RNS Number : 9761U
Esken Limited
29 November 2023
 

Prior to publication the information communicated in this announcement was deemed by the Company to constitute inside information for the purposes of article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No 596/2014 as amended by regulation 11 of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations No 2019/310 ('MAR'). With the publication of this announcement, this information is now considered to be in the public domain.

 

29 November 2023

Esken Limited

("Esken" or the "Group")

 

Results for the six months ended 31 August 2023

 

Esken Limited, the aviation and renewables group, today announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 August 2023.

 

David Shearer, Executive Chairman of Esken, said

"The Board is pleased that shareholders have approved the disposal of Esken Renewables and this transaction is expected to complete on or around 1 December 2023. The sale will generate net proceeds of £78.5m after costs, which will be used to repay the term loan that was secured against certain Group assets, provide funding for a wind up of the legacy pension scheme and generate some additional liquidity in the short term. The disposal, in line with the results of the strategic review, has been completed despite a challenging market backdrop and will lead to a significant reduction in Group indebtedness at a time of high interest rates as well as removing a number of guarantees given on long-term contracts.

 

Following the disposal, the main operating business will be the Aviation division, primarily London Southend Airport (LSA). The airport has benefitted during the summer season from the industry's strong passenger demand, which has seen the other London airports return to pre-pandemic passenger levels with the associated capacity constraints. The partnership with easyJet has seen the schedule grow from three to eight destinations, with increasing frequency and strong load factors being experienced, resulting in a 17.8% increase in passengers on the same period last year. This has encouraged easyJet to add additional routes with Alicante, Amsterdam, Geneva, Paris and most recently Grenoble to operate through the winter this year. Against this positive backdrop, discussions continue on an expanded summer schedule for 2024 with a number of airlines who recognise the growing capacity constraints at other London airports and the strong offering from LSA in terms of operating cost and passenger experience.

 

The Board believes it now has a base from which to progress the process to seek a new owner for LSA, with a view to crystallising shareholder value through securing the right long-term partner, who both recognises the inherent strategic opportunity and is best placed to support future growth. The Board recognises that this process may take time to get the right deal and, as disclosed in the recent circular, are taking steps to further secure the Group's financial position to support the airport so that the Group can execute a sale of LSA without undue balance sheet pressure. As part of this work, the Board has received a term sheet and has entered into negotiations with a large majority holder of the exchangeable bond, which currently matures in May 2024, with a view to agreeing terms and an extension on the maturity to December 2025, along with removing the cash drag from interest payments at 2.75%, to be replaced with 10% PIK payable on redemption. These steps are being taken to ensure that the maturity profile of the Group funding matches and supports the sale process, allowing it to be conducted in an orderly manner to maximise the value realised for shareholders.

 

As disclosed on 26 September 2023, Esken received notification that documents filed by Carlyle Global Infrastructure Opportunity Fund (CGI) in the High Court had been served on LSA claiming certain technical breaches by LSA with respect to the Convertible Debt Facility. LSA does not agree with CGI's claimed interpretation and intends to defend the action vigorously. Meanwhile, Esken intends to continue with its sale process, as a successful sale and application of the proceeds to redeem the Convertible Debt Facility would in any case resolve the matter.

 

Since the period end, Esken has entered into non-binding heads of agreement for the sale of two of the non-core assets for a cash consideration of £8.5m. In addition, discussions are underway on the remaining non-core assets at Widnes and Carlisle Lake District Airport, with a view to completing transactions to dispose of these assets before the end of our financial year. These transactions will not only generate cash to improve the Groups liquidity profile and support the wind down of the Group services, but also remove long-term lease liabilities from the balance sheet and allow a focus to be on the growth and sale of LSA. It is the intention of the Board that once these transactions have been completed the residual value will be returned to shareholders."

 

Financial highlights during the period

Group Adjusted EBITDA improved by 14.5% to a loss of £3.5m (2022: £4.1m). Note that Renewables is now presented within discontinued operations and that the comparator period is consequently   restated.

The aviation business reported an Adjusted EBITDA loss of £2.8m (2022: £0.5m). Passenger numbers improved by 17.8% to 71,557 (2022: 60,734) reflecting continued easyJet operations, following increased flight frequency and increased destinations. The prior period benefitted from a logistics contract which has terminated and one-off items.

Star Handling Limited was sold for £3.9m, generating a £1.6m profit on disposal, with a further contingent consideration of up to £1.0m dependent upon revenue performance over the 12 months post sale.

·      Propius handed back three aircraft in the period, leaving one aircraft still to return along with the overhaul of one landing gear set still outstanding. The maintenance reserve provision remains sufficient to settle all outstanding obligations and will be fully utilised in the second half of the year.

·      The Group disposed of its investment in Mersey Bioenergy (MBE) for proceeds of £9.0m, generating a profit on disposal of £1.7m, following a write back of impairment of £7.3m at 28 February 2023.

The Group has recalculated the amortised cost of the convertible debt liability leading to a one-off non-cash adjustment of £29.4m through finance costs in the profit or loss, driven by a change in estimated repayment date resulting from the decision to sell LSA.

·      An impairment of £5.3m has been recognised on the non-core asset at Pollington, having accepted a non-binding proposal to dispose of the asset for £3.5m.

The Group's cash at the period end was £26.9m (Feb 2023: £50.3m), which includes £3.0m (Feb 2023: £5.3m) of ring-fenced cash in LSA and £6.9m in Renewables, presented as held for sale.

Renewables contributed £5.0m (2022: £7.0m) of EBITDA now presented within discontinued operations. Performance was impacted by increased plant outages, lower gate fee rates and impacts of one-off settlements that have been agreed with specific plants in relation to contractual negotiations done in parallel with discussions to seek change of control consents in relation to the disposal process.

 

Financial highlights post period end

Post period end, the Group agreed the disposal of Renewables for net proceeds of £78.5m. Completion is expected on or around 1 December 2023.

On completion, the Group will repay its term loan of c.£71m (including costs), removing security over the remaining non-core assets.

·      Following completion, the Group will make a one-off contribution of c.£3.6m into escrow for the benefit of the Ansa Logistics Pension Plan. This payment is expected to be sufficient to take the scheme through buy-in, buy-out and wind up removing any further liability for the Group.

·      Residual cash from the disposal of Renewables will provide working capital in the short term for the continuing Group.

As previously disclosed, the Group has initiated discussions in relation to a £20m funding facility from Esken's larger shareholders into Esken Aviation, as holding company of LSA, of which an initial £5m has been committed plus indicative commitments for a further £7m. These discussions will be progressed following the settlement of the existing debt facilities when the Renewables transaction completes.

 

Strategic review and outlook

Following the disposal of Esken Renewables, the continuing Group will comprise of Esken Aviation, principally LSA, and non-core operating divisions.

 

The strategy of the continuing Group will be to:

provide support for the ongoing recovery of passenger growth at LSA, whilst continuing the managed sale process to secure a new long term strategic owner for the airport;

dispose of the remaining non-core assets;

renegotiate the terms and maturity of the exchangeable bond beyond the current maturity date of 8 May 2024, and to subsequently repay and close out the exchangeable bond when it then becomes due;

to settle all remaining outstanding liabilities;

once sufficient assets have been realised, to seek a managed sale process of any of the remaining assets of the Group and return remaining value to shareholders; and

implement the move to a Standard Listing on 22 December 2023.

 

Enquiries:

Esken Limited    C/o Teneo

 

Teneo

Olivia Peters / Giles Kernick

020 7353 4200

esken@teneo.com

 

Publication on website

A copy of this announcement and associated presentation will be available for inspection on the Company's website at: www.esken.com. For the avoidance of doubt, the contents of this website are not incorporated into and do not form part of this announcement.

 

Financial Review

 

Summary of the period

 

In the Aviation division, passenger numbers in the period increased by 17.8% to 71,557, up from 60,734 in the prior period. During the summer 2023 season there was a 30% increase in the number of flights operated by easyJet out of LSA due to the new Amsterdam route in addition to increased frequency of flights to Faro. At LSA the increased number of flights and destinations has driven the period-on-period increase in passenger numbers.

 

During the period, the Group sold its wholly owned subsidiary Star Handling Limited, which provided ground handling services at Manchester and Stansted airports, to Skytanking UK Ltd for cash consideration of £3.9m generating a profit on disposal of £1.6m. There is further contingent consideration of up to £1.0m dependent on revenue performance over the 12 months post sale, for which there is no provision in the accounts. The remaining ground handling operation will provide dedicated in-house services at LSA.

 

During the period, the Renewables division was reclassified as a disposal group held for sale and its results are presented within discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement. Continuing challenging market conditions have had an adverse effect on gate fee income, which has also been impacted due to unplanned plant shutdowns reducing the amount of waste wood that can be taken in by processing sites. Despite this, the division contributed a £0.7m profit before tax (2022: £2.3m).

 

The Group disposed of its investment in MBE for cash consideration of £9.0m, resulting in a profit on disposal of £1.7m. The Group's investment comprised a 39.6% shareholding and £7.3m of loan notes. Impairment of the loan notes was previously reversed from £nil to £7.3m in the year ended 28 February 2023.

 

At 31 August 2023, the Group has £4.7m of obligations relating to leases, maintenance and other costs of the ATR aircraft in Propius. At the period end, there was one remaining aircraft to be returned to the lessor and obligations on a further set of landing gear. All costs are expected to be settled before the year ending 29 February 2024.

 

The Group's headroom at 31 August 2023 is £26.9m (see note 16), which includes £20.0m of cash in the continuing Group, of which £3.0m is ring-fenced within LSA, and £6.9m of cash and restricted cash in the Renewables division, shown as part of assets held for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The Group has remaining non-core assets with book value of £30.3m.

 

The sale of Esken Renewables Limited has progressed significantly and is expected to complete on or around 1 December 2023 for net consideration of c.£78.5m, which will allow the Group to immediately repay the £55m term loan and associated costs which total c.£71m. The balance of the net proceeds will be used to further contribute £3.6m to the Group's defined benefit pension scheme and to provide additional working capital in the short term for the continuing Group.

 

Revenue

Revenue from continuing operations has decreased by 37.4% to £9.1m (2022: £14.6m) in the six months to 31 August 2023. This is due to the Aviation division, with the cargo operations from a global logistics partner ending in mid-September 2022, and only three months of revenue in the period for Star Handling Limited, following the sale of this business. There was also a period-on-period reduction in fuel sales at LSA due to a reduction in the global fuel price.

 

Profitability

 

Divisional Continuing Profit Summary

Six months ended

31 August 2023

£m

Restated

Six months ended

31 August 2022

£m

 

 

 

Aviation

(2.8)

(0.5)

Investments

-

-

Non-Strategic Infrastructure

2.0

(0.4)

Group central and eliminations

(2.7)

(3.2)

Adjusted EBITDA

(3.5)

(4.1)

Depreciation

(4.9)

(5.2)

Impairment

(5.3)

-

Finance costs (net)

(46.8)

(5.4)

Share of post-tax losses of associates and joint ventures

(0.3)

(0.3)

Loss before tax

(60.8)

(15.0)

Tax

0.4

2.5

Loss for the period from continuing operations

(60.4)

(12.5)

Profit from discontinued operations, net of tax

0.1

3.9

Loss for the period

(60.3)

(8.6)

 

The 31 August 2022 results have been restated where required due to IFRS 5 Discontinued Operations. Refer to note 6 for more details.

 

EBITDA has improved by 14.5% to a loss of £3.5m (2022: £4.1m). In Aviation, EBITDA has decreased to a loss of £2.8m (2022: £0.5m). This is due to cargo operations from a global logistics partner ending in mid-September 2022, a £1.4m recovery of airline marketing costs in the prior period not being repeated, and increases in legal and staff costs. These decreases were partially offset by the £1.6m profit on disposal of Star Handling Limited. The Non-Strategic Infrastructure EBITDA improved from a loss of £0.4m to a profit of £2.0m in the period, due to the £1.7m profit on disposal of MBE and a reduction in the Widnes Regional Development Fund grant liability.

 

The loss before tax from continuing operations is £60.8m (2022: £15.0m). Land and buildings at Pollington were impaired by £5.3m following the decision to dispose of the site. Net finance costs of £46.8m (2022: £5.4m) have increased principally due to additional non-cash interest on the convertible debt due to a re-assessment of the expected repayment date of the loan (see note 7), in addition to foreign exchange losses from the revaluation of Esken Limited's US-Dollar denominated loan with Propius.

 

A summary of divisional profitability and further details of divisional performance are set out in the Divisional Reviews section.

 

Taxation

The tax credit of £0.4m (2022: £2.5m) has arisen predominantly due to a change in the amount of unrecognised tax losses following the disposal of Star Handling Limited in the period.

 

Loss per share

Loss per share from continuing operations was 5.92p (2022: 1.23p) (see note 10 for further details).

 

Balance sheet



31 August 2023

£m

28 February 2023

£m

Non-current assets


235.5

352.7

Current assets


162.1

86.2

Non-current liabilities


(282.0)

(272.7)

Current liabilities


(134.9)

(126.3)

Net (liabilities)/assets


(19.3)

39.9





Non-current assets have decreased in the period, largely due to the reclassification of goodwill and Property, Plant and Equipment within the Renewables division to assets held for sale, presented within current assets, in addition to impairment and depreciation in the period. Current assets have increased primarily due to the above reclassification of Renewables non-current assets, partly offset by the decrease in cash balance in the period, see the Cash flow section below for more detail.

 

There has been an increase in non-current liabilities driven by an increase in the convertible debt due to a re-assessment of the expected repayment date, partly offset by the reclassification of non-current leases within the Renewables division to liabilities held for sale, presented within current liabilities. Current liabilities have increased due to the above Renewables division reclassification, partially offset by repayment of the Propius maintenance provision.

 

Debt and gearing


31 August 2023

28 February 2023

Loans and borrowings

£327.7m

£340.4m

Cash

(£20.0m)

(£50.3m)

Net debt

£307.7m

£290.1m




Adjusted EBITDA/interest

(0.1)

0.2

Net debt/total assets

77.4%

66.1%

Gearing

(1,591.1%)

726.8%

 

In the period, loans and borrowings have decreased by £12.7m, the main drivers of which are as follows. Lease liabilities have decreased by £56.5m due to the reclassification of leases in the Renewables division to liabilities held for sale, in addition to capital repayments across the Group. The     convertible debt instrument has increased by £38.4m due to a re-assessment of the estimated repayment date, in light of the strategic review triggering the managed disposal of LSA. Due to make-whole provisions, the re-assessment of the expected repayment date does not alter the expected cash repayment amount.

 

Cash flow


31 August 2023

£m

Restated

31 August 2022

£m

Operating cash outflow

(11.5)

(12.6)

Investing activities

13.6

3.0

Financing activities

(4.9)

(3.8)

Decrease in the period

(2.8)

(13.4)

Discontinued operations

(20.6)

(7.4)

Cash at beginning of period

50.3

52.7

Cash at end of period

26.9

31.9


The cash outflow from discontinued operations has increased period-on-period due to higher maintenance and lease costs in Propius as aircraft are handed back in the current period. Costs for Propius remain in line with expectations. Investing inflows include £9.0m from the sale of MBE and £3.6m from the sale of Star Handling. In the prior period they included £3.5m from the sale of a portion of Widnes land. The principal financing outflows include £4.2m of lease payments and £3.9m interest paid on the term loan interest. There was an inflow of £4.0m from a further drawdown on the term loan. In the prior period the main financing outflow was from lease payments totalling £3.5m.

Key risks and uncertainties

As with any business, risk assessment and the implementation of mitigating actions and controls are vital to successfully achieving the Group's strategy. The Board has overall responsibility for risk management and internal control within the context of achieving the Group's objectives and has approved a Framework for the risk management process. This includes regular consideration of both existing and emerging risks, and the evaluation of the Group's exposure to key corporate risks.  

 

During the year, the Board has added one new principal risk, relating to the Group's relationship with CGI, the issuer of the convertible debt instrument.  Other than that addition, the principal risks set out in our statutory accounts for the year ended 28 February 2023 are still applicable.

 

Directors' Responsibility Statement

 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 

·      The condensed set of unaudited financial statements has been prepared in accordance with the UK-adopted International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting'; and

 

·      The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:

 

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

 

(b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the statutory accounts for the year ended 28 February 2023 that could do so.


The above statement of Directors' responsibilities was approved by the Board on
28 November 2023.

 

 

 

 

Nick Dilworth

Director

29 November 2023

 

 

 

 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Restated1

Six months ended 31 August 2022

 

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Continuing operations

Notes

£'000

£'000

Revenue

4

9,142

14,613





Other operating income

5

3,322

89

Operating expenses


(13,803)

(18,805)

Restructuring costs

13

(2,171)

-

Adjusted EBITDA


(3,510)

(4,103)

 




Depreciation


(4,965)

(5,234)

Impairments

8

(5,270)

-

Operating loss


(13,745)

(9,337)





Finance costs

7

(47,205)

(10,557)

Finance income

7

413

5,220

Share of post-tax losses of associates and joint ventures


(286)

(346)

Loss before tax


(60,823)

(15,020)

Tax

9

391

2,511

Loss for the period from continuing operations


(60,432)

(12,509)

 



 

Discontinued operations



 

Profit from discontinued operations, net of tax

6

177

3,891

Loss for the period


(60,255)

(8,618)

 


 

 

 


 

 

Loss per share expressed in pence per share - continuing operations

Basic

10

(5.92p)

(1.23p)

Diluted

10

(5.92p)

(1.23p)





Loss per share expressed in pence per share - total




Basic

10

(5.90p)

(0.84p)

Diluted

10

(5.90p)

(0.84p)

Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

 

 

 

¹The 2022 results have been restated where required due to IFRS 5 Discontinued Operations. Refer to note 6 for further details.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Six months ended 31 August 2022

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Loss for the period

(60,255)

(8,618)

Discontinued operations, net of tax, relating to exchange differences

3,318

(9,744)

Other comprehensive income/(expense) - items that may be reclassified in subsequent periods to profit or loss, net of tax

3,318

(9,744)

 


 

Re-measurement of defined benefit plan

(663)

178

Change in fair value of financial assets classified as FVOCI

(1,283)

(962)

Tax on items relating to components of other comprehensive income/(expense)

-

(200)

Other comprehensive expense - items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss, net of tax

(1,946)

(984)

Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the period, net of tax

1,372

(10,728)

Total comprehensive expense for the period

(58,883)

(19,346)

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 

 

 

31 August 2023

28 February 2023

 

 

Unaudited

Audited

 

Notes

£'000

£'000

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

11

203,146

263,412

Investment in associates and joint ventures


163

450

Other financial assets

12

14,040

15,324

Intangible assets


-

54,669

Net investment in lease


16,159

16,888

Defined benefit pension surplus


1,992

1,937

     


235,500

352,680

Current assets




Inventories


1,125

1,729

Trade and other receivables


10,194

34,195

Restricted cash


-

1,000

Cash and cash equivalents

12

19,958

49,264

Assets held for sale

6

130,824

-



162,101

86,188

 




Total assets


397,601

438,868





Non-current liabilities




Loans and borrowings

12

(264,707)

(259,841)

Other liabilities


(7,237)

(8,894)

Deferred tax

9

(6,133)

-

Provisions

13

(3,942)

(3,942)



(282,019)

(272,677)

Current liabilities




Trade and other payables


(9,445)

(27,611)

Loans and borrowings

12

(62,933)

(80,521)

Corporation tax

9

(1,000)

(583)

Provisions

13

(8,277)

(17,560)

Liabilities associated with the assets held for sale

6

(53,265)

-


 

(134,920)

(126,275)

 

 



Total liabilities

 

(416,939)

(398,952)


 



Net (liabilities)/assets

 

(19,338)

39,916

 

 



Capital and reserves

 



Issued share capital


102,534

102,534

Share premium


403,225

403,225

Foreign currency exchange reserve

 

(3,481)

(6,799)

Reserve for own shares held by employee benefit trust

 

(7,596)

(7,596)

Retained deficit

 

(514,020)

(451,448)

Shareholders' (deficit)/equity

 

(19,338)

39,916

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 

For the six months ended 31 August 2023

Unaudited

 

 

Issued share capital

Share premium

Foreign currency exchange reserve

Reserve for own shares held by EBT

Retained deficit

Total equity

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Balance at 1 March 2023

102,534

403,225

(6,799)

(7,596)

(451,448)

39,916

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(60,255)

(60,255)

Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the period

-

-

3,318

-

(1,946)

1,372

Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the period

-

-

3,318

-

(62,201)

(58,883)

Employee benefit trust

-

-

-

-

(539)

(539)

Share-based payment charge

-

-

-

-

168

168

Balance at 31 August 2023

102,534

403,225

(3,481)

(7,596)

(514,020)

(19,338)

 

 

For the six months ended 31 August 2022

Unaudited

 

 

Issued share capital

Share premium

Foreign currency exchange reserve

Reserve for own shares held by EBT

Retained deficit

Total equity

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Balance at 1 March 2022

102,534

403,225

218

(7,596)

(428,238)

70,143

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(8,618)

(8,618)

Other comprehensive expense for the period

-

-

(9,744)

-

(984)

(10,728)

Total comprehensive expense for the period

-

-

(9,744)

-

(9,602)

(19,346)

Share-based payment charge

-

-

-

-

250

250

Balance at 31 August 2022

102,534

403,225

(9,526)

(7,596)

(437,590)

51,047

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 


 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Restated

Six months ended 31 August 2022


 

Unaudited

Unaudited

 

Notes

£'000

£'000

Cash used in continuing operations

14

(10,991)

(11,586)

Cash (outflow)/inflow from discontinued operations


(6,233)

3,802

Income taxes paid


(526)

(1,030)

Net cash flow from operating activities

 

(17,750)

(8,814)





Purchase of property, plant and equipment


(85)

(1,597)

Proceeds from the sale of property inventory


-

3,538

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment


37

90

Receipt of capital element of net investment in lease


854

676

Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary undertaking, net of cash disposed


3,614

-

Proceeds from sale of associate


9,000

-

Interest received


211

323

Cash inflow from discontinued operations


4,859

1,307

Net cash flow from investing activities

 

18,490

4,337

 




Proceeds from new borrowings


4,010

-

Proceeds from grants


-

670

Principal element of lease payments


(3,176)

(2,425)

Net repayment of revolving credit facility (net of costs)


-

(50)

Interest paid


(5,743)

(1,967)

Cash outflow from discontinued operations


(19,165)

(12,558)

Net cash flow from financing activities

 

(24,074)

(16,330)


 



Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(23,334)

(20,807)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

49,264

52,738

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

25,930

31,931


 



Restricted cash

 



Restricted cash at beginning of period

 

1,000

-

Restricted cash at end of period

 

1,000

-

 

 



Cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash at end of period

 

26,930

31,931

 

Included in cash and cash equivalents at end of period at 31 August 2023 is £5,972,000 classified as held for sale. The restricted cash balance of £1,000,000 at 31 August 2023 is also classified as held for sale. See note 6 for details on assets and associated liabilities held for sale.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1             Accounting policies

 

Corporate information

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Group for the six months ended 31 August 2023 (interim financial statements) were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 29 November 2023. Esken Limited is a Guernsey registered company whose ordinary shares are publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. The principal activities of the Group are described in note 3.

 

Basis of preparation

These condensed interim financial statements for the half year ended 31 August 2023 have been prepared in accordance with the UK-adopted International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority. They do not include all the information required for the full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Group as at and for the year ended 28 February 2023.

 

Except for the 28 February 2023 statutory comparatives, the interim financial statements have not been audited or reviewed by the Group's auditors, Mazars LLP.

 

The audited comparative financial information set out in these interim financial statements does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 28 February 2023, but has been derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for the year ended 28 February 2023 have been published and Mazars LLP has reported on those accounts. Their audit report was unqualified, however, it highlighted a material uncertainty regarding going concern in respect of sufficient liquidity for the Group's requirements being dependent on the successful completion of the proposed sale of the Group's renewables business by 31 December 2023, and the ability to raise an additional short-term facility of up to £5.0m to provide liquidity for LSA prior to 31 July 2023. The annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards.

 

As presented in the Group's annual financial statements, all percentage calculations are based on results rounded to the nearest £1,000, being the presentation used across the primary statements and accompanying notes.

 

Going concern

In adopting the going concern basis for preparing the interim financial statements, the Directors have considered the business activities including the Group's principal risks and uncertainties. The Directors also considered the Group's current cash position, the repayment profile of its existing debt structure and its 12-month cashflow forecasts. In addition, the resilience of the Group has been assessed by applying significant downside scenarios to the Group's cash flow projections.

 

However, the risks and uncertainties associated with the achievement of forecasts and the availability of sufficient funding indicate the existence of a material uncertainty related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group's ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The sale of Esken Renewables Limited has progressed significantly and still expected by the Directors of the Group to complete on or around 1 December 2023. A material uncertainty exists in relation to the settlement of the exchangeable bond due in May 2024 being extended. The base case and significant downside forecasts both include an amend and extend of the exchangeable bond, extending the repayment to December 2025, or repayment will be made the month after the LSA disposal, if earlier.

 

The significant downside scenario includes a 2-month delay to the sale of LSA and the continuation of Group operations and costs to the end of February 2025. Both scenarios leave the Group with sufficient cash headroom to continue trading within the going concern review period.

 

Overall, the Directors are satisfied that the Group will have sufficient funds to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due until at least 30 November 2024 and therefore have prepared the interim financial statements on a going concern basis. However, as previously noted this is highly dependent upon the exchangeable bond amend and extend, which indicates the existence of a material uncertainty related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern and, therefore, to continue realising its assets and discharging its liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements for the 6-month period ended 31 August 2023 do not include any adjustments that would result from the basis of preparation being inappropriate.

 

Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies applied in the preparation of the interim financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2023. These accounting policies are expected to be applied for the full year to 28 February 2024.

 

Key estimates and judgements

The estimates and judgements taken by the Directors in preparing these interim financial statements are comparable with those disclosed in the annual financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2023, with the exception of the IFRS 5 classification of Esken Renewables as held for sale as all the criteria has now been met in the current period.

 

Presentation of Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, is the key profitability measure used by management for performance review in the day-to-day operations of the Group. Non-GAAP measures are used as they are considered to be both useful and necessary. They are used for internal performance analysis; the presentation of these measures facilitates comparability with other companies, although management's measures may not be calculated in the same way as similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

 

In the current period the Renewables division has been reclassed as a disposal group held for sale and a discontinued operation. The post-tax results of discontinued operations are disclosed as a single amount in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement and the prior period comparative results restated accordingly.

 

2             Seasonality of operations

 

There is a material effect of seasonality in the Aviation and Renewables divisions. In the Aviation division there are higher seasonal sales in summer, due to increased demand for overseas travel, and there are higher seasonal sales in summer in the Renewables division, due to higher gate fees.

 

3             Segmental information

 

The reporting segments are Aviation, Investments and Non-Strategic Infrastructure. The results of Propius and the Renewables division are presented as discontinued operations on the face of the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement, see note 6.

 

The Aviation segment specialises in the operation of a commercial airport and the provision of ground handling services. The Investments segment holds non-controlling interests in a logistics services investing business and a baggage handling business. The Non-Strategic Infrastructure segment specialises in management, development, and realisation of a portfolio of property assets, including Carlisle Lake District Airport.

 

The Executive Directors are regarded as the Chief Operating Decision Maker. The Directors monitor the results of each business unit separately for the purposes of making decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment. The main segmental profit measure is adjusted EBITDA, which is calculated as loss before interest, tax, depreciation and impairments. Income taxes and certain central costs are managed on a Group basis and are not allocated to operating segments. No segmental assets or liabilities information is disclosed because no such information is regularly provided to, or reviewed by, the Chief Operating Decision Maker.

 

 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Aviation

Investments

Non-Strategic Infrastructure

Group central and eliminations

 

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Revenue






External

8,427

-

509

206

9,142

Internal

15

-

50

(65)

-

Statutory revenue

8,442

-

559

141

9,142







Loss before tax

(46,430)

(1,162)

(3,463)

(9,768)

(60,823)

 

 

Restated

Six months ended 31 August 2022

Aviation

Investments

Non-Strategic Infrastructure

Group central and eliminations

 

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Revenue






External

14,150

-

302

161

14,613

Internal

-

-

50

(50)

-

Statutory revenue

14,150

-

352

111

14,613







Adjusted EBITDA

(518)

(34)

(402)

(3,149)

(4,103)

Loss before tax

(12,446)

(1,201)

(606)

(767)

(15,020)

 

Internal revenue above relates to inter-segment revenues that are eliminated within Group central and eliminations. Intra-segment revenues are eliminated within each segment.

 

4              Revenue

 

Revenue is primarily from contracts with customers. Other sources of revenue are from owned and leased fixed assets. The following tables detail the split between revenue from contracts with customers and other revenue, and the disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers.

 

 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Aviation

Investments

Non-Strategic Infrastructure

Group central and eliminations

 

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Revenue from contracts with customers

8,427

-

321

24

8,772

Other revenue - lease income

-

-

188

182

370


8,427

-

509

206

9,142

 

 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Aviation

Investments

Non-Strategic Infrastructure

Group central and eliminations

 

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Major product/service line






Sale of goods

5,804

-

16

-

5,820

Rendering of services

2,623

-

305

24

2,952


8,427

-

321

24

8,772

Primary geographical markets






United Kingdom

8,241

-

198

24

8,463

Europe and Ireland

177

-

123

-

300

Rest of world

9

-

-

-

9


8,427

-

321

24

8,772

Timing of revenue recognition






Products and services transferred at a point in time

8,427

-

321

24

8,772


8,427

-

321

24

8,772

 

 

Restated

Six months ended 31 August 2022

Aviation

Investments

Non-Strategic Infrastructure

Group central and eliminations

 

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Revenue from contracts with customers

14,045

-

78

-

14,123

Other revenue - lease income

105

-

224

161

490


14,150

-

302

161

14,613

 

 

Restated

Six months ended 31 August 2022

Aviation

Investments

Non-Strategic Infrastructure

Group central and eliminations

 

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Major product/service line






Sale of goods

2,944

-

-

-

2,944

Rendering of services

11,101

-

78

-

11,179


14,045

-

78

-

14,123

Primary geographical markets






United Kingdom

13,385

-

78

-

13,463

Europe and Ireland

573

-

-

-

573

Rest of world

87

-

-

-

87


14,045

-

78

-

14,123

Timing of revenue recognition






Products and services transferred at a point in time

14,045

-

78

-

14,123


14,045

-

78

-

14,123

 

Opening and closing receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers are as follows:

 

 

31 August 2023

28 February 2023

 

Unaudited

Audited

 

£'000

£'000

Receivables

2,456

8,911

Contract assets

-

3,327

 

Contract assets at 28 February 2023 relate to the Group's rights to consideration for work completed but not billed in the Renewables division. The balance is £nil at 31 August 2023 due to the reclassification of the Renewables division balances to held for sale.

 

5              Other income

 

 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Restated

Six months ended 31 August 2022

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

 

£'000

£'000

Profit on disposal of subsidiary

1,597

-

Profit on disposal of associate

1,698

-

Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

27

89

 

3,322

89

 

On 15 May 2023, the Group disposed of its wholly owned subsidiary Star Handling Limited to Skytanking UK Ltd for cash consideration of £3,874,000 and deferred contingent consideration of £270,000. Net assets disposed of were £2,287,000 and there were costs of disposal of £260,000, leading to a profit on disposal of £1,597,000. Further contingent consideration, dependent upon the business achieving forecast customer revenue targets in the 12 months following completion, has not been recognised.

 

On 3 August 2023, the Group disposed of its investment in Mersey Bioenergy Holdings Limited and its wholly owned subsidiary to UK Waste Resources and Energy Investments L.P. for cash consideration of £9,000,000. The Group's investment comprised a 39.6% shareholding and £7,302,000 of loan notes. The disposal generated a profit on disposal of £1,698,000.

 

6              Discontinued operations and disposal group held for sale

 

Renewables

The results of the Renewables division are reported as part of the single line loss from discontinued operations, net of tax on the face of the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement. The prior year results have been restated on the same basis. The assets and liabilities of Renewables have been reclassed as a disposal group held for sale.

 

A summary of the Renewables results included in discontinued operations is as follows:

 

 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Six months ended 31 August 2022

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

 

£'000

£'000

Revenue

48,883

43,534

Other income

358

466

Operating expenses

(44,272)

(37,050)

Depreciation

(3,406)

(3,879)

Net finance costs

(898)

(776)

Profit before tax

665

2,295

Tax

-

-

Profit for the period from discontinued operations, net of tax

665

2,295

 

The above profit from discontinued operations of £665,000 (2022: £2,295,000) is attributable to the owners of the Company.

 

The Renewables division disposal group comprises the following assets and liabilities:

 

 

31 August 2023

Unaudited

£'000

Goodwill

54,669

Property, plant and equipment

44,776

Inventory and work in Progress

725

Trade and other receivables

17,062

Deferred tax

6,133

Corporation tax

487

Cash

6,972

Assets held for sale

130,824



Lease obligations

35,896

Trade and other payables

17,369

Liabilities held for sale

53,265

 

The cash flows in relation to this operation are as follows:

 

 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Six months ended 31 August 2022

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

 

£'000

£'000

Net cash generated from operating activities

3,425

5,559

Net cash generated from investing activities

1,762

1,307

Net cash used in financing activities

(6,481)

(6,270)

Net cash (outflow)/inflow for the period

(1,294)

596

 

 

Propius

Propius is abandoned in line with the IFRS 5 definition of a discontinued operation. The results of Propius are reported on a single line, net of tax on the face of the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement.

 

While the ongoing finance charges and cashflows in respect of aircraft leases and cashflows in respect of maintenance obligations of Propius are presented within discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement, the corresponding liabilities are not presented within held for sale and remain on the Group's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

 

A summary of the Propius results included in discontinued operations is as follows:

 

 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Six months ended 31 August 2022

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

 

£'000

£'000

Net operating income

447

2,670

Net finance costs

(935)

(1,074)

(Loss)/profit before tax

(488)

1,596

Tax

-

-

(Loss)/profit for the period from discontinued operations, net of tax

(488)

1,596

 

The cash flows in relation to Propius are as follows:

 

 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Six months ended 31 August 2022

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

 

£'000

£'000

Net cash used in operating activities

(9,658)

(1,757)

Net cash generated from investing activities

3,097

-

Net cash used in financing activities

(12,684)

(6,288)

Net cash outflows for the period

(19,245)

(8,045)

 

7              Finance costs and income

 

 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Restated

Six months ended 31 August 2022

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

 

£'000

£'000

Finance charges payable under leases

1,278

1,067

Convertible debt interest

38,372

7,591

Exchangeable bond interest

906

918

Term loan interest

4,685

-

Revolving credit facility interest

-

981

Foreign exchange losses

1,964

-

Total finance costs

47,205

10,557


 

 

 

 

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Six months ended 31 August 2022


Unaudited

Unaudited


£'000

£'000

Interest received from net investment in lease

335

321

Interest received on defined benefit pension scheme

78

8

Foreign exchange gains

-

3,848

Revaluation of convertible debt derivative

-

1,043

Total finance income

413

5,220

 

It was originally estimated that repayment date of the convertible debt would be during the year ended 28 February 2026. During the period, the Group re-assessed the repayment date and estimated that it is now going to be during the year ended 29 February 2024, in light of the strategic review triggering the managed sale of LSA. Due to make-whole provisions the re-assessment of the expected repayment date does not alter the expected cash repayment amount. This has driven an increased one-off non-cash interest charge in the period and is the main reason for the period-on-period increase in interest on the convertible debt.

 

The increase in foreign exchange losses, and decrease in foreign exchange gains, is due to adverse fluctuations in US Dollar and exchange rates impacting the Group's foreign currency denominated loan with Propius.

 

8              Impairment

 

During the six months ended 31 August 2023 land and buildings at Pollington were impaired by £5,270,000 following the decision to dispose of the site.

 

9              Taxation

 

Taxation on profit on ordinary activities

 

Total tax in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement from continuing and discontinued operations

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Restated

Six months ended 31 August 2022

Unaudited

Unaudited


£'000

£'000

Corporation tax:



Current year corporation tax

-

1,000

Adjustments in respect of prior years

-

(3,311)

Total corporation tax

-

(2,311)




Deferred tax:

 

 

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

(391)

(152)

Impact of change in rate

-

(48)

Total deferred tax

(391)

(200)

 

 

 

Total credit in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

(391)

(2,511)

 

 

 

Split between:

 

 

Continuing

(391)

(2,511)

Discontinued

-

-

 

Included in the above tax charges are total current tax credit on continuing operations of £nil (2022: £2,311,000) and a total deferred tax credit on continuing operations of £391,000 (2022: £200,000) giving a total tax credit on continuing operations in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement of £391,000 (2022: £2,511,000). The total tax credit on continuing and discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement is £391,000 (2022: £2,511,000).

 

An increase in the main rate of corporation tax 25% effective from 1 April 2023 was substantively enacted as at the balance sheet date 31 August 2022. As such, the deferred tax assets/liabilities as at 31 August 2022 have been recognised/provided at 25%.

 

The total net deferred tax for the consolidated Group is £nil at 31 August 2023, with a £6.3m liability presented as deferred tax on the face of the Condensed Consolidation Statement of Financial Position and a £6.3m asset presented within assets held for sale, relating to the Renewables division.

 

10           Loss per share

 

The following table reflects the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations:

Numerator

Six months ended 31 August 2023

Restated

Six months ended 31 August 2022

Unaudited

Unaudited

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

 

Loss for the period used for basic and diluted earnings

(60,432)

(12,509)

 



Discontinued operations



Profit for the period used for basic and diluted earnings

177

3,891




Total



Loss for the period used for basic and diluted earnings

(60,255)

(8,618)

 

Denominator

Number

Number




Weighted average number of shares used in basic and diluted EPS

1,020,735,977

1,020,735,977




Own shares held and therefore excluded from weighted average number

4,600,764

4,600,764

 

11           Property, plant and equipment

 

Additions and disposals

During the six months ended 31 August 2023, the Group acquired or developed property, plant and equipment (PPE) assets with a cost of £1,049,000 (2022: £3,725,000). This mainly consisted of plant and machinery equipment in the Renewables division.

 

PPE assets with a book value of £728,000 (2022: £617,000) were disposed of by the Group during the six months ended 31 August 2023, resulting in a profit on disposal of £376,000 (2022: £430,000), of which £350,000 is presented within discontinued operations.

 

PPE in the Renewables division, with a net book value of £44,776,000, was reclassified to assets held for sale. Land and buildings at Pollington were impaired by £5,270,000 following the decision to dispose of the site. The sale of Star Handling Limited led to the disposal of PPE with net book value of £1,798,000.

 

12           Financial assets and liabilities

 

 

31 August 2023

28 February 2023

 

Unaudited

Audited

Loans and borrowings

£'000

£'000

 



Non-current



Convertible debt

171,349

132,977

Term loan

46,212

43,969

Obligations under leases

47,146

82,895

 

264,707

259,841

 

 

 

Current



Exchangeable bonds

53,300

52,637

Term loan

3,750

1,250

Obligations under leases

5,883

26,634

 

62,933

80,521




Total loans and borrowings

327,640

340,362




Cash

(19,958)

(49,264)

Restricted cash

-

(1,000)

Net debt

307,682

290,098

 

 

 

Esken Limited provides support to its subsidiaries where required. Examples of support include intercompany funding arrangements and the provision of guarantees in relation to financing lines provided by a number of lenders. In addition, one Renewables contract has a covenant relating to the market capital of Esken Limited, where a breach would be remedied by additional letters of credit or a security deposit.

 

The exchangeable bonds have a May 2024 maturity date, with repayment being the difference between the £53.3m gross bonds and the value of shares held in LDG plc into which the bonds are convertible. At 31 August 2023, the difference amounted to £44.4m.

 

There has been an increase in the convertible debt liability due to a re-assessment of the estimated repayment date, see note 7.

 

A reconciliation of movements of liabilities to cash flows arising from financing is as follows:

 

 

 

Exchangeable bond

Convertible debt

Term loan

Obligations under leases

 

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Balance at 1 March 2023

52,637

132,977

45,219

109,529

340,362

Changes from financing cash flows:






Additional loans

-

-

5,000

-

5,000

Cash outflow from debt issue costs

-

-

(990)

-

(990)

Principal elements of lease payments - continuing operations




(3,176)

(3,176)

Principal elements of lease payments - discontinued operations




(17,922)

(17,922)

Interest paid - continuing operations

(730)

-

(3,952)

(1,061)

(5,743)

Interest paid - discontinued operations

-

-

-

(1,243)

(1,243)

Total changes from financing cash flows

(730)

-

58

(23,402)

(24,074)

New leases entered into

-

-

-

1,279

1,279

Reclassification to held for sale

-

-

-

(35,896)

(35,896)

Disposal of subsidiary undertaking

-

-

-

(553)

(553)

The effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

-

-

-

(449)

(449)

Non-cash amortisation of loan and accrual of interest

1,393

38,372

4,685

2,521

46,971

Balance at 31 August 2023

53,300

171,349

49,962

53,029

327,640

 

 

 

Exchangeable bond

Convertible debt

Revolving credit facility

Obligations under leases

 

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Balance at 1 March 2022

52,385

118,862

-

123,391

294,638

Changes from financing cash flows:






Cash outflow from debt issue costs

-

-

(50)

-

(50)

Principal elements of lease payments - continuing operations (Restated)

-

-

-

(2,425)

(2,425)

Principal elements of lease payments - discontinued operations (Restated)

-

-

-

(10,611)

(10,611)

Interest paid - continuing operations (Restated)

(730)

-

(179)

(1,058)

(1,967)

Interest paid - discontinued operations (Restated)

-

-

-

(1,947)

(1,947)

Total changes from financing cash flows

(730)

-

(229)

(16,041)

(17,000)

New leases entered into

-

-

-

3,395

3,395

Termination of lease

-

-

-

(11)

(11)

The effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

-

-

-

3,780

3,780

Revaluation of derivative

-

(1,043)

-

-

(1,043)

Non-cash amortisation of loan and accrual of interest

918

7,592

229

2991

11,730

Balance at 31 August 2022

52,573

125,411

-

117,505

295,489


The book value and fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities are as follows:

 

 

Book Value

31 August 2023

Fair Value

31 August 2023

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

 

£'000

£'000

Financial assets



Other investments

14,040

14,040

 



Financial liabilities



Exchangeable bonds - host element

53,300

48,436

Convertible debt - host element

171,304

85,213

Embedded derivatives

45

45

 

 

Book Value

28 February 2023

Fair Value

28 February 2023

 

Audited

Audited


£'000

£'000

Financial assets



Other investments

15,324

15,324




Financial liabilities



Exchangeable bonds - host element

52,637

42,413

Convertible debt - host element

132,932

85,213

Embedded derivatives

45

45

 

The Directors reasonably consider the fair value of other financial assets and liabilities (such as trade and other receivables, trade and other payables, and lease liabilities) approximate their book value.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy

The fair value hierarchy is explained in the statutory accounts for the year ended 28 February 2023. The fair values in the table below reflect financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

 

As at 31 August 2023

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Unaudited

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets





Other financial assets

14,040

8,884

5,156

-






Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

Other financial liabilities

45

-

-

45

 

As at 28 February 2023

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Audited

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets





Other financial assets

15,324

10,168

5,156

-






Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

Other financial liabilities

45

-

-

45

 

Level 1 other financial assets relates to the Group's investment in LDG plc. The £5,156,000 other financial assets presented within level 2 at 31 August 2023 has been fair valued by reference to cash held within the bank account of the captive insurance cell.

 

The other financial liabilities are recognised within the convertible debt and exchangeable bonds within loans and borrowings on the face of the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

 

There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 fair value measurements.

 

13           Provisions

 

 

 

Onerous

contracts

Litigation and claims

Remediation provision

Restructuring

Maintenance reserves

 

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

At 1 March 2023

875

1,573

3,942

-

15,112

21,502

Provisions used

(422)

(656)

-

-

(9,117)

(10,195)

Provisions made

15

14

-

2,171

-

2,200

Provisions reversed

-

(26)

-

-

(683)

(709)

Currency retranslation

-

-

-

-

(579)

(579)

At 31 August 2023

468

905

3,942

2,171

4,733

12,219

 







Analysis of provisions







Current

468

905

-

2,171

4,733

8,277

Non-current

-

-

3,942

-

-

3,942

 

During the period £656,000 was paid to settle part 1 claims relating to LSA.

 

The Group made payments totalling £9,117,000 for required maintenance on the remaining four ATR aircraft leased by Propius. The required maintenance provision was recalculated as at 31 August 2023, based on the latest estimates and assumptions, which led to a release of provision of £683,000. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the US Dollar and GB Pound led to a £579,000 decrease in maintenance reserves.

 

A restructuring provision of £2,171,000 was made to cover employee exit costs as part of the Group restructure. The exit cost provision is expected to be utilised in phases and within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

 

14           Cash used in continuing operations

 


Six months ended 31 August 2023

Restated

Six months ended 31 August 2022


Unaudited

Unaudited

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Loss before tax

(60,823)

(15,020)

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile loss before tax to net cash flows:

 

 

Realised profit on sale of property, plant and equipment

(27)

(89)

Profit on disposal of subsidiary undertaking

(1,597)

-

Profit on disposal of associate

(1,698)

-

Share of post-tax losses of associate accounted for using the equity method

286

346

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

4,965

5,234

Finance income

(413)

(1,364)

Finance costs

45,241

10,549

Release of grant income

(876)

(772)

Impairment

5,270

-

Charge for share-based payments

167

250

Foreign exchange retranslation

1,959

(3,843)




Working capital adjustments:



Decrease/(increase) in inventories

3

(43)

Increase in trade and other receivables

(2,874)

(3,122)

Decrease in trade and other payables

(1,437)

(1,468)

Increase/(decrease) in retirement benefits and other provisions

863

(2,244)

Cash used in continuing operations

(10,991)

(11,586)

 

15           Related parties

 

On 3 August 2023 the Group disposed of its investment in Mersey Bioenergy Holdings Limited (MBHL), at which point it ceased to be a related party. During the period up to 3 August 2023, the Group made sales of £3,669,000 (2022: £2,928,000) to its former associate Mersey Bioenergy Limited, a subsidiary of MBHL, relating to the sale of biomass material. At 31 August 2023, £563,000 (28 February 2023: £549,000) of the sales, made during the time MBHL was a related party, was owed to the Group.

 

16           Glossary - Alternative performance measures (APMs)

 

In the reporting of financial information, the Directors have adopted various APMs. These measures are not defined by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and therefore may not be directly comparable with other companies' APMs.

 

APMs should be considered in addition to, and are not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, IFRS measurements. Non-GAAP APMs are used as they are considered to be both useful and necessary as well as enhancing the comparability of information between reporting periods, by adjusting for non-recurring or uncontrollable factors which affect IFRS measures, to aid users in understanding the Group's performance.

 

Consequently, APMs are used by the Directors and management for internal performance analysis, planning, reporting and incentive-setting purposes. The presentation of these measures facilitates comparability with other companies, although management's measures may not be calculated in the same way as similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is the key profitability measure used by management for performance review in the day-to-day operations of the Group. Adjusted EBITDA represents loss before interest, tax, depreciation and impairments. Refer to note 3 for reconciliation to statutory loss before tax.

 

Net debt

Net debt is defined as the sum of obligations under leases, term loan, exchangeable bonds and convertible debt, less cash and cash equivalents. See note 12 for reconciliations of this measure.

 

Gearing

Gearing is defined as net debt, as defined above, divided by Group shareholders' equity per the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

 

Headroom

Headroom is the sum of cash per the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position of £19,958,000, plus £5,972,000 of cash and £1,000,000 of restricted cash in the Renewables division, which is presented within assets held for sale.

 

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