Midwich Group Regulatory News (MIDW)

The following amendment has been made to the "Final Results" announcement released earlier today under RNS no. 4833H.

In the table of financial highlights section at the start of the announcement, the Net Debt figures originally stated:

The updated figures are as follows:

All other details remain unchanged. The full amended text is shown below.

13 March 2018

Midwich Group Plc

("Midwich" or the "Group")

Final Results

Midwich, the leading specialist audio visual and document solutions distributor to the trade market, today announces its Final Results for the year to 31 December 2017.

Financial Highlights

· Another year of impressive growth with revenue up 27.5% from £370.1m to £471.9m (24.2% in constant currency)

· In addition to top line growth, gross profit margin increased by 0.2% to 15.5% driven by an improving product mix

· Adjusted operating profit increased by 35.1% from £18.5m to £25.0m (31.3% in constant currency)

· Adjusted profit before tax(2) grew 35.7% from £17.9m to £24.3m (31.9% in constant currency)

· Strong cash flow conversion resulted in a conservative balance sheet at the year end with net debt of £22.3 million (0.8x adjusted EBITDA(3))

· Board has recommended final dividend payment of 9.65 pence per share (2016: 7.09p) taking the total annual dividend payment to 13.82 pence per share, an increase of 36.2% on a like for like basis

Operational highlights

· Another year of improved revenue and net profits across all territories driven by impressive growth in the specialist audio visual and technical product categories

· A further year of improved gross margins

· Strong working capital management has generated free cash flow conversion of 83%

· Completed and integrated three successful acquisitions, strengthening the Group's professional audio and professional lighting credentials and extending its global footprint into Iberia and the Benelux

· Post period end, appointed Hilary Wright to the Board as a Non-Executive Director on 9 March 2018

There will be a presentation for analysts at 9:30am today, 13 March 2018, at the offices of FTI Consulting, 200 Aldersgate, London, EC1A 4HD.

Stephen Fenby, Managing Director of Midwich Group Plc, said:

"We have delivered another year of strong profitable growth in 2017 across the Group. The underlying business has performed very well, resulting in significant increases in revenue and profit while improving gross margins. I am also pleased with the successful integration of the three earnings enhancing acquisitions that we made in the year, all of which have contributed positively to the Group result. 

"We continue to develop industry leading businesses across the geographies in which we operate and there remain substantial growth opportunities, both organic and inorganic, in these regions and further afield. We have continued to strengthen our central management team to help pursue and execute on our growth strategy and our strong balance sheet provides the necessary firepower to take advantage of the right opportunities.

"Trading in the first few months of 2018 has built on the good growth achieved in the prior year giving the Board confidence in delivering results in 2018 in line with its expectations."

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors

Midwich Group is a specialist Audio Visual ('AV') and document solutions distributor to the trade markets, operating across the UK, Ireland, France, Australasia, Germany, Iberia and Benelux.

The Group's staff of around 750, who operate out of 16 offices, are dedicated to continually enhancing our technical expertise, building extensive product knowledge and delivering strong customer service.

We have a large and diverse base of approximately 13,000 customers and long-standing relationships with around 330 vendors, including blue chip organisations.

The Group supports a comprehensive product portfolio across major technology categories such as large format displays, projectors, technical and professional video, audio and digital signage.

For further information, please visit www.midwichgroupplc.com

Chairman's Statement

I am pleased to report that the Group has continued to deliver strong results in 2017, achieving both revenue and profit growth across all of its markets and geographies.

Revenue of £471.9 million was 27.5% ahead of prior year (24.2% at constant currency) and reflects an impressive level of organic growth across the business along with contributions from the successful acquisitions during the year of Earpro S.A., the Gebroeders van Domburg B.V. Group of companies and Sound Technology Limited.

Profit margins were improved and adjusted profit before tax grew by 35.7% to £24.3 million. Adjusted earnings per share increased by 22.7% to 22.86 pence per share.

Healthy cash flow performance has helped us maintain a strong balance sheet.

The Board is focused on delivering profitable growth and enhancing the capabilities and reach of the Group in its core business areas.

Organic growth in revenues before the impact of acquisitions (organic growth) was 14.8% reflecting strong performance across all our geographic markets. The Displays and Technical product ranges were particularly strong contributors to this growth.

During 2017 we were successful in further expanding the reach of the Group through acquisitions, adding businesses covering the Iberian and Benelux markets and enhancing our position further in the UK. These businesses are already contributing to both sales and profit and have added to our capabilities, in particular in the audio and lighting markets, both of which provide future growth opportunities

Our strategy of delivering organic growth while adding capability and scale to the business through acquisition is unchanged and we continue to pursue a good pipeline of opportunities.

Dividend

The Board has adopted a progressive dividend policy to reflect the Group's strong earnings and cash flow while maintaining an appropriate level of dividend cover to allow for investment in longer-term growth.

The Board is recommending a final dividend of 9.65 pence per share (2016: 7.09 pence), which if approved will be paid on 22 June 2018 to shareholders on the register on 25 May 2018. With the interim dividend declared in September 2017, this represents a total dividend for the year to 31 December 2017 of 13.82 pence per share and growth, when compared to a full twelve month equivalent, of 36.2% (note 12). The proposed dividend is covered 1.7 times by adjusted earnings.

Board

The Board completed a self-evaluation exercise during 2017, reinforcing our commitment to and success in establishing a strong corporate governance framework. While concluding that the Group has an experienced Board and management team in place to help grow the business to the benefit of our customers, our vendors, our employees and our shareholders, we also identified the opportunity to further strengthen the Board with the appointment of a third independent non-executive director.

I am pleased to confirm that Hilary Wright joined the Board on 9 March 2018. Hilary is an HR professional with a background in international businesses and brings a wealth of complementary experience to the team.

People

The success of any company is down to the quality of its leadership and its people. The team at Midwich continues to demonstrate great skill, commitment and drive and it is our people that are the key to the Group's strong track record and continued success.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all employees and our partners for their commitment and hard work and congratulate them all on achieving these impressive results.

Andrew Herbert

Chairman

Managing Director's Review

Delivering our growth plans

I am very pleased to report that in 2017 we continued successfully to deliver encouraging growth across all the Group's businesses and regions at both a revenue and profit level. As well as impressive organic growth, we have also been successful in using targeted acquisitions to drive future growth as well as to build our expertise in a broader range of markets and products.

Strong financial performance

The Group has delivered a strong growth performance in 2017 with revenue for the year of £471.9 million (2016: £370.1 million) - an increase of 24.2% (2016: 15.1%) on a constant currency basis. This resulted from revenue growth across all regions, with particularly strong growth achieved in Germany and Australia. The three acquisitions made during the year accounted for 6.8% of the 24.2% growth.

Group gross profit increased by 29.5% to £73.1 million (2016: 20.2% to £56.5 million). The growth in gross profit represented a further increase in the Group's gross margin from 15.3% to 15.5%. This increase was delivered as a result of continued focus on margins and driving improvement through improving product mix while working closely with vendors and customers alike to add value to both in the supply chain. The growth in Technical Video, LED and Rental sectors also resulted in improved margins. The Group has now successfully increased the gross margin every year for over 10 years.

Our adjusted operating profit margin improved from 5.0% to 5.3%. Adjusted profit after tax increased 29.9% to £18.7 million (2016: 22.4% to £14.4 million) and adjusted earnings per share increased 22.7% (2016: 19.5%) to 22.9 pence (2016: 18.6 pence). Reported profit before tax was £18.9 million (2016: £12.1 million) and reported earnings per share increased to 17.1 pence (2016: 10.9 pence). Calculations of adjusted profits are included within the adjustments to reported results which are presented in the financial review.

Our business model

The Midwich Group is a specialist distributor serving only the trade market and specialising in audio visual equipment. With initial operations in the UK, the Group has expanded its footprint to include Ireland, France, Australasia, Germany, Iberia and Benelux. In 2006 the Group commenced an acquisition programme aimed at acquiring smaller businesses to provide access to new products, sectors and geographical markets. Our general strategy was to acquire businesses which not only added to the Group's capabilities, but which also provided exciting opportunities for growth. We continue to have significant success with this strategy and a substantial number of opportunities remain across the globe.

We believe that our primary role as a value added distributor is to facilitate growth in the markets in which we operate. We help our manufacturer partners to gain access and grow their businesses in geographical and vertical markets.

The Group's long-standing relationships with around 330 vendors, including blue-chip organisations such as Samsung, LG, Epson and NEC, supports a comprehensive product portfolio across major audio-visual categories such as large format displays, projectors, technical and professional video, audio and digital signage. The Group operates as the sole or largest in-country distributor for a number of its vendors in their respective product sets. We attribute this position to the Group's technical expertise, extensive product knowledge and strong customer service offering built up over a number of years.

The Group offers a range of support to its customers, including demonstrating products, training staff, providing technical assistance through to logistics and post-sales support. We have a large and diverse base of around 13,000 customers, most of which are professional AV integrators and IT resellers serving sectors including corporate, education, retail, residential and hospitality. Although the Group does not sell directly to end users, we believe that the majority of our products are used by corporate, commercial and educational establishments rather than consumers.

The Group has an established track record of acquiring complementary businesses and then assisting them to grow significantly. Although the majority of growth achieved has been organic, over the past five years around one third of turnover and profit growth has derived from acquired businesses. Between 2006 and 2008 our acquisition strategy was focused primarily on adding more technical businesses into the UK segment. From 2009 the focus turned to expanding the business outside the UK, with a primary drive to have a presence in the three largest European AV markets (the UK, France and Germany) and then expanding the business further across Europe. The Group trades as Sidev in France, Kern & Stelly in Germany, Earpro in Iberia, Gebroeders van Domburg in Benelux, and Square One Distribution in Ireland. Our businesses in Australia and New Zealand trade under the Midwich name.

A continually evolving and growing market sector

Our addressable market in professional audio-visual solutions covers areas such as sound, video, lighting, display and projection systems. These solutions are prevalent and relied upon in many areas of daily life - at home, in transit, at the workplace and in a wide range of retail, leisure and recreational functions. The application of AV systems is found in areas such as collaborative conferencing, and digital signage solutions, with end users broadly covering the corporate, events, government, education, retail, hospitality, healthcare and residential markets. The increased use of all these technologies is being driven by a number of inter-related factors, such as an increased pace of both technological advancements and technology adoption, changes to working day practices, continued technology convergence, and evolving social and consumer trends. Economic recovery since the global recession, which itself failed to significantly dampen growth, has also been beneficial for the AV market.

In addition to this increased use of our core product sets by end users, the recent trend in the AV market has been towards increased use by large manufacturers of distributors as intermediaries in the AV supply chain, driven by economic factors (vendors trying to reduce costs and financial risk) and growth aspirations (vendors seeking to maximise growth prospects for expanded product lines by an increased distribution reach).

Key events in 2017

There were a number of important events for our business in 2017. We have continued to reap the benefits of our admission to AIM in 2016, including:

· Enhancing the Group's public profile and status with vendors and customers;

· Ensuring stability as a result of independent ownership as a public company, which the directors considered will be beneficial to employees, vendors and customers;

· Assisting in the incentivisation and retention of key management and employees;

· Providing the Group with access to the capital markets as necessary in the future;

· Providing long-term liquidity in the Company's shares; and

· Providing selling shareholders with an opportunity to realise a portion of their long-term investment in the Group and allowing the Company to secure a more diverse shareholder base.

In 2017, we continued to build our international network, with acquisitions of Earpro S.A. ("Earpro") and Gebroeders van Domburg B.V. ("van Domburg").

Earpro is a value-added distributor of audio, video and lighting solutions in Spain and Portugal. The company was acquired in March 2017 and it has a notable heritage in the solution driven professional audio market where the business operates with mid to high end specialist brands.

Van Domburg was acquired in September 2017, and is a market leading specialist distributor of audio visual and lighting solutions in the Netherlands. It has particular strength in the large format display market, with a developing interactive and technical product offering. Through its transport division, Van Domburg also has in-house warehousing and transportation capabilities based out of Rotterdam, a major logistics centre.

In December 2017, our audio and lighting expertise was further enhanced by the acquisition of UK distributor Sound Technology Limited ("Sound Technology"). Sound Technology is a specialist distributor focused on three technology categories - audio, musical instruments and lighting. The Company is based in Letchworth Garden City and has a strong trading history in the professional audio and musical instrument markets where the business operates with mid to high end, specialist brands.

During the course of 2017, our central office function continued to evolve, with a number of appointments designed to support our acquisition and integration capabilities, and also to ensure that we manage the growing legal and regulatory requirements of the business.

Operational review

The Group operates on a geographical basis with entities in the relevant jurisdiction to service the local market.

UK and Ireland

The UK and Ireland segment is our most established division. We improved turnover by 14.9% in the year (2016: 11.5%), helped by the full year effect of the acquisition of Holdan Limited ("Holdan") in the prior year and assisted slightly by the acquisition of Sound Technology in December 2017. Underlying revenue growth (excluding the effects of acquisitions in the current and prior year) was 5.6% (2016: 6.1%). Continued revenue decline in the document solutions product set was compensated for by an improvement in the core audio visual business.

The displays product set (comprising principally large format, LED and interactive displays, and televisions) grew significantly. The strongest growth was achieved in the interactive display business, helped by the full year impact of sales of the SMART brand, launched in 2016.

France

After more challenging market conditions in the first half of 2017 in France, Sidev continued to build upon its prior year success with a full-year revenue increase of 17.2% (2016: 39.3%) to £39.2 million (2016: £33.4 million). A significant proportion of the sales growth was in large format displays, where we also experienced improved gross margins. Sidev's higher margin technical product sales also improved significantly in the year. Overall, the Company improved its gross margin percentage by 0.7%. The adjusted operating profit margin remained stable at 3.2% for the year (2016: 3.2%), with adjusted operating profit of £1.2 million (2016: £1.1 million) representing a 16.6% increase on prior year.

Germany

In Germany, Kern & Stelly ("K&S") performed very strongly, with revenue growth of 44.8% (2016: 26.0%) to £93.1 million (2016: £64.3 million). In local currency, the business exceeded the €100 million sales landmark - a major achievement for a business founded just 13 years ago. Although sales of technical products are increasing strongly, K&S continues to grow its mainstream projector and large format displays businesses - products where price competition is high in the German market. As a result, the overall gross margin percentage reduced by 2.1% to 11.1%. A relatively lean overhead cost model ensured that adjusted operating profit improved by 21.7% (2016: 34.5%) to £4.7 million (2016: £3.9 million).

Australasia

Midwich Australia achieved a 25.7% (2016: 42.8%) growth in sales from £25.5 million to £32.1 million. Much of this growth was achieved in technical product categories, with the result that the gross margin percentage increased in the year. Adjusted operating profit in Australasia increased by 60.8% (2016: 124.5%) from £1.6 million to £2.6 million.

Rest of Europe

The acquisition of Earpro and van Domburg established the Group's presence on the Iberian Peninsula and within Benelux respectively. Combined revenues from these entities amounted to £24.0 million.

Product offering

The Group distributes and provides technical support for a comprehensive range of technologies. The range of products varies across the geographies with the UK and Ireland offering the largest suite of product options.

Technologies

The Displays category is the largest technology category for the Group, accounting for 43.4% of Group turnover in 2017 (2016: 42.5%). It grew 30.3% (2016: 28.8%) in the year, with strong growth in France and the UK and Ireland, and particularly impressive growth in Germany. Displays is a significant product category for two of the companies acquired in the year - Earpro (Iberia) and van Domburg (Benelux), which between them accounted for 6.1% of the 30.3% growth in this category.

Projection represents 22.1% of Group turnover (2016: 23.9%) and grew 17.5% (2016: 9.4%) in the year, thanks mainly to double digit growth in Germany and France.

Sales of Technical products which include the Audio, Broadcast and Technical Commercial and Technical Consumer AV categories, rose 80.5% (2016: 52.2%), partly due to the acquisition of Holdan in 2016 and Earpro in 2017. Technical product sales grew strongly in all other territories. Technical products constituted 20.5% of Group sales in the year (2016: 14.5%).

As expected, Group sales of Document Solutions products (Printers, scanners and consumables) declined in absolute and relative terms. This category (which is only sold in the UK and Ireland) now represents 6.8% of Group revenue (2016: 11.5%) with revenues declining by 25% (2016: 13.4%) in the year.

Overview of Group acquisition strategy

The Group's growth strategy has and continues to be both organic and inorganic. Our success in sourcing, executing and integrating our chosen acquisitions underpins this growth strategy. The Group takes a disciplined approach to acquisitions, seeking to add capital value without an adverse impact on the existing business. We have a strong ongoing pipeline of opportunities.

Our overall strategy focuses on:

· technology, product and vendor selection in established markets, in order to maximise the value we can add to customers;

· gaining profitable market share in developing markets; and

· identifying profitable new markets (whether geographical, customer or technology) which the Group can enter, either through acquisition or through a new start-up.

Outlook

We continue to see exciting growth opportunities across all of our markets and geographies driven by increasing demand from end users as well as continued innovation and new products from our manufacturer partners. There is also a continuing trend toward the use and need for high quality distributors such as Midwich to support the professional audio visual and document solutions market. As a result, we continue to exploit a significant number of organic growth opportunities from targeting new vendors while continuing to grow our customer base.

We are pursuing inorganic growth opportunities that would fit within our strategic acquisition criteria of adding new product ranges, capabilities or geographies to our existing portfolio.

The Board is continuing to pursue its established strategy, and is pleased with the progress made during 2017. Trading in the first few months of 2018 has built on the good growth achieved in the prior year giving the Board confidence in delivering results in 2018 in line with its expectations.

Stephen Fenby

Managing Director

Financial Review

Trading results

Turnover increased by 27.5% to £471.9 million (2016: £370.1 million). The gross profit margin rose 0.2% (2016: 0.4%) to 15.5% (2016: 15.3%). The increase in turnover and gross profit margin for the Group generated absolute growth in gross profit of £16.7 million (2016: £9.5 million). This translated into adjusted operating profit of £25.0 million (2016: £18.5 million). The £6.5 million (2016: £3.4 million) additional operating profit was an increase of 35.1% (2016: 22.2%) year on year. Operating profit before adjustments grew from £14.5 million to £20.8 million.

As in 2016, 2017's figures benefitted from further weakness in sterling, especially in the first half of the year, boosting our overseas earnings. On a constant currency basis growth in turnover was 24.2% (2016: 15.1%) and growth in adjusted profit after tax was 26.4% (2016: 20.0%).

Segmental review

Each of the trading segments performed strongly.

UK & Ireland

The UK and Ireland segment revenue grew 14.9% (2016: 11.5%) to £283.7 million (2016: £247.0 million) generating gross profit of £45.8 million (2016: £39.3 million) at a gross profit margin of 16.2% (2016: 15.9%). This resulted in an adjusted operating profit of £15.0 million (2016: £12.0 million), an increase of 25.0% (2016: 9.1%) on the prior year. Organic revenue growth excluding the effects of acquisitions in the current and prior period was 5.6% (2016: 6.0%).

Germany

The German segment revenue grew 44.8% (2016: 26.0%) to £93.0 million (2016: £64.3 million) generating gross profit of £10.4 million (2016: £8.5 million) at a gross profit margin of 11.1% (2016: 13.2%) leading to an adjusted operating profit of £4.7 million (2016: £3.9 million) that has increased 21.7% (2016: 34.5%) on the prior year. In constant currency, revenue grew by 35.6% (2016: 18.0%) and adjusted operating profit grew 14.0% (2016: 26.0%).

France

The French segment revenue grew 17.2% to £39.2 million (2016: £33.4 million) generating gross profit of £5.6 million (2016: £4.5 million) at a gross profit margin of 14.2% (2016: 13.5%). This has resulted in an adjusted operating profit of £1.2 million (2016: £1.1 million), an increase of 16.6% (2016: 103.7%) on the prior year. In constant currency, revenue grew by 9.3% (2016: 30.0%) and adjusted operating profit grew 9.2% (2016: 91.0%).

Australasia

The Australasian segment revenue grew 25.7% (2016: 43.0%) to £32.1 million (2016: £25.5 million) generating gross profit of £5.7 million (2016: £4.1 million) at a gross profit margin of 17.7% (2016: 16.2%) leading to an adjusted operating profit of £2.6 million (2016: £1.6 million) that has increased 60.8% (2016: 124.5%) on the prior year. In constant currency, revenue grew by 17.4% (2016: 34.0%) and adjusted operating profit grew 50.0% (2016 111.0%).

Rest of Europe

The Rest of Europe segment, consisting of Iberia and Benelux, achieved revenue of £24.0 million since the acquisition of Earpro and van Domburg during the year, generating gross profit of £5.7 million at a gross profit margin of 23.8% leading to an adjusted operating profit of £1.5 million.

Profit before tax

Profit before tax for the year increased by 56.2% (2016: 41.4%) to £18.9 million (2016: £12.1 million), while adjusted profit before tax increased by 35.7% (2016: 22.8%) to £24.3 million (2016: £17.9 million).

Tax

The effective current tax rate was 23.2% in 2017, representing a small increase on 2016 (22.7%). In France, the Group's business Sidev was subject to a full year of corporate tax charges. In 2016 Sidev benefitted from use of residual accumulated tax losses.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated on the total profit of the Group attributable to shareholders. Basic EPS for the year was 17.1p (2016: 10.9p), representing growth of 56.3% (2016: 52.9%). Diluted EPS was 17.0p (2016: 10.9p).

Dividend

The Board has recommended a final dividend of 9.65p per share (2016: 7.09p) which, together with the interim dividend of 4.17p paid in October 2017 gives a final dividend of 13.82p for 2017 (2016: 8.62p). If approved by shareholders at the general meeting, the final dividend will be paid on 22 June 2018 to those shareholders on the register on 25 May 2018.

Cash flow

The Group's adjusted operating cash flow conversion, calculated comparing adjusted cash flow from operations with adjusted EBITDA, increased to 83.4% compared to 44.5% for the prior year. The performance for the current year was more in line with the long term average for the Group and reflected a strong performance across the majority of the Group entities.

Gross capital spend was £3.1 million (2016: £2.3 million). Rental assets accounted for £2.2 million (2016: £0.7 million) of this spend. Capital expenditure on plant and equipment was £0.9m (2016: £0.8m). In 2016 Holdan incurred £0.8m acquiring the freehold of its new site.

Net debt

At 31 December 2017, the Group had net debt of £22.3 million (2016: £15.0 million). The Group has a strong balance sheet with closing net debt/EBITDA ratio of just 0.8x (2016: 0.8x). This, combined with the Group's underlying cash generation, equips the Group well to fund short term swings in working capital as the Group delivers organic growth as well as to continue its buy and build strategy where appropriate opportunities arise. Year-end borrowings of £50.5 million (2016: £35.2 million) compare to facilities totalling £73.3 million (2016: £55.2 million) at that date.

Goodwill and intangible assets

The Group's goodwill and intangible assets of £31.4 million (2016: £23.4 million) arise from the various acquisitions undertaken. Each year the Board reviews goodwill for impairment and, as at 31 December 2017, the Board believes there are no indications of impairment. The intangible assets arising from business combinations - for exclusive supplier contracts, customer relationships and brands - are amortised over an appropriate period.

Adjustments to reported results

The directors present adjusted operating profit, adjusted profit before tax, and adjusted profit after tax as alternative performance measures in order to provide relevant information relating to the performance of the Group. Adjusted profits are a reflection of the underlying trading profit and are important measures used by directors for assessing Group performance.

Principal risks

Dependence on key personnel

The Group is dependent upon key senior management personnel who have extensive experience and knowledge of the Group, the Group's markets, product and service offering, vendor portfolio and customer base. The successful delivery of the Group's strategy depends on the continuing availability of senior management and the Group's ability to attract, motivate and retain other qualified employees.

The Group actively measures the retention of talent within the business, actively engages with employees by focusing on training and development and conducts an annual assessment of remuneration packages to ensure market position is maintained. In addition, the Group has adopted share plans to align the interests of senior management and the broader employee workforce with those of Shareholders.

Expected benefits from acquisitions may not be realised

The Group intends to continue executing its strategy of entering new jurisdictions through carefully targeted acquisitions. The Group also intends to pursue targeted acquisitions in its current markets in order to bolster product offerings and sector penetration, increase scale and to gain access into new market segments.

Acquisitions give rise to inherent execution and integration risk. The process of integration may produce unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures, and may absorb significant attention of the Group's management. They also may involve unforeseen liabilities, difficulties in realising costs or revenues, loss of key employees and customer relationship issues. A poorly implemented acquisition could damage the Group's reputation, brand and financial position.

The Group only enters into acquisitions after a thorough due diligence exercise which will involve a detailed review of operational resource, financial trends and forecasts, as well as a thorough analysis of the target's compliance record. Numerous personal visits to the target will take place in order to establish the viability of accommodating it and its senior management into the Group. The structure of most acquisitions will involve a significant financial incentive for departing shareholders to perform toward certain financial targets in the first three years after acquisition in order to maximize their disposal value.

Loss of key customers

Most of the Group's customers contract with the Group on a deal by deal basis with no formal ongoing purchasing commitment. As such they have a voluntary right to terminate their contractual relationships with the Group without notice or penalties. There is therefore a lack of certainty in respect of the retention of existing customers who may elect not to continue contracting with the Group.

The Group does have a very large customer base of around 13,000 AV integrators and IT resellers many of whom have long term relationships with it. The diversity of the Group's customer base is demonstrated by the fact that that no customer accounted for more than 2.0% (2016: 2.4%) of overall Group revenues for the year ended 31 December 2017. By providing a best in class service in terms of stock availability, logistics and credit capacity, the Group intends to continue to keep our customer base satisfied.

Loss of key vendors

There is no formal ongoing contractual commitment to the Group by the majority of vendors. As such they have a right to terminate their contractual relationships with the Group without notice or penalties. In addition, certain vendors provide the Group with incentives in the form of rebates, marketing developments funds, early payment discounts and price protections which enable the Group to manage profitability. There can be no assurance that the Group will continue to receive the same level of income in future.

Many of the Group's vendor relationships are long term, established and now cover a number of territories. By bringing projects to our vendors and enabling them to fulfil their market share aspirations the Group will continue to maintain strong relationships with its vendors.

Regulatory risk

The Group is subject to an increasingly complex regulatory environment. A failure to follow regulatory laws, orders and codes of practice requirements will expose the Group to regulatory sanction and subsequent reputational damage.

The Group has defined policy statements which articulate the protocols adopted to minimise the risk of a breach. Staff training takes place on a regular basis to ensure behavioural alignment with these policies. Acquired businesses are subject to a post acquisition onboarding process which includes improvement of compliance protocols where necessary. The Board are regularly updated on compliance matters. This includes a full review across the Group on an annual basis.

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 2017

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2017

Consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2017

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 2017

For the year ended 31 December 2016

*See note 8

Consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 December 2017

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1. Accounting policies

General information and nature of operations

The principal activity of Midwich Group plc, a public limited liability company, and its subsidiary companies is the distribution of Audio Visual and Document Solutions to trade customers. It is registered in England and Wales. Midwich Group plc's shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements of Midwich Group plc ("the Group") have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"), as adopted by the EU, IFRIC interpretations and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.

IFRS is subject to amendment and interpretation by the IASB and the IFRS Interpretations Committee, and there is an on-going process of review and endorsement by the European Commission. These accounting policies comply with each IFRS that is mandatory for accounting periods ending on 31 December 2017.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified for financial instruments at fair value and in accordance with applicable accounting standards.

The directors consider that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Basis of consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements incorporate the results of Midwich Group plc ("the Company") and entities controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries).

A subsidiary is a Company controlled directly by the Group. Control is achieved where the Group has the power over the investee, rights to variable returns and the ability to use the power to affect the investee's returns.

Income and expenses of subsidiaries acquired during the year are included in the consolidated income statement from the effective date of control. When necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with those used by the Parent Company.

The Group applies the acquisition method of accounting to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair values of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred, and the equity interests issued by the Group. Identifiable assets acquired, and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The Group recognises identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination regardless of whether they have been previously recognised in the acquiree's financial statements prior to the acquisition.

Goodwill is stated after separate recognition of identifiable intangible assets. It is calculated as the excess of the sum of a) fair value of consideration transferred, b) the recognised amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and c) acquisition-date fair value of any existing equity interest in the acquiree, over the acquisition-date fair values of identifiable net assets. If the fair values of identifiable net assets exceed the sum calculated above, the excess amount (i.e. gain on a bargain purchase) is recognised in profit or loss immediately.

Non-controlling interests in the net assets of consolidated subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group's equity therein. Non-controlling interests consist of the amount of those interests at the date of the original business combination and the non-controlling shareholders' share of changes in equity since the date of the combination.

Non-controlling interests are measured initially at fair value.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated in full on consolidation.

Acquisition of interests from non-controlling shareholders

Acquisitions of non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are accounted for as transactions between shareholders. There is no re-measurement to fair value of net assets acquired that were previously attributable to non-controlling shareholders.

Going concern

The Board takes all reasonable steps to review and consider any factors that may affect the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern. The Group's forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group is able to generate sufficient liquidity to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. At the end of 2017 the directors considered the working capital of the business to be adequate for its needs, and the Group therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing consolidated financial statements.

Revenue

Revenue comprises amounts recognised in respect of goods and services supplied during the period, excluding of sales taxes, trade discounts, customer rebates, and provisions for returns.

The majority of revenue arises from the sale of goods and is recognised when goods are despatched, which is when the customer obtains control over the goods and the substantial risks and rewards transfer to the customer. Revenue from the rental of products is recognised evenly over the rental period. Revenue from ancillary services includes the provision of support services, transport, warranties, and repairs. Revenue from the provision of ancillary services is recognised over the period in which the service is delivered.

Supplier income and vendor rebates

Promotional income is recognised on completion of the promotional activity in-line with when it is contractually earned, and recorded separately in other operating income. Vendor rebates are recognised on completion of the contractual obligation and recorded within cost of sales.

Finance income and costs

Interest income and expense is recognised using the effective interest method which calculates the amortised cost of a financial asset or liability and allocates the interest income or expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts or payments through the expected life of the financial asset or liability to the net carrying amount of the financial asset or liability.

Dividends on preference shares classified as debt are included as finance costs.

Other finance costs include the changes in fair value of financial derivatives and other financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from business combinations which are not individually identified and separately recognised.

Goodwill is carried at cost as established at the date of acquisition of the business less accumulated impairment losses, if any.

Intangible assets other than goodwill

Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a business combination is their fair value as at the date of acquisition.

Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses, if any.

The useful lives of other intangible assets are assessed as finite.

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortised over the useful economic life and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. The amortisation period and the amortisation method for an intangible asset with a finite useful life are reviewed at least at the end of each reporting period. Changes in the expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset are accounted for by changing the amortisation period or method, as appropriate, and are treated as changes in accounting estimates. The amortisation expense on intangible assets with finite lives is recognised in profit or loss in administrative expenses.

Gains or losses arising from derecognition of an intangible asset are measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised

Amortisation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimate useful life of the asset as follows:

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less depreciation less any recognised impairment losses. Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of these items. Subsequent costs are included in the asset's carrying amount only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the costs can be measured reliably. All other costs, including repairs and maintenance costs, are charged to the income statement in the period in which they are incurred.

Depreciation is provided on all property, plant and equipment and is calculated on a straight-line basis as follows:

Depreciation is provided on cost less residual value. The residual value, depreciation methods and useful lives are annually reassessed.

Each asset's estimated useful life has been assessed with regard to its own physical life limitations and to possible future variations in those assessments. Estimates of remaining useful lives are made on a regular basis for all machinery and equipment, with annual reassessments for major items. Changes in estimates are accounted for prospectively.

Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets. However, when there is no reasonable certainty that ownership will be obtained by the end of the lease term, assets are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and their useful lives.

The gain or loss arising on disposal or scrapping of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds, net of selling costs, and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in the income statement.

Impairment of non-financial assets including goodwill

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Group's cash-generating units that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. Each unit to which goodwill is allocated represents the lowest level within the Group that independent cash flows are monitored. A cash-generating unit to which goodwill has been allocated is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently when there is indication that the unit may be impaired.

At each balance sheet date, the directors review the carrying amounts of the Group's non-current assets, other than goodwill, to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss, if any. Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the directors estimate the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset or cash-generating unit is reduced to its recoverable amount. The impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro rata based on the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.

An impairment loss is recognised as an expense immediately.

An impairment loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed in subsequent periods.

Where an impairment loss on other non-financial assets subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset or cash-generating unit is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset or cash-generating unit in prior periods. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised in the income statement immediately.

Inventory

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving items. Some goods are held on behalf of customers and are not included within the Group's inventory. 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from inception.

Financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument.

Derivative financial instruments are accounted for at fair value through profit or loss. All changes in an instrument's fair value are included in finance costs or finance income. The fair values are determined by reference to active markets or using a valuation technique where no active market exists.

Put options to acquire non-controlling interests of subsidiaries are initially recognised at present value and subsequently measured at amortised cost, being the present value of future payments discounted at the original effective interest rate. Details of the measurement of put options are given in the critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty accounting policy.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are measured initially at fair value plus transactions costs. Financial assets and financial liabilities are measured subsequently as described below.

Financial assets

The Group classifies its financial assets as 'loans and receivables' and assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired.

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They are included in current assets.

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment.

A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. Significant financial difficulty, high probability of bankruptcy or default are considered indicators that the trade receivable is impaired. The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate. The loss is recognised in the income statement. When a trade receivable is uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account for trade receivables. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited to the income statement.

Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when the financial asset and all substantial risks and rewards are transferred.

Financial liabilities

The Group's financial liabilities include trade and other payables, deferred consideration, borrowings, derivative financial instruments and put option liabilities.

Borrowings include amounts advanced under invoice discounting facilities. Where the contractual obligations of financial instruments (including share capital) are equivalent to a similar debt instrument, those financial instruments are classified as financial liabilities.

Preference shares not held by the employee benefit trust are classified as a financial liability, with fixed rate dividends accounted for as interest.

Trade and other payables and borrowings are recognised initially at fair value less transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method ("EIR" method).

Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included in finance costs in the income statement.

Loans and borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

A financial liability is derecognised when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires.

Foreign currency

The presentation currency for the Group's consolidated financial statements is Sterling. Foreign currency transactions by group companies are recorded in their functional currencies at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities have been translated at rates in effect at the balance sheet date, with any exchange adjustments being charged or credited to the income statement, within "administrative expenses".

The Parent Company's functional currency is Sterling. On consolidation the assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries with a functional currency other than Sterling are translated into the Group's presentational currency at the exchange rate at the balance sheet date and the income and expenditure account items are translated at the average rate for the period. The exchange difference arising on the translation from functional currency to presentational currency of subsidiaries is classified as other comprehensive income and is accumulated within equity as a translation reserve.

The balance of the foreign currency translation reserve relating to a subsidiary that is disposed of, or partially disposed of, is recognised in the income statement at the time of disposal.

Current taxation

Current tax payable or recoverable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the income statement because some items of income or expense are taxable or deductible in different years or may never be taxable or deductible. The Group's liability for current tax is calculated using UK and foreign tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of reporting period date.

Deferred taxation

Deferred taxation is calculated using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, if the deferred tax arises from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss, it is not accounted for. No deferred tax is recognised on initial recognition of goodwill or on investment in subsidiaries. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised, or the deferred tax liability is settled.

Deferred tax liabilities are provided in full, and are not discounted.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

Changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised as a component of tax expense in the income statement, except where they relate to items that are charged or credited directly to equity in which case the related deferred tax is also charged or credited directly to equity.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

Employment benefits

Provision is made in the financial statements for all employee benefits. Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefit and annual leave obliged to be settled within 12 months of the balance sheet date, are recognised in accruals.

Contributions to defined contribution pension plans are charged to the income statement in the period to which the contributions relate.

Leases

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. The interest element of finance lease payments is charged to profit or loss as finance costs over the period of the lease. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, except where another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.

In the event that lease incentives are received to enter into operating leases, such incentives are recognised as a liability. The aggregate benefit of incentives is recognised as a reduction of rental expense on a straight-line basis, except where another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.

Equity

Equity comprises the following:

· "Share capital" represents the nominal value of equity shares issued.

· "Share premium" represents amounts subscribed for share capital, net of issue costs, in excess of nominal value.

· "Investment in own shares" represents amounts of the Parent Company's own shares held within an Employee Benefit Trust.

· "Share based payment reserve" represents the accumulated value of share-based payments expensed in the income statement.

· "Retained earnings" represents the accumulated profits and losses attributable to equity shareholders.

· "Translation reserve" represents the exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of subsidiaries into the Group's presentational currency.

· "Put option reserve" represents the initial present value of written put and call options over shares in a subsidiary held by non-controlling interest shareholders accounted for as contracts over own shares.

· "Capital redemption reserve" represents the nominal value of shares repurchased by the Parent Company.

· "Other reserve" relates to the Employee Benefit Trust.

· "Non-controlling interest" represents the share of a subsidiary's profit or loss and net assets that is not held by the Group. The Group attributes total comprehensive income or loss of subsidiaries between the owners of the Parent and the non-controlling interests based on their respective ownership interests.

Share-based payments

Equity-settled share-based payments to employees and directors are measured at the fair value of the equity instrument. The fair value of the equity-settled transactions with employees and directors is recognised as an expense over the vesting period. The fair value of the equity instruments are determined at the date of grant, taking into account market based vesting conditions. The fair value of goods and services received are measured by reference to the fair value of options.

The fair values of share options are measured using the Black Scholes model. The expected life used in the models is adjusted, based on management's best estimate of the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the performance and/or service conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on which the relevant employees (or other beneficiaries) become fully entitled to the award ("the vesting date").

The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and the Group's best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest.

The income statement charge or credit for a period represents the movement in cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning and end of that period.

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a market condition, which are treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not the market condition is satisfied, provided that all other performance and/or service conditions are satisfied. Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, the minimum expense recognised is the expense as if the terms had not been modified. An additional expense is recognised for any modification, which increases the total fair value of the share-based payment arrangement, or is otherwise beneficial to the employee as measured at the date of modification.

Where an equity-settled award is cancelled, it is treated as if it had vested on the date of cancellation, and any expense not yet recognised for the award is recognised immediately. However, if a new award is substituted for the cancelled award, and designated as a replacement award on the date that it is granted, the cancelled and new awards are treated as if they were a modification of the original award, as described in the previous paragraph.

Where an equity-settled award is forfeited, the cumulative charge expensed up to the date of forfeiture is credited to the income statement.

Employee Benefit Trust

The assets and liabilities of the Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) have been included in the Group and Company financial statements. Any assets held by the EBT cease to be recognised on the group balance sheet when the assets vest unconditionally in identified beneficiaries.

The costs of purchasing own shares held by the EBT are shown as a deduction within shareholders' equity. The proceeds from the sale of own shares are recognised in shareholders' equity. Neither the purchase nor sale of own shares leads to a gain or loss being recognised in the income statement.

Segment reporting

An operating segment is a component of an entity that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses related to transactions with other components of the same entity), whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the entity's Chief Operating Decision Maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available. The Chief Operating Decision Maker has been identified as the Managing Director, at which level strategic decisions are made.

Details of the Group's reporting segments are provided in note 2.

New and amended International Financial Reporting Standards adopted by the Group

The Group has adopted the following standards, amendments to standards and interpretations which are effective for the first time this year. The impact is shown below:

International Financial Reporting Standards in issue but not yet effective

At the date of authorisation of the consolidated financial statements, the IASB and IFRS Interpretations Committee have issued standards, interpretations and amendments which are applicable to the Group.

Whilst these standards and interpretations are not effective for, and have not been applied in the preparation of, these consolidated financial statements, the following may have an impact going forward:

1Based on the current business model and accounting policies, management does not expect material impact on the financial information when the standards become effective, with the exception of IFRS 16. The Group has undertaken a review of the impact of both IFRS 15 and IFRS 16.

Impact of IFRS 15

The Group does not expect any transition adjustment in respect of IFRS 15 as the key principles have already been adhered to within the current revenue recognition policy.

Impact of IFRS 16

The Group expects a transition adjustment in respect of IFRS 16. The transition adjustment will recognise right of use tangible fixed assets and finance lease liabilities. The Group is reviewing the transition options in relation to adopting IFRS 16.

Accounting judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with the principles of the IFRSs requires the directors to make judgements and use estimation techniques in order to provide a fair presentation of the Group's financial position and performance.

Accounting judgements represent the decisions faced by the directors that carry a significant risk of reporting a materially different performance or position for the Group. Sources of estimation uncertainty relate to assumptions made by management that carry significant risks of a material adjustment to the value of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

Judgements and estimates are evaluated based on historic experience, on-going developments within the Group, and reasonable expectations of future events. Judgements and estimates are subject to regular review by the directors.

The following are the significant accounting judgements made by the Group in preparing the financial statements:

Symmetrical put and call options

As a result of a some of the acquisitions the Group has issued a number of symmetrical put and call options over non-controlling interests held by local management.

The liability is recorded at the present value of the redemption amount and is accounted for as a separate component in equity on the basis that the directors have judged that the Group does not currently hold the risks and rewards associated with ownership of these shares. The key judgements in determining whether the risks and rewards regarding control have passed were the proportionate right to dividends and determining if there is exposure to changes in value of shares. The accounting policy discloses the subsequent re-measurement of these options.

The following are the significant sources of estimation uncertainty facing the Group in preparing the financial statements:

Aged inventory provisions

Aged inventory provisions are recognised in order to record inventory at the lower of cost and net realisable value. In order to determine aged inventory provisions the Group is required to estimate the future sales volumes, sales prices, costs to sell inventory, and shrinkage.

Fair value of separately identifiable intangible assets in business combinations

The Group is required to calculate the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations. In order to estimate the fair value of separately identifiable assets in business combinations assumptions must be made about future trading performance, royalty rates, customer attrition rates, and supplier contract renewal rates. The fair values of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations are disclosed in note 10.

Contingent considerations and put option liabilities

The Group is required to record contingent considerations at fair value and put option liabilities are initially measured at present value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. The Group use a range of present valuation techniques including both the discount rate adjustment technique and the expected present value technique in order to determine the fair values of contingent considerations and the present values of put option liabilities.

2. Segmental reporting

Operating segments

For the purposes of segmental reporting, the Group's Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") is the Managing Director. The Group is a distributor of audio visual hardware and document solutions to trade customers. The Board reviews attributable revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities by geographic region and makes decisions about resources and assesses performance based on this information.

The Group's operating segments are therefore considered geographic in nature and align to subsidiaries / subsidiary groups.