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Interim Results Update

27 Nov 2012 07:00

RNS Number : 0540S
Better Capital PCC Limited
27 November 2012
 



NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DO SO

 

 27 November 2012

 

BETTER CAPITAL PCC LIMITED

(the "Company")

 

INTERIM RESULTS UPDATE

 

Better Capital PCC Limited (the "Company") is pleased to announce its interim financial resultsfor both the 2009 Cell and the 2012 Cell for the 6 month period ended 30 September 2012.

 

Highlights for the Company include: 

·; £58 million committed to bolt-on and new acquisitions in the current financial year, including ATH deal post period end

·; £440.8m total net asset value (2009 Cell: £275.3m, 2012 Cell: £165.5m)

·; Both 2009 Cell and 2012 Cell shares continue to trade at a premium to NAV

2009 Cell:

·; Net 34.3 per cent. growth in NAV per share in the 2009 Cell since launch

·; 2009 Cell now fully committed following £15.0m ATH deal post period end

·; Distribution of 5 pence per share to shareholders anticipated in Q1 2013

2012 Cell:

·; 2012 Cell completed its second investment, committing £40 million to Jaeger

·; NAV per share in the 2012 Cell materially unchanged as underlying businesses are progressing satisfactorily

 

Outlook

The Board is of the view that the level of potential deal flow will continue in the short to medium term and that this will provide appropriate opportunities for the Better Capital Funds to invest selectively in businesses with good prospects for successful turnaround.

 

Market conditions for most portfolio companies remain challenging and are predicted to be for some time yet. However, the track record of Better Capital investing in and turning around troubled businesses is expected to yield attractive exits. Planning to achieve those exits is already underway and the Board anticipates a distribution to shareholders of 5 pence per share in Q1 2013.

 

Enquiries:

 

Better Capital PCC Limited +44 (0)1481 716 000

Mark Huntley (Director)

Laurence McNairn (Administrator and Company Secretary)

 

Numis Securities Limited (Corporate Broker & Financial Adviser) +44 (0)20 7260 1000

Nathan Brown

Oliver Hardy

 

Powerscourt (Public Relations Adviser) +44 (0) 20 7250 1446

Jon Earl

 

Chairman's Statement

 

The Company will soon celebrate its third anniversary and I am delighted to be able to continue to report good progress achieved in the Better Capital Funds.

 

Investment activities

 

Fund I

 

A total of £6.6 million was invested out of Fund I into the underlying portfolio companies to fund, in particular, a strategically important follow-on acquisition in Gardner, working capital to Reader's Digest and the on-going restructuring programme in Fairline. Spicers repaid £5.0 million, of the original investment, to Fund I during the period and a further £10.0 million repayment is intended in the near future.

 

Since the period end Fund I has, through a wholly owned special purpose vehicle (the "SPV"), acquired certain bank facilities and related rights of ATH Resources Plc and its subsidiary, Aardvark TMC Limited (together "ATH"). Fund I has committed £15.0 million to the SPV. ATH is one of the UK's leading producers of coal.

 

The Board has been notified by Fund I GP Company that the ATH acquisition will be the last new investment for Fund I and that, following the end of the Fund I Investment Period, it is envisaged that £10.4 million will be returned to 2009 Cell for onward distribution to the 2009 Cell investors. The balance will be retained to support the growth of the portfolio companies.

 

Fund II

 

Fund II GP Company was pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Jaeger in the period, following shortly after the acquisition of Everest. Jaeger is a renowned ladies' and men's fashion retailer, operating in the premium segment. An initial investment of £40.0 million was made, with £6.4 million subsequently repaid during the period.

 

The Board has discussed with Fund II GP Company the dynamics behind the number of completed acquisitions to date by Fund II as its approaches its first full year of operations. Deal flow is reported to have been consistent, albeit not as strong as would have been liked, and a number of opportunities have been pursued but ultimately not executed as Fund II GP Company has been intent on maintaining its rigorous investment discipline.

 

Portfolios

 

Fund I GP Company has reported to the Board that the Fund I portfolio companies are progressing generally in line with expectations, leading to increases in the valuations of Gardner, Fairline and in particular Spicers. The exception to this encouraging progress is Reader's Digest, where the previously reported attrition in the Reader's Digests' core markets continues to more than offset the progress being made in the business' new growth initiatives, such as its own brand loyalty scheme, mobile phone contracts and holiday packages. The valuation of this investment has been substantially reduced. Overall, Fund I NAV has risen 34.3 per cent. since Fund I's launch in December 2009.

 

Fund II GP Company has informed the Board that both Everest and Jaeger are still in the early stages of their respective change programmes. However, solid improvements have been made and the businesses are progressing satisfactorily. Fund II is 35.3 per cent. invested and investments are carried at cost with overall NAV down 1.7 per cent. after deduction of expenses.

 

Though only two investments have been made by Fund II to date, Fund I had similar phases where the potential deal flow took time to convert. It is recognised that investments do not complete in a linear fashion. The Board and the Fund II GP Company have a strong belief in the need for continued investment discipline.

 

The Board remains satisfied with the overall progress achieved in the Better Capital Funds.

 

Deal flow

 

The potential deal flow remains consistent with, on average, a new investment opportunity being received each day. Opportunities are generated from a variety of sources and relate to businesses in a range of sectors with the composition staying broadly similar to prior periods. At 30 September 2012, the Consultant had logged a total of 886 leads.

 

The Consultant continues to develop the Better Capital brand through structured and consistent marketing. Key relationships within the advisory community and banks continue to be actively fostered as is the Consultant's participation in various media opportunities.

 

Outlook

 

The Board is of the view that the level of potential deal flow will continue in the short to medium term and that this will provide appropriate opportunities for the Better Capital Funds to invest selectively in businesses with good prospects for successful turnaround.

 

Market conditions for most portfolio companies remain challenging and are predicted to be for some time yet. However, the track record of Better Capital investing in and turning around troubled businesses is expected to yield attractive exits. Planning to achieve those exits is already underway and the Board anticipates a distribution to shareholders of 5 pence per share in Q1 2013.

 

Richard Crowder

Chairman 26 November 2012

Statement of Responsibility and Other Information

 

Responsibility Statement

 

The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

·; the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union; and

·; the Interim Financial Report meets the requirements of an interim management report (as defined below), and includes a fair review of the information required by:

a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first period of the financial year; and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties of the remaining six months of the year; and

b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first period of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the audited financial statements that could do so.

 

Shareholdings of the Directors

 

The beneficial interests in shares of the Company that were held by Directors as at 30 September 2012 are detailed below:

 

2009 Cell

 

Director

2009 Shares

Per cent. Holding*

30 September 2012

30 September 2012

31 March 2012

Richard Crowder

50,000

50,000

0.02

Richard Battey

30,000

30,000

0.01

Philip Bowman

250,000

250,000

0.12

Mark Huntley

10,000

10,000

0.005

 

* Per cent. holding is given on one for one share holding basis rather than on voting rights.

2012 Cell

 

Director

2012 Shares

Per cent. Holding*

30 September 2012

30 September 2012

31 March 2012

Richard Crowder

100,000

100,000

0.06

Richard Battey

30,000

30,000

0.02

Philip Bowman

500,000

500,000

0.29

Mark Huntley

20,000

20,000

0.01

 

* Per cent. holding is given on one for one share holding basis rather than on voting rights.

 

There have been no changes to the Directors' shareholdings since 30 September 2012.

 

Shareholders' voting rights

 

Other than the 100 Core Shares issued to the Better Capital Purpose Trust as part of the Conversion, the Directors confirm that there are no securities in issue that carry special rights with regards to the control of the Company. The Core Shares have no voting rights for so long as Cell Shares are in issue.

 

The Company's issued share capital consists of 206,780,952 2009 Shares and 169,861,895 2012 Shares. Under the Company's articles of incorporation, at any general meeting of the Company:

 

each holder of 2009 Shares who is present in person shall have one vote and on a poll the vote shall be weighted where a vote cast in relation to each 2009 Share shall count as 1.1096 towards the total number of votes cast; and

 

each holder of 2012 Shares who is present in person shall have one vote and on a poll the vote shall be weighted where a vote cast in relation to each 2012 Share shall count as 0.9770 towards the total number of votes cast.

 

The figure which may be used by the Shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, Better Capital PCC Limited under the FSA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules, is the aggregate of the number of votes capable of being cast on a poll, namely 395,399,215. This is calculated as the sum of the 2009 Shares (206,780,952) multiplied by 1.1096 plus the 2012 Shares (169,861,895) multiplied by 0.9770.

 

Similarly, to calculate the numerator, Shareholders should multiply their holding of 2009 Shares by 1.1096 and multiply their holding of 2012 Shares by 0.9770. The sum of those calculations will result in the relevant number of voting rights for the numerator.

 

Fund I GP's Share and Carried Interest

 

The Fund I GP's Share is calculated under the terms of the Fund I Limited Partnership Agreement and as described in the Prospectus dated 19 December 2011. Pursuant to the terms of the Fund I Limited Partnership Agreement, where net income and net capital gains are insufficient to extinguish the Fund I GP's Share, Fund I shall advance a non-interest bearing loan to the extent of the Fund I GP's Share not already drawn by the Fund I GP. The loan is not recoverable from the Fund I GP other than by allocation of net income or net capital gains.

 

In the period under review, Fund I has advanced a non-interest bearing loan to its general partner of £1.55 million (31 March 2012: £3.1 million) in respect of the Fund I GP's Share. This has been accounted for when calculating the fair value of the investment by 2009 Cell in Fund I.

 

No amounts are yet liable to be paid in respect of carried interest.

 

Fund II GP's Share and Carried Interest

 

The Fund II GP's Share is calculated under the terms of the Fund II Limited Partnership Agreement and as described in the Prospectus dated 19 December 2011. Pursuant to the terms of the Fund II Limited Partnership Agreement, where net income and net capital gains are insufficient to extinguish the Fund II GP's Share, Fund II shall advance a non-interest bearing loan to the extent of the Fund II GP Share not already drawn by the Fund II GP. The loan is not recoverable from the Fund II GP other than by allocation of net income or net capital gains.

 

In the period under review, Fund II has advanced a non-interest bearing loan to its general partner of £1.3 million (31 March 2012: £0.5 million) in respect of the Fund II GP's Share. This has been accounted for when calculating the fair value of the investment by 2012 Cell in Fund II.

 

No amounts are yet liable to be paid in respect of carried interest.

 

Going Concern

 

After making enquiries and given the nature of the Company, Fund I and its investments and Fund II and its investments, the Directors are satisfied that it is appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements, and, after due consideration, the Directors consider that the Company is able to continue for the foreseeable future.

 

Interim management report

 

·; Important events of the interim period

The important events of the interim period that have occurred during the period and the key factors influencing the financial statements are all set out in this report, comprising the Chairman's Statement, 2009 Cell General Partner's Report, Investment Report of Fund I and Financial Statement sections and 2012 Cell General Partner's Report, Investment Report of Fund II and Financial Statement sections.

 

·; Principal risk

For the remaining six months of the financial period, the Company's principal risk relates to the financial performance of the Fund I and Fund II portfolios.

 

The Directors of the Company are listed on within the Interim Report and have been directors throughout the period.

 

By order of the Board

 

Richard Crowder

Chairman

26 November 2012

Independent Review Report to Better Capital PCC Limited

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the Company condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the period ended 30 September 2012 which comprises the Company Condensed Statement of Financial Position, Company Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income, Company Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity, Company Condensed Statement of Cash Flows and Company related notes. We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

Directors' responsibilities

The interim financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the interim financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.

As disclosed in Note 2, the annual financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The Company's condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the Company's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for, and only for, the Company for the purpose of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and for no other purpose. We do not in producing this report accept or assume responsibility for any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the Company's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012, in all material respects, are not prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.

BDO LimitedChartered AccountantsPlace du Pré, Rue du Pré, St Peter Port, Guernsey

Date: 26 November 2012

Condensed Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 September 2012

 

As at

 

As at

As at

30 September 2012

30 September 2011

31 March 2012

Notes

£

 

£

£

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

(audited)

ASSETS:

Non-current assets

Investment in Limited Partnerships

4

437,295,172

227,644,403

418,842,480

Total non-current assets

437,295,172

227,644,403

418,842,480

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

1,618,239

436,142

833,874

Cash and cash equivalents

2,066,252

1,457,793

2,486,928

Total current assets

3,684,491

1,893,935

3,320,802

TOTAL ASSETS

440,992,952

229,538,338

422,163,282

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

(151,708)

(91,625)

(156,048)

Total current liabilities

(151,708)

(91,625)

(156,048)

TOTAL LIABILITIES

(151,708)

(91,625)

(156,048)

NET ASSETS

440,827,955

229,446,713

422,007,234

EQUITY

Share capital

100

-

100

Share premium

371,010,934

205,006,699

371,010,934

Retained earnings

69,816,921

24,440,014

50,996,200

TOTAL EQUITY

440,827,955

229,446,713

422,007,234

Number of 2009 Shares in issue at period/year end

206,780,952

206,780,952

206,780,952

Number of 2012 Shares in issue at period/year end

169,861,895

-

169,861,895

Net asset value per 2009 Share (pence)

6

133.13

 110.96  

123.81

Net asset value per 2012 Share (pence)

6

97.45

n/a

97.72

 

The unaudited condensed financial statements of the Company were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 26 November 2012 and signed on their behalf by:

 

Richard Crowder Richard Battey

Chairman Director

 

The notes form an integral part of the Company's condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

 

Period

1 April 2012 to

Period

1 April 2011 to

Year ended

30 September 2012

30 September 2011

31 March 2012

Notes

£

£

£

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Income

Change in fair value on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

4

18,452,692

18,750,926

44,449,003

Income distribution

4

800,000

560,000

1,760,000

Interest income

4,001

2,312

9,991

Total income

19,256,693

19,313,238

46,218,994

Expenses

Administration fees

125,000

87,500

198,866

Directors' fees and expenses

5

104,168

67,500

151,875

Legal and professional fees

91,041

52,772

108,806

Other fees and expenses

44,029

29,198

78,535

Audit fees

38,000

26,250

60,000

Insurance premiums

12,276

5,450

14,449

Registrar fees

21,458

6,407

12,116

Total expenses

435,972

275,077

624,647

Profit for the financial period/year

18,820,721

19,038,161

45,594,347

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period/year

18,820,721

19,038,161

45,594,347

Basic and diluted earnings per 2009 Share (pence)

6

9.32

-9.21

22.06

 

Basic and diluted earnings per 2012 Share (pence)

6

(0.26)

n/a

(0.01)

 

All activities derive from continuing operations.

 

The notes form an integral part of the Company's condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity

For the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

 

 

Share

Share

Retained

Total

Period

capital

premium

earnings

Equity

£

£

£

£

As at 1 April 2012

-

371,011,034

50,996,200

422,007,234

Profit for the financial period

-

-

18,820,721

18,820,721

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

18,820,721

18,820,721

As at 30 September 2012 (unaudited)

-

371,011,034

69,816,921

440,827,955

Share

Share

Retained

Total

Period

capital

premium

earnings

Equity

£

£

£

£

As at 1 April 2011

-

205,006,699

5,401,853

210,408,552

 

 

 

 

 

Profit for the financial period

-

-

19,038,161

19,038,161

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

19,038,161

19,038,161

As at 30 September 2011 (unaudited)

-

205,006,699

24,440,014

229,446,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

The notes form an integral part of the Company's condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

For the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

 

Period

 1 April 2012 to

Period

1 April 2011 to

Year ended

30 September 2012

30 September 2011

31 March 2012

£

£

£

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the financial period/year

18,820,721

19,038,161

45,594,347

Adjustments for:

Change in fair value on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

(18,452,692)

(18,750,926)

(44,449,003)

Movement in trade receivables

(784,365)

440,858

43,126

Movement in trade payables

(4,340)

(3,700)

60,723

Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities

(420,676)

724,393

1,249,193

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of investment in Limited Partnerships

-

-

(165,500,000)

Net cash used in investing activities

-

-

(165,500,000)

Cash flow from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of shares

-

-

169,861,995

Issue costs paid

-

-

(3,857,660)

Net cash generated from financing activities

-

-

166,004,335

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents during the period/year

(420,676)

724,393

1,753,528

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period/year

2,486,928

733,400

733,400

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period/year

2,066,252

1,457,793

2,486,928

 

Note

Net cash used in operating activities includes £3,988 (31 March 2012: £9,991, 30 September 2011: £2,312) interest received on cash balances.

 

 

The notes form an integral part of the Company's condensed interim financial statements.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Financial Statements

For the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

 

1. General information

 

Better Capital Limited

Better Capital Limited was a non-cellular company limited by shares, which was incorporated on 24 November 2009 in Guernsey with an unlimited life and registered with the Commission as a Registered Closed-ended Collective Investment Scheme pursuant to the POI Law. The registered office of the Company is Heritage Hall, PO Box 225, Le Marchant Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 4HY.

 

Better Capital PCC Limited following the Conversion

Following the Conversion, on 12 January 2012 by special resolution of its members, the Company is now a PCC limited by shares. It has maintained its date of incorporation, 24 November 2009 in Guernsey, and will continue with an unlimited life and continue to be registered with the Commission as a Registered Closed-ended Collective Investment Scheme pursuant to the POI Law.

 

The Company maintains a separate cell account for each class of shares, to which the proceeds of issue and the income arising from the investment of these proceeds in the respective Fund are credited, and against which the expenses allocated are charged. Under redemptions, shareholders are only entitled to their proportion of the net assets held in the cell relating to the particular shares.

 

There are currently two protected cells, being the 2009 Cell and the 2012 Cell.

 

The Cells have the investment objective of generating attractive total returns from investing (2009 Cell through Fund I and 2012 Cell through Fund II) in portfolios of businesses which have significant operating issues and may have associated financial distress, with a primary focus on businesses which have significant activities within the United Kingdom and Ireland. Such returns being expected to be largely derived from capital growth.

 

Upon conversion, the Company created the 2009 Cell to which were attributed, at the date of conversion, all of the members' shares, capital, assets and liabilities including all their investments in Fund I. 

 

The 2012 Cell closed on 12 January 2012, raising £169.9 million gross capital proceeds by way of a placing of shares.

 

Fund I is managed by its general partner, BECAP GP LP, which is in turn managed by its general partner BECAP GP Limited. Such arrangements are governed under the respective Limited Partnership Agreements.

 

Fund II is managed by its general partner, BECAP12 GP LP, which is in turn managed by its general partner BECAP12 GP Limited. Such arrangements are governed under the respective Limited Partnership Agreements.

 

2. Accounting policies

 

Basis of preparation

The unaudited company condensed financial information included in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2012 have been prepared in accordance with the DTRs of the UK's FSA and IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU.

 

The interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual financial statements for the year to 31 March 2012, which are available on the Company's website (www.bettercapital.gg). The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with EU adopted IFRSs.

 

The same accounting policies and methods of computation are followed in the interim financial statements as in the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2012.

 

The Company does not operate in an industry where significant or cyclical variations as a result of seasonal activity are experienced during the financial period.

 

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company, and in turn Fund I and II, have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and do not consider there to be any threat to the going concern status of the Company. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.

 

Segmental reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the Board of Directors, as a whole. The key measure of performance used by the Board to assess the Company's performance and to allocate resources is the total return on the Company's net asset value, as calculated under IFRS, and therefore no reconciliation is required between the measure of profit or loss used by the Board and that contained in the financial statements.

 

For management purposes, the Company is organised into two main operating segments, being the 2009 Cell and the 2012 Cell. Full details of the 2009 Cell's and 2012 Cell's results are shown in the individual cell accounts.

 

All of the Company's income is from within Guernsey.

 

All of the Company's non-current assets are located in Guernsey.

 

Due to the Company's nature it has no customers.

 

Critical accounting judgement and estimation uncertainty

Use of estimates and judgements

The preparation of 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 expenses.

 

Estimates and judgements are routinely evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

 

The areas involving a high degree of judgement or complexity or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed below. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

 

The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.

 

Investments in Fund I and Fund II

The value of the Company's investments in the Funds are based on the value of the Company's limited partner capital and loan accounts within each Fund, which themselves are based on the value of the underlying investee companies as determined by the General Partner of each Fund. Any fluctuation in the value of the underlying investee companies will directly impact on the value of the Company's investment in the Funds.

 

When valuing the underlying investee companies, the General Partner of each Fund reviews information provided by the underlying investee companies and other business partners and applies widely recognised valuation methods such as; price of recent investment, discounted cost, earnings multiple analysis, discounted cash flow method and third party valuation to estimate a fair value as at the date of the statement of financial position. The variety of valuation bases adopted, quality of management information provided by the underlying investee companies and the lack of liquid markets for the investments mean that there are inherent difficulties in determining the fair value of these investments that cannot be eliminated. Therefore the amounts realised on the sale of investments will differ from the fair values reflected in these financial statements and the differences may be significant.

 

Where price of recent investment is determined to be the most appropriate methodology the transactional price will be that of the investing Fund. Interest receivable on loans forwarded by Funds will only be recognised when it is deemed more likely than not that the interest will be paid due to the immaturity of the turnaround position of the investee companies.

 

Further information in relation to the valuations of the investments in the Funds is disclosed in Note 4.

 

3. Taxation

 

The Company and Cells are exempt from taxation in Guernsey and the Company is charged an annual exemption fee of £600.

 

 

4. Investment in Limited Partnerships

 

Total Investment:

Loans

Capital

Total

£

£

£

Cost

Brought forward at 1 April 2012

369,263,070

36,930

369,300,000

Additions during the period

-

-

-

Carried forward at 30 September 2012

369,263,070

36,930

369,300,000

Fair value adjustment through profit or loss

Brought forward at 1 April 2012

49,542,480

-

49,542,480

Fair value movement during period

18,452,692

-

18,452,692

Carried forward at 30 September 2012

67,995,172

-

67,995,172

Fair value as at 30 September 2012 (unaudited)

437,258,242

36,930

437,295,172

Loans

Capital

Total

£

£

£

Cost

Brought forward at 1 April 2011

203,779,620

20,380

203,800,000

Additions during the year

165,483,450

16,550

165,500,000

Carried forward at 31 March 2012

369,263,070

36,930

369,300,000

Fair value adjustment through profit or loss

Brought forward at 1 April 2011

5,093,477

-

5,093,477

Fair value movement during year

44,449,003

-

44,449,003

Carried forward at 31 March 2012

49,542,480

-

49,542,480

Fair value as at 31 March 2012 (audited)

418,805,550

36,930

418,842,480

 

 

The movement in fair value is derived from the fair value movements in the underlying investments held by Fund I and Fund II, net of income and expenses of Fund I and Fund II and their related special purpose vehicles.

 

The outstanding loans do not carry interest. The loans will be repaid by way of distributions from the Funds. The Company is not entitled to demand repayment of the outstanding loans.

 

Distributions receivable from the Funds in the period amounted to £800,000 in aggregate (31 March 2012: £1,760,000, 30 September 2011: £560,000), of which £1,600,000 (31 March 2012: £800,000, 30 September 2011: £420,000) remains outstanding at the period end, which have been allocated as income based on discretionary allocation powers of the respective General Partners of the Funds as set out in the respective Limited Partnership Agreements.

 

In the financial statements of the Company, the fair value of the loans will be increased or reduced to reflect the fair value of the Cell's attributable valuation of net assets within Fund I and Fund II.

 

The Omnico Group, Everest and Jaeger investments are carried at the price of recent investment. Interest receivable, in respect of the underlying loans made by the Funds to these investments, has not been recognised in calculating the fair value of the investments in the Funds due to their circumstances of being relatively immature turnaround opportunities. As at 30 September 2012 such unrecognised interest receivable amounted to £607,562 (31 March 2012: £1,044,625, 30 September 2011: £144,641).

 

5. Related party transactions

 

Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the party in making financial or operational decisions. The Directors are responsible for overall control, management and supervision of the Company's affairs and are responsible for the overall implementation of the investment objective and policy of the Company.

 

The Company has four non-executive Directors, all independent of the Administrator other than Mr Mark Huntley, who is also the managing director of HIFM. Mr Huntley is also a director of BECAP GP Limited, the general partner of the Fund I GP and BECAP12 GP Limited, the general partner of the Fund II GP.

 

Annual remuneration terms for each Director is as follows: the Chairman receives £60,000, the Chairman of the audit committee receives £52,500, the Chairman of the management engagement, nomination and remuneration committee receives £50,000 and the other non-executive director receives £45,000.

 

Directors' fees for the period to 30 September 2012 amounted to £104,168 (31 March 2012: £151,875, 30 September 2011: £67,500), of which £11,250 (31 March 2012: £nil, 30 September 2011: £nil) was outstanding at the period end.

 

6. Earnings per share and net asset value per share

 

Earnings per share

 

2009 Cell

Period

Period

1 April 2012 to

 30 September

 2012

1 April 2011 to

 30 September

 2011

Year ended31 March 2012

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Profit for the period/year

£19,264,039

£19,038,161

£45,617,221

Weighted average number of 2009 Shares in issue

206,780,952

206,780,952

206,780,952

EPS (pence)

9.32

9.21

22.06

 

 

 

2012 Cell

Period

Period

1 April 2012 to

12 January 2012 to

30 September 2012

31 March 2012

(unaudited)

(audited)

Loss for the period

£(443,322)

£(22,874)

Weighted average number of 2012 Shares in issue

169,861,895

169,861,895

EPS (pence)

(0.26)

(0.01)

The earnings per share is based on the profit or loss of each Cell of the Company for the period/year and on the weighted average number of shares of each Cell of the Company in issue for the period/year.

 

The Cells of the Company do not have any instruments which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future.

 

Net asset value per share

 

The net asset value per share for each Cell of the Company is arrived at by dividing the total net assets of the relevant Cell of the Company at the period/year end by the number of shares of the relevant Cell of the Company in issue at the period/year end.

 

7. Subsequent events

 

2009 Cell

Since the period end Fund I has, through a wholly owned special purpose vehicle (the "SPV"), acquired certain bank facilities and related rights of ATH Resources Plc and its subsidiary, Aardvark TMC Limited (together "ATH"). Fund I has committed £15.0 million to the SPV.

 

2012 Cell

1 October 2012 - A wholly owned subsidiary controlled by Fund II acquired the remaining 10 per cent. stake in Jaeger from Harold Tillman. No additional funding from Fund II was required to facilitate this transaction.

 

Other than the above, there were no significant events occurring after the reporting date of the report for the period ended 30 September 2012.

 

 

Better Capital 2009 Cell

 

Investment policy

 

2009 Cell

The Company implements its investment policy in relation to the 2009 Cell by attributing its current investment in Fund I to the 2009 Cell. Its investment policy is implemented through Fund I managed by Fund I GP in accordance with the following:

 

Better Capital Fund I investment objective and policy

Fund I seeks to invest in a portfolio of businesses which have significant operating issues and may have associated financial distress, with a primary focus on investments in businesses which have significant activities within the United Kingdom or Ireland.

 

Uninvested or surplus capital or assets may be invested on a temporary basis in:

 

- cash or cash equivalents, money market instruments, bonds, commercial paper or other debt obligations with banks or other counterparties having a "single A" or higher credit rating as determined by any reputable rating agency selected by the Fund I GP; and

- any "government and public securities" as defined for the purposes of the FSA Rules.

 

The aggregate amount deposited or invested with any single such bank or other counterparty (including their associates) or in government and public securities of any single issue, shall not exceed £35 million.

 

Fund I investment restrictions

Fund I must, at all times, invest and manage its assets in a way which spreads investment risk and in accordance with the following:

 

Fund I will not:

·; without the consent of the Company acting through 2009 Cell, invest directly or indirectly, (excluding any Bridging Investments) an aggregate amount representing, at the time of investment, more than 20 per cent. of the Fund I Total Commitments in the securities of any single company or group of companies;

·; invest more than 10 per cent. of the Fund I Total Commitments (at the time of investment) in quoted companies or securities representing or convertible into quoted securities, provided that such restriction shall not apply to:

- quoted positions in companies in respect of which there is an intention to become unquoted, or which become quoted after investment by Fund I;

- the short term investment of monies pending deployment into turnaround opportunities; or

- investments that have (in the opinion of the Fund I GP) the character of a private equity investment (which would generally include the ability to exert significant influence over value creation and/or the strategic direction of such entity);

·; engage in speculative investment in activities such as commodities, commodity contracts or forward currency contracts (provided however that this shall not prevent Fund I from entering into investment activities which are regarded by the Fund I GP as being protective of the interests of Fund I);

·; enter into any transaction where a security is sold short or where Fund I has an uncovered position (other than for the purposes of hedging in connection with an investment); or

·; other than as required for the purposes or efficient portfolio management, invest at any time in any option, futures contract, total return swap, derivative, contract for difference or other similar instrument (excluding convertible securities or similar arrangements).

 

Fund I may make investments in collective investment schemes (including unregulated collective investment schemes and collective investment schemes operated or advised by the Fund I GP or its associates) but shall not make any investment in any fund or collective investment scheme which involves paying any additional management fees or carried interest (or equivalent) to any fund or investment manager.

 

Fund I Borrowings

As part of its investment policy, no borrowings can be made by the Company in relation to the 2009 Cell.

 

Fund I is permitted to borrow, on a short term basis, for any purpose, up to an aggregate amount limited to an amount equal to 10 per cent. of Total Commitments. It is not expected that Fund I will borrow and Fund I is not permitted to incur long term borrowings.

 

There is no restriction on borrowings at levels below that of Fund I, but it is anticipated that there will be limited scope for such borrowing given the nature of the businesses in which Fund I has invested.

 

Amendments to the Fund I investment policy

The Company acting in relation to the 2009 Cell ensures that at all times the Fund I GP complies with the investment objective, policy and restrictions of Fund I under the terms of the Fund I Partnership Agreement. In order to achieve an appropriate level of certainty for holders of the 2009 Shares, the investment objective, policy and restrictions of Fund I have been entrenched in the Fund I Partnership Agreement and cannot be varied without an amendment to the Fund I Partnership Agreement, which would require the consent of the Company acting in relation to the 2009 Cell. The Company will seek approval of the holders of the 2009 Shares by way of ordinary resolution before consenting to an amendment to the investment policy set out in the Fund I Partnership Agreement.

 

Fund I Investment Period and Reinvestment of Proceeds

The Fund I Investment Period is the period from 21 December 2009 to 31 December 2012, provided that such period may be extended by up to 12 calendar months by the Fund I GP with the consent of the Company acting in relation to the 2009 Cell, and may be terminated earlier following an Executive Departure (as defined in the Fund I Partnership Agreement). During the Fund I Investment Period, the Fund I GP may apply amounts committed to Fund I or reinvest the proceeds of any realised investments into new investment opportunities in accordance with the investment objective, policy and restrictions, or otherwise apply such commitments or proceeds in the pursuit of the business of Fund I.

 

Following the expiry of the Fund I Investment Period, the Fund I GP may not make any new investments, or otherwise apply amounts committed to Fund I or reinvest proceeds received other than in the following limited circumstances, namely:

 

·; for the purpose of paying any obligation of, or any of the expenses and liabilities of, Fund I;

·; for the purpose of paying the Fund I GP's Share (including advances or loans in respect thereof);

·; for the purpose of making investments or completing contracts committed or entered into before that date; and

·; for the purpose of making Follow-On Investments.

 

Highlights - 2009 Cell

 

£173.3 MILLION / 84.5 PER CENT. invested

7 completed Fund I platform acquisitions to 30 September 2012*

8 completed Fund I bolt-on acquisitions to 30 September 2012

34.3 per cent. increase in NAV

DISTRIBUTION of 5 pence per share anticipated in Q1 2013

* DigiPoS and Clarity were merged in the period to create Omnico Group.

 

Key Financials

NAV

£275.3m

NAV per share

133.13 pence

NAV period-to-date return **

34.3 per cent.

Share price at 30 September 2012

148.00 pence

Market capitalisation at 30 September 2012

£306.0m

 

** Based on the weighted average issue price of ordinary shares and net of share issue costs.

 

 

Investment activities in Fund I

 

The following investment activities took place between 1 April 2012 and 30 September 2012:

 

Gardner

·; 26 April 2012 - Fund I, through its special purpose vehicles, invested £3.0 million into Gardner-Airia Holdings SAS, a sister company of Gardner, to part fund the acquisition of Airia SAS and its subsidiaries ("Airia"). Airia, a French company with operations near Toulouse, Marseille and Lyon, manufactures, fabricates, assembles and distributes aerospace components. The acquisition of Airia brings the total committed and invested by Fund I in Gardner to £40.6 million.

·; 12 June 2012 - Pranita Engineering Solutions Private Limited ("Pranita"), a company based in India, is a privately held aerospace engineering business. Gardner owns 70 per cent. of the equity in Pranita. The acquisition had been funded from Gardner's internal cash resources.

Reader's Digest

·; 18 May and 4 July 2012 - Reader's Digest drew down the remaining £2.0 million working capital facility in two tranches to fund working capital and growth initiatives. Fund I's total commitment and investment in Reader's Digest is £23.0 million.

Spicers

·; 26 September 2012 - Spicers repaid £5.0 million of the short-term loan from Fund I out of surplus cash resources. At 30 September 2012, the total commitment and investment in Spicers stood at £15.0 million.

Fairline

·; 1 August 2012 - Macsco 30 Limited, the acquisition vehicle of Fairline Boats Acquisition Limited, drew down the remaining £1.6 million commitment from Fund I and £1.4 million commitment from West Register (Investments) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, to fund the business's on-going restructuring programme. The total amount committed and invested by Fund I now stands at £16.6 million.

 

General Partner's Report

 

It is pleasing to report that during the period since the last report, a number of Fund I's portfolio companies have shown considerable improvement, and are growing in profitability. This has resulted in a further substantial increase in the Net Asset Value of the Fund I assets.

 

Activities

The volume of investment activity in the period to 30 September has been comparatively lower than prior periods. Fund I enjoyed an unprecedented period of activity in the summer of 2011, with the acquisitions of (and the intention to acquire) Fairline, DigiPoS, Spicers and Clarity.

Nevertheless, a total of £6.6 million was invested in the current period. Of the total, £3.0 million went into part funding Gardner group's acquisition of Airia, a French aerospace components manufacturer. From Gardner's perspective, this acquisition is strategically important and places the combined business more clearly in the top ranking of European industry suppliers. The combined business has a pro forma turnover of over £105 million and over 1,400 employees.

Two of the portfolio companies, Reader's Digest and Fairline, received further funds from Fund I for a total of £3.6 million. Both investments have been made in line with Fund I's commitment in previous periods.

In the current period, Fund I received a £5.0 million repayment from Spicers. This was funded out of internal cash resources.

Since the period end Fund I has, through a wholly owned special purpose vehicle (the "SPV"), acquired certain bank facilities and related rights of ATH Resources Plc and its subsidiary, Aardvark TMC Limited (together "ATH"). Fund I has committed £15.0 million to the SPV.

 

Future activities

In addition to the £5.0 million repaid by Spicers during the review period, Spicers intends to repay a further £10.0 million in the near future. Strong focus on both margins and working capital has enhanced the business's profitability and cash, enabling it to fund the repayment from internal cash resources. 87.5 per cent. of the total cash deployed in Spicers would then have been returned.

 

Portfolio update

Market fundamentals have remained broadly unchanged since the last report with the UK trading environment set to stay challenging for some time. Against this backdrop, businesses that succeed need to be well-managed, well capitalised and capable of executing rapid change.

Gardner continues to build on the strong progress it has achieved. This period has largely been about embedding the recent acquisitions in France and India into Gardner. Whilst the acquisition of Airia (France) was a strategic move to position Gardner as a 'Super Tier-2' supplier, the acquisition of Pranita (India) has enabled Gardner to exploit a further lower cost source. This period also marked the completion of Victory Park, Gardner's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Derbyshire. The extensive programme of site closures and moves was substantially completed in the period. Customer confidence in Gardner is growing as the business continues to impress with the speed with which it responds and also its entrepreneurial approach to problem solving. Gardner looks set to enjoy yet another year of strong revenue and profit growth, driven by strong demand and a leaner organisation.

Reader's Digest's core business continues to decline due to the widespread increase in customers buying digital content. The decline has, to an extent, been stemmed by the introduction of new growth initiatives, including Reader's Digest own-branded loyalty scheme, mobile phone contracts for the over 60s and holiday packages. Operational performance and customer satisfaction continue to improve, and is a key factor contributing to one of the lowest attrition rates in Reader's Digest Europe. The General Partner is nevertheless cognisant of the substantial change in the market the business operates in and has therefore decided to reduce the Reader's Digest fair value substantially. Negotiations continue with Reader's Digest Inc., the global licence holder, with a view to establishing a more sustainable mutual relationship.

m-hance, a Microsoft based provider of business management software continues to perform well. The acquisitions of Touchstone, Trinity, Gyrosoft and Maxima are now fully embedded, enabling m-hance to benefit from economies of scale.

Calyx Managed Services has enjoyed good traction in re-positioning the business towards the provision of outsourced managed services. Revenue growth remains a challenge due to widespread cut-backs in IT spending but substantial margin improvement and cost reductions are increasing profitability. The business has also experienced a senior management overhaul.

Santia's restructuring programme is now largely completed. This will enable Santia to benefit from a further cost base reduction. Santia has had mixed success from its business lines. Excellent results and growth have been achieved in its contractor certification business line; by contrast, its training business fell well below expectations due largely to very weak customer demand. Overall it expects to end 2012 with profits well ahead of the prior year but behind its own forecasts. System improvements and substantial headcount reductions together with a progressively stronger sales performance show good prospects for next year.

Omnico Group, the business formed from the merger of DigiPoS and Clarity is progressing satisfactorily. The business has benefitted from a complete change of the senior management team and from significant structural reorganisation. New product developments in both hardware and software are receiving encouraging feedback from both existing and prospective customers. A crucial milestone for the coming period is to fully exploit the opportunities from the merger, thus enabling the business to drive profitable revenue growth. Omnico Group is on an improving track but substantial profitability is not expected for at least a further year as the effects of re-organisation and product development become apparent.

Fairline continues to progress well despite difficult market conditions. Operational efficiency has continued to improve and the business is now reporting sustainable profits from a significantly loss-making position at acquisition. New boat models featured at recent boat shows have been well received and secured good orders. Fairline's next major milestone will be the re-engineering of the Colby factory layout to increase production flexibility. This will enable the business to respond more directly to market demand. Further funding may be made available to Fairline.

Spicers is performing well. The focus for this period has been about margin improvements and working capital optimisation through the implementation of a number of strategies. Spicers has also established a Chinese purchasing office which is responsible for procuring Spicers' own branded stationery, '5 Star'. Surplus freehold land in Sawston, Cambridge is currently being marketed for disposal, with the planned relocation of the head office and central distribution centre progressing to plan. The business's improved profitability and cash generation has enabled it to repay £5.0 million to Fund I in the period, with an intent to repay a further £10.0 million.

Uninvested proceeds

At 30 September 2012, uninvested cash in Fund I stood at £25.5 million. This balance excludes the £15.0 million committed to ATH and the £10.0 million Spicers intends to repay in the near future. The remaining cash will be used for the on-going support of the portfolio with consideration given to a return of capital of £10.4 million to 2009 Cell in Q1 2013.

 

Jon Moulton

Director

BECAP GP Limited 26 November 2012

Investment Report of Fund I

 

Gardner

 

Business description

 

·; A leading supplier of medium and high complexity machined metallic components to the aerospace industry (www.gardner-aerospace.com)

Progress

 

·; The relocation of head office and production to Victory Park, Derby has been completed

·; The UK site rationalisation programme completed in Autumn 2012

·; Integration of the newly acquired Airia, France and Pranita, India are progressing satisfactorily

·; Strengthened relationships with Airbus, GKN and Rolls Royce

 

Performance

 

·; Trading in line with investment plan with profitability significantly up on prior year

Fund I Investment details

30 September 2012

31 March

2012

30 September 2011

Original investment (February 2010)

 £14.9m

 £14.9m

 £14.9m

Acquisition of RD Precision (May 2010)

£3.6m

£3.6m

£3.6m

Acquisition of Blade (January 2011)

£2.5m

£2.5m

£2.5m

Purchase of new factory (March 2011)

£7.0m

£7.0m

£7.0m

Working capital facility (May 2011)

£9.6m

£9.6m

£8.0m

Towards acquisition of Airia (April 2012)

£3.0m

n/a

n/a

Total invested

£40.6m

£37.6m

£36.0m

Total committed

£40.6m

£37.7m

£36.0m

Fund I fair value (earnings based)

£69.6m

£55.4m

£52.6m

Investment Report of Fund I (Continued)

 

Reader's Digest

 

Business description

 

·; An iconic brand in direct marketing and publishing in the UK (www.readersdigest.co.uk)

Progress

 

·; A number of new strategic partnerships for the provision of financial products, escorted holidays, and loyalty cards have been launched

·; Developed digital offering - a total of 1,000 products now available online

·; Performance of the core business of direct marketing of books, CDs and DVDs is declining in line with market trends

 

Performance

 

·; The attrition in Reader's Digests' core markets is more than offsetting the progress being made in the new growth initiatives and the valuation has been substantially reduced. Nonetheless, the company has no external debt and is anticipating a profit in Q4 2012, traditionally a strong trading period.

Fund I Investment details

30 September 2012

31 March

2012

30 September 2011

Original investment (April 2010)

£13.0m

£13.0m

£13.0m

On-going restructuring programme (June 2011)

£2.0m

£2.0m

£2.0m

Working capital facility (July 2011)

£6.0m

£6.0m

£5.0m

Working capital facility (June/July 2012)

£2.0m

n/a

n/a

Total invested

£23.0m

£21.0m

£20.0m

Total committed

£23.0m

£23.0m

£23.0m

Fund I fair value (net asset based)

£1.0m

£14.7m

£18.0m

 

Investment Report of Fund I (Continued)

 

Calyx

 

Business description

 

·; The Calyx investment consists of two separate businesses

·; m-hance: Leading UK supplier in Microsoft AX and Dynamics business management software (www.m-hance.com)

·; Calyx Managed Services: Leading supplier of managed IT services to small and medium sized enterprises (www.calyxgroup.com)

Progress

·; Integration following the acquisition of certain software assets and trading from Maxima plc into m-hance completed with benefits being realised

·; Re-financing of freehold property to support acquisition strategy in progress

·; New management team in Calyx Managed Services installed to drive revenue growth

 

Performance

 

·; m-hance performing ahead of investment plan whilst Calyx Managed Services performing to plan

Fund I Investment details

30 September 2012

31 March

2012

30 September 2011

Original investment (September 2010)

£16.3m

£16.3m

£16.3m

Working capital facility

£5.5m

£5.5m

£5.5m

Acquisition of Touchstone (June 2011)

£2.5m

£2.5m

£2.5m

Acquisition of Trinity (June 2011)

£3.5m

£3.5m

£3.5m

Towards acquisition of Maxima (February 2012)

£3.2m

£3.2m

n/a

Total invested

£31.0m

£31.0m

£27.8m

Total committed

£31.0m

£31.0m

£28.5m

Fund I fair value (earnings based)

£40.1m

£40.1m

£34.5m

 

 

Investment Report of Fund I (Continued)

 

Santia

 

Business description

 

·; Provider of consultancy and advisory health, safety and environmental services (www.santia.co.uk)

Progress

 

·; Restructuring and IT system programmes largely completed and are delivering benefits

·; Setup of Dubai office to facilitate regional growth in its Training division

·; Strong growth in its contractor accreditation division

Performance

 

·; Varied performance across the seven divisions. The challenge is to support and develop the divisions that operate in growing markets and drive further efficiency improvements in the divisions that operate in contracting markets

Fund I Investment details

30 September 2012

31 March

2012

30 September 2011

Original investment (February 2011)

£15.0m

£15.0m

£15.0m

Return of loan (May 2011)

-£3.5m

-£3.5m

-£3.5m

On-going restructuring programme (October 2011)

£1.5m

£1.5m

n/a

Total invested

£13.0m

£13.0m

£11.5m

Total committed

£15.0m

£15.0m

£15.0m

Fund I fair value (earnings based)

£27.7m

£27.7m

£17.1m

 

 

Investment Report of Fund I (Continued)

 

Omnico Group

 

Business description

 

·; A supplier of electronic point of sale ("EPoS") hardware and software and provider of related installation services (www.omnicogroup.com)

Progress

 

·; Merger between DigiPoS and Clarity is completed. The business has been re-branded as Omnico Group

·; New CEO and CTO for the combined group recruited, in addition to strengthening middle management

·; Disposal of Benelux subsidiary to ex-local managers

·; Cost reduction plans in progress

·; Investment in new Software and Hardware product development

 

Performance

 

·; Integrating the two businesses and finding good management has taken longer than originally anticipated; however, solid progress is now being achieved

Fund I Investment details

30 September 2012

31 March

2012

30 September 2011

DigiPoS original investment (July 2011)

£21.0m

£21.0m

£21.0m

Clarity original investment (September 2011)

£10.5m

£10.5m

n/a

Clarity working capital facility (November 2011)

£0.4m

£0.4m

n/a

DigiPoS return of short-term loan (February 2012)

-£3.0m

-£3.0m

n/a

Clarity working capital facility (March 2012)

£4.1m

£4.1m

n/a

Total invested

£33.0m

£33.0m

£21.0m

Total committed

£33.0m

£33.0m

£21.0m

Fund I fair value (price of recent transaction)

£33.0m

£33.0m

£21.0m

 

 

Investment Report of Fund I (Continued)

 

Fairline

 

Business description

 

·; A leading global brand specialising in the design, engineering, manufacture and distribution of luxury boats in the range of 38 to 78 feet (www.fairline.com)

Progress

 

·; Cost reduction plans progressing at pace with continued improvement in production efficiency

·; Manufacturing re-layout to match product line output to customer demand (pull model)

·; Disposal of surplus freehold

·; Marketing organisation and approach strengthened and focused

·; Global dealer distribution strengthened

Performance

 

·; Fairline is trading profitably and in line with expectation

Fund I Investment details

30 September 2012

31 March

2012

30 September 2011

Original investment (July 2011)

£15.0m

£15.0m

£15.0m

Working capital facility (August 2012)

£1.6m

n/a

n/a

Total invested

£16.6m

£15.0m

£15.0m

Total committed

£16.6m

£16.6m

£16.6m

Fund I fair value (earnings based)

£22.0m

£15.0m

£15.0m

 

Investment Report of Fund I (Continued)

 

 

Spicers

 

Business description

 

·; A leading supplier of office supplies and equipment (www.spicers.co.uk)

 

Progress

 

·; Strategy focused on increasing margins

·; Focus on service to improve dealer support

·; Increase routes to market, contract stationery division now in place

·; Established representative office in the Far East for low cost sourcing

·; High added value own brand products being sourced with quality suppliers

·; Footprint re-engineering underway with reduction of two distribution centres

·; Further site rationalisation on-going

 

Performance

 

·; The business is trading ahead of the investment case

Fund I Investment details

30 September 2012

31 March

2012

30 September 2011

Original investment (December 2011)

£40.0m

£40.0m

n/a

Repayment of short-term loan (December 2011)

-£10.0m

-£10.0m

n/a

Repayment of short-term loan (March 2012)

-£10.0m

-£10.0m

n/a

Repayment of short-term loan (September 2012)

-£5.0m

n/a

n/a

Total invested

£15.0m

£20.0m

n/a

Total committed

£15.0m

£20.0m

n/a

Fund I fair value (earnings & asset based)

£52.5m

£34.9m

n/a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Investment Report of Fund I (Continued)

 

 

Portfolio summary and reconciliation

 

 Sector

 Fund Project cost*

 Fund fair value investment in SPV's**

 Valuation percentage of NAV

 Valuation methodology

 £m

 £m

 Gardner

 Aerospace manufacturing

40.6

69.6

25.29%

 Earnings

 Reader's Direct

 Direct Marketing

23.0

1.0

0.36%

 Net Assets

 Calyx

 Information Systems

31.0

40.1

14.57%

 Earnings

 Santia

 Professional Services

13.0

27.7

10.06%

 Earnings

 Omnico Group

 Information Systems

33.0

33.0

11.99%

 Price of Recent Investment

 Fairline

 Marine Manufacturing

16.6

22.0

7.99%

 Earnings

 Spicers

 Wholesale

15.0

52.5

19.07%

 Earnings & Assets

172.2

245.9

89.33%

 Fund cash on deposit

25.5

9.26%

 Fund & SPV combined other net assets

1.9

0.69%

2009 Cell fair value of investment in Fund

273.3

99.28%

2009 Cell cash on deposit

1.8

0.65%

2009 Cell current assets less liabilities

0.2

0.07%

2009 Cell NAV

275.3

100.00%

 * Fund I holds its investments at cost in accordance with the terms of the Limited Partnership Agreement.

 ** 2009 Cell fair values its investment in Fund I in accordance with the accounting policies as set out in Note 2.

 

 

 

 

Investment Report of Fund I (Continued)

 

 

Cash Management

 

As at 30 September 2012, Fund I had placed a total of £25.5 million (31 March 2012: £28.7 million, 30 September 2011: £26.0 million) of cash on instant access deposit with two banks. Fund I has in place a strict cash management policy that limits counterparty risks whilst simultaneously seeking to maximise returns.

Counterparty

Location

S&P Rating

Term

30 September 2012

Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited

Guernsey

A-

Instant access

£6.3 million

Lloyds TSB Offshore Ltd

Jersey

A

Instant access

£19.2 million

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO BETTER CAPITAL PCC LIMITED IN RESPECT OF THE 2009 CELL

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements of the 2009 Cell, a cell of Better Capital PCC Limited for the period ended 30 September 2012 which comprise the 2009 Cell Condensed Statement of Financial Position, the 2009 Cell Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income, the 2009 Cell Condensed Statement of Cash Flows, the 2009 Cell Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity and the 2009 Cell related notes. We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

Directors' responsibilities

The interim financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the interim financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.

As disclosed in Note 2, the annual financial statements of the 2009 Cell are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The 2009 Cell's condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the 2009 Cell's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for, and only for, the Company for the purpose of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and for no other purpose. We do not in producing this report accept or assume responsibility for any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the 2009 Cell's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012, in all material respects, are not prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.

BDO LimitedChartered AccountantsPlace du Pré, Rue du Pré, St Peter Port, Guernsey

26 November 2012

Condensed Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 September 2012

 

As at

 

As at

As at

30 September 2012

30 September 2011

31 March 2012

Notes

£

 

£

£

(unaudited)

 

 (unaudited)

(audited)

ASSETS:

Non-current assets

Investment in Limited Partnership

4

273,248,521

227,644,403

253,755,649

Total non-current assets

273,248,521

227,644,403

253,755,649

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

312,947

436,142

316,924

Cash and cash equivalents

1,812,944

1,457,793

2,037,689

Total current assets

2,125,891

1,893,935

2,354,613

TOTAL ASSETS

275,074,412

229,538,338

256,110,262

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

(84,600)

(91,625)

(84,489)

Total current liabilities

(84,600)

(91,625)

(84,489)

TOTAL LIABILITIES

(84,600)

(91,625)

(84,489)

NET ASSETS

275,289,812

229,446,713

256,025,773

EQUITY

Share capital

-

-

-

Share premium

205,006,699

205,006,699

205,006,699

Retained earnings

70,283,113

24,440,014

51,019,074

TOTAL EQUITY

275,289,812

229,446,713

256,025,773

Number of 2009 Shares in issue at period/year end

206,780,952

206,780,952

206,780,952

Net asset value per 2009 Share (pence)

6

133.13

 110.96  

123.81

 

The unaudited condensed financial statements of the 2009 Cell were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 26 November 2012 and signed on their behalf by:

 

 

 

Richard Crowder Richard Battey

Chairman Director

 

 

The notes form an integral part of the 2009 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

 

Period

1 April 2012 to

Period

1 April 2011 to

Year ended

30 September 2012

30 September 2011

31 March 2012

Notes

£

£

£

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Income

Change in fair value on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

4

19,492,872

18,750,926

44,862,172

Income distribution

4

-

560,000

1,260,000

Interest income

3,379

2,312

6,946

Total income

19,496,251

19,313,238

46,129,118

Expenses

Administration fees

75,165

87,500

169,948

Directors' fees and expenses

5

52,084

67,500

126,562

Legal and professional fees

47,586

52,772

96,579

Other fees and expenses

20,851

29,198

57,843

Audit fees

19,000

26,250

30,000

Insurance premiums

6,138

5,450

11,380

Registrar fees

11,388

6,407

19,585

Total expenses

232,212

275,077

511,897

Profit for the financial period/year

19,264,039

19,038,161

45,617,221

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period/year

19,264,039

19,038,161

45,617,221

Basic and diluted earnings per 2009 Share (pence)

6

9.32

-9.21

22.06

 

 

All activities derive from continuing operations.

 

 

The notes form an integral part of the 2009 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity

For the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

 

 

Period

 

Share

Share

Retained

Total

capital

premium

earnings

Equity

£

£

£

£

As at 1 April 2012

-

205,006,699

51,019,074

256,025,773

Profit for the financial period

-

-

19,264,039

19,264,039

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

19,264,039

19,264,039

As at 30 September 2012 (unaudited)

-

205,006,699

70,283,113

275,289,812

Period

 

Share

Share

Retained

Total

capital

premium

earnings

Equity

£

£

£

£

As at 1 April 2011

-

205,006,699

5,401,853

210,408,552

Profit for the financial period

-

-

19,038,161

19,038,161

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

19,038,161

19,038,161

As at 30 September 2011 (unaudited)

-

205,006,699

24,440,014

229,446,713

 

The notes form an integral part of the 2009 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

For the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

 

 

Period

1 April 2012 to

Period

1 April 2011 to

Year ended

30 September 2012

30 September 2011

31 March 2012

£

£

 

£

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

 

(audited)

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the financial period/year

19,264,039

19,038,161

45,617,221

Adjustments for:

Change in fair value on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

(19,492,872)

(18,750,926)

(44,862,172)

Movement in trade receivables

3,977

440,858

560,076

Movement in trade payables

111

(3,700)

(10,836)

Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities

(224,745)

724,393

1,304,289

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents during the period/year

(224,745)

724,393

1,304,289

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period/year

2,037,689

733,400

733,400

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period/year

1,812,944

1,457,793

2,037,689

 

Note

Net cash used in operating activities includes £3,379 (March 2012 £6,946, September 2011: £2,312) interest received on cash balances.

 

 

The notes form an integral part of the 2009 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Financial Statements

For the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

 

1. General information

 

Better Capital 2009 Cell

 

The 2009 Cell was constituted upon the Conversion of Better Capital Limited to Better Capital PCC Limited on 12 January 2012.

 

All previous assets and liabilities of Better Capital Limited were attributed to the 2009 Cell, except for professional fees incurred prior to, but relating to, the Conversion which were apportioned to the 2012 Cell as issue costs.

 

The Company maintains a separate cell account for each class of shares, to which the proceeds of issue and the income arising from the investment of these proceeds in the respective Fund are credited, and against which the expenses allocated are charged. Under redemptions, shareholders are only entitled to their proportion of the net assets held in the cell relating to the particular shares.

 

The 2009 Cell has the investment objective of generating attractive total returns from investing (through Fund I) in a portfolio of businesses which have significant operating issues and may have associated financial distress, with a primary focus on businesses which have significant activities within the United Kingdom and Ireland. Such returns being expected to be largely derived from capital growth.

 

Fund I is managed by its general partner, BECAP GP LP, which is in turn managed by its general partner BECAP GP Limited. Such arrangements are governed under the respective Limited Partnership Agreements.

 

The 2009 Cell is listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market.

 

2. Accounting policies

 

Basis of preparation

The unaudited Cell 2009 condensed financial information included in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2012 have been prepared in accordance with the DTRs of the UK's FSA and IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU.

 

The interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year to 31 March 2012, which are available on the Company's website (www.bettercapital.gg). The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with EU adopted IFRSs.

 

The same accounting policies and methods of computation are followed in the interim financial statements as in the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2012.

 

The 2009 Cell does not operate in an industry where significant or cyclical variations as a result of seasonal activity are experienced during the financial period.

 

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the 2009 Cell, and in turn Fund I, have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and do not consider there to be any threat to the going concern status of the 2009 Cell. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.

 

Segmental reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the Board of Directors, as a whole. The key measure of performance used by the Board to assess the 2009 Cell's performance and to allocate resources is the total return on the 2009 Cell's net asset value, as calculated under IFRS, and therefore no reconciliation is required between the measure of profit or loss used by the Board and that contained in the financial statements.

 

For management purposes, the 2009 Cell is organised into one main operating segment, which invests in one limited partnership.

 

All of the 2009 Cell's income is from within Guernsey.

 

All of the 2009 Cell's non-current assets are located in Guernsey.

 

Due to the 2009 Cell's nature it has no customers.

 

Critical accounting judgement and estimation uncertainty

 

Use of estimates and judgements

The preparation of 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 expenses.

 

Estimates and judgements are routinely evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

 

The areas involving a high degree of judgement or complexity or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed below. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

 

The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.

 

Investment in Fund I

The value of the 2009 Cell's investment in Fund I is based on the value of the 2009 Cell's limited partner capital and loan accounts within Fund I, which itself is based on the value of the underlying investee companies as determined by the General Partner. Any fluctuation in the value of the underlying investee companies will directly impact on the value of the 2009 Cell's investment in Fund I.

 

When valuing the underlying investee companies, the General Partner of Fund I reviews information provided by the underlying investee companies and other business partners and applies widely recognised valuation methods such as; price of recent investment, discounted cost, earnings multiple analysis, discounted cash flow method and third party valuation to estimate a fair value as at the date of the statement of financial position. The variety of valuation bases adopted, quality of management information provided by the underlying investee companies and the lack of liquid markets for the investments mean that there are inherent difficulties in determining the fair value of these investments that cannot be eliminated. Therefore the amounts realised on the sale of investments will differ from the fair values reflected in these financial statements and the differences may be significant.

 

Where price of recent investment is determined to be the most appropriate methodology the transactional price will be that of Fund I. Interest receivable on loans forwarded by Fund I will only be recognised when it is deemed more likely than not that the interest will be paid due to the immaturity of the turnaround position of the investee companies.

 

Further information in relation to the valuation of the investment in Fund I is disclosed in Note 4.

 

3. Taxation

 

The 2009 Cell is exempt from taxation in Guernsey as Better Capital PCC Limited has tax exempt status.

 

4. Investment in Limited Partnership

 

Loans

Capital

Total

£

£

£

Cost

Brought forward at 1 April 2012

203,779,620

20,380

203,800,000

Additions during the period

-

-

-

Carried forward at 30 September 2012

203,779,620

20,380

203,800,000

Fair value adjustment through profit or loss

Brought forward at 1 April 2012

49,955,649

-

49,955,649

Fair value movement during period

19,492,872

-

19,492,872

Carried forward at 30 September 2012

69,448,521

-

69,448,521

Fair value as at 30 September 2012 (unaudited)

273,228,141

20,380

273,248,521

Loans

Capital

Total

£

£

£

Cost

Brought forward at 1 April 2011

203,779,620

20,380

203,800,000

Additions during the period

-

-

-

Carried forward at 31 March 2012

203,779,620

20,380

203,800,000

Fair value adjustment through profit or loss

Brought forward at 1 April 2011

5,093,477

-

5,093,477

Fair value movement during period

44,862,172

-

44,862,172

Carried forward at 31 March 2012

49,955,649

-

49,955,649

Fair value as at 31 March 2012 (audited)

253,735,269

20,380

253,755,649

 

 

The movement in fair value is derived from the fair value uplifts in the Calyx, Fairline, Gardner, Santia and Spicers investments and the write down in Reader's Digest, net of income and expenses of Fund I and its related special purpose vehicles.

 

The outstanding loans do not carry interest. The loans will be repaid by way of distributions from Fund I. The 2009 Cell is not entitled to demand repayment of the outstanding loans.

 

Distributions receivable from Fund I in the period amounted to £nil (31 March 2012: £1,260,000, 30 September 2011: £560,000), of which £300,000 (31 March 2012: £300,000, 30 September 2011: £420,000) remains outstanding at the period end, which have been allocated as income based on discretionary allocation powers of the General Partner of Fund I as set out in the Limited Partnership Agreement.

 

In the financial statements of the 2009 Cell the fair value of the loans will be increased or reduced to reflect the fair value of the 2009 Cell's attributable valuation of net assets within Fund I.

 

The Omnico Group investment is carried at the price of recent investment. Interest receivable, in respect of the underlying loans made by Fund I to this investment, has not been recognised in calculating the fair value of the investment in Fund I due to their circumstances of being relatively immature turnaround opportunities. As at 30 September 2012 such unrecognised interest receivable amounted to £607,562 (31 March 2012: £1,044,625, 30 September 2011: £144,641).

 

5. Related party transactions

 

Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the party in making financial or operational decisions. The Directors are responsible for overall control, management and supervision of the Company's affairs and are responsible for the overall implementation of the investment objective and policy of the Company.

 

The Company has four non-executive Directors, all independent of the Administrator other than Mr Mark Huntley, who is also the managing director of HIFM. Mr Huntley is also a director of BECAP GP Limited, the general partner of the Fund I GP.

 

Annual remuneration terms for each Director is as follows: the Chairman receives £60,000, the Chairman of the audit committee receives £52,500, the Chairman of the management engagement, nomination and remuneration committee receives £50,000 and the other non-executive director receives £45,000.

 

Directors' fees, incurred by the 2009 Cell, for the period to 30 September 2012 amounted to £52,084 (2011: £67,500) apportioned on a 50/50 basis between the cells. £5,625 (2011: £nil) remained outstanding at the period end.

 

6. Earnings per share and net asset value per share

 

Earnings per share

 

Period

Period

1 April 2012

1 April 2011

To

To

30 September 2012

30 September 2011

Year ended 31 March 2012

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

(audited)

Profit for the period/year

£19,264,039

£19,038,161

£45,617,221

Weighted average number of 2009 Shares in issue

206,780,952

206,780,952

206,780,952

 

EPS (pence)

9.32

9.21

22.06

The earnings per share is based on the profit for the period/year and on the weighted average number of shares in issue for the period/year.

 

The 2009 Cell does not have any instruments which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future.

 

Net asset value per share

 

The net asset value per share for the 2009 Cell is arrived at by dividing the total net assets of the 2009 Cell at the period/year end by the number of shares in issue at the period/year end.

 

 

7. Subsequent events

 

Since the period end Fund I has, through a wholly owned special purpose vehicle (the "SPV"), acquired certain bank facilities and related rights of ATH Resources Plc and its subsidiary, Aardvark TMC Limited (together "ATH"). Fund I has committed £15.0 million to the SPV.

 

Other than the above, there were no significant events occurring after the reporting date of the report for the period ended 30 September 2012.Better Capital 2012 Cell

 

Investment policy

 

2012 Cell

The Company implements its investment policy in relation to the 2012 Cell by attributing its current investment in Fund II to the 2012 Cell. Its investment policy is implemented through Fund II managed by Fund II GP in accordance with the following:

 

Better Capital Fund II investment objective and policy

Fund II seeks to invest in a portfolio of businesses which have significant operating issues and may have associated financial distress, with a primary focus on investments in businesses which have significant activities within the United Kingdom or Ireland.

 

Uninvested or surplus capital or assets may be invested on a temporary basis in cash deposits or other high interest accounts. The Board has a cash management policy. The aggregate amount deposited or invested with any single bank or other counterparty (including their associates) other than at the launch of Fund II shall not exceed £50 million.

 

Fund II seeks to spread investment risk by constructing a portfolio diversified by the number of investments and by sector exposures. Specifically, it is intended that Fund II will invest in a minimum of six companies or groups of companies.

 

Fund II investment restrictions

Fund II must, at all times, invest and manage its assets in a way which spreads investment risk and in accordance with the following:

 

Fund II will not:

·; invest directly or indirectly, (excluding any Bridging Investments) an aggregate amount representing, at the time of investment, more than:

 

- 30 per cent. of the Fund II Total Commitments in the securities of any single

company or group of companies; or

- 20 per cent. of the Fund II Total Commitments in (i) the securities of companies which have significant activities outside of the United Kingdom or Ireland, and/or (ii) Investments which do not (when taken with the co-investments held by any parallel vehicles) whether by voting rights or otherwise, confer control (directly or indirectly) over the relevant business;

 

·; invest more than 10 per cent. of the Fund II Total Commitments (at the time of investment) in quoted companies or securities representing or convertible into quoted securities, provided that such restriction shall not apply to:

 

− quoted positions in companies in respect of which there is an intention to become unquoted, or which become quoted after investment by Fund II;

− the short term investment of monies pending deployment into turnaround

opportunities; or

− investments that have (in the opinion of the Fund II GP) the character of a private equity investment (which would generally include the ability to exert significant influence over value creation and/or the strategic direction of such entity);

 

·; engage in speculative investment in activities such as commodities, commodity contracts or forward currency contracts (provided however that this shall not prevent Fund II from entering into investment activities which are regarded by the Fund II GP as being protective of the interests of Fund II);

·; enter into any transaction where a security is sold short or where Fund II has an uncovered position (other than for the purposes of hedging in connection with an investment); or

·; other than as required for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, invest at any time in any option, futures contract, total return swap, derivative, contract for difference or other similar instrument (excluding convertible securities or similar arrangements).

 

Fund II may make investments in collective investment schemes (including unregulated collective investment schemes and collective investment schemes operated or advised by the Fund II GP or its associates) but will not be permitted to make any investment in any fund or collective investment scheme which involves paying any additional management fees or carried interest (or equivalent) to any fund or investment manager.

 

Fund II Borrowings

As part of its investment policy, no borrowings can be made by the Company in relation to the 2012 Cell.

 

Fund II is permitted to borrow, on a short term basis, for any purpose, up to an aggregate amount limited to an amount equal to 10 per cent. of Total Commitments. It is not expected that Fund II will borrow and Fund II is not permitted to incur long term borrowings. There shall be no restriction on borrowings at levels below that of Fund II. However, the Directors anticipate that, in line with the practice followed for Fund I, only modest levels of borrowings will be made by portfolio companies.

 

Amendments to the Fund II Investment Policy

The Company acting in relation to the 2012 Cell ensures that at all times the Fund II GP complies with the investment objective, policy and restrictions of Fund II under the terms of the Fund II Partnership Agreement. In order to achieve an appropriate level of certainty for holders of the 2012 Shares, the investment policy and restrictions of Fund II have been entrenched in the Fund II Partnership Agreement and cannot be varied without an amendment to the Fund II Partnership Agreement, which would require the consent of the Company acting in relation to the 2012 Cell. The Company will seek approval of the holders of 2012 Shares by way of ordinary resolution before consenting to an amendment to the investment policy set out in the Fund II Partnership Agreement.

 

Fund II Investment Period and Reinvestment of Proceeds

The Fund II Investment Period is the period from 13 January 2012 to 31 December 2014. Such period may be extended by up to 12 calendar months by the Fund II GP with the consent of the Company acting in relation to the 2012 Cell, and may be terminated earlier following an Executive Departure (as described in the Prospectus). In the event that the 2012 Cell increases its commitment to Fund II following a Follow-on Fundraising or any parallel vehicle is established the Fund II Investment Period may be extended by such additional periods as the Company acting in relation to the 2012 Cell and the Fund II GP may agree. During the Fund II Investment Period, the Fund II GP may apply amounts committed to Fund II or reinvest the proceeds of any realised investments into new investment opportunities in accordance with the investment objective, policy and restrictions, or otherwise apply such commitments or proceeds in the pursuit of the business of Fund II.

 

Following the expiry of the Fund II Investment Period, the Fund II GP will not be able to make any new investments, or otherwise apply amounts committed to Fund II or reinvest proceeds received other than in the following limited circumstances, namely:

 

·; for the purpose of paying any obligation of, or any of the expenses and liabilities of, Fund II;

·; for the purpose of paying the Fund II GP's Share (including advances or loans in respect thereof);

·; for the purpose of making investments or completing contracts committed or entered into before that date; and

·; for the purpose of making Follow-On Investments.

Highlights - 2012 Cell

 

£58.6 MILLION / 35.3 PER CENT. invested

2 completed Fund II acquisitions to 30 September 2012

SATISFACTORY progress achieved in the portfolio companies

 

Key Financials

NAV

£165.5m

NAV per share

97.45 pence

NAV period-to-date return*

-1.7 per cent.

Share price at 30 September 2012

116.00 pence

Market capitalisation at 30 September 2012

£196.7m

 

* Based on the weighted average issue price of ordinary shares and net of share issue costs.

 

 

Investment activities in Fund II

 

The following investment activities took place between 1 April and 30 September 2012:

 

Jaeger

·; 16 April 2012 - Fund II committed and invested £40.0 million into the acquisition of 90 per cent. of Jaeger Group Limited ("Jaeger"), through a special purpose vehicle ultimately owned by Fund II. The aggregate cost of acquiring Jaeger was £19.5 million with the balance earmarked for its restructuring programme.

·; 31 August and 29 September 2012 - Following a period of assessment, the board had considered that some of the original short term funding from Fund II is surplus to requirement and repaid £6.4 million at that date. At 30 September 2012, the total commitment in Jaeger stood at £40.0 million and the total investment £33.6 million. The board anticipates further returns of surplus funds to Fund II in the near future.

 

The following investment activity took place post 30 September 2012:

 

Jaeger

·; 1 October 2012 - A wholly owned subsidiary controlled by Fund II acquired the remaining 10 per cent. stake in Jaeger from Harold Tillman. No additional funding from Fund II was required to facilitate this transaction.

 

 

General Partner's Report

 

Fund II has had an encouraging start with two deals secured shortly after the fund was launched.

 

Activities

During the period, Fund II was pleased to announce its second investment, Jaeger. Jaeger is a ladies' and men's wear premium retailer. Jaeger enjoys a strong brand presence in the UK and internationally albeit this is currently under-exploited. Net investment in Jaeger at 30 September 2012 stood at £33.6 million, made up of the original investment in the business of £40.0 million and a subsequent repayment of £6.4 million to Fund II. It is anticipated that further surplus cash will be returned in the coming period.

 

Post balance sheet activity

On 1 October 2012, Fund II through a wholly owned subsidiary acquired the remaining 10 per cent. stake in Jaeger from Harold Tillman, the former owner of the business. The acquisition was completed using funds already drawn down for the initial acquisition.

Portfolio update

Everest is making good headway with its restructuring programme. The cost base reduction activities are progressing well and are likely to show benefits beyond those initially thought possible. The new management team, including a new CEO, are driving improvements in sales and installation processes with a strong focus on achieving market leading quality and service. New television advertisement campaigns are now generating increased leads.

The transformation programme at Jaeger is also progressing well. A number of initiatives have been introduced, including the reinvigoration of the business's store visual merchandising and increasing the availability of stock. Shop floor personnel have also been re-trained to provide a better customer experience whilst increasing average spend per customer. Margins have significantly improved as promotions and discounts are being used sparingly. Longer term investments have also been made to revitalise the brand, through advertising and improved merchandising. Key managers have been hired to drive the e-commerce platform and international expansion. This investment has significant prospects.

 

Uninvested proceeds

 

At 30 September 2012, uninvested cash in Fund II stood at £105.6 million. Deal flow has not been as strong as would have been liked but the last few weeks have been more encouraging.

 

Jon Moulton

Director

BECAP12 GP Limited 26 November 2012

 

Investment Report of Fund II

 

Everest

 

Business description

 

·; A leading consumer brand in the manufacture, installation and supply of uPVC and aluminium windows and doors, conservatories, roofline products, garage doors, security systems, kitchens, driveways and other home improvement products (www.everest.co.uk).

Progress

·; Focusing business on core product lines

·; Cost reduction plans progressing well

·; Reorganisation of the sales force structure

·; Increasing efficiency of marketing spend to drive sales growth

·; Re-training of the sales force

·; Improvements introduced into the installation process

·; Commercial division established

·; Appointment of new chief executive

 

Performance

 

·; A recent investment by Fund II with satisfactory progress achieved to date

Fund II Investment details

30 September 2012

31 March 2012

Original investment (March 2012)

£25.0m

£25.0m

Total invested

£25.0m

£25.0m

Total committed

£25.0m

£25.0m

Fund II fair value (price of recent transaction)

£25.0m

£25.0m

Investment Report of Fund II

 

Jaeger

 

Business description

 

·; Ladies and men's wear retailer, operating in the premium end of the market

Progress

·; Steady improvements in the range being recognised by customers

·; Improving visual merchandising and stock availability

·; Margins improving as a result of less discounting

·; Recruitment of key personnel in creative and e-commerce

·; International expansion plans being developed

 

Performance

 

·; A very recent investment by Fund II with satisfactory progress achieved to date

Fund II Investment details

30 September 2012

31 March

2012

Original investment (April 2012)

£40.0m

n/a

Return of Short-term Loan (August and September 2012)

-£6.4m

n/a

Total invested

£33.6m

n/a

Total committed

£40.0m

n/a

Fund II fair value (price of recent transaction)

£33.6m

n/a

 

Investment Report of Fund II (Continued)

 

 

Portfolio summary and reconciliation

 

 Sector

 Fund Project cost*

 Fund fair value investment in SPV's**

 Valuation percentage of NAV

 Valuation methodology

 £m

 £m

 Everest

 Building Products

25.0

25.0

15.11%

 Price of Recent Investment

Jaeger

Retail

33.6

33.6

20.30%

 Price of Recent Investment

58.6

58.6

35.41%

Fund cash on deposit

105.6

63.81%

Fund & SPV combined other net assets

-0.2

-0.12%

2012 Cell fair value of investment in Fund

 

164.0

99.10%

2012 Cell cash on deposit

0.2

0.12%

2012 Cell current assets less liabilities

1.3

0.78%

2012 Cell NAV

165.5

100.00%

 

Investment Report of Fund II (Continued)

 

Cash Management

 

As at 30 September 2012, Fund II had placed a total of £105.6 million of cash on deposit with four banks subject to maturity dates ranging from instant access to one month. Fund II has in place a strict cash management policy that limits counterparty risks whilst simultaneously seeking to maximise returns.

 

Counterparty

Location

S&P Rating

Term

30 September 2012

Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited

Guernsey

A-

Instant access

£30.3 million

Lloyds TSB Offshore Limited

Jersey

A

Instant access

£35.2 million

Standard Chartered (Jersey) Limited

Jersey

AA-

One month

£30.1 million

HSBC Bank plc

Guernsey

AA-

One month

£10.0 million

 

 

 

 

 

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO BETTER CAPITAL PCC LIMITED IN RESPECT OF 2012 CELL

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report of the 2012 Cell, a cell of Better Capital PCC Limited for the period ended 30 September 2012 which comprise the 2012 Cell Condensed Statement of Financial Position, the 2012 Cell Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income, the 2012 Cell Condensed Statement of Cash Flows, the 2012 Cell Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity and the 2012 Cell related notes. We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

Directors' responsibilities

The interim financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the interim financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.

As disclosed in Note 2, the annual financial statements of the 2012 Cell are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The 2012 Cell's condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the 2012 Cell's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for, and only for, the Company for the purpose of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and for no other purpose. We do not in producing this report accept or assume responsibility for any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the 2012 Cell's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012, in all material respects, are not prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.

BDO LimitedChartered AccountantsPlace du Pré, Rue du Pré, St Peter Port, GuernseyDate: 26 November 2012

Condensed Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 September 2012

 

As at 30 September 2012

As at 31 March 2012

Notes

£

£

ASSETS:

(unaudited)

(audited)

Non-current assets

Investment in Limited Partnership

4

164,046,651

165,086,831

Total non-current assets

164,046,651

165,086,831

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

1,318,581

516,933

Cash and cash equivalents

241,953

449,156

Total current assets

1,560,534

966,089

TOTAL ASSETS

165,607,185

166,052,920

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

(69,146)

(71,559)

Total current liabilities

(69,146)

(71,559)

TOTAL LIABILITIES

(69,146)

(71,559)

NET ASSETS

165,538,039

165,981,361

EQUITY

Share capital

-

-

Share premium

166,004,235

166,004,235

Retained earnings

(466,196)

(22,874)

TOTAL EQUITY

165,538,039

165,981,361

Number of 2012 Shares in issue at period end

169,861,895

169,861,895

 

Net asset value per 2012 Share (pence)

6

97.45

97.72

 

The unaudited condensed financial statements of the 2012 Cell were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 26 November 2012 and signed on their behalf by:

 

 

Richard Crowder Richard Battey

Chairman Director

 

The notes form an integral part of the 2012 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

 

 

Period

Period

1 April 2012

12 January 2012

to

to

30 September 2012

31 March 2012

Notes

£

£

(unaudited)

(audited)

Income

Change in fair value on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

4

(1,040,180)

(413,169)

Income distribution

4

800,000

500,000

Interest income

618

3,045

Total income

(239,562)

89,876

Expenses

Administration fees

49,835

28,918

Directors' fees and expenses

5

52,084

25,313

Legal and professional fees

43,455

12,227

Other fees and expenses

23,178

11,723

Audit fees

19,000

30,000

Insurance premiums

6,138

3,069

Registrar fees

10,070

1,500

Total expenses

203,760

112,750

Loss for the financial period

(443,322)

(22,874)

Other comprehensive income

-

-

Total comprehensive loss for the period

(443,322)

(22,874)

Basic and diluted earnings per 2012 Share (pence)

6

(0.26)

(0.01)

 

All activities derive from continuing operations.

 

The notes form an integral part of the 2012 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity

For the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

 

Share

Share

Retained

Total

Period

capital

premium

earnings

Equity

£

£

£

£

As at 1 April 2012

-

166,004,235

(22,874)

165,981,361

Loss for the financial period

-

-

(443,322)

(443,322)

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

(466,196)

165,538,039

As at 30 September 2012 (unaudited)

-

166,004,235

(466,196)

165,538,039

 

Share

Share

Retained

Total

Period

capital

premium

earnings

Equity

£

£

£

£

As at 12 January 2012

-

-

-

-

Loss for the financial period

-

-

(22,874)

(22,874)

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

(22,874)

(22,874)

Transactions with owners

Shares issued

-

169,861,895

-

169,861,895

Share issue costs

-

(3,857,660)

-

(3,857,660)

Total transactions with owners

-

166,004,235

-

166,004,235

As at 31 March 2012 (audited)

-

166,004,235

(22,874)

165,981,361

 

 

 

The notes form an integral part of the 2012 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

For the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

 

Period

Period

1 April 2012

12 January 2012

to

to

30 September 2012

31 March 2012

£

£

(unaudited)

(audited)

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss for the financial period

(443,322)

(22,874)

Adjustments for:

Change in fair value on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

1,040,180

413,169

Movement in trade receivables

(801,648)

(516,933)

Movement in trade payables

(2,413)

71,559

Net cash used in operating activities

(207,203)

(55,079)

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of investment in Limited Partnership

-

(165,500,000)

Net cash used in investing activities

-

(165,500,000)

Cash flow from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of shares

-

169,861,895

Issue costs paid

-

(3,857,660)

Net cash generated from financing activities

-

166,004,235

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents during the period

(207,203)

449,156

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

449,156

-

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

241,953

449,156

 

 

Note

Net cash used in operating activities includes £609 (March 2012: £3,036) interest received on cash balances.

 

 

The notes form an integral part of the 2012 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Financial Statements

For the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

 

1. General information

 

Better Capital 2012 Cell

 

The 2012 Cell was constituted upon the Conversion of Better Capital Limited to Better Capital PCC Limited on 12 January 2012.

 

The Company maintains a separate cell account for each class of shares, to which the proceeds of issue and the income arising from the investment of these proceeds in the respective Fund are credited, and against which the expenses allocated are charged. Under redemptions, shareholders are only entitled to their proportion of the net assets held in the cell relating to the particular shares.

 

The 2012 Cell has the investment objective of generating attractive total returns from investing (through Fund II) in a portfolio of businesses which have significant operating issues and may have associated financial distress, with a primary focus on businesses which have significant activities within the United Kingdom and Ireland. Such returns being expected to be largely derived from capital growth.

 

Fund II is managed by its general partner, BECAP12 GP LP, which is in turn managed by its general partner BECAP12 GP Limited. Such arrangements are governed under the respective Limited Partnership Agreements.

 

On 13 January 2012 the 2012 Cell was admitted to list on the London Stock Exchange Main Market, raising £169.9 million gross capital proceeds by way of a placing of shares.

 

2. Accounting policies

 

Basis of preparation

The unaudited Cell 2012 condensed financial information included in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2012 have been prepared in accordance with the DTRs of the UK's FSA and IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU.

 

The interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the 2012 Cell's annual financial statements for the period to 31 March 2012, which are available on the Company's website (www.bettercapital.gg). The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with EU adopted IFRSs.

 

The same accounting policies and methods of computation are followed in the interim financial statements as in the annual financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2012.

 

The 2012 Cell does not operate in an industry where significant or cyclical variations as a result of seasonal activity are experienced during the financial period.

 

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the 2012 Cell, and in turn Fund II, have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and do not consider there to be any threat to the going concern status of the 2012 Cell. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.

 

Segmental reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the Board of Directors, as a whole. The key measure of performance used by the Board to assess the 2012 Cell's performance and to allocate resources is the total return on the 2012 Cell's net asset value, as calculated under IFRS, and therefore no reconciliation is required between the measure of profit or loss used by the Board and that contained in the financial statements.

 

For management purposes, the 2012 Cell is organised into one main operating segment, which invests in one limited partnership.

 

All of the 2012 Cell's income is from within Guernsey.

 

All of the 2012 Cell's non-current assets are located in Guernsey.

 

Due to the 2012 Cell's nature it has no customers.

 

Critical accounting judgement and estimation uncertainty

 

Use of estimates and judgements

The preparation of 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 expenses.

 

Estimates and judgements are routinely evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

 

The areas involving a high degree of judgement or complexity or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed below. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

 

The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.

 

Investment in Fund II

The value of the 2012 Cell's investment in Fund II is based on the value of the 2012 Cell's limited partner capital and loan accounts within Fund II, which itself is based on the value of the underlying investee companies as determined by the General Partner, cash, etc. Any fluctuation in the value of the underlying investee companies will directly impact on the value of the 2012 Cell's investment in Fund II.

 

When valuing the underlying investee companies, the General Partner of Fund II reviews information provided by the underlying investee companies and other business partners and applies widely recognised valuation methods such as; price of recent investment, discounted cost, earnings multiple analysis, discounted cash flow method and third party valuation to estimate a fair value as at the date of the statement of financial position. The variety of valuation bases adopted, quality of management information provided by the underlying investee companies and the lack of liquid markets for the investments mean that there are inherent difficulties in determining the fair value of these investments that cannot be eliminated. Therefore the amounts realised on the sale of investments will differ from the fair values reflected in these financial statements and the differences may be significant.

 

Where price of recent investment is determined to be the most appropriate methodology the transactional price will be that of Fund II. Interest receivable on loans forwarded by Fund II will only be recognised when it is deemed more likely than not that the interest will be paid due to the immaturity of the turnaround position of the investee companies.

 

Further information in relation to the valuation of the investment in Fund II is disclosed in Note 4.

 

3. Taxation

 

The 2012 Cell is exempt from taxation in Guernsey as Better Capital PCC Limited has tax exempt status.

 

4. Investment in Limited Partnership

 

Loans

Capital

Total

£

£

£

Cost

Brought forward at 1 April 2012

165,483,450

16,550

165,500,000

Additions during the period

-

-

-

Carried forward at 30 September 2012

165,483,450

16,550

165,500,000

Fair value adjustment through profit or loss

Brought forward at 1 April 2012

(413,169)

-

(413,169)

Fair value movement during period

(1,040,180)

-

(1,040,180)

Carried forward at 30 September 2012

(1,453,349)

-

(1,453,349)

Fair value as at September 2012 (unaudited)

164,030,101

16,550

164,046,651

Loans

Capital

Total

£

£

£

Cost

Brought forward at 1 April 2011

-

-

-

Additions during the period

165,483,450

16,550

165,500,000

Carried forward at 31 March 2012

165,483,450

16,550

165,500,000

Fair value adjustment through profit or loss

Brought forward at 1 April 2011

-

-

-

Fair value movement during period

(413,169)

-

(413,169)

Carried forward at 31 March 2012

(413,169)

-

(413,169)

Fair value as at 31 March 2012 (audited)

165,070,281

16,550

165,086,831

 

The outstanding loans do not carry interest. The loans will be repaid by way of distributions from Fund II. The 2012 Cell is not entitled to demand repayment of the outstanding loans. Distributions receivable from Fund II in the period amounted to £800,000 (31 March 2012: £500,000), of which £1,300,000 (31 March 2012: £500,000) remains outstanding at the period end, which have been allocated as income based on discretionary allocation powers of the General Partner of Fund II as set out in the Limited Partnership Agreement.

 

The Everest and Jaeger investments are carried at the price of recent investment.

 

5. Related party transactions

 

Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the party in making financial or operational decisions. The Directors are responsible for overall control, management and supervision of the Company's affairs and are responsible for the overall implementation of the investment objective and policy of the Company.

 

The Company has four non-executive Directors, all independent of the Administrator other than Mr Mark Huntley, who is also the managing director of HIFM. Mr Huntley is also a director of BECAP GP Limited, the general partner of the Fund I GP and BECAP12 GP Limited, the general partner of the Fund II GP.

 

Annual remuneration terms for each Director is as follows: the Chairman receives £60,000, the Chairman of the audit committee receives £52,500, the Chairman of the management engagement, nomination and remuneration committee receives £50,000 and the other non-executive director receives £45,000.

 

 

Directors' fees, incurred by the 2012 Cell, for the period to 30 September 2012 amounted to £52,084 (31 March 2012: £25,313) apportioned on a 50/50 basis between the Cells. £5,625 (31 March 2012: £nil) remained outstanding at the period end.

 

6. Earnings per share and net asset value per share

 

Earnings per share

Period

Period

1 April 2012

12 January 2012

to

to

30 September 2012

31 March 2012

(unaudited)

(audited)

Loss for the period

 £(443,322)

 £(22,874)

Weighted average number of 2012 Shares in issue

169,861,895

169,861,895

EPS (pence)

 (0.26)

 (0.01)

The earnings per share is based on the profit for the period and on the weighted average number of shares in issue for the period.

 

The 2012 Cell does not have any instruments which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future.

 

Net asset value per share

 

The net asset value per share for the 2012 Cell is arrived at by dividing the total net assets of the 2012 Cell at the period end by the number of shares in issue at the period end.

 

7. Subsequent events

 

1 October 2012 - A wholly owned subsidiary controlled by Fund II acquired the remaining 10 per cent. stake in Jaeger from Harold Tillman. No additional funding from Fund II was required to facilitate this transaction.

 

Other than the above there were no significant events occurring after the reporting date of the report for the period ended 30 September 2012.

 

Defined Terms

"2009 Cell" or "Better Capital 2009 Cell"

the Cell in the Company created pursuant to the Resolutions Capital 2009 Cell and holding partnership interests in Fund I, and shall be interpreted as the Company acting in its capacity as a protected cell company transacting its business in the name of the 2009 Cell;

"2009 Shares"

the ordinary shares of no par value in the 2009 Cell being, prior to Conversion, the Shares;

"2012 Cell" or "Better Capital 2012 Cell"

the Cell in the Company proposed to be established following the Conversion which will hold partnership interests in Fund II, and shall be interpreted as the Company acting in its capacity as a protected cell company transacting its business in the name of the 2012 Cell;

"2012 Shares"

the ordinary shares of no par value in the 2012 Cell issued by the Company pursuant to the Firm Placing and Placing and Open Offer;

"Administrator" or "Heritage" or "HIFM"

means Heritage International Fund Managers Limited;

"ATH"

Means ATH Resources Plc and its subsidiary Aardvark TMC Limited;

"Calyx"

means Calyx Holdings Limited;

"Carried Interest"

the Special Limited Partner's entitlement to participate in the gains and profits of Fund I or Fund II, as set out in the partnership agreement;

"Cells"

the 2009 Cell and 2012 Cell together;

"Cell Shares"

the 2009 Shares and 2012 Shares together;

"Clarity"

means Clarity Commerce Solutions Plc/Clarity Commerce Solutions Ltd;

"Companies Law"

the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008;

"Company" or "Better Capital PCC Limited"

Better Capital Limited, being prior to the Conversion, a non-cellular company limited by shares and being upon and after the Conversion a protected cell company, in each case incorporated in Guernsey with registered number 51194 whose registered office is at Heritage Hall, PO Box 225, Le Marchant Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 4HY;

"Consultant"

means Better Capital LLP;

"Conversion"

the conversion of the Company from a non-cellular company into aprotected cell company pursuant to the Resolutions in accordance with section 46 of the Companies Law;

"Core"

the Company excluding its Cells;

"Core Shares"

the shares in the Core;

"Corporate Broker"

being Numis Securities Limited;

"DigiPoS"

means the DigiPoS group of companies;

"DTR"

Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the UK's FSA;

"EU" or "European Union"

the European Union first established by the treaty made at Maastricht on 7 February 1992;

"EU Adopted IFRS"

International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted in the EU;

"Fairline"

 

"Follow-on Fundraising"

means the Fairline group of companies;

 

any additional capital raising by the 2012 Cell;

"FSA"

the Financial Services Authority;

"FSA Rules"

the rules or regulations issued or promulgated by the FSA from time to time and for the time being in force (as varied by any waiver or modification granted, or guidance given, by the FSA);

"Funds"

both Fund I and Fund II together;

"Fund GPs"

being both Fund I GP and Fund II GP;

"Fund I"

BECAP Fund LP, a Guernsey limited partnership established on 23 November 2009 and registered in Guernsey as a limited partnership on 25 November 2009 (registration number 1242);

"Fund I GP"

means BECAP GP LP acting as general partner of Fund I and by its general partner, the GP Company;

"Fund I GP Company"

means BECAP GP Limited (a company registered in Guernsey with registration number 51176) acting as general partner of the General Partner;

"Fund I Investment Period"

in respect of Fund I, the period from the 21 December 2009 to 31 December 2012, subject to the Fund I GP (with the prior consent of the Company acting in relation to the 2009 Cell), extending this period by up to 12 calendar months, unless terminated earlier following an Executive Departure;

"Fund I Total Commitments"

the aggregate commitments of the 2009 Cell and the Fund I Special Limited Partner to Fund I, being prior to Conversion the total commitments of the Company and the Fund I Special Limited Partner to Fund I;

"Fund II"

BECAP12 Fund LP, a Guernsey limited partnership established and registered in Guernsey as a limited partnership on 17 November 2011 (registration number 1558); 

"Fund II GP"

means BECAP12 GP LP acting as general partner of Fund II and by its general partner, the GP 12 Company;

"Fund II GP Company"

means BECAP12 GP Limited (a company registered in Guernsey with registration number 54252) acting as general partner of the Fund II GP;

"Fund II Investment Period"

in respect of Fund II, the period from 13 January 2012 to 31 December 2014, or, if the 2012 Cell increases its commitment to Fund II pursuant to a Follow-on Fundraising or a parallel vehicle is established as described in the Prospectus, such longer period as the 2012 Cell and the Fund II GP may agree, subject to the Fund II GP (with the prior consent of the Company acting in relation to the 2012 Cell), extending this period by up to 12 calendar months, unless terminated earlier following an Executive Departure;

"Fund II Total Commitments"

the aggregate commitments of the 2012 Cell and Fund II Special Limited Partner to Fund II;

"Gardner"

Gardner Group Limited;

"General Partners" or "GPs"

both Fund I GP and Fund II GP together;

"IAS"

International Accounting Standard;

"IFRS"

International Financial Reporting Standard;

"Jaeger"

means the Jaeger group of companies;

"Main Market"

the main market of the London Stock Exchange plc;

"Net Asset Value"

the value of the assets of the Company less its liabilities, calculated in accordance with the valuation guidelines laid down by the Board;

"Omnico Group"

the business formed from the merger of DigiPoS and Clarity;

"POI Law"

The Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987, as amended;

"Reader's Digest "

Being BECAP Vivat Limited and its subsidiaries, trading as Reader's Digest;

"Registrar"

Capita Registrars (Guernsey) Limited;

"Santia"

means the Santia group of companies;

"Spicers"

means the Spicers group of companies;

"Total Commitments"

the aggregate commitments of the Company and the Special Limited Partner to Better Capital Fund;

"UK"

United Kingdom;

Company Secretary, Registered Office and Advisors

 

 

Board of Directors

Richard Crowder (Chairman)

Richard Battey

Philip Bowman

Mark Huntley

*All of the above are non-executive, including the Chairman, and were appointed on 24 November 2009

 

Company secretary

Heritage International Fund Managers LimitedHeritage Hall

PO Box 225

Le Marchant StreetSt Peter PortGuernseyGY1 4HY

 

Registered office

Heritage Hall

PO Box 225

Le Marchant StreetSt Peter PortGuernseyGY1 4HY

 

Guernsey administrator

Heritage International Fund Managers LimitedHeritage Hall

PO Box 225

Le Marchant StreetSt Peter PortGuernseyGY1 4HY

 

Registrar

Capita Registrars (Guernsey) Limited

Longue Hougue House

St Sampson

Guernsey

GY2 4JN

 

Principal bankers

The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited

Royal Bank Place

1 Glategny Esplanade

St Peter Port

Guernsey

GY1 4BQ

 

 

Guernsey advocates to the Company

Carey Olsen

PO Box 98

Carey House

Les Banques

St Peter Port

Guernsey

GY1 4BZ

 

English solicitors to the Company

DLA Piper UK LLP

3 Noble Street

London

EC2V 7EE

 

Corporate broker and financial adviser

Numis Securities Limited

10 Paternoster Square

London

EC4M 7LT

 

Independent auditor

BDO Limited

PO Box 180

Place du Pré

Rue du Pré

St Peter Port

Guernsey

GY1 3LL

 

Public relations adviser

Powerscourt

2-5 St John's Square

London

EC1M 4DE

 

Website

www.bettercapital.gg

 

Tickers

2009 Cell: BCAP.L

2012 Cell: BC12.L

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cautionary Statement

 

The Chairman's Statement and Investment Reports (IRs) have been prepared solely to provide additional information for shareholders to assess the Company's strategies and the potential for those strategies to succeed. These should not be relied on by any other party or for any other purpose.

 

The Chairman's Statement and IRs may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, ''forward-looking statements''. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms ''believes'', ''estimates'', ''anticipates'', ''expects'', ''intends'', ''may'', ''will'' or ''should'' or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.

 

These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this document and include statements regarding the intentions, beliefs or current expectations of the Directors and the General Partners of the Funds, supported by the consultant, concerning, amongst other things, the investment objectives and investment policy, financing strategies, investment performance, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, and distribution policy of the Company and the markets in which it invests.

 

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company's actual investment performance, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, distribution policy and the development of its financing strategies may differ materially from the impression created by the forward-looking statements contained in this document.

 

Subject to their legal and regulatory obligations, the Directors and the General Partners of the Funds, supported by the consultant, expressly disclaim any obligations to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

 

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
IR BKODNKBDKBDB
Date   Source Headline
9th Jun 20207:00 amRNSReconstruction of the Everest Business
8th Jun 20207:00 amRNSReplacement RNS
5th Jun 20206:08 pmRNSReconstruction of the Everest Business
27th May 20207:00 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
26th May 20207:00 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
14th May 20201:32 pmRNSPartial Sale of The SPOT Group and their assets
12th May 20204:16 pmRNSResults of Extraordinary General Meetings
1st May 20205:18 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
29th Apr 20207:00 amRNSNotice of Extraordinary General Meetings
1st Apr 20204:00 pmRNSChange of Name of Administrator/Company Secretary
26th Mar 20207:00 amRNSUpdate following COVID-19 outbreak
23rd Dec 20193:25 pmRNSInterim Results Update
12th Nov 20195:50 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
12th Sep 20192:23 pmRNSResult of AGM
23rd Aug 20197:00 amRNSNotice of AGM
22nd Aug 20199:28 amRNSDirector Declaration
1st Aug 20197:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
2nd Jul 20197:01 amRNS2012 Cell Distribution of Capital
2nd Jul 20197:00 amRNS2012 Shares Buyback
1st Jul 20197:00 amRNSFinal Results Update
21st May 20193:08 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
29th Apr 20193:00 pmRNSChange of Registered Office
1st Apr 20197:00 amRNSSpicers-OfficeTeam - Partial Disposal
25th Jan 20195:18 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
23rd Jan 20194:40 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
22nd Jan 20192:41 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
10th Dec 20184:30 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
5th Dec 201812:03 pmRNSDirector Declaration
3rd Dec 20187:00 amRNSInterim Results Update
29th Oct 20185:00 pmRNSPreliminary NAV views as at 30 September 2018
13th Sep 20183:30 pmRNSResults of AGMs
5th Sep 201811:59 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
3rd Sep 20189:39 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
31st Aug 20184:09 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
31st Aug 201812:45 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
22nd Aug 20184:30 pmRNSEverest Valuation at 31st March 2018/SPOT Progress
10th Aug 20182:37 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
6th Aug 20187:00 amRNSNotice of Annual General Meetings
3rd Aug 201810:11 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
26th Jul 201811:00 amRNSDistribution of Capital
24th Jul 20185:18 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
23rd Jul 20187:00 amRNSFurther Update Re: Sale of Northern Aerospace Ltd
13th Jul 20187:00 amRNSFinal Results Update
9th Jul 20187:00 amRNSFurther update re sale of Northern Aerospace Ltd
2nd Jul 20187:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
26th Jun 20185:00 pmRNSStatement re Annual Report & Financial Statements
25th Jun 20187:00 amRNSFurther Update Re: Sale of Northern Aerospace
19th Jun 201810:02 amRNSFurther Re: Sale of Northern Aerospace Limited
19th Jun 20187:00 amRNS2012 Shares Buyback
8th Jun 20187:00 amRNSSale of Northern Aerospace Limited

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