As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
[ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
OR
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2001
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ________ TO _________
Commission file number 0-28662
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not applicable
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
England and Wales
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Buckland House
Waterside Drive
Langley Business Park
Slough SL3 6EZ
England
(Address of principal executive offices)
-----------------------
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant
to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
American Depositary Shares, each representing one Ordinary
Share having a nominal value of 2p
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation
pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of
capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual
report:
8,678,131 Ordinary Shares, each having a nominal value of 2p
-----------------------
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days:
Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected
to follow:
Item 17 [ ] Item 18 [X]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION........................................................4
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS..........................................5
PART I ........................................................................6
Item 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS..........6
Item 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE........................6
Item 3. KEY INFORMATION................................................6
3.A. Selected Financial Data.................................6
3.B Capitalization and Indebtedness.........................7
3.C Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds...............7
3.D. Risk Factors............................................7
Item 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY.....................................9
4.A. History and Development of the Company..................9
4.B. Business Overview......................................10
4.C. Organizational Structure...............................15
4.D. Property, Plants and Equipment.........................16
Item 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS..................16
5.A. Operating Results......................................16
5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources........................20
5.C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc....21
5.D. Trend Information......................................21
Item 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES....................21
6.A. Directors and Senior Management........................21
6.B. Compensation...........................................23
6.C. Board Practices........................................23
6.D. Employees..............................................24
6.E. Share Ownership........................................24
Item 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.............26
7.A. Major Shareholders.....................................26
7.B. Related Party Transactions.............................26
7.C Interests of Experts and Counsel.......................26
Item 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION.........................................26
8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial
Information............................................26
8.B. Significant Changes....................................27
Item 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING.........................................27
9.A. Offer and Listing Details..............................27
9.B. Plan of Distribution...................................28
9.C. Markets................................................28
9.D. Selling Shareholders...................................28
9.E. Dilution...............................................28
9.F. Expenses of the Issuer.................................28
Item 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION........................................28
10.A. Share Capital..........................................28
10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.................29
10.C. Material Contracts.....................................31
10.D. Exchange Controls......................................31
10.E. Taxation...............................................31
10.F Dividends and paying agents............................35
10.G Statement by experts...................................35
10.H Documents on display...................................35
10.I Subsidiary Information.................................35
Item 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK....36
Item 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES........36
2
PART II.......................................................................36
Item 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES..............36
Item 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS
AND USE OF PROCEEDS..........................................36
PART III......................................................................37
Item 15. [RESERVED]...................................................37
Item 16. [RESERVED]...................................................37
PART IV.......................................................................37
Item 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.........................................37
Item 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.........................................37
Item 19. EXHIBITS.....................................................37
3
INTRODUCTION
In this Annual Report on Form 20-F (the "Annual Report"), references to
"U.S. dollars", "dollars", "U.S.$" or "$" are to currency of the United States
of America (the "U.S." or the "United States"), references to "pounds sterling",
"sterling", "(pound)", "pence" or "p" are to currency of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the "U.K." or the "United Kingdom").
Professional Staff plc publishes its consolidated financial statements in pounds
sterling. Solely for the convenience of the reader, this Annual Report contains
translations of certain pound sterling amounts into U.S. dollars at specified
rates. These translations should not be construed as representations that the
pound sterling amounts actually represent such U.S. dollar amounts or have been,
could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated
or at any other rate. Unless otherwise indicated, the translations of pounds
sterling into U.S. dollars have been made at $1.4163 per (pound)1.00, the noon
buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers in pounds sterling as
certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the
"Noon Buying Rate") on March 31, 2001, the date of the most recent balance sheet
of Professional Staff plc included herein.
Professional Staff plc prepares its financial statements in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S.
GAAP"). The financial statements and other financial data included elsewhere in
this Annual Report have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, unless
otherwise stated. Professional Staff plc prepares its financial statements on
the basis of a financial year beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31.
References to a fiscal year in this Annual Report shall, unless otherwise
indicated, be references to the financial year ending on March 31 of such year.
In this Annual Report, financial results and operating statistics are, unless
otherwise indicated, stated on the basis of such financial years.
Unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, in this
Annual Report, the "Company" or "Professional Staff" refers to Professional
Staff plc together with its subsidiaries.
4
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 20-F includes certain "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933
and Section 21E of the U.S. Exchange Act of 1934, many of which are beyond
Professional Staff's control and all of which are based on our current beliefs
and expectations about future events. Forward-looking statements are typically
identified by words such as "will", "anticipate", "estimate" and similar
expressions and include, among others, statements regarding Professional Staff's
strategy, operations, economic performance, financial condition, future results
of operations and capital needs, estimates of additional payments to be made
pursuant to certain acquisition agreements and the temporary staffing industry
generally. Although Professional Staff believes that the expectations reflected
in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given
that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Accordingly, because
such statements involve uncertainties and risks, actual results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
o our ability to achieve and manage growth;
o risks associated with the acquisition of new businesses;
o the highly competitive nature of the temporary staffing industry;
o our ability to attract qualified technical professionals and
retain key personnel;
o economic and business conditions in the UK, continental Europe and
the United States;
o the success of our operating strategies;
o changes in government regulations;
o our ability to retain existing customers and to obtain new
customers;
o fluctuations in exchange rates and demand for staffing services;
and
o business risk management.
Professional Staff undertakes no obligation to update publicly or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
5
PART I
Item 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
Item 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
Item 3. KEY INFORMATION
3.A. Selected Financial Data
The following table sets forth selected financial data of the Company.
The selected financial data for the five fiscal years ended March 31, 2001, have
been excerpted or derived from the Company's consolidated financial statements
for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 which have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche, Chartered Accountants. The data should be
read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements included
elsewhere in this Annual Report and Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects.
Fiscal Years Ended March 31,
----------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2001(1)
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- -------
(thousands, except per share amounts)
Consolidated Income Statement Data
Revenue .........................................(pound)19,666 (pound)58,313 (pound)95,359 (pound)120,410 (pound)146,656 $207,709
Direct cost of revenue .......................... 13,636 43,715 74,210 91,766 111,686 158,181
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- --------
Gross profit .................................... 6,030 14,598 21,149 28,644 34,970 49,528
Selling, general and administrative expenses(2).. 2,998 9,660 16,076 22,533 31,285 44,309
Amortization of goodwill ........................ -- 193 375 1,008 1,145 1,622
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- --------
Income from continuing operations before
other income and income taxes ................ 3,032 4,745 4,698 5,103 2,540 3,597
Other income (expense)(3) ....................... 550 410 1,435 (649) (676) (957)
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- --------
Income from continuing operations before
Income taxes and discontinued operations .... 3,582 5,155 6,133 4,454 1,864 2,640
Income taxes .................................... 1,253 1,711 2,084 1,561 1,115 1,579
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- --------
Net income from continuing operations(4) ........ 2,329 3,444 4,049 2,893 749 1,061
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- --------
Net income ...................................... 2,180 3,444 4,049 2,893 749 1,061
============= ============= ============= ============== ============== ========
Earnings per Share Data
Basic
Net income per share from continuing operations.. (pound)0.47 (pound)0.59 (pound)0.45 (pound)0.34 (pound)0.09 $ 0.12
Net income per share ............................ (pound)0.44 (pound)0.59 (pound)0.45 (pound)0.34 (pound)0.09 $ 0.12
Number of shares used in computation (`000) ..... 4,968 5,864 8,929 8,577 8,672 8,672
Fully diluted
Net income per share from continuing operations.. (pound)0.40 (pound)0.51 (pound)0.43 (pound)0.33 (pound)0.08 $ 0.12
Net income per share ............................ (pound)0.38 (pound)0.51 (pound)0.43 (pound)0.33 (pound)0.08 $ 0.12
Number of shares used in computation (`000) ..... 5,839 6,787 9,381 8,842 8,911 8,911
6
At March 31,
------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2001(1)
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- -------
(thousands)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
Working capital..................................(pound)11,975 (pound)7,044 (pound)18,192 (pound)17,276 (pound)12,440 $ 17,619
Total assets..................................... 17,470 26,581 62,767 62,425 74,977 106,189
Long-term debt................................... - - 69 68 - -
Capital stock.................................... 8,861 8,901 37,892 37,987 38,049 53,889
Shareholders' equity............................. 13,516 17,000 46,053 49,002 50,187 71,080
- ------------------
(1) Solely for the convenience of the reader, pound sterling amounts have
been translated into U.S. dollars at the Noon Buying Rate on March 31,
2001 of $1.4163 per(pound)1.00.
(2) Includes in 2001,(pound)818,000 aggregate increase in reserves for
doubtful debts principally against customers in the communications
technology sector; includes in 1999,(pound)659,000 of unusual items for
restructuring and merging of acquired operations.
(3) Includes in 2001,(pound)438,000 of costs borne by the Company in
connection with the July 2000 tender offer for the Company by First
Saddle Limited.
(4) Effective March 1996, the Company sold the ongoing businesses of its
French Lab Staff operations acquired in fiscal 1993. The Company
recorded the results of its French Lab Staff operations in fiscal years
1995 and 1996 and the losses on the sale of the businesses in fiscal
1996 and 1997 as discontinued operations.
3.B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
3.C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
3.D. Risk Factors
Potential Inability to Achieve and Manage Growth. The Company has
experienced rapid growth in a relatively short period of time as a result of
both acquisitions and internal development. The Company's continued growth
depends on a number of factors including (i) the ability to achieve greater
penetration of existing clients and markets, (ii) successful entry into, and the
ability of the Company to adapt to, new geographic markets, (iii) the strength
of demand for the Company's services, (iv) the Company's response to existing
and emerging competition, (v) the ability to sustain acceptable margins in the
sectors and geographic markets in which the Company operates in the face of
competitive pressures or potentially more restrictive regulatory environments
and (vi) continued improvement in office productivity. Continued growth will
require further expansion of the Company's infrastructure and systems, including
management information systems, increased marketing activities and the
successful recruitment of management and personnel.
Acquisition Risks. An important component of the Company's strategy has
been to be to grow through acquisitions. Acquisitions involve a number of risks,
including diversion of management's attention, the potential failure to retain
key personnel at an acquired company and risks associated with unanticipated
events or liabilities. There can be no assurance that recent or future
acquisitions will achieve or maintain expected operating results or will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating results, particularly
in the fiscal quarters immediately following the consummation of such
transactions.
Highly Competitive Market. In general, the staffing industry is highly
competitive with relatively low barriers to entry. In the United Kingdom the
industry is divided into a small number of national and a large number of
regional staffing companies. The Company competes with a broad range of
international, national, regional and local companies, including other
specialist companies and general service agencies. The staffing industry has
been undergoing significant consolidation, as a result of which the Company may
face increasing competition from larger full service and specialist competitors
in its markets. Through acquisitions the Company has entered larger and more
competitive markets. In addition, the Company may face significantly greater
competition in any additional geographic markets or new industry sectors that it
may enter in the future. The entry into the Company's specialist
7
markets by one or more companies with greater marketing and financial resources
than the Company could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition and results of operations.
Dependence on Availability of Qualified Technical Professionals. The
success of the Company is dependent upon its ability to attract professionals
who possess the skills and experience necessary to meet the staffing
requirements of its clients. The Company expends considerable effort and
resources in maintaining its candidate databases to keep pace with changing
client needs and emerging technologies. Furthermore, the Company's candidates
typically provide services on an assignment-by-assignment basis and can
terminate an assignment with the Company at any time. The Company competes with
other providers of technical staffing services, temporary staffing agencies and
alternative full-time employers in recruiting qualified professionals. In
particular, competition for communications technology professionals is intense
and demand for their services has, to date, substantially exceeded their supply,
and the Company expects that such competition will increase. Many of the
professionals who work for the Company, particularly in the technology area,
also work for the Company's competitors, and there can be no assurance that
professionals currently working on projects for the Company will not choose to
work for competitors on future assignments. In addition, temporary workers often
accept permanent positions with the Company's clients. The Company's inability
to attract a significant number of additional professional candidates to support
the Company's existing operations and planned expansion could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's operating results and growth strategy.
Reliance on Key Personnel. The Company has been, and will continue to
be, highly dependent on the experience and skills of its key personnel,
including senior management and recruitment consultants. The loss of any of
these, or the inability of the Company to attract and retain additional
qualified key personnel, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations. The Company's key personnel are
employed pursuant to employment agreements that can be terminated by the Company
or the employee on six months' notice and, in the case of certain key
executives, twelve months' notice.
Risks Associated with the Temporary Staffing Industry. Providers of
staffing services place people in the work places of other businesses. An
inherent risk of such activity includes possible claims of errors and omissions,
misuse of client proprietary information, misappropriation of funds,
discrimination or harassment, employment of illegal aliens, theft of client
property, other criminal activity or torts, claims under health and safety
regulations and other claims. Perceived damages to the Company's clients could
arise from a variety of alleged mistakes or failures to act by professionals
placed by the Company. Although the Company has implemented policies and
guidelines in order to reduce its exposure to certain of such risks, in certain
circumstances the Company may have exposure to liabilities relating to events
occurring at a client's workplace over which the Company has no direct control.
Although no claims of this nature have been made against the Company, there can
be no assurance that such claims will not arise in the future.
While the Company maintains the legally required level of employers'
liability insurance coverage, the Company does not maintain liability insurance
extending to the wrongful or negligent conduct of temporary workers on
assignment. The Company believes that, in general, it is not liable for the
conduct of temporary workers because they are not employees of the Company. If
however the Company's temporary workers were considered employees the Company
could have liability for their conduct and responsibility for providing certain
additional statutory benefits such as redundancy, maternity and sick pay and for
giving minimum notice upon termination.
There can be no assurance that the Company's exposure to such risks has
not been increased substantially with recent expansion into additional
geographic markets and industry sectors and its exposure is likely to increase
further with continued expansion.
Risks Associated with International Operations. While the Company's
business prior to fiscal 1998 consisted primarily of placements of temporary
scientists and technicians in the United Kingdom, the Company now places
temporary professionals in numerous countries outside the United Kingdom and, as
part of its growth strategy, intends to expand into additional geographic
markets. As the Company continues to develop its operations internationally, it
will increasingly become subject to additional risks attendant to operating in a
global environment, including, among others, the imposition of restrictions on
hiring foreign nationals or the ability to retain foreign temporary workers,
administrative and management difficulties, restrictions on the repatriation of
earnings, export requirements and restrictions and multiple and possibly
overlapping tax structures. Fluctuations in exchange rates between the pound
sterling and the currency of other countries in which the Company operates will
affect its results of operations and financial condition reported in pounds
sterling.
Effect of Fluctuations in Demand for Staffing Services. Demand for the
Company's staffing services is significantly affected by factors outside the
Company's control, including the general level of economic activity and trends
in its customers' industries. When economic activity increases, temporary
employees are often added before
8
full-time employees are hired. As economic activity slows, permanent recruitment
slows and many companies reduce their utilization of temporary workers prior to
undertaking layoffs of full-time employees. In addition, in an economic downturn
the Company may face pricing pressure from its customers and increased
competition from other staffing providers. The Company serves markets that are
experiencing severe economic slowdown, notably the telecommunications industry.
Economic downturn could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations. The Company also serves markets
that are currently consolidating, such as the pharmaceutical industry.
Consolidation among the Company's clients, which could result in delays or
decreases in the hiring of temporary or permanent staff, could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
Item 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
4.A. History and Development of the Company
The legal and commercial name of the Company is Professional Staff plc.
The Company was incorporated on February 20, 1990 under the laws of England and
Wales. Its principal executive offices are located at Buckland House, Waterside
Drive, Langley Business Park, Slough SL3 6EZ, United Kingdom, telephone
44-1-753-580-540.
Professional Staff is a specialty staffing services company based
mainly in the United Kingdom and the United States, providing temporary and
permanent placement services to the communications technology, science and
interim management sectors.
The Company began in 1990 as Lab Staff which pioneered temporary
staffing services in the UK science sector. In 1994 the Company set up
Executives On Assignment to service the emerging UK interim management market.
The Company completed its initial public offering in August 1996, with a
secondary offering in April 1998. Following these offerings, the Company
completed eight acquisitions which have expanded the range of its specialty
services and the geographic markets and industry sectors that the Company
serves.
Acquisitions made in the communications technology sector were SDS
Computer Group and S-Com Computer Systems Engineers in 1997, EPL Overseas in
1998 and Resource Management in 2000. These businesses are now fully integrated
as S.Com with operations in the UK, US and Germany. S.Com places specialized
professionals in telecommunications, datacommunications, IT and specialty
engineering on a worldwide basis. Major customers include BT, Ericsson, Lucent,
Nortel, Nokia, DERA and BAE Systems.
Acquisitions made in the science sector were Salisbury Consulting Group
in 1997, and The Woolf Group and Euromedica in 1999. UK science staffing and
related recruitment operations are now integrated within SRG (the Science
Recruitment Group). The temporary staffing business trades as SRG LabStaff and
still dominates the UK laboratory staffing market. In the United States, The
Woolf Group offers clinical research professionals and associated services to
major pharmaceutical and clinical research organizations. Euromedica is an
executive search consultancy dedicated to the pharmaceutical and healthcare
industries with operations in the UK, France, Germany and Belgium. The Company's
major clients within the science sector include GSK, Novartis, AstraZeneca,
Avecia and Amgen.
Acquisitions made in the management sector were Praxis Executive
Taskforce in 1998. Through Praxis and Executives on Assignment, the Company is a
leader in the UK interim management market offering executives and senior
managers across a broad spectrum of industry and commerce.
The Company's principal capital expenditures, other than acquisitions
of businesses, comprise office equipment and associated computer systems, and
motor vehicles acquired to provide as staff benefits. Expenditures on such
capital items in the last three years were (pound)2.4 million in 2001,
(pound)2.2 million in 2000 and (pound)1.4 million in 1999.
In July 2000 the Company announced that it had agreed to the terms of a
recommended cash offer to be made by First Saddle Limited for the whole of the
issued and unconditionally allotted share capital of the Company not already
owned or agreed to be acquired by First Saddle at $8.34 per Ordinary Share.
First Saddle was established by Benjamin Blackden, Chairman of the Company,
Kevin Worrall, Group Finance Director of the Company, Bruce Culver,
Non-Executive Director of the Company and Granville Baird Capital Partners
Limited for the purposes of effecting a management buyout of the Company. The
offer was considered by a special committee of independent directors of the
Company. The Board, acting through the special committee, considered the terms
of the offer and the arrangements with management to be fair and in the best
interests of the Company's security holders and unanimously recommended that
security holders accept the offer. In arriving at this conclusion the
9
special committee received an opinion from Jefferies & Company, Inc. that the
offer in financial terms and the arrangements with management were fair and
reasonable so far as security holders were concerned.
On August 23, 2000 First Saddle announced that the minimum acceptance
condition, being receipt of valid acceptances in respect of not less than 90% of
shares to which the offer related, had not been met. At the end of the Initial
Offer Period valid acceptances of the offer had been received in respect of
approximately 82% of the shares to which the offer related. First Saddle
therefore announced that its offer had lapsed in accordance with its terms.
4.B. Business Overview
The Staffing Industry
The staffing industry in the United Kingdom, including both temporary
and permanent staffing, is the largest in Europe and has experienced significant
recent growth. Current estimates put the total market at $25 to $30 billion. The
penetration rate, measured as the number of temporary workers expressed as a
percentage of the total work force, is estimated by the Recruitment & Employment
Confederation to be approximately 3% to 4%. The UK market is highly fragmented
with numerous companies active in a generally deregulated environment. The
overall trend in continental Europe has been toward progressive liberalization
and deregulation.
Specialty staffing services have become a significant component of
human resource management. Staffing companies create value by providing the
flexible work force that allows client companies to focus on core competencies.
Strategic recruitment outsourcing allows companies effectively to manage human
resources in response to operational fluctuations and economic and product
cycles. Increasingly, corporations are turning to temporary workers as a means
to achieve greater operating efficiency, to transfer fixed labor costs to
variable costs, to add flexibility to operations, to reduce risks associated
with hiring permanent employees and to import skills missing from their
organizations.
Permanent recruitment services with dedicated technical expertise are
also becoming increasingly important as demand has reduced the pool of available
specialty professionals and made it more difficult to locate qualified
candidates. For these reasons Professional Staff believes that clients have
become increasingly reliant upon specialty permanent placement and search
services.
Sector Overview
The following table sets forth the structure, by sector, of the
Company's principal operations and services provided which, save for the effect
of acquisitions and integration thereof, have been in place throughout the last
three fiscal years.
Business Sector Principal Industries Served Brand Name Operation Locations
- --------------- --------------------------- ---------- -------------------
Communications Telecommunications, S.Com UK, US, Germany
Technology Datacommunications, Defence
& Aerospace
Science Pharmaceutical, Chemicals, Science Recruitment Group UK
Biotechnology, Food & SRG LabStaff
Beverage, SRG Executive
SRG Scientech
Pharmaceuticals, BioSciences Euromedica UK & Continental
& Healthcare Europe
Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, The Woolf Group US
CROs
Interim Management All industry sectors Executives on Assignment UK
Praxis Executive Taskforce
10
Communications Technology Sector. Telecommunications services has been
one of the fastest growing sectors of the staffing industry. The expansion of
the global market for communication services and the continued development of
new technology has been accompanied by substantial expenditure on developing new
equipment and services required to upgrade existing and develop new networks.
Particularly in less developed countries with limited existing communications
infrastructure, the number of subscribers has increased substantially as the
installation of wireless networks proves more cost-efficient and expeditious
than the rollout of landline networks. Expenditures on equipment and service are
driven by changing technology as existing land line and wireless networks that
represent first generation technology are converted to accommodate second
generation digital technologies. The sector has recently been severely affected
by the high cost of acquiring third generation licenses through government
auctions in the UK and Continental Europe, a slowdown in worldwide mobile
handset sales and delays in completion of third generation technologies. However
the Company expects that in the next several years the third generation
technologies to deliver voice, data and video signals should continue to
stimulate expenditures for services and equipment and the sector will continue
to place reliance on both core and contingent skills at the right levels and at
the right time. Management believes that rapid technological change, intense
competition and increasing specialization have all resulted in an increasing
reliance by employers upon providers of specialty staffing services.
Science Sector. Science staffing has been a growing sector in the
United Kingdom following the Company's pioneering of the use of temporary
professionals in the scientific laboratory in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology,
environmental, food, chemical and petrochemical industries. This growth is the
result of increased acceptance of the advantages of using temporary workers as
well as shortages of certain scientific skills. In the United States, demand for
clinical trials staffing services is being driven by the unprecedented growth in
the clinical trial segment of the drug development industry. Concurrently,
stringent approval requirements demand a greater number of trials per compound
and a greater number of patients per trial. As a result of the growth in this
segment, sponsors are increasing their reliance on clinical trial outsourcing
services to gain access to greater clinical trial capacity and a larger supply
of experienced clinical trial personnel.
Interim Management Sector. The use of interim managers and executives
in the UK is an emerging market in which the Company has been one of the leading
developers. There is now growing acceptance of the flexibility and cost
effectiveness of using interim managers alongside the regular management team,
not simply as a solution to a crisis.
The Company's revenues by sector and geographical markets for the last
three fiscal years were as follows:
Fiscal Years Ended March 31,
----------------------------
((pound)'millions)
1999 2000 2001
---- ---- ----
Revenue:
Communications Technology.......... (pound)64.4 (pound)78.9 (pound)100.0
Science............................ 25.9 32.8 33.1
Interim Management................. 5.1 8.7 13.6
----- ----- ------
Total.............................. 95.4 120.4 146.7
==== ===== =====
United Kingdom..................... (pound)61.7 (pound)63.1 (pound)74.1
North America...................... 3.6 24.3 31.2
Rest of the World.................. 30.1 33.0 41.4
------ ------ ------
Total.............................. 95.4 120.4 146.7
==== ===== =====
Percentage:
Communications Technology.......... 68% 66% 68%
Science............................ 27% 27% 23%
Interim Management................. 5% 7% 9%
---- ---- ----
Total.............................. 100% 100% 100%
==== ==== ====
United Kingdom..................... 64% 52% 51%
North America...................... 4% 20% 21%
Rest of the World.................. 32% 28% 28%
----- ----- ---
Total.............................. 100% 100% 100%
==== ==== ====
11
The Company's business is not subject to major seasonality. Minor
factors which contribute a small degree of seasonality are the number of public
holidays in each fiscal quarter (which typically contributes to a slowdown in
the Company's third quarter due to Christmas and the New Year) and a higher than
average number of contracts expiring at calendar and fiscal year ends.
Business Strategy
Management believes that the Company has achieved a strong competitive
position in the staffing industry attributable to a number of business
strategies, including the following:
Operating only in specialized sectors. The Company operates in highly
focused sectors of the staffing industry through businesses with readily
identifiable trade names related to the sector served. These sectors are
communications technology, science and interim management and, as such, offer
higher added value services to clients. The Company believes that the large
number of discrete communications technology and scientific skills, the need for
large candidate databases to match candidates' skills with clients' needs and
the importance of established client relationships raise the barriers to entry
for competitors in these sectors. Through its teams of recruitment consultants
and its delivery systems, the Company believes it offers its clients quality
service due to its exceptional understanding of the skills required for each
sector.
Employing qualified and experienced sales teams. In the communications
technology sector, recruitment consultants are generally computer or business
graduates, trained in the specific industry in which they work. The Company's
recruitment consultants working in the scientific sector generally have
university degrees in science, including many with PhDs. Many consultants are
qualified in a specialized scientific discipline such as analytical chemistry,
biochemistry, microbiology, organic chemistry or food science, among others. As
a result, the Company's sales teams are experienced and well qualified to
understand and serve the specific needs of clients in each of the sectors in
which it operates.
Providing value-added services. Management places great importance on
providing a high quality, flexible service. Encouraging as well as responding to
the trend toward flexible employment practices, the Company is able to deliver
qualified candidates whose skills are carefully matched to each assignment and
who are available when needed. The Company focuses on achieving an exceptional
understanding of clients' needs, quickly identifying suitable candidates who
meet those needs and then managing the process of selection and assignment and
administering the ongoing service.
Identifying qualified candidates. The Company invests in recruitment
advertising through the Internet and other media to identify and recruit
qualified professionals who are available for client assignments. The Company
has proprietary databases in each of its sectors providing a significant pool of
qualified candidates.
Central financial and operational controls. Each of the Company's
subsidiaries focuses on its own service sector, technology, skills and clients.
Operating company managers are given latitude to concentrate on their market and
manage day-to-day operations within their areas of expertise. The Company's
management regularly monitors operations and results are reported and
consolidated monthly. The Company's businesses operate discrete accounting
systems in accordance with the specific requirements of each business, but
report results under a common reporting timetable and framework and according to
common accounting policies. Treasury operations are controlled centrally. Each
operating company's financial planning, budgeting and forecasting is coordinated
by the Company's Chief Financial Officer.
Continuing investment in advanced information systems and office
technology. The Company believes its databases and operating systems permit a
rapid and precise response to client needs and a high degree of productivity.
Management believes that the responsiveness of these systems provides an
important competitive advantage. The Company budgets for continuing investment
in operating systems to benefit from advances in office technology.
Operations
Staffing and Recruitment Services in Communications Technology
S.Com. S.Com specializes in providing temporary and contract systems
engineers and other specialists to the telecommunications and datacommunications
industries. S.Com also provides information technology and specialty engineering
skills to these and other sectors including the defense and aerospace
industries. Skills
12
provided include systems planning and design, project management, software
application development, systems and network implementation, systems
integration, high-level programming and system maintenance.
S.Com has pioneered a partnering approach with telecommunications
equipment manufacturers and service providers for the roll out of new networks
for mobile telephones. The Company identifies bidders for license awards and
helps the bidder to identify the specific skills required to complete the
rollout successfully. The Company plans the delivery of the technical personnel
required, and in some cases, subsequently manages the staffing of projects. The
planning process is generally undertaken some months before the license is
awarded. While the Company attempts to align itself strategically with key
bidders, it seeks to avoid exclusive arrangements so that it can provide
services to any successful bidder.
S.Com currently has operations in the United Kingdom, Germany and in
the United States and is providing contractors worldwide. S-Com also provides
permanent placement recruitment services for the sectors in which it operates.
Staffing and Recruitment Services in Science
Science Recruitment Group. SRG, through its SRG LabStaff brand, is the
leading UK temporary staffing business specializing in laboratory sciences. It
provides temporary scientists and technicians to industrial employers,
government laboratories and research institutions throughout the United Kingdom.
Its SRG Executive and SRG Scientech brands provide permanent placement services
at management and laboratory level respectively. The businesses seek to provide
quality service to their clients by understanding each client's highly technical
needs, quickly identifying suitable candidates that meet those needs and
managing the process of introducing a candidate and administering the ongoing
service with a minimum of client involvement.
Euromedica. Euromedica provides executive-level recruitment services to
pharmaceutical, biosciences and healthcare clients through the United Kingdom
and continental Europe. The company has a network of offices serving the United
Kingdom, Belgium, France and Germany as well as associates or joint ventures in
Spain, the United States and India.
The Woolf Group. The Woolf Group specializes in the recruitment and
placement of clinical research professionals on a contract basis for
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, clinical research and site management
organizations in the United States. In addition, the Company provides permanent
placement services in response to the increasing demand for permanent clinical
research professionals and senior management positions.
Staffing and Recruitment Services in Interim Management
Executives on Assignment and Praxis Executive Taskforce. PS Interim,
through its two brands, Executives on Assignment and Praxis Executive Taskforce,
places experienced executives on temporary assignments across all functions in
all types of industrial, commercial and public sector activity throughout the
United Kingdom. Management believes that together, these companies are the
leading employment business dedicated exclusively to this sector in the United
Kingdom. Assignments range from senior executive officers to middle management.
Recruitment consultants in the business are experienced executives with
knowledge and insight into management and its functions.
Candidates
The identification and recruitment of qualified professionals who are
available for client assignments is a key component of the Company's operations.
The Company expends considerable efforts and resources in maintaining its
candidate databases.
Candidates are sourced principally through the Internet, advertising
and direct solicitation. In the science sector, the Company advertises in the
specialty trade press such as New Scientist and other journals relevant to a
specific industry such as food, plastics or biotechnology. Universities are a
valued source of newly qualified candidates in technology and science and the
Company recruits at a number of universities through university web sites and
attendance at career and job fairs. In the management sector candidates are
sought through advertising, usually in national newspapers such as The Times,
The Sunday Times and The Daily Telegraph. The Company also receives a
considerable number of unsolicited resumes.
In communications technology, candidates are selected for possible
assignments initially on the basis of the technical information provided on the
resume and are normally interviewed in depth on the telephone and in person
13
where appropriate. The recruitment consultant assesses a candidate's suitability
for the assignment based on a detailed understanding of the skills required by a
client. In science, candidates for temporary or permanent positions are
generally interviewed in person by the Company's recruitment consultants and
their skills and experience are precisely matched to the demands of the
assignment. In interim management, only candidates meeting strict selection
criteria are accepted onto the Company's database. Those selected for possible
assignments are interviewed personally by both the Company's recruitment
consultants and by the client.
Sales and Marketing
Each operating company has developed a sales and marketing strategy to
address specific needs within each sector served. In the technology sector,
S.Com's recruitment consultants focus on developing client relationships through
regular contacts at various levels within a client's organization. This may
involve spending time on the clients' premises or on site to gain deeper
understanding of future projects and the skills required for these. In the
science sector, marketing focuses primarily on temporary scientific personnel,
and is targeted toward laboratory managers, research or development directors
and human resource departments. Marketing methods include seminars, direct mail,
publication of articles in national and trade press journals and exhibits at
trade shows as well as telephone contact and client and prospect site visits. In
the interim management sector, potential clients are targeted through direct
sales contact and mailing and public relations programs.
Competition
In each of the sectors in which the Company operates, the staffing
services industry is fragmented and highly competitive with relatively low
barriers to entry. In the U.K. telecommunications, datacommunications and
information technology markets, S.Com faces competition from numerous IT
staffing companies ranging from small private companies to large public entities
such as Spring. In international telecommunications staffing, S.Com has
established a leading position with few competitors having similar skills and
industry expertise. Competitors in international telecommunications include
Glotel, Dataworkforce and the larger IT staffing companies such as Parity and
Harvey Nash.
In the science sector, management believes that SRG LabStaff is the
only scientific staffing company in the United Kingdom with an extensive
nationwide presence and which specializes in all levels of science employment.
Competition is usually regional in nature with few companies specializing in
science. International competitors including Manpower, Kelly and Lab Support
have recently entered the UK market and competition is generally increasing. SRG
Executive and SRG Scientech are among several leading recruitment businesses
specializing in the permanent placement of scientists. Euromedica competes with
certain national search firms who, while not specializing in science, accept all
types of recruitment assignments at senior executive levels.
In the management sector, Executives on Assignment and Praxis Executive
Taskforce are one of the leaders in the field of interim management and face
competition from other specialist providers, of which management believes there
are three or four. Some search firms and management consultants also operate in
this sector.
Licenses
The Company is not dependent on any patents or licenses, industrial,
commercial or financial contracts.
Regulation
Staffing services firms are generally subject to one or more of the
following types of government regulations: (i) regulation of the
employer/employee relationship between a firm and its staffing personnel; (ii)
registration, licensing, record keeping and reporting requirements; and (iii)
substantive limitations on its operations, including (a) restrictions on
categories of workers that may be placed pursuant to temporary employment
contracts; (b) limitations on the duration of such contracts; and (c)
restrictions on or prohibition of permanent placement of staff in certain
jurisdictions. Accordingly, staffing companies must comply with laws and
regulations that govern the employer/employee relationship, such as tax
withholding or reporting, social security or retirement, anti-discrimination and
workers' compensation.
As a staffing services business operating in the United Kingdom, the
Company is subject to the Employment Agencies Act 1973, which imposes certain
obligations of fair practice on the Company. The Company
14
believes that it complies in all material respects with these regulations.
Although the Company's business is not specifically regulated by European Union
("EU"), the EU has in the past introduced measures relating to rights of workers
generally. A number of European countries require staffing companies to maintain
some form of license or permit which is issued by the applicable authorities.
Certain European countries require the operations of staffing companies to be
supported by bank guarantees. A number of other restrictions and requirements
are common to regulations in European countries, including certain requirements
for contracts between clients and staffing companies, limitations in the
conditions under which temporary work is allowed, limitations in the duration of
staffing contracts (varying from three to 24 months) and requirements for wage
levels and social security. Management believes that the Company complies in all
material aspects with these regulations, to the extent applicable. However,
there can be no assurance that, as regulatory regimes evolve or change in
particular jurisdictions, the operations or performance of the Company will not
be affected.
In the United Kingdom, all mandatory social benefits (including
unemployment, national healthcare and pensions benefits) are funded by employers
and employees through National Insurance contributions. The rates for National
Insurance are established on a national basis and vary only by compensation and
not job classification or other risk or cost-adjusted criteria. This is in
contrast to U.S. companies which generally are responsible for the management
and payment of unemployment insurance and workers' compensation premiums in
addition to social security contributions under state and federal programs and
optional health benefits. In the U.S., there is no federal legislation
specifically related to the regulation of staffing businesses, although some
states have licensing requirements.
The UK government has more recently passed a number of significant laws
affecting employment relationships and the relationship that an employment
business has with its own employees and its temporary workers. These are (i) the
Working Time Regulations, (ii) the National Minimum Wage, (iii) Public Interest
Disclosure Act and (iv) the Employment Relations Bill. These laws all apply to
"workers" and are not limited to "employees", which means that the rules can
apply to agency temporary workers. The Working Time Regulations regulate hours
worked, rest breaks, holidays and record keeping. The National Minimum Wage sets
out minimum rates of pay and the Public Interest Disclosure Act provides certain
rights to workers who disclose alleged wrongdoing in defined circumstances. The
Employment Relations Bill, in its present form, covers the areas of trades
unions, maternity provisions and unfair dismissal rights.
The U.K. Inland Revenue introduced legislation ("IR35") with effect
from April 6, 2000 regarding the hiring of individuals through their own
personal service companies. The legislation aims to ensure that people working
through a personal service company pay similar amounts of Income Tax and
National Insurance as an employee. Lobbying by the UK recruitment industry,
which the Company supported, forced the Inland Revenue to modify the original
proposals of IR35 so that the burden of any incremental employment related
taxation and the administration of its collection fell upon the personal service
company rather than the employment agency or its clients. The Company has
undertaken a comprehensive educational program aimed at both candidates and
clients on the impact of IR35.
The Department of Trade and Industry (the "DTI") published a
consultation document in May 1999 concerning the Regulation of the United
Kingdom Recruitment Industry. The proposals include measures to restrict the
charging of fees which might discourage clients from transferring a temporary
worker to a permanent employee and to ensure that temporary workers have a
contractual relationship with an employment business. Consultation between the
industry and the DTI continues with the industry seeking to protect its
legitimate commercial interests in the area of fees.
4.C. Organizational Structure
The following table summarises the Company's significant subsidiary
undertakings:
Proportion of
ordinary shares
Subsidiary company Country of incorporation Principal activity held
- ------------------ ------------------------ ------------------ ---------------
Professional Staff Holdings LLC United States of America Investment holding 100%
company
The Woolf Group, Inc. United States of America Recruitment of temporary 100%
scientific staff
15
Proportion of
ordinary shares
Subsidiary company Country of incorporation Principal activity held
- ------------------ ------------------------ ------------------ ---------------
Science Recruitment Group Limited Great Britain Recruitment of temporary 100%
and permanent scientific
staff
Euromedica PLC Great Britain Recruitment of permanent 100%
executive scientific staff
Euromedica International Limited Great Britain Recruitment of permanent 94%
executive scientific staff
Euromedica Executive Search GmbH Germany Recruitment of permanent 100%
executive scientific staff
Euromedica SARL France Recruitment of permanent 100%
executive scientific staff
Executives on Assignment Limited Great Britain Recruitment of interim 100%
managers
Praxis Executive Taskforce Limited Great Britain Recruitment of interim 100%
managers
S.Com Group Plc Great Britain Recruitment of temporary 100%
and permanent telecomms,
datacomms and IT staff
S.Com, Inc. United States of America Recruitment of temporary 100%
and permanent telecomms,
datacomms and IT staff
S.Com Computer Systems Engineers GmbH Germany Recruitment of temporary 100%
and permanent telecomms,
datacomms and IT staff
Salisbury Drewry Limited Great Britain Recruitment advertising 100%
business
Salisbury Consulting Group Limited Great Britain Investment holding 100%
company
4.D. Property, Plants and Equipment
The Company owns approximately 7,600 square feet of office space at its
headquarters in Langley (near London). The Company also leases offices in London
Docklands, Aylesbury, Cambridge, Coleshill (near Birmingham), as well as having
a network of serviced offices throughout the UK. The Company also has leased
offices in Durham, San Francisco and Miami in the U.S., and in Brussels, Paris
and Munich in continental Europe. The Company believes that its facilities are
adequate for its short term needs.
Item 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction
with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, Item 3. Selected
Financial Data and Item 8. Financial Information which appear elsewhere in this
Annual Report.
5.A. Operating Results
Professional Staff has grown from being a leading national provider of
temporary laboratory scientists and technicians in the United Kingdom into an
international specialty staffing services company providing temporary and
permanent placement services to the communications technology, science and
interim management sectors with operations in the UK, USA and continental
Europe. Since the Company's initial public offering in August 1996, the Company
has made a number of acquisitions which have increased the Company's range of
specialty services, geographic markets and industry sectors. The Company now
derives approximately half of its revenue from markets outside the United
Kingdom and has temporary professionals working across the world.
16
Acquisitions
Fiscal 2001
Resource Management. In September 2000, the company acquired the
Resource Management Division of Marconi Software Solutions Limited for
(pound)289,000 including associated costs. Further consideration may be payable
through September 2001 dependent upon the gross profit of Resource Management
for the twelve months from the date of acquisition. Resource Management provides
skilled IT professionals to the defence and aerospace industries and had
annualised revenues of approximately (pound)4.5 million at the date of
acquisition. The Division was immediately integrated into S.Com, the Company's
communications technology division.
Fiscal 2000
Euromedica France. On January 1, 2000 the Company acquired the entire
issued share capital of Euromedica SARL, a French executive search agency
specializing in the science sector based in Paris with annualized revenue of
approximately Fr. 3.5 million. Euromedica SARL previously operated under a
royalty license agreement with one of the Company's UK subsidiaries, Euromedica
International Limited. The acquisition of Euromedica SARL enables the Company's
Euromedica group of companies to operate on a more unified basis across
continental Europe.
Fiscal 1999
Woolf. On March 31, 1999 the Company purchased the entire issued share
capital of The Woolf Group, Inc., a US based provider of clinical trials
staffing services to pharmaceutical companies and contract research
organizations. The initial purchase price was (pound)9,560,000. Further cash
consideration may become payable in May 2002 dependent upon improvements to
operating income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2002. Annualized revenue
at the date of acquisition was approximately $13.0 million.
Euromedica. On March 26, 1999 the Company purchased the entire issued
share capital of Euromedica plc and 94% of the share capital of Euromedica
International Limited. Euromedica is the largest executive search firm in Europe
in the pharmaceutical, bioscience and healthcare sectors and has a network of
offices in the UK, Belgium and Germany and strategic partnerships in the US,
India, France and Spain. The purchase price was (pound)2,888,000 and annualized
revenues at the date of acquisition were approximately (pound)2.6 million.
Praxis. On October 1, 1998 the Company acquired the entire issued share
capital of Praxis Executive Taskforce Limited, a UK based provider of interim
executives and managers to industry and commerce with annualized revenue of
approximately (pound)5.0 million at the date of acquisition. This acquisition,
alongside the Company's Executives On Assignment business, made the Company the
leading provider of interim executives in the UK.
EPL. On July 17, 1998 the Company acquired the entire issued share
capital of EPL Overseas Limited, a UK based provider of skilled contract
personnel to the European telecommunications industry. Annualized revenue at the
date of acquisition was approximately (pound)10.0 million. On January 1, 1999
the business was merged with the Company's existing communications technology
business to form S.Com Group Plc.
Results of Operations - Years ended March 31, 2001 and 2000
Revenue
Revenue increased by 22%, or (pound)26.3 million, to (pound)146.7
million during the year ended March 31, 2001 from (pound)120.4 million during
the year ended March 31, 2000. During the year the Company acquired the Resource
Management business of Marconi Software Solutions Limited and revenues from this
acquisition were approximately (pound)2.2m. Internal growth was therefore 20%
over the prior year.
In communications technology, revenue increased by 27% from (pound)78.9
million to (pound)100.0 million of which (pound)2.2 million was from acquired
operations and internal growth was 24%. Growth, as in fiscal 2000, was strongest
in the US operation and was driven primarily by increasing volumes to major
clients.
17
In science, revenue increased by 1% from (pound)32.8 million to
(pound)33.1 million. Revenue for the Science Recruitment Group fell for a second
successive year to (pound)17.2 million from (pound)19.6 million due to continued
consolidation in the pharmaceutical sector which held back market growth and
increased competition from new market entrants. The Woolf Group was also held
back by this consolidation but still grew staffing revenue by 6% to $14.1m,
which, aided by the strength of the dollar, contributed to total revenue growth
of 12% to (pound)11.1m.
In interim management, revenue increased by 55% from (pound)8.7 million
to (pound)13.6 million, of which (pound)12.6 million was derived from temporary
staffing. Growth was driven by increased number of interim managers placed on
contract assignments to both existing and new clients and to a lesser extent by
higher average charge rates.
As a percentage of fiscal 2001 total revenue, temporary staffing
represented 93%, permanent placement represented 5% and other services accounted
for 2%, similar proportions to fiscal 2000.
Gross Profit
The Company defines gross profit as total revenue less the direct cost
of providing workers for its clients including wages, benefits, expenses and
allowances for temporary workers, and fees for permanent placements less the
cost of direct research associated with those placements.
Gross profit was (pound)35.0 million for fiscal 2001, an increase of
22% on fiscal 2000 gross profit of (pound)28.7 million. Growth in gross profit
was therefore identical to growth in revenue and gross profit as a percentage of
revenue ("gross margin") remained at 23.8%. Gross margin on temporary staffing
revenue for the Company fell from 19.8% to 19.2%. In communications technology,
temporary staffing gross margin fell from 16.1% to 15.7% as growth in the US
began to slow in the third and fourth quarters and the Resource Management
acquisition diluted UK gross margin by 20 basis points. In science, temporary
staffing gross margins fell 120 basis points due to competitive pressures. In
management, temporary staffing margins improved from 33% to 34%.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses mainly comprise
compensation payable to employees, office rentals and other facility related
costs and marketing expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were
(pound)31.3 million and (pound)22.5 million for the fiscal years 2001 and 2000
respectively. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative
expenses were 21.3% and 18.7% for the fiscal years 2001 and 2000 respectively.
Included in fiscal 2001 was an aggregate increase in doubtful debt reserves of
(pound)0.8 million mainly against customers in the communications technology
sector recorded in the fourth quarter as a result of the severe economic
deterioration in that sector in the first half of calendar 2001. Otherwise, the
increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was mainly due to an
increase in staff costs which rose from (pound)12.6 million in fiscal 2000 to
(pound)17.8 million in fiscal 2001 as the average number of staff employed rose
from 291 to 364.
Amortization of Goodwill
The Company amortizes goodwill arising from acquisitions over estimated
useful lives of 30 years. Goodwill amortization was (pound)1,145,000 for the
year ended March 31, 2001 compared to (pound)1,008,000 for the year ended March
31, 2000. The increase in amortization expense is due to the settlement of
contingent arrangements on acquisitions made in previous periods.
Other Income/(Expense)
Other expense of (pound)676,000 comprised net interest expense of
(pound)388,000, other expenses of (pound)165,000 and (pound)438,000 of costs
borne by the Company relating to the offer for the Company by First Saddle
Limited in July 2000, partially offset by exchange gains of (pound)315,000,
(fiscal 2000 other expense of (pound)649,000 comprised net interest expense of
(pound)79,000, exchange losses of (pound)611,000 and other income of
(pound)41,000). Interest expense rose as the Company's short term debt increased
principally to meet contingent consideration payments amounting to (pound)6.1
million made in connection with prior year acquisitions.
Income Taxes
The Company is subject to United Kingdom corporation tax at a statutory
rate of 30% (fiscal 2000: 30%) and, to a much lesser extent, to income taxes in
the United States and continental Europe. Income tax expense was
18
provided at effective rates of 60% and 35%, and totaled (pound)1.1 million and
(pound)1.6 million respectively for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 and
2000. The principal factor behind the high effective rates is the
non-deductibility in the UK of goodwill amortization expense.
Other information
The Company does not believe that inflation has had any material impact
on its results for the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2001.
The Company generates significant revenues and operating profits
denominated in US dollars from its S.Com and Woolf US operations, and to a
lesser extent, from its S.Com UK operations. For fiscal 2001, the US dollar
strengthened against sterling by an average of approximately 9%. The Company is
also exposed to the Euro from its continental european operations of S.Com and
Euromedica.
The Company does not hedge foreign currency net investments.
The Company does not believe that any governmental, economic, fiscal,
monetary or political policies or factors have materially affected, directly or
indirectly, the Company's existing operations (see also regulation in Item 4).
Results of Operations - Years ended March 31, 2000 and 1999
Revenue
Revenue increased by 26%, or (pound)25.0 million, to (pound)120.4
million during the year ended March 31, 2000 from (pound)95.4 million during the
year ended March 31, 1999. The acquisitions of Euromedica and The Woolf Group in
March 1999 accounted for (pound)12.7 million of this increase, and the full year
effect of the fiscal 1999 acquisitions of EPL and Praxis accounted for
approximately (pound)5.7 million. Internal growth from existing operations was
(pound)6.6 million or approximately 7%.
For fiscal 2000, revenue from services to the communications technology
sector contributed 66% (1999 - 68%) of total revenue, services to the science
sector contributed 27% (1999 - 26%) and services to the interim management
sector contributed 7% (1999 - 6%).
In communications technology, revenue increased by 23% to (pound)78.9
million. The full year effect of the fiscal 1999 acquisition of EPL accounted
for approximately (pound)3.0 million of this revenue growth giving an internal
growth rate of approximately 17%. Operations in the United States contributed
significantly to this growth with revenue rising from (pound)3.7 million in
fiscal 1999 to (pound)14.8 million in fiscal 2000.
In science, revenue increased by 34% to (pound)32.7 million. The
acquisitions of Euromedica and Woolf contributed (pound)12.7 million to this
growth. Excluding these, revenue for the Science Recruitment Group fell 15% to
(pound)19.6 million due to consolidation in the pharmaceutical sector which held
back market growth. There was also increased competition from new market
entrants.
In interim management, revenue increased by 32% to (pound)8.7 million.
The full year effect of the fiscal 1999 acquisition of Praxis accounted for
approximately (pound)2.5 million of revenue with an internal growth of 12%. This
division finished the year particularly strongly with record fourth quarter
revenues 40% ahead of fiscal 1999.
As a percentage of fiscal 2000 total revenue, temporary staffing
represented 93% (1999 - 94%), permanent placement represented 5% (1999 - 4%) and
other services accounted for 2% (1999 - 2%). This small change in mix was due
primarily to the acquisition of the Euromedica executive search businesses.
The Company generated 48% of revenue (fiscal 1999 - 36%) from markets
outside the United Kingdom. In fiscal 2000, 24% of revenue was generated in
continental Europe (1999 - 29%), 20% in North America (1999 - 4%) and 4% in
other countries (1999 - 3%). This shift was due to the acquisition of the United
States based Woolf Group and the significant growth of communications technology
revenues in the United States.
19
Gross Profit
Gross profit was (pound)28.6 million for fiscal 2000, an increase of
35% on fiscal 1999 gross profit of (pound)21.1 million. Gross margin was 23.8%
and 22.2% in fiscal 2000 and 1999, respectively, with the improvement in fiscal
2000 due largely to the increased proportion of permanent placement revenue as a
result of the Euromedica acquisition. Gross margin on temporary staffing revenue
for the Company was virtually unchanged at 19.8% compared to 19.5% for fiscal
1999. In communications technology, temporary staffing gross margin improved
from 15.3% to 16.1% as operations in the United States grew faster than lower
margin operations in the United Kingdom. In science, temporary staffing gross
margins fell from 29.5% in fiscal 1999 to 26.5% in fiscal 2000 due to a dilutive
effect from the acquired Woolf Group operations and margins 1.5% lower in the
Science Recruitment Group. In interim management, temporary staffing margins
were unchanged at 33%.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses mainly comprise
compensation payable to employees, office rentals and other facility related
costs and marketing expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were
(pound)22.5 million and (pound)16.1 million for the fiscal years ended March 31,
2000 and 1999, respectively. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and
administrative expenses were 18.7% and 16.9%, respectively (16.1% in fiscal 1999
excluding unusual items totaling (pound)809,000 incurred in restructuring the
Company's Salisbury businesses, merging the S-Com and EPL businesses and
aborting a prospective acquisition). The acquired Euromedica permanent business,
with relatively high expenses, accounted for more than half the increased
percentage.
Amortization of Goodwill
The Company amortizes goodwill arising from acquisitions over estimated
useful lives of 30 years. Goodwill amortization was (pound)1,008,000 for the
year ended March 31, 2000 compared to (pound)375,000 for the year ended March
31, 1999. The increase in amortization expense is due to the full year effect of
acquisitions made in the year ended March 31, 1999.
Other Income/(Expense)
Other expense of (pound)649,000 in fiscal 2000 comprised net interest
expense of (pound)79,000, exchange losses of (pound)611,000 and other income of
(pound)41,000. In 1999 Other Income totaled (pound)1,435,000 comprising net
interest income of (pound)1,254,000, exchange gains of (pound)124,000 and other
income of (pound)54,000. Interest income fell in fiscal 2000 as the proceeds
from the Company's secondary offering of April 1998 were fully invested.
Exchange losses in fiscal 2000 were incurred due to the continual decline in the
value of the Euro against sterling.
Income Taxes
The Company was subject to United Kingdom corporation tax at a
statutory rate of 30% (fiscal 1999: 31%) and, to a much lesser extent, to income
taxes in the United States and continental Europe. Income tax expense was
provided for at effective rates, excluding any non-deductibility of goodwill
amortization expense, of 30.0% (fiscal 1999 - 32.0%) and totaled (pound)1.6
million and (pound)2.1 million respectively for the fiscal years ended March 31,
2000 and 1999.
5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash used in operations was (pound)1.1 million in fiscal 2001 compared
to cash provided by operations of (pound)4.4 million in fiscal 2000. Cash
provided in fiscal 2000 was achieved by reducing average days' sales outstanding
from 88 days at March 31, 1999 to less than 70 days at March 31, 2000 whereas in
fiscal 2001 days' sales outstanding rose marginally to 71 days at March 31,
2001. Fiscal 2001 was also impacted by the working capital requirements of the
Resource Management acquisition.
The Company had no significant cash flows from financing activities in
fiscal 2001 or fiscal 2000 other than the assumption of short term debt.
The principal use of cash in fiscal 2001 was the payment of contingent
consideration in respect of prior year acquisitions amounting to (pound)6.1
million and the purchase of property, plant and equipment amounting to
(pound)2.4 million, principally investment in information technology systems in
the communications technology and science businesses. The principal use of cash
in fiscal 2000 was the payment of contingent consideration in respect of prior
20
year acquisitions amounting to (pound)3.5 million and the purchase of property,
plant and equipment amounting to (pound)2.2 million.
On March 31, 2001 the Company had cash balances of (pound)1.7m and
short term debt of (pound)10.4m. The Company had available lines of credit of up
to (pound)12.0 million under a secured bank overdraft facility on which interest
is payable at the rate of 1.15% over base rate when drawn down. Shortly after
the year end, the Company secured a confidential invoice discounting facility of
up to (pound)30.0 million of which approximately (pound)10.0m became immediately
available. The Company reduced its bank overdraft facility to (pound)3.5m
accordingly. Management expects the Company's cash balances, facilities and
borrowing capacity will be sufficient to fund the Company's anticipated cash
requirements for the next six to twelve months. Cash requirements will
principally comprise further investment in information technology systems.
5.C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
Not applicable.
5.D. Trend Information
Since the end of fiscal 2001, the economic uncertainty in the
telecommunications sector has intensified and has adversely affected the
Company's performance. Revenues in communications technology were down 17% in
the first quarter of fiscal 2002 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001
with the slowdown first felt in the US spreading to UK and continental European
markets. Revenues from this sector for fiscal 2002 are now expected to be below
fiscal 2001 with consequently deteriorating operating margins. Additional
significant communications technology doubtful debt reserves were also required
in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The science and interim management
businesses are operating in line within internal expectations in fiscal 2002 to
date.
Item 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
6.A. Directors and Senior Management
The Directors and Executive Officers of the Company are:
Name Age Position
- ---- --- --------
Board of Directors
Benjamin P. Blackden(4)(5)........ 56 Non-Executive Chairman
Andrew R. Dixey(3)(4)(5).......... 51 Group Chief Executive
Kevin A. Worrall(3)............... 48 Group Finance Director
Bruce R. Culver(2)(5)............. 56 Non-Executive Director
Jerry C. Benjamin(1)(2)(3)........ 61 Non-Executive Director
John C. Maynard(1)(2)(4).......... 69 Non-Executive Director
Thomas I. Unterberg(1)............ 70 Non-Executive Director
Other Executive Officers
Neil Methold...................... 37 Managing Director,
Science Recruitment Group
Faye Woolf........................ 41 Chief Executive, The Woolf Group
Peter Woods....................... 53 Managing Director, Euromedica
Patrique Habboo................... 39 Managing Director, Praxis and EoA
- ----------------
(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
(2) Member of the Remuneration Committee.
(3) Member of the Compliance Committee.
(4) Member of the Health & Safety Committee.
(5) Member of the Nominations Committee.
21
Directors
Benjamin P. Blackden was co-founder of the Company and was the
Company's Chief Executive until November 2000 and was appointed Chairman in
January 1999. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Blackden was President of a New
Jersey-based subsidiary of Fisons Instruments, a scientific instrument
manufacturer, and then Director of P-E International's Temporary Executive
Service, the original provider of interim management in the United Kingdom. He
previously held director level appointments in Human Resources at Fisons
Scientific Equipment and Avdel Ltd., following an earlier career with GEC.
Andrew R. Dixey was appointed to the board as Chief Executive Officer
in November 2000. Prior to this, Mr. Dixey was President, Chief Operating
Officer and a director of the Titanium Metals Corporation (NYSE-TIE) the world's
largest integrated producer of titanium metal. Earlier in his career he held
various senior executive positions in the GKN plc group of companies, a global
manufacturer of automotive components.
Kevin A. Worrall has served as Group Finance Director since September
1995 and was appointed to the Board in December 1995. Mr. Worrall was Director
of Corporate Development at Lease Plan UK Ltd, the U.K. leasing arm of the Dutch
Bank ABN AMRO, from 1993 to 1995. Mr. Worrall served as Finance Director, Group
Treasurer and Business Development Director of several subsidiaries of PHH
Europe, a multinational vehicle leasing and business services group, during his
employment with PHH from 1979 to 1992. Mr. Worrall holds an MBA with distinction
from the University of Warwick and is a member of the Association of Corporate
Treasurers.
Bruce R. Culver was co-founder of the Company and Chairman through
November 1995 and remains on the Board as a Non-Executive Director. In 1986 Mr.
Culver founded Lab Support, Inc. in the U.S. (now called On Assignment, Inc.).
He was its Chief Executive, Chairman and Director until 1990. From 1984 to 1986,
Mr. Culver was a management consultant to a number of technology companies.
Prior to 1984 he was Vice President of marketing for Bausch & Lomb/ARL.
Jerry C. Benjamin was a Non-Executive Director from the Company's
founding through October 1997, and was re-appointed to the Board in February
1998. Mr. Benjamin is also Venture Capital Investment Director at Advent Venture
Partners, which he joined in 1988 where he is responsible for investments in the
health care and biotechnology sectors. From 1965 to 1988, Mr. Benjamin held a
variety of executive positions in Monsanto's chemical and health care
businesses, latterly as Director of Corporate Venture Capital.
John C. Maynard OBE was appointed a Non-Executive Director in January
1996. Dr. Maynard had a distinguished career at Amersham International (now
Nycomed Amersham) where he served as Director of Inorganic Research and
Radiopharmaceuticals, Group Research & Development and Operations Director and
subsequently, Chief Executive, Health Care Division. He retired from Amersham
International in December 1996.
Thomas I. Unterberg was appointed to the Board of Directors as a
Non-Executive Director in June 2001. He is Chairman of C.E. Unterberg, Towbin,
an investment banking and research firm headquartered in New York.
Senior management
Neil Methold was appointed Managing Director of the Science Recruitment
Group on April 1, 2001 having previously served as General Manager and Finance
Director. Neil has 11 years experience in the recruitment industry and held
Divisional Finance Director positions at Michael Page Finance and Select
Appointments before joining SRG.
Faye Woolf is the Chief Executive of The Woolf Group. Ms. Woolf founded
The Woolf Company in 1992 which was originally devoted to providing
investigation, meeting and planning services to the clinical trials industry.
The company was relaunched as The Woolf Group in 1995 at which time the services
offered were extended to clinical trials staffing and permanent placements.
Dr. Peter Woods is Managing Director of Euromedica. A graduate in
Physiology and Biochemistry he also qualified as a doctor at Westminster Medical
School. After practicing medicine for some years he began his business career at
Smith & Nephew and has had senior appointments at BZW in healthcare research, at
Fisons in corporate affairs and at Williams De Broe. He joined Euromedica in
January 1997.
Patrique Habboo was appointed Managing Director of the Company's
interim management businesses on April 1, 2001. He previously served as a Client
Services Director for Praxis.
22
None of the above persons has any family relationship with any other
director or any other executive officer of the Company and none of the above was
selected as a director by way of any arrangement or understanding with major
shareholders, customers, suppliers or other persons.
6.B. Compensation
The Company paid its Board of Directors as a group(pound)604,057 for
the year ended March 31, 2001 of which(pound)121,750 represented pension
contributions. An amount of(pound)249,000 was paid to the highest-compensated
director.
The Company normally contributes to independent personal pension plans
of executive directors to a maximum of 10% of salary, so long as the director
matches such amount. In the year ended March 31, 2001, the Company also paid
(pound)100,000 to the personal pension plan of Benjamin P. Blackden. The Company
does not provide pension, retirement or similar benefits to any directors past
or present.
6.C. Board Practices
The following table states the period served in office by each director
from date of appointment through March 31, 2001:
Name Period in Office
Benjamin P. Blackden.................... 11 years
Andrew R. Dixey......................... 5 months
Kevin A. Worrall........................ 5 years
Bruce R. Culver......................... 11 years
Jerry C. Benjamin....................... 3 years
John C. Maynard......................... 5 years
Thomas I. Unterberg..................... N/a
One third of directors retire by rotation at each annual general
meeting and are immediately eligible for reappointment at that meeting.
Directors' service contracts do not provide for any benefits upon termination of
employment other than normal notice period provisions.
Audit Committee
The members of the Company's audit committee are Jerry C. Benjamin
(Chairman), Thomas I. Unterberg and John C. Maynard. The committee's purpose is
to provide the Board with additional assurance that the Company's financial
reporting is substantially accurate and presented in a timely and appropriate
manner, and to ensure that the Board discharges its collective responsibilities
with regard to financial control and reporting in a satisfactory manner. In
doing so the committee will, among other things; confirm the appointment and
remuneration of the external auditor; agree changes in the group's accounting
and treasury policies; monitor the group's financial reporting process, internal
control systems and procedures; review the group's earnings releases and
reported results prior to release on a quarterly and annual basis; meet with the
external auditors from time to time to review the results of their audit and to
discuss any management letter issues; follow-up the auditors' management letter
to ensure that recommended actions on internal control issues are implemented.
Remuneration Committee
The members of the Company's remuneration committee are John C. Maynard
(Chairman), Bruce R. Culver and Jerry C. Benjamin. The committee's purpose is to
determine the remuneration of the Executive Directors and Operating Company
Managing Directors, to recommend to the Board the remuneration of the
Non-Executive Directors and to undertake such other duties as the Board shall
request. In doing so the Committee will, among other things; determine the
remuneration of the Executive Directors and Operating Company Managing Directors
in all its forms; agree performance targets for any bonus programmes applicable
to the Executive Directors and Operating Company Managing Directors and; oversee
the operation of the Company's share option schemes with particular reference to
the granting of options to all employees and others under the schemes and any
changes proposed to the rules of the schemes.
23
6.D. Employees
The number of employees at the period end for the last three fiscal
years were as follows:
Fiscal Years Ended March 31,
----------------------------
Employed in the UK Employed outside in the UK
------------------ --------------------------
2001 2000 1999 2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
No. No. No. No. No. No.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Communications technology services........ 152 128 101 51 33 12
Science services.......................... 108 93 90 25 24 19
Interim management services............... 30 22 18 - - -
Other..................................... 11 13 16 - - -
---- ---- ---- - - -
301 256 225 76 57 31
---- ---- ---- --- --- ---
None of the Company's employees is represented by a collective
bargaining agreement. The Company believes that its employee relations are good.
6.E. Share Ownership
The number of shares owned by the directors as of June 30, 2001 were as follows:
Ordinary 2p Shares % of Class
B P Blackden 876,500 10.1%
B R Culver 1,029,800 11.9%
A R Dixey 39,000 0.4%
J C Maynard 2,000 0.0%
K A Worrall 10,500 0.1%
Options over the Company's Ordinary 2p Shares have been granted to directors as
follows:
At 1 At 31 Date from
April March Exercise which Date of
2000 Granted Exercised 2001 Price exercisable expiry
---- ------- --------- ---- ----- ----------- ------
J C Benjamin 20,000 - - 20,000 US$16.875 May 2001 May 2005
10,000 - - 10,000 US$6.625 May 2002 May 2006
B P Blackden 25,000 - - 25,000 US$9.375 May 2000 May 2004
25,000 - - 25,000 US$16.875 May 2001 May 2005
25,000 - - 25,000 US$6.625 May 2002 May 2006
B R Culver - - - - - - -
A R Dixey - 9,000 - 9,000 US$5.03 Nov. 2003 Nov. 2010
- 241,000 - 241,000 US$4.875 Oct. 2003 Oct. 2007
J C Maynard 30,000 - - 30,000 (pound)1.40 Feb. 1999 Feb. 2003
K A Worrall 75,000 - - 75,000 (pound)1.25 Oct. 1998 Oct. 2005
10,000 - - 10,000 US$9.375 May 2000 May 2004
20,000 - - 20,000 US$16.875 May 2001 May 2005
50,000 - - 50,000 US$7.25 Oct. 2001 Oct. 2005
- 100,000 - 100,000 US$4.875 Oct. 2003 Oct. 2007
Option Plans
The Company has two employee share option plans, the Professional Staff
Employee Share Plan (the "1992 Approved Option Plan") and the 1996 Professional
Staff Company Share Option Plan (the "1996 Option Plan").
24
1992 Approved Option Plan
All of the options under the 1992 Approved Option Plan were granted
between March 6, 1992 and April 26, 1996. The 1992 Approved Option Plan is
approved by the U.K. Inland Revenue.
Options granted under the 1992 Approved Option Plan entitle
participants to subscribe for Ordinary Shares at an exercise price which is not
less than the market value of an Ordinary Share at the date of grant as
determined by the Board and agreed with the U.K. Inland Revenue. Options are
non-transferable, except in the case of death of a participant, in which case
the personal representatives are entitled to exercise such option within 12
months of the participant's death. Options granted under the 1992 Approved
Option Plan are normally exercisable between three and ten years after the date
of grant. Options generally expire on the termination of employment of the
participant other than by reason of injury, disability, pregnancy, retirement or
the sale of the business or subsidiary for which the participant works. In those
circumstances the participant may exercise all options generally within a 6
month period after the third anniversary of the date of grant. If the
participant's employment terminates by reason of redundancy or resignation,
options may be exercised in accordance with a vesting schedule as follows.
Options lapse if the redundancy or resignation takes place within 12 months of
the date of grant. Thereafter, 25% of the Ordinary Shares under option may be
exercised if the redundancy or resignation occurs more than 12 but less than 13
months from the date of grant with an additional 3.125% becoming exercisable for
each complete month of employment over 13 but less than 36 months from the date
of grant. Exercise is allowed in the event of an amalgamation, re-construction
or takeover of the Company; alternatively, options may, with the agreement of
the acquiring company, be exchanged for options over shares in the acquiring
company or a company associated with the acquiring company. In the event of any
increase or variation in the issued ordinary share capital of the Company by way
of re-capitalization or otherwise, the number of Ordinary Shares subject to any
option and the price payable upon the exercise of any option may be adjusted by
the Board provided that the adjustment is fair and reasonable and subject to the
prior approval of the U.K. Inland Revenue.
1996 Option Plan
The 1996 Option Plan comprises two parts, Part A, which has been
approved by the U.K. Inland Revenue and Part B, which, not being eligible, will
not be so approved.
Other than as set out below, the terms of Part A of the 1996 Option
Plan are in all material respects identical to those of the 1992 Approved Option
Plan. The market value of an Ordinary Share at the date of grant will generally
be the NASDAQ market value (as agreed with the U.K. Inland Revenue). Each
individual's participation will be limited so that the aggregate market value
(as at their relevant dates of grant) of Ordinary Shares under Part A of the
1996 Option Plan and under any other approved discretionary share plan
established by the Company (including the 1992 Approved Option Plan), in any ten
year period will not exceed (pound)30,000.
The exercise of options granted under Part A of the Option Plan may be
made subject to the attainment of objective performance targets set by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors at the date of grant linked to
the underlying performance of the Company.
As to the exercise of options, the vesting schedule referred to above
in respect of the 1992 Approved Option Plan will apply to termination of
employment of the participant by reason of death, injury, disability, pregnancy,
redundancy, retirement, the sale of the business or subsidiary for which the
employee works or (at the discretion of the Compensation Committee) if the
employee ceases to be employed in any other circumstances. Options will lapse if
a participant ceases employment otherwise than in the circumstances referred to
above.
Other than as set out below, the terms of Part B of the 1996 Option
Plan are in all material respects identical to those of Part A of the 1996
Option Plan. If options are not exercised within seven years of their grant,
they will generally lapse. Each individual's participation will be limited so
that the aggregate market value (as at their relevant dates of grant) of Shares
under option under Part B of the 1996 Option Plan and under any other
discretionary share plan established by the Company, excluding options granted
under the 1992 Approved Option Plan and non-approved option arrangements, in any
10 year period will not exceed four times the annual remuneration of such
individual or (pound)100,000, if greater (excluding options which have been
exercised).
25
Grants of Non-Approved Options
In addition to the options granted under the 1992 Approved Option Plan
and options granted under the 1996 Option Plan, the Company granted certain
employees and directors non-approved options to purchase Ordinary Shares in the
Company by deed.
Item 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
7.A. Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of shares as of June 30, 2001 by each person known by the Company to
own beneficially more than 10% of the outstanding shares and by all directors as
a group.
Percent
of
Title of Class Identity of Person or Group Amount Owned Class
- -------------- --------------------------- ------------ -------
Ordinary Shares Bruce R. Culver 1,029,800 11.9%
Ordinary Shares Benjamin P. Blackden 876,500 10.1%
Ordinary Shares Michael A. Ashcroft 1,615,400 18.6%
Ordinary Shares Board of Directors as a group 1,957,800 22.5%
The only significant change in percentage ownership known to the
Company during the past three years is the ownership of Michael A. Ashcroft.
Major shareholders do not have any different voting rights.
As far as known to the Company, the Company is not directly or
indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation or by any government nor
are there any arrangements which may result in a change of control of the
Company.
7.B. Related Party Transactions
The Company has not entered into any related party transactions in the
preceding three financial years.
7.C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
Item 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
8.A.1 See Item 18.
8.A.2 See Item 18.
8.A.3 See Report of Independent Accountants, page F-1.
8.A.4 We have complied with this requirement.
8.A.5 Not applicable.
8.A.6 See Item 18.
26
8.A.7 The Company may from time to time be involved in routine
litigation incidental to the conduct of its business. There is no material
pending litigation to which the Company is a party.
8.A.8 Professional Staff has not paid dividends on its Ordinary
Shares since its incorporation in 1990. The Board of Directors does not
currently anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Management
expects that all available cash from operations will be used to meet the
Company's projected capital and other expenditure requirements, including those
related to its expansion plans.
Under English law, the Company may only pay dividends out of profits
available for that purpose. Cash dividends, if any, will be paid by the Company
in pounds sterling and converted by the Depositary into U.S. dollars, subject to
the terms of the Deposit Agreement. Holders of ADSs on the relevant record date
will receive their portion of any dividends or distributions paid on the
Ordinary Shares, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement. Exchange rate
fluctuations will affect the U.S. dollar amount received by holders of ADSs on
conversion by the Depositary of dividends paid in pounds sterling.
8.B. Significant Changes
The Company's unaudited results for the first quarter of fiscal 2002
were filed on Form 6-K on July 24, 2001.
Item 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
9.A. Offer and Listing Details
The following table shows, for the calendar periods indicated, the
reported highest and lowest middle market quotations for the Company's ADSs on
the Nasdaq National Market, based on the highest and lowest sales prices of the
ADSs.
High Low
($ per ADR)
Annual information for the past five years
2000................................................ 8.18 4.00
1999................................................ 8.75 5.00
1998................................................ 19.50 6.38
1997................................................ 18.25 8.25
1996 (from August 6, 1996).......................... 11.75 8.13
Quarterly information for the past two years
2001
Second Quarter...................................... 5.45 4.15
First Quarter....................................... 6.06 4.13
2000
Fourth Quarter...................................... 5.94 4.75
Third Quarter...................................... 8.18 4.06
Second Quarter...................................... 5.13 4.00
First Quarter....................................... 6.50 4.25
1999
Fourth Quarter...................................... 6.81 5.06
Third Quarter....................................... 6.88 5.00
Monthly information for most recent six months
June 2001........................................... 4.75 4.15
May 2001............................................ 5.45 4.25
April 2001.......................................... 4.75 4.50
March 2001.......................................... 5.63 4.53
February 2001....................................... 6.00 5.44
January 2001........................................ 6.06 5.50
December 2000....................................... 5.88 5.47
27
9.B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
9.C. Markets
The Company's Ordinary Shares are traded in the form of American
Depositary Shares ("ADSs"), each ADS representing one Ordinary Share, on the
Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "PSTF". The ADSs are evidenced by
American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") issued by The Bank of New York, as
Depositary, under a Deposit Agreement, dated as of June 8, 1996, among the
Company, The Bank of New York and the registered holders from time to time.
9.D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
9.E. Dilution
Not applicable.
9.F. Expenses of the Issuer
Not applicable.
Item 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
10.A. Share Capital
The Company has one class of share capital, Ordinary Shares of 2 pence
par value. Authorized capital is 24,000,000 Ordinary Shares. Shares have always
been issued fully paid and no shares have been issued for non-cash
consideration. No shares are held by, or on behalf of, the Company. Details of
unissued capital in respect of the Company's share option plans are disclosed in
the notes to the financial statements. The history of the Company's share
capital over the past three years is as follows:
Additional Capital
Ordinary Ordinary paid-in redemption
shares shares capital reserve
No.'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
------- ----------- ----------- -----------
At April 1, 1998 5,924 118 8,782 1
Ordinary shares issued, net of issue costs of (pound)2,588,000 3,052 61 28,717 -
Ordinary share options exercised 282 6 207 -
Ordinary shares repurchased (762) (15) - 15
----- --- ------ --
At March 31, 1999 8,496 170 37,706 16
Ordinary share options exercised 126 2 93 -
----- --- ------ --
At March 31, 2000 8,622 172 37,799 16
Ordinary share options exercised 56 1 61 -
----- --- ------ --
At March 31, 2001 8,678 173 37,860 16
Ordinary share options exercised 15 - 21 -
----- --- ------ --
At June 30, 2001 8,693 173 37,881 16
===== === ------ ==
In the first quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company completed a Secondary
Offering of 3,052,000 shares at $17.25 per share. In the third quarter of fiscal
1999, the Company repurchased 762,000 shares at an average price of $8.64.
28
10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
The principal terms of the Company's memorandum and articles of association are
as follows:
1. Professional Staff plc is a company registered in England Number
2459997.
2. A Director shall not vote on, or be counted in the quorum in relation
to, any resolution of the Board or of a committee of the Board concerning any
matter in which he has, to his knowledge, directly or indirectly, an interest
(other than his interest in shares or debentures or other securities of the
Company) or duty which is material and which conflicts with the interests of the
Company and, if he shall do so, his vote shall not be counted. The Director in
question shall not be entitled to vote on and shall not be counted towards a
quorum in respect of a resolution to grant any option over shares in the Company
to such Director; and the following provisions shall be construed accordingly. A
Director shall be entitled to vote on and be counted in the quorum in respect of
any resolution concerning any of the following matters:-
- - the giving to him a of guarantee, security, or indemnity in respect of money
lent to, or an obligation incurred by him at the request of, or, for the
benefit of, the company or any of its subsidiaries;
- - the giving by the company to a third party of a guarantee, security or
indemnity in respect of an obligation of the company or any of its
subsidiaries for which the Director has assumed responsibility in whole or
part and whether alone or jointly with others under a guarantee or indemnity
or by the giving of security;
- - subject as aforesaid, his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe for any
shares, debentures or other securities of the company or any of its
subsidiaries, or by virtue of his being, or intending to become, a
participant in the underwriting or sub-underwriting of an offer of any such
shares, debentures or other securities by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, whether pursuant to an employee share option scheme or
otherwise (provided that the granting of share options pursuant to an
employee share option scheme or otherwise shall be dealt with and resolved
by a remuneration committee to be established pursuant to article 109.2);
- - any contract concerning the adoption, modification or operation of a
superannuation fund, retirement, death or disability benefit scheme or
personal pension scheme which relates both to Directors and employees of the
company or of any of its subsidiaries and which either: has been approved by
or is subject to and conditional upon approval by the Board of Inland
Revenue for taxation purposes; or which does not accord to any Director as
such any privilege or advantage not accorded to the employees to which such
fund or scheme relates
- - any contract for the benefit of employees of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries under which he benefits in a similar manner as the employees
and which does not accord to any Director as such any privilege or advantage
not accorded to the employees to whom the contract relates; and any contract
concerning any insurance which the Company is empowered to purchase and/or
maintain for, or for the benefit of, any Directors of the Company or for
persons who include Directors of the Company.
- - any contract concerning any other company (including any subsidiary of the
Company), not being a company in which the director owns 1% or more (as
defined below), in which he is interested, directly or indirectly, and
whether as an officer, shareholder, creditor or otherwise;
- - A Director shall not vote on, or be counted in the quorum in relation to,
any resolution concerning his own appointment, or the settlement or
variation of the terms or the termination of his own appointment, as the
holder of any office or place of profit with the Company or any company in
which the Company is interested but, where proposals are under consideration
concerning the appointment, or the settlement or variation of the terms or
the termination of the appointment, of two or more Directors to offices or
places of profit with the Company or any other company in which the Company
is interested, a separate resolution may be put in relation to each Director
and in that case each of the Directors concerned shall be entitled to vote
on and be counted in the quorum in relation to each resolution which does
not concern either (a) his own appointment or the settlement or variation of
the terms or termination of his own appointment; or (b) the appointment of
another Director to an office or place of profit with a company in which the
Company is interested and in which the Director seeking to vote and be
counted in the quorum is interested by virtue of a holding of 1% or more (as
defined below).
Each of the Directors shall be paid a fee for his services at a rate
determined by the Board from time to time provided that the aggregate of such
fees paid to all Directors (excluding any amounts payable under any other
provision of these articles) shall not exceed (pound)200,000 per annum or such
higher amount as the Company by ordinary resolution may determine from time to
time and such fee shall be deemed to accrue from day to day. Any Director who at
the request of the Directors performs special services or goes or resides abroad
for any purposes of the Company shall
29
(unless the Company by ordinary resolution determines otherwise) receive such
extra remuneration by way of salary, percentage of profits or otherwise as the
Board may determine.
The Board may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money
and to mortgage or charge all or any part of the undertaking, property and
assets (present and future) and uncalled capital of the Company and, subject to
the Statutes, to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as
collateral security, for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of
any third party.
At every annual general meeting one third of the Directors who are
subject to retirement by rotation or, if their number is not three or a multiple
of three, the number nearest to but less than one-third shall retire from
office; but, if there is only one Director who is subject to retirement by
rotation, he shall retire.
The office of a Director shall be vacated forthwith and automatically
if he ceases to be a Director by virtue of any provision of the Statutes or he
becomes prohibited by law from being a director; or he becomes bankrupt or makes
any arrangement or composition with his creditors generally; or he is, or may be
suffering from mental disorder and either he becomes of unsound mind or a
patient for any purpose of any statute relating to mental health and the
Directors resolve that his office is related; or he is admitted to hospital in
pursuance of an application for admission for treatment under the Mental Health
Act 1983, or, in Scotland, an application for admission under the Mental Health
(Scotland) Act 1960, or an order is made by a court having jurisdiction (whether
in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) in matters concerning mental disorder for
his detention or for the appointment of a receiver, curator bonis or other
person to exercise powers with respect to his property or affairs; or he resigns
his office by notice delivered to the Office or tendered at a meeting of the
Board; or he shall for more than six consecutive months have been absent without
permission of the Directors from meetings of Directors held during that period
(whether or not an alternate Director appointed by him attends) and the
Directors resolve that his office be vacated; or his resignation is requested by
all other Directors (provided such other Directors are not fewer than two in
number) by notice delivered to the office or tendered at a meeting of the
Directors.
No shareholding qualification for Directors shall be required.
3. The authorised share capital of the company is (pound)480,000 divided
into 24,000,000 Ordinary Shares of 2p each which shall constitute one class of
shares and shall rank equally in all respects in accordance with the articles.
Subject to the provisions of the Statutes and without prejudice to any
rights attached to any existing shares, any share may be issued with such rights
or subject to such restrictions as the Company may by ordinary resolution
determine (or, in the absence of any such determination or in so far as any such
ordinary resolution does not make specific provision, as the Board may
determine).
4. The rights attached to any class of shares may (unless otherwise
provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) be varied with the
written consent of the holders of three-fourths in nominal value of the issued
shares of that class, or with the sanction of an extraordinary resolution passed
at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class and may be so
varied or abrogated either whilst the Company is a going concern or during or in
contemplation of a winding-up (but not otherwise). The provisions of the
Statutes and of the articles relating to general meetings shall mutatis mutandis
apply to any such separate meeting, except that:-
(i) the necessary quorum shall be at least two persons holding or
representing by proxy not less than one-third in nominal amount
of the issued shares of that class or, at any adjourned meeting
of holders of shares of that class at which such a quorum is not
present, shall be any such holder who is present in person or by
proxy whatever the number of shares held by him;
(ii) any holder of shares of that class present in person or by proxy
may demand polls; and
(iii) every holder of shares of that class shall on a poll have one
vote in respect of every share of that class held by him.
There is a disapplication of pre-emptive provisions allowed for.
5. The board may call general meetings and, on the requisition of members
pursuant to the provisions of the Statutes, shall forthwith proceed to convene
an extraordinary general meeting for a date not later than four weeks after
receipt of the requisition. If there are not within the United Kingdom
sufficient Directors to call a general meeting, any Director or any member of
the company may call a general meeting.
30
An annual general meeting and any extraordinary general meeting called
for the passing of a special resolution or a resolution of which special notice
has been given to the Company shall be called by at least twenty-one clear days'
notice. All other extraordinary general meetings shall be called by at least
fourteen clear days' notice but a general meeting may be called by shorter
notice if it is so agreed in the case of an annual general meeting, by all the
members entitled to attend and vote thereat; and in the case of any other
meeting by a majority in number of the members having a right to attend and vote
being a majority together holding not less than ninety-five per cent, in nominal
value of the shares giving that right.
The notice shall specify the day, time and place of the meeting and the
general nature of the business to be transacted and, in the case of an annual
general meeting, shall specify the meeting as such. If any resolution is to be
proposed as an extraordinary resolution or special resolution the notice must
contain a statement to that effect. There must appear with reasonable prominence
a statement that a member entitled to attend and vote is entitled to appoint a
proxy or proxies to attend, and, on a poll, vote instead of him and that a proxy
need not be a member of the Company.
6. The articles of the company or other constituent document of the
company do not impose any limitations on the rights to own securities, including
the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting
rights on the securities.
7. None
8. None
9. None
10. None
10.C. Material Contracts
The Company has not entered into any material contracts in the two
years immediately preceding the date hereof other than in the ordinary course of
business.
10.D. Exchange Controls
There are currently no U.K. foreign exchange control restrictions on
the payment of dividends on Ordinary Shares or on the conduct of the Company's
operations. There are currently no limitations on grounds of nationality imposed
by English law or by the Company's Articles of Association on the rights of
non-U.K. holders of Ordinary Shares to hold, own or vote such securities.
10.E. Taxation
The following discussion summarizes the material U.K. tax consequences
and U.S. federal income tax consequences and of the acquisition, ownership and
disposition of Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs evidenced by ADRs by a
beneficial owner of ADSs that is (i) a citizen or individual resident of the
United States, (ii) a corporation organized under the laws of the United States
or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or (iii) otherwise subject to
U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of the Ordinary Shares
or ADSs (a "U.S. Holder"). This summary applies only to U.S. Holders who will
hold ADSs as capital assets. This summary is based (i) upon current U.K. tax law
and U.S. law, and U.K. Inland Revenue and U.S. Internal Revenue Service
practice, (ii) upon the United Kingdom-United States Income Tax Convention as in
effect on the date of this Annual Report (the "Treaty") and the United
Kingdom-United States Convention relating to estate and gift taxes as in effect
on the date of this Annual Report (the "Estate Tax Treaty"), and (iii) in part
upon representations of the Depositary and assumes that each obligation provided
for in or otherwise contemplated by the Deposit Agreement and any related
agreement will be performed in accordance with their respective terms.
The following summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations
does not address all of the tax consequences to certain categories of U.S.
Holders who may be subject to special rules (such as United States expatriates,
insurance companies, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt organizations,
financial institutions, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax,
securities brokers-dealers, U.S. Holders who hold ADSs as part of hedging or
conversion transactions or U.S. Holders who own directly, indirectly or by
attribution 10% or more of
31
the voting power of the Company) and U.S. Holders whose functional currency for
U.S. tax purposes is not the United States dollar. In addition, the following
summary of certain U.K. tax considerations does not address the tax consequences
to a U.S. Holder (i) that is resident (or, in the case of an individual,
ordinarily resident) in the United Kingdom for U.K. tax purposes, (ii) whose
holding of ADSs is effectively connected with a permanent establishment in the
United Kingdom through which such U.S. Holder carries on business activities or,
in the case of an individual who performs independent personal services, with a
fixed base situated therein, or (iii) that is a corporation which alone or
together with one or more associated corporations, controls directly or
indirectly, 10% or more of the Company.
Holders of Ordinary Shares or ADSs should consult their own tax
advisors as to the consequences under foreign, U.S. state and local, and other
laws, of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ADSs. For U.S. federal
income tax purposes, U.S. Holders of ADSs will be treated as owners of the
underlying Ordinary Shares attributable thereto and this discussion of U.S.
federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of ADSs applies as well to U.S.
Holders of Ordinary Shares.
Certain United Kingdom Tax Considerations
Taxation of Dividends
The taxation treatment of dividends paid in respect of the ADSs will
depend upon the law and practice in force at the time dividends are paid. The
following summary is based upon current law and practice, which may change by
the time that any dividends become payable.
The UK Government announced changes to the taxation of dividends which
affect the position of shareholders in respect of dividends paid on or after
April 6, 1999. With effect from this date, UK companies are not required to
account for advance corporation tax when a dividend is paid. The rate of tax
credits is halved to 10 per cent and tax credits are no longer payable to
shareholders with no tax liability. Individual UK resident shareholders whose
income is within the lower or basic rate tax bands are liable to tax at 10 per
cent and the tax credit will satisfy their tax liability. Individual UK resident
shareholders whose income is subject to income tax at the higher rate are liable
to tax at 32.5 per cent.
Under the Treaty, a US investor is entitled to receive from the U.K.
Inland Revenue, in addition to any dividend, the tax credit, subject to a UK
withholding tax equal to 15 per cent of the gross dividend. However, because the
15% UK withholding tax currently exceeds the tax credit amount (which is equal
to one-ninth of the dividend), a US investor will not receive any treaty payment
from the U.K. Inland Revenue.
Under the terms of the Treaty, US resident individuals and corporations
controlling less than 10% of the voting stock of the Company are technically
entitled to a refund from the U.K. Inland Revenue calculated by reference to the
amount of the tax credit available to a UK individual. However, the reduction in
the value of the tax credit on dividends paid to UK individuals to one-ninth of
the dividend from 6 April 1999 means that no refunds will be made to US
stockholders holding less than 10% of the Company's voting stock.
U.S. Holders who are not resident or ordinarily resident for tax
purposes in the United Kingdom and have no other source of U.K. income are not
required to file a U.K. income tax return.
Taxation of Capital Gains
U.S. Holders who are not resident or ordinarily resident for tax
purposes in the United Kingdom will not be liable for U.K. tax on capital gains
realized on the disposal of their ADSs unless such ADSs are used, held or
acquired for the purposes of a trade, profession or vocation carried on in the
United Kingdom through a branch or agency.
The surrender of ADSs in exchange for Shares will not be a taxable
event for the purposes of U.K. corporation tax or U.K. capital gains tax.
Accordingly, U.S. Holders will not recognize any gain or loss for such purposes
upon such surrender.
A US Holder who becomes resident in the United Kingdom after a period
of "temporary" non-residence (of up to five tax years) following an earlier
period of residence in the United Kingdom will be liable to capital gains tax.
32
Inheritance and Gift Taxes
An individual who is domiciled in the United States for the purposes of
the Estate Tax Treaty and who is not a national of the United Kingdom for the
purposes of the Estate Tax Treaty will generally not be subject to U.K.
inheritance tax in respect of the ADSs on the individual's death or on a gift of
the ADSs during the individual's lifetime provided that any applicable U.S.
federal gift or estate tax liability is paid, unless the ADSs are part of the
business property of a permanent establishment of an enterprise of the
individual in the United Kingdom or pertain to a fixed base in the United
Kingdom of the individual used for the performance of independent personal
services. Where the ADSs have been placed in trust by a settlor who, at time of
settlement, was a U.S. Holder, the ADSs will generally not be subject to U.K.
inheritance tax unless the settlor, at the time of settlement, was not domiciled
in the United States and was a U.K. national. In the exceptional case where the
ADSs are subject both to U.K. inheritance tax and to U.S. federal gift or estate
tax, the Estate Tax Treaty generally provides for the tax paid in the United
Kingdom to be credited against tax paid in the United States or for tax paid in
the United States to be credited against tax payable in the United Kingdom based
on priority rules set out in that Treaty.
U.K. Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax
A transfer for value of the Shares will generally be subject to U.K. ad
valorem stamp duty, normally at the rate of 50p per (pound)100 (or part thereof)
of the amount or value of the consideration given for the transfer irrespective
of the identity of the parties to the transfer and the place of execution of any
instrument of transfer. Stamp duty is normally a liability of the purchaser.
An agreement to transfer Shares for money or money's worth will
normally give rise to a charge to stamp duty reserve tax ("SDRT") at the rate of
0.5% of the amount or value of the consideration for the Shares unless an
instrument of transfer of the Shares is executed in pursuance of the agreement
and is duly stamped. SDRT is in general payable by the purchaser.
A stamp duty charge at the higher rate of (pound)1.50 per (pound)100
(or part thereof) or, in the case of SDRT, a charge at the higher rate of 1.5%
of the amount or value of the consideration, or in some circumstances, the value
of the Shares, may arise on a transfer or issue of the Shares (i) to, or to a
nominee for, a person whose business is or includes the provision of clearance
services or (ii) to, or to a nominee or agent for, a person whose business is or
includes issuing depositary receipts. Under the U.K. Finance Act 1996, as from
July 1, 1996, an option has been introduced whereby clearance services may opt,
under certain conditions, for the normal rates of SDRT to apply to a transfer of
shares into, and to transactions within, the service instead of the higher rate
applying to an issue or transfer of shares into the clearance service. From
March 9, 1999, where securities are held by persons providing clearance
services, but whose business is not exclusively that of providing such services,
agreements to transfer securities held in this way are exempt from the principal
charge to SDRT.
In accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement, (i) the Company
will pay all U.K. stamp duty or SDRT charges that arise as a result of the
initial deposit by the Company of Shares with the Depositary pursuant to the
Offering (ii) the Selling Shareholders will pay all U.K. stamp duty or SDRT
charges that arise as a result of the initial deposit by the Selling
Shareholders with the Depositary pursuant to the Offering and (iii) any tax or
duty payable by the Depositary or the Custodian of the Depositary on any
subsequent deposit of Shares will be charged by the Depositary to the holder of
the ADS or any deposited security represented by the ADS.
No U.K. stamp duty will be payable on the acquisition or transfer of an
ADS evidenced by an ADR or of beneficial ownership of an ADS, provided that any
instrument of transfer or written agreement to transfer remains at all times
outside the United Kingdom, and provided further that any instrument of transfer
or written agreement to transfer is not executed in the United Kingdom and the
transfer does not relate to any matter or thing done or to be done in the United
Kingdom. An agreement for the transfer of an ADR or the beneficial ownership of
an ADR will not give rise to a liability to SDRT. The UK Chancellor of the
Exchequer announced on March 9, 1999 that with effect from October 1, 1999
interest will be charged on duty that is not paid within 30 days of execution of
a transfer of securities subject to stamp duty, wherever execution takes place.
Interest paid will not be allowable as a deduction in computing profits and
losses for tax purposes. Penalties will also apply to document submitted for
stamping more than 30 days after the document was executed. For document
executed outside the UK, penalties will apply to documents not submitted for
stamping within 30 days after they are first brought into the UK.
Any transfer for value of the underlying Shares represented by ADSs
evidenced by ADRs, may give rise to a liability to U.K. stamp duty or SDRT. The
amount of U.K. stamp duty or SDRT payable is generally calculated at
33
the applicable rate on the consideration for the transfer of the Shares at the
rate of 50p per (pound)100 (or part thereof), or in the case of SDRT, at the
rate of 0.5% of the amount or value of the consideration; however, on a transfer
from the Custodian of the Depositary to a holder of an ADS upon cancellation of
the ADS, only a fixed U.K. stamp duty of 50p per instrument of transfer will be
payable.
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
Taxation of Dividends
The gross amount of distributions made with respect to ADSs (including
the full amount of the related Tax Credit and unreduced by any U.K. withholding
taxes) will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the
extent paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Company as
determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that a
distribution exceeds the earnings and profits of the Company, it will be treated
as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder's adjusted
tax basis in the ADS and thereafter as a capital gain. Dividends paid by the
Company generally will be treated as foreign source dividend income and will not
be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporate
shareholders under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
The amount of any distribution will equal the fair market value in U.S.
dollars of the pounds sterling (or other foreign currency) or other property
received on the date received by the U.S. Holder, in the case of Ordinary
Shares, or received by the Depositary, in the case of ADSs, which, in the case
of a distribution paid in pounds (or other foreign currency) will be based on
the spot exchange rate on such date. A U.S. holder will have a basis in any
pounds sterling (or other foreign currency) distributed, for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, equal to the dollar value of pounds sterling (or other foreign
currency) on the date received by the U.S. Holder, in the case of Ordinary
Shares, or received by the Depositary, in the case of ADSs. Any gain or loss
recognized upon a subsequent disposition of pounds sterling (or other foreign
currency) will generally be ordinary income or loss.
Subject to certain complex limitations and only to the extent of the
related tax credit amount, the 15% U.K. withholding tax will be treated for U.S.
tax purposes as a foreign tax that may be claimed as a foreign tax credit
against the U.S. federal income tax liability of the U.S. Holder. Dividends
distributed by the Company will generally be categorized as "passive income" or,
in the case of certain holders, as "financial services income," for purposes of
computing allowable foreign tax credits for U.S. tax purposes. The rules
relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex and U.S.
Holders should consult their tax advisors to determine whether and to what
extent a credit would be available. In lieu of claiming a credit, a U.S. Holder
that does not claim any foreign tax credits may claim a deduction of foreign
taxes paid in the taxable year. A deduction does not reduce U.S. tax on a dollar
for dollar basis like a tax credit. The deduction, however, is not subject to
the limitations described above.
Taxation of Capital Gains
A U.S. Holder will, upon the sale or exchange of an ADS, recognize a
gain or a loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the
difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis
in the ADS. Such gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss if the ADS was a
capital asset in the hands of the U.S. Holder. Such gain or loss will generally
be treated as U.S. source gain or loss. In the case of a U.S. Holder who is an
individual, capital gains will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax
at preferential rates if specified minimum holding periods are met.
The surrender of ADSs in exchange for Shares will not be a taxable
event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, U.S. Holders will not
recognize any gain or loss upon such surrender.
United States Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to ADSs and proceeds from the sale,
exchange or redemption of ADSs may be subject to information reporting to the
IRS and possible U.S. backup withholding at rates of up to 31%. Backup
withholding will not apply, however, to a holder who furnishes a correct
taxpayer identification number or certificate of foreign status and makes any
other required certification or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding.
Persons required to establish their exempt status generally must provide such
certification on IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and
Certification) in the case of U.S. persons and on IRS Form W-8 BEN (Certificate
of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner) in the case of non-U.S. persons.
Finalized Treasury regulations, which are applicable to payments made after
December 31, 2000, have generally expanded the
34
circumstances under which information reporting and backup withholding may apply
unless the holder provides the information described above.
Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a holder's U.S.
federal income tax liability, and a holder may obtain a refund of any excess
amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate
claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information. U.S.
Holders of Ordinary Shares or ADSs should consult their tax advisors regarding
the application of the backup withholding and information reporting rules.
10.F. Dividends and paying agents
Not applicable.
10.G. Statement by experts
Not applicable.
10.H. Documents on display
The documents referred to in this report can be read at the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission's public reference facilities at Room 1024,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at their regional offices
located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York, 10048 and at
the Northwest Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511.
10.I. Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
35
Item 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is exposed to certain market risks arising from
transactions in the normal course of business, principally risks associated with
interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations. The Company is exposed to
interest rate risk from on its short term debt and to foreign currency risk from
the translation of foreign operations into Sterling and on foreign currency
working capital. The Company's interest rate and currency profile of financial
liabilities and assets was as follows:
31 March 31 March
2001 2000
Floating rate financial liabilities (pound)'000 (pound)'000
Currency
Sterling 1,092 -
US$ 5,257 1,249
Euro 4,001 1,608
----------- ---------
10,350 2,857
less offsetable Sterling financial assets - (2,543)
----------- ---------
Gross financial liabilities 10,350 314
=========== =========
Interest on floating rate liabilities is based on the relevant national bank
base rate. Interest rate risks on these liabilities are not hedged.
31 March 31 March
2001 2000
Non-interest bearing financial assets (pound)'000 (pound)'000
Currency
Sterling - 3,181
US$ 1,227 372
Euro 443 28
----------- ---------
1,670 3,581
less offsetable US$ and Euro financial
liabilities - (2,543)
----------- ---------
Gross financial assets 1,670 1,038
=========== =========
Financial assets comprise cash at bank and in hand. Non-interest bearing assets
are fully liquid and have no maturity period.
Item 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
Item 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF
PROCEEDS
None.
36
PART III
Item 15. [RESERVED]
Item 16. [RESERVED]
PART IV
Item 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not applicable.
Item 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following financial statements together with the report of Deloitte
& Touche thereon are filed as part of this Annual Report:
Page
----
Report of Independent Auditors .................................. F1
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income ...... F2
Consolidated Balance Sheets ..................................... F3
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity ................. F5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ........................... F6
Notes to the Financial Statements................................ F8
Item 19. EXHIBITS
1. Memorandum and articles of association (incorporated by reference from
the Company's registration statement on Form F-1, File No. 333-05222,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 5, 1996).
2. Deposit Agreement (incorporated by reference from the Company's
registration statement on Form F-6, File No. 333-5220, as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 5, 1996).
3. Not applicable.
4. Not applicable.
5. Not applicable.
6. See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
7. Not applicable.
8. See Item 4.C.
9. Not applicable.
10. None.
37
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities and
Exchange Act 1934, the registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused and authorized the
undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
By:
---------------------------------------
Kevin Worrall
Group Finance Director
Date: July 31, 2001
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
Consolidated Financial Statements for the
years ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 and
Independent Auditors' Report
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
CONTENTS Page
Report of independent auditors..............................................F1
Consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income..................F2
Consolidated balance sheets.................................................F3
Consolidated statements of shareholders' equity.............................F5
Consolidated statements of cash flows.......................................F6
Notes to consolidated financial statements..................................F8
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Professional Staff plc
Slough, England
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets
of Professional Staff plc and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of March 31, 2001
and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive
income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended March 31, 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at March
31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of its operations and cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended March 31, 2001 in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE
Chartered Accountants
Bracknell
England
June 22, 2001
F1
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
Note 2001 2000 1999
(pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
Revenue 146,656 120,410 95,359
Direct cost of revenue 111,686 91,766 74,210
----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit 34,970 28,644 21,149
Selling, general and administrative expenses 9 31,285 22,533 16,076
Amortization of goodwill 1,145 1,008 375
----------- ----------- -----------
Income from continuing operations before other
income (expense) and income taxes
2,540 5,103 4,698
Other income (expense)
Interest and other income 446 35 1,521
Interest and other expense 9 (1,122) (684) (86)
----------- ----------- -----------
Income from continuing operations before
income taxes
1,864 4,454 6,133
Income taxes 6 1,115 1,561 2,084
----------- ----------- -----------
Income from continuing operations 749 2,893 4,049
----------- ----------- -----------
Net income 749 2,893 4,049
=========== =========== ===========
Earnings Per Share Data 3
Basic earnings per share (pound)0.09 (pound)0.34 (pound)0.45
No. of shares used in computation 8,672 8,577 8,929
=========== =========== ===========
Diluted earnings per share: (pound)0.08 (pound)0.33 (pound)0.43
No. of shares used in computation 8,911 8,842 9,381
=========== =========== ===========
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, net of tax (pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
Net income 749 2,893 4,049
Foreign currency translation adjustment 374 (16) --
----------- ----------- -----------
Comprehensive income 1,123 2,877 4,049
=========== =========== ===========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F2
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2001 and 2000
Note 2001 2000
(pound)'000 (pound)'000
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 1,670 1,038
Accounts receivable (net of allowance
for doubtful debts of (pound)1,664,000
in 2001 and (pound)846,000 in 2000) 23,492 22,501
Unbilled accounts receivable 8,633 1,168
Prepaid expenses 934 499
Other receivables 1,991 2,446
Deferred income taxes 250 -
------ ------
Total current assets 36,970 27,652
Property and equipment, net 4 4,543 4,106
Goodwill (net of accumulated amortization
of (pound)2,721,000 in 2001
and (pound)1,576,000 in 2000) 33,461 30,664
Other assets 3 3
------ ------
TOTAL ASSETS 74,977 62,425
====== ======
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F3
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2001 and 2000
Note 2001 2000
(pound)'000 (pound)'000
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Short term debt (bank credit facilities) 10,350 314
Accounts payable 2,807 3,920
Accrued liabilities 8,272 2,462
Income tax payable 105 897
Other taxes and social security payable 2,457 1,842
Current portion of capital lease obligations - 41
Other liabilities 539 900
------ ------
Total current liabilities 24,530 10,376
Long term liabilities
Capital lease obligations - 68
Deferred income taxes 160 -
------ ------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 24,690 10,444
------ ------
Commitments and contingencies 2 100 2,979
------ ------
Shareholders' equity
Ordinary shares, 2p par value:
Authorised shares - 24,000,000 in 2001 and 2000
Issued shares - 8,678,131 in 2001 and 8,622,837 in 2000 173 172
Additional paid-in capital 37,860 37,799
Capital redemption reserve 16 16
Accumulated other comprehensive income 358 (16)
Retained earnings 11,780 11,031
------ ------
Total shareholders' equity 50,187 49,002
------ ------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 74,977 62,425
====== ======
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F4
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Additional Capital Cumulative
Ordinary Ordinary paid-in Redemption translation Retained
shares shares capital Reserve adjustment earnings Total
No.'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
BALANCE AT APRIL 1, 1998 5,924 118 8,782 1 -- 8,099 17,000
Ordinary shares issued, net of issue
costs of (pound)2,588,000
3,052 61 28,717 -- -- -- 28,778
Ordinary share options exercised 282 6 207 -- -- -- 213
Ordinary shares repurchased (762) (15) -- 15 -- (3,987) (3,987)
Net income -- -- -- -- -- 4,049 4,049
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1999 8,496 170 37,706 16 -- 8,161 46,053
Ordinary share options exercised 126 2 93 -- -- -- 95
Ordinary shares repurchased -- -- -- -- -- (23) (23)
Foreign currency translation adjustment -- -- -- -- (16) -- (16)
Net income -- -- -- -- -- 2,893 2,893
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2000 8,622 172 37,799 16 (16) 11,031 49,002
Ordinary share options exercised 56 1 61 -- -- -- 62
Foreign currency translation adjustment -- -- -- -- 374 -- 374
Net income -- -- -- -- -- 749 749
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2001 8,678 173 37,860 16 358 11,780 50,187
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F5
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
2001 2000 1999
(pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income 749 2,893 4,049
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in)
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,685 2,281 1,476
Profit on disposal of property and equipment 13 (40) (40)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions
Accounts receivable (991) 2,617 (6,080)
Unbilled accounts receivable (7,465) 986 (812)
Prepaid expenses (435) 38 (44)
Other receivables 455 (1,263) (970)
Accounts payable (1,113) 1,281 (1,659)
Accrued liabilities 5,657 (2,624) 1,771
Deferred income tax asset (91) -- --
Income taxes payable (792) (1,360) 460
Other taxes and social security payable 615 (161) 308
Other liabilities (361) (228) (290)
------- ------- -------
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (1,074) 4,420 (1,831)
------- ------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property and equipment (2,397) (2,203) (1,419)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 446 233 170
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (6,382) (3,781) (20,789)
------- ------- -------
Net cash (used in) investing activities (8,333) (5,751) (22,038)
------- ------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase in bank credit facilities 10,036 314 --
Ordinary share options exercised 62 95 213
Ordinary share issuance -- -- 28,778
Repurchase of ordinary shares -- (23) (3,987)
Payments under capital lease obligations (109) (55) (143)
------- ------- -------
Net cash provided by financing activities 9,989 331 24,861
------- ------- -------
Effect of exchange differences on cash 50 6 --
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 632 (994) 992
------- ------- -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 1,038 2,032 1,040
------- ------- -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR 1,670 1,038 2,032
======= ======= =======
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F6
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
2001 2000 1999
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
Interest paid 388 114 86
======= ======= =======
Income taxes paid 1,998 2,921 1,624
======= ======= =======
F7
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
1. BASIS FOR PRESENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Nature of business
Professional Staff plc and its subsidiaries (the `Company') primarily
operate in the communications technology, science and interim
management sectors of the temporary staffing and recruitment industries
in the United Kingdom, United States of America and Continental Europe.
Basis for consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements
of Professional Staff plc and all of its subsidiaries. Professional
Staff plc and its major subsidiaries are incorporated in Great Britain
except for The Woolf Group, Inc. and S.Com, Inc. which are incorporated
in the United States of America, S.Com Computer Systems Engineers GmbH
and Euromedica Executive Search GmbH which are incorporated in Germany
and Euromedica SARL which is incorporated in France. All significant
intercompany transactions, profits and balances have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassification
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
2001 presentation.
Currency
These consolidated financial statements are stated in United Kingdom
pounds sterling.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a remaining
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost and depreciated using the
straight-line method. Freehold land is not depreciated; freehold
buildings are depreciated over an estimated useful life of 40 years;
fixtures, fittings and equipment are depreciated over estimated useful
lives ranging from 3 to 10 years and motor vehicles are depreciated
over an estimated useful life of 4 years.
Goodwill
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a business is calculated by
comparing the cost of the acquisition with the fair value of the net
assets acquired. Any difference is treated as purchased goodwill and is
amortized in equal amounts over its expected useful life. The
amortization period is assessed separately for each acquisition and the
carrying value of goodwill and the adequacy of the amortization rates
are reviewed at each balance sheet date. All goodwill arising on the
Company's acquisitions is currently being amortized over 30 years.
F8
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
1. BASIS FOR PRESENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived assets by
determining whether the amortization of the asset's balance over its
remaining life can be recovered through projected future cash flows
from operations. The Company continually evaluates the existence of
potential impairment by analysing operating results, trends and
prospects. The Company also takes into consideration any other events
or circumstances that might indicate potential impairment. Based upon
these evaluations, the Company has determined that no impairment of
recorded long-lived assets has occurred.
Fair values of financial instruments
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable
and accounts payable approximate to fair value due to the short
maturities of such instruments.
Revenue recognition
The Company derives most of its revenues from supplying temporary
staffing services. Revenues are recorded as such services are provided.
Direct cost of revenue
Direct cost of revenue consists primarily of compensation payable to
temporary workers, related payroll taxes and direct expenses billable
to clients. Direct cost of revenue does not include any allocation of
overhead costs.
Pension costs
The Company contributes to certain employee's personal money purchase
pension plans. These contributions are charged to the income statement
as they are payable.
Income taxes
The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS")
No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes". Under this method, deferred tax
assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between
financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are
measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect
when the differences are expected to reverse.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is computed on the weighted average number of
ordinary shares outstanding during the respective period. Diluted
earnings per share includes the effect of dilutive ordinary share
equivalents outstanding during the periods using the treasury stock
method.
Share options granted to employees
The Company accounts for all share-based compensation plans under the
intrinsic value method prescribed by APB Opinion No.25, "Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees". Accordingly, no accounting recognition is
given to stock options granted at fair market value until they are
exercised. Upon exercise, net proceeds are credited to equity. The
proforma impact on earnings per share has been disclosed as required by
SFAS No. 123.
F9
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
1. BASIS FOR PRESENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Foreign exchange
The Company's reporting and main functional currency is pounds
sterling. Transactions of the Company denominated in foreign currencies
are translated into functional currencies at the rates of exchange
ruling at the date of transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities in
foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated into
functional currencies at the rates of exchange ruling at that date. Any
differences are dealt with in the income statement.
The balance sheets of foreign subsidiaries are translated into sterling
at the closing rates of exchange and the income statement at an average
rate. The differences arising from the translation are charged directly
to accumulated other comprehensive income.
Leases
Assets held under finance leases are capitalized at their fair value on
the inception of the lease and depreciated over their estimated useful
lives. Finance charges are allocated over the period of the lease in
proportion to the capital amount outstanding. Rentals under operating
leases are charged to the income statement in equal annual amounts over
the lease term.
New Accounting Pronouncements
The effective date for the Company of SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" and SFAS No. 138, "An
Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133", is April 1, 2001. SFAS No. 133
and 138 will require the Company to recognize all derivatives on the
balance sheet at fair value. As of the effective date, SFAS 133 and
amendments will not have a material effect on the Company's
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On June 29, 2001, the FASB approved its proposed Statements of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (FAS 141), Business
Combinations, and No. 142 (FAS 142), Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets. FAS 141 requires that all business combinations subsequent to
June 30, 2001 be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.
FAS 142 requires the cessation of goodwill amortization and the
periodic evaluation of the carrying value of goodwill. The provisions
of FAS 142 will be effective on the Company on April 1, 2002.
2. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS
In September 2000, the company acquired the Resource Management
Division of Marconi Software Solutions Limited. The acquisition was
accounted for by the purchase method and, accordingly, the purchase
price (including transaction costs) was allocated among the
identifiable tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on
their respective fair market values. The excess of purchase price over
these estimated fair values of the net assets acquired was
(pound)289,000 and was recorded as goodwill which is being amortized
using the straight line method over 30 years. The results of acquired
operations have been included in the consolidated income statement from
the date of acquisition.
Acquisitions in fiscal 2000
In January 2000, the Company acquired the entire issued share capital
of Euromedica SARL, an executive search consultancy to the
pharmaceutical and healthcare industries in France. Initial purchase
price was (pound)250,000 with further cash consideration payable
consideration contingent upon subsequent profitability.
F10
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
2. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS (continued)
The acquisition was accounted for by the purchase method and,
accordingly, the purchase price (including transaction costs) was
allocated among the identifiable tangible assets acquired and
liabilities assumed based on their respective fair market values. The
fair values allocated were approximately (pound)180,000 for the assets
acquired and approximately (pound)174,000 for the liabilities assumed.
The excess of purchase price over these estimated fair values of the
net assets acquired was approximately (pound)268,000 and was recorded
as goodwill which is being amortized using the straight line method
over 30 years. The results of acquired operations have been included in
the consolidated income statement from the date of acquisition.
Acquisitions in fiscal 1999
On July 17, 1998 the Company acquired the entire issued share capital
of EPL Overseas Limited, a UK based provider of skilled contract
personnel to the European telecommunications industry. The initial
purchase price was (pound)1,650,000 in cash with further cash
consideration contingent upon subsequent profitability.
On October 1, 1998 the Company acquired the entire issued share capital
of Praxis Executive Taskforce Limited, a UK based provider of interim
executives and managers to industry and commerce. The initial purchase
price was (pound)2,525,000 in cash with further cash consideration
contingent upon subsequent profitability.
On March 26, 1999 the Company purchased the entire issued share capital
of Euromedica plc and 94% of the share capital of Euromedica
International Limited (together "Euromedica"). Euromedica is the
largest executive search firm in Europe in the pharmaceutical,
bioscience and healthcare sectors and has a network of offices in the
UK, Belgium and Germany. The purchase price was (pound)2,888,000.
On March 31, 1999 the Company purchased the entire issued share capital
of The Woolf Group, Inc. ("Woolf"), a US based provider of clinical
trials staffing services to pharmaceutical companies and contract
research organisations. The initial purchase price was (pound)9,560,000
with further cash consideration contingent upon subsequent
profitability.
All acquisitions were accounted for by the purchase method and,
accordingly, the purchase price (including transaction costs) was
allocated among the identifiable tangible assets acquired and
liabilities assumed based on their respective fair market values. The
fair values allocated were approximately (pound)6,409,000 for the
assets acquired and approximately (pound)4,084,000 for the liabilities
assumed. The excess of purchase price over these estimated fair values
of the net assets acquired was approximately (pound)14,551,000 and was
recorded as goodwill which is being amortised using the straight line
method over 30 years. The results of acquired operations have been
included in the consolidated income statement from the respective dates
of acquisition.
Contingent Consideration
The group has contingent commitments to pay additional consideration in
respect of acquisitions completed in 2001 and prior years. These
commitments are summarised below.
Resource Management
Further cash consideration may become payable in the year ended March
31, 2002 based on the gross profit earned by Resource Management for
the twelve months from the date of acquisition.
The Woolf Group, Inc.
Further cash consideration may become payable in May 2002 dependent
upon improvements to operating income for the year ended March 31,
2002.
F11
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
2. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS (continued)
Recognition of contingent consideration
Contingent consideration is recognized when the outcome of the
contingency is beyond reasonable doubt. Accordingly, contingent
consideration of (pound)100,000 has been recognized as at March 31,
2001 (2000 - (pound)2.979m). Where the outcome of the contingency is
not beyond reasonable doubt, for example due to the uncertainty as to
future performance, no liability has been recognized.
Disposals
With effect from June 1, 2000, the company divested its Executives on
Assignment interim management operations in the Republic of Ireland and
Northern Ireland. The loss on disposal was (pound)6,000 and there was
no attributable goodwill. The disposal had no cash effect.
After the year end, on April 4, 2001, the company divested its
Executive Selection Associates subsidiary, a company involved in
recruitment in the construction and civil engineering sectors.
3. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table summarizes the computations of share amounts used
in the computation of earnings per share presented in the accompanying
income statements.
2001 2000 1999
'000 '000 '000
Basic earnings per share:
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
outstanding during the period 8,672 8,577 8,929
=========== =========== ===========
Diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
outstanding during the period 8,672 8,577 8,929
Dilutive effect of options 239 265 452
----------- ----------- -----------
Total fully diluted securities considered
outstanding during the year 8,911 8,842 9,381
=========== =========== ===========
(pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
Net income 749 2,893 4,049
=========== =========== ===========
Basic earnings per share (pound)0.09 (pound)0.34 (pound)0.45
=========== =========== ===========
Diluted earnings per share (pound)0.08 (pound)0.33 (pound)0.43
=========== =========== ===========
Options to purchase 989,000 shares at exercise prices ranging from
$5.937 to $16.875 were outstanding at March 31, 2001, but have not been
included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the
exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the
ordinary shares.
F12
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
2001 2000
(pound)'000 (pound)'000
Freehold land and buildings 1,018 1,018
Motor vehicles 1,369 1,986
Fixtures, fittings and equipment 5,795 4,326
------ ------
8,181 7,330
Less: accumulated depreciation (3,639) (3,224)
------ ------
Property and equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation 4,543 4,106
====== ======
Property and equipment includes the following amounts for leases that
have been capitalised.
2001 2000
(pound)'000 (pound)'000
Motor vehicles - 202
Less: accumulated depreciation - (104)
------ ------
- 98
====== ======
Depreciation of leased assets is included in depreciation and
amortization expense. All finance leases were fully repaid during the
year.
5. SHARE OPTION PLAN
The Company operates two share option plans for the benefit of
directors and employees, an approved plan and an unapproved plan. Share
options granted allow for the purchase of ordinary shares at prices not
less than the fair market value of the ordinary shares at the date of
grant. The options vest over 3 years and are generally exercisable for
4 to 7 years after vesting.
The following table summarizes the option activity under the share
option plans.
2001 2000 1999
No. No. No.
Options outstanding at 1 April 1,508,109 1,426,855 1,308,541
Options granted 720,000 629,000 632,000
Options exercised (55,924) (126,484) (281,732)
Options cancelled (201,004) (421,262) (231,954)
---------- ---------- ----------
Options outstanding at 31 March 1,971,811 1,508,109 1,426,855
========== ========== ==========
Weighted-average exercise price per share:
Options granted $ 4.99 $ 6.73 $ 12.88
Options exercised $ 1.68 $ 1.33 $ 1.30
Options cancelled $ 10.35 $ 10.45 $ 11.27
========== ========== ==========
Weighted-average exercise price per share
of options outstanding at end of the year $ 6.45 $ 7.54 $ 8.21
========== ========== ==========
F13
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
5. SHARE OPTION PLAN (continued)
Details of share options granted but not exercised at March 31, 2001
are as follows:
Date of grant Number of options Exercise price Exercise period
April 1994 85,000 (pound)0.25 April 1997 - April 2004
April 1995 45,000 (pound)0.80 April 1998 - April 2003
October 1995 75,000 (pound)1.25 October 1998 - October 2005
February 1996 30,000 (pound)1.40 February 1999 - February 2003
March 1996 42,500 (pound)1.40 March 1999 - March 2006
April 1996 65,000 (pound)1.40 April 1999 - April 2006
April 1997 17,097 US$8.750 April 2000 - April 2007
May 1997 81,250 US$9.375 May 2000 - May 2007
July 1997 35,833 US$11.500 July 2000 - July 2007
May 1998 146,907 US$16.875 May 2001 - May 2008
June 1998 15,000 US$13.500 June 2001 - June 2008
July 1998 37,500 US$13.125 July 2001 - July 2008
July 1998 12,500 US$15.125 July 2001 - July 2008
October 1998 49,112 US$9.750 October 2001 - October 2008
October 1998 90,000 US$7.250 October 2001 - October 2008
April 1999 103,921 US$7.370 April 2002 - April 2009
May 1999 214,422 US$6.625 May 2002 - May 2009
June 1999 6,269 US$6.313 June 2002 - June 2009
July 1999 97,000 US$6.500 July 2002 - July 2009
August 1999 15,000 US$6.125 August 2002 - August 2009
October 1999 2,500 US$6.500 October 2002 - October 2009
January 2000 10,000 US$6.063 January 2003 - January 2010
May 2000 5,000 US$4.625 May 2003 - May 2010
October 2000 626,000 US$4.875 October 2003 - October 2010
November 2000 9,000 US$5.030 November 2003 - November 2010
November 2000 55,000 US$5.937 November 2003 - November 2010
2001 2000 1999
No. No. No.
Total number of options exercisable at the end of the year 476,680 385,000 436,485
======= ======= =======
Weighted average contractual life of options granted but
not exercised (months) 92 91 94
======= ======= =======
F14
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
5. SHARE OPTION PLAN (continued)
The Company applies APB Opinion 25 and related interpretations in
accounting for its plans. The option price for each grant of options
was considered to be a reasonable estimate of the market value of
shares at that date. Consequently, no compensation expense has been
recorded in respect of these share options. Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No.123 "Accounting for Stock-based Compensation",
("SFAS 123") requires disclosure of pro forma information regarding net
income and earnings per share had compensation cost been determined
using the fair value method. The fair value of the Company's
stock-based awards to employees was estimated as of the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Limitations on the
effectiveness of the Black-Scholes option valuation model are that it
was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options
which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable and that
the model requires the use of highly subjective assumptions including
expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's stock-based
awards to employees have characteristics significantly different from
those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input
assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in
management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a
reliable single measure of the fair value of its stock-based awards.
The fair value of options granted was estimated assuming no dividends
and using the following weighted average assumptions:
2001 2000 1999
Risk-free interest rate 4.5% 4.8% 4.7%
Expected term 3 years 3 years 3 years
Volatility 40% 40% 30%
Weighted-average fair value per share for options
granted during the year
$1.60 $2.18 $3.38
======= ======= =======
Proforma Disclosure
Had compensation cost for the Company's plans been recorded the
Company's net income and earnings per share would have been as
indicated below:
2001 2000 1999
(pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
Net income as reported 749 2,893 4,049
pro forma 574 2,638 3,733
=========== =========== ===========
Basic earnings per share as reported (pound)0.09 (pound)0.34 (pound)0.45
pro forma (pound)0.07 (pound)0.31 (pound)0.42
=========== =========== ===========
Diluted earning per share as reported (pound)0.08 (pound)0.33 (pound)0.43
pro forma (pound)0.06 (pound)0.30 (pound)0.40
=========== =========== ===========
F15
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
6. INCOME TAXES
The components of income from continuing operations before income taxes
were:
2001 2000 1999
(pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
United Kingdom 1,732 4,267 6,438
Outside United Kingdom 132 187 (305)
----- ----- -----
1,864 4,454 6,133
===== ===== =====
The components of income tax expense charged to operations were:
2001 2000 1999
(pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
Current:
- United Kingdom 872 1,507 2,084
- Outside United Kingdom 333 54 -
Deferred:
- United Kingdom - - -
- Outside United Kingdom (90) - -
----- ----- -----
1,115 1,561 2,084
===== ===== =====
The Company's provision for United Kingdom income taxes resulted in
effective tax rates that varied from the United Kingdom statutory
income tax rate as follows:
2001 2000 1999
(pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
Expected income tax provision at 30% / 30% / 31% 559 1,337 1,901
Difference in tax rate in respect of overseas' taxes 214 48 -
Amortization of goodwill not tax deductible 245 217 116
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 147 51 67
Prior year adjustments (50) (92) -
----- ----- -----
Actual income tax provision 1,115 1,561 2,084
===== ===== =====
Effective tax rate 59.8% 35.0% 34.0%
===== ===== =====
F16
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
6. INCOME TAXES (continued)
The components of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as
follows:
2001 2000
(pound)'000 (pound)'000
Current:
Interest expense 192 -
Other 58 -
------- ------
250 -
Non-current:
Depreciation and amortisation (160) -
------- ------
90 -
Net operating loss carry forwards 155 58
Valuation allowance (155) (58)
------- ------
Total deferred income tax asset 90 -
======= ======
A valuation allowance is provided against net operating loss carry
forwards which are not likely to be realised.
7. SALES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Throughout the period the Company's revenue and income before interest
and income taxes derived primarily from the provision of temporary
staffing and recruitment services.
Domestic and export revenues for the three years ended March 31, 2001
were as follows:
2001 2000 1999
(pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
United Kingdom 74,138 63,101 61,671
Continental Europe 33,692 29,384 28,045
North America 31,175 24,252 3,574
South America 2,512 810 -
Australasia 998 - -
Rest of World 4,141 2,863 2,069
------- ------- ------
146,656 120,410 95,359
======= ======= ======
Location of net property 2001 2000 1999
and equipment (pound)'000 (pound)'000 (pound)'000
United Kingdom 3,797 3,641 3,083
Europe 263 168 51
United States 483 297 192
------- ------- ------
4,543 4,106 3,326
======= ======= ======
F17
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PLC
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
7. SALES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (continued)
The Company did not receive more than 10% of consolidated revenue from
any one customer in the three years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and
1999. In the year ended March 31, 2001, billings to two communications
technology customers amounted to 9.8% and 9.6% of consolidated
revenues. In both cases these billings were made to a number of
different customer locations and/or by a number of the Company's
different operations.
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Leases
The Company leases some of its facilities under non-cancellable
operating lease agreements. Future minimum lease payments under these
operating leases as of March 31, 2001 are as follows:
Year ending March 31, (pound)'000
2002 610
2003 498
2004 422
2005 310
2006 106
Thereafter 225
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Total minimum lease payments 2,170
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Rent expense of (pound)1,039,000, (pound)714,000 and (pound)473,000 was
incurred in 2001, 2000 and 1999 respectively.
Guarantees
The Company's bankers hold a fixed and floating charge over the assets
of the Company as security over any overdraft. As at 31 March 2001 the
Company had an overdraft of (pound)10.35m (2000 - (pound)0.31m). In
addition, Professional Staff plc and its major UK subsidiaries are
subject to cross guarantees covering their overdrafts. At 31 March 2001
the gross contingent liability under these cross guarantees before
offset of cash balances was (pound)12.5m (2000 - (pound)6.4m).
The Company has pledged the assets and ordinary shares of the The Woolf
Group, Inc. as security up to a maximum of $15m to the selling
shareholders of The Woolf Group, Inc. in respect of the contingent
consideration that may become payable in May 2002.
9. UNUSUAL ITEMS
The Company incurred a non-recurring unusual item in the year ended
March 31, 2001 amounting to (pound)438,000 relating to costs associated
with corporate finance consultancy and other costs borne by the Company
in connection with the tender offer for the company by First Saddle
Limited in July 2000. These expenses are included within Other income
(expense). The Company increased its reserves for doubtful debts by an
aggregate (pound)818,000 principally against customers in the
telecommunications industry in response to market and cash flow
weaknesses in that industry in the first half of fiscal 2001.
The Company incurred the following non-recurring unusual items in the
year ended March 31, 1999 all recognized within Selling, general and
administrative expenses; (pound)403,000 relating to restructuring costs
at its Salisbury Consulting Group subsidiary and costs of integrating
its S-Com and EPL subsidiaries subsequent to acquisition;
(pound)256,000 relating to costs expected to be incurred at S-Com EPL
in collecting certain international receivables and establishing
doubtful debt reserves; and (pound)150,000 of costs associated with an
aborted acquisition.
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