Annual Financial Report

RNS Number : 7238H
BMO Private Equity Trust PLC
08 April 2022
 

To: Stock Exchange

For immediate release:


8 April 2022

 

BMO Private Equity Trust PLC

Annual Financial Report for the Year to 31 December 2021

 

Following the release on 25 March 2022 of the Company's preliminary results announcement for the year ended 31 December 2021 (the "Preliminary Announcement"), the Company announces that its annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021 (the "Annual Report and Financial Statements") will be published today.   

The information below, which is extracted in unedited full text from the Annual Report and Financial Statements, is included in this announcement solely for the purposes of compliance with Disclosure and Transparency Rule 6.3.5 and the requirements it imposes on issuers as to how to make public annual financial reports. It should be read in conjunction with the Preliminary Announcement. Together these constitute the material required by DTR 6.3.5 to be communicated to the media in unedited full text through a Regulatory Information Service. This material is not a substitute for reading the full Annual Report and Financial Statements.

Portfolio Summary

Portfolio Distribution

As at 31 December 2021

% of Total

2021

% of Total

2020

Buyout Funds - Pan European*

9.6

10.0

Buyout Funds - UK

19.4

18.3

Buyout Funds - Continental Europe†

19.8

19.3

Secondary Funds

0.3

0.3

Private Equity Funds - USA

4.0

3.3

Private Equity Funds - Global

0.6

0.7

Venture Capital Funds

2.9

3.5

Direct - Quoted

0.1

-

Direct - Investments/Co-investments

43.3

44.6


100.0

100.0

* Europe including the UK.

† Europe excluding the UK

 

 

Ten Largest Holdings

As at 31 December 2021

Total Valuation £'000

%of Total Portfolio

Inflexion Strategic Partners

19,674

4.1

Weird Fish

15,829

3.3

Sigma

14,835

3.1

August Equity Partners IV

12,901

2.7

TWMA

12,349

2.6

Ashtead

12,241

2.4

Coretrax

11,760

2.4

Aliante Equity 3

10,733

2.2

Ambio Holdings

10,641

2.2

Volpi Capital

10,214

2.1

131,177

27.1

 

 

 

Top ten holdings

 

Inflexion Strategic Partners

 

Investment type: Buyout funds - UK

Region: UK

Valuation basis: Percentage of fund value

 

In December 2019, the Company completed an investment into Inflexion Strategic Partners (ISP). ISP is a limited partnership which holds interests in past and future Inflexion funds, related entities, limited partnerships and co-investments. The investment of £10m complements our existing diverse and longstanding exposure to Inflexion's funds and gives us an even closer alignment with arguably the leading mid-market private equity specialist in the UK.

 

  31 December  31 December

  2021  2020

  £'000  £'000

Residual cost  9,230  9,657

Value  19,674  13,326

 

Weird Fish

 

Investment type: Direct investment

Region: UK

Valuation basis: Percentage of co-investment value

 

The Company has committed £6.2m to an investment in Weird Fish, a UK premium lifestyle clothing brand serving men, women and children, with a core focus on the 'stable and affluent' 35-55 age demographic. The investment is led by Total Capital Partners, a lower mid-market manager investing both debt and equity.

 

  31 December   31 December

  2021  2020

  £'000  £'000

Residual cost  5,151  5,151

Value  15,829  6,437

 

Sigma

 

Investment type: Direct Investment

Region: USA

Valuation basis: Percentage of co-investment value

 

The Company has committed $7.8m to an investment in Sigma, a leading manufacturer of metal castings, precision machined components and sub-assemblies for the US low voltage electrical product market. It is the global leader by market share in electrical fittings, weatherproof boxes and power transmission and distribution cut-outs and connectors. The investment is led by Argand Partners, a US value investor focussed on the mid-market.

 

  31 December  31 December

  2021  2020

  £'000  £'000

Residual cost  6,433  6,436

Value  14,835  13,427

 

 

 

August Equity Partners IV

 

Investment type: Buyout Fund

Region: UK

Valuation basis: Percentage of fund value

 

In April 2016, the Company committed £10m to August Equity Partners IV, the fourth in the series of funds managed by August Equity Partners. The Company has committed to all three previous August Equity funds. AEP IV targets investments in four core sectors: healthcare, social care, educational services and technology enabled services in the UK.

 

  31 December  31 December

  2021  2020

  £'000  £'000

Residual cost  3,861  8,044

Value   12,901  9,193

 

 

TWMA

 

Investment type: Direct investment

Region: UK

Valuation basis: Percentage of co-investment value

 

The Company has committed £9.7m to TWMA, a drilling waste management solutions provider. It has successfully pioneered and established a fully comprehensive management solution for Offshore Services, Onshore Services, Waste Handling & Transfer Services and Environmental Solutions. The group's revenues are generated from treating and handling offshore oil and gas drill cuttings and slops which must be removed efficiently and safely from the drilling process, treated and disposed of.

 

  31 December  31 December

  2021  2020

  £'000  £'000

Residual cost  9,329  8,238

Value  12,349  7,574

 

Ashtead

 

Investment type: Direct Investment

Region: Global

Valuation basis: Percentage of co-investment value

 

The Company has committed £7.7m to an investment in Ashtead Technology, a global rental and service provider of advanced subsea tools and systems for the global offshore energy industry. Ashtead Technology's solutions are applicable across a broad range of markets, including the oil and gas and renewable energy sectors, and are used in the inspection, maintenance and repair of field assets. The investment is led by Buckthorn, an emerging UK based private equity manager established to invest on a deal by deal basis.

 

  31 December  31 December

  2021  2020

  £'000  £'000

Residual cost  3,688  7,777

Value  12,241  10,212

Coretrax

Investment type: Direct investment

Region: UK

Valuation basis: Percentage of co-investment value

 

The Company has committed £8.2m to an investment in Coretrax, a provider of well integrity product and services crucial to the responsible and efficient end of life well operations in the North Sea, Middle East (Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi) and Malaysia. The investment is led by Buckthorn, an emerging UK based private equity manager established to invest on a deal by deal basis.

 

  31 December  31 December

  2021  2020

  £'000  £'000

Residual cost  7,713  7,607

Value  11,760  11,514

 

Aliante Equity 3

 

Investment type: Buyout fund - Continental Europe

Region: Italy

Valuation basis: Percentage of fund value

 

Aliante III is the third vehicle raised by Aliante, an independent Italian private equity manager that focuses on lower mid-market investments predominately in the Italian food and beverage sector. Aliante III was raised in late 2011 and is unusually structured as an Italian corporate. In February 2015, the Company committed €4m.

 

  31 December  31 December

  2021  2020

  £'000  £'000

Residual cost  2,642  3,237

Value  10,733  9,883

 

Ambio Holdings

 

Investment type: Direct investment

Region: USA

Valuation basis: Percentage of co-investment value

 

In October 2014, the Company invested $6 million in Ambio Holdings, a new Delaware company established to hold 100% of the shares and assets of both AmbioPharm and Ambio which were merged as part of a deal constructed by MVM, a London/Boston based private equity manager which focuses on life science investments in Europe and the US. Ambiopharm is a profitable pharmaceutical contract manufacturing business, and Ambio is a drug development company focused on high-value complex generic pharmaceuticals.

 

  31 December  31 December

  2021  2020

  £'000  £'000

Residual cost  -  -

Value  10,641  9,672

 

Volpi Capital

 

Investment type: Buyout Fund

Region: Northern Europe

Valuation basis: Percentage of fund value

 

Volpi Capital is a Northern and Western European focused buyout firm focusing on investments in the information and tech-enabled services space. It invests in companies with enterprise values between €50 million and €200 million. The Company committed €7m to this fund, which closed at €187m in April 2018.

 

  31 December  31 December

  2021  2020

  £'000  £'000

Residual cost  5,507  5,394

Value  10,214  8,324

 

 

Portfolio Holdings

Investment

Geographic

Focus

Total

Valuation

£'000

% of Total Portfolio

Buyout Funds - Pan European




Volpi Capital

Northern Europe

10,214

2.1

Apposite Healthcare II

Europe

7,782

1.6

Astorg VI

Western Europe

6,163

1.3

Stirling Square Capital II

Europe

5,570

1.1

Apposite Healthcare III

Europe

4,952

1.0

Agilitas 2015 Fund

Northern Europe

4,194

0.9

ArchiMed II

Western Europe

4,090

0.8

Silverfleet European Dev Fund

Europe

2,923

0.6

TDR II Annex Fund

Western Europe

270

0.1

TDR Capital II

Western Europe

259

0.1

ArchiMed MED III

Global

2

-





Total Buyout Funds - Pan European


46,419

9.6

Buyout Funds - UK




Inflexion Strategic Partners

United Kingdom

19,674

4.1

August Equity Partners IV

United Kingdom

12,901

2.7

Inflexion Buyout Fund IV

United Kingdom

5,401

1.1

Inflexion Supplemental V

United Kingdom

4,548

0.9

Inflexion Buyout Fund V

United Kingdom

4,420

0.9

Primary Capital IV

United Kingdom

4,114

0.9

GCP Europe II

United Kingdom

4,090

0.9

Piper Private Equity VI

United Kingdom

3,779

0.8

Inflexion Enterprise Fund IV

United Kingdom

3,520

0.7

Apiary Capital Partners I

United Kingdom

2,877

0.6

Kester Capital II

United Kingdom

2,821

0.6

Inflexion 2010 Fund

United Kingdom

2,804

0.6

Inflexion Supplemental IV

United Kingdom

2,795

0.6

Horizon Capital 2013

United Kingdom

2,750

0.6

RJD Private Equity Fund III

United Kingdom

2,628

0.5

FPE Fund II

United Kingdom

2,299

0.5

Inflexion Partnership Capital I

United Kingdom

2,101

0.4

August Equity Partners V

United Kingdom

2,074

0.4

Dunedin Buyout Fund II

United Kingdom

2,064

0.4

Inflexion Partnership Capital II

United Kingdom

2,057

0.4

Inflexion 2012 Co-Invest Fund

United Kingdom

1,446

0.3

Inflexion Enterprise Fund V

United Kingdom

1,383

0.3

Piper Private Equity V

United Kingdom

1,001

0.2

August Equity Partners III

United Kingdom

5

-

Total Buyout Funds - UK


93,552

19.4

Buyout Funds - Continental Europe




Aliante Equity 3

Italy

10,733

2.2

Bencis V

Benelux

8,507

1.8

Verdane Edda

Nordic

4,880

1.0

Procuritas Capital IV

Nordic

4,862

1.0

Summa II

Nordic

4,587

0.9

DBAG VII

DACH

4,524

0.9

Vaaka Partners Buyout Fund III

Finland

4,505

0.9

Corpfin Capital Fund IV

Spain

4,359

0.9

Capvis III CV

DACH

4,138

0.9

Italian Portfolio

Italy

3,918

0.8

Montefiore IV

France

3,722

0.8

Procuritas VI

Nordic

3,569

0.7

Chequers Capital XVII

France

3,441

0.7

ARX CEE IV

Eastern Europe

3,238

0.7

Procuritas Capital V

Nordic

2,697

0.6

Summa I

Nordic

2,637

0.5

Chequers Capital XVI

France

2,076

0.4

DBAG Fund VI

DACH

2,075

0.4

NEM Imprese III

Italy

2,066

0.4

Capvis IV

DACH

1,921

0.4

Vaaka II

Finland

1,886

0.4

Avallon MBO Fund II

Poland

1,289

0.3

Ciclad 5

France

1,286

0.3

Portobello Fund III

Spain

1,256

0.3

Avallon MBO Fund III

Poland

1,178

0.2

Montefiore V

France

989

0.2

DBAG VIIB

DACH

980

0.2

DBAG VIII

DACH

906

0.2

Corpfin V

Spain

891

0.2

PineBridge New Europe II

Eastern Europe

779

0.2

Ciclad 4

France

744

0.2

DBAG Fund V

DACH

423

0.1

DBAG VIIIB

DACH

282

0.1

Gilde Buyout Fund III

Benelux

88

-

N+1 Private Equity Fund II

Iberia

61

-

Capvis III

DACH

50

-

Herkules Private Equity III

Nordic

6

-

Total Buyout Funds - Continental Europe


95,549

19.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Investment

Geographic

Focus

Total

Valuation

£'000

% of

Total

Portfolio

Private Equity Funds - USA




Blue Point Capital IV

North America

7,434

1.5

Graycliff III

United States

3,381

0.7

Blue Point Capital III

North America

2,269

0.5

Camden Partners IV

United States

2,397

0.5

Stellex Capital Partners

North America

1,875

0.4

Graycliff IV

North America

1,337

0.3

HealthpointCapital Partners III

United States

436

0.1

Blue Point Capital II

North America

249

-

Total Private Equity Funds - USA


19,378

4.0

Private Equity Funds - Global




PineBridge GEM II

Global

1,561

0.3

F&C Climate Opportunity Partners

Global

746

0.2

AIF Capital Asia III

Asia

367

0.1

PineBridge Latin America II

South America

116

-

Warburg Pincus IX

Global

83

-

Total Private Equity Funds - Global


2,873

0.6

Venture Capital Funds




SEP V

United Kingdom

8,381

1.7

MVM V

Global

2,434

0.5

SEP IV

United Kingdom

1,533

0.3

Pentech Fund II

United Kingdom

867

0.2

Life Sciences Partners III

Western Europe

519

0.1

SEP II

United Kingdom

369

0.1

Environmental Technologies Fund

Europe

62

-

Alta Berkeley VI

Europe

59

-

SEP III

United Kingdom

44

-

Total Venture Capital Funds


14,268

2.9

Direct - Quoted




Antero

Global

276

0.1

Laredo Petroleum

USA

24

-

Total Direct - Quoted


300

0.1

Secondary Funds




The Aurora Fund

Europe

1,308

0.3

Total Secondary Funds


1,308

0.3

Direct - Investments/Co-investments




Weird Fish

United Kingdom

15,829

3.3

Sigma

United States

14,835

3.1

TWMA

United Kingdom

12,349

2.6

Ashtead

United Kingdom

12,241

2.4

Coretrax

United Kingdom

11,760

2.4

Ambio Holdings

United States

10,641

2.2

San Siro

Italy

10,073

2.1

STAXS

Netherlands

9,403

1.9

Jollyes

United Kingdom

8,517

1.8

AccuVein

United States

6,375

1.3

Swanton

United Kingdom

6,254

1.3

Avalon

United Kingdom

6,234

1.3

1Med

Switzerland

5,885

1.2

JT IoT

United Kingdom

5,750

1.2

Amethyst Radiotherapy

Europe

5,617

1.2

ATEC (CETA)

United Kingdom

5,102

1.1

Omlet

United Kingdom

5,027

1.1

Agilico (DMC Canotec)

United Kingdom

4,919

1.0

Cyberhawk

United Kingdom

4,827

1.0

Contained Air Solutions

United Kingdom

4,463

0.9

Prollenium

North America

4,312

0.9

RGI

Italy

4,149

0.9

Orbis

United Kingdom

4,143

0.9

Dotmatics

United Kingdom

4,121

0.8

Rosa Mexicano

United States

3,729

0.8

Tier1 CRM

Canada

3,600

0.7

Walkers Transport

United Kingdom

3,529

0.7

Collingwood Insurance Group

United Kingdom

3,241

0.7

Habitus

Denmark

3,164

0.6

Babington

United Kingdom

2,596

0.5

Calucem

Croatia

2,547

0.5

PathFactory

Canada

2,045

0.4

Vero Bioscience

United States

1,276

0.3

TDR Algeco/Scotsman

Europe

406

0.1

Stone Computers

United Kingdom

282

0.1

Pet Network

Eastern Europe

159

-

Total Direct - Investments/Co-investments


209,400

43.3

Total Portfolio


483,047

100.00

 

 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties and Risk Management

 

The principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Company are described below and note 1 provides detailed explanations of the risks associated with the Company's financial instruments:

 

Risk description : Economic, macro and political - External events such as global financial/political instability including terrorism, war, climate change, disease including pandemics, protectionism, inflation or deflation, economic shocks or recessions, the availability of credit and movements in interest rates could affect share prices and the valuation of investments.

Mitigation : Each regular meeting of the Board provides a forum to discuss with the Managers the general economic environment and to consider any impact upon the investment portfolio and objectives. The investment portfolio is diversified across end markets and regions.

Risk description : Liquidity and capital structure - Failure by the Company to meet its outstanding undrawn commitments could lead to financial loss for shareholders. Failure to replace maturing borrowings or enter agreement for new borrowings.

Mitigation : The Board receives a detailed analysis of outstanding commitments at each meeting. A medium term cashflow projection is also provided.  The Company has a borrowing facility which will not expire until 19 June 2024. At 31 December 2021 the facility was composed of a €25 million term loan and a £95 million revolving credit facility.

Risk description : Regulatory - Failure by the Company to meet or adhere to regulatory/ legislative standards. Loss of investment trust status. Regulatory or taxation changes resulting in disincentives or market barriers limiting demand for the Company's shares.

 

Mitigation: At each Board meeting the Company's legal counsel provides an update on regulatory and legislative developments.  The Company employs BMO Asset Management as Company Secretary.

 

Risk description : Personnel issues  - Loss of key personnel from the BMO Private Equity team.

Mitigation: Regular meetings between the Board and senior staff of the Manager.   There is a six month notice period to the investment management agreement.

 

Risk description : Fraud and cyber risks - Theft of Company and customer assets or data, including cyber risks.

Mitigation: The Depositary oversees custody of investments and cash in accordance with the requirements of the AIFMD.  The Manager has extensive internal controls in place. The Board receives a regular report on its effectiveness. The Board also receives an annual internal controls report from the Registrar, and the Depository.

 

Risk description : Market- Poor investment selection and/or performance against other assets classes and peer group. Increased share price discount diminishes attractiveness of Company to investors. A premium could represent a lost opportunity to issue shares.

Mitigation : At each meeting of the Board, the Directors monitor performance against peer group and returns from the FTSE All Share Index.  Market intelligence is maintained via the Company's broker, N+1 Singer and the provision of shareholder analyses.

 

Risk description : ESG - Failure to respond to increasing investor focus on ESG. Stranded assets within the investment portfolio.

Mitigation :  The Manager has one of the longest established and largest Responsible Investment teams in the City. The BMO Private Equity Team undertake an annual survey of the ESG practices of underlying portfolio fund managers.

Risk description : Operational -  Failure of the Manager's accounting systems or disruption to the Manager's or service providers' business or business continuity failure could lead to an inability to provide accurate reporting and monitoring leading to a loss of Shareholder confidence.

Mitigation- The Board receives annual internal controls reports from the Manager, Registrar and the Depositary. The administration system employed by the Manager is Efront. This is an industry wide investment and accounting package used to record transactions. Legal agreements/ engagement letters in place with the Manager and service providers.

 No change in overall risk in year.

 

Rolling five year viability assessment and statement

 

The 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code requires a Board to assess the future prospects for the Company, and report on the assessment within the Annual Report.

The Board considered that a number of characteristics of the Company's business model and strategy were relevant to this assessment:

• The Board looks to long-term performance rather than short term opportunities.

• The Company's investment objective, strategy and policy, which are subject to regular Board monitoring, mean that the Company is invested in a well-diversified portfolio of funds and direct investments and that the level of borrowings is restricted.

• The Company has a single class of Ordinary Shares.

• The Company's business model and strategy is not time limited.

 

Also relevant were a number of aspects of the Company's operational arrangements:

• The Company has title to all assets held.

• The Company's five-year borrowing facility is composed of a €25 million term loan and a £95 million multi-currency revolving credit facility. The interest rate payable is variable.

• The Company aims to pay quarterly dividends with an annual yield equivalent to not less than four per cent of the average of the published net asset values per ordinary share for the previous four financial quarters, or if higher in pence per share the highest quarterly dividend previously paid. Dividends can be funded from the capital reserves of the Company.

• Revenue and expenditure forecasts and projected cash requirements are reviewed by the Directors at each Board Meeting.

 

Given the current volatility in stock markets and the economic disruption arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation concerns and the conflict in Ukraine the Directors also considered detailed cashflow projections modelling various scenarios on the future drawdowns to be paid and distributions to be received by the Company. These projections were adjusted to consider various plausible scenarios and took account of possible impacts upon the future NAV of the Company and the ability of the Company to meet its loan covenants. The Board concluded that there was a low probability that a covenant breach related to capacity to meet cashflow requirements would occur. Furthermore the Board has considered the remedies available if it appears that a covenant breach is possible. Having considered the likelihood of the events which could cause a covenant breach and the remedies available to the Company, the Directors are of the view that the Company is well placed to manage such an eventuality satisfactorily.

 

In addition, the Board carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks which could threaten the Company's objective, strategy, future performance, liquidity and solvency. These risks, mitigating actions in place to ensure the Company's resilience and the processes for monitoring risks are set out on page 28 and in Note 16 of the accounts. These principal risks were identified as relevant to the viability assessment.

 

The Board took into account the forecasted cash requirements of the Company, the long-term nature of the investments held, the existence of the borrowing facility and the effects of any significant future falls in investment values on the ability to repay and re-negotiate borrowings, maintain dividend payments and retain investors.

 

These matters were assessed over a five year period to April 2027, and the Board will continue to assess viability over five year rolling periods, taking account of foreseeable severe but plausible scenarios. Note 16 to the financial statements includes an analysis of the potential impact of movements of interest rates and foreign exchange on net asset value. A rolling five year period represents the horizon over which the Directors believe they can form a reasonable expectation of the Company's prospects, balancing the Company's financial flexibility and scope with the current uncertain outlook for longer-term economic conditions affecting the Company and its Shareholders.

 

Based on their assessment, and in the context of the Company's business model, strategy and operational arrangements set out above, the Board has a reasonable expectation that the Company will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the five year period to April 2027. For this reason, the Board also considers it appropriate to continue adopting the going concern basis in preparing the Report and Accounts.

 

 

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

 

Directors' Responsibilities

 

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards and applicable law and regulations.

 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors are required to prepare the financial statements and have elected to prepare the Company financial statements in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards. 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 for 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 accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether they have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business; and

• prepare a Directors' report, a strategic report and Directors' remuneration report which comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.

 

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Directors are responsible for ensuring that the Annual Report and accounts, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced, and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's performance, business model and strategy.

 

 

Website publication

The Directors are responsible for ensuring the Annual Report and the financial statements are made available on a website. Financial statements are published on the Company's website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the Company's website is the responsibility of the Directors. The Directors' responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein.

Directors' responsibilities pursuant to DTR4

  The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit and loss of the Company.

• The Annual Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the financial position of the Company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

 

 

On behalf of the Board

Mark Tennant

Chairman

 

 

Notes

 

1.  Financial instruments

The Company's financial instruments comprise equity investments, cash balances, a bank loan and liquid resources including debtors and creditors. As an investment trust, the Company holds a portfolio of financial assets in pursuit of its investment objective. From time to time the Company may make use of borrowings to fund outstanding commitments and achieve improved performance in rising markets. The downside risk of borrowings may be reduced by raising the level of cash balances held.

 

The Company's investing activities expose it to various types of risk that are associated with the financial instruments and markets in which it invests. The most important types of financial risk to which the Company is exposed are market price risk, interest rate risk, liquidity and funding risk, credit risk and foreign currency risk.

 

The nature and extent of the financial instruments outstanding at the balance sheet date and the risk management policies employed by the Company are discussed below.

 

Market price risk

The Company's strategy for the management of market price risk is driven by the Company's investment policy. The management of market price risk is part of the investment management process and is typical of private equity investment. The portfolio is managed with an awareness of the effects of adverse price movements through detailed continuing analysis, with an objective of maximising overall returns to shareholders. Investments in unquoted stocks, by their nature, involve a higher degree of risk than investments in the listed market. Some of that risk can be, and is, mitigated by diversifying the portfolio across geographies, business sectors and asset classes, and by having a variety of underlying private equity managers. New private equity managers are only chosen following a rigorous due diligence process. The Company's overall market positions are monitored by the Board on a quarterly basis.

 

Interest rate risk

Some of the Company's financial assets are interest bearing and, as a result, the Company is subject to exposure to fair value interest rate risk due to fluctuations in the prevailing levels of market interest rates.

 

When the Company retains cash balances the majority of the cash is held in deposit accounts. The benchmark rate which determines the interest payments received on cash balances is the bank base rate for the relevant currency.

 

Liquidity and funding risk

The Company's financial instruments include investments in unlisted equity investments which are not traded in an organised public market and which generally may be illiquid. As a result, the Company may not be able to liquidate quickly some of its investments in these instruments at an amount close to their fair value in order to meet its liquidity requirements, including the need to meet outstanding undrawn commitments or to respond to specific events such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of any particular issuer.

 

The Company's listed securities are considered to be readily realisable.

 

The Company's liquidity risk is managed on an ongoing basis by the Manager in accordance with policies and procedures in place. The Company's overall liquidity risks are currently monitored on a quarterly basis by the Board.

 

The Company maintains sufficient investments in cash and readily realisable securities to pay accounts payable and accrued expenses.

 

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty to a financial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation or commitment that it has entered into with the Company. The Manager has in place a monitoring procedure in respect of counterparty risk which is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The carrying amounts of financial assets best represents the maximum credit risk exposure at the balance sheet date, hence no separate disclosure is required.

 

Credit risk arising on transactions with brokers relates to transactions awaiting settlement. Risk relating to unsettled transactions is considered to be small due to the short settlement period involved and the high credit quality of the brokers used. The Manager monitors the quality of service provided by the brokers used to further mitigate this risk.

 

All the listed assets of the Company (which are traded on a recognised exchange) are held by JPMorgan Chase Bank, the Company's custodian. The Company has an ongoing contract with the Custodian for the provision of custody services. The contract was reviewed and updated in 2014. Details of securities held in custody on behalf of the Company are received and reconciled monthly. The Depositary has regulatory responsibilities relating to segregation and safe keeping of the Company's financial assets, amongst other duties, as set out in the Directors' Report. The Board has direct access to the Depositary and receives regular reports from it.

 

To the extent that the Manager carries out management and administrative duties (or causes similar duties to be carried out by third parties) on the Company's behalf, the Company is exposed to counterparty risk. The Board assesses this risk continuously through regular meetings with the management of BMO (including the Fund Manager). In reaching its conclusions, the Board also reviews BMO's annual Audit and Assurance Faculty Report.

 

The Company's cash balances are held by a number of counterparties. Bankruptcy or insolvency of these counterparties may cause the Company's rights with respect to the cash balances to be delayed or limited. The Manager monitors the credit quality of the relevant counterparties and should the credit quality or the financial position of these counterparties deteriorate significantly the Manager would move the cash holdings to another bank.

 

Foreign currency risk

The Company invests in overseas securities and holds foreign currency cash balances which give rise to currency risks. It is not the Company's policy to hedge this risk on a continuing basis but it may do so from time to time. The Company has a multi-currency revolving credit facility which allows it to be drawndown in multiple currencies. There were no currency forwards open at the year end. 

2.  Copies of the Annual Report and Financial Statements will be sent to shareholders and will be available at the Company's registered office, Quartermile 4, 7a Nightingale Way, Edinburgh, EH3 9EG and on its website www.bmoprivateequitytrust.com  

For more information, please contact:

Hamish Mair (Investment Manager)

0131 718 1000

Scott McEllen (Company Secretary)

0131 718 1000

hamish.mair@bmogam.com   / scott.mcellen@bmogam.com



 

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