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FORESIGHT SOLAR & TECHNOLOGY VCT PLC — Annual Report 2018
Jun 30, 2018
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Annual Report
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Foresight group
FORESIGHT SOLAR & INFRASTRUCTURE
VCT plc
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
30 JUNE 2018
Shareholder Information
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc is managed by Foresight Group CI Limited which is licensed by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Stock markets and currency movements may cause the value of investments and the income from them to fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the amount they originally invested. Where investments are made in unquoted securities and smaller companies, their potential volatility may increase the risk to the value of, and the income from, the investment.
As part of our investor communications policy, shareholders can arrange a mutually convenient time to come and meet the Company's investment management team at Foresight Group. If you are interested, please call Foresight Group (see details below).
CONTACT US
Foresight Group is always keen to hear from investors. If you have any feedback about the service you receive or any queries, please contact the Investor Relations team:
Telephone: 020 3667 8181
Email: [email protected]
www.foresightgroup.eu

KEY DATES
| Year ended 30 June 2019 | Interim Dividend Payment Date | November 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual General Meeting | December 2018 | |
| Interim results to 31 December 2018 | March 2019 | |
| Annual results to 30 June 2019 | October 2019 |
DIVIDENDS
Dividends are ordinarily paid to shareholders in April and November. Shareholders who wish to have dividends paid directly into their bank account rather than by cheque to their registered address can complete a Mandate Form for this purpose. Mandates can be obtained by telephoning the Company's registrar, Computershare Investor Services PLC (see back cover for details).
SHARE PRICE
The Company's Ordinary Shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange. The mid-price of the Company's Ordinary Shares is given daily in the Financial Times in the Investment Companies section of the London Share Service. Share price information can also be obtained from many financial websites.
WWW.INVESTORCENTRE.CO.UK
Investors can manage their shareholding online using Investor Centre, Computershare's secure website. Shareholders just require their Shareholder Reference Number (SRN), which can be found on any communications previously received from Computershare, to access the following:
- Holding Enquiry Balances | Values History | Payments | Reinvestments
- Payments Enquiry Dividends | Other payment types
- Address Change Change registered address to which all communications are sent
- Bank Details Update Choose to receive dividend payments directly into your bank account instead of by cheque
- Outstanding Payments Reissue payments using our online replacement service
- Downloadable Forms Dividend mandates | Stock transfer | Dividend reinvestment Change of address
Alternatively you can contact Computershare by phone on 0370 707 4017
TRADING SHARES
The Company's Ordinary, Shares can be bought and sold in the same way as any other quoted company on the London Stock Exchange via a stockbroker. The primary market maker for Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc is Panmure Gordon & Co.
Investment in VCTs should be seen as a long-term investment and shareholders selling their shares within five years of their original purchase may lose any tax reliefs claimed. Investors who are in any doubt about selling their shares should consult their financial adviser.
Please call Foresight Group if you or your adviser have any questions about this process.
Contents
HIGHLIGHTS
2
- Key Financials 2
- Dividend History 3
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
4
INVESTMENT MANAGER'S REVIEW
- Portfolio Summary 6
- Portfolio Overview 10
- About the Investment Manager 16
STRATEGIC REPORT
18
GOVERNANCE
- Board of Directors 24
- Directors' Report 26
- Corporate Governance 30
- Directors' Remuneration Report 34
- Audit Committee Report 37
- Statement of Directors' Responsibilities 38
- Independent Auditor's Report to the members of Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT Plc 39
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
44
- Income Statement 44
- Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds 45
- Balance Sheet 46
- Cash Flow Statement 47
- Notes to the Accounts 48
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
66
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
70
- FCA Information 72
CORPORATE INFORMATION
73
Highlights
Ordinary Shares
Total Net Assets as at
30 June 2018
£40.8m
Ordinary Shares
Net Asset Value per share as at
30 June 2018
93.0p
Ordinary Shares
Dividends paid during the year ended
30 June 2018
6.0p
- Total net assets £40.8 million.
- After payment of 6.0p in dividends, Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share at 30 June 2018 was 93.0p (2017: 95.9p).
- At 30 June 2018, the fund held positions in seven UK solar assets, with a total installed capacity of 48.9MW. During the year the portfolio generated 38.6Gwh of clean energy, sufficient to power approximately 12,450 UK homes for a year.
- Two UK solar assets, Littlewood and Laurel Hill, were acquired by existing portfolio companies in August and September 2017 respectively, increasing the portfolio's capacity by 19.2MW.
- In November 2017, our original portfolio companies completed the sale of the four UK FiT solar assets. Our portfolio company, Shaftesbury Solar I UK Holdings Limited, also invested £0.4 million in a 400kW rooftop solar installation in Campania, Italy.
- In January 2018, the subsidiary of our portfolio company Skibo Solar III Limited completed the sale of the EOSOL solar asset in California.
- Two interim dividends of 3.0p per Ordinary Share were paid during the year, on 24 November 2017 and 27 April 2018.
- Two interim dividends of 2.5p per C Share were paid during the year, on 24 November 2017 and 27 April 2018.
- The Company completed a share class merger on 29 June 2018, where the C and D Shares funds were merged with the Ordinary Shares fund, uniting the shareholder base and pooling the assets of the fund.
Key Financials
| 30 June 2018 | 30 June 2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Shares | Ordinary Shares | C Shares | D Shares | |
| Net asset value per share | 93.0p | 95.9p | 90.1p | 96.8p |
| Net asset value total return | 128.0p | 124.9p | 105.1p | 96.8p |
Net asset value total return is the net asset value per share plus total dividends to date
| 30 June 2018 | 30 June 2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Shares | Ordinary Shares | C Shares | D Shares | |
| Share price | 94.0p | 95.0p | 78.5p | 100.0p |
| Share price total return | 129.0p | 124.0p | 93.5p | 100.0p |
Share price total return is the share price plus total dividends to date
| 30 June 2018 | 30 June 2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Shares | Ordinary Shares | C Shares | D Shares | |
| Dividends paid from inception* | 35.0p | 29.0p | 15.0p | — |
| Dividends paid in the year* | 6.0p | 6.0p | 5.0p | — |
| Dividend yield | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.4 | — |
Dividend yield is the dividends paid in the year divided by the share price
*Prior to the share class merger, the C Shares had paid dividends of 5.0p during the year, bringing the total dividend paid from inception to 20.0p as at the date of the merger. Dividends paid on the C Shares during the year are not reflected in the dividend yield calculation.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Copyright Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Ordinary Shares Funds
| Share price premium to NAV | 1.1% |
|---|---|
| Average discount on buybacks | 2.6% |
| Shares bought back during the year under review | 298,622 |
| Increase in NAV during year (after adding back dividend) | 3.2% |
| Ongoing charges ratio | 3.3% |
Share price premium to NAV is the share price divided by net asset value per share
Average discount on buybacks is the difference between the buyback price and the net asset value per share divided by the net asset value per share.
Ongoing charges ratio is fund running costs divided by total net assets as at the reporting date
Ordinary Shares Dividends Paid and NAV Total Return (pence)

DIVIDEND HISTORY
| Ordinary Shares | |
|---|---|
| Date | Dividend per share |
| 27 April 2018 | 3.0p |
| 24 November 2017 | 3.0p |
| 7 April 2017 | 3.0p |
| 18 November 2016 | 3.0p |
| 8 April 2016 | 3.0p |
| 13 November 2015 | 3.0p |
| 10 April 2015 | 3.0p |
| 14 November 2014 | 3.0p |
| 4 April 2014 | 3.0p |
| 25 October 2013 | 3.0p |
| 12 April 2013 | 2.5p |
| 31 October 2012 | 2.5p |
| Cumulative | 35.0p |
| C Shares | |
| --- | --- |
| Date | Dividend per share |
| 27 April 2018 | 2.5p |
| 24 November 2017 | 2.5p |
| 7 April 2017 | 2.5p |
| 18 November 2016 | 2.5p |
| 8 April 2016 | 2.5p |
| 13 November 2015 | 2.5p |
| 10 April 2015 | 2.5p |
| 14 November 2014 | 2.5p |
| Cumulative | 20.0p |
3
Chairman's Statement

David Hurst-Brown
Chairman of Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc
INTRODUCTION
I am pleased to present the Annual Report and audited accounts for Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT Plc and to provide you with an update on the progress made. During the year, the share class merger between the Ordinary, C and D Shares was completed, uniting the shareholder base and allowing for the fund to embark upon its next phase.
At the operating level, the disposal by our original portfolio companies of their older Feed-in Tariff ("FiT") solar assets was completed at a favourable price. As discussed in the Investment Manager's Review, new projects were acquired by these companies with potential for further returns. These transactions will support the fund's objective of delivering an attractive return for investors.
PERFORMANCE
ORDINARY SHARES
The underlying net asset value increased by 3.1p per Ordinary Share before deducting the 6.0p per Ordinary Share dividend paid during the year.
This has been driven by the profitable sale by our original portfolio companies of their FiT assets in November 2017, generating proceeds of over £11m, as well as additional proceeds of over £1.5m received during the year from the sale of the fund's Italian solar assets initially sold in December 2016. These proceeds have been retained by the portfolio companies to finance new opportunities. Additionally, an extension to the useful economic lives of the existing sites combined with improvements in the efficiency and revenue generation of these same sites, with support from the fund's Investment Manager¹, has driven an increase in valuation of the portfolio of £0.8m.
Existing portfolio companies also acquired two new UK solar plants during the year, the first being Littlewood in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire and the second being Laurel Hill near Donaghcloney, Northern Ireland. These two projects added a combined capacity of 19.2MW.
In aggregate, following the share class merger with the C Shares and the D Shares funds, the Company ended the year with investments in portfolio companies with total generating capacity of 49.3MW compared with 41.2MW at 30 June 2017.
Read more on page 6
The overall performance of the Ordinary Shares fund remains robust and the total return since inception as at 30 June 2018 was 128.0p per Ordinary Share.
C SHARES
The C Shares had a total return of 104.2p per share at 29 June 2018 (after deducting the performance incentive fee) compared to 105.1p per share at 30 June 2017.
No new assets were acquired in this period.
D SHARES
The D Shares had a total return of 92.2p per share at 29 June 2018 compared to 96.8p per share at 30 June 2017.
During this period, Shaftesbury Solar I UK Holdings Limited, in which D Share money was invested, invested in a new rooftop solar project in Campania, Italy adding capacity of 400kW.
CASH & DEAL FLOW
The Company had cash and liquid resources of £4.9m at 30 June 2018 (excluding cash held in portfolio companies). The Company receives regular interest and loan stock payments and dividends from its underlying investments enabling it to continue to fund its dividend policy as
¹ References to the "Manager" or "Investment Manager" are to Foresight Group CI Limited and shall, where the context requires, also include its investment advisor, Foresight Group LLP.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
well as meeting expenses in the ordinary course of business as they fall due.
INVESTMENT GAINS & LOSSES
During the year the Company recognised unrealised gains of £0.8m. Further information regarding the breakdown of this amount is contained in the Investment Manager's Report.
Read more on page 6
DIVIDENDS
In its original prospectus the Board's stated objective was to pay dividends of 5.0p per Ordinary Share each year throughout the life of Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc after the first year. The level of dividends was not, however, guaranteed.
During the year and prior to the share class merger, total dividends of 6.0p per Ordinary Share and 5.0p per C Share were paid. The Board is pleased to announce that the next interim dividend, of 3.0p per Ordinary Share, will be paid on 23 November 2018 based on an ex-dividend date of 8 November 2018 and a record date of 9 November 2018. This means that total dividends of 38.0p per Ordinary Share will have been paid during the eight years since launch.
SHARE CLASS MERGER
On 29 June 2018, the C and D Shares funds were merged with the Ordinary Shares fund, based on the proportionate value of their respective shareholdings of Ordinary Shares, C Shares and D Shares as at 31 March 2018, adjusted to take account of the 3.0p per Ordinary Share and the 2.5p per C Share dividends paid on 27 April 2018, and other fund level movements up to the date of the merger. The conversion ratios were 0.9057 for C shares and 0.9917 for D shares. On the basis of these conversion ratios, the Company's issued share capital was 43,911,189
Ordinary Shares and 1,222,778 Deferred Shares. The Deferred Shares are not listed, and have no value attributable.
SHARE ISSUES & BUYBACKS
During the year under review, the Ordinary Shares fund repurchased 298,622 shares for cancellation at a cost of £290,000 and the C Shares fund repurchased 37,677 shares for cancellation at a cost of £32,000, at an average discount to NAV of 2.6%. No new shares were issued.
A table of intended communications to shareholders and likely tender offers is included on page 17.
Read more on page 17
PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE FEE
Before the share class merger was implemented on 29 June 2018, the performance incentive hurdle for the C shares was satisfied, with a total return of 105.3p per share, resulting in an accrual of £130,000 due to the Manager. This was paid post year end.
There were no performance incentive fees paid or accrued in respect of the Ordinary Shares or the D Shares.
Following the share class merger, the entire fund will apply the existing Ordinary Shares performance incentive fee arrangement.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Company's Annual General Meeting will take place on 6 December 2018 at 12.30pm. I look forward to welcoming you to the Meeting, which will be held at the offices of Foresight Group in London.
OUTLOOK
The strategic focus of the Board remains the optimisation of the portfolio's performance and valuation through a number of
initiatives. In this respect, the Investment Manager continues to examine opportunities such as refinancing assets at lower interest rates and fixing power price agreements (PPAs) when they are deemed attractive.
Operationally we have benefitted from good irradiance conditions in the first quarter of the current year.
David Hurst-Brown
Chairman
31 October 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Investment Manager's Review
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
In November 2017, our portfolio companies successfully sold four of the portfolio's solar assets, which qualified for the Feed-in Tariff ("FiT") subsidy, generating proceeds of over £11m. This was a profitable exit and the proceeds have been retained by our portfolio companies to finance new opportunities.
The Littlewood solar plant (5MW) in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, was purchased from its constructor Goldbeck in August 2017. Littlewood presented an attractive investment opportunity given the quality of Goldbeck projects and the fact that Foresight² already had precedent contracts from which to transact. The site connected to the grid in March 2017.
In September 2017, Laurel Hill, a 14.2MW construction stage solar plant located near Donaghcloney, Northern Ireland was acquired. The plant successfully connected to the grid at the end of February 2018, qualifying for 1.4 ROCs under the regime's grace period. The project was acquired from solar developer BNRG, which Foresight has worked with previously.
In January 2018, the subsidiary of our portfolio company Skibo Solar III Limited completed the sale of its interest in the 3.6MW EOSOL asset in California. The decision was taken to capitalise on the relative strength of the US dollar in comparison to sterling subsequent to the Brexit referendum of 2016, as well as the high demand for operational solar assets in the US.
In November 2017, Shaftesbury Solar I UK Holdings Limited, a portfolio company in which D Share money was invested, made an investment of £0.4m, to finance the construction of a 400kW rooftop solar installation in Campania, Italy. The solar panels are being installed on the roof of a building owned by Telecomponenti, which manufactures plastic products for the telecom and energy industry. This is the first unsubsidised solar site to be acquired by a portfolio company, with the majority of the electricity generated being sold to Telecomponenti at a fixed price under a long-term contract. Construction of the project completed in May 2018, and performance is in line with expectations. It is intended to fund a second stage, adding a further 500kW of capacity.
Previously, the discounted cash flow ("DCF") methodology used to value the assets assumed a 25-year asset life, with no residual value at the end of this period. This assumption was based on the market standard lease terms for the properties on which portfolio company solar assets are located and planning consent periods initially granted by local planning offices.
Some of the portfolio companies have secured lease and planning rights to extend the useful economic life of their solar assets across the majority of the portfolio by up to an extra ten years beyond this 25-year period. Cash flows from the extended periods are now included in the DCF models.
PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE
For the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018 total electricity production was 0.3% below expectations, in line with irradiation levels that were also 0.3% below expectations. There will be annual movements in performance caused by irradiation or the efficiency of the plant but this does not require adjustment to the long term forecasts for the plants. Further details on performance is included on pages 10 to 13.
FOLLOWING PERIOD END
Existing portfolio companies acquired four solar projects post period end: Basin Bridge, Stables, Dove View and Beech Farm. These projects were acquired from other funds managed by Foresight. Other existing portfolio companies completed their debt refinancing of the Laurel Hill site in August 2018, provided by Royal Bank of Scotland. The refinancing proceeds have been used to repay the majority of the borrowings originally taken to finance their acquisition of Littlewood and Laurel Hill.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
REGULATORY AND MARKET CHANGES
During the second half of 2017, there was increased discussion about the future funding of the lowest cost renewables, onshore wind and solar. Government announcements coinciding with the results of the Contracts for Difference ("CfD") auction in September 2017 confirmed the expectation that solar and onshore wind will continue to be excluded from Pot 1 (established technologies) during the third auction round expected in Spring 2019 and are highly unlikely to feature in future auction rounds. However, as capex costs for battery storage continue to reduce, there is the possibility of co-locating battery facilities with solar projects, which could drive further market growth.
In October 2017, the release of the Clean Growth Strategy (the Government's plan to grow the UK's national income while cutting greenhouse gas emissions) also excluded any mention of future support for onshore wind and ground mounted solar. Although the lack of regulatory support for new large scale solar projects has halted the flow of primary solar assets to market, secondary market activity has increased considerably as investors have turned to the acquisition of existing operational assets currently being held by short term investors.
Despite the aforementioned developments, there has been growing support to reconsider the use of subsidies, including proposals for technology neutral auctions from diverse groups including backbench Conservative MPs, the Committee for Climate Change, Energy UK, Dieter Helm's cost of energy review and a variety of NGOs and energy trade associations. Meanwhile, a report from the Committee on Climate Change in June 2017 highlighted that the UK is significantly behind its 2030 targets to reduce carbon emissions and could fail to meet the legally binding commitments set out in the UK's Fifth Carbon Budget. The UK government has recently agreed to increase the 2030 renewable energy target from 27% to 32%, creating a clear opportunity for additional growth of the UK solar market in the medium to long-term.
In December 2017, Ofgem published a consultation which is broadly supportive of the co-location of battery storage facilities with ROC accredited renewable energy installations, lifting concerns that this could invalidate existing ROC accreditations. The Investment Manager will continue to monitor the progress of these market developments and its potential to accelerate the transition to a decentralised energy system.
In July 2018, Ofgem issued a consultation which proposes a Significant Code Review ("SCR") to address inefficiencies in network access and forward-looking network charging arrangements. If launched, this would run in parallel with the current SCR in progress and the Targeted Charging Review ("TCR") launched in August 2017, which encompasses a review of residual network charging arrangements. The impact of these review processes on charging arrangements for embedded generation has the potential to materially affect the embedded benefits received by the portfolio.
There remains political uncertainty following the UK's vote to withdraw from the European Union. Although formal Brexit negotiations started on 19 June 2017, it remains unclear to what extent the UK power market will continue to be integrated with the wider EU power market and therefore what the impact on wholesale power prices will be. The Manager will continue to carefully monitor any potential political effects from Brexit, however current indications suggest that the UK Government remains committed to a carbon reduction agenda.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Investment Manager's Review
POWER PRICES
Following a winter of relatively high power prices, the spot price rose to £51 per MWh as at 30 June 2018 (£46 per MWh in June 2017).
The average power price achieved across the portfolio during the reporting period was £46.77 per MWh.
During the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018 there was a downward movement of 7.3% in the medium to long term power price forecast. The Investment Manager uses forward looking power price assumptions to assess the likely future income of the portfolio investments for valuation purposes. The Company's assumptions are formed from a blended average of the forecasts provided by third party consultants and are updated on a quarterly basis. The Investment Manager's forecasts continue to assume an increase in power prices in real terms over the medium to long-term of 1.08% per annum (30 June 2017: 1.7%), driven by higher gas and carbon prices.
During the period, 75% of the Company's revenue from portfolio investments came from the FiT subsidy or sale of ROCs and other green benefits to an offtaker. These revenues are directly and explicitly linked to inflation for 20 years from the accreditation date under the ROC regime and subject to Retail Price Index ("RPI") inflationary increases applied by Ofgem in April of each year.
The majority of the remaining 25% of revenues derive from electricity sales by our portfolio companies which are subject to wholesale electricity price movements. Electricity prices in the UK are a component of the RPI index basket of goods and services and as a result present a degree of correlation with the long term RPI. This direct indexation of revenues derived from ROC benefits and the degree of inflation linkage of the wholesale electricity price provides correlation with long term inflation for a significant percentage of cash flows.
Power Purchase Agreements ("PPAs") are entered into between each portfolio company and offtakers in the UK electricity supply market. Under the PPAs, each portfolio company will sell the entirety of the generated electricity and ROCs to the designated offtaker.
The PPA strategy adopted by our portfolio companies seeks to optimise their revenues from the power generated, while keeping the flexibility to manage their solar assets appropriately. As at 30 June 2018, our portfolio companies put in place fixed power price arrangements in respect of their solar businesses operating on the Turweston site and floating rate PPAs, which track market power prices, in respect of their other solar businesses operating on other sites.
The boards of our portfolio companies, with assistance from Foresight, constantly assesses conditions in the electricity market and set their pricing strategy on the basis of likely future movements. Following the year end further fixed price arrangements have been entered into by our portfolio companies, offering a premium over the long-term power price forecasts. Four assets, including Turweston, representing c.31MW of installed capacity now have fixed price arrangements until December 2019.
Our portfolio companies retain the option to fix the PPAs of their portfolio assets at any time. As part of the ongoing efforts by our portfolio companies to maximise the commercial performance of their businesses, they have undertaken a PPA tendering process across all their assets, which has seen a significant reduction in fees charged to them by the offtakers.
SUSTAINABLE INVESTING
Sustainability lies at the heart of the Manager's approach, and the Manager believes that investing responsibly, seeking to make a positive social and environmental impact, is critical to its long term success. These factors have been integrated into the investment process, and are actively supported by all involved, regardless of seniority. With that in mind, the Manager has adopted a Responsible Investment Framework to provide a suitable operational
framework in matters related to the investment process, such that sustainability and sustainable investing has become part of the day-to-day operations. Further to the environmental advantages of large scale renewable energy, each investment is closely scrutinised for localised environmental impact. Where improvements can be made, the Manager will work with planning and local authorities to minimise visual and auditory impact of sites.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
LAND MANAGEMENT
The Investment Manager is a working partner of the Solar Trade Association's Large Scale Asset Management Working Group. Foresight is a signatory to the Solar Farm Land Management Charter and seeks to ensure that the solar farms operated by all of our portfolio companies are managed in a manner that maximises the agricultural, landscaping, biodiversity and wildlife potential, which can also contribute to lowering maintenance costs and enhancing security. As such, the Investment Manager regularly inspects sites and advises portfolio companies to develop site specific land management and biodiversity enhancement plans to secure long term gains for wildlife and ensure that the land and environment are maintained to a high standard. This includes:
- Management of grassland areas within the security fencing to promote wildflower meadows and sustainable sheep grazing;
- Planting and management of hedgerows and associated hedge banks;
- Management of field boundaries between security fencing and hedgerows;
- Sustainable land drainage and pond restoration;
- Installation of insect hotels and reptile hibernacula;
- Installation of boxes for bats, owls and kestrels; and
- Installation of beehives by local beekeepers.
Most solar parks are designed to enable sheep grazing and the remaining plants are investigated for alterations to ensure that the farmland on which the solar assets are located can remain useful in agricultural production, which is a frequent desire of local communities.
SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Investment Manager actively seeks to engage with the local communities around the solar assets operated by our portfolio companies and regularly
attends parish meetings to encourage community engagement and promote the benefits of their solar assets.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
There were no reportable health and safety incidents during the period. Safety, Health, Environment and Quality ("SHEQ") performance and risk management are a top priority at all levels for Foresight Group. To further improve the management of SHEQ risks, reinforce best practice and ensure non-compliance with regulations is avoided, the fund's Investment Manager has appointed an independent health and
safety consultant who regularly visits the portfolio assets operated by our portfolio companies to ensure they not only meet, but exceed, industry and legal standards. The consultant has confirmed that all sites are in compliance with all applicable regulations. Recommendations that have been implemented to help raise standards further include improvements to the safety signage on the fence of two plants.
OUTLOOK
During the financial year ended 30 June 2018, as well as acquiring three new projects, we encouraged our portfolio companies to focus on the continued optimisation of the existing businesses, both from an operational perspective and in respect of their ability to support a sustainable level of debt to enhance returns to the fund.
We encourage our portfolio companies to continue this, as well as to explore new acquisition opportunities which we believe will be accretive to the value of their businesses, and to the benefit of the fund's investment in them in the long term.
Dan Wells
Partner
31 October 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Investment Manager's Review
Turweston Solar Farm, Northamptonshire

Investment date December 2014
During the year 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, the portfolio companies trading on the site achieved 4% above budgeted production due to the strong performance of the modules, particularly during periods of low irradiance.
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Voting rights in the relevant portfolio companies | 49% |
| Dividend and interest income receivable | £492,856 |
| Cost | £15,045,338 |
| Valuation | £22,061,203 |
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Income | £1,880,329 |
| EBITDA | £416,000 |
| Retained loss | (£396,480) |
| Net liabilities | (£395,480) |

Laurel Hill Solar Farm, County Down

Investment date September 2017
This site connected to the grid at the end of February 2018 and is currently undergoing Performance Acceptance Certificate testing.
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Voting rights in the relevant portfolio companies | 49% |
| Dividend and interest income receivable | - |
| Cost* | - |
| Valuation | £14,593,193 |

*Laurel Hill has been initially financed through borrowings. As such, the amount invested by the fund is nil.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Littlewood Solar Farm, Nottinghamshire

Investment date August 2017
During the year 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, the portfolio company operating on the site achieved 4% above budgeted production due to the strong performance of the modules, particularly during periods of low irradiance.
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Voting rights in the relevant portfolio company | 49% |
| Dividend and interest income receivable | — |
| Cost* | — |
| Valuation | £6,547,433 |
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Income | £639,067 |
| EBITDA | £511,110 |
| Retained profit | £116,369 |
| Net assets | £116,369 |
*Littlewood has been initially financed through borrowings. As such, the amount invested by the fund is nil.

Greenersite, Herefordshire

Investment date March 2013
During the year 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, the site achieved 5% below budgeted production due to module issues and poor irradiance up to February 2018, after which the site performed above the expected level of production.
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Voting rights in the relevant portfolio company | 100% |
| Dividend and interest income receivable | — |
| Cost | £325,878 |
| Valuation | £378,951 |
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Income | £28,951 |
| EBITDA | £5,598 |
| Retained loss | (£726,454) |
| Net assets | £274,447 |

Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Investment Manager's Review
New Kaine Solar Farm, Kent

Investment date March 2015
During the year 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, the portfolio company operating on the site achieved 1% above budgeted production due to the good availability of site and efficiency of the system.
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Voting rights in the relevant portfolio company | 49% |
| Dividend and interest income receivable | £30,467 |
| Cost | £1,401,200 |
| Valuation | £547,006 |
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Income | £248,685 |
| EBITDA | £90,786 |
| Retained loss | (£197,622) |
| Net liabilities | (£197,522) |

Saron Solar Farm, Carmarthenshire

Investment date March 2015
During the year 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, the portfolio company trading on the site achieved 5% below budgeted production mainly due to the lower than budgeted irradiation levels during the year. The technical performance remains in line with the base case.
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Voting rights in the relevant portfolio company | 49% |
| Dividend and interest income receivable | £132,885 |
| Cost | £3,546,689 |
| Valuation | £3,221,491 |
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Income | £663,168 |
| EBITDA | £178,155 |
| Retained loss | (£895,212) |
| Net liabilities | (£895,312) |

Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Marchington Solar Farm, Staffordshire

Investment date July 2016
During the year 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, the portfolio company trading on the site achieved 5% below budgeted production due to thefts at the site. Following this, an additional security camera has been installed and a full audit of the security system undertaken.
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Voting rights in the relevant portfolio company | 49% |
| Dividend and interest income receivable | £32,330 |
| Cost | £1,455,694 |
| Valuation | £2,318,323 |
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Income | £437,912 |
| EBITDA | £137,203 |
| Retained profit | (£248,438) |
| Net assets | (£249,637) |

Telecomponenti Rooftop Solar, Campania, Italy

Investment date November 2017
The project connected to the grid in May 2018, as such there is no performance information yet.
| | Year ended
30 June 2018 |
| --- | --- |
| Voting rights in the relevant portfolio company | 49% |
| Dividend and interest income receivable | £24,299 |
| Cost | £407,797 |
| Valuation | £407,797 |

Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Investment Manager's Review
Portfolio Analysis
Portfolio details as at 30 June 2018 were as follows:
| 30 June 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Assets in portfolio companies: | Date of Investment | Cost £ | Valuation £ |
| Turweston Solar Farm | December 2014 | 15,045,338 | 22,061,202 |
| Laurel Hill Solar Farm* | September 2017 | — | 14,593,193 |
| Littlewood Solar Farm* | August 2017 | — | 6,547,433 |
| Greenersite Solar Farm | March 2013 | 325,878 | 378,951 |
| New Kaine Solar Farm | March 2015 | 1,401,200 | 543,006 |
| Saron Solar Farm | March 2015 | 3,546,689 | 3,221,491 |
| Marchington Solar Farm | July 2016 | 1,455,694 | 2,318,223 |
| Telecomponenti Rooftop Solar | November 2017 | 407,797 | 407,797 |
| Kent Solar Farm | August 2011 | — | — |
| Puriton & Bridgewater Solar Farms | February 2012 | — | — |
| Malmesbury Solar Farm | December 2011 | — | — |
| EOSOL Solar Farm | September 2015 | — | — |
| Other net assets held by the portfolio companies | 9,260,373 | 3,280,308 | |
| 31,442,969 | 53,351,604 |
Portfolio companies will either trade on a solar site themselves or a wholly owned subsidiary will do so.
The portfolio companies, or their wholly owned subsidiaries, may borrow to fund acquisitions and may also employ proceeds from the disposal of assets.
- The investments by portfolio companies in Laurel Hill and Littlewood have initially been financed through borrowings.
** Additions relate to capitalised transaction costs by the portfolio companies.
*** Disposals relate to the repayment of loan notes by portfolio companies.
*** Movements within portfolio companies relate to acquisitions of solar projects by portfolio companies or their wholly owned subsidiaries using other net assets held by the portfolio companies and disposal of solar projects by portfolio companies or their wholly owned subsidiaries, and disposal proceeds retained within other net assets held by the portfolio companies.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
30 June 2017
| Valuation Methodology | Cost £ | Valuation £ | Additions** | Disposals*** | Movements within portfolio companies*** | Net Valuation Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discounted cashflow | 15,414,730 | 23,826,565 | — | (369,392) | — | (1,395,971) |
| Discounted cashflow | — | — | — | — | — | 14,593,193 |
| Discounted cashflow | — | — | — | — | — | 6,547,433 |
| Discounted cashflow | 325,878 | 364,600 | — | — | — | 14,351 |
| Discounted cashflow | 1,627,279 | 1,798,807 | — | (226,079) | — | (1,029,722) |
| Discounted cashflow | 3,915,055 | 4,620,451 | — | (368,366) | — | (1,030,594) |
| Discounted cashflow | 1,824,060 | 3,905,681 | — | (368,366) | — | (1,219,092) |
| Cost | — | — | — | — | 407,797 | — |
| n/a | 1,248,688 | 3,245,975 | — | — | (3,245,975) | — |
| n/a | 1,093,591 | 4,155,693 | — | — | (4,155,693) | — |
| n/a | 622,517 | 4,187,722 | — | — | (4,187,722) | — |
| n/a | 950,000 | 1,121,400 | — | — | (1,121,400) | — |
| 5,656,609 | 6,524,890 | 96,665 | — | 12,302,993 | (15,644,240) | |
| 32,678,407 | 53,751,784 | 96,665 | (1,332,204) | — | 835,359 |
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
15
Investment Manager's Review
About the Investment Manager
The Company's Investment Manager is Foresight Group CI Limited ("Foresight Group CI"), which is responsible for the investment of the Company's capital in portfolio companies which source and acquire ground-based solar power plants predominantly located in the UK. The Investment Manager also advises portfolio companies on their borrowing strategy, the sale of the electricity they generate and in the administration of green benefits. The Investment Manager is a Guernsey registered company, incorporated under Guernsey Law with registered number 51471. The Investment Manager is licensed by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
Foresight Group is a privately-owned infrastructure and private equity Investment Manager, managing assets of c. £2.5 billion, raised from pension funds and other institutional investors, UK and international private and high net worth individuals and family offices. Founded in 1984, in total Foresight manages 30 funds on behalf of institutional and retail investors including three venture capital trusts which are listed on the premium segment of the Official List and are admitted to trading on the Main Market. Headquartered in The Shard, London, with further offices in Guernsey, Leicester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Manchester, Rome and Sydney, Foresight has over 200 staff.
Foresight established its solar investment team in 2007 and launched its first solar fund, Foresight European Solar Fund, in early 2008. Foresight Solar VCT plc (later renamed Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc) was launched in November 2010 and the Group has since raised over £200 million for solar-focused
Enterprise Investment Schemes. In 2013, Foresight-managed funds issued the largest UK solar index linked bond at the time.
Foresight is the second largest solar asset manager in the UK with over 857MW of installed capacity. In total, the team manages c. £1.3 billion invested in over 80 operating solar plants totalling over 1.1GW of existing operational capacity across the UK, Australia, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
In June 2017, Foresight Group also made its first battery storage investment, acquiring the 35MW Port of Tyne project in the North East of England. This investment consolidates Foresight's position as a leader in not only renewable energy generation but flexible grid infrastructure required to accommodate increasing penetration of renewables, such as energy storage.
In August 2017, Foresight's infrastructure team completed the acquisition of four construction stage reserve power assets, based in the UK, with a total capacity of 36MW. Later in the year, in December 2017, Foresight acquired its second unsubsidised solar farm, with a capacity of 3.9MW located in the Murcia region of Spain.
In June 2018, Foresight completed the acquisitions of two subsidy-free solar projects totalling 10MW located in Iberia, central Spain. Construction has commenced on both projects and they are due to connect to the grid in Autumn 2018.
During the year, Foresight Solar Fund Limited ("FSFL") acquired a total of 10 solar assets representing a total net peak capacity of 205MW. This included the acquisition of four construction stage assets in Australia, representing 146MW of peak capacity once installed. In July
and October 2018, FSFL raised a total of c. £106 million of gross proceeds through a placing of new ordinary shares. Some of these proceeds have been used to fund the purchase of a portfolio of 15 operational solar assets in the UK with a total installed capacity of 114MW. Following this acquisition, FSFL became the largest UK-listed, dedicated solar energy investment company by installed capacity.
The Group's dedicated multinational infrastructure team consists of an Investment Team of 39 investment professionals and an Asset Management Team of 39 specialist portfolio accountants, in-house legal personnel and specialised engineers. The team possesses a comprehensive suite of capabilities, from investment origination and execution, including sourcing and structuring transactions, to ongoing active asset management within the specialist sector of energy infrastructure.
The team is supported by an extensive back office team comprising of finance, investor relations, sales, marketing, HR and administration.
The Company's Investment Management team is led by four experienced UK-based fund managers and is responsible for new asset acquisitions, pipeline development, value enhancement of the Company and also advises the Board on the optimal borrowing strategy of the Company. The management team is supported by a team of UK-based solar investment analysts with additional resource obtained from Foresight's Italian and Australian investment teams. Foresight is overseen by an Executive Committee which provides strategic investment advice to the management team and the Board.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
EVOLUTION OF FORESIGHT SOLAR & INFRASTRUCTURE VCT PLC
2010 In April 2010, the British Government introduced index linked feed-in tariffs ('FiTs') providing minimum inflation-linked prices for electricity produced from various renewable sources, including solar power generating assets. This solar FiT provided the opportunity for Foresight to launch the Company and utilise its expertise and resources to invest in solar projects throughout Europe. Foresight has managed VCTs for over twelve years and its infrastructure team, which is based in the UK and Italy, manages over £300m in solar assets on behalf of private investors, family offices and institutional investors.
The "O" shares fund was originally a five year planned exit VCT with an option to remain in the fund as a longer-term investor. The fund targeted minimum dividends of 5p per share per annum after the first two years and a minimum return of £1.30 per share after five years.
2013 In 2013, the Company raised an additional £13m from shareholders in a “C” share fund, targeting investment in sub 5MW solar power plants in the UK, supported by the Government's Renewable Obligation (RO) scheme.
The "C" share class was a five year planned exit VCT with an option to remain invested in the fund for the long term. The fund targeted minimum dividends of 5p per share per annum from year two, and a minimum target return of £1.20 after five years.
2016 In February 2016, the Company launched a new "D" Share fund in order to invest in complementary asset classes within the energy and infrastructure sectors including smart data, international solar and wider infrastructure offering a similar risk profile.
2017 The D Shares fund raised £4.9m before it closed on 31 January 2017. A small top-up offer in March 2017 led to the D share fund's total fund raising to be £5.6m.
The "O" Shares fund completed a tender offer on May 2017, buying back 10,966,024 "O" shares for £11.0m.
2018 In June 2018, the Company completed the merger of the three funds into a single enlarged Ordinary Share class to unite its shareholder base and offer enhanced liquidity by the pooling of the existing cash reserves in each fund.
Exit Communication from the Board (based on original shareholdings)
| Funds Raised | Previous exit dates | Indicative date of next exit communication | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Shares | 2010/11 | 2017/18 | 2019/20 |
| C Shares | 2013/14 | n/a | 2019/20 |
| D Shares | 2016/17 | n/a | 2021/22 |
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Strategic Report
This Strategic Report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 414 of the Companies Act 2006 and best practice. Its purpose is to inform the members of the Company and help them to assess how the Directors have performed their duty to promote the success of the Company, in accordance with Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006.
INVESTMENT POLICY
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc invests mainly in unquoted companies that generate electricity from solar power systems and benefit from long-term government-related price guarantees as well as companies that generate and sell data derived from their ownership and operation of smart data assets.
The Company originally raised £37.8m through an Ordinary Share issue in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, and subsequently a "C" shares fund of £13.1m and a "D" shares fund of £5.6m. On 29 June 2018, the C and D shares funds were merged with the Ordinary Shares fund. The number of Ordinary Shares in issue at 30 June 2018 was 43,911,189 and 1,222,778 Deferred Shares.
The key ongoing objective of the Ordinary Shares fund is to generate an attractive return for investors, through a combination of tax-free income, buy-backs and tender offers.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
PERFORMANCE AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS)
The Board expects the Investment Manager to deliver a performance which meets the objective of the Company. The KPI covering this objective is net asset value total return, calculated as net asset value per share plus total dividends paid to date. Net asset value total return allows performance comparisons to be made between venture capital trusts. Additional KPIs reviewed by the Board include the premium/discount of the share price relative to the net asset value, which shows the percentage by which the mid-market share price of the Company is lower than the net asset value per share, and total ongoing charges as a proportion of shareholders' funds. These are both further indicators of investor value.
The ongoing charges ratio in the year was 3.3% and the average discount at which shares were repurchased in the market was 2.6%. The level of these KPIs compares favourably with the wider VCT marketplace based on independently published information. These indicators, along with other useful measures including share price total return, dividend yield and share price premium to NAV, all of which are further indicators of investor value and return and allow further comparisons to be made between venture capital trusts, are included on pages 2 and 3.
A review of the Company's performance during the financial year, is contained within the Investment Manager's Report. The Board assesses the performance of the Investment Manager in meeting the Company's objective against the primary KPIs highlighted above.
STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING OBJECTIVES
INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The Company invests in a range of securities including, but not limited to, ordinary and preference shares, loan stock, convertible securities, and fixed-interest securities as well as cash. Unquoted investments are usually structured as a combination of ordinary shares and loan stock. Non-qualifying investments may include holdings in money market instruments, short-dated bonds, unit trusts, OEICs, structured products, guarantees to banks or third parties providing loans or other investment to portfolio companies and other assets where Foresight Group believes that the risk/return portfolio is consistent with the overall investment objectives of the portfolio.
UK COMPANIES
Investments are primarily made in companies which are based in the UK and which are Qualifying Companies for the purposes of VCT Rules.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
ASSET MIX
The Company has invested in unquoted companies that seek to generate solar electricity and benefit from long-term government-backed price guarantees. Investments may be made in companies seeking to generate renewable energy from other sources provided that these benefit from similar long-term government-backed price guarantees. No investments of this nature have been made to date. The Board has always ensured that at least 70% of net share capital raised has been invested in Qualifying Companies whose primary business is the generation of solar electricity. Any uninvested funds are held in cash, interest bearing securities or other investments.
RISK DIVERSIFICATION AND MAXIMUM EXPOSURES
Risk has been spread by investing in a number of different companies which have targeted a variety of separate locations for their solar power assets. The maximum amount invested by the Company in any one company has been limited to 15% of the portfolio at the time of investment in accordance with VCT Rules. The value of an investment is expected to increase over time as a result of trading progress and a continuous assessment is made of its suitability for sale. Although risk is spread across different portfolio companies, concentration risk is fairly high given that a significant portion are UK Solar projects owned by Qualifying Companies, in which Qualifying Investments were made by the Ordinary Shares fund and the C Shares fund, which have been merged to form larger trading groups.
BORROWING POWERS
The Company's Articles permit borrowing, to give a degree of investment flexibility. Under the Company's Articles no money may be borrowed without the sanction of an ordinary resolution if the principal amount outstanding of all borrowings by the Company and its subsidiary undertakings (if any), then exceeds, or would as a result of such borrowing exceed, a principal amount equal to the aggregate of the share capital and consolidated reserves of the Company and each of its subsidiary undertakings as shown in the audited consolidated balance sheet. The underlying portfolio companies in which the Company invests may utilise bank borrowing or other debt arrangements to finance asset purchases but such borrowing would be non-recourse to the Company.
OTHER FORESIGHT MANAGED FUNDS
The Company's Investment Manager also manages or advises Foresight VCT plc, Foresight 4 VCT plc, Foresight Environmental Fund LP, Foresight European Solar Fund LP, Foresight Solar EIS, Foresight Solar EIS 2, Foresight Solar EIS 3, Foresight Solar EIS 4, Foresight Solar EIS 5, Foresight Inheritance Tax Solutions, UK Waste Resources and Energy Investments LP, Foresight Sustainable UK Investment Fund, Foresight Nottingham Fund LP, Foresight Solar Fund Limited, Foresight AD EIS, Recycling and Waste LP, The Waste Asset LP, Foresight Energy Infrastructure EIS, Foresight Williams Technology EIS Fund, Foresight Regional Investment Fund LP and MEIF ESEM Equity LP.
The only Foresight managed fund that has a co-investment with the Company is the Foresight Inheritance Tax Solutions Fund.
VCT REGULATION
The investment policy is designed to ensure that the Company continues to qualify and is approved as a VCT by HM Revenue & Customs ("HMRC"). Amongst other conditions, 70% of the Company's investment portfolio must comprise Qualifying Holdings in Qualifying Companies. This percentage will increase from 70% to 80% for accounting periods beginning after 6 April 2019. As at 30 June 2018, 81.44% of the Company's investment portfolio was held in Qualifying Holdings.
MANAGEMENT
The Board has engaged Foresight Group CI Limited as discretionary investment manager. Foresight Group LLP also provides or procures the provision of company secretarial, administration and custodian services to the Company.
Foresight Group LLP is the secretary of the Company.
Foresight Group prefers to take a lead role in the companies in which it invests. Larger investments may be syndicated with other investing institutions, or strategic partners with similar investment criteria. A review of the investment portfolio and of market conditions during the year is included within the Investment Manager's Report.
ENVIRONMENTAL, HUMAN RIGHTS, EMPLOYEE, SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY ISSUES
The Company's investments have been made in companies with clean energy and environmental infrastructure projects which have clear environmental benefits.
The Board recognises the requirement under Section 414 of the Act to provide information about environmental matters (including the impact of the Company's business on the environment), employee, human rights, social and community issues; including information about any policies it has in relation to these matters and effectiveness of these policies. As the Company has no employees or policies in
Strategic Report
these matters this requirement does not apply.
The PRI Association, established in 2006, is a global collaborative network of investors working together to put the six Principles for Responsible Investment into practice. As an investment manager, Foresight has a duty to act in the best long-term interests of our beneficiaries. In this fiduciary role, Foresight believes that Environmental, Social, and corporate Governance ("ESG") issues can affect the performance of investment portfolios (to varying degrees across companies, sectors, regions, asset classes and through time). Foresight also recognises that applying these Principles may better align investors with broader objectives of society.
GENDER DIVERSITY
The Board currently comprises three male Directors. The Board is, however, conscious of the need for diversity and will consider both male and female candidates when appointing new Directors.
The Investment Manager has an equal opportunities policy and as at 30 June 2018 employed 117 men and 65 women.
Signatory of:

DIVIDEND POLICY
The Board plans to pay dividends of 5.0p per share each year throughout the life of Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc after the first year, payable bi-annually via dividends of 2.5p per share in April and November each year. The level of dividends is not however, guaranteed.
PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES
It is the Company's policy, subject to adequate cash availability, to consider repurchasing shares when they become available in order to help provide liquidity to the market in the Company's shares.
PRINCIPAL RISKS, RISK MANAGEMENT AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
The Board carries out a regular and robust review of the risk environment in which the company operates. The principal risks and uncertainties identified by the Board which might affect the Company's business model and future performance, and the steps taken with a view to their mitigation, are as follows:
Economic risk: events such as economic recession or general fluctuation in stock markets and interest rates may affect the performance of projects, as well as affecting the Company's own share price and discount to net asset value.
Mitigation: the Company invests in a portfolio of investments and maintains sufficient cash reserves to be able to meet its liabilities.
VCT qualifying status risk: the Company is required at all times to observe the conditions laid down in the Income Tax Act 2007 for the maintenance of approved VCT status. The loss of such approval could lead to the Company losing its exemption from corporation tax on capital gains, to investors being liable to pay income tax on dividends received from the Company and, in certain circumstances, to investors being required to repay the initial income tax relief on their subscriptions for new shares issued by the VCT within the previous five years.
Mitigation: the Investment Manager keeps the Company's VCT qualifying status under continual review, seeking to take appropriate action to maintain it where required, and its reports are reviewed by the Board on a quarterly basis. The Board has also retained RW Blears LLP to undertake an independent VCT status monitoring role.
Investment and liquidity risk
many of the Company's investments are in small and medium-sized unquoted companies which are Qualifying Holdings, and which by their nature entail a higher level of risk and lower liquidity than investments in larger quoted companies.
Mitigation: the Directors aim to limit the risk attaching to the portfolio as a whole by careful selection, close monitoring and timely realisation of investments and by carrying out rigorous due diligence procedures. The Board reviews the investment portfolio with the Investment Manager on a regular basis.
Legislative and regulatory risk
in order to maintain its approval as a VCT, the Company is required to comply with current VCT Rules in the UK, which reflect the European Commission's State aid rules. Changes to the UK legislation or the State aid rules in the future could have an adverse effect on the Company's ability to achieve satisfactory investment returns whilst retaining its VCT approval.
Mitigation: The Board and the Investment Manager monitor political developments and where appropriate seek to make representations either directly or through relevant trade bodies.
Natural disasters: severe weather/natural disasters could lead to reduction in performance and value of the assets.
Mitigation: there is no mitigation that can be taken against natural disasters; however, our Operations
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
and Maintenance provider is able to respond quickly to repair any damage and reduce the amount of down time. The projects are also adequately insured against such events.
Internal control risk: the Company's assets could be at risk in the absence of an appropriate internal control regime. This could lead to theft, fraud, and/or an inability to provide accurate reporting and monitoring.
Mitigation: the Board regularly reviews the system of internal controls, both financial and non-financial, operated by the Company and the Investment Manager. These include controls designed to ensure that the Company's assets are safeguarded and that proper accounting records are maintained.
Financial risk: inappropriate accounting policies might lead to misreporting or breaches of regulations.
Mitigation: the Investment Manager is continually reviewing accounting policies and regulations, and its reports are reviewed by the Board on a quarterly basis.
The Board recognises that Brexit is a process that involves significant uncertainty. The Board and the Investment Manager do, however, follow Brexit developments closely with a view to identifying where changes could affect the areas of the market in which we specialise. Although we hope this should be relatively limited as the majority of the projects we invest in are largely UK focused, there will be an impact where sales or purchases are outside the UK. The Investment Manager's analysis of the portfolio has, based on current knowledge, indicated that the positives and negatives should largely balance each other out.
VIABILITY STATEMENT
In accordance with principle 21 of the AIC Code of Corporate Governance published by the AIC in February 2015, the Directors have assessed the prospects of the Company over the three year period to 30 June 2021. This three year period is used by the Board during the strategic planning process and is considered reasonable for a business of its nature and size.
In making this statement, the Board carried out an assessment of the principal risks facing the Company, including those that might threaten its business model, future performance, solvency, or liquidity.
The Board also considered the ability of the Company to raise finance and deploy capital. This assessment took account of the availability and likely effectiveness of the mitigating actions that could be taken to avoid or reduce the impact of the underlying risks, including the Investment Manager adapting their investment process to take account of the more restrictive VCT investment rules.
This review has considered the principal risks which were identified by the Board. The Board concentrated its efforts on the major factors that affect the economic, regulatory and political environment. The Board have also considered the Company's income and expenditure projections and underlying assumptions for the next three years and found these to be realistic and sensible.
Based on the Company's processes for monitoring cash flow, share price discount, ongoing review of the investment objective and policy, asset allocation, sector weightings and portfolio risk profile, the Board has concluded
that there is a reasonable expectation that the Company will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the three years to 30 June 2021.
PERFORMANCE-RELATED INCENTIVES
ORDINARY SHARES FUND
Foresight Group is entitled to a performance incentive fee of 30% of Total Return exceeding a threshold of 130p per Ordinary Share from 30 June 2017 increasing by a simple 5% per annum going forward, i.e. 136.5p for the Company's financial year ending 30 June 2018, 143.3p for the year ending 30 June 2019 and so on.
C SHARES FUND
Up to the date of the merger, after distributions of 100.0p per C Share issued under the offer and remaining in issue at the date of calculation have been paid to C shareholders by the Company, Foresight Group was entitled to a performance incentive fee of 20% of distributions in excess of 100.0p per C Share until total distributions reach 120.0p per share and 30% above that level.
Before the share class merger was implemented on 29 June 2018, the performance incentive hurdle for the C shares was satisfied, with a total return of 105.3p per share, resulting in £130,000 paid to Foresight Group post year end.
D SHARES FUND
Up to the date of the merger, after distributions of 100.0p per D Share issued under the offer and remaining in issue at the date of calculation have been paid to D shareholders by the Company, Foresight Group would have been entitled to a performance incentive fee of 20% of distributions in excess of 100.0p per D Share until
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Strategic Report
total distributions reach 115.0p per share and 30% above that level.
Following the share class merger, the entire fund will apply the existing Ordinary Shares performance incentive fee arrangement.
VALUATION POLICY
Investments held by the Company have been valued in accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation ("IPEV") guidelines (December 2015) developed by the British Venture Capital Association and other organisations. Through these guidelines, investments are valued as defined at 'fair value'. Ordinarily, unquoted investments will be valued at cost for a limited period following the date of acquisition, being the most suitable approximation of fair value unless there is an impairment or significant accretion in value during the period. The portfolio valuations are prepared by Foresight Group, reviewed and approved by the Board quarterly and subject to review by the auditors annually.
A broad range of assumptions are used in our valuation models. These assumptions are based on long-term forecasts and are not affected by short-term fluctuations in inputs, be it economic or technical. Under the normal course of events, we would expect asset valuations to reduce each period due to the finite nature of the cash flows.
VCT TAX BENEFIT FOR SHAREHOLDERS
To obtain VCT tax reliefs on subscriptions up to £200,000 per annum, a VCT investor must be a 'qualifying' individual over the age of 18 with UK taxable income. The tax reliefs for subscriptions since 6 April 2006 are:
- Income tax relief of 30% on subscription for new shares, which is forfeited by shareholders if the shares are not held for more than five years;
- VCT dividends (including capital distributions of realised gains on investments) are not subject to income tax in the hands of qualifying holders; and
- Capital gains on disposal of VCT shares are tax-free, whenever the disposal occurs.
VENTURE CAPITAL TRUST STATUS
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc is approved by HMRC as a venture capital trust (VCT) in accordance with the VCT Rules. It is intended that the business of the Company be carried on so as to maintain its VCT status.
The Directors have managed, and continue to manage, the business in order to comply with the legislation applicable to VCTs. The Board has appointed RW Blears LLP to monitor and provide continuing advice in respect of the Company's compliance with applicable VCT Rules. As at 30 June 2018 the Company had 81.44% (2017: 81.6%) of its funds in such VCT Qualifying Holdings.
FUTURE STRATEGY
The Company will continue to assess future investment by existing portfolio companies in new energy and infrastructure related projects as well as optimising the performance and returns from their existing portfolio of solar and infrastructure assets. This should enable the Board to deliver an attractive exit for those existing Ordinary Shareholders who elect to redeem their investments after a five-year holding period, whilst also delivering an attractive dividend yield for those Ordinary Shareholders who elect to remain invested in the Company beyond a five-year holding period.
Additionally, the Company will consider raising funds through a new share class for investments that are considered qualifying for VCT purposes.
David Hurst-Brown
Director
31 October 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Governance
Board of Directors
"The differing career backgrounds and experience of the Directors is designed to bring a complementary balance of skills, knowledge and wisdom to the management of the Company's affairs."
David Hurst-Brown
Chairman
David Hurst-Brown
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Position
Chairman
Appointed
6 August 2012
Experience
David was appointed as Chairman of the Board in August 2012, following the death of Lord Maples. Having graduated as a production engineer he worked for over 25 years in the investment banking industry. Prior to his retirement from UBS in 2002 he had worked for 15 years as an executive in the corporate finance division of UBS Warburg. David has previously held a number of non-executive Board positions both at VCTs and a variety of other companies listed on the AIM and the main market.
Beneficial Shareholding
Ordinary Shares 52,500
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Mike Liston OBE
DIRECTOR

Position
Director
Appointed
6 July 2010
Experience
Mike has more than 20 years' experience in the electricity industry. As Chief Executive for 17 years of a LSE-listed utility, he was involved in several major power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure projects. Mike was also Non-Executive Chairman of AIM listed KSK Emerging India Energy Fund which raised almost £100m to invest in India's power and energy sector. Mike is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Technology.
Other positions
Non-Executive Chairman of JTC Group, Director of Foresight European Solar Fund GP Ltd
Beneficial
Shareholding
Nil
Tim Dowlen
DIRECTOR

Position
Director
Appointed
6 July 2010
Experience
Tim was a divisional director for City-based Lloyd's brokering firm Tasker & Partners, responsible for developing the firm's retail insurance activities. Tim has been a director of Insurance broking companies since 1973, was for many years the Senior Examiner in Liability Insurance to the Chartered Insurance Institute, and as a practising expert witness has given evidence in approximately 85 disputes. Tim has specialised in the venture capital sector since 1974, acting as insurance broker to a number of fund managers and other financial institutions.
Other positions
Director of Woking Street Angels
Beneficial
Shareholding
Ordinary Shares 29,558
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Governance
Directors' Report
The Directors present their report and the audited accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 June 2018.
ACTIVITIES AND STATUS
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc invests mainly in unquoted companies that generate electricity from solar power systems and benefit from long-term government related price guarantees.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc is approved by HMRC as a venture capital trust (VCT) in accordance with the VCT Rules. It is intended that the business of the Company be carried on so as to maintain its VCT status.
RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS
The total profit attributable to equity shareholders for the year amounted to £0.5m (2017: £3.1m). The Board paid two interim dividends of 3.0p per Ordinary Share and two interim dividends of 2.5p per C Share out on 24 November 2017 and 27 April 2018, respectively. No final dividends are proposed.
NET ASSET VALUE TOTAL RETURN
During the year ended 30 June 2018, the Company's principal indicator of performance, net asset value total return per Ordinary Share increased 2.5% from 124.9p per share at 30 June 2017 to 128.0p per share at 30 June 2018.
SHARE BUYBACKS
During the year the Company repurchased 298,622 Ordinary Shares for cancellation at a cost of £290,000 and 37,677 C Shares for cancellation at a cost of £32,000. No shares bought back by the company are held in treasury. Share buybacks have been completed at an average discount of 2.6% to net asset value. There were no D Share buybacks during the year.
SHARE CLASS MERGER
During the year, the C and D Shares funds were merged with the Ordinary Shares fund, and as a result, as at 30 June 2018, the Company's issued share capital was 43,911,189 Ordinary Shares and 1,222,778 Deferred Shares.
GLOBAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
The Company has no greenhouse gas emissions to report from the operations of the Company, nor does it have responsibility for any other emissions sources under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Reports) regulations 2013.
PRINCIPAL RISKS, RISK MANAGEMENT AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
A summary of the principal risks faced by the Company are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 20 and 21.
MANAGEMENT
Foresight Group is the Manager of the Company and provides investment management and other administrative services.
Annually, the Management Engagement & Remuneration Committee reviews the appropriateness of the Manager's appointment. In carrying out its review, the Management Engagement & Remuneration Committee considers the investment performance of the Company and the ability of the Investment Manager to produce satisfactory investment performance. It also considers the length of the notice period of the investment management contract and fees payable to the Investment Manager, together with the standard of other services provided which include Company Secretarial services. It is the Directors' opinion that the continuing appointment of the Investment Manager on the terms agreed is in the interests of shareholders as a whole. The last review was undertaken on 4 October 2018. Foresight Group LLP is the Secretary of the Company. The principal terms of the management agreement are set out in note 13 to the accounts.
No Director has an interest in any contract to which the Company is a party. Foresight Group CI Limited acts as manager to the Company in respect of its investments and earned fees of £0.7m (2017: £0.8m) during the year. The Manager is also a party to the performance incentive agreements described in note 13 to the Financial Statements and earned performance incentive fees of £0.1m (2017: £1.1m). Foresight Fund Managers Limited, Company Secretary until November 2017, earned fees of £0.1m (2017: £0.2m) during the year. Foresight Group LLP was appointed Company Secretary in November 2017 and received fees of £0.1m (2017: £nil) during the year in respect of secretarial, administrative and custodian services to the Company. Foresight Group received £nil (2017: £nil) arrangement fees from portfolio companies.
All amounts are stated, where applicable, excluding Value Added Tax.
VCT STATUS MONITORING
The Company has retained RW Blears LLP as legal and VCT status advisers on, inter alia, compliance with legislative requirements. The Directors monitor the Company's VCT status at meetings of the Board.
SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS
So far as the Directors are aware, there were no individual shareholdings representing 3% or more of the Company's issued share capital at the date of this report.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Details of all financial instruments
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
used by the Company during the year are given in note 15 to the accounts.
DIRECTORS INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
The Directors have the benefit of indemnities under the articles of association of the Company against, to the extent only as permitted by law, liabilities they may incur acting in their capacity as Directors of the Company.
An insurance policy is maintained by the Company which indemnifies the Directors of the Company against certain liabilities that may rise in the conduct of their duties. There is no cover against fraudulent or dishonest actions.
POLICY OF PAYING CREDITORS
The Company does not subscribe to a particular code but follows a policy whereby suppliers are paid by the due date and investment purchases are settled in accordance with the stated terms. At the year end trade creditors represented an average credit period of 32 days (2017: 60 days).
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUND MANAGERS DIRECTIVE (AIFMD)
The AIFMD came into force on 22 July 2013 and sets out the rules for the authorisation and on-going regulation of managers (AIFMs) that manage alternative investment funds (AIFs) in the EU. The Company qualifies as an AIF and so is required to comply, although additional cost and administration requirements are not expected to be material.
AUDIT INFORMATION
Pursuant to Section 418(2) of the Companies Act 2006, each of the Directors confirms that (a) so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditor is unaware; and (b) they have taken all steps they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditor is aware of such information.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 2008/410 SCHEDULE 7 PART 6
The following disclosures are made in accordance with Statutory Instrument 2008/410 Schedule 7 Part 6.
Capital Structure
The Company's issued share capital as at 31 October 2018 was 43,474,971 Ordinary Shares and 1,222,778 Deferred Shares.
The Ordinary Shares represent 100% of the total ordinary share capital. Further information on the share capital of the Company is detailed in note 11 of the notes to the financial statements.
Voting Rights in the Company's shares
Details of the voting rights in the Company's shares at the date of this report are given in note 5 in the Notice of Annual General Meeting on page 68.
Notifiable interests in the Company's voting rights
At the date of this report no notifiable interests had been declared in the Company's voting rights.
AUDITOR
In accordance with Section 489 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution to re-appoint KPMG LLP as the Company's auditor will be put to the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
COMPANIES ACT 2006 DISCLOSURES
In accordance with Schedule 7 of the Large and Medium Size Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, as amended, the Directors disclose the following information:
- the Company's capital structure and voting rights are summarised above, and there are no restrictions on voting rights nor any agreement between holders of securities that result in restrictions on the transfer of securities or on voting rights;
- there exist no securities carrying special rights with regard to the control of the Company;
- the rules concerning the appointment and replacement of directors, amendment of the Articles of Association and powers to issue or buy back the Company's shares are contained in the Articles of Association of the Company and the Companies Act 2006;
- the Company does not have any employee share scheme;
- there exist no agreements to which the Company is party that may affect its control following a takeover bid; and
- there exist no agreements between the Company and its Directors providing for compensation for loss of office that may occur following a takeover bid or for any other reason.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Directors have declared any conflicts or potential conflicts of interest to the Board which has the authority to approve such conflicts. The Company Secretary maintains the Register of Directors' Conflicts of Interest which is reviewed quarterly by the Board and when changes are notified. The Directors advise the Company Secretary and Board as soon as they become aware of any conflicts of interest. Directors who have conflicts of interest do not take part in discussions concerning their own conflicts.
Foresight Group as investment manager, manages several funds that invest in solar projects. To ensure that projects are allocated equitably between funds, a
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
27
Governance
third party review of allocation decisions is carried out by qualified risk managers.
WHISTLEBLOWING
The Board has been informed that the Investment Manager has arrangements in place in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code's recommendations by which staff of the Investment Manager or Secretary of the Company may, in confidence, raise concerns within their respective organisations about possible improprieties in matters of financial reporting or other matters. On the basis of that information, adequate arrangements are in place for the proportionate and independent investigation of such matters and, where necessary, for appropriate follow-up action to be taken within their respective organisations.
GOING CONCERN
The Company's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 18 to 22. The financial position of the Company, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are referred to in the Chairman's Statement, Strategic Report and Notes to the Accounts. In addition, the financial statements include the Company's objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.
The Company has sufficient financial resources together with investments and income generated therefrom across a variety of industries and sectors. As a consequence, the Directors believe that the Company is able to manage its business risks.
Cash flow projections have been reviewed and show that the Company has sufficient funds to meet both its contracted expenditure and its discretionary cash outflows in the form of share buy backs and dividends. The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements.
DIRECTORS REMUNERATION
Following changes to the Companies Act 2006, UK investment companies must comply with new regulations in relation to directors' remuneration. Directors' fees can only be paid in accordance with a remuneration policy which has been approved by shareholders. The Company must also publish a Directors' Remuneration Report which complies with a new set of disclosure requirements.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
A formal notice convening the Annual General Meeting on 6 December 2018 can be found on pages 66 to 69. Resolutions 1 to 7 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions meaning that for each resolution to be passed, at least 50% of the votes cast at the meeting must be in favour of the resolution. Resolutions 8 and 9 will be proposed as special resolutions meaning that for each resolution to be passed at least 75% of the votes cast at the meeting must be in favour of the resolution.
Resolutions 8 to 9 will be in substitute for existing authorities and are explained below.
RESOLUTION 7
Resolution 7 will authorise the Directors to allot relevant securities generally, in accordance with Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006, up to an aggregate nominal amount of £200,000 (representing approximately 46% of the current issued ordinary share capital of the Company) for the purposes listed under the authority requested under Resolution 8. This includes authority to issue shares pursuant to the performance incentive fee arrangements with Foresight Group and top-up offers for subscription to raise new funds for the Company if the Board believes this to be in the best interests of the Company. Any offer is intended to be at an offer price linked to NAV. The authority conferred by Resolution 7 will expire on the fifth anniversary of the passing of the resolution.
RESOLUTION 8
Resolution 8 will sanction, in a limited manner, the disapplication of pre-emption rights in respect of the allotment of equity securities (i) with an aggregate nominal value of up to £200,000 in Ordinary shares in the Company pursuant to offer(s) for subscription, (ii) with an aggregate nominal value of up to 10% of the issued share capital in the Company pursuant to the performance incentive arrangements with Foresight Group CI Limited and (iii) with an aggregate nominal value of up to 10% of the issued share capital in the Company, in each case where the proceeds of such issue may in whole or in part be used to purchase the Company's shares. This authority will expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2019 and will be in substitution for all other existing authorities.
RESOLUTION 9
It is proposed by Resolution 9 that the Company be empowered to make market purchases (within the meaning of Section 693(4) of the Companies Act 2006) of its own shares. Under this authority
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
the Directors may purchase up to 6,516,898 Ordinary Shares (representing approximately 14.99% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company at the date of this Annual Report). When buying shares, the Company cannot pay a price per share which is more than 105% of the average of the middle market quotation for shares taken from the London Stock Exchange daily official list on the five business days preceding the day on which shares are purchased or, if greater, the amount stipulated by Article 5(1) of the Buyback and Stabilisation Regulation 2003. This authority shall expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2019.
Whilst, generally, the Company does not expect shareholders will want to sell their shares within five years of acquiring them because this may lead to a loss of tax relief, the Directors anticipate that from time to time a shareholder may need to sell shares within this period. Front end VCT income tax relief is only obtainable by an investor who makes an investment in new shares issued by the Company. This means that an investor may be willing to pay more for new shares issued by the Company than he would pay to buy shares from an existing shareholder. Therefore, in the interest of shareholders who may need to sell shares from time to time, the Company proposes to renew the authority to buy-in shares for the benefit of new as well as existing shareholders. This authority when coupled with the ability to issue new shares for the purposes of financing a purchase of shares in the Market, enables one company to purchase shares from a shareholder and effectively to sell on those shares through the company to a new investor with the potential benefit of full VCT tax relief. In making purchases
the company will deal only with member firms of the London Stock Exchange at a discount to the then prevailing net asset value per share of the company's shares to ensure that existing shareholders are not disadvantaged.
By order of the Board
Foresight Group LLP
Secretary
31 October 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Governance
Corporate Governance
The Directors of Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc confirm that the Company has taken the appropriate steps to enable it to comply with the Principles set out in Section 1 of the UK Corporate Governance Code on Corporate Governance ('UK Corporate Governance Code') issued by the Financial Reporting Council in April 2016, as appropriate for a Venture Capital Trust.
As a Venture Capital Trust, the Company's day-to-day responsibilities are delegated to third parties and the Directors are all Non-Executive. Thus not all the procedures of the UK Corporate Governance Code are directly applicable to the Company. Unless noted as an exception below, the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code were complied with throughout the year ended 30 June 2018. The Annual General Meeting was convened on at least 24 days' notice but not 20 business days' notice as recommended in the UK Corporate Governance Code.
The Board has also considered and observed the principles and recommendations of the AIC Code of Corporate Governance ("AIC Code") by reference to the AIC Corporate Governance Guide for Investment Companies ("AIC Guide"). The AIC Code, as explained by the AIC Guide, addresses all the principles set out in the UK Code, as well as setting out additional principles and recommendations on issues that are of specific relevance to the Company.
THE BOARD
The Company at present has a Board comprising the Chairman and two other Non-Executive Directors. The Chairman and Tim Dowlen are considered to be independent. Mike Liston is considered non-independent by virtue of the fact that he is a Director of another Foresight Group managed fund.
The Board is responsible to shareholders for the proper management of the Company and meets at least quarterly and more often on an ad hoc basis as required. It has formally adopted a schedule of matters that are required to be brought to it for decision, thus ensuring that it maintains full and effective control over appropriate strategic, financial, operational and compliance issues. A management agreement between the Company and its Investment Manager sets out the matters over which the Investment Manager has authority, including monitoring and managing the existing investment portfolio and the limits above which Board approval must be sought. All other matters are reserved for the approval of the Board of Directors. The Investment Manager, in the absence of explicit instruction from the Board, is empowered to exercise discretion in the use of the Company's voting rights.
Individual Directors may, at the expense of the Company, seek independent professional advice on any matter that concerns them in the furtherance of their duties. In view of its non-executive nature and the requirements of the Articles of Association that all Directors retire by rotation at the Annual General Meeting, the Board considers that it is not appropriate for the Directors to be appointed for a specific term as recommended by provision B.23 of the UK Corporate Governance Code. Non-independent Directors
and Directors who have been on the Board for more than nine years are required to retire annually. Full details of duties and obligations are provided at the time of appointment and are supplemented by further details as requirements change, although there is no formal induction programme for Directors as recommended by provision B.4.1.
The Board has appointed a Company Secretary who also attends all Board meetings. A representative of the Company Secretary attends all formal Committee Meetings although the Directors may meet without the Investment Manager being present. Informal meetings with management are also held between Committee Meetings as required. The Company Secretary ensures full information is provided to the Board in advance of each Committee Meeting.
MEETING ATTENDANCE DURING THE YEAR
| Board | Audit | |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Liston | 5/5 | 2/2 |
| Tim Dowlen | 5/5 | 2/2 |
| David Hurst-Brown | 5/5 | 2/2 |
One meeting for each of the nomination and remuneration committees took place during the year, which were attended by all three directors.
In light of the responsibilities retained by the Board and its committees and of the responsibilities delegated to Foresight Group and RW Blears LLP, the Company has not appointed a chief executive officer, deputy Chairman or a senior independent non-executive Director as recommended by provision A.4.1 of the UK Corporate Governance Code. The provisions of the UK Corporate Governance
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Code which relate to the division of responsibilities between a Chairman and a chief executive officer are, accordingly, not applicable to the Company.
BOARD COMMITTEES
The Board has adopted formal terms of reference, which are available to view by writing to the Company Secretary at the registered office, for three standing committees which make recommendations to the Board in specific areas.
The Audit Committee comprises Mike Liston (Chairman), David Hurst-Brown and Tim Dowlen, all of whom are considered to have sufficient recent and relevant financial experience to discharge the role, and meets, amongst other things, to consider the following:
- Monitor the integrity of the financial statements of the Company and approve the accounts;
- Review the Company's internal control and risk management systems;
- Make recommendations to the Board in relation to the appointment of the external auditors;
- Review and monitor the external auditors' independence; and
- Implement and review the Company's policy on the engagement of the external auditors to supply non-audit services.
As a result of the tender process carried out in 2013, the Board appointed KPMG LLP as the company's auditor. In relation to taxation services, Cornel Partners Limited have been engaged by the Board.
The Directors have decided to propose the reappointment of KPMG LLP as auditor and a resolution concerning this will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
The Nomination Committee comprises David Hurst-Brown (Chairman), Mike Liston and Tim Dowlen and intends to meet at least annually to consider the composition and balance of skills, knowledge and experience of the Board and to make nominations to the Board in the event of a vacancy. New Directors are required to resign at the Annual General Meeting following appointment and then every three years by rotation.
The Board believes that, as a whole, it has an appropriate balance of skills, experience and knowledge. The Board also believes that diversity of experience and approach, including gender diversity, amongst Board members is important and it is the Company's policy to give careful consideration to issues of Board balance and diversity when making new appointments.
The Management Engagement & Remuneration Committee (which has responsibility for reviewing the remuneration of the Directors) comprises David Hurst-Brown (Chairman), Mike Liston and Tim Dowlen and meets at least annually to consider the levels of remuneration of the Directors, specifically reflecting the time commitment and responsibilities of the role. The Management Engagement & Remuneration committee also undertakes external comparisons and reviews to ensure that the levels of remuneration paid are broadly in line with industry standards. The Management Engagement & Remuneration Committee also reviews the appointment and terms of engagement of the Investment Manager.
Copies of the terms of reference of each of the Company's committees can be obtained from the Investment Manager upon request.
BOARD EVALUATION
The Board undertakes a formal annual evaluation of its own performance and that of its committees, as recommended by provision B.6 of the UK Corporate Governance Code. Initially, the evaluation takes the form of a questionnaire for the Board (and its committees). The Chairman then discusses the results with the Board (and its committees) and following completion of this stage of the evaluation, the Chairman will take appropriate action to address any issues arising from the process.
RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS
The Company communicates with shareholders and solicits their views where it considers it is appropriate to do so. Individual shareholders are welcomed to the Annual General Meeting where they have the opportunity to ask questions of the Directors, including the Chairman, as well as the Chairman of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees. The Board may from time to time seek feedback through shareholder questionnaires and an open invitation for shareholders to meet the Investment Manager. The Company is not aware of any institutions owning shares in the Company.
INTERNAL CONTROL
The Directors of Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc have overall responsibility for the Company's system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness.
The internal controls system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risks of failure to achieve the Company's business objectives. The system is designed to meet the particular needs of the Company and the risks to which it is exposed and by its nature can provide reasonable but not absolute assurance against misstatement or loss.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Governance
The Board's appointment of Foresight Group as accountant and administrator has delegated the financial administration to Foresight Group. It has an established system of financial control, including internal financial controls, to ensure that proper accounting records are maintained and that financial information for use within the business and for reporting to shareholders is accurate and reliable and that the Company's assets are safeguarded.
RW Blears LLP provide legal advice and assistance in relation to the maintenance of VCT tax status, the operation of the agreements entered into with Foresight Group and the application of the venture capital trust legislation to any company in which the Company is proposing to invest.
Foresight Group LLP was appointed by the Board as Company Secretary in November 2017 with responsibilities relating to the administration of the non-financial systems of internal control. All Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary, who is responsible to the Board for ensuring that Board procedures and applicable rules and regulations are complied with.
Pursuant to the terms of its appointment, Foresight Group invests the Company's assets in venture capital and other investments and in its capacity as administrator has physical custody of documents of title relating to equity investments.
Following publication of Internal Control: Guidance for Directors on the UK Corporate Governance Code (the Turnbull guidance), the Board confirms that there is a continuous process for identifying, evaluating and managing the significant risks faced by the Company, that has been in place
for the year under review and up to the date of approval of the annual report and financial statements, and that this process is regularly reviewed by the Board and accords with the guidance. The process is based principally on the Investment Manager's existing risk-based approach to internal control whereby a test matrix is created that identifies the key functions carried out by the Manager and other service providers, the individual activities undertaken within those functions, the risks associated with each activity and the controls employed to minimise those risks. A residual risk rating is then applied. The Board is provided with reports highlighting all material changes to the risk ratings and confirming the action, that has been, or is being, taken. This process covers consideration of the key business, operational, compliance and financial risks facing the Company and includes consideration of the risks associated with the Company's arrangements with Foresight Group and RW Blears LLP.
The Audit Committee has carried out a review of the effectiveness of the system of internal control, together with a review of the operational and compliance controls and risk management, as it operated during the year and reported its conclusions to the Board which was satisfied with the outcome of the review.
Such review procedures have been in place throughout the full financial year and up to the date of approval of the accounts, and the Board is satisfied with their effectiveness. These procedures are designed to manage rather than eliminate risk and, by their nature, can only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. The Board monitors the investment
performance of the Company in comparison to its objective at each Board meeting. The Board also reviews the Company's activities since the last Board meeting to ensure that the Investment Manager adheres to the agreed investment policy and approved investment guidelines and, if necessary, approves changes to such policy and guidelines.
The Board has reviewed the need for an internal audit function. It has decided that the systems and procedures employed by the Investment Manager, the Audit Committee and other third party advisers provide sufficient assurance that a sound system of internal control, which safeguards shareholders' investment and the Company's assets, is maintained. In addition, the Company's financial statements are audited by external auditors. An internal audit function, specific to the Company, is therefore considered unnecessary.
The Board has concluded that, given the appointment of Foresight Group as Company accountant and the role of the Audit Committee, it is not necessary to establish an internal audit function at the current time but this policy will be kept under review.
DIRECTORS' PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Full details of duties and obligations are provided at the time of appointment and are supplemented by further details as requirements change, although there is no formal induction programme for the Directors as recommended by provision B.4.1. Directors are also provided on a regular basis with key information on the Company's policies, regulatory and statutory requirements and internal controls. Changes affecting Directors'
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
responsibilities are advised to the Board as they arise. Directors also participate in industry seminars.
UK STEWARDSHIP CODE
The Investment Manager has endorsed the UK Stewardship Code published by the FRC. This sets out the responsibilities of institutional investors in relation to the companies in which they invest and a copy of this can be found on the Investment Manager's website at www.foresightgroup.eu.
BRIBERY ACT 2010
The Company is committed to carrying out business fairly, honestly and openly. The Investment Manager has established policies and procedures to prevent bribery within its organisation.
David Hurst-Brown
Director
31 October 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
33
Governance
Directors' Remuneration Report
INTRODUCTION
The Board has prepared this report, in accordance with the requirements of Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. An ordinary resolution for the approval of this report will be put to the members at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
The law requires the Company's auditor, KPMG LLP, to audit certain of the disclosures provided. Where disclosures have been audited, they are indicated as such. The auditors' opinion is included in the Independent Auditor's Report on page 39 to 42.
ANNUAL STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
The Board, which is profiled on pages 24 and 25, consists solely of non-executive directors and considers at least annually the level of the Board's fees.
CONSIDERATION BY THE DIRECTORS OF MATTERS RELATING TO DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION
The Management Engagement and Remuneration Committee comprises all three Directors: David Hurst-Brown (Chairman), Mike Liston and Tim Dowlen.
The Management Engagement and Remuneration Committee has responsibility for reviewing the remuneration of the Directors, specifically reflecting the time commitment and responsibilities of the role, and meets at least annually.
The Management Engagement and Remuneration Committee also undertakes external comparisons and reviews to ensure that the levels of remuneration paid are broadly in line with industry standards and members have access to independent advice where they consider it appropriate. During the period neither the Board nor the Management Engagement and Remuneration Committee have been provided with advice or services by any person in respect of its consideration of the Directors' remuneration.
The remuneration policy set by the Board is described below. Individual remuneration packages are determined by the Remuneration Committee within the framework of this policy.
No Director is involved in deciding their own remuneration.
REMUNERATION POLICY
The Board's policy is that the remuneration of non-executive Directors should reflect time spent and the responsibilities borne by the Directors on the Company's affairs and should be sufficient to enable candidates of high calibre to be recruited. The levels of Directors' fees paid by the Company for the year ended 30 June 2018 were agreed during the year.
It is considered appropriate that no aspect of Directors' remuneration should be performance related in light of the Directors' non-executive status, and Directors are not eligible for bonuses or other benefits.
The Company's policy is to pay the Directors monthly in arrears, to the Directors personally or to a third party as requested by any Director.
It is the intention of the Board that the remuneration policy will continue to apply in the forthcoming financial year and subsequent years.
RETIREMENT BY ROTATION
All Directors are subject to retirement by rotation. As the Directors are not appointed for a fixed length of time there is no unexpired term to their appointment. However, the Directors will retire by rotation as follows:
| AGM 2018 | AGM 2019 | AGM 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| M Liston | M Liston | M Liston |
| T Dowlen | — | — |
| — | D Hurst-Brown | — |
DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL EMOLUMENTS AND COMPENSATION
The emoluments in respect of qualifying services and compensation of each person who served as a Director during the year are as shown on page 36. No Director has waived or agreed to waive any emoluments from the Company in the current year.
No other remuneration was paid or payable by the Company during the year nor were any expenses claimed or paid to them other than for expenses incurred wholly, necessarily and exclusively in furtherance of their duties as Directors of the Company.
Director liability insurance is held by the Company in respect of the Directors.
TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN
The graph on the following page charts the total shareholder return from launch to 30 June 2018, on the hypothetical value of £100 invested by a shareholder. The return is compared to the total shareholder return on a notional investment of £100 in the WilderHill New Energy Global Innovation Index, which is considered by the Board an appropriate index against which to measure the Company's performance.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Shareprice Total Return (pence)

DIRECTORS
The Directors who held office during the year and their interests in the issued Ordinary Shares, C Shares and D Shares of 1p each of the Company were as follows:
| | 30 June
2018
Ordinary
Shares | 30 June
2017
Ordinary
Shares | 30 June
2017
C Shares | 30 June
2017
D Shares |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| David Hurst-Brown (Chairman) | 52,500 | 52,500 | — | — |
| Tim Dowlen | 29,558 | 21,000 | 9,450 | — |
| Mike Liston | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 82,058 | 73,500 | 9,450 | — |
All the Directors' share interests shown above were held beneficially.
There have been no changes in the Directors' share interests between 30 June 2018 and the date of this report.
In accordance with the Articles of Association and the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code, Mr Dowlen must retire through rotation and, being eligible, offer himself for re-election. Mr Liston must also retire by rotation by virtue of being non-independent and, being eligible, offer himself for re-election. Biographical notes on the Directors are given on pages 24 and 25. The Board believes that both Mr Dowlen's and Mr Liston's skills, experience and knowledge continues to complement the other Directors and adds value to the Company and recommends their re-election to the Board. None of the directors has a contract of service with the Company.
35
Governance
| Audited Directors' fees year ended 30 June 2018 (£) | Audited Directors' fees year ended 30 June 2017 (£) | |
|---|---|---|
| David Hurst-Brown | 28,250 | 28,250 |
| Mike Liston | 22,500 | 22,500 |
| Tim Dowlen | 22,500 | 22,500 |
| Total | 73,250 | 73,250 |
The Directors are not eligible for pension benefits, share options or long-term incentive schemes.
Votes cast for and against the Directors' Remuneration Report for the year ended 30 June 2017
| Shares and Percentage of votes cast For | Shares and Percentage of votes cast Against |
|---|---|
| 97.6% | |
| 3,507,774 votes | 2.4% |
| 86,480 votes |
In accordance with new Companies Act 2006 legislation the table below sets out the relative importance of spend on pay when compared to distributions to shareholders in the form of dividends and share buybacks.
| Year ended 30 June 2018 | Year ended 30 June 2017 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dividends | £2,253,000 | £2,922,000 |
| Share buybacks | £322,000 | £10,986,000 |
| Total Shareholder distributions | £2,575,000 | £13,908,000 |
| Directors fees | £73,250 | £73,250 |
| Directors fees % of Shareholder distributions | 2.8% | 0.5% |
APPROVAL OF REPORT
An ordinary resolution for the approval of this Directors' Remuneration Report will be put to shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. In addition to this, Resolution 2, which is seeking shareholder approval for the Directors Remuneration Policy, will, if approved, take effect from the AGM and will be valid for a period of three years unless renewed, varied or revoked by the Company at a general meeting.
This Directors' Remuneration Report was approved by the Board on 31 October 2018 and is signed on its behalf by David Hurst-Brown (Chairman).
On behalf of the Board
David Hurst-Brown
Chairman
31 October 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee has identified and considered the following key areas of risk in relation to the business activities and financial statements of the company:
- Valuation and existence of unquoted investments; and
- Compliance with HM Revenue & Customs conditions for maintenance of approved Venture Capital Trust Status.
These issues were discussed with the Manager and the auditor at the conclusion of the audit of the financial statements, as explained below:
VALUATION OF UNQUOTED INVESTMENTS
The Directors have met quarterly to assess the appropriateness of the estimates and judgements made by the Manager in the investment valuations. As a Venture Capital Trust the Company's investments are predominantly in unlisted securities, which can be difficult to value and requires the application of skill, knowledge and judgement by the Board and Audit Committee. During the valuation process the Board and Audit Committee and the Manager follow the valuation methodologies for unlisted investments as set out in the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation guidelines and appropriate industry valuation benchmarks. These valuation policies are set out in Note 1 of the accounts. These were then further reviewed by the Audit Committee. The Manager confirmed to the Audit Committee that the investment valuations had been calculated consistently with prior periods and in accordance with published industry guidelines, taking account of the latest available information about portfolio companies and current market data. Furthermore, the Manager held discussions regarding the investment valuations with the auditor.
VENTURE CAPITAL TRUST STATUS
Maintaining venture capital trust status and adhering to the VCT Rules is critical to both the Company and its shareholders for them to retain their VCT tax benefits.
The Manager confirmed to the Audit Committee that the conditions for maintaining the Company's status as an approved venture capital trust had been met throughout the year. The Manager obtains legal advice from RW Blears LLP and reviews the Company's qualifying status in advance of realisations being made and throughout the year. The Audit Committee is in regular contact with the Manager and any potential issues with Venture Capital Trust Status would be discussed at or between formal meetings. In addition, an external third party review of Venture Capital Trust Status is conducted by RW Blears LLP on a quarterly basis and this is reported to both the Board and Audit Committee and the Manager.
The Manager confirmed to the Audit Committee that they were not aware of any material misstatements. Having reviewed the reports received from the Manager and RW Blears LLP, the Audit Committee is satisfied that the key areas of risk and judgement have been addressed appropriately in the financial statements and that the significant assumptions used in determining the value of assets and liabilities have been properly appraised and are sufficiently robust.
EVALUATION OF AUDITOR
The Audit Committee considers that KPMG LLP has carried out its duties as auditor in a diligent and professional manner. During the year, the Audit Committee assessed the effectiveness of the current external audit process by assessing and discussing specific audit documentation presented to it in accordance with guidance issued by the Auditing Practices Board. The audit director is rotated every five years ensuring that objectivity and independence is not impaired. The current audit director, Henry Todd, assumed responsibility for the audit in 2018. KPMG LLP was appointed as auditor in 2013, with their first audit for the year ended 30 June 2014. No tender for the audit of the Company has been undertaken since this date. As part of its review of the continuing appointment of the auditors, the Audit Committee considers the need to put the audit out to tender, its fees and independence from the Manager along with any matters raised during each audit.
The Audit Committee considered the performance of the auditor during the year and agreed that KPMG LLP provided a high level of service and maintained a good knowledge of the venture capital trust market, making sure audit quality continued to be maintained.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE FRC
As reported in last year's report, the Company received a letter from the FRC which raised a question about the timing of recognition of the performance related incentive fee in prior years.
The Company has written a response to this enquiry in which they elaborated on the recognition and measurement of the performance-related incentive fee.
The Company has also included an additional share based payment accounting policy in these financial statements which expands on the recognition and measurement of the performance incentive fee to provide additional clarity and resolve the query.
Mike Liston
Audit Committee Chairman
31 October 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Governance
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements, in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including FRS 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- assess the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern; and
- use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
The Directors are responsible for keeping 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 its financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Company and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also responsible for preparing a Directors' Report, Directors' Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance Statement that comply with that law and those regulations.
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company's website (which is delegated to Foresight Group and incorporated into their website). Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
- the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company; and
- the Strategic report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the issuer, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.
We consider the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's position and performance, business model and strategy.
On behalf of the Board
David Hurst-Brown
Chairman
31 October 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc only
OPINIONS AND CONCLUSIONS ARISING FROM OUR AUDIT
1. Our opinion is unmodified
We have audited the financial statements of Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT Plc (“the Company”) for the year ended 30 June 2018 which comprise the Income Statement, Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders’ Funds, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement, and the related notes, including the accounting policies in note 1.
In our opinion, the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s affairs as at 30 June 2018 and of its profit for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with UK accounting standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland; and
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities are described below. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate basis for our opinion. Our audit opinion is consistent with our report to the audit committee.
We were appointed as auditor by the directors on 18 August 2014. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is the five years ended 30 June 2018. We have fulfilled our ethical responsibilities under, and we remain independent of the Company in accordance with, UK ethical requirements including the FRC Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest entities. No non-audit services prohibited by that standard were provided.
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Materiality: financial statements as a whole | |
| Coverage | £0.6m (2017: £0.6m) |
| 1% (2017: 1%) of Total Assets | |
| 100% (2017: 100%) of total assets | |
| Risks of material misstatement | |
| Recurring risks | Valuation of Unquoted |
| Investments |
2. Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by us, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. We summarise below the key audit matter (unchanged from 2017), in arriving at our audit opinion above, together with our key audit procedures to address that matter and, as required for public interest entities, our results from those procedures. This matter was addressed, and our results are based on procedures undertaken, in the context of, and solely for the purpose of, our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and consequently are incidental to that opinion, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.
Valuation of Unquoted Investments:
£53.4 million (2017: £53.8 million) Refer to page 37 (Audit Committee Report), pages 48 to 50 (accounting policy) and pages 54 and 58 to 63 (financial disclosures).
The risk: Subjective valuation - 91% of the Company’s total assets (by value) are directly held in investments where no quoted market price is available. Unquoted investments are measured at fair value, which is established in accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines.
99% of the direct investments (by value) are interests in portfolio companies (“the portfolio companies”) which are measured at fair value, being the fair value of the net assets of the portfolio companies.
94% (2017: 97%) of the portfolio companies’ net asset values are derived from their trading operations on solar sites where no quoted market prices are available. These are measured at fair value, which is determined using discounted future cash flow calculations and other net assets held by the project companies.
1% (2017: 1%) of the direct investments (by value) is in an operating solar project company, where no quoted market price is available. This is measured at fair value using a discounted future cash flow calculation.
There is a significant risk over the portion of the operating solar project companies that are valued by reference to future discounted cash flow calculations.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc only (Continued)
Our response: Our procedures included:
- Control design: Documenting and assessing the design and implementation of the investment valuation processes and controls;
- Control observation: Attending the year end Audit Committee meeting where we assessed the effectiveness of the Audit Committee's challenge and approval of unlisted investment valuations;
- Historical comparisons: Assessing the investment realisations in the period, comparing actual sales proceeds to prior year end valuations to understand the reasons for significant variances and determining whether they are indicative of bias or error in the Company's approach to valuations;
- Methodology choice: In the context of observed industry best practice and the provisions of the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines, we challenged the appropriateness of the valuation basis selected;
- Our valuations experience: With the assistance of our own valuation specialists, challenging the Investment Manager on key judgements affecting project company valuations, such as discount factors and the useful economic life of the project companies. We compared key underlying financial data inputs to external sources and management information as applicable. We challenged the assumptions around the sustainability of earnings based on the plans of the project companies and whether these are achievable, and we obtained an understanding of existing and prospective project company cash flows to understand whether borrowings can be serviced or refinancing may be required. Our work included consideration of events which occurred subsequent to the year end up until the date of this audit report;
- Comparing valuations: Where a recent transaction has been used to value any holding, we obtained an understanding of the circumstances surrounding those transactions and whether it was considered to be on an arms-length basis and suitable as an input into a valuation; and
- Assessing transparency: Consideration of the appropriateness, in accordance with relevant accounting standards, of the disclosures in respect of unquoted investments and the effect of changing one or more inputs to reasonable possible alternative valuation assumptions.
Our results: We found the Company's valuation of unquoted investments to be acceptable.
3 Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of our audit
Materiality for the financial statements as a whole was set at £0.6 million (2017: £0.6 million), determined using a benchmark of Total Assets, of which it represents 1% (2017: 1%).
We agreed to report reported to the Audit Committee any uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding £29,000 (2017: £30,000) in addition to other identified misstatements that warrant reporting on qualitative grounds.
Our audit of the Company was undertaken to the materiality level specified above and was performed at the offices of the Manager, Foresight Group in London.
4. We have nothing to report on going concern
We are required to report to you if:
- we have anything material to add or draw attention to in relation to the directors' statement in note 1 to the financial statements on the use of the going concern basis of accounting with no material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt over the Company's use of that basis for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements; or
- the related statement under the Listing Rules set out on page 32 is materially inconsistent with our audit knowledge.
We have nothing to report in these respects.
5. We have nothing to report on the other information in the Annual Report
The directors are responsible for the other information presented in the Annual Report together with the financial statements. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether, based on our financial statements audit work, the information therein is materially misstated or inconsistent with the financial statements or our audit
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc only (Continued)
knowledge. Based solely on that work we have not identified material misstatements in the other information.
Strategic report and directors’ report
Based solely on our work on the other information:
- we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors’ report;
- in our opinion the information given in those reports for the financial year is consistent with the financial statements; and
- in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.
Directors’ remuneration report
In our opinion the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.
Disclosures of principal risks and longer-term viability
Based on the knowledge we acquired during our financial statements audit, we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to:
- the directors’ confirmation within the viability statement (page 21) that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Company, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity;
- the Principal Risks disclosures describing these risks and explaining how they are being managed and mitigated; and
- the directors’ explanation in the viability statement of how they have assessed the prospects of the Company, over what period they have done so and why they considered that period to be appropriate, and their
statement as to whether they have a reasonable expectation that the Company will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.
Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the viability statement. We have nothing to report in this respect.
Corporate governance disclosures
We are required to report to you if:
- we have identified material inconsistencies between the knowledge we acquired during our financial statements audit and the directors’ statement that they consider that the annual report and financial statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s position and performance, business model and strategy; or
- the section of the annual report describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee; or
- a corporate governance statement has not been prepared by the company.
We are required to report to you if the Corporate Governance Statement does not properly disclose a departure from the eleven provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified by the Listing Rules for our review.
We have nothing to report in these respects.
Based solely on our work on
the other information described above:
- with respect to the Corporate Governance Statement disclosures about internal control and risk management systems in relation to financial reporting processes and about share capital structures;
- we have not identified material misstatements therein; and
- the information therein is consistent with the financial statements; and
- in our opinion, the Corporate Governance Statement has been prepared in accordance with relevant rules of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority.
6. We have nothing to report on the other matters on which we are required to report by exception
Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the 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.
We have nothing to report in these respects.
7. Respective responsibilities Directors’ responsibilities
As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 38, the directors are responsible for: the preparation of the financial statements including being
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc only (Continued)
satisfied that they give a true and fair view; such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; assessing the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud, other irregularities, or error, and to issue our opinion in an auditor's report. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but does not guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud, other irregularities or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud or other irregularities is higher than for one resulting from error, as they may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control and may involve any area of law and regulation not just those directly affecting the financial statements.
A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the FRC's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.
8. The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our responsibilities
This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Henry Todd
(Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP
Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants
15 Canada Square
London
E14 5GL
31 October 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Financial Statements
Income Statement
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018
| | Notes | Year ended
30 June 2018 | | | Year ended
30 June 2017 | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Revenue
£'000 | Capital
£'000 | Total
£'000 | Revenue
£'000 | Capital
£'000 | Total
£'000 |
| Investment holding gains | 8 | — | 835 | 835 | — | 7,938 | 7,938 |
| Realised losses on investments | 8 | — | — | — | — | (3,318) | (3,318) |
| Income | 2 | 1,543 | — | 1,543 | 871 | — | 871 |
| Investment management fees | 3 | (173) | (649) | (822) | (205) | (1,668) | (1,873) |
| Loan interest payable | | (371) | — | (371) | (30) | — | (30) |
| Other expenses | 4 | (647) | — | (647) | (537) | — | (537) |
| Profit before taxation | | 352 | 186 | 538 | 99 | 2,952 | 3,051 |
| Taxation | 5 | — | — | — | (33) | 33 | — |
| Profit after taxation | | 352 | 186 | 538 | 66 | 2,985 | 3,051 |
| Profit per share: | | | | | | | |
| Ordinary Share | 7 | 0.8p | 0.4p | 1.2p | 0.3p | 3.2p | 3.5p |
The total column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company and the revenue and capital columns represent supplementary information.
All revenue and capital items in the above Income Statement are derived from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.
The Company has no recognised gains or losses other than those shown above, therefore no separate statement of comprehensive income has been presented.
The notes on pages 48 to 65 form part of these Financial Statements.
44
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds
| Year ended 30 June 2018 | Called-up share capital £'000 | Share premium account £'000 | Capital redemption reserve £'000 | Profit and loss account £'000 | Total £'000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As at 1 July 2017 | 454 | 7,061 | 112 | 35,292 | 42,919 |
| Expenses in relation to prior year share issues | — | (23) | — | (41) | (64) |
| Repurchase of shares | (3) | — | 3 | (322) | (322) |
| Share class merger | (12) | 12 | — | — | — |
| Dividends | — | — | — | (2,253) | (2,253) |
| Profit for the year | — | — | — | 538 | 538 |
| As at 30 June 2018 | 439 | 7,050 | 115 | 33,214* | 40,818 |
| Year ended 30 June 2017 | Called-up share capital £'000 | Share premium account £'000 | Capital redemption reserve £'000 | Profit and loss account £'000 | Total £'000 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| As at 1 July 2016 | 528 | 3,549 | 2 | 46,527 | 50,606 |
| Share issue in the year | 36 | 3,673 | — | — | 3,709 |
| Expenses in relation to share issues | — | (161) | — | (194) | (355) |
| Repurchase of shares | (110) | — | 110 | (10,986) | (10,986) |
| Expenses in relation to tender offer | — | — | — | (184) | (184) |
| Dividends | — | — | — | (2,922) | (2,922) |
| Profit for the year | — | — | — | 3,051 | 3,051 |
| As at 30 June 2017 | 454 | 7,061 | 112 | 35,292* | 42,919 |
The notes on pages 48 to 65 form part of these Financial Statements
*Of this amount £11,306,000 (2017: £14,219,000) is realised and distributable.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Financial Statements
Balance Sheet
AT 30 JUNE 2018
Registered Number: 07289280
| Notes | As at 30 June 2018 £'000 | As at 30 June 2017 £'000 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed assets | |||
| Investments held at fair value through profit or loss | 8 | 53,352 | 53,752 |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 9 | 465 | 432 |
| Money market securities and other deposits | 9 | 9 | |
| Cash | 4,844 | 5,694 | |
| 5,318 | 6,135 | ||
| Creditors | |||
| Amounts falling due within one year | 10 | (2,852) | (1,968) |
| Net current assets | 2,466 | 4,167 | |
| Creditors | |||
| Amounts falling due greater than one year | 10 | (15,000) | (15,000) |
| Net assets | 40,818 | 42,919 | |
| Capital and reserves | |||
| Called-up share capital | 11 | 439 | 454 |
| Share premium | 7,050 | 7,061 | |
| Capital redemption reserve | 115 | 112 | |
| Profit and loss account | 33,214 | 35,292 | |
| Equity shareholders' funds | 40,818 | 42,919 | |
| Net asset value per share | |||
| Ordinary Share | 12 | 93.0p | 95.9p |
The accounts on pages 44 to 65 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 31 October 2018 and were signed on its behalf by:
David Hurst-Brown
Chairman
31 October 2018
The notes on pages 48 to 65 form part of these Financial Statements.
46
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Cash Flow Statement
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018
| Year ended 30 June 2018 £'000 | Year ended 30 June 2017 £'000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cash flow from operating activities | ||
| Deposit and similar interest received | 8 | 1 |
| Investment management fees paid | (791) | (723) |
| Performance incentive fee paid | — | (3,323) |
| Secretarial fees paid | (269) | (150) |
| Other cash receipts/(payments) | 107 | (341) |
| Net cash outflow from operating activities | (945) | (4,536) |
| Cash flow from investing activities | ||
| Purchase of investments | (97) | (32) |
| Net proceeds on sale of investments | 1,332 | 2,649 |
| Investment income received | 1,515 | 1,047 |
| Net cash inflow from investing activities | 2,750 | 3,664 |
| Cash flow from financing activities | ||
| Proceeds of fund raising | — | 4,058 |
| Proceeds from borrowings on long term debt | — | 15,000 |
| Expenses of fund raising | (80) | (298) |
| Expenses in relation to tender offer | — | (156) |
| Repurchase of own shares | (322) | (10,986) |
| Equity dividends paid | (2,253) | (2,923) |
| Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities | (2,655) | 4,695 |
| Net (outflow)/inflow of cash in the year | (850) | 3,823 |
| Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds | ||
| (Decrease)/increase in cash for the year | (850) | 3,823 |
| Net cash and cash equivalents at start of year | 5,703 | 1,880 |
| Net cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 4,853 | 5,703 |
| Analysis of changes in net cash | At 1 July 2017 £'000 | Cash flow £'000 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cash and cash equivalents* | 5,703 | (850) |
- Including money market securities and other deposits
The notes on pages 48 to 65 form part of these financial statements.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Financial Statements
Notes to the Accounts
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30JUNE 2018
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A summary of the principal accounting policies, all of which have been applied consistently throughout the period, are set out below:
A) BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The financial statements have been prepared under the Companies Act 2006, and in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP) including FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP): Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts issued in November 2014 and updated in February 2018.
The Company presents its Income Statement in a three column format to give shareholders additional detail of the performance of the Company split between items of a revenue or capital nature.
As permitted by FRS 102, paragraph 14.4, investments are held as part of an investment portfolio, and their value to the Company is through their marketable value as part of a portfolio of investments, rather than as a medium through which the Company carries out its business. Therefore, the investments are not recognised as consolidated subsidiaries or associated undertakings, but are held at fair value through profit or loss.
GOING CONCERN
The Company's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 18 to 22. The financial position of the Company, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are referred to in the Chairman's Statement, Strategic Report and Notes to the Accounts. In addition, the financial statements include the Company's objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.
The Company has sufficient financial resources together with investments and income generated therefrom across a variety of industries and sectors. As a consequence, the Directors believe that the Company is able to manage its business risks.
Cash flow projections have been reviewed and show that the Company has sufficient funds to meet both its contracted expenditure and its discretionary cash outflows in the form of share buy backs and dividends.
The Directors have reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements.
B) ASSETS HELD AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS – INVESTMENTS
All investments held by the Company are classified as "fair value through profit or loss". The Directors fair value investments in accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital ("IPEV") Valuation Guidelines, as updated in December 2015. This classification is followed as the Company's business is to invest in financial assets with a view to profiting from their total return in the form of capital growth and income.
Purchases and sales of unquoted investments are recognised when the contract for acquisition or sale becomes unconditional.
All unquoted investments are initially held at cost for an appropriate period where there is considered to have been no change in fair value. Where such a basis is no longer appropriate, unquoted investments are stated at fair value in accordance with the following rules which are consistent with the IPEV Valuation guidelines. Expenses incurred directly in relation to the acquisition of an asset will be capitalised, and thus added to the cost of the asset, as they are incurred.
The Company has direct investments in a number of portfolio companies ("portfolio companies"). The fair values of the portfolio companies are determined as the fair value of their net assets. The fair value of the
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
49
FRACSIMILE TRANSACTIONS
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
underlying solar project investments held by the portfolio companies, or their wholly owned subsidiaries, which impact the value of the portfolio companies' net assets, are determined by using discounted cash flow valuation techniques or expected sales proceeds. The Directors base the fair value of the investments on information received from the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager's assessment of fair value of investments is determined in accordance with IPEV Valuation Guidelines. This relies on inputs relating to power price, Renewable Obligation Certificates ("ROCs") and Purchase Price Agreements ("PPA"), the output of the asset (including assumptions such as solar irradiation and technological performance of the asset), operating, maintenance and lease costs, tax, discount and inflation rates as applied to the cash flows, and the duration of the useful life of the asset.
Gains or losses on movement in fair value of the investments is recognised in the Income Statement. Investments are derecognised when the risks and rewards of ownership are deemed to have transferred to a third party. Upon realisation, the gain or loss on disposal is recognised in the Income Statement.
C) INCOME
Dividends receivable on unquoted equity shares are brought into account when the Company's rights to receive payment are established and there is no reasonable doubt that payment will be received. Loan interest income is calculated using the effective interest method and recognised on an accruals basis. Other income such as deposit interest is included on an accruals basis.
D) EXPENSES
All expenses (inclusive of VAT), including loan interest payable, are accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenses are charged through the revenue column of the Income Statement, with the exception that 75% of the management fees payable to Foresight Group and 100% of any performance incentive fees payable to Foresight Group are allocated against the capital column of the Income Statement. The basis of the allocation of management fees is expected to reflect the revenue and capital split of long-term returns in the portfolio.
E) SHARE BASED PAYMENTS
The performance incentive fee may be satisfied by either a cash payment or the issue of Ordinary Shares (or by a combination of both) ultimately at the discretion of the Manager, and therefore falls within the definition of a share-based payment under FRS 102.26. As the Manager has the choice of settlement, the arrangement is accounted for as a cash-settled transaction.
The fair value of the amount payable to the Manager is recognised as an expense, with a corresponding increase in liabilities, over the vesting period.
The Board determines the fair value at each reporting date based on the amount of cash expected to be paid under the performance related incentive fee arrangement over the vesting period. The estimation of the fair value takes account of the likelihood of the performance condition being met (delivery of the specified financial performance to exceed the hurdle rate during the vesting period). The vesting period is not fixed and is estimated as the period required to meet the performance condition. It is based on an estimate of the period required to meet future performance of the fund and future distributions.
The liability is remeasured at each balance sheet date and at settlement date. To the extent not paid, any changes in the fair value of the liability are recognised as a performance incentive fee in profit or loss over the vesting period.
F) CRITICAL ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
The preparation of the financial statements requires the Board to make judgements and estimates that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.
The Board considers that the only areas where the Manager makes critical estimates and assumptions that may have a significant effect on the financial statements relates to the fair valuation of unquoted investments and the fair valuation of share-based payments, which are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates and the underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
The Board considers that the fair value of investments not quoted in an active market involves critical accounting estimates and assumptions because they are determined by the Manager, using valuation methods and techniques generally recognised as standard within the industry. Valuations use observable data to the extent practicable. However, they also rely on significant unobservable inputs about the output of the asset (including assumptions such as solar irradiation and technological performance of the asset), power prices, operating costs, discount and inflation rates applied to the cash flows, and the duration of the useful economic life of the asset. Furthermore, changes in these inputs and assumptions could affect
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Financial Statements
Notes to the Accounts
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
the reported fair value of unquoted investments. The determination of what constitutes 'observable' requires significant judgement by the Manager. The Manager considers observable data to be market data that is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market.
The Board considers that there is a significant judgement involving an estimate regarding the assessment of the probability of achieving the hurdle which would trigger the payment of the performance related incentive fees due to the Manager. A performance related incentive fee will be payable if the fund achieves the performance condition (delivery of the specified financial performance to exceed the hurdle rate during the vesting period).
The Board considers a number of factors and assumptions when assessing the probability of achieving the hurdle during the vesting period, including the current and projected NAV of the company, the distributions made to date, uncertainty around future returns and future expected distributions. Judgement is also exercised in determining the appropriate vesting period, being the period required to meet the performance condition. It is based on an estimate of the future performance of the fund and future distributions and the projected period to elapse before the distributions exceed the hurdle with respect to the performance related incentive fee.
G) BASIC FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
During the year the Company held trade and other debtors, trade and other creditors, money-market funds and cash balances.
Trade and other debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised initially at transaction price less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses.
Trade and other creditors
Trade and other creditors (including long term borrowings) are recognised initially at transaction price plus attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at amortised cost.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits. Cash includes proceeds of fund raising which have not yet been allocated to investments, there is a corresponding creditor in relation to this.
Cash, for the purpose of the cash flow statement, comprises cash in hand and liquid resources. Liquid resources are current asset investments which are disposable without curtailing or disrupting the business and are readily convertible into known amounts of cash at their carrying values. Liquid resources comprise money market funds.
H) OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Other financial instruments not meeting the definition of Basic Financial Instruments include investments held at fair value through profit and loss are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition other financial instruments are measured at fair value with changes recognised in profit or loss.
I) TAXATION
Any tax relief obtained in respect of management fees allocated to capital is reflected in the capital column of the Income Statement and a corresponding amount is charged against the revenue column. The tax relief is the amount by which corporation tax payable is reduced as a result of these capital expenses.
J) DEFERRED TAXATION
Provision is made for corporation tax at the tax rate that is expected to apply to the reversal of the related difference, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date on the excess of taxable income over allowable expenses. A provision is made on all material timing differences arising from the different treatment of items for accounting and tax purposes.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
J) DEFERRED TAXATION (CONTINUED)
A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that there will be taxable profits in the future against which the asset can be offset. It is considered too uncertain that this will occur and, therefore, no deferred tax asset has been recognised.
K) CAPITAL RESERVES
The capital reserve is shown in aggregate and is made up of two elements:
(i) Realised
The following are accounted for in this reserve:
- Gains and losses on realisation of investments;
- Permanent diminution in value of investments;
- 75% of management fee expense and 100% of any performance incentive fee expense, together with the related tax effect to this reserve in accordance with the policies; and
- Income and costs for the period (capital items).
(ii) Revaluation reserve (unrealised capital reserve)
Increases and decreases in the valuation of investments held at the year-end are accounted for in this reserve, except to the extent that the diminution is deemed permanent.
In accordance with stating all investments at fair value through profit and loss, all such movements through both revaluation and realised capital reserves are shown within the Income Statement for the year.
2 INCOME
| Year ended 30 June 2018 £'000 | Year ended 30 June 2017 £'000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Loan stock interest | 572 | 786 |
| Dividends receivable | 963 | 84 |
| Bank interest | 8 | 1 |
| 1,543 | 871 |
3 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES
| Year ended 30 June 2018 £'000 | Year ended 30 June 2017 £'000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance incentive fees charged to the capital account | 130 | 1,053 |
| Investment management fees charged to the capital account | 519 | 615 |
| Investment management fees charged to the revenue account | 173 | 205 |
| 822 | 1,873 |
The Manager advises the Company on investments in qualifying companies under an agreement dated 31 August 2010, and receives management fees, paid quarterly in advance, of 1.5% of Ordinary Share net assets. If the annual expenses of the Company exceed 3.6% of the Company's total assets less current liabilities, the Company is entitled to reduce the fees paid to the Manager by the amount of the excess.
This agreement may be terminated by either party giving to the other not less than twelve months' notice, at any time after the third anniversary.
During the year, before the share class merger detailed in the Chairman's Statement, management fees of 1.75% per annum were received by the Manager from the C and D Share classes funds under agreements dated 18 February 2013 and 7 March 2016.
A performance incentive fee was accrued in the year in relation to the C share class (2017: Ordinary Share class). See note 13 for further information.
51
Financial Statements
Notes to the Accounts
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018
4 OTHER EXPENSES
| Year ended 30 June 2018 £'000 | Year ended 30 June 2017 £'000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Secretarial services (excluding VAT) | 202 | 211 |
| Directors' remuneration including employer's National Insurance contributions | 75 | 75 |
| Auditor's remuneration excluding VAT | ||
| — Fees payable to KPMG LLP, the Company's auditors for the audit of the financial statements* | 68 | 35 |
| Other | 302 | 216 |
| 647 | 537 |
- £16,000 of the amount recognised in the year ended 30 June 2018 relates to the audit for the year ended 30 June 2017.
The Company has no employees other than the Directors.
5 TAXATION
a) Analysis of charge in the year:
| Year ended 30 June 2018 | Year ended 30 June 2017 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue £'000 | Capital £'000 | Total £'000 | Revenue £'000 | Capital £'000 | Total £'000 | |
| Corporation tax | — | — | — | (33) | 33 | — |
| Total tax for the period | — | — | — | (33) | 33 | — |
b) Factors affecting current tax charge for the year:
The tax assessed for the period is lower than (2017: lower than) the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2017: 19.75%). The differences are explained below:
| Year ended 30 June 2018 £'000 | Year ended 30 June 2017 £'000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Net return before taxation | 538 | 3,051 |
| Corporation tax at 19% (2017: 19.75%) | 102 | 603 |
| Effect of: | ||
| Non taxable dividend income | (183) | (17) |
| Capital gains not taxable | (159) | (913) |
| Unutilised management expenses | 240 | 327 |
| Total tax charge for the year | — | — |
c) Deferred tax:
No deferred tax asset has been recognised in the year for surplus management expenses. At present it is not envisaged that any tax will be recovered on these in the foreseeable future.
A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that there will be taxable profits in the future against which the asset can be offset. It is considered too uncertain that this will occur and, therefore, no deferred tax asset has been recognised. There is an unrecognised deferred tax asset of approximately £1,025,000 (2017: £855,000).
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
5 TAXATION (CONTINUED)
d) Effects of changes on future tax rates:
On 6 September 2016, a reduction to the UK corporation tax rate was substantively enacted, reducing the corporation tax rate to 17% from 1 April 2020.
6 DIVIDENDS
| Year ended 30 June 2018 £'000 | Year ended 30 June 2017 £'000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Shares | ||
| Dividends - paid in the year - 6p per share (2017: 6p) | 1,628 | 2,297 |
| C Shares | ||
| Dividends - paid in the year - 5p per share (2017: 5p) | 625 | 625 |
| D Shares | ||
| Dividends - paid in the year | — | — |
The Board is not recommending a final dividend on the Ordinary Shares Fund for the year ended 30 June 2018.
Set out above are the total dividends payable in respect of the financial year, which is the basis on which the requirements of section 274 of The Income Tax Act 2007 are considered.
In accordance with s529 of the Income Tax Act 2007, a venture Capital Trust may not retain more than 15% of its qualifying income in any accounting period. The payment of the interim dividend satisfied this requirement.
7 RETURN PER SHARE
| Year ended 30 June 2018 | Year ended 30 June 2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Shares £'000 | C Shares £'000 | D Shares £'000 | ||
| Ordinary Shares £'000 | C Shares £'000 | D Shares £'000 | ||
| Total profit/(loss) after taxation | 538 | 1,305 | 1,862 | (116) |
| Total profit/(loss) per share (note a) | 1.2p | 3.5p | 14.9p | (3.1)p |
| Revenue profit/(loss) from ordinary activities after taxation | 352 | 128 | 3 | (65) |
| Revenue profit/(loss) per share (note b) | 0.8p | 0.3p | 0.0p | (1.7)p |
| Capital profit/(loss) from ordinary activities after taxation | 186 | 1,177 | 1,859 | (51) |
| Capital profit/(loss) per share (note c) | 0.4p | 3.2p | 14.9p | (1.4)p |
| Weighted average number of shares in issue during the year (note d) | 45,273,865 | 37,041,226 | 12,509,247 | 3,761,042 |
Notes:
a) Total profit/(loss) per share is total profit/(loss) after taxation divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.
b) Revenue profit/(loss) per share is revenue profit/(loss) after taxation divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.
c) Capital profit/(loss) per share is capital profit/(loss) after taxation divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.
d) The weighted average number of shares has been adjusted to take account of the O, C and D share class merger on 29 June 2018.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Financial Statements
Notes to the Accounts
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018
8 INVESTMENTS HELD AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
| | 2018
£'000 | 2017
£'000 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unquoted investments | 53,352 | 53,752 |
| | 53,352 | 53,752 |
| | Ordinary Shares Fund
£'000 | C Shares Fund
£'000 | D Shares Fund
£'000 | Company
£'000 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Book cost as at 1 July 2017 | 22,743 | 8,316 | 1,620 | 32,679 |
| Investment holding gains | 17,762 | 3,311 | — | 21,073 |
| Valuation at 1 July 2017 | 40,505 | 11,627 | 1,620 | 53,752 |
| Movements in the period: | | | | |
| Purchases at cost* | 97 | — | — | 97 |
| Disposal proceeds | (369) | (963) | — | (1,332) |
| Investment holding gains/(losses) | 1,516 | (609) | (72) | 835 |
| Transfer to Ordinary Shares fund — book cost | 8,973 | (7,353) | (1,620) | — |
| Transfer to Ordinary Shares fund — investment holding gains/(losses) | 2,630 | (2,702) | 72 | — |
| Valuation at 30 June 2018 | 53,352 | — | — | 53,352 |
| Book cost at 30 June 2018 | 31,444 | — | — | 31,444 |
| Investment holding gains | 21,908 | — | — | 21,908 |
| Valuation at 30 June 2018 | 53,352 | — | — | 53,352 |
*Purchases at cost represents costs incurred in relation to the underlying FiT assets and refinancing of Turweston asset held by portfolio companies.
9 DEBTORS
| | 2018
£'000 | 2017
£'000 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prepayments | 7 | 9 |
| Other debtors | 46 | 32 |
| Interest receivable | 412 | 391 |
| | 465 | 432 |
10 CREDITORS:
| Amounts falling due within one year | 2018
£'000 | 2017
£'000 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Trade creditors | 148 | 215 |
| Accruals | 356 | 162 |
| Cash held on behalf of Shaftesbury Solar I UK Holdings Limited | 1,136 | 1,561 |
| Loan with Youtan Limited* | 811 | — |
| Interest payable on loan with Adriou Limited | 401 | 30 |
| | 2,852 | 1,968 |
*The loan with Youtan Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is interest free and repayable on demand.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
10 CREDITORS (CONTINUED)
Amounts falling due greater than one year
| | 2018
£'000 | 2017
£'000 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Long term borrowing | 15,000 | 15,000 |
This balance relates to a loan from Adriou Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The maturity date of this loan is 30 September 2019. The principal is repayable on the maturity date. Interest is calculated as the aggregate of LIBOR plus 1.75%.
11 CALLED-UP SHARE CAPITAL
| | 2018
£'000 | 2017
£'000 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Allotted, called up and fully paid: | | |
| 43,911,189 Ordinary Shares of 1p each (2017: 27,324,838) | 439 | 273 |
| Nil C Shares of 1p each (2017: 12,509,247) | — | 125 |
| Nil D Shares of 1p each (2017: 5,636,181) | — | 56 |
| | 439 | 454 |
During the year the C and D Shares funds were merged with the Ordinary Shares fund. On the basis of the conversion ratios detailed in the Chairman's Statement, 16,884,973 C and D shares were converted into Ordinary Shares, and the remaining 1,222,778 C and D shares were converted into Deferred Shares. These Deferred Shares are not listed, and have no value attributable to them.
The Ordinary Shares fund repurchased 298,622 shares for cancellation at a cost of £290,000 during the year.
The C Shares fund repurchased 37,677 shares for cancellation at a cost of £32,000 during the year.
There were no Shares issued in the year for any fund (2017: 3,638,490 D Shares).
Details of voting rights are disclosed in the Notice of Annual General Meeting on page 66 onwards. A summary of the Investment Policy can be found in the Strategic Report on page 18.
| Ordinary Shares No. | C Shares No. | D Shares No. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 July 2017 | 27,324,838 | 12,509,247 | 5,636,181 |
| Allotment of shares | — | — | — |
| Repurchase of shares for cancellation | (298,622) | (37,677) | — |
| Share class merger* | 16,884,973 | (12,471,570) | (5,636,181) |
| At 30 June 2018 | 43,911,189 | — | — |
*The net amount of 1,222,778 relates to the remaining C and D shares converted into Deferred Shares as part of the share class merger. These do not form part of the ordinary share capital of the Company and are not listed.
12 NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
Net asset value per Ordinary Share is based on net assets at the year end of £40,818,000 (2017: £26,197,000) and on 43,911,189 Ordinary Shares (2017: 27,324,838), being the number of Ordinary Shares in issue at that date.
55
Financial Statements
Notes to the Accounts
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018
13 SHARE BASED PAYMENTS
ORDINARY SHARES
Up to 4 May 2017 and pursuant to the Original Agreement entered into between the Company and the Manager on 31 August 2010, the Manager was entitled to a performance related incentive fee on Ordinary Shares equal to 20% of total distributions over 100p and 30% of total distributions over 130p (the "original hurdle").
On 4 May 2017, the shareholders approved an amendment to the Original Agreement, allowing for the performance related incentive fee to be paid in respect of the net asset value of the shares held by the shareholders electing to remain in the fund as well as the shareholders exiting the fund as part of the Tender Offer on 7 May 2017.
On 4 May 2017, the shareholders also approved an amendment to the Original Agreement for future performance incentive fees whereby the Manager was entitled to receive a performance related incentive fee on the Ordinary Shares equal to 20% of total return over 100p and 30% of total return over 130p (total return being net asset value plus historic distributions paid per Ordinary Share), with an additional growth hurdle of 5% per annum going forward (the "amended hurdle"), i.e. 136.5p for the Company's financial year ending 30 June 2018, 143.3p for the year ending 30 June 2019 and so on.
The hurdle in the Original Agreement will continue to apply to any new Ordinary Shares that are issued in accordance with the Original Agreement.
As at 30 June 2018, the amended hurdle was 136.5p per share (2017: 130.0p) and the total return per Ordinary Share was 128.0p (2017: 124.9p). The hurdle was not exceeded at any point during the year (2017: the total return per Ordinary Share was 138.5p and the hurdle was exceeded on 8 May 2017). Therefore, no performance related incentive fee expense was recognised in respect of share-based payments during the year (2017: £1,053,000).
The Directors currently do not expect a future performance related incentive fee to become payable over the vesting period. This is because the additional annual growth hurdle of 5% is greater than the combined future projected annual dividend distributions and net asset growth. As such the fund's total returns are not expected to exceed the amended hurdle. Therefore, as at and for the year ended 30 June 2018, no performance related incentive fee expense or liability was recognised (2017: £nil).
The terms and conditions of the share-based payments are as follows:
Grant Date: 31 August 2010 (subject to an amendment on 4 May 2017)
Vesting conditions: Expected total return exceeds the original hurdle
Vesting date: 8 May 2017
Method of settlement accounting: Cash (with the option of settling in shares in the event of any cash flow restrictions). Arrangement was settled in cash.
Grant Date: 4 May 2017
Vesting conditions: Expected total return exceeds the amended hurdle
Vesting period: Variable from 4 May 2017
Method of settlement accounting: Cash (with the option of settling in shares in the event of any cash flow restrictions).
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
13 SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)
C SHARES
Prior to the share class merger on 29 June 2018, the threshold for the C Shares was 20% of distributions in excess of 100.0p per C Share until total distributions reach 120.0p per C share and 30% above that level (the "C share threshold"). After the share class merger on 29 June 2018, when the C Shares were converted to Ordinary Shares, they were then also subject to the Ordinary Share performance incentive fee arrangement and total return amended hurdle as described above.
Upon the share class merger on 29 June 2018, when the C Shares were converted to Ordinary Shares, the total distributions were 105.3p (net asset value of 85.3p and total dividends of 20.0p) per C Share and the C share threshold was satisfied (2017: total distributions were 15p per share and the C share threshold was not satisfied). Therefore, as at and for the year ended 30 June 2018, a performance-related incentive fee expense and a liability of £130,000 (2017: £nil) was recognised.
The terms and conditions of the share-based payments are as follows:
Grant Date: 15 February 2013
Vesting conditions: Distributions exceed the C share threshold
Vesting date: 29 June 2018
Method of settlement accounting: Cash (with the option of settling in shares in the event of any cash flow restrictions). Arrangement was settled in cash post year end.
Vesting conditions: Expected total return is greater than the Total Return threshold both before and after the incentive fee.
Vesting date: 29 June 2018
Method of settlement accounting: Cash (with the option of settling in shares in the event of any cash flow restrictions).
This amount was paid to the Manager post year end.
D SHARES
Prior to the share class merger on 29 June 2018, the threshold for the D Shares was 20% of distributions in excess of 100.0p per D Share until total distributions reach 115.0p per D share and 30% above that level (the "D share threshold"). After the share class merger on 29 June 2018, when the D Shares were converted to Ordinary Shares, they were then also subject to the Ordinary Share performance incentive fee arrangement and total return amended hurdle as described above.
After the merger on 29 June 2018, when the D Shares were converted to Ordinary Shares at a price of 92.2p, the D share threshold was not satisfied (2017: not satisfied) and no expense or liability was recognised (2017: nil).
Grant Date: 7 March 2016
Vesting conditions: Distributions exceed the D share threshold
Vesting period: Variable from 7 March 2016 to 29 June 2018
Method of settlement accounting: Cash (with the option of settling in shares in the event of any cash flow restrictions).
14 CAPITAL COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
The Company had no capital commitments or contingent liabilities at 30 June 2018 (2017: £nil).
57
Financial Statements
Notes to the Accounts
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018
15 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company's financial instruments comprise:
- Unquoted investments and qualifying loan stock held in the investment portfolio as well as cash and investments in money market funds that are held in accordance with the Company's investment objective as set out in the Directors' Report.
- Cash, liquid resources, short-term debtors, creditors that arise directly from the Company's operations.
Classification of financial instruments
The Company held the following categories of financial instruments all of which are included in the Balance Sheet at fair value, at 30 June 2018:
| Company | 2018
£'000 | 2017
£'000 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Assets held at fair value through profit and loss | | |
| Investments held at fair value | 53,352 | 53,752 |
| | 53,352 | 53,752 |
The investment portfolio will have a high concentration of risk towards unquoted UK-based Solar investments (as well as a smaller exposure to US and Euro cash held in holding companies), the majority is sterling denominated equity and loan stock holdings.
The main risks arising from the Company's financial instruments are credit risk, valuation risk, regulatory risk, interest risk, foreign exchange risk and liquidity risk. The Board regularly reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks.
Detailed below is a summary of the financial risks to which the Company is exposed, and the policies agreed by the Board for management of these risks.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of failure by counterparties to deliver securities which the Company has paid for, or the failure by counterparties to pay for securities which the Company has delivered. The Company has exposure to credit risk in respect of the loan stock investments it has made into portfolio companies and interest receivable from portfolio companies, most of which have no security attached to them, and where they do, such security ranks beneath any bank debt that an portfolio company may owe. The Board has delegated the management of credit risk in respect of loan stock to the Manager. The Manager receives full year accounts from portfolio companies, and members of the investment management team often sit on the boards of unquoted portfolio companies; this enables the close identification, monitoring and management of investment-specific credit risk. The Company also has exposure to credit risk in respect of its current asset investments, cash and other debtors. The Board manages credit risk in respect of the current asset investments and cash by ensuring a spread of such investments in separate money market funds such that none exceed 15% of the Company's total investment assets. These money market funds are investment grade funds, and so credit risk is considered to be low. The Company currently invests its cash holdings and loan stock (indirectly) with Barclays. Its money market holdings are with HSBC, Goldman Sachs (previously RBS), Blackrock and Insight Investments. The maximum exposure to credit risk at 30 June 2018 was £20,234,000 (30 June 2017: £22,381,000) based on loan stock, cash, money market funds and other receivables (amounts due on investments). The majority of the Company's assets are held in its own name in certificated form and therefore custodian default risk is negligible.
An analysis of the Company's assets exposed to credit risk is provided in the table below:
| Company | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2017 | |
| Credit risk | £'000 | £'000 |
| Loan stocks | 14,923 | 16,255 |
| Current asset investments (money market funds) | 9 | 9 |
| Other debtors | 458 | 423 |
| Cash | 4,844 | 5,694 |
| Total | 20,234 | 22,381 |
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
59
Financial Statements
15 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)
Price risk
Through direct investments in portfolio companies, the Company primarily invests in solar investments via unquoted equity and loan securities. The Company's investment portfolio is recognised in the Balance Sheet at fair value, in accordance with IPEV Valuation Guidelines.
Price risk is the risk that the fair value or cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market prices. At 30 June 2018, the Company's direct investments in the portfolio companies were valued at net assets excluding the outstanding loans issued by the Company. A 10% increase/decrease in valuation of the total portfolio would result in a valuation movement of £5,335,000.
The Board have selected the impact of a change of 10% as this is considered reasonable given the current level of volatility observed both on a historical basis and market expectations for future movement.
As the valuation of the direct investments is directly impacted by the valuation of the underlying investments in solar assets, the impact of changes in unobservable inputs is discussed in more detail on page 60.
Liquidity risk
The investments in equity and fixed interest stocks of unquoted portfolio companies that the Company holds are not traded and they are not readily realisable. The ability of the Company to realise the investments at their carrying value may at times not be possible if there are no willing purchasers. The Company's ability to sell investments may also be constrained by the requirements set down for VCTs. The maturity profile of the Company's loan stock investments disclosed within the consideration of credit risk above indicates that these assets are also not readily realisable until dates up to one year from the year-end.
| Total portfolio | ||
|---|---|---|
| 30 June | 30 June | |
| 2018 | 2017 | |
| Maturity analysis: | £'000 | £'000 |
| - in one year or less | 19,289 | 19,706 |
| - in more than one year but less than two years | 1 | 1,539 |
| - in more than two years but less than three years | 486 | 227 |
| - in more than three years but less than four years | — | 486 |
| - in more than four years but less than five years | — | — |
| Total | 19,776 | 21,958 |
To counter these risks to the Company's liquidity, the Investment Manager maintains sufficient cash and money market funds to meet running costs and other commitments. The Company invests its surplus funds in high quality money market funds which are all accessible on an immediate basis.
Foreign currency risk
Foreign currency risk arises as the values of recognised monetary assets and monetary liabilities denominated in other currencies fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The majority of the Company's assets are in the United Kingdom and denominated in sterling, and therefore the directors do not consider foreign currency risk to be material. As at 30 June 2018, the company had some assets denominated in United States Dollar (USD) and other assets denominated in Euro (EUR). Therefore, the Company is exposed to foreign currency risk in respect of those assets. The applicable exchange rates as at 30 June 2018 were £:€ 0.8851 and £:$ 0.7602 (2017: £:€ 0.8785 and £:$ 0.769).
An analysis of the Company's assets exposed to foreign currency risk is provided in the table below:
| 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign exchange risk | £'000 | £'000 |
| Investments - EUR | 6,640 | 4,720 |
| Investments - USD | 275 | 1,125 |
| Total | 6,915 | 5,845 |
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Financial Statements
Notes to the Accounts
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018
15 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)
If the Euro was to strengthen/weaken 10% against the pound, the value of the Euro denominated assets would increase/decrease by £664,000. If the US Dollar was to strengthen/weaken 10% against the pound the value of the US Dollar denominated assets would increase/decrease by £28,000.
Interest rate risk
The fair value of the Company's loan stock and cash investments may be affected by interest rate movements. The Board does not consider this to be a significant risk as the loan stock interest rates are all fixed. The benchmark rate, which determines the interest payments received on cash and loan balances held, is the bank base rate which was 0.5% at 30 June 2018 (0.25% at 30 June 2017).
| Total fixed portfolio | Weighted average interest rate | Weighted average time for which rate is fixed | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | 30 June 2018 £'000 | 30 June 2017 £'000 | 30 June 2018 % | 30 June 2017 % | 30 June 2018 Days | 30 June 2017 Days |
| Short term fixed interest securities | ||||||
| — exposed to cash flow interest rate risk | 9 | 9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | — | — |
| Loan stock | ||||||
| — exposed to fixed interest rate risk* | 14,923 | 16,255 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 41 | 101 |
| Cash | 4,844 | 5,694 | 0.5 | 0.25 | — | — |
| Total exposed to interest rate risk | 19,776 | 21,958 |
*91% of the Company's loan stock investments exposed to fixed interest rate risk as at 30 June 2018 is repayable on demand with no fixed term. Therefore, the weighted average time for which the rate is fixed for those loans is nil.
Fair value hierarchy
In accordance with amendments to FRS 102, the following table shows financial instruments recognised at fair value, analysed between those whose fair value is based on:
- Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (as prices) or indirectly (derived from prices) (Level 2); and
- Inputs for the instrument that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs) (Level 3).
| Company | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As at 30 June 2018 | Level 1 £'000 | Level 2 £'000 | Level 3 £'000 | Total £'000 |
| Unquoted investments | — | — | 53,352 | 53,352 |
| Financial assets | — | — | 53,352 | 53,352 |
| Company | ||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| As at 30 June 2017 | Level 1 £'000 | Level 2 £'000 | Level 3 £'000 | Total £'000 |
| Unquoted investments | — | — | 53,752 | 53,752 |
| Financial assets | — | — | 53,752 | 53,752 |
Transfers
During the period there were no transfers between levels 1, 2 or 3.
Sensitivity analysis of changes in key inputs and assumptions which may significantly change valuations
For each class of fair valued instruments, if changing one or more of the inputs or reasonably possible alternative assumptions would change the fair value significantly, accounting standards require the Company to state the fact and disclose the effect of those changes.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
15 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)
The Company's underlying solar investments are valued with reference to the discounted value of future cash flows. The Board reviews, at least quarterly, the valuation inputs and where possible, make use of observable market data to ensure valuations reflect the fair value of the investments.
A broad range of assumptions are used in the valuation models. These assumptions are based on long-term forecasts and are not affected by short term fluctuations in inputs, be it economic or technical.
The significant assumptions used in the fair value measurement categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy together with a quantitative sensitivity analysis as at 30 June 2018 are set out below and on pages 62 and 63. Please note, this sensitivity analysis only refers to the impact of changes in key inputs and assumptions on the valuation of the UK Solar investments held at fair value only which constitute 87% of the portfolio. Cash in portfolio companies which has not been (re)invested in solar or infrastructure investments as at 30 June 2018 constitutes 13% of the portfolio and is not subject to changes in key inputs and assumptions.
The discounted cash flow valuations of the solar assets form the majority of the NAV calculation.
Only changes in those key inputs and assumptions to the discounted cash flow models which would have a significant impact on valuation are discussed in more detail below. The valuation of investments may also be impacted by changes in other inputs to the discounted cash flow models, but these have not been discussed further as they would not have a significant impact on the valuation. The assumption sensitivities are illustrative. The actual change in these assumptions could be more or less than the amount shown.
Discount Rate Sensitivities
The range of discount rates used is 6.25% - 8.0%. The Directors do not expect to see a significant change in the discount rates applied within the Solar Infrastructure sector. Therefore a variance of +/- 0.50% is considered reasonable given the current risk profile of the fund.
| -0.50% | -0.25% | Base | 0.25% | 0.50% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directors DCF Valuation (£m) | 38.31 | 37.52 | 36.76 | 36.02 | 35.32 |

61
Financial Statements
Notes to the Accounts
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018
15 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)
Energy Yield Sensitivities
Energy Yield is the amount of electricity that is produced and is calculated based on irradiation multiplied by the asset performance ratio and the degradation of the asset. Irradiation is the amount of solar energy per metre squared of plant, and the asset performance ratio refers to how efficiently a plant converts irradiation into electricity on the grid.
| -10.00% | Base | +10.00% | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directors DCF Valuation (£m) | 30.20 | 36.76 | 43.18 |

Power Price Sensitivities
The discounted cash flow models assume that power prices are consistent with the Power Price Agreements ("PPA") currently in place. At the PPA end date the model reverts to market price. The base case power pricing is based on the current forecast reel price reference curve provided by external market experts.
| -20.00% | -10.00% | Base | +10.00% | +20.00% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directors DCF Valuation (£m) | 30.34 | 33.56 | 36.76 | 39.94 | 43.10 |

Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Inflation Sensitivities
A variance of +/- 1.0% is considered reasonable given historic fluctuations. A long term inflation rate of 2.75% has been used.
| -1.00% | -0.50% | Base | +0.50% | +1.00% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directors DCF Valuation (£m) | 33.48 | 35.05 | 36.76 | 38.59 | 40.57 |
| £45.0m | |||||
| £40.0m | |||||
| £35.0m | |||||
| £30.0m | |||||
| £25.0m | |||||
| £20.0m | |||||
| £15.0m | |||||
| £10.0m | |||||
| £5.0m | |||||
| £0.0m | |||||
| -1.00% | -0.50% | Base | +0.50% | +1.00% |
Operating Cost Sensitivities (Investment Level)
Operating costs refers to the cost of running the plants.
| -10.00% | -5.00% | Base | +5.00% | +10.00% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directors DCF Valuation (£m) | 37.79 | 37.27 | 36.76 | 36.24 | 35.72 |

16 MANAGEMENT OF CAPITAL
The Company's objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and to provide an adequate return to shareholders by allocating its capital to assets commensurate with the level of risk.
Since the Company is a VCT, at least 70% of the capital of the Company (as measured under the tax legislation) must be invested in the relatively high risk asset class of small UK companies within three years of that capital being subscribed. The Company accordingly has limited scope to manage its capital structure in the light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. Subject to this overall constraint upon changing the capital structure, the Company may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares, or sell assets if so required to maintain a level of liquidity to remain a going concern.
It regards the net assets of the Company as the Company's capital, as the level of liabilities are small and the management of them is not directly related to managing the return to shareholders. There has been no change in this approach from the previous year.
Financial liabilities and borrowing facilities
The Company had no committed borrowing facilities, liabilities or guarantees at 30 June 2018 or 30 June 2017, other than those shown on the balance sheet.
Fair value
The fair value of the Company's financial assets and liabilities at 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017 are not different from their carrying values.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Financial Statements
Notes to the Accounts
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018
17 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
No Director has an interest in any contract to which the Company is a party. Transactions with or on behalf of portfolio companies are disclosed in Note 10. All transactions were on an arms length basis.
18 TRANSACTIONS WITH THE MANAGER
Details of arrangements with Foresight Group LLP, Foresight Fund Managers Limited and Foresight Group CI Limited are given in the Directors' Report and Notes 3 and 13. All arrangements and transactions were on an arms length basis.
Foresight Group, which acts as investment manager to the Company, earned fees of £692,000 in the year (2017: £820,000). At the year end date, amounts due from Foresight Group in respect of management fees were £2,000 (2017: £104,000 payable to Foresight Group). It also earned performance incentive fees of £130,000 (2017: £1,053,000), all of which was payable at the year end (2017: £nil).
Foresight Fund Managers Limited, Company Secretary until November 2017, earned fees of £100,000 (2017: £211,000) during the year, of which £nil (2017: £61,000) remained payable at the year end date. Foresight Group LLP was appointed Company Secretary in November 2017 and received fees of £102,000 (2017: £nil) during the year, of which £2,000 (2017: £nil) remained payable at the year end date.
Foresight Group recharged fund expenses incurred on behalf of the Company of which £158,000 (2017: £53,000) remained payable at the year end date.
19 SUBSIDIARIES AND RELATED UNDERTAKINGS
SUBSIDIARIES
The Company has holdings in the following subsidiaries as at the year end:
| Name | Address | Principal Activity | Direct/indirect holding | Class and percentage of shares held |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adriou Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Finance company | Direct | A Ordinary 100% |
| Foresight Italy SRL pl. | Corso di Porta Vittoria, Milan, Italy | Investment in solar projects | Indirect | Ordinary 100% |
| Foresight ITA VCT Holdings S.r.l. | Via Fiori Oscuri 11, 20121 Milan | Investment in solar projects | Indirect | Ordinary 100% |
| Foresight VCT (Lox) 1 S.a r.l. | 68-70 Boulevard de la Pétrusse, L-2320 Luxembourg | Investment in solar projects | Direct | Ordinary 100% |
| Foresight VCT (Lox) 2 S.a r.l. | 68-70 Boulevard de la Pétrusse, L-2320 Luxembourg | Investment in solar projects | Indirect | Ordinary 100% |
| ForVEI Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l. | 68-70 Boulevard de la Pétrusse, L-2320 Luxembourg | Investment in solar projects | Indirect | Ordinary 70.26% |
| Greenersite Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Production of electricity | Direct | Ordinary 100% |
| Skibo Solar III Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Investment in solar projects | Direct | A Ordinary 100% |
| South Park US 3, LLC | 1900 Powell Street, Suite 600, Emeryville, CA 94608 | Investment in solar projects | Direct | A Ordinary 100% |
| Youtan Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Finance company | Direct | A Ordinary 100% |
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
RELATED UNDERTAKINGS
Under Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company is required to disclose specified details of its related undertakings, which are undertakings where the Company's holding amounted to 20% or more of the nominal value of any class of shares as at the year end. These are listed below. The percentage holding shown does not reflect the total percentage of all voting rights in the Company as a whole. In respect of those undertakings in which the Company is described as having an indirect holding, the class and percentage of shares held shown refers to the shares in the relevant company which are held by its parent company in which the Company has a direct holding, save where that indirect holding is described as 'Nil' where the shares in the relevant company are held in trust for the Company.
| Name | Address | Principal Activity | Direct/indirect holding | Class and percentage of shares held |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altair Solar Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Production of electricity | Direct | A Ordinary 100%, B Ordinary 100% |
| Avior Solar Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Investment in solar projects | Direct | AE Ordinary 100%, AA Ordinary 100% |
| BNRG Northern Power Limited | 50 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7FW | Reversionary interest in a solar site | Indirect | Ordinary 100% |
| Canopus Solar Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Production of electricity | Direct | A Ordinary 100%, B Ordinary 100% |
| Capella Solar Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Production of electricity | Direct | A Ordinary 100%, B Ordinary 100% |
| Foresight Luxembourg Solar 2 S.à r.l. | 68-70 Boulevard de la Pétrusse, L-2320 Luxembourg | Investment in solar projects | Direct | Ordinary 28% |
| ForVEI II S.r.l. | Via Agnello 12, 20121 Milan | Investment in solar projects | Indirect | Ordinary 50% |
| Hadar Solar Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Production of electricity | Direct | A Ordinary 100%, B Ordinary 100% |
| Littlewood Solar Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Reversionary interest in a solar site | Indirect | Ordinary 100% |
| Marchington Solar Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Production of electricity | Indirect | Ordinary 100% |
| New Kaine Solar Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Production of electricity | Indirect | Ordinary 100% |
| Ponca Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Finance company | Indirect | Ordinary 100% |
| Rigel Solar Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Production of electricity | Direct | A Ordinary 100%, B Ordinary 100% |
| Saron Solar Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Production of electricity | Indirect | Ordinary 100% |
| Scorpii Solar Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Investment in solar projects | Direct | AS Ordinary 100%, AG Ordinary 100% |
| Shaftesbury Solar I UK Holdings Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Investment in solar projects | Direct | A Ordinary 100.0% |
| Sious Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Investment in solar projects | Direct | A Ordinary 100%, |
| Solektra Solar Limited. | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Investment in solar projects | Direct | A Ordinary 100%, C Ordinary 100%, D Ordinary 100% |
| Turweston Solar Farm Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Reversionary interest in a solar site | Indirect | Nil |
| Turweston Solar Parent Limited | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Reversionary interest in a solar site | Indirect | Nil |
| Yega Solar Limited. | The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG | Production of electricity | Direct | A Ordinary 100%, B Ordinary 100% |
20 POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
In July 2018, the Company repurchased 436,218 Ordinary Shares for cancellation at a cost of £404,000 at an average discount of 0.5%.
In August 2018, portfolio companies acquired interests in four UK solar assets at a cost of £5.5m. These assets have a combined capacity of 15.8MW.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Notice of Annual General Meeting
6 DECEMBER 2018
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc (“the Company”) will be held on 6 December 2018 at 12.30 pm at the offices of Foresight Group, The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing the following resolutions, of which resolutions 1 to 7 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions and resolutions 8 and 9 will be proposed as special resolutions.
Resolution 1 To receive the Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2018.
Resolution 2 To approve the Directors' Remuneration Policy.
Resolution 3 To approve the Directors' Remuneration Report.
Resolution 4 To re-elect Timothy Dowlen as a director.
Resolution 5 To re-elect Michael Liston as a director.
Resolution 6 To re-appoint KPMG LLP as auditor and to authorise the directors to fix the auditor's remuneration.
Resolution 7 That, in substitution for all existing authorities, the directors be and they are authorised to allot relevant securities generally, in accordance with Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006, up to a nominal amount of £200,000 (representing approximately 46% of the current issued ordinary share capital) provided that the authority and power conferred by this Resolution 7 will expire on the fifth anniversary of the passing of this resolution.
Resolution 8 That, in substitution for all existing authorities, the directors be and they are empowered pursuant to section 570 and section 573 of the Companies Act 2006 to allot equity securities (within the meaning of section 560 of that Act) pursuant to the authority conferred by Resolution 7 as if section 561(1) of that Act did not apply to any such allotment, provided that this power shall be limited to:
(i) the allotment of equity securities with an aggregate nominal value of up to £200,000 by way of issue of ordinary shares of 1p each (“Ordinary Shares”) pursuant to offer(s) for subscription;
(ii) the allotment of equity securities with an aggregate nominal value of up to 10% of the issued share capital of the Company by way of an issue of Ordinary Shares pursuant to the performance incentive arrangements with Foresight Group CI Limited; and
(iii) the allotment of equity securities with an aggregate nominal value of an amount up to or equal to 10% of the issued Ordinary Share capital of the Company from time to time,
in each case where the proceeds of such issue may in whole or part be used to purchase the Company's shares. This authority will expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2019.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Resolution 9
That, in substitution for all existing authorities the Company be empowered to make market purchases (within the meaning of Section 693(4) of the Companies Act 2006) of its own shares provided that:
(i) the aggregate number of shares to be purchased shall not exceed 6,516,898 Ordinary Shares, if lower such number of shares rounded down to the nearest whole share as shall equal 14.99% of the Company's Ordinary Shares in issue at the date of passing this resolution;
(ii) the minimum price which may be paid for a share is 1 pence (the nominal value thereof);
(iii) the maximum price which may be paid for shares is the higher of (1) an amount equal to 105% of the average of the middle market quotation for shares taken from the London Stock Exchange daily official list for the five business days immediately preceding the day on which the shares are purchased, and (2) the amount stipulated by Article 5(1) of the BuyBack and Stabilisation Regulation 2003;
(iv) the authority conferred by this resolution shall expire on the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held in the year 2019 unless such authority is renewed prior to such time; and
(v) the Company may make a contract to purchase shares under the authority conferred by this resolution prior to the expiry of such authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiration of such authority and may make a purchase of shares pursuant to such contract.
By order of the Board
Foresight Group LLP
Company Secretary
31 October 2018
The Shard
32 London Bridge
Street
London
SE1 9SG
67
Notice of Annual General Meeting continued
NOTES:
-
No Director has a service contract with the Company. Directors' appointment letters with the Company will be available for inspection at the registered office of the Company until the time of the meeting and from 15 minutes before the meeting at the location of the meeting, as well as at the meeting.
-
To be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting (and for the purposes of the determination by the Company of the votes they may cast), members must be registered in the Register of Members of the Company at 6.00 pm on 4 December 2018 (or, in the event of any adjournment, 6.00 pm on the date which is two (excluding non-business days) days before the time of the adjourned meeting). Changes to the Register of Members of the Company after the relevant deadline shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and vote at the meeting.
-
A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy or proxies to attend, speak and vote on his or her behalf. A proxy need not also be a member but must attend the meeting to represent you. Details of how to appoint the chairman of the meeting or another person as your proxy using the form of proxy are set out in the notes on the form of proxy which is enclosed. If you wish your proxy to speak on your behalf at the meeting, you will need to appoint your own choice of proxy (not the chairman) and give your instructions directly to them.
-
You may appoint more than one proxy, provided each proxy is appointed to exercise rights attached to different shares. You may not appoint more than one proxy to exercise rights attached to any one share. To appoint more than one proxy, (an) additional form(s) of proxy may be obtained by contacting Computershare Investor Services PLC on 0370 707 4017. Please indicate in the box next to the proxy holder's name the number of shares in relation to which they are authorised to act as your proxy. Please also indicate by ticking the box provided if the proxy instruction is one of multiple instructions being given. All forms must be signed and returned together in the same envelope.
-
As at the publication of this notice, the Company's issued share capital was 43,474,971 Ordinary Shares, carrying one vote each. Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company as at the date of this notice is 43,474,971.
-
Any person to whom this notice is sent who is a person nominated under Section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 to enjoy information rights (a 'Nominated Person') may, under an agreement between him/her and the member by whom he/she was nominated, have a right to be appointed (or to have someone else appointed) as a proxy for the meeting. If a Nominated Person has no such proxy appointment right or does not wish to exercise it, he/she may, under any such agreement, have a right to give instructions to the shareholder as to the exercise of voting rights.
-
The statement of the rights of members in relation to the appointment of proxies in paragraphs 3 to 4 above does not apply to Nominated Persons. The rights described in those paragraphs can only be exercised by members of the Company.
-
Appointment of a proxy will not preclude a member from subsequently attending and voting at the meeting should he or she subsequently decide to do so. You can only appoint a proxy using the procedures set out in these notes and the notes to the form of proxy.
-
If you wish to attend the Annual General Meeting in person, please bring the proxy form with you to the meeting.
-
The Register of Directors' Interests will be available for inspection at the meeting.
-
Information regarding the meeting, including the information required by Section 311A of the Companies Act 2006, is available from www.foresightgroup.eu.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
-
A vote withheld is not a vote in law, which means that the vote will not be counted in the calculation of votes for or against the resolution. If you either select the "Discretionary" option or if no voting indication is given, your proxy will vote or abstain from voting at his or her discretion. Your proxy will vote (or abstain from voting) as he or she thinks fit in relation to any other matter which is put before the meeting.
-
A form of proxy and reply paid envelope is enclosed. To be valid, it should be lodged with the Company's Registrar, Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY or the proxy must be registered electronically at www.investorcentre.co.uk/eproxy, in each case, so as to be received no later than 48 hours (excluding non working days) before the time appointed for holding the meeting or any adjourned meeting. To vote electronically, you will be asked to provide your Control Number, Shareholder Reference Number and PIN which are detailed on your proxy form. This is the only acceptable means by which proxy instructions may be submitted electronically.
-
Under Section 319A of the Companies Act 2006, the Company must answer any question you ask relating to the business being dealt with at the meeting unless answering the question would interfere unduly with the preparation for the meeting or involve the disclosure of confidential information or the answer has already been given on a website in the form of an answer to a question or it is undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good order of the meeting that the question be answered.
-
Pursuant to Chapter 5 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 (Sections 527 to 531), where requested by a member or members meeting the qualification criteria the Company must publish on its website, a statement setting out any matter that such members propose to raise at the meeting relating to the audit of the Company's accounts (including the auditor's report and the conduct of the audit) that are to be laid before the meeting. Where the Company is required to publish such a statement on its website it may not require the members making the request to pay any expenses incurred by the Company in complying with the request, it must forward the statement to the Company's auditors no later than the time the statement is made available on the Company's website and the statement may be dealt with as part of the business of the meeting.
-
Except as provided above, members who have general queries about the meeting should use the following means of communication (no other methods of communication will be accepted):
Telephone number: 020 3667 8100
You may not use any electronic address provided either:
i) in this notice of Annual General Meeting; or
ii) any related documents (including the Chairman's letter and proxy form), to communicate with the Company for any purposes other than those expressly stated.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Glossary of Terms
CfD
Contract for Difference
DCF
Discounted Cash Flows
EBITDA
Earnings before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation
FiT
Feed-in Tariff
NET ASSET VALUE (NAV)
The Net Asset Value (NAV) is the amount by which total assets exceed total liabilities, i.e. the difference between what the company owns and what it owes. It is equal to shareholders' equity, sometimes referred to as shareholders' funds.
NAV TOTAL RETURN
The sum of the published NAV per share plus all dividends paid per share (for the relevant share class) over the lifetime of the Company.
ONGOING CHARGES RATIO
The sum of expenditure incurred in the ordinary course of business expressed as a percentage of the Net Asset Value at the reporting date.
ROC
Renewable Obligation Certificate
QUALIFYING COMPANY OR QUALIFYING HOLDING
A Qualifying Holding consists of shares or securities first issued to the VCT (and held by it ever since) by a company satisfying certain conditions. The conditions are detailed but include that the company must be a Qualifying Company, under the VCT Rules which requires, amongst other things, that it has gross assets not exceeding £15 million immediately before and £16 million immediately after the investment, employ the money raised for the purposes of a qualifying trade within a certain time period and not be controlled by another company. Additionally, in any twelve month period the company can receive no more than £5 million from VCT funds and Enterprise Investment Schemes, and any other European State-aided risk capital source. The company must have fewer than 250 full time (or equivalent) employees at the time of making the investment. VCT funds raised after 5 April 2012 cannot be used by a Qualifying Company to fund the purchase of shares in another company. Funds raised after 5th April 2017 cannot be invested in companies which generate or export electricity, heat or energy and, after the date of Royal Assent to Finance Act 2017-18, may only be invested in companies which satisfy a new risk-to-capital condition which requires that at the time of investment it is reasonable to conclude there is a significant risk that there will be a loss of capital of an amount greater than the net investment return.
VCT RULES
The provisions of Part 6 of the Income Tax Act 2007, statutory instruments made thereunder and prevailing guidelines, custom and practise of HMRC all of which are subject to change from time to time.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
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Financial Conduct Authority
FCA FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY
Beware of share fraud
Fraudsters use persuasive and high-pressure tactics to lure investors into scams.
They may offer to sell shares that turn out to be worthless or non-existent, or to buy shares at an inflated price in return for an upfront payment.
While high profits are promised, if you buy or sell shares in this way you will probably lose your money.
How to avoid share fraud
- Keep in mind that firms authorised by the FCA are unlikely to contact you out of the blue with an offer to buy or sell shares.
- Do not get into a conversation, note the name of the person and firm contacting you and then end the call.
- Check the Financial Services Register from www.fca.org.uk to see if the person and firm contacting you is authorised by the FCA.
- Beware of fraudsters claiming to be from an authorised firm, copying its website or giving you false contact details.
- Use the firm's contact details listed on the Register if you want to call it back.
- Call the FCA on 0800 111 6768 if the firm does not have contact details on the Register or you are told they are out of date.
- Search the list of unauthorised firms to avoid at www.fca.org.uk/scams.
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Consider that if you buy or sell shares from an unauthorised firm you will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service or Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
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Think about getting independent financial and professional advice before you hand over any money.
- Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
> 5,000 people contact the Financial Conduct Authority about share fraud each year, with victims losing an average of £20,000
Report a scam
If you are approached by fraudsters please tell the FCA using the share fraud reporting form at www.fca.org.uk/scams, where you can find out more about investment scams.
You can also call the FCA Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768.
If you have already paid money to share fraudsters you should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
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Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018
Corporate Information
REGISTERED NUMBER
07289280
DIRECTORS
David Hurst-Brown (Chairman)
Mike Liston
Tim Dowlen
COMPANY SECRETARY
Foresight Group LLP
The Shard
32 London Bridge Street
London
SE1 9SG
INVESTMENT MANAGER & ADMINISTRATION PROVIDERS
Foresight Group CI Limited
PO Box 156
Dorey Court
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 4EU
AUDITOR
KPMG LLP
15 Canada Square
London
E14 5GL
TAX ADVISERS
Cornel Partners Limited
Cornel House
117 Alexandra Park Road
London
N10 2DP
SOLICITORS AND VCT STATUS ADVISERS
RW Blears LLP
29 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London
WC2A 3EG
REGISTRAR
Computershare Investor Services plc
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol
BS99 6ZY
MARKET MAKER
Panmure Gordon & Co
One New Change
London
EC4M 9AF
Important information:
The Company currently conducts its affairs so that the shares issued by Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc can be recommended by IFAs to ordinary retail investors in accordance with the FCA's rules in relation to non-mainstream pooled investment products and intends to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
The shares are excluded from the FCA's restrictions which apply to non-mainstream pooled investment products because they are shares in a VCT.
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc Annual report and accounts 30 June 2018

Foresight group
Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT plc
The Shard
32 London Bridge Street
London
SE1 9SG
www.foresightgroup.eu
This publication is printed on paper sourced from certified sustainable forests.