TIDMBC12 TIDMBCAP

RNS Number : 8833X

Better Capital PCC Limited

23 December 2019

23 December 2019

BETTER CAPITAL PCC LIMITED

(the "Company")

INTERIM RESULTS UPDATE

Better Capital PCC Limited announces its 2019 interim results for both the 2009 Cell and the 2012 Cell.

2009 Cell Interim Results

-- NAV at 30 September 2019: GBP26.4 million, NAV at 31 March 2019: GBP27.8 million, NAV at 30 September 2018: GBP28.3 million

   --      GBP210.0 million total capital raised 
   --      GBP203.8 million net proceeds invested in Fund I 
   --      GBP288.8 million/137.5 per cent. cumulative distributions and redemptions to date 
 
 Key Financials 
 
 NAV                                                         GBP26.4 m 
------------------------------------------------------  -------------- 
 
 NAV per share                                             74.87 pence 
------------------------------------------------------  -------------- 
 
 Annualised NAV total return (including distributions) 
  (1)                                                    6.4 per cent. 
------------------------------------------------------  -------------- 
 
 Share price at 30 September 2019                          48.50 pence 
------------------------------------------------------  -------------- 
 
 Market capitalisation at 30 September 2019                   GBP17.1m 
------------------------------------------------------  -------------- 
 
   --      9 total platform investments 
   --      10 follow-on investments 

-- 7 realisations - Gardner, Santia, ATH Coal, Calyx Managed Services Reader's Digest, Fairline, SPOT(2)

   --      2 remaining assets - m-hance, Omnico 
   --      8.7 years average holding period of remaining portfolio companies 
   --      GBP0.3 million net debt across Fund I portfolio companies 

(1) Internal rate of return since inception, based on the net proceeds of share issues and distributions to shareholders

(2) SPOT, a minority holding in Fund I

2012 Cell Interim Results

-- NAV at 30 September 2019: GBP46.6 million, NAV at 31 March 2019: GBP55.6 million, NAV at 30 September 2018: GBP58.0 million

   --    GBP355.5 million total capital raised 
   --    GBP347.4 million net proceeds invested in Fund II 
   --    GBP99.6 million/28.0 per cent. cumulative distributions to date 
 
 Key Financials 
 
 NAV                                                             GBP46.6 m 
-------------------------------------------------------  ----------------- 
 
 NAV per share                                                 16.11 pence 
-------------------------------------------------------  ----------------- 
 
 Annualised NAV total decline (including distributions) 
  (1)                                                     (12.9) per cent. 
-------------------------------------------------------  ----------------- 
 
 Share price at 30 September 2019                               7.85 pence 
-------------------------------------------------------  ----------------- 
 
 Market capitalisation at 30 September 2019                      GBP22.7 m 
-------------------------------------------------------  ----------------- 
 
   --    6 total platform investments 
   --    1 follow-on investment 
   --    4 realisations -iNTERTAIN, City Link, Jaeger, Northern Aerospace 
   --    2 remaining assets - Everest, SPOT 
   --    6.4 years average holding period of remaining portfolio companies 
   --    GBP25.6 million net debt across Fund II portfolio companies 

(1) Internal rate of return since inception, based on the net proceeds of share issues and distributions to shareholders

 
 For further information, please contact: 
 
                                                      +44 (0) 1481 742 
 Better Capital PCC Limited                                        742 
 Norman Amey (Administrator and Company Secretary) 
 
                                                       +44 (0) 20 7260 
 Numis Securities                                                 1000 
 Nathan Brown 
 

Chairman's Statement

Better Capital PCC Limited, including its two cells, the 2009 Cell and the 2012 Cell, today issues its Interim Report for the six month period ended 30 September 2019.

Better Capital 2009 Cell

The 2009 Cell NAV summary is set out below.

The table below summarises the movement of cost and fair value at Fund level and so does not reflect the movement of the primary statements. The total composition of the 2009 Cell NAV has been analysed below.

 
                                         Value   Movement    Movement      Value 
                                        at Mar    at cost    in value    at Sept 
                                          2019      GBP'm       GBP'm       2019 
                                         GBP'm                             GBP'm 
 m-hance                                  10.8      (0.3)         0.3       10.8 
                                      --------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Omnico                                   14.0      (0.3)       (1.2)       12.5 
                                      --------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
                                          24.8      (0.6)       (0.9)       23.3 
                                      --------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Fund cash on deposit                      2.9                               3.0 
                                      --------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Fund & SPV combined other net             0.1                                 - 
  assets attributable to 2009 Cell 
                                      --------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Provision for carried interest              -                                 - 
                                      --------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 2009 Cell fair value of investment 
  in Fund I                               27.8                              26.3 
                                      --------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 2009 Cell cash on deposit                 0.1                               0.1 
                                      --------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 2009 Cell current assets less           (0.1)                                 - 
  liabilities 
                                      --------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 2009 Cell NAV                            27.8                              26.4 
                                      --------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 

The Fund I portfolio value declined by GBP1.5 million in the six months to 30 September 2019. Omnico suffered a GBP1.5 million value reduction, being a GBP1.2 million of value decline compounded by a shareholder loan repayment of GBP0.3 million. Overall there was a 5 per cent. decline in the 2009 Cell NAV during the review period.

m-hance is on track to achieve its FY19 budget at both the revenue and EBITDA level. Over the course of the past year, the business has fundamentally found product market fit, improved its focus on delivery and sales conversion. External validation from Microsoft has been beneficial, with m-hance recognised as the market leader in legislative compliant CRM software for the Not-for-Profit sector. The focus in the coming year is to leverage on its solid current year performance and drive revenue and profit growth further.

Whilst it is encouraging that Omnico continues to add net new customers specifically to its new V6 product, profitability has been impacted due to early issues with implementation, now overcome, and further development work required to meet the requirements of its US customers. Alan Moody, the incumbent CEO at m-hance has been appointed Chair at Omnico.

Comprehensive details on Fund I's investment activities, portfolio companies and valuation are set out in the Fund I GP's report below.

Better Capital 2012 Cell

The 2012 Cell NAV summary is set out below.

The table below summarises the movement of cost and fair value at Fund level and so does not reflect the movement of the primary statements. The total composition of the 2012 Cell NAV has been analysed below.

 
                                           Value      Movement    Movement        Value 
                                        at March    at cost(1)    in value           at 
                                            2019         GBP'm       GBP'm    Sept 2019 
                                           GBP'm                                  GBP'm 
 Everest                                    20.0           4.0       (9.0)         15.0 
                                      ----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 SPOT                                       25.2         (2.5)         2.5         25.2 
                                      ----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 2012 Shares                                 1.0         (6.4)      5.4(2)            - 
                                      ----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
                                            46.2         (4.9)       (1.1)         40.2 
                                      ----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 Fund II cash on deposit                     4.1                                 3.8(4) 
                                      ----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 Fund II & SPV combined other 
  net assets attributable to 
  2012 Cell                               5.0(3)                                 2.5(5) 
                                      ----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 2012 Cell fair value of investment 
  in Fund II                                55.3                                   46.5 
                                      ----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 2012 Cell cash on deposit                   0.4                                    0.1 
                                      ----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 2012 Cell current assets less             (0.1)                                      - 
  liabilities 
                                      ----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 2012 Cell NAV                              55.6                                   46.6 
                                      ----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 

(1) The movements at cost are at Fund level

(2) Net movement based on the disposal of 12,677,471 2012 Shares at the volume weighted average price on 2 July 2019, of 9.96 pps

(3) Included the remaining estimated net receivable from the City Link administration, the iNTERTAIN proceeds in escrow and the remainder of the proceeds from the warranty claim of CAV Aerospace Limited.

(4) Includes partial proceeds from the iNTERTAIN escrow

(5) The net remaining iNTERTAIN proceeds in escrow which are expected to be payable after the resolution of legacy matters

The 2012 Cell NAV declined by GBP9.0 million (16.2 per cent.) to GBP46.6 million during the review period, principally due to the further write down in Everest.

During the period, Fund II disposed of 12,677,471 2012 Shares to the Company's 2012 Cell at 9.96 pence per share, totalling GBP1.3 million. The shares were immediately cancelled on acquisition by the Company reducing the total 2012 Shares in issue from 302,181,436 to 289,503,965. The overall effect of this transaction was to reduce the 2012 NAV per share decline in the period from - 16.2 per cent. to -12.5 per cent.

Separately to this, during the period the 2012 Shareholders received distributions totalling GBP2.9 million (equivalent to 1.0 pps), following the disposal of subsidiaries in SPOT. This distribution has been treated by the Company as a reduction of share capital paid out of monies attributed to the "share capital account".

Performance in Everest remains mixed, but generally unsatisfactory since the issuance of the Annual Report. Improvements have been seen in areas such as pipeline management and the average timeframe taken to install. Cost of poor quality remains an issue, offsetting the profit improvement initiatives. The net effect has resulted in a reduction in the valuation by GBP5 million to GBP15 million. There has been changes in the executive team. John Bostock, a seasoned interim turnaround operator has been appointed Chairman. John was previously CFO at Gardner Aerospace. In addition, a manufacturing director and two quality managers have also been recently appointed.

SPOT has experienced a high level of activity during the review period. This included the completion of the consolidation of its footprint from four to two distribution centres and introducing initiatives to target new sales. However, the market in which SPOT operates continues to be largely contracting. Sales in OfficeTeam have deteriorated stemming from purchasing cut-backs in its customer base. Tightening of credit insurance availability has had an adverse impact, particularly for Spicers customers. The effect is that the market is seeing a higher level than normal of corporate failures and considerable efforts at consolidation. SPOT is well-positioned to take advantage of the changing market dynamics due to the relative strength of its balance sheet.

Further details on Fund II's activities, portfolio companies and valuation are set out in the Fund II GP's report below.

Overall clearly not a good period despite very considerable efforts by the Fund GPs and by management. All of the businesses have clear potential for improvement and it remains frustrating that it is taking so long to achieve.

Richard Crowder

Chairman

20 December 2019

Statement of Responsibility and Other Information

Responsibility Statement

The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

-- the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union; and

-- the Interim Financial Report meets the requirements of an interim management report (as defined below), and includes a fair review of the information required by:

a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first period of the financial year; and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties of the remaining six months of the year; and

b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first period of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the audited financial statements that could do so.

Interim management report

   --       Important events of the interim period 

The important events that have occurred during the interim period and the key factors influencing the financial statements are all set out in this report, comprising: the Chairman's Statement, Fund I General Partner's Report, Investment Report of Fund I, Fund II General Partner's Report, Investment Report of Fund II and the Financial Statement sections.

   --       Principal risks 

There are a number of risks that could have a material impact on the future performance of the Company.

The Board considers that the principal risks and uncertainties have not materially altered from those published in the Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2019. The Company's principal risk relates to the financial and operational performance of the Fund I and Fund II portfolios. The Board has considered the impact of Brexit and the recent electoral results and political climate in light of each portfolio company valuation.

The Company's principal risk factors are fully discussed in the Company's prospectuses, available on the Company's website www.bettercapital.gg.

The Directors of the Company are listed below and have been directors throughout the period.

By order of the Board

Richard Crowder

Chairman

20 December 2019

Independent Review Report to Better Capital PCC Limited

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2019 which comprises the Company Condensed Statement of Financial Position, Company Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income, Company Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity, Company Condensed Statement of Cash Flows and Company related notes.

We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

Directors' responsibilities

The interim financial report is the responsibility of and has been approved by the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim financial report in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity", issued by the Financial Reporting Council for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2019 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, as adopted by the European Union, and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Use of our report

Our report has been prepared in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the Company in meeting its responsibilities in respect of interim financial reporting in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose. No person is entitled to rely on this report unless such a person is a person entitled to rely upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of our terms of engagement or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior written consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this report to any other person or for any other purpose and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability.

BDO Limited

Chartered Accountants

Place du Pré,

Rue du Pré,

St Peter Port,

Guernsey

20 December 2019

Condensed Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 September 2019

 
                                                As at          As at         As at 
                                         30 September   30 September      31 March 
                                                 2019           2018          2019 
                                 Notes        GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000 
                                          (unaudited)    (unaudited)     (audited) 
 ASSETS: 
 Non-current assets 
 Investment in Limited 
  Partnerships                       4         72,859         85,596        83,072 
                                        -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 Total non-current assets                      72,859         85,596        83,072 
                                        -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables                        3              -             7 
 Cash and cash equivalents                        314            904           512 
                                        -------------  ------------- 
 Total current assets                             317            904           519 
                                        -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 
 TOTAL ASSETS                                  73,176         86,500        83,591 
                                        -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                       (147)          (168)         (185) 
                                                       ------------- 
 Total current liabilities                      (147)          (168)         (185) 
                                        -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 
 TOTAL LIABILITIES                              (147)          (168)         (185) 
                                        -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 NET ASSETS                                    73,029         86,332        83,406 
                                        =============  =============  ============ 
 
 EQUITY 
 Share capital                       6        231,731        235,889       235,889 
 Accumulated losses                         (158,702)      (149,557)     (152,483) 
                                                       ------------- 
 TOTAL EQUITY                                  73,029         86,332        83,406 
                                        =============  =============  ============ 
 
 Number of 2009 Shares 
  in issue at 
  period/year end                    6     35,262,505     35,262,505    35,262,505 
                                        =============  =============  ============ 
 Number of 2012 Shares 
  in issue at period/year 
  end                                6    289,503,965    302,181,436   302,181,436 
                                        =============  =============  ============ 
 Net asset value per 2009 
  Share (pence)                      8          74.87          80.28         78.85 
 Net asset value per 2012 
  Share (pence)                      8          16.11          19.20         18.40 
 

The unaudited condensed interim financial statements of the Company were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 20 December 2019 and signed on their behalf by:

   Richard Crowder                                     Richard Battey 
   Chairman                                                             Director 

The notes below form an integral part of the Company's condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                                Six months         Six months 
                                           to 30 September    to 30 September       Year ended 
                                                      2019               2018    31 March 2019 
                                 Notes             GBP'000            GBP'000          GBP'000 
                                               (unaudited)        (unaudited)        (audited) 
 Income 
 Change in fair value of 
  Investments in Limited 
  Partnerships                       4             (6,042)           (38,682)         (41,206) 
 Distributions                                         150                  -                - 
 Total income                                      (5,892)           (38,682)         (41,206) 
                                        ------------------  -----------------  --------------- 
 
 
 Expenses 
 Administration fees                                    88                110              202 
 Directors' fees and expenses        7                 108                119              238 
 Legal and professional 
  fees                                                  53                 70              161 
 Other fees and expenses                                25                 29               53 
 Audit fees                                             24                 33               67 
 Insurance premiums                                      -                  -               27 
 Registrar fees                                         29                 39               54 
                                                            ----------------- 
 Total expenses                                        327                400              802 
                                        ------------------  -----------------  --------------- 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive 
  expense for the period/year                      (6,219)           (39,082)         (42,008) 
                                        ==================  =================  =============== 
 
 Basic and diluted earnings 
  per 2009 Share (pence)             8              (3.97)            (34.33)          (35.77) 
                                        ==================  =================  =============== 
 Basic and diluted earnings 
  per 2012 Share (pence)             8              (1.63)             (8.73)           (9.62) 
                                        ==================  =================  =============== 
 

The notes below form an integral part of the Company's condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                           Share   Accumulated      Total 
                                         capital        losses     equity 
                                         GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 As at 1 April 2019                      235,889     (152,483)     83,406 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive 
  expense for the financial period             -       (6,219)    (6,219) 
 Total comprehensive expense 
  for the period                               -       (6,219)    (6,219) 
 
 Transactions with owners 
 Distributions                           (2,895)             -    (2,895) 
 Share buyback and cancellation          (1,263)             -    (1,263) 
 Total transactions with owners          (4,158)             -    (4,158) 
                                       ---------  ------------  --------- 
 As at 30 September 2019 (unaudited)     231,731     (158,702)     73,029 
                                       =========  ============  ========= 
 
                                           Share   Accumulated      Total 
                                         capital        losses     equity 
                                         GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 As at 1 April 2018                      288,950     (110,475)    178,475 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive 
  expense for the financial period             -      (39,082)   (39,082) 
                                       ---------  ------------  --------- 
 Total comprehensive expense 
  for the period                               -      (39,082)   (39,082) 
                                       ---------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Transactions with owners 
 Distributions                          (48,348)             -   (48,348) 
 Share buyback and cancellation          (4,713)             -    (4,713) 
                                       ---------  ------------  --------- 
 Total transactions with owners         (53,061)             -   (53,061) 
                                       ---------  ------------  --------- 
 As at 30 September 2018 (unaudited)     235,889     (149,557)     86,332 
                                       =========  ============  ========= 
 
                                           Share   Accumulated      Total 
                                         capital        losses     equity 
                                         GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 As at 1 April 2018                      288,950     (110,475)    178,475 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive 
  expense for the financial year               -      (42,008)   (42,008) 
                                       ---------  ------------  --------- 
 Total comprehensive expense 
  for the year                                 -      (42,008)   (42,008) 
                                       ---------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Transactions with owners 
 Distributions                          (48,348)             -   (48,348) 
 Share buyback and cancellation          (4,713)             -    (4,713) 
 Total transactions with owners         (53,061)             -   (53,061) 
                                       ---------  ------------  --------- 
 As at 31 March 2019 (audited)           235,889     (152,483)     83,406 
                                       =========  ============  ========= 
 

The notes below form an integral part of the Company's condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                      Six months     Six months 
                                              to             to   Year ended 
                                    30 September   30 September     31 March 
                                            2019           2018         2019 
                                         GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000 
                                     (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
 Cash flows from operating 
  activities 
 Loss for the financial 
  period/year                            (6,219)       (39,082)     (42,008) 
 Adjustments for: 
 Change in fair value of 
  investments in Limited 
  Partnerships                             6,042         38,682       41,206 
 Movement in debtors and 
  prepayments                                  4            855          811 
 Movement in creditors and 
  accruals                                  (38)           (66)         (12) 
 Repayment of loan investment 
  in Limited Partnerships                  2,908         48,361       48,361 
 Net cash generated from 
  operating activities                     2,697         48,750       48,358 
                                   -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Cash flow used in financing 
  activities 
 Distributions                           (2,895)       (48,348)     (48,348) 
 Net cash used in financing 
  activities                             (2,895)       (48,348)     (48,348) 
                                   -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 
 Net movement in cash and 
  cash equivalents during 
  the period/year                          (198)            402           10 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at the beginning of the 
  period/year                                512            502          502 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at the end of the period/year              314            904          512 
                                   =============  =============  =========== 
 

The notes below form an integral part of the Company's condensed interim financial statements.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Financial Statements

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

   1.    General information 

Better Capital PCC Limited is a Closed-ended Investment Company incorporated in, and controlled from Guernsey as a Protected Cell Company. It has an unlimited life and is registered with the GFSC as a Registered Closed-ended Collective Investment Scheme pursuant to the POI Law.

The Company maintains a separate cell account for each class of shares, to which the capital proceeds of issue and the income arising from the investment of these proceeds in the respective fund are credited, and against which the expenses allocated are charged. In any final redemption, shareholders are only entitled to their proportion of the net assets held in the cell relating to the particular shares.

The Company has two cells: 2009 Cell and 2012 Cell. The unaudited financial results for each cell can be found below.

   2.    Accounting policies 

Basis of preparation

The unaudited company condensed financial information included in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2019 has been prepared in accordance with the DTRs and Listing Rules of the UK's FCA and IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU.

The interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual financial statements for the year to 31 March 2019, which are available on the Company's website www.bettercapital.gg. The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with EU adopted IFRS.

The Company does not operate in an industry where significant or cyclical variations, as a result of seasonal activity, are experienced during the financial period.

The same accounting policies and methods of computation are followed in the interim financial statements as in the annual financial statements for the year to 31 March 2019.

There was one new standard applied during the period ended 30 September 2019.

IFRS 16: Leases was adopted for the accounting period beginning on 1 April 2019. As the Company has no leases, there was no impact from the adoption of IFRS 16.

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company, and in turn Funds I and II and the Cells, have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and do not consider there to be any threat to the going concern status of the Company. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these interim financial statements.

Critical accounting judgement and estimation uncertainty

Use of estimates and judgements

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.

The critical accounting judgements and estimation uncertainties for the 2009 Cell and 2012 Cell are stated below.

Taxation

The Company and Cells are exempt from taxation in Guernsey.

   3.    Segmental reporting 

For management purposes, the Company is organised into two main operating segments, being the 2009 Cell and the 2012 Cell. Full details of the 2009 Cell's and 2012 Cell's results are shown below.

   4.    Investment in Limited Partnerships 

Total Investment:

 
                                                        Total 
                                                      GBP'000 
 Fair value 
 Brought forward                                       83,072 
 Fair value movement during period                    (6,042) 
 Repayment of loan investment in Fund I            (4,171)(1) 
 Fair value as at 30 September 2019 (unaudited)        72,859 
                                                  =========== 
 
 
                                                      Total 
                                                    GBP'000 
 
 Fair value 
 Brought forward                                    177,352 
 Fair value movement during period                 (38,682) 
 Repayment of loan investment in Fund I            (53,074) 
 Fair value as at 30 September 2018 (unaudited)      85,596 
                                                  ========= 
 
 
                                                Total 
                                              GBP'000 
 Fair value 
 Brought forward                              177,352 
 Fair value movement during year             (41,206) 
 Repayment of loan investment in Fund I      (53,074) 
 Fair value as at 31 March 2019 (audited)      83,072 
                                            ========= 
 

(1) Of the GBP4.2m repayment, GBP1.3m was a non-cash repayment by way of a share buyback and cancellation of 12,677,471 2012 Shares at the volume weighted average price on 2 July 2019.

The movement in fair value is derived from the fair value movements in the underlying investments held by Fund I and Fund II, net of income and expenses of Fund I and Fund II and their related special purpose vehicles.

The outstanding loans, which form part of the overall investment in the Limited Partnership do not incur interest. The fair value of the loans is expected to be repaid by way of distributions from the Funds. The Company is not entitled to demand repayment of the outstanding loans, however, the General Partners may, upon request by the Company, repay to the Company any amount of the outstanding loan. During the period GBP4.2 million was repaid to the Company by Fund II (Six months to 30 September 2018: GBP53.1 million, Year to 31 March 2019: GBP53.1 million).

In the financial statements of the Company, the fair value of the investments in Limited Partnerships are adjusted to reflect the fair value of the Cells' attributable valuation of net assets within Fund I and Fund II, as seen in more detail in Note 5.

   5.    Fair value 

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the financial assets or financial liabilities are categorised is determined on the basis of the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:

- Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

- Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

- Level 3 - inputs for the assets or liabilities that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The only financial instruments carried at fair value are the investments in Fund I and Fund II which are fair valued at each reporting date.

The Company's investments in Fund I and Fund II have been classified within Level 3 as they have unobservable inputs and are not traded. Amounts classified as Level 3 for the period are GBP26.3 million for Fund I (30 September 2018: GBP28.1 million, 31 March 2019: GBP27.8 million) and GBP46.5 million for Fund II (30 September 2018: GBP57.5 million, 31 March 2019: GBP55.3 million).

Transfers during the period

There have been no transfers between levels during the period.

Valuation techniques

The value of the Cells' investments in the Funds is based on the value of each Cell's limited partner capital and loan accounts within each Fund. This is based on the components within the Funds, principally the value of the underlying investee companies. Any fluctuation in the value of the underlying investee companies will directly impact on the value of the Company's investment in the Funds.

When valuing the underlying investee companies, the GPs of each Fund review information provided by the underlying investee companies and other business partners and apply IPEV methodologies to estimate a fair value that is in adherence to the requirements of IFRS 13 'Fair Value Measurement' as at the reporting date.

The primary method of valuation is the earnings multiple valuation technique, where a multiple that is an appropriate and reasonable indicator of value (given the size, risk profile and earnings growth prospects of the underlying company) is applied to the maintainable earnings of the company. Other methods, as deemed suitable by the GPs, may be used, such as revenue multiple, net assets, break-up value or discounted cash flows. The techniques used in determining the fair value of the Cells' investments are selected on an investment by investment basis so as to maximise the use of market based observable inputs.

Fund II's investment in the shares of the 2012 Cell were valued at the quoted price.

The Board reviews and considers the fair value arrived at by the GPs before incorporating into the fair value of the investment adopted by the Company. The variety of valuation bases adopted, quality of management information provided by the underlying investee companies and the lack of liquid markets for the investments mean that there are inherent difficulties in determining the fair value of these investments that cannot be eliminated. Therefore the amounts realised on the disposal of investments may differ from the fair values reflected in these interim financial statements and the differences may be significant.

The significant unobservable inputs in the 2009 Cell and in the 2012 Cell are shown below.

   6.    Share capital 

Core shares

Authorised:

The Company is authorised to issue an unlimited amount of ordinary shares at GBP1 par value.

Issued and fully paid:

Period ended 30 September 2019

 
                                                 GBP 
 
 Core shares as at 1 April 2019 and as 
 at 30 September 2019                            100 
                                                ==== 
 
 

Period ended 30 September 2018

 
                                                 GBP 
 
 Core shares as at 1 April 2018 and as 
 at 30 September 2018                            100 
                                                ==== 
 

Year ended 31 March 2019

 
                                                 GBP 
 
 Core shares as at 1 April 2018 and as 
 at 31 March 2019                                100 
                                                ==== 
 

Cell shares

Authorised:

The Cells are authorised to issue an unlimited amount of ordinary shares at GBP1 par value.

Period ended 30 September 2019

 
                                 2009 Cell      2012 Cell          Total 
 Issued and fully 
  paid: 
 Unlimited shares 
  of GBP1 par value                    No.            No.            No. 
 Shares as at 1 April 
  2019                          35,262,505    302,181,436    337,443,941 
 Movements for the 
  period                                 -   (12,677,471)   (12,677,471) 
 Shares as at 30 September 
  2019                          35,262,505    289,503,965    324,766,470 
                               ===========  =============  ============= 
 
 Share capital                     GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Share capital as 
  at 1 April 2019                        -        235,889        235,889 
 Movements for the 
  period: 
   Distributions                         -        (2,895)        (2,895) 
   Buyback and cancellation              -        (1,263)        (1,263) 
 Share capital as 
  at 30 September 2019                   -        231,731        231,731 
                               ===========  =============  ============= 
 

Period ended 30 September 2018

 
                                 2009 Cell      2012 Cell          Total 
 Issued and fully 
  paid: 
 Unlimited shares 
  of GBP1 par value                    No.            No.            No. 
 Shares as at 1 April 
  2018                          35,262,505    318,052,242    353,314,747 
 Movements for the 
  period                                 -   (15,870,806)   (15,870,806) 
 Shares as at 30 September 
  2018                          35,262,505    302,181,436    337,443,941 
                               ===========  =============  ============= 
 
 Share capital                     GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Share capital as 
  at 1 April 2018                        -        288,950        288,950 
 Movements for the 
  period: 
   Distributions                         -       (48,348)       (48,348) 
   Buyback and cancellation              -        (4,713)        (4,713) 
 Share capital as 
  at 30 September 2018                   -        235,889        235,889 
                               ===========  =============  ============= 
 

Year ended 31 March 2019

 
                                 2009 Cell      2012 Cell          Total 
 Issued and fully 
  paid: 
 Unlimited shares 
  of GBP1 par value                    No.            No.            No. 
 Shares as at 1 April 
  2018                          35,262,505    318,052,242    353,314,747 
 Movements for the 
  year                                   -   (15,870,806)   (15,870,806) 
 Shares as at 31 March 
  2019                          35,262,505    302,181,436    337,443,941 
                               ===========  =============  ============= 
 
 Share capital                     GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Share capital as 
  at 1 April 2018                        -        288,950        288,950 
 Movements for the 
  year: 
   Distributions                         -       (48,348)       (48,348) 
   Buyback and cancellation              -        (4,713)        (4,713) 
 Share capital as 
  at 31 March 2019                       -        235,889        235,889 
                               ===========  =============  ============= 
 

The five cumulative distributions (reductions of share capital) to date for the 2009 Cell total GBP288.8 million, being 137.5 per cent. of funds raised.

The five cumulative distributions (reductions of share capital) to date for the 2012 Cell total GBP99.6 million, being 28.0 per cent. of funds raised.

   7.    Related party transactions 

The Company has four non-executive Directors. Mr Jon Moulton is a director and the sole shareholder of BECAP GP Limited, the general partner of the Fund I GP and BECAP12 GP Limited, the general partner of the Fund II GP and a substantial shareholder of the Company.

Annual remuneration for each Director is as follows: the Chairman receives GBP70,000, the Chairman of the audit committee receives GBP62,500, the Chairman of the management engagement, nomination and remuneration committee receives GBP60,000 and the other non-executive Director receives GBP45,000. From 1 July 2019, Mr Jon Moulton has waived his Directors' fees.

Directors' fees and expenses for the period to 30 September 2019 amounted to GBP108,000 (31 March 2019: GBP238,000, 30 September 2018: GBP119,000), of which GBP48,000 (31 March 2019: GBP59,000, 30 September 2018: GBP59,000) remained outstanding at the period end.

   8.    Earnings per share and net asset value per share 

The earnings per share and net asset value per share for the 2009 Cell and 2012 Cell are shown below.

   9.    Subsequent events 

Subsequent events for 2009 Cell and 2012 Cell are detailed below.

Better Capital 2009 Cell

Investment policy summary

Better Capital 2009 Cell has invested in a portfolio of businesses which, when acquired, had significant operating issues and associated financial distress, and which have significant activities within the United Kingdom.

The 2009 Cell Investment policy is set out in the Company's prospectus, available on the Company's website www.bettercapital.gg.

General Partner's Report

Portfolio update

m-hance maintained its momentum from the early part of the year and closed its third quarter for the FY19 financial year ending 31 December 2019 with an unaudited EBITDA of GBP0.7 million driven by on budget gross margin performance and overhead cost management. Cash management and strong financial processes remain major strengths at m-hance. The business is on-track to achieve its FY19 revenue and EBITDA budget.

Since my last report, the business has seen several key wins within the Not-for-Profit sector with major projects for The Children's Society and Concern Worldwide being the key orders. These orders were placed during Q2 FY19 providing a new record of sales achieved in the business. As at 30 September new sales orders were 22 per cent. higher year-on-year and are also ahead of budget. The success of the new nfp365 product offerings and subsequent order conversions within the Not-for-Profit sector has seen the professional services order book increase significantly over recent months. The operational focus is to ensure that the delivery of these projects is efficient, effective and timely. The management team under Alan Moody recognises resource utilisation, accurate project management and high-quality delivery as the key indicators to the success of projects.

During 2019 m-hance invested heavily in marketing with a range of on-line and off-line activities designed to position the business as a credible knowledge business partner for both new and existing clients with the benefits beginning to be felt in a growing sales pipeline in both new names and existing clients. Continued investment in Microsoft technologies is borne out through achieving multiple Gold Certifications which is awarded through a co-ordinated and sustained training programme across the business. In addition to Gold Certifications, m-hance has now achieved the status of being a global managed partner within Microsoft's Technology for Social Impact division.

The Enterprise Resource Planning sector has had a successful period with strong order intake and delivery of its Making Tax Digital for VAT products together with successful migrations of customers from on premise solutions to cloud-based platforms within the Microsoft Azure product set. In addition to investing in existing technologies, during FY19, m-hance has invested in training employees in Microsoft's new Enterprise Resource Planning product, Business Central, whilst also developing new intellectual property.

The focus on improving both the consistency as well as the level of customer support has seen case backlog management continuing to improve. This has resulted in quarter ended June and September 2019 backlogs being at the lowest level with daily planning, cross-training and communication routines being the key drivers behind the success.

Company-wide communications have continued throughout the period with the implementation of a new company wide SharePoint solution as well as the deployment of Microsoft's Teams. Both are being utilised to facilitate and encourage effective and consistent communication. Additionally, regular CEO updates and senior management team attendance and presentation at departmental team meetings has encouraged greater collaboration and a common set of behaviours and values throughout the business. The success of these initiatives can be seen from the latest employee survey results. These showed positive progress with Net Promoter Score moving from -13 to +31 in 12 months, "leadership communication" moving from 6.1 to 8.5 and "believing that the business is heading in the right direction" increasing from 7.1 to 8.2.

The valuation for m-hance is unchanged at GBP10.8 million. This has been derived using an earnings approach on the business's maintainable earnings. At 30 September 2019, the business had net debt of GBP0.1 million.

Omnico closed its FY19 financial year ended 30 September 2019 with unaudited revenue of GBP19.2 million and EBITDA of GBP1.7 million. At the half year, Omnico was performing in line with budget and reported revenue and EBITDA of GBP11.0 million and GBP1.9 million respectively. These unaudited figures are stated in line with IFRS15 (revenue recognition) and IFRS16 (lease accounting) standards which the business adopted in FY19.

Omnico's weaker performance in the second half of FY19 resulted directly from difficulties in implementing the new V6 product into new name US customers. During the second half of the year it became apparent that the product was overly configurable, lacked some sector specific functionality and that the implementation processes were not sufficiently robust. As a result, Omnico commenced a project to resolve the issues, diverting 600 resource days to remedying these issues but at the cost of being unable to pursue billable activities.

Subsequent new customers have deployed without the aforementioned issues leaving Omnico confident in its strategy to drive the business from a professional service led development company to a product led software as a service organisation. This journey is underpinned by a clear customer funded product work and continued development of managed service offerings. To support this transition, Omnico have augmented its leadership team through the recruitment of Cloud Services and Professional Services directors who bring experience of operating in a software as a service environment to Omnico.

Omnico's customers continue to support the business and particularly its new products and the pipeline remains strong. Second half wins include a GBP1.2 million 6-year contract with a UK local authority to deliver digital commerce and ticketing solutions to its estate of leisure parks. In addition, Omnico has secured and is delivering a contract to upgrade a major US theme park group to the latest V6 software paving the way for opportunities to expand Omnico's digital services into this key market. Omnico is benefiting from the expansion of its theme park and casino markets in Asia and is working with key US entertainment groups to offer solutions into destinations in China and Hong Kong. The business recognises the need to work with a local partner in this geography and has recently announced a partnership agreement with JOS, a local systems integrator and member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

The Omnico board has been boosted with the appointment of Alan Moody, the incumbent CEO at m-hance as Chair.

The V6 setback impacted on the business's FY19 profitability and momentum resulting in a downgrade of its valuation from GBP14.0 million to GBP12.5 million. Omnico's valuation has been derived using an earnings approach on its maintainable earnings. At 30 September 2019 Omnico had net debt of GBP0.2 million.

Closing remarks

The KPIs in m-hance are encouraging - the business is now well positioned to drive profitable growth. Omnico should follow suit as the V6 issues are fully resolved. The extension to the life of Fund I by a further 18 months should help enhance value for all stakeholders and at present exits look practicable in that timeframe.

Jon Moulton

Chairman

BECAP GP Limited

20 December 2019

Investment Report of Fund I

m-hance

Business description

Implements, deploys and manages enterprise wide business management software solutions (www.m-hance.com) (www.highcloudsolutions.co.uk)

Investment details

 
                                30 September   31 March     30 September 
              GBP'm                     2019       2019             2018 
 
 Fund I fair value (earnings 
  based)                                10.8       10.8             10.5 
 

Omnico Group

Business description

Provider of omni-channel software solutions and services to the retail, hospitality, entertainment and leisure sectors (www.omnicogroup.com)

Investment details

 
                                30 September   31 March     30 September 
              GBP'm                     2019       2019             2018 
 
 Fund I fair value (earnings 
  based)                                12.5       14.0             14.0 
 

Portfolio summary

 
                                                                       Fund fair 
                                                                           value        Valuation 
 30 September                                                      investment in    percentage of        Valuation 
 2019               Sector                 Fund project cost(1)          SPVs(2)              NAV      methodology 
----------------  -------------------                                             ---------------  --------------- 
                                                          GBP'm            GBP'm 
                   Information 
 m-hance            Systems                                14.1             10.8            40.9%         Earnings 
                   Information 
 Omnico Group       Systems                                42.2             12.5            47.3%         Earnings 
 
                                                           56.3             23.3            88.2% 
 -------------------                                                              ---------------  --------------- 
 Fund cash on deposit                                                        3.0            11.4% 
 2009 Cell fair value of investment 
  in Fund I                                                                 26.3            99.6% 
-------------------------------------  ------  ---------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 2009 Cell cash on 
  deposit                                                                    0.1             0.4% 
 2009 Cell NAV                                                              26.4           100.0% 
-----------------  --------------------------  ---------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 

Summary income statement for the Partnership

 
                                                  1 Apr 2019   1 Apr 2018   1 Apr 2018 
                                                          to           to           to 
                                                     30 Sept      30 Sept     31 March 
                                                        2019         2018         2019 
                                                     GBP'000      GBP'000      GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------    -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 Total income                                             15           15           30 
 Net loss on Fund I investment portfolio               (925)     (11,700)     (11,707) 
 Fund I GP's Share                                     (245)        (375)        (691) 
 Other operating expenses                              (128)         (91)        (175) 
 Carried interest movement                                 -          151          151 
 Distributions                                         (150)            -            - 
 Partnership's operating loss 
  for the period/year                                (1,433)     (12,000)     (12,392) 
----------------------------------------------   -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 Portion of the operating loss for 
  the period/year for 2009 Cell's investment 
  in the Partnership (Note 4)                        (1,433)     (12,000)     (12,392) 
-----------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 

(1) Fund I holds its investments at cost less impairment in accordance with the terms of the Limited Partnership Agreement.

(2) 2009 Cell fair values its investment in Fund I in accordance with the accounting policies as set out in Note 2.

Cash Management

As at 30 September 2019, Fund I had placed a total of GBP3.0 million (31 March 2019: GBP2.9 million, 30 September 2018: GBP1.1 million) of cash on instant access deposit with one bank. Fund I has in place a strict cash management policy that seeks to avoid credit risk.

 
                             Standard 
                              & Poor's                 30 September     31 March   30 September 
 Counterparty    Location     Rating      Term                 2019         2019           2018 
                                                            GBP'000      GBP'000        GBP'000 
 
 Barclays                                 Instant 
  Bank PLC       Guernsey    A-1           access             2,986        2,921          1,130 
 
 

INDEPENT REVIEW REPORT TO BETTER CAPITAL PCC LIMITED IN RESPECT OF THE 2009 CELL

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements of the 2009 Cell, a cell of Better Capital PCC Limited in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2019 which comprises the 2009 Cell Condensed Statement of Financial Position, the 2009 Cell Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income, the 2009 Cell Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity, the 2009 Cell Condensed Statement of Cash Flows and the 2009 Cell related notes.

We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

Directors' responsibilities

The interim financial report is the responsibility of and has been approved by the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim financial report in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the 2009 Cell are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. The 2009 Cell's condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the 2009 Cell's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity", issued by the Financial Reporting Council for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the 2009 Cell's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2019 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, as adopted by the European Union, and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Use of our report

Our report has been prepared in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the Company in meeting its responsibilities in respect of interim financial reporting in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose. No person is entitled to rely on this report unless such a person is a person entitled to rely upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of our terms of engagement or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior written consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this report to any other person or for any other purpose and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability.

BDO Limited

Chartered Accountants

Place du Pré,

Rue du Pré,

St Peter Port,

Guernsey

20 December 2019

Condensed Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 September 2019

 
                                                As at          As at        As at 
                                         30 September   30 September     31 March 
                                                 2019           2018         2019 
                                 Notes        GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000 
                                          (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
 ASSETS: 
 Non-current assets 
 Investment in Limited 
  Partnership                        4         26,321         28,146       27,754 
                                                       ------------- 
 Total non-current assets                      26,321         28,146       27,754 
                                        -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables                        1              -            2 
 Cash and cash equivalents                        120            213          102 
                                        -------------  ------------- 
 Total current assets                             121            213          104 
                                        -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 TOTAL ASSETS                                  26,442         28,359       27,858 
                                        -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                        (40)           (49)         (54) 
                                                       ------------- 
 Total current liabilities                       (40)           (49)         (54) 
                                        -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 TOTAL LIABILITIES                               (40)           (49)         (54) 
                                        -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 NET ASSETS                                    26,402         28,310       27,804 
                                        =============  =============  =========== 
 
 EQUITY 
 Share capital                       6              -              -            - 
 Retained earnings                             26,402         28,310       27,804 
                                                       ------------- 
 TOTAL EQUITY                                  26,402         28,310       27,804 
                                        =============  =============  =========== 
 
 Number of 2009 Shares 
  in issue at period/year 
  end                                6     35,262,505     35,262,505   35,262,505 
                                        =============  =============  =========== 
 Net asset value per 2009 
  Share (pence)                      8          74.87          80.28        78.85 
 

The unaudited condensed interim financial statements of the 2009 Cell were approved and authorised for issue by the Company's Board of Directors on 20 December 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

   Richard Crowder                                               Richard Battey 
   Chairman                                                          Director 

The notes below form an integral part of the 2009 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                           Six months     Six months 
                                                   to             to            Year ended 
                                         30 September   30 September              31 March 
                                                 2019           2018                  2019 
                                 Notes        GBP'000        GBP'000               GBP'000 
                                          (unaudited)    (unaudited)             (audited) 
 Income 
 Change in fair value of 
  investment in Limited 
  Partnership                        4        (1,433)       (12,000)              (12,392) 
 Distributions                       4            150              -                     - 
 Total income                                 (1,283)       (12,000)              (12,392) 
                                        -------------  -------------  -------------------- 
 
 
 Expenses 
 Administration fees                               42             40                    82 
 Directors' fees and expenses        7             36             27                    54 
 Legal and professional 
  fees                                             17             16                    34 
 Other fees and expenses                            7              5                     9 
 Audit fees                                         9              6                    15 
 Insurance premiums                                 -              -                     6 
 Registrar fees                                     8             13                    21 
                                                       ------------- 
 Total expenses                                   119            107                   221 
                                        -------------  -------------  -------------------- 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive 
  expense for the period/year                 (1,402)       (12,107)              (12,613) 
                                        =============  =============  ==================== 
 
 Basic and diluted earnings 
  per 2009 Share (pence)             8         (3.97)        (34.33)               (35.77) 
                                        =============  =============  ==================== 
 

All activities derive from continuing operations.

The notes below form an integral part of the 2009 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                           Share   Retained     Total 
                                         capital   earnings    equity 
                                         GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
 As at 1 April 2019                            -     27,804    27,804 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive 
  expense for the financial period             -    (1,402)   (1,402) 
 Total comprehensive expense 
  for the period                               -    (1,402)   (1,402) 
                                       ---------  ---------  -------- 
 As at 30 September 2019 (unaudited)           -     26,402    26,402 
                                       =========  =========  ======== 
 
 
 
                                           Share   Retained      Total 
                                         capital   earnings     Equity 
                                         GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 As at 1 April 2018                            -     40,417     40,417 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive 
  expense for the financial period             -   (12,107)   (12,107) 
 Total comprehensive expense 
  for the period                               -   (12,107)   (12,107) 
                                       ---------  ---------  --------- 
 As at 30 September 2018 (unaudited)           -     28,310     28,310 
                                       =========  =========  ========= 
 
 
                                       Share   Retained      Total 
                                     capital   earnings     equity 
                                     GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 As at 1 April 2018                        -     40,417     40,417 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive 
  expense for the financial year           -   (12,613)   (12,613) 
 Total comprehensive expense 
  for the year                             -   (12,613)   (12,613) 
                                   ---------  ---------  --------- 
 As at 31 March 2019 (audited)             -     27,804     27,804 
                                   =========  =========  ========= 
 

The notes below form an integral part of the 2009 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                           Six months     Six months   Year ended 
                                                   to             to 
                                         30 September   30 September     31 March 
                                                 2019           2018         2019 
                                              GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000 
                                          (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
 Cash flows used in operating 
  activities 
 Loss for the financial period/year           (1,402)       (12,107)     (12,613) 
 Adjustments for: 
 Change in fair value of investment 
  in limited partnership                        1,433         12,000       12,392 
 Movement in trade and other 
  receivables                                       1              2            - 
 Movement in trade and other 
  payables                                       (14)           (13)          (8) 
 Repayment of loan investment 
  in limited partnership                            -              -            - 
 Net cash generated from/(used 
  in) operating activities                         18          (118)        (229) 
                                        -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Net movement in cash and 
  cash equivalents during the 
  period/year                                      18          (118)        (229) 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at the beginning of the period/year             102            331          331 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at the end of the period/year                   120            213          102 
                                        =============  =============  =========== 
 

The notes below form an integral part of the 2009 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Financial Statements

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

   1.    General information 

The 2009 Cell is a cell of Better Capital PCC Limited.

Fund I is managed by its general partner, BECAP GP LP, which is in turn managed by its general partner BECAP GP Limited. Such arrangements are governed under the respective Limited Partnership Agreements.

The 2009 Cell is listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market.

   2.    Accounting policies 

Basis of preparation

The unaudited 2009 Cell condensed financial information included in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2019 has been prepared in accordance with the DTRs and Listing Rules of the UK's FCA and IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU.

The interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual financial statements for the year to 31 March 2019, which are available on the Company's website www.bettercapital.gg. The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with EU adopted IFRS.

The principal accounting policies adopted are set out in the Company's accounting policies above.

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries and considering the extension to the life of Fund I to 17 June 2021, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the 2009 Cell, and in turn Fund I, have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and do not consider there to be any threat to the going concern status of the 2009 Cell. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.

Critical accounting judgement and estimation uncertainty

Use of estimates and judgements

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The areas involving a high degree of judgement or complexity or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the interim financial statements are disclosed below. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period for which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.

Investment in Fund I

The value of the 2009 Cell's investment in Fund I is based on the value of the 2009 Cell's limited partner capital and loan accounts within Fund I. This is based on the components within Fund I, principally the value of the underlying investee companies. Any fluctuation in the value of the underlying investee companies directly impacts on the value of the 2009 Cell's investment in Fund I.

When valuing the underlying investee companies, the General Partner of Fund I reviews information provided by the underlying investee companies and other business partners and applies IPEV methodologies, as noted below, to estimate a fair value as at the date of the statement of financial position. The variety of valuation bases adopted, quality of management information provided by the underlying investee companies and the lack of liquid markets for the investments mean that there are inherent difficulties in determining the fair value of these investments that cannot be eliminated. Therefore the amounts realised on the sale of investments will likely differ from the fair values reflected in these financial statements and the differences may be significant.

Further information in relation to the valuation of the investment in Fund I is disclosed in Notes 4 and 5.

   2.    Segmental reporting 

For management purposes, the 2009 Cell is organised into one main operating segment, which invests in one limited partnership.

   3.    Investment in Limited Partnership 
 
                                         Total 
                                       GBP'000 
 Fair value 
 Brought forward                        27,754 
 Fair value movement during period     (1,433) 
 
 Fair value as at 30 September 2019 
  (unaudited)                           26,321 
                                      ======== 
 
 
                                          Total 
                                        GBP'000 
 Fair value 
 Brought forward                         40,146 
 Fair value movement during period     (12,000) 
 
 Fair value as at 30 September 2018 
  (unaudited)                            28,146 
                                      ========= 
 
 
                                                Total 
                                              GBP'000 
 Fair value 
 Brought forward                               40,146 
 Unrealised fair value movement during 
  the year                                   (12,392) 
 
 Fair value as at 31 March 2019 (audited)      27,754 
                                            ========= 
 

The movement in fair value of the Fund I investment is derived from the fair value decrease in Omnico, net of expenses of Fund I and its related special purpose vehicles.

In the financial statements of the 2009 Cell the fair value of the investment in the Limited Partnership is adjusted to reflect the fair value of the 2009 Cell's attributable valuation of net assets within Fund I, as seen in more detail in Note 5.

During the period, Fund I returned GBP0.2 million to the 2009 Cell by way of distribution (Six months to 30 September 2018: GBPnil, Year to 31 March 2019: GBPnil).

   5.    Fair value 

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the financial assets or financial liabilities are categorised is determined on the basis of the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy and further information on valuation techniques can be found in Note 5 in the Company financial statements.

The following table summarises the valuation methodologies and inputs used for the 2009 Cell's Level 3 investments as at the period end:

 
 Valuation      Description        Input            Adjustments    Discount Rate    Discounted 
 Methodology                                                       Applied          Multiples 
                                                                   to Multiples                                                                  Value of portfolio valued on this basis (GBP'm) 
                                                                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                                                    30 September                                  30 September                                 31 March 2019 
                                                                                                                                            2019                                          2018 
                                   Multiples are 
                                    applied to 
                                    the earnings 
                                    of the 
                                    investee                       A discount is 
                                    company to                      applied 
                                    determine                       to earnings 
                                    the                             multiples 
                                    enterprise                      derived from 
                                    value. Where                    market 
                                    there                           transaction 
                                    is evidence                     multiples 
                                    that a                          at 20 per 
                                    division of                     cent.           EBITDA 
                Most commonly       an                              to 30 per        multiples 
                 used Private       investee                        cent.            ranging from 
                 Equity             could be sold                   (30 September    10.3 
                 valuation          as an                           2018:            times to 10.6 
                 methodology.       independent                     48 per cent.,    times 
                 Used for           business, the                   31               at the 
                 investments        multiple                        March 2019:      investee 
                 which              applied to                      20               level (30 
                 are profitable     that                            per cent.) No    September 
                 and for which      division's                      discount         2018: 9.0 
                 a set of listed    earnings may                    is applied to    times 
                 companies          be              Relevant        earnings         to 10.2 
                 and precedent      different to     provisions     multiples        times, 
                 transactions       that applied     may be         derived          31 March 
                 with similar       to the           deducted       from recent      2019: 
                 characteristics    earnings of      from the       offers           8.9 times to 
                 can be             the rest of      multiple       for the          9.4 
 Multiple        determined         the group.       valuation      investee.        times).                                                23.3                                          24.5                                          24.8 
 30 September                      Earnings 
  2019                             Reported 
  m-hance                          earnings 
  Omnico                           adjusted for 
                                   non-recurring 
                                   items, such as 
                                   restructuring 
                                   expenses, for 
                                   significant 
                                   corporate 
                                   actions and, 
                                   in exceptional 
                                   cases, 
                                   run-rate 
                                   adjustments to 
                                   arrive at 
                                   maintainable 
                                   earnings. Most 
                                   common 
                                   measure is 
                                   EBITDA 
                                   (m-hance, 
                                   Omnico). 
                                   Further 
                                   information in 
                                   relation 
                                   to the 
                                   application of 
                                   earnings can 
                                   be found in 
                                   the Fund I GP 
                                   report 
                                   above . 
 30 September   Discounts to the   Multiples The 
  2018          valuation          earnings 
  m-hance       generated by       multiple 
  Omnico        applying           is derived 
                multiples          from market 
                to reflect the     transaction 
                time and costs     multiples 
                of reaching        (m-hance, 
                sustainable        Omnico) or 
                profitability      recent 
                and the            offers for the 
                inevitable         investee. 
                accompanying       Where market 
                uncertainties      transactions 
                                   are used, the 
                                   Fund 
                                   I GP typically 
                                   selects 
                                   businesses 
                                   in the same 
                                   industry and, 
                                   where 
                                   possible, with 
                                   a similar 
                                   business 
                                   model and 
                                   profile in 
                                   terms of size, 
                                   products, 
                                   services and 
                                   customers, 
                                   growth rates 
                                   and geographic 
                                   focus 
                                   and adjust for 
                                   changes in the 
                                   relative 
                                   performance in 
                                   the set of 
                                   comparables. 
 31 March 
 2019 
 m-hance 
 Omnico 
 
 Other          Values of          Earnings and     As             There were no    There were no    -                                                                                     2.5   - 
                separate           assets           determined     elements         elements 
                elements                            on a case by   valued using     valued based 
                prepared under                      case basis     earnings         on 
                other methods,                                     multiples        their earnings 
                as deemed                                          derived          (30 September 
                suitable by the                                    from market      2018: 
                Fund I GP, such                                    transactions     6.3 times to 
                as net                                             (30 September    8.0 
                realisable                                         2018:            times, 31 
                value and                                          no discount      March 
                earnings and                                       was              2019: N/A). 
                assets                                             applied, 31 
                basis                                              March 
                                                                   2019: N/A). 
               -----------------                   -------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 30 September 
  2019 
  None 
               -----------------                   -------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 30 September 
  2018 
  SPOT 
 31 March 
 2019 
 None 
               -----------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------- 
 
 
                                                                       Level 3 Portfolio valuation                                        23.3                                          27.0                                           24.8 
                                                                    Other net assets/(liabilities)                                           3.0                                           1.1                                           3.0 
                                               Provision for Better Capital SLP interest in Fund I                                           0.0                                           0.0                                           0.0 
                                                     2009 Cell fair value of investments in Fund I                                        26.3                                          28.1                                           27.8 
 

This approach requires the use of assumptions about certain unobservable inputs. Significant unobservable inputs as at 30 September 2019 are:

   -     Multiples used to derive enterprise value 
   -     Discount factors 

A reasonably possible change in the multiples used +/- 10.0 per cent. would result in:

- An increase in carrying value of GBP2.3 million or 9.7 per cent. (+10.0 per cent.)

- A decrease in the carrying value of GBP2.3 million or 9.7 per cent. (-10.0 per cent.)

A reasonably possible change in the discount factors used would be to completely remove the discount factor or to double the discount factor. This would result in:

- A decrease in carrying value of GBP7.9 million or 34.1 per cent. (+100.0 per cent.)

- An increase in the carrying value of GBP7.9 million or 34.1 per cent. (-100.0 per cent.)

The Fund I GP approves the valuations performed with input from any external consultant as appointed by the GPs and monitors the range of reasonably possible changes in significant observable inputs on a regular basis.

   6.    Share capital 

Share capital for the 2009 Cell is detailed in the relevant column in Note 6 of the Company's financial statements above.

The five cumulative distributions to date for the 2009 Cell total GBP288.8 million, being 137.5 per cent. of funds raised.

   7.    Related party transactions 

Further information on related party transactions can be found in Note 7 of the Company financial statements above.

Directors' fees and expenses, incurred by the 2009 Cell, for the period to 30 September 2019 amounted to GBP36,000 (year to 31 March 2019: GBP54,000, period to 30 September 2018: GBP27,000) apportioned on a NAV basis between the cells. At the period end, GBPnil (31 March 2019: GBP13,000, 30 September 2018: GBP13,000) remained outstanding.

   8.    Earnings per share and net asset value per share 

Earnings per share

 
 2009 Cell                          Six months         Six months        Year ended 
                               to 30 September    to 30 September          31 March 
                                          2019               2018              2019 
                                   (unaudited)        (unaudited)         (audited) 
 
 Loss for the period/year       GBP(1,401,512)    GBP(12,106,814)   GBP(12,613,334) 
 Weighted average number 
  of 2009 Shares in issue           35,262,505         35,262,505        35,262,505 
 
 EPS (pence)                            (3.97)            (34.33)           (35.77) 
                             =================  =================  ================ 
 
   8.    Earnings per share and net asset value per share (continued) 

The earnings per share is based on the profit or loss of the 2009 Cell for the period/year and on the weighted average number of shares of the 2009 Cell in issue for the period/year.

The 2009 Cell does not have any instruments which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future.

Net asset value per share

 
                                                                    As at                As at            As at 
                                                        30 September 2019    30 September 2018    31 March 2019 
                                                              (unaudited)          (unaudited)        (audited) 
 
 Net assets attributable to 2009 Cell shareholders          GBP26,401,843        GBP28,309,375    GBP27,802,855 
 
 2009 Shares in issue                                          35,262,505           35,262,505       35,262,505 
 
 NAV per share (IFRS) (pence)                                       74.87                80.28            78.85 
                                                      -------------------  -------------------  --------------- 
 

The net asset value per share for the 2009 Cell is arrived at by dividing the total net assets of the 2009 Cell at the period/year end by the number of shares in issue at the period/year end.

   9.    Subsequent events 

Other than the above, there were no significant events occurring after 30 September 2019.

Better Capital 2012 Cell

Investment policy summary

Better Capital 2012 Cell has invested in a portfolio of businesses which, when acquired, had significant operating issues and associated financial distress, and which have significant activities within the United Kingdom.

The 2012 Cell Investment policy is set out in the Company's prospectus, available on the Company's website www.bettercapital.gg.

General Partner's Report

At Everest, the management of total order backlog has been a priority and continues to be important. Total order backlog was GBP35 million at March 2019 which reduced to GBP25 million by September 2019 (September 2018: GBP47 million).

Everest failed to consistently achieve its installation revenue objectives during the Spring and Summer of 2019. As a result, revised installer manpower was established at the end of the summer - at September 2019, this was 297 compared with 371 at March 2019. The efficiency of installations has since improved, helped by greater mobility of personnel. Order processing has also improved markedly with average core business being processed in fewer days in September 2019 compared with March 2019.

The cost of failure continues to plague the business and its reduction is the top priority at Everest. Legacy failure of sealed units from suppliers that are no longer in business is of particular concern as the cost of buying replacement units and their installation represents a continuing cash cost. Revised quality inspection regimes have been re-established at Everest's manufacturing plants to intensify scrutiny and rejection of substandard glass deliveries. Close cooperation with Everest's principal glass supplier has been established and a second supplier is being trialled. Nonetheless, the total cost of failure in all areas of the business is completely unacceptable and much work is underway to reduce it substantially including staff training, supply chain management and a 'Right First Time' approach across all elements of Everest's activities.

Close cost control and stringent project management have continued to drive the improvements seen in Everest's conservatory business over the past six months and this business continues to make a positive contribution to Everest's profitability.

The marketing team has continued to manage marketing efficiency well at Everest and costs per lead have remained low by historical standards during the six months to September 2019. Self-generated business continues to perform well, representing GBP10 million of sales in the same period.

Towards the end of the period under review senior management changes were made at Everest. An Executive Chairman, John Bostock was appointed in August 2019. This change precipitated a reorganisation of the executive team aimed at streamlining communications, teamwork and focus on profitability and cash generation.

In August a redundancy programme was announced in the company affecting under 10 per cent. of Everest's workforce, generating annualised savings of GBP1.8 million per annum. Other non-people cost reductions and controls were deployed and other commercial adjustments were made aimed at restoring the business to a consistently profitable run rate.

Everest continues to operate in an uncertain economic environment. Targeted promotions and innovative product offers are being deployed to stimulate order flow.

A major culture change programme centred around delivering quality and putting customers at the heart of everything the business does has begun across the company and will continue to be delivered at pace into 2020.

However, consistent monthly profitability has still not been achieved and is clearly achievable.

Everest's valuation has been written down by a net GBP5.0 million (GBP9.0 million reduction less GBP4.0 million cash injection) to GBP15.0 million. The valuation has been prepared using an earnings-based approach, supported by an assets-based approach. Everest still operates without any external debt and had cash of GBP4.0 million at the end of September 2019.

Spicers Office Team (SPOT) continues to face extremely challenging market conditions, particularly since the second quarter of 2019. The pre-election period was very weak. Whilst management action in the Spicers wholesale business to restructure has provided an improved platform from which to compete generating a result broadly in line with budget, the Office Team performance has deteriorated from a positive start to the year, with sales continuing to be depressed in recent months.

Spicers has undertaken a significant reshaping of its distribution network to improve efficiency, increase stock availability, improve the customer experience and reduce costs. As a result, both Glasgow and Bristol regional distribution centres have closed, reducing the Spicers operation proportionally. This operational transformation has been completed whilst maintaining service levels to customers, and will enable Spicers to continue to be competitive for the future, offering a flexible and cost-effective wholesale model for its customers and partners in a challenging market environment. The resulting two distribution centres will deliver improved productivity and efficiency, which will generate a broadly breakeven position for Spicers by the end of the year.

This operational stability is a requirement for future sales growth, where the strategic focus is to underpin sustainable sales volumes by building on the trading activity with existing customers and aggressively winning new customers. Management focus on widening the Spicers proposition to add new product categories will be showcased in the new Spicers catalogue launch for 2020 and will extend further into adjacent product areas in the future. This is supported through investment in the Spicers digital platform to improve customer service levels and increase the efficiency of the customer transaction.

Having historically been more adept at offsetting market conditions through new business acquisition, underlying sales in Office Team have deteriorated, generating a profit performance below expectations driven by depressed spend and weak margins from existing customers. In response to these trends and continuing market uncertainty, management action to reduce operating costs has been implemented, and continues. Conversely new business generation has continued to be strong, reflecting the ongoing relevance of the consolidated proposition, and as a result, increased investment has been redirected into this area. Similarly, strategic investment has continued in the digital platform, Smartpad which is now stable and being progressively introduced to all customers. This is both an efficient ordering platform for existing customers and a marketing platform for presenting the width of the Office Team proposition in new categories. Continuing to build market leading propositions in adjacent categories is a key strategic focus and a new Commercial Director has recently joined SPOT to drive this development.

SPOT's acquisition of ZenOffice Limited in 2018 continues to experience rapid growth in the managed print services sector, particularly following investment in scaling both its national sales resource and infrastructure. This growth is being driven against a background of positive market dynamics as customers switch from traditional purchasing to a managed service. Sales in this division for 2019 are forecast to be in excess of GBP10 million which generates a strong future contracted service revenue and profit stream.

The prevailing headwinds for all industry participants have led to a tightening and effective removal of most of the available credit insurance. This has had a significant impact on cash flow for both SPOT and its customers, leading to increased bad debt at Spicers in particular. However, SPOT remains in a relatively strong position given the disposals in March 2019 of its two subsidiaries, Waterlow Business Supplies and Oyez Professional Services for an enterprise value of GBP22 million. Of the total net proceeds, GBP3.0 million has been returned to Fund II with the balance applied to strengthen the business's balance sheet. Similarly, the Spicers network change programme has enabled a significant stock reduction by consolidating into two warehouses which has improved the underlying cash generation, partially offsetting the restructuring costs.

Whilst the market background continues to be difficult, industry consolidation is expected to significantly accelerate, with a higher rate of both corporate failure and acquisition activity. This presents SPOT, with its strengthened capital position, a number of different and interesting market opportunities that may be relevant in creating future value.

The valuation for SPOT is unchanged at GBP25.2 million. The strong asset base of Spicers, the earnings potential of OfficeTeam and Zen, together with the initiatives being put in place combine to underpin its value. Net debt at 30 September 2019 was GBP29.6 million.

On 2 July 2019, Fund II disposed of its remaining holding of 2012 Shares totalling 12,677,471 2012 Shares under the terms of the Buyback Contract entered into in December 2016 to the Company. The shares were transacted at a consideration of 9.96 pps (totalling GBP1.3 million) reflecting the volume weighted average price of the 2012 Shares on the preceding business day. The newly acquired shares were immediately cancelled by the Company, reducing the 2012 Shares in issue from 302,181,436 to 289,503,965.

In August 2019, Fund II received GBP1.3 million partial payment from the iNTERTAIN escrow following the satisfaction of certain conditions. There remains a final matter with a long stop date of 6 December 2019. The carrying value of the remaining iNTERTAIN escrow which has been recognised as a fund receivable has been re-estimated up by GBP1.3 million reflecting the improving prospect of receiving the remaining funds.

Portfolio carrying value

The investment portfolio value declined by GBP6.0 million in the six-month period to 30 September 2019.

 
                                                  GBP'm 
 Portfolio value at 1 April 2019                   46.2 
 Increase funding in Everest                        4.0 
 Repayment by SPOT                                (2.5) 
 NAV movement in Everest                          (9.0) 
 NAV movement in SPOT                               2.5 
 2012 Share repurchase and cancellation (July 
  2019)                                           (1.0) 
 Portfolio value at 30 September 2019              40.2 
                                                 ------ 
 

Closing remarks

There are no distributions currently envisaged out of Fund II at the present. Cash currently stands at GBP3.6 million boosted by the recent partial release of the iNTERTAIN escrow of GBP1.3 million. Realisations will hopefully follow improved trading in both businesses.

Jon Moulton

Chairman

BECAP12 GP Limited

20 December 2019

Investment Report of Fund II

Everest

Business description

A leading consumer brand in the manufacture, installation and supply of uPVC and aluminium windows and doors, conservatories, roofline products, garage doors, security systems, driveways and other home improvement products (www.everest.co.uk).

Investment details

 
                                          30 September 2019     31 March 2019   30 September 2018 
              GBP'm 
 
 Fund II fair value (earnings based)                   15.0              20.0                15.0 
 

SPOT

Business description

Spicers is a leading office products and stationery wholesaler (www.spicers.co.uk)

OfficeTeam is a leading office products and services supplier (www.officeteam.co.uk)

Investment details

 
                                        30 September 2019    31 March 2019     30 September 
              GBP'm                                                                    2018 
 
 Fund II fair value (earnings based)                 25.2             25.2             22.6 
 

Portfolio summary

 
                                                          Fund            Fund fair      Valuation 
  30 September                                         project     value investment     percentage       Valuation 
   2019                          Sector                cost(1)           in SPVs(2)         of NAV     methodology 
-----------------------------  -------------------              -------------------  -------------  -------------- 
                                                         GBP'm                GBP'm 
                                Home Improvement 
 Everest                        Products                  40.9                 15.0          32.2%        Earnings 
 SPOT                           Office Products           91.7                 25.2          54.1%        Earnings 
                                                         132.6                 40.2          86.3% 
-----------------------------  -------------------              -------------------  -------------  -------------- 
  Fund cash on deposit                                                          3.8           8.1% 
  Fund & SPV combined other net assets                                          2.5           5.4% 
  2012 Cell fair value of investment 
   in Fund II                                                                  46.5          99.8% 
--------------------------------------------------  ----------  -------------------  -------------  -------------- 
  2012 Cell cash on deposit                                                     0.1           0.2% 
  2012 Cell 
   NAV                                                                         46.6         100.0% 
--------------------------------------------------  ----------  -------------------  -------------  -------------- 
 
 
 
 Summary Income Statement for the Partnership 
 
                                                           1 Apr 2019 to   1 Apr 2018 to   1 Apr 2018 to 
                                                            30 Sept 2019    30 Sept 2018   31 March 2019 
                                                                 GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000 
 -------------------------------------   ------  -----------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
  Total income                                                        32              31              63 
  Net loss on Fund II investment portfolio                       (4,120)        (24,825)        (26,340) 
  Fund II GP's Share                                               (359)           (964)         (1,468) 
  Other operating expenses                                         (162)           (924)         (1,069) 
  Partnership's operating loss for the 
   period/year                                                   (4,609)        (26,682)        (28,814) 
 --------------------------------------  ------  -----------------------  --------------  -------------- 
  Portion of the operating loss for the 
   period/year for 2012 Cell's investment in 
   the Partnership 
   (Note 4)                                                      (4,609)        (26,682)        (28,814) 
 ----------------------------------------------  -----------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 
 
 (1) Fund II holds its investments at cost less impairment in accordance with the terms of 
  the Limited Partnership Agreement. 
 

(2) 2012 Cell fair values its investment in Fund II in accordance with the accounting policies as set out in Note 2.

Cash Management

As at 30 September 2019, Fund II had placed a total of GBP3.8 million (31 March 2019: GBP4.1 million, 30 September 2018: GBP13.6 million) of cash on instant access deposit with one bank. Fund II has in place a strict cash management policy that limits counterparty risks whilst simultaneously seeking to maximise returns.

 
                               Standard 
                                & Poor's               30 September   31 March   30 September 
 Counterparty     Location      Rating      Term               2019       2019           2018 
                                                            GBP'000    GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Barclays Bank                              Instant 
  PLC             Guernsey        A-1        access           3,831      4,066         13,617 
                                                              3,831      4,066         13,617 
                                                      -------------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 

INDEPENT REVIEW REPORT TO BETTER CAPITAL PCC LIMITED IN RESPECT OF 2012 CELL

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements of the 2012 Cell, a cell of Better Capital PCC Limited in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2019 which comprises the 2012 Cell Condensed Statement of Financial Position, the 2012 Cell Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income, the 2012 Cell Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity, the 2012 Cell Condensed Statement of Cash Flows and the 2012 Cell related notes.

We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

Directors' responsibilities

The interim financial report is the responsibility of and has been approved by the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim financial report in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the 2012 Cell are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. The 2012 Cell's condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the 2012 Cell's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity", issued by the Financial Reporting Council for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the 2012 Cell's condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2019 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, as adopted by the European Union, and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Use of our report

Our report has been prepared in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the Company in meeting its responsibilities in respect of interim financial reporting in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose. No person is entitled to rely on this report unless such a person is a person entitled to rely upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of our terms of engagement or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior written consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this report to any other person or for any other purpose and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability.

BDO Limited

Chartered Accountants

Place du Pré,

Rue du Pré,

St Peter Port,

Guernsey

20 December 2019

Condensed Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 September 2019

 
                                                As at          As at         As at 
                                         30 September   30 September      31 March 
                                                 2019           2018          2019 
                                 Notes        GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000 
                                          (unaudited)    (unaudited)     (audited) 
 ASSETS: 
 Non-current assets 
 Investment in Limited 
  Partnership                        4         46,538         57,450        55,318 
                                                       ------------- 
 Total non-current assets                      46,538         57,450        55,318 
                                        -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables                        2              -             5 
 Cash and cash equivalents                        146            691           410 
                                        -------------  ------------- 
 Total current assets                             148            691           415 
                                        -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 
 TOTAL ASSETS                                  46,686         58,141        55,733 
                                        -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                        (59)          (119)         (131) 
                                                       ------------- 
 Total current liabilities                       (59)          (119)         (131) 
                                        -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 
 TOTAL LIABILITIES                               (59)          (119)         (131) 
                                        -------------  -------------  ------------ 
 NET ASSETS                                    46,627         58,022        55,602 
                                        =============  =============  ============ 
 
 EQUITY 
 Share capital                       6        231,731        235,889       235,889 
 Accumulated losses                         (185,104)      (177,867)     (180,287) 
                                                       ------------- 
 TOTAL EQUITY                                  46,627         58,022        55,602 
                                        =============  =============  ============ 
 
 Number of 2012 Shares 
  in issue at period/year 
  end                                6    289,503,965    302,181,436   302,181,436 
                                        =============  =============  ============ 
 Net asset value per 2012 
  Share (pence)                      8          16.11          19.20         18.40 
 

The unaudited condensed interim financial statements of the 2012 Cell were approved and authorised for issue by the Company's Board of Directors on 20 December 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

   Richard Crowder                                               Richard Battey 
   Chairman                                                          Director 

The notes below form an integral part of the 2012 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                               Six months     Six months 
                                                       to             to                        Year ended 
                                             30 September   30 September                          31 March 
                                                     2019           2018                              2019 
                                     Notes        GBP'000        GBP'000                           GBP'000 
                                              (unaudited)    (unaudited)                         (audited) 
 Income 
 Change in fair value of 
  investment in Limited 
  Partnership                            4        (4,609)       (26,682)                          (28,814) 
 Total income                                     (4,609)       (26,682)                          (28,814) 
                                            -------------  -------------  -------------------------------- 
 
 
 Expenses 
 Administration fees                                   46             70                               120 
 Directors' fees and expenses            7             72             92                               184 
 Legal and professional 
  fees                                                 36             54                               127 
 Other fees and expenses                               18             24                                44 
 Audit fees                                            15             27                                52 
 Insurance premiums                                     -              -                                21 
 Registrar fees                                        21             26                                33 
                                                           ------------- 
 Total expenses                                       208            293                               581 
                                            -------------  -------------  -------------------------------- 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive 
  expense for the financial period/year           (4,817)       (26,975)                          (29,395) 
                                            =============  =============  ================================ 
 
 Basic and diluted earnings 
  per 2012 Share (pence)                 8         (1.63)         (8.73)                            (9.62) 
                                            =============  =============  ================================ 
 

All activities derive from continuing operations.

The notes below form an integral part of the 2012 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                                                     Share   Accumulated        Total 
                                                                   capital        losses     equity 
                                                                   GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 As at 1 April 2019                                                235,889     (180,287)     55,602 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive expense for the financial period           -       (4,817)    (4,817) 
 Total comprehensive expense for the period                              -       (4,817)    (4,817) 
                                                                 ---------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Transactions with owners 
 Distributions                                                     (2,895)             -    (2,895) 
 Share buyback and cancellation                                    (1,263)             -    (1,263) 
                                                                 ---------  ------------  --------- 
 Total transactions with owners                                    (4,158)             -    (4,158) 
                                                                 ---------  ------------  --------- 
 As at 30 September 2019 (unaudited)                               231,731     (185,104)     46,627 
                                                                 =========  ============  ========= 
                                                                     Share   Accumulated        Total 
                                                                   capital        losses     equity 
                                                                   GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 As at 1 April 2018                                                288,950     (150,892)    138,058 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive expense for the financial period           -      (26,975)   (26,975) 
 Total comprehensive expense for the period                              -      (26,975)   (26,975) 
                                                                 ---------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Transactions with owners 
 Distributions                                                    (48,348)             -   (48,348) 
 Share buyback and cancellation                                    (4,713)             -    (4,713) 
                                                                 ---------  ------------  --------- 
 Total transactions with owners                                   (53,061)             -   (53,061) 
                                                                 ---------  ------------  --------- 
 As at 30 September 2018 (unaudited)                               235,889     (177,867)     58,022 
                                                                 =========  ============  ========= 
                                                                     Share   Accumulated        Total 
                                                                   capital        losses     equity 
                                                                   GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 As at 1 April 2018                                                288,950     (150,892)    138,058 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive expense for the financial year             -      (29,395)   (29,395) 
 Total comprehensive expense for the year                                -      (29,395)   (29,395) 
                                                                 ---------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Transactions with owners 
 Distributions                                                    (48,348)             -   (48,348) 
 Share buyback and cancellation                                    (4,713)             -    (4,713) 
 Total transactions with owners                                   (53,061)             -   (53,061) 
                                                                 ---------  ------------  --------- 
 As at 31 March 2019 (audited)                                     235,889     (180,287)     55,602 
                                                                 =========  ============  ========= 
 
 

The notes below form an integral part of the 2012 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

 
                                           Six months     Six months   Year ended 
                                                   to             to 
                                         30 September   30 September     31 March 
                                                 2019           2018         2019 
                                              GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000 
                                          (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
 Cash flows from operating 
  activities 
 Loss for the financial period/year           (4,817)       (26,975)     (29,395) 
 Adjustments for: 
 Change in fair value of investment 
  in limited partnership                        4,609         26,682       28,814 
 Movement in trade and other 
  receivables                                       3            853          848 
 Movement in trade and other 
  payables                                       (72)              6           18 
 Repayment of loan investment 
  in limited partnership                        2,908         48,361       48,361 
 Net cash generated from operating 
  activities                                    2,631         48,927       48,646 
                                        -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Cash flows used in financing 
  activities 
 Distributions                                (2,895)       (48,348)     (48,348) 
                                        -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Net cash used in financing 
  activities                                  (2,895)       (48,348)     (48,348) 
                                        -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Net movement in cash and 
  cash equivalents during the 
  period/year                                   (264)            579          298 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at the beginning of the period/year             410            112          112 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at the end of the period/year                   146            691          410 
                                        =============  =============  =========== 
 

The notes below form an integral part of the 2012 Cell condensed interim financial statements.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Financial Statements

For the six months ended 30 September 2019

   1.    General information 

The 2012 Cell is a cell of Better Capital PCC Limited and has the investment objective of generating attractive total returns from investing (through Fund II) in a portfolio of businesses which have significant operating issues and may have associated financial distress, with a primary focus on businesses which have significant activities within the United Kingdom. Such returns are expected to be largely derived from capital growth.

Fund II is managed by its general partner, BECAP12 GP LP, which is in turn managed by its general partner BECAP12 GP Limited. Such arrangements are governed under the respective Limited Partnership Agreements, as amended.

The 2012 Cell is listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market.

   2.    Accounting policies 

Basis of preparation

The unaudited 2012 Cell condensed financial information included in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2019 has been prepared in accordance with the DTRs and Listing Rules of the UK's FCA and IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the EU.

The interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual financial statements for the year to 31 March 2019, which are available on the Company's website www.bettercapital.gg. The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with EU adopted IFRS.

The principal accounting policies adopted are set out in the Company's accounting policies above.

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Company's Directors have a reasonable expectation that the 2012 Cell, and in turn Fund II, have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and do not consider there to be any threat to the going concern status of the 2012 Cell. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these interim financial statements.

Critical accounting judgement and estimation uncertainty

Use of estimates and judgements

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The areas involving a high degree of judgement or complexity or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the interim financial statements are disclosed below. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.

Investment in Fund II

The value of the 2012 Cell's investment in Fund II is based on the value of the 2012 Cell's limited partner capital and loan accounts within Fund II. This is based on the components within Fund II, principally the value of the underlying investee companies. Any fluctuation in the value of the underlying investee companies will directly impact on the value of the 2012 Cell's investment in Fund II.

When valuing the underlying investee companies, the General Partner of Fund II reviews information provided by the underlying investee companies and other business partners and applies IPEV methodologies, as noted below, to estimate a fair value as at the date of the statement of financial position. The variety of valuation bases adopted, quality of management information provided by the underlying investee companies and the lack of liquid markets for the investments mean that there are inherent difficulties in determining the fair value of these investments that cannot be eliminated. Therefore the amounts realised on the sale of investments will likely differ from the fair values reflected in these financial statements and the differences may be significant.

Further information in relation to the valuation of the investment in Fund II is disclosed in Notes 4 and 5.

   3.    Segmental reporting 

For management purposes, the 2012 Cell is organised into one main operating segment, which invests in one limited partnership.

   4.    Investment in Limited Partnership 
 
                                        Total 
                                      GBP'000 
 Fair value 
 Brought forward                       55,318 
 Fair value movement during period    (4,609) 
 Repayment of loan investment in 
  Limited Partnership(1)              (4,171) 
 
 Fair value as at 30 September 
  2019 (unaudited)                     46,538 
                                     ======== 
 
 
                                         Total 
                                       GBP'000 
 Fair value 
 Brought forward                       137,206 
 Fair value movement during period    (26,682) 
 Repayment of loan investment in 
  Limited Partnership                 (53,074) 
 
 Fair value as at 30 September 
  2018 (unaudited)                      57,450 
                                     ========= 
 
 
                                       Total 
                                     GBP'000 
 Fair value 
 Brought forward                     137,206 
 Fair value movement during the 
  year                              (28,814) 
 Repayment of loan investment in 
  limited partnership               (53,074) 
 
 Fair value as at 31 March 2019 
  (audited)                           55,318 
                                   ========= 
 

(1) Of the GBP4.2m repayment, GBP1.3m was a non-cash repayment by way of a share buyback and cancellation of 12,677,471 2012 Shares at the volume weighted average price on 2 July 2019.

The movement in fair value of the Fund II investment is derived from the write down in Everest and the sale of 2012 Cell Shares, net of income and expenses of Fund II and its related special purpose vehicles.

The outstanding loans, which form part of the overall investment in the Limited Partnership do not incur interest. The fair value of the loans is expected to be repaid by way of distributions from Fund II. The 2012 Cell is not entitled to demand repayment of the outstanding loans, however, the General Partner may, upon request by the Company, repay to the 2012 Cell any amount of the outstanding loan. During the period GBP4.2 million (Year to 31 March 2019: GBP53.1 million, Six months to 30 September 2018: GBP53.1 million) was repaid to the 2012 Cell by Fund II.

In the interim financial statements of the 2012 Cell the fair value of the investment in the Limited Partnership is adjusted to reflect the fair value of the 2012 Cell's attributable valuation of net assets within Fund II, as seen in more detail in Note 5.

   5.    Fair value 

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the financial assets or financial liabilities are categorised is determined on the basis of the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy and further information on valuation techniques can be found in Note 5 in the Company financial statements.

Fund II's Level 1 investment consisted of nil (31 March 2019: 12.7 million, 30 September 2018: 12.7 million) shares in the 2012 Cell, which are valued at GBPnil based on their 30 September 2019 (31 March 2019: GBP1.0 million, 30 September 2018: GBP1.4 million) quoted price.

The following table summarises the valuation methodologies and inputs used for the 2012 Cell's Level 3 investments as at the period end:

 
 Valuation      Description        Input            Adjustments    Discount Rate    Discounted 
 Methodology                                                       Applied          Multiples        Value of portfolio valued on this 
                                                                   to Multiples                                basis (GBP'm) 
                                                                                                    ---------------------------------- 
                                                                                                            30          30    31 March 
                                                                                                     September   September        2019 
                                                                                                          2019        2018 
                Most commonly 
                 used Private 
                 Equity 
                 valuation                                         A discount is    EBITDA 
                 methodology.                                       applied          Multiples 
                 Used for                                           to earnings      4.3 times to 
                 investments                                        multiples        8.0 
                 which                                              at 20 per        times EBITDA 
                 are profitable    Multiples are                    cent.            (30 
                 and for which      applied to                      to 30 per        September 
                 a set of listed    the earnings                    cent.            2018: 
                 companies          of the          Relevant        (30 September    2.8 times 
                 and precedent      investee         provisions     2018:            EBITDA, 
                 transactions       company to       may be         61 per cent.,    31 March 
                 with similar       determine        deducted       31               2019: 
                 characteristics    the              from the       March 2019:      3.8 times to 
                 can be             enterprise       multiple       20               7.9 
 Multiple        determined.        value            valuation      per cent.)       times EBITDA)        40.2        15.0        45.2 
                                                   ------------- 
 30 September                      Earnings 
 2019                              Reported 
 Everest                           earnings 
 SPOT                              adjusted for 
                                   non-recurring 
                                   items, such as 
                                   restructuring 
                                   expenses, for 
                                   significant 
                                   corporate 
                                   actions and, 
                                   in exceptional 
                                   cases, 
                                   run-rate 
                                   adjustments to 
                                   arrive at 
                                   maintainable 
                                   earnings. Most 
                                   common 
                                   measure is 
                                   EBITDA 
                                   (Everest, 
                                   SPOT). 
                                   Other earnings 
                                   such as 
                                   revenue may 
                                   also be used 
                                   where 
                                   relevant. 
                                   Further 
                                   information in 
                                   relation to 
                                   the 
                                   application 
                                   of earnings 
                                   can be found 
                                   in the 
                                   Fund II GP 
                                   report above 
                                                   ------------- 
 30 September   Discounts to the   Multiples The 
 2018           valuation          earnings 
 Everest        generated by       multiple 
                applying           is derived 
                multiples          from 
                to reflect the     comparable 
                time and costs     listed 
                of reaching        companies 
                sustainable        (Everest, 
                profitability      SPOT). The 
                and the            Fund 
                inevitable         II GP 
                accompanying       typically 
                uncertainties      selects 
                                   businesses 
                                   in the same 
                                   industry and, 
                                   where 
                                   possible, with 
                                   a similar 
                                   business 
                                   model and 
                                   profile in 
                                   terms of size, 
                                   products, 
                                   services and 
                                   customers, 
                                   growth rates 
                                   and geographic 
                                   focus 
                                   and adjust for 
                                   changes in the 
                                   relative 
                                   performance in 
                                   the set of 
                                   comparables 
 31 March 
 2019 
 Everest 
 SPOT 
 
                                                                   There were no 
                Values of                                           elements 
                 separate                                           valued using    There were no 
                 elements                                           earnings         elements 
                 prepared under                                     multiples        valued based 
                 other methods,                                     derived          on 
                 as deemed                                          from market      their 
                 suitable by the                                    transactions     earnings 
                 Fund II GP,                                        (30 September    (30 September 
                 such as net                                        2018:            2018: 
                 realisable                         As              no discount      6.3 times to 
                 value and                           determined     was              8.0 
                 earnings and                        on a case      applied, 31      times, 31 
                 assets            Earnings and      by             March            March 
 Other           basis              assets           case basis     2019: N/A).      2019: N/A).           0.0        22.6         0.0 
               -----------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 30 September 2019 
  None 
                                                                                                    ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 30 September 2018 
  SPOT 
 31 March 2019 
  None 
                                                                                                    ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
                                                                       Level 3 Portfolio valuation        40.2        37.6        45.2 
                                                                       Level 1 Portfolio valuation         0.0         1.4         1.0 
                                                                                  Other net assets         6.3        18.4         9.1 
                                                                                                    ----------  ----------  ---------- 
                                                    2012 Cell fair value of investments in Fund II        46.5        57.4        55.3 
 

This approach requires the use of assumptions about certain unobservable inputs. Significant unobservable inputs as at 30 September 2019 are:

   -     Multiples used to derive enterprise value 
   -     Discount factors 

A reasonably possible change in the multiples used +/- 10.0 per cent. would result in:

- An increase in carrying value of GBP5.8 million or 14.6 per cent. (+10.0 per cent.)

- A decrease in the carrying value of GBP5.8 million or 14.6 per cent. (-10.0 per cent.)

A reasonably possible change in the discount factors used would be to completely remove the discount factor or to double the discount factor. This would result in:

- A decrease in carrying value of GBP16.3 million or 41.1 per cent. (+100.0 per cent.)

- An increase in the carrying value of GBP16.3 million or 41.1 per cent. (-100.0 per cent.)

The Fund II GP approves the valuations performed with input from any external consultant as appointed by the GPs and monitors the range of reasonably possible changes in significant observable inputs on a regular basis.

   6.    Share capital 

Share capital for the 2012 Cell is detailed in the relevant column in Note 6 of the Company's financial statements above.

The five cumulative distributions to date for the 2012 Cell total GBP99.6 million, being 28.0 per cent. of funds raised.

   7.    Related party transactions 

Further information on related party transactions can be found in Note 7 of the Company financial statements.

Directors' fees and expenses, incurred by the 2012 Cell, for the period to 30 September 2019 amounted to GBP72,000 (year to 31 March 2019: GBP184,000, period to 30 September 2018: GBP92,000) apportioned on a NAV basis between the Cells. At the period end, GBPnil (31 March 2019: GBP46,000, 30 September 2018: GBP46,000) remained outstanding.

   8.    Earnings per share and net asset value per share 

Earnings per share

 
 
 2012 Cell                          Six months         Six months        Year ended 
                               to 30 September    to 30 September          31 March 
                                          2019               2018              2019 
                                   (unaudited)        (unaudited)         (audited) 
 
 Loss for the period/year       GBP(4,817,735)    GBP(26,974,919)   GBP(29,395,195) 
 Weighted average number 
  of 2012 Shares in issue          295,946,614        309,119,493       305,659,968 
 
 EPS (pence)                            (1.63)             (8.73)            (9.62) 
                                                ================= 
 
 

The earnings per share is based on the profit or loss of the 2012 Cell for the period/year and on the weighted average number of shares of the 2012 Cell in issue for the period/year.

The 2012 Cell does not have any instruments which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future.

Net asset value per share

 
                                                                    As at                As at            As at 
                                                        30 September 2019    30 September 2018    31 March 2019 
                                                              (unaudited)          (unaudited)        (audited) 
 
 Net assets attributable to 2012 Cell shareholders          GBP46,626,673        GBP58,021,400    GBP55,602,124 
 
 2012 Shares in issue                                         289,503,965          302,181,436      302,181,436 
 
 NAV per share (IFRS) (pence)                                       16.11                19.20            18.40 
 

The net asset value per share for the 2012 Cell is arrived at by dividing the total net assets of the 2012 Cell at the period/year end by the number of shares in issue at the period/year end.

   9.    Subsequent events 

Other than the above, there were no significant events occurring after 30 September 2019.

Defined Terms

 
 "2009 Cell" or "Better         the Cell in the Company established following 
  Capital 2009 Cell"             the Conversion which holds partnership interests 
                                 in Fund I, and is interpreted as the Company 
                                 acting in its capacity as a protected cell 
                                 company transacting its business in the name 
                                 of the 2009 Cell; 
 
 "2009 Shares"                  the ordinary shares of GBP1 par value in the 
                                 2009 Cell; 
 
 "2012 Cell" or "Better         the Cell in the Company established following 
  Capital 2012 Cell"             the Conversion which holds partnership interests 
                                 in Fund II, and is interpreted as the Company 
                                 acting in its capacity as a protected cell 
                                 company transacting its business in the name 
                                 of the 2012 Cell; 
 
 "2012 Shares"                  the ordinary shares of GBP1 par value in the 
                                 2012 Cell issued by the Company pursuant to 
                                 the Firm Placing and Placing and Open Offer; 
 
 "Administrator" or "Estera"    means Estera International Fund Managers (Guernsey) 
  or "EIFG"                      Limited (formerly known as Heritage International 
                                 Fund Managers Limited); 
 
 "Carried Interest"             the Special Limited Partner's entitlement 
                                 to participate in the gains and profits of 
                                 Fund I or Fund II, as set out in the relevant 
                                 partnership agreement; 
 
 "Cells"                        the 2009 Cell and 2012 Cell together; 
 
 "Cell Shares"                  the 2009 Shares and 2012 Shares together; 
 
 "City Link"                    means City Link Limited; 
 
 "Companies Law"                the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 as amended; 
 
 "Company" or "Better Capital   Better Capital Limited, being prior to the 
  PCC Limited"                   Conversion, a non-cellular company limited 
                                 by shares and being upon and after the Conversion 
                                 a protected cell company, in each case incorporated 
                                 in Guernsey with registered number 51194 whose 
                                 registered office is at Floor 2, Trafalgar 
                                 Court, Les Banques, St Peter Port, Guernsey, 
                                 GY1 4LY; 
 
 "Conversion"                   the conversion of the Company from a non-cellular 
                                 company into a protected cell company pursuant 
                                 to the Resolutions in accordance with section 
                                 46 of the Companies Law; 
 
 "Core"                         the Company excluding its Cells; 
 "Core Shares"                  the shares in the Core; 
 
 "Directors" or "Board"         the directors of the Company as at the date 
                                 of this document and "Director" means any 
                                 one of them; 
 
 "DTR"                          Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules 
                                 of the UK's FCA; 
 
 "EBITDA"                       being earnings before interest, tax, depreciation 
                                 and amortisation; 
 
 "EU" or "European Union"       the European Union first established by the 
                                 treaty made at Maastricht on 7 February 1992; 
 
 "EU Adopted IFRS"              International Financial Reporting Standards 
                                 as adopted in the EU; 
 
 "Everest"                      means the Everest group of companies; 
 
 "Fairline"                     means the Fairline group of companies; 
 
 "FCA"                          the Financial Conduct Authority; 
 
 "FCA Rules"                    the rules or regulations issued or promulgated 
                                 by the FCA from time to time and for the time 
                                 being in force (as varied by any waiver or 
                                 modification granted, or guidance given, by 
                                 the FCA); 
 
 "Funds"                        both Fund I and Fund II together; 
 
 "Fund GPs"                     being both Fund I GP and Fund II GP; 
 
 "Fund I"                       BECAP Fund LP, a Guernsey limited partnership 
                                 established on 23 November 2009 and registered 
                                 in Guernsey as a limited partnership on 25 
                                 November 2009 (registration number 1242); 
 
 "Fund I GP"                    means BECAP GP LP acting as general partner 
                                 of Fund I and by its general partner, BECAP 
                                 GP Limited; 
 
 "Fund II"                      BECAP12 Fund LP, a Guernsey limited partnership 
                                 established and registered in Guernsey as 
                                 a limited partnership on 17 November 2011 
                                 (registration number 1558); 
 
 "Fund II GP"                   means BECAP12 GP LP acting as general partner 
                                 of Fund II and by its general partner, BECAP12 
                                 GP Limited; 
 
 "Gardner"                      means Gardner Group Limited; 
 
 "GDPR"                         means the General Data Protection Regulation; 
 
 "General Partners" or          both Fund I GP and Fund II GP together; 
  "GPs" 
 
 "General Partner's Share"      the priority profit share payable to the General 
                                 Partner pursuant to the Partnership Agreement; 
 
 "GFSC"                         the Guernsey Financial Services Commission; 
 
 "IFRS"                         International Financial Reporting Standards; 
 
 "iNTERTAIN"                    means the iNTERTAIN group of companies; 
 
 "IPEV"                         International Private Equity and Venture Capital 
                                 Valuation Guidelines; 
 
 "Listing Rules"                the listing rules made under section 73A of 
                                 the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 
                                 (as set out in the FCA Handbook), as amended; 
 
 "London Stock Exchange"        London Stock Exchange plc; 
 
 "Main Market"                  the main market of the London Stock Exchange; 
 
 "Net Asset Value" or "NAV"     the value of the assets of the Company less 
                                 its liabilities, calculated in accordance 
                                 with the valuation guidelines laid down by 
                                 the Board; 
 
 "Northern Aerospace"           means Northern Aerospace Limited; 
 
 "OfficeTeam"                   means Project Oliver Topco Limited and its 
                                 subsidiaries, which together trade as OfficeTeam; 
 
 "Omnico"                       means the Omnico Group of companies; 
 
 "PCC"                          Protected Cell Company; 
 
 "POI Law"                      The Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of 
                                 Guernsey) Law, 1987, as amended; 
 
 "PPS"                          means pence per share; 
 
 "Prospectus"                   The prospectus of the Company, most recently 
                                 updated on 29 July 2013 and available on the 
                                 Company's website (www.bettercapital.gg); 
 
 "Redemption"                   means a compulsory pro rata redemption of 
                                 the 2009 Shares; 
 
 "Registrar"                    Link Market Services (Guernsey) Limited; 
 
 "Spicers"                      means the Spicers group of companies; 
 
 "SPOT"                         means the Spicers OfficeTeam group of companies; 
 
 "UK"                           United Kingdom; 
 

General Information

 
 
   Board of Directors                     Guernsey advocates to the Company 
   Richard Crowder (Chairman)             Carey Olsen 
   Richard Battey                         PO Box 98 
   Philip Bowman                          Carey House 
   Jon Moulton                            Les Banques 
                                          St Peter Port 
   Company secretary                      Guernsey 
   Estera International Fund Managers     GY1 4BZ 
   (Guernsey) Limited 
   PO Box 286                             English solicitors to the Company 
   Floor 2, Trafalgar Court               DLA Piper UK LLP 
   Les Banques                            160 Aldersgate Street 
   St Peter Port                          London 
   Guernsey                               EC1A 4HT 
   GY1 4LY 
                                          Corporate broker and financial 
   Registered office                      adviser 
   PO Box 286                             Numis Securities Limited 
   Floor 2, Trafalgar Court               10 Paternoster Square 
   Les Banques                            London 
   St Peter Port                          EC4M 7LT 
   Guernsey 
   GY1 4LY                                Independent auditor 
                                          BDO Limited 
   Guernsey administrator                 PO Box 180 
   Estera International Fund Managers     Place du Pré 
   (Guernsey) Limited                     Rue du Pré 
   PO Box 286                             St Peter Port 
   Floor 2, Trafalgar Court               Guernsey 
   Les Banques                            GY1 3LL 
   St Peter Port 
   Guernsey                               Public relations adviser (until 
   GY1 4LY                                16 October 2019) 
                                          Powerscourt 
   Registrar                              1 Tudor Street 
   Link Market Services (Guernsey)        London 
   Limited                                EC4Y 0AH 
   Mont Crevelt House 
   Bulwer Avenue                          Website 
   St Sampson                             www.bettercapital.gg 
   Guernsey 
   GY2 4LH                                Tickers 
                                          2009 Cell: BCAP.L 
                                          2012 Cell: BC12.L 
 

Better Capital PCC Limited, is a company incorporated in and controlled from Guernsey as a Protected Cell Company. There are two cells, being the 2009 Cell and the 2012 Cell. The ordinary shares of each cell are admitted to the Main Market operated by the London Stock Exchange plc.

The principal activity of the Company is to act as a feeder fund, through each cell, and pursue an investment objective which aims to generate attractive total returns by investing (2009 Cell through Fund I and 2012 Cell through Fund II) in a portfolio of distressed businesses, such returns being expected to accrue largely through capital growth.

Following the investment by the Cells into the Funds, the Funds invest in distressed businesses, through special purpose vehicles. The Fund GPs are the investment managers in each respective Fund and have overall responsibility for the management and administration of the businesses and affairs of the Funds, including the management of its investments and as such the Cells have no control over the investments made by the Funds.

Fund I will terminate on 17 June 2021. The Board is confident, that within the timeframe, the Fund I GP will continue to work towards generating the best possible returns through the realisation of the residual assets in the portfolio. With Fund I being the 2009 Cell's sole investment, following its termination, the Board will begin the orderly wind-up of the 2009 Cell which has sufficient resources to continue as a going concern. For this reason, the accounts of the 2009 Cell are therefore prepared on a going concern basis.

Fund II is scheduled to terminate on 30 June 2021 unless the General Partner of Fund II exercises its discretion to extend Fund II's term for up to two additional one year periods, subject to the consent of the Company. The 2012 Cell has sufficient resources to continue in existence until termination. For this reason, the Board continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts of the 2012 Cell.

The Company is a limited liability, Closed-ended Investment Company. The Company has an unlimited life and is registered with the GFSC as a Registered Closed-ended Collective Investment Scheme. The registered office of the Company is PO Box 286, Floor 2, Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 4LY.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

IR TJBATMBBTBIL

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 23, 2019 10:25 ET (15:25 GMT)

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