Velocity Comp Regulatory News (VEL)

22 January 2019

VELOCITY COMPOSITES PLC

("Velocity", the "Company" or the "Group")

Final Results for the year ended 31 October 2018

Velocity Composites plc, the leading supplier of advanced composite material kits, providing engineering value-solutions for the global aerospace industry, is pleased to announce its results for the year ended 31 October 2018.

Highlights

• Year on year revenue growth from new and existing customers of 14% to £24.5m (FY17: £21.4m)

• Gross margin of 18% for FY18 (FY17: 18%) with an increased second half margin of 21% following recovery from lower first half margins arising from unforeseen customer changes and onboarding multiple programmes

• Operating loss for FY18 of £1.1m (FY17: £0.5m), with an operating profit of £0.1m in second half FY18 (before exceptional costs of £0.3m) arising from the continued investment in growth and the above improvements to gross margin in H2 FY18

• Net cash at 31st October 2018 of £4.1m (FY17: £4.3m) (after invoice discounting) including £3.8m of EIS funds

• The Group is no longer able to employ the EIS funds by the May 2019 deadline

• Contracted business of over £67m for the FY19-FY21 period, subject to customer demand fluctuations (including £17m of contract renewals)

• International NADCAP accreditation awarded for kitting service provider to all aerospace primes

• Award of three-year contract to supply complex design consumable kits to Boeing 737 Max programme (£3m)

• Award from a new customer in continental Europe to supply composite material kits for a two-year period for the component parts for the Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion ("LEAP") engines used on the Airbus A320 NEO and Boeing 737 Max ($6m)

• Twelve month contract extension awarded providing composite material kits across the Airbus range of aircraft and regional business jets (£10m)

• Appointment of two new Independent Non-Executive Directors, Meera Parmar and Brian Tenner

• The Board expects the revenue and gross margin ratio to be at similar levels in FY19

Mark Mills, Executive Chairman of Velocity said:

"I am pleased to report that our results for the year ended 31st October 2018 showed a revenue growth of 14% to £24.5m and a net cash balance of £4.1m which whilst pleasing for the growth and underlying profitability was disappointing compared to our plans for the year."

"Velocity has continued its strategy of disrupting the composites supply chain and targeting customers where savings can be generated in material and labour costs alongside other tangible benefits to aerospace parts' manufacturers. During the year the Group was awarded a contract to supply complex designed consumable kits for the Boeing 737 Max programme (£3m), a tactical project supplying structural material kitting for an Airbus A320 aircraft engine (£0.7m), a package from a new continental European customer who is a Tier 1 manufacturer of component parts for the Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion ("LEAP") engines used on the Airbus A320 NEO and Boeing 737 Max ($6m), and an extension to a Long Term Agreement with an existing UK customer manufacturing component parts across the Airbus fleet and on regional business jets (£10m)."

"The Board is confident that once the current dialogue with the founding shareholders has been concluded, the Group will be able to refocus on its long-term strategic growth, which is to deliver cost savings for our customers in the aerospace manufacturing supply chain in a profitable way for the Group, and in the short-term performance of the Group where it has the resources and skills available, both business and financial, to enable it to continue to deliver the services it has built its reputation on in a way which provides a profitable return to the Group."

The information communicated in this announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement via regulatory news service this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

Ends 

CONTACT DETAILS:

About Velocity Composites

Velocity Composites is a manufacturer of advanced composite material kits for the aerospace industry, delivering engineered waste reduction solutions for its customers to build aircraft components using less time and material. The Company's customers include multi-national manufacturers of composite parts and assemblies, who in turn deliver to the world's leading civil and military aircraft manufacturers. The Airbus A320, A330, A350, A380, Eurofighter Typhoon, F35 Joint Strike Fighter and Boeing 737, 787 and V22 Osprey are all constructed using parts manufactured from Velocity's kits. The Company's business model reduces the operating costs of preparing composite materials ahead of their usage in the construction of an aircraft part and as such, its offering is disposed to being self-financing for aircraft parts' manufacturers. Velocity's services are seeing increased demand as the global aircraft industry enters a more-for-less era. Velocity currently has customers in the UK and Continental Europe.

For further information please visit: http://www.velocity-composites.com/ 

Executive Chairman's Report

Overview

I am pleased to report that our results for the year ended 31st October 2018 showed a revenue growth of 14% to £24.5m and a net cash balance of £4.1m which whilst pleasing for the growth and underlying profitability, was disappointing compared to our plans for the year. Business performance improved in the second half of the year resulting in an operating profit of £0.1m (before exceptional costs of £0.3m), and a Gross Margin of 21% for this period giving an 18% Gross Margin for the whole year.

Velocity has continued its strategy of disrupting the composites supply chain and targeting customers where savings can be generated in material and labour costs alongside other tangible benefits to aerospace parts' manufacturers. The Group's agreements with customers provide good visibility of future potential revenue, subject to customer demand fluctuations.

The Board believes that post flotation the Company could have shown more potential customers in greater detail how Velocity could help their businesses to manage costs, and this has delayed our winning of new work. For that reason, during the reporting period, Velocity continued its investment programme to recruit additional engineers and increase its business development team to support sales and business development activities. To stay ahead of the market, the Group remains committed to investing in a new Research and Development Centre to bring innovative products and services to our existing and potential customers, in order to help them to reduce operating costs and to increase the Group's revenues.

In terms of new business acquisition, to demonstrate commitment to customers (existing and potential) we opened an Engineering Support Office in Malaysia during the year, with a small team now based in Selangor, Malaysia. Since the period under review, we have progressed our plans to open a similar office in Poland. Both areas represent different and significant opportunities and complement our UK facilities in Burnley and Fareham.

During the year the Group was awarded a contract to supply complex designed consumable kits for the Boeing 737 Max programme (£3m), a tactical project supplying structural material kitting for an Airbus A320 aircraft engine (£0.7m), a package from a new continental European customer who is a Tier 1 manufacturer of component parts for the Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion ("LEAP") engines used on the Airbus A320 NEO and Boeing 737 Max ($6m), and an extension to a Long Term Agreement with an existing UK customer manufacturing component parts across the Airbus fleet and on regional business jets (£10m).

There were challenges faced by Velocity during the year in respect of its growth aspirations and actions were taken to mature the business and innovate and challenge the industry to enable the Group to become the "go to" provider when aerospace manufacturers seek to reduce composite manufacturing costs.

Financial Highlights

· New business wins totalled £18m for delivery over the next three years

• Revenue continued to strengthen, up 14% to £24.5m (2017: £21.4m) and gross profit was up 14% to £4.5m (2017: £3.9m)

• Operating loss of £1.1m (2017: £0.5m) and loss before tax of £1.2m (2017: £0.6m) incorporated impact of additional administrative expenses

• Net assets have reduced from £10.1m (October 2017) to £9.5m (October 2018)

• Development costs capitalised as intangible asset (£0.2m)

The revenue outturn for the twelve months ended 31st October 2018 is £24.5m (2017: £21.4m) representing an overall increase of 14% and gross profit of £4.5m (2017: £3.9m). Gross profit in the period improved as some programmes which took longer than originally expected to onboard have stabilised and started to increase rates. The business continued to invest in business development and engineering resource in order that new significant contracts can be secured and additional sites opened. In addition, operational and functional investments were also made during the year to support the business growth. The full year costs associated with being on AIM are also reflected in these accounts which all combined resulted in a loss before tax of £1.2m (2017: £0.6m) with Loss per Share remaining stable at £(0.03) (2017: £(0.02)).

The cash balance at the year-end was slightly better than expected and stood at £4.7m (2017: £5.4m) with other cash facilities reducing this to a net cash position of £4.1m. At the year end, the Group still retained £3.8m of EIS/VCT qualifying funds which it is required to employ by May 2019 to meet HMRC requirements. However, due to the slower growth trajectory than planned, and the more recent uncertainty following the recent executive Board changes and discussions with the founding shareholders, the Group sees that it is no longer able to employ these funds on EIS qualifying expenditure by May 2019. For the avoidance of doubt, the Group understands that any EIS funds that are not spent by this date will become part of the Group's unrestricted cash resources going forward.

The impact of one-off exceptional restructuring costs and the expenditure on growth opportunities both in the UK and overseas, means that underlying trading can be more fairly reflected by an Adjusted Loss before tax of £(0.3)m (2017 Adjusted Profit before tax: £0.7m), and Adjusted Loss Per Share of £(0.01) (2017: £(0.02)) (see below and Note 29).

As at the year end, the Group had visibility of over £67m of revenues in the coming three financial years, subject as always to fluctuations in the demand signals that the customers have provided, upon which this visibility is based. Included within this revenue visibility are assumed renewals of existing contracts generating £17m of revenue over the latter part of this three year period.

Further commentary relating to the Financial Review can be found on pages 11 to 14.

Business Strategy

As previously outlined, Velocity uses industry knowledge, business processes and proprietary software to reduce the amount of material and labour required by our customers to manufacture composite parts within the aerospace composites industry and enable our customers to outsource a significant area of non-value-added activity from their own businesses.

In turn, the supply chain becomes more efficient and lower cost and this gives our customers a competitive advantage when bidding for new packages of work. Feedback from our customers remains that they wish to focus on their core business of manufacturing, testing and assembling composite structures but they need to reduce costs and increase production rates to allow the aircraft manufacturers to meet the significant increases in aircraft build rates driven by increasing global demand.

Velocity continues to seek from its target customers, located globally within the key aerospace manufacturing clusters, a long-term engagement which will allow us to replicate our UK business model with strategic manufacturing facilities located where we can service our customers with just in time deliveries. Potential customers continue to be visited both in Europe and further afield and this activity is being increased as the Board was not satisfied with the reported levels of activity previously. Long term plans are being developed with supporting site roll-out plans as each customer approaches contract award. Once Velocity has secured additional customer contracts in near Europe, we will proceed to open manufacturing sites, with the medium-term ambition being to engage with local partners and customers direct in both North America and Asia in order to develop potential opportunities in these regions.

As the global growth opportunity continues to be explored by the Group, we will seek the most appropriate funding routes available for both the investment into those new territories and to support our cash flow to facilitate the purchase of materials for kits supplied to our customers.

Governance and Risk

The Board has continued its previously made decision at IPO to adhere to the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) Corporate Governance Code for small and mid-size quoted companies, and further details can be found in the Statement of Corporate Governance on pages 15 to 17, and on the Group's website at www.velocity-composites.com.

In preparing these financial statements, management are required to make accounting assumptions and estimates. The assumptions and estimation methods have been consistently applied throughout the period. The principal risks and uncertainties that may have a material impact on activities and results of the Group remain as set out on pages 12 to 14 of the Financial Review.

Trading review

We continue to see demand for our services as the aerospace composites industry continues in its "make more-for-less" period which is expected to continue for some time, and our customers look for new ways to reduce the cost of manufacture, both in terms of material and labour. Despite this desire by our customers and Velocity's active engagement with these customers, the Group has experienced uncertainty over the precise timing of the award and the onboarding of contracts, and the resultant impact on revenues and profits.

Trading and revenue has been lower than planned for the year but has increased by 14% compared to the last financial year as new programmes and our Fareham facility delivered additional revenue to the business.

The Board was pleased to announce during the year that it successfully achieved Nadcap Special Process accreditation for Composites scope KSP (Kitting Service Provider), for demonstrating its ongoing commitment to quality by satisfying customer requirements and industry specifications. As reported, Nadcap ("National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program") is the leading worldwide cooperative program of major aerospace Primes and is designed to manage a cost-effective consensus approach to special processes and products and provide continual improvement within the aerospace and defence industries. NADCAP provides an industry managed supply chain oversight program that improves quality, while reducing costs, by assessing process capability for compliance to industry standards and customer requirements. The accreditation came after Velocity had been working with various customers over a long and sustained period and the accreditation provides an enhanced ability to secure work on both Airbus and Boeing programmes around the world in the medium and long term.

To supplement the engineering bases in our Burnley and Fareham facilities, and as a part of the employment of the investment funds received at IPO, the Group opened an Engineering Support Office in Selangor near Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and after the year end, contracts have been exchanged to erect a new building at our Burnley site to house a Research and Development facility alongside a new stores area, additional offices and additional manufacturing space. Once completed, the Group intends to broaden the services offered to its aerospace customers by innovating and investing in the composites arena to help customers to deliver additional cost savings.

Board and People

As outlined last year, the transition from private ownership to a publicly listed company listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange offered both challenges and opportunities to the business. During the year, I was delighted to welcome Meera Parmar and Brian Tenner to the Board and I would like to thank them for their contributions which have been noteworthy during a period of uncertainty for the Group.

Towards the year end, two of Velocity's co-founders left the business as part of a strategic restructuring plan to reduce ongoing costs and some one-off costs were incurred. In addition, Jonathan (Jon) Bridges (co-founder) who had moved from Chief Executive Officer after the trading update in September 2018 to the role of Chief Technical Officer, left the Board. Following this, the Group has experienced a period of uncertainty which has delayed the Group in its growth plans. The Board has worked hard to resolve and clarify matters for all shareholders and to offer reassurance to the Velocity team, customers and its supply chain. At the present time, the Board and founding shareholders are working collaboratively to attempt to progress these matters toward resolution and it is hopeful but not yet certain that a way forward will be agreed shortly. Additional one-off costs have also been incurred as a result which will adversely affect the FY19 results.

Also, following the September 2018 trading update, Alan Kershaw, Chief Financial Officer decided to pursue new opportunities and the Board thanks Alan for his continued contribution to Velocity during this transition period and his professional and orderly handover to Interim CFO, Andrew Hebb, ahead of the recruitment of a new permanent CFO which is progressing.

I always take this opportunity to thank the whole Velocity team for their efforts during the period and on this occasion, as I have been more involved in the day-today running of Velocity since September 2018, I would like to compliment everybody for their contribution, feedback and tolerance during an unsettling period, and for their hard work to make Velocity the great place it is to work.

I look forward, more than ever, to working with the team and its new members as we grow Velocity and provide cost saving services for more customers.

Outlook

The Board recognises the need to reset investor expectations in relation to the speed of growth and profitability. The recent uncertainty created in the minds of our customers means that the Board expects the new financial year ending 31 October 2019 to be a period of consolidation and re-building of customer confidence and our sales pipeline. As a result, the Board expects to deliver revenue and gross margin ratio at a similar level in the coming year.

The Board acknowledges the disappointment and adverse financial impact on the tax position of certain investors as the EIS funds are not able to be fully employed by the due date in May 2019. However, the Board has concluded that it is important that only high quality approved investments should be made, and given the shortfall in new business highlighted above, it has not been possible to deliver these opportunities in the time period available. The EIS funds will remain available for the Group to use in high quality growth investments, although the majority of this is expected to take place after the due date and any associated tax relief for EIS investors is unlikely to be available.

We have an excellent and committed team looking after a high-quality customer base which is becoming more international and we operate on growing aircraft platforms within the growing composites market with clear focus on scaling Velocity up.

The Board is confident that once the positive dialogue with the founding shareholders has been concluded, the Group will be able to refocus on its long-term strategic growth, which is to deliver cost savings for our customers in the aerospace manufacturing supply chain in a profitable way for the Group, and in the short-term performance of the Group where it has the resources and skills available, both business and financial, to enable it to continue to deliver the services it has built its reputation on in a way which provides a profitable return to the Group.

Mark Mills

Chairman

21 January 2019

Financial Review

Review of the Year

Statement of Comprehensive Income

Statement of Comprehensive Income

Our revenue grew by 14.5% during the year ended 31 October 2018 to £24.5m (FY17: £21.4m). During the financial year new contracts were awarded with both existing and new customers which delivered over £2m in revenue in the year, with an expectation of higher revenue levels from these contracts in future years. European sales increased to £0.5m (2017: £0.1m) through work contracted with a customer in continental Europe. No sales have as yet been achieved in the Asia region.

Gross profit at £4.5m increased by 14% over 2017 (£3.9m). Gross margin was stable year on year at 18.3%, although margin in H1 was lower than expected due to unforeseen customer changes and the onboarding of multiple programs across our UK sites. Management action resulted in an improvement in the H2 margin to 21.2% (H1: 15.2%). The reduction in margin in H1 negatively impacted profitability for the year by £0.6m. Some 70% of revenues and direct costs relating to material purchases are naturally hedged which helps to minimise the effects of exchange rate fluctuation.

Administrative expenses excluding exceptional items increased during the year by £1.8m due primarily to the investment in people related costs to strengthen programme management, engineering, operations and functional teams (£1.2m). As a result of this investment, administrative headcount increased by 15 during the year to finish the year with 47 people.

In addition, the following costs increased year on year: Full year effect of costs incurred by the Group being on AIM £0.2m, EIS related costs of £0.2m, Fareham facility full year costs of £0.1m, Depreciation and Amortisation £0.1m.

The Group presents certain items as Exceptional that are non-recurring and significant. These relate to items which, in the Board's judgement, need to be disclosed by virtue of their size and incidence in order to obtain a meaningful understanding of the underlying trading position. The exceptional items reported in 2018 consist of £0.3m in relation to the departure of two of the Founders and also the Chief Financial Officer.

Operating Loss was £(1.1)m (2017: £(0.5)m) for the full year with an Operating Loss in H2 of £0.2m. The Operating Loss in 2017 included £0.9m of costs associated with the Company listing on AIM covering fees associated with the AIM listing and share based payments.

The impact of one off exceptional restructuring costs and the expenditure on growth opportunities both in the UK and overseas, means that underlying trading can be more fairly reflected by an Adjusted Loss before tax of £(0.3)m (2017: £0.7m), and Adjusted Loss per share of £(0.01) (2017: £(0.02)) (see Note 30). The Group internally uses Adjusted Profit before tax as an alternate performance measure in addition to the statutory reported profit measures.

Cashflow and Capital Investment

The year-end cash and cash equivalents reduced by £0.7m to £4.7m (2017: £5.4m). Cash generated from operations of £0.5m (2017: £(2.4m)) was offset by cash used in Investing activities of £(0.4)m (2017: £(0.7)m) primarily related to property, plant and equipment and Development expenditure capitalised. Financing activities utilised £0.8m including a decrease in the use of the Invoice Discounting facility by £0.5m. The Invoice Discounting facility was utilised to the extent of £0.6m at 31 October 2018 (2017: £1.1m).

Of the £4.1m of net cash at 31 October 2018 £3.8m is the balance remaining from the money raised to be invested in EIS activities. In the financial year the Group utilised £0.7m of EIS money. The Group has to date spent the EIS funds on its research and development activities and on its exploration of new territories in Europe and Asia in particular. The Group sees that it is no longer able to employ the remaining EIS funds by the 24-month anniversary of the Company's IPO due to the slower growth trajectory than planned, and the more recent uncertainty following the recent executive Board changes and discussions with the founding shareholders. The slower growth trajectory has arisen because not enough customers were visited immediately post IPO, given the gestation period between first visit and contract award, which has resulted in a smaller pipeline of fully developed opportunities.

Working Capital

Inventory levels were reduced at the year-end by £0.5m to £2.7m through strategies to more closely align stock levels with customer demand over raw materials.

Trade and other receivables reduced during the year by £0.4m to £5.7m. This arose from an increase in trade receivables of £0.5m and a reduction in sundry debtors of £0.9m following a one-off VAT recovery at last year end. Whilst debtor days have increased to 72 days (2017: 66 days), only £0.1m of the total receivable balance represents receivables more than 3 months overdue.

Trade and other payables also reduced during the year by £0.4m to £5.2m primarily due to the reduction in the invoice discounting facility use at the year end.

Financial Key Performance Indicators (KPI's)

The Board have monitored the performance of the Group with particular reference to the relevant key performance indicators (KPI's) which are set out below:

The Board use the above KPI's to represent the strategic targets it has set to grow the business to a sustainably higher level of revenue and profits arising from the replication of its UK business model into continental Europe and further afield. The Board is planning to undertake a review of both the financial and non financial KPI's that the Group needs to target its performance upon following the appointment of new Board members.

Share price during the year

The share price range during the year from 1 November 2017 to 31 October 2018 was 86p to 29p.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Board is committed to operating to high standards of corporate governance, as we believe that doing so will contribute to the delivery of long-term shareholder value. The aerospace market also requires the Group to operate on a Right First Time Every Time basis and the Company's listed status has solidified our commitment to governance, quality and transparency and as importantly, further improved the perception of Velocity in our customers' and potential customers' eyes.

The principal activity risks and uncertainties of the Group are considered to be the loss of key contracts. Demand has remained firm in the short term despite the ongoing uncertainty arising in the UK economy regarding BREXIT, and the Group's view remains that the demand levels within aerospace manufacturing will continue to increase due to the global aircraft production backlogs which currently are estimated to be between five and ten years, and the increasing use of composites within aerospace manufacturing. Despite this, the business has been able to continue to grow its customer base, and to win additional business with its existing customers.

For many businesses, the negotiations between the United Kingdom and European Union for its future relationship give cause for uncertainty and concern. The planned opening of Velocity's new office in Poland (and recently opened office in Malaysia) go towards mitigating these uncertainties. Whilst the ongoing uncertainty is a natural cause for concern, the aerospace sector is a global market which unlike many other sectors is largely tariff free. The UK is the second largest aerospace market in the world and works in global alliance on long term projects which last for many years. For Velocity, its strategy remains to be country agnostic and to co-locate in aerospace clusters alongside its customers, which helps to mitigate some of the risk that Brexit may otherwise bring to the Group.

In addition, the Group has undertaken various risk mitigation activities which included planning to hold additional stock levels during the Brexit transition dates to mitigate any supply chain issues, undertaking other capacity planning assessments with customers and suppliers, ensuring any tariff and tax changes are fully covered in our contracts and liaising with Government bodies to be prepared for the different outcomes which may come to pass. Supplier risks are detailed below under operational risks.

The Board is also conscious of the risk of exclusively operating in the aerospace sector, foregoing many offers from automotive manufacturers for example, and is comfortable that the risk is mitigated by the forward order books of the aircraft manufacturers and strength of the growing aerospace market.

Financial risk management

The Group uses financial instruments including loans, cash and other items such as trade receivables and trade payables that arise directly from its operations. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to raise finance for the Group's operations.

The existence of these financial instruments exposes the Group to a number of financial risks. These are liquidity risk, credit risk, interest rate risk and exchange rate risk. The Directors review and agree policies for managing each of these risks and they are summarised below.

Liquidity risk

The Group seeks to manage financial risk by ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to meet its foreseeable needs, by the use of invoice discounting, loans and other bank facilities, and to invest cash assets safely and profitably. The Group also has the ability to seek additional funds from the equity markets if necessary.

Credit risk

The Group's trade receivables relate to amounts owed by aerospace supply chain manufacturers. Given the size and stability of the core receivables, the Directors do not believe that credit risk to the Group is significant. The Directors monitor any default risk on a regular and ongoing basis.

Interest rate risk

The Group seeks to manage its interest rate risk through regularly reviewing the interest rates available within the financial marketplace.

Exchange rate risk

The Group seeks to manage the exposure to exchange rate fluctuation it experiences with purchasing raw materials in Sterling, US Dollars and Euros and selling finished kits in the same currency. The Directors monitor the future projected exchange rates and look to mitigate any significant exposure where possible, including by matching receipts and payments in currency and utilising currency exchange facilities.

Operational Risks

The Group has a number of areas of Operational risk which are actively managed including materials and products uniquely provided by a small number of third parties, reliance on key individuals and health and safety. The Group's business depends on materials and products uniquely provided by a small number of third parties in the supply chain. If there is any interruption to the supply of products by these third parties or timing delays, or problems maintaining quality standards then the Group's business will be adversely affected. We meet regularly with our customers to understand their demand needs which change on a regular basis, as well as being in regular contact with suppliers. Given the long lead times on supply this can lead to shortages of products. We have planned increases in our buffer stocks of products to give us additional stock holdings assuming we exit the European Union at the end of March.

The success of the Group will depend upon the continuing efforts (as referred to in the Business Strategy section of the Executive Chairman's report above) to convince customers to outsource their cutting and kitting activities to the Group, and also to then renew these appointments upon contract expiration. This is largely dependent upon the continuation of the high quality service provided by the Group and also by the expertise and relationships of the Board and other Senior employees with these key customers. Without these contract wins, the operational success and growth of the Group will be put at risk.

The Health and Safety of all our staff is a priority item for the Board and a Health and Safety report is presented at each Board meeting.

Outlook

Despite the above risks that the Group faces, the Board remains confident of the ability of the Group to meet the needs of its existing customer base and to use the resources it has available to extend this offering to both existing and new customers.

The Strategic Report as set out in the Executive Chairman's Report, Our Business in the Aerospace Market and the Financial Review on pages 4 to 14 has been approved by the Board.

Alan Kershaw

Chief Financial Officer

21 January 2019

Statement of Corporate Governance

All members of the Board believe strongly in the value and importance of good corporate governance and in our accountability to all of Velocity's stakeholders, including investors, staff, customers and suppliers. The Board has continued to adhere to the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) Corporate Governance Code for small and mid-size quoted companies. The corporate governance framework which the Group operates, including Board leadership and effectiveness, Board remuneration, and internal control is based upon practices which the Board believes are proportional to the size, risks, complexity and operations of the business and is reflective of the Group's values.

The Directors are committed to continuing to enhance the corporate governance framework of the Group in order to ensure that it meets the high standards that it expects, as these are critical to business integrity and to maintaining trust with its customers, suppliers, employees and other important stakeholders. One example of this enhancement has been the appointment of two independent Non-Executive Directors in the period, as detailed below.

In applying the principle that the Board should maintain a sound system of internal control to safeguard the Group, the Directors recognise that they have overall responsibility for ensuring that the Group maintains proper accounting records and a system of internal control to provide them with reasonable assurance regarding effective and efficient operations, internal financial control and compliance with laws and regulations. There are however, inherent limitations in any system of internal control and hence even the most effective system can only provide reasonable, and not absolute, assurance particularly against misstatement or loss. As expected, a key control during the period was the day-to-day supervision of the business by the Executive Directors.

The Board

At the date of this report the Board comprises of the Executive Chairman, the Chief Financial Officer and two Non-Executive Directors. In the latter half of the financial year Jonathan Bridges left the Board after a move from Chief Executive Officer to the role of Chief Technical Officer, Mark Mills then became Executive Chairman on an interim basis and Brian Tenner and Meera Parmar joined the Board as Non-Executive Directors after Peter Turner resigned as a Non-Executive Director. Due to the size of the Board the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary are carried out by the same individual. Alan Kershaw has also indicated that he will in due course be leaving to pursue new opportunities, and has begun a handover to Andrew Hebb, Interim CFO, ahead of the recruitment of a new permanent CFO.

The Chairman has overall responsibility for corporate governance and in promoting high standards throughout the Group. He leads and chairs the Board, ensuring that the committees are properly structured and reviewed on a regular basis, leads in the development of strategy and setting objectives, and oversees communication between the Group and its shareholders.

The Board meets on a regular (usually monthly) basis to deal with matters reserved for its decision. These include agreeing and monitoring strategic plans and financial targets, major decisions on resource, overseeing management of the Group and ensuring processes are in place to manage major risks, treasury matters, changes in accounting policy, corporate governance issues, litigation and reporting to Shareholders.

The monthly Board meetings have a regular agenda with standing items of Health and Safety, Chief Technical Officer report, Chief Operating Officer report, Chief Commercial Officer report, Chief Programmes Officer report, Chief Financial Officer report and management accounts. The Board also receives committee updates on a regular basis. To enable the Board to discharge its duties all Directors receive appropriate and timely information. Briefing papers are distributed by the Company Secretary to all Directors in advance of the meetings.

The Non-Executive Directors are considered by the Board to be independent of management and have both the breadth and depth of skills and experience to fulfil their roles. They meet independently without Executive Directors present and maintain ongoing communications with Executive Directors between formal meetings.

A Board and management evaluation process led by the Chairman took place in March 2018. As a result of the process a number of refinements to working practices were identified and have been adopted. As the business grows, the Executive Directors will be challenged to identify internal candidates who could potentially occupy Board positions and set out development plans for these individuals.

In support of the QCA objective of delivering growth in long term shareholder value during the year the Group undertook off site Board discussions over the Group's short, medium and long term strategic direction, and enabled senior management engagement with strategic advisors over the SC21 C&G processes (the Aerospace and Defence Supply Chain Improvement programme) to meet sector expectations.

Board Committees

There are three formal Board committees that meet independently of Board meetings and one additional executive and senior management meeting as follows:

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee currently has three members, Brian Tenner (Chair), Mark Mills and Meera Parmar. The Chief Financial Officer and external auditors attend by invitation. The Audit Committee responsibilities include the review of the scope, results and effectiveness of the external audit, the review of the Interim and Annual accounts, and the review of the Group's risk management and internal control systems. The Audit Committee advises the Board on the appointment of the external auditors and monitors their performance. The Audit Committee met on three occasions during the year.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee has three members, Meera Parmar (Chair), Mark Mills and Brian Tenner. The Committee is responsible for setting the remuneration arrangements, short term bonus and long-term incentives for the Executive Directors and senior management. In addition the committee oversees the creation and implementation of all employee share plans. The Committee did not meet separately to the Board during the year.

Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee has three members, Mark Mills (Chair), Brian Tenner and Meera Parmar. The Nomination Committee meets as required and is responsible for proposing candidates for appointment to the Board and the structure and composition of the Board as a whole, as well as succession planning. The Committee's responsibilities were discussed as a part of the Board meetings during the year.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee handles the implementation of the Group strategy on behalf of the Board. The Committee comprises of the Executive Directors and other senior managers. It focuses on the long-term vision and strategy for the Group. Primary responsibilities include the oversight of the development, maintenance and implementation of the strategy, management of the overall financial results for the Group, directing operational management and managing shareholder, corporate governance and growth.

Relations with Shareholders

Velocity maintains an active dialogue with its Shareholders through a programme of Investor Relations. We seek to provide effective communications through our Interim and Annual reports, Trading Updates along with Regulatory News Service announcements. Information is also made available to Shareholders through the company's website (www.velocity-composites.com). The Executive Chairman and other Executives meet both private and institutional Shareholders from time to time and all Directors make themselves available to meet Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. The Executive Chairman and Chief Financial Officer meet with Institutional shareholders and analysts following the release of full-year and half year results, and through a combination of formal meetings, roadshows and informal briefings. Following the year end, Brian Tenner and Meera Parmar have engaged with certain institutional investors as requested, in relation to the ongoing discussions between the Company and the founding shareholders.

Engagement with Wider Stakeholders and Social Responsibilities

The Board and senior management engage with wider stakeholders including our staff, clients, suppliers, shareholders, industry bodies and communities in a way to promote the longer-term success of the business. With our staff we have implemented monthly staff briefings, a quarterly staff newsletter as well as completing an annual engagement survey. We are members of industry bodies such as NWAA and NADCAP who are influential in how the Group is perceived by clients. We actively participate in the community through our Social Engagement Team and participate in apprenticeship and other schemes to provide opportunities for young people. We also engage with our clients and suppliers in a number of ways: through dialogue; maintaining high levels of quality; ensuring security of data; delivering continuous availability.

Internal Control

The Board has overall responsibility for the Group's system of internal control. The system of internal control is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives. In pursuing these objectives, internal controls can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The Board performs a regular review of the effectiveness of the system of internal control and takes action as necessary to remedy any significant failings or weaknesses identified in the review. The processes used by the Board to review the effectiveness of the system of internal control include the following:

· An ongoing process of risk assessment to identify, evaluate and manage business risks;

· Management structure with clearly defined responsibilities and authority limits;

· A comprehensive system of reporting financial results to the Board;

· The Audit Committee reviews the effectiveness of the Group's risk management process and significant risk issues are referred to the Board for consideration;

· Appraisal and authorisation of capital expenditure and research and development projects;

· Dual signatories on all bank accounts.

Mark Mills

Chairman

21 January 2019

Consolidated Statement of Total Comprehensive Income

Consolidated and Company Statement of Financial Position

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and not presented its own statement of profit and loss in these financial statements. The result for the year was (£965,000). The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 21 January 2019 and were signed on its behalf by

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Company statement of changes in equity

Consolidated and Company Statement of Cash Flows

1. General information

Velocity Composites Plc (the 'Company') is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. The registered office of the Company is AMS Technology Park, Billington Road, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 5UB, United Kingdom. The registered Company number is 06389233.

In order to prepare for future expansion in the Asia region, the Company established a wholly owned subsidiary company, Velocity Composites Sendirian Berhad, which is domiciled in Malaysia. The subsidiary company commenced trading on 18 April 2018. This subsidiary company together with Velocity Composites plc, now forms the Velocity Composites Group ('the Group').

The Group's principal activity is that of the sale of kits of composite material and related products to the aerospace industry.

2. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in compliance with the measurement and recognition criteria of IFRS as adopted by the European Union.

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and using the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain items, as stated in the accounting policies. These policies have been consistently applied to all periods presented, unless otherwise stated. The financial statements are presented in sterling and have been rounded to the nearest thousand (£'000).

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and not presented its own statement of profit and loss in these financial statements.

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings made up to 31 October 2018. Subsidiaries acquired during the year are consolidated from the date of acquisition, using the purchase method (see "Business combinations" below).

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by the Group. The Group's subsidiaries have prepared their statutory financial statements in accordance with Adopted IFRS, as from 1 May 2015.

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. In assessing control, the Group takes into consideration potential voting rights. The acquisition date is the date on which control is transferred to the acquirer. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated. Unrealised gains arising from transactions with equity-accounted investees are eliminated against the investment to the extent of the Group's interest in the investee. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

Going concern

Having made reasonable enquiries, the Directors are of the opinion that the Group has sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and hence these financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. This assessment has been supported by the preparation and consideration of detailed forecasts for the three years to 31 October 2021 to project the future growth of the Group, and flexing these forecasts through sensitivity analyses.

The forecasts include the revenue of the Group's existing contracts based on demand information provided by its customers, consideration of the cash position of the Group and the appropriate utilisation of the various facilities available for funding this growth. We have also discussed with our bankers and other financial advisers the resultant trading performance and they have indicated a strong desire to continue to support the funding of these growth activities.

Changes in accounting policies

New standards, amendments and interpretations issued and not applied to these financial statements:

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) have issued the following standards which are yet to be applied by the Group:

· IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments'. This standard is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 and will be required to be first applied to the Group's financial reporting for the year ending 31 October 2019. The standard addresses the accounting principles for the financial reporting of financial assets and financial liabilities, including classification, measurement, impairment, derecognition and hedge accounting. Financial assets will continue to be measured at amortised cost. The impairment model under IFRS 9 will reflect 'expected' credit losses, as opposed to 'incurred' credit losses under IAS 39. It is no longer necessary for a credit event to have occurred before credit losses are recognised. As the Group activity monitors the ageing profile of trade receivables, impairments are made where credit risk is apparent. The Directors are undertaking a detailed assessment of the potential impact of IFRS 9.

· IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers'. This standard is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 and will be required to be first applied to the Group's financial reporting for the year ending 31 October 2019. The directors have undertaken an assessment of the impact of IFRS 15. Goods are delivered to customers, and, on their acceptance by the customer, revenue is recognised. At this point, the Group does not have any continued involvement or control over the goods delivered. Customers rarely place specific orders on the Group, and when this occurs will normally take the delivery once available. The Directors are undertaking a detailed assessment of the potential impact of IFRS 15.

· IFRS 16 'Leases'. This standard was issued on 13 January 2016 and is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 and will first apply to the Group's financial reporting for the year ending 31 October 2020. The standard requires lessees to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases with lease terms of more than 12 months, unless the underlying asset is of low value. The most significant impact will be from the Group's operational sites, specifically Burnley, Fareham & Malaysia. The Group does have other non-property related operating leases, but these are not as significant as the property leases. The directors are undertaking a detailed assessment of the potential impact of IFRS 16.

There are no other IFRSs or IFRIC interpretations that are not yet fully effective that could be expected to have a material impact on the Group.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is derived from the engineering and sale of goods and is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable excluding discounts, VAT and other sales taxes or duty. The Group recognises revenue when the engineered goods are delivered to the customer, at which stage the risks and rewards have transferred to the customer and it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity. Invoices raised by the Group are incorporated into the invoice discounting facility provided by the Group's bankers. The asset or liability arising is recognised within the statement of financial position.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of costs incurred in bringing each product to its present location and condition compared to net realisable value as follows:

· Raw materials, consumables and goods for resale - purchase cost on a first-in/first-out basis.

· Work in progress and finished goods - costs of direct materials and labour plus attributable overheads based on a normal level of activity

Net realisable value is based on an estimated selling price less any further costs expected to be incurred for completion and disposal.

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised in respect of goods and services received when supplied in accordance with contractual terms. Provision is made when an obligation exists for a future liability relating to a past event and where the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated. Goods or services supplied in a foreign currency are recognised at the exchange rate ruling at the time of accounting for this expenditure.

Retirement Benefits: Defined contribution schemes

Contributions to defined contribution pension schemes are charged to the statement of comprehensive income in the year to which they relate.

Research and development expenditure

Research expenditure - Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.

Development expenditure - An internally generated intangible asset arising from the Group's own development activity is recognised only if all of the following conditions are met:

· an asset is created that can be identified and is technically and commercially feasible;

· it is probable that the asset created will generate future economic benefits and the Group has available sufficient resources to complete the development and to subsequently sell and/or use the asset created; and

· the development cost of the asset can be measured reliably.

The amount recognised for development expenditure is the sum of all incurred expenditure from the date when the intangible asset first meets the recognition criteria listed above. This occurs when future sales are expected to flow from the work performed. Incurred expenditure largely relates to internal staff costs incurred by the Group.

Subsequent to initial recognition, internally-generated intangible assets are reported at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment.

Amortisation

Amortisation is calculated to write off the cost of intangible assets less their estimated residual values using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives and is generally recognised in the statement of total comprehensive income. The estimated useful lives are based on the average life of a project as follows:

Property, plant and equipment

Items of property, plant and equipment are initially recognised at cost. As well as the purchase price, cost includes directly attributable costs.

Depreciation is provided on all items of property, plant and equipment so as to write off their carrying value over the expected useful economic lives. It is provided at the following methods and rates:

Exceptional items

Items which are both material and non-recurring are presented as exceptional items within the relevant income statement category. The separate reporting of exceptional items helps provide a better indication of the Group's underlying business performance.

Foreign currency translation

Items included in the financial statements of each of the group's entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates ('its functional currency'). The consolidated financial statements are presented in sterling, which Velocity Composites plc's functional and presentation currency.

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates at the dates the transactions occur. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at year end exchange rates are recognised in the Consolidated comprehensive statement of income.

The results and financial position of foreign operations that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency, on consolidation, as follows:

· assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of that balance sheet

· income and expenses for each statement of profit or loss and statement of comprehensive income are translated at average exchange rates, and

· all resulting exchange differences are recognised immediately in the Consolidated comprehensive statement of income.

Impairment of non-financial assets

The carrying values of non-financial assets are reviewed for impairment when there is an indication that assets might be impaired, and at the end of each reporting period. When the carrying value of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is written down accordingly.

Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the impairment test is carried out on the asset's cash generating unit (i.e. the smallest grouping of assets in which the asset belongs for which there are separately identifiable cash flows).

Impairment charges are included in the income statement, except to the extent they reverse previous gains recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

Financial Instruments

All funding requirements and financial risks are managed based on policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors encapsulating the normal day to day trading of the Group. The Group does not use derivative financial instruments such as forward currency contracts, interest rate swaps or similar instruments. The Group does not issue or use financial instruments of a speculative nature.

Financial assets

The Group classifies its financial assets into the categories discussed below and based upon the purpose for which the asset was acquired. The Group has not classified any of its financial assets as held to maturity.

Loans and receivables

These assets are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They arise principally through the provision of services to customers (e.g. trade receivables), but also incorporate other types of contractual monetary asset. They are initially recognised at fair value plus transactions costs that are directly attributable to their acquisition or issue and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment.

The Group's loans and receivables comprise trade and other receivables included within the statement of financial position.

Cash and cash equivalents include cash held at bank, bank overdrafts and marketable securities of very short-term maturity (typically three months or less) which are not expected to deteriorate significantly in value until maturity. Bank overdrafts are shown within loans and borrowings in current liabilities in the statement of financial position.

Impairment provisions are recognised when there is objective evidence (such as significant financial difficulties on the part of the counterparty or default or significant delay in payment) that the Group will be unable to collect all of the amounts due under the terms receivable, the amount of such a provision being the difference between the net carrying amount and the present value of the future expected cash flows associated with the impaired receivable. For trade receivables, which are reported net, such provisions are recorded in a separate allowance account with the loss being recognised within administrative expenses in the income statement. On confirmation that the trade receivables will not be collectable, the gross carrying value of the asset is written off against the associated provision. The Group does not currently carry a provision for uncollectable receivables.

Financial liabilities

The Group classifies its financial liabilities as comprising trade payables and other short-term monetary liabilities, which are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The Group does not currently have any borrowings and utilises invoice discounting in support of its working capital requirements.

Share Capital

Financial instruments issued by the Group are treated as equity only to the extent that they do not meet the definition of a financial liability. The Group's ordinary shares are classified as equity instruments.

Share Premium

Share premium represents the excess of the issue price over the par value on shares issued less costs relating to the capital transaction arising on the issue.

Share-based payment

The Group operates an equity-settled share-based compensation plan in which the Group receives services from Directors and certain employees as consideration for share options. The fair value of the services is recognised as an expense over the vesting period, determined by reference to the fair value of the options granted.

Leased Assets

Finance Lease

Where substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of a leased asset have been transferred to the Group (a 'finance lease') the asset is treated as if it had been purchased outright. The amount initially recognised as an asset is the lower of the fair value of the leased asset and the present value of the minimum lease payments payable over the term of the lease. The corresponding lease commitment is shown as a liability. Lease payments are analysed between capital and interest. The interest element is charged to the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income over the period of the lease and is calculated so that it represents a constant proportion of the lease liability. The capital element reduces the balance owed to the lessor.

Operating Lease

Where substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership are not transferred to the Group (an 'operating lease'), the total rentals payable under the lease are charged to the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The aggregate benefit of lease incentives is recognised as a reduction of the rental expense over the lease term on a straight-line basis.

Current taxation

The tax currently payable is based on the taxable profit of the period. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income because it excludes items of income and expense that are taxable or deductible in other periods and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group's liability for current tax is calculated using rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the statement of financial position date.

Deferred taxation

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the statement of financial position differs from its tax base, except for differences arising on:

- the initial recognition of goodwill;

- the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit.

Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the difference can be utilised.

The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the deferred tax liabilities or assets are settled or recovered. Deferred tax balances are not discounted.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the Group has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority on either the same taxable Company; or different Company entities which intend either to settle current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be settled or recovered.

Operating Segments

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the Board of Directors. The Group supplies a single type of product into a single industry and so has a single segment. Additional information is given regarding the revenue receivable based on geographical location of the customer.

No differences exist between the basis of preparation of the performance measures used by management and the figures in the Group financial information.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The Group makes certain estimates and assumptions regarding the future. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based on historical experience and other factors, including the expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. In the future, actual experience may differ from these estimates and assumptions. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

Useful lives of depreciable assets

Management reviews the useful lives of depreciable assets (both tangible and intangible) at each reporting date. At the reporting date management assesses that the useful economic lives represent the expected life of the assets to the Group. Actual results, however, may vary due to unforeseen events.

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets

At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets 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.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or subsidiary) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised as an expense immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

Stock provisions

Stock provisions are made for obsolete, out of life and slow-moving stock items assessed by key management. Stock is accounted for on a first in, first out basis.

3. Financial instruments & Risk Management

The Board has overall responsibility for the determination of the Group's risk management objectives and policies. The overall objective of the Board is to set policies that seek to reduce risk as far as possible without unduly affecting the Group's competitiveness and flexibility. The Group reports in Sterling. All funding requirements and financial risks are managed based on policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The Group does not use derivative financial instruments such as forward currency contracts, interest rate swaps or similar instruments. The Group does not currently issue or use financial instruments of a speculative nature but as described in the strategic report, management may consider the potential utilisation of such instruments in the future. The Group utilises an invoice discounting facility with its bankers to assist in its cash flow management. In accordance with the terms of the current facility (which is available on demand) the risk and management of trade debtors is retained by the Group.

Financial instruments

Risk Management

The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (primarily foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group's overall risk management programme focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group's financial performance. Risk management is carried out by the Board and their policies are outlined below.

a) Market risk

Foreign exchange risk

The Group is exposed to transaction foreign exchange risk in its operations both within the UK and overseas. Transactions are denominated in Sterling, US Dollars, Euros and Ringgits. The Group has commercial agreements in place which allow it to transact with its customers in the currency of the material purchase, thereby allowing currency risk to pass through the Group.

The carrying value of the Group's foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities comprise the inventories in Note 14, trade receivables in Note 15, cash in Note 16 and trade payables in Note 17.

Whilst the majority of the Group's financial assets are held in Sterling, movements in the exchange rate of the US Dollar, Euro or Ringgit against Sterling do have an impact on both the result for the year and equity. The Group's assets and liabilities that are held in US Dollar, Euro or Ringgits are held in those currencies for normal trading activity in order to recover funds from customers or to pay funds to suppliers. The Group does not speculatively hold positions in US Dollar, Euro or Ringgits, and therefore the Group considers the residual risk at the yearend to be insignificant.

Interest rate risk

The Group carries no significant borrowings apart from leases. Therefore, with the exception of the invoice discounting facility which attracts an interest rate of 2.25%, the Directors consider that there is no significant interest rate risk.

b) Credit risk

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. In order to minimise this risk, the Group endeavours only to deal with companies which are demonstrably creditworthy and this, together with the aggregate financial exposure, is continuously monitored. The maximum exposure to credit risk is the value of the outstanding amount.

Supply of products by the Group results in trade receivables which the management consider to be of low risk, other receivables are likewise considered to be low risk. However, four of the customers comprise in excess of 10% of the revenue earned by the Group (see Note 4). Credit risk on cash and cash equivalents is considered to be small as the counterparties are all substantial banks with high credit ratings. The maximum exposure is the amount of the deposit.

c) Liquidity risk

The Group currently holds cash balances in Sterling, US Dollars, Euros and Ringgits to provide funding for normal trading activity. Trade and other payables are monitored as part of normal management routine. The Group also has access to banking facilities including invoice finance which it utilises when needed in order to manage its liquidity risk.

The finance lease liability is shown gross, inclusive of interest payments.

c) Capital risk management

For the purpose of the Group's capital management, capital includes issued capital and all other equity reserves attributable to the equity holders of the Group. The Group's objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group's ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other members. The Group will also seek to minimise the cost of capital and attempt to optimise the capital structure.

4. Segmental analysis

The Group supplies a single type of product into a single industry and so has a single reportable segment. The Group's subsidiary company, Velocity Composites Sendirian Berhad, is located in Malaysia. Additional information is given regarding the revenue receivable based on geographical location of the customer. An analysis of revenue by geographical market is given below:

During the year four customers accounted for 82.8% of the Group's total revenue for the year ended 31 October 2018. This was split as follows; Customer A - 46.7% (2017: 53.9%), Customer B - 22.2% (2017: 13.7%), Customer C - 13.9% (2017: 10.7%) and Customer D - 13.2% (2017: 8.3%). The majority of revenue arises from the sale of goods. Where engineering services form a part of revenue it is only in support of the development or sale of the goods.

During the year the Group operated in Asia. No revenue was generated in Asia during the year ended 31 October 2018 as the site operates as an Engineering Support Office.

5. Loss from operations 

The operating loss is stated after charging / (crediting):

6. Staff costs

The average monthly number of employees during the period was as follows:

Directors costs

7. Exceptional administrative expenses

8. Finance income and expenses

9. Income tax

The reasons for the difference between the actual tax charge for the year and the standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom applied to profit for the year as follows:

The UK corporation tax rate was 20% between the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2017. The rate reduced to 19% with effect from 1 April 2017 and will reduce to 17% with effect from 1 April 2020. This will reduce the Group's future current tax credit/charge accordingly.

The UK corporation tax rate for the year ended 31 October 2018 is calculated at 19% based upon 12 months at 19%. The UK corporation tax rate for the year ended 31 October 2017 is calculated at 19.50% based upon five months at 20% and six months at 19%.

10. Loss per share

Share options have not been included in the Diluted calculation as they would be anti-dilutive with a loss being recognised.

11. Intangible assets

Annual test for impairment

The Group tests Development costs at each reporting period for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 'Impairment of Assets', and more frequently if there is an indication that the carrying value might be impaired. An indication of impairment can be generated from the loss of a customer, or contracted sales. The Board have provided an impairment of £11,000 relating to development costs capitalised but where no future economic benefits are currently expected to be generated for the Group.

12. Property, plant and equipment

Net book value of assets under finance lease agreements: £000's

13. Investment in subsidiaries

A list of all the investment in subsidiaries is as follows:

14. Inventories

Inventories totalling £2,744k (2017 - £3,266k) are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The Directors consider that this value represents the best estimate of the fair value of those inventories net of costs to sell. The write off of inventories during the year is not material.

The inventory at 31 October 2018 is after a stock provision of £89k (2017: £nil).

Inventories recognised as an expense during the year ended 31 October 2018 amounted to £17,791k (2017: £15,655k), and these were included in cost of sales.

15. Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. They are generally due for settlement within 45 days and therefore are all classified as current. Trade receivables are recognised initially at the amount of consideration that is unconditional unless they contain significant financing components, when they are recognised at fair value. The group holds the trade receivables with the objective to collect the contractual cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at amortised cost. Details about the group's impairment policies and credit risk are provided in note 3.

Trade receivables overdue by:

No receivables have been impaired as none are considered to be uncollectable.

Trade receivables held in currencies other than sterling are as follows:

16. Cash and cash equivalents

Of the total cash balance, £3,756k (2017: £4,554k) relates to cash to be used in compliance with the conditions relating to the EIS investment i.e. new product development and investment into new overseas territories. The Group is required to employ the funds by May 2019 to satisfy EIS conditions.

17. Trade and other payables

Book values approximate to fair values.

18. Grant income deferred

19. Leases

Operating leases

The Group leases motor vehicles and property, comprising both offices and assembly space, under operating leases. The total value of minimum lease payments due is payable as follows: