Half-year Report

RNS Number : 6782G
Triad Group Plc
27 November 2020
 

Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) No. 213800MDNBFVEQEN1G84

 

Triad Group Plc

Half year results for the six months ended 30 September 2020

 

 

Financial highlights

 

· Revenue for the period ended 30 September 2020: £8.7m (2019: £9.0m)

· Profit before tax: £1k (2019: Loss £0.28m)

· Profit after tax: £0.05m (2019: Loss £0.39m)

· Gross profit: £1.49m (2019: £1.32m)

· Gross profit as a percentage of revenue: 17.1% (2019:14.6%)

· Cash as at 30 September 2020: £4.08m (2019: £2.96m)

 

Chairman's statement

Dr John Rigg

 

For the period ended 30 September 2020 the Group reports revenue of £8.7m (2019: £9.0m). The profit before tax was £1k (2019 Loss: £0.28m), gross profit has increased by 13% to £1.49m (2019: £1.32m) and gross profit as a percentage of revenue has increased to 17.1% (2019: 14.6%). 

 

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have created some strong headwinds in a limited area of the business but profitability has improved during the period. Gross profit has grown at much higher margins than in previous periods, as the business continues to not only build more revenue from key accounts, but also continues to increase the ratio of permanent headcount to contractors on consultant-led engagements. Further, due to changes in working patterns, there is a limited reduction in operating costs and no members of staff were furloughed.

 

Cash reserves have increased by 38% to £4.08m (2019: £2.96m) and reflects both the improved profitability and strong cash collection processes. During the period, the Group did not require to utilise the existing lending facility, other external debt or take advantage of the financial assistance schemes offered by the Government due to the pandemic. Further consideration of the impact of Covid-19 is set out in the going concern statement on page 7.

 

Business Update

 

The Group has responded magnificently to the challenges of Covid-19. With the support of our key clients, we have been able to operate the business on a fully remote basis since the beginning of the financial year. Immediately lockdown was announced, the Group implemented a new approach to communication and staff engagement which has enabled us to manage a distributed workforce without compromising service to our clients.

 

Activity levels with our existing major clients were maintained, although new business development was quieter than expected during the period. One of our major contracts with Ministry of Justice was extended until February 2021.

 

The Group did not furlough any staff, instead utilising all available capacity to support the Group's intention to grow the number of permanent consulting staff. This has resulted in sixteen new hires since the beginning of the year, taking our consultancy headcount to nearly 50 - the highest number for several years.

 

 

The Group successfully won places on various frameworks, including Government's Artificial Intelligence framework, a Dynamic Purchasing framework at Ofgem, and version 12 of the G-Cloud framework. Our service offering on G-Cloud has been substantially extended and this is an area where we project future growth.

 

Delivery successes included being part of the Crime Programme at Ministry of Justice which saw the Common Platform going live during the summer. This was a notable achievement by all concerned given the challenges of remote working. We also launched into full live operation the Greenhouse Gas Emissions system at Department for Transport after a successful service assessment under the Government Digital Services standard.

 

Our staff delivered a number of thought-provoking public webinars during the period, including "Technology trends through a Covid lens", "The rise of intelligent automation", and "Running software development teams 100% remotely".

 

Outlook

 

Going in to the second half of the year consultant utilisation levels are at their highest for several years, in percentage and absolute terms. Our major accounts continue to provide opportunities, whilst significant work is planned to start in the new calendar year with two private sector clients (one from the technology distribution sector and the other from the renewable energy sector). Consultant headcount continues to increase at another central government client, with the recent intention to award a contract to supply multiple resources.

 

Recruitment of more permanent consultants continues, as we steadily increase the ratio of permanent staff to non-permanent staff on our consulting engagements. Not only does this improve margins, but it increases the Group's resilience with regard to the impending roll-out of Off Payroll (IR35) legislation in 2021.

 

The Group has a proven business model that allows for the operation of a remote workforce and we do not envisage needing to make substantial changes to these arrangements during the second half of the year.

 

Dividend

 

The continued uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 outbreak has led the Board to decide not to pay an interim dividend (2019 interim dividend: 1p).

 

Employees

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to thank our staff for their hard work last year and for the positive way in which they have continued to deal with the unprecedented challenges thrust upon us and our wider community that commenced in March of this year.

 

Dr John Rigg

Executive Chairman

26 November 2020

Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income and expense for the six months ended 30 September 2020

 

 

Group and Company

Note

Unaudited

2020

Unaudited

2019

Audited year ended 31 March

2020

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Revenue

 

8,727

9,027

19,354

Cost of sales

 

(7,237)

(7,709)

(16,500)

Gross profit

 

1,490

1,318

2,854

Administrative expenses

 

(1,477)

(1,586)

(3,422)

Profit/(Loss) from operations

 

13

(268)

(568)

Finance income

 

7

13

20

Finance expense

2

(19)

(29)

(54)

Profit/(Loss) before tax

 

1

(284)

(602)

Tax Credit/(Charge)

3

49

(106)

(159)

Profit/(Loss) for the period and total comprehensive income attributable to equity holders of the parent

 

50

(390)

(761)

Basic earnings/(loss) per share

5

0.31p

(2.44p)

(4.76p)

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share

5

0.31p

(2.44p)

(4.76p)

 

All amounts relate to continuing activities.

 

 

Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six months ended 30 September 2020

 

 

Group

Share Capital

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Retained earnings

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

At 1 April 2019

160

659

104

4,843

5,766

Loss for the period and total comprehensive income

-

-

-

(390)

(390)

Dividend paid

-

-

-

(319)

(319)

Ordinary shares issued

-

-

-

-

-

Share-based payments

-

-

-

13

13

At 30 September 2019 (unaudited)

160

659

104

4,147

5,070

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2020

160

660

104

3,631

4,555

Profit for the period and total comprehensive income

-

-

-

50

50

Dividend paid

-

-

-

-

-

Ordinary shares issued

-

1

-

-

1

Share-based payments

-

-

-

14

14

At 30 September 2020 (unaudited)

160

661

104

3,695

4,620

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 April 2019

160

659

104

4,843

5,766

Loss for the year and total comprehensive income

-

-

-

(761)

(761)

Dividend paid

-

-

-

(479)

(479)

Ordinary shares issued

-

1

-

-

1

Share-based payments

-

-

-

28

28

At 31 March 2020

160

660

104

3,631

4,555

 

 

 

Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial position asat 30 September 2020

 

 

 

Note

Unaudited 2020

Unaudited 2019

Audited year ended 31 March

 2020

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets

 

8

12

10

Property, plant and equipment

 

245

301

275

Right-of-use assets

6

539

705

622

Finance lease receivables

6

245

347

297

Deferred tax

3

81

85

32

 

 

1,118

1,450

1,236

Current assets

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

7

2,193

3,811

2,741

Cash and cash equivalents

 

4,081

2,955

3,840

 

 

6,274

6,766

6,581

Total assets

 

7,392

8,216

7,817

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

8

(1,770)

(1,933)

(2,127)

Lease liabilities

6

(281)

(214)

(272)

 

 

(2,051)

(2,147)

(2,399)

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Long term provisions

 

(197)

(197)

(197)

Lease liabilities

6

(524)

(802)

(666)

 

 

(721)

(999)

(863)

Total liabilities

 

(2,772)

(3,146)

(3,262)

Net assets

 

4,620

5,070

4,555

Shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

Share capital

 

160

160

160

Share premium account

 

661

659

660

Capital redemption reserve

 

104

104

104

Retained earnings

 

3,695

4,147

3,631

Total shareholders' equity

 

4,620

5,070

4,555

 

 

 

Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

for the six months ended 30 September 2020

 

 

 

Note

Unaudited 2020

£'000

 

 Unaudited 2019

£'000

Audited year ended 31 March

2020

£'000

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

Profit/(Loss) for the period before taxation

 

1

(284)

(602)

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

 

44

50

97

Amortisation of right of use assets

 

83

83

166

Amortisation/impairment of intangible assets

 

2

3

5

Interest received

 

(7)

(10)

(20)

Finance expense

 

26

26

60

Share-based payment expense

 

14

13

28

Changes in working capital

 

 

 

 

Decrease/(Increase) in trade and other receivables

 

548

(478)

593

Decrease in trade and other payables

 

(357)

(566)

(374)

Increase in provisions

 

-

115

115

Cash generated/(consumed) by operations

 

354

(1,048)

68

Finance expense

 

(3)

2

(4)

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

 

351

(1,046)

64

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

Finance lease interest received

 

7

10

20

Finance lease payments received

 

52

73

123

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

(13)

(146)

(166)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

46

(63)

(23)

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities principal payments

 

(133)

(192)

(270)

Lease liabilities interest payments

 

(23)

(28)

(56)

Finance lease principal payments

 

-

(1)

-

Dividends paid

4

-

(319)

(479)

Net cash outflow from financing activities

 

(156)

(540)

(805)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

241

(1,649)

(764)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

 

3,840

4,604

4,604

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

 

4,081

2,955

3,840

 

Notes to the financial statements for the six months ended

30 September 2020

 

1.  Principal accounting policies

 

Basis of preparation


The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. The policies have been consistently applied to all the periods presented, unless otherwise stated.

 

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS and IFRIC interpretations), as adopted by the European Union (EU), issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies preparing their accounts under IFRS. The comparative financial information for the year ended 31 March 2020 included within this report does not constitute the full statutory accounts for that period. The statutory Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2020 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Independent Auditors' Report on the Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2020 was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis, and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The financial information for the half years ended 30 September 2020 and 30 September 2019 does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 (3) of the Companies Act 2006 and has been neither audited nor reviewed pursuant to guidance issued by the Auditing Practices Board.

 

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

 

Going Concern

 

The unprecedented effects of the Covid-19 pandemic upon the UK economy have been weathered well by the Group. During the period to September 2020, trading continued almost as normal as the workforce and the vast majority of clients have been able to work effectively on a remote basis. Profitability has improved during this period, with a strong focus on both quality, efficiency and building upon strong relationships with existing and new clients. No advantage has been taken of the financial assistance schemes offered by the Government during this period, and the Group continues to grow fee earning consultant numbers, with no staff having been furloughed.

 

The Group continues to operate an efficient low-cost and cash generative model.  For the six months ended 30 September 2020, the Group has not utilised any external debt or lending facilities (2019: nil) with no exposure to bad debts in the period. Cash balances have grown to £4.08m at the balance sheet date (2019: £2.96m) and the future cash position remains strong.

 

The going concern assessment made at the year ended 31 March 2020 is still intact and has shown only increased optimism as we look towards future trading prospects. This going concern assessment included in particular a reverse stress test model which assumed that the effects of the pandemic would worsen with all current client contracts discontinued at expiry, with no extension or replacement and with no cost mitigation. Following a review of these assessments in light of current trading performance and cash flow forecasts for the next 12 months, the Directors have concluded that the Group would have sufficient headroom and cash balances to continue in operation.

 

After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the half year accounts.

 

New standards, interpretations and amendments

 

The accounting policies applied in these financial statements are as applied in the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2020. In this annual report, the Group revised its policy with respect to IFRS16 and the recognition of a financial lease receivable, representing rentals payable to the Group for a rental of a proportion of a leased property.

 

The 30 September 2019 income statement and balance sheet have been restated to reflect this change in policy and the corrections made to the balance sheet were an increase of £103k to property, plant and equipment, a decrease of £539k to right-of-use assets, a recognition of the finance lease receivable of £347k, a reduction to trade and other payables of £30k related to rental payments received in the period, and a reduction to current leased liabilities of £76k.

 

2.  Finance expense

 

 

 Unaudited six months ended

30 September

2020

Unaudited six months ended 30 September

2019

Audited year ended

31 March

2020

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Other interest payable

-

-

1

Interest expense on lease liability

23

29

56

Net foreign exchange gain

(4)

-

(3)

Total finance expense

19

29

54

 

3.  Tax (credit)/charge

 

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2020

Unaudited six months ended 30 September

2019

Audited year ended

31 March

2020

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Current tax

 

 

 

Current tax on profits for the period

-

-

-

Deferred tax

 

 

 

(Increase)/Decrease in recognised deferred tax asset

(49)

106

159

Total tax (credit)/charge for the period

(49)

106

159

 

The differences between the actual tax charge for the period and the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK applied to profits for the period are as follows:

 

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2020

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2019

Audited year ended

 31 March

 2020

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Profit/(Loss) before tax

1

(302)

(602)

Profit/(Loss) before tax multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2019:19%)

-

(57)

(114)

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

10

8

13

(Increase)/Decrease in unrecognised deferred tax asset

(59) 

155

-

Reversal of previously recognised deferred tax on losses

-

-

156

Movement in deferred tax not recognised for current year losses

-

-

101

Prior year adjustments

-

-

3

Tax (credit)/charge for the period

(49)

106

159

 

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2020

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2019

Audited year ended

31 March

 2020

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Deferred tax asset

 

 

 

The movement in deferred tax is as follows:

 

 

 

At beginning of the period

32

191

191

Utilisation against taxable profits

-

-

-

Recognition/(reversal) of previously unrecognised deferred tax on losses

48

(116)

(149)

Increase/(Decrease) in relation to timing differences

1

10

(10)

At end of the period

81

85

32

 

Deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect of tax losses where the Directors believe it is probable that the assets will be recovered. A deferred tax asset amounting to £662,000 (2019: £608,000) has not been recognised in respect of trading losses which can be carried forward indefinitely.

 

4.  Dividends

 

The Directors do not propose a dividendfor the period to 30 September 2020 (2019 interim dividend: 1.0p per share).

 

5.  Earnings per ordinary share

 

Earnings per share have been calculated on the profit/(loss) for the year divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period based on the following:

 

 

  Unaudited 30 September 2020

  Unaudited 30 September 2019

  Audited 31 March

2020

Profit/(Loss) for the period

£50,000

£(390,000)

£(761,000)

Average number of shares in issue

15,981,400

15,968,979

15,972,842

Effect of dilutive options

281,274

-

-

Average number of shares in issue plus dilutive options

16,262,674

15,968,979

15,972,842

Basic earnings/(loss) per share

0.31p

(2.44)p

(4.76)p

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share

0.31p

(2.44)p

(4.76)p

 

 

 

 

 

6.  Leases

 

Right-of-use Assets

 

The carrying amounts of the right-of-use assets recognised and the movements during the period are outlined below:

 

 

Land and buildings

Total

 

£'000

£'000

At 31 March 2019

 

 

Opening position

788

788

Amortisation

(83)

(83)

At 30 September 2019

705

705

At 31 March 2020

 

 

Opening position

622

622

Amortisation

(83)

(83)

At 30 September 2020

539

539

 

Lease Liabilities

 

The carrying amounts of the lease liabilities recognised are as follows:

 

 

Land and buildings

Total

 

£'000

£'000

At 31 March 2019

 

 

Opening position

1,128

1,128

Interest expense

28

28

Lease payments

(140)

(140)

At 30 September 2019

1,016

1,016

At 31 March 2020

 

 

Opening position

938

938

Interest expense

23

23

Lease payments

(156)

(156)

At 30 September 2020

805

805

 

At the balance sheet date, the Group had outstanding commitments for future lease payments as follows:

 

At 30 September 2019

Up to 3 months

Between 3 and 12 months

Between 1 and 2 years

Between 2 and 5 years

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Lease Liabilities

34

180

322

480

 

At 30 September 2020

Up to 3 months

Between 3 and 12 months

Between 1 and 2 years

Between 2 and 5 years

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Lease Liabilities

69

212

295

229

 

Finance lease receivables

 

The carrying amounts of the lease receivable asset are as follows:

 

 

Land and buildings

Total

 

£'000

£'000

At 31 March 2019

 

 

Opening position

420

420

Interest received

10

10

Payments received

(83)

(83)

At 30 September 2019

347

347

At 31 March 2020

 

 

Opening position

297

297

Interest received

7

7

Payments received

(59)

(59)

At 30 September 2020

245

245

 

7.  Trade and other receivables

 

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2020

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2019

Audited year ended

31 March

 2020

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Trade receivables

1,660

3,336

2,526

Less: provision for expected credit losses

(17)

(20)

(26)

Trade receivables-net

1,643

3,316

2,500

Contract assets

192

241

68

Other debtors

201

95

17

Trade and other receivables

2,036

3,652

2,585

Prepayments

157

159

156

 

2,193

3,811

2,741

 

The fair value of trade and other receivables approximates closely to their book value.

 

Movements on the provision for expected credit loss are as follows:

 

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2020

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2019

Audited year ended

31 March

 2020

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

At beginning of the period

26

20

20

Charged to income statement

-

-

6

Credited to income statement

(4)

-

-

Written-back during the period

(5)

-

-

At end of the period (credit loss allowance)

17

20

26

 

The carrying amount of the Group's trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

 

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2020

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2019

Audited year ended

31 March

 2020

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Sterling

2,036

3,634

2,566

Euros

-

18

19

 

2,036

3,652

2,585

 

8.  Trade and other payables

 

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2020

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2019

Audited year ended

31 March

 2020

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Trade payables

865

1,186

1,205

Accruals

402

262

312

 

1,267

1,448

1,517

Contract liabilities

39

50

41

Other taxation and social security

464

435

569

 

1,770

1,933

2,127

 

The majority of trade and other payables are settled within three months from the period end.

 

The fair value of trade and other payables approximates closely to their book value.

 

The carrying amount of trade and other payables is denominated in the following currencies:

 

 

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2020

Unaudited six months ended 30 September 2019

Audited year ended

31 March

 2020

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Sterling

1,257

1,422

1,492

Euros

10

26

25

 

1,267

1,448

1,517

 

9.  Related party transactions

 

The Group and Company rents one of its offices under a lease expiring in 2028, with a break clause in 2023. The current annual rent of £215,000 was fixed, by independent valuation, at the last rent review in 2008. JC Rigg, a Director, has notified the Board that he has a 50% beneficial interest in this contract. The balance owed at the period end was £nil (2019: £nil).

 

 

 

10.  Statement of the directors' responsibilities

 

The Board confirms to the best of their knowledge;

 

· that the condensed consolidated half year financial statements for the six months to 30 September 2020 have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU; and

 

· that the Half Year Report includes a fair review of the information required by sections 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the period and their impact on the condensed consolidated half year financial statements; a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remainder of the current financial year; and the disclosure requirements in respect of material related party transactions.

 

By order of the Board

 

J V McDonald

Company Secretary

26 November 2020

 

Names of the current Board of Directors can be found on the company website at www.triad.co.uk.

 

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