Hansard Regulatory News (HSD)

22 September 2011

Hansard Global plc

Results for the year ended 30 June 2011

Hansard Global plc ("Hansard" or "the Group"), the specialist long-term savings provider, today announces its results for the year ended 30 June 2011.

For further information

Hansard Global plc +44 (0) 1624 688000

Leonard Polonsky, Chief Executive

Gordon Marr, Managing Director

Vince Watkins, Chief Financial Officer

Pelham Bell Pottinger +44 (0) 20 7861 3232

Daniel de Belder

Notes to editors:

·; Hansard Global plc is the holding company of the Hansard Group of companies. The Company was listed on the London Stock Exchange in December 2006. The Group is a specialist long-term savings provider, based in the Isle of Man.

·; The Group offers a range of flexible and tax-efficient investment products within a life assurance policy wrapper, designed to appeal to affluent, international investors.

·; The Group utilises a low-cost distribution model by selling policies exclusively through a network of independent financial advisors, and the retail operations of certain financial institutions who provide access to their clients in more than 170 countries. The Group's distribution model is supported by Hansard OnLine, a multi-language internet platform, and is scaleable.

·; The principal geographic markets in which the Group currently services financial advisors and policyholders are the Far East, Latin America and the Middle East, in the case of Hansard International Limited, and Western Europe in the case of Hansard Europe Limited, the Group's two life assurance companies.

·; The Group's objective is to grow its business by attracting new business and positioning itself to adapt rapidly to market trends and conditions. The scaleability and flexibility of the Group's operations allow it to enter or develop new geographic markets and exploit growth opportunities within existing markets without the need for significant further investment.

Forward-looking statements:

This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to certain of Hansard Global plc's plans and its current goals and expectations relating to future financial condition, performance and results. By their nature forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties because they relate to future events and circumstances which are beyond Hansard Global plc's control. As a result, Hansard Global plc's actual future condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in Hansard Global plc's forward-looking statements. Hansard Global plc does not undertake to update forward-looking statements contained in this announcement or any other forward-looking statement it may make. No statement in this announcement is intended to be a profit forecast or be relied upon as a guide for future performance.

Chairman's Statement

I am pleased to present the Annual Report of Hansard Global plc for the financial year ended 30 June 2011.  

The performance of the Group during the financial year, despite volatile markets and uncertain economic outlook, indicates that we are reaping the benefits of our strategic focus on growth markets and continued investment in distribution infrastructure to support the activities of Independent Financial Advisors. We have achieved a strong growth in new business, and new business volumes are now at levels that we had achieved prior to the global financial crisis. Increased new business flows from Latin America and the Far East have underpinned new business margins and the level of assets under administration.

Financial performance

Whilst challenging financial markets, continuing investment and the increasing burden of regulatory, compliance and related costs have contributed to profits remaining flat, we have continued to generate positive operating cash flows, and we have increased European Embedded Value ("EEV").

International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")

IFRS profit after tax for the year is £16.5 million (US$26.6m), compared with the profit of £16.4m (US$26.4m) earned in the previous financial year. Earnings per share for the year are 12.0p (US 19.3 cents), compared with 11.9p (US 19.2c).

EEV

EEV profit after tax has increased marginally to £28.5m (US$46m) or 20.8p per share (US$33.3c), (2010: £28.0m, US$ 45.1m). Following the payment of dividends totalling £18.5m (US$29.8m) during the year, the EEV of the Group at 30 June 2011 has increased by 4% to £257m (US$414m), (2010: £247m, US$398m).

Dividends

Dividends totalling 13.45p per share have been paid to shareholders during the year. This represents an increase of 4.7% over the dividends of 12.85p per share paid during the previous financial year.

The Board has resolved to pay a final dividend of 8.0p per share on 18 November 2011 subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting. If approved, this will represent total dividends for the financial year of 13.75p, an increase of 4.2% over the dividends of 13.2p per share paid in respect of the previous financial year.

New business

Against the backdrop of volatile market conditions and global economic concerns affecting investor confidence, I am pleased to report that new business for the year is substantially above the level of the previous financial year. Increased new business levels have been driven, in large part, by the Group's focus on the growth markets of Latin America and the Far East, and continued investment in Hansard OnLine. Calculated on the Group's internal metric, Compensation Credit, new business has increased by almost 39% to £16.5m (US$26.6m) from £11.9m (US$19.2m).

While single premium business remains constrained by market volatility and regulatory complexity in Europe, we have achieved a record level of regular premium new business flows that has contributed to industry-leading margins.

In the absence of further deterioration in macroeconomic conditions, we are confident that the outlook for sustained growth in new business and profitability remains positive for the Group. Whilst growth has eased from the rates seen earlier in the year, we remain confident of continuing momentum in the longer-term.

Hansard OnLine

Hansard OnLine is an important component of the Group's relationship with financial advisors and their clients and continues to be developed to meet their needs. The Hansard OnLine new business functionality introduced early in this financial year is finding favour with increasing numbers of IFAs in target markets and the functionality has continued to develop in response to feedback. The refresh of Hansard OnLine to incorporate modern internet techniques has been completed, to widespread satisfaction from IFAs.

Assets under Administration

Despite continued volatility, the value of AUA at 30 June 2011, at £1.23 billion (US$1.98bn), has increased by 8.4% since 30 June 2010.

While regular premium flows and retention of policyholders' assets under administration remain strong, certain assets selected by policyholders in previous financial years remain impacted by the global financial crisis. Market factors have caused the Board to apply a prudent valuation to those assets, which has reduced asset-based fees in the financial year under review.

Employees

The progress that we have made in these uncertain times is a reflection of the skill and enthusiasm of our employees throughout the world. On behalf of the Board and Shareholders I thank them all for their continued commitment to Hansard's success.

L S Polonsky

Chairman

21 September 2011

Report of the Managing Director

I am pleased to report on my second year as Managing Director of the Hansard Group of companies. The Group has had a successful year and achieved a number of its objectives, despite the increasing complexity of the external environment.

Throughout the financial year, the Group set out to operate in a way in which we could benefit from profitable relationships with Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) and their clients, while continuing to effectively manage related risks. We think that we have achieved this - we have seen substantial growth in new business levels, driven by investments in distribution and other infrastructure, and a continued reduction in operational risk.

We have, however, also experienced increased regulatory complexity and have noted that certain assets selected by policyholders in prior years continue to be affected by the global financial crisis. These factors serve to increase our cost base and divert resources from more profitable, forward looking, activities.

Throughout the financial year the Group has continued to:

·; Generate profitable new business flows

·; Invest in Hansard OnLine and other distribution infrastructure

·; Refresh risk management and corporate governance frameworks, and

·; Invest in our people.

Investing in new business

We have seen substantial growth in new business levels over those of the last few years, driven by the Group's strategic focus on growth markets and supported by investments in distribution and other infrastructure. Using the Group's internal metric, Compensation Credit, new business is almost 39% up on the previous financial year. This growth, despite volatile markets and uncertain economic outlook, reflects a continuation of profitable relationships with IFAs in our target markets.

As will be seen in the report of the Chief Distribution Officer, new business flows on the PVNBP basis increased by 33%.

The scaleability of the Group's systems, aided by the Hansard OnLine new business functionality introduced early in this financial year, allow us to capture and administer regular premium business more efficiently and to deliver new business margins on the PVNBP basis of 8.3% (2010: 6.9%) that remain well above industry average.

As can be seen within the Business Review, the Group has invested £25.7m (2010: £18.8m) in new business during the year, funded by positive operating cash flows from the policies on hand at the beginning of this financial year.

Financial performance

While challenging financial markets, increased regulatory and other expenses, and continuing investment have contributed to International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") profits remaining flat at £16.5m after tax (2010: £16.4m), we have continued to generate positive operating cash flows that enable us to fund new business strain and support dividend payments. The continued flow of profitable new business is reflected in an increase in European Embedded Value ("EEV") profit after tax to £28.5m (2010: £28.0m).

Investing in distribution and other infrastructure

The Group's investments in distribution and other infrastructure, in order to improve relationships with IFAs and policyholders, further automate processes and develop scaleability, have continued throughout the financial year, and have underpinned increasing regular premium flows from the growth markets of Latin America and the Far East.

In particular, Hansard OnLine new business functionality introduced earlier in this financial year is finding favour with increasing numbers of IFAs in target markets and the functionality has continued to develop in response to feedback. More than 1,500 new business applications were processed through this new facility in the financial year. This represents almost 90% of qualifying business submitted by those IFAs, and almost half of all applications received this year for regular premium new business. The refresh of Hansard OnLine to incorporate modern internet techniques has been completed, to widespread satisfaction from IFAs.

Risk management framework

Hansard's business model involves the controlled acceptance and management of risk exposures. Understanding the risks we face and managing them appropriately enables effective decision making, contributes to our competitive advantage and helps us to achieve our business objectives. The mechanisms for identifying, assessing, managing and monitoring risks are an integral part of our day to day management process.

Our risk management framework is continually being refreshed to better support our objectives and to recognise regulatory and legislative change. During the year we appointed a Chief Risk Officer for the Group and recruited a Risk Officer for Hansard Europe Limited.

During the year we continued to refine selected administrative processes to improve efficiencies and reduce operational risk. This is most evident in the introduction of the Online new business functionality referred to above, and the implementation of a new unit-pricing system.

While the Group has designed its products, distribution methods and cost base with a view to reducing operational and financial risks, the regulatory, corporate and legislative responses to the extreme financial and market circumstances encountered over the last three years will have some impact on the business environment in which the Group operates. Like other financial services groups, we will need to adapt and meet these challenges.

As an example of this, a Group company has been served with a number of writs arising from policyholder complaints in relation to the selection and performance of assets linked to certain insurance policies. Based on the pleadings and advice received to date, the Group has not made any provision in respect of these actions, which it intends to defend strenuously. Any court hearings linked to these writs are not anticipated to take place before February 2012. 

Corporate Governance

Hansard is committed to achieving high standards of corporate governance throughout the Group. This was demonstrated by the Board implementing the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code with effect from 1 July 2010 and adhering to its principles throughout the financial year, as is reported elsewhere in this Report & Accounts.

Throughout the year we have taken steps to refresh Board and Committee structures and composition throughout the Group. Recognising the differing interpretation and application of regulations we have sought to ensure that structures for each entity are refocused to meet requirements. We believe that the quality and experience of the Group's independent non-executive Directors stand us in good stead to meet the standards expected of a listed financial services organisation.

The continued application of increasing regulatory and governance requirements has increased costs and this trend shows no sign of abating. The implementation of Solvency II, FATCA and similar requirements will occupy a significant amount of the Group's resources.

Investing in our people

The Group has a dedicated dynamic workforce in the Isle of Man, the Republic of Ireland and other locations. The Group has a commitment to service and quality at the highest level in relation to the development of successful products, administration, distribution mechanisms and Hansard OnLine.

The progress that we have made this year is a reflection of the skill and enthusiasm of our employees. I thank them all for their continued commitment to Hansard's success.

A number of cash-based, and share-based, incentive schemes have been implemented to align employee rewards with shareholder interest. Details of the more significant incentive schemes are provided in the report of the Remuneration Committee.

G S Marr

Managing Director

21 September 2011

Report of the Chief Distribution Officer

We recognised some eighteen months ago that certain economies were recovering quicker from the global financial crisis than others. We feel therefore that our strategy to better position the Group to benefit from growth in the target markets of Latin America and the Far East has borne fruit. Despite challenging economic conditions the Group has continued to generate strong levels of new business flows throughout the financial year, reflecting continuing levels of interest in Hansard's products, aided by developments in Hansard OnLine.

The principal geographic markets in which the Group currently services Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) and policyholders are Latin America, the Far East and the Middle East, which are typically sources of higher-margin regular premium products, and Western Europe, which is primarily a source of lower-margin single premium products.

Reflecting the increased levels of interest among IFAs and their clients, and the Group's continued investment in distribution infrastructure, the volume of new business has returned to levels that were being achieved prior to the global financial crisis. On the basis of the group's internal metric, Compensation Credit, new business flows in the year are almost 39% above those of the previous year. The Group's focus on growth markets has been rewarded by a record level of regular premium business in the year.

I would like to record my thanks to all members of the Group's distribution force and to all those IFAs and intermediaries who have introduced new business to us this year.

New business volumes for the year on the Group's internal metric, and on two metrics widely used by the market are summarised as follows:

PVNBP for the year ended 30 June

PVNBP new business flows by region

New business strategy

Our objective is to grow by attracting profitable new business and positioning ourselves to adapt rapidly to market trends and conditions. The scaleability and flexibility of the Group's operations allow us to enter or develop new geographic markets and exploit growth opportunities within existing markets without the need for significant further investment.

The growth in new business achieved reflects the Group's efforts to:

·; develop and enhance relationships with IFAs, intermediaries and their clients and;

·; increase the functionality of Hansard OnLine to continue to meet the needs of IFAs and policyholders.

Developing and enhancing relationships

Through the Group's network of Account Executives, who provide local language and other support to IFAs in the Group's target markets, the Group continues to develop and enhance relationships around the world.

Increasing levels of new business from the growth markets of Latin America and the Far East are reflected in the increased proportion of regular premium flows and, therefore, in the increased new business margin. Regular premium products accounted for almost 51% of the Group's PVNBP in the year (2010: 41.5%). This is consistent with our strategy of attracting a greater mix of regular versus single premium flows. Total regular premium flows of £112.0m PVNBP for the year are 62.3% above the £69.0m of the previous year.

New business flows of £112.1m PVNBP from Latin America and the Far East represents an increase of 63% over the previous year, demonstrating the success of increased marketing activity in those regions. This is predominantly (81%) regular premium business introduced by IFAs, many of whom use the Hansard OnLine new business functionality introduced in the early part of this financial year.

The Group continues to receive a substantial volume of new business from a diversified range of IFAs outside our target markets. Premium flows of £109.0m PVNBP from those other markets have increased by almost 12% over last year. This is predominantly single premium business. The reduced new business flows from the EU and EEA reflect the continuing difficult market environment that impacts on investor confidence, and regulatory uncertainty. New business from the Rest of the World incorporates a small number of high value cases issued in the first half of the financial year, demonstrating the sensitivity of the Group's PVNBP to very large single premium cases.

The Group's distribution resources continue to be targeted to support production of regular premium contracts. An additional 5 field personnel have been recruited recently and further recruitment activity continues.

We receive business from a strong and well-diversified range of financial advisors around the world. The growth in regular premium new business flows from target markets is reflected in the increasing proportions of new policies denominated in US Dollars and Japanese Yen, and reflects increasing diversification of Hansard's business and Assets under Administration.

We are monitoring the discussions concerning the implementation of the Retail Distribution Review by the Financial Services Authority. While we support transparency in fee and other disclosures, the breadth of our distribution means that we do not expect significant disruption when the Review is implemented.

Hansard OnLine

Over the past 12 months, Hansard OnLine has undergone a complete visual refresh bringing this intermediary-focused platform in line with the latest web design and usability practices.

Hansard OnLine new business functionality introduced earlier in this financial year is finding favour with increasing numbers of IFAs in target markets and the functionality has continued to develop in response to feedback. To date, more than 2,000 new business applications have been processed through this new facility, which represents almost 80% of qualifying business submitted by those intermediaries.

In line with the Group's strategy of sourcing regular premium business from growth markets, the pilot programme provided to intermediaries in the Far East and Latin America the facility to process applications for regular premium contracts. Work continues to enhance this facility, to cover all product lines and all types of new business.

The cost savings to intermediaries of these applications is significant, and can be expected to increase as the demand for paper copies reduces.

New business profits

Despite market conditions, the Group has retained its focus on profitability. Increased regular premium flows, which earn higher margins than single premium business, have contributed to the growth in the new business margin to 8.3% on the PVNBP basis (2010: 6.9%).

These margins are well above the industry average, principally due to the Group's continued focus on the value of new business, and are now at a similar level to the margin at the time of the IPO.

As will be seen elsewhere in this Report & Accounts, this margin represents new business profits of £18.5m (2010: £11.5m), of which approximately 60% relates to activities supporting intermediaries in Latin America and the Far East.

Outlook

Whilst recent growth of new business over the prior year has eased from the rates seen earlier in this financial year because of stronger comparators, I remain confident of continuing momentum. In the absence of further deterioration in macroeconomic conditions in target markets, I believe that the outlook for sustained growth in new business and profitability remains positive for the Group.

J Kanarek

21 September 2011

BUSINESS REVIEW

Business

Hansard is a specialist long-term savings provider that began trading internationally from the Isle of Man in 1987 and has operated in the Republic of Ireland since 1995. The Group offers a range of flexible, tax-efficient investment products within life assurance policy wrappers, developed to appeal to affluent international investors and distributed byindependent Financial Advisors ("IFAs") and other intermediaries acting for the clients they introduce.

The Company's head office is in Douglas, Isle of Man, and its principal subsidiaries operate from the Isle of Man, and Dublin, Republic of Ireland.

The Group's location on the Isle of Man provides a highly-regarded regulatory framework with access to an educated workforce and a robust telecommunications infrastructure. The Isle of Man Government Policyholder Protection legislation provides security of up to 90% of the liability of Hansard International Limited to its policyholders wherever in the world they are resident.

Hansard Europe Limited, an authorised and regulated life assurer based in Dublin, allows the Group's products access to the EU marketplace under the "freedom of services" provisions of the EU Life Directives.

Strategy and business model

The results for the year that are summarised in this review reflect the successful implementation of the decisions taken by the Group some eighteen months ago to:

·; invest in distribution infrastructure;

·; increase the proportion of regular premium new business;

·; develop profitable relationships with intermediaries in growth markets and;

·; invest in Hansard OnLine and the Group's systems.

The Group's strategy is to develop long term profitable relationships with IFAs and other intermediaries who provide insurance policies to affluent international investors.

As a result of high levels of service and supported by our multi-language internet platform, Hansard OnLine, we expect to retain both the policyholder relationship and the associated assets under administration for the long term. We believe that the nature of the Group's products, the functionality of Hansard OnLine, and the ability of the policyholder to reposition assets within a policy contribute to the persistency of assets under administration.

The main source of income for the Group is the fees earned from the administration of the insurance contracts. The new business generated in a particular year is expected to earn income for an average period of 14 years and so, with careful expense management, provides a good return on the investment. In the year under review we have seen growth of over 60% in regular premium new business flows, which will provide a consistent and predictable income stream for the future. Our business is therefore long term in nature both from a policyholder perspective and with regards to the income that is generated.

From this income we meet the overheads of the business, invest in infrastructure and invest to acquire new insurance contracts. Capital invested in new business is typically returned within three years and a large proportion of the annual cash generated each year from the policies under administration is re-invested in growing the business with the aim of increasing future returns for shareholders.

In summary, the business model results in positive cash flow from early in the life of each policy, and the growth in that income should ensure we are able to continue paying a growing dividend to shareholders.

Products

The Group's products are unit-linked regular or single premium life assurance contracts, issued by Hansard International and Hansard Europe, which may be. Policyholders bear the investment risk as the policy benefits are directly linked to the value of the assets selected by, or on behalf of, the policyholder. The Group does not offer investment advice.

These contracts are distributed exclusively through IFAs and other intermediaries, supported by our multi-language internet platform, Hansard OnLine. The Group's products do not include any policies with financial options and/or guarantees regarding investment performance and, hence, unlike the situation faced by many other life assurers, the Group carries no guarantee risk that can cause capital strain.

We remain committed to our strategy of investing in products where capital (or new business) strain is minimal. Where capital is employed, it earns a high return and is paid back quickly. The total internal rate of return ("IRR") for new business remains in excess of 15% and the payback period is less than 3 years. New business margins on the basis of the Present Value of New Business Premiums ("PVNBP") have risen to 8.3% from 6.9% at 30 June 2010, largely reflecting the greater proportion of regular premium new business. These margins remain well above the industry average.

Hansard OnLine

Hansard OnLine is the Group's internet platform: it joins together IFAs and other intermediaries around the world with Hansard's offices, and with their clients, who may also have intermediary-controlled access. Hansard OnLine is a secure extranet platform hosting a rich and deep set of information about the policies and clients introduced by each intermediary. Widely and independently regarded as best in class, Hansard OnLine, launched in 1999, is a valuable sales and administration tool that continues to be developed to meet the needs of intermediaries and policyholders.

Over the past 12 months, Hansard OnLine has undergone a complete visual refresh bringing this intermediary-focused platform in line with the latest web design and usability practices.

As part of a programme to increase the facilities available to clients, and increase engagement and convenience, the sign up and logging on processes have been improved, email alerts have been introduced as new post is despatched and clients can now change some personal data online. Successfully allowing online data changes is the first step to allowing clients and intermediaries greater and more direct control over the administration process.

The reporting of client site activity to the servicing intermediary has been further extended. Client interactions can now be viewed through mapping functionality, showing where the client logged on alongside a wealth of detail on actual activity - allowing the IFA to time and tailor servicing plans on a client by client basis.

OnLine New Business processing was released to a pilot group of intermediaries in late 2010. The pilot was enthusiastically received and represented a significant step towards providing a fully featured transactional service. In line with the Group's strategy of sourcing regular premium business from growth markets, the pilot programme provided intermediaries in the Far East and Latin America with the facility for online submission of regular premium new business. During the financial year almost 90% of qualifying business introduced by those intermediaries was submitted electronically. This represents almost half of all applications received during the year for regular premium new business. Work continues to enhance this facility, to cover all product lines and all types of new business.

Developments with yet further reach continue to be progressed, including online unit fund switching and online dealing for Personal Portfolios. Internal use, followed by piloting with intermediaries, is expected over the next twelve months.

Capitalisation and solvency

The Group is well capitalized to meet the requirements of regulators, intermediaries and policyholders. Following increases in the aggregate minimum regulatory margins in the period, the required margins are covered 13.4 times (2010: 15.1 times) by the Group's capital resources. The solvency position is well insulated against the difficult investment markets, as the Group invests its excess capital resources in a wide range of deposit institutions and in highly-rated money market liquidity funds. The in-force portfolio has no material investment options or guarantees that could cause capital strain.

The introduction of Solvency II will see a fundamental change in the way EU based insurers assess their capital requirements and risk management standards. The Group's EU based insurer, Hansard Europe, has participated throughout the design process. Based on current guidance the Group does not expect additional capital requirements as a result of these legislative changes. While it seems possible that the implementation of Solvency II may be deferred beyond 1 January 2013, the Group will have developed its requirements by that date.

Key performance indicators

The Group's senior management team monitors a range of Key Performance Indicators, both financial and non-financial, that are designed to ensure that performance against targets and expectations across significant areas of activity is monitored and variances explained.

The following is a summary of the indicators:

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Presentation of financial results

As noted above, our business is long term in nature, and for this reason we present the results on an EEV basis in addition to the statutory IFRS basis.

The profit that the Group expects to earn from the issue of an insurance contract is the same, irrespective of the basis of measurement, however:

·; The EEV result is a discounted cash flow valuation of the profits expected to emerge from the current book of insurance contracts and provides a more complete recognition of management's activity throughout the financial year. It demonstrates the expected emergence of shareholder cash over the long term, by reflecting the net present value of the expected future cash flows. The embedded value profit reported in one year will emerge as cash in future years.

·; The IFRS methodology smoothes recognition of profit from new business by spreading the initial costs (and revenues) evenly over the life of the business. The result therefore reflects neither the future shareholder value added, nor the cash impact of the new business in a particular year.

Results for the year

Despite the volatile markets throughout the financial year and uncertain economic outlook, total new business flows have increased by 39% (using the Group's internal metric) over the previous year. As can be seen in the report of the Chief Distribution Officer, the amount of new business received from the growth markets of Latin America and the Far East has increased by 63% and the level of regular premium new business received in the year rose to £112m, an increase of 62% over the previous year.

The increased volume of new business, and the increased proportion of regular premium new business have driven a growth of 61% in profit from new business, as calculated under EEV, to £18.5m (2010: £11.5m) and a growth in the level of deferred origination costs held on the IFRS balance sheet to £113.1m (2010: £105.6m).

Continued investments in the business and the Group's infrastructure, which are reflected as an increase in expenses, coupled with the Board's decision to restore pension contributions and salary levels after a period of cost reductions, have contributed to a marginal improvement in IFRS profits to £16.5m after tax (2010: £16.4m), and EEV operating profit after tax to £14.9m (2010: £15.5m). We have however continued to generate positive operating cash flows and we have increased EEV by 4% to £257.0m (2010: £247.0m).

Policyholders' assets under administration increased by 8.4% over the year to £1.23bn, despite the continued impact of the global financial crisis on the valuation of assets selected by policyholders that has restrained the growth of asset-based income streams.

The following is a summary of key items to allow readers to better understand the results of strategy implementation, as represented under accounting disclosures.

Abridged consolidated income statement

The consolidated income statement presented under IFRS reflects the financial results of the Group's activities during the year. This income statement however, as a result of its method of presentation, incorporates a number of features that might affect an understanding of the results of the Group's underlying transactions. This relates principally to:

·; investment income relating to the assets administered by the Group to back its liability to policyholders. These assets are generally selected by the policyholder or an authorised intermediary and the policyholder is entitled to the gains and bears the investment risk. The income statement also incorporates the transfer of those benefits to the policyholder. Investment gains during the year attributable to policyholder assets were £109.2m (2010: £146.9m).

·; fund management fees paid by the Group to third parties having a relationship with the underlying contract. While fund management fees paid are properly recorded in the Group's income statement under IFRS, it distorts results compared with an understanding of the Group's own entitlement to fund management fees and any requirement to pay such fees for services rendered in respect of the Group's own assets. In the current year third party fund management fees attributable to policyholder assets was £4.8m (2010: £4.6m). These are reflected in both income and expenses under the IFRS presentation.

An abridged consolidated income statement is presented below, excluding the items of income and expenditure indicated above.

Fees and commissions

Fees and commissions for the year attributable to Group activities are £50.8 million, an increase of 2.4% over the prior year of £49.6m.

A summary of fees and commissions is set out below:

Elements of contract fee income are largely fixed in nature, representing both the smoothing of up-front income required under IFRS, and policy-servicing charges applied to the policy book annually or as required by the policy terms and conditions. Consistent levels of contract fee income reflects the strength of the existing book of business, as the significantly increased levels of new business in this financial year will be reflected in fee income in future financial years.

Approximately 30% of the Group's fees and commissions, being fund management fees and commissions receivable from third parties, are related directly to the value of assets under administration ("AUA") and exposed to market movements and valuation judgements. As the value of AUA increases (whether through new business, strengthening stock markets or currency movements) it results in a positive impact on that income. The level of fund management fees has grown by 8%, which is largely in line with 8.4% growth in assets under administration. Commissions receivable from fund houses of £4.5m have increased by 7.1%.

Investment and other income

Investment and other income attributable to the Group during the year totalled £3.8m, compared with £1.3m in the previous year. An analysis of this is set out below:

Towards the end of the last financial year the Group took action to place a portion of its capital balances into longer-term fixed deposit accounts with institutions approved in terms of the Group Treasury policies. This has had the impact of increasing interest income in this financial year without incurring additional credit risk.

Foreign exchange gains of £1.5m have been recognised as a result of the strengthening of the Euro against Sterling during the financial year. The Group's own assets are held predominantly in Sterling but Hansard Europe is required to hold Euro currency balances to support its regulatory capital requirements. You can find further information about the Group's foreign currency exposures in note 22 to the IFRS section of this Report & Accounts.

Origination costs

Under IFRS, new business commissions paid to intermediaries, together with the directly attributable incremental costs incurred on the issue of a policy, are deferred and amortised over the life of the relevant contract. Other elements of the Group's new business costs, for example recruitment costs and initial payments to new Account Executives, are expensed as incurred. This accounting policy reflects that the Group will continue to earn income over the long-term from policies issued in a given financial year. The impact on current year earnings of contracts issued this year is minimal.

The significant growth in new business volumes over last year is reflected in an increase of 44% in these direct costs of new business to £23.4m. This is deferred to match the longer-term income streams expected to accrue from the policies issued this year. Amounts totalling £15.9m (2010: £14.7m) have been expensed to match contract fee income earned this year from policies issued in previous financial years.

Origination costs in the year are:

The life of a typical single premium contract is 15 years. The life of a regular premium contract is deemed to be the term of the individual policy. Typical terms range between 10 years and 25 years.

Administrative and other expenses

Expenses for the year reflect higher new business levels, continuedinvestment in the Group's propositions and distribution capabilities as well as the costs of strengthening the governance and controls to meet the needs of a growing, complex business. A significant portion of the increase in administrative and other expenses in the year under review follows the Board's decision to restore pension contributions to employees' individual pension plans with effect from 1 July 2010, following a suspension of those contributions in March 2009, and to reverse the pay cuts accepted by senior management in February 2009. This increase of approximately £0.8m in current year expenses further demonstrates the Board's confidence in the Group's long-term prospects.

Professional fees in the year include amounts totalling £0.5m for audit related services (2010: £0.4m); increased legal fees of £0.5m relating to policyholder complaints and other issues (2010: £0.2m) and £0.6m (2010: £0.3m) for administration, custody, dealing and other charges paid under the terms of the outsourcing arrangements that commenced in November 2009.

We have continued to invest for future growth in the business, which has led to growth investment spend included in expenses increasing by 26% to £2.4m, with a number of Hansard OnLine and other initiatives launched during the year or in course of development.

A summary of administrative and other expenses attributable to the Group is set out below:

Cash Flows

Operating cash flows in the year continue to be strongly positive. The operational surplus of £35.2m (fees deducted from contracts and Commissions received, less operational expenses) has grown by £1m despite the increased expenses referred to above, reflecting the strength of the back book of business.

Short-term timing differences in relation to quarterly fee collections, expense settlement and receipt of bank interest on longer-term deposits, results in a net cash inflow for the year of £36.3m (2010: £42.9m). This surplus has funded investment in new business in the year, which has increased by 37% to £25.7m, in line with the new business levels reported elsewhere in this Report & Accounts.

This demonstrates that the in-force policy book continues to generate the cash required to support the Group's main business objectives of investing in new business, and enhancing distribution and other infrastructure.

The following summarises the Group's own cash flows in the year:

The continued application of the Group's progressive dividend record, given the significantly increased investment in new business in the year, has reduced the Group's own cash and deposits since 30 June 2010. 

Abridged consolidated balance sheet

The consolidated balance sheet presented under IFRS reflects the financial position of the Group at 30 June 2011. As a result of its method of presentation, the consolidated balance sheet incorporates the financial assets held to back the Group's liability to policyholders, and also incorporates the equivalent liability to policyholders of £1.23bn (2010: £1.13bn). Additionally, the Group's cash and bank deposits are disclosed based on maturity dates.

The abridged consolidated balance sheet presented below, excluding those assets and liabilities, allows a better understanding of the Group's own capital position and reflects continued investment in profitable new business. The successful implementation of the Group's strategy to invest in a higher proportion of regular premium new business results in an increase of deferred origination costs ("DOC"). The volume and nature of single premium new business in the year means that there is not a corresponding increase in the deferred income reserve ("DIR").

The continued application of the Group's progressive dividend record, given recent reductions in IFRS profit, has resulted in dividends of 13.45p per share for the year exceeding IFRS earnings per share of 12.0p per share, and has therefore caused a small reduction in Shareholders' equity since 30 June 2010.

Deferred origination costs

As mentioned above, deferral of origination costsreflect that the Group will continue to earn income over the long-term from policies issued in a given financial year. The increase of £7.5m in value since 30 June 2010 reflects the continued acquisition of profitable contracts (net of amounts amortised against contract fee income in the current financial year).

The movement in value of DOC over the financial year is summarized below.

Cash and bank deposits

In the current low interest rate environment the Group feels that the best use of its capital is to ensure continued investment in profitable regular premium contracts. These investments earn a return of at least 15%. As can be seen above, the Group invested £25.6m in new business during the year which was funded by cash flows from the existing policy book. While the construction of the Group's products means that this investment will be recouped within 3 years, continued investment in profitable regular premium contracts produces a short-term cash strain as a result of the commission and other costs incurred at inception of a contract.

Following this investment and a continuation of the Group's progressive dividend record, cash at 30 June 2011 stood at £73.1m, a reduction of £8.7m from the value reported at 30 June 2010. Despite this reduction, the Group is well capitalized to meet the requirements of regulators, intermediaries, policyholders and other stakeholders.

The Group's liquid assets at the balance sheet date are held with a wide range of deposit institutions and in highly-rated money market liquidity funds.

Deferred income reserve

Consistent with the treatment of deferred origination costs, the treatment of deferred income ensures that up-front fees are taken to the consolidated income statement in equal installments over the longer-term, reflecting the services provided over the period of the contract. The deferred income reserve represents the unamortised balance of accumulated initial amounts received on new business. The proportion of income deferred in any one year is dependent upon the mix and volume of business flows; the Group's focus on profitable regular premium business means that the value of DIR will not necessarily move in line with the value of DOC.

The movement in value of DIR over the financial year is summarized below.

Assets under administration

In the following paragraphs, assets under administration ("AUA") refers to net assets held to cover financial liabilities as analysed in note 16 to the consolidated financial statements presented under IFRS.

Despite market conditions, the Group has retained positive cash flows from the large number of regular premium contracts that the Group administers on behalf of policyholders around the world. Increased new business flows from Latin America and the Far East have underpinned the level of AUA. Policyholder deposits in the year increased by 12.2% to £186.4m, as shown below.

While retention of AUA remains strong, certain assets selected by policyholders in previous financial years remain impacted by the global financial crisis. During the first six months of this financial year we saw an increase in liquidations and other efforts to resolve uncertainty over those policyholder asset values but in the last quarter a further small number of funds held by policyholders ceased offering redemptions on normal terms. This has caused us to apply a prudent valuation by writing down those assets by £30m in Q4, in accordance with the practice introduced in H2 2008. The impact of the write-down is incorporated in "Effect of market and currency movements" shown in the table above.

Despite the falls in value in Q4, the overall value of AUA has increased by 8.4% over the year to £1,230m. The ability of policyholders to rotate assets held within contracts has maintained the level of AUA and further emphasises the strength of the life insurance wrapper.

The write-downs in this financial year, as well as prudent valuations on other assets similarly affected, have reduced asset-based fees in the current financial year and impacted EEV profits. Under the terms of the unit-linked contracts issued by the Group, the policyholder bears the financial risk attaching to assets to which the contracts are linked. Any continued reductions in AUA will cause declines in the Group's future asset-based income streams but will not affect the Group's capital position.

AUA currency composition

The investment choices of policyholders and their agents generally reflect the currency of the territories in which they are resident. However, the value of policyholder assets is subject to currency rate fluctuations and therefore the proportion of AUA held in any given currency can change as a result of currency movements and other factors.

The principal currencies in which assets are denominated at 30 June are as follows:

Complaints over AUA performance and related issues

The Group does not give any investment advice and this is left to the policyholder directly or through an agent, advisor or an entity appointed at the policyholder's request or preference. As such policyholders bear the financial risk relating to the investments underpinning their contracts, as the policy benefits are linked to the value of the assets.

Notwithstanding the above financial services institutions are increasingly drawn into disputes in cases where the value and performance of assets selected by or on behalf of policyholders fails to meet their expectations. This is particularly true of more complex structured products distributed throughout Europe that have been selected for inclusion in policies. At the balance sheet date a number of those fund structures remain affected by liquidity or other issues that hinder their sales or redemptions on normal terms with a consequent adverse impact on policy transactions.

A Group company has been served with a number of writs arising from such complaints and other asset-related issues, and believes that other writs might be served in the next few months. While it is not possible to forecast or determine the final results of pending or threatened legal proceedings, based on the pleadings and advice received from the company's legal representatives, the Directors believe that the company will be successful in its defence of these claims. Accordingly no provisions have been made.

Results for the year under European Embedded Value

The performance of the Group measured under EEV has improved relative to the previous financial year, despite the volatile markets and uncertain economic outlook. Following the payment of dividends of £18.5m during the year (2010: £17.6m), the EEV of the Group has risen to £257.0m, an

increase of £10.0m since 30 June 2010.The performance reflects the Group's strategy to:

·; increase the proportion of regular premium new business;

·; develop profitable relationships with intermediaries in growth markets; and

·; invest in Hansard OnLine and the Group's systems.

EEV profit

The performance of the Group measured under EEV has improved relative to the previous financial year, although the main drivers of the EEV profit over the year were different, as illustrated in the table below.

As has been the case in prior years, the EEV profit after tax is primarily driven by New Business Contribution and by the investment return variance on assets under administration. These improvements were partially offset by higher costs in the year, in part related to non-recurring project costs. The EEV profit fell by £11.3m due to the Group choosing to take a more conservative view about the business' future performance, primarily with respect to the assumed level of future administration unit costs. When setting the assumed level of future administration unit costs, the Company implemented a change in methodology to separately reflect the expenses incurred by the two life assurance subsidiary companies.

EEV profit after tax has increased by 1.8% to £28.5m (2010: £28.0m), a return on EEV of 11.5% (2010: 11.8%). The business continues to generate strong positive cash flows to fund new business and support dividend payments.

The components of EEV profit after tax are set out in the table below:

Operating performance - New business

As mentioned above, the Group's strategy is to increase the proportion of sales attributable to regular premium products, which typically have a higher margin than single premium products. Throughout the financial year the Group directed its resources to source such flows, principally from the growth markets of Latin America and the Far East, which has resulted in an increase of 33% in new business sales on the PVNBP basis.

These increased sales, coupled with the increased proportion of regular premium flows, have resulted in a new business contribution during the year of £18.5m which is 61% higher than last year (2010: £11.5m). The Group has retained its focus on profitability and the new business margin for the year, being the contribution from new business expressed as a percentage of PVNBP, has increased by 20% to 8.3%, from 6.9% last year.

The underlying profitability of new business written by the Group remains consistently above levels enjoyed by a majority of competitors. The Internal Rate of Return of new business written during the year remains in excess of 15% per annum, while initial capital invested in new business is returned, on average, within three years.

Operating performance - In-force business

Operating profit for in-force business is lower than the prior year. This was primarily driven by the recent increases in costs as a result of the Group strengthening its governance and controls to meet the needs of a growing, complex business.

Further detail of sources of performance variance and assumption changes are shown in the tables below:

Despite increasing persistency of existing business, adverse variances of £3.0m from in-force business (2010: £4.1m) have been experienced. A large portion of the increased operating expenses in the year and also assumed expenses in the future arises from investments in the Group's infrastructure and increased regulatory and compliance costs. Furthermore, the EEV also provides for a further £1m for future development costs.

Investment performance

Investment performance is a key driver of the EEV profit.

The principal components of the investment profit are shown in the table below.

The key drivers of investment performance were investment returns on policyholder assets under administration. This contributed £11.5m (2010: £10.7m) of the total profit of £12.0m (2010: £17.6m), despite a reduction of £1.6m (2010: £2.1m) representing an estimate of future charges foregone in relation to certain policyholder assets which, as mentioned above, have ceased offering redemptions on normal terms. This has resulted in a reduced valuation and a reduction in the Group's expectations of asset-based fees.Approximately £1.5m of this loss arose from experience in Q4 of this financial year.

Despite market volatility policyholder assets under administration have increased by 8.4% over the year to £1.23bn.

EEV balance sheet

In volatile market conditions, the Group's EEV has proved resilient, representing the continued acquisition of profitable contracts. Following the payment of dividends totalling £18.5m, the Group's EEV has increased by £10.0m to £257.0m (2010: £247.0m).

The table below provides a summarised breakdown of the EEV at the valuation dates:

Net worth is the market value of shareholders' funds, determined on an IFRS basis, adjusted to exclude certain assets such as deferred origination costs and liabilities such as deferred income reserve. Prior to the payment of dividends totalling £18.5m, net worth had increased by £10.3m over last year. The impact of the Group's progressive dividend record has resulted in a reduction in net worth, when compared with the prior year. At the balance sheet date the net worth of the Group is represented by liquid cash balances.

The value of future profits has risen by 10.2% over the year, to £197.2m.

In the period since 30 June 2011 global investment markets have been increasingly volatile with major equity markets having fallen approximately 10% in the two months to 31 August. This fall will inevitably have had an impact on the embedded value of the Group which is based upon market levels and other assumptions at 30 June 2011. A sensitivity analysis is set out in the EEV Information section of this Report & Accounts to help you estimate the potential impact of these developments.

Net asset value per share

On the EEV basis, the net asset value per share ("NAV") at 30 June 2011 is 187.2p, an increase of 4.1% compared with 179.9p at 30 June 2010. The NAV is based upon the EEV at the balance sheet date divided by the number of shares in issue at that date, being 137,291,385 ordinary shares.

The NAV at 30 June 2011 on the basis of IFRS, is 38.3p. This represents a decrease of 3.5% from the NAV of 39.8p at 30 June 2010.

Risk management and internal control

During the year the Group has continued to invest in risk management resources to promptly identify, measure, manage, report and monitor risks that affect the achievement of strategic, operational and financial objectives.

In the early part of the financial year, the Board established a Management Risk Committee ("MRC") covering the Group's companies, subsidiaries and operations, to supplement the activities of the Audit & Risk Committees operated by the regulated entities within the Group. A Group Chief Risk Officer was appointed in April 2011, and a Risk Officer was appointed in Hansard Europe in June 2011. The Group Chief Risk Officer is the Chairman of the MRC.

The objective and role of the Committee is to:

·; report to the Board on all risk matters across the Group;

·; assist the Board in ensuring an effective system of internal control and compliance, including its obligations under applicable laws and regulations; and

·; assist the Board in ensuring the adoption and embedding of the ERM framework across the Group.

The Group operates a Three Lines of Defence model of risk management, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for committees and individuals:

First line: Day-to-day risk management is delegated from the Board to the Managing Director and, through asystem of delegated authorities and limits, to business managers.

Second Line: Risk oversight is provided by the Chief Risk Officer and established risk management committees. These committees are supported by compliance functions across the Group.

Third Line: Independent verification of the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal risk and control management system is provided by the Group Audit Committee which is supported by the Group Internal Audit function.

In support of its accountabilities to operate a sound system of internal control the Board has implemented and maintains an enterprise-wide risk management ("ERM") programme. To support the governance process the Group relies on documented policies and guidelines. The ERM programme has been in place throughout the year and up to the date of this report. The programme has been subject to review during the year and policies have been strengthened for various areas to reflect new insights and changes in the Group's environment.

The ERM programme recognises the value to be achieved from ensuring that risk management and internal control are embedded as continuous and developing processes within strategy setting, programme level functions and day-to-day operating activities and are not treated as discrete activities, performed at certain points in time.

The systems of internal control which make up the ERM programme are designed to recognise the Board's responsibilities under the Corporate Governance Code to:

·; safeguard assets;

·; maintain proper accounting records;

·; provide reliable financial information;

·; identify and manage business risks;

·; maintain compliance with appropriate legislation and regulation and;

·; identify and adopt best practice.

The key features of the ERM system of internal control include:

·; Terms of Reference for the Board and each of its committees;

·; A clear organisational structure, with documented delegation of authority from the Board to executive management;

·; Committees of senior managers responsible for reviewing the Group's financial and non-financial risks and;

·; Risk management and internal control frameworks for the Group's operations. Each subsidiary company Board is required to attest to its adherence to these control frameworks on a quarterly basis.

The overarching objectives of the ERM programme combine five interrelated elements, which enable the management of risk at strategic, programme and operational levels to be integrated, so that the levels of activity support each other.

These five elements are defined as:

·; Management oversight and the control culture;

·; Risk recognition and assessment;

·; Control activities and segregation of duties;

·; Information and communication and;

·; Monitoring activities and correcting deficiencies.

This configuration and integration, and the methods of implementation via the ERM programme, ensures that all staff are made aware of the relevance of risk management to achievement of their individual objectives and accountabilities. The result is a risk management strategy, which is led from the top whilst being embedded in the Group's business systems, strategy and policy setting processes and the normal working routines and activities of the organisation. In this way risk management becomes an intrinsic part of the way business is conducted within the Group.

Risk principles

As part of the ERM refresh programme, the MRC has recommended to the Board a series of Principles for ERM which satisfy the corporate governance obligations of the Group's Life companies.

Risk appetite

The Board has established a formal Risk Appetite Framework which specifies the level of risk that may be assumed by the Group's operating subsidiary companies in order to achieve the Group's strategic objectives.

Risks to objectives are continuously assessed by management according to their potential impact and likelihood. A Risk Profile Score, independently generated using these assessments, is reviewed by subsidiary company Boards to indicate if objectives are likely to be achieved, and whether the risks entailed are appropriate. These profiles are aggregated and considered by the Company Board at each meeting. For example, the risk of not achieving new business production at Life company level, is assessed as to the impact this will have on embedded value at the Group level.

Risk identification and assessment

The ERM programme requires all subsidiary companies to identify and record risks to business objectives. The content of the Risk Register is addressed by the agenda of each subsidiary company Board meeting, and confirmation that it is conducted on an ongoing and consistent basis is reported to the Company Board.

All Risk Register content is rated according to the impact and likelihood of risk events, and these ratings are continuously re-assessed in response to the business environment. This aspect of the configuration and integration of the ERM programme ensures that all staff are made aware of the relevance of risk management to the achievement of their individual objectives and accountabilities.

The Group has defined a clear and simple process for identifying and managing emerging risks. The process provides for:

·; the identification of emerging financial and non-financial risks;

·; the creation of action plans and identification of early warning indicators;

·; the effective management of emerging risks by the appropriate risk owner and;

·; the passage of any risks identified into "business as usual" processes where appropriate.

Risk monitoring and management

As well as regular management monitoring activities, the MRC meet on a weekly basis to discuss emergent strategic and operational risks.

Risk reporting

All subsidiary company Boards receive qualitative reporting from the assigned risk owners. A quarterly Risk Report is also considered before the Boards are asked to attest to the effective functioning of the internal control framework and the ongoing identification and evaluation of risk within the subsidiary. These attestations are then presented to the Board of the Company in order to obtain the same comfort at Group level.

Risks relating to the Group's financial and other exposures

Hansard's business model involves the controlled acceptance and management of risk exposures. The steps taken to minimise those exposures include the operation of unit-linked insurance business. Under the terms of the unit-linked investment contracts issued by the Group, the policyholder bears the investment risk on the assets in the unit-linked funds, as the policy benefits are directly linked to the value of the assets in the funds. These assets are administered in a manner consistent with the expectations of the policyholders. By definition, there is a precise match between the investment assets and the policyholder liabilities, and so the market risk and credit risk lie with policyholders.

The shareholders' exposure on this unit-linked business is limited to the extent that income arising from asset management charges is generally based on the value of assets in the funds, and any sustained falls in value will reduce earnings. The Group's exposure to financial risks is addressed within note 22 to the consolidated financial statements.

The Board believes that the principal risks facing the Group's earnings and financial position are those relating to the operation of the Group's business model and to the environment within which the Group operates. While the Group's business model has served to minimise the principal risks facing the Group, the responses to the extreme financial and market circumstances that continue to be encountered may impact on the Group's strategic objectives, profitability or capital requirements.

The following table provides examples of the principal risks that may impact on the Group's strategic objectives, profitability or capital. Where necessary, the Group will develop alternative strategies to minimise the impact of any changes to its risk profile.

Financial reporting process

The Group maintains a process to assist the Board in understanding the risks to the Group failing to meet its objectives. This incorporates a system of planning and sensitivity analysis incorporating Board approval of forecast financial and other information. Performance against the forecasts is monitored and reported to the Board each time it meets. Operational management reports monthly to the Executive Committee on a wide range of key performance indicators and other significant matters. The Board receives regular representations from the senior executives.

Performance against financial information is reported to the Board quarterly through a review of the Company's results based on accounting policies that are applied consistently throughout the Group. Draft financial statements are prepared quarterly by the Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"). The members of the Audit Committee review the draft financial statements for the half year ended 31 December and for the full financial year and meet with the CFO to discuss and challenge the presentation and disclosures therein. Once the draft document is approved by the Audit Committee, it is reviewed by the Board before final approval at a Board meeting.

Effectiveness of risk management and internal control

The identification and evaluation of risks to key business objectives is conducted on an ongoing and consistent basis as indicated above. These are managed and monitored by executive management.

In accordance with the policy and procedural requirements of the Group ERM programme, the Hansard Global plc Board has sought positive assurance, and is satisfied that risk management and internal controls are functioning effectively and are operating as intended within the Group.

By order of the Board

Dr Leonard Polonsky

Executive Chairman

21 September 2011

  Notes to the financial statements

1 Principal accounting policies

These consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and the results of Hansard Global plc ("the Company") and of its subsidiary undertakings ("the Group").

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied, unless otherwise stated.

1.1 Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ("IFRS"), International Financial Reporting Standards Interpretations Committee ("IFRSIC") interpretations, and with the Isle of Man Companies Acts 1931-2004. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of financial investments and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss.

The Group has applied all IFRS standards adopted by the European Union and effective at 30 June 2011.

The following new standards and interpretations are in issue but not yet effective and have not been adopted by the Group:

·; IFRS 9, 'Financial instruments' addresses the classification and measurement of financial assets and was issued in November 2010 (effective for annual periods commencing on or after 1 January 2013). This standard has not yet been adopted by the EU.

·; IAS 24, 'Related Party disclosure' (revised) removes the requirement for government related entities to disclose details of all transactions with the government and other government related entities. It also clarifies and simplifies the definition of a related party.

·; Annual improvements to IFRSs 2010: this set of amendments includes changes to six IFRSs and one IFRIC.

·; IFRS 13, 'Fair value measurement' provides a precise definition of fair value and a single source of fair value measurement and disclosure requirements for use across IFRSs. This standard has not yet been adopted by the EU.

There are no other standards, amendments or interpretations to existing standards that are not yet effective, that would have a material impact on the Group's financial statements.

The financial statements are presented in millions of pounds sterling rounded to the nearest one hundred thousand pounds.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting year. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the year in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that year or in the year of the revision and future years if the revision affects both current and future years.

The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in note 2.

1.2 Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and the results of the Company and of its subsidiary undertakings. Subsidiaries are those entities in which the Company directly or indirectly has the power to govern the financial and operating policies generally accompanying a shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. Where necessary, accounting policies applied by subsidiary companies have been adjusted to present consistent disclosures on a consolidated basis.

Intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains and losses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

1.3 Product classification

The Directors have determined that the products issued by the Company's subsidiaries are classified for accounting purposes as investment contracts, as they do not transfer significant insurance risk. 

1.4 Investment contracts

1.4.1 Investment contract liabilities

Investment contracts consist of unit-linked contracts written through subsidiary companies in the Group. Unit-linked liabilities are measured at fair value by reference to the value of the underlying net asset value of the Group's unitised investment funds, determined on a bid basis, at the balance sheet date.

The decision by the Group to designate its unit-linked liabilities at fair value through profit or loss reflects the fact that the liabilities are calculated with reference to the value of the underlying assets.

1.4.2 Investment contract premiums

Investment contract premiums are not included in the income statement but are reported as deposits to investment contracts and are included in financial liabilities in the balance sheet. On existing business, a liability is recognized at the point the premium falls due. The liability for premiums received on new business is deemed to commence at the acceptance of risk.

1.4.3 Fees from investment contracts

Fees are charged to investment contracts for policy administration services, investment management services, payment of benefits and other services related to the administration of investment contracts. Fees are recognised as revenue as the services are provided. Initial fees that exceed the level of recurring fees and relate to the future provision of services are deferred in the balance sheet and amortised on a straight-line basis over the life of the relevant contract. These fees are accounted for on the issue of a contract and on receipt of incremental premiums on existing single premium contracts.

Regular fees charged to contracts are recognised on a straight-line basis over the period in which the service is provided. Transactional fees are recorded when the required action is complete.

1.4.4 Benefits paid

Withdrawals from policy contracts and other benefits paid are not included in the income statement but are deducted from financial liabilities under investment contracts in the balance sheet. Benefits are deducted from financial liabilities on the basis of notifications received, when the benefit falls due for payment or, on the earlier of the date when paid or when the contract ceases to be included within those liabilities.

1.4.5 Origination costs

Origination costs include commissions, intermediary incentives and other distribution-related expenditure. Origination costs which vary with, and are directly related to, securing new contracts and incremental premiums on existing single premium contracts are deferred to the extent that they are recoverable out of future net income from the relevant contract. Deferred origination costs are amortised on a straight-line basis over the life of the relevant contracts. Origination costs that do not meet the criteria for deferral are expensed as incurred.

1.5 Revenue

Revenue consists principally of fees from the administration of investment contracts (see 1.4.3 above), commission income and investment income.

1.5.1 Commissions

Commissions receivable arise principally from fund houses with which investments are held. Commissions are recognised on an accruals basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement.

1.5.2 Investment income

Investment income comprises dividends, interest and other income receivable, realised gains and losses on investments and unrealised gains and losses. Dividends are accrued on the date notified. Interest is accounted for on a time proportion basis using the effective interest method.

1.6 Employee benefits

1.6.1 Pension costs

Group companies contribute to employees' individual defined contribution pension plans. Contributions are charged to the income statement as they become payable under the terms of the relevant employment contract. The Group has no further payment obligations once pension contribution requirements have been met.

1.6.2 Share-based payments

The Company has established a number of equity-based payment programmes for eligible employees. The fair value of expected equity-settled share-based payments under these programmes is calculated at date of grant using a standard option-pricing model and is amortised over the vesting period on a straight-line basis through the income statement. A corresponding amount is credited to equity over the same period.

At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews its estimate of the number of options expected to be exercised. The impact of any revision in the number of such options is recognised in the income statement so that the charge to the income statement is based on the number of options that actually vest. A corresponding adjustment is made to equity.

1.7 Operating leases

Operating leases are defined as leases in which the lessor retains a significant proportion of the risks and rewards. Costs in respect of operating leases, less any incentives received from the lessor, are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

1.8 Dividends payable

Interim dividends payable to shareholders are recognised in the year in which the dividends are paid. Final dividends payable are recognised as liabilities when approved by the shareholders at the annual general meeting.

1.9 Financial assets and fair value of financial assets

The Group classifies its financial assets into the following categories: financial investments and loans and receivables. Financial investments consist of units in collective investment schemes, listed investments, fixed income securities and deposits with credit institutions. All financial investments are designated at fair value through profit or loss.

The decision by the Group to designate its financial investments at fair value through profit or loss reflects the fact that the investment portfolio is managed, and its performance evaluated, on a fair value basis.

The Group recognises purchases and sales of investments on trade date. Investment transaction costs are written off in administration expenses as incurred.

All gains and losses derived from financial investments, realised or unrealised, are recognised within investment income in the income statement, in the period in which they arise.

The value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss that are traded in active markets (such as trading securities) is based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. The quoted market price for financial assets held by the Group is the current bid price. Investments in funds and certain other unquoted securities are valued at the latest available net asset valuation provided by the administrators or managers of the funds and companies, unless the directors are aware of good reasons why such valuations would not be the most appropriate or indicative of fair value. Where necessary, the Group uses other valuation methods to arrive at the stated fair value of its financial assets, such as recent arms' length transactions or reference to similar listed investments.

Loans and receivables are financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted on an active market. Loans and receivables consist, primarily, of contract fees receivable, long-term cash deposits (i.e. with a maturity duration in excess of three months) and cash and cash equivalents.

1.10 Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less depreciation and any impairment. The historical cost of plant and equipment is the purchase cost, together with any incremental costs directly attributable to the acquisition. Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of the assets, less their estimated residual values, on a straight-line basis over the expected useful economic lives of the assets concerned, as follows:

Depreciation is included in administration and other expenses in the income statement.

The carrying amount, residual value and useful life of the Group's plant and equipment is reviewed annually to determine whether there is any indication of impairment, or a change in residual value or expected useful life. If there is any indication of impairment, the asset's carrying value is revised.

1.11 Impairment policy

Formal reviews to assess the recoverability of deferred origination costs on investment contracts and the carrying amount of the Group's other assets that are not carried at fair value are carried out at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If there is any indication of irrecoverability or impairment, the asset's recoverable amount is estimated.

Impairment losses are reversed through the income statement if there is a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. Such losses are reversed only to the extent that the asset's carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of amortisation where applicable, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

1.12 Other receivables

Other receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost.

1.13 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, net of short term overdraft positions where a right of set-off exists.

1.14 Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events such that it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made.

Provisions, where necessary, are calculated at the present value of the estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation utilising a rate that reflects the expected time value of money at the creation date of the provision. Any increase in the value of provisions due to the passage of time is recognised as an interest expense.

1.15 Other payables

Other payables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. They are recognised at the point where service is received but payment is due after the balance sheet date.

1.16 Foreign currencies

The Group's presentational and functional currency is pounds sterling, being the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Group operates.

Foreign currency transactions are translated into sterling using the applicable exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date, and the gains or losses on translation are recognised in the income statement.

Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are held at historical cost are translated using exchange rates prevailing at the date of transaction; those held at fair value are translated using exchange rates ruling at the date on which the fair value was determined.

1.17 Segmental reporting

Disclosure of operating segments in these financial statements is consistent with reports provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker which, in the case of the Group, has been identified as the Executive Committee of Hansard Global plc.

1.18 Taxation

Taxation is based on profits and income for the period as determined with reference to the relevant tax legislation in the countries in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate. Tax payable is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Tax is recognised in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in equity. Tax on items relating to equity is recognised in equity. 

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements in applying accounting policies

Estimates, assumptions and judgements are used in the application of accounting policies in these financial statements. Critical accounting estimates are those which involve the most complex or subjective judgements or assessments. Estimates, assumptions and judgements are evaluated continually and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual outcomes may differ from assumptions and estimates made by management.

2.1 Accounting estimates and assumptions

The principal areas in which the Group applies accounting estimates and assumptions are in deciding the amount of management expenses that are treated as origination costs and the period of amortisation of deferred origination costs ("DOC") and deferred income ("DIR"). Estimates are also applied in determining the recoverability of deferred origination costs.

2.1.1 Origination costs

Management expenses have been reviewed to determine the relationship of such expense to the issue of an investment contract. Certain expenses vary with the level of new business production and have been treated as origination costs. Other expenses are written off as incurred.

2.1.2 Amortisation of DOC and DIR

Deferred origination costs and deferred income are amortised on a straight-line basis over the life of the underlying investment contract. The life of a contract is either the contractual term thereof or the expected life of a single premium contract. This is calculated in a manner consistent with the assumptions used in the calculation of European Embedded Value.

2.1.3 Recoverability of DOC

Deferred origination costs are tested annually for recoverability by reference to expected future income levels from the relevant contracts.

2.2 Judgements

The primary areas in which the Group has applied judgement in applying accounting policies are:

·; the classification and unbundling of contracts between insurance and investment business. All contracts are treated as investment contracts. The Group has also elected to treat all financial investments as at fair value through profit or loss and;

·; the fair value of certain financial investments. Where the directors determine that there is no active market for a particular financial instrument, fair value is assessed using valuation techniques based on available, relevant, information and an appraisal of all associated risks. This process requires the exercise of significant judgement on the part of Directors. Where significant inputs to the valuation technique are observable, the instrument is categorised as Level 2. Otherwise, it is categorised as Level 3. This is discussed further in note 22 to these consolidated financial statements.

3 Segmental information

In the opinion of the Group's Executive Committee deemed to be the Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"), the Group operates in a single reportable segment, that of the distribution and servicing of long-term investment products through the Group's subsidiaries.

The Group's Executive Committee uses two principal measures when appraising the performance of the business: net issued compensation credit ("NICC") and expenses. NICC is a measure of the value of new in-force business and top-ups on existing single premium contracts.  NICC is the total amount of basic initial commission payable to intermediaries for business sold in a period and is calculated on each piece of new business. It excludes override commission paid to intermediaries over and above the basic level of commission. The Group maintains a close control over the margins realised on new business which are consistent across the Group's products and, hence, NICC is a reliable indicator of income.

The following table analyses NICC geographically and reconciles NICC to origination costs incurred during the year (note 13):

Expenses are reported to the Group's Executive Committee monthly on an aggregate basis, as distinct from the classification of costs between origination and administration and other expenses for IFRS reporting purposes, and may be reconciled as follows:

All Group assets are deemed to belong to the single segment.

Other non-IFRS 8 information is provided below and included in the Business Review.

Revenues and expenses allocated to geographical locations contained in sections 3.1 to 3.4 below, reflect the revenues and expenses generated in or incurred by the legal entities in those locations.

3.1 Geographical analysis of fees and commissions by origin

3.2 Geographical analysis of profit before taxation

3.3 Geographical analysis of gross assets

3.4 Geographical analysis of gross liabilities

4 Fees and commissions

5 Investment income

6 Origination costs

7 Administrative and other expenses

Included in administrative and other expenses is the following:

8 Employee costs

8.1 The aggregate remuneration in respect of employees (including sales staff and executive

 Directors) was as follows:

The Group operates a defined contribution group personal pension scheme that is open to all Group employees based on the Isle of Man aged between 25 and 65 years of age, with two years of service with the Group. Employees based in the Republic of Ireland with one year of service are eligible to be members of a personal retirement savings account scheme.

The Group suspended pension contributions with effect from 1 March 2009 as part of a cost management exercise. Contributions to all employee pension arrangements recommenced with effect from 1 July 2010.

8.2 The average number of employees during the year, including executive directors, was as follows:

8.3 Share-based payments

Details of the costs attributed to the share-based payments programme implemented by the Company can be found in note 19.

9 Taxation