TIDMSAA

RNS Number : 5044W

M&C Saatchi PLC

18 April 2023

M&C SAATCHI PLC

(the "Company" or "M&C Saatchi")

Audited Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

The Company today announces its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2022. The Company has delivered another year of record results with its highest ever net revenue, Headline operating profit, Headline profit before tax and Headline earnings.

Highlights

 
      --   Record 2022 net revenue of GBP271.1m, growth of 8.7% versus 
            2021. 
      --   Record 2022 Headline profit before tax of GBP31.8m (2021: 
            GBP27.3m). 
      --   Results underpinned by strong growth in the Issues, Consulting 
            and Passions specialisms, and central cost savings. 
      --   2022 Statutory profit before tax of GBP5.4m (2021: GBP21.6m), 
            adversely affected predominantly by GBP10.8m of one-off 
            defence costs relating to the failed takeover bids for 
            the Company. 
      --   2022 Headline operating profit margin improved to 13.1% 
            (2021: 12.5%). 
      --   Strong net operating cashflow generation of GBP42.2m, 
            with cash conversion of 99%. 
      --   Net cash of GBP30.0m (2021: GBP34.4m) after paying for 
            put options and one-off defence costs relating to the 
            takeover bids. Borrowings reduced to GBP7m (2021: GBP20m). 
      --   Reinstated dividend payments with a recommended final 
            dividend of 1.5 pence per share. 
      --   New wins include: Diageo, Tinder, LVMH, PepsiCo, UK Covid-19 
            Inquiry account and Australia Retirement Trust and being 
            appointed to the Emirates Airline, Samsung, and Volkswagen 
            global rosters. 
      --   Good momentum in recently launched consultancies in the 
            sustainability, data analytics and digital innovation 
            sectors. 
      --   Completed Phase 1 of a global efficiency programme with 
            material cost savings identified. 
      --   Planet commitments launched, targets validated by Science 
            Based Targets initiative. 
 

Financial results for the year ended 31 December 2022

 
 
                               Headline *              Statutory 
GBPm                      2022   2021  Movement   2022   2021  Movement 
Billings**               597.5  533.4     12.0%      -      -         - 
Revenue                  462.5  394.6     17.2%  462.5  394.6     17.2% 
Net revenue**            271.1  249.3      8.7%      -      -         - 
EBITDA**                  45.2   40.8     10.8%      -      -         - 
Operating profit          35.4   31.1     13.8%   10.5   27.3    -61.5% 
Profit before taxation    31.8   27.3     16.5%    5.4   21.6    -75.0% 
Profit for the year       24.0   20.0     20.5%    0.2   13.2    -98.5% 
Earnings***               18.1   13.7     32.8%    0.1   12.8    -99.2% 
Earnings per share       14.9p  11.3p     31.9%   0.1p  10.5p    -99.3% 
Tax rate                 24.5%  26.6%   -2.1pts  95.5%  39.1%  +56.4pts 
 
 

* Headline results represent the underlying trading profitability of the group and exclude:

-- Separately disclosed items that are one-off in nature and are not part of running the business.

-- Acquisition-related costs (including amortisation of acquired intangibles and impairment of goodwill).

   --   Gains or losses generated by disposals of subsidiaries and associates. 

-- Fair value adjustments to unlisted equity investments, acquisition related contingent consideration and put options.

   --   Dividends paid to IFRS 2 put option holders. 

Although our peers may use these same terms, they are not necessarily calculated on the same basis. However, as measures of Headline performance, they have been included to better assess the underlying performance of the business and to enable better comparability both across the industry and when comparing year-on-year results.

** Billings, net revenue and EBITDA excluded from Statutory results as these are not IFRS terms.

*** Earnings are calculated after deducting share of profits attributable to non-controlling interests.

Current trading and outlook

The Company expects Headline profit before tax for 2023 to be in line with market expectations of GBP36.5m-GBP38.0m, representing a 15-19% increase on the record profits of 2022.

Along with the wider market, we have seen some impact in the year to date from the headwinds in the technology sector, particularly in our Media specialism. However, we continue to see the benefit of our diverse range of businesses with strong pipelines in the Consulting, Issues and Passions specialisms, which gives us confidence for the remainder of the year. In addition, the cost efficiency programme is expected to deliver savings in the second half of 2023. Consequently, profit will be more weighted to the second half of 2023, than in 2022.

Commenting on the 2022 performance and outlook, Moray MacLennan, Chief Executive Officer said:

"Another year of record results, in a year not without challenges. Through a relentless focus on developing core capabilities both within and beyond advertising, alongside careful cost management, we have delivered high-margin and high-revenue growth and are pleased to reinstate dividend payments.

We approach 2023 with guarded optimism. Whilst macroeconomic uncertainties will require careful navigation and management, we have a clear roadmap in place and look forward to building on our solid foundations for profitable growth."

 
 For further information please call: 
  M&C Saatchi plc                                                         +44 (0)20-7543-4500 
 Gareth Davis, Chairman 
  Moray MacLennan, Chief Executive Officer 
 Numis Securities                                                         +44 (0)20-7260-1000 
 Nick Westlake, Iqra Amin 
 Liberum                                                                  +44 (0)20-3100-2000 
 Max Jones, Tim Medak, Mark Harrison, Benjamin 
  Cryer, Will King 
 Brunswick                                                                +44 (0)207-404-5959 
 Andrew Porter, Sumeet Desai, Kate Pope 
 

Chief Executive Statement

2022 was another record year. Unexpected events were met with remarkable resilience and remarkable profitability. Growth was achieved in spite of obstacles.

In 2020 we stabilised the Company and laid the foundations for future success. In 2021 we gained momentum. In 2022 our record net revenue, Headline operating profit, Headline profit before tax and Headline earnings demonstrated the extent of the turnaround.

Targets were set at the Capital Markets Day in 2021, and all of our 2022 targets were surpassed . Between 2020 and 2022 we delivered net revenue CAGR of 10%, Headline operating profit CAGR of 71% and an operating margin improvement from 5% to 13%. As a result, at the Capital Markets Day in February 2023, the Company set out new five-year growth targets to 2027.

This performance is due to our people. They deliver the award-winning work and the revenue day-in, day-out.

On new business, we were appointed to the Emirates Airline, Samsung and Volkswagen global rosters. We won the UK Covid-19 Inquiry account, Australia Retirement Trust, a new global assignment from Diageo, and Vattenfall, one of the world's leading sustainable energy companies.

New client offers were launched in four areas: data analytics, sustainability, digital innovation and B2B SaaS.

We completed the first phase of our global efficiency programme which will result in further simplification of our operating model globally and start delivering cost savings in the second half of 2023.

And all of this with a successful defence against the two failed takeover bids.

Strategy

At our Capital Markets Day this year, we announced our ambition to be the world's leading creative solutions company, of specialist expertise, connected through data and tech, to deliver meaningful change.

Our strategy will focus on high-margin organic growth, improved efficiency, further simplification and M&A.

This includes investment in key capabilities, focusing on data, digital transformation and CX, across our high-margin businesses, increased productisation within all specialisms, expansion into geographic growth markets, and development of a new media proposition.

We initiated a global efficiency programme in the last quarter of 2022, with cost savings and margin improvements expected to be delivered from the second half of 2023, and on an ongoing basis thereafter.

The focus on simplification also involves streamlining the operating model and reducing both legal and operating entities in 2023 and 2024.

We will pursue selective bolt-on M&A opportunities to further strengthen our market proposition.

Specialism performance

The business operates through five connected specialisms. Today, 75% of our operating profit and over half of our revenue come from specialisms other than Advertising. We are no longer just an advertising agency, we are much more than that, we are a creative solutions company. Specialist expertise in disciplines you may expect, such as performance media, PR and data analytics. But also in some that you may not, such as: influencer management, eSports marketing and behaviour change. This specialist expertise connects, through data and technology, to deliver meaningful, commercial and societal change.

2022 People and Planet

A global employee engagement survey, The Loop, was launched and initial results were encouraging with high, positive engagement. A Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ("DE&I") was hired to support and drive the DE&I strategy. Employee-led networks were expanded globally to support protected groups, including: gender, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, and family.

Planet commitments were published to halve greenhouse gas emissions across the Company's own operations and its value chain by 2030, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. Commitment has been made to improving the positive impact of our work, and grow the percentage of revenue from planet-positive campaigns.

Outlook

Whilst there are clear and obvious headwinds affecting society, business in general and our sector, we have a clear roadmap for the next stage of our transformation journey.

We are well placed and remain confident that further progress will be made in the current year, and that we will continue to accelerate change and deliver profitable growth.

For the first time, in a long time, we have a clear runway ahead of us.

2022 Financial Review

Financial performance

The Group manages its financial performance through a number of key performance measures, which are stated below.

 
      --   Net revenue of GBP271.1m, up 8.7% from GBP249.3m; like-for-like 
            growth of 4.3%. 
      --   Headline operating profit margin of 13.1%, up from 12.5%. 
      --   Headline profit before tax of GBP31.8m, the highest ever 
            for the Group, up from GBP27.3m. 
      --   Statutory profit before tax of GBP5.4m, down from GBP21.6m. 
      --   Headline earnings per share of 14.8p, up from 11.3p. 
      --   Statutory earnings per share of 0.1p, down from 10.5p. 
      --   Net cash of GBP30.0m, down from GBP34.4m. 
      --   Drawdown on the Company's revolving multicurrency credit 
            facility of GBP7.0m, reduced from GBP20.0m. 
 
 
 
                                Headline                Statutory 
GBPm                      2022   2021  Movement   2022   2021  Movement 
Billings*                597.5  533.4     12.0%      -      -         - 
Revenue                  462.5  394.6     17.2%  462.5  394.6     17.2% 
Net revenue*             271.1  249.3      8.7%      -      -         - 
EBITDA*                   45.2   40.8     10.8%      -      -         - 
Operating profit          35.4   31.1     13.8%   10.5   27.3    -61.5% 
Profit before taxation    31.8   27.3     16.5%    5.4   21.6    -75.0% 
Profit for the year       24.0   20.0     20.5%    0.2   13.2    -98.5% 
Earnings**                18.1   13.7     32.8%    0.1   12.8    -99.2% 
Earnings per share       14.8p  11.3p     31.7%   0.1p  10.5p    -99.3% 
Tax rate                 24.5%  26.6%   -2.1pts  95.5%  39.1%  +56.4pts 
 
 

*Billings, net revenue and EBITDA are excluded from Statutory results, as these are not IFRS terms. Although our peers may use these same terms, they are not necessarily calculated on the same basis. However, as measures of Headline performance they have been included to better assess the underlying performance of the business and to enable better comparability both across the industry and when comparing year-on-year results.

**Earnings are calculated after deducting share of profits attributable to non-controlling interests.

Headline results

The Headline results are alternative performance measures that the Board considers the most appropriate basis to assess the underlying performance of the business, monitor its results on a month-to-month basis, enable comparison with industry peers and measure like-for-like, year-on-year performance.

Group Headline operating profit was GBP35.4m, increasing from GBP31.1m in 2021. The Group reported a Statutory operating profit of GBP10.5m, down from GBP27.3m in 2021, due to defence advisory costs and other non-trading items.

The Group's Headline profit improvement compared to 2021 was driven largely by strong performance in the Issues and Passions specialisms and by central cost savings. Despite reduced revenue in Advertising, an improvement in the operating profit margin resulted in increased absolute profit in this specialism.

The Group Headline operating profit margin increased to 13.1% from 12.5% in 2021. This represents continued progress towards the Group's operating profit margin target of 18% by 2027 announced at the Capital Markets Day in February 2023.

The key movements between Statutory to Headline results

 
                                           Year ended    Year ended 
                                           31 December   31 December 
                                              2022          2021 
----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                             GBP000        GBP000 
 
Statutory profit before taxation             5,423         21,632 
Separately disclosed items                   13,352       (3,783) 
Dividends paid to IFRS 2 put option 
 holders                                     7,811         5,270 
Put option accounting - IFRS 9 
 and IFRS 2                                  2,233         2,121 
Movement of FVTPL investments under 
 IFRS 9                                      1,587        (2,510) 
Amortisation of acquired intangibles          597           965 
Impairment of non-current assets              564          2,770 
Revaluation of contingent consideration       266           532 
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries 
 and associates                                -             83 
Revaluation of associates on transition 
 to subsidiaries                               -            234 
Headline profit before taxation              31,833        27,314 
 

The larger items causing the movement between Statutory and Headline results for 2022 are explained below and further details are provided in Notes 1 and 2 of the financial statements.

Separately disclosed items

During 2022, GBP10.8m of costs were incurred as the Company was subject to two competing bids to take control and full ownership of the business. Managing the Company's response to these two takeover bids resulted in a number of one-off external advisory and additional internal management costs. In addition, we commenced a global efficiency programme which incurred one-off professional fees of GBP1.0m, and we restructured and closed a number of businesses with costs of GBP1.8m. Last year's credit of GBP3.8m arose as a result of the forgiveness of GBP2.2m of US Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and the GBP2.8m release of a long-term incentive plan accrual, partially offset by lease surrender expenses and the cost arising from the repayment of GBP1.0m of furlough money to the UK government.

Dividends paid to IFRS 2 put option holders

Local management in some of the Group's subsidiaries own minority shareholdings in those subsidiaries. As shareholders, they also have rights to receive dividends, and, as they are employees of those subsidiaries, these are recognised as staff costs.

FVTPL investments under IFRS 9 - financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

The Group holds unlisted equity investments in early-stage companies (detailed in Note 19 of the financial statements). The revaluation of these companies is excluded from Headline results. Market weakness in the technology sector made fundraising and trading more difficult for them in 2022, resulting in an impairment of GBP2.9m and downwards revaluations of GBP2.7m. However, this was partially offset by upwards revaluations of GBP3.0m and profit on disposal of GBP1.2m.

Put option accounting - IFRS 9 and IFRS 2

These charges relate to the revaluations of the put option liabilities (both IFRS 2 and IFRS 9) during the year.

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

Acquired intangibles relate to brand names and customer relationships. Refer to Note 14 of the financial statements for details.

Impairment of non-current assets

In 2022, the Group recorded an impairment charge of GBP0.6m, which primarily relates to the write-off of goodwill in M&C Saatchi (Hong Kong) Limited and Scarecrow Communications Limited. The 2021 charge mainly consisted of a GBP1.9m goodwill write-off in Santa Clara Participações Ltda, along with smaller intangible write-offs.

Net revenue performance by specialism

Group net revenue increased 8.7% in 2022 (4.3% on a like-for-like basis). A like-for-like basis applies constant foreign exchange rates and removes entities disposed of or acquired during 2021, since there were no disposals or acquisitions during 2022; it also adjusts for any reclassification of entities between the specialisms. The Passions and Issues specialisms saw the largest like-for-like net revenue growth of all specialisms in 2022.

 
 
 Net revenue             Reported                Like-for-Like 
  by 
               ----------------------------  -------------------- 
 Specialism       2022          Growth        2022      Growth 
                  GBPm        versus 2021     GBPm    versus 2021 
 
 Advertising      124.3         (2.3)%        118.1     (4.0)% 
 Media            34.2           4.2%         34.2      (1.5)% 
 Issues           42.2           24.4%        41.4       22.0% 
 Consulting       37.0           19.6%        37.0       7.7% 
 Passions         33.4           36.7%        33.4       22.6% 
 Group            271.1          8.7%         264.1      4.3% 
 
 

Advertising remains the largest specialism, comprising 46% of total net revenue (2021: 51%) on a reported basis. However, the other four specialisms have increased their share of total net revenue to 54% (2020: 49%). This shift away from Advertising continues to support operating profit growth, as these other specialisms have an average operating profit margin of 24% compared to Advertising with an operating profit margin of 9%. There has been a marked shift in revenue between the different specialisms over recent years as shown by the table below:

 
 Reported net revenue    Advertising   Media   Issues   Consulting   Passions   Total 
 
         2022                46%        13%     15%        14%         12%      100% 
         2021                51%        13%     14%        12%         10%      100% 
         2020                61%        10%     13%         8%          8%      100% 
         2019                64%        11%     10%         7%          8%      100% 
 

Net revenue performance by region

At a regional level, 2022 saw a reduction in Australia's reported revenue, due to the loss of two major clients. The largest regional increase was in the Americas with a 33% increase in reported revenue but the Middle East and Africa, and Asia also grew significantly.

 
 Net revenue             Reported            Like-for-Like 
  by 
                   --------------------  -------------------- 
 Region             2022      Growth      2022      Growth 
                    GBPm    versus 2021   GBPm    versus 2021 
 
 UK                 98.2       3.3%       98.2       3.3% 
 Europe             15.3       0.7%       15.3      (1.1)% 
 Middle East and 
  Africa            23.4       15.6%      23.4       11.7% 
 Asia               26.1       12.1%      22.1       10.3% 
 Australia          52.9      (2.1)%      52.9      (5.4)% 
 Americas           55.2       33.1%      52.2       13.9% 
 Group              271.1      8.7%       264.1      4.3% 
 

The UK remains the largest region in the Group comprising 36% of total net revenue (2021: 39%) on a reported revenue basis. The recent shifts in share of revenue by region can be seen in the table below:

 
 Reported net    UK    Europe*    Middle     Asia*   Australia   Americas*   Total 
    revenue                       East and 
                                   Africa 
     2022        36%     6%         9%        10%       19%         20%      100% 
     2021        39%     6%         8%        8%        22%         17%      100% 
     2020        39%     13%        7%        5%        21%         15%      100% 
     2019        40%     12%        7%        5%        20%         16%      100% 
 

*Includes material acquisitions or disposals during this period. The businesses in France and Spain (Europe) were disposed of and the businesses in China and Pakistan (Asia) and Brazil (Americas) were acquired.

Financial income and expense

The Group's finance income and expense includes bank interest, lease interest and fair value adjustments to minority shareholder put option liabilities (IFRS 9). Further details can be found in Note 7 of the financial statements.

Bank interest payable for the year was GBP1.2m (2021: GBP1.6m). Higher interest rates on the Company's revolving multicurrency credit facility agreement were offset by optimal allocation of cash around the Group, which reduced the drawdown on the Facility.

The interest on leases increased to GBP3.0m (2021: GBP2.8m) due to the full-year impact of leases entered into in 2021.

The fair value adjustment of put option liabilities created a charge of GBP1.1m (2021: charge of GBP0.9m). This increase is due to increased profitability in the agencies where there are outstanding put option arrangements.

Tax

Headline Tax

Our Headline tax rate has reduced marginally from 26.6% to 24.5%. The reduction is due to the use of prior years' tax losses (caused in part by the Covid-19 pandemic) to offset current profitability and an increase in profits from countries with lower tax rates, partly offset by increased expenditure on disallowable costs.

Statutory Tax

The Statutory tax rate increased from 39.1% in 2021 to 95.5% in 2022. In general, we expect large variations in Statutory tax rates. This is because items such as share-based payments (option charges) and put options arising from investments in subsidiaries are non-deductible against corporation tax, due to their being capital in nature. In 2022, two parties tried to acquire the Company and a proportion of the defence costs was disallowable due to their being capital in nature. This increased our non-deductible expenses.

Non-controlling interests (minority interests)

On a Headline basis, the non-controlling interest share of the Group's profit represents the minority shareholders' share of each of the Group's subsidiaries' profit or loss for the year. In 2022, the share of profits attributable to non-controlling interests reduced to GBP5.9m (2021: GBP6.4m) and minority interests reduced to 25% of profit after tax (2021: 32%). This reflects a reduction during the year in the minority interest shareholdings in several Group entities, as a result of the settlement of put options, to the value of GBP12.1m.

On a Statutory basis, non-controlling interests excludes any minority interests which relate to IFRS 2 put option holders (holders of put options that are contingent on being employed by the relevant company), whose share of the entity's Statutory profit is paid as dividends each year, and are reported as staff costs in the Statutory results.

Dividends

The Board believes that the Group has significant growth potential. Accordingly, the Board believes that the Group would be best served, and this potential realised, from investing annual profits back into the business and into new growth initiatives.

However, the Board recognises the importance of dividends within the Company's capital allocation policy, alongside the settlement of put options and investment in growth initiatives. The Board has therefore decided to resume payment of dividends in 2023 and intends to adopt a progressive dividend policy in future, targeting a payout ratio of 25% in the medium term.

The Company did not pay a dividend to its shareholders in 2022 (2021: nil). But given the financial performance during the year, the Board is recommending the payment of a final dividend of 1.5 pence per share.

Subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting, to be held on 14 June 2023, the dividend will be paid on 12 July 2023 to shareholders on the register of members at 9 June 2023. The shares will go ex-dividend on 8 June 2023.

Cash flow and banking arrangements

Total gross cash (excluding bank overdrafts) at 31 December 2022 was GBP41.5m (2021: GBP69.4m). Cash net of bank borrowings was GBP30.0m, compared to GBP34.4m in 2021.

In 2022, the Group generated operating cash from trading (before working capital) of GBP43.0m, before the costs associated with the takeover defence (GBP10.8m) and before dividends and allocations paid to IFRS 2 put option holders (GBP7.8m). There was a GBP4.8m net inflow from working capital (2021: GBP15.2m outflow), driven mainly by a focus on billing more quickly and collecting more promptly. This was offset by GBP10.3m of lease payments (2021: GBP9.0m) and GBP12.1m of payments to acquire non-controlling interests (2021: GBP5.3m). In addition, GBP5.6m of tangible and intangible fixed assets were purchased in 2022 (compared to GBP2.6m in 2021), primarily due to investment in the new office in Sydney, Australia.

Net operating cashflow (operating cash from trading, net of working capital, purchases of intangible/tangible fixed assets, and the principal payment on leases) for the year was GBP34.9m, which represents a cash conversion from Headline operating profit of 99%.

The following table sets out the key movements in net cash during 2022:

 
 Movement in net cash during 2022           GBPm 
 
 Net cash at the beginning of the 
  year                                      34.4 
 Increase in cash from trading              43.0 
 Increase in cash from working capital 
  movements                                 4.8 
 Net interest paid                         (0.8) 
 Purchases of intangible/tangible fixed 
  assets                                   (5.6) 
 Tax paid                                  (6.7) 
 Dividends and allocations paid to 
  IFRS 2 put option holders                (7.8) 
 Payment of lease liabilities              (10.3) 
 Costs associated with the takeover 
  defence                                  (10.8) 
 Cash consideration for non-controlling 
  interest acquired                        (12.1) 
 Other movements                            1.9 
 Net cash at the end of the year            30.0 
 

The Company has a revolving multicurrency credit facility agreement with National Westminster Bank Plc and Barclays Bank PLC for up to GBP47.0m (the "Facility") which terminates on 21 May 2024, with an option to extend for an additional year. The Facility includes a GBP2.5m overdraft and the ability to draw up to GBP3.0m as a bonding facility as required. The primary purpose of the Facility is to provide the Group with additional liquidity headroom to support any variations in working capital.

At 31 December 2022, GBP7.0m was drawn on the Facility compared to GBP20.0m at 31 December 2021.

Capital expenditure

Total capital expenditure in 2022 (including software acquired) increased to GBP5.6m (2021: GBP2.6m). This included GBP1.7m on furniture, fittings and other equipment (2021: GBP0.3m), GBP1.6m (2021: GBP1.4m) on computer equipment, GBP1.1m (2021: GBP0.1m) on leasehold improvements, and GBP1.0m (2021: GBP0.8m) on software and film rights. The remaining GBP0.2m (2021: nil) was spent on acquiring the customer relationships of the Channel Mum influencer network.

Share-based incentive arrangements

The Group operates a business model through which certain members of senior management have minority ownership in the subsidiary companies they operate, through share-based incentive (put option) arrangements. Given the Group's strong cash position, we intend to settle put options in cash rather than shares when the options fall due, which reduces the risk of substantial share dilution to shareholders.

The table below presents a range of potential cash payments to settle put options for the next six years based on the future share price of the Company, the estimated future business performance for each business unit and assuming the put options are exercised as soon as possible. These forecasts are based on the Group's three-year plans which were developed as part of our budget cycle.

 
                                                           Potentially payable 
                                          2023       2024      2025       2026       2027       2028       Total 
 Future Share Price of the Company      GBP000     GBP000    GBP000     GBP000     GBP000     GBP000      GBP000 
 At 151p*                            GBP17,498   GBP2,470    GBP373   GBP2,932     GBP924     GBP740   GBP24,937 
 At 160p                             GBP18,324   GBP2,609    GBP401   GBP2,978     GBP979     GBP784   GBP26,075 
 At 175p                             GBP19,746   GBP2,841    GBP448   GBP3,102   GBP1,071     GBP858   GBP28,066 
 At 200p                             GBP22,323   GBP3,227    GBP526   GBP3,522   GBP1,224     GBP981   GBP31,803 
 At 225p                             GBP24,800   GBP3,512    GBP604   GBP3,941   GBP1,377   GBP1,103   GBP35,337 
 At 250p                             GBP27,226   GBP3,747    GBP682   GBP4,360   GBP1,530   GBP1,226   GBP38,771 
 At 300p                             GBP32,121   GBP4,217    GBP838   GBP5,199   GBP1,836   GBP1,471   GBP45,682 
 

*Share price at 31 December 2022

Put option holders are not required to exercise their options at the first opportunity. Many do not and prefer to remain shareholders in the subsidiary companies they manage. As a result, some put option holders may exercise their options later than the dates we have estimated in the table above.

If, in the future, the Company decides to fulfil the put options by way of shares in the Company, then the number of shares in the Company that will be provided is equal to the liability divided by the Company's share price at the date of exercise.

Summary

The Company's performance in 2022 was strong, particularly given the distractions of the potential takeovers. Driven by a 9% increase in revenue and a further increase in Headline operating profit margin to 13.1% (2021: 12.5%), the Company generated its highest ever net revenue, Headline operating profit, Headline profit before tax and Headline earnings. The strategy set out in 2021, and reinforced in 2023, continues to reap rewards and we have a clear path towards further margin and profit increases.

The Company expects Headline profit before tax for 2023 to be in line with market expectations of GBP36.5m-GBP38.0m, representing a 15-19% increase on the record profits of 2022.

Along with the wider market, we have seen some impact in the year to date from the headwinds in the technology sector, particularly in our Media specialism. However, we continue to see the benefit of our diverse range of businesses with strong pipelines in the Consulting, Issues and Passions specialisms, which gives us confidence for the remainder of the year. In addition, the cost efficiency programme is expected to deliver savings in the second half of 2023. Consequently, profit will be more weighted to the second half of 2023, than in 2022.

This statement along with the audited consolidated statutory financial statements is available on our website: https://www.mcsaatchiplc.com/reports-results/2022

Printed copies of the Annual Report are being posted to shareholders who have requested hard copies.

Consolidated Income Statement

 
 
 
                                                          2022        2021 
                                                         Total       Total 
 Year ended 31 December                       Note      GBP000      GBP000 
                                                    ----------  ---------- 
 Billings (unaudited)                            4     597,520     533,350 
------------------------------------------  ------  ----------  ---------- 
 Revenue                                         4     462,533     394,575 
 Project cost / direct cost                          (191,393)   (145,239) 
 Net revenue                                     4     271,140     249,336 
 Staff costs                                     5   (198,765)   (172,493) 
 Depreciation                                16,17     (9,326)     (9,196) 
 Amortisation                                   14     (1,060)     (1,412) 
 Impairment charges                          14,17       (564)     (2,937) 
 Other operating charges                              (49,474)    (39,573) 
 Other (losses) / gains                         19     (1,403)       3,533 
 Operating profit                                       10,548      27,258 
------------------------------------------  ------  ----------  ---------- 
 Share of results of associates and joint 
  ventures                                      15        (10)       (190) 
 Gain on disposal of subsidiaries               11           -          42 
 Impairment of associate investment             15           -       (357) 
 Finance income                                  7         391         260 
 Finance expense                                 7     (5,506)     (5,381) 
------------------------------------------  ------  ----------  ---------- 
 Profit before taxation                                  5,423      21,632 
------------------------------------------  ------  ----------  ---------- 
 Taxation                                        8     (5,178)     (8,459) 
------------------------------------------  ------  ----------  ---------- 
 Profit for the year                                       245      13,173 
------------------------------------------  ------  ----------  ---------- 
 Attributable to: 
 Equity shareholders of the Group                           90      12,757 
 Non-controlling interests                                 155         416 
------------------------------------------  ------  ----------  ---------- 
 Profit for the year                                       245      13,173 
------------------------------------------  ------  ----------  ---------- 
 Profit per share 
 Basic (pence)                                   1       0.07p      10.53p 
 Diluted (pence)                                 1       0.07p       9.38p 
------------------------------------------  ------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 
 
 Headline results 
 Operating profit                             1    35,388    31,136 
 Profit before taxation                       1    31,833    27,314 
 Profit after tax attributable to equity 
  shareholders of the Group                   1    18,105    13,687 
 Basic earnings per share 
  (pence)                                     1    14.81p    11.30p 
 Diluted earnings per 
  share (pence)                               1   13.47 p    10.06p 
 EBITDA                                            45,168    40,821 
------------------------------------------  ---  --------   ------- 
 
 

The following notes form part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income

 
 
                                                  2022     2021 
 Year ended 31 December                         GBP000   GBP000 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Profit for the year                               245   13,173 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Other comprehensive profit* 
 Exchange differences on translating foreign 
  operations                                     4,785      664 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Other comprehensive profit for the year 
  net of tax                                     4,785      664 
 
 Total comprehensive profit for the year         5,030   13,837 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 Total comprehensive profit attributable 
  to: 
 Equity shareholders of the Group                4,875   13,421 
 Non-controlling interests                         155      416 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Total comprehensive profit for the year         5,030   13,837 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 

*All items in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income may be reclassified to the income statement.

The following notes form part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 
 
                                                     2022       2021 
At 31 December                            Note     GBP000     GBP000 
---------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------- 
Non-current assets 
Intangible assets                           14     41,968     40,499 
Investments in associates and JV            15        191        202 
Plant and equipment                         16      8,310      6,333 
Right-of-use assets                         17     43,992     44,397 
Other non-current assets                    18      1,107      1,211 
Deferred tax assets                          9      5,131      6,777 
Financial assets at fair value through 
 profit or loss                             19     11,986     15,183 
Deferred and contingent consideration       13        914          - 
--------------------------------------- 
                                                  113,599    114,602 
---------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------- 
Current assets 
Trade and other receivables                 20    132,067    132,741 
Current tax assets                                  3,909        247 
Cash and cash equivalents                          41,492     69,419 
--------------------------------------- 
                                                  177,468    202,407 
---------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------- 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                    21  (155,547)  (154,049) 
Provisions                                  22    (1,056)    (1,193) 
Current tax liabilities                             (481)      (837) 
Borrowings                                  23    (4,430)   (14,737) 
Lease liabilities                           17    (6,448)    (6,950) 
Deferred and contingent consideration       13          -      (984) 
Minority shareholder put option 
 liabilities                             26/27   (18,419)   (20,788) 
---------------------------------------  -----  --------- 
                                                (186,381)  (199,538) 
---------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------- 
Net current (liabilities) / assets                (8,913)      2,869 
---------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------- 
Total assets less current liabilities             104,686    117,471 
---------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------- 
Non-current liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities                     9    (1,245)      (777) 
Corporation tax liabilities                  9      (856)          - 
Borrowings                                  23    (6,802)   (19,821) 
Lease liabilities                           17   (49,122)   (49,895) 
Minority shareholder put option 
 liabilities                             26/27    (4,429)   (11.572) 
Other non-current liabilities               24    (4,046)    (2,549) 
---------------------------------------  -----  --------- 
                                                 (66,500)   (84,614) 
---------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------- 
Total net assets                                   38,186     32,857 
---------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------- 
 
 
 
                                                 2022      2021 
At 31 December                         Note    GBP000    GBP000 
-------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Equity 
Share capital                            28     1,227     1,227 
Share premium                                  50,327    50,327 
Merger reserve                                 37,554    37,554 
Treasury reserve                                (550)     (550) 
Minority interest put option reserve          (2,896)   (6,615) 
Non-controlling interest acquired            (32,984)  (29,190) 
Foreign exchange reserve                        6,638     1,853 
Accumulated losses                           (21,303)  (22,122) 
-------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Equity attributable to shareholders 
 of the Group                                  38,013    32,484 
Non-controlling interest                          173       373 
-------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Total equity                                   38,186    32,857 
-------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
 

Reserves are defined in note 35.

These consolidated financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 17 April 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Bruce Marson

Chief Financial Officer

M&C Saatchi plc

Company Number 05114893

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 
 
                                                                                                        Retained 
                                                                                                        earnings 
                                                                 MI put  Non-controlling   Foreign             /            Non-controlling 
                             Share    Share   Merger  Treasury   option         interest  exchange  (accumulated       Sub         interest 
                           capital  premium  reserve   reserve  reserve         acquired  reserves       losses)     total        in equity     Total 
                     Note   GBP000   GBP000   GBP000    GBP000   GBP000           GBP000    GBP000        GBP000    GBP000           GBP000    GBP000 
---------------  --------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  --------  ------------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
At 31 December 
 2020                        1,159   44,607   37,554     (550)  (4,953)         (29,190)     1,210       (4,939)    44,898              233    45,131 
---------------  --------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  --------  ------------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Acquisitions 
 including 
 deferred 
 consideration   12,13,26       54    4,949        -         -  (2,000)                -         -             -     3,003                -     3,003 
Exercise of 
 Minority 
 Interest put 
 options               26        5      419        -         -      338                -         -             -       762                -       762 
Transfer from 
 equity 
 to 
 cash-settled 
 put 
 options               27        -        -        -         -        -                -         -      (32,555)  (32,555)                -  (32,555) 
Transfer from 
 cash 
 to 
 equity-settled 
 put options           27        -        -        -         -        -                -         -           994       994                -       994 
Share option 
 charge                27        -        -        -         -        -                -         -         2,235     2,235                -     2,235 
Buyout of 
 equity 
 put options in 
 cash                            -        -        -         -        -                -         -         (632)     (632)                -     (632) 
Issue of shares                  6      352        -         -        -                -         -             -       358                -       358 
Exercise of put 
 options                         3        -        -         -        -                -         -           (3)         -                -         - 
Disposal of 
 subsidiaries                    -        -        -         -        -                -      (21)            21         -                -         - 
Dividends              10        -        -        -         -        -                -         -             -         -            (276)     (276) 
---------------  --------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  --------  ------------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Total 
 transactions 
 with owners                    68    5,720        -         -  (1,662)                -      (21)      (29,940)  (25,835)            (276)  (26,111) 
Total profit 
 for 
 the year                        -        -        -         -        -                -         -        12,757    12,757              416    13,173 
Total other 
 comprehensive 
 income for the 
 year                            -        -        -         -        -                -       664             -       664                -       664 
---------------  --------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  --------  ------------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
At 31 December 
 2021                        1,227   50,327   37,554     (550)  (6,615)         (29,190)     1,853      (22,122)    32,484              373    32,857 
---------------  --------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  --------  ------------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
Share option 
 charge                27        -        -        -         -        -                -         -         1,229     1,229                -     1,229 
Amounts paid on 
 settlement 
 of LTIP               27        -        -        -         -        -                -         -         (500)     (500)                -     (500) 
Exercise of put 
 options               26        -        -        -         -    3,719          (3,794)         -             -      (75)               75         - 
Dividends              10        -        -        -         -        -                -         -             -         -            (430)     (430) 
---------------  --------  ------- 
Total 
 transactions 
 with owners                     -        -        -         -    3,719          (3,794)         -           729       654            (355)       299 
Total profit 
 for 
 the year                        -        -        -         -        -                -         -            90        90              155       245 
Total other 
 comprehensive 
 income for the 
 year                            -        -        -         -        -                -     4,785             -     4,785                -     4,785 
---------------  -------- 
At 31 December 
 2022                        1,227   50,327   37,554     (550)  (2,896)         (32,984)     6,638      (21,303)    38,013              173    38,186 
---------------  --------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  ---------------  --------  ------------  --------  ---------------  -------- 
 
 

The following notes form part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

 
                                                              2022      2021 
Year ended 31 December                              Note    GBP000    GBP000 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Operating profit                                            10,548    27,258 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Adjustments for: 
Depreciation of plant and equipment                   16     2,480     2,237 
Depreciation of right-of-use assets                   17     6,846     6,959 
Loss on sale of plant and equipment                            165        95 
Loss on sale of software intangibles                           175       824 
Revaluation of financial assets at FVTPL              19     1,403   (3,533) 
Revaluation of contingent consideration               13       266       532 
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets            14       597       965 
Impairment of goodwill and other intangibles          14       556     1,900 
Impairment and amortisation of capitalised 
 software intangible assets                           14       635     1,484 
Exercise of share-based payment schemes with 
 cash                                                 26     (500)         - 
Equity settled share-based payment expenses           27     1,229     2,235 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Operating cash before movements in working 
 capital                                                    24,400    40,956 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
(Increase) in trade and other receivables                  (4,187)  (38,912) 
Increase in trade and other payables                         9,104    23,434 
(Decrease) / increase in provisions                          (137)       316 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Cash generated from operations                              29,180    25,794 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Tax paid                                                   (6,712)   (6,844) 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Net cash from operating activities                          22,468    18,950 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Investing activities 
Acquisitions of subsidiaries net of cash acquired     12         -       633 
Disposal of associate or subsidiary (net of 
 cash disposed of)                                    11         -       (2) 
Acquisitions of unlisted investments                  19         -      (81) 
Proceeds from sale of unlisted investments            19       918       209 
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment                        -       223 
Purchase of plant and equipment                       16   (4,383)   (1,789) 
Purchase of capitalised software                      14   (1,192)     (837) 
Interest received                                      7       391       260 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Net cash consumed by investing activities                  (4,266)   (1,384) 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Net cash from operating and investing activities            18,202    17,566 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Financing activities 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest                   (430)     (152) 
Cash consideration for non-controlling interest 
 acquired and other options                           27  (12,104)   (5,348) 
Payment of deferred consideration                     13   (1,250)         - 
Buyout of equity put options in cash                             -     (632) 
Payment of lease liabilities                          17   (7,307)   (6,210) 
Proceeds from bank loans                              23         -     9,301 
Repayment of bank loans                               23  (13,410)  (16,909) 
Borrowing costs                                                  -     (602) 
Interest paid                                          7   (1,200)   (1,555) 
Interest paid on leases                               17   (2,970)   (2,800) 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Net cash consumed by financing activities                 (38,671)  (24,907) 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                 (20,469)   (7,341) 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash 
 held                                                        2,711      (55) 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning 
 of the year                                                54,979    62,375 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Total cash and cash equivalents at the end 
 of the year                                                37,221    54,979 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
 
Cash and cash equivalents                                   41,492    69,419 
Bank overdrafts*                                      23   (4,271)  (14,440) 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Total cash and cash equivalents at the end 
 of the year                                                37,221    54,979 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Bank loans and borrowings**                           23   (7,212)  (20,590) 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
Net cash                                                    30,009    34,389 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -------- 
 

*These overdrafts are legally offset against balances held in the UK; however, they have not been netted off in accordance with the requirements of IAS32.42.

**Bank loans and borrowings are defined in note 23; they exclude the lease liability of GBP55,570k (2021 GBP56,845k) (note 17)

The following notes form part of these consolidated financial statements.

Preparation

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards, in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling and, unless stated otherwise, rounded to the nearest thousand. They have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments.

Going concern

These financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis.

The Board have concluded that under the most likely going concern scenarios, the Group will have sufficient liquidity and headroom on bank covenants to continue to operate for a period of not less than a year from approving the financial statements.

The Board have formed their opinion after evaluating 5 different severe but plausible forecast scenarios and a reverse stress test, extending to 31 December 2025, comprising:

   1.     a significant reduction in new business wins; 
   2.     a significant increase in wage inflation; 
   3.     a significant number of top clients are lost; 
   4.     a significant economic downturn; and 
   5.     a reverse stress test case. 

These severe but plausible scenarios are assumed to materialise from Q1 2023 onwards. The estimated decline in profit before tax ranges from GBP22m to GBP26m compared to the base case plan for the cumulative period ending 31 December 2024, including a GBP11m to GBP18m decline in profit before tax in 2023.

The reverse stress test case evaluates how extreme conditions would need to be for the Group to break its covenants within the going concern review period. The conditions go significantly further than the severe but plausible scenarios and reflect a scenario that the Directors consider to be highly unlikely.

The Directors have also considered the impact of climate change on going concern, taking into account the Company's support for Ad Net Zero (the industry initiative to tackle climate change led by the Advertising Association and its members), and do not believe that there is a significant financial impact.

The Board is satisfied that the Group's forecasts, which take into account reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that there are no material uncertainties over going concern, and that, even under the severe but plausible scenarios, the Group will continue to have sufficient liquidity and headroom to operate within the terms of its banking covenants. The Board, therefore, have concluded the going concern basis of preparation continues to be appropriate.

Foreign exchange

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate ruling at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date, with the resulting exchange differences recognised in the income statement.

The accounts of each subsidiary are prepared using the functional currency of that subsidiary. The income statements of foreign subsidiary undertakings are translated into pounds sterling at average exchange rates on consolidation. The assets and liabilities of overseas subsidiaries (which comprise the Group's net investment in foreign operations) are translated at the exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date. The resulting exchange differences are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity within the foreign exchange reserve.

Consolidation

The Group's financial statements consolidate the results of the Company and its subsidiary entities, and include the share of its joint ventures' and associates' results accounted for under the equity method.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the Group. The Group controls a subsidiary when it is exposed, or has the rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the subsidiary and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the subsidiary.

The results of subsidiaries are included from the date of acquisition. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with those of the Group. Intra-group transactions, balances, income, and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.

Where a consolidated company is less than 100% owned by the Group, the treatment of the non-controlling interest share of the results and net assets is dependent on how the non-controlling interests' equity award is accounted for. Where the equity is accounted for as a share-based payment award under IFRS 2, all dividend outflow is taken to staff costs, and there is no non-controlling interest. In all other cases, the non-controlling interest share of the results and net assets is recognised at each reporting date in equity, separately from the equity attributable to the shareholders of the Company.

Significant accounting policies

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out in the relevant notes. These policies have been applied consistently to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Critical accounting policies

Certain of the Group's significant accounting policies are considered by the Directors to be critical, due to the level of complexity, judgement, or estimation involved in their application and their potential impact on the consolidated financial statements. The critical accounting policies are listed below and explained in more detail in the relevant notes to the Group financial statements.

Revenue recognition

The Group applied IFRS 15 Revenue on contracts with customers from the start of 2018.

The Group's revenue is earned from the provision of advertising and marketing services, together with commission-based income in relation to media spend and commission-based income in relation to talent performance. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised as, or when, the performance obligations present within the contractual agreements are satisfied. Depending on the arrangement with the client, the Group may act as principal or as agent in the provision of these services.

See note 4 for a full listing of the Group's revenue accounting policies.

Put option accounting (IFRS 2 and IFRS 9)

It is common for equity partners in the Group's subsidiaries to hold put options over their equity, such that they can require the Group to purchase their non-controlling interest for either a variable number of the Company shares or cash. Dependent on the terms and substance of the underlying agreement, these options are either recognised as a put option liability under IFRS 9 (note 26) or as a put option under IFRS 2 (note 27) - see significant judgements below.

An IFRS 9 scheme should be considered as reward for future business performance and is not conditional on the holder being an employee of the business. These instruments are recognised in full at the amortised cost of the underlying award on the date of inception, with both a liability on the balance sheet and a corresponding amount within the minority interest put option reserve being recognised. At each period end, the amortised cost of the put option liability is calculated in accordance with the put option agreement, to determine a best estimate of the future value of the expected award. Resultant movements in the amortised cost of these instruments are charged to the income statement within finance income/expense. The put option liability will vary with both the Group's share price and the subsidiary's financial performance. Upon exercise of an award by a holder, the liability is extinguished and the associated minority interest put option reserve is transferred to the non-controlling interest acquired reserve.

An IFRS 2 scheme should be considered as reward for future business performance and is conditional on the holder being an employee of the business. These schemes are recognised as staff costs over the vesting period (if equity-settled) or until the option is exercised (if cash-settled). In September 2021, the Board made the decision to move to cash settlement of these put options going forward. This required a fair value assessment on the day of the modification and a movement between reserves and liabilities.

See note 27 for a full description of the Group's accounting policy for IFRS 2 put options.

Headline results

As stated in the Financial Review, the Directors believe that the Headline results and Headline earnings per share (see note 1) provide additional useful information on the underlying performance of the business. The Headline results reflect the underlying profitability of the business units, by excluding a number of items that are not part of routine business income and expenses.

In addition, the Headline results are used for internal performance management and reward, and they are also used to calculate minority shareholder put option liabilities. The term 'Headline' is not a defined term in IFRS. Note 1 reconciles Statutory results to Headline results and the segmental reporting (note 3) reflects Headline results, in accordance with IFRS 8.

The items that are excluded from Headline results are:

 
            --   Exceptional separately disclosed items that are one-off in nature and are not part of running 
                  the business. 
            --   Acquisition-related costs. 
            --   Gains or losses generated by disposals of subsidiaries and associates. 
            --   Fair value adjustments to unlisted equity investments, acquisition related contingent consideration 
                  and put options. 
            --   Dividends paid to IFRS 2 put option holders. 
 

Unlisted investments

The Group holds certain unlisted equity investments which are classified as financial assets at FVTPL (see note 19). These investments are initially recognised at their fair value. At the end of each reporting period, the fair value is reassessed, with gains or losses being recognised in the income statement.

Significant accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the course of preparing financial statements, management necessarily makes judgements and estimates that can have a significant impact on the financial statements. The estimates and judgements that are made are continually evaluated, based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The estimates and judgements that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the financial statements within the next financial year are outlined below:

Significant accounting judgements

Management has made the following judgements, which have the most significant effect in terms of the amounts recognised, and their presentation, in the consolidated financial statements.

Non-controlling interest put option accounting - IFRS 2 or IFRS 9

The key judgement is whether the awards are given beneficially as a result of employment, which can be determined where there is an explicit service condition, where the award is given to an existing employee, where the employee is being paid below market value or where there are other indicators that the award is a reward for employment. In such cases, the awards are accounted for as a share-based payment in exchange for employment services under IFRS 2.

Otherwise, where the holder held shares prior to the Group acquiring the subsidiary, or gained the equity to start a subsidiary using their unique skills, and there are no indicators it should be accounted for under IFRS 2, then the award is accounted for under IFRS 9.

Impairment - assessment of CGUs and assessment of indicators of impairment

Impairment reviews are undertaken annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment. Assets with finite lives are reviewed for indicators of impairment (an impairment "trigger") and judgement is applied in determining whether such a trigger has occurred. External and internal factors are monitored by management, including a) adverse changes in the economic or political situation of the geographic locale in which the underlying entity operates, b) heightened risk of client loss or chance of client gain, and c) internal reporting suggesting that an entity's future economic performance is better or worse than previously expected. Where management have concluded that such an indication of impairment exists, then the recoverable amount of the asset is assessed.

The Group assesses whether an impairment is required by comparing the carrying value of the CGU assets (including the right-of-use assets under IFRS 16) to their value in use. Discounted cash flow models, based on the Group's latest budget and 3 year financial plan, and a long term growth rate, are used to determine the recoverable amount for the CGUs. The appropriate estimates and assumptions used require judgement and there is significant estimation uncertainty. The results of impairment reviews conducted at the end of the year are reported in note 14 (Intangible Assets), note 15 ( Investments in associates and joint ventures ), and note 17 ( Leases ).

The Group has recognised a total impairment charge of GBP564k in the year (2021: GBP3,294k), of which GBP728k relates to Intangibles (2021: GBP2,937k) and GBP164k relates to the reversal of a previous impairment of right-of-use assets, for a property which has been sublet in 2022 (2021: GBPNil). There was no impairment in the year of plant and equipment (2021: GBPNil), or associate investments (2021: GBP357k).

Significant estimates and assumptions

Some areas of the Group's financial statements are subject to key assumptions and other significant sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date, that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year. The Group has based its assumptions and estimates on parameters available when the financial statements were prepared.

Deferred tax assets

The Group assesses the future availability of carried forward losses and other tax attributes, by reference to jurisdiction-specific rules around carry forward and utilisation, and it assesses whether it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the attribute can be utilised.

Fair value measurement of financial instruments

The Group holds certain financial instruments, which are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value at the point of recognition and remeasured at the end of each reporting period. At the year-end these relate to:

 
      i.    equity investments at FVTPL in non-listed limited companies (note 19); and 
      ii.   certain contingent consideration (note 13). 
 

No formal market exists to trade these financial instruments and, therefore, their fair value is measured by the most appropriate valuation techniques available, which vary based on the nature of the instruments. The inputs to the valuation models are taken from observable markets where possible, but, where this is not feasible, judgement is required to establish fair values.

The basis of calculation of the estimated fair value of these financial instruments (in addition to sensitivity analyses on the estimates' salient inputs) is detailed in note 29.

Share-based incentive arrangements

Share-based incentives are valued at the date of the grant, using stochastic Monte Carlo pricing models with non-market vesting conditions. Typically, the value of these awards is directly related to the performance of a particular entity of the Group in which the employee holds a minority interest. The key inputs to the pricing model are risk-free interest rates, share price volatility and expected future performance of the entity to which the award relates. Management apply judgement to these inputs, using various sources of information, including the Group's share price, experience of past performance and published data on risk-free interest rates (government gilts).

Details of awards made in the year are shown in note 27.

Leasing estimates

Within IFRS 16, two estimates are used for the recognition of new leases and making amendments to existing leases:

 
 i.    Derivation of the interest rate used for discounting future cash flows - the discount rate used 
        in the calculation of the lease liability involves estimation on a lease-by-lease basis. This 
        involves an estimate of incremental borrowing costs, driven by the territory risk (which comprises 
        both the currency used and the risk-free rates of that country), the date of lease inception, 
        and the lease term. 
 ii.   Anticipated length of lease term - IFRS 16 defines the lease term as the non-cancellable period 
        of a lease, together with the options to extend or terminate a lease, if the lessee is reasonably 
        certain to exercise that option. Where a lease includes the option for the Group to extend the 
        lease term, the Group takes a view, at inception, as to whether it is reasonably certain that 
        the option will be exercised. This will take into account the length of time remaining before 
        the option is exercisable, current trading, future trading forecasts and the level and type of 
        any planned capital investment. The assessment of whether the option will be exercised is reassessed 
        in each reporting period. A reassessment of the remaining life of the lease could result in a 
        recalculation of the lease liability and a material adjustment to the associated balances. 
 

Non-statutory accounts statement

The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2022 and the year ended 31 December 2021 does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for those years.

Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies in due course.

The auditor's reports on the accounts for 31 December 2022 and 2021 were unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis, and did not contain any statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Notes to the Financial Statements

   1.   Headline results and earnings per share 

The analysis below provides a reconciliation between the Group's Statutory results and the Headline results for the current year.

 
 
                                                                                                        Dividends 
                                                               Impairment                                 paid to 
                                    Separately                         of         FVTPL                    IFRS 2 
                                     disclosed  Amortisation  non-current   investments    Revaluation        put  Put option 
                                         items   of acquired       assets    under IFRS  of contingent    holders  accounting 
                         Statutory       (note   intangibles     (note 14       9 (note  consideration      (note    (note 26   Headline 
                              2022          2)     (note 14)        & 17)           19)      (note 13)        5)*       & 27)    results 
Year ended 31 
December 
2022               Note     GBP000      GBP000        GBP000       GBP000        GBP000         GBP000     GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Billings 
 (unaudited)               597,520           -             -            -             -              -          -           -    597,520 
----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Revenue                    462,533           -             -            -             -              -          -           -    462,533 
----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Net revenue                271,140           -             -            -             -              -          -           -    271,140 
----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Staff costs           5  (198,765)       3,412             -            -             -              -      7,811       1,119  (186,423) 
Depreciation      16,17    (9,326)           -             -            -             -              -          -           -    (9,326) 
Amortisation         14    (1,060)           -           597            -             -              -          -           -      (463) 
Impairments       14,17      (564)           -             -          564             -              -          -           -          - 
Other operating 
 charges                  (49,474)       9,940             -            -         (272)            266          -           -   (39,540) 
Other losses         19    (1,403)           -             -            -         1,403              -          -           -          - 
                  ----- 
Operating profit            10,548      13,352           597          564         1,131            266      7,811       1,119     35,388 
----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Share of results 
 of associates 
 and JV              15       (10)           -             -            -             -              -          -           -       (10) 
Finance income        7        391           -             -            -             -              -          -           -        391 
Finance expense       7    (5,506)           -             -            -           456              -          -       1,114    (3,936) 
----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ---------- 
Profit before 
 taxation             8      5,423      13,352           597          564         1,587            266      7,811       2,233     31,833 
----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Taxation              8    (5,178)     (1,982)         (174)            -         (409)              -          -        (47)    (7,790) 
----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Profit for the 
 year                          245      11,370           423          564         1,178            266      7,811       2,186     24,043 
----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Non-controlling 
 interests                   (155)           -             -            -             -              -    (5,783)           -    (5,938) 
----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Profit 
 attributable to 
 equity holders 
 of the 
 Group**                        90      11,370           423          564         1,178            266      2,028       2,186     18,105 
----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 

* The non-controlling interest charge is moved to operating profit due to underlying equity being defined as a IFRS 2 put option.

** Headline earnings are profit attributable to equity holders of the Group after adding back the adjustments noted above.

1. Headline results and earnings per share continued

The analysis below provides a reconciliation between the Group's Statutory results and the Headline results for the prior year.

 
 
 
                                                                                           Revaluation 
                                                                                 Gain on            of                               Dividends 
                                                                Impairment      disposal    associates         FVTPL                   paid to 
                                     Separately                         of            of            on   investments                    IFRS 2 
                                      disclosed  Amortisation  non-current  subsidiaries    transition    under IFRS    Revaluation        put  Put option 
                                          items   of acquired       assets   and related            to       9 (note  of contingent    holders  accounting 
                          Statutory       (note   intangibles        (note   costs (note  subsidiaries           19)  consideration      (note    (note 26   Headline 
                               2021          2)     (note 14)     14 & 15)           11)     (note 15)                    (note 13)        5)*       & 27)    results 
Year ended 31 
December 
2021                Note     GBP000      GBP000        GBP000       GBP000        GBP000        GBP000        GBP000         GBP000     GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Billings 
 (unaudited)                533,350           -             -            -             -             -             -              -          -           -    533,350 
-----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Revenue                     394,575           -             -            -             -             -             -              -          -           -    394,575 
-----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Net revenue                 249,336           -             -            -             -             -             -              -          -           -    249,336 
-----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Staff costs            5  (172,493)     (3,975)             -            -            28             -             -              -      5,270       1,225  (169,945) 
Depreciation       16,17    (9,196)           -             -            -             -             -             -              -          -           -    (9,196) 
Amortisation          14    (1,412)           -           965            -             -             -             -              -          -           -      (447) 
Impairments           14    (2,937)           -             -        2,413             -             -             -              -          -           -      (524) 
Other operating 
 charges                   (39,573)         192             -            -            97             -           664            532          -           -   (38,088) 
Other gains           19      3,533           -             -            -             -             -       (3,533)              -          -           -          - 
                   ----- 
Operating profit             27,258     (3,783)           965        2,413           125             -       (2,869)            532      5,270       1,225     31,136 
-----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Share of results 
 of 
 associates and 
 JV                   15      (190)           -             -            -             -           234             -              -          -           -         44 
Gain on disposal 
 of 
 subsidiaries         11         42           -             -            -          (42)             -             -              -          -           -          - 
Impairment of 
 associate 
 investment           15      (357)           -             -          357             -             -             -              -          -           -          - 
Finance income         7        260           -             -            -             -             -             -              -          -           -        260 
Finance expense        7    (5,381)           -             -            -             -             -           359              -          -         896    (4,126) 
-----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ---------- 
Profit before 
 taxation              8     21,632     (3,783)           965        2,770            83           234       (2,510)            532      5,270       2,121     27,314 
-----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Taxation               8    (8,459)         743         (246)            -             -             -           680              -         11           -    (7,271) 
-----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Profit for the 
 year                        13,173     (3,040)           719        2,770            83           234       (1,830)            532      5,281       2,121     20,043 
-----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Non-controlling 
 interests                    (416)           -             -            -             -             -             -              -    (5,940)           -    (6,356) 
-----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
Profit 
 attributable 
 to equity 
 holders 
 of the Group**              12,757     (3,040)           719        2,770            83           234       (1,830)            532      (659)       2,121     13,687 
-----------------  -----  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 
 

* The non-controlling interest charge is moved to operating profit due to underlying equity being defined as a IFRS 2 put option.

**Headline earnings are profit attributable to equity holders of the Group after adding back the adjustments noted above.

Headline results and earnings per share continued

Earnings per share

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the appropriate earnings metrics by the weighted average number of shares of the Company in issue during the year.

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of the Company's ordinary shares in issue on the assumption of conversion of all potentially dilutive ordinary shares. Anti-dilutive potential ordinary shares are excluded. The dilutive effect of unvested outstanding options is calculated based on the number that would vest had the balance sheet date been the vesting date. Where schemes have moved from equity to cash payment and vice-versa the potential dilution is calculated as though they had been in their year-end position for the whole year.

 
                                                                     Headline 
Year ended 31 December 2022                                    2022      2022 
Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the 
 Group (GBP000)                                                  90    18,105 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Basic earnings per share 
 Weighted average number of shares (thousands)              122,257   122,257 
 Basic EPS                                                    0.07p    14.81p 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Diluted earnings per share 
 Weighted average number of shares (thousands) as 
  above                                                     122,257   122,257 
 Add 
 - LTIP                                                         905       905 
 - Put options                                               11,302    11,302 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Total                                                      134,464   134,464 
 Diluted EPS                                                  0.07p    13.47p 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 Excluding the put options (payable in cash)               (11,302)  (11,302) 
 Weighted average number of shares (thousands) including 
  dilutive shares                                           123,162   123,162 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Diluted EPS - excluding items the Group intends 
  and is able to pay in cash                                  0.07p    14.70p 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 
 
                                                                     Headline 
Year ended 31 December 2021                                    2021      2021 
Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the 
 Group (GBP000)                                              12,757    13,687 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Basic earnings per share 
 Weighted average number of shares (thousands)              121,130   121,130 
 Basic EPS                                                   10.53p    11.30p 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
Diluted earnings per share 
 Weighted average number of shares (thousands) as 
  above                                                     121,130   121,130 
 Add 
 - LTIP                                                         178       178 
 - Restrictive Shares                                           649       649 
 - Deferred consideration (payable in cash)                     695       695 
 - Put options (payable in cash)                             13,342    13,342 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Total                                                      135,994   135,994 
 Diluted EPS                                                  9.38p    10.06p 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                                                            135,994   135,994 
 Excluding the deferred consideration (payable in 
  cash)                                                       (695)     (695) 
 Excluding the put options (payable in cash)               (13,342)  (13,342) 
 Weighted average number of shares (thousands) including 
  dilutive shares                                           121,957   121,957 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Diluted EPS - excluding items the Group intends 
  and is able to pay in cash                                 10.46p    11.22p 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

2. Separately disclosed items

Policy

Separately disclosed items include one off, non-recurring revenues or expenses. These are shown separately and are excluded from Headline profit to provide a better understanding of the underlying results of the Group.

Analysis

Separately disclosed items for the year ended 31 December 2022 comprise of the following:

 
                                                                     After 
                                     Operating    Staff                tax 
                                         costs    costs  Taxation    total 
2022                                    GBP000   GBP000    GBP000   GBP000 
-----------------------------------  ---------  -------  --------  ------- 
Takeover transaction costs               9,210    1,623   (1,294)    9,539 
Strategic review and restructuring         992    1,789     (688)    2.093 
Other                                    (262)        -         -    (262) 
Total separately disclosed items         9,940    3,412   (1,982)   11,370 
-----------------------------------  ---------  -------  --------  ------- 
 

During 2022, the Company has been subject to two competing bids to take control and full ownership of the business. Managing the Company's response to these two bids has resulted in a number of external advisory costs and a refocusing of several key internal personnel away from the day-to-day running of the business. Included in the above is GBP811k related to senior management costs (including GBP360k representing CEO time), as an estimate of time spent on the transaction where they have been unable to undertake other planned strategic activities and day-to-day management of the business. In addition, incremental bonus costs were paid to several key individuals of GBP594k to reflect the significant additional workload they had to undertake.

In 2022, the Group has commenced a global cost efficiency programme, with the assistance of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The professional fees incurred in relation to this project have been classified as non-Headline (GBP992k). In addition, within three of the agencies in the Group, a strategic review has been commenced which has resulted in staff redundancy costs in the year (GBP1,789k).

Other separately disclosed items relate to the release of the provision associated with the Financial Conduct Authority investigation, which is now closed with no enforcement action being taken, the cost of which was previously treated as non-Headline. In addition, legal fees were incurred in relation to a put option.

Separately disclosed items for the year ended 31 December 2021 comprise the following:

 
                                                                       After 
                                       Operating    Staff                tax 
                                           costs    costs  Taxation    total 
2021                                      GBP000   GBP000    GBP000   GBP000 
-------------------------------------  ---------  -------  --------  ------- 
Strategic review and restructuring           192  (2,751)       466  (2,093) 
Forgiveness of US Payment Protection 
 Program ("PPP") loan                          -  (2,200)       462  (1,738) 
Repayment of UK furlough money                 -      976     (185)      791 
Total separately disclosed items             192  (3,975)       743  (3,040) 
-------------------------------------  ---------  -------  --------  ------- 
 

In 2021, the Group recognised the repayment of the UK furlough money that was received in 2020 and the forgiveness of the US "PPP" loans that were received in 2020. Included within strategic review and restructuring are the release of a long-term incentive plan accrual for a previous employee who is no longer part of the business (GBP1.8m of this relates to pre-2021), and the lease surrender expense, due to restructuring of two lease spaces.

3. Segmental information

Headline segmental income statement

Segmental results are reconciled to the income statement in note 1. The Board reviews Headline results.

The Group's operating segments are aligned to those business units that are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), namely, the Board, in making strategic decisions, assessing performance, and allocating resources.

The operating segments have historically comprised of individual country entities, the financial information of which is provided to the CODM and is aggregated into specific geographic regions on a headline basis, with each geographic region considered a reportable segment. Each country included in that region has similar economic and operating characteristics. The products and services provided by entities in a geographic region are all related to marketing communications services and generally offer complementary products and services to their customers.

The Group's performance is also assessed under a structure of specialisms, and this is reported under two segments: Advertising and High Growth Specialisms, excluding Group Central Costs.

Segmental Information by Geography

 
 
                     UK    Europe      Middle      Asia   Australia   Americas          Group      Total 
                                     East and                                         Central 
                                       Africa                                           Costs 
 Year Ended      GBP000    GBP000      GBP000    GBP000      GBP000     GBP000         GBP000     GBP000 
 31 December 
 2022 
-------------  --------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------  ---------  -------------  --------- 
 Net revenue     98,241    15,316      23,368    26,154      52,855     55,206              -    271,140 
 Operating 
  profit / 
  (loss)         19,528     1,852       2,625     6,951       5,817      9,970       (11,355)     35,388 
 Operating 
  profit 
  margin            19%       12%         11%       29%         11%        18%              -        13% 
 Profit / 
  (loss) 
  before 
  tax            17,416     1,832       2,345     6,757       4,904      8,278        (9,699)     31,833 
-------------  --------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------  ---------  -------------  --------- 
 
 
 
 
                      UK    Europe      Middle      Asia   Australia   Americas   Group Central      Total 
                                      East and                                            Costs 
                                        Africa 
 Year Ended 31    GBP000    GBP000      GBP000    GBP000      GBP000     GBP000          GBP000     GBP000 
 December 
 2021* 
--------------  --------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 Net revenue      95,104    15,207      20,216    23,324      53,997     41,488               -    249,336 
 Operating 
  profit / 
  (loss)          17,837     1,929       2,842     7,331       5,832      7,525        (12,160)     31,136 
 Operating 
  profit 
  margin             19%       13%         14%       31%         11%        18%               -        12% 
 Profit / 
  (loss) 
  before 
  tax             17,426     1,906       2,430     6,702       5,257      6,441        (12,848)     27,314 
--------------  --------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------  ---------  --------------  --------- 
 
 

*2021 figures have been restated to bring geographical split of Performance entities in line with internal management reporting.

Included within the Group's revenues is a customer that makes up more than 10% of total revenue, contributing GBP32.8m (2021: GBP23.6m). This is included within UK, Americas and within the High Growth Specialisms.

Segmental Information by Specialisms

 
                                Advertising    High Growth   Group Central      Total 
                                               Specialisms           Costs 
 Year Ended 31 December 2022         GBP000         GBP000          GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------------  ------------  -------------  --------------  --------- 
 Net revenue                        124,300        146,840               -    271,140 
 Operating profit / (loss)           11,728         35,015        (11,355)     35,388 
 Operating profit margin                 9%            24%               -        13% 
 Profit / (loss) before tax           9,928         31,604         (9,699)     31,833 
-----------------------------  ------------  -------------  --------------  --------- 
 
 
                                Advertising*     High Growth   Group Central      Total 
                                                Specialisms*           Costs 
 Year Ended 31 December 2021          GBP000          GBP000          GBP000     GBP000 
-----------------------------  -------------  --------------  --------------  --------- 
 Net revenue                         127,195         122,141               -    249,336 
 Operating profit / (loss)            11,052          32,244        (12,160)     31,136 
 Operating profit margin                  9%             26%               -        12% 
 Profit / (loss) before tax            9,370          30,792        (12,848)     27,314 
-----------------------------  -------------  --------------  --------------  --------- 
 

*In 2022 two agencies were included in High Growth Specialisms, compared to Advertising in 2021. The figures relating to these entities in 2021 were net revenue, GBP2,623k, operating loss, GBP175k and loss before tax, GBP156k.

4. Revenue from contracts with customers

Billings comprise all gross amounts billed, or billable, to clients and is stated exclusive of VAT and sales taxes. Billings is a non-GAAP measure and is included as it influences the quantum of trade and other receivables recognised at a given date. The difference between Billings and Revenue is represented by costs incurred on behalf of clients with whom entities within the Group operate as an agent, and timing differences, where invoicing occurs in advance or in arrears of the related revenue being recognised.

Net revenue is a non-GAAP measure and is reviewed by the CODM and other stakeholders as a key metric of business performance (note 3).

Revenue recognition policies

Revenue is stated exclusive of VAT and sales taxes. Net revenue is exclusive of third-party costs recharged to clients, where entities within the Group are acting as principal.

Performance obligations

At the inception of a new contractual arrangement with a customer, the Group identifies the performance obligations inherent in the agreement. Typically, the terms of the contracts are such that the services to be rendered are considered to be either integrated or to represent a series of services that are substantially the same with the same pattern of transfer to the customer. Accordingly, this amalgam of services is accounted for as a single performance obligation.

Where there are contracts with services which are distinct within the contract, then they are accounted for as separate obligations. In these instances, the consideration due to be earned from the contract is allocated to each of the performance obligations, in proportion to their stand-alone selling price.

Further discussion of performance obligations arising in terms of the main types of services provided by the Group, in addition to their typical pattern of satisfaction, is provided below.

Measurement of revenue

Based on the terms of the contractual arrangements entered into with customers, revenue is typically recognised over time. This is based on either the fact that (i) the assets generated under the terms of the contracts have no alternative use to the Group and there is an enforceable right to payment, or (ii) the client exerts editorial oversight during the course of the assignment such that they control the service as it is provided.

Principal vs agent

When a third-party supplier is involved in fulfilling the terms of a contract then, for each performance obligation identified, the Group assesses whether the Group is acting as principal or agent. The primary indicator used in this assessment is whether the Group is judged to control the specified services prior to the transfer of those services to the customer. In this instance it is typically concluded the Group is acting as principal.

When entities within the Group act as an agent, the revenue recorded is the net amount retained. Costs incurred with external suppliers are excluded from revenue. When the Group acts as principal the revenue recorded is the gross amount billed and when allowable by the terms of the contract, out-of-pocket costs, such as travel, are also recognised as the gross amount billed with a corresponding amount recorded as an expense.

Treatment of costs

Costs incurred in relation to the fulfilment of a contract are generally expensed as incurred if revenue is recognised over time.

Disaggregation of revenue

The Group monitors the composition of revenue earned by the Group on a geographic basis and by specialism.

 
                         Reported 
                                  2022 vs 
 Revenue          2022    2021       2021 
                ------  ------  --------- 
 Specialism       GBPm    GBPm   Movement 
--------------  ------  ------  --------- 
 Advertising*    221.8   193.8      14.5% 
 Media            36.6    33.1      10.6% 
 Issues           92.7    87.7       5.7% 
 Consulting*      45.9    39.5      16.1% 
 Passions*        65.5    40.5      61.6% 
--------------  ------  ------  --------- 
 Group           462.5   394.6      17.2% 
--------------  ------  ------  --------- 
 

*Included in 2021 Advertising Revenue is GBP2,441k relating to an agency recognised in Passions in 2022 and GBP1,345k relating to an agency recognised in Consulting in 2022.

 
                                 Reported 
                                          2022 vs 
 Revenue                  2022    2021       2021 
                        ------  ------  --------- 
 Region                   GBPm    GBPm   Movement 
----------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
 UK                      139.3   101.1      38.1% 
 Europe                   24.9    26.9     (7.5)% 
 Middle East & Africa     53.0    37.9      39.8% 
 Asia                     39.0    41.3     (5.7)% 
 Australia                89.5    82.8        8.% 
 Americas                116.8   104.6      11.5% 
----------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
 Group                   462.5   394.6      17.2% 
----------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
 

Assets and liabilities related to contracts with customers

Contract assets and liabilities arise when there is a difference (generally due to timing) in the amount of revenue which can be recognised and the amount which can be invoiced under the terms of the contractual arrangement.

Where revenue earned from customers is recognised over time, many of the Group's contractual arrangements have terms which permit the Group to remit invoices for the amount of work performed to date on a specific contract (described in the accounting policies as 'right-to-invoice'). Where the terms of a contractual arrangement do not carry such right to invoice, then a contract asset is recognised over time, as work is performed until such point that an invoice can be remitted.

Where revenue earned from customers is recognised at a point in time, then this will be dependent on satisfaction of a specific performance obligation. At such point, it is usual that there are no other conditions required to be met for receipt of consideration and, as such, a trade receivable should be recognised at the point the entity's right to consideration is unconditional, which normally will be at the time the PO is satisfied (which may not be the same as when an invoice is raised).

Contract liabilities comprise instances where a customer has made payments relating to services prior to their provision. Where payments are received in advance, IFRS 15 requires assessment of whether these cash transfers contain any financing component. Under the terms of the contractual arrangements entered into by entities within the Group, there are no instances where such financing elements arise. This is the case even for those arrangements where the Group receives monies more than a year in advance by virtue of the terms of the contractual agreement so entered into.

The Group operates a standard 30 day credit terms policy. All contract liabilities and contract assets (other receivables per note 20) brought forward have been recognised in the current period.

Revenue recognition policies and performance obligation satisfaction by category of services performed

Further details regarding revenue recognition and performance obligations of the Group's main service offerings are summarised below.

Provision of advertising and marketing services

The provision of advertising and marketing services to clients typically meets the criteria identified above for revenue to be recognised over time. The quantum of revenue to be recognised over the period of the assignments is either based on the 'right-to-invoice' expedient or as the services are provided, depending on the contractual terms. In measuring the progress of services provided in an assignment, the Group uses an appropriate measure depending on the circumstances, which may include inputs (such as internal labour costs incurred) or outputs (such as media posts). Where projects are carried out under contracts, the terms of which entitle an entity within the Group to payment for its performance only when a discrete point is reached (such as an event has occurred or a milestone has been reached), then revenue is recognised at the time that payment entitlement occurs, i.e. at a point in time.

The provision of advertising and marketing services can encompass provision of a range of media deliverables in addition to development and deployment of a media strategy. Regular assessment of the effectiveness of the project with regards to the objective of the contractual arrangement may also be included. Often the range of services provided within these arrangements is considered to be integrated to an extent that no separable performance obligations can be identified other than a single over-arching combined performance obligation relating to the delivery of the project. In these instances, revenue is recognised over time as the performance obligation is being satisfied depending on the circumstances, which may include inputs (such as internal labour costs incurred) or outputs (such as media posts).

When services provided are considered separable, and not integrated, then multiple performance obligations are recognised. Multiple performance obligations are most common in projects where there are clearly separable conceptual preparatory obligations culminating in a customer deliverable, such as an event. In these scenarios the conceptual preparation element and the deliverable are concluded as forming separate performance obligations with the revenue and corresponding cost of sales (typically third-party pass-through costs) assigned to the obligation to which they relate.

Whilst it is uncommon for projects to be such that revenue is not able to be recognised over time, examples can occur. In these instances, the element of the transaction price assigned to each performance obligation (in proportion to stand-alone selling prices) is recognised as revenue once an obligation has been fully satisfied, for example an event has occurred or a milestone has been reached.

The entity within the Group enters into retainer fees that relate to arrangements whereby the nature of the entity's contractual promise is to agree to 'stand-ready' to deliver services to the customer for a period of time rather than to deliver the goods or services underlying that promise. Revenue relating to retainer fees is recognised over the period of the relevant assignments or arrangements, typically in line with the 'stand-ready' incurred costs.

Where fees are remunerated to the agency in excess of the services rendered then a contract liability is recognised. Conversely where the services rendered are in excess of the actual fees paid, then a contract asset is recognised when there is a right to consideration.

Certain of these arrangements have contractual terms relating to the agency meeting specific customer identified KPIs. As a result, the overall level of consideration can vary by increasing or decreasing as a result of performance against these KPI metrics. To reflect this variability in the overall level of consideration, management estimate the most likely outcome and then reflect that outcome in the revenue recognised as the performance obligation(s) of the contract are satisfied. When determining the likely outturn position the estimated consideration is such that it is highly probable there will not be significant reversal of the revenue in the future. The estimated portion of the variable element is recalculated at the earlier of the completion of the contract or the next reporting period and revenue is adjusted accordingly. These estimates are based on historical award experience, anticipated performance and best judgement at the time.

Commission based income in relation to media spend

The Group arranges for third parties to provide the related goods and services to its customers in the capacity of an agent. Revenue is recognised in relation to the amount of commission the Group is entitled to. Often additional integrated services are provided at the same time with regards to the development and deployment of an overarching media strategy. Due to the integration of the services provided under the terms of the contract, management judgement is applied to assess whether there is a single combined performance obligation.

The performance obligation for media purchases is considered to have been satisfied when the associated advertisement has been purchased. In the majority of instances where the Group purchases media for clients, the Group is acting as agent.

Commission based income in relation to talent performance

Revenue in relation to talent performance involves the Group acting as agent. Typically, such arrangements have a single, or a sequence, of specific performance obligations relating to the talent (or other third party) providing services. The performance obligations are generally satisfied at a point in time once the service has been provided, at which point, revenue is recognised. The consideration for the services is normally for a fixed amount (as a percentage of the talent's fee) with no degree of variability.

Recognition of supplier discounts and rebates as revenue from contracts with customers

The Group receives discounts and rebates from certain suppliers for transactions entered into on behalf of clients, which the clients have agreed the Group can retain. When the contractual terms of the agreements entered into are such that the Group acts as agent in these instances, then such rebates are recognised as revenue from contracts with customers. By contrast, when the contractual terms of the agreements are such that the Group is acting as principal then such rebates are recognised as a reduction in direct costs. Certain of the Group's clients, however, have contractual terms such that the pricing of their contracts is structured with the rebate being passed through to them.

5. Staff costs

Policy

Contributions to personal pension plans are charged to the income statement in the period in which they are due. Bonuses are given on an ad hoc basis, or as otherwise agreed, and are accrued in the year to which the services performed relate (when there is an expectation these will be awarded).

Staff costs (including Directors)

 
 
                                                      2022      2021 
 Year ended 31 December                             GBP000    GBP000 
------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Wages and salaries                                156,476   141,615 
 Social security costs                              16,152    13,085 
 Pension costs                                       8,833     5,403 
 Other staff costs*                                  5,832     6,950 
------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
  Total                                            187,293   167,053 
------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Allocations and dividends paid to holders 
  of IFRS 2 put options                        1     7,811     5,270 
-------------------------------------------  ---  --------  -------- 
 Share based incentive plans: 
  Cash settled                                27     2,432   (2,065) 
  Equity settled                              27     1,229     2,235 
-------------------------------------------  ---  --------  -------- 
 Total share based incentive plans                   3,661       170 
-------------------------------------------  ---  --------  -------- 
 Total staff costs                                 198,765   172,493 
-------------------------------------------  ---  --------  -------- 
 

*Other staff costs include profit share, LTIP charges and other staff benefits.

 
 Staff numbers              2022    2021 
------------------------  ------  ------ 
 UK                          772     734 
 Europe                      166     161 
 Middle East and Africa      421     383 
 Asia                        596     592 
 Australia                   439     465 
 Americas                    340     318 
------------------------ 
 Total                     2,734   2,653 
------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

These staff numbers are based on the average number of staff throughout the year in 2022.

Pensions

The Group does not operate any defined benefit pension schemes. The Group makes payments, on behalf of certain individuals, to personal pension schemes.

Compensation for key management personnel and directors

 
                                  2022     2021 
 Key management remuneration    GBP000   GBP000 
-----------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Wages and salaries              2,214    2,741 
 Pension costs                      53       82 
 Share based payments*             381      268 
-----------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Total                           2,648    3,091 
-----------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

* Included within share based payments is GBP174k (2021: GBP220k) relating to Mickey Kalifa who left the Company in May 2022.

Key management personnel include the Directors and employees responsible for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group.

6. Auditors' remuneration

The Company paid the following amounts to its auditors in respect of the audit of the financial statements and for other services provided to the Group:

 
                                                                           2022     2021 
 Year ended 31 December                                                  GBP000   GBP000 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Audit services 
 Fees payable to the Company's auditor for the audit of the Company's 
  annual accounts                                                         1,506    1,450 
 Fees payable to associates of the Company's auditor for the audit 
  of the accounts of subsidiaries                                           174      237 
 Audit fees relating to the prior period                                    300        - 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
                                                                          1,980    1,687 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Other services provided by the Auditors: 
 Other assurance services - interim agreed upon procedures                   25       46 
 Corporate finance services                                                 499        - 
 Taxation compliance services                                               168       66 
 Taxation advisory services                                                 176      112 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
                                                                            868      224 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Total                                                                    2,848    1,911 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

7. Net finance expense

Policy

Interest income and expense, including fair value adjustments to IFRS 9 put options, are recognised in the income statement in the period in which they are incurred, except for the amortisation of loan costs which are recognised over the life of the loan.

Analysis

 
 Year ended 31 December                                      2022      2021 
                                                           GBP000    GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Bank interest receivable                                     331       187 
 Other interest receivable                                     55        47 
 Sublease finance income                                        5        26 
 Financial income                                             391       260 
-------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Bank interest payable                                    (1,200)   (1,555) 
 Amortisation of loan costs                                 (222)     (130) 
 Interest on lease liabilities                            (2,970)   (2,800) 
 Valuation adjustment to IFRS 9 put option liabilities 
  (Note 26)                                               (1,114)     (896) 
 Financial expense                                        (5,506)   (5,381) 
-------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Net finance expense                                      (5,115)   (5,121) 
-------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

8. Current taxation

Policy

Current tax, including UK and foreign tax, is provided for using the tax rates and laws that have been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Analysis

 
 Income statement charge for year ended 
  31 December                                  2022     2021 
                                             GBP000   GBP000 
 -----------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Taxation in the year 
 UK                                             730    1,832 
 Overseas                                     3,020    4,470 
 Withholding taxes payable                       14       31 
 Adjustment for (over) / under provision 
  in prior periods                            (986)    1,476 
------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Total                                        2,778    7,809 
------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 Deferred taxation 
 Recognition of temporary differences         1,719    1,651 
 Adjustment for under / (over) provision 
  in prior periods                              709    (974) 
 Effect of changes in tax rates                (28)     (27) 
------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Total                                        2,400      650 
------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Total taxation                               5,178    8,459 
------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

The differences between the actual tax and the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK applied to the Group's statutory profit for the year are as follows:

 
                                                                2022     2022     2021    2021 
 Year ended 31 December                                       GBP000        %   GBP000       % 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------ 
 Profit before taxation                                        5,423            21,632 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------ 
 Taxation at UK corporation tax rate of 19.00% (2019: 
  19.00%)                                                      1,030    19.0%    4,110   19.0% 
 Expenses not deductible for tax                               1,314    24.2%      386    1.8% 
 Different tax rates applicable in overseas jurisdictions      1,081    20.0%    1,467    6.8% 
 Option charges not deductible for tax                         1,070    19.7%      925    4.3% 
 Tax losses for which no deferred tax asset was recognised       834    15.4%      528    2.4% 
 Impairment with no tax credit                                   138     2.5%      537    2.5% 
 Withholding taxes payable                                        14     0.3%       31    0.1% 
 Tax effect of associates                                          2     0.0%        1    0.0% 
 Effect of changes in tax rates on deferred tax                 (28)    -0.5%     (27)   -0.1% 
 Adjustment for tax (over)/under provision in prior 
  periods                                                      (277)    -5.1%      491    2.3% 
 Effect of changes in tax rates                                    -     0.0%      (6)    0.0% 
 Disposal of subsidiaries on which no tax is charged               -     0.0%       16    0.1% 
                                                             -------  -------  -------  ------ 
 Total taxation                                                5,178   95.5 %    8,459   39.1% 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------ 
 Effective tax rate                                           95.5 %             39.1% 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  ------ 
 

Large variations in future tax rates of the statutory accounts are expected due to significant items such as share-based payments (option charges) and put options being non-deductible against corporation tax as a result of these items being capital in nature.

The key differences between actual and standard tax rates are as follows:

 
      --   Expenses not deductible for tax: in 2022 two parties tried to acquire the Company and a proportion 
            of the defence costs was disallowable due to their being capital in nature. This increased the 
            non-deductible expenses. In addition, as the world returned to normal following the Covid-19 
            pandemic, there was increased client entertaining which is disallowable for corporation tax 
            purposes. There were also capital allowances resulting from office refurbishment that could 
            not be claimed. 
      --   Option charges include dividends paid to those shareholders in the subsidiary companies that 
            also have a put option arrangement in place within that entity, which are not deductible for 
            tax: the Group's share-based payment schemes mostly relate to equity held in subsidiary companies. 
            The Group generally receives no tax benefit on the exercise of these put options nor on the 
            payment of the dividends. 
      --   Different tax rates applicable in overseas jurisdictions. The Group operates in multiple locations 
            round the world where tax rates are higher than the UK, e.g., Australia (30%) and USA (between 
            21% to 28%). 
      --   The net effect of the adjustment for current and deferred tax in prior periods is a release 
            of an over provision of GBP279k (2021: GBP491k under provision) of total tax charge. 
      --   Impairment with no tax credit: On most of the acquisitions no tax benefit was received from 
            the acquisition of goodwill. During the period some of the goodwill was impaired with no future 
            tax benefit of such impairments. 
 

Looking forward, UK corporation tax will increase from 19% to 25% from April 2023. Large variations in future tax rates are expected due to significant items such as share-based payments (option charges), put options and investment in subsidiaries being non-deductible against corporation tax as a result of these items being capital in nature.

Tax on Headline profits

As can be seen in the Headline tax reconciliation, the largest drivers of Headline tax charge are the local entities' profitability with central costs being incurred in the UK, a lower tax market, and profits being made in higher tax countries such as Australia and USA.

Our Headline tax rate has reduced from 26.6% to 24.5%. The reduction is due to the use of prior years' tax losses (caused in part by the Covid-19 pandemic) to offset current profitability and an increase in profits from countries with lower tax rates, partly offset by increased expenditure on disallowable costs.

 
 
                                                                   2022    2022     2021    2021 
 Year ended 31 December                                          GBP000       %   GBP000       % 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 Headline profit before taxation (Note 1)                        31,833           27,314 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 Taxation at UK corporation tax rate of 19.00% (2021: 19.00%)     6,048   19.0%    5,189   19.0% 
 Different tax rates applicable in overseas jurisdictions         1,297    4.1%    1,510    5.4% 
 Tax losses for which no deferred tax asset was recognised          683    2.1%      528    1.9% 
 Expenses not deductible for tax                                    781    2.5%      386    1.4% 
 Effect of changes in tax rates on deferred tax                      29    0.1%    (230)   -0.8% 
 Withholding taxes payable                                           14    0.0%       31    0.1% 
 Tax effect of associates                                             2    0.0%     (44)   -0.2% 
 Adjustment for tax (over)/under provision in prior periods       (246)   -0.8%      502    1.8% 
 Non-controlling interest share of partnership income             (818)   -2.6%    (595)   -2.2% 
 Effect of changes in tax rates                                       -    0.0%      (6)    0.0% 
                                                                -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 Headline taxation (Note 1)                                       7,790   24.5%    7,271   26.6% 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 Headline effective tax rate                                      24.5%            26.6% 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 

9. Deferred taxation

Policy

Deferred tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax is not, however, provided for temporary differences that arise from: (i) initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss, (ii) the initial recognition of goodwill.

Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, except where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and current tax liabilities on a net basis.

Current and deferred tax is recognised in profit or loss, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

Analysis

 
                                2022     2021 
 At 31 December               GBP000   GBP000 
--------------------------  --------  ------- 
 Deferred tax assets           5,131    6,777 
 Deferred tax liabilities    (1,245)    (777) 
--------------------------  --------  ------- 
 Net deferred tax              3,886    6,000 
--------------------------  --------  ------- 
 

The Deferred tax asset is recoverable against future profits, and future corporation tax liabilities. The following table shows the deferred tax asset / (liability) recognised by Group and movements in 2022 and 2021.

 
 
                                         Capital                   Purchased               Working 
                       Intangibles    allowances   Tax losses    investments   capital differences     Total 
                            GBP000        GBP000       GBP000         GBP000                GBP000    GBP000 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -------------  --------------------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2020           236         1,326        8,503          (465)               (1,704)     7,896 
-------------------- 
 Exchange 
  differences                 (16)          (52)        (337)              -                   237     (168) 
 Income statement 
  (charge) / credit           (47)           103      (4,460)          (767)                 4,522     (649) 
 Acquisitions              (1,150)             -           71              -                     -   (1,079) 
                      ------------  ------------  -----------  -------------  --------------------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2021         (977)         1,377        3,777        (1,232)                 3,055     6,000 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -------------  --------------------  -------- 
 Exchange 
  differences                  124          (15)        (198)              -                   375       286 
 Income statement 
  (charge) / credit            484           581      (1,561)            238               (2,142)   (2,400) 
                      ------------  ------------  -----------  -------------  --------------------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2022         (369)         1,943        2,018          (994)                 1,288     3,886 
--------------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -------------  --------------------  -------- 
 
 

Based on the 2023 budget and 3-year plans, approved by the Board, the Group has reviewed the deferred tax asset created by tax losses for their recoverability. Where the Group believes such losses may not be recoverable they have not been recognised on the balance sheet and have been included in unrecognised deferred tax assets.

Within the local entities GBP1,556k (2021: GBP3,101k) of deferred tax has been naturally offset. Disregarding this offset, the split of deferred tax is as follows:

 
                                               Capital                   Purchased   Working capital 
                             Intangibles    allowances   Tax losses    investments       differences     Total 
                                  GBP000        GBP000       GBP000         GBP000            GBP000    GBP000 
--------------------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2021 
 Deferred tax assets                  47         1,377        3,777              -             4,677     9,878 
 Deferred tax liabilities        (1,024)             -            -        (1,232)           (1,622)   (3,878) 
-------------------------- 
 Net deferred tax                  (977)         1,377        3,777        (1,232)             3,055     6,000 
--------------------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2022 
 Deferred tax assets                 706         1,943        2,304              -             1,734     6,687 
 Deferred tax liabilities        (1,075)             -        (286)          (994)             (446)   (2,801) 
--------------------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 Net deferred tax                  (369)         1,943        2,018          (994)             1,288     3,886 
--------------------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  -------------  ----------------  -------- 
 

The working capital differences mostly relate to the tax effects of working capital in Australia which calculates tax on a cash basis rather tha n the accruals basis used in other countries; along with the continuing tax effects of the adoption of IFRS16 (Leases); and tax provision on any long term deferred bonuses.

UK tax legislation was implemented on 24 May 2021 which increased the UK corporation tax from 19% to 25% with effect from 1 April 2023. The effect on the revaluation of the deferred tax balance of this change is partly reliant on future projections so it is an estimate.

The unrecognised deferred tax assets in respect of certain losses in overseas territories, referred to in the tables above, have not been recognised as there is insufficient certainty of future taxable profits against which these would reverse. An unrecognised deferred tax asset in respect of carried forward tax losses is shown below:

 
 
                                         Deferred 
                             Losses    tax impact 
                             GBP000        GBP000 
-------------------------  --------  ------------ 
 At 1 January 2022            6,426         1,457 
 Exchange differences           772           180 
 Written off in year        (1,158)         (326) 
 Losses utilised in year    (1,653)         (465) 
 Losses in year               6,246         1,299 
-------------------------  --------  ------------ 
 At 31 December 2022         10,633         2,145 
-------------------------  --------  ------------ 
 

Expiry date of losses:

 
                         2022     2021 
                       GBP000   GBP000 
 -------------------  -------  ------- 
 One to five years         24        - 
 Five to ten years        565      648 
 Ten years or more      1,556      809 
--------------------  -------  ------- 
 Total                  2,145    1,457 
--------------------  -------  ------- 
 

10. Dividends

Policy

Interim dividends are recognised when they have been approved by the Board and are legally payable. Final dividends are recognised when they have been approved by the shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting.

No interim or final dividends were declared for 2021. No interim dividends were declared in 2022.

A final dividend of 1.5 pence per share has been recommended by the Board, which is a total amount of GBP1,834k. The final dividend, if approved at the Company's Annual General Meeting on 14 June 2023, will be paid on 12 July 2023 to all shareholders on the Company's register of members as at 9 June 2023. The ex-dividend date for the shares is 8 June 2023.

The payment of this dividend will not have any tax consequences for the Group.

11. Disposals

Policy

Disposals of entities in the Group are accounted for in accordance with IFRS 10:25 . When the parent's ownership of a subsidiary company changes and results in the parent's loss of control of a subsidiary within the Group, the parent:

 
      --   derecognises the assets and liabilities attributable to the former subsidiary from the consolidated 
            balance sheet; 
      --   recognises any investment retained in the former subsidiary when control is lost and subsequently 
            accounts for it and for any amounts owed by or to the former subsidiary in accordance with relevant 
            IFRS standards; and 
      --   recognises the gain or loss associated with the loss of control attributable to the former controlling 
            interest. 
 

Analysis

There were no disposals in 2022.

The Board made a strategic decision at the start of 2020 to eliminate loss-making businesses from the Group by the end of the year, which was communicated to the market and to shareholders. This process continued into 2021, with four entities either ceasing trading or being divested. These entities were Creative Spark (Pty) Ltd, M&C Saatchi PR LLP, M&C Saatchi Marketing Arts Ltd and Create Collective PTE Ltd. These entities contributed GBP39k of losses to the 2021 results.

The Headline results of the entities disposed, which were included in the results, were as follows:

 
 
                                                         2022       2021 
                                                       GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
 Plant and equipment                                        -          2 
 Trade and other receivables                                -         21 
 Cash and cash equivalents                                  -          2 
 Trade and other payables                                   -       (67) 
 Add net liabilities                                        -       (42) 
-------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
 Gain on disposal of subsidiaries                           -         42 
-------------------------------------------------  ----------  --------- 
 
   Within note 1 in 2021, there are costs of GBP125k that relate to 
   severance and legal fees for the disposal. 
 

12. Acquisitions of subsidiaries

There were no acquisitions in 2022.

On 2 February 2021, the Group acquired two entities that were previously associates, 40% of M&C Saatchi (Hong Kong) Ltd and 25.1% of Santa Clara Participações Ltda. In addition, on 1 January 2021, the Group had control of the 51% held in M&C Saatchi World Services Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd , therefore obtaining control of the three entities. M&C Saatchi (Hong Kong) Limited's primary activity is consultancy, and both Santa Clara Participações Ltda and M&C Saatchi World Services Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd are marketing agencies, these qualify as a business as defined in IFRS 3.

The amounts recognised in 2021, in respect of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are as set out in the table below.

 
 
 
                                                M&C Saatchi   Santa Clara   Pakistan      Total 
                                                (Hong Kong)       GBP000s    GBP000s    GBP000s 
                                                    GBP000s 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 Financial assets                                     4,158         1,879        482      6,519 
 Property, plant and equipment                          284            29         48        361 
 Identifiable intangible assets                       1,653         2,211          -      3,864 
 Financial liabilities                              (3,395)       (3,472)      (530)    (7,397) 
 Deferred tax liabilities                             (343)         (736)          -    (1,079) 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 Total identifiable assets acquired and 
  liabilities assumed                                 2,357          (89)          -      2,268 
 Plus: goodwill                                       2,677         1,945          -      4,622 
 Net assets acquired                                  5,034         1,856          -      6,890 
 
 Satisfied by: 
 Equity instruments                                   2,627         1,856          -      4,483 
 Fair value of associate investment                   2,407             -          -      2,407 
 Total consideration transferred                      5,034         1,856          -      6,890 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Net cash outflow arising on acquisition: 
 Cash and cash equivalent balances acquired             750           513         29      1,292 
                                                        750           513         29      1,292 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
 

13. Deferred and contingent consideration

Policy

Certain acquisitions made by the Group include contingent or deferred consideration, the quantum of which is dependent on the future performance of the acquired entity. Such consideration is recorded at fair value in line with IFRS 13 (note 29).

The balances are remeasured at the earlier of either the end of each reporting period or crystallisation of the consideration payment. The movements in the fair value are recognised in profit or loss.

Analysis

 
 
  Liabilities                                2022     2021 
                                           GBP000   GBP000 
----------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Current 
 Deferred consideration 
 Levergy Marketing Agency (Pty) Limited         -    (984) 
 Total current                                  -    (984) 
----------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 
 
 
  Assets                       2022     2021 
                             GBP000   GBP000 
--------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Non-current 
 Contingent consideration 
 Saatchinvest Ltd               914        - 
 Total non-current              914        - 
--------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 
 
  Movements in liabilities in the year          2022      2021 
                                              GBP000    GBP000 
-------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 At 1 January                                  (984)   (1,679) 
 Exchange differences                              -        48 
 Charged to the income statement *             (266)     (532) 
 Conditional consideration paid in cash **     1,250       659 
 Conditional consideration paid in equity          -       520 
 At 31 December                                    -     (984) 
-------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 

* GBP266k revaluation of deferred consideration due to Levergy Marketing Agency (Pty) Limited on payment

** GBP1,250k paid to Levergy Marketing Agency (Pty) Limited.

 
  Movements in assets in the year                          2022     2021 
                                                         GBP000   GBP000 
------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 At 1 January                                                 -        - 
 Reclassification from financial assets at fair value       914        - 
  through profit or loss (note 19) *** 
 At 31 December                                             914        - 
------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

*** The GBP914k of contingent consideration relates to the sale of Dataseat Ltd ("Dataseat"), one of the entities in the Group's portfolio of unlisted companies, in which it held a 5.18% shareholding. The sale to Verve Group took place in July 2022, and GBP779k of cash was received as initial consideration. Verve Group is part of Media and Games Invest Se ("MGI"), a Swedish company which is listed on the Nasdaq Market in Stockholm and in the Scale segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Two further tranches of consideration may be received, on which the Group has undertaken a probability assessment in determining the value recognised:

Tranche 2:

Up to GBP534k to be received as cash or MGI shares. The exact amount to be received will be reduced proportionately based on:

1) one or both of the two Dataseat founders leaving the employment of Dataseat before July 2025,

2) if they leave, the terms and timing of their departures,

3) whether the consideration is paid in cash or shares. Receiving shares results in a maximum consideration of GBP534k rather than GBP485k, and the minimum is 0.

Tranche 3:

Up to GBP924k to be received as cash or MGI shares as part of an earn-out calculation. The earn-out consideration is dependent on Dataseat's 2024 net revenue and must be paid by August 2025. The contingent consideration was calculated following a review of Dataseat's future prospects and potential net revenues and involved sensitivity analysis of different revenue scenarios. Receiving any earn-out consideration is also dependent on the two founders remaining employed by Dataseat until July 2025. The maximum consideration which could be received for tranche 3 is GBP1,458k and the minimum is 0, this has been valued at GBP426k.

14. Intangible assets

Policy

Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.

Cost

Goodwill

Under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, goodwill is the fair value of consideration transferred, less the net of the fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities subsumed.

Other intangibles acquired as part of a business combination

Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination (which includes brand names and customer relationships) are capitalised at fair value, if they are either separable or arise from contractual or other legal rights and their fair value can be reliably measured.

Software & film

Purchased software, and internally created software and film rights are recorded at cost. Internally created software and film rights are created so that they can be directly used to generate future client income.

Amortisation

Goodwill is not amortised. Amortisation of other classes of intangible assets is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:

 
 Software and film         3 years 
  rights: 
 Customer relationships:   1 to 8 
                            years 
                          -------- 
 Brand name:               1 to 10 
                            years 
                          -------- 
 

The Group has no indefinite life intangibles other than goodwill.

Impairment

Goodwill and other intangibles are reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired.

Impairment losses arise when the carrying amount of an asset or CGU is in excess of the recoverable amount, and these losses are recognised in the income statement. All recoverable amounts are from future trading (i.e., their value in use) and not from the sale of unrecognised assets or other intangibles.

The value in use calculations have been based on the forecast profitability of each CGU, using the 2023 budget and 3-year plans approved by the Board, with a residual growth rate of 1.5% p.a. applied thereafter. This forecast data is based on past performance and current business and economic prospects. A discount rate is then applied to create a discounted future cash flow forecast (DCF) for each CGU, which forms the basis for determining the recoverable amount of each CGU. If the DCF of a CGU is not in excess of its carrying amount (that includes the value of its fixed assets and right-of-use assets), then an impairment loss would be recognised.

In conducting the review, a residual growth rate of 1.5% has been used for all countries. Market betas of 1.0 have been used for Brazil, South Africa and China, while 1.4 has been used for India and 1.2 has been used for rest of the world.

Pre-tax discount rates are based on the Group's nominal weighted average cost of capital adjusted for the specific risks relating to the country and market in which the CGU operates.

 
 Key assumptions used for impairment review    Residual   Residual    Pre-tax     Pre-tax 
                                                growth     growth     discount    discount 
                                                 rates      rates      rates       rates 
                                                 2022       2021        2022        2021 
 Market                                           %          %           %           % 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 UK                                              1.5        1.5        16-18       14-17 
 Asia and Australia                              1.5        1.5        15-18       16-19 
 Middle East                                     1.5        1.5         15          17 
 India                                           1.5        1.5         23          23 
 South Africa                                    1.5        1.5         27          28 
 Europe                                          1.5        1.5         12          15 
 Americas                                        1.5        1.5        14-16       15-18 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 

Analysis

 
 
                                                                             Software 
                                                  Brand          Customer    and film 
                                     Goodwill      name     relationships      rights     Total 
                                       GBP000    GBP000            GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
 Cost 
                                    ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2020                   54,308     7,348            11,151       4,359    77,166 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 Exchange differences                   (493)      (73)               (1)        (46)     (613) 
 Acquired - business combinations       4,621       919             2,901          45     8,486 
 Acquired                                   -         -                 -         837       837 
 Disposal                                   -         -                 -     (1,963)   (1,963) 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2021                   58,436     8,194            14,051       3,232    83,913 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 Exchange differences                   2,258       169               355         145     2,927 
 Acquired                                   -         -               200         992     1,192 
 Disposal                                   -         -                 -       (678)     (678) 
                                    ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2022                   60,694     8,363            14,606       3,691    87,354 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Accumulated amortisation and 
  impairment 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2020                   20,855     7,027            10,731       2,030    40,643 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 Exchange differences                   (295)      (79)              (20)        (45)     (439) 
 Amortisation charge                        -       181               784         447     1,412 
 Impairment                             1,900         -                 -       1,037     2,937 
 Disposal                                   -         -                 -     (1,139)   (1,139) 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2021                   22,460     7,129            11,495       2,330    43,414 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 Exchange differences                     489        28                57         113       687 
 Amortisation charge                        -       104               493         463     1,060 
 Impairment                               556         -                 -         172       728 
 Disposal                                   -         -                 -       (503)     (503) 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2022                   23,505     7,261            12,045       2,575    45,386 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 Net book value 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2020                   33,453       321               420       2,329    36,523 
 At 31 December 2021                   35,976     1,065             2,556         902    40,499 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2022                   37,189     1,102             2,561       1,116    41,968 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------  ----------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 
 
 
   Goodwill                                  31 December   31 December 
                                                    2022          2021 
   Cash generating units (CGUs)                   GBP000        GBP000            Region     Specialism 
------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ----------------  ------------- 
 Shepardson Stern + Kaminsky LLP                   5,899         5,375          Americas    Advertising 
 LIDA NY LLP (MCD)                                 5,821         5,198          Americas     Consulting 
 Clear Ideas Ltd                                   5,031         5,031            Europe     Consulting 
 M&C Saatchi Mobile Ltd                            4,283         4,283                UK          Media 
 M&C Saatchi Agency Pty Ltd (Australia)            2,863         2,719         Australia        Various 
 M&C Saatchi Social Ltd                            2,612         2,612                UK       Passions 
 M&C Saatchi (Hong Kong) Limited*                  2,506         2,806              Asia    Advertising 
 Bohemia Group Pty Ltd (Australia)                 1,904         1,812         Australia          Media 
 M&C Saatchi Advertising GmbH                      1,376         1,306            Europe    Advertising 
 M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment Ltd             1,184         1,184                UK       Passions 
 Levergy Marketing Agency (PTY) Limited                                  Middle East and 
  (South Africa)                                     860           820            Africa       Passions 
 M&C Saatchi Merlin Ltd                              765           765                UK       Passions 
                                                                         Middle East and 
 M&C Saatchi Middle East Fz LLC (Dubai)              765           684            Africa    Advertising 
 M&C Saatchi Talk Ltd                                625           625                UK    Advertising 
 Santa Clara Participações Ltda            624           529          Americas    Advertising 
 M&C Saatchi (M) SDN BHD                              71            68              Asia    Advertising 
 Scarecrow Communications Ltd*                         -           159              Asia    Advertising 
 Total                                            37,189        35,976 
------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ----------------  ------------- 
 

* With exception of CGUs marked, all other movements in the table above are due to foreign exchange differences.

The 2022 review of goodwill was undertaken as at 31 December, and resulted in the impairments of M&C Saatchi (Hong Kong) Limited GBP396k and Scarecrow Communications Ltd GBP160k (2021: GBP500k).

The following sensitivity analysis has been performed, showing the impairment required, if the profit forecasts reduced and the discount rates increased. The CGUs included in this sensitivity analysis are those for which a reasonably possible change in a key assumption could give rise to impairment, being Bohemia Group Pty Ltd (Australia), Levergy Marketing Agency (PTY) Limited (South Africa), M&C Saatchi (Hong Kong) Limited and Santa Clara Participações Ltda (Brazil). These entities remain at risk of impairment.

 
                                   Annual profit forecast reduced by 
 Discount rates increased by         0%        10%       20%        30% 
----------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 0%                                   -        603     2,114      3,490 
 1%                                   -      1,272     2,653      3,913 
 3%                               1,072      2,345     3,519      4,593 
 5%                               2,069      3,168     4,184      5,116 
----------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 

15. Investments in associates and joint ventures

Policy

The Group invests in associates and joint ventures, either to deliver its services to a strategic marketplace, or to gain strategic mass by being part of a larger local or functional entity.

An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee, but it is neither control nor joint control over those policies.

The carrying value of these investments comprise the Group's share of their net assets and any purchased goodwill. These carrying amounts are reviewed at each balance sheet date, to determine whether there is any indication of impairment.

Analysis

 
 
                                                                                       Proportion of ownership 
                                                                 Investment in            interest held at 31 
                                                                   associates                  December 
                                                                      2022     2021          2022           2021 
  --------------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------  --------------------  ----- 
                                      Country of 
                      Nature of       incorporation 
Region & Name          business       or registration               GBP000   GBP000 
                                     ---------------------  --------------  -------  --------------------  ----- 
 Europe 
 Cometis SARL*         Advertising    France                            56        -          49%             - 
 M&C Saatchi Little 
  Stories 
  SAS                  PR             France                             -        -          25%            25% 
 M&C Saatchi SAL       Advertising    Lebanon                            -        -          10%            10% 
 Asia and Australia 
 Love Frankie Ltd      Advertising    Thailand                         135      202          25%            25% 
 February 
  Communications 
  Private 
  Limited              Advertising    India                              -        -          20%            20% 
 M&C Saatchi Limited   Advertising    Japan                              -        -          25%            25% 
Total                                                                  191      202 
 
 

* In January 2022, as a result of two put option arrangements, the Group acquired a 49% holding in Cometis SARL, a French company.

M&C Saatchi SAL has the following subsidiaries: M&C Saatchi Mena Ltd and Al Dallah For Creativity & Design LLC.

All shares in associates are held by subsidiary companies in the Group. Where an associate has the right to use the brand name, the Group holds the right to withdraw such use, to protect it from damage.

The Group holds neither associates nor joint ventures in Australia, Africa, or the UK.

 
                                             2022    2021 
Balance sheet value as at 31 December      GBP000  GBP000 
Investments intended to be held in the 
 long term                                    191     202 
Investments categorised as held-for-sale        -       - 
Total associate investments                   191     202 
 
 
 
                                            2022     2021 
Balance sheet movements                   GBP000   GBP000 
At 1 January                                 202    2,829 
Exchange movements                           (1)     (10) 
Transferred to subsidiary                      -  (2,407) 
Revaluation of associates on transition 
 to subsidiaries                               -    (234) 
Acquisition of associates                      -      338 
Impairment of associate                        -    (357) 
Share of (loss) / profit after taxation     (10)       43 
At 31 December                               191      202 
 
 
 
                                             2022    2021 
Income statement                           GBP000  GBP000 
Share of (loss) / profit after taxation      (10)      43 
Revaluation of associates on transition 
to subsidiaries                                 -   (233) 
Share of result of Associates and Joint 
Ventures                                     (10)   (190) 
Impairment of associate investment              -   (357) 
Year to 31 December                          (10)   (547) 
 
 

The results and net assets of the associate entities are set out below, along with the Group's share of these results and net assets:

 
                                                  2020 
                                       2022                          2021 
 
                                    Asia  Europe    Total    Asia  Europe  Americas   Total 
Income statement                  GBP000  GBP000   GBP000  GBP000  GBP000    GBP000  GBP000 
Revenue                            4,006     712    4,718   4,240   2,580       148   6,968 
Operating profit / (loss)            765     165      930     940      71      (14)     997 
Profit / (loss) before taxation    (201)     143     (58)     215      71      (25)     261 
Profit / (loss) after taxation     (208)     113     (95)     174      49      (32)     191 
Group's share                       (65)      55     (10)      43      12      (12)      43 
Dividends received                     -       -        -       -       -         -       - 
 
 
 
 
                                  2022                           2021 
 
                                Asia  Europe    Total    Asia  Europe  Americas*    Total 
Balance sheet                 GBP000  GBP000   GBP000  GBP000  GBP000     GBP000   GBP000 
Total assets                   1,557     151    1,708   1,410     804          -    2,214 
Total liabilities            (1,088)    (38)  (1,126)   (914)   (854)          -  (1,768) 
Net assets / (liabilities)       469     113      583     496    (50)          -      446 
Our share                        117      56      173     124    (12)          -      112 
Losses not recognised             13       -       13      12      12          -       24 
Goodwill                           5       -        5      66       -          -       66 
Total                            135      56      191     202       -          -      202 
 
 

* Technology, Humans and Taste LLC was disposed of in 2021, therefore an income statement is shown above, but nil for the balance sheet at 31 December 2021.

16. Plant and equipment

Policy

Tangible fixed assets are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of all fixed assets, less estimated residual values, evenly over their expected useful lives.

Depreciation is calculated at the following annual rates:

 
Leasehold improvements  - Lower of useful life and over the period of the lease 
Furniture and fittings  - 10% straight-line basis 
Computer equipment      - 33% straight-line basis 
Other equipment         - 25% straight-line basis 
Motor vehicles          - 25% straight-line basis 
 

The need for any fixed asset impairment write-down is assessed by a comparison of the carrying value of the asset against the higher of a) the fair value less costs to sell, or b) the value in use.

Assets under construction are recognised at cost and only commence depreciation once the assets are completed and ready for use.

Analysis

 
                                                   Furniture, 
                                                     fittings 
                                        Leasehold   and other    Computer 
                                     improvements   equipment   equipment  Motor vehicles    Total 
Cost                                       GBP000      GBP000      GBP000          GBP000   GBP000 
At 31 December 2020                         8,490       4,021       4,845              17   17,373 
Exchange differences                        (114)        (48)        (86)              21    (227) 
Additions                                     145         266       1,352              26    1,789 
Additions - business combinations               3         152         177              29      361 
Disposals                                 (1,228)       (473)       (456)            (15)  (2,172) 
At 31 December 2021                         7,296       3,918       5,832              78   17,124 
Exchange differences                          324         121         259               4      708 
Additions*                                  1,145       1,674       1,551              13    4,383 
Disposals                                 (1,596)     (1,066)       (404)               -  (3,066) 
At 31 December 2022                         7,169       4,647       7,238              95   19,149 
 
Depreciation 
At 31 December 2020                         4,084       2,645       3,485               2   10,216 
Exchange differences                           84          50          53               4      191 
Depreciation charge                           802         409       1,001              25    2,237 
Disposals                                   (940)       (449)       (449)            (15)  (1,853) 
At 31 December 2021                         4,030       2,655       4,090              16   10,791 
Exchange differences                          230          53         183               3      469 
Depreciation charge                           990         381       1,087              22    2,480 
Disposals                                 (1,579)       (926)       (396)               -  (2,901) 
At 31 December 2022                         3,671       2,163       4,964              41   10,839 
 
Net book value 
At 31 December 2020                         4,406       1,376       1,360              15    7,157 
At 31 December 2021                         3,266       1,263       1,742              62    6,333 
At 31 December 2022                         3,498       2,484       2,274              54    8,310 
 

* The additions in 2022 relate mainly to Australia for the lease that was entered into at the end of 2021 (GBP745k of Leasehold Improvements and GBP1,225k of furniture, fittings and other equipment)

Total depreciation in the income statement is broken down as follows:

 
                                    2022     2021 
                           Note   GBP000   GBP000 
From plant and equipment     16    2,480    2,237 
From right-of-use assets     17    6,846    6,959 
                                   9,326    9,196 
 

17. Leases

The Group leases various assets, comprising properties, equipment, and motor vehicles. The determination whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease is based on whether the contract conveys a right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

Policy

The following sets out the Group's lease accounting policy for all leases, with the exception of leases with a term of 12 months or less and those of low value assets. In both these instances the Group applies the exemptions permissible by IFRS 16 Leases. These are typically expensed to the income statement as incurred.

Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities

At the inception of a lease, the Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability.

The value of the lease liability is determined by reference to the present value of the future lease payments, as determined at the inception of the lease. Lease liabilities are disclosed separately on the balance sheet. These are measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. Lease payments are apportioned between a finance charge and a reduction of the lease liability, based on a constant interest rate applied to the remaining balance of the liability. Interest expense is included within net finance costs in the consolidated income statement. The interest rate applied to a lease is typically the incremental borrowing rate of the entity entering into the lease. This is as a result of the interest rates implicit in the leases not being readily determined. The incremental borrowing rate applied by each relevant entity is determined based on the interest rate adjudged to be required to be paid by that entity to borrow a similar amount over a similar term for a similar asset in a similar economic environment.

A corresponding right-of-use fixed asset is also recognised at an equivalent amount adjusted for a) any initial direct costs, b) payments made before the commencement date (net of lease incentives), and c) the estimated cost for any restoration costs the Group is obligated to at lease inception. Right-of-use assets are subsequently depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the asset's estimated life. Under IFRS 16, right-of-use assets are tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 'Impairment of Assets', when there is an indication of impairment.

Lease term

The lease term comprises the non-cancellable period of the lease contract. Periods covered by an option to extend the lease are included, if the Group has reasonable certainty that the option will be exercised. Periods covered by an option to terminate are included, if it is reasonably certain that this option will not be exercised.

Lease payments

Lease payments comprise fixed payments and variable lease payments (that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the minimum index or rate at inception date). Payments include any lease incentives and any penalty payments for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising that option. The lease liability is subsequently remeasured (with a corresponding adjustment to the related right-of-use asset) when there is a change in future lease payments due to a) a renegotiation or market rent review, b) a change of an index or rate, or c) a reassessment of the lease term.

Lease modifications

Where there are significant changes in the scope of the lease, then the arrangement is reassessed to determine whether a lease modification has occurred and, if there is such a modification, what form it takes. This may result in a modification of the original lease or, alternatively, recognition of a separate new lease.

Subleases

At times, entities of the Group will sublet certain of their properties when their underlying business requirements change. Under IFRS 16, the Group assesses the classification of these subleases with reference to the right-of-use asset, not the underlying asset.

When the Group acts as an intermediate lessor, it accounts for its interests in the head lease and the sublease separately. At lease commencement, a determination is made whether the lease is a finance lease or an operating lease. To classify each lease, the Group makes an overall assessment of whether the lease transfers to the lessee substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership in relation to the underlying asset. If this is the case, then the lease is a finance lease; if not, then it is an operating lease. The Group recognises lessor payments under operating leases as sublease income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Group accounts for finance leases as finance lease receivables, using the effective interest rate method.

Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets

The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase option. It also applies the lease of low-value assets recognition exemption to leases of office equipment that are considered of low value (defined by the Group as being below GBP3,000). Lease payments on short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Estimates relating to leases

The Group has made estimates in determining the interest rate used for discounting of future cash flows, and the lease term.

Analysis

Set out below are the carrying amounts of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities recognised, and the movements during the year:

 
                             Land &    Computer      Motor 
                          Buildings   equipment   vehicles    Total 
Right-of-use assets          GBP000      GBP000     GBP000   GBP000 
At 1 January 2021            33,208         716         82   34,006 
Additions                    16,802          24         60   16,886 
Modifications                 1,048           9         34    1,091 
Disposals                     (394)         (4)          -    (398) 
Depreciation                (6,563)       (309)       (87)  (6,959) 
Foreign exchange              (209)        (14)        (6)    (229) 
At 1 January 2022            43,892         422         83   44,397 
Additions                     3,966         395        134    4,495 
Modifications                   950           -         24      974 
Disposals                      (96)       (116)       (49)    (261) 
Depreciation                (6,495)       (267)       (84)  (6,846) 
Reversal of impairment          164           -          -      164 
Sublease                      (164)           -          -    (164) 
Foreign exchange              1,203          29          1    1,233 
At 31 December 2022          43,420         463        109   43,992 
 
 
                            Land &    Computer      Motor 
                         Buildings   equipment   vehicles     Total 
Lease liabilities           GBP000      GBP000     GBP000    GBP000 
At 1 January 2021           45,573         767         81    46,421 
Additions                   16,789          24         50    16,863 
Modifications                  823           9         34       866 
Disposals                    (425)         (4)          0     (429) 
Accretion of interest        2,766          31          3     2,800 
Payments                   (8,557)       (358)       (95)   (9,010) 
Reclassification*            (211)           -          -     (211) 
Foreign exchange             (426)        (24)        (5)     (455) 
At 1 January 2022           56,332         445         68    56,845 
Additions                    3,966         395        134     4,495 
Modifications                  260           -         24       284 
Disposals                    (132)        (94)       (50)     (276) 
Accretion of interest        2,945          21          4     2,970 
Payments                   (9,889)       (308)       (80)  (10,277) 
Foreign exchange             1,508          20          1     1,529 
At 31 December 2022         54,990         479        101    55,570 
 

*This relates to lease dilapidations which were reclassified to Provisions in 2021.

The additions in 2022 predominately relate to the new offices in Berlin (Germany), Sydney and Melbourne (Australia).

Of lease payments made in the year of GBP10,277k (2021: GBP9,010k), GBP7,307k (2021: GBP6,210k) related to payment of principal on the corresponding lease liabilities and the balance to payment of interest GBP2,970k (2021: GBP2,800k) due on the lease liabilities.

 
 
Lease liabilities                  Land & Buildings  Computer equipment  Motor vehicles   Total 
                                             GBP000              GBP000          GBP000  GBP000 
Amounts due within one year                   6,196                 196              56   6,448 
Amounts due after one year                   48,794                 283              45  49,122 
At 31 December 2022                          54,990                 479             101  55,570 
 
Amounts due within one year                   6,624                 283              43   6,950 
Amounts due after one year                   49,708                 162              25  49,895 
At 31 December 2021                          56,332                 445              68  56,845 
 
                                               2022                2021 
Income statement charge                      GBP000              GBP000 
Depreciation of right-of-use 
 assets                                     (6,846)             (6,959) 
Short-term lease expense                      (505)               (300) 
Low-value lease expense                        (68)               (263) 
Short-term sublease income                        -                  94 
Right-of-use asset impairment*                  164                   - 
Charge to operating profit                  (7,255)             (7,428) 
Sublease finance income                           5                  26 
Lease liability interest expense            (2,970)             (2,800) 
Lease charge to profit before 
 tax                                       (10,220)            (10,202) 
 
 

*This is the reversal of an impairment from 2020, as the impaired asset was sublet during 2022.

The Group does not face a significant liquidity risk with regard to its lease liabilities and manages them in line with its approach to other month-to-month liquidity matters, as described in note 30.

The cash payment maturity of the lease liabilities held as at 31 December 2022, net of sublease receipts, is as follows:

 
 
                                   2022     2021 
Future cash payments             GBP000   GBP000 
Period ending 31 December: 
2023                              9,026    8,074 
2024                              8,149    6,730 
2025                              7,870    6,689 
2026                              6,935    5,922 
2027                              6,415    5,716 
Later years                      31,363   30,227 
Gross future liability before 
 discounting                     69,758   63,358 
 

Of the future lease payments post-2027, GBP21.8m relates to a single office lease which expires in 2034. This lease agreement was entered into in December 2019.

18. Other non-current assets

 
                                          2022    2021 
At 31 December                          GBP000  GBP000 
Other debtors including rent deposits    1,107   1,113 
Loans to employees                           -      98 
Total other non-current assets           1,107   1,211 
 

19 . Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL)

Policy

The Group holds certain unlisted equity investments, which are classified as financial assets at FVTPL. These investments are initially recognised at their fair value. At the end of each reporting period the fair value is reassessed, with gains or losses being recognised in the income statement.

The valuations are based on several factors, including the share price from the latest funding round, recent financial performance (where available), discounting for liquidation preference shares held by other shareholders and discounting for convertible loan notes.

Analysis

The unlisted equity investments held by Saatchinvest Ltd mainly relate to 18 (2021: 20) early-stage companies. The Group also owns 10% of one UK company, 59A Limited (via Alive & Kicking Global Limited). In addition, overseas investments are owned by:

 
      --   M&C Saatchi International Holdings BV, which owns a 10% shareholding in Australie SAS and a 
            0.76% shareholding in Sesión Tequila Holdings Pty Ltd (Australia). 
      --   M&C Saatchi Agency Pty Ltd (Australia), which also owns a 2.1% shareholding in Sesión 
            Tequila Holdings Pty Ltd. 
      --   M&C Saatchi European Holdings Limited, which owns a 10% shareholding in M&C Saatchi Madrid 
            SL (Spain). 
 

With regards to the early-stage non-client investments, the most the Group has invested in any one company over time is GBP0.7m and the least is GBP0.1m. The Group invests in these companies for long term return.

The activity in the year relating to the equity investments held at FVTPL is presented below:

 
                                                  2022    2021 
                                                GBP000  GBP000 
At 1 January                                    15,183  11,410 
Additions                                            -     501 
Disposals                                        (918)   (209) 
Gain/loss on disposal                            1,168       - 
Impairment                                     (2,863)       - 
Revaluation upwards                              3,016   4,255 
Revaluation downwards                          (2,724)   (722) 
Reclassification to contingent consideration 
 (note 13)                                       (914)       - 
Foreign exchange                                    38    (52) 
At 31 December                                  11,986  15,183 
 
 
Other gains/(losses) in income statement      2022    2021 
                                            GBP000  GBP000 
Revaluations                                   292   3,533 
Gain/loss on disposal                        1,168       - 
Impairment                                 (2,863)       - 
Total                                      (1,403)   3,533 
 

In 2022, there were no additions and the disposals related to companies in the Saatchinvest portfolio. GBP918k of cash was received in respect of the disposals, which resulted in a gain on disposal of GBP1,168k. Within this, GBP779k related to the disposal of Dataseat, and as part of this disposal there was an additional amount of contingent consideration recognised, refer to note 13 for further detail.

An impairment of GBP2,863k was recognised relating to the investment in StreetTeam Software Limited (Pollen). The GBP3,016k revaluation upwards and GBP2,705k of the revaluation downwards relates to the unlisted investments held by Saatchinvest Ltd. GBP1,741k of the revaluation upwards relates to Picasso Labs, Inc. and GBP1,484k of the revaluation downwards relates to Citymapper Limited.

Other revaluation movements relate to investments held by both the Australian business and M&C Saatchi International Holdings B.V. in Sesión Tequila Holdings Pty Ltd.

Within the value of GBP11,986k above, investments with a value of GBP6,082k have no price points since 1 January 2021. The absence of a market transaction means the Group has less reliable information on which to base its estimate of fair value, as in many cases there is limited quantitative financial information available as the Group is a small minority shareholder in early stage businesses. There is a greater degree of judgement and exposure to future movements in fair value upwards and downwards on these investments in particular, as is evident in the case of some of the 2022 downwards revaluations, 85% of which result from fair value movements on 2 investment holdings.

In 2021 there were additions of GBP501k, within this GBP420k relates to a 10% shareholding in an unlisted investment, Australie SAS, acquired as part of a share for share exchange and the remainder related to additions of GBP81k by Saatchinvest Ltd. In 2021, the GBP209k disposal was of a company in the Saatchinvest portfolio and it resulted in neither a gain nor a loss on disposal.

The Group's 10% shareholdings in M&C Saatchi Madrid SL and 59A Limited are all valued at nil.

20. Trade and other receivables

Policy

Trade receivables

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. These financial assets give rise to cash flows that are 'solely payments of principal and interest' on the principal amount outstanding. They are generally due for settlement within 30 - 90 days and therefore are all classified as current. Trade receivables are recognised initially at the amount of consideration that is unconditional. The Group holds trade receivables with the objective to collect the contractual cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Impairment - Expected credit losses

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance ('ECL') for all trade receivables and contract assets. To calculate the lifetime ECL the Group has established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and economic environments in which the Group operates.

 
                                       2022     2021 
                                     GBP000   GBP000 
Trade receivables                    97,431   86,302 
Loss allowance                      (1,829)    (877) 
Net trade receivables                95,602   85,425 
Prepayments                           4,890    2,664 
Amounts due from associates              38      123 
VAT and sales tax recoverable           167       52 
Other receivables*                   31,370   44,477 
Total trade and other receivables   132,067  132,741 
 

*Other receivables comprises accrued income of GBP12.7m (31 December 2021: GBP13.9m), which is considered to constitute trade receivables as defined in IFRS 15 on the basis its collectability is subject only to the passage of time, as well as contract assets of GBP2.2m (31 December 2021 GBP2.4m), unbilled media receivables balances of GBP12.3m (31 December 2021:GBP23.3m) and other amounts receivable of GBP4.3m (31 December 2021: GBP4.9m). There is no additional ECL recorded in relation to these amounts.

Set out below is the movement in the loss allowance (which includes provision for expected credit losses) of trade receivables and contract assets.

 
 
                                               2022    2021 
                                             GBP000  GBP000 
As at 1 January                               (877)   (677) 
Release / (increase) for expected losses 
 during the year                                 96    (40) 
Movement in forward looking provision 
 for specific bad debts: 
- Charge during the year                    (1,469)   (375) 
- Released during the year                      421     190 
- Utilisation of provision                        0      25 
Year-end provision                          (1,829)   (877) 
 

The information about credit exposures is disclosed in note 30.

21. Trade and other payables

Policy

Trade and other liabilities are non-interest bearing and are stated at their amortised cost subsequent to initial recognition at their fair value, which is considered to be equivalent to their carrying amount due to their short-term nature.

 
                                        2022     2021 
                                      GBP000   GBP000 
Trade creditors                       50,437   36,578 
Contract liabilities                  20,502   18,939 
Sales taxation and social security 
 payables                              3,495    6,059 
Accruals                              67,601   75,466 
Other payables                        13,512   17,007 
Total trade and other payables       155,547  154,049 
 

Settlement of trade and other payables is in accordance with the terms of trade established with the Group's local suppliers.

22. Provisions

Policy

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation arising as a result of past events and where it is more likely than not an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and the amount can be reliably estimated. Provisions are measured at management's best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the balance sheet date.

The year-end provision of GBP1.1m (2021: GBP1.2m) comprises of costs relating to the tax liabilities in Kenya of GBP0.3m (2021: GBP0.2m), and income protection schemes of GBP0.5m (2021: GBP0.6m), and GBP0.3m (2021: GBP0.4m) in relation to property dilapidations.

 
 
                                                        2022     2021 
                                                      GBP000   GBP000 
At 1 January                                         (1,193)    (666) 
Reclassification*                                          -    (346) 
Charged to the income statement: 
 
  *    Overseas sales taxation and social security 
       liabilities                                      (92)     (16) 
 
  *    Income protection provision                      (92)    (165) 
Utilised or released in the year 
- Lease dilapidations                                     21        - 
- Release associated with the FCA investigation          300        - 
At 31 December                                       (1,056)  (1,193) 
 

*This relates to lease dilapidations which were included within the lease liability at 31 December 2020 (GBP0.2m), refer to note 17, plus GBP0.1m included within other creditors at 31 December 2020.

As at the end of 2022 all amounts recognised as provisions were expected to be utilised within 12 months and are held as current liabilities. The Directors do not anticipate that any of the above will have a material adverse effect on the Group's financial position or on the results of its operations.

23. Borrowings

Policy

Loans and overdrafts are recognised initially at fair value, less attributable transaction costs. Subsequently, loans and overdrafts are recorded at amortised cost with interest charged to the income statement under the Effective Interest Rate (EIR) method. Where there is a significant change to the future cash flows, the EIR is reassessed with a corresponding change in the carrying amount of the amortised cost. The change in the carrying amount is recognised in profit or loss as income or expense.

Interest payable is included within accruals as a current liability.

Analysis

Amounts due within one year

 
                      2022      2021 
At 31 December      GBP000    GBP000 
Overdrafts*        (4,271)  (14,440) 
Local bank loans     (159)     (297) 
                   (4,430)  (14,737) 
 

* These overdrafts can be legally offset with other cash balances. However, they have not been netted off in accordance with IAS32.42 as there is no intention to settle on a net basis.

Amounts due after one year

 
 
                        2022      2021 
At 31 December        GBP000    GBP000 
Local bank loans        (52)     (293) 
Secured bank loans   (6,750)  (19,528) 
                     (6,802)  (19,821) 
 
 

Secured bank loans

On 31 May 2021, the Company entered into a revolving multicurrency facility agreement with National Westminster Bank Plc and Barclays Bank PLC for up to GBP47m (the "Facility"). The Facility includes a GBP2.5m overdraft and the ability to draw up to GBP3.0m as a bonding facility, as required. The Facility is provided on a three-year term with an option to extend until the fourth anniversary. At 31 December 2022, the Group had up to GBP47.0m (2021: GBP47.0m) of funds available under the Facility.

The Facility includes two financial covenants, which if either were to be breached would result in a default of the agreement:

 
  1.   Interest Cover - EBIT for the previous 12 months must exceed 5 times the net finance charge (external 
        debt interest, excluding IFRS16 finance lease interest payments) for the previous 12 months. 
  2.   Leverage - total indebtedness at the period end must not exceed 3.5 times EBITDA for the previous 
        12 months (adjusted for acquisitions and disposals). This reduced to 3.0 times from 31 March 
        2022, 2.5 times from 30 June 2022, and reduces to 2.0 times from 31 March 2023. 
 
 
                               2022      2021 
At 31 December               GBP000    GBP000 
Gross secured bank loans    (7,000)  (20,000) 
Capitalised finance costs       250       472 
Total secured bank loans    (6,750)  (19,528) 
 

Total secured bank loans are due as follows:

 
 
                                             2022      2021 
At 31 December                             GBP000    GBP000 
In one year or less, or on demand               -         - 
In more than one year but not more than 
 five years                               (6,750)  (19,528) 
                                          (6.750)  (19,528) 
 
 

Total bank loans and borrowings used to calculate net cash are as follows, IFRS 16 Leases is excluded from the calculation of net cash in accordance with the Group's bank covenants:

 
                                       Gross secured 
                                          bank loans  Local bank loans  Total bank loans* 
                                              GBP000            GBP000             GBP000 
At 31 December 2020                         (27,271)           (2,357)           (29,628) 
Cash movements                                 7,608                 -              7,608 
Acquisitions - business combinations               -             (468)              (468) 
Non-cash movements 
- Foreign exchange                             (337)                35              (302) 
- Other**                                          -             2,200              2,200 
At 31 December 2021                         (20,000)             (590)           (20,590) 
Cash movements                                13,000               410             13,410 
Non-cash movements 
- Foreign exchange                                 -              (32)               (32) 
At 31 December 2022                          (7,000)             (212)            (7,212) 
 

* The borrowing used to calculate net cash.

**Other includes the forgiveness of the US Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.

24. Other non-current liabilities

 
 
                         2022    2021 
31 December            GBP000  GBP000 
Employment benefits*    1,846   1,108 
Long term bonuses       1,362   1,014 
Other**                   838     427 
                        4,046   2,549 
 

*This relates to long term service leave in some locations, deferred contributions to pension schemes and long-term bonus plans. In addition, a termination indemnity plan in Italy of GBP535k (2021: GBP547k), this liability is for the 13(th) month salary accrual for all Italian employees to be paid to them when they leave the Company, this was included in 'other' in 2021, reclassified within the table for comparability.

** The main items include a contractual make good liability in relation to the Australia office lease of GBP690k (2021: GBP116k).

25. Equity related liabilities

This disclosure note summarises information relating to all share schemes disclosed in notes 13, 26 and 27.

In the case of contingent consideration (note 13) (value 2022 Nil), IFRS 9 minority shareholder put option liabilities (note 26), and IFRS 2 put option schemes (note 27), the Group has a choice to pay in cash or equity. The Board made the decision during 2021 that put options would, from then on, be settled in cash, where the Group has cash resources to do so. In the case of the LTIP schemes, it is the Board's intention that an Employee Benefits Trust is set up to acquire the shares and fulfil these schemes using the acquired equity.

In the table below, potential cash payments are presented, based on the 2022 year-end share price of the Company of 151.0p and the estimated future business performance for each business unit. The payments are stated in the year at which the put option schemes first become exercisable. The forecasts are based on the Group's three-year plans, developed as part of the budget cycle, and assume all TSR targets are fulfilled, and that equity is bought by the Employee Benefits Trust in the year of vesting at a Company share price of 151.0p. The table also shows the amount of these potential cash payments that has been recognised as a liability as at 31 December 2022, with the % of the related employment services not yet delivered to the Group at that date.

Total future expected liabilities as at 31 December 2022

 
 
                                             Potentially payable 
                                                                                         Services not 
                                                                                        yet delivered    Balance sheet 
                                                                                                as at     liability as 
At Company share price     2023     2024     2025     2026     2027     2028    Total     31 Dec 2022   at 31 Dec 2022 
 of 151.0p               GBP000   GBP000   GBP000   GBP000   GBP000   GBP000   GBP000              %*           GBP000 
IFRS 9 put option 
 schemes                  2,584        -        -    1,983        -        -    4,567             16%            3,856 
IFRS 2 put option 
 schemes                 14,914    2,470      373      949      924      740   20,370              7%           18,992 
LTIPs                         -    2,071    2,881        -        -        -    4,952             72%              -** 
                         17,498    4,541    3,254    2,932      924      740   29,889 
 

*Share based payments (Note 27) charge liability to income statement over period of vesting i.e., as the employee fulfils their time obligation to earn the put option.

**LTIPs are accounted for as equity-settled, and thus do not create a balance sheet liability. The 2025 value of GBP2,881k relates to the LTIPs issued in December 2022, the new awards have increased the total potentially payable in the table below, compared to the previous forecast issued with the interim financial statements.

Put option holders are not required to exercise their options at the first opportunity. Many do not and prefer to remain shareholders in the subsidiary companies they manage. As a result, some put option holders may not exercise their options on the dates estimated in the table above.

If the Group in the future decides to settle in equity, then the amount of equity that will be provided is equal to the liability divided by the share price.

Effect of a change in share price

The same data from the table above is presented in the table below, but in this analysis the potential payments are based on a range of different potential future share prices.

 
                                          Potentially payable 
Future Company share       2023      2024      2025      2026      2027      2028      Total 
 price                   GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000    GBP000     GBP000 
At 151p               GBP17,498  GBP4,541  GBP3,254  GBP2,932    GBP924    GBP740  GBP29,889 
At 160p               GBP18,324  GBP4,804  GBP3,453  GBP2,978    GBP979    GBP784  GBP31,322 
At 175p               GBP19,746  GBP5,241  GBP3,787  GBP3,102  GBP1,071    GBP858  GBP33,805 
At 200p               GBP22,323  GBP5,970  GBP4,342  GBP3,522  GBP1,224    GBP981  GBP38,362 
At 225p               GBP24,800  GBP6,598  GBP4,896  GBP3,941  GBP1,377  GBP1,103  GBP42,715 
At 250p               GBP27,226  GBP7,176  GBP5,451  GBP4,360  GBP1,530  GBP1,226  GBP46,969 
At 300p               GBP32,121  GBP8,332  GBP6,561  GBP5,199  GBP1,836  GBP1,471  GBP55,520 
 

26. Minority shareholder put option liabilities (IFRS 9)

Policy

See below but also Basis of Preparation note.

Some of the subsidiaries' local management have a put option arrangement in place. The put option arrangements give these employees a right to exchange their minority holdings in the subsidiary into shares in the Company or cash (at the Group's choice).

These schemes are considered as rewarding future business performance and, as they are not conditional on the holder being an employee of the business, they are accounted for in accordance with IFRS 9.

These instruments are recognised in full at the amortised cost of the underlying award on the date of inception, with both a liability on the balance sheet and a corresponding amount within the minority interest put option reserve being recognised. At each period end, the amortised cost of the put option liability is calculated in accordance with the put option agreement, to determine a best estimate of the future value of the expected award. Resultant movements in the amortised cost of these instruments are charged to the income statement within finance income/expense.

The put option liability will vary with both the Company's share price and the subsidiary's financial performance. Current liabilities are determined by the Company's year-end share price and the historical results of the companies where the option holders can exercise within the next twelve months. Non-current liabilities are determined by the Company's year-end share price and the projected results of the companies where the option holders cannot exercise their options within the next twelve months.

Upon exercise of an award by a holder, the liability is extinguished and the associated minority interest put option reserve is transferred to the non-controlling interest acquired reserve.

Analysis

IFRS 9 put options exercisable from year ended 31 December 2022:

 
                                              % of subsidiaries' 
Subsidiary                             Year   shares exercisable 
 
M&C Saatchi (Switzerland) 
 SA                                    2023                 21.0 
M&C Saatchi Merlin Ltd                 2023                 15.0 
Santa Clara Participações 
 Ltda                                  2023                 25.0 
Santa Clara Participações 
 Ltda                                  2026                 24.9 
This Film Studio Pty Ltd               2023                 30.0 
 

It is the Group's option to fulfil these options in equity or cash and it is the Group's present intention to fulfil the options in cash (if available). However, if they are fulfilled in equity, the estimated number of the Company shares that will be issued to fulfil these options at 151.0p is 2,553,018 shares (2021: at 168.50p, 3,108,605 shares would need to be issued).

 
 
                                         2022      2021 
Liability as at 31 December            GBP000    GBP000 
Amounts falling due within one year   (2,584)   (3,238) 
Amounts falling due after one year, 
 but less than three years            (1,272)  -(2,000) 
                                      (3,856)  ( 5,238) 
 
 
 
                                           2022     2021 
Movement in liability during the year    GBP000   GBP000 
At 1 January                            (5,238)  (2,782) 
Exchange difference                         (1)       16 
Exercises                                 2,497      424 
Acquisitions                                  -  (2,000) 
Income statement charge due to: 
- Change in profit estimates              (970)    (399) 
- Change in Company share price             406    (497) 
- Amortisation of discount                (550)        - 
Total income statement charge (Note 
 7)                                     (1,114)    (896) 
At 31 December                          (3,856)  (5,238) 
 
 
Put options exercised in year      2022     2021 
                                 GBP000   GBP000 
Paid in equity                        -      424 
Paid in cash                      2,497        - 
Total                             2,497      424 
 

During the year the put options for 25.9% of Bohemia Group Pty Limited and 15.0% of Resolution Design Pty Limited were exercised, and the equity was acquired by the Group.

27. Share-based payments (IFRS 2)

Policy

See below but also Basis of Preparation note.

Local management in some of the Group's subsidiaries (who are minority interests of the Group) have the right to a put option over the equity they hold in the relevant subsidiary. Where this put option is dependent upon the holders' continued employment by the relevant subsidiary, or where the holder received the option as a result of employment with the relevant subsidiary, these options are accounted for under IFRS 2 as equity-settled share-based payments to employees or as cash-settled share-based payment schemes. These are redeemable, at the choice of the Group, either in shares of the Company or by means of a cash payment to the holder. Such schemes should be considered as rewards for future business performance, which are conditional on the holder being an employee of the business.

Equity-settled share-based payment schemes

Where an award is intended to be settled in equity, then the fair value of the award is calculated at the grant date of each scheme based on the present Company's share price and its relevant multiple. The fair value of the awards is calculated by means of a Monte Carlo model with inputs made in terms of the Company's share price at the date of grant, risk free rate, the historic volatility of the share price, the dividend yield and the time to vest. The Group estimates the shares that will ultimately vest, using assumptions over conditions, such as profitability of the subsidiary to which the awards relate. This value is recognised as an expense in the income statement over the shorter of the vesting period or the period of required employment on a straight-line basis, with a corresponding increase in reserves.

In the event a put option arrangement includes a business continuation clause on departure, that element of the award at issue is treated as vested and charged to the income statement at the grant date valuation, and no credit to the income statement is taken for it in the future. All the remaining award is revalued annually for the non-market condition (profitability of the subsidiary) and allocated to the income statement on a straight-line basis.

Upon exercise of the awards, the nominal value of the shares issued is credited to share capital with the balance to share premium.

Cash-settled share-based payment schemes

When an award is intended to be settled in cash, then a liability is recognised at inception of the award, based on the present Company's share price and its relevant multiple. This value is recognised as an expense in the income statement from the date of award to the date it is exercised, on a straight-line basis, with a corresponding increase in liabilities.

Conversion from equity-settled to cash-settled

Before 21 September 2021 the Group had settled the options using equity, where there was a choice to cash settle or equity-settle. The Board made the decision that put options from that date would be settled in cash, where cash resources are available to do so. Up to 21 September 2021, the Group accounted for these put options as equity-settled. From 21 September 2021, the Group accounted for these put options as cash-settled.

The transition from equity-settled to cash-settled required a fair value assessment on the day of the modification and a movement between equity and liabilities.

Where, for an unvested scheme that existed at 21 September 2021, the Company's share price multiple (the market condition) at the inception of the option is higher than the current Company's share price multiple, then the difference is charged to the income statement.

The following table sets out a comparison between equity settlement and cash settlement of IFRS 2 put options:

 
                         Equity-settled IFRS 2 scheme               Cash-settled IFRS 2 scheme 
Cost of the put option   Booked to staff costs                      Booked to staff costs 
Liability of the put     Booked to equity (no impact on net         Booked to liabilities (reduces net assets) 
 option                   assets) 
Recognition of the cost  Spread evenly between the date the         Spread evenly between the date the put 
                          put option is issued and the date the      option is issued and the date the put option 
                          put option vests. No further costs after   vests. Further valuation adjustments are 
                          vesting date.                              made to the income statement until the 
                                                                     option is exercised. 
Revaluation adjustments  Adjusted by changes in the profit of       Adjusted by changes in the profit of the 
                          the subsidiary only.                       subsidiary and the relevant share price 
                                                                     multiple. 
Exercise of put option   New Company shares issued to put option    Cash issued to put option holders. 
                          holders. 
 

Summary of schemes

The Group has the following share-based payment schemes:

 
      --   Put options - from 21 September 2021 these put options have been accounted for as cash settled. 
      --   South African equity purchased with non-recourse loans - some of the South African subsidiaries 
            have sold equity to staff with non-recourse loans that are repaid out of dividends and from 
            the proceeds of selling the equity to other employees, with the entity that has issued the equity 
            acting as an intermediary. The equity does not have any put rights, so there is no obligation 
            to acquire the equity, however the South African Rand 14,009k (2021 Rand 17,706k) debt lent 
            to acquire the liability (netted against the fair value of the award) is at risk. 
      --   Cash awards - these are long term cash schemes that were historically treated as a share-based 
            scheme. At the end of 2021 one of the put option award holders resigned, causing a one-off reversal 
            in the charge in the prior year. 
      --   2021 LTIP awards - on 28 September 2021 and 21 December 2021, the Group awarded equity-settled 
            LTIPs to senior executive managers. This scheme grants a future award of the Company's shares, 
            dependent on the achievement of certain future performance conditions:      o  Group's total shareholder return (TSR) versus the total shareholder return 
                     (TSR) of the 
                     FTSE Small Cap Index over the 3 years from December 2020 to December 2023 (70% 
                     of the award). 
                  o  Group's full year Headline PBT performance in 2023 versus target (30% of the 
                     award). 
      --   2022 LTIP awards - on 12 December 2022, the Group awarded equity-settled LTIPs to senior executive 
            managers. This scheme grants a future award of the Company's shares, dependent on the achievement 
            of certain future performance conditions:      o  Group's total shareholder return (TSR) versus the total shareholder return 
                     (TSR) of 
                     the FTSE Small Cap Index over the 3 years from December 2021 to December 2024 
                     (50% 
                     of the award). 
                  o  Group's full year Headline PAT performance per share in 2023 versus target (50% 
                     of 
                     the award). 
      --   Restrictive share awards - the two cash awards made to the previous Chief Financial Officer 
            on his recruitment were converted to restrictive share awards on 28 September 2021, based on 
            the 45 day average share price to 28 May 2021 of 137.7p. On departure of the previous Chief 
            Financial Officer a partial payment was made in cash. At 31 December 2022 there are no restrictive 
            awards in existence. 
 

For the LTIPs it is intended that an Employee Share Option Plan (Employee Benefits Trust ) is set up to acquire the shares to fulfil these schemes in equity; thus the schemes are accounted for as equity settled. The inputs to Monte Carlo models used to calculate the fair value of these share awards granted during the year are as follows:

 
                                            2022        2021        2021 
                                            LTIP        LTIP        LTIP 
Issue date                            12/12/2022  21/12/2021  28/09/2021 
Vesting date                          31/05/2025  21/12/2024  28/09/2024 
Share price at grant                     GBP1.48     GBP1.63     GBP1.56 
Expected volatility                          76%         80%         81% 
Risk free rate                             3.32%       0.67%       0.51% 
Dividend yield                                0%          0%          0% 
Fair value of award per share            GBP1.47     GBP1.62     GBP1.55 
 
TSR element against FTSE Small Cap 
 index: 
 Expected volatility                        291%        147%        158% 
 Fair value of award per share           GBP0.63     GBP0.72     GBP0.67 
 

Income statement charge

 
                                                     2022     2022     2022     2021     2021     2021 
                                                   Equity     Cash    Total   Equity     Cash    Total 
                                                   GBP000   GBP000   GBP000   GBP000   GBP000   GBP000 
Put options to 21 September 2021 - equity 
 settled                                                -        -        -    1,283        -    1,283 
Put options from 22 September 2021 
 - imputed equity charge due to transition              -        -        -      779        -      779 
 - charge/(credit) since transition (see below)       580      432    1,012        -    (797)    (797) 
South Africa non-recourse loan scheme                   -      107      107        -     (40)     (40) 
Total not affecting headline results (Note 
 1)                                                   580      539    1,119    2,062    (837)    1,225 
Release of cash award due to leaver (Note 
 1)                                                     -        -        -        -  (2,598)  (2,598) 
LTIPs                                                 438        -      438      135        -      135 
Restrictive share awards                              211        -      211       38        -       38 
Cash awards                                             -    1,893    1,893        -    1,370    1,370 
Total                                               1,229    2,432    3,661    2,235  (2,065)      170 
 

Total put option liability

 
                                         2022       2021 
                                        Total      Total 
                                       GBP000     GBP000 
Put options liability (IFRS 2)       (18,992)   (27,122) 
Put options liability (IFRS 9)        (3,856)    (5,238) 
Total put options (Note 25)          (22,848)  ( 32,360) 
 
Current - Minority shareholder put 
 option liabilities                  (18,419)   (20,788) 
Non-current - Minority shareholder 
 put option liabilities               (4,429)   (11,572) 
Total                                (22,848)   (32,360) 
 

Cash-settled liability

The movement in the liability by scheme is detailed below:

 
 
                                                     Put options   South Africa  Cash awards     Total 
                                                                   non-recourse 
                                                                    loan scheme 
                                                                         GBP000 
                                                          GBP000                      GBP000    GBP000 
At 1 January 2021                                              -          (545)      (2,043)   (2,588) 
Equity-settled options transferred to cash-settled 
 awards                                                 (32,555)              -            -  (32,555) 
Offsetable debt                                            1,691              -            -     1,691 
Acquisitions (Note 12)                                   (1,848)              -            -   (1,848) 
(Charge) / credit to income statement 
- Straight-line recognition                                (692)              -      (1,043)   (1,735) 
- Change in subsidiary profit estimates                  (3,382)              -        (327)   (3,709) 
- Change in Company multiple                               4,871             40            -     4,911 
Total income state (charge) / credit                         797             40      (1,370)     (533) 
Reversal of charge caused by employee resignation              -              -        2,598     2,598 
Settled                                                    4,859              -          489     5,348 
Foreign exchange                                            (66)             37            -      (29) 
At 31 December 2021                                     (27,122)          (468)        (326)  (27,916) 
(Charge) / credit to income statement 
- Straight-line recognition                                (963)              -      (1,893)   (2,856) 
- Change in subsidiary profit estimates                  (1,858)          (231)            -   (2,089) 
- Change in Company multiple                               2,389            124            -     2,513 
Total income statement charge                              (432)          (107)      (1,893)   (2,432) 
Settled                                                    8,553              -        1,054     9,607 
Foreign exchange                                               9           (23)            -      (14) 
At 31 December 2022                                     (18,992)          (598)      (1,165)  (20,755) 
 
 

Cash consideration for non-controlling interest acquired and other options

 
                                                            2022      2021 
                                                           Total     Total 
                                                          GBP000    GBP000 
Put options liability (IFRS 2)                           (9,607)   (5,348) 
Put options liability (IFRS 9)                           (2,497)         - 
Total cash consideration for non-controlling interest 
 acquired and other options                             (12,104)  ( 5,348) 
 

Put Options

 
 
                                         Vesting     % Entity 
                                                      subject 
                                                       to the 
                                                   put option 
Clear Deutschland GmbH                      2024       20.00% 
Clear Deutschland GmbH                      2026       20.00% 
Clear Ideas (Singapore) Ltd                 2023       10.00% 
Clear Ideas Ltd - B1 shares               Vested        5.00% 
Clear Ideas Ltd - B2 shares               Vested        5.00% 
Clear LA LLC                              Vested       12.00% 
FCINQ SAS                                 Vested       11.62% 
Greenhouse Australia Pty Ltd                2023        8.53% 
Greenhouse Australia Pty Ltd                2024        4.80% 
Human Digital Ltd                           2023       23.00% 
Human Digital Ltd                           2024       17.00% 
LIDA NY LLP (MCD)                         Vested       24.50% 
M&C Saatchi (Hong Kong) Limited           Vested       20.00% 
M&C Saatchi AB                            Vested       30.00% 
M&C Saatchi Advertising GmbH                2023        4.10% 
M&C Saatchi Agency Pty Ltd                Vested       10.00% 
M&C Saatchi Fluency Limited*                2026        7.50% 
M&C Saatchi Fluency Limited*                2027       10.00% 
M&C Saatchi Fluency Limited*                2028        2.50% 
M&C Saatchi Holdings Asia Pte Ltd 
 (Indonesia)                                2024       27.40% 
M&C Saatchi Holdings Asia Pte Ltd 
 (Indonesia)                                2026       22.50% 
M&C Saatchi Merlin Ltd                      2023       15.00% 
M&C Saatchi Middle East Holdings Ltd      Vested       20.00% 
M&C Saatchi Share Inc                     Vested       20.00% 
M&C Saatchi Social Ltd                      2023       16.00% 
M&C Saatchi Spencer Hong Kong Limited       2024       30.00% 
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment 
 Ltd                                      Vested       25.00% 
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment 
 NY LLP                                   Vested       13.00% 
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment 
 NY LLP                                     2024       12.50% 
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment 
 NY LLP                                     2025        5.00% 
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment 
 Pty LTD                                  Vested       10.00% 
M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment 
 GmbH                                     Vested        7.00% 
M&C Saatchi Talk Ltd                      Vested       39.00% 
M&C Saatchi Talk Ltd                        2023       10.00% 
M&C Saatchi World Services LLP            Vested       15.00% 
M&C Saatchi, S.A. DE C.V.                   2023       40.00% 
Majority LLC                                2024        8.00% 
RE Team Pty Ltd                           Vested       13.00% 
RE Worldwide UK Ltd                       Vested       43.20% 
Scarecrow M&C Saatchi Ltd                 Vested       49.00% 
The Source (W1) LLP                       Vested       10.00% 
The Source Insight Australia Pty Ltd        2025       35.00% 
Thread Innovation Ltd                       2027       10.00% 
Thread Innovation Ltd                       2028       10.00% 
 

*New scheme in year.

At any point in time, the valuation of certain put option schemes may be in dispute with the put option holders who have challenged the valuation of the schemes. We believe we have taken a prudent position in assessing the liabilities, and therefore consider any adverse outturn to be unlikely. As at 31 December 2022, the maximum aggregate liability that is not accrued amounts to [GBP2.4m] (2021: GBPnil), which is approximately 10% of the put option liability.

LTIP and Restrictive Shares

Shares issuable

During the year the Group also awarded LTIPs and settled restrictive share awards.

The table below shows the number of shares that the Company will issue at the Company's share price at 31 December 2022 of 151.0p (2021: 168.5p) assuming all awards under the LTIPs are held to their vesting date and fully vest.

 
 
                                                      Restrictive 
                                                LTIP       shares  Total 
Number of Shares                                '000         '000   '000 
At 1 January 2022                              1,927          799  2,726 
Forfeited on departure                         (556)            -  (556) 
Vested and reclassification to cash settled 
 scheme on employee departure                      -        (799)  (799) 
Granted or amended                             1,904            -  1,904 
At 31 December 2022                            3,275            -  3,275 
 

Shares issuable used in these accounts

 
 
                                   2022 
                                 Number          2022  2021 Number         2021 
                              of shares   Share price    of shares        Share 
                       Note        '000          used         '000   price used 
Per EPS calculation       1         905          163p          828       141.6p 
Share based payments     27       3,275     147p-162p        2,726    155p-162p 
 

The share-based payments calculation (note 27) uses the number of shares that could be issued at the first possible vesting date after the year. The EPS calculation (note 1) uses the average share price for the year, calculating the number of shares to be issued using its formula value had it been possible to exercise on the year-end date, and takes a deduction for any remaining uncharged share option charge at start of year and the share of profits that is allocatable to the equity during the year. Where the scheme has been issued for part of the year (and is not converted from an existing cash-based scheme) the shares are reduced by the proportion of the year that they are in issue. The EPS calculation is thus attempting to show the dilutive effect rather than the likely shares that will be issued and is income statement focused rather than the true future position.

28. Issued share capital (allotted, called up and fully paid)

Policy

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs attributable to the issuance of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction from proceeds, net of tax.

Where the Company reacquires its own equity instruments (treasury shares), the consideration paid is deducted from equity attributable to the Company's shareholders and recognised within the treasury reserve.

Analysis

 
 
                                                                                1p Ordinary 
                                                                                     shares 
                                                              Number of shares       GBP000 
At 31 December 2020                                                115,916,590        1,159 
 
Acquisition of 40% of M&C Saatchi (Hong Kong) 
 Limited                                                             3,027,860           30 
Acquisition of 25.1% of Santa Clara Participações 
 Ltda                                                                2,084,825           21 
Acquisition of 19.9% of Little Stories SAS                             475,730            5 
Acquisition of 5% M&C Saatchi Mobile Asia Pacific 
 PTE. Ltd                                                              327,239            3 
Shares issued for cash                                                 620,180            6 
Payment of deferred consideration                                      291,011            3 
 
At 31 December 2021                                                122,743,435        1,227 
 
No issue of shares                                                           -            - 
 
At 31 December 2022                                                122,743,435        1,227 
 

The Group holds 485,970 (2021: 485,970) of the above Company shares in treasury.

29. Fair value measurement

Policy

See also basis of preparation note.

Some of the Group's financial assets and liabilities, in addition to certain non-financial assets and liabilities, are held at fair value.

The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be received from selling the asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the balance sheet date.

Both financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the balance sheet are grouped into three levels of a fair value hierarchy. The three levels are defined based on the observability of significant inputs to the measurement, as follows:

 
-  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 asset 
    or liability, either directly or indirectly; and 
-  Level 3: unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. 
 

The Group holds both assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and those which are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Items measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis typically relate to non-financial assets arising as a result of business combinations as accounted for under the acquisition method. In this regard, during the year the Group has recognised additions to intangible assets (brand names and customer lists) totalling GBP200k (2021: GBP3,819k). Refer to note 14 for full details.

In addition, the Group also calculates the fair value of certain non-financial assets when there is the need to conduct an impairment review. These calculations also fall within Level 3 of the IFRS 13 hierarchy and, where applicable, are described in note 14.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

The following table shows the levels within the hierarchy of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021:

 
 
                            Level   Level   Level 
                                1       2       3 
At 31 December 2022        GBP000  GBP000  GBP000 
Financial assets 
Equity investments 
 at FVTPL                       -       -  11,986 
Contingent consideration        -       -     914 
Total                           -       -  12,900 
 
 
 
                      Level   Level 
                          1       2  Level 3 
At 31 December 
 2021                GBP000  GBP000   GBP000 
Financial assets 
Equity investments 
 at FVTPL                 -       -   15,183 
 
 

The level at which the financial asset or liability is classified is determined based on the lowest level of significant input to the fair value measurement.

The movements in the fair value of the level 3 recurring financial assets and liabilities are shown as follows:

 
 
                      Equity instruments 
                                at FVTPL 
                                  GBP000 
At 1 January 2022                 15,183 
Disposals                          (918) 
Gain on disposal                   1,168 
Revaluations                         292 
Impairment                       (2,863) 
Currency movements                    38 
At 31 December 2022               12,900 
 

Valuation and sensitivity to valuation

The Group's finance team performs valuations of financial items for financial reporting purposes, including Level 3 fair values. Where appropriate such valuations are performed in consultation with third-party valuation specialists for complex calculations.

The equity instruments at FVTPL relate to unlisted equity investments as detailed in note 19. Management bases its primary assessment of their fair values on the share price from the last funding round but also incorporates discounts depending on performance, more senior shareholdings held by other investors and the possibility of future dilution due to the presence of convertible loan notes. Within the value of GBP12,900k above, GBP6,082k have no price points in the past 12 months. Fluctuations in the share price would change the fair value of the investments recognised at year-end as follows assuming a 10% uplift or downwards movement in the price:

 
                        Increase/    Increase/ 
                       (decrease)   (decrease) 
                               in           in 
                       fair value   fair value 
                               of           of 
                            asset        asset 
                             2022         2021 
Adjusted share price       GBP000       GBP000 
+10%                        1,290        1,519 
-10%                      (1,290)      (1,519) 
 

In addition, management considers there to be a risk that the most recent purchase prices are sensitive to a decision to sell the investments to an unwilling market. If such a market existed, then discounting the investments to reflect such risk could impact the value as shown below:

 
                                           Decrease   Decrease 
                                            in fair    in fair 
                                              value      value 
                                           of asset   of asset 
                                               2022       2021 
Risk adjusted sales price                    GBP000     GBP000 
-30% sales discount due to illiquid 
 nature*                                    (3,870)    (4,556) 
-12% risk discount for unwilling market 
 place**                                    (1,084)    (1,276) 
Value after discounts                         7,946      9,353 
 

* If these illiquid securities were to be sold then such a sale is expected to yield between a 10% and 50% discount, so sensitivity based on 30%.

** Risk that if the cash supply dries up, some of the investments with future growth prospects will run out of cash requiring a fire sale, reflected by additional risk discount of 12%.

30. Financial risk management

Principal financial instruments

The principal financial instruments held by the Group, from which financial instrument risk arises, include contract assets, trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, contract liabilities, trade and other payables, loans and borrowings, minority interest put options accounted under IFRS 9 as liabilities and equity instruments representing long term investments in non-listed entities.

The Group does not typically use derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange or interest rate risks arising from operational, financing and investment activities.

30.1 - General objective, policies and processes

The Board has overall responsibility for the determination of the Group's and Company's risk management objectives and policies. Whilst retaining ultimate responsibility for them, the Board has delegated the authority for designing and operating processes that ensure the effective implementation of the objectives and policies to the Group's senior management of each core business unit.

The overall objective of the Board is to set policies that seek to reduce risk as far as possible without unduly affecting the Group's competitiveness and flexibility of the global businesses of which it is comprised. Further details regarding these policies are set out below.

30.2 - Market risk

Market risk arises from the Group's use of interest-bearing financial instruments and foreign currency cash holdings. It is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows on its debt finance and cash investments will fluctuate because of changes in interest rates (interest rate risk), foreign exchange rates (currency risk) and other price risk such as equity price risk and share price risk. Financial instruments affected by market risk include loans and borrowings, deposits, debt, equity investments and minority interest (MI) put options.

Exposure to market risk arises in the normal course of the Group's business.

30.3 - Foreign exchange risk

Foreign exchange risk arises from transactions and recognised assets and liabilities and net investments in foreign operations. The Group's general operating policy historically has been to conduct business in the currency of the local area in which businesses of the Group are geographically located, thereby naturally hedging the consideration resulting from client work. Businesses of the Group maintain bank accounts in the currency of these transactions solely for working capital purposes. As the Group has grown there has been an increase in services rendered being exported from the UK businesses to clients who transact in non-GBP currencies. The transactional risk arising from such exports is mitigated in terms of the structuring of the billing arrangements and agreement to regular invoices being remitted and promptly paid (<30 days).

The Group is exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates in respect of the translation of net assets and income statements of foreign subsidiaries and equity accounted investments. The Group does not hedge the translation effect of exchange rate movements on the income statements or balance sheets of foreign subsidiaries and equity accounted investments as it regards these as long-term investments.

The estimated impact on foreign exchange gains and losses of a +/- 10% movement in the exchange rate of the Group's significant currencies is as follows:

 
                  Increase/    Increase/    Increase/    Increase/ 
                 (decrease)   (decrease)   (decrease)   (decrease) 
                  in profit    in profit    in profit    in profit 
                     before    after tax       before    after tax 
                        tax                       tax 
                       2022         2022         2021         2021 
Exchange rate        GBP000       GBP000       GBP000       GBP000 
USD +10%                848          727          362          214 
USD -10%              (771)        (661)        (330)        (195) 
AUD +10%                490          321          526          349 
AUD -10%              (446)        (292)        (478)        (317) 
 

The year-end and average exchange rates to GBP for the significant currencies are as follows:

 
             Year-End Rate    Average Rate 
Currency      2022    2021    2022    2021 
USD           1.21    1.35    1.20    1.35 
AUD           1.77    1.86    1.77    1.87 
 

The Group assumes that currencies will either be freely convertible, or the currency can be used in the local market to pay for goods and services, which the Group can sell to clients in a freely convertible currency. Within the 2022 year-end cash balances the Group holds GBP 1,242k in Indian Rupees; GBP524k in Libyan Dinars; and GBP3,725k in South African Rands.

30.4 - Interest rate risk

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk because it holds a banking facility of up to GBP47m and a net overdraft facility of up to GBP2.5m, both based on floating interest risks. The Group does not consider this risk to be significant.

The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on the exposure to interest rates for financial instruments held at the balance sheet date. The analysis is prepared assuming the amount of borrowings outstanding at the balance sheet date were outstanding for the whole year. A 50-basis point increase or decrease is used when reporting interest rate risk internally to key management personnel and represents management's assessment of the reasonably possible changes in interest rates.

If interest rates had been 50 basis points higher/lower and all other variables were held constant, the Group's profit before tax for the year ended 31 December 2022 would (decrease)/increase by GBP(35)k / GBP 35k (2021: GBP(100)k / GBP100k). This is principally attributable to the Group's exposure to interest rates on its floating rate loan.

30.5 - Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk arises from the Group's management of working capital and the finance charges and, when appropriate, principal repayments on its debt instruments. It is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting its financial obligations as and when they fall due. The Group's debt instruments carry interest at SONIA + 3.0%.

The Group's policy is to ensure that it will always have sufficient cash to allow it to meet its liabilities when they come due. To achieve this aim, the Group has a planning and budgeting process in place to determine the funds required to meet its normal operating requirements on an ongoing basis. The Group and Company ensures that there are sufficient funds to meet its short-term business requirements, taking into account its anticipated cash flows from operations, its holdings of cash and cash equivalent and proposed strategic investments.

The Board receives current year cash flow projections on a monthly basis as well as information regarding cash balances. At the end of the financial year, these projections indicated that the Group had sufficient liquid resources to meet its obligations under all reasonably expected circumstances.

The following table sets out the contractual maturities (representing undiscounted contractual cash flows) of financial liabilities:

Group

 
 
                             Up to 3   3 to 12 
                              months    months  1 to 2 years  2 to 5 years  over 5 years 
At 31 December 2022           GBP000    GBP000        GBP000        GBP000        GBP000 
 
Trade and other payables*   (93,060)  (34,996)       (2,508)         (976)          (10) 
Lease liabilities            (2,256)   (6,770)       (8,149)      (21,220)      (31,363) 
Loans and borrowings            (59)     (100)       (6,802)             -             - 
Overdrafts                   (4,271)         -             -             -             - 
IFRS 9 put options                 -   (2,584)             -       (1,272)             - 
Total                       (99,746)  (44,350)      (17,459)      (23,468)      (31,373) 
 

* excludes taxes as these are not considered financial instruments and contract liabilities as these are not financial liabilities

 
                                          Up to 3   3 to 12 
                                           months    months  1 to 2 years  2 to 5 years  over 5 years 
At 31 December 2021                        GBP000    GBP000        GBP000        GBP000        GBP000 
 
Trade and other payables*                (96,561)  (25,359)       (5,285)       (1,846)           (1) 
Lease liabilities                         (2,320)   (6,960)       (8,074)      (19,342)      (35,943) 
Loans and borrowings                            -         -             -      (19,528)             - 
Overdrafts                               (14,440)         -             -             -             - 
IFRS 9 put options                              -   (3,238)             -       (1,000)       (1,000) 
Deferred and contingent consideration           -     (984)             -             -             - 
Total                                   (113,321)  (36,541)      (13,359)      (41,716)      (36,944) 
 

* excludes taxes as these are not considered financial instruments and contract liabilities as these are not financial liabilities

Company

 
                           Up to 3 months  3 to 12 months  1 to 2 years  2 to 5 years  over 5 years 
At 31 December 2022                GBP000          GBP000        GBP000        GBP000        GBP000 
 
Trade and other payables          (5,190)               -             -             -             - 
Overdrafts                        (4,271)               -             -             -             - 
Loans and borrowings                    -               -       (6,750)             -             - 
Total                             (9,461)               -       (6,750)             -             - 
 
 
At 31 December 2021        Up to 3 months  3 to 12 months  1 to 2 years  2 to 5 years  over 5 years 
                                   GBP000          GBP000        GBP000        GBP000        GBP000 
 
Trade and other payables          (3,551)           (361)         (292)         (161)             - 
Loans and borrowings                    -               -             -      (19,528)             - 
Total                             (3,551)           (361)         (292)      (19,689)             - 
 

The Group breached no banking covenants during the year.

30.6 - Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations.

The Group monitors credit risk at both a local and Group level. Credit terms are set and monitored at a local level according to local business practices and commercial trading conditions. The age of debt, and the levels of accrued and deferred income are reported regularly. Age profiling is monitored, both at local customer level and at consolidated entity level. There is only local exposure to debt from significant global clients. The Group continues to review its debt exposure to foreign currency movements and will review efficient strategies to mitigate risk as the Group's overseas debt increases.

Management determines concentrations of credit risk by reviewing amounts due from customers monthly. The only significant concentrations of credit risk which are accepted are with multinational blue chip (or their equivalent) organisations where credit risk is not considered an issue and the risk of default is considered low.

Impairment

The Group has one principal class of assets in scope for expected credit loss test, trade receivables.

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade receivables.

The expected loss rates for each business are based on the payment profiles of sales at least over a period of 24 months before 31 December 2022 or 31 December 2021 respectively and the corresponding historical credit losses experienced within this period. The historical loss rates are adjusted to reflect current and forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the ability of the customers to settle the receivables.

The expected credit loss allowance as at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 was determined as follows for trade receivables under IFRS 15.

 
 
                                                                Trade receivables 
                                                            0 - 30       31 -       91 -       > 120    Total 
                                              Not past   days past    90 days   120 days   days past 
31 December 2022                                   due         due   past due   past due         due 
Expected loss rate (%)                           0.02%       0.01%      0.02%      0.51%       3.55% 
Trade receivables (GBP000's)                    70,673      25,496      9,333      2,701       4,124  112,327 
Calculated expected credit loss provision 
 (GBP000's)                                         11           3          2         14         146      176 
Specific further loss allowances (GBP000's)          -           -          -          -       1,653    1,653 
Total loss allowance (GBP000's)                     11           3          2         14       1,799    1,829 
 
 
 
                                                                Trade receivables 
                                                            0 - 30       31 -       91 -       > 120     Total 
                                              Not past   days past    90 days   120 days   days past 
31 December 2021                                   due         due   past due   past due         due 
Expected loss rate (%)                           0.02%       0.01%      0.02%      0.51%       3.55% 
Trade receivables (GBP000's)                    72,941      19,200      6,107        956       3,302   102,506 
Calculated expected credit loss provision 
 (GBP000's)                                         11           2          1          5         117       136 
Specific further loss allowances (GBP000's)          -           -          -          -         741       741 
Total loss allowance (GBP000's)                     11           2          1          5         858       877 
 

Under IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, the expected credit loss is the difference between asset's gross carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cashflows discounted at the asset's original effective interest rate.

Contract assets relate to work-in-progress, and as the Group has no experience of material write offs in relation to these financial assets, no expected credit loss allowance is recognised.

30.7 - Share price risk

As detailed in note 27, the Group has used put option awards to incentivise certain local key management (who are non controlling interest). The value of these awards is in part dependent upon the Company's share price.

30.8 - Equity price risk

The Group's non-listed equity investments are susceptible to market price risk arising from uncertainties about future values of the investment securities. The Group manages equity price risk through diversification and by placing limits on individual and total equity investment securities. Reports on the equity portfolio are submitted to the Group's senior management on a regular basis. The Board reviews and approves all equity investment decisions. The basis of the fair value calculations and the sensitivity of these calculations to the key inputs is detailed in note 29.

30.9 - Capital management

The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return to shareholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. Strong financial capital management is an integral element of the Directors' strategy to achieve the Group's stated objectives. The Directors review financial capital reports on a regular basis and the Group finance function does so on a daily basis ensuring that the Group has adequate liquidity. The Directors' consideration of going concern is detailed in the Directors' Report.

The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes the borrowings disclosed in note 23, cash and cash equivalents as disclosed in the cash flow statement and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent as disclosed in the Statement of Changes in Equity.

31. Group companies

Key

 
*   This subsidiary company is exempt from the requirements relating to the audit of individual accounts 
     for the year ended 31 December 2022 by virtue of Section 479A of the Companies Act 2006. M&C Saatchi 
     plc (the "Company") will guarantee the debts and liabilities of the subsidiary company in accordance 
     with Section 479C of the Companies Act 2006. 
**  Entities where all equity is directly held by the Company, all other subsidiary companies' equity 
     is either in part or wholly held via subsidiaries of the Company. 
 
 
 
As at 31 December         Country        Company Number         Registered        Specialism     Effective % ownership 
 2022                                                           Office                            2022 
                                                                Address 
United Kingdom 
                                                                36 Golden 
                          United                                Square, 
LIDA (UK) LLP*             Kingdom       OC395890               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    100 
                                                                36 Golden 
                          United                                Square, 
LIDA Limited*              Kingdom       03860916               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi (UK)          United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       03003693               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi Accelerator   United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       09660056               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi Export        United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       03920028               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M & C Saatchi Marketing   United                                Square, 
 Arts Limited*             Kingdom       03357727               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi PR            United                                Square, 
 International Limited*    Kingdom       08838406               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi PR            United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       07280464               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi PR            United                                Square, 
 UK LLP*                   Kingdom       OC362334               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi Shop          United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       09660100               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi Talk          United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       04239240               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    51 
                                                                36 Golden 
The Source (London)       United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       07140265               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    100 
                                                                36 Golden 
The Source (W1)           United                                Square, 
 LLP*                      Kingdom       OC384624               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    90 
                                                                36 Golden 
This Is Noticed           United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       11843904               London, W1F 9EE   Advertising    68.5 
                                                                36 Golden 
Clear Ideas Consultancy   United                                Square, 
 LLP*                      Kingdom       OC362532               London, W1F 9EE   Consulting     90 
                                                                36 Golden 
                          United                                Square, 
Clear Ideas Limited*       Kingdom       04529082               London, W1F 9EE   Consulting     90 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi Fluency       United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       12853921               London, W1F 9EE   Consulting     80 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi Life          United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       14338008               London, W1F 9EE   Consulting     100 
                                                                36 Golden 
Influence Communications  United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       04917646               London, W1F 9EE   Consulting     95 
                                                                36 Golden 
                          United                                Square, 
Re Worldwide Ltd*          Kingdom       10503044               London, W1F 9EE   Consulting     56.8 
                                                                36 Golden 
Thread Innovation         United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       13510974               London, W1F 9EE   Consulting     80 
                                                                36 Golden 
Alive & Kicking           United                                Square, 
 Global Limited*           Kingdom       11250736               London, W1F 9EE   Dormant        100 
                                                                36 Golden 
Black & White Strategy    United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       11295145               London, W1F 9EE   Dormant        100 
                                                                36 Golden 
                          United                                Square, 
H2R Research Limited*      Kingdom       11668322               London, W1F 9EE   Dormant        85 
                                                                36 Golden 
                          United                                Square, 
Human Digital Limited*     Kingdom       07510403               London, W1F 9EE   Issues         60 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi World         United                                Square, 
 Services LLP*             Kingdom       OC364842               London, W1F 9EE   Issues         85 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi WS            United                                Square, 
 .ORG Limited*             Kingdom       10898282               London, W1F 9EE   Issues         85 
                                                                36 Golden 
Tricycle Communications   United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       07643884               London, W1F 9EE   Issues         85 
                                                                36 Golden 
M & C Saatchi Network     United                                Square,           Group Central 
 Limited* & **             Kingdom       07844657               London, W1F 9EE   Costs          100 
                                                                36 Golden 
                          United                                Square,           Group Central 
Saatchinvest Ltd*          Kingdom       07498729               London, W1F 9EE   Costs          100 
M&C Saatchi                                                     36 Golden 
 International            United                                Square,           Group Central 
 Holdings B.V.             Kingdom       24295679 (FC024340)    London, W1F 9EE   Costs          100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi European      United                                Square,           Group Central 
 Holdings Limited*         Kingdom       05982868               London, W1F 9EE   Costs          96 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi German        United                                Square,           Group Central 
 Holdings Limited*         Kingdom       06227163               London, W1F 9EE   Costs          100 
M & C Saatchi                                                   36 Golden 
 International            United                                Square,           Local Central 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       03375635               London, W1F 9EE   Costs          100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi Middle        United                                Square,           Local Central 
 East Holdco Limited*      Kingdom       09374189               London, W1F 9EE   Costs          80 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi WMH           United                                Square,           Local Central 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       03457658               London, W1F 9EE   Costs          100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi Worldwide     United                                Square,           Local Central 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       02999983               London, W1F 9EE   Costs          100 
                                                                36 Golden 
                          United                                Square, 
FYND Media Limited*        Kingdom       10104986               London, W1F 9EE   Media          100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi Mobile        United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       05437661               London, W1F 9EE   Media          100 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi Merlin        United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       03422630               London, W1F 9EE   Passions       70 
                                                                36 Golden 
M&C Saatchi Social        United                                Square, 
 Limited* (&) **           Kingdom       09110893               London, W1F 9EE   Passions       84 
M&C Saatchi Sport                                               36 Golden 
 & Entertainment          United                                Square, 
 Limited*                  Kingdom       03306364               London, W1F 9EE   Passions       75 
Europe 
                                                                Boulevard Des 
                                                                Promenades 
                                                                8, 1227, 
M&C Saatchi                                                     Carouge, 
 (Switzerland)                                                  Geneva, 
 SA                       Switzerland    660-0442009-4          Switzerland       Advertising    76 
                                                                Skeppsbron 16, 
                                                                11130, 
                                                                Stockholm, 
M&C Saatchi AB            Sweden         556902-1792            Sweden            Advertising    70 
                                                                Munzstrasse 
                                                                21-23, 
M&C Saatchi Advertising                                         10178, Berlin, 
 GmbH                     Germany        95484                  Germany           Advertising    96 
                                                                Munzstrasse 
                                                                21-23, 
M&C Saatchi Digital                                             10178, Berlin, 
 GmbH                     Germany        137809                 Germany           Advertising    100 
                                                                Skeppsbron 16, 
                                                                11130, 
M&C Saatchi Go!                                                 Stockholm, 
 AB                       Sweden         559076-6076            Sweden            Advertising    70 
                                                                Skeppsbron 16, 
                                                                11130, 
M&C Saatchi PR                                                  Stockholm, 
 AB                       Sweden         559103-4201            Sweden            Advertising    70 
                                                                V.Le Monte Nero 
                                                                76, Milano, 
M&C Saatchi PR                                                  20135, 
 S.r.L                    Italy          IT08977250961          Italy             Advertising    100 
                                                                V.Le Monte Nero 
                                                                76, Milano, 
                                                                20135, 
M&C Saatchi SpA           Italy          IT07039280966          Italy             Advertising    100 
                                                                C/O Wework, 
                                                                Taunusanlage 
                                                                8, 60329, 
Clear Deutschland                                               Frankfurt 
 GmbH                     Germany        113523                 Am Main, Germany  Consulting     57 
M&C Saatchi Sport                                               Keizersgracht, 
 & Entertainment                                                81015CN, 
 Benelux B.V.             Netherlands    860734560              Amsterdam         Passions       100 
                                                                Munzstrasse 
M&C Saatchi Sports                                              21-23, 
 & Entertainment                                                10178, Berlin, 
 GmbH                     Germany        142905                 Germany           Passions       93 
Middle East and 
 Africa 
                                                                Media Quarter, 
                                                                5(th) Floor, 
                                                                Corner, 
                                                                Somerset And De 
                                                                Smit Street, De 
Black & White Customer                                          Waterkant, Cape 
 Strategy (Pty)                                                 Town, South 
 Limited                  South Africa   211/005859/07          Africa            Advertising    50.1 
                                                                Media Quarter, 
                                                                5(th) Floor, 
                                                                Corner, 
                                                                Somerset And De 
                                                                Smit Street, De 
Creative Spark                                                  Waterkant, Cape 
 Interactive (Pty)                                              Town, South 
 Limited**                South Africa   2010/016508/07         Africa            Advertising    50.1 
                                                                Media Quarter, 
                                                                5(th) Floor, 
                                                                Corner, 
                                                                Somerset And De 
                                                                Smit Street, De 
                                                                Waterkant, Cape 
Dalmatian Communications                                        Town, South 
 (Pty) Limited**          South Africa   2015/396439/07         Africa            Advertising    50.1 
                                                                Media Quarter, 
                                                                5(th) Floor, 
                                                                Corner, 
                                                                Somerset And De 
                                                                Smit Street, De 
                                                                Waterkant, Cape 
M&C Saatchi Abel                                                Town, South 
 (Pty) Limited            South Africa   2009/022172/07         Africa            Advertising    50 
                                                                Media Quarter, 
                                                                5(th) Floor, 
                                                                Corner, 
                                                                Somerset And De 
                                                                Smit Street, De 
                                                                Waterkant, Cape 
M&C Saatchi Africa                                              Town, South 
 (Pty) Limited**          South Africa   2013/037719            Africa            Advertising    50.1 
                                                                PO Box: 77932, 
                                                                Abu Dhabi, 
M&C Saatchi FZ            United Arab                           United 
 LLC                       Emirates      177                    Arab Emirates     Advertising    80 
                                                                M&C Saatchi, 
                                                                Penthouse, 
                                                                Building 1, 
                                                                Twofour54, 
                                                                PO Box 77932, 
                                                                Abu 
                                                                Dhabi, United 
M&C Saatchi Middle        United Arab                           Arab 
 East FZ LLC               Emirates      30670                  Emirates          Advertising    80 
                                                                9 8(th) Street, 
                                                                Houghton, 
                                                                Johannesburg, 
Razor Media (Pty)                                               Gauteng, 2198, 
 Limited                  South Africa   2017/177757/07         South Africa      Advertising    49 
M&C Saatchi Bahrain                                             51,122,1605,316, 
 W.L.L                    Bahrain        74157                   Manama Center    Dormant        100 
                                                                Media Quarter, 
                                                                5(th) Floor, 
                                                                Corner, 
                                                                Somerset And De 
                                                                Smit Street, De 
                                                                Waterkant, Cape 
M&C Saatchi Connect                                             Town, South 
 (Pty) Limited**          South Africa   2013/037737/07         Africa            Media          50.1 
                                                                9 8(th) Street, 
                                                                Houghton, 
                                                                Johannesburg, 
Levergy Marketing                                               Gauteng, 2198, 
 Agency (Pty) Limited**   South Africa   2005/021589/07         South Africa      Passions       70 
Asia 
                                                                No. 15B, 2(nd) 
                                                                Floor, Jalan 
                                                                Tengku 
                                                                Ampuan, Zabedah 
                                                                F9/F, Section 9, 
                                                                40100 Shah Alam, 
Design Factory                                                  Selangor Darul 
 Sdn Bhd                  Malaysia       201001034805           Ehsan, Malaysia   Advertising    100 
                                                                Room 248, Floor 
                                                                2, Unit 5, 
                                                                No.11, 
                                                                Wanghang Road, 
                                                                New Lingang 
                                                                Area, 
                                                                China (Shanghai) 
M&C Saatchi Advertising                                         Pilot Free Trade 
 (Shanghai) Limited       China          91310000740556813A     Zone, China       Advertising    80 
                                                                Rm 2610, 26/F 
                                                                Prosperity, 
                                                                Millennia Plaza, 
                                                                663 King's Rd, 
                                                                North Point, 
M&C Saatchi (Hong                                               Hong 
 Kong) Limited            Hong Kong      509500                 Kong              Advertising    80 
                                                                1(st) Floor, 
                                                                Catic 
                                                                Plaza, No.8 
                                                                Causeway 
M&C Saatchi Spencer                                             Road, Causeway 
 Hong Kong Limited        Hong Kong      2661802                Bay, Hong Kong    Advertising    70 
                                                                Flat No.270-D, 
                                                                Pocket C Mayur 
                                                                Vihar Phase II, 
M&C Saatchi                                                     New Delhi, 
 Communications                                                 110091, 
 Pvt Limited              India          U74300DL2005PTC141682  India             Advertising    94.8 
                                                                2(nd) Floor, 
                                                                Kamani 
                                                                Chambers 32 
                                                                Ramjibhai 
                                                                Kamani Marg, 
                                                                Ballard 
                                                                Estate Mumbai, 
Scarecrow M&C Saatchi                                           Mumbai City, MH 
 Limited**                India          U22190MH2008PLC188548  400038 IN, India  Advertising    51 
                                                                Dea Tower 1 
                                                                Mezanine 
                                                                Floor, Jl. Mega 
                                                                Kuningan 
                                                                Kav.e4.3 
                                                                No.1-2, Kuningan 
                                                                Timur, 
                                                                Setiabudi, 
PT. MCS Saatchi                                                 Jakarta Selatan, 
 Indonesia                Indonesia      576/1/IU/PMA/2018      12920, Indonesia  Advertising    50.1 
                                                                No.15b, 2(nd) 
                                                                Floor, 
                                                                Jalan Tengku 
                                                                Ampuan, 
                                                                Zabedah F9/F, 
                                                                Section 
                                                                9, 40100 Shah 
                                                                Alam, 
M&C Saatchi (M)                                                 Selangor, 
 Sdn Bhd                  Malaysia       606116-D               Malaysia          Advertising    100 
                                                                No.15b, 2(nd) 
                                                                Floor, 
                                                                Jalan Tengku 
                                                                Ampuan, 
                                                                Zabedah F9/F, 
                                                                Section 
                                                                9, 40100 Shah 
                                                                Alam, 
M&C Saatchi Source                                              Selangor, 
 (M) SDN BHD              Malaysia       1313653-D              Malaysia          Advertising    100 
                                                                No.15b, 2(nd) 
                                                                Floor, 
                                                                Jalan Tengku 
                                                                Ampuan, 
                                                                Zabedah F9/F, 
                                                                Section 
                                                                9, 40100 Shah 
                                                                Alam, 
Watermelon Production                                           Selangor, 
 Sdn Bhd                  Malaysia       1083441 -M             Malaysia          Advertising    100 
                                                                48m, Block 6, 
M&C Saatchi World                                               P.Ec.H.S, 
 Services Pakistan                                              Karachi, 
 (Pvt) Ltd                Pakistan       0081911                Pakistan          Issues         43 
                                                                59 Mohamed 
                                                                Sultan 
                                                                Road, #02-08, 
M&C Saatchi (S)                                                 Sultan-Link, 
 Pte Limited              Singapore      199504816C             Singapore         Advertising    100 
                                                                59 Mohamed 
                                                                Sultan 
                                                                Road, #02-08, 
Clear Ideas (Singapore)                                         Sultan-Link, 
 Pte Limited              Singapore      201020335R             Singapore         Consulting     86 
                                                                6(th) Floor, 
                                                                Alexandra 
                                                                House, 18 Chater 
                                                                Road, Central, 
Clear Asia Limited        Hong Kong      1289028                Hong Kong         Dormant        95 
                                                                Rm 2610, 26/F 
                                                                Prosperity, 
                                                                Millennia Plaza, 
                                                                663 King's Rd, 
                                                                North Point, 
                                                                Hong 
Re HK Limited             Hong Kong      2699219                Kong              Dormant        100 
                                                                59 Mohamed 
                                                                Sultan 
M&C Saatchi World                                               Road, #02-08, 
 Services (Singapore)                                           Sultan-Link, 
 Pte Limited              Singapore      202104508W             Singapore         Issues         85 
                                                                Rm 2610, 26/F 
                                                                Prosperity, 
                                                                Millennia Plaza, 
                                                                663 King's Rd, 
                                                                North Point, 
M&C Saatchi Asia                                                Hong              Local Central 
 Limited                  Hong Kong      1959819                Kong              Costs          100 
                                                                1 Coleman 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                #05-06a, The 
M&C Saatchi Holdings                                            Adelphi,          Local Central 
 Asia Pte Limited         Singapore      20172 5519K            179803 Singapore  Costs          50.1 
                                                                141b First 
                                                                Floor, 
                                                                Cl House Shahpur 
M&C Saatchi Mobile                                              Jat, New Delhi, 
 India LLP                India          AAK-8869               110049, India     Media          100 
                                                                59 Mohamed 
                                                                Sultan 
M&C Saatchi Mobile                                              Road, #02-08, 
 Asia Pacific Pte                                               Sultan-Link, 
 Limited                  Singapore      201410399M             Singapore         Media          100 
Australia 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
1440 Agency Pty                                                 2000, 
 Limited                  Australia      100 473 363            Australia         Advertising    90 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Bellwether Global                                               2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      114 615 226            Australia         Advertising    90 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Brands In Space                                                 2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      129 800 639            Australia         Advertising    90 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Elastic Productions                                             2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      635 737 861            Australia         Advertising    90 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Go Studios Pty                                                  2000, 
 Limited                  Australia      092 941 878            Australia         Advertising    90 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Greenhouse Australia                                            2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      629 584 121            Australia         Advertising    78 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Hidden Characters                                               2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      108 886 291            Australia         Advertising    85.5 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
LIDA Australia                                                  2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      125 908 009            Australia         Advertising    90 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
M&C Saatchi Direct                                              2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      072 221 811            Australia         Advertising    90 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
M&C Saatchi Melbourne                                           2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      004 777 379            Australia         Advertising    89.9 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
M&C Saatchi Sydney                                              2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      637 963 323            Australia         Advertising    90 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Park Avenue PR                                                  2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      604 298 071            Australia         Advertising    90 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Resolution Design                                               2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      621 985 288            Australia         Advertising    90 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Saatchi Ventures                                                2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      614 007 957            Australia         Advertising    54 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
The Source Insight                                              2000, 
 Australia Pty Limited    Australia      618 841 928            Australia         Advertising    58.5 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
This Film Studio                                                2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      624 003 541            Australia         Advertising    63 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Tricky Jigsaw Pty                                               2000, 
 Limited                  Australia      069 431 054            Australia         Advertising    88 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Ugly Sydney Pty                                                 2000, 
 Limited                  Australia      618 242 710            Australia         Advertising    67.5 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
                                                                2000, 
Re Team Pty Limited       Australia      105 887 321            Australia         Consulting     78.8 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Yes Agency Pty                                                  2000, 
 Limited                  Australia      621 425 143            Australia         Consulting     78.8 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
eMCSaatchi Pty                                                  2000, 
 Limited                  Australia      089 856 093            Australia         Dormant        90 
                                                                C/O Walker 
                                                                Wayland 
                                                                Services Pty 
                                                                Ltd, 
                                                                Suite 11.01, 
                                                                Leve 
                                                                11, 60 
World Services                                                  Castlereagh 
 (Australia) Pty                                                St, Sydney NSW, 
 Limited                  Australia      629 191 420            Australia         Issues         85 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
M&C Saatchi Agency                                              2000,             Local Central 
 Pty Limited              Australia      069 431 054            Australia         Costs          90 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
M&C Saatchi Asia                                                Sydney, NSW 
 Pac Holdings Pty                                               2000,             Local Central 
 Limited                  Australia      097 299 020            Australia         Costs          100 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
                                                                Sydney, NSW 
Bohemia Group Pty                                               2000, 
 Limited                  Australia      154 100 562            Australia         Media          90 
                                                                99 Macquarie 
                                                                Street, 
M&C Saatchi Sport                                               Sydney, NSW 
 & Entertainment                                                2000, 
 Pty Limited              Australia      139 568 102            Australia         Passions       81 
Americas 
                                                                Rua Wisard, 305, 
                                                                Vila Madalena, 
                                                                3 Andar-Con, Sao 
                                                                Paolo, 
Agência Digital                                            05434-080, 
 Zeroacem Ltda            Brazil         NIRE-3522979148        Brazil            Advertising    46 
                                                                Rua Wisard, 305, 
                                                                Vila Madalena, 
                                                                3 Andar-Con, Sao 
CSZ                                                             Paolo, 
 Comunicação                                          05434-080, 
 Ltda                     Brazil         03.910.644/0001-05     Brazil            Advertising    50.1 
                                                                Avenida 
                                                                Brigadeiro 
                                                                Faria Lima, 
                                                                1355, 
                                                                Jardim 
                                                                Paulistano 
                                                                16 Andar, Sal, 
Lily                                                            Sao Paulo, 
 Participações                                        01452-919, 
 Ltda                     Brazil         21.188.539/0001-96     Brazil            Advertising    100 
                                                                Rua Wisard, 305, 
                                                                Vila Madalena, 
                                                                3 Andar-Con, Sao 
M&C Saatchi Brasil                                              Paolo, 
 Participações                                        05434-080, 
 Ltda                     Brazil         10.570.593/0001-85     Brazil            Advertising    100 
                                                                Darwin 74, Piso 
                                                                1, Miguel 
                                                                Hidalgo, 
                                                                11590 Ciudad de 
                                                                México, 
M&C Saatchi, S.A.                                               CDMX, 
 DE. C.V                  Mexico         N-2017052183           Mexico            Advertising    60 
                                                                874 Walker Rd 
                                                                Ste 
                                                                C, Dover, Kent, 
                                                                Delaware 19904 
Majority LLC              USA            5445173                USA               Advertising    92.32 
                                                                Rua Wisard, 305, 
                                                                Vila Madalena, 
                                                                3 Andar-Con, Sao 
Santa Clara                                                     Paolo, 
 Participações                                        05434-080, 
 Ltda                     Brazil         09.349.720/0001-31     Brazil            Advertising    50.1 
                                                                80 State Street, 
                                                                Albany, 
Shepardson Stern                                                12207-2543, 
 + Kaminsky LLP           USA            4656653                New York, USA     Advertising    100 
                                                                138 West 25(th) 
                                                                Street, Floor 5, 
                                                                New York, Ny 
                                                                10001, 
Clear USA LLC             USA            20-8599548             USA               Consulting     95 
                                                                138 West 25(th) 
                                                                Street, Floor 5, 
                                                                New York, NY 
                                                                10001, 
LIDA NY LLP (MCD)         USA            4902983                USA               Consulting     75.5 
                                                                2711 Centerville 
                                                                Road, Suite 400, 
                                                                Wilmington, 
                                                                Delaware, 
Clear LA LLC              USA            6241713                19808, USA        Dormant        95 
                                                                1209 Orange 
                                                                Street 
                                                                Wilmington, 
                                                                Delaware 
Clear NY LLP              USA            30-0891764             19801, USA        Dormant        95 
                                                                251 Little Falls 
                                                                Drive, 
                                                                Wilmington, 
                                                                New Castle, 
                                                                19808Delaware, 
LIDA USA LLP              USA            6333479                USA               Dormant        100 
                                                                874 Walker Rd 
                                                                Ste 
                                                                C, Dover, Kent, 
M&C Saatchi NY                                                  Delaware 19904, 
 LLP                      USA            45-4683918             USA               Dormant        95 
                                                                1740 Broadway, 
M&C Saatchi PR                                                  New York, 10019, 
 LLP                      USA            27-1665526             USA               Dormant        100 
                                                                160 Greentree Dr 
                                                                 Ste 101, Dover, 
M&C Saatchi Share                                                Kent, Delaware, 
 Inc.                     USA            5580330                 19904 USA        Dormant        80 
                                                                88 Pine Street, 
                                                                30(th) Floor 
                                                                New York NY 
World Services                                                  10005 
 US Inc.                  USA            C2543767               United States     Issues         100 
                                                                304 East 45(th) 
                                                                Street, New 
                                                                York, 
M&C Saatchi Agency                                              New York, 10017,  Local Central 
 Inc.                     USA            13-3839670             USA               Costs          100 
                                                                2032 Broadway, 
                                                                Santa Monica 
M&C Saatchi Mobile                                              California, 
 LLC                      USA            45-3638296             90404 USA         Media          100 
                                                                874 Walker Rd 
                                                                Ste 
M&C Saatchi Sport                                               C, Dover, Kent, 
 & Entertainment                                                Delaware 19904 
 LA LLC                   USA            6369786                USA               Passions       90 
                                                                160 Greentree Dr 
M&C Saatchi Sport                                                Ste 101, Dover, 
 & Entertainment                                                 Kent, Delaware, 
 NY LLP                   USA            46-5182795              19904 USA        Passions       69.5 
 

Associate Entities

Entities in which the Group holds less than 50% of the share capital and which are accounted for as Associates (Note 15). All subsidiary companies which the Group controls in line with the requirements of IFRS 10 have been included in the consolidated financial statements.

 
As at 31 December         Country    Company Number         Registered Office       Specialism   Effective % ownership 
 2022                                                        Address                              2022 
                                                            571 Rsu Tower, 
                                                            10(th) Floor, Soi 
                                                            Sukhumvit 31, 
                                                            Sukhumvit 
                                                            Road, Wattana 
                                                            District, 
Love Frankie Limited      Thailand   105557000000           Bangkok, Thailand       Advertising  21 
                                                            Quantum Tower, 
                                                             Charles Malek Avenue, 
                                                             St Nicolas, Beirut, 
M&C Saatchi SAL           Lebanon    1010949                 Lebanon                Advertising  10 
                                                            32 Rue Notre Dame 
M&C Saatchi Little                                           Des Victoires, 
 Stories SAS              France     449386944               75002 Paris, France    Advertising  25.77 
                                                            14 Rue Meslay, 
Cometis S.a.r.l           France     384769592               75003 Paris, France    Advertising  49 
                                                            1-26-1 Ebisu-Nishi, 
                                                             Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 
M&C Saatchi Limited       Japan      0110-01-060760          150-0021, Japan        Advertising  10 
                                                            141b First Floor, 
                                                             Cl House Shahpur 
February Communications                                      Jat, New Delhi, 
 Pvt Limited              India      U74999DL2012PTC233245   110049, India          Advertising  20 
 

32. Related party transactions

Key management remuneration

Key management remuneration is disclosed in note 5.

Other related parties

During the year, the Group made purchases of GBP84k (2021: GBP418k) from its associates. At 31 December 2022, there was GBP31k due to associates in respect of these transactions (2021: GBP35k).

During the year, GBP127k (2021: GBP420k) of fees were charged by Group companies to associates. At 31 December 2022, associates owed Group companies GBP38k (2021: GBP123k).

33. Commitments

With the introduction of IFRS 16 Leases in 2019, all of the Group's commitments are shown on the balance sheet except for those below:

Capital commitments

At the year-end the Group had GBP 56k committed costs (2021: GBPNil) to acquire property plant and equipment.

Other commitments

Other than the normal contractual commitments to staff and the commitment to complete profitable projects for clients, the Group does not have any other material commitments which are not reflected on the balance sheet.

34. Post-balance sheet events

As part of our simplification strategy, the Group continued to close down small entities including Clear Deutschland GmbH, M&C Saatchi Share Inc and Black & White Strategy Limited.

The Directors are not aware of any other events since the end of the financial year that have had, or may have, a significant impact on the Group's operations, the results of those operations, or the state of affairs of the Group in future years.

35. Other accounting policies

Reserves

Equity comprises the following:

Share capital

Represents the nominal value of equity shares in issue.

Share premium

Represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value of consideration received for equity shares, net of issuance costs.

Other reserves

Merger reserve

Represents the premium paid for shares above the nominal value of share capital, caused by the acquisition of more than 90% of a subsidiaries' shares. The merger reserve is released to retained earnings when there is a disposal, impairment charge or amortisation charge posted in respect of the investment that created it.

Treasury reserve

Represents the amount paid to acquire the Company's own shares for future use.

Minority interest put option reserve

Represents the initial fair value of the IFRS 9 put option liabilities at creation. When the put option is exercised, the related amount in this reserve is taken to the non-controlling interest acquired reserve.

Non-controlling interest acquired reserve

From 1 January 2010, a non-controlling interest acquired reserve has been used when the Group acquires an increased stake in a subsidiary. It represents the either a) the minority interest put option reserve transferred less the book value of the minority interest acquired (where the acquisition is due to an IFRS 9 put option), or b) the consideration paid less the book value of the minority interest acquired. If the equity stake in the subsidiary is subsequently sold, impaired or disposed of, then the related balance from this reserve will be transferred to retained earnings.

Foreign exchange reserve

For overseas operations, income statement results are translated at the annual average rate of exchange and balance sheets are translated at the closing rate of exchange. The annual average rate of exchange approximates to the rate on the date that the transactions occurred. Exchange differences arising from the translation of foreign subsidiaries are taken to this reserve. Such translation differences will be recognised as income or expense in the period in which the operation is disposed of.

Retained earnings

Represents the cumulative gains and losses recognised in the income statement.

36. New and revised standards issued but not yet effective

In the current year, the following Standards and Interpretations became effective:

 
      --   Amendments to IAS 37 - Onerous Contracts: Cost of Fulfilling a Contract 
      --   Amendments to IAS 16 - Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use 
      --   AIP (2018-2020 cycle): IFRS 9 Financial Instruments - Fees in the '10 per cent' Test for Derecognition 
            of Financial Liabilities 
      --   Amendments to IFRS 3 - Reference to the Conceptual Framework 
 

The above amendments do not have a material difference on the Group's accounts.

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the Group has not applied the following new and revised IFRS Standards that have been issued but are not yet effective:

 
 
Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28                Sale or Contribution of Assets 
                                                 between an Investor and its 
                                                 Associate or Joint Venture 
Applying IFRS 9 "Financial Instruments"         IFRS Insurance 
 with IFRS 4 'Insurance Contracts' (Amendments 
 to IFRS 4) 
Amendments to IFRS 17                           Changes to international insurance 
                                                 accounting 
Classification of Liabilities as Current        Application of consistency 
 or Non-Current (Amendments to IAS 1) 
Definition of Accounting Estimate (Amendments   Distinguishing between accounting 
 to IAS 8)                                       policies and estimates 
Disclosure of Accounting Policies (Amendments   Application of Materiality 
 to IAS 1 and IFRS Practise Statement 
 2) 
Deferred Tax - Amendments to IAS 12             Recognising deferred tax on 
 Income Taxes                                    leases 
 

The Directors do not expect that the adoption of the Standards listed above will have a material impact on the financial statements of the Group in future periods.

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END

FR KDLFFXZLZBBD

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 18, 2023 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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