NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT

1.     Basis of preparation

The Group has prepared its consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2020 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union. The accounting policies applied are consistent with those included in the financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31st March 2019 except for changes required on the adoption of IFRS 16 "Leases".

IFRS 16 brings operating leases onto the statement of financial position. The Group has used the modified retrospective transition approach on adoption of IFRS 16 Leases, where the initial right of use asset values recognised on property leases of £159k are equal to the present value of the future lease payments as at the date of transition (1 April 2019). The adoption of IFRS 16 did not have a material impact on the Group's consolidated results or financial position.

The financial information contained in this preliminary announcement does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.

The annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2020 were approved by the Board of Directors on 9th July 2020 along with this preliminary announcement.   The annual report and financial statements will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies after the Annual General Meeting.

The statutory accounts of Samuel Heath & Sons PLC for the year ended 31 March 2019 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's reports on the statutory accounts for the years ended 31st March 2020 and 31st March 2019 were unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

2.     Critical accounting and key sources of estimation

Critical accounting estimates, assumptions and judgements

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

The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future.  The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The Group has evaluated the estimates and assumptions that have been made in relation to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in these financial statements.

The key accounting judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty with a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to assets and liabilities in the next 12 months include the following:

Pensions - movements in equity markets, interest rates and life expectancy could materially affect the level of surpluses and deficits in the defined benefit pension scheme.

Valuation of property, plant and equipment - the Group reviews the value, useful economic lives and residual values attributed to assets on an on-going basis to ensure they are appropriate. Changes in market value, economic lives or residual values could impact the carrying value and charges to the income statement in future periods.

Provisions - using information available at the balance sheet date, the Directors make judgements based on experience on the level of provision required against assets, including inventory and trade receivables. Further information received after the balance sheet date may impact the level of provision required.

Deferred tax assets - deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the losses can be utilised. Management judgement is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognised, based upon the likely timing and level of future taxable profits.

4.     Income taxes

Corporation tax is calculated at 19% (2019: 19%) of the estimated assessable profit for the year.

Tax reconciliation

5.     Dividends

The directors do not recommend a final dividend for this year, in view of the uncertainty resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

6.     Earnings per share

The basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the relevant profit after taxation of £1,069,000 (2019: £738,000) by the average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year being 2,534,322. The number of shares used in the calculation is the same for both basic and diluted earnings.

7.     Exceptional item

In 2019, the business recognised the past service cost resulting from Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) equalisation as an exceptional item on the basis that it is a one off cost of substance arising from a legal case during the financial year.

GMP equalisation is the recognition that during the 1990s benefits accrued differently for men and women based on their then different retirement ages.

8.     Notice of annual general meeting

Notice is hereby given that the 2020 Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the registered office of the Company, Leopold Street, Birmingham, on 7^th August 2020 at 12.00 noon.

The Board is monitoring closely the current UK Government guidance on public gatherings and meetings, and in light of this the Company will proceed with the AGM with the minimum quorum of shareholders present to conduct business. Any shareholders who try to attend on the day unfortunately will be refused entry. The Board recognises the importance of the AGM to Shareholders and would encourage any wishing to vote to do so by proxy.

9.     Posting of accounts

The report and accounts are being posted to shareholders today where requested, and are available on the Company's website, at www.samuel-heath.com/investor-relations.