22 May 2019 07:00
Annual Financial Report
21 May 2019
Oxford Technology VCT plc ("the Company" or "OT1") Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 28 February 2019
The Directors are pleased to announce the audited results of the Company for the year ended 28 February 2019. A copy of the Annual Report and Accounts (together the "Accounts") will be made available to Shareholders shortly. Set out below are extracts from the audited Accounts. References to page numbers below are to those Accounts.
The AGM will be held at Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, Oxford OX4 4GA on Wednesday 3 July 2019, at 2pm. A copy of the Annual Report and Accounts will be available from the registered office of the Company at Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, Oxford OX4 4GA, as well as on the Company's website: www.oxfordtechnologyvct.com/vct1.html
Financial Headlines
| Year Ended 28 February 2019 | Year Ended28 February 2018 | |
| Net Assets at Year End | £2.69m | £2.84m |
| Net Asset Value per Share | 49.6p | 52.4p |
| Cumulative Dividend per Share | 55.0p | 55.0p |
| NAV + Cumulative Dividend per Share Paid from Incorporation | 104.6p | 107.4p |
| Share Price at Year End | 35.0p | 40.0p |
| Earnings Per Share(Basic & Diluted) | (2.8)p | 0.2p |
Chairman’s Statement
I am pleased to present my Annual Report for the year to 28 February 2019 to fellow shareholders.
Overview
The outcome for the year ending 28 February 2019 was a loss of 2.8p per share (2018: profit of 0.2p per share), an underwhelming result that could have been worse had there not been positive news from the unquoted companies in the portfolio – overall progress has been hampered by a very disappointing share price performance from Scancell Holdings Plc (Scancell).
Despite this, Scancell does seem to be making progress (albeit slower than hoped) in an exciting – if difficult – area of medicine. Select Technology, Getmapping and BioCote performed well, off-setting some of the losses made on Scancell.
The Board of OT1 is not recommending the payment of a final dividend for the year ending 28 February 2019.
Portfolio Review
The net asset value (NAV) per share on 28 February 2019 was 49.6p compared to 52.4p on 28 February 2018. This 2.8p drop in NAV is due to the poor share price performance of Scancell, offset by gains in the rest of the Company’s portfolio. Dividends paid to date are 55.0p per share, giving a total return to date of 104.6 per share based on the NAV on 28 February 2019.
Select Technology, a photocopier (or more generally Multi Function Device, or MFD) software company, is the largest holding in your Company’s portfolio. It has been positioning itself for growth, and has made a welcome return to profitability (and indeed paid a small dividend to OT1 in February 2019). Select Technology now sells a more balanced portfolio of software products worldwide, and in fact some of the recent progress has been from export markets.
In 2017 we reverted to a valuation methodology based on a sales multiple to more appropriately reflect the prospects of the business. Our 30% stake in this business (OT1 holds Select Technology via holding company STL Management Limited) has increased in value by just over a fifth over the course of the 12 months ending 28 February 2019 and makes up just under 65% of the Company’s overall NAV.
The share price of Scancell, your Company’s second largest holding, which is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, has performed badly, dropping by 50% in the year to 28 February 2019, and falling further since. The share price has recently stabilised at just above 4p. The bid price of Scancell’s shares used for the calculation of the Company’s net asset value on 28 February 2019 was 7.0p and as at this date Scancell made up just under 18% of OT1’s portfolio.
The year had started well, with Scancell raising a total of £8.7m (gross) in April and May 2018 at a share price of 12p (OT1 was not able to participate due to VCT rules). Newsflow from the company has not been unduly negative; neither, however, have there been any major breakthroughs. The partnerships with the likes of Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and BioNTech continue. The company and its investors were disappointed that Scancell’s shortlisting for Cancer Research UK’s Grand Challenge did not yield anything other than more (albeit useful) PR; the phase 2 trial for SCIB1 was also delayed by requests from the FDA for further information relating to the proposed electroporation delivery system. On a more positive note, at the end of April 2019 Scancell announced that this phase 2 trial had received regulatory approval in the UK. In May 2019, Scancell announced encouraging progress in the Cancer Research UK SCIB2 pre-clinical studies enabling liposomal nanoparticles to be used as a delivery system as an alternative to the SCIB1 electroporation method. CRUK is now planning a clinical trial to test efficacy and safety of SCIB-2.
The other portfolio holdings have performed well. Getmapping is still exposed to challenging commercial and political conditions in South Africa, but the relatively new management team seems to be having a galvanising effect – sales rose considerably in the period. BioCote continues to operate profitably and yet again paid a small dividend to OT1.
OT1’s holding in Getmapping equates to 5.5p per share and just over 11% of NAV; BioCote is 2.8p per share and is approaching 6% of NAV.
The Directors continue to take an active interest in the companies within the portfolio, both to support their management teams to achieve company development, but also to prepare companies for realisation at the appropriate time. It should be noted, however, that approaches do occur at other times, and the ability of the Directors and Investment Advisor to be able to provide support when such approaches occur is essential for maximising value.
Further details are contained within the Investment Advisor’s Report, and on our website.
Dividends/Return of Capital
The Directors are not recommending a final dividend for the year ending 28 February 2019.
The ongoing strategy is to seek to crystallise value from the portfolio and distribute any excess cash to shareholders. As a small VCT with a concentrated portfolio, our options for reinvestment are limited due to VCT rules. There is a reasonable expectation of continued income from Select Technology and BioCote, though our priority for these companies is to maximise shareholder value and liquidity over the medium term by seeking exits for these holdings at the appropriate time.
VCT Market Changes
After some bigger changes in previous years, the regulatory landscape remained broadly unchanged during the period following the Patient Capital Review (PCR) in the autumn of 2017. Post PCR, we have noticed an increase in VCT activity in the venture and growth sectors, which we believe to be a good development. In fact, the move away from secondary capital investment by the VCT industry seems to be going well – and this is no bad thing for UK Plc.
Shareholders should be aware that as from 1 March 2020 there is an increase in the level of VCT qualifying investments to 80% (up from 70%) that a VCT needs to hold. OT1 already exceeds this threshold.
Planning for the Future
Shareholders will be aware of previous announcements relating to plans for the future. Given the concentrated nature of OT1’s portfolio, the Board wishes to ensure that your VCT does not become sub-economic.
We have continued to look at methods of improving operational efficiency, reducing costs and, more generally, putting in place appropriate plans to ensure your VCT’s operational costs relative to its overall size remain within acceptable limits.
The uptick in interest in ‘business as usual’ VCT venture and growth investing has resulted in these listed investment vehicles becoming of more interest to mainstream fund managers who do not already have a VCT as part of their ‘waterfront’. This new environment may present an opportunity for your VCT. We have not yet been able to bring forward proposals on these matters to date, but shareholders will have noticed developments at sister company Oxford Technology 2 Venture Capital Trust Plc. Despite that particular opportunity not resulting in a completion of the intended corporate action, the Board continues to explore similar options and looks forward to presenting these to shareholders in due course. However, there can be no certainty that any of these discussions will lead to a concrete proposal, at this time or in the future.
Change of Auditor
As we announced in our half year results, James Cowper Kreston, our previous auditor, decided to withdraw from auditing Public Interest Entities (which include VCTs) for the time being due to the increasing regulatory landscape and associated costs, and hence resigned as our auditor in October 2018. During a previous tender process, the Audit Committee was also impressed by one of the other firms who responded, and on its recommendation, the Board has appointed UHY Hacker Young LLP ("UHY") to fill the casual vacancy that had arisen. UHY have audited this year’s results, and shareholders are being asked to reappoint them at the AGM for the year ending 29 February 2020.
AGM
Shareholders should note that the AGM for the Company will be held on Wednesday 3 July 2019 at the Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, starting at the later time of 2pm and will include presentations by Oxford Technology Management and some of the companies that the Oxford Technology VCTs have invested in.
A formal Notice of the AGM has been enclosed with these Financial Statements together with a Form of Proxy for those not attending. We appreciate all the input we get from our shareholders and very much look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible on the day – thank you for your ongoing support.
Outlook
The Oxford Technology VCTs have operated and continue to operate very much in the spirit of the VCT legislation by investing in and subsequently supporting early stage technology companies. After pursuing apparently lower risk strategies such as solar subsidies, management buyouts, managed exit portfolios and the like, following the publication of the Patient Capital Review it seems that the VCT market is returning to the area that we have always occupied. While this is welcome, current VCT rules sometimes limit the amount of follow on investment that we are able to make.
Brexit is an uncertainty that is – to an extent – unquantifiable. Your Board does not consider OT1 to be at an unusual level of risk, as the companies in the portfolio are not overly exposed to trade with EU companies, though of course knock-on effects cannot be ruled out.
Looking ahead, the Board continues to believe your VCT is an appropriate structure to hold your Company’s assets, albeit it would be preferable to have a larger asset base to share the operating costs. Growth has returned to all of the portfolio companies (with the notable exception of Scancell). Your Board continues to work to maximise value and reduce costs so as to best provision your VCT such that – when valuations and liquidity allow – holdings can be exited and proceeds distributed to shareholders.
Alex Starling Chairman 21 May 2019
Investment Portfolio Review
OT1 was formed in 1997 and invested in a total of 21 companies, all start-up or early stage technology companies. Some of these companies failed with the loss of the investment. Some have succeeded and have been sold. Dividends paid to shareholders to date are 55p per share. The table on page 14 shows the companies remaining in the portfolio.
The ultimate outcome for investors will depend on how the remaining investments perform. In particular, Select Technology and Scancell have the potential to deliver significant returns.
Select Technology specialises in software for photocopiers – now known as MFDs – Multi-Function Devices. Over the last decade Select Technology has built up a global network of distributors and dealers through which it sells both its own and third party products. These products now include PaperCut, KPAX, Foldr, Drivve Image, EveryonePrint and Square 9 Enterprise Content Management. Sales have increased from £210k in the year to July 2010 to over £6.8m in the year to January 2019, up from £5.6m in the year before. Select Technology paid a dividend in February 2019.
Unfortunately, Scancell has had a steady decline in share price over the year. In October 2018, there was an announcement of a delay to the planned start of the clinical trial as the FDA had yet to approve the Trichor device/SCIB1 combination as an Investigational New Device (IND). Post year end, in April 2019, Scancell received all of the regulatory, ethical and legal approvals for the UK arm of this trial. Scancell has been granted patents for the Modi platform which will give it a very strong position going into the future.
OT1 was the first investor in Getmapping when the company was founded in 1999. Having floated on AIM and grown to 65 people, Getmapping suffered badly when Ordnance Survey terminated a reseller agreement. Employees reduced to 12 and the share price fell to 1p. But Getmapping survived and sales grew from £6m in the year to December 2017 to £8m in the year to December 2018. Getmapping’s business is now split between the UK and Africa. Getmapping provides aerial photography and products that enhance the value and usefulness of this data.
OT1 was the first investor in BioCote in 1997, before the company had any sales. BioCote had sales of £2.3m in the year to December 2018 and supplies its antimicrobial coatings to companies all over the world. The company is profitable and has paid a small dividend in each of the last few years.
New Investments in the year
There were no new investments during the year.
Disposals during the year
There were no disposals during the year.
Valuation Methodology
Quoted and unquoted investments are valued in accordance with current industry guidelines that are compliant with International Private Equity and Venture Capital (IPEVC) Valuation Guidelines and current financial reporting standards.
VCT Compliance
Compliance with the main VCT regulations as at 28 February 2019 and for the year then ended is summarised as follows:
| Type of InvestmentBy HMRC Valuation Rules | Actual | Target |
| VCT Qualifying Investments | 88% | Minimum obligation of: 70% |
| Non-Qualifying Investments | 12% | Maximum allowed: 30% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
At least 70% of each investment must be in eligible shares - Complied.
No more than 15% of the income from shares and securities is retained - Complied.
No investment constitutes more than 15% of the Company’s portfolio (by value at time of investment or when the holding is added to) - Complied.
The Company’s income in the period has been derived wholly or mainly (70% plus) from shares or securities - Complied.
No investment made by the VCT has caused the company to receive more than £5m of State Aid investment in the year, nor more than the lifetime limit of £12m - Complied as no new investments made.
Table of Investments held by Company at 28 February 2019
| Company | Description | Date of initial investment | Net cost of investment £’000 | Carrying value at 28/02/19 £’000 | Change in value for the year £’000 | % equity held by OT1 | % equity held by all OTVCTs | % net assets |
| Select – STL Management Ltd | PhotocopierInterfaces | Sep 1999 | 488 | 1,736 | 298 | 30.0 | 58.6 | 64.5 |
| Scancell(Bid Price 7.0p) | Antibody based cancertherapeutics | Aug 1999 | 344 | 482 | (482) | 1.7 | 3.3 | 17.9 |
| Getmapping | Aerialphotography | Mar 1999 | 518 | 300 | 77 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 11.1 |
| BioCote | Bactericidaladditives | Dec 1997 | 85 | 152 | 13 | 6.6 | 6.6 | 5.6 |
| Totals | 1,435 | 2,670 | (93) | |||||
| Other NetAssets | 23 | 0.9 | ||||||
| NET ASSETS | 2,693 | 100.0 |
Number of shares in issue: 5,431,655 Net Asset Value per share at 28 February 2019: 49.6pDividends paid to date: 55.0p
This table shows the current portfolio holdings. The investments in Avidex, Concept Broadcast, Coraltech, Eurogen, Im-Pak, Freehand Surgical, Nexus, OST, Rapier, Sirius, Synaptica and IMPT have been written off. The investments in Valid, Dataflow, MET, Equitalk and Duncan Hynd Associates have been sold. Some shares in Scancell have also been sold.
Lucius CaryDirectorOT1 Managers LtdInvestment Manager 21 May 2019
Directors’ Report
The Directors present their report together with Financial Statements for the year ended 28 February 2019.
The Directors consider that the Annual Report and Financial Statements, taken as a whole are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business model and strategy.
This report has been prepared by the Directors in accordance with the requirements of s415 of the Companies Act 2006. The Company’s independent auditor is required by law to report on whether the information given in the Directors’ Report is consistent with the Financial Statements.
Principal Activity
The Company commenced business in March 1997. The Company invests in start-up and early stage technology companies in general located within 60 miles of Oxford. The Company has maintained its approved status as a Venture Capital Trust by HMRC.
Directors
The Directors of the Company are required to notify their interests under Disclosure and Transparency Rule 3.12R. The membership of the Board and their beneficial interests in the ordinary shares of the company at 28 February 2019 and at 28 February 2018 are set out below:
Name 2019 2018A Starling 6,749 6,749R Goodfellow 90,932 90,932D Livesley Nil NilR Roth 10,000 10,000
Under the Company’s Articles of Association one third of the Directors are required to retire by rotation each year. Robin Goodfellow and David Livesley will be nominated for re-appointment at the forthcoming AGM. The Board believes that both non-executive Directors continue to provide a valuable contribution to the Company and remain committed to their roles. The Board recommends that Shareholders support the resolutions to re-elect Robin Goodfellow and David Livesley at the forthcoming AGM.
The Board is cognisant of shareholders' preference for Directors not to sit on the boards of too many larger companies ("overboarding"). Shareholders will be aware that in July 2015, the Company, along with the other VCTs that were managed by Oxford Technology Management, appointed directors such that the four VCTs each had a Common Board. In addition, Richard Roth has subsequently also become a Director of Seneca Growth Capital VCT Plc, a VCT investing in the MedTech sector which is also self-managed and has a number of investments in common with the Oxford Technology VCTs.
Whilst great care is taken to safeguard the interests of the shareholders of each separate company, there is an element of overlap in the workload of each Director across the four OT funds due to the way the VCTs are managed. The Directors note that the workload related to the four OT funds is less than it would be for four totally separate and larger funds, and are satisfied that Richard Roth has the time to focus on the requirements of each OT fund.
Investment Management Fees
OT1 Managers Ltd, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, has an agreement to provide investment management services to the Company for a fee of 1% of net assets per annum. Alex Starling and Robin Goodfellow together with Lucius Cary are Directors of OT1 Managers Ltd.
Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance
The Company has maintained insurance cover on behalf of the Directors, indemnifying them against certain liabilities which may be incurred by them in relation to their duties as Directors of the Company.
Ongoing Review
The Board has reviewed and continues to review all aspects of internal governance to mitigate the risk of breaches of VCT rules or company law.
Whistleblowing
The Board has been informed that the Investment Manager has arrangements in place in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code’s recommendations by which staff of Oxford Technology Management or the Secretary of the Company may, in confidence, raise concerns within their respective organisations about possible improprieties in matters of financial reporting or other matters.
Bribery Act 2010
The Company is committed to carrying out business fairly, honestly and openly. The Investment Manager has established policies and procedures to prevent bribery within its organisation. The Company has adopted a zero tolerance approach to bribery and will not tolerate bribery under any circumstance in any transaction the Company is involved in. The Company has instructed the Investment Manager to adopt the same approach with investee companies.
Relations with Shareholders
The Company values the views of its shareholders and recognises their interest in the Company. The Company’s website provides information on all of the Company’s investments, as well as other information of relevance to shareholders (www.oxfordtechnologyvct.com/vct1.html).
Shareholders have the opportunity to meet the Board at the Annual General Meeting. In addition to the formal business of the AGM the Board is available to answer any questions a shareholder may have.
The Board is also happy to respond to any written queries made by shareholders during the course of the year and can be contacted at the Company’s registered office: Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, Oxford OX4 4GA.
Going Concern
The assets of the Company consist mainly of securities, one of which is AIM quoted, quite liquid and readily accessible, as well as cash. After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they have adopted the going concern basis in preparing the Financial Statements.
Share Capital
As disclosed on page 51, the Board has authority to make market purchases of the Company’s own shares. No shares were purchased by the Company during the year.
The Board has authority to allot up to 271,580 shares (representing approximately 5% of the ordinary share capital as at 2 May 2018). No shares were allotted by the Company during the year.
The total number of Ordinary Shares of 10p each in issue at 28 February 2019 was 5,431,655 (2018: 5,431,655) with each share having one vote. There are no other share classes in issue
Companies Act 2006 disclosures
In accordance with Schedule 7 of the Large and Medium Size Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, as amended, the Directors disclose the following information:
The Company's capital structure and voting rights are summaried above, and there are no restrictions on voting rights nor any agreement between holders of securities that result in restrictions on the transfer of securities or on voting rights;There exist no securities carrying special rights with regard to the control of the Company;The rules concerning the appointment and replacement of directors, amendment of the Articles of Association and powers to issue or buy back the Company's shares are contained in the Articles of Association of the Companies Act of 2006;The Company does not have any employee share scheme;There exist no agreements to which the Company is party that may affect its control following a takeover bid; andThere exist no agreements between the Company and its Directors providing for compensation for the loss of office that may occur following a takeover bid or for any other reasonSubstantial Shareholders
At 28 February 2019, the Company has been notified of the following investors whose interest exceeds three percent of the Company’s issued share capital: Redmayne Nominees Limited, 5.8% (nominee for Ms Shivani Palakpari Shree Parikh who has a declared holding of 5.2%), Pershing Nominees 4.4% and Mr Richard Vessey, 4.3%.
Auditors
As discussed in the Chairman’s report on page 6, UHY Hacker Young LLP have been appointed as the independent auditors in accordance with Section 489 of the Companies Act 2006, and will offer themselves for re-appointment at the AGM.
On behalf of the Board Alex Starling Chairman21 May 2019
Directors’ Remuneration Report
Introduction
This report has been prepared by the Directors in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The Company’s independent auditor, UHY Hacker Young LLP, is required to give its opinion on certain information included in this report. This report includes a statement regarding the Directors’ Remuneration Policy. This report sets out the Company’s Directors’ Remuneration Policy and the Annual Remuneration Report which describes how this policy has been applied during the year.
The Directors' Remuneration Policy was last approved by shareholders at the AGM on 12 July 2018. It needs to be put to a shareholder vote every three years, and shareholders will be asked to approve it again at the Annual General Meeting in 2021.
Shareholders also need to approve the Directors' Remuneration Report every year. It was last approved at the AGM on 12 July 2018 on a unanimous show of hands and 99.4% of proxies voted in favour, and a Resolution to approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 28 February 2019 will also be proposed at the Annual General Meeting on 3 July 2019.
Directors’ Terms of Appointment
The Board consists entirely of non-executive Directors who meet at least four times a year and on other occasions as necessary to deal with important aspects of the Company’s affairs. Directors are appointed with the expectation that they will serve for at least three years and are expected to devote the time necessary to perform their duties. All Directors retire at the first general meeting after election and thereafter every third year, with at least one Director standing for election or re-election each year. Re-election will be recommended by the Board, but is dependent upon shareholder vote. Directors who have been in office for more than nine years will stand for annual re-election in line with the AIC Code. There are no service contracts in place, but Directors have a letter of appointment.
Directors’ Remuneration Policy
The Board acts as the Remuneration Committee and meets annually to review Directors’ pay to ensure it remains appropriate given the need to attract and retain candidates of sufficient calibre and ensure they are able to devote the time necessary to lead the Company in achieving its strategy.
The Articles of Association of the company state that the aggregate of the remuneration (by way of fee) of all the Directors shall not exceed £50,000 per annum unless otherwise approved by Ordinary Resolution of the Company. The following Directors’ fees are payable by the Company:
per annumDirector Base Fee £3,500Chairman’s Supplement £2,000Audit Committee Chairman £3,000Audit Committee Member £1,500
The OT1 Director Fees are amongst the lowest of any VCT (apart from the other OT VCTs). However, the Board has spent and continues to spend more time on Company activities than was initially envisaged in Summer 2015 (when the fees were last changed) partly due to closer involvement with investment, accounting and administration procedures and partly due to compliance with additional government regulations. Fees remain at levels approved last year.
Typically, VCT industry total directors’ fees are in excess of £50k and individual fees in excess of £15k for equivalent levels of work. Alex Starling chairs the Company. Richard Roth chairs the Audit Committee, with Robin Goodfellow as a member of the Committee. As the VCT is self-managed, the Audit Committee carries out a particularly important role for the VCT and plays a significant part in the sign off of quarterly management accounts, and the production of the half year and annual statutory accounts.
Fees are currently paid annually. The fees are not specifically related to the Directors’ performance, either individually or collectively. No expenses are paid to the Directors. There are no share option schemes or pension schemes in place, but Directors are entitled to a share of the carried interest as detailed below. The Directors may at their discretion pay additional sums in respect of specific tasks carried out by individual Directors on behalf of the Company.
Alex Starling and Robin Goodfellow receive no remuneration in respect of their directorships of OT1 Managers Ltd, the Company’s Investment Manager.
The performance fee is detailed in note 3. Current Directors are entitled to benefit from any payment made, subject to a formula driven by relative lengths of service. The performance fee becomes payable if a certain cash return threshold to shareholders is exceeded – the excess is then subject to a 20% carry that is distributed to Oxford Technology Management, past Directors and current Directors; the remaining 80% is returned to shareholders. At 28 February 2019 no performance fee was due.
Should any performance fee be payable at the end of the year to 29 February 2020, Alex Starling, Robin Goodfellow, and Richard Roth would each receive 0.30% of any amount over the threshold and David Livesley 0.79%. No performance fee will be payable for the year ending 29 February 2020 unless original shareholders have received back at least 207.5p in cash for each 100p (gross) invested.
Relative Spend on Directors’ Fees
The Company has no employees, so no consultation with employees or comparison measurements with employee remuneration are appropriate.
Loss of Office
In the event of anyone ceasing to be a Director, for any reason, no loss of office payments will be made. There are no contractual arrangements entitling any Director to any such payment.
Annual Remuneration Report
No change to Director’s remuneration is expected for the year ending 29 February 2020.
| Directors’ Fees | Year End 29/02/20(unaudited) | Year End 28/02/19(audited) | Year End 28/02/18(audited) |
| Alex Starling | £5,500 | £5,500 | £5,500 |
| Richard Roth | £6,500 | £6,500 | £6,500 |
| Robin Goodfellow | £5,000 | £5,000 | £5,000 |
| David Livesley | £3,500 | £3,500 | £3,500 |
| Total | £20,500 | £20,500 | £20,500 |
Income Statement
| Year Ended28 February 2019 | Year Ended28 February 2018 | ||||||
| NoteRef. | Revenue£’000 | Capital£’000 | Total£’000 | Revenue£’000 | Capital£’000 | Total£’000 | |
| Gain on disposal of fixed asset investments | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Unrealised (loss)/gain on valuation of fixed asset investments | - | (93) | (93) | - | 86 | 86 | |
| Investment income | 2 | 24 | - | 24 | 7 | - | 7 |
| Investment management fees | 3 | (7) | (21) | (28) | (7) | (22) | (29) |
| Other expenses | 4 | (54) | - | (54) | (55) | - | (55) |
| Return on ordinary activities before tax | (37) | (114) | (151) | (55) | 64 | 9 | |
| Taxation on return on ordinary activities | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Return on ordinary activities after tax | (37) | (114) | (151) | (55) | 64 | 9 | |
| Return on ordinary activities after tax attributable to equity shareholders | 6 | (37) | (114) | (151) | (55) | 64 | 9 |
| Earnings per share – basic and diluted | 6 | (0.7)p | (2.1)p | (2.8)p | (1.0)p | 1.2p | 0.2p |
There was no other Comprehensive Income recognised during the year.
The ‘Total’ column of the Income Statement is the Profit and Loss Account of the Company, the supplementary Revenue and Capital return columns have been prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies.
All Revenue and Capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.
The Company has only one class of business and derives its income from investments made in shares and securities and from bank and money market funds.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Financial Statements.
Statement of Changes in Equity
| Share Capital£’000 | Share Premium£’000 | Unrealised Capital Reserve£’000 | Profit & Loss Reserve£’000 | Total£’000 | |
| As at 1 March 2017 | 543 | 176 | 1,242 | 928 | 2,889 |
| Dividends paid | - | - | - | (54) | (54) |
| Revenue return on ordinary activities after tax | - | - | - | (55) | (55) |
| Expenses charged to capital | - | - | - | (22) | (22) |
| Current period gains on fair value of investments | - | - | 86 | - | 86 |
| Balance as at 28 February 2018 | 543 | 176 | 1,328 | 797 | 2,844 |
| Revenue return on ordinary activities after tax | - | - | - | (37) | (37) |
| Expenses charged to capital | - | - | - | (21) | (21) |
| Current period losses on fair value of investments | - | - | (93) | - | (93) |
| Balance as at 28 February 2019 | 543 | 176 | 1,235 | 739 | 2,693 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Financial Statements.
Balance Sheet
| Year Ended28 February 2019 | Year Ended28 February 2018 | |||||
| Note Ref. | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | ||
| Fixed Asset Investments At Fair Value | 7 | 2,670 | 2,763 | |||
| Current Assets | ||||||
| Debtors | 8 | 2 | 2 | |||
| Cash At Bank | 33 | 91 | ||||
| Creditors: Amounts Falling DueWithin 1 Year | 9 | (12) | (12) | |||
| Net Current Assets | 23 | 81 | ||||
| Net Assets | 2,693 | 2,844 | ||||
| Called Up Equity Share Capital | 10 | 543 | 543 | |||
| Share Premium | 176 | 176 | ||||
| Unrealised Capital Reserve | 11 | 1,235 | 1,328 | |||
| Profit and Loss Account Reserve | 11 | 739 | 797 | |||
| Total Equity Shareholders’ Funds | 11 | 2,693 | 2,844 | |||
| Net Asset Value Per Share | 49.6p | 52.4p | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Financial Statements.
The statements were approved by the Directors and authorised for issue on 21 May 2019 and are signed on their behalf by:
Alex StarlingChairman
Statement of Cash Flows
| Year Ended28 February 2019£’000 | Year Ended28 February 2018£’000 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||
| Return on ordinary activities before tax | (151) | 9 |
| Adjustments for: | ||
| Loss/(gain) on valuation of investments | 93 | (86) |
| Increase in creditors | - | 5 |
| Outflow from operating activities | (58) | (72) |
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||
| Dividends paid | - | (54) |
| Outflow from financing activities | - | (54) |
| Decrease in cash at bank | (58) | (126) |
| Opening cash and cash equivalents | 91 | 217 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at year end | 33 | 91 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Financial Statements.
Notes to the Financial Statements
The Financial Statements have been prepared under Financial Reporting Standard 102 – 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland' ('FRS 102'). The accounting policies have not materially changed from last year.
1. Principal Accounting Policies
Basis of PreparationThe Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the measurement at fair value of certain financial instruments, and in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (“GAAP”), including FRS 102 and with the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts (revised 2014)’ issued by the AIC.
The principal accounting policies have remained materially unchanged from those set out in the Company’s 2018 Annual Report and Financial Statements. A summary of the principal accounting policies is set out below.
FRS 102 sections 11 and 12 have been adopted with regard to the Company’s financial instruments. The Company held all fixed asset investments at fair value through profit or loss. Accordingly, all interest income, fee income, expenses and gains and losses on investments are attributable to assets held at fair value through profit or loss.
The most important policies affecting the Company’s financial position are those related to investment valuation and require the application of subjective and complex judgements, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. These are discussed in more detail below.
Going ConcernThe assets of the Company consist mainly of securities, one of which is AIM quoted, quite liquid and readily accessible, as well as cash. After reviewing the Company’s forecasts and expectations, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Company therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its Financial Statements.
Key Judgements and EstimatesThe preparation of the Financial Statements requires the Board to make judgements and estimates regarding the application of policies and affecting the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Estimates and assumptions mainly relate to the fair valuation of the fixed asset investments particularly unquoted investments. Estimates are based on historical experience and other assumptions that are considered reasonable under the circumstances. The estimates and the assumptions are under continuous review with particular attention paid to the carrying value of the investments.
Investments are regularly reviewed to ensure that the fair values are appropriately stated. Unquoted investments are valued in accordance with current IPEVC Valuation Guidelines, which can be found on their website at www.privateequityvaluation.com, although this does rely on subjective estimates such as appropriate sector earnings multiples, forecast results of investee companies, asset values of investee companies and liquidity or marketability of the investments held.
Although the Directors believe that the assumptions concerning the business environment and estimate of future cash flows are appropriate, changes in estimates and assumptions could result in changes in the stated values. This could lead to additional changes in fair value in the future. Functional and Presentational CurrencyThe Financial Statements are presented in Sterling (£). The functional currency is also Sterling (£).
Cash and Cash EquivalentsCash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and also include bank overdrafts.
Fixed Asset InvestmentsThe Company’s principal financial assets are its investments and the policies in relation to those assets are set out below.
Purchases and sales of investments are recognised in the Financial Statements at the date of the transaction (trade date).
These investments will be managed and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis and information about them is provided internally on that basis to the Board. Accordingly, as permitted by FRS 102, the investments are measured as being fair value through profit or loss on the basis that they qualify as a group of assets managed, and whose performance is evaluated, on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented investment strategy. The Company's investments are measured at subsequent reporting dates at fair value. In the case of investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange, fair value is established by reference to the closing bid price on the relevant date or the last traded price, depending upon convention of the exchange on which the investment is quoted. In the case of AIM quoted investments this is the closing bid price.
In the case of unquoted investments, fair value is established by using measures of value such as the price of recent transactions, earnings multiple, revenue multiple, discounted cash flows and net assets. These are consistent with the IPEVC Valuation Guidelines.
Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value of investments are recognised as part of the capital return within the Income Statement and allocated to the unrealised capital reserve.
In the preparation of the valuations of assets the Directors are required to make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and incorporate their knowledge of the performance of the investee companies.
Fair Value HierarchyParagraph 34.22 of FRS 102 regarding financial instruments that are measured in the balance sheet at fair value requires disclosure of fair value measurements dependent on whether the stock is quoted and the level of the accuracy in the ability to determine its fair value. The fair value measurement hierarchy is as follows:
For Quoted Investments:Level 1: quoted prices in active markets for an identical asset. The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets is based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. A market is regarded as active if quoted prices are readily and regularly available, and those prices represent actual and regularly occurring market transactions on an arm’s length basis. The quoted market price used for financial assets held is the bid price at the Balance Sheet date.
Level 2: where quoted prices are not available (or where a stock is normally quoted on a recognised stock exchange that no quoted price is available), the price of a recent transaction for an identical asset, providing there has been no significant change in economic circumstances or a significant lapse in time since the transaction took place. The Company held no such investments in the current or prior year.
For investments not quoted in an active market:Level 3: the fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market is determined by using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable data (e.g. the price of recent transactions, earnings multiple, discounted cash flows and/or net assets) where it is available and rely as little as possible on entity specific estimates.
There have been no transfers between these classifications in the year (2018: none). The change in fair value for the current and previous year is recognised in the income statement.
IncomeInvestment income includes interest earned on bank balances and from unquoted loan note securities, and dividends. Fixed returns on debt are recognised on a time apportionment basis so as to reflect the effective yield, provided it is probable that payment will be received in due course. Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholders’ rights to receive payment have been established, normally the ex dividend date.
ExpensesAll expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenses are charged wholly to revenue with the exception of the investment management fee which has been charged 75% to capital and 25% to revenue. Any applicable performance fee will be charged 100% to capital.
Revenue and CapitalThe revenue column of the Income Statement includes all income and revenue expenses of the Company. The capital column includes gains and losses on disposal and holding gains and losses on investments. Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value of investments are recognised as part of the capital return within the Income Statement and allocated to the appropriate capital reserve on the basis of whether they are realised or unrealised at the balance sheet date.
TaxationCurrent tax is recognised for the amount of income tax payable in respect of the taxable profit for the current or past reporting periods using the current tax rate. The tax effect of different items of income/gain and expenditure/loss is allocated between capital and revenue return on the "marginal" basis as recommended in the SORP.
Deferred tax is recognised on an undiscounted basis in respect of all timing differences that have originated, but not reversed, at the balance sheet date, except as otherwise indicated.
Deferred tax assets are only recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.
Financial InstrumentsThe Company’s principal financial assets are its investments and the policies in relation to those assets are set out above. Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into.
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the entity after deducting all of its financial liabilities. Where the contractual terms of share capital do not have any terms meeting the definition of a financial liability then this is classed as an equity instrument.
The Company does not have any externally imposed capital requirements.
ReservesCalled up Equity Share Capital – represents the nominal value of shares that have been issued.
Share Premium Account – includes any premiums received on issue of share capital. Any transaction costs associated with the issuing of shares are deducted from the Share Premium Account.
Unrealised Capital Reserve arises when the Company revalues the investments still held during the period and any gains or losses arising are credited/charged to the Unrealised Capital Reserve. When an investment is sold, any balance held on the Unrealised Capital Reserve is transferred to the Profit and Loss Reserve as a movement in reserves.
The Profit and Loss Reserve represents the aggregate of accumulated realised profits, less losses and dividends.
Dividends PayableDividends payable are recognised as distributions in the Financial Statements when the Company’s liability to make payment has been established. This liability is established for interim dividends when they are declared by the Board, and for final dividends when they are approved by the Shareholders.
2. Investment Income
| Year Ended28 February 2019£’000 | Year Ended28 February 2018£’000 | |
| Dividends received | 24 | 7 |
| Total | 24 | 7 |
3. Investment Management Fees
Expenses are charged wholly to revenue with the exception of the investment management fee which has been charged 75% to capital in line with industry practice.
| Year Ended28 February 2019£’000 | Year Ended28 February 2018£’000 | |
| Investment management fee | 28 | 29 |
| Total | 28 | 29 |
In the year to 28 February 2019 the manager received a fee of 1% of the net asset value as at the previous year end (2018: 1%). Oxford Technology Management is also entitled to certain monitoring fees from investee companies and the Board reviews the amounts.
A performance fee is payable to the Investment Manager once original shareholders have received a specified threshold in cash for each 100p (gross) invested. The original threshold of 125p has been increased by compounding that portion that remains to be paid to shareholders by 6% per annum with effect from 1 March 2008, resulting in the remaining required threshold rising to 143.8p at 28 February 2019, corresponding to a total shareholder return of 198.8p after taking into account the 55p already paid out (55p + 143.8p = 198.8).
After this amount has been distributed to shareholders, each extra 100p distributed goes 80p to the shareholders and 20p to the beneficiaries of the performance incentive fee, of which Oxford Technology Management receives 14p.
No performance fee has become due or been paid to date. Any applicable performance fee will be charged 100% to capital. Expenses are capped at 3%, including the management fee, but excluding Directors’ fees and any performance fee.
4. Other Expenses
All expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses are charged through the income statement except as follows:
• those expenses which are incidental to the acquisition of an investment are included within the cost of the investment;
• expenses which are incidental to the disposal of an investment are deducted from the disposal proceeds of the investment.
| Year Ended28 February 2019£’000 | Year Ended28 February 2018£’000 | |
| Directors’ remuneration | 21 | 21 |
| Auditors’ remuneration | 7 | 6 |
| Other expenses | 26 | 28 |
| Total | 54 | 55 |
5. Tax on Ordinary Activities
Corporation tax payable at 19.0% (2018: 19.1%) is applied to profits chargeable to corporation tax, if any. The corporation tax charge for the period was £nil (2018: £nil).
| Year Ended28 February 2019£’000 | Year Ended28 February 2018£’000 | |
| Return on ordinary activities before tax | (151) | 9 |
| Current tax at standard rate of taxation | (29) | 2 |
| UK dividends not taxable | (5) | (1) |
| Unrealised losses / (gains) not taxable | 18 | (16) |
| Excess management expenses carried forward | 16 | 15 |
| Total current tax charge | - | - |
Unrelieved management expenses of £1,467,156 (2018: £1,385,626) remain available for offset against future taxable profits.
6. Earnings per Share
The calculation of earnings per share (basic and diluted) for the period is based on the net loss of £151,000 (2018: profit of £9,000) attributable to shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares 5,431,655 (2018: 5,431,655) in issue during the period. There are no potentially dilutive capital instruments in issue and, therefore, no diluted returns per share figures are relevant. The basic and diluted earnings per share are therefore identical.
7. Investments
| AIM quoted investmentsLevel 1£’000 | Unquoted investmentsLevel 3£’000 | Total investments £’000 | |
| Valuation and net book amount: Book cost as at 28 February 2018 | 344 | 1,091 | 1,435 |
| Cumulative revaluation to 28 February 2018 | 620 | 708 | 1,328 |
| Valuation at 28 February 2018 | 964 | 1,799 | 2,763 |
| Movement in the year: | |||
| Revaluation in year | (482) | 389 | (93) |
| Valuation at 28 February 2019 | 482 | 2,188 | 2,670 |
| Book cost at 28 February 2019 | 344 | 1,091 | 1,435 |
| Cumulative revaluation to 28 February 2019 | 138 | 1,097 | 1,235 |
| Valuation at 28 February 2019 | 482 | 2,188 | 2,670 |
Subsidiary Company
The Company also holds 100% of the issued share capital of OT1 Managers Ltd at a cost of £1.
Results of the subsidiary undertaking for the year ended 28 February 2019 are as follows:
| Country of Registration | Nature of Business | Turnover | Retained profit/loss | Net Assets | |
| OT1 Managers Ltd | England and Wales | Investment Manager | £28,443 | £0 | £1 |
Consolidated group Financial Statements have not been prepared as the subsidiary undertaking is not considered to be material for the purpose of giving a true and fair view. The Financial Statements therefore present only the results of Oxford Technology VCT plc, which the Directors also consider is the most useful presentation for Shareholders.
8. Debtors
| 28 February 2019£’000 | 28 February 2018£’000 | |
| Prepayments, accrued income & other debtors | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 2 | 2 |
9. Creditors
| 28 February 2019£’000 | 28 February 2018£’000 | |
| Creditors and accruals | 12 | 12 |
| Total | 12 | 12 |
10. Share Capital
| 28 February 2019£’000 | 28 February 2018£’000 | |
| Allotted, called up and fully paid: | ||
| 5,431,655 (2018: 5,431,655) ordinary shares of 10p each | 543 | 543 |
11. Reserves
When the Company revalues its investments during the period, any gains or losses arising are credited/charged to the Income Statement. Changes in fair value of investments are then transferred to the Unrealised Capital Reserve. When an investment is sold any balance held on the Unrealised Capital Reserve is transferred to the Profit and Loss Account Reserve as a movement in reserves.
Distributable reserves are £739,000 as at 28 February 2019 (2018: £797,000).
Reconciliation of Movement in Shareholders’ Funds
| 28 February 2019£’000 | 28 February 2018£’000 | |
| Shareholders’ funds at start of year | 2,844 | 2,889 |
| Return on ordinary activities after tax | (151) | 9 |
| Dividends paid | - | (54) |
| Shareholders’ funds at end of year | 2,693 | 2,844 |
12. Financial Instruments and Risk Management
The Company’s financial instruments comprise equity and loan note investments, cash balances and debtors and creditors. The Company holds financial assets in accordance with its investment policy of investing mainly in a portfolio of VCT – qualifying quoted and unquoted securities whilst holding a proportion of its assets in cash or near cash investments in order to provide a reserve of liquidity. The risk faced by these instruments, such as interest rate risk or liquidity risk is considered to be minimal due to their nature. All of these are carried in the accounts at fair value.
The Company’s strategy for managing investment risk is determined with regard to the Company’s investment objective. The management of market risk is part of the investment management process and is a central feature of venture capital investment. The Company’s portfolio is managed with regard to the possible effects of adverse price movements and with the objective of maximising overall returns to shareholders.
Investments in unquoted companies, by their nature, usually involve a higher degree of risk than investments in companies quoted on a recognised stock exchange, though the risk can be mitigated to a certain extent by diversifying the portfolio across business sectors and asset classes, though VCT rules limit the extent to which suitable Qualifying Investments can be bought or sold. The Company’s portfolio is concentrated for various reasons, including the age of the VCT, exits within the portfolio and the Company’s policy of seeking to return excess capital to shareholders. The overall disposition of the Company’s assets is regularly monitored by the Board.
13. Capital Commitments
The Company had no commitments at 28 February 2019 or 28 February 2018.
14. Related Party Transactions
OT1 Managers Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary, provides investment management services to the Company with effect from 1 July 2015 for a fee of 1% of net assets per annum. During the year, £28,443 was paid in respect of these fees (2018: £28,893). No amounts were outstanding at the year end.
15. Events after the Balance Sheet Date
There are no reportable events after the Balance Sheet date.
16. Control
Oxford Technology VCT Plc is not under the control of any one party or individual.
Company Number: 3276063 Note to the announcement: The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in the Companies Act 2006 ("the Act"). The balance sheet as at 28 February 2019, income statement and cash flow statement for the period then ended have been extracted from the Company's 2019 statutory financial statements upon which the auditor's opinion is unqualified and does not include any statement under the section 495 of the Act. The Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 28 February 2019 will be filed with the Registrar of Companies. Copies of the documents will be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and are available for inspection at: http://www.mornningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM