Br.smaller Cos. Regulatory News (BSV)

British Smaller Companies VCT plc

Unaudited Interim Results and Interim Management Report

For the 6 months ended 30 September 2015

British Smaller Companies VCT plc ("the Company") today announces its unaudited interim results for the six months to 30 September 2015.

Financial Highlights

· Increase in total return of 6.5 pence per ordinary share to 204.0 pence per ordinary share (197.5 pence per ordinary share as at 31 March 2015).

· Increase in net asset value per share ("NAV") to 105.3 pence per ordinary share prior to the payment of dividends during the period totalling 7.0 pence per ordinary share. This growth was 6.6 per cent of the opening NAV of 98.8 pence per ordinary share.

· Total cumulative dividends paid since inception of 105.7 pence per ordinary share.

· The underlying growth in the overall investment portfolio was £5.6 million. This included £2.6 million of unrealised value growth and £3.0 million of gain over the opening value from disposals.

· Proceeds of £8.5 million generated from the portfolio.

· 94 per cent invested in qualifying holdings compared to the minimum 70 per cent VCT tax rule test.

Chairman's Statement

The relatively benign economic environment in the UK economy during 2014 and 2015 has continued to benefit your Company. However since my last Statement in June the government has issued a second budget which contained further proposals in respect of legislation that will impact venture capital trusts.

The Company's portfolio has continued to deliver strong returns, with the overall value of your Company's investments increasing by £5.6 million since the start of the year. This is despite the trading challenges for those investee companies exporting to Europe where businesses have had to increase volumes to counteract the strong pound. It was particularly pleasing to be able to crystallise a gain on the disposal of our investment in President Engineering Group Ltd which delivered an increase of £3.08 million over the opening carrying value, and following which the Company paid a special dividend of 3.5 pence per ordinary share.

The Summer budget set out further proposed changes to the legislation of venture capital trusts which is referred to in more detail later. For much of the summer period the regulatory environment was not fully clear.

Your Board took the view that they would only complete new investments where they could obtain advanced assurance from HMRC. The consequence was that over the first half of the year your Company did not complete any new investments. I am however pleased to report that since the end of the period the legislation has been clarified and was enacted on 18 November 2015. Final guidance notes are expected to be released shortly. Nonetheless, HMRC have begun to provide advanced assurances and your Company completed its first investment, £2.0 million into KeTech Enterprises Limited, under these new rules in November 2015. Two further investments totalling £2.5 million have also now received advanced assurance and we hope to complete them shortly.

Financial Results and Dividends

Good progress has been made by many of the portfolio companies resulting in a value gain of £5.6 million, equivalent to an increase in value to shareholders of 6.1 pence per ordinary share.

This performance and an improvement in the Company's income has increased the Company's total return by 6.5 pence per ordinary share in the six months to 30 September 2015, from 197.5 pence per ordinary share to 204.0 pence per ordinary share. This equates to an increase of 6.6 per cent on the opening net asset value at 31 March 2015.

During the period a final dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2015 of 3.5 pence per ordinary share was paid, which, when taken together with the special dividend of 3.5 pence per ordinary share brings cumulative dividends paid to 105.7 pence per ordinary share.

In addition to the dividends paid during the period to 30 September 2015 the Board has proposed an interim dividend of 2.0 pence per ordinary share, which will take dividends paid in the financial year to 9.0 pence per ordinary share, compared to 8.0 pence last year and representing a return of 9.1% on the net asset value per share at 30 September 2015. The interim dividend will be paid on 15 January 2016 to shareholders on the register on 11 December 2015.

The movements in net asset value per ordinary share and the dividends paid in the six months to 30 September 2015 are shown in the table below.

Regulatory Changes

By way of background. The changes that have been introduced this year to the regulations surrounding VCTs (and EIS) have arisen as a result of an EU review of the use of state aided investment in the UK. The EU has a set of guidelines, Risk Capital Finance (RCF) which sets out the operating framework for investment schemes that receive state aid. In the case of VCTs the income tax reliefs received are classified as state aid.

The UK legislation that has now been enacted as part of the Finance Act includes changes to reflect the requirements of the RCF and VCTs have to comply with both the UK legislation and the RCF and are subject to review by both HMRC and HM Treasury and the EU. 

The principal changes that have been made are to the definitions of Qualifying Investments and what VCTs are able to do with non-qualifying money.

In summary Qualifying Investments can be made into both younger companies, those less than ten years old if classed as knowledge intensive, or seven years old if not, and into older companies where the VCT investment is either not the first state aided investment the company has received (if they received such money within seven years of first trading) or if the VCT investment is "substantial in relation to the size of the company" and the monies are used to fund the company's growth plans.

There are also restrictions on the use of funds prior to them being invested in Qualifying Investments; this is known in the legislation as the liquidity test. This is restricted to shares or securities on a regulated market; certain liquid funds and of course cash. Notably AIM is excluded as it is not a regulated market, which means new non-qualifying investments on AIM will not be allowed.

Impact of the Regulatory Changes

Existing portfolio

The new rules apply to all investments from the date of Royal Assent on 18 November 2015. Your Board has worked closely with its Adviser to review the existing portfolio in the light of the new legislation and does not believe that it will have any material impact on the portfolio.

New investments

The Company has always had a policy of investing in small companies to support their growth plans and will be able to continue to follow this policy under the new legislation. The Board believes that the overall pool of potential investments available to the VCT market as a whole will be restricted from previous levels.

Your Board has taken a cautious approach to the new legislation with a policy of only completing investments for which HMRC advanced assurance has been given, which itself is only granted for investments that meet the Qualifying Investment test. It is encouraging that as the legislation has been finalised advance assurances are now being given and we are seeing the flow of investment activity resume. 

HMRC's detailed guidance is planned to be issued shortly which will reduce the level of uncertainty and is expected to further increase the number of advanced assurances that can be given.

Shareholder Relations and Award

As part of its review of costs, and in line with current Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance, the Company is committed to promoting electronic communications with shareholders. The Board has recently implemented an electronic communications policy, whereby documents such as the annual report will in future be disseminated via the website www.bscfunds.com rather than by post, saving on printing costs and being more environmentally friendly. I am pleased to report that this policy has been well received by shareholders with the majority opting to receive electronic communications.

In addition the website www.bscfunds.com has recently been refreshed with the emphasis on providing a comprehensive level of information in a user-friendly format.

I am delighted that the readers of Investors Chronicle and FT voted your Company Best VCT at their Investment and Wealth Management Awards 2015.

Fundraising

The Company has a number of potential investments in the pipeline and its Adviser is continuing to build the pipeline of investments for 2016. Your Board currently intends to launch a non-prospectus share offer before the end of the current tax year, which will be limited, by EU Regulation, to €5.0 million (approximately £3.5 million).

Outlook

There continue to be a number of opportunities to add value across a range of sectors and businesses and the Company's existing investments are delivering good growth. The portfolio has continued to deliver good returns, and with recent investment completions adding to the portfolio your Board believes that the prospects remain good for the Company.

Whilst the introduction of the most recent legislation will have the impact of reducing the overall pool of investments for the VCT industry as a whole, your Company has available funds to invest and a good pipeline of opportunities and will seek to ensure that its future resources match the available investment opportunities. Your Board will continue to take a cautious approach to protect the tax status of investors and maintain the strong long-term investment record.

I look forward to welcoming shareholders at our next Shareholder Workshop in Spring 2016 and would like to take this opportunity to thank shareholders for their continued support.

Helen Sinclair

Chairman

27 November 2015

Objectives and Strategy

The Company's objective is to provide investors with an attractive long-term tax free dividend yield whilst seeking to maintain the capital value of their investment and maintain the Company's status as a venture capital trust.

The investment strategy of the Company is to create a portfolio with a mix of companies operating in traditional industries and those that offer opportunities in the development and application of innovation. The Company invests in UK businesses across a broad range of sectors including but not limited to Software, IT & Telecommunications, Business Services, Manufacturing & Industrial Services, Retail & Brands and Healthcare in VCT qualifying and non-qualifying unquoted securities.

Investment Review

The Company's portfolio remains well diversified and, at 30 September 2015, had a value of £55.24 million (excluding the gilt portfolio) consisting of £52.67 million (95 per cent) in unquoted investments and £2.57 million (5 per cent) in quoted investments. The largest single investment represents just 9 per cent of the net asset value.

Over the six months to 30 September 2015 the portfolio saw a value gain of £5.58 million, which comprises a £2.20 million gain from unquoted investments, a gain of £0.34 million from quoted investments, in line with the total AIM market over the period and a £3.04 million realised gain over the opening value from disposals, which was dominated by the realisation of President Engineering Group Ltd in July 2015. Good progress continues to be made across the portfolio to position businesses to grow and realise further shareholder value. There has been strong profit growth from some investee companies as well as some strategic and organisational restructuring of others to enable them to maximise profits in the year ahead.

The most significant movements in valuations in the period were:

• GO Outdoors Topco Limited (increase of £1.42 million).

• Intelligent Office (via IO Outsourcing Limited) (increase of £0.69 million).

• Insider Technologies (Holdings) Limited (increase of £0.40 million) prior to its sale in October 2015.

• The Heritage Window Company Holdco Limited (decrease of £0.47 million).

New and Follow-on Investments

In the six months to 30 September 2015 the Company has invested a total of £2.50 million into five companies preparing to trade. Since the period end the Company has invested £2.00 million into KeTech Enterprises Limited and made two follow-on investments totalling £0.90 million to support Springboard Research Holdings Limited and The Heritage Window Company Holdco Limited.

Realisation of Investments

In the six months to 30 September 2015 the Company received proceeds from disposals of investments and repayments of loans (excluding the gilt portfolio) of £8.47 million. Of this £7.89 million of proceeds were realised from the sale of shares in the portfolio resulting in a gain on disposal of investments of £3.04 million. The remaining £0.58 million relates to repayment of loans at cost. 

The majority of the proceeds and gain on the sale of shares arose from the sale of the Company's investment in President Engineering Group Ltd. Proceeds from the sale were £7.23 million, a profit on the 31 March 2015 carrying value of £3.08 million, and a profit on cost of £7.13 million.

A detailed analysis of all investments sold in the period to 30 September 2015 can be found in note 6 below.

Investment Portfolio

As at 30 September 2015 the top ten investments had a combined value of £31.72 million, 57 per cent of the total portfolio.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

In accordance with DTR 4.2.7, the Board confirms that the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company have not materially changed from those identified in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2015. The Board acknowledges that there is regulatory risk and continues to manage the Company's affairs in such a manner as to comply with section 274 of the Income Tax Act 2007.

In summary, the principal risks are:

• Loss of approval as a Venture Capital Trust;

• Economic;

• Investment and strategic;

• Regulatory;

• Reputational;

• Operational;

• Financial; and

• Market/liquidity

Full details of the principal risks can be found in the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2015 on pages 30 and 31, a copy of which is available at www.bscfunds.com

Directors' Responsibilities Statement

The directors of British Smaller Companies VCT plc confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the condensed set of financial statements in this interim report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by the EU, and give a fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit and loss of British Smaller Companies VCT plc, and that the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R and DTR 4.2.8R.

The directors of British Smaller Companies VCT plc are listed in note 8 of these interim financial statements.

By order of the Board

Helen Sinclair

Chairman

27 November 2015

Unaudited Statement of Comprehensive Income for the six months ended 30 September 2015

The Total column of this statement represents the Company's Statement of Comprehensive Income, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ('IFRSs'). The supplementary Revenue and Capital columns are prepared under the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts' ('SORP') 2014 published by the Association of Investment Companies.

Unaudited Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2015

Signed on behalf of the Board

Helen Sinclair

Chairman

27 November 2015

Unaudited Statement of Changes in Equity for the six months ended 30 September 2015

Reserves available for distribution

Under the Companies Act 2006 the capital reserve and the revenue reserve are distributable reserves. The table below shows the amount available for distribution.

*. The revenue reserve of £686,000 is only distributable once these interim financial statements are filed at Companies House.

The capital reserve (£40,165,000) and the revenue reserve (£1,604,000) are both distributable reserves. These reserves total £41,769,000 (30 September 2014: £14,078,000 and 31 March 2015: £41,623,000), representing an increase of £146,000 in the period since 31 March 2015 (30 September 2014: £27,690,000 increase). The directors also take into account the level of investment holding gains (losses) reserve and the future requirements of the Company when determining the level of dividend payments.

Of the potentially distributable reserves of £41,769,000 shown above, £825,000 relates to interest which will become distributable once realised in 2018 and 2019, £93,000 relates to preference dividends that will become distributable on the realisation of the investment, and £2,093,000 of cancelled share premium which will become distributable on 1 April 2018.

On filing these interim financial statements at Companies House, the reserves available for distribution will be £38,758,000.

Unaudited Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended 30 September 2015

Explanatory Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

1. General information, basis of preparation and principal accounting policies

These half year statements have been approved by the directors whose names appear at note 8, each of whom has confirmed that to the best of their knowledge:

• The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by rules 4.2.7 and 4.2.8 of the Disclosure Rules and the Transparency Rules.

• The half year statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority.

The half year statements are unaudited and have not been reviewed by the auditors pursuant to the Financial Reporting Council's guidance on Review of Interim Financial Information. They do not constitute full financial statements as defined in section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The comparative figures for the year ended 31 March 2015 do not constitute full financial statements and have been extracted from the Company's financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2015. Those accounts were reported upon without qualification by the auditors and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

The accounting policies and methods of computation followed in the half year statements are the same as those adopted in the preparation of the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2015.

The financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2015 were prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. Where guidance set out in the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts' issued by the Association of Investment Companies in January 2009 ("SORP") is consistent with the requirements of IFRS, the financial statements have been prepared in compliance with the recommendations of the SORP.

Other standards and interpretations have been issued which will be effective for future reporting periods but have not been adopted early in these financial statements. These include amendments to IFRS 9, 10, 11 and 15, and amendments to IAS 27 and 28. The impact of the new accounting standards and amendments applicable to the Company is not expected to be material to the financial statements.

Going Concern: The directors have carefully considered the issue of going concern and are satisfied that the Company has sufficient resources to meet its obligations as they fall due for a period of at least twelve months from the date these half year statements were approved. As at 30 September 2015 the Company held cash balances and fixed term deposits with a combined value of £32,216,000. Cash flow projections show the Company has sufficient funds to meet both its contracted expenditure and its discretionary cash outflows in the form of share buy-backs and the dividend policy. The directors therefore believe that it is appropriate to continue to apply the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these half year statements.

2. Income

In addition an amount of £5,000 (30 September 2014: £110,000) of income in relation to loan interest has not been recognised due to uncertainty over its future receipt.

3. Taxation

The Company has no provided, or unprovided, deferred tax liability in either period.

Deferred tax assets in respect of losses have not been recognised as the directors do not currently believe that it is probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available against which the assets can be recovered.

Due to the Company's status as a venture capital trust, and the continued intention to meet the conditions required to comply with Chapter 3 Part 6 of the Income Tax Act 2007, the Company has not provided deferred tax on any capital gains or losses arising on the revaluation or realisation of investments.

4. Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to shareholders in the period:

An interim dividend of 2.0 pence per ordinary share, amounting to approximately £1.83 million is proposed. The dividend has not been recognised in these half year financial statements as the obligation did not exist at the balance sheet date.

5. Basic and Diluted Earnings per Ordinary Share and Changes in Share Capital

The basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share is based on the profit after tax attributable to equity shareholders of £6,058,000 (30 September 2014: £577,000) and 90,082,409 (30 September 2014: 64,778,209) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

The basic and diluted revenue return per ordinary share is based on the revenue profit attributable to equity shareholders of £1,001,000 (30 September 2014: £492,000) and 90,082,409 (30 September 2014: 64,778,209) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

The basic and diluted capital return per ordinary share is based on the capital return attributable to equity shareholders of £5,057,000 (30 September 2014: £85,000) and 90,082,409 (30 September 2014: 64,778,209) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

During the period the Company allotted 1,553,318 new ordinary shares in respect of its dividend reinvestment scheme and 1,385,722 new ordinary shares under the offer for subscription alongside British Smaller Companies VCT2 plc.

The Company has repurchased 364,332 of its own shares in the period and these shares are held in the capital reserve. The total of 3,589,655 treasury shares has been excluded in calculating the weighted average number of ordinary shares during the period. The Company has no securities that would have a dilutive effect and hence basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share are the same.

6. Financial Assets at Fair Value Through Profit and Loss

IFRS 13, in respect of financial instruments that are measured in the balance sheet at fair value, requires disclosure of fair value measurements by level within the following fair value measurement hierarchy:

• Level 1: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets is based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. A market is defined as a market in which transactions for the asset or liability take place with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. The quoted market price used for financial assets held by the Company is the current bid price. These instruments are included in Level 1 and comprise AIM quoted investments or government securities and other fixed income securities classified as held at fair value through profit and loss.

• Level 2: the fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market is determined by using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable market data where it is available and rely as little as possible on entity specific estimates. If all significant inputs required to fair value an instrument are observable, the instrument is included in Level 2. The Company held no such instruments in the current or prior year.

• Level 3: the fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, investments in unquoted companies) is determined by using valuation techniques such as earnings multiples. If one or more of the significant inputs is not based on observable market data, the instrument is included in Level 3.

All of the Company's unquoted investments are included in Level 3. 

Each investment is reviewed at least quarterly to ensure that it has not ceased to meet the criteria of the level in which it was included at the beginning of each accounting period. There have been no transfers between these classifications in the period (30 September 2014: None). The change in fair value for the current and previous year is recognised through profit and loss.

All items held at fair value through profit and loss were designated as such upon initial recognition and are subject to a reoccurring valuation on at least a quarterly basis.

Valuation of Investments

Initial Measurement: Financial assets are initially measured at fair value. The best estimate of the initial fair value of a financial asset that is either quoted or not quoted in an active market is the transaction price (i.e. cost).

Subsequent Measurement: The International Private Equity and Venture Capital (IPEVC) Valuation Guidelines ("the Guidelines") identify six of the most widely used valuation methodologies for unquoted investments. The Guidelines advocate that the best valuation methodologies are those that draw on external, objective market based data in order to derive a fair value.

Full details of the methods used by the Company were set out on page 55 and 56 of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2015, a copy of which can be found at www.bscfunds.com. Where investments are in quoted stocks, fair value is set at the market price.

The primary methods used for valuing non-quoted investments, and the key assumptions relating to them are:

Price of recent investment, reviewed for changes in fair value: the cost of the investment, adjusted for background factors specific to the investment, is taken as a reasonable assessment of the fair value for a period of up to one year. During this period performance is monitored for evidence of changes to this initial fair value. Valuations may be re-based following substantial investment by a third party when this offers evidence that there has been a change to fair value.

Earnings multiple: the appropriate sector FTSE® multiples are used as a market-based indication of the enterprise value of an investment company. A discount is applied to the multiple based on perceived market interest in that company or sector and on any benefit that may be observed by holding a significant shareholding or superior rights.

Movements in investments at fair value through profit or loss during the six months to 30 September 2015 are summarised as follows:

There have been no individual fair value adjustments downwards during the period that exceeded five per cent of the total assets of the Company (31 March 2015: none).

The Company has completed investments totalling £2.50 million into five companies preparing to trade.

During the period one investment moved from being held at price of recent investment, reviewed for change in fair value, to an earnings multiple basis with the net impact being a gain of £108,000.

Level 3 valuations include assumptions based on non-observable data, such as discounts applied either to reflect changes in fair value of financial assets held at the price of recent investment, or to adjust earnings multiples.

IFRS 13 requires an entity to disclose quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used. Of the Company's Level 3 investments, 70 per cent are held on an earnings multiple basis, which have significant judgement applied to the valuation inputs. The table below sets out the range of Price Earnings ratios and discounts applied in arriving at investments valued on an earnings multiple basis. The remainder of Level 3 investments are held at cost, reviewed for change in fair value and the range of discounts applied is set out below.

The standard also requires disclosure, by class of financial instruments, if the effect of changing one or more inputs to reasonably possible alternative assumptions would result in a significant change to the fair value measurement. Each unquoted portfolio company has been reviewed in order to identify the sensitivity of the valuation methodology to using alternative assumptions. Where discounts have been applied (for example to Earnings levels or P/E ratios) alternatives have been considered which would still fall within the IPEVC Guidelines. For each unquoted investment, two scenarios have been modelled: more prudent assumptions (downside case) and more optimistic assumptions (upside case). Applying the downside alternatives the value of the unquoted investments would be £4.39 million or 8.3 per cent lower. Using the upside alternative the value would be increased by £5.59 million or 10.6 per cent.

Of the Company's equity investments 95.3 per cent are in unquoted companies held at fair value (31 March 2015: 94.8 per cent). The valuation methodology for these investments includes the application of externally produced FTSE® multiples. Therefore the value of the unquoted element of the portfolio is also indirectly affected by price movements on the listed market. Those using an earnings multiple methodology include judgements regarding the level of discount applied to that multiple. A 10 per cent decrease in the discount applied would have increased the net assets attributable to the Company's shareholders and the total profit by £3.68 million (4.1 per cent of net assets). A change in the opposite direction would have decreased net assets attributable to the Company's shareholders and the total profit for the period by £3.57 million (4.0 per cent of net assets).

Of the Company's equity investments, 4.7 per cent are quoted on AIM (31 March 2015: 5.2 per cent). A five per cent increase in stock prices as at 30 September 2015 would have increased the net assets attributable to the Company's shareholders and the total profit for the period by £128,000 (31 March 2015: £143,000). An equal change in the opposite direction would have decreased the net assets attributable to the Company's shareholders and the total profit for the period by an equal amount.

Fixed income securities comprise UK Government stocks and are classified as financial assets through profit or loss. Their use is as temporary holdings until capital investment opportunities arise.

The following loan repayments and disposals took place during the period.

*Designates AIM quoted investments.

7. Basic and Diluted Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share

The basic and diluted net asset value per ordinary share is calculated on attributable assets of £89,887,000 (30 September 2014 and 31 March 2015: £64,904,000 and £87,720,000 respectively) and 91,402,772 (30 September 2014 and 31 March 2015: 65,520,783 and 88,828,064 respectively) ordinary shares in issue at 30 September 2015.

The 3,589,665 (30 September 2014: 3,006,322 and 31 March 2015: 3,225,333) treasury shares have been excluded in calculating the number of ordinary shares in issue at 30 September 2015. The Company has no securities that would have a dilutive effect and hence basic and diluted net asset value per ordinary share are the same.

8. Directors

The directors of the Company are:

Mrs H Sinclair (non-executive Chairman)

Mr CWER Buchan (non-executive Director)

Mr P S Cammerman (non-executive Director)

9. Post Balance Sheet Events

On 15 October 2015 the Company realised its investment in Insider Technologies (Holdings) Limited for proceeds of £1.16 million in line with the 30 September 2015 carrying value.

Since the period end the Company has invested £2.00 million into KeTech Enterprises Limited and made two follow-on investments totalling £0.90 million to support Springboard Research Holdings Limited and The Heritage Window Company Holdco Limited.

Since the period end the Company has also received loan repayments of £0.7 million.

10. Other Information

Copies of the interim report can be obtained from the Company's registered office: 5th Floor, Valiant Building, 14 South Parade, Leeds LS1 5QS or from www.bscfunds.com.

11. Total Return

Total return per share is calculated on cumulative dividends paid of 105.7 pence per ordinary share (31 March 2015: 98.7 pence per ordinary share and 30 September 2014: 94.2 pence per ordinary share) plus the net asset value as calculated in note 7.

12. Interim Dividend for the six months ended 30 September 2015

Further to the announcement of its interim results for the 6 months to 30 September 2015, the Company confirms that an interim dividend of 2.0 pence per ordinary share ("Interim Dividend") will be paid on 15 January 2016 to those shareholders on the Company's register at the close of business on 11 December 2015. The ex-dividend date for the Interim Dividend will be 10 December 2015.

13. Dividend Re-investment Scheme ("DRIS")

The Company operates a dividend reinvestment scheme ("DRIS"). The latest date for receipt of DRIS elections so as to participate in the DRIS in respect of the Interim Dividend is the close of business on 30 December 2015.

For further information, please contact:

David Hall YFM Equity Partners Limited Tel: 0113 244 1000

Gillian Martin Nplus1 Singer Advisory LLP Tel: 0207 496 3000