Interim Results

Premier Management Holdings PLC 10 December 2001 For release at 7.00am on 10 December 2001 PREMIER MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS PLC CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I am delighted to report a very positive interim result with pre-tax profits up 76% and turnover up 78% over the corresponding period last year. For the 6 month period from 1 May 2001 to 31 October 2001 pre-tax profits were £169,000 on turnover of £753,000. Last year for the 71/2 month period from 15 March until 31 October, the figures were £120,000 and £540,000 respectively. The second half figures last year were distorted by inertia in the transfer market caused by the European Commission review into the transfer system. With this review now concluded, no such distortions are anticipated going forward and strong activity in the current period reflects a return to the underlying growth trend in our market. Since our final announcement last year we have completed the issuance of our Eurouro8m redeemable convertible Eurobond. The proceeds are being used to implement the Company's expansion strategy and develop the business principally by; * further investment in the future transfer value of football players * bringing in additional personnel and, in turn, increasing our roster of players. * strategic acquisitions of related businesses * establishing an Executive Sports Recruitment business Amongst the exciting new players signed are Adil Ramzi (Moroccan international at PSV in Holland), Craig Parry (IEngland Under 16 Goalkeeper at Barnsley) Samuel Kanu (England Under 16 international at Arsenal), Lyndon Duncan (England Under 18 international at QPR), Paul Konchesky (England Under 21 International) and John Robinson (Welsh International) both at Charlton, Damian Francis (Wimbledon) and Mehrdad Minavand (Iranian international at Sturm Graz). We have also acquired the football agency of Andrew Mills, which brings into our portfolio several Premiership players such as Jamie Clapham of Ipswich and Ade Akinbiyi of Leicester. We are currently in negotiation with several similar football agencies based in the UK. These acquisitions are geared towards improving the quality of our player portfolio and would not involve any up-front capital payments. Our existing infrastructure is capable of providing to those players the full range of services they require. We expect to see significant operating benefits as we leverage this infrastructure through the integration of any such acquisitions in the future. Premier now provides a one stop shop for our players and, in order to offer a similar service to clubs, we have established Premier Management Recruitment, an executive search firm for sports clubs as a joint venture with our financial advisors, Bracken Partners Limited. This division is headed by Phil Woodisse who was previously at Whitehead Mann where he was involved in the appointment of Adam Crozier at the FA. Premier already provides player sourcing, transfer and contract negotiation services to clubs and we also provide funding by investing in the future transfer value of players alongside those clubs. In addition, through our network of consultants, we offer a fully comprehensive scouting service. With the establishment of Premier's high quality executive recruitment arm, we are now positioned to deliver an integrated full service solution to clubs and sports organisations. During the period we have expanded the International side of our business with the opening of an office in Budapest. It is run by a FIFA registered agent and has already brought into the Company the two brightest young prospects in Hungarian football, together with several current full internationals. The office, which currently has three staff, is also well placed to service the surrounding countries where we are already in discussions with clubs and players. With our local presence established, we are well positioned to consolidate activities in this key development region. Our scouting network, the size and capacity of which has been substantially increased, continues to work primarily on a consultancy and profit related basis. Keith Burkinshaw has joined us as a consultant, and has just returned from Argentina where he was sourcing players and meeting clubs introduced to us by Ricky Villa, who has also joined as a consultant. The platform we have established since flotation will enable us to absorb additional agents and small businesses without major increases in our cost base. There are existing funds available for substantial player and agency acquisitions enabling us to benefit from this operating leverage as we continue to execute our expansion strategy. With this in place, we look forward to a very exciting future as we continue to capitalise on consolidation opportunities and develop our business in an operating environment with strong growth potential. Stuart Lucas Chairman 10 December 2001 Unaudited Consolidated Profit and Loss Account for the 6 months ended 31 October 2001 6 months to 7 months to Period to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2001 2000 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 Turnover 753 540 934 Profit before taxation 169 120 76 Taxation -37 -24 0 Profits attributable to 132 96 76 shareholders Earnings per share 0.66 pence 0.66 pence 0.45 pence (basic) Earnings per share 0.65 pence 0.63 pence 0.45 pence (fully diluted) All recognised gains and losses are included in the Profit and Loss Account Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 October 2001 31 October 31 October 30 April 2001 2000 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed Assets Tangible Assets Equipment and Vehicles 185 118 204 Other Investments 2245 375 394 2430 493 598 Intangible Assets Goodwill 153 184 164 2582 677 762 Current Assets Debtors 1334 396 727 Cash and Bank 3152 1532 1012 4486 1928 1739 Current Liabilities 184 199 91 4302 1729 1648 6884 2406 2410 Creditors: amounts -32 -38 falling due over one year Guaranteed Floating -4349 0 0 Rate Convertible Bonds 2004 Net Assets 2503 2406 2372 Capital and Reserves Share Capital 200 200 200 Share Premium 2096 2110 2096 Retained profits 207 96 76 2503 2406 2372 Unaudited Reconciliation of Movement in Shareholders Funds as at 31 October 2001 6 months to 7 months to Period to 31 October 31 October 30 April 2001 2000 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 Opening shareholders' funds 2372 Nil Nil Proceeds from share issue in the Nil 2310 2296 period Profit for the period 132 96 76 2504 2406 2372 Unaudited Cash Flow Statement for the 6 6 months to 31 7 months to 31 Period to 30 months ended October 2001 October 2000 April 2001 31 October 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net Cash -391 -238 -712 Movement from Operating Activities Returns on investment Interest 37 65 85 Received Capital expenditure Payments to -4 -131 -179 acquire tangible assets Management of liquid resources Fixed asset -1851 -375 -394 investment Financing Issue of 2600 2600 ordinary shares Cost of share -304 -304 issue Convertible 4938 Bond issue Cost of bond -589 issue Investment in -85 -85 subsidiary Net cash 4349 2211 2211 inflow from financing Movement in 2140 1532 1011 cash and cash equivalents Notes to Interim Results for the 6 months ended 31 October 2001 1 Basis of preparation The results for the six months ended 31 October 2001 are unaudited and have not been reviewed by the auditors. They have been prepared on accounting basis and policies that are consistent with those used in the preparation of the financial statements of the company for the period ended 30 April 2001 The financial statements contained in this report do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The abridged information for the period to 30 April 2001 has been extracted From the Company's audited accounts for that period, which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on the Company's accounts for that period was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either of sections 237(2) or 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985 2 Dividend No dividend is proposed for the period ended 31 October 2001 3 Earnings per share The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the profit of ordinary activities after taxation and on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the basic earnings per share adjusted to allow for the issue of shares on the assumed conversion of all options. 4 Interim Statement The interim statement will be posted to shareholders during December 2001. Copies of the interim statement can be obtained from the company by writing to the Company Secretary at 50 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 7PR
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