Portfolio

Company Announcements

Half-year Report

Related Companies

By LSE RNS

RNS Number : 4984R
Westminster Group PLC
22 September 2017
 

 

Westminster Group Plc:

Interim Results for the six months to 30 June 2017

 

Westminster Group Plc ("Westminster", the "Group" or the "Company"), the AIM-listed supplier of managed services and technology based security solutions to governments and government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGO's) and blue chip commercial organisations worldwide, announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2017.

 

Operational Highlights:

 

·    Significant progress on the previously announced Middle East long-term project opportunity and agreement now reached on key issues. Further announcement expected shortly

·    Managed Services now the key focus of the Group and the pipeline of major long-term project opportunities continues to grow. Discussions in progress with governments and airport authorities in various parts of the world

·    New contract awards for equipment and services to airports around the world including a six-month airport security training programme

·    Strong recovery in West Africa passenger numbers continues, several new airlines commencing services including Turkish Airlines due to commence in Q4 2017

·    Agreement reached with other main ferry operator in Sierra Leone, Sea Coach Express, to offer a combined service. Under the terms of the agreement Westminster will continue to manage and operate the ferry terminals, and Sea Coach Express will manage and operate the Sovereign ferry service, including the Sierra Princess.  More vessels will be added to the Sovereign fleet

·    Board strengthened with the appointment of the Rt. Hon Sir Tony Baldry as Chairman and Martin Boden as Chief Financial Officer from 29 June 2017. Sir Malcolm Ross remains on the Board as Deputy Chairman

 

Financial Highlights:

 

·    Group revenues of £2.9m (H1 2016: £2.0m) reflect strong growth in Managed Services and the Technology Division

·    Managed Services revenues up 41% to £1.8m (H1 2016: £1.3m)

·    Technology Division revenues up 41% to £1.0m (H1 2016: £0.7m)

·    Gross margin of 59% (H1 2016: 73%) reflects a negative gross profit from the Ferry operations and the commencement of concession payments to the Sierra Leone Aviation Authority from April 2017

·    Adjusted EBITDA loss of £0.6m (H1 2016: profit £0.2m) primarily a result of losses of £0.4m (H1 2016: nil) on the Ferry operations

·    Reported loss before tax £1.4m (H1 2016: loss of £0.8m)

·    Loss per share 1.4p (H1 2016: 1.2p)

·    £0.6m new equity raised in February 2017 and a further £1.0m raised in April 2017

·    Cash balance of £0.8m at 30 June 2017 and £0.4m at 1 September 2017 (30 June 2016: £0.7m)

 

 

Commenting on the results and current trading Peter Fowler, Chief Executive of Westminster Group, said:

 

"Our financial results for the period show an improved performance by both the Managed Services and Technology Divisions, both of which achieved healthy revenue growth. The ferry operations in Sierra Leone, which commenced services in January 2017, have failed to meet our expectations.

 

"The first six months of the financial year have been defined by our intense focus, efforts and achievements in developing our Managed Services business which has the potential to deliver transformational growth.

 

"In this respect, I am pleased to report that certain Board members including the Chairman and myself have now met with, and reached agreement, with the client and other bodies involved on the key points of the Middle East project opportunity and we are now working with them to finalise the commencement programme and scope. As we have said before, with complex projects of this nature there can never be certainty as to timing or outcome, but I look forward to making a further announcement in the near future.

 

"In view of our focus on Managed Services I am delighted to have reached agreement with Sea Coach Express in Sierra Leone regarding the Sovereign Ferries service which will not only bring the remaining operation more in line with our core business focus but will also be commercially beneficial to the Group. Our airport security business in West Africa is performing well.

 

 "We expect that we will need to seek funding in Q4 2017 in order to support the anticipated Middle East contract and to support the further growth of the business, for which planning is already in place."

 

 

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014

 

 

For further information please contact:

 

 

Westminster Group plc.                                                                               Tel: 01295 756300

Peter Fowler (Chief Executive Officer)

Martin Boden (Chief Financial Officer)

 

S.P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP (NOMAD + Broker)                           Tel: 020 3470 0470

Stuart Gledhill/Lindsay Mair

 

Beaufort Securities Limited (Joint Broker)                                               Tel: 020 73782 8300

Elliot Hance

 

Walbrook PR (Financial PR)                                                                         Tel: 020 7933 8780

Tom Cooper/Paul Vann                                                                                         07971 221972

                                                                                                                                   tom.cooper@walbrookpr.com  

 

 

Notes:

 

Westminster Group plc is a specialist security and services group operating worldwide via an extensive international network of agents and offices in over 50 countries.

 

Westminster's principal activity is the design, supply and ongoing support of advanced technology security solutions, encompassing a wide range of surveillance, detection, tracking and interception technologies and the provision of long-term managed services contracts such as the management and running of complete security services and solutions in airports, ports and other such facilities together with the provision of manpower, consultancy and training services. The majority of its customer base, by value, comprises governments and government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGO's) and blue chip commercial organisations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer's Review

 

Overview

The first six months of the financial year have been defined by our intense focus, efforts and achievements in developing our Managed Services business which has the potential to deliver transformational growth.

 

We have been working hard in 2017 to secure the major Middle East project opportunity. Since our AGM on 29th June 2017 certain Board members, including the Chairman and myself, have now met with, and reached agreement, with the client and other bodies involved on the key points of the project and we are now working with them to finalise the commencement programme and scope. I look forward to making a further announcement in the near future.

 

The progress we have now made in negotiating this complex project, which is one of several long term managed services contracts that we have been negotiating, is a major step in the transition of Westminster into a long term managed security services business, although with complex projects of this nature there can never be certainty as to timing or outcome.  

 

Our airport security operations in West Africa performed well in the first half year as passenger numbers continue to rise and several new airlines commence services. Significant in this respect is Turkish Airlines who are looking to commence services in Q4 of 2017. This service is likely to bring in passengers from new regions and bodes well for further growth.

 

We are securing an increasing number of contracts to assist airport authorities around the world with their equipment and training needs, and have recently secured a six-month airport security training contract at an international airport which further enhances our prospects for our large scale, long term Managed Services opportunities.

 

The performance of our ferry operations, which commenced in January 2017, is not meeting the Board's expectations and future growth forecasts have been downgraded, partly due to mounting competition, with losses greater in quantum and duration than previously forecast. In view of this and the Group's focus on growing its Managed Services operations, the Board has decided to exit from its ferry operations in a responsible manner. We are very pleased to have reached agreement with Sea Coach Express, the largest ferry operator in Sierra Leone, to offer a combined service with effect from Monday 25 September 2017. Our continuing business focus will be managing and operating the ferry terminals under our 21 year managed services agreement signed with the government in 2014. Sea Coach Express will take over responsibility for management and operation of the ferry service and the Sierra Princess, expanding the Sovereign fleet with several more vessels.

 

We raised a total of £1.6m of new equity in February and April 2017, and Darwin Capital converted their remaining debt into equity in February 2017. These new funds provided financing for the pre-contract costs of the Middle East project and for the other contracts we are working on. Plans are in place to raise further funds to support the anticipated Middle East contract and other potential new contracts and we expect to complete this exercise in Q4 2017.

 

Managed Services

The Managed Services Division is now the key focus of the Group, particularly our airport security business, and progress continues to be made. With the ever-increasing global threats to airport security there are numerous opportunities for Westminster to target in emerging markets. Revenues from our airport security operations increased by 41% to £1.8m (H1 2016: £1.3m) with embarking passenger numbers growing by 18% to 57k (H1 2016: 48k). The EBITDA from this division amounted to £0.7m (H1 2016: £0.9m).

 

Passenger numbers continue to grow across all airlines with the exception of Air France who have reduced flight numbers, with their passengers being picked up by their code-share airline, KLM. Fly Mid Africa launched a new service in July 2017. Air Peace will be commencing flights to Nigeria from September 2017 and Turkish Airlines are planning a new route from Istanbul to Sierra Leone later this year, following a successful trial at the end of August/early September airlifting Hajj pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

We continue to grow our pipeline of large scale long term airport and managed services opportunities with three new Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) signed to date in 2017, two in Africa and one in Asia. Contracts of this size and nature are both time-consuming and complex and there is never certainty on timing or outcome. Given the confidential nature of these projects and the time it can take for MoU's and Letters of Intent (LoI) to progress to award of contract, we are no longer announcing any individual MoU or LoI when signed. We will update the market on material developments as appropriate.

 

During the first half year we have secured contracts to assist airport authorities around the world with their equipment and training needs, and have recently secured a six-month airport security training contract at an international airport. This further enhances our prospects for large scale, long term Managed Services opportunities.

 

Whilst airport security remains the key focus of our Managed Services Division, there are also other opportunities such as port security and other infrastructure security solutions that we are pursuing.

 

Ferry Operation

Our ferry services in Sierra Leone, under the branding Sovereign Ferries, commenced formal services in January 2017. In June 2017, we announced that we had secured around 3% of the addressable ferry market, with the market as a whole estimated to be worth around £4 million per annum in revenues and that over the next 12 months we would be seeking to grow our market share to beyond a 14% share (the level at which we anticipated the operation would be providing a positive contribution). However, passenger growth and financial performance are not meeting the Board's expectations, due in part to growing competition. Revenues amounted to £51k (H1 2016: nil) and the EBITDA loss amounted to £0.4m (H1 2016: nil). With future passenger growth forecasts being downgraded, losses would be greater in quantum and duration than previously forecast. The Board have therefore taken the decision to exit the ferry service in a manner which will not adversely affect airport passenger transfer to and from the mainland, which was one of the initial drivers for the ferry service.

 

We have entered into a formal agreement with Sea Coach Express, the largest ferry operator in Sierra Leone, commencing on Monday 25 September. Under this Agreement, Sea Coach will take over the Sovereign (SL) operations and responsibility for management and operation the ferry service and vessels, including the Sierra Princess, and will expand the Sovereign fleet by several more vessels.

 

By combining the ferry operations, the enlarged service will be able to offer the travelling public a greatly enhanced service with increased choice, routes, vessels and landing stages.

 

We will be jointly promoting and marketing the enlarged operation and with more vessels now available, we have cancelled the lease on our second vessel the Sierra Duchess. We will receive a share of revenues on ticket sales made through our own operations, together with a payment for all passengers travelling to and from our terminals.

 

We will continue to operate and manage the terminals in accordance with our 21 year agreement. We still own the Sierra Queen and given our exit from the ferry operations, we will be reviewing our options for the Sierra Queen at the earliest opportunity.

 

The Sierra Queen is, at this stage, excluded from the arrangement with Sea Coach. We have commissioned an inspection of the Sierra Queen and options will be considered to monetise the vessel, including a potential sale, at the earliest opportunity.

 

Technology Division

The Technology Division continues to secure orders for a wide range of products and services delivered to clients all over the world. We are not a manufacturer and are product agnostic, enabling us to deliver the best solution for any given application.

 

Revenues from the Technology Division increased by 40% to £1.0m (H1 2016: £0.7m), with a gross margin of 18% (H1 2016: 16%).  After costs, the EBITDA result was break even (H1 2016: £0.1m profit). Around 10% of the revenues were from maintenance and service as we continue to build the recurring revenue base of the Technology Division.

 

We continue to have a strong enquiry bank from our international Agents and from website enquiries. These leads are followed up by our small sales team at the Group Head Office in Banbury.

 

The expertise of the Technology Division underpins the proposals from our Managed Services Division where we can offer best in class equipment and solutions for our potential customers in emerging markets.

 

Financial Highlights

Revenues for the first half year were strong at £2.9m (H1 2016: £2.0m) with a 41% growth from Managed Services at £1.8m (H1 2016: £1.3m) and a 41% growth from the Technology Division to £1.0m (H1 2016: £0.7m). The Group generated a gross profit of £1.7m (H1 2016: £1.5m) which equates to a gross margin of 59% (H1 2016: 73%). This gross margin decrease is largely due to a negative gross profit from the Ferry operations and the commencement of concession payments to the Sierra Leone Aviation Authority from April 2017.

 

Administrative expenses increased by 71% from £1.7m in H1 2016 to £2.9m, with the increase driven by the costs of the Ferry operations (£0.4m, H1 2016: nil), higher Group and central costs amounting to £1.0m (H1 2016: £0.8m), and exceptional items of £0.4m (H1 2016: £0.3m). In H1 2017 the exceptional items primarily relate to the pre-contract costs of the new Middle East contract, in H12016 they were primarily related to lost margin from lower passenger volumes as a result of the EBOLA crisis in West Africa.

 

The loss from operations of £1.2m was £1.0m higher than in H1 2016 and the EBITDA loss of £0.6m compares to an EBITDA profit of £0.2m in H1 2016.

 

Our underlying cash interest cost was £0.1m (H1 2016: £0.1m) reflecting the 10% per annum interest on the convertible loan notes. A further £0.1m (H1 2016: £0.5m) of non-cash financing charges arose from the amortisation and revaluation of the convertible loan notes. In total, the financing costs amounted to £0.2m (H1 2016: £0.6m).

 

Earnings per share were a loss of 1.4 pence (H1 2016: loss of 1.2 pence). Both the number of shares in issue and the loss after tax increased, resulting in the increased loss per share over H1 2016.

 

Statement of Financial Position and Cash Flow

The Group ended the period with a £0.8m cash balance, and at [1] September 2017 the cash balance was £0.4m. The net cash used in operating activities was £0.7m (H1 2016: £0.1m) with a further £0.1m of cash used in investing activities (H1 2016: £0.6m). £1.4m of cash was generated from financing activities being the £1.6m of new equity raised less costs (H1 2016: £1.2m equity and loan notes).

 

At the end of the period, the Group had a convertible loan note outstanding with a principal of £2.2m (H1 2016: £2.2m) and an amortised cost balance of £2.1m (H1 2016: £2.1m). The coupon is 10% payable quarterly in arrears, it has a conversion price of 35 pence and is repayable in June 2018.

 

Plans are in place to raise further funds to support the anticipated Middle East Managed Services contract and other potential new Managed Services contracts and we expect to complete this exercise in Q4. This fundraising will take into account the June 2018 repayment date of the convertible loan notes.

 

The final convertible loan notes issued to Darwin Capital Limited were converted to equity in April 2017.

 

At the balance sheet date, shareholders' funds stood at £6.7m (H1 2016: £7.1m).

 

In September 2017, an agreement was reached to sell the property transferred to the Group as part of the CTAC settlement for $132k net of selling fees. The proceeds are expected to be received in early October and the sale will result in a gain of $132k being recognised in H2 of the 2017 financial statements.

 

Outlook

We have a strengthened Board and an exciting pipeline of opportunities. The Middle East project opportunity, which is one of several large scale managed services opportunities we are pursuing, is expected be transformational for the Group as and when secured. Both our Managed Services and Technology Divisions are showing strong revenue growth, and the exit from ferry operations should bring us back to achieving a positive contribution from ferry ticket sales and passenger royalties from Q4 2017.

 

We expect to be investing in the business in 2018 and beyond as we secure new Managed Services contract awards, and the Board remains committed to delivering strong growth from 2018 onwards.

 

 

Peter Fowler

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

for the six months ended 30 June 2017

 

 

Note

Six months ended 30 June 2017

Six months ended 30 June 2016

Year ended

 31 December 2016

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

6

2,919

2,033

4,406

Cost of sales

 

(1,208)

(539)

(1,296)

 

 

           

           

          

Gross profit

 

1,711

1,494

3,110

Administrative expenses

 

(2,864)

(1,675)

(4,499)

 

 

           

           

          

Operating profit/(loss)

6

(1,153)

(181)

(1,389)

 

 

 

 

 

Analysis of operating loss

 

 

 

 

Add back depreciation and amortisation

 

207

113

234

Add back share option expenses

 

-

36

103

Add back exceptional items

8

305

216

1,077

 

 

           

           

          

EBITDA profit/(loss) from underlying operations

 

(641)

184

25

 

 

 

 

 

Finance Costs

6,9

(230)

(649)

(566)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

 

(1,383)

(830)

(1,955)

Taxation

 

-

-

46

 

 

           

           

          

Total comprehensive loss attributable to equity shareholders

 

(1,383)

(830)

(1,909)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per share (pence)

7

(1.37)

(1.21)

(2.46)

 

All activities derive from continuing operations.

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (unaudited)

As at 30 June 2017

 

 

 

As at 30th June 2017

As at 30th June 2016

As at 31st December 2016

 

Note

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

397

397

397

Other intangible assets

 

173

32

132

Property, plant and equipment

 

4,488

4,799

4,635

 

 

                       

                       

                      

Total Non-Current Assets

 

5,058

5,228

5,164

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

48

123

198

Trade and other receivables

 

786

1,040

894

Cash and cash equivalents

 

759

709

152

 

 

                       

                       

                      

Total Current Assets

 

1,593

1,872

1,244

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

6,651

7,100

6,408

 

 

 

 

 

Share capital

11

11,324

8,311

8,711

Share premium

 

9,136

9,243

9,169

Merger relief reserve

 

299

299

299

Share based payment reserve

 

594

428

569

Equity Reserve on Convertible Loan Note

 

186

186

186

Revaluation reserve

 

134

134

134

Retained earnings

 

(18,155)

(15,569)

(16,772)

 

 

                       

                       

                      

Total shareholders' equity

 

3,518

3,032

2,296

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current borrowings

12

-

2,594

3,059

Deferred tax liabilities

 

-

54

-

 

 

                       

                       

                      

Total non-current liabilities

 

-

2,648

3,059

 

 

 

 

 

Current borrowings

12

2,073

-

-

Trade and other payables

 

1,055

1,411

1,026

Deferred Income

 

5

9

27

 

 

                       

                       

                      

Total current liabilities

 

3,133

1,420

1,053

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

3,133

4,068

4,112

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

6,651

7,100

6,408

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited)

for the six months ended 30 June 2017

 

 

Share capital

Share premium

Merger reserve

Share based payment reserve

Equity reserve on CLN

Revaluation reserve

Retained earnings

Total share-holders' equity

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1st January 2017

8,711

9,169

299

569

186

134

(16,772)

2,296

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of new shares

1,542

84

-

-

-

-

-

1,626

Costs of new share issues

-

(117)

-

-

-

-

-

(117)

Warrants exercised

4

-

-

-

-

-

-

4

CLN conversion

1,067

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,067

Warrants issued in the period

-

-

25

-

-

-

25

Total transactions with owners

2,613

-

25

-

-

-

2,605

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1,383)

(1,383)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 30th June 2017

11,324

299

594

186

134

(18,155)

3,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1st January 2016

6,345

9,170

299

258

219

134

(14,739)

1,686

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of new shares

1,966

109

-

-

-

-

-

2,075

Costs of new share issues

-

(36)

-

-

-

-

-

(36)

Warrants issued in the period

-

-

170

(33)

-

-

137

Total transactions with owners

1,966

-

170

(33)

-

-

2,176

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

(830)

(830)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 30th June 2016

8,311

9,243

299

428

186

134

(15,569)

3,032

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1st January 2016

6,345

9,170

299

258

219

134

(14,739)

1,686

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of new shares

1,300

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,300

Share options lapsed

-

-

-

(37)

-

-

37

-

Warrants issued in the period

-

-

-

245

-

-

(150)

95

CLN conversion

1,066

-

-

-

(33)

-

(11)

1,022

Share based payment charge

-

-

-

103

-

-

-

103

Loan notes issued

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1)

Total transactions with owners

2,366

-

311

(33)

-

(124)

2,519

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for the year

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1,909)

(1,909)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 31st December 2016

8,711

299

569

186

134

(16,772)

2,296

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (unaudited)

for the six months ended 30 June 2017

 

 

 

Six months ended 30 June 2017

Six months ended 30 June 2016

Year ended

 31 December 2016

 

Note

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

 

(1,383)

(830)

(1,955)

Non-cash adjustments

10

437

798

916

Net changes in working capital

10

291

(30)

(638)

Equity settlement payment

 

-

-

-

 

 

                       

                       

                      

Cash outflow from operating activities

 

(655)

(62)

(1,677)

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

(47)

(568)

(531)

Purchase of intangible assets

 

(54)

-

(105)

 

 

                       

                       

                      

Cash outflow from investing activities

 

(101)

(568)

(636)

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

Gross proceeds from the issue of ordinary shares

 

1,626

990

1,300

Costs of share issues in the period

 

(117)

(40)

(45)

Gross proceeds from the issue of convertible loan notes

 

-

475

1,675

Costs associated with the issues of secured and unsecured convertible loan notes

 

-

(92)

(272)

Borrowing repayments

 

(34)

(33)

(96)

Interest paid

 

(112)

(111)

(247)

 

 

                       

                       

                      

Cash inflow from financing activities

 

1,363

1,189

2,315

 

 

                       

                       

                      

Change in cash and cash equivalents in the period

 

607

559

2

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

 

152

150

150

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

 

759

709

152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

for the six months ended 30 June 2016

 

1.      General information and nature of operations

 

Westminster Group Plc (the "Company") was incorporated on 7 April 2000 and is domiciled and incorporated in the United Kingdom and quoted on AIM. The Group's financial statements for the six month period ended 30th June 2017 consolidate the individual financial information of the parent company and its subsidiaries. The Group designs, supplies and provides on-going advanced technology solutions and services to governmental and non-governmental organisations on a global basis.

 

2.      Basis of preparation

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are for the six months ended 30 June 2017. They have been prepared following the recognition and measurement of principles of IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The statements do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2016.

 

These consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies adopted in the last annual financial statements, which were for the year ended 31 December 2016.

 

These consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2017 have neither been audited nor reviewed by the Group's auditors. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2016 set out in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 have been reported on by the Company's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was unqualified in accordance with Section 495 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

3.      Going concern

 

The directors have, at the time of approving this interim report, a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

 

4.      Basis of consolidation

 

These Group financial statements consolidate those of the Group and its subsidiary undertakings drawn up to 30 June 2017. Subsidiaries are entities over which the Group has the power to control the financial and operating policies so as to obtain benefits from their activities. The Group obtains and exercises control through voting rights. Consolidation is conducted by eliminating the investment in the subsidiary together with the parent's share of the net equity of the subsidiary.

 

5.      Functional and presentational currency

 

The financial information has been presented in pounds sterling, which is the Group's presentational currency. All financial information presented has been rounded to the nearest thousand.

 

6.      Segmental reporting

 

Operating segments

 

The Board considers the Group on a Business Unit basis. Reports by Business Unit are used by the chief decision-maker in the group. The Business Units operating during the year are the three main operating companies, Westminster Aviation, Westminster International and Sovereign Ferries. This split of business segments is based upon the products and services each offer.

 

Six months ended 30th June 2017

Managed Services Aviation

Technology

Managed Services Sovereign Ferries

Group and Central Costs

Group

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supply of products and solutions

-

906

-

-

906

Supply and installation contracts

-

15

-

-

15

Maintenance and service

-

99

-

-

99

Airport security fees

1,755

-

-

-

1,755

Training and consultancy

93

-

-

-

93

Ferry ticket sales

-

-

51

-

51

Segment revenue

1,848

1,020

51

-

2,919

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segmental underlying EBITDA

683

(12)

(427)

(885)

(641)

Exceptional items

(255)

-

-

(50)

(305)

Depreciation & amortisation

(73)

(8)

(102)

(24)

(207)

Apportionment of central overheads

(584)

(375)

-

959

-

Segment Operating result

(229)

(395)

(529)

-

(1,153)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance cost

-

-

-

(230)

(230)

Segment profit/(loss) for the period before taxation

(229)

(395)

(529)

(230)

(1,383)

 

 

 

 

Six months ended 30th June 2016

Managed Services Aviation

Technology

Managed Services Sovereign Ferries

Group and Central Costs

Group

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supply of products and solutions

-

314

-

-

314

Supply and installation contracts

-

232

-

-

232

Maintenance and service

1,303

179

-

-

1,482

Airport security fees

-

-

-

-

-

Training and consultancy

5

-

-

-

5

Segment revenue

1,308

725

-

-

2,033

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segmental underlying EBITDA

871

82

-

(769)

(184)

Exceptional items

(252)

-

-

-

(252)

Depreciation & amortisation

(47)

(5)

(51)

(10)

(113)

Apportionment of central overheads

(436)

(343)

-

779

-

Segment Operating result

136

(266)

(51)

-

(181)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance cost

-

-

-

(649)

(649)

Segment profit/(loss) for the period before taxation

136

(266)

(51)

(649)

(830)

 

Geographical areas

 

The Group's international business is conducted on a global scale, with agents present in all major continents. The following table provides an analysis of the Group's sales by geographical market, irrespective of the origin of the goods/services.

 

 

Six months ended 30 June 2017

Six months ended 30 June 2016

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

United Kingdom and Europe

489

43

Africa

2,033

1,850

Middle East

129

20

Rest of the World

268

120

 

                       

                       

Total revenue

2,919

2,033

 

7.      Loss per share

 

The loss per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. For diluted earnings per share the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.  Only those outstanding options that have an exercise price below the average market share price in the year have been included. For each period the issue of additional shares on exercise of outstanding share options would decrease the basic loss per share and therefore there is no dilutive effect.

 

The weighted average number of ordinary shares is calculated as follows:

 

 

 

Six months ended 30 June 2017

Six months ended 30 June 2016

Year ended

 31 December 2016

 

 

'000

'000

'000

 

 

 

 

 

Number of issued ordinary shares at the start of period

 

87,107

63,455

63,455

Effect of shares issued during the period

 

13,822

4,946

14,261

 

 

                                 

                       

                              

Weighted average basic and diluted number of shares for period

 

100,929

68,401

77,716

 

8.      Exceptional items

 

 

Six months ended 30 June 2017

Six months ended 30 June 2016

Year ended

 31 December 2016

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Middle East contract pre-contract costs

255

-

220

Fall in passenger numbers due to Ebola crisis

-

200

272

Ferry setup costs not capitalised

-

-

585

Other

50

16

-

 

                       

                       

                      

Total exceptional items

305

216

1,077

 

9.      Finance costs

 

 

Six months ended 30 June 2017

Six months ended 30 June 2016

Year ended

 31 December 2016

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Interest payable on bank and other borrowings

(9)

1

(30)

Cash interest expenses on convertible loan notes

(106)

(112)

(224)

 

                       

                       

                      

Underlying finance costs

(115)

(111)

(254)

Non cash amortised finance cost on convertible loan notes

(115)

(538)

(312)

 

                       

                       

                      

Total finance costs

(230)

(649)

(566)

 

10.    Cash flow adjustments and changes in working capital

 

The following non-cash items and adjustments for changes in working capital have been made to loss before tax to arrive at operating cash flow:

 

 

Six months ended 30 June 2017

Six months ended 30 June 2016

Year ended

 31 December 2016

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Adjustment for non-cash items

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment of non-financial assets

207

113

234

Finance costs

230

649

566

Loss on disposal of non-financial assets

-

-

13

Share-based payment expenses

-

36

103

 

                       

                       

                      

Total adjustments

437

798

916

 

 

 

 

Net changes in working capital:

 

 

 

Decrease/(increase)in inventories

150

(66)

(141)

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

134

(245)

(410)

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

7

281

(87)

 

                       

                       

                      

Total changes in working capital

291

(30)

(638)

 

11.    Called up share capital

 

Ordinary Share Capital

6 months to 30th June

 2017

6 months to 30th June 2016

Year to 31st December 2016

 

Number

£'000

Number

£'000

Number

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the beginning of the period

 87,107,903

 8,711

 63,454,538

 6,345

 63,454,538

 6,345

Arising on conversion or convertible loan notes

 10,669,227

 1,067

 6,659,567

 666

 10,653,365

 1,066

Shares issued to Beaufort Securities in settlement of their annual fee

 250,000

 25

-

-

-

-

Arising on exercise of Share options

 55,000

 4

-

-

-

-

Other issues for cash

 15,161,290

 1,517

 13,000,000

 1,300

 13,000,000

 1,300

At the end of the period

 113,243,420

 11,324

 83,114,105

8,311

 87,107,903

 8,711

 

12.    Borrowings

 

 

Six months ended 30 June 2017

Six months ended 30 June 2016

Year ended

 31 December 2016

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Current borrowings (due < 1 year)

 

 

 

Convertible loan note

2,073

-

-

 

                       

                       

                      

Total current borrowings

2,073

-

-

 

 

 

 

Non-current borrowings (due > 1 year)

 

 

 

Convertible loan note

-

2,071

2,071

Convertible unsecured loan note

-

472

952

Other

-

51

36

 

                       

                       

                      

Total non-current borrowings

-

2,594

3,059

 

                       

                       

                      

Total borrowings

2,073

2,594

3,059

 

13.    Post balance sheet events

 

In September 2017, an agreement was reached with Sea Coach Express Limited, to operate the Sovereign Ferries operation in Sierra Leone. This agreement is expected to generate a positive contribution to the Group from the ferry operation, but will require a write down of assets in due course. At the date of this report the write down as not been quantified but the quantum should be known when the full year results to 31 December 2017 are available.

 

In September 2017, an agreement was reached to sell the property transferred to the Group as part of the CTAC settlement for $132k net of selling fees. The proceeds are expected to be received in early October and the sale will result in a gain of $132k being recognised in H2 of the 2017 financial statements.  

 

14.    Approval of interim financial statements

 

The interim financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 21 September 2017.

 

15.    Copies of interim financial statements

 

A copy of these interim financial statements is available on the Company's website, www.wsg-corporate.com  and from the Company Secretary at the company's registered office, Westminster House, Blacklocks Hill, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX17 2BS.

 

 


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
IR SEMFMFFWSEIU

Top of Page