4 July 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASED BY BNP PARIBAS S.A.,
GUERNSEY BRANCH FINAL RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ORYX
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED ANNOUNCE FINAL RESULTS FOR THE
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
A copy of the Company's Annual
Report and Financial Statements will be available via the following
link:
www.oryxinternationalgrowthfund.co.uk
STRATEGIC REPORT
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Key
Figures
(£ in millions, except per share data)
|
At 31 March
2024
|
At 31 March
2023
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value ("NAV") attributable to Ordinary
shareholders
|
231.67
|
206.43
|
|
|
|
Investments
|
227.04
|
193.04
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
4.24
|
15.59
|
|
|
|
NAV per Ordinary Share attributable to
shareholders*
|
16.55
|
14.75
|
|
|
|
Share Price
|
11.73
|
11.95
|
|
|
|
Discount to NAV*
|
(29.12)%
|
(18.98)%
|
|
|
|
Earnings/(loss) per Ordinary Share
|
1.80
|
(0.93)
|
* These performance metrics are also Alternative Performance
Measures, see below for further details.
Dividend History
No Ordinary Share dividend was
declared during the years ended 31 March 2024 and 31 March
2023.
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I am very pleased to announce the
results for the 12 month period ended 31 March 2024. In the first
half of the year, there was rise in the NAV of 7.0% and it is
satisfying that this has continued into the second half, with the
overall increase in the NAV amounting to 12.2%. When compared
against the smaller companies indices, this is a good result and
Christopher Mills and his team at Harwood are to be
congratulated.
As you can see from the Investment
Manager's Report below, the UK public equity markets, particularly
for small companies, have been beset by many challenges. It is
therefore interesting to note that the performance of your Company
over a prolonged period, is excellent. The NAV per Ordinary Share
over 15 years has risen by 891.0%, 10 years by 211.7%, five years
by 76.3%, and three years by 0.8%. The three year number
encompasses the difficult period of COVID and therefore it is
gratifying to see good performance once again coming to the fore.
While we do not use any comparison indices, a well regarded UK
small cap index has published data for the equivalent periods of a
rise of in the index of 265% over 15 years, 29% over 10 years, 17%
over 5 years and 6% over 3 years.
As I have commented many times in
the past, the cycle of identifying, investing in, nurturing and
then selling our investments is both long and complicated. However,
the team at Harwood have established, over many decades, a
considerable skill in identifying and then taking companies through
this cycle; the results that I have outlined above stand testament
to this skill. As the Investment Manager's Report below indicates,
a number of investments are in a sales process. The cash
realised will give us the ability to search for new opportunities
that meet the strict criteria that we consider a prerequisite of
investment; good management, strong balance sheets and excellent
prospects.
In line with our stated policy,
the Board does not intend to pay a dividend. It is difficult to
make any firm predictions for the future given the uncertainty of
both markets and the worldwide political situation. Your Board are
confident that the well tried and tested investment formula that
governs the management of the portfolio will once more see us
through these difficult times.
Nigel Cayzer
Chairman
3 July 2024
INVESTMENT MANAGER'S REPORT
It is pleasing to note that the
NAV per Ordinary Share rose by 12.2% during the year under review
despite either lacklustre or declining performance of the relevant
indices.
Global markets generally performed
well during the twelve-month period, particularly the US. The
reality, however, is that smaller companies in general and UK
smaller companies in particular underperformed compared to major
blue chips. This in part reflects the weak economic environment of
the UK and a general lack of interest in equities, not least
because interest rates remain high by recent historical
standards.
This has been compounded by
government taxation policies which have squeezed the British middle
class, curtailing enthusiasm for risk. There have been recent
attempts to stimulate demand in UK equities, many of which are yet
to be enacted. It is unclear as to whether these shall succeed but
it is encouraging that steps are being taken to address the current
issues in the market.
A significant problem has been the
dearth of new issues and those that have come to market have, in
too many cases, quickly destroyed shareholder value. On the other
side of the coin, there has been a vibrant market for takeovers at
good premiums for both small and large UK companies. It is clear
that overseas buyers have identified the significant discount to
true value that UK companies currently trade at and this should, in
time, encourage more investment into the domestic market. Looking
forward, there are early signs of recovery in the Initial Public
Offering (IPO) market as large well-known companies seek UK
listings.
Quoted Equities:
The Company's performance for the
2024 fiscal year end March was driven by takeovers or offers for
significant parts of the business, resulting in capital returns. In
this context, the Company benefited from the takeover of Sureserve
Group Plc, Smoove Plc, The Fulham Shore Plc, City Pub Group Plc,
OnTheMarket Plc, Seraphine Group Plc and the closing of the
protracted bid for Curtis Banks Group Plc. Companies that received
bids for the majority of their assets include Pendragon Plc (now
Pinewood Technologies Group Plc) and Ascential Plc.
The market was unforgiving when
companies missed expectations and barely recognised results which
were better than expected. Niox Group Plc was a standout performer
up over 40% during the period. Hargreaves Services Plc also
performed well, up over 20%, NAHL Group Plc was up 60% while
Maintel Holdings Plc was up nearly 100%.
However, many of our holdings
drifted without any bad news, reflecting the general malaise.
Examples of this include Avingtrans Plc, Centaur Media Plc,
Redcentric Plc, Flowtech Fluidpower Plc and EKF Diagnostics
Holdings Plc.
Some of our investments performed
very poorly and Stobart Group Ltd (previously "Esken Ltd") ended up
worthless. Renalytix AI Plc fell substantially due to concerns over
funding. Catalyst Media Group Plc and Randall & Quilter
declined following failed bids and more difficult trading.
Collectively, these investments reduced the NAV by around
3%.
Several existing investments were
added to as well as a number of new investments were made during
the period. In particular, we increased our investment in Pinewood
Technologies Group Plc prior to the capital repayment. Other
existing holdings which were increased include Carr's Group Plc,
Eckoh Plc and Animalcare Group Plc.
New investments were made in
Trifast Plc, Restore Plc, Elementis Plc, together with smaller
investments in Dialight Plc and Xaar Plc. Indeed, there is no
shortage of attractive investment opportunities so that the
Company's cash balances have been minimal in recent
months.
Unquoted
Equities:
There is little to report on the
unquoted portfolio during the twelve-month period. Moxico Resources
Plc was sold at a modest uplift from the 2023 valuation. A small
holding was taken in iEnergizer Ltd and this was sold at a 100%
profit in May 2024. GYG Limited was delisted to save listing costs
and traded well in 2023. Since the Company's year end the company
had a bid approach at a substantial premium to the end March 2024
valuation.
Sourcebio International Plc sold a
division at a favourable price resulting in a recent return of
capital, Jaguar Holdings Ltd is also trading well, and it is hoped
we can achieve a liquidity event in the next twelve months at an
uplift to the current valuation.
Outlook:
Many fund managers continue to
face significant redemptions, placing ongoing pressure on the
market for smaller companies, which are becoming increasingly
illiquid. The Company, with its fixed capital structure, is well
placed to make new investments which, in time, we believe will have
proven to be fundamentally undervalued. Equally important, we
believe our activist approach continues to serve us well and gives
us a competitive advantage over many other managers in our asset
class.
Recent corporate actions will
substantially increase our cash reserves, enabling us to take
advantage of opportunities as they arise. It is undeniable we face
headwinds from war, the probable demise of the Conservative party,
higher for longer interest rates and economic growth which, at
best, must be described as underwhelming. Nevertheless, we believe
the portfolio holds a number of attractive investments and we
remain confident that we can continue to create value for our
shareholders.
Harwood
Capital Management (Gibraltar) Limited
3 July 2024
TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS
|
As at 31 March
2024
|
|
As at 31 March
2023
|
|
Holding
Units
|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
% of NAV
|
|
Holding
Units
|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
% of NAV
|
NIOX Group Plc
|
40,000,000
|
7,715,505
|
25,600,000
|
11.05%
|
|
40,000,000
|
7,715,505
|
17,680,000
|
8.56%
|
Pinewood Technologies Group
Plc
|
50,000,000
|
13,273,896
|
19,200,000
|
8.29%
|
|
6,000,000
|
1,109,582
|
990,000
|
0.48%
|
Avingtrans Plc
|
4,000,000
|
10,785,350
|
15,200,000
|
6.56%
|
|
4,000,000
|
10,785,350
|
16,400,000
|
7.94%
|
Centaur Media Plc
|
35,000,000
|
12,166,100
|
13,300,000
|
5.74%
|
|
35,000,000
|
12,166,100
|
16,800,000
|
8.14%
|
Hargreaves Services Plc
|
2,500,000
|
8,107,696
|
12,350,000
|
5.33%
|
|
2,450,000
|
7,912,696
|
10,216,500
|
4.95%
|
Redcentric Plc
|
9,700,000
|
9,134,690
|
12,222,000
|
5.28%
|
|
9,500,000
|
8,883,066
|
12,635,000
|
6.12%
|
EKF Diagnostics Holdings
Plc
|
36,000,000
|
4,866,592
|
9,936,000
|
4.29%
|
|
36,000,000
|
4,866,592
|
11,124,000
|
5.39%
|
Carr's Group Plc
|
8,000,000
|
9,272,500
|
8,960,000
|
3.87%
|
|
5,000,000
|
5,521,950
|
6,400,000
|
3.10%
|
Animalcare Group Plc
|
4,250,000
|
7,269,737
|
8,670,000
|
3.74%
|
|
550,000
|
840,000
|
852,500
|
0.41%
|
Tribal Group Plc
|
20,000,000
|
11,603,585
|
8,620,000
|
3.72%
|
|
20,000,000
|
11,603,585
|
7,840,000
|
3.80%
|
NIOX Group Plc
Cost £7,715,505 (40,000,000 shares)
Market Value
£25,600,000 representing 11.05% of NAV
Niox Group Plc is a
commercial-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on
respiratory diseases. Its gold standard core NIOX product provides
a diagnostic FeNO test for
asthma sufferers
in international markets.
The company had another
exceptional year, growing earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") from £7.3 million to
£11.4 million on 18% revenue growth. The company increased net cash
to £18.8 million from £18.4 million after returning £10.5 million
to shareholders in the form of a special dividend. Management has
stated their confidence in future cash generation with the
implementation of an ongoing ordinary dividend. The strategy going
forward is focussed on boosting sales in the underpenetrated US
market while upgrading the company's product offering.
Pinewood Technologies Group Plc (previously 'Pendragon
Plc")
Cost £13,273,896 (50,000,000 shares)
Market Value £19,200,000 representing 8.29% of
NAV
Pinewood Technologies Group Plc is
the remaining business of Pendragon Plc. Lithia Motors agreed to
purchase the automotive retailing of Pendragon Plc, returning 24.5
pence per share to investors on 7 May 2024 as a special dividend,
or circa £12.25 million to the Company.
Pinewood Technologies Group Plc
provides dealer management software solutions that provides an
all-in-one cloud-based system for car, truck and motorcycle
manufacturers and retailers on a global basis. Lithia intends to
install the Pinewood Technologies Group Plc system into its US
locations as well as expanding its European presence. The business
is profitable and expects to grow its UK EBITDA from £13 million to
£27 million by 2027. Given this forecast primarily reflects no
upside from its joint venture ("JV") with Lithia Motors we believe
there is scope for material share price appreciation as it onboards
its software with additional auto retailers.
Avingtrans Plc
Cost £10,785,350 (4,000,000 shares)
Market Value £15,200,000 representing 6.56% of
NAV
Avingtrans Plc is a buy and build
strategy business that operates in the
energy/nuclear, infrastructure and medical sectors.
The company's self-branded 'Pinpoint - Invest -
Exit' (PIE) has consistently delivered high returns for
shareholders and the current portfolio contains some
valuable assets.
The company reported a strong set
of interims with organic sales growth of 24% and EBITDA growth of
30%, with the order book 95% covered for the year-end estimates.
Management has reported that recent acquisitions (circa £13.7
million cost) are performing ahead of initial expectations and
legacy assets have received new contract wins, bringing in record
order books. Net debt is circa £2.2 million following the
acquisitions but we expect some assets to be exited in the medium
term.
Centaur Media Plc
Cost £12,166,100 (35,000,000 shares)
Market Value £13,300,000 representing 5.74% of
NAV
Centaur Media Plc is an
international provider of business information,
training, and
specialist consultancy across its Xeim and The Lawyer business
units. The company is actively engaged in the marketing and legal
sectors, offering a wide range of products that add value to their
customer base.
Management has delivered on their
MAP23 target, generating a 25% EBITDA margin up from 10% when the
initiative was put in place. The
company has returned cash via
special and
ordinary dividends of circa £8.9 million
with net cash now standing at circa £9.5
million. Post period
end the company
received a preliminary approach from
Waterland Private Equity but this interest has now
ceased.
Hargreaves Services Plc
Cost £8,107,696 (2,500,000 shares)
Market Value £12,350,000 representing 5.33% of
NAV
Hargreaves Services Plc aims to
deliver returns in two key asset classes: industrials and the
property sector. The business has evolved from a traditional model
of industrial services and logistics to incorporate renewable
energy, civil engineering, land restoration and remediation. The
Company has developed a pipeline of opportunities with a land bank
of 18,000 acres across the UK, which will have a mixed-use purpose
of residential, commercial property and industrial use.
The company has completed several
initiatives during the year to enhance shareholder value.
Management completed the buy in of the two defined pension schemes
at a maximum cost of £6.6 million against the estimated cost of £9
million. This action simplifies the balance sheet and saves circa
£1.8 million a year in contributions and contributes to the
recently announced increase in the interim dividend to 18p per
share (2023: 3p). Operationally, the Hargreaves Raw Material
Services (HRMS) business has slowed down on soft pig iron and zinc
prices, but this has reduced working capital needs and released
cash to the company. Services has performed strongly and the land
portfolio is expected to outperform.
Redcentric Plc
Cost £9,134,690 (9,700,000 shares)
Market Value
£12,222,000 representing 5.28% of NAV
The company is a leading UK
Information Technology ("IT") managed services business that
provides IT and cloud services to meet its customer and client's
needs. The group benefits from an established reputation as an
end-to-end managed service provider delivering innovative
technology to improve business productivity and
efficiency.
The Company reported EBITDA of
£28.4 million on sales of £163.1 million after a full year of the
2023 acquisitions contributed to run rate revenue and cost
synergies were put in place. The company has net debt of £41.9
million and a free cash flow yield of 7.7%. We believe the assets
operate in a growth area and the business as a whole would be an
attractive asset to a trade buyer.
EKF Diagnostics Holdings Plc
Cost £4,866,592 (36,000,000 shares)
Market Value £9,936,000 representing 4.29% of
NAV
EKF Diagnostics Holdings Plc is a
global integrated market leader in the medical diagnostics
business, offering a large range of hemoglobin and hematocrit point
of care tests. The business also has a clinical laboratory
division, enzyme manufacturing and the
provision of contract manufacturing services to the healthcare
industry.
The company delivered sales and
profit in line with consensus forecasts at £52.6 million and £10.4
million respectively. The decline from prior year is reflective of
the lost Covid-19 related revenue. Management is driving the Point
of Care business back to historic growth levels and the
fermentation facility should start to deliver in the current year.
The company reported a positive start to 2024 with Q1 EBITDA
improved by circa 20% as key business lines returned to
growth.
Carr's Group Plc
Cost £9,272,500 (8,000,000 shares)
Market Value
£8,960,000 representing 3.87% of NAV
Carr's Group Plc is an
international manufacturer and supplier of market leading brands in
the specialty agriculture and engineering sectors.
The Engineering division has
performed well and has grown the order book to £60 million in 2024,
a substantial increase from the prior year. The Specialty
Agriculture division has a less certain outlook given the broader
need for cyclical recovery in the sector. The company has brought
in a new Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Finance Officer
("CFO") who have stated their intention to restructure the group's
operations and maximise value for shareholders. Management is
exploring a possible sale of the Engineering division given its
lack of synergies with the Agriculture business.
Animalcare Group Plc
Cost £7,269,737 (4,250,000 shares)
Market Value
£8,670,000 representing 3.74% of NAV
Animalcare Group Plc markets and
sells a range of pharmaceutical products and services to vets and
vet wholesalers on a global scale.
The company divested its 33% stake
in its STEM JV for $4.7 million and sold its Identicare chipping
business for circa £25 million, bringing net cash on the balance
sheet to circa £30 million. The Identicare business was sold at a
16-17x Enterprise Value ("EV")/EBITDA multiple versus 8.4x
EV/EBITDA multiple for the group as a whole, suggesting a material
uplift from its current valuation. The business is profitable,
having delivered £13.3 million of EBITDA on £74.4 million of sales
and the health of the balance sheet leaves scope for bolt on
transactions to boost existing growth and expand its geographic
presence. The company is developing a new range of drugs for the
equine and companion pet sectors. If successful, the share price
could be expected rise very materially from current
levels.
Tribal Group Plc
Cost £11,603,585 (20,000,000
shares)
Market Value £8,620,000
representing 3.72% of NAV
Tribal Group Plc is a provider of
technology products and services to the education, learning and
training markets in the UK and overseas. It is active in
administrative functions in three fields: student management
services, professional services & analytics, and quality assurance.
The company has faced share price
volatility as a bid for the entire business at 74 pence was
rejected by the largest shareholder. The legal process over the
Singapore contract remains outstanding. Outside of this, the
business has performed well, growing its SaaS based revenue and
streamlining its portfolio of assets.
INVESTMENT SCHEDULE
as at 31
March 2024
|
Holding
Units
|
Fair Value
|
% of NAV
|
LISTED INVESTMENTS
|
|
£
|
%
|
Great Britain - Equities (93.64%, 2023:
87.41%)
|
|
|
|
4Global Plc
|
245,000
|
127,400
|
0.05
|
Animalcare Group Plc
|
4,250,000
|
8,670,000
|
3.74
|
Ascential Plc
|
750,000
|
2,278,500
|
0.98
|
Assetco Plc
|
3,000,000
|
960,000
|
0.41
|
Avingtrans Plc
|
4,000,000
|
15,200,000
|
6.56
|
Benchmark Holdings Plc
|
9,000,000
|
3,870,000
|
1.67
|
Bigblu Broadband Plc
|
6,600,000
|
2,310,000
|
1.00
|
Carr's Group Plc
|
8,000,000
|
8,960,000
|
3.87
|
Catalyst Media Group
Plc
|
3,435,000
|
2,576,250
|
1.11
|
Centaur Media Plc
|
35,000,000
|
13,300,000
|
5.74
|
Dialight Plc
|
360,000
|
594,000
|
0.26
|
Eckoh Plc
|
15,000,000
|
5,550,000
|
2.40
|
EKF Diagnostics Holdings
Plc
|
36,000,000
|
9,936,000
|
4.29
|
Elementis Plc
|
4,000,000
|
5,888,000
|
2.54
|
Facilities By Adf Plc
|
2,025,000
|
1,012,500
|
0.44
|
Flowtech Fluidpower Plc
|
2,250,000
|
1,845,000
|
0.80
|
Hargreaves Services Plc
|
2,500,000
|
12,350,000
|
5.33
|
Hostmore Plc
|
7,500,000
|
1,312,500
|
0.57
|
Induction Healthcare Group
P
|
4,500,000
|
675,000
|
0.29
|
Kitwave Group Plc
|
1,500,000
|
5,565,000
|
2.40
|
Maintel Holdings Plc
|
2,655,000
|
6,372,000
|
2.75
|
MJ Gleeson Plc
|
1,000,000
|
4,790,000
|
2.07
|
Nahl Group Plc
|
9,000,000
|
5,310,000
|
2.29
|
NIOX Group Plc
|
40,000,000
|
25,600,000
|
11.05
|
Pinewood Technologies
Group
|
50,000,000
|
19,200,000
|
8.29
|
React Group Plc
|
93,500,000
|
1,262,250
|
0.54
|
Redcentric Plc
|
9,700,000
|
12,222,000
|
5.28
|
Renalytix Plc
|
2,800,000
|
896,000
|
0.39
|
Restore Plc
|
3,000,000
|
6,480,000
|
2.80
|
Spire Healthcare Group
Plc
|
2,500,000
|
5,800,000
|
2.50
|
Tissue Regenix Group
Plc
|
10,000,000
|
6,200,000
|
2.68
|
Trellus Health Plc
|
5,000,000
|
100,000
|
0.04
|
Tribal Group Plc
|
20,000,000
|
8,620,000
|
3.72
|
Trifast Plc
|
11,750,000
|
8,225,000
|
3.55
|
Verici Dx Plc
|
8,000,000
|
720,000
|
0.31
|
Xaar Plc
|
1,050,000
|
1,102,500
|
0.48
|
Young & Cos Brewery Plc -
A
|
107,771
|
1,051,845
|
0.45
|
|
|
216,931,745
|
93.64
|
Bermuda Islands - Equities (0.06%, 2023:
1.05%)
|
|
|
|
Randall + Quilter Investment
Holdings Ltd
|
3,000,000
|
150,600
|
0.06
|
|
|
150,600
|
0.06
|
Total listed investments
|
|
217,082,345
|
93.70
|
|
Holding
Units
|
Fair Value
|
% of NAV
|
|
|
£
|
%
|
UNLISTED INVESTMENTS
|
|
|
|
Great Britain - Equities (0.81%, 2023:
1.94%)
|
|
|
|
IPT Group Limited
|
112,498
|
-
|
-
|
Sinav Limited
|
437,033
|
172,983
|
0.07
|
Sourcebio International
Plc
|
2,000,000
|
1,700,000
|
0.73
|
Studio Retail Group Plc
|
250,000
|
-
|
-
|
Tradewise Conv Pref SHS
GBP
|
1,094,528
|
-
|
-
|
Urban Exposure Plc
|
2,700,000
|
27,000
|
0.01
|
|
|
1,899,983
|
0.81
|
Great Britain - Limited Partnership Interest (0.00%, 2023:
0.00%)
|
|
|
BDB1 LLP
(Rileys/Indicant)
|
1,258
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
-
|
Spain - Equities (2.04%, 2023:
1.57%)
|
|
|
|
GYG Limited
|
10,485,947
|
4,718,676
|
2.04
|
|
|
4,718,676
|
2.04
|
USA - Equities (0.51%, 2023: 0.51%)
|
|
|
|
Jaguar Holdings Limited
|
665,761
|
1,133,114
|
0.49
|
Corrosion Innovation LLC
CI
|
475
|
37,638
|
0.02
|
|
|
1,170,752
|
0.51
|
USA - Debt (0.52%, 2023: 0.59%)
|
|
|
|
Jaguar Holdings Limited
|
532,309
|
1,200,952
|
0.52
|
|
|
1,200,952
|
0.52
|
Cayman Islands - Equities (0.01%, 2023:
n/a)
|
|
|
|
Fulcrum Utility Services
Ltd
|
14,250,000
|
21,375
|
0.01
|
|
|
21,375
|
0.01
|
Cayman Islands - Debt (0.16%, 2023: 0.12%)
|
|
|
|
Fulcrum Utilities
|
362,500
|
362,500
|
0.16
|
|
|
362,500
|
0.16
|
Guernsey - Equities (0.25%, 2023: n/a)
|
|
|
|
iEnergizer Ltd
|
1,000,000
|
584,000
|
0.25
|
|
|
584,000
|
0.25
|
Total unlisted investments
|
|
9,958,238
|
4.30
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments
|
|
227,040,583
|
98.00
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
4,235,327
|
1.83
|
Net current assets
|
|
390,288
|
0.17
|
Total NAV
|
|
231,666,198
|
100.00
|
Refer to note 15 of the financial
statements for further information on Segment
Information.
Principal Activities
The principal activity of the
Company is to carry out business as an investment company. The
Directors do not envisage any changes in this activity for the
foreseeable future.
Structure
The Company is a Guernsey
Authorised Closed-Ended Collective Investment Scheme pursuant to
the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2020 and
the Authorised Closed Ended Investment Scheme Rules 2021 issued by
the Guernsey Financial Services Commission ("GFSC"). It was
incorporated and registered with limited liability in Guernsey on 2
December 1994, with registration number CMP28917. The Company has a
premium listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange
("LSE").
Purpose
The purpose of the Company is to
generate above-market returns, as measured against the appropriate
index, over the medium and long term through investment in small
and medium size companies.
Investment
Policy
The Company principally invests in
small and mid-size quoted and unquoted companies in the UK and US.
The Investment Manager targets companies that have fundamentally
strong business models but where there may be specific factors that
are constraining the maximisation or realisation of shareholder
value, which may be realised through the pursuit of an activist
shareholder agenda by the Investment Manager. Dividend income is a
secondary consideration when making investment
decisions.
Achieving the
Investment Policy
The investment approach of the
Investment Manager is characterised by a rigorous focus on research
and financial analysis of potential investee companies so that a
thorough understanding of their business models is gained prior to
investment. Comprehensive due diligence, including one or more
meetings with management, as well as site visits, are standard
procedures before shares are acquired.
Typically the portfolio will
comprise of 40 to 60 holdings (but without restricting the Company
from holding a more or less concentrated portfolio in the
future).
The Company may invest in
derivatives, financial instruments, money market instruments and
currencies solely for the purpose of efficient portfolio management
(i.e. solely for the purpose of reducing, transferring or
eliminating investment risk in the Company's investments, including
any technique or instrument used to provide protection against
exchange and credit risks).
The Investment Manager expects
that the Company's assets will normally be fully invested. During
periods in which changes in economic conditions or other factors so
warrant, the Company may reduce its exposure to securities and
increase its position in cash and money market
instruments.
A detailed description of the key
risk controls employed by the Investment Manager is disclosed in
note 16 of the financial statements. An analysis of the Company's
portfolio is disclosed above including a description of the ten
largest equity investments. At the year end, the Company's
portfolio consisted of 54 holdings (2023: 55 holdings). The top 10
holdings represented 57.87% (2023: 59.06%) of NAV.
The Board is responsible for
determining the gearing strategy for the Company. Gearing is used
selectively to leverage the Company's portfolio in order to enhance
returns where and to the extent this is considered appropriate, to
do so. Borrowings are short term and particular care is taken to
ensure that any bank covenants permit maximum flexibility of the
investment policy. Refer to note 8 of the financial statements for
more information.
The Company may only make material
changes to its investment policy with the approval of shareholders
(in the form of an ordinary resolution).
Investment Restrictions
The Company has adopted the
following policies:
(a) it
will not invest in securities carrying unlimited
liability;
(b) short
selling for the purpose of efficient portfolio management will be
permitted provided that the aggregate value of the securities
subject to a contract for sale that has not been settled and which
are not owned by the Company shall not exceed 20 percent of the
NAV. In addition, the Company may engage in uncollateralised stock
lending on normal commercial terms with counterparties whose
ordinary business includes uncollateralised stock lending provided
that the aggregate exposure of the Company to any single
counterparty shall not exceed 20 percent of the NAV;
(c) it
will not take legal or management control of investments in its
portfolio;
(d) it
will not buy or sell commodities or commodity contracts or real
estate or interests in real estate although it may purchase and
sell securities which are secured by real estate or commodities and
securities of companies that invest in or deal in real estate
commodities;
(e) it
will not invest or lend more than 20 percent of its assets in
securities of any one Company or single issuer;
(f)
it will not invest more than 35 percent of its assets in securities
not listed or quoted on any recognised stock exchange;
(g) it
will not invest in any Company where the investment would result in
the Company holding more than 10 percent of the issued share
capital of that Company or any class of that share capital, unless
that Company constitutes a trading Company (for the purposes of the
relevant UK legislation) in which case the Company may not make any
investment that would result in it holding 50 percent or more of
the issued share capital of that Company or of any class of that
share capital;
(h) it
will not invest more than 5 percent of its assets in units of unit
trusts or shares or other forms of participation in managed
open-ended investment vehicles;
(i)
the Company may use options, foreign exchange transactions on the
forward market, futures and contracts for differences for the
purpose of efficient portfolio management provided that:
(1) in the
case of options, this is done on a covered basis;
(2) in the
case of futures and forward foreign exchange transactions, the face
value of all such contracts does not exceed 100 percent of the NAV
of the Company; or
(3) in the
case of contracts for difference (including stock index future or
options) the face value of all such contracts do not exceed 100
percent of NAV of the Company.
None
of these restrictions, however, require the realisation of any
assets of the Company where any restriction is breached as a result
of an event outside the control of the Investment Manager which
occurs after the investment is made, but no further relevant assets
may be acquired by the Company until the relevant restriction can
again be complied with. In the event of any breach of these
investment restrictions, the Board will as soon as practicable make
an announcement on a Regulatory Information Service and
subsequently write to shareholders if appropriate; and
(j)
the Company will ensure gearing does not exceed 20% of
NAV.
Principal
Risks and Uncertainties
The Directors confirm that they
have carried out a robust assessment of the principal and emerging
risks facing the Company, including those that would threaten its
business model, future performance, solvency, or
liquidity.
The Board is responsible for the
Company's system of internal controls and for reviewing its
effectiveness. The Board also monitors the investment limits and
restrictions set out in the Company's investment objective and
policy.
The principal and emerging risks
that have been identified and the steps taken by the Board to
mitigate these are as follows:
Principal
risk
|
|
Mitigating
factor
|
Investment activity, performance and back
office
|
|
|
An inappropriate investment
strategy may result in under performance against the Company's
objectives. The Board manages these risks by ensuring a
diversification of investments.
For the Company to function
efficiently, it is reliant on the provision of an efficient and
reliable service from various third party service providers
alongside the Investment Manager's own back office
functions.
|
|
The Investment Manager operates in
accordance with the investment limits and restrictions policy
determined by the Board. The Directors review the limits and
restrictions on a regular basis and BNP Paribas S.A., Guernsey
Branch (the "Administrator") monitors adherence to the limits and
restrictions every month and notifies the Board of any breach. The
Investment Manager provides the Board with management information
including performance data and reports and the Stockbroker provides
shareholder analysis. The Directors monitor the implementation and
results of the investment process with the Investment Manager at
each Board meeting and monitor risk factors in respect of the
portfolio. Investment strategy is reviewed regularly.
The Board and Investment Manager
reviews performance from all service providers on a regular basis
to ensure compliance with required levels of service
provision.
|
Level of discount or premium
|
|
|
A discount or premium to NAV can
occur for a variety of reasons, including market conditions or to
the extent investors undervalue the management activities of the
Investment Manager or discount their valuation methodology and
judgement.
|
|
While the Directors may seek to
mitigate any discount to NAV per Share through share buybacks,
there can be no guarantee that they will do so and the Directors
accept no responsibility for any failure of any such strategy to
effect a reduction in any discount or premium.
|
|
|
|
Market price risk
|
|
|
The fair value or future cash
flows of a financial instrument held by the Company may fluctuate
because of changes in market prices. This market risk comprises
inflation risk, currency risk, interest rate risk and other price
risk.
|
|
The Directors review and agree
policies for managing these risks. The policies have remained
substantially unchanged during the year under review. The
Investment Manager assesses the exposure to market risk when making
each investment decision and monitors the overall level of market
price risk on the investment portfolio on an ongoing
basis.
|
Geopolitical factors
|
|
|
The ongoing Ukraine / Russia war
and the Israel/Gaza conflict continue to have the potential to
destabilise global and regional geopolitics, the full effects of
which cannot be fully ascertained at this time.
In addition, the ongoing approach
by western governments towards these conflicts could ease or
contribute to significant market dislocations and have significant
impacts on the level of global interest rates and economic
activity.
During 2024, there are more
national elections than in any typical year, including many of the
largest economies globally, specifically USA and the UK. As
governments change, this can create destabilising
effects.
|
|
The Directors take comfort in the
fact that the Company's long held strategy of having no, or minor,
borrowings and its no-dividend policy will help it withstand short
term cash-flow pressures and not require it to sell any material
part of its investments under these uncertain conditions. Moreover,
as stated in the Investment Manager's Report, the Company's
cautious investment approach, targeting healthy and growing
businesses with solid financial credentials and cash flows,
combined with the close relationship with management teams should
minimize the impact of adverse market conditions. It is hoped that
this could even provide fruitful opportunities to buy additional
shares at significant discounts to fair value in the future. The
Board will continue to monitor the effects of any election or war
for direct or indirect impacts on the Company and its future
prospects and will report any material change to its assessment as
appropriate.
|
Details of how the Board monitors
the services provided by the Investment Manager and the
Administrator and the key elements designed to provide effective
internal control are explained further in the internal controls
section of the Corporate Governance Statement, which is set out
below.
Management,
Administration and Custody Arrangements
Harwood Capital Management
(Gibraltar) Limited (the " Investment Manager")
is authorised by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission as a
small scheme manager to manage Alternative Investment Funds under
the Alternative Investment Managers Regulations
2013.
Refer to notes 3 and 4 of the
financial statements for further details on the remuneration of the
Investment Manager.
Administration, custodian and
company secretarial services are provided to the Company by BNP
Paribas S.A., Guernsey Branch. Registrar services are provided by
Link Market Services (Guernsey) Limited.
Related
Parties
The Investment Manager and
Directors are considered related parties. Please refer to note 18
of the financial statements for further details.
Financial
Review
At 31 March 2024, the NAV of the
Company was £231,666,198 (2023: £206,432,878). The NAV per Ordinary Share was
£16.55 (2023: £14.75). Details on the NAV and basic and diluted
earnings/loss per Ordinary Share are under note 14 of the financial
statements.
Dividend
Policy
To the extent that any dividends
are paid, they will be paid in accordance with any applicable laws
and regulations of the UK Listing Rules and the requirements of the
Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008 (as amended). The Directors do not
propose payment of a dividend for the year ended 31 March 2024
(2023: nil).
Performance
Measurement and Key Performance Indicators
In order to measure the success of
the Company in meeting its objectives and to evaluate the
performance of the Investment Manager, the Directors take into
account the following performance indicators:
·
Returns and NAV - The Board reviews at each
meeting the performance of the portfolio as well as the NAV and
share price of the Company.
For and on behalf of the
Board
Nigel Cayzer
Chairman
3 July 2024
DIRECTORS' REPORT
The Directors present their report
and the financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31
March 2024.
Share
Capital
The Company's issued share capital
as at 31 March 2024 consisted of 14,000,000 (2023: 14,000,000)
Ordinary Shares of 50p nominal value each. All shares hold equal
rights with no restrictions and no shares carry special rights with
regard to the control of the Company.
During the year ended 31 March
2024 and up to the date of approval of these financial statements,
the Company has not issued any additional Ordinary
Shares.
Buybacks
At the Annual General Meeting
("AGM") of the Company held in August 2023, the Directors were
granted the general authority to purchase in the market up to 10%
of the Ordinary Shares of each class in issue (as at 24 August
2023). This authority will expire at the forthcoming AGM. The
Directors intend to seek annual renewal of this authority from the
shareholders.
Pursuant to this authority, the
Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008 and the discretion of the Directors,
the Company may purchase Ordinary Shares of a particular class in
the market on an ongoing basis with a view to addressing any
imbalance between the supply of and demand for Ordinary Shares of
such class, thereby increasing the NAV per Ordinary Share of that
class and assisting in controlling the discount to NAV per Ordinary
Share of that class in relation to the price at which the Ordinary
Shares of such class may be trading.
During the year ended 31 March
2024, no shares were repurchased (2023: nil).
Refer to notes 11 and 12 of the
financial statements for more information.
Notifications
of Shareholdings
As at 31 March 2024, the Company
had been notified, in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Disclosure
Guidance and Transparency Rules (which covers the acquisition and
disposal of major shareholdings and voting rights), of the
following shareholders that had an interest of greater than 5% in
the Company's issued share capital.
|
Date of
notification
|
Number of Shares as at date
of notification
|
Percentage of total voting
rights (%)
|
North Atlantic Smaller Companies
Investment Trust plc ("NASCIT")
|
12 March
2024
|
7,429,500
|
53.07%
|
As at 31 March 2024, NASCIT held
7,456,579 shares (53.26%) in the Company.
Between 1 April 2024 and the date
of approval of the financial statements, no additional
notifications were received.
Life of the
Company
The Company does not have a fixed
life. However, under Article 51 of the Articles of Incorporation,
the Directors shall give due notice of and propose or cause to be
proposed a special resolution that the Company be wound up at the
AGM of the Company every two years from 2011 onwards. Special
resolutions that the Company be wound up were tabled at the 2011,
2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023 AGMs and in each case were
not carried. This was in line with the Board's recommendation to
shareholders to vote against these resolutions. The next such
resolution will be proposed in the 2025 AGM documents, where the
Board expects to recommend that shareholders vote against this
resolution.
Going
Concern
The Directors have considered the
Company's investment objective and risk management policy, its
assets and the expected income and return from its investments
while factoring in the current economic conditions caused by the
Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israel/Gaza conflict with the
resulting inflation, rising interest rates and supply chain
disruptions. The Directors are of the opinion that the Company is
able to meet its liabilities and ongoing expenses as they fall due
and they have a reasonable expectation that the Company has
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the
next twelve months. The Directors have a reasonable expectation
that the special resolution outlined in Article 51 of the Articles
of Incorporation and under "Life of the Company" will not be passed
at the AGM scheduled for August 2025. Accordingly, these financial
statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and the
Directors believe it is appropriate to continue to adopt this basis
for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of
these financial statements.
Viability
Statement
At least once a year, the
Directors are required to carry out a robust assessment of the
principal and emerging risks and make a statement which explains
how they have assessed the prospects of the Company, over what
period they have done so and why they consider that period to be
appropriate, taking into account the Company's current position and
principal risks. The principal risks faced by the Company are
described above.
The prospects of the Company are
driven by its investment strategy, objectives and policy as
summarised above and also by the conditions in the markets in which
the Company invests and the financial market in general.
In assessing the prospects of the
Company, the Directors have, in addition to taking into account the
principal and emerging risks facing the Company, taken into account
the Company's current position, which has included a process
encompassing an examination of:
(i)
the Investment Manager's view of the market conditions, including
the potential impact of any global conflicts and investment
opportunities in the market to which the Company is exposed, taking
into consideration the financial markets generally;
(ii) the
liquidity and prospects of the underlying positions of the
Company;
(iii) the extent
to which the Company directly or indirectly uses gearing;
and
(iv) the
liquidity of the companies in which the Company invests.
Based on the results of their
assessment process, the Directors have concluded that a period of
three years from the Statement of Financial Position date is an
appropriate period over which to assess the prospects of the
Company. Three years is deemed an appropriate time period
given the expected holding period needed to realize the Company's
investment thesis from individual investments, the general economic
outlook and the time needed for realization of contingencies or
claims. Consideration was also given to the absence of bank
borrowings as well as the Company being a closed-ended investment
Company. Based on this, combined with the level of cash held and
listed investment holdings, the Directors have a reasonable
expectation that the Company will be able to continue in operation
and meet its liabilities as they fall due within this period of
assessment. This three year time period assumes that the special
resolution outlined in Article 51 of the Articles of
Incorporation and under "Life of the Company" is not passed at the
AGM scheduled for August 2025.
Section
172(1) Statement
Although the Company is domiciled
in Guernsey, the Board adheres to the UK Corporate Governance Code
and acknowledges its duty to comply with section 172(1) of the UK
Companies Act 2006 to act in a way that promotes the success of the
Company for the benefit of its members as a whole, particularly
having regard to the shareholders, the service providers and the
wider community and environment, as detailed below:
a) the likely
consequences of any long-term decisions;
b) the need to
foster business relationships with suppliers, customers and other
parties;
c) the impact on
the wider community and environment;
d) the
desirability of the Company maintaining a high standard of business
conduct; and
e) the need to
act fairly between members of the Company.
Who
|
Why we engage
|
How we engage
|
Outcome
|
Shareholders
|
Shareholders provide the necessary
capital for the Company to pursue its purpose and
strategy.
|
The Company engages with
shareholders by:
·
Publishing monthly NAV announcements on the
LSE
·
Publishing the half yearly reports and annual
reports
·
Through interaction at the AGM
|
Shareholders receive relevant
information allowing them to make informed decisions about their
investments.
|
Service providers
|
As an investment Company with no
employees, the Company is reliant on its service providers to
conduct its business.
|
The Board receives formal reports
from its key service providers (the Investment Manager,
Administrator/custodian, Broker and Registrar) at its quarterly
Board meetings. There is frequent informal interaction with the
Investment Manager outside of Board meetings.
|
The Board receives appropriate and
timely advice and guidance. The Board's engagement with its service
providers enables it to help facilitate the effective running of
the Company.
|
The wider community and
environment
|
The Company recognises the benefits
to the greater good that will come from all companies being good
social citizens.
|
In making investment decisions, the
Company, through its Investment Manager, identifies small and
medium sized business enterprises that have the potential to grow
their business but lack the necessary funding or management
expertise.
|
With every successful investment
comes profit to the shareholders, greater employment for the
community at large and growth in the innovative small and medium
business sector of the economy. Such innovations have included
advanced and new products in the key healthcare and medical
equipment industries.
|
Reappointment
of independent Auditor
RSM CI (Audit) Limited (the
"Auditor") has expressed its willingness to continue in office as
auditor and a resolution to re-appoint it will be proposed at the
Company's forthcoming AGM.
Disclosure of
Information to Auditors
The Directors who were members of
the Board at the time of approving this Report are listed
below.
Each of those Directors confirms
that:
· to the best of his knowledge and belief, there is no
information relevant to the preparation of their report of which
the Auditor is unaware; and
· he has taken all steps a Director might reasonably be expected
to have taken to be aware of relevant audit information and to
establish that the Company's Auditor is aware of that
information.
Dividend
The Directors do not recommend the
payment of a dividend for the year (2023: £nil).
Financial
Instruments
The financial instruments employed
by the Company primarily comprise equity and loan stock
investments, although it does hold cash and liquid instruments.
Further details of the Company's risk management objectives and
policies relating to the use of financial instruments can be found
in note 16 of the financial statements.
Global
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Company has no greenhouse gas
emissions to report from its operations for the year to 31 March
2024 (2023: none), nor does it have responsibility for any other
emissions producing sources.
For and on behalf of the
Board
Nigel Cayzer
Chairman
3 July 2024
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT
Applicable
Corporate Governance Codes
The Board has considered how the
principles and provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018
("the Code") has been applied by the Company and has reported
against this Code (and the associated Financial Reporting Council
Guidance on Audit Committees). A copy of the Code can be found at
www.frc.org.uk.
The GFSC has stated in the
"Finance Sector Code of Corporate Governance" ("GFSC Code") that
companies which report against the UK Corporate Governance Code are
deemed to meet the GFSC Code and need take no further
action.
Corporate
Governance Statement
The Company has complied with the
recommendations of the Code, except as set out below and elsewhere
in the Corporate Governance Report:
The Chairman should not remain in post beyond nine years from
the date of their first appointment to the Board.
The Chairman of the Board has been
the Chairman continuously since the Company was founded 29 years
ago. The shareholders have given the Chairman their approval for
his re-election at every AGM held since the Company's formation and
always with a high percentage of the shareholders voting in favour
of his re-election. Furthermore, the Directors have very high
regard for the Chairman's integrity, professionalism and business
expertise. These considerations, combined with the excellent
performance of the Company over the past 29 years, are key in the
overwhelming support the Chairman has received from shareholders
and Directors to continue in his role.
Board Diversity - Listing Rule 9.8.6R
(9)(a)
While the Board recognises that
diversity, including gender and ethnic diversity, is of material
importance to both its own shareholders and that of wider society,
the Board composition at present does not meet the following target
requirements of Listing Rule 9.8.6R (9)(a):
a) At least 40% of individuals on
its board are women;
b) At least one of the senior
board positions is held by a woman; and
c) At least one individual on its
board is from a minority ethnic background.
There is a formal, rigorous and
transparent procedure for the appointment of new Directors.
Candidates are identified and selected on merit against objective
criteria and with due regard to the benefits of diversity on the
Board.
The Board has not adopted a
diversity policy in respect of age, gender or nationality,
believing that prescriptive targets would not be appropriate for,
or in the interests of the Company and its shareholders. Instead
the Board focusses on encouraging diversity of business skills and
experience recognising that Directors with diverse skills sets,
capabilities and experience gained from different backgrounds
enhance the Board. The Board considers that its members have a
balance of skills and experience which are relevant to the Company
and remains committed to the value and importance of diversity in
the boardroom.
The tables below set out the
Board's current composition against the targets prescribed by
Listing Rule 9.8.6R (9)(a):
|
Number of Board Members
|
Percentage of the Board
|
Number of Senior Positions on the Board (CEO, CFO, SID and
Chair)*
|
Men
|
7
|
100%
|
Nigel Cayzer - Chair of
the Board
Jamie Brooke - Chair of the
Audit Committee
|
Women
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Not specified/ prefer not to
say
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Number of Board
Members
|
Percentage of the
Board
|
Number of Senior Positions on
the Board (CEO, CFO, SID and Chair)*
|
White British or other White (including minority-white
groups)
|
7
|
100%
|
Nigel Cayzer - Chair of
the Board
Jamie Brooke - Chair of the
Audit Committee
|
Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Asian/Asian British
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Black/African/Caribbean/Black British
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Other ethnic group, including Arab
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Not specified/ prefer not to say
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
* CEO (Chief Executive Officer),
CFO (Chief Financial Officer), SID (Senior Independent Director).
The Company is not self-managed and does
not have executive management functions, including roles of CEO,
CFO or SID.
Remuneration Committee
The Board has not deemed it
necessary to appoint a Remuneration Committee as, being comprised
of a majority of independent Directors; the whole Board considers
these matters on an ongoing basis.
Executive Directors' remuneration
As the Board has no executive
Directors, it is not required to comply with the principles of the
Code in respect of executive Directors' remuneration.
Directors' fees are detailed in the Directors' Remuneration Report
below.
Internal audit function
As the Company delegates to third
parties its day-to-day operations and has no employees, the Board
has determined that there is no requirement for an internal audit
function. The Directors consider the ability to place reliance on
third party service providers and reports therefrom and review
annually whether a function equivalent to an internal audit is
needed and will continue to monitor its systems of internal
controls in order to provide assurance that they operate as
intended.
The Company complies with the
corporate governance statement requirements pursuant to the
Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency
Rules by virtue of the information included in the Corporate
Governance section of the Annual Report together with information
contained in the Strategic Report and the Directors'
Report.
As the Company does not have any
employees, the Board or Audit Committee have not established
arrangements by which staff of the Company may, in confidence,
raise concerns about possible improprieties in matters of financial
reporting or other matters.
Directors
Nigel Cayzer (Chairman)
British
Nigel Cayzer has, over the last 37
years, been a director and or Chairman of a number of investment
companies including Abrdn Asia Focus Limited from 1995 until 2023.
He has been and remains a director of a number of private
companies. He was Chairman of Maggie's, the cancer charity from
2004 until 2014.
Sidney Cabessa
French
Mr Sidney Cabessa is also a
director of Club-Sagem and Mercator/Nature et découvertes. He was
chairman of CIC Finance, an investment fund and a subsidiary of
French banking group, CIC - Credit Mutuel and was previously a
director of other investment companies. He has previously been
senior adviser with Rothschild and Co (2012 to 2017) and is now
senior adviser at Essling Capital. He is also a director of Harwood
Capital Management Limited, the parent company of the Investment
Manager.
Jamie Brooke
British
Mr Jamie Brooke is a qualified
chartered accountant with over 25 years investment experience and
has been a director on over 20 boards. He was formerly lead fund
manager for the Hanover Catalyst Fund, prior to which he was at
Lombard Odier where as a fund manager, he specialised in strategic
UK small cap equity investing, having moved with the Volantis team
from Henderson Global and before that, Gartmore. He is currently a
nonexecutive director at Chapel Down Group plc, Flowtech Fluidpower
plc, Triple Point VCT 2011 plc and Kelso Group Holdings
plc.
Gavin Farrell
British
Gavin Farrell qualified as a
solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, a French
Avocat and an Advocate of the Royal Court of Guernsey. He worked
for a number of years at Simmons & Simmons in their London and
Paris offices, both in the general corporate and financial
services/funds departments. He then moved to Guernsey in 1999 where
he was called as an advocate of the Royal Court of Guernsey. Mr
Gavin Farrell became a partner in January 2003 of the corporate
department of the then Ozannes, which became Mourant Ozannes where
he ended as a senior partner and head of the Corporate Department.
He left Mourant Ozannes in November 2016 to be one of the founding
partners of Ferbrache & Farrell LLP. He holds a number of
directorships in both public and private investment funds, captive
insurance companies, active management entities and trading groups.
He is a resident of Guernsey.
Christopher Mills
British
Mr Christopher Mills is a partner
and CEO of Harwood Capital LLP, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Harwood Capital Management Limited. He also serves as director on
the board of the Investment Manager and as Chief Investment Officer
("CIO") of NASCIT, a shareholder of the Company. NASCIT is the
winner of numerous Micropal and S&P Investment Trust awards. In
addition, he is a non-executive director of numerous UK companies
which are either currently, or have in the past five years been,
publicly quoted.
John Grace
New Zealander
Mr John Grace is actively involved
in the management of several global businesses including asset
management, financial services and real estate. He is a director
and founder of Sterling Grace International Ltd. Sterling Grace
International Ltd and its affiliates manage investments for high
net-worth investors, institutions and investment partnerships. The
Company is active in global money management, financial services,
private equity and real estate investments. He is also chairman of
Trustees Executors Holdings Ltd, owner of the premier and oldest
New Zealand trust Company established in 1882. It is the market
leader in the corporate trust business. Its clients include
government divisions, corporations and banks. The Company is active
in wholesale financial services including trust accounting,
securities custody and mutual fund registry. It is also actively
engaged in the personal trust business. He graduated from
Georgetown University. He has served as a director of numerous
public companies and charities. He currently supports genetic
research and education initiatives in science at the University of
Lausanne, EPFL École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne and CERN,
the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
John Radziwill
British
Mr John Radziwill is currently a
director of StoneX Group Inc. (known as INTL FCStone Inc. up to 5
July 2022), Goldcrown Group Limited, Fourth Street Capital Ltd,
Fifth Street Capital Ltd and Netsurion Ltd. In the past ten years,
he also served as a director of Acquisitor Plc and Acquisitor
Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd, Air Express International Corp., Radix
Ventures Inc, Baltimore Capital Plc, Lionheart Group Inc, USA Micro
Cap Value Co Ltd and Radix Organisation Inc. Mr John Radziwill is a
member of the Bar of England and Wales.
Our
Governance Framework
Chairman
Nigel Cayzer
Responsibilities:
The leadership, operation and
governance of the Board, ensuring effectiveness and setting the
agenda for the Board.
|
The Board Members
Nigel Cayzer (Chairman), Sidney
Cabessa, Jamie Brooke, Gavin Farrell, John Grace, Christopher Mills
and John Radziwill.
All of the Board members are
non-executive Directors. They are also all independent, except
for:
- Mr Sidney
Cabessa, who is a director of Harwood Capital Management Limited,
the parent company of the Investment Manager;
- Mr Christopher
Mills, who is the partner and CEO of Harwood Capital LLP (a wholly
owned subsidiary of Harwood Capital Management Limited), a director
on the board of the Investment Manager and also the CIO of NASCIT,
a shareholder of the Company.
Responsibilities:
Overall conduct of the Company's
business and setting the Company's strategy. More details
below.
|
Nomination Committee
Members:
Nigel Cayzer (Chairman)
Sidney Cabessa
John Grace
John Radziwill
|
Audit Committee
Members:
Jamie Brooke (Chairman)
John Radziwill
Gavin Farrell
|
The Nomination Committee currently
comprises of four independent non-executive Directors.
|
The Audit Committee currently
comprises of three independent non-executive Directors.
|
|
|
Responsibilities:
To ensure the Board comprises
individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to
ensure that the Board is effective in discharging its
responsibilities and oversight of all matters relating to corporate
governance.
More details below.
|
Responsibilities:
The provision of effective
governance over the appropriateness of the Company's financial
reporting including the adequacy of related disclosures, the
performance of the external auditors and the management of the
Company's systems of internal financial and operating controls and
business risks.
More details below.
|
Board
Independence and Composition
The Board
The Board is comprised of five
independent non-executive Directors including the Chairman, Mr
Nigel Cayzer, and two non-independent non-executive Directors: Mr
Sidney Cabessa, who is a director of Harwood Capital Management
Limited, the parent company of the Investment Manager; and Mr
Christopher Mills, who is the partner and CEO of Harwood Capital
LLP (a wholly owned subsidiary of Harwood Capital Management
Limited), a director on the board of the Investment Manager and
also the CIO of NASCIT, a shareholder of the Company.
The biographical details of the Directors holding
office at the date of this report are listed above demonstrate a
breadth of investment, accounting and professional
experience.
The Board does not consider it
necessary to appoint a Senior Independent Director, as it is
considered that all the Directors have different
qualities and areas of expertise on which they may lead where
issues arise and to whom concerns can be conveyed.
The performance of the Company is considered in
detail at each Board meeting. An evaluation of Directors'
performance, their independence and the work of the Board as a
whole and its committees is reviewed annually by the Nomination
Committee. The Directors also review the Chairman's performance,
without the Chairman present. The Board considers that independence
is not compromised by the length of tenure and that it has the
appropriate balance of skills, experience, ages and length of
service in the circumstances. The majority of the Board is
considered to be independent.
The Investment Manager takes
decisions as to the purchase and sale of individual investments.
The Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company
Secretary through its appointed representatives who are responsible
to the Board for ensuring that Board procedures are followed and
that applicable rules and regulations are complied with. Directors
are able to have access to independent professional advice at the
Company's expense if they judge it necessary to discharge their
responsibilities as Directors. To enable the Board to function
effectively and allow Directors to discharge their
responsibilities, full and timely access is given to all relevant
information.
BNP Paribas S.A., Guernsey Branch
through its representative, acts as Company Secretary to the Board
and Committees and in doing so it:
·
assists the Chairman in ensuring that all
Directors have full and timely access to all relevant
documentation;
·
organises induction of new Directors;
and
·
is responsible for ensuring that the correct Board
procedures are followed and advises the Board on corporate
governance matters
The Culture and Values of the Board
The Board is comprised of seven
male Directors from three different nationalities and with diverse
backgrounds and skill sets in key areas including investment,
business management, accountancy, finance and law. The culture of
the Board is to discuss all matters in an open and professional
manner. All members of the Board have proven competence and a
history of success in their business ventures and careers. All are
well regarded in their communities and all acknowledge the
responsibility placed on them and the need to be ethical,
professional and assertive in executing their duties.
Directors' Appointment and Re-election
Director
|
Date of Appointment
|
Nigel Cayzer
|
3 December 1994
|
Christopher Mills
|
3 December 1994
|
Sidney Cabessa
|
3 June 2003
|
John Radziwill
|
1 May 2007
|
John Grace
|
8 March 2011
|
Jamie Brooke
|
15 September 2022
|
Gavin Farrell
|
15 September 2022
|
Any Director may resign in writing
to the Board at any time.
In accordance with the Code, all
Directors seek annual re-election to the Board at the
AGM.
The Board continues to believe
that Mr Nigel Cayzer, Mr Jamie Brooke, Mr Gavin Farrell, Mr John
Radziwill and Mr John Grace are independent, that all Directors
standing for re-election make an effective and valuable
contribution to the Board and that the Company should support their
re-election.
Responsibilities
The Board meets at least four
times each year and deals with the important aspects of the
Company's affairs including the setting and monitoring of
investment strategy and the review of investment performance. The
Investment Manager takes decisions as to the purchase and sale of
individual investments, in line with the investment policy and
strategy set by the Board. The Investment Manager together with the
Company Secretary also ensures that all Directors receive, in a
timely manner, all relevant management, regulatory and financial
information relating to the Company and its portfolio of
investments. A representative of the Investment Manager attends
each quarterly Board meeting, enabling Directors to question any
matters of concern or seek clarification on certain issues. Matters
specifically reserved for decision by the full Board have been
defined and a procedure adopted for Directors in the furtherance of
their duties to take independent professional advice at the expense
of the Company.
Tenure
The Board has adopted a policy on
tenure that is considered appropriate for an investment company.
The Board does not believe that length of service, by itself, leads
to a closer relationship with the Investment Manager or necessarily
affects a Director's independence. The Board's tenure and
succession policy seeks to ensure that the Board is well-balanced
and will be refreshed from time to time by the appointment of new
Directors with the skills and experience necessary to replace those
lost by Directors' retirements. Directors must be able to
demonstrate their commitment to the Company. The Board seeks to
encompass relevant past and current experience of various areas
relevant to the Company's business.
Relationship with the Investment Manager and the
Administrator
The Board has delegated various
duties to external parties including the management of the
investment portfolio, the custodian services (including the
safeguarding of assets), the registration services and the
day-to-day Company secretarial, administration and accounting
services.
The Board receives and considers
reports regularly from the Investment Manager and ad hoc reports
and information are supplied to the Board as required. The
Investment Manager takes decisions as to the purchase and sale of
individual investments. The Investment Manager and Administrator
also ensure that all Directors receive, in a timely manner, all
relevant management, regulatory and financial information.
Representatives of the Investment Manager and Administrator attend
each Board meeting enabling the Directors to probe further on
matters of concern. A formal schedule of matters specifically
reserved for decision by the full Board has been defined and a
procedure adopted for Directors. The Directors have access to the
advice and service of the corporate Company Secretary through its
appointed representative who is responsible to the Board for
ensuring that Board procedures are followed and that applicable
rules and regulations are complied with.
Article 22(2)(e) & (f) of
Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive requires the
disclosure of fixed and variable remuneration paid by the
Alternative Investment Fund Managers ("AIFM") to senior management
and members of staff of the AIFM whose actions have a material
impact on the risk profile of the Alternative Investment
Fund. The AIFM consider the actions of only one member, of
senior management, to have a material impact on the risk profile of
the Company. Therefore, the Directors do not consider it
appropriate to make this disclosure.
Shareholder
Engagement
Communications with shareholders
The Board believes that the
maintenance of good relations with shareholders is important for
the long-term prospects of the Company. Where appropriate the
Chairman and other Directors are available for discussion about
governance and strategy with major shareholders and the Chairman
ensures communication of shareholders' views to the Board. The
Board receives feedback on the views of shareholders from the
Investment Manager and Broker.
The Board believes that the AGM
provides an appropriate forum for investors to communicate with the
Board and encourages participation. The AGM will be attended by at
least one Director. Details of proxy votes received in respect of
each resolution will be made available to shareholders at the
meeting and will be posted on the Company's website following the
meeting.
The annual and half-year reports
are available to all shareholders. The Board considers the format
of the annual and interim reports so as to ensure they are useful
to all shareholders and others taking an interest in the Company.
In accordance with best practice, the Annual Report, including the
Notice of the AGM, will be sent to shareholders at least 20 working
days before the meeting.
Institutional Investors - use of voting
rights
The Investment Manager, in the
absence of explicit instructions from the Board, are empowered to
exercise discretion in the use of the Company's voting rights in
respect of investments and then to report to the Board, where
appropriate, regarding decisions taken. The Board has
considered whether it was appropriate to adopt a voting policy and
an investment policy with regard to social, ethical and
environmental issues and concluded that it was not appropriate to
change the existing arrangements.
2024 AGM
The AGM will be held in Guernsey
in August 2024. The notice for the AGM set out in the shareholder
Circular accompanying this Annual Report sets out the ordinary and
special resolutions to be proposed at the meeting. Separate
resolutions are proposed for each substantive issue.
Conflict of
Interests
Directors are required to disclose
all actual and potential conflicts of interest to the Board as they
arise for consideration and the Board may impose restrictions or
refuse to authorise conflicts if deemed appropriate. The
Directors have undertaken to notify the Company Secretary as soon
as they become aware of any new potential conflicts of interest
that would need to be approved by the Board. Only Directors who
have no material interest in the matter being considered will be
able to participate in the Board approval process.
It has also been agreed that the
Directors will advise the Chairman and the Company Secretary in
advance of any proposed external appointment. None of the
Directors, except Mr Christopher Mills, had a material interest in
any contract, which is significant to the Company's business. Note
18 to the financial statements provides further details on the
material interests of Mr Christopher Mills. The Directors'
Remuneration Report below provides information on the remuneration
and interests of the Directors.
Performance
Evaluation
The Board has adopted a formal
annual evaluation of its own performance and that of its Committees
and individual Directors. The last evaluation took place in 2024
and was led by the Chairman. The Chairman was not involved in the
evaluation of his own performance.
The evaluation is conducted
utilising a questionnaire. The Board has developed criteria for use
at the evaluation, which focuses on the individual contribution to
the Board and its Committees made by each Director and the
Chairman, each Director's independence and the responsibilities,
composition and agenda of the Committees and of the Board
itself.
A review of Board composition and
balance, including succession planning for appointments to the
Board, is included as part of the annual performance evaluation.
The non-executive Directors also meet without the Chairman present
to appraise his performance.
During the annual Board evaluation
in 2024, it was concluded that all Directors with the exception
of
Mr Christopher Mills and Mr Sidney Cabessa were independent. It was
confirmed that the Chairman and all Directors felt well prepared
and able to participate fully at Board meetings, with a good
understanding of the markets and investments of the Company.
It was agreed that all relevant topics were fully discussed at
effective Board meetings, with the Board having a good range of
competencies and skills.
The Board will continue to review
its procedures, its effectiveness and development in the year
ahead.
Induction/Information and Professional
Development
Directors are provided, on a
regular basis, with key information on the Company's policies,
regulatory requirements and its internal controls. Regulatory and
legislative changes affecting Directors' responsibilities are
advised to the Board as they arise, along with changes to best
practice from, amongst others, the Company Secretary and the
Auditor. Advisers to the Company also
prepare reports for the Board from time to time on relevant topics
and issues.
When a new Director is appointed
to the Board, they will be provided with all relevant information
regarding the Company and their respective duties and
responsibilities as a Director. In addition, a new Director will
also spend time with representatives of the Investment Manager in
order to learn more about their processes and
procedures.
Independent
Advice
The Board recognises that there
may be occasions when one or more of the Directors feels it is
necessary to take independent legal advice at the Company's
expense. A procedure has been adopted to enable them to do so,
which is managed by the Company Secretary.
Directors'
Indemnity
To the extent permitted by
Guernsey law, the Company's Articles of Incorporation provide an
indemnity for the Directors against any liability except such (if
any) as they shall incur by or through their own breach of trust,
breach of duty or negligence.
During the year, the Company has
maintained insurance cover for its Directors and Officers under a
Directors' and Officers' liability insurance policy.
Board
Meetings
The Board meets
at least quarterly. Certain matters are
considered at all Board meetings including the performance of the
investments, NAV and share price and associated matters such as
asset allocation and investor relations. Consideration is
also given to administration, compliance and corporate governance
matters and where applicable, reports are received from the Board
committees.
Directors unable to attend a Board
meeting are provided with the Board papers and can discuss issues
arising in the meeting with the Chairman or another non-executive
Director.
Attendance at
scheduled meetings of the Board and its committees for the year
ended 31 March 2024
|
Board
|
Audit
Committee
|
Nomination
Committee
|
Number of meetings during
the year
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
Nigel Cayzer
|
4
|
n/a
|
1
|
Sidney Cabessa
|
3
|
n/a
|
1
|
Christopher Mills
|
4
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Jamie Brooke
|
4
|
2
|
n/a
|
Gavin Farrell
|
4
|
2
|
n/a
|
John Grace
|
4
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
John Radziwill
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
Board
Committees
The Board has established a
Nomination Committee and an Audit Committee with defined terms of
reference and duties. Further details of
these committees can be found below. The
terms of reference for each committee can be found on the Company's
website www.oryxinternationalgrowthfund.co.uk.
Nomination
Committee
Membership:
Nigel Cayzer - Chairman (Independent non-executive Director)
Sidney Cabessa (Non-executive
Director)
John Grace (Independent
non-executive Director)
John Radziwill (Independent
non-executive Director)
The Board believes it is
appropriate for the Chairman of the Board to also be Chairman of
the Nomination Committee as he is an independent non-executive
Director.
Key Objectives
To evaluate the effectiveness of
the Board and its Committees and to evaluate the balance of skills,
knowledge and experience on the Board and the division of
responsibilities between the Board and the Investment
Manager. The Nomination Committee also meets as and when
appropriate to replace Directors who retire from the Board, leading
the process for Board appointments and making recommendations to
the Board.
Responsibilities
·
Regularly reviews and makes recommendations in
relation to the structure, size and composition of the Board
including the diversity and balance of skills, knowledge and
experience and the independence of the non-executive
Directors;
·
Oversees the performance evaluation of the Board,
its committees and individual Directors;
·
Reviews the tenure of each of the non-executive
Directors;
·
Leads the process for identifying and making
recommendations to the Board regarding candidates for appointment
as Directors, giving full consideration to succession planning and
the leadership needs of the Company;
·
Makes recommendations to the Board on the
composition of the Board's committees; and
·
Have due regard for corporate governance,
bringing any issues to the attention of the Board.
Nomination Committee Meetings
Only members of the Nomination
Committee have the right to attend Committee meetings.
Representatives of the Investment Manager and Administrator are
invited by the Nomination Committee to attend meetings as and when
appropriate. In the event of matters arising concerning an
individual's membership of the Board, they would absent themselves
from the meeting as required and another independent non-executive
Director would take the Chair, if this applied to the Committee
Chairman.
Main Activities during the Year
The Nomination Committee met to
consider and review the results of the annual Board evaluation and
considered that the balance of experience, skills, independence and
knowledge of the Company was appropriate. Refer to above for
further details.
Nigel Cayzer
On behalf of the Nomination
Committee
3 July 2024
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Audit
Committee
Membership:
Jamie Brooke - Chairman (Independent non-executive Director)
John Radziwill (Independent
non-executive Director)
Gavin Farrell (Independent
non-executive Director)
Key Objectives
The provision of effective
governance over the appropriateness of the Company's financial
reporting including the adequacy of related disclosures, the
performance of the external auditors and the management of the
Company's systems of internal financial and operating controls and
business risks.
Responsibilities
·
Reviewing the Company's internal financial
controls;
·
Reviewing the Company's financial results
announcements, financial statements and monitoring compliance with
relevant statutory and listing requirements;
·
Reporting to the Board on the appropriateness of
the Company's accounting policies and practices including critical
accounting policies and practices;
·
Advising the Board on whether the Audit Committee
believes the annual report and audited financial statements, taken
as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provides the
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's
performance;
·
Overseeing the relationship with the external
auditor;
·
Considering the financial and other implications
on the independence of the auditor arising from any non-audit
services provided by the auditors; and
·
Compile a report on its activities to be included
in the Company's annual report.
The Committee members have a wide
range of financial and commercial expertise necessary to fulfil the
Committee's duties.
Audit Committee Meetings
The Committee previously met at
least three times a year. Only members of the Audit Committee have
the right to attend Audit Committee meetings. During the year ended
31 March 2023, the Audit Committee decided that there was no
requirement to meet three times as referenced in the Terms of
Reference and meeting twice during the year was sufficient as
regular dialogue was maintained with key individuals as per 4.2 of
the Terms of Reference. Representatives of the Investment Manager
and Administrator will be invited to attend Audit Committee
meetings on a regular basis and other non-members may be invited to
attend all or part of the meeting as and when appropriate and
necessary. The Company's external auditor, is also invited whenever
it is appropriate. The Committee is also able to meet separately
with the external auditors without the Investment Manager being
present.
Main Activities during the Year
The Committee assists the Board in
carrying out its responsibilities in relation to financial
reporting requirements, risk management and the assessment of
internal financial and operating controls. It also manages the
Company's relationship with the external auditor. Meetings of
the Committee generally take place prior to a Company Board
meeting. The Committee reports to the Board, as part of a separate
agenda item, on the activity of the Committee and matters of
particular relevance to the Board in the conduct of their
work.
The Committee advises the Board on
whether it believes the Annual Report and audited
financial statements,
taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and
provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the
Company's performance, business model and strategy. The Committee's
terms of reference can be found on the Company's website
http://www.oryxinternationalgrowthfund.co.uk.
Financial Reporting
The primary role of the Committee
in relation to financial reporting is to review in conjunction with
the Investment Manager and the Administrator the appropriateness of
the half-year and the audited annual financial statements
concentrating on, amongst other matters:
·
The quality and acceptability of accounting
policies and practices;
·
The clarity of the disclosures and compliance
with financial reporting standards and relevant financial and
governance reporting requirements;
·
Material areas in which significant judgements
have been applied or there has been discussion with the external
auditor;
·
Whether the annual report and audited financial
statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable
and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess
the Company's performance, business model and strategy;
and
·
Any correspondence from regulators in relation to
the quality of our financial reporting.
To aid its review, the Committee
considers reports from the Investment Manager, Administrator and
also reports from the external auditor on the outcome of their
annual audit.
Significant Accounting Matters
In relation to the Annual Report
and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024,
the following significant issue was considered by the Audit
Committee:
Significant Area
|
How Addressed
|
Valuation
of Investments
|
The Board periodically receive a
report from the Investment Manager on the valuation of the
portfolio and on the assumptions used in valuing the unlisted
assets in the portfolio. The Board regularly analyses the
investment portfolio of the Company in terms of investment mix,
fair value hierarchy and valuation. The Board has held discussions
with the Investment Manager with regards to the methodology used in
valuing the unlisted assets in the portfolio. The Board has
considered the risk due to Russian invasion of Ukraine and the
Israel/Gaza conflict in detail as part of its periodic viability
and risk assessments.
Based on their review and
analysis, the Board is satisfied with the valuation of the
investments.
|
Internal
Controls
The Board is responsible for the
Company's system of internal controls and for reviewing its
effectiveness, which was in place up to the date the
financial statements were signed. The Board has delegated the responsibility of
regularly reviewing the effectiveness of the systems of internal
controls in place to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee
believes that the key risks identified and implementation of the
system to monitor and manage those risks, are appropriate to the
Company's business as an investment company.
The ongoing risk assessment
includes the monitoring of the financial, operational and
compliance risks as well as an evaluation of the scope and quality
of the system of internal control adopted by the third party
service providers. The Audit Committee regularly reviews the
delegated services to ensure their continued competitiveness and
effectiveness. The system is designed to ensure regular
communication of the results of monitoring by the third parties to
the Board and the incidence of any significant control failings or
weaknesses that have been identified and the extent to which they
have resulted in unforeseen outcomes or contingences that may have
a material impact on the Company's performance or operations. The
Audit Committee believes that, although robust, the Company's
system of internal controls is designed to manage rather than
eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives.
The Committee is responsible
overall for the Company's system of internal financial and
operating controls and for reviewing its effectiveness. Such a
system, however, is designed to manage rather than eliminate risks
of failure to achieve the Company's business objectives and can
only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material
misstatement or loss. The Board receives each year a report from
the Administrator on its internal controls which includes a report
from the Administrator's auditors on the control policies and
procedures in operation.
The Investment Manager has
established an internal control framework to provide reasonable but
not absolute assurance on the effectiveness of the internal
controls operated on behalf of its clients. The effectiveness of
the internal controls is assessed by the Investment Manager's
compliance and risk department on an ongoing basis.
In respect of the Company's system
of internal controls and reviewing its effectiveness, the Directors
are satisfied that a robust assessment of the principal and
emerging risks facing the Company has been carried out (as outlined
above) and that having reviewed the effectiveness of the risk
management and internal control systems including material
financial, operational and compliance controls (including those
relating to the financial reporting process) no significant
failings or weaknesses were identified.
External
Audit
The effectiveness of the external
audit process is dependent on appropriate audit risk identification
at the start of the audit cycle. The Committee received a detailed
audit plan from the Auditor identifying their assessment of the
'key audit matters', being the ownership and valuation of
investments. This is consistent with the Committee's own assessment
which have been kept under review throughout the year. The
Committee assesses the effectiveness of the audit process in
addressing these matters through the reporting received from the
Auditor in relation to the year-end. In addition, the Committee
seeks feedback from the Investment Manager and the Administrator on
the effectiveness of the audit process. For the 2024 financial
year, the Committee was satisfied that there had been appropriate
focus and challenge on the significant and other key areas of audit
risk and assessed the quality of the audit process to be
good.
Independence
The Committee considers the
independence of the external auditor on an annual basis. In its
assessment of the independence of the external auditors, the
Committee receives details of any relationships between the Company
and the Auditor that may have a bearing on their independence and
receives confirmation that the external auditor is independent of
the Company.
Non-Audit
Services
The Auditor and the Directors have
agreed a policy for non-audit services. All non-audit services are
prohibited.
Auditor's
Remuneration
The Committee approved the fees
for audit services for 2023/24 after a review of the level and
nature of work to be performed and after being satisfied by the
Auditor that the fees were appropriate for the scope of the work
required. The Auditor will be remunerated £65,000 for their
services to be rendered in 2023/24. This entire amount relates to
the 2024 year-end audit.
Committee
Evaluation
The Committee's activities formed
part of the Board evaluation performed in 2024. Details of this
process can be found under "Performance Evaluation"
above.
Jamie Brooke
Chairman of the Audit
Committee
3 July 2024
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT
The Directors' remuneration for
the years ended 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2023 is as
follows:
Director
|
Year ended 31 March
2024
£
|
Year ended 31 March
2023
£
|
Nigel Cayzer
|
32,500
|
27,500
|
Jamie Brooke
|
30,000
|
13,562
|
Sidney Cabessa
|
25,000
|
20,000
|
Christopher Mills
|
25,000
|
20,000
|
Gavin Farrell
|
25,000
|
10,795
|
John Grace
|
25,000
|
20,000
|
John Radziwill
|
25,000
|
20,000
|
Walid Chatila*
|
-
|
11,438
|
Rupert Evans*
|
-
|
9,205
|
* Mr Walid Chatila and Mr Ruper
Evans resigned from the Board on 15 September 2022.
At a Board meeting held on 12
December 2023, the Board approved an increase of £5,000 (from
£20,000 to £25,000 per annum) in the annual fee for each Director,
effective 1 April 2023. The Chairman is entitled to an additional
fee of £7,500 and the Audit Committee Chairman is entitled to an
additional fee of £5,000.
Remuneration
Policy
The determination of the
Directors' fees is a matter dealt with by the Board. The Directors
reviewed the fees paid to the Boards of Directors of similar
investment companies and revised the remuneration of the Directors
in 2017 and again 2023. No Director is
involved in decisions relating to their own
remuneration.
No Director has a service contract
with the Company and Directors' appointments may be terminated at
any time by one month's written notice with no compensation payable
at termination.
The Company's policy is for the
Directors to be remunerated in the form of fees, payable quarterly
in arrears. No Director has any entitlement to a pension and the
Company has not awarded any share options or long-term performance
incentives to any of the Directors. No element of the Directors'
remuneration is performance related. Directors are authorised
to claim reasonable expenses from the Company in relation to the
performance of their duties.
The Company's policy is that the
fees payable to the Directors should reflect the time spent by the
Board on the Company's affairs and the responsibilities borne by
the Directors and should be sufficient to enable high calibre
candidates to be recruited. During the years ended 31 March 2024
and 31 March 2023, the policy was for the Chairman of the Board and
the Audit Committee to be paid higher fees than the other Directors
in recognition of their more onerous role and more time spent. The
Board may amend the level of remuneration paid within the limits of
the Company's Articles of Incorporation.
Service
Contracts and Policy on Payment of Loss of Office
Directors are appointed with the
expectation that they are initially
appointed until the following AGM when, it is required that they be
re-elected by shareholders.
Directors will initially serve for a period of
three years and will stand for re-election every three
years. In accordance with the Code,
Directors who have served for more than nine years as non-executive
Directors will retire annually and seek re-election to the
Board. Directors or members of the Investment Manager are
subject to annual election, in accordance with Listing Rule
15.2.13A.
The biographies of the Directors
holding office at the date of this report are provided
above.
Directors'
Interests
The Company has not set any
requirements or guidelines for Directors to own shares in the
Company. The beneficial interests of the Directors and their
connected persons in the Company's shares are shown in the table
below:
|
31 March
2024
Ordinary
Shares
|
31 March
2023
Ordinary
Shares
|
Christopher Mills
|
350,000
|
350,000
|
John Grace1
|
130,000
346,607
|
130,000
346,607
|
Jamie
Brooke2
|
9,500
|
2,000
|
1 Mr John Grace holds a beneficial interest of 130,000 Ordinary
Shares. He is
also a member of a class of beneficiaries which holds an interest
in 346,607 Ordinary Shares.
2 Mr Jamie Brooke purchased 7,500 Ordinary Shares in January
2024.
Mr Sidney Cabessa is a director of
Harwood Capital Management Limited, the parent company of the
Investment Manager. No fees were paid or
are payable to Harwood Capital Management Limited.
Mr Christopher Mills is a Partner
and CEO of Harwood Capital LLP (a wholly owned subsidiary of
Harwood Capital Management Limited), a director on the board of the
Investment Manager and also the CIO of NASCIT, a shareholder of the
Company. The Investment Manager is entitled to fees as detailed in
notes 3 and 4 of the financial statements.
Other than fees payable in the
ordinary course of business, there have been no material
transactions with these related parties.
Annual Report
on Remuneration
Other than as shown above, no
other remuneration or compensation was paid or payable by the
Company during the year to any of the Directors.
Advisers to
the Remuneration Committee
The Board has not sought the
advice or services by any outside person in respect of its
consideration of the Directors' remuneration.
Nigel Cayzer
On behalf of the Board
3 July 2024
Statement of Directors' responsibilities in respect of the
Annual Report and audited financial
statements
The Directors are responsible for
preparing the Annual Report and audited financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008
(as amended) requires the Directors to prepare financial statements
for each financial year. Under that law, they are required to
prepare the financial statements in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the UK IASB
("International Accounting Standards Board") and applicable
law.
Under Company law, the Directors
must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied
that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the
Company and of its profit or loss for that period. In
preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required
to:
·
select suitable accounting policies and then
apply them consistently;
·
make judgements and estimates that are
reasonable, relevant and reliable;
·
state whether applicable accounting standards
have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed
and explained in the financial statements;
·
assess the Company's ability to continue as a
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going
concern; and
·
use the going concern basis of accounting unless
they either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations,
or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
The Directors are responsible for
keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and
explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and
enable them to ensure that its financial statements comply with the
Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008. They are responsible for such
internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the
preparation of financial statements that are free from material
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error and have general
responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them
to safeguard the assets of the Company and to prevent and detect
fraud and other irregularities.
The Directors are responsible for
the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial
information included on the Company's website. Legislation in
Guernsey governing the preparation and dissemination of financial
statements may differ from legislation in other
jurisdictions.
Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect of the
Annual Report and audited financial statements
We confirm that to the best of our
knowledge:
·
the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the
applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view
of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss
of the Company; and
·
the Annual Report includes a fair review of the development
and performance of the business and the position of the issuer,
together with a description of the principal and emerging risks and
uncertainties that they face.
We consider the Annual Report and audited
financial statements, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and
understandable and provides the information necessary for
shareholders to assess the Company's position and performance,
business model and strategy.
By order of the Board
Jamie Brooke
Gavin Farrell
Director
Director
3 July
2024
3 July 2024
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ORYX
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED
Opinion
We have audited the financial
statements of Oryx International Growth Fund Limited (the
"Company"), which comprise the Statement of Financial Position as
at 31 March 2024, and the Statement of Comprehensive Income,
Statement of Changes in Equity and Statement of Cash Flows for the
year then ended, and notes 1 to 20 to the financial statements,
including a summary of significant accounting policies. The
financial reporting framework that has been applied in their
preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting
Standards as adopted by the United Kingdom.
In our opinion the financial
statements of the Company:
· give a
true and fair view of the state of the Company's affairs as at 31
March 2024 and of its profit for the year then ended;
· have
been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the
United Kingdom ('IFRS'); and
· have
been prepared in accordance with the Companies (Guernsey) Law,
2008.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in
accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) ('ISAs
(UK)') and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those
standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities
for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We
are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical
requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial
statements in Guernsey, including the FRC's Ethical Standard as
applied to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled
our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these
requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained
is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our
opinion.
Our
approach to the audit
Our audit was scoped by obtaining
an understanding of the Company and its environment, including
internal control, and assessing the risks of material
misstatement.
Our consideration of the control
environment
The Company
has appointed BNP Paribas S.A., Guernsey Branch to provide the
accounting function. The accounting function has been
delegated to BNP Paribas S.A., Jersey Branch ('BNP'). We have
obtained BNP's ISAE 3402 controls assurance report for the period 1
October 2022 to 30 September 2023 which summarises the suitability
of design and implementation and operating effectiveness of
controls. We have reviewed the report and considered the controls
relevant to the accounting functions undertaken by BNP for the
Company. As the reporting date of the Company is 31 March 2024, we
have obtained correspondence issued by BNP confirming that there
have not been any material changes to the internal control
environment nor any material deficiencies in the internal controls
to 11 June 2024.
Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters
that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in
the audit of the financial statements and include the most
significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not
due to fraud) identified by us, including those which had the
greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of
resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement
team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of
the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion
thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.
In arriving at our audit opinion, the key audit matter was as
follows:
Key
audit matter
|
How
our scope addressed this matter
|
Ownership and valuation of
investments
The Company's investments (see note
10 and the investment schedule within the Strategic Report) are
included at fair value of £227,040,583 (2023: £193,040,511). The
portfolio is made up of listed and unlisted investments.
Listed investments (96% of
total investment value (2023: 95%))
Listed investments are actively
traded on recognised markets which are measured at fair value based
on market prices and other prices determined with reference to
observable inputs.
Although all of the listed
investments have quoted market pricing data available which is used
to value the investments, there is a risk of material misstatement
that the investments may be incorrectly valued due to stale prices,
low trading volumes or errors reported in third party prices. Where
investments are not regularly traded there is a greater risk of
material misstatement that the quoted price is not reflective of
fair value and this should be taken into consideration in the
directors' assessment. Valuation has a significant impact on the
net asset value of the Company.
There is a risk that listed
investments are not directly owned by the Company.
All listed investments are held by
the Custodian. Ensuring that the Custodian records all the
investments correctly under the Company's name is critical since
the listed investment portfolio represents the principal element of
the financial statements, being the single largest asset on the
Statement of Financial Position.
|
Our procedures on the valuation of
listed investments included:
· understanding the relevant controls around listed
valuation;
· testing
100% of the valuations of listed investments by agreeing the prices
directly to independent third party sources;
· considering the trading history of listed investments to
determine whether they have been frequently traded, and volumes at
which they have been traded to consider whether the year end prices
are stale.
Our procedures on ownership of
listed investments included:
· obtaining
an understanding of the relevant controls around custody of listed
investments by reviewing the ISAE 3402 controls assurance report of
the custodian; and
· agreeing the holdings to independent third party confirmation
provided by the Company's Custodian.
|
Unlisted investments (4% of
total investments (2023: 5%))
Unlisted investments are measured
at fair value based on the International Private Equity and Venture
Capital (IPEV) valuation guidelines. These valuations involve
material judgements and estimation, the primary measurement
techniques employed by the directors at 31 March 2024 being
earnings multiples and observable price.
There is a risk that unlisted
investments are not directly owned by the Company.
Unlisted investments represent a
variety of financial instruments, not solely shares. Ensuring
that the Company records ownership of all unlisted investments
correctly is critical.
|
Our procedures on the valuation of
unlisted listed investments included:
· utilising RSM valuation specialists;
· obtaining an understanding of the Company's unlisted
investments held at the year end, including attendance at valuation
meetings with the investment manager and reviewing other relevant
documentation;
· obtaining an understanding of and challenging the key
assumptions and judgements affecting portfolio company valuations,
including consideration of the appropriateness of the valuation
basis and sensitivities.
Our procedures on ownership of
unlisted investments included:
· direct confirmation of ownership from third party
sources.
Key observations
Based on our procedures, we
concluded that the ownership and valuation of investments is
appropriate.
|
Our
application of materiality
We define materiality as the
magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it
probable that the economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable
person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in
planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results
of our work.
Based on our professional
judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements
as a whole as follows:
Materiality £3,470,000 (2023:
£3,180,000)
Basis for determining materiality - Approximately 1.5% of the Company's total assets (2023:
1.5%).
Rationale for the benchmark applied -
The key users of the financial statements are
primarily focused on the valuation of the Company's
assets.
Performance materiality
We set performance materiality at a
level lower than materiality to reduce the probability that, in
aggregate, uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceed the
materiality for the financial statements as a whole. Performance
materiality was set at 75% (2023: 75%) of materiality for the 2024
audit. In determining performance materiality, we considered our
understanding of the entity, including our assessment of the
overall control environment.
Error reporting
threshold
We agreed with the Audit Committee
that we would report to them all audit differences in excess of
£170,000 (2023: £150,000), as well as differences below that
threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative
grounds. We also report to the Audit Committee on disclosure
matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation
of the financial statements.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial
statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going
concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial
statements is appropriate. Our evaluation of the directors'
assessment of the Company's ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of
accounting included our review of the directors' statement
in note 2(b) and their identification of any material uncertainties
to the Company's ability to continue over a period of at least
twelve months from the date of approval of the financial
statements.
We considered as part of our risk
assessment the nature of the Company, its business model and
related risks including where relevant the impact of the conflicts
in Ukraine and Israel/Gaza as well as the requirements of the
applicable financial reporting framework and the system of internal
control.
We evaluated the directors'
assessment of the Company's ability to continue as a going concern,
including challenging the underlying data and key assumptions used
to make the assessment, and evaluated the directors' plans for
future actions in relation to their going concern
assessment.
Based on the work we have
performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties
relating to events or conditions that, individually or
collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability
to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve
months from the date of approval of the
financial statements.
We are required to state whether we
have anything material to add or draw attention to in relation to
that statement required by Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) and report if the
statement is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in
the audit. We confirm that we have nothing to report in connection
with this matter.
Our responsibilities and the
responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are
described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the
information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial
statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are
responsible for the other information contained within the annual
report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not
cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise
explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of
assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the
other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other
information is materially inconsistent with the financial
statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise
appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such
material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are
required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in
the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other
information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude
that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we
are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in respect
of these matters.
Matters on which we are required to report by
exception
We have nothing to report in
respect of the following matters where the Companies (Guernsey)
Law, 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our
opinion;
·
adequate accounting records have not been kept;
or
·
the financial statements are not in agreement with
the accounting records and returns; or
·
we have not received all the information and
explanations we require for our audit.
Corporate governance statement
The Listing Rules require us to
review the directors' statement in relation to going concern,
longer-term viability and that part of the Corporate Governance
Statement relating to the Company's
compliance with the provisions of the Listing
Rule 9.8.10R(2) specified for our review.
Based on the work undertaken as
part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following
elements of
the Strategic Report, Directors'
Report, Audit Committee Report and Statement of Directors'
Responsibilities is materially consistent with the financial
statements or our knowledge obtained during the audit:
·
Directors' statement with regards the
appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of
accounting and any material uncertainties
identified set out above;
·
Directors' explanation as to its assessment of the
entity's prospects, the period this assessment covers
and why they period is appropriate
set out above;
·
Directors' statement on fair, balanced and
understandable set out above;
·
Board's confirmation that it has carried out a
robust assessment of the emerging and
principal risks set out above;
·
The section of the annual report that describes
the review of effectiveness of risk management and
internal control systems set out above
and;
·
The section describing the work of
the audit committee set out above.
Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities, the directors are
responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for
being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such
internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable
the preparation of financial statements that are free from material
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial
statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing as
applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going
concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to
liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic
alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial
statements
Our objectives are to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a
whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or
error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion.
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a
guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will
always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements
can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if,
individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected
to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of
these financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance
with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgement and maintain
professional scepticism throughout the audit. We
also:
· Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the
financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and
perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain
audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a
basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material
misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than the one resulting
from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional
omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal
control.
· Obtain
an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order
to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on
the effectiveness of the Company's internal control.
· Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and
the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures
made by the directors.
· Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors' use of the
going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence
obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events
or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the
Company's ability to continue as
a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty
exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditors' report
to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such
disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our
conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date
of our auditors' report. However, future events or conditions
may cause the Company to cease to continue
as a going concern.
· Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of
the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether
the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and
events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged
with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope
and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including
any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify
during our audit.
The
extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting
irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud,
are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We
design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined
above, to detect material misstatements in respect of
irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our
procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
is explained below.
The objectives of our audit are to
obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding compliance
with laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the
determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, to perform audit procedures to help identify instances
of non-compliance with other laws and regulations that may have a
material effect on the financial statements, and to respond
appropriately to identified or suspected non-compliance with laws
and regulations identified during the audit.
In relation to fraud, the
objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risk of
material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud, to
obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed
risks of material misstatement due to fraud through designing and
implementing appropriate responses and to respond appropriately to
fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit.
However, it is the primary
responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged
with governance, to ensure that the entity's operations are
conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations
and for the prevention and detection of fraud.
In identifying and assessing risks
of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including
fraud, we:
· obtained an understanding of the nature of the industry and
sector, including the legal and regulatory frameworks that the
Company operates in and how the Company is complying those
frameworks;
· inquired of management, and those charged with governance,
about their own identification and assessment of the risks of
irregularities, including any known actual, suspected, or alleged
instances of fraud;
· discussed matters about non-compliance with laws and
regulations and how fraud might occur including assessment of how
and where the financial statements may be susceptible to fraud
having obtained an understanding of the effectiveness of the
control environment; and
· reviewed minutes of the Board and Audit Committee.
We also obtained an understanding
of the legal and regulatory frameworks that the Company operates
in, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a
direct effect on the determination of material amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and
regulations we considered in this context included
IFRS as adopted by the United
Kingdom, Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, Authorised Close Ended
Investment Scheme Rules, 2021, Listing and Disclosure Transparency
Rules and the AIC Code of Corporate Governance. The audit
procedures performed included:
· a
review of the financial statement disclosures and testing to
supporting documentation;
· completion of disclosure checklists to identify areas of
non-compliance; and
· review
of the financial statement disclosures by a specialist in the
Listing and Disclosure Transparency Rules.
The area that we identified as
being susceptible to material misstatement due to fraud was
management override of controls. The audit procedures
performed included:
· testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other
adjustments;
· undertaking analytical procedures to identify unusual or
unexpected relationships;
· assessing whether the judgements made in determining
accounting estimates, in particular in respect of the fair value
of investments, is
indicative of a potential bias; and
· evaluation of the business rationale of any significant
transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of
business.
Owing to the inherent limitations
of an audit there is an unavoidable risk that some material
misstatement of the financial statements may not be detected, even
though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance
with ISAs (UK). However, the principal responsibility for
ensuring that the financial statements are free from material
misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error, rests with the
directors who should not rely on the audit to discharge those
functions.
In addition, as with any audit,
there remains a higher risk of non-detection of fraud, as this may
involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions,
misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. Our audit
procedures are designed to detect material misstatement. We are not
responsible for preventing non-compliance or fraud and cannot be
expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and
regulations.
Other matters which we are required to
address
Following the recommendation of the
audit committee, we were appointed by the directors on 25 March
2021 to audit the financial statements for the year ending 31 March
2021 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total
uninterrupted engagement is four years, covering the years ended 31
March 2021 to 2024.
No non-audit services have been provided to the Company and we remain independent of
the Company in conducting our
audit.
Our audit opinion is consistent
with our reporting to the audit committee we are required to
provide in accordance with ISAs (UK).
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the
Company's members, as a body, in accordance with section 262 of the
Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken
so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we
are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no
other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not
accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company
and the Company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this
report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Philip J Crosby
For
& on behalf of
RSM
CI (Audit) Limited
Chartered Accountants and Recognized
Auditors
Guernsey, C.I.
3
July 2024
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
for the year ended 31 March 2024
|
|
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31 March
2023
|
|
|
Notes
|
£
|
£
|
Income
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
|
|
|
5,642,856
|
4,850,462
|
Net realised gains on
investments
|
|
10
|
11,984,506
|
10,606,875
|
Net unrealised gains/(losses) on
revaluation of investments
|
|
10
|
11,122,656
|
(25,556,818)
|
Net losses on foreign currency
translation
|
|
|
(352)
|
(878)
|
Other income
|
|
|
246,710
|
97,044
|
Total income
|
|
|
28,996,376
|
(10,003,315)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Manager's
fee
|
|
3
|
(2,353,697)
|
(2,156,129)
|
Transaction costs
|
|
|
(383,141)
|
(130,899)
|
Supplementary management
fee
|
|
4
|
(350,000)
|
(100,000)
|
Directors' fees and
expenses
|
|
5
|
(187,500)
|
(152,500)
|
Administration fees
|
|
6
|
(170,000)
|
(170,000)
|
Audit fees
|
|
|
(65,000)
|
(62,500)
|
Legal and professional
fees
|
|
|
(63,477)
|
(27,323)
|
Custodian fees
|
|
7
|
(30,000)
|
(30,000)
|
Registrar and transfer agent
fees
|
|
|
(24,957)
|
(28,972)
|
Travel costs
|
|
|
(11,466)
|
(20,510)
|
Insurance
|
|
|
(10,001)
|
(10,093)
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
(82,227)
|
(74,661)
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
(3,731,466)
|
(2,963,587)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) for the year before finance costs and
taxation
|
|
|
25,264,910
|
(12,966,902)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance costs
|
|
8
|
(21,945)
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) for the year before taxation
|
|
|
25,242,965
|
(12,966,902)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Withholding tax on
dividends
|
|
9
|
(9,645)
|
(9,242)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total profit/(loss) for the year
|
|
|
25,233,320
|
(12,976,144)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings/(loss) per Ordinary Share - basic and
diluted
|
|
14
|
£1.80
|
£(0.93)
|
There are no items of other
comprehensive income, therefore profit/(loss) for the year is the
total comprehensive income attributable to shareholders.
All items in the above statement
are derived from continuing operations.
The accompanying notes below form
an integral part of these financial statements.
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
as at 31 March 2024
|
|
|
As at
31 March
2024
|
As at
31 March
2023
|
|
|
Notes
|
£
|
£
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
|
Listed investments at fair value
through profit or loss (Cost £181,725,666 (2023:
£159,575,223))
|
|
10
|
217,082,345
|
183,259,163
|
Unlisted investments at fair value
through profit or loss (Cost £13,837,166 (2023:
£13,110,193))
|
|
10
|
9,958,238
|
9,781,348
|
|
|
|
227,040,583
|
193,040,511
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
|
4,235,327
|
15,591,410
|
Amounts due from
brokers
|
|
|
27,183
|
-
|
Dividends receivable
|
|
|
676,900
|
123,500
|
Interest receivable
|
|
|
65,910
|
7,389
|
Prepayments
|
|
|
11,354
|
10,107
|
|
|
|
5,016,674
|
15,732,406
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
232,057,257
|
208,772,917
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Other payables and accrued
expenses
|
|
|
(386,438)
|
(362,852)
|
Amounts due to brokers
|
|
|
(4,621)
|
(1,977,187)
|
|
|
|
(391,059)
|
(2,340,039)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets value
|
|
|
231,666,198
|
206,432,878
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
|
11
|
49,693,283
|
49,693,283
|
Other reserves
|
|
|
181,972,915
|
156,739,595
|
Total shareholders' equity
|
|
|
231,666,198
|
206,432,878
|
|
|
|
|
|
NAV per Ordinary Share
|
|
13, 14
|
£16.55
|
£14.75
|
The financial statements were
approved by the Board on 3 July 2024 and are signed on its behalf
by:
Jamie Brooke
Gavin Farrell
Director
Director
The accompanying notes below form
an integral part of these financial statements.
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN
EQUITY
for the year ended 31 March 2024
|
Share
capital
|
Other
reserves
|
Total
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 1 April 2023
|
49,693,283
|
156,739,595
|
206,432,878
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income for the
year
|
-
|
25,233,320
|
25,233,320
|
Balance at 31 March 2024
|
49,693,283
|
181,972,915
|
231,666,198
|
|
Share
capital
|
Other
reserves
|
Total
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 1 April 2022
|
49,693,283
|
169,715,739
|
219,409,022
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive loss for the
year
|
-
|
(12,976,144)
|
(12,976,144)
|
Balance at 31 March 2023
|
49,693,283
|
156,739,595
|
206,432,878
|
The accompanying notes below form
an integral part of these financial statements.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended 31 March 2024
|
|
Year ended
31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31 March
2023
|
|
Notes
|
£
|
£
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow from operating activities
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) for the year before
finance costs and taxation
|
|
25,264,910
|
(12,966,902)
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile
profit/(loss) before finance costs and taxation to net cash
flows:
|
|
|
|
- Net realised
gains on investments
|
10
|
(11,984,506)
|
(10,606,874)
|
- Net unrealised
(gains)/losses on revaluation of investments
|
10
|
(11,122,656)
|
25,556,817
|
- Net losses on
foreign currency translation
|
|
352
|
878
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of investments at fair
value through profit or loss1
|
|
(76,687,335)
|
(29,108,479)
|
Proceeds from sale of investments
at fair value through profit or loss2
|
|
63,794,676
|
32,133,841
|
Withholding tax paid on
dividends
|
9
|
(9,645)
|
(9,242)
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in working capital
|
|
|
|
(Increase)/decrease in dividends
receivable3
|
|
(553,400)
|
5,100
|
Increase in prepayments
|
|
(1,247)
|
(7,734)
|
Increase in interest
receivable
|
|
(58,521)
|
(7,389)
|
Increase/(decrease) in other
payables and accrued expenses
|
|
23,586
|
(22,490)
|
Net cash (used)/generated
from operating activities
|
|
(11,333,786)
|
4,967,526
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow from financing activities
|
|
|
|
Drawdown of loan
facility
|
8
|
4,500,000
|
|
Repayment of loan
|
8
|
(4,500,000)
|
|
Finance costs paid
|
8
|
(21,945)
|
-
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
|
(21,945)
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
(11,355,731)
|
4,967,526
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the year
|
|
15,591,410
|
10,624,762
|
Effect of exchange rate
fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents
|
|
(352)
|
(878)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the
year
|
|
4,235,327
|
15,591,410
|
1 Payables outstanding
at 31 March 2024 relating to purchases of investments at fair value
through profit amounted to £4,621 (2023: £1,977,187).
2 Receivables
outstanding at 31 March 2024 relating to sales of investments at
fair value through profit amounted to £27,183 (2023:
£nil).
3 For the year ended 31
March 2024, cash received from dividends net withholding taxes was
£5,079,811 (2023: £4,846,320).
The accompanying notes below form
an integral part of these financial statements.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.
General
The Company was registered in
Guernsey on 2 December 1994 and commenced activities on 3 March
1995. The Company was listed on the LSE on 3 March 1995.
The Company is a Guernsey
Authorised Closed-Ended Collective Investment Scheme pursuant to
the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2020 and is
subject to the Authorised Closed-Ended Investment Schemes Rules
2021.
The investment activities of the
Company are managed by Harwood Capital
Management (Gibraltar) Limited (the
"Investment Manager") and the administration of the Company is
delegated to BNP Paribas S.A., Guernsey Branch (the
"Administrator").
Legislation in Guernsey governing
the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
2. Material Accounting
Policies
a) Basis of Preparation
The financial statements of the
Company, which give a true and fair view and comply with the
Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008 (the "Law"), have been prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
("IFRS"), as adopted by the UK IASB and
applicable law. This comprises standards
and interpretations approved by the UK IASB and International
Accounting Standards and Standing Interpretations Committee
interpretations approved by the International Accounting Standards
Committee that remain in effect.
The financial statements have been
prepared on the historical cost basis except for the inclusion at
fair value of certain financial instruments. The material
accounting policies are set out below.
New standards, amendments and
interpretations
There were no new standards,
amendments or interpretations that are effective for the financial
year beginning 1 April 2023 which the Directors consider to have a
material impact on the financial statements of the
Company.
Standards, amendments and interpretations issued but not yet
effective
Standards that become effective in
future accounting periods and have not been early adopted by the
Company:
IFRS
|
Effective for periods
beginning on or after
|
·
Non-current Liabilities with Covenants and
Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current -
Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements
|
1
January 2024
|
·
Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback -
Amendments to IFRS 16 Leases
|
1
January 2024
|
·
Supplier Finance Arrangements - Amendments to IAS
7 Statement of Cash Flows and IFRS 7 Financial Instruments:
Disclosures
·
IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of
Sustainability-related Financial Information and IFRS S2
Climate-related Disclosures
·
Lack of Exchangeability - Amendments to IAS 21
The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates
·
Sale or Contribution of Assets between an
Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture - Amendments to IFRS 10
Consolidated Financial Statements and IAS 28 Investments in
Associates and Joint Ventures
|
1
January 2024
1
January 2024
1
January 2025
Available for optional adoption/effective date deferred
indefinitely
|
The Directors believe that the
application of these amendments and interpretations will not
materially impact the Company's financial statements when they
become effective.
b) Going Concern
Going concern refers to the
assumption that the Company has the resources to continue in
operation for the next 12 months from the date of approval of these
financial statements. After analysing the following, the Directors
believe that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in
preparing these financial statements:
·
Working capital - as at 31 March 2024, there was
a working capital surplus of £4,625,615 (2023:
£13,392,367).
·
Closed-ended Company --- The Company has been
authorised by the GFSC as an Authorised Closed-ended Collective
Investment Scheme, as such there cannot be any shareholder
redemptions and therefore no cash flows out of the Company in this
respect. The cash position of the Company as at 31 March 2024 is
£4,235,327 (2023: £15,591,410) which can sufficiently cover annual
operating expenses, investment management fees and finance costs
amounting to £3,753,411 for the year ended 31 March 2024 (2023:
£2,963,587).
·
Investments - The Company has a tradable
portfolio, as 96% (2023: 95%) of the investments, amounting to
£217,082,345 as at 31 March 2024 (2023: £183,259,163) are listed
and can therefore be readily sold for cash.
Under Article 51 of the Articles
of Incorporation, the Directors shall give due notice of and
propose or cause to be proposed a special resolution that the
Company be wound up at the AGM of the Company every two years. The
next notice will be given in the 2025 AGM documents (the previous
notice was given at the 2023 AGM where the special resolution was
not passed) where the Board will recommend that shareholders vote
against resolution. The Directors, based on discussions with the
Company's most significant shareholder, have a reasonable
expectation that the special resolution outlined in Article 51 of
the Articles of Incorporation and under "Life of the Company" will
not be passed at the AGM in 2025.
Based on the above assessments,
the Directors are of the opinion that the Company is able to meet
its liabilities as they fall due for payment because it has and is
expected to maintain adequate cash resources. Given the nature of
the Company's business, the Directors have a reasonable expectation
that the Company has adequate financial resources to continue in
operational existence for the next 12 months from the date of
approval of these financial statements. Therefore, the Board
consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in
preparing the financial statements.
In making this assessment, the
Board has considered the impact of the Russian invasion Ukraine,
Israel/Gaza conflict, inflation, rising rates and supply chain
disruptions on the Company and is confident that it remains
appropriate to adopt the going concern basis.
c) Use of Estimates and Judgements
The preparation of financial
statements in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the UK IASB,
requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions
that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported
amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. These
estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical
experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant.
Actual results may vary from these estimates.
Judgement is exercised in terms of
whether the price of recent transaction remains the best indicator
of fair value for financial instruments at the statement of
financial position date.
The Investment Manager reviews
sector and market information and the circumstances of the investee
Company to determine if the valuation adopted at the statement of
financial position date remains the best indicator of fair value.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an
on-going basis.
Revisions to accounting estimates
are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and
reassessed every year to ensure the fair value remains appropriate.
Information about areas of critical judgements in applying
accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the
fair value of financial instruments recognised in the financial
statements are set out in note 2(e) of the financial statements.
Information about significant areas of estimation uncertainty that
have the most significant effects on the fair value of financial
instruments recognised in the financial statements are set out in
notes 16 and 17 of the financial statements.
d) Dividend Income
Dividend income is recognised when
the right to receive income is established. This is the ex-dividend
date for equity securities. All income is shown gross of any
applicable withholding tax.
e) Financial Assets
Classification
All investments of the Company are
designated as investments at fair value through profit or loss. The
investments are purchased mainly for their capital growth and the
portfolio is managed and performance evaluated, on a fair value
basis in accordance with the Company's documented investment
strategy, therefore the Directors consider that this is the most
appropriate classification.
Recognition and subsequent measurement
Financial assets are measured
initially at fair value being the transaction price. Subsequent to
initial recognition on trade date, all assets classified at fair
value through profit or loss are measured at fair value with
changes in their fair value recognised in the Statement of
Comprehensive Income. Transaction costs are separately presented in
the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
Fair value measurement principles
Listed investments have been
valued at the bid market price ruling at the reporting date. In the
absence of the bid market price, the closing price has been taken,
or, in either case, if the market is closed on the financial
reporting date, the bid market or closing price on the preceding
business day.
Fair value of unlisted investments
is derived in accordance with the International Private Equity and
Venture Capital (IPEV) valuation guidelines. Their valuation
includes all factors that market participants would consider in
setting a price. The primary valuation techniques employed to value
the unlisted investments are earnings multiples and the net asset
basis. Cost (as indicator of initial fair value) may be considered
appropriate in the early stages of the investment, typically within
one year.
The carrying amounts of Company's
financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents,
dividends receivable, interest receivable and amounts due from
brokers, approximate fair value due to their immediate or
short-term maturity.
Derecognition
Derecognition of financial assets
occurs when the rights to receive cash flows from financial
instruments expire or are transferred and substantially all of the
risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred. When an
investment is derecognised, the unrealised gain or loss are
recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
Fair value hierarchy
Fair value measurement should be
determined based on assumptions that market participants would use
in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering market
participant assumptions, IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement,
establishes a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority
to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and lowest
priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the
value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1: Inputs that reflect
unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or
liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the
measurement date;
Level 2: Inputs reflect
quoted prices of similar assets and liabilities in active markets
and quoted prices of identical assets and liabilities in markets
that are considered to be inactive, as well as inputs other than
quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or
liability either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3: Inputs that are
unobservable for the asset or liability and reflect the Investment
Manager's own assumptions in accordance with the accounting
policies disclosed within note 2 of the financial
statements.
f) Prepayments
Prepayments do not carry any
interest and are short term in nature and are accordingly stated at
their amortised cost.
g) Cash and Cash
Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist
of cash in hand and short term deposits in banks with original
maturities of less than three months.
h) Foreign Currency
Translation
Items included in the Company's
financial statements are measured using the currency of the primary
economic environment in which it operates (the "functional
currency"). This is Pound Sterling (GBP) which reflects the
Company's activity of investing in predominantly Sterling
securities. The Company's shares are also issued in GBP. Foreign
currency monetary assets and liabilities have been translated at
the exchange rates ruling at the statement of financial position
date. Transactions in foreign currency during the period have been
translated into GBP at the spot exchange rate in effect at the date
of the transaction. Realised and unrealised gains and losses on
currency translation are recognised in the Statement of
Comprehensive Income.
i) Realised and Unrealised Gains and
Losses
Realised gains and losses arising
on the disposal of investments are calculated by reference to the
cost attributable to those investments and the sales proceeds and
are included in profit or loss in the Statement of Comprehensive
Income. The change in unrealised gains and losses arising on
investments held at the financial reporting date are also included
in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. The cost of investments
partly disposed is determined using the weighted average
method.
j) Financial
Liabilities
Financial liabilities include
other payables and accrued expenses and amounts due to brokers.
Amounts due to brokers represent payables for investments that have
been contracted for but not yet settled or delivered at the year
end.
Financial liabilities are
recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs
incurred and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the
effective interest rate method. Financial liabilities are
derecognised when the obligation specified in the contract is
discharged, cancelled or expires.
k) Equity
Share capital represents the
nominal value of equity shares and the excess of the paid up
capital over the nominal value. Other reserves and the capital
redemption reserve include all current and prior results as
disclosed in the Statement of Comprehensive Income and the effect
of share repurchases. Other reserves also include the deduction for
the excess of consideration paid over nominal value on share
buybacks.
l) Expenses
Expenses are recognised in the
Statement of Comprehensive Income upon utilisation of the service
or at the date they are incurred.
m) Finance Costs
Finance costs are recognised in
the Statement of Comprehensive Income for the period in which they
are incurred, on an accrual basis.
n) Segmental Reporting
Operating segments are reported in
the manner consistent with the internal reporting used by the chief
operating decision-maker ('CODM'). The CODM, who is responsible for
allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating
segments, has been identified as the Board who makes strategic
decisions regarding the investments of the Company on an aggregated
basis. Strategic and financial management decisions are determined
centrally by the Board and, on this basis, the Company operates as
a single investment management business and no segmental reporting
is provided. Other than as disclosed in note 15 of the financial
statements, the CODM does not consider necessary to provide further
analysis for the Company.
3. Investment
Manager's Fee
In line with the Alternative
Investment Fund Management Agreement, dated 1 October 2019, the
Investment Manager is entitled to an annual fee of 1.25% on the
first £15 million of the NAV of the Company and 1% of any excess,
payable monthly in arrears. The agreement can be terminated giving
12 months' notice or immediately should the Investment Manager be
placed into receivership or liquidation. Additionally, the
Investment Manager was entitled to an administration fee of £62,000
(2023: £65,000). The Investment Manager is entitled to all the fees
accrued and due up to the date of such termination but is not
entitled to compensation in respect of any termination.
The investment management fees
incurred for the year ended 31 March 2024 were £2,353,697 (2023:
£2,156,129). As at 31 March 2024, an amount of £203,017 was still
payable to the Investment Manager (2023: £181,269). This amount is
included in other payables and accrued expenses.
4.
Supplementary management fee
The Board considers the payment of
a supplementary management fee annually based on the performance of
the Company. The recognition and subsequent payment of this fee is
at the discretion of the Board.
In December 2023, the Board
discussed a payment of £350,000 in respect of the 2023
supplementary management fee. Based on a recommendation by the
Chairman, the Board approved this payment which was made on
19th January 2024. Ratification of the payment was made
at the Board meeting held on 3 July 2024.
5. Directors'
fees and expenses
Each Director is entitled to a fee
of £25,000 per annum, the Chairman is entitled to an additional fee
of £7,500 and the Audit Committee Chairman is entitled to an
additional fee of £5,000. In addition, all Directors are entitled
to reimbursement of travel, hotel and other expenses incurred by
them in course of their duties relating to the Company.
The Directors' fees and expenses
incurred for the year ended 31 March 2024 are £187,500 (2023:
£152,500). As at 31 March 2024, an amount of £46,875 (2023:
£38,125) was still payable to the Directors. This amount is
included in other payables and accrued expenses.
6.
Administration fees
BNP Paribas S.A., Guernsey Branch
acts as Company Secretary and Administrator of the Company and is
entitled to an annual fixed fee of £170,000 per annum as per the
revised fee schedule signed in November 2019.
The administration fees incurred
for the year ended 31 March 2024 were £170,000 (2023: £170,000). As
at 31 March 2024, an amount of £42,500 (2023: £42,500) was still
payable to the Administrator. This amount is included in other
payables and accrued expenses.
7. Custodian
fees
BNP Paribas S.A., Guernsey Branch
acts as Custodian of the Company and is
entitled to an annual safekeeping fee fixed at £30,000 per annum as
per the revised fee schedule signed in November 2019.
The fees incurred for the year
ended 31 March 2024 were £30,000 (2023: £30,000). As at 31 March
2024, an amount of £7,500 (2023: £7,500) was still payable to the
Custodian. This amount is included in
other payables and accrued expenses.
8. Finance
costs
On 14 November 2023, the Company
entered into a Loan Agreement with NASCIT, the lender, for a
short-term unsecured loan facility of up to £10 million to be
repaid to NASCIT by 30 April 2024, with an interest rate of 6% per
annum.
In November 2023, the Company drew
down an amount of £4,500,000 out of the facility and repaid the
full amount by January 2024. An interest expense of £21,945 (year
ended 31 March 2023: nil) was accrued on this amount during that
period and fully repaid on 3 January 2024.
9.
Taxation
The Company is eligible for
exemption from taxation in Guernsey under the provisions of the
Income Tax (Exempt Bodies) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1989. As
such, the Company is only liable to pay a fixed annual fee,
currently £1,200 (2023: £1,200). The withholding tax of £9,645
(2023: £9,242) in
the Statement of Comprehensive Income relates to overseas dividends
received or receivable and is irrecoverable.
10.
Investments at Fair Value through Profit or Loss
The following table summarises the
changes in fair value of the Company's listed securities for the
years ended
31 March 2024 and 31 March 2023:
|
|
|
Year ended
31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31 March
2023
|
|
|
|
£
|
£
|
Cost at the beginning of the
year
|
|
|
159,575,223
|
154,062,672
|
Opening unrealised
gains
|
|
|
23,683,940
|
45,490,241
|
Fair value at the beginning of the
year
|
|
|
183,259,163
|
199,552,913
|
Net realised gains on
investments
|
|
|
20,657,646
|
6,043,411
|
Net unrealised gains/(losses) on
revaluation of investments
|
|
|
1,701,507
|
(21,806,301)
|
Disposals
|
|
|
(62,225,859)
|
(25,573,655)
|
Additions
|
|
|
74,628,888
|
30,642,795
|
Transfers to unlisted
securities
|
|
|
(939,000)
|
(5,600,000)
|
Fair value at the end of the year
|
|
|
217,082,345
|
183,259,163
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost at the end of the
year*
|
|
|
181,725,666
|
159,575,223
|
Unrealised gains at the end of the
year*
|
|
|
35,356,679
|
23,683,940
|
Fair value at the end of the year
|
|
|
217,082,345
|
183,259,163
|
* Excludes the cost and
unrealised gains/losses of Stobart Group Ltd (previously 'Esken
Ltd') and Fulcrum Utility Services Ltd which have been transferred
from 'listed securities' to 'unlisted securities'.
The following table summarises the
changes in fair value of the Company's unlisted securities for the
years ended 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2023:
|
|
|
Year ended
31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31 March
2023
|
|
|
|
£
|
£
|
Cost at the beginning of the
year
|
|
|
13,110,193
|
8,913,292
|
Opening unrealised
(losses)/gains
|
|
|
(3,328,845)
|
421,671
|
Fair value at the beginning of the
year
|
|
|
9,781,348
|
9,334,963
|
Net realised (losses)/gains on
investments
|
|
|
(8,673,140)
|
4,563,464
|
Net unrealised gains/(losses) on
revaluation of investments
|
|
|
9,421,149
|
(3,750,516)
|
Disposals
|
|
|
(1,596,000)
|
(6,409,433)
|
Additions
|
|
|
85,881
|
442,870
|
Transfers from listed
securities
|
|
|
939,000
|
5,600,000
|
Fair value at the end of the year
|
|
|
9,958,238
|
9,781,348
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost at the end of the
year*
|
|
|
13,837,166
|
13,110,193
|
Unrealised losses at the end of
the year*
|
|
|
(3,878,928)
|
(3,328,845)
|
Fair value at the end of the year
|
|
|
9,958,238
|
9,781,348
|
* Includes the cost and
unrealised gains/losses of Stobart Group Ltd (previously 'Esken
Ltd') and Fulcrum Utility Services Ltd which have been transferred
from 'listed securities' to 'unlisted securities'.
Stobart Group Ltd (previously
'Esken Ltd') and Fulcrum Utility Services Ltd which were valued at
£796,500 and £142,500 respectively as at 31 March 2023, were
delisted during the year ended 31 March 2024.
During the year ended 31 March
2023, GYG Limited and Sourcebio International Plc, valued at
£2,850,000 and £2,750,000 respectively as at 31 March 2022, were
delisted and thus, transferred from Level 1 to Level 3.
10. Share
Capital
Authorised Share Capital
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
Shares
|
Amount
£
|
Authorised:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Shares of 50p
each
|
|
|
|
|
90,000,000
|
45,000,000
|
Issued Ordinary Shares - 1 April 2023 to 31 March
2024
Ordinary Shares of 50p each
|
Number of
Shares
|
Share
capital
£
|
At 1 April 2023
|
|
14,000,000
|
49,693,283
|
At 31 March 2024
|
|
14,000,000
|
49,693,283
|
Issued Ordinary Shares - 1 April 2022 to 31 March
2023
Ordinary Shares of 50p each
|
Number of
Shares
|
Share
capital
£
|
At 1 April 2022
|
|
14,000,000
|
49,693,283
|
At 31 March 2023
|
|
14,000,000
|
49,693,283
|
Rights attributable to Ordinary Shares
In a winding-up, the holders of
Ordinary Shares are entitled to the repayment of the nominal amount
paid up on their shares. In addition, they have the right to
receive surplus assets available for distribution. The shares
confer the right to dividends and at general meetings, on a poll,
confer the right to one vote in respect of each Ordinary Share
held.
11. Share
Buybacks
In accordance with section 315 of
the Law, the Company has been granted authority to make one or more
market acquisitions (as defined in section 316 of the Law, of
Ordinary Shares of 50 pence each in the capital of the Company (the
"Ordinary Shares") on such terms and in such manner as the
Directors of the Company may from time to time determine, provided
that:
a) the maximum
aggregate number of Ordinary Shares authorised to be acquired does
not exceed 10 per cent. of the issued Ordinary Share capital of the
Company on the date the shareholders' resolution is
passed;
b) the minimum price
(exclusive of expenses) payable by the Company for each Ordinary
Share is 50 pence. The maximum price payable by the Company for
each Ordinary Share is an amount equal to 105 per cent of the
average of the middle market quotations for an Ordinary Share which
is derived from The LSE Daily Official List for the five business
days immediately preceding the day on which that Ordinary Share is
purchased and that stipulated by Article 5(1) of the Buyback and
Stabilisation Regulation being the higher of the price of the last
independent trade and the highest current independent bid available
in the market;
c) subject to paragraph (d),
this authority shall expire (unless previously renewed or revoked)
at the earlier of the conclusion of the next annual general meeting
of the Company or on the date which is 18 months from the date of
the previous shareholders' resolution;
d) notwithstanding
paragraph (c), the Company may make a contract to purchase Ordinary
Shares under the authority from the shareholders' before its expiry
which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of
the authority and may make a purchase of Ordinary Shares in
pursuance of any such contract after such expiry; and
e) the price payable
for any Ordinary Shares so purchased may be paid by the Company to
the fullest extent permitted by the Law.
A renewal of the authority to make
purchases of the Company's own Ordinary Shares will be sought from
existing shareholders at each annual general meeting of the
Company.
During the years ended 31 March
2024 and 31 March 2023, the Company did not carry out any share
buybacks.
13.
Reconciliation of NAV to Published NAV
|
31 March
2024
|
31 March
2023
|
|
£
|
£ per
share
|
£
|
£ per
share
|
Published NAV
|
235,082,701
|
16.79
|
209,498,295
|
14.97
|
Unrealised loss on revaluation of
investments at bid / mid-price
|
(3,416,503)
|
(0.24)
|
(3,065,417)
|
(0.22)
|
NAV attributable to
shareholders
|
231,666,198
|
16.55
|
206,432,878
|
14.75
|
The published monthly NAV is
produced within 15 working days of the month end and values the
listed investments at mid-price. The financial statements value
listed investments at their bid price.
14.
Earnings/loss per Ordinary Share and NAV per Ordinary
Share
The calculation of basic earnings
per Ordinary Share of £1.80 (2023: loss per Ordinary Share of
£0.93) is based on net profit of £25,233,320 (2023:
net loss of £12,976,144)
and the weighted average number of Shares in issue during the year
of 14,000,000 Shares (2023: 14,000,000 Shares). At 31 March 2024
and 31 March 2023, there was no difference in the basic and diluted
earnings/loss per Ordinary Share calculation.
The calculation of NAV per
Ordinary Share of £16.55 (2023: £14.75) is based on a NAV of
£231,666,198 (2023: £206,432,878) and the number of Shares in issue
at the year-end of 14,000,000 Shares (2023: 14,000,000
Shares).
15. Segment
Information
The CODM of the Company are the
Board. The Company has one reportable segment. The Board reviews
internal management reports on a quarterly basis.
Information on realised gains and
losses derived from sales of investments are disclosed in note 10
of the financial statements.
The Company is domiciled in
Guernsey. All of the Company's income from investments is from
underlying companies. The majority of these companies are
incorporated in countries other than Guernsey (mainly Great
Britain).
The geographical breakdown of the
Company's investment portfolio is set out above.
The Company has no non-financial
assets classified as non-current assets. Shareholders with holdings
of 5% or more are disclosed on above.
16.
Financial Risk
Management
The main risks arising from the
Company's activities are:
(i) market
risk, including currency risk, interest rate risk and other price
risk;
(ii)
liquidity risk; and
(iii)
credit risk
The Company Secretary, in close
co-operation with the Board and the Investment Manager, coordinates
the Company's risk management. The policies for managing each of
these risks are summarised below and have been applied throughout
the year.
i) Market Risk
The fair value of future cash
flows of a financial instrument held by the Company may fluctuate
because of changes in market prices. This market risk comprises
currency risk, interest rate risk and other price risk. The Board
reviews and agrees policies for managing these
risks.
Currency
Risk
The functional and presentation
currency of the Company is GBP and, therefore, the Company's
principal exposure to foreign currency risk comprises investments
priced in other currencies, principally US Dollars. The Investment
Manager monitors the Company's exposure to foreign currencies and
reports to the Board on a regular basis. The Investment Manager
measures the risk to the Company of the foreign currency exposure
by considering the effect on the NAV and income of a movement in
the rates of exchange to which the Company's assets, liabilities,
income and expenses are exposed.
At 31 March 2024, the currency
profile of those financial assets and liabilities was:
|
GBP
|
EUR
|
USD
|
Total
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
Investments at fair value through
profit or loss
|
224,495,896
|
-
|
2,544,687
|
227,040,583
|
Dividends receivable
|
676,900
|
-
|
-
|
676,900
|
Amounts due from brokers
|
27,183
|
-
|
-
|
27,183
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
4,235,327
|
-
|
-
|
4,235,327
|
Trade and other payables
|
(386,438)
|
-
|
-
|
(386,438)
|
Amounts due to brokers
|
(4,621)
|
-
|
-
|
(4,621)
|
Total net foreign currency
exposure
|
229,044,247
|
-
|
2,544,687
|
231,588,934
|
At 31 March 2023, the currency
profile of those financial assets and liabilities was:
|
GBP
|
EUR
|
USD
|
Total
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
Investments at fair value through
profit or loss
|
190,586,806
|
-
|
2,453,705
|
193,040,511
|
Dividends receivable
|
123,500
|
-
|
-
|
123,500
|
Amounts due to brokers
|
(1,977,187)
|
-
|
-
|
(1,977,187)
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
15,591,410
|
-
|
-
|
15,591,410
|
Trade and other payables
|
(362,852)
|
-
|
-
|
(362,852)
|
Total net foreign currency
exposure
|
203,961,677
|
-
|
2,453,705
|
206,415,382
|
Sensitivity analysis is based on
the Company's monetary foreign currency instruments held at each
balance sheet date. A 10% change in the exchange rate is considered
reasonable based on observation of current market
conditions.
|
|
31 March 2024
|
31 March 2023
|
Currency
|
Change
in the exchange rate
|
Impact
on Total Comprehensive Income
|
Impact
on NAV
|
Impact
on Total Comprehensive Income
|
Impact
on NAV
|
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
USD vs GBP
|
10%/(10%)
|
(231,335)/282,743
|
(231,335)/282,743
|
(223,064)/272,634
|
(223,064)/272,634
|
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate movements may
affect:
· the fair value of the investments in fixed rate
securities;
· the level of income receivable on cash deposits and floating
rate debt instruments; and the interest payable on the
Company's variable rate
borrowings, if any.
The possible effects on fair value
and cash flows that could arise as a result of changes in interest
rates are taken
into account when making
investment decisions and borrowings, if any. The Board reviews on a
regular basis the values of the unquoted loans and preferred shares
to companies in which private equity investment is made. Interest
rate risk is not significant to the Company as it has no
significant fixed income investments or borrowings.
Other Price Risk
Other price risks (i.e. changes in
market prices other than those arising from currency risk or
interest rate risk) may affect the value of investments.
The Company's exposure to price
risk comprises mainly of movements in the value of the Company's
investments. As at the year-end, the spread of the Company's
investment portfolio is detailed above.
The Board manages the market price
risks inherent in the investment portfolio by ensuring full and
timely access to relevant investment information from the
Investment Manager. The Board meets regularly and at each meeting
reviews investment performance. The Board monitors the Investment
Manager's compliance with the Company's objectives and is directly
responsible for investment strategy and asset
allocation.
The Company's exposure to other
changes in market prices at 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2023 on its
investments was as follows:
|
31 March
2024
|
31 March
2023
|
|
£
|
£
|
Financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss
|
|
|
- Non-current investments at fair
value through profit or loss
|
227,040,583
|
193,040,511
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The following table illustrates
the sensitivity of the profit and NAV to an increase or decrease of
15% (2023:15%) in the fair values of the Company's investments.
This level of change is considered to be reasonably possible based
on observation of current market conditions. The sensitivity
analysis is based on the Company's investments at each balance
sheet date, with all other variables held constant.
|
31 March
2024
|
31 March
2023
|
|
Increase in fair
value
|
Decrease in fair
value
|
Increase in fair
value
|
Decrease in fair
value
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
Statement of Comprehensive
Income
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) for the
year
|
34,056,087
|
(34,056,087)
|
28,956,077
|
(28,956,077)
|
NAV
|
34,056,087
|
(34,056,087)
|
28,956,077
|
(28,956,077)
|
i) Liquidity Risk
This is the risk that the Company
will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with
financial liabilities.
The Company is faced with some
level of liquidity risk as 4.38% (2023: 5.07%) of the Company's
investments are in unlisted equities and other investments that may
not be readily realisable.
In accordance with the Company's
policy, the Investment Manager monitors the Company's liquidity
risk and the Board has overall responsibility.
The table below shows the split of
investments with maturity dates of less than a year and investments
with no maturity date.
|
31 March
2024
|
31 March
2023
|
|
Less
than 1 year
|
Greater than 1
year
|
No maturity
date
|
Total
|
Less than 1
year
|
Greater
than 1
year
|
No maturity
date
|
Total
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
Listed
|
-
|
-
|
217,082,345
|
217,082,345
|
-
|
-
|
183,259,163
|
183,259,163
|
Unlisted
|
-
|
-
|
9,958,238
|
9,958,238
|
-
|
-
|
9,781,348
|
9,781,348
|
|
-
|
-
|
227,040,583
|
227,040,583
|
-
|
-
|
193,040,511
|
193,040,511
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The Company's financial
liabilities are due to mature within one year from the Statement of
Financial Position date. The contractual maturities of these
financial liabilities equal their carrying amount on the Statement
of Financial Position. As the Company is in a net current asset
position, the Directors are satisfied that there are adequate
resources to meet these obligations as they fall due.
ii) Credit Risk
The Company does not have any
significant exposure to credit risk arising from any one individual
party. Credit risk is spread across a number of counterparties,
each having an immaterial effect on the Company's cash flows,
should a default happen. The Company's maximum credit risk exposure
at the Statement of Financial Position date is represented by the
respective carrying amounts of the financial assets in the
Statement of Financial Position.
There is a risk that the custodian
and bank used by the Company to hold assets and cash balances could
fail and that the Company's assets may not be returned.
Associated with this is the
additional risk of fraud or theft by employees of those third
parties. The Board manages this risk through the Investment Manager
monitoring the financial position of those custodians and banks
used by the Company.
The credit rating of the custodian
and the bank, BNP Paribas S.A., Guernsey Branch, is A-1 with
Standard & Poor's.
iii) Operational Risk
Operational risk is the risk of
direct or indirect loss arising from a wide variety of causes
associated with the processes, technology and infrastructure
supporting the Company's activities with financial instruments
either internally within the Company or externally at the Company's
service providers and from external factors other than credit,
market and liquidity risks such as those arising from legal and
regulatory requirements and generally accepted standards of
investment management behaviour.
The Company's objective is to
manage operational risk so as to balance limiting of financial
losses and damage to its reputation with achieving its investment
objective.
Capital Management Policies And Procedures
The Company's capital management
objectives are:
- to ensure that
the Company will
be able to continue as a going concern; and
- to maximise the
income and capital return to its equity shareholders through an
appropriate balance of equity capital and long-term debt. The
policy is that gearing should not exceed 20% of NAV.
The Company's capital at 31 March 2024
and 31 March 2023 comprises:
|
31 March
2024
|
31 March
2023
|
Equity
|
£
|
£
|
Share capital
|
49,693,283
|
49,693,283
|
Other reserves
|
181,972,915
|
156,739,595
|
|
231,666,198
|
206,432,878
|
The Company does not have any long
term debt outstanding as at 31 March 2024 and 31 March
2023.
The Board, with the assistance of the
Investment Manager, monitors and reviews the broad structure of the
Company's capital on an ongoing basis. This review
includes:
- the planned
level of gearing, which takes account of the Investment Manager's
views on the market;
- the need to
buy back equity shares for cancellation, which takes account of the
difference between the NAV per share and the share price (i.e. the
level of share price discount or premium);
- the need for
new issues of equity shares; and
- the extent to
which revenue in excess of that which is required to be distributed
should be retained.
The Company's objectives, policies and
processes for managing capital are unchanged from the preceding
accounting period and there are no imposed capital
requirements.
17. Fair
Value Hierarchy
Where an asset or liability's
value is determined based on inputs from different levels of the
hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy assumed for the
valuation assessment is the lowest level input significant to the
fair value measurement in its entirety.
Investments whose values are based
on quoted market prices in active markets and therefore classified
within Level 1, include active listed equities. The
Company does not adjust
the quoted price for these instruments.
Financial instruments that trade
in markets that are not considered to be active but are valued
based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative
pricing sources supported by observable inputs are classified
within Level 2. As Level 2 investments include positions that are
not traded in active markets and/or are subject to transfer
restrictions, valuations may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity
and/or non-transferability, which are generally based on available
market information.
Investments classified within
Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs. Level 3
instruments consists of private equity
positions. As observable prices are not
available for these securities, the Company has used valuation
techniques to derive the fair value. For certain investments, the
Company utilises comparable trading multiples and recent
transactions in arriving at the valuation for these positions. The
Investment Manager determines comparable public companies (peers)
based on industry, size, developmental stage and
strategy.
Management then calculates a
trading multiple for each comparable Company identified. The
multiple is calculated by dividing the enterprise value of the
comparable Company by its earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortisation ("EBITDA"). The trading multiple is
then discounted for considerations such as illiquidity and
differences between the comparable companies based on
Company-specific facts and circumstances. New investments are
initially carried at cost, for a limited period, being the fair
value of the most recent investment in the investee
Company.
In accordance with IPEV valuation
guidelines, changes and events since the acquisition date are
monitored to assess the impact on the fair value of the investment
and the valuation derived from investment cost is adjusted if
necessary. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell
an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the measurement date.
The tables below analyse financial
instruments measured at fair value as at 31 March 2024 and 31 March
2023 by the level in the fair value hierarchy into which the fair
value measurement is categorised.
31 March 2024
|
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
Total
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
Investments at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
through profit or loss
|
|
|
|
|
Listed securities
|
217,082,345
|
-
|
-
|
217,082,345
|
Unlisted securities
|
-
|
-
|
9,958,238
|
9,958,238
|
|
217,082,345
|
-
|
9,958,238
|
227,040,583
|
31 March 2023
|
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
Total
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
Investments at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
through profit or loss
|
|
|
|
|
Listed securities
|
183,259,163
|
-
|
-
|
183,259,163
|
Unlisted securities
|
-
|
-
|
9,781,348
|
9,781,348
|
|
183,259,163
|
-
|
9,781,348
|
193,040,511
|
The following table summarises the
changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 investments for the
years ended 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2023:
|
|
|
Year ended
31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31 March
2023
|
|
|
|
£
|
£
|
Fair value at the beginning of the
year
|
|
|
9,781,348
|
9,334,963
|
Net realised (losses)/gains on
investments
|
|
|
(8,673,140)
|
4,563,464
|
Net unrealised gains/(losses) on
revaluation of investments
|
|
|
9,421,148
|
(3,750,516)
|
Disposals
|
|
|
(1,596,000)
|
(6,409,433)
|
Additions
|
|
|
85,881
|
442,870
|
Transfers between
levels
|
|
|
939,000
|
5,600,000
|
Fair value at the end of the year
|
|
|
9,958,237
|
9,781,348
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Transfers between levels are
determined based on changes to the significant inputs used in the
fair value estimation. Any transfers between levels, in the fair
value hierarchy, are recognised at the beginning of the relevant
reporting period.
Stobart Group Ltd (previously
'Esken Ltd') and Fulcrum Utility Services Ltd which were valued at
£796,500 and £142,500 respectively as at 31 March 2023, were
delisted during the year ended 31 March 2024 and thus, were
transferred to Level 3.
During the year ended 31 March
2023, GYG Limited and Sourcebio International Plc, valued at
£2,850,000 and £2,750,000 respectively as at 31 March 2022, were
delisted and thus, transferred from Level 1 to Level 3.
The table below sets out
sensitivity to the earnings multiples used at 31 March 2024 and 31
March 2023 in measuring a significant investment categorised as
Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy and measured based on
comparable multiples approach:
Description
|
Fair Value
at
31 March
2024
(£)
|
Valuation
Method
|
Unobservable
inputs
|
Factor
|
Sensitivity to changes in
significant unobservable inputs
|
Jaguar Holdings Ltd
|
2,334,066
|
Comparable Company Multiples
|
Earnings
(EBITDA) multiple
|
7.0x
|
The
estimated fair value would increase if:
- the Earnings (EBITDA) multiple was changed
|
Sourcebio International
Plc
|
1,700,000
|
Comparable Company Multiples
|
Earnings
(EBITDA) multiple
|
9.9x
|
The
estimated fair value would increase if:
- the Earnings (EBITDA) multiple was changed
|
Description
|
Fair Value
at
31 March
2023
(£)
|
Valuation
Method
|
Unobservable
inputs
|
Factor
|
Sensitivity to changes in
significant unobservable inputs
|
Jaguar Holdings Ltd
|
2,276,973
|
Comparable Company Multiples
|
Earnings
(EBITDA) multiple
|
7.0x
|
The
estimated fair value would increase if:
- the Earnings (EBITDA) multiple was changed
|
The remaining investments
classified as Level 3 have not been included in the above analysis
as either they have a fair value that approximates a recent
transaction price or relates to cash being held in escrow pending
the outcome of certain post sale conditions (i.e.
warranties).
GYG Limited has been valued at the
mid-point between price of recent transaction and the bid approach
offer price referred to the Investment Manager's Report.
Although the Company believes that
its estimates of fair value are appropriate, the use of different
methodologies or assumptions could lead to different measurements
of fair value. For fair value measurements in Level 3, changing one
or more of the assumptions used to reasonably possible alternative
assumptions would have the following effects on the NAV
attributable to the shareholders:
As at 31 March 2024
Description
|
Valuation Method
|
Input
|
Sensitivity used
|
£
|
Jaguar Holdings Ltd
|
Comparable Company
Multiples
|
Earnings (EBITDA)
multiple
|
+/- 10.0% (10.9/8.9)
|
274,878/(274,828)
|
Sourcebio International
Plc
|
Comparable Company
Multiples
|
Earnings (EBITDA)
multiple
|
+/- 10.0% (6.05/4.95)
|
194,733/(133,933)
|
As at 31 March 2023
Description
|
Valuation Method
|
Input
|
Sensitivity used
|
£
|
Jaguar Holdings Ltd
|
Comparable Company
Multiples
|
Earnings (EBITDA)
multiple
|
+/- 10.0% (7.7/6.3)
|
267,929/(267,929)
|
A sensitivity of 1.0x and 10% has
been considered appropriate given the earnings (EBITDA) multiple
for comparable Company multiples lies within this range.
18. Related
Parties
All transactions with related
parties are carried out at arm's length and the prices reflect the
prevailing fair market value of the assets on the date of the
transaction.
The Investment Manager is
considered to be a related party. The fees paid are included in the
Statement of Comprehensive Income and further detailed in notes 3
and 4 of the financial statements.
The Directors are also considered
related parties and their total fees during the year ended 31 March
2024 amounted to £187,500 (2023: £152,500). At 31 March 2024, £46,875 (2023: £38,125) included in other
accruals and payables, was payable to the Directors. Please refer
to note 5 of the financial statements for further
details.
Mr Sidney Cabessa is a director of
Harwood Capital Management Limited, the parent company of the
Investment Manager. No fees were paid or are payable to Harwood
Capital Management Limited.
Mr Christopher Mills is the
partner and CEO of Harwood Capital LLP (a wholly owned subsidiary
of Harwood Capital Management Limited). He is also a director on
the board of the Investment Manager and also the CIO of NASCIT,
which is a substantial shareholder of the Company as detailed above
and note 19 of the financial statements.
During the year, the Company
entered into a Loan Agreement with NASCIT. Refer to note 8 of the
financial statements for more details.
19. Majority
Shareholder
NASCIT holds 53.26% of the
Ordinary Shares of the Company.
20. Subsequent
Events
There have been no significant
events subsequent to the year end, which, in the opinion of the
Directors, may have had an impact on the financial statements for
the year ended 31 March 2024.
ALTERNATIVE
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
NAV per Ordinary
Share
NAV per Ordinary Share means an
amount equal to, as at the relevant date, the NAV attributable to
Ordinary Shares divided by the number of Ordinary Shares in issue
as at such date.
Reason for use
Common industry performance
benchmark for calculating the Total Return and Share Price
(Discount)/Premium to NAV per Ordinary Share.
Recalculation
NAV per Ordinary Share is
calculated as follows:
|
31 March
2024
|
31 March
2023
|
NAV as per Statement of Financial
Position
|
£231,666,198
|
£206,432,878
|
Number of Ordinary Shares in issue
at year end
|
14,000,000
|
14,000,000
|
NAV per Ordinary Share
|
£16.55
|
£14.75
|
Share Price
Discount to NAV per Ordinary Share
Closing price as at such date as
published on the LSE divided by the NAV per Ordinary
Share.
Reason for use
Common industry measure to
understand the price of the Company's shares relative to its net
asset valuation.
Recalculation
|
31 March
2024
|
31 March
2023
|
Closing (bid) price as published
on the LSE
|
£11.73
|
£11.95
|
NAV per Ordinary Share
|
£16.55
|
£14.75
|
Discount to NAV
|
(29.12)%
|
(18.98)%
|
COMPANY
INFORMATION
Registered Office
BNP Paribas House,
St Julian's Avenue,
St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1
1WA
Investment Manager
Harwood Capital Management
(Gibraltar) Limited LLP
Suite 827 Europort, Europort Road,
Gibraltar
Custodian
BNP Paribas S.A., Guernsey
Branch
BNP Paribas House, St Julian's
Avenue,
St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1
1WA
Secretary and Administration
BNP Paribas S.A., Guernsey
Branch
BNP Paribas House, St Julian's
Avenue,
St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1
1WA
Registrars
Link Market Services (Guernsey)
Limited
PO Box 627, St Sampson, Guernsey,
GY1 4PP
Stockbroker
Winterflood Securities
Limited
Riverbank House, 2 Swan
LaneLondon, EC4R 3GA
Independent Auditor
RSM CI
(Audit) Limited
P.O. Box 179, 13-14
Esplanade
St Helier, Jersey, JE4 9RJ
Legal Advisers
To the Company as to Guernsey law:
Mourant Ozannes
Royal Chambers, St. Julian's
Avenue, St Peter Port,
Guernsey, Channel Islands, GY1
4HP
To the Company as to English law:
Bircham Dyson Bell
One Bartholomew CI
London, EC1A 7BL
Website
www.oryxinternationalgrowthfund.co.uk