying our portfolio, thus
sharpening our focus on learning and talent development. As part of
our strategy we recently closed the divestiture of Vector for a
cash consideration of $50 million on a cash and debt free basis
(net proceeds c.$35m after tax and costs) which alongside a
voluntary debt repayment resulted in an approximately neutral net
debt position as at 30 August 2024.
Notwithstanding the current
challenges, we believe that LTG will return to growth driven by a
combination of heightened focus on execution to take advantage of
long-term structural drivers, portfolio management, acquisitions
and an improvement in market conditions.
H1 2024 Performance Highlights
Revenues for the six months to
June 2024 declined by 3.8% on a constant currency organic basis.
The decline in revenue was driven by continued lower transactional
and project revenues in our Content & Services division,
PeopleFluent declines within Software and Platforms and a subdued
macro backdrop impacting overall spending on learning and talent
development activities.
Group adjusted EBIT for the first
half grew by 5% year over year and group adjusted margin in the
first half of the year was 17.3% versus 15.3% in H1 2023 (all on a
like-for-like basis). The margin progression was driven primarily
by continued execution of GP Strategies' commercial transformation
and efficiencies across the group.
LTG is a highly cash generative
business and is also delivering incremental proceeds through
disposals. Net debt as at 30 August 2024 was £1 million, following
the disposal of Vector and a voluntary additional debt repayment of
$25 million. Net debt as at 30 June 2024, was £57.5 million (FY
2023: £78.6 million) before accounting for the Vector
proceeds.
Our long-term services and SaaS
contracts accounted for 76% of revenues in H1 2024 and provide a
strong base and durability in earnings.
Operational Review
The Content and Services division
includes GP Strategies, Affirmity and PRELOADED and comprised 73%
of revenue and 60% of Adjusted EBIT in H1 2024.
The Software and Platforms
division reflects the results of our software companies including
Rustici, Bridge, Breezy, OpenLMS, and PeopleFluent. The Software
and Platforms divisions comprised 27% of revenue and 40% of
Adjusted EBIT in H1 2024
Content & Services
Revenue decreased by 2.9% on an
organic constant currency basis.
GP Strategies experienced strong
growth in Leadership & Advisory and in Latin America which was
offset by softness in Managed Learning Services, Learning
Experience and Government divisions driven by lower activity from
our existing client base and a softer pipeline. Their strategic
focus remains on driving more cross-selling within divisions,
gaining market share in emerging markets and sectors requiring
business transformation, and AI enabling the entire business to be
more productive for customers.
With regard to AI initiatives,
client uptake of GP Strategies new ContentAIQ platform has exceeded
expectations and their leading Human + AI training program remains
one of the pre-eminent programs for leadership across the Fortune
500 client base. Third parties continue to recognise GP Strategies'
leading expertise and capabilities, with the firm winning 30
Brandon Hall HCM Excellence Awards in the last 12
months.
PRELOADED experienced lower
activity in the first half including a delay in a large contract,
however clients are starting to become more active. Affirmity
delivered healthy revenue growth during the period driven by
continued new client wins and upselling.
Software and Platforms
Revenue decreased by 5.9% on an
organic constant currency basis. Individual business performances
were as follows:
●
|
Rustici: Continued strong
performance in H1 2024 with a number of new AI enabled products
coming to market including Rustici Generator (AI driven content
processing service).
|
●
|
Bridge: Incurred higher than
expected renewals churn in H1 driven by temporary factors including
restructuring of sales teams and spend scrutiny. The new Bridge
'Learn and Develop' solution which brings Skills-focused, AI
enabled technology derived from the Patheer acquisition, is landing
very well with existing customers and new prospects.
|
●
|
Breezy: The macro impact of
small medium business (SMB) hiring weakness continues to impact the
business in 2024.
|
●
|
OLMS: There were lower than
expected new customer bookings in H1 however underlying ARR grew in
Q2. The new leadership team has conducted a thorough review
resulting in a full understanding of the challenges and is
initiating many positive strategic changes.
|
●
|
PeopleFluent: Renewals churn
was higher than expectations. They are launching a new product
enhancement on Skills and AI called Stories which will address key
perceived deficiencies in the Learning Product and we expect this
to have a positive effect on retention.
|
Corporate Governance
As previously announced, Simon
Boddie was appointed as Senior Independent Director with effect
from 8 July 2024. I thank him for his continued support to me and
the executive team.
GP Strategies Regulatory Update
As a US company that performs work
for the US Government, GP Strategies requires certain approvals and
is subject to restrictions intended to protect classified
information.
In July 2024, LTG was notified by
GP Strategies of the invalidation ("temporary suspension") of the
eligibility for GP to work on new classified contracts. The GP
executive team continues to be in constant dialogue with the DCSA
(Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency) and is making
good progress on resolving the issues pertaining to certain
approvals, with full resolution our key
objective.
A new subsidiary, solely focused
on all forms of federal US Government contracts, is in the process
of being established. It is expected to become operational in H1
2025 and has applied to be eligible to work on new classified
contracts.
GP Strategies continues to work on
existing classified contracts, however one customer has paused
their contract which has a revenue impact of c.$200k in 2024. No
other contracts are due for renewal imminently, and the value of
the contracts is not material in the context of total Group revenue
and profit.
Dividend
On the 28th of June 2024, the
Company paid a final dividend of 1.21 per share, giving a total
dividend for 2023 of 1.66 pence per share, up 3.8% over 2022. The
Board is pleased to declare an interim dividend of 0.45 pence per
share (H1 2023: 0.45 pence per share). This dividend will be paid
by 28 October 2024 to all shareholders on the register as at 4
October 2024.
Current Trading and Outlook
The Group previously expected
revenue to be in the range of £480 to £500 million and adjusted
EBIT to be in the range of £88 to £93 million for FY 2024
(adjusting for the completion of the sale of Vector on 1 July).
This range was based on an average GBP:USD rate of 1.26 for H2
2024. Based on an average GBP:USD rate of 1.31 for H2, the ranges
adjust to £473 to £493 million of revenue and adjusted EBIT of £86
to £91 million for FY 2024 (adjusting for the completion of the
sale of Vector on 1 July). The Board expects the Group to be
towards the bottom of the range given current trading, in
particular at GP Strategies. The Board is focused on continuing to
drive efficiencies whilst actively managing the portfolio to
support a return to organic growth once market conditions
improve.
Jonathan Satchell
Chief Executive
17 September 2024
Chief Financial Officer's
Review
In the six months ended 30 June
2024, in a challenging macroeconomic climate with a weaker US
dollar, revenues for continuing operations were £250.3 million,
reflecting a 3.8% organic constant currency decline. On a reported
basis, revenue from continuing operations decreased 12% from £284.6
million. The Group has experienced resilience in SaaS and long-term
contracts versus project-related and transactional revenue with the
proportion of this category reflecting 76% of Group revenue from
72% in H1 2023.
Revenue in Content & Services
decreased 5.9% to £183.7 million on a like-for-like
basis1 and 13% on a reported basis (H1 2023: £211.5
million), with the division now accounting for 73% of Group revenue
(H1 2023: 74%). Organic constant currency revenue declined by 2.9%
(H1 2023: 1.8% growth), originating in GP Strategies and PRELOADED,
which was partially offset by growth in Affirmity. Long-term
contracts accounted for 70% of the division's revenue, an increase
from 65% in H1 2023. GP Strategies H1 performance reflects
continued softness in transactional and project-related work,
alongside a lower number of learners in some Managed Learning
Service contracts, partially offset by strong growth in LATAM and
Leadership divisions. GP Strategies also continued to benefit from
the commercial transformation strategy with year on year margin
improvements. PRELOADED revenue experienced slower than expected
sales conversion, and Affirmity revenue benefitted from growth
predominately in long-term contacts.
Revenue in Software &
Platforms decreased 9% to £66.6 million (H1 2023: £73.1 million)
with the division representing 27% of Group revenue (H1 2023: 26%).
On a constant currency basis Software & Platforms declined 5.9%
(H1 2023: 4.7% decline) driven by the structural decline in
PeopleFluent, lower revenue in OpenLMS due to fewer large services
deals with partners and business migrations, the continued
reduction in Reflektive revenue driven by primarily technology
sector customer churn, and some slightly higher churn and lagging
renewals within Bridge. In Breezy, we continue to see stability in
SaaS revenues, but challenges remain in transactional revenues.
These challenges were partially offset by continued strong growth
in Rustici due to higher utilisation of its products.
Adjusted EBIT on a like-for-like
basis increased 5% to £43.3 million from £41.1 million with a
resulting adjusted EBIT margin of 17.3% up from 15.3% in H1 2023
driven primarily by cost control and continued focus on the
successful commercial transformation programme within GP
Strategies, offset by lower revenue as outlined above. Reported
adjusted EBIT for continuing operations was broadly in line with
prior year of £43.1 million.
Adjusted EBIT margin for
continuing operations in the Content & Services division at
14.2% (H1 2023: 11.7%) was driven by the benefits of GP's
commercialisation strategy supplemented by the release of prior
year share-based payment costs resulting from leavers and prior
year performance criteria not being met. Software & Platforms
adjusted EBIT margin increased from 25.1% in H1 2023 to 25.8% due
to cost reduction and lower share-based payment
costs.
The Group reported a 65% increase
in statutory operating profit of £38.3 million (H1 2023: £23.2
million) which is stated after amortisation of acquired
intangibles, various transaction costs and earn-out charges, profit
or loss on disposal of fixed and non-core assets, cloud computing
and integration costs. Amortisation of acquired intangibles
decreased to £15.9 million (H1 2023: £16.6 million). Acquisition
earn-out charges decreased to £0.2 million (H1 2023: £1.1 million).
Contingent consideration arrangements are in place for eCreators
& PDT and are dependent on challenging incremental revenue
growth targets. Net profit on disposal of fixed assets was £0.1
million (H1 2023 loss: £0.9 million). Profit on disposal of
non-core asset was £12.3 million (H1 2023: nil), relating to the
sale of the Lorien business on 2 January 2024. Cloud computing
costs were £0.2 million (H1 2023: £0.1 million). Costs of
integration decreased to £0.4 million (H1 2023: £1.2 million)
related to the final stages of the integration of GP Strategies
including legal costs related to the US regulatory issue. Disposal
costs for H1 were £0.8 million (H1 2023: £0.1 million) related to
the disposal of Vector completed 1 July and active portfolio
management. For further details of the items excluded from
statutory operating profit see note 6.
Net finance expenses of £4.3
million (H1 2023: £6.7 million) include interest on borrowings of
£5.7 million (H1 2023: £7.0 million), £0.2 million (H1 2023: £0.3
million) relating to the Group's leases under IFRS 16, and £1.6
million interest receivable (H1 2023: £0.5
million).
The Group reported a profit before
tax of £34.0 million for the six months ended 30 June 2024 (H1
2023: £16.5 million). The tax charge of £7.4
million (H1 2023: £4.5 million) is primarily driven by applying UK
and international tax rates to associated results after adjustments
for non-taxable disposals, as well as the derecognition of deferred
tax assets related to prior year losses in Puerto Rico due to
declining operations in this territory (note
4).
Basic earnings per share for
continuing and discontinued operations in H1 2024 was 3.363 pence
(H1 2023: 1.376 pence). Adjusted diluted earnings per share for
continuing operations as set out in Note 9 was 6% up on the
prior year at 3.496 pence (H1 2023: 3.293 pence) reflecting slightly higher
adjusted operating profit, lower net interest costs and
slightly higher number of shares including the potential
dilutive impact of share options.
Gross cash of £78.5 million and
net debt of £57.5 million excluding £8.8 million of lease
liabilities, at 30 June 2024 compares with gross cash of £72.5
million and net debt of £78.6 million, excluding £11.3 million of
lease liabilities, at 31 December 2023. The covenant net debt /
adjusted EBITDA ratio was 0.5x in June 2024 (0.7x in December
2023). A further voluntary repayment of $25.0 million (£19.5
million) was paid on 10 July using part of the Vector sale proceeds
(note 17).
Cash generated from operations was
strong at £37.7 million (H1 2023: £32.6 million) as we continue to
manage working capital and reduce property leases, and net cash
flow from operating activities was £27.1 million (H1 2023: £26.7
million).
Free cash flow3 was
£29.9 million (H1 2023: £5.6 million) as set out below.
£m
|
H1 2024
|
H1 2023
|
Variance
|
Statutory operating
profit
|
38.2
|
23.2
|
15.0
|
Adjusting items
|
5.1
|
19.9
|
(14.8)
|
Adjusted EBIT
|
43.3
|
43.1
|
0.2
|
Depreciation &
Amortisation
|
6.9
|
7.1
|
(0.2)
|
Share-based payment
charges
|
0.9
|
3.1
|
(2.2)
|
Dec / (Inc) in working
capital2
|
(12.1)
|
(13.3)
|
1.2
|
Capital expenditure
|
(6.3)
|
(7.2)
|
0.9
|
Lease liabilities
|
(2.3)
|
(3.2)
|
0.9
|
Other
|
(0.1)
|
(1.6)
|
1.5
|
Adjusted operating cash flow3
|
30.3
|
28.0
|
2.3
|
Cash Conversion3
|
70%
|
65%
|
5% pts
|
Interest paid
|
(6.5)
|
(11.1)
|
4.6
|
Interest received
|
1.6
|
0.5
|
1.1
|
Tax paid
|
(10.6)
|
(5.9)
|
(4.7)
|
Integration & disposal
costs
|
(1.1)
|
(1.2)
|
0.1
|
Earnout & contingent
consideration
|
(0.1)
|
(4.7)
|
4.6
|
Proceeds from asset
sale
|
16.3
|
-
|
16.3
|
Free cash flow3
|
29.9
|
5.6
|
24.3
|
1 Excluding Lorien and TTI contracts disposed of in 2023, and
reclassification of pass-through revenue, at 1.23 average H1 2023
USD/GBP FX.
2 Excludes integration & transaction costs
3 Alternative Performance Measure (APM) term defined and
explained in the Glossary
Adjusted operating cash flow was
£2.3 million higher than H1 2023 primarily reflecting lower working
capital, capital expenditure and lease payments, offset by lower
share-based payment charges. Cash conversion was 70%, an
improvement from 65% in H1 2023.
Net interest payments decreased to
£4.9 million from £10.6 million, following £4.5m paid in H1 2023
related to interest costs from 2022 payable in January 2023 as the
loan was rolled for 6 months to mitigate interest rate rises in H2
2022. Tax payments increased to £10.6 million (H1 2023: £5.9
million) including a £3.6 million 2023 catch-up. Integration costs
relate to the GP Strategies acquisition as we enter into the final
stages of this process. £0.1m earnout payment relates to Learning
Media Services in H1 2024 (H1 2023: Breezy and
eCreators). Proceeds from asset sale were £16.3 million in H1
2024 (H1 2023: £nil), from the disposal of Lorien Engineering
Solutions.
Net assets increased to £443.7
million at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: £427.2 million) and
total equity per share3 increased from 54.0 pence per
share to 56.1 pence per share.
On 1 July 2024, Learning
Technologies Group plc successfully completed on the sale of
Vector to PIXID Group for a cash consideration of $50
million on a cash and debt free basis (note 22). Vector is a
leading vendor management platform for contingent labour with
operations predominantly in North America and also in
the UK. By way of background, Vector was acquired as part of
the $150 million PeopleFluent acquisition in 2018. For
the full year ended 31 December 2023, Vector generated revenue
and Adjusted EBIT of $11.4m and $7.1
million respectively.
The sale of Vector is part of
LTG's announced strategy to actively manage the portfolio,
sharpening our focus on learning and talent development. The sale
of Vector follows the completed disposals of TTi Global staffing
contracts in 2023 and Lorien Engineering Solutions in January
2024.
Kath Kearney-Croft
CFO
17 September 2024
Consolidated statement of comprehensive
income
|
|
|
Six months
to
30 June
2024
|
Six months
to
30 June
2023
|
Year to
31 Dec
2023
|
|
Note
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Revenue
|
3
|
|
250,328
|
284,582
|
562,305
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
(211,164)
|
(258,320)
|
(499,642)
|
Share-based payment
charge
|
|
|
(906)
|
(3,081)
|
(4,381)
|
Profit on sale of joint
venture
|
|
|
-
|
-
|
425
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
38,258
|
23,181
|
58,707
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBIT
|
|
|
43,347
|
43,115
|
98,539
|
Adjusting items included in
Operating profit
|
6
|
|
(5,089)
|
(19,934)
|
(39,832)
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
38,258
|
23,181
|
58,707
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance expenses
|
7
|
|
(5,927)
|
(7,243)
|
(14,132)
|
Finance income
|
7
|
|
1,644
|
539
|
1,032
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before taxation from continuing
operations
|
|
|
33,975
|
16,477
|
45,607
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax charge
|
4
|
|
(7,366)
|
(4,472)
|
(13,015)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit after taxation from continuing
operations
|
|
|
26,609
|
12,005
|
32,592
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on discontinued operations,
net of tax
|
5
|
|
-
|
(1,125)
|
(3,138)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the period/year
|
|
|
26,609
|
10,880
|
29,454
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the period/year attributable to the owners of the
parent
|
|
|
26,609
|
10,880
|
29,454
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive
income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange differences on
translating foreign operations
|
|
|
(1,489)
|
(11,920)
|
(20,169)
|
Total comprehensive profit / (loss) for the
period/year
|
|
|
25,120
|
(1,040)
|
9,285
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share from continuing
operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic (pence)
|
9
|
|
3.363
|
1.518
|
4.121
|
Diluted (pence)
|
9
|
|
3.260
|
1.476
|
3.985
|
Adjusted earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic (pence)
|
9
|
|
3.607
|
3.387
|
8.069
|
Diluted (pence)
|
9
|
|
3.496
|
3.293
|
7.803
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share from continuing and discontinued
operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic (pence)
|
9
|
|
3.363
|
1.376
|
3.724
|
Diluted (pence)
|
9
|
|
3.260
|
1.338
|
3.601
|
Adjusted earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic (pence)
|
9
|
|
3.607
|
3.253
|
7.680
|
Diluted (pence)
|
9
|
|
3.496
|
3.163
|
7.427
|
Consolidated statement of financial
position
|
Note
|
30 June
2024
£'000
|
30 June 2023 (restated)
£'000
|
31 Dec
2023
£'000
|
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
11
|
2,013
|
2,433
|
2,217
|
Right-of-use assets
|
11
|
5,414
|
10,449
|
6,812
|
Intangible assets
|
10
|
461,098
|
512,059
|
493,016
|
Deferred tax assets
|
15
|
8,116
|
7,335
|
6,147
|
Other receivables, deposits and
prepayments
|
|
1,601
|
2,145
|
2,093
|
|
|
478,242
|
534,421
|
510,285
|
CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
Trade receivables
|
12
|
92,751
|
105,768
|
107,962
|
Other receivables, deposits and
prepayments
|
13
|
15,092
|
14,620
|
14,374
|
Amounts recoverable on
contracts
|
|
30,746
|
39,349
|
25,757
|
Inventory
|
|
1,313
|
2,403
|
1,260
|
Corporation tax
|
|
2,863
|
-
|
5,155
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
14
|
78,503
|
78,132
|
72,522
|
Restricted cash
balances
|
14
|
2,672
|
2,303
|
2,389
|
|
|
223,940
|
242,575
|
229,419
|
Assets in disposal groups
classified as held for sale
|
19
|
22,259
|
6,695
|
8,007
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
724,441
|
783,691
|
747,711
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Lease liabilities
|
|
2,686
|
4,162
|
4,423
|
Trade and other
payables
|
16
|
120,317
|
141,582
|
133,950
|
Borrowings
|
17
|
30,115
|
31,220
|
30,091
|
Provisions
|
18
|
1,038
|
1,621
|
2,026
|
Corporation tax
|
|
7,856
|
5,468
|
8,237
|
ESPP scheme liability
|
|
991
|
881
|
995
|
|
|
163,003
|
184,934
|
179,722
|
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Lease liabilities
|
|
6,152
|
8,486
|
6,913
|
Deferred tax
liabilities
|
15
|
4,647
|
8,436
|
5,744
|
Other long-term
liabilities
|
|
80
|
1,466
|
405
|
Borrowings
|
17
|
105,912
|
155,289
|
120,984
|
Corporation tax payable
|
|
-
|
763
|
756
|
Provisions
|
18
|
491
|
534
|
621
|
|
|
117,282
|
174,974
|
135,423
|
Liabilities directly associated
with assets in disposal groups classified as held for
sale
|
19
|
413
|
4,137
|
5,335
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES
|
|
280,698
|
364,045
|
320,480
|
NET ASSETS
|
|
443,743
|
419,646
|
427,231
|
|
|
|
|
|
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
|
2,967
|
2,967
|
2,967
|
Share premium account
|
|
318,698
|
318,698
|
318,698
|
Merger relief reserve
|
|
31,983
|
31,983
|
31,983
|
Reverse acquisition
reserve
|
|
(22,933)
|
(22,933)
|
(22,933)
|
Share based payment
reserve
|
|
19,777
|
17,674
|
18,974
|
Foreign exchange translation
reserve
|
|
4,071
|
13,809
|
5,560
|
Accumulated retained
earnings
|
|
89,180
|
57,448
|
71,982
|
TOTAL EQUITY
|
|
443,743
|
419,646
|
427,231
|
Consolidated statement of changes in
equity
|
|
Share
capital
|
Share
Premium
|
Merger relief
reserve
|
Reverse acquisition
reserve
|
Share
based
payments
reserve
|
Foreign
exchange
reserve
|
Retained
earnings
|
Total
equity
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Balance at 1 January
2023
|
|
2,962
|
318,183
|
31,983
|
(22,933)
|
14,714
|
25,729
|
55,662
|
426,300
|
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Profit
for period
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10,880
|
10,880
|
Exchange
differences on translating foreign operations
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(11,920)
|
-
|
(11,920)
|
Total comprehensive income
for the period
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(11,920)
|
10,880
|
(1,040)
|
Issue of
shares net of share issue costs
|
|
5
|
515
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
520
|
Share
based payment charge / credited to equity
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,081
|
-
|
-
|
3,081
|
Distributions in respect of cancelled share
options
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(121)
|
-
|
-
|
(121)
|
Tax
credit on share options
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Transfer
on exercise and lapse of options
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Dividends
paid
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(9,094)
|
(9,094)
|
Transactions with
owners
|
|
5
|
515
|
-
|
-
|
2,960
|
|
(9,094)
|
(5,614)
|
Balance at 30 June
2023
|
|
2,967
|
318,698
|
31,983
|
(22,933)
|
17,674
|
13,809
|
57,448
|
419,646
|
Profit
for period
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18,574
|
18,574
|
Exchange
differences on translating foreign operations
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(8,249)
|
-
|
(8,249)
|
Total comprehensive income
for the period
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(8,249)
|
18,574
|
10,325
|
Issue of
shares net of share issue costs
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Reserves
transfer
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Share
based payment charge / credited to equity
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,300
|
-
|
-
|
1,300
|
Tax
credit on share options
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(520)
|
(520)
|
Transfer
on exercise and lapse of options
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Exercise
of share options through trust
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38
|
38
|
Dividends
paid
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3,558)
|
(3,558)
|
Transactions with
owners
|
|
|
|
-
|
-
|
1,300
|
-
|
(4,040)
|
(2,740)
|
Balance at 31 December
2023
|
|
2,967
|
318,698
|
31,983
|
(22,933)
|
18,974
|
5,560
|
71,982
|
427,231
|
Profit
for period
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
26,609
|
26,609
|
Exchange
differences on translating foreign operations
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,489)
|
-
|
(1,489)
|
Total comprehensive
(expense) / income for
the period
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,489)
|
26,609
|
25,120
|
Share
based payment charge / credited to equity
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
906
|
-
|
-
|
906
|
Distributions in respect of cancelled share
options
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(103)
|
-
|
-
|
(103)
|
Tax
credit on share options
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
158
|
158
|
Dividends
paid
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(9,569)
|
(9,569)
|
Transactions with
owners
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
803
|
-
|
(9,411)
|
(8,608)
|
Balance at 30 June
2024
|
|
2,967
|
318,698
|
31,983
|
(22,933)
|
19,777
|
4,071
|
89,180
|
443,743
|
Consolidated statement of cash
flows
|
Note
|
Six months
to
30 June
2024
£'000
|
Six months
to
30 June
2023
£'000
|
Year to
31 Dec
2023
£'000
|
Cash flow from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before taxation
|
|
33,975
|
16,477
|
45,607
|
Loss before taxation from
discontinued operations
|
5
|
-
|
(1,452)
|
(3,488)
|
Adjustments for:-
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on disposal of PPE and
right-of-use assets
|
|
(55)
|
893
|
2,163
|
Gain on sale of non-core
business
|
20
|
(12,279)
|
-
|
-
|
Share based payment
charge
|
|
906
|
3,081
|
4,381
|
Amortisation of intangible
assets
|
|
20,685
|
20,880
|
41,551
|
Depreciation of plant and
equipment
|
11
|
628
|
745
|
1,492
|
Depreciation of right-of-use
assets
|
11
|
1,458
|
2,128
|
3,741
|
Finance expense
|
7
|
188
|
257
|
518
|
Interest on borrowings
|
7
|
5,739
|
6,986
|
13,614
|
Acquisition-related contingent
consideration and earn-outs
|
6
|
239
|
1,088
|
224
|
Payment of acquisition-related
contingent consideration and earn-outs
|
|
-
|
(4,726)
|
(4,636)
|
Profit on sale of joint
venture
|
|
-
|
-
|
(425)
|
Interest income
|
7
|
(1,644)
|
(539)
|
(1,032)
|
Other non-cash items
|
|
-
|
-
|
2,000
|
Operating cash flow before working capital
changes
|
|
49,840
|
45,818
|
105,710
|
Decrease in trade and other
receivables
|
|
14,159
|
24,189
|
21,692
|
(Increase)/decrease in
inventory
|
|
(53)
|
(70)
|
1,052
|
(Increase)/decrease in amount
recoverable on contracts
|
|
(3,903)
|
(6,187)
|
8,269
|
Decrease in payables
|
|
(22,330)
|
(31,190)
|
(40,581)
|
Cash generated from operations
|
|
37,713
|
32,560
|
96,142
|
Income tax paid
|
|
(10,572)
|
(5,904)
|
(16,649)
|
Net cash flow from operating activities
|
|
27,141
|
26,656
|
79,493
|
Cash flow used in investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment
|
|
(589)
|
(490)
|
(1,192)
|
Development of intangible
assets
|
|
(5,671)
|
(6,707)
|
(12,883)
|
Sale of Investment in associates
or joint ventures
|
|
16,290
|
-
|
425
|
Net cash flow used in investing activities
|
|
10,030
|
(7,197)
|
(13,650)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow (used in)/from financing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid
|
8
|
(9,569)
|
-
|
(12,652)
|
Repayment of bank loans
|
|
(15,259)
|
(15,409)
|
(51,315)
|
Interest paid
|
|
(6,544)
|
(11,147)
|
(16,714)
|
Interest received
|
|
1,644
|
539
|
1,032
|
Issue of ordinary share capital
net of share issue costs
|
|
-
|
521
|
520
|
Contingent consideration payments
in the period
|
|
(83)
|
-
|
-
|
Interest paid on lease
liabilities
|
|
(209)
|
(261)
|
(546)
|
Cash payments for the principal
portion of lease liabilities
|
|
(2,088)
|
(2,977)
|
(5,192)
|
Net cash flow (used in)/from
financing
|
|
|
|
|
activities
|
|
(32,108)
|
(28,734)
|
(84,867)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase / (decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
5,063
|
(9,275)
|
(19,024)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of the period/year
|
|
72,522
|
94,847
|
94,847
|
Effects of foreign exchange rate
changes
|
|
918
|
(7,440)
|
(3,301)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the
period/year
|
14
|
78,503
|
78,132
|
72,522
|
Notes to the consolidated financial
statements for the six months to 30 June 2024
1.
General
information
Learning Technologies Group plc
("the Company'') and its subsidiaries (together, "the Group'')
provide a range of learning and talent software and services to
corporate customers. The principal activity of the Company is that
of a holding company for the Group, as well as performing all
administrative, corporate finance, strategic and governance
functions of the Group.
The Company is a public limited
company, which is listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock
Exchange and domiciled in England and incorporated and registered
in England and Wales. The address of its registered office
is 3 New Street Square, London, England,
EC4A 3BF. The registered number of the
Company is 07176993.
2.
Basis of
preparation
The unaudited condensed
consolidated interim financial information has been prepared in
accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. They do not
include all disclosures that would otherwise be required in a
complete set of financial statements and should be read in
conjunction with the 2023 annual report.
The interim results for the six
months to 30 June 2024 are unaudited and do not therefore
constitute statutory accounts in accordance with Section 434 of the
Companies Act 2006.
Statutory accounts for the year
ended 31 December 2023 have been filed with the Registrar of
Companies and the auditor's report was unqualified, did not contain
any statement under Section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act
2006 and did not contain any matters to which the auditors drew
attention without qualifying their report.
The accounting policies used in
preparing the interim results are the same as those applied to the
latest audited annual financial statements.
Going concern
The Group meets its day-to-day
working capital requirements from the positive cash flows generated
by its trading activities and its available cash resources. These
may be supplemented, if required, by additional drawings under the
Group's committed $50.0 million revolving credit facility (RCF)
which is available until October 2025; refer to note
17 for further
details.
The Group continues to hold a
strong liquidity position as at 30 June 2024, with gross cash and
cash equivalents of £78.5 million exclusive of cash classified as
held for sale (note 14). Net debt of £57.5 million includes a fully drawn $265.0
million term loan which is repayable in quarterly instalments of
$9.6 million commencing in December 2022 (note 17) (31 December 2023: gross cash
was £72.5 million and net debt was £78.6 million). Whilst there are
a number of risks to the Group's trading performance, as summarised
in the 'Principal risks and uncertainties' section on pages 25-26
within the 2023 Annual Report, the Group is confident of its
ability to continue to access sources of funding in the medium
term.
The Directors report that they
have re-assessed the principal risks, reviewed current performance
and forecasts, combined with expenditure commitments, including
capital expenditure, and borrowing facilities. The Group's
forecasts demonstrate it will generate profits and cash in the year
ending 31 December 2024 and beyond and that the Group has
sufficient cash reserves to enable it to meet its obligations as
they fall due, as well as operate within its banking covenants, for
a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing of these
financial statements.
Going concern (continued)
The Directors have concluded that
it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in
preparing the interim financial information, having undertaken a
review of a reforecast for 2024 and the impact this forecast has on
the Group's gross cash, net debt and ability to meet bank covenants
under the existing facilities agreement.
Alternative performance measures
The Group has identified certain
alternative performance measures ("APMs") that it believes will
assist the understanding of the performance of the business. The
Group believes that Adjusted EBIT, adjusting items, SaaS and
long-term contracts, transactional revenue, total equity per share
and net cash / debt provide useful information to users of the
financial statements. The terms are not defined terms under IFRS
and may therefore not be comparable with similarly titled measures
reported by other companies. They are not intended to be a
substitute for, or superior to, IFRS measures.
Adjusting items
The Group has chosen to present an
adjusted measure of profit and earnings per share, which excludes
certain items which are separately disclosed due to their size,
nature or incidence, and are not considered to be part of the
normal operating costs of the Group. These costs may include the
financial effect of adjusting items such as, inter alia,
restructuring costs, impairment charges, amortisation of acquired
intangibles, costs relating to business combinations, one-off
foreign exchange gains or losses, integration costs,
acquisition-related share-based payment charges, contingent
consideration and earn-outs, cloud computing configuration and
customisation costs, joint venture profits, profit on sale of
a joint venture and fixed asset and right-of-use asset disposal
gains or losses.
3.
Segment analysis
Geographical information
The Group's revenue from external
customers and non-current assets by geographical location are
detailed below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UK
|
Europe
|
North
America
|
Asia
Pacific
|
Rest of
world
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months to 30 June 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from continuing
operations
|
24,074
|
20,351
|
175,900
|
17,498
|
12,505
|
250,328
|
Revenue from discontinued
operations
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Total Revenue
|
24,074
|
20,351
|
175,900
|
17,498
|
12,505
|
250,328
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
35,992
|
548
|
417,335
|
15,922
|
329
|
470,126
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months to 30 June 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from continuing
operations
|
33,023
|
26,916
|
194,875
|
17,637
|
12,131
|
284,582
|
Revenue from discontinued
operations
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Total Revenue
|
33,023
|
26,916
|
194,875
|
17,637
|
12,131
|
284,582
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets (restated)
|
29,653
|
900
|
478,812
|
17,270
|
451
|
527,086
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year to 31 December 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from continuing
operations
|
67,826
|
73,804
|
374,279
|
21,064
|
25,332
|
562,305
|
Revenue from discontinued
operations
|
34
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
34
|
Total Revenue
|
67,860
|
73,804
|
374,279
|
21,064
|
25,332
|
562,339
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
36,132
|
709
|
450,479
|
16,472
|
346
|
504,138
|
The total non-current assets figure is exclusive
of deferred tax assets in each of the periods above.
The non-current assets for June 2023 have been
restated due to a prior period adjustment
(note 21).
Information about reported segment revenue, profit or loss
from continuing operations and total assets
30 June 2024
|
Content &
Services
|
Software &
Platforms
|
Total
|
|
Global
Services
|
Regional
Services
|
Other
Technical
|
Total
|
On-premise Software
Licences
|
Hosting &
SaaS
|
Platforms Professional
Services & Other
|
Support &
Maintenance
|
Total
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SaaS and long-term contracts
|
58,889
|
67,644
|
1,540
|
128,073
|
17,192
|
43,160
|
1,407
|
1,608
|
63,367
|
191,440
|
Transactional
|
10,468
|
31,017
|
14,124
|
55,609
|
6
|
30
|
3,243
|
-
|
3,279
|
58,888
|
Total Revenue
|
69,357
|
98,661
|
15,664
|
183,682
|
17,198
|
43,190
|
4,650
|
1,608
|
66,646
|
250,328
|
Depreciation &
amortisation
|
|
|
|
(1,874)
|
|
|
|
|
(4,474)
|
(6,348)
|
Adjusted EBIT
|
|
|
|
26,146
|
|
|
|
|
17,201
|
43,347
|
Amortisation of acquired
intangibles
|
|
|
|
(7,432)
|
|
|
|
|
(8,427)
|
(15,859)
|
Acquisition related adjusting
items
|
|
|
|
(261)
|
|
|
|
|
(334)
|
(595)
|
Other adjusting items
|
|
|
|
12,101
|
|
|
|
|
(736)
|
11,365
|
Finance expenses
|
|
|
|
(3,160)
|
|
|
|
|
(1,123)
|
(4,283)
|
Profit before tax
|
|
|
|
27,394
|
|
|
|
|
6,581
|
33,975
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to intangible
assets
|
|
|
|
534
|
|
|
|
|
5,137
|
5,671
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
|
531,569
|
|
|
|
|
192,872
|
724,441
|
30 June 2023 (restated)
|
Content &
Services
|
Software &
Platforms
|
Total
|
|
Global
Services
|
Regional
Services
|
Other
Technical
|
Total
|
On-premise Software
Licences
|
Hosting &
SaaS
|
Platforms Professional
Services & Other
|
Support &
Maintenance
|
Total
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SaaS and long-term contracts
|
63,853
|
71,275
|
1,507
|
136,635
|
15,191
|
50,249
|
2,246
|
1,958
|
69,644
|
206,279
|
Transactional
|
10,850
|
49,865
|
14,171
|
74,886
|
-
|
31
|
3,386
|
-
|
3,417
|
78,303
|
Total Revenue
|
74,703
|
121,140
|
15,678
|
211,521
|
15,191
|
50,280
|
5,632
|
1,958
|
73,061
|
284,582
|
Depreciation &
amortisation
|
|
|
|
(2,391)
|
|
|
|
|
(3,978)
|
(6,369)
|
Adjusted EBIT
|
|
|
|
24,794
|
|
|
|
|
18,321
|
43,115
|
Amortisation of acquired
intangibles
|
|
|
|
(7,581)
|
|
|
|
|
(8,995)
|
(16,576)
|
Acquisition related adjusting
items
|
|
|
|
(1,192)
|
|
|
|
|
(1,046)
|
(2,238)
|
Other adjusting items
|
|
|
|
(832)
|
|
|
|
|
(288)
|
(1,120)
|
Finance expenses
|
|
|
|
(4,983)
|
|
|
|
|
(1,721)
|
(6,704)
|
Profit before tax
|
|
|
|
10,206
|
|
|
|
|
6,271
|
16,477
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to intangible
assets
|
|
|
|
4,985
|
|
|
|
|
1,722
|
6,707
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
|
582,492
|
|
|
|
|
201,199
|
783,691
|
31 December 2023
|
Content &
Services
|
Software &
Platforms
|
Total
|
|
Global
Services
|
Regional
Services
|
Other
Technical
|
Total
|
On-premise Software
Licences
|
Hosting &
SaaS
|
Platforms Professional
Services & Other
|
Support &
Maintenance
|
Total
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SaaS and long-term contracts
|
87,220
|
179,783
|
2,825
|
269,828
|
30,684
|
100,212
|
3,925
|
3,429
|
138,250
|
408,078
|
Transactional
|
21,529
|
98,520
|
28,131
|
148,180
|
-
|
58
|
5,989
|
-
|
6,047
|
154,227
|
Total Revenue
|
108,749
|
278,303
|
30,956
|
418,008
|
30,684
|
100,270
|
9,914
|
3,429
|
144,297
|
562,305
|
Depreciation &
amortisation
|
|
|
|
(5,516)
|
|
|
|
|
(8,562)
|
(14,078)
|
Adjusted EBIT
|
|
|
|
56,416
|
|
|
|
|
42,123
|
98,539
|
Amortisation of acquired
intangibles
|
|
|
|
(15,065)
|
|
|
|
|
(17,641)
|
(32,706)
|
Acquisition related adjusting
items
|
|
|
|
(2,395)
|
|
|
|
|
(239)
|
(2,634)
|
Other adjusting items
|
|
|
|
(3,330)
|
|
|
|
|
(1,162)
|
(4,492)
|
Finance expenses
|
|
|
|
(9,736)
|
|
|
|
|
(3,364)
|
(13,100)
|
Profit before tax
|
|
|
|
25,890
|
|
|
|
|
19,717
|
45,607
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to intangible
assets
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
12,883
|
12,883
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
|
555,836
|
|
|
|
|
191,875
|
747,711
|
During the year ended 31 December
there were changes to the grouping of businesses within the
reportable segments, as well as a consolidation of the reporting
segments themselves. This was performed following internal
reorganisation and is consistent with the format of the internal
reporting used by the Chief Operating Decision Maker. The
comparative results for the period ended 30 June 2023 have been
represented to align under this updated presentation.
Adjusted EBIT is the main measure
of profit reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision
Maker.
The total assets figure is
inclusive of deferred tax assets in each of the periods
above.
Information about major customers
In the six months to 30 June 2024
one customer within the regional services SaaS and long-term
contracts under content and services accounted for £25,843,000 of
reported revenues (Six months to 30 June 2023: no customer
accounted for more than 10 per cent of reported
revenues).
4.
Taxation
Current and deferred tax for the
six months to 30 June 2024 has been calculated by applying the
jurisdictional statutory rates on an entity by entity basis, after
adjustments for non-taxable intra-group dividend income and
non-taxable disposals, to derive the Group's total income tax
expense/ (credit). This is allocated to current and deferred tax as
outlined below:
|
|
Six months
to
|
Six months
to
|
Year to
|
|
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Current tax:
|
|
|
|
|
Tax on profits for the
period/year
|
|
4,692
|
-
|
5,502
|
Adjustments in respect of prior
periods / years
|
|
(80)
|
1,449
|
(1,029)
|
Foreign current tax on profits for
the period / year
|
|
5,713
|
9,034
|
16,441
|
Total current tax
|
|
10,325
|
10,483
|
20,914
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax:
|
|
|
|
|
Origination and reversal of
temporary differences
|
|
(4,028)
|
(5,836)
|
(12,158)
|
Adjustments in respect of prior
periods / years
|
|
1,147
|
(359)
|
2,129
|
Change in deferred tax
rate
|
|
(78)
|
(143)
|
1,780
|
Total deferred tax
|
|
(2,959)
|
(6,338)
|
(8,249)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
7,366
|
4,145
|
12,665
|
Of the total income tax expense,
£7,366,000 relates to taxation on continuing operations (six months
to June 2023 expense £4,472,000 and year to 31 December 2023
expense £13,015,000).
5. (Loss) / Profit on
discontinued operations, net of tax
In the prior periods, the
discontinued operations related to the closure of non-core
operations with the table below showing the results which qualified
as discontinued operations and which are included in the Group
Income Statement and Group Statement of Cash Flows
respectively.
There is no impact of the Income
Statement and statement of cash flows in respect of the current
period ended 30 June 2024.
|
|
Six months
to
30 June
2024
|
Six months
to
30 June
2023
|
Year to
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Revenue
|
|
-
|
-
|
34
|
Operating expenses
|
|
-
|
(1,452)
|
(3,522)
|
Share based payment
charge
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss
|
|
-
|
(1,452)
|
(3,488)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBIT
|
|
-
|
(1,389)
|
(3,425)
|
Adjusting items included in
Operating loss
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
|
|
-
|
(1)
|
(1)
|
Closure costs
|
|
-
|
(62)
|
(62)
|
Impairment of assets held for sale
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Operating loss
|
|
-
|
(1,452)
|
(3,488)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before taxation
|
|
-
|
(1,452)
|
(3,488)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Taxation
|
|
-
|
327
|
350
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss after taxation
|
|
-
|
(1,125)
|
(3,138)
|
|
|
Six months
to
30 June
2024
|
Six months
to
30 June
2023
|
Year to
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow from operating
activities
|
|
-
|
(1,452)
|
(3,488)
|
Share based payment
charges
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Loss/(profit) on disposal of PPE,
right-of-use assets and lease liabilities
|
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
Impairment of assets held for
sale
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Other
|
|
-
|
-
|
2,000
|
Decrease/(increase)in trade and
other receivables
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(Decrease/increase in
payables
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Net cash (used in) / from operating
activities
|
|
-
|
(1,452)
|
(1,485)
|
Net cash from investing activities
|
|
-
|
-
|
(3)
|
Net cash flows from financing activities
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Net cash inflow / (outflows) from discontinued
operations
|
|
-
|
(1,452)
|
(1,488)
|
6. Adjusting
items
These items are included in the
normal operating costs of the business, but are significant cash
and non-cash expenses that are separately disclosed because of
their size, nature or incidence. It is the Group's view that
excluding them from Operating Profit gives a better representation
of the underlying performance of the business in the period.
Further details of the adjusting items are included
below.
|
Six months
to
|
Six months
to
|
Year to
|
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Adjusting items included in Operating
profit:
|
|
|
|
Acquisition related costs:
|
|
|
|
Amortisation of acquired
intangibles
|
15,859
|
16,576
|
32,706
|
Acquisition-related contingent
consideration and earn-outs
|
239
|
1,088
|
224
|
Integration costs
|
356
|
1,150
|
2,410
|
Total acquisition related costs
|
16,454
|
18,814
|
35,340
|
|
|
|
|
Other adjusting items:
|
|
|
|
(Profit) / Loss on disposal of
fixed assets
|
(109)
|
41
|
124
|
Loss on disposal of right-of-use
assets
|
54
|
852
|
2,039
|
Profit on disposal of non-core
asset
|
(12,279)
|
-
|
-
|
Profit on sale of joint
venture
|
-
|
-
|
(425)
|
Cloud computing configuration and
customization costs
|
214
|
122
|
292
|
Restructuring costs
|
-
|
-
|
2,537
|
Costs related to asset held for
sale
|
-
|
-
|
529
|
Disposal costs
|
755
|
105
|
-
|
Other income
|
-
|
-
|
(604)
|
Total other adjusting items
|
(11,365)
|
1,120
|
4,492
|
|
|
|
|
Total adjusting items
|
5,089
|
19,934
|
39,832
|
|
|
|
|
As outlined above, the material
adjustments during the period are made in respect of:
-
|
Amortisation of acquired
intangibles - the cost of £15.9 million (2023: £16.6 million) is
excluded from the adjusted results of the Group since the costs are
non-cash charges arising from investment activities. As such, they
are not considered reflective of the core trading performance of
the Group.
|
-
|
Acquisition-related contingent
consideration and earn-outs - these costs are excluded from the
adjusted results since these costs are also associated with
business acquisitions and represent post-combination remuneration,
which is not included in the calculation of goodwill and also not
considered part of the core trading performance of the
Group.
|
-
|
Disposal costs relate to the fees
incurred for the sale of Vector in July 2024 (note
22) and a non-core asset
during 2023 (see note 20).
|
-
|
Integration costs - the costs of
integrating acquired subsidiaries purchased. These costs associated
with completed acquisitions are excluded from the adjusted results
on the basis they are directly attributable to investment
activities, rather than the core trading activities of the Group.
Included within the £0.3 million integration costs are legal and
professional fees of £0.1 million, an allocation of internal labour
for employees who have worked on integration activities during the
year of £0.2 million.
|
-
|
Other in the year ended 31
December 2023 relates to a carve out of the external staffing
business of TTI Global, part of GP Strategies, for a cash
consideration of approximately $800k. This is an adjusting item due
to its quantum and non-recurring nature.
|
-
|
Cloud computing configuration and
customisation costs reflects the impact of a change in accounting
policy following review of IFRIC guidance issued in March 2021
relating to capitalisation of cloud
computing software implementation costs. Where there is no
underlying intangible asset over which we retain control, the Group
recognises configuration and customisation costs as an
expense.
|
7. Finance
expenses
|
|
Six months
to
|
Six months
to
|
Year
to
|
|
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest on borrowings
|
|
5,739
|
6,986
|
13,614
|
IFRS 16 finance expense
|
|
188
|
257
|
518
|
Finance expense
|
|
5,927
|
7,243
|
14,132
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest receivable
|
|
(1,644)
|
(539)
|
(1,032)
|
Finance income
|
|
(1,644)
|
(539)
|
(1,032)
|
Net finance expense
|
|
4,283
|
6,704
|
13,100
|
8. Dividends
paid
|
|
Six months
to
|
Six months
to
|
Year to
|
|
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Final dividends paid
|
|
9,569
|
9,094
|
9,094
|
Interim dividend paid
|
|
-
|
-
|
3,558
|
|
|
9,569
|
9,094
|
12,652
|
The declared interim dividend of
0.45 pence per share, amounting to a total dividend payment of £3.6
million, is not included as a liability in these financial
statements and will be paid on 28 October 2024 to shareholders on
the register at the close of business on 4 October 2024.
9. Earnings per
share
|
|
Six months
to
|
Six months
to
|
Year to
|
|
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share
(pence)
|
|
3.363
|
1.518
|
4.121
|
Diluted earnings per share
(pence)
|
|
3.260
|
1.476
|
3.985
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted basic earnings per share
(pence)
|
|
3.607
|
3.387
|
8.069
|
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
(pence)
|
|
3.496
|
3.293
|
7.803
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing and discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share
(pence)
|
|
3.363
|
1.376
|
3.724
|
Diluted earnings per share
(pence)
|
|
3.260
|
1.338
|
3.601
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted basic earnings per share
(pence)
|
|
3.607
|
3.253
|
7.680
|
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
(pence)
|
|
3.496
|
3.163
|
7.427
|
Basic earnings per share is
calculated by dividing the profit/loss after tax attributable to
the equity holders of the Group by the weighted average number of
shares in issue during the period.
Diluted earnings per share is
calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary
shares outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive potential
ordinary shares. The Company has share options that are dilutive
potential ordinary shares.
In order to give a better
understanding of the underlying operating performance of the Group,
an adjusted earnings per share has been included. Adjusted earnings
per share is stated after adjusting the profit after tax
attributable to equity holders of the Group for certain charges as
set out in the table below.
Adjusted earnings per share is
stated after the impact of the adjusting items disclosed in
note 6. The
adjusted measures are not defined terms under IFRS and may
therefore not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported
by other companies. They are not intended to be a substitute for,
or superior to IFRS measures.
The calculation of earnings per
share from continuing operations is based on the following earnings
and number of shares.
|
Six months to 30 June
2024
|
Six months to 30 June
2023
|
Year to 31 December
2023
|
|
Profit after
tax
|
Weighted average number of
shares
|
Pence per
share
|
Profit after
tax
|
Weighted average number of
shares
|
Pence per
share
|
Profit after
tax
|
Weighted average number of
shares
|
Pence per
share
|
|
£'000
|
'000
|
|
£'000
|
'000
|
|
£'000
|
'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per ordinary
share
|
26,609
|
791,160
|
3.363
|
12,005
|
790,677
|
1.518
|
32,592
|
790,920
|
4.121
|
Effect of
adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
adjusting items (see note 6)
|
5,089
|
|
|
19,934
|
|
|
39,832
|
|
|
Income
tax (credit)/expense
|
7,366
|
|
|
4,472
|
|
|
13,015
|
|
|
Effect of
adjustments
|
12,455
|
|
1.574
|
24,406
|
|
3.087
|
52,847
|
-
|
6.682
|
Adjusted profit before
tax
|
39,064
|
|
|
36,411
|
|
|
85,439
|
-
|
-
|
Tax
impact after adjustments
|
(10,528)
|
|
(1.331)
|
(9,632)
|
|
(1.218)
|
(21,622)
|
-
|
(2.734)
|
Adjusted basic earnings per
ordinary share
|
28,536
|
791,160
|
3.607
|
26,779
|
790,677
|
3.387
|
63,817
|
790,920
|
8.069
|
Effect of dilutive
potential ordinary shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
options
|
-
|
25,097
|
(0.111)
|
-
|
22,509
|
(0.094)
|
-
|
26,947
|
(0.266)
|
Adjusted diluted earnings
per ordinary share
|
28,536
|
816,257
|
3.496
|
26,779
|
813,186
|
3.293
|
63,817
|
817,867
|
7.803
|
Diluted earnings per
ordinary share attributable to the owners of the
parent
|
26,609
|
816,257
|
3.260
|
12,005
|
813,186
|
1.476
|
32,592
|
817,867
|
3.985
|
The calculation of earnings per
share from continuing and discontinued operations is based on the
following earnings and number of shares.
|
Six months to 30 June
2024
|
Six months to 30 June
2023
|
Year to 31 December
2023
|
|
Profit after
tax
|
Weighted average number of
shares
|
Pence per
share
|
Profit after
tax
|
Weighted average number of
shares
|
Pence per
share
|
Profit after
tax
|
Weighted average number of
shares
|
Pence per
share
|
|
£'000
|
'000
|
|
£'000
|
'000
|
|
£'000
|
'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per ordinary
share
|
26,609
|
791,160
|
3.363
|
10,880
|
790,677
|
1.376
|
29,454
|
790,920
|
3.724
|
Effect of
adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
adjusting items (see note 6)
|
5,089
|
|
|
19,997
|
|
|
39,895
|
-
|
-
|
Income
tax (credit)/expense
|
7,366
|
|
|
4,145
|
|
|
12,665
|
-
|
-
|
Effect of
adjustments
|
12,455
|
|
1.574
|
24,142
|
-
|
3.053
|
52,560
|
-
|
6.645
|
Adjusted profit before
tax
|
39,064
|
|
|
35,022
|
-
|
-
|
82,014
|
-
|
-
|
Tax
impact after adjustments
|
(10,528)
|
|
(1.331)
|
(9,305)
|
-
|
(1.177)
|
(21,272)
|
-
|
(2,690)
|
Adjusted basic earnings per
ordinary share
|
28,536
|
791,160
|
3.607
|
25,717
|
790,677
|
3.253
|
60,742
|
790,920
|
7.680
|
Effect of dilutive
potential ordinary shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
options
|
-
|
25,097
|
(0.111)
|
-
|
22,509
|
(0.090)
|
-
|
26,947
|
(0.253)
|
Adjusted diluted earnings
per ordinary share
|
28,536
|
816,257
|
3.496
|
25,717
|
813,186
|
3.163
|
60,742
|
817,867
|
7.427
|
Diluted earnings per
ordinary share attributable to the owners of the
parent
|
26,609
|
816,257
|
3.260
|
10,880
|
813,186
|
1.338
|
29,454
|
817,867
|
3.601
|
10. Intangible
assets
|
|
Goodwill
|
Customer contracts and
relationships
|
Branding
|
Acquired
IP
|
Internal software
develop-ment
|
Total
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 January 2023
(restated)
|
|
351,511
|
199,121
|
16,778
|
99,572
|
37,816
|
704,798
|
Additions
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6,707
|
6,707
|
Foreign
exchange differences
|
|
(13,381)
|
(4,354)
|
(595)
|
(3,883)
|
(1,101)
|
(23,314)
|
At 30 June 2023
(restated)
|
|
338,130
|
194,767
|
16,183
|
95,689
|
43,422
|
688,191
|
Additions
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6,176
|
6,176
|
Disposal
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(124)
|
(124)
|
Foreign
exchange differences
|
|
(2,638)
|
(645)
|
(199)
|
(723)
|
(724)
|
(4,929)
|
At 31 December
2023
|
|
335,492
|
194,122
|
15,984
|
94,966
|
48,750
|
689,314
|
Additions
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,671
|
5,671
|
Reclassification of assets held for sale
|
|
(13,181)
|
(26,601)
|
-
|
(1,986)
|
(2,972)
|
(44,740)
|
Foreign
exchange differences
|
|
2,211
|
1,163
|
78
|
621
|
349
|
4,422
|
At 30 June
2024
|
|
324,522
|
168,684
|
16,062
|
93,601
|
51,798
|
654,667
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
amortisation
|
At 1 January
2023
|
|
-
|
93,673
|
5,880
|
37,118
|
22,913
|
159,584
|
Amortisation charged in period
|
|
-
|
9,367
|
1,424
|
5,785
|
4,304
|
20,880
|
Foreign
exchange differences
|
|
-
|
(2,080)
|
(196)
|
(1,474)
|
(582)
|
(4,332)
|
At 30 June
2023
|
|
-
|
100,960
|
7,108
|
41,429
|
26,635
|
176,132
|
Amortisation charged in period
|
|
-
|
9,369
|
1,398
|
5,363
|
4,541
|
20,671
|
Disposal
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(115)
|
(115)
|
Foreign
exchange differences
|
|
-
|
314
|
(93)
|
(289)
|
(322)
|
(390)
|
At 31 December
2023
|
|
-
|
110,643
|
8,413
|
46,503
|
30,739
|
196,298
|
Amortisation charged in period
|
|
-
|
9,147
|
1,387
|
5,323
|
4,828
|
20,685
|
Reclassified as assets held for sale
|
|
-
|
(20,505)
|
-
|
(1,986)
|
(1,978)
|
(24,469)
|
Foreign
exchange differences
|
|
-
|
564
|
11
|
304
|
176
|
1,055
|
At 30 June
2024
|
|
-
|
99,849
|
9,811
|
50,144
|
33,765
|
193,569
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying
amount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 30 June 2023
(restated)
|
|
338,130
|
93,807
|
9,075
|
54,260
|
16,787
|
512,059
|
At 31 December 2023
|
|
335,492
|
83,479
|
7,571
|
48,463
|
18,011
|
493,016
|
At 30 June
2024
|
|
324,522
|
68,835
|
6,251
|
43,457
|
18,033
|
461,098
|
The
Goodwill balances have been restated as at 1 January 2023 and 30
June 2023 relating to a prior period adjustment as described in
note 21.
11. Property, Plant, equipment and
right-of-use assets
|
|
|
|
|
Right of Use
Assets
|
|
Computer
equipment
|
Fixtures and
fittings
|
Leasehold
Improvement
|
Total
|
Computer
equipment
|
Property
|
Motor
vehicles
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 January 2023
|
5,668
|
374
|
393
|
6,435
|
470
|
21,265
|
77
|
21,812
|
Additions
|
415
|
12
|
63
|
490
|
-
|
1,316
|
-
|
1,316
|
Foreign exchange
differences
|
(154)
|
262
|
(121)
|
(13)
|
(2)
|
(232)
|
-
|
(234)
|
Disposals
|
(1,706)
|
(23)
|
(142)
|
(1,871)
|
-
|
(313)
|
-
|
(313)
|
At 30 June 2023
|
4,223
|
625
|
193
|
5,041
|
468
|
22,036
|
77
|
22,581
|
Additions
|
696
|
-
|
6
|
702
|
102
|
1,728
|
-
|
1,830
|
Foreign exchange
differences
|
(160)
|
(1)
|
(58)
|
(219)
|
1
|
436
|
-
|
437
|
Disposals
|
(93)
|
(4)
|
2
|
(95)
|
-
|
(6,722)
|
-
|
(6,722)
|
At 31 December 2023
|
4,666
|
620
|
143
|
5,429
|
571
|
17,478
|
77
|
18,126
|
Additions
|
588
|
1
|
-
|
589
|
-
|
240
|
91
|
331
|
Foreign exchange
differences
|
(36)
|
4
|
(3)
|
(35)
|
-
|
106
|
-
|
106
|
Disposals
|
(336)
|
(177)
|
(140)
|
(653)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
At 30 June 2024
|
4,882
|
448
|
-
|
5,330
|
571
|
17,824
|
168
|
18,563
|
Accumulated Depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 January 2023
|
3,136
|
116
|
326
|
3,578
|
327
|
9,633
|
44
|
10,004
|
Charge for the period
|
559
|
97
|
90
|
746
|
58
|
2,055
|
15
|
2,128
|
Disposals
|
(1,704)
|
(23)
|
(105)
|
(1,832)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Foreign exchange
difference
|
(19)
|
253
|
(118)
|
116
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
At 30 June 2023
|
1,972
|
443
|
193
|
2,608
|
385
|
11,688
|
59
|
12,132
|
Charge for the period
|
630
|
40
|
77
|
747
|
73
|
1,529
|
11
|
1,613
|
Disposals
|
(7)
|
(4)
|
2
|
(9)
|
-
|
(2,432)
|
-
|
(2,432)
|
Reclassified as assets held for
sale
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
Foreign exchange
differences
|
(6)
|
1
|
(129)
|
(134)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
At 31 December 2023
|
2,589
|
480
|
143
|
3,212
|
458
|
10,786
|
70
|
11,314
|
Charge for the period
|
597
|
31
|
-
|
628
|
24
|
1,428
|
6
|
1,458
|
Disposals
|
(314)
|
(177)
|
(140)
|
(631)
|
12
|
365
|
-
|
377
|
Foreign exchange
differences
|
109
|
2
|
(3)
|
108
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
At 30 June 2024
|
2,981
|
336
|
-
|
3,317
|
494
|
12,579
|
76
|
13,149
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 30 June 2023
|
2,251
|
182
|
-
|
2,433
|
83
|
10,348
|
18
|
10,449
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 31 December 2023
|
2,077
|
140
|
-
|
2,217
|
113
|
6,692
|
7
|
6,812
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 30 June 2024
|
1,901
|
112
|
-
|
2,013
|
77
|
5,245
|
92
|
5,414
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12. Trade
receivables
|
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Trade receivables
|
|
98,147
|
109,890
|
113,080
|
Allowance for impairment
losses
|
|
(5,396)
|
(4,122)
|
(5,118)
|
|
|
92,751
|
105,768
|
107,962
|
The Group's normal trade credit
term is 30-60 days. Other credit terms are assessed and approved on
a case-by-case basis.
The fair value of trade
receivables approximates their carrying amount, as the impact of
discounting is not significant. No interest has been charged to
date on overdue receivables.
In accordance with IFRS 15, the
Group has disclosed trade receivable balances net of the associated
contract liabilities, as outlined below. These balances will be
shown net until the earlier of either the date the payment becomes
due and a receivable is recognized or the date that the services
are delivered and an associated contract asset is
recognized.
|
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contract liabilities offset within
trade receivables above
|
|
5,321
|
3,981
|
13,099
|
13. Other receivables, deposits and
prepayments
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Sundry receivables
|
4,854
|
6,742
|
5,179
|
Prepayments
|
10,238
|
7,878
|
9,195
|
|
15,092
|
14,620
|
14,374
|
Sundry receivables include
rent deposits and other sundry receivables.
14. Cash and cash equivalents,
restricted cash and short-term deposits
For the purpose of the statement
of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents comprise cash held by the
Group and short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of
three months or less:
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
78,503
|
78,132
|
72,522
|
Restricted cash balances comprise
amounts held on behalf of third parties and employees as part of
the Employee Stock Purchase Plan ('ESPP'):
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted cash
|
2,672
|
2,303
|
2,389
|
15. Deferred tax assets /
liabilities
The balances as at 1 January 2023
and 30 June 2023 have been restated as per note 21.
The movement in deferred tax assets and liabilities prior to
offsetting are shown below:
Deferred Tax Assets
|
Share
options
|
Tax losses
|
Short-term timing
differences
|
Intangibles
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
At 1 January 2023 (restated)
|
3,622
|
5,248
|
12,814
|
10,857
|
32,541
|
Deferred tax charged directly to
the income statement
|
-
|
1,920
|
1,058
|
636
|
3,614
|
Exchange rate
differences
|
(48)
|
(166)
|
(507)
|
(451)
|
(1,172)
|
Changes in tax rate
|
-
|
124
|
36
|
-
|
160
|
At 30 June 2023 (restated)
|
3,574
|
7,126
|
13,401
|
11,042
|
35,143
|
Deferred tax charged directly to
the income statement
|
(281)
|
(2,146)
|
6,083
|
(653)
|
3,003
|
Deferred tax charged directly to
equity
|
(520)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(520)
|
Exchange rate
differences
|
50
|
15
|
815
|
(80)
|
800
|
Changes in tax rate
|
4
|
(124)
|
271
|
(414)
|
(263)
|
At 31 December 2023
|
2,827
|
4,871
|
20,570
|
9,895
|
38,163
|
Deferred tax charged directly to
the income statement
|
-
|
(486)
|
(757)
|
650
|
(593)
|
Deferred tax charged directly to
equity
|
158
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
158
|
Exchange rate
differences
|
6
|
41
|
(27)
|
67
|
87
|
Changes in tax rate
|
-
|
83
|
(11)
|
-
|
72
|
At 30 June 2024
|
2,991
|
4,509
|
19,775
|
10,612
|
37,887
|
Deferred Tax Liabilities
|
Intangibles
|
Accelerated tax
deprecation
|
Short-term timing
differences
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
At 1 January 2023 (restated)
|
37,739
|
(423)
|
2,648
|
39,964
|
Deferred tax charged directly to
the income statement
|
(3,648)
|
(9)
|
1,075
|
(2,582)
|
Exchange rate
differences
|
(1,054)
|
16
|
(118)
|
(1,156)
|
Changes in tax rate
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
18
|
At 30 June 2023 (restated)
|
33,037
|
(416)
|
3,623
|
36,244
|
Deferred tax charged directly to
the income statement
|
(310)
|
596
|
(1,116)
|
(830)
|
Exchange rate
differences
|
(308)
|
1
|
994
|
687
|
Changes in tax rate
|
1,667
|
(1)
|
(7)
|
1,659
|
At 31 December 2023
|
34,086
|
180
|
3,494
|
37,760
|
Deferred tax charged directly to
the income statement
|
(3,631)
|
(6)
|
163
|
(3,474)
|
Exchange rate
differences
|
224
|
5
|
(90)
|
139
|
Changes in tax rate
|
-
|
2
|
(9)
|
(7)
|
At 30 June 2024
|
30,679
|
181
|
3,558
|
34,418
|
The total deferred tax assets and
liabilities subject to offsetting are presented below:
|
Total Deferred tax
assets
|
Total Deferred tax
liabilities
|
|
30 June
2024
£'000
|
30 June 2023
(restated)
£'000
|
31 Dec
2023
£'000
|
30 June
2024
£'000
|
30 June 2023
(restated)
£'000
|
31 Dec
2023
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior to offsetting
|
37,887
|
35,143
|
38,163
|
34,418
|
36,244
|
37,760
|
Offset of tax
|
(29,771)
|
(27,808)
|
(32,016)
|
(29,771)
|
(27,808)
|
(32,016)
|
After offsetting
|
8,116
|
7,335
|
6,147
|
4,647
|
8,436
|
5,744
|
16. Trade and other
payables
|
|
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade payables
|
|
|
17,809
|
15,056
|
24,979
|
Contract liabilities
|
|
|
56,084
|
74,292
|
63,398
|
Tax and social security
|
|
|
14,632
|
11,574
|
15,158
|
Contingent
consideration
|
|
|
13
|
-
|
20
|
Acquisition-related contingent
consideration and earn-outs
|
|
|
306
|
1,610
|
145
|
Accruals and other
payables
|
|
|
31,473
|
39,050
|
30,250
|
|
|
|
120,317
|
141,582
|
133,950
|
The contract liabilities balance
relates mainly to the Group's right to access licences, support and
maintenance and hosting contracts which are recognised over the
contract term as the customer receives and consumes the benefits of
the service. All of the current liability contract liabilities
balance at 31 December 2023 was recognised as revenue in 2024 and
the current contract liabilities balance at 30 June 2024 is
expected to be recognised as revenue in 2024 and 2025.
The acquisition-related contingent
consideration and earn-outs balance in 2024 relates to the
acquisition of eCreators and Patheer. The 2023 balances relate to
the acquisition of Learning Media Services and Patheer, and were
financial instruments held at fair value within the scope of IFRS 9
and were repaid during 2024. The 2024 and 2023 contingent
consideration balance relates to Moodle News.
17. Borrowings
The Group has a debt facility
dated 15 July 2021 with HSBC UK Bank PLC, HSBC Innovation Bank
Limited, Barclays Bank PLC, Fifth Third Bank NA and The Governor
and Company of the Bank of Ireland.
The facility comprises of a Term
Facility A committed facility, with an original commitment of
$265.0 million available to the Group until October 2025, a $50.0
million committed Revolving Credit Facility (£39.5 million at the
period-end exchange rate) and a $50.0 million uncommitted accordion
facility (£39.5 million at the period-end exchange rate), both
available until July 2025. In addition, a 12 month extension
request is available to the Group for Term Facility A and the
RCF.
The term facility attracts
variable interest based on LIBOR plus a margin of between 1.50% and
2.75% per annum, based on the Group's leverage to December 2022,
following this it attracts SOFR plus the margin discussed above and
an adjusted credit spread until repaid.
Term Facility A is repayable with
quarterly instalments, starting December 2022, of $9.6 million (c
£7.5 million at the year-end exchange rate) with the balance
repayable on the expiry of the loan in October 2025. During 2023,
the Group also made an voluntary additional repayment of $25
million (c £20.5 million). There were no utilisations of the
Revolving Credit Facility or uncommitted accordion facility in
either of the years ended 2024 or 2023.
On 10 July 2024 a voluntary
additional debt repayment of $25.0 million (£19.5 million) was made
on the term loan using the proceeds from the sale of Vector
(note 22).
The bank loan is secured by a
fixed and floating charge over the assets of the Group and is
subject to financial covenants that are tested quarterly based on a
calendar year.
The financial covenants are that
the Group must ensure that its interest cover ratio is at least 4.0
times and its leverage ratio does not exceed 3.0 times. The
interest cover and leverage ratio is not a statutory measure and so
its basis and composition may differ from other leverage measures
published by other companies.
The interest cover ratio is the
ratio of adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the agreement, to Finance
Charges. The leverage ratio is total net debt on the last day of
the relevant period to adjusted EBITDA for that relevant period.
Both numerator and denominator in each calculation comprise several
adjustments as defined in the debt facility agreement and as such
are not directly calculable from the financial
statements.
The Group was compliant with all
financial covenants throughout the year and as at 30 June 2024, the
Group's interest cover was 9.01 and its leverage ratio was
0.51.
The lease liabilities have arisen
on adoption of IFRS 16 and are secured by the related underlying
assets.
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Current interest-bearing loans and
borrowings
|
30,115
|
31,220
|
30,091
|
Non-current interest-bearing loans
and borrowings
|
105,912
|
155,289
|
120,984
|
Current lease
liabilities
|
2,531
|
4,162
|
4,423
|
Non-current lease
liabilities
|
5,669
|
8,486
|
6,913
|
|
144,227
|
199,157
|
162,411
|
Net debt reconciliation
Net debt can be analyzed as
follows:
|
30 June
2024
|
30 June
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
78,503
|
78,132
|
72,522
|
Borrowings:
|
|
|
|
-
Term loan
|
(136,027)
|
(186,509)
|
(151,075)
|
Net debt
|
(57,524)
|
(108,377)
|
(78,553)
|
18.
Provisions
|
Property
provisions
(1)
|
Litigation and regulation
provisions
(2)
|
Onerous contract
provisions
(3)
|
Closure
provisions
(4)
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 January 2023
|
1,003
|
921
|
488
|
1,047
|
3,459
|
Released to the income
statement
|
-
|
-
|
(319)
|
(62)
|
(381)
|
Paid in the period
|
(86)
|
(11)
|
-
|
(718)
|
(815)
|
Additions
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
Foreign exchange
movement
|
(64)
|
(37)
|
(13)
|
-
|
(114)
|
At 30 June 2023
|
859
|
873
|
156
|
267
|
2,155
|
Charged / (released) to the income
statement
|
(87)
|
(320)
|
(156)
|
62
|
(501)
|
Paid in the period
|
49
|
11
|
-
|
(1,015)
|
(955)
|
Additions
|
-
|
208
|
-
|
1,792
|
2,000
|
Foreign exchange
movements
|
(1)
|
(6)
|
-
|
(45)
|
(52)
|
At 31 December 2023
|
820
|
766
|
-
|
1,061
|
2,647
|
Released to the income
statement
|
(68)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(68)
|
Paid in the period
|
(83)
|
(5)
|
-
|
(974)
|
(1,062)
|
Additions
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
Foreign exchange
movements
|
(1)
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
At 30 June 2024
|
671
|
771
|
-
|
87
|
1,529
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
180
|
771
|
-
|
87
|
1,038
|
Non-current
|
491
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
491
|
At 30 June 2024
|
671
|
771
|
-
|
87
|
1,529
|
1.
|
The Group is party to a number of
leasehold property contracts. Provision has been made for the
unavoidable non-rent costs on those leases where the property is
now vacant. As a result of the implementation of IFRS 16 the rental
elements of certain property provisions are now included within
lease liabilities. In addition, the Group has provided for
dilapidation costs expected to be incurred at the end of property
leases.
|
|
|
2.
|
Litigation and regulation
provisions relate to estimates for potential liabilities which may
arise in the Group as a result of client claims and past practices.
Whilst the nature of legal claims means that the timing of
settlement can be uncertain, we expect all claims to be settled in
the next 1 to 2 years. Whilst the provisions are based on
management's best estimate of the likely liability for obligations
that exist at the year-end date, the maximum potential exposure
could be materially higher than the provisions made as there is a
range of potential outcomes.
|
|
|
3.
|
Onerous contract provisions relate
to provisions made for certain software contracts where the
unavoidable costs of meeting the obligation under the contract,
exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under the
contract.
|
|
|
4.
|
Closure and restructuring
provisions relate to redundancy costs and facility obligations in
relation to the closure of the UK apprenticeship business,
announced prior to 31 December 2022, given the nature of the
customer relationships and quality of the offering in the business
do not match the high standards elsewhere in the Group. The
UK apprenticeship business ceased trading on 31 March 2023. In
2023, the redundancy provisions relate to resizing the organization due
to a more challenging macro-economic environment.
|
19. Assets and liabilities classified
as held for sale
On 2 January 2024, the Group sold
its investment Lorien Engineering, previously presented as assets
and associated liabilities held for sale. See note
20.
During the period, the Group
decided to dispose of Vector VMS and as at 30 June 2024 is
classified as held for sale, with the assets and liabilities held
of the lower of fair value less costs to sell and the net book
value.
Effect of the assets and associated liabilities on financial
position of the Group
|
|
|
30 June
2024
|
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
13,181
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
7,090
|
|
|
|
20,271
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
Trade receivables
|
|
|
605
|
Other receivables, deposits and
prepayments
|
|
|
46
|
Amounts due from related
parties
|
|
|
585
|
Cash and bank balances
|
|
|
384
|
Restricted cash balances
|
|
|
368
|
|
|
|
1,988
|
|
|
|
|
Assets in disposal groups
classified as held for sale
|
|
|
22,259
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
|
413
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities directly associated
with assets in disposal groups classified as held for
sale
|
|
|
413
|
20. Disposal of non-core
business
On 2 January 2024, the Group sold
the Lorien business for a cash consideration of $21.4 million
(£16.8 million) on a cash and debt free basis. The net proceeds
after customary adjustments were $20.7 million (£16.3 million)
resulting in gain on disposal of $18.3 million (£12.3 million, see
note 6).
There were no other impacts on
financial performance or cash flows other than the gain on sale in
relation to Lorien during the period ended 30 June 2024.
The carrying amount of the assets
and liabilities sold as at the date of disposal were as
follows:
|
|
|
30 June
2024
|
|
|
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
501
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
1,279
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
|
|
66
|
Right of use assets
|
|
|
97
|
|
|
|
1,943
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
Trade receivables
|
|
|
5,740
|
Other receivables, deposits and
prepayments
|
|
|
135
|
Amounts recoverable on
contracts
|
|
|
691
|
|
|
|
6,566
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
8,509
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Lease liabilities
|
|
|
97
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
|
4,401
|
|
|
|
4,498
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
|
|
4,498
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets
|
|
|
4,011
|
21. Prior period
adjustments
During the year ended 31 December
2023, the Company identified the need to
make a correction to the 2022 and 2021 balance sheets where
deferred tax liabilities and goodwill amounting to £15.8 million as
at 31 December 2022 and £14.1 million as at 31 December 2021 should
not have been recognised under IAS 12 as the book basis and tax
basis of acquired intangible assets were equal for
certain US acquisitions in 2016, 2020, 2021. The adjustment reflects the tax efficient structure of the
relevant acquisitions and tax amortisation deductions were taken
for tax years 2020-2022 based on acquired intangible assets
recognised.
The Group has restated the balance
sheet and associated note disclosures as at 30 June 2023 and as
outlined below. There is no material impact on
the cash flow statements or net assets.
Statement of financial position adjustments
|
31 December
2022
|
Adjustments
|
Restated
31 December
2022
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
2,857
|
-
|
2,857
|
Right-of-use assets
|
11,808
|
-
|
11,808
|
Intangible assets
|
560,972
|
(15,758)
|
545,214
|
Deferred tax assets
|
4,084
|
(7)
|
4,077
|
Other receivables, deposits and
prepayments
|
1,874
|
-
|
1,874
|
Investments accounted for under
the equity method
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Amounts recoverable on
contracts
|
1,303
|
-
|
1,303
|
|
582,898
|
(15,765)
|
567,133
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Lease liabilities
|
9,792
|
-
|
9,792
|
Deferred tax
liabilities
|
27,265
|
(15,765)
|
11,500
|
Other long-term
liabilities
|
3,517
|
-
|
3,517
|
Borrowings
|
177,944
|
-
|
177,944
|
Corporation tax payable
|
1,431
|
-
|
1,431
|
Provisions
|
1,857
|
-
|
1,857
|
|
221,806
|
(15,765)
|
206,041
|
Impact on note 15
Deferred tax assets prior to adjustment
|
Share
options
|
Tax losses
|
Short-term timing
differences
|
Intangibles
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 January 2022
|
5,660
|
1,781
|
9,880
|
5,237
|
22,558
|
Deferred tax (charge)/credit
directly to the income statement
|
(566)
|
3,469
|
1,868
|
(923)
|
3,848
|
Deferred tax charged directly to
equity
|
(1,946)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,946)
|
Exchange rate differences, charged
directly to OCI
|
188
|
144
|
962
|
650
|
1,944
|
Changes in tax rate, credited to
the income statement
|
286
|
(146)
|
104
|
(25)
|
219
|
At 31 December 2022
|
3,622
|
5,248
|
12,814
|
4,939
|
26,623
|
Adjustments to deferred tax assets
|
Share
options
|
Tax losses
|
Short-term timing
differences
|
Intangibles
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 January 2022
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,031
|
5,031
|
Deferred tax (charge)/credit
directly to the income statement
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
260
|
260
|
Deferred tax charged directly to
equity
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Exchange rate differences, charged
directly to OCI
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
592
|
592
|
Changes in tax rate, credited to
the income statement
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
35
|
35
|
At 31 December 2022
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,918
|
5,918
|
Restated Deferred Tax Assets
|
Share
options
|
Tax losses
|
Short-term timing
differences
|
Intangibles
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 January 2022 (restated)
|
5,660
|
1,781
|
9,880
|
10,268
|
27,589
|
Deferred tax (charge)/credit
directly to the income statement
|
(566)
|
3,469
|
1,868
|
(663)
|
4,108
|
Deferred tax charged directly to
equity
|
(1,946)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,946)
|
Exercise of share
options
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Exchange rate differences, charged
directly to OCI
|
188
|
144
|
962
|
1,242
|
2,536
|
Changes in tax rate, credited to
the income statement
|
286
|
(146)
|
104
|
10
|
254
|
At 31 December 2022 (restated)
|
3,622
|
5,248
|
12,814
|
10,857
|
32,541
|
Deferred tax liabilities prior to
adjustment
|
|
Accelerated
tax
|
Short-term
timing
|
|
|
Intangibles
|
depreciation
|
differences
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 January 2022
|
51,235
|
127
|
472
|
51,834
|
Deferred tax credit/(charge)
directly to the income statement
|
(9,900)
|
585
|
2,106
|
(7,209)
|
Exchange rate differences, charged
directly to OCI
|
5,206
|
51
|
9
|
5,266
|
Changes in tax rate, charged to
the income statement
|
-
|
(148)
|
61
|
(87)
|
At 31 December 2022
|
46,541
|
615
|
2,648
|
49,804
|
Adjustments to deferred tax liabilities
|
|
Accelerated
tax
|
Short-term
timing
|
|
|
Intangibles
|
depreciation
|
differences
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 January 2022
|
(9,761)
|
661
|
-
|
(9,100)
|
Deferred tax credit/(charge)
directly to the income statement
|
2,138
|
(1,877)
|
-
|
261
|
Exchange rate differences, charged
directly to OCI
|
(1,109)
|
74
|
-
|
(1,035)
|
Changes in tax rate, charged to
the income statement
|
(70)
|
104
|
-
|
34
|
At 31 December 2022
|
(8,802)
|
(1,038)
|
-
|
(9,840)
|
Restated Deferred Tax Liabilities
|
|
Accelerated
tax
|
Short-term
timing
|
|
|
Intangibles
|
depreciation
|
differences
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 1 January 2022 (restated)
|
41,474
|
788
|
472
|
42,734
|
Deferred tax credit/(charge)
directly to the income statement
|
(7,762)
|
(1,292)
|
2,106
|
(6,948)
|
Exchange rate differences, charged
directly to OCI
|
4,097
|
125
|
9
|
4,231
|
Changes in tax rate, charged to
the income statement
|
(70)
|
(44)
|
61
|
(53)
|
At 31 December 2022 (restated)
|
37,739
|
(423)
|
2,648
|
39,964
|
The impact on the 31 December 2021
balance sheet is to reduce Goodwill by £14.1 million (note
10), reduce deferred tax
liabilities prior to offsetting £9.1 million and increase deferred
tax asset of £5.0 million prior to offsetting (note
15). After
offsetting, the increase in deferred tax assets was £14.1m with no
corresponding change in the deferred tax
liability.
22. Events since the reporting
date
Sale of Vector
On 1 July 2024, the Group sold
Vector for a cash consideration of $50 million (£39.5 million) on a
cash and debt free basis. The expected gain on sale is estimated to
be £6.1 million.
The only impact in these financial
statements in relation to the continuing operations are costs in
relation to the sale of £680,000 included within costs of
acquisition (note 6). These balances are subject to finalisation of the
completion accounts.
Voluntary additional debt repayment
On 10 July 2024 a voluntary
additional debt repayment of $25.0 million (£19.5 million) was made
on the term loan using the proceeds from the sale of
Vector.
US regulatory update
As a US company that performs work
for the US Government, GP Strategies requires certain
approvals and is subject to restrictions intended to protect
classified information.
Subsequent to the period end, LTG
has been notified by GP Strategies of the invalidation ("temporary
suspension") of the eligibility for GP Strategies to work on new
classified contracts. The suspension will remain in effect
until GP Strategies returns to compliance with the applicable
operating requirements. The temporary suspension is a serious
matter and GP Strategies is working tirelessly to resolve all
relevant issues to the satisfaction of the US
Government.
GP Strategies continues to work on
existing classified contracts, however one customer has paused
their contract which has a revenue impact of c.$200k in
2024. No other contracts are due for renewal imminently, and
the value of the contracts is not material in the context of total
Group revenue and profit.
There have been no other
notifiable events between 30 June 2024 and the date of this
report.
Glossary
Alternative Performance Measures
In reporting financial
information, the Group presents alternative performance measures
("APMs") which are not defined or specified under the requirements
of IFRS. The Group believes that these APMs, which are not
considered to be a substitute for or superior to IFRS measures,
provide stakeholders with additional useful information on the
underlying trends, performance and position of the Group and are
consistent with how business performance is measured internally.
The alternative performance measures are not defined by IFRS and
therefore may not be directly comparable with other companies'
alternative performance measures. The key APMs that the Group uses
are outlined below.
|
Closest equivalent IFRS measure
|
Reconciling items to IFRS measure
|
Definition and purpose
|
Income Statement Measures
|
Adjusted EBIT
|
Operating profit
|
Adjusting items
|
Adjusted EBIT excludes adjusting
items. A reconciliation from Adjusted EBIT to Operating profit is
provided in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive
income.
|
Adjusting items
|
None
|
Refer to definition
|
Items which are not considered
part of the normal operating costs of the business, are separately
disclosed because of their size, nature or incidence are treated as
adjusting. The Group believes the separate disclosure of these
items provides additional useful information to users of the
financial statements to enable a better understanding of the
Group's underlying financial performance. An explanation of the
nature of the items identified as adjusting is provided in
Note 6 to the
financial statements.
|
Saas and long-term
contracts
|
Revenue
|
Refer to Note 3
|
Saas and long-term contracts
revenue is defined as the revenue streams of the Group that are
predictable and expected to continue into the future upon customer
renewal.
|
Transactional
|
Revenue
|
Refer to Note 3
|
Transactional revenue is defined
as the revenue streams of the Group that arise from one-off fees or
services that may or may not happen again.
|
Balance Sheet Measures
|
Net cash or debt
|
None
|
Refer to Note 17
|
Net cash / debt is defined as Cash
and cash equivalents and short-term deposits, less Bank overdrafts
and other current and non-current borrowings. A reconciliation is
provided in Note 17 to the financial statements.
|
Total equity per
share
|
None
|
Refer to definition
|
Calculated as Total Equity at the
end of the period/year divided by the number of shares on issue at
the end of the period/year, The shares on issue at 31 December 2023
were 791,160,022 (based on Note 26 of the 2023 Annual report) and
791,160,022 at 30 June 2024.
|
Cash Flow Measures
|
Adjusted operating cash
flow
|
None
|
Refer to definition
|
Cash flow in the period after
accounting for operating activities and capital
expenditure.
|
Cash conversion
|
None
|
Refer to definition
|
Adjusted operating cash flow as a
percentage of Adjusted EBIT.
|
Free cash flow
|
None
|
Refer to definition
|
Cash flow in the period after
accounting for operating activities, investing activities, lease
payments, interest and tax.
|
Company information
|
|
Directors
Andrew Brode, Non-Executive
Chairman
Jonathan Satchell, Chief Executive
Officer
Kath Kearney-Croft, Chief
Financial Officer
Piers Lea, Chief Strategy
Officer
Simon Boddie, Senior Independent
Director
Aimie Chapple, Independent
Non-Executive Director
Leslie-Ann Reed, Independent
Non-Executive Director
Company Secretary
Claire Walsh
Company number
07176993
Registered address
3 New Street Square
London
EC4A 3BF
Independent auditors
BDO LLP
Chartered Accountants and
Statutory Auditors
55 Baker Street
London
W1U 7EU
Nominated adviser and joint broker
Deutsche Numis
45 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7BF
Joint broker
Goldman Sachs
Plumtree Court
25 Shoe Lane
London
EC4A 4AU
Legal advisers
DLA Piper U.K LLP
160 Aldersgate Street
London
EC1A 4HT
|
Registrar
Computershare Investor Services
plc
The Pavilions
Bridgewater Road
Bristol
BS13 8AE
Principal Bankers
HSBC UK Bank plc
71 Queen Victoria
Street,
London, EC4V 4AL, UK
HSBC Innovation Bank
Limited
Alphabeta, 14-18 Finsbury
Square,
London, EC2A 1BR, UK
Fifth Third Bank NA
142 W 57th
Street,
Suite 1600,
New York, NY 10019, USA
Barclays Bank plc
1 Churchill Place,
London, E14 5HP, UK
The Governor and Company of the
Bank of Ireland
4th Floor, Bow Bells
House,
1 Bread Street,
London, EC4M 9BE, UK
Communications consultancy
FTI Consulting LLP
200 Aldersgate
Aldersgate Street
London
EC1A 4HD
|