Annual Report • Aug 31, 2022
Annual Report
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Braemar Shipping Services Plc 02286034 Annual Report and Accounts 2022
* The year ended 28 February 2021 has been restated for the presentation of Cory Brothers and AqualisBraemar as discontinued operations and a prior period adjustment as disclosed in Note 34 of the Financial Statements.
"The strong trading results are testament to the hard work and dedication of our people, and to our clear and focused strategy which has been delivered by a united new board and management team. Under unusual conditions and working from home for much of 2021, our achievements have been a huge team effort and prove we are well positioned for future growth." James Gundy, CEO
During the year the board has successfully executed several transactions with the aim of simplifying the Group's operations to concentrate on a new growth strategy centred around Shipbroking.
I am delighted to have been appointed as Chairman of the board in May 2021 with a remit to help the Group's new management team simplify its operations and develop an ambitious growth strategy centred around Shipbroking.
I am pleased to report that during the year, in addition to successfully navigating the challenges of the global pandemic, the Group has completed all the key strategic steps required to simplify its operations and provided the framework to further expand the business.
In addition to maintaining a first class service to its clients, during the year the board has put in place a clear and focused strategy; increased the scale of the business; disposed of non-core assets and businesses; delivered a strong trading performance exceeding the board's expectations; reduced net debt (including £6.5m of Cory Brothers disposal proceeds received on 2 March 2022) to £2.8m (2021: £8.9m) and restored the payment of interim and final dividends to shareholders.
The Group traded well throughout the financial year, because of increasing the scale of its Shipbroking operations as well as generally favourable market conditions. Revenue from continuing operations increased by 21% to £101.3m (2021: £83.7m) and operating profit from continuing operations increased by 31% to £10.1m (2021: £7.7m), ahead of the board's previously upgraded expectations. Reported profit after tax increased by 209% to £13.9m (2021: £4.5m), reflecting the strong underlying trading, combined with a profit of £4.1m on the disposal of Cory Brothers and a profit of £3.4m on the disposal of the Group's investment in AqualisBraemar.
Underlying earnings per share increased by 100% to 27.95p (2021: 13.96p). Reported earnings per share, which amongst other things includes the benefit of the sale of the non-core investment in AqualisBraemar and the disposal of Cory Brothers, increased by 215% to 45.56p, (2021: 14.45p).
Mindful of the importance of dividends to shareholders and reflecting the strong cash generation of the Group's Shipbroking business, the board has decided to supplement its growth strategy with a progressive dividend policy, subject to financial performance.
The board will recommend a well-covered final dividend for the current financial year of 7.0p per share for approval by shareholders at its reconvened AGM which will be held on 6 October 2022. This is in addition to the interim dividend of 2.0p per share in respect of the 6 months to 31 August 2021 which was paid on 16 December 2021, yielding a total dividend for the year of 9.0p per share (2021: 5.0p).
The final dividend will be paid on 14 October 2022 to shareholders who are on the register at the close of business on 9 September 2022, with a corresponding ex-dividend date of 8 September 2022. The last date for Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) elections will be 23 September 2022.
Over the past year and a half, the new board has made substantial progress in laying the foundations for growth, clarifying Braemar's strategic direction and substantially increasing its profitability. Loss-making businesses have been closed, ongoing central costs have been reduced, the core Shipbroking business has been expanded, the board has been strengthened, net debt reduced to near zero and dividend payments restored.
However, while we can celebrate the progress that has been made in the business, we must also acknowledge that this year's accounts are being published later than would normally be the case. In summary, this delay has been caused by the auditors and the board reviewing the accuracy of certain foreign exchange and other balance sheet reserve accounts of the business. The foundations of an accelerated growth agenda mandate a solid bedrock of accounting integrity and I regard it as essential that a full check on the integrity of these areas over the past three years has been carried out.
A very significant workstream was initiated, therefore, re-examining these balance sheet areas over the past three years. In doing so, some errors, largely historic, in accounting for the Naves acquisition, the foreign exchange gain on the AqualisBraemar share disposal and the balance sheet classification of certain other reserves have been identified and corrected. None of these prior year errors impact the underlying profitability of the business that has been previously reported.
The board has now completed this exercise and these areas have been subject to audit to the extent required. I trust that shareholders will fully understand that it was essential that this exercise was done in order that we can move forward with confidence. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the auditors and Braemar's finance team for carrying out this significant piece of work over the past few weeks with unstinting diligence, clarity of focus and sheer effort.
The Group recognises the importance of climate change generally and specifically the importance of environmental, social and governance factors in our business and in the shipping industry. During the year the Group launched its environmental, people, social and governance framework ("EPSG Framework"). The board has chosen four of the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs") to underpin its mission to facilitate climate-smart shipping.
The drive for both those owning and chartering ships to operate in a climate-friendly environment continues to develop, and the Group has made good progress in developing responsible climate-smart shipping policies that are fit-for-purpose in this sought-after greener environment.
Further information can be found in the EPSG report on page 36.
With effect from 1 August 2021, Tristram ("Tris") Simmonds and Elizabeth Gooch MBE were appointed to the board of the Company as Chief Operating Officer (Executive) and Non-Executive Director respectively.
Tris was previously the Managing Director of Braemar Atlantic Securities, the Group's derivative brokerage business. Elizabeth has over 16 years' experience of governance, compliance, and financial reporting of publicly listed companies. Elizabeth has joined the Group's Audit and Nomination Committees and has chaired the Group's Remuneration Committee since Jürgen Breuer stood down from the board on 26 August 2021.
With effect from 1 March 2022, Joanne Lake was appointed to the board of the Company as a Non-Executive Director. Joanne has over 25 years' experience of business development, strategy, and corporate finance in several financial and professional services organisations. Joanne was appointed Audit Committee Chair with effect from 1 April 2022. Joanne joined the Remuneration and Nomination Committees from 1 March 2022. Lesley Watkins resigned from the board with effect from 31 March 2022, and Elizabeth Gooch succeeded Lesley in the role of senior independent director from 1 April 2022.
I am delighted to welcome Tris, Elizabeth, and Joanne to the board. The addition of Tris creates a stronger executive team with the bandwidth and experience needed to deliver the board's growth aspirations to the benefit of all stakeholders of the Group. Both Elizabeth's and Joanne's prior governance, public company, and technology experience in growth-oriented, people-based businesses is highly complementary to the Group's strategy and existing non-executive skill base. I would also like to thank Jürgen and Lesley for their significant contributions to the Group, and I wish them the very best for the future.
The results for the year are a tribute to the dedication and expertise of our staff. The calibre of our people is central to the high quality of service that we provide to our clients. It is their hard work and creativity that enables Braemar to continue to build its brand and reputation as we develop our business. I would like to thank all our staff for their continuing efforts on behalf of the Group.
The present global marketplace is generally characterised today by geopolitical uncertainty, trading sanctions, exchange rate volatility, logistical challenges remaining from the global pandemic, together with inflationary and interest rate pressures.
Notwithstanding these challenges, market conditions in the Shipbroking industry remain favourable, driven both from strong demand and restricted supply. For Braemar, trading during the first five months of the new financial year has been very strong and the Group continues to benefit from the increased scale and breadth of its broking operations in these generally favourable market conditions. As a result, expectations for the current financial year are expected to be well ahead of the board's previous expectations.
Compliance with existing sanctions, put in place because of the Russian/Ukraine conflict, is not expected to have any material effect on trading or cashflows in the current financial year nor does the Group have any existing material exposure. The board continues to look to the future with confidence as it sets about delivering on its growth strategy centred on Shipbroking.
Nigel Payne
28 August 2022
Expert advisors in shipping investment, chartering and risk management.
Our integrated teams deliver creative solutions and tailored support for customers around the world, placing Braemar at the forefront of the shipbroking industry.
To leverage our expertise and experience to secure sustainable returns and mitigate risk in the volatile world of shipping.
Experienced brokers work in tandem with specialist professionals to offer an integrated service supported by a collaborative culture.
Our team draws on a wealth of diverse sector experience to provide the most advanced market intelligence in the shipping industry.
To enable more prosperous, secure, and sustainable global trade within the shipping industry.
The right vessels. At the right price. At the right time. Our team combines years of commercial, financial, technical, and operational expertise with the most comprehensive market analytics in the industry to create investment opportunities that are both protected and maximised for sustainable returns.
Customised chartering solutions built around the specific needs of our clients. By investing in cutting-edge technology and bespoke databases, our brokers and analysts create innovative strategies that deliver longterm gains over short-term fixes.
Volatile price movements are commonplace in shipping markets. Our Securities desk helps our clients manage their exposure by providing a liquid marketplace, while our Corporate Finance desk assists those facing liquidity crunches with loan portfolio pricing, management, and restructuring.
Information can empower - but only when you know how to use it. Our specialists know exactly how market intelligence can be applied to give our clients the best advantage.
We draw on in-depth knowledge and a wide breadth of coverage to help clients navigate a complicated landscape.
We are committed to proactive, measurable EPSG initiatives and the facilitation of climate-smart shipping. We set high standards for our team and give them clear frameworks and policies within which to operate.
By sharing knowledge and resources across desks, our team can anticipate our clients' needs and provide prompt, informed solutions.
Through our activities we aim to create value for all our stakeholders.
By streamlining our key services towards Shipbroking and maintaining a strong, clear balance sheet, we're focused on creating sustainable growth that delivers long-term returns for our shareholders.
Our team has a proven track record of delivering expert advice in Investment Advisory, Chartering, and Risk Advisory. We leverage our strong network to secure the best prices for our clients.
Without our team, Braemar would not exist. Our people are integral to our business and are the key to our success. We provide a positive working environment, rewarding careers and opportunities for development.
Our EPSG framework seeks to support long-term, strategic partnerships with charities and organisations that support the communities in which we operate. Further information on our EPSG framework can be found on pages 36 to 48 of this Annual Report.
2021 restated *: 13.96p
2021 restated *: 14.45p
2021: 5.0p
2021 restated*: 14 offices
* The year ended 28 February 2021 has been restated for the presentation of Cory Brothers and AqualisBraemar as discontinued operations and a prior period adjustment as disclosed in Note 34 of the Financial Statements.
Our strategy is focused on Shipbroking and the provision of expert advice in shipping investment, chartering and risk management.
We have focused the business on our Shipbroking core with its strong track record of growth. We have simplified the Group through targeted divestments and strengthened the Group's balance sheet through the sale of our AqualisBraemar shares and rescheduling of Naves acquisition liabilities.
Our updated strategic priorities will enable us to take advantage of future growth opportunities.
Diversify and grow our geographical presence Expand our activities into growth sectors including renewables and carbon offsetting Grow our capabilities in existing areas of business Integrate Corporate Finance activities
Develop technology solutions that enhance our offering as a broker Use Braemar Offset to offer a carbon offsetting solution Continue to develop Braemar Screen in partnership with Zuma Labs Deliver market leading digital solutions to the shipping industry Future proof our business
Using our new brand as a bedrock for growth Unite our team and our client offering
Shipping will remain the most energy-efficient way to transport freight for the foreseeable future. On average, it produces 25 grams of CO2 per tonne-kilometre, compared to 600g CO2/tonne-km for aviation and 50-150g CO2/tonne-km for road-based transportation. Nevertheless, the international shipping industry still accounts for approximately 2-3% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions – roughly the same as the aviation industry – and it faces significant challenges in reducing its carbon emissions and transitioning to net zero.
Braemar's direct environmental footprint is a very small percentage of the shipping industry's emissions. Although we can have no direct role in delivering the decarbonisation of the industry we can work with owners and charterers to support them as they navigate towards a low carbon shipping industry. We recognise that we have a responsibility to minimise our own office-based emissions as well as a role in facilitating the decarbonisation of the wider industry.
Further details on what this means for our business are as follows:
We recognise that carbon offsetting is our only solution to historic emissions but going forward we aim to reduce our direct carbon footprint and use carbon credits to offset our unavoidable emissions. We have purchased carbon offsets sufficient to make our operations carbon neutral since 2017.
As we transition towards net zero, we aim to reduce our direct footprint by becoming more energy efficient and incorporating sustainability into our decision making.
Working in partnership with CHOOOSE – a respected provider of digital tools, including to several of the biggest names in aviation – we have created Braemar Offset. Braemar Offset directly connects our clients with some of the most impactful and verified climate projects available today. By working with Braemar Offset to reduce their carbon footprint, companies will be able to play a proactive role improving their sustainability and accelerating climate action.
As part of our overall growth strategy, we are investing in our renewables offering. We are positioning the business to support the transition to a low carbon economy and for future growth in renewable energy and low carbon fuels. While transporting fossil fuels is a key part of our clients' businesses today, we expect – and are planning for – major change on this front as the industry transitions to net zero. We do not expect that phasing out the use of coal will have a significant impact on our business in the short to medium term.
We are assessing the ways in which we can provide support and advice to our clients. For example, advising charterers who are facing new regulations such as the EU Emissions Trading System ('ETS') which comes into force in 2023, or advising owners who are facing uncertainty around alternative fuels. There is a strong drive in the industry to ensure that future investment is focused on more sustainable and cleaner ships and our brokers are working alongside owners to help them make the right choices of investment.
By streamlining our key services towards Shipbroking and maintaining a strong, clear balance sheet, we're focused on creating sustainable growth that delivers long-term returns for our shareholders.
We are one of only two publicly traded Shipbroking companies on the London Stock Exchange, offering an attractive opportunity to invest in the shipping industry without needing to invest directly in ships.
As a leading global shipbroker with offices in London, Singapore, Geneva, Dubai, Athens, Aberdeen, Hamburg, Beijing, Shanghai, Melbourne, Mumbai, Perth, and Houston, we're well-positioned to serve key industry players across different time zones and cultures. Our operations are diversified across Tankers, Dry Cargo, Sale and Purchase, Renewables, Financial and Offshore to generate a reliable, less cyclical income stream.
Our new, future-facing strategy is clearly designed toward sustainable profit and growth. We refreshed our management team and successfully divested any non-core businesses to lessen our liquidity risk while strengthening our balance sheet.
In line with our commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.4, we will endeavour to decouple our profit from environmental degradation while promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the industry.
The consequences of interconnected global supply chains is the unifying theme of the 2020s so far. Over the last two and a half years every country has received a daily tutorial about the practical realities of supply and demand, and how integral shipping is to their GDP and the lifestyles of their citizens.
Shipping's vital role must never be taken for granted. The world relies on our sector, and it's a trust that we must earn every day. Over the next 12 to 24 months there are several challenges ahead which must be successfully overcome if shipping is to thrive and not just survive as an industry: regulation, climate change, energy prices, and the evolution of supply chains.
Whether it comes in the form of regionalisation, replication, or reshoring, it seems increasingly likely that we will see a reconfiguration of trade as businesses adapt to the disruption that has become globally common.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is only the most recent catalyst for nearshoring, supply chain redundancy, or diversification. But whether it's conflict, pandemic, or resource nationalism that's causing it, we're seeing an increasing need for more strategic thinking to navigate these complicated currents.
To take one example, if manufacturing becomes more dependent upon robots than humans, the price of electricity will become more important than the cost of labour. Countries with the lowest, most sustainable energy would be poised to benefit, and the trade routes and ships that serve them would need to adjust.
The link between economic growth and energy use has been self-evident since the Industrial Revolution. I started my career as a tanker broker, and I've seen all too clearly the impact that high prices or resource scarcity can have on our clients as well as the global economy.
Even before the recent conflict in Ukraine, it was clear that the lack of spare production capacity and small oil inventories could lead to high prices if demand picked up. The price of the most used ship fuel more than doubled over the last year, and there are credible reasons to believe prices will remain higher for longer. To remain competitive in this market, shipowners will need to invest in 'eco' technologies, either through retrofits or future-proofed newbuilds.
There is a clear consensus that shipping must improve its environmental footprint. Shipping's global regulator, the International Maritime Organization, has set some rules, such as short-term targets for reductions in carbon intensity.
However, the overall lack of regulatory clarity is delaying investment and making long-term compliance very challenging. Until we see final, comprehensive legislation from the IMO and other bodies such as the EU, shipowners will remain hesitant to invest. Nobody wants to back the propulsion technology that turns out to be the shipping equivalent of Betamax.
The scope and complexity of shipping's operating environment is likely to remain challenging in the coming years. Sanctions, piracy, and trade wars – to name only three risks shipping faces – are disrupting supply chains and making it harder to operate.
These risks have no geographical constraint, and the political environments can change rapidly. However, we don't expect our compliance with existing sanctions put in place because of the conflict in Ukraine to have a material effect on trading in the current financial year.
Over the next decade shipping could revolutionise the way it operates. I believe sustainability and success are going to become two sides of the same coin, and those who make the right investments will benefit their bottom line and our world.
Fossil fuels represent almost 40% of freight volumes today, and that will continue to be the case in the short to medium term. However, while the cargoes that ships carry will change enormously in the longer term, there will still be a huge need for transport of hydrogen, ammonia, or whatever other low carbon fuels that the world chooses to replace fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. We see this as a huge opportunity, and we are investing in our renewables offering and our capacity to serve these trades in the physical and paper markets.
Moreover, most of the global fleet will need to be renewed if it is to become compliant with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement. While I don't expect it to be at the same level of intensity, decarbonisation could well be the biggest driver of demand since China in the first few years of this century. For brokers who know the market, and who can help their clients to effectively navigate this rapidly evolving market, there is a huge opportunity ahead.
I am extremely proud of our performance in my first full year leading the Group. Before I became CEO, I led Shipbroking at Braemar, and I was previously the CEO of ACM, which merged with Braemar in 2014. That division was always Braemar's driving force, and my vision for the Company has long been to take the business back to its basics.
As you'll see below in more detail, we've started to see the results of our focus on Shipbroking and Corporate Finance. We've become a more effective and more dynamic Company by trimming the fat, investing in our people and technology, and focusing on what we know works through our wealth of experience.
The strong trading results are testament to the hard work and dedication of our people, and to our clear and focused strategy which has been delivered by a united new board and management team. Under unusual conditions and working from home for much of 2021, our achievements have been a huge team effort and prove we are well positioned for future growth.
Trading in our Shipbroking business was very strong throughout the year, with revenue and profits significantly ahead of our initial expectations from the previous year. Our performance reflects the core steps we have taken to increase the scale of our Shipbroking activities as well as favourable market conditions.
Examples of where our expanded and diversified business and market conditions combined to increase the Group's profitability include: a volatile and busy dry cargo market which helped increase revenue on our expanded physical and Securities desks; our global Sale and Purchase team concluding a significantly higher number of transactions within their market; a strong container market volume which augmented the synergies gained from working closely with our Corporate Finance business.
Although Tanker market rates remained supressed throughout the year due to continued pandemic-related weakness for oil demand, the number of transactions we performed increased by more than 21% compared to the previous year. Chartering fixture volumes were up 8% across all desks, securities' revenue increased 60%, and Sale and Purchase volumes grew 59%.
The board has focused this year on reducing the net bank debt of the Group, and I am delighted that we have achieved our objective; a total reduction of £17.2m from 29 February 2020 to 2 March 2022.
Cashflow from operating activities in the year increased by 61% to £20.5m (2021: £12.7m). Excluding the initial proceeds of the sale of Cory Brothers, as of 28 February 2022, the Group held cash of £14.0m (2021: £14.1m). The initial consideration of £6.5m from the disposal was received on 2 March and is accounted for as a receivable on the balance sheet date.
The board previously stated that that it had set a target of achieving a net bank debt to EBITDA ratio sustainably below 1.5 times on average over the seasonal working capital cycle. I am pleased to report that excellent progress has been made towards this goal. Net bank debt at 28 February 2022 was £9.3m (2021: £8.9m) with the ratio falling to 0.96 times for the 12 months to 28 February 2022, down from 1.32 times for the prior year. Including the £6.5m proceeds from Cory Brothers which were received on 2 March 2022, net bank debt reduces to £2.8m and the ratio falls further to 0.60 times.
Moreover, the future earnout consideration that will be received for Cory will almost totally offset the outstanding debt relating to the Naves acquisition, and it means that we enter the new financial year very close to debt-free. When you compare this situation to where we were four years ago, it's like colour versus black and white. A similarly concrete change has been achieved in our reduced exposure to deferred share promises relating to the employee bonus scheme now, and in the future.
The Group's revolving credit facility with our main bankers, HSBC, is due to expire in September 2023. We have already received acceptable indicative terms for an extension, and we expect to conclude these discussions well in advance of the current facility end.
While we've achieved plenty during my first complete year in charge, there will be no resting on our laurels. There is too much left to do if we're to achieve our objectives.
I have a strong, experienced team around me led by my CFO, Nick Stone, and COO, Tris Simmonds, and we are executing on our plan that was agreed by the board. We've reduced net debt, invested in our people and technology, and implemented a focused programme of change. This has strengthened the Group compared to where we were recently, and will allow us to continue to grow organically, or through acquisitions.
The disposal of Cory Brothers was completed on 28 February 2022, the last key step on the execution of Braemar's strategy of focusing on our core Shipbroking business. The all-cash consideration consists of a £6.5m upfront payment with deferred and contingent payments of up to £9.0m over a three-year earnout period. The Group expects to receive £4.8m of the deferred and contingent consideration. The buyers of Cory are a long-term strategic partner of the Group, and we look forward to seeing the new combined VertomCory business thrive. The business combination will provide a strong platform from which to accelerate growth and Braemar will share in the success of the new business via an earnout mechanism.
On 3 June 2021, the Group amicably restructured the deferred consideration owed in relation to its 2017 acquisition of Braemar Naves. The restructuring saw over £2.5m, which was previously due for repayment before the end of December 2022, deferred to be paid no earlier than September 2025. Total liability for the Naves acquisition is now reduced to £4.7m, which is conveniently offset with receipts from the VertomCory transaction.
The development of this division as the Corporate Finance offering of the Group's Shipbroking business has progressed well with many transactions concluded together. The expected synergies with our sale and purchase department are strong and growing, especially in the container market.
The Group further strengthened its balance sheet by selling its non-core investment in AqualisBraemar. On 19 May 2021, 9,640,621 shares were sold for cash proceeds of £7.2m and on 20 August 2021, 1,000,000 warrants vested and the resulting shares were sold for cash proceeds of £0.7m. The investment in AqualisBraemar was the result of the June 2019 disposal of the loss-making Offshore, Adjusting and Marine businesses. Including 9,600,000 shares sold in the year ending 28 February 2021, the Group has realised total cash proceeds of £13.9m in respect of this disposal.
The Group completed the disposal of its loss-making Engineering Division, Wavespec on 31 March 2021. Although no proceeds are expected to be received, the disposal of this engineering business was the final step in disposing of the Group's Technical Division.
The board's strategic development work has included a rebranding initiative. An important part of this was the launch of our new corporate website in June 2022, which clearly positions and communicates the Group's new focus, objectives, and purpose. This was also an ideal time to set out the Group's work regarding compliance, and EPSG. We see many new growth opportunities created by the rapidly developing area of environmental sustainability, and we are positioning the Company to capture an outsize share of them.
Our primary medium-term ambition is, through strategic hires and acquisitions, to double the size of the business, such that our sustainable annual underlying operating profit, regardless of market factors, is twice the £7.7m underlying operating profit restated in 2020-21. It is pleasing to note that we have already achieved a 30% increase over the last year, we've grown our operating margin from 9% to 10%, and we continue to believe that this can be achieved within the four-year timeline we outlined in 2021.
We believe that scale has become increasingly important within our industry to service the needs of our clients. It is also needed to provide us with sufficient geographical and product diversification, reduce the impact of cyclical markets, and create further cost efficiencies. Buoyant shipping markets, a strong market share and a robust forward order book, position us well to grow at an accelerated pace.
The board believes that the delivery of our core strategic ambition requires investment in our business support, infrastructure and technology. Together, they will provide essential foundations for growth, as well as ensuring that we can continue to meet the growing demands of our clients. We continue to develop technology solutions that enhance our offering as a broker by, for example, investing and working in partnership with Zuma Labs, and most recently by partnering with CHOOOSE, a supplier of digital toolkits that enable climate-based solutions for many industries. Through these partnerships we are delivering market-leading digital solutions to the shipping industry and future-proofing our business.
We have an active programme for organic expansion, and recent highlights include the establishment of Geneva and Houston offices as we expand into new markets, as well as moving to a larger Dubai office and growing our market leading specialisms. Our Australian Dry Cargo Business in Melbourne and Perth continues to grow, and it remains the dominant broker in its field. Our Singapore office continues to expand and is a key partner with the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA), providing an approved trainee scheme for young Singaporeans wanting to join the maritime industry.
Our expansion strategy is already paying dividends and there are good indications within the year's trading performance that the investments we are making to increase the breadth, focus, and depth of the Group's Shipbroking activities are starting to deliver growth unrelated to movements in market rates themselves. Notably, amid the volatile dry cargo market, the Group increased both revenue and market share on the physical and Securities desks. The Sale and Purchase desk has concluded a significantly higher number of transactions partially due to the strong container market, as well as through the synergies gained from working closer with the Corporate Finance desk. Tanker market rates remained low, impacted by pandemic related weakness in oil demand. However, Tanker transaction volumes have increased by more than 25% compared to the previous year, aided by strategic hires and growth of the Geneva office within the oil product sector.
To better align shareholder and employee interests and support the growth agenda, the board concluded that it should reduce the overall amount of deferred equity issued annually as part of employee remuneration arrangements. Under the previous scheme, deferred shares were awarded and issued to employed recipients over a three-year vesting period and generally settled by shares purchased in the market. Whilst this scheme will remain unchanged, the amount paid in such deferred shares will be halved with an increase in cash bonuses paid of the same amount for the current and future years. Future years will involve claw back arrangements on the additional cash payments to encourage employees to remain in Braemar's employment. During the year, the ESOP acquired 2.7m shares. This reduced the Company's exposure, and it ensures that all historic liabilities are now covered.
Trading at the start of the new financial year has been strong and I look forward to the remainder of the year with confidence as we continue to reap the benefits of our increased scale and focused strategy.
Over the last year, the advisory and facilitation that Braemar provides to shipowners and charterers have increased our forward order book by 15% to US\$50.0m (£37.3m) at the year-end compared with US\$43.4m (£31.1m) at the beginning of the period. Since the year end, the order book has grown by a further 14% to US\$57.1m (£42.6m) at the end of July 2022.
We have seen strong ordering, particularly in the gas carrier and container markets, where there's very high demand for new buildings, and capacity at many shipyards is now unavailable until 2025 at the earliest. Shipowners in other sectors are therefore finding it hard to renew their fleets and relying upon the second-hand market instead. All these factors have strongly benefitted our Sale and Purchase desk.
In the coming years, these factors are likely to benefit several of our chartering desks as well because, if older ships are retired and there's no ability to replace them, it will restrict vessel supply in those sectors and put a higher floor on charter rates. I firmly believe that it is through our investments in our people as well as offices and technology that we have achieved these high levels of activity. I look forward to another strong year of trading as their benefits continue to compound.
The only other point I wanted to raise is that I'm enjoying working with Nigel and the other non-executives. The synergies and their benefit to Braemar are already apparent as we now focus on looking forward, with confidence about what the future holds.
James Gundy Group Chief Executive Officer 28 August 2022
Seaborne trade continues to recover from the global pandemic. Growth in ton-miles and logistical disruption have combined to strengthen freight rates in many markets, which, in turn, has benefitted Braemar.
The Dry Cargo, Gas, and Container sectors have performed particularly strongly. Specialised Tankers has made a slower recovery, and Deep Sea Tankers has recently returned to better rates. The resurgent interest in the shipping industry from both a lending and equity investment point of view has meant the Corporate Finance desk has also performed well. As a result, we have grown our revenue and volume of fixtures in almost every sector.
The macroeconomic outlook for shipping is broadly favourable to Braemar. Seaborne volumes are expected to continue increasing and, between a combination of high ship recycling prices and shipyard capacity, only Containers and Gas are likely to see major fleet growth in the coming years. Through office expansion, new hires, and the positive momentum in the markets, we are well positioned for strong performance in the dry cargo and specialised Tanker markets; to continue to increase our Securities' market share; and for a full recovery in Deep Sea Tankers.
In April 2022, we created a Digital Transformation desk and appointed our first Head of Digital Transformation. The desk is working to further integrate digital tools into all areas of the Group to enhance our ability to serve our clients' growing requirements, as well as to make workflows more engaging and efficient for our people.
| FY21/22 | FY20/21 restated | |
|---|---|---|
| £000 | £'000 | |
| Revenue | 94,659 | 77,727 |
| Underlying operating profit | 12,422 | 10,068 |
Sale and Purchase activity has been exceptionally strong throughout the financial year ending 28 February 2022, which has driven a major increase in our revenues. The desk has also made several strategic new hires who are already making good contributions. Strong spot and time charter markets in the dry cargo and container sectors since 2020 have lifted asset values to long-term highs. Consequently, asset value and transaction growth continued in the Containership sector for the second consecutive year, as charter rates and asset values grew to exceptional highs and fed into enhanced revenue for the desk.
Containerships and LNG carriers are dominating the newbuild orderbook, but in other sectors newbuilding ordering activity has been suppressed by a lack of space in shipyards, rising labour and material costs, and a lack of clarity regarding what fuels and technologies to adopt to ensure regulatory compliance. Owners have therefore focused their investment on second-hand units, which has resulted in one of the busiest periods of asset play in recent memory, which Braemar has profited from through our superior ability to connect buyers and sellers. We expect second-hand activity and prices to remain elevated for the dry cargo and container sectors. Due to the lack of newbuilding capacity, even in a weak tanker market we are still
seeing an increase in second-hand values in this sector. On top of that, we are seeing one of the strongest ship recycling markets, which has been to the advantage of our Demolition team.
With interest rates close to historic lows and a consensus that the worst of the COVID pandemic is behind us, there was a lot of liquidity in the capital markets this year. Improving markets also enabled restructurings in Multipurpose/Heavylift and Offshore, for example, to be completed after years of preparation, all of which also benefited Braemar's Corporate Finance desk.
Sale and Purchase's revenue increased by 31% from £15.0m in FY20/21 to £19.6m in FY21/22 and represented 19% of Braemar's total revenue. Fixture volumes increased by 59% compared to the previous year.
Tanker markets have weakened throughout the financial year as successive waves of COVID related restrictions have reduced global oil demand, particularly for diesel and jet fuel. A large 'shadow' fleet of tankers moving sanctioned Iranian and Venezuelan crude oil has provided employment for vessels that would otherwise have been sold to ship recyclers for their steel, and reduced employment for other vessels. Despite these hindrances, the desk has achieved fixture growth that's a fifth better the preceding financial year. Russia's actions in Ukraine threaten to withdraw crude supply from the already undersupplied market. A global stock build, once oil prices have eased, is likely to support tanker trades, and the desk is well positioned for when this occurs.
Deep Sea Tankers' revenue decreased by 32% from £26.3m in FY20/21 to £17.8m in FY21/22 and represented 18% of Braemar's total revenue. Although revenue decreased due to weak markets, fixture volumes were up 21% compared to the previous year.
The Specialised Tankers and Gas market is diverse, and it includes very different types of vessels servicing the unique needs of the oil products, LPG, petrochemicals, and LNG markets – to take only four examples that Braemar services.
The return of activity from oil products' end users as COVID vaccinations were rolled out as well as a sizeable percentage of ships reaching their maximum trading age caused the global fleet's availability to tighten towards the end of 2021. This has continued into 2022 to Braemar's advantage as charter rates have remained robust. The Chemical market struggled at the start of the financial year with a combination of lower volumes, higher bunker prices, and increased competition from swing tonnage. It took until Q4 2021 for a significant increase in tanker earnings to occur, and Braemar has realised good gains as this upturn continued into 2022. There is cautious optimism about the sector's potential over the next 12 months, and that is expected to create further growth for the desk. Braemar's decision to invest in our Geneva office is already showing dividends, with substantial new business growth already from its recent hires, and the expectations that the compound benefits of this expansion will reap larger dividends in the new financial year.
Total demand is growing across the gas markets, and production is expected to continue to grow in tandem, which has combined to improve the desk's margins. A substantial number of larger capacity ships are set to be delivered in the next few years and it is hoped that the cumulative demand growth of these products will be able to absorb these newbuilds. However, there is a continued lack of newbuilding orders in smaller sectors as well as further owner consolidation. Braemar's Gas desk has substantially increased its spot and period business over the last year for petrochemicals and larger LPG, and it continues to diversify its client base. The desk has also increased its forward physical freight agreements, which has provided Braemar with increased liquidity for future spot business.
In previous years, relatively stable LNG delivered prices averaged at around \$7-12 per MMBtu with seasonal fluctuations of between \$5-6, has given way to highs of almost \$70 this year and rapid
fluctuations of \$20-30 almost over 24hr periods. Consequently, Braemar is seeing huge interest in LNG shipping, as charterers are being forced to take longer term charters to mitigate these commodity price swings which has soaked up almost all available tonnage. Braemar has benefited from the high price for LNG as it has led to an increase of newbuild orders. On the chartering side, Braemar has recently achieved two 7–10-year charters, and several multi-month charters as customers work to secure their long-term security of supply. The long-term revenue for Braemar's LNG desk has almost doubled over the last 12 months, and it is optimistic about the prospects for the sector over the next year.
Specialised Tankers and Gas revenue increased by 6% from £10.9m in FY20/21 to £11.6m in FY21/22 and represented 11% of Braemar's total revenue. Fixture volumes increased by 12% compared to the previous year.
Dry freight markets rose strongly during the first half of the financial year, reaching highs not seen since before the financial crisis in 2008, and we have realised substantial gains from its advisory and facilitation. COVID-related port congestion, coupled with resurgent demand for raw materials, particularly in China, resulted in a significant tightening in the supply and demand balance, and consequently higher rates from which Braemar has profited. While Russia's invasion of Ukraine is likely to dent economic growth, we expect dry cargo demand to be supported by Chinese growth when COVID restrictions are fully eased. Thanks to sanctions and the loss of Ukraine's port facilities, the loss of Russian coal and grain exports to Europe will need to be replaced from further afield. The resulting reshuffling of global trades is likely to increase the average length of haul, supporting dry cargo freight rates in the short-term and the profitability of this desk.
Dry Cargo's revenue increased by 95% from £15.3m in FY20/21 to £29.8 in FY21/22 and represented 29% of Braemar's total revenue. Fixture volumes were marginally lower than the previous year.
A combination of high oil and gas prices, political pressure for low carbon energies, and an increase in total demand has created some of the brightest prospects for the offshore energy markets and the Offshore desk in many years. Activity in traditional and new energy sectors will prove beneficial for almost all vessel classes, as well as providing a welcome relief from the low demand and massive overcapacity that has inhibited the sector over much of the last decade. Braemar's Offshore Energy Services desk achieved 30% more business in 2021-22 compared to the previous 12 months, and in collaboration with other desks beat off stiff competition to be awarded a seven-year framework agreement with the UK's Ministry of Defence. Driven by end user pressure, progressive environmental regulation, and cost declines there is significant worldwide demand for offshore wind projects - and clean energy more broadly - that is likely to remain elevated for several years. To capitalise on this trend, Offshore has doubled its number of Renewables Brokers, and recently became the first major shipbroker to hire a dedicated Renewables Broker on the east coast of the USA.
Offshore and Renewables' revenue increased by 41% from £2.7m in FY20/21 to £3.8m in FY21/22 and represented 4% of Braemar's total revenue. Fixture volumes increased by 43% compared to the previous year.
High volatility over the course of the last 12 months has helped to drive overall market volumes higher. Braemar has been able to capture an increasingly large proportion of trading volumes, growing our market share considerably. Major concerns about European energy security led to exponential moves in dry FFAs. After several years of depressed values on dry cargo, 2021 finally achieved levels not seen for over a decade, with the Capesize index peaking in early October at \$86,593. Over the following six months,
supply disruptions and seasonality saw the same index approach \$5,000, but positive 2H22 expectations have kept the forward curve in a steep contango, with deferred contracts trading at large premiums. (Coal FFA)
Braemar's Dry FFA desk has grown substantially during this period, catering to the needs of investors who wish to speculate on price moves as well as those who need high performance tools to manage their risk exposure. Braemar's partnership with Zuma and the popularity of Braemar Screen is bringing clear, sustainable benefits to the business despite only being developed less than three years ago. The Braemar FFA desk is one of the few desks in the market that has an active trading platform, which has helped us to substantially increase our market share. The prospects for further growth are good, and the desk will continue to focus on developing digital, data-led solutions for its client base. Revenue growth for 2021 versus 2022 was nearly 4.5x, and market share more than doubled over the same period. (Dry FFA)
The lack of global oil demand caused by COVID has dragged rates on the largest ships to the floor and kept them there since Q3 2020. The decline was only stopped by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which caused major volatility. Ultimately, that is what all forward curves have been missing for some time, and so liquidity wasn't far behind. Our desk was well positioned as this disruption occurred. Market volumes in March 2022 were only surpassed by November 2021 in the last 12 months. This was largely due to an exciting aspect of FFAs in the last year: traders covering their positions much further into the future. The desk has seen good volume out to 2025, and this has enabled it to provide our clients with the opportunity to capably manage their shipping exposure for up to almost four years. This is the first time that the market has seen open interest extending that far, and it puts the desk and the whole market in a very strong position moving forward. This desk is a joint venture between Braemar and GFI. (Wet FFA)
Securities' revenue increased by 60% from £7.5m in FY20/21 to £12.0m in FY21/22 and represented 12% of Braemar's total revenue.
| FY21/22 | FY20/21 restated | |
|---|---|---|
| £000 | £'000 | |
| Revenue | 6,651 | 5,968 |
| Underlying operating profit | 1,798 | 1,034 |
Braemar's Corporate Finance desk (formerly 'Braemar Naves') is continuing to benefit from its extensive restructuring experience and relationships in two ways. Firstly, several large international restructuring mandates were completed after years of preparation in the financial year ending February 2022 as well as in Q1/2022. Such restructuring mandates involved accompanying capital raising activities in the Offshore, Multipurpose and Heavylift segments. Secondly, the strong recovery in the Container and Multipurpose market enabled us to support our clients to refinance loans – many of which Braemar's Corporate Finance desk had helped to restructure in preceding years. The desk diversified its market presence, and it worked with several large Container lines for the first time. The successful cooperation and combination of expertise with Braemar's Sale and Purchase desk was a key driver of this success. In expectation that the worst is behind in the passenger shipping markets, cruise companies, lenders and investors have started to request Braemar's support to find solutions to financial problems that were caused by the COVID pandemic. Investor appetite is returning in this segment, and expectations are to complete a number of similar assignments in the coming year. Corporate Finance's revenue increased by 12% from £6.0m in FY20/21 to £6.7m in FY21/22 and represented 7% of Braemar's total revenue.
| FY21/22 | FY20/21 | |
|---|---|---|
| £000 | £'000 | |
| Revenue | 45,215 | 28,083 |
| Underlying operating profit | 2,456 | 1,191 |
Cory Brothers, the Group's Logistics business was sold to Vertom on 28 February 2022 and consequently the results for the current and prior year are presented as discontinued operations. Cory Brothers had an extremely strong year, particularly from its Freight Forwarding activities. The pressure on container space and Brexit-related import/export complexities led to a greater demand for services. Challenges were faced in the UK Agency business, particularly due to the loss of a key contract which will impact revenue in FY22/23.
Revenue increased by 61% from £28.1m in FY20/21 to £45.2m in FY21/22 as this revenue is presented within discontinued operations it does not form part of Braemar's total revenue.
The board took the decision to sell Cory Brothers to Vertom, a long-term strategic partner of the business because they believe scale and management expertise are key to the long-term success of the business. This will be better achieved under the new ownership, whilst Braemar has tightened its balance sheet because of the transaction and is better placed to grow its core Shipbroking business. The board look forward to seeing Cory Brothers thrive under its new ownership, and Braemar has retained upside potential in the future performance of the business from the three-year earnout mechanism.
Over the last 12 months there has been stimulus from almost every government, and huge vaccination progress has released pent-up consumer demand in ways that are likely to benefit shipping for at least the next year. Outside of the tanker market, almost every sector has achieved profitability levels that have not been seen in many years. Moreover, the logistical bottlenecks which continue to exist around the world have balanced the fleet expansion. Consequently, we are predicting another year of strong rates across almost every sector. Thanks to our strong investments in our people, technology, and growing our geographical footprint we are well positioned to secure an outsize share of opportunities available in those markets.
We have realised total revenue growth of 21% across all our Shipbroking and Corporate Finance desks over the last year, and in the growing and evolving markets in 2022-23, we are optimistic about seeing further return on our investments and continuing to grow both revenues and fixtures.
Trading in our Shipbroking business was very strong with revenue and profits significantly ahead of our expectations and the previous year. The strong performance reflects good market conditions and a return from the steps that we have made to increase the breadth and focus of our Shipbroking activities.
The Dry Cargo, Gas, and Container sectors have performed particularly strongly. Specialised Tankers has made a slower recovery, and Deep Sea Tankers has recently returned to better rates. The resurgent interest in the shipping industry from both a lending and equity investment point of view has meant the Corporate Finance desk has also performed well.
As a result, we have realised total revenue growth of 21% across all our Shipbroking and Corporate Finance desks. Our underlying operating profit has increased by 31% and our cashflow from operations by 61%.
All KPIs relate to continuing operations.
+21%
2021 restated*: £83.7m
+31%
2022: £10.1m
2021 restated *: £7.7m
+61%
2022: £20.5m
2021 restated *: £12.7m
2022: 27.95p
2021 restated *: 13.96p
2021 restated *: 14.45p
2022: 9p
2021: 5p
2022: 362
2021 restated *: 359
2022: 37%
2021 restated *: 37%
2022: 11
2021 restated *: 11
2022: 14
2021 restated *: 14
* The year ended 28 February 2021 has been restated for the presentation of Cory Brothers and AqualisBraemar as discontinued operations.
A strong trading performance and the successful execution of our strategic objectives
The strong trading and higher revenues have meant that all our profit measures have increased significantly
The final measure benefitted from the Group's strong underlying trading, as well as the profits on disposal of non-core assets and businesses.
| 2022 | 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £'000 | Restated* | £'000 % Inc/(Dec) | |
| Revenue | 101,310 | 83,695 | 21% |
| Operating costs | (87,090) | (72,593) | 20% |
| Central costs | (4,160) | (3,383) | 23% |
| Underlying operating profit before specific items | 10,060 | 7,719 | 30% |
| Specific items - Acquisition and disposal-related expenditure | (122) | (835) | (85%) |
| Specific items - Other operating costs | (392) | (262) | 50% |
| Operating profit | 9,546 | 6,622 | 44% |
| Share of associate loss | (19) | - | 100% |
| Net finance costs | (984) | (1,486) | (34%) |
| Taxation | (1,839) | (1,574) | 17% |
| Profit after tax from continuing operations | 6,704 | 3,562 | 88% |
| Discontinued operations – underlying | 1,493 | (513) | 391% |
| Discontinued operations – specific | 5,722 | 1,483 | 286% |
| Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company | 13,919 | 4,532 | 209% |
* The year ended 28 February 2021 has been restated for the presentation of Cory Brothers and AqualisBraemar as discontinued operations and a prior period adjustment as disclosed in Note 34 of the Financial Statements.
Revenue from continuing operations grew by 21% from £83.7m to £101.3m. As seaborne trade recovered from the COVID pandemic and logistical disruption strengthened freight rates, revenue and fixture volumes across almost every Shipbroking desk increased. Total revenue also increased on the Corporate Finance desk and, due to the completion of several large mandates, there was an increase in success fees compared to retainer income.
Due to the substantial increase in revenue, there was a corresponding increase in profit-related bonuses paid to the brokers responsible for generating them which was the main contributor to the increase in operating costs. The increase in the percentage of cash bonuses paid on last year's profits, as noted in the CEO report, also contributed to this increase. Cash bonuses are charged in the year in which they are earnt whereas deferred share bonuses, which were reduced at the same time, are charged over multiple years. Future years will see a consequent reduction in deferred share charges as a result.
As COVID restrictions were eased during 2021, travelling and entertaining expenditure increased as the Group's brokers re-engaged with charterers and ship owners. In the prior year, £0.9m of Singaporean and Australian Government grants were netted off against staff costs. These grants were received by the Group for retaining employees during the COVID pandemic. No such grants were received in the current year. As a result of all these factors, operating costs increased by 20% from £72.6m to £87.1m.
Central costs increased in total by 23% from £3.4m to £4.2m. This was the result of various changes to the Group's board as well as additional one-off professional fees associated with the delayed year end audit process, and a one-off impact of £0.5m of costs related to an office building that was vacated by a subtenant during the year. The office lease was assigned to a new tenant in March 2022 and that cost will not re-occur in FY22/23. Therefore, on an ongoing basis central costs were reduced during the year.
Net finance costs for the year decreased by 34% to £1.0m (2021: £1.5m). The cost has three elements: the revolving credit facility provided by HSBC which provides the seasonal working capital needed by the business as well the core indebtedness; the convertible loan notes associated with the acquisition of Braemar Naves; and the interest charge associated with right-of-use assets under IFRS 16. The reduction in cost follows the reduction seen in net debt in the business, as well as the ongoing repayment of the convertible loan notes.
Included within the net finance costs is a credit of £0.2m. This is in respect of the accounting for the restructuring of deferred consideration owed in relation to the acquisition of Braemar Naves. In the prior year £0.4m was charged to finance costs in respect of interest payable on tranches of the revolving credit facility that was used to fund the acquisition of Braemar Naves. This is no longer considered specific, and in the current year all interest payable is included in underlying finance costs.
As mentioned in the Chairman's Statement, a thorough review of the historic accounting for several corporate transactions and the classification of various reserve balances was carried out as part of the year end audit process. The process was prompted by the errors identified in the accounting for the 2017 Naves acquisition and was extended to incorporate a detailed review of other transactions and consolidation adjustments. The results of the process are described in detail in Note 34 to the Financial Statements.
During the year the board has successfully executed several transactions with the aim of simplifying the Group's operations to concentrate on a new growth strategy centred around Shipbroking.
Items that are not considered to be part of the ongoing trade of the Group have been presented as specific. These items are material in both size and/or nature and we believe may distort understanding of the underlying performance of the business if not identified separately.
The financial results of Wavespec, AqualisBraemar and Cory Brothers which were disposed of during the year have been presented as discontinued operations.
There were £0.1m (2021 restated: £0.6m) of acquisition-related charges during the year for the acquisition of NAVES Corporate Finance GmbH in 2017. This charge includes £0.2m elements of post-acquisition consideration payable to the sellers; £0.1m of interest charges; and an FX gain of £0.2m on conversion of Euro denominated acquisition liabilities to GBP.
On 28 March 2022, the assignment of the office referred to above was completed. The lease was impaired to reflect the commercial terms of the assignment at 28 February 2022. A charge of £0.4m was recognised as a specific item in other operating costs. This compares to a prior year charge of £0.3m in respect of the sublet of the same office.
On 3 June 2021, a restructuring of the deferred consideration owed in relation to its 2017 acquisition of Braemar Naves was agreed. This restructuring will see the deferral of more than £2.5m (€2.9m) that was previously due for repayment before the end of December 2022 paid no earlier than September 2025. In addition, a further amount of approximately £0.7m (€0.75m) is to be satisfied by the issue of new ordinary shares in the capital of the Company in three tranches. The first two tranches were completed during the year, and the third is due in December 2022. At 28 February 2022 the total principal amount outstanding was £5.0m (€6.0m).
At 28 February 2022 the net present value of the outstanding liabilities was £4.9m (2021 restated: £8.1m).
As a result of the rescheduling, the model that had been used to generate the accounting entries for the acquisition since it was made in 2017 was reviewed to determine the amendments needed. That review identified certain computational errors. In particular, the calculation of amounts in relation to the outstanding deferred consideration arising from the acquisition and the consequent entity accounting eliminations on consolidation were incorrect. The error resulted in an overstatement of liabilities at February 2021 and February 2020, and an overstatement of charges in other comprehensive income in 2021. There is no impact on profit and loss or earnings per share in either period. Further details of the restatement can be found in Note 34 of the Financial Statements.
A total of £7.2m has been recognised from discontinued operations, as can be seen in the table below. £1.5m relates to the underlying trading results of Cory Brothers and Wavespec prior to the disposal, as well as the Group's share of AqualisBraemar's results to 19 May 2021. £5.7m relates to the specific profits and losses on the disposal transactions.
| Underlying | Specific | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Cory Brothers | 1,563 | 4,134 | 5,697 |
| AqualisBraemar | 76 | 3,375 | 3,451 |
| Wavespec | (146) | (1,787) | (1,933) |
| Total | 1,493 | 5,722 | 7,215 |
On 28 February 2022, the planned disposal of Cory Brothers, its Logistics Division, to Vertom was completed, total consideration will range between £10.25m and £15.5m. The consideration comprises initial cash proceeds of £6.5m, together with three further deferred and contingent payments based on the percentage of the gross profit of the newly formed VertomCory business for a three-year earnout period ending on 31 December 2024. The three earnout payments combined will be a minimum of £3.75m and a maximum of £9.0m. The fair value of the expected earnout consideration at 28 February 2022 is estimated to be £4.8m. The consideration from the disposal will be used to reduce net debt and strengthen the balance sheet in furtherance of the Group's growth strategy. The trading result for Cory Brothers up to the point of disposal was a profit of £2.4m, although this is drawn before amortisation and depreciation charges of £0.3m which were reversed upon the assets being held for sale. After costs of disposal and recycling of foreign exchange, the Group realised a profit on disposal of £4.1m.
On 19 May 2021, the Group sold 9,640,621 shares of its non-core investment in AqualisBraemar for cash proceeds of £7.2m. On 20 August 2021, 1,000,000 warrants vested and were exercised, and the remaining warrants lapsed. The resulting shares were sold for additional cash proceeds of £0.7m on 31 August 2021. After legal costs and recycling of foreign exchange, the Group realised a total profit of £3.4m on these disposal transactions.
As part of the exercise to re-examine and balance sheet reserves balances, it was identified that the amount recycled from other comprehensive income from the foreign exchange translation reserve in the previous year and reported as gain of £0.5m was misstated and should have been a loss of £0.5m. The gain on disposal that arose from the partial sale in the year to 28 February 2021 is therefore restated as described in Note 34 to the accounts.
On 19 May 2021, the Group's interest in AqualisBraemar was limited to its holding of 6,523,977 performance-based warrants. Consequently, the Group ceased to equity account for its interest in AqualisBraemar. The Group's share of profits in AqualisBraemar up to 19 May 2021 was £0.1m.
On 31 March 2021, the Group completed the disposal of its loss-making Engineering Division, Wavespec, for a maximum consideration of £2.6m. The consideration was intended to be satisfied by the issuance of a promissory note with a maturity date of 31 March 2026. The recognised fair value of the consideration of £2.4m was based on the net present value of the promissory note and this resulted in a profit on disposal of £0.6m. However, as at 28 February 2022, the buyer had not delivered on its obligations to secure the promissory note and the board took a view that the promissory note was unlikely to be honoured, and that consequently the consideration has been credit impaired. The total loss for the year from Wavespec was £1.9m. This consisted of a trading loss of £0.1m, a gain on disposal of £0.6m and a credit impairment charge of £2.4m.
Net assets at 28 February 2022 were £75.1m (2021 restated: £66.5m). The year saw a decrease in gross trade receivables to £25.0m from £27.3m at the previous year-end due to the disposal of Cory Brothers, partially offset by the growth in debtors in Shipbroking and Financial due to the strong revenue growth in the period. The proportion of trade receivables provided against was broadly in line with the previous year. A receivable of £6.5m is included in other receivables in respect of the VertomCory completion proceeds received on 2 March 2022. A receivable of £4.8m is included in other long-term receivables in respect of the VertomCory deferred and contingent consideration.
Total capital expenditure was £2.3m (2021: £2.3m). The most significant item of capital expenditure relates to the treatment of office leases under IFRS 16 whereby the lease is treated as an asset addition. These lease additions totalled £1.0m in the year (2021: £1.2m) and do not relate to cash payments in the year. The balance relates to capitalised expenditure on computer software of £0.6m (2021: £0.6m) and other expenditure on fixtures and fittings and leasehold improvements of £0.7m (2021: £0.5m).
At the balance sheet date, the Group had a revolving credit facility with HSBC of £30.0m. The facility also provides access to a global cash pooling facility in the UK, Germany and Singapore which enables efficient management of liquidity between its main regional hubs. The Group operates a pooling arrangement for cash management purposes and at the end of the year the Group had net debt across those pools of £9.3m (2021: £8.9m). Including the £6.5m proceeds from Cory Brothers which were received on 2 March 2022, net bank debt reduces to £2.8m. The Group's revolving credit facility ("RCF") liability was previously reported as a short-term liability. However, a review of the facility agreement has confirmed that the lender is obliged to continue the facility for a period greater than 12 months from the respective reporting date. The liability has therefore been restated as a non-current liability at 29 February 2020 and 28 February 2021.
The Group has a defined benefit pension scheme which was closed to new members during the 2015/16 financial year. The scheme has a net liability of £2.1m (2021: £3.8m), which is recorded on the balance sheet at 28 February 2022. The agreed annual scheme-specific funding since the triennial valuation as at March 2014 was a cash contribution of £0.5m. The latest triennial funding valuation as at March 2020 was carried out during the year and the result was an unchanged annual employer cash contribution of £0.5m, which was agreed with the trustees and is being paid in monthly instalments.
The US dollar exchange rate has moved from US\$1.39/£1 at the start of the year to US\$1.34/£1 at the end of the year. A significant proportion of the Group's revenue is earned in US dollars. To protect the future sterling value of those revenues, at 28 February 2022, the Group held forward currency contracts to sell US\$53.8m at an average rate of US\$1.37/£1.
An error in allocating amounts between the translation reserve and hedging reserve has been identified. These reserves are both presented within other reserves in the primary statements as detailed in Note 30. The hedging reserve was understated and the translation reserve overstated by £0.5m at 29 February 2020. At 28 February 2021, the hedging reserve was understated and the translation reserve overstated by £0.6m. These errors have been corrected in the restated balance sheets at 28 February 2020 and 28 February 2021.
The Group's underlying effective tax rate in relation to continuing operations in FY21/22 was a charge of 21.2% (2021: charge of 31.4%) which is broadly in line with the UK tax rate in the current year. The tax charge on discontinued operations was £0.8m (2021: £0.2m).
Braemar uses APMs as key financial indicators to assess the underlying performance of the Group. Management considers the APMs used by the Group to better reflect business performance and provide useful information to investors and other interested parties. We have separated the impact of individually material capital transactions, such as acquisitions and disposals, from ongoing trading activity to allow a
focus on ongoing operational performance. Our APMs include underlying operating profit and underlying earnings per share. Our prior year APMs have been restated to reflect the reclassification of discontinued operations noted above.
The Group manages its capital structure and adjusts it in response to changes in economic conditions and its capital needs. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares and debt instruments. The Group has a policy of maintaining positive cash balances whenever possible, which can be supported by short-term use of its revolving credit facility. This is drawn down as required to provide cover against the peaks and troughs in our working capital requirements.
During the previous year the Company requested that SG Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company (CI) Ltd, as Trustee of the Company's ESOP Trust, purchase shares in Braemar Shipping Services Plc. During the year a total of 2,740,164 shares in the Company were purchased by the Trustee and 596,398 shares were released; as a result, at 28 February 2022, the ESOP held 2,669,603 shares (2021: 525,837 shares). The total cash outflow as a result of these share purchases was £6.3m (2021: £0.9m). Subsequent to the year end the ESOP purchased a further 1,670,000 shares. As at 10 August 2022 the ESOP held 4,339,603 shares and now contains sufficient shares as are expected to be needed to cover all current share awards as described in Notes 28 and 29 of the Financial Statements.
The directors are recommending for approval at the reconvened AGM on 6 October 2022 a final dividend of 7.0p per share. The interim dividend of 2.0p per share in respect of the 6 months to 31 August 2021 was paid on 16 December 2021. The total dividend of 9.0p for the year is covered 3.1 times by the underlying earnings per share from continuing operations of 27.95p. The total cash outflow in respect of dividends paid during the year ended 28 February 2022 was £2.1m (2021: £nil).
Particular care has been taken in preparing these accounts to the going concern review and viability statement due to the ongoing geopolitical impacts on global trade. The Group's compliance with sanctions put in place because of the Russian/Ukraine conflict is not expected to have any material effect on trading in the current financial year nor does the Group have any existing material exposure. The strong cash flows exhibited during the year and the Cory Brothers cash consideration received on 2 March 2022 have meant that the Group is in a much stronger position than at the previous year-end. Nevertheless, careful and frequent monitoring of cash forecasts and client payments will be maintained to ensure this situation continues. The Group's revolving credit facility is due to expire in September 2023, however the Group has already received acceptable indicative terms for an extension and expects discussions to be concluded well in advance of the expiration of the current facility.
Nick Stone Chief Financial Officer 28 August 2022
The Companies Act 2006 (the "Act"), as amended by the Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018, requires companies to include a "Section 172(1) Statement" in the Strategic Report describing how directors have had regard to the matters set out in Section 172(1)(a) to (f) of the Act when performing their duties under Section 172. Section 172 of the Act requires directors of a company to act in a way that they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members, and in doing so have regard (amongst other matters) to the:
The directors' duties under Section 172 are embedded in all the decisions that the board and its Committees make – as are a range of other factors, including alignment with our strategy and our values. As such, information on how Section 172 matters have been considered can be found throughout this Annual Report.
The board understands the importance of effectively engaging with the Company's key stakeholders, to better understand their views and interests, and to better consider the potential impact of the directors' decisions on them. Information on the Company's key stakeholders can be found on page 8 and information on how the Company engaged with various stakeholders during the year can be found in the EPSG report on pages 36 - 48, the Chairman's introduction to governance section on page 67 and the shareholder relations section of the corporate governance report on page 72 - 73 of this Annual Report.
The board recognises that the interests of stakeholders may conflict with each other and that it may not always be possible to provide a positive outcome for all stakeholders from a particular decision. The board looks to follow best corporate governance practice and has a governance framework in place that allows it to assess the broad range of interests and perspectives, to balance potentially competing interests, and, ultimately, to make informed and reasoned decisions. Information on how the board and its committees operate can be found in the Corporate Governance Report on page 71 – 73 of this Annual Report.
The principal decisions that the Company took in the year (and as part of the year-end processes) are discussed in this Annual Report and provide examples of how the directors have had regard to Section 172 matters. These are:
the rescheduling of deferred consideration amounts owed in respect of the 2017 acquisition of Braemar Naves and the integration of the Group's Shipbroking and Corporate Finance activities more information on which can be found in the Strategic Update on page 3 and in the Chief Executive's Report on page 17 of this Annual Report;
the strategic review of the Cory Brothers and the decision to dispose of that business rather than enter a joint venture arrangement more information on which can be found in the Strategic Update on page 3 and in the Chief Executive's Report on page 17 of this Annual Report;
We have recently launched our Environmental, People, Social and Governance ('EPSG') framework. At Braemar, we recognise the importance of sustainability to our success as a business. The environmental, social, and governance elements of traditional 'ESG' criteria help us to measure, manage, and demonstrate our contributions to fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable way of doing business. However, we believe that because of the importance of people to our business, we need to explicitly recognise their contribution in the title of our Framework and to ensure we maintain equal focus on our most important asset. Without our team, Braemar would not exist.
Shipping will remain the most energy-efficient way to transport freight for the foreseeable future. On average, it produces 25 grams of CO2 per tonne-kilometre, compared to 600g CO2/tonne-km for aviation and 50-150g CO2/tonne-km for road-based transportation. Nevertheless, the international shipping industry still accounts for approximately 2-3% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions – roughly the same as the aviation industry – and it faces significant challenges in reducing its carbon emissions and transitioning to net zero. As climate change and the transition to net zero emissions becomes increasingly important to the shipping industry and the world at large, we believe we can have a role in supporting the industry accelerate the sustainability of ships and shipping. Or, as we've defined it in our mission, to facilitate climate-smart shipping.
As a broker, our direct environmental footprint is a very small percentage of the shipping industry's emissions. Although we can have no direct role in delivering the decarbonisation of the industry we can work with owners and charterers to support them as they navigate towards a low carbon shipping industry. Our goals are to support our clients with this transition as well as minimise our own office-based emissions. Further details on what this means for our business can be found on pages 11 - 12 of this Annual Report.
Tris Simmonds, COO and Nick Stone, CFO are the executive directors leading management's implementation of our EPSG framework.
Elizabeth Gooch, non-executive director and senior independent director is the non-executive director responsible for oversight of our EPSG framework.
"I am delighted to work with my fellow board members and our wider team as we implement the activities we have planned to achieve our EPSG goals and targets. We are confident that our EPSG strategy will benefit both Braemar and our world." Elizabeth Gooch, non-executive director and senior independent director
Our EPSG Framework is aligned to four of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs"). The SDGs that we have selected, and the references to specific targets which we are working towards are as follows. Ongoing work is being carried out in FY2022/23 to define the Group's targets and metrics as well as the effect on the business and any material costs. Performance against these targets will be measured once they have been defined.
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Target 6.3 ... improve water quality by reducing pollution ... minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials ... and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
Target 6.6 ... protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Target 8.4 ... endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation
Target 8.6 ... reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Target 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Target 14.1 ... prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds
Target 14.2 ... sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
These SDGs were chosen by our team as the most currently relevant to Braemar. We will keep a watching brief on the SDGs and our strategic alignment as the EPSG Framework evolves in the future.
Working in partnership with CHOOOSE – a respected provider of digital tools, including to several of the biggest names in aviation – we have created Braemar Offset. Braemar Offset directly connects our clients with some of the most impactful and verified climate projects available today. By working with Braemar Offset to reduce their carbon footprint, companies will be able to play a proactive role improving their sustainability and accelerate climate action. The Group is developing metrics to report on the success of Braemar Offset from FY2022/23.
We used the Braemar Offset platform to purchase carbon credits to offset 3,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which are approximately equal to our entire Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions for the last five years. The schemes that these carbon credits invested in included wind power, solar photovoltaic projects, conservation initiatives and biomass/landfill gas projects. Two case studies are detailed below.
Our EPSG strategy, including our commitment to our chosen SDGs, guided the selection of these schemes. By aligning our carbon offsetting investments with our EPSG strategy we are strengthening the impact of our contribution to our chosen SDGs.
Hasanbeyli Wind Farm is a 50MW onshore wind power project. It is located in Osmaniye, Turkey. The main purpose of this project is to generate electricity from the Power Plant and supply power generated to the Turkey national grid.
SDGs: 7 Affordable and clean energy, 8 Decent work and economic growth, 13 Climate action
The Nii Kanti project in Peru focuses on protecting rainforest and avoiding deforestation on community land. The main purpose of this project is to integrate conservation activities and sustainable community forest management.
SDGs: 1 No poverty, 2 Zero hunger, 8 Decent work and economic growth, 12 Responsible consumption and production, 13 Climate action, 15 Life on land
We recognise that carbon offsetting is our only solution to historic emissions but going forward we aim to first reduce our direct carbon footprint, and then use carbon credits to offset our unavoidable emissions. During the year ended 28 February 2022, we put in place several initiatives to minimise our direct carbon footprint. For example, we have optimised all our computer equipment with power saving modes and we have moved from on-site servers to cloud storage in order to reduce energy consumption and emissions. In our offices we continue to promote recycling and reduced paper consumption. We also launched an electric vehicle salary-sacrifice scheme in the UK to support our team members who wish to reduce their own carbon footprint.
Our TCFD disclosures on page 63 - 66 set out how we incorporate climate-related risks and opportunities into the four pillars set out by the TCFD. These disclosures also provide references to other sections of this Annual Report where further disclosures are provided.
We measure and monitor our energy and calculate our greenhouse gas emissions based on the use of gas and electricity in our offices, car usage for business purposes and business travel, as shown in the table below. The data in this table represents the Group's GHG emissions and excludes associates and joint ventures. In the current year, the data for Cory Brothers is presented as discontinued operations. The prior year comparatives include Cory Brothers and have been restated to include the impact of working from home. The effect of the restatement for working from home increased Scope 3 emissions by 197 tCO2e to 287 tCO2e (2021 published Scope 3 emissions: 90 tCO2e). Cory Brothers had no RoW Scope 1 or Scope 2 emissions in either year because the business did not have any of its own offices outside of the UK. Cory Brothers occupied RoW offices owned by the continuing Group and therefore the Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions associated with these offices are reported in continuing.
| Year ended 28 February 2022 | Year ended 28 February 2021 restated |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuing | Discontinued | Total | |||||||
| UK | RoW | UK | RoW | Total | UK | RoW | Total | ||
| Energy consumption | |||||||||
| Gas | - | 10,000 | 100,686 | - | 110,686 | 43,848 | 1,386 | 45,234 | |
| Electricity | 313,063 | 263,338 | 98,160 | - | 674,561 | 298,125 | 107,450 | 405,575 | |
| Milage | - | 56,064 | 90,409 | - | 146,473 | 30,619 | 22,600 | 53,219 | |
| Total energy consumption in kWh |
313,063 | 329,402 | 289,255 | - | 931,720 | 372,592 | 131,436 | 504,028 |
| Scope 1 in tCO2e | - | 10 | 41 | - | 51 | 9 | 6 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions from combustion of gas |
- | 2 | 18 | - | 20 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| Emissions from combustion of fuel for the purposes of owned transport |
- | 9 | 22 | - | 31 | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| Scope 2 tCO2e | 66 | 126 | 21 | - | 213 | 71 | 24 | 95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions from purchased electricity (location based) |
66 | 126 | 21 | - | 213 | 71 | 24 | 95 |
| Scope 3 tCO2e | 116 | 149 | 75 | 6 | 346 | 195 | 93 | 288 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions from transportation and distribution (T&D of electricity) |
6 | 5 | 2 | - | 13 | 7 | 1 | 8 |
| Emissions from employees working from home |
40 | 49 | 58 | 6 | 152 | 118 | 72 | 190 |
| Emissions from business travel in rental cars or employee owned vehicles |
- | 5 | - | - | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Emissions from flights | 70 | 91 | 15 | - | 176 | 67 | 19 | 86 |
| Total gross emissions tCO2e |
183 | 286 | 136 | 6 | 611 | 275 | 123 | 398 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of employees | 174 | 188 | 173 | 17 | 552 | 341 | 196 | 537 |
| Carbon intensity per employee |
1.1 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 |
The Group's total emissions have increased by 213 tCO2e to 611 tCO2e (2021 restated 398 tCO2e). This is mainly due to increases in electricity consumption and emissions from flights. As pandemic restrictions have been lifted the number of employees returning to our offices and travelling for business purposes has increased. We are seeking to reduce these emissions going forward by making use of video conferencing where possible and being mindful of our carbon footprint when considering business travel.
In line with the SECR requirements, we have calculated our Intensity Ratio based on our emissions per employee, which we feel is an appropriate measure for a people-based business.
Scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources.
Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by the Group.
Scope 3 includes the following indirect emissions from the Group's value chain: business travel, employee commuting and working from home and transportation and distribution. Scope 3 emissions do not currently include purchased goods and services, waste disposal, investments or leased assets.
Our carbon footprint has been calculated using the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard guidelines, using the UK emission conversion factors produced for 2021 by the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The model used to calculate the Group's GHG emissions was developed by an independent consultant however the data used to populate this model has not been independently verified.
The biggest achievements in a business are never the result of one person; they require a Group effort. Braemar has thrived over the last 12 months, and the success we've had is a direct result of the calibre of people that we employ and the team-spirit that connects us.
"My priority is to develop a HR strategy that unites our teams across the globe and provide a rockhard foundation for building our brand and growing our business." Becki Mackay, Group Head of HR.
Shipbroking is a people-driven business. Our ability to recruit and retain high performing individuals is a competitive strength, and we recognise that our future success will depend upon our ability to continue to do so.
In FY21/22 the Group's continuing operations had an average of 362 employees (2021: 359) located in 14 offices (2021: 14) across 11 countries (2021: 11).
We are making an increased effort to ensure that our business objectives are aligned with our team's interests, and that we are enabling a high-performance working environment. The well-being and productivity of our team has a substantial impact on our shareholder returns, and that is why we are investing more in how we support, motivate, and manage our people.
In January 2022, Becki Mackay was appointed Group Head of HR. Becki was previously Global HR Manager at Cory Brothers and from July 2021 held a dual Braemar-Cory position. Becki has a track record of creating environments in which people feel valued and productive, and removing barriers which prevent them from delivering their full potential.
Under Becki's direction the Group has focused on navigating out of pandemic-restrictions, while continuing to build on the people-focused initiatives that were put in place in recent years.
During the COVID pandemic we focused on efforts to better support mental health and well-being, as well as supporting clients, colleagues and their families who'd been affected by COVID. The Mental Health First Aider scheme continues to run successfully in the UK, and our Employee Assistance Programme has been rolled out globally.
The Russia-Ukraine crisis has sent ripples through the global shipping markets. Although we don't have anyone directly employed in either country, Russians and Ukrainians crew many of the ships we charter, several of our colleagues have family connections to those countries, and many of our clients have offices in the Black Sea. Our sympathies are with those affected during this difficult period.
In October 2021 we surveyed our global Shipbroking team. During a time when we were still often working from spare rooms or the kitchen, we were delighted to see that 75% of respondents felt proud to work for Braemar, and 81% understood how their specific role contributes to the success of the business. The next engagement survey is planned for October 2022 and will provide vital insights into the development and enhancement of our HR approach.
In FY22/23 several initiatives are planned to execute the Group's HR strategy and respond to some of the themes identified in the engagement survey. Stephen Kunzer and Elizabeth Gooch, our non-executive directors responsible for employee engagement, are progressing additional workstreams.
During the year Stephen has reviewed the global broker desk coverage while Elizabeth has benchmarked employee remuneration. Elizabeth has also reviewed, clarified, and improved employee incentive packages, and taken overall responsibility for the EPSG framework. Through the Remuneration Committee chaired by Elizabeth, the board intends to further encourage and improve employee engagements in FY2022/23 through closer discussion, and the next employee engagement survey.
Over the last couple of years, we have been actively working to develop the next generation of leaders at Braemar. Millennials are already the largest generation in the workforce, and through our Associate Director programme we're actively identifying, training, and developing those who'll be at the helm in years to come. The West cohort (Europe and the US) is 12 strong, mainly based in London and the East cohort (Singapore and Australia) is has 11 members.
In Singapore, our Graduate Trainee programme is now in its second year. A pioneer Group started in July 2021 and were offered permanent positions on various desks as Trainee Broker, Operator and Research Analyst in May 2022. In the forthcoming year up to 10 new graduates and young adults will join us in July 2022. The 12-month programme offers personal development, in-depth understanding of Shipbroking and career coaching through a combination of workshops, desk rotations, on-the-job training, and mentoring. Following the success of the programme in Singapore, plans are in place to launch a similar scheme in London, and possibly in other key locations.
In FY22/23 the Group plans to launch a custom performance management platform. This will better enable the Group to align and engage our employees with clearer objectives and enhance our ability to provide structured feedback about their promotional prospects and career paths.
The shipping industry has traditionally been dominated by men and Braemar is no exception. As at 28 February 2022, women accounted for 23% of our global workforce (2021: 25%). The Group's senior management comprises one female and 10 males, with two females and five male directors on the board. Addressing the gender imbalance across our organisation is a priority for our HR and EPSG strategy and we look to report on our progress in this area going forward.
Under the new EPSG framework our approach to social issues will change. We will seek to support longterm, strategic partnerships with charities and organisations that align with our goals, such as addressing inequalities in the locations where we have offices. We will also engage our teams locally and globally regarding issues they feel passionate about, with a particular focus on the marine environment.
During FY21/22 many of our teams have participated in charitable initiatives and some examples are shown below. We also continue to support Mercy Ships - an international surgical care charity; Ronald MacDonald House – a children's hospital in Singapore; and Willing Hearts – a soup kitchen in Singapore. Cory Brothers was an active member of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Managing Director Peter Wilson was included in the Suffolk 100, a collection of one hundred individuals who have made a positive difference to the commercial, community or cultural life of the county.
Going forward we are excited to align our charitable and fundraising initiatives with our EPSG framework and we wish Cory Brothers well in their continuing efforts under the new ownership.
In February 2022, team members from Braemar's Singapore office took part in Eastern Pacific Shipbroking's Around the World Fundraiser, an event which raised money for The Mission to Seafarers. This charity provides help and support to the 1.5 million crewmen and women who literally keep the global economy afloat. Our team ran, walked and cycled through Singapore's green corridor, tracking the kilometres they travelled to help the maritime community collectively achieve 100,000km during the fundraising period.
"Our participation in this fundraiser was an important part of bringing the maritime industry together to support a cause that is near and dear to all of us." Shenny, Singapore.
In partnership with GFI, the Wet FFA desk supported The Special Boat Services Association, a charity that provides practical, financial and emotional support for members of the Special Boat Services and their families. The desk was a significant contributor to the SBSA's annual fundraising event which raised money via open and silent auctions.
"The SBSA is a thoroughly deserving cause, and we recognise the importance of supporting veterans and their families in times of hardship and trouble." Jay, London.
In London we see homelessness as a key local issue which is why we support Crisis at Christmas, a campaign run by Crisis, a charity committed to ending homelessness. Our donations help Crisis to open centres over the festive week that provides companionship, support and a wide range of vital services to people without homes. Each centre delivers a safe, warm and friendly sanctuary over the Christmas period for people who have nowhere else to go.
"We see homelessness everyday here in London, so we're pleased to be able to support Crisis. As a people business we're minded to think about supporting others, and especially at this time of year we know that our donations can make a big difference to those experiencing homelessness." Katie, London.
We maintain a high standard of corporate governance, which is essential to enable our business to succeed in delivering its strategy. Moreover, it is integral to enhancing its reputation and maintaining the trust and support of its shareholders, clients, employees and other stakeholders. Further details of the Group's compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code can be found in the Corporate Governance Report on pages 67 - 114 of this Annual Report.
We set high standards for our team and give them clear frameworks and policies within which to operate. This is supported by an externally provided telephone line to report any incidents under our whistleblowing policy, and by the Group's internal training programme.
The importance of sanctions screening to our compliance programme and KYC processes has been reiterated by the recent events in Ukraine. The Group has reviewed its sanctions policy considering these events and is providing regular communication to employees. The Group's compliance with sanctions put in place as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is not expected to have any material effect on trading in the current financial year nor does the Group have any existing material exposure.
Our Anti-Money Laundering ("AML") and Know Your Customer ("KYC") policies and procedures form a key component of Braemar's governance framework. The importance of compliance with this policy's customer due diligence process was reinforced with training this year to help ensure the approach is consistent across our organisation. Initial screening of new customers includes a risk assessment, with the customer's risk profile determining if enhanced due diligence is required. Where customers are approved to proceed, the risk profile also determines automated re-screening alert intervals (6, 12, or 24 months). Additionally, to help ensure timely update of customer screening information we have enabled automatic alerts for any changes in screening data and require any new sanctions indicators to be escalated to our Legal team for review.
We are committed to protecting human rights and ensuring there is no slavery or human trafficking in our business or supply chain. There is a clear statement of our intent on our website www.braemar.com.
As part of employee onboarding, new joiners must complete our Governance Framework training which covers all our key polices and includes the following training modules:
In addition to training, this year we implemented annual attestations for each policy. Employees are required to attest that they understand, and comply with, our policies. Completion of training and attestations are monitored and reported quarterly to the Group Risk and Audit Committees.
This is our Non-Financial Information Statement, prepared to comply with sections 414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006. We explain here where you can find further information on how we act responsibly in relation to our employees, wider society, and the environment.
| Key policies and standards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reporting requirement | (which include relevant due diligence requirements) |
Further information |
| Environmental matters | Health, safety and environmental |
For more on environment |
| See pages 39 - 43 | ||
| Our employees | Employee handbook Whistleblowing Health and safety |
For more on our people |
| See pages 44 - 45 |
||
| Social matters | For more on communities |
|
| See page 46 - 47 |
||
| Human rights | Anti-slavery GDPR |
For more on ethics |
| See page 48 | ||
| Anti-bribery and corruption | Anti-Bribery and Corruption Anti-Tax Evasion |
For more information |
| Anti-Fraud Anti-Money Laundering/Know Your Customer Entertainment, Meals and Gifts |
See page 48 | |
| Our business model | For more information | |
| See page 7 | ||
| Principal risks – | For more information | |
| Risk management | See pages 50 - 62 |
|
| Non-financial key performance indicators |
For more on key performance indicators |
|
| See pages 25 - 26 |
Effective risk management forms an integral part of how we operate. It is essential for delivering our strategic objectives as well as protecting our relationships and reputation.
Risk awareness is a key element of Braemar's organisational culture at all levels and is key in managing risks to our business, helping to ensure the process of risk identification, assessment and response is embedded within daily operational and functional activities across the Group.
The board is responsible for managing the Group's risk, overseeing the internal control framework, and determining the nature and extent of the principal risks the Company is willing to take to achieve its longterm objectives. The Group's risk management and internal control frameworks are continually monitored and reviewed by the board and the Audit Committee, with support from a Management Risk Committee. The board is committed to maintaining a reputation for the highest standards of conduct in all aspects of its business, but in considering the other matters set out in Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, the directors are mindful that the approach must be balanced with both Employee interests and the Group's need to foster business relationships. As such, Group policies and procedures have been designed to ensure that the level of risk to which the Group is exposed is consistent with the Group's risk appetite and aligned with the Group's long-term strategy, but also to avoid a disproportionate administrative burden on employees, clients, and counterparties.
Reporting to the Chair of the Audit Committee and administratively to the Chief Financial Officer, the Group Head of Internal Audit and Group Risk & Compliance Manager leads the Risk Management, Internal Controls and Compliance functions.
The Group's Risk Management approach or framework incorporates both bottom-up and top-down identification, evaluation, and management of risks. Within our framework:
The Group's Risk Management framework is managed via a new online system/solution which is accessible to the senior management team and operational and functional management teams globally. The new system's functionality has allowed for enhanced monitoring and reporting automation, which was a limitation of the system previously used. The new system allows for:
The Group's risk management framework considers both the likelihood and the impact of identified risks materialising. Risks are offset, where possible, by the implementation of control activities, which are evaluated to determine their effectiveness in mitigating or reducing risk to acceptable levels.
All identified risks are aggregated and reviewed to assess their impact on the Group's strategic objectives and the resources required to manage them effectively. Key (or Principal) risks are aggregated together with associated issues or areas of uncertainty. The extent of controls and mitigation as well as the potential for a material effect on the market value of the Group are then assessed. Unmitigated risks can be significant, but our control processes and management actions reduce the risk level.
The risk management process evaluates the timescale over which new or emerging risks may occur. The risk management process also considers the potential impact and likelihood of risks, as well as the timescale in which risks may occur. The outcome of this process is then reviewed with further consideration and assessment provided by the Risk Committee, the Audit Committee, and the board.
Oversight and evaluation of the effectiveness of Braemar's risk management framework is led by the Chief Financial Officer, supported by a Management Risk Committee whose membership includes the Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, Group Head of Internal Audit and Group Risk and Compliance Manager, and representatives of other functions and locations of the business. The Committee monitors risks regularly, taking into consideration the appetite, tolerance, and potential impact for specific risks on the Group.
During FY21/22 Environment and Climate Change-related risk was assessed as part of ongoing discussions of key and emerging risks for the Group and the shipping and energy sectors within which it operates. Consideration of the potential short to medium-term impact of Environment and Climate Change risk resulted in its inclusion as a Group Principal Risk this year. Review and analysis of Group Principal Risks, including Environment and Climate Change risk, is a standing agenda topic for the Risk Committee, and as such was, discussed in Risk Committee meetings throughout FY21/22. Below is a summary of matters considered.
The Risk Committee recognised that there are several specific environmental and climate-related risks. Under TCFD recommendations climate-related risks can be classified into two main categories:
Further work is in progress to develop a climate-related risk matrix which classifies all climate-related risks and opportunities into the two main categories and documents them in a way that is consistent with the Group's overall risk management framework.
The nature of climate-related risks is such that the potential impacts to the Group can be classified into short, medium, and long term. The Risk Committee have initially identified these timeframes as follows:
The Risk Committee discussed several climate-related opportunities such a carbon offsetting, growing the Renewables desk and supporting clients with climate-friendly ship design and sustainable ship recycling via the Sale and Purchase desk. In the short-term carbon offsetting is a key part of the Group's strategy and further details of the implementation of the CHOOOSE platform can be found on page 39.
Management does not expect does not expect climate-related risks to have a material impact on the Group's short-term financial performance. The potential impact of climate change and other environmental issues has not formed a significant element in any key judgements or estimates disclosed in the Group's Financial Statements for the year ended 28 February 2022.
The Group has not ranked any of its principal risks and therefore the significance of environment and climate related-risks relative to the Group's other principal risks has not been assessed.
The Chief Financial Officer was responsible for providing the board and the Audit Committee with updates on these discussions. After our financial year-end, the Group established a Climate Change Management Committee which has specific responsibility for identifying and managing the Group's climate-related risks and opportunities. The Climate Change Committee is Chaired by the Group's Chief Operating Officer and includes the Managing Director of the Singapore office plus other team members from Shipbroking and Corporate. The Climate Change Committee will report to the board and the Audit Committee via the Chief Operating Officer. The Risk Committee retains responsibility for monitoring this as a principal risk, incorporating this risk into the Group's overall risk management framework, and ensuring that the impacts of the risks are appropriately monitored and mitigated.
The Group takes various measures to mitigate risk. Key steps in our risk management process throughout the year included:
The directors have carried out an assessment of the principal and emerging risks facing the Company. The most significant risks to which the board considers the Group is exposed, based on the evaluation process described in the Group's Risk Management Framework are set out alphabetically below.
| Change Management Shipbroking is a business that is evolving in nature and Braemar needs to ensure it evolves with it. The lack of an appropriate change management framework and leadership structure could lead to the ineffective introduction and embedding of change required to achieve the Group's strategic objectives |
The business may not operate efficiently and effectively, leading to projected revenue or returns not being realised and strategic objectives not being achieved. Internal and external relationships could be damaged or lost. Business development opportunities could be damaged. |
Ongoing review and enhancement of Braemar's corporate governance framework, management structure, and succession planning and job mapping processes to help ensure: Continuous improvement; and Alignment with leading industry practice. Training programme to help ensure all employees are kept updated with the governance framework and related policies. Ongoing monitoring to ensure employee completion of Group governance training, compliance with all relevant Group policies, and completion of Group policy attestation requirements. The effectiveness of Internal Audit and Compliance processes is enhanced by Senior Leadership and Audit Committee oversight, and career path transparency is improved by our management infrastructure changes. |
UNCHANGED (The residual or net risk after consideration of current mitigating actions is unchanged from the prior year.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance with laws and regulations Braemar generates revenues from a global business that exposes the Group to risks associated with legal and regulatory requirements, including sanctions. |
Legal and regulatory breaches could result in fines, sanctions being imposed on our business, and the loss of Braemar's ability to continue operating. Note: Recent increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies and rising geopolitical and macroeconomic |
Group-wide training program to help ensure employee awareness of, and compliance with, all relevant legal and regulatory obligations: Braemar Corporate Governance Framework; Braemar Risk Management methodology; Compliance with our policies, including our AML/KYC policies' (enhanced) customer due diligence requirements; |
INCREASED |
| issues, including the current Russia/Ukraine conflict, has increased the potential impact of risks associated with breaches of legal and regulatory requirements. |
Compliance with relevant laws & regulations. Enhanced KYC procedures and ongoing monitoring of compliance with governance policies and legal / regulatory requirements across the Group to help ensure requirements are not breached. Ongoing monitoring to ensure insurance cover is maintained at adequate levels. |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Currency fluctuations The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk because of a large proportion of its revenue being generated in US dollars while the cost base is in multiple currencies. |
A change in exchange rates could result in a financial gain or loss. |
On a continuous basis, the board monitors macroeconomic issues to assess possible foreign exchange movements. Forward currency (US \$) contracts are entered into to mitigate the risk of adverse currency movements. |
UNCHANGED |
| Cybercrime/data security Cybercrime could result in loss of business assets or disruption to the Group's IT systems and its business. Lack of appropriate data security could result in loss of data. |
Loss of service and associated loss of revenue. Reputational damage. Potential for loss of cash due to fraud or phishing. |
Globally, cyber-attacks increased significantly during and post the COVID pandemic. To address the increased risk, and to enhance security measures already in place, Management partnered with external advisors to develop and implement a Cyber Assurance programme, which will be rolled out during 2022/23. Ongoing implementation of Security Operations Centre using DarkTrace technology. Improved security with the movement of on premises data storage facilities in Singapore and |
UNCHANGED |
| Australia to the cloud. Ongoing implementation of a range of security measures including Microsoft's Advanced Threat |
| Protection suite and a new SD-WAN to provide improved security and connectivity to our corporate systems. |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Disruptive technology Shipbroking is still largely a business that is transacted via personal relationships dependent on quality service. Hence the risk of technological change, disintermediation and increased customer demands for enhanced technological offerings could render aspects of our current services obsolete, potentially resulting in loss of customers. |
Relationships could be devalued and replaced by disruptive technology platforms, resulting in increased competition, consequent price reductions, and loss of revenue. |
Investment in technology through our venture with Zuma Labs has resulted in effectively differentiating Braemar, as our brokers have begun utilising Zuma's versatile Venetian platform in advance of other firms. Ongoing modernisation of our infrastructure to allow for focus on innovation and strategic direction. |
UNCHANGED |
| Environment and Climate Change Seaborne transportation is estimated to create 2.5% of the worlds carbon emissions and there will be increased pressure to reduce that in future years. Failure to monitor and address the risks associated with that reduction process could result in loss of revenue for Braemar and its customers and counterparties |
The Groups P&L and liquidity could be negatively impacted if customers are lost as a result of our not keeping pace with our peers and industry best-practice. Non-compliance with regulations or disclosure requirements could result in fines or penalties. Failure to appropriately monitor and mitigate these risks could lead to Braemar suffering serious |
Investment in the offshore renewables market and technology to allow the Group and its clients to offset carbon emissions. Ongoing development an EPSG strategy which allows the Group to monitor and report on environmental and climate-related risks. Establishment of a Climate Change Committee to help ensure climate-related risks are identified, monitored, and appropriately managed. |
INCREASED |
| reputational damage. Note: |
| Management does not expect climate-related risks to have a material impact on the Group's short-term financial performance. |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial capacity Braemar has set itself a growth strategy that will require investment in the coming years and limited financial capacity could hamper our ability to deliver on the objectives |
Without sufficient financial resources the Group may not be able to meet current and near-term obligations and may not be able to take advantage of potential growth opportunities. |
Several strategic achievements have strengthened the Group's balance sheet, effectively decreasing financial capacity risk: Disposal of Cory Brothers for all-cash consideration generated £6.5m of cash in March 2022. £4.7m of earnout cash consideration is expected to be received between May 2023 and May 2025. |
DECREASED |
| Restructuring of deferred consideration amounts owed in respect of the acquisition of Braemar-Naves resulted in a repayment deferral of £2.5m which was due for repayment before the end of December 2022. The repayment is now to be paid no earlier than September 2025. |
|||
| Disposal of non-core investment in AqualisBraemar generated £7.2m of cash proceeds during FY21/22. |
|||
| Ongoing mitigations include: | |||
| Prioritisation of identified growth opportunities to ensure resources are appropriately allocated to opportunities with the best potential return on investment. |
|||
| Regular review of debt levels, our dividend policy, and a three-year extension of banking facilities. |
|||
| Consultations with external advisors to review current banking relationships as |
| compared to other potential banks and/or banking facilities. |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Geopolitical and macroeconomic Braemar's businesses is reliant on global trade flows and as such may be negatively impacted by geopolitical and/or macroeconomic issues, such as changes in crude oil price, restrictions in global trade due to pandemics such as COVID, sanctions, and changes in supply and demand. |
A downturn in the world economy could affect transaction volumes, resulting in reduced revenue. Changes in shipping rates and/or changes in the demand or pricing of commodities could affect supply activity. Note: The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine and related global sanctions has increased the potential impact of risks associated with both geopolitical and/or macroeconomic issues and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. |
Diversification on a sector and geographic basis reduces dependency on individual business areas. Ongoing monitoring to ensure the Group is appropriately resourced across its activities and geographies. Ongoing management of costs based on current and reasonably foreseeable market conditions. Enhanced KYC procedures and ongoing monitoring of compliance with governance policies, sanctions, and other legal / regulatory requirements across the Group to help ensure laws and regulations are not breached. |
INCREASED |
| Major business disruption The risk of disruption to our business due to a disaster or unplanned events occurring. |
The business may be unable to operate as effectively as usual, resulting in financial loss. |
Significant investment upgrading our network and telecoms estate to provide a more robust, scalable, and resilient platform for global delivery of applications and services. Network and telecoms upgrades include: Decommissioning of on-premises data storage in Singapore and Australia to facilitate movement to the cloud, Re-architecting of our network with an SD WAN to improve security and connectivity to our corporate systems, and |
UNCHANGED |
| Increased utilisation of the Microsoft 365 suite to allow for more efficient and effective work and communication across the Group. Enhanced systems monitoring to help ensure improved and uninterrupted service delivery. Identification of key staff and potential points of failure, and the consideration of adaptable/flexible ways of working, help to ensure preparedness in the event of major business disruption. |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| People and Culture Braemar is a people-based business and people are vital to its success. Inadequate policies and reward structures could incentivise negative behaviours, create internal conflict, lead to reputational damage, and contribute to failure in attracting and /or retaining skilled personnel. Failure to adapt to, or align with, post COVID market expectations, including the offering flexible or hybrid working arrangements, could result in the inability to attract and retain skilled personnel. Lack of appropriate consideration of environmental and wider social issues could also contribute to the inability to attract and retain skilled personnel. |
Employee relations claims / litigation / tribunals attributed to negative behaviours or actions, increases the potential for reputational damage because of negative publicity in the public domain. Loss of key staff could result in reduced revenue when staff take "their" contacts and business with them. Strategic growth objectives may not be achieved if Braemar fails to attract and retain skilled personnel. Note: The potential impact of risks associated with failing to attract and retain personnel has increased post the relaxation of COVID social restrictions due to current market expectations for flexible or hybrid working arrangements for both current and prospective employees. |
Ongoing review of policies including Conflict of Interest, Code of Conduct, and the Employee Handbook, to ensure behavioural expectations and employment practices for managers and employees are clearly defined. Organisation structure changes included the creation of associate director roles to identify key employees and more clearly show progression opportunities. Ongoing development of a culture of engagement and professional development, including implementation of performance management objectives, clearly defined pathways for career progression, and succession planning at senior management levels. Annual review of compensation with external benchmarking helps to ensure remuneration packages continue to be appropriate and competitive. Ongoing consideration of roles potentially suitable for hybrid and flexible working arrangements. |
INCREASED |
| Whilst the Group has not formally Ongoing development an EPSG strategy which implemented flexible or hybrid allows the Group to monitor and report on working, the increase of People risk environmental and social risks. is partially mitigated by ongoing Communication of the EPSG strategy to existing and consideration of roles suitable for potential employees, demonstrating Braemar's flexible working arrangements, as commitment to efforts addressing environmental and included under mitigating social issues. controls/actions. Recognition of environmental and social issues is becoming increasingly important to certain people, particularly graduates and younger skilled professionals who are at the start of their careers. Failure to attract or retain these people could negatively affect the Group's recruitment, retention, and succession planning. |
||
|---|---|---|
The Group's internal audit function is monitored and reviewed by the Audit Committee, to ensure that the Group's risk management and internal controls processes are working effectively. A detailed description of the Group's internal audit function can be found on pages 79 - 80 of this Annual Report.
The Group generated strong underlying operational cash flow in the year, 61% higher than in 2020/21, and has continued to do so in the first months of trading in the current year. In addition, the Group's balance sheet has been strengthened significantly due to the strong trading and disposals of non-core assets during the year. Therefore, the directors believe that the Group is well positioned to manage its risks. Whilst there are still uncertainties facing the business including those related to the war in Ukraine and COVID disruptions, they are nothing like those that were the case in the previous two years.
A more detailed analysis of the risks facing the business are outlined in Note 1 (see page 135 - 136). The analysis concludes that there is no material uncertainty relating to going concern. The directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and Group have adequate resources to continue to trade for 12 months from the date of the approval of these Financial Statements and for this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Financial Statements.
In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, the directors have assessed the prospects of the Group over a period of three years, which they believe is an appropriate period based on the Group's current financial position, budgets and forecasts, strategy, principal risks, and exposure to potentially volatile market forces.
In recent years and particularly during the early months of the COVID pandemic, the Group's bankers, HSBC, have been highly supportive and allowed relaxations of covenants to give the board the time to make alternative plans to ensure sufficient liquidity is available to continue the Group's plans. Those relaxations of covenant levels were never in fact required and the Group has traded comfortably within the covenants relating to the facility during the last financial year and is confident that it will continue to do so.
During the year, the directors have continued to work with HSBC such that acceptable indicative terms have been offered for a longer-term facility to replace the current one which expires in September 2023. It is the intention that these discussions will be concluded well in advance of the expiry of the current facility. The viability assessment therefore assumes that similar banking facilities will be made available to the Group for the balance of the three-year viability period. The Directors' assessment considers those current facility terms and includes a review of the financial impact of significant adverse scenarios.
In generating those scenarios, consideration was also given to the risks to the business that have been identified in this report on pages 50 – 62 as increasing:
Compliance with laws and regulation – the risks to the business caused by the increasing degree of sanctions resulting from the Ukraine war has clearly increased over the last six months but has yet to manifest itself in reduced revenues. Exposure to sanctioned business isn't material to the Group and experience to date suggests that although freight patterns are changing as a result, overall volumes are not declining.
Environment and Climate change – environmental and climate change factors will have a significant long-term impact on the Shipping industry and pose a risk to the Group if they aren't recognised and adapted to. In the short to medium term, these changes will also provide opportunities to provide additional support to the industry and for additional revenue generation. The longer-term risks are not expected to have an impact on the business during the period under review.
Geopolitical and macroeconomic – similar to the compliance with laws and regulation risk the Ukraine war has raised the risk level due to geopolitical and macroeconomic risk with a resultant global downturn or recession likely to have a negative impact on the business. The experience to date is that the shipping market volatility has if anything increased revenue generation rather than reduced it.
People and culture – failure to adapt to changing cultural and working practise norms following the COVID pandemic and to maintain competitive remuneration structures could lead to difficulties in attracting new employees and to existing employees leaving. Losing and not replacing revenue generating employees in the business would lead to reductions in revenue if suitable policies are not put in place.
Revenue was chosen as the main variable in generating the adverse scenarios as there are no costs of sale within the business and the remaining costs are largely fixed or made up of bonus pools which will vary in line with the levels of revenue. Set against those falls in revenue is the likely effectiveness of potential mitigations that are reasonably believed to be available to the Group over this period.
In considering these potential mitigations, the board was mindful of its duties under Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 and considered the potentially competing interests of different stakeholder Groups and the potential long-term consequences of the actions, including the use of funds for employee remuneration (and the role this plays in the retention of staff), paying dividends, making investments, and repaying debt.
The assessment involves the production of cash flow forecasts designed to assess the ability of the Group to operate both within the banking facility covenants and liquidity headroom. The main downside sensitivities used were annual revenue reductions of 7.5% and 15% from September 2022 to August 2023 and stabilised thereafter. Under these two cases the board concluded that even without use of any of the cost-saving or cash management mitigations available to it, the Group could continue to operate under the current banking facilities over the three-year period.
The assessment also incorporated a "reverse stress test" which was designed to identify scenarios under which the Group's banking facilities would be inadequate to continue as a going concern despite using all the mitigating options available. The result of this test shows that all available mitigations would be exhausted, and facilities breached if there was a 41% decrease in forecast revenue from September 2022 through to August 2023.
The directors have concluded that whilst future outcomes cannot be guaranteed or predicted with certainty the revenue and operating margin scenarios that would lead to such a failure are highly unlikely. This is especially so in the light of current trading where revenues are running ahead of previous forecasts. They also noted that the facility headroom in terms of liquidity remained adequate even under the reverse stress test conditions and that it was the leverage covenant which would be breached if revenue fell by more than 41% and then only during 2024.
There is no evidence indicating that revenues will fall to levels indicated in this test and that the likelihood is therefore remote and that there is therefore no material uncertainty in this regard, nor any impact based on preparation of the Financial Statements. There is also a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the next three financial years.
The Group recognises that the international shipping industry accounts for approximately 2-3% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions which presents significant risks and opportunities for our business. We seek to incorporate Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures ("TCFD") recommendations into our decision-making and in our first year of TCFD reporting we have developed a solid foundation from which the Group can progress to full compliance with TCFD recommended disclosures in future years.
The following summary sets out how the Group incorporates climate-related risks and opportunities into the four pillars set out by the TCFD; governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets. This summary includes references to other sections of this Annual Report where further disclosures are provided and an explanation is given where the Group's compliance with TCFD disclosures is partial or omitted.
| Describe the board's oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities. |
Full | The board has overall responsibility and oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities. |
|---|---|---|
| The Audit Committee reviews the impact of climate change risks and opportunities and incorporates these risks and opportunities into the Group's risk management framework. |
||
| The Risk Committee and the newly created Climate Change Committee report to the board and the Audit Committee via the COO and CFO. Further details of the respective roles and responsibilities of these two management committees can be found on page 50 – 53. |
||
| Principal Risks and Uncertainties on page 50 - 62 | ||
| Audit Committee Report on page 74 - 80 | ||
| Describe management's role in assessing and managing climate related risks and opportunities. |
Full | During FY21/22 the CFO, with the support of the Risk Committee, had overall responsibility for assessing and managing climate-related risks and uncertainties. |
| In FY22/23 the COO and the newly created Climate Change Committee became responsible for identifying, assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities. The Risk Committee retains responsibility for monitoring this as a principal risk. |
||
| Principal Risks and Uncertainties on page 50 - 62 |
| Describe the climate-related risks and opportunities the organisation has identified over the short, |
Partial | The Risk Committee has considered the Group's climate-related risks and opportunities and has identified the following relevant timeframes: |
|---|---|---|
| medium, and long term. | Short-term: 0-2 years | |
| Medium-term: 3-10 years | ||
| Long-term: Beyond 10 years | ||
| Work is ongoing to develop a climate-related risk matrix which categorises climate-related risks and opportunities according to these timeframes. This matrix will be published in the Group's FY22/23 Annual Report. |
||
| Principal Risks and Uncertainties on page 50 - 62 | ||
| Describe the impact of climate related risks and opportunities on the organisation's businesses, strategy, and financial planning. |
Omitted | The Group has not yet quantified the impact of climate-related risks and opportunities on the organisation's business, strategy and financial planning. |
| The Climate Change Committee has been tasked with ensuring that the impacts of climate-related risks and opportunities are assessed in the Group's business, strategy and financial planning. Further updates will be provided in the FY22/23 Annual Report |
||
| Describe the resilience of the organisation's strategy, taking into consideration different climate related scenarios, including a 2°C or |
Omitted | The Group has not yet developed a model climate related scenarios and therefore cannot assess the resilience of the organisation's strategy to these scenarios. |
| lower scenario. | The Group incorporates various financial scenarios in its strategic modelling, including freight rates, commodity prices and foreign exchange rates. In FY22/23 work will commence to incorporate climate change scenarios into the Group's financial modelling. When this work is complete the Group will be able to quantify the impacts and assess the resilience of the Group's strategy. Further updates will be published in the Group's FY22/23 Annual Report. |
| Describe the organisation's processes for identifying and assessing climate-related risks. |
Full | During FY21/22 the Risk Committee had responsibility for identifying and assessing climate-related risks. In FY22/23 the Climate Change Committee became responsible for identifying, assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities. The Risk Committee retains responsibility for monitoring this as a principal risk. |
|---|---|---|
| Describe the organisation's processes for managing climate related risks. |
Full | The Risk Committee is responsible for monitoring climate-change as a principal risk. The Climate Change Committee is responsible for identifying and managing the Group's climate-related risks and opportunities. |
| Describe how processes for identifying, assessing, and managing climate-related risks are integrated into the organisation's overall risk management. |
Full | The processes described above are fully integrated into the Group's overall risk management processes. |
| Principal Risks and Uncertainties on page 50 - 62 |
| Disclose the metrics used by the organisation to assess climate related risks and opportunities in line with its strategy and risk management process. |
Omitted | The Group has not yet identified the metrics that will be used to assess climate-related risks and opportunities. Work is ongoing in FY22/23 to develop a set of metrics. An update on this work will be published in the FY22/23 Annual Report. These metrics will be aligned to the Group's specific climate-related risks as well as the Environment pillar of the Group's EPSG Framework. |
|---|---|---|
| EPSG Report on page 36 - 48 | ||
| Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, and, if appropriate, Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the related risks. |
Partial | The Group has disclosed all mandatory Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions. |
| The Group has also disclosed certain voluntary Scope 3 emissions, including the GHG emissions as a result of employees working from home. |
||
| SECR Disclosures on page 40 - 42 |
| Describe the targets used by the organisation to manage climate related risks and opportunities and performance against targets. |
Omitted | The Group has not yet identified the targets that will be used to manage climate-related risks and opportunities and performance against targets. |
|---|---|---|
| Work is ongoing in FY22/23 to develop a set of targets from which performance can be measured and monitored. An update on this work will be published in the FY22/23 Annual Report. |
||
| In its EPSG framework, the Group has committed to aligning its climate-related targets to certain references in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs"). The references that are relevant to climate-related risks and opportunities are: |
||
| SDG 8.4 Improve Resource Efficiency in Consumption and Production. |
||
| The Group is developing targets to improve the energy-efficiency of its offices |
||
| SDG 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning. |
||
| The Group is developing targets to raise awareness of climate change and mitigations in our industry amongst both our team and our clients. |
||
EPSG Report on page 36 - 48
On behalf of the board
Nicholas Stone
Director 28 August 2022
I am delighted to introduce this report in my first full year as Chairman of the board, having been appointed in May 2021. The board is responsible for ensuring that the governance controls within the Group help to support the Group's long-term strategy and values, and continues to be committed to maintaining a high standard of corporate governance across the Group. This framework creates a strong foundation for the Group to build on its global brand and develop its relations with its clients, shareholders and other key stakeholders.
In 2021/22, the Company was subject to the UK Corporate Governance Code published by the Financial Reporting Council (the "FRC") in 2018 (the "Code"). The Code is publicly available on the FRC's website at: www.frc.org.uk. The board endorses the principles and provisions set out in the Code and believes that the Company has been compliant with the Code throughout the year.
This year has also seen the launch of our EPSG framework, which places the governance pillar alongside the traditional environmental and social pillars and an additional fourth pillar of people to recognise that people are the foundation of our business. A high standard of corporate governance is essential for the Group to succeed in delivering its strategy and is integral to enhancing its reputation and maintaining the trust of its shareholders, clients, employees and other stakeholders. More information on our EPSG framework can be found on pages 36 - 48 of this Annual Report.
This report, which comprises this introduction, the following pages 67 - 73, the Audit Committee Report on pages 74 - 78, the Nomination Committee Report on pages 81 - 83, together with the Directors' Remuneration Report on pages 84 - 108, describes how the board and its Committees operate and how the Company has applied the Code during the year ended 28 February 2022.
Nigel Payne
Chairman
28 August 2022
The board is responsible for ensuring that the governance controls within the Group help to support the Group's long-term strategy and values. The board is committed to maintaining a high standard of corporate governance across the Group and ensuring that a framework is in place to create a strong foundation for the Group to deliver on its growth strategy in line with its core values, desired culture and risk appetite.
The board consists of the non-executive Chairman, the Group Chief Executive Officer, the Group Chief Operating Officer, the Group Chief Financial Officer and three independent non-executive Directors. The Chairman leads the board and is responsible for its overall effectiveness in directing the Company, taking into account the interests of the Company's various stakeholders. The Group Chief Executive Officer leads the executive management in the development of strategy and the management of all aspects of the performance and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries.
The non-executive directors, none of whom has fulfilled an executive role within the Company, are appointed for an initial three-year term subject to annual re-election at the AGM in accordance with the Code. The nonexecutive directors are responsible for constructively challenging and scrutinising the strategies and performance of the executive directors using their independence and perspectives gained from their diverse experiences, as well as having broader oversight of the Group, via the work of the board and its Committees.
Profiles of each Director, together with information on their experience relevant to the Group and their external appointments, are set out on the following pages of this Annual Report. All of the directors have access to the Company Secretary, Emma Camilleri, for advice on all governance matters and to help ensure that the board is able to discharge its duties and function effectively and efficiently.
The board met 15 times during the year (FY 2020/21: 15) and the attendance by each of the directors is set out below.
| Attended | |
|---|---|
| Non-executive Directors | |
| Jürgen Breuer1 | 9/9 |
| Stephen Kunzer | 15/15 |
| Lesley Watkins2 | 15/15 |
| Ronald Series3 | 3/3 |
| Nigel Payne4 | 12/12 |
| Elizabeth Gooch5 | 7/7 |
| Joanne Lake6 | 0/0 |
| Executive Directors | |
| Nick Stone | 15/15 |
| James Gundy | 15/15 |
| Tris Simmonds7 | 7/7 |
| 1 Jurgen Breuer left the board on 26 August 2021 | |
2 Lesley Watkins left the board on 31 March 2022
3 Ronald Series left the board on 30 April 2021
| James Gundy | Nick Stone | Tris Simmonds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 58 | 52 | |
| Group Chief Executive Officer |
Chief Financial Officer | Chief Operating Officer | |
| Committee Memberships |
None. | None. | None. |
| Background and relevant experience |
James has over 35 years' Shipbroking experience specialising in Tankers and Sale and Purchase Projects. He joined the Company in 2014 as Chief Executive Officer of Shipbroking following the merger of Braemar Shipping Services Plc and ACM Shipping Group Plc. James was an integral part of the successful integration of the two businesses which led to his appointment as Group Chief Executive Officer in January 2021. |
Nick joined the Company as Finance Director in April 2019 with over 20 years' experience in operational and financial director roles in organisations including The Appointment Group, Hornby Plc and KB Advanced Technologies Plc. He occupied a dual Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer role during Braemar's recent management transition and was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in August 2021. Nick is a chartered accountant. |
Tris has over 30 years' experience in the commodities industry including 14 years at GFI Group where he became Head of European Commodities. Tris founded Atlantic Brokers in 2013 which was sold to Braemar Shipping Services Plc in 2018. Since the acquisition in 2018 Tris held the position of Managing Director of Braemar's derivative brokerage business and he was appointed as Chief Operating Officer in August 2021. |
| External appointments |
None. | None. | None. |
| Nigel Payne | Elizabeth Gooch MBE | Joanne Lake | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | 61 | 58 | |
| Chairman of the Board | Non-executive Director & | Non-executive Director | |
| Senior Independent Director (from 1 April 2022) |
|||
| Committee Memberships |
Chair of the Nomination Committee |
Chair of the Remuneration Committee |
Chair of the Audit Committee |
| Member of the Nomination and Audit Committees |
Member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committees |
||
| Background and relevant experience |
Nigel joined the Company as Non-executive Chairman in May 2021, previously he was the CEO of Sportingbet Plc. He has a proven record of enhancing shareholder value and over 30 years' experience on public and private boards both as an executive and non executive director with organisations including EG Solutions Plc, Stride Gaming Plc, Hangar8 Plc, ECSE Plc and Gamma Aviation Plc. Nigel is a chartered accountant. |
Elizabeth joined the Company as Non-executive Director on 1 August 2021 and was appointed Senior Independent Director on 1 April 2022. She has over 16 years' experience in governance, compliance and financial reporting of publicly listed companies, having founded and run EG Solutions plc from 2005 until its acquisition by Verint Systems Inc. in 2017. Elizabeth was awarded an MBE in 2012. |
Joanne joined the Company as Non-executive Director on 1 March 2022. She has over 30 years' experience in financial and professional services – both in investment banking, with firms including Panmure Gordon, Evolution Securities and Williams de Broe, and in audit and business advisory services with Price Waterhouse. Joanne is a chartered accountant and fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. |
| External appointments |
Non-executive Chairman of Gateley (Holdings) Plc |
Non-Executive Director of ECSC Group Plc |
Non-executive chair of Made Tech Group Plc |
| Non-executive Chairman of Green Man Gaming Ltd |
Non-executive Director of Nivo Solutions Ltd |
Non-executive director of Henry Boot Plc |
|
| Non-executive Director of Ascot Racecourse |
Director of Expandly Ltd | Non-executive director of Gateley (Holdings) Plc |
|
| Betting & Gaming Ltd | Non-executive director of | ||
| Non-executive Director of Kwalee Ltd |
Honeycomb Investment Trust Plc |
||
| Director of Bubble Stuff Ltd | Non-executive director of Morson Group Ltd |
||
| Non-executive Director of GetBusy Plc |
| Steve Kunzer | Lesley Watkins | |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | 63 | |
| Non-executive Director | Non-executive Director & | |
| Senior Independent Director | ||
| Resigned 31 March 2022 | ||
| Committee | Member of the Audit, Nomination and | Chair of the Audit Committee |
| Memberships | Remuneration Committees | Member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committees |
| Background and relevant experience |
Steve has over 30 years' experience in the shipping industry in the UK and the Asia Pacific region and joined the Company as a Non-executive Director in February 2019. His previous roles include Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte Ltd and Managing Director of Tanker Pacific Management (Singapore) Pte Ltd. Steve has also held a number of management positions with Zodiac Maritime Agencies Ltd. |
Lesley has over 18 years' experience in the banking industry and joined the Company as Non-executive Director in June 2017. She has also held a number of executive and non executive positions including Finance Director and Company Secretary of Calculus Capital Ltd, non-executive director of Metropolitan Safe Custody Ltd and non-executive Council Member and Chair of the Audit Committee of the Competition Commission. Lesley is a Chartered Accountant. |
| External appointments |
Independent Director of Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S |
Non-Executive Director of Investec Bank Plc Non-Executive Director of Chaucer Syndicates Ltd |
The board has three standing Committees: Audit, Nomination and Remuneration. Each of the board committees comprises solely independent non-executive Directors. The composition and responsibilities of the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees are set out in each of the Committee reports, on pages 74, 81 and 84 of this Annual Report respectively. The Remuneration Committee report on pages 84 - 108 of this Annual Report is incorporated into this report by reference. The terms of reference for each of the Committees can be found in the Investors section of the Company's website.
The Group also has an Executive Committee to support the Group Chief Executive Officer with the day-today management of the Group and the development and execution of the Group's strategy. The Executive Committee comprises the Executive Directors, the Group Finance Director, the Global Head of Sale and Purchase and the Managing Director of Braemar Corporate Finance.
The Group also has a Risk Committee, which, like the Executive Committee, is not a formal board committee. The Risk Committee meets regularly and reports to the Audit Committee on matters such as emerging risks and other changes to the risk matrix, the work of the internal audit function, and the day-to-day monitoring of the Group's risk management framework. It comprises the Group Chief Financial Officer, the Group Chief Operating Officer, the Group Finance Director, the Head of Human Resources, the Group IT Director, the Group Head of Internal Audit and Group Risk and Compliance Manager and representatives of the Group's finance team and other functions and locations. Other colleagues are invited from time to time to provide additional experience of the Group's operations and potential risk exposure.
The directors have a duty to the Company's shareholders to ensure that the information presented to them is fair, balanced and understandable, and provides shareholders with the necessary information to assess the Company's position, performance, business model and strategy. Further details of the Directors' responsibilities for preparing the Company's Financial Statements are set out in the statement of Directors' responsibilities on pages 112 – 113 of this Annual Report.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the board has established procedures for identifying and evaluating any risks associated with its strategic objectives (including both emerging and principal risks) and considering how those risks can be managed effectively. The Audit Committee is responsible for the independent review and challenge of the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company's approach to risk management and reports its findings to the board. The Audit Committee receives regular reports from the Group's Risk Committee and Internal Audit function and there were no matters of concern warranting further investigation identified in the Group during the year.
More information on the work of the Audit Committee and the Internal Audit function can be found in the Audit Committee Report on pages 74 - 80 of this Annual Report, and more information on the Company's risk management processes, including a summary of the principal risks facing the Group and the procedures in place to identify emerging risks, is set out on pages 50 - 62 of this Annual Report.
As mentioned above, we have recently launched our EPSG framework. The framework recognises the three pillars of environmental, social, and governance that have become the widespread definition of ESG, with the addition of a fourth pillar to recognise the people that are the foundation of our business and integral to the communities we live and work in. As part of this framework, Braemar remains committed to providing its services to the highest standards and operating ethically, lawfully and with professional integrity at all times. The framework will allow us to create a Group-wide culture and operating practices that incorporate our values. We believe that this will support the Group with its strategy to grow the Braemar brand in an increasing number of global markets. More information on our culture and values, what action has been taken during the year to ensure that policies, practices and behaviour across the Group are aligned with them, how we engage with, invest in and reward our workforce, and our commitment to diversity and inclusion can all be found in the EPSG Report on pages 36 - 48 of this Annual Report.
The board recognises the importance of maintaining good communication with key stakeholders of the Company's business and taking the interests of those stakeholders into consideration in its decision-making. Key stakeholders of the Company include its shareholders, with whom the board seeks to engage regularly in order to fulfil its duties under Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006. The Company follows an active investor relations programme carried out mostly through regular meetings of the Group Chief Executive Officer and Group Chief Financial Officer with existing and potential investors following the announcements of the interim and preliminary full year results of the Group. The Company has also organised a number of other investor events throughout the year to enable existing and prospective investors to hear more from the executive directors on the business and its strategy. From time to time the non-executive directors and the non-executive Chairman will also consult with the Company's major shareholders. Feedback from the Company's shareholders is also received through the Group's Corporate Broker and Public Relations team. The Company ensures that shareholders are kept updated on material information, especially that of a potentially price sensitive nature, as soon as possible and at the same time via corporate announcements which are made available on the Company's website and through an RNS, in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
The Company encourages participation in its AGM where each resolution is separately put to the meeting for a vote and where the board provides an overview of the Company's performance in the current financial year to date and the financial outlook for the coming financial year. The board was delighted to welcome the Company's shareholders to attend the 2021 and 2022 AGM in person, after the 2020 AGM took place behind closed doors due to the COVID pandemic. The Company notes that at last year's AGM, all resolutions proposed were passed with the requisite majorities of votes and comfortably above 80% of votes cast.
The Audit Committee (the "Committee") comprises three independent non-executive Directors. The Committee continued to be chaired during the Financial Year by Lesley Watkins and its terms of reference can be found in the Investors section of the Company's website. The Committee is now chaired by non-executive Director Joanne Lake, who was appointed to the board with effect from 1 March 2022 and succeeded Lesley as chair of the Committee following Lesley's departure on 31 March 2022. Joanne is a chartered accountant with a strong financial background and with the complementary skills of the other members, continues to ensure that the Committee has a sufficient level of both financial experience and competence relevant to the sector in which the Company operates. The qualifications and experience of the members of the Committee can be found on pages 68 – 71 of this Annual Report.
Meetings of the Committee are attended, by invitation, by the Chairman of the board, the Group Chief Executive Officer, the Group Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Company Secretary, the Group Risk and Compliance Manager and Group Head of Internal Audit, and representatives of the external auditor. The Committee held four meetings during the year, the attendance of which was as follows:
| Attended | |
|---|---|
| Jürgen Breuer | 1/11 |
| Stephen Kunzer | 4/4 |
| Lesley Watkins | 4/42 |
| Elizabeth Gooch | 3/33 |
| Joanne Lake | 0/04 |
1Jurgen Breuer left the Committee on 26 August 2021.
2Lesley Watkins left the Committee on 31 March 2022.
3 Elizabeth Gooch was appointed to the Committee with effect from 26 August 2021.
4 Joanne Lake joined the Committee with effect from 1 March 2022.
In addition to these formal Committee meetings, the Chair of the Committee meets separately with the Group audit partner at least twice a year.
The key function of the Committee is to address the following specific responsibilities, while adapting its activities as appropriate to address changing priorities within the business:
Group's compliance policies and procedures, including those relating to whistleblowing, the prevention of bribery, corruption and fraud, and the Group's KYC processes.
Reviewing and monitoring the effectiveness of the external audit process and the independence of the external auditor: conducting the tender process to appoint an external auditor and making recommendations to the board on the appointment, re-appointment and removal of the external auditor; planning with the external auditor the half-year review and full year audit programme, including agreement as to the nature and scope of the external audit as well as the terms of remuneration in the context of the overall audit plan; monitoring the ongoing effectiveness of the external auditor; monitoring the objectiveness and independence of the external auditor; and approving and monitoring any non-audit services undertaken by the external auditor, together with the level of non-audit fees.
The following sections describe the work of the Committee during the year ended 28 February 2022.
The Committee monitors the integrity of the Company's Financial Statements and has reviewed the presentation of the Group's interim and annual results. As part of this review, it considered matters raised by the Chief Financial Officer, together with reports presented by the external auditor summarising the findings of their annual audit and interim reviews.
The key areas of estimates and judgements considered for the year ended 28 February 2022 are:
Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value-in-use of the cashgenerating units to which these assets have been allocated. The value-in-use calculation estimates the present value of future cash flows expected to arise for the cash-generating unit. The key estimates are therefore the selection of suitable discount rates and the estimation of future growth rates which vary between cash-generating units depending on the specific risks and the anticipated economic and market conditions related to each cash generating unit. Climate change risk has been taken into account in determining the underlying inputs used in calculations used for impairment reviews and is not considered to have a material impact on the value-in-use calculations.
The Committee considered the work done to support the discount rate and growth assumptions and are satisfied these estimates are appropriate and that there are no indications of impairment.
The current estimate of the fair value of the earn-out payments is £4.7m. The fair value of the earnout payments involves two critical estimates; the future profitability of the combined business and the discount rate used to calculate the net present value. The future profitability forecasts are based on a business plan prepared by the combined VertomCory business and was reviewed by management as part of the financial due diligence process. The discount rate was used to calculate the net present value which was based on the credit risk of Vertom Agencies BV following a credit check performed by management.
The Committee reviewed the assumptions on future profitability and considered the most recent budget provided by the combined VertomCory business. The Committee concluded that management's estimates are appropriate and that the carrying value of the earn-out payment is reasonable.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.
The Committee considered the expected future taxable profits of the Group and are satisfied that these are sufficient to allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.
The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group's estimate of the number of equity instruments that will eventually vest. At each reporting date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest as a result of the effect of non-market based vesting conditions.
The Committee is satisfied that the processes to determine the effect of non-market based vesting conditions are appropriate.
The provision for impairment of trade receivables and accrued income represents management's best estimate at the balance sheet date. A number of judgements are made in the calculation of the provision, primarily the age of the invoice, the existence of any disputes, recent historical payment patterns and the debtor's financial position. Further details can be found in Note 21 to the Financial Statements.
The Group has considered the impact of both COVID and the conflict in the Ukraine on the Financial Statements at 28 February 2022. However, at 28 February 2022 there was no evidence to suggest that the Group's trade receivables may be at a higher risk of becoming credit impaired as a result of the pandemic or the conflict in the Ukraine. No impairment allowances were made in respect of either COVID or the conflict in the Ukraine.
The Committee reviewed management's process for determining the provision and considered the likelihood of the Ukraine conflict impacting the collection of trade receivables and were satisfied that the judgements are appropriate.
The Group uses an independent actuary to provide annual valuations of the defined benefit pension scheme. The actuary uses a number of estimates in respect of the scheme membership, the valuation of assets and assumptions regarding discount rates, inflation rates and mortality rates. The membership details are provided by an independent trustee while the valuation of assets is verified by an independent fund manager. The discount rates, inflation rates and mortality rates are reviewed by management for reasonability. Further details can be found in Note 27 to the Financial Statements.
The Committee considered the review work performed by management in respect of the estimates made by the independent actuary and the information provided by the independent trustee and are satisfied with the process.
In the year ended 28 February 2022, the sale of Wavespec, the Group's Engineering Division, completed for a maximum consideration of £2.6m. The fair value of the consideration is a critical accounting judgement.
The consideration was due to be satisfied by the issuance of a promissory note with a maturity date of 31 March 2026. The fair value of the consideration was based on the net present value of the promissory note (£2.4m). A discount rate of 2.11% was used to calculate the net present value. The discount rate was made up of two elements, the first being a 5-year BBB+ bond yield of 1.51%, the second being a premium for lack of marketability at 0.60%. A 5-year BBB+ bond yield was used because it matches the maturity of the promissory note and reflects the credit rating of the bank that was expected to provide the letter of credit.
As at 28 February 2022, the buyer had not delivered on its obligations to secure the promissory note and therefore management have made a judgement that the promissory note is unlikely to be honoured and consequently the fair value of the consideration is impaired and an impairment charge of £2.4m has been recorded within discontinued operations.
The Committee considered the likelihood of the purchaser delivering on its obligations and are satisfied with the decision to impair the promissory note.
The Group determines the lease term as the non-cancellable term of the lease, together with any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if it is reasonably certain to be exercised, or any period covered by an option to terminate the lease, if it is reasonably certain not to be exercised. The Group has several lease contracts that include extension and termination options. Management applies judgement in evaluating whether it is reasonably certain whether or not to exercise the option to renew or terminate the lease. That is, it considers all relevant factors that create an economic incentive for the Group to exercise either the renewal or termination option. After the commencement date, the Group reassesses the lease term if there is a significant event or change in circumstances that is within its control and affects its ability to exercise or not to exercise the option to renew or to terminate the lease.
The Committee is satisfied that the process to determine the lease term of each lease is appropriate.
IFRS 15 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" requires judgement to determine whether revenue is recognised at a "point in time" or "over time", as well as determining the transfer of control for when performance obligations are satisfied.
The Committee considered the work done to validate the accuracy of revenue transactions and are satisfied that management's judgement on the timing of revenue recognition is materially correct.
The Group excludes specific items from its underlying earnings measure; management judgement is required as to what items qualify for this classification. Each item reported as specific is either directly related to acquisitions or not expected to be incurred on an ongoing basis. Further details can be found in Note 8 to the Financial Statements.
The Committee reviewed the items for reasonableness and consistency and are satisfied with management's classification.
Management have considered the impact of climate related risks in respect of impairment of goodwill, and recoverability of receivables in particular and do not consider that climate‐related risks have a material impact on any key judgements, estimates or assumptions in the consolidated Financial Statements. The potential impact of climate change has been reviewed by the Risk Committee and has been identified an emerging risk for the shipping and energy sectors within which the Group operates.
The Committee have also assessed the short-to-medium term impact relating to climate change risks and believe that it is not significant for the Group.
The Group has drawn up its accounts on a going concern basis and the directors have assessed the viability of the Group over a three-year period. Three years is used because the Group's revolving credit facility renews every three years.
The Committee received reports to support these matters and considered the assumptions made, the sources of liquidity and funding, the risks and sensitivities to the forecasts and the stress tests used. The Committee concluded that the application of the going concern basis for the preparation of the Financial Statements is appropriate. More detail can be found in the Principal Risks and Uncertainties section of this Annual Report.
During the year ended 28 February 2021, the Group restructured part of the outstanding liabilities due to management sellers of Naves. As part of its work, the Committee considered the rescheduling of the Naves acquisition liabilities in the last year and the impact on the Group's balance sheet. This exercise identified that the carrying amount of the future obligations in the Group balance sheet exceeded the nominal value of consideration to be paid and prompted a review of the accounting for the Naves consideration in full and of certain other corporate acquisition and disposal transactions in recent years.
The review took a critical analysis of the historical accounting for the amounts paid and payable on the Naves acquisition, including the issue of shares, and identified a number of errors. In order to address these errors, accounting analysis was reviewed and new calculations were performed from the original acquisition in September 2017 to date. The review also examined the classification of certain reserves on the balance sheet and identified certain other misstatements that have been corrected in these accounts.
As a result of these errors, which are described in detail in Note 34 to the Financial Statements, the year end audit was prolonged while additional reconciliation work was performed in order to satisfy the board and the Group's auditors that there were no further misstatements.
The year-end process also identified certain procedural errors in connection with the payment of the Group's final dividend relating to the 2020/21 financial year and the interim dividend relating to the 2021/22 financial year, each made by the Company during financial year 2021/22 (the "Relevant Distributions"). Notwithstanding these procedural errors, the Company had sufficient reserves at the respective dates of approving and making each of the Relevant Distributions. However, the Company did not satisfy the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 to properly prepare and file interim accounts that justified the Relevant Distributions.
No party has been or is in a worse position as a result of these procedural breaches, but the Company has been advised that a consequence of the Relevant Distributions being made otherwise than in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 is that it may have claims against past and present shareholders who were recipients of the Relevant Distributions and against those persons who were directors of the Company at the time of the declaration and payment of the Relevant Distributions.
The Company wishes to put all potentially affected parties so far as possible in the position in which they were always intended to be had the Relevant Distributions been made in accordance with the procedural requirements, and consequently intends to present resolutions at the reconvened Annual General Meeting which will, if passed, give the board authority to enter into deeds of release to discharge these parties from any obligation to repay any amount to the Company in connection with the Relevant Distributions. The errors are explained in more detail in the Group's AGM notice which included full details of the errors and the resolutions being proposed in its notice of Annual General Meeting.
The year end and audit has highlighted weaknesses in certain of the Group's accounting processes. The Committee is reviewing the causes of these errors and the associated control environment, under the leadership of the new Chair. In order to make the changes required to ensure there is no repeat, a plan is under way to strengthen the resources within the Finance team and the tools available to it. In particular, the errors highlighted weaknesses in the Group's consolidation processes and system when dealing with complex non-trading transactions. Investment in the consolidation system is required to strengthen its reporting capability to ensure more regular monitoring is possible.
BDO LLP was re-appointed as external auditor at the 2021 AGM. The lead audit partner at BDO LLP responsible for the external audit is Scott McNaughton, who has held the role for four years, since BDO were first appointed following the last tender conducted by the Company in the financial year ended 28 February 2019. The Group has a clear policy for the approval of non-audit services, which sets a limit on the level of fees for non-audit services at 70% of the external audit fee. The external auditor is only appointed to perform a nonaudit service when doing so would not compromise the independence and effectiveness of the external audit function, and when its skills and expertise make it the most suitable supplier. The Group policy for the approval of non-audit services requires the Committee's prior approval of all non-audit services. This year, the external audit fee represents 91% of the total fee paid to BDO LLP (2020/21: 91%). The Committee also continues to agree the scope and related fee for the annual external audit. The only non-audit services performed relate to the interim review.
The Committee additionally monitors the independence of the external audit function, as well as its objectivity and effectiveness, through the annual schedule of meetings (at which it discusses the auditor's reports and performance), through inviting feedback from people involved with the external auditor's work across the business, and through additional meetings between the Chair of the Committee and the audit partner. Following consideration of all of these matters, the Committee recommends the re-appointment of BDO LLP for approval at the AGM.
Internal audit is an independent assurance function which supports Braemar in improving its overall control framework. The internal audit function contributes to the maintenance of a systematic and disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the design and effectiveness of Braemar's risk management, internal control, and governance processes. The Audit Committee defines the responsibility and scope of the internal audit function and approves its annual plan. The Group Head of Internal Audit reports functionally to the Chair of the Audit Committee and administratively to the Chief Financial Officer.
The Audit Committee ensures that the internal audit plan is met during the year and that management is sufficiently responsive to any audit findings. The Group Head of Internal Audit is supported in the completion audit activities by a co-sourcing arrangement with Mazars UK LLP.
Business functions, processes, and areas forming part of the rolling three-year risk-based Group internal audit plan are based on assessment of risks to the business, as described on pages 50 - 62 of this Annual Report. The plan is reviewed and updated at least annually to help ensure key Group and new or emerging risks receive appropriate and timely audit focus. Updates or changes to the audit plan, and internal audit reports, are reviewed by the Audit Committee during the year.
The Group's operational and functional management teams are engaged and involved in the risk assessment process and in the development of the internal audit plan by way of the following activities:
submission of operational and financial senior management confirmations that the results of their respective business areas are accurate, that stated levels of debtors and accrued income are recoverable, adequate provisions have been made for uncollectible amounts, and that the business complies with the Group's position on the UK Bribery Act and there have been no breaches of applicable sanctions;
completion of semi-annual control self-assessment questionnaires by all Group entities to help ensure that adequate controls are in place. Completed questionnaires are reviewed and discussed with senior management for their respective business areas; and
Audits were conducted this year on banking and cash processes, data protection and data security, and on integrated assurance. Management action plans were developed and agreed with action implementation dates for identified control gaps or deficiencies. Timely implementation of management actions from these audits, and from a 2020/21 payroll audit, are monitored through regular updates to the Audit Committee. While no significant findings were identified in the completion of these audits, actions completed to address audit findings included the establishment of BACS direct credit payments and the implementation of a formal delegation of authority, while actions are ongoing address findings related to vendor due diligence, vendor data maintenance, and data protection processes. In its final meeting of 2022, the Audit Committee revisited the rolling three-year plan and confirmed its agreement with the audits proposed for the coming year.
During the year, the Audit Committee continued its focus on review and enhancement of the Group's risk and internal control framework. Braemar is committed to the highest standards of conduct in all aspects of its business. In reviewing and improving this framework of policies, processes and procedures, the directors remained mindful of the potentially competing interests of the Company's stakeholders, particularly the need to balance cost, resource, and the interests and perspectives of clients and other market participants with the need to maintain its reputation for integrity and to comply with international laws and best practice. This review, and the Audit Committee's ongoing responsibilities in this area, saw the Audit Committee involved in:
More information on the Group's emerging and principal risks, including a summary of the principal risks facing the Group and how these are managed can be found on pages 50 - 62 of the Annual Report.
Joanne Lake On behalf of the Audit Committee 28 August 2022
The Nomination Committee comprises three independent non-executive Directors. As documented in last year's report, the Committee is now chaired by the Company's non-executive Chairman, Nigel Payne, who was appointed with effect from 1 May 2021. During the year, the meetings were also attended, by invitation, by the Group Chief Financial Officer, the Group Chief Operating Officer, and the Company Secretary. The Committee's terms of reference can be found in the Investors section of the Company's website.
The primary responsibilities of the Nomination Committee are to ensure that the board and its committees have the right composition, to lead the process for appointments to the board, and to ensure that the Company has appropriate plans in place for succession to the board and senior management roles.
The Committee held four meetings during the year, the attendance of which was as follows:
| Attended | |
|---|---|
| Jürgen Breuer | 2/31 |
| Elizabeth Gooch | 1/12 |
| Stephen Kunzer | 4/4 |
| Lesley Watkins | 4/43 |
| Ronald Series | 2/24 |
| Nigel Payne | 2/25 |
| Joanne Lake | 0/06 |
1Jürgen Breuer left the Committee on 26 August 2021.
2 Elizabeth Gooch was appointed to the Committee with effect from 26 August 2021.
3Lesley Watkins left the Committee on 31 March 2022.
4Ronald Series left the Committee with effect from 30 April 2021.
5Nigel Payne joined the board and took up the role of Chair of the Nomination Committee with effect from 1 May 2021.
6 Joanne Lake joined the Committee with effect from 1 March 2022.
The following sections describe the work of the Nomination Committee during the year ended 28 February 2022.
In 2021/22, the Committee considered the appointment of two non-executive and one executive board members. In considering the optimum criteria and attributes for these roles, the Committee considered the existing structure and diversity of the board and senior management, the culture of the organisation and the focus of the Group's future strategy. The Committee felt that it was important to add bandwidth and experience to the executive team, in order to assist the board with the delivery of the Group's new growth strategy, and was delighted to be able to recommend an internal candidate, Tris Simmonds, Managing Director of Braemar Atlantic, as its preferred candidate for the role of Group Chief Operating Officer. Tris takes these responsibilities as Group Chief Operating Officer from Nick Stone (current Group Chief Financial Officer) who previously held both the role of Group Chief Operating Officer and Group Chief Financial Officer prior to the recent management transition.
The Committee also needed to lead the processes to find a successor for Jürgen Breuer, who decided not to offer himself for re-election at the 2021 AGM, and Lesley Watkins, who announced her intention to resign from the board with effect from 31 March 2022 in February. As part of these processes, the Committee decided not to spend additional money using an external search consultancy. Both Elizabeth Gooch and Joanne Lake were known to the board and the Committee believed that the process with Heidrick & Struggles earlier in the financial year which had culminated in Nigel Payne's appointment as Chairman had provided a good indication of available candidates to which both Elizabeth and Joanne compared. The Committee also scrutinised the independence of Elizabeth and Joanne as a result of this decision and their having both served on the boards of other companies with Nigel Payne, and determined that both would be independent (a decision that was supported by the board). Whilst the Committee believes that appointments should be based on merit and objective criteria, it was delighted to be able to recommend two female candidates for these roles and thus improve an important element of diversity on the board, together with the broader diversity of skills, experience, knowledge and other cognitive and personal strengths that Elizabeth and Joanne bring.
The Committee was also pleased that Stephen Kunzer agreed to serve as a non-executive director for a further three-year term (subject to annual re-election and the terms of his letter of appointment). This will be his second three-year term.
As reported in last year's Annual Report, an important task for the Committee at the start of the 2021/22 financial year was to find a new non-executive Chairman following Ronald Series' decision to step down from the board – a process that resulted in the appointment of Nigel Payne with effect from 1 May 2021. The Committee was chaired by the Senior Independent Director when dealing with this matter and, following a tender process, chose to engage Heidrick & Struggles to assist with the process. Whilst the Committee had professional contacts at Heidrick & Struggles, and one of the directors had previously been placed by them into another role, the Committee felt that this would not undermine the firm's ability to assist with a rigorous and transparent process.
The Nomination Committee's succession planning has two key areas of focus: firstly, to ensure that the board has the right combination of skills, experience, knowledge and independence; and secondly, to ensure that the Company has plans in place for orderly succession, including the development of a diverse talent pipeline, for the Company's senior management and more broadly. The Committee manages the former through its rigorous and formal approach to new board appointments and also regularly challenges the directors to consider the size and composition of the board and the appropriate range of skills and balance between executive and non-executive directors through an evaluation process, more on which is set out below.
The Committee manages the second area through the review of the succession plans in place for the senior management across the Group, as part of which it looks to challenge the executive directors and the divisional management to present detailed insights into the organisational structures and personnel profiles of the businesses and how they look to develop key talent and mitigate succession risk. More information on how the Company invests in the training and development of its people can be found on pages 44 and 45 of this Annual Report. Where necessary, the Company also considers how best to fill potential vacancies from outside the organisation.
In both of these areas, the Committee ensures that the directors and senior management remain mindful of the Group's diversity policy. Braemar recognises the importance of diversity in all respects, including (but by no means limited to) gender, skills, age, experience, ethnicity and background, and the Committee believes that diversity and an inclusive culture are important contributors to a company's ability to achieve its strategic goals and deliver long-term, sustainable success. As at the date of this report, approximately 10% of the Group's Executive Committee and its members' direct reports are female. More information on the Group's policies and approach on diversity can be found in the "Culture and values" section earlier in this Corporate Governance Report and in the EPSG Report on pages 67 and 36 of this Annual Report.
The board carries out regular self-evaluations to monitor and improve on its performance and address any weaknesses. Action continued in 2021/22 in addressing the findings of the evaluation exercise done in 2021, including the strengthening of the board (as discussed above), the development and launch of the Company's new growth strategy, the improvement of monthly financial and non-financial management reporting, and the in-house development and introduction of a new board portal to improve access to board materials. It was again decided that the formal annual evaluation done earlier in 2022 could be effectual without the need of external facilitation, with the process being led by the Chairman with the assistance of the Company Secretary. As with the previous year's exercise, an important component of the evaluation was the completion of a set of questionnaires by the Directors. The outcomes of this evaluation exercise will be further considered and addressed during the 2022/23 financial year.
28 August 2022
The Remuneration Committee (the "Committee") is appointed by the board and comprises three nonexecutive Directors. The Committee is chaired by Elizabeth Gooch and its terms of reference can be found in the Investors section of the Company's website. The Committee's main responsibilities are to:
In discharging these responsibilities, the Committee may call for information and advice from advisers inside and outside the Group. During the year, the Committee took advice from the Chairman of the board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Company Secretary, who attended by the invitation of the Committee, but did not participate in any decision-making, nor were they present for any discussions, regarding or affecting their own remuneration.
The Committee received independent remuneration advice from FIT Remuneration Consultants LLP ("FIT") on a range of matters within the Committee's remit, for which fees of £46,305 (excluding VAT and disbursements and calculated on a time-spent basis) were charged during the year. The Committee also received independent advice from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") relating to two reviews conducted by the Committee during the year, for which fees of £8,500 (excluding VAT and calculated on a time-spent basis) were charged during the year. FIT and PwC are members of the Remuneration Consultants Group and, as such, voluntarily operate under the Code of Conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting in the UK. FIT were also engaged to provide advice in relation to the operation of the Company's share plans, and the Committee is comfortable that the FIT team continues to provide objective and independent advice. PwC were also engaged to provide tax advice to the Group, and the Committee is comfortable that the PwC team also provided objective and independent advice.
The Committee's approach to executive remuneration remains unchanged. The pay structures in our sector are atypical compared with the norm of Executive pay. However, they are proven to work within Braemar as well as being accepted practice across the shipbroking sector as a whole. The Committee is focused on retaining our executive directors and incentivising them appropriately to deliver shareholder value, whilst also being mindful of best practice and market trends (including the guidelines of investor bodies). This year the new Executive team has made substantial progress in laying the foundations for growth, substantially increasing profitability whilst also reducing net debt as well as restoring dividend payments. The Committee has worked within the existing approved shareholder policy to reward these achievements.
Our framework is based on five core principles:
Proportionality and alignment to performance: we seek to pay no more than is necessary and also ensure that a substantial portion of executive reward is aligned to both profitability and delivery of strategy. In line with our competitors, we operate profit sharing arrangements for those individuals directly engaged in broking activities.
Simplicity and transparency: our executive remuneration structures must be clear and understandable for participants and other stakeholders.
This year has been another busy one for the Committee, with eight meetings being held, the attendance of which was as follows:
| Attended | |
|---|---|
| Jürgen Breuer1 | 5/5 |
| Lesley Watkins2 | 8/8 |
| Stephen Kunzer | 8/8 |
| Elizabeth Gooch3 | 3/3 |
| Joanne Lake4 | 0/0 |
1Jurgen Breuer left the Committee on 26 August 2021.
2Lesley Watkins left the Committee on 31 March 2021.
3 Elizabeth Gooch joined the board and became Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 26 August 2021.
4 Joanne Lake joined the Committee with effect from 1 March 2022.
The Committee undertook three main activities in the year as well as considering performance and reward for 2021/22 as detailed below.
The Company has a long-standing pay policy which sees a large number of employees receiving part of their bonus deferred into the Company's shares for a three-year period under the Company's Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP). This policy has had a number of positive features for Braemar, including material numbers of our senior employees becoming shareholders, thereby creating a direct alignment of interests between a wide body of employees and all other shareholders.
However, an unintended consequence of high levels of bonus deferral and share retention by employees within a relatively "SmallCap" company has been a negative impact on the liquidity of Braemar's stock. This position is then accentuated by strong company performance: this produces higher bonus outcomes, higher deferral amounts as absolute values, and (in the foreseeable future as deferred awards mature) further reduced liquidity.
It was for this reason that, as announced on 3 February 2022, the proportion of deferred share awards would be reduced by around half (from c.14% to c.7% of total annual bonus outcomes) for the financial year ended 28 February 2022 and future years.
The Committee believes that this change is both proportionate and in shareholders' best interests given continuing high levels of employee shareholdings and strong company performance driving high absolute values of bonus deferral. However, we will continue to monitor this position and, if it becomes appropriate to do so, we will revert to higher bonus deferral levels to maintain the positive benefits of aligning our senior employees with shareholder experience as we have described above.
During the year, the Committee also undertook a review of the pay levels and structures for both the executive directors and the next level of the Executive Leadership Team. This review focused on achieving consistency within the executive Group regarding annual bonus, pension and LTIP provision, aligning with market practice amongst the Group's peers, as well as incentivising and retaining our team.
Tris Simmonds was appointed as our COO from 1 August 2021. Details of Tris' remuneration are contained throughout the Directors' Remuneration Report but in summary included:
Following the year end, the Committee further reviewed Tris' remuneration package and confirmed that his basic salary should be increased to £375,000 per annum during FY 2022/23 (effective from 1 July 2022). This represented a phased approach to Tris attaining the salary level, which was considered appropriate for his role, given the responsibilities which it entails and also recognising his strong performance since coming into post. In addition, Tris will receive an LTIP award over shares worth 200% of base salary in FY2022/23. This represents two-years' worth of LTIP awards following his appointment. Tris did not participate in the LTIP in FY2021/22, and the Company's normal policy allows up to 200% of base salary in exceptional circumstances. The Committee recognises that Tris has made a significant contribution to Group performance in the year and these changes to his remuneration reward him for his outstanding contribution.
The Remuneration Committee also reviewed the base salary of the Chief Executive Officer, James Gundy, in the light of his significant contribution to Group Performance and recommended that his base salary be increased to £475,000. This took effect from 1 July 2022.
As is detailed in the Strategic Report, FY2021/22 has seen very strong performance from Braemar, which is reflected in the proposed Executive Directors' annual bonus outcomes for the year. In line with the amendment to firm-wide deferred equity plans mentioned above, the Committee agreed that the percentage of Executive bonuses to be deferred into shares should be set at 10%, the same level that applies for our CEO and the Group's peers.
A further action taken by the Committee was to consider the vesting outcomes of the 2019 LTIP awards, which were assessed against adjusted EPS targets for FY2021/22 (target range of 35p to 46p). The Committee determined that a vesting level slightly above threshold (35% vesting) was an appropriate outcome and reflected overall shareholder experience. As detailed on page 101 - 102, in making this assessment technical adjustments to reported adjusted EPS for continuing operations (36.44p) were approved by the Committee to recognise the impact of the sale of Cory Brothers and the acceleration of remuneration costs in FY2021/22 resulting from the changes to firm-wide deferred share awards described above. Without proportionate adjustments, the recipients of these LTIP awards would have been adversely impacted by the steps taken by the board in the year on these two matters of strategic importance which were identified as being in shareholders' long-term best interests.
The following table sets out the votes cast (including those cast by proxy) at the 2021 AGM in respect of the Committee's report for the year ending 28 February 2021 and at the 2020 AGM in respect of the new Directors' Remuneration Policy ("Policy") (which was the last general meeting of the Company at which a resolution was moved by the Company in respect of the Policy).
| Votes for | Votes against |
Total votes cast |
Votes withheld |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | # | % | # | % | # | # |
| Approval of Remuneration Report for year ending 28 February 2021 |
6,749,027 | 83.51 | 1,333,085 | 16.49 | 8,082,112 | 26,957 |
| Approval of Remuneration Policy | 7,623,464 | 97.50 | 195,386 | 2.50 | 7,818,850 | 1,540,245 |
The remainder of this report comprises two sections:
This report reflects how the Committee has implemented the policy that was approved by shareholders at the 2020 AGM. We trust that our shareholders will recognise the outstanding year of performance from our Executive team and vote in favour of this report at our forthcoming 2022 AGM
Finally, the Committee would like to put on record its thanks to its previous Committee Chair, Jürgen Breuer, for his work and his contribution to the business of the Committee.
Elizabeth Gooch
28 August 2022
The Remuneration Committee is not proposing to make any changes to the Policy approved by shareholders at the 2020 AGM. The full Policy is contained on pages 46 - 53 of the Company's Annual Report and Accounts 2020, and can be found on our website at http://braemar.com/investors/. Key extracts of the current Policy are shown below for information.
| Purpose and link to strategy |
Operation | Maximum opportunity | Performance measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| To provide an element of fixed remuneration as part of a market competitive remuneration package to attract and retain the calibre of talent required to deliver the Group's strategy. |
Base salaries are determined by the Committee, taking into account: skills and experience of the individual; size, scope and complexity of the role; market competitiveness of the overall remuneration package; performance of the individual and of the Group as a whole; and pay and conditions elsewhere in the Group. Base salaries are normally reviewed annually with changes effective from the start of the financial year. |
While there is no defined maximum, salary increases are normally made with reference to increases for the wider employee population. The Committee retains discretion to award larger increases where considered appropriate, to reflect, for example: an increase in scope or responsibility; development and performance in role; and alignment to market competitive levels. |
None. |
| Purpose and link | Operation | Maximum opportunity | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| to strategy | measures |
| To provide a market competitive benefits package for the nature and location of the role. |
Incorporates various cash/non-cash benefits which are competitive in the relevant market, and which may include such benefits as a car (or car allowance), club membership, healthcare, life assurance, income protection insurance, and reimbursed business expenses (including any tax liability). |
Benefit provision, for which there is no prescribed monetary maximum, is set at an appropriate level for the specific nature and location of the role. |
None. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where relevant, other benefits on broadly the same terms as provided to the wider workforce or to reflect specific individual circumstances, such as housing, relocation, travel, or other expatriate allowances may also be provided. |
|||
| Executive directors may also participate in the Company's Save As You Earn ("SAYE") scheme on the same basis as other employees and subject to statutory limits. |
| Purpose and link | Operation | Maximum | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| to strategy | opportunity | measures | |
| To provide a post retirement benefit to attract and retain talent. |
The Committee may offer participation in a defined contribution pension scheme or provide a cash allowance. |
The maximum contribution for any executive Director will be in line with the level available for the majority of UK employees at any given time (currently 5 per cent of salary). |
None. |
| ANNUAL BONUS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose and link | Operation | Maximum | Performance |
| to strategy | opportunity | measures |
To incentivise and reward annual performance aligned with the long-term objectives of individuals and the delivery of strategy.
Deferral into shares strengthens longterm alignment with shareholders. Executive directors are eligible to participate in the annual bonus at the discretion of the Committee each year.
The performance measures and targets are determined annually by the Committee to reflect prevailing Group financial and strategic objectives.
Pay-out levels are determined by the Committee after year-end based on performance against targets set at the start of the year.
The Committee retains the discretion to override formulaic bonus outcomes, both upward and downward, where necessary, to take account of overall or underlying Group performance. The Committee will consult with shareholders prior to the exercise of any upward discretion.
A portion of the annual bonus will be deferred into shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan ("DBP"), described in more detail below.
Clawback provisions will also apply as explained below.
100% of base salary.
The payment for threshold performance will not exceed 25% of the maximum. Any part of the annual bonus that is subject to financial measures will be made on a straight-line basis for performance between threshold and target, and on a separate straight-line basis for performance between target and maximum.
At least 50% of the annual bonus will be based on Group financial performance.
The Committee may make up to 50% of the annual bonus subject to performance measures and targets to reflect:
and will make the pay-out by reference to these measures and targets subject to a financial underpin.
Where an appointed Executive Director will undertake broking activities, they may, at the discretion of the Committee, be eligible to participate in the Brokers' Bonus arrangements (instead of the normal annual bonus referred to above).
Purpose and link to strategy Operation Maximum opportunity Performance measures
| To provide a variable element which aligns the reward of all executive directors with long-term performance delivered for shareholders. |
Awards are made under the 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") as approved by shareholders at the 2014 AGM. Awards vest subject to performance measured over a period of at least three years. Vested awards are subject to an additional holding period, which unless the Committee determines otherwise will run up to the fifth anniversary of the date of grant. All executive directors are eligible to participate each year at the discretion of the Committee. The Committee retains the discretion to override formulaic vesting outcomes downward, where necessary, to take account of overall or underlying Group performance. |
The usual maximum award opportunity in respect of a financial year is 100% of base salary. However, in circumstances that the Committee considers to be exceptional, awards of up to 200% of base salary may be made. |
Vesting is based on the achievement of performance targets set in respect of key performance measures aligned to the strategy and shareholder value (currently underlying earnings per share). 25% vests for threshold performance. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awards are subject to clawback provisions as described in more detail below. |
| Purpose and link to strategy |
Operation | Maximum opportunity |
Performance measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-employment shareholding requirement |
Executive directors are required to build a shareholding of 100% of base salary within five years of appointment. Shares |
Not applicable | Not applicable |
| To create greater alignment between executive directors and shareholders. |
subject to unvested or vested but unexercised awards under the DBP and vested but unexercised LTIP awards may be included, in all cases on a net of tax basis. |
||
| Executive directors will be required to retain all of the shares (net of tax) that vest under the DBP and the LTIP until the shareholding requirement is met. |
|||
| The Committee shall retain a discretion to waive the requirements, in whole or in part, in exceptional circumstances such as critical illness or personal financial hardship (including divorce). |
| Post-employment shareholding requirement To ensure continued alignment of the long-term interests of executive directors and shareholders post cessation. |
Executive directors are required to maintain a shareholding equivalent to the in-employment shareholding requirement immediately prior to departure (or the actual share and award holding on departure, if lower) for two years post cessation. Shares subject to unvested awards under the DBP and vested but unexercised LTIP awards may be included, in both cases on a net of tax basis. |
Not applicable | Not applicable |
|---|---|---|---|
| The requirement will only apply to shares vesting under DBP and LTIP awards made from the effective date of the amended Policy onwards and will not apply to shares acquired either from awards granted before this date or from shares purchased directly by the executive Director. |
|||
| There are appropriate contractual arrangements in place to ensure enforceability. |
|||
| The Committee shall retain a discretion to waive the requirements, in whole or in part, in exceptional circumstances such as death, critical illness or personal financial hardship (including divorce). |
A portion of the annual bonus will be deferred into share awards under the DBP, the latest plan rules for which were approved by the approved by shareholders on 26 August 2021. Such awards will vest, unless the Committee determines otherwise, after three years from the date of grant, subject to continued employment with the Group.
The Committee may determine that DBP awards are made in conjunction with the Company Share Option Plan ("CSOP") to enable UK tax resident individuals to benefit from the growth in value of the shares subject to the awards in a tax-efficient manner. In such circumstances, when DBP awards are granted, a corresponding market value option will be granted under the terms of the CSOP, the maximum, aggregate face value of which will be £30,000. The options will vest on the same terms as and on the same date as the corresponding DBP awards. Under the terms of a CSOP, no income tax or employees' or employer's National Insurance contributions will be payable, on exercise, on the growth in value of the shares. The number of shares in respect of which the DBP awards will vest will be reduced to take account of the gain in value, as at exercise, of the corresponding CSOP options. CSOP awards would only be made in conjunction with the DBP as described above, and not on a stand-alone basis.
Under the DBP and the LTIP, the Committee may reduce the number of shares subject to unvested awards and/or impose further conditions on unvested awards and/or require payments in cash or shares be made in certain circumstances which include:
a material misstatement or restatement of any financial results of the Company;
Clawback will also apply in the case of the cash element of the annual bonus.
The relevant discovery periods are until the time of vesting of the relevant award in the case of DBP awards and at any time prior to the second anniversary of vesting or payment of the award (as relevant) in the case of awards made under the LTIP and an annual bonus.
James Gundy's remuneration as Chief Executive Officer is set within the scope of the Policy and aligns to the norms of pay for senior brokers across global markets in the sector. As this is his first full year as Chief Executive Officer, we thought it would be helpful to repeat the summary of his remuneration for FY2021/22 that was included in the Company's Annual Report and Accounts 2021, as follows:
| Pay element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base salary | £425,000 from appointment |
| Benefits | In line with Group policies |
| Pension | Employer contribution level of 5% (aligned to contribution levels for the majority of employees). Paid as taxable cash supplement. |
| Annual bonus | Participation in the "Broker's Bonus" commission arrangements, which deliver a percentage of profits from personal Shipbroking revenues for the year. |
| The first £425,000 of Broker's Bonus earned in any year (equivalent to 100% of base salary) will not be paid unless the Committee is satisfied as to the Group's overall financial performance in the year as assessed against the achievement of the Group's budgets. |
|
| A cap applies, so that James' annual bonus cannot exceed £4 million in any one year. |
|
| A proportion of outcomes for each year will be deferred into shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan ("DBP"): |
|
| where James' shareholding is worth at least £700,000, which it currently is (see Shareholding Guidelines and Share Interests below), this will be deferral of 10% of outcomes, |
|
| in any other case, one-third of outcomes will be deferred, |
| deferral under the DBP is for a period for 3 years. |
|
|---|---|
| LTIP | Standard participation in the LTIP, with awards subject only to goals to be based on the Group's strategic and/or financial performance. Normal annual award levels will be over shares worth up to 100% of base salary, although in 2021/22, James' award will be over shares worth 200% of base salary as a one-off promotion matter. |
| Shareholding Guidelines |
100% of base salary, to apply whilst in-post and for a two-year post employment period. James Gundy's current shareholding (as at 28 February 2022) is worth over 372% of base salary. |
| Malus and Clawback | Applies to both annual bonuses and to LTIP awards |
| Purpose and link to strategy |
Operation | Maximum opportunity |
|---|---|---|
| To provide market appropriate fees to recruit and retain individuals of the calibre |
The remuneration of the Chairman is determined by the Committee and the remuneration of the non-executive directors is determined by the board (excluding the non-executive Directors). |
While there is no maximum fee level, fees are set considering: |
| to deliver the strategy. | Fees are normally reviewed on an annual basis. | market practice for |
| Where the Chairman is a non-executive Chairman, they will receive a single fee encompassing all duties. Where the Company has an executive Chairman, they will be eligible for additional elements in line with the Executive Director Policy table. |
comparative roles; the time commitment and duties involved; and the requirement to |
|
| Non-executive directors receive a basic fee and may also receive additional fees for Committee or other board duties. |
attract and retain the quality of individuals |
|
| Fees are payable in cash, although the Company may retain the right to make payment in shares. |
required by the Company. |
|
| Expenses reasonably incurred in the performance of the role may be reimbursed or paid for directly by the Company, as appropriate, including any tax due on the benefits. |
||
| A non-executive Chairman and non-executive directors do not participate in any of the Group's bonus arrangements, share plans or pension schemes. |
The policy for executive directors is for them to have rolling service contracts that provide for a notice period by either party. The notice period for each of the executive directors is six months. The Company may terminate the executive Director's contract by making a payment in lieu of notice of the unexpired notice period equivalent to a value comprising salary, pension and contractual benefits with such payment being able to be made on a phased basis subject to mitigation. There is no provision in any of the service contracts of the executive directors for any ex-gratia payments. It is intended that the policy above would be applied to the service contracts for future executive Director appointments.
A non-executive Chairman and non-executive directors are appointed pursuant to a letter of appointment. The policy is that non-executive directors are appointed for an initial term of three years which may be extended for further three-year periods on the recommendation of the Nomination Committee and with the board's agreement, subject to annual re-election at the Annual General Meeting. The non-executive Directors' letters of appointment are to be terminable on one month's notice from either party.
| Date of contract/letter |
Unexpired term as at 28 February 2022 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Executive | ||
| James Gundy | 10 November 2020 | 6 months |
| Tris Simmonds | 21 July 2021 | 6 months |
| Nicholas Stone | 11 December 2018 | 6 months |
| Non-executive | ||
| Elizabeth Gooch | 21 July 2021 | 1 month |
| Stephen Kunzer | 26 February 2019 | 1 month |
| Joanne Lake | 2 February 2022 | 1 month |
| Nigel Payne | 6 April 2021 | 1 month |
This part of the report sets out details of how the Remuneration Committee intends to apply the Directors' Remuneration Policy (the "Policy") to the current directors in the 2022/23 financial year.
The base salaries for the current executive directors are shown below.
| 2021/22 £'000 |
2022/23 £'000 |
Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Gundy | 425 | 4752 | 12% | |
| Nick Stone | 250 | 250 | 0% | |
| Tris Simmonds | 2501 | 3752 | 50% |
James Gundy, Tris Simmonds and Nick Stone receive benefits and pension in line with the Policy.
In line with the Policy, as James Gundy continues to undertake Shipbroking activities, he continues to be eligible to participate in the Brokers' Bonus arrangements instead of the Group annual bonus. This bonus is non-contractual and is based on profits generated in respect of the year from commission received through individual broking activities. Whilst any award under these arrangements remains discretionary, the Committee has agreed additional provisions including an underpin assessed against Group financial performance and a maximum annual cap of £4 million. A proportion of the Brokers' Bonus outcome is deferred into share awards. As James Gundy has already accumulated a significant shareholding in the Company over his years of service as an employee of the Group, the Committee has agreed that where his shareholding remains at least £700,000, 10% of any bonus earned will be deferred into shares, but where his shareholding is below £700,000, one third will be deferred.
The annual bonus for Tris Simmonds also reflects his continuing involvement in broking activities. In line with our shareholder approved remuneration policy for those undertaking broking activities, and in line with his existing terms & conditions, Tris remains eligible to participate in the Brokers' Bonus arrangements. These are non-contractual and are calculated as a percentage of the profits generated during the year through broking activities of the relevant desk or reporting unit. A portion of any bonus awarded will be deferred into shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan. The deferral level will be at 10% of bonus outcomes in line with the CEO and the review of firm wide deferred equity plans.
The annual bonus for Nick Stone is based on a combination of performance measures linked to Group financial performance and the achievement of the Group's strategy and operational objectives for the year. The deferral level will be at 10% of bonus outcomes in line with the CEO and the review of firm wide deferred equity plans.
The board believes annual bonus targets to be commercially sensitive and, consequently, does not publish details of them on a prospective basis. However, it will consider a fuller disclosure on a retrospective basis when it reports on the performance against them in the following year's Annual Report. A portion of any bonus awarded will be deferred into shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan.
The Committee proposes to grant our CEO and COO an LTIP award for the 2022/23 financial year. For the CEO this award will be at normal policy levels of 100% of salary. As disclosed in the introduction to this report, the COO's LTIP award for the 2022/23 financial year only will be at 200% of base salary (representing two years' worth of LTIP awards following his promotion to the COO role). All awards will take the form of nil cost options to acquire ordinary shares of 10p each in the Company following a three-year vesting period subject to meeting the performance criteria and the rules of the LTIP. The performance criteria will be based on increasing the Group's Earnings Per Share by CAGR 20% per annum over a three-year performance period. More detail on the performance metrics and targets will be disclosed in the related RNS when the awards are made. Any vested awards will be subject to a further 2-year holding period.
The Company appointed a new non-executive Chairman with effect from 1 May 2021. His annual fee is £108,000, which is the same as the base fee of the previous Chairman (excluding amounts paid to the previous Chairman by AqualisBraemar for serving on the board of AqualisBraemar). The board also reviewed the fees of the other non-executive directors at the time of the appointment of Joanne Lake in February this year and decided that she should be appointed on an increased annual fee of £50,000, plus the additional £10,000 fee for her role as Audit Committee chair. The board also decided that Elizabeth Gooch's fee should be increased to £50,000, plus an additional £10,000 for her role as Remuneration Committee chair, with effect from 1 March 2022. These reflect the first increase in the non-executive Director fees since 2016 and the board believes they are both reasonable (as relating to newly appointed non-executive Directors) and required in order to recruit and retain individuals of the calibre to help the Company to deliver its strategy. A summary is set out in the table below.
| 2021/22 £'000 |
2022/23 £'000 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman fee | 108 | 108 | |
| Non-executive Director fee | 42.5 | 50 | |
| Audit Committee Chair fee | 10 | 10 | |
| Remuneration Committee Chair fee | 7.5 | 10 |
This section sets out details of the remuneration outcomes in respect of the year ended 28 February 2022. Those sections that have been audited have been identified below.
The remuneration of the executive directors in respect of 2021/22 is shown in the table below (with the prior year comparative).
| Base salary | Benefits1 | Pension2 | Annual bonus3 | LTIP4 | Total | Total Fixed | Total Variable | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/ 22 £'000 |
2020/ 21 £'000 |
2021/ 22 £'000 |
2020/ 21 £'000 |
2021/ 22 £'000 |
2020/ 21 £'000 |
2021/ 22 £'000 |
2020/ 21 £'000 |
2021/ 22 £'000 |
2020/ 21 £'000 |
2021/ 22 £'000 |
2020/ 21 £'000 |
2021/ 22 £'000 |
2020/ 21 £'000 |
2021/ 22£'0 00 |
2020/ 21 £'000 |
|
| James Gundy | 425 | 70.85 | 3.6 | 0.56 | 21.3 | 3.57 | 1,948 | 3108 | 479 | 789 | 2,877 | 463 | 449.9 | 74.9 | 2,427 | 388 |
| Nick Stone | 250 | 242.7 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 12.5 | 18.7 | 44 | 203 | 106 | – | 414 | 466 | 264.7 | 263.2 | 150 | 203 |
| 155.2 | 425 | |||||||||||||||
| Tris Simmonds10 |
145.8 | – | 2.1 | – | 7.3 | – | 145 | – | – | 300 | – | – | – |
The fees of the non-executive directors are shown in the table below.
| Fixed Fee | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 £'000 |
2020/21 £'000 |
|
| Jürgen Breuer1 | 24.6 | 50 |
| Ron Series2 | 19.5 | - |
| Lesley Watkins | 52.5 | 52.5 |
| Stephen Kunzer | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| Elizabeth Gooch3 | 28.7 | N/A |
| Nigel Payne4 | 90 | N/A |
| Joanne Lake5 | N/A | N/A |
As reported in the 2020 Annual Report, James Kidwell, the Group's former CEO, was awarded a bonus for the 2019/20 financial year of £70,000, half of which was deferred to be released on a sliding scale according to the number of warrants received as part of the AqualisBraemar transaction vesting in 2021. 1,000,000 of the 6,523,977 warrants vested (approximately 15% of the maximum), which resulted in £5,364.83 being released to James in September 2021.
Nick Stone participated in the annual performance-related bonus arrangements, with a maximum annual bonus opportunity of 100% of salary. The annual bonus was based on a mix of financial, operational and strategic objectives aligned to the business priorities for the year, assessed against objectives set by the Committee.
This year, financial performance comprised 65% of the potential outcome and was measured against underlying operating profit metrics as follows:
| Underlying Operating Profit for FY2022 |
Threshold (25% attainment) £'m |
Target (50% attainment) £'m |
Maximum (100% attainment) £'m |
Performance attained £'m |
Vesting outcome (of this part) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 10.1 | 100% vesting |
The following bonus payments have been provided for:
The Committee granted LTIP awards to James Gundy and Nick Stone during the period at a level of 100% of salary for Nick Stone and an exceptional 200% of salary for James Gundy in his first year as Chief Executive Officer. The awards have performance criteria based on the Company's growth in absolute Total Shareholder Return ("TSR"), measured over a three-year performance period ending on 13 June 2024, as follows: the maximum possible opportunity will vest if growth in TSR is equivalent to a compound annual growth rate ("CAGR") of 22% or more per annum over the three-year performance period; if CAGR over the performance period is less than 12% per annum, none of the awards will vest; if CAGR is 12% per annum, 25% of the award will vest; and if CAGR is between 12% and 22% per annum, the vesting outcome will be calculated on a straight-line basis between 25% and 100%.
TSR reflects movement in share price and reinvestment of dividends over the performance period, with the share prices to be used being the three-month averages ending on 13 June 2021 and 13 June 2024. To ensure sufficient stretch within the targets for awards, the base point measurement (three-month average TSR to 13 June 2021) was raised by a further 10%.
The 2019 LTIP awards were granted in July 2019 and were based on performance over a three-year performance period ending 28 February 2022 against the following adjusted EPS targets set when the award was granted: 25% vesting for adjusted EPS of 35p in the 2021/22 financial year (the final year of the performance period for the award), rising on a straight-line basis for 100% vesting for adjusted EPS of 46p.
As described in the introduction to this report, the adjusted EPS number (36.44p) used for the assessment of the performace conditions for the 2019 LTIP awards reflects adjustments approved by the Committee from the reported adjusted EPS number for the 2021/22 financial year (36.44p), which reflects continuing operations only. The adjustments reflect the following:
the inclusion of Cory Brothers' profits for the 2021/22 financial year (£2.45m). These are not reflected in the reported Underlying Operating Profit, which relates only to continuing operations. This adjustment maintains integrity with the original targets which were set out on the basis of a Group that included Cory Brothers;
The adjustment for the accelerated recognition of remuneration costs in the 2021/22 financial year, while a technical matter, likewise maintains integrity with the assumptions when the targets were originally set and (as explained in the introduction to this report) the related change in compulsory deferral requirements was undertaken to benefit shareholders by seeking to improve the liquidity of the Company's shares.
As James Gundy's award was granted prior to his becoming Group Chief Executive Officer, his award included a performance condition linked to underlying operating profit achieved by the Shipbroking Division with 15% of the award vesting by reference to adjusted EPS (with the same thresholds as Nick Stone's award) and 85% vesting by reference to the Shipbroking Division's underlying operating profit achieved in the 2021/22 financial year (the final year of the performance period for the award) with 25% of this portion vesting for underlying operating profit of £11.25m rising on a on a straight-line basis for 100% vesting for underlying operating profit of £15m.
With an adjusted EPS outturn of 36.44p and a Shipbroking Division underlying operating profit outturn of £15.2m, the vesting outturn for each of Nick and James was 36,653 and 166,200 awards respectively, with the remainder of the awards lapsing. The awards that vested are now subject to a two-year holding period, following which they will be released and become exercisable.
Under the shareholding guidelines, executive directors are required to build and retain a shareholding in the Group at least equivalent to 100% of their base salary. This guideline is expected to be met within five years of appointment to the board. Non-executive directors are not subject to a shareholding guideline. The following table sets out the shareholdings (including by connected persons) of the directors in the Company as at 28 February 2022. This shows that James Gundy and Tris Simmonds have met the shareholding guideline, but that Nick Stone has not yet done so (Nick was appointed to the board with effect from 1 April 2019).
| Number of shares beneficially held at 28 February 2022 |
Shareholding as % of salary1 |
Guideline met? |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Directors | |||
| James Gundy | 657,436 | 372% | Yes |
| Nick Stone | 10,000 | 10% | No |
| Tris Simmonds | 320,080 | 308% | Yes |
| Non-executive Directors | |||
| Stephen Kunzer | 10,000 | ||
| Nigel Payne | 8,258 | ||
| Elizabeth Gooch | 0 | ||
| Joanne Lake | 0 | ||
| Lesley Watkins2 | 3,000 |
The table below provides details of the interests of the executive directors in incentive awards during the year.
| Awards held at 1 Mar 2021 |
Grant date |
Share price on grant £1 |
Granted | Exercise d/ released |
Lapsed | Awards held at 28 Feb 2022 |
Exercise price £ |
Exercisa ble from |
Exercisa ble to |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Gundy | ||||||||||
| 2018 DBP | 38,354 | 22 June 18 |
2.58 | - | 38,354 | - | - | - | - | |
| 2018 LTIP | 150,537 | 29 Oct 18 |
2.30 | - | - | 117,243 | 33,2942 | - | 26 May 23 | 29 Oct 28 |
| 2019 DBP | 194,000 | 17 June 19 |
2.10 | - | - | - | 194,000 | - | - | - |
| 2019 LTIP | 184,210 | 1 July 19 |
1.855 | - | - | - | 184,210 | - | 1 July 24 |
1 July 29 |
| 2019 SAYE | 5,625 | 5 July 19 |
1.80 | - | - | - | 5,625 | 1.60 | 1 Aug 22 |
1 Feb 23 |
| 2020 DBP | 386,195 | 9 July 20 |
1.21 | - | - | 386,195 | 1.223 | 9 July 23 |
9 July 2023 |
|
| 2020 LTIP | 218,250- | 24 July 20 |
1.23 | - | - | 218,750 | - | 24 July 25 |
24 July 30 |
|
| 2021 DBP | - | 8 June 2021 |
2.66 | 169,925 | - | - | 169,925 | 2.66 | 8 June 2024 |
|
| 2021 LTIP | - | 14 June 2021 |
300,884 | - | - | 300,884 | 14 June 2026 |
14 June 2031 |
||
| Nick Stone | ||||||||||
| 2019 LTIP | 105,263 | 1 July 19 |
1.855 | - | - | - | 105,263 | - | 1 July 24 |
1 July 29 |
| 2019 SAYE | 5,625 | 5 July 19 |
1.80 | - | - | - | 5,625 | 1.60 | 1 Aug 22 |
1 Feb 23 |
| 2020 DBP | 28,245 | 9 July 20 |
1.21 | - | - | 28,245 | 1.223 | 9 July 23 |
9 July 2023 |
|
| 2020 LTIP | 156,250 | 24 July 20 |
1.23 | - | - | 156,250 | - | 24 July 25 |
24 July 30 |
|
| 2021 DBP | - | 8 June 2021 |
2.66 | 25,398 | 25,398 | 2.66 | 8 June 2024 |
|||
| 2021 LTIP | - | 14 June 2021 |
88,495 | - | - | 88,495 | 14 June 2026 |
14 June 2031 |
| 17 June | 30 August |
1 Septem |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 DBP | 50,000 | 2019 | 2.035 | - | - | - | 50,000 | 2.003 | 2022 | ber 2022 | |
| 2020 DBP | 34,511 | 09 July 2020 |
1.22 | 34,511 | 09 July 2023 |
||||||
| 2021 DBP | - | 8 June 2021 |
2.66 | 26,315 | 26,315 | 8 June 2024 |
Share price included is the market price on the date of grant. When calculating the number of awards to be made, the Company uses the middle market quotations for the three trading days prior to grant.
James Gundy's 2018 LTIP award vested in regard to 33,294 shares on 26 May 2021, with the remainder lapsing. The award that vested is now subject to a two-year holding period, following which it will be released and becomes exercisable.
James Gundy and Nick Stone were also given corresponding options under the Company Share Option Plan ("CSOP") over 24,650 shares, which will vest on the same date as the DBP award. Tris Simmonds was given corresponding options under the CSOP over 15,000 shares, which will vest on the same date as the DBP award. The number of shares in respect of which the DBP award will vest will be reduced to take account of any gain in value, as at exercise, of the CSOP options.
The performance conditions attached to the outstanding LTIP awards are as follows:
2019 LTIP: Nick Stone's 2019 LTIP award is tested solely on adjusted EPS in the 2021/22 financial year (the final year of the performance period for the award) with 25% vesting for adjusted EPS of 35p rising on a straight-line basis for 100% vesting for adjusted EPS of 46p. As James Gundy's award was granted prior to his becoming Group Chief Executive Officer, his award included a performance condition linked to underlying operating profit achieved by the Shipbroking Division with 15% of the award vesting by reference to adjusted EPS (with the same thresholds as Nick Stone's award) and 85% vesting by reference to the Shipbroking Division's underlying operating profit achieved in the 2021/22 financial year (the final year of the performance period for the award) with 25% of this portion vesting for underlying operating profit of £11.25m rising on a on a straight-line basis for 100% vesting for underlying operating profit of £15m. Detail on the outturn of these awards is set out above.
2020 LTIP: Nick Stone's 2020 LTIP award is tested solely on underlying EPS in the 2022/23 financial year (the final year of the performance period for the award) with 25% vesting for underlying EPS of 30p rising on a straight-line basis for 100% vesting for underlying EPS of 42p. As James Gundy's award was granted prior to his becoming Group Chief Executive Officer, his award again included a performance condition linked to underlying operating profit achieved by the Shipbroking Division with 35% of the award vesting by reference to underlying EPS (with the same thresholds as Nick Stone's award) and 65% vesting by reference to the Shipbroking Division's underlying operating profit achieved in the 2022/23 financial year (the final year of the performance period for the award) with 25% of this portion vesting for underlying operating profit of £13.8m rising on a on a straight-line basis for 100% vesting for underlying operating profit of £18m.
2021 LTIP: Both James Gundy's and Nick Stone's 2021 LTIP awards had performance criteria based on the Company's growth in absolute TSR measured over a three-year performance period ending on 13 June 2024, as follows: the maximum possible opportunity will vest if growth in TSR is equivalent to a CAGR of 22% or more per annum over the three-year performance period; if CAGR over the performance period is less than 12% per annum, none of the awards will vest; if CAGR is 12% per annum, 25% of the award will vest; and if CAGR is between 12% and 22% per annum, the vesting outcome will be calculated on a straight-line basis between 25% and 100%.
The following table shows the year-on-year percentage change in the salary, benefits and annual bonus of the directors and the employees of the Company for 2021/22. The table also includes a comparison against the average for the Group's UK employees for 2021/22 compared to 2020/21. The Company considers that the Group's UK employees is the more representative comparator Group, as the majority of the Group's employees are not employed by the Company itself, and as the Group Chief Executive Officer and the majority of the Group's workforce are UK-based.
| % Change in base salary | % Change in benefits | % Change in Annual Bonus | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 to 2021/22 |
2019/20 to 2020/21 |
2020/21 to 2021/22 |
2019/20 to 2020/21 |
2020/21 to 2021/22 |
2019/20 to 2020/21 |
|||
| All UK Employees | 6% | 3% | 0% | 1% | 13% | -42% | ||
| All PLC Employees | 10% | N/A | -20% | N/A | 119% | N/A | ||
| Executive Directors | ||||||||
| James Gundy | 500% | N/A1 | 635% | N/A | 528% | N/A | ||
| Nick Stone | 3% | 25% | 22% | -40% | -78% | 32% | ||
| Tris Simmonds2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||
| Non-Executive Directors | ||||||||
| Jürgen Breuer3 | 0% | 0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||
| Lesley Watkins4 | 0% | 0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||
| Stephen Kunzer | 0% | 0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||
| Nigel Payne5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||
| Elizabeth Gooch6 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||
| Ronald Series7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||
The table below shows how the Group Chief Executive Officer's single-figure remuneration for 2021/22 compares to the equivalent single-figure remuneration for the Group's UK employees ranked at the 25th , 50th and 75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Method | pay ratio | pay ratio | pay ratio |
| 2022 | Option A | 80:1 | 54:1 | 21:1 |
| 2021 | Option A | 21:1 | 13:1 | 5:1 |
| 2020 | Option A | 11:1 | 7:1 | 3:1 |
| 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile | ||
| 2022 | CEO | pay ratio | pay ratio | pay ratio |
| Total pay and benefits | 2,830,279 | 30,140 | 44,350 | 114,930 |
| Salary element of total pay and benefits | 425,000 | 26,510 | 37,500 | 100,000 |
The Company has again selected Option A as the method for calculating the CEO pay ratio. Option A calculates a single figure for every UK-based employee in the year to 28 February 2022 and identifies the employees that fall at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles. This method was chosen as it is considered the most accurate way of identifying the relevant employees and aligns to how the single figure table is calculated.
The Company has included the following elements of pay in its calculation: annual basic salary, allowances, bonuses, share awards, employer's pension contributions, and P11D benefits. These pay elements were separated into recurring and non-recurring components. The recurring components were scaled relative to the proportion of the financial year worked by each individual employee before being added to the nonrecurring elements such as bonus and share awards.
This resulted in a single figure for each employee, from which the individuals at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles could be identified. The Company notes the increase in the ratios from last year, which can be explained by it being the first full financial year that the Group Chief Executive Officer has been in post.
The chart below shows total employee remuneration and distributions to shareholders paid during the financial years 2021/22 and 2020/21 (and the difference between the two).
| 2021/22 £ million |
2020/21 £ million |
Change (%) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Total employee remuneration | 72.0 | 68.8 | 4.7% |
| Distributions to shareholders | 2 | 0 | 100% |
The chart below shows the Total Shareholder Return of the Company against the FTSE All-Share Index over the last ten years. The Committee believes the FTSE All-Share Index is the most appropriate index against which the Total Shareholder Return of the Company should be measured.
The table below provides remuneration data for the role of the CEO for the current and each of the last ten financial years over the equivalent period.
| James Gundy | 2016/2017 | 2015/2016 | 2014/2015 | 2013/2014 | 2012/2013 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 £'000 Ronald |
2019/20 £'000 James |
2018/19 £'000 |
2017/18 £'000 |
£'000 James |
£'000 James |
£'000 James |
£'000 James |
£'000 Alan |
|||
| CEO | Series/James Gundy1 |
Kidwell/Ronald Series2 |
James Kidwell |
James Kidwell |
Kidwell | Kidwell | Kidwell | Kidwell | Marsh/James Kidwell |
||
| Single total figure of remuneration |
2,830 | 714 | 324 | 404 | 579 | 404 | 577 | 549 | 438 | 662 | |
| Annual bonus (% of maximum) | 49% | 34% | 10% | 0% | 50% | 0% | 60% | 55% | 23% | 87% | |
| LTIP vesting (% of maximum) | 90% | 18 | 0%4 | 0% | 0% | 0% | N/A3 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Elizabeth Gooch
On behalf of the Remuneration Committee
28 August 2022
This section contains additional information that the directors are required to include within the Annual Report. Together with the Strategic Report on pages 1 - 66, it forms the Management Report for the purposes of DTR 4.1.5R. Other information that is relevant to this Directors' Report, and which is incorporated by reference into this Directors' Report, can be found elsewhere in this Annual Report, as follows:
The Company's shareholders may amend the Company's Articles of Association by special resolution.
The Group has branches and/or representative offices in China, Switzerland and Greece.
No person holds securities in the Company carrying special rights with regard to control of the Company. The Company is not aware of any agreements between holders of securities that may result in restrictions in the transfer of securities or voting rights.
The Convertible Loan Notes that are summarised below carry certain accelerated conversion rights in the event of default on financial commitments associated with the instruments or business distress within the Group. The Convertible Loan Notes shall automatically convert or be redeemed in the event that any person or persons acting in concert hold more than 50% of the issued share capital of the Group or an impairment charge in excess of €50 million is reflected in the audited Financial Statements of the Group.
There are a number of ordinary course of business agreements that take effect, alter or terminate following a change of control of the Company, but none of these are considered to have a significant potential impact on the business of the Group as a whole.
On 26 September 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Braemar Naves. A new class of convertible loan note instruments (the "Convertible Loan Notes") formed a core part of the consideration for this transaction and the Group has committed to the issue of up to €24.0 million Convertible Loan Notes in respect of this acquisition. To date, the Company has issued €17,623,956's worth of Convertible Loan Notes in connection with this acquisition, of which €5,421,956's worth remain outstanding.
In June 2021, the Company agreed a rescheduling of the deferred consideration amounts owed in relation to the Convertible Loan Notes, which deferred €2.9 million that was originally due for repayment before the end of December 2022 to be paid no earlier than September 2025. Additionally, €0.75m was agreed to be satisfied by the issue of new ordinary shares in the Company in three tranches between September 2021 and December 2022. Two of these tranches occurred during the financial year ended 28 February 2022, leaving approximately €125,000 still to be satisfied by the issue of new ordinary shares in the Company in December 2022.
These Convertible Loan Notes are unsecured and unlisted. The Convertible Loan Notes are denominated in euros and, as part of the restructuring, it was agreed that they would carry a 5% per annum coupon from September 2025, increasing from 3%. The conversion prices were fixed at 390.3 pence for management note holders and 450.3 pence for non-management note holders. For more information on the Convertible Loan Notes, please see Note 14 to the Financial Statements.
There were no political contributions during the year ended 28 February 2022 (2021: £nil).
As at 28 February 2022, the Company's total issued ordinary share capital was 32,200,279 shares of 10 pence each (28 February 2021: 31,731,218 shares). All of the Company's shares are fully paid up and quoted on the London Stock Exchange plc's Official List. The rights and obligations attaching to the Company's ordinary shares (as well as the powers of the Company's directors and any rules relating to their appointment and replacement) are set out in the Company's Articles of Association, copies of which can be found online at Companies House, or by writing to the Company Secretary. There are no restrictions on the voting rights or the transfer restrictions attaching to the Company's issued ordinary shares.
At the upcoming AGM, shareholders will be asked to consider a resolution to renew the Directors' authority to allot shares in the Company. Further details will be provided in the Notice of the AGM.
The Company is authorised to make market purchases of the Company's ordinary shares pursuant to the authority granted by its shareholders at the AGM held on 26 August 2021. This authority will expire at the end of the next AGM. The Company did not use this authority in either the year ended 28 February 2021 or the year ended 28 February 2022.
However, the directors will have proposed that this authority be renewed at the 2022 AGM in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association and, at the 2022 AGM held on 19 August 2022, this authority was renewed. In accordance with the ABI Investor Protection Guidelines, the maximum number of ordinary shares which may be acquired under such authority is 10% of the Company's issued ordinary shares. The directors will only make a purchase of shares using this authority if it is expected to result in an increase in earnings per share and will take into account other available investment opportunities, appropriate gearing levels and the overall position of the Company. Any shares purchased in accordance with this authority will subsequently be cancelled.
The total number of options to subscribe for shares in the Company that were outstanding as at 28 February 2022 was 1,554,620, being 4.83% of the issued share capital. If the options to subscribe for shares were fully exercised, the proportion of issued share capital represented by all options would be equivalent to 4.61%.
During the year ended 28 February 2022, 2,740,164 of the Company's ordinary shares were purchased by SG Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company (CI) Ltd, as Trustee of the Company's ESOP Trust (2021: 540,000). The Trustee had absolute discretion and independence in respect of any trading decisions it made in respect of these purchases. As at 28 February 2022, the ESOP held 2,669,603 shares.
The directors of the Company as at the date of this Directors' Report are shown on pages 68 - 71. In addition, and as discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report, Lesley Watkins served as a Director of the Company during the year ended 28 February 2022 and until 31 March 2022. Jürgen Breuer also served as a Director of the Company during the year ended 28 February 2022 and until 26 August 2021.
The Directors' beneficial interests in the ordinary shares and share options of the Company as at 28 February 2022 are disclosed in the Directors' Remuneration Report on page 102. There have not been any changes in such interests between 28 February 2022 and 28 August 2022.
As at 28 February 2022, the executive Directors, in common with other employees of the Group, also have an interest in 2,669,837 (2021: 525,837) ordinary 10 pence shares held by SG Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company (CI) Ltd on behalf of the Employee Share Ownership Plan and in 62,290 (2021: 62,290) ordinary 10 pence shares held by Computershare Trustees (Jersey) Limited on behalf of the ACM Shipping Limited Employee Trust.
The directors held no material interest in any contract of significance entered into by the Company or its subsidiaries during the year ended 28 February 2022.
During the year, the Group maintained cover for its directors and officers and those of its subsidiary companies under a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy, as permitted by the Companies Act 2006.
As at 28 February 2022, the Company was aware of approximately 19% of its ordinary shares being held by Group employees and the ESOP Trust. The working vendors of Braemar Naves Corporate Finance GmbH currently hold €5,211,256's worth of Convertible Loan Notes.
As at 28 February 2022, the Company was aware of the following significant direct or indirect shareholdings of 3% or more:
| Name | Number of shares |
Percentage of issued ordinary share capital1 |
|---|---|---|
| SG Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company (CI) Limited as Trustee of the Braemar Shipping Services Plc ESOP |
2,641,893 | 8.20% |
| Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management | 2,561,280 | 7.95% |
| Interactive Investor | 2,312,804 | 7.18% |
| Barclays Wealth | 1,318,533 | 4.09% |
| Quentin Soanes | 1,288,990 | 4.00% |
| Unicorn Asset Management | 1,184,363 | 3.68% |
| National Financial Services | 1,154,429 | 3.59% |
| Magnus Halvorsen | 1,117,507 | 3.47% |
| Charles Stanley | 1,059,849 | 3.47% |
1 Percentages are shown as a percentage of the Company's total voting rights as at 28 February 2022.
Following 28 February 2022, the Company has received a number of notifications in relation the shareholdings held by SG Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company (CI) Limited and, as at 28 August 2022, the latest of such notifications reported the Trustee's shareholding to be 4,189,603 shares (equivalent to 13.01% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital). Apart from these notifications, the Company has not received any other notifications in relation to the above between 28 February 2022 and 28 August 2022.
The Group's financial risk management objectives and policies are set out in the Corporate Governance Report on pages 72 and in the Strategic Report on pages 1 - 63.
The directors are responsible for preparing this Annual Report and the Group and Company Financial Statements in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare Group and Company Financial Statements for each financial year. Under such law, they are required to prepare the Group Financial Statements in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards and applicable law and have elected to prepare the Company Financial Statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the Financial Statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period.
In preparing these Financial Statements, the directors are required to:
explained in the Group Financial Statements and for the Company Financial Statements, state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed;
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the Financial Statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The directors are responsible for ensuring that the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced, and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group's performance, business model and strategy.
The directors are responsible for ensuring that the Annual Report and the Financial Statements are made available on a website. Financial Statements are published on the Company's website in accordance with legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of Financial Statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the Company's website is the responsibility of the Directors. The Directors' responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the Financial Statements contained therein.
The directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:
The directors confirm that they consider this Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for the Company's shareholders to assess the Group's position, performance, business model and strategy.
In accordance with Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006, each person who is a Director at the date of approval of this Annual Report confirms that:
Where this Annual Report contains forward-looking statements, these are based on current expectations and assumptions and only relate to the date on which they are made. These statements should be treated with caution due to the inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions underlying any such forward-looking information. The Group cautions investors that a number of factors, including matters referred to in this Annual Report, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forwardlooking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those discussed on pages 54 to 60 of this Annual Report.
Forward-looking statements in this Annual Report include statements regarding the intentions, beliefs or current expectations of our Directors, officers and employees concerning, among other things, the Group's results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the business. Neither the Group, nor any of the Directors, officers or employees, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this Annual Report will actually occur. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Other than in accordance with our legal and regulatory obligations, the Group undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In accordance with Section 489 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution for the reappointment of BDO LLP as auditor of the Company is to be proposed at the forthcoming AGM.
The 2022 AGM of the Company was held at 10 a.m. on 19 August 2022 at the Company's head offices. It was proposed at the AGM that only the resolutions which were not dependent on the Annual Report being available to shareholders be voted upon at such meeting. All such resolutions were duly passed at the AGM and the AGM was adjourned. The remaining business of the AGM will be dealt with at a reconvened meeting, which will be held at 10 a.m. on 6 October 2022. Further details of such meeting will be published on the Company's website and posted to shareholders.
On behalf of the board
Nicholas Stone
Director 28 August 2022
In our opinion:
We have audited the Financial Statements of Braemar Shipping Services Plc (the 'Parent Company') and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') for the year ended 28 February 2022 which comprise:
| Composition | Financial reporting framework | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | - Consolidated Income Statement - Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - Consolidated Balance Sheet - Consolidated Cash Flow Statement - Consolidated Statement of Changes in Total Equity - Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. |
Applicable law and UK adopted international accounting standards. |
| Parent Company |
- Company Balance Sheet - Company Statement of Changes in Total Equity - Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. |
Applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). |
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 believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the audit committee.
Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were appointed by the board of directors on 2 October 2018 to audit the Financial Statements for the year ended 28 February 2019 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is four years, covering the years ended 28 February 2019 to 28 February 2022. We remain independent of the Group and the Parent Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the Financial Statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. The non-audit services prohibited by that standard were not provided to the Group or the Parent Company.
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 Group and the Parent Company's ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included:
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 Group and the Parent Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the Financial Statements are authorised for issue.
In relation to the Parent Company's reporting on how it has applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to the Directors' statement in the Financial Statements about whether the directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
| Coverage | (2021: 92%) of Group total assets | 98% (2021: 93%) of Group revenue from continuing operations and 95% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
| Disposal of Cory Brothers Division |
P | |||
| Key audit matters | Cut-off on revenue recognition and compliance with the requirement of IFRS 15 revenue recognition |
P | P | |
| Materiality | Group Financial Statements as a whole | |||
| before tax from continuing operations | £450,000 (2021: £400,000) based on 5% (2021: 5%) of underlying profit |
The Group has diverse international operations. Our Group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group and its environment, including the Group's system of internal control, and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the Financial Statements. We also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including assessing whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that may have represented a risk of material misstatement.
We designed an audit strategy to ensure we have obtained the required audit assurance for each component for the purposes of our Group audit opinion. Components were scoped in to address aggregation risk and to ensure sufficient coverage was obtained of Group balances on which to base our audit opinion. The coverage of our audit procedures is summarised graphically below and then detailed in the following table.
For the work performed by component auditors, we determined the level of involvement needed in order to be able to conclude whether sufficient appropriate audit evidence has been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the Group Financial Statements as a whole. Our involvement with component auditors included the following:
| Significant components |
We focussed our Group audit scope primarily on the audit work at five significant components (from continuing operations) including the Parent Company, which were subject to full scope audit procedures. |
|---|---|
| These significant components comprise 80% of Group Revenue from continuing operations. |
|
| The Group audit team audited all significant components with the exception of the Singapore, Germany and Australia divisions which were audited by local BDO member firms in the respective countries. |
|
| The Group audit team issued the Group instructions, ensured involvement in the risk assessment and set the overall audit approach and strategy with the component auditors at the planning stage. The Group audit team performed remote reviews of the significant components working papers. The Group audit |
| team attended several virtual conference meetings with the component auditors throughout the planning, fieldwork and completion stages of the audit. All testing was performed by BDO Member Firms under the direction and supervision of the Group audit team. |
|
|---|---|
| Specified audit procedures |
There were four components which were considered for specific audit procedures. Specified audit procedures were performed to address the risk of material misstatement limited to our significant risk on revenue recognition within these components. All other balances were scoped in for analytical review procedures. This specific scope audit testing was performed on components that contribute an aggregate of 18% of the Group Revenue from continuing operations. These specific audit procedures were performed by both BDO and a UK non-BDO Member firm, and the Group audit team directed the work for the specified procedures through the issuance of detailed instructions, briefings and performing a review of selected working papers on significant risk areas. In addition, a full scope audit was completed on the Cory Brother Division by a |
| Remaining components |
BDO UK component team. The remaining 21 components were scoped in for analytical review procedures to confirm our conclusion that there were no significant risks of material misstatement in the aggregated financial information. All of the analytical reviews were completed by the Group audit team or BDO member firms with the exception of one component which was subject to analytical review performed by non-BDO Member firms. |
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the Financial Statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified, 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.
| Key audit matter | How the scope of our audit addressed the key audit matter |
|
|---|---|---|
| Disposal of Cory Brothers, the Logistics Division (see Note 9) |
Effective 28 February 2022, Cory Brothers (also referred to as the Logistics Division or Cory) was sold to Vertom Cory Holdings Ltd (Vertom). |
Our procedures included: - Reviewed the Sale and Purchase Agreement ("SPA") and assessed the accounting treatment of the key terms and conditions to check that |
| The sale consideration included £6.5m of initial cash consideration, £3.6m deferred consideration and £1.2m contingent consideration. The deferred consideration element is required to be discounted at an appropriate rate to determine its fair value at initial recognition. Furthermore, the determination of the contingent considerations' fair value involves judgements and estimates particularly the: i. the future profitability of the combined VertomCory business; and ii. the discount rate used to calculate its net present value. Disposal accounting is complex and there is a risk that the profit on disposal has not been calculated appropriately. For these reasons we treated this area as a key audit matter. |
these were in line with the requirements of the applicable accounting standards; - Confirmed the transaction completed on 28 February 2022 through inspecting the signed SPA and receiving confirmation from the Group's external legal advisors; - Reconciled the assets and liabilities disposed of to the audited underlying ledgers at the date of disposal; - Reviewed the accuracy of the foreign currency translation reserve recycled to the profit and loss relating to the disposed Division's foreign operations; - Reviewed the gain on disposal by agreeing the inputs to underlying supporting documentation; and - Challenged management on the assumptions used in the earnout forecast of the combined VertomCory business used to calculate the fair value of contingent consideration as well as the discount rates used. This involved corroborating these assumptions to supporting documentation, sensitising the earnout forecast and inquiring with individuals involved with the combined VertomCory business. With regard to the discount rate used in both the deferred and contingent consideration, we involved our internal valuations expert to review the appropriateness of the rate used. Key observations: Based on the procedures performed, we are satisfied with the accounting treatment for the disposal of Cory Brothers and the profit on disposal recorded. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Cut-off on revenue recognition (see Note 2 and the accounting policy in Note 1(e) ) |
The Group's entitlement to commission revenue in the Shipbroking Division and success fee income in the Financial Division are dependent upon the fulfilment of certain obligations. IFRS 15 Revenue from Customers with Contracts requires management to consider the underlying performance obligations and the point at which revenue should be recognised. There is a risk in respect of cut-off at the year end in |
Our procedures included: - Challenged and assessed management's revenue recognition policy for compliance with the requirements of IFRS 15 on revenue from commissions in the Shipbroking Division and success fee income in the Financial Division; - On a sample basis, testing of the revenue and accrued income with a focus on revenue from Shipbroking's Spot Fixtures recognised close to the year-end (pre- and post) through obtaining third party evidence to confirm the discharge date evidencing satisfaction of the performance obligation and that cut-off had been correctly applied; - For a sample of invoices on either side of the year end across the Shipbroking Division and Financial Division revenue stream, we tested cut-off by agreeing to the third-party evidence |
| performance obligations have been delivered and therefore when the related commission or success fee income should be recognised. Timing of revenue recognition requires judgement to determine whether it is at a "point in time" or "over time" as well as determining the transfer of control for when |
performance obligation. Where required, we obtained a third-party confirmation from the customer to further corroborate the cut-off date; and - We have tested material manual journals to revenue posted close to the year-end in the Shipbroking Division and Financial Division by tracing to third party supporting documents and assessed the validity and business rationale of these manual revenue journals. Key observations: |
|---|---|
| performance obligations are satisfied. For these reasons we treated this area as a key audit matter The remaining revenue streams were not considered complex from a revenue recognition perspective. |
Based on the procedures performed, we are satisfied with cut-off in the Shipbroking's commission income and Financial Divisions' success fee income and the recognition of revenue being materially in line with IFRS 15. |
We apply the concept of materiality both in planning and performing our audit, and in evaluating the effect of misstatements. We consider materiality to be the magnitude by which misstatements, including omissions, could influence the economic decisions of reasonable users that are taken on the basis of the Financial Statements.
In order to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that any misstatements exceed materiality, we use a lower materiality level, performance materiality, to determine the extent of testing needed. Importantly, misstatements below these levels will not necessarily be evaluated as immaterial as we also take account of the nature of identified misstatements, and the particular circumstances of their occurrence, when evaluating their effect on the Financial Statements as a whole.
Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the Financial Statements as a whole and performance materiality as follows:
| Group | Parent company | |
|---|---|---|
| Materiality | £ 450,000 (2021: £400,000) | £405,000 (2021: £350,000) |
| Basis | 5% (2021: 5%) of underlying profit (before tax) from continuing operations |
Based on 1% of total assets capped at 90% (2021: 90%) of Group materiality |
|---|---|---|
| Rationale | Underlying profit (before tax) from continuing operations is considered the most appropriate benchmark based on the nature of the trading business where in our judgement the stakeholders would be most interested in the performance of the business and underlying profit being a key performance measure in this regard. This is also consistent with the market practice and investor expectations. |
Capped materiality at 90% (2021: 90%) of Group given the assessment of components aggregation risk. |
Further materiality measures applied in the conduct of the audit include:
| Measure | Application | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance materiality |
Group: £283,000 (2021: £280,000) |
Performance materiality was set at 63% (2021:70%) based on the history of misstatements identified in the prior years and the number of accounts subject to high degrees of estimation and judgement. |
| Parent: £252,000 (2021: £245,000) |
| Component materiality |
The range of materiality used for components ranged from £120,000 to £405,000 (2021: £100,000 to £350,000) |
Our audit work at each component has been executed at levels of materiality applicable to each individual entity based on its size and risk as approved by the Group audit team and in each case, lower than that applied to the Group. We set materiality for each component of the Group based on a percentage of between 27% and 90% (2021: 25% and 90%) of Group materiality dependent on the size and our assessment of the risk of material misstatement of that component. Component materiality ranged from £120,000 to £360,000. In the audit of each component, we further applied performance materiality levels of 62% to 70% (2021:70%) of the component materiality to our testing to ensure that the risk of errors exceeding component materiality was appropriately mitigated. |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting threshold | £8,000 (2021: £8,000) | All audit differences in excess of the 'reporting threshold' are reported to the Audit and Risk Committee, as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. |
| Quantative & qualitative disclosures |
We also report to the Audit and Risk Committee on disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation of the Financial Statements. |
The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the Financial Statements and our auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on the Financial Statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the Financial Statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the Financial Statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
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 parent company's compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 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 Corporate Governance Statement is materially consistent with the Financial Statements or our knowledge obtained during the audit.
| Going concern and longer-term viability |
The Directors' statement with regards to the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of accounting and any material uncertainties identified set out on pages 135 - 136; and The Directors' explanation as to their assessment of the Group's prospects, the period this assessment covers and why the period is appropriate set out on page 78. |
|---|---|
| Other Code provisions |
Directors' statement on fair, balanced and understandable set out on page 113; board's confirmation that it has carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks set out on pages 50 – 62; The section of the Annual Report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management and internal control systems set out on page 72; and The section describing the work of the Audit Committee set out on page 74 - 80. |
Based on the responsibilities described below and our work performed during the course of the audit, we are required by the Companies Act 2006 and ISAs (UK) to report on certain opinions and matters as described below.
| Strategic report and Directors' report |
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: the information given in the Strategic report and the Directors' report for the financial year for which the Financial Statements are prepared is consistent with the Financial Statements; and the Strategic report and the Directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. |
|---|---|
| In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Parent Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the Directors' report. |
| Directors' | In our opinion, the part of the Directors' remuneration report to be audited has been |
|---|---|
| remuneration | properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. |
| Matters on which we are required to report by exception |
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or the Parent Company Financial Statements and the part of the Directors' remuneration report to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or certain disclosures of Directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. |
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 Group's and the Parent Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Financial Statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these Financial Statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the Financial Statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the Financial Statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
This report is made solely to the Parent Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Parent 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 Parent Company and the Parent Company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
London, UK
28 August 2022
BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127).
For the year ended 28 February 2022
| 28 Feb 2022 | 28 Feb 2021 (Restated) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuing operations | Notes | Underlying £'000 |
Specific items £'000 |
Total £'000 |
Underlying £'000 |
Specific items £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
| Revenue | 2 | 101,310 | – | 101,310 | 83,695 | – | 83,695 | |
| Operating expense: | ||||||||
| Operating costs | 3,8 | (91,250) | (392) | (91,642) | (75,976) | (262) | (76,238) | |
| Acquisition-related expenditure | 8 | – | (122) | (122) | – | (835) | (835) | |
| Total operating expense | (91,250) | (514) | (91,764) | (75,976) | (1,097) | (77,073) | ||
| Operating profit/(loss) | 10,060 | (514) | 9,546 | 7,719 | (1,097) | 6,622 | ||
| Share of associate loss for the period | 19 | (19) | – | (19) | – | – | – | |
| Finance income | 6 | 81 | 172 | 253 | 156 | – | 156 | |
| Finance costs | 6 | (1,237) | – | (1,237) | (1,210) | (432) | (1,642) | |
| Profit/(loss) before taxation | 8,885 | (342) | 8,543 | 6,665 | (1,529) | 5,136 | ||
| Taxation | 7 | (1,839) | – | (1,839) | (1,772) | 198 | (1,574) | |
| Profit from continuing operations | 7,046 | (342) | 6,704 | 4,893 | (1,331) | 3,562 | ||
| Profit/(loss) net of tax from discontinued operations | 9 | 1,493 | 5,722 | 7,215 | (513) | 1,483 | 970 | |
| Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company | 8,539 | 5,380 | 13,919 | 4,380 | 152 | 4,532 | ||
| Total | ||||||||
| Earnings per ordinary share | ||||||||
| Basic | 11 | 27.95p | 45.56p | 13.96p | 14.45p | |||
| Diluted | 11 | 22.78p | 37.13p | 11.55p | 11.95p | |||
| Continuing operations | ||||||||
| Earnings per ordinary share | ||||||||
| Basic | 11 | 23.06p | 21.94p | 15.60p | 11.36p | |||
| Diluted | 11 | 18.79p | 17.88p | 12.91p | 9.40p |
The year ended 28 February 2021 has been restated for prior period adjustments (see Note 34) and the presentation of Cory Brothers and AqualisBraemar as discontinued operations (See Note 9). As all of the Group's costs of sales relate only to discontinued operations, neither cost of sales nor gross profit is presented on the face of the Income Statement in respect of continuing operations.
The accompanying notes on pages 134 - 204 form an integral part of these Financial Statements.
For the year ended 28 February 2022
| 28 Feb 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Feb 2022 Notes £'000 |
Restated £'000 |
||
| Profit for the year | 13,919 | 4,532 | |
| Other comprehensive income/(expense) | |||
| Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss: | |||
| - Actuarial gain/(loss) on employee benefit schemes – net of tax |
1,318 | (424) | |
| Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss: | |||
| - Foreign exchange differences on retranslation of foreign operations |
538 | 719 | |
| - Cash flow hedges – net of tax |
30 | (1,968) | 1,790 |
| Other comprehensive income from continuing operations | (112) | 2,085 | |
| Discontinued operations | |||
| - Share of other comprehensive income/(expense) of associates |
52 | 312 | |
| - Foreign exchange differences on revaluation of investment |
- | (1,060) | |
| - Recycling of foreign exchange reserve* |
9, 19 | 408 | 471 |
| Other comprehensive expense from discontinued operations | 460 | (277) | |
| Total comprehensive income attributable to equity shareholders of the Company | 14,267 | 6,340 |
The year ended 28 February 2021 has been restated for the presentation of Cory Brothers and AqualisBraemar as discontinued operations (See Note 9) and for a prior period adjustment (see Note 34).
* The recycling of foreign exchange reserve relates to the disposals of Cory Brothers and AqualisBraemar (2021: Dilution and partial disposal of AqualisBraemar). See Note 9 and Note 19.
The accompanying notes on pages 134 - 204 form an integral part of these Financial Statements.
As at 28 February 2022
| Restated | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As at | Restated As at |
As at | ||
| 28 Feb 2022 | 28 Feb 2021 | 1 Mar 2020 | ||
| Note | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Assets | ||||
| Non-current assets | ||||
| Goodwill | 12 | 79,891 | 83,955 | 83,812 |
| Other intangible assets | 13 | 997 | 2,129 | 2,411 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 16 | 7,078 | 9,841 | 11,928 |
| Other investments | 18 | 1,780 | 1,962 | 1,962 |
| Investment in associate | 19 | 724 | 3,763 | 7,315 |
| Financial assets | 22 | - | - | 1,184 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 22 | 8 | 200 | - |
| Deferred tax assets | 7 | 3,713 | 2,900 | 3,620 |
| Other long-term receivables | 20 | 5,636 | 1,888 | 2,467 |
| 99,827 | 106,638 | 114,699 | ||
| Current assets | ||||
| Trade and other receivables | 21 | 38,808 | 34,800 | 39,541 |
| Financial assets | 22 | - | 746 | - |
| Derivative financial instruments | 22 | 54 | 1,573 | - |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 23 | 13,964 | 14,111 | 28,749 |
| Assets held for sale | 9 | - | 436 | - |
| 52,826 | 51,666 | 68,290 | ||
| Total assets | 152,653 | 158,304 | 182,989 | |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Derivative financial instruments | 22 | 688 | - | 437 |
| Trade and other payables | 24 | 38,629 | 45,647 | 47,209 |
| Short-term borrowings | 25 | - | - | 25,116 |
| Current tax payable | 1,608 | 1,318 | 1,334 | |
| Provisions | 26 | 486 | 307 | 201 |
| Convertible loan notes | 25, 34 | 1,416 | 4,461 | 4,444 |
| Deferred consideration | 25, 34 | - | - | 177 |
| Liabilities directly associated with assets classified as held for sale | 9 | - | 125 | - |
| 42,827 | 51,858 | 78,918 | ||
| Non-current liabilities Long-term borrowings |
25 | 28,331 | 31,634 | 34,585 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 7 | - | 174 | 903 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 22 | 335 | 56 | 4 |
| Provisions | 26 | 797 | 690 | 765 |
| Convertible loan notes | 25, 34 | 2,755 | 2,681 | 2,639 |
| Deferred consideration | 25, 34 | 495 | 882 | 2,293 |
| Pension deficit | 27 | 2,052 | 3,819 | 3,672 |
| 34,765 | 39,936 | 44,861 | ||
| Total liabilities | 77,592 | 91,794 | 123,779 | |
| Total assets less total liabilities | 75,061 | 66,510 | 59,210 | |
| Equity | ||||
| Share capital | 28 | 3,221 | 3,174 | 3,167 |
| Share premium | 28 | 53,030 | 52,510 | 52,510 |
| ESOP reserve | 29 | (6,771) | (1,362) | (2,498) |
| Other reserves | 30 | 27,124 | 28,094 | 25,862 |
| Retained earnings | (1,543) | (15,906) | (19,831) | |
| Total equity | 75,061 | 66,510 | 59,210 |
The Balance Sheets as at 28 February 2020 and 28 February 2021 have been restated for a prior period adjustment, see Note 34 for more detail.
The Financial Statements on pages 134 – 204 were approved by the board of directors on 28 August 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:
James Gundy Nicholas Stone Group Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer Registered number: 02286034
For the year ended 28 February 2022
| 28 Feb 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £'000 | restated £'000 |
|
| Profit before tax from continuing operations | 8,543 | 5,136 | |
| Profit before tax from discontinued operations | 9 | 8,081 | 1,196 |
| Adjustment for non-cash transactions included in profit before tax | |||
| Depreciation and amortisation charges | 13, 16 | 3,483 | 3,702 |
| Loss on disposal of fixed assets | 10 | 78 | |
| Share of profit in associate from continuing and discontinued operations | 19 | (56) | (346) |
| Share scheme charges | 2,894 | 1,820 | |
| Net foreign exchange gains of financial instruments | – | 334 | |
| Net finance cost | 984 | 1,485 | |
| Fair value loss on warrants | 8 | – | 438 |
| Rights issue gain on shareholding in AqualisBraemar | 8 | – | (826) |
| Gain on disposal of shares in AqualisBraemar | 8, 9 | (3,375) | (1,758) |
| Gain on disposal of Cory Brothers | 8, 9 | (4,134) | – |
| Gain on disposal of Wavespec | 8, 9 | (594) | – |
| Loss on impairment of Wavespec receivable | 8, 9 | 2,381 | – |
| Impairment of right-of-use asset | 8 | 392 | 210 |
| Impairment of assets held for sale | 9 | – | 432 |
| Adjustment for cash items in other comprehensive income/expense | |||
| Contribution to defined benefit scheme | 27 | (450) | (450) |
| Operating cash flow before changes in working capital | 18,159 | 11,451 | |
| (Increase)/decrease in receivables | (9,209) | 5,132 | |
| Increase/(decrease) in payables | 14,203 | (1,894) | |
| Increase in provisions | 285 | 31 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | 23,438 | 14,720 | |
| Interest received | 6 | 112 | 84 |
| Interest paid | 6 | (592) | (1,274) |
| Tax paid | (2,161) | (822) | |
| Net cash generated from operating activities | 20,797 | 12,708 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | 13, 16 | (652) | (502) |
| Purchase of other intangible assets | 13 | (515) | (643) |
| Investment in associate | 19 | (326) | (418) |
| Dividend received from associate | 19 | - | 641 |
| Disposal of Cory Brothers, net of cash disposed | 9, 14 | (12,353) | – |
| Disposal of Wavespec, net of cash disposed | 9 | (53) | – |
| Proceeds from disposal of investment in associate | 19 | 7,232 | 5,983 |
| Principal received on finance lease receivables | 17 | 799 | 804 |
| Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities | (5,868) | 5,865 | |
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Proceeds from borrowings | 292 | 11,333 | |
| Repayment of principal under lease liabilities | 17 | (3,950) | (3,928) |
| Repayment of revolving credit facility | - | (11,975) | |
| Repayment of overdraft facilities | - | (25,116) | |
| Dividends paid | 10 | (2,109) | – |
| Purchase of own shares | (7,043) | (860) | |
| Settlement of convertible loan notes | 5 | (2,596) | (1,901) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (15,406) | (32,447) | |
| Decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (477) | (13,874) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period | 23 | 14,164 | 28,749 |
| Foreign exchange differences | 277 | (711) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period | 23 | 13,964 | 14,164 |
| 28 Feb 2022 | 28 Feb 2021 restated |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents (continuing operations) | 13,964 | 14,111 | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents (included in assets held for sale) | - | 53 | ||
| Total cash and cash equivalents at end of the period | 13,964 | 14,164 |
The year ended 28 February 2021 has been restated for the presentation of Cory Brothers and AqualisBraemar as discontinued operations and the impact of prior year adjustments described in Note 34.
The accompanying notes on pages 134 - 204 form an integral part of these Financial Statements.
For the year ended 28 February 2022
| Group | Note | Share capital £'000 |
Share premium £'000 |
ESOP reserve £'000 |
Other reserves £'000 |
Retained earnings £'000 |
Total equity £'000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 28 February 2020 | 3,167 | 55,805 | (2,498) | 22,279 | (21,267) | 57,486 | |
| Restatement | 34 | - | (3,295) | - | 3,583 | 1,436 | 1,724 |
| At 28 February 2020 (restated) | 3,167 | 52,510 | (2,498) | 25,862 | (19,831) | 59,210 | |
| Profit for the year (restated) | – | – | – | – | 4,532 | 4,532 | |
| Actuarial loss on employee benefits schemes – net of tax | – | – | – | – | (424) | (424) | |
| Foreign exchange differences (restated) | – | – | – | 719 | – | 719 | |
| Cash flow hedges – net of tax | – | – | – | 1,790 | – | 1,790 | |
| Other comprehensive expense from discontinued operations | – | – | – | (277) | – | (277) | |
| Other comprehensive expense | – | – | – | 2,232 | (424) | 1,807 | |
| Total comprehensive income (restated) | 2,232 | 4,108 | 6,340 | ||||
| Shares issued | 7 | – | – | – | (7) | – | |
| Acquisition of own shares | – | – | (860) | – | – | (860) | |
| ESOP shares allocated | – | – | 1,996 | – | (1,996) | – | |
| Share-based payments | – | – | – | – | 1,820 | 1,820 | |
| Transactions with owners | 7 | – | 1,136 | – | (183) | 960 | |
| At 28 February 2021 (restated) | 3,174 | 52,510 | (1,362) | 28,094 | (15,906) | 66,510 | |
| Profit for the year | – | – | – | – | 13,919 | 13,919 | |
| Actuarial loss on employee benefits schemes – net of tax | – | – | – | – | 1,318 | 1,318 | |
| Foreign exchange differences | – | – | – | 538 | – | 538 | |
| Cash flow hedges – net of tax | – | – | – | (1,968) | – | (1,968) | |
| Other comprehensive expense from discontinued operations | – | – | – | 460 | – | 460 | |
| Other comprehensive expense | – | – | – | (970) | 1,318 | 348 | |
| Total comprehensive income | – | – | – | (970) | 15,237 | 14,267 | |
| Dividends | 10 | – | – | – | – | (2,109) | (2,109) |
| Shares issued | 28, 29 | 47 | 520 | (25) | – | – | 542 |
| Acquisition of own shares | – | – | (7,043) | – | – | (7,043) | |
| ESOP shares allocated | – | – | 1,659 | – | (1,659) | – | |
| Share-based payments | 28 | – | – | – | – | 2,894 | 2,894 |
| Transactions with owners | 47 | 520 | (5,409) | – | (874) | (5,716) | |
| At 28 February 2022 | 3,221 | 53,030 | (6,771) | 27,124 | (1,543) | 75,061 |
The accompanying notes on pages 134 - 204 form an integral part of these Financial Statements.
The Group Financial Statements of Braemar Shipping Services Plc for the year ended 28 February 2022 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 28 August 2022. Braemar Shipping Services Plc is a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales.
The term "Company" refers to Braemar Shipping Services Plc and "Group" refers to the Company and all its subsidiary undertakings and the Employee Share Ownership Plan trust.
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies reporting under those standards.
The Financial Statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention except for items measured at fair value as set out in the accounting policies below.
Certain statements in this Annual Report are forward-looking. Although the Group believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, so actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The Group Financial Statements are presented in Sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand Sterling (£'000) except where otherwise indicated.
On 31 December 2020, IFRS as adopted by the European Union at that date was brought into UK law and became UK-adopted international accounting standards, with future changes being subject to endorsement by the UK Endorsement Board. The Group transitioned to UK-adopted international accounting standards in its Consolidated Financial Statements on 1 March 2021. There was no impact or changes in accounting policies from the transition.
There were no new standards or amendments (including the amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7 IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 in respect of Interest rate benchmark reform IBOR "phase2") that were adopted in the annual Financial Statements for the year ended 28 February 2022 which had a significant effect on the Group.
New standards, amendments and interpretations issued but not yet effective for the financial year beginning 1 March 2021 and not early adopted
There are a number of standards, amendments to standards, and interpretations which have been issued by the IASB that are effective in future accounting periods that the Group has decided not to adopt early. The following amendments are effective for the period beginning 1 March 2022:
The following amendments are effective for the period beginning 1 March 2023:
Disclosure of Accounting Policies (Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2);
The adoption of these standards and amendments is not expected to have a material impact on the Financial Statements of the Group in future periods.
In January 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1, which clarify the criteria used to determine whether liabilities are classified as current or non-current. These amendments clarify that current or non-current classification is based on whether an entity has a right at the end of the reporting period to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. The amendments also clarify that "settlement" includes the transfer of cash, goods, services, or equity instruments unless the obligation to transfer equity instruments arises from a conversion feature classified as an equity instrument separately from the liability component of a compound financial instrument. The amendments were originally effective for Annual Reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022. However, in May 2020, the effective date was deferred to Annual Reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023.
The Group is currently assessing the impact of these new accounting standards and amendments. The Group does not believe that the amendments to IAS 1 will have a significant impact on the classification of liabilities.
The Group and Company Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. In reaching this conclusion regarding the going concern assumption, the directors considered cash flow forecasts to 31 August 2023 which is 12 months from the date of signing of these Financial Statements and coincides with the expiry of the Group's current bank facilities with HSBC.
A set of cash flow forecasts ('the base case') have been prepared by the directors based on revenue and cost forecasts considered reasonable in the light of work done on budgets for the current year and the current shipping markets. Uncertainties related to the conflict in the Ukraine, around forecasting success fees in the Naves business, the need to continue purchasing shares for the employee trust, COVID and climate change and note the following:
The directors have concluded therefore that none of these factors are likely to have a significantly adverse impact on the Group's future cash flows.
The Group's Balance Sheet has been strengthened significantly due to the strong trading and disposals of non-core assets during the year. As at 28 February 2022 the Group's net bank debt was £9.3m with available headroom in the £30.0m revolving credit facility ("RCF") of £6.7m but following receipt of the initial consideration from the sale of Cory Brothers on 2 March 2022 that net bank debt had reduced to £2.8m. As at 31 July 2022 the Group had net bank debt of £7.1m with available headroom in the RCF of £5.7m and cash balances of £17.2m. Employee bonuses are paid in May each year and bank debt tends to be at a high point following those bonus payments and associated payroll taxes.
| Notes | 31 July 2022 £m |
28 Feb 2022 £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Secured revolving credit facilities | 25 | (24.3) | (23.3) |
| Cash | 23 | 17.2 | 14.0 |
| Net debt | (7.1) | (9.3) |
The RCF has a number of financial covenant tests that must be adhered to. At the start of the year the financial covenant relating to debt to 12 months rolling EBITDA was 3.5x after May 2022 the covenant was reduced to 3x until the facility expires in September 2023. At 31 May 2022 and for the year ended 28 February 2022 the Group met all financial covenant tests. During FY21/22 the directors have discussed the extension of the RCF with the Group's main bankers, HSBC, and have received acceptable indicative terms for such an extension. It is intended that these discussions will be concluded well in advance of the expiry of the current facility.
The cash flow forecasts in the base case assessed the ability of the Group to operate both within the banking covenants and the facility headroom, and included a number of downside sensitivities on the budgeted revenue, including a reverse stress test scenario. The directors consider revenue as the key assumption in the Group's forecasts. The remaining costs are largely fixed or made up of discretionary bonuses, predominately within the Shipbroking Division and which are directly linked to profitability. Based on two flex scenarios; a revenue decrease of 7.5% and a revenue decrease of 15% from the base case no mitigations were necessary to meet banking covenants.
A reverse stress test was also performed to ascertain the point at which the covenants would be breached in respect of the key assumption of forecast revenue decline. This test indicated that the business, alongside certain mitigating actions which are fully in control of the directors, would be capable of withstanding a reduction of approximately 41% in budgeted revenue from the base case assumptions from September 2022 through to August 2023. In light of current trading, forecasts and the Group's performance over FY21/22 the directors having assessed this downturn in revenue and concluded the likelihood of such a reduction to be remote, such that it does not impact the basis of preparation of the Financial Statements and there is no material uncertainty in this regard.
The consolidated Financial Statements incorporate the Financial Statements of the Braemar Shipping Services Plc and all its subsidiaries made up to 28 February each year or 29 February in a leap year.
The results of subsidiaries are consolidated using the purchase method of accounting, from the date on which control of the net assets and operation of the acquired company are effectively transferred to the Group. Similarly, the results of subsidiaries divested cease to be consolidated from the date on which control of the net assets and operations are transferred out of the Group.
All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in full.
The preparation of the Group's Financial Statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities, at the reporting date. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. In the future, actual experience may differ from these estimates and assumptions.
The following are key areas where the Group typically makes judgements involving estimates:
The key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the Balance Sheet date, that may have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are discussed below.
Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, and the Group will also test for impairment at other times if there is an indication that an impairment may exist. Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value-in-use of the cash-generating units to which these assets have been allocated. The value-in-use calculation estimates the present value of future cash flows expected to arise for the cashgenerating unit. The key estimates are therefore the selection of suitable discount rates and the estimation of future growth rates which vary between cash-generating units depending on the specific risks and the anticipated economic and market conditions related to each cash generating unit (see Note 12 for a description of the approach used by management to determine these key values). Climate change risk has been taken into account in determining the underlying inputs used in calculations used for impairment reviews and is not considered to have a material impact on the value in use calculations.
On 28 February 2022 the Company sold Cory Brothers to Vertom Agencies BV for maximum consideration of £15.5m. Initial cash proceeds of £6.5m were received on completion of the transaction, and three contractual "earn-out" payments will be made, being an agreed percentage of the future gross profits of the combined VertomCory business over three subsequent earn out periods. Each of the three earn-out payments are subject to minimum and maximum amounts which are specified in the share purchase agreement.
The minimum earnout consideration has been classified as deferred consideration receivable. The minimum amount is specified in the SPA and is therefore not an estimate, however an estimate of a discount rate is necessary to discount the deferred consideration receivable to fair value. A discount rate of 2.39% was used to calculate the net present value, this was based on the credit risk of Vertom Agencies BV following a credit check performed by management. Deferred consideration receivable is initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. The current estimate of the fair value of the deferred consideration receivable is £3.6m
The balance of the earnout consideration, up to the maximum specified in the SPA has been classified as contingent consideration receivable because it is contingent on the future profitability of the combined business. The fair value of the contingent consideration receivable involves two critical estimates; the future profitability of the combined business and the discount rate used to calculate the net present value. The future profitability forecasts are based on a business plan prepared by the combined VertomCory business and was reviewed by management as part of the financial due diligence process. The discount rate used to calculate the net present value was also 2.39%. Contingent consideration receivable is initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measures at fair value through profit and loss.
See Note 9 for further details, including a sensitivity analysis of the contingent consideration receivable to the discount rate and the assumptions of future profitability.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. See Note 7.
The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is typically expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group's estimate of the number of equity instruments that will eventually vest. At each reporting date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest as a result of the effect of non-market based vesting conditions. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognised in profit or loss such that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to reserves. See Note 28.
Trade receivables and accrued income are amounts due from customers in the ordinary course of business. Trade receivables and accrued income are classified as current assets if collection is due within one year or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the business if longer). If not, they are presented as non-current assets.
The provision for impairment of trade receivables and accrued income represents management's best estimate at the Balance Sheet date. A number of judgements are made in the calculation of the provision, primarily the age of the invoice, the existence of any disputes, recent historical payment patterns and the debtor's financial position.
The application of IFRS 9 "Financial Instruments" results in an additional provision for expected credit losses. When measuring expected credit losses, the Group uses reasonable and supportable forward-looking information, which is based on assumptions for the future movement of different economic drivers and how these drivers will affect each other. Probability of default constitutes a key input in measuring expected credit losses. Probability of default is an estimate of the likelihood of default over a given time horizon, the calculation of which includes historical data, assumptions and expectations of future market conditions. See Note 20.
The Group has considered the impact of both COVID and the conflict in the Ukraine on the Financial Statements at 28 February 2022. However, at 28 February 2022 there was no evidence to suggest that the Group's trade receivables may be at a higher risk of becoming credit impaired as a result of COVID or the conflict in the Ukraine. No impairment allowances were made in respect of either COVID or the conflict in the Ukraine.
The Group uses an independent actuary to provide annual valuations of the defined benefit pension scheme. The actuary uses a number of estimates in respect of the scheme membership, the valuation of assets and assumptions regarding discount rates, inflation rates and mortality rates. The membership details are provided by an independent trustee while the valuation of assets is verified by an independent fund manager. The discount rates, inflation rates and mortality rates are reviewed by management for reasonability. See Note 27.
For details of judgements made relating to the prior year adjustment, see Note 34.
Fair value of consideration
In the year ended 28 February 2022, the sale of Wavespec, the Group's Engineering Division, completed for a maximum consideration of £2.6m. The fair value of the consideration is a critical accounting judgement.
The consideration was due to be satisfied by the issuance of a promissory note with a maturity date of 31 March 2026. The fair value of the consideration was based on the net present value of the promissory note (£2.4m). A discount rate of 2.11% was used to calculate the net present value. The discount rate was made up of two elements, the first being a 5 year BBB+ bond yield of 1.51%, the second being a premium for lack of marketability at 0.60%. A 5 year BBB+ bond yield was used because it matches the maturity of the promissory note and reflects the credit rating of the bank that was expected to provide the letter of credit.
Impairment
As at 28 February 2022, the buyer had not delivered on its obligations to secure the promissory note and therefore management have made a judgement that the promissory note is unlikely to be honoured and consequently the fair value of the consideration is impaired and a credit loss of £2.4m has been recorded within discontinued operations.
The Group determines the lease term as the non-cancellable term of the lease, together with any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if it is reasonably certain to be exercised, or any period covered by an option to terminate the lease, if it is reasonably certain not to be exercised. The Group has several lease contracts that include extension and termination options. Management applies judgement in evaluating whether it is reasonably certain whether or not to exercise the option to renew or terminate the lease. That is, it considers all relevant factors that create an economic incentive for the Group to exercise either the renewal or termination option. After the commencement date, the Group reassesses the lease term if there is a significant event or change in circumstances that is within its control and affects its ability to exercise or not to exercise the option to renew or to terminate the lease. See Note 17.
IFRS 15 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" requires judgement to determine whether revenue is recognised at a "point in time" or "over time" as well as determining the transfer of control for when performance obligations are satisfied.
For Shipbroking, the Group has defined the performance obligation to be the point in time where the negotiated contract between counterparties has been successfully completed, and therefore revenue is recognised at this point in time. This is a critical judgement since revenue recognition would differ if the performance obligations were deemed to be satisfied at a different point in time.
The Group excludes specific items from its underlying earnings measure. The directors believe that such additional performance measures can provide the users of the Financial Statements with a better understanding of the Group's underlying financial performance, if properly used. Management judgement is required as to what items qualify for this classification. There can also be judgement as to the point at which costs should be recognised and the amount to record to ensure that the understanding of the underlying performance is not distorted. Specific items include the results from discontinued operations. See Note 8.
Management have considered the impact of climate related risks in respect of impairment of goodwill, recoverability of receivables and the recoverability of deferred tax assets in particular and do not consider that climate‐related risks have a material impact on any key judgements, estimates or assumptions in the consolidated financial statements.
During FY21/22 climate change was assessed as part of ongoing discussions of key and emerging risks for the Group and the shipping and energy sectors within which it operates. Consideration of the potential short to medium-term impact of Environment and Climate Change risk resulted in its inclusion as a Group Principal Risk this year.
Revenue is recognised in accordance with satisfaction of performance obligations. Revenue of the Group consists of:
i) Shipbroking desks – income comprises commission arising from tanker and dry cargo charter broking, sale and purchase broking, offshore broking and consultancy, valuation fees and fees relating to the facilitation of commodity and commodity derivatives. The Group acts as a broker for several types of shipping transactions, each of which gives rise to an entitlement to commission:
Deep sea tankers, specialised tankers and gas, dry cargo and offshore:
o for time charters, the commission is specified in the hire agreement and the performance obligation is spread over the term of the charter at specified intervals in accordance with the charter party terms;
o in the case of second-hand sale and purchase contracts, the broker's performance obligation is satisfied when the principals in the transaction complete on the sale/purchase and the title of the vessel passes from the seller to the buyer;
At the Balance Sheet date, there may be amounts where invoices have not been raised but performance obligations have been satisfied, and these are recognised as accrued income. The movement in the asset between years is due to the invoicing of all prior year assets and the accrual of amounts relating to the current year.
Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholders' legal rights to receive payment have been established with certainty.
Government grants are netted against the cost incurred by the Group. When retention of a government grant is dependent on the Group satisfying certain criteria, it is initially recognised as deferred income and released to the Income Statement once the criteria for retention have been satisfied. See Note 3.
The presentational currency of the Group is Sterling. Transactions in currencies other than Sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the date of the transaction. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are recognised in the Income Statement .
In order to hedge its exposure to certain foreign exchange risks, the Group enters into derivative financial instruments contracts, mainly forward contracts and other derivative currency contracts (see Note 1(p)).
Assets and liabilities of overseas subsidiaries, branches and associates are translated from their functional currency into Sterling at the exchange rates ruling at the Balance Sheet date. Trading results are translated at the average rates for the period. Exchange differences arising on the consolidation of the net assets of overseas subsidiaries are dealt with through the foreign currency translation reserve (see Note 30), whilst those arising from trading transactions are dealt with in the Income Statement . On disposal of a business, the cumulative exchange differences previously recognised in the foreign currency translation reserve relating to that business are transferred to the Income Statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal.
The taxation expense represents the sum of the current and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the period. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the Income Statement because it excludes items of income and expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group and Company's liability for current tax is calculated using rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the Balance Sheet date.
Full provision is made for deferred taxation on all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised separately on the Balance Sheet. Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that they are expected to be recoverable. Deferred taxation is recognised in the Income Statement unless it relates to taxable transactions taken directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also recognised in equity. The deferred tax is released to the Income Statement at the same time as the taxable transaction is recognised in the Income Statement . Deferred taxation on unremitted overseas earnings is provided for to the extent a tax charge is foreseeable.
Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method.
On the acquisition of a business, fair values are attributed to the net assets (including any identifiable intangible assets) acquired. Goodwill arises where the fair value of the consideration given exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is recognised as an asset and is reviewed for impairment at least annually. Impairments are recognised immediately in operating costs in the Income Statement . Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for the purposes of impairment testing. On the disposal of a business, goodwill relating to that business remaining on the Balance Sheet is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal. As permitted by IFRS 1, goodwill on acquisitions arising prior to 1 March 2004 has been retained at prior amounts and is tested annually for impairment.
In relation to acquisitions where the fair value of assets acquired exceeds the fair value of the consideration, the excess fair value is recognised immediately in the Income Statement .
The Group capitalises computer software at cost. It is amortised on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of up to four years. The carrying value of intangible assets with a finite life is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
The Group capitalises internally generated development costs when it is able to demonstrate:
The Group amortises development on a straight‐line basis over its estimated useful economic life of up to 3 years. See Note 13.
Research costs are expensed as incurred.
Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination are stated in the Balance Sheet at their fair value at the date of acquisition less accumulated amortisation and any provisions for impairment. The amortisation of the carrying value of the capitalised forward order book and customer relationships is charged to the Income Statement over an estimated useful life of the lesser of two to ten years or when based on historical attrition
rates. The amortisation in respect of capitalised brand assets is expensed to the Income Statement over an estimated useful life of three years.
The carrying values of intangible assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually or when there is an indication that they may be impaired.
Property, plant and equipment are shown at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment value.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value of each asset, on a straight-line basis over its expected useful life as follows (except for long and short leasehold interests which are written off against the remaining period of the lease):
Motor vehicles – three years Computers – four years
Fixtures and equipment – four years
The Company has various lease arrangements for properties, and other equipment. At inception of a lease contract, the Company assesses whether the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a certain period of time and whether it obtains substantially all the economic benefits from the use of that asset, in exchange for consideration. The Company recognises a lease liability and a corresponding rightof-use asset with respect to all lease arrangements in which it is a lessee, except low-value leases and shortterm leases of 12 months or less, costs for which are recognised as an operating expense within the Income Statement as they are incurred.
A right-of-use asset is capitalised on the Balance Sheet at cost which comprises the present value of future lease payments determined at the inception of the lease adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred in addition to an estimate of costs to remove or restore the underlying asset. Where a lease incentive is receivable, the amount is offset against the right-ofuse asset at inception. Right-of-use assets are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated life of the asset or the lease term and are reviewed for impairment to account for any loss when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be fully recoverable.
The lease liability is initially measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method to calculate the present value of future lease payments and is subsequently increased by the associated interest cost and decreased by lease payments made. The effective interest rate is based on estimates of relevant incremental borrowing costs. Lease payments made are apportioned between an interest charge and a capital repayment amount which are disclosed within the financing activities and the operating activities sections of the consolidated statement of cash flows respectively. Lease payments comprise fixed lease rental payments only, with the exception of property leases for which the associated fixed service charge is also included. Lease liabilities are classified between current and non-current on the Balance Sheet.
The lease term comprises the non-cancellable period in addition to the determination of the enforceable period which is covered by an option to extend the lease, where it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised.
A modification to a lease which changes the lease payment amount (e.g. due to a renegotiation or market rent review) or amends the term of the lease, results in a reassessment of the lease liability with a corresponding adjustment to the right-of-use asset.
Investments in associates and joint ventures where the Group has joint control or significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. Investments in associates are initially recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at cost. Subsequently associates are accounted for under the equity method, where the Group's share of post-acquisition profits and losses and other comprehensive income is recognised in the Income Statement and Statement of Comprehensive Income.
Profits and losses arising on transactions between the Group and its associates are recognised only to the extent of unrelated investors' interests in the associate. The investor's share in the associate's profits and losses arising from these transactions is eliminated against the carrying value of the associate.
Where the Group's share of the associate's identifiable net assets is greater than the cost of investment, a gain on bargain purchase is recognised in the Income Statement and the carrying value of the investment in the Consolidated Balance Sheet is increased.
When the Group's investment in associates or joint ventures is diluted the Group recognises a profit or loss on the book value of the investment that is derecognised along with any recycling of foreign exchange previously recognised in other comprehensive income. On a rights issue the Group remeasures its share of net assets and recognises a corresponding gain.
When the Group disposes of shares in associates or joint ventures the Group recognises a profit or loss on disposal based on the net proceeds less the weighted average cost of the shares disposed of. On disposal the Group reclassifies foreign exchange amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income relating to that reduction in ownership interest if that gain or loss would be required to be reclassified to profit or loss on the disposal of the related assets or liabilities.
The most recent Financial Statements of an associate are used for accounting purposes unless it is impractical to do so. Where the Group and an associate have non-coterminous reporting dates the associate's full-year accounts will be used for the purposes of the Group's reporting at 28 February with adjustments made for any significant transactions or events.
Where there is objective evidence that the investment in an associate has been impaired, the carrying amount of the investment is tested for impairment in the same way as other non-financial assets.
Investments where the Group has no significant influence are held at fair value, with movements in fair value recorded in profit and loss.
The carrying amount of the Group's assets, other than financial assets within the scope of IFRS 9 and deferred tax assets, are reviewed at each Balance Sheet date to determine whether there is an indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, or annually for goodwill, the asset's recoverable amount is estimated. The recoverable amount is determined based on the higher of value-in-use calculations and fair value less costs to sell, which requires the use of estimates. An impairment loss is recognised in the Income Statement whenever the carrying amount of the assets exceeds its recoverable amount.
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the assets, with the exception of goodwill, is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount. This cannot exceed the carrying amount prior to the impairment charge. An impairment recognised in the Income Statement in respect of goodwill is not subsequently reversed.
Contingent consideration receivables are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently remeasured at their fair value at each Balance Sheet date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised immediately in the Income Statement . Contingent consideration receivables are classified as level 3 in accordance with the fair value hierarchy specified by IFRS 13. See Notes 14 and 22.
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently remeasured at their fair value at each Balance Sheet date. Recognition of the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument and, if it is, the nature of the item being hedged. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised immediately in the Income Statement . The Group designates derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting as a cash flow hedge where there is a high probability of the forecast transactions arising. The Group has applied the IFRS 9 hedge accounting model since 1 March 2020. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of these derivatives is recognised in equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the Income Statement . Amounts accumulated in equity are recycled to the Income Statement at the same time as the gains or losses on the hedged items. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gains or losses that were reported in equity are immediately transferred to the Income Statement .
To qualify for hedge accounting, the terms of the hedge must be clearly documented at inception and there must be an expectation that the derivative will be highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flow of the hedged risk. Hedge effectiveness is tested throughout the life of the hedge and if at any point it is concluded that the relationship can no longer be expected to remain highly effective in achieving its objective, the hedge relationship is terminated.
The hedging instruments and the hedged transactions offset each other in currency terms and in amounts, meaning there is a clear economic relationship between the hedging instrument and hedged item as required under IFRS 9. Thereby, management qualitatively demonstrate that the hedging instrument and the hedged items will move equally in the opposite direction. Additionally, the credit rating of the counterparty to the derivatives is high, so the effect of credit risk is considered as neither material nor dominant in the economic relationship.
When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or the entity revokes designation of the hedge relationship but the hedged forecast transaction is still expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss at that point remains in equity and is recognised in accordance with the above policy when the transaction occurs.
The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is based either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices) at the Balance Sheet date.
Financial assets are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss at each Balance Sheet date.
Financial assets and liabilities are classified in accordance with the fair value hierarchy specified by IFRS 13. See Note 21.
Trade receivables and accrued income are recognised and carried at the lower of their original value less impairment. Specific provision is made where there is evidence that the balances will not be recovered in full. A provision for expected credit losses is made for trade receivables and accrued income using the simplified approach. A provision matrix is used to calculate an expected credit loss as a percentage of carrying value by age. The percentages were determined based on historical credit loss experience as well as forward-looking information. Expected credit loss provisions are made for other receivables based on lifetime expected credit losses using a model that considers forward-looking information and significant increases in credit risk.
Trade and other receivables are non-interest bearing and generally on terms payable within 30 to 90 days.
Cash and cash equivalents included in the Balance Sheet comprise cash in hand, short-term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less and restricted cash.
Cash and cash equivalents included in the Cash Flow Statement include cash and short-term deposits. Bank overdrafts are included in the Balance Sheet within short-term borrowings.
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or otherwise) as a result of a past event and it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. If material, the provisions are discounted using an appropriate current post-tax interest rate.
Short-term provisions for long service leave expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the reporting date are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled.
The provision for long service leave not expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date is measured at the present value of expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date. Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service. Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the reporting date on corporate bonds with terms to maturity and currency that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows.
The Group operates a number of equity-settled share-based payment schemes.
During the year the Company operated employee save-as-you-earn option schemes called the Braemar Shipping Services Plc Savings-Related Share Option Scheme 2014 (the "SAYE Scheme") and the Braemar Shipping Services Plc International Savings-Related Share Option Scheme 2019 (the "International SAYE Scheme"). No option may be granted under either scheme which would result in the total number of shares issued or remaining issuable under all of the schemes (or any other Group share schemes), in the ten-year period ending on the date of grant of the option, exceeding 10% of the Company's issued share capital (calculated at the date of grant of the relevant option). Options are granted at up to a 20% discount to the prevailing market price.
In 2005 the Company put in place a Deferred Bonus Plan (the "Plan") whereby part of the annual performance-related bonus is delivered in shares, on a discretionary basis, to staff including executive directors. Under the Plan the shares are bought and held in an employee trust ("ESOP") until vesting, which will normally occur after three years from the date of grant, subject to the employee beneficiary remaining in employment with the Group, at which time the award will be settled by the transfer of shares to the beneficiary. Shares are valued at fair value at the date of grant.
The Company adopted a new Deferred Bonus Plan in May 2020 (the "New DBP"), pursuant to which future discretionary bonus awards will be granted to staff including executive directors. Awards under the New DBP may be linked to an option granted under the new Braemar Company Share Option Plan 2020, which was also adopted by the Company in May 2020 (the "New CSOP"). Where an employee receives a linked award under the New DBP, where the Company's share price rises over the vesting period, the New CSOP award can be exercised with the value of shares delivered on the vesting of the New DBP award being reduced by the exercise gain on the New CSOP award. Awards under the New DBP and the New CSOP may be settled by the issue of new shares of by way of transfer of shares from the ESOP. Historic practice has been to settle via the transfer of shares from the ESOP and it is the current intention to continue to operate in this manner.
During the year ended 28 February 2015, the Company established a Restricted Share Plan ("RSP"). This scheme was set up to grant awards to certain key staff to try to retain them following the merger between Braemar and ACM Shipping Group Plc, but it can also be used where the Remuneration Committee considers it necessary to secure the recruitment of a particular individual. Executive directors of the Company are not eligible to participate in the RSP. RSP awards are made in the form of a nil cost option and there are no performance criteria other than continued employment.
The Company also operates an LTIP, which was approved by shareholders and adopted in 2014. LTIP awards under this plan take the form of a conditional right to receive shares at nil cost. The awards normally vest over three years and are subject to a performance condition such as earnings per share ("EPS").
Share options granted under the Save as you earn schemes are valued using a binomial pricing model. All other share awards are nil cost options and their fair value is approximated to the share price at the time of grant less the expected dividend to be paid during the vesting period.
The value of awards granted under the Deferred Bonus Plan each year are related to the profits generated in the previous year. The cost of the award is therefore expensed from the beginning of that profit period until the vesting date which is usually 3 years after the date of award. Awards made to new joiners are expensed over the period from date of joining to date of vesting. The quantum of the charge made for each set of awards is calculated on the value of the shares granted, reduced by the expected attrition rate.
The Group may provide a net settlement feature, whereby it withholds the number of equity instruments equal to the monetary value of the employee's tax obligation arising from the exercise (or vesting) of the award if the total number of shares that otherwise would have been issued to the employee. The Group has no contractual obligation to provide a net settlement option, and therefore the award is still accounted for as an equity settled award in full and the value of the shares foregone by the employee is accounted for as a deduction from equity.
An Employee Share Ownership Plan ("ESOP") was established on 23 January 1995. The ESOP has been set up to purchase shares in the Company. These shares, once purchased, are held in trust by the Trustee of the ESOP, SG Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company (CI) Limited, for the benefit of the employees. Additionally, an Employee Benefit Trust ("EBT") previously run by ACM Shipping Group plc also holds shares in the Company. The ESOP and EBT are accounted for within the Company accounts.
The net cost of the shares acquired for the shares held by the ESOP and the EBT are a deduction from shareholders' funds and represent a reduction in distributable reserves. Note 29 provides detail on the ESOP and the EBT and movements in shares to be issued.
Commissions payable to co-brokers are recognised in trade payables due within one year on the earlier of the date of invoicing or the date of receipt of cash.
The Group has the following long-term employee benefits:
i) Defined contribution schemes
The Group operates a number of defined contribution schemes. Pension costs charged against profits in respect of these schemes represent the amount of the contributions payable to the schemes in respect of the accounting period. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the Group within independently administered funds. The Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid.
ii) Defined benefit schemes
The Group holds a defined benefit scheme, the ACM Staff Pension Scheme, with assets held separately from the Group. The cost of providing benefits under the scheme is determined using the projected unit credit actuarial valuation method which measures the liability based on service completed and allowing for projected future salary increases and discounted at an appropriate rate.
The current service cost, which is the increase in the present value of the retirement benefit obligation resulting from employee service in the current year, and gains and losses on settlements and curtailments, are included within operating profit in the Income Statement . The unwinding of the discount rate on the scheme liabilities which is shown as a net finance cost and past service costs are presented and recognised immediately in the Income Statement .
The pension liabilities recognised on the Balance Sheet in respect of this scheme represents the difference between the present value of the Group's obligations under the scheme and the fair value of the scheme's assets. Actuarial gains or losses and return on plan assets excluding interest are recognised in the period in which they arise within the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
iii) Other long-term benefits
The current service cost of other long-term benefits resulting from employee services in the current year is included within the Income Statement . The unwinding of any discounting on the liabilities is shown in net finance costs.
Arrangement costs for loan facilities are capitalised and amortised over the life of the debt at a constant rate.
Finance costs are charged to the Income Statement , based on the effective interest rate of the associated external borrowings and debt instruments.
The convertible loan notes are considered to be a financial liability host with an embedded derivative convertible feature which is required to be separated from the host. The Group has an accounting choice to record the instrument in its entirety at fair value through profit and loss but has not chosen to apply this treatment. Instead, the financial liability host will be recognised as a Euro liability initially recognised at fair value and prospectively accounted for applying the effective interest rate method. The derivative conversion feature will be recognised at fair value through profit and loss. Where there are conversion options that can be exercised within one year the liability is recognised as current.
When the terms of an existing financial liability are modified, management will consider both quantitative and qualitative factors to assess whether the modification is substantial. In the case that the modification of the terms of existing financial liability is considered to be substantial, the modification shall be accounted for as an extinguishment of that financial liability and the recognition of a new financial liability. If the modification is not considered substantial, then the existing financial liability is remeasured in accordance with its original classification and any gain or loss is recognised immediately in the Income Statement .
The Group's segmental analysis previously recognised four segments, being the Shipbroking, Financial, Logistics and Engineering Divisions. Two business segments have been disposed of during the year, the Logistics Division (Cory Brothers) and the Engineering Division (Wavespec). The prior year comparatives have been restated for the presentation of Cory Brothers as discontinued operations together with Wavespec. The restated segmental analysis is based on its two continuing business segments: the Shipbroking and Financial Divisions. The segmental analysis is consistent with the way the Group manages itself and with the format of the Group's internal financial reporting.
The second analysis is presented according to the geographic markets, comprising the UK, Singapore, the US, Australia, Germany and the Rest of the World. The Group's geographical segments are determined by the location of the Group's assets and operations.
Specific items are significant items considered material in size or nature, including acquisition and disposalrelated gains and losses. These are disclosed separately to enable a full understanding of the Group's ongoing financial performance.
A non-current asset or a group of assets, such as a disposal group, is classified as held for sale if its carrying amount will be recovered principally through sale rather than through continuing use, it is available for immediate sale and sale is highly probable within one year.
On initial classification as held for sale, non-current assets and disposal groups are measured at the lower of previous carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell with any adjustments taken to profit or loss.
A discontinued operation is a component of the Group's business that represents a separate line of business or geographical area of operations that has been disposed of or is held for sale, or is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale. Classification as a discontinued operation occurs upon disposal or when the operation meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, if earlier. When an operation is classified as a discontinued operation, the comparative Income Statement is restated as if the operation has been discontinued from the start of the comparative period.
Contingent assets are not recognised but are disclosed where an inflow of economic benefits is probable.
Following the disposal of the Engineering and Logistics Divisions during the period, there are now two operating segments within the Group, which each provide different services to the shipping industry, being Shipbroking and Financial. They are managed separately because each business requires different technology and resources to deliver its strategy. The reports reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker to make strategic decisions are disaggregated by Division. The Chief Operating Decision Maker is the Group's board of directors. The Logistics and Engineering Divisions were disposed of during the year and have been presented as discontinued operations.
The board considers the business from both service line and geographic perspectives. A description of each of the lines of service is provided on pages 7 - 8.
Central costs relate to board costs and other costs associated with the Group's listing on the London Stock Exchange. All segments meet the quantitative thresholds required by IFRS 8 as reportable segments.
Underlying operating profit is defined as operating profit for continuing activities before restructuring costs, gain on disposal of investment and acquisition and disposal-related items.
Sales between and within business segments are carried out on an arm's-length basis.
The segmental information provided to the board for reportable segments for the year ended 28 February 2022 is as follows:
| Revenue | Operating profit/(loss) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 Restated* £'000 |
2022 £'000 |
2021 Restated* £'000 |
|
| Shipbroking | 94,659 | 77,727 | 12,422 | 10,068 |
| Financial | 6,651 | 5,968 | 1,798 | 1,034 |
| Trading segments revenue/results | 101,310 | 83,695 | 14,220 | 11,102 |
| Central costs | (4,160) | (3,383) | ||
| Underlying operating profit | 10,060 | 7,719 | ||
| Specific items included in operating expenses | (514) | (1,097) | ||
| Operating profit | 9,546 | 6,622 | ||
| Share of associate's loss for period | (19) | - | ||
| Net finance expense | (984) | (1,486) | ||
| Profit before taxation | 8,543 | 5,136 |
* The year ended 28 February 2021 has been restated for the presentation of Cory Brothers and AqualisBraemar as discontinued operations and prior period errors. See Note 9 and Note 34.
The Group manages its business segments on a global basis. The operation's main geographical area and also the home country of the Company is the United Kingdom.
Geographical information determined by location of customers is set out below:
| Revenue | Non-current assets | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 Restated |
2022 | 2021 Restated |
|
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| United Kingdom | 54,524 | 51,664 | 68,122 | 67,804 |
| Singapore | 19,423 | 13,691 | 949 | 1,275 |
| United States | 972 | 663 | 262 | 28 |
| Australia | 12,565 | 7,159 | 334 | 303 |
| Germany | 2,488 | 3,585 | 25,592 | 25,640 |
| Rest of the World | 11,338 | 6,933 | 855 | 1,042 |
| Continuing operations | 101,310 | 83,695 | 96,114 | 96,092 |
| Discontinued operations | 45,215 | 28,083 | – | 7,646 |
| Total | 146,525 | 111,778 | 96,114 | 103,738 |
The Group disaggregates revenue into Shipbroking and Financial in line with the segmental information presented above and also by desk. Revenue analysed by desk is provided below.
| 2022 | 2021 Restated |
|
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| Tankers | 17,837 | 26,251 |
| Specialised Tankers | 11,622 | 10,949 |
| Dry Cargo | 29,789 | 15,230 |
| S&P | 19,646 | 15,019 |
| Offshore | 3,776 | 2,728 |
| Securities | 11,989 | 7,550 |
| Shipbroking | 94,659 | 77,727 |
| Financial | 6,651 | 5,968 |
| Total continuing operations | 101,310 | 83,695 |
All revenue arises from the rendering of services. There is no single customer that contributes greater than 10% of the Group's revenue.
The Group enters into some contracts, primarily in Shipbroking which are for a duration longer than 12 months and where the Group has outstanding performance obligations on which revenue has not yet been recognised. The amount of revenue that will be recognised in future periods on these contracts when those remaining performance obligations will be satisfied is set out below:
| 2022 | Within 12 months £'000 |
1–2 years £'000 |
More than 2 years £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sale and purchase | 6,584 | 1,832 | 924 | 9,340 |
| Chartering | 15,724 | 3,211 | 9,057 | 27,992 |
| Total | 22,308 | 5,043 | 9,981 | 37,332 |
| 2021 | Within 12 months £'000 |
1–2 years £'000 |
More than 2 years £'000 |
Total £'000 |
| Sale and purchase | 3,594 | 1,337 | 290 | 5,221 |
| Chartering | 13,994 | 4,483 | 7,385 | 25,862 |
| Total | 17,588 | 5,820 | 7,675 | 31,083 |
Operating profit represents the results from operations before finance income and costs, share of profit/(loss) in associate, taxation and discontinued operations.
This is stated after charging/(crediting):
| 2022 | 2021 Restated |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Staff costs | 4 | 75,814 | 60,783 |
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 16 | 2,834 | 2,894 |
| Amortisation of intangibles | 13 | 262 | 313 |
| Bad debt charge/(credit) | 21 | 747 | (170) |
| Auditor's remuneration | 5 | 960 | 793 |
| Other professional costs | 2,782 | 2,028 | |
| Office costs | 1,600 | 875 | |
| IT and communication costs | 2,507 | 2,144 | |
| Insurance | 875 | 700 | |
| Net foreign exchange (gains)/losses | (432) | 76 | |
| Specific items included in operating profit (see Note 8) | (514) | (1,097) |
Staff costs are stated after netting off grants totalling £0.1m (2021: £0.8m) against staff costs for continuing operation detailed in Note 4. The grants were received from both the Singaporean Government and the Australian Government during COVID. All criteria for the retention of both grants have been satisfied and therefore the full amount has been recognised in the Income Statement .
| 2022 | 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £'000 | Restated £'000 |
|
| Salaries, wages and short-term employee benefits | 68,043 | 55,282 | |
| Other pension costs | 27 | 1,613 | 1,514 |
| Social security costs | 3,347 | 3,009 | |
| Share-based payments | 28 | 2,951 | 1,788 |
| Continuing operations | 75,954 | 61,593 | |
| Discontinued operations | 8,344 | 8,384 | |
| Total | 84,298 | 69,977 |
The prior period numbers have been restated to present Cory Brothers and AqualisBraemar within discontinued operations. The numbers above include remuneration and pension entitlements for each director. Details are included in the Directors' Remuneration Report on pages 84 - 108.
| 2022 number |
2021 Restated number |
|
|---|---|---|
| Shipbroking | 322 | 323 |
| Financial | 22 | 23 |
| Central | 18 | 13 |
| Continuing operations | 362 | 359 |
| Discontinued operations | 190 | 178 |
| Total | 552 | 537 |
The directors' remuneration is borne by Braemar Shipping Services Plc.
The remuneration of key management is set out below. Further information about the remuneration of individual directors is provided in the Directors' Remuneration Report on pages 84 - 108. Key management represents the board of the Company.
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Salaries, short-term employee benefits and fees | 3,484 | 3,410 |
| Other pension costs | 41 | 68 |
| Share-based payments | 521 | 71 |
| Total | 4,046 | 3,549 |
Retirement benefits are accruing to three (2021: three) members of key management in respect of a defined contribution pension scheme.
A more detailed analysis of the auditor's services is given below:
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Audit services | ||
| – Fees payable to the Company's auditor for audit of the Company and Group Financial Statements | 540 | 288 |
| Fees payable to the Group's auditor and its associates for other services: | ||
| – The audit of the Group's subsidiaries pursuant to legislation | 334 | 435 |
| – Other service – interim review | 86 | 70 |
| 960 | 793 |
All fees paid to the auditor were charged to operating profit in both years.
| Note | 2022 | 2021 Restated |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Finance income: | |||
| – Gain on modification of deferred consideration | 815 | 172 | - |
| – Interest on bank deposits | 9 | 70 | |
| – Interest on IFRS 16 lease receivables | 72 | 86 | |
| Total finance income | 253 | 156 | |
| Finance costs: | |||
| – Interest payable on rolling credit and pooled overdraft facilities | (758) | (912) | |
| – Interest payable on pooled overdraft facilities | (98) | (107) | |
| – Interest payable on convertible loan notes | (52) | (214) |
| Subtotal finance costs before IFRS 16 lease liabilities | (908) | (1,233) |
|---|---|---|
| – Interest on IFRS 16 lease liabilities | (329) | (409) |
| Total finance costs | (1,237) | (1,642) |
| Finance costs – net (continuing operations only) | (984) | (1,486) |
The finance costs for the prior year have been restated (see Note 34), and the analysis of the finance income and expenses has been amended.
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | Restated £'000 |
|
| Current tax | ||
| UK corporation tax charged to the Income Statement | – | – |
| UK adjustment in respect of previous years | 335 | 355 |
| Overseas tax on profits in the year | 3,432 | 2,003 |
| Overseas adjustment in respect of previous years | (517) | (136) |
| Total current tax | 3,250 | 2,222 |
| Deferred tax | ||
| UK current year origination and reversal of temporary differences | 377 | (909) |
| Due to change in rate of tax | (473) | (96) |
| UK adjustment in respect of previous years | (41) | 573 |
| Overseas current year origination and reversal of temporary differences | (95) | (385) |
| Overseas adjustment in respect of previous years | (313) | 395 |
| Total deferred tax | (545) | (422) |
| Taxation | 2,705 | 1,800 |
| Taxation on continuing operations | 1,839 | 1,574 |
| Taxation on discontinued operations | 866 | 226 |
| Taxation | 2,705 | 1,800 |
Included within the UK current year origination and reversal of temporary differences is a credit of £348,000 (2021: £100,000 debit on actuarial gain) in respect of deferred tax on the actuarial loss on the Group's defined benefit pension scheme.
| Reconciliation between expected and actual tax charge | 2022 £'000 |
2021 Restated £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Profit before tax from continuing operations | 8,543 | 5,136 |
| Profit before tax at standard rate of UK corporation tax of 19% (2021: 19%) | 1,623 | 976 |
| Utilisation of deferred tax asset at lower effective tax rate | 69 | (185) |
| Net expenses not deductible for tax purposes | 843 | 202 |
| Utilisation of previously unrecognised losses | (478) | (73) |
| Tax on overseas branch | 234 | - |
| Tax calculated at domestic rates applicable to profits in overseas subsidiaries | 392 | 292 |
| Other differences leading to a (decrease)/increase in tax | 4 | - |
| Temporary differences* | 93 | (1,187) |
| Prior year adjustments** | (941) | 1,549 |
| Total tax charge for the year | 1,839 | 1,574 |
*Included within temporary differences are movements related to share options, cash flow hedges and IFRS 16.
** Included within Prior year adjustments is release of overprovided corporation tax creditor of £0.8m in respect of Singapore following a tax rate change from 17.0% to 10.5%.
The year ended 28 February 2021 has been restated for the presentation of Cory Brothers and AqualisBraemar as discontinued operations. Included within the total tax charge is £0.5m (2021: £0.2m) in respect of specific items disclosed separately on the face of the Income Statement . See Note 8.
A tax charge of £0.3m (2021: £nil) is included in the results for discontinued operations as a result of the trading loss contained therein (see Note 9). This tax charge arose mainly as a result of the trading profits of Cory Brothers.
| Reconciliation between expected and actual tax charge | 2022 £'000 |
2021 Restated £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Profit before tax from discontinued operations | 8,081 | 1,196 |
| Profit before tax at standard rate of UK corporation tax of 19% (2021: 19%) | 1,535 | 227 |
| Due to change in rate of tax | 6 | 23 |
| (Net gains)/net expenses not (taxable)/deductible for tax purposes | (1,098) | 882 |
| Utilisation of losses | (74) | (177) |
| Other differences leading to (decrease)/increase in tax | 3 | - |
| Temporary differences* | 88 | (367) |
| Other prior year adjustments | 406 | (362) |
| Total tax charge/(credit) for the year | 866 | 226 |
| 2022 | 2021 Restated |
|
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss | ||
| Actuarial gain/(loss) in respect of defined benefit pension scheme | 1,391 | (524) |
| Deferred tax asset on defined benefit pension scheme | (348) | 100 |
| Movement in opening balance due to change in rate of tax | 275 | - |
| Sub-total | (73) | 100 - |
| Total | 1,318 | (424) |
| Items that will be reclassified to profit or loss | ||
| Cash flow hedge | (2,482) | 2,210 |
| Deferred tax liability on cash flow hedge | 620 | (420) |
| Movement in opening balance of tax due to change in rate of tax | (106) | - |
| Sub-total | 514 | (420) |
| Total | (1,968) | 1,790 |
| Total tax recognised in OCI | 441 | (320) |
| Total amounts recognised in OCI | (650) | 1,366 |
| Deferred Tax )/Asset | Accelerated Capital Allowances |
Trading Losses |
Other provisions |
Employee Benefits |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 March 2020 | 573 | 316 | 2,331 | 400 | 3,620 |
| (Charge)/Credit to Statement of Total Comprehensive income | (493) | 430 | (1,255) | 918 | (400) |
| Credit to equity | - | - | (320) | - | (320) |
| At 28 February 2021 | 80 | 746 | 756 | 1,318 | 2,900 |
| Charge to Statement of Total Comprehensive income | (128) | (498) | 428 | 569 | 371 |
| Charge to equity | - | - | 442 | - | 442 |
| Balance at end of year | (48) | 248 | 1,626 | 1,887 | 3,713 |
| The movement in the deferred tax asset | 2022 £'000 |
2021 Restated £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Balance at beginning of year | 2,900 | 3,620 |
| Movement to Income Statement | ||
| Adjustments in respect of prior years | 180 | (968) |
| Movement in opening balance due to change in rate of tax 25%/19% | 472 | 200 |
| Arising on pension costs | (94) | 28 |
| Arising on other | (187) | 340 |
| Total movement to Income Statement | 371 | (400) |
| Movement to equity and other comprehensive income | ||
| Movement in opening balance due to change in rate of tax 25%/19% | 169 | - |
| Related deferred tax asset | 273 | (320) |
| Total movement to equity and other comprehensive income | 442 | (320) |
| Balance at end of year | 3,713 | 2,900 |
A deferred tax asset of £3.7m (2021: £2.9m) has been recognised as the directors believe that it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable profits in the future to recover the asset in full.
| Analysis of the deferred tax liabilities | As at 28 Feb 2022 £'000 |
As at 29 Feb 2021 £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary differences | - | (174) |
| Balance at end of year | - | (174) |
| The movement in the deferred tax liability | As at 28 Feb 2022 £'000 |
As at 28 Feb 2021 £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Balance at beginning of year | (174) | (903) |
| Movement in opening balance due to change in rate of tax | – | (104) |
| Adjustment in respect of previous years | 174 | |
| Movement to Income Statement | – | 833 |
| Balance at end of year | - | (174) |
No deferred tax has been provided in respect of temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and interests in joint ventures where the Group is in a position to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that such differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The aggregate amount of temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, for which a deferred tax liability has not been recognised, is approximately £0.1m (2021: £0.1m).
The following is a summary of specific items incurred. Each item meet the definition of specific items detailed in Note 1y), and has an impact on the reported results for the year that is considered material either by size or nature and is not expected to be incurred on an ongoing basis and, as such, will not form part of the underlying profit in future years.
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | Restated £'000 |
|
| Other operating costs | ||
| Impairment of ROU assets | (392) | (210) |
| (Loss)/profit on sublet of office | - | (52) |
| (392) | (262) | |
| Acquisition-related items | ||
| – Acquisition of Naves Corporate Finance GmbH | (122) | (552) |
| – Naves tax reimbursement | - | 115 |
| – Acquisition of ACM Shipping Group plc | - | (115) |
| – Acquisition of Atlantic Brokers Holdings Limited | - | (283) |
| (122) | (835) | |
| Discontinued operations | ||
| - Wavespec | (1,787) | (754) |
| - Cory Brothers | 4,134 | - |
| - AqualisBraemar | 3,375 | 2,237 |
| 5,722 | 1,483 | |
| Other items | ||
| Finance income - credit on modification of deferred consideration | 172 | - |
| Finance costs | - | (432) |
| Taxation | - | 198 |
| Total | 5,380 | 152 |
In the year, a loss of £0.4m was recognised in other operating costs arising from the impairment to a right-ofuse asset in respect of a London office which was vacated by AqualisBraemar LOC ASA (see Note 16 for more details). In the prior year there was an impairment charge of £0.3m, of which £0.2m arose on the same London office and £0.1m loss on disposal in respect of the Group subletting a portion of its Singapore office space to AqualisBraemar LOC ASA.
The Group incurred total costs of £0.1m (2021 restated: £0.8m) in respect of acquisition-related items.
Expenditure of £0.1m (2021: £0.6m) is directly linked to the acquisition of Naves Corporate Finance GmbH. This includes charges of £0.1m (2021: £0.1m) related to foreign exchange translation of Euro liabilities The prior year expenditure linked to the acquisition of Naves Corporate Finance GmbH also included charges of £0.3m in respect of interest and £0.4m of post-acquisition remuneration payable to certain vendors under the terms of the acquisition agreement., and a credit of £0.1m which was included in respect of a reimbursement from the sellers of certain expenses incurred by the Financial Division prior to acquisition.
In the prior year, expenditure of £0.1m was incurred in relation to the restricted share plan implemented to retain key staff following the merger between Braemar Shipping Services Plc and ACM Shipping Plc. The restricted share plan expired in July 2020 and no further amounts were charged to the Income Statement .
Also in the prior year expenditure of £0.3m was directly linked to the acquisition of Atlantic Brokers Holdings Limited in respect of incentive payments to working sellers. The cash payment was made in the year to 28 February 2018 but was subject to clawback provisions if the working sellers were to leave employment of the Group before 28 February 2021. The cost was charged to the Income Statement over the clawback period and no further amounts were charged to the Income Statement after 28 February 2021.
The Group recognised a net gain of £5.7m on the disposal of discontinued operations (2021: £1.5m).
Gains on the disposal of Cory Brothers, AqualisBraemar and Wavespec of £4.1m, £3.4m and £0.6m respectively, were offset by an impairment charge of £2.4m on the consideration due in respect of Wavespec. See Note 9.
On 3 June 2021 the Group completed a restructuring of the deferred consideration amounts in relation to the acquisition of Naves. This resulted in a gain on modification of £0.2m which is classified as specific finance income (see Note 14).
In the prior year £0.4m of interest charges related to the Group's revolving credit facility were included in finance costs. These charges relate to interest payable on tranches of the revolving credit facility that were used to fund the acquisition of Naves Corporate Finance GmbH. This interest charge is not considered to be a specific item in the current year.
In the prior year, a tax credit of £0.2m was recognised in respect of specific items which are allowable for UK corporation tax purposes.
During the year the Group has sold its Engineering Division, Wavespec, its Logistics Division, Cory Brothers, and its entire shareholding in AqualisBraemar.
| 2022 | 2021 Restated |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underlying £'000 |
Specific £'000 |
Total £'000 |
Underlying £'000 |
Specific £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
| Wavespec | (146) | (1,787) | (1,933) | (1,706) | (754) | (2,460) |
| Cory Brothers | 1,563 | 4,134 | 5,697 | 938 | - | 938 |
| AqualisBraemar | 76 | 3,375 | 3,451 | 255 | 2,237 | 2,492 |
| Profit / (loss) | 1,493 | 5,722 | 7,215 | (513) | 1,483 | 970 |
On 31 March 2021, the Group completed the sale of Wavespec, which was classified as held for sale at 28 February 2021. A gain of £0.6m was recognised on disposal. The sale was for maximum consideration of £2.6m which was expected to be satisfied by the issuance of a promissory note with a maturity date of 31 March 2026. The disposal agreement contained an obligation for the buyer to secure the note by providing a standby letter of credit issued by an international bank with an acceptable credit rating. Should they fail to deliver such a letter of credit, the Group could elect to receive a sum of cash of £0.5m from the buyer with the balance of the note of £2.1m remaining unsecured. The fair value of the consideration was £2.4m (see Note 14 for details of assessment of discount rate). At 28 February 2022, the buyer had not delivered a secured letter of credit nor had the cash sum of £0.5m been received. Management believe that the consideration (fair value of £2.4m) is unlikely to be received and consequently has been provided in full (charge of £2.4m).
| Year ended 28 Feb 2022 £'000 |
Year ended 28 Feb 2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Underlying | ||
| Revenue | 15 | 1,661 |
| Costs | (161) | (3,367) |
| Trading loss before tax | (146) | (1,706) |
| Taxation | – | – |
| Underlying loss for the year from Wavespec | (146) | (1,706) |
| Specific items | ||
| Impairment to fair value and other disposal costs | (7) | (754) |
| Gain on disposal | 594 | – |
| Credit impairment charge | (2,374) | – |
| Loss from specific items | (1,787) | (754) |
| Loss for the year from Wavespec | (1,933) | (2,460) |
No taxation arises in relation to this discontinued operation as Wavespec was loss making.
A reconciliation of the derecognition of the Wavespec assets held for sale to gain on disposal is as follows:
| £'000 | |
|---|---|
| Intangibles | 90 |
| Property plant and equipment | 1 |
| Cash | 53 |
| Trade and other receivables | 292 |
| Trade and other payables | (271) |
| Net assets held for sale disposed of | 165 |
| £'000 | |
| Disposal proceeds | 2,374 |
| Net assets disposed of | (165) |
| Loan waiver | (1,006) |
Disposal related costs (609)
Gain on disposal of Wavespec 594
Intercompany loans totalling £1.0m were owed to the Group from Wavespec were waived on disposal.
There were no cash proceeds from disposal in the period.
On 28 February 2022 the Company sold Cory Brothers to Vertom Agencies BV for a maximum consideration of £15.5 million.
Although legal completion occurred on 28 February 2022, the initial cash proceeds of £6.5 million were not received till post year-end and are presented within trade and other receivables at the year end (see Note 21).
In addition, three further cash payments are due based on a percentage of the gross profit of the combined VertomCory business. Each of the three earnout payments is subject to a minimum and a maximum. The minimum aggregate earnout payment is £3.75 million and the maximum aggregate earnout payment is £9.0 million. The current estimate of the fair value of the deferred and contingent consideration is £4.8 million, which is presented within long-term receivables (more detail on the calculation of the deferred consideration is included in Note 14).
The profit on disposal including foreign exchange recycling totalled £4.2m.
| Year ended 28 Feb 2022 £'000 |
Year ended 28 Feb 2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Underlying | ||
| Revenue | 45,215 | 28,083 |
| Costs | (42,759) | (26,892) |
| Trading profit before tax | 2,456 | 1,191 |
| Finance income | 9 | 14 |
| Finance expense | (36) | (41) |
| Profit before taxation | 2,429 | 1,164 |
| Taxation | (866) | (226) |
| Underlying profit from Cory Brothers | 1,563 | 938 |
| Specific items | ||
| Gain on disposal | 4,134 | – |
| Total profit from Cory Brothers | 5,697 | 938 |
A reconciliation of the derecognition of the Cory Brothers assets held for sale to gain on disposal is as follows:
| £'000 | |
|---|---|
| Goodwill | 3,645 |
| Intangibles | 1,190 |
| Property plant and equipment | 1,220 |
| Investments | 119 |
| Cash | 12,353 |
| Trade and other receivables | 15,110 |
| Trade and other payables | (27,042) |
| Net assets held for sale disposed of | 6,595 |
| £'000 |
| Disposal proceeds | 11,258 |
|---|---|
| Net assets disposed of | (6,595) |
| Disposal related costs | (492) |
| FX recycling | (37) |
| Gain on disposal of Cory Brothers | 4,134 |
The disposal proceeds of £11.3 million are included on the Balance Sheet as follows:
A sensitivity analysis of the contingent consideration to changes in the gross profits and discount rate is provided in Note 14.
The Group recognised its minority shareholding in AqualisBraemar as an investment in associate until its disposal on 19 May 2021.
The Group's share of profit of associate and the profit on disposal including foreign exchange recycling totalled £3.5m, the disposal of 9,600,000 shares in AqualisBraemar LOC ASA in the preceding year gave rise to a gain of £1.8m (see Note 19). In the prior year the Group recognised a gain of £0.8m on a rights issue from AqualisBraemar LOC ASA and a loss of £0.4m on the fair value movement of warrants to acquire further shares in AqualisBraemar. There was a matching gain recognised in the financial statements of AqualisBraemar, and the Group's share of this gain was £0.1m and is also presented within specific items.
| Year ended 28 Feb 2022 £'000 |
Year ended 28 Feb 2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Underlying | ||
| Share of associate profit for the period – trading | 76 | 255 |
| Specific items | ||
| Gain on rights issue | - | 826 |
| Share of associate profit for the period – fair value movement in warrants | - | 91 |
| Movement in fair value on warrants | - | (438) |
| Profit on disposal | 3,375 | 1,758 |
| Profit from specific items | 3,375 | 2,237 |
| Total profit for the period from AqualisBraemar | 3,451 | 2,492 |
The basic and diluted earnings per share in respect of discontinued operations were as follows:
| Year ended 28 Feb 2022 |
Year ended 28 Feb 2021 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Basic earnings per share | 23.62p | 3.09p |
| Diluted earnings per share | 19.24p | 2.56p |
During the year the discontinued operations had net operating cash inflows of £7.3m (2021: net operating cash outflows of £4.3m). There were net cash outflows of £4.7.m (2021: nil) relating to investing activities, which includes the £7.2m proceeds from the sale of AqualisBraemar shares less the combined cash of £12.4m held within Wavespec and Cory Brothers at the time of their disposal. No cash proceeds were received in the period in respect of the disposal of either Wavespec or Cory Brothers.
The major classes of assets and liabilities comprising the operations held for sale are as follows:
| Year ended 28 Feb 2022 £'000 |
Year ended 28 Feb 2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Intangibles | - | 90 |
| Property plant and equipment | - | 1 |
| Cash | - | 53 |
| Trade and other receivables | - | 292 |
| Assets held for sale | - | 436 |
| Trade and other payables | - | (125) |
| Liabilities directly associated with assets classified as held for sale | - | (125) |
| Net assets of discontinued operations | - | 311 |
All assets and liabilities held for sale at 28 February 2021 related to Wavespec. An impairment to fair value less costs to sell of £432,000 was pro-rated across intangibles and property, plant and equipment at 28 February 2021.
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary shares of 10 pence each | ||
| Final dividend of 5.0 pence per share for the year ended 28 February 2021 (2020: nil) | 1,499 | – |
| Interim dividend of 2.0 pence per share (2021: nil) | 610 | – |
| 2,109 | – |
The dividends paid by the Group during the year ended 28 February 2022 totalled £2.1 million (7.0 pence per share) which comprised a final dividend in respect of the year ended 28 February 2021 of £1.5 million (5.0 pence per share) paid on 1 September 2021 and an interim dividend for the year ended 28 February 2022 of £0.6 million (2.0 pence per share) paid on 16 December 2021. The right to receive dividends on the shares held in the ESOP has been waived (see Note 29). The dividend saving through the waiver is £0.1m (2021: £nil). No dividends were paid by the Group during the year ended 28 February 2021.
The Company has become aware of an administrative oversight during the year ended 28 February 2022, whereby the Company did not properly prepare and file unaudited interim accounts at Companies House, as required by the Companies Act 2006, prior to declaring and paying distributions to shareholders in respect of the Company's 1 September 2021 final dividend and 16 December 2021 interim dividend. As a result of this administrative oversight, the Company did not comply with certain provisions of the Act and, whilst there were sufficient distributable reserves to make the relevant distributions, they were therefore paid in technical infringement of the Act. Neither the amount nor payment of the relevant distributions, nor the Company's prior audited accounts, are affected by this, nor is there any impact on the Company's financial position either at the time of payment(s) or now.
The Company has proposed a resolution to be considered when the Annual General Meeting re-convenes on 6 October 2022 which will, if passed, give the board authority to enter into deeds of release to discharge these parties from any obligation to repay any amount to the Company in connection with the Relevant Distributions. The Company has not recorded the potential right to make claims against shareholders as an asset or a contingent asset in its financial statements. The directors of the Company have concluded that any inflow of economic benefits as a result of such claims is less than probable.
For the year ended 28 February 2022, a final ordinary dividend of 7.0 pence per share has been proposed totalling £2.3 million.
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, excluding 2,731,893 ordinary shares held by the Employee Share Ownership Plan (2021: 588,127 shares) which are treated as cancelled.
For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive ordinary shares. The Group has one class of dilutive ordinary shares, being those options granted to employees where the exercise price is less than the average market price of the Company's ordinary shares during the year. The Group has other potential dilutive ordinary shares, including convertible loan notes, however these are not currently dilutive because the exercise price is less than the Group's current share price.
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total operations | £'000 | Restated £'000 |
| Profit for the year attributable to shareholders | 13,919 | 4,532 |
| Pence | pence | |
| Basic earnings per share | 45.56 | 14.45 |
| Effect of dilutive share options | (8.43) | (2.50) |
| Diluted earnings per share | 37.13 | 11.95 |
| 2022 | 2021 Restated |
|
| Underlying operations | £'000 | £'000 |
| Underlying profit for the year attributable to shareholders | 8,539 | 4,380 |
| pence | pence | |
| Basic earnings per share | 27.95 | 13.96 |
| Effect of dilutive share options | (5.17) | (2.41) |
| Diluted earnings per share | 22.78 | 11.55 |
| Underlying continuing operations | 2022 £'000 |
2021 Restated £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Underlying profit for the year from continuing operations | 7,046 | 4,893 |
| pence | pence | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic earnings per share | 23.06 | 15.60 |
| Effect of dilutive share options | (4.27) | (2.69) |
| Diluted earnings per share | 18.79 | 12.91 |
| 2022 | 2021 Restated |
|
| Continuing operations | £'000 | £'000 |
| Profit from continuing operations for the year attributable to shareholders | 6,704 | 3,562 |
| pence | pence | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic earnings per share | 21.94 | 11.36 |
| Effect of dilutive share options | (4.06) | (1.96) |
| Diluted earnings per share | 17.88 | 9.40 |
The weighted average number of shares used in basic earnings per share is 30,552,532 (2021: 31,366,379).
The weighted average number of shares used in the diluted earnings per share is 37,490,784 (2021: 37,914,547) after adjusting for the effect of 6,938,253 (2021: 6,548,168) dilutive share options.
| £'000 | |
|---|---|
| Cost | |
| At 29 February 2020 | 91,471 |
| Exchange adjustments | 143 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 91,614 |
| Disposal of Cory Brothers | (3,645) |
| Exchange adjustments | (419) |
| At 28 February 2022 | 87,550 |
| Accumulated impairment | |
| At 28 February 2022 and 28 February 2021 | 7,659 |
| Net book value at 28 February 2022 | 79,891 |
| Net book value at 28 February 2021 |
All goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units. The allocation of goodwill to cash-generating units is as follows:
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Shipbroking | 68,696 | 68,696 |
| Financial | 11,195 | 11,614 |
| Logistics | - | 3,645 |
| 79,891 | 83,955 |
These cash-generating units represent the lowest level within the Group at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes.
All goodwill is denominated in the Group's reporting currency, with the exception of the Financial Division which is denominated in Euros. Goodwill denominated in foreign currencies is revalued at the Balance Sheet date. The exchange adjustment at 28 February 2022 was a loss of £419,000 (2021: gain of £143,000).
The Logistics Division, Cory Brothers, was disposed of on 28 February 2022, the goodwill previously held in respect of this cash-generating unit was therefore disposed of. See Note 9.
The Group is required to test, on an annual basis, whether goodwill has suffered any impairment. The recoverable amount is determined based on value-in-use calculations. The use of this method requires the estimation of future cash flows and the determination of a discount rate in order to calculate the present value of the cash flows. The results of the impairment tests are as follows:
The post-tax discount rate was determined from the post-tax weighted average cost of capital calculation which was not based on an entity-specific capital structure.
The estimated cash flows were based on the approved annual budget for the next financial year and projections for the following four years which are based on management's estimates of revenue growth and cost inflation which reflect past experience and management's expectation of future events given the specific risks and economic and market conditions of each cash-generating unit. Cash flows have been used over a period of five years as management believes this reflects a reasonable time horizon for management to monitor the trends in the business. After five years a terminal value is calculated using a long-term growth rate of 1.7% (2021: 1.0%) Revenue growth rates have increased year on year for Shipbroking reflecting increased inflation. The key assumptions and resulting net present values are as follows:
| Shipbroking | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Post-tax discount rate | 10.87% | 9.10% |
| Equivalent pre-tax discount rate | 13.19% | 10.76% |
| Average revenue growth rate | 5.0% | 3.0% |
| Operating profit margin years 2-5 | 12.5 - 16.1% | 11.2 - 21.9% |
At 28 February 2022, the net present value of the Shipbroking Division is significantly higher than the carrying value of the goodwill in respect of this cash-generating unit. At the Balance Sheet date, management concluded that there were no reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions used in the impairment review that would reduce headroom to nil or result in an impairment.
The post-tax discount rate for the Financial Division includes an additional premium of 1.5% to reflect the Group's risk assessment of this cash-generating unit, for which revenues are harder to forecast than in the rest of the Group.
The estimated cash flows were based on the approved annual budget for the next financial year and projections for the following four years which are based on management's estimates of revenue growth and cost inflation which reflect past experience and management's expectation of future events given the specific risks and economic and market conditions of each cash-generating unit. Cash flows have been used over a period of five years as management believes this reflects a reasonable time horizon for management to monitor the trends in the business. After five years a terminal value is calculated using a long-term growth rate of 1.7% (2021: 0.6%). Revenues for the Financial Division are challenging to forecast because of the highly variable nature of this revenue stream. Growth rates used in the value in use tests reflect this variability and were based on the best estimates of the senior management team in Financial. There is expected to be one year in the following four where there is a decline in performance during which time future deals will be entered into to secure the following years as well as one exceptional and one average year of performance.
| Financial | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Post-tax discount rate | 12.37% | 10.60% |
| Equivalent pre-tax discount rate | 15.01% | 14.94% |
| Average revenue growth rate | 8.0% | 3.5% |
| Operating profit margin years 2-5 | 34.5% - 45.6% | 23.1 - 25.8% |
The tests performed indicated aggregate headroom over the carrying value of the goodwill in both cashgenerating units. To test the sensitivity of the results of the impairment review, the calculations have been reperformed, flexing the three key assumptions:
| Change in revenue growth | Change in discount rate | Change in underlying operating profit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1% | -1% | +1% | -1% | +5% | -5% | |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Shipbroking | 12,339 | (12,275) | (16,026) | 16,022 | 7,854 | (7,125) |
| Financial | 2,079 | (1,992) | (1,945) | 2,344 | 1,496 | (1,496) |
The results showed that in all scenarios the net present values of the cash-generating units were still in excess of the carrying value in all stressed scenarios and therefore there was no indication of impairment. The breakeven point, i.e. the point where the headroom over the carrying value is zero is reached by a reduction in average revenue growth rate of 4.0% / 6.4% for Shipbroking and Financial Divisions respectively and by increasing the pre-tax discount rate by +12.8% for Shipbroking and +3.8% for Financial.
Management does not believe that climate-related risks or the potential impact of climate change on the Group's operations would affect the recoverability of goodwill in either of the cash-generating units (see Note 1d).
| Computer software £'000 |
Research and development £'000 |
Other intangible assets £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||||
| At 29 February 2020 | 5,805 | 836 | 11,005 | 17,646 |
| Additions | 643 | – | – | 643 |
| Reclassified as held for sale | (28) | (836) | – | (864) |
| At 28 February 2021 | 6,420 | – | 11,005 | 17,425 |
| Additions | 515 | – | – | 515 |
| Disposal of Cory Brothers | (1,344) | – | (1,480) | (2,824) |
| Exchange rate adjustments | (5) | – | – | (5) |
| At 28 February 2022 | 5,586 | – | 9,525 | 15,111 |
| Amortisation | ||||
| At 29 February 2020 | 4,379 | 224 | 10,632 | 15,235 |
| Charge for the year | 404 | – | – | 404 |
| Reclassified as held for sale | (14) | (224) | (111) | (349) |
| Exchange adjustments | 6 | – | – | 6 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 4,775 | – | 10,521 | 15,296 |
| Charge for the year | 346 | – | 107 | 453 |
| Disposal of Cory Brothers | (275) | – | (1,359) | (1,634) |
| Exchange adjustments | (1) | – | – | (1) |
| At 28 February 2022 | 4,845 | – | 9,269 | 14,114 |
| Net book value at 28 February 2022 | 741 | – | 256 | 997 |
| Net book value at 28 February 2021 | 1,645 | – | 484 | 2,129 |
Other intangible assets brought forward from the prior year relate to forward books of income acquired in acquisitions which are being amortised over the period that the income is being recognised; customer relationships which are amortised over a period of five years; and brand which is being amortised over ten years.
At 28 February 2022, the Group had no contractual commitments for the acquisition of computer software (2021: £nil).
On 28 February 2022 the Company sold Cory Brothers to Vertom Agencies BV for maximum consideration of £15.5m. Initial cash proceeds of £6.5m were received on completion of the transaction, three further cash payments are due contingent on an agreed percentage of future gross profit of the combined VertomCory business. These "earnout" payments are subject to a combined minimum of £3.75m and a combined maximum of £9.0m.
The completion payment of £6.5m is included in trade and other receivables (see Note 21).
Each agreed minimum earnout payment is presented as deferred consideration recognised at amortised cost, using a discount rate of 2.39%. The uncertain element of each earnout payments is recognised at fair value through profit or loss and presented as contingent consideration. The fair value is calculated using the forecast gross profit for the combined VertomCory business for each earnout period, applying the agreed
percentage and discounting the forecast cashflow using the discount rate of 2.39%. Deferred and contingent consideration are included in other long-term receivables (see Note 20).
The current estimate of the fair value of the deferred consideration is £4.8m. The fair value of the contingent consideration involves two critical estimates; the future profitability of the combined business and the discount rate used to calculate the net present value. The future profitability forecasts are based on a business plan prepared by the combined VertomCory business and was reviewed by management as part of the financial due diligence process. A discount rate of 2.39% was used to calculate the net present value, this was based on the credit risk of Vertom Agencies BV following a credit check performed by management.
Management have considered the sensitivity of the contingent consideration receivable to both changes in the estimate of future profitability of the VertomCory agency business, and the discount rate selected.
| future gross profits of the | Sensitivity to the estimate of VertomCory agency business |
Sensitivity to change in the discount rate selected |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrying value as at 28 February 2022 |
Discounted value as at 28 February 2022 |
Decrease by 10% | Increase by 10% | Decrease by 1% p.a. | Increase by 1% p.a. | |
| £'000s | £'000s | £'000s | £'000s | £'000s | £'000s | |
| Payment due on 31 May 2023 | 336 | 326 | (139) | 140 | 4 | (4) |
| Payment due on 31 May 2024 | 433 | 411 | (167) | 166 | 9 | (9) |
| Payment due on 31 May 2025 | 507 | 469 | (169) | 170 | 16 | (14) |
| Total | 1,276 | 1,206 | (475) | 476 | 29 | (27) |
The 10% increase/decrease in future gross profits of the VertomCory agency business considered in the sensitivity analysis is selected to reflect a reasonably likely variation in outcomes, which lie within range covered by the minimum and maximum earnout thresholds. The change in discount rate considered reflects the observed range of three-year GBP corporate bond rates with similar credit risk.
In September 2017, the Group acquired the entire share capital of Naves Corporate Finance GmbH ("Naves"). Naves was an established and successful business, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, which advises national and international clients on corporate finance related to the maritime industry including restructuring advisory, corporate finance advisory, M&A, asset brokerage, interim/pre-insolvency management and financial asset management including loan servicing.
The accounting values for the deferred consideration and associated payments to management sellers are set out in Note 25. These amounts are subject to a prior period adjustment set out in Note 34.
The acquisition agreement provided for consideration of £16.0m (€18.4m) payable as follows:
No consideration was contingent consideration. As at 28 February 2022, there is nil outstanding deferred consideration (2021:nil) to non-management sellers.
The acquisition agreement also provided deferred amounts that would be payable to management sellers, conditional on their ongoing service in the business. IFRS 3 states that amounts paid to former owners which are conditional on ongoing service are for the benefit of the acquirer and not for the benefit of former owners. Consideration linked to the ongoing service of former owners is treated as remuneration for post-combination services and classified as acquisition-related expenditure under specific items in the Income Statement .
The deferred amounts payable to management sellers comprised:
At February 2022 £0.5m (2021:£1.0m) of amounts to management sellers were subject to future service conditions, of which £0.5m (2021: £0.9m) had been accrued. This accrual is presented within deferred consideration.
The tables below relate the amounts payable under the sale and purchase agreement to the values reflected in the Balance Sheets of the group and parent company. The comparative values have been restated, and further details of the restatement are provided in Note 34.
| Nominal value of NAVES deferred consideration | 2022 | 2022 | 2021 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (All denominated in Euros) | £'000 | €'000 | £'000 | €'000 |
| Historical* | Historical* | |||
| Amounts paid on acquisition | ||||
| Convertible loan notes settled in cash at maturity | 6,430 | 7,400 | 6,430 | 7,400 |
| Shares | 1,308 | 1,505 | 1,308 | 1,505 |
| Cash | 7,172 | 8,254 | 7,172 | 8,254 |
| Total consideration paid on acquisition | 14,910 | 17,159 | 14,910 | 17,159 |
| Settled deferred consideration | ||||
| Deferred cash settled | 549 | 632 | 549 | 632 |
| Convertible loan notes settled in cash at maturity | 359 | 421 | 183 | 211 |
| Deferred consideration settled | 908 | 1,053 | 732 | 843 |
| Deferred consideration convertible loan notes on Balance Sheet | 191 | 211 | 367 | 421 |
| Total deferred consideration | 1,099 | 1,264 | 1,099 | 1,264 |
| Total consideration for the business combination | 16,009 | 18,423 | 16,009 | 18,423 |
| 2021 | 2021 | |||
| £'000* | €'000 | |||
| Historical* | ||||
| Variable amounts paid and payable for post-acquisition services | 4,636 | 5,328 | ||
| Fixed amounts paid and payable for post-acquisition services | 5,614 | 6,431 | ||
| Total amounts paid and payable for post-acquisition services | 10,250 | 11,759 | ||
| Total consideration for the business combination | 16,009 | 18,423 | ||
| Total due under the NAVES acquisition agreement | 26,259 | 30,182 | ||
| Potential variable payments not incurred | 5,672 | |||
| Working capital adjustment on acquisition | (854) |
*Pounds sterling values are presented at the period end closing rate.
Post-acquisition remuneration of £0.2m associated with the acquisition were incurred during the year ended 28 February 2022 (2021: £0.2m) and have been classified as acquisition-related expenditure under specific items in the Income Statement . See Note 8.
In February 2018 the Group acquired the entire share capital of Atlantic Brokers Holdings Ltd, the holding company for Atlantic Brokers Ltd (together, "Atlantic").
The cash payment was made in the year to 28 February 2018 but was subject to clawback provisions if the working sellers were to leave employment of the Group before 28 February 2021. The cost was charged to the Income Statement over the clawback period and no further amounts were charged to the Income Statement after 28 February 2021.
| Fixtures and | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaseholds £'000 |
Computers £'000 |
equipment £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
| Cost or fair value | ||||
| At 29 February 2020 | 13,818 | 1,082 | 2,414 | 17,314 |
| Additions at cost | 1,232 | 237 | 260 | 1,729 |
| Disposals | (784) | (75) | (153) | (1,012) |
| Reclassification to assets held for sale (Wavespec) | (65) | (385) | (170) | (620) |
| Exchange differences | 107 | – | 33 | 140 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 14,308 | 859 | 2,384 | 17,551 |
| Additions at cost | 1,087 | 315 | 337 | 1,739 |
| Disposals | (244) | – | (631) | (875) |
| Disposal of Cory Brothers | (1,294) | (416) | (478) | (2,188) |
| Exchange differences | 75 | 6 | 42 | 123 |
| At 28 February 2022 | 13,932 | 764 | 1,654 | 16,350 |
| Accumulated depreciation | ||||
| At 29 February 2020 | 2,742 | 701 | 1,943 | 5,386 |
| Charge for the year | 2,886 | 94 | 318 | 3,298 |
| Disposals | (397) | (75) | (153) | (625) |
| Impairment | 210 | – | – | 210 |
| Reclassification to assets held for sale (Wavespec) | (63) | (379) | (170) | (612) |
| Exchange differences | – | 11 | 42 | 53 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 5,378 | 352 | 1,980 | 7,710 |
| Charge for the year | 2,663 | 148 | 220 | 3,031 |
| Disposals | (244) | – | (620) | (864) |
| Impairment | 392 | – | – | 392 |
| Disposal of Cory Brothers | (490) | (300) | (178) | (968) |
| Exchange differences | (65) | 26 | 10 | (29) |
| At 28 February 2022 | 7,634 | 226 | 1,412 | 9,272 |
| Net book value at 28 February 2022 | 6,298 | 538 | 242 | 7,078 |
| Net book value at 28 February 2021 | 8,930 | 507 | 404 | 9,841 |
The prior period movement table has been represented to include impairment within accumulated depreciation instead of cost.
On 28 March 2022, the Group assigned the lease for its Bevis Marks premises to Beat Capital. The impairment charge of £392,000 is equal to the subsequent loss on assignment of this lease, being the lease assignment premium paid plus the net book value of the ROU asset disposed of less the outstanding lease liability. At 28 February 2022, the Group had no contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment (2021: £nil).
The group leases a number of properties in the jurisdictions from which it operates. In some jurisdictions it is customary for lease contracts to provide for payments to increase each year by inflation and in other property leases the periodic rent is fixed over the lease term. The group also leases certain items of plant and equipment which are typically motor vehicles. These contracts normally comprise only fixed payments over the lease terms.
| At 28 February 2022 | 5,182 | 11 | 5,194 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange differences | 166 | - | 166 |
| Disposal of Cory Brothers | (856) | (51) | (907) |
| Disposals | - | (10) | (10) |
| Impairment | (392) | – | (392) |
| Amortisation | (2,079) | (77) | (2,155) |
| Additions | 1,036 | 11 | 1,047 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 7,307 | 138 | 7,445 |
| Exchange differences | 5 | 12 | 17 |
| Disposals | (361) | – | (361) |
| Impairment | (210) | – | (210) |
| Amortisation | (2,494) | (178) | (2,672) |
| Additions | 1,148 | 37 | 1,185 |
| At 1 March 2020 | 9,219 | 267 | 9,486 |
| Leaseholds £'000 |
Fixtures and equipment £'000 |
Total £'000 |
Details on the impairment charge of £0.4m are provided in Note 16.
| At 28 February 2022 | 8,505 |
|---|---|
| Exchange differences | 1 |
| Disposal of Cory Brothers | (1,243) |
| Lease payments | (3,950) |
| Interest expense | 329 |
| Additions | 814 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 12,554 |
| Exchange differences | 111 |
| Lease payments | (3,928) |
| Interest expense | 409 |
| Additions | 1,185 |
| At 1 March 2020 | 14,777 |
| Total £'000 |
| At 28 February 2022 | 1,512 |
|---|---|
| Exchange differences | (9) |
| Disposal of Cory Brothers | (272) |
| Lease payments | (870) |
| Interest income | 72 |
| Disposal | (236) |
| Additions | – |
| At 28 February 2021 | 2,827 |
| Exchange differences | 7 |
| Lease payments | (804) |
| Interest income | 86 |
| Additions | 324 |
| At 1 March 2020 | 3,214 |
| £'000 |
Total
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Short-term lease expense | 234 | 282 |
| Short-term lease income | 73 | 73 |
| Low value lease expense | – | – |
| Within 1 year £'000 |
1 to 2 Years £'000 |
2 to 5 years £'000 |
More than 5 years £'000 |
Total £'000 |
Uncharged interest £'000 |
Net payable £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 28 February 2022 | 3,431 | 3,197 | 2,131 | 16 | 8,775 | (270) | 8,505 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 3,969 | 3,431 | 5,000 | 623 | 13,023 | (479) | 12,544 |
| Lease receivables | Within 1 year £'000 |
1 to 2 Years £'000 |
2 to 5 years £'000 |
More than 5 years £'000 |
Total £'000 |
Unearned interest £'000 |
Net receivable £'000 |
| At 28 February 2022 | 642 | 642 | 284 | - | 1,568 | (56) | 1,512 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 939 | 939 | 1,189 | - | 3,067 | (240) | 2,827 |
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Unlisted investments | 1,780 | 1,962 |
| At 28 February 2022 | 1,780 |
|---|---|
| Disposal | (182) |
| At 1 March 2020, and 28 February 2021 | 1,962 |
| Movement in unlisted investments | Total £'000 |
A list of subsidiary undertakings is included in Note 32.
The Financial Statements of the principal subsidiary undertakings are prepared to 28 February 2022.
The Group's unlisted investments include 1,000 (2021: 1,000) ordinary £1 shares in London Tanker Broker Panel Limited. The investment is carried at fair value of £1.5m, being the value of the most recent comparable transaction, which occurred during the year ended 28 February 2019. There have been no transactions or events in the current or prior year which would result in an adjustment to the fair value at 28 February 2022.
On 29 October 2020 the Group subscribed for 1,000 ordinary shares in Zuma Labs Limited. Zuma Labs Limited is a private company incorporated in England and Wales and its registered address is Kemp House, 160 City Road, London, United Kingdom, EC1V 2NX. Zuma Labs Limited has one share class and each share carries one vote.
During the period, in accordance with the shareholders' agreement, three further subscriptions for shares were made totalling of \$0.5m (£0.3m), increasing Braemar's shareholding increased by 1,125 shares.
At 28 February 2022 the Group's shareholding was 2,500 shares, which equates to 20.0% of Zuma Labs Limited's share capital and 20.0% of voting rights (2021: 1,375 shares, 12.1% of share capital and 12.1% of voting rights). The Group has representation on the board of Zuma Labs Limited, as a result, the Group considers that it has the power to exercise significant influence in Zuma Labs Limited and the investment in it has been accounted for using the equity method.
A purchase price allocation exercise was undertaken to measure the fair value of the net assets on the date at which Zuma Labs Limited became an associate, and also at each date at which further shares were subscribed for. Based on the purchase price allocation exercise, the difference between the cost of the investment and Braemar's share of the net fair value of Zuma Labs Limited's identifiable assets and liabilities will be accounted for as goodwill. Amortisation of that goodwill is not permitted.
IAS 28 requires the most recent Financial Statements of an associate are used for accounting purposes, and that coterminous information should be used unless it is impractical to do so. Zuma Labs Limited has a year end of 31 March and for practical reasons Zuma Labs Limited's management accounts for the 15 months ended 28 February 2022 will be used for the purposes of the Group's full-year reporting at 28 February with adjustments made for any significant transactions and events. Zuma Labs Limited will prepare its next set of Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2022. At 28 February 2022 Zuma Labs Limited had no contingent liabilities.
The summarised financial information of Zuma Labs Limited for the period ended 28 February 2022 is as follows. These figures are taken from the management accounts of Zuma Labs Limited, adjusted for any fair value adjustments but before any intercompany eliminations.
| 28 Feb 22 £'000 |
|
|---|---|
| Balance Sheet | |
| Current assets | 283 |
| Non-current assets | 359 |
| Current liabilities | (45) |
| Net assets (100%) | 597 |
| Group share of net assets (20%) | 119 |
| Income Statement | |
| Revenues | — |
| Post-tax profit | (130) |
| Total comprehensive income | (19) |
Management have reviewed the carrying value of the investment in Zuma Labs Limited at 28 February 2022 and do not consider this to be impaired.
On 21 June 2019 the Group recognised an investment in associate as a result of the divestment of the Offshore, Marine and Adjusting product lines in return for a significant shareholding in AqualisBraemar LOC ASA. AqualisBraemar LOC ASA is listed on the Oslo Børs, its principal place of business is Oslo and its registered address is Olav Vs gate 6, 0161, Oslo, Norway. AqualisBraemar LOC ASA has one share class and each share carries one vote.
On 28 January 2021 the Group sold 9,600,000 shares and on 19 May 2021 the Group sold its entire remaining shareholding in AqualisBraemar LOC ASA, see Note 9. The Group was entitled to representation on the board of AqualisBraemar LOC for as long as the Group's shareholding remains more than 10.0%. Based on this the Group consider that it had the power to exercise significant influence for the year ended 28 February 2021, and until it sold its shareholding on 19 May 2021. At that point significant influence was lost, the Group ceased to equity account for AqualisBraemar and the Group's interest in AqualisBraemar was limited to its holding of 6,523,977 performance-based warrants which were accounted for as a financial asset at fair value.
On 20 August 2021, 1,000,000 of the 6,523,977 warrants vested with the remainder lapsing. A loss on vesting of £2,000 was recognised in specific items. The shares received were subsequently sold on 31 August 2021 crystallising a further loss of £4,000.
At 28 February 2022 the Group's shareholding was nil which equates to 0% of AqualisBraemar's share capital and 0% of voting rights (2021: market value of £6.3m, being 10.42% of share capital and 10.42% of voting rights).
The results of AqualisBraemar are presented within discontinued operations.
The movements in the investment in associates are provided below.
| Zuma £'000 |
AqualisBraemar £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 March 2020 | – | 7,315 | 7,315 |
| Cost of investment | 418 | – | 418 |
| Share of profit in associate – underlying | – | 255 | 255 |
| Share of profit in associate – specific | – | 91 | 91 |
| Share of associate's other comprehensive income | – | 312 | 312 |
| Dividends received | – | (641) | (641) |
| Gain on rights issue | – | 826 | 826 |
| Book value of 9,600,000 shares disposed | – | (3,753) | (3,753) |
| Foreign exchange movements | – | (1,060) | (1,060) |
| At 29 February 2021 | 418 | 3,345 | 3,763 |
| Book value of 450 shares acquired | 326 | – | 326 |
| Share of profit in associate – underlying | (20) | 76 | 56 |
| Share of associate's other comprehensive income | – | 52 | 52 |
| Book value of 9,640,621 shares disposed | – | (3,473) | (3,473) |
| At 28 February 2022 | 724 | - | 724 |
A reconciliation of the book value of the AqualisBraemar shares disposed of to the profit on disposal in Note 9 is as follows:
| 19 May 2021 | 28 Jan 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of shares sold | 9,640,621 | 9,600,000 |
| Share price NOK | 9.00 | 7.50 |
| NOK'000 | NOK'000 | |
| Gross disposal proceeds | 86,776 | 72,000 |
| Broker's commission at 1.5% / 2% | (1,301) | (1,440) |
| Net disposal proceeds | 85,475 | 70,560 |
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| Net disposal proceeds | 7,232 | 5,982 |
| Book value of shares sold | (3,473) | (3,753) |
| Legal costs | (13) | - |
| Recycle of amounts in other comprehensive income | (371) | (471) |
| Profit on disposal | 3,375 | 1,758 |
| Note | 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Other long-term receivables | |||
| Deferred consideration | 9 | 3,482 | - |
| Contingent consideration | 9 | 1,276 | - |
| Security deposits | 17 | 34 | |
| Finance lease receivables | 17 | 861 | 1,854 |
| 5,636 | 1,888 |
Deferred consideration of £3.6 and contingent consideration of £1.2m relates to the earn-out payments receivable in respect of the disposal of Cory Brothers, further detail is provided in Note 14.
See Note 17 for a maturity analysis which reconciles the long-term finance lease receivables to the undiscounted lease receipts and unearned finance income.
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Trade receivables | 24,970 | 27,266 |
| Provision for impairment of trade receivables | (3,159) | (2,858) |
| Net trade receivables | 21,811 | 24,408 |
| Other receivables | 13,314 | 5,567 |
| Finance lease receivables | 633 | 974 |
| Accrued income | 1,965 | 2,570 |
| Prepayments | 1,085 | 1,281 |
| Total | 38,808 | 34,800 |
Included in other receivables at 28 February 2022 is £6.5 million of completion proceeds relating to the disposal of Cory Brothers. The cash was due on completion of the transaction but was not received into the Group's bank account until 2 March 2022. Also included in other receivables in both years are security deposits, VAT and other sales tax receivables, employee loans and capitalised sign-on bonuses which are
being charged to the Income Statement in accordance with the clawback provisions of the underlying contracts.
The total receivables balance is denominated in the following currencies:
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| US Dollars | 23,099 | 17,804 |
| Sterling | 14,451 | 13,792 |
| Other | 1,258 | 3,204 |
| Total | 38,808 | 34,800 |
The directors consider that the carrying amounts of trade receivables approximate to their fair value.
Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on terms payable within 30–90 days; terms associated with the settlement of the Group's trade receivables vary across the Group. Specific debts are provided for where recovery is deemed uncertain, which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis whenever debts are older than the due date, but always when debts are older than usual for the industry in which each business in the Group operates.
As at 28 February 2022, trade receivables of £1,251,000 (2021: £613,000) which were over 24 months old were treated as credit impaired and have been provided for and trade receivables of £757,000 (2021: £613,000) which were between 12 months old and 24 months old were treated as impaired and have been provided for. A provision of £396,000 (2021: £477,000) has been made for specific trade receivables which are less than 12 months overdue.
The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses using a lifetime expected credit loss provision for trade receivables and contract assets. To measure expected credit losses on a collective basis, trade receivables and contract assets are grouped based on similar credit risk and ageing. The contract assets have similar risk characteristics to the trade receivables for similar types of contracts.
The expected loss rates are based on the Group's historical credit losses and rates are then adjusted for current and forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the Group's customers.
The ageing profile of trade receivables and the lifetime expected credit loss for provisions and contract assets is as follows:
| 2022 | Trade receivables £'000 |
Expected loss rate % |
Group provision £'000 |
ECL provision £'000 |
Total provision for impairment of trade receivables £'000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | 14,562 | 0.015 | 100 | 210 | 310 |
| 3 to 6 months | 3,952 | 0.020 | 100 | 77 | 177 |
| 6 to 12 months | 4,036 | 0.051 | 196 | 196 | 392 |
| Over 12 months | 2,420 | 0.591 | 2,008 | 243 | 2,251 |
| Trade receivables | 24,970 | 0.096 | 2,404 | 726 | 3,130 |
| Accrued income | 1,965 | 0.015 | – | 29 | 29 |
| Total | 26,935 | 0.028 | 2,404 | 755 | 3,159 |
| 2021 | Trade receivables £'000 |
Expected loss rate % |
Group provision £'000 |
ECL provision £'000 |
Total provision for impairment of trade receivables £'000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | 19,668 | 0.014 | 110 | 275 | 385 |
| 3 to 6 months | 2,794 | 0.022 | 134 | 61 | 195 |
| 6 to 12 months | 2,906 | 0.046 | 233 | 135 | 368 |
| Over 12 months | 1,898 | 0.154 | 1,579 | 293 | 1,872 |
| Trade receivables | 27,266 | 0.028 | 2,056 | 764 | 2,820 |
| Accrued income | 2,570 | 0.015 | – | 38 | 38 |
| Total | 29,836 | 0.027 | 2,056 | 802 | 2,858 |
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| At 1 March | 2,858 | 3,405 |
| Bad debt charge/(credit) | 747 | (170) |
| Receivables written off during the year as uncollectible | (204) | (360) |
| Transferred on disposal | (242) | — |
| Reclassified as held for sale | — | (17) |
| At 28 February | 3,159 | 2,858 |
The Group is exposed through its operations to the following financial risks:
In common with all other businesses, the Group is exposed to risks that arise from its use of financial instruments. This note describes the Group's objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks and the methods used to measure them. Further quantitative information in respect of these risks is presented throughout the Financial Statements.
There have been no substantive changes in the Group's exposure to financial instrument risks, its objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks or the methods used to measure them from previous periods unless otherwise stated in this note.
The principal financial instruments used by the Group, from which financial instrument risk arises, are as follows:
Bank overdrafts
Revolving credit facility
The Group's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit and loss, including their fair value hierarchy, are as follows. Fair value is the amount at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in an arm's length transaction, other than in a forced or liquidated sale.
| Level 1 £'000 |
Level 2 £'000 |
Level 3 £'000 |
As at 28 Feb 2022 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial assets | ||||
| Unlisted investments | – | 1,500 | – | 1,500 |
| Contingent consideration receivable | – | – | 1,276 | 1,276 |
| Forward currency contracts* | – | 62 | – | 62 |
| Total | – | 1,562 | 1,276 | 2,838 |
| Financial liabilities | ||||
| Forward currency contracts* | – | 772 | – | 772 |
| Embedded derivative | – | – | 251 | 251 |
| Total | – | 772 | 251 | 1,023 |
*At 28 February 2022, currency forwards with a fair value of £54,000 maturing within 12 months have been shown as current assets. Currency forwards with a fair value of £8,000 maturing within 12 to 18 months of the Balance Sheet date have been shown as non-current assets. Liabilities include currency forwards with a fair value of £688,000 maturing within 12 months shown as current liabilities and currency forwards with a fair value of £84,000 maturing within 12 to 18 months of the Balance Sheet date shown as non-current liabilities.
| Level 1 £'000 |
Level 2 £'000 |
Level 3 £'000 |
As at 28 Feb 2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial assets | ||||
| Unlisted investments | – | 1,500 | – | 1,500 |
| Forward currency contracts** | – | 1,773 | – | 1,773 |
| Warrants | – | – | 746 | 746 |
| Total | – | 3,273 | 746 | 4,019 |
| Financial liabilities | ||||
| Embedded derivative (restated) | – | – | 56 | 56 |
| Total | – | – | 56 | 56 |
**At 28 February 2021, currency forwards with a fair value of £1,573,000 maturing within 12 months have been shown as current assets. Currency forwards with a fair value of £200,000 maturing within 12 to 18 months of the Balance Sheet date have been shown as non-current assets.
The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the financial asset or liability is categorised is determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety into one of three levels:
The unlisted investment relates to the Group's investment in the London Tanker Broker Panel, see Note 17. The investment is carried at fair value, being the value of the most recent comparable transaction and is therefore classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
There was no movement in the fair value of the unlisted investment.
The fair value of the deferred and contingent consideration receivable includes unobservable inputs and are therefore classified as Level 3. The deferred and contingent consideration receivable relates to the disposal of the Logistics Division whereby Braemar is entitled to three future cash payments. The SPA provides for a minimum guaranteed amount in each of the three years, this amount has been classified as deferred consideration. The fair value of the deferred consideration has been determined by discounting the guaranteed minimum amounts as per the SPA to present value using a discount rate of 2.39%. The balance of the earnout consideration is contingent on the future performance of the combined business up to a maximum specified in the SPA, this has been classified as contingent consideration. The fair value of the contingent consideration has been calculated by reference to management's expectation of the future profitability of the combined business and discounted to present value using a discount rate of 2.39%. The discount rate of 2.39% was based on the credit risk of Vertom Agencies BV assessed by a third party credit agency. See Note 9 for further details and a sensitivity analysis on the contingent element.
The fair value of the forward currency contracts are based on prices quoted by the counterparty within these contracts versus the market rate at the Balance Sheet date and have therefore been classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. See the currency risk section for further details.
At 28 February 2021 the warrants were valued at £0.7m. The fair value of the warrants includes unobservable inputs and are therefore classified as Level 3. The key assumptions underpinning the fair value of the warrants relate to the future expected share price of AqualisBraemar LOC ASA, the GBP:NOK and GBP:US\$ exchange rate and the future performance of both AqualisBraemar as a whole, and of the former Braemar Marine and Adjusting product lines. The fair value has been determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The inputs in the Black-Scholes valuation model are:
| | the share price of AqualisBraemar | LOC ASA | NOK 4.03 |
|---|---|---|---|
| | the exercise price of the option | NOK 0.01 | |
| | the length of the exercise period | 3 months | |
| | the compound risk-free interest rate |
the annualised standard deviation
On 20 August 2021, the warrants vested and a loss of £2,000 was recognised. There were no movements in the fair value of the warrants between 28 February 2021 and 20 August 2021.
The convertible loan note instruments issued on the acquisition of Naves contain an embedded derivative, being a Euro liability of principal and interest. The equity value of the underlying derivative is not considered closely related to the debt host, therefore the loan note is considered to be a financial liability host with an embedded derivative convertible feature which is required to be separated from the host. The fair value of the embedded derivative includes unobservable inputs and is therefore classified as Level 3. They key assumptions underpinning the fair value of the embedded derivative relate to the expected future share price of the Group and the GBP:EUR exchange rate. The fair value has been determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model.
A gain of £97,000 has been recognised in the Income Statement in respect of the fair value movement of the embedded derivative from 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2022 (2021 (restated): loss of £52,000).
The Group's financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value are held at amortised costs. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying value of these financial instruments approximates their fair value. Their carrying values are as follows:
| Financial assets | 2022 £'000 |
2021 restated £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | 13,964 | 14,111 |
| Deferred consideration receivable | 3,482 | - |
| Trade and other receivables | 38,601 | 35,407 |
| Total | 56,047 | 49,518 |
| Financial liabilities | 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
| Trade and other payables | 7,779 | 26,414 |
| Deferred and contingent consideration | 4,666 | 8,370 |
| Lease liabilities | 8,506 | 12,554 |
| Loans and borrowings | 23,254 | 23,000 |
| Total | 44,205 | 70,338 |
Currency risk arises when Group entities enter into transactions denominated in a currency other than their functional currency. The Group's policy is, where possible, to allow Group entities to settle liabilities denominated in their functional currency with the cash generated from operations in that currency. The Group's currency risk exposure arises mainly as a result of the majority of its Shipbroking earnings being denominated in US Dollars while the majority of its costs are denominated in Sterling. There is also some currency exposure related to convertible loan notes and deferred consideration denominated in Euros and from the carrying values of its overseas subsidiaries being denominated in foreign currencies.
The Group manages the exposure to US Dollar currency variations by spot and forward currency sales and other derivative currency contracts, including participating hedging arrangements.
At 28 February 2022 the Group held forward currency contracts to sell US\$53.8m at an average rate of US\$1.370/£1.
At 28 February 2021 the Group held forward currency contracts to sell US\$48.8m at an average rate of US\$1.328/£1.
The net fair value of forward currency contracts that are designated and effective as cash flow hedges amount to a £709,000 liability (2021: £1,773,000 asset) which has been deferred in equity.
Amounts of £1,613,000 have been credited (2021: £84,000 credited) to the Income Statement in respect of forward contracts which have matured in the period.
Excluding the effect of hedging, the effect on equity and profit before tax if the US Dollar or the Euro strengthened/(weakened) by 10% against Sterling, with all other variables being equal, is as follows:
| Profit or loss | Equity, net of tax | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +10% strengthening £'000 |
–10% weakening £'000 |
+10% strengthening £'000 |
–10% weakening £'000 |
|
| 28 February 2022 | ||||
| US Dollars | 2,697 | (2,697) | 2,185 | (2,185) |
| Euros | (111) | 111 | (90) | 90 |
| Total | 2,586 | (2,586) | 2,095 | (2,095) |
| 28 February 2021 | ||||
| US Dollars | 2,141 | (2,141) | 1,734 | (1,734) |
| Euros | 819 | (819) | 663 | (663) |
| Total | 2,960 | (2,960) | 2,397 | (2,397) |
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk from borrowings at floating rates. The Group minimises its shortterm exposure to interest rate risk on its cash and cash equivalents by pooling cash balances across the Group's hubs.
The Group has not entered into any financial instruments to fix or hedge the interest rates applied to its bank borrowings and overdrafts.
The following table sets out the carrying amount, by maturity, of the Group's financial instruments which are exposed to interest rate risk:
| Notes | 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Floating rate: | |||
| Within one year | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 23 | 13,964 | 14,111 |
| Secured rolling credit facilities and other borrowings | 25 | (23,254) | (23,000) |
| (9,290) | (8,889) |
Cash balances are generally held on overnight deposits at floating rates depending on cash requirements and the prevailing market rates for the amount of funds deposited. The other financial instruments of the Group are non-interest bearing.
The effect on equity and profit before tax of a 1% increase/(decrease) in the interest rate, all other variables being equal, is as follows:
| Profit or loss | Equity, net of tax | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1% increase £'000 |
–1% decrease £'000 |
+1% increase £'000 |
–1% decrease £'000 |
|
| 28 February 2022 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 63 | (63) | 51 | (50) |
| RCF and overdrafts | (104) | 104 | (84) | 84 |
| Total | (41) | 41 | (33) | 34 |
| 28 February 2021 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 7 | (6) | 5 | (5) |
| RCF and overdrafts | (11) | 10 | (9) | 8 |
| Total | (4) | 4 | (4) | 3 |
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the diversity of the Group's customer base. The directors believe there is no further credit risk provision required in excess of normal provisions for doubtful receivables, estimated by the Group's management based on prior experience and their assessment of the current economic environment. The Group seeks to trade only with creditworthy parties and carries out credit checks where appropriate. The maximum exposure is the carrying amount as disclosed in Note 21.
Liquidity risk arises from the Group's management of working capital and the finance charges and principal repayments on its debt instruments. It is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting its financial obligations as they fall due.
The Group's policy is to ensure that it will always have sufficient cash to allow it to meet its liabilities when they become due. Management receive rolling 13-week cash flow projections on a weekly basis to ensure the Group has sufficient liquidity.
The board receives rolling 12-month cash flow projections on a monthly basis as well as information regarding cash balances. At the end of the financial year, these projections indicated that the Group expected to have sufficient liquid resources to meet its obligations under all reasonably expected circumstances.
| At 28 February 2022 | Up to 3 months £'000 |
Between 3 and 12 months £'000 |
Between 1 and 2 years £'000 |
Between 2 and 5 years £'000 |
Over 5 years £'000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade and other payables | 5,649 | 2,130 | – | – | – |
| Loans and borrowings | - | - | 23,254 | – | – |
| Lease liabilities | 864 | 2,567 | 3,197 | 2,131 | 16 |
| Deferred and contingent consideration | – | 1,450 | 1,654 | 1,562 | – |
| Total | 6,513 | 6,147 | 28,105 | 3,693 | 16 |
| Forward currency contracts | |||||
| Gross outflows | 11,204 | 18,748 | 6,498 | – | – |
| Gross inflows | (11,034) | (18,231) | (6,414) | – | – |
| Net outflow from forward currency contract | 170 | 517 | 84 | – | – |
| At 28 February 2021 | Up to 3 months £'000 |
Between 3 and 12 months £'000 |
Between 1 and 2 years £'000 |
Between 2 and 5 years £'000 |
Over 5 years £'000 |
| Trade and other payables | 12,048 | 14,366 | – | – | – |
| Loans and borrowings | 146 | 438 | 23,341 | – | – |
| Lease liabilities | 992 | 2,977 | 3,431 | 5,000 | 623 |
| Deferred and contingent consideration | - | 2,596 | 1,450 | 3,926 | – |
| Total | 13,186 | 20,377 | 28,222 | 8,926 | 623 |
| Forward currency contracts | |||||
| Gross outflows | 11,040 | 18,066 | 5,879 | – | – |
| Gross inflows | (11,557) | (19,164) | (6,031) | – | – |
| Net inflow from forward currency contract | (517) | (1,098) | (152) | – | – |
Loans and borrowings have been represented to show the expected interest payments payable on the revolving credit facility in addition to the repayment of the loan. The presentation of future cash flows arising from forward currency contracts has been represented for the prior year to show grossed up cash inflows and outflows in addition to the net flow position.
The Group manages its capital structure so as to maintain investor and market confidence and to provide returns to shareholders that will support the future development of the business. The Group makes adjustments to the capital structure if required in response to changes in economic conditions. The Group considers its capital as consisting of ordinary shares and retained earnings. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares.
The Group has a policy of maintaining positive cash balances and also has a revolving credit facility which it draws down as required to provide cover against the cyclical nature of the shipping industry.
The board monitors underlying business performance to determine the ongoing use of capital, namely executive and staff incentive schemes (and whether to fund this through cash or share incentives); acquisition appraisals ahead of potential business combinations; investment in property, plant and equipment; and the level of dividends.
No changes were made in the objectives, policies or processes during the years ended 28 February 2022 and 28 February 2021.
| Non-current loans and borrowings £'000 |
Non-current deferred consideration £'000 |
Non-current lease liabilities £'000 |
Current loans and borrowings £'000 |
Current Deferred consideration £'000 |
Current lease liabilities £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 March 2021 | 1,217 | 3,358 | 8,634 | 28,130 | 608 | 3,920 | 45,867 |
| Prior period adjustment (see Note 34 | 24,464 | (2,476) | – | (23,669) | (608) | – | (2,289) |
| Restated at 1 March 2021 | 25,681 | 882 | 8,634 | 4,461 | – | 3,920 | 43,578 |
| Cash flows | (362) | – | – | (2,593) | – | (3,950) | (6,905) |
| Non-cash flows: | |||||||
| – Shares issued | – | – | – | (541) | – | – | (541) |
| – Derivatives issued | (293) | – | – | – | – | – | (293) |
| – Interest accruing in the period | 537 | 238 | 329 | 134 | – | – | 1,238 |
| – Lease adjustment | – | – | 814 | – | – | – | 814 |
| – Amounts reclassified from non-current to current | (95) | - | (3,947) | 95 | - | 3,947 | – |
| – Amounts reclassified from deferred consideration to loans | 625 | (625) | – | – | – | – | – |
| – Cory Brothers disposal | – | – | (753) | – | – | (490) | (1,243) |
| – Effects of foreign exchange | (84) | – | – | (140) | – | 2 | (222) |
| At 28 February 2022 | 26,009 | 495 | 5,077 | 1,416 | – | 3,429 | 36,426 |
| Non-current loans and borrowings £'000 |
Non-current deferred consideration £'000 |
Non-current lease liabilities £'000 |
Current loans and borrowings £'000 |
Current Deferred consideration £'000 |
Current lease liabilities £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 March 2020 | 2,398 | 3,031 | 10,943 | 53,098 | 600 | 3,834 | 73,904 |
| Prior period adjustment | 23,883 | (738) | – | (23,538) | (423) | – | (816) |
| Restated at 1 March 2020 | 26,281 | 2,293 | 10,943 | 29,560 | 177 | 3,834 | 73,088 |
| Cash flows | (1,554) | – | – | (27,153) | (177) | (3,928) | (32,812) |
| Non-cash flows: | |||||||
| – Interest accruing in the period | 1,028 | – | 409 | 240 | – | – | 1,677 |
| – Lease adjustment | – | – | 1,185 | – | – | – | 1,185 |
| – Amounts reclassified from non-current to current | (1,697) | – | (3,970) | 1,697 | – | 3,970 | – |
| – Amounts reclassified from deferred consideration to loans | 1,553 | (1,553) | – | – | – | – | – |
| – Retention accrual net charge | – | 142 | – | – | – | – | 142 |
| – Effects of foreign exchange | 70 | – | 67 | 117 | – | 44 | 298 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 25,681 | 882 | 8,634 | 4,461 | - | 3,920 | 43,578 |
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Cash at bank and cash on hand | 13,964 | 14,111 |
| Cash held for sale (Wavespec – see Note 9d) | – | 53 |
| Total | 13,964 | 14,164 |
Cash and cash equivalents largely comprise bank balances denominated in Sterling, US Dollars, Euros and other currencies for the purpose of settling current liabilities.
Cash includes an amount of £2.9m (2021: £1.4m) held in the bank accounts of regulated entities where there is a requirement to hold a certain amount of cash at any one time in order to cover future obligations. No charge or other restriction of use is held over this cash.
The directors consider that the carrying amounts of these assets approximate to their fair value.
| Current liabilities | 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Trade payables | 3,397 | 21,285 |
| Lease liabilities | 3,429 | 3,920 |
| Other taxation and social security | 721 | 988 |
| Other payables | - | 42 |
| Accruals | 31,082 | 19,412 |
| Total | 38,629 | 45,647 |
Accruals includes accrued bonuses and other general accruals.
The average credit period taken for trade payables is 102 days (2021: 77 days). The directors consider that the carrying amounts of trade payables approximate to their fair value.
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Long-term borrowings | ||
| Secured revolving credit facilities | 23,254 | 23,000 |
| Lease liabilities | 5,077 | 8,634 |
| Total | 28,331 | 31,634 |
The revolving credit facility expires in September 2023. Amounts can be rolled on a monthly basis until the facility expires subject to certain conditions and on that basis the borrowings have been classified as longterm. The revolving credit facility bears interest based on SONIA.
All revolving credit facilities are drawn within Braemar Shipping Services Plc and appear in the accounts of the Company. During the period, the revolving credit facility has been renegotiated so that SONIA replaced LIBOR and EURIBOR as the applicable interest rate. The applicable interest rate is between 2.25-3.25% dependent on net leverage. The change has not had a material impact on the financial statements. See Note 22 for details of the Group's cash pooling arrangements and the net overdraft available to the Group.
The directors consider that the fair value of the revolving credit facility liability and the fair value of the longterm lease liabilities are equivalent to the carrying amount.
The Group issues convertible loan notes in connection with its acquisition of Naves in September 2017.
These convertible loan note instruments are unsecured, unlisted and non-transferable. The notes are Euro denominated and carry a 3% per annum coupon. Each tranche is redeemable on or after two years from the date of issue by the Group or by the individual holder. The conversion prices were fixed at 390.3 pence for management sellers and 450.3 pence for non-management sellers.
The convertible loan note instruments carry certain accelerated conversion rights in the event of default on financial commitments associated with the instruments or business distress within the Group. The loan notes shall automatically convert or be redeemed in the event that any person or persons acting in concert hold more than 50% of the issued share capital of the Group or an impairment charge in excess of £42.8m (€50.0m) is reflected in the audited Financial Statements of the Group.
The convertible loan notes and financial derivatives are valued using level 3 hierarchy techniques under IFRS 13. See Note 21.
The total value of convertible loan note liability is £4.9m (2021: £8.1m).
| 2022 | 2022 | 2021 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £'000 | €'000 | £'000 | €'000 | |
| Closing rate | Closing rate | |||
| Restated | ||||
| Deferred consideration convertible loan notes on Balance Sheet | 176 | 211 | 366 | 421 |
| Total amounts paid and payable for post-acquisition services | 10,415 | 12,458 | 10,218 | 11,759 |
| Of which | - | - | ||
| Settled in cash | (3,078) | (3,682) | (1,276) | (1,468) |
| Settled in shares | (522) | (625) | - | - |
| Settled in convertible loan notes settled in cash at maturity | (1,987) | (2,377) | (1,032) | (1,188) |
| Nominal value of Naves-related liabilities outstanding | 5,004 | 5,985 | 8,276 | 9,524 |
| Effect of discounting and separation of derivatives | (232) | (36) | ||
| Total carrying amount in parent company accounts | 4,772 | 8,240 | ||
| Effect of measurement differences and remaining service conditions | 145 | (160) | ||
| Total carrying amount in consolidated accounts | 4,917 | 8,080 | ||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
| Represented in the consolidated Balance Sheet by: | £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Convertible loan notes | 1,416 | 4,461 | ||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||
| Convertible loan notes | 2,755 | 2,681 | ||
| Accrued employee costs | 495 | 882 | ||
| Derivatives | 251 | 56 | ||
| 3,501 | 3,619 | |||
| 4,917 | 8,080 | |||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
| Represented in the parent company Balance Sheet by: | £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Convertible loan notes | 1,416 | 4,461 | ||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||
| Convertible loan notes | 3,271 | 3,640 | ||
| Derivatives | 85 | 139 | ||
| 3,356 | 3,779 | |||
| 4,772 | 8,240 |
The movement in the Naves-related balances in the Group Balance Sheet during the year is explained by the items below:
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| Total NAVES-related balances at start of year | 8,080 | 9,557 |
| Finance expense | 130 | 303 |
| Post-acquisition remuneration | 238 | 141 |
| Foreign exchange movements | (225) | 186 |
| Renegotiation gain | (172) | |
| Cash paid | (2,593) | (2,107) |
| Equity issued | (541) | |
| Total movements | (3,163) | (1,477) |
| Total NAVES-related balances at year end | 4,917 | 8,080 |
| Accounting value | Nominal value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | ||
| £'000 | £'000 | €'000 | €'000 | ||
| Due at the reporting date | - | 3,206 | - | 3,667 | |
| 30-Sep-21 | - | 1,238 | - | 1,399 | |
| 31-Dec-21 | - | 1,352 | - | 1,539 | |
| 30-Sep-22 | 1,184 | 1,238 | 1,399 | 1,399 | |
| 31-Dec-22 | 215 | 108 | - | 122 | |
| 30-Sep-23 | 592 | not yet earned |
699 | 699 | |
| 30-Sep-24 | not yet earned |
not yet earned |
699 | 699 | |
| 30-Sep-25 | 2,180 | - | 2,929 | - | |
| 4,171 | 7,142 | 5,726 | 9,524 | ||
| Derivatives thereon | 251 | 56 | |||
| Accrual for notes subject to future service | 495 | 882 | |||
| Total liabilities on loan notes | 4,917 | 8,080 |
Note that current liabilities in respect of the loan notes differs from the amounts shown above maturing within one year due to interest payable within one year on non-current loans and the outstanding current liability to deliver cash and shares in respect of matured loan notes.
Where loan notes are subject to future service conditions, they are accrued as an employee expense over the relevant service period. At the end of the service period they are recognised as financial instruments. The nominal value of loan notes subject to future service are included in the maturity analysis above but are not included in the Group's financial liabilities. The accrual in respect of these items was £0.5m at 28 February 2022 (2021: £0.8m).
On 3 June 2021 the Group reached an agreement with two of Braemar Naves' Managing directors, Axel Siepmann and Mark Kuchenbecker, and their connected parties, to restructure certain convertible loan notes owed by the Group. These loan notes arose on variable consideration for post-acquisition services arising from the 2017 Naves acquisition. At the time of the renegotiation there were no contingencies or further service obligations outstanding in respect of any of these amounts.
A total of £2.5m (€2.9m) which was previously due to mature before the end of December 2022 has been deferred to mature no earlier than September 2025. In addition, a further amount of £0.7m (€0.75m) was agreed to be satisfied by the issue of Braemar shares in three tranches. The first two tranches, totalling £0.6m (€0.6m) were issued in September and December 2021 with the remaining tranche of £0.1m (€0.1m) to be issued in December 2022. As part of the modification the Group has also agreed to increase the interest rate on certain convertible loan notes, to the extent that they are still outstanding, to five per cent per annum from September 2025 from the 3% payable until that date.
A credit of £0.2m has been recognised in respect of the accounting for the modification and classified in finance income under specific items in the Income Statement . See Note 8.
| At 28 February 2022 | 682 | 601 | 1,283 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-current | 682 | 115 | 797 |
| Current | – | 486 | 486 |
| At 28 February 2022 | 682 | 601 | 1,283 |
| Provided in the year | 7 | 279 | 286 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 675 | 322 | 997 |
| Utilised in the year | – | (83) | (83) |
| Provided in the year | 105 | 9 | 114 |
| At 29 February 2020 | 570 | 396 | 966 |
| Dilapidations £'000 |
Employee entitlements £'000 |
Total £'000 |
Dilapidations relate to future obligations to make good certain office premises upon expiration of the lease term. The provision is calculated with reference to the location and square footage of the office.
Employee entitlements relate to statutory long service leave in Braemar ACM Shipbroking Pty Limited. This is based on the principal that each Australian employee is entitled to eight weeks of leave over and above any annual leave on completion of ten years' continuous service. The provision is calculated with reference to the number of employees who have at least seven years of continuous service.
The Company operates a defined benefit scheme in the UK. A full actuarial valuation was carried out as at 31 March 2020 and updated by the IAS19 as at 28 February 2022. All valuations were carried out by a qualified independent actuary.
The Group's obligations in respect of the funded defined benefit scheme at 28 February 2022 were as follows:
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Present value of funded obligations | 15,156 | 16,174 |
| Fair value of scheme assets | (13,104) | (12,355) |
| Total deficit of defined benefit pension scheme | 2,052 | 3,819 |
The Group sponsors a funded defined benefit scheme (The ACM Staff Pension Scheme) for qualifying UK employees. The Scheme is administered by a separate board of trustees which is legally separate from the Group. The Trustees are composed of representatives of both the employer and employees. The Trustees are required by law to act in the interest of all relevant beneficiaries and are responsible for the investment policy with regard to the assets plus the day-to-day administration of the benefits.
Under the Scheme, employees are entitled to annual pensions on retirement at age 60 of one-sixtieth of final pensionable salary for each year of service. Pensionable salary is defined as basic salary plus the average of the previous three years' bonuses (capped at three times basic salary). Pensionable salaries for members who joined after 1 June 1989 are also restricted to an earnings cap. Other benefits are payable, for example those provided on death.
From 1 February 2016, post-retirement benefits are provided to these employees through a separate defined contribution arrangement.
The defined benefit obligation includes benefits for current employees, former employees and current pensioners. Broadly, around 62% of the liabilities are attributable to deferred pensions for current and former employees, with the remaining 38% to current pensioners.
The Scheme duration is an indicator of the weighted average time until benefit payments are made. For the Scheme as a whole, the duration is around 18.7 years.
UK legislation requires that pension schemes are funded prudently. The last funding valuation of the Scheme was carried out by a qualified actuary as at 31 March 2020 and showed a deficit of £1.5 million. As a result, the Company has been paying deficit contributions of £450,000 p.a. since 1 April 2020 which, along with investment returns from return-seeking assets, are expected to make good this shortfall by 31 January 2023.
The Scheme exposes the Group to a number of risks, the most significant of which are:
The liabilities are calculated using a discount rate set with reference to corporate bond yields; if assets underperform this yield, this will create a deficit. The Scheme holds a significant proportion of growth assets which, though expected to outperform corporate bonds in the long-term, create volatility and risk in the shortterm. The allocation to growth assets is monitored to ensure it remains appropriate given the Scheme's longterm objectives.
A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase the value placed on the Scheme's liabilities for accounting purposes, although this will be partially offset by an increase in the value of the Scheme's bond holdings.
AA significant proportion of the Scheme's benefit obligations are linked to inflation and higher inflation will lead to higher liabilities (although, in most cases, caps on the level of inflationary increases are in place to protect against extreme inflation). The majority of the assets are either unaffected by or only loosely correlated with inflation, meaning that an increase in inflation will also increase the deficit.
The majority of the Scheme's obligations are to provide benefits for the life of the member, so increases in life expectancy will result in an increase in the liabilities.
The Company and Trustees have agreed a long-term strategy for reducing investment risk as and when appropriate. This includes moving assets to match pensioner liabilities when members reach retirement.
The Trustees insure certain benefits payable on death before retirement.
A contingent liability exists in relation to the equalisation of Guaranteed Minimum Pension ("GMP"). The UK Government intends to implement legislation which could result in an increase in the value of GMP for males. This would increase the defined benefit obligation of the plan. We have made an estimate of the impact of this based on our current understanding and it will increase the liabilities by 0.36%.
The principal assumptions used for updating the latest valuation of the Scheme were:
| 2022 (% p.a.) |
2021 (% p.a.) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Discount rate | 2.65 | 1.9 |
| CPI inflation | 3.1 | 2.0 |
| Pension increases: | ||
| CPI capped at 2.5% p.a. | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| CPI capped at 5.0% p.a. | 3.2 | 2.8 |
| Deferred pension increases: | ||
| CPI capped at 2.5% p.a. | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| CPI capped at 5.0% p.a. | 3.2 | 2.8 |
| 2022 Years |
2021 Years |
|
| Life expectancy from age 60 for: | ||
| Current 60-year-old male | 27.5 | 27.9 |
| Current 60-year-old female | 28.7 | 29.1 |
| Pre-retirement mortality | – | – |
| Post-retirement mortality | S2 Light Tables, CMI 2020 (min 1.25%) | |
| Early retirement | 33% of members retire at age 55, with the remainder retiring at age 60 | |
| Withdrawals from active service | No allowance | |
| Cash commutation | 25% of the member's pension is commuted |
Under early retirement it is assumed that 33% of members will retire at age 55, with the remainder retiring at age 60.
| Scheme assets | 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme assets are comprised as follows: | ||
| UK equities | 366 | 128 |
| Overseas equities | 4,391 | 3,926 |
| Unquoted equities | 57 | 352 |
| Absolute return | 315 | 200 |
| High yield debt | 325 | 303 |
| Cash | 322 | 350 |
| Inflation-linked bonds | 4,354 | 4,217 |
| Corporate bonds | 1,547 | 1,328 |
| Government bonds | 234 | 422 |
| Other | 1,193 | 1,129 |
| Total | 13,104 | 12,355 |
| Expense recognised in the Income Statement (included in operating costs) | 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Current service cost | – | – |
| Curtailment credit | – | – |
| Interest on net liability | 73 | 73 |
| Expense recognised in Income Statement | 73 | 73 |
| Remeasurements in other comprehensive expense: Return on assets in excess of that recognised in net interest |
(316) | (801) |
| Actuarial losses due to changes in financial assumptions | (2,174) | 1,597 |
|---|---|---|
| Actuarial losses due to changes in demographic assumptions | (268) | 29 |
| Actuarial gains due to liability experience | 1,368 | (301) |
| Amount recognised in other comprehensive expense | (1,390) | 524 |
| Total amount recognised in Income Statement and other comprehensive expense | (1,317) | 597 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Opening defined benefit obligation | 16,174 | 16,004 |
| Past service cost | – | – |
| Interest expense | 307 | 320 |
| Contributions by participants | – | – |
| Actuarial losses on liabilities | (1,074) | 1,325 |
| Net benefit payments from scheme | (251) | (1,475) |
| Closing value at 28 February | 15,156 | 16,174 |
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Opening fair value at 1 March | 12,355 | 12,332 |
| Expected return on assets | 235 | 247 |
| Actuarial gains on liabilities | 316 | 801 |
| Contributions by employers | 450 | 450 |
| Contributions by participants | – | – |
| Net benefit payments from scheme | (252) | (1,475) |
| Closing value at 28 February | 13,104 | 12,355 |
| Actual return on Scheme assets | 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Expected return on assets | 235 | 247 |
| Remeasurement gain on assets | 316 | 801 |
| Actual return on assets | 551 | 1,048 |
The table below illustrates the sensitivity of the Scheme liabilities at 28 February 2022 to changes in the principal assumptions. The sensitivities assume that all other assumptions remain unchanged and the calculations are approximate (full calculations could lead to a different result).
| Change in assumption | Approximate increase in liabilities % |
Approximate increase in liabilities £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Interest rate reduced by 0.5% p.a. | 11.2 | 1,697 |
| Inflation assumption reduced by 0.5% p.a.* | 7.2 | 1,091 |
| Increase in life expectancy of one year for all members reaching 60 | 2.2 | 333 |
* The inflation assumption sensitivity applies to both the assumed rate of increase in the CPI and the RPI, and includes the impact on the rate of increases to pensions, both before and after retirement.
There are a number of defined contribution schemes in the Group, the principal scheme being the Braemar Pension Scheme, which is open to all UK employees. Cash contributions paid into the defined contribution schemes are accounted for as an Income Statement expense as they are incurred. The total charge for the year in respect of this and other defined contribution schemes amounted to £1,234,000 (2021: £1,280,000) of which £915,000 (2021: £893,000) was in respect of continuing operations.
Contributions of £99,000 were due to these schemes at 28 February 2022 (2021: £97,000).
The assets of these schemes are held separately from those of the Group in funds under the control of the Trustees.
| Ordinary shares | Ordinary shares | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Number |
2021 Number |
2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|||
| a) Authorised |
||||||
| Ordinary shares of 10 pence each | 34,903,000 | 34,903,000 | 3,490 | 3,490 | ||
| Ordinary shares Ordinary shares |
Share premium | |||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Number | Number | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | (restated) £'000 |
|
| b) Issued |
||||||
| Fully paid ordinary shares of 10 pence each | ||||||
| As at start of year | 31,731,218 | 31,673,829 | 3,174 | 3,167 | 52,510 | 52,510 |
| Shares issued and fully paid (see below) | 474,372 | 57,389 | 47 | 7 | 520 | – |
| As at end of year | 32,205,590 | 31,731,218 | 3,221 | 3,174 | 53,030 | 52,510 |
Share premium has been restated (see Note 34) reducing by £3.3m to £52.5m at 29 February 2020 and 28 February 2021.
227,281 shares were issued to the Group's ESOP to satisfy share awards under the Company Share Option Plan. In addition, 204,944 shares were issued to settle part of the deferred consideration payable in respect of the acquisition of Naves during the year ended 28 February 2022.
During the year ended 28 February 2022, no shares were issued as part of the restricted share plan scheme (2021: 57,389 shares were issued at nil cost).
No shares were issued in the year as part of the Save As You Earn ("SAYE") Scheme. No shares remained unpaid at 28 February 2022 or 28 February 2021.
The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.
The Company operates a variety of share-based payment schemes which are listed below.
The Company operates an employee save-as-you-earn option scheme called the Braemar Shipping Services Plc Savings-Related Share Option Scheme 2014 ("SAYE") and the Braemar Shipping Services Plc International Savings-Related Share Option Scheme 2019 (the "International SAYE Scheme"). No option may be granted under any scheme which would result in the total number of shares issued or remaining issuable under all of the schemes (or any other Group share schemes), in the ten-year period ending on the date of grant of the option, exceeding 10% of the Company's issued share capital (calculated at the date of grant of the relevant option). Options are granted at a 20% discount to the prevailing market price.
Details of the share options in issue and the movements in the year are given below:
| Share scheme | Year option granted | Number at 1 March 2021 |
Granted | Exercised | Lapsed | Number at 28 February 2022 |
Exercise price | (pence) Exercisable between |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAYE | 2019 | 413,771 | – | – | — | 413,771 | 160.0 | 2022–2023 |
Options are valued using a binomial pricing model. The fair value per option granted and the assumptions used in the calculation at the date of grant were as follows:
| SAYE 2019 | |
|---|---|
| Grant date | 5 Jul 2019 |
| Share price at grant date | 199.67p |
| Exercise price | 160.0p |
| Number of employees | 164 |
| Shares under option | 656,070 |
| Vesting period (years) | 3.0 |
| Expected volatility | 30.49% |
| Option life (years) | 3.5 |
| Risk-free rate | 0.35% |
| Expected dividends expressed as a dividend yield | 7.51% |
| Possibility of ceasing employment before vesting | 9.62% |
| Expectation of meeting performance criteria | 100.00% |
| Fair value per option | 33.62p |
The expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company's shares as traded on the London Stock Exchange. The risk-free rate of return is based on LIBOR.
The value of the awards are expensed over the period from the date of grant to the vesting date.
No options were exercised in the current year or the prior year.
In 2005, the Company put in place a Deferred Bonus Plan (the "Plan") whereby part of the annual performance-related bonus is delivered in shares, on a discretionary basis, to staff including executive directors.
The provisional value of the Deferred Bonus Plan for a given financial year is set in the budgeting process preceding the financial year, and this value is expensed over the period from provisional determination until vesting. Once the actual performance for the financial year is known the rate of accrual is corrected accordingly.
Vesting normally occurs three years from the date of grant, subject to the employee beneficiary remaining in employment with the Group, at which time the award will be settled by the transfer of shares to the beneficiary. The Company adopted a new Deferred Bonus Plan in May 2020 (the "New DBP"), pursuant to which subsequent discretionary bonus awards will be granted to staff including executive directors. Awards under the New DBP may be linked to an option granted under the new Braemar Company Share Option Plan 2020, which was also adopted by the Company in May 2020 (the "New CSOP"). Where an employee receives a linked award under the New DBP, where the Company's share price rises over the vesting period, the New CSOP award can be exercised with the value of shares delivered on the vesting of the New DBP award being reduced by the exercise gain on the New CSOP award. Awards under the New DBP and the New CSOP will continue to be settled via the transfer of shares from the ESOP and not through new issue.
| Share scheme | Number at 1 March 2021 |
Granted | Exercised | Lapsed | Number at 28 February 2022 |
Exercise price (pence) |
Exercisable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2017 | 20,000 | - | - | (20,000) | - | nil | Sep 2020 |
| June 2018 | 901,070 | - | (837,081) | (30,602) | 33,387 | nil | Jun 2021 |
| June 2019 | 1,636,422 | - | - | (30,000) | 1,606,422 | nil | Jun 2022 |
| July 2020 | 3,299,322 | - | - | (131,467) | 3,167,855 | nil | Jul 2022 |
| November 2020 | 315,975 | - | - | - | 315,975 | nil | Nov 2023 |
| June 2021 | - | 1,378,586 | - | (50,050) | 1,328,536 | nil | Jun 2024 |
| Deferred Bonus Plan | 6,172,789 | 1,378,586 | (837,081) | (262,119) | 6,462,175 | nil |
Details of the share awards in issue and the movements in the year are given below:
The weighted average share price on exercise for awards exercised during the year was £2.77 (2021: £1.40). The weighted average share price at grant date for awards granted during the year was £3.03 (2021: £1.23).
The Company also grants certain awards under the Deferred Bonus Plan to attract and retain key staff hires. No options were granted in the financial year.
Under both the Plan and the New DBP, sufficient shares to satisfy each award are bought over the course of the vesting period, and held in an employee trust ("ESOP") until vesting. As at 28 February 2022, the ESOP held 2,669,603 ordinary shares (2021: 525,837). The ESOP holding is in line with expectations of how many shares will be needed to satisfy the current awards under this scheme. This amount is net of expected lapses in the scheme and the fact that recipients typically forego sufficient shares in order to satisfy the associated tax liability that arises on their vesting.
During the year ended 28 February 2015, the Company established a Restricted Share Plan ("RSP"). This scheme was set up and awarded to employees to retain key staff following the merger between Braemar Shipping Services Plc and ACM Shipping plc, but it can also be used where the Remuneration Committee considers it necessary to secure the recruitment of a particular individual. Executive directors of the Company are not eligible to participate in the RSP. RSP awards are made in the form of a nil cost option and there are no performance criteria other than continued employment.
During the year ended 28 February 2015 the Company issued 1,409,000 RSP awards, of which 50% will vest after three years and 25% after each of the fourth and fifth years provided the individuals remain employed by the Group.
During the year ended 29 February 2016 a further 315,000 RSP awards were granted, of which 50% will vest after three years and 25% after each of the fourth and fifth years provided the individuals remain employed by the Group.
During the year ended 28 February 2018 a further 77,120 RSP awards were granted, of which 50% will vest after three years and 25% after each of the fourth and fifth years provided the individuals remain employed by the Group.
During the year ended 28 February 2019 a further 144,000 RSP awards were granted, of which 100% will vest after three years provided the individuals remain employed by the Group.
| Share scheme | Number at 1 March 2021 |
Granted | Exercised | Lapsed | Number at 28 February 2022 |
Exercisable between |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2014 | 13,750 | – | – | – | 13,750 | Jul 17 - Jul 24 |
| Aug 2015 | 18,750 | – | (6,250) | – | 12,500 | Aug 18 - Aug 25 |
| March 2016 | 12,500 | – | (12,500) | – | – | Mar 22 - Mar 26 |
| May 2017 | 38,560 | – | (38,560) | – | – | May 20 - May 27 |
| July 2018 | 36,320 | – | – | – | 36,320 | Jul 21 – Jul 28 |
| Feb 2019 | 144,000 | – | – | – | 144,000 | Feb 22 – Feb 29 |
| Restricted Share Plan | 263,880 | – | (57,310) | – | 206,570 |
The weighted average share price on exercise for awards exercised during the year was £2.81 (2021: £1.24).
The fair value of the nil cost options is approximated to the share price at the time of grant less the expected dividend to be paid during the vesting period.
The value of the awards are expensed over the period from the date of grant to the vesting date or if used as a recruitment incentive, from the date of joining to the vesting date. The awards are satisfied by the issue of new shares.
The Company also has LTIP awards, which allow for the form of a conditional right to receive shares at nil cost. The awards normally vest over three years and are subject to various performance conditions based on earnings per share ("EPS") or divisional operating profit.
In June 2018, awards of 527,464 shares were made to one executive director and three senior members of management.
In June 2019, awards of 394,735 shares were made to one executive director and three senior members of management.
In June 2020, awards of 506,250 shares were made to one executive director and three senior members of management.
Details of the LTIP share awards in issue and the movements in the year are given below:
| Share scheme | Number at 1 March 2021 |
Granted | Exercised | Lapsed | Number at 28 February 2022 |
Exercisable between |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LTIP 2018 | 150,537 | – | – | (117,243) | 33,294 | Nov 21 – Jun 28 |
| LTIP 2019 | 394,735 | – | – | – | 394,735 | Dec 21 – Dec29 |
| LTIP 2020 | 506,250 | – | – | – | 506,250 | Aug 23 – Jun30 |
| Long-Term Incentive Plan | 1,051,522 | – | – | (117,243) | 934,279 |
The weighted average share price at grant date for awards granted during the prior year was £1.23.
The fair value of the nil cost options is approximated to the share price at the time of grant less the expected dividend to be paid during the vesting period calculated using the market consensus dividend yield.
The value of the awards are expensed over the period from the date of grant to the vesting date. The awards are satisfied by the issue of new shares.
| Movement in share-based payment reserve | Total £'000 |
|---|---|
| Share-based payment expense | |
| - Continuing operations | 2,951 |
| - Discontinued operations | 58 |
| Total charge to Income Statement | 3,009 |
| Transfer to accruals | (115) |
| 2,894 | |
| Awards vesting | (1,659) |
| Net movement in share-based payment reserve for year ended 28 February 2022 | 1,235 |
The share-based payment reserve is presented within retained earnings
An Employee Share Ownership Plan ("ESOP") was established on 23 January 1995. The ESOP has been set up to purchase shares in the Company. These shares, once purchased, are held in trust by the Trustee of the ESOP, SG Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company (CI) Limited, for the benefit of the employees. Additionally, an Employee Benefit Trust ("EBT") previously run by ACM Shipping Group plc also holds shares in the Company. The ESOP and EBT are accounted for within the Company accounts.
The ESOP reserve represents a deduction from shareholders' funds and a reduction in distributable reserves The deduction equals the net purchase cost of the shares held in by the ESOP. Shares allocated by the ESOP to satisfy share awards issued by the Group are released at cost on a FIFO basis.
| Group and Company | £'000 |
|---|---|
| At 29 February 2020 | 2,498 |
| Shares acquired by the ESOP | 860 |
| ESOP shares allocated | (1,996) |
| At 28 February 2021 | 1,362 |
| New shares fully paid up and issued to the ESOP | 25 |
| Shares acquired by the ESOP | 7,043 |
| ESOP shares allocated | (1,659) |
| At 28 February 2022 | 6,771 |
As at 28 February 2022, the ESOP held 2,669,603 (2021: 525,837) ordinary shares of 10 pence each. The funding of the purchase has been provided by the Company in the form of a gift and the Trustees have contracted with the Company to waive the ESOP's right to receive dividends. The fees charged by the Trustees for the operation of the ESOP are paid by the Company and charged to the Income Statement as they fall due. Since the year end a further 1,670,000 shares have been acquired by the Trustees making the total in the ESOP currently 4,339,603.
As part of the acquisition of ACM Shipping Group plc in July 2014, the Company issued 125,621 shares into an Employee Trust ("EBT") previously run by ACM Shipping Group plc. As at 28 February 2022, the EBT held 62,290 (2021: 62,290) ordinary shares of 10 pence each.
The total cost to the Company of shares and cash held in the ESOP and EBT at 28 February 2022 was £6,771,000 (2021: £1,362,000) including stamp duty associated with the purchase. The shares owned by the ESOP and EBT had a market value at 28 February 2022 of £6,420,395 (2021: £1,305,642). The distribution of these shares is determined by the Remuneration Committee.
596,398 shares (2021: 362,563) have been released to employees during the year. The shares acquired by the ESOP had an aggregate cost of £7.0m, of which £6.3m was settled in cash whilst share awards with a market value were £0.7m were forfeited by employees to the ESOP to cover the tax charge arising on the gross awards which were subsequently settled by the Group.
| Restated | Note | Capital redemption reserve £'000 |
Merger reserve £'000 |
Foreign currency translation reserve £'000 |
Hedging reserve £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 28 February 2020 | 396 | 21,346 | 1,385 | (848) | 22,279 | |
| Restatement | – | 3,295 | (205) | 493 | 3,583 | |
| At 28 February 2020 (restated) | 396 | 24,641 | 1,180 | (355) | 25,862 | |
| Cash flow hedges | ||||||
| – Transfer to net profit | – | – | – | 292 | 292 | |
| – Fair value losses in the period | – | – | – | 1,918 | 1,918 | |
| Exchange differences | – | – | 442 | – | 442 | |
| Deferred tax on items taken to equity | – | – | – | (420) | (420) | |
| At 28 February 2021 | 396 | 24,641 | 1,622 | 1,435 | 28,094 | |
| Cash flow hedges | ||||||
| – Transfer to net profit | – | – | – | (1,613) | (1,613) | |
| – Fair value gain/losses in the period | – | – | – | (869) | (869) | |
| Exchange differences | – | – | 998 | – | 998 | |
| Deferred tax on items taken to equity | – | – | – | 514 | 514 | |
| At 28 February 2022 | 396 | 24,641 | 2,620 | (533) | 27,124 |
The capital redemption reserve arose on previous share buy-backs by the Company.
The merger reserve arises on transactions where the Company issues shares pursuant to an arrangement to acquire more than an 90% interest in another company and no share premium is recorded. The merger reserve arose principally in 2001 in relation to the acquisitions of Braemar Shipbrokers Limited and Braemar Tankers Limited. Further additions have arisen in respect of Naves and Atlantic Brokers included in the prior period adjustment (£1.3m and £2.0m respectively). The amounts in merger reserve are unrealised profits relating to the corresponding assets acquired by the Company on the issue of shares. These profits may become realised on the disposal or write down of these assets.
The hedging reserve comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments relating to hedged transactions that have not yet occurred of £710,000 liability (2021: £1,773,000 asset). An increase in of £514,000 in the deferred tax asset (2021: £420,000 decrease) is attributable to these transactions.
A correction to the merger reserve has been transferred from share premium has been recognised as a prior period adjustment – see Note 34.
A correction to the hedging reserve and retained earnings in respect of consolidation errors has been recognised as a prior period adjustment – see Note 34.
The Group has contingent liabilities in respect of guarantees entered into in the normal course of business given as follows:
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Bank guarantees given to: | ||
| HM Revenue and Customs | – | 1,410 |
| Third parties (non-cash collateralised) | 837 | 787 |
| Total | 837 | 2,197 |
In the prior year the Group had issued a guarantee of £1.4m to HMRC in respect of VAT, duty and excise which was collected on imports which was collected by Cory Brothers as part of its trading activity and subsequently paid to HMRC. As a result of Brexit, HMRC no longer required the guarantee and it was cancelled by the Group prior to the disposal of Cory Brothers.
In addition, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries have provided cross guarantees and fixed and floating rate charges over their assets to secure their borrowing facilities and other financial instruments (see Note 22).
From time to time the Group may be engaged in litigation in the ordinary course of business. The Group carries professional indemnity insurance. There are currently no liabilities expected to have a material adverse financial impact on the Group's consolidated results or net assets.
During the period the Group entered into the following transactions with joint ventures and investments:
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Recharges to/(from) £'000 |
Dividends £'000 |
Balance due(to)/ from £'000 |
Recharges to/(from) £'000 |
Dividends £'000 |
Balance due(to)/ from £'000 |
| London Tanker Broker Panel | 324 | – | – | 310 | – | – |
| AqualisBraemar LOC ASA | 221 | – | 282 | 610 | 641 | 240 |
| Risorto GmbH | (453) | – | (31) | (865) | – | (33) |
| Worldscale | 84 | – | – | 60 | – | – |
Recharges to London Tanker Broker Panel consist of a monthly fee payable to the Group for the provision of data.
Recharges to AqualisBraemar LOC ASA consisted primarily of rent, IT services and HR services in accordance with a transitional services agreement. Included in the net recharge to AqualisBraemar LOC ASA is a fee payable to the Group's former Chairman, Ronald Series of £3,750 (2021: £15,000).
In the prior year, the Group received £641,000 of dividends from AqualisBraemar LOC ASA which were credited to cost of investment. See Note 19.
A loss of £262,000 was recognised in the prior year in respect of the Group subletting a portion of its Singapore office space to AqualisBraemar LOC ASA, and an impairment to a right-of-use asset in respect of a London office which will be vacated by AqualisBraemar LOC ASA. See Note 8.
The balance due from AqualisBraemar LOC ASA is unsecured, interest-free and immediately repayable.
Risorto GmbH is owned and controlled by the management of Braemar Naves Corporate Finance GmbH. The amount charged by Risorto GmbH in the year to the Group for management fees was €0.5m (2021: €0.7m). The balance owing to Risorto GmbH as at 28 February 2022 was less than €0.1m (2021: less than €0.1m).
Management consider that Worldscale Association Limited is a related party because Nico Borkmann, a senior employee in the Braemar Group is one of its directors. Recharges to Worldscale consist of a monthly fee payable to the Group for the provision of data.
Key management compensation is disclosed in Note 4.
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.
A list of the Group's subsidiary undertakings is on pages 198 - 200. Unless otherwise indicated, all shareholdings owned directly or indirectly by the Company represent 100% of the issued share capital of the subsidiary and the share capital comprises ordinary shares. All entities primarily operate in their country of incorporation.
Direct holdings of the Company as at 28 February 2022:
| Incorporated in England & Wales One Strand, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5HR |
Principal activity | Registration number |
|---|---|---|
| Braemar ACM Group Limited* | Holding company | 05990315 |
| Braemar Atlantic Securities Holdings Limited* | Holding company | 10010995 |
| Braemar Financial Holdings Limited* | Holding company | 10917096 |
| Braemar Shipbrokers Limited* | Shipbroking | 01674710 |
| Seascope Capital Services Limited | Dormant | 03592796 |
| GFL (UK) Limited | Dormant | 02360525 |
| Braemar Developments Limited* | Dormant | 02186790 |
| Braemar Tankers Limited | Dormant | 02001027 |
| Incorporated in the US 2800 North Loop West, Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77092, US |
Principal activity | Registration number |
| Braemar Holdings (USA) Inc | Holding company | FEIN 81-1568938 |
| Incorporated in England & Wales One Strand, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5HR |
Principal activity | Registration number |
|---|---|---|
| Braemar ACM Shipbroking Group Limited* | Holding company | 01611096 |
| Braemar ACM Shipbroking Limited | Shipbroking | 01020997 |
| Braemar ACM Shipbroking (Dry Cargo) Limited* | Shipbroking | 07223509 |
| A.C.M. Shipping USA Limited* | Shipbroking | 08391132 |
| Braemar ACM Valuations Limited* | Valuations | 03439765 |
| Braemar Atlantic Securities Limited | Futures broker | 07899358 |
| Braemar Naves Corporate Finance Limited* | Corporate finance | 02710842 |
| Cagnoil Limited^ | Dormant | 05696624 |
| Orca Shipping Limited^ | Dormant | 07067104 |
| ACM Shipping EBT Limited^ | Dormant | 05747447 |
| ACM Shipping CIS Limited | Dormant | 06934055 |
| Braemar Maritime Limited | Dormant | 03321899 |
| Braemar Burness Maritime Limited | Dormant | 03674230 |
| Burness Marine (Gas) Limited | Dormant | 01081837 |
| Burness Marine (Tankers) Limited^ | Dormant | 02367038 |
| Braemar Chartering Limited^ | Dormant | 01912501 |
| Braemar Pension Trustees Limited | Dormant | 05502209 |
| Incorporated in Germany Domstrasse 17, 20095 Hamburg, Germany |
Principal activity | Registration number |
|---|---|---|
| Braemar Naves Corporate Finance GmbH | Corporate finance | HRB 114161 |
| Braemar Financial Holdings Germany GmbH | Holding company | HRB 146089 |
| Incorporated in United Arab Emirates One JLT 06-55 One JLT, Plot No. Dmcc-Ez1-1ab, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, UAE |
Principal activity | Registration number |
|---|---|---|
| Braemar ACM Shipbroking DMCC | Shipbroking | DMCC-749556 |
| Incorporated in the US 2800 North Loop West, Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77092, US |
Principal activity | Registration number |
| Braemar ACM Shipbroking (USA) Inc | Shipbroking | 46-2641490 |
| Braemar Technical Services (USA) Inc | Energy loss adjuster | 76-0036958 |
| 24 Grassy Plain Street – Ste 4, Bethel, CT 06801-1700 US | Principal activity | Registration number |
| Braemar ACM Shipbroking LLP | Shipbroking | 1099337 |
| Incorporated in Singapore 80 Robinson Rd, #24-01/02, Singapore 068898 |
Principal activity | Registration number |
| Braemar ACM Shipbroking Pte Limited | Shipbroking | 200602547M |
| Braemar Naves Pte Limited | Corporate finance | 201834760K |
| Incorporated in Australia Level 5, 432 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia |
Principal activity | Registration number |
| Braemar ACM Shipbroking Pty Limited | Shipbroking | ACN 000862 993 ABN 35 000 862 993 |
| Incorporated in other overseas countries Piazza 2 Giugno No 14, 54033 Carrara, Italy |
Principal activity | Registration number |
| Braemar Seascope Italia SRL | Shipbroking | 01268770458 |
| Suite 2009, Building C Luneng International Center, | ||
| No.211, GuoYoa Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, 200126 | Principal activity | Registration number |
| Braemar Seascope (Shanghai) Limited | Shipbroking | 913100005588064761 |
| 2nd Floor, Building No. 22, Pushp Vihar, Commercial Complex, Madangir, New Delhi – 110 062 |
Principal activity | Registration number |
| Braemar ACM Shipbroking India Private Limited (50% owned) | Shipbroking | U63090DL2003PTC120247 |
| Office No. 1004, 10th Floor, Dalamal House, 206-Jamanalal Bajaj Road, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021, India |
Principal activity | Registration number |
| ACM Shipping India Limited | Shipbroking | U93090MH2006FLC164019 |
Subsidiaries marked with an asterisk (*) are exempt from the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to the audit of individual accounts by virtue of section 479A of the Companies Act 2006 for the financial year ended 28 February 2022. The Company has provided a guarantee of all outstanding liabilities to which these subsidiaries were subject as at 28 February 2022 in accordance with section 479C of the Companies Act 2006.
Applications to voluntarily strike off subsidiaries marked ^ were in progress subsequent to the year end.
There were no adjusting or significant non-adjusting events between the reporting date and the date these Financial Statements were authorised.
The prior periods have been restated to reflect discontinued operations and corrected errors as described below.
During the year ended 28 February 2021, the Group restructured part of the outstanding liabilities due to management sellers of Naves. This exercise identified that the carrying amount of the future obligations in the Group Balance Sheet exceeded the nominal value of consideration to be paid and prompted a review of the accounting for the Naves consideration in full and of certain other corporate acquisition and disposal transactions in recent years.
The review took a critical analysis of the historical accounting for the amounts paid and payable on the Naves acquisition, including the issue of shares, and identified a number of errors. In order to address these errors, accounting analysis was reviewed and new calculations were performed from the original acquisition in September 2017 to date. The review also examined the classification of certain reserves on the Balance Sheet and identified certain other misstatements that have been corrected in these accounts.
The adjustments identified are as follows:
Share premium had been incorrectly recognised on both the Naves and Atlantic acquisitions in the year to 28 February 2018. The requirement to record share premium does not apply where shares are issued in pursuance of an arrangement to acquire more than 90% of the equity in another company. Accordingly, no share premium should have been recorded and the premium on the issue of shares should have been recorded as a merger reserve. The amount restated from share premium to merger reserve in respect of Naves is £1.3m, and £2.0m in respect of Atlantic Brokers.
The net measurement error to 29 February 2020 was principally due to to a mathematical error resulting in the overstatement the amounts due to management sellers accrued earlier periods. The correction in the consolidated accounts at 29 February 2020 has been to reduce liabilities and increase retained earnings by £0.9m.
In the year to 28 February 2021, a remeasurement of the outstanding loan note liabilities identified an overstatement of £2.3m on the Balance Sheet at year end. Included within this error was an incorrect charge to the translation reserve, to the amount of £1.0m which has now been reversed.
The balance of the overstatement related to charges to the Income Statement including net operating expense in FY20/21 has been reduced by £0.4m. This was as a result of an incorrect allocation of liabilities between those subject to future service conditions and those with no service conditions, these have now been corrected.
The Group's revolving credit facility ("RCF") liability was previously incorrectly reported as a short-term liability. The lender is obliged to continue the facility for a period greater than 12 months from the respective reporting date, the facility end date is 31 August 2023. The liability has therefore been restated as a non-current liability at 29 February 2020 and 28 February 2021.
The historical review of the financial reporting systems identified certain errors in the Group's accounting practices for the elimination of intercompany balances and movements on the foreign exchange translation reserve.
These errors resulted in the overstatement of current liabilities at 29 February 2020 of £0.8m and 28 February 2021 of £0.6m.
An amount of £1m was identified in foreign exchange reserve which should have been recycled through profit and loss relating to the dilution of the investment in Aqualis Braemar in 2021 and has been restated in profit and loss for that year. An amount of £0.5m at 1 March 2020 was identified as being a misallocation between the Hedging reserve and the Translation reserve and has been corrected in the opening Balance Sheet.
Further smaller errors have been identified as misallocations from retained earnings in both the Balance Sheets at 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021. The total impact of these errors resulted in an increase in net assets of £0.8m at 1 March 2020 and £0.6m at 28 February 2021.
The Group disposed of its controlling interest in AqualisBraemar on 19 May 2021 and completed its disposal of its Logistics Division, Cory Brothers, on 2 March 2022. AqualisBraemar and the Logistics Division have therefore been presented as discontinued operations in the current and prior period Income Statement with no impact on net income.
The impact of these adjustments on the financial statements is set out in the schedules below:
| 28 February 2021 Reported |
a) Merger reserve |
b) Naves | c) RCF | d) Consolidation errors |
28 February 2021 Corrected |
Discontinued operations |
28 February 2021 Restated |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated Income Statement | ||||||||
| Revenue | 111,778 | - | - | - | - | 111,778 | (28,083) | 83,695 |
| Cost of sales | (17,000) | - | - | - | - | (17,000) | 17,000 | 0 |
| Gross profit | 94,778 | - | - | - | - | 94,778 | (11,083) | 83,695 |
| Operating Expense | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other operating costs - underlying | (85,868) | - | - | - | - | (85,868) | 9,892 | (75,976) |
| Other operating costs - specific | (262) | - | - | - | (262) | (262) | ||
| Acquisition related income/(expenditure) |
1,873 | - | 397 | - | - | 2,270 | (3,105) | (835) |
| (84,257) | - | 397 | - | - | (83,860) | 6,787 | (77,073) | |
| Operating profit/(loss) - underlying | 8,910 | 8,910 | (1,191) | 7,719 | ||||
| Operating profit/(loss) - specific items | 1,611 | 397 | - | 2,008 | (3,105) | (1,097) | ||
| Operating profit/(loss) | 10,521 | - | 397 | - | - | 10,918 | (4,296) | 6,622 |
| Share of associate profit for the period - underlying |
255 | - | - | - | - | 255 | (255) | - |
| Share of associate profit for the period - specific items |
91 | - | - | - | - | 91 | (91) | - |
| Finance income - underlying | 170 | - | - | - | - | 170 | (14) | 156 |
| Finance income - specific items | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Finance expense - underlying | (1,250) | - | - | - | - | (1,250) | 41 | (1,209) |
| Finance expense - specific items | (432) | - | - | - | - | (432) | - | (432) |
| Profit/(loss) before taxation - underlying |
8,085 | - | - | - | - | 8,085 | (1,419) | 6,665 |
| Profit/(loss) before taxation - specific items |
1,270 | - | 397 | - | - | 1,667 | (3,196) | (1,529) |
| Profit/(loss) before taxation - total | 9,355 | - | 397 | - | - | 9,752 | (4,615) | 5,136 |
| Taxation - underlying | (1,999) | - | - | - | - | (1,999) | 227 | (1,772) |
| Taxation - specific items | 198 | - | - | - | - | 198 | - | 198 |
| Taxation | (1,801) | - | - | - | - | (1,801) | 227 | (1,574) |
| Profit/(loss) for the year from continuing operations - underlying |
6,086 | - | - | - | 6,086 | (1,193) | 4,894 | |
| Profit/(loss) for the year from continuing operations - specific items |
1,468 | - | 397 | - | - | 1,865 | (3,196) | (1,331) |
| Profit/(loss) for the year from continuing operations |
7,554 | - | 397 | - | - | 7,951 | (4,389) | 3,563 |
| Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operations - underlying |
(1,706) | - | - | - | - | (1,706) | 1,163 | (513) |
| Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operations - specific items |
(754) | - | - | - | (959) | (1,713) | 3,196 | 1,483 |
| Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operations |
(2,460) | - | - | - | (959) | (3,419) | 4,389 | 970 |
| Profit/(loss) for the year - underlying | 4,380 | - | - | - | - | 4,380 | - | 4,380 |
| Profit/(loss) for the year - specific | 714 | - | 397 | - | (959) | 152 | - | 152 |
| Profit/(loss) for the year | 5,094 | - | 397 | - | (959) | 4,532 | - | 4,532 |
| Correction of prior period errors | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 February 2021 Reported |
a) Merger reserve |
b) Naves | c) RCF | d) Consolidatio n errors |
28 February 2021 Corrected |
Discontinued operations |
28 February 2021 Restated |
|
| Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income | - - |
- - |
||||||
| Profit for the year | 5,094 | - | 397 | - | (959) | 4,532 | - | 4,532 |
| Other comprehensive income/(expense) | ||||||||
| Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Actuarial loss on employee benefit schemes - net of tax |
(424) | - | - | - | - | (424) | - | (424) |
| Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Foreign exchange differences on retranslation of foreign operations |
(715) | - | 994 | - | (308) | (29) | 748 | 719 |
| Recycling of foreign exchange reserve | (488) | - | - | - | 959 | 471 | (471) | - |
| Cash flow hedges - net of tax | 2,126 | - | - | - | (336) | 1,790 | - | 1,790 |
| Other comprehensive income from continuing operations |
499 | - | 994 | - | 314 | 1,808 | 277 | 2,085 |
| Share of other comprehensive income/(expense) of associates |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 312 | 312 |
| Foreign exchange differences on revaluation of investment |
- | - | - | - | - | - | (1,060) | (1,060) |
| Recycling of foreign exchange reserve (DiscOps) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 471 | 471 |
| Other comprehensive expense from Discontinued operations |
- | - | - | - | - | - | (277) | (277) |
| Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to |
5,593 | - | 1,391 | - | (644) | 6,340 | - | 6,340 |
| Correction of prior period errors | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 February 2021 Reported |
a) Merger reserve |
b) Naves | c) RCF | d) Consolidation errors |
28 February 2021 Restated |
||
| Non-current assets | 106,638 | 106,638 | |||||
| Trade and other receivables | 34,800 | 34,800 | |||||
| Financial asstes | 746 | 746 | |||||
| Derivative financial instruments | 1,573 | 1,573 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 14,111 | 14,111 | |||||
| Assets held for sale | 436 | 436 | |||||
| 51,666 | - | - | - | - | 51,666 | ||
| Total assets Current liabilities |
158,304 | - | - | - | - | 158,304 - |
|
| Derivative financial instruments | (60) | - | 60 | - | - | - - |
|
| Short-term borrowings | (23,000) | - | - | 23,000 | - | - - |
|
| Convertible loan notes | (5,130) | - | 669 | - | - | (4,461) | |
| Deferred consideration payable | (608) | - | 608 | - | - | - | |
| Other current liabilities | (47,987) | - | - | - | 590 | (47,397) | |
| (76,785) | - | 1,337 | 23,000 | 590 | (51,858) | ||
| Non-current liabilities | |||||||
| Derivative financial instruments | - | - | (56) | - | - | (56) | |
| Convertible loan notes | (1,217) | - | (1,464) | - | - | (2,681) | |
| Deferred consideration payable | (3,358) | - | 2,476 | - | - | (882) | |
| Other non-current liabilities | (13,317) | - | - | (23,000) | - | (36,317) | |
| (17,892) | - | 956 | (23,000) | - | (39,936) | ||
| Total liabilities | (94,677) | - | 2,293 | - | 590 | (91,794) | |
| Total assets less total liabilities | 63,627 | - | 2,293 | - | 590 | 66,510 | |
| Equity | - | ||||||
| Share capital | 3,174 | - | - | - | - | 3,174 | |
| Share premium | 55,805 | (3,295) | - | - | - | 52,510 | |
| Shares to be issued | (1,362) | - | - | - | - | (1,362) | |
| Other reserves | 22,790 | 3,295 | 994 | - | 1,015 | 28,094 | |
| Retained earnings | (16,780) | - | 1,299 | - | (425) | (15,906) | |
| Total equity | 63,627 | - | 2,293 | - | 590 | 66,510 |
| Correction of prior period errors | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 March 2020 Reported |
a) Merger reserve b) NAVES | c) RCF | d) Consolidation errors |
1 March 2020 Restated |
||
| Non-current assets | 114,699 | 114,699 | ||||
| Trade and other receivables | 39,541 | 39,541 | ||||
| Financial assets | - | - | ||||
| Derivative financial instruments | - | - | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 28,749 | 28,749 | ||||
| Assets held for sale | - | - | ||||
| 68,290 | - | - | - | - | 68,290 | |
| Total assets | 182,989 | 182,989 | ||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||
| Derivative financial instruments | (527) | 90 | - | (437) | ||
| Short-term borrowings | (48,758) | - | 23,642 | - | (25,116) - |
|
| Convertible loan notes | (4,340) | - | (104) | - | - | (4,444) |
| Deferred consideration payable | (600) | - | 423 | - | - | (177) |
| Other current liabilities | (49,566) | - | - | - | 822 | (48,744) |
| (103,791) | - | 409 | 23,642 | 822 | (78,918) | |
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||
| Derivative financial instruments | - | - | (4) | - | - | (4) |
| Convertible loan notes | (2,398) | - | (241) | - | - | (2,639) |
| Deferred consideration payable | (3,031) | - | 738 | - | - | (2,293) |
| Other non-current liabilities | (16,283) | - | - | (23,642) | - | (39,925) |
| (21,712) | - | 493 | (23,642) | - | (44,861) | |
| Total liabilities | (125,503) | - | 902 | - | 822 | (123,779) |
| Total assets less total liabilities | 57,486 | - | 902 | - | 822 | 59,210 |
| - | ||||||
| Equity | - | |||||
| Share capital | 3,167 | - | - | - | - | 3,167 |
| Share premium | 55,805 | (3,295) | - | - | - | 52,510 |
| Shares to be issued | (2,498) | - | - | - | - | (2,498) |
| Other reserves | 22,279 | 3,295 | - | - | 288 | 25,862 |
| Retained earnings | (21,267) | - | 902 | - | 534 | (19,831) |
| Total equity | 57,486 | - | 902 | - | 822 | 59,210 |
As at 28 February 2022
| As at | As at | As at | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Feb 2022 | 28 Feb 2021 Restated |
1 March 2020 Restated |
||
| Note | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Assets | ||||
| Non-current assets | ||||
| Intangible assets | 5 | 627 | 539 | 632 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 6 | 3,891 | 5,670 | 7,559 |
| Investments | 8 | 108,389 | 106,228 | 104,436 |
| Investment in associate | 9 | – | 3,247 | 7,000 |
| Deferred tax assets | 10 | 179 | 584 | 1,273 |
| Other long-term receivables | 11 | 38,775 | 26,969 | 34,795 |
| 151,861 | 143,237 | 155,695 | ||
| Current assets | ||||
| Other receivables | 12 | 10,800 | 10,155 | 10,772 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 13 | 700 | 634 | 26 |
| 11,500 | 10,789 | 10,798 | ||
| Total assets | 163,361 | 154,026 | 166,493 | |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Other payables | 14 | 45,298 | 40,488 | 16,588 |
| Short-term borrowings | - | - | 25,116 | |
| Deferred consideration payable | - | - | 589 | |
| Convertible loan notes | 16 | 1,416 | 4,461 | 4,444 |
| 46,714 | 44,949 | 46,737 | ||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||
| Other payables | 14 | 570 | - | - |
| Long-term borrowings | 15 | 27,305 | 29,386 | 33,432 |
| Convertible loan notes | 16 | 3,271 | 3,640 | 4,448 |
| Derivative liabilities | 16 | 85 | 139 | 25 |
| Provisions | 17 | 541 | 541 | 541 |
| 31,772 | 33,706 | 38,446 | ||
| Total liabilities | 78,486 | 78,655 | 85,183 | |
| Total assets less total liabilities | 84,875 | 75,371 | 81,310 | |
| Equity | ||||
| Share capital | 18 | 3,221 | 3,174 | 3,167 |
| Share premium | 18 | 53,030 | 52,510 | 52,510 |
| ESOP reserve | 19 | (6,771) | (1,362) | (2,498) |
| Other reserves | 20 | 23,762 | 23,762 | 25,037 |
| Retained earnings/(deficit) | 11,633 | (2,713) | 3,094 | |
| Total equity | 84,875 | 75,371 | 81,310 |
In accordance with the exemptions allowed by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has not presented its own profit and loss account. A profit of £15,220,000 (2021 restated: loss of £6,899,000) has been dealt with in the Financial Statements of the Company. The prior year Financial Statements have been adjusted to correct an error in respect of the accounting for the purchase of Naves and some misclassifications on the Balance Sheet (see Note 23 for further detail).
The accompanying notes on pages 207 - 222 form an integral part of these Financial Statements.
The Financial Statements of Braemar Shipping Services plc on pages 205 - 222 were approved by the board of directors on 28 August 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:
James Gundy Nicholas Stone Group Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer Registered number: 02286034
For the year ended 28 February 2022
| Note | Share capital £'000 |
Share premium £'000 |
ESOP reserve £'000 |
Other reserves £'000 |
Retained earnings £'000 |
Total equity £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 March 2020 | 3,167 | 55,805 | (2,498) | 21,742 | 2,221 | 80,437 | |
| Prior period adjustment | 23 | – | (3,295) | – | 3,295 | 873 | 873 |
| Restated balances at 1 March 2020 | 3,167 | 52,510 | (2,498) | 25,037 | 3,094 | 81,310 | |
| Loss for the year (restated) | 23 | – | – | – | – | (6,899) | (6,899) |
| Impairment of Naves preference shares | 20 | – | – | – | (1,275) | 1,275 | – |
| Issue of shares | 18 | 7 | – | – | – | (7) | – |
| Own shares acquired | 19 | – | – | (860) | – | – | (860) |
| Issue of shares held by ESOP | 19 | – | – | 1,996 | – | (1,996) | – |
| Share-based payments | – | – | – | – | 1,820 | 1,820 | |
| Transactions with owners | 7 | – | 1,136 | – | (183) | 960 | |
| At 28 February 2021 | 3,174 | 52,510 | (1,362) | 23,762 | (2,713) | 75,371 | |
| Profit for the year | – | – | – | – | 15,220 | 15,220 | |
| Dividends paid | – | – | – | – | (2,109) | (2,109) | |
| Issue of shares | 18 | 47 | 520 | (25) | – | – | 542 |
| Own shares acquired | 19 | – | – | (7,043) | – | – | (7,043) |
| Issue of shares held by ESOP | 19 | – | – | 1,659 | – | (1,659) | – |
| Share-based payments | – | – | – | – | 2,894 | 2,894 | |
| Transactions with owners | 47 | 520 | (5,409) | – | (874) | (5,716) | |
| At 28 February 2022 | 3,221 | 53,030 | (6,771) | 23,762 | 11,633 | 84,875 |
The accompanying notes on pages 207 – 222 form an integral part of these Financial Statements.
The separate Financial Statements of Braemar Shipping Services Plc for the year ended 28 February 2022 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 28 August 2022. Braemar Shipping Services Plc is a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales, and its principal activity is a holding company for the shipbroking business.
The term "Company" refers to Braemar Shipping Services Plc.
The Company Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). No Income Statement is presented for Braemar Shipping Services Plc as provided by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006.
The Financial Statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention except for items measured at fair value as set out in the accounting policies below and have been prepared on a going concern basis.
The Company Financial Statements are presented in Sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand Sterling (£'000) except where otherwise indicated.
The Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework. The Company has applied the exemptions available under FRS 101 in respect of the following disclosures:
As the consolidated Financial Statements of the Group on pages 128 - 204 include the equivalent disclosures, the Company has also taken the exemptions under FRS 101 available in respect of the following disclosures:
The Company Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. In reaching this conclusion regarding the going concern assumption, the directors considered cash flow forecasts for a period of greater than 12 months from the date of signing of these Financial Statements. The going concern assumption for the Company is considered together with the going concern assumption for the Group, see Note 1 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for more detail.
The preparation of the Company's Financial Statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities, at the reporting date. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to
be reasonable under the circumstances. In the future, actual experience may differ from these estimates and assumptions.
The following are key areas where the Company makes significant estimates and judgements:
Estimates regarding (i) the fair value of Cory Brothers deferred receivable and (ii) share option vesting are described in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements on pages 134 - 204.
The Company holds investments in preference shares issued by a subsidiary at fair value through profit and loss. The preference shares are not traded in any market and there are no similar assets in quoted markets. Therefore, the Company performs valuation of the present value of future cashflows using unobservable ("Level 3") inputs. The Company develops unobservable inputs using the best information available in the circumstances, which include the Group's forecasts of cash flows for the underlying Finance businesses of the holding company issuing the preference shares using a risk-adjusted discount rate. See also accounting policies Note 1 (d).
The key estimates are therefore the selection of suitable discount rates and the estimation of future growth rates which vary between cash-generating units depending on the specific risks and the anticipated economic and market conditions related to each cash generating unit. This discount rates and growth rates are consistent with those applied to the same business in the Group's assessment of the impairment of goodwill (see Note 12 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the approach used by management to determine these key values).
The Company recognises provisions for impairment of investments in subsidiaries based on management's judgement of whether or not there is an indication of impairment at the Balance Sheet date. A judgement is made based on the net assets, cash balance and future trading performance of the subsidiary.
The provision for impairment of preference share assets represents management's best estimate at the Balance Sheet date. The Company holds investments in preference shares issued by a subsidiary at fair value through profit and loss and recognised as amounts due from subsidiaries receivable after more than one year. The preference shares are not traded in any market and there are no similar assets in quoted markets. Therefore the Company performs valuation of the present value of future cashflows using unobservable ("Level 3") inputs. The Company develops unobservable inputs using the best information available in the circumstances, which include the Group's forecasts of cash flows for the underlying Finance businesses of the holding company issuing the preference shares using a risk-adjusted discount rate.
The key estimates are therefore the selection of suitable discount rates and the estimation of future growth rates which vary between cash-generating units depending on the specific risks and the anticipated economic and market conditions related to each cash generating unit. The discount rates and growth rates are consistent with those applied to the same business in the Group's assessment of the impairment of goodwill. See Note 11 for further details.
The provision for impairment of amounts due from subsidiaries represents management's best estimate at the Balance Sheet date. A number of judgements are made in the calculation of the provision, primarily based on the net assets, cash balance and future trading performance of the subsidiary.
The application of IFRS 9 "Financial Instruments" results in an additional provision for expected credit losses. When measuring expected credit losses, the Company uses reasonable and supportable forward-looking information, which is based on assumptions for the future movement of different economic drivers and how these drivers will affect each other. Probability of default constitutes a key input in measuring expected credit losses. Probability of default is an estimate of the likelihood of default over a given time horizon, the calculation of which includes historical data, assumptions and expectations of future market conditions.
The Company has considered the impact of both COVID and the conflict in the Ukraine on the Financial Statements at 28 February 2022. However, at 28 February 2022 there was no evidence to suggest that the Company's amounts due from subsidiaries may be at a higher risk of becoming credit impaired as a result of the pandemic or the conflict in the Ukraine. No impairment allowances were made in respect of either COVID or the conflict in the Ukraine.
Judgements regarding the measurement of right-of-use assets and liabilities are described in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements on pages 134 - 204.
The Company's accounting policies are the same as the accounting policies of the consolidated Group described on pages 134 – 204 except for the policy described below.
Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures are held at cost less accumulated impairment. Where there is objective evidence that the investment in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures have been impaired, the carrying amount of the investment is tested for impairment in the same way as other nonfinancial assets.
Investments where the Company has no significant influence are held at fair value, with movements in fair value recorded in profit and loss.
The Company holds investments in preference shares issued by a subsidiary. The preference shares do not provide a contractual right to unpaid amounts in the event of a bankruptcy of the issuer and therefore, in the judgement of the directors, the returns do not meet the conditions of being solely payments of principal and interest and are required to be held at fair value through profit and loss. The valuation of these shares is considered in the use of estimate and critical judgements above. The preference shares are recognised as amounts due from subsidiaries receivable after more than one year.
The merger reserve arises on transactions where the Company issues shares pursuant to an arrangement to acquire more than an 90% interest in another company and no share premium is recorded. The amounts in merger reserve are unrealised profits relating to the corresponding assets acquired by the Company on the issue of shares. These profits may become realised on the disposal or write down of these assets.
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the Company has elected not to present its own statement of comprehensive income (including the profit and loss account) for the year.
The auditor's remuneration for audit services to the Company is disclosed in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
All fees paid to the auditor were charged to operating profit in both years.
Staff costs for the Company during the year (including directors) are provided in the table below.
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Salaries, wages and short-term employee benefits | 1,776 | 1,918 |
| Other pension costs | 51 | 47 |
| Social security costs | 214 | 194 |
| Share-based payments | 56 | 10 |
| 2,097 | 2,169 |
The numbers above include remuneration and pension entitlements for each director. Details are included in the Directors' Remuneration Report on pages 84 - 108.
The average number of full-time employees of the Company was 16 (2021: 13)
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year are detailed in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company has become aware of an administrative oversight during the year ended 28 February 2022, whereby the Company did not properly prepare and file unaudited interim accounts at Companies House, as required by the Companies Act 2006, prior to declaring and paying distributions to shareholders in respect of the Company's 1 September 2021 final dividend and 16 December 2021 interim dividend. As a result of this administrative oversight, the Company did not comply with certain provisions of the Act and, whilst there were sufficient distributable reserves to make the relevant distributions, they were therefore paid in technical infringement of the Act. Neither the amount nor payment of the relevant distributions, nor the Company's prior audited accounts, are affected by this, nor is there any impact on the Company's financial position either at the time of payment(s) or now.
The Company has proposed a resolution at its Annual General Meeting on 6 October 2022 which will, if passed, give the board authority to enter into deeds of release to discharge these parties from any obligation to repay any amount to the Company in connection with the Relevant Distributions. The Company has not recorded the potential right to make claims against shareholders as an asset or a contingent asset in its financial statements. The directors of the Company have concluded that any inflow of economic benefits as a result of such claims is less than probable.
| Computer software £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| At 28 February 2021 | 782 | 782 |
| Additions | 272 | 272 |
| At 28 February 2022 | 1,054 | 1,054 |
| Amortisation and impairment | ||
| At 28 February 2021 | 243 | 243 |
| Charge for the year | 184 | 184 |
| At 28 February 2022 | 427 | 427 |
| Net book value at 28 February 2022 | 627 | 627 |
| Net book value at 28 February 2021 | 539 | 539 |
At 28 February 2022, the Company had no contractual commitments for the acquisition of computer software (2021: £nil).
| Leaseholds £'000 |
Computers £'000 |
Fixtures and equipment £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||||
| At 29 February 2020 and 28 February 2021 | 9,142 | 6 | 222 | 9,370 |
| Additions at cost | - | 214 | - | 214 |
| Disposals | (154) | (205) | (359) | |
| At 28 February 2022 | 8,988 | 220 | 17 | 9,225 |
| Accumulated depreciation | ||||
| At 29 February 2020 | 1,711 | 2 | 98 | 1,811 |
| Impairment | 210 | - | - | 210 |
| Charge for the year | 1,583 | 1 | 95 | 1,679 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 3,504 | 3 | 193 | 3,700 |
| Charge for the year | 1,547 | 27 | 27 | 1,601 |
| Impairment | 392 | - | - | 392 |
| Disposals | (154) | - | (205) | (359) |
| At 28 February 2022 | 5,289 | 30 | 15 | 5,334 |
| Net book value at 28 February 2022 | 3,699 | 190 | 2 | 3,891 |
| Net book value at 28 February 2021 | 5,638 | 3 | 29 | 5,670 |
The prior year movement has been represented to show the impairment charge within accumulated depreciation, there was no impact on net book value.
The leaseholds category includes land and buildings held under finance leases and leasehold improvements. At 28 February 2022, the Company had no contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment (2021: £nil).
The impairment charge arose following the assignment of a lease. On 28 March 2022, the Group assigned the lease for its Bevis Marks premises to Beat Capital. The impairment charge of £392,000 is equal to the subsequent loss on assignment of this lease, being the lease assignment premium paid plus the net book value of the ROU asset disposed of less the outstanding lease liability on that lease.
Right-of-use assets
| Leaseholds £'000 |
Fixtures and equipment £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| At 29 February 2020 | 6,963 | 114 | 7,077 |
| Amortisation | (1,483) | (91) | (1,574) |
| Impairment | (210) | – | (210) |
| Exchange differences | 1 | – | 1 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 5,271 | 23 | 5,294 |
| Amortisation | (1,436) | (23) | (1,459) |
| Impairment | (392) | – | (392) |
| At 28 February 2022 | 3,443 | – | 3,443 |
| At 28 February 2022 | 6,631 | – | 6,631 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange differences | (4) | – | (4) |
| Lease payments | (2,517) | (126) | (2,643) |
| Interest expense | 226 | 15 | 241 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 8,926 | 111 | 9,037 |
| Exchange differences | (2) | – | (2) |
| Lease payments | (2,556) | (157) | (2,713) |
| Interest expense | 297 | 18 | 315 |
| At 29 February 2020 | 11,187 | 250 | 11,437 |
| Leaseholds £'000 |
Fixtures and equipment £'000 |
Total £'000 |
| Leaseholds £'000 |
Fixtures and equipment £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| At 28 February 2020 | 2,674 | – | 2,674 |
| Interest received | 71 | – | 71 |
| Lease payments | (642) | – | (642) |
| Exchange differences | 2 | – | 2 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 2,105 | – | 2,105 |
| Interest received | 55 | – | 55 |
| Lease payments | (642) | – | (642) |
| Exchange differences | (6) | – | (6) |
| At 28 February 2022 | 1,512 | – | 1,512 |
There was no short-term lease expense, no short-term lease income and no low value lease expense in the year (2021: £nil).
Lease liabilities
| Up to 3 months £'000 |
Between 3 and 12 months £'000 |
Between 1 and 2 years £'000 |
Between 2 and 5 years £'000 |
Over 5 years £'000 |
Total £'000 |
Unearned interest £'000 |
Net payable £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 28 February 2022 | 654 | 1,963 | 2,618 | 1,669 | – | 6,904 | (273) | 6,631 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 654 | 1,963 | 2,617 | 4,317 | – | 9,551 | (514) | 9,037 |
| Up to 3 months £'000 |
Between 3 and 12 months £'000 |
Between 1 and 2 years £'000 |
Between 2 and 5 years £'000 |
Over 5 years £'000 |
Total £'000 |
Unearned interest £'000 |
Net receivable £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 28 February 2022 | 160 | 481 | 642 | 285 | – | 1,568 | (56) | 1,512 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 160 | 481 | 642 | 932 | – | 2,215 | (110) | 2,105 |
| Subsidiaries £'000 |
Unlisted investments £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | |||
| At 1 March 2020 | 113,969 | 1,500 | 115,469 |
| Prior period adjustment | (450) | – | (450) |
| Adjusted opening cost at 1 March 2020 | 113,519 | 1,500 | 115,019 |
| Share-based payments | 1,792 | – | 1,792 |
| At 28 February 2021 | 115,311 | 1,500 | 116,811 |
| Capital contribution to Cory Brothers | 3,664 | – | 3,664 |
| Disposal | (4,462) | – | (4,462) |
| Share-based payments | 2,959 | – | 2,959 |
| At 28 February 2022 | 117,472 | 1,500 | 118,972 |
| Impairment | |||
| At 29 February 2020 and 28 February 2021 and 28 February 2022 | 10,583 | – | 10,583 |
| Net book value at 28 February 2022 | 106,889 | 1,500 | 108,389 |
| Net book value at 28 February 2021 | 104,728 | 1,500 | 106,228 |
The Company recognises investments in subsidiaries at cost less impairment.
The opening balance has been adjusted to correct for an overstatement of £0.5m from an error in accounting for the acquisition of Naves. This prior period adjustment is explained in detail in Note 23 (b).
The Company invested £3.0m (2021: £1.8m) in the subsidiaries of the Group in respect of share-based payment charges incurred in the year.
Management have reviewed the Company's investments in subsidiary undertakings for impairment. The assets' recoverable amounts assessed by reference to value in use have been compared to the carrying values. The value in use has been calculated based upon a discounted cash flow methodology using the most recent forecasts prepared by management consistent with the goodwill impairment calculations described in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The value in use models have also been subject to sensitivity analysis, with assumptions such as zero revenue growth, an increase in the discount rate and a reduction in underlying operating profit tested, with investments retaining sufficient headroom.
The results of the sensitivity analysis are summarised in the below table and none of the sensitivities give rise to an impairment.
| Change in revenue growth | Change in discount rate | Change in underlying operating profit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1% | -1% | -2% | +20% | -20% | ||
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Shipbroking Division | 12,975 | (12,640) | (52,321) | 34,642 | 29,959 | (29,959) |
| Atlantic Brokers | 886 | (863) | (2,946) | 4,595 | 2,976 | (2,976) |
The Company's principal investment in Naves is held as preference shares, – see Note 11 for additional sensitivity analysis.
On 28 February 2022 the Company sold its investment in Cory Brothers Shipping Agency Limited. A reconciliation of the derecognition of the investment to the gain on disposal is as follows:
| £'000 | |
|---|---|
| Disposal proceeds | 9,897 |
| Carrying value of investment | (4,449) |
| Disposal-related costs | (485) |
| Gain on disposal of Cory Brothers | 4,963 |
The disposal proceeds attributable to the parent company are an 88% share of the Group's £11.3m disposal proceeds for the sale of the entire Cory Brothers Group. The disposal proceeds had not been received at year end, other receivables includes a £6.5m completion payment which was not received until 2 March 2022 (see Note 12), long-term receivables includes £4.8m deferred and contingent consideration (see Note 11). The 12% share of disposal proceeds due to Braemar Holdings (USA) Inc. on a pass-through basis is included in amounts due to subsidiaries (see Note 14).
Investments with a carrying value of £13,000 relating to Wavespec were also disposed of during the period.
A list of subsidiary undertakings is included in Note 32 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Financial Statements of the principal subsidiary undertakings are prepared to 28 February 2022.
The Group's unlisted investments include 1,000 (2021: 1,000) ordinary £1 shares in London Tanker Broker Panel. The investment is carried at fair value, being the value of the most recent comparable transaction, which occurred during the year ended 28 February 2019. There have been no transactions or events in the current or prior year which would result in an adjustment to the fair value at 28 February 2022.
The Company recognises its investment in AqualisBraemar LOC ASA at cost less impairment. AqualisBraemar LOC ASA is listed on the Oslo Børs, its principal place of business is Oslo and its registered address is Olav Vs gate 6, 0161, Oslo, Norway.
| Cost at 28 February 2022 | - |
|---|---|
| Disposal | (3,247) |
| At 28 February 2021 | 3,247 |
| Disposal | (3,753) |
| Cost at 29 February 2020 | 7,000 |
| £'000 |
On 19 May 2021 the Company fully disposed of its minority shareholding in AqualisBraemar for cash proceeds of £7,232,000. A reconciliation of the derecognition of the investment to the gain on disposal is as follows:
| Gain on disposal of AqualisBraemar | 3,985 |
|---|---|
| Carrying value of investment | (3,247) |
| Disposal proceeds | 7,232 |
| £'000 |
At 28 February 2022 the Group's shareholding was nil which equates to 0% of AqualisBraemar's share capital and 0% of voting rights (2021: market value of £6.3m, being 10.42% of share capital and 10.42% of voting rights).
| The movement in the deferred tax asset | Total £'000 |
|---|---|
| Balance at 1 March 2021 | 584 |
| Prior year over provision | 191 |
| Movement in opening balance due to change in tax rate | 247 |
| Charge for the year | (843) |
| Balance at 28 February 2022 | 179 |
A deferred tax asset of £0.2m (2021: £0.6m) has been recognised as the directors believe that it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable profits in the future to recover the asset in full.
| 2022 | 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £'000 | Restated £'000 |
|
| Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings | |||
| Preference shares issued by subsidiaries | 28,012 | 28,267 | |
| Provision for impairment of preference shares | (2,001) | (7,025) | |
| Other amounts due from subsidiary undertakings | 7,399 | 7,413 | |
| Provision for impairment of other amounts due from subsidiary undertakings | (257) | (3,157) | |
| Net amounts due from subsidiary undertakings | 33,153 | 25,498 | |
| Deferred consideration | 3,482 | - | |
| Contingent consideration | 1,276 | - | |
| Finance lease | |||
| Finance lease receivables | 7 | 879 | 1,471 |
| ECL provision for impairment of finance lease receivables | (15) | - | |
| Net finance lease receivables | 864 | 1,471 | |
| Other long-term receivables | 38,775 | 26,969 |
The Company holds investments in preference shares issued by a subsidiary at fair value through profit and loss and recognised as amounts due from subsidiaries receivable after more than one year. The preference shares are not traded in any market and there are no similar assets in quoted markets. Therefore the Company performs valuation of the present value of future cashflows using unobservable ("Level 3") inputs. The Company develops unobservable inputs using the best information available in the circumstances, which include the Group's forecasts of cash flows for the underlying Finance businesses of the holding company issuing the preference shares using a risk-adjusted discount rate.
The key estimates are therefore the selection of suitable discount rates and the estimation of future growth rates which vary between cash-generating units depending on the specific risks and the anticipated economic and market conditions related to each cash generating unit. The discount rates and growth rates are consistent with those applied to the same business in the Group's assessment of the impairment of goodwill. See Note 12 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the approach used by management to determine these key values.
The sensitivity of the valuation of the preference shares to changes in estimates of growth, discount rate and underlying operating profit is as follows:
| Sensitivity analysis | Change in revenue growth | Change in discount rate | Change in underlying operating profit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1% p.a. | -1% p.a. | +1% p.a. | -1% p.a. | +5% | -5% | |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Impact on valuation of preference shares | 2,079 | (1,992) | (1,945) | 2,344 | 1,496 | (1,496) |
Note 23 b provides detail of the restatement of the preference shares.
The deferred consideration and the contingent consideration combined represent the sum of the three earnout payments receivable in respect of the disposal of Cory Brothers. The deferred consideration comprises the three minimum earnout payments accounted for on an amortised cost basis. The contingent consideration represents the variable element of the earnout payments which are contingent on the future gross profit of the newly formed VertomCory agency business, which are recognised at fair value through profit or loss. Note 14 in the Consolidated Financial Statements provides further detail.
See Note 7 for a maturity analysis which reconciles the long-term finance lease receivables to the undiscounted lease receipts and unearned finance income.
The prior year amounts due from subsidiary undertakings have been restated with £30.2m being reclassified from current to non-current. See Note 23 for further detail.
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 Restated £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings | 2,294 | 7,423 |
| Other receivables | 7,625 | 2,012 |
| Finance lease receivables | 633 | 634 |
| Prepayments | 248 | 86 |
| Total | 10,800 | 10,155 |
Other receivable includes the completion payment of £6.5 million for the disposal of Cory Brothers which completed on 28 February 2022, although the cash was not received until 2 March 2022.
The prior year amounts due from subsidiary undertakings and other receivables have been restated to correct a misstatement of an intercompany receivable which has been reclassified as non-current and adjusted for the mis-calculation of interest, and also for some Balance Sheet mis-classifications between amounts due to or from subsidiary undertakings and other receivables (see Note 23 for further detail).
The total receivables balance (including long-term receivables) is denominated in the following currencies.
| Total | 49,575 | 37,124 |
|---|---|---|
| Euro | 28,012 | 28,267 |
| Sterling | 21,563 | 8,857 |
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 Restated £'000 |
The Company has no trade receivables (2021: £nil). Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings are interestfree, unsecured and repayable on demand. The Company provides for impairment using a lifetime expected credit loss provision for amounts due from subsidiary undertakings. At 28 February 2022 amounts due from subsidiary undertakings of £3.0m (2021: £3.0m) were treated as credit impaired. In the prior year £0.3m amounts related to amounts due from the Engineering Division which was disposed of on 31 March 2021.
| Cash at bank and cash on hand 700 |
634 |
|---|---|
Cash and cash equivalents largely comprise bank balances denominated in Sterling, US Dollars, Euros and other currencies for the purpose of settling current liabilities.
The directors consider that the carrying amounts of these assets approximate to their fair value.
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Current liabilities | £'000 | Restated £'000 |
| Lease liabilities | 2,580 | 2,651 |
| Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings payable within 1 year | 40,780 | 35,380 |
| Other payables | 779 | 1,672 |
| Accruals | 1,159 | 785 |
| Total | 45,298 | 40,488 |
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings payable within 1 year are interest-free and unsecured and repayable on demand.
The prior year amounts due to subsidiary undertakings, other payables and accrual have been restated to correct errors relating to Balance Sheet mis-classification (see Note 23 for further detail).
| Non-current liabilities | 2022 £'000 |
2021 Restated £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings payable after more than 1 year | 570 | - |
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings payable after more than 1 year are a 12% share of the deferred and contingent receivables due to Braemar Holdings (US) Inc. See Note 11 for further detail.
| Long-term borrowings | 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| Lease liabilities | 4,051 | 6,386 |
| Secured revolving credit facilities | 23,254 | 23,000 |
| Total | 27,305 | 29,386 |
The revolving credit facility expires in September 2023. Amounts can be rolled on a monthly basis until the facility expires subject to certain conditions and on that basis the borrowings have been classified as longterm. The revolving credit facility bears interest based on SONIA.
The Company has issued convertible loan notes as part of the acquisition of Naves Corporate Finance GmbH (further details of the acquisition are provided in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Convertible loan notes have been valued at amortised cost with a derivative liability recognised in respect of the conversion feature.
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | Restated £'000 |
|
| Issued convertible loan notes maturing within one year | 1,416 | 4,461 |
| Issued convertible loan notes maturing after more than one year | 3,271 | 3,640 |
| Derivative liabilities due after more than one year | 85 | 139 |
| Total | 4,772 | 8,240 |
The prior year issued convertible loan notes were overstated by £0.9m and were misclassified within amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings. The balances have been restated. See Note 23.
The Company holds a dilapidations provision of £0.5m (2021: £0.5m) which is classified as a non-current liability. There were no additions to the provisions balance nor were there any utilisation of the balance in the year.
The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income. Note 28 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides detail on authorised share capital and movements in issued share capital.
An Employee Share Ownership Plan ("ESOP") was established on 23 January 1995. The ESOP has been set up to purchase shares in the Company. These shares, once purchased, are held in trust by the Trustee of the ESOP, SG Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company (CI) Limited, for the benefit of the employees. Additionally, an Employee Benefit Trust ("EBT") previously run by ACM Shipping Group plc also holds shares in the Company. The ESOP and EBT are accounted for within the Company accounts.
The net cost of the shares acquired for the shares held by the ESOP and the EBT are a deduction from shareholders' funds and represent a reduction in distributable reserves. Note 29 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides detail on the ESOP and the EBT and movements in shares to be issued.
| Capital redemption reserve £'000 |
Merger reserve £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| At 28 February 2021 (reported) | 396 | 21,346 | 21,742 |
| Prior period adjustment to correct recording of share premium | - | 3,295 | 3,295 |
| Prior period adjustment to carrying amount of preference shares | - | (1,275) | (1,275) |
| At 28 February 2021 (restated) and 28 February 2022 | 396 | 23,366 | 23,762 |
The capital redemption reserve arose on previous share buy-backs by the Company.
The merger reserve arises on transactions where the Company issues shares pursuant to an arrangement to acquire more than an 90% interest in another company and no share premium is recorded. The merger reserve arose principally in 2001 in relation to the acquisitions of Braemar Shipbrokers Limited and Braemar Tankers Limited. Further additions have arisen in respect of Naves and Atlantic Brokers included in the prior period adjustment (£1.3m and £2.0m respectively). The amounts in merger reserve are unrealised profits relating to the corresponding assets acquired by the Company on the issue of shares. These profits may become realised on the disposal or write down of these assets.
A loss has been recognised in 2021 on the fair value of intragroup preference share assets acquired by the Company on the acquisition of Naves. This resulted in a realisation of the merger reserve of £1.3m which has been transferred to retained earnings accordingly. The impairment charge and reserves transfer have been recognised in the year ended 28 February 2021 and is a prior period adjustment – see Note 23.
The Company has contingent liabilities in respect of guarantees entered into on behalf of its subsidiaries in the normal course of business given as follows:
| 2022 £'000 |
2021 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Bank guarantees given to: | ||
| HM Revenue and Customs | - | 1,410 |
| Third parties (non-cash collateralised) | 710 | 787 |
| Total | 710 | 2,197 |
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have provided cross guarantees and fixed and floating rate charges over their assets to secure their borrowing facilities and other financial instruments.
In the prior year the Group had issued a guarantee of £1.4m to HMRC in respect of VAT, duty and excise which was collected on imports which was collected by Cory Brothers as part of its trading activity and subsequently paid to HMRC. As a result of Brexit, HMRC no longer required the guarantee and it was cancelled by the Group prior to the disposal of Cory Brothers.
From time to time the Company may be engaged in litigation in the ordinary course of business. The Company carries professional indemnity insurance. There are currently no liabilities expected to have a material adverse financial impact on the Company's results or net assets.
The Company has issued guarantees to certain subsidiaries in order to exempt them from audit for the year ended 28 February 2022. See Note 32 of the consolidated financial statements.
The Company has applied the disclosure exemption of FRS 101 in respect of transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries.
During the period the Group entered into the following transactions with joint ventures and investments:
| 2021/22 | 2020/21 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recharges to/(from) £'000 |
Dividends £'000 |
Balance due(to)/ from £'000 |
Recharges to/(from) £'000 |
Dividends £'000 |
Balance due(to)/ from £'000 |
|
| AqualisBraemar LOC ASA | 221 | – | 282 | 591 | 641 | 179 |
Recharges to AqualisBraemar LOC ASA consisted primarily of rent, IT services and HR services in accordance with a transitional services agreement. Included in the net recharge to AqualisBraemar LOC ASA is a fee payable to the Group's former Chairman, Ronald Series of £3,750 (2021: £15,000).
A list of the Company's subsidiary undertakings is provided in Note 32 in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
During the year to February 2022, the Group restructured part of the outstanding liabilities due to management sellers of Naves. In association with this, management took a critical analysis of the historical accounting for the amounts paid and payable on the Naves acquisition and identified errors in the original and subsequent accounting.
Computational errors identified affected both the classification and measurement of items in the accounts of the parent company.
See commentary in respect of the Group restatement of share premium and merger reserve.
Note that the merger reserve is further impacted by the loss on Naves preference shares in another adjustment, as described below.
The error to 29 February 2020 was principally due to the over accrual of finance expense earlier periods. The correction at 29 February 2020 was to reduce liabilities and increase retained earnings by £0.4m. Finance expense was reduced by £1.0m in the year to 28 February 2021, resulting in a net £0.9 decrease in liabilities and increase in retained earnings at 28 February 2021. There were also errors in the classification of amounts payable within one year or after one year which have been corrected with no impact on net assets.
The parent company's principal investment in Naves is held in the form of preference shares issued by a wholly-owned intermediate holding company. The accounting for the Naves preference shares was reviewed in parallel with the analysis of the accounting for the Naves liabilities, described above.£0.5m of the investment in preference shares was incorrectly presented as investment in subsidiaries and has been transferred into the preference share asset.
The preference shares were previously held at amortised cost, however, as the instrument does not provide the Company with a fixed legal claim in the event of bankruptcy they do not meet the solely payments of principal and interest requirements to be held at amortised cost and should be held at fair value through profit and loss. The fair value of the preference shares at 29 February 2020 was £27.1m, resulting in an increase in retained profits of £0.5m at that date. At 28 February 2021, the fair value was £21.2m, resulting in a loss of £7.0m compared to the balance previously reported at that date.
Finance income on the preference share asset was also over stated by £1.1m in 2021, resulting in a cumulative overstatement of the preference share asset of £7.6m at 28 February 2021.
The loss on fair value remeasurement of the preference share asset in 2021 realised £1.3m of profit in the merger reserve which arose on the Naves acquisition, and accordingly this amount has been transferred from the merger reserve to retained earnings.
Other prior period adjustments
See commentary in respect of the Group restatement of the RCF.
A further classification error has been identified in the presentation of amounts due and from Group companies in relation to amounts that should have been offset and the classification as either current or non-current.
There is no impact on profit and loss or earnings per share in either period, as the calculation error only affected Balance Sheet classifications.
The above errors have been corrected by restating each of the affected financial statement line items for the prior periods as follows:
| 28 February 2021 Reported |
a) Merger reserve |
b) Naves liabilities |
c) Naves preference shares |
d) RCF | e) Classification | 28 February 2021 Restated |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | |||||||
| Non-current assets | |||||||
| Other investments | 106,678 | - | - | (450) | - | - | 106,228 |
| Other non-current assets | 10,040 | - | - | - | - | - | 10,040 |
| Other long-term receivables | 1,471 | - | - | 21,242 | - | 4,256 | 26,969 |
| 118,189 | - | - | 20,792 | - | 4,256 | 143,237 | |
| Current assets | |||||||
| Total other receivables | 45,854 | - | - | (28,442) | - | (7,257) | 10,155 |
| Cash | 634 | - | - | - | - | - | 634 |
| 46,488 | - | - | (28,442) | - | (7,257) | 10,789 | |
| Total assets | 164,677 | - | - | (7,650) | - | (3,001) | 154,026 |
| Liabilities | |||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||
| Trade and other payables | (52,660) | - | 9,171 | - | - | 3,001 | (40,488) |
| Convertible loan notes | - | - | (4,461) | - | - | - | (4,461) |
| Short-term borrowings | (23,000) | - | - | - | 23,000 | - | - |
| (75,660) | - | 4,710 | - | 23,000 | 3,001 | (44,949) | |
| Non-current liabilities | |||||||
| Long-term borrowings | (6,386) | - | - | - | (23,000) | - | (29,386) |
| Convertible loan notes | - | - | (3,640) | - | - | - | (3,640) |
| Derivative financial liabilities | - | - | (139) | - | - | - | (139) |
| Provisions | (541) | - | - | - | - | - | (541) |
| (6,927) | - | (3,779) | - | (23,000) | - | (33,706) | |
| Total liabilities | (82,587) | - | 931 | - | - | 3,001 | (78,655) |
| Total assets less total liabilities |
82,090 | - | 931 | (7,650) | - | - | 75,371 |
| Equity | |||||||
| Share capital | 3,174 | - | - | - | - | - | 3,174 |
| Share premium | 55,805 | (3,295) | - | - | - | - | 52,510 |
| Shares to be issued | (1,362) | - | - | - | - | - | (1,362) |
| Other Reserves | 21,742 | 3,295 | - | (1,275) | - | - | 23,762 |
| Retained earnings | 2,731 | - | 931 | (6,375) | - | - | (2,713) |
| Total equity | 82,090 | - | 931 | (7,650) | - | - | 75,371 |
| 1 March 2020 Reported |
a) Merger reserve |
b) NAVES liabilities |
c) NAVES assets |
d) RCF | e) Reclassification | 1 March 2020 Restated |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | |||||||
| Non-current assets | |||||||
| Other investments | 104,886 | - | (450) | - | - | 104,436 | |
| Preference shares | - | - | - | 27,056 | - | 27,056 | |
| Other non-current | 18,504 | - | - | - | - | - | 18,504 |
| assets Other long-term receivables |
- | - | - | 5,699 | 5,699 | ||
| 123,390 | - | - | 26,606 | - | 5,699 | 155,695 | |
| Current assets | |||||||
| Total other receivables | 40,812 | - | - | (26,104) | - | (3,936) | 10,772 |
| Cash | 26 | - | - | - | - | - | 26 |
| 40,838 | - | - | (26,104) | - | (3,936) | 10,798 | |
| Total assets | 164,228 | - | - | 502 | - | 1,763 | 166,493 |
| Liabilities | |||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||
| Trade and other | (24,702) | - | 4,844 | - | - | (1,763) | (21,621) |
| payables Short-term borrowings |
(49,785) | - | - | - | 24,669 | - | (25,116) |
| (74,487) | - | 4,844 | - | 24,669 | (1,763) | (46,737) | |
| Non-current liabilities | |||||||
| Long-term borrowings | (8,763) | - | - | - | (24,669) | - | (33,432) |
| Convertible loan notes | - | - | (4,448) | - | - | - | (4,448) |
| Derivative financial liabilities |
- | - | (25) | - | - | - | (25) |
| Provisions | (541) | - | - | - | - | - | (541) |
| (9,304) | - | (4,473) | - | (24,669) | - | (38,446) | |
| Total liabilities | (83,791) | - | 371 | - | - | (1,763) | (85,183) |
| Total assets less total liabilities |
80,437 | - | 371 | 502 | - | - | 81,310 |
| - | - | - | |||||
| Equity | - | - | - | ||||
| Share capital | 3,167 | - | - | - | - | - | 3,167 |
| Share premium | 55,805 | (3,295) | - | - | - | - | 52,510 |
| Shares to be issued | (2,498) | - | - | - | - | - | (2,498) |
| Other Reserves | 21,742 | 3,295 | - | - | - | - | 25,037 |
| Retained earnings | 2,221 | - | 371 | 502 | - | - | 3,094 |
| Total equity | 80,437 | - | 371 | 502 | - | - | 81,310 |
There were no adjusting or significant non-adjusting events between the reporting date and the date of authorisation.
Consolidated Income Statement
| 12 months to 28 February 2022 |
12 months to 28 February 2021 restated |
12 months to 29 February 2020 |
12 months to 28 February 2019 |
12 months to 28 February 2018 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuing operations | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Group revenue | 101,310 | 83,695 | 117,655 | 117,853 | 103,043 |
| Other operating expenses | (91,250) | (75,976) | (106,625) | (108,787) | (95,721) |
| Specific items (net) | (514) | (1,097 | (3,344) | (11,719) | (9,067) |
| Total operating expenses | (91,764) | (77,073) | (109,969) | (120,506) | (104,788) |
| Operating profit/(loss) | 9,546 | 6,622 | 7,686 | (2,653) | (1,745) |
| Gain on revaluation of investment | 172 | – | – | 500 | – |
| Net interest expense | (1,156) | (1,486) | (1,853) | (987) | (643) |
| Share of associate profit for the period | (19) | - | 436 | – | – |
| Profit before taxation | 8,543 | 5,136 | 6,269 | (3,140) | (2,388) |
| Taxation | (1,839) | (1,574) | 46 | (1,525) | (474) |
| Gain/(loss) for the year from discontinued operations | 7,215 | 970 | (2,299) | (22,700) | (32) |
| Profit/(loss) after taxation | 13,919 | 4,532 | 4,016 | (27,365) | (2,894) |
| Dividends | |||||
| Interim | 610 | – | 1,564 | 1,501 | 1,501 |
| Final proposed | 2,254 | 1,495 | – | 2,951 | 2,951 |
| 2,864 | 1,495 | 1,564 | 4,452 | 4,452 | |
| Earnings per ordinary share – pence | |||||
| Basic – underlying from continuing operations | 23.06p | 15.60p | 29.45p | 23.32p | 19.57p |
| Diluted – underlying from continuing operations | 18.79p | 12.91p | 26.62p | 21.36p | 18.06p |
Note: The years ended 29 February 2020, 28 February 2019 and 28 February 2018 have not been restated for the reclassifications of discontinued operations. The year ended 28 February 2021 has been restated for the prior period adjustment described in Note 34.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
| As at 28 February 2022 |
As at 28 February 2021 restated |
As at 29 February 2020 restated |
As at 28 February 2019 |
As at 28 February 2018 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Assets | |||||
| Goodwill | 79,891 | 83,955 | 83,812 | 83,812 | 88,961 |
| Other intangible assets | 997 | 2,129 | 2,411 | 2,226 | 3,393 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 7,078 | 9,841 | 11,928 | 1,978 | 3,322 |
| Other investments | 1,780 | 1,962 | 1,962 | 1,773 | 1,356 |
| Investment in associate | 724 | 3,763 | 7,315 | – | – |
| Financial assets | – | – | 1,184 | – | – |
| Derivative financial instruments | 8 | 200 | – | – | – |
| Deferred tax assets | 3,713 | 2,900 | 3,620 | 1,640 | 3,120 |
| Other long-term receivables | 5,636 | 1,888 | 2,467 | 264 | 300 |
| 99,827 | 106,638 | 114,699 | 91,693 | 100,452 | |
| Current assets | |||||
| Trade and other receivables | 38,807 | 34,800 | 39,541 | 37,128 | 52,605 |
| Financial assets | - | 746 | – | – | – |
| Derivative financial instruments | 54 | 1,573 | – | – | 159 |
| Assets held for sale | - | 436 | – | 10,611 | 2,865 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 13,964 | 14,111 | 28,749 | 24,111 | 10,437 |
| 52,825 | 51,666 | 68,290 | 71,850 | 66,066 | |
| Total assets | 152,652 | 158,304 | 182,989 | 163,543 | 166,518 |
| Liabilities | |||||
| Current liabilities | |||||
| Derivative financial instruments | 688 | - | 437 | 49 | – |
| Trade and other payables | 38,629 | 45,647 | 47,209 | 44,887 | 41,462 |
| Short-term borrowings | - | - | 25,116 | 35,844 | 12,886 |
| Current tax payable | 2910 1,608 |
1,318 | 1,334 | 1,408 | 1,858 |
| Provisions | 486 | 307 | 201 | 90 | 320 |
| Convertible loan notes | 1,416 | 4,461 | 4,444 | 6,339 | – |
| Deferred consideration | - | - | 177 | 600 | 366 |
| Liabilities directly associated with assets classified as held for sale | - | 125 | – | 2,797 | 766 |
| 42,827 | 51,858 | 78,918 | 92,014 | 57,658 | |
| Non-current liabilities | |||||
| Long-term borrowings | 28,331 | 31,634 | 34,585 | – | – |
| Deferred tax liabilities | - | 174 | 903 | 930 | 999 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 335 | 56 | – | – | – |
| Provisions | 797 | 690 | 765 | 324 | 424 |
| Convertible loan notes | 2,755 | 2,681 | 2,603 | 4,579 | 7,364 |
| Deferred consideration | 495 | 882 | 2,293 | 5,357 | 2,977 |
| Pension deficit | 2,052 | 3,819 | 3,672 | 1,986 | 3,437 |
| 34,765 | 39,936 | 44,861 | 13,176 | 15,201 | |
| Total liabilities | 77,592 | 91,794 | 123,779 | 105,190 | 72,859 |
| Total assets less total liabilities | 75,061 | 66,510 | 59,210 | 58,353 | 93,659 |
| Equity | |||||
| Share capital | 3,221 | 3,174 | 3,167 | 3,144 | 3,144 |
| Share premium | 53,030 | 52,510 | 52,510 | 55,805 | 55,805 |
| ESOP reserve | (6,771) | (1,362) | (2,498) | (3,446) | (2,701) |
| Other reserves | 27,124 | 28,094 | 25,862 | 22,857 | 26,085 |
| Retained earnings | (1,543) | (15,906) | (19,831) | (20,007) | 11,326 |
| Total equity | 75,061 | 66,510 | 59,210 | 58,353 | 93,659 |
Note: The years ended 28 February 2018 and 28 February 2019 have not been restated for the grossing up of cash and overdrafts. The years ended 28 February 2021 and 29 February 2020 have been adjusted for the affect of the prior year adjustment described in Note 34.
Braemar Shipping Services Plc One Strand Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5HR Company number: 02286034
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3142 4100
Web address: www.braemar.com
One Strand Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5HR
80 Robinson Road #24-01/02 Singapore 068898
432 St. Kilda Road Melbourne Victoria 3004 Australia
Domstraße 17 20095 Hamburg Germany
One Strand Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5HR
www.braemar.com
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