Interim Results

RNS Number : 9802T
Aptitude Software Group PLC
28 July 2022
 

28 July 2022

APTITUDE SOFTWARE GROUP plc

('Aptitude Software' or 'the Group')

Interim Results for the six months ended

30 June 2022

Aptitude Software Group plc (LSE: APTD), the specialist provider of finance digitalization and subscription management software, reports its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2022.

Financial Highlights

 

· Year-on-year growth in Annual Recurring Revenue ('ARR') of 38%, benefiting from Organic Growth3 of 10% on a Constant Currency2 basis, the acquisition of MPP Global in October 2021 and foreign exchange movements

· Recurring Revenue, the strategic focus of the Group, grew 33% to £24.4 million (H1 2021: £18.3 million), Organic Growth of 10%, representing 68% of total revenue (H1 2021: 66%)

· Increased investment in the Group's two strategic pillars has led to Adjusted Operating Profit reducing to £4.0 million (H1 2021: £5.1 million), in line with the investment plan described in the results in March 2022

·     Continued balance sheet strength with cash of £23.6 million (30 June 2021: £46.8 million) and Net Funds5 of £10.7 million (30 June 2021: £45.4 million), reduced following the acquisition of MPP Global in October 2021

Strategic Progress:

·       Aptitude Software is well positioned with its developing suite of products to benefit from the     two recognised strategic growth drivers of finance digitalization and subscription management

·       These long-term and non-cyclical strategic drivers are expected to lead to an acceleration in     the growth of both the Group's ARR and margin in the medium term

· Fynapse, the Group's next generation strategic digital finance platform, successfully launched in March 2022 with strong positive interest in this new higher margin offering from existing clients, prospects and partners

· First release of Fynapse solution successfully provided to the Group's charter client in the North American telco market

·     Fynapse provides users with lower total cost of ownership and significantly increased         performance whilst opening new markets for Aptitude Software and our partners

· Continued integration of MPP Global, at the product level, organisationally and with a new        group-wide brand launch positioning Aptitude Software to fully realise the opportunity within the growing subscription management market

· Further development of the partner network highlighted by the new strategic agreement to provide finance automation solutions to a Big-4 accountancy firm's mergers and acquisitions practice

Operational Highlights:

· Landmark win for eSuite, the platform brought into the Group as part of the acquisition of MPP Global, to provide subscription management capability to one of the largest global broadcasters and media content owners with potential for considerable scale once the offering is launched in 2023

·     First sale in Asia of AREV, our leading revenue management product, demonstrating the growing market need for this product beyond North America and the scale of the opportunity 

· Further sale of Aptitude Accounting Hub to a North American payments technology provider reinforcing the continuing opportunity with this established product outside of any compliance market demand

· Further software sales across all regions of a number of the Group's applications

· Increasing demand from insurance market clients for new multi-year solution management services agreements with further sales of this recurring service progressing well as the implementation date of IFRS 17 in 2023 approaches

·     Strengthening pipeline of opportunities following the launch of Fynapse and an end-to-end revenue automation marketing campaign in the first half of the year

· Continued organisational strengthening with key new senior hires in technology and human resources positioning the Group for the increasing opportunities ahead

Commenting on the results, Jeremy Suddards, Chief Executive Officer, said: -

'Aptitude Software has demonstrated that it is well positioned to realise the significant opportunity from the two strategic growth drivers of finance digitalization and subscription management, providing the Group with long term, non-cyclical growth opportunities.

Development continues in Fynapse with strong market feedback, in particular from our partners, providing positive support for our investment in this next generation strategic digital finance platform.

Additionally, the Group continues to progress the integration of the recently acquired eSuite product with our revenue management capability to unlock the end-to-end revenue automation opportunity within subscription management. During a transitional year in which the Group is progressing well with its strategic investments, we achieved a good level of new sales success and up-lifts and add-ons in our prestigious existing client base.

We are pleased with both the operational and strategic progress achieved in the first half of the year and the Board is confident that the Group's performance for 2022 will be in line with its expectations. '

Contacts

Aptitude Software Group plc

Ivan Martin, Chairman  020-3687-3200

Jeremy Suddards, Chief Executive Officer

Philip Wood, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer 

Alma PR

Caroline Forde / Hilary Buchanan    020-3405-0205



About Aptitude Software

Aptitude Software helps complex organizations automate and transform their financial business models. Our core areas of focus are the accelerating digitalization of the finance function, and the global drive to deploy and manage subscription offerings. Aptitude Software also continues to support clients through complex regulations which often form the catalyst for broader finance transformation.

Finance digitalization enables finance leaders to improve the speed of their function, enhance the quality of its outcomes, and do so at a lower cost. Aptitude Software's products draw data from complex, often siloed systems, automate its processing through complex accounting calculations, and create a unified view of finance. Businesses are left with a transparent view of their data, delivered at extreme performance and at a lower cost of ownership improving their finance functions' ability to support their business objectives.

Subscription management is a rapidly increasingly critical driver for new and traditional businesses alike, who need to launch new offerings frequently, in ways which appeal to their customers and allow them to outperform their peers. Aptitude Software's products power the acquisition, monetization, and retention of subscribers straight through to revenue reporting. With Aptitude Software, businesses can take new subscriptions to market quickly, retain their high-value recurring revenue, and stay one step ahead of the competition. Whilst business to consumer (B2C) subscription models are increasing all the time, Aptitude Software also specialises in business to business (B2B) subscriptions which are undergoing significant business model shifts post pandemic, increasing volume and complexity to manage.

Our global client base includes some of the world's largest companies, typically organisations with complex business models, large volumes of data, and numerous internal systems. Aptitude Software is headquartered in London, has a strong and growing North American presence, and is powered by Global Innovation Centres in Poland and the North West of England. Sales, support and implementation services are provided from offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Singapore. www.aptitudesoftware.com

Throughout this announcement:

1 Annual Recurring Revenue ('ARR') is the value of Aptitude Software's recurring revenue at a specific point in time, normalised to a one-year period. ARR includes recurring revenues contracted but yet to commence and excludes recurring revenues which are currently being received but are known to be terminating in the future. Included in ARR, for the first time, are recurring revenues from the Group's solution management services, comparatives have been adjusted to include such recurring revenue contracts.

2 Constant Currency is calculated by comparing the H1 2022 results with H1 2021 results retranslated at the rates of exchange prevailing during H1 2022.

3 Organic Growth excludes the contribution from the acquisition of MPP Global in October 2021.

4 Recurring Revenue includes, for the first time, revenues from the Group's solution management services, comparatives have been adjusted accordingly.

5 Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted Operating Margin exclude non-underlying operating items, unless stated to the contrary. Further detail in respect of the non-underlying operating items can be found within Note 6.

6 Net Funds represents cash and cash equivalents less finance obligations, which includes capital lease obligations and a loan.

Certain non-IFRS financial measures (e.g. Adjusted Operating Profit) are included which assist management in comparing performance on a consistent basis.


Overview

Aptitude Software achieved a number of new business successes in the first half of 2022 whilst continuing to build out its customer pipeline and progress with its investments in the Group's two strategic pillars of finance digitalization and subscription management.

The new business successes across the Group's core product suite and regions contributed to year-on-year Annual Recurring Revenue ('ARR') Organic Growth of 10% on a Constant Currency basis. In addition, a key highlight for the eSuite platform brought into the Group with the acquisition of MPP Global, was the landmark win to provide subscription management capability to one of the largest leading global broadcasters and media content owners with potential for considerable scale once the offering is launched in 2023. This leading global broadcaster represents a significant new client win for the eSuite platform.

Overall, including the benefits of the MPP Global acquisition and favourable foreign exchange movements, ARR increased year-on-year by 38% to £49.1 million on 30 June 2022 (31 December 2021: £45.0 million, 30 June 2021: £35.5 million). Included for the first time within ARR is the value of the Group's recurring solution management services contracts (30 June 2022: £3.9 million, 31 December 2021: £3.2 million, 30 June 2021: £3.3 million) with comparatives updated to reflect their inclusion.

A key strategic highlight in the first half of 2022 was the launch of Fynapse, the Group's next generation digital finance platform. The first release of Fynapse has now been successfully provided to Aptitude Software's charter client in the North American telco market, an important milestone for the Group.

The Group is confident that Fynapse will accelerate the Group's growth in the medium and long term whilst also generating higher gross margins due to the cloud native technologies on which the platform is built. Fynapse provides differentiated finance digitalization capability to a market in which the Group already has outstanding credentials with the successful Aptitude Accounting Hub. The Group continues to expand the capabilities of the product whilst in parallel receiving strong interest from clients, prospects and partners resulting in a strengthening of Aptitude Software's overall pipeline of new business opportunities. 

Integration of eSuite and the MPP Global team into the wider business continues to plan. In addition to the continued integration of eSuite with Aptitude Software's revenue management capability to provide end-to-end revenue automation, the Group has recently launched new joint branding for which very positive market feedback has been received. The new branding reflects the shared values and attributes of the enlarged Group, in particular the capability of our team and applications to solve the most complex requirements more successfully than our competitors, an ability that allows us to charge a premium for our software and services.

The partnership programme continues to develop. In addition to a new agreement to provide finance automation to a Big-4 accountancy firm's mergers and acquisitions practice, the eSuite partnership network continues to be a source of opportunity. There are also a series of promising opportunities being explored for Fynapse with both the Big-4 accountancy firms as well as technology focused businesses. The partnerships are providing access to new sectors for Aptitude Software as well as providing greater access to geographies such as Germany and Japan.

The increased investment in the Group's two strategic pillars has seen expenditure on product management, research and development in the six months ended 30 June 2022 increase to £7.9 million (H1 2021: £4.4 million), an increase of 80%. Adjusting for the investment in eSuite the increase is 41% with the increase principally attributable to the accelerated investment in Fynapse. This increased expenditure has led to the planned reduction in the Group's profit in the first half of 2022 with the benefit resulting from these investments expected to accelerate growth in ARR and margins in the medium term.

In a period where the Group is progressing its investment in finance digitalization and subscription management, the Board is pleased with both the strategic and operational progress achieved in the first half of the year and is confident that the performance in 2022 will be in line with its expectations.

Corporate Strategy

Aptitude Software's strategy is focused on providing innovative finance digitalization and subscription management software serving a growing number of C-suite stakeholders. The Group has undergone a re-branding exercise as part of the integration of MPP Global. The re-branding emphasises the shared qualities and characteristics of the wider business, these are the ability of our technology and people to handle the complexity other solutions are unable to, put simply "where others see complexity, we see opportunity". The re-branding has been very positively received by our employees, clients, partners and prospects.

Finance digitalization allows finance leaders to improve the speed of their function, enhance the quality of outcomes, and do so at a dramatically lower total cost of ownership for a modern finance function. Aptitude Software's products receive data from complex, often siloed systems, automate its processing through complex accounting calculations, and create a unified view of business performance. Businesses are left with a transparent view of their finance data, delivered in a near real time basis and at a lower cost of ownership.

Subscription management is an increasingly critical driver for new economy and traditional businesses alike. Aptitude Software's products now power the acquisition, billing, and retention of subscribers straight through to revenue reporting. With Aptitude Software, businesses can take new subscriptions to market quickly, retain their high-value recurring revenue, and stay ahead of the competition.

Our global client base includes some of the world's largest companies, typically organisations with complex business models, large volumes of data, and numerous internal systems. Whilst our products are relevant for all sectors, the Group has established a strong presence in banking, insurance and technology, media and telecom ('TMT') complemented by clients in a series of other new advanced industries.

The business generates revenue from its software through a combination of licence fees (all annual recurring licences), software maintenance/support, software subscriptions for its cloud-based offerings and implementation and other recurring support services including the growing solution management service. The eSuite product also generates incremental revenue through charging volume-based usage and financial transaction fees.

Software development, together with a growing number of other services, continues to be performed at the Aptitude Global Innovation Centres in Poland and in the North West of England. Sales, support and implementation services are provided from Aptitude Software's offices in London, North West England, North America and Singapore.

Finance Digitalization

Market Drivers

Quality of data, speed of reporting and cost continue to be the top drivers on the CFO's agenda as they are increasingly challenged by the demands of operating in a digital world with growing regulatory and cost pressures. These demands result in an increase in the complexity, volume and number of sources of finance data, and the increasing requirement for decision making to move at the pace of the business in real time as opposed to simply report on a previous period's business performance. Aptitude Software's product set is well positioned to address these requirements.

Finance Digitalization Products

Fynapse, the Group's next generation digital finance platform, was launched in March 2022 with strong interest received from clients, prospects and partners for this new application. With investment continuing in the capabilities of Fynapse, new business success continues to be achieved with the established Aptitude Accounting Hub and Aptitude Insurance Calculation Engine applications.

Fynapse

Fynapse is a modular, cloud native, high performance platform addressing an organisations' need to drive finance digitalization to continue the transformation of their wider businesses . The application builds on the successful Aptitude Accounting Hub, centralising and automating finance, accounting and reporting processes, creating a deep level of operational intelligence for our clients. It delivers a brand-new user centric interface with a consolidated, yet highly granular, view of financial data which enhances business insights to assist decision making. The capabilities of the product enable even greater automation of manual accounting processes, reducing on-going operational costs and driving an improved total cost of ownership for the office of finance.

The modular design and ease of integration also allows the market opportunity to extend beyond our current industries into adjacent verticals, shortening typically long implementation cycles and allowing our partner network to implement efficiently, with minimal risk, short time-to-benefit and at a competitive total cost of ownership.

The platform is also designed to be "open" offering partners the opportunity to co-create and license their own IP, further accelerating and differentiating their services. This capability is proving an attractive proposition for the Big-4 accountancy firms and is highly differentiated from the more generalist providers in the market. In addition to the interest from consultancy focused partnerships there are also promising exploratory early discussions with global technology partners who can see the benefit our capability will bring to their own offering. 

The strategic investment continues in growing the capabilities of Fynapse with development performed at the Aptitude Innovation Centre in Wroclaw, Poland. The Group has been successful in onboarding the required talent, including the appointment of a SVP of Engineering to lead the development, increasing investment in Fynapse to planned levels. The modern cloud native technology on which Fynapse is built allows higher gross margins to be generated from this application in comparison to the Group's existing SaaS offerings within Finance Digitalization.

The timely release of future versions of Fynapse, bringing new and additional capabilities to address the requirements of different markets, is a key enabler to the Group's future ARR growth and the deployment of its implementation teams. It is therefore particularly pleasing that an important key milestone has been achieved with the successful f irst release of Fynapse to our charter client in the North American telco market.

Fynapse is expected to be a material growth driver and margin enhancer for the business in future years. The Group has already received strong interest from clients, prospects and partners in this new platform to strengthen Aptitude Software's overall pipeline of new business opportunities.  

Aptitude Insurance Calculation Engine

Aptitude Insurance Calculation Engine ('AICE') is a strategic, transformational application providing value to an insurer beyond addressing the requirements of IFRS 17 (effective for accounting periods commencing 1 January 2023). Beyond compliance the application enables data insights and decision support delivering long-term business benefits.

Whilst AICE clients are well progressed in their preparation for the introduction of IFRS 17, new business opportunities continue to arise for this application as demonstrated by the contract secured in the first half of 2022 with an Asian-based insurer. This demand is expected to continue beyond 2022 as insurers seek to address the requirements of IFRS 17 before their first reporting period, furthermore, there are expected to be insurers who will need to adopt a more robust approach to compliance having initially reported using alternative or manual solutions. Additionally, there are several jurisdictions which have a delayed introduction of IFRS 17 extending further the opportunity for AICE beyond 2023.

There is also a growing opportunity for the Group's solution management services with AICE clients. In the first half of 2022 a number of insurers contracted for solution management services on a recurring multi-year basis.

Aptitude Accounting Hub

The Group continued to achieve new business success in the first half of 2022 with the Aptitude Accounting Hub ('AAH'), both on a standalone basis as well as in conjunction with the sale of the Aptitude Insurance Calculation Engine.

A material new contract with a North American headquartered gift and payments company was successfully signed in the period. Working closely with one of our partners, the opportunity was secured by demonstrating a more configurable and finance enabled solution than our competitors, while also conveying our strong expertise and proven track record at scale in the accounting hub space. We expect further sales of AAH will be achieved, particularly when used in conjunction with our other regulatory focused applications.

Subscription Management

Market Drivers

The subscription economy is continuing to expand into new sectors as the benefits of subscription income are increasingly valued more than traditional non-recurring revenues. The Group has seen this phenomenon in broader sectors such as high-tech advanced industries, medical devices and automotive. As organisations move to these business models they require new systems to manage these subscriptions and require new capabilities to address the complexities of revenue recognition inherent with subscriptions.

Aptitude Software's products are focused on the needs of the world's largest companies, organisations with highly complex business models and data processing requirements which generalist providers are unable to address.

Subscription Management Products

eSuite

eSuite is a modular, cloud based end-to-end SaaS solution for large, international, enterprise customers across the media and publishing sector as well as a growing number of other verticals.

The application is focused on the subscription economy and provides identity management, CRM, automated billing, payment processing, and churn management capabilities, enabling businesses to acquire, monetize and optimise customers subscriptions. Once integrated with the Group's revenue management offering, scheduled for completion in the second half of the year, Aptitude Software will be able to offer an end-to-end subscription, billing, and revenue automation solution which is expected to provide further opportunities for automation and growth within the existing customer base while also supporting new business opportunities.

A key highlight for eSuite in the period was the landmark win to provide subscription management capability to one of the largest global broadcaster and media content owners with potential for considerable expansion in ARR once the offering is launched in 2023. Contributing to securing this new business contract was the earlier success achieved with a leading broadcaster and media content owner in the United Kingdom, a project that successfully went live in the first half of the year.

In addition to the above success, good progress continues to be achieved with publishers currently utilising a competing product that is being de-supported. A project with a major German publisher to replace this competing solution is approaching its go live. The success of this project, together with the strong relationship formed with a German focused implementation partner as part of the engagement, has generated very well progressed additional opportunities.

Another project is also approaching its conclusion in Japan with a leading car manufacturer, once again working closely with an implementation partner. eSuite has the capabilities to provide car manufacturers with subscription management capability as they seek to monitise additional in-car services. Aptitude Software continues to work closely with the Japanese-focused partner on several other exciting opportunities in this growing market.

The majority of our clients' subscription bases are very resilient and confidence remains high in the opportunity with eSuite. Nevertheless, a small number of clients have seen their businesses negatively impacted by the post-pandemic current economic challenges leading to a small but temporary contraction in the Annual Recurring Revenue of eSuite in the period. We expect this trend to be reversed in the second half of the year.

Aptitude Revenue Management

The Group's first sale of AREV, our leading Aptitude Revenue Management ('ARM') application, outside North America was achieved in the period to a Singaporean telco provider. This success in Asia is expected to lead to further opportunities in the region. In addition to this sale, a new business contract was secured with a further telco provider in North America.

The ARM applications enable finance teams to automate their revenue management functions to address the demands of the subscription economy , with the market opportunity now extending beyond our current industries into adjacent verticals including high-tech advanced industries and medical devices.

The applications simplify the whole revenue lifecycle, from contract order to revenue recognition, reporting and forecasting and go significantly beyond core IFRS 15 / ASC 606 compliance to allow total control over complex revenue management for all contract types ranging from subscription-based revenue models to complex multi-part or bundled contracts. This capability allows businesses to understand and control centrally the financial impact of all their commercial propositions, the quality of their revenue types as well as providing new and valuable insights to support future business decision making such as the introduction of new products in different markets.

Solution Management Services ("Aptitude Assure")

This service extends the responsibilities of Aptitude Software beyond traditional software maintenance services to include those that have typically been performed by the clients' own IT teams. These include the monitoring of system performance, user administration, release management and functional enhancements. The team providing these remote services to our clients is now of critical mass and able to provide efficiencies to our clients across the majority of the Group's applications.

During the first half of the year a number of Aptitude Insurance Calculation Engine clients contracted for this service in advance of their approaching go-live dates. These contracts contributed to the year-on-year growth of 18% in the Annual Recurring Revenue derived from solution management services to £3.9 million (30 June 2021: £3.3 million).

For the first time the value of the multi-year recurring solution management services contracts is included in overall Annual Recurring Revenue with comparatives restated accordingly.

Implementation Services

Aptitude Software provides implementation services to its clients, with the scale of such services depending on the nature of the application, the size of the opportunity and the balance of responsibilities between Aptitude Software and its partners. The Group's services are provided by a significant pool of highly skilled individuals, providing deep domain and technical expertise which is highly valued by our clients and provide a differentiator compared to our competitors. Demand for implementation services from the Group's on-going projects has been strong in the first half of the year, with clients frequently requesting additional services. This dynamic is expected to continue into early 2023 when a number of the projects to implement the Aptitude Insurance Calculation Engine are expected to complete.

Partner Network 

The growth and development of Aptitude Software's high-quality partner network continues to be a strategic priority. Whilst many prospects are sourced directly by the Group's own sales and marketing teams, the global reach of our partners and the depth of their relationships with large businesses provide Aptitude Software with an increasing number of advanced opportunities, enhanced market coverage and intelligence. In addition to the new business benefits provided by the partner network, the implementation expertise and capabilities of our partners supports the Group's strategic drive to increase software fees faster than its services, leading to a richer revenue mix.

With a Big-4 accountancy firm appointed as charter partner for Fynapse in the first half of the year, a series of well received meetings were held with additional partners to showcase the capabilities of Fynapse as part of the launch of the application. A further highlight has been the new agreement to provide finance automation to a Big-4 accountancy firm's mergers and acquisitions practice enabling them to accelerate the post-acquisition integration of their clients' finance functions.

Whilst the Big-4 accounting firms have global reach, for specific applications in specific jurisdictions it can be beneficial to work closely with more specialised partner organisations. The benefits of this approach are demonstrated by the success the Group is having with eSuite in the German publishing and Japanese motor manufacturing markets, two markets which would be challenging to unlock without the assistance of our partners. We are engaged with these partners on both on-going projects as well as several additional new business opportunities.

Aptitude Innovation Centres

Investment continues in the Group's two innovation centres in Poland and the North West of England. Overall there were 212 employees at the Innovation Centre in Poland at 30 June 2022 (30 June 2021: 172) with a further 47 employees focused on design, development, implementation and support based in the North West of England. Investment remains focused on both Fynapse and eSuite in these two centres.

The strengthening of the Group's talent acquisition team is allowing the Group to continue to attract new talent to the business despite increased competition for technologists in both locations. In the current competitive talent market the Group continues to invest in its people, including the initiatives described below.

Our People

The Board wishes to thank its employees for the excellent support and commitment they are providing to the business and to our clients and partners.

In the first half of the year a key focus has been the continued integration of the team brought into the Group with the MPP Global acquisition. Collaboration continues to increase with the wider business and all key talent has been successfully retained. As part of the integration the Group's wider career management programme has now been implemented together with a number of other training initiatives.

In May 2022 a new Chief People Officer joined the Group bringing new approaches and initiatives to our people strategy as we continue to focus on attracting and retaining the most talented of individuals. This senior appointment builds on the strengthening of the team supporting our team at the Group's two innovation centres.

Aptitude Software continues to progress its approach to diversity and inclusion with its established advocacy group with representation from across our global team. The business is committed to creating a working environment that recognises diversity, supporting everyone to thrive.

Overall Group headcount has increased to 477 (31 December 2021: 476, 30 June 2021: 351) as the business continues to invest in the evolution of our technology and strengthen a number of other teams. In addition to the Group's permanent headcount, since 31 December 2021 the number of contractors within the Group has increased to 54 (31 December 2021: 39).

Focus areas

The Group is focused on delivery of the opportunity within finance digitalization and subscription management.

The focus within finance digitalization is the continued development of the additional capabilities of Fynapse to address the wider market opportunity, both directly and through our Tier 1 partners, whilst continuing to develop and progress demand for our new application.

For subscription management the focus is the continued integration of Aptitude Software's state of the art, multi-tenanted eSuite SaaS platform and successfully taking our new end-to-end revenue automation product to existing and new markets.



Financial Performance

The Group delivered a solid financial performance in the period with continued growth of its recurring revenues.

The strength of the Group's balance sheet, high levels of recurring revenue and strong cash generation provide the Group with considerable financial strength with which to execute on its growth strategy.

Revenue

Recurring Revenues

Aptitude Software's Annual Recurring Revenue ('ARR') at 30 June 2022 totalled £49.1 million (31 December 2021: £45.0 million, 30 June 2021: £35.5 million) representing overall year-on-year growth of 38% with benefit from both the acquisition of MPP Global in October 2021 and favourable exchange rate movements. On a Constant Currency basis, overall year-on-year ARR growth was 28% (31 December 2021: £47.5 million, 30 June 2021: £38.4 million). Removing the impact of the acquisition of MPP Global the year-on-year ARR Organic Growth on a Constant Currency basis was 10% (12 months to 30 June 2021: 12%).

For the first time the value of recurring contracts for the Group's solution management service is included within ARR (30 June 2022: £3.9 million, 31 December 2021: £3.2 million, 30 June 2021: £3.3 million).

Whilst the Group is satisfied with the year-on-year Organic Growth rate of 10%, the business is confident that the investments in both finance digitalization and subscription management will lead to a return to Aptitude Software's historically higher growth rates.

Net retention in the 12 months to 30 June 2022, excluding eSuite, was 103% (H1 2021: 102%) (measured by the total value of on-going ARR at the period-end from clients in place 12 months earlier as a percentage of the opening ARR from those clients on a constant currency basis ) .

A significant majority of the Group's recurring revenue contracts include the ability to increase ARR for clients by relevant consumer price index rises ('CPI'). There are a number of contracts with variations to this mechanism which may delay the ability to pass on the full impact of CPI to clients in the short term. Additionally, there is a significant weighting of contractual renewals in the second half of the year which have yet to receive an increase at the current elevated levels of CPI.

Recurring revenues recognised in the six months ended 30 June 2022 increased by 33% to £24.4 million (H1 2021: £18.3 million), 10% on an organic basis. These now represent 68% of overall revenue (H1 2021: 66%). It is a key part of the Group's strategy to increase this percentage whilst maximising the growth rate of Aptitude Software's ARR, a strategy which in due course will lead to growth in operating margin given the margin differential between software, the largest element of recurring revenue, and implementation services.  

Implementation Services

Services revenue totalled £11.7 million for the six months ended 30 June 2022 (H1 2021: £9.3 million) Implementation services revenues continued to benefit from the strong demand from the Group's existing client base.

Research and Development Expenditure

Total expenditure on product management, research and development in the six months ended 30 June 2022 increased to £7.9 million (H1 2021: £4.4 million), an increase of 80%. Adjusting for the investment in eSuite the increase is 41% with the increase principally attributable to the accelerated investment in Fynapse.

The Board has continued to determine that none of the internal research and development costs incurred during the first half of the year meet the criteria for capitalisation. Consequently, these have been expensed as incurred through the income statement.

Operating Profit and Margins

Adjusted Operating Profit for the six months ended 30 June 2022 was £4.0 million. Operating profit on a statutory basis was £2.1 million (H1 2021: £4.7 million). Investment in the continued development of Fynapse and integration of eSuite has led to a reduction in Adjusted Operating Margin to 11.1% (H1 2021: 18.5%), in line with the Board's expectations.

Foreign Exchange

With 51% (H1 2021: 55%) of the Group's revenues being generated from North American clients, the majority of which are invoiced in US Dollars, the financial results are impacted by changes in the US dollar exchange rate. The Group's Annual Recurring Revenue at 30 June 2022 increased in the preceding 12 months by £2.9 million as a result of favourable exchange rate movements. Aptitude Software's H1 2021 revenue and Adjusted Operating Profit would have been reported at £28.1 million and £5.1 million respectively on a Constant Currency basis (compared to actual result of £27.6 million and £5.1 million). Constant Currency is calculated by comparing the H2 2022 results with H2 2021 results retranslated at the rates of exchange prevailing during H2 2022.

Non-Underlying Items

Non-underlying items of £1.9 million (H1 2021: £0.4 million) comprises principally of intangible amortisation.

Taxation

The total tax charge of £0.4 million (H1 2021: £0.8 million) represents 19% of the Group's profit before tax (H1 2021: 17%).

Statutory Results

The Group reported a profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders of £1.5 million (H1 2021: £3.9 million).

Earnings per Share

Increased investment in the business led to Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share and Basic Earnings per Share reducing to 5.2 pence and 2.6 pence (H1 2021: 7.3 pence and 6.8 pence).

Dividend

An interim dividend of 1.8 pence per share is proposed (2021: 1.8 pence). The interim dividend will be payable on 26 August 2022 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 5 August 2022.

Balance Sheet

The Group continues to have a strong balance sheet with net assets at 30 June 2022 of £58.7 million (H1 2021: £53.0 million), including cash of £23.6 million (H1 2021: £46.8 million) and net funds of £10.7 million (H1 2021: £45.4 million). Trade receivables (net) have increased to £14.9 million (H1 2021: £6.3 million), an increase attributable to the MPP Global acquisition in October 2021, growth in the core business and a change in timing of the invoicing of a number of recurring fees to ensure CPI growth is maximised. Of the balance of £14.9 million, collections following the period end have totalled £5.0 million. The growth in the Group's recurring revenues resulted in deferred income increasing to £30.1 million at 30 June 2022 (H1 2021: £24.1 million).

The Group's cash flow is seasonal due to the timing of the invoicing and collection of the Group's recurring revenue which, together with a weighting of a number of other payments in the first half of the year (e.g. bonus), contribute to a weaker cash performance in the first half of any year. This dynamic, accentuated by over performance of collections in December 2021 and adjustment of the timing of the invoicing of a number of recurring fees as outlined above, has led to a cash outflow from operating activities in the first half of the year of £3.5 million (H1 2021: £4.5 million inflow).

The Group is confident that full year cash flow conversion for 2022 will be in line with historical levels.

Statement on Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Pursuant to the requirements of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules the Group provides the following information on its principal risks and uncertainties. The Group considers strategic, operational and financial risks and identifies actions to mitigate those risks. These risk profiles are updated at least annually.  The principal risks and uncertainties detailed within the Group's 2021 Annual Report remain applicable for the first six months of the financial year. The Group's 2021 Annual Report is available from the Aptitude Software website: www.aptitudesoftware.com/investor-relations/

Related party transactions during the period are disclosed in Note 18.



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM INCOME STATEMENT

For the six months ended 30 June 2022

 

 

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 Jun 2021


Audited year ended 31 Dec 2021

 

 

Note

Before

Non-underlying items


Non-underlying items

 

Total

 

Before

Non-underlying items


Non-underlying items


Total


Before

Non-underlying items


Non-underlying items


Total

 

 

£000

 

£000

 

£000

 

£000


£000


£000


£000


£000


£000

Revenue

5

36,123

 

-

 

36,123


27,635


-


27,635


59,330


-


59,330

Operating costs

5/6

(32,121)

 

(1,883)

 

(34,004)


(22,520)


(423)


(22,943)


(49,430)


(3,439)


(52,869)

Operating profit

5/6

4,002

 

(1,883)

 

2,119


5,115


(423)


4,692


9,900


(3,439)


6,461

Finance income


3

 

-

 

3


5


-


5


6


-


6

Finance costs


(247)

 

-

 

(247)


(44)


-


(44)


(238)


-


(238)

Profit before income tax


3,758

 

(1,883)

 

1,875


5,076


(423)


4,653


9,668


(3,439)


6,229

Income tax expense

7

(754)

 

400

 

(354)


(914)


123


(791)


(1,634)


479


(1,155)

Profit for the period


3,004

 

(1,483)

 

1,521


4,162


(300)


3,862


8,034


(2,960)


5,074

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 













Basic

8

 

 

 

 

2.6p






6.8p






9.0p

Diluted

8

 

 

 

 

2.6p






6.8p






8.9p



 

 

 

 

 













 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the six months ended 30 June 2022

 

 


Unaudited

six months

ended


Unaudited

six months

ended


Audited

year

ended



30 Jun

 2022


30 Jun

 2021


31 Dec

2021



£000


£000


£000








Profit for the period


1,521


3,862


5,074

Other comprehensive income/(expense)


 




 

Items that may subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss:


 





Fair value gain/(loss) on hedged financial instruments


267


(141)


(222)

Currency translation difference


1,334


(219)


(225)

Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the period, net of tax


1,601


(360)


(447)

 

Total comprehensive income for the period


3,122


3,502


4,627

 


 





 

 

 

 

 



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM BALANCE SHEET

As at 30 June 2022


 

 

 

Note

Unaudited

as at

30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited

as at

30 Jun 2021


Audited

as at

31 Dec 2021

ASSETS

 

£000

 

£000


£000

Non-current assets

 

 

 



 

Property, plant and equipment including right-of-use assets

 

11

 

4,250


 

1,902


 

4,261

Goodwill


46,006


23,787


46,006

Intangible assets


22,812


5,217


24,502

Other long-term assets


1,451


1,644


1,354

Deferred tax assets


115


448


115



74,634


32,998


76,238

Current assets


 





Trade and other receivables

12

16,740


8,606


10,775

Financial assets


 





- derivative financial instruments


150


37


-

Current income tax assets


1,189


898


1,168

Cash and cash equivalents


23,611


46,759


29,064

Total current assets


41,690


56,300


41,007

Total assets


116,324


89,298


117,245

 


 





LIABILITIES


 





Current liabilities


 





Financial liabilities


 





 - borrowings

14

(938)


-


(313)

 - derivative financial instruments


(177)


(250)


(293)

Trade and other payables

13

(38,096)


(32,800)


(40,284)

Capital lease obligations

15

(329)


(563)


(273)

Current income tax liabilities


(353)


(245)


(353)

Provisions

16

-


(240)


-



(39,893)


(34,098)


(41,516)

Net current assets


1,797


22,202


(509)

 


 





Non-current liabilities


 





Financial liabilities - borrowings

14

(8,959)


-


(9,573)

Capital lease obligations

15

(2,679)


(786)


(2,777)

Provisions

16

(300)


(196)


(379)

Deferred tax liabilities


(5,811)


(1,236)


(5,811)



(17,749)


(2,218)


(18,540)

NET ASSETS


58,682


52,982


57,189

 



              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM BALANCE SHEET 

              As at 30 June 2022


 


 

 

 

Note

Unaudited

as at

30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited

as at

30 Jun 2021


Audited

as at

31 Dec 2021

 

 

£000

 

£000


£000


SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


 





Share capital

17

4,204


4,156


4,194

Share premium account

17

11,959


8,382


11,946

Capital redemption reserve


12,372


12,372


12,372

Other reserves


34,169


33,983


33,902

Accumulated losses


(3,477)


(4,038)


(3,346)

Foreign currency translation reserve


(545)


(1,873)


(1,879)

TOTAL EQUITY


58,682


52,982


57,189

 



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the six months ended 30 June 2022

 

 



  Share capital

Share
premium account

Accumulated losses

Foreign currency translation reserve

Capital redemption reserve

Other
reserves

Total

 


£000

£000

£000

£000

£'000

£000

£000

 









Total equity as at 1 January 2022


4,194

11,946

(3,346)

(1,879)

12,372

33,902

57,189

Comprehensive income

 








Profit for the period


-

-

1,521

-

-

-

1,521

Cash flow hedges









 - net fair value gains


-

-

-

-

-

267

267

Exchange rate adjustments


-

-

-

1,334

-

-

1,334

 

 








Total comprehensive income for the period

 

-

-

1,521

1,334

-

267

3,122

Shares issued under share option schemes


10

13

-

-

-

-

23

Share options - value of employee service


-

-

409

-

-

-

409

Dividends to equity holders of the company


-

-

(2,061)

-

-

-

(2,061)

 

 

 

 





 

Total contributions by and distributions to owners of the company recognised directly into equity

 

10

13

(1,652)

-

-

-

(1,629)

Balance at 30 June 2022 (unaudited)

 

4,204

11,959

(3,477)

(545)

12,372

34,169

58,682

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the six months ended 30 June 2021

 

 



  Share capital

Share
premium account

Accumulated losses

Foreign currency translation reserve

Capital redemption reserve

Other
reserves

Total

 


£000

£000

£000

£000

£'000

£000

£000

 









Total equity as at 1 January 2021


4,143

7,828

(6,165)

(1,654)

12,372

34,124

50,648

Comprehensive income

 








Profit for the period


-

-

3,862

-

-

-

3,862

Cash flow hedges









 - net fair value losses


-

-

-

-

-

(141)

(141)

Exchange rate adjustments


-

-

-

(219)

-

-

(219)

 

 








Total comprehensive income for the period

 

-

-

3,862

(219)

-

(141)

3,502

Shares issued under share option schemes


13

554

-

-

-

-

567

Share options - value of employee service


-

-

303

-

-

-

303

Dividends to equity holders of the company


-

-

(2,038)

-

-

-

(2,038)

 

 

 

 





 

Total contributions by and distributions to owners of the company recognised directly into equity

 

13

554

(1,735)

-

-

-

(1,168)

Balance at 30 June 2021 (unaudited)

 

4,156

8,382

(4,038)

(1,873)

12,372

33,983

52,982

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the six months ended 30 June 2022

 

 




Unaudited

 

Unaudited


Audited




six months ended

 

six months ended


year ended


Note

 

30 Jun 2022

 

30 Jun 2021


31 Dec 2021




£000

 

£000


£000

Cash flows from operating activities

 







Cash (used in)/generated from operations

9


(2,995)

 

4,212


11,890

Interest paid



(247)

 

(44)


(238)

Income tax (paid)/received



(283)

 

346


262









Net cash flows (used in)/generated from operating activities

 


(3,525)

 

4,514


11,914









Cash flows from investing activities

 







Purchase of property, plant and equipment



(379)

 

(194)


(1,232)

Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired



-

 

-


(33,112)

Interest received



3

 

5


6

Net cash used in investing activities

 


(376)

 

(189)


(34,338)









Cash flows from financing activities

 







Net proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares

17


23

 

567


968

Dividends paid to company's shareholders

10


(2,061)

 

(2,038)


(3,057)

Repayment of capital lease obligations



(181)

 

(548)


(756)

Drawdown of loan, net of arrangement fee



-

 

-


9,880

Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities

 


(2,219)

 

(2,019)


7,035









Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

 


(6,120)

 

2,306


(15,389)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period



29,064

 

44,822


44,822

Exchange rate gains/(losses) on cash and cash equivalents


667

 

(369)


(369)







Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

23,611

 

46,759


29,064

 


NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.  General information

Aptitude Software Group plc (the 'Company') and its subsidiaries (together, the 'Group') is a specialist provider of finance digitalization and subscription management software.

The Company is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales with a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange. The address of its registered office is 8th Floor, 138 Cheapside, London EC2V 6BJ.

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements were approved for issue on 27 July 2022.

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 were approved by the Board of directors on 14 March 2022 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

2.  Basis of preparation

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2022 have not been audited or reviewed by the auditors. The interims have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and with IAS 34, 'Interim financial reporting'. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021, which have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards and company law.

3.  Accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial statements, except as described below.

Taxes on income in the interim periods are accrued using the tax rate that would be applicable to expected total annual profits.

New and amended standards and interpretations need to be adopted in the first interim financial statements issued after their effective date. There are no new IFRSs or IFRICs that are effective for the first time for this interim period that would be expected to have a material impact on the financial statements. 


4.  Estimates

The preparation of interim financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates. In preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial statements, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those that applied to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021, with the exception of changes in estimates that are required in determining the provision for income taxes.

Fair value estimation

Financial instruments not measured at fair value

Financial instruments not measured at fair value includes cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, trade and other payables, and loans and borrowings. However, due to their short-term nature and ability to be liquidated at short notice their carrying value approximates to their fair value.

 

Financial instruments measured at fair value

The fair value hierarchy of the financial instruments measured at fair value is provided below.

 


Level 2 inputs


Unaudited

six months

ended
30 Jun 2022

£'000

Unaudited

six months

ended

30 Jun 2021

£'000

Financial assets



Derivative financial assets (designated hedge instruments)

150

37


150

37

 

Financial liabilities



Derivative financial liabilities (designated hedge instruments)

(177)

(250)


(177)

(250)

 

The derivative financial assets and liabilities have been valued using the market approach and are considered to be Level 2 inputs. There were no changes to the valuation techniques used in the year. There were no transfers between levels during the year.

 


5.  Segmental information

 

Business segments

The only business segment during both periods presented was Aptitude Software and therefore certain segmental analysis is not required.

Geographical segments

The Group has two geographical segments for reporting purposes, the United Kingdom and the Rest of the World.

The following table provides an analysis of the Group's sales by origin and by destination.

 


Sales revenue by origin

 

Sales revenue by destination

 


Unaudited six months ended

30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited six months ended

30 Jun 2021

 

Unaudited six months ended

30 Jun 2022


Unaudited six months ended

30 Jun 2021

 


£000

 

£000

 

£000


£000

Continuing operations


 

 

 

 




United Kingdom


19,504

 

14,526

 

7,753


3,912

Rest of World


16,619

 

13,109

 

28,370


23,723



36,123

 

27,635

 

36,123


27,635

 

The Group derives revenue from the transfer of goods and services in the following major categories and geographical regions, these being the United Kingdom ('UK') and Rest of the World ('RoW'):

 


 


 

 

 

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 June 2022

 

 


Recurring revenue

Implementation revenue

 

 


UK

RoW

Total

UK

RoW

Total

Total

 


£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Revenue from external clients


5,728

18,695

24,423

9,675

11,700



 

 

 

 


Unaudited six months ended 30 June 2021

 

 


Recurring revenue

Implementation revenue


 


UK

RoW

Total

UK

RoW

Total

Total

 


£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Revenue from external clients


2,966

15,366

18,332

8,357

9,303

 


All of the revenue displayed in the above table is recognised over time in line with the Group's accounting policy detailed on pages 89 to 93 of the Aptitude Software Group plc 2021 Annual Report and has been generated from contracts with clients.

 

Recurring revenue includes revenue from the Group's solution management services for the first time. Comparatives have been adjusted accordingly.

 

The following is an analysis of the carrying amount of non-current assets (excluding deferred tax assets), and additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (excluding right-of-use asset additions resulting from property lease agreements) and intangible assets, analysed by the geographical area in which the assets are located.

 

 


Carrying amount of

non-current assets

 

Capital expenditure

 


Unaudited

six months ended

30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited

six months

ended

30 Jun 2021

 

Unaudited

six months ended

30 Jun 2022


Unaudited

six months

ended

30 Jun 2021

 


£000

 

£000

 

£000


£000

 


 

 

 

 




United Kingdom


55,703

 

16,497

 

132


37

Rest of World


18,816

 

16,053

 

247


157



74,519

 

32,550

 

379


194

 

The Company's business is to invest in its subsidiaries and, therefore, it operates in a single segment.

 

6.   Non-underlying items

 



Unaudited
six months

ended 30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited

six months

ended 30 Jun 2021


Audited

year

ended 31 Dec 2021



£000

 

£000


£000







 

Continuing operations


 

 




Amortisation of acquired intangibles


1,883

 

423


1,418

Acquisition and associated reorganisation costs


-

 

-


2,021



1,883

 

423


3,439

 

7.  Income tax expense

 

Income tax expense is recognised based on management's estimate of the weighted average income tax rate expected for the full financial year of 19% (the estimated tax rate for the six months ended 30 June 2021 was 17%). The increase against H1 2021 levels is due to the Group's ability to receive additional tax relief on its research and development expenditure in the earlier period. During the six-month period to 30 June 2021, the Group received refunds from the UK tax authority in respect of the benefit it obtained from additional research and development relief and share option deductions in prior periods driving the £346,000 net tax receipt for the period.

 

 


8.  Earnings per share

 

Unaudited six months ended

30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 Jun 2021


Audited

year ended

31 Dec 2021

 



pence

 

pence


pence








Earnings per share

 






Basic


2.6

 

6.8


9.0

 


 

 




Diluted


2.6

 

6.8


8.9



 


Unaudited six months ended

30 Jun 2022


Unaudited six months ended 30 Jun 2021


Audited

year ended

31 Dec 2021

 


pence


pence


pence

Adjusted earnings per share


 





Basic


5.2


7.3


14.2



 





Diluted


5.2


7.3


14.0



 





 

To provide an indication of the underlying operating performance the adjusted earnings per share calculation above excludes intangible amortisation and other non-underlying items and has a tax charge based on the effective rate.



Unaudited six months ended

30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 Jun 2021


Audited

year ended

31 Dec 2021



pence

 

pence


pence








Basic earnings per share


2.6

 

6.8


9.0

Non-underlying items


2.6

 

0.5


5.2

Prior years' tax credit


-

 

-


0.3

Recognition of tax losses


-

 

-


(0.3)

Adjusted earnings per share


5.2

 

7.3


14.2

 


9.  Cash generated from operations



Unaudited

six months ended

30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited

six months ended

30 Jun 2021


Audited

year

ended

31 Dec 2021



£000

 

£000


£000







 

Profit before tax for the period

 

1,875

 

4,653


6,229

 

 






Adjusted for:

 






Depreciation


551

 

648


1,179

Amortisation


1,690

 

423


1,418

Share-based payment expense

409

 

303


612

Finance income


(3)

 

(5)


(6)

Finance costs


247

 

44


238








Changes in working capital:

 






(Increase)/decrease in receivables


(5,497)

 

(997)


(1,561)

(Decrease)/increase in payables


(2,188)

 

(852)


3,930

Decrease in provisions


(79)

 

(5)


(149)








Cash (used in)/generated from operations

 

(2,995)

 

4,212


11,890

 

10.   Dividends

 

The interim dividend of 1.8 pence per share (2021: 1.8 pence per share) was approved by the Board on 27 July 2022. It is payable on 26 August 2022 to shareholders on the register at 5 August 2022.  This interim dividend has not been included as a liability in this interim financial information.  It will be recognised in shareholders' equity in the year to 31 December 2022. A final dividend of £2,061,000 was paid in May 2022 and relates to the year ending 31 December 2021 (2021: final dividend £2,038,000).

 

11.  Property, plant and equipment including right-of-use assets





Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2021





£000

 

£000

Opening net book amount 1 January




  4,261

 

  2,394

Additions




  379

 

  194

Exchange movements




161

 

(38)

Depreciation




(551)

 

(648)

Closing net book amount 30 June (unaudited)


4,250

 

1,902









 

The Group has not placed any contracts for future capital expenditure which have not been provided for in the financial statements.

 


12.  Trade and other receivables 





Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2021





£000

 

£000

Trade receivables - net




14,901

 

6,292

Other receivables




  130

 

  328

Prepayments




1,186

 

1,498

Accrued income




523

 

488

Closing net book amount 30 June (unaudited)


16,740

 

8,606

 

Contract assets and contract liabilities only comprise accrued and deferred income respectively. Within the trade receivables balance of £14,901,000 (30 June 2021: £6,292,000), there are balances totalling £3,191,000 (30 June 2021: £484,000) which, at 30 June 2022 were overdue for payment. The increase of £8,609,000 in trade receivables from prior period levels is due principally to the timing of receipt of recurring revenue invoices issued, organic growth in the business alongside £1,653,000 in relation to the MPP Global business acquired in H2 2021. During July 2022, significant receipts totalling £5.0 million were collected against the total receivables balance at 30 June 2022.  

 

13.  Trade and other payables





Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2021





£000

 

£000

Trade payables




  541

 

  713

Other tax and social security payable




  1,903

 

  1,720

Other payables




  -

 

  128

Accruals




5,511

 

6,116

Deferred income




30,141

 

24,123

Closing net book amount 30 June (unaudited)


38,096

 

32,800

 

14.  Financial liabilities - borrowings





Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2021

 





£000

 

£000

 

Bank Loan




9,897

 

-

 

The borrowings are repayable as follows:




 

 


 

Within one year




938

 

-

 

In the second year




1,250

 

-

 

In the third to fifth years inclusive




7,812

 

-

 

 




10,000

 

-

 

Unamortised prepaid facility arrangement fees


(103)


-

 

As at 30 June (unaudited)




9,897

 

-

 

 


On 14 October 2021, the Group and Company entered into a loan agreement with Bank of Ireland Group plc consisting of a £10 million term loan in addition to a revolving credit facility of £10 million. The loan is secured on the assets of the Group. Operating covenants are limited to the Group's net debt leverage and interest cover. The term loan is repayable over five years with an initial 12-month repayment holiday followed by annual capital repayments of £1,250,000. At the end of the term, a bullet payment of £5 million is due. The loan is denominated in Pound Sterling and carries interest at SONIA plus 1.75%. The Group entered into an interest swap on 2 November 2021, effectively fixing the interest rate at 2.95% over a five-year period

 

15.  Capital lease obligations





Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2022


Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2021

 





£000

 

£000

 

Amounts payable under capital lease arrangements:




 

 


 

Within one year




440

 

606

 

Within two to five years




1,574

 

838

 

After five years




1,529

 

-

 

Total




3,543

 

1,444

 

Less: future finance charges


(535)


(95)

 

 

Present value of lease obligations


3,008


1,349

 

Less: Amount due for settlement within 12 months (shown under current liabilities


(329)


(563)

 

As at 30 June (unaudited)




2,679

 

786

 




Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2021

The present value of financial lease liabilities is split as follows:


£000

 

£000

Within one year


329

 

563

Within two to five years


1,263

 

786

After five years


1,416

 

-



3,008

 

1,349

16.  Provisions

 

 




Unaudited
six months

ended
30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited
six months

ended
30 Jun 2021

 





£000

 

£000

 

At 1 January

 



  379

 

  441

 

Credited to income statement




(80)

 

-

 

Exchange movements




1

 

(5)

 

As at 30 June (unaudited)

 



300

 

436

 







Unaudited
six months

ended
30 Jun 2022

 

Unaudited
six months

ended
30 Jun 2021





£000

 

£000

Current




-


240

Non-current




300


196

 

 



300

 

436

 

 

£ 252,000 of the total provision at 30 June 2022 of £ 300,000 relates to the cost of dilapidations in respect of its occupied leasehold premises (30 June 2021: £382,000).

 

17.  Share capital


Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2022

Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2021

Ordinary share capital at

7 1/3 pence each


Number of shares

 

Ordinary Shares

 

Number

of shares


Ordinary Shares


000

 

£000

 

000


£000

Issued and fully paid:


 

 

 

 




Opening balance as at 1 January


57,199

 

4,194

 

56,429


4,143

Shares issued under share option schemes


138

 

10

 

182


13

As at 30 June (unaudited)


57,337

 

4,204

 

56,611


4,156











 

Employee share option scheme options exercised during the period to 30 June 2022 resulted in 138,163 shares being issued (30 June 2021: 182,291). The total net proceeds from the issuance of shares during the period was £23,000 (30 June 2021: £567,000) with £10,000 (30 June 2021: £13,000) of this being recognised within share capital, being the nominal value of shares issued. The remaining amount represents the premium on issue which is detailed in the table below. The related weighted average share price at the time of exercise was £3.22 per share (30 June 2021: £6.74).  

 

Share premium  

 


Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2022


Unaudited
six months ended
30 Jun 2021

 


£000


£000

Opening balance as at 1 January


11,946


7,828

Movement in relation to share options exercised


 13


 554

As at 30 June (unaudited)


11,959


8,382

 


18.  Related party transactions

 

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation.

 

During 2022, the Group entered into transactions with a subsidiary of FDM Group (Holdings) plc, a company for which Peter Whiting (non-executive Director of Aptitude Software Group plc up until resignation on 28 April 2022) was a non-executive Director. FDM Group (Holdings) plc provided consultancy services to the Group during the period 1 January 2022 to 28 April 2022 at a cost of £22,000. No such transactions have been entered into for the six-month period ended 30 June 2021.

 

There were no other related party transactions during the six-month period ended 30 June 2022 (30 June 2021: £nil), as defined by International Accounting Standard No 24 'Related Party Disclosures', except for key management compensation. The related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2021 as defined by International Accounting Standard No 24 'Related Party Disclosures' are disclosed in note 32 of the Aptitude Software Group plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2021.

 

19.  Statement of directors' responsibilities

 

The Directors confirm that these condensed interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union and that the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7 and DTR 4.2.8, namely:

an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year; and 

material related-party transactions in the first six months and any material changes in the related-party transactions described in the last annual report.

The Directors of Aptitude Software Group plc are listed in the Aptitude Software Group plc Annual Report for 31 December 2021. A list of current directors is maintained on the Aptitude Software Group plc website: www.aptitudesoftware.com/investor-relations/

Copies of this statement are available on the investor relations page of our website ( www.aptitudesoftware.com/investor-relations/ ). 

 

By order of the Board

 

 

 

Philip Wood

27 July 2022 

Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

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