RNS Number : 4238I
PageGroup plc
07 August 2023
 

 PageGroup_c

 

7 August 2023

Half Year Results for the Period Ended 30 June 2023

 

PageGroup plc ("PageGroup"), the specialist professional recruitment company, announces its unaudited half year results for the period ended 30 June 2023.

 

Financial summary

(6 months to 30 June 2023)

2023

2022

Change

Change CC*

Revenue

£1,033.9m

£977.3m

+5.8%

+3.6%

Gross profit

£526.8m

£538.9m

-2.2%

-4.4%

Operating profit

£63.9m

£115.3m

-44.6%

-47.5%

Profit before tax

£63.3m

£114.5m

-44.7%


Basic earnings per share

13.6p

25.6p

-46.9%


Diluted earnings per share

13.6p

25.5p

-46.7%







Interim dividend per share

5.13p

4.91p



Special dividend per share

15.87p

26.71p



 

H1 Summary

·       Group operating profit of £63.9m (H1 2022: £115.3m)

·       Conversion rate** decreased to 12.1% (H1 2022: 21.4%)

·       Gross profit per fee earner down 5.8% on H1 2022 to £79.7k (H1 2022: £82.8k)

·       Total headcount decreased by 448 (5.0%) to 8,572 at the end of June

·       Strong Balance Sheet, with net cash of £97.9m (H1 2022: £136.2m)

·       Interim dividend up 4.5% to 5.13 pence per share, totalling £16.2m

·       Special dividend of 15.87 pence per share, totalling £50.0m

·       Outlook unchanged: Full year operating profit expected to be in line with previous guidance

 

* in constant currencies

** operating profit as a percentage of gross profit

 

Commenting, Nicholas Kirk, Chief Executive Officer, said:

 

"The Group delivered a robust H1 performance against a record first half in 2022. EMEA delivered the standout result, delivering record H1 gross profit against a particularly strong comparator across the region. However, tough market conditions continued in Asia, the UK and the US. Overall, Group gross profit declined 4.4% in constant currencies against H1 2022. We delivered Group operating profit of £63.9m at a conversion rate of 12.1%, compared with 21.4% in H1 2022.

 

"The challenging conditions we saw towards the end of 2022 continued into H1 2023, with lower levels of both candidate and client confidence resulting in delays in decision making and candidates being more reluctant to accept offers. Reflecting the uncertain macro-economic conditions, temporary recruitment outperformed permanent, as clients sought more flexible options. In line with these conditions, we reduced our fee earner headcount by 558 (-8.0%) in the first half, with reductions in all regions. Our total headcount of 8,572 is 448 (-5.0%) lower than at the end of 2022. Productivity, measured as gross profit per fee earner, declined 5.8%, reflecting the reduction in gross profit, although this was partially offset by the decrease in headcount.

 

"We are announcing today an interim dividend of 5.13 pence per share, an increase of 4.5% over 2022. In addition, in line with our policy of returning surplus capital to shareholders, we are also announcing a special dividend of 15.87 pence per share (2022: 26.71 pence per share) totalling £50.0m. Taking these two dividend payments together, this amounts to a cash return to shareholders of £66.2m. This is in addition to the 2022 final dividend paid in June of £33.9m, resulting in a total return to shareholders in 2023 of £100.1m, or 31.76 pence per share.

"Looking forward, there remains a high level of global macro-economic and political uncertainty in the majority of our markets. However, against this backdrop, we continue to see candidate shortages and good levels of vacancies, as well as continued high fee rates. We are also seeing the benefits from our investments in innovation and technology, where Customer Connect is supporting productivity and enhancing customer experience and Page Insights is providing real time data to inform business decisions. We have a highly diversified and adaptable business model, a strong balance sheet, and our cost base is under continuous review and can be adjusted rapidly to match market conditions. Given these fundamental strengths, we believe we will continue to perform well despite the uncertainty. At this stage of the year, the Board expects 2023 operating profit to be in line with our previous guidance."

 

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

 

GROUP RESULTS

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

£m

Growth rates

 

% of Group

H1 2023

H1 2022

Reported

CC

EMEA

55%

288.4

266.7

+8.1%

+4.3%

Americas

17%

89.1

94.2

-5.5%

-8.2%

Asia Pacific

16%

83.4

102.0

-18.3%

-17.3%

UK

12%

65.9

76.0

-13.2%

-13.2%

Total

100%

526.8

538.9

-2.2%

-4.4%







Permanent

74%

392.2

422.1

-7.1%

-9.1%

Temporary

26%

134.6

116.8

+15.3%

+12.5%

 

Revenue for the six months ended 30 June 2023 increased 5.8% to £1,033.9m (2022: £977.3m) and gross profit decreased 2.2% to £526.8m (2022: £538.9m). In constant currencies, the Group's revenue increased 3.6% and gross profit decreased 4.4%. The Group's revenue mix between permanent and temporary placements was 38:62 (2022: 44:56) and for gross profit was 74:26 (2022: 78:22). Revenue from temporary placements comprises the salaries of those placed, together with the margin charged.

 

Fee earner productivity decreased by 5.8% vs H1 2022 due to reduced levels of candidate and client confidence resulting in an increase in time to hire, as well as some reluctance to accept offers, limiting the number of placements per fee earner.

 

The Group's organic growth model and profit-based team bonus ensures costs remain tightly controlled. 77% of first half costs were employee related, including salaries, bonuses, share-based long-term incentives, and training and relocation costs.

 

In total, administrative expenses in the first half increased 9.3% in reported rates to £462.9m (2022: £423.6m), driven largely by the higher average headcount in H1 2023 compared to H1 2022 and inflation. In constant currencies, administrative expenses were up 7.3% and operating profit decreased by 47.5% to £63.9m (2022: £115.3m), a decrease of 44.6% at reported rates. The Group's conversion rate, which represents the ratio of operating profit to gross profit, was 12.1% (2022: 21.4%) driven by the more challenging trading conditions in 2023, combined with higher costs.

 

 

OTHER ITEMS

 

Net interest expense of £0.5m was broadly consistent with H1 2022 (£0.8m). The effective tax rate for the first half was 31.9% (H1 2022: 28.8%), with the increase on the prior year due to the change in the UK tax rate from 19% to 25% from April 2023.

 

For the six months ended 30 June 2023, basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share were both 13.6p, representing a decrease of 47% on 2022 (2022: basic earnings per share 25.6p; diluted earnings per share 25.5p).

 

CASH FLOW

 

The Group started the year with net cash of £131.5m. In H1, £83.7m was generated from operations due to H1 Operating Profit as well a net outflow of working capital due to the stronger performance in temporary recruitment. Tax paid was £27.3m and net capital expenditure was £11.3m. During the first half, £0.8m was received from exercises of share options (2022: £0.3m), £17.5m was spent on the purchase of shares into the Employee Benefit Trust (2022: £14.8m) and dividends of £33.9m were paid to shareholders (2022: £32.7m). As a result, the Group had net cash of £97.9m at 30 June 2023 (30 June 2022: £136.2m).

 

CAPITAL ALLOCATION POLICY

 

It is the Directors' intention to continue to finance the activities and development of the Group from retained earnings and to maintain a strong balance sheet position.

 

The Group's first use of cash is to satisfy operational and investment requirements, as well as to hedge its liabilities under the Group's share plans. The level of cash required for this purpose will vary depending upon the revenue mix of geographies, permanent and temporary recruitment, and point in the economic cycle.

 

Our second use of cash is to make returns to shareholders by way of an ordinary dividend. Our policy is to grow the ordinary dividend over the course of the economic cycle in a way that we believe we can sustain the level of ordinary dividend payment during downturns, as well as increasing it during more prosperous times.

 

Cash generated in excess of these first two priorities will be returned to shareholders through supplementary returns, using special dividends and/or share buybacks.

 

The Board has announced an interim dividend of 5.13 pence per share, an increase of 4.5% over last year. In addition, in line with our policy of returning surplus capital to shareholders, the Group is pleased to announce today a special dividend of 15.87 pence per share (2022: 26.71 pence per share) totalling £50.0m. Taking these two dividend payments together, this amounts to a cash return to shareholders of £66.2m. This is in addition to the 2022 final dividend paid in June of £33.9m, meaning a total of £100.1m, or 31.76 pence per share, returned to shareholders in 2023.

 

The special dividend will be paid, as in previous years, at the same time as the interim dividend on 13 October 2023 to shareholders on the register as at 1 September 2023.

 

During the first half, the Group made purchases of £17.5m of shares into the Employee Benefit Trust to hedge its exposure under the Group's share plans (2022: £14.8m).

 

 

GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS (All growth rates given below are in constant currency vs. H1 2022 unless otherwise stated)

 

EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA (EMEA)

 

EMEA

£m

Growth rates

(55% of Group in H1 2023)

H1 2023

H1 2022

Reported

CC

Revenue

580.5

523.0

+11.0%

+6.9%

Gross Profit

288.4

266.7

+8.1%

+4.3%

Operating Profit

47.8

65.3

-26.8%

-29.8%

Conversion Rate (%)

16.6%

24.5%



 

EMEA is the Group's largest region, contributing 55% of Group first half gross profit. Against 2022, in reported rates, revenue in the region increased 11.0% to £580.5m (2022: £523.0m) and gross profit increased 8.1% to £288.4m (2022: £266.7m). In constant currencies, revenue increased 6.9% on the first half of 2022 and gross profit increased by 4.3%.

 

The region was our strongest performing in H1 2023, delivering record gross profit against a particularly tough comparator. Against 2022, gross profit in Michael Page grew 3%, whilst our more temporary focused Page Personnel business was up 6%. France, 14% of Group gross profit and around a quarter of the region, delivered record gross profit against a very tough comparator, up 2% on 2022. Germany, the Group's second largest market, also delivered a record first half, up 9%. This was driven by strong performances from both our Page Personnel and our Technology focused Interim businesses, which grew 21% and 22%, respectively. Southern Europe grew 3%, with Italy down 1% and Spain up 1%. Benelux was up 4% for the first half, with the Netherlands down 1% whilst Belgium grew 15%. The Middle East and Africa grew 20%, a record H1, driven largely by a record performance in the UAE.

 

Productivity for the first half was down 4.3% on the record levels achieved in H1 2022, with total headcount up 220 (5.8%) versus Q2 2022. H1 operating profit was £47.8m (2022: £65.3m) with a conversion rate of 16.6% (2022: 24.5%). Profitability decreased on 2022 due the reduction in productivity, combined with the higher cost base. Headcount across the region decreased by 50 (1.2%) in the first half, to 4,035 at the end of June 2023 (4,085 at 31 December 2022).

 

 

THE AMERICAS

 

Americas

£m

Growth rates

(17% of Group in H1 2023)

H1 2023

H1 2022

Reported

CC

Revenue

151.0

137.3

+10.0%

+8.3%

Gross Profit

89.1

94.2

-5.5%

-8.2%

Operating Profit

5.9

13.8

-57.1%

-70.9%

Conversion Rate (%)

6.7%

14.7%



 

In the Americas, representing 17% of Group first half gross profit, revenue increased 10.0% in reported rates against 2022, to £151.0m (2022: £137.3m), while gross profit declined 5.5% to £89.1m (2022: £94.2m). In constant currencies against 2022, revenue increased by 8.3% and gross profit declined 8.2%.

 

North America declined against 2022, a record comparator, with the US down 16%. Conditions remained tough throughout the first half, as uncertainty around market conditions impacted candidate and client confidence, and we experienced a higher level of candidate buybacks.

 

Latin America delivered growth of 4%. Mexico, our largest country in the region, declined 6% and Brazil declined 11%. Elsewhere in Latin America, our other five countries in the region grew 24%, collectively, with Argentina, Colombia and Panama all delivering record first halves.

 

For the region overall, productivity in H1 decreased 3.6% compared with H1 2022, with North America down 9% and Latin America up 7%. Operating profit was £5.9m (2022: £13.8m), with a conversion rate of 6.7% (2022: 14.7%). Our conversion rate was down on H1 2022, due to the lower productivity and higher cost base. Headcount across the region decreased by 190 (11.3%) in H1, to 1,500 at the end of June 2023 (1,690 at 31 December 2022).

 

 

ASIA PACIFIC

 

Asia Pacific

£m

Growth rates

(16% of Group in H1 2023)

H1 2023

H1 2022

Reported

CC

Revenue

149.8

159.3

-6.0%

-4.7%

Gross Profit

83.4

102.0

-18.3%

-17.3%

Operating Profit

4.5

20.9

-78.7%

-75.9%

Conversion Rate (%)

5.3%

20.5%



 

In Asia Pacific, representing 16% of Group first half gross profit, revenue decreased 6.0% in reported rates to £149.8m (2022: £159.3m) and gross profit decreased 18.3% to £83.4m (2022: £102.0m), against 2022. In constant currencies, revenue decreased 4.7% in H1 and gross profit decreased 17.3%.

 

Gross profit in Greater China declined 37%. In Mainland China, gross profit was down 42% on 2022, due to the slower than anticipated recovery following the lifting of COVID restrictions during H1. Hong Kong declined 28%. South East Asia declined 18%, with Singapore down 22%, whilst the other five countries in the region declined 17%, collectively. India grew 3% and delivered a record H1, against a very strong comparator. Overall, for the first half, Japan declined 3% and Australia declined 2%.

 

First half productivity was down 13.6% on 2022, due to the continued challenging trading conditions across the region. We delivered £4.5m of operating profit (2022: £20.9m) at a conversion rate of 5.3% (2022: 20.5%), significantly behind the comparative period due to the much tougher trading conditions. Headcount across the region decreased by 111 in the first half (6.0%) to 1,731 at the end of June 2023 (1,842 at 31 December 2022).

 

 

UNITED KINGDOM

 

UK

£m

Growth rate

(12% of Group in H1 2023)

H1 2023

H1 2022

 

Revenue

152.5

157.7

-3.2%

Gross Profit

65.9

76.0

-13.2%

Operating Profit

5.7

15.3

-62.9%

Conversion Rate (%)

8.6%

20.1%


 

In the UK, representing 12% of Group first half gross profit, revenue decreased 3.2% vs. 2022 to £152.5m (2022: £157.7m) and gross profit declined 13.2% to £65.9m (2022: £76.0m).

 

Gross profit in our Michael Page business was down 17% in the first half. Page Personnel, which operates at lower salary levels with a higher degree of temporary recruitment, was down 5%.

 

First half productivity was down 8.5% on the prior year, with H1 2022 being at record levels. Operating profit was £5.7m (2022: £15.3m) and our conversion rate was 8.6% (2022: 20.1%). This weaker conversion rate was due primarily to the more challenging trading conditions, combined with a higher cost base than in the prior year. Headcount was down 97 (6.9%) during the first half to 1,307 at the end of June 2023 (1,404 at 31 December 2022).

 

 

 

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ("KPIs")

 

We measure our progress against our strategic objectives using the following key performance indicators:

 

KPI

Definition, method of calculation and analysis

 

 

Gross profit growth

How measured: Gross profit represents revenue less cost of sales and consists of the total placement fees of permanent candidates, the margin earned on the placement of temporary candidates and the margin on advertising income, i.e. it represents net fee income. The measure used is the increase or decrease in gross profit as a percentage of the prior year gross profit.

 

Why it's important: The growth of gross profit relative to the previous year is an indicator of the growth in net fees of the business as a whole. It demonstrates whether we are in line with our strategy to grow the business.

 

How we performed in H1 2023: Trading conditions continued to be challenging through the first half of 2023 which resulted in a decline in gross profit of -2.2% vs. H1 2022 in reported rates and -4.4% in constant currencies.

 

Relevant strategic objective: Organic growth

Gross profit diversification

How measured: Total gross profit from a) geographic regions outside the UK; and b) disciplines outside of Accounting and Financial Services, each expressed as a percentage of total gross profit.

 

Why it's important: These percentages give an indication of how the business has diversified its revenue streams away from its historic concentrations in the UK and from the Accounting and Financial Services discipline.

 

How we performed in H1 2023: Geographies: the percentage outside the UK increased to 87.5% (H1 2022: 85.9%), due to the strong H1 gross profit growth in EMEA, whilst all other regions were in decline.

 

Disciplines: the percentage outside of Accounting and Financial Services was broadly in line with H1 2022 at 68.2% (H1 2022: 68.8%).

 

Relevant strategic objective: Diversification

Ratio of gross profits generated from permanent and temporary placements

How measured: Gross profit from each type of placement expressed as a percentage of total gross profit.

 

Why it's important: This ratio helps us to understand where we are in the economic cycle, since the temporary market tends to be more resilient when the economy is weak. However, in several of our core strategic markets, working in a temporary role or as a contractor or interim employee is not currently normal practice, for example in Mainland China.

 

How we performed in H1 2023: 74% of our gross profit was generated from permanent placements, below the 78% in 2022. Permanent recruitment declined 9.1% in constant currencies against 2022, whilst temporary recruitment, grew 12.5%. This reflects the current economic climate, with clients looking for more flexibility in their hiring decisions.

 

Relevant strategic objective: Organic growth

Gross profit per fee earner

How measured: Gross profit for the year divided by the average number of fee earners in the year.

 

Why it's important: This is a key indicator of productivity.

 

How we performed in H1 2023: Gross profit per fee earner of £79.7k was down 5.8% vs. 2022 in constant currencies. Although we continued to see the benefits of video interviewing reducing time to hire, combined with the data and technology investments made by the Group in recent years, trading conditions were significantly more challenging than in H1 2022.

 

Relevant strategic objective: Organic growth

Conversion rate

How measured: Operating profit (EBIT) as a percentage of gross profit.

 

Why it's important: This demonstrates the Group's effectiveness at controlling the costs and expenses associated with its normal business operations. It will be impacted by the level of productivity and the level of investment for future growth.

 

How we performed in H1 2023: Operating profit as a percentage of gross profit decreased to 12.1% compared to the prior year (H1 2022: 21.4%), driven by the reduced productivity and higher cost base.

 

Relevant strategic objective: Sustainable growth

Basic earnings per share

How measured: Profit for the year attributable to the Group's equity shareholders, divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.

 

Why it's important: This measures the overall profitability of the Group.

 

How we performed in H1 2023: Earnings per share (EPS) in H1 2023 was 13.6p, a decrease of 46.9% on the 2022 EPS of 25.6p. The decline is due to the lower profit for the period, driven by the more adverse trading conditions.

 

Relevant strategic objective: Build for the long-term, organic growth

Fee-earner headcount growth

How measured: Number of fee-earners and directors involved in revenue-generating activities at the period end, expressed as the percentage change compared to the prior year.

 

Why it's important: Growth in fee-earners is a guide to our confidence in the business and macro-economic outlook, as it reflects expectations as to the level of future demand above the existing capacity within the business.

 

How we performed in H1 2023: Net fee earner headcount decreased by 558 (8.0%) in H1 2023, resulting in 6,385 fee earners at the end of June. We have reduced our fee earner headcount in all regions, in response to the more challenging trading conditions.

 

Relevant strategic objective: Sustainable growth

Net cash

How measured: Cash and short-term deposits less bank overdrafts and loans.

 

Why it's important: The level of net cash is a key measure of our success in managing our working capital and determines our ability to reinvest in the business and to return cash to shareholders.

 

How we performed in H1 2023: Net cash at 30 June 2023 was £97.9m (H1 2022: £136.2m). The 2023 balance is after the payment of the 2022 final dividend of £33.9m and the purchase of shares into the Employee Benefit Trust of £17.5m (H1 2022: £14.8m).

 

Relevant strategic objective: Build for the long-term

 

The source of data and calculation methods year-on-year are on a consistent basis. The movements in KPIs are in line with expectations. Disclosure for GHG emissions and People KPIs is provided annually.

 

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

 

The management of the business and the execution of the Group's strategy are subject to a number of risks.

 

The main risks that PageGroup believes could potentially impact the Group's operating and financial performance for the remainder of the financial year remain those as set out in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2022 on pages 56 to 64.

 

TREASURY MANAGEMENT, BANK FACILITIES AND CURRENCY RISK

The Group operates multi-currency cash concentration and notional cash pools, and an interest enhancement facility. The Eurozone subsidiaries and the UK-based Group Treasury subsidiary participate in the cash concentration arrangement. The Group Treasury subsidiary and UK business utilise the notional cash pool and the Asia Pacific subsidiaries operate the interest enhancement facility. The structures facilitate interest compensation for cash whilst supporting working capital requirements.

The Group maintains a Confidential Invoice Facility with HSBC whereby the Group has the option to discount receivables in order to advance cash. The Group also has a Revolving Credit Facility with BBVA, expiring in December 2027, with a total drawable amount of £80m. Neither of these facilities were in use as at 30 June 2023. These facilities are used on an ad hoc basis to fund any major Group sterling cash outflows.

The main functional currencies of the Group are Sterling, Euro, Chinese Renminbi, US Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar and Australian Dollar. The Group does not have material transactional currency exposures. The Group is exposed to foreign currency translation differences in accounting for its overseas operations. The Group's policy is not to hedge translation exposures.

In certain cases, where the Group gives or receives short-term loans to and from other Group companies that differ from the Group's reporting currency, it may use short-dated foreign exchange swap derivative financial instruments to manage the currency and interest rate exposure that arises on these loans.

ESG

 

Our ESG strategy drives purposeful impact today and will continue to evolve alongside our business. In April 2023, we published our third sustainability report, highlighting the progress we've made on our four Sustainability goals over the course of 2022. This includes:

·    Changing 135,000 lives in 2022

·    Increasing our proportion of women in leadership roles to 43%

·    Decreasing our scope 1 & 2 emissions by 30% vs 2021

·    Increasing net fees from our sustainability business by 120% vs 2021

 

H1 2023 has delivered continued and strong progress against all key targets. We have also committed to set a Science-based Target and are working on our submission to the Science-based Target Initiative.

 

We are now well on our way to reaching our sustainability goals, as we strive to support the transition to a more equitable and greener society. For further information on our sustainability efforts, please refer to https://www.page.com/sustainability.

 

GOING CONCERN

 

The Board has undertaken a review of the Group's forecasts and associated risks and sensitivities, in the period from the date of approval of the interim financial statements to August 2024 (review period).

 

The Group had £97.9m of cash as at 30 June 2023, with no debt except for IFRS 16 lease liabilities of £103.6m. Debt facilities relevant to the review period comprise a committed £80m RCF maturing December 2027, an uncommitted UK trade debtor discounting facility (up to £50m depending on debtor levels) and an uncommitted £20m UK bank overdraft facility. None of these facilities were in use as at 30 June 2023.

Despite the macroeconomic and political uncertainty that currently exists, and its inherent risk and impact on the business, based on the analysis performed there are no plausible downside scenarios that the Board believes would cause a liquidity issue. Having considered the Group's forecasts, the level of cash resources available to the business and the Group's borrowing facilities, the Group's geographical and discipline diversification, limited concentration risk, as well as the ability to manage the cost base, the Board has concluded that the Group and therefore the Company has adequate resource to continue in operation existence for the period through to August 2024.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

 

This Interim Management Report ("IMR") has been prepared solely to provide additional information to shareholders to assess the Group's strategies and the potential for those strategies to succeed. The IMR should not be relied on by any other party or for any other purpose. This IMR contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements are made by the directors in good faith based on the information available to them up to the time of their approval of this report and such statements should be treated with caution due to the inherent uncertainties, including both economic and business risk factors, underlying any such forward-looking information.

 

This IMR has been prepared for the Group as a whole and therefore gives greater emphasis to those matters that are significant to PageGroup plc and its subsidiary undertakings when viewed as a whole.

 

Page House

Bourne Business Park

200 Dashwood Lang Road

Addlestone

Weybridge

Surrey

KT15 2NX

 

By order of the Board,

 

Nicholas Kirk

Kelvin Stagg

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer



4 August 2023

4 August 2023

 

PageGroup will host a conference call, with on-line slide presentation, for analysts and investors at 8.30am on 7 August 2023, the details of which are below.

Link:

https://www.investis-live.com/pagegroup/64b938709b8a600d00c5206e/paau

 

Please use the following dial-in number to join the conference:

 

United Kingdom (Local)

020 4587 0498

All other locations

+44 20 4587 0498

 

Please quote participant access code 51 80 95 to gain access to the call.

 

A presentation and recording to accompany the call will be posted on the PageGroup website during the course of the morning of 7 August 2023 at:

https://www.page.com/presentations/year/2023

 

 

Enquiries:

 

PageGroup

+44 (0)20 3077 8425

Nicholas Kirk, Chief Executive Officer

Kelvin Stagg, Chief Financial Officer 






 

FTI Consulting

 

+44 (0)20 3727 1340

Richard Mountain / Susanne Yule

 


 

 

 

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO PAGEGROUP PLC

 

Conclusion

 

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2023 which comprises the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes 1 to 13. We have read the other information contained in the half yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

 

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2023 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34 and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

 

Basis for Conclusion

 

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

 

As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting".

 

 

Conclusions Relating to Going Concern

 

Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than those performed in an audit as described in the Basis of Conclusion section of this report, nothing has come to our attention to suggest that management have inappropriately adopted the going concern basis of accounting or that management have identified material uncertainties relating to going concern that are not appropriately disclosed.

 

This conclusion is based on the review procedures performed in accordance with this ISRE, however future events or conditions may cause the entity to cease to continue as a going concern.

 

 

Responsibilities of the directors

 

The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

 

In preparing the half-yearly financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

 

 

 

Auditor's Responsibilities for the review of the financial information


In reviewing the half-yearly report, we are responsible for expressing to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report. Our conclusion, including our Conclusions Relating to Going Concern, are based on procedures that are less extensive than audit procedures, as described in the Basis for Conclusion paragraph of this report.

 

 

Use of our report

 

This report is made solely to the company in accordance with guidance contained in International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 (UK) "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Financial Reporting Council. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

 

Ernst & Young LLP

London

4th August 2023

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 




Six months ended

Year ended

 



30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 



2023

 

2022

 

2022

 



Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

Note

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 



 

 




Revenue

3


1,033,886

 

977,257


1,990,287

Cost of sales



(507,095)

 

(438,354)


(913,993)

Gross profit

3


526,791

 

538,903


1,076,294

Administrative expenses



(462,934)

 

(423,586)


(880,215)

Operating profit

3


63,857

 

115,317


196,079

Financial income

4


829

 

392


1,104

Financial expenses

4


(1,378)

 

(1,212)


(2,817)

Profit before tax

3


63,308

 

114,497


194,366

Income tax expense

5


(20,176)

 

(33,000)


(55,354)

Profit for the period



43,132

 

81,497


139,012









Attributable to:








Owners of the parent



43,132

 

81,497


139,012









Earnings per share



 

 




Basic earnings per share (pence)

8


13.6

 

25.6


43.7

Diluted earnings per share (pence)

8


13.6

 

25.5


43.5

 

The above results all relate to continuing operations

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 



Six months ended

Year ended

 


30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 


2023

 

2022

 

2022

 


Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 


£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 




 



Profit for the period


43,132

 

81,497


139,012








Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the period

 






Items that may subsequently be reclassified to profit and loss:














Currency translation differences


(13,997)

 

10,968


15,441



 

 




Total comprehensive income for the period


29,135

 

92,465


154,453



 

 




Attributable to:


 

 




Owners of the parent


29,135

 

92,465


154,453

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

As at 30 June 2023




 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 



2023

 

2022

 

2022

 



Unaudited

 

Unaudited

Audited

 

Note

 

£'000

 

£'000

£'000

Non-current assets

 


 

 




Property, plant and equipment

9


37,665

 

33,251


36,123

Right-of-use assets



93,395

 

93,188


100,996

Intangible assets - Goodwill and other intangible



1,859

 

2,036


1,955

                            - Computer software



33,880

 

42,740


38,045

Deferred tax assets



20,421

 

19,941


18,641

Other receivables

10


12,890

 

12,989


13,224




200,110

 

204,145


208,984

Current assets

 


 

 




Trade and other receivables

10


411,725

 

441,274


437,247

Current tax receivable



21,095

 

22,048


17,233

Cash and cash equivalents

13


97,939

 

136,227


131,480




530,759

 

599,549


585,960




 

 




Total assets

3


730,869

 

803,694


794,944




 

 




Current liabilities

 


 

 




Trade and other payables

11


(258,308)

 

(256,958)


(289,108)

Provisions

12


(3,737)

 

(2,236)


(2,772)

Lease liabilities



(32,984)

 

(29,746)


(31,268)

Current tax payable



(15,457)

 

(32,785)


(18,050)




(310,486)

 

(321,725)


(341,198)




 

 




Net current assets

 


220,273

 

277,824


244,762




 

 




Non-current liabilities

 


 

 




Other payables

11


(8,455)

 

(13,883)


(14,951)

Lease liabilities



(70,643)

 

(71,878)


(78,564)

Deferred tax liabilities



(2,619)

 

(1,475)


(1,345)

Provisions

12


(4,812)

 

(7,443)


(6,683)




(86,529)

 

(94,679)


(101,543)

Total liabilities

3


(397,015)

 

(416,404)


(442,741)




 

 




Net assets

 


333,854

 

387,290


352,203

 

 


 

 




Capital and reserves

 


 

 




Called-up share capital



3,286

 

3,286


3,286

Share premium



99,564

 

99,564


99,564

Capital redemption reserve



932

 

932


932

Reserve for shares held in the employee benefit trust



(73,123)

 

(56,875)


(56,626)

Currency translation reserve



18,341

 

27,865


32,338

Retained earnings



284,854

 

312,518


272,709

Total equity

 


333,854

 

387,290


352,203

 


Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 









Reserve

 














for shares

 







Called-up

 



Capital

 

 

held in the

 

Currency

 





share

 

Share

 

redemption

 

 

employee

 

translation

 

Retained

 

Total

 

capital

 

premium

 

reserve

 

 

benefit trust

 

reserve

 

earnings

 

equity

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

Balance at 1 January 2022

3,286

 

99,564

 

932

 

 

(47,338)

 

16,897

 

266,764

 

340,105

Currency translation differences

-


-


-



-


10,968


-


10,968

Net income recognised directly in equity

-


-


-



-


10,968


-


10,968

Profit for the six months ended 30 June 2022

-


-


-



-


-


81,497


81,497

Total comprehensive income for the period

-


-


-



-


10,968


81,497


92,465

Purchase of shares held in the employee benefit trust

-


-


-



(14,837)


-


-


(14,837)

Exercise of share plans

-


-


-



-


-


276


276

Reserve transfer when shares held in the employee benefit trust vest

-


-


-



5,300


-


(5,300)


-

Credit in respect of share schemes

-


-


-



-


-


2,922


2,922

Debit in respect of tax on share schemes

-


-


-



-


-


(901)


(901)

Dividends

-


-


-



-


-


(32,740)


(32,740)


-


-


-



(9,537)


-


(35,743)


(45,280)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 30 June 2022

3,286

 

99,564

 

932

 

 

(56,875)

 

27,865

 

312,518

 

387,290

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currency translation differences

-


-


-



-


4,473


-


4,473

Net income recognised directly in equity

-


-


-



-


4,473


-


4,473

Profit for the six months ended 31 December 2022

-


-


-



-


-


57,515


57,515

Total comprehensive income for the period

-


-


-



-


4,473


57,515


61,988

Purchase of shares held in the employee benefit trust

-


-


-



(1)


-


-


(1)

Exercise of share plans

-


-


-



-


-


171


171

Reserve transfer when shares held in the employee benefit trust vest

-


-


-



250


-


(250)


-

Credit in respect of share schemes

-


-


-



-


-


3,067


3,067

Credit in respect of tax on share schemes

-


-


-



-


-


195


195

Dividends

-


-


-



-


-


(100,507)


(100,507)


-


-


-



249


-


(97,324)


(97,075)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2022

3,286

 

99,564

 

932

 

 

(56,626)

 

32,338

 

272,709

 

352,203

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Balance at 1 January 2023

3,286

 

99,564

 

932

 

 

(56,626)

 

32,338

 

272,709

 

352,203

Currency translation differences

-


-


-



-


(13,997)


-


(13,997)

Net expense recognised directly in equity

-


-


-



-


(13,997)


-


(13,997)

Profit for the six months ended 30 June 2023

-


-


-



-


-


43,132


43,132

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period

-


-


-



-


(13,997)


43,132


29,135

Purchase of shares held in employee benefit trust

-


-


-



(17,529)


-


-


(17,529)

Exercise of share plans

-


-


-



-


-


759


759

Reserve transfer when shares held in the employee benefit trust vest

-


-


-



1,032


-


(1,032)


-

Credit in respect of share schemes

-


-


-



-


-


2,462


2,462

Credit in respect of tax on share schemes

-


-


-



-


-


713


713

Dividends

-


-


-



-


-


(33,889)


(33,889)


-


-


-



(16,497)


-


(30,987)


(47,484)


 














Balance at 30 June 2023

3,286

 

99,564


932



(73,123)


18,341


284,854


333,854

 

 


Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 




30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December




2023

 

2022

 

2022




Unaudited

 

Unaudited

 

Audited




£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000


Note

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

 

Profit before tax

 


63,308

 

114,497


194,366

Depreciation, amortisation charges and expense of computer software



31,913

 

33,519


60,592

Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment



144

 

43


 4,398

Share scheme charges



2,468

 

2,923


5,989

Net finance costs



549

 

820


1,713

Operating cash flow before changes in working capital

 


98,382

 

151,802


267,058

Decrease/(increase) in receivables



13,375

 

(71,612)


(61,509)

(Decrease)/increase in payables



(28,045)

 

12,309


40,821

Cash generated from operations

 


83,712

 

92,499


246,370

Income tax paid



(27,337)

 

(30,023)


(61,598)

Net cash from operating activities

 


56,375

 

62,476


184,772









Cash flows from investing activities

 







Purchases of property, plant and equipment



(9,530)

 

(12,723)


(21,982)

Purchases and capitalisation of intangible assets



(1,848)

 

(6,558)


(9,693)

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment, and computer software



85

 

336


2,080

Interest received



829

 

392


1,104

Net cash used in investing activities

 


(10,464)

 

(18,553)


(28,491)









Cash flows from financing activities

 







Dividends paid



(33,889)

 

(32,740)


(133,247)

Interest paid



(266)

 

(527)


(1,213)

Lease liability repayment



(18,779)

 

(17,047)


(35,896)

Issue of own shares for the exercise of options



759

 

276


447

Purchase of shares into the employee benefit trust



(17,529)

 

(14,837)


(14,838)

Net cash used in financing activities

 


(69,704)

 

(64,875)


(184,747)









Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 


(23,793)

 

(20,952)


(28,466)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

 


131,480

 

153,983


153,983

Exchange (loss)/gain on cash and cash equivalents



(9,748)

 

3,196


5,963

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

13


97,939

 

136,227


131,480

 

 

 

Notes to the condensed set of interim results

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 

 

1.         General information

 

The information for the year ended 31 December 2022 does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. A copy of the statutory accounts for that year has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors reported on those accounts: their report was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of PageGroup plc and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Group) for the six months ended 30 June 2023 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 4 August 2023.

 

2.         Accounting policies

 

Basis of preparation

 

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2023 have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted IAS 34 'Interim financial reporting' and with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority.  

 

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements do not constitute the Group's statutory financial statements.  The Group's most recent statutory financial statements, which comprise the annual report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022, were approved by the directors on 9 March 2023.  The interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, which have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards ("IFRSs").

 

Going concern

 

The Board has undertaken a review of the Group's forecasts and associated risks and sensitivities, in the period from the date of approval of the interim financial statements to August 2024 (review period).

 

The Group had £97.9m of cash as at 30 June 2023, with no debt except for IFRS 16 lease liabilities of £103.6m. Debt facilities relevant to the review period comprise a committed £80m RCF maturing December 2027, an uncommitted UK trade debtor discounting facility (up to £50m depending on debtor levels) and an uncommitted £20m UK bank overdraft facility. None of these facilities were in use as at 30 June 2023.

 

Despite the macroeconomic and political uncertainty that currently exists, and its inherent risk and impact on the business, based on the analysis performed there are no plausible downside scenarios that the Board believes would cause a liquidity issue. Having considered the Group's forecasts, the level of cash resources available to the business and the Group's borrowing facilities, the Group's geographical and discipline diversification, limited concentration risk, as well as the ability to manage the cost base, the Board has concluded that the Group and therefore the Company has adequate resource to continue in operation existence for the period through to August 2024.

 

New accounting standards, interpretations and amendments adopted by the Group

 

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Group's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022. The Group has not early adopted any standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.

 

The IASB published on 23 May 2023 International Tax Reform - Pillar Two Model Rules (Amendments to IAS 12) which was adopted by the UKEB on 19th July 2023.  Page Group has applied the mandatory temporary exception to the accounting for deferred taxes arising from the jurisdictional implementation of the Pillar Two model rules to our FY23 Interim reporting.

 

 

3.         Segment reporting

 

All revenues disclosed are derived from external customers.

 

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group's accounting policies. Segment operating profit represents the profit earned by each segment including allocation of central administration costs. This is the measure reported to the Group's Board, the chief operating decision maker, for the purpose of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance.

 

(a)        Revenue, gross profit and operating profit by reportable segment

 


Revenue

 

Gross Profit

 

Six months ended

 

Year ended

 

Six months ended

Year ended

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 












EMEA

580,539

 

522,981


1,069,346


288,400

 

266,683


538,488

Asia Pacific

149,842

 

159,329


318,359


83,416

 

102,046


195,276

Americas

150,971

 

137,302


282,942


89,047

 

94,188


193,397

United Kingdom

152,534

 

157,645


319,640


65,928

 

75,986


149,133


1,033,886

 

977,257


1,990,287


526,791

 

538,903


1,076,294












































 








Operating Profit

 







       Six months ended

Year ended

 







30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 







2023

 

2022

 

2022

 







£'000


£'000

 

£'000

EMEA







47,818


65,283


122,079

Asia Pacific







4,458


20,952


35,244

Americas







5,927


13,822


17,885

United Kingdom







5,654


15,260


20,871

Operating profit







63,857


115,317


196,079

Financial expense







(549)


(820)


(1,713)

Profit before tax







63,308


114,497


194,366

 

The above analysis by destination is not materially different to analysis by origin.

 

The analysis below is of the carrying amount of reportable segment assets, liabilities and non-current assets. Segment assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. The individual reportable segments exclude current income tax assets and liabilities. Intangible Assets include computer software, goodwill and other intangibles.

 

 

(b)        Segment assets, liabilities and non-current assets by reportable segment

 


Total Assets

 

Total Liabilities

 

           Six months ended

 

Year ended

 

Six months ended

Year ended

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

30 June

 

30 June

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000


£'000

£'000

 











EMEA

320,385


315,833


338,251


249,084


210,853


248,585

Asia Pacific

108,769


142,008


128,299


62,871


64,930


69,995

Americas

109,488

 

115,299

 

116,647


51,310

 

47,642


60,635

United Kingdom

171,132

 

208,506

 

194,514


18,293

 

60,194


45,476

Segment assets/liabilities

709,774

 

781,646


777,711


381,558

 

383,619


424,691

Income tax

21,095

 

22,048

 

17,233


15,457

 

32,785


18,050


730,869

 

803,694


794,944


397,015

 

416,404


442,741






































 

 

 


Property, Plant & Equipment

 

Intangible Assets

 

Six months ended

 

Year ended

 

Six months ended

Year ended

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 












EMEA

15,092


12,730


14,072


2,122

 

2,197


2,296

Asia Pacific

5,041


6,383


6,194


58

 

172


110

Americas

6,899

 

7,542


7,378


4

 

6


5

United Kingdom

10,633


6,596


8,479


33,555

 

42,401


37,589


37,665

 

33,251


36,123


35,739

 

44,776


40,000

 

 


Right-of-use Assets

 

Lease Liabilities

 

Six months ended

 

Year ended

 

Six months ended

Year ended

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 












EMEA

60,292


52,621


61,760


66,967

 

56,130


65,136

Asia Pacific

15,110


16,493


17,415


15,715

 

17,509


20,042

Americas

10,026

 

10,072


11,950


12,676

 

12,943


14,434

United Kingdom

7,967


14,002


9,871


8,269

 

15,042


10,220


93,395

 

93,188


100,996


103,627

 

101,624


109,832

 

 

 

The below analyses in notes (c) and (d) relates to the requirement of IFRS 15 to disclose disaggregated revenue streams.

 

(c)        Revenue and gross profit generated from permanent and temporary placements

 


Revenue

 

Gross Profit

 

     Six months ended

 

Year ended

 

Six months ended

Year ended

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 












Permanent

395,569

 

426,975


832,014


392,202

 

422,133


826,321

Temporary

638,317

 

550,282


1,158,273


134,589

 

116,770


249,973


1,033,886

 

977,257


1,990,287


526,791

 

538,903


1,076,294

 

 

(d)        Revenue generated from permanent and temporary placements by reportable segment

 


Permanent

 

Temporary

 

Six months ended

 

Year ended

 

Six months ended

Year ended

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

EMEA

199,879


192,132


380,002


380,660

 

330,849


689,344

Asia Pacific

70,690


89,854


170,029


79,152

 

69,475


148,330

Americas

78,073

 

84,974


170,970


72,898

 

52,328


111,972

United Kingdom

46,927


60,015


111,013


105,607

 

97,630


208,627


395,569

 

426,975


832,014


638,317

 

550,282


1,158,273

 

 

The below analyses in notes (e) revenue and gross profit by discipline (being the professions of candidates placed) and (f) revenue and gross profit by strategic market have been included as additional disclosure over and above the requirements of IFRS 8 "Operating Segments".

 

(e)        Revenue and gross profit by discipline

 


Revenue

 

Gross Profit

 

Six months ended

 

Year ended

 

Six months ended

Year ended

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 












Accounting and Financial Services

367,273

 

354,229


720,783


167,433

 

168,391


343,659

Legal, Technology, HR, Secretarial and Other

352,448

 

321,332


667,543


162,281

 

167,871


334,772

Engineering, Property & Construction, Procurement & Supply Chain

217,835

 

199,154


400,959


127,689

 

126,735


251,686

Marketing, Sales and Retail

96,330

 

102,542


201,002


69,388

 

75,906


146,177


1,033,886

 

977,257


1,990,287


526,791

 

538,903


1,076,294

 

(f)         Revenue and gross profit by strategic market  

 


Revenue

 

Gross Profit

 

Six months ended

 

Year ended

 

Six months ended

 

Year ended

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 












Large, Proven markets

524,692

 

505,917


1,015,599


241,961

 

245,429


483,627

Large, High Potential markets

359,314

 

334,214


688,925


194,274

 

208,007


417,296

Small and Medium, High Margin markets

149,880

 

137,126


285,763


90,556

 

85,467


175,371


1,033,886

 

977,257


1,990,287


526,791

 

538,903


1,076,294

 

 

4.         Financial income / (expenses)

 


Six months ended

Year ended

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

Financial income






Bank interest receivable

829

 

392


1,104

Financial expenses






Bank interest payable

(266)

 

(527)


(1,213)

Interest on lease liabilities

(1,112)

 

(685)


(1,604)


(1,378)

 

(1,212)


(2,817)

 

5.         Income tax expense

 

Taxation for the six month period is charged at 31.9% (six months ended 30 June 2022: 28.8%; year ended 31 December 2022: 28.5%), representing the best estimate of the average annual effective tax rate expected for the full year together with known prior year adjustments applied to the pre-tax income for the six month period.

 

6.         Dividends

 


Six months ended

Year ended

 


30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December


2023

 

2022

 

2022


£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period:

 





Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2022 of 10.76p per ordinary share (2021: 10.30p)

33,889

 

32,740


32,740

Interim dividend for the period ended 30 June 2022 of 4.91p per ordinary share (2021: 4.70p)

-

 

-


15,607

Special dividend for the year ended 31 December 2022 of 26.71p per ordinary share (2021: 0p)

-

 

-


84,900


33,889

 

32,740


133,247


 





Amounts proposed as distributions to equity holders in the period:

 





Proposed interim dividend for the period ended 30 June 2023 of 5.13p per ordinary share (2022: 4.91p)

16,161

 

15,607

 

 

Proposed special dividend for the year ended 31 December 2023 of 15.87p per ordinary share (2022: 26.71p)

50,000

 

84,900

 

 

Proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2022 of 10.76p per ordinary share

-

 

-

 

34,207

 

 

 

The proposed interim and special dividends have not been approved by the Board at 30 June 2023 and therefore have not been included as a liability. The comparative interim and special dividends at 30 June 2022 were also not recognised as a liability in the prior period.

 

The proposed interim dividend of 5.13p (2022: 4.91p) per ordinary share and special dividend of 15.87p (2022: 26.71p) per ordinary share will be paid on 13 October 2023 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 1 September 2023.

 

 

7.         Share-based payments

 

In accordance with IFRS 2 "Share-based Payment", a charge of £2.6m has been recognised for share options and other share-based payment arrangements (including social charges) (30 June 2022: £2.1m, 31 December 2022: £6.0m).

 

 

8.         Earnings per ordinary share

 

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data:

 


Six months ended

 

Year ended

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

Earnings

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 






Earnings for basic and diluted earnings per share (£'000)

43,132

 

81,497


139,012

Number of shares

 





Weighted average number of shares used for basic earnings per share ('000)

316,436


318,473


318,166

Dilution effect of share plans ('000)

1,494


843


1,204

Diluted weighted average number of shares used for diluted earnings per share ('000)

317,930

 

319,316


319,370

 

 

 




Basic earnings per share (pence)

13.6

 

25.6


43.7

Diluted earnings per share (pence)

13.6

 

25.5


43.5

 

The above results all relate to continuing operations.

 

 

9.         Property, plant and equipment

 

Acquisitions

During the period ended 30 June 2023 the Group acquired property, plant and equipment with a cost of £9.5m (30 June 2022: £12.7m).

 

 

10.        Trade and other receivables

 


 

 

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

Current

 





Trade receivables

272,047

 

306,557


320,794

Less allowance for expected credit losses

(12,429)


(12,361)


(12,960)

Net trade receivables

259,618

 

294,196


307,834

Other receivables

7,149

 

4,658


21,535

Accrued income (net of revenue reversals)

112,278

 

112,994


88,951

Prepayments

32,680

 

29,426


18,927


411,725

 

441,274


437,247

Non-current

 





Other receivables

12,890

 

12,989


13,224

 

 

11.        Trade and other payables

 


 

 

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

Current

 





Trade payables

3,192

 

5,023


11,101

Other tax and social security

50,593

 

45,368


61,079

Other payables

17,676

 

35,847


36,629

Accruals

186,847

 

170,720


180,299


258,308

 

256,958


289,108

Non-current

 





Accruals

8,455

 

13,883


14,529

Other tax and social security

-

 

-


422


8,455

 

13,883


14,951

 

12.        Provisions

 


 

 

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

 





Dilapidations

6,528

 

7,212


7,128

NI on share schemes

694

 

954


844

Other

1,327

 

1,513


1,483


8,549

 

9,679


9,455

Current

3,737

 

2,236


2,772

Non-Current

4,812

 

7,443


6,683


8,549

 

9,679


9,455

 

13.        Cash and cash equivalents

 


 

 

 

 

30 June

 

30 June

 

31 December

 

2023

 

2022

 

2022

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

 

 




Cash at bank and in hand

97,939

 

136,227


131,480

Short-term deposits

-

 

-


-

Cash and cash equivalents

97,939

 

136,227


131,480

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows

97,939

 

136,227


131,480

 

 

The Group operates multi-currency cash concentration and notional cash pools, and an interest enhancement facility. The Eurozone subsidiaries and the UK-based Group Treasury subsidiary participate in the cash concentration arrangement, the Group Treasury subsidiary retains the notional cash pool and the Asia Pacific subsidiaries operate the interest enhancement facility.  The structures facilitate interest compensation of cash whilst supporting working capital requirements.

 

PageGroup maintains a Confidential Invoice Facility with HSBC whereby the Group has the option to discount facilities in order to advance cash on its receivables. The facility is used only ad hoc in case the Group needs to fund any major GBP cash outflow.

 

 

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

 

 

The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:-

 

a) the condensed set of interim financial statements has been prepared in accordance with UK adopted IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting"

 

b) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and

 

c)  the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related parties' transactions and changes therein).

 

 

 

On behalf of the Board

 

 

N Kirk

K Stagg

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

 

4 August 2023

 

 

Copies of the condensed interim financial statements are now available and can be downloaded from the Company's website:

https://www.page.com/presentations/year/2023

 

 

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END
 
 
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